There they made a settlement, and called it Plymouth; which, though now a part of Massachusetts, was for a long time a colony by itself.

And thus was formed the earliest settlement of the Puritans in America.
Meantime, those of the Puritans who remained in England continued to suffer grievous persecution on account of their religious opinions.

They began to look around them for some spot where they might worship God, not as the king and bishops thought fit, but according to the dictates of their own consciences.

When their brethren had gone from Holland to America, they bethought themselves that they likewise might find refuge from persecution there.

Several gentlemen among them purchased a tract of country on the coast of Massachusetts Bay, and obtained a charter from King Charles, which authorized them to make laws for the settlers.