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In the 17th century, America was known to most as the land of opportunity. Many
historians traveled from Europe to America to better understand the new world. Adventurers
brought over new religious and social views and many different types of people, such as servants
and tradespeople. Among some of the first people to travel to America were writers who were
eager to communicate about their experiences and how they felt. Three well-known historians
were William Bradford, John Smith, and John Winthrop. The men faced numerous shared
challenges in their journeys to America, yet these experiences shaped them in uniquely different
ways. A notable distinction lies in their diverse writing styles, which reflect their individual
influences and perspectives.
William Bradford was a distinguished writer who documented the early history of the
Plymouth Colony in his work, "Of Plymouth Plantation." His writing reflects a profound faith
and an unwavering belief in divine providence. Bradford's style is characterized by its directness,
frequently employing biblical allusions to effectively convey his messages. He wrote with an eye
toward history but also included personal anecdotes and reflections on his life experiences. His
work is considered to be among the most important sources for understanding the early days of
American colonization. In addition to Of Plymouth Plantation, Bradford wrote several other
works, including "A Dialogue Between Old England and New and The History of Plymouth
Plantation." These works provide valuable insight into the lives of those in the early colonies and
their struggles to establish a new way of life in America. As a historian, Bradford served as
Governor for many years and played a significant role in gaining the trust of the Native
Americans in the region. This trust was pivotal in initiating the first Thanksgiving, which took
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place in 1623. Bradford recorded his experiences in Plymouth in his book, "Bradford's History of
Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646."
The following literary writer is John Smith, a famous adventurer and soldier. He is
known for creating the first permanent colony in the New World, Jamestown. Smith enjoyed
writing about his experiences while Jamestown was under his control; many of his writings were
about the challenges that his settlement faced, especially against the Native Americans. He first
wrote about Jamestown, published in "A True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of
Note as Hath Happened in Virginia," published in 1608. Jamestown faced numerous challenges
in its early years, including severe droughts and periods of famine that significantly impacted the
settlers' survival. John Smith, a key figure in the settlement, brought the tough times to life in his
writings. He filled his accounts with lots of detail and used vivid language that made the
colonists' struggles feel real. Smith had a knack for exaggeration, which made his stories even
more dramatic. His writing style had a poetic touch, and he switched perspectives often, letting
readers see the challenges from different viewpoints. This lively approach not only kept people
engaged but also highlighted the complex reality of life in the early colony.
Lastly, John Winthrop was a Puritan leader who aimed to establish a religious society in
England. As a writer, he journaled and wrote a spiritual autobiography called "John Winthrop's
Christian Experience." In this autobiography, Winthrop spoke of his childhood up until his adult
life. He wrote in dialogue form, was religious, and was "inclined to some peace and comfort in
God." He enjoyed writing in journals and said, "We must delight in each other, make others
conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having
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before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the
same body" (John Winthrop, 1635). To this day, Winthrop's writings detail the stories of his
colony so well that they stand the test of time. As a historian, Winthrop served as Massachusetts
Bay Colony's Governor. He believed power was determined by numbers, and since the Puritans
outnumbered other colonies, he considered himself the most powerful. During his time as
governor, he wrote "A Model of Christian Charity" and "A Little Speech on Liberty," which
helped to clarify the distinctions between natural and civil freedoms.
Each of these men had a distinctive writing style and contributed to the development of
their respective colonies differently. Each historian had their perception of the conflicts they
faced and how those should be resolved. There are some similarities between them, such as their
writing styles. Their stories speak of their experiences with Native Americans, but they each had
unique experiences with them. They also spoke of what life was like after they traveled to the
New World. In conclusion, John Winthrop, William Bradford, and John Smith played vital
roles in the New World and their respective colonies. They will always be known as essential
icons in American Literature.
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References-
History.com Editors. (2018, August 21). William Bradford. HISTORY.
https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/william-bradford
Project MUSE - Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History. (n.d.). Muse.jhu.edu.
https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/29
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2018). John Smith | British explorer.
In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-
Smith-British-explorer
Vile, J. R. (2009). John Winthrop. Mtsu.edu. https://www.mtsu.edu/first-
amendment/article/1232/john-winthrop
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