USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c. > Part 34
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* On the 10th day of May, 1834, the author planted an elm tree near the centre of the old fort, which may serve to designate its site to posterity.
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sepulchres of our venerated fathers. We tread on the ashes 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 store bearing the names of Carver, Bradford, and their glorious associates. It excites some surprise that sixty years should have elapsed be- fore a grave-stone was erected to the memory of the deceased pilgrims; but it is probably to be ascribed to their poverty and want of artists. A considerable number of the oldest are of English slate-stone. No stone of an earlier date than 1681 is to be found in this enclosure, though it is by no means probable that this was the first interment here. It is to the memory of Edward Gray, a respectable merchant, whose name frequently. occurs in the old records. The inscription is, 'Here lies the body of Edward Gray, Gent., aged about fifty-two years, and departed this life the last of June, 1681.' Edward and Thomas Gray, brothers, came to Plymouth about the year 1643. Thomas it is said afterwards settled in Tiverton, or some say Connecti- cut. Edward married Sarah Winslow, daughter of John Wins- low; their children were Desire, Elizabeth, Sarah, and John. In December, 1665, he married for his second wife, Dorothy Lettice, by whom were born Edward, and five other children. The first Edward Gray is frequently mentioned in the old re- cords. He made his mark for his name, as was not uncommon in those days; by habits of industry and good management, however, he gained the character of a respectable merchant, and acquired an estate worth £1250 sterling, the largest estate at that time in the colony. The second Edward, according to accounts received from Lewis Bradford, Esq., lived at Tiverton, Rhode Island. Thomas and Samuel lived at Little Compton, and also three daughters, two of whom married Coles, and the youngest married Caleb Loring, of Plympton, who is the an- cestor of the Lorings in the north part of Plympton. Dorothy, the second wife of Edward Gray, married, when a widow, Na- thaniel Clark, of Plymouth, for her second husband, but finally separated from him, and died in the family of her son-in-law, Caleb Loring, in May, 1728, aged more than eighty years. John Gray married Joanna Morton. Their children were Ann, who married Tinkham; Joanna married Ebenezer Fuller. Sam- uel married Patience Wadsworth. Mercy married Jabez Ful- Jer. Samuel Gray, by Patience Wadsworth, had several chil- dren; those who survived infancy are Mary, Samuel, and Wait. John Gray married Desire Cushman, January 26th, 1775. Their surviving children are John, born May 5th, 1777; Lewis,
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born May 3d, 1790. They lived in the old mansion house in Kingston.
The following is the language of the Rev. Dr. Dwight, after visiting our burying hill in October, 1800: ' Governor Carver was buried in the first burying ground, and is without a monu- ment. This is dishonorable to the citizens of Plymouth, but will, I hope, not long remain so. The true character of the an- cestors is becoming better understood by the people of New England, and their attention to the persons and facts mentioned in the early history of their country is continually increasing. The inhabitants of Plymouth, who, in this respect, hold the first station among their countrymen, will, I trust, feel the propriety of honoring with so becoming a tribute, the memory of a man to whom they are so greatly indebted. The remains of Gov- ernor Bradford were interred without a doubt in the old burying ground, near those of his son. * But
' Not a stone Tells where he lies.'
It is most grateful to our feelings that a sepulchral monument
* The following are copied from some of the stones on our bury- ing hill :-
Here lyes ye body of ye Honorable Major William Bradford, who expired February ye 20, 1703-4, aged 79 years.
He lived long, but was still 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.
Here lyes ye body of Mr. Joseph Bradford, son to the late Honor- able William Bradford, Esq., governor of Plymouth Colony, who departed this life July ye 20th, 1715, in the 85th year of his age.
Here lyeth buried ye body of that precious servant of God, Mr. Thomas Cushman, who, after he had served his generation accord- ing to the will of God, and particularly the church of Plymouth, for many years in the office of ruling elder, fell asleep in Jesus, Decem- ber ye 10th, 1691, and in the 84th year of his age.
Here lyes buried the body of Mr. Thomas Faunce, ruling elder of the First Church of Christ in Plymouth. Deceased February 27, An. Dom. 1745, in the 99th year of his age. The fathers, where are they ? Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Here lyes ye body of Mr. Thomas Clark, aged 98 years. Depart- ed this life March 24th, 1697.
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is at length erected to the memory of Governor William Brad- ford, under the direction of Alden Bradford, Esq., of Boston, a descendant of the fifth generation, and assisted by others of the descendants. * A neat monument was in May, 1825, erected on the site long fully ascertained to be the deposite of the remains of the second Governor of Plymouth Colony. The monument consists of a solid block of granite, two and a half feet square and 18 inches thick, laid on a proper solid foundation. On the granite block is placed a white marble block 20 inches square and 10 inches thick. And on this a white marble shaft is placed, of the height of six feet, and of a pyramidal form, the base be- ing 15 inches, and the top about 8 inches; the whole monu- ment being 8 feet and a half in height from the ground, with an inscription on the shaft.
The powder-house, on the north part of the hill, was built of brick in the year 1770; and the small mound in the form of a fort in the valley a little south-east of it, is said was built by Mrs. Cotton's scholars in the time of Queen Ann's war.
Cole's Hill .- This is a small square, on the sea bank, at the foot of Middle street. It is a pleasant spot, affording a fine ocean scenery. Here, too, we feel an impulse from ancestral recollections. On this hill, according to common tradition, were deposited the remains of those renowned pilgrims who fell a sacrifice during the perilous winter of 1620-1. About the year 1735, an enormous freshet rushed down Middle street, by which many of the graves of the fathers were laid bare, and their bones washed into the sea.
A breast-work and platform were erected on this bank in 1742. John Winslow, who at that time lived in town, had the direction of the work, and the selection of the spot. During the revolutionary war a battery was erected at the same place, while intrenchments were thrown up at a well-selected spot, for defence of the town; and a fort and garrison were established at the Gurnet, at the entrance of the harbor, by the United States. In the war with Great Britain, in the year 1814, an in- trenchment was again thrown up on Cole's hill for the defence of the town.
* The following persons contributed to the sum for erecting the monument : the lady of James De Wolf, of Bristol; the lady of Lieut. Gov. Collins, of Newport ; Hon. John Davis, of Boston ; Mr. Le Baron Bradford, of Plymouth ; Capt. Gershom Bradford, of Dux- bury ; Wm. J. A. Bradford, Esq. ; Mr. Duncan Bradford, Mr. George P. Bradford, and Ezra Weston, Jr. Esq., of Boston.
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Plymouth Beach .- This commences at Eel river, and extend- ing three miles northerly, is a natural barrier to the wharves against the sweeping surges of the ocean.
Originally, the beach consisted of sand hills and hollows, covered with beach grass, excepting about 80 rods in length, and 30 rods in breadth, which was a thick forest. The inner side of the beach was covered with plum and wild cherry-trees, and the swamp with large pitch pine and beech wood, with a large quantity of white grape-vine attached to the trees. In the centre of the hollow, was a spot about 50 feet square, which was a firm green sward, and shaded by four beach trees, from which were suspended numerous vines with clusters of grapes in their proper season. This was a pleasant resort for gentle- men and ladies, and was much frequented in the summer sea- son, as is well remembered by persons now living. The point of the beach extended to the spot where the stone pier now stands, and not far from it was a house of entertainment for marines, as the harbor was a famous anchorage, and sometimes near one hundred vessels were seen riding in the Cow Yard. This was the natural state of the beach till about 1770. Our ancestors were well aware of the importance of the beach as security to the harbor, and we find in 1703 a penalty of five shillings im- posed on any one who shall fell trees, or set fires on the beach. We find again in 1723 and 1726, committees chosen by the town to secure the beach from injury by cattle going at large, and who were enjoined as far as possible to prevent encroach- ments on said beach. In 1764, a viewing committee of the town reported £20 sufficient for the repairs of two small breach- es near the woods. In December, 1778, a great storm in- creased these two breaches, after which a hedge fence was erected to accumulate the sand. In November, 1784, a tre- mendous gale from the east, accompanied by the highest tide ever known, carried away a part of the woods on the east side, and overflowed the valley and swamp, by which all the trees were killed in about three years, except those on the high ground. The same year a committee from the town viewed the breaches, and reported that a wall of eighty feet in length and four feet high, would be competent to the repairs, with hedge fence in low places; and that it would require about one thousand tons of stone, and at the cost of £414. The committee also recommended the digging of a canal to turn the course of Eel river, that it may empty into the channel within side of the beach, as formerly ; the river having been diverted from its natu- ra course by some proprietors of meadows for their benefit, about 1750. It was the decided opinion of Mr. John, Peck, a
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skilful marine architect, about the year 1779, that for the safety of the harbor, a canal to turn the river back to its natural chan- nel, was indispensably necessary. The judgment of such a man ought to have received immediate attention. But in the year 1803, a committee of the town examined the ground, and esti- mated the expense of a canal at a sum from $600 to $800. The town did not adopt this measure, and such were the extra- ordinary inroads of the sea, that in 1805 and 1806, the beach was in such a ruinous condition that the tide swept over it, and boats actually crossed at the breaches; nor was it long before a channel was worn in one of the breaches nine feet deep, and vessels loaded with stone passed through. A promiscuous wall of stone was now erected, but was soon entirely demolished by the surges of the sea, as if composed of simple turf.
A reviewing committee now reported that a sea wall of two thousand feet, requiring thirty thousand tons of stone, costing $45,000, was found necessary. The town petitioned our legis- lature, from time to time, for assistance in repairing the beach. In 1785, a grant was obtained of £500, conditional, that the town would raise and apply the like sum; but, from inability, this was not complied with. In 1806, a township of land in the State of Maine was granted, on condition that the town raised and applied $5000 in two years, which was accepted, and the township of land was sold for $9,500. In 1812, a lottery to raise $16,000 was granted by the General Court, which sum was eventually realized, and applied as designed. Since that time, another township of land has been granted for the same purpose. A sum, amounting to more than $40,000, has been expended for repairs since the year 1806, without any assist- ance from the general government. But in the year 1824, the town preferred a petition to Congress for assistance, and the general government assumed to itself the future repairs; and in 1824 and 1825, made a grant of $43,566. In 1824, the repairs were conducted by Lieutenant Chase, of the Engineer department, who received the thanks of the town for his faith- ful and judicious performances. The next year the repairs were prosecuted under the supervision of Colonel Totten, of the corps of Engineers, assisted by the collector of the port.
The method adopted for the repairs, is, by triangular frames of timber filled in with stones, around and over which the sand gathers and forms a new beach. In other places large bodies of brush are laid, which have produced the desired effect, accu- mulating sand into cliffs and helping the growth of beach grass. The frames employed are of three sizes, a part fourteen feet base, twelve feet rafters; twelve feet base, ten feet rafters; ten 28 *
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feet base, seven feet rafters. These frames are morticed and tenoned together, and placed vertically in a line on the surface of the beach, and filled with stones. The largest size contains five tons, and the smallest three tons. The whole quantity of stones used from 1824 to 1831, is 14,997 tons. A wall has been erected to the extent of 450 feet, in the most substantial man- ner, and the works seem to have produced the desired effect. As an indirect aid to the security of the beach, a canal half a mile in length and fifteen feet wide, was cut by the town in the year 1814, for the purpose of conducting Eel river to its native out- let within side of the beach, which has been found to be of very essential advantage. This outlet will require annual vi- gilance, and it is confided to posterity as a work of great impor- tance to the preservation of the harbor. The repairs of this beach which has so long engaged attention are now considered as complete, and with care and a little annual expense, will prob- ably continue as a mound of defence for ages.
The Gurnet is a peninsula, or point of high land originating from Marshfield, and extending about 7 miles into the bay. On its southern extremity is situated the light-house. It was first erected in 1768, by the then province, at the expense of £660 17s. and in 1801, it was consumed by fire. The light-house now standing was erected by the United States, in 1803. It exhibits two lights, which are about 70 feet above the level of the sea. There is near the point a farm of rich soil which supports one family.
Saquish is a head land joined to the Gurnet by a narrow neck, lies contiguous to Clark's Island, and contains 12 or 14 acres.
Clark's Island is the first land that received the footsteps of our fathers who formed the exploring party from Cape Cod. It received its name from Clark, the master's mate of the May- flower, who first took possession of it with the shallop, Decem- ber 8th, 1620. There is a tradition that Edward Dotey, a young man, attempted to be the first to leap on the island, but was severely checked for his forwardness, that Clark might first land and have the honor of giving name to the island, which it still retains. My authority for this tradition is Mr. Jo- seph Lucas, whose father was the great-grand son of Edward Dotey. The anecdote has been transmitted from father to son, so tenaciously that it need not be disputed. He also states, that Edward Dotey was one of the earliest settlers in that part of Plymouth which is now Carver, where he died at an advanc- ed age, and his estate there was inherited by his descendants of the same name till within a few years.
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This island contains 864 acres, as appears by the following survey. 'By virtue of a warrant from his excellency Sir Ed- ward Andros, knight, captain general and governor in chief of his majesty's territory and dominion of New England, bearing date, Boston, the 23d of February, 1687,-I have surveyed and laid out for Mr. Nathaniel Clark, a certain small island, being known by the name of Clark's Island, and is situated and lying in New Plymouth Bay, bearing from the meeting-house. in Ply- mouth north by north-east, about three miles, and is bounded round with water and flats, and contains eighty-six acres and a quarter and three rods. Performed this 3d day of March, 1687. ".PHILIP WELLS, Surveyor.'
In Governor Hutchinson's history of Massachusetts, this is called one of the best islands of Massachusetts Bay .. The growth of wood was chiefly red cedar, and was formerly an ar- ticle of sale at Boston, for gate posts. In 1690, Clark's Island was sold to Samuel Lucas, Elkanah Watson, and George Mor- ton. The family of the late John Watson, Esq. have been the proprietors of this island for half a century, and still reside on it. There is at present but one island in the harbor of Ply- mouth; that which was formerly called Brown's Island is only a shoal lying about half a mile east by north from. Beach point. ' This it is supposed was once upland, and there is a tradition, that stumps of trees have been seen here.' In Winthrop's Journal p. 87, it is said that in 1635, September 6th, "Two shallops, going, laden with goods, to Connecticut, were over- taken in the night with an easterly storm, and cast away, upon Brown's Island, near the Gurnet's Nose, and the men all drowned.'
Cow Yard. An anchorage in Plymouth harbor near Clark's Island. It takes its name from a cow whale, which once came into it and was caught, with her calf. This was formerly a fa- mous anchorage for fishermen.
Salt House Beach is contiguous to Marshfield Beach, near Clark's Island.
High Pines is a piece of salt meadow which lies back of Clark's Island. 'William Shurtleff exchanges with the pre- cinct, the precinct give him ten acres of upland and meadow, and he conveys to them a piece of salt meadow, six acres more or less, at High Pines.'-County Records, b. v. fol. 113, 114.
Sheep Pasture. At the commencement of the last century, the inhabitants considered it an object worthy of attention to en- courage the rearing of sheep on the town's land. Accordingly in May, 1702, a tract of three miles square was granted to a
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number of individuals, for their improvement as a sheep pas- ture. This tract was within the bounds of Plymouth, Roches- ter, Plympton, Carver, and extending to Smelt Pond in Kingston.
The plan which they adopted was to divide the property into 322 shares, which were taken up by 16 persons. A house and folds were erected, and a shepherd was employed, who resided on the spot. Twenty acres were allowed for cultivation, and the sheep were to be folded on the land the first three summers, with the view of bringing it into grass. In the year 1704, the town passed a vote that the said land shall be, and remain to the persons therein named, according to the number of shares they have signed for, and to such others as shall join them, and to their heirs forever. The endeavors of the proprietors were at- tended with little success, and in the year 1712, they began to think of resigning the land back to the town, and in 1712, this was done, and the project altogether abandoned as impractica- ble. The number of sheep was about 360. In 1768, a propo- sition was made to revive this project as a town concern, but it was wisely rejected. Subsequently to 1784, this tract was sold at different times; the last 800 acres were disposed of in 1798.
The Militia of the town. One company of Artillery, com- manded by Eleazer S. Bartlett. One do. Light Infantry, called the Standish Guards, commanded by John Bartlett, 3d. Two companies Infantry, called South and North. South company, commanded by George W. Bartlett. North company, by Asa Barrows, Jr.
The above are attached to the 1st Regiment, commanded by Col. Leander Lovell, and belong to the 1st Brigade, 5th Divi- sion.
Manufactures. The Manufactures of Iron are various, and some of them extensive. On the stream called the Town brook are two forges, in which are made anchors, mill-cranks, plough- shares, sleigh shoes, &c. Formerly shovels were made at these works, under the superintendence of Mr. Ames, whose manu- facture of the same article in Easton has since become so cel- ebrated.
The rolling-mill and nail factory on the same stream have been in operation many years; the former was rebuilt in the year 1807, on the site of a slitting-mill for the manufacture of nail-rods, formerly the property of Martin Brimmer, Esq., of Boston. At this establishment are made about three tons of nails per day. Nearly all the nail machinery in this factory is the invention of Mr. Samuel Rogers, of East Bridgewater, who received large sums from the proprietors for his patents. There is one machine, lately invented and constructed by Mr.
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Joseph Lucas, of this town, on a new principle, by which, while much of the manual labor is saved, a larger quantity of nails can be made in a given time than by any other machine. As a specimen of its performance, it may be mentioned, that the produce of something less than five hours' work was one thousand and twenty-five pounds of 10d. or board nails, of the very best quality. Mr. David Bradford, of this town, is the in- ventor of another nail machine, considered equal if not supe- rior to the best of the old construction.
Near the rolling-mill, is an air furnace, occasionally used in casting machinery for the iron works. Here is also a furnace belonging to the same establishment, for converting bar iron into blistered steel. Thirty cords of wood are consumed in the process of baking, which requires from six to ten days. About eighteen tons are made in a batch.
At Eel River is another rolling mill of more modern con- struction. It commenced operation in June, 1827. The head and fall of water in this privilege are about thirty feet, with an unfailing stream. The rolling-inill and nail factory connected with it are built of granite, in a very strong and durable man- ner; the former is eighty by fifty feet in the clear, and the lat- ter seventy-two by forty feet.
The rolling-mill will manufacture the present year about seventeen hundred tons of iron into nail-rods, plates and hoops.
Another nail factory, about one mile from these works, is supplied by them with plates; and on the same dam with it is a forge where bar-iron of superior tenacity is made from scraps. Below these, on the same stream, is a rivet factory, where may be seen a machine for making rivets, invented by Mr. Timothy Allen, another ingenious mechanic of Plymouth, and intended to supersede the ill-contrived tools at present used. It has been in successful operation one or two years, and fully an- swers the expectations of the inventor.
It may not be amiss to include in this enumeration, a factory lately put in operation by Captain Samuel Bradford, for mak- ing staves, to be used for nail casks. By this machinery the staves are sawed from the log, jointed, and tapered into the precise form necessary to give the cask the required shape.
Cotton Factories. The Cotton Factory on Town-brook w a erected in 1813; dimensions ninety-two feet by thirty-six, and is four stories, including basement and attic. It contains about sixteen hundred spindles and thirty-four looms, and manufac- tures from nine hundred to one thousand yards of cloth daily, all about three quarters of a yard wide, employing about fifty- four hands.
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The factory at Eel River was erected in 1812, and its di- mensions are ninety-two by thirty-six, and is six stories, includ- ing the basement and attic. Belonging to the same establish- ment and at the same dam, is a smaller building which contains spinning machinery also.
There are about two thousand spindles in both, and about forty looms in operation. From eleven to twelve hundred yards of cloth are manufactured daily, part of which is three-fourths and part one yard wide. This factory gives employment to about sixty-four persons. The factory at Manomet Ponds con- tains about three hundred spindles, and manufactures about 50 pounds of coarse warp per day, a considerable portion of which is colored, and made into cod and mackerel lines, which are lately introduced into use, and bid fair to supersede those made of hemp altogether. These are twisted and laid by water in a small line-walk attached to the factory. There is also a small cotton factory on the forge stream at Eel River, which manu- factures coarse warps, and a very superior kind of wicking used for making sperm candles. There is at the forge dam at Eel River, a small nail factory, where about one thousand nails are made daily.
Plymouth Cordage Company was incorporated in 1824. Their rope-walk situated in the north part of the town and near the Kingston line, is three stories high, capable of employing eighty hands and making five hundred tons of cordage per year. Their cordage is of a patent kind, in high repute and made by water power.
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