Burial Hill Cemetery, Mayflower II and the Plymouth waterfront

After leaving Plimouth Plantation Susie and drove north to Plymouth proper. We parked at Burial Hill Cemetery in Plymouth and walked to the top of the Hill to listen to a 1pm presentation on ground-penetrating radar sponsored by the Friends of Burial Hill. It was a gorgeous day to be standing on an incredible overlook to Plymouth Bay.

And, as always this cemetery presents wonderful opportunities for photography.

Ansel and Martha Holmes, both age 90 when they died

Charlott Barnes (nope, no "e" in Charlott), died Feb. 22, 1833

probable site of the first fort c. 1620-21

Madam Jane Robbins, died Sept. 12, 1800,
wife of Rev. Chandler

Rev. Chandler Robbins, died June 30, 1799

the Judson family

The presentation by Craig Chartier of Plymouth Archaeological Rediscovery Project was fascinating and illuminating but sadly we had to leave early so we could grab a bite of lunch before the day got away from us.

So, from Burial Hill Cemetery we walked downhill to Main Street in search of a place for lunch. While there were a number of places with cute names like Sam Diego (Mexican) or Tuscany Tavern (really?) we settled on the very unassuming Cornerstone Cafe.

Located at the corner of North and Main streets, the Cornerstone is small on space but large on friendly service and tasty food.

After leaving the cornerstone we strolled down North Street to the waterfront. Five minutes later we soon found ourselves aboard the Mayflower II (it was part of the combination ticket with Plimouth Plantation).

We’re all familiar with the pilgrim landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620 but to actually see and walk on board the (replica) of this tiny ship is truly an eye-opening experience. One hundred and two people along with numerous animals, stores, tools, and the various necessities of starting a new life in a new corner of the planet aboard this ship for 66 days must have been both wretched and exciting all wrapped into one complicated package.

This reproduction vessel, built in England sailed to the United States in 1957. It took very little time to see but I'm glad we did. It will help put into proper perspective those times when the iPhone battery dies or the laptop won’t respond.

Oh, and there were also role players aboard -- mainly on the lower deck where the passengers lived, as well as contemporary guides to answer those questions "out of character."

the fore part of the ship

Above you can easily see the rudder mechanism going out the stern of the ship note the cannon on the lower right.

looking forward

From the Mayflower we strolled along the waterfront to the Rock itself and from there back up hill toward Main street.

Along the way we passed a small plaque on the sidewalk honoring the location of what was claimed to have been the first home of Mayflower passenger John Howland.

From Main Street we climbed back to Burial Hill, found our car and headed home.

Plymouth: The Mayflower II, William Bradford and a Questionable Rock

On Sunday March 27, Susie and I took a road trip to pay a visit to Plymouth Rock. It had been years since Susie had been to Plymouth and I had never been there and wanted to roam Burial Hill Cemetery. We also wanted to catch a glimpse of the rock and so we did and much more.

It's fairly safe to say today that the pilgrims did not just happen upon the rock in what is now called Plymouth Bay. In fact they first landed at Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod and from there explored the surrounding area to find a place to settle. On one such excursion they came upon the shelter of Plymouth from Clark's Island, and apparently finding it suitable, decided here they would settle, here they would put down roots. and so they did.

The Mayflower II

William Bradford (1590-1657) may have dressed oddly -- although by today's high school fashions for males that's open to some debate -- and aside from being credited as the man who initiated the idea of Thanksgiving, he was  historian of those early days of the Plymouth Bay Colony and governor of the colony for nearly 30 years. He was also a member of the exploring party that first "discovered" Plymouth Bay and the land upon which the pilgrims would settle.

And speaking of landing at Plymouth, whether those first pilgrims first set foot on that very special rock still remains open to some doubt. The mystery aside, "Plymouth rock" has been restored to its original shape (it had split in half in 1774) and is today well-preserved beneath an impressive arcaded structure, just across the street from the John Alden gift shop.

The rock's new superstructure as seen from Cole's Hill

That's the rock, way down there

Be aware that signage in Plymouth is really quite poor -- and you'll want to head down Water street to find the Rock, the Mayflower, and the other memorials to early American history.

Next: First fort, pilgrim deaths and remembering John Alden and Priscilla Mullins.