Entering Plymouth through Court Street and passing the plant of the Plymouth Cordage Company, one comes to another old house. This house is known as the William Crowe House. It is located on the east side of the highway and was probably built in 1664 as in that year William Crowe married Hannah, daughter of the first Josiah Winslow. A deed dated 1665 from Francis Billington to William Crowe refers to the estate “on which Mr. Crowe now lives.” This undoubtedly establishes the house as one of the very oldest of Plymouth’s old houses.
Mr. Crowe’s widow married John Sturtevant. Her daughter Hannah Sturtevant married Josiah Cotton, a grandson of Rev. John Cotton. In 1709 Mr. Cotton became the owner, and in 1723 built the two-story addition.
Proceeding south through Court Street and turning west at Allerton or Cushman Street brings one to the National Monument of the Forefathers.
... This monument, towering high in its massive splendor, occupies a commanding position overlooking the town and harbor, with Duxbury, Clark’s Island, the Saquish and the Gurnet in the background.
The central figure is Faith, which stands on the main pedestal, one foot resting on a replica of Plymouth Rock. In the left hand is a Bible, while the right hand points heavenward. The whole attitude is symbolic of faith in a divine power, as the smaller statues below are representative of the principles enunciated by the Pilgrims themselves.
The plan of the base is octagonal. There are four protruding wings, on each of which is a figure seated. One representing Morality holding the decalogue in the left hand and the scroll of Revelation in the right. On the one side is a Prophet and on the other the Evangelists.
On the next pedestal is the figure representing Law with Justice on one side and Mercy on the other, symbolizing justice tempered with mercy. Education has on the one hand the wisdom of maturity and on the other Youth following experience. The fourth figure represents Freedom, a consequence of which is peace, represented on the one hand, while on the other is represented the overthrow of tyranny.
The main pedestal has four polished faces, on two of which are inscribed the names of the Mayflower Pilgrims, while another bears the inscription “National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.” There is one panel left for future use.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MONUMENT
Largest granite statue in the world. Designed by Hammatt Billings. Built of Maine granite. Cost $150,000. Statue of Faith cost $31,300; was given by late Gov. Oliver Ames. Other contributors: United States Government, States of Massachusetts and Connecticut, together with 11,000 individuals of this and other countries. Corner stone laid August 1, 1859. Monument dedicated on August 1, 1889. Height from ground to top of head, 81 feet. Outstretched arm measures, from shoulder to elbow, 10 feet, 1½ inches; from elbow to tip of finger, 9 feet, 9 inches; total length of arm, 19 feet, 10½ inches. Circumference of head at forehead, 13 feet, 7 inches. Circumference of left arm below sleeve, 6 feet, 10 inches. Length of finger pointing upward, 2 feet, 1 inch. Circumference of finger, 1 foot, 8½ inches. Circumference of thumb, 1 foot, 8½ inches. Length of nose, 1 foot, 4 inches. 216 times life-size. Weight, 180 tons.