Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1920-12-24
DISCOVERY OF PLYMOUTH HAIR
Dor

There was much discussion as t.
selecting the best place for their set
tlement; and it was decided TO send
out a third party to make hnal
choice, for Captain Jones was eager
to return to England as soon as posi-
BILE, while provisions were yet plenty.
Wednesday, December 10 On. S.,
ten Of the Pilgrims, Standish being
first named, with seven sailors to nav
igate or row their little vessel, set
out. 1t was cold and the water was
rough. They sailed south
ward further than they had yet gone,
reached what is now called Wellaeet
Bay, and then sailed eastward toward
the shore. Here were seen ten or
twelve Indians busy over some BLACK
thing" and the explorers landed on
the shoal coast four or FIVE miles
away from them. Since it was late N
the day. thep put up little barricade,
set sentinels and encamped, seeing the
Indian campfire within few miles.
Next day, Thursday, in two parties,
they explored the bay; and camc upon
some grampuses, On shore
Following the tracks of the Indi-
ans, they found pat hthat led them
to corn-felds, and desert
ed settlement, but saw no people. Re-
turning to the shore, they called to the
shailop to come, but the boat could
not approach till high water. Camp
was made as before, and the tired
Pilgrims fell asleep
Setting sail, the shallop went about
fifty miles, finding no harbor, and
then there was snow, rain, and rough
weather. Their rudder was damaged,
and two of them steered with oars.
Their mast was split in three pieces
just as one of the sailors discovered a
harbor, and then in the darkness and
rain they ran near Clarks' Island in
Duxbury Bay, and finding safe place
to anchor, encamped on the island all
Saturday and Sunday. Monday. De-
eember 81 On. s., they entered Ply
mouth harbor, sounded it and found
it fit for shipping"
Here there was much cleared corn
land THAT had been abandoned by
the Indians, good drinking-water
flowing to the sea, and an excellent
site for their fort and town. Every
thing was suitable for their settle
ment, and they landed from their boat
. on the great boulder since known as
Plymouth Rock. On this Monday, De
cember 81, 1920. for the first time
they saw Plymouth, and on that date
now celebrated as F6refathers' Day
the place for their colony was virtu.
ally chosen. Then they sailed back tc
the Mayfower. The date is given here
according to the present reckoning.
Four days later, the Mayflowel
weighed anchor and made for the
site of Plymouth-the spot having
Captain John Smith and carried BY
the Pilgrims. They were unable tt
reach the place because of contrary
winds until Saturday, December 26
On the next Monday they took the
shallop and made more thorough
| tRdiHlHdliOIl, liuutiiS Soou idiiu, eiCe'
variety of trees and herbs, excellent
clay for pottery, and all things need
ed in their enterprise. Tuesday, they
again explored, and on wednesday
decided formally for Plymouth, being
much influenced by the presence of 9
great hill which commanded
all the neighborhood and made an ex.
cellent lookout. Thursday and Friday
it "blew and rained extremely; but
on Saturday, January 2 IN. 81, many
went ashore to cut timber for their
building Sunday, the only incident
was a false alarm about the Indians,
and on Monday their work was inter
rupted by the same report
The work now went on regularly
except for stormy weather, and their
fort was built on the hill, the plots
laid out for each family, and the form
Of settlement thus fixed.--From
Captain Myles Standish," by Tudor
jerks.
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