In 1623, Anne and Little James were the third and fourth ships financed by the London-based Company of Merchant Adventurers to travel together to North America in support of the Plymouth Colony, following Mayflower in 1620 and Fortune in 1621. Anne carried mostly passengers, while the much smaller Little James carried primarily cargo, albeit with a few passengers as well. After a stormy three-month voyage from England, Anne arrived at New Plymouth in early July 1623, with Little James arriving a week or so later.