History of Truro, Massachusetts, USA

Truro, Massachusetts
Barnstable county. Truro lies on Cape Cod bay, between Wellfleet and Provincetown; it is nearly surrounded by water;—by Pamet river, which sets in from Cape Cod bay on the south, and by Cape Cod harbor in Provincetown. Truro was the Pamet of the Indians, and after its settlement, in 1700, was called Dangerfield for some years. Pamet river affords a good harbor for fishermen; it lies about 5 miles S.E. from Provincetown harbor. There is in this town, near the light house, a vast body of clay, called the "Clay Pounds," which seems providentially placed, in the midst of sand hills, for the preservation of this part of the cape. Although there is but little vegetation at Truro, and the people are dependent almost enitrely for their fuel, and most of their food on other places; yet there are but few towns in the state where the people are more flourishing, and independent in their circumstances. To such towns as this old Massachusetts looks with pride for one of her...

The Indian name of Truro was Pamet. It is situated at the northern part of the peninsula, and is so sandy that little or no verdure is ever seen.

Near the light-house is a singular hill of clay, called the Clay Pounds, because, it is said, many vessels have been pounded to pieces against it.

The inhabitants are engaged in the fisheries, and in the manufacture of salt.

Distance from Barnstable, 42 miles; from Boston, by land, 109.

Truro, a post-township in Barnstable co., Massachusetts, occupying the northern part of Cape Cod, about 110 miles by land, and 65 by water S. E. from Boston. The inhabitants derive their chief support from the fisheries. In 1852, 62 vessels (tons, 3626) and 581 men and boys were employed in the mackerel fishery. The mackerel inspected for the year amounted to 2640 barrels. In the great gale of 1841 this town lost 57 men, whose homes were within a circuit of 2 miles ; 27 of them were married, and only 8 were more than 30 years of age. The population at that time was about 1900; the number of widows, 105. Population in 1850. 2051.

The territory comprised in this town was the home of the Pamets—a tribe of the Nauset nation. Its importance is advanced when the reader realizes that the Mayflower made her first anchorage within sight of its wooded hills, and that upon its diversified surface Miles Standish and his followers made their first explorations. November 15, 1620, after signing the compact in the cabin of the vessel, the captain, with fifteen men, went on shore, camping that night near Stout’s creek, or perhaps nearer the Wading place where the eastern causeway now stands. The next morning they went to East Harbor, marching around the Head of the meadow, and as their journal says “through boughs and bushes and under hills and valleys which tore out very armor in pieces.” In this place they saw deer and found springs of fresh water, from which they refreshed themselves. The spring now near the marsh, just north of the head of the meadow, is supposed to be the place where these Pilgrims slaked their thirst....

Truro occupies a cross section of the outer portion of Cape Cod, in Barnstable County, lying somewhat in the form of a slightly curved finger, with Provincetown at its tip and Wellfleet as its base. Its length is 14 miles; its width at the south is 4 miles; and at the northern extremity about half a mile. The assessed area is 5,450 acres; the total farm land being 2,198 acre; and there are nearly 500 acres of pine woods.

East Harbor Pond, changed from a tide-harbor by the viaduct of the railroad, occupies more than half the width of the peninsula, near the northern extremity; and Pamet River, flowing from the east to Cape Cod Bay, nearly divides the town in halves. At its mouth is a good harbor for small craft; and on its northern shore is the principal village, Truro (centre), 111 miles from Boston on the Old Colony Railroad. Other villages are South Truro and North Truro, and all are post-offices and railroad stations. Still further north is Pond Village. The elevation of the...