[Illustration: {Illustrated capital}]
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.”
[Illustration: SARCOPHAGUS—COLE’S HILL]
They were reduced so fast and to such an extent that it was deemed wise
to conceal the graves, so they planted corn that Indians might remain in
ignorance of their great losses. At various times in the process of
excavating, human remains have been uncovered. These were carefully
re-interred and a granite slab bearing an appropriate inscription now
marks the spot and conveys to the visitor a mute attest to the
sacrifices of those who contributed their part in shaping the destinies
of our country.
Remains that were found during excavations for a water main on Carver
Street in 1855 were, upon their identification as those of the Caucasian
race as distinguished from the native Indians, placed in a vault on
Burial Hill. Later, upon completion of the canopy over Plymouth Rock in
1867, they were placed in a receptacle in the top of that memorial. They
now repose in the Sarcophagus erected under the direction and at the
expense of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.
During the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 batteries were
implanted on the brow of the hill to protect the town from approach by
water.
A memorial seat on Cole’s Hill was erected in 1917 by the descendants
and to the memory of James Cole, born in London, England, 1600. Died
Plymouth, 1692. First settled on Cole’s Hill, 1633. A soldier in Pequot
War, 1637.
Occupying a commanding position on Cole’s Hill is the statue of
Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoags and friend of the colonists.
It was done in bronze by Cyrus Dallin and is mounted upon a native
boulder with a tablet bearing the following inscription:
Massasoit
Great Sachem
of the
Wampanoags
Protector and
Preserver of the
Pilgrims
1621
Erected by the
International
Order of Red
Men as a
Grateful Tribute
1921
[Illustration: MASSASOIT
“Friend of the Pilgrims”]
[Illustration: THE EDWARD WINSLOW HOUSE]
Winslow Street curves north from lower North Street and enters Water
Street a short distance beyond. At the apex of the curve stands the
house built in 1754 by Edward Winslow, great-grandson of Gov. Edward
Winslow of the Plymouth Colony. The timbers used in its construction
were brought from England. As shown, the house is an elaboration of the
house in its original form. The trees in front of the house were planted
by Edward Winslow’s daughter in 1760.
This property has been acquired by the National Society of Mayflower
Descendants.
The above picture shows the Winslow House in its reconstruction. It was
in this house that Ralph Waldo Emerson married Miss Lidian Jackson,
daughter of Charles and Lucy (Cotton) Jackson who, at the time, occupied
the house. It was later the residence of Rev. George Ware Briggs, long
identified with the First Church in Plymouth.
Passing up North Street, shaded by its arch of lindens, we come to the
house of Gen. John Winslow, built in 1730. This building stands at the
corner of Main and North Streets and is now a business block. It was
upon Gen. Winslow, who was a brother of Edward Winslow, that fell the
unpleasant burden of removing the neutral Arcadians from Nova Scotia.
This historic building was later the home of James Warren, President of
the Provincial Congress, who married Mercy Otis, sister of James Otis,
the brilliant champion of American rights.
We are now in Shirley Square, the town’s business center.
It may be observed that North Street and Leyden Street run parallel
toward the water, Carver Street following the curve on Cole’s Hill
connecting with both streets at the north and south sides of the hill.
Middle Street, starting at Main, runs between North and Leyden Streets
and ends at the hill.
To those who have not visited Plymouth in recent years, the transition
of Court and North Streets from their quiet residential charm, to
avenues of commercial enterprise, will be noticeable. It is the
inevitable contribution to expansion and progress.
Let us turn right here and proceed north on Court Street. A few steps
takes us to the Plymouth County Court House and the Registry of Deeds.
The Plymouth County Court House stands between North and South Russell
Streets with its wide expanse of lawn extending to Court Street. From
here one looks down Brewster Street to the harbor. On the northerly
corner of Brewster and Court Streets is the Methodist Church. On the
southerly corner, the home of the Old Colony Club.
The Court House was erected in 1820 and was remodeled in 1857. It
contains, beside the court rooms, accommodations for the various county
offices.
During recent years the houses on the south side of South Russell Street
running westerly from School Street have been removed and Burial Hill
has been extended to the corner. This change brings the historic hill
into view across the Court House lawn as one approaches from the north.