Read Ebook: Pilgrim Guide Book to Plymouth Massachusetts With a Brief Outline of the Pilgrim Migration and Settlement at Plymouth by Atwood William Franklin

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Ebook has 290 lines and 20366 words, and 6 pages

Page Brewster Garden 33 Brewster Spring 34 Burial Hill 16 Old Fort 18 Grave of William Bradford 21 Site of Watch Tower 17 Old Graves 19 Cole's Hill 40 Court House 6 Edward Winslow House 44 Harlow House 61 Howland House 59 Industries 6 Kendall Holmes House 62 Leyden Street 32 Massasoit Statue 43 Mayflower Passengers 65 Major John Bradford House 7 Memorial Fountain 40 Memorial Seat 42 Morton Park 57 National Monument to Forefathers 9 Old Colony Club 5 Pilgrim Hall 49 Pilgrim Maiden 34 Pilgrim Society 55 Plimoth Plantation 13 Plymouth Rock 37 Plymouth Memorial Building 6 Postoffice 6 Registry of Deeds 47 Sarcophagus 41 Sandwich Street 60 Sparrow House 57 Standish Guards 6 Summer Street 57 Tabitha Plasket House 48 Training Green 60 The Compact 70 Town Square and Churches 29 Town Brook 32 Watson's Hill 56

PLYMOUTH--THE TOWN

The Town of Plymouth, made famous as the permanent settlement of the Pilgrims, is the county seat of Plymouth County in southeastern Massachusetts. It is 37 miles southeast of Boston and is reached by rail, and by Routes north via the Old Colony Division of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., and by automobile over routes No. 3 and No. 3A. It overlooks Cape Cod Bay and a well protected harbor. Its year 'round population is approximately 14,000. It has an area of 108 square miles, the largest in the State.

In addition to its historical association and its old records, among which one may browse at pleasure, the town has a fine public school system, public library, many churches, an excellent water system, several banks and theatres, an adequate fire and police department, a modernized hospital and high quality of public service. There are fine bathing beaches and recreational centers, hotels and accommodation for tourists.

Fraternal organizations are numerous. The Old Colony Club, organized 1769, the oldest social organization in America, is located on Court Street, opposite the Court House. Other active societies are the Plymouth Woman's Club, the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, the Cordage Men's Club, the Plymouth Country Club, the Girls' Club, the Boys' Club, the New Century Club, and the Manomet Village Club.

The Plymouth County Court House occupies a commanding position facing Court Street with the Registry of Deeds near at hand on North Russell Street and easily accessible to visitors. A new Federal Post Office Building stands at the historic corner of Leyden and Main Streets. A commodious armory on Court Street accommodates the National Guard. At one time this building was the headquarters of the Standish Guards, the local militia company organized and chartered in 1818.

Opposite the armory is Plymouth's Memorial Building, dedicated in 1926 to the men of Plymouth who served in all the wars in which the country has been engaged. It has a large hall with a seating capacity of 2000 and was built at a cost of 0,000. This building is a few steps north of Pilgrim Hall, that sacred depository of Pilgrimiana, a mecca for modern day Pilgrims, visited every year by thousands from the world over.

The town has diversified industries. Its mills and factories are devoted principally to the production of high grade woolens, cordage, tacks and rivets, and zinc products.

Over 300 ponds of sparkling clear water lie within the town's boundaries, and these together with its woodlands offer almost unlimited facilities for hunting and fishing, while salt water fishing is equally available.

Yes, Plymouth has much to offer as a place for permanent residence and as a summer resort.

Approaching Plymouth from the north and passing through Kingston, it is both convenient and of interest to visit the Major John Bradford House. This house stands on a knoll on Landing Road overlooking Jones River and the marshes. It was built in 1674 by Major John Bradford, son of Major William Bradford, Deputy Governor and Grandson of Governor William Bradford.

During the King Philip War this house was partially burned while Major Bradford was moving his family to a place of safety. Upon his return Indians were seen surrounding the house, one of whom the Major shot while he was in the act of warning his comrades of the approach of the whites. This Indian, while wounded, crawled behind a fallen tree and some years later told Major Bradford of the circumstances of his escape, showing at the same time the bullet wound in his side received at the time.

Another fact of interest is that this house gave shelter for something like twenty-five years to the now famous "History of Plimouth Plantation," sometimes spoken of as the "Bradford History" written by Governor Bradford and preserved in the State House in Boston.

Entering Plymouth through Court Street and passing the plant of the Plymouth Cordage Company, one comes to another old house. This house is known as the William Crowe House. It is located on the east side of the highway and was probably built in 1664 as in that year William Crowe married Hannah, daughter of the first Josiah Winslow. A deed dated 1665 from Francis Billington to William Crowe refers to the estate "on which Mr. Crowe now lives." This undoubtedly establishes the house as one of the very oldest of Plymouth's old houses.

Mr. Crowe's widow married John Sturtevant. Her daughter Hannah Sturtevant married Josiah Cotton, a grandson of Rev. John Cotton. In 1709 Mr. Cotton became the owner, and in 1723 built the two-story addition.

Proceeding south through Court Street and turning west at Allerton or Cushman Street brings one to the National Monument of the Forefathers.

... This monument, towering high in its massive splendor, occupies a commanding position overlooking the town and harbor, with Duxbury, Clark's Island, the Saquish and the Gurnet in the background.

The plan of the base is octagonal. There are four protruding wings, on each of which is a figure seated. One representing Morality holding the decalogue in the left hand and the scroll of Revelation in the right. On the one side is a Prophet and on the other the Evangelists.

On the next pedestal is the figure representing Law with Justice on one side and Mercy on the other, symbolizing justice tempered with mercy. Education has on the one hand the wisdom of maturity and on the other Youth following experience. The fourth figure represents Freedom, a consequence of which is peace, represented on the one hand, while on the other is represented the overthrow of tyranny.

The main pedestal has four polished faces, on two of which are inscribed the names of the Mayflower Pilgrims, while another bears the inscription "National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty." There is one panel left for future use.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MONUMENT

Largest granite statue in the world. Designed by Hammatt Billings. Built of Maine granite. Cost 0,000. Statue of Faith cost ,300; was given by late Gov. Oliver Ames. Other contributors: United States Government, States of Massachusetts and Connecticut, together with 11,000 individuals of this and other countries. Corner stone laid August 1, 1859. Monument dedicated on August 1, 1889. Height from ground to top of head, 81 feet. Outstretched arm measures, from shoulder to elbow, 10 feet, 1 1/2 inches; from elbow to tip of finger, 9 feet, 9 inches; total length of arm, 19 feet, 10 1/2 inches. Circumference of head at forehead, 13 feet, 7 inches. Circumference of left arm below sleeve, 6 feet, 10 inches. Length of finger pointing upward, 2 feet, 1 inch. Circumference of finger, 1 foot, 8 1/2 inches. Circumference of thumb, 1 foot, 8 1/2 inches. Length of nose, 1 foot, 4 inches. 216 times life-size. Weight, 180 tons.

KEY TO DRAWING 1 Main Deck 2 Galley 3 Upper Deck 4 Main Hatch 5 Forecastle 6 Waist 7 Bosun's Stores 8 Shallop 9 Sail Store 10 Crew's Quarters 11 Main Hold 12 Cargo 13 General Stores 14 Water Barrels 15 Spirits 16 Store 17 Cabins 18 Radio Room--A radio for the crossing was required by law. 19 Chart House 20 Steering Position 21 Gun Port 22 Main Deck 23 Upper Deck 24 Quarter Deck 25 Poop Deck 26 Beak 27 Bowsprit 28 Foretop 29 Maintop 30 Mizzenmast 31 Mainmast 32 Foremast

PLIMOTH PLANTATION--MAYFLOWER II

On a 100-acre tract, formerly part of the beautiful Hornblower estate, a replica of the Pilgrim First Street with its original nineteen thatched dwellings is being erected under the auspices of Plimoth Plantation, Inc. When complete the project will have cost an estimated million dollars.

Nearby, in a bend in the Eel River, is the permanent anchorage of the Mayflower II, an exact reproduction of the original Pilgrim ship, built and financed by popular subscription in England.

The idea of reproducing a full-size, 92-foot 180-ton Mayflower replica was conceived during the North African fighting in World War II by a Londoner, Warwick Charlton. His dream was to memorialize the common heritage of English-speaking peoples, and to express his country's gratitude for American aid in times of great stress.

Mayflower II was constructed of English oak and Oregon pine at an ancient shipyard in Brixham, Devon, using plans drawn up, after five years of research, by William A. Baker, shipyard executive with Bethlehem Steel. More than a quarter million English people contributed shillings and pence to the Project Mayflower fund.

Museum Parking Fort Gardens Trading Post Indian Village Mayflower Grist Mill-Jenney Eel River Pond To the Ocean

The Pilgrim village is located on a park-like site sloping up from Eel River. When complete it will include a trading post, grist mill, Indian village, and a fort meeting house, as well as dwellings identical with those occupied by Governor Bradford, Elder Brewster, Myles Standish, John Alden, and the rest. The work is being supervised by Charles R. Strickland, Plimoth Plantation architect.

Mayflower II comes to its permanent berth in the Eel River after an Atlantic crossing, and exhibitions at New York and elsewhere, under the command of Alan Villiers, of grain-ship fame. The ship will symbolize the wellsprings of American democracy. It will vividly recall the ideas forever shrined in the Compact, whereby the little company of dissenters bound themselves to live together by the law and under God.

All America will want to see how their nation was cradled, and so more keenly appreciate the noble tradition to which they are heir.

BURIAL HILL

Leaving the Monument and passing south through Allerton Street, crossing Samoset Street, and continuing straight over the hill to the Cornish and Burton Schools, we arrive at the northwest entrance to the old burial ground. Rising 165 feet above sea level this hill commands a fine view of the harbor and bay from Kingston and Duxbury on the north to the Pine Hills on the south. At the base of the hill is Town Square where in the immediate foreground rise the spires of the First Church and the Church of the Pilgrimage, with Leyden Street leading to the harbor beyond.

From this vantage, and before the day of steam trawlers, Plymouthians have viewed the fleet of white-winged mackerel vessels as they sailed to and fro within easy vision against a background of blue sea.

On clear days the sand dunes of Cape Cod as well as Provincetown may be seen.

It was on this hill that the Pilgrims built their fort in 1622 and a watch tower in 1643 and another and larger fort during the King Philip War in 1675 as a defence against Indian attack.

There is no record of its first use as a burial ground. There are six stones bearing dates of the 17th century, the oldest that of Edward Grey . It is known that William Bradford died in 1657 and a monument erected in 1825 bears evidence to that fact. Also that John Howland died in 1672 and his present stone was erected 1850. It is presumable that there were many burials here prior to these dates, although the first burials were on Cole's Hill just above the shore.

A TRIBUTE IN VERSE FROM PILGRIM PLYMOUTH

Oft' have I stood on Plymouth's sacred hill That overlooks both harbor and the town; Its first laid street, a Pilgrim mecca still, Steeped in historic precept and renown. Where bay in iridescence greets the eye, Flecked by ocean breeze and white-winged sail. While in the foreground looking toward the sky Are silent emblems of a past travail. Hallowed the ground whereon they humbly dwelt, Where now in honor sleep our reverend sires; Where once in life they oft' devoutly knelt And asked for guidance only faith inspires. What wealth of legend, yea, what wealth of lore, Abounds along this tranquil Pilgrim shore!

The oldest stones in order of dates on the hill are those of:

Edward Grey 1681 William Crowe 1683-4 Hannah Clark 1687 Thomas Cushman 1691 Thomas Clark 1697 The children of John and Josiah Cotton 1699 The stone of Nathaniel Thomas 1697

There is a doubt concerning the last named as the inscription is now illegible, but his death is supposed to have occurred in 1697.

Near the northwest entrance through which we entered is the replica of the old Powder House built in 1770 and later demolished. The present structure was a gift of the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Burial Hill was well chosen as the site of the first fort. As it was easily approachable from First Street and commanded the surrounding territory for some distance in all directions, it served as an excellent defense against attack by Indians. The locations of the fort and watch tower are marked by appropriately inscribed tablets.

But a few steps away to the north is the grave of Gov. William Bradford over which stands a marble shaft erected in 1825, bearing the Latin inscription, the free translation of which is: "What our Fathers with so much difficulty attained, do not basely relinquish."

The inscription on the south side reads:

The inscription on the north side follows:

Under this stone rest the ashes of William Bradford, a zealous Puritan and sincere Christian Gov. of Ply. Col. from 1621 to 1657, except 5 yrs. which he declined.

There is also a text in Hebrew, now almost obliterated, which has been translated,

"Let the right hand of the Lord awake."

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