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THE EARLY
SETTLERS
OF
NANTUCKET
1659-1850
172,32
LIBRARY
OF THE
IS00
MERICA
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Glass F72 nt.
Book NEH61
ok Number :
4/12
The TOWN of SHERBURNE in the ISLAND of NANTUCKET.
Second and Enlarged Edition
EARLY SETTLERS OF
Nantucket
THEIR ASSOCIATES AND DESCENDANTS
COMPILED BY LYDIA S. HINCHMAN
ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AND WITH DRAWINGS BY MARGARETTA S. HINCHMAN
Philadelphia FERRIS & LEACH 29 North Seventh Street 1901
Fy 2 . NaHol
COPYRIGHT, 1901, BY LYDIA S. HINCHMAN.
By transfer OCT 25 1915
To my Children IN WHOSE INTEREST THIS WORK WAS UNDERTAKEN AND To my Sister MARY A. ALBERTSON WHOSE ASSISTANCE IN GENEALOGICAL WORK HAS BEEN OF GREAT VALUE
This Book is affectionately Dedicated
DEPARTMENT WAR RECEIVED JAN 15 1902
1
PREFACE.
Ir has not been the plan of the compiler of this book to make an exhaustive history of Nantucket, or a com- plete genealogy of its various families.
Several histories and genealogical books of individual families have been prepared, and are a great help in a work like this.
It is not necessary, however, to the islanders that complete genealogies be put at their disposal, since the town, court and Friends' records are unusually complete and well preserved, and may be consulted if one really " wants to know."
There are matters which, to the people of Nantucket, who have one hundred or more years of family record on the island, are of common interest.
It must be remembered that very few of the early settlers came directly from the old world to Nantucket. Settlements were located on the "main land," and family alliances made which are now interesting to note; and in the few instances where the families are brought down to the present time, it is intended to show the cropping up wherever one may go of descendants of the quiet Quaker people whose beginnings were so humble, but whose influence has been so widespread.
If some names are mentioned of those who have at- tained prominence, it is not with the view of passing others by. Perhaps the eredit may be due not to him
Early Settlers of Nantucket.
who has made his mark, but to the earnest parent who in his far-off island home has toiled
To save all earnings to the uttermost, And give his child a better bringing up Than his had been, or hers.
The early settlers were pioneers in every sense of the word, and had more of family history than of this world's goods with which to begin life. The American ancestry of Nantucketers is not alone on the little island, which it is our pleasure to honor, but may be found in several States.
The purpose of this volume is to follow to some ex- tent the wanderings and the manner of life, not only of the early settlers themselves, but of their associates and descendants.
The compiler would express her appreciation of the valuable information given by members of the several families whose lineage is herein set down.
OLD
L198ON
BALL
CHAPTER PAGE I .- DEEDS OF PURCHASE AND SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND, 1 Discovery - Names of Purchasers-Ten Proprietors Added- Houses Built-Town Named.
II. - THOMAS MACY, 14
Arrival in America-His Record in Salisbury, Massachusetts- Violation of Lawsin Religious Matters-Admonition-Apology- Departure for Nantucket.
III .- EDWARD STARBUCK, 19
Settlement at Dover, New Hampshire-Possessions in Dover- Profession of Anabaptism-Joins Thomas Macy on his Voyage to Nantucket-Name of Starbuck Associated with his Former Possessions nutil 1716-Deed of Conveyance to Nathaniel Star- buck.
IV .- TRISTRAM COFFIN,
24
Birth-Marriage-Arrival in America-Early Ancestry-Coffin Home in Normandy and England-Life and Services at Nan- tucket-Commission as Chief Magistrate of Colony-Sketch of his Children.
V .- ADMIRAL SIR ISAAC COFFIN, Baronet, 41
Ilis Early Life in Boston-Interest in Nantucket-Services for the King-Story of his Whaling Experience-Marriage and Death in England.
VI .- STEPHEN GREENLEAF, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF ILIS FATHER, EDMUND GREENLEAF, 46
Origin of the Family-Arrival in America of Edmund Greenleaf and Family-Public Service-Extract from Will STEPHEN GREENLEAF as Proprietor of Nantucket-Military and Civil Ser- viccs-Death.
50
VII .- CHRISTOPHIER HUSSEY, .
Baptismal Record-Marriage-Arrival in Boston-Settlement at Hampton, New Hampshire-Public Services-STEPHEN HUSSEY -Account of Stephen Batchelder and John Wing.
VIII .- OTHER PROPRIETORS,
ROBERT PIKE-Settlement at Salisbury-Relations with Nan- tucket-Public Life-THOMAS COLEMAN as Proprietor-THOMAS AND ROBERT BARNARD-Proprietors of Nantucket and Record at Salisbury and Amesbury-RICHARD SWAIN-Connection of his Family with Weare Family, of Hampton, New Hampshire- JOHN SWAIN as Proprietor-His House.
IX .- PETER FOLGER, .
Origin of Folger Family-Peter Folger's Arrival in America- Life and Missionary Work at Martha's Vineyard - Cotton Mather's Description of Him-Settlement at Nantucket-His Family-Benjamin Franklin and his Descendants in Philadel- phia-Walter Folger-Maria Mitchell-Jacob Barker-Thomas Prence-William Collier-William Allen Butler-Charles James Folger.
X .- THOMAS GARDINER, AND HIS SONS RICHARD AND JOHN GARDNER,
79
Settlement in America-Life at Cape Ann and Salem-Removal of RICHARD GARDNER to Nantucket-Richard as Magistrate- JOHN GARDNER as Magistrate on Nantucket, Judge of Probate, and Captain of "Ffoot Company."
XI .- SAMUEL SHATTUCK, 86
Association of Name with Nantucket-Persecution-Banishment from America-Samuel Shattuck's Return to America with the King's Mandate.
XII .- THOMAS MAYHEW AND THOMAS MAYHEW, JR., 96
Thomas Mayhew as Proprietor of Nantucket-His Life at Martha's Vineyard-Missionary Work of Thomas Mayhew, Jr., among Indians-Children and Descendants of Thomas Mayhew, Jr.
XIII .- CUSTOMS, DOCUMENTS AND INCIDENTS OF NANTUCKET, 100
XIV .- NANTUCKET IN THE REVOLUTION, . 111
An Explanation of the Neutral Position of Nantucket during the Revolutionary War.
XV .- EXTRACTS FROM JOURNALS OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, JOHN RICHARDSON AND THOMAS STORY, GIVING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE RISE OF FRIENDS ON NANTUCKET, 120
Establishment of Friends' Meeting-Present Condition of the Society on the Island.
XVI .- AN IMPARTIAL JUDGMENT, . 133
60
67
Detail of Descent from Proprietors and Settlers.
XVII .- THE MITCHELL FAMILY, 141
XVIII .- THE RUSSELL FAMILY, 149
XIX .- THE SWAIN FAMILY, 152
XX .- THE BARKER FAMILY, 155
XXI .- FAMILY OF LUCRETIA MOTT,
160
XXII .- FAMILIES OF THOMAS EARLE AND JOHN MILTON EARLE, 166
XXIII .- THE SWIFT FAMILY,
169
XXIV .- FAMILY OF WILLIAM ROTCH,
176
XXV .- WING AND HATHAWAY CONNECTION WITH NAN-
TUCKET FAMILIES,
.
.
183
XXVI .- NEWHALL CONNECTION WITHI NANTUCKET
FAMILIES, .
189
XXVII .- FAMILY OF ABRAHAM MACY,
195
XXVIII .- FAMILY OF JOSIAH MACY, OF NEW YORK,
203
XXIX .- CORNELL CONNECTION WITH NANTUCKET,
211
XXX .- THE COGGESIIALL FAMILY,
216
XXXI .- STANTON CONNECTION WITHI NANTUCKET FAMILIES, 221
XXXII .- CONNECTION OF THE WATERMAN FAMILY WITH NANTUCKET, . 224
XXXIII .- THE WADLEY, OR WADLEIGHI, FAMILY, 227
XXXIV .- FAMILY OF COFFIN COLKET, 231
XXXV .- JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER, 234
XXXVI .- THE NATHAN BUNKER FAMILY, .
237
APPENDIX I., .
243
APPENDIX II., 307
NAMES OF MINISTERS OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS AND THEIR COMPANIONS WHO VISITED NANTUCKET FROM 1664 TO 1847, .
317
TEPE STRATIONS
FULL-PAGE PLATES.
THE TOWN OF SHERBURNE,
Frontispiece.
SANKATY HEAD,
OPP.
PAGE
2
ABRAHAM QUARY, S
The last native representative of Indian blood on Nantucket; died in 1854.
PROFESSOR MARIA MITCHELL,
12
PORTLEDGE,
.
24
The Coffin Manor House in England.
ELIZABETHI, WIDOW OF RICHARD COFFIN, ESQ.,
" Portlineh ;" born 1651. 26
THE TRISTRAM COFFIN HOUSE, Newburyport, Massachusetts,
28
DRESSER IN THE TRISTRAM COFFIN HOUSE, .
29
ADMIRAL SIR ISAAC COFFIN, Baronet,
41
THE JOIIN SWAIN HOUSE, Nantucket,
66
MRS. E. D. GILLESPIE, .
69
BIRTHPLACE OF MARIA MITCHELL, Vestal Street, Nantucket, .
73
PROFESSOR HENRY MITCHELL, . 76
" SHEARING DAY," . . 100
THE OLD GRIST MILL, . 109
WATCHING FOR WHALESHIPS, ·
111
TIMOTHY FOLGER, .
114
Photographed from a painting by George Fish, after Copley.
JOHN RICHARDSON'S MEETING,
120
A NANTUCKET STREET, 133
A NANTUCKET GARDEN,
.
135
"THE ORDER AND MANNER OF SEATING AND PLACING OF THE PARISHNOURS AND INHABITANCE OF THE PARISH OF BRIXTON ANNO DOMINI 1638," 306
COPIED FROM THE ORIGINAL COFFIN SCHOOL MEDAL,
313
RICHARD COFFIN, ESQ., of Portledge,
314
Sheriff of Devonshire in 1699.
Carly Settlers of Nantucket Their Associates and Descendants.
CHAPTER I.
DEEDS OF PURCHASE AND SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND.
BELKNAP, in his Biography of Biron," says, " An Ice- lander of the name Herioff and his son Biron # made a voyage every year to different countries for the sake of traffic.
" About the beginning of the eleventh century (1001) their ships were separated by a storm. When Biron * arrived in Norway he heard that his father was gone to Greenland, and he resolved to follow him; but another storm drove him to the southwest, where he discovered a flat country, free from rocks, but covered with thick woods, and an island near the coast."
When on his return to Greenland his discoveries be- came known, Lief, the son of Eric, Earl of Norway, equipped a vessel, and " taking Biron # for his pilot sailed (1002) in search of the new country."
Belknap says, " Biarne's * description of the coast is
* Bjorne.
.
2
Early Settlers of Nantucket.
very accurate and in the island situate to the eastward (between which and the promontory that stretches to the eastward and northward Lief sailed) we recognize Nantucket. The ancient Northmen found there many shallows." There is little doubt that Nantucket was visited by Englishmen very early in the seventeenth century (1602).
In the biography of Gosnold, Belknap says, " The shoal water and breach which he calls Tucker's Terror corresponds with the shoal and breakers called Pol- lock's Rip. ... To avoid this danger, it being late in the day, he stood so far out to sea as to overshoot the eastern entrance of what is now called the Vineyard Sound.
" The land which he made in the night was a white cliff on the eastern coast of Nantucket now called Sankaty Head.
" The breach which lay off Gilbert's Point I take to be the Bass Rip and the Pollock Rip with the cross rip- plings which extend from the southeast extremity of that island.
" Over these ripplings there is a depth of water from four to seven fathoms, according to a late map of Nan- tucket, published by Peleg Coffin, Esq., and others." "
Some one has said, " He only has the credit of dis- covery who locates." Captain Weymouth was the first to give the geographical position of Sankaty Head in 1605.
It is difficult to imagine any native of Nantucket
* American Biography. By Jeremy Belknap, D.D. With Addi- tions and Notes by F. M. Hubbard. Published by Harper & Brothers in 1843.
環学
.
3
Settlement of the Island.
who would not be interested in facts relating to its his- tory, whether geographical, historical, geological, or genealogical; but the practical interest for us of the present day dates from 1659, when it was finally set- tled by sturdy men, ancestors to so many in this broad land that a brief detail of the public services of those pioneers cannot fail to be of value to their descendants.
Tradition assigns two causes for the sudden de- parture of Thomas Macy and Edward Starbuck from Salisbury, Massachusetts.
Many of their descendants have believed that perse- cution on account of the harboring of Quakers led those carly settlers to leave an already established home, to seek another upon a desolate, bleak island, where skulk- ing Indians, added to its isolated position, made a most inhospitable landing-place.
On the other hand, most historians attribute the journey of Thomas Macy and Edward Starbuck in 1659 to a business negotiation between them and Thomas Mayhew in regard to the purchase of the island of Nan- tucket.
Benjamin Franklin Folger, one of the well-known genealogists of Nantucket, has stated that early in 1659 Tristram Coffin went on a voyage of investigation, first to Martha's Vineyard, where he secured the services of Peter Folger as interpreter, thence to Nantucket, " his object being to ascertain the temper and disposi- tion of the Indians and the capabilities of the island that he might report to the citizens of Salisbury what inducements for emigration thither were offered."
Thomas Mayhew, some years before, had received a grant of the islands off the southeast coast of Massa-
4
Early Settlers of Nantucket.
chusetts from William, Earl of Sterling, and Sir Fer- nando or Ferdinand Gorges, as is shown by the records in the secretary's office at Albany, New York, Nan- tucket having belonged to New York until about 1690.
In 1659 the island or the patent of it was still in the possession of the Mayhews.
F. B. Hough's book says, " In 1659 the elder May- hew admitted nine others to a joint partnership in the Island of Nantucket, reserving a small part to himself, and in February following it was agreed that each Partner might admit another to an equal share in Power and Interest, not being justly excepted to by the Rest."
We find on record that in July of 1659 a deed was given by Thomas Mayhew, confirming the sale of the island of Nantucket to nine purchasers,-viz .:
TRISTRAM COFFIN.
RICHARD SWAIN, or SWAYNE.
PETER COFFIN.
STEPHEN GREENLEAF.
WILLIAM PIKE.
THOMAS MACY.
THOMAS BARNARD.
CHRISTOPHER HUSSEY.
JOHN SWAIN, or SWAYNE.
NOTE .- In 1641 Nantucket appears to have been under the control of William, Earl of Sterling, and Sir Fernando or Ferdi- nand Gorges, as " during this year the Elizabeth Islands, Capar- roek or Martha's Vineyard. Nanticon or Nantucket and Tuek- anuek or Tuekanuckett " were " graunted unto Thomas Mayhew at Watertowne, Merehant, and to Thomas Mayhew his sonne."
The consideration named in the deed of Nantucket was "that Thomas Mayhew and Thomas Mayhew his sonne or either of
5
Settlement of the Island.
Copy of Deed of Nantucket to Nine Purchasers (dated July 2, 1659).
" Recorded for Mr Coffin and Mr Macy aforesd ye Day and Year aforesd.
" Be it known unto all Men by these Presents that I, Thomas Mayhew of Martha's Vineyard, Merchant, doe hereby acknowledge that I have sould unto Tris- tram Coffin, Thomas Macy, Christopher Hussey, Rich- ard Swayne, Thomas Bernard, Peter Coffin, Stephen Greenleafe, John Swayne and William Pike that Right and Interest I have in ye Land of Nantuckett by Pat- ent; ye wych Right I bought of James Fforrett, Gent. and Steward to ye Lord Sterling and of Richard Vines, sometimes of Sacho, Gent., Steward-Genrll unto Sir Georges Knight as by Conveyances under their Hands and Seales doe appeare, ffor them ye aforesaid to Injoy, and their Heyres and Assignes forever wth all the Privileges thereunto belonging, for in consideration of Je Sume of Thirty Pounds of Current Pay unto whom- soever I ye said Thomas Mayhew, mine Heyres or As- signes shall appoint.
" And also two Beaver Hatts one for myself and one for my wife.
" And further this is to declare that I the said
them or their Assignes doe render and pay yearly unto the Honble the Lord Sterling, his Heyres and Assignes, such an ae- knowledgment as shall be thought fitt by John Winthrop Esqr the Elder or any two Magistrates in the Massachusetts Bay, being Chosen for that End and Purpose by the Honble the Lord Sterling or his Deputy and by the said Thomas Mayhew and Thomas Mayhew his Sonne, or their Assignes." This deed was dated October 13, 1641.
6
Early Settlers of Nantucket.
Thomas Mayhew have received to myself that Neck upon Nantucket called Masquetuck or that Neck of Land called Nashayte the Neck (but one) northerly of Masquetuck, ye aforesaid Sayle in anywise notwith- standing. And further, I ye said Thomas Mayhew am to beare my Part of the Charge of ye said Purchase above named, and to hold one twentieth Part of all Lands purchased already, or shall be hereafter pur- chased, upon ye said Island by ye aforesd PurchasTs or Heyres and Assignes forever.
" Briefly: It is thus: That I really sold all my Patent to ye aforesaid nine Men and they are to pay mee or whomsoever I shall appoint them, ye sume of Thirty Pounds in good Marchantable Pay in ye Massachu- setts, under wch Governmt they now Inhabit, and 2 Beaver Hatts, and I am to beare a 20th Part of ye Charge of ye Purchase, and to have a 20th Part of all Lands and Priviledges; and to have wch of ye Necks aforsd that I will myselfe, paying for it; only ye Pur- chasers are to pay what ye Sachem is to have for Mas- quetuck, although I have ye other Neck.
" And in witness hereof I have hereunto sett my Hand and Seale this second Day of July sixteen hun- dred and fifty-nine-(1659).
" Per me
" THO. MAYHEW. " Witness JOHN SMITH " EDWARD SEARLE."
By this deed it will be observed that a share of the island was retained by Thomas Mayhew, and in this way he became one of the proprietors who are said in
Settlement of the Island.
all histories of the place to have founded the settle- ment.
On May 1st, 1901, Mr. Henry B. Worth, who is au- thority on old Nantucket records, sent to the Inquirer and Mirror * a copy of a deed by which a portion of Nantucket was conveyed by the Indians to Thomas Mayhew; this deed antedates that previously published as the first deed, and is confirmatory of the theory that business negotiations between Thomas Macy and his friends, and Thomas Mayhew were pending for a con- siderable time before the deed of July 2d, 1659, was executed.
Mr. Worth says that " the deed seems to have re- mained in the possession of Mayhew and his family until the Indians appealed to the General Court to re- cover their lands, when the owner found the old decd and placed it on record," March 26th, 1731, Book 4, p. 93.
" The record is accompanied by a plan which plainly indicates the section covered by the deed."
COPY OF THE DEED OF " TWENTYETHI OF JUNE, 1659."
"' This doth witness that we, Nickanoose of Nan- tucket, Sachem, and Nanahumo of Nantucket, Sachem, have sold unto Thomas Mayhew of the Vineyard the plain at the West end of Nantucket, that is, according to the figure underwritten, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. In consideration whereof we have received by earnest of the said Thomas Mayhew the sum of
* A weekly paper of Nantucket.
8
Early Settlers of Nantucket.
twelve pounds answerable to Peage at S a penny; also the said Sachems have sold the said Mayhew of the Vineyard the use of the Meadow and to take wood for the use of him the said Mayhew, his heirs and assigns forever.
"'In witness hereof we the Sachems aforesaid have hereunto set our hands this twentyeth of June 1659. The pond Acamy lieth north and by east and south and by west or near it.'
" The deed is signed by the marks of the two Sachems and is witnessed by Mr. Harry, also by John Coleman, Thomas Macy and Tristram Coffin; it is therefore clear that these witnesses were at that date in Nantucket."
The records indicate that in February, 1659, months before the execution of the deed of conveyance of Thomas Mayhew to nine purchasers, " the associates in Salisbury, Massachusetts, were enacting rules and regu- lations concerning the method of governing Nan- tucket."
Thomas Macy and his friends appear to have lost no time after the business arrangement between Mr. May- hew and the Indians was completed, the purchase being effected within two weeks after the transaction with Nickanoose and Nanahumo.
The following deeds prove that notwithstanding the purchase of the island from Thomas Mayhew, a busi- ness negotiation was made with the Indians also, and that the land was fairly bought from them:
٢٠
1
tー
9
Settlement of the Island.
DEED OF WANACKMANACK.
" This witnesseth that I, Wanackmanack, Chief Sachem of Nantucket, hath sold unto Mr. Tristram Coffin and Thomas Macy their heirs and assigns that whole neck of land called by the Indians Pacummoh- quah,* being at the East end of Nantucket, for and in consideration of five pounds to be paid to me in Eng- lish goods, or otherwise to my content by the same Tristram Coffin aforesaid at convenient time as shall be demanded.
" Witness my hand or mark this 22 of June 1662. WANACKMAMAK.
" Witness hereto, Peter Folger and Wawinnesit whose English name is Amos."
" Copy of Indian deed of Nantucket, Recorded for Mr. Tristram Coffin and Mr. Thomas Macy, ye 29th of June 1671 aforesaid.
" These Prsents Wittness yt I Wanackmamack Head Sachem of ye Island of Nantuckett, have Bargained and sold, and doe by these Presents Bargaine and Sell unto Tristram Coffin, Thomas Macy, Richd Swayne. Thomas Bernard, John Swain, Mr Thomas Mayhew. Edward Starbuck, Peter Coffin, James Coffin, Stephen Greenleafe, Tristram Coffin Jun', Thomas Coleman, Robert Bernard, Christopher Hussey, Robert Pyke, John Smyth, and John Bishop these Islands of Nan- tucket, namely, all ye west end of ve aforesd I-land unto ye Pond comonly called Waquittaquay and from ye Head of that Pond to ve North side of ve Island
* Pocomo.
10
Early Settlers of Nantucket.
Manamoy; Bounded by a Path from ye Head of ye Pond aforesaid to Manamoy; as also a Neck at ye East End of ye Island called Poquomock," wth the Property thereof, and all ye Royaltyes, Priviledges and Immunityes thereto belonging, or whatsoever Right I ye aforesd Wanackmak have, or have had in ye same: That is, all ye Lands afore menconed and likewise ye Winter sseed of ye whole island from ye End of an In- dyan Harvest untill Planting Time, or ye first of May, from yeare to yeare forever, as likewise Liberty to make use of Wood and Timber on all Parts of ye Island; and likewise Halfe of ye Meadows and Marshes on all Parts of ye Island wthout or beside ye aforesd tracts of Land Purchased; And likewise ye use of ye other Halfe of ye Meadows and Marshes, as long as ye aforesaid English their Heyres or Assignes live on ye Island; And likewise I the aforesaid Wanackmamack doe sell unto ye English afore menconed ye propriety of ye rest of ye Island belonging unto mee, for and in considera- con of fforty Pounds already received by mee or other by my Consent or Ord.
" To Have and to hold, ye aforesd Tracts of Land, wth ye P'ricty, Royaltyies, Immunityes, Priviledges, and all Appertenances thereunto belonging to them ye aforesd Purchases their Heyres and Assignes forever.
" In witness Whereof I the aforesd Wanackmamack have hereunto sett my Hand and Seale ye Daye and Yeare above written.
" The Sign of Wanack-Mamack.
" Signed, Sealed and Delivered
in ye prsence of
* Pocomo.
J
11
Settlement of the Island.
" Peter Foulger,
" Eleazer Foulger,
" Doreas Starbuck." *
RECEIPT OF WANACKMAMACK.
(Nantucket Records, Old Book, Page 27.)
" Received of Tristram Coffin of Nantuckett, the just sume of five poun, which is part of the seven poun that was unpaid of the Twenty poun Purchase of the Land that was purchased of Wanackmamaek and Neckanoose, that is to say from Monomoy to Waquettaquage pond, Nanahumack Neck and all from Wesco westward to the west end of Nantucket, I say Received by Me Wanackmamack of Tristram Coffin, five pounds Starling the 18th 11 M 1671
" The Mark X of Wanackmamack.
" Witness hereunto
" RICHARD GARDNER.
" ELEZER FOLGER."
The following Associates were chosen by the first Proprietors:
TRISTRAM COFFIN, JR. JOHN SMITHI.
ROBERT PIKE. ROBERT BARNARD.
THOMAS COLEMAN. EDWARD STARBUCK.
NATHANIEL STARBUCK. THOMAS LOOK.
JAMES COFFIN.
THOMAS MAYHEW, JR.
Dorcas Starbuck was a daughter of Edward Starbuck. Eleazer Foulger was a son of Peter Foulger.
NOTE .- The official records of these deeds are in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany, New York.
12
Early Settlers of Nantucket.
They purchased or were given a half-interest in the original apportionments, making at a very early date twenty landed proprietors.
Among these were men of varied experience and marked executive ability, evinced by their embracing every opportunity for the advancement of the settle- ment, and soon an interesting society was established upon the island.
The first houses were built at the northwest, not far from a small harbor now called Maddequet Harbor.
Later the larger harbor on the north side of the island offered decided advantages, and the town was finally located there and named Sherburne, in compliance with written orders of Governor Lovelace, of New York, recorded in Albany in the Secretary's office in Book of Deeds III., p. 85. Many of the houses were moved from their original sites to the new town.
Numbers at first were so small that intermarriages among these families were very common, and it is not infrequent for a descendant to find the same settler in his family tree several times.
These intermarriages made relationships so close that until the latter half of the nineteenth century, when new people began more and more to move to the island, nearly all natives of Nantucket were cousins through a common ancestry.
An amusing incident was related to the writer by Maria Mitchell, who during her residence in the ob- servatory at Vassar College, received and entertained many guests; on one occasion she was greeted with " Miss Mitchell, I met a cousin of yours the other day." " Where ?" was the natural question; " on
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