Somehow I've never toured the Mayflower Society House before but we had a nice tour last night. We had a very informative guide, Peter. I learned that butlers often slept in or near the pantry, armed with guns to protect the silver from theft. Dangerous job! The house has been restored and is lovely. It was built in the 18th century by Edward Winslow, great-grandson of the Pilgrim. It is now the headquarters of the General Society Mayflower Descendants and there is a research library and offices on the grounds.
I've been interested in the house beyond being a Mayflower descendant because it was later the home of Charles Jackson's family. His daughter Lydia (later Lidian), born 20 September 1802, is my 4th cousin 6 times removed. She was the 2nd wife of Ralph Waldo Emerson and they were married in the house in 1835. I wrote about Lydia here. I loved seeing the staircase Lydia descended on her wedding day (and where she had an earlier vision that she would marry Emerson) and the parlor where they married. I'm distantly related to Emerson as well as he's a descendant of John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley.
The house itself is impressive--the incredible woodwork, bullseye glass, cantilevered stairs, Delft tile on every fireplace, tall ceilings, huge doors. The house also has a practical side--the Governor General has an office upstairs, there are several bedrooms for GSMD officers to use, there's a caterer's kitchen used for events at the house, and a meeting room. There are plentiful antiques, although not original to the house, and a fun array of vintage Mayflower/Plymouth/Pilgrim souvenirs which I also collect. There's a beautiful image of the Forefathers Monument, one of my favorite historic spots in town.
The grounds are beautiful, with flowering plants, brick paths, and a view of the harbor, the Plymouth Rock Portico, and the Mayflower. There's a recent addition of a statue of Governor William Bradford.
We walked around the corner to Cole's Hill to see the sarcophagus which holds the remains of the early Pilgrims. It always gives me chills. It is believed to be the final resting place of my ancestors Mary (Norris) Allerton (wife of Isaac), James Chilton's wife whose name is unknown, and Sarah wife of Francis Eaton.
Cole's Hill overlooks the harbor, with the portico and the Mayflower in view.
I never tire of the history and beauty in Plymouth!
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