Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores) (White Horse Beach)
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.

At the south is a tract of woodland many miles square, in which wild deer are still frequently killed.

On Burying Hill, the outline of the Fort, built in Philip's "War, may still be traced.

Many curious relics of the Puritan Fathers are preserved by the Pilgrim Society in their Hall, in front of which is a part of Forefather's Bock, transported thither from the wharf in which the rest has been irreverently buried.

Plymouth is the County Town, as well as the largest. Its chief manufactures are nails and cotton cloth. It is also extensively engaged in the fisheries.

Distance from Boston, 35 miles.

An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

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