USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > Nantucket > Early settlers of Nantucket, their associates and descendants > Part 7
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There were at times from seven to ten thousand sheep on the commons, and the wool which the annual shearing afforded, furnished the homespun blankets and materials for clothing, which satisfied the simple de- mands of early days in Nantucket, as in other Colonial towns.
The following unique contract is from New York State Records, Deed I., 74, Secretary's Office, Albany, and bears date of " March 22, 1666."
Richard Gardner had " granted to him halfe accom- modacons, according to the Grants made to seamen and Tradesmen, upon condition that hee exercise himselfe as a Sea-man, and that he come to Inhabitt here with his ffamily before the End of May-68- And after that his Entrance here, not to depart the Island in
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
Point of dwelling for the space of three Years upon the Forfeiture of the Grant aforesaid."
In memoranda of William C. Folger, published in Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror, in 1862, is the fol- lowing:
" Joseph Gardner the eldest son of Mr Richard Gard- ner had half a share of land on Nantucket Granted him 15th of February 1667. In consideration of which he was to supply the occasions of the Island in the way of a Shoe Maker and not leave the island for the space of four years."
The same account says: "Richard Gardner's Will gave to Joseph, eldest son, twice as much as to his other children who were left share and share alike."
Among old wills and deeds one often finds very amusing clauses, and generally the care of the unmar- ried women of the family was assured by the will of a parent.
The following extract from the will of Francis Macy is one of many instances; it was expected that other members of the family would supplement the pro- vision for shelter by caring for daily needs:
" I give unto my Daughter Deborah Macy the south west chamber of my Dwelling houfe, so long as she Remains single; But if she should marry my will is that it Return to my sun francis."
Inventories were very exact, in some instances going so carefully into detail as to cover the amount of gin- gerbread in the closet.
No provision closet was well ordered unless stocked
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Customs, Documents and Incidents.
with gingerbread, and for grand occasions doughnuts, and later " wonders," as the richer "cruller " was called. " Wonder " was a local term, and it is easy to fancy how such a name might originate if some good- wife produced an especially good article.
Recipes were known by the names of those who first prepared the viands they described, and manuscript copies of them were handed down from generation to generation.
The following are among the earliest recorded wills: PROBATE RECORDS FOR THE COUNTY OF NANTUCKET.
Book A, No. 1, p. 4.
The Probate of the Will of Edward Cartwrite de- ceased and administration granted thereon vnto his Widow Elizabeth Cartwrite Sole Executrix in the Same Will named Second day of october in the year of our Lord one thoufand Seven hundred and Six Before me at Sherbourn in Nantucket
PETER FOLGER
JAMES COFFIN
WILL OF EDWARD CARTWRIGHT. pp. 4 and 6.
In the Name of God Amen: the 28 day of August 1705 I Edward Cartright of Nantucket in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England being very Sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God: therefore calling unto mind the mor- tallity of my body and knowing it is apointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
and testament that is to say first of all I give and reco- mend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body I recomend to the earth to be buried in decent maner at the discretion of my Executrix and as touch- ing such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to blefs me in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following maner and form
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my Son Nicholas Cartright one third part of my lands on pocomook that end where his houfe now stands with one third part of my Meadow Item I give to my Son Sampson Cartright one third part of my land on pocomok that end whereon his house now stands with one third part of my Meadow Item I give to my Son Edward Cartright one half part of the remaining third of my land and Meadow with the one half of my dwelling houfe after my deceafe and after the death of his Mother the other Sixth part of my land and Meadow with the other half of my houfe
Item I give to my daughter Sufanna Cartright forty shillings at the day that She is married Item I give to my daughter Mary Cartright forty shillings at the day that she is married
Item I give and bequeath to My beloved Wife Eliza- beth the one half of my dwelling houfe with the other Sixth part of my land and Meadow during her natural life I like wife confstitute Make and ordain Elizabeth my beloved wife my Sole Executrix of this my last will and testament ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my laft will and teftament In witnefs whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the day and year above written
EDWARD CARTRIGHT [Seal]
Customs, Documents and Incidents. 105
Signed Sealed Published pronounced and declared by the Sd Edward Cartright as his laft Will & Testament in the prefence of us the Subscribers WILLIAM GAYER RICHARD GARDNER ANNE BUNKER
PROBATE RECORDS FOR THE COUNTY OF NANTUCKET.
Book A, No. 1, p. 25.
The probate of the will of William Gayer deceased and administration granted thereon unto his Daughters Damaris Coffin and Dorcas Starbuck Joynt Executrices in the same will named, twenty fourth day of October 1710.
JAMES COFFIN
ELEAZER FOLGER Reg" Jug of probats
WILL OF WILLIAM GAYER. p. 26.
I William Gayer of the Island of Nantucket in the province of the Mafsachusets Bay in New England be- ing Sick and weak in body but of Sound mind and mem- ory do make & ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following
First I give and bequeath unto my son Wiliam Gayer one whole share of land on the Island of Nantucket with all the priviledges and appurtenances belonging to sd whole share of land (if my sd son shall ever come
-
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
hither again) to have and Injoy the sd land to him & his heirs forever Item I give to my Daughter Damaris Coffin one Eighth part of a share of land on the Island of Nantucket of that land I had of my father in law Edward Starbuck with all the priviledges and appur- tenances belonging thereunto to have and to hold to her and her heirs forever
Item I give my Daughter Dorcas Starbuck one Eighth part of a Share of land on the Island of Nan- tucket of that land I had of my father in law Edward Starbuck with all the priviledges and appurtenances be- longing thereunto to have and to hold to her and her heirs forever I do also give my part of the Island of Miskeget to my sd Davghters Damaris Coffin and Dor- cas Starbuck Equally to be divided between them.
Item I give to my housekeeper Patience Foot one cow & fourty sheep with Commonages for them as also half the barn & tryhouse with half the garden with the half of the land and fence about my dwelling house and half the lot and fence that is towards Monomoy the horse pasture Excepted as also the west Chamber and Garret and half the leanto of my now dwelling house to hold and pofsefs the sd lands and other the premises to her the sd patience foot during her naturall life
Item I give to Africa a negro once my Servant twenty Sheep and Commonage for them and for one horse as also the East Chamber of my now dwelling house and half the leanto and all the other half of my barn and tryhouse with the half of all the lands and fence about my house and the half of the lot towards Monomoy to hold all the sd lands and other the prem- ises to him the sd Africa during his naturall life and I
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Customs, Documents and Incidents.
will that my Daughter Damaris Coffin Shall have the use of the rest of my Dwelling house if she should come hither to live
Lastly I make and ordain my two Daughters Damaris Coffin and Dorcas Starbuck Joynt Executrices of this my last will and testament In witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seall this twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ten
WILLIAM GAYER [Seal]
Signed Sealed pronounced & declared by the sd William Gaver as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers
RICHARD GARDNER
ELEAZER FOLGER JunT EUNICE GARDNER
JABEZ BUNKER JUDITH GARDNER
Thackeray says, referring to the age of King James, " Spelling was not an article of general commodity in the world then."
It is not positive evidence of illiteracy that at that early date spelling was inaccurate. The transition from Old English was not made in a hurry; and many years were to pass before the excellent rules and meth- ods of to-day were perfected.
Persecution, which drove many to America, left them little with which to begin a new life; and the hard- ships experienced offered no opportunity for mental im- provement.
The men of those early Colonial days were shrewd
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
enough in selecting localities for settling towns, and the women were helpmeets in doing what their hands found to do. What time had they to read beyond the Bible which they brought with them, which few appear to have neglected? The documents of those times often have considerable merit in their directness.
Considering the general improvement in English in the present day, it is a striking fact that deeds and other legal documents are not less verbose, and are quite as full of needless repetition as they were in Colonial days.
One anecdote of the Civil War suggests itself. The strong good sense of the Quaker element which per- vaded Nantucket is here evident, as it has been on many other occasions in the history of the island.
The defenceless position of Nantucket has always been cause of alarm to its inhabitants in times of war, and ways and means of defence have been suggested from time to time.
Any one who is familiar with its geographical posi- tion, however, will appreciate how impossible it would have been to have made a complete and efficient strong- hold, even at that time, when the long range of mod- ern ordnance had not been arrived at.
During the Civil War a town meeting was called to consider the wisdom of placing two brass cannon on the North Cliff shore, looking toward the harbor.
It was the custom of the Quakers of Nantucket to let town meetings alone. They often could not approve their action, and, as they felt, removed their responsi- bility by non-attendance.
٠٠٠ ٠
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Customs, Documents and Incidents.
The particular town meeting in question was, how- ever, a challenge to the non-combatant members of the Society of Friends.
One of them told the writer of the discomfiture of the keen advocates of defence, when the body of Friends appeared.
The narrator was a staunch " Quaker of the olden time, calm and firm and true."
As he approached the old Town Hall (which lives in history only) he was met by a warlike nephew, who said: " Why, Unele -, I thought you never at- tended the Town Meetings," to which the Friend re- plied: "I have reserved the privilege, and," he added, " the movement to place the cannon on Cliff Shore was voted down, a movement which would have been ridiculous, if our principles had nothing to do with it, and would have been no defence at all."
At all times, after the earliest settlement, notwith- standing the inaccessibility of the island, intercourse was frequent between the citizens of Sherburne and those of the " main-land "; however, many lived to a good old age without leaving the island.
A notable instance was in the life of one of Nan- tucket's respected citizens, who died in 1886, at the age of eighty-four, and once only left his native island.
He was sixty-seven years of age when he finally yielded to the entreaties of his friends, and went with a party to New Bedford, and from there to Fall River.
While at Fall River he noticed one of the Sound steamers, the Bay State, at the wharf. It was a larger steamer than he had seen, and he was greatly impressed
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
with its magnificence. Captain Brown was very anxious to take him to New York and show him that great metropolis; he tendered him the finest state room on the boat, but all persuasions were unavailing. Our aged friend said he had already seen " more than he could realize " (a local use of the word), that he was a long way from home, and declared, " that if he ever lived to get back to Nantucket he would never leave the island again."
This is one of many anecdotes that might be told illustrating the contentment of the quiet folk who in- habited Nantucket in earlier days; they generally lived long and were useful, satisfied with the sphere in which circumstances had placed them, emphasizing by their lives their belief that
God gives to every man, The virtue, temper, understanding, taste, That lifts him into life and lets him fall Just in the niche he was ordained to fill.
If, with the broader experience of to-day, we do not accept in full this creed of our ancestors, we may not be happier than they.
காளீஸ்சமும்
مصر
المصد
CHAPTER XIV.
AN EXPLANATION OF THE NEUTRAL POSITION OF NANTUCKET DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
THE wisdom of neutrality in Nantucket during the Revolutionary War was probably never questioned by a native of the island, but among their descendants it has been far different; they have doubted the patriotism of a people who could refrain from taking decided ground when so much was at stake.
To make the position of Nantucket at that time per- feetly plain, one must go back to the latter part of the Seventeenth Century and follow closely the history of its fishing interests, and consider the toil of building up a business which would have been absolutely ruined had the islanders boldly taken sides with the Colonists.
Very early in its history the people of the island had undertaken whale fishing. Whales were plentiful along the coasts, small boats only were used in the cap- ture of them, the fishermen venturing short distances from the shore and returning to their homes each night; by degrees they grew bolder, and undertook
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
longer voyages; the number of vessels and of seamen increased
Until to every wind of heaven Nantucket's sails were spread.
The following statistics, found in a report made to Congress by Thomas Jefferson in 1775, show how large a proportion of the Massachusetts income from " whal- ing " may be credited to Nantucket:
For Massachusetts there were employed
304 vessels, 27,840 tonnage, 4,059 seamen,
returning about 47,040 barrels of oil.
In which Nantucket was accredited with
150 vessels, 15,070 tonnage,
2,025 seamen, 30,000 barrels of oil.
About the year 1771 the gathering clouds on the political horizon made the more timid question seriously the wisdom of continuing their business.
French privateers were often encountered. Ship owners lost heavily in consequence, and in view of these depredations many heads of families began to cast about for means of livelihood attended with less risk than that of following the seas.
At first Nantucket had sent oil to England through other ports. At the time preceding the Revolution trade was carried on to a considerable extent directly with London, and if the threatened storm were to break, it may readily be imagined to what peril would be sub-
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Neutrality During Revolution.
jected the only industry which had brought gain and comparative wealth to Nantucket.
After deliberate weighing of the matter, a large num- ber of citizens removed to North Carolina, thence to Indiana and Ohio; also to Maine, and New Bedford, Massachusetts; and quite a company united with Provi- dence and Martha's Vineyard, in locating and settling the city of Hudson.
Articles of agreement were there drawn up by the Proprietors, and the settlement was inaugurated on much the same plan as that which more than a century before had been adopted in the settlement of Nan- tucket.
Thomas Jenkins, a native of Nantucket, was a pioneer in the Hudson movement, and to him largely is due the credit of what proved a successful venture.
The names of Nantucket proprietors of the Hudson settlement were as follows:
Thomas Jenkins.
Joseph Barnard
Stephen Paddack.
Charles Jenkins.
Gideon Gardner.
Reuben Folger.
Alexander Coffin.
Benjamin Hussey.
Shubael Worth.
Paul Hussey. Benjamin Folger.
Benjamin Starbuck. John Cartwright.
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
In spite of the exodus from Nantucket to the points above named, a considerable number remained and took chances, which, on the breaking out of the war, resulted disastrously. Many of their ships were seized by Eng- lish men-of-war, and the problem by which they were confronted was a serious one; they could not readily turn their attention to agriculture, the soil was sterile, and money not at hand to make it otherwise; manufac- tures were out of the question, as the raw materials would have to be brought from the mainland across the Vineyard Sound,* and would be subject to danger from the Royal Navy.
To meet the extremity a committee composed of Benjamin Tupper, Timothy Folger,t William Rotch and Samuel Starbuck was sent to Newport and New York to interview the British Commanders, and the following agreement was arrived at: "That depreda- tions should cease provided the town of Nantucket would observe strict neutrality."
A powerful factor in their non-partisanship or neu- trality was the spirit of non-resistance fostered by Quakerism, which was a very widely prevailing religion on the island at that time.
* Vineyard Sound was that portion of the Atlantic Ocean which lies north of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, between them and the mainland, and was a great highway for vessels plying between England and America.
7 Timothy Folger, son of Abishai, son of Nathan, son of Elea- zer, son of Peter Folger, was a merchant and magistrate at Nan- tueket prior to and during the Revolution. After peace was es- tablished he removed to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; afterwards to Milford Haven, Wales, where he was merchant and American Consul.
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Neutrality During Revolution.
After arrangements with the English were com- pleted, the American Colonists, believing that persis- teney in fitting out whaling vessels, and the protection which was given them, indicated loyalty to the Crown, themselves opened warfare upon the Nantucket ships.
" A town meeting was convened on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1782, and a memorial prepared and adopted which was sent to the General Court of Massachusetts."
Referring to this, Mr. Alexander Starbuck says: " They urged that people in continental towns, where the broad country opened to them a place for retreat, could have but faint ideas of the suffering of those who were constantly liable to hostile invasion and whose in- sular position preeluded all thought of escape."
They seorned the imputation that they had sought neutrality because of sympathy with England.
Doubtless tories were in about the same proportion upon the island as in other places throughout the coun- try, but there were many citizens loyal to the interests of the American Colonies.
That portion of the petition which referred to the prosecution of their business reads as follows:
" We now beg leave to throw a few hints before you respecting the Whalefishery, as a matter of great im- portance to this Commonwealth. This place before the War, was the First in that branch of business, & em- ployed more than One Hundred Sail of good Vessels therein which furnish'd a support not only for Five Thousand Inhabitants here, but for Thousands else- where, no place so well adapted for the good of the Community at large as Nantucket, it being destitute of every material necessary in the Business, and the In-
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
habitants might be called Factors for the Continent rather than Principals; as the war encreased the Fish- ery ceased, until necessity obliged us to make trial the last Year, with about seventeen sail of Vessels, Two of which were captured & carried to New York,* and one was burnt the others made saving voyages. The present Year we employed about Twenty Four sail in the same business, which have mostly Compleated their Voy- ages, but with little success; & a great loss will ensue; this we apprehend is greatly owing to the circumscribed situation of the Fishery; we are now fully sensible that it can no longer be pursued by us unless we have free liberty both from Great Britain & America to fish without interruption.
" As we now find One of our Vessels is captured & carried to New York, but without any oil on board, and Two others have lately been taken & carried into Boston & Salem, under pretense of having double papers on board, (Nevertheless we presume the Cap- tors will not say that any of our Whalemen have gone into New York during the season as such a charge would have no foundation in Truth.)
" And if due attention is not paid to this valuable branch, which if it was viewed in all its parts, perhaps would appear the most advantageous, of any possess'd by this Government, it will be intirely lost, if the War continues: We view it with regret & mention it with Concern, & from the gloomy prospect now before us, we apprehend many of the Inhabitants must quit the Island, not being able even to provide Necessaries for
* Then in possession of the English.
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Neutrality During Revolution.
the approaching Winter: some will retreat to the Con- tinent & set down in the Western Governments; and the Most Active in the Fishery will most probably go to distant Countries, where they can have every en- couragement, by Nations who are eagerly wishing to embrace so favorable an opportunity to accomplish their desires; which will be a great loss to the Conti- nent in general, but more to this Government in par- ticular.
" We beg leave to impress the consideration of this important subject, not as the judgment of an insignifi- cant few, but of a Town which a few Years since stood the Third in Rank (if we mistake not) in bearing the Burthens of Government; It was then populous and abounded with plenty, it is yet populous, but is covered with poverty.
" Your Memorialists have made choice of Samuel Starbuck, Josiah Barker, William Rotch, Stephen Hus- sey and Timothy Folger, as their Committee who can speak more fully to the several matters Contain'd in this Memorial, or any other thing that may concern this County, to whom we desire to refer you.
" Signed in behalf of the Town by
" FREDERICK FOLGER, " Town Clerk."
This memorial was referred to a committee made up of representatives from the Massachusetts Senate and House, who in their turn referred it to Congress.
Mr. Starbuck says that "in addition to the action of the General Court, the town also sent William
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Early Settlers of Nantucket.
Rotch and Samuel Starbuck to Philadelphia to inter- cede personally in the matter."
Finally permits were granted and duly delivered. So much diplomacy and time were required to accomplish this, that when the permits were received the fleet was spent, and little profit was to be had from carrying on the business. The agreement of neutrality, however, was conscientiously carried out, and Nantucket strug- gled through the war, and experienced considerable prosperity after the proclamation of peace, which fol- lowed very closely on the negotiations with the General Court.
The whaling interests were renewed, but New Bed- ford had made great advance in her effort to secure con- trol of the business. Gradually the number of vessels owned on the island grew less, and ultimately the in- habitants of Nantucket abandoned whale fishing alto- gether, and turned their attention to other pursuits.
The bustle and activity of the early times, the quiet calm about the place to-day, the decaying wharves and condition of business on the island are fittingly de- scribed in Mr. Arthur Ketchum's beautiful sonnet:
Adrift in taintless seas she dreaming lies, The island city, timeworn now and grey, Her dark wharves ruinous, where once there lay Tall ships at rest from far sea industries. The busy hand of trade no longer plies Within her streets. In quiet court and way The grass has crept -and sun and shadows play Beneath her elms, in changing traceries ;
NOTE .- One hundred and thirty-four whaling vessels belonging to Nantucket fell a prey to the English, and it is estimated that twelve hundred Nantucket men, mostly whalemen, were captured or perished during the Revolution.
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Neutrality During Revolution.
The years have claimed her theirs, and the still peace Of wind and sun and mist, blown thick and white Has folded her. The voices of the seas Through many a soft, bright day and brooding night Have wrought her silence, wide as they and deep; And dreaming of the past, she waits-asleep.
CHAPTER XV.
EXTRACTS FROM JOURNALS OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, JOHN RICHARDSON AND THOMAS STORY, GIVING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE RISE OF FRIENDS ON NANTUCKET.
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