The "Hussey Chair"

THE ASSOCIATION'S NEWEST EXHIBIT 21

Liberty Street was first laid out in 1678, and the Wesco Lots were being established at this time. Walnut Lane is said to have derived its name from a walnut bush once growing here. Both sides of the lane were laid out by the Proprietors to Thomas Macy in 1723, and Thomas (grandson of the first Thomas Macy) deeded the house lots to his sons Francis, Robert and Nathaniel, with the latter acquiring the site of the Christian House in 1745. It is believed that the house was moved here earlier, probably when Nathaniel married, and that the property became his in his father's will.

With the Christian House added to the Association's exhibit structures another type of Nantucket architectural design may be shown to the public. Upon visiting the Oldest House (1686) the visitor may wish to see the Christian House (1725), the Mill Street House (1800 House), and the Hadwen-Satler House, which is a classic example of the Greek Revival (1840) period. The "Hussey Chair"

The enlargement of an old photograph occupies a prominent position at the Peter Foulger Museum, being part of the exhibit devoted to the Quakers of Nantucket. Taken in the mid-1880's by Henry S. Wyer, the picture is of an elderly Quaker seated in a chair, and wearing a frock coat and high beaver hat. All the dignity of the Nantucket friends is reflected by the view as, with cane held tightly in one hand, the subject looks serenely away from his vantage point of old age.

The man in this unusual photograph was David G. Hussey. Among those visiting the Museum last summer was Don Day Swain, of Westborough, Mass., who is a direct descendant of the old gentleman through his maternal line. Mr. Swain married Miss Louise Thomas of Nantucket, and over the years has spent vacations on the Island.

During his first visit to the Museum Mr. Swain revealed the fact that the chair in which David G. Hussey sat, when this photograph was taken, was still in existence, being in his home in Westborough. He generously offered to bring it to the Island when he came down early in 1972. Over the weekend of June 17-18 Mr. Swain brought the chair in his car and has loaned it to the Association for display. It is now exhibited within an arm's length of the photograph, and has already attracted considerable attention.

This incident demonstrates the close links which Nantucket has with its past. Perhaps there is no other place in the nation where family ties are more a part of the visual scene. To have the "Hussey Chair" as a part of the Museum's exhibits is another indication of this element in Island connective links. In itself the chair is an excellent example of the durable craftsmanship of the builder, but most important, of course, is the association with the future of the old gentleman who personifies the quality of the Island Friends.