"It has been a constant pleasure to the author to endeavor to rear a worthy tribute to the heroic captain 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.