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'''Plymouth Colony''' was, along with [[Jamestown, Virginia]], one of two important early English colonies in North America.  It was founded in 1620 by the "Pilgrims", members of a [[Puritan]] religious group known as the Separatists. In 1691, it was absorbed by its much larger neighbor, the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]].  At its height, the colony occupied most of the southeastern portion of the modern state of [[Massachusetts]].  

'''Plymouth Colony''' was, along with [[Jamestown, Virginia]], one of two important early English colonies in North America.  It was founded in 1620 by the "[[Pilgrims]]", members of a [[Puritan]] religious group known as the Separatists. In 1691, it was absorbed by its much larger neighbor, the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]].  At its height, the colony occupied most of the southeastern portion of the modern state of [[Massachusetts]].  

[[Image:Hubbard map 1677.jpg|thumb|right|1677 map of New England by William Hubbard showing the location of Plymouth Colony.  The map is oriented with west at the top.]] Officially the '''New Plymouth Colony''' (sometimes called '''The Old Colony'''), Plymouth holds a unique role in American history as the beginnings of the nation's democratic culture through the [[Mayflower Compact]].  Rather than a commercial venture like Jamestown, its citizens sought freedom from religious persecution and a place to settle and worship God in a way they saw fit.  The social and legal systems of the colony were closely tied to strong religious beliefs.

[[Image:Hubbard map 1677.jpg|thumb|right|1677 map of New England by William Hubbard showing the location of Plymouth Colony.  The map is oriented with west at the top.]] Officially the '''New Plymouth Colony''' (sometimes called '''The Old Colony'''), Plymouth holds a unique role in American history as the beginnings of the nation's democratic culture through the [[Mayflower Compact]].  Rather than a commercial venture like Jamestown, its citizens sought freedom from religious persecution and a place to settle and worship God in a way they saw fit.  The social and legal systems of the colony were closely tied to strong religious beliefs.