USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 19
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His human sympathies led him to entertain a practical interest in the remnants of the tribe of Indians living in the town, and in 1836, having been made their legal guardian, he devoted nearly twenty years' service to their welfare. Such was the confidence inspired by his execution of this apparently thankless task, that he was always after regarded by them as their trusted friend and counsellor, to whom they constantly came for advice and encouragement. This distinguished son
THE "PARSON THAXTER" HOUSE BUILT 1784-5
HOME OF THE PARSON AND BIRTHPLACE OF LEAVITT THAXTER
of Edgartown died at his residence on Davis street, Nov. 27, 1863, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and he lies buried beside his parents, whose name he bore with increased honor. The portrait of Mr. Thaxter, which illustrates this, now hangs in the office of clerk of courts, having been placed there as a public memorial by "a number of his former pupils." The sittings were given at their request in 1862, and the artist, Cyrus Worth Pease (1091) of this town, succeeded in painting an excellent likeness in his best style.
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DAVIS ACADEMY.
Another institution for the higher grade of education was established by David Davis of Farmington, Me. He was of Vineyard ancestry, being the son of Sanford and Mary (Coffin) Davis of Eastville, born Dec. 23, 1802, and returned to this town in his early manhood. This school which prospered under his management was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1836 after a few years of existence, but by the aid of con- tribution from friends and patrons here he rebuilt. This new academy building is still in existence on the corner of Maple street, diagonally opposite the building formerly known as Thaxter's Academy. Owing to ill health which followed shortly after these events, Mr. Davis was obliged to suspend teaching, but continued to reside here in the upper story of this building. The schoolroom was used by other teachers during the day and in the evening lectures, concerts and similar public meetings were held in this room, generally called "Davis Hall." Mr. Davis was a highly esteemed resident and citizen and was honored by his neighbors in 1855 by an election to the council, and when Governor Henry S. Gardiner, his chief, visited Edgartown, he was tendered a public reception in the schoolroom of his councillor. Mr. Davis died Nov. 6, 1868, at the age of 66 years, generally lamented.
MISCELLANEOUS ANNALS.
THE MASONIC ORDER.
Free Masonry had some following in this town about 1800 though no lodge was in existence here as early as that. Several residents of Edgartown were members of King Solo- mon's Lodge in Perfection at Homes Hole at this date and others became affiliated later with Union. Lodge of Nantucket. Thomas Cooke, Benjamin Smith and John Pease were mem- bers of the former lodge, while Thomas M. Vinson, Jared Coffin, James Banning and Valentine Pease were of the Nantucket lodge. On Aug. 16, 1819, the Edgartown mem- bers just named, with three others, laid before the lodge a petition to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to establish an independent lodge in Edgartown, to be known by the name of "Seven Stars," and requesting Union Lodge to recommend the granting of their petition. The lodge took the following action : -
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Voted :- That we recommend to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts the following brethern to establish a Lodge in Edgartown Martha's Vinyard :-
Rt. Wor. Thomas M. Vinson to be the first Master. Wor. Samuel Wheldon to be the first S. W.
Wor. Samuel Worthman to be the first J. W.
The Grand Lodge acted favorably upon the recommen- dation and the new lodge was chartered Sept. 13, 1820. The Worshipful Master, Col. Thomas Melville Vinson was not of the Edgartown family of this name, but a native of New- port, R. I., where he was born in 1784 and his military title came from service in the War of 1812 under General Samuel McComb on the northern frontier of New York.
Colonel Vinson married Hepsibah Young Marchant (160) of this town April 5, 1814, and later removed to Dorchester, Mass., where he resided until his death. He was an employee in the customs service at the port of Boston, and falling on the steps of the Custom House, March 4, 1852, received fatal injuries from which he died four days later. His widow survived twenty years, dying in Dorchester.
The Senior Warden, Dr. Samuel Wheldon (1765-1841) was a native of Edgartown where he married, but he removed late in life to Coventry, Conn. Samuel Worthman, the Junior Warden, was a transient resident, "a Scotchman by Birth," but he married here. It will be seen that the officers of the lodge were not associated by birth with this town and that fact may account for the entire absence of further knowledge concerning its existence, if it had any, after the above quoted records of its establishment
A lodge of Master Masons, under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, was chartered June 25, 1867, by the name of Oriental Lodge, and it has been in existence for over forty years and is now in a flourishing condition. The first officers elected were: John Pierce, Worshipful Master; Grafton N. Collins, Senior Warden; James M. Coombs, Jr., Junior Warden; William L. Lewis, Secretary; and Jonathan H. Munroe, Treasurer.
The first lodge-room was over the store of Frederick E. Terrill, on North Water street, which was occupied until removal to the present room over the store of Jonathan H. Munroe on Main street. The first installation of officers, after some brief existence under dispensation, was a public + ceremony held in the Methodist Church. The Grand officers
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of the Grand Lodge of the State were present, and installed the officers above enumerated in the presence of a large audience of interested friends.
The following is a list of Worshipful Masters to the present time: David J. Barney, Francis P. Vincent, Joseph W. Donalson, Richard G. Shute, Jason L. Dexter, James C. Sandsbury, John E. White, Zenas D. Linton, John N. Pierce, Jeremiah Pease, Elmer E. Landers, and Thomas A. Dexter.
PHYSICIANS.
The practice of medicine in the early days has been elsewhere described as carried on by the clergy, midwives, and often by lawyers. Besides those referred to the following- named persons have followed this profession in the town in the past two centuries: Solomon Bacon, 1720; John Sander- son, 1724; Daniel Crittenden, 1747; Nathan Smith,1 1767- 1775; John Wright, 1782; Joseph Thaxter (during his ministry), John Pierce, Samuel Wheldon, W. T. S. Brackett, E. Maybury, Ivory H. Lucas, Daniel Fisher, Clement F. Shive- rick, G. B. Cornell, Thomas J. Walker, Theodore P. Cleveland, and E. P. Worth.
The long services of Dr. John Pierce in this community, covering nearly half a century (1836-1879), deserve special notice. He was a native of Lebanon, Conn., where he was born Nov. 25, 1805, and he received his preliminary education in Monmouth, Maine. He was graduated from Bowdoin Medical School in 1833, and practiced for a few years in Maine prior to his settlement in this town. While there he served as surgeon to the troops called out to quell the disturbances over the northeastern boundary. During his residence here he was for eight years in charge of the U. S. Marine Hospital Service at Homes Hole, and the medical examiner for Dukes county from the establishment of that office till his death. He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1840, and held various offices in that organization. He was a valued town official in various lines of work, a prominent Mason, and an active member and officer in the Methodist Church. He died Nov. 25, 1885.
1He was not of the Vineyard Smith families. He was born in 1730 and prac- tised at Stamford, Conn., before he came here. He removed to St. John, N. B., where he died in 1818.
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DR. JOHN PIERCE 1805 -- 1885
Annals of Edgartown
CEMETERIES.
The first tract set apart for the last resting place of the dead was the acre on Burial Hill. It was on the home lots of John Bland and John Eddy, adjoining the harbor end, an equal part being taken from each, and probably was dedi- cated to its purpose before the division of lots. In 1849 it contained seventy-five stone memorials, all of slate, but this number has been reduced in the last half century by breakage and other causes.1
The second cemetery was a gift to the town in 1768; the donation being made by Deacon Matthew Norton, "in consideration of the love, good will and regard that he hath toward the public worship of almighty God."2 It was an acre in extent, and was situated on Pease Point way, adjoining the lot on which the then new meeting house was being erected. It has since been enlarged by subsequent acqui- sitions. The first burials were in 1782, when six men of Edgartown, drowned at Gay Head, were interred in the new ground.3
There was a burial place at Aquampache used by the residents of that locality, some time prior to 1836, but how long it had been in existence is not known. In that year an addition was made to it by Elihu P. Norton as guardian of an estate.4
As happened in all communities there were private burial places used by families on their own farms or homesteads. The most important of these is the Mayhew graveyard on South Water street, in the Collins lot, just north of the old Mayhew house. This is doubtless the place where Governor Mayhew was buried, also Major Matthew Mayhew and his
'The list of these stones was made by Richard L. Pease in April, 1849, and pub- lished in the N. E. Genealogical Register, Vol. LI, 196.
2Dukes Deeds, IX, 758. Dated Feb. 8, 1768. See also deeds from estate of Rodolphus W. Coffin, April 29, 1842 (XXVII, 352) and Elijah Norton, Jan. 25, 1847 (XXXII, 150) to the town of Edgartown. In 1765 the town had voted to enlarge the old burial ground by the purchase of an additional acre.
3This wreck was the subject of a contemporaneous poem, of little merit except as an historical narrative. The eighteenth stanza reads as follows :-
"Six men belonged to Edgartown, They left four widows in distress; And parents for their sons did mourn, And twenty-six little children fatherless."
"Dukes Deeds, XXVI, 7.
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family.1 Several slate stones are now standing, but being in private property in alien possession no care of this sacred spot can be bestowed on the place by an interested public.
THE OLD MAYHEW HOUSE.
The most picturesque object of interest in the town to strangers, is the ancient Mayhew homestead on South Water street. Situated on the "entailed lot," which was originally owned by the Governor, its weathered appearance, unpainted walls and huge square chimney lend aid to the common belief that it was the home of the famous head of this family. Such is not the case, however, as the first house stood about one hundred feet to the northward of the present "old" house.2 It cannot be stated with any accuracy when it was built. The present owner, Charles Mayhew (9) (Joseph, 8; William, 7; Matthew, 6; Micajah, 5; Matthew, 4; Matthew, 3; Thomas, 2; Gov. Thomas, I), has no definite knowledge of its age, beyond the fact that his grandfather, Deacon William (351) told him that at the age of twelve he assisted his father, Matthew (150), in shingling this house. Deacon William was born in 1748, and this shingling was therefore done in 1760, but whether he referred to the original shingles or to their renewal is not known. This date would make the building about one hundred and fifty years old now, and beyond this, guessing may add any further antiquity to it.
TOWN HALL.
The public meetings of the citizens for the transaction of town affairs were held in the church buildings at first, and in the Court Houses. Such was the custom throughout New
1In 1838 Deacon William Mayhew (351) in his goth year, deposed as follows: "Gov. Thomas Mayhew and his wife according to the best of my knowledge were buried in the west corner of Grafton Norton's lot about ten feet from the street, and a little to the north-west of the graves that are now visible. I think there is a rock near the head of the graves of the said Thomas and wife; there are also several other persons buried near the same place and I believe the whole number to be eight." Excavations would probably confirm this statement of the aged Deacon, who was greatly interested in the lives of his ancestors and wished to preserve for posterity his knowledge of their place of sepulture. The eight graves would include Thomas Mayhew and wife, Matthew and wife, besides those known by existing stones. It should be a public duty to disinter these bodies and place them in a public cemetery.
2Information given by Mr. Charles Mayhew. He states that he had heard his grandfather, (Deacon William, 1748-1840) say that the original house stood on the site of a house built 75 years ago, and of late years when more cellar room was desired the workmen in digging came on evidences of a former building, such as bits of broken crockery, etc., and part of a wall which he is satisfied was the cellar wall of the original house.
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THE OLD MAYHEW HOUSE
-
₹
3
4
Annals of Edgartown
England in the early days, when the meeting-house was con- sidered as much for secular as for religious purposes. When the Methodists abandoned, in 1843, their house of worship (built by them about 1828) on the south side of Main street, the town acquired it by purchase for use as a public hall. It was remodeled for the convenience of the town officials and later afforded room for the fire extinguishing apparatus of the volunteer firemen. It served these purposes for over sixty years and in 1908, by popular subscription and town grant it was enlarged at a cost of over three thousand dollars and reopened to the public Aug. 19, 1908, with appropriate dedication services. It has a stage and a new and handsome set of scenery for theatrical exhibitions.
THE VINEYARD GAZETTE.
.
The first newspaper to be published in Dukes County was established in this town in the spring of 1846 by the late Edgar Marchant (148). The first issue, on May 13th, was a small sheet printed on a hand press, and he was not only the editor but its printer and publisher. In 1850 it had reached a circulation of 600 copies, and by his prudent management and intimate knowledge of the wants of his patrons, he built up a weekly journal that maintained a high standard of ex- cellence from the first with a steady growing clientele. About 1868 he sold the property and removed to Salem to continue a similar business. At the end of five years he returned to Edgartown, repurchased the Vineyard Gazette and continued its publication until his decease in 1878. His successor, Charles Henry Marchant, a grand nephew, has since then carried on its publication with success. It is now an eight page paper and is held in increasing favor each year by Vine- yarders scattered over the world. It is a model country newspaper.
LIBRARIES.
In 1850 there was a Lyceum Library of 150 volumes .and a School Library of 275 volumes for public uses. The present Public Library was established in 1892, and its collec- tion first kept in a small room in the Pierce building, where it remained for six years. Then it was removed to a room over W. E. Marchant's store, and continued there for six years more. Mr. Andrew Carnegie, of New York, presented to the
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town a library building which was erected on a lot on North Water street, donated by Mrs. Frederick Warren. The build- ing was completed for occupancy in 1904 at a cost of $5,000, and the library has grown to a collection of 2,400 volumes.
EDGARTOWN IN 1908.
The town has now been settled two hundred and sixty- six years and it may be of interest and worthy of preservation to incorporate at the close of our annals the following statistics to show its present growth from the humble beginnings at Great Harbor. From the assessors' lists the following figures regarding the valuation in Edgartown on May 1, 1908, have been furnished: Personal estate assessed, $177,530; real estate assessed, $831,810; total, $1,009,340. Total tax as- sessed, $18,259.67; acres of land assessed, 12,169; number of dwelling houses, 458; horses, 126; cows, 123; sheep, 95; polls, 358; residents assessed on property, 411; non-residents assessed on property, 808. Increase in assessed valuation over 1907, $83,630.
METHODIST CHURCH, 1843.
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Annals of Edgartown
CHAPPAQUIDDICK
For the purpose of preserving the individuality of this insular part of Edgartown, it will be considered as a separate section and given special treatment. From the earliest times it has always borne the name by which it is now known. It is an Algonquian word, compounded of Tchepi-aquiden-et, which is translated as "the separated island," because it was divided from Nope by the narrow strait of water that some- times is a continuous run and at others only a closed inlet.1 The Massachusetts dialect requires the ending in -et, but it has become softened into -ick.2
While separated physically, it has always been a legal part of Edgartown since 1646, when the township grant in- cluded "also all the Island called Chapaquegick." When the whites first came here it was under the dominion of a sagamore named Pahkepunnassoo, who for many years remained an opponent of the religion brought to his people by the missionaries. Following out his plan of purchasing the aboriginal "rights" to the soil, Mayhew bought of this Indian head man, in 1653, "the Neck that lies over the river for the which land the town is to give the Sachem twenty bushels of corn a year for three years; also his son is to have two lotts when it is devided."3 This form of quit-rent was doubtless a concession to the dignity of the chieftain, and was renewed in another form in 1663, when Mayhew agreed to pay him "one Good Goat Ram yearly or as much in Good pay as (a) Good Goat Ram should be worth. .and one yarde round every whale."4 It is significant of the scrupulous spirit which actuated Mayhew in his dealings with them, that this agreement was in effect and presumably observed as late as 1724, when the great grandson of this chief man, named Seiknout, also a sachem, commuted his quit-rent for £5 in money to the successor of the old Governor.
1From this changing condition Chappaquiddick is often called a neck in the early records, and such was probably its state at the settlement of the Vineyard.
2The pronunciation, Chabbaquiddick, now used by the older people is equally correct, as P and B are interchangeable consonants in the Algonquian dialects. The early spelling was always with a P and that is the more correct sound.
3Edgartown Records, I, 149.
+Dukes Deeds, IV, 72. In 1654 Thomas Paine was granted permission "to buy of the Indians the lot lying upon Chapequidick which hath the graves in it, pro- vided the said Thomas Paine do not exceed the value of three bushels of corn in his pay for it."
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History of Martha's Vineyard
Flat Ground
Great Nek
Capoge
Pulite Keck
5
Channel
... 5 5
Lapage
5
N dech
5
Tom's Neck
.. 5
41/2
5
Chappaquedietr Island maskqua Nach
4
3 1/2
3
Catama
Flat Grounds
Fond
Muthakeret Bay
Nachquang
Beach
Wishqua Outlet
SURVEY OF CHAPPAQUIDDICK, 1795.
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Annals of Edgartown
CATTLE AND GRAZING.
The value of this island to the settlers was its excellent grazing facilities, a place where cattle could be safely pastured without the need of fences to restrain their ranging. Each of the "five and twenty" lots had its share in the division of the land, with rights of pasturing a specified number of great cattle and small stock to a commonage. This has already been explained (p. 35) and was held as one of the most valu- able rights of proprietorship. These rights of grazing were subsequently rented out by those who had no cattle. In 1703 there were nearly two hundred and fifty "great" cattle, besides sheep, entered for that year by the proprietors or their tenants. The "great" cattle, horses, oxen, cows, were taken over every fall, about October 5th and brought back in the spring, about April 25th, by the way of the Swimming place. At slack tide of low water the animals were driven in and made to swim across the "river."
Such was the extent of this business that the proprietors held annual meetings to regulate the affairs of the "separated island." Elaborate regulations were drawn up to guard against trespassing and overloading the quotas of each share, and the lists are an interesting, as well as at times amusing, evidence of their methods of conducting affairs. One puts over "one steer upon Dorcas Bayley," another "a young horse upon his grandfather Bayes" and a third "for his wifes former rights he put over 13 head."1 To add to these com- plicated privileges there was great uncertainty among the proprietors themselves as to what they owned, either in sever- alty or in common. There had been a division of the meadows about 1668, but "the certain bounds were not known except of some particulars," and a second division was made in 1679, "which though the writings thereof are lost, yet have generally (been) improved and acknowledged."2 Such a condition naturally caused confusion and trespassing on the lands reserved to the Indians, who lived in considerable numbers on this island, as one of their settlements.3
1Edgartown Records, I, 68, 78.
2Ibid., 155. "only Thomas Harlock dissents from it" as the record concludes.
3A portion of the land owned by the whites was fenced, and in 1700 a pound was erected by the proprietors to impound stray cattle without marks or suspected of belonging to trespassers. Field drivers were chosen to carry out the directions of the trustees. In that year Matthew Mayhew, Samuel Sarson and Jacob Norton acted in that capacity.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
This reservation assigned to the Indians was on the north side of the road leading from Collop's pond eastward, and comprised all the land to the shore bordering the harbor and bay.
THE SACHEM CONTESTS HERBAGE RIGHTS.
These encroachments, as they became more flagrant, were resented by the sachem and his tribe, and the proprietors in 1708 appointed a committee "to treaty with the present Indian Sachem (Joshua Seeknout) that therein may be done as to right doth appertain, as also to make ...... such accord agreement and confession as they shall think meet." This plan effected a temporary truce in the hostile camp of the natives, but four years later, failing to obtain the redress which he thought due them for trespasses, he resorted to the courts and appealed to the agents of the Society for the Prop- agation of the Gospel. He entered a test suit against Thomas Pease and others at the October term, 1712, in an action of trespass "on the southeast part of it (Chappaquiddick) at a place called Wassaechtaack alias pocha."1 The proprietors joined issue and appointed Matthew Mayhew and Thomas Lothrop to represent them. The sachem had for his attorney Benjamin Hawes of Edgartown and the case was tried before a distinguished tribunal. Lieutenant Governor Tailer with Samuel Sewall the Younger and Col. Penn Townsend of the Governor's Council sat in judgment on the case with the local magistrates. Sewall thus records the incident: -
[Oct. 8, 1712.] Had a great dispute about Chappaquiddick, the Sachem appearing before us and Mr. Haws his Attorney for him. Mr. Turner plead for the English for their right in the Herbage, the Island right over against the Harbour.2
Subsequent suits were brought on the same grounds in March and October, 1713, and the March term of the next year against various parties.3 At this time the old sachem, Joshua, died and was succeeded by his son, Jacob Seeknout, who took up the prosecution in behalf of his people with
1Dukes Court Records, 1712.
2Diary (printed in N. E. Gen. Register).
3Seeknout complained in January, 1713 of "Undue Proceedings in a Suit brought by John Norton against Nicholas and Phinehas Norton for Trespass for Driving a Mare of the said John Nortons off the said Island by Direction of the Petitioner, And in which Suit he was admitted Defendant." (Mass. Resolves, IX; appendix IV, 268; comp. Legislative Record of the Council, IX, 255.)
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continued zeal.1 The Justices required the proprietors to "give in to them a particular account of their interest and present claim" and the proprietors at once raised the sum of £100 for "the just and lawful defence of their rights." As a result of all this litigation the matter was finally sub- mitted by agreement between Thomas Lothrop as agent and Seeknout the Sachem, Oct. 29, 1713, to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, Samuel Sewall, Penn Townsend and John Cushing as arbitrators. They were requested to hear and determine all their differences "and give resolve thereon." The General Court authorized these officials to act in the capacity of arbitrators as they had "manifested their willing- ness to undertake the compromising & Issuing of that unhappy Difference." An order was passed setting the hearings for May, 1714, "and all Quarrels & Suits depending relating to the Island are hereby stayed in the mean Time."2 The findings were not made, however, for over eighteen months.
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