Volume 24 April, 1977 No

Captain Stephen Greenleaf, Jr. This portrait was presented the Nantucket Historical Association by Mrs. Lewis S. Greenleaf, whose husband was a direct descendant. It is one of the two earliest known paintings owned by the Association, and is attributed to an unknown artist — called the "Pollard Limner." On the left of the canvas is the inscription: "AE Sua Anno 1722." Stephen Greenleaf, Jr., was born in Newbury, Mass., in 1652 and died in 1743. He was a grandson of Tristram Coffin, Sr., and his father Stephen Greenleaf, Sr., was one of the original group who purchased from Thomas May hew the land at the west end of the Island.

O n e H u n d r e d Y e a r s A g o

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A YOUNG SCHOOLMASTER, who spent his vacations in short trips throughout New England, made a return visit to Nantucket in 1877. He described the quiet of the old town, then in the beginnings of realizing its potential as a summer resort. The busy days of its maritime supremacy had vanished, and he spoke of activity along the waterfront being "confined to two or three schooners in the coasting trade, and an abandoned hulk or so that smacks of the old days."

He mentioned the well defined streets, where many of the "finest dwelling houses are thrown open in summer to the travelling public as boarding houses. Through the windows of these we could see relics of the prosperous days—old Delft from Holland, fine wares from France, solid furnishings in iron and brass, silver from England, portraits on the walls . . . . Everything that will open its doors in true Island hospitality is filled to overflowing. Five thousand people will come to this town this summer to feel the sea breezes."

March gales were being felt. Captain John Ray, in the packet Tawtemeo, reported his passage from New Bedford was an extremely rugged one. Mid-March found storms of snow and rain and the streets were described as being in "gum shoe condition." Out at 'Sconset Levi Coffin spent almost the whole night bringing his lambs to shelter at his farm at Philip's Run. The Island Home delayed her departure to Hyannis on March 15, and did not return when the wind increased. Work on the wreck of the bark W. F. Marshall at Surfside had to be stopped due to the storm.

It was to be a busy year. Carpenters were erecting a mansion house on Main Street for Edward W. Perry (the present "Homestead"). Charles Robinson was building a cottage at the corner of Fair and Lyons Street. The salary of the Collector of Customs here was set at $250 a year, in addition to the fees and allowances. Manager J. S. Doyle had arrived and was getting the Ocean House ready for the summer. After thirty years as a store-keeper on Main Street .Timothy W. Calder retired. James H. Gibbs was putting an addition on the Joseph Perry House on Lily Street, and Captain Samuel Davis announced he would serve as the manager of Swain's Boarding House on Centre Street. (The present Holiday Inn.)

Town meeting was at hand. A veteran citizen stated: "Are we willing to be accessory to the loading of this town with debt, driving our