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The Diaries of Obed Macy Nantucket Merchant and Historian by Edouard A. Stackpole
AS A CITIZEN of Nantucket it would be difficult to find a man more fully aware of the significance of the times in which he lived than Obed Macy. A birthright Quaker, who served for many years as Clerk of the Meeting, a young whaleman, a blacksmith and farmer, a ship owner and merchant, and an historian, this versatile islander became not only well known and highly respected in his day but gave Nantucket its first formal History, a volume completed in 1835 and published that year. It was this volume which Melville enjoyed reading, and his reference to "the good Obed" was a deserved tribute. Obed Macy was born on January 15, 1762, the son of Caleb and Judith (Folger) Macy, and was in the fifth generation from Thomas Macy, among the original purchasers and settlers of Nantucket. One of a family of ten children he learned the shoemaker's trade, and then made three short whaling voyages before abandoning the sea and resuming the cobbler's business. He was close to his older brother Silvanus, and the two entered into a partnership which endured throughout their lifetime, serving as agents for whaleships, as well as merchant vessels and fishing craft. Outfitting ships, arranging for the gauging of the returned cargo, investing in ships and voyages, occupied most of the business life of the Macy firm, which continued^for forty-seven years — terminating with the death of Silvanus in 1833. In February, 1786, Obed married Abigail Pinkham, and the couple were the parents of ten children. They went to reside in a house on Pleasant Street which still stands, and is flanked by the home built by his son Peter Macy. The oldest son, Thomas, became a prominent merchant and also served as Postmaster. His warehouse on Straight Wharf still stands. Two of Thomas' sons, Isaac and Philip, continued to carry on the business launched by the Grandfather, Obed, and displayed many of the characteristics of the close family ties. After a long and busy life, Obed Macy died on December 24, 1844, being within a few weeks of attaining his 83rd birthday. His History of Nantucket was a rare accomplishment as he was a contemporary of the scenes depicted in its pages. A discerning writer, with a sense of the drama of his times, he commenced a Diary in January, 1799, which he continued until the close of his life—not in the nature of a daily journal but recording the important events of Nantucket life. It is with this accounting that we may follow many important events in and around the Island. Following are some of the entries in Obed Macy's Journal No 1. of the series. Many of these were to be incorporated in his forthcoming History, but most of the recordings are published for the first time.
