Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association

Page 1

PROCEEDINGS '

I

--OF THE-

SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING -o�·

THE-

Nantoeket Uistot1ieal Rssoeiation -AT-

N:gNTVCKET.

iut:gss .•

JVLY

2-4,

1901.

On Wednesday, at 10 a. m., the Nantucket Historical Association held its annual business meeting. President Wm. F. Barnard, of ew York, gave a pleas­ ing address, setting forth in forceful expression the excellent condition of the Asso­ ciation, not omitting to speak of the influence of its increasing membership. Mrs. Eliza Jeth C. Bennett, secretary, read her report which was approved. It was carefully prepared, with touching allusion to the death of the following members: Rev. Edward C. Gardner, Philip Macy, Mrs. Horace • Dodd, Miss Anna Gardner, Josiah L. Wcb,;tcr, and lliram Price. Then followed the reports of the curator, treasurer and nominating committee, and the election of officers with the following result:-

President, WILLIAM F. BARNARD.

Vice Presidents, HE RYS. WYER, DR. BENJ.\MIN SHARP, '.\IRS. SARAH C. RAV'.\10 D, WILSON '.\IACY, SIDNEY CHASE, IOSES JOY. Secretary, MRS. ELIZABETH C. BE '1 ETT. Treasurer, CHARLES C. CROSBY. Curator, SUSAN E. BROCK.


2 Councillors,

MRS. ELIZ.\BETJI G. B.\R 'EV, CAPT. JO. EP[l w. co:-;rcno ', GEORGE II. MACKEY, MARY E. STARBUCK, M.\R\' E. �1.\CY, AN�IE B. FOLGER ,\LBERT G. BROCK, ANNIE \V. BODFISH. The following ,·ominating Committee was also elected:�IR. A. B. L.\:\1BERTON, �IRS. JOS. S. B.\R�EY, :\IISS MINNIE L. MYRICK, MR. E. B. FOX, :\IbS SUSA .• A. STARBUCK. A nwtion for an amendment to the Con·titution, which was laid upon the table al the last meeting was taken up next in order, and was read by the president as follows: SECTION I. At each Annual Meeting in July a :\'ominating Committee of three persons shall be elected by ballot by the Association. Any three or more members of the Associa­ tion may nominate one or more members of ,ueh committee by sending lo the Record­ ing ecrdary, six days before the .\nnual Meeting, a nominating paper signed by them containing ,such names. The Recording Secretary shall cause all such names to be printed in alphabetical order on a ballot, to be furnished to the members on or be­ fore the Annual �leeting. ,\nd any m�mher desiring to vote shall mark a cross on ·uch ballot against the nam�s of any members of the As ociation, not exceeding five, whether printed on such ballot or not, whom he mar select. In default of such notice of nominees, the ,\ssociation Illa}' elect the :\'ominating Committee. It shall be the duty of this Colllmittee to rep >rt to th� Annual ;\leeting next succeed­ in� its election a list of candidate, for officers and members of the Council. Any seven or mnre members may nominate a member for election to any position to be filled at the Annual Meeting, except as abov..: provided for the Nominating Committee, by sending a nomination paper to the Recording Secretary, al least twelve days before the Annual :\foeting, and all the candidates so nominated shall have their names printed on the ballots, in addition to the names of those nominated hy the committee. Should more than one person be nominated to any position, the names should be printed on the ballot in alphabetical order under the de,ignation of office to which nominat<!d; and each member voting shall mark a cross against the name of the candidate for whom he desires .to vote . . ECfION JI. No member, in voting at any meeting, for any office, or for any member of the Council, or for any committee, shall he limited to the candidates who have been nominated, but he may vote for any members of the .\ssociation. SEGI'ION III. The Recording Secretary shall have the ballots ready for distribution at the opening of the Annual :\[eeting for which they are prepared. It was moved and carried unanimnusl)' that this moti,rn he indefinitely post­ poned. Dr. Sharp presented resolution. on the death of Prof. John Fiske, the hi • torian, and the following was read by :\liss L E. ·tarbuck and on motion adopted:


3 Resolved:That this As ·ociation recalls with incere regret the decea e during the past year of one of its earliest and mo t respected members, Mi Anna Gardner. Yli s Gardner's active interest in all measures designed to uplift humanity is too he wa. a most well known to this community to require an extended recital. earnest advocate of the abolition of slavery when to espouse that cause meant so· cial ostracism, but she lived to enjoy the reward of a wide-spread recognition and appreciation of her valuable services. Her voice and pen were ever at the service of genuine reform in every direction, and she was especially interested in all move­ ments for the advancement of the cause of woman. Resolved:That this minute be pread upon the records of the As.ociation and that the Secretary be instructed to send a copy of the resolution to Miss Gardner's family. Miss Harriet R. Easton read extracts from letters penned by Nantucket's wor­ thy sons of the past. The letter from Mr. George Bruce Upton, of Boston, was of exceptional interest, from its mental picture of the olden days of our prosper­ ous township, and mention of many names of Nantucket's busy merchants. Dr. Arthur Elwell Jenks then transferred to the Association, two valuable portraits, one of the late Hon. Samuel Haynes Jenks, distinguished editor of the antucket Inquirer, and father of our island's public school system, the other of his ac­ complished wife, Martha Washington Coffin Jenks, daughter of the late Wilham Coffin. The portraits were presented to the antucket Historical As ociation by Mr. Robert E. Bartlett and Mrs. Carrie IL Bartlett Xicholson, of Boston. Presi­ dent Barnard accepted the pictues, and gracefully tendered the thanks of the society to the donors. An album of photographs of a large number ol our island'� whaling captains, was presented for inspection by Dr. harp. These were printed from fine nega­ tives made years ago by :\1r. Josiah Freeman. Fortunately these negatives have been purchased by the society, and pictures of other of our citizens will be printed. After brief addresse by Mr. Alexander Starbuck, of Waltham, and Rev. A. B. Whipple, President ol the Berkshire County Historical Association, the meeting adjourned. In the Unitarian Church in the evening, a delighted audience listened with deep interest to an exhaustive treatment of "\Vhaling From Nantucket," by Mr. Alexan­ der tarbuck, of Waltham. His theme was marked by a deal of historical research, invaluable as a contribution worthy of preservation in the archives of the Nantucket Historical Association. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Lovering's subject, "Old 'antucket :Memories," was charmingly delivered. It was a literary treat, and refreshing in its recital of reminiscences of the olden times so dear in memory to all Nantucket­ ers. The last speaker, Mr. W. F. Macy, of West Medford, in his "Defence of the yfodern," gave a vigorou address; it wru brim full of nuggets in praise of the chiv­ alry and accomplishments of our ancestors, yet forceful and enthusia tic in the pres­ ent advance made by the descendants in art, science, literature and mechanic arts. The reception at the Ocean House was largely attended: ongratulations were in order and a royal treat in the spacious dinine- room was a happy conclusion of a



5 the . terling charncter of the fnthers has lost nothing in vigor in its dc,ccnt to the generation since and the pathetic incidents of starvation, diseasc, wounds and death which many of the names recall, emphasizc- the more the inscription on the stone erected on the old burial hill near Maxcey's pond wl.ich will hear repeating here: "They have left an example for others to emulate." The honor and glory which they helped to acheivc arc the heritage of their and our ,lescendanh, and what more penrn111en1 method of kc<•ping the story 1'11 thc-ir deeds from fading away than is offered through the mediutu of the Nantucket Ilis­ torical .\.sociation. The ·ecretary's rt>port will give us a summary of the official proceeding• for the past year and will chronicle tht· nam<·s of those of our associates who ha,•e passed on during the last twelve months. The distinguished lecturer of two years ago who wa. elected life-member has, as you know, recently died and it is fitting that we take some formal action re­ garding Prof. John Fiske. From our own towns-people }.Ji" Anna Gardner has been calkcl to join the silent majority and I am sure you will e. teem 11 a cluty to the memorr of such a remarkably gifted woman to enter on our minutes our testimony of affection and esteem. You will rejoice to learn from the Trca:urer's n·port that after all clebts are discharged we shall have a balance on the right sick and that the due: yet to be paid will increase the fund in the treasury to a safe surplus for probable future needs. There has been, as before sugge. ted, a most gratifying increase in our member­ ship during the year. We have now an annual membership of 257 against that of 237 last year giv­ ing us a gain of 20 members. Last year we had 46 lifc n·emhcrs, now there arc 54- additional. I regard it as a special honor that you have called me twice to the �ervice ot the Association and now in closing the second term of office I desire lo tender my most hearty thanks for your kind forbearance and generou� co-operation. I requested the 'ominating Committee to present some other name for the Presidential office for the current year and am sure that my . uccessor can not de­ sire a more delightful expetience than mine has been in the acti,•e service of the .\. sociation. With renewed expression of my unfailing interest in the wot k of the Associa­ tion and assurance of my willingnes. to he of service unofficially at any time, I de­ site to add my rejoicings with yours and wi�h for the long continuance and unabated activity, for the honor of our dearly loved falancl home, of the 'antuckct Ilistorical ,\. sociation. SECRETARY' REPORT. 11r. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:Another year: and the new century finds us Historical yet progres.i,·e. One of our members bas been polite and we hope truthful enough to say that even the business meetings of the Nantucket Historical Association are interesting. The at-


6 mosphere which cling, around this old �orth Vestry should, and I think does, in­ spire u· all to do our he. I. .\t this time we should not be unmindful of the friends and members whom we have lo t 1,y death. Rev Edward C. Gardner, ;11r. Philip Macy, Mr. Josiah Web­ ster, lion. lliram Price, ;1Ir . Ilorace S. Dodd, Prof. John Fiske, honored names which we regret to take from our membership list. 011r claim to the word "progressive" is substantiated by the following evidence; although hard !acts may not as a rule be interesting, yet to well wishers of a cause as good as ours even the prosaic record ol a year, quietly, but steadily and truly, succe ·slul cannot !ail to appeal. The cnuncil meetings, which are held from time to time through the year, have been, a in the past, more than well attended. During the winter and early . pring we had at;our meetings only the resident members; but when any matter has come before the \;onrd for consideration which seems to require more attention than usual, we have waited for suggestions from the non-resident councilors. \Vhereas, certain changes in our constitution and by-laws were deemed nece · ,ary, a committee consisting of Dr. Sharp, Miss M. E. tarbuck, with President Barnard as chairman, was appointed at a special meeting of the Association to con­ sider . aid changes and report to the council. At a meeting of the council held July 7, 1900, it was voted to adopt the changes. This necessitated the printing of a new constitution. President Barnard kindly offered to have this done by some of the boys of The Five Point Ilouse of Industry without any expense to the as ocia­ tion. The offer was gladly accepted, the constitution printed, and one mailed to each member. If by . ome oversight any name has been omitled, there are n lew Visitors al the 11 islorical Rooms can always copies at the rooms !or distribution. find there !or perusal The E ·sex ,\ntiquarian, The Genealogical Magazine, The ew England Historical and Genealogical Register, and our local newspaper, The Xantucket Inquirer and l',lirror. Our member ·hip list, with its 335 names shows a gratifying gain over last year. We ask you to aid u in the future a you have in the past by giving us ol your . uhtance. I think you will allow that sulJStance is a delightlul word to use at thi time; it is so broad and cover so much ground. ln August last this Association joined the local Chapter ol the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Old Colony Commission in calling a meeting al the M:ethocli t Church to commemorate the marking of the site of the Abiah Folger homestead with a fountain and drinking trough. This Association received a most cordial invitation from the :ons and Daugh­ ters of Nantucket lo send a representation to their reunion in Boston, which was to take place ovember 23, 1900. Our President, ;1fr, Barnard, being unable, on account of illness, to repre. ent us, Dr. Sharp came forward at almo t a moment's Jlotice and tood us in good stead. We are receiving very frequently many valuable letters from sources which show us to be getting a name for our elves. \Ve take pleasure in answerin� eacli and all of these communications. We thank Islanders and Off-Islanders, to the manner born or otherwise, for the support \¥hich they have, and are giving us, and


7 hope ia tlie future, as in the pa,t, to be counted one of their pet associations. Respectfully submitted, ELIZABETII C. BEN 'E'IT· CURATOR'S !<EPORT. �fr. President and �lembers of the Nantucket Historical Association:Although this has seemed to us rather an uneventful year in our Association's history, we find that the additions to our collection have exceeded those of the pre· Yious year, slightly in quantity and very largely in quality, being o f unusual value from a historical standpoint. The list of the whole being quite too lengthy for thi> report, I will speak of only a few of the most notable. The telescope planned and made by Walter Folger 2nd, becomes ours thro' the generosity of hi grandchildren. It wa� the first large reflecting telescope made in the United States, and was begun in 1819 when the maker was fifty-four years of age. With it he discovered spots on the planet Venus, which showed beyond doubt the superiority of this instrument over that of Herschel, which was made about the same time and was considered a remarkable achievement. Besides a large number of smaller pictures of our worthy ancestors, we haYe added five large portraits, viz.-an oil painting of Henry Clapp-perhaps better known by his pen name "Figaro"-and one of Robert Ratliff, painted and donated by fr. Eastman Johnson; one also of Reuben R. Pinkham, who was 1st Lieuten­ ant of the frigate "Constitution" and died on board "Old Ironsides" in 1839. And two life-size crayons of Capt. William Baxter and �liss Anna Gardner, the record o f whose noble life, so lately closed, is well kno\\ n to you all. Last year in my report, special mention wa, made of a number of desirable ar­ ticles just at that time offerecl for sale, coveted by us but not ohtainable on account of lack of fund·; at the close of our meeting, a generous check presented by Miss �fadeleine C. "'.vrixter, made it po. sible for these articles to become our property im­ mediately. They consisted o f about twenty-five fine specimens of "scrim-shont work," showing the ingenuity and skill of 'antucket sailors on , antucket whale­ ships; a water color sketch of �hip "Alpha" of Nantucket, a most desirable possess sion, was also bought with a part of this gi ft. One valuable acquisition is a large and very complete· wine set, containing bot­ tles large and small, with wine glasses, salt cellars, etc., all elaborately gilded and in very good condition. I close this partial list, with mention of the carved clock which hung in our Citizen's Bank for many years, and which, although its days o f usefulness ar<! over, is worthy of preservation for its beauty ancl the historical as' sociatioas connected with it. All these and many more accessions so filled our limited space, that this season it became necessary to devise some scheme to relieve the crowded condition of our ,helves; after much deliberation, we decided to put in two new cases of four shelves each, with locked glass doors on either side. These have occasioned quite a large outlay, but they seemed an actual necessity, and the increased facilities thus gh•en for djsplaying our collection, fully justify the expenditure. Our much-talked-of-and-desired "fireproof building" still appearing so far from accomplishment, we have seemed, as an opportunity offered, a second-hand iron


8 safe; this is large and commodious and perfectly fire-proof, and easily holds all our valuable documents so we can now feel that these at least arc afe from the destroy­ ing element. Then we have taken aclvantage of what seemed "one chance in a lifetime" which offered itself to n: last winter. The large collection of photograph· ic negatives, comprising all those taken hy Mr. Jo. iah Freeman and some even that appear to date hack to the time of Mr \Villiam Summerhayes, was offered for sale through the demise of .\Ir. Edwin T. Robinson. The price was high, but we realized the imptJrtance of securing and preserdng the e invaluable representations of ;\':111tucke{'s sons and daughters of the last half ccntury,-in short, we felt we must have them. lhey were l.ought and as so often happens, one of our members, Mr. :\1oscs Joy, soon came to our aid with a generous check. These negatives are stored carefully and safely, and as fast as possihle are being printed, all unnamed ones identified and marked, and will finally be arranged in alphabetical order in such a way that any negative can he found without trouble, and prints made of them when desired.. \)ready Dr. Sharp has printed and mounted in an album more than twenty portraits of our whaling Captains, each one accompanied by a list of the voyages made, with names, dates, etc. You can readily appreciate the great value of this work to future generations. The Curator's report would seem to lack something if it did not contain one l iule special appeal to the generosity of our member . This year it is for the work which Mr. l l enry H. Worth is doing for us. Some time ago this gentleman agreed to write us an account of the L:rnc! Tenure of 'antucket-that interc,sting arrange­ ment by which our first selllcrs managed to hurden their descendants with a puzzle which has been as <lillicult of solution as the ancient Gordian knot. The first idea was a short anicle to be read here anc! printed in our .\nnual Proceedings, but as :'>Ir. Worth studied into the matter an,! lc,und how many mo t interesting records were in existence and how much valuable information could he made nvailahle with a suitable amount of research, the scope• of the work gradually rncreast,d until it has reached large proportions. In response to our request, :'llr. \\'orth has sent us the following description of his work as far a it has progressed·"The title sclect,•d \\ ill be "Documentary IIistory of Nantucket; or, the His• tor}' taken from the Recorcls." The purpost: is h> give in full all documents relating to Nantucket as they ap­ pear in the Public Registries Ill Nantucket, Edgartown :rnd in the State Hou:es of .\I assachusctts and Ncw York. CHAPTER 1.-"Acquiring a title from the English Covernment" This treats of the different step, taken by Thoma.s :\fayhe" and his successors to obtain the title claimed hy Englancl hy a right of ,liscovcr) and emling with the acquisition of the famous Ilongan Patent upon which all titles upon "'antucket arc based. This includes copies of deeds and patents some of "hich have not been published. This chapter i. now ready for the printer and will comprise about 65 pages of a book like John Fiske's recent hi�toric:. CIIAl'Tl·.R 2.-",\cquiring a titk Imm the Indians.'' This comn,ences with the' tir,t Indian <Iced dated Ju;,c 20, 1659, the first account of which has been re­ cently publi:hecl, giving copies of all transfers from the Indians to the English, to­ gether with copies of all documents presentecl by the Indians to the General Court


9 in their hall century contests beginning 1709, in which the ·antuckel Indians en­ deavored to recover back the land of which they claimed the English settlers wrong­ fully dispossessed the Sachems This chapter will comprise 70 pages, only a few pages of which have ever been published. This is ready for the printer. CHAPTER 3.-"The Nantucket Insurrection." This title is adopted from the book of the l listorian of the State of ew York. It traces the hiller controversy which divided the Nantucket land owners into two nearly equal faction.; the one under the leadership of Tristram Colnn and the members of his family and the other under Capt. John Gardner and Peter Folger. In this struggle Thomos :\lacy and his son-in-law William \Vorth have the inglorious record of abandoning the Gard• ners for the Coffin party. It began in 1673 and ended in 1680, when Tri tram Coffin became badly involved in the management of a wreck on the Island and was befriended in his distress by his bitter rival, Capt. John Gardner. This chapter contains the best delineation of the character and method of the enrly settlers that can be arranged. It will contain 80 pages and is also rendy for the printer. Over one half has never been printed. CHAPTER 4.-"The Nantucket Courts." This comprises 26 pages and is an index of every case up to 1720, giving the name of the partie , the date and char. acter of the action; none of this has ever been printed. The chapter is nearly ready. CHAPTER 5.-"Tuckanuck and small Islands adjacent." This gives the hi • tory of these small Islands and the method of ownership. 25 rages. 'cw. Nearly ready. CHAPTER 6.-"The early Town Government." This indicate. the method of government before 1672 when the government was more directly by Court . Thi� is only partially completed and will comprise 40 to 50 page Most of it will he new. CHAPTER 7.-"The early Settlers and their Homes." This will give a brief description of the first settlers, whence they came, and where they lived. It will give the section where their houses were located. It will comprise 40 pngc�, of which over one hall is completed. CHAPTER 8.-."The Nantucket Proprietary." This will de cribe in full the curious system of sheep's commons in existence at the present time and the method of dividing land. This will comprise 40 page., of .,..hich the material ha. been col­ lected but not arranged. CHAPTER 9.-" ·antucket Land peculations of the present Century." Not ready. This synopsis shows the breadth of the work marked out, and how valuable it will be when completed. Amongst other thing·, ;\fr. Worth has made a most intere ting discovery of a Jost record book, and ha� sent a short account of this, which I take the liberty of reading. MISSING COURT RECORD·. The purchasers of Nantucket received their deed from Thoma. !\layhc.,.., Jul) :z, 1659, but did not immediately remove to the Island. The la. t meeting at Sali�-


IO bury occurred May 10th, 1661, and the hrst at Nantucket was held July 15th fol­ lowing. During these two months they left Massachusetts Bay and settled at their Island home. Merchandise of different kinds was Lrought from Newi:ort and B0ston and on Seafaring men and every the return trips vessels were laden with fish and wool. sort of adventurers were numerou , attracted by the formation of the new communi­ ty, and when to these were added several hundred Indian· always ready to purchase liquor from the Englishmen, it is clear that there were elements of disorder which must be controlled by some Court system. The earliest Court records now accessible are contained in Book 2 in the Reg­ istry of Deeds and were begun in September, 1672, over eleven years after the set­ tlement of the Island. No record can be found relating to Court proceedings before that date. But there is evidence that a Court did exist. In Book I in the Regis­ try of Deeds, which is conhned mostly to land transfers, are the following item :February 12, 1668. Thomas Tray had been fined 30 shillings for his horse go­ ing on the commons contrary to the town's order and the fine was abated to 15 shillings. December 16, 1669 it was noted tha, the case between Nicanoo�e and the town be heard on Tuesday nt:xt, being the Court day. In 1665 some Indians were hung. These stray entries found in the wrong book indicate that there was a Court on the Island before 1672 and it probably had a record. \Vhen Peter Folger was imprisoned under the Tri tram Coffin Court, a com­ plaint was made that he had pos es,ion of "a small book of records and writings relating to the Court" and that unless it was surrendered, great damage might re­ sult from the wronged Ilcathen-meaning the Indians. This description does not apply to any book that is now known, because the aforesaid Book I contains no Court record, and Book 2 has no record about the In­ dians. Consequently there must have Leen another book that probably contained the Court proceedings from 1661 to 1672. The value of such a record can be easily appreciated for it wonld show not only the names of the parties brought before the tribunal and the offence charged, but also the name of the magistrates and the laws which they enforced. Mr. Worth proves so conclusively that this book did once, and may still exist, that I think it should be to us an incentive to more strenuous investigations. It seems to me that this is our legitimate and most important work as a Ilistorical As­ sociation,-to aid all such research and to bear the expense of printing the results The first in such a form that they may be available to the student of our history. chapters are ready to be published and we hope to print some of them during the coming year, but the cost of doing so will be heavy, and we shall need substantial aid. If any of our members feel able and willing to help in this work, they will be sure of appreciative thanks from the present, and that future generations will rise up aud call them blessed. Respectfully submitted,

SUSAN E. BROCK.


II TREASURER' 5 REPORT. ACCOU T NO. 1. NA TUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIO IN ACCOUNT WITH CHAS. C. CROSHY, TREASURER. GENERAL FUND.

1900. June 1. July 21. .. 23. Sept. 5. Sept. 12. Oct. 5. Dec. 30.

1900. Oct. 23. 1901. June I.

CREDITS.

By Balance, By Miss Mixter's gift to purcllase articles, By Life Membership, By Sales Old Books, By Life Councilor, By H. C. Kimball. Gift, By Rent of Mill Land, By Interest on C. L. W. French's . Fund, Hy Annual Dues, 1900, By Annual Dues, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, By Annual Dues, By Annual Dues, 1901, By Annual Dues, 1902, By Old Mill, By Gate Money, DEBITS,

To Fire proof Building Fund, To Sundry Bills, To Balance to Credit,

$51.07 50.00 6o.oo 14.00 50.30 10.00 8.oo 20.20 9.00 o.oa 4.00 247. 00 4.00 98.37 215.17 $150.00 682.05 9.o6

By Balance Down, ACCOU T NO. 2. NA TUCKET IIISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, IN ACCOUNT WITH CIIA . C. CROSBY, TREASURER. FIRE PROOF BUILDING FUND.

Deposited in Nantucket Institution for Savings . CREDITS. 1900. June 13. By Balance, Aug. 13. By Interest to July 2d, 1900 Oct. 23. By General Fund, 1901. By Interest to date, Jan. 1.

$569.55 9.38 150.00 I 1.56


12 Jan. 29.

1901. June 1.

10.00 15.00

By Mose, Joy's Gift, By Life Membership,

By Balance Down, ACCOUNT NO. 3. JNANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. IN ACCOUNT WITH CHAS. C. CROSBY, TREASURER. Miss

c.

L.

w.

Fll.ENCH'S FUND.

Deposited in the Nantucket Institution for Savings. 1900. June I. July 12. 1901. Jan. 7. 1901. Jan. 7. June I.

By Balance, By Interest,

CREDITS.

$500.00 10.00

By Interest,

10.20 DEBIT.

To Interest withdrawn and credited to genual account, By Balance to credit,

$20.20 500.00

By Balance down,

500.00 ACCOUNT NO. 4. SUMMARY.

General Account, Fire Proof Building, Miss C. L. French Fu'nd, Old Mill Insured !or Expires September ISt, 1901. Building, Fair Street, Insured for Expires September 5th, 1901. Collections Insured for

Uncollected Dues, Uncollected Dues, Uncollected Dues, Uncollected Dues,

1899, 1900, 1901, 1902,

$ 9.o6 765.49 500.00 1000.00 800.00 1000.00

$

1.00 7.00 23.00 253.00


13 ACCOUNT NO.

5.

MEMBERSHIP.

Annual, Life, Life Councilors,

257 54 24 335 ----------Nantucket, June

Approved. H. S. WYER. A. G. BROCK.

1, 1901.

CHAS. C. CROSBY, Treasurer.

LIST OF NANTUCKET MEN WHO SERVED Ui DER JOHN PAUL JONES DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. The following names are made up from Buell's Life of Paul Jones, and Alexan­ der Starbuck's History of the American Whale Fishery. Paul Jones assumed command on May 10, 1776, of the sloop-of. war "Provi­ denu,'' 14 guns and 207 men, and these men followed him through the war or un­ til they fell in action. Among them were Henry Gardner and Owen Starbuck of Nantucket. In a letter to Robert Morris written the I 7th of October, 1 776, Henry Gardner is mentioned among the able seamen "whose knowledge of navigation and other prime qualifications led me to entrust command of valuable prizes." Henry Gard­ ner was put in command of "the brig-sloop Portland, whaler, from Hull, England." In speaking of the crew of the Ranger, more than one-sixth (21 out of 131) ,of which were from Nantucket, Jones says it was "the best crew I have ever seen, and, I believe, the best afloat." The Ranger cleared the Isle of Shoals before day-light November 1, 1777, and arrived at Nantes, France, December 2, 1777, which was a remarkable run. Among the crew we find the following Nantucket names:REUBEN CHASE, afterward midshipman of the "Bon Homme Richard," was present in the memorable action with the "Serapis," and later, being master's mate 'went as 2nd Lieutenant of "La Bonne Adventure," a French privateer fitted by Paul Jones at St. Maloer in the spring of 1780. HENRY MARTI r, afterwards a warrant officer on the "Bon Homme Rich­ ard" and was killed in the action with the "Serapis." WILLIAM ROBERTS, afterwards a petty officer on the "Bon Homme Rich­ ard" wa, absent and not in the action with the "Serapis." This name appears la­ ter as Captain of the whaling brig "Royal Charles" of Dartmouth between 17751783. THOMAS TURNER, afterwards a warrant officer of the "Bon Homme Richard" and was killed in the action with the "Serapis."


JA�IE · CIIASE later commanded the whale ship "Harmony" of Nantucket in 1792 3. REUBE, JOY, not the Reuben Joy who commanded the ship "Atlas" on two voyages-18o8 and 1809. ALBERT COG W ELL. NATHA ALDRICH. LATIIAM GARDNER, later commanded a whaling and sealing schooner in 1793-4. JAMES ICIIOLSON. OWEN STARBUCK. SETlI FOLGER, later commanded the ship "Il:umony" in 1788, ship "Rebecca" in three voyages, from 1789--1794, both of Nantucket. WILLIAM YE. FREEMAN LUFKIN. PAUL WORTH later commanded the ship "Beaver" of antucket, which sailed for the Pacific Ocean in August, 1791, returned with 1300 barrels of oil on March 25, 1793. This was "the first American whaler in the Pacific. She was ordered out of Lima without supplies, and ordered off the coast by the Spaniards." The next voyage in the same ship he sailed for Brazil on August 5, I 793, and re­ turned June 30, 1794. In 1795 he sailed again for the Pacific in a Nantucket ship (not the Beaver) and obtained about 1200 barrel of sperm oil, returning in 1796. In 1800 he took a ship to Brazil, and returned on April 29, 1801, full of whale oil. IIE RY GARDNER who will be considered later as he was the most impor­ tant of all the antucketers who served under Jones. MATTHEW STARBUCK, commanded the ship "Warren" of Nantucket, r 793, and the ship "lludson" of Dunkirk before 1812. BARZILLAI FOLGER later commanded the Brig "Fox" in a whaling voy­ age in 1788, and returned in 1789 and sailed again on September I of the same year. APPRE TICE BOYS ON THE RA GER. STEPHE FOLGER. NELSON ALDRICH. CHARLES CRAMPTON. TIENRY G,\RD�ER was acting gunner, a warrant officer on the "Bon Homme Richard" ancl was wounded in the action with the "Sera pis." Ile was adrift in i'-antes in France and was found by Jones and taken aboard before sailing. The only copy of the action of the Bon Homme Richard and Se­ rapis was-"Made from the original [of Jones] by Henry Gardner in 1782 when he was with Jones at Portsmouth, . II., employed in fitting out the America of seventy-four guns."* •All the quotations in this article are from Buell. Gardner wrote a narrative of the action of the Richard and Serapis where he took part in what "did more than any other one thing to decide the battle," as Jones said in a letter to Dr. Bancroft. This was the dropping of the hand grenade


15

into the ooen batch of the "Serapis." Gardner describes it as follows :-"In obe· dience to this [order] I had a couple of buckets of grenades whipt up into the top and, with Mitl;;hipmnn Fanning and two seamcn,-Jerry Evans of Nantucket and Peter olte, a Swede, brave as all Xorthme� arc-lay out on the yard-arm. Fan­ ning out-board, I next with a slow-match, and the two seamen carrying each a bucket of grenades." Gardner, after leaving the Richard was appointed by Jones as 1st Lieutenant of L'Eclipse, one ol the French privateers fitted from St. Maloes in the spring of 1780. Jones, in his journal speaks of the cruises of these privateers, in one of which, L-i Bonne Adventure, was Reuben Chase 2nd Lieutenant, as "lasting about twen­ ty months-and were the most daring and successful in the annals of French priva­ teering. • • • They inflicted damage on the enemy's commerce amounting, by actual appraisement to more than two hundred thousand pounds sterling," [nearly one million dollars.) In Jones' Journal of 1782, when be was fitting out the "America," Henry Gardner joined him as he says "at the nick of time." He says, "Had I been per­ mitted to choose I would have selected \Ir. Gardner in preference to all others I knew for this particular service [ mounting the battery]. I at once secured his aid; rate� him acting gunner of the America, with the assurance that he should be war­ ranted lull, regular gunner when the ship was manned; if indeed, I could not suc­ ceed in obtaining a lieutenant's commission for him. Mr. Gardner took the entire charge of mounting the battc1y, including the making of carriages, reeving of brcachings and side tackle, preparation of rammers, sponge-staves, quoins, hand­ spikes, overhead tackle, shot racks, and all other almost numberless details of the battery of a line of battle ship. He also took supervision of the internal fittings of the magazines, of which the America had two; besides atlending to the racks for small arms-in short everything pertaining to the armament of the ship. Ilis ser­ vices were invaluable, and much of the good condition of the America when fin­ ished was due to his skill and diligence." Buell often alludes to the "Gardner Collection" of manuscripts and book. relat­ ing to the Revolutionary war, which was made by l lenry Ga,clner. There was a whale ship belonging to Nantucket called the "Ranger" un­ doubtedly named alter Paul Jones' celebrated ship. The first record of her is sail­ ing in 1789 and I 792 under Capt. William Swain, then Gilbert Folger bad her for a voyage in 1793, then Wm. Swain again in 1794, when she returned with 1200 bar­ rels of whale oil. Then \\'m. Joy took her in 1799 and sailed five voyages. On the last he was captured with 1300 barrels of sperm oil by the English in 1812 and sent into Bermuda. 13E; J. SIIARP. OLD LETTERS .\ND OLD FRIE'.'\DS. If phonographs had been in use fifty years ago, and we were told that some phonographic "records" had lately been found which would voice the thoughts of several of ).'antucket's representative men of that period, how eagerly we should


16 That can be done to­ Rock to the meeting of the Historical Society to bear them ! day, for may not old letters be called the phonographs of the past? Letters do certainly speak to us and bring the writers vividly lo our minds, though they may be interpreted by another's voice. In reading letters that were written to my father, I have been impressed by the affectionate regard and the deep interest which the men of former days who worked together so earnestly for the welfare of the hland so dear to them, felt for each other, and for their native or adopted home, even after years of separation. These letters were not hastily written, but many pages were filled with elegant diction and penmanship. They were not from idle men who bad abundant leisure-but from men in ac­ Even a tive business life-merchants, lawyers, insurance officers, teachers, etc. strictly business letter would contain a few sentences at the close referring to old friends and the "Days of Auld Lang Syne.'' Although I thought it best for these letters to be destroyed, yet now and then A few of these I read there would be one so interesting that I would lay it aside. to our President last year, and that accounts for your knowing about them now, from me. If you find tRem dull I throw all the responsibility upon the Council of this Society. I can bring but a few of these old friends, to your notice this morning, and I choose those who I think are best known to you. The story which the first will tell, you have often heard, but when the second appears, you will perceive the reason of its repetition, in the writer's own words. I take pleasure in introducing to you !Ion. Samuel II. Jenks, who will speak to you as he wrote in February, 1859. 250 Broadway, Boston, February 5, •59. Dear Sir:1 received yesterday your note of Isl inst. which has opened before me an area of reminiscences that would take me a long time to perambulate. As is usual when dwelling on past events, one remembers more vividly bis own part in the panorama of life, I may be led into egotistical details while endeavoring to recall the facts to which you ask my attention; and you must excuse this feature of my reply, for the reason that the subject of your inquiry involves my own action, equally I think with that of Admiral ir Isaac Coffin. The historical sketch th11t I shall offer must be taken as from memory, and not as from authenticated record. In April, 1817, I visited Nantucket for a sad and sacred purpose; remained a year, returnt>d to this my native place; and in 1819 was induced to adopt Nan­ tucket as the future residence of myself and of my two then motherless children. Educated as I bad been under the free school system of Boston,-a system made universal ( with only one exception) throughout the state,-hy long standing, and positive legal requirement, I was astounded and grieved to find that Nantucket, with a population of some 10,000, should have taken advantage of her necessarily tolerated exemption from certain other burdens, to set at naught the laws requiring every town lo furnish instruction, without cost, to children of all classes. I sought '.0 arouse that people through newspapers (such as they were) and at town meet· I met with repeated re· rngs, to a sense of their duty, and of their legal liability.



18 written this "under difficulties" even, and know not that you can decipher it; but I no longer take pride in my chirography. I remain as ever, Vours sincerely, SAM'L H. JENKS. I shall next introduce Hon. Chas. Bunker who writes from Boston Highlands on May z1, 187z. Ile wields a vigorous pen and sounds a clarion note in criticism of the · 'Truth of History." TRUTH OF HISTORY!? Boston Highlands, May 21, 1872. Ilon. W.R. Easton: Dear Sir :-The ":\1irror" of 18th is just received, containing your note upor the origin of public schools in Nantucket. I have long ago lost my confidence in the truth of history. To be sure, there is a rtaivtd history which answers to talk about, to quote, refer to in speeches and all that. But I have little faith that we have the true version in regard to some of the most important epochs in human affairs. Our boyhood's study assured us, that in Roman history the Gracchi brothers were seditious disturbers of the peace, and the Agrarian Law a plot for an equal di­ vision of private property among all the people. The word ·•agrarian" still bas that meaning in common speech. But now we read that the Gracchi were true re­ formers and their proposed agrarian laws related to the public lands and domain acquired by conquest, and seized upon by bloated land holders; not "bond hold­ ers," because they then had no national bonds and banks for the concentration of money power. So, in English history, of the quarrd between Charles First and the Parliament, and of our Revolutionary beginning; in hoth of which cases author• ily had its argument, but which was better, rebellion had its success. And so of our late discord, of whose argument and the Southern claims history will tell a very different story from what it would have told, had rebellion been by success digni• fied into revolution. And so your article in the "Inquirer and Mirror" is another proof of the in· accuracy of history. You say that Mr. II. Jenks was the sole originator of Public Schools in antucket, as well as of the Coffin 'chool. Of hi5 having induced Admiral Coffin lo found the latter there is no question. But others besides Mr.Jenks bad a most efficient agency and power in the unpopular movement for popular education, and without their aid Mr. Jenks's labors in his newspaper and in town meeting would have been in vain. Argument was scoffed at, over•ruled, out-voted, crushed out by the money power which was applied in all forms of intimidation to the people who snuffed the breeze of independent thought and action, and of annoyance to men of business whose opinions and conduct differed from those of the Junto whose head­ quarters were at an Insurance Office, and whose bank power and wealth and shrewdness were unscrupulously applied to the management of public affairs. This Junto did all they could to break down Mr. Jenks and they did render him powerles . They established a hostile paper. He was always in a hopeless


19 minority and labored without practical result in the cause of instruction-seven years-from 1819 to 1826. 1 othing was clone until deci ive action in the courts against the town was fin­ ally achieved by the writer of this appealing to the attorney general and causing him lo take an interest and prepare criminal process against the town. In June, 1826, at the sitting of the upreme Judicial Court at Barnstable, I met Hon. Perez Morton, the Attorney General, and opened to him the whole sub­ ject of the Public 'chools in Nantucket, of the nullity of the law in regard to penal­ ty by reason of the town and county being one, and urged his interference. He thought that perhaps the Court mig:ht order the fine payable in the nex t adjoining town, but would give the case his attention at the next sitting at Nan­ tucket in July. This suggestion to him was without any intimation to me from any one, was impromptu upon the accident of meeting him in Court and afterwards at a social gathering where there was opportunity for stating the case. The Attorney General came with the court; its first session in the county in July and upon my calling upon him he expressed bis wish that a complaint should be made to him against the town. Ile saicl he could proceed by information, a officio, but preferred that we should initiate proceedings by complaint. I consulted with Mr. Jenks, who bad been apprised of the interview at Barnstable, and he, Ilenry M. Pinkham and myself met at my office, a complaint was drawn; if preserved it will be seen in my hand writing. Mr. Pinkham signed it, and we together took it to the Attorney General and under his direction the grancl jury found the bill of in­ dictment, a summons issued to the town, and the case was continued for notice to the July term, 1827. Meantime, during the session of the Legislature, 1826-1827 the school laws were revised, codified and reformed into the law of March 10, 1827, substantially their present form. At the annual meeting of that year, this new law having been constructed with reference to the increase in the community of knowledge, and the growth of opinion, and provision being made by its 19 sections for heavy penal­ ties for violation or ne�Iect, no opposition was made. A school committee of twelve was ch05;en, a liberal sum (not small as Mr. J. says) was voted, I think it was three thousand dollars, and a system of schools was at once established. Two of them were under the direction of Wm. Mitchell and Nathaniel Barney, both men of intellect, correct English scholars, of good literary taste and judgment, patient, judicious, and successful as educators; not surpassed in ability, character and honor conferred by them on their profession, by any who have since occupied their places. The work was now done. When the Court sat in July, we had beautiful pub. lie schools. There was no need to press the indictment, and it stopped. Now it is plain, since we are aiming at truth in history, that Mr. Jenks' letter to you is quite inaccurate. It is a mistake that he "caused the town to be indict. ed." The first motion thereto was made at Barnstable, as above, without his knowledge. The truth is, the new school law of March 10, 1827, the appropriation of mon· ey and tile choice of a full and vi�orous School Committee, and the immediate


20

r ,cture of schools changed the whole matter. All this was done months before the Court sat in July. I trouble you with these reminiscences because you and others of my friends in antuckel eem desirous of restoring and securing the truth of that past history of our Island, of which I think we all have good reason to be proud. With respectful regards to your family, I am Very truly your friend, CHARLES BUNKER. A reply being received to letter of fay 21. Mr. Bunker writes again on June 3, 1872. Your pleasant and very acceptable favor of the 31st is at hand, and I am moved to ay that there could not be a more complete illustration of the uncer• tninty, the contradiction of human testimony (and consequent unreliability of written history) than that stated by you in regard to the time when the "flat roof" was placed on the Folger mansion house. The evidence i wonderfully balanced. I don't see how a jury could ever up. on /1,e roidmu, render a verdict. And yet in cases \\ here the testimony is equally contradictory with that in the case you mention, juries do render verdicts and so for the sake of peace and to make an end of it, the verdict is conclusive. � for the sake of having some story about it, and in a general want of independent thought in the human mind, and from indolence, we accept the written history, And the side that has the most and the best writers lo seize the field and gel bold of public opinion will send its story down the stream of time, as the truth. During the civil war I was a rabid Radical But,-although their cruelty to prison·ers even now appears without mitigation or apology, I can now see that the Rebels have not had, and for want of good writers, and from want of succe&s they never will have, ju lice done to the skill and sagacity and endurance with which :hey made the most of their very small capital of men and means. Their dreadful cruelty, their bloody ways towards Union men, all the growth of slavery, are not to be excused But I am referring to the quality of their fight and their long en• durance again t such great odds. They held us at bay four years, with all our mil• lions of money, our resources, and milJions of men. Of this little will be said in fu• ture history; the main record will be of a Rebellion d�ftattd. o of our very little matter and question about the origin of schools in Nan• tuckct. You, not knowing of my active, positive agency in causing the indictment of the town, announce in the Inquirer that our mutual and most worthy friend S. II. J. was the solt originator of the public schools in our town. And this singular error ignoring many liberal citizens will go down as true. Why, when I was only a law student, I made a peech in town meeting (1825), a poor speech of cour�e, never• theless I made it, full of boy frenzy, of which I recollect only my call for education to bt carried into e-<1tr_y /ant and alley o/ tlu town, etc. For which assurance, that noble but rough M. Myrick very properly rebuked me by saying in the barber's shop of M. R. Robins that evening without naming any one, "No hurry about young folks taking part in town affairs-their turn will come by and by."


21

.\Ir. .\1. and old Ben Wade might have been twin brothers-Myrick the nobler, more Roman profile of the two-tones of voice exactly alike, the same fault finding questions, etc. A few years ago, hearing Wade in the "enate Chamber overhauling Andrew Johnson, with such questions as "what business has /u to do thus and so?' "Who gave him the power?", with the inflamed face, the tones of mingled anger, indignation and surpri,;e, the personal and voice resemblance to Myrick transported me to that Town Hall in which you and I and the men of that day fought as stoutly as if the nation's fate were the stake. Myrick was an abler man than Wade. Both rough, untaught. M. had more thought, more tact and adroitness in discus­ sion than Wade. All those men at ;\'antucket,-that i the lenders-were able men. Jenks showed a narrow, prejudiced spirit in his invectives against them. These set a strong party and their numerous friends against him, and he carri�d no 11uasun; until, after selling his paper to Thornton in 1828, and leaving the Isla'nd, he returned in 1835, resumed his paper in harmony with Whigs, and supported Burnell for Congress in 1840. And yet somebody says taat S. 11. J. was the sole originator of public schools in 1827, and others say that thejla/ roof of the Folger house was placed hy Peter Folger, father of Uriah. Such is the truth of history. Excuse my ram] ling. It is pleasant to ramble with a friend. Not straight lines but the circle and curves are the artists' line of beauty. Truly your friend, CHAS. BUNKER. Over a century and a half ago, Sir Robert Walpole wrote. "Anything but his­ tory, for history must be false." Many of us may feel inclined to echo his senti­ ments. The last speaker is one known to most of you by reputation if not personallyHon. (;eo. B. Upton, of Boston. His son, Mr. Geo. Bruce Upton, inherits his father's interest in Nantucket and makes us very frequent visits. Boston, April 22ncl, 1874. Dear Mr. Easton : Your very kind letter of the 19th reached me yesterday. I have been troubled with a complaint, that people who have known me say, ought to have been in­ tended for some one else,-Dyspepsia. Instead of being a Daniel Lambert I am a Calvin Eclson;-from appearance however now, the tide seems to he on the young flood. So much for my general health. And now in regard to your letter. You are altogether too appreciative of any good that is in me. I have occasionally had during my long life an opportunity of saying or doing a kindness for many friends at Nantucket. If I kept a debit or credit account, I am afraid however that the balance would be heavily against me. Look at me simply as an individual and standing alone, and see how a community as a whole bas always looked favorably upon me, and ready at all times to speak the cheerful word and do any act of kindness,-and then judge if I am not correct in the estimate I place upon myself. I went to Nantucket a mere boy. I saw its growth up to its maximum. I am sorry to say I have seen its decay. When I visited it tlle last season, ;ind a very


22 pleasant visit I had, I could look from my windows upon the decayed whnrves and I often used to sit and re-people them with those I so well knew during life. There was the cw North Wharf.-Paul, Fred'k. W ., Richard, George G., ,\:iron, Samuel, and James Mitchell. Paul Gardner, Seth Swift, John W. Barrett, Reuben llallctt. The Old :\'orth.-Zaccheus, Frcd'k., Valentine, Francis F., Samuel and Timo­ thy Hussey: John and Geo. U. Cartwright, Uriah and Philip II. Folger. '(he traight.-:-5ilas, Obed, Thomas, Peter, Barzillai and Franklin Macy; Dan­ iel Jones, John 11. Shaw, Wm. Folger, Peter Chase, :\fatthew Myrick, George My­ rick, Kimball Starbuck, Prince, Benjamin 4th, Libni, George and Zenas Gardner. South -Christopher, Seth and Charles Mitchell, Gorham Coffin, Thomas Fol­ ger, Zenas and Gilbert Coffin, Geo. Myrick, Jr. Commercial.-Simeon, Joseph and Levi Starbuck; Jared and Wm. B. Coffin, William lladwen, Nath'l. Rarney, ll enry Swift. I knew most of these men pretty well, and was very familiar with their ways and peculiarities. They have alf gone home. Their worldly accounts are trans­ ferred to a tribunal of Justice, Mercy and Love, and it is my hope and belief that the event in the end will be eternal happiness for them all. These and a host of others are daguerreotyped on my mind as strong and vis­ ible as if I saw them face to face today, so you see that I still retain my old remem· brance of , antucket and its surroundings, which will only depart when I go myself. Thanking you again for your letter and with my respects to your family and kind remembrance of yourself, I am most faithfully, GEO. B. UPTO r. WILLIAM R. EASTON, Esq. HARRIET R. EASTON.


23 1r .. fo e Joy r A ociation.

d the followin old Bill , altcrwar

pre ntmg thera to the

Zacch u • f cy m c ount with Almer ollm, Dr.1791, :'-larch 9th. To foot of acc't rend red. £0 1 •O, 17 1 1792 larch 7th.

re.larch 19. By a h f,O•IJ•4

lo choohng 1mcon ince I t acc't 17 week at Firing £1-11 , antucket, , farch 7th, 1792. Errors excepted-Abner Collin.

Dr. Dnid Joy to Rich'd L. Coleman. 3d mo. 1799. to Schooling Son Mo c 3 week , $o,6oc antuckct 4th mo. 1799. Error Excp't Rec'd payment, Rich',! L. Coleman. Dr.

. fo e joy to Lucretia Folger to leaching David 9 week at 16 ct per week J week nt 20 cl per week 'antuckct I 11h mo. 261h 18o8. $2. 10 ct • Fireing included

1808 4m4th. Mo�e. Joy Dr :-to Sarah Ru eM To teaching David I Quarter .Fireing and Ink

$

Ct 2.17 o. S� 2•75

antucket 4 M 4th 18o8 Received Pay Sarah Ru. ell. At a Council meeting held July 25th, the following standing committees

ere

appointed for the ensuing year::'-!ill :-'.\Ir. H. ·. Wyer, .fr.

. C. Cro hy, Dr.Jlenj. '-harp.

Pictures and Framing:-Mr. II.:. Wyer, :'-Ii s. f. E ..lacy, :'-li�s . E. Brock. Publication :-:'-Ii

S. E. Brock, Dr. Benj. .'harp, :'-Ir..•·. C. Raymond.

Finance:-.fr. \. G. Brock, :'-fr. II.!-. Wyer. Building:-Capt. J. W. Congdon, ;\fr. C'. C.

rosliy, '.\Ii

.. E. Brock.

Annual :',feeting:-;\lr. A. B. Lamherton, II. ·. Wyer, \Ii buck. (Each empowered to fill hi: or her own vacancr).

'.\I

E. . tar•



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