7. A copy of a letter from William Hilton to his family. William came to America on the ship Fortune in 1621. William is not one of our ancestors but t his is an interesting account of life in Plymouth.
Loving Cousin,
At our arrival in New Plymouth, in New England, we found all our friends and planters in good health, though they were left sick and weak, with very small means; the Indians round about us peaceable and friendly; the country very pleasant and temperate, yielding naturally, of itself, great store of fruits, as vine of divers sorts, in great abundance. There is likewise walnuts, chestnuts, small nut and plums, with variety of flowers, roots, herbs, no less pleasant than wholesome and profitable. No place hath more gooseberries, strawberries, not better. Timer of all sorts you have in England doth cover the land, that affords beasts of divers sorts, and great flocks of turkeys, quails, pigeons and partridges; many great lakes abounding with fish, fowl, beavers and otters. The sea affords us great plenty of all excellent sorts of sea-fish, as the rivers and isles doth variety of wild fowl of most useful sorts. Mines we find to our thinking; but neither the goodness or quality we know. Better grain cannot be than the Indian corn, if we will plant it upon as good ground as a man need desire. We are all freeholders; the rent-day doth not trouble us; and all those good blessings we have, of which and what we list in their seasons for taking. Our company are for the most part, very religious, honest people; the word of God sincerely taught every Sabbath; so that I know not any thing a contented mind can want. I desire your friendly care to send my wife and children to me, where I wish all the friends I have in England; and so I rest.
Your loving kinsman,
William Hilton.
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