Town of Plymouth
Plymouth Light
The Plymouth Light (known locally as the Gurnet Light) was first constructed in 1768 with two (2) lights on the property of John and Hannah Thomas, who also became the first lighthouse keepers.
The Gurnet, is a 27-acre peninsula forming the northern boundary of Plymouth Bay and become a part of Plymouth on Jan 7 1638. The Pilgrims named the land as “the gurnett’s nose,” apparently naming the area for similar headlands in the English Channel, where the gurnet fish flourished along Devonshire’s shores.
The lighthouse was built on land rented for a year from John and Hannah Thomas. John, served as the first keeper and served until he joined the Continental Army. He recruited a regiment of volunteers from Plymouth County to help repel the British in the Siege of Boston, and then as a major general led troops in Quebec, where he died of small pox on June 2, 1776. Along with raising their three children, Hannah took over John’s lighthouse post, making her the first female lighthouse keeper in America.
After the Revolutionary War the lighthouse was refurbished by the U.S. Government and put back in service with Hannah Thomas as keeper until 1790. Hannah hired Nathaniel Burgess to serve as keeper.
In 1801 the lighthouses caught fire and burned, the U.S. Government rebuilt it as twin towers.
In 1842 the crumbling towers were replaced with two white octagonal pyramidal towers. However the lights were too close together, it they appeared as one single beam. 1914 the Cape Cod Canal opened, giving the Plymouth Light new importance as a navigational aid. 1924 the Bureau of Lighthouses discontinued the one of the twin lights, leaving one light. 1998 the U.S. Coast Guard moved the lighthouse 140 feet back from the eroding 45-ft cliff.
Paranormal Activity
The lighthouse is rumored to be haunted by Hannah Thomas. Stories tell of a photographer who spent the night here and saw an apparition of the upper half of a woman in period clothing with long dark hair, who most believe to be Hannah.
The Plymouth Light (known locally as the Gurnet Light) was first constructed in 1768 with two (2) lights on the property of John and Hannah Thomas, who also became the first lighthouse keepers.
The Gurnet, is a 27-acre peninsula forming the northern boundary of Plymouth Bay and become a part of Plymouth on Jan 7 1638. The Pilgrims named the land as “the gurnett’s nose,” apparently naming the area for similar headlands in the English Channel, where the gurnet fish flourished along Devonshire’s shores.
The lighthouse was built on land rented for a year from John and Hannah Thomas. John, served as the first keeper and served until he joined the Continental Army. He recruited a regiment of volunteers from Plymouth County to help repel the British in the Siege of Boston, and then as a major general led troops in Quebec, where he died of small pox on June 2, 1776. Along with raising their three children, Hannah took over John’s lighthouse post, making her the first female lighthouse keeper in America.
After the Revolutionary War the lighthouse was refurbished by the U.S. Government and put back in service with Hannah Thomas as keeper until 1790. Hannah hired Nathaniel Burgess to serve as keeper.
In 1801 the lighthouses caught fire and burned, the U.S. Government rebuilt it as twin towers.
In 1842 the crumbling towers were replaced with two white octagonal pyramidal towers. However the lights were too close together, it they appeared as one single beam. 1914 the Cape Cod Canal opened, giving the Plymouth Light new importance as a navigational aid. 1924 the Bureau of Lighthouses discontinued the one of the twin lights, leaving one light. 1998 the U.S. Coast Guard moved the lighthouse 140 feet back from the eroding 45-ft cliff.
Paranormal Activity
The lighthouse is rumored to be haunted by Hannah Thomas. Stories tell of a photographer who spent the night here and saw an apparition of the upper half of a woman in period clothing with long dark hair, who most believe to be Hannah.
Cole's Hill Cemetery
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Burial Hill Cemetery
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Pilgrim Cemeteries
Cole's Hill Cemetery
This is the 1st cemetery that contains remains of the Pilgrims. The hill was used as a burial ground from 1620-1621 during the first winter. The Pilgrims later constructed a fort on nearby Burial Hill where several pilgrims were later buried. The fort housed the First Parish Church and the Plymouth General Court.
Cole's Hill was named after either the tavern owner James Cole who arrived in Plymouth in 1633 or John Cole who purchased the hill around 1697.
Sitting atop the hill is a large statue of Massasoit and a monument containing the remains of Pilgrims who succumbed during the first winter in 1620-21.
Cole's Hill Cemetery
This is the 2nd for burials of the Pilgrims 80-acres in size. Originally the pilgrims constructed a fort on top of Burial Hill in 1621-1622. Burial Hill also served as meetinghouse for the colony and for First Parish Church until 1677. The hill wasn’t used as a burial lot until after it was abandoned for defensive reasons. The first mention of Burial Hill as a cemetery was in 1698 by Chief Justice Sewall in his writings.
The oldest stone still standing is that of Edward Gray who died in 1681. It is possible however that earlier burials took place. Tradition states that the oldest grave is that of John Howland who died in 1672, however the stone marker was erected in more recent years.
Cole's Hill Cemetery
This is the 1st cemetery that contains remains of the Pilgrims. The hill was used as a burial ground from 1620-1621 during the first winter. The Pilgrims later constructed a fort on nearby Burial Hill where several pilgrims were later buried. The fort housed the First Parish Church and the Plymouth General Court.
Cole's Hill was named after either the tavern owner James Cole who arrived in Plymouth in 1633 or John Cole who purchased the hill around 1697.
Sitting atop the hill is a large statue of Massasoit and a monument containing the remains of Pilgrims who succumbed during the first winter in 1620-21.
Cole's Hill Cemetery
This is the 2nd for burials of the Pilgrims 80-acres in size. Originally the pilgrims constructed a fort on top of Burial Hill in 1621-1622. Burial Hill also served as meetinghouse for the colony and for First Parish Church until 1677. The hill wasn’t used as a burial lot until after it was abandoned for defensive reasons. The first mention of Burial Hill as a cemetery was in 1698 by Chief Justice Sewall in his writings.
The oldest stone still standing is that of Edward Gray who died in 1681. It is possible however that earlier burials took place. Tradition states that the oldest grave is that of John Howland who died in 1672, however the stone marker was erected in more recent years.
