place of our forefathers on the 22d of December, 1620. Its Indian name was Patuxet. Plymouth lies 35 miles S. E. by S. from Boston: N. lat. 41° 57' 30". W. lon. 70° 40' 45". Population, 1830, 4,384; 1837, 5,034. Incorporated, 1620. "Plymouth was the first town built in New England by civilized man; and those by whom it was built were inferior in worth to no body of men, whose names are recorded in history, during the last seventeen hundred years. A kind of venerableness, arising from these facts, attaches to this town, which may be termed a prejudice. Still, it has its foundation in the nature of man, and will never be eradicated either by philosophy or ridicule. No New Englander, who is willing to indulge his native feelings, can stand upon the rock, where our ancestors set the first foot after their arrival on the American shore, without experiencing emotions very different from those which are excited by any common object of the same nature. No New Englander could be willing to have that rock buried and forgotten. Let him reason as much, as coldly, and as ingeniously as he pleases, he will still regard that spot with emotions wholly different from those which are excited by other places of equal or even superior importance. We cannot wish this trait in the human character obliterated. In a higher state of being, where truth is universally as well as cordially embraced, and virtue controls without a rival, this prejudice, if it must be called by that name, will become useless, and may, therefore, be safely discarded. But in our present condition, every attachment, which is innocent, has its use, and contributes both to fix and to soften man. When we call to mind the history of their sufferings on both sides of the Atlantic, when we remember their pre-eminent patience, their unspotted piety, their immove able fortitude, their undaunted resolution, their love to each other, their justice and humanity to the savages, and there freedom from all those stains which elsewhere spotted the character even of their companions in affliction, we cannot but view them as illustrious brothers, claiming the veneration and applause of all their posterity. The institutions, civil, literary, and religious, by which New England is distinguished on this side the Atlantic, began here. Here the manner of holding lands in free soccage, now universal in this country, commenced. Here the right of sufferage was imparted to every citizen, to every inhabitant not disqualified by poverty or vice. Here was formed the first establishment of towns, of the local legislature, which is called a town meeting, and of the peculiar town executive, styled the selectmen. Here the first parochial school was set up, and the system originated for communicating to every child in the community the knowledge of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Here, also, the first building was erected for the worship of God; the first religious assembly gathered; and the first minister called and settled, by the voice of the church and congregation. On these simple foundations has since been erected a structure of good order, peace, liberty, knowledge, morals and religion, with which nothing on this side the Atlantic can bear a remote comparison." The land in this town is generally hilly, and sandy; but there is a border of considerable extent on the sea board,having been well cultivated, consisting of a rich loamy soil, and capable of yielding large crops. The town is watered by Eel and Wonkinqua rivers, Town, Willingsly and Double brooks, and more than 200 ponds, the largest of which is called Billington Sea. "This singular rite, but could only conjecture that it was an acknowledgment of an invisible Being, the unknown God whom this people worshipped. This pile was their altar. Burying Hill, formerly Fort Hill. Immediately in the rear of the town is a hill, rising 165 feet above the sea level, embracing about eight acres. On the summit of the southwest side, the pilgrims erected first some temporary defence, but, in 1675, on the approach of Philip's war they erected a strong fort, 100 feet square, strongly palisadoed, ten and a half feet high.No other place could have been so well chosen, either for discovering the approach of savages, or for defending the town against their attacks. The settlement was rend was formerly called Fresh Lake. It was discovered about the 1st of January, 1621, by Francis Billington, while mounted on a tree standing on a hill. It was in the midst of a thick forest, and when seen at a distance, Billington supposed it to be another sea. On the 8th of January, he went with one of the master's mates, to view the place. They found two lakes contiguous,separated by a narrow space; the largest is about six miles in circumference, and is the far famed Billington Sea. It is about two miles southwest from the town, and from it issues the Town brook. In this pond there are two small islands. The largest, containing about two acres, having been planted with apple-trees, produces excellent fruit. This pond is well stock-ered perfectly secure, and springs ed with pickerel and perch. The majestic eagle is frequently seen cowering over this pond, and has for ages built its nest in the branches of the trees, visiting the flats in the harbor at low tide in pursuit of fish and birds. Loons, and the beautiful wood-duck produce their young in sequestered retreats about this pond, annually. of water were at their command. The whole circuit of the fort is still distinctly visible, a watch-house of brick was also built near the fort. The view presented from this eminence, embracing the harbor and the shores of the bay for miles around, is not, perhaps, inferior to any in the country. Let the antiquarian come at full tide and when The fallow deer, tenacious of the billows are calmed, and seat their ancient place of rendezvous, himself on this mount, that he may continue to visit this pond for drink, survey the incomparable landscape, and to browse on its margin. For and enjoy the interesting assomany years this beautiful pond was ciations with which he will be ina favorite resort for social parties. spired. Immediately beneath the A house was erected on the bank, a hill lies the town in full view, and pleasure-boat was in the pond, and beyond this the harbor and shiptea-parties and fishing-parties unit-ping. The harbor is a beautiful ed in the happiest enjoyments. expanse of water, bounded on the S. commences a beach three miles in length, breasting the rolling billows of the bay, and serving as a barrier to the wharves; and on the N. E. by a promontory extending from Marshfield, called the Gurnet, on the point of which stands the lighthouse. There are on the road to Sand-by Manomet point, and near which wich, in the woods, two rocks called Sacrifice rocks. They are covered with sticks and stones, which have been accumulating for centuries. It was the constant practice among the aboriginals, to throw a stone, or stick on the rock in passing. The late Rev. Mr. Hawley, who spent many years among the natives at Marshpee, endeavored to learn from them the design of this These several points, together with the opposite shores, completely enclose the harbor, having There are in Plymouth 3 cotton mills, 3 nail factories, and manufactures of vessels, cordage, boots, shoes, leather, hats, straw bonnets, chairs, tin and cabinet wares :-the value of which for the year ending April 1,1837, was $508,932. Dur Clark's Island and Saquish in its bosom. Beyond these points opens the great bay of Massachusetts, bounded at the southern extremity by the peninsula of Cape Cod, which is distinctly visible, and spreading boundless to the northeast. On the N. appears the flour-ing that year there were 4 vessels ishing village of Duxbury, shooting into the bay, and exhibiting a handsome conical hill, ever to be remembered as once the property and residence of the gallant Standish. Between Duxbury and Plymouth, is the harbor and pleasant village of Kingston. Having taken a survey of this magnificent group, so exceedingly endeared to the New England antiquarian, and enjoyed a spiritual vision of the Mayflower, laden with men, women and chil dren, come as founders of a mighty empire, we are next led to view a scene of more solemn contempla tion. The whole extent of the hill is covered with the symbols of mortality, the sepulchres of our venerated fathers. We tread on the ashes of some of those to whom we are indebted, under Providence, for our most precious earthly enjoyments, all that is valuable in life, much of principle and example which are consoling in death. With what solicitude do we search for a sepulchral stone bearing the names of Carver, Bradford, and their glorious associates. The following are the most ancient monuments, which can be traced within this enclosure: Here lies the body of Edward Gray, Gent., aged about fifty-two years, and departed this life the last of June, 1681. Here lyes ye body of ye Honorable Major William Bradford, who expired February ye 20, 1703-4, aged 79 years. He lived long, but still was doing good, And in his country's service lost much blood. After a life well spent he's now at rest His very name and memory is blest. engaged in the whale fishery, 45 in the cod and mackerel fishery, and a large number of vessels employed in the merchant service and coasting trade. Tonnage of the district, in 1837, 26,635 tons. The product of the fishery, the same year, was $154,636. The corner stone of PILGRIM HALL was laid in this town on the 1st of September, 1824. This edifice is 70 by 40 feet, with walls of from the top of the foundation to unwrought split granite; the height the eave cornice being about 33 feet, forms two stories. The low er room is about 10 feet in the clear of the ceiling; and the upper to the impost moulding about 20 feet, to which being added the curve of the ceiling is about 23 feet. It is intended, as soon as the state of the funds will justify, to form the front by an addition of about 20 feet, with a double tier of steps, having entrance to the upper room and by descent to the lower. The front to be finished with a Doric portico on 4 columns, of about 20 feet in height, the base of which to be from 3 to 4 feet above the level of the street. The situation presents a full view of the river and outer harbor. An Anniversary Commemoration of the landing of the pilgrims commenced in Plymouth on the 22d of December, 1769, and will, we trust, be continued in Pilgrim Hall, so long as the virtues, unparalleled sufferings, and the conscientious performance of the duties of piety and benevolence of our pilgrim fathers are held in veneration by a grateful posterity. See Reg 1 |