In a word, conditions were harsh for the colonists. Many colonist had to leave their families behind either because they lost the Speedwell or possibly financial reasons. It would be years before some families were reunited. Having landed after the planting season because of delays in leaving England, they were unable to grow food. In fact a drought occurred for 2-3 years after landing making an already challenging situation worse. The land and sea did provide game and fish which enabled them to survive.  Complicating the situation, a sickness took the lives of 50 of the 102 passengers and half of the crew of 20-30 men in that first winter, making it difficult to build lodging on shore. In addition to the 66 days for the voyage, they had to live on the Mayflower until March 1621 when enough houses were built.  Because the ships quarters were not designed to carry passengers, cargo and livestock, they did not have herds to provide food sources like milk.

The houses were small one room homes with a hearth and a bed area. They were made of wattle and daub. One year after landing there were only 7 houses built holding 86 people after the landing of the Fortune which came without any significant supplies. Despite having their first successful harvest that year which we celebrate as the “First Thanksgiving”, they did not have sufficient food to last to the next planting season and everyone was placed on half rations.

Everyone worked. Boys worked the fields, hunted and fished and tended to livestock. Girls cooked, preserved food, tended to home gardens and sewed.

Religion was central to daily life and attending church meetings was required. Only the religion practiced by the Pilgrims was tolerated. Marriages in Plimoth were civil legal affairs, that meant they were not religious ceremonies. This was the custom in Holland which the Separatists acquired. The same was true of burials. Holidays such as Christmas were not recognized and celebration was forbidden because there is no reference to the time in the Bible.

For more information, please see:

pilgrimhall.org

https://sail1620.org/articles/13

https://home-school-coach.com/life-of-pilgrim-children-in-plymouth/

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