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flag  History of Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

(North Plymouth) (White Island Shores)

Visit Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

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Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA - The landing of the Fathers - Plymouth Dec 22 1620  Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnams sons.

Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth is the only museum devoted entirely to the Pilgrim's story and America’s oldest, continuously-operated museum open to the public.
seeplymouth.com

Plymouth includes: Barkers, Billington Sea, Cedarville, Chiltonville, Cordage (Seaside), Darby, Ellisville, Gurnet, Manomet, Raymond, Saquis, South Pond Village, Stoney Beach, Vallerville, Wares, Wellingsly, and White Horse Beach.
netronline.com


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Postcards and Memories of Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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There is MUCH more to discover about Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!

Plymouth Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

The landing of the Fathers - Plymouth Dec 22 1620

Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United K
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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The landing of the Fathers - Plymouth Dec 22 1620

Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
The
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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The "Mayflower" in Plymouth Harbor

Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
The Old Fort and First Meeting-House, on Burial Hill, 1621

Historic Towns of New England. (1898).
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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The Old Fort and First Meeting-House, on Burial Hill, 1621

Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
Plymouth Colony in 1622
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Plymouth Colony in 1622
The Doten House, 1660
The Oldest House in Plymouth
Photographed around 1898

Historic Towns of N
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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The Doten House, 1660
The Oldest House in Plymouth
Photographed around 1898

Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
Howland House, Built 1667, Oldest House in Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Howland House, Built 1667, Oldest House in Plymouth, Mass.
The Winslow House - Built in 1754 by Edward Winslow
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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The Winslow House - Built in 1754 by Edward Winslow
Samoset House, 1915

The first vacation hotel in Plymouth was the diminutive Samoset House, built
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Samoset House, 1915

The first vacation hotel in Plymouth was the diminutive Samoset House, built by the Old Colony Railroad from 1845 to 1846 as a tourism investment. Situated with a water view near the town center at Court and Samoset streets, this nicely articulated 100-guest structure, marked by its late Greek Revival columns and other elements, met lodging needs for almost a century, falling victim to fire on 29 April 1939.

Summer by the Seaside
The Architecture of New England Coastal Resort Hotels, 1820-1950
By Bryant Franklin Tolles, 2008
View from Burial Hill showing Church of the Pilgrimage, Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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View from Burial Hill showing Church of the Pilgrimage, Plymouth, Mass.
Town Square, Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Town Square, Plymouth, Mass.

Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, Mass.
Old Burial Hill, Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Old Burial Hill, Plymouth, Mass.
Discover you family history through historical newspapers at Newspapers.com
Park Avenue and Railway Station, Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Park Avenue and Railway Station, Plymouth, Mass.
Cole's Hill

Cole's Hill is a National Historic Landmark containing the first cemetery used by the
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Cole's Hill

Cole's Hill is a National Historic Landmark containing the first cemetery used by the Mayflower Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. The hill is located on Carver Street near the foot of Leyden Street and across the street from Plymouth Rock.

The hill is named after John Cole who built a house there in 1697.
wikipedia


Read more about John COLE
Shirley Square
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Shirley Square
The Registry Building

Constructed in 1904, the Registry building was an active government facilit
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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The Registry Building

Constructed in 1904, the Registry building was an active government facility processing and housing public deed records. In addition, the second floor also served as the land court and is still donning the architectural features of an artisan-crafted courtroom including oak walls and vaulted ceilings... theregistryplymouth.com
Court Street, 1907
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Court Street, 1907
North Street
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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North Street
Along Shore
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Along Shore
Central Fire Station
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Central Fire Station
Mabbetts Mills
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Mabbetts Mills
Standish Mills
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Standish Mills
Town Brook. Site and remains of Pilgrim homes
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Town Brook. Site and remains of Pilgrim homes
Town Brook-Alms House Pond, Plymouth, Mass.
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Town Brook-Alms House Pond, Plymouth, Mass.
Armory
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Armory
Foundry
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Foundry
Old Harlow House
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Old Harlow House
The County Prison
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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The County Prison
Plymouth Rock & Canopy, 1911
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Plymouth Rock & Canopy, 1911
Ardmore Inn, Manomet, Mass.

In 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Elijah A. Keith spruced up the old Manomet Hous
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Ardmore Inn, Manomet, Mass.

In 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Elijah A. Keith spruced up the old Manomet House on Point Road and reopened it in June as the Ardmore Inn.
Plymouth, by Donna DeFabio Curtin
Arcadia Publishing, 2011
Railroad Station
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Railroad Station
Main Street, 1920s
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Main Street, 1920s
Public Library
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Public Library
Memorial Hall
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

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Memorial Hall

Discover Plymouth: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
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


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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

historyorb.com

Read more about Myles STANDISH photo of ancestor
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

historyorb.com
June 1, 1638


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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. Alphabetically arranged. 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
2023 - 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...

Discover Your Roots: Plymouth Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Plymouth.

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male ancestorEdmund MASTERSON (abt 1544, Ashford, Kent, England - 4/10/1621, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
male ancestorJames CHILTON (1556, , England (United Kingdom) - 18 December 1620, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
female ancestorUnknown UNKNOWN (1564, , Kent County, England - , Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
male ancestorWilliam BREWSTER (1566, , England (United Kingdom) - 10 April 1644, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
female ancestorJoan HURST (13 March 1568, Henlow, co. Bedford, England - 1621, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
female ancestorMary UNKNOWN (1569, , England (United Kingdom) - 17 April 1627, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
male ancestorJohn TILLEY (19 December 1571, Henlow, co. Bedford, England - 11 January 1621, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
male ancestorThomas ROGERS (1572, Watford, Northamptomshire, England - 11 January 1621, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))
male ancestorWilliam MULLINS (1572, , England (United Kingdom) - 21 February 1621, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores))

Ancestors Who Were Married in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Plymouth.

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photo of Edward WINSLOW Edward WINSLOW (18 October 1595 - 8 May 1655) and female ancestorSusannah JACKSON (1592 - bet. 1654-1675) married 12 May 1621
male ancestorJohn ALDEN (1598 - 12 September 1687) and female ancestorPriscilla MULLINS (1603 - 5 February 1687) married 12 May 1622
photo of William BRADFORD William BRADFORD (19 March 1589 - 19 May 1657) and photo of Alice CARPENTER Alice CARPENTER (1590 - 26 March 1670) married 14 August 1623
male ancestorJohn HOWLAND (1591 - 23 February 1672) and female ancestorElizabeth TILLEY (30 August 1607 - 21 December 1687) married abt. 1624
photo of Myles STANDISH Myles STANDISH (1584 - 3 October 1656) and female ancestorBarbara (Sarah) UNKNOWN (1588 - 6 October 1659) married 1624
male ancestorJohn WINSLOW (16 April 1597 - 1674) and female ancestorMary CHILTON (30 May 1607 - 1679) married
male ancestorGeorge SOULE (1593 - 22 January 1679) and female ancestorMary BUCKETT (BECKETT) (17 January 1590 - 16 December 1676) married abt. 1626
male ancestorPeter BROWNE (1595 - 10/4/1633) and female ancestorMartha UNKNOWN ( - ) married abt. 1626
male ancestorFrancis EATON (11 September 1596 - 1633) and female ancestorChristiana PENN (1607 - 13 July 1684) married abt. 1626

Genealogy Resources for Plymouth

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Updated: 9/15/2023 2:29:05 PM