“It has been a constant pleasure to the author to endeavor to rear a worthy tribute to the heroic scaptain and the noble man, Miles Standish, who was one of the most illustrious of those who laid the foundations of this great Republic.” —John S.C. Abbott, Preface, 1872

American historian John S.C. Abbott wrote Miles Standish—Captain of the Pilgrims (1872) as part of his American Pioneers and Patriots series. Miles Standish (1584–1656), an English military officer, who accompanied the Pilgrims on the Mayflower journey and became the first commander of the Plymouth Colony militia, which he remained for the rest of his life.