  CANNON OF THE PILGRIM ERA ON BURIAL HILL {Illustrated capital} Leaving the Monument and passing south through Allerton Street, crossing Samoset Street, and continuing straight over the hill to the Cornish and Burton Schools, we arrive at the northwest entrance to the old burial ground. Rising 165 feet above sea level this hill commands a fine view of the harbor and bay from Kingston and Duxbury on the north to the Pine Hills on the south. At the base of the hill is Town Square where in the immediate foreground rise the spires of the First Church (Unitarian) and the Church of the Pilgrimage, with Leyden Street leading to the harbor beyond. Site of the Burial Hill, once called “Fort Hill,” is one of the most historic and beautiful spots in Pilgrim Plymouth. There are convenient seats under the shady trees where one can rest and look out over Plymouth Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. Here on the “Hill” are the graves of the early colonists, the site of the Watch Tower, the Replica of the Powder House, the site of the “Fort.” People come here from all over the world to search for the graves of their ancestors. The guide map, giving location of all the graves, which is included in the Pilgrim Book of Burial Hill and Its Epitaphs, is invaluable to those who wish to get the most out of their visit to Pilgrim Plymouth. In leaving Burial Hill by the Town Square entrance, note the view down Leyden Street, first street in New England, and remember that down this same path once walked the Pilgrims of Plymouth. PLYMOUTH HARBOR AND CHURCH OF THE PILGRIMAGE From Burial Hill, where the early graves are located and where the Fort and Watch Tower and Powder House were built by the Pilgrims From this vantage, and before the day of steam trawlers, Plymouthians have viewed the fleet of white-winged mackerel vessels as they sailed to and fro within easy vision against a background of blue sea. On clear days the sand dunes of Cape Cod as well as Provincetown may be seen. It was on this hill that the Pilgrims built their fort in 1622 and a watch tower in 1643 and another and larger fort during the King Philip War in 1675 as a defence against Indian attack. There is no record of its first use as a burial ground. There are six stones bearing dates of the 17th century, the oldest that of Edward Grey (1681). It is known that William Bradford died in 1657 and a monument erected in 1825 bears evidence to that fact. Also that John Howland died in 1672 and his present stone was erected (circa) 1850. It is presumable that there were many burials here prior to these dates, although the first burials were on Cole’s Hill just above the shore. A TRIBUTE IN VERSE FROM PILGRIM PLYMOUTHOft’ have I stood on Plymouth’s sacred hill That overlooks both harbor and the town; Its first laid street, a Pilgrim mecca still, Steeped in historic precept and renown. Where bay in iridescence greets the eye, Flecked by ocean breeze and white-winged sail. While in the foreground looking toward the sky Are silent emblems of a past travail. Hallowed the ground whereon they humbly dwelt, Where now in honor sleep our reverend sires; Where once in life they oft’ devoutly knelt And asked for guidance only faith inspires. What wealth of legend, yea, what wealth of lore, Abounds along this tranquil Pilgrim shore! The oldest stones in order of dates on the hill are those of:
ONE OF MANY OLD STONES ON BURIAL HILL There is a doubt concerning the last named as the inscription is now illegible, but his death is supposed to have occurred in 1697. Near the northwest entrance through which we entered is the replica of the old Powder House built in 1770 and later demolished. The present structure was a gift of the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Burial Hill was well chosen as the site of the first fort. As it was easily approachable from But a few steps away to the north is the grave of Gov. William Bradford (numbered 32) over which stands a marble shaft erected in 1825, bearing the Latin inscription, the free translation of which is: “What our Fathers with so much difficulty attained, do not basely relinquish.” The inscription on the south side reads:
The inscription on the north side follows:
There is also a text in Hebrew, now almost obliterated, which has been translated,
Descendants of Governor William Bradford are buried in the immediate vicinity. No. 33—Major William Bradford, Dep. Gov. of
At the grave of Joseph Bradford, another son, the inscription on the stone reads as follows:
No. 35—Stone over the grave of John Howland, the last of the Mayflower passengers who lived in Plymouth. The inscription on this stone reads as follows:
No. 44—Stone at grave of William Crowe bearing dates 1683-84.
No. 40—Stone to Thomas Clark 1697. Near the stone of Thomas Clark is stone to Nathaniel Clark, his son. The latter was a councilor to Sir Edward Andros, Governor of New England. No. 38—Stone to John Cotton 1699. Graves of the Cottons. Three sons of Rev. John Cotton and seven sons of Josiah Cotton. The Cushman gravestone 1691. This noted gravestone is one of the six bearing date in the seventeenth century. This ancient landmark was removed by the descendants of Elder Thomas Cushman to make room as they say “for a more enduring memorial.” The Cushman monument on the north side of the hill was erected in 1858 in memory of Robert Cushman, his wife Mary, and Thomas Cushman, the latter for many years a ruling elder in the First Church. The foregoing are the oldest stones on the hill. Others are: No. 31—Thomas Faunce 1646-1745. Elder First Church 1699-1745. Town Clerk 1685-1723. No. 36 is the grave of Nathaniel Jackson. The stone is the oldest Masonic stone on the hill. It is dated 1743. No. 37—Stone over the grave of Francis LeBaron 1704. The “Nameless Nobleman.” No. 41—Grave of sailors from brig Gen. Arnold who perished in Plymouth Harbor. James Magee No. 42—Tabitha Plasket, June 10, 1807. (Epitaph on following page). No. 43—Gen. James Warren lot. Patriot and Soldier. No. 45—Site of fort built in 1622; the lower part was used for a church; also fort built in 1675—100 ft. square with palisades 10½ ft. high. There are many peculiar epitaphs, some in prose and some in verse, and expressive of about every shade and degree of sentiment. A few of these follow: (Blue stone, slate. Top and right-hand corner gone) Capt. Ellis Brews—— and Nancy —— wife died Dec. 13, 189— aged —4 years (where lines appear letters and figures are obliterated). The name, however, is Brewster, and originally read—Son of: “He listen’d for a while to hear Our mortal griefs then turned his ear To angel harps and songs and cried To join their notes celestial sigh’d and dyed.” (Low blue slate. Sound and compact. Symbol). In memory of Frederic, son of Mr. Thomas
(Blue slate; pyramidal; good condition. At top bust of female under curtain drapery. The epitaph is from Young’s Night Thoughts, “Narcissa.”) Fanny Crombie, daughter of Mr. Calvin Crombie and Mrs. Naomi, his wife. Departed this life June 25th, 1804, in the 8th year of her age. As young as beautiful and soft as young And gay as soft and innocent as gay. Note: In quoting these epitaphs the writer has referred to book compiled in 1894 by the late Benjamin Drew of Plymouth. (Blue slate. Good condition. Weeping willow and urn.) To the memory of ISAAC COAL, son of Mr. Isaac Coal and Mrs. Sarah, his wife, who died Aug. 28, 1825, in the 17th year of his age. Friends and Physicians could not save His mortal body from the grave Nor can the grave confine him here When CHRIST shall call him to appear. (Blue slate. Good condition. Weeping willow and urn). In memory of Mrs. Tabitha Plasket, who died June 10, 1807, aged 64 years. Adieu vain world I have seen enough of thee And I am careless what thou say’st of me Thy smiles I wish not; Nor the frowns I fear I am now at rest my head lies quiet here. (Stone of blue slate. Moss grown. Defaced. Cleft Broken Symbol.)
(Purplish blue slate. Nearly covered with moss. Symbol surrounded with blossoms.) The memory of the Just is Blessed.
Some are truly inspirational as shown by the following: (White marble, fair condition, Urn.)
Monument
(On the northwesterly side.) Capt. James Magee died in Roxbury, February 4, 1801; aged 51 years. Note: This monument was erected by Stephen Gale of Portland, Maine, a stranger to them, as a memorial to their sufferings and death. One of the most recent burials here was that of Judge Thomas Russell who was buried here at his special request. Judge Russell was a native of Plymouth, the son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Goodwin) Russell. He was a noted jurist, was appointed by President Grant United States Minister to Venezuela and was President of the Pilgrim Society on the occasion of General Grant’s visit to Plymouth. His stone of native granite bears the inscription: Thomas Russell, born Sept. 26, 1825, Died Feb. 9, 1887. The brass cannons shown above are on the east side of Burial Hill near the site of the old fort. They were presented to the Town of Plymouth by the British Government as an expression of Good Will during the Tercentenary period and were transmitted through the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company of London to the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. On the right is a “Minion.” On the left a “Sakeret,” both of the mid-16th century era. They were formerly in the collection of the British National Artillery Museum and are similar to the cannons mounted on the first fort to protect the colony from attack of Indians. PILGRIMS PROGRESS, presented each Friday in August by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society. This is a colorful event, impressive and inspirational in its simplicity. |
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