Pilgrim Hall Museum - About the Pilgrims - The End of Plymouth Colony

The End of Plymouth Colony

"As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation."

- William Bradford

The destruction caused by King Philip's War drew the attention of the English crown to its American colonies. Starting in 1685, colonial governments were restructured and charters were revoked. Plymouth Colony became part of the United Colonies of New England.

When the English government under King William and Queen Mary wrote new charters for the colonies, Plymouth was not given its own charter.
As of 1692, Plymouth Colony was combined with the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which eventually became the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The memory of Plymouth Colony was preserved, however. As succeeding generations looked to the past for inspiration, the Pilgrims became part of Americans' shared culture.

Although their Colony lasted only 72 years, the Pilgrims made a fundamental and lasting impact on American identity.

Pilgrim Hall Museum
75 Court St, Plymouth, MA 02360 | Phone (508) 746-1620