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MAYFLOWER 400 Dartmouth


The Mayflower 400 commemoration in 2020 will mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Separatists on the Mayflower to start a colony in the ‘New World’. This will be a huge occasion at both a national and international level and Dartmouth will proudly play an important role in these exciting events.


Why did the Mayflower and Speedwell put into Dartmouth in 1620 and why had the people onboard decided to leave for the New World? The story begins when a group of religious dissenters decided to separate themselves from the Church of england – they became known as Separatists and they were persecuted for not conforming to the style of religion practised by the Church at the time. They preferred to worship in simple, stripped-down churches with no ornamentation. As a result of this persecution,


a group moved to Leiden in the Netherlands, to start a new life where they believed there was more religious tolerance. Their life there was harsh and they eventually decided to leave to start a colony in the New World with some Separatists in England. With the backing of Merchant Adventurers who financed the voyage, they obtained the Mayflower and Speedwell to take them on their journey across the Atlantic. They


met up and sailed to Southampton, before setting off on their historic voyage. However, the Speedwell began


leaking badly, so both ships put into Dartmouth for repairs in August 1620, mooring off Bayards Cove. Unfortunately, the Separatists were not made welcome in the town and they set up camp outside the town boundary. We believe that their camp was in a field near Mill Creek, which


Dartmouth will be part of a National Mayflower Trail that includes all eleven


Mayflower Trail Destinations


has since been named Pilgrim’s Hill. They set sail for the New World once


repairs were completed, but had to put into Plymouth, where the Speedwell was abandoned and some passengers joined the Mayflower to continue the journey, landing in Cape Cod on 21st November.


Why is the Commemoration important? On 21st


November 1620, the


Separatists signed the Mayflower Compact - later used by John Adams in 1780 as the basis for the Massachusetts State Constitution, which, in turn, became the model for the American Constitution upon which modern-day America is founded. The UK and USA are connected by this point in history, and since then have enjoyed a ‘special relationship’.


How will Dartmouth be involved in the commemoration? Dartmouth will be part of a National Mayflower Trail that includes all eleven Mayflower Trail Destinations – towns that are linked to the story in some way. This will be a permanent trail that will be interesting and educational and will highlight Dartmouth’s rich history and tell its part in the story of the Mayflower. Along with the other Trail Towns, Dartmouth has submitted the first phase of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid for the Trail, coordinated by Plymouth,


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