USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 56
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1The "Sow and Pigs" reef.
2Now called Buzzards Bay.
3At the close of his narrative of the voyage the statement is repeated as to Captain Gosnold naming it, "which he called Elizabeths Island," is the language used. It may be assumed that it was bestowed in honor of the Queen of England.
4In 1702 Wait Winthrop, in a letter, spoke of the present Naushon as Elizabeth's Island.
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Annals of Gosnold
These islands thus taken possession of and named became English soil by right of discovery and occupancy. They were included in the territorial grant of the King to the Council for New England in 1606, but when that corporation dissolved in 1635, and divided the New England coast among them- selves they were not assigned by name to either Gorges or Stirling. In the then hazy knowledge of this region it can not be said which of the members of the Council had a definite legal claim to these islands.
PURCHASE BY MAYHEW, 164I
Stirling's agent asserted his right of jurisdiction over them, however, as he had done in the Vineyard and Nan- tucket, and when he sold those two islands, in 1641, he gave Thomas Mayhew, under date of Oct. 23, that year, a sup- plementary authorization to "plant" upon the Elizabeth Isles. The agent of Gorges made no pretensions of title to them.
At this time they were probably unsettled, either by whites or Indians. Three years before this (1638) Underhill, in his "Newes from America," stated that the "Elizabeth Ilands all these places are yet uninhabited." It does not appear that Mayhew took any steps to attract settlers or to dispose of his rights to others for many years, nor is there any contemporary evidence of Englishmen living here for the next twenty-five years. The name of Quick's Hole is of contemporary usage (before 1670), and suggests an original form of an English surname of a person who may have lived at that place.1 This, however, is but a conjecture.
Mayhew and his son began, in 1654, the purchase of the Indian "rights" to these islands, securing Cataymuck first (1654), while Nonamessit "with several other islands" had been conveyed by the Sachem Seayick in various deeds, before 1668, but unrecorded. Coincident with this, in the larger domain of government politics, the proprietorship of these islands was being transferred from Lord Stirling's heirs to the Duke of York, in 1663, although in the Duke's Patent of 1665 they are not mentioned by name. This, however, was of small moment to court politicians, and on Jan. 3, 1667-8,
1One William Quick, a mariner, was of Charlestown (1636), and removed to Newport two years later. He left Rhode Island in June, 1644, on account of religious troubles [4th Mass. Hist. Coll., V, 194; VII, 55, 323-4]. His avocation as a mariner would naturally lead him to and fro through the Vineyard Sound when going between Boston and Newport.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
Colonel Richard Nicolls, the Duke's representative in New York, wrote to Mayhew that "all the Islands except Block Island from Cape Cod to Cape May are included in my Masters patent." This was sufficiently comprehensive to include the Elizabeth group, and Col. Francis Lovelace, in his notice of May 16, 1670, addressed it "to all Persons concerned who lay clayme or have any pretence of Interest in any of the Elizabeth Isles," among the other places enumerated. By this process of benevolent assimilation these waifs and strays on the map came to be under the jurisdiction of New York. The individual ownership of such indefinite property was of little concern in those times, and transfers of title were seldom recorded. For this reason the early holders of the several islands composing this group have pretty successfully evaded detection. It is known that some of them were pur- chased before 1671 by William Brenton of Newport, but no record of it has been preserved other than an adjudication of his title in that year.1
THE NASHANOW ISLANDS
This group of islands was known as Nashanow to the Indians of the seventeenth century, and the following state- ments relative to the aboriginal ownership of some of the group establishes the priority of this name. It is the only occurrence of it known to the author, and its similarity to Naushon will be noted. Probably it is the origin of the name of the largest island, Naushon.
The testimony of Old Hope, the Indian of Mannomett, as followeth :- Saith, that hee knew the little island, lying next Saconessett, called Nan- omeesett, and a necke of land or little iland called Uckatimest, belonging to the great iland called Katomucke, and another little iland lying between the said great iland and Nanomesett belonging to Job Antiko, his grand- father Comucke, and soe to Jobs father, Thomas Antiko; and said Hope further saith that the said great iland, called Katomucke, and another little iland called Peshchameesett, to belonge to Webacowett.
Washamwatt, Indian of Nanomeesett, witnesseth also to the truth of what the abovesd Hope hath affirmed as abovesaid.
And William Numacke testifyeth that hee hath heard his father, Nanquatumacke, often say the same things as is above testifyed by Hope and Washawatt concerning the ilands comonly called Nashanow Ilands. And Washamatt further testifyeth that he hath heard the abovesaid
1In his will, proved Nov. 13, 1674, Brenton gave to his son-in-law, Peleg Sanford, "all interests in Elizabeth Islands and Gay Head lands." The inventory of his estate includes "my part in Elizabeth Island, £40."
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Annals of Gosnold
Thomas Antiko to give the above said Iland Nanomeesett, and the said necke and little iland unto his two sons James and the abovesaid Job Antiko, for many year agon, being near the time that Napoitan, sachem of Barnstable died of the smale pox.1
The meaning of this word Nashanow is uncertain, but probably signifies the midway islands, between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound.
ABORIGINES AND THE MISSIONS
It is doubtful if there were many Indians who lived on these islands as a permanent abode. They were not fitted for their support on account of their size, with the exception of Naushon, and we may conclude that they were temporary habitations for them during the summer season and when the fishing was good. These Indians seemed to have no tribal connection with those of the Vineyard, but held allegiance to the Sachem of Buzzards Bay, who was a vassal of "a great Sachime upon the Mayne near Pacannakicke." In 1654 Seayick was the local Sachem and in 1666 it was Quaqua- quijott.
Few myths and traditions of Algonquian origin relating to these islands have been preserved. Wait Winthrop, Jr., who used to spend some vacations here about 1700 at his father's island (Naushon), has recorded some that he heard. One was to the effect that before the English came to America there was a white whale kept in the great pond at the west end of Naushon. Another relates to the great Indian deity building a stone bridge from the mainland to Nonamessitt, during which he was bitten by a crab. Snatching his hand away suddenly with pain he flung the crab over to Nantucket whence grew all the crabs in that region.
There is a singular absence of Algonquian place names, exclusive of the names of the islands forming the group, and this is a further indication that it was not much more than a place of resort and rather less than an abode. In 1671 Mayhew stated that there were "15 families [of Indians] at Elizabeth Iles 7 whereof praying families."
These islands were likewise in the missionary field of the Mayhews, the work beginning about this date with some native converts as assistants to the elder Thomas Mayhew.
1Plymouth Colony Records, VI, 21, 22. in the record, but it was not far from 1675.
The date of this testimony is not given
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History of Martha's Vineyard
How long the work was continued regularly is not known, but John Weeks was preaching to the Indians in 1700 at a salary of £10 per annum,1 and later a native preacher, Jan- nohquosso, held services here. In 1727 another native, Daniel Shohkau, "still preached the Gospel to a few families at Winthrops Island" (Naushon). With the increase of the white settlers the conditions were not favorable nor congenial for the two races to live on these small islands together, and it is probable that the last Indian had left before the close of that century.2
INCORPORATED WITH TISBURY MANOR, 1671
When the Mayhews were in New York arranging their affairs with Governor Lovelace in 1671, the charter of Tisbury Manor was created on July 8th, as explained elsewhere, and this group of islands was made a part of that disjointed manor. Its connection with the town of Chilmark thus began and was to continue for nearly two centuries. Again, on Nov. 1, 1683, it was included by name in the establishment of Dukes County as "Elizabeth's Island,"- and when the Lordship and Manor of Martha's Vineyard was created in 1685 the Elizabeth Islands were included in the new dignity.3 After the transfer of jurisdiction from New York to Massachusetts by the charter of 1691, the Elizabeth Islands were again named in the act confirming the settlement of the County of Dukes County. From these various acts this group came to have a habitation and a name, and henceforth its status was fixed. A curious legal complication occurred in connection with them shortly after the change. A suit for trespass on the island of Naushon had been entered for the October term of the County Court at Edgartown in 1695, and the defendant, Anthony Blaney by his attorney, demurred to the competency of the court to try the case. He contended that the Justices and "the Marshall who a rested him" had no authority "for such action on Ilesabeth Ilands" because their commissions were for "Mar- thas Vineyard" only. Upon an examination of this allegation the judges were forced to "allow the defendants plea Sufficient
1New York Col. Doc., IV, 75.
2Mayhew, "Indian Converts", 123, 131.
3In the transfer of the Manor back to Governor Dongan, the Elizabeth Islands were not in the "excepted" list and inferentially they remained a part of the Lordship, though never after mentioned in its affairs.
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Annals of Gosnold
to barre further proceedings." New commissions were ac- cordingly issued the next year in which the words "Dukes County" was substituted for "Marthas Vineyard," and the defect was healed.1
ANNALS OF THE REVOLUTION
These islands were not the scene of any conflicts great or small between the British and American forces, but their proximity to the line of water communication made them a sort of frontier post for the rebels and a rendezvous for the ships of the King's navy in search of the enemies' boats.2 Captain John Linzee of the Falcon was an early marauder in this section, both ashore and afloat. Mrs. Elizabeth Bowdoin, wife of the owner of Naushon, sent a communication to the Provincial Committee of Safety, dated Dorchester, June 4, 1775, in which she recites the depredations of landing parties from this sloop of war under his command. Elisha Nye, who was acting as her agent at the island, sent in an account to her amounting to £14:10:0 for sheep, beef, a gun and "riding my horse and use of my well," which represented her losses from this particular raid. Mrs. Bowdoin asked the Committee to send troops to protect her husband's property, as the stock of sheep has been a source of supply to the Province as subsistence and wool.3 Captain John Grannis and a company of thirty men were immediately sent from Falmouth as a coast guard.4
The first military movement of the provincial authorities in connection with these islands was the inclusion of them early in 1776, in the Sea-Coast Defence establishment. Major Barachiah Bassett was the officer in command of this detach- ment as a part of the Vineyard quota. On March 21, 1776, the town officials of Martha's Vineyard petitioned for seventy- five men to be stationed at the Elizabeth Islands with two cannons mounted at Tarpolin cove. In answer to this, Major Bassett was directed to mount four nine-pounders wherever he thought advisable for the defence of these islands, and they were probably mounted at Naushon. He informed the General Court "that it will not be in my power to afford
1Mass. Archives, Council Records, II, 421.
2See Vol. I, pp. 331-2.
3Ricketson, "History of New Bedford," 353.
4Freeman, "History of Cape Cod," II, 452.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
protection which is necessary for these Islands westward of Tarpolan Cove Island & the vessels that are constantly parsing without I have at least Ten Whale Boats." These were allowed. In November of that same year, however, the Sea Coast Defence establishment was disbanded by the Provincial authorities, but Major Bassett was directed to retain Lieut. Elisha Nye, two Sergeants and twenty-one men at the Elizabeth Islands as an exception to the general order.1 Nye was com- missioned by the Council as a Captain early in 1777, and rendered excellent service as a commanding officer.2 The roster of the company which served under him during this year and part of the next follows herewith:
MUSTER ROLL OF THE COMPANY COMMANDED BY ELISHA NYE IN 17773
ELISHA NYE, Captain
STEPHEN NYE, Ist Lieutenant
WILLIAM TOBEY, 2nd Lieutenant
SHUBAEL HATCH
HOWES HALLET
NATH'LL COBB
Sergeants
JAMES WIRTHLEY
Corporals
ISAAC GORHAM
DAVID TAILOR
RICHARD CHURCH, Drummer
NATHANIEL DILLINGHAM, Fifer
Abner Hinkley
Jonathan Lumbert
Jonathan Nye
Jonathan Vincent
Ebenezer Bacon
Joseph Bacon
Lot Bassett
Thomas Bacon
John Wilts
Miller Pain
Elihu Hatch
Isaac Vincant
Samuel Bunch
Isaac Parker
Isacher Nickerson
Eleoney Howes
Christopher Sears
Nathaniel Young
Josiah Crowell
Elisha Hallett
Croker Young
Nathaniel Matthew
Nathan Wing
Nathaniel Ellis
Joseph Hallet
Ebenezer Cobb
Ebenezer Clarke
Jonathan Phiney
William Sanford
Obed Young
George Lewis
Samuel Robinson
Amaziah Harden
Sturgis Howes Edmund Howes
David Dunham
James Downes
Enos Howes
Uriah Hatch
Eliakim Gibbs
Nymphas Hinckley
Daniel Barse
Ephraim Norris
Andrew Hedge
John Bassett
Jabez Gibbs
Thomas Howes
Edmund Bassett
Noah Howes
Edward Cobb
Nathaniel Bassett
Nathaniel Gibbs
John Cobb
Elisha Smith
Elisha Allen
Barnabas Downs
Isaiah Howes
John Taylor
Silvanus Hinkley
John Bourne
Elijah Howes
1See Vol. I, 359-61, for complaint of the Vineyard authorities on the discrimination in favor of the smaller section of the county.
2See Vol. I, 364-5.
Richard Robins
Robert Hatch
3Mass. Arch. (Rev.), XXXVI, 157.
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Annals of Gosnold
ATTEMPTED ANNEXATION TO DARTMOUTH
The political connection of these islands with Chilmark, seven miles across the Sound, would not be productive of the best administrative results, and as a natural consequence this disarticulated portion sought relief and improvement, but the means chosen was only a shift of the place but not the burden. In 1788 Holder Slocum and five others describing themselves as "Proprietors of the four Elizabeth Islands (so-called) known by the names of Peskanees, Nashwinnah, Cutterhunker and Pennakees," petitioned the General Court for a separation from Chilmark and annexation to Dartmouth. The reasons assigned by them for this change of jurisdiction were as fol- lows: (I) "There is great Disparity in the assessment of their Taxes, from which they cannot gain any Relief without passing twenty Miles over sea." (2.) - They have not been notified "when a valuation was about to be taken." (3.) - If obliged to "have Recourse to Law the Remedy (to use an old Proverb) might be worse than the Disease." (4.) - That "agreeable to the Maxim Taxation and Repre- sentation ought ever to go hand in hand," they conceived themselves deprived of one of the "Essential Rights of Free- man as they have no Voice in the Election of Town Officers for said Chilmark." (5.) - They could offer "many other just and weighty Reasons" but concluded that these were sufficient.
The General Court directed that the town officers of Chilmark and Dartmouth be notified of the petition and given an opportunity to be heard thereon.1 Under date of Dec. 25, 1788, Robert Allen, town clerk of Chilmark, filed the remonstrance of that town in which the allegations of the petitioners are traversed. He stated (I.) that no petitions for relief from taxation had ever been received from the Elizabeth Islands; (2.) "that persons residing on sd Islands have at several times been persuaded by the Inhabitants of Chilmark to have an assessor chosen amongst them but they have ever Refused"; (3.) that the petitioners were "exceedingly mistaken
with regard to the situation of the s'd Islands as the Distance from Dartmouth to Chilmark is nearer seven leagues and from Chilmark to sd Islands seven miles."
The exceedingly unconvincing terms of the petition seemed to be conclusively answered by the reply of the Chil-
1Mass. Archives, Senate Documents, No. 1093. Received Nov. 20, 1788.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
mark authorities, though the "many other just and weighty reasons" which remained unspoken by the petitioners might have disclosed unexcepted strength. The house of Slocum, however, was "divided against itself," for under date of Jan. 8, 1789, Christopher and Giles Slocum of Cuttyhunk, calling themselves owners of that island, sent in a remonstrance against the proposed change of jurisdiction, and the petitioners, on Jan. 23, following, were given leave to withdraw. This ended the short campaign for separation.
SEPARATION AND INCORPORATION
For three-quarters of a century the idea of independent existence slumbered, and two generations of people passed out of existence. With a handful of voters and no political in- fluence the prospects of severing relationship with Chilmark were chimerical. The growth of the summer tourist and sea- shore visitor revived the sentiment, and to this was added the wide personal and business relation of the late John M. Forbes, the "Master of Naushon." In 1863 this sentiment had crystallized, and the inhabitants of the several islands began anew the campaign for separation. Petitions signed by Ed- ward Merrill, John Flanders, John W. Flanders, Benjamin B. Church, George N. Slocum, John M. Forbes, Willard Besse, Otis Slocum, Harry A. Slocum, Joseph Tucker, Charles C. Church, Henry J. Allen, W. R. Veeder, Daniel Hamland, Jr., and Henry P. Macomber, were presented to the General Court, asking that the islands be incorporated by the name of "Monohansett,"1 They alleged unequal taxation, appro- priations, division of town offices, etc., and the usual accom- paniments of loss of rights and privileges.
Notice was served on Tristram Mayhew, Samuel T. Hancock, and John Hammett, as Selectmen of Chilmark, and on Dec. 22, that year, they were directed by the town to pre- sent a remonstrance. This they did, and state in objection that the proposed town "is a portion of the small town of Chilmark owned principally by non residents and very sparsely populated; and that all the legal voters are but sixteen in num- ber, a part of whom are tenants and laborers, temporary residents, and they are not sensible of unequal taxation."
1Printed in Vineyard Gazette, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 1863. The original petition has a pencil note, "5 Res. Voters," checked on it.
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Annals of Gosnold
Notwithstanding the apparent absurdity of incorporating such a few persons into a body politic, yet the great influence of Mr. Forbes prevailed, and the prayer of the petitioners was granted. The name selected, however, was not that asked
1 . wie
CHURCH AND SCHOOL, CUTTYHUNK.
for, but instead Gosnold was chosen in honor of the first discoverer, and on March 17, 1864, the new town was added to the list of independent communities in the state.
EDUCATIONAL
With such a small, isolated and scattered population it will not be expected that either elaborate measures or complete facilities for instructing the youth have been undertaken here. The records of Chilmark give scanty and irregular information
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History of Martha's Vineyard
on this subject. The first entry relating to it is under date of 1754, when the town voted £4 "toward procuring a school on the Islands belonging to sd town." The use of the plural indicates that this appropriation may have included Nomans Land as one of the "islands."1
In 1789 the sum of £5 was appropriated "for the use of the inhabitants of the Islands for a school,"2 and in 1790 the sum of £8 was voted specifically "for the use of a school at Elizabeth Islands."3 The location of this school is not known, but it is probable that it was at Pasque or Cuttyhunk, where most of the inhabitants of the islands were centered.
In 1850 there was one school with fourteen scholars, for which $42 was expended, and in 1863 there were fifteen scholars, and an appropriation of $57.60 for their education.
When the town was incorporated, in 1864, the appro- priations for school purposes were doubled at once. In 1864 it was $100; in 1867 it was $260.57; in 1885 it was $439.55; in 1895 it was $501.80; and the present year (1910) it is $571.19, and yet there has been no increase of scholars in all these years. The number this year is fifteen, but the amount expended per capita has increased from $3.80 to $38, a most creditable showing.
In addition to this the town has a public library of about three hundred volumes, which is to be reckoned as an adjunct to the educational privileges of its people.
TAVERNS
The following named persons were licensed innholders in the town of Gosnold by the County Court for the years specified : Zaccheus Lambert, 1755-64; Robert Hatch, 1755-68; Roger Merrihew, 1756-7; John Shreve, 1760; Barnabas Hinckley, 1773; Elisha Nye, 1773; John Nye, 1784-1806. Lambert kept his inn at Tarpaulin Cove and it is probable that all the public houses above licensed were there or on the island of Naushon.
NUNNAMESSETT
This island is the eastermost of the group, and is about two miles long and half a mile wide. It was purchased of the Sachem Seayick by Thomas Mayhew, Sr., prior to 1666,
1Chilmark Town Records, I, 105.
2Ibid., I, 224.
3Ibid., I, 230.
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Annals of Gosnold
as in that year he sold it to his daughter Martha, wife of Thomas Tupper of Sandwich.1 It passed into the possession of Wait Winthrop and thence into the Bowdoin family with the transfer of Naushon.2
A house was built on the island about 1769 for Paul Robinson, and he was later succeeded in the occupancy by Oliver Grinnell. Governor James Bowdoin died in this house in 1790, and after his death it remained unoccupied for seven or eight years, everything being left untouched.3
MONOHANSET
The name of this island was written in 1682 as Monah- hanesuh. It is a small island of about twelve acres. It was sold by the Elder Mayhew to John Haynes in 1681, and by the latter reconveyed to Matthew Mayhew the next year.4 Richard Sarson sold it to Wait Winthrop in 1688, and it then followed the line of possession of the successive owners of Naushon.5
ONKATONKA
The modern pronunciation and spelling of this islet is Uncatena. It lies between Nonamessett and Naushon. . It was probably one of the "other small islands" conveyed by Seayick to Mayhew whence it passed into the possession of the Winthrop and Bowdoin estates. A house was built on it about 1800 and was occupied by Seth Robinson.6
KATAYMUCK
This island, the largest in the group, which is about eight miles long and nearly two miles wide, has had several names attached to it since the coming of the English to this locality. Its Algonquian name was Cataymuck (1654) or Kataymuck, varied as Katamiwick (1666), the translation of which, like that of Cataama on the Vineyard, is "great fishing place." It was called Tarpolin Cove Island as early as 1682, and for many years after; Elizabeth's Island (1702), Naushaun (1717), Winthrop's Island (1727); but the title of Naushon has sur-
1Dukes Deeds, I, 55, 329. 2Ibid., III, '354. 3Ricketson, New Bedford, 355. 4Dukes Deeds, I, 358. BIbid., I, 147. 6Ricketson, New Bedford, 355.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
vived each of these, and for the past hundred years has been almost exclusively used. It is derived from Nash-chawan, meaning between the tide rips or currents at each end, rather than the sides.
It was purchased from the Sachem of Monument, Seayick, April 20, 1654, by the Rev. Thomas Mayhew, Jr., the only recorded instance of a land transaction made by the young missionary during his lifetime. The deed conveys "one Iland neare Woods his hole Called by the Indians Cataymuck."1 After his death the title does not appear to have been vested in his children, as on Aug. 7, 1668, the Sachem Seayick ex- ecuted an instrument in which he validates certain prior grants in which he has "by severall deedes gyven & conveighed unto Thomas Mayhew of Martin's Vineyard the island called Kataymuck X * * with severall other islands named in the deedes." These earlier conveyances are not of record, but before this confirmation, on Sept. 27, 1666, the Governor had disposed of one -quarter of Cataymuck to Peter Oliver of Boston. This deed gives a few additional particulars and the description of the part conveyed is here quoted:2
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