USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Orleans > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 9
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 9
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Wellfleet > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 9
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These meetings for some years were greatly blessed; large numbers were hopefully converted, and many backsliders re- claimed; but recently this does not seem to be the happy re- sult, and the same is true of other protracted meetings.
The reason of this failure must be resolved either into the sovereign pleasure of God, or that there has been more of a secular spirit and interest connected with them than former- ly.
It being held on the Sabbath is the occasion of the most lamentable violation of that sacred day, by persons who at- tend with no serious or religious motives .*
1820. Samuel Freeman, Esq., was chosen by the town a delegate to the convention to be holden in Boston, for the revision of the constitution of the Commonwealth.
In 1821, Governor Brooks had the unanimous vote of the to wn.
In 1826, Harding Knowles, Esq., fell from his pump- mill, and survived but three days. He was a highly re- spected citizen, represented the town in the General Court, and held the office of a selectman and an assessor fifteen years. His death was much lamented by his friends and townsmen.
1827. The ship Maine, Capt. Davis, from Batavia, via Cadiz, with a cargo of salt and lead, and eighty thousand dol- lars in specie, was cast on shore at the entrance of Nauset harbor. The lead and specie were safely landed, and the vessel being hove off, was taken to Boston. .
In 1829, the temperance reform was commenced in this town, through the influence of the Rev. Mr. Woodbury of Falmouth, and the foundation was laid of the first temper-
: * Abstract from the history of this society, by the Rev. O. Robbins in charge.
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ance-society in Eastham. It has, for some years, embraced the largest portion of the inhabitants, and bas been the instru- ment of producing almost an entire abandonment of the use of intoxicating liquors, and of invaluable benefit to the morals and happiness of this community.
This year the old meeting-house was taken down, and a new and commodious house was built, about one mile and a half to the northward.
The brig Creole was driven on shore near Nauset harbor. She was from New Orleans, bound to Boston, with a cargo of cotton, which was landed in safety, taken over the Cape, and freighted to Boston. The vessel was also got off and taken to the same place, by Messrs. Doane and Knowles, for eleven hundred and fifty dollars.
The town chose a committee to put in force the law against the sale of spirituous liquors, and agreed to have one licensed retailer of ardent spirits in town.
1831. The brig Java, from Java for Boston, with a car- go of coffee and nutmegs, was driven on shore at the entrance of Nauset harbor, in a thick snow storm. She was boarded from the shore with boats, and her crew were landed in safe- ty. In a few days she became a complete wreck, and her car- go was scattered on the beach. The inhabitants of Eastham and Orleans saved large quantities of coffee and some casks of nutmegs, for which they were allowed a liberal salvage.
. 1834. It was voted to divide the town into six school districts.
1836. A number of families living in the south part of the town, sent a petition to the General Court, praying to be set off to the town of Orleans. The town appointed the se- lectmen as a committee to remonstrate against this petition, which prevented its being granted.
1837. George Collins was authorized by the selectmen to receive the town's proportion of the surplus revenue, which, by an act of Congress, was distributed to the different States, according to their population, and by this State to all the towns. on the same principle. Eastham received twenty-one hundred dollars.
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Voted to build a bridge over Boat river, and defray the expense with a part of this money.
Two families, living near Rock harbor, with their proper- ties, were by an act of the General Court set off to the town of Orleans.
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1838. Voted to loan the remainder of the surplus reve- nue to individuals in the town, in sums not less than twenty- five dollars, and to apply the interest annually to the support of town schools.
1839. In October this coast was visited by a tremendous storm, which continued thirty-six hours. Many lives were lost, and much property in shipping and salt-works was destroyed.
Daniel H. Babcock was ordained over the Congregation- al church and society, and dismissed in 1840. He was a native of Ohio, and graduated at the Western Reserve Col- lege. After his dismission, he supplied the South parish in Yarmouth one year, and is now settled in Cohasset.
Rev. Stillman Pratt supplied this society six months, and was then settled in Adams.
After him, the Rev. Solomon Hardy took charge of the church and society about two years, and died here, Septem- ber, 1842. He was born in Hollis, N. H., graduated at Middlebury College, 1824, studied his profession at the An- dover seminary, after which he preached a number of years in the Western states, when he returned and took charge of the church and society in South Wellfleet, where he remain- ed three years. He was much devoted to the cause of re- ligion, and his labors were blessed. He died greatly lament- ed, not only by his bereaved widow, but by his brethren in the ministry and all who knew him. His health was always feeble, but he was strongly supported by the presence of his Savior in his last sickness, and died with an unshaken hope of a blessed immortality.
Since his death the church and society have had the labors of the Rev. E. Pratt.
It is now two hundred years since this ancient church was planted. It was the third emigration from the Plymouth church, composed of the Pilgrims,-has had five ordain-
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ed ministers, and four meeting-houses. The blessings of heaven often in former years came down upon the place, to make ¿successful the labors of its devoted ministers; but the numbers who have been added to the church during the ministry of each, cannot be ascertained, as no records kept by them are found. Present number, fifty-six. The church and society has now become so small and feeble, that they are unable to support an ordained minister to reside with them.
EDUCATION.
In 1678, the town voted to raise money to continue the school. This is the earliest notice of a school in the town found in the records, and the amount is not stated. It is probable that the first settlers provided for the education of their children, as well as for the support of a minister.
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Money was annually appropriated for this purpose and other town charges, without specifying the sum, until 1700, when the town agreed to pay the school-masters ten pence per week for each child.
In 1709, the town was presented by the Court for not having a school-master.
In 1713, a committee was appointed to regulate the school for the greater benefit of the inhabitants, who established it one year in the middle, and the next in the south part of the town.
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In 1718, Mr. Nehemiah Hobart was the school-master, and the town agreed to pay him £10 above his salary, for assisting Mr. Treat in the ministry.
In 1723, the school is noticed, also in 1749, and 1754.
In 1757, a large committee was appointed by the town to regulate and superintend the schools.
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In 1763, the north precinct was set off and incorporated as a separate district or township, and on a settlement be- tween them of money raised for the support of the schools, Eastham paid to Wellfleet £21, 10s., as their part of the money then in the treasury for six months schooling. This was about one third part of the sum raised by the whole town, making for a whole year, £129.
In 1773, the town set up a grammar school; also raised £26, 13s. 8d. for teaching reading, writing and arithmetic.
In 1779, in a petition which the town sent to the General Court, for an abatement of their taxes, the reason given was, that they had great difficulty in supporting the gospel and schools among them.
. In 1785, the grammar school is mentioned as continued.
In 1786, the town was districted for the greater benefit of the schools, and each district drew from the treasury their proportion of the money which was raised for this purpose.
In 1796, money was raised for the support of the schools.
In 1797, two school-houses were built, which cost the town four hundred dollars.
In 1800, a district school-house was built.
In 1803, one hundred and twenty dollars was raised for the support of the town school; also, two school-houses were built.
From this time to 1813, the town annually appropriated two hundred dollars for the support of the district schools. From this date to 1833, three hundred dollars were annually raised for this purpose; and from that to the present time, four hundred dollars annually.
Valuation, $127,764 00. Number of public schools, 5. Number of children between four and sixteen, 340.
It is not known that any of the sons of Eastham have re- ceived a collegiate education. The town schools have been greatly improved within the last thirty years. Teachers of higher qualifications, and books better adapted to the capaci- ties of the children, have been obtained. The school-hous- es during the present year have been altered, and construct- ed for the greater convenience and comfort of the teachers and children, and the districts reduced to five.
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'The public buildings in the town, are five school-houses, two meeting-houses, and there are two wind-mills for grind- ing grain. About seventy thousand feet of salt-works are owned in the town. There are two vessels owned here that fish on the 'Banks' for codfish, several that fish for mackerel and the Boston market, and one packet.
There are about one hundred and seventy families, and one hundred and fifty dwelling-houses. Although the land has generally become poor by the injudicious mode of farming in former years, yet a larger quantity of grain is now raised than in other towns in the county, according to the number of acres which it contains. A considerable attention is giv- en to the raising of vegetables for Provincetown and Well- fleet markets, beyond what is required for home consumption.
CENSUS.
1644
49*
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1663
275
1676
520
1703
948
1749
2000
1764}
1331 ~
1790
·
2064
1797ţ
840
1800
800
1810
782
1820
766
1830
966
1840
955
· Seven families. t The year after Wellfleet was separated.
# After the separation of Orleans.
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DEPUTIES TO THE OLD COLONY COURT AT PLYMOUTII.
1647-Edward Bangs and Dea. John Doane. 1648-Joseph Cook and Richard Higgins.
1649-Dea. John Doane and Richard Higgins. 1650-Edward Bangs and Joseph Cook.
1651-Nicholas Snow and Dea. John Freeman. .
1652-Dea. John Freeman and Josias Cook. 1653-Nicholas Snow and Joseph Cook.
. [From 1654 to 1659, the record of deputies chosen by the town is lost.]
1660-Dea. John Freeman* and John Cole. 1661-Richard Higgins and John Cole.
1662-Josiah Cook and Daniel Cole.
1663-Josiah Cook and Edward Bangs.
1664-Edward Bangs and John Cole. 1665-Richard Higgins and Josiah Cook.
1666-Dea. John Freeman and Josiah Cook.
1667-Richard Higgins and Daniel Cole. 1668 and '69-No record of deputies. 1670-Daniel Cole and William Nickerson. 1671-Jabez Cook and Thomas Paine. 1672-Daniel Cole and Jonathan Sparrow. 1673-Dea. John Doane and Jonathan Sparrow.
1674-Jonathan Sparrow and Jonathan Bangs. 1675-Jonathan Sparrow.
1676 -Jonathan Bangs.
1677-Jonathan Sparrow and Mark Snow.
1678-Thomas Paine and Jonathan Sparrow.
1679, '80 and '81-No deputies.
1682-Jonathan Sparrow and Jonathan Bangs. 1683-Jonathan Bangs and Jonathan Sparrow.
1684-Jonathan Sparrow and Dea. John Doane. 1685-Dea. John Doane and Jonathan Sparrow. - 1686-Jonathan Sparrow and Mark Snow. 1687 and '88-Jonathan Bangs.
1689-Dea. John Doane and Mark Snow.
1690-Jonathan Sparrow and Thomas Paine.
. Dea. Freeman was for several years an Assistant to the Governor. "
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REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MAS- SACHUSETTS AT BOSTON.
1692-Capt. Jona. Sparrow. 1724-John Paine. Ensign Jona. Bangs. 25-John Paine.
93-Thomas Smith. 26-Joseph Doane.
94-John Doane, Jr.
27-Joseph Doane.
95-Thomas Smith.
28-Samuel Knowles.
96-Thomas Paine. 29-Israel Cole .*
97-Samuel Freeman. 31-William Paine.
32-William Paine.
1700-Israel Cole.
33-John Paine.
01-John Doane, Jr.
34-John Paine.
02-Jona. Sparrow.
35-William Paine.
03-John Paine.
36-John Paine, Jr.
37-John Paine, Jr.
04-Capt. Sam'l Freeman. 05
38-William Paine. 39-William Paine.
06-Samuel Knowles.
07-Samuel Knowles.
08-Samuel Knowles.
09-John Paine.
43-William Paine.
44-William Paine.
12-Samuel Knowles. 13
45-Samuel Knowles. 46-John Paine, Jr.
14-John Paine.
47-Samuel Knowles.
15-Samuel Mayo.
48 -- Samuel Knowles.
16-John Paine.
49-William Paine.
17-Joshua Higgins.
1750-John Paine, Jr.
18-John Paine. 51-Dea. John Freeman.
19-Samuel Knowles. 52
1720-Samuel Knowles. 53-Dea. John Freeman.
21-Joshua Higgins. 54
Isaac Pepper. 55-Dea. John Freeman.
22-Isaac Pepper. 56-Capt. Jona. Pepper.
23-Samuel Knowles. 57-Capt. Jona. Pepper.
1740-John Paine, Jr.
41-Capt. John Knowles.
42-Capt. John Knowles.
1710-Samuel Knowles.
11-Samuel Mayo.
1730-Capt. John. Knowles.
98-Israel' Cole.
99-Jona. Sparrow.
* This year the General Court was held at Salem.
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1758-Sylvanus Snow. 59-Jonathan Doane.
1797-Capt. Michael Collins.
98-Dea. Benjamin Clark.
1760-Sylvanus Snow. 99
61-Jonathan Doane. 62
01
63-Capt. Sol. Pepper.
02
64-Capt. Sol. Pepper.
03
65-Jonathan Doane.
1804 to '10-Samuel Free- man, Esq. -
11-John Doane.
12-John Doane.
13-Capt. Heman Smith.
69 -- Barnabas Freeman. 1770-Thomas Paine.
14-Capt. Heman Smith. 15
71-Barnabas Freeman. 72
73
18-Joshua P. Atwood.
74
19-Harding Knowles. 1820-Harding Knowles.
21-Samuel Freeman, Esq. 22
76-Amos Knowles.
77-Capt. Sol. Pepper.
23-Samuel Freeman, Esq. 24 -- Harding Knowles. 25
26-Harding Knowles.
27-Samuel Freeman, Esq.
81-Thomas Paine.
28-Capt. Jesse Collins.
82-Nathan Doane.
29 -- Capt. Jesse Collins.
83-Nathan Doane.
84-Nathan Doane.
1830-Capt. Sam'l Knowles. 31-Capt. Sam'l Knowles. 32-Michael Collins. 33-Capt. David Atwood.
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85-Nathan Doane.
1786 to '94-Elijah Knowles, Esq. 95-Simeon Kingman, Esq. 96°
34-Capt. David Atwood.
35-George Collins: 36-George Collins.
Mr. Knowles was sent to the second Provincial Congress, at Cambridge, on the first of February.
t Mr. Freeman represented this town in the same body, at Watertown, on the thirty-first of July.
1800-Elisha Mayo.
66-Maj. Elisha Doane. 67-Thomas Paine. 68-Maj. Elisha Doane: Barnabas Freeman.
16-Samuel Freeman, Esq.
17-Joshua P. Atwood.
75-Amos Knowles* Barnabas Freeman. t
78-Barnabas Freeman: Josiah Rogers. 79-Barnabas Freeman. 1780-Thomas Paine.
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1837-Rev. Philander Shaw. 1841-Henry Horton. 38-Rev. Philander Shaw. 42-Benjamin H. A. Col- 39-Barnabas Freeman. lins, Esq. 43-Elijah E. Knowles.
1840-Henry Horton.
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TOWN TREASURERS.
Edward Bangs, from 1646 to 1665. Daniel Doane, from 1666 to 1675. Thomas Paine, from 1676 to 1694. Joseph Doane, from 1703 to 1708: Jobn Paine, from 1709 to 1730. Edward Knowles, from 1731 to 1740. Samuel Freeman, from 1741 to 1749. Edward Knowles, from 1750 to 1758. Jabez Snow, from 1759 to 1760. Edward Knowles, from 1761 to 1774. Gideon Baty, from 1775 to 1779. Richard Knowles, from 1780 to 1782. Isaac Pepper, from 1783 to 1785. Samuel Higgins, from 1786 to 1790. Isaac Sparrow, from 1791 to 1793. Elijah Knowles, from 1794 to 1796. Dea. Benjamin Clark, from 1797 to 1804. Dea. Ebenezer Paine, from 1805 to 1824. George Clark, from 1825 to 1830. Joshua Paine, from 1831 to 1836. Samuel Knowles, from 1837 to 1841. Nathan Knowles, from 1842 to -
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TOWN CLERKS.
The following oath was administered to those who were chosen to this office, by order of the Court:
' You shall fairly and fully serve in the office of a Town Clerk in the town of Eastham, for the present year, and so long as by mutual consent the town and you shall agree,-during which time you shall carefully and faithfully pen all such records you shall be intrusted withall; and shall record all town acts and orders, and shall enter all town grants and conveyances.
' You shall record all births and marriages and burials, that shall be brought to you within the town ; and shall publish all contracts of marriage, you shall be required to do, according to the order of the Court.'
Dated twentieth of October, 1646.
Nicholas Snow, from 1646 to 1662.
Mark Snow, from 1663 to 1675 ..
Daniel Doane, from 1676 to 1692.
Mark Snow, from 1693 to 1695.
Thomas Paine, from 1695 to 1703. John Paine, from 1704 to 1729.
Joseph Doane, from 1729 to 1743.
Thomas Knowles, from 1743 10 1746.
Nathaniel Freeman, from 1746 to 1748.
Thomas Knowles, from 1748 to 1758. Jabez Snow, from 1759 to 1760. Edward Knowles, from 1761 to 1774. Gideon Baty, from 1774 to 1779.
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Richard Knowles, from 1779 to 1782. Isaac Pepper, from 1782 to 1785. Samuel Higgins, from 1786 to 1790. Isaac Sparrow, from 1790 to 1793. Elijah Knowles, from 1793 to 1796. Dea. Benjamin Clark, from 1797 to 1804.
Dea. Ebenezer Paine, from 1805 to 1824. George Clark, from 1824 to 1830.
Joshua Paine, from 1830 to 1836.
Samuel Knowles, from 1836 to 1841.
Nathan Knowles, from 1842 to - -
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SELECTMEN."
1663-Mr. John Freeman, ten years.
1663- " Nicholas Snow, seven do.
1663-Dea. John Doane, fourteen do.
1665-Mr. Edward Bangs, two do.
1665- " Richard Higgins, three do.
1667- 4 Mark Snow, eighteen do.
1667- 4 Daniel Cole, nine do. ..
1667- 4 John Doane, Jr., eight do.
1670- - " Josiah Cook, one year.
1670- " William Nickerson, one do.
1671-Dea. Jonathan Sparrow, ten years.
1671-Mr. Thomas Paine, nineteen do.
1672- " Goodman Nickerson, one year.
1673- " Joseph Harding, one do.
1674-Capt. Jonathan Bangs, three years.
1687-Mr. Daniel Doane, four do.
1687- " Jabez Snow, four do.
1688- " Benjamin Higgins, one year.
1690 -- " Thomas Mayo, twelve years.
1691- " Thomas Paine, Jr., three do.
1691- " Isaac Pepper, eleven do.
1692-Dea. Samuel Knowles, six do.
1693-Capt. Samuel Freeman, six do.
1693-Mr. John Paine, six do.
1694- " Israel Cole, five do.
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1695-Capt. Edmond Freeman, seven do.
1697-Mr. Daniel Cole, Jr., one year.
1698-Lieut. Samuel Paine, six years.
1700-Mr. Samuel Mayo, Senior, six do. 1700- " Thomas Mulford, four do.
1700- " Joseph Doane, five do.
1703- " Joseph Snow, Jr., one year.
1706- " W. Freeman, one do.
1707- " Nathaniel Freeman, one do.
1717-Edward Knowles, Esq., ten years. 1718-Mr. Micajah Snow, four do.
1719- " Jonathan Young, two do.
1719- " Israel Doane, three do.
1722- " Samuel Knowles, Jr., six do.
1733- " Samuel Doane, eight do.
1733- " James Rogera, seven do.
. Their names are given the first year they were chosen, and the number of years they served, without noticing the yearly changes.
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1735-Mr. Benjamin Higgins, one year. 1736-Capt. John Knowles, one do. 1736-Lieut. John Freeman, three years.
1736-Mr. Ralph Smith, one year.
1737- " Samuel Doane, six years.
1737- " Samuel Freeman, Jr., one year.
1738- " John Rich, five years.
1741-Capt. Samuel Knowles, three do. 1743- " John Freeman, two do. 1743-Mr. Jabez Snow, Jr., two do.
1743- " Zoheth Smith, six do.
1743- " Jonathan Doane, two do.
1743- " Sylvanus Snow, two do.
1744- " Thomas Knowles, three do. 1744- " Joshua Higgins, Jr., four do. '
--- 1744-4 Jeremiah Mayo, one year.
1745- " Joshua Higgins, Jr., four years.
1747-Capt. Samuel Smith, one year.
1747-Mr. Amos Knowles, one do.
1747- " Jonathan Smith, one do.
1749-4 Joshua Knowles, two years.
1749- 4 Edmond Freeman, Jr., two do.
1750- James Higgins, seven do.
1752_" Ebenezer Higgins, two do.
1754- " Daniel Doane, Jr., four do.
1760- - " Ebenezer Atwood, one year. -
1760-Col. Willard Knowles, four years.
1761-Mr. Joseph Cole, fourteen do.
1761- " Samuel Smith, 3d, four do.
1762- " Samuel Doane, Jr., one year.
1765- " Joshua Knowles, two years.
1765-Dea. Jonathan Higgins, twelve do. 1769-Mr. James Snow, one year.
1771- " Simeon Doane, six years.
1773- " Elisha Smith, two do.
1775-« Amos Knowles, Jr., five do.
1777-4 Barnabas Freeman, two do.
1778 -* William Myrick, Jr., one year.
1779- 4 Nehemiah Young, six years. 1779- 16 Nathaniel Mayo, two do.
1780- « Jonathan Linnell, Jr., one year.
1781 -- " John Doane, Jr., eight years.
1782- " Gideon Freeman, two do.
1782- Heman Linnell, twelve do.
.. 1784- " Joseph Knowles, one year.
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1788-Mr. Nathan Doane.
1788- " Samuel Higgins, three years.
1791- " Joseph Pepper, four do.
1794- " Hezekiah Higgins, two do.
1797- " Judah Rogers, two do.
1797-Dea. Joseph Pepper, three do. 1797-Samuel Freeman, Esq., twenty-three do.
1797-Mr. James Mayo, two do.
1799-Capt. Michael Collins, two do.
1801-Mr. James Cole, four do.
1801- " Samuel Smith, nine do.
1805- " David Brown, four do.
1807- " Obed Knowles, nine do.
1807-Harding Knowles, Esq., thirteen do.
1807-Mr. John Doane, five do.
1815-Elisha Mayo, Esq., two do.
1817-Joshua Atwood, Esq., one year. 1817-Mr. Freeman Knowles, four years.
1818- " Timothy Cole, one year.
1818- " George Clark, two years.
1819- " Joshua Higgins, four do.
1823-Capt. Parker Brown, four do. 1824-Mr. Samuel Knowles, thirteen do.
1826- " James H. Knowles, five do.
1830- « Cushing Horton, one year.
1831- " Barnabas Doane, two years.
1831- " Barnabas Freeman, four do.
1834- " Noah Doane, two do.
1834-Michael Collins, Esq., ten do.
1836-Mr. David C. Atwood, nine do.
1838- " Joshua Paine, seven do.
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HISTORY OF WELLFLEET.
DESCRIPTION.
Wellfleet is bounded on the South by Eastham, on the North by Truro, on the West by Barnstable Bay, and on the East by the Atlantic Ocean.
It is about eight miles in length, and from two to three in breadth.
The soil, except in the north-west part, where the land is tolerably good, is light and sandy, and in some parts is inca- pable of producing any vegetation.
The sandy part was formerly covered with a large growth of pine timber, and the north part with oak, both of which were used for ship building. About one third of the town is now covered mostly with young pines. Very little Eng- lish hay is cut in the town, but there are large bodies of salt marsh, more than sufficient to supply the cattle in the winter and pasture them in the summer.
Some grain is raised, but only a fractional part of what is consumed. There are some low swampy places where gar- dens are made, by covering them with sand, and fresh hay is produced.
There are three harbors in the town, all having about the same depth of water, twelve feet at high tide. One is called the River barbor, in the north part of the bay ; another, in the centre of the town, called Duck Creek harbor ; and the third, in the south part, called Blackfish creek.
These harbors are of great importance to the town, as they are safe, and afford the best facilities for carrying on
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the cod and mackerel fisheries, which have always been very extensively prosecuted. These employ the largest portion of the male inhabitants, who derive from them their princi- pal support.
In some past years there have been more than one hundred sail of vessels engaged, mostly in the mackerel fishery, and with great success. The vessels are from twenty to fifty tons. For three or four years past they have not been able to take that fish in such quantities as formerly, consequently the number of vessels engaged has been reduced to about seventy at the present time. There are three wharves and packing establishments. Formerly the whaling business was carried on here extensively, with large schooners, many of which were built here, of timber that grew on the shore.
Oysters and other shell fish were found in the bay in great abundance, at the first settlement, which not only afforded a supply for the inhabitants, but in time were taken to Boston and other places, for sale. This business has been carried on extensively, and profitably to those engaged in it. Shops and stands were opened in Boston, Salem, Portland and oth- er places, where the oysters were sold in quantities to suit the purchasers.
In 1770 all the oysters in the bay died. What caused the destruction is not certainly known, but it is supposed, that, as, at this time, a large number of blackfish died and came on shore, where their carcasses remained, producing a very filthy condition of the water, it caused this mortality.
The inhabitants of the town tried the experiment of bring- ing oysters from the South, and laying them down on the - flats, which succeeded well. In the course of a year they doubled their size, and their quality was much improved. This soon became a large business, and a number of vessels have been employed in the spring of every year in bringing them here. The number of bushels which are now annually brought is about sixty thousand. Nearly all the oyster shops and stands in Boston, and in other cities and towns in this state, are supplied from this place, and are kept by persons belonging to this town. This business affords a living for many families.
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Three fast-sailing and commodious packets are owned here, which carry freight and passengers to and from Bos- ton. Also one or two vessels, which bring lumber and wood from the state of Maine.
There are fifteen fresh water ponds in the town, eleven of which are situated nearly in a direct line north and south.
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