Pilgrim Guide Book To Plymouth, Massachusetts
William Franklin Atwood
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22 chapters
OFFICIAL PILGRIM GUIDE BOOK To Plymouth, Massachusetts
OFFICIAL PILGRIM GUIDE BOOK To Plymouth, Massachusetts
25¢ HISTORIC PILGRIM PLYMOUTH A GUIDE MAP SHOWING PRINCIPAL STREETS AND HISTORIC SHRINES With a Brief Outline of The Pilgrim Migration and Settlement at Plymouth By William Franklin Atwood “ What your fathers with so much difficulty attained, do not basely relinquish. ” Inscription on gravestone of Gov. William Bradford on Burial Hill. Copyright, 1940, by PAUL W. BITTINGER, Plymouth, Mass. All Rights Reserved. Sixth Edition, May, 1957 Facsimile of original Seal of the Plymouth Colony. It disappe
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
For those who may desire further information regarding the Pilgrims in England and Holland, their motives and aspirations leading to the migration and final settlement at Plymouth, reference is suggested to The Pilgrim Story , of the Pilgrim Book Series, a condensed history from the writings of Governor Bradford, Governor Winslow and other authoritative sources, by William F. Atwood. Cover design by Leo Schrieber, Plymouth, Mass. Cover photo from oil painting in Pilgrim Hall depicting Departure
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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MONUMENT
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MONUMENT
JOHN ALDEN HOUSE, 1653, DUXBURY John Alden married Priscilla Mullins in 1622. They first lived in a log house below Burial Hill where their first three children were born. The family later moved to Duxbury where they built and occupied the present house. This house is open to visitors. A CUTAWAY DRAWING of the original Mayflower by John Seamans of Weymouth, Mass., from plans drawn by William A. Baker, Hingham marine architect and authority on ancient ships....
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PLIMOTH PLANTATION—MAYFLOWER II
PLIMOTH PLANTATION—MAYFLOWER II
On a 100-acre tract, formerly part of the beautiful Hornblower estate, a replica of the Pilgrim First Street (now Leyden 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.
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A TRIBUTE IN VERSE FROM PILGRIM PLYMOUTH
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 guidan
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TOWN SQUARE AND CHURCHES
TOWN SQUARE AND CHURCHES
Leaving the hill at the southeast slope and following down the terraced brick and granite walk, we step into Town Square. This is the logical center of the town and it may well be said, for generations the seat of government with the Town House on the south side, bearing its descriptive tablet. Just ahead is the first street leading to the water and reaching to the north is Main Street. Let us here face about. As we look up the square we face the First Church (Unitarian), so called by virtue of
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LEYDEN STREET
LEYDEN STREET
Let us now leave Town Square and wend our way along Leyden Street, so named in 1823, originally called First Street and later Great and Broad Street. On the right as we move easterly toward the water we see, on the site of the Elder Brewster homestead, the new Federal Building, in which is located the Customs House and Post Office. This is on the corner of Leyden Street and Main Street Extension, the latter extending over Town Brook referred to in Bradford’s History as “a very sweete brooke,” an
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BREWSTER GARDENS A BEAUTY SPOT
BREWSTER GARDENS A BEAUTY SPOT
A spot both picturesque and historical lies to the south of Leyden Street bordering Town Brook. It covers land first allotted to William Brewster, John Goodman and Peter Brown in the original lay-out. The gardens in the rear extended downwards to the brook. In the early days the estuary at the mouth of the stream was sufficiently wide and deep at high tide to permit the passing of fishing boats to what is now the third bridge. Many small craft “tied up” here during the winter months and periods
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PLYMOUTH ROCK
PLYMOUTH ROCK
The magnificent peristyle shown here was designed by the architects McKim, Mead & White and was a gift of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America on the 300th anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims. It encloses the historic “Rock” on which the Pilgrims first set foot. The foundation wall is open on the water side allowing the free wash of the flood tides around the rock as it lies in its original bed. PLYMOUTH ROCK—A NATIONAL SHRINE Plymouth Rock, emblematic and suggest
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COLE’S HILL
COLE’S HILL
Rising directly back of the landing place is Cole’s Hill, named after James Cole who settled here in 1633 and who died in Plymouth in 1692. Here lie those who died the first fateful winter. The hardships of the voyage and the lack of proper accommodations after the landing developed much sickness, which made frightful inroads on the little colony, their number being reduced one-half during the first few months, and those remaining being “scarce able to bury the dead.” SARCOPHAGUS—COLE’S HILL The
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AN HISTORICAL COLLECTION
AN HISTORICAL COLLECTION
The following are only a few of the interesting treasures within the hall: Picture of the “Landing,” in vestibule of Hall. Given by R. G. Shaw of Boston. Picture of the “Landing,” 13 x 16 feet, by Henry Sargent of Boston and presented by him in 1834. On east wall of hall. Copy of Weir’s Embarkation from Delft Haven. Painted by Edgar Parker. South wall of hall. Departure from Delft Haven, by Charles Lucy. Presented by Alexander H. Rice, former governor of Massachusetts. This picture won first pri
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THE PILGRIM SOCIETY
THE PILGRIM SOCIETY
The Pilgrim Society held its first meeting after incorporation in the Court House in Plymouth on May 18th, 1820, and elected Mr. Joshua Thomas its first president. It was the result of a previous meeting of Plymouth gentlemen at the home of Mr. Thomas, who were inspired with a desire to perpetuate the memory of the first settlers. Four years later the original home of the society was erected upon its present location and upon plans of Alexander Parris, architect of the Boston Cathedral of St. Pa
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WATSON’S HILL
WATSON’S HILL
Market Street, which parallels Main Street Extension, runs from Town Square southward, converging with Sandwich and Pleasant Streets at its base. Beyond and to the right is Watson’s Hill from which place Massasoit and his braves approached the settlement, crossing the brook at the ford below on their way to the Common House where the famous treaty was consummated. An excellent view of the town is to be had from this elevation, originally a corn field and for generations a section of attractive h
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SUMMER STREET AND MORTON PARK
SUMMER STREET AND MORTON PARK
Summer street leads westerly from Market Street, being one of the first streets laid out. Here may be seen two of the oldest houses in Plymouth, viz.: the Richard Sparrow House on the left of the street and a short distance from Market Street and the Leach House a few steps beyond at the Corner of Spring Street, once known as Spring Lane. This house was built by George Bonum in 1679. The Sparrow House is presumed to have been built by Richard Sparrow in 1640. If so, it is the oldest house in Ply
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THE TRAINING GREEN
THE TRAINING GREEN
Lying just below Watson’s Hill between Pleasant Street on the west and Sandwich Street on the east, is an open square known as Training Green, from the fact that in the earlier days companies of militia were trained there in the manual of arms. In the center stands the Soldiers’ Monument, erected in 1869 to the memory of Plymouth men who served in the army and navy and who gave their lives during the Civil War. This tract of land was used before the arrival of the Pilgrims by the Indians for gro
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SANDWICH STREET, OLD HOUSES
SANDWICH STREET, OLD HOUSES
Sandwich Street runs southeasterly from the foot of Market Street, formerly Spring Hill. Near this point on the west side of Sandwich Street, near the head of Water Street, is the Howland House, built in 1666. It was the home of Jabez Howland, son of John Howland of the Mayflower, who died in 1672. This house is now owned by the Society of Howland Descendants which holds annual reunions for the purpose of keeping alive the family intercourse and the traditions of the early colonial days....
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THE HARLOW HOUSE
THE HARLOW HOUSE
HARLOW HOUSE (1677) The Harlow House, now a museum of 17th century life, is maintained by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society Just beyond on the west side of Sandwich Street (No. 119) is the William Harlow House, built in 1677. A transfer of land on which this house stands is in the town records under date of July 29, 1669, as follows: “att this meeting a quarter of an acre of land was granted to William Harlow being a little Knowle or smale psell of land lying nere his now dwelling house on the we
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THE KENDALL HOLMES HOUSE
THE KENDALL HOLMES HOUSE
This house was built by William Harlow in 1654 and later acquired by Kendall Holmes. It is located on Winter Street, east of Sandwich Street. The house stands as originally built except for the ell which was added later. In both furnishings and construction it provides a fine example of the houses of the early colonial period. A short distance beyond is Jabez Corner. Here the roads diverge, the road to the right leading to Chiltonville, once known as Eel River, an attractive community village on
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THE COMPACT (Copied from Bradford’s “History of Plymouth Plantation”)
THE COMPACT (Copied from Bradford’s “History of Plymouth Plantation”)
In ye name of God Amen. We whose names are underwriten, the loyall subjects of our dread soueraigne Lord King James, by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, &c. Haueing undertaken, for ye glorie of God, and aduancemente of ye christian faith and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant ye first colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly & mutualy in ye presence of God, and one of an
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LAND DIVIDED
LAND DIVIDED
And so “to every family was assigned a parcell of land according to the proportion of their number for that end (but made no provision for inheritance) and ranged all boys & youths under some family. This had very good success for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corne was planted then other waise would have bene by any means the Governor or any other could use.” This was followed the next season by a division of land wherein “to every person was given only one acre, to the
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THEY CARRY ON
THEY CARRY ON
Fortified by faith and grim determination the colonists carried on in the face of great adversity, yet getting more and more firmly established. In 1636, owing to the growth of the original colony or plantation and the establishment of separate settlements at Scituate and Duxbury, the purely democratic rule which had obtained under the Mayflower Compact, wherein matters pertaining to the interests of the colony were settled in general assembly, was superseded by a law passed providing for govern
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Enjoy THIS TRIP ON A Real Train EDAVILLE RAILROAD
Enjoy THIS TRIP ON A Real Train EDAVILLE RAILROAD
SCHEDULE TRAINS RUN DAILY April 6, 1957 thru Jan. 5, 1958 (Subject to Change Without Notice) All Main Highways from Boston and Cape Cod lead to EDAVILLE RAILROAD RT. 58 • SOUTH CARVER • MASS. Exclusive Detailed Guide Map Location and Description of Historic Places Including: And all else of interest. ILLUSTRATED...
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