Security was an issue for the Plymouth Pilgrims since the day they landed in 1620, but over time they strengthened their defenses for any unexpected dangers.
A visitor from New Amsterdam colony visited Plymouth in 1627. Isaack de Rasieres noticed how their homes were arranged within a "stockade against sudden attack," and in the center of the village were four small swivel cannons. Their meetinghouse overlooking the village held six larger cannons on the upper floor, able to fire toward any inland attacks. According to de Rasieres, they were "constantly on their guard night and day."
As the population grew, security became more challenging. Colonists spread deeper into Native American territory, making it difficult to retreat within the barricaded village. Tensions grew as native populations competed for trading rights with the colonies. Then war broke out between the Pequot nation and English colonists, ending with a fiery massacre of hundreds of Pequots, horrifying both colonists and Native Americans. The English colonies later created a defensive alliance in case of further clashes.
While Plymouth had little trouble gathering volunteers for defense, on January 2, 1634 colony leaders demanded that every man be involved in the militia. Without exception for ministers or government officials, the law required “every person within the colony be subject to such military order for training and exercise of arms as shall be thought suitable, agreed on, and prescribed by the governor and assistants." The peace the Pilgrims enjoyed in those earliest years just could not last.
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