Mourt's Relation facts for kids
Mourt's Relation is a special booklet written a long time ago, between November 1620 and November 1621. It tells the exciting story of the first English settlers, known as the Pilgrims, when they arrived in America. The book describes everything from their landing on Cape Cod to how they explored and finally settled Plymouth Colony.
This important book was mostly written by Edward Winslow. However, it seems William Bradford, a leader of the Pilgrims, wrote the first part. Mourt's Relation also shares details about how the Pilgrims interacted with the Native Americans living there. It even includes the famous event often called the first Thanksgiving. The book ends with the arrival of another ship, the Fortune, in November 1621.
Mourt's Relation was first printed and sold in London in 1622 by John Bellamy. Many people used to think George Morton wrote it, which is why it got its short name, Mourt's Relation.
Contents
Who Was George Morton?
George Morton was a Puritan Separatist, which means he was part of a religious group that wanted to separate from the Church of England. He had moved to Leiden, Holland, with other Separatists. When the first Pilgrims sailed to America, George Morton stayed behind in Europe.
Morton's Role in Publishing
Even though he didn't go to Plymouth Colony right away, George Morton helped manage the Pilgrims' business in Europe and London. It's believed he helped arrange for Mourt's Relation to be published and might have even helped write some parts of it.
Morton's Journey to Plymouth
In 1623, George Morton finally moved to Plymouth Colony with his wife, Juliana. She was the sister of Governor William Bradford's wife, Alice. Sadly, George Morton didn't live long in the new land. He passed away the next year, in 1624.
Nathaniel Morton's Legacy
George Morton's son, Nathaniel Morton, grew up to be an important person in Plymouth Colony. He became the colony's clerk and was a close helper to his uncle, Governor William Bradford, who raised him after his father died. Nathaniel Morton also wrote an important early history of Plymouth Colony called "New England's Memorial."
The First Thanksgiving Story
The part of Mourt's Relation that describes the "first Thanksgiving" is very famous. For about sixty years, The Wall Street Journal newspaper has printed this section every year on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Rediscovering the Booklet
After it was first published, the original Mourt's Relation seemed to disappear or be forgotten for a long time. Other books summarized parts of it, but they often left out the Thanksgiving story we know today.
The Booklet's Return
Then, in 1820, a copy of the original booklet was found again in Philadelphia. The first complete reprinting of the book happened in 1841. It was at this time that the editor, Alexander Young, was the first person to call the 1621 feast "the first Thanksgiving" in a footnote. This helped make the story widely known.
A Valuable Piece of History
In 1921, one copy of Mourt's Relation was sold at an auction for $3,800, showing how valuable this historical document is.
