Isaac Allerton Character Analysis in Of Plymouth Plantation

Isaac Allerton is one of the original colonists in Plymouth. He’s later appointed to travel to England to negotiate the Pilgrims’ considerable debts and obtain new land patents. However, Allerton begins to use his influential position for his own advantage, endangering the survival of the colony: for example, he brings his own goods back to Plymouth and sells them at unfair prices to the desperate colonists. Allerton is eventually ousted from the colony, though he later becomes a successful businessman in Connecticut.

Isaac Allerton Quotes in Of Plymouth Plantation

The Of Plymouth Plantation quotes below are all either spoken by Isaac Allerton or refer to Isaac Allerton. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Publisher edition of Of Plymouth Plantation published in 0.

Hitherto Mr. Allerton had done them good and faithful service: would that he had so continued.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 127

Explanation and Analysis:

Isaac Allerton Character Timeline in Of Plymouth Plantation

The timeline below shows where the character Isaac Allerton appears in Of Plymouth Plantation. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Debt and Religious Capitalism Theme Icon

...dies. William Bradford is then chosen governor, despite the fact that he’s very ill. Isaac Allerton is appointed Bradford’s assistant, and the two of them are reelected to their positions for... (full context)

The Pilgrims send a representative, Isaac Allerton, back to England to negotiate with outstanding investors regarding the Pilgrims’ debts. Meanwhile, the Pilgrims... (full context)

The year is now 1627, and Isaac Allerton returns from his visit to England, having raised two hundred pounds from the remaining Virginia... (full context)

...construct more boats for themselves. When ships arrive from England, they prepare to send Isaac Allerton back to England with full power to negotiate a final agreement with the Virginia Company’s... (full context)

The Pilgrims send Allerton back to England with a contract, clarifying that the Pilgrims will pay their debts over... (full context)

In England, Isaac Allerton closes the deal with investors, such that the Pilgrims will pay off their debts over... (full context)

Allerton returns to Plymouth in the spring with goods. He informs Bradford that he’s put Mr.... (full context)

Returning from his latest trip to England, Allerton brings over a minister named Mr. Rogers for the Pilgrims. However, Rogers is quickly found... (full context)

In spite of their suspicions, the Pilgrims decide to send Allerton back to England to negotiate a new, more generous patent on Kennebec. His instructions are... (full context)

In 1629, Isaac Allerton arrives in England and proceeds with his negotiations. While he’s in England, a ship sends... (full context)

In March 19, 1629, James Sherley sends Bradford a letter concerning Allerton’s behavior. Allerton curries favor with important English aristocrats; however, he also asks to be sent... (full context)

Allerton returns to America and brings Mr. Morton with him, further upsetting the Pilgrims. Morton is... (full context)

Sherley sends Bradford a letter, dated March 19th, 1629, in which he explains that Allerton has arranged for a separate financial partnership with a man named Edward Ashley. Bradford points... (full context)

...time, the Pilgrims elect to send Mr. Edward Winslow to England to investigate Ashley and Allerton’s behavior. They give Winslow authority to discharge Allerton from his duties to the Pilgrims. Then,... (full context)

In the year 1631, Ashley and Allerton are no longer a part of the Pilgrims’ business affairs, thanks to “the hand of... (full context)

Bradford receives a letter from Winslow explaining that Allerton has taken the White Angel for himself and intends to sell it in Spain, rather... (full context)

Bradford offers a few thoughts about Sherley’s letters. First, it seems clear that it was Allerton’s idea to purchase the White Angel and use it for his own profit. Furthermore, after... (full context)

Bradford will now go over the details of Mr. Allerton’s accounts, which weren’t fully understood until some time after 1631. As early as the late... (full context)

In 1632, Isaac Allerton sails to England in the White Angel. He later sells the ship in Spain, as... (full context)

...back with eight hundred pounds worth of goods. They also send Sherley detailed records of Allerton’s accounts, asking Sherley to go through them and identify all instances of wrongdoing. The ship... (full context)

...Edward Winslow becomes the new governor. Ships return from England, bearing news from Sherley about Allerton’s finances. Sherley regretfully explains that he’s been unable to make any progress in shifting the... (full context)

...receives letters from Mr. Sherley, explaining once again that the Pilgrims will have to pay Allerton’s debts. (full context)

...that he’s sending the Pilgrims a letter of attorney that will enable them to sue Allerton for the costs of the White Angel. (full context)

...now back in America, is re-elected governor. Though the Pilgrims have begun to sue Mr. Allerton for the cost of the White Angel, they hear nothing. However, they send a thousand... (full context)