 In addition to the Pilgrims , the Mayflower carried non @-@ Pilgrim settlers ( " Strangers " ) . This group included the non @-@ Pilgrim settlers placed on the Mayflower by the Merchant Adventurers , and later settlers who came for other reasons throughout the history of the colony and who did not necessarily adhere to the Pilgrim religious ideals . A third group known as the " Particulars " consisted of later settlers who paid their own " particular " way to America , and thus were not obliged to pay the colony 's debts . 
