PLYMOUTH THE TOWN

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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 $300,000. 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.

AN ISLAND IN ONE OF PLYMOUTH’S MANY PONDS

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.

The door is open and the word is Welcome.

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.

Legend:

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 central figure is Faith, which stands on the main pedestal, one foot resting on a replica of Plymouth Rock. In the left hand is a Bible, while the right hand points heavenward. The whole attitude is symbolic of faith in a divine power, as the smaller statues below are representative of the principles enunciated by the Pilgrims themselves.

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 $150,000.
Statue of Faith cost $31,300; 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, 1½ inches; from elbow to tip of finger, 9 feet, 9 inches; total length of arm, 19 feet, 10½ 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, 8½ inches.
Circumference of thumb, 1 foot, 8½ inches.
Length of nose, 1 foot, 4 inches.
216 times life-size.
Weight, 180 tons.

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.

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
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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