Cole's Hill
Cole's Hill is the site of the first cemetery used by the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony. This is where they buried those who died in the winter of 1620-1621.[1] Many were buried in secret and at night and corn was planted over their graves. This was to prevent the Native Americans from knowing how many of them had died.[1] The hill is named after John Cole who built a house there in 1697.[2] During the American Revolutionary War and again during the War of 1812 cannon were placed there behind earthworks to protect the town.[2]
The hill is located on Carver Street. It is across the street from Plymouth Rock. Cole's Hill was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. On the top of the hill is a statue of Massasoit, who befriended the Pilgrims.[1] There is also a monument to the Pilgrims who died during the winter of 1620-21.[3]
Gallery
Cole's Hill marker
Cole's Hill in late 1800s
Massasoit statue
Cole's Hill Media
Map of early Plymouth home lots
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Massachusetts; a Guide to the Bay State, compiled by the Federal writers' project of the Works progress administration for the state of Massachusetts (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1937), p. 324
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 James Baker, A Guide to Historic Plymouth (Charleston: History Press, 2008), p. 49
- ↑ Neale McDevitt; Eleanor Berman; et al, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: New England (New York: DK Publishing, 2012), p. 148