Introduction

Did you know that the pilgrims were not originally supposed to land on Cape Cod and settle in Plymouth? The group, now known as the Pilgrims, was meant to head farther south to the mouth of the Hudson River. At that time that area was considered Northern Virginia. They never made it that far though because the ship had too much difficulty crossing the bar known as Pollock Rip, about eight miles south of Chatham. Because of Chatham’s dangerous shoals, the Mayflower had to change its course and head back around Cape Cod, eventually settling in Plymouth and creating New England. It was the Turning Point.