Class 
 Book 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 
 
/ ■ '. ^- 
 
 HANDBOOK 
 
 OP 
 
 N A N T U C K E T, 
 
 CONTAINING A 
 
 BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 I THE ISLAISTD, 
 
 I 
 
 m ^ '<- *' - - WITH ^^' -r s <?. 
 
 NOTES OF INTEREST TO SUMMER VISITORS. 
 
 NANTUCKET : 
 
 Published at the Island Review Office, 
 
 Main Street. 
 
 1875. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 ^SUMMER ARRANGEMENT. 
 
 NANTUCKET AND WOODS HOLE. 
 
 OAK BLUFFS AND VINEYARD ISLANDS. 
 
 EDGAKTOWN A:ND KATA^IA. 
 
 Vineyard Haven & Falmouth Heights. 
 
 Commencing on Monday, July 6th, and thereafter until further 
 notice, the Steamers 
 
 ISLAND HOME, Captain N. H. Manter, 
 
 AND 
 
 RIVER QUEEN, Captain Geo. H. Brock, 
 
 Adll make daily trips as follows : 
 Leave Nantucket at 7.45 a. m., 2.30 p. m. 
 Leave Oak Bluffs at 6.30, 10.20 a. m., 1.20 p. M. 
 Leave Vineyard Highlands at 6.20, 10.25 A. m., 1.25 p. m., connect- 
 ng at Woods Hole with trains of the Old Colony Railroad, leaving at 
 ''.20 A. M., 11.30 (express) a. m., 2.35 p. ii. 
 
 Eeturning, leave Woods Hole for Vineyard Highlands and Oak 
 Bluffs, at 11.10, A. M., direct, 2.10 p. M., direct, 6.45 p. m., (touching 
 tt Vineyard Haven.) 
 
 The steamer for Nantucket connects at Woods Hole with the 11.30 
 \. M. train from Boston, landing passengers at Nantucket at 5.45 p. m., 
 -nd on Saturdays the 4 p. m. train will also connect with the Kiver 
 ^aeen at Woods Hole, touching at Oak Bluffs and arriving at Nan- 
 ucket at 10 p. m. 
 Leave Vineyard Haven for Oak Bluffs and Woods Hole at 6.00 a. m. 
 Leave Woods Hole for Vineyard Haven at 6.45 p. m. 
 Leave Oak Bluffs for Nantucket at 8.35 a. m. (excepting Saturdays,) 
 and 3.30 p. M., and on Saturdays at 7.45 p. m. 
 
 Trains connect at Middleboro' for Taimton and Providence, 10.10 
 A. M., 1.10 and 4.40 p. m. 
 
 Passengers from Martha's Vineyard connect at Middleboro' at 10.10 
 A. M. with trains for Hartford, \'ia Providence, and for New York, via 
 Fall River line, 4.40 p. m. Leave Providence for Oak Bluffs at 8 and 
 10.50 A. M. For Nantucket, at 10.50 a. m. 
 
 Through tickets for sale on the boats, and baggage checked via 
 Old Colony Railroad to New Bedford, Taunton, Providence, New 
 York, Pliiladelphia, Boston, Brockton, Middleboro', Fall River and 
 Ne\s'poxt. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 TIZE STE..^3^^EIB 
 
 WILL MAKE A 
 
 Daily Excursion to Nantucket, 
 
 Saturdays and Sundays Excepted. 
 
 Leaving Woods Hole at 7.30 a. m., Falmoutti Heights at 8 A. m., 
 and Oak Bluffs at 8.35 a. m. 
 
 Returning, will leave Nantucket at 2.30 p. m., and Oak Bluffs at 
 5.15 p. M., for Falmouth Heights, thence to Woods Hole, arriving 
 here at about 6.20 p. m. 
 
 These Excursions ensible parties to eiijoy a 
 
 Fine Sail Across the Sound, 
 
 Breathing the cool sea air, and to stop 
 
 SOME THREE HOURS AT NANTUCKET, 
 
 AKD RETUKN IN TIME FOR TEA. 
 
 N. B.— The above was the arrangement for the Summer of 1874, 
 and it probably will not be materially altered for the season of 1875. 
 
 C. C. CROSBY, Clerk. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 TO SAILING PARTIESI 
 
 THE 
 
 COMMODIOUS AND SPEEDY 
 
 WILLIAM JERNEGAN, Mastep, 
 Can be found at Steamboat Wharf ready for 
 
 M-Mm, Mini, Selling, \MM, 
 
 AND 
 
 MOONLIGHT EXCURSIONS. 
 
 Is fitted witli Excellent Cabin Accommodations, and no 
 pains will be spared in securing 
 
 THE COMFORT OF PASSENGERS. 
 
 Apply on Board the Yacht, ok at the House, 
 Corner Centre and Pearl Streets. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 THE SXjOOIP 
 
 Will leave her moorings near the foot of Old North Wharf, for 
 
 Cliflf Shore Bathiiig-Houses, 
 
 Every morning, (Sundays excepted,) at 9 o'clock, and run until 
 1 o'clock, p. M. Aiter that, the "Dauntless" can be chartered by 
 parties to go on fishing excursions, for clam bakes, squantums, 
 moonlight excursions up harbor, &c. 
 
 Strangers, as well as our own people, will find this a delightful sail 
 across Nantucket harbor and around Brant Point, our pleasant town 
 and the shore line being in view the entire distance. 
 
 The "Dauntless" is a passenger boat, clean and neat, bmlt ex- 
 pressly for the route to the ClifiE. 
 
 The landing at the Bathing Grounds is a little pier, jutting out 
 from the pebbly beach, and all passengers can leave the boat or come 
 on board with no inconvenience or fear of a wetting. 
 
 Fare Ten Cents Each Way. 
 
 BARZILLAI R. BURDETT, Master, 
 
 3:sr^isra?TJOK:ET, - - nyn^ss. 
 
 SAIL BOATS AND ROW BOATS 
 
 TO LET BY THE DAY OR HOUR. 
 
 Nantuckbt, July 1, 1874 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 SUMMER PLEASURE BOAT, 
 
 THE 
 
 FAST-SAIL11I& AND COMMODIOUS 
 
 -^-..^CIIT, 
 
 "^ ~^„..a ^-....^ m 
 
 CAPTAIN J. M. WINSLOW, 
 
 WILL LIE AT STEAMBOAT WHARF THE PRESENT SEASOK. 
 
 PARTIES TAKEN 
 
 PARTICULAR ATTENTION PAID TO 
 
 Clambakes, Picnics and IVIoonlight Excursions. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 I 
 
 NO. 48 ORANGE STREET, 
 
 JOHN W. MACY, 
 
 z=x^or=:E^iE:Tois. 
 
 The facilities of this well-known House are such that 
 
 it commends itself to the traveling public. It 
 
 is situated in a pleasant part of the 
 
 town, and commands a fine 
 
 view of the Bay and 
 
 Harbor. 
 
 William A. Searell, 
 
 (Formerly or the Waverly House,) C Ij E Z2. s: . 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 OPEN FROM JUNE TO OCTOBER. 
 
 This house having been thoroughly renovated, re-furnished and 
 enlarged, is now opened for the reception of guests. In 
 connection with the house, are yachts with com- 
 petent captains to convey parties on 
 Fishing Excursions, Clambakes, Picnics, &c. 
 
 17S Tremont St., Boston, Mass. (Opposite the Common). 
 
 A. L. Howe, late of Pavilion Hotel, Wolfboro, N. H. 
 W. A. Elmer, late of Union Place Hotel, New York. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 G. F. BARREAU, 
 
 f itiil®Bail© lallo 
 
 HAS COSSTANTLT ON HAND 
 
 FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC 
 
 AND 
 
 AT 
 
 No. 3, CALDER'S BLOCK, 
 
 Main Street, Nantucket, Mass. 
 
 Every Garment Warranted Perfect. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 HERBERT S. SWEET, 
 
 Wiletaikifj Jewillji & lagmTgi. 
 
 ILTo- S IL^a^ion Street- 
 
 iimim Em m mmu immi 
 
 IDIIFIFICTJXjT jobs SOXjIOITEX). 
 A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF 
 
 Watches^ Clocks, Jewelry^ 
 
 SILVER AND PLATED WARE. 
 STEREOSCOPIC VIEWS, 
 
 EMBRACING SCENES IN 
 
 Siasconset and all otlier doMs of Merest on tlie Islanfl. 
 
 ALSO EXCELLENT VIEWS OF THE 
 
 Black-Fish "Cutting in" BlublDer at the Wharf, &c. 
 
10 Hand Book oe Nantucket. 
 
 JUST RECEIVED AT 
 
 TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONERY, 
 
 CONFECTIONERY, &c. 
 
 Writing Desks, Portfolios, Work 
 
 Baskets, Beads, Mottos, Perfumery, Paper 
 And Towel Racks, Pictures and Frames, 
 
 Photograph and Autograph Albums, and many other 
 Articles too numerous to. mention. 
 
 Second-hand Books Selling Low 
 
 FROM THE "CIRCULATING LIBRARY." 
 
 Please Call and Examine Our Stock for yourself. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 11 
 
 D. B. PADDAOK & CO., 
 
 AND 
 
 PAPER HANGERS. 
 
 Wholesale and Setail Dealers in 
 
 Paints, Oils, Brushes, 
 
 Corner Main and Washington Streets, 
 
 NAIS^TUCKET. 
 
 David B Paddack. Benj. B. Long. Henry Paddack. 
 
12 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 JUST RECEIVED! 
 
 A LAKGE STOCK OF 
 
 F@f@igi ill isiilgii Fiigj i@@di, 
 
 RICH GOLD JEWELRY, 
 
 Solid Sterling Silver and Silver-Plated "Ware 
 
 FROM THE BEST MANUFACTURERS. 
 
 TaparLSse 0-ood.s, 
 
 SEA SHELLS, CHROMOS, 
 
 Frames, Knobs and Cord, Perfumery, Stationery, Stereo- 
 scoi^es and Stereoscopic Views, both Foreign and 
 American ; a large variety of Nantucket 
 Views; Ladies' and Gents' Travel- 
 ing Bags ; the Parlor Kaleido- 
 scope, Umbrellas, Canes, 
 Bird Cages, 
 &c., &c. 
 
 Fancy Engraving Done at Short Notice. 
 
 11® (©©^^Sll^lP^ M^P@M®^® 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 13 
 
 E. H. PARKER, 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 FOREI&N AND DOMESTIC GROCERIES, 
 
 F Xj O XT K, 
 
 Crockery and Glass Ware, 
 
 CANNED FRUITS, 
 
 TABLE SAUCES, PICKLES, S,c., &c. 
 
 Fruits of all Kinds in their Season. 
 
 CONSTANTLY ON HAND. 
 
 COR. MAIN AND CENTRE STREETS, 
 
14 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 i« w. nAm&iii^ 
 
 Cor. Main and Federal Streets, 
 
 NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
 MANUFACTURER OP 
 
 AND DEALER IN 
 
 ^surlor Orgra*n.s 
 
 SEWING- MACHINES. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 15 
 
 ORGANS! 
 
 BEST I3Sr THE -^T^aT^T^TD. 
 
 Single Reed for 50 and 65 Dollars. 
 
 Double Reed for 110, 125, 130, 150, 190 Dollars, 
 
 And Upwards. 
 
 Sole Agent for Nantucket. 
 
 OF ALL KINDS. 
 
 Gas Stoves, Burners, Globes, &c. 
 
 THE CELEBRATED 
 
 Noiseless Arg^and Burner, 
 
 The Best in the World for Reading or Sewing, 
 
 FOR SALE BY 
 
16 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 CHARLES H. JAGGAR, 
 
 -^^OTXIiEC^^IH- "2", 
 
 Allen's Block, Main St., Nantucket, Mass. 
 
 EST-A-BXjISHEX) IIT 1855. 
 DEAXER m 
 
 OF ALL KINDS. 
 
 Particular attention given to tlie Conipoiuicling of Pliy- 
 sician's Prescriptions and Family Recipes. 
 
 phophietahy auticles 
 
 Is very Large and Complete, embracing almost the whole 
 line in general use. 
 
 Toilet & BatWiig Sroiiies, Hair, Nail & Tootli Briislies, 
 
 TOILET CO]\£BS, 
 
 And a Full Assortment of all Articles in this line. 
 
 Im Mi ia&s will fm% Ffii ijfips, mi liaii-al Waliri, 
 
 Drawn from PufEer's Carbonated Apparatus. 
 
 PROPRIETOR OF 
 
 Jaggar's Persian Balm for the Hair, 
 
 Which has been in use nearly twenty years, gi\^ng very 
 general satisfaction. 
 
 A Full Assortment of Cigars and Tobacco always on hand. 
 
 ALSO 
 
 A general assortment of Confectionery, at Wholesale or Re- 
 tail. Pure Spices and Flavoring Extracts. Families, 
 Hotels and Ice Cream Saloons, supplied at 
 the lowest prices. Spring Waters in 
 Siphons and Bottles. 
 
HANDBOOK 
 
 NANTUCKET, 
 
 CONTAINING A 
 
 BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 ^ THE ISLAND, 
 
 NOTES OF INTEREST TO SUMMER VISITORS. 
 
 t ;■ C. 
 
 /oil2^' 
 
 NANTUCKET : 
 
 Published at the Island Review Office, 
 
 Main Street. 
 
 1875. 
 

 •^7 
 
 'Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by 
 
 I. H. FOLGER, 
 In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 We offer to the public this little Handbook of the Island of 
 Nantucket, trusting it may find favor in their eyes, and that some 
 of the information contained in it may be found wor*-'-' of at- 
 tention. 
 
 Our reason for publishing the book is because many of our 
 summer visitors desire to have some accurate, condensed epitome 
 of the Island, and also, because when arriving here, strangers to 
 the place, they desire -some guide as to how they shall employ 
 their time pleasantly to themselves, and with as little loss as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 The excellent map we have procured for the book will expidin 
 to those who are unacquainted with the Island the shape of the 
 place, as well as giving the names of the principal localities, so 
 that when they desire to visit any point, by referring to this map, 
 they can quickly perceive the readiest way, and as the roads from 
 the town are well defined after they leave the outskirts, there is 
 little danger of getting astray. 
 
 Our historical, and other information has been collated with 
 unusual care and reference, and although mistakes may have oc- 
 curred, we have endeavored to avoid errors of any magnitude, 
 and trust that the matter contained herein is substantially correct. 
 
20 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 When we announced that we intended publishing a book of 
 this description, many requests were made, to the effecf that we 
 incorporate into it an account of the former whaling business of 
 the place, to which we partially assented 5 but on examination we 
 found that to do so, would be to exclude all other matter from our 
 pages, and so with regrets of our inability to comply in that 
 respect with the wishes of our friends, we were compelled to 
 omit the list of names of the whaling fleet that we have access 
 to, hoping that at some future day, the coming historian of Nan- 
 tucket will give the record the full consideration, and the space 
 it demands, which this little pamphlet will not allow. 
 
 For the good wishes we have had in preparing this volume, and 
 the liberal aid received from our friends in the shape of advertise- 
 ments, we give our sincere thanks ; and as this is our first at- 
 tempt at publishing in book form, we crave the indulgence of the 
 kind public if we have committed any glaring mistakes. 
 
 A preface, at the best, is but an apology, and according to the 
 time-honored custom of authors and publishers, we submit this 
 excuse — that among the chaff we publish here, may there be 
 found a few sound kernels. 
 
 Editor of the Island Review. 
 
 Nantucket, May, 1875. 
 
AN 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 
 
 I Although it is popularly supposed that Christo- 
 I pher Columbus was the original discoverer of 
 ' America, in 1492, it is now absolutely certain that 
 seamen had preceded him centuries before, and 
 that he was only repeating history when he an- 
 nounced to a more enlightened world the existence 
 of a vast continent across the ocean, for it is now 
 definitely settled that a bold and hardy Norwegian 
 seaman crossed the stormy Atlantic to colonies 
 in Greenland, in the year 985, discovering Nan- 
 tucket on that voyage, naming it Nauticon. 
 
 Our island, from the time this daring navigator, 
 Bjorne Herjulfson by name, discovered it, seems 
 to be without historical record, until it was visited 
 by Bartholomew Gosnold, an Englishman, in the 
 year 1602. 
 
22 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 In the year 1620, Nantucket was included in 
 the grant to the Plymouth Company under a 
 patent from the English Crown, under which 
 patent, William, Earl of Sterling, and Fernando 
 Gorges, claimed authority over it, and by whom 
 it was conveyed to Thomas Mayhew in 1640 or 
 1641. 
 
 Some eighteen years later, Thomas Mayhew 
 sold to Tristram Coffin, Thomas Macy, Christo- 
 pher Hussey, Richard Swain, Thomas Barnard, 
 Peter Coffin, Stephen Greenleaf, John Swain and 
 William Pile, nine-tenths of the island, excepting 
 that part called Quaise (see map on cover), to 
 hold in common with himself. Each of these ten 
 were authorized to select an associate or partner, 
 and thus the number of proprietors was increased 
 to twenty. The consideration named in the deed 
 was, " Thirty pounds of current pay, and also two 
 beaver hats, one for myself and one for my wife." 
 
 Although the ten men had become owners of 
 all the right and title to the island that the Crown 
 could give them, yet they considered that the tribes 
 of Indians who held possession were the true 
 owners, so they commenced to treat with the 
 various sachems, and shortly acquired by pur- 
 chase, a large part of the land from the natives. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 23 
 
 In 1659, in the fall, when the Quakers in Mas- 
 sachusetts were being persecuted for their religious 
 tenets, Thomas Macy of Salisbury, having given 
 shelter to some friends during a tempest, incurred 
 thereby the displeasure of the people and the law, 
 and to avoid punishment, and also escape to some 
 place where more liberality was tolerated, took his 
 family and Edward Starbuck in an open boat, 
 arriving in a short time at Nantucket, landing on 
 the north side of the island. 
 
 The liberality of feeling in Thomas Macy to 
 assist suffering humanity in an age of superstition 
 and religious bigotry, even if the objects of his 
 charity were of a despised and persecuted sect, 
 has been sung to the world in a hymn of praise, 
 by a poet, who belongs to the denomination that 
 was then placed beyond the pale of society and 
 law, and at this late day preserve their faith with 
 increased purity, and remember gratefully that 
 there was one man that dared to obey the dictates 
 of his conscience at all hazards, and relieve their 
 suffering brethren, even if it brought punishment 
 on his own head ; and now nearly two centuries 
 kter his act is still remembered and his praise 
 sung by one of their own faith, in the beautiful 
 poem entitled The Exiles. It is hardly necessary 
 
24 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 to say that the poet is a bard of the present time — 
 Whittier. 
 
 There were about fifteen hundred Indians on 
 the island when the fugitives arrived here, and the 
 white men found that they were friendly and 
 peaceable, the natives treating the strangers with 
 great kindness. Fish and fowl were plenty, and 
 the wanderers finding they were hospitably re- 
 ceived, located at Maddeket harbor, where they 
 built them a house. 
 
 During the spring of 1660, Edward Starbuck 
 went back to Salisbury, and prevailed upon seve- 
 ral of the joint proprietors to take their families 
 and return with him to his new home to settle 
 there. As an inducement for immigration the 
 proprietors granted to seven other persons, prin- 
 cipally mechanics, a share in the whole island 
 equal with their own, provided they would move 
 here and make new homes. 
 
 Every year they selected a new tract of land, 
 cleared and fenced it, and after it was ready to 
 farm, divided it into twenty-seven shares, each 
 owner in common tilling his own portion or not 
 as he desired. 
 
 Having, after a time, acquired a considerable 
 number of cattle and sheep, the stock fed at large 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 25 
 
 on the island, roaming at will, except in the month 
 of June, when the sheep were driven into enclo- 
 sures, washed and sheared of their fleecy coats, 
 and then turned out to pasture as before. This 
 method of caring for the stock was kept up for 
 nearly two Hundred years, only ceasing in 1848, 
 when, by vote of the proprietors of the common 
 and undivided land, on account of the great abuses 
 that had crept into the custom, the principal one 
 of which was tne fact that many persons pastured 
 more stock than their inheritance or purchase of 
 land gave them privilege to use, it was decided to 
 restrain all from pasturage outside of the enclosed 
 tracts. The greatest objections to this regulation 
 came from those who over-stocked, and those 
 who owned no land at all, and was the cause of 
 many and bitter dissensions ; but it was finally 
 accepted, and " The Sheep Question " resolved 
 itself into a subject for argument for many a year, 
 until now, dying out, is hardly thought to be worth 
 mentioning. Those of us who remember the 
 time, however, when our common and undivided 
 land outside the town was dotted with some ten 
 thousand sheep, remember Nantucket in her 
 palmy days, when our streets resembled the 
 cnwded thoroughfare of a city (we were even 
 
26 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 aspiring to be one), when business was br"sk, the 
 air resounding with the noise of the caulk'ng-iron, 
 as the carpenters worked like bees on the shipping 
 at the wharves, the coopers aiding in the hum of 
 prosperity as they hammered in swift cadences, 
 " cooper, cooper, round the cask !" while the 
 sturdy blacksmith, with his heavier tools, his iron 
 at welding heat, aided by the hands of his lusty 
 assistant, kept the air alive with his not unmelodi- 
 ous ring of, " ten, pound, ten ! ten, pound, ten !" 
 all contributing their portion in fittmg a ship to sail 
 to all parts of the world to seek for the oleaginous 
 gains that gave Nantucket the name of The 
 Home of the Whale-Fishery ; the industry 
 only relaxing when in June we annually went to 
 Miacomet Plain on our great gala-day of sheep 
 shearing ; and we long for the good old times when 
 we were all engaged in the busy pursuits of life, and 
 hard times unknown on the island. 
 
 The early proprietors were generally illiterate ; 
 so they induced Peter Folger, the grandfather of 
 Benjamin Franklin, to move here from Martha's 
 Vineyard, to serve as miller, weaver and inter- 
 preter with the Indians, one-half a share of land 
 being offered for his use if he would come, which 
 offer was accepted, and he settled here about 1663. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 27 
 
 The first mill for grinding grain was built some 
 three years later. 
 
 When 'Nantucket was first settled by the whites, 
 they observed that whales were plenty all around 
 it, but not knowing how to kill them they were 
 unmolested, until about 1668, when a scragg 
 whale was seen sporting around the inner harbor, 
 so they resolved to secure him if it were possible. 
 All got together, a rude harpoon was speedily 
 forged out, and with great peril they attacked the 
 monster and accomplished the feat of turning his 
 flukes up and towing him to the shore. They 
 little thought when they did this that they were 
 making the beginning of a business that was to 
 found the wealth of the island, and secure for it a 
 recognition of its importance throughout the globe. 
 
 Their success led them to follow their perilous 
 undertaking until 1672, when they offered a grant 
 of land, with other privileges, to James Loper, to 
 move here " to carry on a design of Whale Citch- 
 ing." It is uncertain if Loper accepted this offer, 
 nothing being found as yet to prove that he set- 
 tled here, although the impression prevails among 
 many that he did come. At that time there was 
 no cooper with sufficient skill to make barrels safe 
 enough to hold their oil, so John Savage accepted 
 
28 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 an invitation to come here on the same terms 
 offered Loper. The inhabitants, whether Loper 
 came here or not, now formed whaHng stations at 
 different locations on the beach round the island, 
 erected spars to look out from for whales, and so 
 with their boats at hand on the shore, were ready to 
 chase the leviathans of the deep whenever they were 
 descried. The Indians were very much pleased 
 with the new industry, its excitement and danger 
 being pecuharly adapted to their venturesome dis- 
 positions, and they were very efficient in their aid. 
 The most whales that were ever killed around the 
 island in one day was eleven ; and up to the year 
 1760, shore whaling was pursued with vigor, not a 
 single white person having been killed or drowned 
 while in the business ; and as the whales were now 
 getting scarce in the vicinity of the land the pur- 
 suit from the shore was abandoned in this year. 
 
 The whales have all disappeared from our 
 waters, although an occasional one will wander in 
 our vicinity, seeming to taunt us with the sight of 
 his presence as we reflect on the former avoca- 
 tions of our ancestors. 
 
 When whaling from the shore was given up, 
 there was no regular town; but in 1672, a site 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 29 
 
 was decided upon, and by order of the Governor 
 of New York, the island then being under his 
 jurisdiction, the site was incorporated as Sher- 
 burne, and remained so for many years. Nan- 
 tucket island was a part of New York until 1693, 
 when it was ceded to Massachusetts, and became 
 part of that Province. 
 
 Up to the period of 1700, there were no reli- 
 gious societies on the island among the whites, 
 although the people are described as being very 
 devout in their manner, and greatly given to the 
 worship of God. Translations of the Bible in the 
 native dialect had been introduced among the 
 Indians, and they had four churches. The Bible 
 they used was probably the Elliot translation, one 
 having remained on the island up to a late period. 
 
 In 1704, Thomas Story, an approved minister 
 of the Society of Friends, came to the island, and so 
 great was his piety, and so impressive his teaching, 
 that a " meeting " was formed, which grew so in 
 strength that nearly all became members, and the 
 society was numbered by hundreds. There are two 
 Friends' meetings at the present day, each branch 
 (for the society in later years split in two from 
 internal dissensions) having their separate meeting 
 
30 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 house, although the membership is rapidly decreas- 
 ing ; and as there are few converts to the faith it 
 looks as though in years to come Quakerism on 
 Nantucket like whaling, will be a thing of the past. 
 
 The whales that had been captured from the 
 shore, were all right whales ; but in 1 7 1 2, Christo- 
 pher Hussey, while cruising in a small vessel near 
 the island for them, being blown to sea in a gale, 
 killed a spermaceti and brought it into Nantucket. 
 
 This gave new impetus to the business, and 
 small craft of about thirty tons were immediately 
 fitted out for cruises of from one to two months. 
 Boats being discarded for vessels, it was now 
 requisite that a suitable landing-place be made, so 
 in 1723, the Straight Wharf was constructed; 
 that being the one at the foot of our Main street. 
 As the business grew, large vessels were obtained, 
 and longer voyages projected, until in 1775, there 
 were about one hundred and fifty vessels in the 
 business, some of which were quite large brigs. 
 At this time there was a population of forty-five 
 hundred of whites. 
 
 The oil-factors of Nantucket were very ener- 
 getic in their business, for as early as 1745, they 
 had commenced to export oil to Europe on their 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 31 
 
 own account, and by importing goods wanted in 
 this country, made their ventures very profitable ; 
 and the sperm candles that they shipped out proved 
 to be of so superior a quality, and commanded 
 such a ready sale, that many Nantucketers en- 
 gaged solely in that line of manufacture and export. 
 A disease called " the plague," broke out among 
 the Indians, in 1 763. It raged with extreme seve- 
 rity among them for exactly six months, when it 
 suddenly ceased. Before this broke out there 
 were three hundred and fifty-eight ; but when the 
 contagion was over, it was found that two hun- 
 dred and twenty-two had succumbed to the fell 
 destroyer. Death. The tribe steadily diminished 
 in numbers from this time until 1821, when the 
 last of the race, of full blood, died ; although one 
 half-breed, named Abraham Quary, the last repre- 
 sentative of the Nantucket tribe of Indians, lived 
 in a little hut near the Shimmo shore until 1854, 
 when he passed away at the advanced age of eighty- 
 two, the whole race of Indians that our ancestors 
 found here having done precisely as their neigh- 
 bors on the main land did — by contact with the 
 whites, become civilized from off the face of the 
 earth, although on our island they were singularly 
 
 m: 
 
32 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 exempt from wars, especially with the settlers, 
 who aided them whenever they could, and always 
 managed to keep at peace with them. 
 
 Except when stirred to activity by the excite- 
 ment of whaling, they were very lazy, and at 
 times would have suffered greatly if they had not 
 been helped by the white folks ; and as they had 
 acquired a taste for the " fire water " of the whites, 
 considerable difficulty began to be made. The 
 settlers, to avoid trouble among themselves, elected 
 an Indian named Kadooda as a petty arbitrator in 
 the tribe, and his ideas of justice would in many 
 cases of law at the present day prove very satis- 
 factory to the public ; before proceeding to hsten 
 to their grievances, he used often to order both 
 plaintiff and defendant to be soundly whipped. 
 This method of securing justice was arbitrary, but 
 the Indians accepted it as final, for as one of their 
 own race administered the sentence and punish- 
 ment, they were satisfied, especially when they 
 saw that the whites, whenever there were disputes 
 among themselves, settled their differences by the 
 decision of one of their own choosing, after he 
 had heard the facts of the case plainly set forth by 
 each side. There was no room for pettifoggers 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 33 
 
 at that period, and to this day our islanders avoid 
 suits at law as far as possible, preferring to refer 
 to three fair men for settlement of their disputes, 
 for they fear that suits in court will, at judgment, 
 make each side feel that they would have been 
 better off, if before bringing suit, they had received 
 a little " Kadooda law," and both been whipped. 
 In the year 1774, when a speck of a war cloud 
 could be seen rising in the political horizon be- 
 tween England and her American colony, the in- 
 habitants of our island were greatly exercised in 
 their minds about the situation of affairs. There 
 were various reasons why they should feel thus 
 perturbed in spirit, for they were differently situ- 
 ated than almost any other colonial community. 
 The majority of the people were Friends in 
 religion, and consequently opposed to war and 
 bloodshed on that account. Then the greater 
 part of their property consisted of whaling vessels 
 at sea, and they feared their capture by armed' 
 ships from England was inevitable. There was 
 nothing they could do, however, to stay the course 
 of events, so they waited in resignation, withdraw- 
 ing their vessels from service as fast as they 
 arrived ; and as good luck attended them they 
 
34 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 nearly all came home in safety, but few being 
 taken. Those who followed the sea, and also the 
 mechanics whose livelihood depended upon the 
 fitting of vessels, were thrown out of employment, 
 so they were forced to seek new methods of earn- 
 ing bread. Cod-fishing from the shore and farm- 
 ing on the land immediately began to be attended 
 to, and our energetic ancestors were soon busy 
 in their various ways. The sound between the 
 island and the main land was soon filled with 
 British cruisers, and the supply of provisions now 
 getting short, a new trade opened. Blockade-run- 
 ning was attempted by the more daring, and soon 
 a number of idle whaling vessels at the wharves 
 were engaged in this business. Fast brigs and 
 schooners were loaded with oil, candles and fish, 
 and despatched to the West Indies to barter for 
 goods required at home. The risk of capture was 
 very great, and so many of the smugglers were 
 seized that the vessels that escaped being taken 
 were finally withdrawn. Sail-boats plied between 
 the island and Connecticut, however, their navi- 
 gators running them wholly in the night time, the 
 stormier the weather was, the better their purpose 
 being answered, although the danger of being lost 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 35 
 
 at sea was infinitely increased. The inhabitants 
 suffered greatly, however, for the necessary arti- 
 cles of life, fuel being among their great depriva- 
 tions, although they made peat from the swamps 
 fill that want as far as . possible ; but when the 
 British landed here in 1779, and sacked the stores 
 of the town of what few goods they had, their 
 cup of sorrow was full to overflowing. 
 
 There were a few Tories on the island, although 
 the predominant feeling was for the colony and 
 the new movement for independence. ' Their 
 feelings were greatly subdued, however, for they 
 deprecated violence, yet the success of the Con- 
 tinental troops in war always gratified them in 
 secret, while reverses caused them proportionate 
 depression and gloominess of spirit. 
 
 The Provincial government were so cramped 
 for means that they were powerless to protect a 
 little island like Nantucket, and so the people were 
 forced to live in perpetual fear of being raided 
 upon by crews from vessels of war cruising in the 
 vicinity, and they at last decided that their ortly sal- 
 vation from predatory incursions consisted in de- 
 claring a strict neutrality ; so in 1779, a committee 
 was appointed by the inhabitants, and acting under 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 their Instructions went to New York, where they 
 represented their condition to Sir George Collier, 
 Commander-in-Chief of the British naval forces, 
 and received from his hands an order prohibiting 
 all armed vessels from meddling with the people 
 of Nantucket or their home property. Of course 
 what vessels they had afloat were not included in 
 this protection. Shortly after this, however, a 
 sloop of war was sent here with orders to destroy 
 the place, it being charged that signals were being 
 given by designated parties to warn in-coming ves- 
 sels that they were liable to be captured by the 
 enemy. It was proved clearly to the commander 
 of this expediton that it was a libellous report, and 
 after thoroughly frightening the defenceless com- 
 munity he sailed without molesting them. 
 
 When peace was declared, at last, the Nantuck- 
 eters were filled with joy although their business 
 was destroyed. One old man who died a few years 
 since, w^hen alive, was fond of telling his recollec- 
 tion of peace ; he said : " When I was a small boy 
 a man came running up the street shouting, 
 ' Peace ! peace !' and then cheering lustily. 
 
 cc c wi^y don't you hurrah, boy ?' he asked me. 
 
 " ' What does peace mean ?' I asked. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 37 
 
 " ' Plenty of white bread and molasses,' was 
 his reply as he hurried away to impart the glorious 
 news to others. 
 
 " I understood him in a moment, went to cheer- 
 ing as loud as I could, and for years after thought 
 peace meant, ' plenty of white bread and mo- 
 lasses.' " 
 
 There were about one hundred and fifty whalers 
 before the war, but when the revolution arrived at 
 its happy conclusion our island only boasted of a 
 fleet of two. New craft was obtained as soon as 
 possible, and the people began afresh. Whaling 
 in the Pacific Ocean was attempted in 1791, the 
 first ship being sent there then, and it proved a 
 very fortunate adventure, for she returned in about 
 a year and a half with a full cargo of oil. 
 
 In 1795 the name of the town was changed 
 from Sherburne to that of the island — Nantucket. 
 It now increased in population until 1845, the war 
 of 18 1 2 having occurred in that time, although 
 the island did not suffer so much deprivation during 
 that troublesome period as it did in the protracted 
 struggle of the country for Independence. 
 
 It was during the war of 18 12, that a sangui- 
 nary battle was fought on the sea near our island, 
 
38 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 and the peaceful inhabitants saw the horrors of 
 war brought to their own door. 
 
 On the loth of October, 1814, a privateer 
 with a prize ship in convoy anchored off the south 
 side of the island. The privateer proved to be 
 the Prince of Neufchatel^ a Yankee vessel com- 
 manded by a Frenchman who was so hideous in 
 his appearance and so diminutive in stature that 
 he is described as a very Caliban in looks. 
 
 Shortly after they anchored off from Madde- 
 queecham Pond, a vessel that was in sight hull 
 down, only her tophamper being visible, began to 
 head for the privateer. 
 
 The approaching vessel proved to be the British 
 frigate Endymion ; and after overhauling the pri- 
 vateer she hove to outside of her prey and pre- 
 pared to send a boat expedition to capture her. 
 
 The boats, five in number, left the Endymion 
 about 2 P.M., the squadron containing 146 men, 
 commanded by the first lieutenant of the frigate ; 
 and they opened the battle by attempting to board 
 the Prince and carry her by assault, but was totally 
 defeated in thirty-five minutes, the naval affray 
 being witnessed by many from the beach, while 
 the noise of the fight was plainly heard in town. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 39 
 
 The Prince depended upon small arms for their 
 defence, for having plenty of muskets they loaded 
 two hundred of them and the result was, that two 
 of the boats were captured, the largest sunk, 
 with all on board, and out of 146 in the boat 
 expedition only 16 returned to the Endymion. 
 
 The privateer took but twenty-seven prisoners, 
 and as seventeen of them were wounded the loss 
 of the assaulting party was terrible, the first lieu- 
 tenant of the frigate, as well as the subaltern offi- 
 cers being among the slain ; and having lost a 
 third of her complement of men, the frigate gave 
 up the attack in despair, and not daring to come 
 in over the shoals between her and the privateer, 
 sailed away. 
 
 Several of the crew of the Prince of Neufchatel 
 were killed, among them being Mr. Charles J. 
 Hilburn, of Nantucket, who was on board acting 
 as a pilot. The wounded prisoners were sent 
 ashore in charge of five other prisoners, all under 
 parole, being landed at Sesachacha, at that time a 
 village of thirty or forty houses, and from there 
 they were brought to town for medical assistance. 
 
 Sunday, October i6th, nine that were killed in 
 the fight, or died of their wounds, were landed for 
 
40 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 burial, and then the privateer sailed for Boston 
 with her prize, arriving there in safety. 
 
 The captain of the privateer vv^as so elated with 
 his success, that on hearing the frigate had gone 
 to the Vineyard, he declared he would attack and 
 destroy her there ; but as the British vessel carried 
 forty-four heavy guns, he decided that prudence 
 was the better part of valor, and after landing his 
 wounded and dead, ended the thing by proceeding 
 at once to Boston. 
 
 Nantucket, despite her Quaker tendencies, had 
 a good representation in the service of the country, 
 and we have obtained the following list of names, 
 and the branch of service they were in : 
 
 Daniel Fitch, Sylvanus Long (killed in bat- 
 tle), Thomas Hussey, Christopher Bunker, John 
 Barnard, Owen Russell, John Cottle, Andrew 
 Coffin, Seth Long, Clothier Allen, John Kelley, 
 Samuel Gardner, William P. Coffin, Seth Pollard, 
 Solomon Coffin, Jr., and Edward Hussey in pri- 
 vateers. 
 
 Abisha Gardner, Amos Bowls, Henry Cole- 
 man, David A. Macy, Matthew Jones, Barzillai 
 Stetson, William Worth, David Russell and Giles 
 Folger, in the navy. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 41 
 
 Gorham Macy and William Keene were in a 
 Spanish privateer ; .and David Bunker and Charles 
 Gardner, 3d, in the ship President. 
 
 In the army, there were : 
 
 Jesse Parker, Caleb Cushman, Thomas Bar- 
 ker, Thomas Kelley, Ezekiel Clark, Charles 
 Swain, Francis Young, Joseph Elkins and Nathan - 
 iel Bunker, Jr. 
 
 Of the foregoing list, all but two have passed 
 away. One is Captain William Worth, who was 
 a boatswain on Commodore Porter's frigate, hav- 
 ing joined it after having the whaler he com- 
 manded captured by the British; and he yet lives 
 to tell the tale of his cruise with the commodore. 
 
 The other veteran is Mr. Edward Hussey, who 
 was for a time, a resident in a celebrated chateau 
 in England, known as Dartmoor Prison, he having 
 been captured by the British, and been a partaker 
 of its hospitalities. They are always ready to tell 
 their experiences in the '12 war, and their stories 
 will well repay one to hear from their own lips, 
 for they still retain vigorous minds of a superior 
 cast, 
 
 Nantucket also boasts of another person, who, 
 m an humble way, was an active member in his- 
 
42 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 toric times, it being Mr. Robert Ratcliff, who was 
 a petty officer on the British frigate that carried 
 the fallen emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, to his 
 island jail, St. Helena. 
 
 An interview with these old veterans is really 
 worth the while to those of us who live in later 
 dates ; for there is an indescribable charm in 
 seeing those who were actors in such exciting 
 times. 
 
 Banking-houses had been established, and the 
 strict spirit of Quakerism began to break, the in- 
 habitants, from their commercial communications 
 on the main land having acquired a more worldly 
 feeling, for they now began to conform more to the 
 customs of their neighbors. A Universalist church 
 was organized about this period, the society hold- 
 ing their services in a hall leased for the purpose j 
 but that form of religion was too hberal in its 
 teachings, and after languishing for a few years it 
 died out for want of substantial encouragement. 
 
 Schools were opened to the public in 1827, and 
 after a great effort by the editor of the Inquirer^ 
 Hon. S. H. Jenks, a High School was formed, 
 which immediately began to acquire a good repu- 
 tation for the scholarly attainments to be had from 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 43 
 
 it ; and it enjoys its excellent reputation to this 
 day. 
 
 It was during this, year that Admiral Sir Isaac 
 Coffin, of the British navy, visited the island and 
 found he was related by blood to nearly all of the 
 inhabitants ; and being desirous of showing some 
 regard for his kinsmen, consulted their feelings 
 and founded the Coffin School, endowing it liber- 
 ally ; the school yet being in prosperous condition, 
 having a high standard in its educational course, 
 and being held in great local estimation ; showing 
 the wisdom of its founder in thus erecting a monu- 
 ment that will endure for ages, and cause his 
 name to be remembered long after his fame will 
 be forgotten in his own country. 
 
 In July, 1846, a fire broke out on the Main 
 street and swept through the business part of the 
 town, and in less than ten hours nearly a million 
 dollars worth of property was destroyed. It was a 
 hard blow to the island ; and this was followed by 
 many of the whaling fleet making very disastrous 
 voyages. The California fever swept over the 
 island in 1849, before the people had fully re- 
 covered from their previous reverses, and many 
 men, heads of families, sought new fields for busi- 
 
44 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 ness In the Eldorado so glowingly pictured. In 
 about three years' time over a thousand of our 
 citizens had gone to the Pacific slope, and whaling, 
 that had declined before, now began to die out fast. 
 Despite all these reverses it had begun to revive 
 some, when the war of the rebellion burst forth, 
 and now our whaling business received its death 
 blow. 
 
 Our men went into the cause of the Union with 
 prompt celerity, not only in the navy, where it 
 would seem hkeliest for them according to their 
 birth and education, but also in the army, and the 
 quota from Nantucket was always kept full. 
 There were sixty-nine who lost their lives by bul- 
 let and disease during the war, while her crippled 
 veterans can be seen any time, attesting the fact 
 that the same blood that attacked whales did not 
 flinch before the foes of the country. 
 
 Nantucket as a place of business has declined, 
 but there is yet a glorious future before her. 
 Although her whalers are all sold, and her oil fac- 
 tories torn down or closed up, yet the people love 
 their home and will yet see it arise from its pros- 
 tration, and like a Phoenix, emerge from the ashes 
 only to reach higher altitudes. There has been 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 45 
 
 an attempt in this historical sketch to show how 
 the island grew in prosperity to the present time, 
 and having essayed to do this, the attention of the 
 reader is now invited to look at 
 
 NANTUCKET AS A WATERING PLACE. 
 
 The writer of these pages, while sitting in Wil- 
 lard's in Washington, some years ago, heard a 
 gentleman say to another, " I believe you are from 
 Philadelphia, are you not ? " and receiving an 
 answer in the affirmative, greeted him as an ac- 
 quaintance. Their conversation became general, 
 and soon they were talking about the different 
 towns and cities of the country. "There are 
 three dead places, sir," said one. " What are 
 they ? " inquired the other. " Perth Amboy, 
 New Jersey, Annapolis, Maryland, and Nan- 
 tucket, Massachusetts," was the reply. His vis- 
 a-vis coincided. We hastened to the defence of 
 our native town, and proclaimed ourself as a true 
 son of the little island so unjustly condemned, say- 
 ing stoutly, " Nantucket does not admit its death 
 
46 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 until It is laid out as beautifully as Philadelphia." 
 The point was considered well taken, and we 
 assure our readers that the cigars that immediately 
 followed were also. 
 
 Nantucket is far from death. Having furnished 
 light for the world, she is now commencing to fur- 
 nish health for the weary summer sojourner who 
 lingers on her shore, as she furnished refuge to 
 Thomas Macy over a couple of centuries ago. 
 
 Situate some thirty miles out in the sea, and 
 being a narrow island, it is continually swept by 
 winds from the broad Atlantic, there being no long 
 intervale of wooded land to heat the air as it 
 crosses the island from point to point, no matter in 
 what direction the wind may come from. When 
 the thermometer ranges about 75°, which it sel- 
 dom does for the summer, the people begin to 
 think it is very hot ; and when it announces 80° 
 in the middle of the day, then the weather is 
 fearful, although it only remains for a few hours at 
 that height ; and scarcely a night passes but what 
 the bed clothing is very comfortable indeed. 
 
 With such a recommendation for the delightful 
 atmosphere it enjoys, Nantucket does not fail to 
 charm the visitors to its shores, and induce their 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 47 
 
 return another season. Fish and fowl were induce- 
 ments for the first visitors, and fish yet remains an 
 attraction for travelers. The shooting, before the 
 ready guns of our skilled sportsmen, has nearly or 
 quite gone ; but fish yet remain in abundance. 
 Blue-fish swarm in the waters, giving the disci- 
 ples of old Walton but little chance for deep rev- 
 erie as they experience the bite of the voracious 
 fish, and with their fingers well protected by rub- 
 ber cots, pull him into the boat, or land their game 
 through the surf on the shore, the whole body 
 quivering with excitement as they unhook their 
 ten-pounder, and give another cast into the sea. 
 For a day's sport with fish, blue-fishing is one of 
 our attractions, and you go again and again, never 
 seeming to have satiety. 
 
 Scupping is another favorite amusement ; and 
 although the excitement is not so great for the 
 gentlemen, yet the ladies, not having to exercise 
 so much strength, prefer this sport greatly, espe- 
 cially if their gentlemen friends escort them and 
 exert their talent to keep the hooks well-baited for 
 the fair ones, and yet catch as many fish as their 
 lovely companions do ; and as the fish bite sharp 
 there must be quick work to answer the call for 
 
48 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 '' more bait," attend to their own line, and keep 
 their hand up. 
 
 Pond-fishing is also a pleasant way of passing 
 the day. You go to Sesachacha, or Sachacha 
 Pond, as it is called, and going out in a small 
 boat on this delightful lake, you surprise yourself 
 after two hours' fishing, by finding that your 
 catch of the beautiful silver perch is reckoned by 
 hundreds. 
 
 Or again you take a reed and go to the Hum- 
 mock at the North Head, or to either end of the 
 Long Pond, and pull the finny perch ashore with 
 a success that is perfectly astonishing. But you 
 have now exhausted the gentler fishing, and you 
 sigh for new fields to conquer. 
 
 A trip sharking is proposed. Securing one of 
 the jaunty yachts at the wharf you take a run 
 down to Great Point, and having baited the im- 
 mense swivel-hook with a blue-fish caught on the 
 run down, you drop a line to the sea-lawyers loaf- 
 ing round in the waters below, waiting for some- 
 thing to turn up, or down, just as you please. 
 
 After waiting patiently for the scent to spread 
 about, and wondering whether you'll get a bite o^- 
 not, and also if you will be able to tell if you do. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 49 
 
 you feel a jerk on the line that almost takes it from 
 your grasp, and with a faint suspicion in your mind 
 that you have caught a whale, you announce that 
 you are " fast." Now comes the excitement ! 
 
 The shark, for it is one, darts furiously from 
 side to side, and keeping the line taut, you allow 
 him to expend his strength with impotent rage as 
 I he lashes the water into foam, and almost succeeds 
 ]in leaping into your craft. Slowly but surely you 
 pull him up to the gunwale of the boat, and at last 
 iyou have him alongside. Your captain grasps his 
 jbilly, and smiting him over the nose leaves him 
 a quivering carcass, and you take him aboard. 
 IWhat a monster ! Ten feet long if he is an inch 
 and weighs over four hundred pounds ! It is a 
 sand shark. One of the man-eating tribe ; and as 
 you look into his gaping mouth, armed with sev- 
 eral rows of teeth, you see how readily he could 
 tear your limbs off, and you give a sigh of satis- 
 faction for the excitement of securing him that 
 you have just gone through with, and feel glad 
 that you have rid the world of one such a mon- 
 ster ; and having directed your captain to clean 
 the jaw and send it to your home, that you may 
 exhibit it as a fox hunter does his brush, you com- 
 4 
 
60 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 mence your venturesome sport again, untn you 
 have taken from four to eight, and the captain 
 thinks it is imprudent to take any more aboard ; 
 so with tired body you proceed to have a bite for 
 yourself from the lunch-box you have brought with 
 you, while the little yacht is speeding on its way 
 home J and having landed your ugly catch on the 
 wharf you find that you are indeed an object of 
 interest to those whose nerves will not allow them 
 to essay any more exciting fishing than that here- 
 tofore described. 
 
 Fishing at Nantucket cannot be excelled at any 
 point around our coast, and those who essay their 
 skill in that direction never complain of " a fisher- 
 man's luck." 
 
 A Nantucket Squantum. 
 
 Squantum is a peculiarly local word at Nan- 
 tucket, conveying as a general meaning, the word 
 pic-nic. But the natives have another definition 
 to it. When they talk of a squantum in its per- 
 fect sense they also include a clam-bake j and one 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 51 
 
 of our island clam-bakes is a marvel of gastro- 
 nomic success. 
 !' Those who are uninitiated with its mysteries 
 may be somewhat interested to know how the 
 bakes are conducted, so we will endeavor to give 
 them a faint description. 
 
 We will suppose that you desire to have a 
 squantum on the beautiful little island of Tucker- 
 nuck, a pleasant ten miles' sail from town, and 
 I have given directions accordingly to the skipper 
 of the yacht that you have engaged, telling him 
 what day you would like to go. 
 
 At the apppointed time you take your company 
 ' aboard the yacht and start on the excursion, re- 
 lying that every arrangement has been made in 
 accordance with your directions, and a couple of 
 : hours later you land on Tuckernuck. 
 I Everything is ready for your coming, a deep 
 I hole having been dug in the ground, paved with 
 i clean cobble stones taken from the edge of the 
 ; shore, where by the ceaseless action of the waves 
 I they have become perfectly smooth and clean, 
 I and are admirably adapted for their present use. 
 
 A hot fire has been built on them some hours 
 previous to the arrival of the party, and you find 
 
62 Hand Book of Nantucket, 
 
 they are red-hot when you get there, and the man 
 in attendance is just sweeping the last cinders 
 from the fiery bed of stone. 
 
 A thin layer of moist sea-weed is now spread 
 over the hot stones, clams distributed over the 
 smoking covering, a layer of the sea-weed again, 
 more clams sandwiched in, and now a few dressed 
 fowl are placed in, with potatoes, and if the 
 season is late enough a few dozen ears of corn in 
 the husk, and the heap rounded over with sea- 
 weed and left to its fate. 
 
 The fumes soon begin to arise with appetizing 
 odor, especially as you feel as though you could 
 eat a whale after your trip over the water from 
 island to island, and you are prepared to do justice 
 to the feast when the master of ceremonies an- 
 nounces that the bake is ready and the squantum 
 has commenced. 
 
 The covering of sea-weed is carefully removed, 
 your eyes being greeted with the sight of the fowl 
 done to a turn, the clams having impregnated them 
 with a seasoning that cannot be appreciated by 
 any one who has not been there before. 
 
 The vegetables in the next layer have aided to 
 flavor the fowl, and they in turn have a suspicion 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 53 
 
 of clams lingering about them, while the shell-fish 
 themselves are a dish fit to set before a king. 
 
 You eat as you never ate before, and realize 
 hov7 one of our " institutions " must be seen to 
 be understood, for it can never be described and 
 have the justice done to it vi^ith a pen that you 
 can give it with your taste and teeth. 
 
 We have given but a few of the attractions for 
 sport on our island, and now we will attempt to 
 show how your time can be pleasantly employed 
 in sight-seeing. 
 
 There are many places to be visited, and we 
 would recommend a visit to the South Shore and 
 have a look at old Ocean as it lashes the land in 
 impotent rage, vainly attempting to snatch mouth- 
 fuls of the land in its remorseless grasp, and be 
 able to know that it is in this delightful spot that 
 a company have established a place of summer 
 resort, naming it 
 
 Surf-Side. 
 
 Driving down Orange street, by the beautiful 
 park and race track of the Agricultural Society, 
 you pass the groit€-«i" pines to the south, the roar 
 
64 Hand Book of NantucRet. 
 
 of the ocean greeting your ears long before it 
 appears in view. 
 
 By the Weeweeder and Nobadeer ponds, you 
 drive out to the Humane House on the edge of 
 the shore erected by the National Government, 
 and find on arriving there that the broad Atlantic 
 is tumbling in at your feet. Now a short wave 
 comes rolling in, followed by another and another, 
 and anon comes a huge roller that dashes furi- 
 ously on the beach, making you leave the edge of 
 the water rather precipitately, the sound of the 
 wave seeming to laugh at your scramble away 
 from its moist embrace. 
 
 You are looking out over the broad expanse of 
 ocean and as you listen to the lullaby of the wa- 
 ters, and reflect that your next neighbors are on 
 the Azores, you begin to appreciate the grandeur of 
 the scene, and your admiration of the locality so en- 
 trances you that you involuntarily shout : "What 
 A Location for a Watering Place!" and you 
 wonder how it has been neglected so long j for 
 here is the ocean view, and the south wind fresh 
 from its bosom is full of bracing health. 
 
 Pond-fishing and salt water fishing are right at 
 your hand, both being contiguous, and you see the 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 55 
 
 superiority of the situation at a glance, and com- 
 mend the sagacious forethought of the company 
 who have secured the immense tract of land for 
 miles along the shore, and are now laying it out 
 on a grand scale for a watering-place and at prices 
 that are within the reach of every one, and you 
 long at once for a cottage right here, where you 
 can have the thermometer below the seventies all 
 summer, and enjoy yourself thoroughly. 
 
 A little to the westward are a group of houses, 
 and on driving to them you find it is a fishing-sta- 
 tion established by the islanders so they can leave 
 their boats and fishing paraphernalia under cover, 
 and also store their catch of cod. 
 
 A neat little restaurant has been erected here 
 named the South Shore House, and having created 
 quite an appetite by your drive in the bracing 
 air, you give it a call, and find that you can get 
 a lunch or dinner that will suit the most fastidious 
 in taste ; and if you are thirsty, why a cool draught 
 of cider, small beer, etc., await your call. 
 
 Although the shore that you are now leaving 
 in the distance as you wend your way to town is 
 roaring behind you, it is only in a peaceful mood ; 
 for it is only seen in its wildest grandeur in winter ; 
 
56 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 and woe unto the unfortunate ship, that, driven 
 from its course, finds the south shore of Nantuck- 
 et under its lee in a storm j for there is scarcely a 
 chance of escape from wreck ; and if driven ashore 
 in the night, it may prove the death-bed of the 
 unfortunate mariners aboard ; as it did when the 
 schooner Haines was wrecked, and all hands, 
 some six or seven in number, were lost ; or like 
 the ship Newton, wrecked two days after the 
 Haines, when twenty-seven found a watery grave, 
 carrying horror to the inhabitants of the island, 
 and desolation to many homes in this country and 
 abroad, for the Newton belonged in Hamburg ; 
 and these are only two of a great number of such 
 disasters. 
 
 You have arrived in town at last, and now 
 comes a visit to the beautiful 
 
 Village of Siasconset. 
 
 The road to Sconset is unique to strangers, be- 
 cause it is so tame ; and the only thing wanting 
 to complete the monotony of the thing is some 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 57 
 
 sign boards with " Don't rut the road," on them, 
 as there used to be before the weather destroyed 
 them. 
 
 'Sconset is seven and a half miles from town, a 
 straggling row of pine trees bordering either side 
 of the road, the distance being accurately defined 
 by lonesome looking mile-stones, at regular inter- 
 vals apart. 
 
 After some forty or fifty minutes driving you 
 arrive at this village, finding it a collection of di- 
 minutive cottages, seeming from their appearance 
 to have been taken from a German toy-box and 
 left out of doors here. 
 
 Down the principal street in the village, by the 
 Atlantic House, a very comfortable place to tarry 
 in, you stop your horse at a neat restaurant, and 
 see an arch over a tasty bridge bearing the in- 
 scription, 
 
 Sunset Heights. 
 
 This is the new watering-place established by 
 Dr. Ellis, and his partner, Mr. Robinson, (see ad- 
 vertisement, page 80,) and again you are charmed 
 by the location. 
 
58 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 Situate on a blufF overlooking the water, you 
 can see the sun rise and set in its iUimitable ex- 
 panse, watch the surf roll in at your feet, and re- 
 clining on the piazza of one of the cottages, you 
 sit wrapt in the scene before you. 
 
 Bathing houses are contiguous, sea-fishing and 
 sharking are right at hand, while the delightful 
 cottages already erected add attraction to the 
 place. You drink in the grandeur of the location, 
 and leave it with regret as you turn your team 
 toward the famous 
 
 Sankaty Head Light-House. 
 
 But a short distance from Sconset, upon a 
 blufF nearly 90 feet above the level of the sea, 
 stands this towering beacon, 65 feet high, from 
 the top of which, at intervals of one minute, 
 bursts forth a flood of light which is visible for 
 many miles out at sea, and it has the reputation 
 of being the best cared for light on the American 
 coast. 
 
 The keeper receives you with all courtesy, 
 and politely escorts you over his estabHshment, 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 59 
 
 after seeing which you no longer wonder at 
 the reputation it enjoys, for its neatness is purity 
 itself. 
 
 You have mounted the spiral staircase, counted 
 the treads (as every one before you has done), 
 and now are amply repaid for your tedious jour- 
 ney heavenward by a look at the surrounding 
 country. 
 
 There is the broad sea, dotted here and there 
 with the white sails of commerce, behind you 
 the beautiful village you have just left, while a 
 distant view of the town and the little fishing 
 hamlets in the immediate vicinity form a pano- 
 rama that you cannot find an equal to, go where 
 you may. 
 
 Yonder is the Sesachacha Pond, a lake of no 
 mean size, teeming with fish, while beyond it is 
 the fishing station of Quidnet, but as your time is 
 limited, you descend from your lofty perch with 
 regret and wend your way thither, after purchas- 
 ing from the keeper some of Freeman's excellent 
 photographs of the place as a memento of your 
 visit there. 
 
60 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 There Is scarcely anything of interest in Quid- 
 net but fishing on the pond, except 
 
 The Old Hermit. 
 
 Here in a quaint old domicile is the hermit of 
 Nantucket, Frederick Parker, whom all must visit 
 that come here. Seated in his cabin, newspaper 
 in hand, he receives you with evident pleasure ; 
 for though he has banished himself from his fellow- 
 men, he yet enjoys the news of the world, and 
 calls from visitors. He must be seen to be under- 
 stood and is a history in himself. 
 
 Leaving the hermit, you return to town, stop- 
 ping on your way to get a draught of water from 
 the celebrated Eat Fire spring, and lingering near 
 the farm where stood the historic country mansion 
 of Miriam Coffin, you pass through the farming 
 village of Polpis, arriving at town in due time. 
 
 A Saunter in the Suburbs. 
 
 Going up Centre Street, you wend your way 
 to what is called the Uriah Gardner Hill, and 
 take a look at the oldest house on the island. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 61 
 
 Situate some distance from the road, it is a 
 quaint old mansion, and with its horse shoe of 
 bricks let into the chimney, put there in the Salem 
 period to scare away witches, and with its long 
 slope roof in the rear, it shows plainly that it is an 
 antiquated place ; while the oak knees in the 
 rooms, just like those in a ship to insure strength 
 in storms, tell how our ancestors preferred dura- 
 bility and comfort to beauty and elegance. The 
 house fronts due south, our forefathers having the 
 idea that the view in that direction was the cor- 
 rect thing, they taking great pains to lay the sill 
 of their homes by the North star, going in the 
 evening for that purpose ; and this house con- 
 forms to the prevailing fashion of that time. It 
 was built in 1686, and now, with only a very little 
 repairs, it would be habitable for many years, not- 
 withstanding the fact that it has stood the storms 
 of nearly two centuries. 
 
 From thence, you follow round by the ceme- 
 teries of the North Congregational Society (com- 
 monly known as the Gardners' Burial Grounds), 
 and visit the farm formerly owned by Mr. Benja- 
 min B. Gardner. 
 
62 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 It was here that the mother of Dr. Benjamin 
 Franklin was brought up, and traces of the 
 spring where she used to draw water are yet in 
 existence. 
 
 Passing beyond this, you come upon the re- 
 mains of an ancient burying ground, just to the 
 East of the Maxcy^s Pond. There is only one 
 grave left in this city of the dead, and curious to 
 relate, it is the grave of one of the first settlers, 
 who bore the title of Captain — John Gardner. 
 The stone is in a fair state of preservation and 
 bears the inscription : " Here lies the body of 
 John Gardner, who was born in y^ year 1624, and 
 died A.D. 1706, aged 82." The' records show 
 that he was at one time a magistrate, and he bore 
 an excellent reputation for probity and general 
 information. 
 
 Beyond the Maxcy's and Washing ponds you 
 pass the Cupaum pond, and pressing up the abrupt 
 hill to the north, you stand on Trot's hills, where 
 the town of Sherburne was originally loca^d 
 before it was changed to its present site. Re- 
 mains of cellars are yet to be seen, but the houses 
 are all gone. The only building left in existence 
 is the one in the rear of the North Congrega- 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 63 
 
 tional church, that is now used by the society for 
 the Sunday school and vestry. The date of its 
 erection is unknown but it is supposed to be 
 somewhere in the early part of the eighteenth 
 century. It was built from the oaks with which 
 the island was at that period nearly covered. In 
 1765 it was moved to Beacon hill, and in 1834 
 again moved back a few rods to make room for 
 the new church edifice. 
 
 It was in this building that the trial of the Indian 
 Quibby, for murder on ship-board, was held. 
 All the high dignitaries were present, and the fa- 
 mous Governor Hutchinson presided. The pri- 
 soner was sentenced to be hanged by the neck till 
 he was " dead ! dead ! dead !" and then remanded 
 back to jail to await execution ; but ere the ap- 
 pointed day arrived, as if to show that one murder 
 did not satisfy his blood-thirsty propensities, 
 he quarrelled with a fellow-prisoner, and seizing 
 him by the throat, choked him until life was 
 extinct. The execution of this doubly-dyed cri- 
 minal took place in 1769, near what was called the 
 Newtown gate, or in the vicinity of where stands 
 the first mile-stone from town, on the road to 
 'Sconset. 
 
64 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 After leaving Trot's hills you go to Maddeket, 
 where the first settlers lived, and finding all traces 
 of the early inhabitants have disappeared, you re- 
 turn to town satisfied with your saunter. 
 
 WnECKs AT Nantucket. 
 
 We have made but casual mention of wrecks 
 at Nantucket, and will now refer to them again. 
 
 Surrounded as we are by dangerous shoals, the 
 island is greatly dreaded by mariners, for they 
 know the dangers of shipwreck on its shores and 
 endeavor to avoid it ; but with all their precaution 
 disasters do occur, and occasionally with mourn- 
 ful loss of life attending them. 
 
 Nothing can describe the state of mind under 
 which the inhabitants labor when a wreck is re- 
 ported with loss of life. On the 23d of Decem- 
 ber, in the year 1865, a schooner was reported 
 ashore on the south side of the island. It proved 
 to be the schooner Haines, loaded with dye-wood, 
 from Cuba for Boston, where she belonged, and 
 the community were terribly shocked when it was 
 ascertained that all on board, in attempting to get 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 65 
 
 ashore in their boat, were drowned. Not one left 
 to tell the tale. 
 
 The vessel was taken in charge by Mr. Peter 
 Folger, the Underwriters' agent, and he was on 
 his way to attend to some duties where she lay, 
 when news of another wreck in the south east 
 quarter was brought him. 
 
 Driving down to the place of disaster, a scene 
 of confusion greeted his eyes. The ship, for it 
 was thought to be a large iron one, was just out- 
 side the edge of the surf, breaking and rending 
 into bits before the mad waves that were rolling 
 furiously ashore, while her cargo of barrels of 
 kerosene oil was all afloat, dashing here and there 
 before the impulse of the wild sea. 
 
 It was the ship Newton of Hamburg, on a 
 voyage from New York home ; and now on this 
 Christmas morning she was going to pieces, while 
 her crew of twenty-seven were all drowned ; but 
 one poor unfortunate getting ashore, he having 
 succeeded in landing in a nude condition, walking 
 within a mile of a farm house, and then dying of 
 exposure and exhaustion, the people finding his 
 body as they drove to the scene of the disaster. 
 
66 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 It was afterwards identified as that of the second 
 mate of the Newton. 
 
 The affair cast a deep gloom over the horror- 
 stricken community, following, as it did, so closely 
 upon that of the Haines. 
 
 Nearly all the bodies from both vessels were 
 recovered and the whole community went en masse 
 to the funeral services at the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, from whence the burial took place. The 
 masons, ascertaining that the captain was a mem- 
 ber of the fraternity, took charge of his body and 
 buried it with masonic rites. 
 
 Christmas is a great gala-day with the Germans, 
 but this was a terrible greeting to go flashing over 
 the wires to the loving families in a foreign land. 
 
 Many conjectures were rife as to the cause of 
 the disaster, but as there was not a single survivor 
 spared to tell the tale, the affair must always re- 
 main shrouded in mystery. 
 
 The following vessels have also been wrecked, 
 with loss of life attending them : 
 
 Ships Earl of Eglington and Forest Prince, barks 
 Cornwallis and John Swazy, and schooner Rosa- 
 lie, these being but few instances of a great many 
 similar occurrences. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 67 
 
 While at times there is mournful loss of iife^ 
 there is also great pleasure in recording heroic 
 attempts to rescue human beings from watery 
 graves, and we note the two following incidents, 
 with great regret that we are so limited for space 
 in this little book and only able to mention what 
 we do. 
 
 About the middle of October, 1845, the brig 
 Mariner stranded on the bar, and the crew, six in 
 number, were rescued with great difficulty by a 
 party to whom the Massachusetts Humane Society 
 awarded medals. The following extract of a letter 
 written by their local agent, the late P. H. Folger, 
 Esq., tells us how one of the heroes lost his life 
 before this reward for his bravery was made, the 
 medals not coming till some months later. 
 
 Messrs. Heman Eldredge and William Patter- 
 son had gold and the rest silver ones. 
 
 Gentlemen : It has become my pleasing duty, at the 
 request of the Massachusetts Humane Society, to present 
 to you in the name of that society, two elegant Gold, and 
 ten Silver medals, executed and engraved for the Society, 
 enclosed in neat cases, and bearing the following inscrip- 
 tions, commemorative of the object for which they were 
 bestowed : On one side, " Awarded by the Massachu- 
 setts Humane Society, to ,** and on the other. 
 
68 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 " For his humane exertions in rescuing the crew of the 
 
 Brig Mariner, wrecked on Nantucket, October, 1845.'' 
 * * * * 
 
 But sadness come over me, when I count these tokens 
 of approbation, and recollect that one, to whom it would 
 have been my pleasure to convey this medal of the 
 Society, has met that fate which this community so long 
 anticipated. From my boyhood up to the moment of 
 his untimely death, when danger was abroad, and one 
 was needed to rush in and rescue life from destruction, 
 there was but one unanimous enquiry, and that was, 
 "where is Meltiah Fisher?" He met his death, as you 
 are aware, by one of those dangers to which his whole 
 life was exposed, A short time since, a vessel was seen 
 some miles distant from our harbor in want of a pilot. 
 Alone, in his boat he embarked to render her the assist- 
 ance required, but ere he reached her, his boat foundered 
 in the sea, and he met a grave in that element over which 
 he had so often rode in its wildest fury. 
 
 In expressing the approbation of the Massachusetts 
 Humane Society, and giving these more enduring marks 
 which I have the honor of presenting to you, please 
 accept my personal well wishes for yourselves and your 
 families, and believe me, gentlemen, 
 
 Respectfully yours, &c., 
 
 Nantucket, July 20th, 1846. P. H. Folger. 
 
 To Heman Eldredge, Ebenezer Gould, George Fisher, 
 
 Joseph Perry, Hiram Fisher, Jesse Eldredge, William 
 
 Patterson, Moses Hamilton, Theoph. Key, J'ohn 
 
 Hall, Henry Young, Meltiah Fisher. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 69 
 
 The other case we mention was that of the 
 schooner Mary Anna, stranded in about the same 
 place over twenty-fiVe years after the first one, the 
 men going in the night time over rotten ice, and 
 with infinite risk of their own lives saving the lives 
 of six, who were expecting to freeze, and we take 
 especial pride in presenting the names of, — Isaac 
 Hamblin, Alexander Fanning, George A. Veeder, 
 Joseph P. Gardner, William Bates, Stephen Key, 
 James A. Holmes, Henry C. Coffin. 
 
 We now conclude this volume, with a directory 
 of the public places, want of room compelling us 
 to omit much we had prepared to publish. 
 
NANTUCKET DIRECTORY 
 
 For 1875. 
 
 LODGES. 
 
 Free and Accepted Masons. 
 
 Union Lodge, F. & A. M. — Benjamin F. Brown, W, 
 M. ; Reuben C. Kenney, S. W. ; Seth M] Coffin, J 
 W. ; James A. Holmes, S. D. ; John Chinery, J. D. ; 
 Henry C. Pinkham, S. S. ; George W. Defriez, J. S. ; 
 George W. Macy, Marshall ; Charles P. Swain, Secre- 
 tary ; George Swain, Treasurer ; Francis B. Smith, 
 Tyler ; John W. Hallett, Organist. [The Union Lodge 
 was chartered in 1771.] 
 
 Isle of the Sea, Royal Arch Chapter. — Joseph S. 
 Barney ; H. P. ; William B. Starbuck, K, ; George W. 
 Defriez, Scribe ; George W. Macy, Treas. ; Orrin F. 
 Adams, Secretary ; George S. Wilbur, C. of H. ; Ben- 
 jamin F. Brown, P. S. ; Reuben C. Kenney, R. A. C. ; 
 Charles H. Jaggar, M. 3d V. ; Robert F. Kent, M. 2d 
 V. ; Albion Bucknam, M. ist V. ; John W. Hallett, 
 Organist ; Francis B. Smith, Tyler. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 71 
 
 Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
 
 Nantucket Lodge, No. 66, (Instituted 1845). — 
 Josiah Freeman, N. G. ; Josiah F. Murphey, V. G. ; 
 William C. L'Hommedieu, Treas. ; Charles H. Tracy, 
 O.G. 
 
 Wanackmamack Encampment. — Almon T. Mowry, 
 C. P. ; Henry Paddack, H. P. ; Josiah Freeman, S. W. ; 
 
 A. W. N. Small, J. W. ; Benjamin F. Brown, G. ; 
 Francis B. Smith, S. ; William C. L'Hommedieu, T. ; 
 Charles H. Tracy, S ; William H. Coffin, D. D. G. P. 
 
 Island Lodge Degree of Rebekah, No. 24. — William 
 
 B. Starbuck, N. G. ; Mrs. Priscilla F. Coffin, V. G. ; 
 Mrs. Emmie Grew, Treasurer ; Mrs. Avis N. Murphy, 
 Recording Secretary ; Mrs. Mary L. Smith, Financial 
 Secretary ; Henry Paddack, Chaplain. 
 
 William H. Waitt, D. D. G. M., for this district. 
 The above lodges hold their respective meetings in 
 Sherburne Hall, Centre St. 
 
 SOCIETIES. ' 
 
 Agricultural — Atheneum (West Room), A. M. Myrick, 
 President. 
 
 Howard Benevolent — Room on Federal Street ; Mrs. 
 George Starbuck, President ; Mrs. Harriet Pierce, 
 Secretary. The Ladies' Howard Society was formed 
 
72 Hand Book ofNantucket. 
 
 in November, 1836, by the union of three previously 
 existing societies, viz : — The Fragment, Benevolent, 
 and Charitable. The Howard Society was incor- 
 porated 1846. 
 
 Relief Association for the aid of Indigent, Aged People ; 
 Invested Funds, $2,200. Subscriptions solicited. 
 Mrs. Harriet Pierce, Mrs. David C. Baxter, Mrs. 
 Sarah Townsend, Committee, and a board of Di- 
 rectors comprising twelve other ladies. 
 
 Union Benevolent — Mrs. Mary B. Winslow, Presi- 
 dent ; Mrs. Sarah A. Coffin, Sec. and Treas., and 
 a committee of twelve other ladies. 
 
 Children's Aid — Organized in 186 1 ; Miss L. S. Baker, 
 Secretary. 
 
 Sorosis ; Mrs. Elizabeth Crosby, President ; Mrs. Char- 
 lotte Pearson, Vice-Pres. ; Mrs. H. M. Robinson, 
 Sec. ; Mrs. C. Starbuck, Treas. 
 
 Humane — building and apparatus on Water street. 
 There are about a dozen Humane houses located at 
 various points round the island. 
 
 BANKS. 
 Pacific National Bank — Corner Main and Centre streets, 
 (fronting the Square); Organized 1804; Capital, 
 $200,000. F. C. Sanford, President ; Joseph Mitch- 
 ell, Cashier. William H. Chadwick, A'sst. Cashier. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 73 
 
 Institution for Savings — Main street, 2d door below 
 Centre, (up one flight) ; Joseph C. Chase, President ; 
 Matthew Barney, Treasurer ; Alexander Macy, Jr., 
 Asst. Treas. 
 
 PUBLIC OFFICES. 
 
 Custom House — in brick building, owned by Pacific 
 Club, corner of Main and Water streets ; William P. 
 Hiller, Collector ; Wm. H. Waitt, Deputy Collector 
 and Inspector ; Matthew Macy Inspector, 
 
 Post-Office — Main street, opposite Federal ; A Whit- 
 ney, Postmaster. 
 
 Town Offices (Selectmen's Room. Register of Deeds 
 and Notary Public (Wm. H. Macy) office, Town 
 Clerk's and Collector of Taxes' Office, &c.), Town's 
 building on Union street. 
 
 COURTS. 
 
 Supreme and Superior — Town Hall ; George W. 
 
 Jenks, Clerk. 
 Probate — Town's building ; T. C. Defriez, Judge, 
 
 Sam'l Swain, Reg. 
 
 PRINTING OFFICES. 
 
 Island Review and Inquirer & Mirror, (See advertise- 
 ments. ) 
 
 THE END. 
 
74 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 CHARLES H. JAGGAR, 
 
 AND DEALER IN 
 
 tW^/ ^»««P|) 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 Blank Books, Note, Letter and Bill Paper, Envelopes, 
 
 Inks, Pens and Pen Holders, Drawing Paper, 
 
 Bristol Board, together with a general 
 
 assortment of all articles in 
 
 the above line. 
 
 Pocket Cutlery, Scissors, Shaying Apparatus, Portemonnaies and 
 Wallets, Playing and Visiting Cards. 
 
 OI^OQTTErr SETS- 
 
 AGENT FOR 
 IDE.. F. O. E^VSTEE.'S 
 
 MAW @» ir^»lW©EB^. 
 
 Historical Maps, Large Size, - - - $3.00. 
 Small Size, - - - 50 cents. 
 
 Those \Aishing the Large Historical Maps, will do well to secure them 
 early, as there are but a limited number now in print. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 75 
 
 HACK, IiIVEBY, 
 
 AND 
 
 :Boa.rd.irLg^ StaTole, 
 
 HEAD OF STEAMBOAT WHARF, 
 NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
 With or without Drivers, can always be had. 
 
 LARGE EXCURSION WAGONS 
 
 Designed especially to convey parties on 
 
 SQUANTUMS AND PICNICS. 
 
 Hacks for the Public Conveyance, 
 
 -A.T -A-ILIL HOUSES. 
 Alili ORDERS PROaiPlXY ATTENDED TO. 
 
76 
 
 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 THE FAST-SAILING 
 
 IT-^CDJBiT 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHN 0. FREEMAN, 
 
 Lying at Steamboat Wharf, Nantucket, will take parties 
 
 sLiiE-nsH!N&, SCUFFING mmm&, 
 
 ANB ALSO ON 
 
 SQUANTUMS, PICNICS, 
 
 AND 
 
 MOONLIGHT EXCURSIONS. 
 
 The Dawning Light is well found in every respect, as fast as any 
 yacht of her size, and dry and comfortable in sailing. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 77 
 
 TO FISHING PARTIES! 
 
 CAPT. SAMUEL H, WINSLOW, 
 
 Can be found at SteamTooat Wharf. 
 
 PARTIES TAKEN TO THE FISHIM BANKS, 
 
 PATICULAR ATTENTION GIVEN TO 
 
 &^Hn®^K£P® 
 
78 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 GEORGE W. MACY, 
 
 AGENT FOR THE 
 
 Purchase, Sale and Leasing 
 
 OF 
 
 led litii@ li iaitisket. 
 
 Office, Main Street, opposite Orange. 
 
 Parties wishing to Negotiate, will Please Address as above. 
 
 DE.A.3LEI^ IIT 
 
 a^©* ^1 
 
 AGRICULTURAL WARES, &c 
 
 SPSSOr^ISlEITOXS ox^ 
 
 TO "VvrOOIDS HOLE. 
 OFFICE IN BOSTON, - - 38 COURT SQUARE. 
 
^ Hand Book of Nantucket. 79 
 
 I 
 
 CHAS. H. EOBINSON, 
 
 FAIR STREET, NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
 HaviBg an established reputation in designing plans for Houses, 
 and making a specialty of Summer Residences, I am pre- 
 pared to erect in a substantial and expeditious manner. 
 
 HOUSES, VILLAS AND COTTAGES, 
 
 In neat and elegant styles of fimsh. 
 
 Building Lots and Cottages 
 
 in desirable locations for Summer Eesidences, for sale. 
 
 CALL ON OB ADDBESS 
 
 NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
80 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 SUMMER RESOKT! 
 
 i 
 
 COTTAGES AND LOTS 
 
 The attention of all seeking a delightful Summer Resort is invited 
 to the natural advantages and beauties of this spot. Situate on a 
 bluff at the South-east side of the Island and close to the delightful 
 
 Village of Siasconset, 
 
 the situation is not surpassed, if equalled, by any on the New Eng- 
 land coast. Great improvements have been made, a large tract of 
 land laid out into house lots, several cottages erected, ; -:d others 
 ready to put up, 
 
 BATHING HOUSEIS 
 
 Are located close at hand on the beach, and the 
 
 M-Eathinjisliuallsanjinilisforll. 
 
 Fresh and salt water fishing may be carried on within a short dis- 
 tance of the " Heights." 
 
 Eegular stage communication with the town of Nantucket through 
 the summer is established, and passengers can be taken to Sunset 
 " Heights " from the Steamer. 
 
 The house lots average 50x75 feet — some larger — and vail be offered 
 to purchasers at prices ranging from 
 
 One Hundred to Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars^ 
 
 Lithographed Plans are ready, which with any information re- 
 quired, will be furnished upon application to 
 
 Chas. H, Robinson, or Dr. F. A. Ellis, 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 81 
 
 IT XX IE 
 
 Nantucket Surf- Side Company, 
 
 Having purchased a tract of about 2,000 acres of land on the 
 
 SOUTH SHORE OF NANTUCKET, 
 
 With a Water Frontage of Four Miles, 
 
 Extending from Miacomet pond on the West, to the South East 
 Quarter, are now prepared to sell lots at 
 
 ff If HI iiiei 01 
 
 THE LOTS AEE 80x120 lEET. 
 
 The location is unsurpassed, and there is no cooler spot for a Water- 
 ing-Place on the Eastern coast of the United States. 
 
 For Plans or Particulars, call on or address 
 
 HENEY COFFIN, President. 
 
 GEO. W. MACY, I -n^^ „^ 
 
 ALFRED SWAIN, f Directors. 
 
 Nantucket, Mass., 
 
 OR 
 
 CHARLES P. COFFIN, Treasurer, 
 
 174 State St., Boston, Mass, 
 
82 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 No. 5 BROAD STREET, 
 
 Nantucket, - . Mass 
 
 (TWO DOOBS BELOW THE OCEAN HOUSE.) 
 
 Office hours from 8 to 9 o'clock, mornings and evenings, 
 and from 1 to 2 afternoons. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 83 
 
 ARTHUR E. JENKS. 
 
 #mt@l 0MPS##B® 
 
 li4f f Iff I, iif meiii, f iif 1 
 
 IIT 
 
 WHOLE OR PARTIAL DENTURES. 
 
 Allen's Block, (Up Stairs,) 
 
 lv£aia:i Street, 
 
 :^Ta/aa.t-a.cls:et. 
 
84 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 J. :Fi?.EE:M:.^isr, 
 
 Allen's Block, Kain Street, Nantucket, Mass. 
 
 ALL KINDS or 
 
 Sun Pictures Made at Short Notice. 
 
 ALSO CONSTANTLY ON HAND 
 
 liitelil, ilii§iiiil iid ^iliill, 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 Streets, Public Houses, Steamboats, ^c, (S;o. 
 
 ALSO VIEWS OF A 
 
 Recently captured on the Nortli Shore, "Cutting in" a Finback 
 Whale sixty feet long, Wreck Scenes, and other novel- 
 ties. These Views are for sale at the 
 
 AND ALSO AT VARIOUS STORES IN TO'WN. 
 
 In selecting, please observe that they have on the margin, 
 J. FREEMAN, NANTUCKET. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 85 
 
 W. H. WESTON, 
 
 MERCHANT TAILOR, 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 CLOTHS, rVTZTl^l>A:X1:7<3rS, 
 
 WmwmMhtmm ©@@€i. 
 
 Ft. C3r jx. isr fS 
 
 FOR SALE 
 
 On the Installment Plan. 
 
 ALSO 
 
 PMiTOi m VII BIS? n^i, 
 
 AT HIS STORE 
 
 Corner of Main and Orange Streets. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 CLEAN SHORE 
 
 NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
 Open from 6 A. M. to 9 F. M., until Octo'ber 1st. 
 
 These rooms are well known as a place of Summer 
 Resort during the warm weather, and the sub- 
 scriber will spare no pains to keep up 
 their well established reputation. 
 
 Good comfortable rooms are provided, well lighted 
 
 and warmed, and every attention will be 
 
 paid to the comfort of visitors. 
 
 CHARLES E. HAYDEN, 
 
 Nantucket, 1875. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 87 
 
 WILLIAM B. STEVENS, 
 
 Main Street, five doors above the Post Office, 
 
 FRUITS, NUTS, &c.. 
 
 Tobacco and Cigars, Choice Brands. 
 
 Families and Parties Supplied with Ice Cream 
 
 ON REASONABLE TERMS. 
 
 ICE COOL SODA, WITH PURE FRUIT SYRUPS. 
 
88 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 
 OFTERS FOR SALE AT 
 
 The Store next above the Pacific Nat'l Bank, Main Street, 
 
 A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OP 
 
 Miflii EMIg, losi ill SMI W@fl, 
 
 IN GREAT VARIETTT. 
 
 Also all Sizes of Rattan Baskets, Round and Oval, made 
 on Board of South Slioal Liglit Ship. 
 
 PLEASE CALL AND EXAMINE. 
 
 C. S. CATHCART, 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 TRUNKS AND VALISES, 
 
 IF-XjOOI^ OII-i CILiOTHS, 
 
 AND 
 
 Gents' FvirnisMng- Goods, 
 
 MAIN STREET, NANTUCKET. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 89 
 
 .^ ILi-A-Xea-E: -A.SSOT^T'IvIEliT'X' OI" 
 
 STRAW MATTINGS, 
 
 Wall Paper of all Descriptions 
 
 IN GILT, SATIN AND CRIMSON. 
 
 AT THE LOWEST CASH PRICES, 
 
 N. Coggshairs Emporium, 
 
 MAIN STREET, ISTANTUCKET. 
 
 [See page 12.] 
 
90 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 THIS 
 A LIVE LOCAL. PAPER, 
 
 IP-ULTolisliecl Sex3:ii-"^7;7"eelsl3r, 
 
 ON 
 BY 
 
 I. H. FOLGER, Editor. 
 
 Office, Main Street, Nantucket, Mass. 
 ONLY $2.00 A YEAR. 
 
 Advertisements Inserted at Low Rates. 
 
 The IsLAKD EEriEW is devoted to Local News and the interests of 
 the place. Appearing as it does, twice a week, it is 
 
 ONE OF THE BEST ADVEBTISING ME- 
 DIUMS IN THE COUNTY. 
 
 Subscribe for it Witliout Delay. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 91 
 
 THE 
 
 Inquirer and Mirror. 
 
 HUSSEY & ROBINSON, 
 
 PROPRIETORS AND PUBLISHERS. 
 
 Main Street, Nantucket, Mass. 
 
 Fraasiii 
 
 AT $2.50 PER ANNUM. 
 
 The circulation of the Inquirer and Mirror is equal to that of 
 any weekly paper published in South Eastern Massachusetts. It is 
 not only a Local Paper, but has an extensive circulation abroad, and 
 is therefore a valuable medium for advertising. 
 
 OF EVERT DESCRIPTION, 
 
 EXECUTED WITH NEATNESS & DESPATCH 
 
92 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 z^Eu^n^E 
 
 |srap mi pmm |: 
 
 MAIN STREET, 
 
 NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
 MIP ©ff@@©f l©i 
 
 o^ -^XjXj :k:z^T3DS, 
 
 ALWAYS ON HAND 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 93 
 
 DEAIiER IN 
 
 Groceries and Provisions, 
 
 CANNED TRUITS AND PIOKLES. 
 
 Fruits and Veg-etables of all kinds in their 
 
 Season. Candies and Confectionery, 
 
 Tobacco and Cigars of tlie 
 
 finest quality constantly 
 
 on hand. 
 
 Also 
 
 Mill MiiMiiijj lilf i©li iii liiii^ii. 
 
 ALL KINDS OF FISH-HOOKS AND LINES. 
 
 CORNER MAIN AND MILK STREETS, 
 
 NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
94 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 l@©t aai Bkm M&k^^ 
 
 Main Street, Two Doors Below the Post Office, 
 NANTUCKET, MASS. 
 
 Boots and Slices made to order in the latest style, and 
 warranted to give good satisfaction. 
 
 Eepairing Neatly Done. 
 
 ATHENEUM MUSEUM! 
 
 Prom all parts of the World. 
 
 MAMMOTH SPERM WHALE'S JAW! 
 
 Call and see this remarkable collection that our whalemen have 
 
 brought home from all navigable parts of the globe. 
 
 Open every day, (Sundays excepted,) from 8 a. m. to 12 m., and from 
 
 1 to 5 p. M, Admission 15 cents. 
 
 Atheneum, Cor. Federal & Lower Pearl Sts. , Nantucket. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket. 95 
 
 CHAS. H. KOBINSON ife SON, 
 
 ^a,ir Street, 3iTa-3a.t-a.c33:et, IL^ass., 
 Are prepared to furnish at short notice, 
 
 Monuments, Tombstones, Mantels, Tablets, 
 
 Scrolls, Figures, &c., of the following Marbles : 
 
 Italian of different grades, Statuary, American, Kutland, Southerland 
 
 Falls, and Eschaillon Marbles of France, which 
 
 have stood the test of centuries, 
 
 Of most desirable Designs, both Plain and Elaborately Carved, 
 
 Which ^\ill be sold at prices to defy competition. All work will 
 
 be set up in a permanent manner, without extra charge. 
 
 Also, all kinds of GRANITE WORK, from common Rockport and 
 
 different grades of Quincy Granite. 
 
 Neat Combination Fences of plain or galvanized iron rods and 
 
 granite or wooden posts put up in a substantial manner, 
 
 and at the most reasonable prices. 
 
 Designs of dlflPerent classes of work on hand for inspection. 
 
96 Hand Book of Nantucket. 
 
 REUBEN P. FOLG-ER, 
 NANTUCKET, - - MASS. 
 
 GOOD AIRY ROOM 
 
 TEI^nSJIS 2j^OIDEI^-^TE. 
 
 Letters by Mail to secure Board will receive prompt 
 attention. 
 
Hand Book of Nantucket 
 
 97 
 
 A. S. MOWRY & CO., Proprietors. 
 
 ENLAE&ED AND IMPEOVED. 
 
 Terms: $2,50 per day, transient ; or 
 from $9 to $14 per week. 
 
 A. S. Mowry A: Va. 
 
Q).