From this vantage, and before the day of steam trawlers, Plymouthians have viewed the fleet of white-winged mackerel vessels as they sailed to and fro within easy vision against a background of blue sea.
On clear days the sand dunes of Cape Cod as well as Provincetown may be seen.
It was on this hill that the Pilgrims built their fort in 1622 and a watch tower in 1643 and another and larger fort during the King Philip War in 1675 as a defence against Indian attack.
There is no record of its first use as a burial ground. There are six stones bearing dates of the 17th century, the oldest that of Edward Grey (1681). It is known that William Bradford died in 1657 and a monument erected in 1825 bears evidence to that fact. Also that John Howland died in 1672 and his present stone was erected (circa) 1850. It is presumable that there were many burials here prior to these dates, although the first burials were on Cole’s Hill just above the shore.
A TRIBUTE IN VERSE FROM PILGRIM PLYMOUTH
Oft’ have I stood on Plymouth’s sacred hill
That overlooks both harbor and the town;
Its first laid street, a Pilgrim mecca still,
Steeped in historic precept and renown.
Where bay in iridescence greets the eye,