THE ASSOCIATION ACQUIRES A PORTRAIT
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children survived her — Charles Arthur Nichols, one of the twins, Mrs. A. K. Brower, and Mrs. Sylvester Brower. It was in the home of her grandson, Ber nard Nichols, of Pontiac, Illinois, that her portrait was hung, and became the property of the Nantucket Historical Association through the interest and con cern of Mrs. Florence Nichols, from whom it was purchased. Mary Coffin Nichols was reared in the beliefs of the Society of Friends of Nantucket. In her obituary it was stated: "Throughout her life she ex emplified the peaceful teachings of the Friends. Ever charitable and sym pathetic, 'none knew her but to love her,' and her full life was a testament to her quiet courage." The portrait is now on exhibit at the Peter Foulger Museum. Its pro venance is mysterious, in that the family does not know the identity of the ar tist. What is known — as handed down through the generations — is that the ship Lion put in at some Pacific port where an artist, struck by the beauty of the wife of Captain Nichols, painted the portrait.
A Christmas Affair ON MONDAY EVENING, December 29, the members and friends of the Nan tucket Historical Association had a pleasant meeting at the annual Christmas Party of the Association at the Hadwen-Satler House. This was one of the most popular gatherings in recent years, with three hundred and fifty people in at tendance. The fine old Greek Revival mansion was tastefully decorated with greens and flowers, providing a perfect setting for such an occasion, and the groups mingling in the parlors and dining room, partaking of punch and sandwiches and cookies, caught the spirit of the affair. Observing the pleasant throng, enjoying the opportunity to visit the house at this season, was a quick reminder of the true spirit of our Victorian past in Nantucket, when the "Court End" of Main Street was the scene of such occasions. The families associated with such a social participation in that period of the Island's history — the Hadwens, the Barneys, the Starbucks, the Swains, the Macys, the Swifts, and other neighbors, would have felt complete ly at home had they been present. No doubt the friendly ghosts of Christmas Past were lingering in the shadows on this late December evening. The com panionship of that era was reflected by the pleasant atmosphere of this 1981 Christmas Party. To the Committee that arranged for the evening, led by Renny Stackpole, the gratitude of the Association is tendered. The work they accomplished was of the kind to insure a success for such an evening. It brought a touch of Christmas cheer and friendship that was obviously welcomed by all who at tended.
