The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by separatist Congregationalists who called themselves Saints. Later they were referred to as Pilgrims or Pilgrim Fathers. They were fleeing from religious persecution by King James of England.he Mayflower was originally bound for the Colony of Virginia, financed by the Company of Merchant Adventurers of London. Storms forced them to anchor at the hook of Cape Cod in what is now Massachusetts.