http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2005/11/pilgrims-beat-communism-with-free-market
The Pilgrims started out (and failed) as a commune. It wasn’t until they were allowed to own property and grow and sell their own stuff that they had real success. (Bradford’s own notes describe the scene).
Another article said it wasn’t so much the wild and noble Indians that helped in those early years, but it was Squanto - a Christian! (Captured as a slave and sent back to England, captured again and sent to Spain and became a Christian!)
The early church wasn’t intended to foment free riders, and to be honest, the urging of the Holy Spirit isn’t that way. In that church, out of God-inspired desire the people took troubles to help one another and it was a mutual voluntary charity. The level of faith in this Pilgrim commune perhaps was less. If families came along, there would almost surely be different levels of faith involved.
All this notwithstanding, the rigors of coming to the colonies probably served as a pretty good screen to ensure that only the most determined got there. Therefore, faith here in general was still stronger than in the home countries.
All in all it was a mix of saintliness and sin.
FYI -
Prior to 1860(ish) they were not known as “pilgrims” but rather known as “separatists”.
A commune? Or a contractual business arrangement?