[Illustration: {Illustrated capital}]
On North Russell Street stands the Registry of Deeds, a fireproof
building erected in 1904. To the antiquarian and those interested in
historical data, this building would rank next to Pilgrim Hall, if not
first in importance. It contains papers of unusual interest, including
many signed by Pilgrim hands, as well as those bearing the identifying
signs or marks of the native Indians.
There are deeds in the native language, Gov. Bradford’s order for trial
by jury, various laws pertaining to the guidance of the colony and of
the division of land, including a plan of the laying out of the first
street (now Leyden Street).
The second patent, dated 1629, granted by the Earl of Warwick, may be
seen in the original box in which it came from England.
The distribution of milk from the cows imported from England is even
provided for. This was a matter of much concern as the supply was short
and the demand great, to which these papers bear attest. The Registry of
Probate occupies the second floor of the building.
Continuing along Court Street to Chilton Street we come to Pilgrim Hall,
stopping at the Tabitha Plasket House on the way.
[Illustration: TABITHA PLASKET HOUSE]
This house, pictured above, was built in 1722 by Consider Howland,
great-grandson of John Howland, who came in the Mayflower. A
considerable part of the original structure still remains. It was
occupied for some years by Tabitha Plasket, said to have been the first
woman school teacher, and a person of strong personality and rigorous
discipline. It is recorded that she hung unruly scholars to the wall by
placing a skein of yarn under the arms as a corrective measure. The
house is located on the east side of Court Street, between the Court
House and Pilgrim Hall.
[Illustration: PILGRIM HALL]
[Illustration: {Illustrated capital}]
One is awakened to the realism of the early life of the Colony with a
visit to Pilgrim Hall, that shrine of all lovers of Pilgrim history,
where repose many articles brought over in the Mayflower and closely
associated with the daily life of the Pilgrims.
[Illustration: INTERIOR VIEW OF PILGRIM HALL MUSEUM]
This building on the easterly side of Court Street, a short distance
north of the Court House, was erected by the Pilgrim Society in 1824 in
memory of the Pilgrims and as a depository for historical relics; In
1880 material improvements were made in the original structure, largely
through the generosity of the late Joseph Henry Stickney of Baltimore
who had always taken an intense interest in matters concerning the early
colony. At the time, the top portion of Plymouth Rock, which had for 46
years been resting at one side of the entrance to the hall, the latter
part of the time enclosed by an iron fence, was moved back to its
original bed and placed on the base where it has since remained. Later
in 1911-12 the Pilgrim Society spent approximately $15,000 in completing
the work already inaugurated by Mr. Stickney, making the building
practically fireproof with its steel beams, terra cotta and cement
tiles, marble floors, etc. Its Doric portico is impressive in its
dignity and will be easily recognized as one approaches from either
direction.
[Illustration: MAYFLOWER FOUNTAIN
Located in garden in rear of Pilgrim Hall. Gift of the General
Society Daughters of the Revolution]