What crimes and punishments did the pilgrim fathers have?

Answer 1

The Pilgrims committed adultery (Hawthorne's ''Scarlet Letter''). Court records indicate there were many accusations of witchcraft and defamation of character. There was domestic violence and it was considered a crime to abuse a parent. Since the Pilgrims enjoyed a drink of alcohol now and then, there were probably fights and theft. According to a timeline on the HistoryNet, in 1630, John Billington, one of the original Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower, became the first person in the American colonies hanged for murder. TheHistoryNet: Today In History: September 30 http://www.thehistorynet.com/ You might check your library for a book called, Murder in America, by Roger Lane. It is a history of murder in America going back to colonial times.

Answer 2

According to Stephen Fry on BBC QI the pilgrim fathers left England because they were being stopped from persecuting others, including carrying out a murder. This is given added credence when one considers their well documented behaviour upon reaching america.