[Illustration: AN ISLAND IN ONE OF PLYMOUTH’S MANY PONDS] Over 300 ponds of sparkling clear water lie within the town’s boundaries, and these together with its woodlands offer almost unlimited facilities for hunting and fishing, while salt water fishing is equally available. Yes, Plymouth has much to offer as a place for permanent residence and as a summer resort. The door is open and the word is _Welcome_. Approaching Plymouth from the north and passing through Kingston, it is both convenient and of interest to visit the Major John Bradford House. This house stands on a knoll on Landing Road overlooking Jones River and the marshes. It was built in 1674 by Major John Bradford, son of Major William Bradford, Deputy Governor and Grandson of Governor William Bradford. _Legend:_ During the King Philip War this house was partially burned while Major Bradford was moving his family to a place of safety. Upon his return Indians were seen surrounding the house, one of whom the Major shot while he was in the act of warning his comrades of the approach of the whites. This Indian, while wounded, crawled behind a fallen tree and some years later told Major Bradford of the circumstances of his escape, showing at the same time the bullet wound in his side received at the time. Another fact of interest is that this house gave shelter for something like twenty-five years to the now famous “History of Plimouth Plantation,” sometimes spoken of as the “Bradford History” written by Governor Bradford and preserved in the State House in Boston. 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.