Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-10
RAMBLES IN THE OLD BAY STATE.
PLYMOUTH Mass Oct 7th 1871

Il 4
PLYMOUTH, Mass, Oct. It'll, 1871.
To the Editor of the Journal:
A visit to this old colony is one of the pleas
urable duties which it behooves every native
New Highlander in his life once, at least, to
perform. Especially is the duty enjoined upon
those who claim to be descendants of the Pill
grims.
trip across the old Bay State, in this di-
recton, and at this season Of the year, is very
enjoyable. The woods made up of the maple
gorgeously clad in its crimson foliage, the oak
in rich brown and the dark green of the pine,
these, as we are wheeled along, alternating
with beautiful villages and manufacturing
towns, give variety to the landscape, which
would otherwise be monotonous. The State
of MASSACHUSETTS is well wooded with a young
growth of the trees named above, and many
an old field from which crops have been gath
cred in time passed new present thick growth
of maple and pine. This wood grows rapid
ly without impov erishing the soil, but rather
enriching it, and is considered a more profta-
BILE crop than cereals or vegetables which, in
most parts of the State, can only be raised
by the free application of fertilizers.
The whole trip from Boston is suggestive of
the days of ''ye olden tyne" The railroad
is called the "Old Colony" and many of the
engines bear the names of the early pilgrims.
The last stopping place before reaching
Plymouth is called 'tSea- Side" and from this
place good view is had of Plymouth Har-
Dor. Ciark's Island where the Pilgrim spent
their first Sabbath, "Sand Point" so noted in
the early navigation of the ebay" ''Manomet
Point" and the Duxbury shores where Miles
Standish had his home, are prominent objects
from this point.
The town of Plymouth formerly comprised
a large territory, several important towns have
since been taken from it. The village is
scattered over quite an extent, the buildings
being crowded near the water, but more scat
l. tered back from it.
The first object of interest to the visitor on
first entering, Plymouth is the "Plymouth
Rock" and ten to one he is greatly disappoint-
| ed in its magnitude. For myself, l ex-
| pected nothing less than bold rocky head
land of considerable magnitude, the base con-
tinually washed by waves from the Bay. Hav-
| ing this picture in my minds eye, was not
| prepared to find "Fore- father Rock" mere
boulder, itself pilgrim and stranger, be-
longing to no near geological formation, but
conveyed here from afar off, packed in ice
during the glacial period. Pilgrim Rock,
say, is mere boulder, part of which in l775,
at the commencement of the revolutionary
war was carried into the principal street, and
a liberty pole erected over it to awaken the
the patriotism Of the inhabitants. This portion
has since been moved in front OF Pilgrim Hall
and is protected by high iron fence. An
iron belt is festooned around the outside of
the fence, and between each two palings is
the name of signer of the original compact
on board the Mayfower. To protect the bal
ance Of the rock granite canopy supported
by four elegantly wrought granite pillars is
placed around the sacred spot, so that an ir-
regular surface of stone about four feet
square, is all that can be seen of the famous
''Forefather Rock"
Pilgrim Hall is another object of interest to
the visitor. This structure was erected in
1924 by an organization called the Pilgrim
Society. 1t was designed as a repository
for all relics of the early settlers of the town
which can be gathered up. Many persons
have responded to the call of the society and
have returned many sacred heirlooms to be
enshrined in the place above all others most
appropriate to receive and preserve them
But scattered through the country are still
great many which ought to be sent here.
They should belong to the nation and not to
individuals and should be held as sacred
as the relics of the church.
On entering the ante-room book is pre-
sented for receiving the names of all visitors
and fee of twenty-five cents required. Be-
side the table an old-fashioned clock ticks the
seconds, which it has not failed to do since the
days of John Hancock whose property it
was Around the walls of this room are hung
pictures of an ancient date and documents too
numerous to mention here
In the main hall the first object of attention
is the large painting ID by 20 feet representing
the landing of the Pilgrims, painted by the
late Henry Sawyer of Boston and presented by
him to the Pilgrim Society. 1t is an excel
lent work of art in addition to its great his
torical interest. The. tall and erect form of
Governor Carver is the central figure sur
rounded by his family. Grouped around them
are the warlike form of Capt. Miles Standish,
the calm and dignfed form of Elder William
Brewster, paster of the church in Lyden,
VIM. Bradford and Edward Winslow, both of
whom were afterwards Governor of Plymouth