USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 37
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Whereas Matthew Mayhew of Edgartown hath late stodd ceased of an estate in lands on Martha's Vineyard commonly called Nashowakem- muck or town of Chilmark, bounded on the east by a line crossing sd Island . . . . between the said Nashowakemmuck and Takenny, on the west by a line drawn from the westermost part of the lands of We- quobscutt now or late in the tenure and occupation of Nathaniel skiffe directly to the mouth of the harbor on the north side of sd Island called Wa-we-attake or menamesha harbor: northward by a line drawn from the great rock lying in sd east line and southerly by an highway between sd Tysbuarie and Chilmark a pond caled Nashowakemmuck pond and the sea or ocean; and whereas the sd Mayhew intending the settlement of sd land and premises & granting the same unto such parts & pro- portions as might entertain inhabitance sufficient for a town of at least thirty families. Hath at several times under his hand & seal given and granted several parts or allotments or portions or sd tract of land with
1Dukes Deeds, Vol. 1, 38.4.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
right in common within the commons of the same, viz. land now or late in the tenure of Thomas Mayhew, Esq., one right,; land &c of James Allen Esq. three & } rights; land &c of Samuel Tilton, one right,; land &C of Pain Mayhew; son of sd Matthew Mayhew one right; Capt Ben- jamin Skiffe one right; land &c of Nathanel Skiffe one right, land &c of Nathan Skiffe one right; land &c of Nathan Bassett one half common or right; and to Thomas son of sd Matthew one right; Mr. Ralph Thacther one right; And whereas it may happen that question and debate might hereafter arise of the true intent and meaning of libertie in common to be holden by the several grants by him the sd Matthew Mayhew granted and made.
Know ye that Hee the sd Matthew Mayhew doth by these presents declare grant and promise that every right in common by the sd Matthew Mayhew granted doth and shall be construed, deemed and taken to intend to contain one thirtyieth part in common of and in all and evrie the lands within the afore mentioned bounds and limits of Nashowakemmuck or town of Chilmark.
,
The number of shares was thirty, and as far as informa- tion is available on this point, there was no change in this common denominator.1 The lots in this division were about thirteen acres each.
Some time before 1704 a division known as "Woodland Lots," of about fifteen acres each, situated along the Middle line, were divided to the proprietors.
About 1714 the "Second Division" of common land was made and before 1717 another division, designated as "Hill Lots" on the west side of New Mill river.2
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN.
Owing to its peculiar legal status Chilmark had no cor- porate existence as a township for many years. In a law of 1697 it is called the "Town of Chilmark," but this was an error, due to lack of information on the subject on the part of the General Court.3 Still the inhabitants, as early as 1696, were organized into a body politic and had chosen selectmen for that year.4 This situation lasted until 1714, when a petition was presented to the General Court for incorporation. The town records of Chilmark have no reference to the subject, and the following entry from the state archives is our only knowledge of the fact :-
'Dukes Deeds, III, 64, but compare III, 320, where a "five and twentieth" share was sold in 1717.
2Ibid., III, 319.
$Acts and Resolves of Mass., VII, 118.
4Edgartown Records, I, 38. The Chilmark Town Records record the acts of the inhabitants as of a "town meeting."
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Annals of Chilmark
30 October 1714
Upon Reading a Petition of Experience Mayhew, Agent for the Manour of Tisbury, otherwise called Chilmark, Praying that the said Manour of Tisbury, alias Chilmark, and all the Lands belonging thereto in Marthas Vineyard, and all other Lands Westward of the Township of Tisbury on said Island (Gay Head excepted), with an Island called No Mans Land, may be made a Town or Township, by the name of Chilmark with the Powers and Privileges to a Town or Right appertaining and belonging :
ORDERED that the Mannor of Tisbury, commonly called Chilmark, have all the Powers of a Town given and granted them, for the better Management of their publick affairs, Laying and Collecting of Taxes granted to his Majesty for the Support of the Government, Town charges and other affairs whatsoever, as other Towns in the Province do by Law enjoy.1
At the town meeting held Oct. 25, 1716, Captain Zachariah Mayhew was chosen as agent of Chilmark "to present petision to the general Court for the inlargment of sd town," but it does not appear what extension of powers or limits was desired, unless it related to the addition of Nomans Land to the jurisdiction of Chilmark, as seems probable. It will be explained in the section which deals with that island.
.
TOWN ANNALS, 1717-1742.
A chronicle of the happenings in this small community for a quarter of a century in provincial times, may afford us an insight into the life of the people at that period. Such a glimpse is obtained in the diary of the Rev. William Homes, and the following extracts from it cover the twenty-five years, 1717 to 1742, and include the things good and bad that befell them: -
February the 18 (1716-17). A violent storm of snow and Sleet is described, lasting several days, during which "many sheep were burryed under the snow."
March 22, 1716-17. I found some sheep that had been burried under the snow that fell Feb 21 one of wch was still alive. She was taken out the 23d of March alive and continued to live for several days; she had continued under the snow without any food about 31 days.
August 15. 1718. * * * This day about two of the clock after noon several children particularly Ben: Ward and Thomas Allen having got a shot gun and some powder were diverting themselves near John
1Records, General Court, IX, 428. It will thus be apparent that the date of incorporation shown on the town seal as Sept. 14, 1694 is an obvious error. The "Vital Records of Chilmark," published 1904 by the N. E. Historic Genealogical Society, contain the statement that Chilmark "was established September 14, 1694, from common land." The source of this statement is not known, but it is incorrect.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
Allen's barn, where were a considerable quantity of English grain and hay, some in the barn, and some. near it in stacks. Ben: Ward having a brand of fire in his hand, seeing his uncle Captn Mayhew riding by to sermon, threw the brand out of his hands, that his uncle might not see it. It chanced to fall near some English grain, which presently took fire, and consumed the barn and all the English grain to ashes in a very short time. All or most of the men in town presently came with an intent to extinguish the flames, but they did not effect anything.
Sber 19. 1718. On Monday last the house of Mr Zephaniah Mayhew was burnt to the ground by an accidental fire and much of his household stuff and wearing clothes were consumed in the flames. On Thursday James McLelland came here to look after his sons effects and went last week to Nantucket on that designe
Dec. 16. 1718. This evening about 8 of the clock. Capt Zaccheus Mayhew his barn catched fire. How is not certainly known, and burned down to the ground, together with all his hay, except one load.
Jany. 10 1719-20. The week past hath been very cold especially Thursday last. Mr Bryce Blair by a fall yesterday in the evening broke his left arm above the elbow.
7ber 4. 1720. * Our house was raised on Tuesday of this week being the 6th day.
Xber 25. 1720. * * Our people here. some of them, brought a drift whale ashore at Sqiubnocket on friday and cut her up on Saturday.
* July 12. 1724. * On friday last we raised our new meeting house. Gershom Cathcart, a young man belonging to New town fell from the third story, and was very much bruised. His recovery is un- certain [his] reason seems not to be impaired by his fall. Lord make the providence a wakening to others!
August 23. 1724. * * I took occasion to reprove some young folk publickly for their irreverent and profane deportment in the time of Gods publick worship
8ber 25. 1724. * * I am informed that 7 Indians belonging to Gay Head coming from Rhod Island home in a whale boat were all lost, as is generally thought. It is said they were in drink when they went on board.
Jan: 10. 1724-25. Last Monday son Allen carryed two men prisoners to Boston, viz: Capt Lane and Mr McGowan:
Xber 5. 1725. * * Last week a sloop came ashore on the south * side of the island, the men and cargo were saved, the master having been long sick died Friday night last and was buryed this day. His name was Cash. the sloop belonged to Rhod Island.
March 13. 1725-26.
* The snow which has continued for most part since some time in November is now almost gone.
August 27. 1727. We had an account last week that King George died June 1Ith last past in Germany on his journey to Hanover, and that his son the prince of Wales was proclaimed King under the title of George 2.
9ber 5. 1727. Last Lords day, in the afternoon, about II of the clock we had a shock of an earthquake, that continued above a minute: it was considerably great, but seemed to be greater in some places than others, whether it hath been felt all the country over or not I have not yet heard.
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Annals of Chilmark
9ber 12. 1727. I understand that the earthquake was much more severe easterly than in these parts.
Xber 31. 1727. We had a public fast on Wednesday last on account of the earthquake.
July 7. 1728. We appointed Wednesday last to be observed as a publick fast, but we had a plentiful rain on Tuesday, which occasioned our changing the fast into a thanksgiving.
June 8. 1729. I baptized a negro of Captn Mayhew called Ceasar this day.
July 9 [1737] and the night after it, we had excessive rains which raised the rivers upon this island to such a degree that the dams of the water mills were carryed away by them, and the mowing ground near the rivers was very much damnified, to the great loss of several of the inhabitants.
August 11, 1737. The sky towards the N. and N.W. appeared with an unusual redness, which continued for some time extending itself more and more easterly. About II the red was mixed with white streaks that were very luminous, being broad below and gradual growing narrower till they ended in a point. About midnight there appeared a bow reaching from east to west in the form of a rainbow, only there was no diversity of colors, the whole bow was luminous so that the air was lighter than it is at full moon, tho, it was 2 or 3 days before the change [of] the moon. It did rather resemble day light before the sun rises than moonlight.
Xber 7, 1737. About 10 at night there was felt by several persons on the island, Martha's Vineyard, the shock of an earthquake.
November 21. 1738. There came a ship ashore on the South side of this island, belonging to New York. She came last from Jamaica: the lading and mens lives were saved, but it is supposed the ship cannot be got off again.
The first that was seized with that called the throat distemper in this town was Susan Allen; the next was Abigail Hillman, both these died. The next Katharine Smith, she also died. Next Mrs Little, she is in a fair way of recovery. Next Sam: Bassett's daughter, she also is in a hope- ful way: next Bethia Clark and my grand daughter Mary Allen
7ber 17. 1740. Was observed through the island as a day of fasting and prayer to beg mercy of God that the distemper that has prevailed among us for some time might be removed and health restored A child of Zach: Hatch died of the throat distemper this night.
7ber 6, 1741. We had this summer a drought that hurt both the grass and the Indian corn very much. This was accompanied with an unusual number of grasshoppers that devoured both grass and corn.
9ber 12. 1741. We had a general Thanksgiving appointed by our Governour, William Shirley Esqr.
Oct. 19. 1724. About three afternoon the chimney in the room where I commonly stay catched fire, and being very foul, burned very fiercely, which put the whole house in no small danger. It continued to burn till within the night. It was a day time and the wind very high, yet through the mercy of God we received no great damage, only the mantle tree catched fire and is part damnified. Several of our neighbors came to our assistance seasonably. I desire to bless God for our preservation.
.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
R
Chilmark Meeting
CHILMARK IN 1780 FROM DES BARRES "ATLANTIC NEPTUNE"
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Annals of Chilmark
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
MINISTRY OF JOHN MAYHEW.
The beginnings of the church history in this town date from the coming of John Mayhew, who settled here about 1673 and established himself in the work of a missionary to the English and natives. His connection with this special field of labor has already been detailed (I, 247-9) and it will only be necessary to say that the people in this town, because of the fewness in numbers, formed a union with those of Tisbury under the pastorship of John Mayhew. This combination existed until his death in 1689 when, as his gravestone states, he was "Minister of the Gospell to the Inhabitants of Tisbury & Chilmark united." The language makes it clear that there was no organized church at that date, although it is quite certain that a meeting house had been built for their accommodation in this town.1 When it was erected cannot now be determined, though we know that it was located on Abel's hill, probably in or adjoining the old cemetery inclosure.
MINISTRY OF RALPH THACHER. .
When the successor of Mayhew came is not known. The loss of the church records, prior to 1787, makes much of our present knowledge fragmentary, as obtained from many scattered sources. In a document dated Feb. 13, 1694, Mr. Ralph or Rodolphus Thacher was spoken of as "now minister of the Gospell at the Town of Chilmark," and this probably affords us a close intimation of the time of his coming hither. He was a native of Duxbury, born about 1647, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Partridge) Thacher, and named for his maternal grandfather, the Rev. Ralph Part- ridge of Duxbury. He was not a college graduate, and prior to his pastorate here had lived in his native town, where he served as constable and town clerk. He had married Ruth Partridge of Duxbury in 1669 and was the father of nine children, all of whom, with the possible exception of the oldest son, who was of age, he brought with him to Chilmark.2 There is no record of his ordination, and as he was not bred to the ministry, his work here partook of an irregular mission-
'This is proven by a reference in Tisbury Records, June 12, 1701, to "the meeting house in Chilmark" then existing. (I, 40)
2Savage, Gen. Dictionary, IV, 272; Mather, "Hecatompolis (Magnalia)," I, 27; Gen. Reg., XI, 242; Winsor, Duxbury, 178, 325.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
ary character. He lived on the South road, and both he and his son of the same name acquired considerable property here.1 In 1714, when Judge Sewall visited Chilmark, Parson Thacher and his son called to "Welcom me to the Island," as the diarist records it.2 At this time he had been in continuous pastoral work here for over twenty years, of which no memorials remain. He was then nearly three score and ten and early in the year he had severed his connection with the church and removed to Lebanon, Conn., whither some of his children had already gone.3 During the last years of his pastorate a middle-aged Scotch-Irish clergyman had come to Chilmark and was engaged in teaching the town school, and when the aged minister departed this younger man was selected to take the vacant pulpit.
MINISTRY OF WILLIAM HOMES.
el
Hill gomes William Homes was born, probably in Ireland, in the year 1663. He first came to America in the year 1686, when he was twenty-two years old. There is no known record of the fact, whether he came from Ireland at that time, or from Scotland, though the former has usually been assumed. It was about the period of his first coming over that both Scotch and Scotch- Irish commenced emigrating to America to escape the per- secution of the Stuarts and the Prelacy. After his arrival he was engaged as a teacher at Chilmark, and the people con- tinued to employ him as a teacher to their children for several years, when he returned again to Ireland in July, 1691. He presented "satisfactory testimonials" to the Presbytery of Laggan, and after preaching a "tryall " sermon was given a temporary license to supply vacant pulpits. He was ordained Dec. 21, 1692, at Strabane, a borough town twelve miles south- west of Londonderry, Ireland, by the Presbytery of Laggan, and was settled as pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian parish there. He was often chosen moderator of the Provincial Synod. While there he married, Sept. 26, 1693, Katharine, daughter of Rev. Robert Craighead, who had been minister
1Dukes Deeds, I, 365. He sold his residence to his successor, Rev. William Homes, (ibid., III, 102).
2Diary, II, 432.
3He witnessed a deed here in September, 1714, and in April, 1715, he calls him- self of Lebanon.
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Annals of Chilmark
of Donoughmore in Donegal, and who was translated to Derry in the beginning of the year 1690, and continued there until his death, Aug. 22, 17II. In the adjoining parish of Urney another William Holmes was ordained in 1696, and this led to a confusion of identity. To distinguish him from his namesake, our subject was called "William Homes, the Meek.1
In 1714 he came again to America and revisited Martha's Vineyard, at the age of 50.2 The people of Chilmark re- membered the young man who had previously taught among them, with satisfaction, and invited him to become their pastor. There remains no record in possession of the church or town to give us any details of his agreement with the people. A note in his diary is our only knowledge of the beginning of his pastorate. He wrote: -
On the fifteenth of 7ber [1715] I was installed in the pastorate office in the congregation of Chilmark there were then but two members of that church that wer men, viz Nathan Skiffe and Benjamin Mayhew that day Mr Experience Mayhew who was formerly a member of the Indian church upon this Island having obtained his dismission from thence was joyned to this church. On the second of October Mr Nathan Basset & Mr Ja: Allen were added to the church here and were both baptized that day.3
It is not known whether there was a formal service of laying on of hands with other symbolic ritual of the Puritan church, but it seems from all circumstances that such was not the case. Mr Homes was a Presbyterian by birth and edu- cation. His salary was £60 at first, and in 1723 the sum of £80 was raised for the ministry.
SECOND MEETING-HOUSE.
In September, 1723, a town meeting was called "for the ordering the building of a publique meeting house" and as a result of their deliberations the following vote was passed :-
Voted by the major part of the meetors present that their be a house built att the charge of s'd town for the End and use afores'd and that the s'd house be of the Dementions following (viz) forty feet in Length and 35 feet in breadth and 20 feet between Joynts, or any other Dementions
1Our William Homes has been credited with graduation from Edinburgh Univer- sity in 1693, but the author is of the opinion that the degree belongs to the other William Holmes. It is unlikely that our subject was a student at Edinburgh after he had been ordained as a minister.
2When Judge Sewall visited the island in April, 1714 he notes in his diary that "Mr. Homes who boards at Mr. Allen's to teach school" dined with him.
3The use of the term "installed" indicates that having been previously ordained in Ireland, a settlement as pastor only was necessary.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
that may be thought more Convenant by such agents as Shall be Chosen by the town to manage the affaires; provided it amounts to so much and no more Square roome in the whole as above expressed: and that the s'd house be finished att or before the first Day of November in the year 1724: and that the agents to manage the afair to procure the s'd house to be built be Pain Mayhew and Zacheus Mayhew Esqrs and Shubal Smith To hire a carpenter and other workmen to build the above house, and that the method of finishing the s'd house be whooly Left to the Decretion of the s'd agents.
Voted att the meeting above that the meeting house Shall set on the hill neare the old or present meeting house in s'd town by the County Roade.1
The site for this new building was given July 10, 1724, by Nathan Bassett "for the Incouragement of the Publick Worship of God."2
The frame was raised in July, 1724, and the senior member of the building committee makes the following entries in his account book of his expenditures at this function: -
To wheate
0-12-0
to flower
I- I-O
to buter I- o-6
to shuger
I-13-0
Spice
0- 2-0
Nutmegs
0- 2-6
Bear
I-15-0
Rum gall'ns 10}
6-06-0
Bred
0-06-03
The ingredients provided by the committee indicate that they had an ample quantity of rum punch, beer and cakes, with an unnecessary amount of bread.
The building was completed in the fall of that year, and a committee of Edgartown and Tisbury men were chosen to attend to the troublesome question of allotting pews and pew room to the worshippers.4 The three arbitrators or "any two of them agreeing" were empowered to "Determine who of sd Inhabitance shall have Roome in sd house for the buld-
'Town Records, I, 32. The old meeting-house was sold after the completion of the new building.
2Dukes Deeds, V, 22.
3Pain Mayhew's Commonplace Book (1724). Parson Homes also makes the following reference to the raising in his Diary: "July 12. 1724. .* * On friday last we raised our new meeting house. Gershom Cathcart, a young man belonging to New town fell from the third story, and was very much bruised. His recovery is uncertain [his] reason seems not to be impaired by his fall. Lord make the provi- dence a wakening to others!" It may be stated that young Cathcart recovered and survived to a ripe old age.
"The committee consisted of Enoch Coffin and John Norton of Edgartown and Experience Luce of Tisbury (Town Records, I, 40).
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Annals of Chilmark
ing of pews, who the first Choice and so on to the Last." The number of pews on the main floor was twelve, and four in the front gallery, and the persons given permission to build were required to have them "bult Workman Like," within a year or "Loose his privilege." The entire cost of the new meeting-house was £448, exclusive of the pews.
Following the completion of the church the town made in 1728 a permanent increase in the salary of Mr. Homes to £80 yearly, and for the next eighteen years the story of his pastorate is without special interest. He discharged the duties of a village parson faithfully altogether for thirty-one years, and acquired here and elsewhere a high repute for his piety, humility and learning. He was the author of five printed volumes, dealing with theological subjects, three of them published during his life. The earliest, "A Discourse concerning the Public Reading of the Scriptures by the Lord's People in their Religious Assemblies" (1720), had an extensive circulation. His sectarian affiliations with the Presbyterian order prevented his recognition by the Congregational body by which he was surrounded, and having no college associ- ations here, his isolation was further increased beyond what would naturally follow work on a secluded island.
He became too feeble to preach regularly in 1744, and died June 17, 1746, at the age of 83, and lies buried in the cemetery on Abel's hill.
In the library of the Maine Historical Society there is a manuscript volume of 96 pp., of the size known as quarto, bound in contemporary leather and containing the notes of births, marriages, deaths, and important events occurring within the personal knowledge of the diarist. It is closely written from cover to cover, even the fly leaves and insides of the covers being utilized by the original owner or its sub- sequent possessors. It is the diary or note book of the Chil- mark pastor, begun in 1689 and continued to 1746. The author of this history copied the historical and genealogical entries found therein and published them in 1895-6.1
The greater portion of the diary is made up of weekly entries dated "Lord's day," detailing his texts and sermon, of which the following is a sample of the whole :-
xber 7 1718 being Lords day I preached before noon from 1 pet 24 to whom coming as unto a living stone and after sermon administered
1See N. E. Genealogical Register, Vols. XLVIII and XLIX.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
the sacrament of the Lords supper afternoon I preached from Col: 1. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness in all which I hope I was assisted the Lord follow my poor labours with a rich blessing to edification and salvation of souls.
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