Puritan Life in New Plymouth

New Plymouth was the first Puritan settlement in North America. It was the home of the Pilgrims.

The lives of the Pilgrims were defined by their strict moral and religious beliefs.

Each day began and ended with Bible readings. The Pilgrims said a prayer before and after every meal.

The Sabbath began at 6 PM on Saturday, extending through Sunday.

During the Sabbath, Pilgrims were not allowed to travel to or from towns.

Most of the Sabbath was spent in Church - four hours in the morning and three or four hours in the afternoon. The Pilgrims prayed and meditated at home afterwards.

William Brewster, New Plymouth's spiritual leader, preached three times a week.

Church attendance was compulsory.

Sermons would extend well over an hour. A "tithingman" would spot anyone who appeared restless or sleepy, or who was whispering or giggling, and brush their chins with a stick.

Most forms of entertainment and merriment were forbidden. Games, sports and drama were prohibited. Christmas Day was treated as a normal workday.

One group of newcomers refused to work on the town's defenses on Christmas Day, claiming it was against their principles. Governor William Bradford found them playing games when he returned from work at noon. He took away their sports equipment and told them that they should stay at home to make their devotions.

Other "troublemakers" included a Mr. Fells, whose maid became pregnant. The Elders of New Plymouth sent them away.

Sir Christopher Gardiner had a "cousin" who turned out to be his mistress. Later, a notebook was found which recorded Sir Christopher's conversion to Catholicism. He was also forced to leave.

Thomas Morton set up an establishment at a place known as Merrymount, where he and his followers drank, gambled and made love to Native American women. Morton set up a Maypole - strictly forbidden under Puritan law - which he presided over, calling himself "Lord of Misrule". He was also a gunrunner for the natives. Ultimately, he was exiled from the colony.