American History
Mr. D’Ambrosio
Name_____________________
Period_______
INTERPRETING PRIMARY SOURCES
Directions: Read the Mayflower Compact, shown below in William Bradford’s own
handwriting. Answer the questions that follow in 2-3 complete sentences.
Preserved in Governor Bradford’s handwriting in his History of Plymouth Plantation
THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal
subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of
Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian
faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony
in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and
mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine
our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and
preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to
enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts,
constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet
and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise
all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder
subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November [New Style,
November 21], in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of
England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftyfourth. Anno Dom. 1620.
John Carver
William Bradford
Edward Winslow
William Brewster
Isaac Allerton
Miles Standish
John Alden
Samuel Fuller
Christopher Martin
William Mullins
William White
James Chilton
John Craxton
John Billington
Richard Warren
John Howland
Steven Hopkins
Edward Tilly
John Tilly
Francis Cook
Thomas Rogers
Thomas Tinker
John Rigdale
Edward Fuller
John Turner
Francis Eaton
Moses Fletcher
Digery Priest
Thomas Williams
Gilbert Winslow
Edmond Margeson
Peter Brown
Richard Bitteridge
Richard Clark
Richard Gardiner
John Allerton
Thomas English
Edward Doten
Edward Liester
John Goodman
George Soule
Directions: After reading the Mayflower Compact, answer the questions below
in 2-3 complete sentences.
1. Why are William Bradford and the other male passengers of the
Mayflower signing this compact according to the document?
2. How does the Mayflower Compact provide for the general good of the
colony according to the document?
3. If you were writing the Mayflower Compact, what would you add or
remove from the written agreement?
4. Look through the signatures at the bottom of the Mayflower Compact.
Which first name appears to be the most common? Which one is second
most common?
MOST COMMON: ______________________________
SECOND MOST COMMON: ______________________
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