GOV. BRADFORD’S MONUMENT.
Under this stone rest the ashes of William Bradford a zealous Puritan & sincere Christian Gov. of Ply. Col. from 1621 to 1657, (the year he died) aged 69, except 5 yrs. which he declined.
The grave of that sturdy old Pilgrim, John Howland, has a great attraction for thousands who tread this sacred soil, many of whom come from the good old Pilgrim stock. The stone is of reddish hue, tall and wide, and bears the following beautiful inscription:—
Here ended the Pilgrimage of
JOHN HOWLAND
who died February 23, 167⅔
aged above 80 years.
He married Elizabeth daughter of
JOHN TILLEY
who came with him in the
Mayflower Dec. 1620.
From them are descended a
numerous posterity.
“Hee was a godly man and an ancient
professor in the wayes of Christ. Hee was
one of the first comers into this land and
was the last man that was left of those
that came over in the Shipp called the
Mayflower that lived in Plymouth.”
Plymouth Records.
One of the six stones bearing date in the seventeenth century marks the grave of Thomas Clark, or Clarke, who is often spoken of as the “mate of the ‘Mayflower.’” History, however, tells a different story, and it is known that the name of the first officer of the ship was John Clark. The stone is of purple Welsh slate, and is thus lettered:—
Here lyes ye body of Mr. Thomas Clark aged 98 years departed this life March ye 24th 1697.
A huge boulder has been recently placed on this grave, and a metallic plate secured to it reads:—