Settler in New England

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/the-charter-of-new-england-1620.php

This account is from the Charter of New England, written in 1620. Immigration from England to New England began with the migrations of Pilgrims who established the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts Bay in 1620.

It seems that the majority of the Charter sets out intentions for how the Council will be started and how it should continue: "that from henceforth, there shall be forever hereafter, in our Towne of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, one Body politicque and corporate, which shall have perpetuall Succession, which shall consist of the Number of fourtie Persons." It is quite noticeable throughout that in many references to the town of Plymouth it is often followed by 'County of Devon' emphasising how the English Settlers were keen to hold on to the place names of where they had immigrated from. This could also arguably be seen as the settlers being very proud of being British and therefore unwilling to completely forget about their roots.

Similarly, I noticed how it was highlighted that these settlers intended to continue discovering more of America and expanding their settlements:"by the Name aforesaid, to sue, and be sued; implead, and to be impleaded; answer, and to be answered, unto all Manner of Courts and Places that now are, or hereafter shall be, within this our Realme and elsewhere." This goes some way in revealing how powerful the British Empire was and how easily they took up the challenge of increasing this.

One aspect of this account that seemed to differ from other earlier accounts (such as Virginia) is how much emphasis was put on the importance of religion for those in this new colony: "And lastly, because the principall Effect which we can desire or expect of this Action, is the Conversion and Reduction of the People in those Parts unto the true Worship of God and Christian Religion.... that none be permitted to pass, in any Voyage from time to time to be made into the said Country, but such as shall first have taken the Oathe of Supremacy" This is clearly due to the fact that these settlers were made up of Puritans and Pilgrims and consequently did not tolerate any religious dissent and lived their lives trying to honour God.

Other sources: http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/English.html