YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Purchased from the Gift of
ARTHUR D. KROM

Yn

n o

^

THE

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET;

BEING A COMPENDIOUS ACCODNT Or THE FIRST

SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND BY THE ENGLISH,

TOGETHER WITH THE

RISE and progress

WHALE FISHERY;
AND OTHER HISTORICAL FACTS RELATIVE TO SAID
ISLAND AND ITS INHABITANTS.
Kn Stoo JParts.

BY OBED MACY.

We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God.
EoMAMs viii. 28.
Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing he lost. Jobs vi. 12.

BOSTON:
HILLIARD, GRAY, AND CO.

1835.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, by Obed
Mact, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts.

J. D. FREEMAN, PEINTBat,
No. 110 Washington St.

PREFACE.
It has long been a subject of surprise to the author, that no
person has written a history of Nantucket. Such a work,
commencing with the settlement of the island by the English,
and continued to the present day, could not fail of containing
much both of interest and instruction. There are few places
of equal magnitude, the annals of which would afford matters
for a more valuable volume.
The occasion which drew some of the first families to
settle at Nantucket, was that of avoiding the rigors of the
law against the people called (Quakers. To enjoy the exer
cise of the rites of hospitality and of religious freedom, they
were willing to leave their homes, their friends and con
nexions, to sacrifice their property, and to settle in a place
inhabited by some thousands of savages, from whom, in case
of assault, no retreat could be made. Driven from civilized
society for no crime, but for their virtues rather, they took
refuge in a land of barbarians ; and, without vessels for
flight, or arms for defence, they erected their altars and
traced their furrows with all that confidence and fearless
ness, which is inspired by unwavering trust in the blessing
of heaven. They committed themselves to the guidance of
divine power, believing that, under His influence, they would
succeed in their undertaking. They did succeed ; and so
rapidly and so peaceably, that, in a few years, they found
themselves in possession of the whole island, while neither
retord nor tradition affords a single instance of hostility
between them and their savage neighbors.

IV PREFACE.
The Whale Fishery will be found a leading topic in the
following pages, and, it is presumed, one of the most inter
esting parts of this history. Reflecting at how early a
period this business was commenced after the island was
settled, the speedy acquisition of knowledge, as to the best
mode of carrying it on, and the success in its progress, are
considerations which must strike the reader with astonish
ment. The sight of whales playing near the shores led the
inhabitants to contemplate the advantages which would arise,
could they become possessed of the proper means of taking
them. These means were gradually obtained, consisting
partly of information derived from Cape Cod, but principally
drawn from their own enterprising disposition and indefati
gable industry. At first they had neither boats nor craft
suitable lor the business, and very few mechanics capable
of making them. The shore, from which it was most proper
to go in pursuit of whales, was on the ocean side of the
island, where the surf, constantly breaking, required that
they should have good boats and skilful hands to manage
them. The whale fishery had its rise amidst these and
other difficulties ; it succeeded, as will be seen in the follow
ing pages, in a surprising manner, and in a few years after
its commencement it became the principal business of the
place, and the greater part of the people was engaged in its
various branches.
A community situated like that of Nantucket, and pursu
ing a business almost as insulated as their location, must
necessarily have some peculiarities. Their manners and
customs have often been noticed by travellers, and, it may
be, placed in a more striking contrast with those of the con
tinent than comports with strict truth. There is one trait
in their character, however, to which they may claim un
disputed right ; it is a settled, strong, and almost universal
opinion, that wars are wrong. This aversion to the spirit

PREFACE. V
of war, by so great a portion of the people, has often proved
of material benefit. Their peaceable chaj-acter has recom
mended them to the clemency of the common enemy, and
in some instances secured to them favors instead of injuries.
Situated, in a time of war, beyond the protecting arm of
government, they have been exempted from taking an active
part in our national contests ; surrounded often by the enemy,
and always utterly defenceless, they enjoyed a greater immu
nity from plunder and devastation than fortified seaports or
even many inland towns.
Probably the reader, who may be personally acquainted
with some of the incidents herein stated, will discover some
omissions : these may be accounted for in two ways ; first,
the author has been studiously careful rather to omit some
trifling affairs, than to wound the feelings of individuals by
their recital : secondly, although he has taken considerable
pains, notwithstanding the work is of so small magnitude, to
collect materials from every authentic source, yet, greatly
to his mortification, there is very little on record and few
documents relating to much of the time embraced within
the limits of the History.
To write a history of any country or place must be a
pleasing task to persons possessed with endowments, and
qualifications necessary for the right performance of such a
work. History may be properly said to contribute to the
necessities of our species, inasmuch as the experience of
past generations is oftentimes the only criterion by which
to judge of the consequences of present acts. To encourage
every performance of this kind, is, therefore, the duty of all
civilized people., It is not pretended, that the work now
presented to the public is free from errors. It is rendered
incomplete by want of knowledge on many material points.
Having neither the records nor other manuscripts to appeal
A*

VI PREFACE.
to for the knowledge necessary. to a complete history, the
author is aware that some errors may have crept into the
work. Tradition, too often replete with errors, has some
times necessarily been appealed to ; but as there is no
wilful deviation from truth, it is trusted that the reader will
be favorable in his censure of the work, and consider it as
it is really meant to be, — A statement of such facts and
information as have come to the Icnowledge of the author ;
intended for the edification of his family, and such others
into whose hands it may chance to fall. With this view, he
is willing to trust to the candor of every considerate reader,
without further apology.

TO THE READER.

This History is substantially the work of Mr. Obed Mact.
My connexion with it has been limited to such additions and
verbal alterations, as seemed necessary in the progress of prepar
ing it for the press. This notice seems to be due to Mr. Macy,
as my name was associated with his in the proposals for the
publication.
WILLIAM COFFIN.
Nantucket, June 6, 1835.

CONTENTS

PART FIRST.

CHAPTER I.
Discovery of the Island of Nantucket — Purchase of the Island
by Thomas Mayhew — Its sale to Tristram Coffin, and others —
Sachem-deed to Thomas Mayhew, Tristram Coffin, and others-
Geographical description of the Island — Soil and Productions.
CHAPTER II.
Settlement of the Island by the English — Biography of Thomas
Macy, the first settler — His removal to Nantucket, accompanied
by Edward Starbuck — Number of Natives, and their means of
subsistence — Edward Starbuck returns to Salisbury ; and
thence proceeds again to Nantucket — Extracts from the Salis
bury records — Removal of the first purchasers from Salisbury
to Nantucket — Treatment of the Indians — Esquire Kadooda —
Mode of improving the land, and keeping sheep — Divisions
of land from 1659 to 1823 — Peter Folger — Early customs of
the settlers — Indian war previous to the settlement by the Eng
lish — Indian mode of Fishing — First whale killed — James
Lopar's engagement to carry on the whale fishery — John
Savage employed as cooper — Ichabod Paddock employed ,to
instruct the inhabitants in the best mode of killing whales and
extracting their oil — Indians employed in the whaling boats-
Cod Fishery — Method of saving whales ; and how they were
descried from the shore — Spermaceti whale found on the
shore — Prophecy at the Folly Hill House — Choice of a site
for the town — The Island included within the lines of the

Vni CONTENTS.
Province of Massachusetts — First spermaceti whale killed —
Vessels began to whale " out in the deep " — First wharf-
Encouraging prospects — Whaling to the " southward " and
near the Grand Bank  
CHAPTER III.
Religion of the early inhabitants— Their social intercourse—
Zaccheus Macy— King Philip's visit to the Island— Habits of
the Indians — Their religious societies — Indian sickness —
Their final extinction — Threatened insurrection — Court of
inquiry into the legality of the purchases of land. .

13

39

CHAPTER IV.
Increase of the whale fishery — Exportation of oil to London —
Loss of several vessels — Vessels sent to Davis' Straits — En
couragement to carry on the whale fishery in England — Places
visited by whalers before the Revolutionary War — Importa
tions of oil between the years 1762 and 1772 — Prices of oil in
England between 1742 and 1753 — Removals from the Island —
Social intercourse — Method of adjusting difficulties — Origin
of the Society of Friends on Nantucket — Visits of Friends
to the Island — Thomas Chalkley-^ — Thomas Story — John
Griffith — Longevity of the Inhabitants — Diseases — Small Pox
— Inoculation — Executions of criminals — Author's views of
capilal punishments  .... 50
CHAPTER V.
Progress of the whale fishery — First manufactory of sperm can
dles in America in Nantucket — Cod Fishery — Jefferson's
statement of the whale fishery in Massachusetts from 1771 to
1775— Anticipations of war- Petition of the Friends in Eng
land, in behalf of Nantucket — Census betvveen 1719 and 1830
—Views on war— Value of certain articles in 1712, and sev
eral succeeding years— Value of certain articles in 1774 —
Precautions for the security of property in case of war —
Sensations produced by accounts of the battle of Lexington —
Cessation of the whaling business — Employment of the inhab
itants— Saltworks-West India trade commenced— Commu
nication with the continent by boats — Prison-ships — Distress
for bread and fuel— Valuation for 1778— Plunder by the Refu-

CONTENTS. IX
gees — Committee sent to the British to ask relief.— Sir John
Collier's answer — Threatened attack on the town; by what
means averted — Policy of the people in relation to self-de
fence—Taxes  68
CHAPTER VI.
Suiferings during the hard winter of 1780 — Expedients to pro
cure fuel — Scarcity of food — Clothing — Swamps laid out for
digging peat — Petition to the British commander-in-chief for
certain indulgences — Another petition — Permits granted by
the British commander, to carry on the whale fishery — Vessels
under permits taken and released — Continental money —
Peace — Tonnage captured during the war  107
CHAPTER VII.
Preparations for recommencing the whaling business — Valuation
of 1784 — Prices of oil, provisions, and real estate— Light-houses
on Great Point, and Brant Point — Cod fishing commenced and
abandoned — Discouragements to the whale fishery — Petition
to the Legislature for relief.— Bounty granted on oil — Its ill
effects — Removals to Halifax — Voyages extended — Act of the
Legislature requiring the oath of allegiance to be taken by
certain town officers — Petition for relief from that act — In
creased consumption of oil — Colored persons engaged in the
service — Effects of the war on the habits of the people — Pros
pect of a market for oil in France — Sealing voyages — First
whaling voyage from Nantucket to the Pacific — Difficulties
arising from the European war — Nantucket Bank incorporated
— Bank robbery — Name of the town changed; — Consequences
of war to Nantucket — Voyage to the East Indies — Burning of
two barns — French spoliations — Ships detained at St. Mary's
— Whales killed near the island and brought into the harbor —
Academy incorporated  119
CHAPTER VIII.
Nantucket Bar — Increased consumption of oil and candles —
Pacific Bank and two insurance offices incorporated— Ships
detained by the Spaniards— Embarrassments— Encouragements
— Embargo — Anticipations of war — Remojyals— Embargo of
1812 — Memorial to Congress — War — Plans to secure a contin-

X CONTENTS.
uance of the whale fishery — Removals — Number of vessels
belonging to the island — British cruisers — Scarcity of provis
ions—Distress — Distrust of the banks — Petition to the Presi
dent of the United States — Farming. '  I^^
CHAPTER IX.
Inoculation — Mail Packet taken by the enemy — Whaling sloop
taken on the shoals, and afterwards lost — Direct tax — Petition
of the town to Congress — Anxiety for the arrival of whale
ships— Effi^cts of the Embargo of 1813— The Island invested
with British cruisers — Remarks on privateering — Selectmen
authorized to import provisions — Gale — Det^redations commit
ted by a small privateer, and a tender of a British frigate —
Lights discontinued and buoys removed — Deputation to the
British naval commander-in-chief — Their instructions — Pri-
. vate deputation — Visit of the Brig Nimrod to Nantucket —
Negotiations for Neutrality — Town Meeting and its resolu
tions on the occasion — Stipulation of Neutrality — Passports to
vessels to bring provisions, &c. — Return of the town's deputa
tion and their report — Town Meeting — Petition to Cogress for
exemption from direct taxes and internal duties — Letter to
Commodore Hotham — His reply — Resolutions of the town —
Battle between the Privateer Neufchatel and the barges of the
Endymion Frigate   . . 172
CHAPTER X.
Peace — Preparations for business — Taxes— Ships leave on whale
voyages — Newspaper established — Distress in 1817 and mea
sures for relief — Prospects more cheering — Other places em
bark in the whale fishery — Census of 1810 — Vessels and ton
nage in 1821 — Concluding remarks  208

PART SECOND.
Captain Benjamin Worth and Washington Gardner's "whaling
service   22q
Description of the outfits of a whale ship and the manner of
killing whales, &c  221
Description of the right-whale  229

CONTENTS. XI
Progress of the whale fishery at Nantucket  232
Produce of the whale fishery from 1804 to 1834  235
Loss of a sloop and schooner   236
Loss of the ship Union  237
Loss of the ship Essex  242
Loss of the ship Henry  . . 246
Loss of the ship Commerce  247
Loss of a boat's crew on Nantucket Bar  247
Loss of the ship General Lincoln  248
Loss of the ship Two Brothers  249
Loss of the ship Lady Adams  250
Loss of the ship Lydia  251
Loss of the ship Franklin  251
Vessels lost since the settlement of the island  253
Proposals from the French government to the people of Nan
tucket to remove to Dunkirk  253
Fishing stages. ...  259
Siasconset  260
Zaccheus Macy, account of Nantucket in a letter to the Hist.
Society  262
Education  271
Coffin School  272
Nantucket Athenaeum  276
Slavery  277
Religious Societies  281
Fires  283
Poetry  286

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

PART I.
CHAPTER I.
The Island of Nantucket was first discovered in
1602, by Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, an Eng
lishman. He sailed from England in a small bark,
with thirty-two persons bound to Virginia, in
search of a proper seat for a plantation. Having
fallen in with the Cape shore, he pursued his course
south till he came up with Sandy Point, the south
ern extremity of the Countj^ of Barnstable, in the
State of Massachusetts. It being late in the day,
to avoid danger, he stood off to sea, ^and in the
night came in sight of the white cliffs at the east
end of Nantucket, now called Sankota Head, the
highest land on that part of the island.
Whence arose the name of the island, we are not
certain, but it is generally supposed that JSTauticon,
known by ancient voyagers, and Nantucket are the
same. We find no other record concerning Naijtucket
until the year 1641, at which time tho whole island
was deeded to Thomas Mayhew and his son Thomas
by James Forrett, agent to William, Earl of Ster
ling, or Lord Sterling. This being the first deed.

2 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
of which we have any knowledge, respecting the
purchase of the island, we think it is reasonable to
gratify our readers with a copy of it. Though not
remarkable in itself, it may be interesting to some,
since among other circumstances it shows the
origin of the ownership of the island, and the con
sideration for' which it was bought. It is as follows :
These presents do witness. That I, James For
rett, Gent'" who was Sent over into These parts of
America by the Honourable the Lord Sterling, with
a Commission for the ordering and Disposal of all
y« lands that Ly between Cape Codd and Hudson's
River, (and have hitherto Continued my Agency
without any contradiction) Do hereby Grant unto
Thomas Mayhew of Water ..Town Merchant & to
Thonias Mayhew his Son, free Liberty and full
power to Them and Their Associates, to plant and
inhabit upoif ' Nantucket and two other Small
Islands adjacent and to Enjoy the Said Islands, To
Them, their heirs and assigns for ever, provided
that They the Said Thomas Mayhew and Thomas
Mayhev/ his son, or either of Them, or their asso
ciates, Do Render and give yearly unto the Hon'"'*
the Lord Sterling, his heirs or assigns, such an ac
knowledgment as shall be Thought fit by John
Wintrop the Eld''' Esq"' or any Two Magistrates in
the Massachusetts Bay, being chosen for that End
and purpose by the Hon^^® the Lord Sterling, or
his deputy, and by the said Thomas Mayhew and
Thomas Mayhew his sou or Their Associates. It is
agreed That the Government that the Said Thomas
Mayhew and Thomas Mayhew his Son, and Their
Associates, Shall Set up There, shall be such as is
now Establisht, in the Massachusetts aforesaid ; and
That the said Thomas Mayhew and Thomas Mayhew
his Son, and their Associates, shall have as much

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 6
Privilig, Touching their Planting, Inhabitants and
Enjoying of all and every part of the premises, as
by. Patent is granted to the Patentees of the Mass
achusetts aforesaid and Their Associates.
In witness hereof, I, the said James Forrett,
have hereunto set mv hand and Seal, this 13th day
of October, 1641. James Forrett. [l. s.J
Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of
its,
Robert Corner,
Nicholas Davidson, and
Richard Stileman.
This is a true copy of the record, as is attested
this 14th day of April, 1674, per me,
Matthias Nicolls, /Sec'i/.
Although we find in the body of the deed, that
it was made to the Mayhews and their associates,
yet it was not conveyed to the associates until the
2d of the 5th month, 1659 ; the reason of which
was, that the Mayhews could not purchase of the
natives the Sachem right, until the beforemen-
tioned date, and those who intended to join the as
sociation were not disposed to engage until that
was effected. It may be observed, that the place
of record of the foregoing instrument is not men
tioned ; but, on reference to other documents, it is
placed beyond doubt that it was done in New York.
At that early period the Island was under the
jurisdiction of New York ; which will be shown
more particularly in its proper place.
The following instrument being the principal
conveyance by which the owners of the island be
came legally possessed of it, it is thought expedi
ent to insert it at large.

4 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
MR. mayhew's bill OF SALE.
Be it known unto all men, by these presents,.
that I, Thomas Mayhew, of Marther's Vineyard,
merchant, do hereby acknowledge, that I have sold
unto Tristram Coffin, Thomas Macy, Christopher
Hussey, Richard Swain, Thomas Barnard, Peter.
Coffin, Stephen Greenleaf, John Swain, and Will
iam Pile, all that right and interest that I have in
the island of Nantucket by Patent, the right I
bought of James Forrett, steward to the Lord
Sterling and Richard Vines, sometimes of Saco,
gentleman, steward general to Sir Ferdinando
George, knight, as by conveyance under their
hands and seals, appeareth, for them, the afore- ¦
said, to enjoy, and their heirs and assigns for ever, '
with all the privileges thereunto belonging, for and
in consideration of the sum of Thirty pounds of
current pay, unto whomsoever i, the said Thomas
Mayhew, my heirs or assigns, shall appoint, and
also, two Beaver hats, one for myself and one tor
my Wife ; and further, this is to declare, that I,
the said Thomas Mayhew, have reserved to myself
that neck upon Nantucket, called Masquetuck, or
that neck of Land called Nashayte, the neck but
one northerly of Masquexuck, the aforesaid sale in
any wise notwithstanding ; and further, I, the said
Thomas Mayhew, am to bear my part of the charges
of the said purchases above named, and to hold one
twentieth part of all lauds purchased already,
or shall be hereafter purchased upon the Island
by the Purchasers aforesaid, to their heirs and
assigns forever ; because it is that I really sold
all my Patent right to the aforesaid nine men,
and they are to pay me or whomsoever I shall
appoint them, the sum of Thirty pounds in mer
chantable pay, in the Massachusetts, under, which

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 5
Government they now Inhabit, and two Beaver
huts ; and I am to bear one twentieth part of the
charges bf the purchase ; and to have a twentieth
part of all lands and privileges, and to have which
of the necks abovesaid that I will, myself paying
for it only, the Purchasers are to pay what the
Sachem is to have for Masquetuck, though I take
the other neck.
And, in witness whereof, I have hereunto ^et my
hand and seal, this second-day of July, [which was
then the fifth month according to the stj'le,] 1659.
Per me, Thomas Mayhew. [l. s.]
Witness, 5 J°^^ Smith,
' I Edward Scale.
Although there was a verbal agreement made by
the Sachems to sell to Thomas Mayhew a large
part of the island, yet it was not formally conclu
ded until a number of families had moved and set
tled there, at which time it was conveyed by the
Sachems to the associates, by the following instru
ment, which is the first to be found on the records
of the island :
These presents witness. May the tenth, sixteen
hundred and sixty, that we Wanackmamack and
Nickanoose, head Sachems of Nantucket island, do
give, grant, bargain and sell, unto Mr. Thomas
Mayhew of Martin's Vineyard, Tristram Coffin,
seniors, Thomas Macy, Christopher Hussey, Rich
ard Swain, Peter Coffin, Stephen Greenleaf, Thom
as Barnard, John Swain, and William Pile, all the
Land, Meadow, Marshes, Timber and Wood, and all
appurtenances thereunto belonging, and being and
lying from the west end of the island of Nantucket,
unto the Pond, called by the Indians, Waqutuquab,
and from the head of that Pond, upon a straight
line, unto the Pond situated by Mohonioy Harbour

6 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
or Creek, now called Wheeler's Creek, and so
from the northeast corner of the said Pond to the
Sea, that is to say, all the right that we, the afore
said Sachems, have in the said tract of Land, pro
vided that none of the Indian Inhabitants, in or
about the Wood land, or whatsoever Indians, with
in the last purchase of land, from the head of the
Pond to Monomoy Harbour, shall be removed with
out full satisfaction. And we, the aforesaid Sach
ems, do give, grant, bargain and sell, the one half
of the remainder of the Meadows and Marshes'
upon all other parts of the islands. And also, that
the English people shall have what grass they shall
need for to mow, out of the remainder of the Mead
ows and Marshes on the island, so long as the Eng
lish remain upon the island, and also free liberty for^
Timber and Wood, upon any part of the island
within the jurisdiction. And also, we, the afore
said Sachems, do fully grant free liberty to the
English for the feeding all sorts of Cattle on any
part of the island, after Indian harvest is ended
until planting time, or until the first day bf May,
from year to year, for ever, for and in considera-i
tion of twelve pounds already paid, and fourteen
pounds to be paid within three months after the
date hereof.
To have and to hold the aforesaid purchase of
land, and other appurtenances, as aforementioned,!
to them, Mr. Thomas Macy, Tristram Coffin,
Thomas Mayhew, and the rest aforementioned, and
their heirs and assigns, for ever.
In witness whereof, we, the said Sachems have
hereunto set our hands and seals, the day and year
above written. The sign of Wanackmamack, [S.]
The sign of Nickanoose. [S.J

history of NANTUCKET. 7
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
us, Peter Folger,
Felix Kuttashamaquat,
Edward Starbuck.
I do witness this deed to be a true deed, accor
ding to the interpretation of Felix the interpreter ;
also I heard Wanackmamack, but two weeks ago,
say that the sale, made by Nickanoose and he,
should be good, and that they would do so, what
ever comes of it.
Witness my hand, this 17th of first month, 1664. '
Peter Folger.
Witness, Mary Starbuck.
The mark of John (/. C.) Coffin.
Wanackmamack and Nickanoose acknowledged '
the above written to be their act and deed, in
the presence of the General Court, this 12th of
June, 1677, as attest.
Matthew Mayhew,
Secretary to the Gen, Oourt,
The island was now fairly purchased of the orig
inal patentee, and a greater part of it of the natives.
It was owned by an association, most of whom re
sided at Salisbury, in the County of Essex, in Mas
sachusetts. The purchasers immediately began to
make their arrangements to move thither with
their families, and to improve the land. Accor
dingly in the year 1659, the first family settled in
the place, of which family a more particular ac
count will hereafter be given.
The Island of Nantucket is situated about 30
miles south of the main or continent ; 60 miles S.
E. from .New Bedford; 100 miles S. S. E. from

8 history of NANTUCKET.
Boston ; and 382 miles E. N. E. from Philadel
phia. It lies in north latitude 41° 15' 22" ; in
west longitude 70° 7' 56". It contains nearly 30,
000 acres of land, and is about 14 miles long, east
and west, and 3 J broad,. on an average, north and
south. The principal harbor is on the north side,
in the bottom or bend of an extensive bay, which
is formed by two projecting points, one at the N.
E. and the other at the N. W. part of the island ;
both of which extend in, a northwesterly directioM.
The most western of these points is called Smith's
Point, the other Sandy or Great Point ; on the
latter stands a light-house. The harbor is nearly
landlocked by two points of beach, about three quar
ters of a mile apart, one on the east called Coetue,
the other on the west, called Brant Point. Within
these points, and on the west side, are the wharves
and town. Nearly two miles from the shore, to
the northward of the harbor, is a bar, which all
vessels, coming in or out, are under the necessity
of passing. Vessels drawing nine feet of water
may, with good pilots, pass over this bar and into
the harbor. When a vessel comes to the bar
drawing too great a draft of water to admit of her
passing it with safety, lighters are sent, into which
her cargo is discharged till she is sufficiently
lightened. The many shoals to the eastward of the island;
and the great South Shoal to the southward, ren
der the navigation difficult and compel those not
acquainted to keep a safe distance at sea. Al
though there are no ledges of rocks, nor rocky
shores, around the island, yet it is not unfrequent,
especially in the winter, that vessels lose their way
and are wrecked on some part. Such misfortunes,
though causing much^ destruction of property, are
not frequently attended with loss of lives.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 9
The channel or sound, between the island and
continent, is safe for vessels drawing sixteen feet
of water ; a greater depth would subject them to
danger.
;,0n the north of Smith's Point, before mentioned,
which projects several miles in^a northwesterly
direction, is Tuckernuck, an island containing
about 1,000 acres of land, and inhabited by a few
families. This island was once covered with wood,
but is now bare except about a hundred acres, from
which sheep and cattle have, for a few years, been
.excluded, and which are now occupied by thriving
forest trees. There are two other islands a little
to the north and west of Tuckernuck, one called
Muskeeket, the other Gravelly Island ; both are
small and sandy, and without inhabitants.
The Island of Nantucket is generally of a saitfy
soil, and would not rate above a middling quality,
compared with the adjacent continent, although,
when first settled by the English, the soil was good
and produced equal to any part of the country.
In proof of this, the following account of the lux-
uriancy of the soil, though many years after the
island was settled, will show in some degree, the
great contrast between that time and the present.
Ebenezer Barnard, a man of strict veracity, in the
year 1729, tilled five acres in the general cornfield,
at that time on the north side of the island, be
tween the Long Pond, so called, and the west end
of the town, a tract of land below the medium
quality. From these five acres he gathered 250
bushels of good corn, and this quantity was con
sidered rather less than an average for that year's
growth. This may be accounted an uncommon
growth for any country, still we are inclined to
believe in the correctness of the account. The
following will show the diminished fertility of the

10 history of NANTUCKET.
land from that time. In the, year 1773, the corn-;
field was at Madaket and Smith's Point, at the
northwesterly part of the island. The land then
produced 20 bushels, on an average, to the acre,
which was considered a remarkably good crop.
Since that time the crops have gradually lessened,
and within a few years they would not average
more than 10 or 15 bushels to the acre. There are
many reasons which might be assigned for this
declension : amongst these, the following may be
worthy of consideration. At the time of the set
tlement of the island it was covered with wood,,
which protected the crops from the raw easterly
winds, and by a continued supply of falling leaves;
and other decaying vegetation preserved the rich-*
ness of the soil. The frequent plowing of the land,|
si^ce it was cleared of trees, has exposed the soil
to the action of bleak winds, to which the island!
is very subject, and by which it is blown into the
•sea. Besides the plentiful production of corn, much
wheat was raised. These and other productions
sometimes exceeded the Wants of the inhabitants,
and were carried to Boston and other places to be
exchanged for other articles of merchandise.
The land, weakeneid by the causes above men
tioned, has in many places been overrun by beach
grass, which has advanced from the margin of the
sea towards the interior and covered large tracts.
This kind of grass grows best in a sandy soil ; it
rises to the height of about two feet, and is better
calculated for brooms than for fodder : early in the
spring, however, when it begins to grow, it is
tender and wholesome food for all kinds of, stock|
Notwithstanding the many causes which have opera
ted to diminish the natural fertility of the soil, there
are many hundreds of acres under good improve-i
ment, which prod,uce heavy growths of hay, corn,

history of NANTUCKET. 11
and the common culinary vegetables. There are
some excellent farms and fine gardens, in which
some of the luxuries, as well as many of the nec7
essaries of life are annually raised. The cultiva
tion of the grape has, within a few j-'ears, attracted
the attention of several agriculturists, and* it has
been proved that both the soil and climate are
admirably adapted to the cultivation of this delic
ious fruit. Hundreds of bushels of the Isabella,
and considerable quantities pf other kinds are
annually produced.
The wood, that grew here, was of the same kind
as that found on the adjacent parts of the continent.
A great proportion of it was oak, of an uncommon
ly hard and firm texture. It was used for the frames
of houses and other mechanical purposes ; some
buildings, now standing, framed of this wood, ap
pear to be as sound as ever.
The face of the island is generally level ; there
are some elevations, but no remarkably high hills.
There is a considerable number of ponds, some
pretty extensive, and well supj)lied with fish, others
small, and serving only as_ watering places for cattle,
or resorts of small shore birds, which are numerous.
There are also many swamps, some containing
from 100 to 300 acres ; thbse situated near the town
have been cleared, and made into valuable meadow
land. A considerable quantity of good salt meadow
is found bordering on the numerous creeks. But
few rocks and not many stony places are to be met
with. Among the minerals, found on the island,
may be named large beds of blue clay, and also of
peat, as abounding. Boulders of granite are com
mon on the hills ; specimens of bog iron are found
in one location. Fragments of feldspar and porphy
ry are common. Pebbles of jasper are found on
the seashore, and handsome specimens of amber are

12 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
occasionally picked up there. Fossil shells are of
ten found at considerable depths, when sinking
wells. The inquiry is frequently made by strangers,
whether the island increases or decreases in size.
On the authority of long and accurate observation
it may be stated, that there has been a decrease,
and in some places to a considerable extent. On
the east and south some hundreds of acres have been
washed away, and, if we may credit the accounts of
our ancestors, a greater quantity from the north.
If the decrease were in regular proportions from
year to year, it might be ascertained, by a simple,
calculation, at what time the whole island would be
come extinct. But this cannot be done ; for in some
years there is even an increase, in others but little
loss, in others a gain, in consequence of hard and re
peated storms, such has been the waste, thatthe final
destruction would seem to be the easy work of a
very few centuries.

(13)

PHAPTER II.

The first emigration of the whites, or English, to
the island being one of the most interesting parts
of this account, we shall endeavor to be as explicit
on the subject as the nature of the work, and the
means possessed, will admit. Our information,
however, falls far short of what is necessary to form
a complete history.
Thomas Macy being the first settler, it will not
be deemed a needless digression, to state what we
know of his early biography. In the year 1640,
being then a young man, he moved with his family
from the town of Chilmark, in Wiltshire, England,
and settled in Salisbury, county of Essex, in Mas-
sachiisetts. He lived here in good repute twenty
years, where he acquired a good intergpt, consisting
of a tract of land of 1,000 acres, a good house, and
considerable stock. But when this part of the
country became more thickly settled by the English,
dissensions arose among the people in regard to re
ligion and religious denominations. Notwithstand
ing the purpose of their emigration from the mother
country was that they might enjoy liberty of con
science in religious matters, they themselves com
menced the work of persecution, and enacted laws
to restrain people from worshipping God according
to the dictates of their consciences. Among other
restraints, a law was made, that any person, who
should entertain one of the people called Quakers,
should pay a fine of five pounds for every hour du-

14 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
ring which he so entertained them. Thomas Macy
subjected himself to the rigor of this law by giving
shelter to four Quakers, who stopped at his house
in a rain storm. This act was soon sounded abroad,
for, being influenced by a sense of duty, he had
used no means to conceal it. Being cited to answer
for the offence, he addressed ttie following letter to
the court, the original of which is preserved in the
cabinet of the Nantucket Atheuseum : —

"This is to entreat the honoured Court not to be
offended because of my non-appearance. It is not
from my slighting the authority of the honoured
Court, "nor fear to answer the case ; but have been
for some weeks past very ill, and am so at present ;
and notwithstanding my, illness, yet I, desirous to
appear, have done my utmost endeavors to hire a
horse, but cannot procure one at present. I, being
at present destitute, have endeavored to purchase
one, but at present cannot attain it — but I
shall relate the truth of the case, as my an
swer would be to the honoured Court — and more
cannot be proved, nor so much. On a rainy morn
ing, there came to my house, Edward Wharton
and three men more ;' the said Wharton spoke to ]
me, saying that they were travelling eastward, and
desired me to direct them in the way to Hampton ;
and never saw anj' of the men afore except Whar
ton, neither did 1 enquire their names or what they
were ; but by their carriage I thought they mighti
be Quakers, and said I so ; and therefore desired

iTwo of these men were William Robinson, merchant, of London, and.'
Marmadnke Stephenson, of Yorkshire, England. They were hanged in
Boston, on the 27th of the lOth month, 1669, for supporting the Christian
principle, as believed by the people called Quakers.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 15
them to pass on, in their way — saying to them, I
might possibly give offence in entertaining them,
and soon as the violence of the rain ceased, (for it
rained hard,) they went away, and I never saw
them since. The time that they staid in the house
was about three quarters of an hour ; they spoke
not many words in the time, neither was I at leisure
to talk with them ; for I came home wet to the
skin , immediately afore they came to the house ;
and I found my wife sick in bed. If this satisfy
not the honoured Court, I shall submit to their sen
tence. I have not willingly offended — I am read}'
to serve and obey you in the Lord.
27 of Sth mo. '59, [1659.] Thomas Macy."
He could now live no longer in peace, and in the
enjoyment of religious freedom, among his own na
tion ; he chose therefore to remove his family to a
place unsettled by the whites, to take up his abode
among savages, where he could safely imitate the
example and obey the precepts of our Saviour, and
where religious zeal had not yet discovered a crime
in hospitality, nor the refinements of civil law, a
punishment for its practice. In the fall of 1659,
he embarked in an open boat, with his family and
such effects as he could conveniently take with him,
. and, with the assistance of Edward Starbuck, pro
ceeded along the shore to the westward. When
they came to Boston bay, they crossed it, passed
round Cape Cod, and extended their course by the
shore until they were abreast of the island to the
northward, thence they crossed the sound, and lan
ded on Njtntucket without accident. Thus we see
that the same persecuting spirit that drove our
forefathers from England, drove Thomas Macy from
our forefathers ; that the same undaunted courage,

16 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
which enabled them to breast the storm, and darej
the wave, in search of a free altar and a safe horae,
prompted him, in search of the same blessings, to
meet the same dangers. He sacrificed his property!
and his home to his religion ; he found both in a
remote region hitherto hardly known. His religion,
we mean, not its name, but its spirit, has been
transmitted to the present generation, unsullied by
the crime of persecution or by the disgrace of in-
hospitality. The first care of these strangers was to cultivate
a good understanding with the natives, whora they
found very numerous, and who flocked around them
with seeming amazement, having never before had
an opportunity to see English people on the island.
The natives were kind and hospitable, and readily
lent their aid and assistance whenever they could
make themselves useful ; being fully satisfied that
these new comers had not landed among them with
hostile intentions, but in search of a comfortable
subsistence. Macy now examined the island adja*
cent to the place of landing, and finally chose a
spot for settlement on the southeast side of Mada
ket harbor, where he found- a rich soil and an ex
cellent spring of water. The harbor above-men
tioned was undoubtedly thought to be more conve
nient for navigation, than the one on which the
town is now built ; but when the island became.
more peopled, the present situation of the town
was preferred to Madaket, and the latter was ac
cordingly abandoned.
It being now late in the fall, the first care was
to build a shelter for the family against the inclem
ency of the approaching season. After this
was accomplished, they commenced a partic
ular examination of the character of the place
and of the people. They found the island covered

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 17
with wood, and inhabited by about fifteen hundred
Indians, who depended for subsistence on fishing,
fowling, and hunting. Game was remarkably
plenty, and continued so many years afterward ;
and the adjacent shores and waters abounded with
many kinds of fish. Here they spent the winter,
a single family, confined pn an island among native
Indians, of whose character and . language they
were almost entirely ignorant. In the spring fol
lowing, Edward Starbuck found means to return
to Salisbury, where he was met with rejoicings by
his friends, who, sensible of his hazardous under
taking, had felt doubtful of his safe return. He
was now able to give satisfactory information con
cerning many important things of which before
they were entirely ignorant. This information
was the more interesting, because, as appears by
the earliest records, a considerable number of the
people of Salisbury had it in contemplation to
remove with their families to the island, about the
time when Thomas Macy went there. In 1660,
Edward Starbuck returned to the island, accompa-
hied by eight or ten families.
It appears on record, that a number of persons
at Salisbury associated and purchased a patent-
right of the island. A short transcript of this
record will explain, in a clearer method than it can
otherwise be done, the preliminar}! means by which
the island became settled by white inhabitants.
Salisbury; "Town order 2d of July, 1659 ;
These persons after mentioned did buy all right
and interest of the Island of Nantucket, that did
belong to Sir Ferdinando George, and the Lord
Sterling ; Mr. Richard Vines Steward, Gentleman
to Sir Fernando Georges ; and Mr. James Forret,
Steward to the Lord Sterling ; which was by them

18 BISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
sold unto Mr. Thomas Mayhew of Martha's Vine
yard, these alter mentioned did purchase of Mr.
Thomas Mayhew these rights, namely, the Patent-
rights belonging to the Gentlemen aforesaid, and
also the parcel of land. Which Mr. Mayhew did
purchase of the Indians at the west end of the
Island of Nantucket, as by their grant or bill of
sale will largely appear, with all the privileges and
appurtenances thereof."
"The aforesaid purchasers are, Tristram Coffiu,
senior, Thomas Macy. Richard Swain, Thomas
Barnard, Peter Coffin, Christopher Hussey, Ste
phen Greenlief, John Swain, and William Pile;
and Thomas Mayhew retained one tenth in his own
right ; they had the whole and sole interest, dis
posal, power and privileges of the said Island, and
appurtenances thereof. (Thomas Mayhew fur
thermore retained in his own right, separate from
the association, that part of the Island called Mas
quetuck, or Quaise.")
" The aforesaid ten.persons were called the first
ten purchasers of the Patent-right of the Island.
— For a more particular description the reader is
referred to the county records of Nantucket;
where may be found many other extracts from the
original records at Salisbury, concerning the es
tablishment of the first proprietorship of the Island ."
" The aforesaid ten purchasers, finding it nec
essary to encourage emigration to the Island, agreed
at a meeting held at Salisbury in the year 1659;!
which is the same year the first purchase was made,
for each owner to take in a partner or . associate,
which should be left to the choice of each individual
to elect one. The persons so chosen were John
Smith, Nathaniel Starbuck, Robert Pike, Thomas
Look, Robert Barnard, James Coffin, Tristram
Coffin, junior, Thomas Coleman, Edward Starbuck

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 19
and Thomas Mayhew. They agreed, at the same
meeting, that all purchases made of the Indians
by any of the associates at any time hereafter,
should be for and on account of the whole Propri-
torship. This was done to prevent any contriv
ance in one's taking the advantage over another,
which was generally adhered to, until all the Island
was purchased of the Indians."
After this they removed with their families, and
took possession by agreement of such parts as were
best suited to their interest or convenience. Still
they found it necessary to add to the number of
inhabitants ; and particularly to encourage the emi
gration of mechanics and other artists. To effect
this they offered to such, if they would come and
settle among them, certain parts of shares in all
the privileges they themselves enjoyed. By this
means the number of shares was incre;'sed to twen-
tv-seven, which still continues to be the number of
shares, under the denoniination of the conimon
and undivided land on the island of Nantucket,
These twenty-seven shares include the whole
island, except the place called Quaise or Masque
tuck, which Thomas Mayhew reserved to himself,
when he conveyed the island to the first ten pur
chasers, as stated in his deed. It is to be under
stood that the Sachem right was not bought at the
time of the aforesaid conveyance, but that it was
purchased afterwards, by the English, and at dif
ferent times until the natives had sold all their
right throughout the island. These purchases from
the natives were numerous. It was found that
theiy owned the land in small tracts, each one hav
ing his own bounds to an exactness that was sur
prising, considering that the culture of the land
was not then an object of importance to them.

20 HISTORY OP NANTUCKET.
Although the natives sold their rights in the land,
it was always considered good policy to allow them
the privilege of tilling as much as they pleased, for
through this indulgence they were encouraged to
contribute to their own wants by their own indus'
try. It was the usual practice of the Indians in
the spring, previous to undertaking voyages in
the whaling service, to plow as much land as would
be sufficient for their families during the succeed
ing summer, except some unavoidable occurrence
should prevent, in which case they were assisted
by the English. But notwithstanding this encour
agement, it frequently occurred, either through
indolence or inebriety, that little or no care was
taken to proyide for their families. This neglect
finally became so troublesome to the English, that
in process of time it became necessary to resort to
some remedy. The expedient adopted was this ;
one of the most firm and intelligent of the natives,
by the name of Kadooda, was selected and depu
tized as an auxiliary justice of the peace. It was
made his duty to decide on such complaints for triv
ial offences as might come before him. Neglect of
tilling the ground was not one of the least crimes
that came under his jurisdiction. In some instances
he was authorized, or rather indulged, to inflict cor
poral punishment. His mode of administering jus
tice was in many cases found of real benefit ; yet
in some others, the legal justices found their inter
ference necessary, since Esquire Kadooda was lia
ble to extend his authority beyond the bounds of
prudence. It is related, we cannot say ^^ith what
correctness, that, in some cases brought before him,
his first proceeding was to order both parties to be
severely whipped. It is further said, that this pro-
cesss had the effect of lessening the number of com
plaints, and of rendering his duties light ; and that

mST.RY OF NANTUCKET. SI
otherwise his whole time would have been taken up
in his official calling Whatever may be the truth
of this matter, one thing is certain, that "Kadooda's
laws," have become proverbial ; and it is not going
too far, we think, to say that their adoption, even
in our times, if not strictly legal, would, in some
instances, be morallj' just.
The next consideration of moment, was the best
method of improvement. It must be borne in mind,
that, at this period, there was but a small portion
of land cleared and capable of being stocked or tilled
to advantage. On this account it Was agreed by
the proprietors, as we may now style them, that the
privilege of stocking to each share, should be lim
ited by the extent of the land clea,red ; and that
each proprietor should stock his own, at his oWn
election, allowing eight sheep to be equal to one
neat beast, and two neat beasts to one horse. As
the land became more cleared, the privilege of
stocking was extended to each share until it amount'
ed to seven hundred and twenty sheep, or other
stock in the proportion above stated. Thus the
stocking privilege of the proprietors collectively,
amounts to twenty-seven times seven hundred and
twenty, or nineteen thousand four hundred and
forty sheep, — or two thousand four hundred and
thirty neat beasts, — or one thousand two hundred
and fifteen horses, — or to a part of each according
to the interest or convenience of each proprietor.
At the same time, and from year to year, a cer
tain tract was fenced off from the stock and appro
priated to a general corn-field, which was laid out
into twenty-seven shares ; and the proprietors of
each share improved their own privileges according
to a subdivision among themselves. The proprie
tors of these corn-fields rarely nianUred them ;
hence they gathered small crops averaging about fif-

22 HISTORY OP NANTUCKET.
teen, but sometimes not exceeding ten bushels to
the acre. This practice continued more than an
• hundred years in suocessic^n ; but within a few
years, it is said that the land is so worn out, and
the soil blown into the sea, that the produce will
not pay the expense of cultivation. _ On this ac
count the field is for the present not laid out.
The island being owned and improved in com
mon, the sheep have not had that attention in the
winter, which it is the general practice of farmers
in the country to give to them. They are suffered
to run at large throughout the year, exposed in
winter to the bleak winds and cold storms, with no
place of shelter provided for them. The forest has
disappeared, and the greatest part of the island is
left a naked plain , where the gale meets with no
obstruction and animals find no refuge. It some
times happens that many sheep are covered in heavy
falls of snow, and perish before relief can be afford
ed, though a large number of men are employed to
release them. This mode of keeping sheep may
to some appear wrong and even cruel ; but it may^
be observed that the proprietors have always beenl
in that practice, and, by long custom, have become
so reconciled to the measure, that the thought of
doing wrong has almost become extinct. There
are generally from eight to ten thousand sheepi
owned on the island.
The proprietors, in the early period of the set
tlement, found it most conducive to their interest
and convenience to lay out in severalty certain
tracts or parcels of land into twenty-seven shares,
in order that each proprietor might enjoy and im
prove his own share, as suited himbest. The fol
lowing schedule will present at one view all the
different tracts laid out, when they were laid out,
and the quantity of each.

HISTORY OP NANTUCKET, 23
Date. Acres. Rods.
1659. Quaise, or Masquetuck, which
Thomas Mayhew reserved to
himself when the island was V372 16
conveyed by him to the associ- 1
ates. J
" Special grants at different times. 79 77
" Held by possession by sundry peo
ple. 17 131)
1678. Shimmo and Showkemmo Meadow. 36 94
" Podpis Meadow. 14 108
" South Monomy. 87 150
" Wesco Acre lots, within the town. 27 —
1717. Fish lots. 24 158
" Shimmo. 121 35
1723. House Lots, 1242 —
" Ware House Lot, within the town, 64
1723 and 1777 Swampy, 534 119
1744. Bochocheco, within the town. 2 61
1732. Brant Point Meadow. 23 92
1678. Pookoomo Meadow, salt and fresh. 34 —
1726—7. West Monomoy, within the town. 73 54
South Monomoy, 71 78
1765, North Beach, 1st division, 4 —
1805. North Beach, 2d " 32 110
1765 and ,1805, SouthBeach, 1st and 2d
division. 15 92
1775. Southeast quarter of the island. 2456 158
1778. Croskatu, 349 146
1779. Squam and Pookoomo. 2109 29
1776. Maddekeet Swamp, 68 —
" Maddekeet Meadow, 27 17
1813. Plainfield, 2173 154
1810. Gibb's Swamp. 380 —
1820, A tract of land called the Woods,
not a tree upon it, 513 —

24 HISTORY Of NANTUCKET.
1820. Foot of the Plains. 506
" Salt Meadow, at the west end of the _
island. '^
182'l. Middle Pasture. 2106
North Pasture. 1587
Trot's Hills. 513
Great Neck. 304
Head of the Plains. ,567
Smooth Hummocks. 1566
Maddekeet. 274

18,387 22:
According to a survey of the whole ^
island, made in 1813, it was found V 29,380 67
that it contained j

1822, Which leaves of the common
land undivided,

10,993 69

It is believed, by many, that nearly all the di
visions of common land, made since 1775, have
proved detrimental to the interests of the proprie
tors generally ; and it is urged that every instance
of division has had a tendency to destroy the sys
tem by which the proprietors were governed in
their corporate capacity, and so to change the modej
of improvement as to render the land l^ss produ6-
tive. This has had a very material efiect to lessen
the price of land of that description.
The records of the first proprietors were kept^
at Salisbury, where, together with the house in'
which they were kept, they were burnt by accident.
This circumstance occasioned some embarrassment,
as no part was preserved except a few extracts
which had occasionally been made.
It is not our purpose to enter particularly into
the proceedings of the proprietors, or to record

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 25
the rules, orders and regulations, by which they
have governed themselves. A volume would be
required for this purpose, and it would then be
understood by few, and fewer still, perhaps, would
be interested in it.
The settlers foiyid themselves among a race of
beings, who were peaceable when well used : they
were careful, therefore, to keep up a good under
standing with them. The natives were willing to
labor for them, provided they were in some way
compensated ; they were also willing to sell their
land, which was from time to time purchased of
them ; the whites never presuming to claim privi
leges which they had not fairly paid for. Deeds
of conveyance were made and recorded whenever
there were any purchases, and a right was always
granted to the natives, notwithstanding the sale of
their lands, to use as much as was necessary for
the support of their families.
The first mill, of which we have any record, was
one built in 1666, for grinding corn. During the
previous year, the town voted to have a mill to
grind their grain, which was to go by horse power.
This vote, we know not for what reason, was not
carried into effect. The one which they erected
was carried, hy water, and was located on Wesco
Pond. Peter Folger was agreed with to keep this
mill, and his toU was fixed at two quarts for each
bushel. This Peter Folger was an inhabitant of
Martha's Vineyard. He was invited to remove
with his family to ^Nantucket, to officiate as miller,
weaver, and interpreter of the Indian language ;
his son Eleazer was to act as shoemaker ; and, as a
proper encouragement to these several occupations,
a grant of one ^alf of a share of land, with all the
accomodations thereurito belonging, was made to '

26 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
the father. He accepted the invitation, and, in
1663, removed thither. In 1667 he took charge
of the mill. Besides laboring in the callings
above-mentioned, he acted as surveyor of land.
The inhabitants did not immediately conclude
upon what part of the island to establish a town,
Each one, according to his occupation, whether
farming or fishing, took up his residence and|
homestead on the part most suited to his calling,
having regard to his ownership. But they gener
ally chose to settle on the north side of the island,
finding there the best land and the best springs of
water. The number of inhabitants was now fast increas
ing. 'They had amongst them a sufficient number
of mechanics and other artisans to perform all the
different branches of business necessary for their
comfortable subsistence. Rules and regulationi
were established for their own government ; but
the records of thoSe times are nearly silent on this
subject. Two reasons may be assigned for this,
first, the number of inhabitants was yet small, and
as each attended to his own business, they did not
require much formality in their government ; sec
ond, they were so illiterate that the little of their
writings that have come down to us, is hardly
legible or intelligible. The occupation of the
people was such as to require little school educar
tion. The farmers, the fishermen and mechanics
exchanged their commodities with each other witli
out keeping regular accounts. Their natural de-
' pendence and common wants led them to be oblig
ing and accomodating. A piece of chalk and the.'
inside of a door frequently supplied the placed of
pen and day-book ; indeed, many of their busine^
transactions were trusted wholly to memory. 1

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 27
the farmer happened to be out of certain articles,
which he expected to reap from his land in proper
season of gathering, he would borrow of his neigh
bor, who would lend without reluctance. These
were debts ot the highest responsibilty, and were
always carefully paid.
Although the natives were kind and obliging to
the English, yet it was discovered that they had not
always lived in harmony among themselves. A
little previous to the settlement by the whites,
there had been a war between the tribes of the
east and those of the west end of the island. The
mode in which this controversy was settled is
somewhat singular. The king of the west end
married the daughter of the king of the east ; after
this preliminary, they agreed on a division line
across the island, running north and south, and
covenanted that if the subjects of either party
crossed it with hostile intentions, they should be
immediately put to death. After this treaty of
peace the parties were never again at war with
each other.
The whaling business was not commenced till
several years after the settlement of the island.
In the interval the people were occupied in farm
ing, or in fishing near the shores. Fish were
plenty and easily caught. The Indians were in
structed in the mode of fishing practiced by the
whites, and in return the whites were assisted by
the Indians in pursuing the business. Previous
to their acquaintance with the English, the natives
fished with a rude line of twisted grass, to which
they attached a large stone for a sinker, and a
clumsy hook of bone. Some of the sinkers just
mentioned, remain to this day. They resemble a
ship's block in form, and weigh two or three

28 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
pounds. With this inconvenient apparatus thei
caught but few fish, compared with the numbe|
attained by the better adapted hook and line of the
Europeans. The first whaling expedition was undertaken by
some of the original purchasers of the island ; thfe
circumstances of which are handed down by tradi*
tion, and are as follows : — A whale, of the kind
called "scragg," came into the harbor and contii|
ued there three days. This excited the curiosity
of the people, and led them to devise measures to
prevent his return out of the harbor. They ac
cordingly invented, and caused to be wrought for
them a harpoon with which they attacked and'
killed the whale. This first success encouraged
them to undertake whaling as a permanent busi
ness ; whales beihg at that time numerous ill thfe
vicinity of the shores. In furtherance of their
design, they made a contract with James Lopar,
to settle on the island and engage in the busiuesi^.
The agreement was as follows, copied verbatim
from the original record :

"5th 4th mo. 1672 James Lopar doth Ingage to
carry on a design of Whale Citching on the Island
of Nantuckket, that is the said Jaraes Ingage td
be a third in all respeekes, and som of the ToWn
ingage Also to Carrey on the Other two thirds
with him in like manner, the Town doth also Cod|
sent, that first one Company shal begin and after
ward the rest of the freeholders or any of them,
have liberty to set up an other Company Provided
that they make a tender to those freeholders that
have no share in the first Corapany and if any
refuse, the Rest may go on theraselves, and the

29 HISTORY OP NANTUCKET.
Town do also Ingage that no other Company shal
be allowed hereafter. Also whosoever Kil any
whale of the Company or Colnpanys aforesaid they
ar to pay to the Town for every such Whale fiV"6
Shillings — and for the Incorragement of the said
James Lopar the Town doth grant him Ten Acrels
of Land in som convenant place, that he maj*
Chuse in, (Wood Land exceped) and also Liberty
for the Commonge. of thre Cows and twenty Sheep
and one horse with necessary Wood aiid water for
his use on Conditions that he follc>w the Trade of
Whaleing on the Island two years in all the season
thereof, beginning the first of March nextirifeuing.
Also is to build upon his land, and when he leaves
Inhabiting upon the Island then he is first to ofer
his Land to the Town at a Valluable price, and if
the Town do Uot buy it — then he may Sel it to
whome he please — the commonage is granted only
for the time he stays here."

As it now appeared that there was a prOspect of
fekrrying the busiriess of whaling into effect, the
town, williftg to give it every encouragement that
it required, according tO their knowledge and abil
ity, agreed with John Savagfe to remove thither
with his family and to serve thein in the occupa
tion of cooper ; and to indude his corhpliahce, to
give him teh acres of lahd, and commonage fdr
three cOws and one hOrsfe ; nearly on the same con
ditions as above-mentioned in relation to LoJ)ar.
How far this plali succeeded, we are in a great
ttieasure unacquainted ; the {irofits of the business
were sufficient, howevfer, to encourage its pursuit.
Finding that the people of Cape Cod had ihade
greater prOficleflcy in the art of whale catching than

30 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
themselves, the inhabitants, in 1690, sent thither
and employed a man by the name of Ichabod Pad-
duck, to instruct them in the best manner of killing
whales and extracting their oil. The pursuit of
whales commenced in boats from the shore, and in
creased from year to year, till it became the prin
cipal branch of business with the islanders. The
Indians, ever manifesting a disposition for fishing
of every kind, readily joined with the whites in
this new pursuit, and willingly submitted to any
station assigned them. By their assistance, the
whites were enabled to fit out and man a far great
er number of boats than they could have done of
themselves. Nearly every boat was manned in
part, many almost entirely, by natives ; some of the
most active of them were made steersmen, and
some were allowed even to head the boats ; thus
encouraged, they soon became experienced whale
men, and capable of conducting any part of the
business. The whaling business did not put a stop to the
cod fishery, which was at the same time carried on
from the south and east sides of the island. The
habitations of the people were scattered, and mostly
remote from the shore ; small huts were accordingly
erected near the sea-side, for shelter in cold and
boisterous weather. In process of time these build
ings amounted to a considerable number, and two
considerable villages sprung up on the esist side, one
called Sesacacha, the other Siasconset. The former
of these a few years since contained about thirty
houses, of which but one is now remaining ; the
latter consists of about sixty, but they are at present
used as places of resort during the heat of summer.
They sometimes, in pleasant days, during the
winter season, ventured off in their boats nearly

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 31
out of sight of land. It has often been remarked"
by the aged, that the winters were not so windy
and boisterous at that time as at present, though^
quite as cold ; and that it would sometimes contin
ue calm a week or even a fortnight.
The process called saving the whales after they
had been killed and towed ashore, was to use a
crab, an instrument similar to a capstain, to heave
and turn the blubber off as fast as it was cut. The
blubber was then put into their carts and carried to
their try-houses, which at that early period, were
placed near to their dwelling-houses where the oil
was boiled out and fitted for market.
To enable them to discover whales at a consid
erable distance from the land, a large spar was
erected, and cleats fixed to them, by which the
whalemen could climb to the top, and there keep a
good look out for their game. There was no per
ceptible decrease of the number of whales during
the period of the first thirty or forty years from the
commencement of the fishery. It appears that in
1726 they were very numerous, for eighty-six were
taken in that year, a greater number than were ob
tained in any one year, either before or since that
date . The greatest number ever killed and brought
to the shore in one day was eleven. This mode of
whaling continued until about the year 1760, when
the whales became scarce, and it was by degrees
discontinued. Siuce that date, whales have only
occasionally been obtained by boats from the shore.
It is remarkable, that, notwithstanding the peo
ple had to learn the business of whaling, and to
carry it on under many hazardous circumstances,
yet not a single white person was killed or drowned
in the pursuit, in the course of seventy years pre-
' ceding 1760. The whales hitherto caught near the
shores were of the Right species.

32 HISTORY OP NANTUCKET.
The first Spermaceti whale, known to the iuhah-
itants, was found dead, and ashore, on the south
west part of the island. It caused considerable
excitement, some demanding a part of the prize un
der one pretence, some under another, and all were
anxious to behold so strange an animal. There
were so many claimants of the prize, that it was
difficult to determine to whom it should belong.
The natives claimed the whale because they found
it ; the whites, to whom the natives made known
their discovery, claimed it by a right comprehend
ed as they affirmed, in the purchase of the island by
the original patent. An officer of the crown made
his claim, and pretended to seize the fish in the
name of his majesty, as being property without any
particular owner. After considerable discussion
between these contending parties, if was finally set
tled that the white inhabitants, who first found the
whale, should share the prize equally amongst them-.
selves. The teeth, which were considered very
valuable, had been extracted by a white raan and
an Indian, before any others had any knowledge of
the whale. All difficulty being now settled, a com
pany was formed who comraenced cutting the whale
in pieces convenient for transportation to their try-
works. The sperm procured frora the head was
thought to be of great value for medical pur
poses. It was used both as an internal and an
external application ; and such was the credulity
of the people, that they considered it a certain cure
for all diseases ; it was sought with avidity, and
for a while, was esteraed to be worth its weight
in silver. The whole quantity of oil obtained
from this whale is not known. Whales being
plenty near the sfeores, people were led to conclude
that they should find them still more numerous

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 33
were they to pursue them with vessels into the " deep."
That the pursuit of whales into the ocean was early anti
cipated, we know by. an anecdote related by one of our
ancestors. In the year 1690, the same in which Ichabod
Paddock was sent for from Cape Cod, as before related,
some persons were on a high hill, afterwards called Folly
House Hill, observing the whales spouting and sporting
with each other, when one observed " there," pointing to
the sea, " is a green pasture where our children's grand
children will go for bread." It was many years, how
ever, before they began to whale with vessels, but at what
precise time it happened we have no means of knowing.
Previous to whaling in vessels, it was necessary to
determine where the harbor should be. It has already
been mentioned that the one at Madaket was at first pre
ferred, but this was afterwards relinquished for the present
harbor, which is larger, more land-locked, and in many
other respects better adapted to the purposes of navigation
than the first mentioned. The south side of this harbor
was first selected for the site of the town ; the proprietors,
therefore, laid out house lots, or homesteads, of one hun
dred rods in length, and three or four rods in width.
But many inconveniences were afterwards found to attend
this location, and the present situation of the town was
soon after selected. It being now determined where the
town should be, it became necessary to give it a name,
and it was accordingly called Sherbubne, by order of
Francis Lovelace, Esqr., Governor of the Province of
New York, in his written directions, bearing date, April
18th, 1673.
• When the island was first setded by the English, it was,
as already mentioned, under the government of the pror
3

34 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
vince of New York, which ratified and confirmed the first
purchase of the island from Lord Sterling, and also
allowed the several purchases made of the Mayhews and
the Indians to be vahd ; and grants and patents were made
by Governor Lovelace to the people of Nantucket in the
year 1671, and afterwards confirmed by successive gov
ernors of the said province of New Yorkj whereby the
proprietors were allowed many privileges which they
afterwards enjoyed and considered as their standing rules.
Some valuable and exclusive privileges respecting the
fisheries around the island, and in the bays, coves, har
bors, &;c., were granted by the same authority, to the
inhabitants, they paying certain yearly quitrents, which
was carefully attended to by them. This subordination
of Nantucket to the government of New York continued
until William and Mary came to the throne of England.
They directed, that the lines of the "Province of Massa
chusetts Bay," in New England, should be ascertained,
and, by the request of the inhabitants and proprietors of
the Island of Nantucket, the island was included within
these lines, and considered to be a part of Massachusetts.
This change was confirmed, in May 1693, by the follow
ing statute of the province of Massachusetts, and the
people of Nantucket were allowed all the privileDfes, of
every kind and nature, which were allowed them by the
province of New York.
.Snno Regni Gulielmi, et Marite, Regis et Regince, Quinto.
Act passed by the Great and General Court or Asseju-
bly of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-Eng
land, begun and held at Boston, the thirty-first day of
May, 1693,

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 35
Chap. 2. — An act for Confirmation of Titles within the
Islands of Capawolc, alias Martha's Vineyard, and
Nantuckett.Whereas their most gracious Majesties, our sovereign
Lord and Lady, King William and Queen Mart?, in
and by their royal Charter or letters Patent, bearing
date at Westminster, the seventh day of October in the
third Year of their said Majesties Reign ; for the uniting,
erecting and incorporating of the Colony of the Massa-
chusetts-Bay, and Colony of New-Plymouth, the
Province of MAiN,the Territory called Accada, or Nova-
Scotia, and all that Tract of Land lying between the
said Territories of Nova Scotia, and the said Province of
Main, into one real Province, by the Name of the Province
of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England : Have
therein particularly named, comprehended and included
the Islands of Capawok and Nantuckett as part of
the said Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, and an
nexed the same thereto : And also all Islands and Islets,
lying within ten Leagues, directly opposite to the main
Land within the said Bounds.
# * * * * # #,*
But for as much as the said Island of Capawok, alias
Martha's Vineyard, and the Island of Nantuckett,
were for some time under the Rule and Governraent of the
Provirfce of New-York, and the Properties and Tides of
the Lands upon the said Islands respectively, he. Sic.
And the Inhabitants and Proprietors of Lands within
the Island of Capawok, alias Martha's Vineyard and
the Island of Nantuckett, for their better , Quiet and
Satisfaction, desiring this Court's Confirmation of the
same : —

36 history of NANTUCKET.
It is therefore declared and enacted by the Governour,
Council, and Representatives, convened in General As
sembly, and by the Authority of the Same, That all
Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments and other Estates held
and enjoyed by any Person or Persons, Towns or Vil
lages within the Islands of Capawok, alias Martha's
Vineyard and Nantuckett, and each of them respectively,
by or under any Grant or Estate duly made or granted
by any former Government, or by the successive Gov-
ernours of New York or any other lawful Right or Title
whatsoever; shall be by such Person or Persons, Towns
or Villages, their respective Heirs, Successors and As
signs for ever hereafter held and enjoyed," according to
the true Purport and Intent of such respective Grant,
under and subject nevertheless to the Rents and Services
thereby reserved or made payable. And are hereby rati
fied and confirmed as fully and amply to all Intents, Con
structions and Purposes, as the Lands in any other Parts
or Places within this Province by Virtue of their Majes
ties' Royal Charter.
The first Spermaceti whale taken by the Nantucket
whalers, was killed by Christopher Hussey. He was
cruising near the shore for Right whales, and was blown
off some distance from the land by a strong northerly
wind, where he fell in with a school of that species of
whales, and killed one and brought it home. At" what
date this adventure took place is not fully ascertained, but
it is supposed to be not far from 1712. This event gave
new hfe to the business, for they immediately began with
vessels of about thirty tons to whale out in the " deep,"
as it was then called, to distinguish it from shore whahng.

history of NANTUCKET. 37
They fitted out for cruises of about six weeks, carried a
few hogsheads, enough probably to contain the blubbers
of one whale, with which, after obtaining it, they returned
home. The owners then took charge of the blubber, and
tried out the oil, and immediately sent the vessel out
again. At the commencement of this mode of whaling,
it was found necessary to erect try-houses near the land
ing, and a number were built on the beach a little south of
the wharves. North from these they erected small build
ings, called ware-houses, in which they put their whaling
apparatus, and other outfits.
In 1715 the number of vessels engaged in the whaling
business was six, all sloops of from thirty to forty tons
burthen each, which produced £1100 sterling or $4,888
88 cents.
As the shipping increased, it was found indispensably
necessary to have wharves. The first built is that now
called Straight Wharf, constructed in 1723. Previous to
this there had been places built off, called landing places,
which were but temporary, and were often broken up by
winter storms.
The island was now in a flourishing condition. The
inhabitants were fast increasing in number and wealth ;
the land was principally purchased of the natives ; it was
very productive, when improved ; the natives very cordi
ally enlistejl in the service of the whites; fish and fowls
were plenty ; the whahng had become a most profitable
employment, and- promised business for all. What a
prospect must this have been to a people like them, re
markable for their industry and prudence, never so well
pleased as when they had as much business as they could
perform. This being the general character of the inhab-

38 history of NANTUCKET.
itants, they increased in wealth as fast as could be ex
pected. This business, it is true, did not afford great
profits, less, perhaps, than almost any other ; but the peo
ple, being of a frugal disposition, required but little to
keep them comfortable, and there were but few among
them who aspired after great things.
As the whaling business was found to answer their ex
pectations, they were encouraged to increase the number
and size of their vessels. Sloops and schooners, of from
forty to fifty tons, were put into the business. Vessels
of this size being supposed to be best adapted to whaling
near the coast, no larger ones were employed for many
years. At length whales began to be scarce near the
shore, and some enterprising persons procured larger ves
sels and sent them out to the southward, as it was called,
where they cruised until about the first of the seventh
month, when they carae in and refitted, and- went to the
eastward of the Grand Bank, where they continued
through the whaling season, unless they completed their
lading sooner, which frequently happened. The vessels
that went on these voyages were generally sloops, of sixty
or seventy tons ; their crews were made up in part of In
dians, there being usually from four to eight in each ves
sel. They were pleased with the business, and always
ready to engage in it when called upon.
At the close of the whaling season, the vessels were
mostly drawn on shore for the winter, being considered
safer and less expensive in that situation, than at the
wharves. The boats were placed on the beach, bottom
upward and tied together, to prevent disasters in gales of
wind ; and all the whaling gear was put into the ware
houses.

(39)

CHAPTER III.
In order to preserve some connexion in our account of the
whale fishery, we have traced it forward beyond the date
of the general history of the island. We will now return.
It has already been shown, that the purpose of the first
emigrants to the island was, to secure a free exercise of
religious faith and worship. Many were at that time de
prived of these privileges by law. Nantucket seemed to
offer a safe retreat from the spirit of persecution then pre
vailing, and persons of various denominations removed
thither with their families. Differing ss they did in reli
gious opinions, they exercised no intolerance towards one
another ; feeling their own accountability to God, they
presumed not to assume His prerogative and arraign their
fellow-beings before a human tribunal, to answer for that
which concerned only themselves, and pertained only to
a future world.
During the first fifty years after the settlement, the
people were mostly Baptists ; there were some Presbyte
rians, and a few of the Society of Friends. The little
community was kind and courteous to each other, and
hospitable to strangers. The prevalence of good feeling
was remarked and felt by all who came among them.
The nature of their business was such as to expose thern
but little to the alluring customs and habits of the vicious
part of mankind. They were industrious, and therefore
virtuousj arid; consequently, happy.

40 history of -NANTUCKET,'
In the moderate part of the year, they were employed
in farming, fishing and whaling, and in the winter, they
prepared materials against the coming season, such as
vessels, boats, casks, and whaling gear ; at this time they
also schooled their children. But little learning was not,
in those times, considered a very " dangerous thing." It
did not require an extensive education either to prosecute
business, or to secure a respectable standing in society.
What was necessary was attended to, all beyond was un
known or neglected. Their employment had a tendency
to form their customs and manners in many respects.
Their dress was moderate and plain, their deportment
kind and unassuming. They were satisfied with such
habiliments as were comfortable and fitted to the season,
disregarding the vain and foppish fashions then prevailing
among mankind in general. They were not the less
respected for their singularities, as sonie were pleased to
call them, for they had the reputation of being an honest
people, and punctual to their promises. They easily
obtained credit for such articles as they needed, with no
other security than their own promise. It was a remark
able event that one should fail of discharging his debts,
or that an estate should be found incompetent to meet all
demands against it.
The female part of the community cordially joined and
united in these economical principles, always helpful and
careful to make all practicable savings in their depart
ment. They were industrious, neat and cleanly. On
the mother devolved almost every family care, both those
of the immediate household and those of a more general
nature. The husband was a great part of his time at sea.

history of NANTUCKET. 41
and when on shore his calling was such as to allow him
litde time for his fire-side. The education or training up
of the young was almost exclusively the business of the
matron. Great care was used to guard their children
against unnecessary expenses arising from costly fashions :
and to teach them to be moderate and prudent, it was
constantly kept in view, that it was by hard labor that a
subsistence could be procured, and that their fathers re
linquished home and all its comforts and encountered the
danger of the ocean, and hs monsters, to procure them
bread, and clothing, and home. The nature of their
cares, and their common interests gave rise to the raost
friendly intercourse amongst thera ; and were the origin
of that sociability, that absence of unmeaning ceremony^
that, cordial good will, and readiness at accommodation,
which have ever characterized their descendants. They
were a motherhood, ever alive to the calls of duty and of
charity. They, were always ready, with soothing appli
ances, to leave their homes to visit the sick, to whom
they administered both in the capacity of nurses and phy
sicians. Many were skilled in the use of roots and heths,
the medical properties of which they had learned from
the natives. For many years the healing art was prac
tised almost exclusively by females, and more confidence
was placed in their skill than in the knowledge of men
professionally educated.
The art of surgery, especially that part relating to bone-
setting, was little understood by those -who practised it
professionally, in the early part of our history. Much
suffering consequently followed accidents requiring skilful
management. In process of time this difficulty was in
3 great measure removed by Zaccheus Macy, who, though

42 history of NANTUCKET,
he never studied the science, became, by long experience,
assisted by good talents and accurate observation, of very
singular service to the public in bone-setting and in
various other branches of surgery. He subjected himself
to the calls of all who needed his assistance, and, what is
most remarkable in his character, as well as commend
able, he never received any pecuniary reward for his ser
vices. He believed it to be his duty to serve the public
without any emolument. During the time of his prac
tice, about fifty years, he set over two thousand dislo
cated or broken bones, and visited his patients until they
were nearly recovered. Notwithstanding his great know
ledge, there were some difficult cases, which baffled his
skill. The Indians lived scattered over the island in such
parts as best suited themselves. Although the emigrants
early purchased their land, they were still allowed to till
and improve as much as was necessary for their subsist
ence. When any were about to go to sea, the whites
ploughed as much for them as their squaws and children
could cultivate.
The Indians being with the whites much of their time,
they became conversant together, and learned each other's
language, which rendered the former very useful in the
whaling business, as well as in many other respects ; as
they were often employed by the whites in various kinds
of labor.
King Philip, sachem of Mount Hope, in the year
1665, very soon after the settlement of the island by the
whites, came there with a number of canoes in pursuh of
an Indian, to punish him for some heinous crime. There
being but a small number of English at that time, they

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 43
had every thing to fear. Philip's hostile appearance and
preparations made them apprehensive, that he would de
stroy them, if any measures were taken to arrest his pro
gress in pursuit of the delinquent. On the other hand, if
they assisted to search after him, they dreaded thfe revenge
of the island natives. They therefore declined lending
their aid in any respect. Philip then went with his party
in pursuit of the criminal, and at length found him on the
south-east part of the island. His name was John Gibbs ;
his crime was the mentioning of the name of Philip's
father. Rehearsing the name of the dead, if it should
be that of a distinguished person, was decreed by the
natives a very high crime, for which nothing but the life
of the culprit could atone. Philip, having now the poor
criminal in possession, made preparations to execute ven
geance upon him, when the English spectators, commis
erated his condition, and made offers of money to ran
som his life. Philip listened to these offers and men
tioned a sura which would satisfy him ; but so much could
not be collected. He was informed of this, but refused
to lessen his demand. The whites, however, collected all
they could in the short time allowed them, in hopes that
he would be satLsfied, when assured that raore could not
be found ; but, instead of this, he persisted in bis demand
with threatening language, pronounced with an emphasis
which foreboded no good. This very much provoked
the English, so that they concluded among themselves
to make no farther offers, but try to frighten him away
without giving him any more money. The sum raised,
which was all that the inhabitants possessed, was eleven
pounds; this had already been paid to him, and could
not be required back again. Philip had surrounded and

44 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
taken possession of one or two houses, to the great terror
of the inmates ; in this dilemma they concluded to put
all to risk ;— they told him, that, if he did not immediately
leave the island, they would rally the inhabitants, and fall
upon him and cut him off to a man. Not knowing their
defenceless condition, be happily took the alarm, and left
the island as soon as possible. The prisoner was then
set at liberty.
The natives early acquired a propensity to strong drink.
Some of the whites were wicked enough to furnish them
with rum, so long as they could pay for it, although it was
done in direct violation of the law, and against the wishes
and endeavors of the sober part of the inhabhants. In
temperance prevailed amongst them, and soon reduced
them to a station far below what they would^ otherwise
have held, if they had abstained from ardent spirits. By
the practice of excessive drinldng many were soon reduced
to beggary and distress ; they were regardless of the cares
of their families; and owners of vessels, at the same time
that they took the men into their employment, were com
pelled to furnish their families with the necessaries of life.
Although this was the character of many, it was not of
all. Some were sober, steady people, and endeavored
to cultivate religious principles among their brethren ;
when this disposition was manifest, it was encouraged by
the whites. They were assisted by a translation of the
New Testament into their language, and encouraged to
meet together for divine worship. They at one time had
four meeting-houses, one towards the east end of the
island, at a place called Okorwaw, near the east end of
Gibb's swamp, one at Myercommet, a little south from

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 45
the town, one other near Podpis, and the fourth in Plain-
field, situation not exactly known.*
In these they held their religious meetings, under min
isters of their own nation. Some of them patterned after
the English in many respects ; they built neat framed
houses, kept cows, horses, and other domestic animals,
and lived comfortably. But they did not long enjoy these
privileges, for it was the will of Heaven to visit them
with an epidemic which cut them off, except a few, and
destroyed them as a nation for ever. The disease was
called by sorae the yellow fever, and by some the plague.
It made its appearance among them on the 16th of the
Sth month, 1763. Whether it originated with the na
tives, has not been ascertained. Some circumstances ren
der it probable, that the infection came out of a brig, from
Ireland, which was cast ashore on the north side of the
island. One of the crew appeared to have the same fever ;
he was brought on shore, and died at a house whither the
Indians frequently resorted. Soon afterwards the disorder
broke out araong them, and spread to an alarming degree
in a short time. The sickness was so general and severe,
and the deaths so numerous, that they could not contribute
to their own necessities. The whites, apprehensive that
the disorder would spread amongst themselves, were at
first cautious in approaching the sick, but they at length
found that the natives only were affected by it, for how
much soever they exposed theraselves, not one was taken

¦* For some particulars respecting the Indian divisions of the island,
&c., -we refer our readers to a very interesting article in our second
part, -written by Zaccheus Macy, the original of which is in our pos
session. .

46 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
sick. This discovery emboldened the English to go
among the Indians, and render such assistance as their dis
tressing situation demanded. They visited them daily,
furnished them with provisions and clothing, and assisted
in burying their dead. This care was taken by the au
thority of the town. The kindness of individuals was at
the same time liberally extended towards them.
The sickness continued until the 16th of the second
month, 1764, at which time it ceased as suddenly as it
comraenced ; for on the evening preceding the date just
mentioned there was no apparent abatement of the dis
ease, but on the following morning all the sick were con
valescent throughout their different places of abode. The
following will show the extent of the ravages of this dis
order :
34 were sick and recovered.
36 living among the natives did not take the disease,
8 living by themselves at the west end of the island,
escaped.
40 lived among the whhes, not one of whom had the
sickness.
18 were at sea at the time, and escaped,
222 died whh the disorder.
358 the whole number belonging to the island before
the sickness.
The number of Indians having become so reduced, it
is not worth our while to trace them in a very particular
manner to their final extinction. It will be sufficient to
add, that the few who survived the sickness continued in
their wonted occupation, that of whaling ; that, with few

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 47
exceptions, they would drink to excess whenever they
could have access to spirituous liquors ; that many of
them perished miserably, as is the lot of the intemperate,
by sickness, or exposure, or accident ; and that the last of
the race died in the year 1822.
Thus the existence of a tribe of natives terminated,
and thus their land -^'ent to strangers. In the simple
charity of nature, they received our fathers. When fugi
tives from Christian persecution, they opened to them
their stores, bestowed on them their lands, treated them
with unfailing kindness, acknowledged their superiority,
tasted their poison, and died. Their only misfortune was
their connexion with Christians, and their only crime, the
imhation of their manners.
One occurrence respecting the natives ought not to be
omitted. It was frequent for some of them to murmur
and find fault with the English, charging them with hav
ing unfairly purchased their lands. The English endeav
ored to satisfy them by appealing to the records, and stat
ing to them of whom the purchases were made ; that the
sachems had good right to sell, ^nd that their descendants
ought to be satisfied therewith. These reasonings quieted
them for a series of years, and always would have sufficed,
had they kept clear of rum ; for they seldom called this
subject into view, unless they were in some degree intoxi
cated. At length' they became so bold as to threaten
the English with total extermination, if they refused any
longer to listen to their complaints. Whether they in
tended to carry their threats into execution, and whether
they had any settled plan of action to this intent, is un
certain. Intimation was however given to the whites,
that the Indians had entered into a conspiracy to rise

48 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
upon them, on a certain night, and to massacre men,
women, and children. At the appointed time, agreeably
with the information, the high sheriff, with fifty well arm
ed men, issued out of the town to reconnoitre the settle
ments of the natives, and ascertain whether they were
making any hostile movements. They found all quiet;
it was harvest time, and the Indians were merrily husking
their corn. Although their fears, for present security,
were allayed, prudence dictated that the English should
take some measure against future danger. They knew
the natives to be quite incapable of acting for themselves
in any legal process, and, therefore, lent them their aid to
bring the subject before the supreme court, in Boston.
This was done by a petition, of which the following is a
copy :
To his Excellency, Joseph Dudley, Esqr., Captain-gen
eral and Governor-in-cliief, in and over her Majesty's
Province of Massachusetts Bay, and to the honourable
her Majesty's Council for the said Province.
The humble Petition of Daniel Spotso, Abel Cain, and
Peter Massaquet, all Sachems belonging to the Island of
Nantucket, sheweth —
That whereas your petitioners are very much wronged
and oppressed by several of the English inhabitants of
the island aforesaid, who did very much overreach your
petitioners' forefathers, in the purchase of lands and
hedges. — And also, in carrying away all their wood that
grew both upon and under ground, to the great grief and
damage of your Petitioners, and who will be forced in a
short time to leave their habitations, and be utterly ruined,
unless some remedy be apphed for their relief. And

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 49
whereas your petitioners are utteriy without remedy, and
cannot possibly recover their right by law at home, both
Judges and Jurors being all parties in the cause, for which
reason -your petitioners have been feign several times to
address the authority of this Province, but as yet without
redress. Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that a special
Court of Qyer and Termmer may be constituted and
commissioned to set, at the charge of your petitioners, in
Boston, with full power to hear and determine all causes
that shall be brought before them in behalf of your Peti
tioners according to Law,
And your Petitioners shall pray, Sic. Signum.
Daniel Spoospotswa,
Peter R. Mas3aq,uit,
Abel 1. 2 Cain.
Copy examined.
Jos. Addington, Sec'y.
Read in Council and directed that a copy be sent to
James Coffin, Esqr., of Nantucket. Jos. Addington, Sec'y.
It was not till several years after this, that the petition
was attended to. The court at length authorized one of
their body to go to Nantucket and raake judicial inquiry in
the premises, and act thereon, as the necessity of the case
required. Accordingly, in the year 1753, the deputed
Judge arrived and convened the parties in the meeting
house, the court-house not being sufficiently large for the
accommodation of the people. It was a subject of great
magnitude, and drew together a large concourse of spec
tators. 4

50 history OF NANTUCKET.
The parties, by their deputies, were heard, the records,
and other evidence adduced, and the cause ably argued
on both sides. The trial continued three or four days,
and when the parties bad concluded, the Judge addressed
them in a long and ingenious speech, wherein he 'explain
ed to the Indians, cleariy and explicitly, that the English
had clearly and legally purchased their lands ; that they
had produced good and lawful records to prwe the same;
that these records appeared without fraud, or intention to
wrong them ; that they were the best records of pur
chases of lands of natives he had ever met with ;. and
that it was his judgment that they should be satisfied
therewith, and quietly, repair to their homes. On this
conclusion the court rose, the Indians withdrew, and,
though not satisfied with the decision, were never very
troublesome about it afterwards.

CHAPTER IV.

As the number of inhabitants increased, the whahng
business was carried on more extensively. Larger vessels
and a greater number were employed, requiring, conse
quently, a greater number of men. The island did not
furnish seamen enough to man the fleet, and recourse
was had to various parts of Cape Cod, and thence west
ward as far as Long Island. From these sources there

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 51
was at that time a sufficient supply of men, to render that
part of the business not difficult.
Notwithstanding the consumption of oil increased in
this country, the increase was not in proportion to the
quantity obtained. At times the sale was dull, and the
price so low, that the prospect appeared discouraging :
these circumstances caused the people to think of a
foreign market for their produce. They had, for a series
of years, made Boston their chief market, and, probably,
would have continued to do so, had the price been ade
quate to their expectations ; but that not being the case,
it led to inquiry what might be done to make the sale
better. It was found that Nantucket had in many places
become famed for whaling, and particularly so in England,
where partial supplies of oil had been received through
the medium of the Boston trade. The people, finding
that merchants in Boston were making a good profit by
, first purchasing oil at Nantucket, then ordering it to
Boston, and thence shipping it in their own vessels to
London, determined to secure the advantages of the
trade to themselves, by exporting their oil in their own
vessels. They had good prospects of success in this un
dertaking, yet, it being a new one, they moved with great
caution, for they knew that a small disappointment would
lead to embarrassments that would, in tbe end, prove
distressing. They, therefore, loaded and sent out one
vessel, about the year 1745. The result of this small
beginning proved profitable, and encouraged them to
increase their shipments by sending out other vessels.
They found, in addition to the profits on the sales,, that
the articles in return were such, as their business required,
viz. iron, hardware, hemp, sailcloth, and many other

52 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
goods, and at a much cheaper rate than they had hereto
fore been subjected to. This new market for the sale of
their oil, and procuring necessaries for the outfits of their
vessels, gave new life to the business in general, so that
an increase soon manifested itself, in an additional number
of vessels, and new adventurers.' They continued in this
line many years ; some were successful and acquired
considerable estates. But, notwithstanding this general
prosperity, they frequently experienced a portion of ad
versity ; which was verified in various ways, according to
the dispensations of divine providence.
In the year 1755, three whaling sloops and their crews,
consisting of thirteen men each, were lost near the Grand
Bank. In the year following, three more with their crews,
were lost near the same place ; and six v?ere taken and car
ried to France, where their crews were imprisoned, many
of whom never returned. This was, perhaps, the most
afflicting stroke the island had ever met with, and was a
great discouragement to the business in general. The
loss of twelve of their finest vessels,in,the short space of
two years, and, what was far more distressing, the loss of
nearly all their crews, either at sea or by imprisonment
in France, caused a long season of gloom and mourning.
Previous to this, from the beginning of the whaling up to
the above date, there had been but four vessels lost with
their crews, which events took place at different, periods,
and were not so severely felt. Notwithstanding these
reverses, it was found expedient to continue the business,
but in some'respects with increased caution. They began
now to employ vessels of larger size, some of one hundred
tons burthen or more, and a few were square rigged. The
whales began to be scarce at the places where they had

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 53
usually been taken, which rendered it necessary to explore
new coasts in search of them. A number of the larger
vessels were consequently sent to Davis' Straits, to the
Western Islands, and some other places, being furnished
with provisions and other necessaries according to the
length of the voyages. They were not always successful
in these new enterprises ; for every new place required
experience to teach them how to take advantage of the
seasons, the course of the winds and currents, as well as
the habits of the whales ; so that it was frequent for
many vessels to return unsuccessful, though others en
riched their owners by making great voyages.
Very httle business besides that of whaling was carried
on for many years. The attention of the people and their
descendants being thus centred in one engrossing subject,
they were led to project new improvements, to dirainish
the expense and to secure conveniences in its prosecution.
Time and experience gave them advantages which made
it difficult to rival them. Attempts at the business were
frequently made in other parts of the country, but gen
erally without success.
The English government finding, that the use of oil
increased in England, and that it was less expensive than
other light, and better adapted to light streets, gave en
couragement to carry on the whahng business from their
own ports. They gave so high a bounty- as to induce
many to engage in it, in that country, and in a few years
it became a considerable business at the port of London.
Although this mea.sure was sensibly felt at Nantucket, it
did not wholly stagnate the business ; for the consumption
of oil increased in many parts of the worid, where it was

54 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
carried for a market ; the exportation to England was also
continued with some advantage.
The whale fishery gradually increased, and, as new
countries and coasts were explored, the voyages necessa
rily became longer. The following schedule will show,
as nearly as can be ascertained, the times when the fishery
commenced at some places, previous to the revolutionary
war, viz : —
Davis' Straits, in the year 1746.
The Island of Disco, in the mouth of Baffin's Bay,
in the year 1751.
Gulf of St. LaviTence, in the year 1761.
Coast of Guinea; in the year 1763.
Western Islands, in the year 1765.
Eastward of the Banks of Newfoundland, in the
year 1765.
Coast of Brazils," in the year 1774.
The business was also carried on in shorter voyages at
the Grand Bafiks, Cape Verd Islands, various parts of
the West Indies, in the Bay of Mexico, the Carribean
Sea, and on the coast of the Spanish Main, fcc. The
following table shows the number of vessels, and tlje
quantity of oil obtained within the period of ten years.

Date. '

No. of Vessels.

No. of Barrels.

1762

78

9,440

1763

60

9,239

1764

72

11,983

1765

101

11,512

1766

118

11,969 ,

1767

108

16,561

1768

125

15,439

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 55

Date.

No. of Vessels.

No

. of Barrels,

1769

119

19,140

1770

125

14,331

1771

115

12,754

1772

98

7,825
The price of whale oil in England, was in
1742 £18 I3s. per ton.
1743 £14 8s. « "
1744 £10 — " '<
1753 - £21 — " "
It would seem, by the preceding account, that the peo
ple were industrious, and doing well, and that the business
was in a flourishing state. No one would suppose that,
uiider these circumstances, any of the inhabitants would
feel an inclination to migrate with their families to other
places : yet some, believing that they could improve their
condition, removed to Nova Scotia, some to Kennebeck,
some to New Garden, in the state of North Carolina, and
some to other places, very few of whom benefited them
selves, and some, after a few years' stay, returned.
The inhabitants, generally, were attached to their place
of nativity and were seldom desirous of leaving it. They
were so closely connected by birth, similarity of pursuits,
and habits of intimacy, that in some respects they appear
ed and conducted as one family. Perhaps, there is not
another place in the world,. of equal magnitude, where the
inhabitants were so connected by consanguinity as in this,
which added much to the harmony of the people and
to their attachment to the place. When strangers came
to the island, the longer they stayed, the more they were
pleased with the people, their manners and customs :
56 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
coming with no intention of the kind, they often formed
matrimonial engagements, and became inhabitants with
their famihes.
When difficulties arose among the inhabitants, they
seldom had recourse to the law for settlement, but chose'
the short and easy mode of arbitration, the advantages of
which are numerous. Instead of one neighbor's subject
ing another to raany difficulties, such as are generally ex
perienced by those who settle their dispute by the course
of law, the parties would come together by appointment
in the evening, having invited a sufficient number of
their friends to assist, either by counsel or judgment, and
without expense or animosity, but in an amicable manner
would settle their differences. On the following day, the
parties quietly returned to their business. This was the
general manner of deciding controverted points ; there
were, however, some who preferred legal decisions, and
who hazarded and suffered the consequences.
The society of Friends, on Nantucket, originated about
or after the year 1704, when Thomas Story went there
on a religious visit. He remarks, that the people were
kind and hospitable, and that many of thern /appeared to
be seeking the right way in religious matters ; that he
found but two of the denomination of Friends or Quakers
at that time, but that the people consisted of various per
suasions, and appeared glad of his company and satisfied
with his visit ; that he had various opportunities with
many of them, and advised thera to establish a meeting
under the auspices and direction of the Society of Friends,
si.^ce there appeared to hira to be a great nuraber who
believed in their principles. His advice was attended to,
and a raeeting established. From this beginning the

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 57
society increased from time to time. The number of
members at one period was about twelve hundred, and
nearly as many more attended their meetings, who were
not members but fully believed in their principles.
There is much obscurity resting on the early history of
the Friends' Society, at Nantucket. In the year 1708,
ten persons came to th& island to set up a yearly meeting.
By some authority the nuraber is stated to have been five,
two pf them public Friends, and the others acting only in
their individual capacity. The first ministers belonging
to the island were Mary Starbuck, and her son Nathaniel,
Nathaniel Gardner, John Swain, and Priscilla Coleman.
In 1698, Thoraas Chalkley, a distinguished rainister of
the Society, visited the island. The following extract
from his journal will, doubtless, interest many of our
readers. ' " The people," he reraarks, " did generally
acknowledge to the truth, and many of them were tender
hearted. Somet)f the ancient people said, That it was
never known, that so many people were together on the
island at once. After the first meeting was over, one
asked the minister, (so called) whether we might have a
meeting at his house ? He said, with a good will, we
might. This minister had some discourse with rae, and
asked. What induced me to come hither, being suph a
young man ? I told him, that I had no other view in
coming there, than the good of souls, and that I could say
with the apostle, that a necessity was laid upon me, and
woe would be to me, if I did not preach thp gospel. Then,
said he, I wish you would preach at my house in GOD's
name. So next day we had a raeeting at his house ; and,
on the first-day, we. had the largest raeeting that we ever
had on the island. It was thought there were above two

58 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
hundred people. The Lord in his power did make his
truth known to, the praise of his name. Oh 1 how was
my soul concerned for that people ! The Lprd Jesus did
open my heart to tbera, and theirs to him. They were
also loving and kind to us. The chief magistrate of the
island, desired that I would have a raeeting at his house,
there being no settled meeting of Friends before I came;
and after meeting he disputed about religion with me. I
thought we were both but poor disputants ; and I cannot
remember all that passed between us, but that in the close
of our dispute, he said, I disputed with your friends in
Barbadoes, and they told me, that we raust eat the spir
itual flesh, and drink the spiritual blood of Christ : And,
said the Governor, did ever any one hear of such flesh
and blood ; for It is a contradiction in nature, that flesh
and blood should be spiritual ? O surely, said I, the
governor has forgot himself; for what flesh and blood was
that which Christ said, except ye eat ray flesh and drink
my blood, ye have no hfe in you. Why, said he, I do not
think they were to gnaw it from his arms and shoulders.
I then told him, he had answered himself Thus our
dispute ended. And from that time forward they have
continued a meeting, and there is now a meeting-house,
and a yearly meeting for worship ; it is a growing meet
ing to this day, and several public friends are raised up
amongst them, who preach the gospel of Christ freely."
"At this time a friend was convinced whose name was
Starbuck, who became very serviceable, and lived and
died an eminent minister of Christ, on that island. Sev
eral scores of them came and accompanied us to the
water-side ; and when we embarked on board our sloop,
they desired that I would come and visit them again.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 59
So I recommended them to the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and we parted in great love and tenderness."
Chalkley visited the island again in 1704, on which
occasion, he remarks, " There were large meetings, people
there being mostly Friends, and a sober growing people
in the best things ; though not of our society, when they
first received the truth, yet they received it with gladness ;
and although divers of the people, called Presbyteriansy
were very cruel in their expressions, and bitter in their
spirits against us, yet there were some who went under
that name, who were more open and charitable towards
us, and received us gladly with tenderness ; and at sorae
places we had meetings at their houses to our mutual
satisfaction." In 1704, Sth month, Thomas Story visited the island.
In his journal, he says, "I now think projier to give a
general relation of the state of the people in the island of
Nantucket, with respect to religion, at this time. This
small island," is "inhabited by a mixed people of various
nations, and some among them called Christian Indians,
but no settled teachers of any kind. There -was in this
island one Nathaniel Starbuck, whose wife was a .wise,
discreet woman, well read in Scripture, and not attached
unto any sect, but in great reputation throughout the
island for ber knowledge in matters of religion, and an
oracle among them on that account, in so much that they
would not do any thing without her advice and consent
therein." " 14th. At our landing, we went up to the house of the
widow Mary Gardner ; where, after sorae refreshment,
came to us Nathaniel Starbuck, (husband of Mary Star-
buck, before mentioned) and his son of the same name ;

60 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
and we proposed to thera to have a raeeting that day; but
there being a court to .sit there, by special commission,
upon an Indian accused for murdering his wife, we found
it improper at, that time ; and some of our company went
home with Nathaniel Starbuck the elder, and others with
his son ; where we were kindly entertained, though we
were strangers, and they at that time not in the profession
of truth with us."
" 15th. We had a meeting at the house of Nathaniel
Starbuck the elder ; which was pretty large and open,
several of the people being tendered, and generally satis
fied with what they heard, and felt of the goodness and
mercy of God."
" 16th. Being first of the week, we had another meet
ing there, which was not so large as was expected. Many
of the inhabitants of this island are convinced of the truth
of sorae points of the doctrine of truth, and some of them
have been reached by the Divine virtue and power of it;
but some other things they do not yet see ; and, if there
were no cross, would, in all appearance, come generally
under our profession."
" 17th. This evening we ascended tov^ard the upper
part of the island, to John Swain's (one who came to our
meetings, and there was only one more, that is, Stephen
Hussey, in all that island under our name,) and there. we
met with a great company^ of Indians and other people
together, having been raising a timber house for him."
" 18th. We had a large, good meeting there among
the people ; and, that evening returned to Nathaniel
Starbuck's the younger, and there lodged."
"19th. We had another, large, good meeting, at
Nathaniel Starbuck's the elder, his wife, Mary, as before

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 61
hinted, being the first in that island, who had any regard
to the way of truth as among us ; but now her three sons
and daughters, and sons' wives, are all in a hopeful way
to the knowledge of truth, and liberty of the sons of
God, with several other tender people at this time, in that
small island." ,
" 23rd. 5th month. Being first of the week, we had
another large, open meeting at Nathaniel Starbuck's senior •
vvhere several were tendered and comforted ; but it was
a little bodily exercising and painful to me, for, having a
sore throat, and not,willing to spare myself, I spit much
blood in the time of my ministry."
" One night, before we returned from this island, my
sleep was taken from me, under a concern of mind for
the settlement of a raeeting there, and the chief instru
ment pointed to in my thoughts, by the truth, for this
service, when we should be gone, was Mary Starbuck,
before mentioned, to whom I raade it known ; and in the
opening and mind of truth, laid a charge upon her, to
endeavor to have a meeting established in their family,
once a week, at least, to wait upon the Lord^ with all
who were convinced of truth in the neighborhood, and in
the island, as they had conveniency. This she received
with christian gravity, and it affected her much, and
became her concern. Having first mentioned it to the
friends who were with me, I proposed it likewise to her
children, who were all discreet young men and women,
most of them married, and hopeful ; being all convinced
of tnith, they were ready to embrace the proposal. Then
I advised them to wait sincerely upon the Lord in such
meetings, (for they had no instrumental teachers,) and
assured them, that I had a firm confidence in the Lord,

62 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
that he would visit them by bis Holy Spirit in them, in
his own time, if they were faithful, held on, and did not
faint, or look back. And accordingly, some time after
we departed the island, they did meet, and the Lord did
visit them, and gathered many there unto himself ; and
they became a large and living meeting in him, and se^-
eral living and able ministers raised by the Lord in that
family, and of others ; to the Honor of his own Arm,
who is worthy forever."
In the 7th month, 1746, John Griffith, another minister
of distinction of the same society, visited the island, and
staid about six days. He was- at their yearly and quar
terly meetings ; " having good satisfaction therein." He
also visited the island, in the 6th month, 1766, but did not
find the religious condition of the people so satisfactory
as before. " On sixth day," he says, " the yearly meet
ing began, arid was very large ; a becoming plainness
appeared in the general ; but, alas ! the life of religion
was very much departed from by numbers in that once
truly amiable place, so much noted for a family of loVe.
I went on the island as a stranger to their present state,
though I had been there twice before, a whness of better
times : rauch distressing anguish was felt in this meeting,
and for sorae time I expected the current of life would
have been wholly obstructed ; but at length, through
divine mercy, truth arose with gospel authority, setting
forth what a great and wonderful manifestation of evati-
gehcal light and truth sprung up in the last century, after a
dark night of apostacy and error ; when the heavenly power
being embraced, brought forth the nature and spirit of
religion ; but endeavors now are too often used to support
the same principles in a formal way, by stienitb and wis-

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 63
dom of man, the Lord, therefore, will not own a people
in that state. Many things were delivered on this subject
whh great dread, and I felt the Lord's power go forth as
a fire ambngst the briars and thorns ; many were struck
with sadness and fear, and the everlasting name was ex
alted : Thomas Gawthorp, was there also, and had good
service. The meeting ended on second-day, much gospel
labor having been bestowed in the several sittings there
of Notwithstanding the general state of Friends on that
island, appeared truly deplorable, yet, I believe, a remnant
are, and will be preserved, fresh and lively in religion.
May their number increase."
The people who first settled the Island, and their im
mediate successors, lived to a great age, many to eighty
and some over ninety years. But, about the year 1739,
the nuraber of old people was greatly lessened ; from
what cause we shall not presume to surmise. The oldest
male inhabitant died that year, aged 73 years ; there were
probably some females living who exceeded that age, for
it has been remarked that they live generally longer than
males. ' Since that time the number of aged people has
increased very much. In the year 1810, there were 210
over 70 years of age, more than 60 of whom were over
SO, but none exceeded 90. Of the 210, just mentioned,
122 were females, and the proportion of aged women,
compared with the aged -men, has considerably increased
since that time. We have never known any inhabitant of
the island to live 100 years, though several have nearly
attained that age, and many have exceeded 90 years.
Of the diseases of the island, lung affections may ba
named as the most fatal^ yet it is doubtful whether they

64 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
are more prevalent here than on the seacoasts generally,
in this latitude. Bilious interinittents occasionally occur,
in autumn, and scarlet fever has been twice epidemic
within forty years.
The small pox has frequently made its appearance on
the island, but, through the vigilance of the people, it
has never prevailed to a great extent. Whenever any
Jiave been attacked with it, they have been immediately
reraoved from the town, and conveyed to some secluded
situation. This disease, always alarming, has been ren
dered peculiarly so to the people of Nantucket, in con
sequence of their local situation. Whenever it has made
its appearance among thera, they have justly apprehended,
that, if it should spread to a considerable extent, its rav
ages would be the more distressing, by preventing neces
sary supplies being brought to thera frora the continent,
except at exorbitant prices.
This, and other considerations, caused the people to
take more than common precautions against the disease,
whenever it was brought to the island. Many of the in
habitants were of the opinion, that, could the inoculation
for the_ disease be estabhshed at some place remote from
the town, and conducted with care, it would relieve many"
who were fearful of Its coutagion, and prove very bene
ficial to the community at large. An establishment for
this purpose was therefore encouraged, and in the year
1771, Dr. Samuel Gelston selected Gravelly Island,
which seemed the most suitable situation, for the location
of an hospital. Houses were accordingly built, and the
business commenced. But it was not long before the
people began to murmur, and express their dissatisfaction
with the measure ; for some who had been there to be

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 65
inoculated, were so careless as to put the inhabitants in
danger of taking the disease on their return. The unea
siness increased so much, that the town, having convened
several times on the occasion, at length caused a remon
strance against the inoculation to be sent to the Gov
ernor, requesting his aid to suppress it. This put a stop
to the business for a time, but it was resumed in 1778,
when the town again took measures to put a stop to it,
and at length agreed with the doctor, he relinquishing the
business, tp buy his buildings at cost, which they accord
ingly did, and paid him the amount of his bills, viz. :
£1072 17s. 6d. old tenor.
From the best information that can be obtained, ten
persons have been hanged on the island, since it was set
tled by the English. They were all native Indians, and
the crime of each was murder. The first execution, of
which we have any particular account, took place in 1704,
the last in 1769. '.
The putting to death of these persons was, of course,
in accordance with the requirement of the law of the
land, and cannot be considered as expressing the_ opinion
of the inhabitants on that mode of punishment. We be
lieve the sentiments of this community are, and always
have been, strongly against capital punishments.
Taking the lives of huraan beings, as an expiation for
the most heinous crimes, has so long been practised
throughout the world, that the greater part of mankind
have become reconciled to the measure : they seem to

' Their names -were as follows: Finch, 1704; Sabo, Jo Nobby,
1736; Heppy Pomfort, 17.S9; John Comfort, 1745; Henry Jude,
1750, Tom Ichabod, Joel Elisa, Simon Hews, Nathan Quibby, 1769.
5

66 HISTORY or NANTUCKET.
have become fully convinced that this punishment is ab
solutely necessary for the safety of society, and justifiable
in the sight of God. Notwithstanding this practice has
been long established, and has often been supported by
the authority of the Old Testament, we think it not amiss
to state our conviction that it is altogether wrong. The
subject is one of great importance, and we trust, that a
few remarks upon it wifl not be deemed improper in this
place. We are fully sensible, that it is not an easy matter
to convince mankind of their error, if it be such, neither
is it our expectation to bring about so desirable an ob
ject : but we think it is quite time for the rulers of the
land, particularly those of the denomination of Christians,
to make a pause, for we are persuaded that much de
pends on them to govern and lead the people aright. It
appears, by the laws of England, that there were one
hundred and sixty offences, not long ago, punishable with
death, while in the United States the number does not
exceed ten ; how is this difference reconciled, when both
nations profess to be led by the same unerring example
and precepts of our Saviour.
When a criminal is deprived of life, by the laws of his
country, he is either in a good or bad state, as to his never-
dying soul. If he has become truly penitent, and received
full assurance of forgiveness for his past sins, of which, in
some instances there can hardly be a doubt, how awful iS
it, that his life should be taken from him, by the power of
man, in that state of innocency. Perhaps, if permitted
to live, he would become a useful member of society, and
contribute to the wants of his family and friends, who,
besides being benefited by his services, would be rescued
from that reproach, which an ignominious death, however

HISTORY OF IfANTUCKET. 67
unguilty, entails upon the descendants of the culprit, even
unto the fourth generation. On the other hand, if he is
deprived of life in a state of wickedness, how much more
awful is the case, taking the truth of the subject into
view, that a soul will thus be hurried to perdition to satisfy
a law, which is not warranted by any part of the New
Testament. Shall we act counter to that guide, by which
¦w:e profess to be governed, and yet say, that we do so un
der a sense of religious duty. Let us, for a moment, re
flect, how much more commendable it would be, in the
sight of Him who rewards us for every good deed, to
restrain ithe criminal of his liberty, and use our utmost
endeavors to reconcile him to his fellow man, and restore
him to peace with his Maker. " There is joy in the pre
sence of the angels of God over one sinner that repent-
eth." Much might be said on this very interesting subject,
but it is not our intention' to enlarge this work by discus
sing matters that may be considered irrelevant to it. We
leave the subject for more able writers, with strong desire
that a reform may take place, not doubting that it would
prove a blessing to society, and be productive of increased
harmony, to wholly annul the laws by which criminals
are deprived of life.

(68)

CHAPTER V.
Between the years 1770 and 1775, the whaling busf*
ness increased to an extent 'hitherto unparalleled. In
1770, there were a litde more than one hundred vessels
engaged ; and in 1775, the number exceeded one hundred
and fifty, some of them large brigs. The ernployment of
SO' great and such an increasing capital may lead our
readers to suppose, that a corresponding profit was realiz*
ed ; but a careful exaraination of the circurastances, under
which the business was carried on, will show the fallacy
of such a conclusion. Many branches of labor were con
ducted by those who were immediately interested in the
voyages. The young men, with few exceptions, were
brought up to some trade necessary to the business. The
rope-maker, the cooper, the blacksmith, the carpenter, in
fine, the workmen, vsrere either the ship owners or of their
household ; so were often the officers and men who navi?
gated the vessels and killed the whales. Whilst a ship
was at sea, the owners at home were busily employed in
the manufactory of casks, iron work, cordage, blocks, and
other articles for the succeeding voyage. Thus the pro
fits of the labor were enjoyed by those interested in the
fishery, and voyages were rendered advantageous even
when the oil obtained was barely sufficient to pay the
outfits, estimating the labor as a part thereof This mode
of conducting the business was universal, and has con
tinued to a very considerable extent to the present day.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 69
Experience taught the people how to take advantage of
the different markets for their oil. Their spermaceti oil
was raosdy sent to England in its unseparated state, the
head matter being generally mixed with the body oil ;
for, in the early part of whaling, it would bring no more
when separated than when mixed. The whale oil,
which is the kind procured from the species called "right
whales," was shipped to Boston or elsewhere in the
colonies, and there, sold for country consumption, or sent
to the West Indies.
The first manufactory of sperm candles in this country
was established in Rhode Island, a little previous to 1750,
by Benjamin Crab, an Englishman. His candle-house
was burnt in 1750 or 1751. In 1753, Obadiah Brown,
(the father of Moses Brown, a distinguished member of
the Society of Friends, now hving,) erected candle-works
at Tockwotten, now India Point, in Providence, and en
gaged the above-mentioned Benjamin Crab, to conduct
the business. After this, in 1754 or 1755, Moses Lopez
engaged in tbe same business, but not esTtensively, at
Newport. Collins & Reveria, Aaron Lopez, John Maus-
ley &£ Co., Thomas Robinson, and others soon followed.
Obadiah Brown, in 1753, manufactured about three hun
dred barrels, which was nearly all that was in that year
saved separate from body oil, and not sent to England.
He was disappointed of the information which he expected
to receive from Crab, and was obliged to learn the secret
of refining by his own experiments. In 1761, there
were eight manufactories in New England, and one in
Philadelphia. The candle nrianufactories gave just enough for head
matter to encourage its being separated. Their art was

70 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
kept secret a considerable time ; they suffered no person
to enter their works, but such as were immediately coD'-
cerned therein. At length, in 1772, one of the most
enterprising men belonging to Nantucket found means to
obtain the desired' knowledge, and established himself in
the business. He continued in this line several years', and
acquired a large property. Stimulated by his success,
others were led to make various experiments, till at length
they acquired a knowledge of tbe art, and gained great
profits from it. Thus, by degrees, the manufacture ef
sperm candles became more and more general, till at
length all, who possessed the means of carrying it on, were
enabled to share in its advantages.
As the whaling business increased from year to year, and
finally gained the pre-eminence over all other branches,
the cod fishery in the same ratio dwindled, till it was pur
sued by a very small number as a permanent business.
The farmers, however, and some of the mechanics, in
the spring and autumn, made it their practice to fish at
Siasconset, and Sesacacha, on the east side of the island,
in boats from the shore. Here they freqiiently removed
their families and resided during the fishing seasons.
The following table, copied from a report to Congress,
by Thomas Jefferson, shows the state of the whale fishery
in Massachusetts, between the years 1771, and 1775.

STATE OF THE WHALE FISHERY, IN MASSACHUSETTS, FROM 1771 to 1775.

Vessels fitted

Vessels fitted

Barrels of
Barrels of^
Ports from which the equipments
out annually
Their ton
out annually
Their ton
Seamen
spermaceti
whale oil
were made.
for the north
nage. -
for the south
nage.
employed.
oil taken
taken an
ern fishery.
ern fishery.
annually.
nually.
Nantucket,
65
4,875
85
10,200
2,025
26,000
4,000
Wellfleet,
20
1,600
10
1,000
420
2,250
1,250
Dartmouth,
60
4,500
20
2,000
1,040
7,200
1,400
Lynn,
1
75
1
120
28
200
100
Martha's Vineyard,,
12
720
—
—
156
900
300
Barnstable,
2
150
^_
 ,
26
240
—
Boston,
15
1,300
5
700
26a
1,800
600
Falmouth, Barnstable Co.
4
300

—
52
400
Swanzey,
4
183
300
121
—
52
400
13,820
14,020
4,059
39,390
7,650
72 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
" The average price in the market, for a few. years
previous to the war, was about forty pounds sterling, per
ton, for spermaceti oil ; and fifty poupds steriing, for head
matter. ' The average price of whale oil was about sev
enty dollars, per ton. A whale producing about one
hundred and twenty barrels of oil will generally produce
about two thousand pounds of bone. A whale producing
fifty or sixty barrels of oil, will generally produce neariy
ten pounds of bone to the barrel. The bone was chiefly
exported to Great Britain, the price about half a dollar
per pound."
In 1774, the inhabitants of the island were much
troubled by the anticipated -war between the colonies
and Great Britain. The Americans, believing they had
just cause of resentment on account of the usage of the
British government from time to time, often manifested a
spirit of resistance'. This being early discovered by the
government, coercive measures were pursued to check
the discontent, which, instead of soothing, serve'd rather
to irritate the colonists. Massachusetts was considered
the leader of the rebellion, as it was theti called, and the
measures of the governraent were particularly directed
against that province. It appeared to many, that, if the
English government had used mild measures to convince
the colonies of their error, if it had heard their petitions and
carefully investigated the grounds of their complaints, the
difficulties then existing might have been removed so far

' The average prices at Nantucket, in the settlement of -voyages,
from 1769 to 1775, were for spermaceti oil, £35, and for head matter
£44.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 73
as to prevent a war. Instead of this, force was used to bring
about a reconciliation, and acts were passed to restrain the
hberties of the people. "The Massachusetts Bay Restrain
ing Bill" was passed, intended to restrain the trade and com
merce of the provinces of" New England, to Great Britain,
Ireland, and the British islands in the West Indies," and
to prohibit their carrying on any fishery on the Banks of
Newfoundland and other places, raentioned in the bill.
The extreme severity of this act caused long and violent
debates in Parliament. If carried into effect, it would
have been a heavy blow to merchants in London, in the
West Indies, and in other parts, who traded with New
England ; petitions were, therefore, forwarded by them
to Parllatnent, praying that the bill might npt be carried
into operation. Among other petitions was one present
ed by the Society of Friends, in England, setting forth,
" That a great number of innocent persons, particularly
in the island of Nantucket, would, by the prohibitory bill,
be reduced to extreme distress. The inhabitants -of this
island amounted to between five and six thousand in num
ber : the soil of it was so barren, that, though fifteen miles
in length, and three in breadth, its produce was scarce
sufficient for the maintenance of twenty families. From
the only harbor this island contains, without natural pro
ducts of any sort, the inhabitants by an astonishing in
dustry, kept an hundred and foity vessels constantly
employed. Of these, eight were occupied in the impor
tation of the necessary provisions, and tbe rest in the
whale fishery ; which, with invincible courage and perse
verance, they had extended from the frozen regions of
the North, to the coast of Africa, the Brazils, and even
as far South as the Falkland Islands, and some of their

74 HISTORY OB' NANTUCKET.
fishing voyages continued twelve months." The petition,
after expatiating on the innocence, industry, and utility of
this colony, the great hazards attending their occupation,
and the uncertainty of then gain, showed, that, if the bill
passed into a law, they must in a short time be ejsposed
to all the miseries of a famine. The singular situation
and circumstances of these people, caused sorae attention
to be paid to them ; and the administration, in all its
obstinacy, Vas obliged to relax a little and afford, the
relief, which with so much reason had been asked and
expected. The tenor of the above-mentioned petition, and its effects
in favor of Nantucket, by causing the obnoxious part of
the bill to be struck out, is another proof, among many,
that good policy would dictate to the inhabitants of Nan
tucket, in all cases of national differences, to Amain neu
tral, and manifest that quiet and peaceable disposition,
which has ever raarked their character araong all chris
tian nations.
It appears, that the bill, with sorae modifications, became
a law, but its effect was very different from what was ex
pected by the promoters of it ; for, as a consequence of
it, the British fisheries, in Newfoundland, suffered a dimi
nution of near 500,000 pounds sterhng.
As many may be interested to know the number of in
habitants on the island, at different periods after its settle
ment, we shall here exhibit such information on the sub
ject as we have been able to collect, but we cannot vouch
for its authenticity in every particular. The records of the
town are deficient in information concerning early transac
tions, and almost silent as respects the census of the
island. We introduce the following table now, because

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 75
it will here be convenient to refer to it to see the effect of
th© revolutionary war on the numbers of the inhabitants.
In the year "1719 there were 721 white inhabitants.
English families, between 1722 and 1724, 170.
In the year 1726 there were 917 inhabitants,
1764 " 3220 «
, " 1774 " 4545 "
" 1784 « 4269 "
« 1790 . " 4620 "
" 1800 " 5617
" 1810 « 6807 «
« 1820 " 7266 "
« 1830 " 7202
On examining the foregoing schedule, it will be seen,
that, during the Revolutionary war, instead of a gradual
increase of inhabitants, the number lessened 276, If
there had been no war, it is to be presumed that, the in
crease between 1774 and 1784 would have been a little
greater than during the ten preceding years. Between
1764 and 1774 the increase was 1325, this number added
to 276, the decrease during the war, making 1601, may
fairly be taken as the least number that lost their lives
during the conflict between the nations, with the excep
tion of about twenty families which removed to other
places. If we could jdstify any war, it would be that of tbe
Revolution, Repeated injuries were heaped upon the
colonists, which, we allow, it was their duty to notice, in
a firm and decided manner. Respecting, as we do, and
that most sincerely, the rights of man, we have little
sympathy with those who supinely submit to unprovoked

76 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
injuries. In the dignity of Christian charity we bear and
forbear, but our endurance then is a defence which even
tyranny will eventually respect. To feel an injury, and
to revenge it, are very different things : the highest merit
of forbearance consists in the keenest sense of wrong.
While then we would bear testimony against all wars,
and every species of violence between man and man, we
would encourage all to defend their social and individual
rights, to cherish self-respect, and maintain their indepen
dence ; and we beheve that there are ample means for
this purpose, without resort to blood, and that wars and
fightings are the causes, rather than the remedies of op
pression. A course of proceeding which throws two na
tions into mourning over the harm which they have re
ciprocally done to each other, seems a strange way of
deciding between right and wrong. Let the consequences
of war be considered apart from the vain glory, and martial
equipments, and mighty enterprises, and great talents,
and enthusiastic excitement, which are associated with it;
let plunder, and rapine, and death ; let ghastly wounds,
mutilated limbs, loathsome disease, and famine and pov
erty ; let the widow, the childless, the orphan ; let the
crimes of lawless passion, and the permanent injury to
moral and christian virtues, be considered, and who will
say that wars are the best means, nay, who will say that
they should ever be resorted to, for the purpose of decid
ing a national dispute ? Wiio is there, that, clothed with
the spirit of true Christianity, can justify war; when, be
fore it commences, we are sensible of the destruction and
misery that must ensue ? Alas for man that he is blinded
to his best interest !
Previous to entering upon the various scenes occasioned

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

77

by the approaching war, it may not be amiss to give a
statement of the prices of various articles of common con
sumption, at different dates. Our information on this sub
ject is not extensive, but it is collected from sources which
may be depended on as correct ; it will serve to show the
difference between the value of merchandise or of raoiiey,
at given dates, and the present time. The prices are
given in old tenor, or forty-five shillings to a dollar.

.

£

5.

d.

1712 1713 it

Molasses per gallon
Tobacco per pound
1 day's mowing
1 " carting rocks .

0
0 0
0

2
0 3.
3

6
6 0
0

tl

1 " threshing

0
3
6
tl
1 ewe sheep.
0
7
0
((
1 pound butter
0
0
10
1714 tl
1 " fresh pork
1 " hay-seed
1 " beef
1 " veal
00
0 0
02
0 0
2 03
II
1715 tltt((
Weaving cotton and linen, pe
" kersey, ell wide
" plain linen
" kersey
" worsted for shirts
r yard
0
0000
0
0
0 00
6
8
8
10 9
ft
1 bushel wheat
1 " barley
1 " corn, till 1730
0
0 0
6
2 6
060
«
1718
1719
1 cord wood
1 quintal fish
Board for a man, in a private
per week.
famil;
0 1
f, 0
14 6 6
000
78

HISTORY aF NANTUCKET.

1720 Ploughing, per acre
1722 Fine wool, per pound
1723 Yoke of oxen .

£ s. d.
0 12 0
0 16
14 0 0

The following short schedule will show the .prices of a
few articles, the year/preceding the war. The great ad
vance in the value of some articles, found in both state
ments, may fairly be taken as a criterion for the whole;
and will show, with some allowance for the time between
1723 and 1774, the effect of the political aspect of affairs
on the value of merchandise generally.
The prices are here, also, given in old
In 1774,
Russia Duck, per piece
Ravens " "
Sugar, per cwt.
Coffee, per lb.
Molasses, per gallon
Salt, per bushel
Wood, per cord
Flour, per cwt.
Corn, per bushel
Beef, per barrel
Wool, per lb.
Men's shoes, per pair
Women's " «
Cheese, per lb. ,
Butter, «
Bohea tea

tenor currency.

£ s. d.

. 30 0 0

. 21 0 0

. 17 0 0

. 0 9 0

0 13 0

1 2 6

5 12 6

7 0 0

1 2 6

19 0 0

0 9 0

2 15 0

2 5 0

0 3 6

0 5 7J

2 5 0

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 79
The apprehension of war, between this country and
England, increased daily. In view of the infant state of
the country, this event was dreaded by many, and more
particularly by the inhabitants of this island, who had
inore reasons to deplore, a war than the country generally.
Their situation was such as to render them exposed to
the ravages of an enemy, without the means of making
any defence. Being surrounded by the sea, they could
be assailed from any quarter, and were liable to be plun
dered by any petty cruisers which might visit them for
that purpose. It was clearly foreseen that the inhabitants
could derive no protection from our own country. These
considerations filled- the minds of the people generally
with very serious apprehensions ; while others endeavor
ed to be patient, under whatever sufferings might befall
them, placing their confidence in that power which it is
beyond the reach of man to control. But knowing that
nothing could be done to prevent a war, each one hoped
for the best, and waited the awful moment with the keen
est anxiety that the hutnan rnind can conceive. In the
mean time prudence dictated that those who had prop
erty exposed, which could be secured from the grasp of an
enemy, should take care of it in season. Many, by taking
this precaution, happily saved what afterwards proved the
raeans of their subsistence.
Towards the close of the year 1774, there were one
hundred and fifty sail of vessels, in the whaling service,
belonging to the island, and the greater part of them at
sea. The owners at this tirae concluded to strip and
haul them up as fast as they arrived, in hopes that the
impending storm might blow over without any serious

80 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
consequences. But, alas ! how frail is man, and how
bhnd to future events.
In the eai-ly part of 1775, there appeared no doubt
that hostilities wpuld soon break out. The country, in
the mean time, was making every preparation for war, of
which its defenceless situation would admit. The long
expected period at length arrived : even before spring
closed, the first blood was spilt in the battle at Lexing
ton. The news of this action spread rapidly to every
part of the colonies ; in a few days it arrived at Nan-
Uicket. The countenances of the people, here, bespoke
the anguish of their hearts. All business was imme
diately at a stand. Discouraged and poweriess, they
could do little else than meet together and bemoan their
fate. Sorrow was depicted on every countenance ; every
mind was overwhelmed with fearful anticipations, all
springing from one general cause — the war. Many were
deeply concerned for the welfare of their husbands, child
ren, or brothers, then at sea, on whom they depended for
their subsistence and the comforts of life ; m3ny were
anxious on account of their property, both at home and
at sea, on which their dependence was placed. A com
mon distress pervaded all hearts, which was in no way
relieved by anticipations of the future. No system of
future business could be fixed on ; many believing, that,
notwithstanding some blood bad been shed, the difficulty
would yet be setded, and business be again safely resi^ra-
ed ; but others, and the greater part, were of the opinion
that the contest would be long and terrible. Time proved
the latter to be correct.
The vessels belonging to the island mostly arrived
home in safety, for the English government cherished a

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 81
belief, that, by quelling tlie difficulties in the province of
Massachusetts Bay, the whole country besides would
comply with the requisitions demanded of theni; they,
therefore, did not send out their cruisers in great numbers,
until they found their mistal^e ; which gave an opportunity
for the whalemen to get home, though many of them were
on the coast of Guinea and Brazil, at the commencement
of hostilities.
The inhabitants were now driven from their wonted
line of .business into a state of inactivity, in which many
6f the laboring poor could not long subsist without a
change. Some of these entered into the service of the
country by joining the army, others engaged on btoard of
privateers, few of whom ever returned to the island, A
few faniilies removed, to various parts of the country,
chiefly to the provinces of New York and North Caro
lina. But the bulk of the people concluded to remain
in the place of their nativity, and do the best they could,
although the prospect was gloomy, let them look which
way they would. The property of some was so situated
that they could not leave it ; others could not rekiove their
families, through want of means.
Whaling having now ceased, the wharves and shotes
were, for a while, lined with vessels, stripped to their naked
masts. The people, however, soon, began to turn their
attention to fishing on the shoals, and round the shores of
the island ; and many,"to save what property they had
acquired, went into the farming business. In one or an
other of these pursuits all, for a time, found employment.
This entire change of business created new thoughts,
new ideas, and new conversation, such as would hardly
have been understood previous to the commencement of
6

82 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
difficulties. Fishing boats, and small fishing vessels, and
farming tools, were chiefly called for in the mechanical
lihe, and with these the people went earnestly to work,
but with heavy hearts, not knowing how soon they might
be deprived of even these raeans of subsistence by the
sacking or burning of tbe town.
All this was but a specimen of what they were destined
to endure. They soon found themselves wholly cut off
frora all kinds of imported goods. Necessity, however,
invented substitutes for many of these, and the same ne
cessity taught that others were not absolutely indispens
able. The price of salt was much enhanced, and with
out it they could derive little advantage from fishing.
This encouraged a number of persons to establish salt
works. One company set them up on Brant Point, at the
entrance of the harbor ; but various causes combined to
check their progress, so that very little salt was, made.
Another company established their works at Podpis^ or
Polpis, which is up harbor, according to common ex
pression, about five miles east from the town. They
raade considerable salt, but not enough to compensate
for their expenses : so that both companies relinquished
their business. Probably the principal reason for their
not succeeding was the fog, which prevails around -the
shores iti the summer season, and, keeping the air moist,
prevents the vl^ater from evaporating as rapidly as the bu
siness requires.
West India produce of all kinds, as well as salt, soon
became excessively high ; and a prospect of profitable
business for all was thus presented, too flattering to be
disregarded. The harbor was full of vessels of just the
right size for the West India trade, many of the owners

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 83
had oil, candles, fish, lumber, and other articles, in de
mand, in the West Indies, while an equally good market
was promised for such of their return cargoes as should be
fortunate enough to escape the enemy. It was a dangerous
business, and very few were singly able to fit out a whole
vessel, and bear up under a loss, if that should be their
fate. A considerable number would, therefore, join and
load a vessel in small proportions, which, by experience,
was found to be the best way. On this plan a few ves
sels were soon got away, and, such as returned in safety,
made very profitable voyages : for all kinds of American
produce sold at great, prices, and, in return. West India
produce was in great demand. Salt sold from two to
four dollars a bushel, and molasses for a dollar a gallon.
This line of business succeeded well, till the British took
possession of a nuraber of American seaports, and were
thus enabled to send out nuraerous small privateers. The
coast of America was soon so thronged with these, that
it was difficult for vessels to arrive in safety. Built, as
the latter were, for great burdens, and to be easy and safe
at sea, they stood little chance of escape, when pursued
by English cruisers. The- business, therefore, which com
menced so prosperously, soon became exceedingly hazard
ous. ' The loss of property by capture was a small evil,
compared with the sufferings of those who were made
prisoners. As soon as the British took possession of
Rhode Island and New York, they established prison-
ships, in .which (thousands of American seamen were pent
up, and thousands perished, erther through want of the
necessaries of life, or by loathsome diseases, engendered
by their wretched situation and inhuman treatment.
The Nantucket people now began to feel the misery

84 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
and distress, which they early anticipated and dreaded.
They had had no conception, indeed, of the destructive
prison-ship ; it was for the refinements of war' to invent
that Capacious instrument of prolonged torture ; but they
had always been sensible that their situation was such, as
to expose them to an uncommon share of suffering, , even
under the milderaspect of a national conflict. •
Although the West India business proved so disastrous
on account of the loss of lives, as well as of property, it
was still prosecuted, as there appeared no other way" of
employment. The safe arrival of two or three vessels
animated the people greatly, and encouraged them to fit
out still more largely.
As the sound was continually infested with cruisers, it
was difficult to procure that supply of provisions and fuel,
which they otherwise would have received from different
places on tbe continent. This was soon severely feh'by
the inhabitants, and led them to use every raeans that in
vention could devise, or necessity execute, to obtain their
necessary supplies. Sonietimes strangers, with the pros
pect of high prices, would venture to the island with such
articles as were most needed, and take' in exchange fish,
salt, oil, Sic A number of tbe inhabitants run open sail
boats to Connecticut, and elsewhere, with salt ancJ other
a'rticles, and brought back provisions and other supplies.
They chose these boats, because they could pass Rhode
Island in them with greater safety, during the night, than
in vessels. And, notwithstanding the danger of naviga
ting such frail barks, they selected the most stormy nights,
even in winter, to pass ports in possession of the enemy;
for they had rather encounter the hazard of foundering at
sea, than of falling into the hands of the British. By

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 85
these means, and with what bread stuff was raised on the
island, the people were prevented, and in many instances
barely prevented, frora suffering to death.
As long as the vessels lasted, they afforded employment
for tbe poorer class;; but their nuraber lessened very fast.
The loss of these, "however, was not the greatest evil
which the people had to sustain. The prison-ship was
much raore dreaded. Whenever a vessel or boat was seen
eoraiiigfrom any quarter, anxiety of mind was depicted on
every countenance. All were dependent in some degree on
casualties abroad ; those, who had property at stake, were
desirous of hearing frqm it ; but, above all, those, who had
fathers, husbands, brothers, or other connexions, absent
from home, were watching, -with anxious eyes, every sail
that made its appearance, or listening, with intense inter
est, to catch some tidings from their friends ; apprehensive,
the while, that the next news would blast for ever all their
hopes of earthly, comfort and happiness. In the, middle
and latter part of the war, accounts from abroad were
rarely received, -^'hich did not tell of the death of one or
more of the people belonging to the place.
The few, that returned from the prison-ships, gave the
most melancholy account of the sufferings of the prisoners.
The provisions, which they had to eat, were the most
filthy that could be procured, infested with bugs, weavels,
and maggots ; and of even these they were furnished
with not half enough to satisfy the cravings of nature.
Their scanty pittance of water was offensive to the smell,
filthy, and poisonous. A great number of persons were
confined within the narrow limits of the sides of the ship ;
they were overrun with tormenting vermin ; on every
side* the eye rested on the dead, and the ear was assailed

86 HISTORY OF NANTUCKE'lf.
with the groans of the dying. These startling and horrid
truths wrought so forcibly on the minds of those, whose
necessities impelled them to follow the sea for a subsist
ence, and so disquieted the hearts of their wives and
children, who must be left in anxious uncertainty both in
regard to their future means of subsistence, and the fate
of their near relatives, as to bring a gloom over the face
of society, too deep and too heartfelt to be described.
But untimely death and severe sufferings were not con
fined to prisoners alone ; raany perished at sea, in conse
quence of venturing in vessels constructed with a principal
view to fast sailing. These vessels were long and sharp,
they were built of frail materials, and purposely made
weak in order that, by a degree of pliability, they might
pass raore- easily through the water. When pursued
by an enemy, they were sonietimes subjected to so heavy
a press of sail, as to run under and never rise again. The
ways were numerous^ and the places various, in which the
people of Nantucket lost their lives during' the war ; their
sufferings were long felt, deeply deplored, and they will
never be forgotten.
Provision; notwithstanding what was raised On the
island, or brought from the continent, was at times very
scarce'and dear; and many suffered by want, having no
means to buy and no employment by which to earn any
thing. After a few years of the war had expired, those
who had property left did not care to risk it abroad, find
ing that the danger of capture had materially increased ;
thus a large number were left in a state of inactivity.
Many of the middle class, at the commencement of the
war, had some hundreds of dollars by them, which they
had saved out of their earnings ; but they were 'now

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 87
under the necessity of disposing of their past savings for
the support of their families. Some of this class became
exhausted by the middle, others by the Jatter part of
the war.
Com was frequently three dollars a bushel, and some
times raore ; flour was thirty dollars a barrel, and other
bread stuff proportionably dear. -, This would not have
been so severely felt, had there been business adequate
thereto ; but a total want of eraployraent with the major
part of the people rendered it very distressing.
As wood was one of the articles for which the inhabi
tants were dependent on the continentj it was soon dis
covered that a new source or substitute raust be found ;
for the coasters, who had usually brought it, turned their
"attention another way, on account of the risk of capture.
Even if a plentiful supply had been brought to the island,
few, for the reasons before raentioned, would have been
able to buy. The distress, however, was not so great
for fuel, as it was for bread. Various substitutes for the ,
forraer presented theraselves, which were readily and
thankfully adopted. One was peat, of which an abund
ance was yearly procured, and which was found to be
excellent firing. Sorae dug up the shrub oaks with their
roots, which answered a very good purpose ; some, in the
winter season, cut brush in the swamps, which burned
well, but did not make a durable fite. Others, who had
no horses, went " up the harbor" in boats to Coetue, and
Coskata, in an easterly direction frora the town, from six
to ten miles, where, with hard labor, they procured large
quantities of pretty good firing, mostly oak, cedar, and
juniper, soraetiraes called savin.
It seems proper to introduce, in this place, a vabiation

88 ^ HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
of the ratable property of the island, raade in the year
1778, under the authority of the " State of Massachusetts
Bay." It is as follows, viz : —
Polls ratable, 970
" not ratable, 31
DweUing-houses, barns, and other
buildings, not hereafter specially
mentioned, with all yards, gar
dens, and passage-ways to the
same belonging, 604
The just value of the same, £35,633 5s
Acres or parts of an acre of upland,^
mowing, orcharding, and tillage
land, 1,566
The just value of the same, £14,688
Acres of salt and fresh meadow, 270
The just value of the same, £4,050
Acres of pasture land, 14,260
The just value of the same, £55,840
Acres of wood land, and unim
proved land, 7,380
The just value of the same, £4,338
Wharves of all sorts, and the just
value of the same, £1,708 2s 4rf
Still-houses, furnaces, mills of all
sorts, and iron works, 4
The just value of the same, £295
Money at interest and on hand,
raore than they are indebted, £11,222 16s 8d
Debts due not on interest, raore
than they are indebted, £3,732 10*

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 89
The amount of all goods, wares,
merchandises, and stock in
trade, £8,257 8s
Vessels of all sorts with their
stores, and the true value
thereof, whether at horae or
abroad, £12,860 8s
Ounces of plate, 1,780
Horses of all ages, '270
The just value, £4,860
Oxen, 4 years old and upwards, 54
The just value, , £486
Cows, three years old and up
wards, 540
The just value, £3,888
Steers, three years old, and all
other horned cattle, under
that age, 155
Their value, £620
Sheep and goats of all ages, 9938
Their value, £3,975 4s
Swine of all ages, 299
Their value, - £430 lis
Grain of all sorts and kinds, and
all other produce of the land
whatsoever on hand, the just
value of the same, £501
Coaches, chaisesj and all car
riages of that kind, and all
other property whatsoever not
before enumerated, except
household furniture, wearing

90 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
apparel, farming utensils', and
• the tools of mechanics, the
just value of the same, £482
The amount of all the estate,
both real and personal, of
those persons that shall be
doomed by the assessors, £ 
Tons of English hay, one year
¦with another, 243
Tons of salt and fresh meadow
hay, one year with another, 162
Bushels of corn, and grain of all
sorts, one year with another, 10,800
Number of cows the pasture
will keep, one year with an-
, other, 2,587
.Barrels of cider, one year with
another, 
Amount of all other annual pro
duce, £324
The annual income arising from
any profession, faculty, handi
craft, trade or employment,
and by trading by sea and on
shore, and by means of ^ad
vantages arising from the war,
and the necessities of the
community, £5,134 Is 8d
Although the town was not sacked or burnt during
the war, it was often threatened, and the minds of the
people thus kept in constant agitation, between hope and

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 91
fear. It was often visited by English cruisers, who would
sometimes attempt to put their threats into execution by
beginning to, plunder and rob, but they never carried their
depredations to any considerable length, except in one
instance. In 1779, on the 6th of the 4th month, eight
sail of small vessels came to the bar, where they- all an
chored, except two, which came into tbe harbor and were
made fast to the wharf Al^out a hundred, armed men
then landed, and immediately proceeded to plunder and
rob several stores, and to commit some other depreda
tions. ' The inhabitants, in the mean time, although their
feelings were much ^wounded, reraained quiet spectators,
and used no means of defence, believing that the plun
derers Would leave the island, without carrying their
ravages to extremes, which they did the next day. It
was the opinion of all, that these refugees bad no authority
Irom the British government to disturb Nantucket, Being
confident of this, some of the leading men of the town
remonstrated against their conduct in such language, as
caused them to depart from the island in haste. Many
of the inhabitants for a long time had ' entertained the
opinion, that the English government had no disposition
to distress Nantucket, in any respect ; this emboldened
the inhabitants, whenever refugees came lo the island, to
treat them with plain language, and dispute their au-
tho,rity to comrait any hostile act ; which often had a very
good effect.
We might fill a volume in enumerating the various vi
cissitudes and embarrassments, to which the people of this

' The value of property taken, according to an account of sales
by the refugees themselves, was £10,666 13s 4d lawful.

92 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
devoted island were subjected during the war. Some cases
occurred, which called forth the .united energy of the com
munity at large in the adoption and execution of meas
ures to -ward off impending ruin. The year 1779 was
replete vfith difficulties, one succeeding another, so as to
keep the people in continued anxiety.- About the sixth
month of that year, a committee was appointed by the
town to proceed to Newport, and thence to New York,
and there represent to the British commanders the diffi
culties under which the people labored, on account of the
war, and particularly on account of the British armed
vessels, which had recently come into .the harbor and com
mitted depredations on the property of the inhabitants.
The committee were furnished with a meraorial expres
sive of the difficulties, and asking to be relieved there-
frora. On their return, they presented the following re
port to a meeting of the inhabitants, who assembled on
the occasion. As the business was of the greatest impor
tance, the people generally collected. , The comriiittee, ,
at the same time, presented a communication from the
commander-in-chief of the British forces in Araerica,
giving assurance of his good disposition towards ,the town
of Nantucket. These documents are both- here inserted..
The reader will find, that, if the people of this island
had observed a strict neutrality during the war, they could
have received at all times, from the British commander-
in-chief, that attention which their defenceless situation
would seem to demand. , .Nantucket, 7th mo. 5th, 1779.
To the inhabitants of the town of Sherburne Agree
ably to your appointment, we .proceeded to Newport

history of NANTUCKET. 93
and New York, and ' presented the memorial to the com
mander-in-chief of the British army and navy, and, after
repeated applications, we received their answers, (Sir
Henry Clinton's was only verbal) assuring us, that he had
given orders, that no further depredation should be made
upon the island, on property belonging to the inhabitants,.
by persons under the authority of Great Britain ; Sir
George, Collier gave us the same assurance in writing;
and, for a full knowledge of his' disposition, we refer you
to the enclosed declaration.
Benj. Tupper,
Tim't. Folger,
Samuel Starbuck,
Wm. Rotch.
By Sir George Collier, Commodore and Commander-in-
Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels employed in
North America, from the North Cape on the island
of Cape Breton, to the Bahama Islands and Florida,
inclusive. As great numbers of the inhabitants of the island of
Nantucket are represented to me to.be of the sect called
Quakers, and consequently not accustomed to bear arms,
and believing the remainder of the inhabitants to be quiet,
inoffensive people, who have already suffered severely
the calamities of war,, I therefore think proper to for
bid all privateers, letters of, marque, armed vessels, or
bodies of armed raen, from molesting, ravaging, or plun
dering, the estates, houses, or persons, of the inhabit
ants of the said island ; and if any shall be found to act
.inconsistently with these directions, their Commissions as

94 HISTORY OP NANTUCKET.
privateers, or letters of rnarque, shall be vacated, and
theraselves punished for the offence.
Given on board ,his Majesty's Ship, the Raisonable, off
New York, 23d June, 1779.
George Collier.
By command of the Comraodore.
John Marr, Sec'y.
Sir Henry Clinton fully united with the foregoing dec
larations, and gave verbal assurance to the comraittee
that they should be complied with.
The report of the committee, and the communication
accornpanying it, were cordially accepted ; by which it
appeared, that all was done, that could be expected, to pre
serve the people and property of the island from the de
predations of British armed vessels or armed men.
But, notwithstanding these assurances, it was but afew
months, before another difficulty arose, which threatened
to be the greatest with which the people had ever met.
This evil was averted by the protecting hand of Divine
Providence, raore conspicuous to the view of the com
munity at large, than common. The event had a ten
dency to humble the minds of mariy, and to bring them *
into a state of dependence, on that Power which preserves
from danger without the help of man.
Information was received, from undoubted authority,
that a squadron of English armed vessels was preparing
to leave New York for Nantucket, for the purpose of
• sacking and plundering the town, and of burning it, should
any resistance be made by the inhabitants. Hitherto
there had never been any order, under the authority of
the British government, to visit the island in a hostile

history of NANTUCKET. 95
manner. Those enemies, who had soraetimes raade their
appearance in the harbor, were of that class called refu
gees, who, not having the authority of the governraent,
did not dare to extend their ravages to a great length,
though, their raenaces were soraetiraes carried into effect
in such a degree as to fill the minds of the people with
fear and resentment. But the case now before us was
quite otherwise, and caused very different emotions.
These were believed to . be government vessels, and
authorized by the government, whichwas a cause of the
greater alarm. Their peculiar situation, with no back
country whither to flee for shelter, nor any opportunity of
leaving the island with safety on account of English cruis
ers in the Sound, nor even the means of cfoing ¦ so imme
diately, if this hindrance had not existed ; these circum
stances filled the minds of the people with consternation
and dismay. They knew not what measure to take, to
avoid the im,pending danger. It was soon known, that
the fleet had arrived at the Vineyard, and was waiting a
change of wind, which was then to the eastward, to pur
sue the object of their expedition. As the danger ap
proached, the people became more and more alarmed.
The scene now discovered the various dispositions and
thoughts of the community. Every person, capable of
due reflection, displayed in his countenance a stronger and
more powerful language than words could convey. As
nothing now appeared to prevent the coming of the ene
my, but the continuance of the prevailing east wind,
many of the people took this opportunity to secure that
part of their valuable property,, which was capable of be
ing removed and secreted. Carts, boats, and footmen,
were constantly employed, by night and by day, in carry-

96 history of NANTUCKET.
ing goods out of the town, or depositing, them in scattering
.houses in the vicinity, where it was supposed they would
escape the conflagration. Some buried their goods under
tbe earth, supposing that to be the best means of security.
There were yet others, who were not inclined to take
any of these precautions for the preservation of their
property, but who quietly awaited the event, trusting in
that Power which is over all, and to whose will the de
signs of men are at all times subjected.
A constant lool^-out was kept every day with the
greatest, anxiety, and in dread of the moment when the
fleet should appear. At length the two conimanding'
officers of the fleet, " Edward Winslow, 'Esq., captain
of a party of troops, and George Leonard, Esq., naval
commander of the squadron, and captain of the Res
toration twenty-gun-ship," then lying at the Vineyard,
wrote to the people of Nantucket, bearing date " 16th
September, 1779," wherein they made various charges
against them. These charges were founded, as was stat
ed, on information received from John Boswell, an officer
•of marine_s belonging to a British armed vessel, who bad
lately been at Nantucket ; and were in substance, that
the people "wafted a sloop from the harbor, which
prevented her capture by the aforesaid British armed ves
sel ; and also that the inhabitants, in violation of their
asseverations heretofore made from time to time, had
assisted his majesty's enemies ; and that, except these
charges could bp reraoved, they sliould consider Nan
tucket a coramon .enemy, and treat the people accord
ingly." As. this was one of the raost alarming occurrences that
took place during the war, it seems proper to insert the
communication at large. The reader will perceive, that,

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 97
in this instance, as in many others, the people of:.the
island were subjected to suffering by false representations.
By Edward Winslow, Esq., lieutenant-colonel, command
ant of a party of troops, and George Leonard, Esq.,
commander of a fleet of armed vessels in the service
of his inajesty, George the Third, king of Great Brit
ain, Sic.
To the inhabitants of the island of Nantucket. —
Whereas we have this day received information, by John
Boswell, officer of marines on board the letter of rnarque
armed schooner Royal Charlotte, that on the 12th instant
a .certain sloop, in the service of his majesty's enemies, was
standing into the harbor of Nantucket, and that a num
ber of inhabhants of that place assembled, and by wafts
and signals prevented the said sloop frora becom.ing a
prize to the said schooner Charlotte,, and the sloop Gen
eral Carlton, then at anchor there.
And whereas the inhabitants of said island have (not
withstanding the generous indulgences to them granted
by their excellencies, the commanders-in-chief of his
majesty's array and navy) discovered in various instances
a disposition to aid and assist his majesty's enemies, and
to molest and disturb such of his majesty's servants as
have in pursuance of their duty , put into that place, and
by such neglectful and perfidious conduct have justly for
feited all pretensions to that protection, which a continu
ance in peace would have secured them the enjoyment
of;- We hereby proclaim and declare to you, the inhabi
tants of Nantucket, that, unless an immediate and sufficient
explanation of your conduct is raade to us, relative to
7

98 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
these transactions, we shall consider you as tbe professed
enemies of our raost gracious sovereign, and shall com
mence our operations against you as such.
And having been this day furnished with a true list
and description of all the vessels now in your harbor,
we do by these -presents expressly forbid you from suffer- 1
ing any of these vessels to remove from thence, without
special license first obtained frora the commanding officer
of the fleet for the time being, in the Vineyard Sound,
on penalty of their being forfeited.
Dated on board the ship Restoration, the 16th day of
September, in the nineteenth year of his majesty's reign,
Anno Domini 1779,
Edward Winslow,
George Leonard,
This communication, coming directly from the com
manding officers of the fleet, added to the alarm which
had already taken place in the minds of the people.
The inhabitants immediately convened on the occasion,
and made the following reply to the charges of the British
commanders.
To Edward Winslow, Esq., lieutenant-colonel, command
ant of a party of troops, and George Leonard, Esq.,
commander of a fleet of armed vessels in the service
of his raajesty, George the Third, king of Great Brit
ain, Sic,
The town of Sherburne, on the island of Nantucket,
have this day received a writing or manifesto signed by
you, in which you have made sundry charges against the
inhabitants of this place ; by information, you say, from
an officer of marines by the name of John Boswell.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 99
The first of which charges is, that a number of inhabi
tants assembled, and by wafts and signals prevented a
certain sloop from falling into the hands of the armed
vessels lying in this port, as a prize. Also that said in
habitants have discovered, in various instances, a disposi
tion to aid and assist his majesty's enemies, and to molest
and disturb such of his majesty's servants as have put
into this place : and for such perfidious conduct we have
forfeited afl the indulgences heretofore granted us, Sic,
In answer to tbe first charge, we say, the sloop referred
to came over the bar and anchored within one quarter of
a mile of the shore, and there lay twelve hours, which we
apprehend would not have been the case if they had seen
the wafts. But on the town's being informed by the
commanders of the armed vessels, that there had been
wafts, the principal inhabitants endeavored to find who
the persons v/ere that were guilty ; after much inquiry, it
was found, that a number of lads at the sea side were the
persons, and upon exaraination we could not discover that
they were sent for that purpose by any person, and the
town highly disapproved of any such conduct, and we
dare say that nothing of the kind will take place in future ;
and we must likewise add, that the pilot then on board
declares, that neither he nor any other person on board
the said sloop (that he knows of) discovered any such
wafts, and that they did not omit coming into the harbor
on that account, but were informed by a sraall sloop that
British colors were displayed in the harbor, and that
the fishing vessels that went in were taken possession of
by armed vessels.
In answer to the second charge, of aiding the king's
enemies, we say, that the town of Sherburne, on the re-

loo HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
turn of their committee from New York, immediately
assembled themselves in town meeting, and received their
report, with the indulgences from the commander-in-chief
at New York, which report was accepted by the inhabi
tants, and a vote passed, in a very full meeting, that they
would continue altogether -peaceable, which the town
hath observed, and they know of no instance wherein
they have assisted the king's enemies, neither have they
molested or disturbed the king's servants that have put
into the place, but on the contrary have paid them every
respect due to, their rank, with as irnich politeness as we
were capable of, and we should have been glad to have
had it in our power to say, that all the officers had be
haved with that cordiality towards the inhabitants that
they had a right to expect from them. After the afore
said charges you proceed and say, that without our imme
diate and full explanation of oui* conduct you shall consider
us the professed enemies of your most gracious sovereign,
and commence your operations against us as such.
We think we have given a full explanation of every
charge exhibited against us, and we hope to your satis
faction, and we further say that this town has done no act
inconsistent with the indulgences, and that we have aright
to the continuation of them, until the commander-in-chief
in New York sees fit to withdraw them.
We now beg leave to mention to you the conduct of
your armed vessels while in this port. The same day
they were piloted into the harbor by the inhabitants, our
small fishery fleet arrived, they immediately took posses
sion of them, and kept the fishermen from their families
twenty-four hours, and held up every appearance of treat
ing them afe enemies, after which, contrary to the rules of

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 101
the navy, Captain Duggan let his sailors be on shore in
the evening among the peaceable inhabitants with cut
lasses, breaking open shops and plundering the inhabitants
of their property, in the most audacious and menacing
manner,, and himself gave orders to his people (without
ever consulting the inhabitants) to take their cables, an
chors, boats, sails, fcc, notwithstanding he had the com
mander-in-chiefs declaration produced to him, forbidding
every such act, — We have now taken notice of every
matter we think necessaiy to commit to writing ; for a fur
ther explanation of matters we beg leave to refer you to
the three gentlemen, who are chosen a comraittee by the
town to be the bearers of this answer.
Signed in behalf of the town,
Frederick Folger, Town Clerk.
Nantucket, September 18th, 1779.
A committee was then appointed to bear tbe memorial,
and lo use jheir endeavors to give satisfaction ; they ac
cordingly proceeded on their mission, and on the " 23rd
of September," made the following report :
The committee, appointed by the town of Sherburne,
to wait on Colonel Edward Winslow, Esq. and George
Leonard, Esq. at Martha's Vineyard, beg leave to report :
That they immediately proceeded there, and repaired
on board the ship Restoration, and had a conference with
them on the subject of giving signals to a certain sloop,
that came over Nantucket Bar.
Your committee found the gentlemen much dissatisfied,
but on a thorough inspection into the matter, and our
producing to them the votes of the tdwn of Sherburne,

102 HISTORY OF NANTUCCET.
disavowing every such proceeding, they were satisfied, so
far as to commence no operations against the town on
that account, without the future conduct of the inhabi
tants should raake it necessary.
The committee further say, that the above gentlemen
gave them the fullest assurances, that they had no incli
nation to distress the inhabitants of Nantucket ; but on
the contrary would give them every assistance in their
power, so long as they adhered to their own votes, and
acted consistently with them.
Stephen Paddock, ")
Timothy Folger, > Committee.
Samuel Gelston, }
Nantucket, yf. 23rd Septra."^. 1779.
During all these transactions the wind continued to the
eastward, which prevented them from pursuing the object
of their intention ; for the foregoing complaints were con
sidered nothing more than a pretext formed by them to
guarantee their conduct in plundering the town, and to
screen them from punishment from their own governraent.
It was pretended, that a schooner, which arrived from
Rhode Island, brought orders to the commanders of the
armament to abandon the enterprise and return to New
York, which was promptly obeyed, and they left the
Vineyard the next raorning.
It finally appeared, however, that their conduct was
without the authority of the British, commander-in-chief,
at New York, and that the plan was instituted and pro
moted principally by the loyalists.
It is highly probable, that the east wind, which so
providentially prevailed during these transactions, alone

history of NANTUCKET. 103
prevented the immediate execution of the enemy's in
tentions ; and that, during the delay, reflections on the
enormity of their meditated act, and the difficulty of ren
dering an excuse for it to their government, checked any
further proceedings. In the view of the people of „the
island, their deliverance seemed to have been wrought
by Him who sets bounds to the wicked. The British
government would sooner have contributed to the relief
of the inhabitants, than permit one step to be taken to
distress them. Past experience of their lenity warrants
this declaration ; for in every instance of application being
made to them for assistance, it was granted, so far as
circumstances would aflow.
It was always evident to the people, that the town
could not be defended against the enemy ; it was, there
fore, considered wise and prudent to say and do nothing
to irritate them, since they at all tiraes bad the power of
destroying the place, without a risk of being repelled.
The American government could not protect the island,
and there was a large class of the people, composed of
Friends and others of similar tenets respecting war, who
did not crave its protection, relying rather on that Power
which can never fail, and which is most conspicuous in
times of the greatest peril. There were some,~ however,
who always manifested a disposition to make all tbe
defence they could, to secure themselves, and save their
property from the possession of the enemy. And they
urged this as a duty incumbent upon tberii. These differ
ences of opinion caused some dissension, which, although
never carried to great lengths, added to the trials and
anxieties occasioned by the war.
The situation and circumstances of the place, during

104 history of NANTUCKET.
the existence, and at tbe close of the war, was known to
the general and state government ; a heavy tax was, not
withstanding, imposed on the inhabitants. The impro
priety of this measure was very evident to the greater
part of the people of the island, and to many raerabers of
the legislature ; but it could not be well avoided. But a
sraall proportion, however, of these taxes was collected,
for, after the war closed, the legislature waS informed, in
a particular manner, of the embarrassed state of the town,
by their representative, whose attention to the interests
of his constituents, and indefatigable industry, obtained a
remission of the greater part of the back taxes, with which
the town stood charged. It appeared evident to every
rational mind, acquainted with the circumstances, that
the inhabitants of Naritucket should be exempted from
paying taxes to the government in time of war. There
is no place within the limits of the nation more exposed'
to the ravages of an enemy, and no one more out of the
reach of the protection of government than this. With
what propriety can a community be taxed for the support
of a war, whose only share in it is the entire ruin of their
wonted business, and utter exposure of lives and homes
to the rapacity of the enemy, or unqualified dependence
on their mercy ? The inhabitants are fishermen, and by
steady industry and enterprising genius they are enabled
in times of peace to sustain a respectable standing in the
community at large ; but whenever their business is ob
structed, their every dependence for a livelihood is gone,
until the cause is removed : for there is no alternative, no
retreat for them. The wide ocean is the source of their
livelihood, and they breast its waves and grapple with its
monsters in every latitude between the polar ices. The

HISTORY OT NANTUCKET. 105
sun never sets on their industry ; they labor and worship
under the whole dome of the firmament. The objects of
their affections are abroad on the deep, or buried for ever
beneath its billows ; their prayers are wafted on every
wind, their tears are mingled with every surge. Insulated
in business, as well as in their location, their habits and
customs, and in many respects their opinions, partake of
the general character of their circumstances. Peaceable
in their occupations, they are, with few exceptions, radi
cally opposed to war.
The legislative body," after a full investigation of the
situation and circumstances of the place, became fully
convinced of the truth of the foregoing facts, in conformity
to which the following resolution was passed.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the House of Representatives, June 30th, 1781.
On the Petition of the Agents appointed by the Town of
Sherburne, on the Island and County of Nantucket:—
Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Commonwealth
be and he is hereby directed to suspend issuing his exe
cution against the deficient constables or collectors of the
county of Nantucket, until the further order of this court.
Sent up for concurrence, Nathan.ael Gorham, Speaker.
In Se7iate, July 2d, 1781. Read and concurred.
Samuel Adams, President.
Approved.
John Hancock,
True copy. Attest. John Avert, Secretary.

106 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
Previous to the war, the place was in a flourishing
state, and fully able to contribute its proportion ' for de
fraying the public expense in the maintenance of civil
government, and it always did so with cheerfulness. But,
through tbe effects of the war, the people were deprived
of their property and every means of corafortable sub
sistence. In this situation they were raore nearly in a
state of beggary, than in a condition to pay a heavy tax.
Notwithstanding these facts, there was a sraall number of
different sentiments, who uniformly urged, that the people
of this place were as well able to pay taxes as those of
any town within the state.
The fisheries in general, and particularly the whaling
business, were of incalculable advantage to the country.
The latter not only furnishes the best of light for public
and private uses, but also supports a valuable branch of
trade to foreign markets. Those who are employed in
the whale fishery are a stout, hardy set of raen, and are
acknowledged to be the best searaen in the world. It has
often been remarked, that the small town of Nantucket
furnishes a greater number of officers capable of taking
charge of ships, than any other seaport in the United
States. If this is correct, and we have no reason to doubt
it, what a nursery for seamen ! From these considera
tions ought not the whale fishery to enjoy the fostering
care of government, especially in time of war?

( 107 )

CHAPTER VI.
Greater suffering was experienced by the inhabitants of
Nantucket, in the year 1780, than at any other period
during the revolutionary war. During the winter of that
year, denominated the hard winter, the distress of the
people was, on many accounts, very great. The greater
part of the people had previously been reduced to a state
of penury. The cold weather set in early, and prevented
the little supply of wood and provisions which was ex
pected. The autumn had been so uncommonly wet, that
but a small quantity of peat could be procured. These
circumstances, added to the common calamity of war,
produced a state of the raost fearful anxiety.
The harbor was closed with ice about the twentieth of
the twelfth month, 1779, and continued frozen, without
intermission, during the winter. The inhabitants soon
began to feel the effects of this severity: for the cold
increased and the ice was formed on all sides, so that
there was no water to be seen from the highest eminences,
for the space of several weeks. There were also so- much
ice and snow on the ground and in the swamps as to
almost entirely prevent the obtaining any fuel thence.
The shores and creeks were so covered with thick ice,
that it was with great difficulty that fifeb of any kind could
be procured.
"The cold was so intense, and continued so long, that
the ice in the harbor became sufficiendy strong to allow

108 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
loaded calashes to pass over it. An opportunity was tbtis
afforded to those, who were destitute of firing, to procure
it at Coskata, far more conveniently and expeditiously
than they could have done by the circuitous and very
bad road to that spot. By this means the laboring poor,
for several weeks, procured all their fuel : it was a bard
and laborious task, but, as it was. their .only resort, even
this was thankfully embraced. The distance from town
to the place of getting the wood was nine or ten miles,
the days were short, and the weather frequently so bois
terous, as to make it hardly safe to expose the human
body to its severity. In addition to this, they incurred
the danger of breaking through the ice, particularly in
places where there was a strong current. Accidents of
this kind sometimes happened, to the great detriment of
the business ; but happily no fives were lost. As the
demand for wood increased, the number of persons which
had recourse to this mode of procuring it, increased daily,
until there might be seen fifty or sixty horses and calashes
in, a train, pursuing their course homeward with their
hard-earned burdens. The wood obtained was princi
pally of two kinds, the oak and juniper. It was hard, and
made a durable fire, but very crooked, and none of it large
or tall. It had been reserved by the proprietors of the
land, as a shelter for their sheep and horses in tbe winter.
But the difficulty of procuring firing was at this time so
great, that the owners of the wood were willing to relin
quish their privilege for a very reasonable compensation.
Thus by hard toil nlany of the inhabitants wer^ preserved
from freezing.
Still more distress was feh from want of provisions ;' the
poorer class, in particular, suffered exceedingly. The

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 109
war had made many widows and orphans, who had now
to endure the miseries of famine, in addition to the poig
nant grief occasioned by the loss of their dearest relatives.
Of this class many experienced the greatest sufferings,
and, although none are known to have frozen or starved,
without doubt some were hurried to their graves, through
want of the necessaries and comforts of life.
The previous season was uncommonly fruitful, and the
farmers generally had raised more grain and vegetables
than were needed by their own famihes ; whereby they
were enabled to supply, in some measure, the wants of
the needy.
> Some that were opulent, with a provident benevolence,
furnished themselves with considerable quantities of bread
stuff before winter set in, and, in this pinching time, sold
it out in small quantities to such as had wherewithal to
pay ; but such as had not were not turned empty away.
In addition to these measures, the authorities of the town
strove, with the means of which they were possessed,
to relieve the distresses of the people. Every thing
which toil could procure — liberal charity, mutual accom
modations and public assistance, rigid economy and patient
endurance — all these, though they could not avert, did
much to alleviate the asperities of the times.
The suffering for clothing was inconsiderable, both at
this period, and throughout the war. For, immediately,
on being cut off from the use of English manufactures,
the women engaged within their own families in manu
facturing cloth of various kinds for domestic use. They
thus kept their household decently clad, and the surplus
of their' labors they sold to such as chose to buy rather
than make for themselves. In this way the female part

110 HISTORY OF NANTIJCKET.
of families, by their industry and strict economy, fre-
quendy supported the whole domestic circle; evincing
the strength of their attacbraent and the value of their
services to those, on whora they theraselves were wont to
depend for protection and support.^ There being from
twelve to sixteen thousand sheep owned on the island, it
was easy to procure as much wool as was needed, A
considerable quantity of flax was raised yearly, and some
was imported from the continent.; so that means were
furnished, for all that were inchned to labor, to clothe
their farailies.
In order to relieve, in some measure, the increasing suf
ferings of the people, the proprietors of the island caused
to be laid out and assigned to each owner, a nuraber of
large tracts of land of various descriptions, for themselves
and their families to iraprove. In 1775 a tract of 2456
acres was laid out at the S. E. part of the island. In
1778 a tract called Croskata was laid out, containing 349
acres ; and the following year a large tract called Squain,
and Pookoomo, containing 2109 acres. Croskata was
neariy covered with wood of a small growth, which was
of great benefit to tbe people.
For the accommodation of the owners and the people
at large, all the swamps to the westward of the town were
laid out for the. purpose of digging peat. Also a large
swamp, about two miles east from the town, called Taw-
pawshas swamp; and full hberty was granted by the
proprietors to the inhabitants at large, to dig peat frora it
without allowing the owners any perquisite. These
measures proved of great benefit, for many were thereby
furnished with a living, though scanty, which they could
not have obtained by any other means at that time.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. Ill
Whaling being the only business which suited the
genius of Nantucket, they constandy kept it in view, in
order to prosecute it, as soon as a proper opening should
present. But they had become so reduced at this period
of the war, and such was the risk of capture, that they
could not fit out their vessels in that service.
Repeated intimations from the British commanders in
this country led the inhabitants of the island to believe,
that, if sorae regular course could be pursued, some indul
gence would be granted to them. The situation of affairs
was, however, very critical. The inhabitants were
watched as with the eyes of Argus, and threatened, that,
if any correspondence was carried on with the British,
all communication with the continent should be stopped:
again, if they risked their property at sea, it was almost
sure to become a sacrifice to British cruisers ; and if
nothing was done, the only alternative was distress and
famine. It was now, however, pretty well ascertained,
that sorae of the leading men in the nation were looking
with an eye of commiseration on the depressed circum
stances of the place.
Under these considerations, Timothy Folger, Esq. was
sent to New York, to represent the situation of the people
of Nantucket, and to ask permission of the British com
mander-in-chief to carry on the whaling business, without
being subject to capture by the vessels of his government.
The following is a copy of the petition, which was pre
sented :

112 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
To their Excellencies, Sir Henry CHnton, Knight of the
Bath, and commander-in-chief of his majesty's forces
employed in North America, arid Marriot Arbuthnot,
Esquire, Yice Admiral of the Blue, and commander-
in-chief of his majesty's ships and vessels employed
and to be employed in North America, and his ma
jesty's comraissioners for restoring peace to the revolting
colonies, &;c.
The petition of the island of Nantucket hurably shews;
that at this tirae there is five thousand inhabitants on said
island, who, through the unhappy dispute that hath taken
place between Great Britain and the colonies, are reduced
to the most raiserable situation imaginable.
The soil will not produce a subsistence for one third
part of the people. Wholly destitute of fire wood, and
but a little clothing ; such being their situation and cir
cumstances, your petitioners really apprehend, that, with
out some indulgences from your excellencies, there will
many people perish for want, before the end of another
winter. Your petitioners hope and flatter themselves,
that, as they have taken no part whatever in the unhappy
war that has brought on these calamities, but have remain
ed these five years in a state of peace, without civil or
military officers on the island, or any court of justice, on
which account they have been denied more than once of
all supphes from the continent, and likewise that more
than two third parts of the inhabitants are of the people
called Quakers, and principled against bearing arms on
any occasion,— that your excellencies will take their pecu
har situation into your wise consideration, and grant thera
such relief as will furnish thera with a subsistence only.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 113
Your petitioners do ngt wish, neither will they presume
to ask, any indulgences that will counteract the plans of
government. As the inhabitants of said island were here
tofore wholly employed in the whale and cod fishery, and
at present every other means of subsistence being cut off,
they hope your excellencies will permit twenty fishing
boats to fish round the island of Nantucket, and four ves
sels to be employed in the whale fishery, and ten small
vessels to supply the inhabitants with wood, and one to
go to New York for some little supplies ; said vessels be
ing put under such regulations as your excellencies shall
see meet. Your petitioners likewise beg of your excel
lencies, th^t you will prohibit all armed vessels and arm
ed men from going to Nantucket to take the property of
the island from thence.
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall pray.
Timothy Folger,
Agent for the inhabitants of Nantucket.
New York, 9th July, 1780.
This petition, although it had not that immediate effect
which was asked for, proved of rauch advantage in pro
moting the ranch desired object, that of whaling without
the risk of capture. The subject was constantly kept in
view by the inhabitants, and, as often as opportunity pre
sented, perraission was asked of the British for that pur
pose. In the year 1781 depredations were frequently
made by the enemy's cruisers that occasionally came into
the harbor. The 'people were thus kept in constant
agitation, not knowing what measures to pursue, except
to repeat their petitions and remonstrances to the British
commanders. They had frequent occasion to resort to
8

114 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
this hiode of proceeding, which always appeared to have
some good effect, but proraised no perraanent advantage.
In 1781, notwithstanding tbe raany discouragements
presented in renewirig petitions to the British command
ers-in-chief, yet, .no other means appearing likely to pre
vent the frequent depredations of the enemy on the prop
erty of the inhabitants, a memorial was again "resorted to,
and a committee to bear it was appointed by the town.
The committee were instructed to proceed to New York,
to Admiral Digby, and to give hira a correct statement of
the difficulties and embarrassments of the people in many
respects, particularly from the conduct of British cruisers
as above stated. They were further directed to ask such
indulgences as could be consistendy granted. On their
return, they made the following report to the town.
To the inhabitants of the town of Sherburne, in town
meeting assentbled.
Respected Friends,
Agreeably to tbe appointment by the. town, on the 3d
of the 10th month last, vK proceeded to New York, and
presented your memorial to Admiral Digby, commander-
in-chief there. We also represented the peaceable conduct
maintained by the, inhabitants in general, in the course of
the present contest, with the exposed situation of the
island, and that recent depredations had been raade upon
us; upon which an inquiry into the general state and
circurastances of the island took place, which determined
the Admiral-to exercise his authority in our favor, and
accordingly gave us his positive order to prevent any fur
ther molestation of our persons and property within the

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

115

bar of the harbor, which we herewith deliver. We are
your friends.
Samuel Starbuck,
William Rotch,
Benjamin Hussey.
Sherburne, 12 mo, 19th, 1781,
W* regret that a copy oL the memorial and also the
order alluded to in the committee's report, cannot be found.
The town's committee being now in New York, and fully
authorized, renewed the petition to whale, and finally
succeeded. Towards the latter part of the year' a con
siderable numberof permits for that purpose were obtained. '
The following is a copy of one of them.
[l. s.] By Robert Digby, Esquire, Rear Admiral of the
Red, and Comrnander-in-chief, &c.&;c.

James Chase,
Obadiah Folger,
George Coleman,
Silvanus Swain,
Charies Russell,
Peter Pollard,
Andrew Coleman,
Obed Barnard,
Jonathan Briggs,

Permission is hereby given to the
Dolphin brig, burthen sixty tons,
Walter Folger owner, -navigated by
Gilbert Folger , as master and the
twelve seamen named in the mar
gin, to leave the island of Nantucket
and to proceed on a whaling voy
age. — To commence the first of
January, 1782, and end the last
day of  following, provid-
j-ed that they have on board the
necessary whaling craft and provis
ions only, and that the master of
said brig is possessed of a certificate
from tbe selectmen of the said island,
setting forth that she is bone fide
the property of the inhabitants of

116 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
the island, with the names of the
master and seamen of her ; and that
she shall not be found proceeding
with her cargo to any other port
than Nantucket or New York.
Dated at New York, the first day of December, 1781.
Robert Digby.'
To the commissioners of his majesty's ships and vessels
of war, as well as of all privateers and letters of marque.
By command of the Admiral.
.Thomas M. Palmer.

This privilege seemed to give new hfe to the people.
. It produced a considerable movement in business, but the
resources of the island bad so diminished, that but a small
number of vessels could take the benefit of these permits.
Those who had vessels, and were possessed of the means,
fitted them out on short voyages, and, had there been no
hindrance, it is probable that they would have done well;
for the whales, having been unmolested for several years,
had become numerous, and wpre pretty easily caught.
To carry on the whale fishery under permission of the
government of Great Britain, was a proceeding somewhat
hovel, and could not pass uniioticed. Although it was
not publicly known, yet it was generally believed, that
some kind of indulgence had been shown by the enemy
to the people of Nantucket. This caused some clamor
on the continent ; but our government well knew the sit
uation of the place, and its large participation in the
calamities of w^ar, and was, consequently, rather inclined
to favor than to condemn the acceptance of favors from
the English. Although the government could not grant
an exclusive privilege to any particular part of the union,

history of NANTUCKET. 117
yet such encouragement was given by the leading men of
the nation, in their individual capacity, as to warrant the
proceeding. Several vessels, whaling under these per
mits, were taken by American privateers, and carried into
port, but in every instance they were soon liberated.
Whenever it was found that the permits were used for no
other purpose than that for which they were granted, and
that the vessels using them had not been engaged in illicit
trade, there was no hesitation in releasing them.
In the early part of the war, notes or bills were issued
by the state legislature, and also by congress, called money.
This paper medium was freely ' taken by the people of
Nantucket, and served in lieu of specie in the line of
trade ; but it was not long before it began to depreciate
in its nominal value. Still as there was little real money
in circulation, this paper having been raade a lawful ten
der, the people continued to take it ; indeed it was diffi
cult to avoid doing so, and yet carry on business. This
paper currency continued to be the circulating medium
during the war, but it gradually depreciated from year to
year, until it became valueless. Many people suffered
from this cause ; some, who sold their oil in the early part
of the war, took the money in payment, and laid it by
until the war closed, at which time it was worth nothing.
Those who held it were flattered for years afterwards,
that governraent would redeem it, but this was never done;
In 1782 there began to be joyful anticipations of peace.
The English government this year acknowledged the
independence of America. Favorable omens aniraated
the minds of the people. The prospect continued to
brighten, though each one was cautious not to place too
great confidence in appearances, through fear of disap-

118 history of NANTUCKET.
pointraent. The year 1783 commenced with renewed
encouragements that peace would soon be established,
which was verified by General Washington's resignation
of his commission to congress, in the twelfth month. Joy
pervaded all parts of tbe country, and was no where more
heartfelt than at Nantucket ; for, perhaps, no place had
suffered more. In the early part of the year 1784 peace
was ratified between the United States and Great Britain.'
In 1775 the tonnage owned at Nantucket, as nearly as
we call ascertain, was 14,867 tons. During the war 15
vessels were lost at sea, and 134 were captured,; total loss
in tonnage, 12,467 tons, of which more than 10,000 tons
fell into the hands of the eneniy. It would be difficult, at
this, period, to raake an estimate of the value of these ves
sels ; many of them had on board valuable cargoes. They
were navigated by the youth and manhood of the island.
Of the crewSj some perished miserably in prison-ships,
others lingered years in confinement ; some entered the
service of the country, others returned home destitute to
destitute farailies. To these considerations, if we add
losses by plunderers, the almost total stoppage of all busi
ness during the war, the insufficiency of the soil to pro
duce food for the inhabitants, the almost constant block
ading of the harbor by the English or the Refiigees, it will
not be doubted that Nantucket paid as dearly for the
¦ independence of our country as any place in the union.

( 119 )

CHAPTER VII.

The joyful sound of peace now echoed through the
land, in which the people of Nantucket thankfully par
ticipated. Although the greater part were raiserably poor,
yet they were, not insensible of the raanifold favors shown
thera dqring the continuance of the war. They were at
all times more exposed to the enemy than the people of
many places which had been plundered and burnt. They
had been favored beyond their expectation, at times when
nothing appeared but imminent danger. English armed
vessels often visited their harbor, but, except in a few in
stances, already mentioned, there had been , little loss of
property on that account. It was evident, at mariy times,
that an overruling Power had watched over them, and
assisted them through many difficulties which would
otherwise have proved distressing. The seafaring peo
ple, whose necessities exposed them to the casualties
of war, suffered very much. Many were cut off, in the
prime of hfe, by the prison-ship, by ' disasters at sea, in
battle, or by other causes produced by war. ,. Many
mourning families were thus driven to beg their bread.
Many bereaved and aged parents were left to mourn over
their offspring, snatched from them by violence or disease
in distant parts and under distressing circurastances.. But
peace was now restored, and all were glad to exchange
severe sufferings and sad forebodings for active business

120

history of NANTUCKET.

and pleasing anticipations. It was, however, with feeble
efforts, that they at first attempted to resume their wonted
occupations. At the comraenceraent of the war, there
were more than an hundred and fifty vessels belonging to
tbe place ; at its close there reraained only two or three
old hulks. The town exhibited the appearance of a
deserted village rather than of a flourishing seaport
containing upwards of four thousand inhabitants. The
buildings had received no paint and scarce any repairs
during the war, and a considerable number of the oldest
houses were in a rapid course of dilapidation.
The following extract from the valuation taken in
1784, will show,^in some measure, the situation of the
place at that tirae,
FarailiesInhabitants

Houses;
WidowsOrphan children
Indians Horses
Cows and oxen
Sheep
Tons of shipping, the greater part of which )
was purchased since the close of the war 3
Tons of shipping lost and taken since 1775

767
4,268 551 202
342 35
267
693
3,000 2,400
11,131

Such is a picture of the situation and ^ circumstances
of the place at that period. Although it wore a gloomy
aspect, the minds of the people were animated, and they
manifested a lively disposition for business.

history of NANTUCKET.

131

About this tirae many young men came home from
different parts, where they had been confined as prisoners.
Some of them had been absent so long, without being
heard from, that their connexions had relinquished all
hope of ever seeing them again.
Those persons, -who had capital left, resumed the whal
ing with a small number of vessels. The whales, having
been but little disturbed during the war, were very numer
ous on the coasts where they were sought, so that the
few vessels engaged in the business generally made pros
perous voyages. The oil sold immediately for a good
price, which encouraged new adventurers to embark in
the business, whose limited means compelled them to
take sraall risks at the commencement.
The peace produced as great a revolution in business
as the war had done. The currency pf paper, as a sub
stitute for money, which had caused such confusion in the
prices of articles, having now ceased, and the paper itself
having become valueless except as a representative of
loss and ruin, trade began to assume a regular course.
The following table will shoW the prices of a few articles,
the first year or two after peace took place.

dolls, cts.

Spermaceti oil .... 141 67

Head matter

213 33
MolasseSj per gallon
— 67
Sperm candles, per pound
— 41
Corn, per bushel
— 67
Fish, per quintal
3 00
Wood, per cord
2 61
Sugar, per cwt.
8 00
Flour, per barrel
5 50
Common labor, per day
— 67
122 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
The foregoing prices continued without much variation
for several years, and they raay be taken as a criterion
for the value-of other property, except oil, which lessened
in price very much, causing thereby considerable discour
agement to the whaling business.
The price of raost kinds of real estate was very low
for raany years after the peace, which was occasioned^by
the great want of money, to enter into business with.
The price of cows'' coraraons varied frora ten to twelve
pounds. Other real estate, such as houses and settle
ments in various parts of the town, that sold for five hun
dred dollars, would, ten years before, have sold for three
or four times that amount. One cause for the deprecia
tion of real estate, was, that those who carried on farm
ing, during the war, now abandoned that eraployraent and
turned their attention to whaling or fishing, or some
branches of business connected therewith. The farming
was thus left in a declining condition, there being but few
other than aged raen, and young lads to conduct it.
The long projecting point at the north-east part of the
island, called Great Point, had long been considered a
suitable sitpation for a light-house, but the late war pre
vented the building of one. In 1784 a light-house was
erected there by the state, which stood until 11th month,
1816, at which tirae it was destroyed by fire. Soon after
another was built of stone. The first was considered one
of the best in the United States. The light, when kept
in good order, shone more brilliandy, it was said, than any
other on the coast. The point, on which it stood, projected
far into the sea, which renders the light very beneficial to
vessels passing through the sound. , The site was ceded
to the United States in 1790.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 123
The first light-bouse oh Brant Point, at the entrance of
the harbor, burnt down in 1759 : the fire was supposed
to have been communicated from tbC' lamps. The se
cond was blown down in 1774. ^ A third was burnt in
the fall of 1783 ; in this instance, also, the fire was thought
to have coramunicated from the lamps. The next was a
wooden lantern, with glass windows, which was hoisted
between two spars with grooves to steady the lantern.
This was a dim fight, hence it received the name of
*'bug light." The fifth was a frarae,' with the top fitted
for the lights; this blew down. The light-houses On
Brant Point, above-mentioned, and the expense of keep
ing them, were at the charge of the town. When the
general government was about to furnish the sea coast
with light-houses, it Was thought expedient, by the inhab
itants, that a new one should be erected, which was done
on application to that effect ; and the land on which it
stood was accordingly ceded to the United States. This
last, being old, was a few years since taken down and an
other erected in its stead, with a dwelhng-house for the
keeper attached. The governraent hasplaced buoys on
the shoals and bar, near the entrance of the harbor, to
guide vessels passing in and out. They are taken away
in the winter to prevent their being carried off by the
ice. At the close of the revolutionary war, there was a
considerable number of men too far advanced in life to
resurae the whahng business, in which they had pre
viously been engaged. " Having lost nine years of their
hfe to no profit," to use their own expression, it became
necessary to resort to other business for a subsistence.
The cod fishery at that time appeared likely to become

124 HISTORY or NANTUCKET.
a perraanent business of the place. It was therefore
adopted by this class.' The encouragement to prosecute
this branch appeared very promising to a number of com-'
mercial men, who embarked therein with their property.
The fish, on the great fishing banks, were found exceed
ingly plenty, by the people of Marblehead, and Cape
Cod, &LC., and the price was such as yielded a' good profit.
With these pfospects, a number of vessels were put into
the service, some of which went to the Grand Bank,
Newfoundland, Cape Sable, and other places eastward^
and others- of small burthen went out upon the shoals to
the eastward of the island. They generally obtained
good voyages, and the fish sold well for the first two or three
years. The business, however, dwindled by degrees ; at
length it was clearly, proved, that it was not suited to the
genius and inchnatioris of the people. The vessels, ex
cept a few that continued to fish in the vicinity of the
island, were put into other, employment.
¦It may be asked, why could not the people of Nan
tucket carry on the cod fishing to as much advantage and
profit as the people of Marblehead and Cape Cod ? The
reasons are obvious. First ; the middle-aged, as before
mentioned, who were too far advanced in life to return to
their former business, were the only class to be met with
that would engage in the fishing : and of these there was
not a sufficient number to prosecute the business, with the
energy and to the extent which the nature of it required,
in order to render it profitable. In the second place, the
people were unaccustomed to the business, and unwilling
to engage in it, for their attention and study were con
stantly fixed on that, of whaling. They could not be
brought to believe, that the cod fishing would answer on

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 125
any principle upon which it was conducted. It Was,
therefore, impossible to obtain raen of the first abilities to
go in the vessels. The owners had recourse to the^Cape
to man their vessels, where they had to encounter similar
difficulties ; for the most capable and active part of the
.population there, engaged in this employment, could al
ways have all the encouragement which the business af
forded, without leaving their homes.
Under these considerations, the cod fishing was aban
doned, as before stated.
In 1785, the whale fishery gave promise of much pro
fit: provisions and other articles used, in outfits were soon
reduced to moderate prices, while that of oil was high.
This continuedj however, for but a short duration, for in
the latter part of the following year, sperm oil,, in its
crude state, sold for £24 and head matter for £45 per
ton ; which caused much discouragement in the minds of
the people, and led them to think of other and more
profitable business. The people in general had fiattered
themselves that all difficulties and embarrassments in their
fine of business, would cease with the war; and that they
might, with every prospect of advantage, pursue the whale
fishery with quietness. Many embarked all their prop
erty ; but what was their disappointment, after obtaining
a good fare of oil, to find that it would not defray the ex
pense of tne voyage ! This was not only discouraging,
but alarming, to the principal comrnercial raen. Many
ways were devised to remedy these difficulties. It was
urged that, if the island, could be placed in a state of neu
trality it would be beneficial to the whole community ;
that it would increase the trade to various parts of the
world, which, together with the little whaling that would

126 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
be carried on, would be likely to remove every complaint :
and that the country at large would derive many benefits
from the measure. As nothing could be done without
legislative assistance, several town meetings were held to
deliberate oti tbe subject, and at length a large committee
was appointed to draft a meraorial to the" general court,
representing the situation of the town, and asking such
relief as might appear adequate to the emergency. The
committee was also instructed to take the subject of the
neutrality of the place under consideration, on which they
made the following report : —
" The commhtee appointed by the town to draft a me
morial to present to the general court, in behalf of the
inhabitants of the island, have attended to that business,
and have reported the sarae to the satisfaction of the
town, and as the same committee were directed to form,
a plan for the town to proceed upon, such as they ap
prehended would answer'the best purposes, and be most
for the interest of the whole, crave leave to report, that,
it is the unanimous opinion of the comraittee, that the
whale fishery cannot be preserved to this place, nor any
part of that business be carried on by the inhabitants of
the Island, without great loss attending it, which will of
course reduce the inhabitants to a state of poverty and
distress,; and it is their opinion, that the only possible
reraedy is, in placing the island apd its inhabitants in a
state of neutrality, which if obtained raay perhaps put it
in the power of the inhabitants, to preserve so much of
the whale fishery as may procure thera a subsistence."
" But as the memorial says nothing respecting a state of
neutrality, but only requests the governraent to point out

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 127
some method for us to secure some part of the whale
fishery, which, if they should do, and it should appear to
the agents of the town on this business, that it wiU effect
ually answer the raeaning and intention of the raehiorial,
in that case a state of neutrality may not be moved for,
but the committee are fully of the opinion, that a matter
of so much consequence must, in a great measure, be
left to tbe wisdom, prudence, and integrity of your agent,
or agents, that may have the conducting of this business
witliitbe government."
The above report was signed by the committee, consist
ing of nine persons.
Nantucket, 5th mo. 2d, 1785.
The meraorial, mentioned in the above report, was for
warded to the general court by a committee who were
instructed to use their endeavors to have tlie whole car
ried into effect, tbe subject of neutrahty, as well as that
pertaining to the whale fishery.
But the subject of neutrality did not meet with that
cordial reception, which was anticipated. It was deemed
inconsistent by the legislature, to grant an indulgence to
one section of the coraraonwealth, by which all could
not be benefited, and by which the general interests of
commerce might be injured.
The depression in the whaling business was, however,
too evident to need proof; and the legislature seemed
disposed to render their aid and assistance as far as would
be consistent with the interests of the commonwealth.
In conformity with this purpose it was thought necessary
to encourage the whale fishery throughout the state, by
putting a bounty on the different kinds of whale oil. A

1^8 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
resolve passed the legislature, in 1785, of which the fol
lowing is a copy : —
"Whereas this court, having a due sense of the high
worth and importance of the whale fishery, are desirous
of its preservation, not only to this state, but to the United
States in general ; therefore, resolved, that there be paid,
out of the treasury of this coraraonwealth, the following
bounties upon whale oil, of the different quahties hereafter
mentioned, viz. :
For every ton of white spermaceti oil, five pounds-.
For every ton of brown or yellow spermaceti oil, sixty
shillings. ,,
'For every ton of whale oil, (so called,) forty shillings,
that raay be taken or caught by any vessel or vessels, that
are or may be owned and manned wholly by the inhabit
ants of this commonwealth, and landed within the same,
from and after the first day df January next, until the
further order of the general court.
And be it further resolved^ that the selectmen of each
town, within this commonwealth, where said fishery is
carried on, be, and they hereby are empowered and di
rected to appoint an inspector or inspectors, who, (first
making oath for the due performance of his or their duty,)
shall inspect all such oil, so landed, with an iron oil-search
er, and with a marking-iron, mark on the head of each
cask so-^ inspected, the initial letters of his name, describ
ing the qujality of the oil by the letters W. B. Y. W. 0.
annexed, and make certificate thereof to the selectmen
of such town, as aforesaid, under oath ; such inspector or
inspectors to be paid by the o-wner or owners of such oil,
sb inspected, on certificate being produced as aforesaid.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 129
And it is further resolved that, in order to entitle the
owner or owners of the oil, so taken, landed^ inspected,
and marked, as aforesaid, to the bounty or bounties afore
said, the owner or owners of the vessel or vessels, that
took and landed the same, shall produce, to the governor
and council, a certificate, from under the hands of the
selectmen of the town, where the said oil was landed and
inspected, as aforesaid ; which certificate shall be in the
following words, rautatis rautandis :
N  , ss. 178-. This certifies that the  A. B.
master, owned by E. F. of  , in the county afore
said, arrived at this port from a whaling voyage, on tbe
 instant, (or as the case may be,) and had on board
the following quantities of oil, hereafter named, viz. : —
 Tons of white spermaceti oil.
 Tons of brown or yellow spermaceti oil.
 Tons of whale oil.
The whole of which was landed at said port of  ,

and there inspected according to law, and a certificate
thereof, under the hand of A. B., sworn inspector of the
port aforesaid, to us produced. > Selectmen of  .
And it is further resolved, that the said owner, or own
ers, together with the master, mentioned in the said certi
ficate, shall each of them subscribe the sarae ;- and the
said owner or owners, together with' the said master, shall
make oath before some justice of the peace, for the sarae
county, in the form following, to wit. : —
9

130 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
You, A. B. and C. D., do solemnly swear, (or affirm,)
that you were the sole owners of the  , A. B. mas
ter, mentioned in the certificate, during the whole tiine
she was employed in the whale voyage, herein mentioned,
and that the quantity of oil, aforesaid, was taken or caught
by the persons employed on board said vessel, during said
voyage, which vessel was navigated and manned wholly
by the inhabitants of this state, and that no foreigner, di
rectly or indirectly, hath, or had, any share, part or inter
est therein, and that the whole of said oil was taken or
caught after the first day of December, A. D. 1785.
So help you God.
And it is further resolved, that upon such certificate
being produced to the governor and council, the gov
ernor, by and with the consent of the council, be and
he is, hereby empowered to grant a warrant on the treas
ury of this commonwealth, for the payment of the boun
ties in manner aforesaid.
And it is further resolved, that the secretary be and
he is hereby directed to publish the foregoing resolve in
Adams and Nourse's, the Essex, Falmouth, and Plymouth
newspapers." This resolve was carried into operation, and in some
measure afforded relief, but it was attended, at the same
time, with embarrassments which were not anticipated,
and could not be obviated. The duration of the bounty
was not limited by the resolve, and it did not continue
long in operation ; ways and means opened beyond rea
sonable expectation, which gave encouragement to the
whale fishery, and the bounty was withdrawn.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 131
-The bounty was at first a pleasing thing and what many
had been laboring for a long time. It extended to all
who had any share in the oil. The desired relief, thus
afforded, animated the people to renewed activity, but
the effect was directly opposite to what was anticipated.
The bounty, being granted to the inhabitants of the state
generally, held out such flattering prospects, as to induce
people in many places to enter into the whahng business.
Thus the result was injurious rather than advantageous to
the interests of Nantucket.
The principal cause to be assigned for this was, that
the consumption was not sufficiently extensive in this
country to command a sale, except at reduced prices ;
for there had been a suspension of the use of oil for many
preceding years, and the people generally, throughout the
country, used tallow candles. Little oil was used at that
time either for lighthouses or towns. In England the
whaling business was already so estabhshed, and carried
on so extensively, that it would not produce rauch profit
to ship oil there, subjected as it was to duty after the
revolutionary war. Some oil was, however, sent thither,
whilst the price was very low here, which, together with
the rapid increase of its use in this country, created a
good demand for it, at a good price. It was found, on
trial, to be better than tallow and to give a much more
brilliant light.
The prospect was now changed, and the inhabitants
began to make new advances, widi the pleasing hope that
the principal obstacles to their business were removed.
But another difficulty soon arose, which lessened the
demand for oil, as it reduced the price in England so that
it would not bear shipping there from this country, and

132 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
considerably clogged the whahng bifslness for a time. The
English government had ever found it for their interest to
encourage the whale fishery within their own dominions.
Besides tbe many advantages derived from procuring their
own oil, they valued it as one of the best nurseries for
seamen. No opportunity was, therefore, neglected to
promote its interests. In order to encourage' the business.
in America, they fixed upon Halifax as the most eligible
place for that purpose. Here was an excellent harbor,
in or out of which vessels of any burthen could pass
either in winter or summer. It was probable that a good
market would be found for oil imported there, as soon as
it was landed. The governraent held out such alluring
prospects to such of the people of Nantucket as should
remove thither and pursue the whaling business, that a
considerable number were induced to try the experiment.
In 1786 and 1787 they settled on the shore opposite to
tbe town of Halifax, and there built dwelling-houses,
wharves, spermaceti candle-works, stores, fee, calhng
the name of the place Dartmouth. There they carried
on the business several years, and reaped the benefit of
every advantage which the government was willing to
allow them. They appeared likely to succeed in their
undertaking, and the place seemed destined to become of
great importance. But their prosperity was not of long
duration : for, in a few years, sorae of tbe principal pro
moters of the removal grew uneasy, having a prospect of '
greater advantage held out to them by the government,
to remove to Milford Haven, in the west of England,.
there to establish and prosecute the whale fishery. This
being gready to the detriment of many of the settiers at
Dartmouth, it was opposed by them, but to no purpose.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 133
In a short time, therefore,- the flourishing litde settiement
was nearly broken up. A number of families removed
,to England, carrying their property with them; which
proved so injurious to the interests of the remainder, that
they began immediately to abandon the enterprise and
the place, disappointed in the hope which they had a
few years before entertained, that they had gained a set
tlement which would prove to their lasting comfort and
advantage. They could not leave the place without
making great sacrifices in the sale of such property as
could not be carried away with them. The place be
came nearly depopulated in a short time, for it was not a
situation inviting to other business than that of whaling.
Those who removed to Milford Haven carried on the
business extensively during many years. The privileges
allowed them by government were such, as to give every
encouragement that could reasonably be desired.
By the removal to Halifax, Nantucket was deprived
of much capital and of many of the most active whale
men. The loss was severely felt, and operated as a dis
couragement to the whaling business. But the market
for oil grew better, and it was not long before this seem
ing difficulty was removed. The business became pros
perous, many new adventurers engaged in it, and the
number of vessels considerably increased. Sloops and
schooners, and a few brigs had heretofore been employed,
which were mostly sent to the West Indies, the coast of
Guinea, and to different ports on the coast of North
America. The whales having become scarce at these
places, it was necessary to explore new coasts in search
of thera. Larger vessels were accordingly introduced
into the business, sorae of them ships, which were sent

134 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
to the coast of Brazil, where the right whales were very
numerous. They frequently obtained considerable quan
tities of sperm oil on these voyages, which brought a
much greater price than whale oil. The ships generally
returned with full cargoes.
In 178'7 sorae difficulties arose in the state of Massa
chusetts, which claimed the attention of the legislature ;
and in their deliberations the necessity was urged of
causing all persons holding any or either of the principal
municipal offices in the commonwealth, to take and sub
scribe the oath of allegiance prescribed by tbe consti
tution. This was carried into effect by the following
resolve : commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS.
In the House of Representatives, March lOth, 1787.
Resolved, That the several persons that have been or
raay hereafter be chosen for the present year as select
men, assessors, town clerk, town treasurer, constables,
and collectors in the several towns, districts, and planta
tions of this commonwealth, be and they hereby are
required, before the town clerk, or before some justice of
the peace, to take and subscribe the oath of allegiance as
prescribed in the constitution of this commonwealth, and
the same certificate shall be made, if taken before a justice
of tbe peace, as is already provided by law for the oaths
of town, district, or plantation officers ; and the town clerk
is directed to record the same in the book in which he is
directed by law to record the several oaths to be taken
by the said officers respectively, to quahfy thera to per
form tbe duties' thereof; and no act of either of the

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 135
officers aforesaid shall, after one raonth from the passing
of this resolve, be esteemed valid in law, until they have
taken and subscribed the oath aforesaid ; any law, usage,
or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
,And be it further resolved, That in case any person,
chosen to either of the offices aforesaid, shall neglect or
refuse, within one month from the passing this resolve,
and hereafter annually, within seven days from the time
of his election, the town to which such person or persons
belong, at a legal meeting appointed for that purpose,
shall proceed to make choice of sorae other person or
persons, to serve in the office or offices to which the
person or persons so neglecting or refusing had been
elected ; and the person or persons so refusing or neglect
ing to take the oath as aforesaid, shall be liable to the
same penalties as is by law provided in case of refusal to
serve in the office to which he or they have been elected.
And that the secretary be and he is hereby directed to
publish these resolves in the several newspapers, three
weeks at least, successively, and to transmit a copy of
the same to the clerk of each town, district, or plantation
in this commonwealth.
The above resolye was very obnoxious to the people
of Nantucket, there being in the town a large number of
the society of Friends, and many others who could not
conscientiously take the formal oath on any occasion.
When it was found that so large a portion of the inhabit
ants were deprived of the comraon privileges of citizen
ship, and the town of their services as annual officers, it
became necessary to take sorae raeasures to obviate the
evil. The town convened on the occasion, and preferred

136 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
a petition to the legislature, asking relief, which was not
at that time granted to the satisfaction of the town. The
petition was renewed at the next session of the general
court, and a committee appointed to present the same.
By this means the case was raore fully understood, and
satisfactory relief was consequentiy afforded. The fol
lowing is a copy of the petition :
To the General Court of the Coraraonwealth of Massa
chusetts.
The petition of William Rotch, in behalf of the inhab
itants of the town of Sherburne, on the island of Nan
tucket, respectfully showeth.
That the inhabitants of Nantucket are much embar
rassed in the prosecution of the internal affairs of that
island, on account of a resolve passed in the general court,
dated March 10th, 1787, requiring a test of certain town -
officers therein expressed, by which, from the very small
nuraber that can submit to such a declaration, a great part
of the inhabitants are deprived of the privilege of that free
choice of such persons as they apprehend the most suita
ble to conduct the affairs of the town ; the inhabitants
addressed tbe general court last year by petition on the
subject, and stated their grievance, which was taken into
consideration ; and the senate and house of representa
tives respectively made an essay for their rehef, adequate
to the object desired, but they not uniting in the mode,
the matter was dropped, and the inhabitants left without
that redress they had reason tp expect, and that the court
had endeavored to extend.
Your petitioner, therefore, prays your consideration on
the subject, and that you would be pleased to grant us

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 137
such relief, from the operation of said resolve, as you in
wisdom may think fit.
William Rotch.
In behalf of the inhabitants of Nantucket.
Boston, 11th mo. 4th, 1788.
Previous to the late war, it was found that the manu
facturing of sperm candles was a lucrative branch of
business. Several new factories were now established for
that purpose. The proprietors purchased the cmde oil as
it came from sea, frora which they separated the sperra.
The candles were mostiy sent to the different seaports on
the continent, and thence large quantities of them were
shipped to the West Indies, and other parts of the world.
The oil, separated from tbe sperm, was alraost wholly
consumed in the United Slates. Oil, in its unmanu
factured state, was sometimes sent to England, but the
duties there were so high as to allow but little profit to
the exporters.
The light-houses within the states began to augment
in number, about this time, which increased the consump
tion of sperm oil, and added to its price. Whale oil -ft'as
obtained in greater quantities than sperra oil, and being
afforded at about one half the price of the latter, it gave
an opportunity for a more general use to be made of it.
Although it does not give so brilliant a light as sperm oil,
,it win last nearly twice as long, so that on the whole it
is very much cheaper, and will answer tolerably well for
common lights. It is also serviceable in machinery and
for sundry other uses, which renders it a valuable com
modity. At the time we speak of, it commanded a ready
sale in most of the larger seaports on the continent, frota

138 history of NANTUCKET.
which it was shipped to various parts of the world, par
ticularly to the West Indies. It generally constituted a
part of the cargoes of most of the West India traders.
Sometimes one barrel of it would bring two of flour from
Baltimore or Philadelphia, clear of expense.
The obtaining of so great a number of right-whales
produced more bone than could find a ready market, so
that the price was reduced very low. Previous to the
war, it frequently sold for one doflar a pound, it wag now
sold at ten cents, and sometimes even lower. The num
ber of vessels increasing very fast, rendered it sometimes
difficult to procure, on the island, enough men to navigate
them. None of the natives were left, capable of going
to sea. It therefore became necessary to resort to the
continent for a considerable portion of each crew, whence
there were brought some Indians and a great number of
negroes. Many of the latter took up their residence here,
and became the heads of families. They built a cluster
of houses near the south part of the town, which is called
New Guinea. Their inebriety, and want of economy,
generally kept thera poor, although tliey made great
voyages. Blest with the enjoyment of peace, all were glad to
turn their attention from the distressing scenes of the late
conflict to the pursuits of peaceful life. But tbe effects
of the war on the manners and customs of the inhabitants
yet remained. Coming from various parts of the world,
where they had been detained as prisoners, or whither
they had wandered as exiles from their native home,
many bad brought with them the fashions and the raorals
of other nations. The change was observable ih their
dress and raode of living : it added materially to their

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 139
expenses, and soraetiraes led to perraanent injury. The
great success in whaling, though it pretty generally over
balanced the increased expenses in living, had no ten
dency to lessen the iramoralities which were unhappily
introduced into society.
The whaling business gradually increased from year to
year, though it occasionally met with depressions which
checked its progress and created considerable uneasiness.
In 1792 the people of New Bedford turned their atten
tion to it more particularly than heretofore. A number
of vessels were put into the service there, and some from
Boston and Long Island. The quantity of oil thus im
ported exceeded the consumption, and kept the price
below the cost to importers.
A few years previous to the revolution in France, in
1792, a new market opened for whale oil in that country,
which gave encouragement that it would eventually be
the best place for the sale of the article that could be
foun(J. Its use received every encouragement from some
of the first characters of that nation, under a conviction
that it was better adapted to coraraon purposes than oil
from seeds. Some shipments were made, which met
with a profitable sale. Sperm oil was also introduced
into France by way of trial, and lamps were sent there
from England by private individuals to encourage its use.
There appeared every prospect of success, and it is pro
bable, that France would soon have become a great mart
for oil, if the revolution had not taken place. The con-^
fusion which followed that event put an end to all favor
able prospects from that quarter. The shipments which
were raade there afterwards did not raeet with prices
sufficient to pay costs.

140 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
It is probable, that the business of killing whales raay
appear, to those entirely unacquainted with it, to be a
very dangerous employment ; as the people engaged
therein are under the necessity of approaching the le
viathan within the reach of a harpoon. Experience has
taught them the best method to execute their business
with the least danger. It is not coraraon for any person
to loSe his life while thus engaged. The business is
found to be as healthy as any on land or at sea. It has
been remarked, that every man, belonging to a fleet of
about thirty sail of whaling vessels, returned in good
health, from a voyage of nearly a year's duration, frora
the coast of Brazil. Experience indeed has shown, what
might at first view seem incredible, that fewer raen die in
the whaling service than in any other branch of naviga
tion." During several years previous to 1790 many profitable
sealing voyages were made from England and other
places. This induced the people of Nantucket to turn
their attention to that business, with a view to prosecute
it, if it presented a good prospect of advantage. Sealing
was, in many respects, nearly allied with whaling. Seals
and whales were generally met with on the same coast;
it required as large vessels and as raany men to engage
in taking the former as the latter ; the outfits were nearly
the same,' and the voyages were of like duration. In
1790 one vessel was fitted out for tbe coast of Africa, on
a sealing expedition, but the original plan of the voyage
was not adhered to, and the cruise was unsuccessful.

* For some farther particulars as to the raode of conducting whal
ing voyages, &c., we refer our readrts to Second Part,

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 141
But it had some goCd effect ; for sorae useful knowledge
was acquired respecting the different parts of the busi
ness, which was afterwards prosecuted to a considerable
profit. In 1791 vessels first went from Nantucket into the
Pacific Ocean, in pursuit of whales. Sorae successful
cruises had been made on the western coast of South
America by vessels frora England, previous to this time,
which encouraged the people of Nantucket to engage in
similar voyages. Although the prospect of success was
very promising, it was with diffidence that they engaged
therein, knowing that these voyages must necessarily be
longer than they had been used to, and that they raust
suffer much inconvenience, if not embarrassment, from
laying out of their property so long a tirae. The ships
first sent out returned loaded with oil, and reported that
whales were plenty, the coast agreeable to cruise on, and
the climate healthy. This was sufficient encouragement,
notwithstanding the length of the voyages, for a consider
able part of the whaling interest to be directed that way.
An additional number of vessels was then fitted out,
which together raade a considerable fleet.
The space which we have allotted to ourselves will
not allow us to enter frequently into minute details. But
the following brief description of the outfits, _&lc. of the
first ship that doubled Cape Horn, from Nantucket, is
too interesting to be omitted. We are indebted for it
to Capt. Worth, who coramanded the ship. A corapari-
son of the torinage, cost, outfits, and duration of the
voyage of the Sliip Beaver with those of ships now en
gaged in the service, will, we think, ,show an onward
progress in the whale fishery, to which we shall hardly
find a parallel in any other business.

142 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
" Captain Paul Worth, in a new ship of 240 tons bur
then, called the Beaver, sailed from Nantucket, on a
whaling voyage, in the Pacific ocean, in the year 1791.
" The whole cost of said ship, fitted for the voyage,
together with the ca%o, amounted to $10,212.
" She carried 17 rnen, and manned 3 boats of 5 men
each, whieh left 2 men, called ship-keepers, on board the
ship, when the boats were out in, pursuit of whales.
" The principal part of her cargo, when fitted for sea,
consisted of 400 bbls. iron hooped casks, (the remainder,
about 1,400 bbls. were wooden hooped,) 40 bbls. salt
provison, 3^ tons of bread, 30 bushels of beans and peas,
1,000 lbs. rice, 40 gallons molasses, 24 bbls. flour.
" All the additional provisions during the voyage were
200 lbs. bread.
" The ship was out 17 months, and was the first belong
ing to the island, that returned frora the Pacific Ocean.
" Her returned cargo was 650 bbls. sperm oil, worth
£30 per ton, 370 bbls. head matter, worth £60 per ton,
and 250 bbls. whale oil, worth £15 per ton,
" The ship was not coppered. There were four other
ships, belonging to Nantucket, whaling on the same coast,
that season."
The different branches of business appertaining to whal
ing were now carried on briskly ; there was eraployraent
for all who were disposed to labor, the vessels generally
arrived with good voyages, tbe markets were tolerably
good for the sale of oil and candles, a cheerful smile was
seen on every countenance. This might jusdy be termed
the golden age of Nantucket. It was a season of pros
perity which ought to be remembered with gratitude to
the Giver of all good.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 143
~ About this time a number of new ships, and other ves
sels, were added to the fleet, and many houses, candle-
factories, and other buildings', were erected. Considering
the shortness of the time since the close of the war, and
comparing the appearance which the town, and every
thing pertaining thereto, and the people themselves made,
at that time, with the present circumstances of the place,
the contrast was, beyond description, pleasing and encour
aging. The people, at times, • almost forgot the state
of humility, which they had once experienced.
It has often been remarked that seasons of adversity
follow close upon the heels of prosperity, and frequently
al times when least expected. It has already been men
tioned, that the French revolution in 1,792 disappointed
the expectations, entertained by oil-dealers, that France
would become a good market for oil. The effect of this
stoppage in the sale of oil was not anticipated in season
to prevent serious losses. All the foreign markets were
glutted with oil, when the price suddenly fell below what
k coidd be obtained for at Nantucket ; which was very
discouraging, and caused the business to go on heavily,
although the vessels generally obtained full cargoes of oil.
The people had been so long engaged in whaling, that
they could not put their shipping into other business
without loss. Another circumstance^ and not the least,
operated much against the interests of Nantucket. This
was the increased price of provisions and every other arti
cle necessary for the outfits of vessels engaged in the ser
vice. The owners of the shipping found that they should
suffer a great loss by keeping their vessels at home ; they
therefore concluded to send them out, with these gloomy
prospects., hoping that time would bring about a change

144 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
to their advantage : but they were disappointed, for the
business continued to grow worse, and new difficulties
presented themselves.
It was bard for this country to keep within the limits
of strict neutrality, in the war between France and Eng
land. Many, for the sake of good profit, violated the
law, which created a suspicion with the beUigerents of
Europe, that the Americans were furnishing each other's
enemies unwarrantably. These circumstances caused
the rate of insurance to be increased, which, combined
with what has before been mentioned, produced a stagna
tion in the whaling business. Many sold their vessels for
what they would bring, while others, hoping better things,
laid their's up and unrigged them. Some who had pros
pered better than their neighbors,, and made a little profit
in the business, were confident of final success, notwith
standing these accumulated embarrassments ; they con
tinued, therefore, to fit out their vessels. Of these some
did well, but others suffered losses, and were under the
necessity of relinquishing the business.
Notwithstanding the various vicissitudes of fortune, and
the discouraging prospects which often presented to view,
yet the wealth of the inhabitants was rather increasing,
which led the enterprising genius to contemplate projects
to acquire an increase of property ; one of which, and not
the least, was to establish a bank. This subject had long
been in contemplation with a small number of commercial
characters, but, being a novel undertaking for the people
of Nantucket, many revolted at the idea, from an appre
hension that there would not be business to warrant the
undertaking. Others, who were advocates for the scheme,
urged the public utility which would probably result from

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 145
its establishment ; that it would increase the business of
the place, and enable those of sraall caphals to execute
their business with more despatch and' a greater profit.
It was many months that the subject was in contemplation,
before an atterapt was made to carry it into effect. How
ever, in the year 1795, the people having become pretty
well reconciled, a charter was obtained, and the business of
the bank commenced, with perhaps as great a degree of
cheerfulness as is common in similar cases. But how was
the scene changed, in a very short time after its commence
ment in business, when it was announced to the public
that the bank had been robbed of twenty thousand dollars.
What could be more sudden, or what event could happen
that would give a greater shock to the comraunity in so
trifling a loss. The people were not in the least suspi
cious of the act, consequently they were not prepared to
receive the information. The event could not but excite
the greatest anxiety on the public mind that could be im
agined ; it caused them to leave their business, and throng
the streets for many days.
The loss of the money was not a consideration, com
pared with the vindictive spirit which the robbery after
wards occasioned. The effects on the community at
large were solemn. Many, who were not immediately
concerned, had to deplore the unhappy state in which
their friends and neighbors were involved, and out of the
reach of a mediator.
To give a minute account of the transactions growing
out of this affair, is not our intention or wish.' The in
habitants of Nantucket, and all others acquainted with
the circurastances, will appreciate our reasons for passing
it over thus briefly. 10

146 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
This year, 1795, the name of the town was changed.
It had hitherto been called Sherburne, agreeably with the
patent of Francis Lovelace, governor of New York, in
1673. This narae, being attended with sorae inconven
ience, was now changed for that of Nantucket.
It is generally conceded, that the people of Nantucket
possess as great a share of enterprising genius as those of
any other place in the union ; but the business they follow,
and principally depend upon for a subsistence, requires
their steady and persevering application. They have often
experienced, that a sraall deviation tberefi'om has resulted
in loss, and sometimes in serious embarrassments. Al
though it may appear to strangers who visit them, that
the business they follow is very lucrative, from a consid
eration of the number of ships in pcfft and the bustie of
fitting them out, still the voyages yield but small profits;
for very few persons, even of the most fortunate, have
obtained any considerable fortunes by the whale fishery.
Industry, and steady habits, and frugality, rather than
great gains, have made the place what it is. All are
remotely or immediately interested' in the success of the
business ; and there are few, whose income is not increased
or dirainished just in proportion to the high or low price of
oil. In times of peace the property of the island has on
the whole gradually increased. But in war all business
is at a stand ; the circle of dependencies is broken, the
merchant, the sailor, the mechanic, are each thrown on
his own resources, and driven often to seek his living in
occupations, for which he is qualified nehher by education
nor inclination. We have but faindy delineated the em
barrassments and sufferings of the inhabitants during the
revolutionary struggle ; but the picture, though imperfectiy

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 147
drawn, exhibits their situation clearly enough to convince
the reader, that, under the most favorable aspects, war is
to thera the most terrible event that can occur. If im
prisonment and its attendant pestilences, to which in war
many of her sailors raust be exposed ; if want, in all its
forms, in which raost of her residents must be involved ; if
dependence on the mercies of an assaihng enemy, from
which none can be exempt, — if these do not give force to
her voice when she solicits peace, then may Nantucket
indeed despair of success, and her sons hold in light
esteem a government, which they have done so much
to enrich ; and its independence purchased at a price,
which millions cannot repay. Others raay discover ad
vantages in war, and necessity for it ; but we can see
nothing but raadness in an act, which, to avoid one evil,
deliberately and knowingly incurs another a thousand
fold greater.
In 1796, the business of the place was at a low ebb.
Many expedients were resorted to, aside frora whaling,
some of which were advantageous to those who engaged
in them. But, in general, ihose who departed from the
beaten track of their ancestors encountered great difficul
ties. Many of the most able seamen sailed from other
places in the merchant service, some of whom did well,
and acquired handsome estates ; while others met with
hard fortune, and got along but Indifferentiy.
One ship was sent out on a voyage to the East Indies,
the owners of which, not being acquainted with the
advantages to be taken in that trade, did not succeed to
their wishes. The cargo consisted of whale oil, sperm
candles, Madeira wine, hard soap, and Spanish dollars.
If that part of the cargo, which was the produce of the

148 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
business of Nantucket, had been exchanged for com
modities more suited for that market, or converted into
specie, it is probable, that the voyage would have resulted
in a good profit. This voyage, however, was not without
its advantages, for it was a means of obtaining knowledge
highly necessary for that trade, .which was afterwards
acted on by some of the same' owners with considerable
advantage. The year 1797 was ushered in by a natural phenom
enon rendered very terrific by sorae circurastances with
which it was attended. The evening preceding the 1st
of the 1st raonth was uncommonly pleasant. There was
not a cloud to be seen. Not long after midnight, the
inhabitants were instantly aroused frora sleep by one of the
heaviest peals of thunder ever heard, attended with vivid
lightning and an uncommon shower of hail. The whole
town was imraediately lighted up, as if by a general con
flagration. Sorae thought, that the town was in flames,
even the very houses they were in ; others thought, that
the dissolution of all things had commenced. But the
consternation subsided, when it was discovered, that the
fire proceeded frora two barns in the outskirts of the town.
The people iramediately repaired to the fire, but too
late to save the cattle or any other contents of the build
ings ; they could only remain spectators of the devouring
element. In 1798, in addition to the discouragements in business
heretofore stated, there was great apprehension of war
between the United States and France. War was, at
this time, particulariy dreaded, for the shipping was mostly
out on long voyages, some of which were not expected
to terminate in less time than twelve or eighteen months.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 149
Many of the adventurers had their whole property afloat.
Accounts were received almost daily of spoliations on
American vessels, and the government was on the point
of commencing hostilities. But it is not our purpose to
enter into the merits of the controversy between the two
nations. The coramotions naturally attending the inci
dents above recited brought their evils to the people of
Nantucket. The price of provisions was raised, and the
rates of insurance increased in a short time to twenty per
cent. ; which must have subjected ship-owners to loss,
according to the price of oil at that time, even if their
ships had arrived with full cargoes. Four Nantucket
ships were captured during the existence of those difficul
ties. This was sufficient to fill the minds of the people
with dismay, for they were almost ready to conclude, that
a war had already taken place, without a declaration to
that effect. There were, however, no other ships cap
tured belonging to the place, and the people again resum
ed their business of fitting out, although it was with very
dull prospects. Some of the ship-owners being quite
discouraged, sold their shipping, and turned their attention
to other objects for a subsistence, which, though perhaps
less lucrative, yielded a greater share of satisfaction. The
discouragements continued in a greater or less degree for
a number of years, which necessarily caused many of our
best seamen to leave the island in pursuit of business
from other seaports. Many talked of removing into the
country, and some did so.
In 1799, the people were somewhat alarmed for the
safety ofnheir ships round Cape Horn. They had long
been apprehensive, that the Spaniard did not feel friendly
to the whale ships in the south seas, and were now con-

150 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
firraed in their fears by the detention of several ships at
St. Marys. Later accounts, however, gave information
of their liberation in a few days without damage.
In 1800, on the tenth of, the fourth month, a number
of whales were seen on the north side of the island, from
one to three leagues distant from the land. Several boats
were immediately sent in pursuit of thera, and, on coraing
up with them, commenced an attack with that spirit and
activity which is ever drawn out on such occasions. A
great number of spectators on shore were pointing their
glasses towards the scene of action, to view the operations
of their townsmen, who were now engaged in the con
flict. At length they had the gratification of seeing two
of the monsters of the deep yield to the dexterity of their
pursuers. In the course of the day, the whales which
had been killed were towed into the harbor and brought
to the wharf. The people were familiar with every cir
cumstance relative to whaling, but many had never beheld
the animal of whose prodigious size they had heard so
much. To exhibit one of the whales to the best advan
tage, it was drawn upon the wharf, where thousands of
people during the day had an opportunity of beholding
what had hitherto been to tliem only the therae of their
songs or of their fireside, and which is so beautifully
though simply described by one of their own poets, who
had himself wielded the harpoon and lance.
" Thou didst, O Lord, create the mighty whale.
That wondrous monster of a mighty length ;
Vast is his head and body, vast his tail, -i.
Beyond conception his unmeasured strength. *
When he the surface of the sea hath broke,
Arising from the dark abyss below.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 151
His breath appears a lofty stream of smoke.
The circling -waves, like glittering banks of snow."
The larger of tbe above-mentioned whales produced
thirty-one, and the other, sixteen barrels. Only nine
days afterwards, another whale was brought into the
harbor, which produced thirty barrels of oil. We find
no instances of the kind iu any former period of our
history. An academy was incorporated in 1800, and a building
erected for the school, on what Is called Academy Hill.
The same year a bell, weighing one thousand pounds, was
placed in the steeple of the north congregational meeting
house. The number of inhabitants on the island, at this time,
was 5617.
Sorae of the difficulties, heretofore stated, as attending
the whaling business, bad now, in sorae degree, been re
moved, still it was attended with sorae embarrassments.
The high price of provisions, which is one of the princi
pal articles in the outfits of the ships, and the advanced
prices of most things necessary to their equipments, pre
vented any increase of the shipping at present.

( 152 )

CHAPTER VIII.
We have already stated, that a bar extends across the
mouth of Nantucket harbor. This bar has ever been a
great hindrance to the passing of large vessels in and
out. Much expense yearly accrues frora the necessity
of employing lighters for all vessels drawing a consider
able draft of water, and in some instances losses and even
shipwrecks have occurred in attempts to pass the bar with
vessels, after all precautions have been used to make them
as light as possible. It has been the opinion of sorae,
that the eraployraent given to the large number of men,
necessarily engaged in getting large vessels in and out of
the harbor, more than counterbalances the disadvantages
above stated. This consideration, however, has not de
terred the most enterprising citizens frora devising various
methods, from tirae to time, of deepening the channel
across this bar. But no plan had ever been devised,
which seemed sufficiently practicable to warrant public
action upon it, till the year 1803. A proposition was
then made,, at a town meeting, to petition congress to
assist Nantucket, in any way which might be deemed
expedient, in digging a channel from Brant Point to the
outer part of the outer bar^.The subject underwent a
long discussion : raany were opposed to it, frora an appre
hension that governraent would not grant the request;
but a committee was at length appointed to bear a peti
tion to congress, and to use their endeavors to carry it

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 153
into effect. The comraittee, on their return, reported,
that congress "had so far attended to the request, as to
authorize the appointraent of suitable persons to survey
the harbor and bar, at the expense of the government,
and to estimate the probable expense of the undertaking.
This report was very flattering and satisfactory to the
people in general, and a committee of five was chosen to
wait on the surveyors, when they should arrive at the
island, and to act as necessity should require in carrying
the whole subject Into effect. A larger committee was
also chosen to assist by advice or otherwise in forwarding
the important work.
Many were now so elated with the prospect of effect
ing the desirable object, that their views extended from
digging a channel to building stone piers from the points
of Coetue and Brant Point in a northerly direction to the
outer bar, or as far as should be found expedient to
accomphsh the end in view. This plan, differing so
much from the one first proposed, met with great opposi
tion. The subject became the coraraon topic of con
versation. The people, generally, opposed every plan
but the original one, that of digging a channel, from tbe
conviction that piers would be the raeans of obstructing
the navigation, by causing new shoals, and that, being
built of stone, they would endanger passing vessels, espe
cially in the night.
In the suraraer of tbe sarae year, the surveyors arrived
and very diligently attended to the business of their
appointraent. The committee of the town faithfully
waited on them till the survey was completed. They
had. been led, by observation, to believe that stone piers
would be injurious to the harbor, but they proposed that

154 history of NANTUCKET.
piles should be driven down, eight or ten feet apart, and
the spaces filled with plank, by which means they sup
posed, that the' velocity of the tides would be increased,
and the channel by that means deepened without much
digging. The town was again convened for tbe purpose of
hearing the report of the committee, -who stated that the
surveyors were of the opinion, that it would be expedient
to build wooden piers ; one extending from' the north
west point of Coetue to the south west corner of the
black flats ; the other to begin about one third of the
distance from the end of Brant Point to the cliff, and
to extend to the north-east corner of Cliff Shoal ; both
upon straight lines. A long debate then ensued, when
it appeared that tbe general voice was against having
piers of any kind, from the apprehension that they would
cause new shoals, and thus obstruct the entrance of large
vessels into the harbor. No objection, however, was
urged against digging a channel, and a committee was
appointed with instructions to use their best endeavors to
have the original plan of deepening the water by digging
carried into effect. But when congress next met, the
proposition was rejected, and thus the whole raatter ended.
The price of oil of late had considerably increased,
which aniraated the peop]e and gave new life to the
whaling business. This rise was principally occasioned
by the following causes. First ; many ships had been
sold out of the service, or hauled up by reason of the
depression of the times, as heretofore stated ; which
reduced the importations of oil below the deraands of
the market. Secondly; the consumption of oil and
sperm candles was fast increasing in this country, for

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 155
experience had plainly shown that they were, on many
accounts, far preferable to tallow. People needed only
to use sperm candles, and sperm oil, to be convinced that
they are less expensive than tallow, and that they give a
better light. The first cost of sperra candleg is indeed
greater than that of tallow, but the difference in the price
of the two kinds is more than counterbalanced by the
quantity of light produced from the former. Sperm
candles are clean, they emit no disagreeable smell, and,
very little smoke. As these circumstances became more
and more known, the demand for oil and sperm candles
increased at every seaport on the continent. Fresh
encouragement was consequently given to the whaling
business, and new adventurers engaged in it. Notwith
standing the high price of provisions, the number of ships
increased, and the voyages were generally advantageous
to the cwners.
The reader will probably have noticed, in the course
of this history, that small depressions in the times have
had a material effect on the minds of the people of Nan
tucket : that from causes apparently temporary and un
important, they have been discouraged and almost ready
to leave the island, supposing that the whaling business
"is done," an expression sometimes used on these occa
sions. This may be accounted for by the consideration,
that the business in general affords small profits, and that
a small change to its disadvantage is in consequence
imraediately and keenly felt. On the other hand, a few
years of good fortune aniraates tiie people, and encourages
thera to take increased risks. This was the case at the time
of which we were last speaking. The ships have generally,
for the last few years, brought in good voyages. Oil met

156 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
with a ready sale at prices, which kept every branch of
the business in active operation.
In the year 1804, the Pacific Bank and two insurance
offices were established.
In 1805, a new jail was built.
Forty-eight ships at this time belonged to Nantucket,
not one of which was in port ; a similar instance never
before occurred.
Some fears had long been entertained, that the. Span
iards of South America would commit depredations on the
whale ships. Threats to this effect had frequently been
made, and some ships had actually been detained in
Spanish ports to the great detriment of their voyages.
A war was much talked of, and expected by many be
tween our government and that of Spain. The detention
of the ships, added to tbe difficulties apprehended be
tween the two nations, enhanced the rates of insurance,
by which the profits of tbe business were proportionably
lessened. Soon after this, however, some arrivals dissi
pated the fears of the inhabitants in sorae degree, since
no very serious difficulty with the Spaniards had occurred.
Although the independence of the United States bad
long been acknowledged by Great Britain, still, a restless,
overbearing disposition bad alraost uniformly been mani
fested towards this country by the British governraent,
ever since the revolutionary war. The depredations on
our commerce, the impressment of our searaen, and their
forcible detention in the British service, form a part of
our national history too fdmiliar to our readers to need a
repetition by us. It is sufficient to say, that the embar
rassed affairs of the nation, and uncertain duration of
peace, had a serious effect on the people of Nantucket.

history of NANTUCKET. 157
The price of provisions, and, indeed, of every article of
necessity, was kept very high ; the rate of insurance was
also considerably enhanced. Fortunately, not a single
whaling ship, belonging to Nantucket, was taken and
carried into port.
The quantity of oil imported into the country in 1806
and during the previous year, was considerably greater
than the consumption. The price was at times merely
nominal, and large quantities remained on hand for a long
time. This period of our history may be considered a
time of plenty. Many buildings were erected within a
few past years, among which was a banking-house for
the Nantucket Bank. Every branch of business was
conducted with propriety, and produced a good profit :
every class of people appeared satisfied with their lot,
from the coraraon laborer who could earn one dollar and
twenty-five cents a day, to. the most wealthy merchant.
Although during a number of past years the business
at Nantucket frequently assumed a gloomy aspect, in
consequence of the commotions of the belligerents in Eu
rope, yet, at this time, a tide of success had lulled the
people into a state of security ; so that arrangements
were now raade to engage more extensively in the whale
fishery. But, alas ! how short-sighted is man 1 How
hable to disappointment, even amid the best prospects of
success. On the 22d of the 6th month 1807, the
British ship of war Leopard fired into the United States
ship Chesapeake. The annunciation of this event,
which seemed but a precursor of approaching war, cast
a gloom over the prospects of Nantucket deeper and more
heartfelt than had been caused by any occurrence since
the revolutionary war. The embargo, which soon fol-

158 history of NANTUCKET.
lowed, had tbe effect of keeping down the price of oil
and candles, by preventing the expoitation of these arti
cles from the country. But as the act did not embrace
whaling and fishing vessels, a considerable nuraber of
owners concluded to send out their ships, although the
probability of success was not equal to the risk incurred.
The vessels were lying at the wharves, fitted or fitting for
sea ; and raany articles of outfits, sorae of them perishable,
were on hand. There was good reason to suppose, that
but a small fleet would be put to sea under existing
political affairs, and that the few vessels which might
venture out would make profitable returns, if they should
be so fortunate as to escape capture. It was, how
ever, found that no insurance could be made either on the
island or abroad ; and the owners, unwilhng to incur the
hazard of total loss, abandoned their enterprise, stripped
their ships, and hauled them up. Employment for labor
ing men nearly ceased, and mariners belonging to Nan
tucket, who had been sailing from other ports, were
returning home destitute of business. In the year 1809
the prospect seemed raore flattering than heratofore, that
the storm which had so long raged in Europe -would
subside ; and owners were prompted to send out their
ships, trusting to their return before the jarring elements
of war should disturb our own country. This year many
famUies, wearied with the vicissitudes almost daily experi
enced, removed to different parts of the country. The
streets of the town were thronged with laboring poor,
already so reduced as to be quite at a loss to know whence
articles of the first necessity were to be obtained ; sorae
were quite destitute of the means of subsistence.
The anxiety, constantly manifested by the people for

history of NANTUCKET. 159
the welfare of the absent ships, increased towards the
close of the year. Our government was^ preparing for
either event, of war or peace. In this state of suspense,
although a large part of the business capital of the island
was at sea, six or eight ships were, in 1810, fitted out for
the Pacific Ocean. None ever sailed under raore dis
couraging circumstances. In the tenth raonth of this
year, every ship belonging to the port was at sea, some
in pursuit of right-whales, but the greater part in the
Pacific Ocean. '
In the year 1810, when tbe enumeration of the inhab
itants was taken, the whole number was 6307, among
whora were 210 over 70 years of age. The number of
widows was 379, of fatherless children 474. There
were found about 4000 who had not received either the
smah or kinepock, it was also at the sarae time found
that there were about 1322 families and 2055 ratable
polls ; dwelling-bouses 937, all other buildings 872 ;
horses 332, oxen 15, cows 505, swine 355, sheep about
10,000. In 181 1, the probability of war increased. The events
of the revolution were familiar to the recollections of many
of the inhabitants. The loss of a large number of the
young raen of the island during that struggle, either in
the seivice of the country, by accidents at sea, or by
suffering on board prison-ships, and in other places of
confinement, was yet deeply felt. Every new omen of.
war seemed to threaten a renewal of similar sufferings
and distress. Owners, however, continued to fit out their
ships, and raen were willing to go in thera, for no other
business presented. Commerce, generally, was so era-
barrassed, that the young men could find no employment

160 history of NANTUCKET.
in other places ; they therefore preferred meeting the
chances of war in the whaling service to remaining idle
at home. The ships were sent out with nearly the same
freedom as if no war was anticipated, but with very dif
ferent prospects. Insurance offices, in the early part of
the year, refused to take any risks ; but before its close,
owing to sorae little change in the aspect of affairs, they
offered to insure at twenty per cent. Even at this rate
they declined taking large araounts. So great a premium
was considered by owners disproportionate to the risk,
and but littie was insured. The rate of insurance soon
after fell to fifteen per cent., and insurance was effected
on large amounts.
Many of the inhabitants now began to turn their
thoughts towards the country. Some families had already
removed, and many others were making preparation to
follow them. It was anticipated, that, if war should take
place, the value of reale state would be immediately re
duced, particularly bouses. Before' the year closed, sixty
dwelling-houses were offered for sale, the owners of which
intended to go into the country. The thoughts of those
who proposed to remove were, in general, turned towards
Ohio, attracted by tbe flattering accounts received from
that state of the salubrity of its climate and the luxuriance
of its soil.
In 1812, the infringements of the English on our
rights still continued, and our government appeared to' be
making preparation for war. Although it was generally
believed, that, whhout an alteration on the part of Great
Britain, war would ensue, yet the people of Nantucket
cherished the belief, that the Orders in Council, which
had so long constituted the greater part of the contention

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 161
between the two governments, would be revoked. Under
this impression, many fitted out their ships. About the
4th month, our government laid an embargo, to be of three
months continuance. This measure was an almost sure
presage of war, being designed to give an opportunity for
the shipping to arrive before that event, and to prevent
vessels in port from venturing out, and thereby falling
into the hands of the enemy. Had the first embargo
act extended to whaling vessels, much of the property of
the island would have been saved. But now few of tbe
owners of the ships belonging to Nantucket could avail
themselves of any advantage of the warning of our
government, for their property was mostiy on the ocean,
with prospects that litde would return in less time than
two years.
As the political affairs of tbe nation drew nearer to a
crisis, the scenes of the revolution became more vivid
in the recollections of the people ; and caused thera to
deplore the situation of the inhabitants and their property.
A tovVn raeeting was held for the purpose of taking into
consideration the expediency of sending a memorial to
Congress, giving a true statement of their situation and
circumstances. That the reader may fully conceive the
feelings which then prevailed, we insert the memorial
at large.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America, in Congress assem
bled, the meraorial of the inhabitants of Nantucket
respectfully showeth :
That from a conviction of their rights to assemble and
deliberate in a peaceful manner, they have this day con-
11

162 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
vened in legal town meeting, to consider the serious and
alarming situation, in which the politics of the nation
seem to be placed. They are aware of the legal and
exalted situation in which you are placed by the people,
and believe you are constantiy disposed to alleviate every
section of the Union. It is under that impression, that
they now address you ; as they are persuaded their situa
tion is not fully known to many of you, they take the
liberty of a retrospective view.
In the year 1775, they were in possession of 150 sail
of vessels, which were employed in the whale fishery,
they had also several more employed as coasters, and in
the merchant service ; when the revolutionary war com
menced, the greater part of the seamen were cornpelled
to leave their heretofore peaceful occupations, and engage
in a kind of employ not suited to their forraer habits, in
consequence of which a great number of valuable and
enterprising men were brought to an untimely end, and
hundreds of widows, with many fatherless children,
were left with only a precarious dependence on surviving
friends. Your memorialists would also further observe, that, in
addition to the Comraon calamities of maritime war, their
harbor was frequently visited by ravaging enemies, whose
insatiable thirst for plunder and devastation left but littie
for the subsistence of the inhabitants, Snd eventually the
once flourishing town of Nantucket was left resembling
an abandoned village.
After the blessings of peace were restored, the spirit
of enterprise again displayed its feeble but pleasing coun
tenance, and the progressing Industry and perseverance
of the citizens has in a degree surmounted the evils of

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 163
war, as a general state of comfort is prevailing, while
some are above necessity and others are opulent. There
fore after viewing things as they actually are, and consid
ering that Nantucket is an' island that may be invaded at
any point, and its situation without, or beyond, a pro
tecting distance from the continent, your memorialists
cannot, under these gloomy circumstances, fail to deplore
the necessity of commencing a foreign war ; and are
probably influenced in their feelings from knowing the
miseries of those, that are so unfortunate as to fall
within the vortex occasioned by the conflicting powers
of Europe.
It is further observable, that seven eighths of the mer
cantile capital is now at sea, three fourths of which is
not expected to return within twelve months from the
present date.
To conclude : while your memorialists feel that confi
dent assurance, which ought to possess the minds of the
people "towards their rulers, they have no desire to control,
yet they have no hesitation respectfully to declare their
behef, that the declaration of a foreign, war would be
desolating to the inhabitants of this island. And it will
be the constant prayer of your memorialists, that the
necessity of such a declaration may be averted.
Isaac Coffin, Moderator.
James Coffin, Town Clerk.
Nantucket, 9th, 5th mo. 1812.
This meraorial was read three tiraes, and clairaed the
serious attention of the people ; solemnity pervaded the
whole meeting in a striking manner. After some perti
nent remarks, it was unanimously voted to accept it, and

164 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
the selectmen were made a committee to forward it to
congress. *, >
The apprehension of a war had now become so general,
that it began to have a material effect on the business of
the place. Many of the inhabitants still continued to talk
of removing into the country ; but their property could
not be sold without a sacrifice, which caused some to
relinquish their intention, while others carried it into
effect, and settled in various places. Most kinds of busi
ness had become so unsettled, that very little was done.
All were daily expecting to hear of something decisive
from the government, that would fix the fate of Nantucket
as ito peace or war. The rumors, which were continually
circulated, helped to increase the general anxiety. This
state of suspense continued until the 24th of the 6th
month, when official accounts were received of a declara
tion of war by our goverqment against Great Britain, bn
the 18th of the same month.
This information, though it had been for some time ex
pected, produced inexpressible inquietude of mind. It
proved tbe fallacy of the opinion, or rather hope, which
many of the inhabitants had fondly cherished, that the
English government would rescind the Orders in Council,
and thus remove what was considered the principal cause
of the difference between the two nations.
There seemed no alternative left for the people, but to
submit to the calamities which this event would probably
bring upon them. The reflection on the situation and
circumstances of the place was appalling. Neariy the
whole amount of the trading capital was in the Pacific
Ocean, the greater part of which was not likely to return
in less than one year, and sorae perhaps not in two. This

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 165
consideration, added to that of the exposed situation of
the place, led many to devise measures to ward off im
pending ruin.
The fleet of ships at sea raore imraediately claimed the
attention of the public, for the welfare of the comraunity
depended on the whaling interest. Sorae of the principal
ship-owners convened for the purpose of taking into con
sideration the gloomy aspect that pervaded the coraraer-
cial concerns of the place, and to devise, if possible, some
plan whereby the property at sea might be saved from
capture. After a general discussion of the subject, it was
concluded to consult with the other ship-owners and
commercial men on the expediency of adopting some
measure, through the influence of tbe British minister,
Foster, then at Washington, to save tbe place from •the
calamities of war, and more especially, the ships at sea
from capture ; by representing, that the people of this
place were determined to take no active part in the war,
but to observe a strict neutrality, so far as would be con
sistent with the circumstances of the place. The plan
proposed was, to request the British minister to use his
influence with his government to rescue from capture the
whale ships belonging to Nantucket, then in the Pacific,
and to secure to the inhabitants the privilege of whahng,
under certain stipulations, during the continuance of the
war. After some deliberation, the opinion prevailed,
that the prospect of success was too faint to warrant
the attempt, and the plan was abandoned. It was the
opinion of many at that tirae, and subsequent events have
strengthened the opinion, that, had the town united in
the attempt, and done afl in its power for the promotion
of the object, very great advantages would have resulted.

166 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
The fleet at sea might, perhaps, have been saved, and
the liberty secured to carry on the whale fishing without
molestation. In support of this opinion we refer to the
report of the town's committee in a succeeding page.
That committee was sent to Admiral Cochrane on the
subject of importing provisions and fuel from the conti
nent. They found the Admiral very friendly toward the
people of Nantucket, and when the subject of whaling
was mentioned to him, he told the committee^ that if they.
would state in writing the wishes of their constituents,
the document should be forwarded to his government the
next day by a despatch veSsel, where, he had no doubt, it
would meet with a favorable reception. The kiiid treat
ment of this committee by Admiral Cochrane, and his
granting their request to bring provisions, &c., from the
continent, particularly the liberality of his views in rela
tion to whaling, lead us to, believe that every reasonable
indulgence would have been granted, had it been asked,
in a proper raanner, at the commencement of the war.
Many were apprehensive that the island would soon be
visited by the British in a hostile manner. Those who
had property exposed, which adraitted of being removed?
iramediately took measures to secure it, by shipping it
with all possible despatch to some seaport on the conti
nent. Many famihes, whose removal into the country
had heretofore been prevented by the difficulty of dispos
ing of their property, now concluded to leave it unsold ;
some went to the state of Ohio, others to other places.
The apprehension of an invasion by the enemy was
strengthened by a groundless report, that an armament
was preparing in Hahfax for that purpose, which added
to the confusion and terror already too prevalent. A

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 167
considerable number of the poorer class were obliged to
leave the island to seek eraployraent. From the tirae of
the first embargo to the present, the business of the place
had been in so depressed a state, that those, who depended
for subsistence on their daily labor, were reduced, through
want of employment, to great distress. Some could not
subsist without the assistance of their friends. This class
first felt the pressure of the times. Many of them reraoved
to places, where there appeared a prospect of obtaining
bread, a large part of whora returned, at the close of the
war, to the place of their fondest associations and strongest
attachraents, frora which nothing but the most pressing
necessity could have compelled them to remove.
The immediate effects of the war were experienced,
in the 7th month of this year, 1812, in the capture and
burning of a whaling schooner, to the northward of the
Gulf Stream, together with the oil wjoich she had
obtained. The crew were made prisoners of war. This
vvas the first capture ¦ of a Nantucket vessel after the
commencement of hostilities. There were, at this time,
belonging to the island, 43 ships, 47 sloops, 7 brigs, 19
schooners ; total, 1 16 vessels, whose tonnage amounted to
neariy 11,000 tons.
It is not our purpose to enter into a detail of all tbe
embarrassments and sufferings occasioned by the war ;
but to endeavor to state such particulars as may be useful,
or interesting to the reader. In a few months after the
war comraenced, many of the inhabitants were reduced to
great distress. Want of employment, as has already been
stated, had before reduced large numbers of the laboring
class to want ; loss of property, and other circumstances
was now daily bringing others to poverty. It was difficult

168 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
to procure flour and corn. British cruisers were so
numerous on the coast, as to render at very hazardous for
those coasters to pass, which had usually supplied the
market with bread stuffs. Late in the fall no bread stuff
could be bought, and littie was expected to be brought
to the island ; and there was less wood than had been
known for many years. Hundreds of the laboring poor
might daily be seen in, the streets, destitute of the means
of subsistence, because destitute of employment.
The scarcity of provisions, the approaching inclement
'season, and the danger of venturing out with vessels,.
claimed the serious attention of every class of the com
munity. At length a number of vessels were sent to
different places westward to bring flour, corn, and other
necessaries. Some of the freighters were not induced to
this measure by pecuniary considerations. Their object
was to secure the inhabitants from suffering during the
winter, when it would be impossible to have any commu
nication with the continent,
Tn the 1 1 th month a load of corn arrived, which was
much needed. The corn sold for one dollar and twenty-
five cents a bushel, and the flour for thirteen dollars and
fifty cents a barrel. Although the price was high, the
whole cargo was sold very fast : higher prices would have
been obtained, if deraanded. It was truly raelancholy
to see tbe people thronging and pressing to take their
turns to be served whh articles of food, while raany came
on board the vessel, equally in want, but destitute of the
means to buy. Such a picture of distress had not been
displayed since the revolutionary war. Previous to the
war, not a beggar was to be seen in tbe streets ; at this
time many received their daily pittance from the hand of
charity.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 169
In this season of distress the banks did not feel them
selves safe. The apprehension of a fleet from Halifax
induced the directors to secure what specie could be
spared from immediate use, by placing it in some safe
keeping on the continent. The public, discovering their
fears, immediately called out their deposits in specie, and
also thronged the doors of the banks with their paper.
The pressure however was sustained, and all demands
promptiy and satisfactorily answered.
In addition to the nuraerous difficulties already experi
enced, the easterly part of the town was, in the 12th
month, attacked by fire. The fire was first discovered in
one of the lower buildings on the old south wharf It
was a favorable circumstance that the wind blew briskly
from the northward, for there were no buildings to
leeward. But notwithstanding this, and the most active
exertions of the inhabitants, eight buildings were con
sumed. The loss was estimated at $6000.
The winter did not commence with that gloom which
had been anticipated. The means of procuring provisions
had so far succeeded, as to remove the danger of famine.
The poverty, and the number of the poorer class,
however, rapidly increased.
Some of the homeward-bound whale ships were cap
tured by the enemy, yet a kw arrived safely, which
materially benefited a large number of every class of
citizens. For the nature of the business is such, that the
loss of a single ship injures many, and many are benefited
by the safe arrival of one.
A number of the citizens, feeling the distress of war
increasing upon them, and considering that they bad a
right to address the chief magistrate of the nation in a

170 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
respectful manner, in their individual capacity, addressed
the following petition to the president, representing sorae
of the embarrassments with which they were surrounded.
Nantucket, November 21st, 1812.
James Madison, Esq. President of the United States.
Sir, — The republican citizens of Nantucket are con
scious, that, when the governnnent find it expedient for
the support of our national sovereignty and independence
to declare war, the people must expect to submit to
burdens and privations they are not accustomed to in time
of peace; but the pecuhar situation of Nantucket has
induced us to address you.
The island In its detached situation, being beyond the
reach of protection from the continent, is exposed to the
ravages of an enemy.
The island, contains a population of nearly seven
thousand inhabitants, many of whom were employed in
the various mechanic arts, and other employments, pe
culiarly applicable to the whale fishery, who, since the
declaration of war, have been without employ, and
thereby reduced to indigent circumstances.
Experience has taught, that the whale fishery, for
which this place has ever been famed, cannot be prose
cuted, while it is exposed to the ravages of war ; and
should it continue, we fear It will, in a great degree, be
lost; it has been considered of such national consequence,
as to induce both England and France to offer great
encourageraents to the citizens of this place, to remove
and establish it within their dominions.
We are aware that the constitution of the United

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 171
States expressly provides, that no preference shall be
given to one state over the others ; at the sarae tirae we
are fully sensible, that, when a resort to arras is considered
unavoidable, our governraent will afford that consistent
relief to such parts of the community, as are deprived of
the means of subsistence by a continuation of the war.
Such appears to be the situation we are approaching, as
most of the trading capital of the island is now in the
Southern Ocean, some of which will not be on hs return,
, within one year frora the present date ; and if the war
continues, we fully believe the greater part, if not the
whole, will fall an easy prey to the enemy. .
As we are thus shuated, and deprived by nature from
obtaining a subsistence on the island, it seems we have
no choice, but that of respectfully soliciting your attention
and that of our government, to our alarming condition ;
requesting also liberty to ask, if in your wisdom any
means can be devised to save our fleet of whale ships
now in the Southern Ocean, and if any method can be
adopted, whereby we may prosecute the cod and whale
fisheries without the risk of capture by the eneray.
We also beg leave to ask, if any stipulation can con
sistently be effected with Great Britain, whereby the cod
and whale fisheries of both nations may be exempted
frora the ravages of war.
In behalf of the repubhcan citizens of Nantucket, we
have the honor to be with the greatest respect, sir, your
obedient servants. Signed by a coraraittee and forwarded.
In 1813 the American coast became so infested with
British ships of war and privateers, that it was dangerous

172 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
to go to any port on tbe continent. The supply of
provisions and fuel was thus rendered very precarious.
The distress of the people still increased : driven from
their usual avocations, they were compelled to seek
employment of any kind that would administer to their
daily wants, Sorae engaged- in fishing round the island ;
a greater number turned their attention to farming. The
prospects of this latter class were not very encouraging :
many of them owned neither land nor implements. They
were obliged to take leases of land for two years, and
give the owner a certain proportion of the produce.
There was littie left to them, after paying the rent and
other expenses incident to the business. They labored
haid for a poor living, with no encouraging prospect, but
that of a speedy peace. Others of a younger class
followed the sea from other ports. Removals from the
island still continued, some to avoid present distress,
others with a view to permanency.

CHAPTER IX.

The subject of inoculating for the kine-pock early en
gaged the attention of the people of Nantucket. In the
year 1810, it was ascertained, by request of tbe health
coraraittee, that about four thousand had not been inocu
lated for either the small or kine-pock. At that time it was

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 173
contemplated to have a general vaccination, but the
measure was not very spiritedly taken up, and finally
failed of being carried into effect. In 1813 Benjamin
Hussey, a native of Nantucket, arrived fiom Europe.
He bad been absent frora the island about twenty-six
years, the last ten of which he resided principally in
France, where he introduced vaccine inoculation. He
inoculated, in the city of Dunkirk and parts adjacent,
upwards of seven thousand, for which services he received
no pecuniary remuneration. His benevolence, however,
gained for him high encomiums from the French govern-
nient. The experience which he had acquired in the
art, and the success which bad attended his practice,
encouraged a few individuals to request him to undertake
a general inoculation, at Nantucket, on the condition of
receiving a reasonable compensation frora the town for
his services. After some deliberation he assented to the
proposition, and named the sum of three hundred dollars
as the amount which would satisfy him for his labor. A
town-meeting was immediately held for the purpose of
taking the subject into consideration, at which the advan
tages of the proposition were set forth, and sorae docu
ments read, to show the propriety of accepting the
services offered, on the terras proposed. A large number,
however, opposed the measure ; and a majority finally
decided not to improve this opportunity, to introduce a
general inoculation. Notwithstanding this unexpected
result, he proceeded to tbe vaccination of all who called
on him for that purpose ; and, before he left the island,
neariy a thousand had availed theraselves of his services,
for which he received no compensation, except in small
presents from a few individuals.

174 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

The disastrous effects of the war now daily increased.
By alraost every arrival, accounts were brought of the
capture of sorae vessels belonging to Nantucket. Many
of the whale ships were already taken, and it appeared
very probable that a greater part of the remainder would
fall into the hands of the enemy. The coast was so
infested -with British cruisers, that it had become hazard
ous to go out of the harbor. Some of the small craft
which were bringing provisions, fuel, and other supplies,
were captured. Among the vessels taken in the Sound
was the beautiful packet sloop which transported the
mail between Nantucket and Falmouth. The captors
plundered and pillaged as many of the letters, &c. as
they chose ; the rest, with the passengers, were landed at
Falmouth, and the vessel sent to New London, where a
squadron of the British lay.
The fishing and whaling vessels on the shoals, to
the eastward of the Island, had hitherto been preserved.
Humpbacks, (a species of tbe right-whale,) and cod fish
were plenty, which gave encouragement to raany, who
would otherwise have been idle, to engage in the pursuit of
them. But unfortunately a privateer came among the
fleet, and took several vessels, one of which belonged to
Nantucket. Others were fired on, but made their escape.
The vessel taken belonging to Nantucket, was sent to St.
Johns, but It was supposed that she foundered at sea, for
she was never heard of afterwards.
A great proportion of tbe people had now become so
reduced, that small disappointments caused dismay. The
seamen, who had been taken, were coming horae destitute
of property. Many of thera had farailies looking to them

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 175
for support. On tbe approach of winter, many were
destitute of the necessaries of hfe, and of the means of
earning any thing. Although sorae had removed with
their farailies to seek business elsewhere, there were still a
great number remaining, in indigent circumstances. The
greater part of those, who had heretofore hired their labor
done, were obliged to retrench their expenses, and to do
their own work. In these discouraging circumstances,
the town was noticed by government that a direct tax
of $5000 -would be levied upon them. Although the
sum was not large, and would not have been injuriously
felt, if the island had been in a flourishing condition, yet
at this tirae, when the people were suffering under
accumulating evils, the call brought a gloom over the
whole community. Taxes are generally proportioned to
the raeans of paying them. But in this case those,
whose only property consisted in a poor tenement, were
subjected (o pay, while those, who were opulent and yet
possessed no real estate, were exempted. It was, besides,
a source of much, and perhaps just complaint, that
Nantucket, situated beyond the protecting power of
government, should still be subjected to contribute to
wards the general expense. These considerations claimed
the serious attention of the inhabitants, and various
expedients were sugi^ested lo obviate the pending em
barrassments. At length the expediency was suggested
of petitioning congress to mitigate the lax, suspend its
collection, or otherwise to grant Some relief to the present
distress. A town-meeting was accordingly held on the
26th of the 11th raonth, at which it was unanimously
voted to send a petition, and a person was appointed to
bear it. The following is a copy of the petition.

176 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Represen
tatives of the United States in Congress assembled,
tbe Petition of the Town and County of Nantucket
respectfully showeth : —
That the unavoidable fate of the war, in which the
nation is involved, has so reduced them in circumstances,
as seemingly to leave no choice whereby relief can be
obtained, other than by the interference of congress, not
only as respects their present condition, but frbm distress
ing appearances, the reality of which, they have reason
to believe, will eventually raeet thera.
They have already realized losses by war in a very
extensive degree ; a number of valuable ships with full
cargoes of oil have been captured and totally lost, and,
what is truly lamentable, several of the owners, that
were heretofore in opulent circumstances, are now re
duced to indigence.
And they have further to anticipate a very considerable,
if not a total loss of fifteen valuable ships, now absent in
the whale fishery.
Many vessels employed as coasters, and some in the
merchant service, have also been captured and lost, to a
great amount in value.
The whale fishery, which has constantiy been con-
slderd the staple of Nantucket, raust inevitably decline
under the present state of things. In truth the partial
failure, already realized, appears to threaten a total extinc
tion of the raeans by which that valuable branch has
been so successfully prosecuted.
The present stagnation of the raercantile, and also of

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 177
most other concerns, has induced, or, rather, compelled
hundreds of people to remove to the continent, in search
of the common necessaries of life, which could neither be
afforded nor procured here, as the small remaining capital
of our island is fast exhausting, without a present prospect
of replenishing.
It is neither the intention nor wish of your petitioners
to present an exaggerated account, but merely a statement
of facts, while they feel impelled seriously to request,
that (if consistent) some provision raay be raade, whereby
the fisheries may be prosecuted, without being subject to
losses by war.
Your petitioners are aware, that the time for collecting
the direct tax and internal duties is fast approaching, re
specting which they beg leave to observe, that it appears
to have been contemplated for the defence of the country.
Their detached situation from the continent prevents al
raost every benefit that can arise from its a[)propriation,
their exposed and defenceless condition, considered with
,the natural situation of the island, which renders it impossi
ble for adequate defence to be afforded, are chcumstances
which they believe are but partially known to congress.
The ruinous losses already realized, and those that are
anticipated, and seemingly inevitable, added to a general
suspension of the means of subsistence, are circurastances
which, when duly considered, your petitioneis are per
suaded, will entitle them not only to countenance and
commiseration, but to such consistent relief as seems in
dispensable for their continued existence.
Isaac Coffin, Moderator.
James Coffin, Town Clerk.
Nantucket, 26tb, 11th mo. 1813.
12

178 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
By accounts from tbe Pacific Ocean, it appeared that
a number of whale ships had been detained by the
Spaniards, and materially obstructed in the pursuit of
their voyages, and that Comraodore Porter had captured
the greater part of the English whalers and caused the
American ships to be released. The latter, being at
liberty, mostiy put away to come horae. Much anxiety
was felt for their safe arrival. There was a constant look
out for them both at Nantucket and at the Vineyard, and
large pecuniary rewards were offered to those who should
pilot them in, or give information to tbe owners which
should be the means of securing their safe arrival. The
arrival of several was hailed with great joy, and enabled
those, whose property was still at risk, to effect insurance,
though at the high rate of fifty per cent. Indeed the
coast was so thronged with cruisers, that owners were
willing to give almost any premium : and their apprehen
sions in the end proved to be well founded, for few ships
arrived afterwards.
In the 12th month an embargo was laid on the vessels-*
of the United States, with the design of preventing the
enemy's being supplied by the people of this country.
" This act was an effectual seal upon the commerce of the
United States both foreign and domestic. No vessel was
allowed to depart from any port in the Union, to any
other even in the same state, except in certain specified
cases. The effects of this measure were felt very severely
in many sections of the Union, particulariy in the eastern
states." The conditions of the act were such as neariy to
cut off all communication between Nantucket and the
continent. Without some modification, a great nuraber
of tbe inhabitants'must have raoved off; for it was evident

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 179
that they could not subsist without supplies of provision
and fuel from abroad.
On the return of the person appointed by the town
to bear tbe petition mentioned in a preceding page, he
reported, that the President and Heads of Departments
commiserated the condition of the inhabitants, and ex
pressed their readiness to render all the assistance in their
power, consistent with the interests of the nation ; and
that they had promoted the passing of an act, raitigating
the restrictions of the embargo ; and vesting full power
in the Executive to grant such relief to the island, in
allowing provisions and other necessaries to be brought
from the continent, as its situation required.
The embargo act did not have the desired effect, and
.it was repealed in the 4th month of 1814. An oppor
tunity was thus given to all to resume their commercial
business. Qut the people of Nantucket, having lost the
greater part of their trading capital, could not derive any
material benefit from the measure.
The difficulty of procuring bread stuff, and other neces
saries from the continent, now increased and produced'
great alarm. Some of the Biitish vessels were constantiy
at Tarpauline Cove. Whilst engaged there in procuring
water and other supplier they sent their boats, from tirae
to time, up and down the Sound, which captured all the
coasters they met with ; they plundered some, and others
they destroyed or exacted a ransora for them in money,
pretty rauch on their own terms. These circumstances
reduced the town to such a condition that famine seem
ed inevitable, unless a change should soon be brought
about. There was not a bushel of corn to be bought.
The whaling business, as we have already shown, is

160 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
the source of almost all the employment of every class of
citizens on the island. There is hardly an individual,
who does not, directly or indirectly, receive a share of
the profits or participate in the losses of each voyage.
No chain of dependencies can be more perfect than that
which exists between what are called the lower and the
higher orders of society. This chain was now broken.
A great propoition of the property at sea had fallen into
the hands of the enemy. The mechanics, hitherto con
stantly employed in preparing the materials for voyages,
were without business. The sound of the axe and
hammer was no longer heard. The seamen were daily
coming home from places of confinement araong the
English, raany of whom found a cheerless welcome, for
poverty and distress met them at the doors of their friends
and connexions. Amidst the gloom which pervaded all
classes of the coramunity, there was no object, on which
the eye could rest, that gave promise of better things ;
nothing to revive the drooping spirits, but the vvhispeiings
of that kind angel, Hope, which
 " lingers still, nor quits us when we die.,"

In the 6th month, 1814, some boats arrived with com,
which, although dear, afforded a timely relief to the in
habitants. A Chebacco brat, said to be a tender, belonging to the
British frigate Nymph, had been for some lime cruising
between Tuckernuck Sboal and Great Point, stopping
every passing vessel, and either plundering iheir prizes
of all the articles of value on board, or exactlnff ransom-
money from the unfortunate sufferers. This practice was
carried to so great a length, and became so distressing to

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 181
the citizens, that'tbey grew impatient. On one occasion
an officer was sent on shore to receive ransom-raoney,
which add6d to the agitation already heightened by re
peated losses. The streets were immediately thronged
with a large concourse of people, who, feeling theraselves
so injured by so insignificant a force as a sraall Chebacco
boat with only ten men, could no longer restrain their
feelings, and publicly uttered threats of hostility. The
persons foremost in this proceeding were principally
strangers, who had been plundered of provisions and fuel,
which they were bringing to the island. It was deemed
advisable to persuade them to be quiet, and consider that
the use of force by the people of the island would only
invite a greater force in return, and one which nothing
but madness could prompt them to resist. Under these
considerations the selectraen and others interfered and
were successful in their atterapts to quiet the crowd.
The officer was permitted to depart with his booty. The
affair, however, occasioned increased distress to the in
habitants, for many of the coasters determined not to
come again to the island, until there should appear a
fairer prospect of avoiding the grasp of the enemy.
It would be impossible, and, perhaps, not very inter
esting, to detail all the difficulties and embarrassments
occasioned by tbe war. A people, situated as those on
the island of Nantucket, must necessarily have felt the
pressure to an unlimited degree beyond those of raany
other places. It is their very pursuits In times of peace,
that render them raost exposed in times of war. With
always a vast amount of property invested in ships, abroad
on the ocean, navigated by hundreds of their own fiiends
and relatives, engaged in voyages of three years duration.

182 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
war must necessarily involve great nurabers in misery and
ruin. Their location and their religious character foibid
their participating in national quarrels.
If nations must, or rather if they will, persist in war,
why should they countenance indiscriminate depredations
on the property of individuals ?. In other words, why
legalize plunder, and encourage the worst passions of the
worst men, by giving thera commissions to commit acts,
which, but for those coraraissions, would render them
odious to the whole world and criminals by the letter and
spirit of every code of laws ? ' Why train up a hand of
pirates, by making them first privateersmen ; and thus
prepare subjects for the halter, by putting a premium
upon crime? We believe that nothing would be more
effectual towards putting an end to all wars, than lo allow
trade and commerce to continue under certain restrictions,
during national conflicts. It would prevent, in a great
degree, that personal rancor, which individuals of belliger
ent nations are constantly irabibing against each other, by
witnessing or feeling the effects of individual rapacity.
The distress and difficulties occasioned by the war to
the people of this devoted island were now daily increas
ing. British cruisers thronged the Sound, and blocked
up the harbor, which wholly prevented a supply of pro
visions and fuel. Necessity required, that some uncom
mon exertion should be made to obtain relief. Not the
poorer class only was interested, but those more particu
larly on whom the poor and indigent were making their
daily dependence. It was therefore deemed expedient,
that the inhabitants should convene together for the pur
pose of adopting such measures as might appear necessary
to remove the present calamity. A meeting was accord-

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 183
ingly held, and the subject was introduced by statements
concerning the affairs of the town, made by the selectmen,
overseers of the poor, and others. After much debate, it
was voted, that the selectmen,, and overseers of the poor,
should be authorized to iraport provisions from the conti
nent for the support of the poor under their iraniediate
charge, in any way or manner they might deem expe
dient, not exceeding the value of five hundred bushels of
corn at one risk. This gave an opportunity to send for a
small supply by every vessel that ventured out.
On the 23d of Gth month there was a violent gale of
wind from the N. W. and the weather, at the same time,
so cold that aged people, in passing about, wore mittens.
The inhabitants in general made fires in their houses.
The season had before been dry, which caused the wind
to have such an effect on the fields of corn as to injure
much of it in sorae places where it was raost exposed ;
but afterwards it pretty generally recovered its growth
and yielded a tolerably good crop.
The Chebacco boat, before mentioned, still continued
on her station between Nantucket and the Vineyard,
chasing all passing vessels, and plundering all that could
be caught. None, who fell into the hands of this cruiser,
escaped without loss ; for, however sraall their craft and
poor their lading, there was still something to lose. There
was great apprehension that the crew of this cruiser would
land' in the night, and commence their plunder and rob
bery, while the Inhabitants were asleep. To guard against
this, a night-watch was established, to patrol the streets,
with direction to sound an alarm in case they landed.
This measure had the desired effect so far, that the people
could take their rest quietiy.

184 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
The continuance of this craft at and near the bar of the
harbor was attended with so much embarrassraent in ob
taining supplies from the continent, as to' cause much
alarm. At length the selectmen, by the advice of many
of the inhabitants, deputed two of their number to repair
on board and remonstrate with the captain against slaying
any longer. They attended to their appointraent, and
endeavored to persuade him to leave, by stating the diffi
culties under which the town already labored by want of
a free coraraunicatlon with the continent. They urged,
that common humanity was sufficient to prevent his ad
ding to the distress of a people feeling already the want of
the necessaries of hfe. At first, instead of listening to
their arguments, he made high demands of vessels and
other things, but he at length said he would go away.
After several days he departed. He carried away sorae
thousands of dollars in specie, and sundry articles of goods.
A nuraber of boats and sraall vessels now arrived with
provisions and wood, which supplied the raarket, to the
great relief of the people, although the prices weie high:
flour fourteen dollars per barrel, corn one dollar and forty
cents per bushel, and wood seven dollars per cord.
'A tender from the Nymph frigate soon afterwards made
its appearance between the point and bar, watching
every passing vessel and boat, in order to make a prey of
the defenceless. Several vessels coming frora the main
with supplies were taken, from all of which they exacted
something in ransom ; they permitted some light vessels
to pass out of the harbor unraolested. This cruiser was
a sloop commanded by Charies Goulett, the person that
coramanded the Chebacco boat before mentioned. Sorae
indiscreet persons had furnished him with a New York

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 185
paper, wherein was an article, purporting to haVe been
written at Nantucket, and tending, as he said, lo vilify his
character. He look umbrage at this, and addressed a
letter to the chairman of the selectmen, threatening, in
strong language, to pursue measures injurious to the island.
The people were not in any degiee intimidated; sorae
would have chosen to have him aitenipt the execution of
his threats. The major part of the inhabitants, however,
wisely considered that it was raore advisable to appease,
if possible, than irritate him. A paper was drawn up,
and signed by a large number, setting forth, that the
publication was not authorized by the town, and that they
did not know who was its author. This was sent off to
him, and, after some altercation and explanation, he seemed
satisfied with it. The committee, which carried the com
munication, then pressed him to leave his present station.
He promised to do so, but said that he should jirobably
be back in a short lime. He did leave, and in a few days
returned again. The people, having become familiar
with his raode of depredation, were careful to keep out of
his reach. He, however, frequentiy found opportunity
to convey his threats to the inhabitants, that he should
enter the harbor, and set fire to some, of the houses. This
was neither expected nor dreaded.
British cruisers were so numerous along our seacoast,
that our government considered it expedient to discon
tinue the public lights, wherever it was probable that tha
enemy would be benefited by thern. The collector at
Nantucket, who had the care of the lights there, discon
tinued them from time to tirae, as circumstances required.
The buoys on the corners of the shoals and at the bars
were taken up for the sarae reason.

186 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
"The harbor had now been a long time blocked up by
the British. There was no wood provided for winter,
and the stock of provisions was considerably reduced. All
agreed that it was necessary to take some measurls to
avoid distress; but it was difficult to agree as to what
those measures should be. The selectmen were at length
requested to call a town-ineeling to deliberate on the
subject. The meeting was held on tiie 23d of the 7th
raonth, 1814, at which, after some discussion, the follow
ing vote was passed : " That we appoint the present
selectmen of this town a coraraittee, with full powers to
make use of such means as may appear to them most
eligible for this town lo pursue, which the constitution
and laws of this country do not forbid, for the Inhabitants
to bring wood, provisions and other necessaries, from the
continent of the United States, for the consumption of
the inhabitants of Nantucket."
The selectraen, feeling themselves authorized by the
additional powers now vested in them by the town, and
being fully sensible of the necessity of taking some
measures to obtain relief, fitted the sloop Hawk, David
Starbuck, master, and qualified her as a flag of truce;
and appointed Silvanus Macy and Isaac Coffin, Esquires,
as comraissioners, and qualified iheni accordingly ; giving
them written Instruclions to proceed to the British naval
commanding officer on the North American station, and
to represent to hira, in an impartial raanner, the situation
of the people of Nantucket. The coraraissioners were
directed to ask perraission to iraport wood, provisions, Sic,
and hberty to whale and fish about the coast. The follow
ing are copies of instructions to the commissioners and to
Captain Starbuck.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 187
"By this present instrument you are hereby appointed
and legally qualified, by the selectmen of Nantucket, as
commissioners, to embark in the sloop Hawk, Captain
David Starbuck, who has received directions to carry you
whhout delay to the British naval commander-in-chief on
the North Araerican station.
" When you may meet the commander-in-chief, you
will carefully and faithfully represent to him the present
state and condition of the inhabitants of this town, adding,
also, that they are seriously apprehensive of the over
whelming effects of famine, wdiich it seems can neither
be evaded or eluded, except perraission can be obtained
'of the coraraander-in-chief to import the necessary pro
visions and fuel frora the continent lo the island ; but as
you are acquainted with ..every particular, it is considered
needless to add any thing raore on this subject, than to
mention our confidence that you will give it all the atten
tion which its importance raay seem to demand.
" You ai'e also so well acquainted with the exhausted
state of our finances, and the necessity of ways and means
to- replenish them, and that the fishery has heretofore
been our constant dependence for that purpose, but little
need be said on the occasion ; we would, however, recom
mend, that you mention the facts of things to the com
mander-in-chief, and, if possible, to obtain perraission to
prosecute it as heretofore.
" It is presuraed we need not add any thing more, than
to call your pointed attention to the several particulars
herein contained. [Signed by the selectmen.]
« Nantucket, July 27, 1814."

188 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
To Capt. D.vvid Starbuck.
It having been determined by the selectmen of the
town of Nantucket lo despatch the sloop Hawk, now
under your command, to Chesapeake Bay, or elsewhere,
as a j^fl^' of truce, — you will, with all possible convenience,
prepare your vessel for that undertaking, and, after being
equipped for the voyage, you will embrace the first favor
able opportunity, and proceed to the place of your desti
nation, subject, however, to the following instructions,
viz. :
You are to display the white flag at your topmast head,
and continue it abroad (as occasion may require) during
the time you are considered as a cartel.
As Silvanus Macy and Isaac Coffin, Esquires, will em
bark with you, as commissioners, to negotiate or transact'
tbe business of the town, under direction of the selectmen,
you will, in every case, be subject to their control, and
attentive to their orders, keeping constantly in view, that
one important point of your duty will be lo convey them
to the British naval commander on the North Araerican
station, with the least possible delay.
You will not admit any passenger or article of raerchan-
dise whatever, at any lime during your voyage, to be
taken on board your vessfel, except it be by the express
direction of the above-mentioned commissioners.
Nantucket, July 27, 1814. [Signed by the selectmen.]
The commissioners sailed on their mission the day
following the date of their instructions.
A private vessel was also sent al the samg tirae, wilh
a coramiltee, and, as was said, for similar purposes, but,

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 189
as this was a measure taken by individuals, and not by
authority of the town, we shall say but little about it;
not being in full knowledge of their commission, or of the
effects thereof
A great number of the inhabitants were now busily
employed in procuring peat from the swamps. They
gladly took the benefit of this substitute for wood. It
was indeed considered a great blessing, and it saved, at
that time, several thousands of dollars.
About the 22d of this month, the British armed brig
Nimrod carae lo the bar and anchored, and sent a boat
ashore, bearing a flag of truce. The selectmen imraedi
ately convened, and sent a message to the officer, inforra-
ing hira that ihey were in session, and ready to receive
any communication he might be pleased to make to them.
He inforraed them, that the captain of the brig had a cora-
munication frora commodore Hothara, which would be
delivered to a committee who should be authorized by
the tovvn to receive it on board the brig. The selectmen
appointed a comiiiitlee out of their number, and author
ized them to go on board, which Ihey attended lo the fol
lowing morning, and were politely received by captain
Newton and his officers. After the usual ceremonies, the
captain Inforined them, that his business was lo projiose a
stipulation of neutrality, to be observed by the ptople of
Nantucket. He then read to them a communication
signed by commodore Hotham, the purport of which was,
that, if Nantucket would observe strict neutrality during
the war, he would permit a certain number of vessels to
import wood, provision?, and other supplies. The time
and place was not suited to a full consultation on the sub
ject, and its importance was such that the committee did

190 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. /
not feel authorized to act upon it. They therefore left
the brig and came on shore, vvitii an exp~ectation of being
furnished wilh the original communication, or a copy of
it. The brig's barge also carae on sho're at the same
time. The selectmen immediately met in order to receive
a copy of the communication, as had been promised.
Notwithstanding the officer of the boat was now ashore,
no communication was received by the selectmen in less
tirae than two hours. A delay of this nature, at so criti
cal a time, was attended with disagreeable sensations.
When the coramunication was at length received, it was
found necessary to call the town together, whiclj was done
the same afternoon at 6 o'clock. During the lime of
these transactions, the people of the town were in great
commotion, for the subject had not been so fully opened
to the public, as to sillow of their comprehending its nature
and iraportaiice. There was a very general apprehension,
that the British had secret intentions of a hostile charac
ter; that the present fair appearance was only designed
to lull the people into a state of security; and that the
design was then to add to the distress already felt. Tbe
streets were crowded v^ith the inhabitants, who appeared
in rauch anxiety for the event.
A town-raeellng was held at the time appointed.
There was a general attendance, for the subject was
novel as well as interesting, and drew the attention of
neariy every male inhabitant. The meeting was held in
the street near the Friend's south meetino--house. The
O
comtnunlcaiion from the British cbraniander was then
read, the substance of which was, " that the people of
Nantucket shall observe a strict neutrality between the
two contending powers during the existence of the present

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 191
war; shall refrain frora taking up arms against the sub
jects of Great Britain ; shall surrender up all public arras,
guns, araraunition, and all other public property of every
kind and nature.
" That, in case of a corapliance, they would permit a
limited but small number of vessels to iraport wood, pro
visions, and other necessaries, to the island, and if a sur
plusage should appear, all British vessels coming to Nan-
tucker, should have liberty to purcha.se refreshments,
provided it did not distress the inhabitants; and that a
deputation from the town should meet the comraodore at
Gardner's Bay to conclude the treaty."
Some short remarks were made at the meeting, chiefly
purporting, that nothing unreasonable was required in the
communication, and that if the conditions were coiiiplied
wilh so far as was consistent, the much-needed relief
would be obtained. It was generally believed, that
neither our government, nor any reasonable man, would
criminate the town fur embracing this opportunity lo ob
tain the privilege of importing the necessaries of life
from the continent. In accordance wilh these views the
following votes were taken.
" That this town will not take up arms against Great
Britain during the present war between Great Britain and
the United States of America, collectively or severally.
"That this town will surrenderup all such public arms,
ammunition, and other public property, that shall he found
in said town.
"That this town will not take up arms to defend any
public property.
"That this tow^n will make no opposition against any
British vessel coming into this baibor to refresh.

192 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
" That this town will choose a coraraittee to wait on
Coraraodoie Hothara, at Gardner's Bay, or elsewhere,
agreeably to his request."
A comraittee was then chosen, after which it was voted,
"That the coraraittee inform Captain Newton, com
mander of the brig Nimrod, of the proceedings of this
meeting, and that they are appointed to wait on Commo
dore Hotham in Gardner's Bay, or elsewhere.
" Nantucket, August 24th, 1814."
The forementioned communication from Comraodore
Hotham appeared, from lis tenor, and otherclrcumstances,
to have originated from certificates given by the select
men and magistrates of Nantucket, lo qualify a vessel to
go and meet the British commander-in-chief, and from
him to endeavor to obtain permission to bring a load of
bread stuff from Virginia for tbe sole consumption of the
inhabitants, staling the distressed situation of the island at
that lime. Admiral Cochrane, onreceiving this informa
tion, directed Commodore Hothara to send a vessel lo
Nantucket, and make the foregoing provisions of neu
trality. The day following the meeting, the Nimrod left'the
bar, accompanied by the sloop Experiment, both intend
ed for Gardner's Bay, to rrieet Coraraodore Hotham.
The Experiment carried the town's committee.
On the 30th, the committee returned, having perform
ed the business of their appointment agreeably with the
foregoing plan. They reported, that they were received
on board the .ship Superb, then lying in Gardner's Bay,
and treated In a polite manner. That they there made
a general statement of the situatiou and circumstances of

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 193
the inhabitants of Nantucket ; and that there were no
arms, artillery, ammunition, wariike stores, or government
property of any kind on the island, except the two lio-ht-
houses and a scanty supply of oil for the season, which
they requested might remain unmolested. General sat
isfaction being given, the commodore signed a stipulation
of neutrality, a copy of which follows.
By the Honorable Henry Hotham, Commodore, com
manding his majesty's ships and vessels employed on
the coast of North Araerica, between Nantucket and
the Delaware.
The island of Nantucket having been this' day de
clared neutral by a deputation apjiolnted at a legal town-
meeting, held on the 23d instant, to wait on rne to stipu
late for the relief of the inhabitants, who engage they ,
shall take no part whatever in the war between Great
Britain and the United States of America, and that such
refreshments as it can afford, without distressing theraselves,
shall be as free for the use of his raajesty's ships as at
other friendly places ; and having, by the direction of
Vice Admiral, the Honorable Alexander Cochrane, K. B.
commander-in-chief, Sic. &z,c. &c.,in consideration there
of, granted them permission to import provisions, live
stock, fuel, and other necessaries of life, from the conti
nent of the United States, and furnished certain vessels
with passports to perform such voyages, unmolested by
the ships and vessels of his majesty, and by the private
armed vessels of his subjects ; —
These are to request and direct, that no hostilities nor
depredations be committed by those which may arrive at
or communicate with that island.
13

194 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
Given under ray hand and seal on board bis majesty's
ship Superb, off New London, tbe 28th of August, 1814.
HenRy Hotham.
To tbe commanders of bis majesty's ships and vessels, and
of the private armed vessels of his subjects.
By command of the commodore, John Irving.
In accordance with the foregoing agreement, the com
modore granted three passports to go to the Delaware,
and three lo go to New York, to bring provisions, and
other necessaries ; and fifteen vessels, to bring wood.
The following is a copy of one of the passports to
bring provisions,
[Seal.] By tbe Honorable Henry Hotham, Com
modore, commanding his majesty's ships and vessels
employed between Nantucket and the Delaware.
Having, by the direction of the vice-admiral, the
Honorable Sir Alexander Cochrane, K. B. commander-
in-chief, &i;c. &c. .&;c., stipulated with the raagistrates
and select-men of the island of Nantucket for the neu
trality of that island, and, in consideration thereof,
granted perraission to the inhabitants to import provision,
live stock, fuel, and other necessaries of life for their
use, from the United States of Araerica ; —
These are to require and direct the coraraanders of
his majesty's ships and vessels, and of the private armed
vessels, not to molest or interrupt the sloop ********
of about fifty-five tons burthen, navigated by inhabitants
of Nantucket, carrying no guns or other arras of any
kind, in the employment of conveying the above described

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 195
articles from the Delaware lo Nantucket ; or sperm can
dles or oil from that island," provided she be not found
carrying on any other trade, or commerce, wilh his
majesty's enemies, nor fishing in the open sea ; in either
of which cases, she will be committing an infraction of
the agreement made this day by the aforementioned
parties respectively, and will be liable to capture.
Given under my hand and seal on board his majesty's
ship Superb, off New London, 2Sth August, 1814.
Henry Hotham.
To the commanders of his majesty's ships and vessels,
and of the private armed vessels of his subjects.
By command of the comraodore. John Irving.
The dates and tenor of the other passports were sirailar,
except such variations as the circumstances required.
Notwithstanding the trouble and expense to which the
town had been subjected, in obtaining perraission to
import provisions and fuel, the people were not satisfied.
The privileges were so limited that they could not fish
nor whale without the risk of capture, nor carry fish to
market ; and no passengers were allowed to go in the
privileged vessels. The passports being specially granted
to certain vessels therein named, no others could be
benefited by such limited restrictions. This created a
considerable degree of dissatisfaction among thera, who
had vessels lying at the wharves, and others, who had
large boats fitted for the New York trade. Besides, the
number of licensed vessels was so small, that they were
not sufficient to furnish all the required supplies.
One other circumstance had considerable weight with

196 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
many ; notwithstanding the necessity of the case, which
might reasonably be pleaded in extenuation of tbe raeasures
of the town, if some person, with malicious intent, should
have made complaint to the government, it would at least
embarrass, and might bring the town into additional
difficulties, and, instead of proving a benefit to the com
munity, end in distress.
These reflections became so forcible on tbe minds of
many, that in the 9th month a committee was deputed
to wait on Elbridge Gerry, the vice-president, previous
to his leaving his home to attend to the duties of his
office at Washington. They reported, on their return,
that, after giving him a full statement of tbe transactions
of the town with the British, he had said, that he could
not condemn the proceedings, and that he knew of no
other way in which they could have done so well. He
further promised to represent the subject to the govern
ment, and to use his endeavors to secure iis approbation
of their conduct. He also recommended their giving a
statement of the case to congress.
The coraraissioners, who were appointed by the au
thority of the town, on the 27th of the 7th month, to go
to Admiral Cochrane, now returned and reported in sub
stance as follows : — Believing that the admiral was at
Bermudas, they had pursued their course thither, but to
their mortification they found, that he had sailed thence,
two or three days previous to their arrival, for the
Chesapeake. Their vessel needing some repairs, and
they were necessarily detained a few days, in which time
they visited the' governor of Bermudas, who received
them courteously, and seemed to laraent with them the
lost opportunity of meeting -with the admiral there.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 197
They made him acquainted with tbe nature of their
mission. He was a man of high respectability, and ever
ready to manifest bis benevolence, when it could be
consistentiy exercised. In this case he could do littie
more than to advise them to pursue their mission to the
admiral, in whom, he stated, they would find a man of
feeling, who, he believed, would do every thing in his
power for the relief of Nantucket. He asked them,
whether they did not believe, that the people of that
island would be benefited by being placed under the
jurisdiction of Great Britain. And he stated, that if
direct application should be made to Admiral Cochrane
for that purpose, and if the admiral could be well assured,
that it would benefit the inhabitants, he did not doubt
that a small force would be sent to accomplish the
business, and protect the place.
The committee informed hira, that they did not believe,
that such a change in the governraent of the island would
be beneficial; but that it would, on the contrary, add to
the troubles already experienced.
He said, that it appeared, that tbe application bad been
made by the authority of the tow n, and he supposed that
they had come to act in the premises. They replied,
that it did not come from the authority of the town, and
that the town did not want it done. He then informed
them, that a letter, signed by the chairman of the select
men had been received by the admiral, making the
request. They stated, that it was a forgery, ' committed
by some malicious persons, to answer sorae sinister ends ;

' One of the commissioners was the chairman of the selectmen
alluded to in the forged letter,

198 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
for there had never been any movements raade by the
town, by any ways or means whatever, to corae under
the British governraent, and that roost of the inhabitants
would abhor the idea of changing their government for
any other on earth.
After completing their business at Bermudas, they left,
in company with the Madagascar frigate, and arrived at
the Patuxent river, in the Chesapeake, where they found
Admiral Cochrane. He received them on board his ship
in a very friendly raanner, and after finding who they
were, the business they came upon, and that they were
properly authorized by the town as a flag 'of truce, he
treated them cordially, and said that he believed the
statement, which they made, to be correct ; and that he
would do all he could, consistentiy with his duties, for the
relief of Nantucket. He made many inquiries, respecting
the situation of the island, and seemed to take a deep
interest in its condition.' He told them, that he had been
inforraed, in some degree, of the sufferings of the people,
and that he had made arrangements with Comraodore
Hotham, at Gardner's Bay, for their relief.
Finding so much freedom in his carriage, the comraittee
proposed to him an extension of the privileges already
granted, so as to allow whaling lo be carried on without
the risk of capture. The admiral stated, that this could
not be granted without the consent of his government ;
but be said, that, if they would put their ideas on paper,
agreeably to tbe wishes of the town, he would send tbe
communication by a despatch vessel, which was to sail
the following day, adding, that he believed an arrange
ment could be made to meet their view s. Notwithstand
ing this favorable opportunity to pursue a very desirable

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 199
object, prudence prevented tbe acceptance of his generous
offer; and the comraittee replied, that, however desirous
they were to avail theraselves of it, yet they had no
authority to request any privilege, which it was beyond
his power to grant.
Tho comraittee then treated with him on the subject of
Nantucket prisoners, and set forth the difference betvveen
such as belonged to the island and sailed in the fisheries,
and those of the United States in general. He readily
acceded to their views; and, as a plan for exchange could
not be adopted in case of the island's becoming neutral,
he gave them authority to call for such prisoners, belong
ing to Nantucket, as they should find on board of his
majesty's vessels, which they might fall in with on their
passage home. And he proraised to write to his govern
ment concerning Nantucket prisoners in general. They
bad a full opportunity with him, and opened to him every
circumstance relating to their mission ; to all which he
appeared very attentive, and finally said, that he would
do every thing for the relief of the people of Nantucket,
consistent with his duty to bis government ; and stated
that his secretary was then about finishing a despatch to
Commodore Hotham, which would be a confirmation of
what he had heretofore granted. The despatch being
finished, they were about to proceed with it to Commo
dore Hotham, when they were astonished with the in
formation, that a postscript had been added to it, of the
following import : " that if Nantucket paid the direct tax,
or internal duties, the stipulations entered into for their
relief. Sic. should become void." There bad never been
any conversation between Admiral Cochrane and the
commissioners on this subject ; but however much the

200 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
latter were astonished at this new condition, they bad no
opportunity for further negotiation, as the admiral appeared
to have done with them, and to have turned his attention
to other business.
The postscript, above-mentioned, seemed to threaten a
total defeat to all the plans of the town, to save them
selves from famine. There appeared to be no probability
of being able to evade or elude it. The committee, there
fore, left the Chesapeake in dismay, though conscious of
having discharged their duties faithfully, and as far as in
their power, consistently whh the best interests of the
town. A copy of the despatch, which the commissioners took
with thera, is here inserted.
Surprize, in the Patuxent River, 30th of August, 1814.
Sir, — A deputation frora the island of Nantucket having
waited on rae in this river, under a flag of Iruce, to solicit
perraission to obtain supplies of food and fuel from the
continent of the United States, I have referred them to
you, and you will be pleased to grant them such indul
gences as you may deem proper, consistently wilh what
is prescribed in my letter. No. 6, of 26th July, 1814,
respecting the Inhabitants of that island.
I have the honor to be, sir,
your most obedient humble servant,
Alexander Cochrane,
Vice Admiral and Commander-in-Chief, &;c. Sjc.
Rear Admiral the Hon. Henry Hotham, &ic. he. fee.
P. S. You will be pleased to signify to the inhabit
ants of the island of Nantucket, ihat, if it be found they

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 201
pay any direct taxes, or internal duties, for the support of
the government of the United States, I will withdraw this
indulgence forthwith, and will call upon them to pay
double the amount to his majesty's government.
Alexander Cochr,\ne.
The commissioners, having arrived al Gardner's Bay,
delivered tiie despatch to Comtnodore Hotham, who
ordered his secretary to write to the committee which
heretofore waited on him from Nantucket, informing them
of this new arrangement. The letter was sent by the
commissioners, and vvas as follows :
His Majesty's Ship Superb,
off New London, 8tli September, 1814.
Gentlemen, — I have received Instructions frora Vice
Admiral the Honorable Alexander Cochrane, K: B. Cora-
mander-in-Chief, &ic. &c. &;c., — which will require that
the inhabilants of the island of Nantucket should distinctly
understand that the terras, on which they have stipulated
for the neutrality of that island, will not perrait thera to
pay any direct taxes, or internal duties, for the support
of the governraent of the United States of Araerica; and
that I should receive an assurance frora you, that they
conceive a strict neutrality will preclude them from ren
dering any supp6rt of that nature to that government; in
failure of the execution of which, I am instructed forth
with to withdraw the passports I have granted to their
vessels, and to call upon them to pay double the amount
of the taxes to his British majesty's government, they pay
to that of the United States of America.
I have the honor to be, fee.
Henry Hotham, Commodore.
Directed to the town's committee.

202 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
P. S. A Nantucket vessel having been found whaling
wilh a counterfeit protection, orders will be given to his
majesty's ships to capture or destroy all vessels belonging
to that island, which shall be found with any other than
the original protections granted to them.
The inhabitants of the town immediately convened on
the subject of the foregoing communication. The busi
ness claimed the serious attention of the people; and,
after soriie debate, it was voted to send the following
petition to congress, requesting a suspension of the col
lection of the direct tax and internal duties, during the
existence of the present war.
To the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress
assembled.
The inhabitants of the town of Nantucket are com
pelled, by calarailies beyond their control, once more to
petition the constituted authorities of the nation to con
tribute at least so far to the relief of their sufferings, as to
suspend the collection of the direct taxes and internal
duties which, by law, are, or may be, liable to be exacted
of them. They are convinced that a reiteration of the
peculiar, multiplied, and overwhelming evils which assail
them, is not essential to procuring the relief for which
they are now constrained lo petition. Exposed to the
free and undisturbed access of the declared enemies of the
governraent of the United States, it is indispensable to
their existence, as a component part of that government,
that they should not, during the existence of the war,
contribute to the. means by which it is Carried on. In
disposed as your petitioners sincerely are lo injure their
own country, or to contravene its wholesome laws, they

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 203
cannot be less anxious to avoid affixing their own seal to
their own immediate misery and destruction. It is evi
dently certain, that while they continue without the pro
tection of the government of the Unilefl States, and
exposed to all the depredations that may be committed
upon them, they cannot justiy be reduced to misery and
starvation, for pecuniary contribution, so inconsiderable to
the governraent, as that which is required of them. This
consideration alone is not only sufficient lo justify the re
spectful application, but it ought, they believe, lo claim
for it that attention, which will lead to a complete attain
ment of its object.
Signed in behalf, and by direction of the 1ow^n.of Nan
tucket, in a legal town meeting assembled on the 15th
day of September, 1814.
Attest : James Coffin, Town Clerk.
The sarae raeeting agreed on sending the following
letter to Commodore Hotham :
Nantucket, 15th September, 1814.
The Honorable Henry Hotham, Esquire, commanding
his majesty's ships and vessels employed on the coast
of North Araerica from Nantucket lo the Delaware,
Sir, — We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your coraraunicatlon, dated on the 8th instant, and we now
beg leave to reply to the subject of it. The inhabitants of
the island are under a full conviction of the heavy pressure,
the payment of the direct and other taxes would have upon
them at this time of increased and increasing distress, but
they have had to act on this subject with rauch obvious
embarrassment, reflecting on the effect that a refusal of the

204 history op nantucket.
payment would have on the one hand, while they con
templated on the other, with no less anxiety, the intima
tions that the payment should cause the generous privileges
granted thera to be withdrawn. In this extreme, critical,
and perplexing condition, they assembled in town-raeeting,
and resolved, to petition the congress of the United States,
if not to rerait, at least lo suspend the collection of the
taxes during the existence of the present unhappy con
flict. But to remove all doubt of the intention of the
inhabitants fully to comply, as far as practicable, with tbe
requisitions of the Honorable Sir Alexander Cochrane,
the officer, deputed to collect the taxes upon the island,
was prevailed upon immediately to resign his coraraission.
We feel confident, that no inhabitant of the island will
accept the appointraent as collector, and that no stranger
will expose hiraself so much, as be necessarily must, to
hold this undesirable office. Under these circumstances,
we are' persuaded no taxes will be paid ; but we think
ourselves justified in believing, that a public and direct
refusal will not be required of us ; for the peculiar favors
already granted to this place evince, in his Britannic
majesty's governraent and in his naval commanders, a
determination not to embarrass and distress, but to aid
and relieve the unoffending inhabitants.
Respecting the counterfeit protection referred to in
your honor's communication, we have made strict inquiry,
which has produced in our minds a conviction, that the
supposed counterfeit papers were merely an attested copy
of tbe votes of the town, and a copy of the protection
granted the town, attested by a notary public. These
copies were procured to show the neutrality of the island,
in the event of the vessel's capture and destruction, to

history of NANTUCKET. 205
induce the discharge of the men, if such discharge should
be consistent wilh the instructions given to his British
majesty's commanders. We do not discover that any
injury can result from these copies ; but, if this use of
them, thus explained, does not comport with your honor's
views, no pains shall be spared on our part to suppress
the use of them.
In order that you may be better able to judge of the
tenor of these instruments granted, we here inclose you
a true copy of all the papers which have been given to
those vessels who have no protection.
We have the honor to be, &ic.
[Signed by the committee.]
A letter was soon after received by the coramiltee from
Commodore Hotham in reply to the preceding, the sub
stance of which was, lo require a direct answer " whethei;
the town is determined to refuse the payment of the direct
taxes and internal duties, which are, or shall be required
by the government of the United States ? "
The committee having no authority to answer this
demand, laid the subject before a meeting of the town,
¦warned for the purpose. Many of the inhabitants believ
ing that the business was about to be conducted in a way
that might bring the censure of their government, if no
thing more, upon them, concluded that it would be safest
for them not lo attend the meeting. The meeting was,
therefore, but thinly attended.
The following votes were taken on the occasion, with
littie or no opposition, viz :
" That this town will not pay any direct tax, or inter
nal duties, during the present war between the United
States of America and the government of Great Britain."

206 history of nantucket.
" That there be a committee appointed to carry into
effect the neutrality, which is agreed on with Admiral
Henry Hotham."
" That the committee so chosen be a committee to
treat wilh the commanders of all public and private
British armed vessels, that are or shall be visiting our
shores." " That this town do now discontinue all other com-
mhtees, that have been heretofore appointed by said town
to treat with any of his Britannic majesty's ships or vessels,
in behalf of the town."
" That this town will prevent the carrying off any
provisions from this island more than shall be permitted
by Admiral Henry Hothara."
Nantucket, Sept. 28, 1814.
A deputation from the comraittee was sent with the
aforesaid rejily, who reported, on their return, that no
additional extension of the privileges, heretofore granted,
could be obtained from Adrairal Hothara.
The protections, granted by the British, to bring pro
visions, fuel, Stc, from the continent, were at first of
material benefit, and were duly appreciated by the people
generally. But the limited conditions specified in them,
and the jealousies they created, both amongst the Amer
icans and the English, soon lessened their value ; so that
sorae who possessed thera, hardly dared to leave port and,
trust to them.
On the 10th of the 10th month, a remarkable occur
rence took place, a description of which, although it does
not come within the limits of this work, according to the
intention of the writer, seeras to be demanded, since the

history of nantucket, 207
affair happened very near to the island. The American
privateer schooner Neufchatel, of New York, and a ship
from Jamaica, her prize, loaded with sugar, coffee. Sic,
were at anchor at the south side of the island, with a
small breeze at the northward. There was a ship wide
in the offing at the same tirae, supposed to be a British
man-of-war. At two o'clock P. M. the captain of the
privateer discovered boats from the ship headed in toward
the shore. Being fully convinced that they were British,
he made every preparation to give thera a warra recep
tion. At sunset five barges were plainly discovered,
which appeared to be full of men. At nine in the even
ing they carae within musket shot of the privateer, when
the action commenced, and continued about thirty-five
minutes. After the firing ceased, it was found that two
of the barges had surrendered ; one was missing, supposed
to have sunk. The other two returned with sixteen men,
out of one hundred and forty -six that left the ship, which
proved to be the Endymion frigate. From the best in
formation that could be obtained, it was found that about
one hundred of the ship's crew were killed, among whom
was the first lieutenant, who headed the expedition. Of
the privateer's crew five were killed, including the pilot,
who belonged to Nantucket. We forbear to state the
particulars of this sanguinary engagement, believing that
it would neither please nor edify a large part of our
readers. What we have related is sufficient both as a
record of the fact, and as an example of the horrors of
war. The action took place within about five miles of
the town, and whilst the work of death was going on, the
reports of the cannon and muskets were distinctly heard
by the inhabitants. Such a scene, almost under the eye

208 history of nantucket.
of a large community, one of whose most distinguishing,
and, as we think, noblest traits, is a strong aversion to
war, could not fail to bring a solemn gloom over their
minds.

CHAPTER X.

During, and a littie previous to the lOtb month, 1814,
there had been sorae talk of peace. Ministers of the
United States and Great Britain were negotiating a treaty,
but there were so raany interests involved, that the pros
pect of an immediate, amicable settlement, was by no
means flattering. The winter therefore commenced,
attended with miUcb of the gloom and despondency which
had before prevailed. The market was, however, well
supplied wilh flour and corn. On the 16th,of the second
month, the glad tidings of a treaty of peace were proclaim
ed. The joy of the inhabitants, on this occasion, we shall
not attempt to describe. It was felt, and is still remem
bered by hundreds, whose connexions were then immured
in prisons abroad, or whose means of subsistence had been
snatched from them by the ruthless hand of war; by
parents whose children, and by children whose parents,
were asking bread.
The terras of the treaty were represented to be so

history of nantucket. 209
honorable to this nation, that no doubts of its ratification
were entertained. The attention of merchants was imme
diately tutned to their wonted business. The season was
yet inclement, and the harbor blocked up with ice ; so
that vessels could not go to any port on the continent to
procure materials for the outfits of the few ships remain
ing in port. Mechanics iramediately comraenced work
with what little coopers' stuff, iron, herap, &z;c., was on
hand. In the mean time all anxiously looked for news
from government.
At length, on the 28th of the same month, the condi
tions of the treaty arrived, ratified by the president.
This confirmation of their expectations was bailed with
inexpressible joy. The streets were thronged with peo
ple congratulating each other on the occasion. Gratitude
and thanksgiving to the Author of all good seemed to
pervade the community.
The war being closed, afl began to turn their attention
to business. Some left the island to seek eraployraent in
other ports, but tbe greater part commenced making
artangements for the prosecution of the whahng business.
At the close of the war, it was found that about one half
of the ships was left, several of which were not at sea
during the war, some bad been sent off to neighboring
ports on the continent for safety, others were hauled up.
In all, including those which arrived in time of war, there
remained twenty-three. Twenty-two had been taken
and condemned, one was lost at sea. Fifteen returned
home in safety, five were not at sea during tbe war, three
were brought to the island after the close of the war.
Thus of the whole number belonging to the port at the
commencement of hostilities, there remained exactly one
14

210 HISTOtlY OF NANTUCKET,
half. Of those remaining, many needed extensive re
pairs. Business was commenced with alacrity. In a very
short time several ships were sent to sea. Small compa
nies were formed by new adventurers, who made consid
erable additions to the fleet. Believing that the first oil
imported would comraand a high price, many were stim
ulated to embark in the business, beyond the extent of
their funds. Thus a system, if it may be so called, of
long credits was introduced, which, though it promised
some advantage to the community by bringing raore ships
into the service, and employing a greater number of men,
was nevertheless pregnant with evils. Mechanics were
under the necessity of trusting out their wares, for an un
usual length of time, and were subjected to tbe necessity
of hiring, money to purchase their stock, a practice which
proved very injurious to them. And some owners, who
did not meet with success, found themselves much em
barrassed by thus transacting business.
From the tirae of which we have just spoken, to the
present date, Gth month, 1835, our history must necessa
rily assume the form of a diary. No events have occur
red vvhich admit of a connected narrative. During the
long continuance of peace, the whale fishery, like all
other btisiness, has had its fluctuations ; at tiraes prosper
ous and encouraging, al other tiraes dull and unprofitable.
Hitherto we have purposely avoided touching on some
subjects of general interest, deeming it more expedient to
devote a portion of our limits purposely to them, than to
interweave them among the other incidents of our narra
tion. Among these are sorae notices of religious socie
ties, education, shipwrecks, Sic, which will be found in
our Second Part.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 211
On the first of the second raonth, 1815, the weather
was remarkably cold. The thermoraeter was eleven
degrees below zero ; lower by several degrees than had
ever before been known.
Although peace was now concluded between tbe two
governments, the evils occasioned by tbe war were not
entirely done away. The taxes for the support of the
poor department, on account of the great increase of the
poor, had increased nearly one hundred per cent. The
town was called upon to pay large araounts to the gov
ernment, as a direct tax, which was a heavy burden on a
great number of the inhabitants, many of whom were
possessed of nothing more than a sraall estate in land, or,
perhaps, an old house. Some of these were aged peo
ple, or widows, whose scanty raeans should have ren
dered them rather objects of charity, than contributors to
the expenses of government ; while seafaring raen and
merchants were very generally exempted. These con
siderations caused many to pay with reluctance. Some
were even obliged to sell a part of their interest, to meet
the demand, their taxes amounting to more than their
whole cash receipts for the year.
In the 7th moBth many of the ships, left at the close of
the war, had proceeded to sea ; some to the coast of
Brazil, but the greater part to the Pacific Ocean. Ten
ships were, this month, at one tirae lying at the bar, all
waiting to complete their outfits in order to commence their
voyages. In the Sth month, 1816, a newspaper was issued by
Tannalt and Tupper, enlitied the Nantucket Gazette.
This was tbe first paper published on the island. It did
not receive the expected patronage, and after a short time
it was discontinued.

212 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
In the 11th month, the lighthouse on Great Point
-was destroyed by fire. The year following, a new one
of stone was erected by the governraent.
In 1817, two years after the war, its effects in some
respects were more severely felt than during its existence.
The people generally, and particularly the poorer classes,
were more distressed for want of the necessaries and com
forts of life, than when we were surrounded by the enemy.
This raay, at first view, seem paradoxical, but it can be ex
plained as follows : At the close of the war, merchants and
mechanics, in their avidity to extend their business to the
farthest limits of their means, dispossessed themselves of
nearly all their trading capital. Long voyages, arid long
credits put their property far beyond their immediate con
trol. The excitement, produced by the return of peace,
was succeeded by a season of languor. Want of emiploy-
raent compelled great numbers of the laboring poor to
call for assistance. In the early part of the winter the
weather was extreraely cold, which obstructed a great
part of tbe supplies intended for the consumption of the
inhabitants. Tbe price of flour presently rose to seven
teen dollars per barrel, that of corn to two dollars per
bushel, and there was very littie of either article to be,
bought even at those prices. Beggars were now as nu
merous in the streets, as at any time during the revolu
tion. Here was a scene which called forth the spirit of
true benevolence ; a field for all to labor in, whose hearts
were not like adamant. With many, doubtiess, the pre
cept of Jesus was carefully observed, " when thou doest
thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee." The
charitable hands of females, never closed and never idle,
when the sick and the naked call for help, "were now

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 213
busily employed in administering to tbe necessitous. The
refuse of the rich was by their ingenious needles convert
ed into comforts for the poor. The first ray of the lamp
of life, and its last expiring glimraer, shone upon their
ministrations. Infancy, and disease, and age, were their
peculiar care. Still neither private beneficence nor feraale
associations were sufficient to satisfy the cravings of hun
ger, and additional raeans were resorted to for affording
sustenance to the poor. Soup being considered a cheap
and nutritious food, an establishraent was fixed upon
where it was daily made, and where the necessitous were
supplied free of expense, and others, if they chose, might
buy. This establishraent was kept open till spring, at
which time business of various kinds presented, and the
poor were enabled to contribute to their own wants.
The whale ships now began to arrive with good voy
ages, and new life was given to every branch of business.
The merchant, the mechanic, and the day-laborer, all felt
the change. Ship-owners began to make further advan
ces, Iby which the fleet was likely to be considerably
increased. Candle-factories and raany dwelhng-houses
were erected. How different was the situation of the
people, now, from what it was only a few raonths before 1
Then the greater part of the people were without ern
ployment, and hundreds were dependent on charity for
their daily bread; now all were busy, and friends and
connexions were daily returning horae, laden with " rich
experience " of the blessings of peace.
Although the principal articles required in the outfits of
ships were held at exorbitant prices, yet the price of oil
and candles was proportionately high, so that the whaling
business was on the whole profitable.

214 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
A good raarket for considerable quantities of oil opened
in London, and sorae other ports in Europe, which had
an immediate effect on the prices in this country. The
reason of this unexpected demand in England was the
failure of their northern whale fishery during two succes
sive years.
The value of houses and settiements, which had depre
ciated during the war by removals and other causes, now
began to rise. Another species of real estate, called cows'
commons or cow rights, which in the first year of the war
were sold for sixty or seventy dollars each, was now
reduced to about one third of that value.
In the year 1819 the number of ships and vessels
belonging to the island had increased to
, , ." ' S in the whale fishery;
4 brigs, ) . . .
15 schooners, > principally in the coasting business.
62 sloops, }
The amount of tonnage of the whole was 23,565 tons.
The success of the whale fishery at Nantucket did not
pass unnoticed at the different seaports throughout the
United States. The depression of commerce generally
induced many to embark in this business. Whale ships
were sent from New York, Long Island, New London,
New Bedford, Cape Cod and Boston, the effect of which
was, in a short time, to introduce into the country a
greater quantity of oil than was deraanded by tbe com
mon consumption. The same depression of commerce
was felt in France and England, and led new adventurers
to engage in the whale fishery in those countries. In
England, particularly, the business increased to a great

HISTORY OP NANTUCKET. 215
extent. In consequence of this, shipments abroad could
no longer be made profitable.
By the enumeration of the inhabitants, taken in the year
1820, it will appear by the following table that there were

Males.

Females.

Total,

Under 10 years of age.

875

861

1736

Over 10 and under 16,

515

490

1005

Over 16 and under 26,

709

710

1419

Over 26 and under 45,

763

828

1591

Over 45,

484

757

1241

3346 3646 6992
Persons of color, 274
7266
Number of inhabitants in 1810, 6807
Increase in 10 years, 459
We need not attempt to account for so small an increase
in ten years, in any other way than by reminding our
readers of the many removals which took place during
the war.
The following is a statement of the number of vessels
and tonnage belonging to Nantucket on the first of the
9th month, 1821.

No. of
vessels.

78 6
16
59

Ships.
Brigs.Sch'rs.
Sloops

Employed
in whale
fishery.

Employed
in coasting
trade.

Tons.- 1 95ths. Tons. | 95ths,

22648 339
225

5221 14

871
3012

73
57

Employed
in cod fish
ery.

Tons.

46

Total.

95ths. Tons. I 95ths,

87

22648 690 918
3237

5293
65
71

274951 91

3 Brigs in foreign trade.

1— •
Oi

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 217
We have now completed, according to our design, that
part of our work which may properiy be denominated
historical, Soi*ne subjects have been slightly touched
upon, some wholly omitted, which might, with propriety,
have been introduced. These, together with others of
merely local interest, we have reserved for our Second
Part, Our reasons for this arrangement are as follows :
Whilst preparing our book for the press, facts have been
presented to us, that could not be noticed at the time
without much interruption to our labor ; and subjects of
merely local interest seemed to demand, for convenience
of reference, a separate place.
It is said with some truth, that the history of our island
presents httie that is novel or interesting. The ground is
not consecrated by deeds of chivalry : no ruined towers,
no warlike mounds, no raouldering abbeys, nor any other
objects meet the eye, over which the genius of romance
will deign to preside, or to which popular superstition can
appeal for confirmation of tbe strange and wonderful. No
spot is memorable for martial acts. The soil is unstained
with blood ; its history is that of peace. Notwithstanding
this total want of every thing grand or terrible in tbe
annals of the past, we trust that many events herein re
corded will be found worthy of remembrance, and we
believe that raany equally interesting are now lost forever,
merely because they were not recorded. Tradition, it is
true, has not been idle. Indeed we are indebted to her
for much that we know of tbe settiement of our beloved
island, and of the character, manners and occupations of
our fathers. But our tradition, for the most part, deals
in generals. It contains littie to diversify the dull mono
tony of the peaceable settiement of a few enterprising

218 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
families, and their slow progress in wealth and numbers,
frora the commencement down to the present moraent.
We look, almost in vain, for those apostrophes which en
liven history, those littie events which have their begin
ning, their middle, and end, within the narrow compass of
a few years or months, without being attended with any
consequences that can influence succeeding tirae. Yet
we know that such events must have taken place. The
nature of man has ever been the sarae in all ages and
countries. Hopes deferred, disappointed loves, and ambi
tious schemes defeated, expectations lively and cheering
met by some melancholy or fatal reality, — these make the
scene and drapery of the stage of life. They are min
gled with our blessings, they are ihe dates frora which we
mark the lapse of our individual lives.

PART SECOND

CHAPTER I.
To give our readers, who may not be familiar wilh a sea
man's life, sorae ideas of its vicissitudes, we insert tbe
following sketches of the adventures of two of our whale
men. The whaling business is peculiarly an ocean life.
The sea, to mariners generally, is but a highway over
which they travel to foreign markets ; but to the whaler
it is his field of labor, it is the horae of his business. The
Nantucket whaleraan, when with his family, is but a visiter
thele. He touches at foreign ports merely to procure
recruits to enable him to prosecute his voyage ; be touches
at horae merely long enough to prepare for a new voyage.
He is in tbe bosora of his faraily weeks, on the bosora of
the ocean years. His youth, and strength,. and best raan-
hood, are all devoted to a life of tedious labor and great
peril. His boyhood anticipates such a life, and aspires
after its highest responsibilities; bis age delights in recount
ing its incidents. We read, and soraetiraes, perhaps,
dwell with delight on the daring exploits of those whom
the world calls heroes; and in proportion to the victims

220 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
sacrificed on the altar of ambition, we attribute glory and
honor to the victor. Alas ! what is bloodshed but mur
der ; what are the pretences of war but words ; what its
dire effects but cold-blooded, purchased butchery. For
deeds of true valor, done without brutal excitement, but
in the honest and lawful pursuit of the means of livelihood,
we may safely point to the life of a whaleman, and dare
the whole world to produce a parallel. The widow and
orphan mourn not over his success, oppression and tyranny
follow not in his paths. No ; his wife and his children
reap the reward of his tolls and dangers, society is enriched
by them, and his prosperity is his country's honor.
Captain Benjamin Worth has given us, by our request,
the following statement of his adventures,
*^I began to follow the sea in 1783, being then 15
years of age, and continued till 1824, I)uring this period
of 41 years, I was a shipmaster 29 years. From the
tirae when I coraraenced going to sea till I quitted the
business, I was at horae only seven years. At the rate
of 4 miles an hour whilst at sea, I have sailed raore than
1,191,000 miles ; I have visited more than 40 islands in
the Atiantic and Pacific Oceans, some of them many
times ; and traversed the west coasts of North and South
America frora Baldivia, lat, 40^ S. to 59° N. on the N.
W. coast, and up Christian Sound to Lynn Canal. I
have assisted in obtaining 20,000 barrels of oil. During
the last war I was taken by the English, in the ship
George, and lost all I had on board. Whilst I comraandr
ed a vessel, not one of my crew was killed, or even had a
limb broken by a whale, nor have any died of the scurvy."

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 221
Statement by Capt, George W. Gardner: " I began
to follow the sea at 13 years of age, and continued in
that service 37 years. I was a shipraaster 21 years. I
perforraed 3 voyages to the coast of Brazil,' 12 to the
Pacific Ocean, 3 to Europe^ and 3 to the West Indies.
During 37 years I was at home but 4 years and 8 months.
There were 23,000 barrels of oil obtained by vessels
which I sailed in. During my following the sea, from
the best estimate I can make, I have travelled more than
1,000,000 miles.
" I was taken by the English in tbe late war, and lost
all the property I had with me."
DESCRIPTION OF THE OUTFITS AND CRUISE OF A SPERM
WHALE SHIP.
We are indebted to an experienced and very intelhgent
whaleman for the following description of the outfits and
cruise of a sperm whale ship.
The class of ships built immediately after the last war
were about 300 tons burthen ; there has, however, been
a steady advance, our ships are now larger, better con
structed, and built of the best materials. The live oak
and yellow pine, being found raost durable for marine
architecture, is brought from the southern states, and no
expense is spared to make the ships what they ought to
be, fit for the arduous and protracted voyages they are
destined to perform. A fair average price of a ship,
ready for the reception of her appropriate stores for a
three years' voyage, is about $22,000, and the outfits
about $ 18,000 raore. Some have sailed at a rauch higher
price, near $60,000. Many are got to sea, fitted in the

222 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
same efficient manner for the sarrie period of time, for
about $34,000, but they are of a smaller size. The
necessary articles put on board a ship for a sperm whale
voyage are too numerous to mention ; it will suffice to
name a few of the principal ones. Beef and pork, 100
bbls. each ; 11 tons of bread, baked from superfine flour;
80 bbls. of flour packed, for puddings, &c.; 1400 gallons
of molasses; peas, beans, corn, dried apples, coffee, tea,
chocolate, butter, in ample quantities, and of good qual
ity. About 4000 barrels of new casks are made for
each ship, from the best white oak stuff, each cask con
taining from three to six barrels, at the cost of about $1,50
per barrel. These articles, together with spare duck,
cordage. Sic, raake the ship quite full when she sails on
her voyage. A ship which mans four boats, six persons
to a boat, requires, including the number necessary to
take care of the ship, when the boats are in pursuit of
whales, 30 or 32 men. It may be interesting, to those
who are not acquainted with this business, to give a brief
account of a whale voyage, and the several duties, to
gether with the pay, of ihe persons composing a ship's
crew. The substance of the contract between the owners on
the one part, and the captain, officers, and crew, on fhe
other, is, for the former to furnish a ship and all the
necessary outiay for the voyage, and the latter to perform
the several duties assigned thera, and lo have, as a com
pensation, such part of oil or whatever else may be obtain
ed as may be agreed upon. And in case of death or
accident, by which any of the crew shall not be able to
perform the whole voyage, they or their representatives
shall draw of the proceeds in the proportion which the

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 223
time served bears to the whole time of the voyage ; thus,
a voyage is performed in 30 months, a man died five
months after the ship sailed, and before one drop of oil
was obtained, be is enlitied to one sixth part of the whole
he would have drawn, had he continued in the ship to
the termination of her cruise. The captain's and officers'
lays or shares differ on account of more or less experi
ence, those of the men depend somewhat on the waces
given In the merchant service. When wages are high in
Nevv York and Boston, it is more difficult to procure men
for our business. The captain's lay is generally one sev
enteenth part of all obtained ; the first officer's, one
twenty-eighth part; the second officer's, one forty-fifth;
the third officer's, one sixtieth ; a boatsteerer's, from an
eightieth to a hundred and twentieth ; and a foremast
hand's from a. hundred and twentieth to a hundred and
eighty-fifth each.
The ship being at sea, the company is divided into two
watches, as in the merchant service. On the outward
passage, all hands are, in good weather, actively engaged
in making the necessary preparations for taking whales.
Two men, generally accompanied by an officer, are sta
tioned at the mast heads to look out for whales. They
are relieved every two hours from sunrise to sunset.
This is when the weather is suitable for taking whales ;
for it is to be understood, that, even on whaling ground,
there are many days in succession, when the weather
prevents the pursuit of whales, if they are seen near by.
The first ships that went into the Pacific Ocean after
sperm whales, found them in sufficient numbers on the
coast of Chili ; but subsequent voyagers kept advancing
northward until, they got quite to the equator. There,

224 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
from the time of our ships first going to the Pacific, till
the war of 1812 put a teraporary stop to the business,
they continued taking cargoes ; and the cruising ground
was confined to the coasts of Chili and Peru, at unequal
distances frora the land, from four leagues to a hundred.
When the business recommenced after the late war, the
fleet constantly increasing, and the whales becoming more
scarce, it was necessary to explore new regions. Captain
George W- Gardner, in the ship Globe, was the first that
steered off to the west. When he arrived in long. 105°
to 115^ west, and lat. 5° south, he found sperm whales
plenty, and obtained considerable oil. He had what has
since been termed the off-shore ground quite to himself;
in two years after that tirae, more than fifty ships were
cruising in tbe same regions ; and iraraense quantities of
oil have been taken in that neighborhood. But even that
extensive ground failed in a raeasure, and other places
were sought. In 1820, Captain Joseph Allen, in the
ship Maro, of Nantucket, sailed for the Japan coast, where
he found sperm whales plenty. In 1821 six or seven
ships, and in 1822 more than thirty were cruising there.
Some seasons since that period, there haVe been cruising
in the North Pacific, between the coasts of New Albion
on tbe east and the Japan Islands on the west, near a
hundred ships, one third English, and the others Ameri
can ; and now no part of the navigable ocean has been
left unexplored ; every sea has been visited and revisited,
and the raost remote parts have become farailiar to our
navigators. Most of our whale ships go into the Pacific by the way
of Cape Horn ; some by the eastern route south of New
Holland and 'Van Dieman's Land ; others, after cruising

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 225
awhile in the Indian Ocean, in the neighborhood of Mada
gascar and tbe mouth of the Red Sea, pursue their way
into the Pacific through the Strahs of Timor, between
New Guinea on the south, and the Pelew Islands on tbe
north, touching at the Ladrone Islands, and then onward
to the Japan coast. They there meet ships, which sailed
frora home about the sarae time with theraselves, and
came by the way of Cape Horn. Others too meet at
the sarae place, that came by the route south of New
Holland. It must appear obvious, that our whale ships
are exploring, in a more effectual manner than twenty
national ships could, every part of the vast Pacific. They
have discovered many islands, reefs, and shoals, which
navigators, sent out expressly for exploring purposes, bad
passed unseen. The captains and officers are lunarians,
and the ships are generally furnished with chronometers.
It is rather difficult to give a very correct idea of the
method of taking a whale, to persons entirely unacquainted
with the business. As soon as a whale is discovered by
the men at mast head, the first inquiry frora deck Is, "in
what direction ? " That answered, the sails are triramed
according to distance, and the ship made to head as di-
rectiy for the object as possible. It is not desirable to
approach the whale nearer than within about one mile.
When at about that distance, the ship is stopped, and the
boats are lowered into the water. If the whale is down,
each boat takes the station where the officer commanding
her believes the whale will come up. A large sperm whale
remains under water from forty-five minutes to an hour
and fifteen minutes. Their usual rale of going, when
undisturbed, is about two and a half miles an hour.
Being satisfied which way the whale was headed, when
15

226 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
it went down, each one exercises his judgrrient as to where
he thinks it will come up. There they anxiously wait ;
when it does appear, the nearest boat pulls on (the other
boats take a position near by) and strikes as soon as possi
ble, which is done by the officer in the head of the boat, who
darts two harpoons into the whale. These harpoons, or,
as we terra tbera, whale irons, are attached to a line of
280 or 300 fathoms, coiled in a tub. The effect pro
duced by the harpoons is various. Sometimes it pene
trates a vital part and kills the whale in a few minutes.
This, however, is not often the case. The irons are not
so much intended to kill the whale as to fasten to her, A
more proper instrument, called a lance, is used to despatch
the whale ; its head is much like the centre-piece in an
eel spear, the shank is about three feet long with a socket,
in which is fixed a pole of about eight feet. It is easily
darted six or eight fathoms. It has a line or warp at
tached to it, by which it can be drawn back after being
thrown. But it is better not to use the warp, but to go
to the whale's side, and with your hand set tbe lance to
the whale's life, and the work is done. Sometimes, im
mediately after the whale is struck, it stops, being severely
hurt, and rolls, threshes, and tumbles about at a great
rate, making tbe water fly in all directions. It is best to
keep close to the suds, but not quite in it, and when she
straightens out on the water after her paroxysm, it is a
good time to pull up and throw in a lance. Soraetimes,
on being struck, they descend with great rapidity, taking
three, or four, or even five hundred fathoms of line. If
another boat is near by, and the line is likely to be run
frora the first boat, it is knotted to a second, and some
times to a third, making in all eight hundred fathoms in

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 227
one continued string. We do not think that whales de
scend to that depth ; considerable line is taken out when
they are coming up. When the whale is dead, it is taken
to the ship, which keeps at a proper distance during the
action. The work of taking off tbe blubber, that part
from which the oil is extracted, then comraences. This
is done by putting heavy tackles at the niainraast head.
An aperture near the fin is made in the blubber, suffi
ciently large to admit a strong hook, which is attached to the
winding tackles before mentioned, and the purchase is
brought to a windlass. This is what is called raising a
piece. After cutting what is necessary upon the head,
as the men heave, the blubber is peeled or separated
from the body or carcass by a sharp instrument raade for
the purpose, called a spade. When the blanket-piece,
11 as it is called, is hove up to the mast head, another hole
is made, and the strap of the other tackle is put through,
toggilled and hove tight, and the piece above cut off and
lowered into tbe ship's hold between decks. The second
tackle, now having its piece, is hove till that is at mast
head and is relieved. Thus the whale is kept rolling
until it is rolled out of its jacket, just as a person would
haul a piece of tape from a cane, if it were wound around
it spirally from end to end. After tbe whale is once
turned round, the head is separated from the body and
taken on board according to convenience : it generally
produces about one' third of the oil taken ftom tbe whale,
which is rauch raore valuable than that taken from the
blubber of the body, as raost of the spermaceti used in
making candles comes from it.
Sperm whales vary much in size. The cows and
calves are generally found in shoals. Ten, twenty, and

228 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
soraetimes hundreds, constitute a school ; and, when
discovered, some of them are constantiy on the surface
of the water, spouting, jumping, playing, fee. The
cows make frora eight to forty barrels of oil. The male
grows rauch larger ; and what is terraed a large whale will
yield frora sixty to a hundred barrels. It is thought by
sorae, that the raales, or at least the raost of them, about
the third year of their age leave the cows and calves and
gang together : and it is not uncommon to see a school
of forty barrel whales, and so on to sixties. Sometime?
single whales are seeri of a large size. To what depth a
sperm whale descends in search of food, (which is always
squid,) no person, whatever his experience may have
been, can tell. One thing is certain, that the larger the
whale, the longer it stops under water.
After the blubber is hoisted on board, the ship's
company immediately proceed to boil it out, while it
is sweet. Before sailing, there is built on deck a solid,
substantial brick work, called a camboose, with a water
course beneath it, in which are set two, and sometimes
three pots, holding from 140 to 200 gallons each, for the
purpose of trying out the oil. The blubber, now in the
ship's hold, called blanket-pieces, is cut into smaller parts,
about five inches wide, and from twelve to eighteen long,
cafled horse-pieces, frora a piece of plank bearing that
name. It is then minced by a tool, shaped something like
a scythe, with a handle on each, end, and is now prepared
for the pot. After the oil is tried from tbe blubber, it is
put into a large copper cooler, and thence into casks.
When the oil is as cool as the climate will make it, the
casks, having shrunk considerably, are coopered again,
and put away in the hold, not to be moved again, unless
they should leak, until the termination of the voyage.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 229
THE RIGHT-WHALE.
This species of whale differs materially from the
spermaceti. The whales obtained in the Gulf of St,
Lawrence, about the year 1761, produced from 100 to
230 barrels of oil each. The vessels engaged in the
right-whale fishery, at that tirae, were frora 45 to 60 tons
burthen, so that one, which took a whale of the largest
size, would make a profitable voyage. The bone from
one of these whales weighed from 2500 to 8200 pounds,
and sold at $1 or $1,25 per pound ; the slabs were 10
feet in length. A stranger to the business may ask, what
these monsters of the deep five upon, to grow to such an
enormous size ? Their principal food is an animal of the
fish kind, not bigger than a spider, which it resembles
somewhat in shape : the color is of a reddish cast. It is
called bret, and is frequently seen on the surface of the
water in such quantities as to raake a reddish, appearance
of several acres. These the whales take into their
mouths in large quantities, and the slabs of bone serve as
strainers to discharge the water and retain the food.
DESCRIPTION OF A SIXTY BARREL SPERM WHALE.
Length, 60 feet. Circumference of the largest part of
the body, 24 feet. Distance from one point of the fluke,
or tail, to the other, 7 feet. Length of each fin, 3^ feet.
Length of the jaw bones, 14 feet. Number of teeth 46.
From ihe spout holes or nostrils from the end of the
nose, 10 inches. Frora the end of the nose to the eyes,
14 feet. The color of the skin, sirailar to that of a
comraon fek hat. Thickness of the skin, 1 inch.
Thickness of the blubber, or fat on the ribs, 5 inches ;

230 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
on the breast, 9 inches. The proportion of blubber
is about |- of the whole animal.
The accompanying figure of a sperm whale is copied
from Captain James Colnett's Voyage to the South
Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
A. Part of the bead containing liquid oil, or head
matter. B. The spout-hole. A. B. The part of the
head of a large whale which is too bulky and ponderous
to be hoisted on board, it is suspended on tackles, and the
front part being cut off, the oil is bailed out with buckets r
but the head of a small whale is divided at the double
line below C. C. and hoisted on deck. ¦¦ Where the
tackles are fastened. D. Where the tackles are first
hooked, which is called raising a piece ; being thus
steadied in the tackles, the head is divided at the lowest
double line. E. A large hump of fat. F. A smaller
hump of fat. When the whale is flioeiied, or peeled to
E, it will no longer cant or turnTn the tackles, it is
therefore cut through at the first double line and also at
G, the tail being of no value. H. The ear, which is
remarkably small, as is also the eye from which a hollow
or concave line runs to the fore part of the head. The
eyes being prominent, the whale is enabled to pursue his
prey in a direct line, and by inclining his head a little to
the right or left, he can see his enemy astern. There is
one row of teeth, in the lower jaw, and sockets in the
upper, to receive thera. The number of teeth depends
on the age of the animal. When the sperm whale spouts,
he throws the water forward and not upward, like other
whales, except when he is enraged.
The tail is horizontal ; with it he does much mischief
in defending himself. The ambergris is generaUy discov-

hi

O
Tl

a -J

gs«S.-ik5.i

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 231
ered by probing the intestines with a long pole, when the
fish is cut in two at E.

The different species of whales nurse their young as
cows do their calves. The age, at which tbe young are
weaned, is probably 12 months. Whales have no means
of carrying their young, to preserve them from danger.
When attacked by a school of killers, a species of whale
not larger than a sperm whale 2 months old, they stop
entirely, and lay like logs on the water; then the calves
collect between the cows and run their heads as far out
of water as they can. When whales are frightened, they
go as fast as their calves can swim, and no faster. Cows
and calves associate very freely together. There is a
marked difference in the spoutings of different species of
whales. A sperm whale has but one spout hole, and
throws the spout forward at an elevation of about 45 de
grees. It is much thicker, and does not go as high as that
of most other whales. A right-whale has 2 spout holes
about 18 feet from the nose, and consequently much nearer
the lungs: the spout is thrown nearly perpendicularly,
widening as it rises. The fin-back has 2 spout holes ; yet
the spout often rises in one jet, so as to cause it to be sorae
tiraes mistaken for the spout of a spermaceti : and the
same raay be observed of tbe humpbacks. Sorae whales
appear raore vicious than others. It rarely occurs, that
they show a disposition to act on the defensive. No
rules can be given for the management of a whale which
shows a disposition to attack a boat. All must be left to
the judgment and courage of the officer.

232 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
The sagacity of sperra whales is in no way so remark
ably manifested, as in the instantaneous knowledge they
possess when one of their nuraber is struck and wounded,
at a distance of two, three and even four miles apart.
Whether they receive this knowledge by sight or sound,
we shall not pretend to say. When a whale is struck,
those around, and feeding undisturbed, soraetimes in
stantiy, as with one .^.accord, make the best of their way
towards the wounded whale, which gives the boats that
are disengaged a fine opportunity to fasten. At other
times, they will collect in a body, and go in a contrary
direction, as fast as possible, to all appearance much
frightened. Sperra whales migrate far and wide. Ships
cruise on the coasts of Peru and Chili frora ten to one
hundred leagues frora land. It has often been observed,
that both the in and off-shore vessels are sometimes doing
nothing, and at other times are all engaged. Where the
whales are in the interim, none can tell.
Instances can be cited of whales having been struck,
and making their escape in the Atiantic Ocean, being
afterwards taken in the Pacific, with the heads of har
poons iri them bearing the marks of ships known to have
been cruising to the east of Cape Horn. Whales are
not easily driven away from their feeding-ground by ships.
Ships passing the Cape of Good Hope, "Vandieman's
Land, and Cape Horn, frequentiy see whales making
their passages.
PROGRESS OF THE WHALE FISHERY AT NANTUCKET.
[From the Historical Society's Collection.]
Whale fishery originated at Nantucket in the year
1690, in boats from the shore.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 233
1715. 6 sloops, 38 tons burthen, obtained
about 600 barrels of oil, and 11,000
pounds of bone. Value £1,100
1730. 25 sail, from 38 to 50 tons, obtained
annually about 3,700 barrels, at £7
per ton. 3,200
1748, 60 sail, from 50 to 75 tons, obtained
11,250 barrels, at £14. 19,648
1756. 80 sail, 75 tons, obtained 12,000 bar
rels at £ 18. 27,600
1768. 70 sail, 75 tons, obtained 10,500 bar
rels, at £18. 23,600
N. B. Lost ten sail, taken by the
French, and foundered.
1770. 120 sail, from 75 to 110 tons, obtained
18,000 barrels, at £40. 100,000
150 sail, from 90 to 180 tons, upon the
coast of Guinea, Brazil, and the
West Indies, obtained annually 30,-
000 barrels, which sold in the Lon
don market, at £44 to £45 steriing, 167,000
N. B. 2,200 seamen employed In the
fishery, and 220 in the London trade.
1783. 7 sail to Brazil, from 100 to 150
tons, obtained 2,100
5 to the coast of Guinea 600
7 to the West Indies 560

From 1772. to
1775.

At £40 per ton 2,260 16,280
N. B. No duty exacted in London.
1784. 12 to Brazil, obtained 4,000
5 to the coast of Guinea 400

334 HISTORY OP NANTUCKET,
11 to the West Indies 1,000

At £23 to £24 5,400 14,500
N, B, The price fell by the exaction
of a duty in London of £18 3s
sterling per ton,
1785, Now at sea,
8 to Brazil,
2 to the coast of Guinea,
5 to the West Indies,
Before the war, there were annually manufactured in
Nantucket, 380 tons spermaceti candles,'

' This state of the whale fishery in Nantucket -was -written in tho
year 1785.

( 235 )

PRODUCE OF THE WHALE FISHERY
Carried on at Nantucket, between the years 1804 and 1834
inclusive.

1804 1805 1806
1807 180818091810 18111812 18131814
1815 1816 181718181819
1830 1831
18321833 18341835
1826 18371838183918301831183218a3
1834

Oil.

Whalebone.

Spermaceti.

Whale,

Body.
Head.
Barrels.
Barrels.
Barrels.
Pounds.
. < 4730
2665
6718
46690
' 5459
2034
4507
13131
7701
3084
15954
86544
7914
3235
13959
73784
5602
2105
10503
49970
6641
2695
7256
17092
5117
2130
7929
41437
15355
6745
6377
43200
5116
2475
2230
6366
774
359
2567
9901
1146
498
83
636
284
138
1550
682
2700
796
15401
6813
5771
19444
10496
4378
13426
65446
12901
5621
11511
63403
11884
5027
11736
59794
16196
6719
8632
38093
19392
8009
5407
3197
25260
10803
3808
20243
29355
11875
4322
22063
22795
8985
7194
39596
11373
4951
2403
16002
19529
8441
583
5153
30130
13044
1033
8662
23334
10159
8576
76808
24509
11504
7758
67508
27954
13335
8568
83206
21193
9695
16364
155379
19965
9546
5422
49439
14170
6347
4747
37137
236 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

LOSS OF A SCHOONER AND SLOOP, THE FORMER COM
MANDED BY PELEG SWAIN, THE LATTER BY
D.iVID SQ,UIRES.
These two vessels left Nantucket in company, in 1774,
liound on a whaling voyage to the coast of Africa.
Having taken their depaiture from Sancota Head, the
weather being pleasant, tbe men were mostly below,
when the cry of breakers alarmed both crews. A boat's
crew from the sloop attempted to carry out an anchor,
with a faint hope that they might get the vessel off the
shoal, but the sea ran so high as to compel them to drop
the anchor under the bows. The boat was carried over
tbe shoal, and, not being able to regain the sloop, the
crew made the best of their way for the shore, but, as
the weather was pleasant, they came round the point and
landed in the harbor. A vessel was iramediately sent to
the relief of those in peril, which returned the next day,
without making any discoveries. The shoal, called the
Great Rip, where the vessels were stranded, is about 15
miles from the east end of the island. There was some
hope that tbe remaining crews might be saved ; and
accordingly a large number of tbe inhabitants traversed
the shore, and kept a constant look out.
The quarter-deck of the sloop departed from the body
of the vessel nearly whole. The crew, 13 in number,
got upon it, and exerted themselves to gain the shore.
Their only provisions consisted of a jug of rum and
about three quarters of a barrel of flour. At dawn of
day they reached the S. E. part of the island, whence
they travelled to Siasconset. The crew of the schooner
did not fare so well. Their boats being dashed to pieces,

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 237
they made a raft of spars, and, without provisions of any
kind, with paddles and pieces of board, attempted to gain
the shore. With unremitted labor, they got within a short
distance of Siasconset in the evening of the sarae day, on
which the other crew landed. The tide was sweeping
them by, undiscovered by the people of the village. They
then hallooed with their united voices many times, at
length they were heard and responded to. A boat was
imraediately sent off, which took them from their perilous
situation and brought them on shore, exhausted with
fatigue and hunger. But for tbe fine weather they must
have inevitably perished. This occurrence is remembered
by many aged people of the island, and it has been the
theme of more than one poet, yet the narae of neither of
the vessels is recorded in meraory or verse.
NARRATIVE OF THE LOSS OF THE SHIP UNION.
The ship Union, of Nantucket, Edmund Gardner,
master, took her departure from Nantucket Point on the
19th of the 9th month, 1807, bound, on a whaling voyage,
to the coast of Brazil. Nothing material occurred until
the 1st of the lO'th month. At 10 o'clock, P. M., of that
day, they had a brisk breeze from the N. W. with a high
swell, and were sailing at the rate of seven miles an hour,
when the ship struck on a whale. The shock was tre
mendous. The blow was on the starboard bow, len or
twelve feet from the stem, and seven below the wale.
Their astonishraent, at this sudden accident, cannot be
described. But a moment before, they were pursuing
their course with cheerful hearts and a prospect of a fine
mn. Now they found themselves in a sinking condition,
with a long and darksome night before them.

238 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
From the tafferel the captain saw the whale spout,
whereby he ascertained that it was a spermaceti. The
whole crew were imraediately summoned on deck. Some
were directed to take in sails, others to work at the
pumps ; but it was sooh discovered that the ship was in
danger of sinking. She was then hove to, in a situation
that she would lay in with the least motion, and the
pumps continually kept going. In order to examine the
ship, and, if possible, to find the extent of the injury, they
hoisted their casks out of the hold, and cast thera over
board. The captain then went into the hold, with a lantern and
axe, and, with such assistance as was needed, succeeded,
after much difficulty, in finding a part of the wound;
which appeared to be one streak of the ceiling and two
timbers broken. It was evident that nothing could be
done to save the ship ; for it was reasonable to conclude
that the worst part of the injury was not in sight. Al
though both pumps were kept going, the water increased
in the hold, and very soon got above the wound.
Being now convinced that his whole attention should
be directed to the safety of the crew, 'the captain gave
orders to prepare to leave the ship ; and with this view
the boats were got in readiness. The people willingly
subjected themselves to the directions of the captain and
officers, and with alacrity obeyed their commands as
before the disaster. The boats were lowered into the
water, and every article likely to be needed, such as
bread, water, fireworks, books and nautical instrum,ent&
was put on board. At midnight the water had got up
between decks, and it was necessary to leave the ship
iramediately. This was effected with great difficulty and

HISTORY or NANTUCKET. 239
hazard. In an hour after leaving the ship they saw her
upset. They left the ship in three boats, but finding it
difficult to keep together, which was considered raost
advisable, they thought it best, for the safety of the whole,
to discharge one boat, and for the crew, sixteen in nura
ber, to divide themselves, and man but two boats. This
was done, and eventually proved advantageous. The
captain was a young man, and this was the first voyage
under his comraand : yet his prudence, courage, and for
titude, and the cooperation of his officers, were effectual
in preserving good order, and in encouraging tbe crew to
use their best exertions for tbe comraon safety.
The weather being very rough, they kept before the
wind until morning, when it became more moderate.
They concluded to keep an easterly course, and endeavor
to reach one of tbe Azores, or western islands. The
prevailing N. W. winds were favorable to this determina
tion. The island of Newfoundland was probably the
nearest land, at tbe time of leaving the wreck, but the
season of the year and the prevailing winds, as before
sjflted, rendered it plainly imprudent to attempt to reach
that island. The following morning they raade a sail for
each boat, with which they were enabled to pursue their
course with greater speed and less fatigue than by rowing.
The same day at 10 A. M. they discovered a schooner
to the northward of them, which for a moment cheered
their- despondency, but they soon found that they could
not reach her, as the wind blew^ strong from the N. W.
They were now in lat. 38^ 40' N. long. 41° 52' W.
On the day following they had a brisk breeze, with the
help of which they pursued their course with cheerful
ness ; but at 8 P. M. the wind increased, so that they

240 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
could not run. The weather became squally, with fre
quent and heavy peals of thunder. The wind soon
increased to a gale. They could do nothing but lay to.
Their only hope for safety rested on that Power who
commands the waves and holds the winds in his hands.
Their situation was critical, and they were not without
strong apprehensions that they should not survive the
night. In this condition they were dismayed by the
breaking of a sea into tbe captain's boat. With son(ie
difficulty the boat was cleared. To prevent, if possible,
the like recurrence, they were driven to the necessity of
discharging a great part of their fresh water, and all their
clothing, except what they wore, to lighten the boat. In
order to keep the boats as near together as was prudent,
a line thirty fathoms In length was attached to the head
of one and the stern of the other. In this situation they
lay till morning, which was more than they expected,
viewing their situation, in the open sea, during a heavy
gale, depending on boats made of cedar boards not ex
ceeding half an inch in thickness. But through the favor
of God they were rescued from a watery grave. In the
morning the wind abated and the sea became smooth.
The wind shifted frora S. W. to N. N. W. the weather
became pleasant, and they bad an opportunity to dry
their clothes. They had been drenched with rain almost
the whole time since they left the wreck, which kept
them very uncorafoitable and cold. At meridian lat.
39° 4' N. long. 40° W. Their enjoyment of pleasant
weather was of short duration. Tbe following night the
wind increased until it became a dangerous gale, which
prevented their pursuing their course, and rendered it
necessary to lash their boats together and let them drift.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 241
Their water was now so neariy exhausted, that they were
obhged to submit to the close allowance of three quarts
to be divided between sixteen men for twenty-four hours.
Their bread was also neariy spent, so that one cake was
the portion of each raan for the same length of tirae. Lat.
390 19' N. long. 390 5' W.
, The succeeding twenty-four hours they had a strong
breeze from N. N. W. and squally weather. At 3
o'clock A. M. they lay to until 6 A. M., then set their
sails and steered east. Lat. at noon, 39<' 40' N. long.
36° 35' W. During three succeeding days they had
moderate breezes from the north, and continued their
course east without meeting any thing remarkable. At
the end of that time they found their lat. 39° 40' N. long.
310 35^ w.
On the 8th, at 4 P. M., to their unspeakable joy they
saw the island of Flores, one of the Azores, bearing from
E. by S. to S. E. At 8 P. M. they got under the lee
of the land. The wind was now N. E. and the weather
very squally. At 9 A. M. they landed at St. Cruz, the
principal town on the island of Flores. Their water was
now wholly exhausted. They had been at sea seven
days and eight nights, and had rowed or sailed nearly six
hundred miles.
The people of the island received the sufferers with
hospitably and kindness. The governor of the island and
the vice consul of the United States provided houses for
them, and every thing necessary for their comfort, free of
expense. As the captain had several tiraes before been
there, the governor immediately knew him on seeing hira,
and took him by the hand with that cordiality which
characterizes the gentieman. They left the island for
16

242 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
the United States on the 27th of 1st month 1808. The
crew were Edmund Gardner, Captain, Barnabas Russell,
David Bunker, Roland Hussey, Charies Folger, Linzee
Coffin, David Cleveland, William Morris, Samuel Peters,
and seven others, strangers to Nantucket.
LOSS OF THE SHIP ESSEX.
A very interesting narrative of the loss of this ship, and
the consequent sufferings of the crew?, was published a
few years since, which we recommend to tbe perusal of
our readers. In the following account we shall confine
ourselves to only a few of the events consequent to the
singular accident, which occasioned the loss of the Essex.
The ship Essex, Captain George Pollard, sailed from
Nantucket, 12th of Sth raonth, 1819, on a whaling voyage
to the Pacific Ocean. Her crew consisted of 21 raen, 14
of whom were whites, mostly belonging to Nantucket, the
remainder were blacks. On the 20th of the 11th month,
1820, in lat. 0° 40' S. lon. 119° W. a school of whales
was discovered, and in pursuing them the mate's boat
was stove, which obliged him to return to the ship, when
they comraenced repairing the damage. The captain
and 2d mate were left with their boats pursuing the
whales. During this interval the mate discovered a large
spermaceti whale near the ship, but, not suspecting the
approach of any danger, it gave them no alarm, until
they saw the whale coming with full speed towards them.
In a moraent they were astonished by a tremendous
crash. The whale had struck the ship a little forward of
tbe fore chains. It was sorae minutes before the crew
could recover frora their astonishment, so far as to ex
amine, whether any damage had been sustained. They

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 243
then tried their pumps, and found that the ship was sink
ing, A signal was immediately set for the boats. The
whale now appeared again making for the ship, and,
coming with great velocity, with the water foaming
around him, he struck the ship a second blow, which
nearly stove in her bows. There was now no hope of
saving the ship, and the only course to be pursued was,
to prepare to leave her with all possible haste. They
collected a few things, hove them into the boat and
shoved off. The ship imraediately fell upon one side
and sunk to the water's edge. When the captain's and
2d mate's boats arrived, such was the consternation, that
for some time not a word was spoken. The danger of
their situation at length aroused them, as from a terrific
dream, to a no less terrific reality. They reraained by
the wreck two or three days, in which tirae they cut
away the masts, which caused her to right a little. Holes
were then cut in the deck, by which means they obtained
about 600 pounds of bread, and as much water as they
could take, besides other articles likely to be of use to
them. On the 22d of lltb month, they left the ship,
with as gloomy a prospect before them as can well be
imagined. The nearest land was about 1,000 railes to
the windward of them ; they were in open boats, weak
and leaky, with a very small pittance of bread and water
for the support of so many men, during the tirae they
must necessarily be at sea. Sails had been prepared for
the boats, before leaving the ship, which proved of mate
rial benefit. They steered southeriy by tbe wind, hoping
to fall in with some ship, but in this they were disap
pointed. After being in their boats 28 days, experiencing
many sufferings by gales of wind, want of water, and

244 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
scanty provisions, they arrived at Ducie's Island, in lat.
240 40' S. lon. 124° 40' W. where they were disappointed
in not finding a sufficiency of any kind of food for so
large a company to subsist on. Their boats being very
weak and leaky, they were hauled on shore and repaired.
They found a gentle spring of fresh water, flowing out of
a rock at about half ebb of tbe tide, frora which they
filled their kegs. Three of the men chose to stay on
the island, and take their chance for some vessel to take
thera off.
On the 27th of the 12th month, they left this island,
and steered for Easter Island ; but passed it far to the lee
ward. They then directed their course for Juan Fernan
dez, which was about twenty-five hundred miles E. S. E.
from them. On the 10th of 1st month, 1821, Matthew
P. Joy, the 2d mate, died, and his body was launched
into tbe deep. His constitution was slender, and it was
supposed that his sufferings, though great, were not the
imraediate cause of his death. On the 12th, the mate's
boat separated from the other two, and did not fall in
with thera afterwards. The situation of the raate and
his crew, became daily raore and more distressing. The
weather was raostly calm, the sun hot and scorching.
They were growing weaker and weaker by want of food,
and yet, such was their distance from land, they were
obliged to lessen their allowance nearly one hglf. On
the 20th, a black man died. On the 28th, they found,
on calculation, that their allowance, only one and a half
ounce of bread per day to a man, would be exhausted in
fourteen days ; and that this allowance was not sufficient
to sustain life. They therefore deterrained to extend the
indulgence, and take the consequence, whether to live or

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 245
die. On the Sth of the 2d raonth, another of the crew
died. Frora this tirae to the 17th, their sufferings were
extrerae. At 7 o'clock A. M. of that day, they were
aroused frora a lethargy by the cheering cry of the steers
man, " there's a sail," The boat was soon descried by
the vessel, the brig Indian, Captain Grozier, of London,
which shortened sail and took them on board, lat. 33°
45 S. lon. 81° 3' W. They were treated by Captain
Grozier with all the care and tenderness, which their
weak condition required. On the same day they made
Massafuero, and on the 25th arrived at Valparaiso.
Captain Pollard and Charles Rarasdell, the only sur
vivors in the captain's boat, were taken up on the 23d of
the 2d month, 1821, by tbe ship Dauphin, of Nantucket,
Captain Zimri Coffin, in lat. 37° S. off St. Mary's. The
captain relates, that, after the raate's boat was separated
from the others, they raade what progress their weak
condition would perrait, towards the island of Juan Fer
nandez ; but contrary winds and calm weather, together
with the extrerae debility of the crew, prevented their
making much progress. On tbe 29th of the 1st month,
the 2d mate's boat separated from the captain's in the
night, at which time their provisions were wholly ex
hausted, since which they have not been heard from.
We shall not attempt a sketch of the sufferings of the
crews of these boats. Imagination may picture the hor
rors of their situation, and the extremes to which they
were driven to sustain life, but no power of the iraagina-
tion can heighten the dreadful reality.
The following is an account of the whole crew.
In the captain's boat two survived, viz : Captain Pol
lard and Charles Rarasdell. In the mate's boat three

246 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
survived, viz : Owen Chase, the mate, Benjamin Law
rence, and Thoraas Nickerson. Left on Ducie's Island
and afterwards taken off, Seth Weeks, Williara Wright,
and Thomas Chappie. One left the ship before the ac
cident. In the second mate's boat, when separated from
the captain's, three. Dead nine, which added to the
second mate's crew, doubtiess lost, makes total deaths
twelve, LOSS OF THE SHIP HENRY.
The ship Henry, Isaac Gardner, master, on the 27th
7th month, 1813, being on ber return from the Pacific
Ocean with a cargo of oil, when within a few days sail of
the island of Nantucket, in lat, 38° N. lon, 69° W, ex
perienced a terrible gale of wind. While lying to, the
wind struck her so forcibly, that all three of her masts
were carried away together. ' The upper deck was torn
up, and every man swept overboard except the two
mates, who were at the time in the run of the ship, where
they were both drowned. Of those who were swept
overboard all succeeded in getting back to the ship, ex
cept one black raan.
The ship iraraediately sunk to tbe water's edge, having
no part clear of the water except the bowsprit, on which
the crew were obliged to take refuge. The next day
the captain was swept off and lost. Nine were now left,
with very little prospect of continuing long. The sea
frequentiy washed over them, rendering their situation
uncomfortable as well as dangerous. They could get but
little provision or water out of the ship. Their sufferings
were extreme, they were exposed at times to the scorch
ing rays of the sun, and at times to cold. They died one

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 247
after another till only five remained, who, after the expi
ration of forty days, were taken off the wreck by a cartel
ship from England. LOSS OF THE SHIP COMMERCE.
Very little can be said of the loss of this ship, as the
crew all perished with her.
In the 6th month of 1806, the ship Commerce, Jesse
Bunker, master, was spoken on her homeward bound pas
sage, near the line, wilh a cargo of oil. Soon afterwards
there was a heavy gale of wind, in which it is supposed
the ship was lost. About the same time a number of
casks of oil and some other articles were seen floating on
the water, which were thought to have come out of her.
LOSS OF A boat's CREW ON NANTUCKET BAR.
This melancholy event happened on the 1st of 1st
month, 1782. Captain Robert Barker, commander of a
brig lying without the bar of the harbor, bound to Vir
ginia, on the morning of the above-mentioned day, invited
a number of his intimate friends to spend a day on board
with him. Seven in number, accepting his invitation, left
the wharf with him in a vvhale boat. The weather was
cold, and the wind, blowing strong frora the N. W. caused
a heavy sea on the bar. These circumstances occasioned
some anxiety for their safety. Every movement of the
boat was carefully watched by tbe friends of those on
board of ber. The company pursued their course with
safety, until they attempted to cross the bar ; then the
boat was seen to upset. The distance from the shore
being about two miles, every motion was observed.
Some of the corapany were not seen after the accident.

348 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
others clung to the boat awhile, but were soon, one by
one, washed off into a watery grave. As soon as it was
discovered that the boat had upset, two boats went to
their relief. It was hoped that those in peril would be
able to chng to their boat, until they had drifted across
the bar. But this hope was fafiacious.
The bodies of most of those who perished were found
in the following spring. We shall introduce, hereafter,
among some specimens of our island poetry, an elegy
written on this mournful occasion.
LOSS OF THE SHIP GENERAL LINCOLN.
The ship General Lincoln, Shubael Chase, master,
sailed from Nantucket on the 21st 9th month, 1818, on
a whaling voyage to the coast of Brazil. Six days after
sailing, being in lat. 39° 30' N. lon. 45° W. a heavy
gale was experienced from S. S. E. to E. S. E., and
continued through the night. At 8 o'clock in the
raorning the gale abated, and a calm very soon ensued,
but a heavy and dangerous swell continued. The calm
continued but about 15 minutes, when the wind sprung
up from the westward, and very soon became a jierfect
hurricane. The swell was of mountain' height. The
ship was soon thrown on her beam ends. Her total loss
seeraed inevitable. Although it was day, the vapor and
spray raade it almost as dark as night. The roaring of
tbe wind, not unlike that of heavy thunder, rendered it
almost impossible to understand language. In this des
perate situation, attempts were made to clear the ship of
some of ber spars, which were finally successful, and she
righted. They soon afterwards shipped a sea, by which
six men were washed overboard, three of whom were

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 249
saved, the others lost. The decks were swept of nearly
every valuable article. After the gale had abated, they
set the pumps to work and cleared the ship of water.
AUhough a mere wreck, they concluded to stfiy by her,
and attempt to get her into some port. But they could
make but littie sail, and the weather proved very unfavor
able. Falling in with the brig Telegraph, Captain Hill,
of Providence, they took a few things frora the ship and
put them on board that vessel, and themselves took
passage with him.
LOSS OF THE SHIP TWO BROTHERS.
The ship Two Brothers, George Pollard, Jr.,' master,
sailed frora Nantucket 26th lltb month, 1821, on a
whahng voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Nothing took
place worthy of remark on the passage round Cape Horn,
nor in the subsequent part of their voyage, till the night
of 11th of 2d month, 1823, when cruising near lat. 24°
9' N. lon. 167° 30' W., the ship struck on a reef of
rocks. It was presently found, that the ship leaked
badly, and was beating to pieces. The water flowed in
so fast, as to render the pumps entirely useless. Not
withstanding the darkness of the night, it was necessary
to leave thp ship immediately, which they did in two
boats, only fifteen minutes after she struck. Half an
hour after the ship was left, not a vestige of ber was

¦ ' Captain Pollard, on his voyage immediately preceding this, -was
master of the ship Essex, of the loss of which we have already given
an account. Though singularly unfortunate as a sailor, he enjoys
that which is more Valuable than any other worldly consideration,
a good name, and the esteem of his fello-w-citizens.

250 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
visible. Tbe crew, twenty-one in number, now found
themselves confined in two boats, with very little to
subsist on. In this foriorn situation, surrounded by rocks
and shoals, they passed the night, during which the boats
unintentionally separated. At day-light the next raorn
ing, their eyes were raet with breakers as far as any
thing could be discerned. At sunrise tbey were cheered
by the sight of a ship to the southward of them,
towards which they steered their course. At 11 o'clock,
A. M., to their great joy, they got on board tbe ship,
which proved to be the Martha, Captain John H. Pease*
of Nantucket. About noon the other boat was in sight,
and soon came along side. The crew of this boat stated,
that they, had landed on one of the islands in the vicinity
of the reefs, where they found sea elephants and one
green turtie. They were treated with great kindness by
Captain Pease. The Martha, after this, made the best
of her way to tbe Sandwich Islands, and anchored at
Woahee on the 29tb, and on tbe 21st of the month
following, left that port for America.
LOSS OF THE SHIP LADY ADAMS.
This ship sailed frora Nantucket, 3d month, 1822, on
a whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean. By the last
accounts from her, dated 7tb month, 1823, she was on the
coast of Japan with 800 barrels of oil. She is supposed
to have taken fire and burnt. A great light was seen by
an English ship, soon after the date above-mentioned, in
the latitude and longitude where the Lady Adams proba
bly was at the time. The following are the names of
the Nantucket persons on board. Charles B. Toby,
raaster, Fordom Pease, mate, Robert G. Coleman, 2d
mate, Frederick A. Riddell, cooper, Peter Morse, boy. .

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 251
LOSS OF SHIP LYDIA.
The ship Lydia,. Edward Joy, master, sailed on the
18th 11th raonth, 1833, on a whaling voyage in the
Pacific Ocean. Nothing reraarkable occurred before tbe
31st of 1st month, 1835, when in lat. 11° 15' S. lon. 84°
80' W., the ship was discovered to be on fire. The fire
increased so rapidly, that all atterapts to extinguish it
were unavailing. The crew left the ship in three boats
about one and a half hour after the alarm, having saved
but very few things ; and in about one and a half hour
got on board the bark Washington, of Hudson, William
Clark, master, and went into Payta.
The fire was first discovered issuing out of the steerage
hatchway, about six feet from the main hatchway, be
tween decks. The ship had on board 400 barrels of oil.
LOSS OF THE SHIP FRANKLIN.
This ship, George Prince, master, sailed from Nan
tucket on a whaling voyage in the Pacific Ocean, 6th
month, 27th, 1831. Her cruise, up to the time of her final
loss, was an almost unbroken series of misfortunes. Soon
after leaving, one of the crew, William L. Bunker, fell
from the loft and was laid up tvfo months. 11th month,
I5th, 1831, another hand, Frederick C. Whippy, fell from
mizzen-top-gallant-head and broke both legs. He was
left on board the sloop of war Falmouth at Callao. At the
same time a black man was landed, sick with consump
tion ; he died soon afterwards. About the middle of 2d
month succeeding, a boat, fast to a whale, was carried
down, and two men, probably entangled with the line, were
drowned. In 2d month, 1833, a native of the Sandwich

252 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
Islands fell from the loft and was killed. In 5th month
of the same year, the ship went into Callao, where a man,
John Robson, a native of Massachusetts, was shipped :
he had the fever-and-ague at the time. He died of the
scurvy about four months afterwards. While the Franklin
was at Callao, a raan was shipped as boatsteerer ; on the
12th of 8th month he was carried out of the boat by a fine
and lost. At Hood's Island the mate strained himself
while 'getting terrapins. He never was well afterwards,
and finally died 3d of 6th month, 1834, off Cape Horn,
on the homeward bound passage. About five days after
wards, tbe captain and steward died both on the same day.
The steward's name was Eben Kelton. About four days
after this William L. Bunker died, and in a few days
from that time, Michael Norman, an Irishman ; and on
the 30th' of 6lh month, Charles Thompson, a colored
man, also died, all of the scurvy. On the 3d of 7th
month the ship came to anchor in Maldonado harbor,
mouth of the river La Plata. On the same day another
of the crew, Christian Wing, died of the scurvy. On
coming to anchor the crew that remained were so worn
with sickness and fatigue, that they were not able to furl
their sails, which was done by the assistance of the
crew of a French ship, who also generously assisted to
get the ship up to Monte Video. A new mate and some
hands w^ere shipped there, and the Franklin sailed thence
on the 12th of 8th month. After much bad weather,' on
the night of the 5th of lOtb month, she ran ashore on
the reef Diego Roderiquez, on the coast of Brazil, about
45 miles from the harbor of Macceio. All hands and
about one third of her cargo were saved. The ship
imraediately bilged and went to pieces in about ten days.

HISTORV OF NANTUCKET. 253
VESSELS LOST SINCE THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND.
The whole number of vessels lost, exclusive of cap
tures, since the settiement of the island, is 168. Of
these 78 were sloops, 31 schooners, 18 brigs, and 41
ships. Loss of lives four hundred and fourteen. Araong
this great number of shipwrecks, there are sorae cases as
remarkable, perhaps, as any above narrated. Our limits
will not allow us to dwell longer on this interesting,
though raelancholy subject.

The following proposal to transfer the whaling business
of Nantucket to France will, we think, be read with in
terest. The time has long gone by, when the publication
would excite any political feelings hostile to the French
government ; and we insert it without comment, as it
contains within itself almost all that is known respecting
the transaction. DoNKERQUE, 10th March, 1786.
Captain Shubael Gardner.
The present distressed situation of your worthy breth
ren, the inhabitants of the Island of Nantucket, occa
sioned not only by their unmerited suffering during the
late war, and by the late- act of the British government,
which imposes a duty on all foreign oil equivalent to a
prohibition, obliging a great many of tbe sufferers to
quit their natif-spot and remove to sorae other country,
where their industry may raeet its due reward, has
created in me tbe idea to procure them an azilum in
my own country, where they may not only find an
alleviation of their misfortunes and recuperate their
losses, but also where they may expect that comfort

254 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
and protection due to their honest principles. Anxious
to accomplish an object, in which I am moved by no
other motif than that of humanity, and a desire of
offering a friendly hand to a set of people who in my
opinion greatly deserve the assistance of all raen who
can be instrumental in contributing to the welfare of their
fellow-creatures, has induced rae, after a mature conversa
tion wilh you on so laudable an object, to make an appli
cation to this government in their behalf, and to make
use of all the interest with the king's ministers I was
capable off, to make such proposals as were penned by
our friend William Rotch, and which you delivered me in
his name on your arrival from London in November last.
I think it needless to repeat here tbe exertions I have
made, as well by ray correspondence as by word of raonth, ¦
during the tirae we -ft'ere together at Paris, as you was
personally present, and of which you shall be able to give
an exact account. Through the assistance of Providence,
ray exertions have met with a success far exceeding my
sanguine expectations. Every article which I thought
capable of contributing to the welfare and happiness of
those inhabitants, who would choose to remove to the
town of Dunkerque, has been granted, I here join a
faithful translation of the articles, which I request, on
your arrival at Nantucket, you will communicate, whh
all the prudence you are capable of, to the selectraen of
the island, and acquaint them with all the real advantages
the town, port and country offers for their eslablisbment.
The unlimited freedom it enjoys, the abundance and
cheapness of all sorts of provisions, no custom-house nor
custom officers to embarrass a free trade, the small
taxes, the regularity of the town, the manners and Indus-

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 255
try of the inhabitants, and its situation, render it tbe most
eligible place in the universe for the people of Nantucket
to remove to. To particularize all the advantages Dun
kerque offers, would be too long a task for a letter ; but
as you are well acquainted whh them, you may verbally
add those which are not here related. You may also
comraunicate to the selectmen tbe negotiation commenced
with our friend William Rotch, and inform them of the
predicament he finds himself under at present by the
inattention of the British government to the business he
is intrusted with. The knowledge of all these circum
stances appears to me necessary, in order to enable the
people to judge what plan will be most advantageous to
follow. Unless they should be blinded to their own
interest, there is no doubt but they will prefer that which
is here proposed. Therefore, as I have reason to hope
that they will be sensible of the advantages offered them,
your first care must be to engage them to name and ira-
power a committee to correspond with me on this subject,
and you may assure them of my friendship and ready -
interference and exertions in the obtention of any oibei
matter, which has not been foreseen by the annexed arti
cles. You may assure the proprietors of the ships, that
are now on their fishery, that, if they choose to send them
with their cargoes and faraily on board with an intention
to settle, their oil shall be admitted in the country duty
free, and that they will enjoy all the advantages and
privileges of the natlf subjects. On their arrival, they
shall be put in possession of the ground allotted to them,
and in every respect experience the reality of what I
advance. As your stay at Nantucket wih be short, on
account of the advancement of the season, which will

256 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
barely leave you time to proceed on the fishery, it is
absolutely necessary that the committee of such trust
worthy men be appointed to correspond with me by
every conveyance to Europe, and if you find the people
disposed to remove, you may transfer to such committee
the power, that is herewith intrusted to you, of charter
ing one or two ships, at tbe most reasonable freight that
can be obtained, to transfer a nuraber of tradesmen that
are not able to transport themselves at their own expense,
proportionable to the number of ships that will stand in
need of their assistance when arrived, provided that the
expense of freight and provisions for the passage does not
exceed at first fifteen or eighteen hundred pounds sterling.
The committee, after a knowledge of the disposition of the
people, may appreciate and inform me, as near as possi
ble, what the whole expense of transporting may amount
to, in order to obtain authorization to pay, it. The com
raittee may likewise send one of the members, by the
first ship that will corae here, with full powers and in
structions to conclude in due form all articles and condi
tions which raay appear necessary to the accomplishment
of such a desirable object. But it is absolutely necessary
that the greatest secrecy and prudence be observed by
all parties in the whole course of the negotiation, in order
to avoid creating jealousy between two nations, on whom
the tranquilhty of the worid depends, and save mankind
frora a repetition of the horrors of war, which have
brought on the people of Nantucket their present dis
tresses. I am sensible that leaving one's natif spot and
separating frora some of the nearest connexions is an un-
pleasing step, but of two evils the least must be preferred;
and the people, in their present situation, raust, in my

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 257
Opinion, offer their thanks to Divine Providence, that a
mild, humane and generous governraent offers them a safe
allium, and a friendly band to alleviate their distress and
make them and their posterity happy. I rely on your
best exertions to carry on this business to a favorable
issue. It will not only tend towards many personal
advantages towards yourself, but it will reconcile you the
gratitude of the people on both sides. You raay assure
the inhabitants of my constant protection and friendship,
and that in all occasions I shall be their zealous advocate,
and as I am no ways induced by view of personal interest,
I shall recommend them to such trustworthy merchants
here, to whom they raay at first consign their ships and
cargoes till they will be able to manage their own busi
ness theraselves, and in every other respect give them
the best advice in my power. I shall be anxious to hear
from you, therefore I request you will neglect no oppor
tunity to write to me, interim I wish you a safe and
speedy voyage, and reraain with lasting regard.
Dear friend, your truly affectionate friend,
L. Coffin.
Copy of the advantages, granted to the people of the
Island of Nantucket, who may wish to settle at Dun
kirk, and establish the whale fishery.
1st. An entire free exercise of their religion or worship
within theraselves.
2d. The concession of a tract of ground to build their
houses and stores.
3d. All the privileges, exeraptions and advantages
promised by tbe king's declaration in 1662, confirmed
by letters patent of 1784, to all strangers who come to
17

258 history of nantucket.
establish there, which are the same as those enjoyed by
the natif subjects of his majesty.
4th. The importation into the kingdom, free from all
duties whatever, of the oil proceeding frora their fishery,
and the sarae, premiuras and encourageraent granted for
the cod and other fisheries to natif subjects.
5tb. A premium per ton on the burthen of the vessels
that will carry on the whale fishery, which shall be de
termined in the course of the negotiation either with Mr.
Rotch or with the selectmen of the island.
6th. All objects of provisions and victuals for their
ships shall be exempted from all duties whatever.
7th. An additional and heavier duty shall be laid on
all foreign oil, as a further encourageraent to them, in
order to facilitate the sale of their own.
Sth. The expenses of removing those of the inhabit
ants, who are not capable of defraying theraselves, shall
be paid by the government.
9th. A convenient dock shall be built to repair their
ships. 10th. All trades-people, such as smiths, boat-builders,
coopers, and others, shall be admitted to the free exer
cise of their trade without being liable to the forms and
expense usually practised and paid by the natif subjects
for their admittance to mastership.
11th. They shaU have liberty to comraand their own
vessels, and have the choice of their own people to navi
gate them.
12th. They shall be fiee from all military and naval
service, as well in war as in peace, in the same manner
and extent as expressed by the king's ordinance of the
16th of February, 1759.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 259
Nantucket, June the fifteenth, )
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six. 3
I Abner Coffin, notary and tabelhon public, by legal
authority duly constituted, dweUing in Sherborn, in tbe
county of Nantucket, in the commonwealth of Massachu
setts, do hereby certify and attest, that the letter of in
structions and twelve articles preceding this certificate
are genuine copies of the original, to me the said notary
from Shubael Gardner produced.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my notarial
seal and signature. In testimonium veritatis,
[Seal.] Abner Coffin, Not. Pub.

FISHING STAGES.
During many years after tbe settlement of the island,
fishing near the shores was one of the principal occupa
tions of the people. Cod fishing was found very produc
tive, and received particular attention. For the accom
modation of the fishermen, small houses, adapted to the
accommodation of five men each, that being the nuraber
of a boat's crew, were erected on the raargin of the shore
on the south and east sides of the island. Those on 'the
south were at a place called Weweeders. At the east was
the village of Siasconset. One raile and a half northward
from Siasconset were a few houses at P-eedee. A conside
rable number were buiU still further northward at Sesaca
cha ; and in the same direction onward, near the head of
the harbor, at a place called Quidnet, there was a small
number. These clusters of houses were cafled fishing
stages. No unnecessary expense was bestowed on the

260 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
buildings ; tbey were of wood, the roofs only were
shingled. The place for fire was at one end of the
house, a fireplace of brick or stone was raised at some
distance above the hearth, thence the chimney of one or
the other of those materials was continued to the ridge
and finished above the house, with wood. , At the
opposite end of the house were two convenient bed-
rooras, containing two berths each, and above them was
a, cockloft where the boys usually lodged. The principal
article of furniture was an ample table of coraraon boards,
fastened to the partition by hinges, so as to allow of its
being turned up against the side of the roora, when not
in use, and then fastened with a button. There are still
a few of these houses remaining at the village of Sias
conset, but none at the other fishing stages.
SIASCONSET.
This village is situated at the south-east extremity of
the island, and contains about 70 houses. The cod
fishery, which was carried on there a few years since
pretty extensively, has recently dwindled, so that it can
hardly be said to be the business of the place. The
houses, with few exceptions, are occupied only in the
warm season. As a suraraer resort, no place in the
United States presents greater .attractions for the invalid
than Siasconset. It is not, indeed, the focus of fashionable
hfe. But the fine bracing air, tbe exceflent water, and
the unique customs and "laws" of the place, are admi
rably adapted to refresh and invigorate both mind and
body. At Siasconset, all are on a level, or rather on an
equal elevation. Useless forms and ceremonies are laid
aside, and the little community, for the time being.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 261
indulge in a reciprocity of good feeling and interchange
of civilities, which can be found in no place but one
situated precisely like Siasconset, and no other such place
exists in the known world.
The viUage is compactiy built on a level grass plat,
near tbe edge of a steep cliff; the land rises in the rear,
so as to cut off a view of tbe town of Nantucket, and
serve as a barrier to the cares and bustie of a turbulent
world. In front, the eye rests on a broad expanse of the
Atiantic, and below, the surf rolling and breaking, gives
animation to the scenes by day, and lulls to repose by
night. Fleets of fishing smacks are frequently anchored
or sailing near the shore, catering for distant markets ;
and larger vessels on longer voyages are continually
passing. The sea-bird is ever skimming over the ocean,
now eyeing tbe waters beneath, and now darting headlong
at his prey. Shoals of small fishes may be seen black
ening the surface, sometimes floating leisurely with the
tide, at others fleeing from the pursuit of the shark : and
occasionally the majestic whale . comes so near that one
may see his breath, and hear him breathe.
In tbe vicinity, on the margins of some sraall swaraps,
there are berries in sufficient abundance to terapt the
resident to a healthful walk ; and within the distance of
two miles is a sheet of fresh water, spreading over several
hundred acres, a visit to which will be repaid by a
pleasant ride and a good fare of perch.
From a neighboring eminence, called Sancoty Head,
the eye commands almost the entire horizon. In the
distant west is seen the town and shipping, and beyond,
the sound, often decked with numerous sails ; nearer, and
on the right, are rich pastures and neat farm-houses, and.

262 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
further on, stretches out the long Sandy Point, the
extremity of which is marked by a light-house. On the
left is a broad valley, diversified by swarap and plain, and
bounded by an elevation which extends to the ocean, and
terminates in a high cliff, cafled Tom Never's Head,
between which and the position we are supppsed to
occupy, is the viUage of Siasconset with its diminutive
houses huddled together, resembling a patch of salt
works, A view from Sancoty Head, at a clear sunset,
can hardly be surpassed in beauty and grandeur. The
rich coloring of the sky reflected by the distant waters,
the distinct outlines of the town, with its steeples and
busy windmills, tbe, repose of tbe surrounding plains,
contrasted with the gloom which broods over the rolling
and roaring ocean in the rear, give rise to sensations
which can be felt, indeed, but not described.
A letter from Zaccheus Macy, forwarding to the His
torical Society an account of the former Indian divis
ions of the island, 8fc.
Nantucket, y" 2'^ y" 10^ 1792.
My Friend and Kinsman : — Agreeable to the request
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, I have wrote
and explained many words and names of certain parts
and places of or on the. island of Nantucket, both in
English and Indian, as well as I could : but there is not
one person now left that I can get any help from in these
raatters. So I have wrote as well as I can on the affiiirs
or raatters, but I soraetiraes almost fear, whether it may
not seem flat and old to them, but I have not wrote any
thing but what I am very sure is true, according to the
best account I could get.

history of nantucket. 263
Further please to inform our said society, that I
received a smafl letter frora them, expressing their thanks
for my littie book I sent them before, which I kindly
received and here return the same to them for their
notice on such an old flat piece, and I have sent them an
old stone pipe, such as our old native Indians made and
smoked in, before the English came amongst them.
They had a sort of weed or herb they called poke,
which they used instead of tobacco, which weed re
sembled tobacco, but I do not know of any now growing
on said island. The said pipe is soraetbing marred and
broke, but still shows sorae considerable curiosity, — but I
only suppose it was made out of blue clay and rauscle
shells, pounded, and mixed, and then burnt, but it is com
monly called a stone pipe. I once had a complete one, but
it is lost. And I have sent them a shell taken out of my
well thirty-nine feet below the face of the earth ; and I
have taken raany sorts of shells out of wells near forty
feet down. And one time when the old men were
digging a well at the stage called Siasconset, it is said,
they found a whale's bone near thirty feet below the
face of the earth, which things are past our accounting for.
So I raust break short, and only have to send you afl
ray love and respect, which comes from your old and
ready friend to serve. Zaccheus Macy.
To Peleg Coffin, Esquire, of Nantucket,
now resident in Boston.
P. S. Please to take a copy of my last work or
Journal by reason I have not got it on my book all, for I
have enlarged on many things and names, which we may
want for our own curiosity.

264 history of nantucket.
Account of the names of the old Sachems and some of
the most respectable Indians, and their habitations,
taken from the best authors ihat could be had y' 15
ye gmo 1763. _A^t that time there were living near
about 370 of the natives on the island of Nantucket —
pr me the subscriber.
Wannochmamock was tbe first sachem at the south
east part of the island, when the English first came to
Nantucket. Next to hira was his son, caHed Sousoauco,
and next to him were his two sons cafled Cain and Abel.
These two agreed to divide the sachem-right, two third
parts to Cain and one third part to Abel. The said Cain
had one daughter, whose name was Jemima, married to
James Shaa. From Abel sprang Eben Abel, and from
him sprang Benjamin Abel, the last sachem, from whom
I bought all his right, title and property that he bad on
said island, for and in behalf of the whole English
proprietors. All the said Jerairaa's right was bought by
our old proprietors raany years before, as may fully
appear on our records. Their lands or bounds began at
a place on the south side of the island, called Touphchue
Pond, and ran across to tbe northward to a brown rock
marked on the west side, that lies to the northward of
our washing pond, called Gibbs' Pond, on the west side
of Saul's hills and so over towards Podpis swamp, and
then to the eastward to a place, Sesacacha Pond by
the east s^a. At the south-east part of said tract is a
high bluff head of land, called Tom Never's Head ; and
about two miles to tbe northward stands our famous
fishing §tage houses, where our sick people go for their
health, called Siasconset ; and about a mile still to the

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 265
northward is a very high cliff of land called Sancota
Head, then about a raile still to the northward stands
another fishing stage called Sesacacha.
Next begins the old sachera called Wauvvinet ; his
bounds begin adjoining to the northward of the said Wan-
nochraamock's land and run still along to the northward
and take in aU Squam, and run on to our long, sandy
point, called Coetue or Nauma, which in the English is
Long Point, where our Massachusetts light house now
stands, and then to the westward to New Town, then to
the southward to a place called Weweder Ponds, which in
English signifies a pair of horns, by reason there are two
ponds that run to a point next to the sea, and spread
apart so as to leave a neck of land, called Long Joseph's
Point ; which two ponds spread apart so as to resemble
a pair of horns. And the said Wauwinet had two
sons the oldest son was named Isaac, but was mostiy
cafled Nicornoose, which signifies, in English, to suck
the fore teat ; and his second son was named Waw-
pordonggo, which in English is white face, for his
face was one side white, and the other side brown or
Indian color. And the said Nicornoose raarried, and had
one son naraed Isaac, and one daughter; and then he
turned away his proper wife, and took another woman,
and had two sons, named Wat and Paul Noose ; and
when his true son Isaac grew up to be a raan, he resented
his father's behavior so rauch, that he went off and left
thera for the space of near fifty years, it was not known
where. And in that time his true sister married to one
Daniel Spotsor, and he reigned sachem, by bis wife, near
about forty years : and we made large purchases of the
said Spotsors. And then about sixty years past or more,

266 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
there came an Indian raan from Nauset, cafled Great
Jethro, and he brought Judah Paddack and one Hause
with him, and he challenged the sachem-right by being
son to tbe said true son of Nicornoose ; and when they
first opened the matter to our old proprietors, they
contrived to keep tbe said Jethro close, until they could
send some good comraittee to find out by our old Indians,
whether they ever knew or heard of the said Nicornoose
having such a son gone, and they soon found out by the
old Indians, that he had, but they had not heard what
was become of him. So they soon found, they sjiould
lose all they had bought of the said Spotsors, then they
held a parley wilh him said Jethro, and agreed to buy afl
his right, tide and property that he owned on said island,
as appears on our records. And tbe said Nicornoose
gave deeds to his two bastard sons, Paul and Wat Noose,
forty acres each, a Tittie to the eastward of Podpis viflage.
The first sachem at the south-west part of said island.
His bounds were at tbe said Weweder Ponds, and from
thence to the northward to a place called Gunsue meadow
at Monemoy, where we now call New Town, and from
thence westward along to the southward of the bifls called
Popsquatchet HiUs, where our three mills now stand, and
so to the west sea, called Tawtemeo, which we call the
Huraraock pond. And his name was Autapeeot. Next
to him was his son called Harry Porilaln. Next to him
was Peter Mausauquit. Next to him was Isaac Peter.
Next to him was lame Isaac, of whom we bousht the
last and all that sachem-right : and their habitation was
Moyaucomet, which signifies a meeting-place, and their
meeting-house tbey call Moyaucoraor. And the said
Autapeeot was called a great warrior, and got his land by
his bow.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 267
The fourth sachem was at the north-west part, cafled
Potconet, and owned afl the littie island called Tucker
nuck, which signifies, in English, a loaf of bread, and bis
bounds extended from Madaket down eastward to Wesko,
which in English is the white stone, and so on the north
side of Autapscot land, all bought of him at the coming
of the English, saving some particular tracts that belonged
to the Jafets and the Heights and some others.
Now I shall give some of the most respectable Indians
in Wannochraamock's bounds. There was James Ma-
mack, a minister of the gospel, and justice of the peace,
and behaved wefl In his station. Old Aesop, the weaver,
was a schoolmaster ; old Saul, a very stern looking old
man. Joshua Mamack succeeded in his father James
Maraack's place. Richard Nominash and his brother
Sampson and little Jethro were all very substantial, and
a number more very trusty men.
The raost noted Indians in Autapscot's bounds were
Benjamin Tasharaa, a minister of the gospel, and a school
master to teach the children to read and write. He was
grandson lo tbe old sachem. But there was an old Indian,
named Zacchary Hoite, a rainister before the said Tash-
¦ ama, but he did not behave so well. He told his hearers
they must do as he said, but not as he did.
And there was one Indian man, his name was James
Skouel, but was mostiy called Corduda. He was justice
of the peace, and very sharp with them if they did not
behave well." He would fetch thera up, when they did
not tend their corn well, and order thera to have ten
stripes on their backs, and for any rogue tricks and gelling
drunk. And if his own children played any rogue tricks,
be would serve thera the sarae sauce. There happened

268 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
some Englishmen at his court, when a man was brought
up for some rogue tricks, and one of these men was
named Nathan Coleman, a pretty crank sort of a raan,
and the Indian man pleaded for an appeal to Esquire
Bunker, and the old judge turned- round to said Nathan
and spoke in the Indian language thus, "chaquor kea-
dor taddator witcbe conichau mussoy chaquor," then
said Nathan answered thus, " martau couelchawidde
neconne sassamyste nehotie moche Squire Bunker;"
which in the English tongue is thus, " what do you think
about this great business ? '" then Nathan answered " may
be you had better whip him first, then let him go to
Squire Bunker ; " and the old judge took Nathan's
advice. And so Nathan answered two purposes, the one
was to see the Indian whipped, the other was, he was
sure the Indian would not want to go to Esquire Bunker
for fear of anoiher whipping.
I wifl say something raore in recoramendatlon of some of
our old Indian natives. They were very solid and sober
at their meetings of worship, and carried on in the form
of Presbyterians, but in one thing imitated the Friends
or Quakers, so called : which was to hold meetings on
the first day of the week and on the fifth day of the
week, and attended their meetings very precisely. I
have been at their meetings many tiraes and seen their
devotion ; and it was remarkably solid ; and I could
understand the most of what was said ; and they always
placed us in a suitable seat to sit ; and they were not put
by, by our coming in, bul rather appeared glad to see us
come in. And a rainister is called cooulaurauchary.
And when the meeting was done, they would take their
tinder-box and strike fire and light their pipes, and, may

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 269
be, would draw three or four wbifs and swallow the
smoke, and then blow it out of their noses, and so hand
their pipes to their next neighbor. And one pipe of
tobacco would serve ten or a dozen of them. And they
would say "tawpoot," which is, "I thank ye." It
seemed to be done in a way of kindness to each other.
And as I said betbre, tney had justices, constables,
grand-jurymen, and carried on for a great many years,
raany of them very well and precisely, and lived In very
good fashion. Some of them were weavers, some good
carpenters. ********
Now I will begin at the west end of the island, which
we call Smith's Point, but ihe Indians call Nopque,
which was called a landing place, when they carae frora
the Vineyard, but they call it Noapx ; then eastward
about three railes comes the Hummock Pond, where we
once had a great number of whale houses with a mast
raised for a look-out, with holes bored through and sticks
put in like a ladder, to go up ; then about three railes
eastward to the said Weweder ponds, stood another
parcel of whale houses ; then, about three railes eastward
to Nobedeer Pond was where Benjarain Gardner lived
formerly ; then about three and one half miles eastward
is the aforesaid Tom Never's Head; then two miles
to the northward is the famous town or fishing stage
called Siasconset ; then about one mile northward is the
high head of land called Sancoty Head, and the Indians
called Naphchecoy, which signifies round the head ; then
about one mile northward is the aforesaid Sesacacha
pond, where our other fishing stage stands. Then begins
the said Squam, and runs northward two miles to the

270 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
beginning of our said long sandy point cafled Naauma ;
and the first is one raile to a place called Causkata pond,
where are some woods and raeadow; and four miles
northward is where the said Massachusetts lighthouse is,
on tbe north end of said point. Then about one mile to
the northward of the entering on of tbe above said long
point, begins another neck or beach, called little Coetue
and runs about five miles on about a west by south course
till it comes within about one mile of our town cafled
Wesko, which makes the east side of the entering-in of
our harbor. Then next to the said Squam, westward,
is the village called Podpis Neck, where our fufling-mifl
stands ; then next westward is the famous neck of land
called Quaise or Maisquatuck Neck, which in the English
signifies the reed land, which was a tract of land given to
Thomas Mayhew from one of the old sachems, and was
reserved by the said Mayhew to himself when be sold
his patent-right to the proprietors ; which neck makes the
west side of tbe said Podpis Harbor, now owned by
Josiah Barker, Esquire, and Captain Shubael Coffin and
Captain Thomas Delano. Then next westward is the
Josiah Barker's lot or field, called Show Aucamor, which
in English signifies the raiddle field of land. Then about
four miles westward is the town called Wesco; then next
westward is a place called Watercomet, which signifies a
pond field, which formerly was owned by the old natives
called the Hoites. Then next westward is the great pond
called Cu[)pame, where old Tristram Coffin lived, the
old grandfather to almost all of us, which was owned by
the old families of tbe natives called the Jafets ; then
next westward about four railes is called Eel Point and
Madaket Harbor, which is the north-west part of tbe said

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 271
island ; and then about two miles westward is the said
littie island, called Tuckernuck, which signifies, in English,
a loaf of bread, for it appears round, and in the- middle
pretty high : which was bought by the said old Tristrara
Coffin from the old sachem Potconet, in the year 1659,
by virtue of a patent he had from New York.
Excuse me for errors and poor writing and, spelling,
and consider rae in station of life worn out.
Nantucket, ye 2<i lO'n month, 1792.
By Zaccheus Macy.
To Peleg Coffin, Esquire, now resident in Boston. For
the perusal of our Historical Society for the Massachu
setts, in Boston. EDUCATION.
Previous to the year 1827 very littie v/as done, for the
support of schools, by the town in its corporate capacity.
The youth, indeed, had ever had an opportunity of ac
quiring the rudiments of an English education in private
schools, and some appropriations had been made to in
struct the poor. In 1827 the town appropriated a suffi
cient sum to maintain two large schools on the monitorial
plan, which went into operation immediately. Since
that period some changes have taken place, both in the
number of public schools and in the system of teacbipg.
There are at present two large grammar and four primary
schools, at which there are taught about 800 scholars.
There are also, besides the Coffin school, which will be
subsequentiy noticed, some excellent private schools.
The young possess advantages for common education
not exceeded by those of any other place in the Union :
whether these advantages are duly appreciated by tbe

272 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
community, we shall not pretend to decide ; but if the
rising generation do not carry into the world a sufficient
stock of knowledge for all the best purposes of life, the
fault raust rest elsewhere than on tbe town or on the
teachers of schools. THE COFFIN SCHOOL.
In the year 1826, Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, of the
Brhish navy, visited the island. He found, that a large
part of the inhabitants were more or less remotely akin to
hira. Possessing a mind trained to active benevolence,
he expressed a disposition to confer on his kindred some
mark of his attachment to them, and of his regard for bis
ancestry. The establishraent of a school was suggested
to hira, as a raeans of perraanent good to his relatives,
and iramediately raet his approbation. He accordingly
authorized the late William Coffin, Esq. to purchase
a building then vacant, which had been used for a Lan-
casterian school, and shortiy afterwards funded, for the
support of the proposed institution, two thousand five
hundred pounds sterling. An act of incorporation was
passed at the succeeding session of the legislature, and
the school was opened in the spring of 1827. The
selection of the first board of trustees was confided to
William Coffin, Esq.
The school was first taught on the monitorial plan,
which was laid aside about four years since. The pupils
are now arranged in four classes, denominated first, second,
third and fourth. The fourth or primary class is prepar
atory to the third, and studies are laid out for the three
higher classes, calculated to occupy each class one year.
Class succeeds class precisely on the coflege plan. Those

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 273
who have attended the school three whole years, and
completed the studies of the first class, are entitled to
one year's tuition gratis, with liberty to review past
studies or commence such new ones as can be conven-
ientiy attended to.
The income from the fund is not sufficient for the sup
port of the school, as it is at present arranged, so that there
is a necessity of charging each pupil $2 50 per quarter.
The two departments, male and female, occupy separate
rooms, but corresponding classes in each pursue the same
studies and recite together. There is a principal and
assistant in each department. The examinations of the
school are quarterly, on the last fifth day or Thursday of
each season ; and the succeeding quarter commences on
the following second day, or Monday, unless a vacation
intervenes. The vacations are not at present fixed to any
times, but are adapted to tbe convenience of the teachers ;
except one of a week at the season of sheep-shearing,
¦ Copy of the Act of Incorporation of the Coffin School.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty-seven.
An Act to incorporate a school at Nantucket by the narae
of Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin's Lancaslerian School.
Sec. Ist. Be it enacted by the senate and house of
representatives in general court assembled, and by the
authority of tbe same. That there be and hereby is estab
lished in the town of Nantucket, in the county of Nan
tucket, a school by tbe name o{ Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin's
Lancasterian School, for the purpose of promoting de-
18

274 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
cency, good order and morality, and for giving a good-
English education to youth who are descendants of the
late Tristram Coffin (who emigrated from England about
the year 1641, first settied at Salisbury, in Massachusetts
Bay, now state of Massachusetts, and from thence re
moved to the town of Sherburne, now Nantucket,) as the
trustees for tbe lime being shall direct, and that William
Coffin, Ariel Coffin, Gorham Coffin, Jared Coffin, Thad-
deus Coffin, and Charles G. Coffin, with such others as'
they may add to their numbers, be nominated and ap
pointed trustees, and they are hereby incorporated into
a body politic by the name of the Trustees of Admiral
Sir Isaac Coffin's Lancasterian School, and that they
and their successors shall be and continue a body politic
for ever.
Sec. 2d. Be it further enacted, that afl lands, build
ings, moneys, or other property heretofore given or sub
scribed for the purpose of establishing the aforesaid schooly
or which shall be hereafter given, granted, or assigned to
the said trustees, shall be confirmed to tbe said trustees
and their successors in that trust for ever, for the uses
for which said school is established, and the said trustees
shall be capable of having, holding and taking in fee
simple, by gift, grant, devise or otherwise, any lands,
tenements, or other estate real or personal, provided that
the annual income of tbe same shall not exceed the sum
of three thousand dollars, and shall apply the interest,
rents and profits thereof so as most to promote the design'
'of the institution.
Sec. 3d. Be it further enacted, that the said trustees,
for the time being, shall be the visiters and governors of
said institution, and shall have full power, from time tb

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 275
time, to elect such officers thereof as tbey shafl judge
necessary and convenient, and fix the tenor of their
respective offices, and to fifl up afl vacancies that may
happen in the board of trustees, by death, resignation or
removal from the town of Nantucket. Provided always,
that the trustees shall afl be tbe descendants of the above-
mentioned Tristram Coffin in the male or female line, —
to determine the times and places for holding their meet
ings — the manner of notifying the trustees — to ascertain
the powers and duties of their several officers — to elect
instructors and prescribe their duties — to make and ordain
reasonable rules, orders and by-laws for the government
of the institution, provided the same be not repugnant to
the laws of the commonwealth.
Sec. 'ith. Be it further enacted, that the trustees of
said school may have a common seal, which they may
change at pleasure, and all deeds sealed with the said
seal, and delivered and acknowledged by the secretary of
said trustees by their order, shall be valid and binding
in law — and said trustees may sue and be sued in afl
actions, and prosecute and defend the same to final judg
ment and execution by the name of the trustees of Adrai
ral Sir Isaac Coffin's Lancasterian School.
Sec. bih. Be it further enacted, that the nuraber of
trustees shall never exceed nine nor be less than six, one
of whom shall be appointed as president, three of whom
with the president, or five without the president, shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for doing business, but
a less number may adjourn from time to time, — and a
Majority of those present shafl decide afl questions that
may properly come before said trustees.
'Sec. Gth. Be It further enacted, that Wifliam Coffin,

276 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET,
Esq., be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to
fix the tirae and place of holding the first meeting of the
trustees and to notify them thereof.
Sec. 1th. Be it further enacted, that this act may at
any tirae be modified or repealed by the legislature of
this commonwealth.
Sec. 8th. Be it further enacted, that an act passed in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
twenty-seven, enlitied " An Act to Incorporate a School
at Nantucket, by the name of Admiral Isaac Coffin's
Lancasterian School," be and the sarae hereby is re
pealed. Passed June 8, 1827.
NANTUCKET ATHEN.JEUM.
This institution was incorpoiated in 1834. It took its
origin frora two societies, one the Mechanics' Association,
forraed in 1820, tbe other the Columbian Library Asso
ciation, formed in 1823. These were united in 1627,
under the name of tbe United Library Association. In
1833, two of tbe members, Charles G. Coffin and David
Joy, offered the society a valuable tract of land, in the
central part of the town, on the condition of there being
erected on it a substantial building for the uses of the
Association. A subscription was imraediately opened and
in a short tirae a greater amount was obtained than that
required by the conditions of the donation. Thus en
couraged, ihe Association, with the consent of the donors
of the land, purchased the house and land then recently
occupied by the Universallst Society, and made such
alterations in the building as were required for their ac
commodation. The addition of a portico, which is about

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET, 277
to be annexed to the building, wifl raake it one of the
handsomest edifices in tbe town. The apartments of the
building are a convenient lecture room sufficiently large
to accommodate an audience of about four hundred and
fifty persons, a library room, a spacious room for curiosi
ties, and a committee roora. The library consists of more
than two thousand volumes, and is rapidly increasing.
The museum contains a large number of curiosities, con
sisting chiefly of weapons, dresses and utensils of the.
natives of the Pacific Ocean Islanders. It is a valuable
eoflectlon, becoming daily more valuable ; for tbe charac
ter of those people is constantly changing, and, even if
they should survive a contact with civilized nations, their
habits, customs and m'ode of warfare will be learned, a
few generations hence, only from these relics of their
former sirapliclty, SLAVERY.
The Society of Friends, in New England, were proba
bly the first associated body that bore testimony against
slavery. About the year 1717, as we have been informed
by Wifliara Rotch, Jun. of New Bedford, a friend of the
highest respectability, clerk a nuraber of years of tbe
Nantucket monthly meeting of the Society of Friends,
they expressed their views on the subject on their records
in the following language, according to his best recollec
tion :— " That they considered it inconsistent with truth
to purchase mankind as slaves, and hold them term of
life." We regret that we have not been able to obtain more
information respecting the eariy proceedings of the
Friends, in relation to slavery. The inhabitants of the

278 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
island raay well be proud of the decided stand, which
their ancestors took against the odious traffic in huraan
flesh. We felt it due to our native place, and it would
have been peculiarly grateful to our personal feelings, to
present the public with authentic documents connected
with this subject ; but the ancient records in possession
of that part of the society, cafled orthodox, have not been
made accessible to us, though we have sought, through
the recorder, either to examine them ourselves, or be
furnished with a copy of the minute, on record, at that
early period.
It is enough to say, that we have not been able to
obtain them, and that we feel a reluctance, from the
very high respect we entertain toward the .greater part of
the merabers constituting that body, for their candor and
courtesy, to enter at all into an explanation of the irrecon
cilable procedure connected with this application.
We are willing thus, to suffer, in silence, the seeming
reproach, which such a refusal casts upon us ; for we
cannot be insensible to the surprise, which it must pro
duce in the raiods of those, unacquainted with the causes,
which have probably operated to produce it. It would
be raore gratifying to us to apply, without any reserve
whatever, tbe acknowledgment which Clarkson, the au
thor of the " Portraiture of Quakerism," did to the society
of Friends in England, while in the prosecution of his
writings ; but tbe pleasure Is denied to us.
We have been obhged to give the above explanation ;
for we bad no other means to account for the non-appear
ance of the record, and self-respect alone demands of us
to say,' that in the compilation of this history, we have
received tbe most prompt and kind attention frora every

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 279
Other source, to which we have applied, for records or
information, in the prosecution of our labors.
" One of the first public advocates for the cause of the
oppressed Afticans in New England," was Elihu Cole
man, of Nantucket. " He was a minister of the society
of Friends. We have before us, a work written in 1729
-30, and published in 1733, enlitied ' A Testimony
against that Anti- Christian Practice o/ making slaves
OF men.' " In a preliminary address to his readers, he
uses these words, " And now, though some may think it
hard to have this practice spoken against, that has been
carried on so long pretty rauch in silence, I raay let such
know, that I have found it hard to write against it ; yet
nevertheless beheving it my duty so to do, I have written
according to my understanding thereof. And although I
have written but littie, and in a very plain way, yet I
hope that those remarks I have made thereon, may serve
as a text for sorae to preach to themselves upon. I am
not unthoughtful of the ferment or stir that such discourse
as this may make araong sorae, who (like Demetrius of
old) may say, by this craft we have our wealtii, which
caused the people to cry out with one voice, great is
Diana of the Ephesians, whom afl Asia and the world
worship." In the course of his work the author says :
" I have often considered how earnestly sorae men wifl
search into the etymology or original of some things that
may be but small, and in the raean tirae omit the greater.
Now in my judgment every thing ought to be looked
upon according to tbe importance, weight, or value of the
thing ; for to be very zealous in a smafl thing, and to pass
lightiy over a greater, that zeal may be more properiy
cafled superstition, than good zeal, which should be

280 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
grounded on knowledge. Nowr I would have all to
consider of this practice of making slaves of negroes, or
others that we can get the mastery over, to see upon
what foundation it stands, or to see what tbe original of it
vvas, whether or no pride and idleness was not the first
rise of it, that they might go with white bands, and that
their wives might (Jezebel like) paint and adorn them
selves, and their sons and daughters be brought up in
idleness, which*raay be very well terraed the mother of
all vice ; for it is generally the richest sort of people that
have them, for the poor are not so able to get thera." —
" But sorae may object, as I myself have beard them,
that there was a mark set upon Cain, and tbey do be-'
lieve,that these negroes are the posterity of Cain ;"."but
if we do bul observe, and read in the genealogy of Cain,
we may find that they were all drowned in the old wodd,
and that Canaan was of the line of Seth." " Christ for
bids his followers to meddle with the tares, lest they hurt
the wheat, therefore none can have any plea for raaking
them slaves, for their being ignorant or wicked ; for if
that plea would do, I do believe they need not go so far
for slaves as now they do."
" Now although tbe Turks raake slaves of those they
catch, that are not of their religion, yet (as history relates)
as soon as any embraces the Mahometan religion, they
are no longer kept slaves, but are quickly set free; and
for tbe most part put to some place of preferment ; so
zealous are they for proselytes and their own religion.
Now if many among those called Christians would but
consider, how far they fall short of the Turks in this par
ticular, it would be wefl ; for they tell the negroes, that
they must believe in Christ, and receive the Christian

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 281
faith, and that they must receive the sacrament, and be
baptized, and so they do ; but sliU they keep them slaves
for all this."
N. B. Since noticing the proceedings of Friends in
regard to slavery,- a very obliging fiiend, Thomas A,
Greene, of New Bedford, has furnished us with extracts,
made by him in 1820, from the records of the Nantucket
monthly meeting. We feel too proud of this testimony
of our fathers against slavery, to withhold the record in
its original form, from the world, though we have already
given it in substance. 26th day of y 9th mo. 1716.
"An epislle from the last Quarterly Meeting was read
in this, and y<= matter referred lo this meeting, viz,:
whether it is agreeable to truth for friends to purchase
slaves and keep them term of liffe, was considered, and
y« sense and judgraenl of this meeting is, that it is not
agreeable to truth for friends lo purchase slaves and hold
them term of liffe.
'" Nathaniel Starbuck, jun;. is to draw out this meeting's
judgment concerning friends not buying slaves and keep-
them term of liffe, and send it lo the next Quarterly
Meeting, and to sign it in ye meeting's behalf."
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
In the toy/n of Nantucket there are eight religious
societies or congregations, viz: one Unitarian Congrega-
tionallst, one Orthodox Society, two meetings of Friends,
one attached to the New York yeariy raeeting, the other
to that of New England ; one Methodist Episcopal, one

282

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

Reformed Methodist ; and two for colored persons, one
of them Baptist, the other denorainated Zion's Church.

Summary of the nuraber of deaths of persons be
longing to Nantucket, in each year frora 1820 to' 1834
inclusive. 1820

1821

UJ

1822

160

1823

167

1824

133
1825 under 10 years
114
" over 10, under 70
92
" over 70
35
241
1826 under 10 years
73
" over 10, under 70
67
" over 70
19

159
1827 under 10 years
34
" over 10, under 70
63
" over 70
20
117
1828 under 10 years
56
" over 10, under 70
70
" over 70
31
1.57
1829 under 10 years
59
" over 10, under 70
63
" over 70
19
141
HISTORY OF nantucket. 283
1830 under 10 years 41
" over 10, under 70 49
" over 70 2g
 118
1831 under 10 years 47
" over 10, under 70 81
" over 70 25
 153
1832 under 10 years 47
" over 10, under 70 74
" over 70 17

1833 under 10 years 145
" over 10, under 45 49
" over 45, under 70 20
" over 70 22
1834 under 10 years 76
" over 10, under 45 55
" over 45, under 70 23
" over 70 23

138

236

177

FIRES.
We subjoin an account of fires, which have occurred
within the town of Nantucket. There may be some
oraissions, and the estimate of losses raay in some in
stances be incorrect, but we beheve that the error, ifthere
be any, will consist in overating the property destroyed.
That there should be so few losses in a town compactly
built of wood, is to be attributed, perhaps equally, to the

284 HISTORY OP NANTUCKET.
Steady habits of the inhabitants, and the promptness,
energy, and activity of tbe young men of the island.
The means for extinguishing fires consist of a sufficient
number of engines, good apparatus, a bountiful supply of
water from the harbor, public cisterns, and private weUs.
Buildings destroyed by Fire.
In 1736 Friends meeting bouse^ estimated loss $400
1762 Peter Barnard's house, 400
1765 Mifl, 500
1769 Several buildings on South Wharf, 11,000
" " " at Brant Point, 1,000
1774 Enoch Gardner's barn, 100
1782 Light-house at Brant Point, 1,000
1786 " " Great Point, 1,000
" Nicholas Meader's house at Sesacacha, 100
1779 Two barns, 300
1799 Isaac Folger's shop, 1,500
1802 Nathan Bebe's bake-house, 2,000
1810 George Russell's shopi 350
1811 Matthew Myrick's rope-walk, 3,000
1812 Samuel Swain's house at Phillips' Run, 200
" Several buildings at South Wharf, 6,000
1814 George Myrick's farm house, 300
1816 Light-house at Great Point, 500
1820 Jethro Dunham's house at Tuckernuck, 400
1823 T. h H. Starbuck's shop, 100
1832 Isaac Coffin's barn, 900
Buildings injured.
Thomas Smith's shop, 1,000
John R. Macy's shop, 600
Elizabeth Chase's shop, 1,000

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 285
Adding to these losses $3,000, for shght injuries
sustained at different tiraes, 3,000
It is beheved that the total value of property
destroyed by fires, since the settiement of
the island, has not exceeded $36,000

POETRY .

We insert the following specimens of our island poesy,
not because we consider them the best collection that can
be made, nor because we suppose them, taken coflect-
ively, to possess very extraordinary merit. Some of the
pieces have been deemed worthy of being banded down
from a considerably remote period. Our fathers wielded
the . harpoon, and our mothers the distaff, with better
efiect, and certainly with more profit, than they did the
pen ; yet they were not all insensible to the smfles of the
muses, nor were the muses always averse lo their devo
tions. It seems necessary to possess some familiarity
with an art in order to judge of others' skill therein ; we
deem it prudent, therefore, to withhold our opinion in the
premises, and leave it for others to decide, whether we
have added to the value of our -work by our selections.
And yet we are willing to take our part in the censures
which may befall these productions, so far as taste and
poetic feeling are at stake ; and, if these qualities are not
found to have been possessed by some of the writers, we
shall plead guilty of the like deficiency ourselves. It is
said that, when one chord of the stringed instrument is
touched, all the kindred chords are raade lo vibrate; so,
whether frora local partiaUties or not we cannot determine,
the sentiments of our own poets have awakened sympa
thetic emotions in our breasts.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 287
The following is extracted from a work written by
Peter Folger, of whom some mention is made in the
second chapter of this history. The title is as follows :
L LOOKING-GLASS FOR THE TIMES, OR THE FORMER SPIRIT OF NEW
ENGLAND REVITED IN THIS GENERATION.
Bi/ Peter Folger.
Let all that read these verses know.
That I intend something to show
About our war, how it hath been
And also what is the chief sin.
That God doth so -with us contend
And when these wars are like to end.
Read then in love ; do not despise
What here is set before thine eyes.
New England for these many years
hath had both rest and peace.
But now the case is otherwise ;
our troubles doth increase.
The plague of war is now begun
in some great colonies.
And many towns are desolate
we may see with our eyes.
The loss of many goodly men
we may lament also.
Who in the -war have lost their lives,
and fallen by our foe.
Our women also they have took
and children very small.
Great cruelty they have used
to sorae, though not to all.
* 5^ * * # x=
Let us then search, what is the sin
that God doth punish for ;
And, when found out, cast it away
and ever it abhor.
Sure 'tis not chiefly for those sins
that magistrates do name.

288 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
And make good laws for to suppress,
and execute the same.
But 'tis for that same crying sin,
that rulers will not own,
And that whereby much cruelty
to brethren hath been shown ;
The sin of persecution
such laws established.
By which laws they have gone so far,
as blood hath touched blood.
It is now forty years ago,
since some of them were made.
Which was the ground and rise of all
the persecuting trade.
Then many worthy persons were
banished to the woods.
Where they among the natives did
lose their raost precious bloods.
And since that, many godly men
have been to prison sent ;
They have been fined, and whipped also,
and suffered banishment.
The cause of this their suffeiang
was not for any sin.
But for the witness that they bare
against babes sprinkling.
And though that these were harmless men,
and did no hurt to any, •
But lived well like honest men,
as testified by many ;
Yet did these laws entrap them so,
that they were put to death.
And could not have the liberty
to speak near their last breath.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 289
But these men were, as I have heard,
against our college men ;
And this was, out of doubt to me,
that which was most their sin.
Now to the sufferings of these men
I have but gave a hint ;
Because that in George Bishop's book
you may see all in print.
Now, loving friends and countrymen,
I wish we may be wise,
'Tis now a tirae for every man
to see with his own eyes.
'Tis easy to provoke the Lord
to send among us war,
'Tis easy to do violence,
to envy and to jar ;
To show a spirit that is high,
to scorn and domineer ;
To pride it out, as if there were
no God to make us fear ;
To covet what is not our own,
to cheat and to oppress.
To live a life that might free us
from acts of Righteousness ;
To swear and lie, and to be drunk,
to backbite one another ;
To carry tales that may do hurt
and mischief to our brother !
To live in such hypocrisy,
as men may think us good.
Although our hearts within are full
of evil and of blood.
All these and many evils more
are easy for to do ;
But to repent, and to reform,
we have no strength unto.
19

290 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
Let us then seek for help from God,
and turn to him that smite ;
Let us take heed, that at no time
we sin against our light.
# # * if: }S *
I would not have you for to think,
tho' I have wrote so much.
That I hereby do throw a stone
at magistrates as such.
The rulers in the c6untry I
do own them in the Lord :
And such as are for government,
with them I do accord.
But that which I intend hereby,
is that they would keep bounds.
And meddle not with God's worship,
for which they have no ground.
And I am not alone herein,
there's many hundreds more.
That have for many years ago
spake much upon that score.
Indeed I really believe,
it's not your business
To meddle with the Church of Christ
in matters more or less.
There's work enough to do besides,
to judge in mine and thine.
To succor poor and fatherless,
that is the work in fine.
* * * * -Tf #
The Church may now go stay at home,
there's nothing for to do ;
Their work is all cut out by law,
and almost made up too.
If we do love our brethren,
and do to them, I say.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 291
As we would they should do to us,
we should be quiet straightway.
But if that we a smiting go
of fellow-servants so.
No marvel if our wars increase
and things so heavy go.
'Tis like that some may think and say,
our war would not reraain.
If so be that a thousand more
of natives were but slain.
Alas ! these are but foolish thoughts ;
God can make more arise,
And if that there were none at all.
He can make war with flies.
Let's have our faith and hope in God,
and trust in Him alone.
And then no doubt this storm of war
it quickly will be gone.
Thus, reader, I, in love to all,
leave these few lines with thee.
Hoping that in the substance we
shall very well agree.
If that you do raistake the verse
for its uncomely dress,
I tell thee true, 1 never thought
that it would pass the press.
If any at the matter kick,
it's like he's galled at heart.
And that's the reason why he kicks,
because he finds it smart.
I am for peace, and not for war,
and that's the reason why
I write more plain than some men do,
that use to daub and lie.

292 HISTORY or nantucket.
But I shall cease, and set my name
to what i here insert.
Because to be a libeller,
I hate it with my heart.
From Sherbon^ town, where Mow I dwell,
my name I do put here.
Without offence your real friend,
it is Peter Folger. .dpril 23, 1676.

We insert the following, not for its intrinsic merit, but
as a speciraen of ranch of a sirailar character, which has
fallen into our hands, and also as an apology for not pub
hshing more.
AN ELEGY ON THE SlfDDEN AND AWFUL DEATH OF SEVEN MEN, WHO
WERE DROWNED ON NANTUCKET EAR, IsT OF IST MONTH, 1782.
Kind heaven assist my feeble muse,
And help me to relate
Unto my friends the dismal news
Of my poor townsmen's fate.
O, what a sad and awful time.
Which caused our eyes to weep.
For seven men, all in their prime,
All drowned in the deep.
In seventeen hundred eighty-two,
The first of new year's day.
This poor unhappy crew of men
Were sadly swept away.
They frora Nantucket shore put off.
And for the bar did try.

J Nantucket.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 293
In hopes to get on board a brig ;
But could not her come nigh.
The wind did blow, the sea run high.
They strove the brig to gain.
But all endeavors fruitless were.
Their striviiig proved in vain.
Their boat upon the ocean fiU'd,
And two were then swept out,
And five, remaining in her still.
Some time were toss'd about.
Their friends on shore saw their distress.
And for their help did try.
But nothing could in time be done ;
It was their lot to die.
Four mournful widows, left that day,
And eleven children small.
And two besides that were unborn.
Which makes thirteen in all,
Their sorrows surely must be great.
Which I full well do know.
Having once shared the same fate,
And tasted the same woe.
Now in the scriptures we may find
These words recorded be :
The fatherless leave to my care,
Their widows trust in me.

294 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
The following piece is frora the pen of Peleg Folger,
a member and an elder of the Society of Friends. He
died in the year 1789, aged 55 years. In early hfe he
exhibited traits of character, which gave hini a great supe
riority over others of his age. His hterary acquirements
were the result of his own unaided industry, for his school
education was very limited, his youth being principally
employed in the farming business. At about the age of
21 he began the business of a seaman, which he followed
many years, both in whaling and cod fishing. On exam
ining the journal which he kept during this period, we
find it couched in the language rather of a scholar than
of a farmer or sailor. In addition to keeping the run of
the vessel, like an experienced navigator, he frequently
introduced, in his journals, pieces of poetry, and composi
tions in prose, and occasionally sentences in Latin, be
sides arithmetical and algebraical problems. His general
deportment was serious and contemplative. It was rare
that he indulged in levity, but he was free and> sociable
in conversation on useful subjects, whether moral or reli
gious. He was considered as a monitor in all his conduct
through life ; beloved by all good people, he commanded
the respect and obedience of those who looked to him for
support and protection, among whora were several father
less children.
His knowledge of raathematlcs, and of the natural sci
ences generally, was considered by judges to be far supe
rior to that of raany who had had the advantages of a
classical education. His character as a Christian, from
his youth to the' time of his decease, was almost withbut
blemish. For several days previous to his departure, he
appeared to have a satisfactory presentiment of his ap-

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 295.
preaching end, and that tbe sting of death was entirely
removed. He had much to say by way of advice to bis
friends and neighbors, who visited hira in his last raorhents.
DOalNUM COLLAUDAMUS. [LET US PRAISE THE I.0RD.]
Praise ye the Lord, O celebrate his fame.
Praise the eternal God, that dwells above ;
His power will for ever be the same.
The same for ever his eternal love.
Long as that glitt'ring lamp of heaven, the sun.
Long as the moon or twinkling stars appear.
Long as they all their annual courses run.
And make the circle of the sliding year ;
So long our gracious God will have the care
To save his tender children from all harms ;
Wherever danger is, he will be near.
And, underneath, his everlasting arms.
O Lord, I pray, my feeble muse inspire,
That, while I touch upon a tender string,
I may be filled, as with celestial fire.
And of thy great deliverances sing.
My soul is lost, as in a wond'rous maze.
When I contemplate thine omnipotence.
That did the hills create, and mountains raise.
And spread the stars over the wide expanse.
Almighty God, thou didst create the light, ,
That swiftly through th' ethereal regions flies ;
The sun to rule the day, the moon the night.
With stars adorning all the spangled skies.
Thou mad'st the world and all that is therein.
Men, beasts, and birds, and fishes of the sea :
Men still against thy holy law do sin.
Whilst all the rest thy holy voice obey.

296 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
Monsters that in the briiiy ocean dwell.
And winged troops that every way disperse.
They all thy wonders speak, thy praises tell,
O thou great ruler of the universe.
Ye sailors, speak, that plough the wat'ry main,
Where raging seas and foaming billows roar,
Praise ye the Lord, and in a lofty strain.
Sing of his wonder-working love and power.
Thou didst, O Lord, create the mighty whale.
That wondrous monster of a mighty length ;
Vast is his head and body, vast his tail.
Beyond conception his unmeasured strength.
When he the surface of the sea hath broke.
Arising from the dai-k abyss below.
His breath appears a lofty stream of smoke,
The circling vvaves like glitt'ring banks of snow.
But, everlasting God, thou dost ordain.
That we poor feeble mortals should engage
(Ourselves, our wives and children to maintain,)
This dreadful monster with a martial rage.
And, though he furiously doth us assail.
Thou dost preserve us from all dangers free ;
He cuts our boat in pieces with his tail.
And spills us all at once into the sea.
' I twice into the dark abyss was cast.
Straining and struggling to retain my breath,
Thy waves and billows over me were past.
Thou didst, O Lord, deliver me from death.
Expecting every moment still to die,
Methought I never more should see the light:
Well nigh the gates of vast eternity
Environed me with everlasting night.
Great was my anguish, earnest were my cries.
Above the powfer of human tongue to tell.
Thou hear'dst, O Lord, ray groans and bitter sighs.
Whilst I was lab'ring in the womb of hell.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 297
Thou saved'st me from the dangers of the sea.
That I might bless thy name for ever more.
Thy love and power the same will ever be.
Thy mercy is an inexhausted store.
Oh, may I in thy boundless power confide.
And in thy glorious love for ever trust.
Whilst I in thy inferior woild reside.
Till earth return to earth and dust to dust.
And when I am unbound from earthly clay,
Oh, may my soiil then take her joyful flight
Into the realms of everlasting day.
To dwell in endless pleasure and delight.
At God's right hand, in undiminished joy.
In the blest tabernacles made above.
Glory and peace without the least alloy.
Uninterrupted, never dying love.
There angels and archangels still reraain.
The saints in their superior regions dwell.
They praise their God, and in a heavenly strain.
The wond'rous works of great Jehovah tell.
And when I shall this earthly ball forsake.
And leave behind me frail mortality,
Then may my soul her nimble journey take
Into the regions of eternity.
Then may my blessed soul ascend above,
To dwell with that angelic, heavenly choir.
And in eternal songs of praise and love.
Bless thee, my God, my King, for evermore.

298 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.

FAREWELL TO RACHAEL WILSON,' OF ENGLAND,— 1769.
[Author' unknown.]
Happy the humbled soul that lives to God,
Refined from sensual dross, pursues the way,
The only blessed way, true pleasure's road,
Leading through time's thick night to endless day.
In humble hope let honest hearts unite.
That the great harvest's Lord may yet endow
More faithful laborers with immortal might,
And willing minds the Master's work to do.
Wilson, the field is wide, the harvest great.
Noble the purpose of thine embassy.
Stupid the mind, unfeeling of the weight
Of potent love that operates in thee.
Weaned from the love of life and earthly things.
Obedient to the soul-redeeming p'ower.
Borne o'er the deep on evangelic wings,
A welcon;ie envoy to this western shore :
The straying mind descends from barren heights,
Soft melody vibrating in her ear.
And in the lowly; verdant vale delights ,
The gospel music of thy song to hear. ,
Thus the good shepherd tunes his rural reed.
The stragglers of his flock are gathered near.
Charmed by his voice, they in his presence feed.
Safe from the beasts of prey, and void of fear.
Clothed with His love who made the lily white.
Thy fervent labor, Wilson, has been blest;
Or this my verse had never seen the light.
Nor thus a fellow worm had been addressed.
And is thy task fulfiU'd ? must thou depart .'
Go, then, and may angelic peace be thine ;
Absence cannot erase thee from my heart.
In years to come, if years to come be mine.
1 A minister of the Society of Friends then on a visit to Nantucket.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET. 299
Divinely fitted for a sacred use.
As such, 'tis sure no flattery to commend ;
A vessel honored in thy master's house.
As such, I but salute thee as. a friend.
Favored of God, farewell, and to thy shore,
Bless'd with celestial calm, though billows foam,
May gales propitious waft thee safely o'er.
Endeared Rachael, tothy native home.

MY NATIVE ISLE.

Is there within wide nature's bound.
In realms above, or depths profound.
Or on this terrene globe,
A goddess shrewd, as Pallas wise.
Or spirit of infernal guise.
Or aught of mortal made ;
Is there no sj'lph of wood or mead.
No sea-nymph in her watery bed.
No genius of the Nile,
No one in mountain, grot, or dell.
Invested with the power to tell.
Whence sprung my Native Isle .¦'
Was it from ocean's coral caves,
Toss'd by old Neptune to the waves,
A gift in merry glee .'
And will he not some future day,
Ih wonder at its lengthen'd stay.
Back hurl it to the sea ?
Or was it severed from the shore.
Of neighboring lands, in days of yore,
By strong volcanic shock.
Hurled iulo the Atlantic main
A barren, sandy, dreary plain,
A bit without a rock !

300 HISTORY OF NANTUCKET.
Perchance it floated from the north,
Issued from Zerabla's regions forth.
To find .a kinder sky ;
Perchance it may, again set sail,
Propell'd by Boreas' fav'ring gale.
The torrid zone to try.
Undecked, unlovely as thou art,
A speck upon the world's great chart.
Thou art our native'spot.
And, true to nature, still we love.
And, by affection still we prove
Thy faults can be forgot.
We know the grandest, loftiest pines.
Have left to grace more genial climes.
Yet lovely plants here thrive;
The violet bland, and violet blue.
And violet of cerulean hiie,
Betoken spring's alive.
Thy fatal shores, and sandy shoals.
Round which the foaming white cap rolls,
All hopes of safety blast;
The pale affrighted sailor eyes
The dangers that around him rise.
And turns away aghast !
Hence ! all ye light, fantastic schemes.
Teeming with fancy's flimsy dreams.
No more my thoughts beguile.
It is not in your power to tell ,
Who toss'd it up on ocean's swell,
From what empyrean realms it fell.
Or whence my Native Isle.

END.

HILLIARD, GRAY «fe COMPANY'S
g(glll®®lti I13®®Sgo

MILLIARD, GRAY & CO. have been for many years engaged
in the publication of School Books, prepared by the most eminent
and successful instructers. They respectfully ask the attention of
teachers, school committees, and all others interested in the instruc
tion of the young, to the list given beloW.
inrOrders addressed to Mr. Epward Mitchell, Bookseller, Nan
tucket, will meet with immediate attention.

COLBURN'S FIRST LESSONS— SEQUEL TO FIRST LES
SONS—ALGEBRA—KEY TO SEQUEL— KEY TO ALGEBRA.
The First Lessons in Akithmetic was first published in 1826,
and notwithstanding the numerous imitations that have been made
of it, its sale has steadily increased to the present time. It has been
introduced into most of the public and private schools throughout the
country .
It cannot be necessary to give recomraendations to works so long
and favorably known to the public as Mr. Colburn's. We have,
however, ventured to add the testimony to their merits, of T. Sher-
wiN, Esq., Instructer of the High School in this city. It is an ex
tract from his address delivered before the American Institute, at their
last meeting in this city, in August, 1834.
" Of the works which have served to introduce a better method of
studying mathematics, are the Cambridge, course, principally trans
lated from the French, and Colbcrn's works. There are many
other works of no inconsiderable merit, but I have selected these,
because, in addition to their intrinsic worth, they have taken the
lead in raising the standard of scientiiic studies.
" No man among us has contributed so much to a correct method
of studying mathematics as the lamented Colborn. True, his method
was not wholly original, as he has followed the general principles of
Pestalozzi ; but I have no hesitation in saying, that his books are not
only the best in this country, but, so far as my information extends,
the best in the world. The First Lessons are above all praise.
The Sequel admits of some improvements, and such the author has
left in manuscript, which will probably be published. Some object
to this work, that it is overloaded with examples for practice; not
reflecting that facility and rapidity are highly important in arith-

Hilliard, Gray &f Company's

raetical operations ; and that it is much easier to omit superfluous
examples than to supply new ones. In the Algebra, I can object to
no part except the binomial theorem, of which the author gave an
original demonstration, and from this circumstance, 'his own would
appear to him more simple and intelligible than any other mode.
But for myself, I prefer the more concise method of Bourdon, which,
I think, may be perfectly comprehended, even by boys. All of these
works are, however, excellent in their kind, and objections to them,
wherever they exist, have arisen, I believe," from the ignorance,
INDOLENCE, Or PREJUDICE OE TEACHERS."
COLBURN'S FIRST LESSONS IN READING AND
GRAMMAR.
" This little book is intended for children, as soon as they are able
to read and spejl easy words. It will be well to use some primer
before it. But this is suitable for the first lessons in reading.
" Children may begin easy lessons in reading, as soon as they can
read and spell words of one syllable. It is not well to drill them too
long in spelling, previous to beginning to read in reading."
ELEMENTARY LESSONS IN INTELLECTUAL ARITH
METIC. &y James R!obiwson, Instructer of Writing and Arith
metic, Bowdoin High School, Boston.
" These Elementary Lessons are designed as an introduction to
' Colburn's First Lessons,' and other Arithmetics now in use.
" Each combination begins with a practical question, illustrated by
small squares, which are designed to be used as counters, in perform
ing the practical questions.
"Every practical question is followed by an abstract question,
illustrated by the figure 1 placed in each of the squares. These
figures are designed to be used as counters in performing the abstract
questions." A COMPEND OF BOOK-KEEPING BY SINGLE ENTRY,
designed for the use of schools, merchants, mechanics, farmers, &c.
By James Robinson, Instructer in the Bowdoin School, Boston.
" The design of this compend is to furnish the youth of our schools
with those methodical, simple, and concise method? of keeping ac
counts, which have been found best adapted to the business of the
merchant, the mechanic, and the farmer."
This book is used in the Boston public schools, by order of the
committee. , '
STORY',S CONSTITUTIONAL CLASS BOOK. 'This book is
intended for the use of Schools. It cannot be considered other than
a happy attempt to simplify what has hitherto been thought of so
severe and complex a character as only to yield to the studies of
Statesmen and Lawyers. The Roman boys learned the twelve
tables by heart, as a school exercise. The boys of our country may
now acquire a knowledge of the Constitution, while yet at school
which will be of material assistance in strengthening their attach
ments to correct principles of government, and in preparing them for
the responsible duties of life. — Am. Jurist,

School Books.

EASY LESSONS IN GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY, de
signed for the use of the younger classes in schools, to which are
prefixed the elements of Linear Drawing. By Joseph Allen, Min
ister of Norlhborough, Mass. Stereotype ed.
" The First Part of the Easy Lessons is designed to lead the pupil,
by gentle and easy gradations, frora a knowledge of places with
which he ist'amiliar, to clear and definite views of the form and
-general divisions of theearth, and of a few of the simplest elements
of astronomy, such as may be intelligible and interesting to young
children. "The Second Part contains sketches of the history of New Eng
land, relating particularly to its first settlement by the English, and
their wars withthe Indians, with which every American youth should
be familiar from his earliest years." '
THE PRONOUNCING SPELLING BOOK, adapted to Walk
er's Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, in which the precise sound of
every syllable is accurately conveyed, in a manner perfectly intelli
gible to every capacity, by placing over such letters as lose their
sounds, those letters, whose sounds they receive. By J. A. Cum
mings, author of Ancient and Modern Geography. Questions on the
New "Testament, &c. Revised and improved from the fourth edition.
BOOK FOR MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN, by Hosea
HiLDRETH ; containing a particular account of the State of Massa
chusetts, — in familiar Letters from a Father to his Child. — Designed
for the use of schools and families.
THE TEMPERANCE READER, designed for the flse of
Schools, by Charles Yale, author of " Outlines of General History,"
&c. » Boston, November 16, 1834.
Messrs. Hilliard, Gray &¦ Co. — Sirs : Having examined the sheets
of the " Temperance Reader," now in the press, about to be published
by you, and highly approving of the plan and execution of the work,
it is with great pleasure I recommend it as deserving of the patron
age of all the friends of Temperance in the United States. II intro
duced generally into our schools, and its facts impressed upon the
minds of the youth of our land, it will do much to preserve them
from the most destructive of all the vices to which they are ex
posed. Since^rely desiring that your efforts in the cause of tem
perance may be crowned with abundant success, I am, with true re
gard. Your friend and servant,
John Tappan,
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the
American Temperance Society.
The members of the Council of the Massachusetts Temperance
Society have, at the request of Messrs. Hilliard, Gray, & Co., ex
amined a compilation called the " Temperance Reader." Beheving
that a collection of pieces on Temperance for the instruction of
young persons will be very useful, they are much gratified to see

Hilliard, Gray 8f Company's

this work, and cordially recommend it to the attention of instructers
and parents. John C. Warren,
President of the Massachusetts Temp. Society.
J. Greely Stevenson,
Boston, Nov. 21, 1834. Secretary.
Temp. Office, Albany, Oct. 6, 1834.
We have examined a work to be published by Messrs. Hilliard,
Gray, & Co., entitled " Temperance Reader ; " and, thinking it well
adapted to promote the great interests of the cause of Temperance,
we heartily recommend it to the favor and patronage of the public.
E. C. Delevan,

John F. Bacon,
John T. JYorton,
Henry Trowbridge,
Archibald Campbell,
Ira Harris,
P. S. Van Rensselaer,

ExecutiveCommittee
N. Y. State
Temp.
Society.

WORCESTER'S ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY, Ancient
and Modern ; with an Atlas, Ancient and Modern.
Maps in the Ancient Atlas.
1. Roman Empire. 4. Asia Minor.
2. Italy. 5. Palestine.
3. Greece. I Maps in the Modern Atlas.
1. The World. , 8. England, Scotland, and Ire-
2. North Araerica. ' land.
3. United States. 9. Asia.
4. Eastern and Middle States. 10. Turkey, Arabia, Persia, Hin-
5. South America. dostan, Egypt, &c.
6. Europe. 11. Africa.
7. France, Germany, Nether- 12. Heights (S" Mountains.
lands, Switzerland, &c. 13. Lengths of Rivers.
This edition of this work is much improved, and there is added to
it a Pronouncing Vocabulary of Geographical JYames, containing
about 3000 words.
In this Geography scholars are examined for admission into Har
vard and other colleges ; and it is also extensively used in academies
and schools in different parts of the country.
" Mr. Worcester's Geography appears to us a most excellent
Manual. It is concise, well arranged, free from redundancies and
repetitions, and contains exactly what it should, a brief outline of
the natural and political characteristics of each country. The tabu
lar views are of great value." — North American Review.
WORCESTER'S EPITOME OF GEOGRAPHY, with an.Atlas.
This Geography is intended expressly for coramon schools. It
contains raore matter than is usually studied in them, and is afforded
at a price more than one third lower than any other work now in
use. It is extensively introduced in New England and New York
and the publishers confidently believe is oii^of Uie raost acceptable
manuals in use. Price $6 00 per dozen. VAL*-

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