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
Cole's Hill
The first recorded cemetery was Cole's Hill. It was used from 1620-1621 but not used after that time period.
The hill later was the site of a tavern and a blacksmith shop. 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.
Additionally the hill was used as look-out during the American Revolution.
The Pilgrim Republic states : In a storm in 1735 a torrent pouring down middle street made a ravine in Cole's Hill
and washed away many human remains down into the harbor. In 1809 a skull was with especially fine teeth was exposed. In 1855 these graves were exposed in laying the public conduit on Cole's Hill. In one grave lay two skeletons, pronounced by surgeons male and female. The male had a particularly noble forehead and it was fondly surmised that here were the remains of Mr and Mrs. Carver.
Over the hundreds of years, 11 skeletons have been recovered. The remains were moved to a sarcophagus atop of Cole's hill, where they remain.
The first recorded cemetery was Cole's Hill. It was used from 1620-1621 but not used after that time period.
The hill later was the site of a tavern and a blacksmith shop. 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.
Additionally the hill was used as look-out during the American Revolution.
The Pilgrim Republic states : In a storm in 1735 a torrent pouring down middle street made a ravine in Cole's Hill
and washed away many human remains down into the harbor. In 1809 a skull was with especially fine teeth was exposed. In 1855 these graves were exposed in laying the public conduit on Cole's Hill. In one grave lay two skeletons, pronounced by surgeons male and female. The male had a particularly noble forehead and it was fondly surmised that here were the remains of Mr and Mrs. Carver.
Over the hundreds of years, 11 skeletons have been recovered. The remains were moved to a sarcophagus atop of Cole's hill, where they remain.
Burial Hill Cemetery
Burial Hill
The cemetery of 80-acres of land. 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.
The cemetery of 80-acres of land. 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.
Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock is known as the disembarkation the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620. It's a great story but it's not accurate.
The two sources of information on the Plymouth Colony come from writings of Edward Winslow (Mourt's Relation) and William Bradford (History of Plymouth Plantation). Neither writer mentions the rock.
Plymouth Rock first came into the public's attention in 1741 when residents of the colony began plans to build a wharf which would bury it. As construction was to begin, 94-year-old Thomas Faunce, who resided three (3) miles from the spot, declared that the boulder was the landing place of the Mayflower Pilgrims.
According the Plymouth historian James Thacher, Mr. Faunce requested to be brought to the rock to say a farewell. A chair was provided, and Mr. Faunce was transported to the shore, where a number of the inhabitants were assembled to witness the benediction. Mr. Faunce pointed to the rock directly under the bank of Cole's Hill, which his father had assured him was the rock had received the footsteps of our fathers on their first arrival, and which should be perpetuated to posterity.
Mr. Faunce's father arrived in Plymouth Colony aboard the ship Anne in 1623, two years after the Mayflower landing, and Elder Faunce was born in 1647 when many of the Mayflower Pilgrims were still living, so his assertion made a strong impression on the people of Plymouth. The wharf was built but the rock left intact, the top portion protruding from the dirt so as to be visible to curious visitors. Recent generations have called Faunce's story into question, alleging that he invented the story or did not have the correct facts.
Rocks Split and Gets Moved Around
Colonel Theophilus Cotton and the inhabitants of Plymouth decided to move the rock in 1774. It was split into two parts, with the bottom portion left behind at the wharf and the top portion relocated to the town's meeting house.
The upper portion of the rock was relocated from Plymouth's meetinghouse to Pilgrim Hall in 1834. In 1859, the Pilgrim Society began building a Victorian canopy at the wharf over the lower portion of the rock, which was completed in 1867. The top of the rock was moved from Pilgrim Hall back to its original wharf location in 1880 and rejoined to the lower portion, and the date "1620" was carved into it.
In 1920, the rock was temporarily relocated so that the old wharves could be removed and the waterfront re-landscaped. A waterfront promenade was constructed behind a low seawall in such a way that, when the rock was returned to its original site, it would be at water level. The care of the rock was turned over to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A new Roman Doric portico was constructed, for viewing the tide-washed rock protected by gratings.
During the rock's many travels throughout Plymouth, numerous pieces were taken, bought, and sold. Today approximately 1⁄3 of the top portion remains.
Some documents indicate that tourists or souvenir hunters chipped it down, although no pieces have been noticeably removed since 1880. Today there are pieces in Pilgrim Hall Museum, as well as in the Patent Building in the Smithsonian.
Plymouth Rock is known as the disembarkation the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620. It's a great story but it's not accurate.
The two sources of information on the Plymouth Colony come from writings of Edward Winslow (Mourt's Relation) and William Bradford (History of Plymouth Plantation). Neither writer mentions the rock.
Plymouth Rock first came into the public's attention in 1741 when residents of the colony began plans to build a wharf which would bury it. As construction was to begin, 94-year-old Thomas Faunce, who resided three (3) miles from the spot, declared that the boulder was the landing place of the Mayflower Pilgrims.
According the Plymouth historian James Thacher, Mr. Faunce requested to be brought to the rock to say a farewell. A chair was provided, and Mr. Faunce was transported to the shore, where a number of the inhabitants were assembled to witness the benediction. Mr. Faunce pointed to the rock directly under the bank of Cole's Hill, which his father had assured him was the rock had received the footsteps of our fathers on their first arrival, and which should be perpetuated to posterity.
Mr. Faunce's father arrived in Plymouth Colony aboard the ship Anne in 1623, two years after the Mayflower landing, and Elder Faunce was born in 1647 when many of the Mayflower Pilgrims were still living, so his assertion made a strong impression on the people of Plymouth. The wharf was built but the rock left intact, the top portion protruding from the dirt so as to be visible to curious visitors. Recent generations have called Faunce's story into question, alleging that he invented the story or did not have the correct facts.
Rocks Split and Gets Moved Around
Colonel Theophilus Cotton and the inhabitants of Plymouth decided to move the rock in 1774. It was split into two parts, with the bottom portion left behind at the wharf and the top portion relocated to the town's meeting house.
The upper portion of the rock was relocated from Plymouth's meetinghouse to Pilgrim Hall in 1834. In 1859, the Pilgrim Society began building a Victorian canopy at the wharf over the lower portion of the rock, which was completed in 1867. The top of the rock was moved from Pilgrim Hall back to its original wharf location in 1880 and rejoined to the lower portion, and the date "1620" was carved into it.
In 1920, the rock was temporarily relocated so that the old wharves could be removed and the waterfront re-landscaped. A waterfront promenade was constructed behind a low seawall in such a way that, when the rock was returned to its original site, it would be at water level. The care of the rock was turned over to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A new Roman Doric portico was constructed, for viewing the tide-washed rock protected by gratings.
During the rock's many travels throughout Plymouth, numerous pieces were taken, bought, and sold. Today approximately 1⁄3 of the top portion remains.
Some documents indicate that tourists or souvenir hunters chipped it down, although no pieces have been noticeably removed since 1880. Today there are pieces in Pilgrim Hall Museum, as well as in the Patent Building in the Smithsonian.