History of Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

1620 - The Mayflower sails from Plymouth, England and after a journey of sixty-six days anchors in Plymouth harbor, and the Pilgrims established a settlement.

www.datesandevents.org/ american-timelines/ 21-massachusetts-history-timeline.htm

1621 - The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims in Plimouth
Edward Winslow was among the group of Pilgrims present at the first Thanksgiving. He describes the scene:

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week.

At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, and many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."
www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/ thanksgiving.htm

1621 - February 17 - Myles Standish appointed 1st commander of Plymouth colony

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Read more about Myles STANDISH

1635 - August 15 - 1st recorded US hurricane hit the Plymouth Colony
The eye passed between Boston and Plymouth, Mass., and caused a twenty-foot tide in Boston. Gov. William Bradford reported, "It blew down many hundred, thousands of trees," and many houses.

Hurricane timeline: 1495 to 1800
Sun Sentinel
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
www.sun-sentinel.com

1638 - 1st earthquake recorded in US, at Plymouth, Mass

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June 1, 1638

1824 - Plymouth Cordage Company founded
Plymouth Cordage Company became the world's largest manufacturer of rope and cordage products.

1839 - Plymouth
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth county. Chief town. This place is full of interest, it being the oldest settlment by Europeans in New England, and the landing place of our forefathers on the 22d of December, 1620. Its Indian name was Patuxet. Plymouth lies 35 miles S.E. by S. from Boston: N. lat. 41°57'30". W. lon. 70°40'45". Population, 1830, 4,384; 1837, 5,034. Incorporated, 1620.

The land in this town is generally hilly and sandy; but there is a border of considerable extent on the sea board, having been well cultivated, consisting of a rich loamy soil, and capable of yielding large crops.

The town is watered by Eel and Wonkinqua rivers, Town, Willingsly and Double brooks, and more than 200 ponds, the largest of which is called Billington Sea.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - PLYMOUTH. [Pop. 5,281. Inc. 1620.]
Plymouth, the oldest town in the State, was called Patuxet by the Indians, and Plymouth by the Puiitans, in remembrance of Plymouth in England, where the Plymouth Company was formed, and whence the May Flower sailed to bring over the first settlers of this colony.

Plymouth is still one of the largest townships in the State, although Marshfield, Plympton, Kingston, and Wareham have been taken from it.

Plymouth Harbor is formed by what is called Plymouth Beach, in front of the village, and by a long strip of land, called the Gurnet, which proceeds from Marshfield and Duxbury. The harbor is capacious, but not deep enough for large vessels.

The first settlement was in or near Leyden Street. Those who died the first winter were buried on a small square at the foot of Middle Street, called Cole's Hill.

A large pond west of the village is called Billington's Sea, because Billington, who first saw it from the top of a tree, thought it was an arm of the sea.... Read MORE...

1854 - Plymouth
Plymouth, a post-town, port of entry, and Beat of justice of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, is situated on Plymouth bay, at the southern terminus of the eastern branch of the Old Colony railroad, 37 miles S. by E. from Boston. Lat. 41° 57' 26" N., Ion. 70° 40' 19" W. It is well laid out, and for the most part compactly built, principally of wood. Although it is the oldest town in New England, being the first settled by the Pilgrims, yet it is entirely modern in the style of its buildings : not a single antique dwelling now remains. The most remarkable public edifice is Pilgrim's Hall, erected by the Pilgrim Society in 1824-5, and situate on Court street, a little N. of Court square. It is constructed of granite, 70 feet by 40, with a Doric portico in front. In the interior is a large hall, containing the society's cabinet of curiosities, and numerous historical paintings. The Pilgrim Society was organized in 1820, the object of which was to commemorate the landing of the pilgrim... Read MORE...

Plymouth Massachusetts, 1890
PLYMOUTH, ever memorable as the first town settled by Europeans in New England, lies in the southeast part of Plymouth County, 37 miles southeast of Boston by the Plymouth Branch, and 46 by the Shore Line of the Old Colony Railroad. It is a port of entry and the seat of justice for Plymouth County. It is bounded on the north by Kingston, Duxbury Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, east by the latter, south by Bourne and Wareham, and west by Carver and Kingston.

Territorially Plymouth is the largest town in the State, extending about 16 miles along the sea, and from five to ten miles into the interior, broadening seaward midway of its length, and forming here a large rounded angle marked by Manomet Hill. The assessed area is 50,797 acres; having some 40,000 acres of forests, consisting principally of pine and oak. The rock formation appears to be granite, which is overlaid, except at its elevations, by drift and alluvium. Bowlders are occasionally met with, also iron ore; and there are... Read MORE...

1895 - Plymouth
Plymouth, a post-town, port of entry, and capital of Plymouth co., Mass., in a township of the same name, on Plymouth Harbor or Bay, 37 miles S.S.E. of Boston, with which it is connected by the Old Colony Railroad. Lat. 41°57'26" N.; Lon. 70° 40' 19 W. It is the oldest town in New England, and is celebrated as the place where the Pilgrim Fathers landed from the 'Mayflower,' December 21, 1620. A small mass of granite, called 'Plymouth Rock' or 'Forefathers' Rock,' on Water street, marks the place of landing. The most remarkable public building is the Pilgrim Hall, a granite structure, which was erected by the Pilgrim Society in 1824–25 and contains numerous relics and historical paintings. In front of the hall, surrounded by an iron fence, is a detached portion of 'Forefathers' Rock,' which has been removed hither from the water-side. Plymouth contains a court-house, a town hall, 9 churches, a high school, 2 national banks, 2 savings banks, a large hotel called the Samoset House, and... Read MORE...

1906
Plymouth, a port of entry, capital of Plymouth co., Mass., in a township (town) of the same name, on Plymouth Harbor (or Bay), 37 miles SSE. of Boston, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R... It is the oldest town in New England and is celebrated as the place where the Pilgrim Fathers landed from the "Mayflower," in Dec., 1620, and where the first English colony in New England was established. The most noteworthy public building is the Pilgrim Hall, a granite structure, which was erected by the Pilgrim Society in 1824-25 and contains numerous relics and historical paintings. Plymouth has a court-house, town-hall, and National Monument to the Pilgrims, completed in 1888. In the neary-by Burial Hill are the graves of many of the early settlers. There are several iron-foundries and manufactories of cotton goods, woollens and silks, cordage, nails, tacks, machinery, insulated wire, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 9592.

1907 - BELATED STORM DESTROYS SHIP FAST ON FLATS - Schooner Lucy E. Goes to Pieces Off Plymouth Coast.
CREW TAKEN OFF BY LIFE SAVERS

Vessels Take Refuge in Harbors - City Soaked By Rain.

Boston's belated storm which had threatened the city and the entire New England coast for several day, materialized yesterday and with such fury that shipping was completely tied up and the city deluged in torrents of rain. The storm made its first appearance just after midnight yesterday morning and as the day wore on grew to almost hurricane proportions. The rain did not appear until evening and then it literally poured, both rain and wind continuing during the night and giving indication of another day of equal discomfort. Several vessels are reported to have taken refuge at Provincetown and elsewhere.

The most serious accident on the water which had been reported up to midnight was the grounding and breaking up on the schooner Lucy E. off Plymouth, and this in reality came before the storm had fully matured. The Lucy C. was engaged in bay fishing and carried a crew of eight men, the... Read MORE...

1957 - Mayflower II from Plymouth, England, reaches Plymouth Mass

historyorb.com
June 13, 1957

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Plymouth:
1. Plymouth Rock: Start your journey at the iconic Plymouth Rock. It's believed to be the landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620 and has become a symbol of American history. While it might not be as massive as you'd expect, it's still a must-see for history enthusiasts.

2. Plimoth Patuxet Museums: Immerse yourself in history by visiting the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Here, you can explore the 17th-century English village, interact with costumed interpreters, and learn about the indigenous people who were here long before the Pilgrims arrived.

3. Mayflower II: Step aboard the Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth. You'll gain insight into what life was like for these early settlers during their perilous journey.

4. Pilgrim Hall Museum: For even more historical artifacts and insights, visit the Pilgrim Hall Museum. It houses an impressive collection of Pilgrim possessions and memorabilia, including William Bradford's personal... Read MORE...