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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Coming to Terms

Seventeenth Century religious differences can be baffling today. Calvinism was the dominant influence in Massachusetts.


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“But they knew they were pilgrims.”

-  William Bradford, Of Plimoth Plantation

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An illustration by John Rogers Herbert depicting Calvinist factions debating religion at England’s Westminster Assembly. The scene shows a group of theologians and clergymen engaged in intense discussion within a grand hall, reflecting the diverse opinions on church governance during the assembly.
Calvinist factions debate religion at England’s Westminster Assembly.
- John Rogers Herbert

Pilgrims and Puritans
The “Pilgrims” were led by “separatists” who wanted a complete break with the Church of England, a radical position. They founded the Plimoth colony in 1620. In theory, the “Puritans” remained in the Anglican Church, hoping to purify it from within. They founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 and Boston became its capital. In practice, both groups were Calvinists who favored an austere version of Christianity.

What’s in a Word: Pilgrim
In his account Of Plimoth Plantation Governor Bradford wrote “But they knew they were pilgrims.” Although settlers understood the religious meaning of the word “pilgrim” they did not routinely call themselves “THE PILGRIMS.” That became more common in the nineteenth century after Bradford’s writings were rediscovered by historians.

The 1560 Geneva Bible, an English translation with guides for reading and study, favored by Pilgrims and Puritans. A copy was brought to America on the Mayflower, reflecting Calvinist principles of eliminating teachings and liturgical practices not found in the Bible.
The 1560 Geneva Bible, an English translation with guides for reading and study, was favored by Pilgrims and Puritans. A copy was brought to America on the Mayflower. Eliminating teachings and liturgical practices not found in the Bible were Calvinist principles.

Understanding Calvinism: Predestination
Calvinists believed that God determined before birth who would be saved and who would be damned. It is difficult to understand the appeal of Calvinism today. Pessimistic Calvinists, expecting wide-spread damnation, may have found assurance that at least some would be saved, mixed with anxiety about their own fate.

A Photo of the former Cathedral of St. Pierre

St. Pierre in Geneva 

A painting of John Calvin

John Calvin  

A 1694 Massachusetts law mandating the wearing of the letter ‘A’ for adultery, similar to punishments enforced in Plimoth. This law is referenced in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, which has been read by generations of high school students.
“Puritanical:” Generations of high school students have read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This 1694 Massachusetts law mandates wearing the letter “A” for adultery. Similar punishments had been enforced in Plimoth.
- Massachusetts Archives

Lightening Up
Sarah Vowell is a woman of Native American ancestry. In her humorous look at Puritanism in America, The Wordy Shipmates, she imagined missionaries seeking to convert native people by bringing the “Good News” that they may be pre-destined to hell and cannot do anything about it.