USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 74
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In 1873, the Surfside Land Company bought a tract between Weeweeder Pond and Tom Nevers Head and entered on an elab-
*It is related of Gov. Ames, who married a most estimable Nan- tucket lady, that when he came to the Island for the ceremony, he was accosted by a native, who asked him, without knowing who he was, if he had come down to the wedding. "Whose wedding?" inquired Mr. Ames. "Why Anna Ray's" was the reply. "She's a Coffin, you know; but he is nothing but an off-islander."
tLands and Landowners p. 214. In the decade between 1860 and 1870 houses were sold as low as $150 and in some cases it paid to buy them and ship them in sections to the main land, there to be re-erected.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
orate scheme for projecting a beautiful city by the sea. The tract had a beach frontage of three miles and a width of one mile and was bonded for $200,000. In 1881 the Nantucket Central Rail- road had been built to that point, a hotel, bought abroad and im- ported in sections had been set up there, the Coffin Family held its first (and only) Reunion with a large number of visitors pres- ent and a dinner at the Hotel and all seemed propitious for a boom. It never came-the railroad has not even two streaks of rust to mark its right of way, the Hotel long ago fell to pieces and the only thing to now remind those who did not invest money there is the notice of the Tax Collector advertising lots for sale on which taxes remain unpaid.
In 1874, Lete & Wooding, of New Haven, Conn., bought a tract at Quaise, and divided it into 500 house lots, but they were subsequently sold in bulk for non-payment of taxes.
W. & J. A. Veazie of Boston purchased in 1875 land at the South Shore, between Hummock and Long Ponds, called it "Nau- ticon," divided it into 1700 lots. They sold a few but no one ever seemed to have courage enough to build and the beautiful settle- ment that was to rise never got beyond the dream.
In 1876, Henry Coffin and others opened up a section of the Cliffs under the name of Sherburne Bluffs. There were 28 lots some of which were built upon.
In 1880, some small tracts on Brant Point and on the hill at Clifton Springs, were sold and improved. Other ventures were- 1882, Wauwinnet; 1883, Flagg's lots Siasconset; 1883, Coatue Land Co. near Wauwinnet; 1884, Thomas Gray and -Round, south of Siasconset; 1885, Sankaty Heights; 1886, Swift Lot, Brant Point; 1886, Sassachacha; 1886, Lincoln Heights (at Cliff) ; 1887, Aurora Heights, Siasconset; 1888, Dionis City, west of Ca- paum Pond; 1889, Monomoy Heights; 1895, Low Beach (south of Siasconset). In 1901, a New Bedford man as a tea advertising dodge bought 80 acres of land on the east side of Miacomet pond, divided it into 2,300 lots christened it Miacomet Park and adver- tised to give a lot with every pound of tea sold, providing the pur- chaser paid $2.00 for the deed. About 40 deeds were recorded by the Registrar.
A few years later Otis Emerson Dunham, not having the graphic lesson taught by the experience of Mr. Tourtelot be- fore his mind, or thinking perchance he would have the success his predecessor sought vainly for, opened up the Maddeket ter- ritory again under the attractive name of Maddeket Terraces. He sold a few lots, but purchasers did not seem to have courage to build, and quite a number of the lots have been advertised for non-payment of taxes. It may be said that the Town's Assessors have been very conservative in their valuations, when one considers the glowing commendations of the boomers.
634
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
The latest scheme is that of the Nantucket Land Co., started in 1916, which bought about 400 acres of land with Tom Nevers' Head as a piece de resistance. The Company has erected a small hotel, or Lodge as they call it, and some buildings have been put up. The site seems excellent and prospects good.
635
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
CHAPTER XVII REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAL COURT
Under the jurisdiction of New York the Island of Nantucket had no representation in the Colonial law making body. Immed- iately after the assumption of jurisdiction by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, before, in fact, the Islanders were acquainted fully with their jurisdictional status, they received a precept to choose a Representative to the Great and General Court .*
The first man, apparently, to be chosen by the Town as its Representative, (Deputy, as he was called,) was James Coffin, who was elected at a Town Meeting held probably March 5, 1696-7.
His successors have been:
1696, 1698, 1700, 17041 1706, Richard Gardner
James Coffin
1707-1709, to 1716 inclusive 1717, 1718, Joseph Coffin
James Coffin
1719, 1720, 1721 George Bun- ker
1722, Jeremiah Gardner
1723 to 1732 inclusive, George Bunker
1733, No election
1734 to 1740 inclusive George Bunker
1741, No election at the regu- lar time in May. ' In July the Town chose Capt. Josiah Coffin.
1742-1743 George Bunker#
1745. No election
1747 to 1765 inclusive, Abishai Folger
1767, Timothy Folger
1744, John Bunker
1746, No election
1766, Stephen Hussey
1768 to 1774 inclusive Stephen Hussey *
*John Gardner 1692-3 (Legislative p. 213.) #Not chosen regularly.
¿The Town Records say he was elected "by a great majority." One is left to put his own construction on the record.
** Mr. Hussey's election to the General Court put him in good favor (See next page)
636
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
During the Revolution Nantucket elected no Representative. As has been abundantly shown it was entirely impracticable to do so.
1783, Alexander Coffin Peleg Coffin, Jr. Stephen Hussey
1785, Timothy Folger
1788,
1789, Peleg Coffin, Jr. Alexander Gardner
1790, Alexander Gardner
1791, Micajah Coffin
Alexander Gardner
1792 to 1807 inclusive, Mica- jah Coffin
1808, Micajah Coffin Walter Folger, Jr. Uriah Swain
1809, George Cannon Micajah Coffin Shubael Coffin
Jedediah Fitch Micajah Gardner Archelus Hammond Martin Tyler Morton Uriah Swain Daniel Whitney
1810, George Cannon Micajah Coffin Shubael Coffin Jedediah Fitch
Obed Folger George Gardner 2d
Micajah Gardner Archelus Hammond Daniel Whitney
1811, George Cannon Micajah Coffin Schubael Coffin Jedediah Fitch Obed Folger Micajah Gardner Archelus Hammond Coffin Whippey
1812, George Cannon* Micajah Coffin Shubael Coffin Simeon Coleman Jedediah Fitch Obed Folger Micajah Gardner Archelus Hammond Coffin Whippey
1813, Gilbert Coffin
1814, Micajah Gardneri
1816, Thaddeus Coffin
1819, Jonathan Jenkin's Bar- ney
with the Provincial Congress. He was appointed on the local Com- mittee on Correspondence and several times consulted by the Colonial authorities on local affairs. *The Town Records show no report of an election of Representa- tives in 1812. There is outside evidence of a disturbance at the meet- ing.
fIn 1814 and 1815 there were riotous proceedings because of illegal acts by the Selectmen and in both cases the General Court declared the elections vacated.
1815, Micajah Gardner;
1817-18, Micajah Gardner,
1784 Alexander Coffin Peleg Coffin, Jr. Stephen Paddack
1786-7 George ·Hussey
637
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
1820, William Coffin,
1821, Barker Burnell
Francis Gardner Macy
Jethro Mitchell
1822, Barker Burnell,
1823, Hezekiah Barnard
Gideon Folger
1824-25 Francis Gardner Macy 1828, Peter Chase,
1826-27, Hezekiah Barnard
1829, Hezekiah Barnard
Jared Coffin
Geo. Washington Gardner
James Mitchell
Seth Pinkham
1830, Isaac Folger,
Geo. Washington Gardner
Seth
Pinkham
1832. David Baxter
John Coffin Briggs
Isaac Folger
1833, David Baxter John Coffin Briggs Jared Coffin, Isaac Folger David Joy George Myrick Seth Pinkham
1834, Frederick Arthur, David Baxter John Coffin Briggs Jared Coffin William Redwood East- on George Myrick Seth Pinkham Seth Freeman Swift
1835, David Baxter John Coffin Briggs George Marshall Bunker Thaddeus Coffin William Redwood East-
on
Roland Hussey William Jenkins Seth Pinkham William Watson
1837, Frederick Arthur John Coffin Briggs George Marshall Bunker Jared Coffin Benjamin Gardner William Jenkins George Bruce Upton William Watson
1836, Frederick Arthur John Coffin Briggs George Marshall Bunk- er
William Redwood East- on Benjamin Gardner Samuel Haynes Jenks William Jenkins Seth Pinkham William Watson
1831, Hezekiah Barnard
David Baxter
Isaac Folger
638
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
1838, George Marshall Bunk- er
William Redwood East-
1839, George Bradburn Isaac Brayton, John Coffin Briggs Samuel Haynes Jenks Frederick Cartwright
Масу
Josiah Swain
1841, George Bradburn
John Coffin Briggs
Benjamin Gardner
George Bruce Upton
1842, Obed Barney
Charles
Gardner
Cog-
geshall
George Gill Folger David Joy
1844, David Baker
George Gill Folger
Daniel Jones Jr
Charles Wood
1846, George Harris Justin Lawrence
1848, David Baker
William Barney,
Justin Lawrence
Joseph Mitchell
1849, William Barney
Joseph Mitchell,
John Morissey
William
Coffin
Star-
buck
1850, William Barney
Edward Wyer Cobb
Reuben Meader
Joseph Mitchell
1852, James Harkey Briggs Henry Clay Worth
1854, Edward Hammond
Josiah Swain
David Wood
1851, James Harkey Briggs
Reuben Meader
Obed Swain
1853, George Howland Folger
Reuben Meader
Josiah Swain
1855, Charles Hussey Brock
William Cushman Bunk-
er John Elkins Edward Hammond
on William Seabury French William Watson Daniel Whitney
1840, George Bradburn John Coffin Briggs Benjamin Gardner Samuel Haynes Jenks David Joy William Bunker Mit- chell
1843, David Baker
Obed Barney
Hiram Bennet Dennis
George Gill Folger
1845, David Baker
George Harris
William Coffin Starbuck
Charles Wood
1847, None sent
639
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
1856, Edward Hammond
John Morissey
John Hussey Shaw
1857, Edward Hammond John Morissey John Hussey Shaw William Wyer Wood
1858, Joseph Mitchell
Peleg Ray,
Charles Wood
1859, James Franklin Cobb
Peleg Ray
1860, John Thompson Charles Wood
1861, Elisha Smith
Alfred Swain
1862, Andrew Jackson Morton Elisha Smith
1864. Reuben Pinkham Folger Elisha Smith
1865, Reuben Pinkham Folger Joseph Mitchell 2d
1867, William Henry Waitt Andrew Whitney
1869, Isaiah Freeman Robin- son
1871; Robert Folger Gardner Andrew Pinkham
1873-74 Edward McCleave 1877, Charles Bunker Swain
1882-83 Josiah Freeman 1888, Henry Riddell
1891-92 Arthur Hinton Gard- ner
1895-97, John Jackson Gardner 1899. David Barnard Andrews
1905-6, William Chase Dun- ham 1910-13, Benjamin Sharp.
1907-09, Ellenwood Bunker Coleman
1914-17, Edward H. Perry
1918- Arthur W Jones,
Nantucket has been represented in the State Senate as fol-
*Matthew Mayhew is credited with being the Nantucket Senator in 1788 according to Dr. Sharp's list published in the Proceedings of the Nant. Hist. Assocn. for 1911 (p. 30). It would seem as if this was an error.
1870, Reuben Pinkham Folger 1872 Robert Folger Gardner 1875-76, Joseph Mitchell 2d
1878-81, Henry Paddack 1884-87, John William Hallett 1889-90, Anthony Smalley
1893-94, Anthony Smalley 1898, Rollin Morris Allen
1900-04, Arthur Hinton Gard- ner*
1863, Charles Frederic Brown Andrew Jackson Morton
1866, Isaac Hussey Folger Joseph Mitchell 2d
1868, William Henry Waitt
640
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
lows since the Revolution: Peleg Coffin Jr. 1785 to 1787 inclusive 1790 to 1796 inclusive .*
Isaac Coffin 1800 1802-7 inc
Walter Folger Jr 1809-1814 incl
George Myrick 1821.
Barker Burnell 1823 Jethro Mitchell 1823
David Joy 1834
David Joy 1837
Barker Burnell 1838
George Bruce Upton 1839-40 1843
Obed Barney 1844
William Mitchell 1845
Barker Burnell Jr 1846 1
John Elkins 1849
William Coffin Starbuck 1850
William Barney 1851-2
Joseph Mitchell 1854.
William Barney 1856
Four Nantucket citizens have served on the Governor's Coun- cil-David Joy in 1838; William Mitchell in 1848-9; John Moris- sey in 1858; and Alfred Macy in 1872-3-4.
Twice Nantucket has furnished the State with its Treasurer and Receiver General-Peleg Coffin Jr. from 1797 to 1801 inclu- sive and Hezekiah Barnard, 1832 to 1837 inclusive.
Joseph Mitchell was State Auditor in 1855.
Four of our citizens have served the Congressional District as Representatives in the National Congress: Peleg Coffin Jr in 1793- 4-5; Gideon Gardner in 1809-10-11-12; Walter Folger Jr in 1817- 18-19-20; and Barker Burnell in 1841-2-3-4.
*In 1903 the General Court passed an act making the Cliff bath- ing beach a public reservation.
George Gorham Hussey 1808 Thaddeus Coffin 1815 Walter Folger Jr 1822 Barker Burnell 1825 to incl. Samuel Haynes Jenks 1835
1833
641
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
CHAPTER XVIII SIASCONSET -- MISCELLANEOUS
There seems to be a tendency on the part of humanity to view what one is doing himself as work, and frequently what the other fellow is doing as sport. The regular hunter pursues his game, not as a diversion, but as a business, from which comes his livelihood. The fisherman fails to see any real fun in his daily toil, excepting that derived from living from day to day. So with what constitutes a summer pleasure resort. The south and the west look to New England as a summer recreation ground; New Englanders throng to their beaches and mountains; those living at the beaches and mountains seek some more retired spot, out of the line of general travel.Thus Nantucket becomes a refreshing and cooling-off place for the whole country, but when the particular and aristocratic Nantucketer sought his summer resort he found it at Siasconset. Like the sequence of Swift-
"So, naturalists observe, a flea Has smaller fleas that on him prey: And these have other fleas to bite 'em ; And so proceed ad infinitum."
J. Hector St John de Crevecoeur in his "Letters from an Amer- ican Farmer" published in 1793 says of Siasconset, "Several dwellings had been erected on this wild shore, for the purpose of sheltering the fishermen in the season of fishing; I found them all empty, ex- cept that particular one, to which I had been directed. It was, like the others, built on the highest part of the shore, in the face of the great ocean *. What rendered this house still more worthy of notice in my eyes, was, that it had been built on the ruins of one of the ancient huts, erected by the first settlers, for observing the appearance of the whales. Here lived a single family without a neighbour; I had never before seen a spot better calculated to
cherish contemplative ideas; perfectly unconnected with the great world, and far removed from its perturbations. * * * * * * *
The family that occupied this house lived entirely by fishing, for the plough has not dared yet to disturb the parched surface of the neighbouring plain; and to what purpose could this operation be performed!"
A few years later, in 1792, it was beginning to be recognized as a health resort, and the tranquility of body and mind which im- pressed themselves upon St John began to have an outreaching in-
642
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
fluence, and Zaccheus Macy, writing at the later date, in his de- scription of the Island, previously quoted, says "At the south-east part * : * is a high bluff head of land, called Tom Never's Head; and about two miles to the northward stands our famous fishing stage houses, where our sick people go for their health, called Siasconset."
Essential progress was made from the time noted by St John to the days of Obed Macy, who is quite enthusiastic for an unexcit- able, sober-minded Friend over the conditions. Mr Macy says *-
'SCONSET BANK
"The houses, with few exceptions, are occupied only in the warm season. As a summer resort, no place in the United States presents greater attractions for the invalid than Siasconset. "It is not, in- deed, the focus of fashionable life. But the fine bracing air, the ex- cellent water, and the unique customs and "laws"t of the place are admirably adapted to refresh and invigorate both mind and body. At Siasconset, all are on a level, or rather on an equal elevation. Useless forms and ceremonies are laid aside, and the little commu-
* Page 260.
¡The essential law of the village is said to be "help yourself or go without," democratic enough to suit the most pronounced com- munist.
643
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
nity, for the time being, indulge in a reciprocity of good feeling and interchange of civilities, which can be found in no place but one situated precisely like Siasconset, and no other such place exists in the known world."
A little later, in 1882, Mr. Godfrey* wrote- "The village has about a hundred dwellings, a schoolhouse, a grocery, an ice-cream saloon, two hotels-the Atlantic and Ocean View,- also private boarding houses, and is a cool, clean, healthy, quiet place in which to get rested after a hard winter's work. A number of pretty cottages have been erected by summer residents during the past few years; more are in contemplation, and when the railroad reach- es the village (which is promised this season), it will be more than
THE SIASCONSET PUMP
ever resorted to by Islander and stranger alike as a delightful spot at which to recuperate." The railroad has come and gone but the fame of 'Sconset remains undimmed.
A few years later, in 1901, A Judd Northrup, a summer visit- or, testified, and said of it-"Its spirit, its simple pleasures, its ever resounding surf, the battle on "the rips," the glamour of the moors at sunset,-these and a hundred other things remain as of yore. Nature still holds sturdily to her grandeur and her glory. A new generation of lovers of quaint 'Sconset has arisen, and still the old lovers come back during the dreamy days of summer, all gathering out of air and sky, moor and ocean, health and rest and joy as of old."
*E. K. Godfrey in "Island of Nantucket." p. 286.
644
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET ١
Of late years many prominent actors have made their sum- mer homes in this delightful and restful spot, where, entirely away from the restrictions of their profession, they find in Siasconset that peace and content of body and mind that qualify them for the next season's draught upon their vitality. So many are there of them that they form what is known as the "Actors' Colony." There
CASINO AT SIASCONSET
are in the village fine golf grounds and a convenient Casino with lawn tennis Courts and other attractions and the summer popula- tion of Nantucket's suburb is an important factor in the Island de- velopment. :
The spirit of the village is as it was-years ago when Rev Leonard, Pastor of the First Congregational Society, penned the following poem on
"The Laws Of Sconset"
"Wide in the East on Nancy's Isle, Where wars the wild surf louder, Ascends to view the happy vill, For freedom famed and choudre .*
Fresh from the wave they take the cod, To feast the soul that wants it; Its air is pure, its water good, Its name is Siasconset.
*Modernly spelled chowder. There is no pastor named Leonard re- corded of the First Cong'l church. The name may have been Leon- ard Frost of the Methodist church.
645
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Old Saturn's reign is here begun,* The Orient of the nations; Here kings and compliments are done, And all your Boston fashions.
The song, the jest, the smile serene Amuse the friend that haunts it; Here old Simplicity is seen In ancient dress at 'Sconset.
Its pump the lymph oblivious; pours, To drown despite and treason; Its purer air at once restores To liberty and reason .¿
-
When erring virtue asks excuse, "T is free good-nature grants it, And that which else would be abuse Is winked by laws of 'Sconset;
And should your fault incur a grudge, Our courts ** you must attend, sir; Your speaker's conscience; reason, judge; Your jury is a friend, sir.
This court guards well our dearest rights, And when the county owns it, Lawyers will starve with all their wits, And curse the laws of 'Sconset.
Hygeiatt here her reign resumes, The hyp'd and crazy healing;
Restores old wounds, dispels the glooms, And brings the callous, feeling.
Then let religious maniacs prate, And on the treaty bounce it; Here invalids in church and state Are all made whole at 'Sconset.
The mind with priestcraft long beguiled May choose with freedom handy,
*The Golden Age of ancient poets, which they prophesied should come again when the Goddess of Justice (Astraea) returned to the earth.
#Allusion to the ancient river Lethe, whose waters were said to make oblivious all things that were past. The well at Siasconset is accordingly celebrated for a salubrious quality in its water. The use of it so corrects the viscious humors of the body that it really pro- duces in the mind the disposition here suggested.
¿The flux and reflux of the tide operates as a continual ventila- tion to the place.
** The legislature which has favored us with this useful code of laws is composed of conscience, reason and philanthrophy. No bribes prevent a strict administration of justice. The happy era is not far distant, in which this court, we hope, will give laws to the universe. At that time priests and lawyers will be but "drones of the church and harpies of the state."
¡¡ The daughter of Aesculapius, and the Goddess of health.
646
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Good Moses with the spirit filled, Or Thomas Paine with brandy .*
And thus will I, though pope and sect With bulls and zeal denounce it; My reason's mine to think and act Like thee, friend Siasconset!
The souls of once too rude a form Receive a softer moulding; Here Jacobins forget to storm, And wives leave off their scolding.
The wight in town, who swells with pride,+ Or like Clesippust vaunts it, The paltry coxcomb lays aside And wears the man at 'Sconset.
Should party zeal the bosom rile, 'Tis here nor felt nor seen, sir,* For choudre will correct the bile, And dissipate the spleen sir.
Then when with B-K the wild heart swells, Some genius bids denounce it; For no revenge or malice dwells With thee, O Siasconset!
Now let the fair one share her part, Sweet village in thy candor; Safe to disclose her feeling heart, Nor fear the scorpion slander.tt
Thus the fond maid shall find excuse, If first she make the onset; Her soul's elect her hand may choose By laws of Siasconset.
Should polygons## and Catspaws *** ask My judgment of the vi'lence, This law I'll claim, to wear the mask, And answer them in silence.
Thrice happy vill, extend thy reign Till every nation owns it; Thus shall the world its glory gain Beneath thy laws, O 'Sconset!
* All sectarian principles are viewed here (like the offal of the fish) as the refuse of the village. They are all cast down the bank together.
¿The influence of these laws is quite unfriendly to every species of nobility, not only at Congress, but also at Nantucket. ¿See Entick's account of the heathen gods, etc.
** Such is the common veneration for the municipality of Siasconset, that all prejudicies and animosities among the visitants are always left within the gate of the Town.
++Though these laws in this respect are quite friendly to the fair sex, yet we would not excite in any lady an expectation of making more than one half of the marriage contract.
¿¿ In mathematics, figures of many sizes. *** In the fable moralized, tools of party.
647
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
PUBLIC FRIENDS BELONGING TO NANTUCKET SINCE THE SOCIETY WAS ORGANIZED:
Mary Starbuck, wife of Nathaniel.
Priscilla Coleman, wife of John, mother of Elihu and Nathaniel.
Nathaniel Coleman.
Elihu Coleman.
Priscilla Bunker, wife of Samuel.
Joseph Mitchell-removed up country.
Benjamin Worth-removed "Down East."
Elizabeth Worth, wife of Richard, daughter of Walter Folger.
Dorcas Brown, wife of William.
Mary Mitchell, wife of Joseph-belonged in Rhode Island but resident of Nantucket.
Tristram Burrell, removed to "Nine Partners," R. I. .
Mary Allen, wife of Walter-removed to North Providence.
Lucretia Mott, wife of James-moved to Philadelphia.
Dorcas Pickham - removed to Providence.
Elizabeth Barker, wife of Josiah.
Judith Coffin, wife of Mark.
Judith Jones, daughter of Silas.
Rachel Thornton.
Sarah Upton.
George Mitchell.
Mary Macy, wife of Samuel.
Benjamin Mitchell-moved to Nine Partners.
Charles Coffin, son of Alpheus-moved to Kennebeck.
Lydia Hussey, wife of Cyrus .*
WHAT IS MEANT BY COWS' COMMONS.
The tenure of land in Nantucket is somewhat peculiar as ap- plied to what are known as the Commons. and as originally applied to nearly all the land purchased under the original grants. Mr William H. Macy, for many years Register of Deeds, gives the following explanation of what is implied by Cows Commons. t
"An elaborate article on this theme would possess little inter- est to the general reader, but a few words may not be amiss, to give an outline of the meaning of the term "sheep common" and "cow common."
As might be supposed, a sheep common as used by the early settlers, signified as much land as would furnish commonage or pasturage for a sheep. Its original equivalent seems to have been an acre and a half of land. In the olden time all the land, except such pieces as were set aside for homesteads, and designated as "house-lot land," was held in common by the twenty-seven original
*This list is from Obed Macy's unpublished manuscript and is complete only up to 1843.
¡Godfrey's Nantucket Guide, p. 86.
648
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
proprietors. Estimating the whole extent of available land, in round numbers, at about 29,000 acres, each man's share would be 720 commons for sheep. The product of 720 x 27=19,440, which represents the whole number of sheep commons at the out- set. When at a later period certain large tracts of land were laid out to form "divisions," and designated by names such as "Squam," "Southeast Quarter," "Smooth Hummocks," etc., each division was divided into twenty-seven shares as nearly equal in size as the nature of the case would admit,-quality and quantity consid- ered. When these divisions were laid out the number of proprietors was no longer twenty-seven, as it was constantly increasing by in- heritance as well as by bargain and sale, and few individuals could claim a whole share in any one of the divisions: but each share was supposed to contain 720 undivided parts, and each land owner owned the same fractional interest in one of those shares as in a full share of all the common lands. Lots were drawn to de- termine in what particular share of the new division each man's interest should fall. The whole might contain one acre, or it might contain fifty acres according to the extent of the division laid out; but 720 was the constant denominator, and a man who owned, say forty-five sheep commons of the original land, or more correct 45/19.440 of the common land, would also be the owner of 45/720. undivided, of a certain share in "Southeast Quarter;" of a certain share in Squam; and so on in the several divisions as they were successively laid out. All the land of the Island, excepting house- lot land was owned in this manner, whether used for planting or stocking purposes,- the several proprietors of each share holding it in common and undivided, and buying and selling only undivided fractional interests. The lands so laid out in divisions were known by the name of "dividend lands."
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