Farming In Plymouth Colony

The Plymouth Colony was originally intended for family settlement and commerce, not so much production or resource extraction. The settlers bound together by their faith, envisioned building a self-sustaining agricultural community. Essentially revolving life around family and religion. Every person had a place and a certain set of duties according to their positions within the colony and family, but overall was expected to live under God’s law. If they were to challenge the Separatist religious doctrine, they were severely punished or even exiled from the colony. Family farms were the center of Plymouth’s economy. Land was divided evenly, giving 100 acres to each colonist and using 1,500 acres for common use. Farming proved productive enough to make the colony self-sufficient in food

An English speaking Indian approached the colony and provided they Pilgrims with very useful information about the local area and people. On March 22, 1621, Pilgrim leaders met with the Wampanoag chief and agreed to a mutual defense treaty, because of the chiefs need for allies. The natives would go on to provide the Pilgrims with critical instructions to the new environment, particularly in growing corn. The fall after their first successful harvest, the Pilgrims were said to have sat down to a feast with the Indians in “the first Thanksgiving celebration”. However, by the late 1630s the colonies were rapidly expanding and Indian tribes were increasingly invaded. This would lead to many harsh actions against the Indians by the New England Confederation, which were just trying to defend the often aggressive expansions on the Indians. The last great Indian war in seventeenth century, King Phillip’s or Metacom’s War, was a terrible matter resulting in the attacks on 52 English towns. By the summer of 1676, English forces had round up and executed the Indian leaders, and sold hundreds into