GUIDE
TO
Historical Plymouth

Copyright, 1920, by A. S. Burbank.
Printed by the Memorial Press.

Contents.

Beach Point 64

Burial Hill 49

Church of the First Parish 48

Church of the Pilgrimage 47

Clark’s Island 80

Cole’s Hill 39

Compact 82

Court House 25

Gov. Bradford’s House in 1621 46

Gurnet 37

Harbor 64

Industries 77

Landing of the Pilgrims 36

Leyden Street 41

Manomet Bluffs 60

Members of the Mayflower Company 83

Morton Park 67

National Monument Frontispiece and page 8

North Street 33

Old Fort and First Meeting House, 1621 59

Old Houses 70

Pilgrim Antiquities 16-25

Pilgrim Hall 13

Plymouth as a Summer Resort 79

Plymouth High School 73

Plymouth in 1627 45

Plymouth Rock 31

Post Office 44

Prison 30

Public Library 74

Registry Building 27

The Town 73

Town Brook 69

Town Square 46

Voyage of the Mayflower Shallop 65

Watch Tower 61

Watson’s Hill 61

Historic Plymouth

The introduction of visitors to Plymouth as they come by rail, is at Seaside, a station in the extreme north part of the town, at the dividing line between Kingston and Plymouth. As the cars slow up passengers see the beautiful panorama of Plymouth Harbor spread out before their eyes. At the near left, across the bay appears Captain’s Hill, so called from its being the home of Capt. Myles Standish, and on its crest is a monument in honor of the Pilgrim warrior, surmounted by his statue fourteen feet in height. Farther along is seen Rouse’s Hummock, the American terminus of the French Atlantic cable. The next prominent object is Clark’s Island, where the Pilgrims spent their first Sabbath in Plymouth. Next to this is the headland of Saquish, and beyond is the Garnet with its twin lighthouses. Opposite these the bold bluff of Manomet thrusts itself out into the bay, while nearer inland the long, thin ribbon of Plymouth Beach runs across the harbor, like an artificial breakwater, to arrest the waves of the ocean.

Few scenes can surpass this in loveliness, if the visitor is fortunate enough to arrive when the tide is in. Although by the configuration of the land Plymouth Harbor seems to have been designed for a perfect haven against every wind that blows, unfortunately it is dependent upon a full sea for depth enough of water to float vessels of large draft to the wharves. With the assistance of the State of Massachusetts a channel 150 feet wide with eighteen feet depth at mean low water, was opened in 1913 from Beach Point to the fine new stone pier of the Plymouth Cordage Co., and by it that great industrial plant now brings its fibre, for manufacture, direct from Mexico to its mills in steamships of 3500 tons measurement. In 1876 the United States Government dug a small channel from Broad channel to the wharves, where none had existed. In 1914-15 the Government and State co-operated in improving the old “Mayflower channel,” from deep water at Beach Point along the inside of the Beach and up Broad channel to the town wharves, so that for the entire distance there is a width of 200 feet and depth of 18 feet at mean low water. This allows steamers and light draft vessels to land at any time of tide, while at high water barges and heavy freight carriers drawing 25 feet or more can have easy access to the piers. These harbor improvements accommodate any vessels that can pass through the Cape Cod Canal which opens into the bay 16 miles below Plymouth and are of great advantage to the Pilgrim port. Other important changes of the water front and harbor may develop previous to the tercentenary celebration of “the Landing,” to take place in 1920-21, plans and details for which are in charge of a special State Commission.

Immediately upon leaving the station of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, on arrival in Plymouth, and while traversing Old Colony park to Court street, the main street of the town, the Samoset House is in full view in the front. Looking towards the Samoset House on the way through the park the first street on its right leading from Court street is Cushman street; and the walk continued up Cushman street and little northward along Allerton street, will shortly bring the visitor to the National Monument to the Forefathers.

The National Monument to the Forefathers

The corner stone of the National Monument was laid Aug. 2, 1859, and the work entrusted to Hammatt Billings who drew the design for the Monument in all its details. The main pedestal was put in position in 1876, and in the following summer the statue of Faith was erected. The monument was completed in October, 1888, and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies August 1, 1889. It is built entirely of granite, the statues all coming from the quarries of the Hallowell Granite Company of Maine. (See frontispiece.)

The idea of building the monument to the memory of the Pilgrim Fathers was early entertained in the town, and was formed into a definite object by the incorporation of the Pilgrim Society in January, 1820; which object was kept steadily in view and prosecuted to successful conclusion.

The plan of the principal pedestal is octagonal, with four small and four large faces; from the small faces project four buttresses or wing pedestals. On the main pedestal stands the figure of Faith. One foot rests upon Forefathers’ Rock; in her left hand she holds a Bible; with the right uplifted she points to heaven. Looking downward, as to those she is addressing, she seems to call to them to trust in a higher power.

On each of the four buttresses or wing pedestals is a seated figure; they are emblematic of the principles upon which the Pilgrims proposed to found their commonwealth. The first is Morality, holding the Decalogue in her left, and the scroll of Revelation in her right hand; her look is upward toward the impersonation of the Spirit of Religion above; in a niche, on one side of her throne, is a prophet, and in the other, one of the Evangelists. The second of these figures is Law: on one side Justice; on the other Mercy. The third is Education: on one side Wisdom, ripe with years; on the other Youth, led by Experience. The fourth figure is Freedom: on one side Peace rests under its Protection; on the other Tyranny is overthrown by its powers. Below these seated figures are marble alto-reliefs, representing scenes from the history of the Pilgrims:—the Departure from Delft Haven; the first Treaty with the Indians; Signing of the Social Compact; and the Landing at Plymouth. On each of the four faces of the main pedestal is a large panel for records. That in front contains the general inscription of the monument, viz., “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.” The right and left panel contain the names of those who came over in the “Mayflower.” The rear panel is plain, to have an inscription at some future day.

The total height of the Monument is eighty-one feet, from the ground to the top of the head of the statue of Faith. The following are some of the dimensions of this great piece of work, said, on good authority, to be the largest and finest piece of granite statuary in the world: the height of the base is forty-five feet; height of statue, thirty-six feet. The outstretched arm measures from shoulder to elbow, ten feet one and one-half inches; from elbow to the tip of finger, nine feet nine inches; total length of arm, nineteen feet ten and one-half inches. The head measures around the forehead thirteen feet seven inches. The points of the star, in the wreath around the head are just one foot across. The arm, just below the short sleeve, measures six feet ten inches around; below the elbow, six feet two inches. The wrist is four feet around. The length of the finger pointing upwards is two feet one inch, and is one foot eight and one-half inches around. The thumb measures one foot eight and one-half inches around. The circumference of the neck is nine feet two inches and the nose is one foot four inches long. From centre to centre of the eyes is one foot six inches. The figure is two hundred and sixteen times life size and its weight one hundred and eighty tons. A bolt of lightning ran down the arm and figure Aug. 23, 1912, splitting and displacing two blocks of the central section. They were restored to position, without taking down the monument, by Mr. George W. Bradford, a Plymouth contractor, a feat which reflected much credit upon his engineering skill.

The statue of Faith was the gift of the late Oliver Ames, a native of Plymouth, and its cost was $31,300. The total cost of the Monument was $150,000, contributed by more than 11,000 people of the United States and other countries.

Pilgrim Hall

Returning to Court street (the main street) from the Monument grounds, and passing the head of Old Colony park, we soon see on our left a building with a Doric portico, standing a little way from the street. This is Pilgrim Hall, erected in 1824 by the Pilgrim Society as a monumental hall to the memory of the Pilgrims. In 1880, without taking down the walls, it was re-roofed and refloored with steel beams and terra cotta blocks at a cost of over $15,000 by Joseph Henry Stickney, Esq., a wealthy Baltimore merchant of Boston nativity, who on a casual visit to Plymouth became so impressed of preserving with the greatest care the interesting relics of the Pilgrims there deposited, that he most liberally made this large expenditure to secure these precious memorials from loss by fire. At the same time he provided for better classification and exhibition of the articles, those immediately connected with the Pilgrims being deposited, mostly in glass cases, in the main hall, while an interesting museum of antique curiosities was arranged in the room below. Exteriorly, marked improvement was made by raising the Doric porch to the height of the main building, and repainting and sanding the whole front in imitation of stone. Quite a change was made at the same time in the front area by the removal back to the Landing-place of the portion of Plymouth Rock, which for forty-six years had here been a prominent object.

The hall is kept open daily (including Sundays in the summer season), at regular hours, for the accommodation of visitors, a fee of twenty-five cents being charged. These fees are the only income of the Pilgrim Society, the fund so accumulated being devoted to the care of the Pilgrim relics, the monuments, grounds, and historic points of the Pilgrim locality in Plymouth.

To the improvements made by Mr. Stickney, very important and extensive ones were carried out by the Society in the periods from February to May 1911, and from December 1911 to March 1912, the hall being closed to the public during the work. Everything of wood, from the basement to the roof was removed from the ante-rooms, and also from the main hall and the one beneath. With steel beams, terra cotta blocks, cement and marble, thorough work was done in fireproofing the whole structure, so that the Doric entrance portico, which is separated from the building by a thick brick wall, now remains as the only combustible part. The cost of these radical improvements, which seem to sufficiently insure the protection of the priceless collection of Pilgrim relics, was about $15,000, paid from the visitors fee fund. It is in contemplation, and plans have been prepared, for changing the Doric portico from wood to granite, with monolithic columns. About $20,000 will be needed for this much desired object, which will make Pilgrim Hall, in its entirety, a complete and harmonious memorial of the Forefathers; but this laudable project will have to await the slow accumulation of an annual income from visitors fees, or the possible generous gift of a descendant or admirer of our Pilgrim ancestors.

The interior, with marble floors and wainscots, and walls freshly colored in neutral tints which set off the pictures to much advantage, now presents a very neat and attractive appearance.

In the marble vestibule hangs a large picture of the “Landing,” done in distemper, which was presented to the Society by Robert G. Shaw of Boston. At the right is the curator’s room, on the walls of which hang a portrait of King James I., together with a number of maps and local views of Plymouth, illustrative of changes which have taken place. Over the entrance to the main hall is a large gilded copy of the seal of the Colony, reproduced from the “Book of Laws,” printed in 1685. The original seal was adopted probably in 1625. It was taken away during the administration of the infamous Governor Andros, and never recovered, as far as is known. This copy is supposed to have been the gift of Samuel Nicholson, of the Boston Common Council, a native of Plymouth. At the left of the entrance is the stairway to the lower hall, and the sanitary conveniences of the building.

The main hall is forty-six by thirty-nine feet, with walls twenty-two feet high, and is lighted entirely from the roof. At the east end is the large picture of the “Landing,” thirteen by sixteen feet, painted by Henry Sargent, of Boston, an amateur artist, and presented by him to the Society in 1834. Its estimated value was $3,000, and the massive frame cost about $400. At the left is a portrait of the venerable Dr. James Thacher, the first secretary of the Pilgrim Society. He was the author of Thacher’s Military Journal and a History of Plymouth, which has been considered one of the best ever published. The picture upon the right is a fine painting and most excellent likeness of the gentleman who in 1880 so disinterestedly and generously remodeled and beautified Pilgrim Hall,—Joseph Henry Stickney, Esq., of Baltimore. The portrait was painted by D. G. Pope, a Baltimore artist, and in subject and execution is worthy of its place in this Pilgrim temple. Beneath the picture the Society has placed a bronze memorial tablet in grateful remembrance of Mr. Stickney’s benefactions.

In the middle of the south wall is hung the large copy of Weir’s Embarkation from Delft Haven, from the large painting in the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington, done for the Society by Edgar Parker. It is flanked by several large portraits designated in the catalogue, including one of Hon. Daniel Webster.

In the centre of the west side hangs the noble gift of ex-Gov. Alexander H. Rice, of Massachusetts, Charles Lucy’s large painting of the Departure from Delft Haven. It is of great value, and at a prize exhibition in England won the first premium of a thousand guineas. It is altogether different in color and tone from either of the others, and will bear close sturdy. On its right and left are portraits of Washington and Edward Everett, with pictures of the house at Austerfield, England, where Governor Bradford was born, and the only copy extant of the earliest map of New England territory, made by William Hack about 1663.

On the north wall at the left of the entrance to the library the fine historical painting of the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by W. F. Halsall occupies a prominent position, and grouped around it are the portraits of the Winslow family. These consist of Edward Winslow, of the Mayflower company who was Governor of Plymouth Colony in 1633-1636 and 1644. This portrait, and that of Josiah Winslow, who was born in Plymouth in 1628, son of Governor Edward, and who became the first native governor of the Colony 1673 to 1680, were probably painted in London by Robert Walker in 1651, the first is therefore regarded as undoubtedly a life-like portrait of a Mayflower Pilgrim. Others of the group are Penelope, (wife of Gov. Josiah Winslow) and Gen. John Winslow, great grandson of Gov. Edward Winslow. The general is depicted in the scarlet uniform of the British Army. He was second in command in the expedition which removed the Acadians from Nova Scotia in 1755. The house in which he lived, built in 1730, is still standing in Plymouth, on the corner of Main and North streets. It was also the home of James Warren, president of the Provincial Congress.

At the right of the library entrance hangs the original of Robert W. Weir’s Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delft Haven, purchased by the Society in 1914. From this study, Weir produced the larger painting for the Capitol rotunda at Washington. Above it is an engraving of the Sailing of the Mayflower, from Cope’s original painting, which hangs in the House of Lords in London. There are also engravings of the Signing of the Compact, and the Landing by different artists, and a colored lithograph by Allebe of a picture representing the First Religious service held by the Pilgrims, painted in 1859 by Schwarz of Amsterdam. The vessel bringing the painting to the United States was burned at sea by a Confederate privateer during the Civil War. Over the library door is The Royal Arms, which before the Revolution hung over the judges bench in the Plymouth Colonial Court House, now our old Town House, and was carried to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, by Captain Gideon White, a royal refugee of those times.

Across the head of the hall, under the Sargent picture, are important historical articles, as the Patent of Plymouth Colony, the chairs of Elder Brewster and Gov. Carver, which were brought by them in the Mayflower, the Peregrine White cradle and the Fuller cradle, a chest which belonged to Myles Standish, a carved pew back from the ancient parish church at Scrooby, a chair once owned by Gov. Winslow, and the keystone from an arch in Scrooby Manor. Just inside the door from the curator’s office is a small steel safe containing Gov. William Bradford’s bible, printed at Geneva in 1592. During visiting hours the sacred volume may be seen.

Arranged about the hall on handsome steel tables are exhibition cases of the finest plate glass in America, and in these are displayed and numbered conveniently for recognition by catalogue, very many authentic relics and personal belongings of the Pilgrims and their households. The first at the right on entering contains articles of the White family, among them a cabinet brought in the Mayflower by William White, father of Peregrine, a cane and a candlestick, which he once owned, also a bond written and signed by Peregrine White, who was born on the Mayflower in Cape Cod harbor in 1620, and died in Marshfield, 1704. Next is the Alden case and in it is seen John Alden’s bible dated 1661, a halberd found in a house he once occupied in Duxbury, a deed signed by this fond lover of Priscilla, a christening bowl which belonged to Elder William Brewster, etc. The Standish case is next, and most interesting, for the reason that there is deposited the famous Damascus sword of the military Chieftain of the Pilgrims, together with a large pewter platter and iron pot which he brought in the Mayflower. There are fragments of a quilt which belonged to Rose, his wife, and a specimen of embroidery or “sampler” worked by Lorea, his daughter in 1653, with this verse:

The baby cap and bib worked for her little daughter Lorea by Barbara Standish has lately been added to the collection. The sword of Myles Standish is one of the most valuable articles in Pilgrim Hall. General Grant on his visit to Plymouth, October 14, 1880, was much interested in this ancient weapon, and handled it with evident satisfaction. The Arabic inscriptions on the blade have always been a puzzle, and, notwithstanding many attempts, remained undeciphered until the visit to the town, June 7, 1881, of Prof. James Rosedale, of Jerusalem, with a troupe of Arabs from Palestine. Mr. Rosedale being an excellent linguist, was shown the sword, and pronounced the inscriptions to be of different dates; one of them in Cufic, very old, and the other in mediæval Arabic of a later period, but still very ancient. To the last he readily gave the following translation:—

“With peace God ruled His slaves (creatures) and with the judgment of His arm He troubled the mighty of the wicked.”

He had no doubt that the weapon dated back two or three centuries before the Christian era, and might be much older. It was captured from the Persians at Jerusalem in 637 by the Saracens, and it is probable that this famous blade came down to Capt. Standish from the Crusaders, and possessed an interesting history in his day.

The next case contains numerous valuable books and literary works of ancient date, the most precious being a copy of John Eliot’s Indian bible 1685, of which but four copies are now known to be extant. A Dutch bible and a “Breeches” bible 1599, an Indian vocabulary by Josiah Cotton, New England’s Memorial by Nathaniel Morton, and the original records of the Old Colony Club from 1769 to 1773, are also interesting.

The Winslow Case at the right of the Library entrance displays many belongings of that illustrious family, notably, a part of a chest, a mortar and pewter plate, brought by Edward Winslow in the Mayflower, a gold ring and ancient trencher which belonged to Governor Edward Winslow, General John Winslow’s sword, a dressing case once owned by Penelope, wife of Governor Josiah Winslow, and bead purse wrought by that gentle lady, a pair of stiff little shoes worn by Governor Josiah Winslow when an infant, a slipper and cape once owned by Mrs. Susannah White, widow of William White, and second wife of Governor Edward Winslow, and other articles which the catalogues will identify.

The case at the left of the Library contains many papers and documents of much interest, but of especial note are swords of Gov. John Carver, Elder William Brewster and Capt. Myles Standish, loaned by the Massachusetts Historical Society. A novel reminder of the days of slavery in Massachusetts is a bill of sale of a negro boy in Plymouth in 1753.

The next case has valuable autographs, note books, and a service of ancient silver tankards and goblets not now in use, but belonging to the First Church of Christ in Plymouth. There are also the first volume of the ancient records of the First Church in Plymouth, and the works of Pastor John Robinson, of Leyden.

The north ante-room is worthy attention of visitors, and contains, with other things, an old sofa formerly owned by Gov. Hancock, upon which he probably sat and plotted treason with Samuel Adams against the English crown. There are pictures of Plymouth, England, and other places in that country, of Pilgrim interest, together with various commissions, etchings, views, etc; and a case containing seven swords of notable personages, which are described in the catalogues.

A fire-proof annex for the valuable library of the Pilgrim Society was built on the northerly side of the hall in 1904, and on the steel shelves behind substantial metal lattices, found necessary to protect the books from persons of predatory inclinations, some 3000 volumes are arranged in handsome cabinets. Some of these books are very rare indeed, and if lost or destroyed could not be replaced. The oldest volume bears the imprint 1559.

Above the bookcases are portraits; among them those of Hon. Joshua Thomas, the first president of the Pilgrim Society; Hon. John Davis, editor of Morton’s New England Memorial, and former president of the Massachusetts Historical Society; and Ephraim Spooner, who was for thirty-four years deacon of the First Church, in Plymouth, and a very prominent citizen of the town. He was chairman of the Selectmen through the Revolutionary War, in which capacity he rendered the country efficient service, and was likewise for fifty-one years town clerk of Plymouth. A very quaint painting is the portrait of Elizabeth Wensley, hanging over the fireplace. She was daughter of William Paddy, and was born in Plymouth 1641. Her daughter, Sarah, was the wife of Dr. Isaac Winslow, whose portrait appears in the Winslow group in the main hall. The great centre table in the library was owned by Gov. Edward Winslow, and stood in the Council Chamber when he governed the Colony. On top of one of the book cases is a model of a ship of the “Mayflower” period, illustrative of the naval architecture and rig of her time.

One of the cases at the foot of the Hall between the ante-rooms holds the gun barrel with which King Philip was killed, also the original manuscript of Mrs. Felicia Hemans’ celebrated ode, “The breaking waves dashed high,” and William Cullen Bryant’s poem, “Wild was the day, the wintry sea,” both presented by the late James T. Fields of Boston. A piece of a mulberry tree, planted in the garden of the Manor house at Scrooby by Cardinal Wolsey, and the trowel used in laying the corner stone of the National Monument to the Pilgrims, August 2, 1859, are seen in this case among other articles. In the other there is a book given to Gov. Bradford by Pastor John Robinson, brought over in the “Mayflower” by Bradford and afterwards given by him to the church. A book printed by Elder Brewster and a copy of Seneca’s works owned by Brewster likewise find place in this case, together with a copy of the first edition of “Mourt’s Relation,” written in Plymouth in 1621 and published in London in 1622.

A special case at the head of the Hall contains the oldest state document in New England, and probably in the United States. This is the first patent granted to the Plymouth Colonists by the Northern Virginia Company. A patent was granted by the Virginia Company in the name of John Wincob, but never used. About the time of the departure of the Forefathers from England for this country a new company was created by a royal charter, within the limits of which Plymouth was included, and this patent dated June 1, 1621 was granted to John Pierce by the Northern Virginia Company and sent over in the “Fortune,” arriving here in November of that year. This patent was found in the land office in Boston, among a mass of old papers, by William Smith, Esq., one of the land committee. The Hon. John Davis, then editing a new edition of Morton’s New England Memorials, obtained it for his use in that book, and from him it came into the possession of the late Nathaniel Morton Davis, Esq., in whose family it remained until deposited in the hall by Mrs. William H. Whitman. It bears the seals and signatures of the Duke of Lenox, the Marquis of Hamilton, the Earl of Warwick, Lord Sheffield, and Sir Ferdinando Gorges, with the exception that the seal of Hamilton is missing. A sixth signature, probably that of John Peirce, the party of the second part, is broken out of the parchment, leaving but a trace of the letter J. The seal to this signature is also torn away.

From the curator’s office a flight of stairs conducts to the basement, where all desired conveniences for visitors will be found. In the lower hall is an interesting museum of articles which have been separated from the Pilgrim collection, and as pertaining to ancient days in many instances or as curiosities will well repay examination. Among them is the frame of the “Sparrowhawk,” wrecked on Cape Cod, at Orleans, in 1626, her company finding refuge and assistance at Plymouth. Her history is remarkable, as being the first known vessel stranded on the Cape, which since that time has been the grave yard of fully 2,000 sea-going craft, with a loss of hundreds of lives. A large placard attached to the old wreck gives the story. To see these remains of a vessel as old as the Mayflower, though much smaller, is very suggestive of the perils of an ocean passage in the days of the Pilgrims.

The bones of the Indian Chief Iyanough are preserved in a special case in the lower hall, together with a large brass kettle and other implements found with the skeleton which was discovered at Hyannis in Barnstable in May, 1861.

The Court House

At our right hand, soon after leaving Pilgrim Hall, we see a large building with a handsome brick facade, standing a little back from the street, and fronted by a small park. This is the County Court House, erected in 1820, and remodeled in 1857. It is one of the finest buildings of the kind in the State, and the judges of the different courts give it precedence in point of beauty, convenience, etc., over all they visit. It has two entrances. The northerly one leads to a marble corridor, from which is the stairway to the large court room above, admittance to witness rooms and the Third District Court. The southerly entrance is to a corridor paved with Vermont marble, and from which leads a flight of stairs for the court, the bar, officers and jurymen, main court room, district attorney’s office, and grand jury room. On the left, below, is the room of the Clerk of Courts, with the room of the County Treasurer opposite; beyond are rooms for various uses together with that of the County Commissioners, and the Law Library. The Library opens from the Commissioner’s room, and also connects by a stairway with the upper corridor.

The New Registry Building

Opposite the Court House, on Russell street, in 1904, the County erected a very fine and conveniently appointed fireproof building for the Probate Court and Registry of Deeds. The latter is on the lower floor, with a large hall for the records and necessary desks and tables to facilitate the examination of the books. There are also commodious rooms for the Register and his assistants and the corps of recorders.

In the Registry of Deeds are the earliest records of Plymouth Colony, in the handwriting of the men who are now held in reverence the world over for their courage in braving the perils of an unknown sea and an equally unknown shore, to face the dangers of savage men and savage beasts, in their constancy to what they believed to be their duty, and for planting on this spot the great principles of a government by the people,—

Here is their writing, some of it quaint and crabbed, some fair and legible. Here, on these very pages, rested the hands fresh from handling the sword and the musket or the peaceful implements of husbandry, of Bradford and Brewster and Standish and others of that heroic band. Here is the original laying-out of the first street,—Leyden street. Here is the plan of the plots of ground first assigned for yearly use, which they called, in the tinge of the Dutch tongue they had acquired in their long residence in Holland, “meersteads.” Here are the simple and yet wise rules—laws they can hardly be called—laid down for the government of the infant colony.

Here is the order establishing jury trial in Governor Bradford’s writing, the order for the first custom laws, the division of cattle into lots, one cow being divided into thirteen lots. It was four years after the Landing before any domestic cattle were brought over, and in order to equalize them they were divided into lots, each family having one. It must have been a pretty nice affair to divide the milk of one cow among thirteen parties, to satisfy all.

Here also is the second patent to the company from the Earl of Warwick, granted in 1629, with its great wax seal engraved for the purpose, and the original box in which it came from England. Here are signatures, also, of nearly as much interest as those of the Pilgrims themselves,—the marks of the original proprietors of all these broad fields and forests, whose names are represented by signs of bows and tortoises, of reptiles and animals.

Here are also ancient deeds written in the Indian language, as put in form by Eliot and Mayo. The record clerk must have had his patience severely taxed when they were copied.

The Registry of Probate is on the second floor, where with the several offices there is a beautiful court room for the Probate sessions. The filing and registry room is a model for convenience in safe keeping and reference to papers concerning estates.

Opposite Court Square is the Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, a fine building erected in 1885-86, which is an ornamental and prominent feature of the locality.

The building at the right of the church is the Old Colony Club, instituted in 1769. Next beyond is Russell Building, in which is located the Pilgrim Bookstore, where will be found a large and varied collection of souvenirs, views of interesting localities, books of Pilgrim story and history, post cards and mementos of a visit to “Pilgrim Land.”

The Prison

In the rear of the Court House stands the former County Prison, a substantial brick building, with granite trimmings. It is now used for temporary detention of prisoners at trial, and by agreement with the Commissioners the town of Plymouth leases a portion of the building for a police station.

In May, 1908, the County purchased a large farm at the south part of the town, and erected suitable buildings of cement concrete, and prisoners convicted of minor offences are there kept at work with the design of making the penal institution self-supporting, as well as contributing to the health and general welfare of offenders detained for short terms. The new prison is light, commodious and airy, and has 140 cells for men, and 12 for women. The number of prisoners averages about 120, about half of them being “trusties,” who perform the farm labor cheerfully, with but little oversight other than that necessary for direction. The prisoners were transferred from the old jail in the middle of July, 1911. Sheriff Earl P. Blake rules humanely but firmly, and is as popular with his criminal household as he is throughout the county. This rational employment of prison labor for self support, is working splendidly, and the farm, the first of the kind in this country to be established on such a basis, is visited with much interest by officials connected with the criminal institutions of this and other states for the purpose of learning the methods of administration.

The Rock

Continuing our way along Court Street a little farther, we come to North Street, at which point the name of the main thoroughfare changes to Main Street, the business section of the town. Turning down North Street, leading to the water, in a little distance we come to the brow of the hill. On the left, Winslow Street winds northward, and on it we see an old mansion, partially hidden by two noble old linden trees. This house was built by Edward Winslow, brother to Gen. John Winslow in 1754. He had the frame got out in England and brought over for this purpose. The trees in front were planted by his daughter about 1760. Additions were made to the house in 1898, which is now owned and occupied by Mrs. C. L. Willoughby.