Dueling Monuments at First Encounter Beach

Many of us are familiar with the bronze plaque that stands to the left of the large parking lot at First Encounter Beach. Interestingly, there is another plaque at First Encounter that is a bit harder to find and tells a slightly different story. Check out this Cape Cod Times video, featuring Eastham historian Bob Carlson, who takes us through the history of the 'dueling' monuments, and the history of the events of Dec 8th, 1620.

Several Mayflower Passengers Buried in Eastham

At Thanksgiving time it's easy to think about the first Thanksgiving and the hardships that the first Pilgrims had to endure to start life anew in New England. The folks who came over on the Mayflower had no infrastructure (roads, bridges, plumbing, etc) to rely on.

It's also interesting to note that Eastham is likely the final resting place for 3 of the original Mayflower passengers. The Cape Cod Times did a short video at the Cove Burying Ground on Rt 6 in Eastham, discussing the lives of these Pilgrims. Check it out.



The website referenced in the video is http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/. On that website is a chronicle of the Mayflower's exploration of Cape Cod Bay in the late Fall of 1620. Their landing on First Encounter Beach is described ...Here.

Are You A Mayflower Descendant?

Can you trace your lineage back to the Mayflower? Here's a website that has the complete passenger list for the Mayflower for its 1620 trip west to the Americas. This site also has some information on how to trace your descendants. Go Here .... Sail1620.org. Also, this site has a fairly complete listing of Pilgrim Memorials, including a page of Eastham information.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

It's kinda fun to know that a tradition as American as Thanksgiving had it's beginnings at the place I call home. Weather permitting, I'm sure that I'll visit Eastham's First Encounter Beach, where the Pilgrims first 'encountered' the Native Americans, sometime during Thanksgiving weekend. This year we expect to have a house-full for a traditional turkey dinner (and pumpkin pie!).