many of the original english colonists were religious separatists from the church of england (e. g., the pilgrims in plymouth and the puritans in massachusetts bay colony). why were these groups eager to settle colonies in north america? . both the puritans and the pilgrims were captive slaves of the colonial settlers. as punishment by the king of england c. the puritan and pilgrim religious doctrines call for isolationism. d. religious freedom and financial opportunities explanation undo