Historic Nantucket
Mary Sarg descends the front steps of the Thomas Macy House on Upper Main Street in this mid-twenties costume study by H. Marshall Gardiner.
Fall 1988 Published Quarterly by Nantucket Historical Association
NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President: H. Flint Ranney Vice President: Mrs. Jane D. Woodruff Vice President: Mrs. Bracebridge H. Young Secretary: Mrs. Walker Groetzinger Treasurer: Robert F. Mooney Honorary Chairman: Robert Congdon
Walter Beinecke, Jr. Mrs. Bernard Grossman George W. Jones
Honorary Vice Presidents Albert F. Egan, Jr. Presidents Emeritus Leroy H. True
Alcon Chadwick Mrs. R, Arthur Orleans Edouard A. Stackpole
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mrs. C. Marshall Beale Mrs. Dwight Beman Max N. Berry Mrs. Richard L. Brecker Mrs. James F. Chase John W. Eckman Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman
John Gilbert Mrs. Hamilton Heard, Jr. Mrs. Arthur Jacobsen Reginald E. Levine Mrs. Earle MacAusland Mrs. William Macomber
Nancy A. Martin Mrs. Carl M. Mueller Philip C. Murray Mrs. Judith Powers Charles F. Sayle, Sr. Susan K. Spring Richard S. Sylvia
ADVISORY BOARD Mrs. Robert Bailey Mrs. Charles Balas Mrs. Donna Beasley Patricia A. Butler Charles Butt Charles Carpenter Mrs. Mary Grace Carpenter
Mrs. Herbert Gutterson Ronald W. Haase William A. Hance Mrs. Robert Hellman Mrs. John Husted Charles Kilvert
Andrew J. Leddy Mrs. Thomas Loring Mrs. Earle MacAusland William B. Macomber Paul H. Madden F. Blair Reeves Donald E. Terry
STAFF John N. Welch, Administrator Victoria Taylor Hawkins Curator of Collections Jacqueline Kolle Haring Curator of Research Materials Louise R. Hussey Librarian Elizabeth Tyrer Executive Secretary Katherine Ayotte Bookkeeper Elizabeth Little Curator of Prehistoric Artifacts
Gayle Michael Asst. Curator of Research Materials Richard P. Swain Miller Bruce A. Courson Curator of Museums & Interpretation Edouard A. Stackpole Historian Leroy H. True Manager, Whaling Museum
Mark W. Fortenberry Plant Manager Richard E. Morcom Asst. Plant Mgr. Peter S. MacGlashan Registrar Elizabeth A. Codding Asst. Curator of Collections Thomas W. Dickson Merchandise Manager Toby Bjornson Membership Coordinator
Docents: Alcon Chadwick, Margaret Crowell, Anita Dougan, Edward Dougan, Barbara Johnston, Jane Jones, Orrin Macy, Elsie Niles, Alfred Orpin, Frederick Richmond, Gerald Ryder, Leigh Simpson, Dorothy Strong, Margaret Trapnell, 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 36
Fall 1988
No. 2
CONTENTS Nantucket Historical Association Officers and Staff
2
A Forgotten Landmark: Chadwick's Folly by Robert F. Mooney
4
When "Clint" Folger Opened the Year with a Roar
11
The Forgotten Town in the Sea is Rediscovered
14
My Seafaring Family by Nancy Grant Adams
19
Chapter 12: Charles & Nancy Ship on the Mohawk
20
Historic Nantucket (USPS 246-460) is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts by the Nantucket Historical Association, 2 Union Street, P.O. Box 1016, Nantucket, MA 02554, to which address changes should be sent. Historic Nantucket is sent to Association members and extra copies may be purchased for $3.00 each. © N.H.A. 1988 (ISSN 0439-2248). Member dues are: Individual $25, Family $40, 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 Nan tucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554.
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Historic Nantucket
THE FORGOTTEN LANDMARK Chadwick's Folly 1885 by
©Robert F. Mooney all rights reserved
On January 1, 1885, Albert G. Brock, assistant cashier of the Pacific National Bank of Nantucket, detected puzzling figures in the accounts of the bank and hastened to inform the president, Frederick C. Sanford. The directors were called together and the books of the hank were audited. They indicated that the cashier, William H. Chadwick, had overdrawn his personal account by a small amount, but Chadwick's explanation of other discrepancies in the books did not satisfy the directors, and he was asked to resign. The resignation of the hank cashier soon became public knowledge and the town was swept with rumors and anxiety about the condition of the hank. The Honorable Joseph Mitchell, together with fellow directors Whitney and Calder, publicly stated their con fidence in the soundness of the bank, based upon their personal examination of the books. The public, wondering about the visible signs of Chadwick's recent activities, had its doubts. William H. Chadwick, at 38, had been cashier of the Pacific Na tional Bank for six years. He was a genial and popular local figure, possessed of many friends and enjoyingd the confidence of the com munity. His father, William S. Chadwick, was a man of hard-earned wealth and his mother came from a long line of Nantucket Cof fins. For the past few years, the bank cashier had been a principal figure in extensive real estate operations on the island that had aroused local curiosity. There was nothing wrong with a local banker dabbling in real estate, hut the size of his personal expenditures had caused the directors to become uneasy and they kept a daily watch upon his personal transactions. Despite that vigilance, shor tages in the accounts were discovered forcing the conclusion that the bank had been the victim of deliberate swindling. The amount missing was estimated at $10,000 to $15,000, a huge amount in those days. Local rumors held that many other people had been victimized by the bank cashier, but the Inquirer and Mirror calmly suppress ed their names, adding, "It appears to be the old, old story, and com ment is unnecessary. No arrest has been made." The object of Chadwick's attentions in recent years had been a choice parcel of real estate on the eastern end of Nantucket known
The Forgotten Landmark
5
as Squam Head. There, on an estate of 150 acres, he had commenced extensive building operations on a high bluff overlooking the Atlan tic Ocean. The project included an immense brick stable and a giant dwelling three stories high and topped by an enormous cupola, visi ble for miles around. The town could only wonder how Chadwick was building this on his bank salary, but it was generally believed he was operating on behalf of "parties abroad." This seemed to alleviate the local anxiety while preserving the mystery of who was behind the project. Local gossips traded opinions that it was to become a summer hotel, a country club, or even a gambling casino for the yachting crowd from Newport and New York. These were the years when Nantucket had just started to realize the potential of the tourist economy, and grandiose construction was the symbol of the era. Charles O'Conor, the retired lawyer, had finished his mansion on the Cliff, complete with Italian marble fireplaces and his 18,000 book law library. The Hotel Nantucket, sprawling 260 feet in length, had been constructed on Brant Point. The Riverside Hotel had been floated down the Providence River and rebuilt at Surfside, while other projects were planned for building on the barren shores of Coatue and Tuckernuck. Anything was possible on Nantucket in those years, but the Chadwick estate at remote Squam Head was destined to outbuild and outlast them all. Chadwick had assembled his estate at Squam Head over years at an estimated cost of $100,000. The lumber for the project was shipped to Nantucket on schooners, then hauled over the rutted roads by teams of horses to the eastern headland where teams of craftsmen were engaged in the construction. The bricks for the great stable were salvaged from the Citizens Bank on Main Street, which was torn down in 1884. Hundreds of curious natives made the long trek to the site to witness the great production. Uppermost in everyone's mind were the cost of the project and where all the money was coming from. The Pacific National Bank, founded in 1804, was the leading com mercial bank on the island, with a capital of $100,000 and a surplus of $35,000. Its president, Frederick C. Sanford, was the outstanding citizen of the island, noted for his integrity and philanthropy. The Pacific had been founded in the days when most of the islanders' money had been earned in the Pacific Ocean, and the name had endured while several other banks had failed. Nantucket banks had a curious history in the early years of com merce on the island. The first chartered bank, the Nantucket Bank, opened for business in 1795 and within two weeks was looted of
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East view of the Chadwick's Folly Main House c. 1953.
its entire cash assets, leading to the dissolution of the bank and the bitter controversy over the Nantucket Bank Robbery. Then followed the Quaker-inspired Phoenix Bank, which was chartered in 1812 and failed in 1825. This was succeeded in the same year by the Manufacturers and Mechanics Bank, which collapsed in the wake of the Barker Burnell scandal of 1845 and was demolished in the Great Fire of 1846. A second Nantucket Bank was chartered in 1831 but never started business. This was followed by the Citizens Bank in a brick building on Main Street, which ceased business after the Great Fire. In 1834, the Nantucket Institution for Sav ings was incorporated and with the Pacific National Bank,somehow survived as the two Nantucket banks for the past century and a half. It is no wonder that a visitor to Nantucket remarked in 1847: "A strange fatality seems to have attended all their banking opera tions and their losses by such institutions have been serious." The Nantucketers of 1885 had long memories of the robbery of 1795 and the embezzlement of 1845, which caused them to harbor deep suspicions of the leading citizens who ran the Pacific bank. Many claimed the directors had gone out of their way to cover up for the cashier and keep the public in the dark. Wild stories of shor tages and swindling swept the town and angry depositors marched up the steps of the bank on Main Street to demand their deposits
The Forgotten Landmark
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The Chadwick's Folly Barn (pictured above) was later cut in half to make two houses. The cupola was also made into a small house.
in hard currency. The directors continued to repeat their assurances that the bank was still in good condition. Cashier Chadwick had strong forces on his side, for the family was respected and his father was known to be wealthy. As the weeks passed, it seemed that Chad wick might be able to survive further legal difficulty. Conditions did not improve, however, when the state bank examiner, Colonel Needham, arrived on the island to examine the books of the bank. On January 30, a letter was circulated in Nantucket by J.B. Tibbets, of Troy, New York, a summer resident who owned many acres near the Chadwick property in Squam. Tibbets publicly announc ed his willingness to put up all his land in Nantucket, consisting of some 400 acres with buildings and improvements, as security for all of Chadwick's debts on Nantucket. He offered to pledge his property provided "a certain party in town" would pay off all those debts, beyond Chadwick's personal assets of $12,500. Tibbets also offered to raise the required sum himself to pay the debts, if the "certain party" mentioned would offer his own property as securi ty for the payment. He placed the propositions in the hands of Doc tor J.S. Sanborn of Nantucket to show to anyone kindly disposed toward Chadwick, and they were printed in the Mirror in April. Tibbets's letter added that he was not actuated by any desire to shield Chadwick from the consequences of his misdeeds, hut rather from
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a hope of saving him through these means for a higher end than he has hitherto set for himself in dealing with "Mammon." This interesting letter indicated that the writer knew a great deal about the Chadwick property and the extent of the debts involved. The curious reference to "a certain party in town" may have been an effort to provoke a response from other parties who were morally or legally obliged to come to Chadwick's rescue, or may have sug gested to the public that Chadwick was not, as widely rumored, an agent for "parties abroad." As a friend and neighbor, Tibbets was in a good position to know more of the truth than had come to light at that time and the names of the parties involved. The ef fort was not successful and events took a turn for the worse for William H. Chadwick. In April 1885, a federal marshal came to Nantucket and arrested former cashier Chadwick and transported him to Boston on the Saturday afternoon steamer. He was charged with embezzlement and alterations of the books of the Pacific National Bank and held on $10,000 bail. Unable to raise the bail, he was committed to the East Cambridge Jail. The arrest of the local cashier caused a sensation in the town, where it was widely believed he would avoid criminal charges upon his promises to make good his debts to the bank and many island creditors. The Mirror commented: . .. "it had come to the general opinion that the unfortunate man would escape arrest on a criminal charge, and there was speculation as to who instigated the arrest." The defendant was now forced to appear in a federal court in Boston, which had jurisdiction because the Pacific National Bank was a federally chartered institution. This effectively removed him from trial in the state court in Nantucket, where a local jury might have reflected the sentiment expressed by the local newspaper. It also avoided the embarrassment a local trial might have caused for certain parties in town. Chadwick's problems were now increased by his many creditors on the island who now reached in desperation for his assets. Within a month, multiple attachments were placed on his property in Squam, and dozens of civil actions were filed against him in local courts. The massive estate at Squam Head was almost complete, but the empty mansion was nothing but a monument to guilt and greed and was soon given the enduring name of "Chadwick's Folly." Unable to raise his bail money and inundated with creditors, William H. Chadwick pleaded guilty to charges of embezzlement and making false entries in the books of the bank. Without a trial, Judge Colt in the federal court sentenced him to five years in jail,
The Forgotten Landmark
9
but permitted him to serve them in Nantucket. He was brought home by the U.S. Marshal and lodged in the jail on Vestal Street to await his many civil trials. Four civil cases involving the Pacific National Bank and William H. Chadwick were finally heard before the Supreme Judicial Court sitting in Taunton in April 1886, with Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., presiding. Captain William T. Swain was sued by the bank on a note, requested by Cashier Chadwick, given to cover Swain's overdrafts at the bank. He counterclaimed that the bank was guilty of fraud and conspiracy for covering up the actions which had caused the overdrafts. Chadwick was at the time heavily in debted to Swain for lumber used in the Squam Head property and promised to take care of the debt by paying off Swain's notes at the bank. Chadwick had actually paid off most of Swain's note but in the meantime Swain brought suit and attached Chadwick's land at Squam. Then Swain received his bank passbook and found several items omitted and interlined, at which point he sued the hank to find out what was going on. The trials at Taunton brought out much of the local reaction about the confusion in the bank and the sentiment about Cashier Chad wick. It was shown that the bank took a note for $8,000.00 from Chadwick to cover his deficiencies, but only after Chadwick had paid the father of Albert G. Brock, the current cashier, his personal debt of $1,800.00 in cash. Swain claimed the bank's notes were part of a scheme to relieve Chadwick of any criminal responsibility. The Honorable Frederick C. Sanford, president of the bank, took the stand to deny this allegation. He said Chadwick had admitted ow ing the bank about $10,000.00, at which time Sanford gave his own note to the bank to cover the shortage until Chadwick made it good, which he promised to do within a few days. He stated that, although he knew Chadwick had done wrong, he could not bear the thought of his being "cast adrift with the stain of criminal prosecution." Moreover, he was moved by thoughts of Chadwick's invalid wife, his small children, and his aged parents and knew the situation might provoke a run on the bank that might prove disastrous. During the portions of his testimony about Chadwick and his family, San ford was visibly emotional and on the verge of tears. When William H. Chadwick took the stand he testified that he had worked for the bank about ten years. He admitted to various entries made in Captain Swain's account, without notice to Swain, to cover overdrafts for the benefit of the hank examiners, and to hide overdrafts from the directors. He also freely admitted he had taken about $12,400.00 and was now serving his sentence in the
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Nantucket jail. Chadwick was strongly pressed by counsel to tell the court where the money went: "Don't you remember any other parties to whom a portion of that money went?" "No, sir, I have got no one else to name." "Did you not keep a memorandum of your transactions?" "Yes, sir." "Where is it?" "Destroyed." "Why did you destroy it?" "Because it was a record of my private business with parties who did not care to be known." The results of the other cases are not as important as this testimony. In fact, the Taunton jury threw out all the plaintiffs' cases and sent the Nantucketers home to straighten out their own affairs. But William H. Chadwick, facing five years in jail and the loss of his reputation and all his property, would never mention the names of those "parties abroad" who had brought him to ruin. Chadwick returned to his lonely jail cell where he served until his release on good behavior. His father eventually put up some money to satisfy the claims of the Pacific National Bank, but his creditors did not fare so well. The old estate could not shake the curse nor Chadwick's Folly nor the mystery of the man who built it. The great empty estate at Squam Head stood brooding over the mystery for several years. Like many of the grandiose schemes of the real estate boosters, it was wildly out of contact with reality, and, in addition, the property never overcame the curse of Chad wick's Folly." It was sold at auction in 1894, and subsequent owners parcelled it out into various waterfront lots. The great old man sion was gradually dismantled, the huge cupola proving large enough to become a summer cottage. The last remnants of the estate were levelled in 1956 and modern homes now stand on the site of the cashier's dreams. William H. Chadwick did not live to see his dream disappear. A broken and lonely man, he would never discuss his problems nor name the associates who had led him into the schemes and left him to bear the full burden of his folly. He died in Nantucket on April 1, 1893, at the age of 46, and the Nantucket Town Clerk listed his occupation as "bank cashier."
WHEN "CLINT" FOLGER OPENED THE YEAR WITH A ROAR The Automobile Controversy of 1917 For nearly twenty years, from 1900 to 1918, Nantucket was the only place in the nation that successfully fought encroachment of the automobile within its limits. Opposing politicians on the mainland and large property owners, mostly non-residents, Nantucketers kept the island free of the "gasoline buggy" until .the final vote of the town on May 15, 1918. By the narrow margin of forty - 326 to 286 - the automobile was allowed entry. By 1900, few of the "horseless carriages" had arrived on Nan tucket during the summer months. Dr. George Folger's father, then a resident of Melrose, Massachusetts, led the van with a Stanley Steamer followed by a Locomobile owned by Samuel Howe of Ithaca, New York, and another "mobile" owned by Howard Willet, another summer resident. However, it was a motor vehicle owned by W. Verplanck Birney and operated by a 'Sconset resident that frightened several horses drawing carriages and forced the townspeople to rise up in arms" and protest. It was soon obvious that most Nantucketers were opposed to the new-fangled automobile. After they were heard, a special act of the State Legislature in 1908 made it illegal to operate an automobile on the island. In 1913, Clinton S. Folger, a livery- stable proprietor, brought an Overland car to the island and installed it in his stable on Beach Street. Every now and then he would make a sortie into the streets of the town and quickly disappear. The "anti-autoists" held meetings at John Terry's livery stable on Middle Pearl Street or in David Gibb's barn on Upper York Street. Protests would appear, the Selectmen would insist the law of the town be obeyed, and the police were ordered to apprehend the tran sgressor. This accomplished, the town settled down again. The only road that autos could use was the State road to 'Sconset - a 7-1/2 mile stretch from the first milestone, beginning one mile out of town. "Clint" Folger had the government contract to carry the U.S. Mail to 'Sconset; so he had a horse tow his Overland through the streets of the town to the milestone, and then proceeded via the automobile to 'Sconset with the mail. Following is an account of something that happened in December 1916, an episode that began the last phase of the struggle. The habitues of the Pacific Club had just settled back in their chairs
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around the big stove for a late afternoon rest, with supper about to arrive. The boat was in, the papers had been placed on sale at Jernegan's and the mail distributed in the boxes at the post office on Main Street. Suddenly there was a low rumble, not unlike thunder. The club members had no sooner pricked up their collective ears than, with a sudden increase in rumbling, the sound appeared to be right at the front door. John M. Winslow tilted his chair forward so that all four legs were on the floor; Clinton Parker dropped his feet from the stove rail; Horatio Adams sat bolt upright in his chair. At that moment the roar filled the room and a black shape rush ed out of South Water Street to careen across the cobbles like a ship under full sail. It dashed around the water fountain and darted in to Union Street, where it came to a jolting stop by the post office back door. "What the thunder!" ejaculated Mr. Adams, tugging at his white beard. "It's Clint Folger," announced Mr. Parker coolly. "He's got that automobile out again." "What!" John M. Winslow muttered, "Again! He can't do that!" "Well," remarked Mr. Adams, "as a member of the Board of Select men, John, you know he's breaking the town's ordinances, but Clint thinks he's taking advantage of time." "This has got to stop," observed Mr. Parker in his moderate manner. "He can't do this!" declared John M. Winslow, shaking his head. Another member came in the door. "It's Clint Folger with his black car. He's back again, and," he pointed, "there she is!" During the first week of 1917 the controversy grew steadily. Clint Folger revived the old contention with a roar. The old argument continued, but the roar of the "anti-auto" faction was louder than the followers of Clint Folger. The Selectmen held a special meeting and decided to hold a Town Meeting at Red Men's Hall on January 26, 1917. At this special meeting it was argued that the State Legislature's act excluding autos from Nantucket was not fair to the town. Finally, it was decided that the matter would be placed on an Australian ballot,(1) to allow the voters of the island to have a say in the matter, (l) An official Ballot printed at public expense on which the names of all the nominated candidates and proposals appear and which is distributed only at the piling place and mark ed in secret. The special meeting was held as scheduled. The hall was wellfilled - with the ladies in attendance almost as numerous as the men,
The 1917 Automobile Controversy
13
although they were not allowed to vote. Henry Riddell was elected as Moderator and, after the usual formalities, the following ques tion was put to the vote: "Shall the auto-exclusion act be placed on the ballot of the town meeting?" The vote was taken, with the "nays" winning 79 to 39. There was a momentary bit of excitement during the voting, when Benjamin Williams arose and pointed down the hall. "That woman has her hand up ~ she can't vote!" Moderator Riddell cautioned the ladies against attempting to vote and order was quickly restored. Clint Folger's only reaction to the tide of the voters was "The people are still undecided." "Up at Bill" Holland's store the controversy was kept alive for several weeks. Customers argued the possibilities of an avalanche of automobiles invading the island's streets and lanes. "Show me anything a car can do that a horse can't," said Bert Chase. "Get back and forth to 'Sconset in an hour," answered his son, Leonard Chase, with his customary grin. "I claim that Clint Folger hasn't broken a town law," announced Charles G. Austin. "Well," observed the genial Mr. Holland, "somebody broke the law, you can be sure of that. Either it was Clint for getting his car under way again, or the party who called up the chairman of the Board of Selectmen to say that Clint was going to do it, or Chief Gibbs for not arresting him, or those who witnessed the whole pro cedure and did nothing." "Hold on, Bill," exclaimed Bert Chase, "you've got half the town included as lawbreakers!" "Maybe I have," agreed Mr. Holland, smiling. It was a year later that the voters made the decision, however there were still islanders who were unconvinced. One thing was clear and certain — Clint Folger had opened the year 1917 with a demonstration of the quickest way to carry the mail to 'Sconset!
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THE FORGOTTEN TOWN IN THE SEA IS REDISCOVERED The Beginning of Nantucket's Great Revival — 1870 It was during the "Significant Seventies" -- one hundred and ten years ago -- that Nantucket's potential as a summer resort was first recognized by mainland newspapers and magazines. This town in the sea had gone through a decade of depression, with the collapse of whaling, its dominant industry; the loss of a fis*hing fleet off shore; and the universal decline of its industry. The end of the Civil War found it a community population had gradually fallen to less than half of the 10,000 inhabitants it had boasted twenty-five years before. The islanders had witnessed a new era from 1868 to 1878. First came a new interest in the graduates of the Nantucket High School; then came the discovery of this island as a vacation spot and the coming of the first "tourists," and the awakening of the summer season. The development of the summer trade was the question of the times, and the Nantucket Steamboat Company took immediate steps to improve the conditions. The Inquirer and Mirror, the island's newspaper, noted a truism in 1868, when it stated, We would not say a word to dispirit our readers, but our tumbling wharves and vacant warehouses cannot be shut from view. We hope that something may be done to rejuvenate this community...." The Civil War, from 1861 until 1865, brought a new era for Nan tucket, and the old town became the banner town of the Com monwealth," and a Grand Army Post was soon established. Attempts at starting an industry included the launching of a shoe factory and a linen-duster firm. But the main efforts of the townspeople were concentrated on the "summer business," improvement of the railroad service to Hyannis, and development of the Nantucket Steamboat Company. With the advent of 1871, the increase in "strangers" on Nantucket brought up questions of housing and feeding the growing numbers. The town adapted itself well to the situation. The Woods Hole ter minus was added in 1870, and a new steamboat, the River Queen, was added to the Hyannis route. The Springfield Hotel was a new addition to the accommodations in 1872, and the area of "The Cliff' became the first place in the old town to find new houses built and the following year increased interest in the development of Surfside, and a renewed interest in the village of Siasconset.
Nantucket's Great Revival
15
Ocean View Hotel, Siasconset
The increase of visitors swelled, and the steamboat service developed to add additional mail service. The list of new places, called "hotels, saw the opening of the "Sherborn House" and the "Bay View House, on Orange Street, formerly large mansions. The new "Ocean House" (now called the "Jared Coffin House,) spon sored a large "Squantum" at Surfside attended by a happy throng in a variety of vehicles. Devlopers became interested in "sea-side lots," at Great Neck in Madaket, and two Nantucket men, Messrs. Robinson and Ellis, opened up the south bluff in 'Sconset which immediately attracted buyers. The nation's newspapers began to print accounts of visitors from various residents of the cities who found a "different" kind of so journ on this "island in the sea." The mainland press printed let ters from correspondents; the fashionable news of the day was characterized by writers who quoted celebrities as well as regular customers, who told of their experiences at a different kind of sum mer resort and described the island in friendly and inviting terms. The St. Louis Post Dispatch and Scribner's Magazine did a travelogue, which was carefully prepared and gave a true flavor of Nantucket. In fact, the latter issue was comparable to an island study, well prepared and accompanied by wood- cuts that illustrated the Nantucket scene.
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The Atlantic House, Main Street, Siasconset, in the early 1870s. In the early years of this century the structure was turned sideways and converted into a private residence.
The favorable publicity in newspapers and magazines from St. Louis to New York City soon had a quick response. The large room ing houses - called for the more popular use, "hotels," — were soon filled and prospects for building legitimate hotels were in the off ing. The little village of 'Sconset began to grow, and an ambitious number of islanders decided to develop the east end of the island at Wauwinet. The waterfront spruced up and catboats became an attraction. The "Clean Shore" bathing beach became well patronized, and "Two Boats a Day" was a popular slogan for the season, and the sound of the whistle at Brant Point was a welcome to all those who came. The Inquirer and Mirror noted in July 1874: "Day after day our boats bring seventy to a hundred new pleasure seekers to our island. Never were we in better condition to receive and care for all who come." The biggest surprise of the year came on August 27,1874, when the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, visited Nan tucket, coming for the day on board the steamer River Queen from Hyannis. It was an historic event for President Grant, who went aboard a vessel on which he had participated in historic events dur ing these last few weeks of the Civil War. The note of optimism that characterized Nantucket in the
Nantucket's Great Revival
17
The Springfield House in the 1870s was located at the corner of North Water and Chester Streets. It was torn down in 1917.
mid-1870s was reflected in the editorial printed in the December 1874, issue of The Inquirer and Mirror, which read in part: ....The unprecedented mode of passenger conveyance to and from our town would never have been accomplished by a desponding view of things....It startled us from our lethargy as a community, and before we quite get over from our surprise...we shall soon be entering upon the advent of another season." The year 1875 also brought evidence of an awakening community. Isaac H. Folger, of Nantucket, and his partner, S. Heath Rich, established a newspaper, called The Island Review. It continued until 1878, when Folger and Rich moved their business to Brockton, Massachusetts, where they started the Brockton newspaper known as The Enterprise. The population of the Island now approached 3,201, with 890 registered voters. This was also the year when the townspeople dedicated the Civil War Monument, a striking memorial to the valor of the Nantucket men who served in the War between the States. In 1876, the development at Wauwinet continued with the in troduction of the catboat "Lillian" and the steam launch Island Belle, bringing interested folk to the newly created Wauwinet House, "up harbor," the newest attraction at the head of the harbor. Henry Cof-
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v •'
•/
^ \
, •
Main Street, Siasconset ca. 1865just before Nantucket's Great Revival.
fin, of Main Street, and his partners, opened the new section on the Cliff to buyers of house lots in the area known as Sherburne Bluffs." The first telephone was introduced in July 1878, and a new store made its appearance on Main Street - a pharmacy owned by Dr. Franklin Ellis and Dr. Pitman, now known as Congdon's Pharmacy. Arthur Gardner began publication of a newspaper on Main Street, known as the Nantucket Journal, which continued successfully for the next twenty-one years. The Nantucket steamboat line resum ed its route to New Bedford after a lapse of 25 years. In 1878, the Albany Evening Express published an article by Thurlow Weed Barnes, which declared that despite the recent changes in Nantucket certain of the old customs still lingered, and one sea-flavored institution...."to stand today like a rock -the Pacific Club....it is dignified without ostentation; exclusive without foppery; social without wine." The Significant Seventies" ended with a surge of new ideas that heralded the "Elegant Eighties." In the decade past, Nantucket had emerged into a new world - to become a full-fledged summer resort.
MY SEA-FARING FAMILY by
NANCY GRANT ADAMS INTRODUCTION Since we are now halfway through Nancy Story Grant Adams's My Sea-Faring Family, we thought it might be well to reintroduce our readers to the family and how this story had its beginning. Tristram Coffin was one of the early settlers of the Town of Sher burne on the island of Nantucket, located thirty miles off the coast of Massachusetts. He was born in 1605 in Brixton, Devon Co., England, and came to America in 1642. He was the son of Peter, son of Nicholas, all of Brixton. In about 1630, Tristram married Dionis Stevens of Brixton and had nine children. He moved to Nantucket in 1659. In direct line from Tristram and Dionis through their first child, Peter, who married Abagail Starhuck, came the maternal line of the Grant family. Jethro and Mary; Robert and Susanna; Ephraim and Sarah; Hepsabeth Coffin and John Ellis, whose daughter Elizabeth married James Grant, the Scotsman, the first of the line of Grants in Nantucket. The Wyer branch of the sea-faring family got its start through another Scotsman named Edward Wyer, who was born in 1622 in Scotland and who came to America as early as 1646. He was a tailor and settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1658. In 1659 he married Elizabeth Johnson. They had eleven children and the Nantucket branch came from Robert, the third child, born in 1664. He was also a tailor and an inn-holder. In 1688 he married Elizabeth Fowle who died without issue. Then he married his second wife, Ruth Johnson,in 1692. Through their son, Robert, Jr., who was born in Charlestown in 1695 and moved to Nantucket when he married Katherine Swain in 1720, the line of Nantucket Wyers originated. Zachariah and Abagail; Obed Wyer and Polly; Ohed,Jr., and Pol ly Gorham; Benjamin and Eliza Ann Hull. Benjamin Wyer was born in 1797 and married Eliza Ann Hull in 1821. They were married by Seth Swift in the Second Congregational Meeting House - now Unitarian. They had children: Benjamin, Charlotte M, Ann Eliza, William, and Nancy Jay. Grandmother Nancy Jay was born in 1823 and married Charles
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Grant August 28, 1839, when she was 16 years old. These two families, Grant and Wyer, were the ancestors of George A. Grant and his sister Eleanor Baker Peirce, whose children are the third generation. The son of George, Arthur Burbank Grant, was a sea-farer and ensign in World War I and, recently, owner of the fishing boat Madeline." His son, Robert Swain Grant, is a deep- sea fisherman and presently employed in the U. S. Fish & Wild Life Service with duties on the "Delaware" of Gloucester, Mass. His second son, Philip Baron, is also a deep-sea fisherman and manager, with his brother-in-law, of a very successful seasonal fish market in Nantucket. This is the background and the introduction to my sea-faring family. (Written in 1957.)
Chapter 12 CHARLES & NANCY SHIP ON THE "MOHAWK" Charles had enjoyed the life of a landlubber for over a year. Be ing ashore and at home was pleasant and it was gratifying to walk down the streets and meet old friends and receive the daily news. The agents, P. & I. Macy, were not so willing to allow him these privileges. They were urging him every day to take another ship out for them. Charles finally expressed his willingness to take the ship MOHAWK for a voyage. For some weeks he was kept busy in prepar ing for sailing. For First Mate he chose William Beebee; Second Mate, Benjamin Gorham; and Third Mate, James Cathcart. The MOHAWK was a 350-ton ship built in Medford, Mass., in 1850. Her first voyage was from 1850-54 with Capt. Oliver C. Swain as Master. The second voyage was 1854-58 with Charles Grant as Master, when he sailed the ship around the world. Her next voyage was 1859-63 with Capt. George H. Swain, after which voyage she was sold to New York. Nancy packed her chests and shipped with him, taking little Charlie who was now about four years old. One would think that, after the previous voyage, she would have had enough of privation! but she was a brave woman and really enjoyed the life on shipboard! It was far better for her to be with her husband than to he at home waiting and wondering when he would return.
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There were many items to be packed for the use of little Charlie and for the new baby who would arrive before the voyage was over. Courage indeed was needed to face the possibility of storms at sea and sickness which might occur; and, in her condition of pregnan cy, it was more than necessary to keep up that courage. Nancy packed hooks and pencils for the little fellow and plenty of scrap paper, for he would have to be entertained for many wak ing hours. And, again, plenty of sewing materials for the prepara tion of a wardrobe for the new baby as well as keeping Charlie fit ted out with clothes. The ship cleared from Edgartown on the 15th of August, 1854. We had access to the log of this voyage and follow the ship from day to day in its course. For the first three weeks all hands kept busy fitting out boats, making sails and fitting them, and regular ship's duties. Some bad seas were encountered and the larboard boat got stove in. By the 27th of August they had reached the islands of Flores and Corvo; from these two islands, Charles took on seven Portuguese. Took on three passengers and then headed for Fayal. Three passengers were put ashore here and Charles went ashore and ship ped three men. Now he sets the course for Brava and he went ashore there and got a bullock, pigs, bananas, etc. This meant they would have some pork steaks and chops and, best of all, some fresh beef. On the 24th of September, they sight the RALPH THOMPSON of London, which was short of provisions; Charles generously gave them bread and flour. Before the MOHAWK reached Trinidad, there were two men sick. On the 17th of October they sighted a wreck, sent a boat to investigate, and found she had still the remains of a cargo of wine. The next two days they were busy loading wine. Before they finished they had 1200 gallons, which was all stowed down. One of the men fell from the crojack yard but was not seriously injured. On November 1st they were crossing the Indian Ocean and spoke and boarded the ship STEPHANY of New Bedford 87 days out, and kept company with her. On the 12th, as there were no whales in sight, Charles ordered two boats down to give the men some exercise. When December came, they had hard luck. Anderson fell from the yard and broke his leg, which was set, and he was made comfortable. They had three men down sick, one of them seriously so, with what they called slow nervous fever. Anderson died on the 24th, and with the usual ceremonies, his body was consigned to the deep. This was a sad
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Christmas for them all. There could not be much celebration of Christmas for Charlie, except that he could hang his stocking and receive some gifts. No doubt the men in the crew had made some toys or gadgets for him to play with. Now it is January 1855, and they were entering the Pacific Ocean. By the 18th, they were steering for the harbor at Bay of Islands, N.Z. There were six ships here at anchor. The two sick men were put ashore and also a raft for water. Now the crew has a chance to get ashore. One day the starboard watch goes on liberty, and next day the larboard watch. On the 24th, three men deserted from the larboard watch on shore; however, they were caught and brought on board and put in irons. On this same day the EDWARD CAREY came in port, fresh from home, eight months out, with Capt. Perry Winslow and his family. This meant gamming between the two ships as the Winslows were very good friends of the Grants. On the 26th, the ship MARIA sailed for the Sandwich Islands. Next day, the ship BEN TUCKER sailed for home, and the JAMES ARNOLD sailed out. The DESDEMONA came in and anchored. All ships were wearing the ensign at half mast for the death of the Second Mate of the ship LANCASTER, the cause of his death be ing "going below too soon after smoking out the ship for rats." His body was carried ashore. On the last day of January, the MOHAWK is preparing for sea. The Second Mate was sick so Charles raised the Third Mate in his place and shipped a Third from the DESDEMONA. The ship SWIFT arrived and the ELIZABETH sail ed, both of New Bedford This had been a regular gala time for the captains and their wives. The Bay of Islands is a busy port and all skippers like to put in here. The American whaling was started at South Island in about 1834, at Cloudy Bay, and the Bay of Islands was the general calling place of American vessels for mail and supplies. After this, the New Zealand waters were invaded with American whalers. Capt. Smith of the DESDEMONA in 1850 reported his ship at Port Nelson, and he wrote that Port Nelson was far superior to the Bay of Islands as a place for recruiting crews for whale ships. Recruiting was cheaper and the inhabitants appeared more anx ious for trade. Capt. Smith thought there should be an American consul or consular agent appointed, as there were no American residents. It was at this time that Nancy felt that she should remain here at the Bay until after her baby came. The log of the ship LEX-
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INGTON, kept by Mrs. Peter Brock, who was with her husband and their son, Joseph Chase, a small boy, is of particular interest right here, as she kept a very intelligent journal of the days' hap penings. To quote from this journal: Feb. 12th, 1855. At Bay of Islands' PLANTER, GANGES and ENTERPRISE here. The MOHAWK gone out. Mrs. Grant on shore here. The decks were swarmed with natives, men, women and children, all bare foot and bare head. They swarm up and down the sides of the ship like cats. Loaded down with peaches. Capt. and Mrs. Nicker son of the GANGES on shore. She has an infant 6 weeks old, staying at Dr. Fords. Ben Gorham, late Mate of the MOHAWK, on shore sick. Eggs 50 cents a dozen, very dear. Onions $6 a bbl. Board for three - $4.00 a day. The Russell Hotel, kept by Mr. Evans and his wife, English people, has been here for twelve years; got burned out once. Feb. 14 - Mrs. Grant well and in good spirits. A German teacher played and sang very sweetly, a very distinguished singer. Feb. 18 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the natives at 8 a.m. and the whites at 11 a.m. and 6 in the evening. This church stands in the grave yard, a beautiful spot, full of trees, two large cactus trees and many rose bushes. Saw a great many stones, one lately set. Sacred to the memory of George B. Sherman, who died on hoard the ship LAN CASTER. 2nd Mate aged 30 years in 1855, a native of Rochester. Nobly he did his duty here below, but now he has gone aloft." They had smoked ship for rats; this man was left on board to look out. When the Capt. went on board the next day, they went below and found him lying dead on the cabin floor; they supposed he must have gone down in his sleep. Feb. 18 - Went to church with the Fords, the pastor was Mr. Williams. Feb. 19 - Mrs. Grant well. Called on Mrs. Cook: Feb. 20 - Mrs. Grant not very well. Feb. 22 - Went to see Mrs. Grant. Took tea at Mrs. Fords. Mrs. Grant well but lonesome without Mrs. Nickerson. Feb. 23 - Little Charlie Grant came on board to spend the day with Joseph Chase. Sunday, Feb. 25th, 1855. Note from Mrs. Ford says Mrs. Grant was confined this morning at 5 o'clock and requested me to come directly on shore. Spent the day with Mrs. Grant; found her and left her very comfortable. A very beautiful baby daughter, Eleanor Baker. Felt bad parting with her, knowing it will be a long time before we meet again, if ever; she is a very fine woman, one I dearly love. This ends the part of the journal which is of interest here. This first- hand information of the birth of Nancy's baby is in valuable. Would that more logs told a little of the personal life of
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the captain and his wife on board ship! Logs as a whole are dry reading - mostly wind, weather, taking in sails, etc. Of course, whales are reported seen and caught, but not too much of the daily life on board, so the journals kept by the wives or the captains themselves have proved to be of great interest and value. Nancy was most happy to have a little baby daughter, and the name Eleanor (Ella) Baker was given her for a good friend, Mrs. Baker of New Bedford. She was the wife of a captain, and herself had a baby born in Russell sometime in later years. Ella, as she was always called, was destined to live for one hun dred years. She married and had a family of nine, and .always lived in New Bedford. When she had her one hundredth birthday, the family gathered at her residence to help celebrate. The writer was among those present. She was gay and happy, although she had lost her sight, but her mind was keen and she thoroughly enjoyed the birthday. Her living children numbered four; she had lost her oldest son, who was seventy-five, just a short time before. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present at her party. Ella made only one voyage, otherwise remaining at home while her parents were at sea. She recalls only that on board ship she was given a ride in a box strapped to a large tortoise, on the deck of the MOHAWK. Nancy had a happy time ashore with her good friends, the Fords, and Charlie had a good time playing with the children on shore. When he went on board the LEXINGTON to play with Joseph Chase Brock, how little he knew that in years to come Joe Brock was to become a well-known character on the streets of Nantucket. Both were to be sea farers also. Charles was cruising all through the months of February and March. He was having rather bad luck again, as on the 11th of Feb. there were two boats down chasing whales. They got one, but it came on a bad storm and the whale was tied up. The wind increas ed so much that it stove the bow boat and carried away the cranes and bearers. The next day, the whale, which was still tied up, parted the ropes and broke away, but they got it back again; toward even ing, they started cutting in and boiling. The whale made 50 bbls. The Second Mate was off duty with a bad cut. Busy days were then the order of the day, as there were repairs to be made, after the storm. On the 20th, the bark CAROLINE was spoken and boarded; Charles shipped two Kanakas from her. Two days later, he discovered a man stowed away; he had been a prisoner on the
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CAROLINE and had deserted. An interesting letter from a mother in Nantucket to her sons, who was at sea, might be of interest here. Nantucket, Mass. August 14, 1856 Dear Children: I shall write a few lines to let you know that we are well at pre sent, thank God, and hope these lines will find you all the same. Ship DANIEL WEBSTER came in and landed your oil in good order, about 570 bbls. It is all stowed in the shed on account of warm weather and no demand from abroad yet. Oil is down to $1.50 a gal., by oil being forced into the market to settle voyages. Capt. Starbuck and wife came to see me. Capt. Pease has got the ship PLANTER and sent me the letters and things you sent us and wrote me he would be in, in a few days. Joseph Chase has been home for some time. Got married and his wife had a child, four weeks ago; he just went to New York to get a voyage. Telegraph news brought us said he was taken with yellow fever and died. Telegraph wires are put up from Town to Great Point and the cable arrived yesterday in a steamer called the JANE BLEW(?). She runs from here to New York; this cable will be led from Great Point across the sound to Sandy Point, then we will get the news quick. Nantucket is coming up, if you boys get the oil. I have this day sent a box by express to New Bedford to be put on board the AMERICA, going out with a boat-load of provisions for ships, to Upolu, to Capt. Grant and others. J. and L. are going to New Bedford and are in a large fitting store. Give our respects to Mr. Coffin and Mr. Sandsbury; tell them their family is well and call to see us. Flour was $13.50 abbl., now $10.00 I sent you a little shoe box to be kept at Bay of Islands. Ship RICHARD MITCHELL is in and a ship MASSACHUSETTS. The PHOENIX is fitting and the LEXINGTON and MARY. Joseph's ship is on the way, and ship PLANTER, also, for repairs. Yours with respect, On the 31st of March, Charles headed for Bay of Islands. He was recruiting here for water, potatoes, onions, apples, peaches, and wood. The log of the MOHAWK reads for April 2nd: Twenty-five men ashore on liberty, must be celebrating the birth." It was at this time that the steamboat arrived from Auckland with supplies for the MOHAWK. When Charles was ready to sail, Nancy and Charlie and the new baby had to be gotten aboard and another problem was facing them. Charlie was becoming somewhat of a problem, as all small children
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are, in trying to find ways to entertain him. He would go forward in good weather and the men would keep him entertained, but when it was too stormy to go on deck, then Nancy had her hands full. They played games and she taught him his ABC's, and read to him. Baby Ella was good as could be, but she needed much care and Nancy was kept busy. The ship called the 6th of April, 1855, and on the 15th, spoke and boarded the JAMES ARNOLD, Capt. Thomas Sullivan, another great friend of the Grants. Also spoke the OCEAN and the ED WARD CAREY. Capt. Perry Winslow, of the CAREY, had his wife with him and there were many pleasant chats, back and forth. The two ships kept in company and cruised off Macauley's Island, bet ween there and French Rocks. No whales being caught yet. Steer ing north, they sight RARATONGA, lying off and on, trading with the natives. Got fresh fruit, oranges, bananas, pumpkins, etc., here. The CAREY, GANGES, and OTHELLO are all here. The log of the EDWAED CAREY reads for this time: The GANGES just came along here to bury the Captain's child." . Hav ing reached Hervey Island by the 15th of May, Charles goes ashore to try to get some hogs, but could't get them without waiting until the next day, which he didn't want to do. On the 7th of June they are in despair of ever getting a whale, but got a few blackfish. Later, they got one 20 bbl. whale. Got another 20 bbl. whale the 30th. As they arrive near Jarvis Island, the boats are sent ashore and returned with a few fish, hut the eggs they brought were all rotten. During the next week in June they spoke the POTOMAC, Charles' old command. At McKean Island, they all go ashore. The EDWARD CAREY was there also. They saw the wreck of the ship CANTON, of New Bedford, which had been entirely stripped. They spoke and boarded the ALFRED GIBBS of New Bedford. Now they are twelve months out and whales are scarce. During the first two weeks of August, they struck and killed three but lost one; he went off with two good irons, the line, and a bomb lance. He will surely die, but we won't get him," writes the log-keeper Spoke the MONTTCELLO and the SWIFT of New Bedford. Lowered into a school of whales on the 14th of August; got five, which were saved. It was near sundown, and two of the boats were out of sight Ship went in the direction last seen, but did not find them; finally at daylight, they saw them tied up to the ship SWIFT, with their whales alongside. For the next few days they are more than busy Three days later, they saw and struck one whale, but he stove the
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boat and made off with the line. During the period from Aug. 17th to 31st, they got four whales, and had another boat stove. Spoke the ATLANTIC, and the OCEAN, and were in company with the COMMODORE MORRIS for a week. Surely, these sea- faring men have ample opportunity to gam with their friends; they were seldom out of sight of some ship. No wonder Nancy liked the sea life; she saw more of her friends than she would if she remained at home. In September, Mr. Cathcart got his collarbone broken when a cask of bread fell from the sling; the bone was set and he got along very comfortably. The last day of Sept. they were out 13 1/2 months and had stowed down 600 hbls. of sperm and 80 bbls. of wine. During the month of October, they were off Roaches Island trading with the natives for cocoanuts. All ships were lying off and on for a week. There were COM. MORRIS, bark FRANKLIN, E. CAREY, GANGES, bark JOHN A. PILOT. On the 26th, the moon was in total eclipse." On the 27th, in com pany with the ATLANTIC, they struck six whales, two of them the irons drawed, one stove a boat, so had to cut him loose; altogether they took three, the ATLANTIC one. As they lay off the Isle of Caitapu, sent boats ashore to get 30 pigs, load of cocoanuts, trading mostly with files; iron hoops were also very good trading articles. Found plenty of water there. Next day at the Rotumah Islands, beat up to the island and got water and traded for yams, hogs, and bananas. Discharged a sick Kanaka on this island. On the 21st discharged the Second Mate, and ship ped two natives from the island. Norfolk Island was in sight after a few days and they go in to land. Sent boats ashore and found the island nearly deserted. Charles and Nancy took the children and went ashore for a few days. Traded here for hogs and sheep; find plenty of fresh meat but no vegetables. All on board the 5th of Dec. and steer south. Spoke three ships dur ing the remainder of the month. Mr. Beebee, the Mate, was taken sick early in the year 1856 and the MOHAWK headed for the Bay of Islands. They arrived there about the 24th and put Mr. Beebee ashore. Six ships went to sea from there on the 28th. On Feb. 1st they hauled alongside the ship AMERICA, of New Bedford, to discharge oil to be freighted home. In a few days, the boatsteerer was put in irons, because he made a fuss about unloading oil. The steward is discharged and Mr. Smith was shipped as Second Mate. Mr. Beebee was better and returned to the ship, but next day was ill again and returned to shore. All liberty was stopped because
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Alexander Carpenter had deserted. On the 20th, the Grant family were all on board and the ship put to sea. Charles put up a bounty of $20 for 50 bbls. of oil at sunset, but no whales were seen. On the 2nd of March they spoke the HOPE and the ALFRED GIBBS, both on the way to the Bay to ship their oil home. By the 5th no whales were seen, so Charles put up another bounty of $90 for 100 bbls. of sperm. On the 15th, they sight North Cape of N.Z. and go into port at the Bay. Charles went ashore with Mate and stayed all night, the ship lying off and on. The next day the boats came out with some things and the Mate came off in a shore boat and took Nancy ashore. The ship was going to cruise, and Charles and Nancy were to join them a few days later; they were going out on the SEA GULL, with their good friend Capt. Charles Nichols. Next day Mr. Beebee came aboard very much better and the ship sailed, leaving the family ashore. They had orders to cruise about 80 miles north of Cape Breen. On the 22nd of March the Mate of the MOHAWK sighted a ship to the leeward and ran down to her and found she was the SEA GULL with Charles and Nancy aboard. All were transferred to the MOHAWK and settled down again. Now April has come around again. By this time, Charlie was near ly six years old and baby Ella was about 14 months old. Nancy was feeling fine and everything was going well on board. She did the customary sewing, making calico sacks for herself and dresses and aprons for Ella and little suits for Charlie. When all was right, she would make peach, apple, or pumpkin pies and gingerbread and cake. When visiting friends came aboard, they were always treated to cake, pie, or some other goody and cof fee or tea, or wine as the case might be. On April 14th, they spoke and boarded the YOUNG HERO, of Nantucket, and were delighted to get some mail from home. On the 18th, they are at Raratonga Island. Charles and family go ashore. They called at the home of the missionary, Mr. Buzzacot. The family were all there, fine folks, very pious. The daughter, Sarah, was a very amiable girl who had been born on the island. She had been educated in England, being there for nine years. This is a beautiful island - forests of trees, mostly citrus, high mountains, delightful scenery. A new church had just been built by the natives, who are very friendly folks. The men, women, and children all sit on the ground, thick as bees. When Mrs. Brock of the LEXINGTON was there in March 1854, she shook hands with the queen; she was dressed in a white robe
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with a long red belt around the waist. She also saw the chiefs and their women. Very hot there and mosquitos were thick. Rev. Mr. Harchi, missionary at Upolu, had two daughters, Charlotte and Sarah, staying at the Buzzacots to be educated. Nan cy never forgot the cordial welcome they received. Charles recruited here at the island, taking off 40 bbls. of water and ten bbls. of oranges, pumpkins, etc. Discharge two natives and ship two others. On the 30th of the month, there was a little trouble; the Mate gave an order to the boatsteerer which he refused to obey. They collared each other, the boatsteerer made some resistance and struck the Mate, who grabbed up a claw hammer and struck the boatsteerer on the head. He was afterwards put in irons. The next day he ad mitted he was wrong, and he was put back on duty. May 4th. Looking sharp for whales as we are getting on the grounds, we expect to see them soon; there is 500 bbls. somewhere that will have to give up the ghost to us this season. So ends. Still no whales. All hands are eager to get the bounty of $20 which Charles has put up for 50 bbls. On the 12th of May they hear breakers and find they are near Jarvis Isle. Next day, send a boat in to get some eggs. They reported seeing a notice reading that an American guano company had taken possession of the island. In the year 1843, there appeared an article in a paper as follows: This article (Guano) which is coming into great use as a manure, is found on Latham's Sandy Island or Shoal, situated about 35 miles to the southwest of Zanzibar in Lat 6-54 so., Long. 39-56 east. This island is about 3 miles in circumference and is covered with the ordure of birds to the depth of twenty or thirty feet - a deposit that in all probability has been increasing ever since the bank was first elevated above the surface of the ocean. This island is generally made by navigators bound to Zanzibar from the southward. The number of birds resting on the island, and flying in the air over it, are as countless as the sands on the shore. No land being nearer than Zanzibar and the coast of Africa, it follows that these vast multitudes have no other resting place than this little island, which is destitute of other inhabitants, and hence, it must be the receptacle of their ordure, accumulating as it has been for ages." Spoke the ELIZABETH on the 29th and were busy breaking out a cask of wine to put on board the ELIZABETH. Catching whales and speaking ships was the order of the day up to July 15th. On that day, the log reads, Employed in thinking, talking
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and looking." During the next month or two they were trading for cocoanuts and hats at Byron Island and spoke the E. CAREY and Charles, Nancy, and the children spent the night on hoard with the Perry Winslows; the next day the Winslows went on board MOHAWK to spend the day. Charles gave the CAREY 6 hbls. of provisions. The ship's chronometer stopped for some unknown reason, and a few days later they spoke the SEA GULL and got a chronometer and a spy glass and 19 bhls. of water. Now it was November, and after cruising, the ship made for Nor folk Isle. The deckhands were all busy with ship's duties and scrimshonting. They arrive at Norfolk and find the Winslows are there. Mrs. Winslow not feeling very well. After loading wood and water, they send a cask of flour and two bbls. of salt ashore, and set sail on the 6th. It was the 23rd before they struck whales. Four boats were lowered and one of them struck a whale and he promptly stove the boat and rolled over another; the other two boats came up and struck the whale; the fifth boat was lowered and went to the assistance of the two helpless boats. Christmas time and no mention is made of any celebration. The year 1857 had arrived - and what an eventful year this year was to be! How eager they are to hear news from home and speak the EMPIRE from N.B. Five months out. Later they speak the MONTICELLO of Nantucket. Charles is very anxious to get one more whale before he puts in at the Bay. The POTOMAC arrives on the scene, and on the 24th the MOHAWK was beating in to the Bay. After anchoring the ship, boats are sent ashore for water and they haul alongside the ship JOHN A. ROBB of Fairhaven to load 352 bhls. of oil to be freighted home. On the 18th, the ship AMERICA arrives with a small lot of provi sions and then they sail out of the Bay the 23rd. Through the next few months they are catching whales aplenty. A new problem had arisen when Nancy announced tht she was to become a mother once more. With a brief stop at Tutuilla in the Samoan group of islands, boats were sent ashore to trade and Charles headed for the island of Upolu. The watch was sent ashore on liberty and so the whole Grant family did also. It had been decided that Nancy would stop here until after the birth of her child. This was the last of June, 1857. To be continued in the January 1989 issue of "Historic Nan tucket .''
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A - l -A
HTHOU .4PANO BEAC
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m CENT
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'Sconset Postmaster Philip Morris is pictured above standing next to a 48-pound, 7-foot sailfish he caught while fishing in Florida waters. This photograph is one of several recently given to the NHA. We reprint it here in memoriam of Mr. Morris, who died June 17, 1988.
A view of the Nantucket Whaling Museum with the Peter Foulger Museum just begond it.
