Written over a period of years by the leader of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation is the single most complete authority for the story of the Pilgrims and the early years of the Colony they founded. Written between 1630 and 1647, the journal describes the story of the Pilgrims from 1608, when they settled in the Netherlands through the 1620 Mayflower voyage, until the year 1647. The book ends with a list, written in 1650, of Mayflower passengers and what happened to them. William Bradford (March 19, 1590 - May 9, 1657) was an English Separatist leader of settlers at Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. He served as governor for over 30 years after the previous governor, John Carver died. His journal (1620-1647) was published as "Of Plymouth Plantation." Bradford is credited as the first civil authority to designate what popular American culture now views as Thanksgiving in the United States.