Historic Nantucket, January 1971, Vol. 18 No. 3

Historic Nantucket

Cross Rip Lightship — "Old No. 5" — One of Nantucket's Veterans, on Station 1.867-1915 JANUARY, 1971 Published Quarterly by NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, Edouard A. Stackpole.

Vice Presidents, Mrs. Edith C. Andrews, W. Ripley Nelson, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, George W. Jones.

Honorary Vice Presidents, Mrs. William Mather, Miss Grace Brown Gardner.

Administrator, Leroy H. True Treasurer, Mrs. Evelyn S. Cisco Secretary, Mrs. Austin Tyrer.

Councillors, Edouard A. Stackpole, Chairman: Mrs. Albert F. Egan, Jr., Irving Bartlett, terms expire 1971; Albert G. Brock, John N. Welch, terms expire 1972; Henry Mitchell Havemeyer, David Worth, terms expire 1973.

Phebe Swain, Bernard Grossman, terms expire 1974.

Executive Finance Committee, W. Ripley Nelson, Chairman; Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, Albert F. Egan, Jr., George W. Jones, Mrs. Edith C. Andrews, Edouard A Stackpole, ex efficio.

Advertising and Publicity, Leroy H. True, Chairman.

Honorary Curator, Mrs. William L. Mather.

Administrator, Leroy H. True Curator, Miss Dorothy Gardner.

Editor, "Historic Nantucket", Edouard A. Stackpole; Assistant Editor, Mrs. R. A. Orleans.

Chairmen of Exhibits, Historical Museum, Mrs. Elizabeth Worth; Whaling Museum, W. Ripley Nelson; Hadwen House-Satler Memorial, Alcon Chad­ wick; Old Mill, Richard F. Swain; Old Jail, Albert G. Brock; 1800 House, Mrs. Roy H. Gilpatrick; Fire Hose Cart House, Irving T. Bartlett; Oldest House Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews; Franklin-Folger Seat and Memorial Boulder, Francis Sylvia.

STAFF

Historical Museum and Friends Meeting House Mrs. Elizabeth Worth Chairman and Receptionist Mrs. Clara Block Librarian Mrs. Charles Barr Assistant Oldest House Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews Chairman Mrs. Lawrence F. Mooney Receptionist Hadwen House - Satler Memorial Mcon Chadwick Chairman Mrs. Irving Soverino Chairman, Reception Committee Miss Rosamond Duffy Receptionists Miss Marjorie Burgess Miss Maude Jackson The 1800 House Mrs. Roy H. Gilpatrick Chairman Mrs. John Kittila Receptionist The Old Jail Albert G. Brock Chairman Mrs. Harriett Caddell Receptionist The Old Mill Richard F. Swain Chairman Charles Walters Receptionist The Whaling Museum W. Ripley Nelson Chairman Walter W. Lindquist Administrator Mrs. Elizabeth Lindquist Receptionist Charles A. West Receptionist, Craft Shops Clarence H. Swift Jesse Dunham Relief Mrs. Elizabeth Yerxa Mrs. Reginald F. Hussey Librarian Miss Helen E. Winslow Research

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Published quarterly and devoted to the preservation of Nantucket's antiquity, its famed heritage and its illustrious past as a whaling port.

VOLUME 18

January, 1971

No. 3

CONTENTS Nantucket Historical Association Officers and Staff

2

Editorial

4

Annual Meeting Report

5

William Mitchell, by his son, Henry Mitchell

7

Nantucket and The American Revolution,

by John Gardner Lathrop

11

Recent Events

19

Role of Macys, Coffins, Starbucks during the First Generation of Nantucket Quakerism, by Robert J. Leach .... 23 American Whaling on the Chathams Grounds,

by Rhys Richards

29

Nantucket Shares in New England Microfilming Project

41

Legacies and Bequests

43

Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent to Association Members. Extra copies $.50 each.

Membership dues are — Annual-Active $3.00; Sustaining $10.00; Life—one payment $50.00.

Second-class postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Copyright, 1970, Nantucket Historical Association.

Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Hstorical Association. Nantucket, Massachusetts, 02554.

4

Editorial A Master Plan for Nantucket SEVERAL WEEKS ago it was announced that through the co­ operation of the Selectmen, the Planning Board and the Nan­ tucket Historical Trust the long-awaited "Master Plan" for Nantucket had been prepared by the professional organization engaged to do the work. It is necessary to have such a plan be­ fore requests for the implementation are made to the Town, State or Federal government.

In light of the future potential in such a Master Plan there is a great deal of hope, as it offers much in what must be con­ ceded as essential improvements for our Island and Town. For example, such projects as the traffic problem, realignment and .extension of the sewer system, placing public utility wires underground, a master station for television reception (and thus eliminate ugly antennae), tree plantings, street restoration, con­ trol of architectural designs — all have a tremendous influence on Nantucket's future.

As for the Town itself, we have been fortunate in having the protection of the Historic Districts. It has been and continues to be an important adjunct in keeping our architectural heritage a living force.

As an example of an especial project as regards the Master Plan we consider one of the Town's major assets — Main Street's Square. This cobbled market place has been the business center of the Town for over two centuries. However, in recent years, there has been a distinct loss in its physical appearance. Main Street's Square is the old English town marketplace, where the tide of Island history flowed strongly, and then ebbed. With the development of a summer industry, the Square resumed its role as the centerpiece and, under arching elms, once more be­ came a busy place. With attention to building details, with at­ traction for new business, the stores again took on characteristic appearances. But, in recent years, the street has gone into a decline in certain store occupancies. The "tone" of the older days is needed to restore its traditional character.

Whatever is developed through a "master plan" our Town requires few changes which may rub that look that, like a patina, is a natural result of growing old in a sturdy sense. There are other needs and not all demand elaborate planning or financing.

Annual Meeting THE 76th ANNUAL MEETING of the Nantucket Historical Association, held on Tuesday, July 21st, 1970 was called to order at 2:40 p.m. by the President, Edouard Stackpole, with approxi­ mately 50 persons in attendance. Inasmuch as committee reports are printed in the July issue of Historic Nantucket, the President waived reading them. There were no questions concerning the reports.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Stackpole said Miss Grace Brown Gardner, one of the Vice Presidents, wished to be retired from her position because of her health. He said that she had returned to Nantucket in 1942 and became a member of the Council at that time. In 1946 she was appointed a Vice President and has served faithfully ever since that time. Her health does not permit her to attend meetings now but she is still mentally as keen as ever and deeply interested in the Association. She now feels it is better to make room for someone more in a position to carry on the responsibility of the Vice Presidency. The members voted an unanimous expression of gratitude to Miss Gardner for her many years of service to the Association.

Mr. Stackpole then introduced Mr. Robert Leach who was the guest speaker at the Annual Meeting two years ago. Mr. Leach acknowledged the introduction by stating he was now a member.

Mr. Jones then assumed the chair for the nomination and election of officers who were presented as follows: President, Edouard Stackpole; Vice Presidents: W. Ripley Nelson, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, George W. Jones, and Mrs. Edith Andrews; Honorary Vice Presidents, Mrs. William Mather, Miss Grace Brown Gardner; Treasurer, Mrs. Evelyn Cisco; Secretary, Mrs. Elizabeth Tyrer; Councillors for 4 years, Bernard Grossman, Mrs. Phoebe Swain.

Irving T. Bartlett was elected Councillor for one year to fill the vacancy caused by the death of H. Errol Coffin.

President Stackpole thanked the members for their vote of confidence in re-electing him and presented his annual re­ port. He stressed not only the importance of Nantucket's con­ nection with its past as a whaling port but the responsibility of the Association in preserving for the future such memorabilia as will be housed in the Foulger Memorial Building when com­ pleted. He also mentioned the importance of the Whaling Mu­ seum's newest addition on the west side to house the skeleton of the whale, with the Historical Trust assisting in this project.

6

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Brian King, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kent King, presented to to Mr. Stackpole, on behalf of his late uncle, Clarence A. Lundquist, and his aunt, a very beautifully done hooked rug which the family is giving to the Association. The rug was designed by Mr. Lundquist and worked by his wife who spent one year com­ pleting it. It shows the map of the Island in soft greens and browns with ponds in deep blue, as well as the ocean surrounding it. The border has a deep red background and shows the various birds inhabiting the Island. On the sides are flowers found on the Island. The craftsmanship is truly a work of art and it is planned to have the rug framed and hung in the Foulger Memorial. The design has been copyrighted by Mrs. Lundquist so that it may not be reproduced without written consent.

Mr. Stackpole then called on Mr. W. Ripley Nelson, Chair­ man of the Executive Committee, to stand and receive the ap­ plause of the members. Mr. Stackpole stated Mr. Nelson has given so much of his time and energy to the Association and has indeed made great progress for the Association.

Mr. Stackpole then introduced the speaker, Mr. Richard Kugler, Director of the Dartmouth Whaling Museum in New Bedford for the past two years and formerly connected with the Naval Hydrographic Institute in Washington, D. C. Mr. Kugler gave an interesting talk on the charts prepared in 1842 to 1861 by Lieutenant Maury who was superintendent of the Navy Depart­ ment of Charts. He spoke of the work done in preparing the charts, how the log books of naval vessels were catalogued, and incorporated into wind and current charts, the first ones being prepared in 1847. His aim was to provide charts which would assist whalers in tracing the habits of the right and sperm whales.

Henry Mitchell Havemeyer then had a most interesting contribution to make to the Association. He managed to buy 150 copies of the National Geographic, June issue, but had to prom­ ise not to sell them. He then gave copies away to anyone wishing to have them in exchange for a check made out to the Association.

He presented 110 checks amounting to $526 and said he still had a few copies on hand, and hopefully would be able to turn over more in the future. These were then presented to the Association with the heartfelt thanks of the members.

Mr. Stackpole then asked for a vote of approval of a vote of the Council to grant an easement on Sunset Hill to Mrs. de Sieyes for the purpose of a pipe line under the property along the road­ side at the Oldest House. This was unanimously approved.

The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Tyrer Secretary

7

Henry Mitchell Writes About His Father William Mitchell ONE OF NANTUCKET'S most illustrious scholars was William Mitchell, who became a teacher, mathematician, surveyor, bank cashier and astronomer — largely as the result of his own efforts in study and practice. He became the instructor and inspiration for his daughter, Miss Maria Mitchell, who gained interna­ tional recognition as the first outstanding woman astronomer in America. While not so well known as his sister, Henry Mitchell, the brother of Maria, established a remarkable record with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and his study of the tides around Nantucket has never been surpassed, although but

Henry Mitchell, Marine Scientist.

For many years a noted Hydrographer with the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. one of many of his contributions to coastal surveys all along the east coast. Despite his busy career in Washington and his active participation in survey work at sea, Henry Mitchell found

HISTORIC NANTUCKET 8 time to visit his native home and his summer residence on the Cliff still stands.

Among his papers was found a brief study of his father, William Mitchell's life. As a tribute to his father it is unusual in that it summarizes a lifetime of endeavor in such a short com­ pass, and in its understatement is also characteristic of Henry Mitchell, as well. Through the interest of the great-grandson, Henry Mitchell Havemeyer, of 28 Orange Street, a Councillor of the Nantucket Historical Association, we are presenting this unusual biography.

My father was born at Nantucket on the 20th of December, 1791. His opportunities for education were such only as the Island at that time afforded, and his recollections of his early school days were so connected with the severe discipline common at that time, that he never liked to dwell upon them. He says, in a brief account of his life, written in 1868, that no teacher inspired him with any love of learning. Altho' his Father was in very com­ fortable circumstances, he followed the custom of the lads of the time and at the age of 15 learned a cooper's trade, which he followed for three years only. At 18 years of age he accepted a place as assistant teacher in a school & later became the prin­ cipal of the same school.

In 1812, Dec. 10th, he married Lydia Coleman, whom he had known from his early years. This union lasted more than fortyeight years. Ten children were born of whom he says: "All that my children and grandchildren are, physically and morally, un­ der a kind of Providence, is attributable to that talented and ex­ cellent woman. Never were the duties of wife and mother more conscientiously performed."

In the war of 1812, my Grandfather's property, mostly in ships, was nearly all lost, and my Father, marrying at this time, was obliged to practice the most rigid economy. He left his school in the winter of 1814 and engaged in an oil factory and a cooperage with his Father. In 1822 he resumed school keeping.

When public schools were established at Nantucket, he was one of the first teachers appointed: he found it in a few years too laborious and established a private school, in which he was very successful. He was afterward Secretary of an insurance office, then, for many years, Cashier of the Pacific Bank and Treasurer of the Savings Bank at Nantucket. In 1861, he retired from all business and removed to Lynn, where two of his daughters resided and, in 1865, went to Vassar College, Po'keepsie.

Altho' little of a politician he held many honorable positions in the State government. He was a member of the Massachusetts Convention for the revision of the Constitution in 1820; 24 years later, a member of the State Senate; later of the Council of Gov. Briggs to whom he was much attracted. He was elected a mem-

9

William Mitchell — Teacher, Astronomer, Banker — Father of Maria Mitchell and Henry Mitchell

10

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

ber of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College for 6 years and re-elected, at the end of that time, by almost unanimous vote of both houses.

He was, from his early years, interested in Astronomical Science. His mathematical learning was too limited for its more difficult calculations, but he studied it from nature and his con­ siderations of it were philosophical. He was a good observer with almost no instruments. He was one of the first, if not the very first person in the country, to see Halley's Comet on its return in 1885. He says, in the sketch before referred to, "I have, some­ how, had a scientific reputation, altho' never entitled to it, and in middle life held quite a position among astronomers of that day." For some years he made observations for the Coast Survey, to determine the latitude and longitude of Nantucket. He calcu­ lated carefully the eclipse of February 12, 1831, which was an­ nular at Nantucket.

A Quaker by birth, and always in harmony with the views of that sect, he had much of its quiet, patient and peaceful char­ acteristics and, never a strong man, he died of old age at 77.

The last years of his life, spent in the Observatory of Vassar College, were remarkably happy. He says: "With scarcely a cir­ cumstance to throw a shade over my declining years,_ I have made acquaintances among teachers and professors, which a Prince might envy."

He approached death, not only with calmness, but with cheerfulness. Although he was an invalid for nearly a year and confined to his room for months, his mind lost none of its vigor and his interest in subjects of physical science continued un­ abated. He listened to the reading of a letter a few hours before his death, and spoke within a few minutes of the cessation of breathing.

Just a year before his death he wrote: "I have had my days of sorrow and of trial, but I know of no man, living or dead, whose life has been so exempt from the evils common to man­ kind."

11

Nantucket and The American Revolution

BY JOHN GARDNER LATHROP

REVOLUTIONS are costly in terms of lives and wealth to both revolutionaries and those against whom they are revolting.

They are especially costly to the people caught in the middle; the neutrals. During the American Revolution, Nantucket Is­ land, Massachusetts, attempted to remain neutral and exper­ ienced the hardest time in her history. Because of its naturally peaceful ways, its indefensible position as an island so far from the mainland, its necessary neutrality which caused both the British and Americans to distrust the islanders, its lack of any home industry, and its lack of enough food and fuel to support the residents, Nantucket suffered more during the Revolution than any other similar town in the colonies.

When we are dealing with such a small area as Nantucket, it is impossible to deal with the broad sweeping ideology which may have motivated mainland revolutionaries. The island was not seething with revolt before the revolution and although the islanders did fight with the colonists for independence from England, most of the islanders were far more concerned with their own situations than with freedom from the mother coun­ try. Few on the island welcomed the Revolution as many did on the mainland. Those who went to fight fought mainly in privateers or in the tiny colonial navy.

The most important feature to remember about Nantucket is that it is an island thirty miles at sea with very little land under profitable cultivation. It is small — about fourteen miles long and three miles wide — and there was never an abundance of wood. It is best suited for the raising of sheep and fishing.

Not much has changed over the years except that very few sheep now graze and the fishermen never see anything as large as a whale. The islanders had chased the whales out of the North Atlantic by 1800 and would have chased the whales out sooner had it not been for the ten year cessation of whale fish­ ing during the Revolution. But the important point is that Nantucketers have had to depend on outside sources for food and fuel since long before the Revolution.

The geographical feature is also important because it ruled out any possible defensive action against raiders. The main town was the site of most of the houses and all of the businesses on the Island. It was located on the only harbor so that any raider had access to the town. Being so far at sea, help was not readily available in the event of an attack, and the townspeople had no weapons with which to defend themselves.

12

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The religion of the Nantucketers had a great deal to do with their actions during the war. About half of the islanders were practicing Quakers and undoubtedly the rest were at least in­ fluenced by Quaker principles. For our purposes, it is impor­ tant to remember two of the important articles of their faith.

They believed that war was un-Christian and they were char­ itable to the poor. They found no inconsistency between their faith and the shrewdness, sobriety, austerity, and integrity of a successful businessman, or merchant.* Burnham Dell, in his Quakerism, on Nantucket says that in 1765 there were about eighteen hundred Quakers in Nantucket and in 1794, after the decrease in population resulting from the Revolution, there were three hundred families representing about two thousand per­ sons in Quaker meetings.f From the very beginning Nantucketers have been very in­ dependent people. This is partially because of their geographical location and partially because of their heritage. To this day some Nantucketers speak of a trip to the mainland as a trip to "America." The island was settled by men who were Eng­ lish born and had come to Massachusetts Bay to avoid religious persecution. Under the Puritan rule the Quakers again found they were being persecuted. Most of the founding fathers, how­ ever, were not of any particular faith so they did not identify with the Puritan government of Massachusetts. Nantucket was made a part of the colony of New York from 1664 to 1692 when she reverted to Massachusetts Bay. Thus no great colony loyalty existed.* In fact, the Nantucketers, by the time of the Revolu­ tion were more closely tied to London economically than they were to Boston; they disliked the Boston merchants who had acted as middlemen at great cost to the islanders for many years.

On the eve of the Revolution, during the years 1770-1775, Nantucket had reached her first high water mark in the whal­ ing industry. Thomas Jefferson made a report to the Congress on the "State of Whale Fishery in Massachusetts 1771-1775."t Nantucket, he reported, annually outfitted sixty-five vessels for northern fishery and eighty-five vessels for southern fishery. The tonnage of the one-hundred and fifty ships was 15,075 tons, the seamen employed 2,025 men, and the barrels of Spermaceti Oil and Whale Oil taken was 26,000 barrels and 4,000 barrels respect­ ively. These facts are amazing in themselves, but when com­ pared to the totals of the rest of the state, they are truly fan­ tastic.

Originally the oil had been shipped first to Boston and then to England, and the goods purchased returned the same way. *Dell, p. 10 *Dell, p. 8

fDell, p. 15 fMacy, p. 80 and Starbuck, p. 176

NANTUCKET AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

13

Thus the Nantucketers were doubly victimized by the middle­ men in Boston. In 1745, the first Nantucket ship loaded with oil went directly to England and brought finished goods back again.* The islanders continued this practice and grew quite wealthy in spite of the bounty that Parliament gave to the young Eng­ lish whaling industry. The average prices of Spermaceti and Whale Oil were thirty-five pounds and forty-four pounds re­ spectively per barrel, f Three ships engaged in this oil trade were the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver which sailed from Nantucket to London in 1773 with a cargo of oil. The Dartmouth and the Beaver were owned in Nantucket and the latter was commanded by Captain Hezekiah Coffin of Nantucket.J It may be remembered that the ships were involved in the famous Boston Tea Party. This then was the state of whaling at the eve of the Revolution. The island had everything to lose by war and they came very close to losing it all.

Nantucketers had known for a number of years that some sort of split was coming between the colonies and the mother coun­ try, but for reasons outlined before they hoped until it was too late that nothing would occur. The rupture between the Massa­ chusetts General Court and the Royal Governor, General Gage, on October 5, 1774 first brought the conflict home to the Nan­ tucketers. Stephen Hussey had been chosen in September to represent the town in Salem where the General Court was sit­ ting, but he did not go. The islanders must have had an early desire to stay out of the impending conflict.* Great Britain wanted to discipline Massachusetts so it attacked Massachusetts where she was strongest economically — her fishing industry.

On February 10, 1775, Parliament passed the Massachu­ setts Bay Restraining Bill which restricted trade from New England to the mother country and her possessions in the West Indies. More important for Nantucket, it prohibited any fishing on the Newfoundland Banks or any other part of the North American coast.* The London merchants and many others were opposed to this measure but it passed nevertheless. The Society of Friends in England sent the following petition to Parliament which accurately describes the plight of the island: That a great number of innocent persons, particu­ larly in the island of Nantucket, would, by the prohib­ itory bill, be reduced to extreme distress. The inhabi­ tants of this island amounted to between five and six thousand in number; the soil of it was so barren, that, though fifteen miles in length, and three in breadth, its *Macy, p. 62 JW. F. Maey, p. 79 *Starbuck, p. 177

fMacy, p. 81 *Starbuck, p. 177, footnote.

14

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

produce was scarce sufficient for the maintenance of 20 families. From the only harbor this island contains, without natural products of any sort, the inhabitants, by astonishing industry, kept a hundred and forty vessels constantly employed. Of these, eight were occu­ pied in the importation of the necessary provisions, and the rest in the whale fishery; which, with invincible courage and perseverence, they had extended from the frozen regions of the North, to the coast of Africa, the Brazils, and even as far South as the Falkland Islands, and some of their fishing voyages continued twelve months.

The petition stated that if the bill were to pass the islanders would be exposed to famine.! This resulted in some modification towards Nantucket.

The Continental Congress in Philadelphia had passed nonconsumption, non-importation, and non-exportation agreements which would have meant starvation had the islanders obeyed them, but the colonial government of Massachusetts attempted to modify any acts detrimental to Nantucket.

Later that month, after Lexington and Concord, the is­ landers realized with dread that the worst had come. All bus­ iness on the island stopped as wives worried about their hus­ bands who were out whaling. Most of the Nantucket ships ar­ rived home safely, however, because the British thought the whole country would comply with the regulations after the clos­ ing of Boston harbor. By the time they discovered their mistake and sent out their cruisers, the island ships were safe in port.

The islanders resolved to lay up their vessels to save them from danger. A number of families left at this time for the mainland where they thought it would be safer to live.

At first, the Nantucketers were more harrassed by their own countrymen who thought they had Loyalist leanings. There is nothing to indicate that Nantucket had a large number of Tories, but since the island chose to remain neutral its inhab­ itants were suspect by the colonial authorities.

On May 23, 1775, a hundred provincial soldiers landed in the town to seize a large quantity of flour which they said had been landed on the island some time before and which was ac­ tually destined for General Gage in Boston. They stayed four days and departed without any flour, but with fifty or sixty whale boats.* On June 9, 1775, the Provincial Congress allowed exportation of essential stores to Nantucket but only with per­ mission of the local Committees of Safety. A month later the Provincial Congress heard a report stating that Nantucket had a large store of supplies and was outfitting a whaling fleet.!

NANTUCKET AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

15

This was not true, but the Congress restricted trade with Nantucket until the islanders proved they were not trading with the British. A General Court was called to meet that summer and all towns were supposed to send representatives, but the selectmen of Nantucket sent a petition asking to be allowed not to send a representative. They felt that they would be opened to attacks from the British without having Provincial protection.

They asked to be allowed to remain able to "pursue such meas­ ures, as to avoid giving any just occasion of offence to our fellow subjects this, or the other side of the Atlantic." They also an­ swered the report of their trading with the enemy, saying: If any reports have reached you, that have appeared unfavorable, in respect to any supplies having gone from this place to the British Fisheries, or any other way to the prejudice of this Country, you may be assured they are without foundation, and we fear are calculated by designing men, to set us in an unfavorable light, but we are ready to meet our accusers when called upon and undergo the strictest examination. J The Provincial Congress was satisfied that the Nantucketers were not dealing with the enemy, but they still did not lift the restrictions on the island. Later that summer the General Court passed a bill prohibiting any whaling without a permit issued by the Court. The Nantucket whalemen were put into an impossible position. They had to have the permits, but if the British caught them with the permits they would be taken as rebels. Nevertheless, several owners petitioned the General Court for the permits; these permits were granted with the stipulation that the whaling ships carry no more provisions than were needed for the voyage and that they post a bond of two thousand pounds.

The islanders had further trouble when Governor Trumbull of Connecticut wrote to the Provincial Congress to inform them that Nantucketers were using their permits to import more than they needed and selling the rest to the English. The General Court cancelled all old permits, made the selectmen account for all supplies imported and also requested an estimate of food and fuel needed on the island. They were allowed to import just the amount of the estimate. The islanders soon felt the pinch of this new unjustified regulation and protested to no avail.* Still another incident of harrassment by the Provincial au­ thorities occurred in the fall of 1775 when Dr. Samuel Gelston of Nantucket was arrested for supplying the enemy. A small vessel owned by a Barnstable man, Shubael Lovell, was chased into the harbor at Nantucket by a British man-of-war. The town JStarbuck, p. 185.

*Starbuck, p. 18.8.

16

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

was asked by the British to exchange some bread for other food­ stuffs. Under the threat of the British guns, they did so. Since Dr. Gelston had acted as the town's agent in the matter, he was locked in the Plymouth jail. He was eventually released by the General Court.* After the calling in of the fleet after the start of the Revolu­ tion, the island settled into a pattern. Most of the men either joined the colonial army or navy (the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War credits eighty-six island­ ers with having served), served on colonial privateers, moved to the mainland, or stayed virtually inactive on the island.

Undoubtedly more Nantucketers served in the Colonial armed forces than those eighty-six.

The records of The Society of Friends show forty-six men who were disowned for participating in the war. Most of them are listed as suspended for "Going to sea in armed vessel."! To these men the idleness caused by the end of the whaling industry or the patriotic feeling of the Revolution caused them to reject their religious principles. A number of men served on colonial privateers. I would guess that more men went privateering than served in the armed forces because that way of life would be more appealing to the independent minded Nantucketers.

Life on the island was reduced to a struggle for food and fuel. In spite of the number of men fighting for the colonial cause, a much larger portion of the male population stayed in enforced idleness on the island. These were the men who either did not sympathize with the colonial cause, were too old to fight even had they wanted to, or were Quakers whose religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms. There is no reason to suspect that Nantucket had more than its share of loyalists — no records of outstanding Tories remain although several Quakers were accused of having loyalist sympathies. It is reasonable to assume that some of the merchants had Tory leanings because they had had strong economic ties with London and a great hatred towards Boston.

A large share of the two thousand and twenty-five whale­ men remained idle on the island. They fished on the banks around the island and did more farming than had been done prior to the war. The island was totally cut off from imported goods due to the colonial restrictions and the British cruisers. Since the main food was now fish, salt was needed and could not be im­ ported as it had been before.

Two groups set up salt works at different places in the harbor in Polpis and at Brant Point, but neither was successful because the island fogs prevented evaporation.! a few enterfStarbuck, p. 258

*Starbuck, p. 194

JMacy, p. 91.

NANTUCKET AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

17

prising ship owners decided early in the war to engage in the West Indies trade. They were successful in spite of both British and Colonial restrictions early in the war. The owners had to pool their resources to afford the trip, but since the vessels were the right size, and the owners still had a good supply of the oil, candles and fish which was needed in the West Indies, the trade was very profitable.

Naturally the prices to the Nantucketers and other Ameri­ cans who were sold the returning goods were much higher be­ cause of the great risk involved. Salt sold for two to four dollars a bushel whereas it had sold for twenty-two shillings (approxi­ mately fifty cents) in 1774. Molasses was going for a dollar a gallon when it had been thirteen shillings (approximately twentyfive cents) in 1774.* It did not take the English long, however, to capture ports on Long Island and further south which they used as bases for their own privateers. This rendered the West Indies trade almost impossible although some men still attempted it out of despera­ tion. The captured sailors were taken to British prison ships in New York and Rhode Island, and few ever returned from them because they were infested with disease. A large number of Nantucketers never returned to the island.

As has been said before, there was never enough food raised on the island to feed even a third of the population. Now that the West Indies trade had been stopped, the islanders had to look for new sources of food. Trade with Massachusetts was cut off for two reasons. The British patrolled Nantucket Sound between Cape Cod and Nantucket very carefully and it was extremely unlikely that a boat could get through without being captured.

In addition, the colonial authorities were none too friendly to the islanders and so trade was very difficult because of their regulations. As the islanders got desperate for food, they started trading with the people of Connecticut. Since Governor Trumbull had realized his earlier mistake, he made an effort to help the Nantucket traders.

Trade with Connecticut avoided patrols in Nantucket Sound, but the islanders still had to sail past Rhode Island, which was in British hands. Thus they sent small open sail boats at night and in storms to avoid capture. Obviously in such small craft and in bad weather, many of the islanders drowned or were sunk or captured by the British. Nantucket was maintaining a very ten­ uous lifeline. Because of the risk involved and rising prices on the mainland, prices reached new levels on the island. Corn was frequently three dollars a bushel whereas it had been fifty cents in 1774. Flour which was sold at thirty dollars a barrel had been sold in 1774 for three dollars. *Macy, p. 91. My calculations are based on 45 shillings per dollar.

18

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The island had never had a great wood supply and had always depended on coasters from Maine for wood. Now, of course, these coasters could not get through, so Nantucketers had to look around for new sources of fuel. They found substitutes in peat which was dug from the bogs, scrub oak and brush which could be cut in the swamps, and dried bark. Men sailed up the harbor to cut the twisted cedar and juniper which grew there. None of these materials made a really good fire but they served to get Nantucket through those first few winters.

In 1778, the State of Massachusetts Bay ordered a valua­ tion of the island in ratable property and declared the island worth £168,163. Of this £116,552 was Real Estate and £51,561 was personal property. The same report gave the annual income as £5,134 and the total value of the ships as £12,860.

The Nantucketers were spared from outright invasion until April 6, 1779, when a fleet of eight British armed vessels arrived at the bar of Nantucket harbor. Two of the ships then proceeded to tie up at the wharf and send ashore a landing party. They were loyalists under the command of an American, George Leonard. They had been ordered by the British commander in New York to ascertain the sympathies of the islanders and destroy all rebel property. The Loyalists, Americans who sup­ ported the British in the Revolution and had the right to raid American towns, carried off £10,666 worth of private property which was twice the annual income of the year before. The cash on hand as given in the rating was only £11,222 and although it is not recorded exactly what was taken, it is probable that most of it was in supplies, the money having been hidden.

[First part of two installments.]

19

Recent Events OVER THE Christmas to New Year holiday both the Whaling Museum and the Hadwen House-Satler Memorial were open during the afternoons. Many visitors to Nantucket at this season of the year (and the number increases both at this time yearly and on other holiday weekends) appreciate this opportunity to visit two of our Association's major attractions. Among the visi­ tors this year was a family who have recently acquired a summer residence, and the comment of one of the members in the group is worthy of repeating: "Somehow, the real flavor of Nantucket comes through to me much stronger in the off-season months than in the busy days of summer. There is more time to relax, probably, but the very appearance of the Town gives the strong impression of days past, and the opportunity to revisit the Whaling Museum and Hadwen-Satler House helps keep the spirit of the olden days alive. I wish more of the Association's places might be open in the future." *

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The offices in the Old Town Building have now been refinished and occupied by the Association on the second floor, with storage rooms on the first floor. In the former Probate Court office Administrator Leroy H. True is located, with the Cam­ paign Headquarters next door in the former Assessors' office.

Mrs. Elizabeth Tyrer, Secretary, is in the office on the southwest corner, formerly the Clerk of Courts, and the room on the north­ west side is being used for the headquarters of the Editor of "Historic Nantucket." *

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The handsome addition to the Whaling Museum, housing the skeleton of the finback whale, will be open to the public with the advent of the summer season. The 44-foot skeleton makes an impressive sight as it hangs in a horizontal position, and visitors entering from the main room of the Whaling Museum are able to walk along an observation platform so that they may examine the exhibit in a eye-level way. This not only en­ hances the dramatic showing of the skeleton but provides an opportunity to study the incredible positioning of his tail (which supplies his powerful motive strength), the arrangement of the vertebrae, the great under portion of the mouth, and the singu­ lar upper jaw, which holds the long slab of baleen. An outline of the huge creature's bulk has been cleverly designed on the floor beneath, in a bed of sand, while an iron band encircles him in such a manner as to demonstrate his length. Among the wall dis­ plays is an illuminated panel containing enlargements (in color) of slides taken when the whale came ashore at Dionis in October, 1967. Both the display of the skeleton and the large structure housing him were made possible through the generosity of the

20

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Nantucket Historical Trust — another of the Trust's extremely valuable contributions not only to our Association but to Nan­ tucket, as well. *

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A number of interesting and important gifts have been made to the Association in recent months. A first edition of Herman Melville's classic, Moby-Dick, has been presented by I. Austin Kelly, III, a member. This will be most welcome for the Library which will be installed in the new Peter Foulger Museum. Mr. Kelly has also placed on loan a valuable painting by the famous Eastman Johnson, titled "Man at The Window, Nantucket.

Johnson will be remembered as one of America s great genre painters of the last century, and, of pertinent importance, an artist who lived and worked in Nantucket in the 1870's and 1880's. The illustration in this issue shows the character of the painting as it reflects the artist's unusual ability to capture nos­ talgic Nantucket moods. *

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Through the interest of Mrs. Irvin M. Wyer we have re­ ceived a fine portrait of Captain William P. Harris, the great­ grandfather of the late Irvin M. Wyer, and a whaling mastei who was lost with a boat's crew while captain of the Ganges, of Bristol, R. I., in 1836, a comparatively young man. Mrs. Wyer also has given one of the old leather fire buckets, bearing the name "Play-aWay No. 2," and a wheel-jack used in the Wyer Stables on North Centre Street. *

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Mr. R. V. Lewis, of 6 Cabot Lane, has donated an unusual silver clasp used on a lady's hand-bag of the last century a part of the history of the Island in the early days of its advent as a summer resort. *

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A member of our Association who has thoughtfully pre­ sented some important gifts in the past — Robert M. Waggaman — has continued his interest in our work with several contributions including an oil painting of the Old Mill of about 1880; a brass field beam scale, probably made on the Island; account book of James Easton, 2nd; a journal, shipping papeis, an account book and miscellaneous papers from the ship John Adams of Nantucket. Mr. Kelly's brother, E. Bird Kelly, helped in obtaining these valuable objects. *

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Mr. and Mrs. Carter Nevius have presented the HadwenSatler House two original photographs of William and Eunice Hadwen, first owners of the mansion. *

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Two very unusual Windsor chairs, which have attracted so much attention in the living room of the Oldest House the past

22

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

summer are the gifts of Mrs. George Taylor (Florence Ingall), who has been a member of the Association for many years and deeply interested in its work. *

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Members of the Walpole Society spent a weekend on Nan­ tucket September 26 and 27 on the occasion of its annual meet­ ing. The group had its headquarters at the Jared Coffin House, aud during the stay were taken on a tour of the Island and Town, visiting the Whaling Museum, Oldest House and Friends Meeting House, and being guests at the Major Josiah Coffin House, with Mrs. Emerson Tuttle, the owner, as hostess, the Richard Gardner, 3rd, House, where the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Woodle served tea; and Moors' End, where a luncheon was enjoyed with the owner and hostess, Mrs. Allen Melhado. The Nantucket Historical Trust entertained the group and was host for a formal dinner at Lino's Restaurant during the evening. *

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Two classes of 35 students each from the Moses Brown School in Providence spent a week each studying Nantucket's history, environment and ecology by actually residing and study­ ing the Island first hand.

Arriving on Monday, September 12 and 19, on the evening boat, the students were taken by bus to the American Youth Hostel at Surfside. Two members of the faculty, a senior advisor, and h faculty assistant accompanied the group. On Tuesday, a tour of the town was conducted, led by Renny Stackpole, one of the teachers and a native of the Island, during which an opportunity to visit one of the old houses of the town was presented through the interest of Charles A. Kilvert. After a lunch on Brant Point, the tour continued, and an informal lecture on the early history of Nantucket was given by E. A. Stackpole, of the Historical Association, to the group as they sat on the grass in front of the Oldest House.

On Wednesday a bicycle trip was enjoyed, featured by a stop at the Quaise sanctuary of the University of Massachusetts, where they were privileged to hear Clinton Andrews in one of his talks about natural history and marine life.

Thursday was "Ecology Day," with the group being given the opportunity to follow David Carson on one of his inimitable field trips. After lunch, another bicycle trip took the students to the west end of the Island and Madaket. In the evening they were given a slide lecture on whaling. Friday morning was high­ lighted by a visit to the Whaling Museum and the group returned to the mainland on the early afternoon boat.

This occasion marks a new venture on the part of a private school in conducting a study of a section of New England. Nan­ tucket lends itself admirably to such a program, with its unusual history and the preservation of its environment.

23

Role of Macys, Coffins, Starbucks During First Generation of Nantucket Quakerism

BY ROBERT J. LEACH

IN 1702 MARY (Coffin) Starbuck and her son, Nathaniel, and daughter, Priscilla (Starbuck) Coleman, became Quakers. In 1704 they started a meeting for worship in the Parliament House, residence of Mary Starbuck. By 1708 two dozen adults and three dozen children were considered as Quakers. Eight of the adults applied for a monthly business meeting and early summer general meeting. Six of the eight were connected closely with Mary Starbuck, who first signed the petition. These were Dorcas (Gayor) Starbuck, the first woman's clerk; Priscilla Coleman, like her mother, a minister; Jethro Starbuck, Dorcas' husband; Barnabas Starbuck, his brother, and John Coleman, Priscilla's husband. Once granted and attached to Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting, the first monthly meeting chose Nathaniel Starbuck, Jr., as clerk while meeting in his house, which be­ fore 169,8 had been the original Starbuck dwelling. Woman Friends only met a month later. Barnabas Starbuck was named treasurer at that time. Nathaniel Starbuck was one of two Friends first named to attend Rhode Island quarterly meeting.

The creation of the meeting stemmed largely from visitors — many English brought over by Hephzibah (Starbuck) Hatha­ way, Mary Starbuck's youngest married daughter, who lived in Dartmouth, near what is now New Bedford. Another influ­ ence was that of Mary Starbuck's sister-in-law Sarah (Starbuck) Story-Austin, who came to live on the island from 1708 to 1711 to help the infant meeting — she being a minister of Dover, N. H., Meeting. Her brother, Nathaniel Starbuck, Sr., became a member in 1708, but never played an active role. Nor, must it be said, did Mary Starbuck, who regarded Quakerism as the au­ thority for right conduct in its own competency. The Quarterly Meeting in 1708 appointed Nathaniel Starbuck, Jr., one of two "overseers of worship and testimony," that is the germ of a special group to deal with ministry. The Quarterly Meeting body on ministry had begun work in 1701, Quarterly Meeting itself in 1699 (though its predecessor dated from 1681).

Apparently attendance at Quarterly Meeting was sporadic, though many visitors got to Nantucket in the early years. The Womens Quarterly Meeting was only formed in 1704, noted a message from Mary Starbuck indicating things went well on the island in 1709. In that year Nathaniel Starbuck was asked to

HISTORIC NANTUCKET 24 write to three Quarterly Meetings and in fact attended Yearly Meeting in Newport. Then in 1709 the first Quaker wedding was undertaken. The woman involved was Eunice Coffin, daughter of the late Peter Coffin, Jr., of New Hampshire. Apparently non-Friends handled the inquiry, but next year in 1710 when the clerk's daughter, Mary Starbuck, married, the women appointed Dorcas Starbuck and Priscilla Coleman to take charge. It would appear that Jethro Starbuck and Peter Coffin, Jr., (operator of Coffin Land Trust) were considered sufficient for Eunice Coffin and fiance, and as well for another couple which had asked to be married. Still another couple in 1710 required the attentions of Stephen Coffin, Jr., this time with the treasurer, Barnabas Starbuck. Not always the same Friends were asked to oversee the actual marriage as well as to make inquiries. In the case of the clerk's daughter referred to above, Barnabas was replaced by his brother Jethro, while John Coleman stood in at both func­ tions. What is impressive about this is the fact that the StarbuckCoffin "combine" filled all official functions. The first Macy to appear was in 1711 when the original meetinghouse was built and Sarah Austin left. He was John Macy, Jr., asked to inquire into his brother Jabez Macy's proposed marriage to Sarah Starbuck, Jethro's daughter. The first woman outside the wider establishment to investigate a marriage appeared in 1712.

It is interesting to look into the town records to find only one civil wedding in the 1708-1712 period, when seven were undertaken by the new Quaker meeting. Yet not all civil activity was taken over by the meeting. For instance, in 1708 one Quaker sued Stephen Coffin, Jr., as agent for the proprietary — some months after the establishment of the Monthly Meeting. The same Stephen Coffin and John Macy, Jr., were listed for jury service in 1707, but possibly they were not yet Quakers. Also in 1707 Nathaniel Starbuck, Sr., got a court order to have some Indians whipped and fined for stealing from his shop. Again in 1714 both Jethro Starbuck and Stephen Coffin, Jr., were in­ volved in prosecution of an Indian for assault, this time to receive twenty strokes. A year later Stephen got eight years service from a similar Indian case. In 1713 Stephen, Jethro, John Cole­ man, John Macy, Jr., and Samuel Coffin (of the "John Clan") made up the majority of the jurors, but by 1716, when a Quaker suit was returned against the proprietary, Quakers are not found at all upon the juror's list. Probably the creation of the Monthly Meeting had its effect upon the keeping of regular court records, as of 1708. In any case it took time to sort out what was appropriate Quaker activity.

During the winter of 1703-04 the privileges of the original proprietors was confirmed, at a time when Samuel Coffin was constable and Jethro Starbuck and Stephen Coffin, Jr., were fence-viewers — important to the proprietary. In 1705, Nathaniel Starbuck, Jr., became town clerk. A year later he changed to

ROLE OF MACYS, COFFINS, STARBUCKS

25

Quaker dating. Stephen Coffin, Jr., had become constable and the 1689 agreements on land ownership (predating Massachusetts rule) were promulgated. In 1706, John Coleman became a trustee along with Jethro, Nathaniel, and their cousin, Stephen. It would appear five trustees were regarded as normal. In 1707, Stephen arranged sheep-shearing while Nathaniel undertook the same for Indian planting. That same year, Nathaniel checked on titles to Indian lands, Stephen and John Coleman next rounded up stray Indian cattle.

In 1708, the year meeting began, Jethro and Stephen were named overseers of swine, while John Macy, Jr., was to build a prison; probably for Indians. Thomas Macy became a trustee in 1709 and in 1710 he took on the post of constable. In that year Quaker influence was noted to the extent that all guns hitherto stored at the Parliament House would be taken to the home of an anti-Quaker Puritan. Also at a meeting held at Nathaniel Starbuck's home it was agreed that he be given an acre of town land to compensate for that upon which the timber for the first meet­ inghouse then lay. Probably no other town in Massachusetts granted a subsidy for the erection of a Quaker meetinghouse.

In 1711, Stephen Coffin appears as an assessor, while he assisted Nathaniel and John Coleman in laying out lots at the south shore. In 1712 the lands which constitute Nantucket Town began to be laid out, while the same officials controlled matters.

Stephen Coffin had even sat upon both the Grand Jury which indicted an Indian of murder in 1704 and on the Petty Jury which convicted and hanged him. However one looks at the picture the same few handled both town and meeting affairs. In fact, hardly another name appears. On the other hand, county affairs, i.e., relations with Puritan Boston, were left in the hands of the small anti-Quaker minority — which probably saved Nantucket being merged into Suffolk County (Boston itself).

In 1711 the meeting for worship moved from the Parlia­ ment House to the meetinghouse and in 1716, at the latter's enlargement the women's monthly meeting went over, as men had done five years before. Then in 1717 Mary Starbuck died followed in 1719 by her husband, Nathaniel Starbuck, Sr. As a half share proprietor he had accumulated a great competence.

His three sons were named executors (through them he had sent a report once to quarterly meeting in 1709). His father's full share he divided: % to Nathaniel, Jr.; i/2 to Barnabas, and Ys to Jethro. Each of the first two were to receive a full acre in fee simple in Nantucket Town. The half share went % to Jethro, 14 to Nathaniel, while Barnabas had to be satisfied with three feather beds. Each of the three surviving daughters was to receive £20 ($600) plus division of household effects. It would seem that the Parliament House was publicly owned as no refer­ ence is made to it. Unfortunately no assessment was made of the

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

estate, but it may safely be presumed to have been large. It should be pointed out that at the first Quaker estate to be settled in 1714, both Nathaniel, Jr., and Stephen Coffin served as execu­ tors, and that the estate was valued at £698.10.7*/2 ($20,000) and that this was of moderate size.

During the years of transition from the Parliament House and the elder Starbucks, Nathaniel served as the main link to Quarterly and Yearly Meeting. In 1709 he served on a Quarterly Meeting committee heading an appeal of Abraham Anthony and was recorded present once in 1711 and twice in 1712. At one of these sessions he was appointed agent for distribution of Quaker books on Nantucket. It is revealing in 1718 that Nantucket is listed as being responsible for 1/10 of Quarterly Meeting finances.

Obviously the island was still a small outpost for the Society of Friends. Barnabas attended that year, which initiated a break from relying on the man's clerk. In 1714, both Jethro Starbuck and John Coleman were present together, while the able Stephen Coffin, Jr., appeared in 1715. Later that year the the second "non-establishment" representative attended. Then in 1717 John Coleman went a second time, and in 1718, when Providence Monthly Meeting was created, Jethro and John Macy, Jr., witnessed the event. In 1719, John Coleman's oldest son began his career both as minister and representative. Only in 1725 did Nathaniel Starbuck again attend after a break of twelve years. With him at that time was John Coleman. Three years before Brother Jethro attended his third time, for in 1719 he helped compose the Quarterly Meeting epistle though not listed as a representative. Incidentally, after 1710 Quarterly Meeting alternated between Newport and Portsmouth — before that time the yearly meeting house in Newport housed all sessions. After 1713 Yearly Meeting used both houses.

Yearly Meeting attendance was reserved to Nathaniel Starbuck, even after he gave up Quarterly Meeting. He was to be found there the following years: 1713, 1714, 1715, 1716, 1718, 1719, 1720, 1721, 1722, 1723, 1725 and 1726; evidence enough of the hold which he held on Nantucket Friends and the trust Quar­ terly Meeting had in him. Women Friends apparently sent no representatives to either Quarterly Meeting or Yearly Meeting.

As neither Sandwich or Salem Quarterly Meeting were as important as constituent parts on New England Quakerism in comparison with Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting, Nathaniel Starbuck's place as an official Yearly Meeting Friend made him one of an important handful of Quakers in the northern colonies.

Further studies of the role of these founding families in Nantucket history will be presented by Mr. Leach in forthcom-

27

Mary E. Starbuck, first Recording Secretary of the Nantucket Historical Association and author of "My House and I." Painting attributed to Elizabeth R. Coffin. Presented by Mrs. Lila Wilson in memory of her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Lachmann.

29

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29

American Whaling On The Chatham Grounds

BY RHYS RICHARDS

(Continued from October, 1970) CHAPTER FOUR The Initial Decline, 18U1 to 1850 The reasons for the sharp decline in the number of visitors to the Chathams grounds after 1840 are similar to those affect­ ing the industry along the New Zealand coast a few years earlier.

Since in many cases they drew whales from the same parent stocks, the decimation of whales along the New Zealand coasts soon reduced the number available in Chathams waters. The is­ lands were found to have few safe ports and on-shore currents and winds. As new grounds were developed elsewhere, these ap­ peared to offer greater potential.

The embryonic provisioning trade of the Maoris up to 1839 could hardly have coped with the enormously increased demand in 1840 and prices probably rose accordingly. Further, the vessels that brought Dieffenbach to the islands were from the New Zealand Company whose land purchases and loudly proclaimed grandiose schemes for creating in the antipodes law-abiding British colonies, must have been anathema to the Yankee cap­ tains. [Though conflicting land claims, both British and German colonising attempts were soon abandoned even though the Chat­ hams were not made a legal and integral part of New Zealand until 1842.]

Several aspects of the pattern of known activities in the decade from the 1840-41 season onwards again could be most easily explained by assuming that the records available are so fragmentary as to obscure the true, overall, pattern. Suffice to say that a thriving, though greatly reduced, whaling industry continued with at least some months in which the volume ap­ proached previous levels.

Only one visitor is recorded in the 1840-41 season until January 1841. [It is apparent that with only one or two excep­ tions, captains visiting the Chathams during the next twenty years considered that the summer season there did not begin until January.] In that month seven visitors are recorded, in February and March four each [others were sighted but not named] and solitary visitors are recorded in April and August.

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Most of them had previously visited the Chathams, presumably with sufficient profit to encourage their return.

The William Hamilton of New Bedford, which had left Cloudy Bay, New Zealand, on 9 December 1840 after finding vegetables unobtainable there, reached Chatham on 25 Decem­ ber and took five sperm whales five days later. [The iron broke in another: "Damn the blacksmith."] In company with the Good Return of New Bedford (Captain John S. Taber) from 13 Jan­ uary 1841, the William Hamilton anchored at Chatham (pre­ sumably off Waitangi) on 18 January where she found the Omega of Fairhaven (Captain H. D. Gardner) and the Canova of Warren (Captain Charles W. Sanders). After taking plenty of potatoes and hogs she departed with the Omega on 27 January and took two large sperms two days out. [She returned from 3 to 21 November 1841 but on 22 November she struck a sunken rock near Pitt Island and had to head for the Bay of Islands with the pumps maintaining 700 strokes per hour. Once repaired, she left New Zealand in February 1842 and reached home on 22 May after a voyage of 48 months.]

The Martha of Fairhaven (Captain John D. Taber) returned to the Chatham grounds on 25 January 1841. She spoke to the Rebecca Sims of New Bedford (Captain Edward S. Ray) on 27 and 28 January, and the Corinthian of Bristol (Captain Gardner) on 15 February. Apart from blackfish, her first successes were an 85 barrel sperm whale on 20 February and another yielding 40 barrels two days later. Encountering continued gales, she abandoned her cruise south of Pitt Island and set sail towards home on 28 February 1841.

After almost a year cruising south and southeast of New Zealand, the Chelsea of New London (Captain Franklin Smith) seems to have spent at least February and March 1941 cruising in latitudes 44 and 45 South off to the west and southwest of Chatham Island. Despite the benefit of a journal, the only occa­ sions when longitudinal positions can be established are on 6 February when she was 110 miles west of the southwestern tip of Chatham Island and on 22 March when the Jasper of Fair­ haven (Captain Howland Leavitt) spoke her 55 miles further west. The journal does not mention the Chathams by name but it does record the Chelsea's extraordinary success, for between 6 February and 31 March, sixteen whales were taken [of which at least three were right whales] and three others were lost after being struck. Innumerable others were sighted and chased: "Plenty of whales around." As well as the Jasper, the Chelsea: spoke the Alexander Barclay of New Bedford (Captain Clem­ ent Norton) and the Hanover (which was probably the Canova of Warren).

Cruising Took in Wide Range The plotting of locations given in a logbook of the 1839- 1840 voyage of the Jasper of Fairhaven illustrates that many Amer-

AMERICAN WHALING ON THE CHATHAMS GROUNDS

31

ic-an whalers of this period were cruising back and forth along the latitudes between the east coast of New Zealand and the Chathams [and also towards the southern subantarctic islands].

Having had much success off Chatham in November 1840, the Jasper returned in mid February 1841. On 19 February, east of 180 , she saw five ships but she did not speak to any until the following day when she gammed the John Coggeshall of Newport and the France of Sag Harbour at 179° 16 East which is outside our area. After taking ten whales before March, the Jasper returned to Chathams waters where she spoke the Alexander Barclay, the Chelsea and a French ship from Havre (Captain Holt) and took five whales within Chathams waters before de­ parting towards home on 2 April. [She was condemned at Talcahuano in May 1841], The existing records provide an extraordinary pattern of American whaling activities in the summer of 1841-42 which again appears to illustrate little more than the incompleteness of the records. After the near wreck of the William Hamilton on 22 November 1841, the next known visitor to fish the Chathams grounds was the Panama of Sag Harbour (Captain Thomas E. Cowell) which arrived in mid February and remained until 17 May 1842. Her logbook, and that of the Roivena of Fall River (Captain Clark Estes) are the only available sources but between them they mention three visitors in March, seven in April and three in May — a most untypical seasonal distribution.

The Panama spent the whole of the above period cruising more than fifty miles south of Pitt Island but less than 200 miles south and southwest of Chatham. Though clearly fishing a spe­ cific ground, the Chathams are never mentioned. She saw many ships: the Manche of Havre on 20 February and 6 March during which time she had taken 250 barrels, the Franklin of Sag Har­ bour on 5 March, the America of New Bedford on 2 April, the Thomas Dickason of Sag Harbour on 4 April, the Noble of New Suffolk on 6 and 17 April [without any additional oil], the Fanny of Sag Harbour on 17 April and the Ann of Sag Harbour on the same day when the latter three ships departed in company to meet the Thomas Dickason at the Bay of Islands.

Of the ten known American ships present from February to May 1.842, no less than five were from Sag Harbour (probably all right whalers) while a sixth was from nearby. Apparently there was an agreement among the captains or the owners that these whalers should operate in company. That there may have been many other whalers present is evident from logbook entries mentioning four ships sighted on 28 February, seven on 26 March, four on 4 April and ten on 6 April. Regrettably, few are mentioned individually. During her cruise from 25 February to 6 April, the Panama took nine whales, lost three and saw six taken by other ships.

According to a logbook of the Rowena of Fall River (Captain Clark Estes), she raised Chatham Island on 20 April 1842 and

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

came to anchor in Whit Eng Bay (Waitangi Bay) to procure water and to put her men ashore on liberty. Next day the weather was so rough that the anchors were lost and the Rowena put to to sea. She was unable to land until 29 April when she also took aboard potatoes and discharged one of her crew. Although well outside what is normally regarded as the sperm season, between 2 May and 14 May, the Rowena took seven sperm whales. On 5 May, she spoke the American of New Bedford (Captain Brown), bound home.

The known American visitors in 1842 may be covered in merely a few lines. The Rowena returned from 27 March to 8 April and took two whales in rough, foggy weather, and the Good Return of New Bedford (Captain J. S. Taber) departed for Tahiti in 19 March after five days of rough weather and no success.

The manager of a shore whaling station on Chatham stated in a New Zealand newspaper dated April 5, 1843, that several American ships fished off Pyramid Hock with a season from April till 31 July. Unfortunately no other evidence exists of such activities at that season in 1841, 1842, or 1843.

The Tobacco Plant of New Bedford (Captain Samuel P. Skinner) cruised off-shore in March 1843. In August, a Captain Ellis and a Mr. Hordon (recently second mate aboard the Frank­ lin of New Bedford, Captain Washington T. Walker) who had been ashore whaling on the island for some months, seized and stole a small Sydney trading brig, the Hannah at Whangaroa.

On 5 December her marooned captain took passage aboard the Sophia and Eliza of Duxbury (Captain Edward R. Coffin) to Pernambuco where both captains deposited sworn statements before the American Consul.

Of the seven American whalers in Chathams waters in January 1844, the four others present in February and the one known visitor in March, none seem to have spent more than a few days there while cruising to or from other grounds to the east, west and south. Of these twelve, four were from Sag Harbour and four from Connecticut ports. Also present briefly were the Gustave of Bremen (ex Havre) under Captain Clement Norton of Martha's Vineyard (ex Alexander Barclay) and the France of Havre. The Blackstone of Mystic (Captain Pendleton) raised a school of sperms about 75 miles southeast of Pitt Island on 29 January. After drawing from one, a sixty barrel sperm was secured but during rough weather the following day the head broke loose and the case was lost. #

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In 1844 the Omega of Nantucket (Captain Henry D. Gard­ ner) began the first of three winter season visits. On 14 May she anchored off Pitt Island for three days taking 3 tons of potatoes and ten pigs and allowing her crew ashore on liberty. She cruised south of the southern islands until August during which

AMERICAN WHALING ON THE CHATHAMS GROUNDS

33

time she spoke the Rebecca Sims of New Bedford on 17 May and 10 June, and the Corinthian of Bristol (Captain Easterbrook) on 23 May, 10 June and 10 July. After taking seven whales [of which three were small sperms], she anchored for two weeks from 23 July to obtain potatoes and hogs, and allow her crew ample shore leave.

The available records provide more details for the early months of 1845 when three visitors are mentioned in January and twelve others in February. However this is scarcely a revival for all were following a growing trend of merely sailing through the general area without loitering. Only three ships spent a week or more in Chathams waters, only three visited the shore and in all, only two whales were taken. Of the fifteen visitors, nine were from Connecticut ports (five from New London) and none were from Sag Harbour.

A logbook of the Hobomok of Falmouth (Captain Roland B. Jones) describes a visit from 3 to 15 January 1845 including a near wreck on 14 January when she struck three times on a sunken reef off Owenga, at which port there were then also lying a French ship and a Dutch barque.

At Mystic there is a journal kept abord the Eugene of Stonington (Captain Gurdon Pendleton) off the Chathams from 19 to 22 February 1845, in which the reputation of the Chathams as first rate sperm and right whaling grounds is noted, along Avith mention of the plentiful supply of potatoes to be had ashore.

The Eugene sailed close to Chatham but, typically, it did not cruise offshore or stop for provisions.

But the weather in early 1845 was atrocious. On 8 February, after a very rough gale the previous day, the Shepherdess of Mystic (Captain Hiram B. Cliff) went to the assistance of the Venice of New London (Captain Lister) which had badly sprung her bowsprit in three places. During the same storm, Gurdon Hall, who kept a journal aboard the Charles Phelps of Stoning­ ton (Captain Palmer Hall) raised to heaven pitiful pleas for salvation while critically placed off a lee shore with wrecked rigging. %

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Wrecks and Narrow Escapes In late February while en route home from Kamchatka, Captain Fisher of the America of New Bedford called at the Chathams to recruit and was advised by the natives that an American whaleship had gone ashore in foggy weather and had been totally wrecked at Owenga with the loss of one life and 1800 barrels of oil. All else but the chronometer and six casks of bread was also lost. [The Weekly News of 17 July 1845 and the Boston Daily Advertiser of 1 August 1845, both erroneously give the locality as on the northwest coast instead of at Owenga on the southeast coast.] This proved to be the Chelsea of New London (Captain Potts) which had gone on a reef between 14

AMERICAN WHALING ON THE CHATHAMS GROUNDS

35

January and 20 February, probably during the storm mentioned above.

The Omega of Nantucket (Captain Henry D. Gardner) called later from 6 to 26 March, and took potatoes and turnips, prob­ ably at Owenga, on 18 March and pigs at Okawa on the north­ east coast on 19 March. The Henry Clay of Nantucket (Captain C. Austin) was reported at Tahiti in August repairing damage done while ashore at the Chatham Islands in July 1845, but there is no further evidence of her activities, or of any companions with her at the Chathams in the winter season of 1845. [The Boston Post of 5 February 1846 refers.]

There is some evidence from the contemporary sources that in the decade from 1845 the total local and foreign shipping serving the Chathams reached such a low ebb as to thoroughly depress the islands' elementary agricultural production for ex­ port. Practically the whole of the available information about American whaling visitors in the five years 1846 to 1850 is contained in only five logbooks. The annual known totals for this half decade are six visitors in 1846, 1847 and 1848, ten in 1849, and five in 1850.

The third off-season visit of the Omega of Nantucket com­ menced from 19 May 1846 in company until 1 June with the United States of Nantucket (Captain Worth). From 9 to 20 June Captain Gardner appears to have remained on Pitt Island while the Omega cruised to the south. Only one 80 barrel sperm was caught, but water, potatoes and some cabbages were ob­ tained at Pitt Island before the Omega departed towards home on 23 June.

The Orion of Nantucket (Captain Edward S. Ray, previously of the Rebecca Sims) visited the Chathams in the early months of 1,846, and the winters of 1847, 1848 and 1849. Six months out via the Australian grounds, the Orion first cruised off Pitt from 21 to 30 January 1846, then swung east and north, and returned from 25 March to 18 May. She took three whales from 28 March to 12 April but lost five others in the process. The London Packet of New Bedford (Captain Tim J. Howland) was seen from 15 April to 26 April 1846.

According to the logbook of the Orion she anchored at Chatham from 27 April and took aboard water, hogs and pota­ toes. For many days she was unable to put out against contrary winds and on 9 May she drifted within a cable length of going ashore. Though temporarily saved, two days later she drifted onto a reef where she stuck fast until she lost her false keel.

The local Maoris helped heave overboard three tons of potatoes, helped haul her off the reef and helped themseives to the car­ penter's and coopers' tools. Putting out to sea on 18 May, Cap­ tain Ray took the Orion to Sydney for repairs [which were "surprisingly minor] and did not return until nearly March 1847 where he remained until mid July, during which time

36

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

five large whales were taken. Potatoes were obtained at Pitt Is­ land on 25 April and at Chatham Bay [Waitangi] from 15 to 28 June. The Omega maintained company with the Favorite of Fairhaven (Captain Young) and the General Pike of New Bed­ ford (Captain Pierce) in April and May, and spoke the Omega of Fairhaven on 29 June and 1 July 1847.

The Orion returned to the Chathams only briefly from 13 to 20 April in 1848, before her longest visit from 12 February to 17 September 1849. As in April 1846, she visited Chatham for recruits and lost an anchor in the process. Between 18 March and 21 May she took seven whales without losing one once fast. Whangaroa harbour was visited from 25 May to 4 June before she spent July and August cruising off New Zealand.

Returning to Chatham from 2 September, she anchored in Wai­ tangi harbour to trade for potatoes. When she raised anchor on 9 September to depart for Sydney, another anchor with 35 fath­ oms of chain was also brought up.

The Orion is of particular interest because she appears to have been attempting to use both the Chathams and Sydney as regular recruiting bases from which she could remain indefi­ nitely through both summer and winter seasons in the Tasman Sea and off New Zealand. In February 1850, probably again en route for the Chathams, she began to leak very badly and put into Port Nicholson [Wellington] where she was subsequently condemned, repaired, and sold to California. *

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Provisioning at "Flower Pot Bay" Another important off-season visitor during this period was the Omega of Fairhaven (Captain Israel Morey) which was pres­ ent first from 13 June to 27 July 1847. Potatoes, cabbages, turnips and beets were taken at Flower Pot Bay on Pitt Island on 13 June; from 14 June to 20 July more hogs, potatoes and fish were taken at Waitangi, and still further recruits were obtained at Whangaroa before her departure on 30 July. Her return on 9 March 1848 appears to have been principally for provisions as she spent the first twelve days trying to beat into the harbour at Pitt Island, and she remained offshore only until 3 April. On a third such visit from 19 January 1850; her logbook includes mention of landing at Pitt three men said to have been taken from there a year earlier but there is no other record of a visit in 1849. Hogs and potatoes were obtained along Chatham's northern coast in early February, 1850, possibly for trade at Port Nicholson, N. Z., later that month. From that port the Orion transported a missionary passenger [Moravian] to Te Whagaru, a station near the northeastern tip of Chatham. The logbook of the Omega records the catching of no whales off the Chathams which supports the impression that she came primar­ ily for provisions, crew replacements, and, perhaps, trade.

AMERICAN WHALING ON THE CHATHAMS GROUNDS

37

A journal of the 1846-49 voyage of the Charles Drew of Fairhaven (Captain Coffin) which mentions off the Chathams the loss of three whales struck in late January 1847 and that the Harvest of Warren (Captain Bowen) was spoken there on 2 February. On a second visit from 14 December 1848 to 12 January 1849, she kept company first with the Harvest of New Bedford (Captain Thomas Bailey) and later briefly with the Harrison (Captain Slearman) also of New Bedford. With the former, 4 sheep and a few onions and potatoes were taken from South East Island [which was probably, by then, uninhabited].

The Franklin of Sag Harbour (Captain Mercator Cooper) cruised for two months to the north of Chatham before calling at the north coast on 7 February 1849. "A boat from the shoar came off with a crew of the natives and an Englishman and a German. They stopped on board through the night." Next day, 8 February, "we went onshoar and got 16 hogs, and 1i/fc tons of potatoes and some cabbages, carrots, turnips, beans and peas.

We gave them pieces of blue driling and 3 pieces of shirting and 1 piece of Callico."

The Lucy Ann of Greenport (Captain Brown) was in south­ ern Chathams waters from 12-16 February 1849 during which time she twice spoke the Amazon, a small schooner sperm whaling from Port William, Stewart Island. After a month off the Bounty Islands, the Lucy Ann returned from 20-29 March before depart­ ing for home in company with the John Wells of Sag Harbour which had taken six right whales and one sperm on the Chathams grounds.

A logbook of the Gratitude, of New Bedford (Captain P. F. Wilcox) includes visits to the Chathams grounds from ,8 May to 23 June 1849, and from 6 January to 4 February 1850. Provisions including 250 bushels of potatoes and 24 large hogs were taken at Whangaroa where the ship was painted from 10 to 25 May. After sighting several schools of large sperms traveling to the south and southwest, four were taken on 9 June 1849. The Gratitude departed on 16 June ["we are bound north of this damned hole"] but returned to Whangaroa again on 6 January 1850 for further potatoes. [After an arctic cruise that year, the Gratitude took seven whales between 7 and 23 January 1851 when some seven hundred miles east of Chatham Island and en route for Cape Horn and home.]

The islands' early trade in the 1840's was with the infant New Zealand colonies, especially Wellington, to which consider­ able quantities of pork and potatoes were sent before 1850.

Other goods, especially tobacco, print and calico were obtained from Sydney traders and the islands' produce was well known among South Pacific captains. Engst, a German missionary largely responsible for the expansion of such trade, wrote that tbout 1850 "an old whaling captain came from America to fetch a cargo of potatoes for California — about 200 tons for which

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

he paid calico and print in the usual manner. The next year two more came from that quarter, one of these merchant buying about 150 tons from us."

CHAPTER FIVE The Quiet Period, 1851 to 1860 The Harrison of New Bedford which had been sighted on the Chathams grounds from 31 December 1848 to 13 January, 1849, is believed to have cruised there again in June 1851, but there are no particulars available for this or any other American visitor in 1851. In the decade to 1860 only a few visitors each year are known: thirteen in 1854, seven in 1857, six each in 1852, 1855 and 1,860, five in 1853, three in 1858, and only two each in 1856 and 1859. A Customs inspector in 1861 reported nine Amer­ ican visitors in 1860 [of which none landed dutiable goods] but impression remains that, as in the late 1840's, there was little whaling activity at the Chathams during the decade commencing from 1851.

The visit of the right whaler, Romulus of Mystic (Captain Lorenzo Dow Baker) from 31 January to 21 February 1852, much of it in company with the Dover of New London (Captain Havens) is not particularly distinctive but at Mystic there is an autobiographical account by one of her crew, Albert C. Burrows, which offers a brief but uniquely rewarding description of the extensive Maori wheat, barley and potato cultivations about Waitangi and the settlement of about thirty houses there. The Romu­ lus anchored at Owenga from 6 to 19 February where about 300 bushels of potatoes, other vegetables and many wild hogs were taken. This being their first landfall since leaving home six months earlier, young Burrows wished to go ashore to "roll in the mud and eat grass — if I could get nothing better." On his two days of liberty ashore he walked overland to Waitangi whose beauty he recalls most vividly.

On 26 March 1853, the Antarctic of New Bedford (Captain Ebenezer Bradbury Jnr.) was lost fully laden at Waitangi. Mr. Macy, the first officer, drowned when a boat was swamped in the breakers. Mr. Floyd Smith's son was drowned while fording a river when crossing the island a month later to seek passage aboard a local sloop to New Zealand. Apparently there were few visitors of any kind in 1853. [Newspaper descriptions of this wreck include the Daily Commonwealth of Cambridge, Mas­ sachusetts, 21 November 1853; the Boston Post on 19 November 1853, and the Daily Mercury of New Bedford on 2 December.]

Few ships stayed long in 1854 but nine are known in Jan­ uary, five in February, and one each in March and April. The longest stay was by the Midas of New Bedford (Captain Ezra T. Howland) which called first at Pitt Island in late December and on 1 January 1854 anchored beside "a French ship" at Whang-

AMERICAN WHALING ON THE CHATHAMS GROUNDS

39

aroa harbour for six days. After sighting the Alfred Gibbs of New Bedford (Captain Isaac H. Jenny) and the Amazon of Fairhaven (Captain Edward H. Barber) at sea, the Midas returned to Whangaroa from 29 January to mid February with the Zone of Fairhaven under Captain Marston. While there, eleven tons of potatoes were taken plus recruits brought from Waitangi by the Zone.

The Midas left the Chathams ground for Tahiti in late February but returned for the following season. From 25 January to 8 February 1855, she was again anchored at Whangaroa, in the company of the Two Brothers of New Bedford (Captain Childs) and the Lion of Providence (Captain Hardwick). On 7 February 1855, the Chief Officer, Mr. Cragie, died of "appoplexy" and was buried ashore. Having both taken ample provisions, the Lion and the Midas departed on the following day.

The Sophia Thornton of New Bedford (Captain John M. Young) raised Chatham on 26 February 1852 and began trading for potatoes two days later near the northeast cape [i.e. at Kaingaroa, Waikeri or Te Whakaru], Twelve tons of potatoes, thirty hogs and some onions were obtained quickly and she departed without any prolonged cruising for whales. From 2 January to 10 February 1854 she made a more leisurely visit during which four tons of potatoes and 19 pigs were taken at Owenga on 18 January, some along the east coast [at Waikeri?] on 30 Janu­ ary, some along the north coast on 7 February, and 16 tons and 14 hogs at Waikeri the following day. Again no whales were taken. Other American whalers cruising thereabouts and spoken include the Robert Morrison of New Bedford (Captain Norton), the Roman 2nd of New Bedford (Captain Tripp), and the George and Mary of New London (Captain Walker). Some trading was also done with these ships, especially for bread.

Most of the visitors appear to have called for stores and provisions. The Golconda of New Bedford (Captain Francis Dougherty) which had been unable to obtain any supplies at Maungaroa, New Zealand, in December 1852, took over three tons of potatoes and one hundredweight of onions at Pitt Island on 16 February 1853, and would have taken more but for rough weather.

A concise logbook of the Alfred Gibbs of New Bedford (Cap­ tain Isaac H. Jenny) has entries most typical of a visit to the Chathams as they include trading, desertions and a near wreck.

On 5 March 1854, the captain went ashore to trade for potatoes leaving a crew aboard cleaning and painting. Next day, four men were put in irons, and the ship lost its kedge when it drifted over some rocks. More potatoes were taken on 9 and 10 March after which the Alfred Gibbs put to sea where the men could be safely released from their irons.

If the Chathams were not exceptionally favoured by de­ serters, it was apparently a rare visit if at least one dissatisfied

HISTORIC NANTUCKET 40 crew member did not attempt to escape while ashore on liberty.

The logbooks of the Lion of Providence in February 1855, the Orion in 1846 and the Omega in June 1847 provide good examples of desertions. There were many others. The volume of agricul­ tural goods traded must have indicated to some the suitability and potential of the islands for settlement. One family on Pitt Island, the Hunts, had specialized in the trade since 1842 and there were many others from time to time on Chatham, including one man who had been shipwrecked there from a Sydney sealer in 1827 and remained at least twenty-five years. The Maoris con­ tinued to produce prodigious quantities of potatoes from their small ill-kept bush gardens among the coastal forests. *

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Nantucket Woman's Journal Describes Life At the Chathams in 185A

In the Nantucket Museum is a journal in a childish hand by the wife of Israel Morey, Captain of the Phoenix of Nan­ tucket, (ex-Omega) which called at Pitt Island in January 1854.

Mrs. Morey was thought to be the first American lady to go ashore at Pitt Island and she took care to carefully describe the idyllic, thriving family she discovered there.

Some emphasis has already been placed upon the quantity of trade being conducted from foreign, American, whaleships.

In April 1854, the Collector of Customs at Auckland publicized these customs evasions when he stated that the Collector of Cus­ toms at Sydney had felt it necessary to advise him that at times there were "as many as thirty American whaling vessels lying in the harbour at Waitangi."

A Customs inspector in 1860 dismissed this exaggeration, but certainly, being at this time without any local Customs officers, the Chathams were used as a depot from which dutiable goods could be readily smuggled ashore at unsuspected points along the east coasts of New Zealand. While the bulk of this traffic [which brought thousands of gallons of spirits and hun­ dreds of cases of tobacco to the islands in a few months in 1854 alone] should be attributed to the desire of Sydney traders to supply their new goldfields with Chatham potatoes. It is ap­ parent that the American whalers were also substantially in­ volved. For example, when Captain Augustus Lawrence of the Awashonks of New Bedford departed from Auckland on 27 April 1854 at too early an hour to obtain a customs clearance, the local officers immediately accused him in his absence of departing primarily to forewarn his friends at the Chathams of an im­ pending raid by Customs Agents. [A logbook of the Aivashonks does not include mention of such a call at the Chathams.]

Although tide waiters were appointed at the Chathams from 1856, there was no effective Customs control until the early 1860's.

(To Be Continued)

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Nantucket Shares in New England Microfilming Project For three weeks during September, Nantucket was the headquarters for the "New England Microfilming Project," a non-profit enterprise sponsored by twelve libraries in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and organized by the Re­ search School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, Canberra.

The Director of the project is Dr. John S. Cumpston, of the Department of Pacific History at the Australian National Univer­ sity, and formerly historian in Australia's Department of Pacific Affairs, and author of Macquarie Island and Kangaroo Island, as well as the compiler of an invaluable record titled Shipping Arrivals and Departures, Sydney, 1788-1825. Dr. Cumpston had first gone to Salem, and after his Nantucket visit and work he went to New Bedford and Providence. Documents of special in­ terest in the project were the logbooks, journals, account books, and correspondence of the whalers and sealers of New England who visited Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

The Nantucket Whaling Museum and the Atheneum Library extended to Dr. Cumpston the privileges and use of their collec­ tions, as did owners of private collections. As the distinguished visitor stated so well: "The intention of the present project is not to remove from the control of the owners of these collections the extremely valuable information the documents contain, but rather to in­ crease the number of points at which this information may be consulted and studied; and also the number of skilled historians able to convert this material into useful area histories."

During the past year a similar project was launched in Nantucket and incorporated under the name The Whaling and Marine Manuscript Archives, with headquarters at 93 Main Street — the East Brick of the three Starbuck Houses. Douglass C. Fonda, Jr., of Nantucket, is President; David B. Little, Director of the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass., Treasurer; and Asa E. Philips, of Boston, Secretary.

The purpose of "The Archives," as it is usually referred to, is to create "a research facility for the scholar and appropriate institutions." Materially it consists of 35mm microfilm copies of whaling logs, journals, account books, correspondence and other marine documents. Intrinsically, "The Archives" is the guardian

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of these manuscript copies in microfilm as their use can only be granted if permission of the original owners is obtained by the individual scholar or institution through the "Archives."

President Fonda has already received permission to make microfilms of logbooks and other materials at historical societies in Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, and Cape Cod, as well as from individual owners in these areas. Several Nantucket collections have naturally become a part of "The Archives."

In describing his work, Mr. Fonda stated: "The Archives' sole intent is to serve as an instrument to make hitherto unavailable manuscript material accessible to those dedicated to research in this field. The only charge for services would be made when a donor instructs The Archives to furnish a stipulated party with a microfilm copy. This would be done at cost. The recipient assumes full responsibility for damage to loan copies. The donor or the donor's agent (so directed in writing) alone can allow access to Archival copies."

Thus, with this new project well under way, the Nantucket Atheneum's splendid work with both camera and readers, and the Nantucket Historical Association's microfilms of its logbook col­ lection, Nantucket is excellently represented in this important phase of scholarly research.

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 directed 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 the Secretary, Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554. Office, Union Street.

One of a pair of Windsor Comback Chairs donated by Mrs. George Taylor, and on display in the Oldest House.