Historic Nantucket
Captain Charles Myrick, a favorite model for the famous artist, Eastman Johnson. The portrait hangs in a prominent place in the Peter Foulger Museum.
October 1986 Published Quarterly by Nantucket Historical Association
NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President: H. Flint Ranney Vice President: Robert D. Congdon Vice President: Mrs. Bracebridge Young Secretary: Mrs. Walker Groetzinger Treasurer: Donald E. Terry Honorary Vice Presidents
Walter Beinecke, Jr. Alcon Chadwick
Albert Brock Mrs. Bernard Grossman
Albert F. Egan, Jr Mrs. R. Arthur Orleans
Presidents Emeritus
George W. Jones
Leroy H. True
Edward B. Anderson Mrs. Kenneth Baird Mrs. John A. Baldwin Mrs. Dwight Beman Mrs. Marshall Brenizer Mrs. James F. Chase Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman
COUNCIL MEMBERS John Gilbert Mrs. Hamilton Heard, Jr. Mrs. John G. W. Husted Reginald Levine Robert F. Mooney Mrs. Carl M. Mueller
Edouard A. Stackpole
Philip C. Murray Mrs. Alan Newhouse Francis W. Pease Mrs. Judith Powers Charles F. Sayle, Sr. Mrs. Jane D. Woodruff Robert A. Young
ADVISORY BOARD Stuart P. Feld William A. Hance Andrew J. Leddy, Jr.
Max N. Berry Charles Carpenter Mrs. Charles Carpenter
Victoria Taylor Hawkins
Mrs. Thomas Loring William B. Macomber F. Blair Reeves
STAFF John N. Welch, Administrator Bruce A. Courson
Curator of Collections
Curator of Museums & Interpretation
Edouard A. Stackpole
Jacqueline Kolle Haring Curator of Research Materials
Historian
Leroy H. True
Louise R. Hussey
Manager, Whaling Museum
Librarian
Wilson B. Fantom
Elizabeth Tyrer
Plant Manager
Executive Secretary
Elizabeth Little
Peter S. MacGlashan Registrar
Curator of Prehistoric Artifacts
Kathrine L. Walker Ass t. Curator of Collections
Thomas W. Dickson Merchandise Manager
Gayl Michael Asst. Curator of Research Materials Amy W. Fanning Asst. Manager, Museum Shop
Miller: Richard P. Swain Docents: Kay Allen, Kathleen Barcus, Suzanne Beaupre, Marjorie Burgess, Alcon Chadwick, Tamar Chizewer, Marjorie Corey, Roscoe Corey, Margaret Crowell, Anita Dougan, Edward Dougan, Everett Finlay, Barbara Johnston, Maureen Murdock, Elsie Niles, Alfred Orpin, Gerald Ryder, Dorothy Strong, Mary Witt
* * * Historic Nantucket * * * Edouard A. Stackpole, Editor Merle T. Orleans, Assistant Editor
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 34
#1% ISP
October, 1986
No. 2
CONTENTS
Nantucket Historical Association Officers and Staff
2
Editorial: Walking Out of Town - an Old Experience
5
The Oldest House on Nantucket Observes Its 300th Birthday
7
Bequests/Address Changes
13
Vice Admiral Marcel Gouin 'Sconset's Gift to Naval Aviation by J. E. Lacouture
14
Notes on the History of Quakerism on Nantucket
19
Jethro Coffin in Mendon, Massachusetts, 1708-1726 by Elizabeth A. Little and Margaret Morrison
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Return of a Whaling Treasure Piece - Capt. Peter Paddack's "Iron" by Edouard A. Stackpole 27 "The Oldest House" by the Reverend Phebe Ann Hanaford
28
Shooting Notes from Tuckernuck and Muskeget by Anita Coffin Dammin
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Historic Nantucket (USPS 246-160) is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent to Association members and extra copies may be purchased for$3.00 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Nantucket Historical Association, P.O. Box 1016, Nantucket, MA 02554. c. N.H.A. 1986 (USSN 0439-2248). Membership dues are: Individual $15., Family $25., Supporting $50., Contributing $100., Sponsor $250., Patron $500., Life Benefactor $2,500. 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
Walking Out of Town - An Old Experience SIXTY YEARS AGO, it was not uncommon for the average Nantucket family to walk out into the countryside, or "out-of-town" as it was then called. These islanders saw the out-lying land in terms of their agricultural use. It was indigenous to the life of the community. Whether one walked along Cliff Road or Atlantic Avenue, the roadside was familiar. The landscape made sense; it wound its way past houses known to the walkers. Proceeding at a leisurely pace, one absorbed the sur rounding scene naturally, aware of the few changes, conscious that the old familiar surroundings remained as of old, secure in their common denominator, reflecting the times, which were quiet and controlled by the times. The old familiar ways remain as of old, but the surrounding land has been altered considerably. Where one walked through a narrow lane to Dead Horse Valley, or cruised along Milk Street to Prospect Hill Cemetery, or walked the length of North Liberty Street, the look of the land remained unchanged. There was a sense of contentment in the view. Whether one came upon an acquaintance or stopped to speak to a passer by, or watched a few cows being driven home from pasture - he knew the people involved. Walking the old ways brought a sense of well-being to the family as well as the individual. In the spring, when winter's chill had ceased to hold back the urge to walk, the pedestrian welcomed the opportunity. In the summer it represented a change of the daily scene, and in the fall the times of harvest brought a rare welcome to the familiar sights. Oftentimes, one lingered a bit to reminisce on an earlier time, or to hail an old friend, or linger over a portion of the roadside that awakened a pleasant memory. Walking out of town has changed remarkably since that earlier day. No longer do you come upon a group of Islanders headed out to gather a few mayflowers, or to pick a few grapes or beachplums. The automobile has interrupted the former pastoral strolls, and the Island has become no longer the haven of the walker. Even the automobile rides have changed in that the old scenes have changed. For example, the houses along the crest of hills on the Polpis Road have destroyed the old vista, where the low hills gave way to the undulating sweep of the commons. Perhaps, the scene may change. Perhaps, the former custom will one day return, and Islanders will once again trudge the out-of-town ways. It would be a revival of a spirit of the past, a return to a custom long since forgotten in our own times. -Edouard A. Stackpole
7
The Oldest House on Nantucket Observes Its Three Hundredth Birthday THE WEEKEND OF OCTOBER three, marked the beginning of the Nantucket Historical Association's observance of the 300th birthday of the Jethro Coffin House - the oldest house on the Island. Known to most everyone in Nantucket, this venerable old structure's very existence en titles it to recognition as an historic landmark. Accorded a ranking as a place of history by the United States, this dwelling has been twice restored and is yearly visited by thousands who pay homage to the founders of the clans which continued it in use over its first 200 years of existence. It should be more properly called the Coffin-Paddack house, as the latter family lived in it longer than its founders. Built in 1686 by Jethro Coffin and his bride Mary Gardner Coffin, it was occupied by that family until the year 1708, when Jethro moved to Mendon, Mass., and sold the house to Nathaniel Paddack on September 21. The Paddacks lived here for over a century and a quarter. They were famous as whaleship masters. One of them, Captain Paul Paddack, was the first Nantucket man to take command of a London whaleship, the Royal Bounty, and take her on a voyage to Greenland. Among the Nantucket crew members were Thomas Delano and Charles West, the latter who was to marry Hepsabeth Paddack, the daughter of Captain Paul Paddack. Their three sons became outstanding whaling masters. With the decline of whaling, the house was sold to George and Mary Coleman Turner, who lived in it from 1840 to 1881. For several years near the end of the Turner occupancy, it was virtually abandoned, but the year 1881 saw the revival of the ancient structure. It was the time of the now famous Coffin Reunion, held at Surfside. In that year, Judge Tristram Coffin, of Poughkeepsie, New York, who had come to attend Clan Coffins' get-together, saw the old dwelling on the hill abandoned, and resolved to make some restoration and open it to the public as a museum. It was a wise decision. Judge Coffin's action saved the Jethro Coffin House from an inevitable ending. In 1923, the Nantucket Historical Association stepped into the picture. Through the generous support of many people, it was encouraged to con tinue its work of preservation, and in 1924, with the financial support of Judge Coffin, the Association took over the ownership of the proper ty. In January, 1926, another Coffin entered the story of the house. Winthrop Coffin, of Boston, offered to finance the cost of restoration of the "Horseshoe House," as it had been called (due to the outline of the restoration of the brick face on the front of the chimney), provided the work be done under the supervision of William Sumner Appleton, then Secretary of the Society For The Preservation of New England Anti quities, who had offered his services. The offer was promptly accepted by the Association.
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OLDEST HOUSE - 300th BIRTHDAY
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William Appleton and the architect for the reconstruction, Alfred Shurrocks, meeting and agreeing that the first work to be accomplished was the complete restoration of the chimney. Isaac Blair, a mainland contrac tor who specialized in such work, was engaged. Work began on June 8, and the entire chimney was raised by steel beams, and a solid foun dation placed at its base. Arthur Williams, a local mason, was engaged to complete the refurbishing of the chimney, fireplaces, flues and other details. The carpentry was accomplished by Archibald Cartwright, another local artisan, who worked diligently until the job was completed. The sills of the house had to be entirely replaced; the roof carefully attend ed to, and the walls of each room were rebuilt. Whenever possible, replacement materials were taken from the nearby Paddack House, recently razed, which stood close by to the south, and which provided studding, laths, and other necessary wood. It was appropriate that a house so closely allied to the Paddacks of the Oldest House could be so used. Work on the lean-to portion of the house extended this section to its original lines of 1686. The big question in the restoration was brought about through the use of two gables, planned to be constructed on the front roof of the struc ture. Architect Shurrocks spent some time contemplating the installa tion of these gables. Among those protesting was Contractor Cartwright and other Nantucketers who claimed that if there were gables original ly, (and there was no concrete evidence of them), they did not exist very long. It was finally decided by Messrs. Appleton and Shurrocks not to incorporate these into the restoration. Mr. Shurrocks designed casement windows appropriate to the original house to replace the double-hung sash which had replaced the first win dows. By the spring of 1928, the work at the Oldest House was completed, and Fred V. Fuller, Chairman of the special committee for restoration, was able to report the successful conclusion of the efforts. The single donation of Winthrop Coffin of $8,000 was the contributing factor in the work. On July 30,1928, some two hundred interested people gathered at the Oldest House for "Rededication" ceremonies. President William F. Macy, in addressing the group, expressed the Association's gratitude to Winthrop Coffin, William Sumner Appleton, and Alfred F. Shurrocks for their efforts, and also thanked the contractors for their careful and dedicated work. In respect to possible criticism, Mr. Macy stated: "All that can be done is to study the few surviv ing examples of the period and such illustrations, plans and descriptions as are available, and leave the matter to experts who have made such resear ches their life work. Such experts, fortunately, we have had, and we are safe in assuming that the restoration is as nearly correct as it was human ly possible to make it. I, for one, believe that if
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
Jethro Coffin, son of Peter, son of Tristram, could see it today, it would look to him very much as it did on that day two hundred and forty-twb years ago when he brought Mary Gardner, daughter of John, to live in it." "Trustum and His Grandchildren", by Harriet B. (Turner) Worron, was the first publication, in 1881, concerning the story of the Jethro Coffin House. Based on the traditions and lore of the ancient dwelling, this char ming book was written by the daughter of George and Mary (Coleman) Turner, who lived in the house as a child. Over the years there have been several volumes written concerning the Jethro Coffin House. In 1905 appeared a volume titled "The Oldest House on Nantucket Island", prepared by Tristram Coffin, of Poughkeepsie, New York, with Anna Starbuck Jenks, one of the early custodians, contributing. In 1911 a second edition was published, with L. Gardner Coffin, assuming the copyright. Part H of this edition was the work of Anna Starbuck Jenks, die gifted custodian who remained with the house until 1923. William F. Macy published "Nantucket's Oldest House" in 1929, which was condensed and republished by the Nantucket Historical Associa tion in 1966. In this same year, the Historical American Buildings Survey published photographs and measured drawings of the house. In 1969, the Jethro Coffin House was designated a National Historic Landmark, and a bronze plaque was placed in the front hallway of the structure upon being issued by the U.S. Department of the National Park Services. In July, 1986, the Tercentennial Chronology of the Jethro Coffin House was written by Mrs. Helen Winslow Chase. Titled: "The Jethro Coffin House Chronology," it is the definitive study of the house, and thoroughly documents the Oldest House and its occupants for the three centuries of its existence. Not only does it bring the house to the reader but it brings out the various changes in its unusual history. Mrs. Chase has written a study which will prove invaluable to researchers as well as all in terested in the full story of the Jethro Coffin-Nathaniel Paddack House. In January, 1986, Dr. Elizabeth A. Little published a title search of the Jethro Coffin House in Mendon, Mass., where Jethro Coffin and his wife and family removed in 1708, shortly after his sale of the old house in Nantucket to Nathaniel Paddack. It was intended to determine whether there were any architectural links between the Mendon and the Nantucket properties; also, to investigate whether Jethro Coffin's Mendon activities were related to his proprietary interests in Nantucket and to its whaling industry. In April of the same year, Mrs. Little and Margaret Morrison, of Mendon, published their study, entitled: "The Mendon-Nantucket Connection: 1708-1737". The Nantucket Historical Association planned a busy weekend - Oc tober 3 through October 5 - in celebration of the Jethro Coffin's House 300th Anniversary. On Friday, October 3, mainland guests registered at the Jared Coffin House, where a wine and cheese reception was held
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
at 5:00 in the afternoon. On Saturday morning, a series of informal lec tures were held at the Unitarian church, starting at 10 o'clock. The first speaker was Abbott Lowell Cummings, the Charles F. Montgomery pro fessor at Yale University's American Decorative Arts department. Mr. Cummings spoke on "Inherited Building Patterns of 17th Century New England." Mr. Cummings gave a graphic picture of the 17th century dwellings in New England, with illustrations of the old English houses, mostly from Suffolk, and spoke at some length on the blending of "climate and carpentry" which developed the New England counterparts. He brought in the basic structure of the Oldest House, showing the elevations and details of its construction. He credited William Sumner Appleton, who supervised the restoration, for its faithful adherence to the tradition of its builders. His lecture was a clear exposition of the 17th century styl ing of the early New England dwellings. Morgan Phillips, Architectural Conservator of the Society For The Preservation of New England Antiquities, was the next speaker, and he spoke on the details in the restoration of the Oldest House. Using il lustrations from the mass of materials which William Sumner Appleton bequeathed the society, Mr. Phillips brought out the several features in Mr. Appleton's research in his development of the restored old dwell ing. Such important facts as the cuts in the forward plate showing where the dormer joists fitted; the cuts in the framing to show where the sashes for the diamond paned window sashes were positioned; the collar beams which ran across the house to give credence to the lean-to—the long, sloping roof at the rear, were carefully brought out. It was a fascinating glimpse into the research that went into the complete restoration. A picnic on the grounds of the Oldest House, with tours of the dwell ing, were the next order of the day. The weather cleared remarkably, and the occasion was enjoyed thoroughly by the visitors. From 2 to 4 in the afternoon was devoted to visits by the gathering to the several exhibit buildings and houses of the Association. At 4:00 o'clock, a lecture on "Horseshoe House Families" was presented by Helen Winslow Chase, of Nantucket, a member of the Historical Association's Council and a Nantucket historian. She spoke on the families of Jethro and Mary Gardner Coffin, of the Paddacks, and of the Turners, who lived in the house from 1686 to 1867, giving the names of the children born there and other details of their lives. The Paddacks lived in the old house for over a century, and included such famous whaling masters as Captains Nathaniel, Paul and Daniel Paddack, plus Captains West and Delano. It was a thoroughly delightful hour and Mrs. Chase gave her listeners a clear picture of the lives of the in habitants of the old house. Mrs. Chase has written "A Chronology of the Oldest House," which was published by the Historical Association, and may be obtained from the Museum Shop or the main office of the Association.
OLDEST HOUSE - 300 BIRTHDAY
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From 5:15 to 5:50 an interesting play was presented by the Nantucket Theatre Workshop, entitled "An Old Feud and a New House," written for the occasion by Roland L. Warren. It was a sprightly presentation by the Workship, directed by Victoria Goss, with the following cast: Mary Gardner - Bernadette Mannix Jethro Coffin - Brantley Carroll Peter Coffin - Roger Ernst Peter Folger - John Kelly Mary Starbuck - Mary Beth Splaine Captain John Gardner - Doug Burch Magistrate - Charles Balas It was the old, familiar story but well told by Mr. Warren, which told of the romance of Jethro Coffin and Mary Gardner, who defied the old feud which existed between the Gardners and Coffins to decide on mar riage. The audience enjoyed the readings, especially the circumstances which led to Captain John Gardner donating the land and Peter Coffin the lumber to build the Oldest House in Nantucket. The costumes were designed in an excellent manner by Jeanne Ahearn, Joellen Bence, and Loretta Domaszewski. A cocktail reception at the Fair Street Museum at 6:30 brought the activities of the day to a fitting conclusion. It was a full day for the visitors, and many of them lingered to express their pleasure to the various members of the Historical Association. —Edouard A. Stackpole
Bequests or gifts to the Nantucket Historical Association are tax deduc tible. They are greatly needed and appreciated.
PLEASE — Send us your change of address if you are planning to move. You will receive your copy sooner and we are charged extra for all copies returned because of an incorrect address.
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Vice Admiral Marcel Gouin 'Sconset's Gift to Naval Aviation by J. E. Lacouture
RECENTLY I WAS DOWN at the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River researching an article on the Tactical Test Division, where I had spent several fascinating years of flying. During my investigations the name Marcel Gouin kept appearing and when I entered the Admiral's office there his picture was on the wall as a former Commander of the Naval Air Test Center. Since we both had 'Sconset/Nantucket backgrounds I could no longer resist an article. Marcel Emile Alcan Gouin was born in Siasconset on 29 June, 1900, son of Marcel E. and Mary (Lowell) Gouin. After receiving his early schooling on Nantucket, he attended Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, and the Severna Annapolis Preparatory School inSeverna Park, Maryland, before entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1920 after receiving an appointment from his local congressman. Midship man Gouin graduated from the Naval Academy and was commission ed Ensign on 4 June, 1924. As was customary in those days after graduating from the Naval Academy in June, 1924, he had sea duty until February, 1928, serving consecutively on the battleship "USS West Virginia" and destroyers "USS Sloat", "USS Shirk" and "USS Barry". On 2 March, 1928, Lt. (j.g.) Gouin reported to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, to begin flight training and received his wings as a Naval Aviator on 4 January, 1929. In March, 1929, he joined Scouting Squadron 3, based on the aircraft carrier "Lexington" — one of the Navy's famous original carrier squadrons. Lt (j.g.) Gouin flew with that squadron until July, 1931, when he was ordered to report to Naval Air Station Pensacola as a flight instructor. In September, 1933, Lt. Gouin reported to the Newport News Ship building Company where the "USS Ranger", the Navy's fourth carrier and the first to be built from the start as a carrier, was completing building. He served aboard the "Ranger" from her commissioning June 4,1934, until July, 1935, when he joined Fighting Squadron 1 based in itially on the carrier "USS Langley" and later on the "USS Lexington." From June, 1937, to May, 1940, LCDR Gouin had duty in the Bureau of Aeronautics Flight Test Section at the Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C. At the same time from September, 1937, until November, 1939, he had additional duty as one of the Naval Aides to President Roosevelt. In his next assignment LCDR Gouin achieved one of the goals of all naval aviators - Command of a carrier squadron when he commanded Bombing Squadron Six based on the aircraft carrier "USS Enterprise" from June, 1940, to June, 1941. From here he was assigned to the precommissioning detail fitting out
Vice Admiral Marcel E.A. Gouin.
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
the new carrier "USS Hornet" (CV-8) at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Newport News, Virginia, joining the carrier as a member of the ship's company when she was commissioned on 20 October, 1941. In June, 1942, LCDR Gouin became the carrier's Air Officer in charge of all air operations from the carrier including launching and landing of aircraft, respotting, refueling, rearming and of all aircraft maintenance shops. Shortly afterwards in August, 1942, LCDR Gouin was promoted to com mander. At the time the "USS Hornet" had as its captain, Captain Marc "Pete" Mitscher, a great leader of men who soon became the world's greatest career task force commander. Soon after Pearl Harbor the "Hornet", fresh from its shakedown cruise joined the Pacific Fleet to fight the Japs. In April, 1942, the "Hornet" participated in one of the most publicized actions of the war when Jimmy Doolittle's Army bombers took off from the "Hornet" to bomb Tokyo. "Hornet's" next great battle was at Midway on 4 June, 1942, where planes from the "Hornet", "Enterprise" and "Yorktown" sank all four Japanese carriers, losing only the "Yorktown." This was the most decisive naval battle of World War II. In August, 1942, Captain Mason relieved Captain Mitscher as captain on "Hornet." "Hornet's" next task was support of the Solomons Cam paign, where she participated in several successful attacks against Japanese planes and shipping including the Battle of Cape Esperance October 11-12. then on 26 October came the Battle of Santa Cruz in which the Japanese committed all their available carrier strength in an at tempt to drive the Americans from Guadalcanal. Although "Hornet" planes caused serious damage to the Japanese carrier " Shokaku Japanese bombers managed to penetrate American task force defenses scoring several hits on the "Hornet". Cdr. Gouin was awarded Gold Stars in lieu of the second and third Bronze Star Medal, each with combat "V" and citations in part as follows: Gold Star in lieu of Second Bronze Star Medal: "For meritorious ser vice as Air Officer on the 'USS Hornet' prior to and during the attack by Task Force Seventeen on enemy Japanese shipping in the Faisi Tonolei Area of the Solomon Islands on October 5,1942. Developing and maintaining the Air Department at high degree of efficiency during a protracted period of operations at sea, (he) effectively surmounted numerous obstacles and by his professional skill and determined ag gressiveness, contributing directly to the success of the Task Force dur ing the attack..." Gold Star in lieu of Third Bronze Star Medal: "For heroic achieve ment as Air Officer of the 'USS Hornet' during action against enemy Japanese naval forces off Santa Cruz Islands on October 26,1942. With the 'Hornet' under persistent aerial attack Cdr. Gouin cooly and ably directed the launching of the carrier's air group which successfully at tacked the opposing Japanese carrier task forces. Subsequently, his ship
VICE ADMIRAL MARCEL GOUIN
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was attacked and severely damaged by overwhelming numbers of enemy planes. By expeditiously blanketing the gasoline system of the ship he prevented the start of gasoline fires on the 'Hornet'. Without regard for his own safety he supervised the fire fighting on the flight deck and directed the rapid removal of all wounded and non-essential personnel to destroyers. Throughout the engagement, his conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service." After the sinking of the "Hornet" Cdr. Gouin served a short tour of duty on the Staff of the Commander, South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force then commanded by VADM R.L. Ghormley. In December, 1942, Cdr. Gouin reported on board my old ship the "Saratoga" (CV-3) as air officer serving in that capacity until May, 1943. At the end of August, 1942, "Saratoga" had been torpedoed by a Japanese submarine which took her out of action for three months so she was just coming back on line when Cdr. Gouin reported on board. At this time "Saratoga" and "Enterprise" badly needed an overhaul so Admiral King called on the British for help. Reluctantly the British sent him "Victorious" which arrived in the South Pacific in mid May to hold the fort with "Saratoga" after "Enterprise" left for overhaul. At about this time after a relatively quiet spring, Cdr. Gouin was detach ed back to test filing duties to take command of the Aircraft Experimen tal and Development Squadron at N.A.S. Anacostia. This squadron had been created to develop new tactics for the fleet squadrons that were using new aircraft and equipments and to train a few of the experienced fleet squadron pilots in these tactics. It was felt that fleet squadrons had enough to do without being encumbered with experimental tests. Since Anacostia had limited facilities and air space for this work, the Aircraft Experimental and Development Squadron was transferred to the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River on 15 August, 1943. At the same time Marcel Gouin was promoted to the rank of Captain, relieved as commanding officer of the squadron and made Director of Test at Patuxent River. In May, 1944, Captain Gouin reported to the Naval Station Astoria, Oregon, in connection with the fitting out of the escort carrier "USS Ad miralty Islands" and assumed command when she was commissioned on 13 June, 1944. While on "Admiralty Islands" he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat "V" and the following citation: "For meritoriousservice as Commanding Officer of the USS 'Admiral ty Islands' during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Ocean Area from July 2,1944, to May 29,1945. (He) effectively discharged his assignment of transporting combat aircraft, aviation material and personnel to Fleet Units and advanced bases in the for ward combat areas. Subsequently serving as a Task Unit Commander and operating his vessel as a replenishment carrier with Task Group Thirty Point Eight, he provided combat aircraft, aviation material and
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
personnel to Fleet Units and advanced bases in the forward combat areas. Subsequently serving as a Task Unit Commander and operating his vessel as a replenishment carrier with Task Group Thirty Point Eight, he provided combat aircraft, aviation material and replacement pilots and aircrewmen for the Fast Carrier Task Forces during the assault and seizure of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and during aerial strikes against Nansei Shoto and the Japanese Homeland..." From June, 1945, until July 1946, Captain Gouin was Air Officer on the staff of Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. After this he was ordered to the National War College at Washington D.C. to take their course of instruction. Upon completion of this course in June, 1947, he assumed command of Night Composite Squadron Two one of the Navy's first night fighter squadrons. In September, 1948, Captain Gouin took command of one of the Navy's newest and largest carriers, the "USS Midway" (CVB-41), retaining that command until July 1949. At that time once again Captain Gouin return ed to a test flying job when he again became Test Coordinator at the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent river. Then from 26 December, 1950, until 18 August, 1951, Captain Gouin became Commander of the entire Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River with all its assigned test divisions. It was rather too bad at this stage in his career that Captain Gouin was not married, since the quarters for the commander of the Naval Air Test Center is the magnificent old colonial home, Mattaponay — probably the best set of quarters in the United States Navy. In August, 1951, Captain Gouin reported as Commander Fleet Air, Japan, in charge of our several air bases on Japan after the war and the squadrons based and flying from these bases. Finally in February, 1953, he became a Rear Admiral and continued to serve as Chief of Staff until March, 1954. He was then hospitalized for several months prior to his retirement from the Navy effective August 1, 1954. At this time, because of Combat Awards RADM Marcel Gouin was retired with the rank of Vice Admiral. On retiring from the Navy VADM Gouin returned to live in Nantucket. On 16 May, 1960, Admiral Gouin died in the Chelsea Naval Hospital after a long illness. Nantucket and Siasconset can be justifiably proud of the war record and the distinguished naval aviation career of their native son.
Notes on the History of Quakerism on Nantucket
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THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY of Friends (commonly known as Quakers) was the first and for a long time the largest organized religious group on Nantucket. The earliest meeting for worship began in the house of Nathaniel and Mary Starbuck in old Sherborne, where an organized Friends Meeting (Nantucket Monthly Meeting) was set up in 1708. For a hundred years over half of the population belonged to the several Friends Meetings in Nantucket town, and the island was a regular stop ping place for travelling Quaker ministers from England and the mainland. Thomas Chalkley, John Richardson and Thomas Story in the earliest days; John Woolman in 1747; and Elias Hicks and Joseph Gurney in the nineteenth century, visited and preached here, together with many other Friends from New England Yearly Meeting and elsewhere. Nantucket produced her own distinguished Friends as well, including Elihu Coleman, first Quaker publisher of an anti-slavery tract in New England (1733), William Rotch, famous whaler-merchant, and Lucretia Coffin Mott, abolitionist and champion of the rights of women. In the nineteenth century schisms and disownments weakened the Society on the island, and these, with the emigration consequent upon the decline of whaling on the island, caused a gradual decrease in the number of Friends on Nantucket until they had practically disappeared by 1900. The Meeting House on Fair Street, one of a number once in use, was built in 1838 as a school for the children of Friends who worshipped in a larger building next door. Later Friends sold their Meeting House and moved into what had been their school. Since 1894 it has been the pro perty of the Nantucket Historical Association. Since 1939 members of the Religious Society of Friends, here for the summer from off-island, have been granted permission to use the old Meeting House for worship according to the Quaker manner on Sunday mornings during July and August. Although under the oversight of the Friends of New England Yearly Meeting, the group is without formal organization. These Friends are glad to share together and with others the communion of worship. The Religous Society of Friends is today one of the recognized Chris tian denominations with about a hundred and twenty thousand members in the United States and about eighty thousand in other parts of the world. Present day Friends feel that the old Quaker principles and man ner of worship are applicable also in modern life.
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Jethro Coffin in Mendon, Massachusetts, 1708-1726 by Elizabeth A. Little and Margaret Morrison June 1986
INTRODUCTION IN A SEARCH FOR documentary data for the history of the 1686-1986 Jethro Coffin House at Nantucket, Helen W. Chase discovered that the first two deeds for the property recorded the sale of the house by Jethro Coffin in 1708 and his removal from the island to Mendon, Suffolk Coun ty, Massachusetts. For answers to the question of why Jethro Coffin mov ed there, I went to Mendon, which Ues between Providence, Rhode Island, and Worcester, Massachusetts. There, I was fortunate to meet Mrs. Margaret Morrison in her home, which she supposed to have been Jethro Coffin's Mendon homestead (Fig. 1). She has been an enthusiastic co-researcher since the project's beginning (Fig. 2; Little and Morrison 1986). Jethro Coffin's father was Peter Coffin, gentleman of Exeter, New Hampshire, a wealthy timber and sawmill owner. Peter Coffin's father, Tristram Coffin, was in turn one of the major proprietors of the Island of Nantucket. By tradition, John Gardner of Nantucket, Mary Gardner's father, had provided land and Peter Coffin had provided house timbers and barns from his New Hampshire sawmill for Jethro Coffin's and Mary Gardner Coffin's house on Sunset Hill, Nantucket. While they liv ed here, from about 1686 (date of marriage and purchase of land not known exactly) until 1708, their six children, Margaret, Priscilla, John, Josiah, Abigail and Robert, were born. In 1708 Jethro was 45 years old and Mary was 38 (Starbuck 1924). We have attempted in this study to collect all the data from the Court Houses of Suffolk County and Worcester County (to which Mendon belonged respectively before and after 1731) which concerns Jethro Cof fin in Mendon. DATA FROM DEEDS AND WILLS ABOUT COFFIN'S MENDON LANDS Families and Farms On Sept. 21,1708, Jethro Coffin of Nantucket (NCD 3:6) and with his wife Mary and six children moved to Mendon, where on Nov. 20,1708, he purchased the house and farm of Josiah Thayer west of Muddy Brook (SCD 30:187,188; Fig. 3). His daughters, Margaret and Abigail, were married in Mendon to Samuel Terry (1719) and Nathaniel Woodbury (1720), respectively, both of Barrington, Bristol County, Massachusetts (Baldwin 1920). He became a selectman in 1720 (Metcalf 1880:187) and died in 1726, calling himself a blacksmith in his will (SCP 25:29-31; Fig. 4). Such data provide a clue to his Mendon activities. A title search has established that Mrs. Morrison's present west-facing house at 48 Prov-
Photograph of Mrs. Francis Morrison's house, 48 Providence Road, Mendon, MA 01756, in 1985, looking east from Providence Road.
Photograph of Mrs. Francis Morrison (right) and her daughter-in-law, Rita Paddack, at the Jethro Coffin House, Nantucket in 1985.
22
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
idence Road, Mendon, is either an addition which Jethro Coffin reserv ed the right to build in 1722 (SCD 39:261) or at least stands on the homestead of Jethro Coffin of 1708-1726 (Little 1986). The documentary record can give no stronger evidence than this because of destruction by fire, decay or for modernization, and subsequent additions or rebuilding, are hardly ever documented by deeds. Archaeological and architectural study will be required to confirm or disprove the building history suggested here. Other Nantucketers besides Jethro Coffin and his family left documen tary traces in Mendon. The year of Jethro Coffin's death, 1726, saw a "Great Sickness" (Metcalf 1880:202) in Mendon which may account for Jethro's death and also for the death in Mendon of Johanna, the wife of Jethro Coffin's brother Robert (Baldwin 1920). John Gardner (III) of Mendon, (grandson of John Gardner (I) of Nantucket (Gardner 1958), who married Priscilla Coffin (daughter of Jethro Coffin), also purchased a farm in Mendon on the Charles River in 1712 (SCD 27:31), and had four children born in Mendon between 1709 and 1722, Mary, Suzana, Elizabeth and John Gardner (IV) (Baldwin 1920). Robert Evens (Evans) of Nantucket appeared in Mendon in 1709 (Metcalf 1880:158) and in 1711 purchased a farm near Jethro Coffin's on Muddy Brook (SCD 29:7). And lastly, a Richard Gardner was listed with John Gardner in 1730 as an owner of Mendon land near the North Cedar Swamp (P.R.:462). Although I have not tackled the question of which Richard Gardner this might be, I have little doubt but that he was a Nantucketer. Cedar Swamp The Nantucketers, Robert Evens and John Gardner (and Richard Gardner), were co-owners with Jethro Coffin of a substantial amount of the North Cedar Swamp on the Charles River (SCD 30:189, 190). Because of ecological changes caused in part by damming of the outlets of the erstwhile swamps, I can only speculate where on the Charles River the North Cedar Swamp was located, but Milford's Cedar Swamp Pond, which still (1986) has some Atlantic White Cedar, is a possible location ('C' in Fig. 3). The 240 Acre Coffin Grant: Sawmill and Iron Works Peter Coffin of Exeter, New Hampshire, gentleman, in 1668 sent King George of England a present of a shipload of masts on behalf of a com mittee of the Massachusetts General Court. Coffin was compensated in 1672 by the Court with a grant of 200 acres of upland and 40 acres of Meadow "where he can finde it not yet layd out" (Coffin 1713:13; Fig. 5). After his son, Jethro Coffin,, moved from Nantucket to Mendon, Peter in 1711 deeded his grant to Jethro, who in 1713 successfully petitioned the General Court for the grant to be laid out on the west boundary of Mendon and recorded a map of the 240 acres (Fig. 6). We have establish ed that this 240 acres lies on the Mumford River in Northbridge today (Fig. 3). Most of the land in 1986 lies under Whitin's Pond, created by
Mendon boundary of 1723 overlaid on map of modern towns (Metcalf 1880), reproduced with permission of Mendon Historical Society. 'A' in dicates site ofJethro Coffin House and Homestead; 'B' indicates possi ble site of Jethro Coffin's 240 acre grant; and 'C' indicates possible site ofJethro Coffin's, John Gardner's, and Robert Evens' shares in 'Cedar Swamp' and 'North Cedar Swamp'.
24
HISTORIC NANTUCKET
a dam downstream in Whitinsville. The features on the 1713 map have been confirmed using a modern topographic map and field checks. Jethro Coffin in 1715 deeded the 240 acre grant to his sons John and Josiah (SCD 29:180), who sold the land in 1726 to their brother-in-law, The Reverend Samuel Terry (SCD 39:197,198). Samuel Terry in 1726 and 1727 purchased 4 and 1/2 acres at the Falls on Mumford's River and 120 acres with housing between the Falls and Mendon's west boundary. Thus he now owned the site for a dam and the land which would become the mill pond after the building of a dam. By 1727 he had built a sawmill at The Falls, and by 1728 an iron works (forge) nearby (SCD 43:26; 42:238; 43:147). The End of the Nantucket Colony at Mendon The number of marriages within the Nantucket colony at Mendon or with Nantucketers (Starbuck, 1924) indicate that the Mendon colony ties to Nantucket remained close. Perhaps because of these strong island ties, after the death of Jethro Coffin in 1726 most of the Coffin/Gardner family in Mendon returned immediately to Nantucket. The last of the Coffin clan in Mendon, the Reverend Samuel Terry, developed the sawmill and iron forge on the Mumford by 1728 before moving his fami ly to Connecticut by 1737. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION We have collected details of the activities of Jethro Coffin and other Nantucketers in Mendon 1708-1737, and established their connection with blacksmithing, cedar swamp, a sawmill and iron works, which are all resources or activities which would have been needed for the whaling industry at Nantucket. Jethro Coffin's venture in Mendon was short-lived. By 1737 Nan tucketers were expanding their deep sea whaling in the North Atlantic (Stackpole 1953; Starbuck 1924), and Coffin's son Josiah and son-in-law John Gardner each called himself 'mariner of Sherbourn' on the deed of sale of his Mendon land (SCD 39:197; WCD 3:116). Being masters of whale ships seems to have been more to the liking of these Coffins and Gardners from Nantucket, as well as considerably more profitable, than digging bog iron or extracting cedar from Mendon swamps. Acknowledgements For contributions to this project, the authors thank the Mendon Historical Society, the Taft Library (Mendon), the Concord Free Public Library, The Massachusetts Archives, the staff at the Worcester and Suffolk County Court Houses, the Nantucket Historical Association, Helen W. Chase, and Leona Champeny.
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Plot of 240 acres granted to Mr. Peter Coffin in 1672 and laid out to Jethro Coffin in 1713 on the west side of Mendon, by Thomas White, surveyor (Coffin 1713:12). The diagonal line near the east corner of the 240 acres is the old Mendon Line.
27
Return of a Whaling Treasure Piece Captain Peter Paddack's "Iron" IT WAS A NANTUCKET relic which had been practically forgotten over the years, and had been relegated to things lost by generations of islanders. But it has now become a part of the treasures of the past returned to Nantucket by an interested individual to whom the story is an integral part of Nantucket history. I refer to the head of the harpoon which was presented to the Association by Lawrence D. Stewart, of Ossining, New York, and is now on display at the Whaling Museum. It was that part of a harpoon which created its own niche in whaling history. The story began in the year 1802, when the whaleship Lion, of Nan tucket, left this island port under the command of Captain Peter Paddack. The ship made the traditional cruise into the South Atlantic, round ed Cape Horn, and made its way to the off-shore grounds off the coast of Chile. A month later, Captain Paddack was in his boat just to the north of the Gallapagos Islands, in pursuit of a sperm whale. Approaching his prey, the master of the whaleship, poised in the bow of his boat, "got fast" with his harpoon. In the usual whirl to escape, the whale tore himself loose from the line and swam away with the harpoon still in his body. Thirteen years later, Captain Paddack, then in command of the whaleship Lady Adams, was in the same area. His boat's crew got fast to a whale, and eventually killed it. In cutting in the blubber, the head of an old harpoon was uncovered. Captain Paddack was astonished when he found his own initials "P P" incised on the head of the harpoon. Upon his return home in 1817, Captain Paddack brought the harpoon head with him. Some years later, he moved to Maine, and the harpoon was car ried to his new home. It remained with his family. In October, 1859, it was loaned to the Agricultural Society for a special exhibition on the Atheneum's second floor. Its remarkable history made it more than an object of curiosity. The unusual harpoon head was retained by Captain Paddack's fami ly, and in 1923 was in the possession of his great-great grandson, Lawrence Davis, of Mount Vernon, New York. In October, of that year, an article appeared in The Inquirer and Mirror, which told again the story of this fascinating relic of the sea. Peter Paddack had proven what was a well known fact among the whalers: that whales, following a pat tern of migratory routes, return to their old haunts, year after year. Captain Peter Paddack was an outstanding whaling master. During the War of 1812 he re-captured the bark Yankee from a group of privateersmen who had captured the vessel and then left her in the hands of a prize crew. Captain Paddack led the attack on the prize crew and re-took the vessel. —Edouard A. Stackpole
28
"The Oldest House"
By the Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford 'Twas the year of grace in Salem town, Where the witches gain their world renown, Where the ghostly sights on Gallows Hill Made memories dread that haunt it still, That a sturdy yeoman of honest fame, And bearing a fair ancestral name, Built the old house that stands to-day, Though centuries long have passed away. Scarred and brown and wrinkled and bare, The old, old house, so worn and rare, On its chimney holds a great horseshoe, Built of flint hard bricks as firm as new. When the world was younger by ten score years, Ere it shared in the new-born hopes and fears Of the Coffyns, Macys and Gardners true, And of others like them with blood as blue. Their children scattered o'er the world so wide; Their numbers like the sand of the ocean side; Their names oft blended with many a name, That shines today on the scroll of fame; Emblazoned there for the deeds so high, Or words so true that they will not die. How dear to such hearts is the island fair, With its treasured memories clinging there! Relic of the legendary past, Long may its great oak timbers last! Awaken once more from its dreamless sleep, It has to our hearts an interest deep. The voice of the past through each low room sounds, The laughter of children in fancy resounds, And we think of our forefathers youthful and gay, In the joyous young prime of their own happy day. They loved and they played, and in wisdom they grew, As tiie long silent voices on earth were then new; And childhood was glad in those days as today, And manhood had aims, love's sceptre its sway, And the ties that are holy and blessed and sweet, Bound heart unto heart with reciprocal beat; And the mother love lasted as mother love can, 'Till silver locks crowned each woman and man.
THE OLDEST HOUSE POEM
29
'Twas the dear old story of love and of faith, Of pretences early and bonds until death; And the horseshoe of luck to the passerby told A fortune that was better than silver or gold; But time passed with them, as it passes with all, The marriage robe followed by funeral pall, When the angel of death paused in his flight, Turning clearness of day to the mystery of night. Old house of the horseshoe, now left all alone, Thy mark of distinction to thousands well known, The sole horseshoe house that remains in the land, Still here on our island, thou sturdily stand. Tell the story to all that as thou hast endured, So human character, ne'er by evil allured, Will last through the storm of centuries beat, And smile at the sound of Time's flying feet! Thus standing to-day are the characters fair, The founders of Sherburne, each ancestral pair, From whom has descended the innumerable clan, Who honor not wealth nor fame's laurels, but man; The man that's most manly, the woman most true, Possessed of such souls our ancestors grew; And such are alone, methinks, worthy to dwell Where the horseshoe above them says "Here, all is well."
The Reverend Phebe Ann (Coffin) Hanaford was born in 'Sconset in 1829, lived a full life as the first woman pastor in New England, a noted Universalist minister, a lecturer, author and poet. She was descended eight times from Tristram Coffin, six times from Edward Starbuck and three times from Peter Folger. She died in Nantucket in 1921.
30
Shooting Notes from Tuckernuck and Muskeget by Anita Coffin Dammin IN THE SPRING and fall of the year, large flocks of waterfowl make their migration. At these times, years ago, sportsmen gunners came on Island to shoot birds. George Edward Coffin, my grandfather, put up many of these gunners in his Tuckernuck family home and in his Muskeget gunning shack. His relative, Isaac Dunham, of the North Head house, also put up sportsmen gunners. One who stayed with Uncle Isaac was George Mackay who kept extensive records of his shooting trips to Nantucket, Tuckernuck and Muskeget. My grandfather George E. Coffin was an honored member of the U.S. Life Saving Service as well as a gunner, carver of decoys, and a sea faring man who made several notable voyages on the whaleship E r a . He was a good shot and enjoyed putting up the off-island gunners and shooting with them. Other island gunners of the late 1800's and early 1900's of Tuckernuck and Muskeget who put up off-islanders or in other ways cared for them, were Alfred Byron Coffin, George W. Coffin, Charles Snow, Everett Chapel, Marcus Dunham, Robert Dunham, Herbert Smith and Dewey Sandsbury. Sportsmen gunners who came to shoot included Drinker, Nye, Means, Shattuck, Cobb, Mixter, Mackay, Meigs, Brooks and others, most of them physicians from Boston, and others from parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Besides the shooting at Tuckernuck and Muskeget, there was also a lot of gunning for birds on Nantucket, in and on the outskirts of town, before dawn, after sunset, and on moonless nights. It was not possible to retrieve many birds on such nights, so scarcely any cripples were saved. Among the birds shot in the 1800's and early 1900's were Brant, Scoter, Coot, Black Duck, Broadbill, Sanderling, Greenheads, Beetleheads, Doughbirds, Golden Plover, Canvasback, Eider, Oldsquaw, Snipe, Knot, Merganser, Scaup, Hudsonian Curlew, Sandpipers, Whistlers, Yellowlegs, Turnstones, Goldeneyes, Widgeon and Canada Goose. My father, Edward Brooks Coffin, told me of the practice of burning over the pastures. His explanation was that Plover enjoyed eating the roasted bayberries. He reached this conclusion from finding the seeds in the bird's gut. Plover and Canada Geese, in particular, could be shot easily since they "bunched up" and made good targets. On the water, according to old records, there were fantastic numbers of Scoters as far as the eye could see off the West Nantucket jetties - some estimated as high as half a million birds! In the late 1800's, Brant were seen numbering in the thousands in the Muskeget lagoon. During the first half of the 19th century, all species of Tern thrived in great abundance on Muskeget. In the early times of gunning, many made their own decoys. Few were
SHOOTING NOTES
31
sold. There was little preoccupation with the preservation of working decoys. Many a bird was pitched into the stove to make a quick fire. More were left out on the shore, in the sand dunes, or carelessly aban doned to the weather. New heads were sometimes added to old birds. Few decoys were branded. Herbert Smith was known to put his "H.S." on a bird that he carved. The live bird was the model for the most effective birds carved. Cedar and pine were the chosen woods. Paints used by some of the Tuckernuck men were most often ordinary house paint and white lead paint, together with some green, umber, ochre, and varying shades of gray. Gray is a favorite Nantucket paint color for most outside work. The heads of duck decoys were made separately and sunk by dowel into the body. When needed, one type of bird was often repainted to resemble another. I recently went through five layers of paint on an old Scoter. The metal tools used to carve decoys were made by the blacksmith. Tools included draw-knives, jack-knives, hatchets, axes, augers, chisels and mallots. When attempting to establish an unmistakable style of carv ing, everything used may be helpful. Thus patterns, tools and records hold the key when no brand is found. The bird itself is another clue. The paint work in the mixing and colors used is one more step in identifica tion. Even the type of ballast weight should be considered for its origin of manufacture, as well as its characteristics. The first book of significance relating to the history of decoys and shooting was published by Alexander Wilson in 1801. Throughout the 19th century, famous ornithologists (some were gunners) visited Nantucket and her outer islands to record species and collect bird specimens. Hunters during that period also kept journals of their activities and observations on the islands. The aforementioned "Shooting Journal of George Henry Mackay, 1865-1922" is perhaps the best known on Nantucket. The market for wild fowl was established in the middle of the 19th century by the development of the breechloading gun. Game for the tables of restaurants and hotels, and plumage for the millinery trade, became the objectives of many gunners. In 1909, however, came the end ing of the spring gunning season. Bag limits further reduced the numbers of birds shot. The sale of all migrating wild fowl was made illegal in 1918, thus affording considerably more protection for the declining bird population. In 1935, the use of live decoys was outlawed. Other organizations that assist today in wildlife management are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Soil Conservation Service, and numerous private organizations such as "Ducks Unlimited", dedicated primarily to the interests of the duck hunters. This last group spends a large portion of its funds for restoring and maintaining breeding grounds. George Edward Coffin continued to shoot for his table until his death, just short of his ninetieth birthday. He died on November 26,1920 at his home on Nantucket.
