It was December 25, 1621[i]. Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Plantation was calling the residents “out to work as was used.[ii]” “It goes against our consciences to work this day[iii],” said the new company on Plymouth Plantation to Governor Bradford’s work request. The Puritan separatists were against Christmas. People like Governor William Bradford saw Christmas as a Pagan Holiday. Yet, not every resident on Plymouth Plantation was not a Puritan Separatist and therefore saw Christmas day as a day of celebration. “If you make it a matter of conscience, than I will spare you until you are better informed,” the Governor replied. Governor William Bradford headed to work with the rest of them. When the governor returned, he found the new company playing stool-ball. The governor was furious. Mr. Bradford took their equipment from the new company. “It is against my conscience for you to play and other work. If you made the keeping of it a matter of devotion, we’ll let you keep your home, but there should be no gaming or reveling in the streets,” the Governor exclaimed. The Governor was more opposed to the new company playing whiles others working. Because as Yoram Weiss writes in his scholarly paper Work and Leisure: A History of Ideas, the Puritans were not exactly opposed to fun and games as they have been stereotyped as such.
[i] Plymouth Plantation William Bradford
[ii] ibid
[iii] ibid
Chapman's Corner 