Pilgrim Fathers Immingham ~ Start of Journey & Memorial
There is a popular misconception that the Pilgrim Fathers started their historic journey from Plymouth in England.
Well they didn’t - they set off in search of religious freedom from Lincolnshire !
The early 1600s saw the onset of what was to become one of the most famous sea journeys in history and it started in Lincolnshire - not Devon !
You’ll see to you left the actual memorial that commemorates the occasion. The stone column is made from roughly hewn granite and at the top the piece of stone you’ll see is actually cut from Plymouth Rock in New England in Massachusetts.
The memorial was organised in 1924 by the Anglo-American Society, based in Hull, and was located by the actual creek from which they set sail from in 1608, known locally as Immingham Creek.
Subsequently, it was moved and placed near St Andrew’s Church and now resides in a small park called, not surprisingly Pilgrim Park - it does make it easier to find !
I have two reasons as to why it was moved. The creek silted up and became impassable or that redevelopment of the area made the moving of it a practical necessity.
I would guess that the redevelopment theory is the primary reason
I’m given to understand it is quite popular with American tourists although I was the only one there when I went - that said it was freezing cold and it was Christmas Day !
I believe there is a parade celebrating the Pilgrim’s Progress every year - everybody in fancy-dress and period costume etc.
Originally, and finally getting back to the story, some of the women and children aboard the ship were imprisoned after their presence of the Pilgrims was betrayed. The women and children were sheltering onshore in Immingham thanks to the generosity and hospitality of the locals. When armed men arrived to arrest the Pilgrims the captain of the ship set sail leaving the women and children behind. Subsequently they were arrested but such was the public outcry they were later released and allowed to travel to Holland to be reunited with their husbands.
If you know anything more of the monument or its history please do share it. Also if you’ve visited yourself then feel free to share the experience by leaving a comment.
All the best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
December 30, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
AHHH now Rod.
This is indeed a common misconception as they actualy set sail from Habrough Creek Which is now located where imminham dock is presently, Immingham creek is still extant and further north, The subject has been extensivly researched recently, I would go as far to say that Immingham was the last placed they visited and this is where the efinity starts, they also passed through habrough, kirmington, Ross, Barnetby and Glanford Bridge (Brigg) this is where the trail goes cold.
regards
chris
Rod said,
December 30, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
Chris,
now that’s what I call a comment - marvellous !
This brings the whole thing alive.
The common misconception is that they started from Plymouth, the less common misconception is that they started from Immingham Creek.
Habrough Creek - I’m liking that - any more opinions or confirmation out there ?
Cracking Stuff Chris
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
December 30, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Rod,
No mention of the boo-boo……look closely at the inscription which erroniously states ‘1609′
Here’s a nice presentation of the whole basic story targetted at children I suspect, with a link to the trailer of last year’s film by Blueprint Film Foundation. http://www.pilgrim400.co.uk/
Regards,
le
N
chris keyworth said,
December 30, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
Hi Rod
Infact when we went for our strole the other month i took you on part of the route Habrough Lane.
until i can get access in the new year to some of the files from which i can get a passenger list and some other bits from the museum i cant add much more as its not my Bag so to speak.
I would say the USA contributors are probably doubting there departure points now lol.
the cat is definatly in the pidgeon loft and ready to pounce on this one.
regards
chris
Rod said,
December 31, 2009 @ 7:33 am
Neville,
Here’s a nice presentation of the whole basic story targetted at children I suspect
Perfect for me then
A good friend of mine who owns a bookshop gave me a book the other week on archaeology, he prefaced the the gift by stating it was aimed at children he thought
I did get in a muddle about the dates and wondered wht was going on, good old Arthur Mee appeared to be a year out in all the dates he mentioned - now I see why. . .
The date on the monument is wrong !
Look how this simple article is coming to life.
Many thanks
Rod
Rod said,
December 31, 2009 @ 7:36 am
Chris,
that would be great thanks - what a great thread.
As soon as I saw Habrough Creek in your 1st comment I wondered whether we’d been anywhere near it
Cheers
Rod
Craig Knighton said,
December 31, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
Actually it makes sense that they sailed from there, and not from Plymouth, as many of them came from North Nottinghamshire (Scrooby and Gainsborough I believe?)
Rod said,
December 31, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
Craig,
thanks for that much appreciated - something else I didn’t know
Cheers
Rod
chris keyworth said,
January 1, 2010 @ 12:18 am
happy new year guys…
Rod said,
January 1, 2010 @ 9:19 am
chris,
likewise to you - thanks for all the help and support in 2009 and I’m looking forward to 2010
All the best
Rod
the dinosaur said,
January 1, 2010 @ 9:45 am
Rod, Happy New Year, hope you’ve read that book, I’ll be testing you to make sure
Rod said,
January 1, 2010 @ 10:05 am
Dino,
likewise and . . . what’s a trowel again
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
January 1, 2010 @ 10:59 pm
Rod,
The following is a list of all the menfolk who eventually signed, on 11 November 1620, a compact at the setting up of the first colony in North Virginia:
John Goodman, George Soule, John Carver, Samuel Fuller, Edward Tilley, William Bradford,
Christopher Martin, John Tilley, Edu’ard Winslow, William Mullins, Francis Cooke, William Bruester,
William White, Thomas Rogers, Isaac Allerton, Richard Warren, Thomas Tinker, Myles Standish,
John Howland, John Ridgdale, John Alden, Stephen Hopkins, Edward Fuller, John Turner,
Degory Priest, Richard Clark, Francis Eaton, Thomas Williams, Richard Gardiner, James Chilton,
Gilbert Winslow, John Allerton.
Regards,
le
N
John Crackston Edmund Margeson Thomas English
John Billington Peter Brown Edward Doty
Moses Fletcher Richard Britteridge Edward Leister
Amiguru said,
January 1, 2010 @ 11:05 pm
Rod,
Sorry the above post is a bit messy, I didn’t format the list very well. Nevertheless, Look at all the Immingham road names originating from these people.
Regards,
le
N
Rod said,
January 2, 2010 @ 8:56 am
Neville,
that’s great - many thanks as ever. There seems to be quite a lot of interest in this article - which has turned into something because of your comments and Chris’s
I like the name Thomas English - sounds very sturdy and reliable
All the best
Rod
Amiguru said,
January 2, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
Rod & Chris,
I’m intrigued by Chris’ statement that “they actualy set sail from Habrough Creek Which is now located where imminham dock is presently. In 54 years of being associated with Immingham and having been Assistant Curator of Immingham Museum for 10 of those as well as a founder member of Immingham Historical Society; I have never heard of Habrough Creek. I realise that living away from the area I am out of touch with the latest research etc. So we live and learn don’t we? I’m looking forward to Chris’ revelations.
In the meantime I’ve done a ‘Rod’ and covered my lounge floor with old maps of the area which includes:
The first 1″ OS map dated 1824.
A large scale copy of the Immingham Tithe Award Plan dated 1841, ( which is essentially the same as The Enclosure plan which was completed for Immingham in 1664 except for the Ings).
The 1891 1″ OS map.
One larger catchment and a smaller catchment copies of a map of Immingham in 1691.
A huge engineers map, (about 2.5 metres by 1.5 metres!) of the Immingham Docks/Riverside printed circa 1965. Interestingly, this shows the originl location of the Pilgrims Memorial where it was erected in 1924 next to what was then Immingham Creek, (currently part of the Conoco site I believe).
A set of Planning Factors and Policy maps from the North Lindsey County Development plans 1962.
Phew! Well you have to get the big guns out when it matters don’t you
Told you I was into cartography didn’t I Rod? 
Running down the Humber bank the sequence of outlets of any consequence are/were:
Halton Skitter; Killingholme Haven; South Killingholme Haven; Immingham Haven; Nun’s Creek; Stallingborough Creek.
Immingham Dock was built on the site of Nun’s Creek.
I am aware that Habrough Marshes were to the South-East of Immingham parish but I cannot find any reference to Habrough Creek so I wait with anticipation.
Be assured Chris, I am not trying to deny what you say, just looking for evidence.
Kind regards,
le
N
Rod said,
January 2, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
Neville,
superb ! I’ve read it twice and followed it on a modern map - very useful indeed.
As an aside do you write comments like this in word etc then paste them into the comment box ?
If not then make sure you copy the comment just in case there is a glitch when you click the send button - that way you can back click and paste it back in !
Chris is laid low with flu at present Neville and as men we know it’s a terrible thing - far worse than childbirth I suspect
Thanks again Neville - it’s fantastic content
All the best
Rod
nigel scott said,
January 21, 2011 @ 7:32 pm
Hi love your site and am good mates with the man in the feild chris key and what he doesnt know isnt worth knowng especilly on the local history.
What i would like to add to the subject i have a book recent book at home on the most up to date info on pilgrim farthers and imminghams part played in it also.
The book was writen by dinah tyszka and designed by andy leitch son of a well regarged mary leitch good freinds of my late uncle Mr E.R.Rands who also loved the local immingham history.
If you need copies of this book i am sure they will be only to happy to help the phone number is off the back of my book 01469 519506 or 01469 573889.it also tells the story about killingholme manor playing its part keeping them before they set sail.
Its a must have book and am sure the cost was only around £5 but should be in everyones history collection.
Rod said,
January 21, 2011 @ 7:41 pm
Nigel,
thanks for the comment and the very useful information, I do appreciate it, as will others I supect.
As to CK . . . he’s a top man and that’s a fact !
Cheers
Rod
Chris Keyworth said,
January 21, 2011 @ 8:21 pm
to kind nigg
i dont know everything you know im always learning im just willing to share the info i do have..lol
regards
chris
nigel scott said,
February 8, 2011 @ 12:50 am
HI again id like to help Amiguru on the finding where the local land drains led to the waters edge.
I work on the railway at the loco sheds immingham just off queens road nere knauf or whtever its called , what i have notice there is a large slose drain called Habrough marsh slose.. one of the main land drains that got directed when recpection sidings (off manby road) got laid.
this drain follows the conoco pipe line from near the old sixhills site uncle Erics,and back over the golf cource.
but in its natural day my other uncle and i think it would of come out at west gate dock the old site of the monument near the H.I.T terminal. but now this drain follows the railway to the eastside of the dock .
But its source is Habrough or so the plack said. Also another thing may be at the time Killingholme / immingham where and still are very close together its just our dock tends to be called Immingham docks but some also is in the old Killingholme ,am sure it was still the same water sourse.
I hope this may jog your knowledge of the area.
cheers nige
oh ps to anyone looking up killingholme its real name was (please dont qoute me on the spelling )klynholm.. meaning muddy waters because it was tidle all the way up to habrough.. hope it helps
Chris Keyworth said,
February 8, 2011 @ 10:32 am
Immingham docks is built on Habrough Marsh and is the site of the old Medieval saltpan of Habrough Belonging to Newhouse Abbey, the actual site was just inside the dock near to the lock gates, the land around immingham was tidal upto habrough fields which is now the barret Eastate and new housing Eastate that was recently built, in medieval times Immingham was all but an island and the only access point would have been via Stallingborough Road.
Regards
Chris
RButhnot said,
February 8, 2011 @ 2:44 pm
Hi Nigel,
I’m kind of related to you by marriage, through the Hughes-Kennedy link, and used to enjoy talking to your Uncle Eric and seeing his models. In fact it was while I was looking for info on his photo collection that I hit on this brilliant site. I’m a bit puzzled over Klynholm meaning ‘muddy waters’ as the established etymology seems to be that it’s the Meadowland (Holme) of Killa’s people (Ingas), but then your version suits me.
Chris - ‘in medieval times Immingham was all but an island’ - I used to live there and I’d say it was still very much a backwater until at least the mid 1980’s.
Chris Keyworth said,
February 8, 2011 @ 3:33 pm
For Killingholme
Chelvingeholm 1086 DB, probably homstead of the family or followers of a man called Ceolwulf.
Old English persons name + inga + ham ( replaced by OScand. holmr ‘ Island, Dry ground in a marsh.
thats what i have for it anyways..
For Immingham
Imungeham 1086 DB Immingeham 1115 Homstead of the family or followers of a man called Imma, Old English persons name + inga + ham.
Regards
Chris
nigel scott said,
February 8, 2011 @ 10:01 pm
Hi Rbuthnot hope your well now ive just found out i have more family.
Adding to the muddy waters name after lots more eye straining internetting and our main man chris added a little more that made a bit more sence especially adding the ceolwolf word.
muddy waters always keeps coming up when i type it in Walter de Kylingholm the chap who bought
up alot of land in the current killingholme in 1245 also went by a few names kilvinholm/ kalwingholm who lived at the manor, its very intresting how names change over years depending on how good the cenus man could spell . that would be how we remember it on paper.
All the best Nigel
also hi chris k pop in soon
Chris Keyworth said,
February 9, 2011 @ 1:59 am
nigel here is a very local place name that isnt widly known about Cilldenveld its a little project im working on at present which isnt taking me to far from home could be the answer to a post on rods site but most definatly part of the answer…
regards
chris
will pop in soon when im in the village its just catching you in…
willie weir said,
April 10, 2011 @ 7:19 pm
I recently got a photo of the county hotel immingham and in front on the grass area is the pilgrim father stone which is now situated in front of st andrews church on pilgrim park could some one tell me why it was moved from the county hotel ?
Rod said,
April 11, 2011 @ 8:02 am
Hi Willie,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site - I’m don’t know the answer personally, hopefully somebody out there may be able to chime in
Regards
Rod
RButhnot said,
April 13, 2011 @ 10:56 am
I didn’t think it was ever in front of the ‘County’. From what I’ve heard, it started life on the docks, near to the site of the original Immingham Creek, and was then moved to its current site near St Andrews when the docks were expanding.
Peter Pratt said,
August 25, 2011 @ 3:47 pm
I found your article of the pilgrim monument interesting. As a twelve year old, ack in 1949 myself and friend David Holmes sat at the foot of that monument while Hebert our angling mentor rolled his fag. We were on our way to Killingholme Ponds. Herbert said, “this here monument is very historicle so remember it”. Then to me it was just a lump of stone. But after visiting Plymouth New England USA I saw the Pilgrim Rock and visited the museum-no mention of Immingham though. While on Cape Cod I climbed the Pilgrim Tower, its similar design as our Dock Tower but half the height and is a kind of museum-well looked after. On my return I visited my sister who lived near Immingahm, she told me about the monument so decided to put my story of that ‘historic’ fishing trip in the Grimsby Bygone’s among other yarns about my childhood, that was back in 2002 or there abouts. I was born on the West Marsh, schooled at South Parade when it was bombed, transferred to Victoria St School, failed my 11+ and finished my schooling at Armstrong Street-a wonderful school. Your blog is wonderful Rod, I’ll be reading more later. Cheers Peter P
Rod said,
August 25, 2011 @ 7:22 pm
Peter,
wonderful comment - many thanks indeed and welcome to the site.
Reading the beginning of your tale is quite fabulous, really resonates with me but is probably, very sadly, now a thing of the past.
Things like that are hard to imagine nowadays and we’re the poorer for it.
Regards
Rod
steve lammin said,
December 20, 2011 @ 7:22 pm
Willie
I was always told that the war memorial was originally placed on the green in front of the county before being moved the 50 yards or so to its present location. Maybe that is what is on your photo. No proof I’m afraid, just hand me down history
Chris Keyworth said,
December 20, 2011 @ 7:39 pm
steve
sorry it was definatly down by the creek where the docks are today.
regards
chris…
steve lammin said,
December 20, 2011 @ 7:51 pm
Chis
I agree, the PILGRIMS monument has only ever been in two locations. The creek on the docks and where it is now.
( I remember walking all the way to see it 1970 ish; only for it to be moved to the church a couple of months later)
I was refering to the WAR memorial, which I believe Willie may have mistaken in said photo.
Chris Keyworth said,
December 20, 2011 @ 8:11 pm
Hi steve
sorry i miss read your comment, i think you are right willie is mistaking the the memorial for the sailing stone..
regards
chris…
Peter Pratt said,
January 19, 2012 @ 8:39 am
Hi Rod, great story and Information on the Pilgrim Monument now sited at St Andrews church Immingham. As a young boy in 1949 I used to tavel by tram from Grimsby to Immingham to fish at Killinholm Ponds. On my first trip with an older man who taught us angling he showed us the monument by the Killingholm Creek. I wrote a story for the Grimsby Telegraph Byegones pages almost a decade ago mentioning this memorable event and have included it in my memoirs I’m writing now. I have since been to Immingham several times and taken photos of the monument and have visited the Stone in New Plymouth Massachsetts.
Great web page Rod.
Regards Peter Pratt
Rod said,
January 19, 2012 @ 9:15 am
Hi Peter ,
thanks for that, much appreciated and best of luck with the memoirs
Regards,
Rod