USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 44
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¡The following appeal sent out to the world by the Selectmen for aid tells succinctly and officially the extent of the disaster: "Friends :- The undersigned, Selectmen of the Town of Nantucket, have been con- stituted, by a vote of the Town, a committee to ask at your hands such aid as you may feel able to render to our unfortunate and distressed people.
One-third of our Town is in ashes. A fire broke out on Monday evening last, a few minutes before eleven o'clock, and raged almost uncontrolled, for about nine hours. The whole business section of the town is consumed. There is scarcely a dry goods, a grocery, or pro- vision store left standing, and what more particularly threatens im- mediate distress, the stocks contained in them, so rapidly did the con- flagration extend, are almost utterly destroyed. There is not food enough in town to keep wide-spread suffering from hunger at bay a single week. Seven-eighths of our mechanics are without shops, stock or tools-they have lost really even the means of earning bread. Hun- dreds of families are without a roof to cover them, a bed to lie upon, and very many of them even without a change of raiment. Widows and old men have been stripped of their all; they have no hopes for, the future, except such as are founded upon the humanity of others.
We are in deep trouble. We cannot of ourselves relieve the whole distress, and we are compelled to call upon those who have not been visited like ourselves, for aid, in this our hour of extreme necessity. We do not ask you to make up our loss, to replace the property which the conflagration has destroyed, but to aid us, so far as you feel called upon by duty and humanity, in keeping direct physical suffering from among us, until we can look round and see what is to be done. We need help-liberal and immediate. If we seem to you importunate, we can only say that could you look upon the yet smoking ruins of one third of our Town- could you walk through our remaining streets filled with houseless hundreds wandering about seeking for some roof to cover them, or for such remnants of their household goods as may have been snatched by others from the flames-could you feel, as we do, that not many days pass before positive want will be knocking at our doors-our words would appear feeble, our appeal certainly not more earnest than the occasion requires. But we are confident that you will feel for us and with us and that you will render us such assist- ance as is in you power.
· (See next page)
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Responses came to an amount approximating $100,000, and immediate necessities were cared for.
With that resiliency of spirit which seems inborn in our peo- ple, the Islanders at once began preparations to rebuild. A Town meeting was convened and a committee appointed to consider new street lines with the end in view of discontinuing narrow lanes and alleys. Within six weeks 60 stores and shops were well along in construction. The burned area was speedily and quite complete- ly rebuilt. In a few places the scars remained, but the restoration was eminently characteristic of the energy and hopeful spirit of the people.
Following closely upon the heels of the disastrous fire which consumed so vast an amount of the property of the Islanders, came the stampede of California, following the discovery of large gold de- posits there, which carried away the bone and sinew of the Island and made a heavy draft on its recuperative energies. Many whale- men were on the Pacific coast, and the allurements of the mines, with a prospect, even if remote, of the speedy acquirement of a for- tune, broke up many a voyage through the desertions of crews. So thoroughly did the expectation of speedy wealth permeate society that the movement was commonly, and not inappropriately known as the "California fever." Many men, who would have helped the whaling fleet, drew aside to chase the ignis fatuus of unlimited gold in the river beds and in the hills of the Eldorado of the Pacific coast. By the time the fever had run its course, the business of whaling had materially fallen off, so that by 1857, the outgoing fleet of ships and barks was reduced to three, and never after that exceeded four, and then only for one year .* Schooners and a brig still made short voyages in the Atlantic Ocean, but the catch was small.
In 1849 and 1850, the following named ships left Nantucket for the Golden Gate, carrying many men as gold hunters:
1849-Ship Aurora, Seth M. Swain; Henry Astor, Capt. George F. Joy; Montano, Capt. Edward C. Austin; Ship George & Martha,
Will you take immediate measures to bring our suffering condi- tion before your people, either by calling a public meeting, or in such other manner as may seem to you best? Provisions, Clothing, Bedding, Money-anything useful which you may have to bestow, will be most gratefully received. Will you move in the matter immediately? Please to direct anything which you may send to the Selectmen of the Town of Nantucket, and we pledge ourselves to dispense whatever you may bestow, faithfully, and, to the best of our ability, judiciously. July 15, 1846.
JOB COLEMAN, CHAS. G. COFFIN EBEN W. ALLEN WM. BARNEY, JR. NATH. RAND, OBED SWAIN, ALFRED FOLGER,
Selectmen of the Town of Nantucket.
*1860.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Capt. Richard Gardner; Ship Edward Capt. Shubael Clark; Brig Joseph Butler, Capt. Francis F. Gardner; Ship Sarah Parker, Capt. James Codd; Ship Japan, Capt. Henry Bigelow; Ship Fanny, Capt. Uriah Russell; Ship Martha, Capt. Eben M. Hinckley; Ship Man- chester, Capt. Job, Coleman; Ship Citizen, Capt. Oliver C. Coffin; Ship, Scotland, Capt. Barzillai T. Folger; Schooner Two Brothers, Capt. Edwin Baldwin. 1850-Ship John Adams, Capt. Shubael Worth; Ship Franklin, Capt. William B. Swain; Bark Oregon, Capt. Seth M. Swain; Schooner Exact, Capt. Edward H. Morton; 1854-Ship Manchester, Capt. Alexander H. Coffin. * Of them all only seven returned and fewer yet resumed whaling. The Man- chester was lost on the Coast of Patagonia. She struck 50 miles from land. The captain's wife and most of the crew were drowned. The Captain and those of the crew who got ashore, excepting the Captain's son and a sailor, wre killed by the natives. The son re- turned to Nantucket. Of the entire number of whaleships only two, the Edward and the Citizen, ever resumed whaling from Nan- tucket.
*Hussey & Robinson's list. Probably more than 400 Nantucket men went in the vessels to try their fortunes in mining camps.
343
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
CHAPTER IX
THE CIVIL WAR
The Civil War gave Nantucket the first opportunity it ever had to display her patriotism without imminent danger of total de- struction. For the first time in any important war the Islanders were able to aid their country with a reasonable assurance that their country could and would defend them, and nobly did they respond to the opportunity. She sent to the Armies of the loyal states 213 men and to the navy 126, exceeding the quota demanded of her by 56, and earning and meriting the record of "the banner town of the Commonwealth." No enumeration can be given of the natives of the Island who enlisted abroad and helped make up the quotas of other towns. Those from Nantucket ranked from Brevet Major General* to Lieutenant and from Commander in the Navy to petty officer with the rank and file of course in each branch of service.
Says Mr. Godfrey in his "Guide" "At the close of the War, in 1865, Nantucket was represented in the regular Navy by five officers, and in the volunteer service by 34 officers, of whom 15 were Acting Masters, 15 Acting Ensigns, 3 Assistant Paymasters. One was an Engineer and one (John G. Mitchell) . a Lieutenant Com- mander. Four of the above remained in the Navy-Commander George W. Coffin, Lieut .- Commander Thomas M. Gardner, Lieut. Seth M. Ackley later Rear Admiral, and Daniel C. Brayton." Lieut. Col. John W. Summerhays, who rose from the rank of 2d Lieuten- ant in the 20th Volunteer infantry, remained in the Regular Army.i
*George Nelson Macy who rose from Lieutenant of Co. I. 20th Mass. Vol's to Brigdier General and was brevetted Major General for dis- tinguished services and made Provost-Marshall of the Army of the Potomac on Lee's surrender. Gen. Meade in transmitting to Gen. Macy the notice of his promotion to Brevet Brig. General, said- "It affords me great pleasure to be the medium of transmitting to you this mark of the recognition by the Government, of the highly meri- torious services you have rendered to the country, since I have had the honor to command the Army of the Potomac." The order read: "for distinguished conduct at the battle of The Wilderness and at Deep Bottom."
¿An incident showing how ready the Nantucket boy was to grasp and respond to the situation occurred on a gunboat on the coast of North Carolina during the War. The commander desired to run up a small creek but was uncertain as to the nature of the bottom. A Nan- tucket lad named Cartwright learning the nature of the difficulty at once stripped off his clothes and diving over the bow went down and soon reappeared with both handsfull of what was wanted, saying "there's the bottom for you." The commander was satisfied and able to proceed. Another Nantucket lad, Clinton Swain, enlisted in the Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the time of the storming of the Heights of Fredericksburg he appears to have been adjutant of the regiment. (See next page)
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
NANTUCKET MEN WHO SERVED IN THE CIVIL WAR
Army
Horatio Adams,
Peter C. Brooks,
Louis L. Adams,
Timothy H. Brooks,
Orin' Adams,
William W. Brooks,
Edward F. Alexander,
Benjamin F. Brown,
David Allen,
Henry Brown,
Thomas Allen,
Horace O. Brown,
Tristram C. Allen,
Moses H. Brown,
Wallace Allen,
Richmond Brown,
Leander F. Alley,
William J. Browne,
George F. Andrews,
Alfred Bunker,
Gorham G. Andrews,*
William R. Bunker,
Daniel R. Ames,
Charles G. S. Austin,
George W. Burdick, William P. Burgess,
Joseph Austin,
Benjamin Cartwright,
Charles H. Backus,
Charles W. Cartwright,
George A. Backus,
Edw. G. W. Cartwright,
Irving H. Backus,
James Cartwright,
George R. Bailey,
William H. Cash,
Alonzo Baker,
Benjamin S. Cathcart,
Charles H. Baker,
Henry Cathcart, James F. Cathcart,
Alexander Barker,
George W. Chadwick,
Charles F. Barnard,
William G. Chadwick,
Frederick W. Barnard,
Alexander M. Chase,
John F. Barnard,
Barker B. Chase, Braddock R. Chase,
William F. Barnard, '
Alexander Barney,
James H. Barrett,
William A. Barrett,
Edward P. Chase,
William H. Barrett,
George P. Chase,
William M. Barrett,
James H. Chase,
Lemuel F. Bassett,
John B. Chase,
John R. Bartlett, Oliver C. Beach,
Oliver S. Chase, Seth C. Chase
Edward C. Bennett, Thomas Bennett,
Samuel Christian,
Augustus D. Briggs,
Charles Clark,
Charles F. Briggs,
William D. Clark,
Orlando W. Briggs,
Francis A. Cleaveland,
Alexander Brill,
George S. Cleveland,
George P. Brock,
Charles C. Clisby,
It is difficult to get any definite information from the Government, but common, and seemingly well authenticated, report says that the senior officers of the regiment were killed or wounded and he was killed while leading his regiment up the Heights.
Charles D. Barnard,
Charles F. Chase, Daniel B. Chase,
Albert C. Clark,
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Albert C. Coffin, Barzillai S. Coffin,
Benjamin J. Coffin,
Benjamin S. Coffin, David G. Coffin, Frederick M. Coffin, George H. Coffin, George H. Coffin 2d., John B. Coffin, Roland Coffin, Thomas E. Coffin, Thomas R. Coffin,
Charles C. Fisher, Charles H. Fisher, Hiram Fisher, William S. Fitzgerald,
Charles F. Folger,
Charles F. Folger,
Charles G. Folger 2d.,
Ellery C. Folger,
Ellery C. Folger, Francis E. Folger,
George F. Folger,
Isaac H. Folger
George B. Coggeshall,
Henry Folger,
Reuben C. Folger,
Reuben S. Folger,
Thomas Coleman Jr., William M. Coleman Patrick Conway,
Henry P. Cook,
Freeman R. Cottle,
George E. Creasy,
Alfred H. Gardner,
Charles W. Gardner,
Edward C. Gardner,
Frank J. Crosby, Oliver Cushman,
Elisha P. F. Gardner, Grafton Gardner,
Howard Cushman, Arthur H. Daggett, Henry Dame, John W. Davis,
Caleb L. Depung,
Andrew M. Douglass, Reuben Dow,
Howard Gardner, John C. Gardner, Joseph P. Gardner, Joseph P. Gardner, Robert B. Gardner, Benjamin S. Gibbs, Charles H. Gibbs, 2d.,
George W. Gifford,
William B. Drake, William C. Dunham, William M. Dunham, Daniel C. Easton,
Thomas P. Eldredge, Andrew Ellis,
Charles F. Ellis,
Henry B. Ellis, John R. Ellis,
Obed H. Ellis, John B. Enas,
Henry C. Farnham, Charles Field, James Finn, Zenas Fish, Jr., Albert P. Fisher, Andrew G. Fisher,
Edward J. Godfrey, Edward K. Godfrey, John Gray, Charles F. Green, Edward P. Green, James M. Greene, Andrew Greene, Charles R. Gruber, Davis Hall, James S. Hallett, William B. Harris, Alfred Hiller, William P. Hiller, George Hodges,
Frederick Hoeg, Jr., Jonas G. Holden,
David B. Coleman,
Uriah Folger,
William T. Folger, William T. Folger, Hiram C. Fuller,
William H. Creasy,
Samuel C. Crocker,
346
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Albert B. Holmes,
A --- Holmes, Alvin Hull,
Albert M. Hussey,
George C. Hussey,
George H. Paddack,
Thomas E. Paddack,
Albert C. Parker,
Jared M. Hunter,
Henry B. James, Henry F. James,
Charles H. Perkins,
David B. Pierce,
Charles H. Pierson,
Asa C. Jones,
Henry Jones,
William S. Jones,
Robert B. Joy, Albert Kelley,
Francis B. Keene,
Timothy Kelley,
William R. Kelley,
Stephen W. Key,
John Kiernan, John M. Lamb,
William C. L'Hommedieu,
Samuel Lowell,
Charles G. Macy,
Charles H. Raymond,
William A. Raymond,
George N. Macy,
Charles Rawson,
Charles Reynolds,
William J. Reynolds,
Thomas Riddell,
Alonzo M. Rivers,
Arthur M. Rivers,
George Robinson,
George K. Robinson,
Patrick H. Robinson,
Thomas J. Russell, George F. Ryder,
George F. Ryder,
George H. Sandford,
Charles A. Morris,
Franklin B. Murphey,
Josiah F. Murphey,
Martin Mullen,
David Myrick,
William H. Myrick,
Charles F. Nicholson, Charles J. Nickerson,
George W. Nicholson, 2d., John O'Connell, Edward P. Orpin, John G. Orpin,
Thomas Hussey,
David Parker, Benjamin B. Pease,
Roland James,
John M. Pinkham, George W. Potter,
William A. Potter,
George C. Pratt,
James Ramsdell,
Warren F. Ramsdell, John W. Rand,
Edward W. Randall,
William E. Randall,
Charles F. Ray,
Obed B. Ray,
William B. Ray,
Edward B. Macy,
James H. Macy,
John W. Macy,
William H. Macy,
William Henry Macy, .
William C. Marden,
Edward Marshal,
Edward Marvin, Charles McCann,
James C. McCleave,
William M. McCleave, Frederick F. Mitchell, Seth Mitchell, Alexander P. Moore,
George R. Simpson,
James B. Skinner,
Alexander J. Smith,
Alvin C. Smith, Charles H. Smith,
George E. Snow,
George W. Snow,
Albert D. Stackpole,
Henry C. Stackpole,
Oliver F. Hussey,
347
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Albert W. Starbuck, George B. Starbuck,
John W. Summerhays,
Clinton Swain,
Charles B. Swain, 3d.,
Charles F. Swain,
Jacob C. Swain, William C. Swain,
William F. Swain,
William K. Swain,
William H. Swain,
William F. Swall,
George W. Thomas, John B. Thomas,
Benjamin G. Tobey,
George H. Tracy,
Orestes A. B. Tracy,
Henry B. Tucker, Job B. Turner,
Robert D. Tweede, William H. Vase, George A. Veeder, E- Walker,
Nelson Waterman, Charles S. Westgate,
Benjamin H. Whitford,
Benjamin H. Whitford, (?)
Daniel Whitney, Jr.,
James A. Wilcomb,
William H. Wilcomb,
Edward B. Wilson,
Shubael M. Winslow, Jr.,
William H. Winslow,
William H. Wood,
George G. Worth, Thomas Wright,
James H. Wyer, William M. Wyer,
David Yetman
Navy
Charles B. Abrams, Charles Adams,
Benjamin Alley,
George S. Andrews,
Alfred Coleman,
James H. Archer,
Andrew B. Colesworthy,
William S. Coon,
William H. Baldwin,
Stephen Easton, Jr.,
Franklin S. Barnard,
Elisha B. Ellis,
Thomas H. Barnard,
Benjamin H. Folger,
Frederick H. Barney, John L. Beekman, Samuel N. Brayton, Francis I. Briggs,
James Folger, Nathan F. Fish,
Henry W. Fitch,
Alexander F. Gardner,
Oliver S. Brock, George S. Brown,
Charles P. Gardner,
Charles C. Bunker,
Hiram Gardner, Roland C. Gardner,
Zimri Cleaveland, Jr.,
Thomas M. Gardner,
Benjamin A. Coffin,
William H. Gibbs,
Henry F. Coffin,
James Gifford,
Peter F. Coffin,
John C. Gifford,
* Those whose names are in black-face were drafted. Few if any of them were called into service as the quotas are said to have been filled by volunteers. Benjamin F. Whitford is also reported a volunteer which probably is correct.
Francis C. Gardner,
John S. Chase,
Philip C. Coffin, Roland W. Coffin, Rufus Coffin,
Charles G. Arthur,
348
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
William Gillespie,
David Morrow,
Charles Godfrey,
Peleg W. Morgan,
Charles R. Gruber,
Benjamin F. Morris,
William H. Gruber,
Albert W. Morse,
Obed H. Harris,
John Nickerson,
William R. Hathaway,
Sampson D. Pompey,
William H. Hilliker,
Nelson Provost, William P. Ray,
William T. Hines,
Charles Holmes,
Benjamin F. Ray,
John Holmes, Jr.,
Edward B. Hussey,
Andrew W. Reed,
Henry F. James,
Henry C. Russell,
Obed S. James,
Edward M. Swain,
William Johnson,
Samuel G. Swain,
Charles Killeen,
William H. Swain,
William C. King,
Cyrus Sylvia,
John Leaman,
George W. Sylvia,
George S. Long,
Joseph Sylvia,
Joseph Maxcey,
Moses F. Wilcomb, *
William H. Maxcey,
John H. Williams,
William C. Meader,
George G. Wilson,
Samuel B. Meader,
James Wilson,
Charles F. Mendall,
George W. Wing,
Andrew C. Mitchell,
Edward H. Wing,
John G. Mitchell,
George H. Worth,
Gorham Worth,
The following names, taken from the list on the Soldiers' Monument, do not appear elsewhere: 1
Ferdinand Alley,
James Folger,
Ebenezer R. Gould,
William H. Gruber,
Allen Bacon,
Edward F. Hamblin,
William R. Beard,
Robert B. Hussey,
George N. Bennett,
Joseph B. Morey,
Francis I. Briggs,
David Morrow,
Peter C. Brock,
Thomas Nevins,
Alvin C. Coffin,
Henry C. Raymond,
George C. Coffin,
Francis J. Rogers,
Edward H. Daggett,
Charles S. Russell,
Ferdinand W. Defriez,
Benjamin Smith,
Charles C. Folger,
George Spencer,
Edward R. Folger,
Charles B. Swain, 3d.,
John Swain,
*These lists were made up in 1862-3. Other names should be added to them, but a complete record has not been brought out yet.
John H. Alley,
Frederick W. Andrews,
Howard Vincent,
Joseph Mackey,
Benjamin F. Raymond,
Joseph S. Hussey,
Frederick C. Russell,
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
The following names were taken from the local papers as being those of enlisted men subsequently to the compiling of the lists :
John F. Brown,
Thomas Barrally, George Christian,
Charles W. Crocker,
Samuel Crawford,
Edward F. Chadwick,
Henry F. Fisher,
William H. Ellis,
Arthur H. Gifford,
David G. Folger,
Albert A. Kingsley,
Augustus Hussey,
Arthur Macy,
Samuel C. Lamb,
Albert I. Moore,
Henry A. McCann,
William H. Orpin,
Henry G. Macy,
John B. (or R.) Raymond,
John W. Morrissey, Jr.,
Hiram W. Reel (ex-slave),
George F. Parlow,
David J. Starbuck,
Thomas P. Ray,
Charles M. Thomas, Benjamin F. Wyer.
Alexander E. Ray,
George H. Tracy was a Lieutenant in the Regular Army.
William H. Baldwin was Acting Master on the gunboat Huron blockading service.
on
John G. Mitchell was Lieut. Commander under Admiral Porter in the Red River expedition.
Capt. James W. Cartwright was cited in General Orders "for coolness in battle."
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
CHAPTER X
THE WHALE FISHERY
The history of the Whale Fishery, as it relates to Nantucket, is the story of achievement of which very few communities can boast; the story of how a people, isolated from their fellows to a material degree and obliged to import almost all the essentials of life, built up and successfully pursued a business requiring great daring and skill, and which carried the name of the little Island to every corner of the globe, and drew forth, from one of the most eloquent members who ever spoke in an English Parliament, an encomium that has become a classic.
The early Colonial charters provided, among other limitations, that drift whales or those cast on the shore were the property of the Crown. This restriction became afterwards modified and in the Charter of the Massachusetts Bay it was provided that "We have given and graunted *
* all fishes-royal fishes, whales, balan, * sturgeons, and other fishes, of what kinde or nature soever be taken in or within the saide seas or waters, by the said (here follow the names of the grantees) their heires and assignes, or by any other person or persons whatsoever there inhabiting by them or any of them to be appointed to 'fishe therein." In the matter of "drift whales" the Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies subsequently claimed a part, a part was alloted the town within whose jurisdic- tion the finding was made and the finder, if no one appeared to dis- pute his claim, was awarded the remainder. Considerable dissatis- faction resulted from this arangement and the Plymouth Colony finally compromised on the matter in March 1661-2 on the basis of a tax of two barrels of oil from each whale to go to the Colony .*
In the early days of the settlement of Nantucket, however, it was under the jurisdiction of New York and subject to the laws of that Province.
It is probable that the first organized prosecution of the whale fishery in America was made along the shores of Long Island. It would naturally follow that knowing the value of the oil and otlier whale products, and realizing the inadequate supply that resulted from drift whales some plan should be devised to capture them' in their native element.
* As early as June 6, 1654, the Plymouth Court had ordered that whales cast ashore on lands of the purchasers belonged to the pro- prietors, so that the agreement of 1661-2 seems a little ambiguous.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
The town of Southampton, which was settled in 1640, by col- onists from Lynn in the Massachusetts Bay Colony,* was quick to realize the value of whale products. Settled under a patent of the Earl of Sterling, its privileges were essentialy the same as those of the Massachusetts Bay. In March, 1644, the freeholders ordered the town to be divided into four wards, with eleven persons in each ward, to look after drift whales that were cast ashore. In case one came ashore two persons were selected by lot from each ward and employed to cut it up. Howell says that, after the cutters had deducted the double share to which they were by law entitled, "every Inhabitant with his child or servant that is above sixteen years of age shall have in the Division of the other part an equall proportion, provided that such person when yt falls into his ward a sufficient man to be imployed aboute yt."; In Easthampton, Nov- ember 6, 1651, the men of the town were ordered to be called out by succession to look out for whale .;
In 1672, the towns of Easthampton, Southampton and South- wold in a memorial to the Court at Whitehall, complaining of the hardships they encounter under the rule of the Dutch in their prosecution of the whale fishery, which they say they have "en- deavoured it above these twenty yeares," ask to be assigned to the Connecticut government or to be made a free corporation .** This would indicate that the beginning of the whaling industry in the New York Colony was about 1650.
The first mention of whales in the Town Records of Nantucket is under date of July 13, 1668, when the Town at a regular meet- ing passed a vote by which "Edward Starbuck and Peter Folger were empowered to make a bargain with the Gardners Concerning all whales that shall come on shore on the Island on the Towns behalf.it
The next mention in the Records is under date of the 5th of the 4th month, 1672, and is the somewhat discussed grant to James Loper.
From 1672 to 1690, there seems to be no record of any progress in the art of whaling. In the latter year tradition says that the people of Nantucket, "finding that the people of Cape Cod had made greater proficiency in the art of whale-catching than themselves," sent to them and engaged one Ichabod Paddock to remove to the Island, and instruct them in the best method of killing whales and obtaining the oil.## Tradition also says that
*Hist. American Whale Fishery p. 90.
¿Hist. of Southampton p. 179.
#Bi-Centennial Address of Easthampton, 1850, by H. P. Hedges p. 8 ** May 25, 1647 the General Court of Connecticut had passed the following resolve :- "If Mr. Whiting, wth any others shall make tryall and pr'secute a designe for the takeing of whale within these libertyes, and if vpon tryall w'thin the terme of two yeares, they shall like to goe noe, others shallbe suffered to interrupt them for the tearme of seauen yeares."
++Richard and Joseph Gardner.
##Macy's Hist. p 290.
-
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
in the same year several persons were standing upon some high land, afterwards known as Folly House Hill, observing the whales spouting and disporting in the sea. One of them, pointing to the ocean, said to the others-"There is a green pasture, where our children's grandchildren will go for bread."* No record seems to exist showing who was the author of this prophecy, and it is not impossible that it was one of those prophesies after the fact,- made after whaling became an established business.
It is difficult to verify the statement that Ichabod Paddock removed to the Island. The Records have no mention of his name, and if he established himself in Nantucket it would seem as
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