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Plymouth Memories of an Octogenarian
BY
WILLIAM T. DAVIS
Author of “History of Plymouth,” “Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth,” History of “The Massachusetts Judiciary,” History of “The Massachusetts Bar,” etc.
Former President of the Pilgrim Society Honorary Member of the Connecticut Historical Society Honorary Member of the Old Colony Historical Society
“A tree that’s severed from its root Can bear no longer flowers or fruit; A nation that forgets its past Is without root and cannot last.”
PRINTED BY THE MEMORIAL PRESS, PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS.
Copyrighted, 1906. BY BITTINGER BROTHERS, PLYMOUTH, MASS.
PREFACE
By the death of every person something within the range of his study and knowledge is lost beyond recovery. In publishing this book of memories it is my desire to rescue from oblivion persons and events coming under my observation during a long life, and to make a record of habits, customs and fashions which have prevailed at different periods within my knowledge. The book is not intended to be either in any sense an autobiography, or a mere collection of interesting reminiscences, but a legacy which I wish to leave for the benefit of those coming after me. I cannot permit its publication without a grateful acknowledgment of the service rendered during its preparation by friends too numerous to be mentioned by name in contributing material essential to its approximate completeness and accuracy.
WM. T. DAVIS.
DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to my children with the hope that they will remember with love and pride their native town, and be always ready to render it useful service.
WM. T. DAVIS.
Contents
Chapter Page PREFACE 3 DEDICATION 4 I. 5 II. 10 III. 21 IV. 31 V. 44 VI. 52 VII. 59 VIII. 72 IX. 79 X. 86 XI. 96 XII. 102 XIII. 110 XIV. 120 XV. 131 XVI. 143 XVII. 151 XVIII. 166 XIX. 179 XX. 191 XXI. 204 XXII. 214 XXIII. 223 XXIV. 230 XXV. 238 XXVI. 245 XXVII. 254 XXVIII. 264 XXIX. 280 XXX. 302 XXXI. 310 XXXII. 320 XXXIII. 330 XXXIV. 338 XXXV. 349 XXXVI. 356 XXXVII. 372 XXXVIII. 389 XXXIX. 405 XXXX. 419 XXXXI. 433 XXXXII. 450 XXXXIII. 462 XXXXIV. 473 XXXXV. 479 XXXXVI. 489 XXXXVII. 496 XXXXVIII. 506 XXXXIX. 517 Errata and Addenda 531 INDEX 533
PLYMOUTH MEMORIES OF AN OCTOGENARIAN