The ships journal while she lay in
Plymouth harbor

Sunday, Dec. 17/27
                              At anchor in Plymouth harbor.  Services on
                              ship.  This harbor is a bay greater than
                              Cape Cod, compassed with goodly land.  It is
                              in fashion like a sickle or fish-hook.

Monday, Dec. 18/28
                              At anchor, Plymouth harbor:  The Master of
                              the ship, with three or four of the sailors
                              and several of the Planters, went aland and
                              marched along the coast several miles. 
                              Made careful examination of locality.  Found
                              many brooks of fine water, abundant wood,
                              etc.  The party came aboard at night weary
                              with marching.

Tuesday, Dec. 19/29
                              At anchor, Plymouth harbor.  A party from
                              the ship went ashore to discover, some
                              going by land and some keeping to the
                              shallop.  A creek was found leading up
                              within the land and followed up three
                              English miles, a very pleasant river at
                              full sea.  It was given the name of “Jones
                              River” in compliment to the Master of the
                              ship.  A bark of thirty tons may go up at
                              high tide, but the shallop could scarcely
                              pass at low water.  All came aboard at
                              night with resolution to fix, to-morrow,
                              which of the several places examined they
                              would settle upon.

Wednesday, Dec. 20/30
                              At anchor, Plymouth harbor, many ill.  Dec. 
                              After service the colonists decided to go
                              ashore this morning and determine upon one
                              of two places which were thought most
                              fitting for their habitation.  So a
                              considerable party went ashore and left
                              twenty of their number there to make a
                              rendezvous, the rest coming on board at
                              night.  They reported that they had chosen
                              by the most voices the site first looked at
                              by the largest brook, near where they
                              landed on the 11th on a large rock
                              [Plymouth Rock].