So you think you are a Homesteader Part 10

By Unicoi Ludd

So you think you're a homesteader ?- Lessons from the MAYFLOWER- November 11, 1620. Having abandoned their original goal of settling in the "northern parts of Virginia" near the mouth of the Hudson River, the colonist's have returned to Cape Cod (current Massachusetts). There is much dissatisfaction among the passengers ( less than half of whom are who we think of as "pilgrims" ), because this will put them outside of their agreed & legal land grant. ( unbeknownst to them, the investors in England have persuaded King James to extend a new grant to the company). They will be on disputed territory and back then that was a serious problem! Spain considered all of North & South America theirs and had made no bones about attacking anyone who came uninvited. Other colonist's took the position that, since they were outside the jurisdiction of England, it was every man for themselves. As they approached the anchorage they realize that some form of United action is necessary. Strangers in a strange land, they know they can count only on themselves, so they agree to work together for their mutual benefit and come up with the "Mayflower Compact". I attach the text at the bottom so you can see that it is not some kind of Constitution or Declaration of Independence, just a simple agreement to work together. So what lesson might we take ? ....In any situation involving several people, it's best to set some ground rules. A boat just goes in circles if you don't row together. Whether its business, household chores or a quilting bee everyone needs to understand what the goal is and how to get there. This is especially true of those of us trying to simplify life and "go back to the land". If you're significant other is not on board you're in trouble. Talk about goals and find common ground, otherwise you're doomed to failure.
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 fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.

John Carver
William Brewster
John Alden
William Mullins
John Craxton
John Howland
John Tilly
Thomas Tinker
John Turner
Digery Priest
Edmond Margeson
Richard Clark
Thomas English
John Goodman

William Bradford
Isaac Allerton
Samuel Fuller
William White
John Billington
Steven Hopkins
Francis Cook
John Rigdale
Francis Eaton
Thomas Williams
Peter Brown
Richard Gardiner
Edward Doten
George Soule

Edward Winslow
Miles Standish
Christopher Martin
James Chilton
Richard Warren
Edward Tilly
Thomas Rogers
Edward Fuller
Moses Fletcher
Gilbert Winslow
Richard Bitteridge
John Allerton
Edward Liester