Possibly the best source , however brief , on Standish 's origins and early life is a short passage recorded by Nathaniel Morton , secretary of Plymouth Colony , who wrote in his New England 's Memorial , published in 1669 , that Standish : The circumstances of Standish 's early military career in Holland ( the `` low Countries '' to which Morton referred ) are vague at best .
Nathaniel Morton , secretary of Plymouth Colony , wrote that Standish was born in Lancashire .