Plymouth Memories of an Octogenarian is a local history and memoir by William T. Davis, published in 1906. Drawing on a long life in Plymouth, Massachusetts, it records people, customs, and changing fashions he observed, offering a personal window into the town’s past.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
Wm T. Davis. (signature)
Plymouth Memories
of an Octogenarian
BY
WILLIAM T. DAVIS
Author of “History of Plymouth,” “Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth,” History of
“The Massachusetts Judiciary,” History of “The Massachusetts Bar,” etc.
Former President of the Pilgrim Society
Honorary Member of the Connecticut Historical Society
Honorary Member of the Old Colony Historical Society
“A tree that’s severed from its root
Can bear no longer flowers or fruit;
A nation that forgets its past
Is without root and cannot last.”
PRINTED BY THE MEMORIAL PRESS, PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS.
Copyrighted, 1906.
BΏ BƗǵǵƗƿƄŧǡ BǡLjǵƒŧǡǪ,
PƯΏƽLjǼǵƒ, MĵǪǪ.
PREFACE
By the death of every person something within the range of his study and knowledge is lost beyond recovery. In publishing this book of memories it is my desire to rescue from oblivion persons and events coming under my observation during a long life, and to make a record of habits, customs and fashions which have prevailed at different periods within my knowledge. The book is not intended to be either in any sense an autobiography, or a mere collection of interesting reminiscences, but a legacy which I wish to leave for the benefit of those coming after me. I cannot permit its publication without a grateful acknowledgment of the service rendered during its preparation by friends too numerous to be mentioned by name in contributing material essential to its approximate completeness and accuracy.
Wƽ. T. Dĵ΄ƗǪ.
DEDICATION I dedicate this book to my children with the hope that they will remember with love and pride their native town, and be always ready to render it useful service. WM. T. DAVIS. CONTENTS Chapter Page PREFACE 3 DEDICATION 4 I. 5 II. 10 III. 21 IV. 31 V. 44 VI. 52 VII. 59 VIII. 72 IX. 79 X. 86 XI. 96 XII. 102 XIII. 110 XIV. 120 XV. 131 XVI. 143
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