USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > Nantucket > Early settlers of Nantucket, their associates and descendants > Part 2
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سها
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Settlement of the Island.
Nantucket," the expected reply. Miss Mitchell quick- ly said, " Oh, very likely; I have five thousand cousins on Nantucket." At that time five thousand covered the entire population of the island.
The population increased steadily until about 1849, when the California gold fever led many to seek wealth on the Pacific Coast, and later, the final decline of the whale fisheries compelled the younger men to find means of support elsewhere, and in comparatively few years the population decreased from nearly ten thousand to less than five thousand.
CHAPTER II.
THOMAS MACY.
NEAR the town of Salisbury, in Wiltshire, England, in the Parish of Chilmark, resided (" prior to his em- barkation for America, probably in 1635") Thomas Macy.
The name of the vessel upon which he came to America is not recorded, but he arrived not later than 1639.
Thomas Macy was among the original settlers of Salisbury, Massachusetts, and is in " The first or Origi- nal list of ye townsmen of Salisbury in ye booke of Records."
Among those to whom lots of ground were granted in Salisbury we find the names of Thomas Macy, Robert Pike and Phillip Challis. There is no date to the paper or document giving this list, but it is indexed 1639.
Merrill's map of Amesbury locates most of the lots on the " Circular Road." Macy's lot is given on the " road to the neck."
In 1650 " Phillip Challis, Robert Pike and Tho. Macy " were included in a list of Commoners, and at the same meeting at which they were so enrolled we find "it was ordered yt all whose names are here under written shall be accompted townesmen & Comoners & none butt them to this p"sent." *
* Hoyt, pp. 8-9 and 11.
15
Thomas Macy.
We find also recorded that he was " a merchant, planter,* one of the select-men of the town, a juryman, and, withal a preacher."
The Massachusetts laws passed in 1656 and 1657 were a great drawback to freedom of worship.
Several persons were prosecuted for violating the law of 1657 which prohibited entertaining Quakers. Among these was Thomas Macy, who was fined thirty shillings, notwithstanding his " explanation and apol- ogy," and was ordered to be admonished by the gov- ernor.
It is a matter of record that he sheltered Edward Wharton, William Robinson, merchant of London, and Marmaduke Stephenson, of Yorkshire, England. The two last named were hanged in Boston the 27th of October, 1659.
The following letter from General Court files is a copy of a reply to a summons to appear at court to answer for his violation of the law in this particular :
" This is to entreat the honored Court not to be offended because of my non-appearance. It is not from any slighting the authority of this honored Court, nor from feare to answer the case, but I have bin for some weeks past very ill, and am so at present, and not- withstanding my illness, yet I desirous to appear, have done my utmost endeavour to hire a horse but cannot procure one at present.
" I being at present destitute have endeavoured to purchase, but at present cannot attaine it, but shall re- late the truth of the case as my answer should be to ye
* A farmer.
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
honored Court, and more cannot be proved, nor so much.
" On a rainy morning there came to my house Ed- ward 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 asked me how far it was to Casco Bay.
"I never saw any of ye men afore except Wharton neither did I require their names, or who they were, but by their carriage I thought they might be Quakers and told them so, and therefore desired them to passe on their way, saying to them I might possibly give offence in entertaining them, and as soone as the vio- lence of the rain ceased (for it rained very hard) they went away and I never saw them since.
" The time that they stayed in the house was about three quarters of an hour, but I can safely affirm that it was not an houre.
" They spake not many words in the time, neither was I at leisure to talke with them, for I came home wet to ye skin, immediately afore they came to the house and I found my wife sick in bed. If this satisfie not the honored Court I shall subject to their sentence.
" I have not willingly offended. I am ready to serve and obey you in the Lord.
" THOS. MACY."
He was a Baptist, and on the Sabbath frequently ex- horted the people; this, too, was in violation of the Massachusetts law which prohibited all but the regular- ly ordained from such service.
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Thomas Macy.
Tradition says that immediately after his sentence Thomas Macy removed to Nantucket.
In the " Macy Genealogy" it is related that "in 1659 he embarked at Salisbury in a small boat with his wife and children and such household goods as he could conveniently carry, and in company with Isaac Cole- man and Edward Starbuck set sail for Nantucket." *
The same papers say, " because he could not in jus- tice to the dictates of his own conscience longer submit to the tyranny of the clergy and those in authority."
It appears from the above detail that Thomas Macy satisfied the requirements of the law and paid his fine, but undoubtedly he believed he could lead a more peaceful and independent life at Nantucket, and may have preferred voluntary exile to possible banishment.
Thomas Macy must have returned to Salisbury, as he is recorded as living there in 1664.
Before his removal to Nantucket he was commis- sioner, and representative to the General Court from Salisbury, and the citizens of that town bore testimony of their sympathy with him by electing his friend and defender Robert Pike as his successor.
That he again, at a later date, removed to Nantucket is evident from old records, Register's office, in which it will be found that October 1, 1675, he was commis- sioned chief magistrate of the town.
Hle was the first recorder appointed on the island, and a portion at least of the first Book of Records in the office at Nantucket was written by him.
He died April 19, 1682, aged seventy-four. His
* James Coflin, son of Tristram, Sr., is said to have accompamed the three named.
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
wife, Sarah (Hopcot) Macy, who came with him from Chilmark, survived him for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury.
JOHN MACY, son of Thomas and Sarah Macy, born at Salisbury July 14, 1655, married Deborah Gard- ner, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Shattuck) Gard- ner, and died at Nantucket, October 14, 1691, at the early age of thirty-six; through him alone the name has descended to posterity.
NOTE .- In 1637-38, GEORGE MACY appears to have been prom- inent in the settlement of Taunton, Massachusetts. Savage (vol. iii., p. 142) says he was in 1643 lieutenant in King Philip's War, and representative in 1672 and for six years; also among the in- habitants of Taunton in 1668 there was a Samuel Macy, who is supposed to have been a son of George and to have died single prior to the death of his father; of this Taunton family there is no further record, nor of any others of the name excepting Thomas and his descendants.
The only reasons for supposing George Macy was of the same family as Thomas are the name and the date of his emigration to America.
The name Macy signifies mace or staff.
CHAPTER III.
EDWARD STARBUCK.
EDWARD STARBUCK Was born in 1604, and came from Derbyshire, England, to Dover, New Hampshire, with his wife, Katharine * (Reynolds), of Wales, about 1635.
" He is first mentioned as receiving 1643 a grant of forty acres of land on each side of the Fresh River at Cutehechoe . .. and also one platt of Marsh above Cutehechoe great Marsh, that the brook that runs out of the river runs through, first discovered by Richard Walderne, Edward Coleord, Edward Starbuck, and William Furber.
" He had other grants at different times, one of Marsh in Great Bay in 1643, one of the Mill privilege at Cutehechoe 2nd Falls (with Thomas Wiggins) and one of timber to 'accommodate' in 1650 and various others.
"Indeed Edward owned considerable land and was evidently a man of substance as to possessions as tradi- tion says he was in body.
" He was a representative in 1643 and 1646, was an elder in the church and enjoyed various other tokens of respect given him by his fellow citizens.
" In faet he might have lived comfortably at Dover
* Some authorities give "Eunice."
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
and died in the midst of his family, respected and con- tented but that he embraced Baptist sentiments." *
In " Provincial Papers of New Hampshire," we find the following:
" Oct. 18, 1648 .- The Court being informed of great misdemeanor Committed by Edward Starbuck of Dover with profession of Anabatism for which he is to be proceeded against at the next Court of Assistants if evidence can be prepared by that time & it being very farre for witnesses to travill to Boston at that season of the year, It is therefore ordered by this Court that the Secretary shall give Commission to Capt. Thomas Wiggan & Mr Edw. Smyth to send for such persons as they shall have notice of which are able to testify in the sd. cause & to take their testimony uppon oath & certifie the same to the secretary so soon as may be, that further proceedings may be therein, if the cause shall so require."
It is not to be wondered at that Edward Starbuck was quite ready to leave Dover under existing condi- tions. He was fifty-five years of age when he joined Thomas Macy in his voyage from Salisbury to Nan- tucket; he spent the winter there and in the spring returned to Dover for his family, who accompanied him to the island excepting his daughters Sarah (Aus- tin) and Abigail (Coffin), who had married and settled in Dover. " Dover lost a good citizen " and Nantucket gained a much respected one; " he was a leading man on the Island and at one time a Magistrate; " * he is described as " courageous and persevering."
* N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg., vol. viii., p. 68.
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Edward Starbuck.
In " Landmarks in Ancient Dover " mention is made of Starbuck's Brook in 1701 as a boundary of property which Peter Coffin (son-in-law of Edward Starbuck) conveyed to Jolin Ham. Starbuck's Marsh was granted to Elder Starbuck August 30, 1643, and Starbuck's Point and Marsh, now called Fabyan's Point, were granted to Edward Starbuck in 1643, and are again mentioned in 1662, 1702, and 1716 in conveyance of property, since which time the usual desire to change ancient names has destroyed what might be valuable historical landmarks.
One son only lived to perpetuate the name,-Na- thaniel, who married Mary (daughter of Tristram Coffin), the ancestor of all American Starbucks.
Edward Starbuck died in 1690.
Other children of Edward Starbuck and Katharine Reynolds were:
Jethro, who died at the age of twelve.
Sarah, who married, first, William Story; second, Joseph Austin; third, Humphrey Varney (as second wife).
Dorcas, who married William Gayer.
Abigail, who married Peter Coffin.
Esther, who married Humphrey Varney (as first wife).
The original of the following conveyance of property from Edward Starbuck to his son, Nathaniel Starbuck, is in the rooms of the IIistorical Society of Nantucket:
" To all Chriftian peopole to whome this writing fhall Come, I. Edward ftarbuck, fend gretting.
" Know ye that I, the said Edward ftarbuck, as well
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
for the Indemnity, discharg and faving harmlefs my sonn Nathaniell ftarbuck his heirs Executors and ad- miniftrators and Every of them, and from all maner of Bond, and writtings obligatory what fo ever wharein the faid Nathaniell Starbnek is and Standeth bond for me the faid Edward ftarbuek in any sum or sums of money to any perfon or perfons what so ever as alfo for divers other good causes and confiderations me heare vnto Espeafially moving, have given, granted Bargained and sold & Confirmed and by this prefents doe give grant, Bargain, fell and Confirm vnto the faid Na- thaniell Starbuck al and fingular my goods & Chattells what fo ever, as well real as perfonall of what ever kind natuer quallity or Condition fo ever and to be in what plase or plasis the fame fhal or may be found as well in my owne Costody or poffefsion of any other perfon or perfons what fo ever to have and to hold all and fingular, the faid goods and Chattells, and al other premifes with the appurtenansis to the a fore fd Na- thanell ftarbuek his heirs, Executors, Admineftrators and afsignes to his and there proper vfe & be hoofe for ever, and I, Edward Starbnek have dilevered vnto the fd Nathanell Starbuck one baffon * a part for the whole at the day of the Infeolling of this prefents and to the true performance where of I have heare vnto fet my
* In all such bills of sale previous to 1700 some object was delivered to the buyer to bind the bargain; to-day a sum of money is advanced as a "part for the whole."
In transfers of real estate the usual form was by "turf or twig, a part for the whole."
The Edward Starbuek transfer included household goods, and some household utensil was made to do duty as security; basson was the old spelling for basin.
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Edward Starbuck.
hand feall this eighteenth day of marsh one thoufand fix hundred eighty five.
" EDWARD STARBUCK. (Seal.)"
Nathaniel Starbuck was a wealthy man for his times, and the supposition * is that he had given bonds for his father in some business transaction, and that this bill of sale was given as security.
Miss Susan E. Brock, curator of the Nantucket His- torical Society, says there is scarcely a doubt that the deed in their possession is an original paper, and in reference to it she quotes from Mr. Henry Worth as follows: "Mr. Worth has examined it, and assures me that it is authentic without a doubt. He knew and recognized all the signatures, and said it would be im- possible for them to be copied so perfectly as to deceive anyone who was familiar with them, especially that of Edward Starbuck himself."
* Edward Starbuck's daughters were well married and comfortably settled, and it is not improbable that he made the above-named conveyance in pursuance of the old English plan of conveying all property to the eldest son, to him who would per- petuate the name.
NOTE .- The name Starbuck is from the Norse, and signifies great or grand.
CHAPTER IV.
TRISTRAM COFFIN.
So MUCH information concerning Tristram Coffin has been developed and published in connection with the Coffin Reunion at Nantucket in 1881, that a very brief sketch is sufficient here.
He was so important in the early history of the set- tlement that at the risk of repeating much that has already been written, some notice of him and his inter- esting family will not be out of place.
Tristram Coffin, the founder of the family line of Coffins in America, signed his name " Coffyn."
He was born in Brixton, Devonshire, England, in 1605. He married Dionis Stevens, daughter of Robert Stevens, of Brixton.
In 1642 he came to America with his family and his widowed mother Joan, and resided first at Newbury, later at Haverhill and Salisbury, until 1660, when he settled at Nantucket.
The first of the name of whom there is any record is Sir Richard Coffin, who removed from Normandy to
NOTE. - Coffin is a word of Hebrew origin signifying a small basket. In the "Century Dictionary" may be found various meanings for the word, but in most cases it represents a receptacle of some kind.
In Wyclif's translation of the Bible, Mark 6: 43, may be found : "And thei token the relifs of broken metis twelve coffinsful and of the fisches."
11
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Tristram Coffin.
England in 1066; he entered the English army, had lands granted to him, and was knighted by the king.
From Prince's " Worthies of Devonshire " we learn that " the Ancient family of the name settled at Port- ledge by the seaside in the Parish of Alwington five miles from Biddeford and flourished there from the Conquest, and that from the time of King Henry the First unto the age of King Edward the Second " for two hundred years each successive heir of this family bore the name of Richard.
Within a short distance of Fallaise, a town of Nor- mandy, stands the old château of Cortiton, once the home of the Norman Coffins.
The last Miss Coffin married a Le Clerc late in the eighteenth century, since which time the Le Clerc family has occupied the Norman estates. When last visited, the château, though ancient, was in good repair.
Members of the family are mentioned in history often associated with royalty from 1066 to the latter part of the sixteenth century, since which time the lines of descent are complete.
Tristram lived at Northam,* near Capaum Pond, Nantucket, and died Tenth month 2d, 1681, aged seventy-six years.
He was the first chief magistrate of Nantucket. The
Cofhin also appears to have been at one time synonymous with coffer; there are occasional records where the cofferer was a treasurer, an official servant in charge of a receptacle in which valuables and money were placed for transportation from place to place.
In Bowditch's "Suffolk Surnames" the name Tristram is spoken of as having been a surname.
* Northam was the first name of Dover, New Hampshire.
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
following is a copy of his commission, taken from Mr. F. B. Hough's book, compiled from official records at Albany.
" Commiffion Granted to Mr. Tristram Coffin, Senr., to be Chicfe Magiftrate in and over the Iflands of Nantuckett and Tuckanuckett."-[Deeds III., 62, Secretary's Office, Albany, New York. ]
" Francis Lovelace, Esq., &c .: Whereas upon Ad- drefs made unto mee by Mr. Triftram Coffin and Mr. Thomas Macy on ye behalfe of thenfelves and ye reft of ye Inhabitants of Nantuckett Ifland concerning ye Manno' and Method of Government to be ufed amongst themfelves, and having by ye Advice of my Councell pitcht upon a way for them; That is to fay That they be Governed by a Person as Chiefe Magiftrate, and two Affiftants, ye former to be nominated by myfelfe, ye other to bee chofen and confirmed by ye Inhabitants as in ye Inftructions fent unto them is more particularly Sett forth. And having conceived a good Opinion of ye ffitnefs and capacity of Mr. Triftram Coffin to be ye prsent Chiefe Magiftrate to manage Affayres wth ye Ayd and good Advice of ye Affiftants in ye Islands of Nantuckett and Tuckanuckett, I have thought fitt to Nominate, Constitute, and Appoint and by these Prfents doe hereby Nominate Constitute and Appoint Mr. Triftram Coffin to be Chiefe Magiftrate of ye faid Iflands of Nantuckett and Tuckanuckett. In ye Man- agemt of wch faid Employmt, hee is to ufe his beft Skill and Endeavour to pferve his Maties Peace, and to keep ye Inhabitants in good Ordr. And all Persons are hereby required to give ye faid Mr. Tristram Coffin fuch
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Tristram Coffin.
Refpect and Obedience as belongs to a Person invefted by commiffion from Authority of his Royall Highnefs in ye Place and Employmt of a Chief Magistrate in ye Iflands aforefaid. And hee is duely to obferve the Orders and Inftructions wch are already given forth for ye well governing of ye Place, or fuch others as from Time to Time fhall hereafter bee given by mee: Ind for whatfoever ye faid Mr. Triftram Coffin fhall lawfully Act or Doe in Profceution of ye Premifes, This is my Commiffion wch is to bee of fforce untill ye 13th day of October, which shall bee in ye Yeare of our Lord 1672, when a new magiftrate is to enter into the Employmt fhall bee his sufficient Warrant and Difcharge.
" Given under my Hand and Seal at fforte James in New Yorke, this 29th day of June in ye 22ª Yeare of his Matics Reigne, Annoq. Dni. 1671.
" FRAN: LOVELACE."
The following is a list of children of Tristram Coffin :
HON. PETER COFFIN was born in England in 1631; he married Abigail Starbuck, daughter of Edward and Katharine Starbuck, of Dover, New Hampshire. He was one of the original purchasers of Nantucket, but resided there for a short time only. He was made a freeman in 1666 at Dover.
In 1675 he was a lieutenant on service in King Philip's War. In 1672-73 and again in 1679 he was a representative in the legislative branch. In 1690 he removed to Exeter, New Hampshire. From 1692 to 1714 he was at different times associate justice and
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
chief justice of the Supreme Court of New Hamp- shire, and a member of the Governor's Council. He died at Exeter, March 21, 1715.
TRISTRAM COFFIN, JR., was born in England in 1632. He married in Newbury, Massachusetts, March 2, 1652, Judith Somerby, widow of Henry Somerby and daughter of Edmund and Sarah Greenleaf. He was made freeman April 29, 1668, and died in Newbury, February 4, 1704, aged seventy-two. He was a mer- chant tailor and filled many positions of trust. He lived in the Coffin mansion in Newbury, which still continues in the family; whether he or his wife's former husband built it is uncertain.
It is said that Tristram Coffin, Sr., lived in this old mansion before he removed to Nantucket.
ELIZABETH COFFIN was born in England about 1634- 35; and married in Newbury, November 13, 1651, Cap- tain Stephen Greenleaf, son of Edmund Greenleaf; she died at Newbury, November 19, 1678.
JAMES COFFIN was born in England, August 12, 1640. He married, December 3, 1663, Mary, daughter of John and Abigail Severance, of Salisbury, Massa- chusetts, and died at Nantucket, July 28, 1720, aged eighty years. He was one of the associate proprietors, and filled several important offices at Nantucket, among them judge of Probate Court, and is said to have been the first judge of probate on the island, appointed in 1680 .*
* Massachusetts Civil List, pp. 112-114.
CCO
٠ ٥٥٦
٤
قيمة
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Tristram Coffin.
JOHN and DEBORAH, who died in infancy.
MARY COFFIN, seventh child of Tristram Coffin, Sr., was born in Haverhill, February 20, 1645. She was married in 1662, at the age of seventeen, to Nathaniel, son of Edward and Katharine (Reynolds) Starbuck.
The first book of births, marriages, and deaths for the town of Sherburne (page 11) says " Mary Starbuck departed this Liffe ye 13 day of ye 9- 1717 in ye 74 year of her age and was decently buried in Friends burying ground." Her husband, Nathaniel Starbuck, Sr., died in 1719.
She was a remarkable woman, anticipating by two centuries the advanced views of women of to-day. She took an active part in town debates, usually opening her remarks with "My husband and I, having consid- ered the subject, think, etc."
In 1701, at the age of fifty-six, she became interested in the religious faith of the Friends, and held meetings at her house. She was a minister in the Society, as were also several of her children, her grandsons Elihu and Nathaniel Coleman, and her granddaughter Pris- cilla Bunker.
Elihu Coleman published one of the earliest protests against slavery in New England.
Mary Starbuck was " as distinguished in her domestic economy as she was celebrated as a preacher."
The following copy of a letter from Mary Starbuck to her granddaughter Eliza Gorham, who had suffered loss by fire, gives evidence of her interest in domestic matters.
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
" NANTUCKET 17th of 1st mo 1714.
" DEAR CHILD E. G.
" These few lines may certify thee that thou art often in my remembrance, with thy dear husband and children, with breathings to the Lord for you, that you may find rest in all your visitations and trials; As also that there is a trunk filled with goods which is intended to be put on Eben Stewards vessel, in which are several small tokens from thy friends which thou may particularly see by the little invoices here enclosed, and by some other marks that are upon the things.
" Thy Aunt Dorcas in a new pair of osnaburg sheets, thy Aunt Dinah in a pair of blankets, Thy Grandfather intends to send thee a bbl. of mutton, but it is not all his own, for Cousin James Coffin sent hither 17 pieces. Cousin James said he intended to send thee two or three bushels of corn.
" There is likewise sent from our women's meeting £7 which thy unele Jethro said he would give an order for, for thee to take to Boston.
" Sister James told me she intended to send thee two bushels of corn and some wool and likewise that Jus- tice Worth said he would send thee some corn.
" More meat and corn will be sent which will be in greater quantities, which thy uncle Jethro Starbuck will give thee an acct. of or to thy husband.
" I should have been glad if he had come over with Steward, but I hope we shall see him this summer, if not both of you.
"So with my kind love to thee and thy husband, children and to all our frds. committing you to the pro-
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Tristram Coffin.
tection of the Almighty who is the wise disposer of all things and remain thy affectionate Grandmother
" MARY STARBUCK.
" Thy Grandfather's love to you all and Uncle Bar- nabas's, Susanna is well and her love to you also."
Nathaniel Starbuck was by no means a man of small ability, but his wife seems to have taken the lead in most matters.
LIEUTENANT JOHN COFFIN was born at Haverhill, October 30, 1647; he married Deborah, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Starbuck) Austin. After his father's death he removed to Martha's Vineyard, and died there September 5, 1711.
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