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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 July 2009
The record of Governor William Bradford, in his own hand, presenting the story of the founders of Plymouth from 1606–1646, originally bore only the title, “Of Plimoth Plantation.” Now it is referred to as the “History of Plymouth Plantation,” or “The Bradford History,” or “The Bradford Manuscript.” This important document has had an eventful career. For many years it was lost, and then under strange circumstances it was found not in some hidden place in this country but in England. It is the purpose of this paper to unfold the steps in that discovery, and to follow the events which led finally to the return of the valuable holograph to the United States.
1 Winsor, Justin, “Governor Bradford's Manuscript History,” in Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society (Boston, 1882), XIX, 110.Google Scholar
2 Ibid., 113.
3 Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation (Boston, 1856)Google Scholar, Editorial Preface, iii.
4 Davis, William T., Bradford's HistoryGoogle Scholar, Introduction, 16.
5 Editorial Preface, vii, Bradford's History (1856).Google Scholar
6 Ibid.
7 Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, XIX, 118.Google Scholar
8 See footnote 1.
9 Hoar, George F., Autobiography of Seventy Years, II, 235.Google Scholar
10 Mr. Charles Deane, on a visit to England in 1866, saw the Bradford History.
11 Hoar, G. F., op. cit., II, 237.Google Scholar
12 The Bradford History (Boston, State Printers, 1908)Google Scholar, Introduction, li.
13 Ibid., iv.
14 Ibid., xxi.
15 Ibid., xxxi.
16 Ibid., xxxix.
17 Ibid., lx.
18 Ibid..
19 Ibid., lxxvii.
20 Hon. Charles Francis Adams.
21 Mandell, by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of London.
22 The Bradford History (Boston, 1908)Google Scholar, Introduction, lxxii.
23 Bradford, William's list of passengers of the Mayflower.Google Scholar
24 Hoar, G. F., op. cit., II, 241.Google Scholar
