USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 32
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Those Permits were put to be returned to me at the end of the voyage, and an obligation
into my hands. delivered them, taking receipts for each, that no transfer should be made nor copies given. I received back all the Permits except two, before I left home and should probably have received those two on the day that I sailed. Now if any such duplicity has been practiced I am the person who is accountable, and I am here to take the punishment such perfidy deserves." He immediately became placid, and said, "You deserve favor. I am now going to the Admiral. Do you be there in an hour." We attended punctually. He introduced us to the Admiral, and in- formed him that his predecessor, Admiral Arbuthnot, granted the people of Nantucket a few Permits for the Fishery last year, adding "and I can assure your Excellency they have made no bad use of them." Thus after a storm came a pleasant calm. We obtained an Order as before respecting the property in our harbor, and Twenty Four Permits for the Fishery and I returned home much improved in my health. It was necessary to secrete these Docu- ments from American Cruisers, but such was the difficulty of dis- tinguishing them, that two were presented to American armed vessels, who immediately took the vessels as prizes. This oc- casioned us to pursue other means for the security of this small privilege tho' a very useful one to us."
The Committee made the following report of its doings to a Town Meeting convened on December 19, 1781, to receive it:
*The only meeting recorded in 1780, excepting the annual meeting, was on May 2 at which time it was voted to seek relief of the General Court. It must have been a public meeting instead of a called meeting of the Town.
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To the Inhabitants of the Town of Sherburne in Town Meet- ing assembled ---
Respected Friends :- Agreeably to the appointment by the Town, on the 3d of the 10th month last, we proceeded to New York, and presented your memorial to Admiral Digby, Commander- in-Chief there. We also represented the peaceable conduct main- tained by the inhabitants in general, in the course of the present contest, with the exposed situation of the Island, and that recent depradations had been made upon us; upon which an inquiry into the general state and circumstances of the Island took place, which determined the Admiral to exercise his authority in our favor, and accordingly gave us his positive order to prevent any further molestation of our persons and property within the bar of the harbor, which we hereby deliver. We are your friends.
SAMUEL STARBUCK, WILLIAM ROTCH, BENJAMIN HUSSEY.
Sherburne, 12th mo. 19th, 1781.
The report was read and accepted and the Town voted "that the Committee have well and faithfully answered and Discharged the Duty and business of their Mission."*
The year 1782 brought little relief from the incursions of predatory or belligerent bands. Nantucket seemed to be a focus- ing point for small detachments of Refugees and Colonials, and quite a large number of encounters of those minor hostile forces occurred on and in the immediate vicinity of the Island. Indeed the isolated and defenceless condition of Nantucket seemed to in- vite just such forays. It was very difficult at times to keep many of the people from expressing a justifiable indignation and actively opposing the insolence and thievery of the Refugees, and openly
*The following copy of a whaling permit authorized by Admiral Dig- by is from Macy's History (p. 115) :
"(Seal) By Robert Digby, Esquire, Rear Admiral of the Red, and Commander in Chief, &c. &c.
JAMES CHASE
OBADIAH FOLGER GEORGE COLEMAN
SILVANUS SWAIN CHARLES RUSSELL
PETER POLLARD
ANDREW COLEMAN OBED BARNARD JONATHAN BRIGGS
Permission is hereby given to the Dolphin brig burthen sixty tons, Walter Folger owner, navigated by Gilbert Folger as master and the twelve seamen named in the margin, to leave the Island of Nantucket and to proceed on a whaling voyage-To commence the first of January 1782, and end the last day of- -following, provided that they have on board the necessary whaling
craft and provisions only, and that the master of said brig is possessed of a cer- tificate from the Selectmen of the said Island, setting forth that she is bona fide the property of the inhabitants of the Island, with the names of the master and seamen of her; and that she shall not be found pro- ceeding with her cargo to any other port than Nantucket or New York.
Dated at New York, the first day of December, 1781. ROBERT DIGBY
To the Commissioners of His Majesty's ships and vessels of war, as well as of all privateers and letters of marque.
By command of the Admiral THOMAS M. PALMER."
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attacking the crews of small English privateers as well as the bands of predatory traitors to their country, who were as much worse than the more manly British armed forces, as the cowardly sneak thief is worse than the open highwayman. In not a few instances, even members of the Society of Friends seemed to have allowed their indignation, or instinct of self-preservation, to over- come their religious scruples."*
Among the instances showing the annoyance and abuse to which the Islanders were subjected may be noted the following as recorded by Mrs. Fanning in her Diaries:
Monday, March 25. "Several Refugees in the sound-have taken Riddle coming from Connecticut with provisions, & Crosby also-Ben Russel came in today & brought the news-they chased him but he escaped. Wednesday, March 27. "William Rotch
& some women were bound off to meeting yesterday & were taken by a shaving mill carried under Gay Head & anchored-Dimick went over from Fal- mouth just before the squall yesterday & took the mill, retook Rotch-the shavers robb'd the women's pockets, took out their Buckels & abused them much."t
Sunday, March 31. Reuben Macy was lately taken with 3000 Bushels of Salt on Board & carried into N. York.
.Friday, April 5. "Peleg Easont came to the Bar yesterday from Turk's Island with a Load of Salt (was gone from here 6 weeks to a day) soon after he came to the Bar a Privateer schooner out of New York came to the Barr took the Brigg into Possession -- Wm Rotch jun'r & Sam'll Rodman, (owners of the Brigg) went on Board, Ransom'd her for a very small consideration this morn the Brigg came into the harbour-the Privateer has taken this fore- noon a schooner from Boston belonging to John Beane loaded with Lumber; (he purchased the Vessel there in Boston & her Load) several people have been off to try to get the Vessel but they will not, give her up. the Privateer & Prize went around the E end
*In all probability Capt Dimmick was of material assistance to the Nantucket people in repelling Refugee forays.
¡Mr Rotch in his Memoranda thus alludes to this incident-"I was one with 10 men and 2 women friends, captured in going to our Quar- terly Meeting at Sandwich by a British privateer, from New York. They had just taken a cedar Boat and ordered us to depart in it immediately, having first plundered us of what money they could find, but they took neither baggage nor provision from us. The vessel was mine and I plead- ed earnestly for it, and sometimes nearly obtained a majority to give her to us. But another can of grog would be stirred up by those who would not consent to release her, and this never failed to gain several to their side. They repeatedly ordered us into the boat and to be gone, but we refused, still pleading for our vessel, till the Capt. of the Privateer called to the Prize Master to know why he did not send us away. He said "They will not go." He then sent a furious fellow to drive us off. Samuel Starbuck and myself were standing together. He approached us with a violent Countenance, and uplifted cutlass, saying "Be gone into the boat or I'll cut your heads off." I looked him earnestly in the face, eye to eye, and with a pretty stern accent, said "I am not afraid of thy cutting my head off. We are prisoners. Treat us as such, and not talk of cutting our heads off." He dropped his arm with his cutlass and seemed much struck by my boldness.
There were now two vessels coming rapidly in pursuit of them, and we thought it was time to be off. They soon retook our vessel, and pursued the Privateer, & took her, but the men left her in their boat, and got on shore on the Vineyard. They hunted them and took all ex- cept the one who threatened to cut off our heads, and he made his escape. Our vessel being retaken. I recovered her by paying salvage, as did a young man his money, who had $200-taken from him. The shoe buckles were of silver.
#Easton.
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. this afternoon for N. York, the Privateer took several Wood men but released them all."
Sunday, April 7-"the Privateer that was at the Barr last Thursday & Friday was up the Cod of the Bay middle afternoon headed for the Point towards night."
Friday, April 12 "Hathaway & Meader sailed 7 weeks ago today for Philadelphia with a load of Oyl were taken & carried into N. York they have both got home."
Sunday, April 28 "before sunset yesterday Levi Barlow with 10 men in a' boat from the other side came here Capt. Nash had hired a Vessel of my father to carry him to some British port (Silv Coffin was bound master) they were near ready to sail this Barlow having a Commission & supposing her to be Capt Nash's property seized her & carried her off 11 clock last night the Selectmen & a number of the principal men used all their en- deavours to prevent his carrying her away but all to no effect."*
Sunday, May 5 "an American Privateer came into the har- bour at noon one Carver Commands her she belongs at Bedford- the Privateer went out of the harbour before noon May 6-met with no encouragement. tis said she came after south sea men and their property."
Saturday, June 8 "Levi Barlow went up the Harbour in his Mill this afternoon (he has been in the Harbour & about the Island for 8 or 10 days) * *
* they were anchored by William Hus- sey's house when we got up."
Sunday, June 9 "News is that there is a large Fleet of Britains & Refugees at the Vineyard taking off sheep & cattle promising to pay for them."
Thursday, June 13 "there is a schooner at the Bar (came there since noon) which is said to be a york Privateer I imagine frd Barlow shakes in his shoes."
Friday, June 14 "middle of the afternoon the Privateer came over the Barr & came into the harbour anchored near the L wharf-Barlow on seeing them enter the harbour onriged his Mill stove a Hole in her & retreated with his people to the head of the L wharf where he made a breast Work with Wood in order (as he pretended) to defend himself but the inhabitants instantly destroyed it on which he & his people wisely took to their heels out of Town not letting the grass grow under their Feett-the people
*Nash and Mr. Butler (Rev. Zebulon) went to the main land May 1. Nash who it seems was on parole, went to Boston to get it enlarged: Butler went to recover the vessel. Barlow libeled the vessel and decid- ed to leave the matter to the Courts. (Fanning Diaries).
¿The Independent Chronicle (Boston) of July 25, 1782 makes this re- port of that raid: "We learn from Falmouth, that Capt. Levi Barlow, in the armed boat called the Speedwell, who hath lately captured a number of those infernal South sea illicit traders, frequenting Nantucket &c was drove into Nantucket harbour a short time since, by a privateer schooner of superior force, manned by tory refugees, and sheep-steal- ers from New York. A certain Burgess who went off from Wareham, commanding, and Ansolm Bourn, who run away from Sandwich, sec- ond. Barlow having landed his men on the wharf, hove up a breast work and prepared to defend his boat from the shore, but was prevented by the forceable interposition of some of the inhabitants of that island. concerned in trade, and drove off, by means of which his boat was tak- en by the privateer, and destroyed; some scattered men of his crew pursued and were fired upon by Bourn's party, whose savage disposi- tion induced him to order his men if they discovered any of Barlow's people, to fire on and kill them before they could have opportunity to surrender as prisoners. Capt. Barlow with his men made their escape to the main, and Capt. Lot Dimmick, of Falmouth (brother of Col Dim- (See next page)
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out of the N. York Privateer landed on the S wharf & immediately destroyed Barlow's mill & then persued him & his People out of Town with all speed they got sight of Barlow & several of his people but their haveing so much the start they dogged into the swamps where they hid & were not any of them to be found- the Refugees behav'd very civil not hurting any one-tis said that some of Barlow's men hid under houses some in swamps & some got on to Tuckanuck."
Saturday, June 15, "the york Privateer went out of the harbour some time in the night past & is no where in sight today. Hannah Gage came last night with Sears-were taken by the Privateer treated very handsomely & let go they took several little vessels but sot them all at Liberty. Major Bourn's son of Sand- wich was first Lieut on Board-he was on shoar & in our shop yesterday-Barlow & his people crawl'd out of their Holes one after another today & before night got on board a little Vessel & sot out for the Main. * *
* the Refugees found Barlow's swivels & sails yesterday & carried them off."
Tuesday, June 18, "the york Privateer that was in the har- bour last week was off the south side yesterday chased Silas Pad- dack on shoar south side (he was from the West Indies) went on board the Vessel & fired her. People went down & attempted to get on board to put out the fire-but the Privateer fired on them & kept them off for some time, but after a while the Privateer left her the People went on board & put out the fire & got the most of the cargo on shoar. A few hogsheads of molasses was burnt. the Vessel's stern was most wholly burnt-her main deck was mostly burnt. the Privateer chas'd several Vessels off that were bound here."
Saturday, June 22, "Lot Dimick in an American Privateer came in here this morn-soon after noon a small British schooner Privateer came to the Barr. Dimick took a small sloop went off showing only 2 men on Deck ( 20 went off) they ran alongside the schooner. the schooner fired on them slightly wounding Levi Barlow (he came here with Dimick). Dimick. & his people im- mediately rose fired on the schooner ran alonside & rush'd on board, took her without further resistance. both vessels came into the harbour-the Capt of the schooner is thought to be mortally wounded* & one more slightly wounded. Dimick went away before night with his Prize & Prisoners, all but the Capt."
Thursday, August 15 "Levi Barlow with several armed men came to this Island 2 or 3 days ago (in pursuit of Prey) this afternoon Barlow with his crew went from here not meeting with any success-on his way westward not far from this Island they met with a boat which they pretend they thought to be a Refugee-they chased her she supposing them to be Refugees
mick) and Capt. Barlow, with a part of both their crews, proceeded im- mediately to Nantucket in Dimmick's shaving mill, and another small boat, in order to take them: when they arrived there, they found the privateer schooner laying off; upon which they took a wood sloop ly- ing at anchor, and with their crew went aboard her, making 19 men, including the two captains, and immediately bore down upon the schooner; and in spight of a warm attack from their musquetry and swivels boarded and took the privateer, with Bourn and 27 others, prisoners, and brought them into Falmouth."
Mrs. Fanning's report is without doubt the more correct in details. The imprudence of allowing either side to throw up breast works for a street fight is obvious .
*The captain died June 23.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
endeavour'd to make her escape but finding that impossible hove too-they ran alongside fired several guns-they own they dis- covered them to be Americans immediately after the boats were alongside & Barlow in his supposed enemy's boat demanding of the Capt. his Papers one Swift one of Barlow's Pirats Put up his gun & fired at the Capt. wounded him in the Belly-Swift owns that he knew them to be Americans before he fired & the only excuse he pretends to make for himself is that he heard somebody say fire-both boats immediately put into the harbour, got in about 9 o'clock sent immediately for the Doctors-but they thought his wounds mortal-the Bullet went into his Belly & came out at his back. *
* * His name is Wood, a Bedford man * * he was taken about 2 years ago & carried into Philadelphia & there mar- ried about 5 months ago he procured him a boat & a load of flour & went to Bedford to see his widow mother & his relations- hearing that Flour sold well here was bound here to sell his provision when these pirates met him."*
Sunday, August 18, "Barlow came in last night & took McFarland's Vessel that was in the harbour. McFarland came in here in a Flag she sail'd last may from Bermuda a Flag for here with Prisoners for the East & for the West the Eastern Prisoners rose just before they got in & carried the Vessel down to Portsmouth from there she was sent to Boston & has there been detained till the week before last-when she was sot at liberty & was a Flag to some British Port. he put in here in distress his Vessel not being fit to go to sea got leave of the Selectmen to heave down & fit his Vessel-last night he bound out when Barlow with his Bandittit stopt him & has carried him this morning to Falmouth-his pretence for takeing him is that she being a flag had no right to go into a harbour & heave down."
Sunday, September 1 "an American shaving mill came into the harbour this afternoon."
Monday September 2 "after 12 clock Absalum came up here on horseback for to desire Mr. Fanning to go immediately to Town Levi Barlow being at my Father's seizing the goods &c. Mr. F-g sot out on horseback, I followed him in the Calash- Levi Barlow with 2 others went into my Father's shop & then (pretended) in the name of the Commonwealth of this state to seize all the goods in the shop as British property-people began to gather & in a short time our street was lined with men women & children-Barlow began immediately to pull down the goods off the shelves & throw them down on the counter takeing an inventory of them-Persavel who is Barlow's Capt soon came in after him & a number of others. Barlow went away to dinner & when he return'd was not suffer'd to come into the house again, the doors being fastened. 3 of the theifes in the house & a number of the inhabitants indoors & out-when Mr Fanning came down he en- deavoured to make peace, offer'd to Persival to give Bonds for the goods which offer was accepted-when I got into Town People had generally dispersed out of the streets. Persival & one of his Crew were in the shop, Roland Gelston takeing an inventory of the goods at mother's request. a number of People in the house & shop just before they had finished takeing the inventory. Mr.
*Capt. Wood died the next day.
*Mrs. Fanning was, apparently, not even at this period, a very en- thusiastic "rebel."
#To the house of Podpis.
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Fanning demanded of Persival his commission which he with re- luctance shewed him. Mr. F-g on reading it found he had no power to take any thing above high water mark- P. F. told him that as a frd he advised Persival to stop & proceed no further- he seemed all at once to recollect himself, told P. F. he would not take any bonds & on leaving the shop desired the people present to bear witness that he did not seize the goods-while they were in the shop they were insulted as much as it was possible for people to be-they went into Mr. Beanes & Timo Folgers shop & there in the name of the Commonwealth seized there goods. Timo Folger poled them out of doors & fastened his doors upon them, they were served the same at Beanes-many of the inhabi- tants shewed by their countenances the joy they had on the occasion -things was pretty peaceable after they left the shop-Mr. Butler armed his house."
Tuesday, September 3, Percival and his Crew went off today, carried a small lumber vessel with them that came into the harbor a few nights ago.
Monday, September 16, "Persival came on the Island today." Wednesday, October 2. "a york Privateer Brigg anchored at the Barr this morn. Young Husbands Commanded her; he has been here before."
Saturday, October 5. Privateer that has been at the Barr for some days past went from there today. she has taken several little vessels, some have ransom'd for a small matter, others she has taken some trifal from & let go, she has not carried off one-tis said she fir'd a Vessel after she sailed at a great distance but just discernable"
Saturday, October 12. "Gideon Gardner was coming Through miscecit* yesterday in a Brigg (loaded with sugar, molasses &c) & was chased ashoar by a Privateer-he does not know whether an American or British as she quited her chase after he struck the shoar-he came to the Island in his boat last night-a number of boats went away this morn to take out his load."
Monday, December 2. "an armed schooner & 2 unarmed sloops & one armed from N. York anchor'd at the Barr this fore- noon- common Fame says they are loaded with goods-several of the people are on shoar."
Tuesday, December 3. "the 4 British Vessels came into the harbour last night-the famous Goldsberry is on board-one Eben Coffin (originally from Boston) came in one of the Vessels."
Tuesday, December 10 "the York Vessels sail'd this after- noon-have carried away some oyl."
Such is the story of the raids of the Refugees, the British and the Americans during the year 1782, as portrayed by a young woman of 23, impressible and clearly not enthusiastically at- tached to the American cause, her feelings being strongly influenced by her immediate environment, but from her standpoint giving an excellent idea of the constant strain the people of Nantucket were under, not knowing the day or the hour when some new raid would be attempted, liable to the depredations of all three and powerless, not only physically but by the teachings of their religion, to ward off the predatory incursions of either.
*Muskeget.
"the
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Returning now to the general narration of the events of the year one of the early occurrences, which seemed to have a ludicrous as well as a serious aspect, was the seizure by Ichabod Plaisted, Naval Officer of the Port of the sloop Good Intent, for violation
LOWER SQUARE, MAIN STREET Showing Rotch Building, Built 1775
of the State regulations in regard to trading and the exportation of goods .* Regarding this seizure, Mr. Plaisted made the following report:
"Naval Office, Nantucket 12th Jan. 1782.
Sir- In Consequence of your order, received on the Evening of the 9th instant, I immediately went on board the Sloop Good Intent,
*Naval officers were chosen under orders of the Provincial Con- gress Nov. 22, 1776. Ichabod Plaisted was chosen for Nantucket and seems to have held the office through the war.
At a meeting of the Council held December 25, 1781 representation was made that Capt. Timothy Folger had lately arrived at Nantucket from London with a cargo of English goods, contrary to the express laws of the State. James Jackson, Edward Jones, Thomas K. Jones and John Leach came with him as passengers. The Naval Officer was or- dered to seize the vessel and cargo (and he evidently did) and Capt. Folger and his passengers were ordered to attend the Governor and Council for examination Capt. Folger not appearing, on February 7, 1782, the Attorney General was called in. Folger attended on February 21 after which the papers in the case were turned over to the Attorney General for further action if advisable.
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and made a formal seizure of her, in the Name and in behalf of this Commonwealth. £ I then returned up the Wharf, and pro- cured Two Men to go down on board her as a Guard to see that nothing was taken away. they accordingly took possession of her by my order, but soon after my absence, some riotous persons whose names I can mention, came on board, and confined the two men I had placed as Guards and then stripped her of her Sails, Cables and some Rigging, and in this situation she now remains, She has on board an outward bound Cargo consisting of Cod Fish and Onions. The Sloop lays at the Wharf in this Port where she will lay till your further orders which I request you would forward as soon as possible. She cannot be libelled at this place, that process must be done at Boston.
I am sir, Your most ob't serv't
ICHABOD PLAISTED, Nav. Officer
JOHN AVERY, Secretary .*
The seizure was immediately followed by the following peti- tion: "To John Hancock Esquire Governor and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Massachusets And to the Council of the same ---
The Petition of the Subscribers sheweth-That your petitioners having freighted the Sloop Good Intent with a Cargo of dry'd Codfish and Onions for the Havannas, and when said Sloop was nigh to sail were informed that the Naval Officer for this port had made seizure of said sloop, and your petitioners Cargo then on board (he says by order of the Governor & Council) and holds the same in his possession and still refuses to deliver the same we hope the Governor and Council will not detain your petitioners property as the whole is perishable but will give Order to the said officer to deliver your petitioners the Abovemention'd Cargo, Or to Relieve them as you in your Wisdom shall see meet. Nantucket ye 1 mo ye 19th 1782.
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