On the Trail of the Pilgrim Fathers

This title tells the fascinating, true story of the founding fathers of the United States, their origins in England and their harrowing journey to the New World. After harvest time in 1621 around 60 men, women and children held a great feast in gratitude to God to celebrate their deliverance and the first anniversary of their leaving England to found a settlement in North America. These people became known as the Pilgrim Fathers. The feast was repeated annually and became known as Thanksgiving. Almost 400 years later, US citizens still celebrate Thanksgiving. But who were the Pilgrim Fathers? The political situation in 16th and 17th century England was such that those who differed from the established church were persecuted, punished and humiliated. The Puritans determined to leave English shores rather than submit to changing their beliefs. In this account, Keith Cheetham tells of their flight to Holland, their subsequent departure from Plymouth on the Mayflower in September 1620 and the perils that faced them in the New World. These are true stories of tragedy and danger as well as success. The work featutres: over 170 places to visit in England, Holland and the USA; one general map, 4 location maps of England, 1 of Holland and 1 of New England; Line drawings and illustrations; and a list of names of those who sailed in the Mayflower. It gives a thorough guide to the origins and places connected with these early settlers and sets their achievements in the context of earlier Europe and explorers to the New World. "On the Trail of the Pilgrim Fathers" is aimed at everyone interested in the brave folk who left the Old World for the New.

J. Keith Cheetham J. Keith Cheetham was born in Sheffield, where he ran his own theatre company for ten years. He was the city's first Conference and Tourist Officer and the first Director of Black Country Tourism. He combines his knowledge of the life of Shakespeare with his knowledge of British tourism to produce this volume. He lives in Wolverhampton, has his own tourism consultancy and is also a busy after-dinner speaker.