Historic Nantucket
The Upper Square—1901.
January, 1979 Published Quarterly by Nantucket Historical Association Nantucket, Massachusetts
NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, Leroy H. True Vice-Presidents, Albert G. Brock, George W. Jones, Alcon Chadwick, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Walter Beinecke, Jr., Mrs. Merle T. Orleans Honorary Vice-President, Henry B. Coleman Secretary, Richard C. Austin Treasurer, John N. Welch Councillors, Leroy H. True, Chairman Robert D. Congdon, Harold W. Lindley, terms expire 1979; Miss Barbara Melendy, term expires 1980; Donald Terry, Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman, terms expire 1981; Miss Dorothy Gardner, David D. Worth, terms expire 1982. Historian, Edouard A. Stackpole Editor: "Historic Nantucket", Edouard A. Stackpole; Assistant Editor, Mrs. Merle Turner Orleans.
STAFF Oldest House: Curator, Mrs. Kenneth S. Baird Receptionists: Mrs. Margaret Crowell, Miss Adeline Cravott Hadwen House-Satler Memorial: Curator, Mrs. Phoebe P. Swain Receptionists: Mrs. Irving A. Soverino, Mrs. Richard Strong. 1800 House: Curator, Mrs. Clare Macgregor Receptionist: Miss Barbara Nathan Old Gaol: Curator, Albert G. Brock Whaling Museum: Curator, Renny Stackpole Receptionists: Frank Pattison, James A. Watts, Patricia Searle, Rose Stanshigh, Alice Collins, Clarence H. Swift, Mary Lou Campbell Peter Foulger Museum: Curator and Director, Edouard A. Stackpole Receptionists: Mrs. Clara Block, Everett Finlay, Mary J. Barrett, Richard Strong Librarian: Mrs. Louise Hussey Nathaniel Macy House: Curator, Mrs. John A. Baldwin Receptionists: Miss Dorothy Hiller, Mrs. Alfred Hall Archaeology Department, Curator, Mrs. Roger Young Old Town Office: Curator, Hugh R. Chace Old Mill: Curator, John Gilbert Millers: John Stackpole, Edward G. Dougan Folger-Franklin Seat & Memorial Boulder: Curator, Francis Sylvia Friends Meeting House-Fair Street Museum: Curator, Albert F. Egan, Jr. Lightship "Nantucket": Curator, Benjamin S. Richmond Shipkeeper: Richard Swain Greater Light - Receptionists: Dr. Selina T. Johnson, Florence Farrell Building Survey Committee: Chairman, Robert G. Metters Hose Cart House: Curator, Francis W. Pease
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 26
January, 1979
No. 3
CONTENTS
Nantucket Historical Association Officers and Staff
2
Editorial—The Preservation of Historic Landscapes
5
The Macy Fish Lot Share—Nantucket in Microcosm by Jean R. Merriman
7
Replicas of Memorial Brass
11
Hospital Thrift Shop Demi-Centennial by Robert Carrick
13
The Diaries of Obed Macy, Nantucket Merchant and Historian by Edouard A. Stackpole
19
Walter Folger Known as "The Greatest Astronomer in America" in 1821
25
Gift Items
29
Nantucket Quintuplets by Theodore C. Wyman
30
Legacies and Bequests/Address Changes
31
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 $7.50; Sustaining $25.00; Life—one payment $100.00 Second-class postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554.
5
The Preservation of Historic Landscapes THE PROBLEM OF preserving the historic character of Nantucket Island has become a common concern. While the Historic Districts Act has given us a definite control of the old Town, the growth of population has brought about a definite threat to the outlying land, and certain Island landscapes are in danger of being forever destroyed. It is sad to contemplate that what has been the birthright of Nantucketers is becoming the tarnished prize of a commercial world. There are portions of this Island which deserve to be preserved for their historic value, apart from any ecological or esthetic claim. Quite aside from the scenic beauty and as the habitat for wildlife, these areas represent an historic setting which, once destroyed, may never be ours again. The work of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation has been a decided factor in such preservation, but the task of acquiring all this land is too great for the stalwart workers in that remarkable organization. The opportunities inherent in the so-called Kennedy Bill have become bogged down in political debate. It would appear that the next step is an appeal to governmental action, but from a different direction. In order to effect such action it is obviously necessary to establish definitions of what constitutes an historic landscape, then to identify and record these sites that fall within those definitions. We may readily establish an old farm, as an example of our agricultural traditions; a wide range of heathland, where the sheep once roamed — the first means of livelihood for the very first settlers of this Island; the "pond country" where the first homesteads were created and the earliest homes built; the stretches of white beaches, which became so important in the first at tractions to those visitors who established Nantucket as a premier vacation spot; the glacial hill country that brings a distinct Island character to the landscape; all these demand preservation before it is too late! Nothing may establish the pattern of "living history" more than the preservation of these segments of our historic landscapes — to demon strate the evolution of Island life from the days of the original inhabitants to modern times. Could not the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington bring its influence and power into the present scene? Nan tucket is a unique American community in which the historic background still exists. Can it be protected? Will it be? —Edouard A. Stackpole
Photo by Clay Lancaster The Macy House on Tattle Court.
7
The Macy Fish Lot Share Nantucket in Microcosm by Jean R. Merriman If one wishes to thoroughly understand the history of old Nantucket houses and their ownership, he must go back to the early days when the land was divided among the original proprietors or their heirs. A study of land which begins with its acquisition by its first owner, traces its development through division, construction of dwelling houses and their subsequent transfer from occupant to occupant will provide an insight into many facets of island life, not only as it was lived then but also as it continues today. This study concerns the nineteenth Fish Lot Share which was "set off' to heirs of Thomas Macy, an original proprietor who was born in Chilmark, England in 1612 and died on Nantucket in 1682. "Laid out" in 1717, the Fish Lot Division 1 consisted of twenty-seven shares. It extended from Fair Street east and west and averaged one hundred and sixteen feet in width, north and south. According to Henry Barnard Worth 2 , the Fish Lot Division was the most important one laid out on the island and soon became densely populated as the settlement gravitated from the original site at Cappamet Harbor to the area adjacent to the Great Harbor. The nineteenth Fish Lot Share is bounded by Fair Street on the east and by Pine Street on the west. On the north it is bounded by Darling Street, the name somehow acquired because of John Darling who owned Number Ten Darling Street from 1785 to 1796, although the street had been cut through by 1760. (A part of the twentieth share may also be included on the street's south side.) On the south is Farmer Street, cut through in 1791, but on its northwestern end, there is also a portion of the eighteenth Fish Lot where the dwellings at Number Seven and Number Five stand. Macy's Lane was opened to Fair Street in 1758. Imagine, if you will, a rectangular field of tall grass, perhaps some scrubby pines and other vegetation common to the moors, barren of dwellings nearby and tied only to the clustered settlement at Wesco Acres and the Great Harbor by a narrow rutted road called Fair Street. Place on it now the Great Macy Lean-to dwelling house which some time after 1717 was laboriously carted or rolled all the way from "Wadacoumit" and reinstated in its functional and serene simplicity at the eastern end of the Fish Lot, its steeply pitched roof high on the south side to admit the warmth of the sun and twice as long on the north for shelter against the bitter winds of winter. This dwelling was the home of Thomas Macy (1687-1759), third son of John and grandson of the first Thomas.
8
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
The male Macy line was carried on by only one son, John, who was born at Salisbury, Massachusetts in 1635 and died on the island in 1691. Fortunately, however, he sired four sons and it was they who fell heir to the nineteenth Fish Lot Share when it was laid out on Wesco Hill. Although Thomas was the first to utilize its availability, others soon followed. On February 16, 1748, Richard Macy (1689-1779), brother of Thomas, gave to his daughter Judith and her husband, Jonathan Bunker, (married in 1742) a piece of land on Wesco Hill of which part was in the nineteenth share and part was in the twentieth share. Now known as Number Ten Darling Street, it too was soon constructed as a lean-to dwelling and faced south. In 1755, Thomas Macy was growing old and in March of that year, devised his will which in addition to other bequests, stipulated that his wife, Deborah (Coffin) Macy, was to have a life right to his dwelling house except for the west lower room which was to go to his daughter, Deborah, and her heirs and assigns forever. Deborah, who became the second wife of Benjamin Coffin, the Schoolmaster, in 1762 at age 36 was also to have one-quarter acre of land "where my dwelling house stands". It is of interest that Isaac Coffin (1764-1842), Principal Assessor and Judge of Probate, was her son and that Lucretia (Coffin) Mott (17931880), abolitionist of Philadelphia, was her granddaughter by her son, Thomas. Two years, later, on June 14, 1757, Thomas and his brethren, namely Richard, Jabez and the heirs of John (1675-1751), agreed to divide several tracts of land which they owned in common, including the nineteenth Fish Lot Share. It was concluded that Richard would have the western end, Jabez would take the piece next joining to Richard's tract, then next the heirs of John and, finally, Thomas would have the piece bounded on the east by the highway (Fair Street). Then on March 16, 1759, four days before he died, Thomas gave to his daughter Anna and her husband, Richard Worth, a piece of land lying in the nineteenth and twentieth Fish Lot Shares containing thirty rods, bounded on the east by the highway and on the west by the land belonging to the heirs of his brother John. There, on the corner of Fair and Darling Streets, they built their dwelling house. The next house to be built was Number Eight Darling Street when in 1765, Jabez Macy (1683-1776) gave to his son, Daniel Macy, a piece of land which was one-half of his share and was the piece "where the said Daniel's house now stands".
THE MACY FISH LOT SHARE
9
About this time, access to the well or pump began to receive much attention: Jabez reserved a passway, seven feet wide, for his son, Jethro, to pass or go across. A passway, later to be called Pump Lane, which could be entered from Pine Street was connected to it and perhaps both joined up to Macy's Lane. Scattered throughout the old deeds is the mention of the right to use the well or pump. The fifth house to be erected was located on the present site of Number Twelve and Fourteen Darling Street: In November, 1767, Jonathan Bunker gave his daughter Deborah and her husband, Silas Bunker, a piece of land which had been given to him by his father-in-law, Richard Macy, and was the northwest part of the land on which "my dwelling house stands". Seven Farmer Street was built about this time for Thomas Bunker sold Christopher Swain the land on which his dwelling house "now stands" in 1768. This property was actually located in the eighteenth Fish Lot of which three-quarters was set off to the Bunker family.
At the close of the eighteenth century, probably no more than these six houses stood on the Fish Lot. However, there is a question of whether Jethro Macy had built a small house at the rear of Daniel's dwelling; and a question of when a small dwelling was erected along Macy's Lane to the east of the Thomas Macy Lean-to. Among others, Obed Macy II lived there for a time. Nor is it clear when Forty-one Fair Street was built, though most likely, it was around the turn of the century. In addition, some authors have written that Forty-three Fair Street was built by Jethro Pinkham in the last part of the eighteenth century. However, Isaac Coffin 3 in his 1799 LIST OF STREETS, stated: "Farmers Street - from the northeast corner of Jethro Pinkham's dwelling house on Fair Street extending to the westward by Christopher Swain's dwelling house to Pine Street". Thus it would appear that Pinkham's house was located on the south side of Farmer Street. In any event, the activity in the nineteenth century presents a vastly different picture: The ownership of the Macy Fish Lot by Macys had largely been terminated by death, intermarriage with other families or removal from the island so that the familial, almost clan-like atmosphere had vanished. The early houses fell on hard times through disrespect, disrepair and even removal or demolition. Builders now found a market for their specialty as they shifted houses about, altered others to "im prove" them and crowded new ones into unused pockets of land.
10
HISTORIC NANTUCKET Eleven houses were added during this century, most notably Number Six Darling Street which was built about 1819 by William W. Macy who received the land through descent from John Macy, his greatgrandfather. Three houses disappeared in this period: Silas and Deborah Bunker sold their property to John Elkins, husband of Sarah Mayo, when they removed from the island in 1778. In time, it passed to the heirs of Obed and Seth Mayo, was purchased by Louisa C. Macy who then sold it to John K. Sears, a builder, in 1842. What did he do with the old house? After building Twelve Darling Street in 1842, he and Albert Tobey built Fourteen Darling in 1843. Richard and Anna Worth sold their property at the corner of Fair and Darling Streets in 1779 to Abishai Barnard, 2nd just before removing from the island and after passing through a number of hands, it was purchased by Benjamin Robinson, a builder, in 1831. He built Thirtyseven Fair Street as a residence for himself but when was that old house removed? The 1858 map prepared by William Coffin shows a building which would correspond to a now non-existing Number Two Darling Street. Was that the Worth house? The corner is vacant now. Robinson also purchased the Thomas Macy house which was used as a carpenter's shop at one point and the small dwelling on Macy's Lane which he bought from Lydia Barnard. It too is gone now although it was shown on the 1858 map. It is hoped that this sketch of the nineteenth Fish Lot Share's history shows the merit of studying the Fish Lot Division as units and that in time, the story of the other Fish Lots will become available.
NOTES The documentation for factual information which has not been footnoted may be found at The Peter Foulger Museum in the file of house histories prepared by the writer. 1. Nantucket County Registry of Deeds, Proprietors' Book of Plans, Number One, pp. 2 and 56. 2. Henry Barnard Worth, NANTUCKET LANDS AND LAND OWNERS, page 204. 3. Nantucket County Registry of Deeds, Book 24, page 136.
11
Replicas of Memorial Brass Available for Coffin Descendants NO ONE IS certain how many descendants of Tristram Coffin, one of the original Nantucket proprietors, are living across the United States today. One thing is certain — there are a lot of them. And the small English village church where one of their ancestors lies buried is hoping that some of Tristram's descendants will want a distinctive momento of the Coffin family. Members of the Church of St. Michael Penkivel, near Truro in Cornwall, are preparing to commission production of about two dozen replicas of the memorial brass to Marie, widow of Peter Coffin, who is believed to have been Tristram's great-grandmother. The replicas will be exact duplicates, cast in hard resin rather than metal, of the engraved brass plate placed in the floor of the church more than 350 years ago. The brass, about 30 inches high, shows the engraved figure of a woman in ornate Elizabethan dress with this still-clear legend below: "Here lyeth of the Body of Marie The Widdow of Peter Coffin Gent & 4th Daughter of Hugh Boscawen of Tregothnan Esq., Whoe Dyed Ye 4th Day of September 1622 Aged 71 Yeares." N. K. Jeans, Treasurer of the church, sends word that the St. Michael Penkivel parish hopes to sell the reproductions to help solve the prime problem of most rural English churches — a shortage of funds to maintain a historic building which still contains the original foundation stone consecrated on August 13, 1261. Americans who would like to have one of the small number of replicas can get further details from Mrs. Madeline Brenner, 3427 Executive Avenue, Falls Church, Va. 22042 (a Coffin descendant) or from Mr. Jeans at The Old Rectory, St. Michael Penkivel, Truro, Cornwall, England. The St. Michael Penkivel replica will be suitable for either hanging or "rubbing" — a process in which paper is laid over the figure and rubbed with hard wax to produce an image. The Coffins, of course, were a Devon Family. However, Marie was buried in the parish church of her own family, the Boscawens. The present Viscount Falmouth, a Boscawen, lives nearby at Tregothnan, once Marie's home.
13
Hospital Thrift Shop Demi-Centennial 1929-1979 by Robert Carrick THE STORT OF the Nantucket Hospital Thrift Shop can be en capsulated in two words: "dedication"and "dollars". For it was—and still is—the dedication of an industrious group of women who have raised over half a million dollars for the hospital in the last 50years.
The Nantucket Hospital got its start on April 18, 1911 at the home of Dr. John S. Grouard who said: "If we value our own lives and we would take no hazard with them, we shall be content no longer to see Nantucket without a hospital." And so it grew out of the basic need for modern health care on the island. Necessity was also the mother of the Hospital Thrift Shop. From the time the hospital opened in 1913, the need for supplemental income was very apparent. Many individual benefits were helpful but there was no permanent organization (outside of the hospital itself) devoted solely to raising funds for Nantucket's fledgling medical center. So in 1929 a group of determined ladies came up with the idea of the Hospital Thrift Shop. They started on a shoestring, probably a second hand one, and built up a business of selling second-hand clothes, fur niture, books, new articles made from donated material and also homecooked food. They also accepted merchandise to sell on consignment. Actually, the Shop had a good thing going for the community. It provided extra financial support for the hospital and at the same time enabled people to purchase serviceable merchandise at a reasonable price. Among the original organizers were: Annie Ayers, Edna May, Mrs. Alice Baldwin, Mrs. Phoebe Pancoast, Mrs. Margaret Crosby, Mrs. Anne Congdon, Mrs. Hugh Sanford. The Shop was administered by a Board of Directors with Mrs. Pancoast serving as the first Chairman. They didn't have chairpersons in those days. In their first year of operation the Shop cleared $603.00 for the hospital. For the first 16 years, the Thrift Shop was housed in rented quarters, the first location being a Macy house on Liberty Street. Subsequently, the place of business moved to a Macy house on Federal Street (now the site of the Post Office), then to the Annie Alden Folger Antique shop on Union Street. Next was a house at 24 Broad Street and then the Sanford House on Federal Street (now the site of the Town and County Building). Finally, in 1945 the Thrift Shop purchased the house at 17 India Street which they occupy today. Prior to this purchase, in September 1944 the Shop became a cor-
14 HISTORIC NANTUCKET poration under the laws of the Commonwealth and elected a Board of nine Directors: Alice M. Baldwin, Anne Congdon, Margaret H. Crosby, Annie Grimes, Mina Jerome, Phoebe Pancoast, Charlotte Pitman, Dorothy S. Wescott and Edna F. May, the latter also being elected Clerk of the Corporation. The minutes of the August 27, 1945 meeting of the Executive Com mittee indicates the business acumen of the ladies - "to discuss the ad visability of buying a permanent home for the Thrift Shop, having in mind the property of Frederick C. Ayers, 17 India Street, price $7,500. After a discussion it was voted that Mrs. Baldwin and Miss May make an offer of $6,800 to Mr. Ayers. At the same time they were given authority to meet the price of $7,500 if he would take nothing less." The Ayers house was purchased with the help of a $3,000 mortgage from the Nantucket Institution for Savings. That year the Thrift Shop's contribution to the hospital was only a token $100, the lowest at any time in the 50-year period. However, in 1946 the Shop paid off the mortgage and gave the hospital $2,500, asking that an electro-cardiograph machine be purchased with the approval of the Trustees and Doctors. At this point, the Town granted the Shop a tax-free status as a charitable organization. House tours were added to the functions of the Thrift Shop and augmented their contribution to the hospital. The $4,000 donated in 1947 was earmarked for a new ambulance. Monies from the 1951 and 1952 contributions to the hospital were used to purchase an integral auxiliary generator which could be moved to the new hospital building when that was constructed. In an effort to support the drive for a new hospital, the Thrift Shop pledged $10,000 to the campaign with $5,000 as a gift for 1953 and the balance to be given in 1954. New officers elected for 1954 were: President, Mrs. Paul Thebaud; Vice-President, Mrs. Robert Elder; Secretary, Mrs. Oswald Tupancy; Treasurer, Miss Edna May. New members elected to the board were: Mrs. Lyster Reighley, Mrs. William Hunt and Mrs. Alexander Craig, Jr. 1957 was a banner year for the Thrift Shop. Gross sales from the various rooms totaled $11,800 and the special dance on August 21st on board the new steamer Nantucket brought in $8,000. This, in a different context, was a "night to remember". On its evening trip from Woods Hole to Nantucket, the new $2,700,000 vessel was completely decorated by zealous Thrift Shop workers with "aluminum-papered pennants in various colors". The ship arrived at 8:00 p.m. and the hastily lowered gangplank was lined with potted trees and covered with glittering foil. Then more than 25 of the island's leading hotels and restaurants put on board food for a buffet supper served from the counters in the dining area. According to the press, "young and elderly mixed in the cordial atmosphere and danced to the peppy, rhythmic beat of an eight piece
HOSPITAL THRIFTSHOP orchestra of Harry Marshard, society and resort band leader.
15
"Attractive young matrons modeled seven period costumes valued at $3,200, a collection loaned by Marshall Field of Chicago. Leading the show of fashions was Mrs. William H. Pell modelling an attractive flowered challis hooped gown of the Civil War era. A large leghorn hat trimmed in lace completed her costume. Mrs. John Wickser modeled a charming pink bustle dress of puffed sleeves and long pleated train of the Lillian Russell era. "Last in the collection was one modeled by Mrs. William Newman. Her expensive, alluring strapless gown was a 1957 model of rose lace from the '28' Shop at Marshall Field's." That year the hospital received $15,000. The Thrift Shop requested it be used for the Doctor's Dressing Room and the Central Supply Room. Contributions, always used at the discretion of the hospital Board of Trustees, were used in many ways. Some times to help defray operating expenses and often for items of equipment given as a memorial to a Thrift Shop worker. However, the $8,000 given in 1959 was intended for a bassinet for the nursery, a steam sterilizer, a back-up anesthesia unit and a new cardiograph machine. Although it had been a partial participant in the Main Street Fetes (which were strictly hospital benefits), in 1961 the Thrift Shop did the whole thing, under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Allen Backus, and collected $6,000 which raised the total contribution to the hospital to
$12,000. In 1962, Miss Edna May resigned from the Board after 30 years of service. Five years later the Thrift Shop received an interesting letter from Hospital Administrator Leroy H. True. It was addressed to Mrs. Backus and stated: "We received your check for $20,000 and needless to say we are extremely pleased. "It just doesn't seem possible that this amount of money can be made in this way and we know very well it did not come without a tremendous amount of work on the part of Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Thebaud, you and all the rest of the dedicated people." In 1971, Mrs. Paul Thebaud relinquished the office of President of the Board, a position she had held for 19 years and during which time the Thrift Shop had experienced one of its most flourishing periods of growth. More recently, in 1975, the Shop donated $30,000 to the hospital and in 1978 their contribution hit $35,000, a phenomenal performance for a volunteer organization. The Thrift Shop operation is not entirely seasonal and during the Fall and Winter months Board members and volunteers meet at the home of Mrs. Robert Congdon to make attractive articles for the Gift room.
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HOSPITAL THRIFTSHOP
17
The Executive Board presently consists of the following members: Mrs. Allen Backus, Mrs. William Briard, Mrs. Robert Congdon, Miss Catharine Cronin, Mrs. Frank Dinsmore, Mrs. James Glidden, Mrs. William Howe, Mrs. Frederick Lee, Mrs. Earle Mahoney, Mrs. Jamison Martin, Mrs. Lawrence Morse, Mrs. Ripley Nelson, Mrs. Richard Porter, Mrs. David Voorhees. Mrs. Peter Oldham, Manager. The following is a tabulation of the Thrift Shop's donations to the hospital for the past 50 years. To maintain this great supportive role the Shop must replenish its depleted stock so plan on bringing the things you can't use to the place that finds people who can use them. And at the same time, contribute to your Hospital. Record of Donations From the Hospital Thrift Shop to The Nantucket Cottage Hospital 1929-1979 Year 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936
Amount $603.00 603.82 3,500.00 2,545.00 3,500.00 3,000.00 1,250.00 2,500.00
1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
1937 1938 1939
1,500.00 3,000.00 3,000.00
1955 1956 1957
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944
3,000.00 1,000.00 1,500.00 3,000.00 2,500.00
1945 1946
100.00§ 2,500.00
Year 1947 1948
Amount $5,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,500.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 3,000.00*
Year 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
Amount $15,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 22,000.00 22,000.00 25,000.00 25,000.00
1973 1974 1975
30,000.00 20,000.00 30,000.00
1958 1959 1960 1961 1962
5,000.00 6,000.00 15,000.00 3,000.00* 7,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 12,000.00 10,000.00
1976 1977 1978
25,000.00 30,000.00 35,000.00
1963 1964
11,000.00 13,000.00 GRAND TOTAL $516,601.82
§ Year Building was purchased
*Pledged, 1954, Paid, 1957
I III.
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET; nr.iwis a < iinri.sbior* m i mw of tiii fir-t SETTLEMENT OF TIIK ISLAND IIY Till; ENGLISH. Toi.KTIIKK WITH TIIR
RISK AND PROGRESS
WHALE FISHERY; ANI) OTIIKIl HISTORICAL FACTS RKLAT1VK TO SAID ISLAND ANI) ITS INHABITANTS.
Xn Ctoo Marts.
BY OBED MACY.
We know lli.il all lliii.se wiek tngfthrr faf faod, ta tlinn that lava l.'ial. Koniv VIII. Gather up ilw fiagiiMTit* lliut rriimln, that nothing be !«*!. vi. 1
B O S T O N : II I L L I A it 1), •: II A V , A N D ft). I Ml.".
Title Page for Obed Macy's History of Nantucket.
19
The Diaries of Obed Macy Nantucket Merchant and Historian by Edouard A. Stackpole (continued from October, 1978) IT IS QUICKLY apparent when reading Obed Macy's journals that, although his interests were well rounded, his business as a whaling merchant kept him constantly alert in matters relating to the sea and the progress of Nantucket's major industry. In November, 1799, he noted that the whaleship Hector, which had sailed in 1797, had returned from a successful voyage under Captain Benjamin Worth "from the Coast of Peru". A few days later the ship Trial, under Captain Simeon Starbuck, arrived from the Pacific "full of oil", having also been gone two years. Concern was expressed for the ship Hope, Captain Giles. On November 25, 1799, Macy wrote: "A long spell of moderate weather about this time. We have had but very little frost, and no snow, which is much in favor of the whole Inhabitation, but more especially to the poor who would hardly be able to get their wood & provisions was it otherwise. Wood is $5.50 per cord; Flour $11." The first snow of the winter season fell on November 30, when he noted: "Cold, blustery weather, with squalls of hail and snow." On December 3, a vessel bound for Baltimore from Boston struck on Tuckernuck Shoal, lost her rudder, one anchor and cable, and driven by a northwest wind came over the bar and went ashore in the Chord of the Bay. "On the last account the vessel has not bilged and the cargo is being taken out," he observed. On December 10, Obed Macy sailed for Bedford to attend the Quarterly Meeting of the Society of Friends, leaving at 11 o'clock in the evening and arriving at Bedford at 7 o'clock the next morning. Four days later, he started home, but when the packet came in sight of Woods Hole, the wind came around dead ahead and they were forced to return. The passage took from 9 o'clock in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. On December 15th, the next morning, the packet sailed at 6 in the morning, and after a fine passage, "the weather more like summer than winter, we arrived home between 2 and 3 in the afternoon."
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
The whaleship H o p e , Captain David Giles, for the safety of which many were concerned, finally arrived from her "long and tedious voyage to the Pacific Ocean, having been looked for for many months." Some of the adventures of Captain Giles and his crew were described by Obed Macy in a few terse sentences: "Dec. 14. . .The reason for their not coming in season was they left the Coast (Peru) at the time they were supposed to get off with the Cape (Horn) and met the Ice. Their rudder proved Bad and the ship Leaky, so they put back and went into a harbour called Coqimbo and there repaired & then proceeded again to come home, which throughContrary winds & Calms took them 7 months. When off with the Cape Seth Hussey fell from aloft and lost his life by the fall. One black Man died from illness." On the first day of the new year, 1800, Obed Macy recorded the death of a friend and a relative of his wife, Abigail. He wrote: 'Paul Pinkham died at Great Point. He had the care of lighting the lamps in the Lighthouse for many years past. . .brought to town. (Jan. 3.) Was buried today." Captain Paul Pinkham was the first Keeper of Great Point Light, from the time the first tower was erected on what was also called "Sandy Point". In 1791 he completed his famous chart of Nantucket, showing the dangerous shoals which surrounded it, and with reference to his ob servations as well from the lighthouse tower. In commenting on the mildness of the season, on January 17th, Obed Macy noted: "The Winter thus far is very moderate, more so than has been known within the limits of my memory. Not one snow storm, neither the harbor nor the docks has been frozen." A week later, the scene changed and he described a northeast blizzard which covered the ground with snow to a depth of several inches. The following day was recorded as clear and "the coldest of the season". As has been the case with Nantucket winters, on January 28 one of the great storms of the season broke, with the wind from the north, bringing 2 inches of snow on the level and, "in many places high drifts to the top of the fences. . .The sleighs driving through the streets — 15 or 20 at the same time . The cold continued, with ice making from the harbor out to the bar, and "the horses and sheep appear to be in a suffering condition".
THE DIARIES OF OBED MACY
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On January 30, 1800, he recorded: "The Methodist Meeting House was built last fall, and the first meeting held therein was on the first day of this year — it's now almost finished." February was a stormy month, with gales and snowstorms. The Diary also mentioned the arrival of Captain Benjamin Barnard, who had completed a voyage from London to New York, bringing home James Fosdick who was free from "his apprenticeship with us on the 6th of 11 month, last year". The custom of taking on apprentices was quite common on Nantucket, and early in March, it was duly noted: "Freeman Keen began to work for us at $8.50 per month, as per agreement; he is to work till the beginning of next winter, and in the above bargain he is to have one pair of shoes." On March 9, 1800, Captain Benjamin Paddack arrived at (New) Bedford in the Maria, one of William Rotch's famous whaleships, and probably his favorite. This was the fourth voyage in five years that Captain Paddack had made in the Maria around Cape Horn, "and he now thinks of quitting the sea and going into the country". The dangers of travel by sea to the mainland in those days by packet was contained in a brief paragraph; the date being March 15, 1800: "George Myrick got on Race Point (Cape Cod) going to Boston, and met with some damage. The people and passengers, among which were a number of women, suffered much in getting ashore and traveling in the night, through water and mud until they came to a house which was six miles away." The ship R u b y , with Andrew Myrick as master, arrived home from '"round Cape Horn", with 1000 bbls. of sperm and 50 bbls. of whale oil. The ship had sailed for the Pacific in November, 1798, and sailed again in July of 1800 for her second voyage under Captain Myrick. During her long and successful career, the Ruby made twelve voyages—from 1793 to 1822, when she was condemned at Oahu, in the Hawaiian Islands. Deaths of Nantucket mariners in foreign ports, or on the way home from voyages, were carefully noted byObed Macy:"Richard Bunker died at Guadaloupe; Stephen Kidder died on his passage from the West Indies with the smallpox; Nathaniel Folger died on his passage from the West Indies; Zebulon Morselander died in Havannah; Obed Morselander died at Baltimore; Tristram Pinkham, son of Tristram, died of the small pox at Liverpool."
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET Although the life of the Island revolved around the whaling industry, an event of unusual circumstance occurred on April 10, 1800. Captain Amaziah Gardner sighted a whale off Nantucket bar and killed it. Obed Macy described it as a "scrag", and that Captain Gardner brought it into the harbor. His account continued: "It was so great a Novelty that they rolled her up on the Cross Wharf, in order that the spectators might have a full op portunity of viewing her, which was done by the greater part of the Inhabitants, both Men, Women and Children. She made 16 bbls. In the evening James Brown brought in another one of the same kind, with her flukes on, which still adds to the curiosity. She made 31 bbls." It was quite evident that Obed Macy enjoyed the farm which he had purchased at Polpis, and where he had erected a farmhouse and large barn. There are frequent references to it throughout the Diary, for example: "Planted some corn, beans, squash, etc., at Polpis. The season now comes forward apace — it appears likely to be a good crop of hay. . . Washed sheep to the eastward, and afterwards went on to Pocomo and sowed French turnips. . .Moved to Polpis to the new house with my family to reside for a while. . .the cool sereneness of the air gives life and vigour to the spirits." On July 3, 1800, Captain Simeon Long, in the whaleship Rebecca, arrived from the Brazil Banks with a full cargo of oil. He brought sad news, however, of the ship Industry, which had sailed at the same time under Captain Elisha Hedge. While being towed by a whale, Captain Hedge became caught in a bight of the line and pulled out of the boat, together with John Coffin, son of John, who was whipped overboard in the same line. Both men were drowned in the accident. Two other whaleships arrived home on July 17; the Mary Ann, Captain Tristram Folger, returning from the Pacific Ocean; and the ship William, Captain Eber Coffin, from the Brazil Banks in the South Atlantic Ocean. In July, also, Obed Macy recorded the purchase of 20 ewes and 19 lambs, which Abishai Lumbert brought from the Vineyard, at a cost of 13 shillings per pair; also "a yearling steer, large for its age, a brindle, and one yearling heifer, red all over, a smart, likely creature, price $16. . .drove the whole up through Quaise and turned them into the middle pasture." The Island was experiencing a severe drought in July, and Macy noted:
THE DIARIES OF OBEDMACY
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"The weather still dry. No rain since the 20th of last month (June). . .Strong westerly winds yesterday and today and a hot sun. 1 he dust flies in the streets like a snow storm. Many people sickly with a relax, especially the children. The upland grass is parched; the cows and other creatures are much pinched. The corn now begins to wither; the oats and other grains are dyeing in the milk." But nature came to the rescue with showers on August 2 to the 9th, and the Diary reported: "The late rain has livened up the corn, so now it appears likely there will be about half the usual crop, perhaps 8 bushels to the acre. . .The grass has grown remarkably since the rain; the earth that was a brown color before the rain is now of a lively green." (to be continued.)
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Walter Folger known as "The Greatest Astronomer in America" in 1821 WALTER FOLGER,Jr., the Nantucket genius who completed the first clock in America containing astronomical works, and whose famous design still functions at the Peter Foulger Museum, was called the "Greatest Astronomer In America" in 1821 by those associates who knew him when he was Nantucket's Representative at the Capitol in Washington. In 1850, a few months after Folger's death, the following communication, written by Mrs. Mary S. Coffin, appeared in the columns of The Inquirer, the oldest of the Nantucket newspapers: Since the publication in the Inquirer of the 21st ult., of some Memoirs of the late Hon. Walter Folger, the writer of that article finds some who think he has not expressed enough with regard to him as an Astronomer. A lady whose veracity may be depended on, states that when on the Ohio river, in 1821, she was in company with Col. Monroe, brother of President Monroe; also of Col. Strouther, and several other distinguished Southern gentlemen, who, finding she was a native of Nantucket, spoke of Hon. Walter Folger in the highest terms, and said that he was the greatest Astronomer in America. The writer knows Mr. Folger was on intimate terms with President Monroe, also that he devoted much time to Astronomical study and observation of the starry heavens, and had a deep and extensive knowledge of Astronomy, but he did not wish to claim for the subject of the Memoirs more than he was confident could be sustained. He is also assured that Walter Folger was the first on Nantucket to weld cast steel to iron, and that he did this before the method was known in Europe. The Connecticut mathematician referred to in the Memoirs died within four days of receiving Mr. Folger's letter approving his work on Surveying, and giving a mathematical rule for the machine producing the motion called the heart motion in winding cotton, so that it is very probable the contents of that letter were never made public. —Mr. Folger never learned that the mathematical treatise was published.
The Walter Folger, Jr., Telescope, constructed in 1820, was the finest of its time in America. The stand was rebuilt in 1860 by one of his descendants, using the same design.
WALTER FOLGER, "THE GREATEST ASTRONOMER"
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There was an error in the Memoirs about the number of his sons, as but seven, instead of eight, lived to grow up and marry. In politics Walter Folger was a Republican and possessed the con fidence and esteem of that party. He had a large circle of scientific friends abroad, embracing many of the most distinguished and talented men in this country, with some of whom he corresponded by letter. A number of them had preceded him in the passage to the tomb. —The writer believes no other man in this community ever devoted so much time and talent without expectation of reward, for the benefit of his fellow citizens, and although he was subject to the frailties of humanity, and like other men sometimes mistaken in his views, he believes he aimed to execute faith fully the duties incumbent on him, whilst on this stage of action from which he has so recently passed away.
Over 150 years ago, Walter Folger, Jr., designed a compass card which was placed in the bowl of many whaleboat compasses. One of the originals is still in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Association.
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Gift Items Do you wish to find an appropriate gift for a relative, friend or hostess? Or maybe just for yourself? May we suggest a Nantucket book, a pair of hand dipped Nantucket candles, or a piece of scrimshaw? The following are among those obtainable at any of our museums, at the main office, or even by mail to Box 1016. Books — among them — Half Share Man—Benjamin Franklin's Grandfather—King— hardcover $3.50 The Coffin Family—Coffin—575 page genealogy—hard cover $10.00 Nantucket in the American Revolution—Stackpole— soft cover $3.95 History of Nantucket—Starbuck—870 pages—hard cover $22.50 Triumphant Captain John—Gardner—100 pages—hard cover $2.75 Scrimshaw—flowers, butterflies, lighthouse, ship on ivory or bone. Pendants with silver or gold chains $15.-$20. Stickpins $3.-$4. Note paper—etchings by local artists, box of 12 w-envelopes. Old Mill, Oldest House, Lightship $1.25 Ships and waterfront $1.50 Beautiful 19th century Nantucket sketches $2.25 Gift membership in the Association—now until June 1980 $7.50 Candles in an attractive box with legend Sperm, bayberry, or cranberry (current stock only at this price). $1.75
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Nantucket Quintuple ts by Theodore C. Wyman IN "THE ISLAND STEAMERS" by Paul C. Morris and Joseph F. Morin there is an interesting story about Marshall Barrett and the cats who made Steamboat Wharf their home. And about how he fed them and encouraged them to stay on as part of the local rat control program. Of especial interest to me as I had the great privilege of knowing a most unusual cat named Mehitable who lived on the wharf in 1935. Not only did she take care of the rat control problem all by herself, but she also presented Nantucket with quintuplets (five kittens). So I had an interview with her about her great achievement and it was published in the Boston Globe. And here is a report of that interview. Nantucket, Mass., March 13, 1935 The honor of the United States and the glory of Nantucket were upheld and added to on the third of March when Mehitable, the wharf cat, presented five kittens to a palpitating world that had been eagerly anticipating the blessed event. News of her great achievement was at first withheld from the general press, as Mehitable was afraid that her children might be taken away from her and established in some cat hospital where more elaborate equipment for their care could be had. Now, however, she has decided to let the glad tidings ring forth throughout all the land, and for that purpose granted an interview to-day. A few intimate friends of the family have been allowed to gaze upon the new born marvels, but until now no sanctioned interview has been granted. Mehitable, as many local Nantucket people know, is a most unusual member of the feline family, and has made quite a reputation for herself by her eccentric habits and by her ability to keep the freight shed free of mice and rats. The impressionable months of her early life were spent on the Coast Guard cutter ARGO, and she has never quite relinquished the roll in her walk or the sound of rumbling surf that creeps into her purring. It was only natural, considering her early seafaring life, that she should choose the steamboat dock as her new home after leaving the ARGO. There, at least, she could still hear the steamboat whistles and could instill in her children the love of the sea that is so deeply intrenched in her soul.
NANTUCKET QUINTUPLETS
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Questioned as to whether she contemplated a vaudeville tour with her quintuplets, she replied with a distainful toss of her sleek, grey head.' "Never", she cried, with all her mother love vibrating in her passionate meow. "I would rather have them remain steamboat cats for the rest of their nine lives than have them exposed to the temptations and pitfalls of the outside world in any junket in search of fame." Questioned further for pertinent facts about her daily life and about her children, she replied that the kittens did cramp her style a bit, but that she would soon return with renewed fury to her self-imposed task of policing the freight house. She did admit that she hesitated a bit about having only five kittens instead of her usual six or seven, but felt that the resulting glory more than justified her great sacrifice. As for naming her children, she feels that she owes it to her public to let them pick their names, but hopes that good American names will be chosen. "Now run along", she said. "It is dinner time for my children, and I shall be a busy lady with no time to answer any more questions."
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The Old Pump—Henry Coffin's Yard.
