USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Early History of Naushon Island > Part 13
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1685 WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP
Boston, Dec. 10th. 1685
. . . I heare the Govr. of York intends to visit Martha's Vine- yard this winter. I wish I could learn the certainty of it. It might be of concernment to me to be there.
Some idea of traveling conditions can be realized by those who have driven extensively on Naushon.
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THE WINTHROP ERA
Probably the post road from Boston to Plymouth and from there to Woods Hole was far less smooth than the present Main Road. The ruts were deeper, the sand heavier in long stretches, and stones and tree roots made rougher wheel tracks. Wait Winthrop usually journeyed on horseback. The trip to Naushon must have taken about three days. A homemade rowboat or canoe brought him across the Hole to Nonamesset, and in good weather all the way to the head of the upper harbor. The dairy farmhouse was probably situated near the well just northwest of the present wharf.
Wait Winthrop never writes of rides or drives on the island; there was probably a path to Tarpaulin Cove, the French Water- ing Place and the West End, but whether it was navigable even for an ox team is not known.
1688
WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP
Boston May 17th. 1688
. . . I hope the Lancashire hornpipe sounds briskly from the island and the sheep at Rode Island will shortly dance after it. I came last night from my Tarpaulin Cove expedition, and have brought home a paine in my old tooth, which proves troublesome to me. My jawes forbid me to write more, and Cowell's folk will be in bed, and T. A. be gone in the morning.
Your affectionate brother W. Winthrop
Capn. Levin is not arrived yet. By the next, or myselfe, you shall haue snaffles for all the rats in town.
This letter of Wait Winthrop to his son John was written when he was about fourteen years of age.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
1695
New London,
July 25, 1695
My dear Child,
I have had your letter by the two or three last posts. I am glad to hear you are all well. I pray God continues health to you all. I would haue sent you a hors before, but haue been absent when the post went away sometimes and the wall eyed hors has been in the woods ever since I came and could not be found, and the roan hors is lost, but I think to send your little hors by Sam Newman, if he goes with this post. Love your sister and remember me to her, and your aunts and your cousins and your master. Do not forget to pray to God and read some chapters everyday. Have a care of eating trash. I pray God bless you and your sister and keep you in his fear and favor.
Your loving Father Wait Winthrop WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP For yourselfe
Boston, Octbr. 28th. 1695
.. . I gaue you a large acct of all I could think of the last year, but understand my letters were taken, and haue not wrote to you lately because expected you here, and fear I shall not think of many things I might write now, being but newly com home from Tarpolin Coue, and find the ships just going, and can but hint as things com into mind. ...
I shall send by them a cake of the bayberry wax, about 231b., which is som I had by me since last year, and is all I can procure, it being but now the time to gather it, and none yet com in. I know not whether there may be any mixture in it, which is not so well deserned by the colour (which is preserved or heightened by melt- ing in a brass vessell and lost in iron) as by the smell of the snuffe of
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THE WINTHROP ERA
the candles, which giues a delicate perfume of itselfe, but stinks if adulterated. I haue laid out for som very good from the Island, and may send if any opertunity after this. I haue sent you by Captn. Shute, comander of the St. Joseph, two halfe barrills of cram- berryes, and intend to send a barrill by these men, Steven's, if I can get them. In my letters that miscaried I minded you of many things we used to discours of, which I suppose you will not forget. You might persuade the Govr. to bring horses and mares too. Here wants a breed of the best sheep in England; also hares, pecocks, phesants, partriges. Pray enquire also into the matter of diping lether or wooling clothes to make them keep out wett, which I think I saw mentioned in som print. ... Also I hope John will send his duty to you in his letter, and thank you for his fishing rod and flagellet. I haue enquired, and cannot get a quintaile of merchantable fish in town fit to send; if the wind be out of the way tomorrow, shall enquire farther ....
your affectionate brother Wait Winthrop
1698
WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP
Boston, July 11th. 1698
.. . I cannot ride the black hors a jornye without unjoynting of me. I would haue him fit for a market and put him off. There was a little truss chesnut or sorrell hors that was broke and paced well would serue me for one, and the pyed mare Sam Newman left goes very easy if she haue no colt; a troting hors for Mingo, either the Elsabeth Island, or Gardners Island, or one of the coach horses, or any other. Tis vacation time at Cambridg, and I know not but what it will be better to take John with me if I go into the country; twill keep him out of harms way. The scolars are all
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
gone for fiue or six weeks, which is their custom every year. If you send the horses, let them com by this post if you can. . . .
Yours, Wait Winthrop
1699
WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP
Boston, Nour. 20th, 1699
... Our Superior Court, which adjourned till this day, will hold a day or two longer, and Thursday is a thanksgiuing through- out this province, and if the wether hold off I hope to be going towards the island on Fryday, or next Munday at farthest. Here is a ship or two going for England in a week, fortnight, or thre weekes. Loue and servis to all, and am
Yours, W. Winthrop
1700
MATTHEW MAYHEW TO WAIT WINTHROP
Honored Sir.
I wrote you lately by Mr Ball which I know not whether he delivered it, being to request you to pay him for me £5 if he should take passage for England-I intended to have been at Boston before this time, but doubting the Season of the year might be prejudiciall to my health, especially remembering how small a matter of getting cold last month brought me so near Death. I have deferred my Journey until the Spring when if you shall have payed sd. £5 for me I shall thankfully repay it.
Sr. you may please call to mind you promised to let me have Cedrs for inclosing my field, out of the Swamps at Nashawna,
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THE WINTHROP ERA
but John Weeks will expect your license. I request you will please to certifie him thereof, the strip we want is hardly of value on sd. Island being generally poles, so as to load a boat with we suppose about 1000 and accounting rayles made out of trees not fit for timber or clapboards I must request yor hon" to advertise sd. wood being an hopeful winter for seasonable cold and my son will endeavor to have sd. wood when yr hon" may please to direct therein: This being the present occasion of giving yor Self the trouble of these lines; with my best respects to yor honorble self and Ladie, with Mr Winthroppe yor honored Son Subscribe as I am; Honorable Sr.
Dat: Mart. Viney
Dec. 10th. 1700
Yor honors humble S'vant Matt: Mayhew
1701
If the Tarpolin Cove hoss be in (fatt?) and could be kept in case I would bespeak a passage for him to the sugar plantations, and send for him which you may advise me of by the next. If the boys had kept the jades to work, they would not have got into the corn. I have sold all the jades at Tarpolin to one Green at Malden who has some partners that are Jockeyes, for 40 lb. per head (except about 8 or 9 of the best) that is all above 2 years old, and all under 2 years for 20 lb. per head and take them there as they run, and he has bin there and brought about 20 of them away for the first turn, and is to pay when he has made money of them.
I suppose ther may be such another turn for them. If you could send me word about what number you have there I might either agre with them on the same terms or with some of the Sarranam merchants.
In a little time I think the Gen [Gentlemans] treatment was better than his witt or manners, I will acquaint Simpson with his mistakes. I am always forc't to use a horn at first and afterward
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they do well. I have not heard one word from the Cape nore the Vineyard but hope they will do well.
I am yours, W. W.
WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP, AUG. 11
I think I must of necessity goe this week to the Island to settle that affair, where I intend to stay but a few days. ...
W. Winthrop
Boston Sept. 1 1701
Dear Brother,
I came home from the Island on Fryday last, and have yours of the 14th. of August, which I think had been opened; . . . John was with me at the Island, I knew not that his letter was in Mohawk; he thinks you understand all languages, and thought, I suppose, to approve himself to yr liking in order to some preferment.
Sept. 28 1702
. . . John told me you were enquiring about goats, and have ordered the folks at the Island to send a score by the first vessell that puts in there and will take them on board, no opertunity offering whilst I was there.
I have not else but love and servis to everybody
I am your affectionate brother W. Winthrop
The extracts from the diary of John Winthrop were written the year after his graduation from college.
He seems somewhat unappreciative of the care and oft- expressed affection lavished upon him not only by his parents, but by his uncle Fitz-John.
JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S. 1681-1747
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THE WINTHROP ERA
1702
MEMORANDA OF JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
Since I came to years of understanding, I have taken a little notice of ye affairs of ye world, and have found it to be in a most distracted posture, full of confusion. Not a man or anything constant or true. I am now this present year, 1702, twenty-one years of age, and in all my life hitherto have never found a true friend one yt I could trust. Even my very Relations have proved false, and betrayed me. When I reflect upon my mispent time, and think how long I have lived, and how little I have done for ye servis of Xt. I mourn and lie low in ye dust before ye Lord my Creator. Lord, if thy Majesty will vouchsafe to grant me grace, I will promise to serve yee my Redeemer all the remaining Days of my Pilgrimage. Deus Secundat.
Boston, Aug. 21, 1702 Reacht to Mr Cushin's yt night. Next day being Saturday we went as far as Plymouth, where we kept ye Sabbath. Mr Little ye minister of ye towne preacht.
Monday morning we got out from Plymouth. Went to Dartmouth. Lodged at Capt. Pope's. Next day we [rowed] round to Moniment* Bay. Came to a little farm house, where we lay yt night. Supt upon Venison etc.
Wednesday Morning it rained hard with thunder. After- noon it cleared up. We went on our journey and came to Suc- conesset, t where we lodged yt night. Next morning went over to ye Island in a Canoe.
Sept. ye 12, 1702. The house on ye East end of Elizabeth's Island was raised. Ye Indians say before ye English came to America, yr was a white whale kept in ye great pond at ye West end of Kataimuk Island.
Mr Stanton's powow at Stonington. [Connecticut.]
* Buzzards Bay.
+ Falmouth.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
Before ye English inhabited Orniticott, ye Indians could raise upon Fishers Island 600 fighting men out of ye dwellers at ye Island.
Tarpaulin Cove on Elizabeth's Island, Sept. 1702. Here ar- rived an English ship from Nevis Ye Master whereof sent Father a dozen and a half of Oranges.
Ye Indians relate a story yt a Powow which lived at Moni- ment Bay before ye English came over to ye Nothun America meting with some affront from the Indians yt inhabited Nau- shauna Island out of Revenge got ye Devell to throw over a Rattle snake wh increased much and soon after a squaw was bit by one.
Ye Natives of ye Elizabeth Island say yt ye Devell was mak- ing a stone Bridge over from ye main to Nanamesset Island, and while he was rowling ye stones and placing of ym under water a crab catched him by ye fingers, with wh he snatched up his hand and flung it towards Nantucket, and ye Crabs breed there ever since.
Ye iner barck of ye root of ye tallest baberry bush steeped in water, ye Indians on Elizabeths Island cure ye Bloody Flux with. Quere-Whether if steeped in wine it would not be better.
Ye Dutch Ship yt came into ye harbour of New London be- fore New England was inhabited. A ship to sail under water, also through air.
This last sentence suggests a far look into futurity.
To what does Winthrop refer in speaking of the Dutch ship? Is it to the legend of the "Flying Dutchman," or had he heard of the experiments of Cornelius Van Drebel, who in the year 1620 navigated a submarine beneath the waters of the Thames? The motive power in that case was oars, but for several hours the in- ventor plied back and forth ten or fifteen feet below the placid surface of the river. This accomplishment gave to a young
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THE WINTHROP ERA
clergyman, John Wilkins*, the vision of the submarine of the future. It may also have inspired John Winthrop with this pro- phetic picture of, "A ship to sail under water, also through air."
Judge Sewall had to visit upon his magisterial rounds not only Plymouth and the upper and lower Cape, but also the out- lying islands. His journal gives a graphic picture of the rigors of the drive from town to town, the crossing to the Vineyard and little glimpses of Naushon, all over a period of years.
1692-1706 EXTRACT FROM SEWALL'S DIARY
Thursday, Sept. 29, 1692. The Major sets out for Elizabeth's Island and Martha's Vineyard. Governor comes to town.
August 19, 1701. Sign an order for Capt. Crow to cruise to Tarpolin Cove, because of some suspected vessels there as Gov. Cranston informs.
Aug. 26, 1706. Feria Secunda. About 2 P. M. Mr Brom- field and I set out for Martha's Vineyard; got well to Cush- ing's about Daylight shutting in. 27 to Moreys, 28 to Sandwich, 29 to Lecture at Pompesprisset; on the way thither, a small stump overset the Calash, and Mr Bromfield was much hurt, which made our Journey afterwards uncomfortable. 30 rested. . 31 Went to Succonesset [Falmouth] but could not get over. Sept" 2: Embarked for the Vineyard; but by stormy rough wether were forced back again to Wood's Hole. Lodg'd at B. Skiffs. He showed me the Bay, and Mr Weeks Harbour. t
Septr 3. Went to the Vineyard with a fair wind. ... Sept" 9 Monday embark'd [from Holmes Hole] with a scant wind; put in to Tarpolin Cove; Mr Bromfield not yielding to go to Cushnet.
* John Wilkins, ancestor of the scientist, Arctic and Antarctic aviator, and first navigator of a submarine under the ice, Sir Hubert Wilkins.
+ Hadley's Harbor.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
There spake with Darby who shewed us the prisoners Fines. Spake with Mr Weeks.
Sept" 10. Gave the squaw that has lost her feet, Ten pounds of Wool. When the Tide serv'd, sail'd for Cushnet, had a good passage. . .. Sept™ 11 Five Indians carried Mr Bromfield in a chair from Spooner's to Assowamset, and so to Taunton.
1703
WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP
Dear Brother,
Anthony is here and brought five [fine] cattle, but I could get nothing of him. He says he has been treating with you about the other part of the Farme, he gives [Sabin?] a very ill charac- ter, when R- -s fall out etc.
Here is little news by these ships, if winter were not soe nere I would go to Tarpolin before I come to you, to save 50 lb. which I doubt I shall not get this year else, but tis too late in the year. Yours
W. Winthrop
John Weeks was born about 1655, son of William, the first settler of the name on Martha's Vineyard. William was a sea- man and has been mentioned in connection with the wreck of his vessel in Quick's Hole in 1667 and the plundering of the wreck by the Indians. John Weeks was given liberty to "take up" land at Falmouth, which he did, and became a large land owner in the east section. His brother William took up lands in "the plains" of Falmouth also.
It is not known in what year John Weeks came to the Dairy Farm, probably in 1700 or 1701. He is mentioned as a teacher and missionary to the Indians on Naushon, and it is clear that for years he was a tenant farmer, who paid rent to Winthrop. His brother William succeeded him at the farm. Winthrop's first
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THE WINTHROP ERA
letter to John Weeks is dated 1707, and his sons were still upon the island twenty years later.
Ray, Fuller and Blaney were also tenant farmers at this time, their farms being at the West End.
WAIT WINTHROP TO FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP
Boston, March, 1704
Dear Brother
.
. You sent no pumpions seeds, noe watermillions. .. .
If my sister be anything better I must goe to Plimitt [Plymouth] som time this week, and from thence I think to goe to the Island for a day or two. My love and servis to everybody.
I am yours Wait Winthrop
The trunk will take no hurt till the key comes to it.
1706
Personal Estate
Real Estate
Pol
€
S. D.
£ S.
D.
Maj. Wait Winthrop
·
. .
8
4
8
John Weeks
2
9
9.
1
9.
2.|1
10
Joseph Fuller
17
6.1
5.
10.1
The above is a copy of Tax Bill from Chilmark for E. Islands in ye year 1706.
1707
Boston June 23, 1707
Mr John Weekes;
I have not had leisure since I came home to get your lease drawn, but shall have it done as soon as may be. I hope you have got mony for your woole it being in good demand, and hope you will send me the balance of your account which I depend on, hav-
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
ing more than ordinary occasion for it. I heare you are sending woole to the westward where you have promised. If you have any desire to dispose of what you have for other uses and not pay your rent I shall take it very ill and you will not do honestly to dis- apoint me, pray let me hear from you as soon as you can. If Jonothan Hatch or somebody would handle the little two year old hors coult ... I would com up with them for it especially if he should be taught to pull well, pray remember the two goslings at Mr Fullers.
I am your friend Wait Winthrop
if I can get the nayles Mr Fuller speakes of I shall send them as soon as I can.
A few facts have come to light concerning Joseph Fuller. In his lease of a tract of land at the western end of Naushon he is described as a "shipwright" of Boston. In the year 1699 he was living at Tarpaulin Cove and his tax as recorded in Falmouth seven years later gives the levy on personal estate as 17 shillings sixpence, and upon real estate 5 shillings tenpence.
On June 13th, 1717, he married Martha Hathaway in Fal- mouth. They were apparently content with island life for they continued to live at the Cove and their son Thomas grew up there.
The one letter written by Joseph Fuller to Wait Winthrop in the year 1710, here given, is almost undecipherable.
The last mention of the Fuller family is in 1729, and so for about thirty years they must have made their home upon Naushon.
The brand or ear mark of each sheep owner had to be registered in the town records.
The Ere mark of Joseph fuler that he gives his cretures is a
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THE WINTHROP ERA
crop of ech ere and a slit in ech ere and a happeny under sid of ech ere.
Recorded this 27 day of June 1729
1710
Wait Winthrop
Tarpolin Cove Apr. 25, 1710
Sur our sirvis presented to youerself and youers. Thes fue linis her to give you Coump [account ] how it is with me. For the winter a foare this [last?] of lorst 130 shep and the somer foling [ following] being cornsuemed with droudth and wroms [worms] I have loust fouer or five cattle [?] and I am afrayed I shall looes moore. For mony I have none I shid [should] bin glad that I could [helped?] your onere [honor ] for if it should pleas god to send soch a nother somer we shall have no Creters live With us for we have very little grene left now. [illegible] I never seen your letter that your honor sent in the fall.
I will send all the baywax I have been geting this year theres about 60 lb. of it.
I was in hopes to see your honor this Spring and then you mit [might ] heard everything.
No more at present but your loving frind.
Joseph Ffuller
Lik your onor now [know] about the deare. There is foles [false ] stories cared [carried] to your honor; ther for the deare if there is not a stop the Sedar swamp will clear: the forester or his company is the gretis [cross ] and the deare [are sadly dying].
For they must have somebody for to blame that they may carry the (greme -
The rest of the letter is illegible.
In the year 1707 Wait Winthrop married Kathrine Eyre, his first wife having died some years previously. At about this same
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
time his son John married Ann, daughter of Governor Joseph Dudley.
1711
New London May 31, 1711
My dear Son;
. .. The privateers have been at Tarpolin Cove and taken severall vessels, if you should send precipitately and it should be taken it would undoe us all at once. Not else but my love to my daughter and the poore little babe. ...
Your Affectionate Ffather
Wait Winthrop
JOHN WINTHROP TO WAIT WINTHROP
. . Just now came in Capt. Sewall to enquire your health and intends to write to you to send what prints and news there is stirring.
I am glad to hear of about moving your baggage but what they intend by going to that little Cottage* I can't imagine. I hope your Hartford gentlemen are now with you, whom please to salute. The sooner your whole business is finished the better, and it will be best to put some trusty body in, to look after, till you know when.
I don't hear that Privateers have done any considerable Dammage at Elizabeth's Island. Their being lately on your coast need not be any difficulty, for your man will not venture with- out a convoy, but if he comes at all, the Sooner the better and he must have some time to make preparations for it and it will be most convenient to come while you are there.
THOMAS LECHMERE TO JOHN WINTHROP
Dear Brother,
. . . I am now to beg one favor of you, that you secure for me * Probably at Fisher's Island.
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THE WINTHROP ERA
all the bayberry wax you can possibly lay your hands on; what charge you shall be at in securing it shall be thankfully repaid you or yor order upon receipt of; You must take care they do not putt too much tallow among it, being a custom and cheat they have gott. Pray be mindfull of it, and at any time till I forbid it, secure me what you can. We are through mercy all in good health. I am with due respects to all in generall.
Sr. ye very hum. servt. Thos. Lechmere
Pray answer if [you] can procure any wax or not; they tell [me the ] best place is off yor islands.
Horses are now in demand; if [you] have any good ones, would sell indifferent well.
It will be noticed that in Wait Winthrop's day the tenant farmers on Tarpaulin were expected to pay a substantial rent.
1714
Boston May 31, 1714
Dear Son;
... John Weekes was here last week to make up his account, and brought not one penny but by his own reconning is £380 od mony in debt, and is gon home to make up an other £100 for the ensueing year, this I have by leting people alone to long. I pray God to bless and keep you all.
Your loving ffather Wait Winthrop
WAIT WINTHROP TO HIS SON IN CONNECTICUT
Boston Aug. 9, 1714
Dear Son;
.. . I cannot advise which way is best for my daughter to com.
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I suppose she cannot com without the young child, and one or two of the other, if she be not sick at sea and a fair opportunity present that would be the easiest, but I would by no means have her out at sea between the eighteenth and twenty fourth of August, its rare that ever we mist of a storm or hurrycane about those days. I must leave it to yourselves to do what God shall direct. I want John Weekes his lease and Fuller's agreement. Fuller was here tother day but brought nothing and says the French* killed all his stock and left him but two sheep and five or six cattle.
Coffin's son of Nantucket and others have been with me to hire it against next year. I suppose Weekes will be here again quickly, and hope that [those he] would hire are men of estate ....
Your loving ffather Wait Winthrop
1714-15
Boston, Jan. 17, 1714
Dear Son;
. . . John Weekes was here lately and brought me £14 in- stead of nere 500 and says he cannot leave the island but will bring me good security in the beginning of March next .... Wait Winthrop
1715
Boston, May 9, 1715
Dear Son;
... I would be glad you were here as soon as it may be con- venient that it be possible. I may contrive to get to New London.
You must bring what mony you can get of any of the ten- nants with you, for Mr Williams fails me and put me off with promises and John Weekes who owes nere £500 has been here twice and promised to be here again the last week with £200, but
*The French Watering Place may have been named for these French marauders.
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THE WINTHROP ERA
is not come, and if he should not I shall be wonderfully dis- appointed and shall as much disappoint others and must be forced to take up some, if I can find where. The barber has promised to have a wig ready next week. ...
Wait Winthrop
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