Why did Mayflower settlers intended to reach America in winter?

Question

It seems strange that the settlers of the Mayflower planned to arrive in the new world during winter. They left England in 1620, in the month of September and arrived in November. They passed the winter living on their commisioned ship, and settled the Plymouth colony in March 1621. Two weeks later the ship departed to return to England.

Loss of life during that first winter on the ship cost the lives of half the pilgrims and half the ships crew. Why hadn't they planned to reach the new world at a more hospitable time for trying to establish a colony?

Answer 1

They didnt  They were off from day 1 even landed 500 miles north they were just mis-fits a far diffrent story than the version taught in school

Answer 2

They didn't plan to leave that late.  They bought another ship (The Speedwell) to carry more colonists and supplies, then they first had to sell some of their supplies to satisfy the Mayflower's docking fees.  They left for the New World (both ships together) but the Speedwell sprung a leak and they had to turn back.  They patched up the Speedwell and set off again and the Speedwell sprung another leak.  They returned again.  

This time the colonists who were insistent on going transferred to The Mayflower and others chose to stay behind.  The remaining supplies were transferred to The Mayflower and it set sail for the third and final time.  Because of the delays, it arrived in November instead of August.  It was also overcrowded which led to more illness and short on supplies.  

It was not a good beginning and only 50 colonists survived that first winter.  Whole families died.  More would have died in the spring and early summer if Squanto hadn't helped.  

The Speedwell was sold to satisfy the colony's debts in port.  They found out after The Speedwell was sold that the crew had sabotaged the ship to get out of their contract.  There was nothing wrong with it.

Answer 3

The departure & arrival of the Pilgrims was owing largly to political necessity at the time.  In England, it was illegal not to be a member of official Church of England.  

The Pilgrims experience was, in part, the basis for the "separation of Church and State."  MEANING:  There is no official Church of the USA...v. Get GOD out of everything.

Answer 4

They didn't. Plus they were supposed to land in Virginia, not New england.  

Where, may I ask, did you get your education?  Where-ever it was, your parents need a refund.

Answer 5

They probably didn't think much into their timing. The time of their arrival was a crucial reason why the Plymouth colony perished in the early years because they arrived too late to plant crops.