The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers, Part 10

Author: Starbuck, Alexander, 1841-1925
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: Boston [Mass.] : C.E. Goodspeed & Co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 10

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"Right hon'rabell soe theare pr'sentinge this oppertunetie of Capt Watters his putting in att our Island wee have sent .. by him to bee delivered to your hon'r the Three great gunes y't weare found when the ship was brocken to peces by the storm and if there can be any more found wee shall secure them but it is doubtfull for there Runneth such a dreadfull Tide where the bottom of the ship lieth y't men are afraid to dive there;

There weare Two peeces of a small hauser yt I sould to pay men for there labor the oft callinge on me for It. And there is leaft the shrouds yt are most of them cut which is littel of it fitt for any Thing but for Junke. There are about 40 hides .but they ar so Rotten yt no man will give any Thing for them. : Right honr'abel so wee hop you'r hon'r wil mack the moust fauourabell

proceedings therein, that Ord'r may bee taken accordingly, In the Meane time that nothing bee disposed of, unlesse upon acc't to the Savers. Given under my hand, & Seale In New York this 25th day of Octob'r in the 30th yeare of his Ma'ties Reigne Annoq Dom. 1678. .. . E. ANDROSS

Gen. Entries xxxii 8 Secy's office Albany N. Y. To the Chiefe Magistrates

&Offic'rs of the Islands of Martins Vineyard & Nantuckett.

The following appears on the Town Records: 'A Bout the Twenty Fourth or Twenty Fifth of September both Englishmen and Duchmen declared to me Tristram Coffin Chefe Magistrate of Nantucket that they had saved what they could of the goods and could save no more the hole being full of water so Every man returned home and the Duch men to there quarters from the ship at the East end of the Island and Further said they dare not adventure their healths and Lives for they knew not what for they accounted the bids not worth the saveing-in about two or three days after James Coffin and John Coleman came to me. and Desiered of me to know whether I would permit them to take out hids out of the Ship at the East End of the Island and to have the hids for thare Labour or what they could git for them for their Labour Adven- ture and mazard-so I give them this Answer-that If they wold Ad- venture so to do they should have all the hids for their Labour Adven- ture and Hazard with proviser that if in case I was colled to account for the said hides-that they or whosoever acted with them should be Liable to give me an Account and be liable to sattisfie me for any Dammage I should Sustain which accordingly they Engaged and so proceeded to the saving of what was saved and the hides ware sold by my Approba - tion-this was Declared by Mr. Coffin and commanded me to Record it and this was recorded by me the 14" of the 9th mo 1678.

WILLIAM WORTH Register."

* The malcontents on Martha's Vineyard had in October, 1673, sought annexation to Massachusetts. Banks's Hist. of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. 1 pp. 157-15S.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

construction of our actinges in & about the priuatears ship. There was such an ower of temtation yt I doe Judge yt there may by some English & divers Indians, the Imbezzlement of ffortie or fiughtye p'nds worth of sails & Ropes & other things. But I doe afferme yt I cannot find the perticular Men, only the doe Judge y't it was giuen to them by the priuatears and say he can proue it fulye should soe I have sent by Mr Waters fower Barilles of Cod fish part of w't wee owe for our Acknowledgement. Wee hope to Bring or send more shortly: all our poepell say y't we owe it due to his Royal hines or to your hon'r the ar willing to pay So with my humbell Dutye & seruing Rest your hon'r to serue you to my power."

In the meantime, Governor Andros failing to get the response from Mr. Coffin that he had expected constituted on June 26, 1680, a Board of Admiralty, consisting of Captain Caezar Knapton, Captain Richard Hall, Mr. John West and the Chief Magistrate of Nantucket, "to heare and determine any matter or cause depending concerning the wreck of a French shipp there cast away by some of Capt. Bernard L. Mojues men about the Latter part of the yeare 1678 and give Judgement therein according to Law, & former practice in such cases."*

The Court of Admiralty convened at Nantucket, August 28, 1680, Capt. John Gardner, who had been commissioned Chief Magistrate following Mr. Coffin, despite the edict of the General Court, being the fourth member.t Mr. Coffin being called upon to give an account "of what was saved out of the Rack of a French ship, cast away on this Island by some of Capt. Bernard Lamoyn's Men, declared he had formerly given an Accoumpt, which being prodused and read, it appeared that thare ware saved out of the said Rack two thousand and sixteen Hydes, which he confesseth are disposed of by his Order, Alowance and Aprobation, and by Information giuen, we vallew at fouer shillings per Hyde, which amounts to fouer hundred and three Pounds fouer Shillings; and also on Cable and a Pece, likewise sold by the said Tristram Coffin at forty fouer Pounds; and one Sayle at Six Pounds ten Shillings; and two Pecis of Hasers at eleuen Pounds and an Anker at thirteen Pounds; which in all amounts toe fouer hundred seventy-seven Pounds fourteen Shillings, for which no Claime hath bin made according to Law.

This Court tharefore, taking into Consideration the Allowance of Salvage of said Goods, and vnderstanding the Difficulty and Hardship the Sauers endured, doe alow on fifth Part thareof for Salvage, according to Law, which amounts toe ninety-five Pounds ten Shillings. And for what was disbursed by the said Tristram Coffin on Accoumpt of some Duch Prissoners left on the Island, and for what was paid by him to William Worth, for his Wound, forty Pound one Shilling. In all, one hundred thirty-five Pounds eleaven Shillings; which being deducted out of the said Sum of fower hun- dred seventy seauen Pounds fourteen Shillings .¿ Thy doe adjudge

*Gen Entries xxxii, 91, Secretary's Office, Albany, N. Y. #Papers relating to the Island of Nantucket pp. 118-120.

ĮThe amount alleged to have been paid to William Worth and al- lowed by the Court in offset, Mr. Worth, in a letter to the Governor in June 1680, denies having received. After excusing himself on account of his wound and "violent sickness" for not rendering an earlier ac- count he says "forasmuch as our cleef magestrate with two of his as- istans sent an acoumpt to your exelency that they gaue me twenty pounds thare Conclusion I knew not of vntil the time of entry on Rec- (See next page)

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

and determine that the said Coffin doe make Payment and Sattis- faction toe the Gouernor or his Order, on Accompt of his Royall Highness to whom by Law it doth appertaine the Remainder of the said Sum, being three hundred forty-three Pounds ten shillings. And as for what Guns or Rigeing or other Things that are vndis- posed of toe be apprised and Salvage to be alowed as aboue, and to be sent to New York for his Royall Highnesse vse, the Salvage toe be lickwise paid by the said Coffin, to be deduckted out of the three hundred fourty-three Pounds ten Shillings. They likewise declare thare Opinion that the said Coffin's Actings Proceedings in dispos- ing of the said Goods, are contrary to Law.

By Order of the Court &c. WILLIAM WORTH Clerk."

The decision of the Court was a severe blow to Mr. Coffin, who undoubtedly suffered for the sins of others as well as being duped apparently by them. It does not appear that he personally profited in the least by the irregularities connected with the salvaging of the property. He was well advanced in years and seemingly more easily imposed upon. In his distress he wrote to Governor Andros two days after the decision of the Court saying; * "My humbell Service presented unto your Excelencye humblie shewing my hartie Sorow y't I should in any way glue your Exelency just occasion of Offence, as I now plainly see in actinge contrary to the Law, as I am convinecd I did throw Ignorance in regard of not beinge ac- quainted with the maritime Lawes, and yet I humblie intreat y, our Exelency to consider y't in on Respect my weeackness I hope may bee a littell born with; for I did tender diuerse Persons the on halfe to saue the other halfe, and I could not get any to doe it; and for the Hides I could not get any to goe, but for to tacke all for their Labor, because it was judged by many y't the weare not worth the sauing; so I was nesesetated to doe as I did or else the had bin quite lost. Tharefore I humblye intreat your Excelency not to think y't I did it for any bye Respects or selfe Ends; for I doe assure your Exelency y't thare was not any on Person y't did indent with m'e for any on Shillinge Proffit, only I did tell foure of them y't if I should bee by any cal"d to accot, the should bee accountabell to me. But now the will not owne it and I can not proue it, so I by Law am coust to beare all, only my hop is y't your Excelency will be pleased out of your Leniency and Fauor to me to except of in't Money, and Bill is sent for the answering of the Judgment of the Court; for had not my Sonne, James Coffin borrowed Money and ingaged for the rest of the Bill, I could not have done it, but I must have gone to Prison .; Now I humblye intreat your Excelency to heare my louinge Nighbor Cap't John Gardner, in my behalfe, and w'th your Excelency shall bee pleased to order Concerning the Case, I shall thankfulfye except, knowing your Excelency to bee a cam- pashonate mercyeful Man. And I hop I shal for Time to com .

ord but I nether then nor since have Reseued on farthing nether doe they profer me anything altho I Remane almost a Cripell. I conceaue thare desine was to agment the charg by that account sent your Ex- elency in which will appare littell truth; But If it may please your ex- elency of your nobel Clemency to give your pore servant anything to Repaire my great damage I shal for ever be obledged toe your Exelcency but if in your wisdome you shal otherwise dispose I for euer be con- tented." N. Y. Col. M. S. S. xxix, Secy's Office. Whether Mr. Worth received the award subsequently or not does not appear but evidently the Court was satisfied that when its decision was made the money had been paid.

*Papers relating to the Island of Nantucket, pp. 120-122.

¿It will be noted that Mr. Coffin and Capt. Gardner have entirely made up. and that the Captain stood staunchly by Mr. Coffin in the hour of need.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

to be more wiser and doe kept your Excelency's humbell Saraunt whylst I liue to my Power .*

Zeigtram Coffyn 1

To this petition Governor Andros replied in November "These are to Certify that I doe approve and allow of the Composition and Agreem't made between Capt. Caesar Knapton, Capt. Richard Hall, Capt. John Gardner, and Mr. John West, who were authorized to make Enquiry ab't the Wreck of a French ship cast away on the Island of Nantuckett in one thousand six hundred seventy and eight, and Mr. Tristram Coffin, then Chiefe Magistrate of the said Island, concerning the same, for the sume of one hunderd and fifty Pound, halfe of which is payed; and on paym't of the other halfe, secured by his Sonn's Obligacon, I doe accept the same in full Satisfaction and hereby acquitt and discharge the said Tristram Coffin from the Judgm't giuen against him in the Court of Admiralty, on Account of said Wreck."i

- : This seems to have ended the unfriendliness between Mr. Cof- fin and Captain Gardner. Just how it was brought about we can only conjecture. Presumedly Mr. Coffin was somewhat broken in health and had begun to realize the serious position he had, un- wittingly and without the least personal gain, put himself into and that the sentence of the Court would quite bankrupt him. One can readily surmise that he had thrown himself upon the mercy of the Court and that Captain Gardner had most charitably come to his relief ..

In 'October, 1681, Mr. Coffin went to his long account. That Captain Gardner was genuinely sorry would seem evident from a letter he wrot to Acting Governor Brockholes, who succeeded Gov- ernor Andros, in 1681, in which he wrote, ** under date of February 5, 1681-2. "My Humble seruis presented wishing all Hapines to your Honour with all the Rest of our Good frends with you; the want of opertunity forseth silance Elce I should haue as my duty binds me Giuen your Honour An acount of our Afairs with vs of- tener then now I haue which I hope your Honours wisdom will Ex- cuse .:

At present al things with us are in quietnes but could not but Emproue this opertunety to Again Acquaint your Honour with Mr. Cofens death who died October last; and Mr. Gyerstt being much from home being a seaman and indead not sworen according to Law when hear, mackes me Againe to Entreat your Honors serious Con- sideration for a suply in Mr. Cofens place. I would Humbly name Mr. James Cofen; but what Ever your Honours pleasuer direct shall Atend but at present find it difficult to hold Cort with only two.

Honorable sir, the Troubles at the head and fountain hath not only moved my inward Greafe and sorrow but the Efects so muded our litel streams that I have found it Enouth to Ceap things Euen; but hope it will be beter and am glad for the Good newes I hear from home hope shall feale the Efects both with you and vs.

* Papers relating to the Island of Nantucket, pp. 120-1-2.

tPapers relating to the Island of Nantucket, pp. 122-3.

ĮMr. Coffin died Octboer 2d.

** N. Y. Colonial M. S. S. xxx Secy's Office, Albany.

ttWililam Gayer, evidently at the time an assistant Magistrate.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

Hear hath ben sum moueings Amoungst sum hote brains be- ing not willing as they say that the Gouerner should Infringe their Liberties: I think it is that he should mack Justises without ther Leaue, for the persons put in thay say thay Like but that the Gard- ner should put them in without them thay Like not; but I think and am well Asured wear thay Left to them selues it ould sone be ther Ruene. For my one part I ame as nearly as affors'd can be of a heauey Burden: and would Earnestly Entreat for a releafe, as soone as might be, but Leaueing my seluef and it to your Honors Wisdom: beging a fauorable Construcktion of what is hear Rudely presented; and also entreat sum direcktions in what hear is pre- sented So praying for your Honors Hapy prosperity in which I shall Euer Reioyse that I am

Your Honours Most Humble seruant

John Pardav

On the 25th of November, 1680, the Court ordered Peter Cof- fin, who was presumably a constable "forthwith to deliver unto Peter Folger that beast that was killed at Poatpis, there to deliver it to him, it being the beast that was formerly taken from him for a fine. You having liberty to way the quarters, hide and tallow and to take a receipt accordingly."

The wolf and the lamb seem to have lain down together, the Gardners and the Coffins were rowing over the same course in: the same boat and in the same direction and the "Insurrection" was to be spoken of in the past tense .*

Just what the disturbances are that Captain Gardner refers to in his letter to the Governor acquainting him of the death of Tristram Coffin is not apparent. There was about that time an ef- fort of some of the malcontents at Marthas Vineyard to have the jurisdiction over the island transferred to Massachusetts and it is not unlikely that a similar desire was expressing itself at Nan- tucket. t

At all events the Insurrection was over and harmony was re- stored between the Coffin and the Gardner factions. It is not, therefore, surprising that two years later the heads of the two fam- ilies were asosciated in "A Confirmacon Granted to John Gardner

* Mary Coffin, daughter of James and granddaughter of Tristram, married James, son of Richard Gardner, and Ruth daughter of James Coffin soon after this period married Joseph and Abigail, daughter of James, married Nathaniel, both sons of Richard Gardner. The number of Selectmen or Trustees continued at seven for many years.

It is quite likely that the young people who persisted in inter- marrying despite the quarrels of their ancestors had much to do with the status.

*Banks History of Martha's Vineyard Chap. 1.6.

On Martha's Vineyard Simon Athearn was the leading and domi- nant figure in the insurrection against the constituted authority going far beyond the position assumed by John Gardner on Nantucket. Athearn was also the dominant figure in an endeavor to promote the: secession from New York and the change to the government of the Massachusetts Bay. It will be remembered that in his letter to the Governor, March 15, 1676-7, Capt. Gardner accused those in authority at Nantucket as seeking to be set off to the Massachusetts Bay or as he expressed it "there intrinsick Vertu, haueing so great a north Inclination ?? ;: Mr. Athearn was quite as restless a spirit as Capt. Gardner and both of them for a long time opposed the lawful authority.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

and James Coffin for the Island Nantucket,"* by Governour Dongar and whichi reads: "Thomas Dongan Capt Generall, Governo'r in Chiefe and Vice Admiral in and over the Province of New Yorke and Territorys depending thereon, etc .: Whereas there is a certaine Island within these his Roy'll High'ss his Territoryes lyeing and being to the south east of Martins Vinyard stretching in Length neare upon a south East and North West Line Com- monly called and knowne by the Name of Nantuckett Island, Whice said Island was heretofore Purchased for a Valuable Consideracon by Thomas Mayhew of Martins Vinyard Senior and his sonne Thomas Mayhew Junior of James Fforrett agent to Wm Earle of Sterling in whom the Governm'tthen was and by then. Conveyed and made over to severall of the Inhabitants the ffree holders and their associates who have likewise made Purchase of the Indian Right to the Land there now in their tennure and Occu- pacon as by Pattent Dated the twenty eighth day of June in the twenty third yeare of his Ma'ties Reigne and in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hund'd seventy one from Francis Lovelace Esq'r Governour &c Relacon being thereunto had Doth and may more fully and att Large appeare Now for a Confirmacon unto the said Inhabitants ffreeholders and Purchasers there and theire as- sociates in their Possession and Enjoym't of the Premises Know Yee that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me Given by his Roy'll High'ss of this Province I have Given and Granted and by these Presents Doe hereby Give Grant Ratifie and Con- firme unto John Gardner and James Coffin as Pattentees for and on the behalfe of themselves and theire associates the Inhabitnats ffreeholders theire Heires Successors and assignes the said Island called Nantuckett Island That is to say soe much as hath by them been made Purchase of Together with all the Lands Sojles Woods Meadows Pastures Marshes Lakes Waters Fishing. Hawking Hunt- ing and Fowling and all other Proffits Commodityes Emoluments and Heareditaments to the said Island belonging or in any wise ap- pertaining Royall Mines, Whales, Drifts and Wrecks Excepted and the said Island and Premisses shall be held Deemed Reputed Taken and be an Entire Enfranchized Township Mannor and Place of it Selfe and shall allwayes from time to time and att all times here- after have hold and Enjoye like and equall Privilidges w'th any Towne Enfranchized Place or Mannor w'thin this Governm't and shall in noe manner of wayes be Subordinate or belonging unto have any Dependency upon or in any wise be under the Rule Order or Direccon of any other Towne or Place To have and to hold the said Island with all and singular the appurtenances unto the said John Gardner and James Coffin and their associates their Heires Suc- cessors and assignes to the Proper use and Behoofe of the said .John Gardner and James Coffin and theire associates their Heires Successors and assignes for ever the tenure of the said Island Land and Premisses to be according to the Custome of the Mannor of East Greenwich in the county of Kent in England in free and Com- mon Soccage and by fealty only they the said Pattentees and their associates theire Heires Successors and assignes Yielding Render- ing and Paying Yearly and every yeare on or before the twenty fifth day of March unto his Roy'll Highn'ss the Duke of Yorke his Heires and assignes or to such Governour or Governo'rs as from time to time shall be by him constituted and appointed as an acknowl- edgm't Six Kentails of good Merchantable fish to be Delivered in the City of New Yorke unto such Officer or Officers as shall be con- stituted to Receive the same.

*Patents V, 146 Secretary's Office, Albany, N. Y. Gov. Dongan succeeded Gov. Andros permanently.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

Given under my Hand and Sealed with the Seale of the Prov- ince att ffort James in New Yorke the fifth Day of June in the thirty sixth yeare of his Ma'ties Reigne anno Dom 1684.

THO DONGAN

This was followed three years later by the Dongan Patent, evidently in response to the desire of the inhabitants, and reciting more in detail the functions devolving on the people of the Island. The Dongan Patent, after a preliminary following very closely after the confirmation of 1684 continues as follows:

"And whereas there are severall Tracts or Parcells of Land upon the said Island that have not as yett been purchased of the native Indian Proprietors, and whereas John Gardner, one of the ffreeholders of said Island, for and on behalfe of himselfe and his Associates, the ffreeholders Inhabitants of said Island, hath made Applicacon unto me for a more ample Confirmacon of all and singular the said Island, and also that I would erect the same into one Township to all Intents and Purposes, and likewise grant the Liberty and Right of purchasing all the said unpurchased Tracts or Parcells of Land upon the said Island Nantuckett, from the said India native Proprietors, Now Know Yee, that I the said Thomas Dongan, by vertue of the Power and Authority unto me derived from his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, and in pursuance of the same, for and in Consideracon of the Quitt Rent hereinafter reserved, and divers other good and lawful Consideracons me there- unto moving, have given, granted, ratified, released, and con- firmed, and by these Presents do give, grant, ratifye, release and confirm unto John Gardner, James Coffin, William Gyer, Peter Coffin, Nathaniel Bernard, Stephen Hussey and John Macy, ffree- holders and Inhabitants of Nantuckett, herein erected and made one Body Corporate and Politiq, and willed and determined to be called by the Name of the Trustees of the ffreeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Sharborn, and their Successors all the aforerecited Tracts of Land within the Limitts and Bounds aforesaid, together with all and singular the Houses, Messuages, Tenements, Buildings, Milnes, Milnes-Dams, Fences, Enclosures, Gardens, Orchards, Fields, Pastures, Woods, Underwoods, Trees, Timber, Feedings, Comon of Pasture, Meadows, Marshes, Swamps, Plains, Rivers, Rivoletts, Waters, Lakes, Ponds, Brookes, Streames, Beaches, Quarries, Mines, Mineralls, Creeks, Harbours Highwayes. and Easements, Fishing, Hawking, Hunting and Fowling, (silver- and Gold Mines only excepted) and all other ffranchizes, Profitts, Commodityes and Hereditaments whatsoever, to the said Tracts of Land and Premisses belonging or in any Wise appurtaining or therewithall used, accepted, reputed or taken to belong,, or in any Wise to appurtaine to all Intents, Purposes and Construccons,. whatsoever, as also all and singular the Rents, Arrearages of Rents, Issues and Profits of the said Tract of Land and Premises here- tofore due and payable, together with the sole and only Propper Right and Liberty of Purchasing from the Indian Proprietors all. that the unpurchased Tracts or Parcells of Land whatsoever on the said Island as aforesaid: To have and to hold al the before recitedt Tract of Land and Premises, with their and every of their Appur- tenances, unto the said John Gardner, James Coffin, William Gyer, Peter Coffin, Nathaniel Barnard, Stephen Hussey and John Macy, Trustees of the ffreeholders and Comonality of the Towne of Shar- born, and their Successors forever, to and for the severall and respective Uses following, and to no other Uses, Intents and Pur- poses whatsoever."*

The Patent then with the customary prolixity, grants a manor

*Patents ii, 254. Secy's office, Albany.

76 1

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

"according to the Manner of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent," England, with the customary tribute; makes the free- holders a body corporate and politic; and impowers them to elect officers and to perform all the functions devolving on towns under similar patents. The tribute to be paid annually, is £3 current money to be paid on or before March 25, forever. It is dated June 27, 1687. The original is in the office of the Town Clerk.

HISTORY OF NANTUCKET

CHAPTER III ANNEXED TO MASSACHUSETTS

The abdication of James II and the accession of William and Mary gave the leaders in the Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies encouragement to apply for new Charters, each hoping for the broadening of its jurisdiction and authority. Rev. Increase Mather of Boston, Rev. Ichabod Wiswall of Duxbury, and Sir Henry Ashurst were constituted a committee to obtain, if possible, new and more comprehensive Charters. They found the English royal authorities directly opposed to their plans and strongly favoring a consolidation of Colonial grants. Instead of enlarging the powers of the Plymouth Colony there seemed to have been a plan under consideration to unite it with the Province of New York. It proved a long and difficult task to prevent this transfer of juris- diction. The only alternative that seemed to present itself by which that plan could be frustrated was the union of the Massa- chusetts and Plymouth Colonies, and that was done. In the Charter granted by William and Mary, which was dated October 7, 1691, and under which the consolidation was effected, the bounds as defined expressly included the Islands of Capawock, or Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Sir William Phips was made Governor of the new Province of the Massachusetts Bay which comprehended within its scope the territory from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Martha's Vineyard .*

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The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers, Part 10

Author: Starbuck, Alexander, 1841-1925 Publication date: 1924 Publisher: Boston [Mass.] : C.E. Goodspeed & Co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Starbuck, Alexander, 1841-1925
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: Boston [Mass.] : C.E. Goodspeed & Co.
Number of Pages: 900