The Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the Separatists, fleeing from religious persecution. The Mayflower Compact was signed by 41 of the ship's 101 passengers aboard the Mayflower ship on November 11, 1620 while anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor at the northern tip of Cape Cod.
The original document has been lost. However, three copies exist from the 17th century:
1. Written by William Bradford in Mourt's Relation (1622) AND reprinted in Purchas his Pilgrimes (1625), 2. hand written by William Bradford in his journal Of Plimoth Plantation (1646), 3. printed by Bradford's nephew Nathaniel Morton in New Englands Memorial (1669).


Above= Picture of one of the oldest copy of the Mayflower Compact. This copy was produced and hand written by William Bradford in his journal Of Plimoth Plantation in 1646. You may click on the photo above to enlarge. (You may have to also left or right click on the photo again on the next page).

We Recommend the following website for further research on the Mayflower Compact:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_Compact
http://www.history.com/topics/mayflower-compact