Historic Nantucket, April 1963, Vol. 10 No. 4

Historic Nantucket

Photo By Paul C. Morris, Sr.

Nantucket's last whaler, the "Eunice H. Adams."

From a water color by Paul C. Morris.

APRIL, 1963

Published Quarterly by

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

Photo By Bill Haddon

The William Goodrich organ in the Unitarian Church.

9 GDale of

Organs

"Full many a floiver is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air."

N

ANTUCKET has two such "flowers": the "Goodrich Organ" in the Unitarian Church and the "Appleton Organ" in the Methodist Church.

To be sure, Thomas Gray's elegiac musings can be applied to these more-than-century old instruments only metaphorically, since they have been seen and heard by thousands. Nevertheless, it appears that their true worth has not been generally realized until the visit to Nantucket last September of Mr. Charles Fisk, President of C. B. Fisk, Inc., designers and builders of pipe or­ gans in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

In a letter to Rev. William R. Reid, Minister of the Second Congregational Meeting House Society (Unitarian), Mr. Fisk wrote in part: Dear Mr. Reid: I wish to thank .you most kindly for allowing me the opportunity to examine the organ in your church the other Sunday during my first visit to Nantucket. I have been told by the members of the Organ Historical Society, especially its past President, Miss Barbara Owen, also of this firm, that Nantucket possessed two organs of great historic interest. This is most cer­ tainly true; the organs by Thomas Appleton in the Methodist church, and by his teacher, William Goodrich, in the Unitarian church, both built in Boston in the year 1831, are very nearly the earliest known remaining work of the nineteenth century Boston School of organ-building. That these instruments are still in service is a credit not only to their makers but to the very healthy conserva­ tism of the people of these two parishes who have retained what they knew to be good despite all changes of fad or fashion.

American organ-building was still in its infancy in the begin­ ning of the nineteenth century, many large organs still being im­ ported from England. While others had labored before him, Goodrich is acknowledged to be the first really professional organ builder in New England worthy of the name, and his organs were at one time found in many major New England churches, as well as ones as far south as Savannah and New Orleans. He is considered the "father" of organ-building in New England, not only because of his own excellent work, but also because of the fine work of his pupils, some of which, such as Appleton, Hook, and Stevens, became on his death the leaders of the profession for the greater part of the century, producing some of the most important organs in the country.

Upon being given the opportunity of reading Mr. Fisk's letter, HISTORIC NANTUCKET wrote to him for more informa-

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

tion about these historic gems. Mr. Fisk kindly turned o\er our request to Miss Owen, the Company's Secretary, who replied as follows: We were very interested in your letter and Mr. Fisk suggested that I answer it, since I have access to historical and biographical material which we feel would be of interest to the readers of His­ toric Nantucket." Incidentally, I too have seen and played these two fine instruments, and heartily concur with Mr. Fisk's high evalua­ tion of them as excellent examples of the organ builders' art. I en­ close some rather sketchilly assembled notes concerning the two organs and their builders. I hope they are what you are looking for.

They are indeed! And we are most grateful to Mr. Fisk and Miss Owen for the opportunity to set these two organs in their true historical and musical perspectives. Also for the loan of the two portraits. Miss Owen's "Notes" follow, and we leave it to the reader to judge how "sketchy" they are. — A. M. C.

•V-rv^- i William Goodrich. From an early oil portrait.

A TALE OF TWO ORGANS

7

Some Historic Notes on the Organs In the Unitarian and Methodist Churches in Nantucket

BY BARBARA J. OWEN

WHILE organs had been built in Boston as early as the 1750's, there was little serious or consequential effort expended in that direction until the first decade of the 19th century, when William Goodrich and Thomas Appleton made their appearance in Boston.

William Marcellus Goodrich (1777-1833) was a native of Templeton, and a descendant of the Goodrich family of that place.

He came of an unusually gifted family — his younger brother Ebenezer was also an organ-builder on a slightly smaller scale (the case of an organ by him can be found in the Federated Church of Edgartown on the Vineyard), and his sisters Lucy and Sarah were accomplished miniature-painters. The latter was a pupil of Gilbert Stuart, and several of her miniatures are in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. William and Ebenezer were both accomplished in music and well-read in the sciences.

Thomas Appleton (1785-1872) was a descendant of one of the first settlers of Ipswich, and was born in Boston. He was a cousin of Daniel Appleton, founder of the famous New York publishing house of Appleton-Century. Before becoming an organbuilder, Appleton was a skilled cabinetmaker.

Goodrich and Appleton met in 1805 and worked together for a time, forming a friendship that lasted until Goodrich's death, and which was made stronger when, in 1812, Appleton married Goodrich's sister Beulah. Goodrich died suddenly of a stroke in 1833, and Appleton's last gesture of friendship was to complete an organ Goodrich had been working on. Appleton himself con­ tinued working until his retirement, at an advanced age, in 1868, although the bulk of his most significant work was done prior to 1850.

The Goodrich brothers and Appleton were craftsmen in the old tradition, employing few helpers and producing an average of only two to five organs per year. In the 1850's their work was overshadowed by that of men who had been trained by them, such as the Hook brothers, the Steven brothers, and William Simmons, all of whom had established fair-sized factories and could, by this time, turn out as many as 20 organs of quite good quality per year. Later, as these and still newer builders grew larger, production increased and, inevitably, the quality of the work went down proportionately.

8

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Thomas Appleton. Prom a photograph made shortly before his death.

Through all of this, along with the demand by organists for larger and louder organs, the refined and beautifully-made organs of the earlier period, almost all of them by the Goodriches or Appleton, were forgotten, neglected, and gradually replaced. Of course, the mania for the "new and different" in organs, when it reached its peak in the 1920's and 30's, eventually swept away all but a handful of the organs of the 1850's, 60's, and 70's also. But while, thanks to the law of averages, a good sampling of the work of this "second" period still exists, almost nothing remains of the work done before 1850.

Early in the present century, a revival of interest in old organs and their builders began in Europe, sparked by Dr. Albert Schweitzer and various leading organists and builders. As more

A TALE OF TWO ORGANS

9

older organs were listened to and studied, discriminating persons came to realize that their tone was superior to the tone of the majority of modern organs, and even their form of construction superior in many ways for the artistic performance of organ lit­ erature. In time, many European organ-builders began to go back to the older methods of construction and tonal design in order to produce more musically-satisfying instruments. Within the past decade, this "organ-revival" has spread to America, bring­ ing with it renewed interest in existing old organs, with strenuous efforts being made in many quarters to preserve those that re­ main, as well as serious study of these instruments by concerned organ-builders.

While it is conceded that some of the finest organs ever built in this country were produced between 1820 and 1860, little remains of this work, especially that of the earliest and best part of it, save a few very small house-organs whose significance is not great in comparison with church organs. This is where the two Nantucket organs take on importance and significance. The Unitarian organ is the only church organ extant which is defi­ nitely attributable to William Goodrich, and the Methodist organ is the earliest extant church organ attributable to Thomas Appleton, although organs built in the 1840's and 50's can be found, perhaps four or five plus a few cases. The only other organ in New England of comparable significance is a chamber organ built jointly by these two men in 1812, which, because it is a houseorgan, is not as important from a tonal or structural standpoint.

What both Mr. Fisk and I cannot stress too strongly is the great significance of these two Nantucket organs, not only as important historical works of art, but as valid and, in a very real sense, up-to-date media for the performance of the best organ litera­ ture and the accompaniment of the church service.

I have, in previous research, been able to find out a little about the history of both the Nantucket organs. The Goodrich organ has always stood in the Unitarian church which, when the organ was built in 1831, was known as the Second Congregational Church. At some later date, presumably around the 1870's, this organ was rebuilt by an unidentified builder (the church records may possibly yield the date and name here). Whoever did this work was a good and careful workman, and as a result not only is the organ in good condition today, but virtually all of its orig­ inal character is retained as well. The main changes made were the substitution of a projecting console for a recessed one, re-

10

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

taining, however, the original stop-knobs; the addition or substi­ tution of a few sets of pipes; and the change of the key compass from one beginning on G to one beginning on C, six notes higher, as is now normal. We think that all the Diapason and Flute pipes are original. The Fugara on the Swell probably replaced a fourfoot Octave stop, and the Gamba may have replaced a mild Mix-

Photo By Bill Haddon

Both organs feature handsome and unusual cabinet-work. Shown here is a part of the upper case of the Goodrich Organ.

ture stop called a Cornet. The Oboe, too, is definitely newer, but it probably replaced an older stop of the same type. The Pedal had originally a much shorter compass, so that the lowest pipes are old, the highest ones newer.

The Appleton organ was not built originally for the Metho­ dist Church, and its origins have been a mystery which I have only recently been able to piece together in tentative way. While its nameplate states that it too was built in 1831, it was not acquired by the Methodist Church until 1858, when it was pur­ chased second-hand from E. & G. G. Hook of Boston, organ build­ ers, for $925.00. This fact is well documented both in the records of the church and those of the Hook &Hastings Company. It might

A TALE OF TWO ORGANS

11

be well to interject here that there is no truth whatever in the oral tradition current on the Island that this organ was originally built for the Old South Church in Boston. The Old South Organ was built in 1822 by Eliott of London, had three manuals, was rebuilt in 1859 by Hook, and stood in Old South until the 1890's, when it was sold to a Catholic church in Milford, there to remain in regular use until its unfortunate destruction less than a dec­ ade ago.

This, of course, still leaves us with the question of where the Appleton organ originally came from. It is known that during the year 1831 Thomas Appleton built five organs. Of these, one was a large three-manual instrument built for the Bowdoin Street Church in Boston, where Lowell Mason was organist, and three were instruments of only one manual, leaving but one two-manual organ for that year. This was originally installed in the Mariner's Congregational Church on Salem Street in Boston. When it was replaced by a larger organ in 1847, it was sold to the Congrega­ tional Church of Manchester. Until recently, it was thought that it had remained there until 1883, when that church procured its present organ, a second-hand Hook, from Hook & Hastings. How­ ever, I recently came across a reference to the fact that this church was redecorated in 1856, and a new organ, the gift of two members of the congregation, installed. It seems strange that this church should have had three organs in such a short span of time, and yet this piece of information seems to be the last bit of a jigsaw puzzle linking the Nantucket organ with the Mariner's Church organ. It is presumed that when the new organ was in­ stalled in 1856, the old one fell into the hands of the Hook firm, which often resold old organs, having ample space to store them, and was kept by them until sold in 1858 to the Nantucket church.

If this is all correct, then the organ is now in its third home.

The Appleton organ, like the Goodrich organ, has also been altered, although not to as great an extent. In this case, the altera­ tion, probably carried out either at the time of moving to Nan­ tucket or at a later date (possibly at the same time, and by the same person, as the alterations to the Goodrich), consisted of removing one stop from each manual and replacing it with an­ other. The two new stops are the Viol d'Amour on the Great and the Viol di Gamba on the Swell. These replaced a Mixture and a Cornet stop which could be replaced, as they were important to the completeness of the "chorus sound" of the organ. It will be noted that the Appleton organ still has its original recessed con-

12

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

sole and key compass beginning at low G, as the Goodrich once did. Barring the alterations mentioned, it is very important to note that both organs retain their essential original tonal char­ acter, which might be described as silvery and unforced — qual­ ities which, one might add, are highly regarded in organs today.

Photo By Bill Haddon

Console of the Goodrich Organ.

Respecting the technical side of these organs, both are of very simple but excellent and durable construction. Both have what is known as "tracker action," which means that there is a direct mechanical linkage between the key and the valve which admits wind to the pipe. That this sort of action is the most dur­ able type is, I am sure, quite obvious from the present circum­ stances. However, besides this, it is also preferable for a number of artistic reasons and, contrary to what many think, is neither

A TALE OF TWO ORGANS

13

old fashioned nor out of date. Most modern European builders employ this type of action, and some American builders also do, including ourselves. Many notable organists (such as E. Power Biggs) prefer it to any other kind. To go at length into the musi­ cal advantages of direct mechanical action and the favorable influence of slider-and-pallet windchests on the speech of properlyvoiced pipes would, I fear, necessitate getting too technical. Suffice it to say that, if these organs had been built with, or converted to, any other sort of mechanisms, they almost certainly would not be in existence, or at least in regular use, today. It is highly for­ tunate that the churches have resisted the various fleeting fads in this respect which have taken so great a toll of other old and fine-toned organs.

As the tonal disposition of these organs is also of importance, I append the specifications of both organs, as they are, and as they were. In regard to the latter, certain of the stops of the original Goodrich scheme must be regarded as "educated guesses" in lieu of better evidence. It is of interest that the reed stop (Oboe) in the Appleton organ is made in the 18th century French style, a practice discontinued shortly after by American builders in favor of the English style. While it is in need of some regula­ tion, it is an excellent voice. The old pipes in both organs are either of wood or of an alloy known as "common metal" or "organ metal," consisting of from 25 per cent to 35 per cent of tin, and the rest lead. This is still used extensively today. Some of the newer pipes will be noted as having peculiar spots on them. This is due to there being a higher proportion of tin in them, and this metal, also still used, is appropriately called "spotted metal" to distinguish it from common metal. All pipes in these organs are very beautifully made.

SOME SOURCES OF INFORMATION "Organ Building in New England," New England Magazine, March 1834.

"Biographical Memoir of William M. Goodrich," New England Magazine, January 1834.

Hurd, D. H., History of Essex County, Mass., Philadelphia, Lewis, 1888.

Musical Gazette, Boston, February 15, 1847.

Contract between E. & G. G. Hook & First Methodist Church, Nantucket, May 29, 1859.

Hook & Hastings Company, hand written installation ledger.

Various comparative stoplists of organs of this period by these builders, also correspondence with various church historians and descendants of the Goodrich and Appleton families.

14

HISTORIC NANTUCKET UNITARIAN CHURCH, NANTUCKET William Goodrich 1831

GREAT SWELL Open Diapason 8 ft.

Open Diapason 8 ft.

Stopped Diapason 8 ft.

Stopped Diapason 8 ft.

•Dulciana 8 ft. fGamba 8 ft.

Octave 4 ft. " JFugara 4 ft.

Flute 4 ft. fOboe 8 ft.

Twelfth 2.2/3 ft.

PEDAL Fifteenth 2 ft. §Bourdon 16 ft.

Couplers: Swell to Great, Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal.

•Possibly originally a Mixture stop. fMay have originally been either a Dulciana or a Cornet.

JOriginally a Principal (Octave). fOriginally an older stop of the same type, probably of the same construction as the one in the Appleton organ. §Originally short compass (12 or 17 notes) like that in the Appleton organ; extended to 27 notes with newer pipes.

All stops are now full-compass, though some were undoubtedly of partial compass originally, especially in the Swell.

CENTRE ST. METHODIST CHURCH, NANTUCKET Thomas Appleton 1831 SWELL GREAT Open Diapason 8 ft (divided, Open Diapason 8 ft. treble & bass) Stopped Diapason 8 ft. (divided) Stopped Diapason 8 ft. (divided, fViol di Gamba 8 ft. treble & bass) Principal 4 ft.

•Viol d'Amour 8 ft. (tenor G) Dulciana 8 ft. (tenor G) Hautboy (Oboe) 8 ft.

Principal 4 ft.

PEDAL Flute 4 ft.

Twelfth 2.2/3 ft.

Sub Bass 16 ft. (open) Fifteenth 2 ft.

Couplers: Swell to Great, Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal.

•Originally a 3-rank Mixture fOriginally a Cornet The Swell has a short compass to most of its stops, only the Stopped Diapason going below Tenor F to the bottom of the keyboard.

Note that there is no low G # on manuals or pedal. This was typical of "G organs."

15

Henry Coffin Carlisle s History Recording Project

BY W. RIPLEY NELSON

HISTORY is in the making from day to day but far too often, especially in the life of a small community, the recording of historic events and anecdotes of community and family life is completely neglected until many years have elapsed and then some aspiring historian or author of novels attempts to dig into the past to publish a history or best selling novel. A conscientious vviitei searches town records, old newspapers, genealogical lecords, etc., and usually unearths a reasonable amount of fac­ tual data.

But the life blood of community history can only be found in the memories of those who made community history and whose lives and thoughts, in every sense, were a vital part of it. More often than not, such people have passed on and the historian is left only with legends and stories handed down by word of mouth fiom one generation to another and which, all too frequently, have been garbled to such an extent that they turn out to be ver­ itable myths.

Nantucket is fortunate to have had histories published at various times such as those written by Obed Macy, Alexander Starbuck, Dr. R. A. Douglas-Lithgow, and William F. Macy, and the books written by Dr. William E. Gardner, William Oliver Stevens, Joseph E. C. Farnham, William F. Macy, and Elizabeth Hollister Frost, and others. The first group presents, for the most part, factual data of historic importance, while the second group presents the homely atmosphere and life of the Community woven into the historical past.

Now, Henry Coffin Carlisle is recording and preserving his­ torical events and community life of fairly recent years in a new and permanent form which is being placed in the custody of the Nantucket Historical Association. Five years ago he started in­ terviewing well known Nantucketers and recording the interviews on tape. He graciously gives credit for his start on the project in 1957 to the late Robert Stark who, he says, made a recording of "Chester Pease and the Life Saving Station." Mr. Carlisle says that, "This seemed such an excellent idea, with such great pos­ sibilities that I got to work almost at once."

The project is best described in Mr. Carlisle's own words which follow in part: "This project started in 1957 and to date

16

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

42 Nantucketers have been interviewed before the recorder. T e subject is picked out first and is generally one which will soon be forgotten or not available in any first-hand account alter an­ other generation or two. Then the person to be interviewed is selected as the one who knows the most about the subject, 01 a great deal about it."

The interviews and original recordings on tape aie only a small part of the project, as is made plain from further com­ ments by Mr. Carlisle: "Out of the 42 interviews made, there have been sent to the Nantucket Historical Association 31 phonograph records and the corresponding reels of tape — and about six more will later be sent from interviews already made. Others will be made in 1963 — which are now planned and the people who will make them stand ready. I do not like to stand anyone up to make a speech, but chat with them to bring out the facts or the story.

This has gone on for six summers, and each summer was followed by editing in the winter to smooth it out, take out pauses, and per­ haps shorten it. One reel, the Andrea Doria, was cut over 75 times to take out '—errs' and pauses, and also to shorten it."

It is not difficult to visualize and appreciate the thought, time, effort, and actual labor given to the project by Mr. Carlisle.

It has resulted in permanent recordings being held in duplicate, both the phonograph records and tape recordings, by the Nan­ tucket Historical Association for future generations. On this fact Mr. Carlisle comments: "There need be no great concern about some accident to our reels or tape as I have another copy of each tape at 75 main Street (Mr. Carlisle's Nantucket resi­ dence) and an extra copy can easily be made from this. The phonograph record is not quite as easy to duplicate, but by sending away a tape a duplicate record can be made."

The persons and subjects covered by the interviews and the phonograph records and reels of tape cover a wide field as shown by the following summary: William Tripp: (4) A Whaling Gam; Sinking of Nantucket Light­ ship in 1934; Loss of Stone Fleet and the Arctic Whaleship Fleets; and Sinking of the "Wanderer."

Arthur McCleave: (4) Dory Fishing off 'Sconset; Wrecks and Fish of All Kinds; The Haulover Opening; and Nantucketers I Have Known.

Marcus Ramsdell: (2) Tuckernuck in the 1890's; Stories and People.

"Georgie" Walling: Old North Wharf Walling, Mackay, Carlisle: Nantucket Central Railroad.

18

Nantucket in Portage County, Ohio

BY EDGAK L. MCCORMICK KENT STATE UNIVERSITY IN TWO PARTS . . . PART TWO (Continued, from January Issue) II

THE MAIN MIGRATION: THE 1840'S — CONTINUED

RUSSELLS from Nantucket joined the Portage County group in 1846 and 1847. Edward G. Russell (1812-1888), his wife Susan Pollard (1812-1890), and their children, Charles E., Mary Thane, and Sarah Riddle came to Ravenna village in the fall of 1846.33 Edward's mother, Captain James Russell's widow, Polly, made her home with them, as the 1850 Census Report shows, until her death at 84 in 1866.

J. C. Catlin of Ravenna, Edward's friend for many years, paid tribute to him soon after his death in 1883 as "a man of genius, who analyzed everything that interested him, [and] took much interest in discoveries in every branch of science and art."34 At Nantucket he had discovered improved ways to refine whale oil and to bleach sperm oil. In Ravenna, while in the Daguerrean business, he invented a means of acquiring extended focus in a camera, patented a governor valve for steam engines, and vertical action levers for steam engines and pumps. Three years before he died, he began work on a new and inexpensive method of photolithography.

He also found time to serve his community. From 1866 to 1877 he was clerk for both the township and village of Ravenna, and from 1877 until his death, March 8, 1883, he was treasurer for the same local governments. "No man in the community en­ joyed more completely the respect and esteem of his fellow citi­ zens."35 Sarah Riddle Russell married Edward Scripture, May 31, 1868; their two children died in infancy. Sarah died on April 4, 1870, at twenty-eight. Her sister, Mary Thane, married C. S. Cotter on October 19, 1865, after his return from the war as Colonel of the 1st Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery. They had two sons, Harry and Ambrose. Edward's son, Charles E., also resided in Ravenna, building a new house in 1883 on the site of the family residence on Sycamore Street.

Captain Reuben Russell (1799-1875) left the ocean in 1846 upon his return from his second voyage to the Pacific as Master

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

19

This portrait of Captain Reuben Russell hangs in the Ravenna home of his great grandaughter, Mrs. Earl Stevens. According to Mrs. Stevens, it was painted in France, possibly during the Captain's visit there in 1830 when he was thirty-one.

of the Susan. He came to Rootstown in 1847, with his wife Maria Gardner and their four children: Albert G., Ann Maria, Reuben C., and Emily J. The Russells bought 116 acres at the township's eastern boundary.

Captain Russell was a distinguished Master Mariner. His obituary in the June 30, 1875, Republican-Democrat, relates that he was in France when Louis Phillipe ascended his throne and was a witness to some of the imposing splendor of that event.

On a visit to one of the Sandwich Islands, the burial of a dead king was delayed a day, so that he might be present. He spoke

20

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

French and Spanish as if they were his mother tongue, and was always well remembered in the highest circles of the foreign countries where he visited. ... he was a man of great executive power, and in all his career he was universally respected." During his eleven years as Master, no accident, mutiny, or shipwreck oc­ curred on his voyages.

Captain Russell retired from farming in 1873, moving to Day Street, Ravenna, where he died on June 25, 1875. His widow survived him by nearly twenty years, enjoying "a green old age."36 Their elder son, Albert G. (1822-1894), learned his trade as carpenter while a youth on Nantucket. At Ravenna in 1853, in partnership with his brother Reuben and Captain C. W. Chase's son, Timothy, he established a sash, door, and blind factory. In­ terested in his community, he served Ravenna as Health Officer, and was a "consistent member" of the Congregational Church.37 On October 2, 1853, he married Caroline, daughter of Captain George G. and Louisa W. Russell. Their daughter Maria Louisa died in 1865, when she was nine; their son Fred became an archi­ tect and followed his profession in Cleveland, Chicago, and Boston.

The second son, Reuben C., married Ann Louisa Gardner, the daughter of William J. and Lydia Ray Gardner, on Novem­ ber 22, 1855, at Rootstown. On December 24, 1862, in his thirtythird year, he died at Ravenna, survived by his wife and two daughters, Helen and Emily.

In 1849, at Edinburg, Ohio, Ann Maria Russell married An­ drew B. Meader, also from Nantucket, who had sailed with her father, Captain Reuben Russell, on the Susan, 1841-1846. Mrs. Earl Stevens of Ravenna, Andrew Meader's granddaughter, re­ calls the story that her great-grandfather, Captain Russell, took Andrew along on the fifty-four months' voyage to see if he proved a proper suitor for Ann Maria! After leaving Edinburg township in the early 1850's, the Meaders lived in Ravenna, Pittsburgh, and Rootstown prior to Andrew's death in 1864. Their son, Ed­ ward Payson, died in Rootstown, September 12, 1862, two months before his third birthday.38 Their daughter, Ella M., married Franklin B. Spelman of Rootstown, November 23, 1870. Frances Emily, the second daughter, married W. J. Brigham of Ravenna on June 9, 1880. The mother, Ann Russell Meader, died on Au­ gust 25, 1895, at the home of Frances Emily Brigham.

On December 1, 1847, Captain Charles C. Russell (1802-1879) purchased fifty-six acres from his brother Reuben in Rootstown,39

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

21

and established his home there before he sailed in June, 1849, on his final whaling voyage as Master of the Omega. The 1850 Cen­ sus Report shows him "at sea," and his wife Louisa, the sister of Captain Charles W. Chase, and his sons George C. (a car­ penter) and Charles B., a boy of ten, at home in Rootstown. After his return from the disappointing fifty-two month voyage that netted only 696 barrels of sperm-oil, Captain Russell farmed until 1810. He then moved to Ravenna where he died of "rheumatism of the heart" on April 17, 1879.40 Both sons preceded him in death; George C., in his thirty-fifth year, on October 17, 1,864, and Charles B. at thirty-one on March 21, 1871. George C. and his wife, Sarah Ann Ray of Nantucket had one daughter, Mary Louisa; Charles B. and his wife Armenia Spelman of Rootstown had one son, George P. Captain Russell's obituary 41 relates that he was twice ship­ wrecked during his thirty-six years in the whale fishery, once in the North Pacific and once in Delago Bay, on the coast of Africa. He was "unassuming in all things, devoted to his family and friends, generous and charitable to a high degree. . .

Ed­ ward G. Russell, Captain James' son; and Captains Frederick W. Coffin; J. C. Long; David Barnard; and Albert Ray were pall­ bearers.

The Nantucket Pitmans, Lawrences, Munroes, Barnards, Rays, and Gardners each "contributed" one family to Portage County in the 1840's.

Captain William Pitman (1801-1879), Charles Pitman's son, pui chased 150 acres in Charlestown township east of Ravenna in September and November, 1845.42 Soon after, perhaps early in 1846, as his obituary indicates,43 he moved there with his wife Eunice F. Coffin and their four sons and two daughters: Benjamin F„ William E„ Alexander C., Ariel C., Phebe C., and Emma B. The Captain had been Master of the Spartan on two unusually short voyages from Nantucket to the Pacific between 1827 and 1831. Each voyage had yielded over 2300 barrels of sperm oil.

William and Eunice Pitman spent nineteen years in Portage County all but perhaps one of them on the Charlestown farm before they retired to Ravenna. But in 1865 they returned to Nantucket. In 1873 the eldest son, Benjamin, a physician, also moved his family to the island so that he might be near his par­ ents. About the time of Benjamin's move East, the youngest son, Ariel C., a printer, also left Ravenna, moving to Boston.44

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror of August 23, 1879, re­ porting that Captain Pitman had died on August 17, commented upon the deep respect with which the Captain and his family were regarded in Portage County.

None of the whalemen in Portage County served longer at sea than did Captain Charles Lawrence (1798-1862), son of Jere­ miah and Eunice Baxter Lawrence, who, at the age of thirteen, began a thirty-six-year career in the whale fishery .4,) He went as Captain on his third voyage, 1825*1,827. As Master, he made six voyages to the Pacific, the last on the Mary Mitchell, 1,842-1847.

On August 8, 1847, he bought the farm just south of Ravenna village owned by Captain Paul Chase and moved there with his wife Hepsabeth Bunker and four of their children: Charles Jr., Emeline R., David B., and Ellery C. David B. enlisted at the first call for volunteers in 1861 when he was 23 and served in the Valley Campaign — at Winchester, for example — and later reenlisted in the naval service. He had married Sarah Parmelee of Ravenna in 1859. After the war he served village and township as clerk. Ellery C. died in Philadelphia, April 2, 1865; Emeline R. married James Mitchell, Jr., of Philadelphia on December 30, 1859, and the Pollard Papers record that Charles Jr. married Arabella Jackson in Ohio.

The Captain himself died May 23, 1862, three years after he had moved into the village from his farm. He had been active in 1856 in the efforts to establish a female seminary in Ravenna, and during the war years the Soldiers Aid Society had its local head­ quarters in a building that he owned. His wife died July 26, 1877.

Also in 1847 came Captain William M. Munroe (1807-1866) leaving Nantucket soon after his return from the Pacific in 1846 as Master of the Waverly. With his wife, Rebecca Swain, his mother-in-law Parnel Swain, and two children, William H., and Elizabeth H., he settled just west of Rootstown center. A son George and a daughter Caroline were born in Rootstown. George came safely home from the War in July, 1863; later he was a special detective with the Boston police force.4^ Captain IVIunroe died of consumption, December 22, 1866, in Ravenna.

Valentine Munroe (1810-1870?), a Nantucket cooper, soon followed his brother William's example and came to Rootstown, where, as the 1850 Census Report shows, he continued to follow his trade. Valentine's wife, Elizabeth Ray, died in 1855 and in 1856 he married Olive A. Ward of Rootstown, by whom' he had

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

23

a daughter, Alice. Charles R., his son by his first marriage, died of wounds received at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Phebe Munroe, the sister of William and Valentine, married John Davis (1807-1876). The Davises were living in Cleveland in 1871; with two of their sons, Henry and Frank, they attended the Nantucket reunion that year in Rootstown.

According to his obituary in the November 7, 1883, Ravenna Republican, Captain David C. Barnard (1808-1883) joined the migration to Portage County in 1848, the next year after he re­ turned from his voyage to the Pacific on the Abigail. With his wife, Charlotte S. Coffin, and their two children, Lydia P. and Roland, he resided on a fifty-acre farm southeast of Rootstown Center. Charlotte Coffin Barnard died of consumption on March 13, 1865. After his second marriage on July 4, 1880, to Mrs. Sarah C. Rogers, the widow of Captain John B. Rogers, who had also settled in Rootstown, the Captain moved from the farm to the Center where he was a faithful member of the Congregational Church.

Lydia P., the daughter, married Josiah B. Whippy, Jr., who came to Rootstown in 1855. She died in 1880, survived by her husband and a daughter Charlotte (Mrs. Daniel Myers), born in 1856. A son, David B., died at eight months.

Captain David Barnard's close friend, Captain Albert Ray (1809-1883), and his wife, Mary Folger, came to Ravenna town­ ship in 1849 with their five children: Sarah A., James H., Phoebe F., Albert J., and Mary Jane. The 1850 Census Report shows that Mary Jane was eleven months old and that she was born in Mas­ sachusetts — so the Rays must have come to Portage County soon after her birth and soon after the Mariner returned to Nantucket in 1849 with its captain sick and its first mate injured.

On December 16, 1851, about two years after their arrival in Ohio, the family bought 165 acres in Rootstown township.47 In the 1860's, perhaps when he married Mary Parsons in 1863, James H. moved to a farm near his father's and lived there until 1904 when he retired to Rootstown Center. James H. "was a prom­ inent horseman in his day," reported the Ravenna Republican on November 11, 1918, after his death, "and for many years was one of the directors of the Portage County Agricultural Society."

The older daughter, Phebe F., married Cornelius A. Reed of Rootstown, February 1, 1865. In the 1870's he was Prosecuting Attorney for Portage County. Albert J. Ray married Miss Emma

24

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Hill of Ravenna, November 26, 1868, and left Ravenna in July, 1871, to farm at Carthage, Missouri.

Captain Ray died on July 22, 1883. When Captain David Barnard died in that same year on October 8, the Ravenna Re­ publican noted the close friendship between these two Master Mariners: It was remarkable that he and Captain Ray went on that first voyage together, there being less than a year's difference in their ages, followed the sea about the same length of time, lived at Rootstown together so many years, and died so near together. . . . As lads they shipped together, and in death were not divided; their rest is in the eternal beyond.48

The Rootstown column in the Ravenna Republican for July 6, 1892, contains the following item: Captain W. J. Gardner died at his home last Saturday afternoon after a short but severe illness. . . . Captain Gardner was eighty years old; had lived in Rootstown since 1848 and was the last of the sea captains of whom there were so many in this vicinity thirty years ago.

Such references as this, including those made during the lifetime of his peers, are the only indications thus far available that William J. Gardner (1812-1892) was indeed a captain.

Whaling Masters, Starbuck's History of the American Whale Fishery, and the Catalogue of Nantucket Whalers do not list a captain with his initials. Rootstown people did indeed call Valen­ tine Munroe "Captain" — and the title was "honorary" but this seems hardly the case of Isaac Gardner's son who spent twenty-two years at sea, and who was recognized by his fellow captains at the Nantucket reunions as "Captain Gardner."

William J. and his wife Lydia C. Ray with their children Ann Louisa and Isaac W. came from Nantucket to a fifty acre farm south of Rootstown Center. There, a son, George R., was born in 1849. He died of diphtheria, November 19, 1862. The son, Isaac W., named for the grandfather lost at sea, served three years in the Union army and later settled in Kentucky. Anna Louisa Gard­ ner married Reuben C. Russell, son of Captain Reuben. The grand­ mother, Mrs. Deborah Gardner of Nantucket, died in Rootstown, April 20, 1858, while visiting her son and his family.4" III. The 1850's and the Migration's End Seven more families from Nantucket joined the colonv in Portage County during the 1850's, and with their coming; the migration that centered m Ravenna and Rootstown was virtually over. In fact, some of the late arrivals chose to return to the

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

25

island they left, but they were chiefly older folk who could not begin new careers in the growing Western Reserve. In this last decade of the migration, Rogerses, Longs, Whippys, Greens, Folgers, and Brocks left Nantucket for Ohio.

In 1851, after returning from the Pacific as Master of the Narraganset, John B. Rogers (1812-1876) came to Rootstown to join his fellow captains who had turned to farming. With him came his wife, Sarah C. Folger, and their daughter, Mary Ann. Within a few years he moved from his eighty-acre farm, in the southern part of the township, to Rootstown Center. There, just before his death, he built a house, still in excellent condition to­ day, with an enclosed widow's walk. The number of transfers of property in his name in the Portage County Record of Deeds sug­ gests that he dealt in real estate very much as Captain Brayton did.

On the evening of October 28, 1876, he spent some time so­ cially at the village store, "being as usual the leader in the chat and story-telling of the hour. He left for his house . . . about nine o'clock and, getting home, went with his niece and a light to the barn to feed his horse — with a fork-full of hay in his hand he fell forward on his face, and expired almost instantly."50 Mary Ann, the only child, married Edward Reed of Rootstown in 1871 and later resided in Tennessee. The niece referred to in the account of the Captain's death was Laura C. Folger, daughtei of Albert C. and Mary Ann Key Folger. Also residing in the Rogers' home was his nephew, Alexander C. Ray, the son of Alexander and Mary C. Folger Ray. Although barely 16 in 1861, he served in the Civil War, and afterwards emigrated to Jefferson, Wisconsin, where he married Ida Waldo on February 12, 1877.

Sarah C., the Captain's widow, married Captain David Bar­ nard in 1880. Captain Barnard's first wife, Charlotte, had died in 1865.

Upon his return from the Pacific on December 29, 1852, as Master of the Charles Carroll, Captain Josiah C. Long (18061887) journeyed to Ravenna village to join the Nantucket "settle­ ment. With him came his wife, Mary Ray, and their three chil­ dren Josiah C., Jr., Charles W., and Mary F. The 1860 Census Report lists Captain Long as a "hub factory hand" and his son Josiah as a "carriage trimmer." Josiah, Jr. was later employed by the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad; in 1874 he moved to Philadelphia and subsequently to New York. The second son, Charles W., contracted tuberculosis during his enlistment as a

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Union soldier. He clerked in a Ravenna drug store before going to Minnesota in 1867 for his health. He reached home on Septem­ ber 1, 1868, only four hours before his death. The daughter, Mary F., after conducting a private or "select" school in Ravenna, mar­ ried Ira Jackson of Atwater township, southeast of Ravenna.

Captain Long died at her home on February 16, 1877. Soon after his death, the Atwater correspondent of the Republican-Democrat published excerpts from his logs and noted that on eight voyages to the Pacific (four as Master) he had helped secure 14,567 barrels of oil.

To Rootstown in 1855 came the Whippys, Captain William S. (1815-1881) and his brother, Josiah B„ Jr. (1826-1897). Wil­ liam Whippy's family then consisted of his second wife, Sarah C., the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Brooks Greene, and a son, William Fletcher. A daughter, Susan, was born in 1856. She and her brother, Eugene, born in 1857, both died of diphtheria in 1862. A third son, Clarence E., was also born in Rootstown where the family lived on a fifty-acre farm just east of the Center.

Clarence E. married Zella Hewins in Rootstown, November 3, 1,881, and later moved to Canton, Ohio. His daughter, Aletha (Mrs. Emmet Goodman) still lives in that vicinity at North Can­ ton. William F. resided in Chicago at the time of his death in 1925.

Josiah B. Whippy, the father of William S. and Josiah B., Jr., had died at sea in 1854; his widow, Eliza Swain Whippy, accom­ panied her sons to Ohio and died in Rootstown, Feb. 1, 1863.

Captain William S. Whippy spent twenty-five years at sea and was Master of the James Loper on two voyages to the Pacific. In Portage County he was recognized as "a prominent citizen of Rootstown ... a noble-hearted man, upright in every relation of life."51 Josiah B., Jr. apparently had sailed on the American in 1845.

His Bowditch, with "Ship American" and "1845" written in it, is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. N. D. Heestand of Alliance, Ohio.

In Rootstown he married Lydia P. Barnard, Captain David's daughter. Their son, David B., died in 1865 at eight months; their daughter, Charlotte, married Daniel Myers. The granddaughter Lydia Barnard, married William C. Mann and was a longtime resident of Alliance, Ohio. Late in 1880, after the death of his wife Lydia on April 25, Josiah B., Jr. married Julia E. Scott of Rootstown.

Also in 1855, George Washington Greene (1832-1925), a

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

27

brother of Mrs. William S. Whippy, came to Rootstown from Nantucket and soon established himself as a local storekeeper and "an honest and respected citizen" serving his township as treas­ urer.62 In 1868 he purchased Nelson Converse's General Store at the Center and succeeded Mr. Converse as Postmaster of Rootstown.53 In the 1870's he and his partner, H. L. Spelman, shipped tons of butter and "enormous quantities" of eggs to Eastern markets.64 In 1883 he moved to Ravenna in the employ of Nelson Converse and Son. In Rootstown on August 28, 1864, George W. Greene married Sarah Hoffman Berlin. To them were born seven children, two daughters and five sons: Susie Elizabeth, James W., Harry Ber­ lin, Winifred Louisa, Clarence Edgar, Arthur, and Fred. Arthur and Fred died of diphtheria while the family still resided in Rootstown. Clarence Edgar Greene, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Ravenna, still resides in the vicinity and his son David Edgar, has served Ravenna as its mayor.

In the 1860's, George W.'s twin brother, James Monroe Greene, also came to Rootstown, where on February 6, 1869, he died at the home of his brother-in-law, Captain William S. Whippy.

The parents, Thomas (1797-1877) and Elizabeth Brooks Greene (1799-1872), as the roster of the 1869 Nantucket reunion shows, lived briefly in Rootstown before returning to their native island.

Late in the 1850's, sometime after his return in 1856 as Captain of the Lexington from his least successful Pacific voyage, Peter S. Brock (1804-1878) decided to join his fellow Captains in Portage County. In 1858 he bought a lot in Ravenna village on February 17 and six acres just north of Rootstown Center on June 28; in 1860 he sold his property, dealing both as purchaser and seller with Captain John B. Rogers.55 The Census Report for 1860 shows that Captain Brock, his wife, Eliza Spencer, and their children, Oliver, Lydia (the widow of Charles B. Swain), William H., and Joseph C. were residents of Rootstown and that Peter C. Brock was indeed a Nantucket Captain, for he had the census taker designate his occupation as "Master Mariner."

But the Brock family had ties to Nantucket too strong to sever, and they returned there in I860 before they had truly be­ come a part of the local settlement. "Of all those who had emi­ grated to Ohio," said the report of the 1873 reunion, with what would seem to have been a reference to Captain Pitman, "but one had returned to their native isle, and all had been happy and

28

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

prosperous in their new homes."56 -The report obviously referred only to those who had committed themselves fully to life in Portage County. The Brocks had not.

That two additional captains lived for a while in Rootstown during the 1850's without truly settling there is revealed in Cap­ tain Henry B. Folger's granting of the power of attorney to his brother Captain John M. at Nantucket on May 27, 1857. In the document as recorded in Portage County07 each refers to himself as "Master Mariner" and gives Rootstown as his address. These sons of Alfred Folger came to Portage County about 1854. Henry (1817-1875) had returned in 1849 from his voyage to the Pacific as Captain of the Martha. On November 8, 1855, he bought thirty-two acres in Rootstown township; he paid personal prop­ erty tax in 1856, so he must have been a resident of the township.

In 1857, as we have seen, he was in Nantucket and appointed his brother John to be his agent. In 1858 he obtained a judgment in the Portage County Courts against a debtor.58 In 1864, from Nan­ tucket, he sold the Rootstown property on April 4;59 there are references to subsequent sales of his holdings in Ravenna village.

John M. Folger (1819-1889), after his voyage on the Monticello, 1850-1853, bought twenty-nine acres in Rootstown and a lot in Ravenna village in 1854.60 He, too, paid personal property tax in 1856. He disposed of his Rootstown property on April 1, 1858.61 On the basis of these facts, it seems that these Master Mar­ iners were in Rootstown for about four years: 1854-1858, and that, indeed, Henry B. had spent part of that time on Nantucket.62 When the Brocks and the Folger brothers returned to Nan­ tucket, the migration to Portage County was all but over. The 1871 reunion roster lists Miss Laura Folger and W. Victor Folger among those present, and these children of Albert C. Folger (1824-1881) and his wife, Mary Ann Key, settled in Rootstown in the 1870's. Laura maried L.W. Hallock there in 1877, and Vic­ tor married Susie J. Moore in 1884. Three of Victor's daughters, Esther, Bernice (Mrs. Floyd Mitchell), and Mrs. Mary Henninger, live in the Ravenna area.

Thus it was that a colony of Nantucket folk enriched the life of an Ohio county. Although they never forgot Nantucket, they gave themselves to their new home, "ploughing the land instead of the sea."

At the 1871 reunion, one of the Captains proposed the fol­ lowing toasts: Nantucket

our birth place — a small speck in the Atlantic.

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

29

As •old ocean ever washes her shores, so will our hearts ever beat in unison for many past associations connected with it.

Ohio — The home of our adoption — we cherish with pride her noble institution for good. Her name will be handed down to pos­ terity as the birth place of so many of their brave defenders of their country.

And in 1873 an unsigned paper read at the reunion declared: "Ohio has become a dear and cherished home."

33 Republican-Democrat, March 14, 1883.

Ibid., March 28, 1883.

35 Ibid.

36 Republican October 19, 1892.

37 Biographical sketch in The History of Portage County, Ohio, Chicago, 1885.

38 Democrat, September 17, 1862.

33 Record of Deeds, LIII, 163.

40 Republican-Democrat, April 23, 1879. « Ibid., April 23, 1879.

43 Record of Deeds, XLIV, 481; XLV, 7.

43 Republican-Democrat, August 27, 1879.

44 Ibid., August 14, 1878.

45 Democrat, May 28, 1862 46 Republica?i-Democrat, September 20, 1876.

47 Recprd of Deeds, LV, 763.

48 Republican, November 7, 1883.

49 Biographical sketch in The History of Portage County, Ohio, Chicago, 1885.

5° Republican-Democrat, November 1, 1876.

51 Ibid., February 16, 1881.

62 Ibid., February 26, 1873.

53 Democrat, April 8, 1868.

64 Republican-Democrat, June 25, 1879.

55 Record of Deeds, LXXI, 279; LXXIV, 399.

56 Republican-Democrat, July 9, 1873.

57 Record of Deeds, LXXII, 413-414.

58 Ibid., LXXII, 528.

59 Ibid., LXXXI, 496. oo Ibid., LXIV, 546; LXIII, 486.

61 Ibid., LXIV, 546.

62 John M. Folger's obituary (see Grace Brown Gardner's Scrap Book, Num­ ber 53 in the Whaling Museum, Nantucket) records that in 1853 Captain Folger "left the sea for new enterprises in the West," and that in 1859 he engagd in lumbering and "mercantile business" in Sheboygan, Wiscon­ sin. He died there on July 10, 1889.

List of Persons Present at the 1869 Reunion (Portage County Republican-Democrat, July 9, 1869) : Capt. J. C. Long, wife Mary, daughter Mary.

Mr. George W. Greene, wife Sarah, son Arthur.

Mr. J. B. Whippy, wife Lydia, daughter Charlotte B. Mr. Valentine Munroe, wife Olive, daughter Alice, son Josiah.

34

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Col. C. S. Cotter, wife Mary, son Harry.

Capt. William C. Wyer, wife Lydia.

Dr. D. R. Jennings, wife Elizabeth, son Willy.

Mrs. Mary Coffin, son A. L., daughter S. C. Mr. Silas B. Swain, wife Martha, sons Edgar, John, Joseph.

Capt. W. S. Whippy, wife Sarah, sons Fletcher and Clarence.

Mr. A. S. Davis (Cleveland), wife Judith, daughter Lydia, grandson James Wallace.

Capt. C. C. Russell, son C. B. Russell, wife Armena, son Charley.

Josiah C. Long, Jr., wife Emma, son Edward.

Mr. D. B. Lawrence, wife Sarah, daughter Hepsy, son DaWitt.

Mr. H. G. Folger and wife.

Mrs. Thomas Folger.

Capt. Reuben, Russell, wife Maria.

Mr. John N. Davis, wife Phoebe.

Capt. Albert Ray, wife Mary, daughter Minny.

Capt. John B. Coleman, wife Susan, granddaughter Susey.

Capt. David Barnard.

Capt. C. W. Chase, wife Eliza, daughter Lizzie, son Willey.

Mr. E. G. Russell, wife Susan.

Mr. William T. Parker, wife Rebecca, daughter Rebecca.

Mr. Thomas Greene, wife Elizabeth.

Capt. Charles A. Gardner.

Capt. J. B. Rodgers, wife Sarah, niece Laura C. Folger.

Mr. F. B. King, wife Eliza, son Arthur, daughter Mary C. Rebecca C. Munroe, son George, daughter Carry.

Capt. F. W. Coffin, wife Mary Jane, son Phillip M. Capt. William J. Gardner, wife Lydia.

Capt. Edward Gardner (Oberlin).

Mr. A. G. Russell, wife Carry, son Freddie.

Lucretia Macy.

Phoebe Folger.

Mr. Ariel C. Pitman, wife Susan, son Eugene.

Mrs. M. A. Woodbridge, daughter Martha, son George B. Capt. Isaac Brayton.

Mrs. Sarah A. Russell, daughter Mary Louisa.

Capt. Peter F. Chase, wife Lucy.

Mr. Cornelius Reed, wife Phoebe, daughter Rena.

Mrs. Ann L. Russell, daughters Helen and Emily.

Capt.

Capt.

Capt.

Capt.

Capt.

L. P. Capt.

List of Persons Present at the 1871 Reunion (Portage County Republican-Democrat, July 5, 1871): From Rootstown Albert Ray and wife.

Wliliam S. Whippy and wife.

Reuben Russell and wife.

Charles Chase and wife.

David Barnard and daughter.

Whippy.

William Gardner and wife.

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

31

Mrs. Sarah A. Russell and daughter Mary L. Mrs. Anna L. Russell and daughters Helen and Emily Mr. George Greene and wife, and children Susie, Arthur Freddie, and Jimmie.

J. H. Ray and wife, daughter Jennie S. F. M. [?] Spelman and wife.

Miss Mary J. Ray. Miss Laura Folger.

Victor Folger Miss Alice Munroe.

Josiah Munroe Miss Lottie Whippy.

Master Clarence Whippy.

From Ravenna Capt. F. W. Coffin and wife.

Capt. J. B. Coleman and wife.

Capt. Josiah Dong and wife.

Capt. Charles C. Russell.

Mr. E. G. Russell and wife.

Mr. D. C. Coolman and wife and daughters Bertha and Blanche.

Mrs. Mary Coffin.

Col. C. S. Cotter and wife and son Harry.

C. A. Reed and wife and daughter Lorena B. Mrs. S. B. Swain Mrs. Ann M. Meader.

Mr. Albert Russell and wife and son Freddie.

Mr. John B. Russell and wife and daughter Emma.

Dr. F. W. Coffin and wife and daughters May and Maria.

Mrs. C. B. Russell and son Georgie.

Miss Susie Coffin.

Miss Mary F. Long.

Miss Frances Meader.

Phillip M. Coffin, Esq. Dr. Edgar Swain.

Johnny Swain.

Josie Swain.

From Cleveland Mr. Samuel Davis and wife.

Mrs. Eliza Davis.

Miss Eva Davis.

Mr. John Davis and wife.

Mr. Henry Davis.

Mr. Frank Davis.

Oberlin: Capt. Edward Gardner.

Nantucket: Mrs. Eliza Russell Canton: Mr. Charles Russell and wife and son Harry.

Obituaries and Biographical Sketches Consulted I. In the Ravenna, Ohio, newspaper (only the date is given; note that the Ravenna paper was published under the following mastheads: Portage County Democrat, 1855-1868; Portage County Republican-Democrat, 1868-1883; Republican, 1883-1928).

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Barnard, David C., Master Mariner,-October 17, 1883; November 7, 1883.

Barnard, Mrs. Charlotte S., March 15, 1865.

Barnard, Mrs. Sarah Rogers, January 12, 1887.

Brayton, Isaac, Master Mariner, September 12, 1888 (reprinted in Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror, September 22, 1888) ; October 2, 1922.

Brayton, Mary (see Woodbridge).

Brock, Peter C., Master Mariner; no mention.

Chase, Charles W., Master Mariner; January 24, 1878.

Chase, Mrs. Eliza Brown; March 14, 1884.

Chase, Timothy C.; May 18, 1916.

Chase, Peter F., Master Mariner; Xpril 26, 1871.

Chase, Mrs. Lucy Peterson; June 21, 1882.

Chase, Paul, Master Mariner; no mention.

Coffin, Alexander, Master Mariner; December 14, 1870.

Coffin, Mrs. Lydia Law; January 5, 1887.

Coffin, Frederick W., Master Mariner; August 1. 1883; August 8, 1883.

Coffin, James Blood; February 28, 1916.

Coffin, William B.; February 28, 1916.

Coleman, John B., Master Mariner; September 20, 1871.

Coleman, Mrs. Susan Coffin; August 4, 1873.

Coleman, William B.; November 21, 1894.

Coolman, Mrs. D. C. (Elizabeth C. Coleman); March 9, 1911; October 11, 1917.

Folger, John M., Master Mariner; no mention.

Folger, Henry B., Master Mariner; no mention.

Folger, Mrs. Mayhew; June 30, 1858.

Folger, William M.; December 3, 1897; December 3, 1890.

Folger, Mrs. Julia Heydon; October 19, 1870.

Gardner, William J., Master Mariner [?]; July 6, 1892.

Greene, George Washington; February 26, 1873.

Greene, Mrs. Susan Hoffman; April 24, 1862.

Lawrence, Charles, Master Mariner; May 28, 1862.

Lawrence, David B.; September 3, 1890.

Long, Josiah C., Master Mariner; February 16, 1887; February 23, 1887; March 2, 1887; March 9, 1887.

Long, Charles W.; September 9, 1868.

Meader, Mrs. Ann Russell; August 28, 1895.

Munroe, Charles R.; June 9, 1869.

Munroe, William, Master Mariner; December 22, 1866.

Pitman, William, Master Mariner; August 27, 1879.

Ray, Albert, Master Mariner; July 18, 1883; August 1, 1883.

Ray, James H.; November 11, 1918.

Rogers, John B., Master Mariner; November 1, 1876.

Russell, Charles C., Master Mariner; April 23, 1879.

Russell, Charles B.; April 5, 1871.

Russell, George C.; October 17, 1864.

Russell, Edward G.; March 14, 1883; March 28, 1883.

Russell, George G., Master Mariner; May 25, 1864; January 3, 1866 (brief mention only).

Russell, Reuben, Master Mariner; June 30, 1875.

NANTUCKET IN PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

33

Russell, Mrs. Maria Gardner; November 13, 1878; December 7, 1881; October 19, 1892.

Swain, Silas B.; September 15, 1875.

Whippy, William S., Master Mariner; February 16, 1881.

Woodbridge, Mrs. Mary Brayton; October 31, 1894; March 12, 1903.

Wyer, William C., Master Mariner; January 9, 1884; January 16, 1884.

In The History of Portage County, Ohio (Chicago, Warner, Beers and Company, 1885) : Brayton, Isaac.

Gardner, William J. Russell, Albert G. Whippy, William S. Woodbridge, Mrs. Mary Brayton (by Frances E. Willard).

With Part Two of "Nantucket in Portage County, Ohio," Dr. McCormick, who is Associate Professor of English at Kent State University, Ohio, and a summer visitor to Nantucket, concludes his three extremely valuable contributions to the history of the Nan­ tucket settlements in Ohio. His other articles are: "Melville's Third Captain," a study of Capt. John B. Coleman; and "William M. Folger and the Prentiss House," published respectively in the April and October, 1962, issues of HISTORIC NANTUCKET. Part One of "Nantucket in Portage County, Ohio" appeared in the January, 1963, issue.

34

The 1963 Winter Gam ON THE EVENING of last February 27th, at 8 o'clock, Nantucketers once more packed the Maria Mitchell Library, graciously placed at their disposal by the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Society.

The occasion was the 14th Annual Winter "Gam" sponsored by the Nantucket Historical Association. George W. Jones, President of the Association, presided, with Herbert I. Terry again operat­ ing the tape recorder to make everything authentic.

Mr. Jones opened the "Gam" by thanking the Maria Mitchell Society for its courtesy in offering the use of its building, and then called on Dr. "Will" Gardner to start the ball rolling on the subject of the evening's discussion: "Winter Entertainment in the 'Old Days'."

Dr. Gardner expressed surprise at being the first to be thus drafted and said, with a twinkle in his eye, that he was "con­ fused" as to just what to say. Confusion does not come easily to Dr. Gardner and at this remark everybody laughed and settled back to enjoy some titillating comments. They were not disap­ pointed.

Recalling his association with a group of players who per­ formed as "The Energy Club," Dr. Gardner told of a melodrama entitled "The Stolen Will," in which, at the age of twelve, he played the part of a boy entrusted with a will coveted by the "Vil­ lain." The latter eventually discovered that Dr. Gardner, as the "boy," was carrying the will hidden in his shirt and prevailed on him to give it up. Whereupon, a friend in the front row, completely absorbed in the action, cried out, "Damn the boy — he's given him the will!" Dr. Gardner's histrionic ability later served him well when he went to Brown University. There, he disclosed, that in order to pay his college expenses he developed a humorous and pantomimic act, which not only paid his way through college but left him with a surplus of $2,000 at graduation. Dr. Gardner did not explain why he forsook the buskin for the clerical collar; but certainly time proved that the church was by no means the loser.

George Lake was next called on for some of his reminis­ cences and told of a uniformed band and an orchestra in which he played. The band paraded and also gave concerts. At one parade,

THE 1963 WINTER GAM

35

its members and their instruments piled up in a motley heap, tripping over a rope that two mischievous boys had spread low across the street. The perpetrators of this prank had to remain anonymous for a long time.

Mr. Lake also mentioned the many activities at the Atheneum, the second floor of which was a popular hall for concerts and other entertainments. He particularly remembered the glassblowers ; a demonstration of liquid air; a hypnotist who did amaz­ ing tricks with volunteers from the audience; two appearances of Tom Thumb; Barlow's Minstrels in which he was an "end man"; and the "Kickapoo Indians."

Norman Giffin also recalled Barlow's Minstrels and one of the annual "Harvest Concerts," in which he appeared as a goblin dressed in green.

Mention of the "Kickapoo Indians," a band of mock red­ skins who toured the country putting on a show in which they advertised various nostrums, drew forth numerous recollections of this unique and fascinating outfit. On one occasion, two boys sailed down from Wauwinet in a fog to attend a "perform­ ance." It appears that they were a bit too noisy and were ejected from the fenced-in enclosure where the Kickapoo Indians were holding forth. Upon which, one of the boys heaved a chunk of mud over the fence, hitting the chief "Medicine Man" in the chest just as he was demonstrating some kind of elixir. They then fled to their boat and vanished in the fog. One of the boys, according to a letter read by Ripley Nelson, was Bassett Jones. (Dr. Gardner was moved by this recital to remark, with a chuckle, that there was nothing really bad about the boys of his generation, but that "they did raise the devil.")

Mrs. Nancy Adams told of a social and dramatic group that called itself the "Unity Club," of which she was a member. This club, non-sectarian, met in the vestry of the Unitarian Church.

Money was left to it for the construction of a proposed "Unity Hall." But the hall was never built and the funds are still in the bank drawing interest. Mrs. Rozelle Jones also took part in the "Unity Club" shows at the tender age of eight or nine.

There were, of course, numerous supper parties in those nos­ talgic days, interspersed with rides in three-seated surreys and an occasional beach party. And, of course, the "Hiding Candy

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Frolics." Dr. Gardner and several others discussed these lively affairs, said to be peculiar to Nantucket, reciting numerous amus­ ing incidents. Starting as a contest between the boys and girls to see which could find caches of hidden candy, they progressed to the hiding of the boys and girls themselves in houses restricted to a certain area in the center of the Town. If the searchers did not find the hiders by the nine o'clock curfew, all hands met at the Methodist Church and the losers had to pay a forfeit. The boys devised all manner of tricks to keep the girls in sight; but the gentler sex generally won out.

After brief comments about the roller-skating rink in Sea Street, very popular for a time, and the many ways in which the townspeople passed that trying winter when Nantucket was ice-bound for six weeks, the 14th Annual Winter Gam was brought to a close by Mr. Jones at 9:40 and the participants, looking for­ ward to another Gam in '64, got into their dinghies — er, that is, their automobiles, and went back to their ships — beg pardon — their homes! — A. M. C.

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Recent Events PAUL MORRIS gives us the following facts about the "Eunice H. Adams," pictured on the front cover: "She was built at Bris­ tol, Rhode Island, in 1845; measured 107 gross tons, 101 net tons, was 81.3 feet long, 23.3 feet beam, and 8.0 feet in depth. The 'Adams' was commanded from 1865 to 1870 by Captain Zenas Coleman, of Nantucket, and on June 14, 1870, earned the distinc­ tion of being the last whaling vessel to arrive at Nantucket.

She eventually wound up her career by whaling out of the port of New Bedford. She was broken up there about the turn of the century and her beautifully carved stern board now hangs in the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The 'Eunice H. Adams' is shown here rigged as a Hermaphrodite Brig, or Brigantine as the rig is more popularly termed today."

Concerning the artist: Mr. Morris is the Supervisor of Art in the Nantucket Schools. A former student in the Cleveland School of Art, Pratt Institute, and for a number of years a com­ mercial artist and art-buyer in New York City, he now special­ izes in marine painting. He is an authority and lecturer on Ameri­ can sailing vessels and is engaged in gathering material for a book on that subject. *

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CORRECTION: The summer home of the late Mr. Lucius Potter, donor of the Governor Winthrop desk in the 1800 House, was at No. 5 Mill Street, not Milk Street, as erroneously stated in the January issue. *

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Browsing through the files of The Inquirer and Mirror in the Atheneum Library, we ran across an item in the issue of May 3, 1859, quoting an item from the New Bedford Mercury to the effect that the Whaleship "Florida" unloaded 15,000 barrels of oil by steam power in one day, an operation which, under the old "stevedore" system of hoisting out by hand, would have taken a week. What price "automation"!

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

" 'Progress' means preserving and cherishing as well as changing and 'improving'." — Eric Sevareid in the February Reader's Digest. *

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In all the sound and fury over the Boatline's deficit and the arguments pro and con as to the best way to handle it, we venture the opinion that there is one angle which has not been sufficiently explored: to wit, the possibility, if not, indeed, the duty of the Commonwealth to extend financial help. There are twenty-five miles or so of State highways on Nantucket (not to mention those on the Vineyard), maintained at public expense and policed

by State Troopers barracked on the Island, which are cut off from the rest of the elaborate system of State highways by thirty miles of ocean, and so useless except to those people who happen to be on the Island. To be sure, there's the Ferry. But it has been well said that a Ferry is only the extension of a highway. If the State can build and maintain a bridge over water that would otherwise cut a highway in two, it certainly should do the same, for what, after all, is only a floating bridge. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that tax monies paid by Nantucketers go in part to build and support bridges throughout the Commonwealth. It seems to us that much more should be made of this argument. *

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The young cherry trees, planted last year along Centre Street from Main to India and along South Water Street, should be well established by now and soon should give a preview of what we may expect as they mature. They are not likely to compete with Washington's famed cherry trees but they will add much charm to the center of the town.

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Diary of William C. Folger EDITED BY NANCY S. ADAMS

(Continued from the January Issue of "Historic Nantucket")

1837 July 14—I bot 6 cts. w. of milk to-day. Were at Little Falls about 10 or 11 a.m. Got to lltica just before night, bot. 18 cts. w. of groceries. Walked about and viewed the place. Saw Chittenango, Manlies etc. to-day, and about 5 or 6 o'clock got to Syracuse. Bot. 1 cts. w. of snuff. F. E. Chase here took ashore a box as he said, to send up the Oswego Canal, said he was going up to see a cousin, afterwards came back & said his cousin told him his mother and sister had left Canton about a week ago for New York & that he had no money to pay his passage and must go up and get some from his cousin, the boat was about to leave and I ran down & got on board & reported to the Captain of the boat, about this time the boat had left Syracuse, the Capt. went back on foot after Chase but did not find him. then he hired a waggon & started to go back again & found him travelling on the turnpike towards Geddesburg or Salina, he had on a thick blue cloth coat & panta­ loons when the Capt. met him but took off the coat & put on his jacket. The Capt. hailed me to come to him from the boat & I went and to relieve Chase from his embarrassment, out of benevo­ lence I offered to give the Capt. 3 dollars to let Chase go about his business. We went into a store near a bridge in Geddesburg where Chase gave the Capt. a note for 'the balance of board & gave me a paper saving he would pay Lydia G. Bunker three dol­ lars for me for this money if I let him have three dollar bill for the Capt. Chase gave me a snuff box which I declined at first but finally accepted at last and we took an affectionate leave of him.

When I had got back on board the boat and she was under way the Capt. mentioned about his having a blue suit on, he had told me he had none aboard but thin clothes. I went down and looked in my bag & trunk & found a bundle gone. The Capt. and I went back taking different sides of the Canal. I overtook Chase having on my blue black coat & pantaloons & 'took from him my handker­ chief & coat, pantaloons & a pair of thin pantaloons and was then joined by the Capt. I left him after talking some to him. The Capt. then said to me, Clark offered to sell the cap in the store where I le't him have three dollars. I went back, met Chase again, searched his bundle and got out my fur cap and also took a thick vest which

40

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

I thought mine altho' he said not, I told him to come alongside and if it was not mine he should have it. It was now between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, he declined to come alongside and as the boat was getting under way & went fast I had no chance to return him the vest, as I found it not to be mine.

J u l y 16 Bot. 6cts. w. of pie & 3 cts. w. of milk at Montezuma.

I had left a letter at Weeds/port (from Nantucket to go to Au­ burn) Passed Montezuma marshes. Left a letter this afternoon at Lyons for Balsh, bot some gingerbread. I paid Capt. Timothy Adams for passage to Rochester from Albany — $4.03 and for one meal 31 cts. The distance from Rochester is 269 miles (from Al­ bany) .

July 17—We arrived at Rochester about 11 a.m. went & viewed the Falls of Genessee & walked about the city. Bot about 25 cts. w. of groceries, berries, crackers etc. Left about 2 p.m.

July 18—We arrived this morning at Medina a large & apparently flourishing village with stone mills, brick & stone churches etc.

Arrived this afternoon at Lockport. I went up & viewed the town, it appears to be flourishing. Bot 6 cts. w. of pie & 2 cts. w. of milk.

July 19—Arrived in the night at Buffalo. I paid the Captain yes­ terday 1.50 cts for passage from Rochester to Buffalo. Bot. some milk & gingerbread. Called at the store of M. Kingman & Co. ship Canal and found John G. Coffin's chest which was sent from Cleveland last year and ordered it sent to New York to their agent there. Called at the United States Hotel to see Francis G. Macy but found he had gone West. Put my trunk and bag aboard of the Daniel Webster Steamboat for Cleveland. Paid 2.50 for deck pas­ sage.

July 20—Stopped at Dunkirk, Erie, Astabula & arrived at Cleve­ land about 11 p.m. Had my baggage taken to Reuben Champions.

Distributed some letters I bot. Mailed two letters for John Davis in Munroeville and 2 papers. I paid 22 cts. postage on them. Got at the office the Nantucket Inquirer from April 22 to this time.

July 21—Distributed the rest of my letters.

July 22—I bot a thin hat for one dollar, and some pie. I went out to Parma stopped at Jesse R. Freemans this night, gave him a few shells I brought from Nantucket.

July 23—I went to meeting in Brooklyn with J. R. Freeman, after meeting came to Cleveland.

July 24—I saw Robert B. Chase for the first time since my arrival.

July 25—Reuben Champion let me have 6 dollars of Michigan money, three dollars of it very uncurrent. Capt. Chase offered to

DIARY OF WILLIAM C. FOLGER

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take me to Detroit at 2 dollars per week board on Ms schooner.

I concluded to go with him. He got for me four barrells of flour on time of the voyage at ten dollars a bbl. Went aboard just before dark and set sail.

July 26—This day it was very rough and the wind being rather ahead and the Capt. carrying considerable sail, the water a num­ ber of times broke over the vessell & floated some of the barrells of whisky on deck and came into the cabin, however we got into a bay about noon at Cunningham's Island where it was smooth. I never saw such a rough time when I was on ship board before. We went ashore and I bot 3 cts. w. of walnuts, Had some flowers presented by Mrs. Kelley.

July 27—It being fine weather we left this morning & at night in Detroit Bay. July 28—We sailed up the Detroit River having Michigan on one side and Upper Canada on the other, passed Amhersthung & Sandwich in Canada and arrived at Detroit about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Went ashore and up to view the city, passed through Jefferson Avenue & several other streets. It is quite a pretty place has many fine buildings and six or eight churches, two of which are Catholic. Bot 3 cts. w. of milk.

July 29—Capt. Chase sold for me the four barrells of flour at $10.75 and deducting 25 cts for freight gives me 50 cts. a bbl. profit on the flour. I walked about and viewed the city. Capt. Chase & I went to an encampment of Indians of the Deleware tribe mixed with some other' tribes, they were in the city on the Cass Farm. I was told that 370 in all, men, women and children dressed in Indian style, one had feathers on his head, one was smoking a tomahawk pipe which he offered me for a dollar. Their Chief addressed them in the Indian tongue to which they replied in the same. Generally speaking they were a dirty looking people with ragged leggings, blankets etc. some were asleep on the ground under trees. Bot 6 cts. w. of cherries at the market. The market men & women were mostly of French descent & conversed in the french language, some of the women were good looking but gen­ erally dark skinned, they rowed their own log canoes in coming up Detroit River. Detroit is situated on clayey soil and is very muddy.

J u l y go—I left Detroit this morning in Schooner Helen and at one o'clock the next morning we arrived at Cleveland wharf, a quick passage.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

August 1—Dined at Capt. Chase's to-day. He paid me 371/2 cts. that my flour came to, more than "passage.

August 3—Reuben Champion let me have twenty seven dollars Michigan & Canada money and 871/2 cts. shin plasters out of which he expects me to purchase some things for his family during his absence. Paid one dollar for my washing bill.

Aug. 5.—Wrote to father, paid postage 25 cts. Paid Mrs. Cham­ pion for silk dyeing — $1.75. I let Ichabod Champion have on the 3rd. the Cleveland bill to pay him for the five dollars John G. Coggin let me have, to give him.

Aug. 8—I borrowed of Charles Bradburn a five dollar bill of Phoenix Bank of Hartford, Conn., to send to Nantucket. I fin­ ished writing to Asa G. Bunker and enclosed the five dollars of Hartford bank and five dollars of Nantucket Man. & Mechanics bank of Nantucket for Lydia G. Bunker to go towards my due bill. I requested Asa to collect, some small sums due me. I wrote Uncle Walter and sent him the genealogy I collected in Hudson, N. Y. Aug. 9—I collected of Robert Cather for rent of R. Champions store $6.37 which is to be credited to R. Champion on account of notes. I had spent part of yesterday and almost all the day be­ fore trying to find Cather.

Aug. 10—Took a walk with Capt. Glover in forenoon and in afternoon I took a botanical walk.

Aug. 11—I got a barrell of flour of N. C. Hill for Mrs. Reuben Champion for $4.50. Paid Capt. Daniel Worley for postage of Inquirer from July 1 to Oct. 1, 1837 — 39 cts.

Aug. 12—I walked out and saw some racing of horses on the race ground.

Aug. 13—Went to Presbyterian meeting in forenoon & to Baptist in the afternoon.

Aug. 15—Took a walk with Capt. Glover in forenoon & in the afternoon I went out after blackberries & whortle berries & got wet from a shower.

Aug. 17—I let Mrs. Reuben Champion have a five dollar bill of Green bay bark that I had received of R .Champion. Bot 29 cts. worth of beef steak for Mrs. Champion.

Aug. 18—Let Mrs. Champion have a two dollar bill of Canada and also a two dollar bill of Michigan to be charged to the acct. of Reuben Champion.

(To Be Continued)

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Legacies and Bequests Membership in our Association proves that you are interested in its program for the preservation of Nantucket's famed heritage and its illustrious past, which so profoundly affected the develop­ ment of our country. You can perpetuate that interest by giving to the Association a legacy under your will, which will help to insure the Association's carrying on. Counsel advises that legacies to the Nantucket Historical Association are allowable deductions under the Federal Estate Tax law.

Legacies will be used for general or specific purposes as di­ rected by the donor. A sample form may read as follows: "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Nantucket Historical Association, a corporation duly or­ ganized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and located in the Town of Nantucket, in said Commonwealth, the sum of dollars."

Legacies 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.

Please send all communications to Miss Ethel Anderson, Secretary, P. 0. Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts. Office, Fair Street Museum.

View from 1800 House northerly to Main Street.