A cow died at Plymouth, and a goat at Boston, with eating Indian corn.

From Winthrop’s Journal “History of New England” 1630-1649 by John Winthrop and edited by James Kendall Hosmer.  John Winthrop was one the key organizers of the Great Migration, leading the Winthrop fleet of 11 ships and 700 Puritan settlers in 1630.  

We attach much myth to the early settlement of America but it was all accomplished through grit and determination and in the face of innumerable practical obstacles.  This is a single page Winthrop's Journal, recording events in the last week of October 1630.  All quotidian but all momentous to the newly established settlement.  The careful notation of the fate of livestock brings home their critical capital value in these early days.  

The wolves killed six calves at Salem, and they killed one wolf. 

Thomas Morton adjudged to be imprisoned, till he were sent into England, and his house burnt down, for his many injuries offered to the Indians, and other misdemeanors. Capt. Brook, master of the Gift, refused to carry him.1 

Finch [?], of Watertown, had his wigwam burnt and all his goods. 

Billington executed at Plymouth for murdering one. 

Mr. Phillips, the minister of Watertown, and others, had their hay burnt. 

The wolves killed some swine at Saugus. 

A cow died at Plymouth, and a goat at Boston,2 with eating Indian corn. 

October 23.] Mr. Rossiter, one of the assistants, died. 

25.] Mr. Colburn (who was chosen deacon by the congregation a week before) was invested by imposition of hands of the minister and elder. 

The governor, upon consideration of the inconveniences which had grown in England by drinking one to another, restrained it at his own table, and wished others to do the like, so as it grew, by little and little, to disuse. 

29.] The Handmaid arrived at Plymouth, having been twelve weeks at sea, and spent. all her masts, and of twentyeight cows she lost ten.: She had 'about sixty passengers, who came all well; John Grant, master.*. 

Mr. Goffe wrote to me, that his shipping this year had utterly undone him.