Historic Nantucket
The sidewheel steamer Gay Head and the propeller steamer Sankaty passing one another in the ice off Beachside sixty years ago.
JANUARY, 1974
Published Quarterly by NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET. MASSACHUSETTS
NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, Henry B. Coleman Vice-Presidents, Albert G. Brock, George W. Jones, Alcon Chadwick, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Walter Beinecke, Jr., Mrs. Charles Clark Coffin.
Honorary Vice-Presidents, Miss Grace Brown Gardner*, Mrs. William L. Mather, W. Ripley Nelson
Secretary, Richard C. Austin Treasurer, John N. Welch Councillors, Henry B. Coleman, Chairman, Mrs. Richard Swain, Bernard Grossman, terms expire 1974; Robert Metters, George A. Snell, terms ex pire 1975; Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman, Francis W. Pease, terms expire 1976; Mrs. Thomas F. Gibson, Miss Mary Gardner, terms expire 1977. Administrator, Leroy H. True Curator, Miss Dorothy Gardner Historian, Edouard A. Stackpole Honorary Curator, Mrs. William L. Mather Editor, "Historic Nantucket'', Edouard A. Stackpole; Assistant Editor, Mrs. Merle Turner Orleans.
STAFF Oldest House: Chairman, Mrs. Kenneth S. Baird Receptionists, Mrs. Charles Barr, Miss Adeline Cravott
Hadwen House-Satler Memorial: Chairman, Mrs. Richard Swain Receptionists: Mrs. Irving A. Soverino: Miss Rosamond Duffy, Miss Marjorie Burgess, Miss Maud Jackson, Miss Helen Hull*.
1800 House: Chairman. Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman, Receptionist: Mrs. John Kittila, Sr.
Old Gaol: Chairman, Albert G. Brock; Receptionist, Lawrence Ayers. Whaling Museum: Chairman, Hugh R. Chace, Manager, David Allan, Re ceptionists, Clarence H. Swift, Mrs. Reginald Hussey, Mrs. Harold Killen, Jesse Dunham, Mrs. Herbert Sandsbury, Abram Niles, James A. Watts
Peter Foulger Museum: Chairman and Director, Edouard A. Stackpole Receptionists: Mrs. Elizabeth B. Worth, Mrs. Clara Block, Mrs. Sterling B. Yerxa
Christian House: Chairman, Mrs. John A. Baldwin Receptionists: Mrs. Noreen Shea, Mrs. Sarah Morris, Mrs. Joan Gallagher.
Archaeology Dept.: Chairman, Paul C. Morris, Jr. Old Town Office: Chairman, Hugh R. Chace Old Mill: Chairman, Richard F. Swain Receptionist: Hugh MacVicar.
Folger-Franklin Seat & Memorial Boulder: Chairman, Francis Sylvia. Friends Meeting House-Fair Street Museum: Chairman, Mrs. Harding U. Greene * Deceased.
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 21
No. 3
Nantucket Historical Association Staff and Officers
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Editorial
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A Granddaughter's Memories of Allen Coffin by Isabel Worth Duffy
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Wanted — A Chronometer
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Nantucket's Role in the Boston Tea Party by Edouard A. Stackpole
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Saving the Oldest House: Tristram Coffin of Poughkeepsie
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Accessions and Events
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Administrator's Report
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Walter Folger Jr.'s Prophecy on Nantucket Land by Edouard A. Stackpole
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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 $5.00 : Sustaining $25.00; Life — one payment $100.00. Second-class postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts. Copyright, 1974, Nantucket Historical Association Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Hstorical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554.
The old wooden pump in side-yard of the Henry Coffin Carlisle House on Main Street.
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The Energy Crisis and the Age of Oil An Editorial THE CURRENT national situation called the "Energy Crisis" is a striking reminder that we are in the second Age of Oil rather than in the Nuclear Age, and that there was an "Energy Crisis" during the first Age of Oil. An editorial in the Wall Street Journal last month brought this out in some detail in reference to the fact that the oil during the first Age of Oil came from the whale, and that the scarcity during the mid-19th century brought about the first energy crisis. The Journal's columnist, W. Philip Gramm, stated: The whale oil crisis is a case study of how the free-market system solves a scarcity problem. The end product of this process of discovery and innovation is the Petroleum Age in which we live. We owe the benefits and comforts of the present era to free enterprise and the scarcity of whales. It was during that first energy crisis of 1783 to 1825 that the revival of whaling occurred, and in which the whalemen of Nantucket led the way. The remarkable story of their migra tions to Nova Scotia in Canada, to London, England, and Dun kirk, France, and the rebirth of the business in the old home port of Nantucket constitutes not only an amazing accomplish ment for the Nantucketers but has created a chapter in the larger sweep of international maritime history. This first Age of Oil has been nearly forgotten but when we observe the 200th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, and recall this was but a small episode in the over-all story of that entire period, we should be aware of the tremendous sweep of the full story. As we approach the bicentennial of our Nation's birthday the role that Nantucket played in the economic portion of the first years of the Republic should be revived. There is much to learn from the travail of Quaker Nantucket during the Revolu tion and the War of 1812. There were other crises as well as that associated with energy, and the courage and dedication of the island community provides both a timely measure and an inspiring message.
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A Granddaughter's Memories of Allen Coffin BY ISABEL WORTH DUFFY
"ALLEN COFFIN was born at Nantucket Island, July 8, 1836, and is in the seventh generation from Tristram Coffin, the first settler of that name in America. Descended from a long line of Quaker ancestors he yet adheres to the religious tenets most commonly accepted by the liberal Society of Friends. He received the education afforded by the public grammar school, and at the age of thirteen entered the Inquirer printing office where he remained about a year, and subsequently completed his appren ticeship in the office of the Mirror. He worked at the printing trade in New Bedford and Boston, and for a time was a local reporter on the New Bedford Mercury. "Before the war of the rebellion Mr. Coffin published and edited, as a partner with Wm. Breed Drake, the Bay State Chron icle, at Milford, Mass. After the war and during the reconstruc tion of the rebel States he resided temporarily at Charleston. S. C., and became editor of the South Carolina Leader, the first newspaper published in the South that advocated the enfranchise ment of the freedmen, and the only paper that opposed the recon struction policy of President Johnson. "In 1866, while a member of the Boston Printers' Union, Mr. Coffin was nominated by the workingmen for Mayor of Boston, which nomination he declined as inexpedient. He had, however, previously presided at the workingmen's convention that nominated Wendell Phillips for Congress the same year, and also at the Faneuil Hall Labor Reform gathering which ratified the nomination of Gen. P. R. Guiney for Congress. "On the retirement on account of illness of his former partner, Mr. Drake, from the editorial chair of the Meadville, Pa., Daily Republican, Mr. Coffin was induced to accept that position and removed to Meadville. Here he took an active part in politics both with his pen and upon the stump; and, on the election of Gen. Grant to the Presidency, obtained employment in the Government Printing Office at Washington where he con tinued as a proof-reader for about ten years, until failing health compelled him to resign, and he then returned to his native town and has been a citizen of Massachusetts for the last twenty years. "While a resident of Washington City during the organiza tion of the District Government, Mr. Coffin was recording secre tary of the General Republican Committee of the District of Columbia, and an active agitator against the so-called 'District Ring'. He also championed and pleaded to a successful issue the
Allen Coffin, of Nantucket, town official, lawyer, and historian.
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
admission of colored printers to the Typographical Union of Washington, a most bitter conflict which lasted several years and became a subject of agitation in the International Typograph ical Union. During the agitation of this new phase of the labor question Mr. Coffin was elected a delegate to the annual session of the International Labor Congress at St. Louis in 1874, and to the National Labor Congress at Cincinnati in 1870. In speak ing recently of this contest for the admission of colored men to the typographical unions, Mr. Coffin said it was the grandest moral triumph of his life against fearful odds and life-long prejudices in the very citadel of black servitude and inferiority. "While engaged as a proof-reader at Washington, Mr. Coffin found time to study law — the work passing under his hands being principally that required by the Supreme Court and the Attorney-General's Office, — and was admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia, in 1876, receiving from the Columbian University the degree of L.L.B. "Soon after his admission to the bar, he removed to Nan tucket and has since practiced principally in the courts of Massachusetts. "He has also contributed many articles to the newspaper press and is the author of the little volume on the 'Cofffn Family' published in 1881. As a Republican he always affiliated with Hon. H. H. Faxon in the attempt to make that party a temperance party, and was chosen President of the Republican Temperance Convention held in Boston, just previous to the State Convention which nominated Gov. Long, whose nomination was considered a temperance victory. "In the early years of the institution of the order of Good Templars he was a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and was also a member of the Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance, and took an active part in the temperance work of that day. "In local affairs Mr. Coffin has always advocated a progres sive policy in the interest of his native town. The national work of improving Nantucket harbor was largely indebted to his efforts, and he was twice chosen by citizens to visit Washington and present the matter to Congress. The Coffin Reunion of 1881, and the Bi-centennial Celebration of Nantucket in 1895, were both projected by him, and resulted in inducing thousands of people to visit the quaint old island. He has been elected to several town offices at different times, and is now serving as one of the selectmen of the town. His strong individuality and inde pendence of character have brought him the alternate praise and blame of his townspeople, to both of which he has appeared alike indifferent, content to be governed by his own ideals of right and propriety, whatsoever goal they might lead to. He was one of a committee of the town in 1894 to procure a better en-
A GRANDDAUGHTER'S MEMORIES OF ALLEN COFFIN
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forcement of the liquor law, and when the grand jury returned from their inquest and reported sixteen indictments, the surprise of the town was unbounded. Committees were obtained, and a large amount of liquor confiscated to the State, and the commit tee roundly abused for not letting anyone know what they were about. Mr. Coffin's dwelling has been assaulted with unmerchant able eggs and stones hurled through his windows during his temporary absence, and threats of bodily injury made, to all of which he has been alike impervious, and serenely pursued his calling as if he had not an enemy in the world, and courted no sympathy. "The nomination of Mr. Blaine for the Presidency in 1884 gave occasion for many staunch Republicans to bolt, and Mr. Coffin took refuge in the Prohibition ranks, and has never seen fit to change his opinions. He was the candidate of the party for Attorney-General three successive years, receiving the full party vote. "During one of his addresses at the town hall before a large audience upon the subject of prohibition he was frequently inter rupted by a drunken man. There being no policeman present, and no other person offering to abate the nuisance, Mr. Coffin stopped in the middle of his address, went down into the audience, seized the disturber and forcibly ejected him from the hall, and then went back upon the platform and finished his address, as if nothing unusual had transpired. "Mr. Coffin has held a trial justice commission for Nantucket •County for many years, and, while administering justice accord ing to the law and the evidence, has always tempered his de cisions with kindness, so that many an inebriate has received his sentence for drunkenness with the feeling that he had no better friend than the justice before whom his condemnation was secured. "His public speeches, while never pretending to forensic eloquence, are always strong and forcible, demonstrating that the speaker has the courage of his convictions and ability to make his sentiments known." The preceding article is a copy of a manuscript which my mother, Mary Coffin Worth, kept among her most treasured possessions. She told me that it was an excellent and accurate biographical sketch of my grandfather, Allen Coffin, through 1896. Circumstantial evidence and research seem to indicate that the original was a newspaper article printed, probably in 1896, in one of the two Nantucket newspapers of that time, as in that year Allen Coffin was serving as one of the Selectmen of the town (Town Report for 1896), was a candidate for Nantucket's Representative to the State Legislature (Nantucket Journal, 1896), and was also the Prohibition Party's nominee for Gover-
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nor of Massachusetts (Nantucket Journal, Nov. 5, 1896). He did not win the two latter elections, but he did serve the town as selectman that year. Town reports from 1896 to 1908 show that Allen Coffin served in various town offices — selectman, county commissioner, member of the Board of Health, assessor, sewer commissioner, member of the School Committee, up to the time of his death in 1908, except for 1901, the year his wife died following a pro longed illness. *
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A Granddaughter's Memories I do not remember my grandfather, Allen Coffin, as a public figure, as he died when I was only ten years old; so my memories of him are childhood memories and stories told me by my mother. I do remember living in the "big house" when my parents moved there to take care of Grandmother Coffin who was very ill. The "big house," as we called it, is 94 Main Street, the white house with the Grecian pillars just east of the Hadwen-Satler Memorial. Mother never liked that house as a child, for she and her mother were often alone there when Grandfather was away on a speaking tour or some political business. Several times,' she said, they were so frightened that they locked the doors, pulled down the shades, and hid in a closet, when unfriendly gangs some times made them fear for their safety. She said that Grandfather bought the house so that he could have a suitable place for entertaining the many famous people who came to visit him. The only ones whose names Mother remembered, though there were many others, were Lucretia Mott, a descendant of Tristram Coffin and an ardent Abolitionist; Carrie Chapman Catt, one of the leading pioneers of the Woman Suffrage Movement; and Susan B. Anthony, a zealous Prohibi tionist. Mother also remembered that, at the time of the 1881 Coffin Family Reunion, Grandfather hired an orchestra from New Bedford to play on the front piazza. Mother was five years old then. My parents moved to the big house when I was nearly four years old and an only child at the time. It was a large house for a small child, and I loved to escape to the cupola, my favorite hideaway, where I played house with my dolls. I had to amuse myself and be quiet because of the illness downstairs. After Grandmother's death we stayed on for a while. My first real recollections of my Grandfather Coffin are after we had moved to 102 Main Street, and Grandfather was alone in the big house. I loved to go down there, only four doors away, and spend the day while Grandfather worked in his office.
A GRANDDAUGHTER'S MEMORIES OF ALLEN COFFIN
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At mealtimes we would go together to our home at 102 Main Street. I think Grandfather was very lonely those days and liked to have a small child for company, though we had but little communication, as I was supposed not to disturb him at his work. Later Grandfather had a housekeeper for a time; then finally sold the Main Street house and bought another off Orange Street called "Quanato Terrace." Grandfather, to me, was somewhat of an awesome person, though I was not afraid of him. In fact I was very fond of him. He made me feel grownup, for he never came down to a child's level; he talked to me in grown-up terms. One vivid recollection I have is an occasion when, after dinner at 102 Main Street, when I was four or five years old. he asked my mother if I could go with him that evening to a meeting. Mother asked me if I would like to and I said, "Yes." To go out in the evening with Grandfather seemed a great treat, so Mother put my best dress on me for the occasion. We went downtown to the Unitarian Church, where there were already many people, and walked down to the front pew. After a short time and some introductory speeches, which were completely over my head, Grandfather arose, went to the pulpit and spoke. Mother had admonished me before we left that I was to be a "good girl," sit quietly, and not talk. Suddenly, to my surprise and childish consternation, I found myself sitting alone in that big church and Grandfather break ing all the rules by leaving his seat and talking right out loud before all the people! I did not know what it was all about; I haven't the slightest remembrance of what he talked about nor how long; I just sat quietly, feeling a bit bewildered. However, when Grandfather finished speaking and the audience applauded, I felt relieved and happily joined in the applause. On my arrival home I said, "Mother, Grandpa got right up and talked out loud a long time!" Then she explained to me that ne was the speaker of the evening and that was what he was supposed to do. That was my introduction to the place Grandfather really held in the community. To me, Grandfather was a person I looked up to and who always inspired me to do my best. I wanted very much to please him to receive his approval, in school especially, for I enjoyed his praise.
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
I remember an incident when I was in the fourth grade. In those days there was one special day every year, called "Ex amination Day," when members of the School Committee visited each room and asked questions of the children. It was a very special day when we all wore our best clothes and tried to make a good impression on the questioners. I did not know that Grandfather was a member of the School Committee, so it was with surprise and apprehension that on that particular Examination Day I saw Grandfather enter and take a seat at the front of the class. After he moved from Main Street, Grandfather spent part of his time with his son, Jesse Coffin, and his daughter-in-law at their home in Brockton, so then we saw him only about nine months each year. He died peacefully there in February, 1908. After Grandfather's death, I used to imagine that his spirit watched over me and urged me on to higher things. In the attic at 102 Main Street was a wonderful rope swing made by my great-great-grandfather, Captain James Bunker, a whaling captain. There I used to swing every chance I got, all day if I could manage it. Then I would think of Grandfather Coffin and feel his influence urging me on and approving when I did well. He seemed to be near me there, and I felt that I must never let him down. That feeling has stayed with me throughout the years. One distinct memory of my Grandfather is that of a rather distinguished looking man, a bit of elegance about him as he walked down Main Street in a tall silk hat and carrying a cane. His Coffin heritage was a matter of great pride in my Grandfather, and I think he instilled that in me too, though as a child I was not conscious of it. However, now for me many years later, the most vivid and lasting memory of my Grandfather is his inspirational influence on me, and of pride in being his granddaughter.
Wanted
A Chronometer
If any of our members has a chronometer to loan or present for display at the Whaling Museum it will be most welcome. Hugh Chace, chairman of the museum, realizes that an old one may be difficult to obtain but there have been a number of in quiries as to chronometers by visitors and one of even a modern vintage will be helpful in placing on exhibit with the navigational instrument display. Mr. Chace and the Association will be grateful.
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Nantucket's Role in the Boston Tea Party BY EDOUARD A. STACKPOLE
WHEN THE HISTORIC EVENT known as the "Boston Tea Party" was observed on December 16, 1973, marking the 200th anniversary of the dumping of cargoes of tea into Boston harbor, it also marked an occasion of considerable importance to Nan tucket, as two of the three vessels involved in the episode had a direct connection with this island. But another factor insofar as Nantucket was concerned should not be ignored — the role of the young Nantucket merchant Francis Rotch and the effect on this island's commercial relations with London, our chief customer for whale oil and candles. Early in the summer of 1773 William Rotch, Sr., at his Counting House on Main Street Square, signed the bills of lading consigning two cargoes of sperm oil to merchants in London. The two vessels carrying the oil were the Beaver, of Nantucket, and the Dartmouth, of Bedford. Both were brigs — the Beaver having been built at the Briggs shipyard on the North River in Massachusetts, for William Rotch, and the Dartmouth constructed for the Rotch firm at (New) Bedford — the first large vessel built at this embryo port. Arriving in London early in August the two brigs had no sooner discharged their casks of oil when they sought return cargoes, taking aboard a variety of English goods. But the British India Company, faced with an over-supply of tea, engaged, by governmental sanction, the charter of several vessels to bring the surplus tea to Colonial ports. The Beaver and Dartmouth became two of four vessels engaged to carry chests of tea to Boston, the others being the ship Eleanor, owned by John Rowe of Boston and the ship William owned by the Clarke firm of that city. The tea-laden vessels did not leave London as a fleet but dropped down the Thames one by one, spending the usual delays in the English Channel, and finally leaving the shores of Eng land behind in mid-October. Before they reached Boston, how ever, the ship Hayley, owned by John Hancock, sailed into that harbor, and Captain James Scott brought the news that ships carrying the obnoxious tea had sailed from London, four bound for Boston and one each for New York, Philadelphia and Charles ton. Aboard the Hayley was Jonathan Clarke, one of the Boston merchants to whom the tea was consigned — the others being Elisha and Thomas Hutchinson, sons of Governor Hutchinson, of Massachusetts, and the firm of Faneuil & Winslow. Tea was not an obnoxious commodity in Boston and the Colonies. In fact there was a large quantity regularly smuggled into the Colonial ports, but what was detestable was the tax which went along with the sale of the tea to the Colonial Amer icans. Having been forced to repeal the hated tax measure known
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
as the Townshend Acts, the British Parliament retained one tax — that on tea — as a token declaration that the Crown had the right to tax the Americans. But the Colonials were con vinced that "taxation without representation is tyranny," and they made this their watchword. First of the "tea ships" to reach Boston was the Dartmouth, under Captain James Hall, dropping anchor inside Boston Light on November 28, 1773, nine weeks from London with 112 chests of Bohea tea below hatches. Francis Rotch, agent for the Rotch firm, came up from Bedford (whether before or after the Dart mouth's arrival is unclear), and went aboard. Rotch had been informed by a committee of Boston Patriots that neither he nor Captain Hall should attempt to enter the brig through cus toms, but he agreed only as a temporary measure, pointing out that he had only the period defined by law to legally enter the vessel. Both Francis Rotch and Captain Hall attended meetings of the citizens of Boston in Faneuil Hall and at the Old South Meeting House, during which the assembly unanimously voted that the tea should not be permitted to be landed — that it should be shipped back to London. On the other hand, the Gov ernor's Council, responding to the request of the Clarkes, Hutchinsons and other consignees for governmental protection, voted to place the situation in the lap of Governor Hutchinson. Awrare of the angry mood of the Bostonians these consignees went to Castle William in Boston harbor and placed themselves under the protection of the British troops stationed there. Caught between the two fires, Francis Rotch (as well as the owners of the other two vessels) agreed to the demand of taking the tea back to London — but under protest. John Rowe's ship Eleanor was the second vessel to arrive with the tea, coming in on December 3. In the interim the Dart mouth had taken up her anchor and proceeded to a place just off Castle William, where the ships of the Royal Navy, under Admiral Montagu, guarded the roadstead. At this time, under cover of night, a group of 25 Patriots boarded the Dartmouth, obviously to serve as a guard, and prevent the landing of the tea. Rotch at this time "entered" the brig through customs. Had Ad miral Montagu seized the Dartmouth at this time and had ordered the tea landed it might have precipitated a pitched battle. The Patriots were in an ugly mood. On the morning of December 1, the Dartmouth again took up her anchor and proceeded to a new position off Griffin's Wharf. Two days later the newly arrived Eleanor joined her. The Patriot guards on the Dartmouth were now in a position to prevent the landing of the tea by the ships' crews. It was not until December 7 that the brig Beaver reached Boston, under Captain Hezekiah Coffin. Besides having a rough passage, the brig was further troubled by smallpox breaking out
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in the crew. Before she was allowed entry she had to be fumi gated while she lay at anchor out in the stream. The fourth "tea ship," the William, never reached her destination, being wrecked on the outer beach of Cape Cod. Francis Rotch was now acting as the agent of both the Dartmouth and the Beaver. Time was now a factor. According to the King's Customs, the cargoes, after entry into port, must be landed within 20 days, or it could be seized by the custom officials. In this latter case, the consignees must pay the duty. This was precisely what the Patriots did not want to take place. The other alternative was to obtain a clearance and sail out of Boston with the tea, for return voyages to London, but Gover nor Hutchinson would not grant such clearance. Thus, placed in an unenviable position of being "between the devil and the deep," Francis Rotch faced the crisis. John Rowe, being a re spected Boston merchant, had a sympathetic understanding with the Patriots, but Francis Rotch stood alone. Threats of tar and feathers; threats of burning the vessels; threats of destroying the tea — all were real hazards, but he faced them squarely. After being refused by the consignees upon his request for payment of the freight charges for the tea, so that a bill of lading could be passed to them, thus placing the responsibility of claim ing their shipments, Rotch met with the Patriot leaders again. They demanded he sail the Dartmouth back to London, together with the Beaver, as Rotch had agreed to do under protest. But he could not attempt this without an official clearance; if he had made such a move the Royal Navy would have intervened. Governor Hutchinson held the key. If he would grant Rotch a clearance the ships could sail — but this was refused. The last day of the period of grace allowed under the law arrived. A mass meeting held in the Old South Meeting House demanded action. Francis Rotch faced them as he had faced the Patriot committees, and consented to make one last appeal from Gov ernor Hutchinson for clearance papers. Through the rain-filled winter night he made the journey by coach to Hutchinson's outof-town house in Milton, and the assembly awaited his return. His confrontation with the Governor was as fruitless as the others had been — he was refused. When he came back to Boston, and reported the circum stances to the Patriots in Old South Meeting House he gave his account with the full realization of what was to occur — but the courage and dignity of the 22-year-old Nantucketer won the respect of both leaders and assemblage. History has fully recorded the episode which followed. Dis guised as Indians, a group of Patriots swarmed aboard the ves sels at Griffin's Wharf, opened the hatches, broke open the chests and tossed the tea into the waters of Boston Harbor. The "Boston
NANTUCKET'S ROLE IN THE BOSTON TEA PARTY
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Tea Party" became the prelude for armed rebellion and the American Revolution. But it should be recalled that throughout the final chapter of the "tea troubles" not one of the three ships was damaged. There can be no question but that the manner in which Francis Rotch conducted himself was the decisive factor in this phase of the "Party." With all the fervor with which historians have reported the significance of the Boston Tea Party the role of Nantucketers may be called but a footnote. However, in light of the critical years that were to come for the island the example set by Francis Rotch has a bearing on attitudes and policies by the whale oil merchants of the town. Through the maintenance of a neutral position they saved not only Nantucket from pillage but they preserved an industry that was to prove a vital economic part of American maritime history.
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Saving the Oldest House: Tristram Coffin of Poughkeepsie WHEN THE COFFIN REUNION was held in Nantucket in 1881 there were m?ny descendants of Tristram and Dionis who came to the island from many parts of the country to "join in the gathering of the clan." It was the good fortune of Nantucket to have among the visitors another Tristram Coffin — a well known lawyer and leading citizen of Poughkeepsie, New York, a direct descendant of the Coffin patriarch. It was his first visit to the island and when he went up to Sunset Hill to view the "Oldest House," the Jethro Coffin House, he was deeply disturbed to find it in an extreme state of dilapidation. With its roof broken, walls sagging, and windows boarded on the sides it had every appearance of its true condition. Finding the property for sale, Mr. Coffin purchased it and engaged the services of a carpenter to make the roof tight and complete other necessary repairs to keep the weather out. The work was completed before the winter set in. The repairs could not have come at a more crucial time. But the interest of Mr. Coffin continued. He retained the carpenter and financed further work in making the old dwelling habitable, and in 1886 — the 200th anniversary of its construction — he placed it in the charge of a caretaker and had it opened on occasion to the gen eral public, or at least for those interested in visiting it. In 1897 Mr. Coffin decided to make the house a regularly opened attraction and placed it under the care of its first cus todian, Miss Ellen Clisbee Bartlett, of Poughkeepsie, who spent that summer and the following winter at the house. In 1899 Mrs. Anna Starbuck Jenks, a native of Nantucket, became the cus todian and she served in that capacity until 1923, when failing health forced her retirement. The year before he died — Tristram Coffin passed away in 1924 he offered the house and land to the Nantucket Historical Association at a modest price, and the Association very quickly accepted the opportunity. Thus, the "Oldest House" became a valuable exhibit — thanks to the interest and financial aid pro vided by this thoughtful man. It remained for another Coffin descendant to complete the saga. In 1926 Winthrop Coffin, of Boston, proposed that the house be completely restored — offering to finance the work. Work began in the spring of 1927 and in the summer of the following vear the "Oldest House was dedicated at a significant ceremony. Thus two of the descendants of old Tiistiam Coffin rescued an important landmark in island history. It may be said that the timely attention of Tristram Coffin of Poughkeepsie served as an inspirational force for the invaluable aid of Win throp Coffin of Boston.
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Accessions and Events OUR ASSOCIATION has been fortunate in the quality of recent accessions. It is with considerable pleasure that it may be re ported that we have acquired three logbooks for inclusion with our collection, now in the vault at the Peter Foulger Museum. First, by purchase, we have acquired the logbook of the ship Washington, of New Bedford, during a voyage from 1840 to 1844 under the command of Captain James G. Coffin, of Nan tucket. This log has some excellent colored drawings, including one of the ship. From Gerard J. Coleman, of the Dana Hall Schools, in Wellesley, Mass., we have been presented the logbook of the ship Pocahontas, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, one of the few whaleships from that State, which sailed in 1832 for the Pacific under Captain Thomas Barnard of Nantucket, and with Nantucket officers and boatsteerers. From an anonymous donor we have received the logbook of the ship Constitution, of Nantucket, one of the Charles G. and Henry Coffin firm's ships, which sailed in 1835 for a three-year voyage to the Pacific Ocean, under Captain Edward Joy. This, also, has colored drawings, the most notable pages being of the ship flags from Nantucket, New Bedford and Fairhaven. Mrs. Lewis Greenleaf, a member of our Association for many years, has presented a handsome china punch bowl bearing the double "F" of the Folger Family of Nantucket on one side and a Folger crest on the other. David Austin has given the Commercial Insurance Company of Nantucket's document in which Captain Obed Swain has insured his "Catchings" to be brought home on the ship Levi StarbucJc, Captain Jernegan, if the ship returned before October 12, 1857. From Captain and Mrs. Reed Whitney, in Florida, we have received as a gift the original "Certificate of Purchase" handed Captain Irving Johnson when he acquired the brigantine Yankee at Southampton, England, in 1946. During her stay in Nantucket the Yankee was owned by Captain Whitney, and many appre ciated the fact she was berthed here and wish she could be once again at her anchorage in our harbor instead of going to pieces on a reef in the Pacific. An unusual engine has come to us through the interest of Mrs. John G. Taylor — a "hot air engine," which was used on Tuckernuck Island by Mr. Bigelow to pump water. Walter Bar rett, through whose efforts it was transported here, states the engine was once used at the Life Saving Station during the period the Station was on Tuckernuck. Kenneth Eldredge, of 'Sconset, has brought in a soapstone mold for casting lead bluefish drails. together with one of the drails used off the east end.
ACCESSIONS AND EVENTS
21
Through the kindness of Mrs. Donald S. White, of Van Wert, Ohio, we have received a set of pink lustre china and a set of three girandoles, presented by Miss Mildred H. Brooks, of Bel mont and Nantucket. Miss Brooks, who was so many years secre tary of the Sons and Daughters of Nantucket, writes that the girandoles were from her mother's home in Nantucket and when her cousin, Mrs. White, offered to bring them safely to Nan tucket she was greatly relieved to accept. The articles are now in a special cabinet in the Peter Foulger Museum, where they show to advantage. Franklin Folger Webster has loaned two very interesting pieces for our display of material representing the activities of Nantucketers in the China Trade. They are a rare model of a Chinese Flower Boat and a Chinese dagger, with scabbard and handle of elephant tusk ivory, elaborately carved. These were brought home to Nantucket by one of Mr. Webster's ancestors, Captain Eliakim Gardner, who was the commander of the Balti more ship Orozimbo, which was trading in the Far East in the early years of the 19th century. A young summer resident of Madaket, Allan C. Robinson, III, found an iron rod with turn-buckle attachment, protruding from the beach at Eel Point, and brought it into the Peter Foulger Museum. It probably came from the wreck of a coal schooner, many of which were fitted with iron rods and turnbuckles. An interesting accession was presented in person by the son of Antonio DeCarlo — a brass bell used for over sixrv years by Mr. DeCarlo, the scissors grinder, so-called, who came to Nantucket regularly every year until his death in 1967, at the age of 78. Miss Margaret Harwood has made a gift of one of Annie Barker Folger's beautiful watercolor studies of the Nantucket commons. Titled "Happy Valley" it has been placed on exhibit with the other paintings of this island artist on the second floor of the Peter Foulger Museum. From Miss Gertrude Holdgate, of Cranston, Rhode Island, have come several daguerreotypes and a small snapshot of mem bers of the Obed G. Smith family, together with an account of the family then living on Lyons Street. Miss Holdgate also has given us some Nantucket books. A well-preserved sewing box made for the wife of Captain Joseph Hamblin aboard the whaleship Hesper in 1857 has been presented by Mrs. John S. Kerins (Dorothy Coffin Keiins). Mis. Hamblin was the aunt of Albert Swain Coffin, Mrs. Kerins' father. A "Captain's Chair," once belonging to the famous Nan tucket 19th century whaling merchant, Joseph Starbuck, is a <nft from Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman, a direct descendant of Joseph Starbuck. Mrs. Freeman's Nantucket home is the "Middle
22
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
Brick," on Main Street, built for her great-grandfather, Matthew Starbuck. Paul Blaekmur, of Cohasset, Mass., a Bunker descend ant, has given us an unusual patchwork quilt made by Lydia Wood Bunker in 1861 on Nantucket, and her associates. Each of the cloth sections bears the name of the lady who worked on the quilt. Through the kindness of Walter Barrett we have received an old stone jug once used aboard the ship Ploughboy, of Nan tucket. The jug came from the Samuel Barrett house on Cliff Road and is the gift of Richard C. Barrett, of Gulfport, Florida. Edgar Lindstrom has presented an interesting relic of World War I. It is a dress sword, a presentation to Lieutenant Thomas J. Prindiville, USNR, the commanding officer of the Nantucket Section of Naval Reserves during the war. The sword bears the inscription: "To Lieut. Thomas J. Prindiville, USNR, from the men of the Nantucket Section, Second Naval District, in appre ciation of his kind and generous efforts to promote the welfare of the men under his command. Christmas, 1917." A number of books for the Peter Foulger Library have been given by John J. Cisco, of 'Sconset. Mr. P. L. Winslow, of Lake San Marcos, California, has sent to us two valued books — Force and Nature: Attraction and Repulsion, by Dr. Charles F. Winslow, that remarkable Nantucket physician-scientist, and Light: Its Influence on Life and Health, by Forbes Winslow, M.D., a presentation gift to Dr. Charles F. Winslow. From the estate of Annie Lawrence Hunton, of Victoria, British Columbia, we have received an English silver case watch, belonging to Mrs. Hunton's great-grandfather, Captain Matthew Clark. This interesting old timepiece is still in running order and within the case bears the name of its London maker, Jas. Thomas. Among the many valued accessions which we have been fortunate to receive is a collection of Rotch and Rodman letters which have come from a descendant — Mrs. Mary H. Mandell, of Barnstable, a daughter of the late Rev. Alfred Rodman Hussey. In this collection is a letter from Bristol, England, in 1774, with an account of the death of Joseph Rotch, Jr., brother of William Rotch, Sr., who had gone to England for his health. Letters from Nantucket and Philadelphia are included in this important collection, which makes a handsome counterpart for the Frank Rotch letters and material purchased only a few months ago. The past few months have been active ones for your histor ian. During September and early October groups of students from five mainland schools have taken part in an Environmental
ACCESSIONS AND EVENTS
23
Studies program on Nantucket. The students have numbered on an average of thirty-two to a class, and the schools repre sented are: The Moses Brown School, (two weeks), Providence, R. I.; Noble and Greenough School, Dedham, Mass., The Wheeler School, (two groups), Providence, R. I.; The Country Day School, and Lincoln School, (two groups), also of Providence. Following their arrival on Sundays, the students are domi ciled at the Youth Hostel at Surf side. On Monday they walk into town and gather at the Old Mill, where a visit and description of the mill precedes a guided walking tour of the central portion of the town. During the week they are guests at the Peter Foulger and Whaling Museums, where they have special lectures: evening slide talks and "whaling evenings" take place at Surfside; and field trips to the Quaise University of Massachusetts station, with Clinton Andrews, and a walk over the commons with Conservation Secretary James Lentowski also feature the week. A group of students from Lincoln School in Concord, Mass., were additional visitors this fall and were guests at the Peter Foulger and Whaling Museums. A number of special evening lectures were also presented at the Peter Foulger Museum during September and November, one occasion being a visitation by the wives of visiting Masonic Lodge members. Some thirty students from Hiram College, Ohio, were also guests for a slide lecture on "Rambling Through the Streets and Lanes of Nantucket." To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the historic "Bos ton Tea Party" a lecture was presented at the Peter Foulger Museum on Sunday, December 16. During the course of the year there are many letters arriv ing seeking information on Nantucket history and genealogy. These are answered as carefully as possible. The information requested concerns such personages as Captain Eber Bunker, the "Father of Australian Whaling," Frederick Douglass, the out standing orator and writer; Captain Timothy Folger and William Rotch, Revolutionary War citizens of beleaguered Nantucket; the identity of ships, whalemen and localities on the island; scrimshaw and sperm candles, and numerous maritime details. With the coming year we hope to carry along the work begun with our Library and Manuscript Collections. The proper care and administration of manuscripts and related materials is a highly technical and costly process, and requires professional attention. With the proper indexing and preservation of these irreplaceable and fragile documents we are carrying out one of the most important tasks that is entrusted to us. Edouard A. Stackpole
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Administrator's Report January 1, 1974 THE HANNA MONAGHAN HOUSE, Greater Light, has finally become ours after some delay because of minor legal problems. We have plans to use part of it to help defray expenses and open the main section to the public. It is in no sense a typical Nan tucket home, but fascinating. You will want to see it and show it to your guests. Summer attendance at the museums and houses reached an all time high this year. In spite of this our people did an excellent job and we received many complimentary letters prais ing their presentations. Our first lecture this winter was not well attended which is sad because Mr. Stackpole chose an excellent and timely subject and as always, did an outstanding job. The Thanksgiving and Christmas openings, although never profitable, were appreciated by summer friends and others here for an off-season outing. We are now in the process of changing some exhibits at the Whaling Museum and dressing it up a bit. Not enough to detract from the Old Candle House atmosphere but making a little more room and somewhat brighter appearance. Once again the paint job on the Hadwen House-Satler Memorial has been completely done but, alas, not for long because white paint on Nantucket seems to disappear overnight. We have also made a good start on restoring our portraits and prints. Like maintenance on buildings, an expensive and endless task but essential preservation. Uniting the Whaling Museum and Peter Foulger Libraries into one at the Peter Foulger has been accomplished. A regrettable loss to the Whaling Museum but with many advantages to those doing research and in protecting and preserving irreplaceable documents. Our appeal for new members was fruitful with over 240 joining our Association for the first time. Dues or contributions, whichever you call it, are the life-blood of this organization. If there are members of your family who do not belong, please urge them to do so. We need their interest and support. The Archaeology report from the "Ram Pasture Dig" came in a little late for this issue of Historic Nantucket but should be in the next publication as should also be the one on the "Sesachacha Pond Dig." Even though neither found what we expected there were some important results and hopefully, we can continue this program next summer.
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
25
The Board of Selectmen has asked us to take the leadership in the Bi-Centennial Celebration and we are now formulating plans. The success of this will depend greatly upon the number who volunteer to help and the effort they make to put across a constructive and meaningful program. The prints we loaned were well received at the Heritage Plantation of Sandwich for their outstanding Currier and Ives exhibit and, strangely enough, the number one choice of the exhibit was "Husking," an Eastman Johnson, painted here on Nantucket. Our prints are now back in the Whaling Museum. You may want to take a new look at them and at the picture in the Peter Foulger, another famous Eastman Johnson, painted on Nantucket, which recently sold for a fabulous price. And while you are there, glance at the 1974 on Walter Folger's clock. It glided into the new year as this genius intended it to do when he built it by hand 183 years ago. Leroy H. True
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Walter Folger, Jr.'s Prophecy on Nantucket Land BY EDOUARD A. STACKPOLE
THE FAME of the Nantucket genius, Walter Folger, Jr., would rest secure with the preservation of his remarkable astronomical clock, now exhibited at the Peter Foulger Museum of the Nan tucket Historical Association. But this versatile Islander was a man of many parts — a surveyor, teacher, lawyer, mathematician and inventor. And another of his talents has been only recently recognized — his extraordinary gift of prophecy concerning the outlying lands of Nantucket. In the year 1816 the control of these lands, vested in the corporate body known as The Proprietors of The Common and Undivided Lands of Nantucket, was challenged by a number of wealthy Islanders. A legal battle ensued for a partition of that section known as the "Southeast Quarter," which this hand ful of men wished to subdivide for their own private use. Suc ceeding in their purpose by gaining the approval of the State Supreme Court, the individuals obtained a severance from the main body of the Proprietors and a partition of the land area. Among those who saw the aftermath of this precedentshattering move was Walter Folger, Jr., and his awareness of the situation was revealed in an article he wrote on the subject. What he carefully penned becomes a remarkable prophecy. Taking each of the large divisions called the "Undivided Lands," he gave a description and added comments which are illuminating in view of modern developments. From this point alone the document is unusually interesting, while its value historically is self-evident. It reads as follows: Some Observations on the Impropriety of the Petitioners having their Land Severed from the Body of Proprietors. The Situation of the Undivided Land. In the middle pasture (where it is likely the peti tioners are pointed) is a large Tract, more than enough for their proportion, a great part of which is better than an average of the whole, bounded on the South by the Proprietors' Fence that inclosed the S-East quarter, on the East by the Sea shore, on the North by the Propri etors' Fence that incloseth Squam & Pocomo, Podpis & Quaise, on the West by the Proprietors' Fence. It contains two large Ponds, one of which is the best Fresh Water on the Island, the other is tolerably
WALTER FOLGER JR.'S PROPHECY ON NANTUCKET LAND
good for Cattle & Horses; and many large swamps, bedded with a superabundance of that kind of mud called Peat, and is considered valuable to the Proprietors, considering the situation of the Island, surrounded by the Sea, & no Trees of natural growth. As the swamps now lie in common, Proprietors and non-Proprietors have free access to them, without any expense or molestation, from which a great number of Families are supplied with their Firing in Peat and brush; particularly all the Inhabitants of the village of Podpis, & the poor Fishermen, that through necessity are obliged, at certain seasons of the year, to Fish in Boats from the East end of the Island, besides many poor inhabitants in the Town, who derive great benefit from the unmolested privilege of bringing to their fam ilies in Winter abundance of Brush for Firing. The roads through this Tract, which have been used by the publick ever since the memory of Man, are almost innumerable. Also, there are many watering places, that are seldom or never dry in the greatest droughts. • * * * The next to be noticed is the Cow Pasture, so called, bounded on the South by the Sea, on the other sides by the Proprietors' Fence; which contains a number of Ponds adjacent to the sea shore. They are therefore not good fresh Water; it is nearly destitute of other places, in a dry season, to Water the Cattle. Its situation is near the Town, & on that account has been improved for tillage until the soil has become nearly exhausted, destitute of any unappropriated Swamps, & impregnated with Lands of individuals in various parts, some inclosed & some not inclosed; and all the roads to & from the East parts of the Island; has run through this Tract time immemorial. #
*
*
*
The next in course is that tract called the Hum mocks bounded on the East by the last mentioned Tract, on the South & West by the Sea, and on the north by the Proprietors' Fence & the Hummock Pond. This contains a number of Ponds, similar in description to those last mentioned & no good Fresh Watering places; the Land of a thin Weak Soil; & has been tilled by the Proprietors for Common, etc, until it is become neaily worn out. No swamps unappropriated, & a gieat numbei of pastures that belong to Individuals; with Necessary roads through the whole.
28
The next is the Plains, so called. Situated between the aforesaid Pond (Hummock) on the South, & the Long Pond on the North, the Sea on the West, the Pro prietors' Fence on the East. It contains one Pond of good fresh Water, the others are a little brackish, but are frequently drank of by the Creatures. No unappro priated Swamps; the Land generally of cold, Barren Soil, has been till'd for Corn. H5
H*
3s
%
The next we shall take into view is a large Tract, called Madequit & Smiths Point. There's a greater vari ety of kinds of Land in this than in any other yet de scribed. It is bounded on the South and East by the Long Pond, on the West & North by the Sea. A considerable part of this tract is pretty good areable Land; but no unappropriated Swamps, no Watering places, except the Pond mentioned. On the West & North are large tracts of Sandy beach, which produce a light grass called beach grass, interspersed with abundance of poor Salt Marshy Land, with Creeks & Cover, which renders this part of the Tract of but little value. Considerable quan tity of Fresh & Salt Meadow belonging to Individuals lies in the middle. It lies from 4 to 6 Miles from Town. $ $ $ $ Next adjoining to the last, to the Eastward, is a poor tract, bounded on the West by the Long Pond, on the North by the Sea, on the East by the Proprietors' Fence & the Fence of Individuals, & on the South by pastures belonging to Individuals & the East End of Hummock Pond. A Barren, Hilly country, except a small neck of Land called the Long Woods (although not a single Tree upon it) which is a strong, heavy soil. No undivided Swamps. • • • • The next is called the Town Pasture, at the S-East part of which is the Town adjoining the harbour. The North Side is bounded by the Sea & pastures of Indi viduals, on the West & South by Pastures & Proprietors' Fence. Near the Town is a large number of private mow ing Lots without which the Land is generally poor. There are two Fresh Water Ponds within the inclosure. •
•
•
H*
Impropriety of a Division
Having stated a rough sketch of the whole, let me now take a retrospective view, which I think must plainly show the impropriety, as well as the impolicy of a divi sion.
WALTER FOLGER JR.'S PROPHECY ON NANTUCKET LAND
Within the inclosure called the S. East quarter, al though laid out for Land of Inheritance, there is a large Tract of Sandy Beach called Low Beach, & many other small places, around the edges of P. tract, belonging to the Proprietors in common & not laid out with the next. Within the inclosure called Squam & Pocomo, there is the Great Point & Coatue Point, which are several Miles in length, & little else than Beach Plum Bushes, Beach Grass, & a few Scrub Cedars grown upon them, which is undivided Land & also within the Proprietors' inclosure there is a large tract of Salt Meadow, laid out for Land of Inheritance long before the general division of Squam & Pocomo, around the margin of which there are two rods of upland assigned (not laid out) for the benefit of the owners of the Meadow to spread their Hay upon (which is the case throughout the Island where there is Salt Meadow laid out) & many other small tracts of upland within the Proprietors' inclosure, all of which is undivided Land; besides Roads conven ient to pass and repass through the Proprietors' Tract, which have been used by the publick since time imme morial, the principal one of which is now inclosed from the publick by one of the Petitioners, & all privileges of passing is wholly denied; the same road, or another part of it, is also stopped by another of the Petitioners, but he is kind enough to provide gates, but at the same time has got inclosed a considerable quantity of the Proprie tors' Land & refuseth to fence it out! We will next consider Brant Point, Eel Point, Smiths Point, & the Beach parts of Smooth Hum mocks, which are sandy points of Beach, on which noth ing grows of much consequence. The whole of the above mentioned divisions com prises thousands of acres of Land of not much value, yet, nevertheless, in a division would count according to quantity. *
*
*
*
Proprietors Had an Early Grant Another thing may be considered. There was an early grant of the Proprietors for their own convenience, for each Share to have the Privilege of taking up where it suited them best; 46 Acres to a Share, agreeable to which they picked their spots, at any part of the Island, where it did not interfere with publick or private, but was generally chosen within two miles of the Town, which of course would leave the Land not taken up, where these Lots are, very poor.
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
Further Division Would Destroy The Patents Which Governed Lands Now taking a Comprehensive view of the whole. If the present Petition obtains, it will destroy the Patents & with it all rules & regulations that so long have pre served us in peace. Others would then take the same courses & by the right & so on, to as many as wanted their Land by themselves. I now would ask which or whether any of them would be willing or expect to take their proportion in all the different tracts above described, which in fact they want their proportion of, or whether they expect to have their part, set off in a nice good spot, separated from all those embarrassing circumstances above related. Suppose the latter. What is to become of those that are left to take the last? Of course, it must be the poorer class, because the weakest goes by the wall. When in the way they are now in, they are as Independent as the great Owners. But, alas, these all would be Lost.
Bequests or gifts to the Nantucket Historical Association are tax deductible. They are greatly needed and appreciated.
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