9. Mayflower sighted land in late November, 1620
On November 19 (using today’s calendar, November 9 on theirs) Mayflower made landfall in the New World. They had no idea where they were. Captain Jones made the determination they were north of their goal, near the mouth of the Hudson. They were actually near Cape Cod. Jones decided to sail south, but contrary winds and seas, as well as the onset of winter in those climes, deterred him. After two days, Jones entered the hook of the Cape and anchored in today’s Provincetown Harbor. Before attempting to go ashore, the leaders of the Separatists drew up the document known as the Mayflower Compact, essentially an agreement between Separatists and Strangers regarding the governance of the new settlement and its people. There were 73 adult male passengers aboard Mayflower. 41 signed the document.
There were 19 male servants aboard the ship who did not sign the Compact. In addition, several of the craftsmen hired for the expedition were bound for one year only. They too did not sign. John Alden, a member of Captain Jones’ crew, did sign. Contrary to popular belief, Captain Jones did not. At the time of the Compact, Jones intended to return to England as soon as the passengers landed and built a suitable shelter. None of the party were prepared for the conditions they encountered, the ground froze, heavy snow, and a lack of game. High seas prevented fishing. Temperatures were considerably lower than those to which they were conditioned in England and Holland. The Pilgrims were about to learn the Atlantic passage, harsh though it had been, was nothing compared to what the New World offered.