ton Sea at the distance of about two miles. We have belonging to the town four fire-engines, well provided with hose and hydraulic pipes, and all the requisite appliances. We have also two large reservoirs connected with the aqueduct, affording an ample supply of water. The whole apparatus, with ladders and hooks are under the direction of men alert, and capable of the most efficient operation on any emergency which may occur. Ponds, Rivers and Brooks. The number of ponds within the limits of this town is supposed to be more than two hundred. Billington Sea. This was formerly called Fresh Luke. It was discovered about the 1st of January, 1621, by Francis Billington, while mounted on a tree standing on a hill. It was in the midst of a thick forest, and when seen at a distance, Billington supposed it to be another sea. On the 8th of January, he went with one of the master's mates, to view the place. They found two lakes contiguous, separated by a narrow space; the largest is about six miles in circumference, and is the far famed Billington Sea. It is about two miles south-west from town, and from it issues the Town brook. In this pond there are two small islands. The largest, containing about two acres, having been planted with apple trees, produces excellent fruit. This pond is well stocked with pickerel and perch. The majestic eagle is frequently seen cowering over this pond, and has for ages built its nest in the branches of the trees, visiting the flats of the harbor at low tide in pursuit of fishes and birds. Loons, and beautiful wood-ducks produce their young in sequestered retreats about this pond, annually.

The fallow deer, tenacious of its ancient place of rendezvous, continue to visit this pond for drink, and to browse on its margin. For many years this beautiful pond was a favorite resort for social parties. A house was erected on the bank, a pleasure boat was in the pond, and tea parties and fishing parties united in the happiest enjoyments.

South Pond is situated four miles from town,—is a beautiful sheet of unruffled water, the bottom of pure white sand, with white and red perch playing in their native element. This pond has now become a place of fashionable resort for parties. There is no natural outlet; but about the year 1701, a water course was cut from it, about half a mile in length, crossing the road and uniting with the head waters of Eel river. This project was executed under the direction of Elder Faunce, with the view of attracting alewives into the pond; but it failed of

'success.

Murdock's Pond lies about half a mile from our village in the rear of burial hill. It is a deep round pond of about two acres,

where ice is procured for ice-houses; and a small brook issuing from it crosses the west road, and is called Little brook, or Prison brook, which unites with the Town brook.

Half-way Pond. This is ten miles southerly from our village. There is an island in this pond which formerly furnished a large supply of masts, and the road to it is still called the mast road. White Island Pond lies some distance north-westerly from this; it is large, covering about 600 acres and is on the line which divides Plymouth from Wareham.

Great Herring Pond is about 15 miles from town, on the borders of Sandwich. It is two miles in length, and has an Indian population in its vicinity., Little Herring Pond is connected. with it by a brook. The Leech gives name to one pond, though in most of them leeches are taken which answer all the purposes of the true medicinal leech.

Long Pond is two miles long, situated on the ancient path to Sandwich of the first settlers, which is the shortest route by two miles. It is six miles from town, and is famous for large pickerel and perch.

Clam Pudding Pond is seven miles south, on the Sandwich road. It was formerly the resting stage for travellers to and from Cape Cod, and the settlers were in practice of holding annual festivals on Clam Pudding at this pond.

Crane Brook Ponds are the source of a brook passing into Carver south-westerly, on which are valuable furnaces and mills, manufacturing cast iron.

Scook, is the Indian name of a small pond near Manomet point, where are numerous rocks.

Coatuit is the Indian name for Half-way Pond.

Agawam is the name of the brook flowing from Coatuit and passing into the sea at Wareham. It is a valuable stream, on which mills and forges are situated and alewives abound in their season.

Town Brook. This is the outlet from Billington Sea; it passes through town and empties into the harbor a little south of Forefather's Rock. It is of inestimable to the town, being the seat of manufactures of great importance which will be described under the head of manufactures. There is a tannery and two grist-mills on this stream. Before the town sold their privilege to this brook, alewives were so abundant on their way to Billington Sea that more than 800 barrels have been taken in one season. But the passing up of the herrrings was for many years a source of much trouble and perplexity by interrupting the operations of the mills and manufacturers, occasioning an entire suspension during several weeks annually, to the

great damage of the proprietors and the town. It was from these considerations that, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town in 1821, it was voted to convey to the owners of the mills situated on the town brook, all the town's right to the use of the water and the bed of the said brook, including the lower grist-mill, for the term of fifty years, on the condition that the said owners of mills pay to the town $5000 in ten years with interest annually. According to the arrangement adopted by the town, the interest accruing on the purchase money is to be distributed, one third, or $100 annually, among such widows of the town as are not supported as paupers, and the remaining part, or $200, to be distributed annually among the inhabitants of the town paying a poll tax, or poll taxes, in equal proportions as the selectmen of the town for the time being may direct. And when the principal sum of $5000 shall be paid, the selectmen shall cause the same to be funded in such stock as in their opinion will best secure to the town the interest thereof for said purposes during said term of fifty years.

Eel River. This originates in ponds and springs back of Eel River Village, crosses the post road to Sandwich, and empties into the sea near Warren's farm. It is appropriately called Eel river, from the abundance of eels which it yields to the support of the industrious poor. Perhaps it will not be extravagant to say that about 150 barrels are annually taken there.

Wonkinqua River takes its rise in this town, forms the boundary between it and Carver and runs about four miles to Wareham line, below which there are on this stream some of the largest iron works in the county.

Red Brook seeks the sea at Buttermilk Bay, over it is a small bridge crossed by the road from Sandwich to Wareham.

Willingsly Brook. This is about half a mile from our village, crossing the public road to Sandwich. So early as 1623, this place was recorded by the name of Hobb's Hole, from an inlet or cove under a cliff where small vessels and boats were sheltered from storms. In 1637, we find the name of Willingsly on record for the same place. It is now a location for a cluster of about 24 houses, where there is some excellent land, and flakes for curing fish. Here was the seat of Secretary Morton; in this place he copied the church records, and wrote the Memorial, and volumes of other records.

Double Brook, or Shingle Brook, of the first settlers, runs northerly by the post-road to Sandwich, and unites with Eel river. A forge stands on it near the junction. Beaver Dam Brook is in the village of Manomet Ponds, and affords seats for several mills. Indian Brook is still further south, near the

shore; it is small, but abounds with trout. There are between this town and the bounds of Kingston, five small brooks or rivulets crossing the road; near the third, reckoning from town, lived Deacon Hurst, who erected the first tannery in Plymouth, about 1640. Near the fourth brook, was the seat of Governor Prince, being a farm given him by the General Court when he removed from Eastham in 1665, and was called Plain Dealing. This has since been known by the name of Lothrop's farm, now Hedge's farm. On this brook stands a grist-mill and a valuable cordage manufactory.

Bridges.-There are in the town about 12 bridges. The stone arch bridge was erected over the Town brook in the year 1812, at Spring hill, precisely at the spot where the colonists had their first interview with Massasoit, in 1621. The hill where the sachem with his train of 60 men first appeared, was called Strawberry hill by the first planters, now Watson's hill. There is another bridge of wood over the Town brook at the wharf, which for many years was the principal passage way, and was called the lower road. This bridge is now the property of the town, but is kept in repair by individuals, in consideration of some contiguous land granted to them by the town. Eel river bridge is well known to travellers, though the public road to Sandwich is now more westerly, and passes the cotton factory. Hills.-Pinnacle Hill is in the vicinity of South Pond. Sentry Hill and Indian Hill are on the sea shore of Manomet. Gallows Hill is on the south side of Wood's lane, and is the property of the heirs of Mr. Richard Holmes. Sparrow's Hill is two miles westerly, crossing the main road to Carver. Paukopunnakuk, or Break heart Hill of the early settlers. This is that remarkable sand hill ten miles on the road to Sandwich, which the first settlers had to pass on foot, when journeying to and from the Cape to attend the courts at Plymouth. The traveller now escapes that wearisome hill by taking the new offset road to the shore, at Mr. Joseph Harlow's house.

There are on the road to Sandwich, in the woods, two rocks called Sacrifice rocks. They are covered with sticks and stones, which have been accumulating for centuries. It was the constant practice among the aborigines, to throw a stone or stick on the rock in passing. The late Rev. Mr. Hawley, who spent many years among the natives at Marshpee, endeavored to learn from them the design of this singular rite, but could only conjecture that it was an acknowledgment of an invisible Being, the unknown God whom this people worshipped. This pile was

their altar.

Burying Hill, formerly Fort Hill. Immediately in the rear of

the town is a hill, rising one hundred and sixty-five feet above the sea level, embracing about eight acres. On the summit of the south-west side, the pilgrims erected first some temporary defence; but, in 1675, on the approach of Philip's war, they erected a strong fort, one hundred and fifty feet square, strongly palisaded, ten and a half feet high. No other place could have been so well chosen, either for discovering the approach of savages, or for defending the town against their attacks. The settlement was rendered perfectly secure, and springs of water were at their command. The whole circuit of the fort is still distinctly visible; a watch-house was also built near the fort.

*

The view presented from this eminence, embracing our harbor and the shores of the bay for miles around, is not, perhaps, inferior to any in our country. Let the antiquarian come at full tide, and when the billows are calmed, and seat himself on this mount, that he may survey the incomparable landscape, and enjoy the interesting associations with which he will be inspired. Immediately beneath the hill lies the town in full view; and beyond this, the harbor and shipping. The harbor is a beautiful expanse of water, bounded on the south by Manomet Point, and near which commences a beach three miles in length, breasting the rolling billows of the bay, and serving as a barrier to the wharves; and on the north-east by a promontory extending from Marshfield, called the Gurnet, on the point of which stands the light-house.

These several points, together, with the opposite shores, completely enclose the harbor, having Clark's Island and Saquish in its bosom. Beyond these points opens the great bay of Massachusetts, bounded at the southern extremity by the peninsula of Cape Cod, which is distinctly visible, and spreading boundless to the north-east. On the north appears the flourishing village of Duxbury, shooting into the bay, and exhibiting a handsome conical hill, ever to be remembered as once the property and residence of the gallant Standish. Between Duxbury and Plymouth, is the harbor and pleasant village of Kingston. Having taken a survey of this magnificent group, so exceedingly endeared to the New England antiquarian, and enjoyed a spiritual vision of the Mayflower, laden with men, women, and children, come as founders of a mighty nation, we are next led to view a scene of more solemn contemplation. The whole extent of the hill is covered with the symbols of mortality, the

* On the 10th day of May, 1834, the author planted an elm tree near the centre of the old fort, which may serve to designate its site to posterity.