The following gentlemen have delivered sermons or addresses, by the request of the "Old Colony Club," or of the inhabitants of the town, or of the members of some one of the religious societies, at the times of the anniversary at Plymouth, on the 22nd of December. Edward Winslow, Jr., Esq., Plymouth; Rev. Chandler Robbins, D. D., Plymouth; Rev. Charles Turner, Duxbury; Rev. Gad Hitchcock, D. D., Pembroke; Rev. Samuel Baldwin, Hanover; Rev. Sylvanus Conant, Middleborough; Rev. Samuel West, D. D., Dartmouth; Rev. Timothy Hilliard, Barnstable; Rev. William Shaw, D. D., Marshfield; Rev. Jonathan Moore, Rochester; Doct. Zaccheus Bartlett, Plymouth; Hon. John Davis, LL. D., Boston; Rev. John Allyne, D. D., Duxbury; Hon. John Quincy Adams, LL. D., Quincy; Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., Cambridge; Rev. Jonathan Strong, D. D., Randolph; Rev. James Kendall, D. D., Plymouth; Alden Bradford, LL. D., Boston; Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., Cambridge; Rev. James Freeman, D. D., Boston; Rev. Adoniram Judson, Plymouth; Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris, D. D., Dorchester; Rev. Abiel Abbot, D. D., Beverly; Rev. John Elliot, D. D., Boston; Rev. James Flint, D. D., Salem; Rev. Ezra Goodwin, Sandwich; Rev. Horace Holley, LL. D., Boston; Hon. Wendell Davis, Sandwich; and Hon. Francis Calley Gray, Boston.
As the "Old Colony Club" had for many years ceased to act as a society, and had, in fact, ceased to exist, that the object of the annual celebration of the "Landing of our Forefathers" might be better accomplished, a society was formed, November 9, 1819, by the name of the "Old Colony Pilgrim Society," and immediately went into operation. The Hon. Joshua Thomas, William Jackson, and Nathaniel M. Davis, Esqs., were chosen a committee on behalf of the Society, to petition the General Court for an act of incorporation. On February 24, 1820, the Society was incorporated and made a body politic, by the name of the "Pilgrim Society." The design of the institution may in part be learned from a clause in the first section of the act of incorporation, which is, "to perpetuate the memory of the virtues, the enterprise, and unparalleled sufferings of their ancestors."
The "Landing of our Forefathers" was first celebrated by the Pilgrim Society, December 22, 1820, that being the completion of the second century since the settlement of New England, or the landing of the Pilgrims. This event, which, in a most important sense, gave existence to the nation, with all that is valuable in its civil, literary, and religious establishments, was observed that year with more than usual solemnity and interest. The Hon. Daniel Webster delivered an address[I] on the occasion, worthy of himself and the memory of those whose character and sufferings he so eloquently portrayed. A large concourse of people attended the celebration, and were escorted to the place of public service by the Standish Guards, a military company so called in honor of Capt. Miles Standish.[J]
There were present on the occasion, a delegation from the Massachusetts Historical Society, and from the American Antiquarian Society. The Hon. Judge Davis addressed the Pilgrim Society on behalf of the former institution, and the Hon. Levi Lincoln on behalf of the latter. The Rev. Dr. Kendall replied to the one, and Alden Bradford, Esq., replied to the other. The kindest sentiments and feelings universally prevailed, and the occasion was one of great satisfaction and rejoicing.
The Pilgrim Society, as such, annually commemorates the day on which our Forefathers landed at Plymouth. On some of these anniversaries, addresses have been delivered; in 1820, by Hon. Daniel Webster; in 1824, by Hon. Edward Everett; in 1829, by Hon. William Sullivan; in 1834, by Rev. George Washington Blagden; in 1835, by Hon. Peleg Sprague; in 1837, by Rev. Robert B. Hall; in 1838, by Rev. Thomas Bobbins, D. D.; and in 1845, by Joseph R. Chandler, Esq. Since 1820, at the request of some religious society or association, the following gentlemen have delivered addresses on these anniversary occasions, though not specially before the Pilgrim Society; Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., Braintree; Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., Boston; Rev. Samuel Green, Boston; Rev. Daniel Huntington, North Bridgewater; Rev. Benjamin B. Wisner, D. D., Boston; Rev. John Codman, D. D., Dorchester; Rev. Convers Francis, D. D., Watertown; Rev. Jonathan Bigelow, Rochester; Rev. Samuel Barrett, Boston; Rev. William T. Torrey, Plymouth; Rev. John Brazier, D. D., Salem; and Rev. Mark Hopkins, D. D., Williamstown. In the addresses which have been delivered, the principles, motives, intentions, and character of the Forefathers have been exhibited and approved; the causes of their emigration, the interposition of God in their behalf, and the glorious results which have followed, have been glowingly described.
The Society erected in the year 1824 a monumental edifice; the corner-stone of which was laid with appropriate solemnities, and in an excavation made in it for the purpose, was deposited, with other articles, a plate having the following inscription: "In grateful memory of our Ancestors, who exiled themselves from their native country, for the sake of religion, and here successfully laid the foundation of Freedom and Empire, December 22, A. D. MDCXX., their descendants, the Pilgrim Society, have raised this edifice, August XXXI. A. D. MDCCCXXIV."
The edifice is built of unwrought split granite, and is seventy feet in length by forty in width, and is two stories in height. It has a handsome Doric portico in front, eight feet wide, supported by six pillars sixteen feet high. The whole expense of the building and its appurtenances was more than $15,000. Its location is pleasant and presents a full view of the outer harbor of the town. The principal hall is adorned by a magnificent painting, representing our Forefathers. This picture, valued at $3,000, was a donation to the Pilgrim Society by the artist, Henry Sargent, Esq., Boston. It is a splendid representation of the Pilgrims at their arrival on these western shores. Pilgrim Hall is the most suitable receptacle for it; and Col. Sargent has exhibited a noble generosity in placing it within its walls. The dimensions of the picture are sixteen feet by thirteen. It contains several groups of individuals attired in the costume of their day. 1. Governor Carver and his wife and children; 2. Governor Bradford; 3. Governor Winslow; 4. Wife of Governor Winslow; 5. Mr. William Brewster, the presiding Elder; 6. Capt. Miles Standish; 7. Mr. William White and his child Peregrine; 8. Mr. Isaac Allerton and his wife; 9. Mr. John Alden; 10. Mr. John Turner; 11. Mr. Stephen Hopkins, his wife, and children; 12. Mr. Richard Warner; 13. Mr. Edward Tilley; 14. Mr. Samuel Fuller; 15. Wife of Capt. Standish; 16. Samoset, an Indian Sagamore; 17. Mr. John Howland, of Governor Carver's family, who married his daughter.
In the edifice there is a room set apart for a Library and a Cabinet of curiosities. It is already supplied with a number of volumes and many manuscripts of early date. It is desirable that a copy of all the works published by the Pilgrims and their descendants should be deposited in the Library.
"Among the antiquities in the Cabinet of the Pilgrim Society are the following:
"A chair which belonged to Gov. Carver. The sword of Miles Standish, presented by William S. Williams, Esq. A pewter dish which belonged to Miles Standish, presented by the late Joseph Head, Esq. An iron pot which belonged to Miles Standish, presented by the late John Watson, Esq. A brass steelyard, owned by Thomas Southworth. A cane which belonged to William White; presented by Hon. John Reed. A dressing-case which belonged to William White. The gun-barrel with which King Philip was killed, presented by Mr. John Cook of Kingston. The original letter of King Philip to Gov. Prince, written in 1662. A china mug and leather pocket-book which belonged to Thomas Clark. A piece of ingenious embroidery, in a frame, executed by Lora Standish, a daughter of Miles Standish; presented by Rev. Lucius Alden of East Bridgewater. Many curiosities are still in the hands of individuals and families, which might add much to the interest of Pilgrim Hall."