Historic Nantucket, April 1957, Vol. 4 No. 4

Historic Nantucket

NANTUCKET TOWN From a lithograph by Ruth Haviland Sutton

APRIL, 1957

Published Quarterly by

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASS.

Legacies and Bequests Membership in our Association proves that you are interested in its program for the preservation of Nantucket's famed heritage and its illustrious past, which so profoundly affected the develop­ ment of our country. You can perpetuate that interest by naming the Association to receive a legacy or bequest under your will which will help to insure the Association carrying on in the future. Counsel advises that legacies or bequests to the Nan­ tucket Historical Association are allowable deductions under the Federal Estate Tax law.

Legacies will be used for general or specific purposes as di­ rected by the donor. A sample form of bequest may read as follows: FORM OF BEQUEST "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Nantucket Historical Association, a corporation duly in­ corporated by the Commonwealth of Massachu­ setts, and located in the Town of Nantucket, in said Commonwealth, the sum of dollars."

Bequests may be made also in real estate, bonds, stocks, books, paintings, or any object having historical value in which event a brief description of the same should be inserted instead of a sum of money.

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Published quarterly and devoted to the preservation of Nantucket's antiquity, its famed heritage and its illustrious past as a whaling port.

VOLUME 4

APRIL 1957

No. 4

Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent free to all members of the Association.

Membership dues are — Annual-Active $2.00 ; Sustaining $10.00 ; Life—one payment $50.00.

Entered as Second Class Matter, July, 1953, at the Post Office, Nantucket, Massachusetts Copyright 1957 Nantucket Historical Association.

Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts.

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Legacies and Bequests

2

Factual Information

3

Editorial

5

A Special Presidential Message to All Members

6

My Scrap Books

8

The Great Hall

13

Whaling Wasn't Everything

21

Annual Winter Gam

27

History Making Events

...

40

Keziah Coffin Fanning's Diary

45

Officers ..:

52

4

5

EDITORIAL The concluding paragraphs of the report of David E. Finley, Chairman Board of Trustees, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, at the October 1956, Annual Meeting of the Trust are so appropriate that we quote them as our editorial: "Historic preservation was never more important than now, when so many of our architectural and historical monuments are fast disappearing in this country with its tremendous, pulsating energy and its dynamic, exuberant growth. It is important for our own people to have a sense of the continuity of history, and also a respect for our cultural past which was not inconsiderable, especially as regards houses and gardens, even when we were a remote, undeveloped country with the frontier, pressing hard upon us.

"Today these evidences of our history and culture are also important for another reason. In creating a charter for the Na­ tional Trust, the Congress said, 'It is particularly important to encourage this kind of undertaking at present when so many of the values represented by our national heritage are being chal­ lenged from abroad.'

"To meet this challenge the President recently called a conference of leaders in various fields and asked that the people, themselves, by their own efforts without government support, find ways to make our culture and our history better known abroad and also understood by visitors who come to us from other countries. The Trust can and will be of help in this undertaking and so can all of you in your various activities throughout the country.

"You and others like you are helping to keep alive a healthy respect for our past and its achievements and are giving our people standards on which they can base an informed judgment as to what is excellent in the present and what may be worthwhile in the years to come. In doing this you are also helping to assure the continuation of our great American experiment, which has achieved freedom with diversity and has given to the average man and woman in this country an opportunity to enioy many

6

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

of the best things life has to offer. It is a great opportunity that has been given to us to serve in this way our own age and genera­ tions yet to come."

Let us take these words to heart and be always mindful of them in carrying on the activities of our Association, in pre­ serving our Island's famed heritage.

A Special Presidential Message To All Members Current Financial and Maintenance Picture

We are nearing the end of our fiscal year and about to start another active summer season. Our finances continue in a satis­ factory condition although we have a few problems which must be solved with dollars. Our general maintenance work must be some­ what expanded to care for the constant attacks of time and wear inside and weather outside.

Whaling Museum Restoration I am glad to report that all but a very small part of the repair and reconditioning work which was deemed mandatory on the Whaling Museum has been completed and all will have been completed within the anticipated expenditure when it is finished.

As you may recall a figure of $13,500 was set to cover this work and to complete the final payments on the sprinkler system there.

Through the generosity of members and other interested parties about $10,000 has been subscribed and the Council is hoping to be able to write a financial finis to this project before many more months have passed.

There are several other things which need to be completed at the museum but which have been held in abeyance until the books are cleared of this debt. Among these are linoleum for the library and a bit of painting, etc., to put it in ship-shape condition.

A SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

7

These things are not presently mandatory from a maintenance standpoint but are greatly to be desired to keep this popular ex­ hibit attractive to our visiting friends.

Membership

Of equal importance with finances is membership, without strength here the Association would founder. We are doing rather well having a paid up membership for this year of just slightly over 1,000.

We have continued to send copies of our quarterly "Historic Nantucket" to all who were members last year, about ninety more than are now paid up. Many and perhaps all of these ninety we believe are very valuable members and we would be most re­ luctant to drop any of them from our rolls for we feel that their dues have not been sent because of an oversight.

Therefore, will you one and all make sure you have your membership card for 1956-57 for you may be one of those who couldn't remember for what he had the string around his finger, and failed to send in the necessary currency.

Summary

Total attendance at our exhibits last year was the greatest ever and we fully expect to exceed that this year.

I trust this little message will assure all the members that things are moving along quite smoothly and that the Council is actively looking after the welfare of your Association.

George W. Jones, President

8

My Scrap Books An Ever-Groiving Collection of Historical Data

BY GRACE BROWN GARDNER

In 1941 I retired from my life-work of teaching and came back to live in the old family home in Nantucket. The house was built in 1820 and is one of four of the older houses remaining on the island which have never been sold and which are still occupied by descendants of the original owners.

My father, the late Arthur H. Gardner, and my mother, Mary Macy Brown Gardner, were both interested in local history.

While their particular hobby was genealogy, my father published many historical articles. At the time of his death my father was the president of the Nantucket Historical Association, and my mother was the Treasurer of the Association for many years.

As was to be expected in regard to a house occupied by the same family for several generations there was an accumula­ tion of treasures and trash from attic to cellar. Among the former were many Nantucket books, pamphlets, magazines, man­ uscripts, old newspapers and clippings, as well as maps, charts, and pictures of local scenes. Realizing that much of this material was of historical value considerable time was spent in sorting and classifying it. The best way to preserve this for future use seemed to be pasting all suitable in loose leaf note books where it would be easily available, and a start was made with several large sized scrap books.

But difficulties soon arose. Many people, especially members of the Historical Association, learned of this work and not only contributed to it themselves, but interested others who owned similar material which they were willing to donate for future preservation. An avalanche followed! One example is clippings relating to whaling. At first these were placed in one scrap book, but it soon became evident that division was necessary, and various phases of the industry were distinguished, such as general, whaleships, whalemen, whaling masters, whaling poetry (of which there is an amazing amount), books on whaling, and South Sea Island tales. At present this material fills five large

MY SCRAP BOOKS

9

scrap books, which are now in the permanent custody of the Historical Association and may be consulted in the library of the Whaling Museum.

Miss

GARDNER AMID HER SCRAP BOOKS.

Up to this time over one hundred people have contributed his­ torical clippings. The names have been carefully preserved for future reference. The fact that twenty-two of this group have since died impresses one with the fact that as our older genera­ tions pass on much valuable information may be lost by delay.

10

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

At present the number of scrap books is over 50, and is being added to constantly. They are frequently consulted by people interested in local historical research who are always welcome to pore over them.

A large number of pictures of local buildings had also ac­ cumulated, and several years ago these were mounted on sheets of gray construction paper, with the picture on the front and information concerning it on the back. These were arranged in folders according to street and number, with separate folders for wharves, Siasconset, and out of town. Dr. William E. Gardner and Mr. Everett U. Crosby assisted by giving duplicates of the pictures used in their publications. Mr. Edouard A. Stackpole also made available his histories of old Nantucket buildings. Many Inquirer and Mirror and Town Crier Calendar pictures and the illustrated advertisements of the local real estate dealers proved interesting. Now there are more than two hundred such pictures, and native Nantucketers as well as summer visitors enjoy check­ ing the histories of their own houses, as well as those of various public buildings.

Naturally these projects have meant many, many hours of work, but it is worth-while work and leads to contact with people of similar interests. Eventually it will all become the prop­ erty of the Nantucket Historical Association and will be a legacy to leave to future generations.

SCRAP BOOKS The following is a partial list as presently labelled. Addi­ tions and changes are being made currently as new material is obtained.

1 CHURCHES I 2 CHURCHES II 3 GENERAL I MISCELLANEOUS 4 GENERAL II FARMING HOTELS NANTUCKET BOOKS

5 HISTORICAL I GENERAL STREETS HOUSES 6 HISTORICAL II AUTOS 'SCON SET RAILROAD TOWN OLOCK PUMPS INDUSTRIES

MY SCRAP BOOKS

11

GAS ELECTRICITY WIRELESS MISCELLANEOUS

7

LAND BOOMS

8

MARINE I LIGHTSHIPS LIGHTHOUSES COAST GUARD

22

MARINE II STEAMBOATS WRECKS

ORGANIZATIONS IV BANKS NEWSPAPERS

23

ORGANIZATIONS V TOWN

24

ORGANIZATIONS VI STATE FEDERAL

25

ORGANIZATIONS VII MARIA MITCHELL ASSO'N

26

OUT OF TOWN I GENERAL PONDS MADAKET thru MUSK'T

27

OUT OF TOWN II POCOMO thru WAUW'T

28

PEOPLE I MEN

29

PEOPLE II WOMEN COLORED ARTISTS

30

QUAKERISM on NANT. I GENERAL

31

QUAKERISM on NANT. II QUAKERS

32

REMINISCENCES I GENERAL MAIN STREET BIG SHOP OLD NORTH SHORE

33

REMINISCENCES II GENERAL FRAGRANT MEMORIES

34

SCHOOLS I GENERAL

9

10

MARINE III COASTERS FREEZEUPS FISHERIES

11 MARINE IV QUARTERBOARDS SAILORS WHARVES BATHING BEACH MISCELLANEOUS 12

NAN. COT. HOSP. I

13

NAN. COT. HOSP. II

14

NANT. HIST. ASSO'N I GENERAL ACTIVITIES

15

NANT. HIST. ASSO'N II EXHIBITIONS

16

NAN. HIST. ASSO'N III EXHIBITIONS (continued)

17

NANTUCKET INDIANS

18

OLD PEOPLE'S HOME

19

ORGANIZATIONS I ATHENiEUM FRATERNAL SONS & DAUGHTERS CATTLE SHOWS

20

ORGANIZATIONS II CLUBS

21 ORGANIZATIONS III WATER TELEPHONE TELEGRAPH

12 35

36

37

38

39

HISTORIC NANTUCKET SCHOOLS II COFFIN SCHOOL TEACHERS SIASCONSET I EVOLUTION OF RAILROAD SANKATY LIGHT SIASCONSET II GOLF CLUB CASINO CHAPEL POETRY SPECIAL OCCASIONS I COFFIN REUNION CENTENNIAL 1895 TERCENTENARY 1930 SPECIAL OCCASIONS II FAMOUS VISITORS STORMS

40

WARS I REVOLUTION thru CIVIL

41

WARS II CIVIL WAR VETERANS

42

WARS III SPANISH WAR TO PRESENT

43

WARS IV WORLD WAR II

*44

WHALING I GENERAL

*45

WHALING II GENERAL (continued)

*46

WHALING III WHALESHIPS

*47

WHALING IV WHALEMEN

*48

WHALING V WHALEMEN (continued)

MISCELLANEOUS D. A. R. 50 FAMOUS NANT'ERS

OCEAN HOUSE I OCEAN HOUSE II

GENEALOGICAL

QUIDNET NOTES WHO'S WHO in NANT.

* Available for reference at Whaling Museum Library, Nantucket His­ torical Association.

13

The Great Hall Fond Memories Are Brought to Life by the Atheneum Restoration

BY FRANCES PAGE

In 1847, but one year after the great fire and the destruction of the Atheneum, the rebuilding was complete, and the large up­ stairs hall was again ready for activity. On February 1, 1847, it was so described, "It is over 19 feet high, arched, well-proportioned, and will seat comfortably more than 600 persons." On February 22 of the next year we read in the Inquirer, "A Bazaar to pay oif our debt will be held at the Atheneum during the Festival of Sheep Shearing. The whole building will be thrown open, and the evening's entertainment in the Great Hall will be of such a nature as to please the taste of the most refined and cultivated among us."

THE ATHENEUM AS RESTORED AFTER THE FIRE.

Highly Cultural Activities And the most refined and cultivated, and we hope others with aspirations to refinement and culture, heard Ralph Waldo Emerson who came several times to Nantucket, and once between May 4-13, 1847, gave six lectures on Representative Men. These lectures were later published, and became a valued volume in any

14

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

set of Emerson. Maria Mitchell was an excited member of Emer­ son's audience, and in "Sweeper in the Sky" we read that she gave her cousin, Walter Folger, a spirited account of the lectures.

And, if Nantucketers were thrilled with Emerson, he reciprocated, for we find in his diary of May 23rd, 1847, "The air of Nantucket comes into your face and eyes as if it was glad to see you. The moon comes here as if it was at home, but there is no shade." He also gave lectures in the Great Hall before the fire, and between 1840 and 1850, courses of lectures were given each season, one dollar for the course, by Henry Thoreau, Theodore Parker, Louis Agassiz, Horace Greeley, Wendell Phillips, William Ellery Channing, John James Audubon, and Herman Melville, to name a few of the most famous. Interest in cultural activities must have been high at this period as is shown also in the high quality of books that were presented to the library after the fire.

The original Atheneum was built in 1820, and in old files of the Inquirer, later the Inquirer and Mirror, endless activities of the original and restored Atheneum are described.

County Fair Activities In 1836 the Nantucket Agricultural Society was formed, which existed for many years. The cattle show was in a vacant lot at the corner of Federal and Chestnut Streets, and later at the fair grounds. Its first exhibition was in October, 1856, and the Great Hall was used for the display of fruits, fresh and canned, jellies, hand work known as "fancy work", wild flowers, cakes, bread, and doughnuts. George Gardner received $8 as first prize for his collection of vegetables; B. F. Worth was awarded §1 for his fancy potatoes; W. W. Mcintosh received 75 cents for his oats and beets, and W. H. H. Smith 75 cents for his squash. School children were in penmanship competitions, and when Grace Brown Gardner was seven years old she won 81.50 as first prize, but before she could collect the prize she was asked to join the Agricultural Society whose dues were one dollar.

In 1870 the fair was held in August, lasting for three days and it was advertised that "articles of needlework in great abun­ dance, objects of virtue, and refreshments of rare excellence, will constantly be exposed for sale." And speaking of virtue there was an early exhibition of statuary in the Great Hall, "to be viewed by ladies and gentlemen separately."

THE GREAT HALL

15

Debates, Dramatics, Concerts The Sherburne Lyceum was apparently a very energetic de­ bating club, and the following were a few of its debates: Resolved, That in educating children, few studies are better than many; Resolved, That the theatre is not beneficial; Resolved, That Nan­ tucket is morally worse as a watering-place than it was in the whaling days; Resolved, That a rate of interest fixed by law is neither beneficial nor right; Resolved, That biographies of great military men are injudicious reading for the young.

Dramatics were a strong drawing card, especially in the 80's, and amateur groups composed of Nantucket residents, as well as theatrical companies from "off", drew large crowds to the Great Hall. "Jam packed to suffocation" the operetta "Pauline, or the Bat­ tle of Saratoga" was presented on March 22, 1888. This was for the benefit of the Relief Association, and netted $51.35. On April 5, 1881, the Pixley Club presented "Among the Breakers". Tickets were 15 cents, reserved 25 cents, on sale at the door.

The Momus Club gave numerous Minstrel Shows which must have been a bit on the lusty side, and apparently they had been losing their more sensitive customers, as they advertised at one time, "Refined, but a bunch of fun", and at another time, "Noth­ ing of low character will be enacted." The Energy Club, of which Dr. Will Gardner was an enthusiastic member, presented thrillers in the Great Hall, three or four times each winter. He remem­ bers especially "The Stolen Will' given in the winter of 1889, when the realism of the climax so affected a member of the audience that he shouted, "Damn the boy, for giving up the will!"

Dr. Gardner was the boy, and has never forgotten the angry voice of John Chinery. Each play of the Energy Club was given for two nights. The proceeds of first night divided among the actors, and the second night's take was given to the Helping Hand Relief Association. At this time the hall was heated by two stoves, and the stoking of these was a major activity.

A group of eight girls who met at each other's homes for candy making and fooling around, was encouraged by Rev. John R. Savage, the Unitarian minister, and father of one of the girls, to find a purpose. They formed Our Octagon Club with the motto, "To give is to live, to deny is to die", and they pro­ ceeded to do good. On Nov. 23, 1887, they gave an "ice cream

16

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Sale and Entertainment in the Great Hall, doors open at 6:30, admission free and ice cream, 5 and 10 cents." A musical and literary entertainment, including a military drill by the young ladies of "Our Octagon" from 7:30-8:30, and no ice cream will be sold during the entertainment. All proceeds were to be given to charity.

Many concerts were given by individuals and school groups.

I was told that Norman Giffin's rendition of "Orphan Annie" when he was 15, brought down the house! Minnie Smith was a favorite elocutionist who always gave as a demand encore, "Stamp your feet and raise 'em high". This caused thunderous applause.

Addie King rendered with touching pathos, her solo, "A Home by the Waves".

In January, 1879, a concert by Miss Priscilla Morris was post­ poned by a violent storm, but a "hasty notice by the town crier brought out a full house for the next night," and "we need not seek for artists abroad when we have such as these native to our soil". On July 5th, of the same year, the Coffin School entertain­ ment netted a "snug sum".

Off-Islanders Provided A Variety of Entertainment Among the professional entertainments from the mainland were Austin and Stone's Variety Show. Mrs. Kenyon recited the "Face Against the Pane" with tender pathos, and "many an eye was dimmed with tears by the touching earnestness of her pres­ entation." In July, 1860, came Pike's Star Troupe in one of their "classical comical costume concerts and Ethiopian Parlor En­ tertainments", and the General Tom Thumb Company performed in the Great Hall. When the Jubilee Singers came in August, 1879, they announced "Musical culture need not be expected."

An event remembered by many Nantucketers was the annual visit of the Kickapoo Indians whose snake oil liniment was good for all outside ills, and Sagwa for all internal miseries. We wonder what happened to the Snake Oil and the Sagwa with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. Tents were pitched on the Atheneum lawn at the corner of India and South Water Streets, and entertainment was given in the evening in the Great Hall. In­ dian barkers advertised their medicine and taffy, "A Yankee Doodle Yard, 36 inches for 5 cents."

THE GREAT HALL

17

Old residents remember the Swiss bell ringers, the players on water glasses, Will Carlton reciting his ballads, the celebrated Lucier family "monarchs of the musical world", the Rev. Mr. Abbott's Shakespearean recital of "Julius Caesar" and "As You

iLtlieueum Hall, IV A K T i l 131€ KIT, :Friday Evsniug, July 27th,

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FROM 8 TO 10.15 O'CLOCK. rho Most W undo;Oil 'Woman of any Age.

Mrs. Annie Abbott, !Wi)l

#F ixWMMinMA, Give a XTsuMkml

of

Her Marvellous Power Oudar the «np«rvi»ion of a Committer: of I'mmittCiit Citizens.

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Advertisement of a startling event in 1897. Five leading citi­ zens were appointed to vouch for the authenticity of the demonstration, but history does not report their findings.

!»%,?;«£•

Iiif Oil litis Epiij It&ip,

SEEI1G IS BELIEVING I Come ami Investigate this

tots mi!;!

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PRICES, ?5, 38 A 58 CIS, ; 15" }|eservtd Seats now ready st tb<» pstiaS {iitrte, tflll

Like It", Peter Newton, the "bewildering magician". And, in a day that no one now living can remember, on December 30, 1859, came Mrs. Francis T. Young of Boston, "A spiritual medium who will lecture in a trance state (influenced by spirits of a high order). Admission 15 cents."

18

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Political and Temperance Rallies

There were political rallies, at one of which in 1879, "a mere handful of the Republican Party came to the meeting."

Temperance Rallies were frequent, especially close to voting days.

"Lips that Touch Liquor Will Never Touch Mine", "Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight?", "Father, Dear Father, Come Home With We Now", were favorite solos. Mr. Ernest Tyson, of the schooner, "Uriah B. Fisk", addressed the meeting, giving some personal experiences, and much good advice to young men. In a true measure of democracy, the liquor dealers on the island were allowed to say a few potent words. In 1886, a Woman Suf­ frage Convention was addressed by Lucy Stone.

The Mystic Midgets In talking with many Nantucketers who have been here since they were children, I find that one event of their childhood over­ shadows all others. This was "The Mystic Midgets, a Lilliputian Extravaganza" which was presented on August 2, 1895, with dozens of town children and a few summer visitors. This was for the benefit of the North Church, and was directed by a woman from the mainland who provided scenery and costumes, and put on this "Fairy Spectacle" of wicked gnomes and good fairies.

I learned that our recent fire chief, Archie Cartwright, was UgH, king of the gnomes, and his mission was to steal the queen of the fairies. For this play the hall was "jam-packed, and a goodly sum realized for the North Church."

The First Telephone Call Celebration On August 29, 1916, a memorable event took place in the Great Hall. This was the first telephone call over the longest submarine cable. Although telephone service had been in opera­ tion on the island since 1887, it was entirely local. On this famous night, the Hall was decorated with purple and white bunting and American flags, and every seat in the room was wired and equipped with watch-case receivers. Mr. Philip Spalding, president of the Telephone Company, was present and delivered an "im­ pressive" address.

Then the first message ever made to the island came from the General Manager, William R. Driver, Jr., from the toll test-

PART OP THE LARGE AUDIENCE IN THE GREAT HALL WHICH WITNESSED THE FIRST TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH AMERICA

THE GREAT HALL

19

board in Boston. This was followed by a three-way conversation between Joseph Brock, president of the Pacific Club speaking from the Captains' Room, William F. Macy from his home in West Medford, and the Hon. William Crapo from his home in New Bedford.

Following this conversation the group heard our national anthem over the wire from Boston, and they spontaneously rose and sang. This was a memorable day for Nantucket. Later there was a general demonstration of the toll lines, and many made calls to friends in Massachusetts. It is interesting to note some comparisons in toll calls then and now.

1916 2.25

To Philadelphia To New York To Washington To Boston To Providence

1957 .95

1.80

.80

2.95 .95 .95

1.15 .60

.50

Questionable Public Manners Not a New Problem

To prove that children, and adults, too, in the good old days exhibited some of the questionable public manners that are deplored today, we find in an old report among the Atheneum records of the 50's, the following, "The floor and seats are shame­ fully defiled, not only with nut shells and apple cores, but with the ingrained stains of the extract of tobacco. This is a sad example of the inconsistent elements combined in our natures.

That persons who can relish, or who have sense enough of what belongs to good taste to pretend to relish intellectual performances should degrade themselves and offend their associates with such depravity of manners as is indicated by the floor of our lecture room".

A Sad Closing

On December 16, 1917, a benefit for the Halifax sufferers was held in the Hall. Ten days before this, a French ship carry­ ing TNT hit a freighter and blew up a good part of Halifax Harbor and the city. All the local clergy spoke at this meeting and a fine sum was raised for the sufferers.

20

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

This event was one of the last to take place in the Great Hall before it was condemned for use as a public hall. Miss Clara Parker who was librarian for 50 years remembers that the room was increasingly unsafe. With the Kickapoo dancers, the heavy slamming of theatrical trunks, great hunks of the ceiling fell, finally to be replaced by a steel ceiling. It must have been trying to the nerves of any librarian as hundreds of children ran up the old spiral stairways, to an entertainment or the Fair, tooting horns and blowing whistles.

Restoration and Reopening

The beautiful Great Hall, after many years as a dusty store room, has been restored to its original state. The stage, which had been there for years was removed, and underneath it was discovered the original stage which has been saved. The room has been strengthened with pillars, and is again a safe meeting place. The beautiful scroll work has been cleaned and restored, and the Hall is once more a thing of beauty.

It is a quiet place in which to read or meditate, full of mem­ ories for many. The lectern by which Emerson, Thoreau, and others spoke stands at the front of the old stage, the blue harbor waters may be seen from the windows, and a little im­ agination can people the old hall again with hundreds of children and men and women who, knowing nothing of radio and television, found it necessary and fun, to hear live speakers and actors and to make their own entertainment.

The Great Hall has had a noble and amusing history, and as it will be used again will still find response in the mind and heart of Nantucket.

21

Whaling Wasn't Everything An Outline for Much-Needed Further Research

BY GEORGE A. SANDERSON

Mention the name "Nantucket" and ask any schoolboy whether he goes to school in Nantucket, Massachusetts, or in West Overshoe, Nebraska, — what word he immediately asso­ ciates with that place, and you'll almost surely be told "Whaling".

And for good and sufficient reason, as we all know. The island's stunning success in this heroic trade, however, has dimmed, if not almost totally obscured, the fact that numerous other en­ terprises have, at one time or another, been launched here, rang­ ing in importance from ill-fated ones, that thrived not at all, to today's impressively successful business of serving the summer resident and tourist.

This discussion is not — because it cannot be — either a com­ plete listing, nor a record in detail of any one of these ventures.

Working far from the local Atheneum and newspaper files, as I am, with only my own books and Historical Association Proceed­ ings to consult, I can merely sketch in a portion of the record.

But even this is sufficiently various and unexpected that I'm hope­ ful it may serve as a springboard that will lead to further study on the part of some local resident, or maybe a high school class, to search out all available references and perhaps fill in many of the details. For it is a chapter in Nantucket's story about which far too little is known.

In the first place, I must say that it is most difficult — im­ possible for me, with my limited resources — to determine to what extent an island enterprise was merely and specifically to house, feed and clothe the island inhabitants; to outfit the ships that were going forth on whaling expeditions; or — on the other hand — to what extent some, possibly many, of these enterprises, while serving the home port primarily, also have exported their products to off-islanders.

For example, one knows that to bulwark the awesome whaling activity, practically everything to do with industry was at one time or another made right here — ships (on Brant Point) ; sails; brass fittings; iron parts; casks; etc. I do not know, how­ ever, whether the brass foundry also made things for the local

22

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

households, or may have manufactured articles to be shipped to the mainland. Similarly, there are numerous enterprises that were once busy here, such as candle making, the luring of per­ fume from ambergris, etc., that were certainly by-products of whaling. And I have read that the whalebone made available by Nantucket whalers was an essential ingredient in the beauty of some of the Royal lovelies of Europe of the period; and that Nantucket sperm candles lit many of the more elegant ballrooms of the European Courts. But I do not know how much of such lore is agreeable wishful thinking and how much a fact. Nor can I tell you whether Nantucket's candles and perfumes were stocked in the shops of Boston and New York and elsewhere of the time.

In most instances, I could find but a reference or two to some enterprise — the manufacture of hygienic ice, for example, begun in 1902. Now, why it was started; who purchased the product; whether it lasted for days or, without interruption, up to the present, I cannot tell. All such things need lots more than I have been able to do.

Departing from the things that seem closely allied to whaling or may have had to do solely with the daily needs of the island's residents, did you know that part of what is today the Dreamland Theatre on South Water Street was once a Friends Meeting House on Main Street, later was a factory where straw hats and other straw products were manufactured, and, at another time, was nailed together as a portion of the old Nantucket Hotel, out on Brant Point?

Did you know that a plantation of mulberry trees in Quaise once gave rise to a silk manufacturing industry here? And would you guess that there was once a factory on Nantucket that turned out 50,000 "dusters" (linen coats) annually? And though it is common knowledge that sperm candles (and the boxes to contain them) were produced here, has anyone ever told you that after petroleum was discovered, paraffin candles were also made here?

Or that at least two boot-and-shoe factories were established here at one time or another? We also had a bellows factory; a rum distillery; a brick works, and a leather tannery.

Perhaps the best way to spur the avid researcher on to un­ cover the scope and importance of such matters is to list the various references I have come across with the hope that some

WHALING WASN'T EVERYTHING

23

person or group will dig further. J. Hector St. John deCrevecoeur in 1782 reported on the cod fishery; on the local windmills; cord­ age works; fulling mills; wool making, and cooperage factories.

Obed Macy, in 1835, tells us something of the milling, corn grind­ ing; farming; "mills of all sorts"; oil refineries; rope walks; sail lofts, and sheep industry.

In Cook's "Historical Notes" of 1871, we learn that the first sperm-candle manufactory was established here in 1772. In the 1898 copy of the "Proceedings" of the Nantucket Historical As­ sociation, there is probably the most complete account of the unlikely silk industry on the island (1830-1840), written by the Rev. Myron S. Dudley. He tells us, among other fascinating things, that in 1832 William H. Gardner, Esq., planted mulberry trees in light sandy soil in Quaise and that, in 1835, at least one of the trees measured five and one-quarter inches across and was seven feet tall. The company's name was the Atlantic Silk Com­ pany — which seems only slightly less probable than that our commercial bank of today is the Pacific National Bank. There is more discussion of the silk industry in the 1899 copy of the Historical Association's "Proceedings".

In his "Nantucket Guide", of 1882, Edward K. Godfrey re­ ports on shipbuilding; sheep-raising; the potential resources of the island; the establishment of the newspaper; some of the mechanical trades that existed here and — again — the manufac­ ture of "alpaca" coats, which, he says, "failed last winter". Wil­ liam Root Bliss, in his "Quaint Nantucket" (1896) tells of corn mills; millstones; blacksmiths; the various farming activities; cod fishery; sheep; oysters, and fulling mills. In 1906, Henry S. Wyer, in his "Sea Girt Nantucket" — until I came across this book, I'd always thought of Sea Girt as being in New Jersey! — tells more about sheep raising, and, in addition to rehearsing other farming or husbandry activities, mentions the raising of beef cattle.

Douglas-Lithgow's excellent book, "Nantucket: A History", published in 1941, includes one of the more detailed discussions I came across on island industries — a candle factory turning out 4,560,000 candles annually; rope walks; twine manufactory; salt works; brush and bellows plant; brickworks (on Gull Island); rum distillery; woolen factory; farming, grist mills; and fulling

24

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

mill; ship building; shoe making (in old West Grammar School

by Hayden & Mitchell); leather tanneries; brass foundry, and sperm candle factory.

In 1915, Joseph E. C. Farnham, in his "Brief Historical Data and Memories of Boyhood Days in Nantucket", adds to the list with his discussion of the merchant marine; pump and block manufacture; basket weaving; harnesses; the knitting of stock­ ings and mittens, and the weaving of rag carpets. Many of the now-familiar things are also rehearsed in W. F. Macy's "Story of Old Nantucket", also published in 1915, and it tells of black­ smiths ; saw mills; the processing of wool and mutton; scalloping, and "one or two manufacturing enterprises" as well.

Silk production is again discussed in the Historical Associa­ tion "Proceedings" of 1920, and, in 1921, in the Inquirer & Mir­ ror's magnificent Centennial Edition, there is reprinted a "Rem­ iniscence of 1872" on the "Manufactures of Nantucket" written

by William R. Easton in that year — possibly the only previous effort to put all these things together in one document. Brother Easton adds to the usual sperm oil and candle-making "elephant oils", outdoor cod-line spinning — whatever that may have been — coloring and fulling mills; the making of cut nails; a duck factory (rather poor quality duck apparently) ; flax spinning; the coastwise trade; a steam mill; the making of composition nails and spikes; and the boot and shoe manufacture. An invalu­ able compendium.

In Alexander Starbuck's exhaustive "History of Nantucket" there is a detailed account of the "Atlantic Straw Works" where hats and other straw products were made; of the shoe factories, etc. The 1926 "Proceedings" tells of the local silversmiths, and there is a sympathetic account of "Nantucket in 1793" in the 1936 issue of the "Proceedings". In "Nantucket: the Far Away Island", by William 0. Stevens (1936) the story of whalebone, ambergris, "duster" manufacture and the silk industry is re­ told, and in 1951, Emil F. Guba's "Nantucket Odyssey", in addi­ tion to adding many details about the silk industry, tells us that, in 1840, there were 36 candle factories on the island, and that production at one time reached 380 tons annually!

So, Whaling most certainly Wasn't Everything, though much of what went on must have been closely related. If I have

WHALING WASN'T EVERYTHING

25

but pointed the way to further research, I shall have accom­ plished my purpose in putting this down on paper. So that it may be of more precise help to the student researcher, let me append more particular references to the surprising things I've read about — things that, by no means, are apparently on Main Street today, or at the Jetties, for that matter!

Tabulated References for Researchers "Letters From an American Farmer", by J. Hector St. John deCrevecoeur, 1782. Cod fishing; windmills; cordage works, P. 125; fulling mills; wool, P. 132; cooperage works, P. 152.

"History of Nantucket", by Obed Macy, 1835. Farming, P. 9-10; grapes, P. 11; oil refining; coopers; blacksmiths; candle fac­ tories ; rope walks; sail lofts; sheep industry, P. 17; milling, P. 25; still houses; mills of all sorts; iron works, P. 88. See also P. 68 and 70.

"Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket", by R. H. Cook, 1871. First sperm candle factory, P. 16.

Nantucket Historical Association Proceedings — 1898; 1899; 1920; 1926; 1936.

"Nantucket Guide", by Edward K. Godfrey, 1882. Manufac­ ture of alpaca coats, P. 71; agriculture, P. 8; mechanical trades, P. 218; resources, P. 268; sheep, P. 280; shipbuilding, P. 284-285.

"Quaint Nantucket", by William Root Bliss, 1896. Corn mill, millstones, blacksmiths, farming, P. 18; codfish, P. 19; sheep rais­ ing, P. 24; more on sheep, P. 179; oysters, fulling mill, P. 187.

"Sea Girt Nantucket", by Henry S. Wyer, 1906. Sheep, P. 53-54; sperm candles, P. 106; shipbuilding, etc., P. 109; farming, beef cattle, P. 122-123.

"Nantucket, A History", by R. A. Douglas-Lithgow, 1914.

Farming, P. 83; grist mills, fulling mill, P. 84; candle factory, rope walks, twine plants, salt works, brush and bellows factory, brickworks, rum distillery, woolen factory, P. 93; shipbuilding, P. 158; shoe manufacture, P. 174 and P. 181; manufacture of hygienic ice, P. 97; mills and manufactures, duck, leather tanner­ ies, brass foundry, P. 344; sperm candles, P. 368.

"Brief Historical Data and Memories of Boyhood on Nan­ tucket", by Joseph E. C. Farnham, 1915. Merchant Marine, P. 155; rope walk, P. 163; sewing straw, blacksmiths, pump and block

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

making; spars, sails, coopers. P. 164; baskets, P. 169; brass foundry, P. 171; weaving rag carpets, P. 213; paraffin candles, P. 254-255; harnesses, leather, P. 259; boots and shoes, P. 261; stockings and mittens, P. 262-263.

"Story of Old Nantucket'*, by W. F. Macy, 1915. Farming, sheep and cattle husbandry, corn, oats, rye, grist mill, cod fish­ ing, P. 69; windmills, fulling mills, saw mills, cod fishing, wool and mutton, P. 73-74; cod, sperm candles, P. 100; shipbuilding, P. 106; oil refineries, candles, coopers, P. 123; straw works, P. 149; scallops, P. 151.

Centennial Edition of the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror, 1921. Invaluable from start to finish, and for the purpose of this discussion, especially for William R. Easton's "Manufactures of Nantucket, Reminiscence of 1872."

"History of Nantucket", by Alexander Starbuck, 1924. See PP. 512-514; manufacture of straw goods, shoe factories, linen dusters, travel and resort.

"Nantucket, the Far-Away Island", by William O. Stevens, 1936. Whalebone, ambergris, P. 3; dusters, silkworms, P. 8; am­ bergris, P. 42.

"Nantucket Odyssey", by Emil F. Guba, 1951. Sperm candles, P. 1; candle factories, P. 120; ambergris, P. 123; sealing, P. 124; silk, P. 136, etc.

27

Annual Winter Gam A Summary of the High Spots for Absentee Members.

BY W. RIPLEY NELSON

At seven-thirty p.m., on Wednesday, February 27th, at the Maria Mitchell Library, President George W. Jones opened the Annual Winter Gam saying: "It is almost a year since we met here for the same purpose and it doesn't seem to be any less popular than last year. We seem to have more people than before and I am glad to see that people appreciate what we are trying to do. I am not going to say very much. I am very glad to see you all and as President of the Association I am turning the meeting over to Mr. Norman Giffin who will carry on from here."

Transportation Mr. Giffin thereupon took the chair, making the following introductory comments: "Mr. President, friends, I don't know how I came to be in on this, but in January when George asked me what subject I wished to speak on, I said, 'Let's talk about transportation, that's a subject I know a little something about.' So you can reminisce about anything you want but I thought it would be interesting because most everybody here has at some time or another traveled on the steamboats, a great many of you have traveled by plane to and from Nantucket, and a great many of us have traveled by the old Nantucket Railroad to 'Soonset. So if any­ body has anything to start off with, let's go."

Railroading Miss Grace Brown Gardner promptly started the train rolling by offering a question. "I would like to ask how many here ever traveled on the 'Sconset train?" Over fifty people were present and almost half of them raised their hands.

Your editor then spoke up saying: I have a sort of carry-over from last year. There was a reference made with regard to the Nantucket Central Railroad, and afterwards I received a longhand letter from Bassett Jones which says: "Reading of the Winter Gam in the April Historic Nantucket the part about the Nantucket Central Railroad reminds me of the fact that I am the only person alive who survived a fatal accident by that famous conveyance. This was in 1917. I and my family were staying in Wauwinet and I was commuting weekends. Jim Backus owned a boat which

28

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

was to take me to town with my city duds and suit to change into later, intending to catch the moon boat off island. Off Pocomo Point with a head tide and the wind dying out we put back to Wauwinet hoping to catch the hotel trip of the farm wagon. The wagon stood ready to leave driven by the elderly man who did odd jobs for Jim. I just made it, and telling the old man to hustle, proceeded to change my clothes standing up in the rickety cart.

"As we reached the junction of Milestone Road and the 'Sconset Road along came the 'Sconset Express also bound for the boat. The railroad tracks to town paralleled the Milestone Road, thence to the crossing at Upper Orange Street. The driver of the wagon set out to beat the train to the crossing, leaning over the dashboard and whipping the horse. I asked him to stop but without effect. Soon I realized the race would be a tie, both train and wagon would reach the crossing together, as they did! I decided to go feet first when the smash-up oc­ curred and stuck feet and legs over the dashboard. Then the locomotive hit the wagon between the wheels broadside to. I recall flying through the air in a clutter of lumber and finding myself sitting in the grass alongside the fence on the east side of Orange Street. The driver was hurled out head first and was killed instantly. The horse, without a change of pace, went on down Orange Street pulling the whiffletree be­ hind him. I got up and walked over and saw that the driver was dead.

Then I looked at my trouser legs and saw the whole back of my pants hanging on the fence. Somehow I didn't receive even a scratch.

"Finally, after Louis Coffin had fitted me out with new pants, I made the steamer. I joined Captain Sylvia in the pilot house and, of course, I was as stiff as a board. Capt. Sylvia turned me over to a crew member who claimed to be a masseur of sorts. He laid me face down on the mess table with a not too clean towel and a kettle of hot water and went to work. The next morning on reaching New York the doctor said he had never seen anyone so black and blue and so bruised without a bone broken. If it hadn't been for that freight wrestler I probably would have spent some time in a New Bedford hospital. I have had several close calls including an airline crash which have caused Eddie Whelden to say, 'Bassett is slated to die in his bed. They can't kill him!'

"To cap the story of the railroad accident, Jim Backus gave the driver a funeral and burial, after which three different women turned up all claiming to be the man's wife. How Jim got out of that mess I don't know. That's that." Signed, Bassett Jones.

Mr. Giffin: "Anybody got anything to offer?"

John Bartlett: "The man's name was Dodge."

Mr. Giffin: "We talked about it at the Sons of the Revolution meet­ ing. Bob Backus was there and mentioned his name was Dodge. He didn't dodge the train though. He was a poor dodger."

Mrs. Seddon Legg: "Apparently he was dodging wives."

And, so, under the able and humorous guidance of Mr. Giffin, questions were asked and answered and stories told, but far too

ANNUAL WINTER GAM

29

numerous to print in full. That which follows, therefore, is a condensation of the gam.

Mr. Jones: "Have you heard about the time they greased the tracks out in 'Sconset? The boat used to leave at 6:30 in the morning and the train tried to catch it, but one morning somebody conceived the bright idea that it would be a good idea to grease the tracks. It happened where they come off Low Beach by Tom Nevers. Some young man put bacon grease on the tracks. Everybody was leaning forward in the seats trying to force it ahead to get there in time for the boat. They got halfway up the grade and began to spin, backed down and tried about four times to make it. They finally had to put sand on to get over the top."

Mrs. Legg: "Was that the time someone in 'Sconset was going to elope? I think that went with the story and they didn't make the boat."

Doc Powers' Ceremonials The arrival and departure of trains at the 'Sconset station was always a great event to which the following stories by Mrs. Margaret Fawcett Wilson serve as verification.

"Does everybody know about Doc Powers who used to greet the train with a bugle and see it off? The man who owned the Ocean View Hotel, just above where the old station was in 'Sconset about where Hughston's is now, was Doc Poiwers who was a dentist and ran this hotel.

Most of the theatrical families or members of the theatrical profession who did not have children or rent houses in the summer lived at the Ocean View. He would go to the head of the stairs leading down to the station and, if any special guest he knew about was arriving, he blew his welcome call on the bugle.

"If a special guest was leaving there was a great ceremony of leave-taking. Everybody went down to the train to see them off whether you knew the people or not. Doc Powers would generally play some­ thing very sad, perhaps the famous old fraternity song 'How Can I Leave Thee?' Then the train whistled and would go.

"There is another tale of a lady in a hotel whose husband came into the room with tears in his eyes. She was so startled by his ap­ pearance she said, 'But what's the matter?' 'They've gone.' 'Yes, but who?' 'I don't know, but they've gone!' No one can realize how senti­ mental we were in those days!"

Pertinent Facts Timetables, the birth and demise of the railroad were ques­ tions asked and answered by the following.

Mrs. George Jones: "I found in an old magazine, that I think came out in 1913, the timetable of 'Sconset trains and it says that they leave Nantucket at 7:45 a.m. and 'Sconset at 6 a.m. and gives the whole day's schedule. It says that flag stations are Main Street, Orange Street, Milestone Crossing, Tom Nevers Head, and Beach House. Passenger

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

round trip tickets on the wharf 60 cents. R. D. Colburn, Superintendent.

It says: 'The owners of the Nantucket Railroad believe that the summer visitors will appreciate first-class, reliable service'."

Miss Margaret Harwood: "Which year did the 'Sconset Railroad start?"

Mr. Jones: "1880 was the year."

Mrs. T. Berna: "What year was it given up?"

Mr. Giffin: "1917."

Mr. Nelson: "One evening, about 1918, I was going from New York across the Jersey meadows and as we passed a repair shop for locomo­ tives I happened to look up and couldn't believe my eyes. I saw a little engine and its coal car bearing the name 'Nantucket Railroad.' It was probably one of the last times it was seen in the U. S. It probably had been sent there to be reconditioned before being shipped overseas for a construction company to which it had been sold."

Steamboat Stories Steamboat stories were then started by Mr. Giffin saying: "I remember an amusing incident when I was a small boy. Many mornings I would be roused out of bed to go to the boat to mail a letter.

It didn't take much to get me out of bed if the errand was to go to the boat. So this particular morning I went down and I always hung around until the boat went out and W. H. H. Smith's hack drew up with the curtains all drawn and stopped right in front of the passenger plank.

The boat used to back in on the south side then. Everybody got ready to throw rice at the bride and groom, and then he opened the door and there was not a soul inside! It seems his daughter, Zetta, and Maurice Boyer had been married the evening before and the old gentleman was playing a joke because they had gone to Madaket the night before. It happened her brother was purser at the time. I got quite a kick out of that."

Mrs. Jones: "About buying tickets, this old newspaper (about 1913) says: 'During the months of July and August and September in buying tickets for Nantucket always buy excursion tickets and you will get a saving of many dollars. Excursion tickets can be purchased in Boston, only at the Old Colony Depot for $4.00 good until November first. If you are coming from New York, round trip from Pier 28 to Nantucket and back, from Fall River by The Island Home, 18 hours to Nantucket, costs $8.00. The best hotels vary from $1.50 to $3.00 a day according to the location of rooms. These tickets also good until November 1st'."

Miss Harwood: "In 1912 a round trip to Nantucket from Boston was $4.00."

Mr. Giffin: "When I first went steamboating a round trip to New Bedford was $2.00. Now it's $10.50. It was $1.75 one way and $2.00 round trip.

"I'll never forget the first summer on the 'Gay Head' as baggage master in '16. This must have been early in July. They used to sell tickets at Woods Hole on the boat. Going up in the morning Willie Smith

ANNUAL WINTER GAM

31

was purser, and he must have had to punch tickets. He was standing there and this Brava family came aboard, a lady with a tribe of young ones. No, the lady got aboard and got all settled. When somebody sang out, 'all aboard,' she got up and went to the door and one after the other came the whole string coming down the plank just like a lot of ducks. They got on at Woods Hole and were going to New Bedford.

They had been over to Waquoit to pick strawberries. We lined them up at the ticket window and asked them 'How old are you, son?' 'What grade are you in?' 'Fourth grade.' 'Okay, half fare for you,' and so on down the line."

Mr. Jones: "Willie Smith liked to get everybody aboard that wasn't supposed to go and not let them know what was happening until the boat got away from the wharf. My father went down to see my sister, Susie Larrabee, off and Willie got the plank up and the first thing father knew the boat was getting under way. He had the presence of mind to run along the rail and jump off. I was on the wharf and thought he was going overboard."

Mrs. Alice Amey: "I remember when my sister and I used to come to the island we brought those enormous trunks. Do you remember those trunks, and were they brought for nothing?"

Mr. Giffin: "The regulations on baggage haven't changed much, $100 value or 150 lbs. free.

"Can you remember Kittredge, a little short fellow with a wife with red hair. He would always say: 'Ain't got no time,' but show him 50 cents and 'Be right with you.'

Steamship History Mr. Jones: "What's the first boat you can remember, Norman?"

Mr. Giffin: "My earliest recollection of anything is the day the 'Uncatena' first came. Louise Vincent, George Lake's wife, took me down in the evening. I was only about four years old. They docked on the south side of the wharf and they had a searchlight on the town clock.

I thought that was something."

Mr. Jones: "I remember when the steamer 'Sankaty' came. I was in the sixth grade. The same day somebody had given out catalpa tree plants. Everybody that came down had one of them. Most of them went overboard when we got tired of lugging them around."

Mr. Giffin: "I was in the eighth grade. It was early in May and they were supposed to be planted for Arbor Day. I think there are some of them around. They're big trees now."

Mrs. Amey: "I live at the corner of Gardner and Howard Streets and I think there are four of them right there."

Mr. Giffin: "When I went to work they had the 'Uncatena', 'Sankaty', and 'Gay Head'."

Mr. Jones: "Was the 'Gay Head' smaller than the boats now?"

Mr. Giffin: "Exactly the same dimensions on the water line as the present 'Nobska' and the present 'Martha's Vineyard', 20-3 feet on the water line."

Miss Harwood: "What was the one you said was new?"

32

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Mr. Giffin: "The 'Uncatena'. In 1902 it took the place of the old 'Monohansett'. In 1911 the 'Sankaty' was the first propeller boat."

Mrs. Herbert Poye: "How long did the 'River Queen' and the 'Island Home' run?"

Mr. Giffin: "I have a clipping here. 'New steamer "River Queen" 1874'."

Mrs. Foye: "I am reading from the Daily Memorial, Vol. 1, No. 3, published by the Inquirer and Mirror, August 19, 1881, at the time of the Coffin reunion. The steamers then were 'Martha's Vineyard', 'River Queen', 'Island Home', tickets to Oak Bluffs and return $1.00, round trip New Bedford to Nantucket $2.00."

Mr. Giffin: "The 'Gay Head' was new in '91. The 'Martha's Vine­ yard' I don't think ever made regular runs after that except to fill in.

The old 'Nantucket' would break down. Everyone hated to go on the old 'Martha's Vineyard' it was so cold, no steam heat. The "Nantucket' was the first one that had steam steering gear and steam heat."

Mr. Jones: "I remember the 'Martha's Vineyard' had colored lights around the top of the saloon deck, red and blue. I recall waiting several days at Woods Hole for the boat to come. I was under school age, about four years old, it was blowing a hard northeast gale but they decided to come. The 'Martha's Vineyard' cracked and snapped all the way."

Mrs. Amey: "I was on the 'Gay Head' when the floor slid apart and everyone said, 'One of these days this boat is going down!'"

Mrs. Jones: "Miss Gardner has given me this to read: 'I860.

Daily to the Camp Meeting, Steamer 'Island Home'. Daily trips com­ mencing August 21st, leaving 5 a.m. Fare to go and return any day, $1.00.' In 1887 they had the steamers 'Nantucket', 'Martha's Vineyard' and 'Monohansett'." To which Mr. Giffin added: "They still had the 'Is­ land Home' also."

Mr. Giffin: "I remember one time, it might have been 1925 or 1926 I was working as purser on what was the 'Martha's Vineyard', then the 'Islander'. There was some mixup in schedule. It was in January or February. We were to transfer Nantucket passengers and freight to the 'Uncatena' at Oak Bluffs and she was coming to Nantucket. We were going to Edgartown. When we got there they came out and we asked 'What have you got for Nantucket?' There wasn't much freight.

'Who have you got for Nantucket?' 'Haven't got anyone.' Zadoc Cottle was chief engineer. He said, 'My God, what'll Junior Wood and John Terry think when we get there and not a soul gets off. I went once with only a corpse but never went without anything!'

"At one time they only made four trips a week in the winter as evi­ denced by the following notice: 'Starting December 11th the "Island Home" will make four trips a week between this place and Hyannis; leave and return the same day, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sat­ urdays. Connections with the morning train. Take notice the steamboat company reserves the privilege of going to all vessels to render assis­ tance and to lend aid as may be required without notice to the passen­ gers.' "

ANNUAL WINTER GAM

33

Mrs. Jones: "In other words, if you missed the train it wasn't their fault."

Miss Harwood: "Which year did they change from Hyannis to Woods Hole?"

Mr. Giffin: "In 1874 when the Old Colony extended its branch to Woods Hole."

Local Boats and Coasters Mrs. Jones: "What about other means of transportation besides the steamboat and train ? Here is an ad for the boat 'Dauntless' leaving the Cliff Shore Bathing Houses at 9, 10, 11 o'clock running until 1 o'clock p.m., ten cents each way. After that can be chartered for fishing and squantums. Sailboats also available'. Underneath is an ad for Squantums.

'Subscribe now. In readiness to accommodate squantums and the like.

Lobsters, clams and all the necessaries on these occasions. B. C. Eldridge.' " Someone asked: "What are squantums?"

Mr. Jones: "Beach parties, as a rule, kind of a picnic."

Someone asked: "What was the name of the boat that went to Wauwinet?"

Mrs. Jones: "The 1887 paper says: 'The yacht Lillian, Captain C. E. Smalley, will make two trips daily from steamboat wharf to the Wauwinet House, commencing June 20th, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., fare 20 cents.'"

Mr. Giffin: "I can remember when it was 50 cents."

Mrs. Foye: "Was there another boat called the 'Island Belle'?"

Mr. Jones: "That was a steamer. William Codd and Charles Rob­ inson built her."

Mr. Giffin: "She was the 'Coskata' after that."

Miss Gardner: "I have here a record of a number of the coasters that used to ply between Nantucket and Boston, Nantucket and New York, Nantucket and Baltimore. I should say there must have been more than 100 of these coasters. Included among them was this boat you have been talking about. They are listed here if anyone would like to look at them."

Someone asked: "Did they have regular schedules?"

Miss Gardner: "Yes, some did and some didn't."

Mrs. Jones: "Here is another ad: 'All Aboard! The side-wheel craft "Swift-lSure" has been put in thorough repair and will be propelled this season about Nantucket and to Siasconset by the safe and reliable propeller, Frank, with the undersigned tending the main sheets. Fare as last season. No spurious coin or taffy received. Leave your bill of due at D. W. Burgess & Sons or F. J. Crosby. Captain Baxter.' " Mrs. Giffin: "I have heard another tale about Baxter. He used to deliver mail in 'Sconset and the people would pick it up at his house.

Somebody didn't like it and wrote the Post Office Department that he was running a post office against the law and they sent an inspector.

Capt. Baxter met him at the boat and told him he'd take him to 'Sconset to see for himself. He lugged him all through Polpis and said: 'You don't

34

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

see anything out here that looks like a Post Office do you?' and took him back to the boat."

Freeze-ups No gam is complete without stories of winter freeze-ups as Mr. Giffin well knew when he asked the question: "Did anybody ever get on the mainland in a freeze-up and have to put up at Woods Hole?"

Miss Harwood: "In January, 1918, it froze up immediately after Christmas. Generally I went away just before Christmas and stayed during January but this time I wanted to come back. I knew it was frozen up. It was a war year at the time and they had been taking a lot of freight for the Coast Guard during the fall and they hadn't supplied Nantucket with enough canned things.

"I communicated with some of the teachers. There was a teacher who lived on the mainland, Miss Burt. I guess Mr. Tirrell was superin­ tendent. He had sent word to her not to come until he let her know, and that the boat 'Sankaty' was frozen in the harbor. She lived in Arlington or Cambridge and after eight days she finally telephoned that the 'Sankaty' had gotten out. We left the next morning.

"Cook always saw that I had a good lunch when I started out.

The train left South Station at 6 a.m. Pretty soon we met some other young teachers and found that one girl had left Springfield the night before at 11 o'clock in order to get to the train. She had arrived at South Station at three or four in the morning and hadn't had any breakfast because the restaurant was full of men and she didn't dare go in. I brought my lunch out and before we got to Woods Hole the lunch had gone.

"We went down to the boat and on the 'Uncatena' they said, 'No, the "Sankaty" hadn't got out' and they had a load of freight for the Vineyard. They said there was plenty of time to get lunch. We went to a restaurant and ordered oyster stew and just as they were putting it in front of us the boat whistled. We had just paid for it and had to leave and race down. We just went to the Vineyard and back all day long. I went to a store and got some crackers. I knew that Nantucketers got out of yeast cakes when the boat didn't come so I landed here with 25 yeast cakes. Later on I was elected to the school committee. I al­ ways said I guessed it was the yeast cakes that did it, "Anyway, after going back and forth the thermometer got up to 8 above, and we finally landed at Vineyard Haven at 6:30 p.m. We went to Mrs. Johnson's and she gave us some supper and even a hot stone in the bed. We got up at 5:30 a.m. because the boat had decided to come to Nantucket. The boat backed and butted the ice. We walked around the boat to keep warm. It had no heat in it, or it seemed so.

"At Woods Hole some of them wanted to go back but four, five, or six finally got here, but the boat backed and butted the ice all the way from the lightship and got here at 5:30 in the evening."

Mr. Jones: "Didn't the 'Sankaty' used to back into the ice until

ANNUAL WINTER GAM

35

she broke her propeller?"

John Bartlett: "She broke her rudder."

Miss Harwood: "The 'Uncatena' people were out as she came into the harbor as the 'Sankaty' was going out. They waited for her side wheels to break the ice for them. They had some songs and rhymes so they stood there singing and jibing at the 'Sankaty' because they couldn't cut the ice."

Someone asked: "What year was that?"

Miss Harwood: "That was 1918. It was something like 8 days, the 7th or 8th of January. The next day it went out and didn't come back until 6 days later. It went out 7 days later and froze for three weeks, and at the end of that time the Corner Store advertised 'When the boat comes we will have. . . . Until then we have Nantucket turnips at 40 cents a peck. In 1857 there was a winter like that."

Mr. Giffin: "I have an old account of January, 1857, as noted in 'Private Log, with notations and incidents.' There were 31 mails that went out on the 'Island Home' on the 6th of February. She came in on the 5th of January and again on the 6th of February. Two mails came in by other vessels in the meantime.

"Out around Great Point a steamer out of Glasgow, Scotland, was short of coal and anchored. They carted 90 ton of coal out to 'Sconset, bagged it and took it off in dories. It took two days and then she took the mail.

"In one of the last freeze-ups there was a lady that bought a ticket in New Bedford for Nantucket. They got as far as Martha's Vineyard and announced they would go no further, the trip to Nan­ tucket had been abandoned and for all to go ashore. This lady sat on the quarterdeck with her suitcase and didn't move. Finally the purser came and explained the trip to Nantucket had been abandoned. She said, 'No, I have a ticket and I am not going off until you land me at Nantucket.' She insisted. Nobody could move her. They got her a stateroom and for three or four days she went back and forth from the Vineyard to New Bedford, and finally she got to Nantucket."

Stormy Trips; Groundings; Sinkings Stories of stormy trips and questions about groundings and sinkings followed.

Mr. Giffin: "You may have heard mention of that famous trip of the 'Island Home' over on the beach, out all night, anchored off Tuckernuck Flat."

Mrs. Giffin: "What date did it happen?"

Mr. Giffin: "February 4, 1882." By request he then read the account from "Story of the Island Steamers", by Harry Turner.

Someone said: "I remember when the 'Nantucket' sank off Nobska."

Someone said: "The 'Sankaty' went ashore off West Island."

Someone said: "The 'New Bedford' went ashore on the Weepeckets."

Mr. Bartlett: "There was one down on Great Point."

Mr. Giffin: "That was Captain Sandsbury. Right after Christmas.

36

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

1930, the steamer 'Nantucket' came down in a northeast snow storm.

After they left Cross Rip a squall struck. He tried to head the steamer up into the wind. The best he could get was ENE. They didn't know where they were until they got under the lee of Great Point and when the light shone they could see the hills on Great Point. They squared away and came into Nantucket.

"Among the passengers was the Methodist minister and his bride.

All hands were seasick. The story goes that the minister and his bride sat on the deck with their arms around a stanchion with a hand basin between them. On that same trip the hand trucks on the freight deck got loose and the mate and one of the deck hands climbed the stanchions to save themselves from getting their legs broken. Also on the same trip something from one of the life boats came adrift and smashed into one of the staterooms. They were four and a half hours coming from Oak Bluffs to Nantucket.

"Also that same afternoon Captain Sylvia had the 'Martha's Vine­ yard' and put into Vineyard Haven. Inquiry was made as to the where­ abouts of the steamer 'Nantucket'. When it was known she was overdue he made the statement that he wouldn't bank his fire until he knew she was safe. She got here as I remember it around five o'clock that night.

"Young Arthur Rosa was assistant engineer. He said he wouldn't have given two cents for it. They headed in on the north side of the wharf. I thought they were bound for the Yacht Club. Guess Sandsbury was just glad to get to a dock and didn't care where."

Mr. Jones: "What were the two boats that came together and had a collision?"

Mr. Giflfin: "In 1930-31 the 'Nobska' plugged the 'Islander'."

Many remember the burning of the "Sankaty" at New Bed­ ford but few know of her reclamation and subsequent disposition but the following tells the story in a few words: Mr. Jones: "Does the 'Sankaty' still run now?"

Mr. Giffin: "To Prince Edward Island, I think. It went from Stam­ ford to Oyster Bay for a long time. I used to see her there."

Horse Conveyances Horses and carriages for hire were a subject which brought forth both factual data and old stories when Mrs. Jones asked: "Do you know how much you could rent a carriage for?" and then answered her questions by reading the following from an old paper: " 'You can rent a public carriage with a driver by the hour. The drivers are very loquacious and will give you a very fine ride. The carriages are all licensed and numbered. The price by the hour is $1.

Livery stables have prices for hacks. . . . Three seaters can be hired by parties for the day, will take eight passengers $6'."

Miss Maud Caldwell: "Did the island ever have a stage coach?"

Mr. Jones: "They had one that went to 'Sconset the year the train

ANNUAL WINTER GAM

37

didn't run. They put the stage on over the road. It only ran one season."

Mr. Bartlett: "It had three or four horses on it."

Miss Caldwell: "Did they have large livery stables or did everyone have a few?"

Mrs. Jones: "Here are some of the names: W. H. H. Smith, Covell & Pease, John Appleton, Harris, Atwood, John Wood, John Terry, Clint Folger."

Mr. Bartlett: "There were 600 horses here once. I remember going down to the boat to see the horses that came for the summer. All the kids used to go down."

Glancing through another newspaper Mrs. Jones found and read the following advertisement: " 'Pease & Ayers. Everybody that knows Nantucket knows the 'Island Stables'. For not only is this an old-established enterprise, established in 1888, by Covell & Pease, but a very popular one. It is so managed and so equipped as to be in a position to suit all tastes. Horses that the most inexperienced driver can handle are obtainable; horses that will suit the driver who likes a little "ginger" are obtainable.

The rigs are up to date in every detail and no rig is allowed to leave the Island Stables which is not "all right". From twenty-three to twenty-five horses are kept for livery service, and forty-five carriages.

The business also includes boarding and feed service, the accommodations being first class and the prices reasonable. And a very important and highly popular department of the business is baggage transfer, careful and timely service being assured. The proprietors of the Island Stables, Messrs. Pease & Ayers, have well earned the high position they hold in the favor of the public'."

Mrs. Jones: "All the livery stables had hacks for funerals and weddings. Everybody has heard the story about the two old maiden ladies. I think it was their mother's funeral. The hack driver overheard this on the way to Prospect Hill Cemetery: 'Ain't we having a fine ride. Won't get another until Pa goes'."

Air Transport in Its Early Days Memories of the early days of air transport between the mainland and the Island were brought to life by a number of anecdotes.

Mr. Nelson: "We don't think anything of flying back and forth between New York and Nantucket, but there was a young fellow by the name of Moon who established a service with seaplanes about 1933. As a regular weekend commuter on the New Bedford Line I always had a stateroom. One weekend I gave up my stateroom and then found I could make it at the last minute on Friday night. I called Pier 14 and they said: 'We can't give you anything, now, but there is some fellow with a seaplane that says he can take four passengers as far as Nan­ tucket tomorrow.' I said: 'All right, I'll try it.'

38

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

"I went to Pier 14 in the Hudson River at noon. They fitted the four passengers and the pilot in this small plane. I never knew there was so much driftwood in New York Harbor as I saw then, but we finally did get off. We went around the Battery and there was some question in my mind as to whether we were going over or under the Brooklyn Bridge, but we finally went over.

"In front of me sat a dear old lady and she never said a word the whole time, kept perfectly quiet and never moved. First stop was Fisher's Island, next stop New Bedford. There the pilot found he had gotten mixed up and had contracted to take extra passengers from New Bedford to Martha's Vineyard and didn't have enough seats. One of the pas­ sengers, a friend of mine, was getting off at Martha's Vineyard so I offered to go with him and get off at the Vineyard and wait while the pilot returned to New Bedford for the other Vineyard passengers and bring the plane back and pick me up again. It was the first time I had ever been on Martha's Vineyard and all I could do was sit on the wharf.

It was a great many years before I went back again.

"We finally arrived in Nantucket about 6 o'clock in the afternoon, came up to the pier and there was the old lady's daughter and son-in-law waiting for her. We were a little stiff by then. Nevertheless, when they asked: 'Grandma, how are you?' she replied: 'I'm hungry, haven't had anything to eat since breakfast, because I was afraid I was going to get airsick'."

Mr. Jones: "When they first started running planes out, there was a fellow from Fairhaven who used to land this side of Old South Road, and also where the airport is now. I was working in New Jersey, Rozelle and the youngsters were down here for the summer. I used to fly down to New Bedford and get aboard one of these small ones. In the meantime the youngsters had got the idea into their heads that I was going to jump in a parachute and were telling some people in the house how their daddy was going to jump, and they asked my wife if I was a parachute jumper. They were quite disappointed when daddy came down in a normal way."

Mrs. Ellen Chace: "Do you know who was the pilot of that plane?"

Mr. Jones: "He was a stranger. The fellow wasn't connected with Nantucket."

Mrs. Chace: "I went up with Dave Raub in 1934 when there was a freeze-up. I thought we had just started and all of a sudden we were there."

Mr. Jones: "Parker Gray ran one at that time and brought freight at the same time. One time they had a lot of freight up front and the pilot looked down and saw a lot of grease in the bottom of the plane.

They had packed some butter close to the engine. The heat had melted it, and it was running out of the bottom of the plane.

"Another time in the freeze-up they got a plane ready to take off.

They had wings that could be folded and were held in place by pins.

Somebody neglected to put the pins in and flagged it down just before he took off or the wings would have dropped off."

ANNUAL WINTER GAM

39

Finale

Other stories, far too numerous to tell, included one about the first boat strike which was no April fool's joke although it was called for April 1, 1937; the end of the Fall River Line; Maria Mitchell's account of a hard winter; farmers and how they dis­ tributed their products; the horse car line; the undertaker, who, when he was not busy carrying corpses used to cart seaweed for bedding, and of oxen driven about the Island.

The evening was brought to a happy end with the follow­ ing several exchanges: Miss Harwood: "The old horse-drawn taxi drivers used to tell some remarkable stories. Somebody came to me and said that Maria Mitchell must have been a strange kind of person because she had a roadhouse besides. Come to find out Ernest Terry had taken them out by 'Sconset and the Polpis Road and pointed out Miriam Coffin house and said: 'That's where Maria Mitchell used to have a road house.' I asked Ernest whose house that was, and he said: 'Don't you know about it? She was appar­ ently a bright astronomer but she had two sides to her.' I said: 'Why, Ernest, that's the Miriam Coffin House. She was known for smuggling.'

He said: 'Somebody told me it was Maria Mitchell's and we have been telling that'."

Miss Gardner: "What did they say about the observatory once?"

Miss Harwood: "They said: 'Maria Mitchell was born here. That must be her mausoleum'. Once I heard them say: "She was born here, that's where she is now'."

Mr. Jones: "This is a story the bus drivers give. They don't drive horses now, but not too many years ago a sightseeing bus was passing the Quaker Cemetery. The passengers were informed that 5,000 Quak­ ers were buried there. One of the passengers on the bus doubted the statement. He didn't think the lot was big enough. The driver said: 'Well, they used to bury them standing up'."

Mr. Jones then said: "I don't like to break up this nice meet­ ing. We have run two hours and unless somebody has some very unique stories we will call it a day and adjourn the meeting."

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. with every one in agree­ ment that Norman P. Giffin had proven himself an able Master of Ceremonies.

40

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

History Making Events Historic Districts Amendment Rejected

The Article included in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting designed to amend the present Historic Districts Com­ mission Act was one of four Articles brought to the floor for discussion by the Meeting. As the two local papers reported in full the comments of the speakers sponsoring and opposing the Article it seems sufficient to report that by a requested show of hands vote, the proposed amendment was rejected by a vote of 252 to 44. It is interesting to note that another Massachusetts Town, namely Falmouth, approved an Historic District Article at its Town Meeting in February.

Local Archaeological Chapter Formed

For many years past individuals from time to time have picked up relics of the Indians who dwelt upon Nantucket long before the white man. A few have become searchers and collec­ tors as a result of which we, at our Historical Museum, have two unusual exhibits of Indian Artifacts and other relics.

One of these collections, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Olney Dunham, includes from 500 to 600 arrow heads and other articles such as an Indian knife, drills, scrapers, banner stone, pestle and mortar, bone artifacts, and a "plummut" thought to be a ceremonial to be hung around the neck and the only artifact of its kind ever found. This collection was made over a period of six years' surface searching. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham have an­ other equally important and sizable collection at their home.

The other collection was made by the late Alfred Shurrocks and his wife, who, before Mr. Shurrocks' death, presented the collection to us together with a very interesting pamphlet titled, "Nantucket Indian Artifacts". This collection, 996 indi­ vidual pieces, includes, in addition to many arrowheads, a spear­ head, net sinkers, a grooved axe, and ceremonial pieces.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunham still maintain their interest in finding new articles and almost every weekend finds them surface search­ ing some part of the Island. Other private collectors and constant searchers are Stanley Roy, Elwyn Francis, and Albert Brock. But

HISTORY MAKING EVENTS

41

at no time in the past has any concerted, organized effort been made for archaeological research by planned excavation work.

Last November a great forward step was made when the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Inc., granted to a local group the right to organize a local Chapter for Nantucket to be "The Shawkemo Chapter". By-Laws were drawn up and accepted as well as "Rules for Excavation" and Mr. Nelson 0. Dunham is acting as Chairman of the group until the Annual Meeting in May when permanent officers will be elected which will include a Director of Research. Following is a list of Island residents and summer visitors who are reported as actively interested in the new chapter: Ralph Hammond, Robert Sandsbury, Jean Bruyere, Stanley Roy, Nelson Olney Dunham, Fred Gardner, Paul Morris, James Nelson, Elwyn Francis, Albert Brock, Winthrop L. Carter, Jr., Charles Sayle, George Dyer, Leslie Lane.

The work of this chapter should lead to many interesting finds about the Island not only as to the Indians but the early white settlers.

Library Addition Thanks to the Will Gardner Fund, created by Dr. William E. Gardner, the libraries at the Whaling Museum and the Historical Museum have each received a bound copy of the Proceedings of the Association for the years 1950 through 1954 with a complete index of the contents. Beginning July, 1953, these volumes include the quarterly issues of Historic Nantucket. Three other organi­ zations, the Nantucket High School, The Maria Mitchell Library, and The Atheneum also are recipients of similar volumes. Dr. Will personally indexes these issues and attends to the binding and distribution of the volumes, the income from the Will Gardner Fund being used to defray the expenses involved.

An Interesting Find When fixing up the business office in the second story of the Friends Meeting House, among the old records removed there was found an old circus poster. It is 110 years old and advertises the event of a circus in Nantucket in 1847. Mr. Crosby, in response to inquiries in regard to early circus posters, learned that the first ones printed were in 1831. Currier & Ives had some lithograph

42

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

posters in 1840. This one which we found appears to be wood block and hand colored. At all events it is a very early example of its kind and we are indebted to Mr. Crosby for his research and for having the poster framed, thus insuring its preservation.

300th Anniversary Committee

Public recognition and celebration of the 300th Anniversary (1959) of the Island's settlement by the first white men was favorably voted upon at the 1957 Annual Town Meeting. It was voted also to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 for pro­

moting the celebration.

A Steering Committee, of which the Historical Association is acting as Chairman through its President, Mr. George W. Jones, is being formed. Each of the following organizations have been asked to appoint, for their respective organizations, a committee of three, which in turn, are to designate one member to repre­ sent the organization on the Steering Committee. The organiza­ tions are: The Nantucket Historical Association, the American Legion, the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, the ParentTeachers Association, the Nantucket Civic League, the Rotary Club of Nantucket, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Fish­ ermen's Association. In addition there will be included repre­ sentatives of the Town of Nantucket Board of Selectmen, the Public Relations Committee and Finance Committee.

The 300th Anniversary Committee appointed by President Jones for the Historical Association is composed of Dr. William E. Gardner, Robert C. Caldwell, and W. Ripley Nelson. At the Committee's first meeting, Robert C. Caldwell was chosen to represent the Committee on the Steering Committee of the Cele­ bration.

Publications Committee

It was decided recently that it would be wise to appoint a publications committee to be responsible for the publication of descriptive pamphlets for the Association's various exhibits. Mr. Jones subsequently announced that he had appointed Mr. Burnham N. Dell, Mrs. John Bartlett, Mrs. William Perkins, and Miss Ruth Haviland Sutton to serve as such a committee, with Mr. Dell designated as chairman.

HISTORY MAKING EVENTS

43

News About Our Buildings

The formal opening for the 1957 season of the Association's buildings starts in June and while the schedule of opening dates and activities has not as yet been decided upon, the following bits of advance news we are sure will be of interest to you.

HISTORICAL MUSEUM —

Mrs. Alma F. Backus last summer completed her twenty-fifth year of continuous service as Receptionist and we are sorry to say that she has decided it is time for her to retire from active duty. She has served the Association loyally and faithfully, mak­ ing old friends and newcomers welcome and at home. She will be greatly missed.

The problem of replacement has been happily solved, for Mrs. Walton H. Adams, best known to her host of friends as "Nancy S. Adams", has agreed to emerge from retirement and serve this year as Receptionist in addition to her position as Honorary Custodian of Collections. Mrs. William L. Mather will again serve as Chairman of the Museum Committee and Miss Alice Crocker as Librarian.

OLDEST HOUSE —

Mrs. William Perkins will continue to serve as chairman and Miss Ethel Clark will be on hand to preside as Receptionist as she has so ably done for many years past.

OLD JAIL —

Mr. George King has agreed to serve again as the "Jailer".

The weight of the old doors has finally proved too much of a strain for the old door frames but before the season opens the necessary repairs will have been completed.

OLD MILL —

Mr. John Greene will serve again as "The Miller" and it won't be long now before the vanes will be remounted after which the red trim will be repainted.

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

44 1800 HOUSE —

We are sorry to say that Mrs. John H. Bartlett will be unable to serve again this year as chairman but pending the appoint­ ment of her successor plans which she painstakingly worked out for repairs of the building and rearrangement of exhibits are being carried out so that everything will be ready for the formal opening. Mrs. Susan M. Cowden, we are glad to say, will serve again as Receptionist.

WHALING MUSEUM —

"Archie" Cartwright, the last Nantucket man who has shipped out as a whaler, will serve again as Custodian. Mrs. Bernice Foye plans to be at the reception desk to welcome visitors and Mrs. Ellen D. Chace will be Librarian.

The staging has been erected on Broad Street so that the repointing and waterproofing of the brick wall above the second floor can be done as soon as the weather permits. This is the last step of the planned reconstruction work referred to in the Presi­ dential Message to Members.

Ordinary maintenance work of refinishing show cases and repainting the outside trim, windows, and doors also will be com­ pleted before the season opens.

When Leland S. Topham died this past winter it was said that Nantucket had lost one of her friendliest, most jovial and best loved citizens. He served for several years as relief custod­ ian at the Whaling Museum which has suffered a real loss through his death. "Toppy", as he was known generally, will be greatly missed.

Change of Address Notice This April issue is the fourth and last edition for the 1956-57 fiscal year which ends May 31st. The next issue is due to be mailed shortly after July first by which time many of our mem­ bers will have moved to their summer homes. To keep our mailing list up to date and to save expense incident to remailing copies returned to us by the Post Office because of address changes, we ask that you promptly notify Miss Ethel Anderson, Secretary, as to what your summer address will be and the date the change will become effective.

45

Keziah Coffin Farming's Diary ( Continued) EDITED BY NANCY S. ADAMS

1796 Jan. 7 Kimbal Starbuck & Mary Starbuck married in meeting to-day.

Jan. 18—Whitney has moved into house in Egypt that Rice has lived in for 2 years past.

Feb. 6—Eunice Brown daughter of George died last night, sick 3 months.

Feb. 17—Nathaniel Gardner died very sudden this afternoon—he had been pretty poorly lately but they thought him better, to-day so well he had been out of doors.

Feb. 19—Packet came in to-day from Bedford in which came Jo. Chase & a fellow he brought with him that is called Zeb. Weathers he has been one of the most noted villains the country ever pro­ duced—there has been a clan of them that have gone about the country thieving where they could—but have not been guilty of any act sufficient to swing them. He and others were here (the day previous to the bank being robbed) in a small vessell with provisions which they undersold, some suspected them for vil­ lains at the time—it has since appeared they stole the very pro­ visions—they have been suspected of robbing the bank. Chase and others went 2 months ago to Philadelphia in pursuit of some villains that information came about some of the clan were taken up & put into Goal in Philadelphia—but some made their escape —it is not known what Chase brought him here for—he has iron hand-cuffs and is to be guarded at Briggs all night. Chase & A. Coffin are bound off the first wind to Boston but on what account remains a secret to the public.

Feb. 20—Weathers is carried to Jo. Swain's there to remain for the present. Six of the bankers are chose by the bank to take turns to watch him. The mountains seem to be in labor, what will be produced we know not!

Feb. 21—A. Coffin & Jo. Chase gone to Bedford this morn, bound to Boston.

46

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Feb. 23—Mr. Whitney & five others to guard Weathers, he is at Swain's, no one is allowed to speak with him. Men watch two at a time.

Feb. 26—Brown Folger died to-day.

Feb. 28—Mr. Shaw died at 3 this p.m.

March 1—Mr. Shaw buried from the meeting house—service by Mr. Leonard. Corpse carried on hearse to Gardner burying ground followed by horse & chaise with Mrs. Shaw & Dr. Gelston, then by a great number of people walking 2 & 2. A new velvet pall was made to use for the occasion—raised by contributions.

March 11—Mrs. Tabers baby 4 weeks old next Sabbath.

March 31—Mrs. Whitney had son born 2 p.m. Merrib Myrick, nurse.

April 9—Went to George Chases—he has gone whaling to West Indies.

April 20—Betsey Bunker had son born to-day.

May 10—Rice had a child buried to-day—1 year old.

May 15—Tempest in eve. Lightning struck Zenas Gardner's house, knocked him out of his chair & stunned him, took Doctor an hour to bring him too. House considerably shattered, 2 looking glasses broken.

May 22—Jethro Folger died a.m.

June 29—Daniel Orrington died p.m. taken with fever last week —large stout man.

July 10—Dinah Macy, Silv. Macy's wife & Paul Bunker's daughter died in child bed, had lain in about a week, doing well, when taken with black vomit & died soon—left six children.

August 13—Mr. Whitney's little blind babe died in a fit a.m. 2 years 7 months old. Could not stand on his feet nor make a sound like talking and never eat a mouthful of victuals.

August 15—Abner Coffin & Dexter, a lawyer from Boston here this eve. Dexter is Att'y. for the Bank, is prosecuting the per­ sons suspected of robbing the Nantucket Bank.

August 21—John Waterman's infant buried p.m. about 4 months old.

KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY

47

August 23—Rice, J. Hussey & S'm. Barker to be tried at Supreme Court in Boston next Tuesday for Robbery of the Bank—a num­ ber are under bonds to attend the trial, a few are summoned on the part of the Bank members, one summoned by the accused— even poor Zaccheus Macy that is almost bed-rid is summoned, but is not able to go.

Sept. 4—Letters from Boston—for the tranquility of Nantucket the Pursuers of the Bank robbers have agreed to leave the mat­ ter to men—5 gentlemen of the Town of Boston—was ever since the memory of man such a matter heard of for state criminals cases to be left to men, but what won't money do?

Sept. 11—Grand Jury failed to find a bill against Rice, Barker & Hussey.

Sept. 17—Rachel Gardner & Libeus Coffin complained against by R. Rice for perjury, before 0. Hussey, Eliakim Willis, witness, bound over to Supreme Court in Boston in August $1,000 for L. C. $5,000 for R. G. Oct. 5—Albert Gardner sued Capt. Uriah Swain for 1,000 pounds damage for saying that he was well assured that Albert Gardner was one that robbed the Bank—the Jury brought in that it was no damage at all & threw the cost on Albert—he appealed.

Oct. 12—Arthur Matthews who came here last Spring & sot up trade of soap boiling was married to Lucretia Bartlett daughter of Dr. B. Oct. 13—Cos. E. Chase—Newtown—had son born 2 weeks ago last Saturday.

Oct. 17—Mr. Fanning came home, left island last Thursday. Jed. Fitch went from here 3 weeks ago for Long Island, sent by a Committee from the bank to seek Mr. Fanning & to prevail on him to come home supposing he knew something very material respecting the robbery of the bank—he accordingly came away with him. Silvanus Macy, Jonothan Jenkins & Uriah Swain came here this eve but got no information.

Oct. 18—The three men who were here last evening came here again Jo. Chase & George Hussey with them, they Jed Fitch & William Macy are a Committee of the Bank— Mr. F—G gives them no information.

48

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Oct. 19—Silv. Macy here to-day.

Oct. 20—The 5 gentlemen here this eve.

Oct. 21—In evening the same men here again & Mary Barnard— she declares that she overheard Rice tell Mr. F—G that he did go into the vault & that if the matter is ever proved it would be proved that Albert Gardner was the first promoter of the rob­ bery. Mr. F—G neither denies nor agrees with her—matters did not come to a decision.

Oct. 22—Afternoon Mary Barnard & Lydia Starbuck drank tea here. In eve. the 5 men that are the Committee, Abner Coffin & Mr. Whitney. M. B. declares she heard the conversation with Rice, finally Mr. Fanning gave in under oath that he is Rice's Attorney & not at liberty to speak against him. & so the matter ended to tolerable satisfaction on the part of the Committee.

Oct. 31—Wm. Macy, Jonathan Jenkins, Walter Folger, Jr., Dr. Gelston, Uriah Swain, Jo. Chase gone to Barnstable Court sued

by Rice for defamation and detaining him in a store when the bank was first robbed.

Nov. 5—Cases carried up to May term Supreme Court.

Nov. 11—Aunt Rachel Bunker (Coleman that was) buried to-day.

Nov. 12—Moved to Morrice's house on the wharf.

Dec. 9—Francis Macy's wife (an English woman) died very sud­ denly this p.m.

1797 Jan. 2—About five o'clock it rained and hailed at a distance, soon lightened & a hard clap of thunder followed by lighting, then after came the cry of fire and the whole elements appeared to be on fire, but it proved to be 2 barns, one belonging to Matthew Worth the other Silas Gardner at the North Shore about rods from each other, sot on fire by the last violent lighting. Tis said by some people that were up & in sight of the buildings that in 2 minutes after they were struck they were all in a blaze. People and the engines went to their assistance but all to no purpose, they were wholly consumed, together with 15 neat creatures, many people were very much surprised it being from extreme dark to the whole world to be the color of the reddest fire &

KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY

49

before fire was cried they supposed the last day had come & that the world was on fire, for the tempest was very violent & awful.

Jan. 8—Mrs. Barrett died very sudden last night, out yesterday, went to bed as usual as well as ever. Probably paralysis.

Feb. 21—Lucretia Mitchell died very suddenly this morn—was delivered of a boy & lived but a few minutes. Left 4 children.

April 1—A. Coffin went off Thursday on a private Embassy.

April 5—Old John Meader at Polpis died a.m.

April 20—Molly Perry was delivered of a child & lived but 2 hours.

April 21—Libeus Coffin going to J. Barker's shop to a Justices Court called to take deposition from R. Rice to use against parties he has sued, was struck by Sam. Barker, Jr., with both fists in the breast & knocked down to the ground. L. was just able to walk without help and Mr. Fanning thinks B's not a valiant deed.

April 22—Rice asked Isaac Coffin P.M. in the square on change if he thought he robbed the bank, he replied that he believed the evidence that Rachel & Libeus gave; on that Rice gave him a blow Coffin seconded the motion Rice spouted blood then was Vendue that caused a number of people to be down, men ran from the wharf & all quarters in 5 minutes there was 200 men gathered, the people separated then, no great damage done.

Barker brought before Esquire I. Coffin for assaulting Libeus, examination Adjourned.

April 27—Kezia Coffin summoned before Esq. Hammatt by Rice to depose to seeing him go home at ten o'clock on the night the bank was robbed.

May 5—Rachel Gardner, Mary Barnard, Mr. Fanning, John Bar­ nard, Phebe Rice, Crispus Gardner, John Gardner (Sheriff), Betty Kettle, Libeus & Laban Coffin all summoned to Court.

May 7—Jo. Chase, Uriah Swain, George Folger, Mat & Peter Barney, Walter Folger, Jr., Isaac Coffin, Wm. Macy, & Mark Coffin gone to Barnstable Court.

May 9—Dr. Gelston & others gone to Barnstable Court. In the testimony Thursday, Mr. Fanning swore that Rice never ac­ knowledged to him that he robbed the Bank. Mary Barnard had

50

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

sworn that when Rice was in prison she overheard him tell Mr. F. that he was there. Jo Chase & Uriah Swain swore he was con­ cealed at John Barnard's & heard Mr. F. own to Mary Barnard that Rice had made such Confession & that he would give her several hundred dollars to retract her evidence. Mr. F. testified that as Rice's Attorney he said many things to draw Mary Bar­ nard's evidence.

May 15—Jury gave Rice his case, $10 damages, he claimed $10,000; the anti Rice party say the Judges gave their opinion that Rice & others were guilty of robbing the Bank.

May 18—Francis Brown, Sr.; died night before last with a mor­ tification which took in his toe and spread.

June 1—William Clark & Phebe Russell married to-day.

June 5—News came of Oliver Gelston's death, 22 of May. Also of Moses Folger's death suddenly, probably strained himself lifting a log in the field, died next eve.

July 11—Priscilla Bunker (Samuels widow) died to-day.

July 13—Robert Gardner died to-day, was oldest person on Island.

Aug. 14—Mrs. Gelston has sold the house she byilt & bought one that was Mr. Shaws—& moved there. John Bunker's little child died p.m. (16 mos. old).

Aug. 24—Great number of Nantucket people gone to Boston to­ day. with David Barney.

(Passed time from Aug. 25 to Sept. 19 in Boston) Sept. 3—Went to Parson Walters church.

Sept. 4—Went up to new State House, a most elegant building.

Sept. 5—Grand Jury found bill against Jethro Hussey, Sam'l.

Barker, Wm. Coffin, Randal Rice & Albert Gardner for robbing the Nantucket Bank.

Sept. 8—Went to theatre to see a play acted, call the Man of Fortitude & the Children in the Woods, was acted most beautiful the scenes were delightful & the whole performance very agree­ able. Went shopping at South End. Sept. 10—Went walking after sunset through the Mall & down to No. End.

KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY

51

Sept. 12—Jury brought in 4 of the men indited not guilty & Randal Rice guilty. 0 alack was there ever any matter so astonishing to the public, for certainly if R. Rice could be condemned by the evi­ dence then was the same evidence against the others that were arraigned, as against him. Rice to go to jail & judgement suspended til Feb. unless he finds bail $60,000—popular feeling in Rice's favor since verdict.

Sept. 14—Went to see Rice in prison, he is in the criminal part, a man in the same room, he appears as cheerful as can be ex­ pected considering his situation. Weatherby, that broke jail here last year was there, in a room near Rice.

Sept. 18—Rose between 2 & 3 and took stage for Bedford, rode 24 miles then breakfasted, then between 20 to 30 miles & dined, then into Bedford.

Sept. 19—Went to Nantucket, Many deaths on the island in our absence.

Oct. 25—Mrs. Rice returned from Boston yesterday, been to see her husband—she says he is well & cheerful & that Weatherby says he robbed the bank.

Oct. 29—Zaccheus Macy buried p.m.—brief eulogy of him as bone-setter, proprietors agent, etc.

Nov. 2—Timothy Wyer & Sukey Riddle married by Josiah Coffin, a very large wedding, hot supper, 2 violins & dancing.

Nov. 3—Sally Riddle died about 11 a.m.—wife of Henry Riddle & daughter in law to family where the wedding was, been sick some time, had son born about three weeks ago.

Nov. 27—Ann Ures—wife of — Ures & daughter of Silvanus Crosby buried to-day, died in child bed.

Dec. 8—George Swain oldest man on the Island died.

Dec. 10—Phebe Folger wife of Seth died Friday p.m.—apoplexy.

Officers 1956 - 1957

President George W. Jones

Vice Presidents Howard U. Chase Burnham N. Dell Stokeley W. Morgan

Everett U. Crosby Miss Grace Brown Gardner W. Ripley Nelson

Secretary-Treasurer

Auditor

Miss Ethel Anderson

Ormonde F. Ingall

Councillors George W. Jones, Chairman

Term Expires

Earl S. Ray . .

1957

James A. Norcross Mrs. Joseph King Robert C. Caldwell Mrs. Cyril C. Ross

1957 1958 1958 1959

Albert Egan, Jr Mrs. William L. Mather Mrs. William Perkins

1959 1960 1960

Honorary Custodian of Collections Mrs. Walton H. Adams

Custodian of Collections Mrs. William L. Mather

Finance Committee Earl S. Ray

Stokeley W. Morgan, Chairman Howard U. Chase

Historic Nantucket W. Ripley Nelson, Editor Mrs. Harold P. Page

Harmon Tupper

Associate Editor

Associate Editor

Publicity Committee Stokeley W. Morgan, Chairmai