Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association

PROCEEDINGS OF THE;

Fifth Annual Meeting OF THE;

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATlON At Nontucket, Moss., July 19, I �99.

A most interesting occasion in Nantucket history, was the Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association, held in the old North Ves­ try through the morning of July 1 9, 1899. The meeting was called to order by the Rev. Myron S. Dudley, Acting President of the society. The minutes of the last Annual Meeting were read and approved, after which the reports of the several officers were read in the following order. I. The report of the Recording Secretary, Miss Mary E­ Starbuck. 2. Report of the Correspon­ ding Secretary, Miss Susan A. Star­ buck. 3. Report of the Curator, Miss Susan E. Brock. 4. Report of the Trea­ surer, Mr. Charles C. Crosby, which was approved by the Association. Then followed the address of the acting Pres­ ident which can be found later in these Proceedings. Immediately following this address, the report of the Nomina­ ting Committee was read and the ballots, p repared by them as their report were distributed. As Mi�s Susan A. Starbuck declined to be a candidate for the office of Corresponding Secretary a::iother year, and was insistent, the declination was accepted, and Miss Elizabeth R. Coffin was nominated for that office.

Then followed the balloting with Allen Coffin and Benjamin A. Coffin as tellers.

While the tellers were making up their report several matters of interest were presented "A Sketch of a Former Historical Society," by Miss Annie W. Bodfish.

"An Account of Paul Starbuck's Sheep Book," written by Henry B. Worth, and read by Miss Helen B. W. Worth.

This paper led Miss Charlotte M. Gardner to suggest the following sub­ ject as a /..ine of investigation, "The raising of sheep on the island and all

that pertained to their care-the shear­ ing-the commons, etc.''

Dr. Benjamin Sharp called attention to some old anu valuable shipa' papers which came into the possession of the Association last fall (1898). These papers were wrapped up in old news­ papers and were the shipping papers, wharf books, recceipts and settlements of the voyages of Nantucket whale ships. There were in all forty-one of these packages. The following ships were represented: Favorite, 1807; Mary Ann, 18o9; Harlequin, 18n; Sukey, 18II; Thomas, 181 1 to 1823, (eight packages); Monti­ cello, 181 1 ; Essex, 1ll16 and 1819; John Jay, 1817 ancl 1821 ; Lydia, 1817 and 1818; Minerva, 1817; Francis, 1818 and 1821 ; William, 1818; Hysco, 1818; \Veywouth, 1818 ; Dauphin, 181 9 and 1823; Independence, 181 9 ancl 1823 ; States, 1820 and 1823; Industry, 1821 ; Eagle, 1821 ; Franklin, 1821; Au­ rora, 1822; Washington, 1822; Schooner Harmony, 1822; Galen, 1823; Consti­ tution, 1823; John Adams, 1823; Sally, 1823.

Dr. Sharp exhibited a book in which the contents of four of these packages, those of the Essex and Dauphin, were mounted. The book was made on plans adopted by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for the preservation of the Dreer Collection of Manuscripts. The pages of Bristol-board, II 1-2 by r7 in­ ches were separate and could be taken out for rearrangement or new ones inserted.

The separate papers were moistened and placed in a letter press so that all folds and wrinkles were obliterated.

They were then mounted on a hinge of strong light bond-paper, with rice flour paste, the important point here

2

being that the paste shall contain no trace of acid.

These papers, he observed, had proba­ bly not been opened since they were tied up, and the ink still held some of the sand by which it had been dried.

The tellers reported the following board of officers which was elected: President-William F. Barnard.

Vice Presidents-Myron S. Dudley, Henry S. Wyer, Mrs. Sarah C. Ray­ mond, Benjamin Sharp, \Vilson Macy, Sidney Chase.

Treasurer-Charles C. Crosby.

Recording Secretary-Miss Mary E. Starbuck.

Corresponding Secretary-Miss Eliza­ beth R. Coffin.

Curator-Miss Susan E. Brock.

Councilors for four years, Mrs. Henry U. Bennet, Miss Mary E. Macy.

After the election, the newly elected President was called to the chair by the Acting President. Mr. Barnard upon taking the chair made a brief address which was cordially received.

Papers that had been prepared by re­ quest upon the recently deceased Presi­ dent and Vice President were then read, that upon Dr. Mitchell, by Mr. Dudle:i,, and that upon Mrs. Starbuck, written

by Miss Anna Gardner, was read by Dr. Arthur E. Jenks. After which the following resolutions were read and adopted: \Vhereas, this Association, having been deprived by death of its honored Presi­ dent, Joseph Sidney Mitchell, M. D., desires to bear witness to its apprecia­ tion, and deep sense of loss, therefore be it Resolved, That theNantucketHistor­ ical Association has lost a strong helper whose wise and generous council, noble personal character and well-known in­ tense love for his island home eminent­ ly fitted him for the leadership which he bas held since the organization of this Association.

Resolved, That bis enthusiasm and confidence in our work shall be held a sacred trust, inciting each and all to their best efforts for the interests of the Association.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the rec­ ords, and that a copy be forwarded to the family of Dr. Mitchell, to whom the Association offers its sincere sym­ pathy in their affliction.

Whereas, Death, having removed from among us a beloved Vice President, Mrs. Elizabeth Swain Starbuck, there­ fore be it Resolved, That as one of the organiz­ ers of the Historical Association, with­ out whose encouragement and active interest it might not have come into

existence, by her death, this society has lost a most estf'emed and valuable offi­ cer.

Resolved, That while we shall miss her ready sympathy, the sweetness of her personality whose presence was ever a benediction, yet because of these gra­ cious memories, the members of this Association shall go on their way with hearts strengthened, and zeal quicken­ ed for the society she so loved.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolu­ tions be spread upon the records, and that a copy be sent to Mrs. Starbuck's family, in whose sorrow we deeply share.

Upon the meeting being thrown open to miscellaneous business, various ml\t­ ters were presented.

The Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Des Moines, Iowa, spoke with much feeling of the late President of our Ai;sociation. He was a classmate of Dr. Mitchell's, and knew him well.

Sidney Mitchell was an earnest student, cordial in his friendship, optimistic in his views of life. He often remarked upon his classmate's love for bis native islar1d. Unlike most of his companions, he had a great deal to say about his own home.

Charles Henry Chase of Nantucket expressed bis great interest in this society, and during his interesting talk, recalled many reminiacenses of the past which, it is to be hoped at no dis­ tant day, may be put into a permaneut form. Reference was made to the work of the Abiab Folger Franklin Chapter, D. A. R., in their efforts to mark the site of the house in which Abiah Folger, the mother of Franklin was born; atten­ tion was called to a pamphlet, donated to the Chapter's Memorial Fund by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on "Benjamin Franklin as a Genealogist.''

In this pamphlet may he found portioos of the early ancestry of the Folger fami­ ly, and other matters of both local and general interest. This production is soon to become rare as only two hun­ dred and fifty copies were printed when the type was distributed.

In connection with this purpose of local Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to put up a memo­ rial of Franklin's mother, a letter was read from the Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Hop­ kins. of Taunton. Mass. Dr. Emery is Pr�sident of the Old Colonv Historical Society. He conveyed to this younger organization his Society's cordial greet­ ings, and congratulations ''on the inter­ est which bas been awakened and kept alive in historical matters." He also referred to the Old Colony Commission, a State organ'ization, whose members are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth, and of which Hon.

3 William T. Davis, of Plymouth, L. Ver­ non Brigg■, of Boston, and Dr. Emery, are the members. The purpose of this Commis6ion is to mark historic places in the Old Colony section of this State.

Dr. Emery says that it is the purpose of this Commission as soon as more money is put into their hands, to ''visit this Island of great historic interest and in conference with interested parties fix upon what, on the whole, seems the most important event in your history to be marked and commemorated, by action of the Commonwealth." Suitable notice of this visit will be given and a public hearing will be held.

Mr. Dudley referred to the importance of preserving the records of the Annual Meetings, and of printing them in a suf­ ficiently large edition so that they may be sent out to all members of the As­ sociation and to those who are interested in historical matters. Dr.John Fiske, having been made a life member of the Association, responded in a happy speech, in which he seconded the sug­ gestion of the printing and distribution of the records and papers of the Associa­ tion's Annual Meetings. He was strong­ ly of the opinion that all such docu­ ments ought to be printed. Dr. Fiske expressed his great interest in this his first visit to Nantucket. The Island had many interesting associations. Although Nantucket was an island and supposed to be shut out from many things, it was in the great pathway of civilization, like many other places with the ocean around them. Since he had come to this island, the speaker bad landed at Hawaii, taken a personal interest in the Mutiny of the Bounty, stopped at New Zealand, Samoa, the Friendly Islands, in fact, he had circumnavigated the globe in one morning. On motion, it was voted that the proceedings of this meeting be printed, the matter to be referred to the Council. The meeting then adjourned.

(The committee in charge of this An­ nual Meeting desires kindly to thank Miss Sara Winthrop Smith for furnish­ ing above notes of the proceedings of this meeting).

At the public meeting of the Associa­ tion held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, at 8 o'clock in the evening, Dr. John Fiske, of Cambridge, gave to a large and appreciative audience his lec­ ture on "The Old and New Methods of Treating History."

Mr. President and Members of tlte His­ torical AJsociatiot1:

If it be true that "blessed are those whose annals are quiet" then the His­ torical Association has reason to give thanks for the past uneventful year.

Certainly the completion of this, the

fifth year of the Society's existence, finds us with a historical collection of greater value, au increased membership list, a pleasant assurance of quickened local interest as well as a more extensive correspondence outside our own little world, and last, but not least satisfacto­ ry, our bills all paid. But though "out of debt" we are not therefore "out of danger,'' for the to us priceless posses­ sions of the Association are still lodged in the old Meeting House; and the fund for the proposed fire-proof building is not yet sufficient to lay th«: foundation of anything but hopes.

The Association has to regret the 1011s by death of 7 valued members, Presi­ dent Mitchell, Vice-President Mrs. Elizabeth Starbuck, Miss Ellen Odiorne Swain, Mr. Charles H. Baker, Mr. Her­ bert J. Brown, Mrs. Susan P. Barrett and Miss Sally Ann Coleman.

There have been 4 withdrawals; 2 an­ nual members have become life-mem­ bers, 2 persons have been made life­ members by vote of the Association, and 29 names have been added to the annual membership list, making a total of 234.

During the year the Council has held 8 meetings for the transaction of busi­ ness, and for the consideration of various suggestions sent in by other members interested in the well-being of the Society. It is hoped by the Council that these suggestions, sometimes so helpful, will be more numerous as time goes on.

Subscriptions have been renewed for the Essex Antiquarian, the English Historical and Genealogical Magazine, and the Dover Enquirer. By the cour­ tesy of the editors, the Association re­ ceives weekly copies of the local papers. 'fhree type-written copies of the fourth volume of the George Howland Folger MSS. have been made and pre­ sented by Dr. Sharp. This leaves but one more volume to be copied. Dr. Sharp has also completed a chart of uo ship signals, copies in water color of those shown at the meeting last year.

One of the year's purchases was a box of old shipping papers, done up in plainly marked, neat packages, which evidently had not been disturbed since Obed Macy tied the strings some seventy-five or eighty years ago. Among them were found papers relating to the famous ships Essex and Daujltin. These have been mounted in a scrap-book by the above mentioned indefatigable worker and may be seen at the desk after the meeting.

May I speak again of the satisfaction felt by the Recording Secretary when change of address is given, and to the Treasurer by the prompt payment of the annual dues.

4 We have removed the old brick safe, built by the Friends, (and found by them to be too damp for use) which alteration enlarges our hall aod gives us the ad­ vantage of one more north window.

We have purchased a number of de­ sirable relics of families prominent in the town's past history. For instance, a fiddle-back chair, which was one of a set made by Jonathan Upham for his parlor, when be was married in 1773. A very interesting corner chair, which descended for many years in one hranch of the Coffin family.

A " thousand-legged '' table, as our an­ cestors called them, which formerly belonged to Keziah, the original of the of the famous Miriam Coffin. This fact is stated upon the testimony of B. Franklin Folger, whose authority is considered unimpeachable, I believe.

Also a pictured light stand-very char­ acteristic of the past century-a hang­ ing pewter lamp, which swung to the incessant rolling of the South Shoal Lightship for many years; a mysteri­ ous dish, whose use in the household economy, no one can divine, etc. The Ii t is far too long for me to enumer­ ate.

These, and many more, have been purchased during the last year, and the only limit to our activity in this line is the lack of money. Many valuable articles belong to needy persons, who cannot possibly donate them to us, and it does not seem right for us to allow '·off-islanders" to capture these prizes.

Just now we are feeling anxious to po�­ sess a " wine-set " ot 'iix curious bottles and two glasses, which is for sale, but, being very ancieut, is considered of great value. The same party offers us, also, a spoon made of silver knee buck­ Afr. President, Ladies and G,mtl•men: les worn by a autucket man in Revolu­ Although this year's record brings us tionary times; these are both very nothing of startling interest, it is grati­ tempting, but are too expensive for us fying to be able to report the same to buy, unless we should be aided by steady gain in additions to our collec­ some one who would like to help us, tiou of historic relics, that has beeu our and at the same time benefit a need y good fortune since 1894. descendant of one of our oldest Nan­ Our books contain now the record of tucket families.

1292 articles belonging to us, and 222 We have had given to us many articles of equal interest, of which I may, per­ loans.

We have failed to publish anything haps, meution a few: Au oil portrait of this year-not for lack of material, but one of our whaling captains, a crane because it seemed more necessary to use from an old house, quilting bars made our available fund11 in other directions. by Wm. F. Brown, about 1832, two ship Our rooms have been improved in signals, and a very ancient piano, which various small way�, which, taken attracts much attention from our visitors altogether, augment the comfort, utility and is worthy of the interest it inspires. and appearance of oi:r exhibit, very In our anxiety to procure the relics of the past, we do not forget that the materially.

A new book-case has been added to our present is bye and bye to become quite library, thus making it possible to store as interesting to future generations, and all our manusaripts, log-books, etc., on as we go along, we are carefully pre­ the second floor, where they are not so serving such mementos of contempor­ liable to be injured by dampness, and aneous history as come to us. are quite as accessible as before.

We have received numerous donations It is often asked why a Historical As­ sociation wants money. Briefly, it is because, like its individual members, it can't get things for nothing.

It has always seemed fitting that mem­ bers of the Society, especially those at a distance, should know something of the work carried on here, and last year the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting were published for clistribution at a cost of about $20.00. This year they will probably cost more.

The Mill and the Meeting House are kept in good repair, and a fence has this spring been placed about the Mill enclosure. This last item cost nearly jrno.oo.

The current expenses of the Associa­ tion for advertising and other printing, gas, water tax, salaries, etc., amount during the year to no inconsiderable sum, which is, however, covered usu­ ally by receipts from annual taxes and gate money.

The Constitution and By-Laws, after their revision, were put in shape for the printer, but money for that purpose cannot yet be spared. Indeed, the As­ sociation will never have money enough, but members and friends may be quite sure that every dollar turned in to the trC'asury will be most wisely expended.

Respectfully submitted, MARYE. STARBUCK, Rec. Sec. Afr. Pnsident, Ladi.s and G,mtl,men: 'the report of the Corresponding Sec­ tary is exceedingly meagre. She has received five letters and written twelve, mostly letters of thauks.

Respectfully submitted, SUSAN A. STARBUCK, July 19th, 1899.

Cor. Sec.

5 of articles from the Spanish-American war: A spoon from the Christobal Colon, taken from the officers' mess table, on the day of the battle; a shackle from the Merrimac, sunk by Hobson, with a written and witnessed affidavit of its genuineness; Spanish sailors' but­ tons; sold'ier's drinking cup, etc , and a copy of the first paper published in Porto Rico under the American regime.

We wish to preserve the memory of people as well as events, and in this connectioR I must speak of two fine portraits we have recently procured.

One of Rev. Louise S. Baker, which we are proud to place beside those of other noted women whom Nantucket has given to the world.

The other, which stands before you, of our late, lamented president.

Although it can never mean as much to those who were not favored to know him, we feel that this, in its wonderful, speaking likeness, will convey some idea to future generations of his fine character and nability of soul.

Our outlook for the coming year is good, and if you all co-operate with us as heretofore, there is no reason why our many plans to widen the scope of our work may not materialize, even, who knows? to the transformation of our biggest air castle into a .fire-proof building.

Respectfully submitted, SUSAN E. BROCK, Curator.

Treasurer's Report.

GENERAL FUND. Credit.

1898, June 1.

By Balance .. ........... .....

1899, June 1.

By Annual Dues- ...... • ....... • '' Sale of White Papers ........ '' Receipts Life Members ..... . " Receipts Old Mill .......... . '· Mrs. R. A. Guild, gift ....... " Disc. on Bills ........ . " Gate Money .................

"Frederick V. Fuller, gift .. ·.. " Sales of Reports, etc......... " Miss Brock, refunded ...... ..

FIRE PROOF BUILDING FUND. Credit.

1898, June I.

By Balance- ....... ..............$123. 1 7 1898, July r.

By gift, Miss Elma Folger. ..... ro.oo By dividend. . ..................

2.39 1898, July II. By gift, Airam Price, transferred f1om Old Whale Ship Fund ..w 5.00 By ditto, Tristram Coffin. .......

By dividend on Old Whale Ship Fund .......................

1898, August 2.

By Paulino Echeverria, gift..... 1 0.00 1898, August 19.

By gift, Harold C. Kimball. .... 1 0.00 1898, September 3.

By gift, John C. Ring............

5.00 By transferred from GenP.ral Ac.. 5 0.00 1899, April 18.

By gift, H. G. Coggershall.......

By interest to January 1st.......

Deposited in Nantucket Institution for Savings .............. 229.01 Nantucket, June 1, 1899.

Approved, H. S. WYUR, CHAS. C. CROSBY, ALBERT G. BROCK. Treasurer.

SUMMARY. Building Fair Street.

Insurance expires Sept. 5th .... $8oo.oo Contents of Fair St. Building.

Insurance expires Dec. 4th.. ... 1000.00 Old Mill.

Insurance expires Sept. ISt ... rooo.oo 79.71 Cash in Pacific National Bank Fire Proof Building Fund.

Deposited in Nantucket Institution for Savings .......... 229.01

MEMBERSHIP. 2 51.00 Life Councilors....... • · · · • • • • 4 4.00 Life Members .............. • 4 6 45.00 Annual Members•••· • • • · · · • • • 234 91.5 0 7.5o .14 Uncollected Dues ....•, •, • • . • • • .... 2 01 168.7 5 CHAS. C. CROSBY, 5.00 Treasurer.

8.7 5 3.00 Nantucket, June 1st, 1899.

Debit.

Sundry Bills Paid ......$532.56 Balauce to ew Account 79.71 $61 2.2 7 fi6r2.27 Nantucket, June 1st 1890.

Approved, H. S. WYER. CHAS. C. Clil.OSBY, ALBERT G. BROCK. Treasurer.

The Acting President's Address.

This assembling marks the fifth An­ nual Meding of this Association. We come together with varying emotions, saddened by losses in our membership, cheered by continued prosperity. The one who, with ability and accepta1Jce, has been our President from the date of organization is no longer with ns. In the midst of his years, but little if any

6 beyond the climacteric to his earthly of their own experiences. It will be a days, he has been taken from us, and tradition. Of what incalculable worth one who found him a genial classmate i■ everything that can help to paint a in days long past, and a generous and realistic picture of those days. How efficient co-laborer in inaugurating the well nigh pri-:eless. would be a complete work of this organization, in more re­ collection of the log-books of the cent days, stands in his place. Another Island's whale-ship masters. An impos­ whose persistent, even, at times, anxious sible goal, it may well be considered, interest had so much to do with the but every book added to those already starting of this body, whose parlors may garnered is one more step towa_rd �he be called its birthplace, is also removed ideal longed for. Whatever of thts kind from earthly scenes. We hold their of material any member of this organiza­ memories and their interests in tender tion or anv person interested in the his­ regard. We move forward on the lines tory of this community can turn toward where they walked with us, forward the doors of our Fair street rooms, on beyond the milestones where they part­ its way from the attics and cellars of ed from us and sought a brighter path­ . our homes to the dump beep or the way, of which we shall know naught comsuming fire, will be thankfully re­ till, somewhere, we see a beckoning ceived, and carefully culled before its hand and respond to its signal. contents are consigned to destruction.

The year past in its material condi­ Will you not permit this society to tions has been a year of growth without assort your discarded rubbish? noticeable vicissitude, marked by in­ Next in importance to these manus­ crease in membership, and iu the ac­ cript documents is the printed matter cumulations of material that is of the that has reference to this bland. The highest importance for a historical surrounding waters give us limited society, to wit :-objects that illustrate boundaries and a fixed field of action. the Island's past: documents that In this respect we are particularly embalm somewhat of its actual happen­ favored.

Whatever pertains to this ings: and books for the library that tell Island and the small islands adja­ Island's story, or are the outgrowth of cent appertains to it wholly and is not its unique individuality. shared with some adjacent territory.

The ideal for our attainment iu this 1. Manuscript Documents. printed matter is definite. Everyt/u"ug Of unquestioned valt1e in the coJlec­ that is j)r1·11ted abo11t Na11tttclret or by a tion of a historical society are the Nantucketer should be gathered in. manuscript documents belonging to the Everything In newspapers, in periodi­ time and territory which the society cals, in books and pamphlets, in col­ properly represents. This is the mate­ lections of societies, in broadsides, rial, for the greater part, that once lost in notices of town meetings, voting or destroyed, can neTer be replaced, for lists, town warrants, town reports, it ts not in duplicate. Such documents county and state reports contaming as the following may be of historical matter bearing upon this Island-every­ value in varying degrees of importance, thing nearly or remotely connected and arc well worth preservation in the with this Island should be found upon archives of our historical rooms, name­ the shelves of our library, and should ly : Private letters, especially thos;e of be indexed in the Association's card persons who have been in public life catalog. Herein the end to be attained and have known public men: series of is this. \.Vhen a person who is in search letters are of special importance. Let­ of information turns to "Nantucket" in ter-books, Journal and Diaries, Log­ this catalogue, he has before him a Books, Common-place Books, Records pack of cards containing reference to of Societies, Local Records, Account every scrap of Nantucket printed mat­ Books, Invoices and Manifests, Ser­ ter. You think it would not take long 'l!Ons and Speeches on public occasions, to go through that row of cards, but you Old Deeds, Grants, Marriage Settle­ would be weary before you got to the ments, Autographs, Marriage Cer­ last one. Or, this is imposstble, you tificates of the Friends.

Of very are thinking. So it is in the next precious value to this Association may twelve months, and even the next twelve be every scrap of paper referring to the years. But isn't this Association going Golden Age of this Island's life that is to celebrate its centennial? \Vouldn't now finished forever, of which, in one a complete bibliography of Nantucket or two decades, the last survivor will be a grand thing to report then? We have passed into the silent land. The are dealing in futures here. All we whaling era will soon be of the past have to do is to begin, and then keep with no living token. It will be soon at it. Growth i• inevitable. be no longer a memory, for there will Reference has been made to the clos­ be none to recall its stirring events out iug scenes of what is without dispute

7 the crowning period of the Island's story. There are few still abiding with us who were active participants in the Island's affairs during that time.

Every year their number decreases­ rapidly have they slipped away these psst twelve months. Another ten years, scarcely one will be left to tell of the time when this community reached its nighest population and its greatest prosperity. It is to be noted that this date, ten years hence, 1909, will bring those then li-1-ing to the 250th anniver­ sary of this Islaud's settlement.

This coming event bring-s me to my final suggestion. It is that this Asso­ ciation, even at this Annual Meetin�, inaugurate definite lines of work with a view to bringing them to a completion at the time of, if not before, that anni­ versary. This work would call the pre­ paration of papers upon certain assigned topics. These papers should be mono­ graphs, papers upon a single topic, a!I nearly complete and as accurate as it 1s possible to make them. The following topics are suggested r. The Whaling Industry of this Island. Already this subject is assigned and a good beginning has bten made.

2. The Manufacturing Industries.

A paper was presented at the last An­ nt1al Meeting, upon one of these indus­ tries, the silk culture. This was a brief account of one of the Island's undertak­ ings which was confined to the short period of less than ten years of com­ paratively recent date, and was an easy undertaking. And certainly it is worth recording. Some earlier manufacturing enterpri■es, especially those connected with the whaling period will be more difficult to compass, but none the less they need to have their story told.

Other splendid fields for monograpldc treatment can be found in such topics as these.

3. Nantucket's place in the educa­ tional lire and work of the country_ Thia should give a general survey of her contributions in this field of the nation's activity. Also it should give a condensed biographical dictionary of the Islan<i's long and honorable roll of S<'h?ol teachers, their preparations and their achievements iu their chosen call­ ing.

5. Nantucket Collegians.

6. Na11tucket in tl,e three great pro­ fessions, Law, Medicine and Minist.r . . 7. Nantucket in the civil and political hfe of town, state and nation.

8. Nantucket in the Army and Navy.

These are but outlines of what we may reasonably undertake with the hope of worthy accomplishment in papers written by the best talent avail­ able, and prepared with thoroughness,

fullness and accuracy, without haste, without slackness, well done, up-to-date in all things so careful aud complete that they will not need to be done over again, only supplemented as time ripens and garners new material.

Address of President Barnard taklnt the chair.

on

Mr. Cluzirma,i and J,,Iembers of t!,e Historical Associat,-on :I cannot well say that your selection for the Prtsidency is a matter of surprise to me but I can assert that it has been brought about by your generous disallowaHee of my expressed doubts of my fitness for the office. When I was asked a few weeks ago to allow my name to be presented for your considera­ tion, I very frankly declared my be­ lief that I am not the individual for the place. I named ,vhat I consider, my weak points as a presiding officer but was met with the assertion that they are not vital defects.

I fancy I am more at home looking after the orderly behavior of several hundred little folks at the Five Points iu New York than directing the orderly procedence of orderly adults such as compose this Association.

I think,howe,er, that withont egotism I may claim to be possessed of two of the qualifications which were enume­ rated lo me. I yield to no individual in the matter of attachment to my native place and while I may not go to quite the extreme that one whom I know did, and say "I love the very stones in the street"yet I do unhesitatingly assert that no other place on the face of the globe i { home to me in the sense that this beloved Island has been, and is, and that my fondest wish is that I may spend some of my evening days on its :1treets aud at last lie at rest in its soil, Second, I am quite proud of my lineage, and it is with no little satisfac­ tion that I read in the Indian deed of Nantucket dated 1671 that two of my aucestors are mentioned, and again in the letters patent of the Captain Gene­ ral Governor in Chief and Vice Admiral in and over the Province of New York under bis most Sacred Majesty James II. by the grace of God Kmg of England, Scot.land, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith, etc., conveying antncket to certain patentees in 1687 occurs the name of a third Barnard, sou of one and sou in law of the other two first m'eutioned. There is a quaint note on the town records concerning the latter-Nathaniel-viz, that "he died in � reat peace 3d of 4th mo. 1718'' and to 1t is added "the Barnards are apt to be tall men"-a tradition I have endeavor-

8 their sons acquire a useful trade, was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade with a master tailor in Philadelphia.

After learning his trade which was the occupation of the progenitor of his (the Nantucket) branch of the Mitchell family, Richard Mitchell (born in Brixton, Isle of Wight, 1686, re­ moved to America, and settled in Rhode Island in r7o8: his son, Richard, by his wife, Elizabeth Tripp, removed to Nantucket in his boyhood ; learned the tailor's trade of Anthony Oder; became a man of superior ability and good estate: married ninth mo. fint day, 1731, Mary, daughter Jethro and Dorcas Starbuck: thence came the right worthy antucket Mitchell family,) he returned to Nantucket and followed this occupation for a time, then formed a partnership and went into merchan­ dizing. He soon entered public life and represented the town in the General Court of this State, being a member of both the House and Senate. At a later period, Mr. Mitchell was successively postmaster at Nantucket, and cashier of the Pacific bank, and he held this posi­ tion till about seven years before his death, and lived in retirement after his resignation of this office. It was during Mr. Mitchell's active public life that the custom of auditing State accounts by Sl)ecial committees was abandoned, and the office of State Auditor was created.

Mr. Mitchell was the first appointee lo this office. He removed to Boston during his term of service as State Auditor, and it was while the family was in that city that young Mitchell completed his preparation for college at the Boston Public Schools, where he won the Franklin medal. For a time he was a private pupil of William H. Swift, of Nantucket, with whom be was at a later date, associated in college.

He entered Williams College in the Joseph Sidney Mitchell, M. D. autumn of 1859, and was graduated in Joseph Sidney Mitchell was born 1863.

The young student, self-moved in his December 9, 1839. He was the fifth child of Joseph and Sallie Folger Mit­ purpose to take a college course, intend­ chell, who lived during the early period ed, in the beginning, to enter the of their married life in the house on mini&try. But by the close of his col­ North Water street, opposite the Spring­ lege term, he had decided upon medi­ field House which at this date belougs cine, and made choice of the home­ to the Verandah House property. 1rs. opathic system .. As there were . no Mitchell was the daughter of Uriah homeopathic med1cal schools of high Folger, and this house was built by him grade thirty years ago, and this method and presented to the newly married of treatment was not yet generally re­ couple. The great fire of 1846, extended cognized, his father insisted that Sidney from Main street direction to what is should receive his medical training in now known as Chapman avenue and Sea an established institution of the old street, destroving the Aaron Mitchell school. Accordingly he took the course mansion on Sea street, and was only of the Bellevue Medical College, of New one cl welling south of Joseph l\1ilchell's York City. Immediately afterward, in 1865, young Dr. Mitchell settle_d \n place when the flames were stayed. t!} Joseph, in accordance with the whole­ Chica�o, and spent his useful . hfe some practice of the Friends to have that city. There he died, at his res1ed to make a fact. If therefore these two qualifications of ancestry and devo­ tion will in your estimation cover the deficiencies referred to I am content like a loyal Nantucketer to accept your service.

That the objects of this Association ought to commend it to all who by birth, marriage or adoption are allied to this Isle of the Sea is a proposition that that needs no argument. That it is worthy of continuance as a fixed institu­ tion and has proved its right to exi�t is evident in the wonderful success of its projectors and managers in obtaining such valuable data and documents as are now in its archives and so rare a collection of curios as may be seen in its museum.

I appreciate more than I can well express the honor conferred upon me by your kindly expressed decision, and regard it a peculiar privilege to be offi­ cially connected with my fellow towns­ people and associates in this society.

I am sure you will join me in the ex­ pression of most sincere regret that there was the sad necessity for the elec­ tion of a new President. My predeces­ sor� most admirable fitness for the office was such that none would have consenl­ ed to his being superseded and we can scarcely yet realize or be reconciled to the fact that we shall ee his face no more.

"None knew him but to love him.

None named him but to praise.''

Dr. Mitchell's name will always re­ main a sacred memory in the annals of the association.

Craving your kind consideration and lenient criticism in the performance of the duties of the office I assume, I beg yet again to extend my sincere thanks for the honor conferred.

9 dence, on Prairie Avenue, Novembt!r 4, 1898. He married February 28, 1867, Helen, daughter of Joseph Leeds, of Penusylvauia, who, with three children, Helen, Sidut:y and Leeds, survives him.

Sidney Mitchell was the classmate of the writer of this paper. His rank in college was good. He was not much in evidence in class politics or in college athletics. �Athletics did not lead the college curriculum, as it seems to in these days.

He was quiet, genial, companionable without being obtrusive. He was intimate only with a few. In a good average class which was led by his fellow ii;lauder, William H. Swift, who carried off the highest honors, he left behind him, in the opinion both of the faculty and his class, a worthy and honorable record. After leaving college he never returned to any class reunion, and never responded to our class secre­ tary in his appeals for information re­ garding himqelf. So that the place where I have naturally looked for our friend's own reports and views affords nothing. One who knew of his suc­ cessful career in the city where his life work was done wrote for our College Necrology the following appreciative review. Soon after Dr. Mitchell arrived in Chicago "Ile was appointed a lec­ turer on surgical and pathological an­ atomy in Hahnemanu Medical College.

And in 1870, he was given the chair of theory and practice of medicine in the same institution. In 1876 Dr. Mitchell was the prime mover in the reorganiza­ tion of the Chicago Homeopathic Medi­ cal College and was elected its presi­ dent. This place he held twenty-two years, until his death. Being thus prominently connected with the two largest homeopathic medical schools in the West throughout a period of more than thirty years, he was conceded to be one of the men who shaped the theo­ ries of that branch of the profession and one to whom homeopathy owes to a great extent its spreed. ''Iu addition to the duties of the pres­ idency of the Chicago Homeopathy College Dr. Mitchell was professor of the theory and practice of medicine, one of the most important chairs of the school. Under his able direction and supervision the college has grown to be one of the leading institutions of medi­ cal instruction in the United States.

Aud his best efforts were devoted during the better part of his life solely to building up the college .

As head of the college which has educated many of the new-school physicians of the United States he was a man known by the med-

ical profession throughout the country.

Wherever the principlt:s of Ilahnernann are taught or practiced the name of Dr. Mitchell has been known and honored.

To the study of his chosen profession he brought a capable mind, richly en­ dowed with intellectual wealth, the fruits of years of labor and study. Dr. Mitchell's genius lay in a marvelous capacity for hard work and honest ap­ plication."

"Dr. Mitchell's death is an irrepara­ ble loss to the homeopathic school. He was one of the pioneers in the field of homeopathy and pursued an original line of research and study.

Among physicians be was greatly beloved and commanded the good will of all those who came in contact with him. There could be no greater loss to homeopathy than the death of Dr. Mitchell. His knowledge of the branch was rare and his ideas always advanced.

He im­ pressed those who came in close con­ tact with him as a gentleman of the old school, always securing harmony and good will. Intimacy with him also led to a confidence in whatever he said and we �ave way to his opinions almost in­ variably. His articles in the magazines and scientific journals were always closely followed by all students of homeopathy and his persistent re­ searches always afforded him new thoughts and suggestions.

"To Dr. Mitchell was also due the suc­ cess of the medical congress, one of the world's congress auxiliary departments.

He was intrusted with the preparation of that congress and the result was the most notable assemblage of homeopa­ thic physicians that ever has been held.

His address to the gathering was pro­ nounced one of the ablest of the many famous speeches delivered in tne World's Fair Congresses " Dr. Mitchell was au active member of the Illinois State and the Chicago Homeopathic Societies, and was hon­ ored in being elected President of the American Institute of Homeopathy. He presided at its annual meeting held in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1897.

It was at one of his college com­ mencements, in an address to an out­ going class of young men that Dr. Mitchell urged the newly made doctors to "So live, that wheu thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan that moves '.l'o that mysterious realm, where each shall take Ilis chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave Like one who wraps the drapery of hiR conch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams,"

IO To the last day of his life was he not possessed wilhthis exalted feeling. And calmly, after each day's arduous labors, we may think of him as quieted and rested in the confidence of being ready for whatever might betide, were it another day of toil, or a surcease of con­ flict and a welcome to the unseen mys­ teries of that life of which he is a free and joyous partaker.

M. S. DUDLEY.

Elizabeth Swain Starbuck.

During the past year, from the mem­ bers of the Nantucket Historical Asso­ ciation, two beloved and highly valued officers have dropped the mystic cord of life and passed mto the great here­ after.

One of our vice-presidents, Mrs. Eliza­ beth Swain Starbuck, was so excep­ tionally interested in this Association that she had seemed to become a neces­ sary adjunct to its prosperity. Her loss in deeply felt. Highly as she esteemed the various histories of our Island, and even, romance based upon that history when well expressed, she strongly entertained the opinion that the written page, or the biographical sketch, how­ ever accurate or entertaining, would be comparatively ephemeral as a means of perpetuatin� our Island's history with all its peculiarities.

Bein� convinced that only an organiz­ ed society, holding in its possession valued manuscripts and relics of the years fast rolling onward and the two and a third centuries already vanished, should be an available means to this end, as an ardent lover of her native Isle, she put her heart into the work to help organize and to build up the Nantucket Historical Association,-to augment its numbers and to promote the more than anticipated success which it has since attained. Opening the doors of her residence, a large mansion centrally located, for the first meetings which led to the organization of this society, she gladly entertained in her spacious par­ lors all who were in sympathy with her in the work.

There this organization drew its first breath. Her influence and her enthu­ siasm may well be counted among the unconscious elements which entered into the infancy of this Association, operating in a large degree as a helpful, inspiring impulse toward the vast amount of labor since performed by many able and willing hands and pens.

The mother's mantle gracefully fell upon the daughter, who, with a be-vy of industrious associates, eager to do good work, held meetings in the little school building which bas served for historic headquarters.

There and elsewhere

they have continued their efforts unabat­ ed to the present day, learning more and wore to value the study of history not only for instruction in great politi­ cal events but for its le&sons in home and individual life, feeling with the poet Young, "It is greatly wise to talk with our past hours."

Although unusually progressive in thought and spirit, always desiring to accept the most advanced idea, our deceased vice-president was one who at the same time delighted to dwell in memory upon primitive life on the Island, its genuineness, its simple forms and customs when "thee" and "thou'' was the familiar language of the streets and when in family affinity everybody called everybody cousin.

In Mrs. Starbuck's youth Quaker in­ fluence prevailed in our midst and there was a survival of this ancient social atmosphere and a tincture or suggestion of yet more primitive days-clays of greater prosperity so well described by Whittier, ••now others drew around them Aud how their fishinlf sped.

Until to every wind of heaven Nantucket's sails were spread."

The incursion of summer visitors converting the Island into a summer re­ sort metamorphosed the face of society, once so unique, into the image of a min­ iature city.

Through Mrs. Starbuck's generous en­ thusiasm, her influence largely helped to preserve intact a characteristic which in Nantucket has always seemed phe­ nominal,-a feeling among its entire people as .of family relationship, of love for, and honest pri<le in, all the sons and daughters of the Island, who, at home or abroad, have become illustrious in science, art, literature and in various other directions, adding their quota to the upraising of civilization, "the fed­ eration of the world."

Clothed:in all womanly graces, the deceased will be gratefully remembered for her kindly disposition and her works of charity and benevolence.

Distinguished for literary attainment and poetic ability, she has largely helped our Island literature by contri­ butions in prose and verse, especially by occasional poems associated with in­ teresting events of native history which carefully preserved will keep her mem­ ory green. From an anthem which she wrote, and which was read at the Coffin Reunion at Nantucket, in r88r, I select a few stanzas with which to close my paper.

"Our native Isle: of thee, With voices loud and free, Praises we'll sinir;

!I Let children's child,en come To their ancestral home, Wreath'd by the deep sea's foam, And tribute bring.

Our fathers blessed thy soil; Tho·e hardy sons of toiI Found re!uge here Upon unbroken sod, From persecution's rod That bath'd the earth in blood, The heart in fear. llri�ht ,rolden skies are thine; Rieb flowers; the clust'ring vine; The outstretch'd plain; The waters murmur low; Or, sin,riu,r, as they flow Wild wave. in grandeur go, And loud refrain.

Welcome, ye kinsmen dear; \Vetcome, thou strang-er here, Within our gates: Ye cherished absent ones; As shade of sadness comes, Love hears your echoin� tones, Your presence waits.

In this cornmunlon sweet, Hands cta,p; hearts are replete With JOY, with pain; Our loved, with voices bush'd, Strengthen faith in the trust 0Tllat somewhere meet we must, And live again."

Members, co-laborers of the antucket Historical Association, with warm ap­ preciation of her helpfulness in all di­ rections, would lay a loving tribute, wreathed iu flowers of memory, upon the grave of Elizabeth Swain Starbuck.

ANNA GARDNER.

A Sketch of a Former Nantucket Historical .Society.

AN�HR W, DODFJSII.

If we have been fiatterin,: ourselves with the pleasing idea that we are pio­ neers iu the matter of a Historial Asso­ ciation, a look at the Inquirer and Mirror of 186g-70 will convince anew that there is "nothing new under the sun" and our complacency at being original will vanish.

At the Business Meeting of the Third Reunion of the High School Graduates, Aug. 21, 186g, the following resolutions were presented by Mr.Alexander Star­ buck. Resolved; That it is important in view of the rapid passing away of old and esteemed citizens by whose decease valuable sources of information are closed and the necessity which seems to exist for a new and more copious histo­ ry of our island and town; that this association at this meeting t11.ke some nction in regard to the matter.

Resolved;-That a committee of seven be chosen of which the president of the Association shall be ex-officio chairman to consider the subject with full power to take such action as they may deem proper, either by the formation of an Historical Society or other means to further the project.

These resolutions were accepted and the following committee chosen : Alex­ ander Starbuck, Geo. H. Folger, Mrs. Susan Channing, Rev. Dr. F. C. Ewer, Dr.A. E. Jenks and Mrs. P.A. Hanna­ ford. On motion of Mr. C. E. Coffin it was voted that the committee be increa­ sed to ten and the following were chosen: Miss Rebecca Watson, Mrs. Mary G. Wright, Mr. Francis M. Mitchell.

The Board of Officers for the next three years was then elected, the follow­ ing is the list :Pres., J. S. Barney; Vice Pres., Rev. Dr. F. C. Ewer; Sec., MissM. P. Tracy· ' ·.rreas., Henry D. Robinson.

But of this Society, there is the report of one meeting only, held in the west room of theAtheneum Sept. 1, 1869. A constitntion was then adopted and an executive committee appointed to have papers prepared on every conceivable ubject, connected with tJote Island.

After this, for a few months, there are a few communications to the paper from Nantucket Jr., containing expo11tula­ tions and entreaties, such as :-" Whal is being done in the Historical Society?"

"Where is your ambition?"

"Where is the spirit of your fore­ fathers?'' "Why stancl all the day idle?"

"Preserve all the quaint reminis­ cences, all the interesting points with which our intended history might be adormed." Bits as good as this written on the occasion of the marriage of Mr. Barnabas Bourne to Miss Lydia B. Long

by Mr. Wm.A. Jenks. "Said the bride­ groom in his haste lo his bride elect: "Don't Lydia B. Long for the torch of love burns.' But the damsel more wary and circumspect asked, "If this is the Bourne whence no traveller returns?"'

With the resignation of the Presi­ dent, Feb. 19, 1870, the Society is lost to view.

One of the most interesting letters written to the Treas., of this Society was from Mr. Geo. Howland Folger in which he sets forth the purposes of an HistoricalAssociation. It is too long to read here and now, but he lays special stress on preserving the genealogies of every Nantucket family, and in this connection says : - "They who care nothing for their ancestors are wanting in respect for themselves, they deserve to be treated with contempt by their posterity. Those who respect and venerate the memory of their forefathers will be led not by vanity but by filial affection, by a pions reverence to treas­ ure up their memories. Let it not be thought we are working for ourselves nlone, nor for those only who are now living. To Nantucket, thousands who

12

l.tave left her shares and their descen· dants will look with affection as the birthplace of their ancestors; aml the sons of the Carolinas at Ohio and Califor­ nia will feel a manly pride iu tracing their descent from the Quaker founders of Nantucket . Their annals are neither few nor simple, but are those of a peo­ ple early and prominent in their efforts to secure religious liberty, moral re­ form, and the increase and development of National wealth."

Can our society do better than to pur­ sue its work along these lines?

Nantucket Corporations.

1. Atlantic Silk Company. Incorpo­ rated by special act of the Legislature of this State March 31, 1836. Incorpo­ rators-William II. Gardner, Samuel B. Tuck, and William Coffin, their asso­ ciates and successors. Purpose-To produce and manufacture silk in the county of Nantucket. Privileges-To hold real es�te to the amount of $6o,­ ooo: and capital stock not to exceed $100,000.

2. Nantucket Steamboat Company.

Incorporated by special act of the Leg­ islature of 1833. Date-Jauuary 26, 1833. Incorporators-Aaron Mitchell Philip H. Folger, George B. Upton' Thomas Macy and Nathaniel Barney' their associates and snccessori;. Pur: pose--To coustruct and control a steam­ boat and two other vessels, 11ot exceed­ ing 75 tons each, to run between , ao­ tucket, New Bedforcl and intervening ports.

3. Nantucket Oyster Company. In­ corporated April 9, 1836. Iocorpora. tors-George B. Upton, Frederick W. Mitchell and Philip H. Folger, their associates and successors. Purpose­ That of planting, propagating and clig­ ing oysters in and from Capaum and Sesachacha ponds in the island of Nan­ tucket. Privileges-To hold personal property not to exceed $5000, and to have exclusive right for the period of twenty years.

Additional items of interest regarding silk culture on this Island-The publi­ cation of the paper on Silk Culture, pre­ sented at the last Annual Meeting of this Association has brought out items of some additional interest. This new information came into the possession of the Association shortly after the last Annual Meeting through a bundle of manuscript papers presented to the As­ sociation by Mrs. Nicholson of South Boston, granddaughter of Mr. S. Haynes Jenks, editor and proprietor of the Nan­ tuckDt Min-or, during the years that the silk industry was attempted. These papers are the records aud documents

connected with the various transactions in which Mr. Jenks had a share, notes, memoranda, sales and receipts of stock, agreements, etc. Their chief value is in furnishing us the names of persons in various ways connected with the busi­ ness. Ther, show also that it was not smooth sailing all the time.

These papers show that Isaiah F. Robinson and John Chadwick, both of Nantucket, signed as builders and contractors for the erection of the factory building.

Agreement was drawn for January 1, 1836, and the building was to be rtacly on or before April r, of the same year.

They show that Gamaliel Gay of Provi­ dence, was contractor for furnishing machinery, receiving a considerable por­ tion of his compensation in the stock of the silk company, and that first and last there was considerable trouble with this contractor in which the blame could not all be laid upon his shoulders. They show that Samuel P. Mason of Newport, R. I., was interested in the business through his connections with Mr. Gay; that Mr. E. Wild, shortly before Dec. ro, 1836, was superintendent of the fac­ tory; that George \V. Ewer was a direct• or in the spring of 1836; and that Sam­ uel B. Tuck was treasurer of the com­ pany. The dates are confirmatory of the statements in the paper of last year.

In the Nantucket Mirror of Dec. 14, 1836, the directors of the silk factory give notice in an advertisement that their factory will be open for the admission of all who desire to witnes! the operations of the silk fact<,ry, on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15-16, 1836.

This notice is signed by L. A. Waite, superintendent. Kr. \Vaite must have succeeded Mr. Wild, who, according to � letter of his owu to Mr. Jenks, found 111 the Jenks manuscripts, was superin­ tendent shortly before Dec. ro, 1836, at about the date of this public exhibition of the manufacturing proce�ses, and of the products of the factory.

M. S. D.

Copy from �ecords of Friends' neetlng.

This copy was presented to this Asso­ ciation by Mrs. Christopher C. Hussey whose husband, probably, copied them from the original books, while he was a member and minister of the Fair Street Meeting. The copy is valuable, r. As it exhibits the language and method of dealing used by the Friends at the time of making the records (1733 -176o.)

2. The genealogical data in reference to many marriages. It should be under­ stood that in the origiual record, the word "published" (as it appears in this copy) is not used.

13 The transaction, described on page 6, and following pages, which refers to the pasturage of animals ou the Com­ mons is copied in the language of the original record, aud relates to a singular incident. It seems, that, in 1664, Tris­ tram Coffin signed a deed of one half his interest in the Island of Nantucket to his daughter, Mary, the wife of Nathaniel Starbuck. It was acknow­ ledged in 1667, and was recorded in July 1736. Why Tristram Coffin should sign a deed and delay the acknowledgment for three years, and then hold the deed fourteen years more until his death and then over fifty years afterward, after the death of his daughter and her husband and some of their descendants, the deed should be placed on record, cannot easi­ ly be explained.

But under this deed the descendants of Mary Starbuck proceeded to use the pasturage covered liy this deed. A con­ troversy arose, and the validity of the deed was very naturally ques­ tioned and it was intimated that the Starbucks had merely a pre­ tend cl right. This controversy was cat ried on in the Monthly Meeting, and the Quarterly Meeting, and, finally, re­ sultecl in establishing the validity of the Old Deed.

HENRY B. WORTH. Paul Starbuck•s Sheep Book.

( "preueleg") allowed, he was obliged either to _kill the excess or to purchase further nght from some Proprietor who was not exercising his full privileges.

In their freedom of movement over the Island the sheep naturally collected together in flocks at the east and west ends of the Island, ni:ar the large ponds, where there was plenty of feed and water. An overseer was appointed to examine the animals in a certain herd. The cattle and horses were not so numerous but that they could be easily identified by their owners. Sheep owners were required to mark their sheep by different kinds of cuts in the ear. The ear-marks were recorded in the Town's Records and a penalty was in­ curred 1f any one was detected changing a mark. With this explanation Paul Starbuck's Sheep Book can be easily understood.

He was a member of the Society of Friends, and a descendant of Nathaniel and Mary Starbuck. The Record shows that he was selected to examine the "Sciasconset herd,'' and to see "that no man put more creatures in this herd than he had priviledge.''

On the page marked "er." is placed the number of sheep's commons owned or hired by each owner or user of the commons for pasturing.

On the page marked "cir." is placed the number of animals pastured by such owner or user.

This herd was probably pastured in tl1at section of the Island from Polpis south and east.

The sheep owners named in the book resined in that part of the Island. It is noticeable that Paul Starbuck himself had no sheep in this herd. On this account, he would be impartial in keep­ ing a correct account.

The document in the possession of this Association is a certified copy of the original manuscript which belongs to Arthur H. Gardner, Esqr.

HENRY B. WORTH.

That this book should be understood, it is necessary to explain somewhat the system of grazing that was adopted by the first settlers of antucket.

A small portion of the Islancl for house-lot purposes and for agricul­ ture was set off to each land owner.

These lots one could fence and The re­ ret:.in for his sole use. mainder of the Ishtnd was keot as au open pasture, and sheep couid roam from Great Point to Maddaket without obstruction. This pasture was held in common among all the Proprietors. It waR surveyed and au estimate was macle as to how many sheep this common land An Old Account Book. wonlcl maintain. The right to pasture Book is interesting for Account This a sheep on this Common Land was called a Sheep's Common. The owners two reasons. x. It presents the methods of dealing were not equal in ownership of the Sheep's Commons, and each owner was of a man whose chief business was wea­ allowed to pasture as many sheep as be ving woolen cloth.

2. As the name of the weaver no had Sheep's Commons. If any chose, he could pasture horses aucl cattle in where appears, it is an attractive pro­ the place of sheep, at the rate of eight blem to ascertain his name from the Sheep's Commons for a cow, ancl six­ contents. Usually, in the case of books like this, the owner's name was written teen for a horse Men were appointed to take account on the cover. The absence of the name of the animals pastured to see that each may indicate that the present cover is man dicl not exceed the limit of his of a later date, though it is Tery old, ownership. If it was found that a man being made of parchment, and is at pre­ had more animals than his proportion sent very much wrinkled. The accounts

in the book date from 17rr, or there­ abouts, to 1725.

There is no question that the book contains entries made in the usual course of business at the time indicated by the dates. It was among the �ooks of Obed Macy-this seems most evident -and probably was used by him in com­ piling the schedules of prices in Macy's History of Nantucket.

Macy's Nan· tucket, Chap. 5, pages 85 1 86, edition of 188o.

In attempting to discover the name of the owner the significant f8;ct to ascer­ tain is, that the names of his customers were quite similar to the names of the sheep owners in Paul Starbuck's Sheep Book.

On page 12, he gives Joseph Meder credit for "fetching one hogset melases from Wesco." It may fairly be infer­ red that this weaver lived some distance from the present town, surrounded by neighbors with whom he traded, that he lived between Polpis and the east end of the Island, and that he lived not far from the fulling mill started by the Polpis Swains.

On page 12 the accountant makes th:e following entry: "Joseph meder and his boy boted wood for me at poakamok."

(Pocomo). On page 17 John Coleman is charged for "plowing one acer of ground pocomemo'• (�oc?mo). Th�se entries, so far as they mdicate anythmg as to the dwelling place of the weaver, point to Polpis, or thereabouts.

On page 12 1 it appears that in the book-keeper's family for whom Joseph Meder made one "bedsed," and "toe gounds and mended stays," there was a person named "Abigal.' 1 On page 2 there is a charge for work performed by "Nathael" (Nathaniel), and by "Jona­ than.'' On page 16 there is a record of receiving from John Coleman "mens," "womens" and " boys' shoes.

The problem, therefore, is to fin� a man living at this period, by occupation a weaver, in whose family was a woman named "Abigal," and two men or boys named Jonathan and Nathaniel, and whose residence was in the east section of the Island.

The Town Records disclose the fact that in 1736 there lived at Polpis a man named Shubal Pinkham who was a weaver, whose wife and a daughter were named "Abigal," and his brothers were Jonathan and Nathaniel. He left a will, dated many years later, in which his property was given to five daughtera and four sons. His wife was Abigail Bunker.

In the Paul Starbuck Sheep Book, 011 pages 4 1 ro, II and 12 1 ( certified copy), appear the names of all these people ("Shubael PinckhRm,'' "Abigall Finck-

ham " and " athaniel Pinckham ' ') except Jonathan Pinkham. So it wo�dl seem that the problem is solved, and that the keeper of this account book was a weaver, Shubael Pinkham by name, and he lived in Polpis.

H.!tLltN B. W. WORTH. In connection with the paper on the Old Account Book the following items from the records and other trustworthy sources may be of interest, and way serve, hereafter, a good purpose in iden­ tifying and locating persons named in that paper.

In Book 3, page 6, Probate Records, date July 12, 1721, is the following document.

"Be it known unto all men by these presents that I Thomas Bunker of Sherburn on the Island of Nantucket in the province of etc., etc.," being some­ what apprehensive that I may be visited shortly with that contagious distemper the small pox and the event uncertain in consideration whereof and for divers other lawfull and Reasonable Causes and Considerations me at the present moving have given granted assigned Transferred and do by these presents give grant assign Transfer and set over unto Shubal Pinkham of Sherburn on Nantucket above mentioned Weaver all such Debts and sums of money goods wares merchandized whatever that are due owing belonging and payable unto me by any manner of ways or means whatsoever from servant Toby and Micah and Each of them being Indians on the sd Island of uantucket afore­ sd with full power to and for the said Shubal Pinkham his executors etc."

The Town Records show that Shubal Pinkham's father Richard bought a large part of his landed possessions from Spotso (or Spotsor, Ewer's map,) an Indian living in the east section ?f the island. Ewer's Map shows this Indian's country at little south of Pol­ pis, on the Northern edge of Saul's Hills.

It is stated in the paper on the old account book, that Obed Macy probably had this book in his possession and made reference to it in writing his His­ tory of Nantucket. This book is the property of Philip Macy and . by his kindness has been loaned to this Asso­ ciation. If Shubal Pinkham, the weaver, was the person who kept this account book, then the book, in a way, was au heir-loom of the family of Obed Macy's wife. For Abigal Pinkham, the wife of Obed Macy, was the daughter of Daniel Pinkham, and Daniel was the son of Shubal Pinkham, the weaver. Evidence of this appears in a will, probated about H. B. W. WoRTH. 1762.

15 Various etymology of the well-known upper harbor headland: Pookoowo, Macy's History, pages 36 and u5.

Poocoomo, Pacummohquah, God­ frey's Nantucket, p. 243.

Poakamok, Pocomemo. Old Account Book (17u-1725.)

Pocomo (pronounced Pok-o-mo.)

Present accepted spelling. '£hese variations are, are, in part, doubtless due to poor spelling, and, cousequently, must not be regarded as of any authority in giving a clue to the old-time pronunciation.

M. S. D.

Officers and Council for 1899-1900.

PRESIDENT. William P. Barnard.

VICE PRESIDENTS. Myron S. Dudley, Henry S. Wyer, Mrs. Sarah C. Raymond, Dr. Benjamin Sharp, Wilson Macy, �idney Chase.

TREASURER. Charles C. Cro11by. llEC. SECRETARY. Miss Mary E. Starbuck.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. Miss Elizabeth R. Coffin.

CURATOR. Miss Susan E. Brock.

COUNCILORS, Mr&. Maria T. Swain, Stanley Edwards Johnson, Mrs. Geor�e G. Fish, Miss Helen B. W. Worth, Mrs. Henry U. Bennett, Albert G. Brock, Miss Annie W. Bodfish, Miss Mary E. Macy.

Arthur C. Wyer, Printer, Providence, R. I.

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