Despite the hardships of the winter, none of the Pilgrims returned with the ship. The Mayflower resumed transporting cargo, never returning to Plymouth. The Pilgrims begin to appear in American art in the early 1800s. America was a newly independent nation, looking for heroes she could call uniquely her own. Not surprisingly, scenes from this period emphasize the Pilgrims separating from the Old World or landing in the New World.
Later scenes are more emotional, emphasizing sorrow and courage.
Scenes of the landing of the Pilgrims often suggest a land waiting for their arrival, available for colonists to occupy. Some of the early scenes do reflect the reality that the continent was already occupied by Native people. Even though no source from the 17th century mentions landing on a rock, Plymouth Rock has become one of the most enduring symbols of the Pilgrims.