Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War

Though Plymouth was developing and coming into its own by the winter of 1623, Wessagussett was still struggling. The Strangers at Plymouth realized that they needed to work with the Separatists for the greater good of the colony, whereas Wessagussett was filled with people who had no real connection or desire to work together. Though the Plymouth settlers had initially helped their compatriots, they settlers at Wessagussett were unable to fend for themselves, and even feared leaving their settlement, as they were deep in Massachusetts territory. The leader of the fledgling settlement, John Sanders, asked Bradford if it was alright for them to steal corn from the Massachusetts, something that the Pilgrims had done when they first arrived to ensure their survival. However, Bradford told Sanders not to steal as the Native American populations were already angry with the settlers. The situation at Wessagussett was so severe that settlers traded their own clothing for food, leaving themselves exposed to the elements. Some also agreed to be servants for the Massachusetts, while others left the settlement completely to live with the Massachusetts. The fort was visited often by Massachusetts warriors, who would taunt the settlers.

While John Sanders left to try and obtain food for Wessagussett,