Historic Nantucket, January 1983, Vo. 30 No. 3

My Recollections of Moses Joy

by Louis S. Davidson I FIRST MET Moses Joy around the year 1921 or 22, he was aged about 70. We were both members of the Camera Club of New York — I a new one and he a lifetime member of long standing. Our first point of con­ tact was the time I mentioned that I was going to Nantucket for the summer. He showed great interest in my trip and told me at that time that he was a native of the island. He then said that the following month there was to be a meeting of the Historical Society and if he were not present, it would be useless for them to hold their meeting because he was to make the address of the year. Then, confiding that he was somewhat financially embarrassed at that time, he was wondering whether I could get him to Nantucket.

I said, "How much would it cost?" and he thought a moment and said, "If you could let me have $25.001 could spend the summer in Nan­ tucket." Being a bit skeptical, I told him that I could help him pro­ viding I knew how he could do such a piece of magic. Out of his pocket came the inevitable piece of paper, and he explained it would cost him $12.00 round trip on the New Bedford line which would leave him $13.00.

While stopping over in New Bedford, he would buy some scrimshaw from a friend of his which he would sell to the trippers when he got to Nantucket. Mrs. Codd of Orange Street would permit him to live in the garret as long as he wished and Mr. Ring the vegetable man on Main Street would give him his day-old vegetables. In that case, he would on­ ly have to buy a bottle of milk a day which would not be a very great ex­ pense.

When I finally got to Nantucket, Moses greeted me warmly and said that he was going to do me a great favor. He was going to show me the island. On our first trip out, we got into one of the surreys, Moses in the front seat. Because of his great bulk, it threatened to tip over. He would then direct the driver to some specific house. He would not per­ mit us to get out until he himself had gone to the front door and an­ nounced himself. He never used a door bell or knocker but took his fist and banged on the door until the house shook. When some frightened female would finally come to the door, he would announce sternly, "I am Moses Joy. I brought water into Nantucket. I played in this house as a child and I want to show it to my friends." With no further ado, he would sweep into the house and start showing us around. It could be easily seen that he knew the house well. When tenants were in the house, they would follow us about very suspiciously wondering what was about. However, when the owners were there and heard the recollection of the place, they would be so interested in the stories, they would generally ask us to tea. In this way we saw the better part of the old Nantucket houses.