USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Early History of Naushon Island > Part 14
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Boston July 12, 1715
Dear Son;
. . Weekes was here last week and brought his mortgage according to directions but left the certificate of the select men, and so could not have the mony before he sends that, but when it comes too it is [that] for £125 instead of the £200 he promised, so he is gone home and promised to send the paper required this week. He made up his account with me and falls in debt £452 besides the growing year. If he sends the paper there will be so much less and he hoped to pay £100 more this fall. He is not will- ing to go off, but hopes to weather it all and will mortgage the rest of his land for security of the stock and rent. He gave me a £1000 bond for what is and will be due this year. He must give me good security after this year or leave it. ...
Your loving ffather
Wait Winthrop
Boston
October, 1715
Dear Son;
. . . You have Fuller's agreement about Tarpolin Cove, which you must send now. ... Wait Winthrop
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
Oct. 3, 1715
Dear Son;
.. . Fuller is here now, he brought about ten pounds of green wax, and thats all. I doubt I had not his paper.
Wait Winthrop
Wait Winthrop is called upon for medical advice, although not so frequently as in former times. His remedies still have unique ingredients.
1716
WAIT WINTHROP TO HIS SON JOHN
Boston Feb. 11, 1716
Dear Son,
. . . All the little bottles are done up with hay in paper, to- gether by themselves in a distinkt little bundle: there is also a bottle of brandy. ... Inclosed is the Minera and a little of the lyon's hair, what he would let his keeper get off at this time. The minera must be hung at the pit of the stomach, the lyon's hair to be applied under the arms. ...
Your loving father Wait Winthrop
Boston April 2, 1716
Dear Son; ... Weeks keeps the island at 140 [pounds] he brought me but a small matter but promises to send more speedily. Wait Winthrop
WAIT WINTHROP TO HIS SON JOHN
. . . John Weeks has not sent me anything yet according to
177
THE WINTHROP ERA
his promise, therefore there seems to be a necessity for me to visit him, unless I hear speedily from him. He has greatly dis- appointed me in not sending what he promised, and tho I agreed with him on terms yet he has no lease yet, but was to come hither before now, if I could not get hither. .. .
Wait Winthrop
Thomas Lechmere, who had in 1706 married Wait Winthrop's daughter Ann, now began to take an interest in the affairs of the island.
According to one unexecuted will of Winthrop he had in- tended to leave the Naushon property to his daughter, Ann Lechmere.
When he found his son-in-law so frequently in financial diffi- culties he apparently decided to make no definite disposition, but to let the laws of inheritance take their course.
The plea of Thomas Lechmere's mother in behalf of Thomas and his family struck no responsive chord in the heart of Winthrop.
LUCY LECHMERE TO WAIT WINTHROP
May 24th, 1716
Sr. . . I am sure Thom was sett out into ye world in as good circumstances as most younger bros, and plac'd in a house of as good busyness; therefor his parents are not to be blam'd, & I hope he does not want capassity, therefore I hope he'l now en- deavor to get into busyness again. His famely now is not very few, & in all probability may increase, & tis his duty to take care to provide for ym (wch I dont see how yt can be done in ye way Thom has lived for some years), & all unnecessary expences must be avoyded. Fine horses quickly eat out their heads, & are only fitt for men of great estates ; therefor not proper for Thom, I fear. I understand Sr., what fortune you designed for your
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
dar is still in yr own hands, & yt you have bin plessed to give yr son and dar an iland (doubtless a thing of vallew) & I hope in your own life time you'lso settle ye iland on ym that there may be noe roome for dispute when you are gon, for by ye laws of Old England all land falls to ye son & none to dars; but what yr laws are I know not, but tis good to leave things wth out dispute. Sr if what I have writ dos not agree wth ye sentiments, I beseech you to excuse me, for it all proceeds from a true care for my son & his family, & as you are so nere ym it lys on y" to give what advise and assistance y" see necessary, & it shall be my harty prayer to God Almighty to bless ym and all endevors for their welfare. I am in all respect, Sī
Yr very humble servant L. Lechmere
Indorsed by Wait Winthrop, "Madam Lechmere, rec'd May 25. 16: inclosed in the other of July 25. 16."
THOMAS LECHMERE TO JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
July 27, 1716 Dear Broth.
Not having received any from you by this last post, likewise so I have the less to impart; my portmantle I have at last received in good order, tho' through much difficulty and disappointment, but all is well. I met with an opportunity the other day for con- veying a letter to friend Weekes, which I very readily embraced and sent him a letter in such a method, as I hope will have some influence upon him to make him comply with your orders some- time since and likewise gave him an account of your late act of this province concerning the preservation of Deer within this province and that I had intimation given me of their being almost if not all destroyed, and that upon a sure information wee were resolved to put said act in Execution to the uttermost, which I hope will meet with your approbation.
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THE WINTHROP ERA
Wee have now Shipps coming in from England almost daily, no news of any great consequence, more are daily expected, but here is talk of a Pirate on this coast whereupon the Governor has thought fitt to order our Man Of War to go in quest of her, who is this day sailled with a fair fresh gale of wind. We all wish him good luck. Should the Pirate take one of our London vessels he would have a good Ball, there being English wives on board what are expected. ... Mr Bowdoine is in hopes you will not be long before you come to town, upon which I told him I thought it would not, wherewith we ended and so give me leave to conclude this, with all our kind services to you all and remain,
Yr. Very Affect. Bro. & Humb. Servt.
Thos. Lechmere
THOMAS LECHMERE TO JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
Boston Feb. 11, 1716
B. (Borland) has mentioned to me ye buying your white horse at ye Island, pray share not in the price, tho if I had him here, could sell him for much more, I am of the opinion, than you can, horses still bear at most extravagant prices.
My father has lett ye island to Weekes & Sons again on a lease of 6 years. . . .
Tho. Lechmere
1717
In 1717 Wait Winthrop died. Of him Judge Sewall says in his diary : He was "the great stay and ornament of the Council, a very pious, prudent, courageous New England man ... for
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
parentage, piety, prudence, philosophy, love to New England ways and people very eminent."
Epitaphium
Wait Winthrop 1717 Hades look'd into
The Power of Our Great Saviour over the Invisible World and the Gates of Death Which lead into that World considered in A Sermon Preached at the funeral of the Honorable Wait Winthrop Esq. Who expired, 7d. IXm. 1717 in the LXXVI year of his age
By C. Mather D.D. & F.R.S.
Christe potens rerum redeuntis conditor ævi, Vox summa sensusque Dei, quem fudit ab alta Mente Pater, Tantique dedit Consortia Regni Cland., de Christ Salvatore
Boston: Printed by T. Crump 1717
181
THE WINTHROP ERA
An Inventory of Estate of Hon. Wait Winthrop, late of Boston. ... The said deceased estate lying and being within the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England :-
£. S. P.
1 coach, 2 horses & tackle thereto belonging 8 pictures @ 20s. each
30 . -.-
8 . -
7. - - -
2 large looking glasses Old pewter 21th. new pewter 28th is 49 at 1/6 Two trunks and a case of draws One large salver 2 Spanish dishes
3.13. 6
- 5. 1
2 Salts
One tankard
2 porrengers
109.10. 2
One beaker
Nine spoons one two cared cup
2 pr. candlesticks
Snuffer & Snuff stand )
One case, six silver haft knives and
9.
six spoons & six forks washed with gold One iron pot, a belmette skillet
one apple roaster, a brass skimmers
4 . -
one pr. tongs & a brass candlestick one plate stand & 2 pr brass andirons
one pewter distill
. . 15. -
one coffer fish kettle
- . 15 ..
Earthen ware and cheney & glass Linnen
10.
One square table small
- . 05 .
wearing apparell
20
One scriptore
3 .
a stew pan
. 10.
One warming pan
. 10 .
One old bedstead chair & lumber
1. 5.
2 feather beds, 2 bolsters salt (about 20 bu.)
6
-.
2
!
1. 5 ..
182
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
a pr. gold framed spectacle, a silver seal, one tooth pick, and other odd things
a silver watch
3 . - - -
Bills of credit abt.
23 . - . -
A Bible and some old books
One half acre of land in the training field in Boston
100
. -
Some lands at Woodstock said to be worth
100 .
Iland called Elizabeth Island within Dukes Co. and stock thereon
2000 .
-
Land at Tantiusques said to be worth
100
Due by bond from John Weeks, Cr.
288 . -
- . -
£3027.18. 8
During the last year or so of Wait Winthrop's life the man- agement of Naushon was largely in the hands of his son John. His son-in-law, Thomas Lechmere, seems to have also had some hand in attending to the details. The relation between Winthrop and Lechmere was at times friendly and even affectionate, but gradually became strained when various points of controversy arose between them.
The matter of inheritance was the chief bone of contention. No one of the several wills made by Wait was legally executed.
After his death John Winthrop as sole male heir claimed the whole of his uncle's and his father's vast landed estate. He went to England to press his claim, which was upheld by the King in Council. His sister, Ann Lechmere, claimed one-third share as provided by the law of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Her claim was substantiated and later recognized by James and William Bowdoin, who satisfied to her heirs the value of their one-third share of the property.
2 .
. -
A farm at Billerica
200 .
. -
One shar in the Salt Works in Boston
1. 5.
183
THE WINTHROP ERA
In 1666, that is, sixteen years before the ownership of Naushon passed into the hands of Wait Winthrop, Thomas Mayhew deeded to his daughter, Martha Tupper, the island of Nonamesset. Fifty-three years later Martha died and her heirs laid claim to this property.
John Weeks, then in charge of Naushon, warns John Win- throp of a threatened Tupper invasion.
JOHN WEEKS TO JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
farmouth
December 24 day in The year 1717
Mr John Winterup of Boston in the County of Sufolk my Humblest sarvice an Respx unto you hoping that you are in good Helth an all yours as I am my self an mine at this time blesed be god for it an I thought fite to a Right to you at this time a few lines consarning about our bisnes an one just [?] thing that I signyfi to you sur is that I have sent by Mr Isach Roberson [ ] an twenty pounds thirdteen shelengs in money for you sur on sum- thing I consider that was ow to your onered father an I du desire to cleare it the first opertunyty that I can cum up to boston an forder more I a Right to you sur consarnig the Lease that we have had from you an I Respetx to kepe it consarnig the land an creters we have upon it. An we did desire to cum up to boston before this time, but we were so ill distress with sickness an lame- ness that we grident [couldn't ] wate upon you be fore but we du the first opertunyty to wate upon you sur and setel our bisnes between our. an no more for the present an so I Rest your Humbel sarvant
John Weeks
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
1717-18
JOHN WEEKS TO JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
Falmouth, March 13, 1717-18
Yr Sarvice I think it my Duty as well as your interest to Lott you know that I am Sartainly Informed that the Tuppers are proposing to take posation of Nunamesit Island now their mothor is Deceased say his heirs by entail Some time they think to come in and Drive of my Cattol and put thors on and plant one tree or fence peese in & cutt Down something there on. So to be pre- pared for that time pray send me some lines what I shall doo and how I shall act in that matter if you think best to send me power to improve Attorney and attorneys I shall be Ready to serve your Interest to my power at any other way you shall Direct to Defend your Right and Titol to sd. Island Your Honorable father once sad to me if they did start in that matter he would Disprove them that powered Capt. Tuppers Estat which Cased me to think there was something of such a nature Done if you think best plese do send what will be propor in that Case that so they may be so stopt att once for I think they will try. If you pleese to send anything pray Lott it be directed to Ezra Bourne in Sandwich who will take Spaciall of them.
Which is all Nosocory from your Hu. Sarvt.
Jnº Weeks
THOMAS LECHMERE TO JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
Apr. 7, 1718
To John Winthrop -
Just now after enveloping and sealing my letter the enclosed was sent me from Mr Weeks informing that we were like to meet with some trouble concerning some of the Islands, and as
WHITE CEDARS AT HERON POND
185
THE WINTHROP ERA
you are most capable of advising in this affair, as knowing most thereof - so I leave the whole to you.
Thos. Lechmere
I am of opinion you should send a messenger directly and with speed if you wrote a line to Mr Otis at Barnstable who is Judge, setting forth the affair to him and desiring him to stop ye action, as unprepared for it. What you do must be done with- out delay.
Apr. 14, 1718
P.S. I hope you took care concerning Weeks letter about ye Island. I have according as hinted to you wrote Col. Otis, Judge of Barnstable inferior court to continue ye action until you can be prepared for a defense - as likewise to another friend to use what interest he can in your behalf. T. L.
Oct. 2, 1718
. . . I had an account brought me last week as if Weekes did design to come for N. London, whether he has been ther or not I know not, if not I am satisfied his design is not good, more ac- counts are told me concerning his carrying Cedars to Nantucket whereupon I wrote him and told him it would not be allowed and directed him to desist therefrom, as likewise killing of deer which I hope will meet with your approbation.
Why I mention this to you and yours is because I have been often informed of his and Fullers management, they comitt great waste on ye Island on all accounts. Wee are with kind salutes to you all.
Your very affect. brother
Thos. Lechmere
Pray forget ye cedar poles.
186
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
1719
Thomas Lechmere continually complained against Weeks and at his instigation James Bowdoin caused Weeks to be thrown into gaol by the Vineyard authorities. Before this time Winthrop had mortgaged his Naushon property to James Bowdoin. This explains why the latter exercised some authority. For several years, however, the Naushon tenants continued to look to Win- throp as owner.
JOHN ALLEN TO JAMES BOWDOIN
Sir;
According to your desire I have levied the exemption upon John Weekes and have committed him to prison, I think it may be best to let him out on his own bond, for there is no likelyhood of his getting the money without he has time to make sale of his land, which he cannot do without he is sett at Liberty. There is no person here that will be bound for the money, which is all in haste from
Your humble servt. at common John Allen
Chilmark Oct. 2, 1719
to Mr James Bowdoin in Boston
EBENEZER ALLEN TO JAMES BOWDOIN
Mr Bowdoin
Sir; I rec'd yrs and according to your desire delvd. the en- closed to ye sheriff who hath executed his office & put ye old Gent. in my Comon Goall. Your friend may expect payment in a short time, for ye poor man was ill before he went in, and without doubt if he continues there long, will pay all his debts, therefore it will be more likely to get your money if some way be found to take him out, that he may make sale of his stock & lands, which he is willing to comply with, and it cannot be done while he lieth there.
187
THE WINTHROP ERA
Some may think that his sons will not suffer him to continue there, but there is no ground and hope from them, for they are such a stupid crew, that had they an estate it would be in vain to look for anything from them. But they have no assurance of any estate with which to redeem the old man, but he hath it all in his own hands. Now all things considered whether it would not be best for your friend to try some other means than a prison, before that he pay the debt without any money, I leave to your judge- ment.
Yours to Command Ebenezer Allen
Chilmark Oct. 2 1719 Mr James Bowdoin
THOMAS LECHMERE TO JOHN WINTHROP
Boston Nov. 9, 1719
Dear Bro.
. . . As to Mr B. yt I hinted was uneasy is Mr Bowdoin, but that is somewhat appeased. Young Weekes has been down this week in order to get his father released, which Mr Edwards by Bowdoin's consent by taking three of his son's bonds jointly and separately, he is now satisfied therewith, it being his own pro- posall. I hinted to Weekes concerning ye rent behind hand, and when he intended to go to New London to you he answered me very abruptly and said he knew what was behind hand and would goe up this next week and I told him I could not believe him but at same time should be glad he would be good as his word, but I had little dependance on him - having failed so long already.
T. Lechmere
Nov. 2, 1719
. . . I shall see Mr Edwards and Mr Bowdoin this morning and inform them your opinion concerning old Weekes; you must
188
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
send somebody thither or the stock will with other things all be destroyed as I am credibly informed; Mr B. seems to be some- what uneasie but I can not imagine for what; ...
Nov. 23
. . . Old Weekes is out of Goal upon his own three sons security; Mr Bowdoin was the person I meant to be uneasie, but is now satisfied, it being his own proposal to release the old man on those terms; I told the son his father was still in arrears for rent. He told me he meant to be with you this week with rent. I hope he will be as good as his word.
1722
JAMES BOWDOIN TO JOHN WINTHROP
Boston
Mar. 18, 1722
Mr John Wintrop
Sr.
I received yours of which you write you want £1500 or £1600 more. I have none to let. & soe far from that, Mr Campbell yt got Three hundred pounds for you before, he wants both the interest and principal, and also myself I would desire you to send ye in- terest at ye first opportunity and get ye principal to pay Mr Campbell as soon as you can. And so doing you'l oblige
Yr humble Servt. James Bowdoin
THOMAS LECHMERE TO JOHN WINTHROP
Boston, May 14, 1722
I have yours of ye 10th. am very sorry you have been so much out of order. Why will you fret yourself after such a manner, in my opinion it will be of no service to you, but rather an oppor-
189
THE WINTHROP ERA
tunity to those who are the occasion of it. Mr Bowdoine did lately speak to me, I told him I thought it* was ready for him, only wanted an opportunity of sending down, at which he was well satisfied at that time. How his occasions may require his being importunate with you now, I know not. You may venture to send it by the post, directing it to me withall.
1723
T. LECHMERE TO J. WINTHROP
Boston, Feb. 10, 1723
Dear Sir;
I wrote you some time since on the opportunity of Mr Shack- mafles return, then intimating to you what resolution I was come to in relation to what belongs to your sister & to inform what I then wrote. I have now sent a writ of Petition down to Marthas Vineyard on Elizabeths Islands and shall do the same here in a little time on everything else and with you, for I am resolved will not stay any longer. . . .
Mr Bowdoine has been with me in relation to those bonds & mortgage wherein I am Linked with you, and has threatened me to arrest me if you do not take some care thereof immediately.
Tho. Lechmere
1724
The Tuppers having by right of inheritance from their grand- mother, Martha Mayhew, claimed Nonamesset, and having re- ceived no satisfaction, decided to take forcible possession. Wil- liam Weeks, son of John and incumbent of the "dairy" farm, sent the following S.O.S.
Mr Winthrop Sir, these with my Savice to your sealf and Mrs Winthrop I having an oppor-tunyty to subscribe a Lattor to your
* Refers to payment of mortgage.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
honors. Sir these are to let you know that the Tuppers have taken possastion of nonemasot they came on the 25th. Day of August in the night on Eastonmost End of the island with neere about twenty men and with a small house raddoy framed and with the halp of thos mon they sat up the house and inclosed it. [illegible ] was very helpful to them in giting the house on shore notwith standing we ordered him to inform us when they should make annoy attamt [any attempt] to Land on Island we being on the grot Island know nothing of it until all was don than we hasened over to tham to warn tham of which we have don, but notwith standing thay Remain thare and do amouch that thay will Coop possastion unless thay are Removed of by force of Arms I suppose thay accomplished all this in about three or four ours time.
I Remain your humbel Sarvant will- Weeks
Dattod falmoth August 28th 1724
1725-26
JOSEPH ROBINSON TO JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
May It Please Your Honr's
These few Lines the token of my Great Regards which I Bare and Hoping that thy will Find Both Yor Hon" and Family In Health are to Make a Brief Empresentation of the Circumstances of Your Island Leased to me and my Partners, and May Inform Your Hon' that I sent you a Letter Sometime Last Summer Signifying that Mr Bowdoin of Boston has Issued a Writ of Ejectment On the Islands Together with a Copy of Summons which Because we have Had no Instructions or advice Thereunto I Presume Your Hon" Has Not Received. However we Obtained a Continuance of the action, Till March Court, That Your Hon" might Be Advised of it and we Presume that Your Hon" will
191
THE WINTHROP ERA
think it necessary to Come Down, To Consider. And Also to Lay Before Your Hon' an Account of Our Proceedings with the Tuppers about Nennamesett. And for that Affair we have followed the Directions Your Hon' gave us That so we Turned off their Creatures and Burned Down Their Cottage and Essayed to Carry off the old man The Keeper, But could not get him off and according to Yr Honors Directions made Our Application to the Justices of the County who Refused to Do Anything to Assist about; And then Pursuant to your Honrs Jurisdiction, Together with the Best Advice we Could Get From those skilled in the Law In this County, We made Application To The Hon The Governor and Council of the Province who have Ordered Coll Otis of Barnstable and Justice Allin of the vineyard to try By a Jury wither thay are Guilty of Forceable Entry or Force- able Dertimine . .. and if so to Move them off According to Law; which Has Not Yet Been Tryed But so If Be next Week we Doubt not But Your Hon" will take the Best Method to carry On these Affairs. And so Wishing The Welfare of Your Hon" and Family I Rest
Your Humble Servt
Joseph Robinson
Falmouth Feb. 23, 1725-26
1726
Hon. Sir-
These few lines with our Humble Service to Your Self ac- cording to your Instructions and Direction are to Signify How the State of things go with us with Respect to your Island and In the first Place we have Cast The Tuppers at Plymouth Court, and we think that they are Subdued, and as For Mr Bowdoin His Case is Depending at the adjournment of the vinyard Court, which Is So Sometime In July and Mr Goff of Cambridge Hass Been upon the Island Lately and there is a Report Amongst us
192
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
which we fear thaough we cant tell the Certainty of it, that He Has Leased a Quarter Part of the Island to Joseph Fuller, and that we apprehend Our Selves In Danger of Being Ejected after the Vineyard adjustment.
Falmouth, May 9 1726
This is all at Present From Hon. Sr. Your Humble Sarvant William Weeks Jun. Shubal Weeks Ebenezor Weeks
1727
ANN WINTHROP TO JOHN WINTHROP, F.R.S.
. . . I hear nothing from Elesbeth Island but that the tennants have taken a leas from Bodwin and I hear they have sold all the Goots and that there has not been none on the Island, some time.
The children are all well but Pege and did desire to write, but this was an unexpected opportunity and they not prepared. O my Dear Soul ten thousand times I think of you both night and day and mourn your absence. . . .
I am your most faithful loving frend chast and true, kind and dutiful wife so to remain til Deth. A. Winthrop
This last letter of this period, concerning the Island, was writ- ten by Ann Winthrop to her husband, then in London. For many years Mrs. Winthrop lived in New London, faithfully looking after his affairs, while he pursued his scientific pursuits in England.
John Winthrop seems to have been a somewhat indifferent man of business, but his eminence in the world of science is unquestioned.
Several of the natural objects mentioned in his catalogue are native to Naushon and were evidently observed there by him.
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