This Condensation of the first part of Governor William Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation covers the period in the History of the English "Separatists" Sect from 1608 to 1621. Miss Agnes Edwards writes that this narrative is the basis for all historical study of the early life of the Pilgrims in this country, and when we look at the quiet roof of the Bradford house today and realize how narrowly the papers - for they remained in manuscript form for two hundred years - escaped being lost forever, our minds travel again over the often told story.<br><br>The manuscript, penned in Governor Bradford's fine old hand, in a folio with a parchment back, and with some childish scribblings by little Mercy Bradford on the cover, passed at the Governor's death to his son, and at his death to his son. It reposed in the old house now intact in Kingston until 1728, doubtless regarded as something valuable, but not in the least appreciated at its full and peculiar worth.