History books can paint a distorted picture of the immigrants who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts almost 400 years ago. They were not all seeking religious freedom. Some, like my ancestor, were servants.
Thanks to the exhaustive research by my cousins and siblings, I have been able to trace my ancestry to Edward Doty, who arrived on the first shallop dispatched from the Mayflower in 1620. He was the manservant of Stephen Hopkins. Although he did sign the Mayflower Compact, he also distinguished himself by becoming a ruffian. On June 18, 1621, he entered into a duel with another manservant over a woman, Constance Hopkins. While he did survive, he was not allowed to marry his employer’s daughter.
Those who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 were grateful to be on land, but the winter environment in Plymouth was harsh. The Pilgrims discovered unusual red, yellow and blue corn left by Indians in a dirt mound. In the spring of 1621 they planted it along with the seeds they brought on the ship. The Indian corn produced a good crop whereas English corn was not successful. Without the help of the Mashpee Wampanoag clan, it is doubtful that our Mayflower ancestors would have survived.
The first harvest celebration did indeed include Pilgrims and about 90 indigenous people of the Wampanoag tribe. Shortly after a three-day festival another ship arrived from England with 35 more settlers who desperately needed food and shelter. Every colonist had to survive that winter on half rations.
The crops planted in 1622 did not grow well. The following winter and spring became known as the Starving Time. Each person received five kernels of parched corn a day. Once that was gone they survived on fish and water.
Five kernels of corn has become a symbol of the Mayflower passengers’ greatest achievement, which was a government elected by the people demanding equality and just laws.
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