A Visit to Nantucket in 1769 by a Quaker from England

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A V i sit t o N a n t u c k et In 1 7 6 9 B y a Q u a ke r F ro m E n g la n d

E x tr a ct F r om T h e J o ur n a l o f R a c h el W il so n T h e W if e o f I s a ac W il so n o f K e n d al. ( E ng l a n d )

Elizabeth Island — 6th Month 19th 1769

ON THIRD DAY early intending to go on board for Nantucket, we got here but it being thick and heavy and no wind we did not heave anchor till about 8. At 2, the tide running strong against us, we durst not venture through Woods Hole, so cast anchor just by Elizabeth Isle, (Naushon). Several of our Company went ashore and picked us strawberries. When the tide turned we got safe through with a small breeze.

20th

The wind increasing it was thought that we might reach Nantucket by ten at night. Our Captain, John Hussey was cautious of acting, without knowing my mind, in passing by Martha's Vineyard, in which only one Friend's family lived, and weighing the matter carefully, I found it my place to let them know I had more freedom to stop there than to go forward in the night. As we were upwards of twenty passengers, if we were confined to the sloop it would be very inconvenient, and I believed it would be best for us to go on shore.

The wind being fair the Captain's son-in-law seemed desirous to go forward and made some of the passengers a little uneasy alledging the wind might be against us in the morning and we might lay there for sometime. I had no fear of this sort upon my mind as my trust was in Him at whose command the wind and seas obeyed and mine eye, single to His bidding, which I always found answered in every respect, tho' reasoning is sometimes likely to get in; as at this time it was suggested.

Now if they all stay through thee and anything but well should happen what a reflection that would be to the great cause thou art engaged in but

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keeping still, my mind, was supported, I said thou knowst O Lord I have but one view thy glory and the good of souls and fear fled from one.

Our Captain, as soon as we got near land ordered two of the hands to set him ashore in a boat before the sloop could get to a proper place to anchor, it being near sundown and no time to spare in collecting the inhabitants together, as I found an inclination to sit with them which proved useful, he had given pretty general notice before we landed and several came to the friend's house, his name is David Coffin, where we had full oportunity to declare the way of life and salvation and the people behaved well and all turned out to satisfaction, having pretty good accommodation.

6th month 21st

In the morning wt got early on board, having a good wind in our favour, we reached safe to Nantucket about 11 o'clock in the morning. The friend and his wife came along with us, that our calling had its service in many respects, for which I bless the great name that hath this far preserved both by sea and land to his own praise and my unspeakable comfort.

At Nantucket we were kindly received by our friends, we lodged with William Roach and his wife, her sister Sarah Barney being mostly with us, a valuable friend, who accompanied to six family's, in four of which one or more had been under confinment for sometime, to whom our visit was truly acceptable the Lord's good presence, being with us to our great refreshment.

6th month. 23rd.

On the 6th came to our early meeting for worship at eleven which was pretty large. The first that appeared was a woman from Swansea in a few words, then John Penn upon spiritual worship. My mind being deeply engaged under the sense of the state of that meeting told them if I had judged by the sight of the eye I would have thought what I had to deliver scarely proper for the auditory. But such as I had I gave freely which was the exhortation of our Dear Lord's: if thy brother hath anything against thee do first reconcile thyself to thy brother before thou offerest thy gift at the altar."

Showing that our offerings could not be acceptable whilst hardness

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

remained one against another which I was enabled to get through clear and the meeting ended in prayer and praise.

We dined with Jonathan Macy, drank tea with Sarah Barney, visited a sick woman that had been seized with blindness and scarely got the mind reconciled to her condition. I hope our visit had its service.

On 7th the meeting for the minister and elders at 8 o'clock, tho' few in number yet satisfactory, at II a public meeting at which first my companion appeared and then J. P. (John Penn). After their appearance I stood up with the near union there was between Christ and his church which was set forth in the language of the spouse "My beloved is mine and I am his." upon which I was enlarged beyond my expectations that our minds were filled with humble thanksgiving of which I made use of as a mouth to the people. J. P. (John Penn) gave a caution afterwards in regard to dulness, which was very pertinent. The weather warm and the meeting crowded. We dined with Samuel Starbuck, afterwards visited three family's to satisfaction.

6th month 25th

On first day two large meetings; on second day at 8 the adjourned meeting for ministers. At II o'clock the public came on and after business, in all which we were greatly favoured with the overshadowing of divine good to our mutual comfort.

We visited three sick friends that evening being in hopes that we might be at liberty to have left the Island early next morning, but my mind was weighed down under opression not knowing the cause but earnestly desiring I might stay till the end of my coming was full answered.

In the evening the thing was cleared up, a difference had existed for many years, that a committee was appointed from the Quarterly Meeting in order to get the parties concerned to submit to reference which efforts had hitherto been in vain. Finding my mind engaged to join them with my companion and J. Pemberton, truth favouring us, our labours proved effectual and they all agreed, and arbitration Bonds were drawn and signed to our admiration and thankfulness for which the great name was praised.

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6th month 27th

We were expecting we might have been at liberty to leave the Island, but when we got up the wind was against us and other business fell to our lot.

6th month 28th

A disagreeable affair had caused great warmth amongst them and had also become the Quarterly Meeting's business, tho' imprudently introduced, and had occasioned great disputes. A friend, who had visited them, had requested a certificate if they could do it with freedom, but rather to omit it than to occasion disputations amongst themselves which, if it had been regarded, would have prevented a great deal of trouble. For some had taken great offence at what he had delivered and others jealous for a certificate, that an open breach was made the enemy, being never wanting to improve every opportunity to the detriment of his Kingdom and laying waste the work of God. We found it our places to inquire into the matter and endeavour to stop any further progress in it, as it would neither tend to the honour of the Society nor the peace of the individuals to go much further. As a certificate for the friend seemed rather out of date then, they could be brought to acknowledge that both parties had missed it and beg of the Quarterly Meeting to pass it by. This was in a great measure affected and they hoped it would be teaching them a lesson for the future.

Having settled these troublesome matters by the assistance of the Divine wisdom, which was sensibly experienced upon the occasion, we came away on 5th day morning on board John Hussey's vessel, who had waited for us, and landed us at Wood's Hole about 5 that evening.