Treenail from the Sparrow Hawk
Wooden treenail, circa 1627
Wood
DRHS Collection, 2005.086.001
A treenail taken from the wreck of the Sparrow Hawk. In 1626, the Sparrow Hawk brought 25 passengers and their possessions from Europe to America. Bound for Virginia, they landed in distress on Cape Cod after the hardships of a stormy voyage of 6 weeks. The Sparrow Hawk, of about 36 tons and 40 feet in length, was typical of 17th century vessels. In 1862, the wreck was uncovered in Orleans, Massachusetts after a great storm. The remains of the vessel at Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth are the only surviving remains of a 17th century vessel.
Learn More about the Sparrow Hawk on the website of Pilgrim Hall Museum.
Digging Duxbury
The quest for archaeological evidence of the Pilgrim past began with an 1833 dig, one of the earliest in U.S. history.
Coming to a Pilgrim Town
Coming to a Pilgrim Town
Duxbury’s Pilgrim history, combined with the town’s natural beauty, initiated a tourist boom.
Collecting in a Pilgrim Town
Collecting in a Pilgrim Town
The tourism boom brought another enterprise, the creation and sale of Pilgrim-themed souvenirs.
Lasting Legacy
Duxbury's Lasting Legacy
Duxbury never forgot its Pilgrim origins. How could it? The names continue to generate interest today.
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