John Howland Home Site + Kingston Shores Woodland

67 Howlands Ln, Kingston, MA 02364, USA

Pilgrim John Howland Society: (508) 746-9590

https://pilgrimjohnhowlandsociety.org/Rocky_Nook

Owned By: Pilgrim John Howland Society and Town of Kingston

• Directions

John Howland was an early settler in Plymouth Colony. After residing in Plymouth and Duxbury, he acquired 3 acres on today’s Rocky Nook in Kingston and established  a homestead (c. 1639/1640). Cellar holes and remnants of out-buildings are still visible today. The historic property stands on both sides of Howlands Lane.

Immediately adjacent to the east, the 3.5-acre, town-owned, Kingston Shores Woodland offers a short (0.15 mile) trail from the Howland Home Site, through a light forest, to Howlands Spring and Leigh Road. In addition, the Wildlands Trust’s Nook Preserve is immediately adjacent, to the north.

Hunting is not allowed on these properties.

Features

According to the Pilgrim John Howland Society’s website, “the Howland Homestead consisted of all the land north of the stone wall beginning at Fishing Rocks and ending where Sever Creek runs into the Jones River. Most of the stone wall can be seen today. The cellar holes of his house and two out-buildings can be seen on a little hill on the east side of Howland’s Lane, easily distinguished by one large American Ash tree which stands on the top of the hill.”

Four acres of the property were purchased by members of the Pilgrim John Howland Society in 1920. A memorial was placed on site and formally dedicated in 1921. Through the years, the society has led archeology digs on site. Visit this website to learn more.  (Scroll down to Kingston, MA.)

This land is within the region of the Patuxet Wampanoag tribe, who for centuries have inhabited the area around the Jones River now known as Duxbury, Kingston and Plymouth. To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mashpee Wampanoag and the Herring Pond Wampanoag share information on their websites.

Trail Description

A 0.1-mile trail of moderate slope leads up one side of the hill and across the top. It is lined with wood chips. For further exploration, consider the 0.15-mile trail through the Kingston Shores Woodland, immediately adjacent. Lined with rocky outcroppings and trees draped with ivy, it provides a natural corridor within an otherwise-dense residential development. At the bottom of the hill, as the trail approaches Leigh Road, look for a sign marking Howlands Spring. A small footbridge spans the stream.

Habitats and Wildlife

This hilltop property features a grassy area, along with cedar, cherry, maple, and oak trees, and a large ash tree. It is located within the watershed of the Jones River.

Kingston Shores Woodland features maple, pine, cedar, birch, and oak trees, and plenty of greenbriar, along with some wetlands bordering Howland Spring.

The Jones River finds it source at Silver Lake, and extends for 7.5 miles through the town of Kingston. We encourage you to follow and support the Jones River Watershed Association.