USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 41
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Tues. Oct. 11. "The Barges attackted the Privateer-there was great Havvock made among them. they were repulsed & some taken-numbers kill'd & wounded-but it is not known how many-A. M .- A Barge came to the South side with over 20 wounded British-2 was dead in the Barge which was buried at the shoar-Waggons went down & brought them up carried them to Dixon's & Hannah Swain's-some very badly wounded-many were kill'd & thrown overboard-the 1st Lieut was kill'd immediately-attempting to board the Privateer-a no. of their Prisoners which they had on board previous to this engagement were put on shoar. Hilburn went out of a fishing vessel on board the Privateer as Pilot was the first man kill'd.
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31.4
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
The cargo of the Douglass, as Mr Macy records in his diary, was quite freely looted. From its nature Mr Macy seemed to ap- prehend an unfortunate effect on the morals of some of the people.
The subject of peace negotiations was agitated prior to October, 1814, and the ministers of both countries were considering the terms under which a treaty could be made. On Thursday February 16, Mr's Fanning records in her diaries "4 men in a boat from old Town arrived at Smith's point* got to town to the lower office at sunset, brought the news that a British Flag Ship arrived at N. Y. 11 inst & brought news that Peace was signed by our envoys and the
British: * Bells began to ring-rang till 9 shouting by the Boys &c through the streets the 2 offices were illuminated, the Lodge; & a number of Private Houses." The market during the winter had been well supplied with the necessaries of life so that the fore- bodings of suffering were not realized.
The war was over. It has been claimed by some that peace was negotiated without the issues on which the country went to war being settled, but the conditions were much like the older and larg- er boy assuming to impose on the younger and more vigorous one and the younger one resenting it. The older one is convinced that the younger is more than able to hold his own and retires from the field. Nothing was said about discontinuing the search of American ships and the impressment of American. seamen, but the practices were certainly stopped as peremptorily as though stipulated by the treaty of peace.
How did the dawn of peace find Nantucket? Just before the war there were 46 ships belonging to the Island. Of these 22 had been captured and condemned as prizes and one was lost at sea; } exactly one-half of the fleet had been destroyed. There was much to do on those that were left to prepare them for sea but with the
"Wed Oct 12, the Americans put 14 of their wounded on shoar at Sassacercha 11 brought down-3 so badly wounded they could not be moved-the Privateer is making off with herself leaveing the ship to take care of herself-one of the British officers hired a boat last eve to carry him to the fleet at Tarpolin Cove-returned this eve with money cioathing & a Doct'r.
"Thurs. Oct. 13. People went up from Town to the E end said there was several barges & an arm'd Vessel comeing from the West hail'd the ship & gave the above information-in consequence of which the commander on board order'd her run on shoar-people have gone up to take out her cargo which is coffee, sugar, Rum & Cotton-her Cargo is invoiced at 90,000 sterling-ship cost 19,000 sterl.
"Sun. Oct 16 one of the wounded Americans died at Sassacercher last week & one of the British at Hannah Swain's. There is a great stir among the Inhabitants' getting ashore the property out of the ship * * they that get the most is the best fellow.
* * "Mon. Oct 17. ship parted last night-all her lower tear on board- the best of her sugars lost to the value of thirty thousand pounds sterl-the People say it is all the Agent's doing."
* The harbor was frozen up and the island was surrounded by ice. +Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
¿Those captured were the Hope (full), Ranger (full), Alligator (full), Fame (1200 bbls), Rose, Manilla (full), Edward, Rebecca (full), Sterling (1500 bbls), Renown (full), Chili (600 bbls), Monticello (1150 bbls), Gardner (400 bbls), George (1300 bbls), Lion (900 bbls), Sukey (750 bbls), Perseveranda (350 bbls), John & James (1000 bbls) Mary Ann (650 bbls), Wm Penn (1300 bbls), Brig Ocean (full), Brig Leo. The ship Henry was lost at sea (See Tragedies).
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
courage born of hope the work of outfitting was begun at once. New vessels were added and by the close of 1815, there had sailed on whaling voyages 26 ships, 9 brigs, 4 schooners and 11 sloops. Nevertheless the aftermath of war left its imprint. Many people had left the Island to make their home on the continent .* Taxes for the support of the poor were nearly doubled. The direct taxes to the National Government were heavy and bore with particular force on those least able to pay, for there have been little income for nearly three years and returns from the whaling fleet must wait the issue of their voyages.
It is difficult to obtain a complete list of those from Nantucket who participated in the last war with England. It was not a popular affair in New England although this section was made the excuse for it. As fully as is ascertainable the following named were active participants and nearly or quite 500 prisoners were taken in Nantucket vessels:
Clothier Allen, served on a Baltimore privateer, Christopher Bunker, served on a New York privateer, John Barnard served on a New York privateer, Amos Bowles, served on U. S. Frigate Constitution, Thomas Barker, served in the Army, David Bunker, served on U. S. Frigate President Nathaniel Bunker Jr., served in the Army, John Cottle, served on a New York privateer, Caleb Cushman, served in the Army, Henry Coleman, served on U. S .Frigate Constitution, Andrew Coffin, served on a New York privateer, William T. Coffin, served on a New York privateer Ezekiel Clark, served in the Army, Solomon Coffin Jr., served on the Yankee Privateer,
Joseph Elkins, served in the Army, Daniel Fitch, served on Privateer Globe, Baltimore,
*Mr. Macy in his diaries cites these removals in consequence of the War: To Ohio- Stephen Briggs, Timothy Folger, Jona C. Rathburn, Andrew Pinkham, Silvanus Folger 2d, David Folger, Barnabas Coffin, Levi King, Hepzibah Chadwick, John Paddack, Charles Rand, Charles Coffin 3d, John Starbuck, Elisha Folger, Richard Gardner, Roland Coleman, Benj. Coleman, Richard L. Coleman, Mary Gardner and 2 children, Tristram Folger 2d, Thos. Hopkins, Edward Perry, Chas. Perry, Davis Whippey, Chas. Burridge, Matthew Coffin, David Giles, Isaac Sisson, Sam'l Swain, Laurence Gardner, Robt. Gardner Jr., David Upham, John Coffin, Solomon Swain & family, Wm. Cornell & family, Sarah Coffin, Jared Coffin, Benj. F. Coffin, Moses Coffin, Tristram Pad- dack, Alice Paddack, Jos. Paddack Jr, Geo. Macy, Ruth Barnard, Sarah Coffin, Wm. Morris, Jona Morris Jr., Matthew Macy, Abigail Macy, Nath'l Meader, Archibald Addison, Benj. Flagg, Benj. Paddack Jr., Christ, Coffin 2d, Sam'l Paddack, Joseph Paddack, Alex'r Coleman, Jos. Paddack, Heppa Smith, Thos. Myrick, Sam'l Loofborough, Abner Howard. Seth Starbuck to. New Garden, N. C .; Job Chase to Adams; John Folger 2d to Hudson; Wm. Gardner 2d, Stephen Innis, Jona Cath- cart, Eunice Noble, Polly Gardner, Stephen Remsen to Providence; Wm. Innis to North River, Frederick Jones west of Albany. Many of them were accompanied by their families. To those Mrs. Fanning adds Mr. King, wife and child and Richard Folger and family to Ohio and Mrs. Bunker and granddaughter to Wareham, and Obadiah Wood and family to Kennebeck.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Giles Folger, served on a U. S. Frigate,
Abishai Gardner, served on U. S. Frigate Constitution, Samuel Gardner, served on a privateer,
Charles Gardner 3d, served on U. S. Frigate President, Thomas Hussey, served on a privateer,
Matthew Jones, served on U. S. Frigate Congress, William Keen, served on a privateer,
John Killey, served on a privateer,
Thomas Killey, served on Fort near Boston,
Silvanus Long,* served on a privateer schooner, Rosie Seth Long, served on a privateer from Baltimore, David R. Macy, ; served on U. S. Frigate Congress, Gorham Macy, served on a privateer from Spain,
Jesse Parker, served in the Army,
Seth Pollard, served on a privateer, .
Owen Russell, served on a privateer from Boston,
David Russell, served on a U. S. Frigate,
Charles Swain, served in the Army,
Barzillai Stetson, served on U. S. brig Argus,
Francis Young, served in Fort in Rhode Island.
Other lists show:
Charles J. Hilburn, ¿
Edward B. Hussey, privateer,
William Worth, (Navy),
Thomas Bunker,
Edward Allen,
J. Bunker,
Robert Bennett,
Davis Cleaveland,
Daniel Dunham,
George Chase,
Joseph Earl,
William Easton,
Benjamin Glover,
Moses Harris,
George Harris,
Henry Luce,
David Long,
David Osburne,
David Manning,
John Sylvia,
Obed Swain,
Daniel Swain,
John Smith,
Joseph Swain,
James Staples,
John Wilbur,
James Swain,
William Waterman.
John Waterman,
Commenting on post-war conditions Macy says: "Business was commenced with alacrity. In a very short time several ships were sent to sea. Small companies were formed by new adventurers, who made considerable additions to the fleet. Believing that the first oil imported would command a high price, many were stimu- lated to embark in the business, beyond the extent of their funds. Thus a system, if it may be so called, of long credits was introduced,
*Was wounded in the thigh and died in Baltimore.
¿Died in service.
¿Killed on Prince de Neufchatel.
** On the second list with the exception of Hilburn and Worth all were confined in Dartmoor Prison.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
which, though it promised some advantage to the community by bringing more ships into the service, and employing a greater number of men, was nevertheless pregnant with evils. Merchants were under the necessity of trusting out their wares, for an unusual length of time, and were subjected to the necessity of hiring money to purchase their stock, a practice which proved very injurious to them. And some owners, who did not meet with success, found themselves much embarrassed by thus transacting business."*
From the close of the war until 1820, was a strenuous time for the poorer inhabitants of the Island. Not only were their finances sorely reduced but the seasons were more than ordinarily trying. During the winters of 1815-16 and 1816-17, the ice around the Island cut off communication with the mainland. t Taxes were particularly onerous because many of the small property owners were aged or widows with small estates and little income. In some cases it was necessary to sell a portion of their meager property to pay the taxes which amounted to a larger sum than their cash income for the year.#
Says Mr. Macy, who was contemporary with the time and therefore particularly qualified to judge-"In 1817, two years after the war, its effects in some respects were more severely felt than during its existence. The people generally, and particularly the poorer classes, were more distressed for want of the necessaries and comforts of life, than when we were surrounded by the enemy. This may, at first view, seem paradoxical, but it can be explained as follows: At the close of the war, merchants and mechanics, in their avidity to extend their business to the farthest limits of their means, dispossessed themselves of nearly all their trading capital. Long voyages, and long credits put their property far be- yond their immediate control. The excitement, produced by the return of peace, was succeeded by a season of languor. Want of employment compelled great numbers of the laboring poor to call for assistance. In the early part of the winter the weather was extremely cold, which obstructed a great part of the supplies in- tended for the consumption of the inhabitants. The price of flour presently rose to seventeen dollars per barrel, that of corn to two dollars per bushel, and there was very little of either article to be bought at even those prices. Beggars were now as numerous in the streets, as at any time during the revolution. Here was a scene which called forth the spirit of true benevolence; a field for all to labor in, whose hearts were not adamant. With many, doubtless, the precept of Jesus was carefully observed, "when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee." The char- itable hands of females, never closed and never idle when the sick and the naked called for help, were now busily employed in admin- istering to the necessitous. The refuse of the rich was by their ingenious needles converted into comforts for the poor. The first
*Hist. Nantucket p. 210. ¡February 1, 1815, the thermometer registered 11 below zero, the coldest ever known on the Island up to that time. Of the year 1816 it has passed into history as the year when there was a frost every month. Mrs. Fanning records June 7 Remarkably cold for the season-a good Winter fire very comfortable; June 8 Very cold; June 15 "remarkably cold weather for the season. Ice was on a Water Pail in the morn this week. Vegetation almost destroyed;" "June 16 very cold morning fire as comfortable as in Winter."
Macy Hist. p. 211.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
ray of the lamp of life, and its last expiring glimmer, shone upon their ministrations. Infancy, and disease, and age, were their peculiar care. Still neither private beneficence nor female associa- tions were sufficient to satisfy the cravings of hunger, and addi- tional means were resorted to for affording sustenance to the poor. Soup being considered a cheap and nutritious food, an establishment was fixed upon where it was daily made, and where the necessitous were supplied free of expense, and others, if they chose, might buy. This establishment was kept open till spring, at which time business of various kinds presented, and the poor were enabled to contribute to their own wants."*
*Hist. of Nantucket, pp. 212-13.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
CHAPTER VIII 1815 TO THE CIVIL WAR
Soon after this period of depression the whale-ships began to return. The long period of inactivity had resulted in increased breeding of whales and the vessels returned with good voyages. All kinds of business felt the stimulus. Merchant, mechanic and unskilled labor all felt renewed life. Ship owners were inclined to add to the number of the fleet. Candle houses and dwelling- houses were erected and once more the merry ring of the hammers of the coopers, the blacksmiths and the ship wrights made music that was sweet to the ears of the Islanders. Expenses were yet enormously heavy, but oil and candles brought correspondingly high prices. The northern whale fishery of the English had been a failure for two years, and Capt. David Porter had put a quietus on their Pacific fishery, so that England presented a good market for the Yankee whalemen.
By 1819, there were belonging to the Island 57 ships and four brigs in the whale fishery and four brigs, 15 schooners and 62 sloops, mainly employed as coasters. The total tonnage amounted to 23,565 tons.
The success that was coming to Nantucket soon stimulated other Atlantic ports to engage in whaling. The depression among the shipping interests in general turned their attention to this pur- suit and many entered into it with the natural result that more oil was imported than could be used .*
The Census of 1820 showed the following results:
Males
Females
Total
Under 10 years of age
875
861
1736
Over 10 and under 16
.515
490
1005
Over 16 and under 26
709
710
1419
Over 26 and under 45
763
828
1591
Over 45
484
757
1241
Totals
3346
3646
6992
Colored persons
. 274
Total
7266
* By 1821, Fairhaven, Hudson, N. Y., Rochester, Holmes' Hole, New- port, R. I., Wareham, Edgartown, Boston, Salem, Philadelphia, New York, New London, Conn., Dartmouth, Falmouth, Provincetown, New Haven and Stonington, Conn., Warren, R. I., and Plymouth had entered the field while those already in make renewed exertions, the aggregate result being a very serious competition.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
By 1821, Nantucket had acquired a fleet of 78 ships, six brigs, 16 schooners and 59 sloops with a combined tonnage of 27,495 91- 95 tons. Of these the 78 ships and three brigs were whalers, the others were coasters, in the foreign trade or engaged in cod fish- ery .* The Islanders' main stay, however, from the first was sperm whaling.
Whether it may have been the apparently inevitable after- matlı of war, or whether the appearance of returning prosperity brought to the Island an undesirable element is not entirely clear, but whatever the cause, there seems to have arisen in 1817 an im- moral condition which called for a remedy. At a Town Meeting held October 11, 1817, James Barker, Robert Brayton, Barnabas Swain, Charles W. Cartwright, Martin T. Morton, Hezekiah Bar- nard, Obadiah Folger, Charles G. Stubbs, Griffin Barney, Albert Gardner, Gideon Gardner John Cartwright, Gilbert Coffin, Elisha Starbuck and Matthew Myrick were appointed a Committee "to take into Consideration the subject matter Relative to the business in the Warrant and make Report at the Adjournment of this meet- ing." The meeting was then adjourned for one week. There is no warrant with the Records so that we must look to the report of the Committee for light.
On the 18th of October the meeting convened according to ad- journment and the Committee presented the following interesting and forceful statement:
"The Committee to whom was referred the subject matter of the warrant Calling a Town Meeting on the 11th of october In- stant Relative to the Recommendation of Licensing of Retailing of spirituous Liquors in this Town having given it that deliberate Con- sideration its importance demanded ask leave to
Report
That they are aware of the unwelcome Reception an expres- sion of Idle propensities and vicious practices in a community is Commonly met with by that portion only who are most indifferent to the welfare and Interest of society, nevertheless your Commit- tee feel it incumbent on them to endeavor to discharge their duty and arrest the progress of a Vice that pervades the Town, walks not only in darkness but devours at noon regardless both of the Jeers, of the proflegate devotees and the ill bred sarcasm of Jesu- itical obstinacy.
Your Committee have liad the utmost reason to regret with many others of their Fellow Citizens for some years past the Rapid and unexampled increase of publick burthens and Can assign no so efficient Cause as that of misspending so great a portion of time and means in those fashionable places of Resort denominated Grog Shops. to the neglect of their Families and the Ruin of their Char- acters. Your Committee Recognize with sentiments of Veneration the safe guard and shield of defense Circumvailing the Rights of the Citizen of this Commonwealth secured by those Champions of
*From 1765 to 1775, Nantucket had 8 vessels engaged in the cod- fishery, a total tonnage of 320 tons, manned by 64 men. From 1786 to 1790, 5 vessels with a total of 200 tons and manned by 40 men.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
rational Liberty the framers of our Bill of Rights and state Con- stitution and none, however tenacious, bow with more submission to their provisions, neither have they forgotten that Sound Max- im in social policy that in every self governed Community a portion of natural Liberty is necessarily surrendered for the security of the Remainder.
The execution of wholesome laws for infractions of their pro- visions is as necessary for the Body Politic as food for the body Phisical. But there are not Examples wanting of the inefficacy of Legislative and Executive severity to accomplish what has subse- quently been effected by a perseverance of moral persuasion and exemplary instruction in which Cases the Latter have evinced a superior power one of which presents itself in a most emmenent and impressive view in the person who was wounded for the trans- gressions of men. It has been experienced not only in Ancient but in more modern periods that great has been the deterioration from moral sanity, and depravity has been so predominant that it has been deemed most Expedient by the greatest sticklers for re- tributive Justice to avail themselves of an appeal to the publick for its direction.
Far be it from your Committee to urge defects in the Laws of this Commonwealth on the subject of Retailers of spirituous Liquors -they only Regret that they have been set at defiance by many of the venders of spirits so long that the indulgence of the magistrates whose duty the laws have made it to take Cognizance of such of- fenders has incorporated itself in the opinions of some among their inherent Rights. To this source may be imputed in a great de- gree the prevalence of the evil so Loudly Calling for immediate Correction. learn that instances Many of the inhabitants of this Town have not to
have been frequent of persons bartering the scanty Earnings of a day's Labour paid in necessarys for their families use for an Odious and Intoxicating portion with the Re- tailers who is Recommended and Licensed as a proper person for the business and therewith approach his mansion of poverty and wretchedness to meet his fainting Wife and Hungry Children in Tears Contemplating the visionary prospect of a still longer and more distressing abstinence. Yea, further-some Retail shops have become the Repositories and Markett places for Effects pro- cured by the liberal hand of charity as well as by the daring hand of larceny -- Do not vices like these need Correction ? Do not practices of this sort Call aloud for suppression? Let the publick opinion be set as a flint against them and our police officers be Called to discharge their Respective duties and ferret from the land, once the favourite abode of industry and plenty, Inniquities thus sapping the foundations of social happiness and domestic enjoy- ment.
Your committee have in vain endeavored to reconcile the idea with Sound Reasoning that it is unimportant to society how many retailers are licensed if they do not violate the provisions of law. The fact is self evident that the actions and conduct of men are principally influenced and governed by the force of imitation and Example. It therefore Results that the more Frequent are the Examples of a pernicious tendency to childhood and youth, the more premanent and indellible are the impressions.
With this view of the subject on which Your committee was directed to report they are of the unanimous opinion that more Licenses have heretofore been granted to Retail Spirituous Liquors in this Town than the public good or Individual Convenience Could possibly require and that they can perceive no usurpation of power from the selectmen nor any violation of the Charter of their essen-
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tial Rights or the wholesome Laws of this Commonwealth in di- recting the attention of said selectmen to a specific subject and Re- quest a Conformity to the opinion of the Town in Legal meeting Assembled."
There fore the selectmen and Court of Sessions are Requested not to Recommend and License more than ten proper persons to Retail spirituous Liquors in this Town the year Ensuing and that the Tythingmen be Requested to enforce a Rigid observance of the Laws in those Cases made and provided. All of which is Respect- fully submitted.
The Report is signed by all the members of the Committee.
Nantucket 10 mo 18th 1817
At the Town Meeting the following spring (May 23, 1818,) it was "Voted that the Town Request the Selectmen not to Recom- mend any person to have a License to Retail spirituous liquor this year." That vote taken in connection with the fact that at the same time a committee was appointed to wait on the Town Clerk and request of him a copy of the proceedings of this meeting which the same Committee was further instructed to lay before the Se- lectmen at their next meeting excites a suspicion that the conduct of the Town fathers had not been in intimate harmony with the report of the Committee and the unequivocal trend of the meet- ings held October 11 and 18, 1817.
The following year (February 5, 1820), the Town addressed the following petition to the General Court:
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts in General Court Assembled:
the Inhabitants of the town of Nantucket would hereby Respect- fully Represent that having long viewed the Increasing Calamity and Distress brought on many people of this place and the Commu- nity at Large by the practice of too freely partaking of Ardent spirits, feel an Earnest Desire to Contribute all in their power for the Help and Recovery of those who may have been led by Custom or otherwise into destructive practice a practice which often dis- troys the most useful members of society by which their families are Reduced to abject poverty and Wretchedness.
From a consideration of these Circumstances we consider it a duty which we owe to our selves and the publick to use our utmost indeavors to arrest the progress of this destructive Calamity to Alleviate the Evils Complained of Your petitioners meet in Town meeting for the Express purpose and took into Consideration the Awful and Alarming subject and on Examining the Laws Respect- ing Licenses we are of the opinion that they might be so amended as to Cause greater Relief if not Radical prevention of the difficul- ties under which we suffer. your being sensable that little Can be done to accomplish this Disagreeable object without Legislative Assistance do therefore Respectfully ask your Interference so far as to Cause the laws granting licenses to Retailers of spiritious Liquors and Taverners or Innholders to be Revised so as to meet the views of your petioners. we therefore ask liberty Respectfully to, propose that it be made the duty of Each Town in the Common- wealth at a Town Meeting held for that purpose to determine by a Major vote what number of Licenses may be granted to Retailers
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