Pilgrim fathers’ church, Delfshaven

One of the first – and probably the most famous – group of emigrants leaving Holland for the New World were not Dutch at all. On 22 July (new style: 1 August) 1620 the Speedwell set sail from Delfshaven to Southampton. On board was a group of English puritans, living in exile in The Netherlands, and now leaving for America. In Southampton, the Speedwell was joined by the Mayflower, and the two ships left together, with destination America.

English puritans in Holland

Twelve years earlier, in 1608, a group of English puritans fled the religious oppression of England and, after a short spell in Amsterdam, settled in Leiden, Holland, where they were free to practice their religion.

The congregation in Leiden was not really a success. On the one hand, they enjoyed the freedom the Dutch republic offered (William Brewster could not have printed his pamphlets anywhere but in Holland), and some of them did quite well economically. On the other hand, a considerable part of the group was unable to find employ in the city, hampered by their rural backgrounds and the language barrier.

After nearly a decade, the puritans decided to leave Holland again, triggered by the economic hardship of a part of the group, the fear of eventual assimilation of their small group into Dutch society and religion, and the wish to be missionaries, to spread the (puritan view of) the gospel.

To America

The decision to leave was probably made in 1617, but they did not leave for another three years. The first group left on the Speedwell, sailing from Delfshaven to Southampton, where they were joined by another group, still living in England, sailing on the Mayflower. Though the two ships left together for America, the Speedwell did not get any further than Plymouth. It seemed to be unfit for the ocean journey, and most passengers boarded the Mayflower.

After a difficult journey, they finally reached Cape Cod in November 1620.

The departure from Delfshaven must have been quite a spectacle. The pilgrims had gathered there the day before (including many that stayed behind). They spent the night together in prayer and singing hymns. After a prayer of their pastor John Robinson and an emotional parting, the Speedwell set sail, accompanied by gun salutes, waved farewell by their friends from Leiden and probably quite a few Delfshaven locals.

Further reading

• Leiden Pilgrim Archives
• The Pieterskerk in Leiden
• The Pilgrim Fathers Church in Delfshaven
• The Mayflower Pilgrims : Roots of Puritan, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Baptist Heritage
  

“But now we are all, in all places, strangers and pilgrims, travelers and sojourners…” –
Plaque on the Pieterskerk in Leiden, commemorating the Pilgrims that died in Leiden