Historic Nantucket
NANTUCKET TOWN From an original lithograph by Ruth Haviland Sutton.
JANUARY, 1954
Published Quarterly by
NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Factual Information
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Editorial
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Keziah Coffin Fanning (Picture)
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Keziah Coffin Fanning's Diary
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National Trust for Historic Preservation
12
Whaling Museum Fire Hazard
13
The Winter Gam
14
House of Correction to be Razed
15
History Making Events
16
Membership Report
21
Legacies and Bequests
30
Officers and Committees
31
HISTORIC NANTUCKET Published quarterly and devoted to the -preservation Nantucket's antiquity, its famed heritage and its illustrious past as a whaling port. VOLUME 1
-JANUARY 1954
of
No. 3
Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent free to all members of the Association. Membership dues are — Annual-Active $2.00: Sustaining $10.00. Life—one payment $50.00. Entered as Second Class Matter, July, 1953 at the Postoffice Nantucket, Massachusetts, under Act of August 24, 1912. Copyright 1954 Nantucket Historical Association. Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts.
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EDITORIAL Comparatively few people who visit Nantucket are acquainted with the Historical Association, its history, accomplishments, objectives, and potential for the future. There are far too many year-round and summer residents who fall into the same category. The Association is pledged to the collection and preservation of books, papers and other articles which may tend to illustrate and perpetuate the history of Nantucket, its inhabitants and their customs; the acquisition and maintenance of museums, historic buildings, and other property. More important, it is a forward looking, thinking and planning organization for it realizes that the relics of the past properly preserved and presented to the world at large represent the greatest asset for promoting and maintaining the prosperity of Nantucket Island. But its responsibility is more than local, it is national, for it is a link in the chain of Historical Associations throughout the United States, and an important link, for Nantucket whaling mas ters made Maritime History which profoundly affected the develop ment of our country. Historical Associations carry a grave and great responsibility today in the part they should and must play in the free world's battle for life. This responsibility shared with edu cation cannot better be described than by quoting The American Association for State and Local History which says: One of our great needs today is the creation of a strong spirit of loyalty to our American ideals and democratic traditions. America is today the major world custodian for the tolerance, liberty and justice, free government and spirit of international cooperation which are the fundamentals of our own democracy and a free, democratic world order. In maintaining and perfecting our own institutions, we must rely heavily upon our history to provide a basic understanding of the un derlying principles and the forces which have shaped our American way of life. From this understanding will flow an appreciation of its advantage over any alien ideology. Such loyalty and understanding cannot be developed from abstract approaches to history. It should begin at home. It should be founded upon knowledge and understanding of community life and local history. Local History is Living History. It is understandable because it is close to the people. Patriotic citizenship can be built best upon know ing and appreciating local government, local history of institutions, local connections with the broad story of the development of American civilization. All our national institutions and ideals are rooted in the history of our localities. Local background based on local history is a sound foundation for understanding and appreciation of how America became what it is today.
EDITORIAL
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Never was the need for such loyalty to our ideals and institutions so great as today. In meeting the need and solving the problem of acquaint ing the mass of the people with the virtues of our heritage, LOCAL HISTORY IS FIRST OF ALL.
So our Association may unfailingly do its part locally and nationally its membership must be increased and broadened. Knowl edge of the privileges of membership and the objectives of the Association will result in affiliation of many, and financial support will be obtained for its work even from many who do not become members. Members find satisfaction and inspiration from their member ship in many ways such as: 1. Preserving Nantucket's antiquity, its rare buildings, streets and lanes, its famed heritage and its illustrious past as a whaling port, for their historical, educational and inspirational values, both for local and national benefit. 2.
Free admission to the buildings maintained: Quaker Meeting House Oldest House Fair Street Museum Old Mill Whaling Museum Old Jail 1800 House
3. Receiving free the Association's quarterly magazine "Historic Nantucket" which presents articles of historical and antiquarian interest. 4. Participating through the Association's membership in the National Trust for Historic Preservation and The American Association for State and Local History in the growing national movement for the preservation of historic sites, relics and the history of localities, the foundations of our democracy, and for the creation of a strong spirit of loyalty to our American ideals and traditions. The active help of every member is needed in carrying out the objectives of the Association particularly in securing new members. If every member will secure at least one new member before June 1st, 1954, the 60th Anniversary campaign goal of 1,000 members will not only be reached but exceeded.
KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING Born Jan. 5, 1759. Wife of Phineas Fanning. Daughter of John Coffin and Keziah (Folger). Keziah, the mother, was known to be a Tory and a very strong minded woman, who was depicted as Miriam in the book entitled "Miriam Coffin" written by Col. Joseph C. Hart.
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Keziah Coffin Fanning's Diary By NANCY S. ADAMS
(Continued)
(1775)
May 23rd—Cloudy and unpleasant wind & small S. W. Wind got N. E. by noon, broken clouds sometimes sunshine then cloudy again. A little vessel came in before night with one hundred Provincial Soldiers or upwards. It is said that they have come after a quantity of flour that one Rogers landed here some time ago. They pretend that they have heard that General Gage intended sending for it. They marched off the wharf with drums beating, fifes playing and colours flying. They have quartered in the stores. God save George the King! May 24th—"them rebel low lived fellows have been exercising by the mill to-day—Drumming and fifeing!" May 25th—"A party of these rebellous fellows have been by here fifing & drumming middle of afternoon to Jonathan Edwards & brought away 2 whale boats—they threaten the Doctor to carry him off to Congress unless he will resign his Commission which he refuses to do." May 27th—Obed Bunker Arr'd 260 bbls. John Chadwock with 250 bbls. Josiah Coffin with 50 or 60 bbls. Provincials went away to-day took 50 odd whale boats, "don't know what for." Nat Woodberry went in the brig with 12 swivel guns to convey them to Bass River. May 28th—Dr. Tupper went to Kennebeck to-day in his vessel the old Baltimore. June 9th—Dadda gone to Tuckernuck to wash sheep. June 10th—Dadda gone to Quaise to wash sheep. June 12th—John Barnard in whaling 150 bbls. Father went to Tuckernuck shearing. June 13-16-17—Shearing at Quaise; East end; West end. June 18th—Rose Starbuck (Matthews wife) died. Seth Jenkins wife had a daughter. June 27th—William Swain & William Coffin left for Saratoga with their families. Tristram Pinkham arr'd from whaling. John Cumstock & Elijah Hatch went with him. Elijah died April of fever "he served his time with my Father, was free last year.
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
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July 8th—John Worth (married John Swain's daughter) left for Saratoga. Chas. Starbuck arr'd from Providence, been there with a load of oil. Zeb. Coffin arr'd today from Philadelphia where he has been after a load of flour. The Congress would not suffer him to bring any declaring that we were Tories at Nantucket. 0 Ye what name shall I call you by that is bad Enough. I hope ere long that right and justice will take place and that you as well as many others will be brought to punishment for involving this once happy country in war and bloodshed. James Bowdoin of Boston, wife and niece & Mr. Reed came to island to-day. •
July 26th—"Hannah Waterman, Lucy, P. F. & myself went to Ma jor Coffin's to hear Betsy Calif play on the spinnet. Aug. 7th—Wm. Rotch, I. Barker & G. Folger (last from the Con gress at Falmouth) bound for W. Aug. 11th—Speaks of Col. Ottis in Falmouth to muster Falmouth Company together etc. Aug. 12th—Early this morning the Falmouth company went in boats to the Vineyard to stop Rotch's & Lopuses fleet of whalemen. They have fitted twenty sail of ships, brigs, and other vessels to go to Faulkland Islands whaling. Common fame says they are intending to go to England with their oil. The Falmouth people were satisfied to the contrary of what they had heard. They re turned as they went. Aug. 13th—An alarm was beat in the night. Word came from Wood's Hole that a number of ships were seen just at dusk from Wood's Hole. It was supposed they intended to take stock off the island. The Minute Men and others mustered to guard Falmouth shores, lest they should attempt landing. Expresses dispatched to Sandwich North Shore etc. A continual stir all night. At 5 o'clock this morning the vessels were all in sight from Falmouth and ships and sw—, and other vessels mostly lashed together (being very little wind) they made a very pretty appearance, the people were very much frightened. They (the fleet) passed along without firing or disturbing any one. They had been to Gardner's Island after stock and are bound to Boston. Aug. 27th—Timothy Folger arr'd from W. Indies yesterday, sailed to-day for Newbury to sell his load. R. Meader & Seth Jenkins & Sally Calef' and family sailed for England. Alexander Coffin sl'd for London. Charles Coffins wife' Daniel Starbuck's child (2 weeks old) died.
KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY
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Aug. 30th—"Capt. Ascough in a British Man of War anchored at out Bar this afternoon, one Tender, 2 or 3 prizes with him." Sept. 4th—Capt. Ascough & prizes sailed at noon. Ship convoyed prizes over shoals & then went westward—they are bound to Boston. Joseph Hussey & Roby went off to-day bound for Cam bridge. Sept. 15th—Barney Swain came in to-day from Iceland with 250 bbls. oil the Iceland fleet have all done well, some of them got 300, no one of them less than 100 bbls. The Diseo (Disco) fleet have done small, many of them not a drop. Mrs. Goodale had a daughter born to-day. Sept. 17th—Johnson & James Alley came home to-day with father & mother from Silv. Hussey's; they were here about 2 months ago and engaged shoes to people, they have brought on near 500 pair. Sept. 30th—"Paul Hatch came to (the island) this eve & with him Polly Bourn the Falmouth beauty." October 3rd—Tuesday. Samuel Starbuck came in to-day from Newport and tells that we shall have provisions from the main by first applying to the Falmouth Committee and procuring papers. (Great condecension in their high mightiness). Oct. 6th—Richard Mitchell & Stephen Hussey came to the Island to-day, have been from this town to the General Court to try to get Liberty for us to have necessaries brought here they have obtained something by going as is mentioned the 3rd of this month. Oct. 9th—"A few minutes before 12 o'clock Rand & Phineas Fan ning came to the bar to-night. He sailed 8 o'clock last night from Shelter Island as quick as the quickest passage ever made. They went after provisions. Mr. Fanning petitioned the committee for leave to bring provisions or wood, but they would not suffer him to bring neither. They pretended that they believed Rand was bound to the enemy. They gave them butter & cheese, wood etc., as much as they thought would bring them home and put a Committee to see that they took no more in; but by stealth they took more in than they were allowed. They brought sixty or seventy weight of but ter, as much cheese, one cow (dead), 2 bbls. cider, 3bushels quinces, several bushels of apples, dried cherries, pears, apples, etc. One deer skin. Oct. 12th John Worth came in from Saratoga came on with in tention of going whaling, but the times are so troublesome here
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
that he determines to go home again as soon as possible. Hugh McCoy came home to-day. He was taken at Rhode Island with Stephen Paddock. The man of war that took them is determined to carry Paddock and his vessel to Boston. Paddock was bound to New York with a load of oil, he had no clearance. A number of vessels have been long looked for from Kennebeck with wood & a new brigantine of T. Jenkins. The brig was loaded four weeks ago, and it was feared she was taken, but David Hatch came here to day from Kennebeck and says that people there have taken the Nantucket vessels unbent their sails and will not suffer them to return. When they came to their vessel they got the rabble drunk and then stole away. Jas. Tupper came in with Hatch. Oct. 19th—Mr. Fanning sails for Long Island for provisions stop ping at Falmouth for permit. Col. Tupper goes as far as Falmouth. D. Rand goes in vessel. Oct. 26—"rode to Fulling Mill—one Nichols an old countryman keeps the mills here—he married at the Vineyard lately brought his family on—he lives in Nat Macy's house near the mill.—his wife appears to be an agreeable woman. Nov. 15th—"the Man of War & tenders came this afternoon to Bar & anchore. Just at dusk a little vessel came in thafthe Man of War had taken she lost her anchors—has gone ashore by old George Hussey's house—'tis said she belongs in Boston but some of our sons of Balael say she is one of the men of Wars tender & they are determined to muster & take her, before 10 Mama & I went to Doctor Tupper's to inform him what was the Vogue & request of him to abate if possible the spirit that reigns, he thought nothing could be done to-night but engaged to stir early in the morn." Nov 16th—"The ship at the Bar is c~ by Capt. Ascough a gun ship, one of the tenders parted her cable just at dusk & ran in to the harbor up to the wharf. Thos. Gothrop & Paul Osburn, public Friends came to the Island. Nov. 17th—Combination to capture the tender at the wharf but the Captain was warned. Nov. 19th—Capt. Ascough's wife is on board the ship—one Coffin came ashore for some necessaries for Mrs. A. Mother sent some turnips, cranberries, cherries, eggs, butter, cheese, marmalade, etc.
KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY
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Nov. 20th—William Ectch, the two Friends here & several others went aboard the ship to-day. Nov. 23rd—Johnson the Lynn shoemaker came last night, tells that the Americans have actually taken St. John's in Quebec but there remains a great doubt with me whether it is true since the Americans so frequently raise false reports in favor of them selves. Congress thanksgiving to-day. Nov. 24th—The ship and all her belongings sailed to-day at noonupwards of 40 vessels have gone out of the harbour to-day. A. Briggs is gone to New York in my father's sloop Defiance. C. Cole man gone whaling—Sampson with him. One Clark brought a load of flour here to-day when the country would not permit it. "George Smith went out to-day in a whale brigg." Nov. 27th—Benjamin Barnard went out yesterday for Philadelphia after a load of flour. Jonathan Barnard (Abishai's son) two others or three, went out on the bolt splint to do something to the vessell they all fell overboard all were saved but Jonathan, he sunk to the bottom like a log and ris no more, they were off the end of Great Point, he married David Joy's daughter—has left 2 children, he was a very tall lusty man. Dec. 1st—P. F. arrived with a load of provisions "after going through everything but death." Dec. 16th—Several of the vessels that came in to-day say that all the vessels are to be stopped again, because we supplied Capt. Ascough with little necessaries. He sent more flour ashore than an equivalent he received in other things. A vessel came in to-day. The Captain says he came from L. Island. He came up this afternoon to see Mr. Fanning about his cargo. (Tobacco and split hoop poles) Mr. F. is very suspicious that he is a spy from the Britains. He in quired of him about several of the principal men on L. Island but he knew them not. Says he is not a L. Island man, but that he came now from there. P. F. and Gray high on politics. Dec. 19th—Stephen Paddock came in to-day from Boston. He set out 3 or 4 months ago to New York with a load of oil, was taken off Rhode Island & carried to Boston & detained there for nothing, (as he says) his vessel & cargo were given up to him but he could not obtain a pass till this week, he says tis impossible to conceive the distress of the Soldiers & Inhabitants. Wood 5 lbs sterling a cord, they are obliged to alowance their Soldiers not giving them half a meal—so many of their transports
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have been taken that the provision is not there—the small Pox is very thick but very favorable. Dec. 20—"My Mamma is 52 yrs. old to-day." Dec. 29th—Thomas Jenkins came in from Philadelphia loaded with flour and Tim Coffin from New York with a load. Eight Provincials came on at dusk and went to Pease's where Dr. Gelston was sitting. One of them clapped him on the shoulder and told him he was their prisoner. Joseph Dimick was the head of the party from Falmouth. They have thretened the Doctor some time. He being called a Tory and letting his principles be known very freely. He has sworn he would not be taken by them and kept pistols loaded by his bed for some time past; but they took him by surprise. One of the party went on first (Pease's being a tavern) saying he had just come to the Island; he went out again and informed his companions. They went with him to his house to get his clothes, but would not suffer him to speak to his wife alone nor to tarry all night. 0! how I loath and detest such creatures! It is Liberty which they pretend they are fighting for yet don't allow others liberty to think as they please, unless they should think just as they do. Dec. 30th—"the 8 men with Doctor Gelston went off this morn in a whale boat (they came in a boat) "tis said the Doctor is to be carried to Congress. To be continued
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National Trust for Historical Preservation By W. RIPLEY NELSON
The preservation, restoration, and reconstruction of historic houses, public buildings, sites and entire towns has become a na tionwide movement. It was slightly over one hundred years ago that this movement first took root. In 1850 Washington's head quarters in Newburgh, New York, was acquired by the State for preservation. A few years later Mount Vernon was purchased by the Ladies' Association founded for that purpose. Since the turn of the century growth of the movement, which to that date had been slow, has steadily accelerated. The work of preservation and restoration being carried out by all sorts of agencies, for the most part local and uncoordinated, the need for some central body to provide national leadership became increas ingly apparent. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, organized by a group of national leaders and chartered by Act of Congress on October 26, 1949, as an educational and non-profit organization, is now filling that need. Like the American Red Cross, the National Trust is not part of the Federal Government but rather a private non-governmental body, chartered by Congress and responsible to it but deriving its funds from public contributions and mem berships. It is the only non-governmental, national organization safeguarding America's heritage of sites, buildings, and objects significant in our history and culture. It is a clearing house for information and techniques in the field of preservation. It assists preservation projects through correspondence, consultation, issu ance of a quarterly publication and annual meetings. It seeks to save significant sites and buildings. It does not seek to save every ancient structure but encourages thoughtful consideration and evaluation as to the historic worth and a practical solution within the community. It is empowered to receive donations of sites and buildings and to administer them for public benefit but believing that solutions should be found through co operation with other agencies, this power has been evoked but once to date. The Nantucket Historical Association announces with pleas ure to its members that it has been accepted for active membership in the National Trust which already has a membership of more than 10,000 persons and 125 active societies and corporations.
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Whaling Museum Fire Hazard By EVERETT U. CROSBY
The great catastrophe for Nantucket was the conflagration of 1846 which destroyed thirty-two acres of buildings. Another conflagration destroying the remaining old buildings would largely ruin Nantucket. There is another occurrence which also would be a catastrophe —fire in our Whaling Museum—because it would destroy a countryfamous collection and the old Candle-House which houses it, namely the Whaling Museum. Here are great numbers of irreplaceable rarities such as the largest whale jaw we know of. The last whale oil press. Hundreds of whale ship log books including that of ship Topaz recording the discovery on Pitcairn Island of the survivors of the Bounty and the log of the ship Chelsea, source of the famous story "Nimrod of the Sea". It is all, including the building, very burnable and a fire once underway would likely be impossible to stop short of total destruction. This danger has been talked about for some time. There is one way of virtually eliminating the possibility of such an occurrence. It is by equipping the premises throughout with an automatic sprinkler system fed by the Town water supply and on a so-called dry system so that the premises, which are not heated during the cold winter months, would continue under complete automatic pro tection. Only one sprinkler or perhaps a few would be opened by a fire in its incipient stages when the water would be discharged only at the location of the fire. The automatic operation of the system would sound an electric alarm in the nearby fire station and on the outside of the building. The Finance Committee has obtained figures for the cost of such an installation and for essential east wall structural work to be done at the same time. Both operations should not exceed $9,000. The Council recognizing the urgency of the situation has au thorized the Chairman of the Council and the Finance Committee to solicit funds for the work. They are now actively endeavoring by personal solicitation to secure the necessary funds or a major part thereof from members and friends of the Association whom it is felt will sense the importance of taking this measure and its urgency and who would be capable financially to render this great service.
WHALING MUSEUM FIRE HAZARD
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The question has been raised naturally: "What is the range for giving?" Each person has to answer that question for himself but it is pointed out that 18 gifts of $500 would provide the neces sary funds much more readily than if 90 gifts of $100 each have to be secured. The Finance Committee reports substantial progress in obtaining funds and while no general direct appeal is contem plated at this time, contributions in any amount from members will be gratefully received. One cannot emphasize too strongly that the collection of whaling implements, paintings, the library, collection of old whaling ship logbooks, scrimshaw, ship models and other exhibits housed in the Whaling Museum are not only irreplaceable but are said to be unequalled as a collection. It therefore is not a question of insurance but one of protection from fire and weather. The necessity for raising the necessary funds is indisputable and it seems to be not only a privilege but an obligation to insure this installation at the earliest possible date.
The Winter "Gam" Plans for this looked - forward - to - gala - event are said to be shaping up so that it may surely take place during the first quarter of the new year. President Nancy S. Adams promises an an nouncement at an early date which will be sent to all members. It is always a treat to participate in a "gam" and hear stories of old Nantucket told by those who really know them and how to tell them so a large gathering is expected. For the benefit of the unfortunates who can not attend, the next issue of Historic Nan tucket, published in April, will feature the "gam".
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House of Correction to be Razed B y BURNHAM N. DELL
i The future of the House of Correction was brought up at the Association's 1953 Annual Meeting and suggestions for both re tention and destruction were discussed. The matter was referred to the Council for final decision.
A Committee of the Council, after an exhaustive survey, re ported that the building should be razed, and the ground on which it stands, cleared and leveled. The reasons given were that the building has never been offered as an exhibit of the Association: it is in ruinous condition; it is a distinct fire hazard to the Old Jail and surrounding buildings; and its restoration would involve pro hibitive cost. The Committee emphasized that the House of Correction is a building of a later type than the Old Jail, with no distinctive struc tural features. The building, erected about 1826 at Quaise, was moved to its present site about 1854. It was given with the Jail to the Association by vote of the town in 1946 without limitation as to use or preservation. It is altogether subordinate to the Old Jail in architectural interest and as an example of early penal in stitutions, and would therefore be of minor interest to the public. Concurring with these recommendations the Council, at the October 20th meeting, voted to raze the structure. It was the unani mous opinion that this is the only practical solution to the problem which the House of Correction has presented since its acquisition. A contract is to be entered into with a local contractor so that the building will be razed, the ground cleared and leveled by next spring. The work will be completed at no cost to the Association, the contractor being awarded all the material in the structure. The removal of the building will provide a better view of the external features of the Old Jail, and eliminate a serious fire hazard to one of Nantucket's most treasured bequests from tke past.
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History Making Events This issue marks the end of the calendar year and the be ginning of another, an appropriate time to feature the subject, of membership in the Association. The editorial treats with the. importance of a large and active membership and the last article is a report on the membership. Thoughtful attention to both may well develop constructive ideas to promote steady and healthy growth. Mrs. Catherine Ray Eger has served as Secretary of the Association for many years and when she presented her resignation to a meeting of the Council held November 17th, 1953, it was received and accepted with genuine feelings of regret. A resolution of appreciation of her services was unanimously approved reading as follows: Whereas, Mrs. Catherine R. Eger, who has been the Secretary of the Nantucket Historical Association since 1930, has tendered her resignation from that office the members of the Council of that organization wish to express appreciation of her long and faithful service. This year the Association celebrates its sixtieth birthday, and for more than a third of that time Mrs. Eger has been its Secretary. This is the longest term that any officer has ever served. During her term of office she has seen great growth, both in the plant and in the scope of the work of the Association, with a corre sponding increase in her own duties. Although she relinquishes her office we trust that her interest in Nantucket and its history will still be active and that the Association will have the benefit of her continued counsel and advice, valuable on account of the experience gained through her many years of service.
As further evidence of appreciation the Council made Mrs. Eger a Life Member of the Association. At a meeting of the Council held December 15, 1953, the chair man presented a letter from Bassett Jones which read as follows: The Council Nantucket Historical Association Please accept my resignation as a Vice-President hence as member of your Council. Since my presence on Nantucket Island will be periodic for short stays, it will be best if some one more active in the affairs of the Association take my place. Respectfully but with best wishes Bassett Jones.
Mr. Jones became a Councillor in 1931 and upon completing his term was elected a Vice-President in 1935. As an Officer and
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Councillor he has served unselfishly and faithfully in directing the affairs of the Association, and he has given material assistance in many other ways towards the management and growth of the Association. The Council, while accepting with regret Mr. Jones' resignation, feels assured that through his Life Membership in the Association his friendship and interest will never be lessened. At the same meeting of the Council, W. Ripley Nelson was elected a Vice-President to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Jones' resignation and to serve for the latter's unexpired term. Mr. Nelson has been serving as a Councillor since 1951. The Council, being very grateful for the work performed and appreciative of the number of new members secured by the Mem bership Committee composed of Mrs. Stacy Knopf and Mr. John W. Grout, accepted with regret their resignations when presented to the meeting of the Council held October 20th. The President, Mrs, Nancy S. Adams, thereupon was designated to carry on the work of the committee and was authorized to extend the work and to choose needed assistants. To take care of fall visitors and two week-end special groups of visitors the announced closing dates for our various buildings were extended, the Old Jail to September 12th, 1800 House to September 27th, and the Quaker Meeting House and Fair Street Museum to October 4th. The Old Mill closed October 1st but was reopened October 10th for the Columbus Day holiday weekend. The Oldest House and the Whaling Museum were open to October 14th. The number of appreciative visitors more than justified the extension. The library at the Whaling Museum with its open fire was a popular spot especially during the cool afternoons and gray days. A healthy growth in paid admissions in our various buildings this year is indicated by the following comparison. 1953 1952 Whaling Museum Fair Street Museum Oldest House Old Mill Old Jail 1800 House Total
15,863 3,493 4,895 3,127 2,995 1,654
11,801 2,459 5,122 1,997 807 700
32,027
22,886
HISTORY MAKING EVENTS
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In addition over 1,400 children under 12 years of age were admitted free to the Whaling Museum as were many members who visitedthe various buildings. This certainly is proof that the visiting public is interested in the historical aspect of Nantucket. The members of the Rotary Club of Nantucket, at their reg ular luncheon meeting held October 28th heard a talk by the guest speaker W. Ripley Nelson, who spoke as a member of the Council of the Historical Association and Editor of its publication Historic Nantucket. Reviewing the history of the Association from its start in 1894 he drew a clear picture of the magnitude of the task performed as compared with the limited financial assistance ob tained. Emphasizing the importance of the local Historical Asso ciation to Nantucket, he spoke of the tremendous present interest, which continues to grow, in historic sites throughout the United States. From a slow start begun about 100 years ago, the restora tion of historic sites and buildings and the establishment of histor ical societies has expanded rapidly in recent years, there being now more than 127 towns in Massachusetts alone that have Historical Associations. Williamsburg, Virginia, was pointed out as a prime example of a town which was made into an historic site, and through this example it has been found that such restorations bring millions of dollars a year into communities. Sturbridge Vil/age, Deerfield, Mass., and Mystic Seaport were also mentioned as expensive restorations and reconstructions which have become popular and profitable investments. The proposed reconstruction of the Moravian Village in the center of Winston-Salem, N. C., was given also as an example of the lengths to which communities are going to recreate historic exhibits. This restoration at an estimated cost of $2,500,000 will be made from the details of a single litho graph print, the only evidence left of the village as it was. In comparison to these expensive reconstruction projects, the speaker pointed to Nantucket's remarkable assets already in hand; a Town which dates back to the earliest history of this country; a Town with two hundred, three hundred or four hundred buildings, classifiable as to ages, which are nearly the way they were built; the old lanes, cobble stone streets and the Association's seven buildings and museums. The speaker urged the cooperation of the townspeople and local organizations in preserving the historic buildings and sites of this town and in presenting them to the public, but above all to keep Nantucket different from the mainland —as it is. In closing the speaker affirmed the Association's concern
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
- in the future of Nantucket and the part it is willing to play to help < insure Nantucket's prosperity as outlined in the October Historic ..Nantucket editorial. A special course in Nantucket History is being conducted by Leroy True in the Coffin School during this semester. The class recently visited the Whaling Museum which was opened specially ; for this occasion. Custodian Wallace Long answered student in quiries and described feature exhibits such as the try works, lead line, the various types of harpoons and how used and recited anec dotes of the Whaling Industry. Chairman Nelson explained the importance of Nantucket's antiquity and its preservation for the prosperity of the town and the necessity of all students knowing the town's history and historic sites so as to be prepared to assume : the responsibility for their famed heritage of which in due course they would become the custodians. Each student was presented with a copy of the July issue of "Historic Nantucket" and the visit was climaxed by an inspection of the library where several , old whale ship log books proved of special interest. We are glad to cooperate in educational work for the instruction of each succeed: ing age group of students in Nantucket history is an essential part of any plan for maintaining the prosperity of the town. The Nantucket Civic League early in November sponsored a meeting to discuss ways and means for better presentation to summer visitors of accurate and interesting historic information about Nantucket. The four organizations and representatives pres ent were: Nantucket Civic League, Leroy True, Secretary and Treasurer; Town of Nantucket Public Relations Committee, Alex ander M. Craig, Jr., Chairman; Rotary Club, George W. Jones, Special Representative; and Nantucket Historical Association, Mrs. Nancy S. Adams, President. After various ideas had been dis cussed Mrs. Adams agreed to ask the Council of the Nantucket Historical Association to appoint an individual or a committee to develop an overall but simple plan for trial during the coming summer. Upon completion of the plan it is to be submitted to the four organizations through their representatives for consideration as to adoption. The representatives present not only expressed general approval of a cooperative movement but also indicated the extent to which their respective organizations might be looked to for financial aid and other support. At the November 17th meeting of the Council of the Nantucket Historical Association, Mrs. Adams
HISTORY MAKING EVENTS
20
generally reviewed the discussions which took place at the con ference and as a result the Council agreed to cooperate and desig nated Mrs. Adams and W. Ripley Nelson as a committee of two to develop and submit to the four organizations the requested over all plan for presenting Nantucket's Historic sites and events and the story of its buildings, streets, wharfs, etc. A good start has been made in a cooperative movement which has real potentialities as a major factor in developing and assuring Nantucket prosperity. Memories of famous people have been revived by accessions of a beautiful Liverpool pitcher, ordered made by George Washington; a letter written to Lady Hamilton from Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin dated 1799; a pewter shaving mug used on board the John Paul Jones by a Nantucket Captain. Portraits, photographs, books, pa pers and furniture are among other accessions. A debt of gratitude is due Mrs. Florence Bennett Anderson, who has long been asso ciated with the Historical Association, for presenting thirty copies of her book "Through the Hawse Hole" and the last 25 copies of "A Grandfather for Benjamin Franklin". Proceeds from the sales of these books are being added to the treasury. Thus we come to the end of History Making Events for 1953 and the beginning of a new year — one in which the Association will celebrate its 60th birthday. The best of good wishes are ex tended to all members and friends of the Association. Let us all together make this anniversary year a gala one for the Association and through it—for the preservation and prosperity of our home — The Town of Nantucket.
21
MEMBERSHIP REPORT By NANCY S. ADAMS
Since the start of the 60th Anniversary Campaign to raise the membership to 1,000, there have been enrolled 203 new mem bers. Invitations extended to former members to rejoin have re sulted successfully with respect to many. Each member of the Association is urged to participate in this campaign by bringing in at least one new member. An application blank will be found as an insert in this issue. Annual memberships run from June 1st of each year and a membership taken after January 1st is good for the ensuing fiscal year as well as the un expired portion of the current fiscal year. The membership list which follows shows as of December 31st, 1953, 133 life, 26 sustaining, and 611 active members for a total of 770. In reporting the membership list, addresses have been omitted purposely for various reasons. It is important, how ever, that all members keep the Association advised of correct and up-to-date mailing addresses to insure prompt delivery of Historic Nantucket as published and to save money for the Association. Under postal regulations, if a copy cannot be delivered at the address given, it is returned to us for which return postage must be paid.
MEMBERSHIP
LIST
Life Members Adams, Mrs. Nancy S. Amrein, Joseph Anderson, Mrs. Lee Anderson, Lee Andrews, Mrs. James Clinton Andrews, James C. Badger, Paul Bailie, Mrs. William Ballantine, Mrs. John H. Beebe, Miss Alice G. Blackburn, Miss Elizabeth M. Blackshaw, Mrs. Merle Turner Blackshaw, Kenneth Blosser, Gale Blossom, Philip Moss Boyd, Dr. Walter Willard Boynton, Frederick P.
Brink, Folger Bunker, Laurence Eliot Burt, Wellington R. Burt, iMrs. Wellington R. Capp, Seth Bunker Carlisle, Henry Carlisle, G. Lister, Jr. Carter, Mrs. Winthrop L. Clapp, Mrs. George A. Clements, MacMillan Colket, Charles Howard Colket, G. Crawford Colket, Tristram Coffin, 2nd. Colket, Mrs. Tristram Coffin, 2nd. Colket, Tristram Coffin, 3rd. Davis, Mrs. Margaret C. Eger, Mrs. Oscar B.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT Erickson, Arioch Wentworth Erickson, Arioch Wentworth, Jr. Erickson, Mrs. Cecile Macy Erickson, Josiah Macy Ernst, Morris L. Ernst, Mrs. Margaret S. Fisher, Lila C. Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Coffin Folger, Walter Weston Forbes, Mrs. Mary Bowditch Francis, Mrs. Edgar S. Freeman, Mrs. H. Crowell Gardner, Arthur Gardner, Frederick Gardiner, Mrs. H. Marshall Gray, David, Jr. Gray, Mrs. David Greene, Howard Griek, Mrs. Gabrielle Hackenberg, Frederick Higgins, Mrs. William H. Hill, Frederick P. Hill, Murray Gardner Hilts, Erwin R. Hinchman, Miss Margaretta Humphrey, Mrs. Nancy Delia Hutaff, Mrs. Grace Jannotta, Mrs. Stella S. Jenkins, Lawrence W. Johnson, Mrs. Pauline Jones, Bassett Kenney, Miss Lillian Kimball, Charles P. King, Samuel G. Larkin, Mrs. Ruth W. Lederer, Mrs. Richard M. Lyman, Mrs. Harrison F. Lyon, Mrs. Elias J. Lyon, Elias J. McCleary, Miss Helen C. Macy, Arthur W. Macy, Nelson Mason, Miss Edith S. Melhado, Mrs. Allan Melhado, Allan Miller, Mrs. Wendell Miller, Wendell Mussett, Miss Frances Nye, Mrs. Kyle O'Gorman, Ella Foy
Oliver-, Norris S. Otis, Charles Parks, Basil Manly Parks, Lt. Gen. Floyd L. Parks, Mrs. F. L. Parks, Floyd L., Jr. Parks, Miss Edwyna Anne Parks, William Robinson Prwley, Eric Pease, Kenneth N. Praeger, Mrs. Caroline Rakestraw, Mrs. Edward Rawlings, Dr. A. L. Rawlings, Mrs. A. L. Riddell, H. E. Rooney, Mrs. L. Francis Roys, Miss Margaret Runk, B. F. Dewees Sand, Henry A. L. Sanderson, Edward F. Sayle, Charles F. Sayle, Mrs. Charles F. Seeler, Edgar V,. Jr. Seeler, Mrs. Edgar V., Jr. Sharp, B. Karl Sibley, Clarence L. Stackpole, Edouard A. Stackpole, Mrs. Edouard A. Stanford, Alfred B. Stig, Carl Swain, Clayton E. Swain, Charles Swain, Robert Edward Swain, Frank King Symonds, Warren L. Tripp, William H. Tucker, Albert M. Verney, Gilbert Verney, Mrs. Gilbert Wallace, Mrs. William Warland, Mrs. Henry G. Webster, Mrs. Fred H. Whitehouse, Mrs. Mary A. Wilson, Miss Anne Wyman, Theodore C. Yaeger, Clem L. Wilner, J. Alfred Winslow, Miss Helen Worth, Miss Sarah Macy
23
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
ing Members Armstrong, M. M. Asher, Mrs. C. A. Batchelder, Charles F., Jr. Beach, Harold C. Beinecke, Walter Beinecke, Mrs. Walter Collier, Mrs. Robert Crosby, Everett U. Danforth, Mrs. G. H., Jr. Dell, Burnham De Menocal, Daniel A. Folger, J. A. Gardner, Mrs. Mary Tracy
Gardner, Rev. William E. Glowacki, Walter F. Horner, Charles Larsen, Roy E. Long, Hon. Breckinridge Stark, Robert W. Stark, Mrs. Robert W. Stiefel, Walther A. Van Alstyne, Fred E. Wildman, Mrs. Constance Maud Willets, Mrs. Macy Williams, Mrs. Winthrop Winsor, Miss Mary
Active Members Adshead, Charles W. Adshead, Mrs. Charles W. Ahern, Henry E. Allen, Miss Florence M. Allen, Miss Marian Hallett Allen, Miss Olive Marchant Ambler, Thomas S. Amey, Mrs. Alice P. Anderson, Miss Esther Anderson, Mrs. John Anderson, Mrs. Louis F. Anderson, Harold E. Appleton, Mrs. Royal C. Armstrong, Mrs. Ardell Folger Armstrong, Hal B., Jr. Armstrong, Mrs. Hal B., Jr. Armstrong, Harry A. Ashley, Mrs. J. B. Atwood, Mrs. Harry Austin, Mrs. Charles Warren Bache, Edith M. Bacheller, Mrs. J. S. Backus, Mrs. Alma Backus, Mrs. J. Allen Barber, Howard C. Barber, Mrs. Howard C. Barnes, Cyrus Barnes, Mrs. Cyrus Barney, J. D. Barnitz, M'iss Jennie L. Barr, Mrs. Charles Barrett, Miss Marjorie
Bartlett, Mrs. Arline S. Barton, J. W. Barton, Mrs. J. W. Bass, Mrs. Lawrence W. Beers, William D. Bell, Mrs. Charles K. Benchley, Mrs. Robert Betts, Dr. Edwin W. Betts, Mrs. Edwin W. Bigelow, Mrs. Alberta Bird, Alecks Bissell, Mrs. Arthur Bister, Mrs. A. Bixby, Miss Mildred E. Blackmer, Mrs. E. C. Blackmur, Lt. Col. Paul Blair, Mrs. Robert S. Blair, Mrs. Walter D. Blake, Mrs. Joseph Bornemann, Emile L. Bowes, Miss Effie I. Bowes, Miss Margery K. Boyle, J. R. Bracher, Mrs. Catherine Bradlee, Mrs. Reginald Bradlee, Herbert Gardner Bradt, Schuyler Brenizer, Mrs. A. G. Briard, William Briard, Mrs. William Brock, Albert G., 2nd Brock, Mrs. Albert G., 2nd
MEMBERSHIP REPORT Brock, William C. Britton, Miss Elizabeth Brooks, Miss Mildred Brooks, M'rs. Nelson M. Brown, James Wright Brown, Mrs. Victor Bryant, Miss Catherine Bunker, Clarence Alfred Bunker, Mary Hawthorne Bunker, Theodore Bunker, Malcolm Burgess, Miss Mildred G. Burtenshaw, Mrs. James H. Butler, Mrs. Mabel Ricker Caldwell, Robert C. Cammann, Oswald Campbell, Mrs. Olive Dame Carpenter, Miss Rachel Carroll, Mrs. Cecilia G. Carter, Mrs. Evelyn B. Cartwright, Archibald Cartwright, Mrs. Archibald Caruthers, Mrs. Elma Cassaday, Dr. Paul B. Cassebaum, Mrs. William H. Caton, Mrs. Casmiro Chace, Mrs. Ellen D. Chadwick, Mrs. James F. Chadwick, Alcon Chambliss, Mrs. A. S. Chapel, Mi's. James Everett Chase, Benson Chase, Miss Charlotte B. Chase, Mrs. Fred L., Jr. Chase, Howard U. Chase, Miss Irene E. Chase, Miss Nancy Chatfield, H. G. Chatfield, Mrs. H. G. Christian, Mrs. George P. Clark, Miss Ethel C. Clark, Robert W. Cochran, Dr. Joseph Cochran, Mrs. Joseph Coffin, Miss Almira B. Coffin, Mrs. Charles Clark Coffin, Charles H. Coffin, Edward G. Coffin, Foster M. Coffin, H. A.
Coffin, Miss Ida L. E. Coffin, Mrs. Kenneth Coffin, Mrs. Sydney E. Coffin, Miss Valina M. Coghill, Mrs. Virginia L. Colcock, Dr. Bentley P. Colcock, Mrs. Bentley P. Coleman, Henry B. Collins, Mrs. Louise W. Collins, Dr. Wylie L. Colt, Mrs. Jeanne N. Confalone, John A. Congdon, Mrs. Charles E. Congdon, Frank E. Congdon, M'iss Josephine Congdon, Robert D. Congdon, Mrs. Robert D. Connor, Mrs. Lawrence Connor, Lawrence Conrad, Mrs. H. Murray Conrad, H. Murray Cooch, Richard L. Cooch, Mrs. Richard L. Cook, Mrs. Rufus H. Coppinger, Joseph P. Cosby, Mrs. Spencer Cosby, Col. Spencer Covello, Mrs. Frank Cowden, Mrs. Susan T. Craig, Alexander M., Jr. Craig, Mrs. Alexander M., Jr. Craig, Miss Clarissa B. Craig, Donald Craig, Mrs. Donald Crichton, Miss Kate Crichton, Mrs. Powell Crocker, Miss Alice Crocker, Mrs. Susan F. Crosby, Arthur U. Crosby, Mrs. Arthur U. Crosby, Mrs. Everett U. Cunningham, George C. Cunningham, Mrs. George C. Cunningham, K. M. Curtis, Grenville Dame, Lawrence Darby, Miss Frances Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Charles G. Deale, Rev. Alan G.
25
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
Deeley, Mrs. Robert Defriez, Mrs. Thaddeus Dennis, James Dennison, Mrs. C. M. Denton, Mrs. E. W. Dickie, Robert B. Ditmars, Mrs. Mary Coffin Donnell, Mrs. Clara G. Dorsett, E. Lee, M. D. Drake, Mrs. Pearl D. Drake, Thomas E. Dwight, Miss Margarethe L. Dyer, Mrs. George L. Dyer, Lewis A. Eaton, A. Keith Eaton, Mrs. A. Keith Eckhart, Miss Elinor R. Eckert, Miss Bertha Edgarton, Lewis S. Edgarton, Mrs. Lewis S. Eger, Oscar B. Elder, Robert D. Elder, Mrs. Robert D. Ellinger, Edgar Ellinger, Mrs. Edgar Emmons, Charles C. Ernst, Charles A., Jr. Ernst, Mrs. Charles A., Jr. Everett, Miss Lydia Coffin Farnsworth, Mrs. E. E. Fay, Sidney B. Figures, Mrs. Norman Gayle Findley, Paul B. Flanagan, Charles P. Flanagan, Mrs. Charles P. Flood, Mrs. D. B. Flood, D. B. Folger, Gordon Folger, Mrs. Gordon Folger Herbert Warren Folger, Montaigue F. Folger, Oliver H. Folger, Miss Theresa Gordon Fordyce, Mrs. Wesley A. Forman, Rev. Charles C. Foster, Mrs. Henry C. Foye, Mrs. Bernice Winslow Franck, Miss Patricia Frazier, Robert H. Freeman, Joseph S., M. D.
Freeman, Miss Peggy Fuller, Mrs. Fred V. Fulton, Miss Elizabeth Gale, Mrs. Frank H. Gardiner, Raynor M. Gardiner, Mrs. Raynor M. Gardner, B. H. Gardner, Mrs. George E. Gardner, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, Mrs. John J. Gessell, William H. Gibbs, Stephen S. Gibson, Miss Carol Giffin, Norman Gilford, Donald S. Giles, Leonard W. Gill, George M. L. Gill, Philip Lee Gill, Mrs. Philip Lee Gill, Mrs. George L. Glass, Mrs. Edgar T. Glidden, Mrs. Eleanor D. Gouin, Rear Admiral M. E. A. Gouin, Miss Gwendolyn Gouin, Mrs. Mary L. Gorman, Harrison Gordon, Mrs. Harry Graves, Mrs. Lloyd 0. Gray, Richard V. Gray, Mrs. Richard V. Greene, David J. Greene, Norman Jay Greene, Mrs. D. J. Grout, John W. Grout, Mrs. John W. Guba, Emil F. Guibord, Mrs. E. Melissa Gumbusch, Miss Anne Bon Hailes, Mrs. Charlotte Halbach, Mrs. E. K. Hall, Mrs. Charles Halsey, Mrs. J. G. Ham, Mrs. Adeline P. Hanner, Mrs. James Z. Hardy, John L. Haroutian, Dr. L. M. Harris, Arthur M. Harris, Edward M., Jr. Harris, Mrs. Edward M., Jr. Harris, Mrs. Julian H.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT Harris, Lester S. Harrison, Mrs. Agnes W. Harriss, Richard T. Harriss, Mrs. Richard T. Harshe, Mrs. William Hart, Miss Nan Harwood, Mrs. Douglas Harwood, Miss Margaret Hayden, Mrs. Arthur C. Hayden, Arthur C. Hazeltine, Frank A. Hathaway, O. S. Healey, Mrs. Isabel H. Heard, Mrs. Reginald E. Hedges, Miss Lila C. Hefferman, Miss Virginia Heins, Mrs. W. H. Hellawell, Mrs. Charlotte Hennessey, F. W. Henry, Lewis C. Herbhold, Miss Nathalie S. Heywood, Philip B. Heywood, Mrs. Philip B. Hill, Miss Marion E. Hill, Mrs. Reba Hinchman, Mrs. Julia Hinchman, Richard M. Hinchman, Mrs. Richard M. Hinchman, Walter S. Hoffmeier, Miss Helen Holden, Mrs. Harry H. Hornung, Mrs. Robert M. Horton, Miss Dorothy S. Hough, Henry B. Houghton, F. X. Howard, Miss Mabel L. Hoyle, Alexander E. Hubbard, Thomas F. Hubbard, Mrs. Thomas Foy Hugg, Mrs. Harold J. Hummel, Miss Jeanne Hunter, C. C. Hurst, Carl E. Hussey, Miss Florence Hussey, Peter M. Hussey, Mrs. Peter M. Hussey, Mrs. R. F. Hunnefield, Mrs. W. F. Hunnefield, W. F. Indio, Joseph
Indio, Mrs. Joseph Jaching, Mr. Jaching, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. G. F. R. Jaeckle, Mrs. Vera Jelleme, Mrs. John R. Jelleme, Lewis B. Jelleme, Mrs. Lewis B. Jernegan, Miss Elsie Jellis, Mrs. Arthur Johnson, Rev. Bradford Jones, George W. Jones, Mrs. George W. Jones, Mrs. Jean G. Kelley, Mrs. Eliza M. Kenyon, Joseph A. Kenyon, Mrs. Joseph A. Kidde, Miss Elsa A. King, Clarence King, Mrs. Clarence King, Mrs. Joseph King, Mrs. Marriott F. Klingelfuss, Mrs. Paul F. Klingelfuss, Paul F. Knopf, Mrs. Stacy Kolle, John L. Kolle, Mrs. John L. Lake, George M. Larkin, Harry H. Larkin, Harry H., Jr. Lampee, Charles I. Lapham, Mrs. John H. Lathrop, Churchill P. Lee, Maurice duPont Legg, Mrs. Seddon W. Lemair, Alan L. Lemair, Mrs. Alan L. Lewis, Dr. Frank E. Lewis, Mrs. Frank E. Litchfield, Norman P. Littler, Mrs. Cunningham Locke, John G. Loepsinger, Albert J. Lord, Miss Harriet Loring, Mrs. Marcia G. Lowrie, John A. Lyman, Mrs. John Root McKnight, Miss Leila McConnell, Burt M. McConnell, Mrs. Burt M.
27
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
MeGrath, T. J. McHale, Thomas McHale, Mrs. Thomas McClare, Miss Charlotte McCormack-Goodhart, L. McKean, Capt. John McArthur, O. MaeKie, Mrs. Arthur H. Macy, Rev. Clinton T. Macy, John Milton Macy, Madeleine W. Magaw, Judge Donald J. Maglathlin, Fred B. Maglathlin, Mrs. Fred B. Maloney, Paul R. Manley, J. Alden Martin, Shelton E. Marshall, Mrs. A. E. Marshall, Mrs. Carl B. Mather, William L. Mather, Mrs. William L. May, Miss Edna F. Menges, Miss Elizabeth Menges, Dr. Ernest H. Mensh, Miss Frances Merchant, Dr. Marcius Meyer, Mrs. Edith Wells Michetti, Oscar M'illiken, Mrs. Mary Chase Mills, Mrs. Buell P. Mills, Mrs. Edward Mitchell, Florence E. Mitchell, Josephine L. Mitchell, Leeds Mitchell, Richard Moller, Mrs. H. E. Monaghan, Miss Hanna D. Moore, Cyril Howard Morris, James Henry Morrissey, J. Frank Morse, Elizabeth Anne Morse, Horace H. Morrissey, Mrs. J. Frank Morse, Carleton D. Morse, Mrs. Carleton D. Moser, Theodore P. Moser, Mrs. Theodore P. Muller, Miss Phoebe Ann Davies Nelson, W. Ripley Nelson, Mrs. W. Ripley
Nemeth, Mrs. Deborah S., Jr. Nenadovich, Lubitsa Nevius, Mrs. Carter Newburger, Morris Nickerson, Mrs. Caroline Nicholson, Miss Helen Norris, M'rs. H. W. Oehler, Mrs. J. C. Ogden, Dr. Neida G. Ogden, Mrs. Herbert S. Osborne, Arthur D. Osborne, Mrs. Arthur D. Page, Mrs. Frances Pancoast, Mrs. Charles R. Parker, James Reid Parker, Mrs. James Reid Pease, Mrs. Laura Peel, Nicholas Peel, Mrs. Nicholas Perry, Mrs. Edward H. Petrie, John E. Phetteplace, Mrs. Leon C. Pollak, W. G. Pollak, Mrs. W. G. Porte, Lincoln Porter, Col. Charles P. Porter, Richard J. Porter, Mrs. Richard J. Post, Mrs. Martie J. Potter, Mrs. Lucius Prentice, Miss Margaret Price, Mrs. J. M. Prime, Mrs. Alfred C. Putney, Mrs. Edmonds Ralston, Mrs. John G. Ramsdell, Miss Ellen L. Ramsdell, Frank W. Rankin, Miss Florence J. Rawson, Miss Dorothy Rawson, Miss Marion Ray, Earl S. Rhoads, Miss Suzanne Richmond, Mrs. George D. Ridgway, Philip S. Ridgeway, P. S. Risley, Mrs. E. C. Rixford, Mrs. F. A. Robinson, Miss Celeste M. Robinson, Mrs. William E. Rogers, Mrs. A. Stewart
MEMBERSHIP REPORT Rogers, Mr. A. Stewart Romaine, Mr. Lawrence B. Root, Mrs. Charles A., Jr. Roy, Stanley Royal, Walter J. Rule, Mrs. George C. Russell, Gardner W. Russell, Miss Lucia Rutter, J. W. Sanders, Miss Deborah M. Sanders, Lawrence W., Jr. Sanders, Mrs. Lawrence W., Jr. Sanderson, George A. Sanford, Mrs. Hugh W. San Francisco Public Library Sandsbury, Miss Edith Sawyer, Ralph Schepp, Miss Florence L. Satler, Mrs. Charles E. Schneider, Mrs. Hazel H. Scholle, Harding Scovel, Mrs. Ralph E. Scovel, Dr. Ralph E. Searle, Miss Olive N. Selleck, Mrs. George A. Shelvey, Cyril Shelvey, Mrs. Cyril Shultz, Herbert L. Shurrocks, Mrs. Alfred F. Smith, Mrs. Alfred E. Smith, Mrs. William L. Snelling, Mrs. Samuel Snow, Charles G. Snow, Mrs. Charles G. Souza, Joseph Soverino, Irving A. Soverino, Mrs. Irving A. Speer, Mrs. J. M. Kirby Squires, Russell Colesworthy Stanley-Brown, Mrs. Rudolph Starbuck Descendents—Mrs. William Brown, Secretary Starbuck, Miss Isabel F. Starbuck, Dr. Joseph Clinton State Historical Society of Winconsin Stephen, Geoffrey Stevens, William Edwin Stevens, Miss Cora Stevenson, Mrs. George L. Stratton, Mrs. Frank L.
Streets, Miss Mary Strieby, Mrs. Irene Macy Strong, Mrs. Austin Sutton, Miss Ruth H. Swain, Mrs. David W. Swain, Matthews Sykes, Mrs. Rosamond Sylvia, Antone S. Sylvia, Frank F. Symes, Mrs. Mary Margaret Taber, Mrs. G. H. Taylor, Alfred Taylor, Mrs. Alfred Taylor, Frank C. Taylor, G. Elmore Thurston, Mrs. Lillian A. Terwilliger, Mrs. Charles 0., Jr. Terwilliger, Charles 0., Jr. Thomas, Elliot Thomas, Mrs. Catherine Thommeret, Miss Francine Thornton, Miss Dorothy Todd, Mitchell Todd, Mrs. Mitchell Torr, Miss Florence Torr, M'iss Mercedes Torjesen, Mrs. Elizabeth F. Tracy, Mrs. Joyce W. True, Leroy H. True, Mrs. Leroy H. Tupper, Mrs. Harmon Turner, Mrs. Harry P Turner, Gordon Baker Urann, Mrs. Carl B. Van Wyck, Edmund Varin, Charles T. Varney, Mrs. Theodore Viard, Kenneth Vigouroux, George E. Vigouroux, Mrs. George E. Voorneveld, William, Jr. Voorneveld, Mrs. William, Jr. Vincent, Arthur F. Vincent, Mrs. Arthur F. Waine, William Waine, Mrs. William Walker, H. Brooks Walker, Miss Mary Elizabeth Walling, Mrs. Georgie L. Walsh, Mrs. William T.
29
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
Wangler, Mrs. Marguerite James Waterman, Miss Marjorie F. Watkins, Mrs. A. E. Watrous, Col. Livingston Watrous, Mrs. Livingston Webster, Franklin Folger Webster, Mrs. Franklin Folger Weeks, Miss Mabel F. Wescott, Dr. O. D. West, Mrs. Ralph Weston, Miss Frances S. Wheeler, W. Reginald White, Robert L. Whitman, Miss Dorothy Whitman, Miss Marjorie E. Whitney, Henry L. Whitney, Mrs. Henry L. Whittemore, Mrs. E. H. Whitten, Paul F. Whittles, Dr. Lee Jay Whittles, Mrs. Lee Jay Wilbur, Miss Fannie B. Wildman, Mrs. Maud Willard, Mrs. Helen Parker
Willard, Henry A., II. Willard, Mrs. Henry A., II. Willauer, Mrs. Whiting Willet, Mrs. Henry Lee Willey, Leonard T. Williams, Miss Harriett C. Williams, R. F. Williams, Mrs. R. F. Williams, Philip Adams, Jr. Willman, Miss Donna Wilson, Mrs. Margaret Fawcett Winslow, Mrs. Addison T. Winslow, Mrs. Helena Wood, David Wood, Mrs. Allan D. Wood, Dr. Benjamin F. Wood, Mrs. Barbara Wood, Mrs. Edna B. Wood, Miss Gladys Wood, Miss Margaret H. Worth, Mrs. Elizabeth B. Wright, Harrison Zabriskie, F. C.
3°
Legacies and Bequests In the sixty years that the Nantucket Historical Association has been in existence it has received only 18 bequests for a total sum of only $39,106.01. This is a staggering truth, especially in view of the growth of the Association to its present size and activ ity. It is the reason why today the Association has no endowment fund, which is so sorely needed. The Association's plans and needs for the future were dis cussed in detail in the July issue of Historic Nantucket, which showed the necessity of an Endowment Fund of not less than $500,000. There are no plans at present to raise such an amount through a special fund raising campaign but it is believed that a substantial part of such an endowment fund can be obtained in a reasonable length of time if all members and friends of the Asso ciation will concentrate their thoughts and efforts on having the Association named as a beneficiary to receive legacies and bequests which it is allowed to receive by law. There can be no better way of perpetuating your interest in the preservation of Nantucket's famed heritage and its illustrious past, which so profoundly affected the development of our country, than by making a bequest to the Nantucket Historical Association. Legacies will be used for general or specific purposes as directed by the donor. A FORM OF BEQUEST I give, devise and bequeath to the Nantucket Historical Association, a corporation duly incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and located in the Town of Nantucket, in said Commonwealth, the sum of dollars.
Bequests may be made also in real estate, bonds, stocks, books, paintings, or any objects having historical value, in which event a brief description of the same should be inserted instead of a sum of money. The officers jfhd members of the Council will be glad to discuss the Association's plans and problems with anyone interested in arranging a legacy or bequest, to the benefit of the Association.
Date To Nantucket Historical Association Nantucket, Massachusetts Application is hereby made for membership in the Association. I enclose my check for the dues of the class marked X, made payable to the Association. ( ) Life — $50.00 (one payment)* ( ) Sustaining — $10.00 — annual ( ) Active — $ 2.00 — annual Name Permanent Address
Nantucket Address * Placed in "Permanent Fund" and used for capital purposes only.
Officers 1953 - 1954
President Mrs. Walton H. Adams
Vice Presidents Howard U. Chase
Everett U. Crosby
Burnham N. Dell
Miss Grace Brown Gardner
Dr. William E. Gardner
W. Ripley Nelson
Treasurer Mrs. Elizabeth B. Worth
Councillors Term Expires
Henry B. Coleman Robert M. Waggaman Mrs. Stacy Knopf Mrs. Lewis S. Edgarton John W. Grout Earl S. Ray
1954 1954 1955 1956 1956 1957
Chairman of the Council Dr. William E. Gardner
Custodian of Collections Mrs. Walton H. Adams
Finance Committee W. Ripley Nelson, Chairman Earl S. Ray
-
Membership Committee
Howard U. Chase
~
Mrs. Walton H. Adams, Chairman
Editor "Historic Nantucket" W. Ripley Nelson