[130]. The lands adjacent to this spot were called Whatcheer, in memory of the occurrence.
[131]. “Tradition has uniformly stated the place where they landed, to be at the spring southwest of the Episcopal church, at which a house has recently been built by Mr. Nehemiah Dodge.” Moses Brown.
[132]. Mrs. Hemans’ noble ode, “The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers.” This beautiful stanza applies with more literal truth to Roger Williams and his companions, than to all the Pilgrim fathers.
[133]. Published in the Providence Gazette, from January to March, 1765, and republished in the 2 Mass. His. Col. ix.
[134]. Mass. Rec. vol. i. p. 163.
[135]. Backus, vol. i. 74.
[136]. The Plymouth settlers, in 1623, began to plant their corn the middle of April. Prince, p. 216.
[137]. Winthrop, vol. i. p. 190.
[138]. In a letter to the author, from John Howland, Esq. of Providence, one of the most intelligent and active members of the Rhode-Island Historical Society, he says, “When our Society was first formed, it was proposed to fix on the day of his arrival here, as the day of the annual meetings of the Society; and till that day could be ascertained, we decided on the day of the date of the charter of Charles II.”
[139]. Backus, vol. i. p. 89.