Historic Nantucket, October 1959, Vol. 7 No. 2

Historic Nantucket

. . .

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SANKATY LIGHT — 1850 CAPTAIN SAMUEL BUNKER WAS THE FIRST KEEPER OF SANKATY LIGHT

OCTOBER, 1959 SIXTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING Published Quarterly by

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

Dick Williams

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, George W. Jones.

Vice-Presidents, Burnhara N. Dell, Stokeley W. Morgan, Everett U. Crosby, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, W. Ripley Nelson, Albert Egan, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer, Miss Ethel Anderson.

Auditor, Ormonde F. Ingall.

Councillors, George W. Jones, chairman: Mrs. William Mather, Mrs. William Perkins, term expires I960: Richard J. Porter, Oswell J. Small, term ex­ pires 1961; Robert C. Caldwell, Alma P. Robbins, term expires 1962; Mrs. Franklin Bartlett, Robert E. Deeley, term expires 1963.

Publicity Committee, W. Ripley Nelson, chairman.

Honorary Custodian of Collections, Mrs. Nancy S. Adams.

Custodian of Collections, Mrs. William Mather.

Finance Committee, Stokeley W. Morgan, chairman.

Editor, Historic Nantucket, Miss Alma Robbins; Mrs. Margaret Fawcett Wil­ son, Mrs. R. A. Orleans, Assistant Editors.

Exhibits' Publications Committee, Burnham N. Dell, chairman; Mrs. John Bartlett, Mrs. William Perkins, Miss Ruth Haviland Sutton.

Chairmen of Exhibits, Fair Street Museum, Mrs. William Mather; Whaling Museum, W. Ripley Nelson; Oldest House, Mrs. William Perkins; Old Mill, Robert Caldwell; Old Jail, Oswell Small; 1800 House, Mrs. Franklin Bartlett.

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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 7

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1659

OCTOBER 1959

No. 2

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CONTENTS

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Nantucket Historical Association Officers Full Page Picture of Maria Mitchell Annual Meeting: President's Report Secretary's Report Peter Folger — Descendant of Crusaders

2 4 5 11 12

By Col. Laurence Eliot Bunker

Why is the Quaker Meeting on Fair Street Revived?

14

By Hanna D. Monaghan

The Bunker Family Reunion The Coffin Family Reunion The Folger Family Reunion "A Peep at the Moon" The Hussey Family Reunion The Macy Family Reunion The Swain Family Reunion Maria Mitchell — Our First Lady Astronomer

16 17 19 20 22 23 24 25

By William Clapp Winkley

Publications Committee Report History Making Events Membership Report Legacies and Bequests The Folger-Franklin Memorial

32 33 34 39 40

Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent to Association Members. Extra copies $.50 each.

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 1959 Nantucket Historical Association.

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

3

MARIA MITCHELL 1818-1889 (Soo Page 25)

5

The President's Report Time moves along so imperceptibly that the thought of a year having passed since I last stood before you members at an annual meeting seems unbelievable.

Last year we considered the plans for the 300th Anniversary Celebration of Nantucket's acquisition by its first white settlers.

Now we are in the midst of these activities. The actual birthday date, July 2nd, the date the deed from Mr. Thomas Mayhew was signed, has passed and was recognized with due ceremony. The celebration still continues however, and will not be completed before the middle of September. Our July series of lectures listed as Whaling Seminars have been most successful and the August series to be held August 12, 13, and 14th we expect to be equally well received. If possible, please come and enjoy them.

Literally hundreds of people have come forward and worked in an endeavor to make this a year to be remembered. I feel that you will agree that the celebration is being conducted in a manner conforming to Nantucket's worthy past.

The Whaling Museum has been expanded by the addition of five exhibition booths depicting the work shop of those mechani­ cal trades closely connected with the whaling industry. These furnish an idea of the appearances of a ship-smith's shop, a boat shop, cooperage, sail loft and rigging loft. Items for these ex­ hibits have been contributed by a number of people and our funds have been strengthened by financial contributions from members interested in this work. The utilization of the space occupied by these exhibits has been contemplated for some time but unquestionably the 300th Celebration was the incentive re­ sponsible for the accomplishment of the work this year. Mr. Ripley Nelson and his Whaling Museum Committee, with a fine assist from Mr. William Tripp, a very interested member and formerly Curator of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, is re­ sponsible for this accomplishment and deserves our gratitude and appreciation.

The expanded facilities have required an addition to our personnel and Mr. Bertram Morris has joined Mr. Cartwright, Mrs. Foye and Mrs. Chase, other members of our staff who are familiar to most of us here, in carrying on their fine work.

The Oldest House under Mrs. William Perkins' direction,

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

with Miss Clark as hostess, played host to descendants from the family of its former owner during the Coffin reunion here and between three and four hundred members of that family were given free access to it. Many who had not had the opportunity to see it before will, I am sure, be more proud of their Nantucket connections.

Within a short time we hope to have the Old Mill in opera­ tion, under the hands of Mr. Franklin Lamb, again grinding corn as of old. This operation always fascinates young and old; resi­ dent as well as non-resident.

The results of the efforts of Mr. Robert Caldwell, chairman of this exhibit, in again putting into operation a mill two hundred and thirteen years old will be enjoyed by many. Visitors will again hear Mr. Green's interesting explanation of its operation.

Fair Street Museum has had a number of interesting visitors.

The chairman for this exhibit, Mrs. William Mather, has improved the interior by the installation of needed electric illumination and the refmishing of floors and stairs. The roof is about to be recovered as the paper now on it has been there for many years and is failing in numerous places. This work we expect to be com­ pleted this summer. Miss Alma Robbins continues to answer numerous questions of visitors and stimulates their curiosity about things pertaining to Nantucket's past; and Miss Crocker has had many problems in genealogy to solve for those having family reunions here. From this museum come the two hand fire-pumps which are scheduled to compete in the firemen's mus­ ter on Aug. 15-16.

Mrs. Walton Adams, chairman for the 1800 House, our genial past president, with Mrs. Cowden as hostess make this exhibit a place where many visitors find the color of living on Nantucket in the early 1800's exceedingly interesting.

The Old Jail with Mr. Faunce's explanations and historic remarks is a much more popular place than when fulfilling its original purpose when it functioned as a place of forced detention.

Mr. Oswell Small, chairman of this exhibition, has kept a watchful eye on it during the winter and few repairs were neces­ sary before the season's opening. Its peculiar construction con­ tinues to interest folks who have never seen a wooden jail.

Although last year was not our largest in number of visitors and although we have expended considerably more money in ex-

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

7

panding our Whaling Museum, I can report that the Association continues to be financially sound and to show a favorable balance.

Our paid up membership is healthy, being in the neighborhood of 1100, all of whom receive and enjoy Miss Robbins' successful handiwork as editor of our publication "Historic Nantucket."

While on the subject of this quarterly I would like to quote Miss Robbins' reaction shortly after she took over the assignment. She wrote: "Last year, some months before the January, 1958 issue was due to be mailed, responding to the request to take over from the previous competent and energetic editor, Mr. Ripley Nelson, there was much quaking in the editorial shoes. What bothered us most was the fear that justice would not be done to the truly vast quantity of inordinately interesting historical data which we have literally at finger tips."

Looking back over the last year and a half, I feel that all will agree that Miss Robbins had no cause for alarm and that her work has been most satisfactorily done. We hope the editor's shoes are no longer subjected to any quakings.

I am particularly anxious to call your attention to the work of one who fills at least three positions in our organization and does them all well. I refer, of course, to Miss Ethel Anderson who continues to far exceed the amount of work normally held to be in line of fulfillment of the duties of secretary, treasurer and membership chairman. It would be most difficult to find another as interested and generous of their time and energy and she justly deserves our commendation and appreciation.

Mrs. Joseph King who acted in the capacity of relief recep­ tionist and librarian at the Whaling Museum and the Oldest House last year was unable to continue in that capacity for this season and we were fortunate in obtaining the services of Mrs. Elmer Pease to fill that position.

Mr. Everett Chapel is another new member of our staff, acting as substitute receptionist in Sanderson Hall and for the new exhibits and, I hope, enjoying the work as much as we enjoy having him with us.

As is required each year, two members of the Council have been replaced. We thank them for the work they have accomplished and trust we may continue to have their interest and support.

There are two subjects outside our organization and its reg­ ular operation to which I desire to direct your attention.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

First, I wish to again mention the good work being done by both the Nantucket Historic Trust and the Historic Districts Commission in retaining as far as possible the feeling of old Nantucket and the color of former times. They deserve our hearty support.

The second subject is one with which we are and will continue to be closely connected, but which was initiated and has been brought to completion by our former Council Chairman, our close friend, Dr. Will Gardner. The Peter Folger Memorial was only a gleam in his eye a bit over a year ago but now has become something which I hope all of you will journey out to see. The stone is set, the bronze plaque with its historic data is affixed, the oaken seat is in place; you should go out and enjoy the thoughts that are stimulated by it. We are indebted to both Dr. Will and Mr. Thomas Hallowell who has so generously furnished the land upon which the memorial is placed. Cost of the work is being met by descendants of Peter Folger and others who may be inter­ ested. To date about two-thirds of this expense has been sub­ scribed.

At this point I am tempted to go afield and sheer away from the normal annual report of conditions. I would like to ramble a bit back to the 300 years ago period which we are now cele­ brating.

Such a long stretch of time is difficult to realize unless we can connect our Island's history with events happening concur­ rently throughout the world. Assuming 20 years to a generation, 300 years covers fifteen generations. How many greats that adds to grandfather and grandmother, I leave to you to solve.

Let us consider a few significant things that occurred around the time of settlement here. Just prior to the time of settlement around the middle of the seventeenth century, Thomas Hooker led the first westward migration in the English colonies as far as the Connecticut River where he set up a Bible Commonwealth based on the Massachusetts model. New Haven was founded by Theophilus Eaton and Rev. John Davenport and existed as a separate settlement from Connecticut until 1662 and during this period spread along both shores of Long Island Sound. The Dutch in New Amsterdam surrendered to the English in 1664 without bloodshed and New Amsterdam became New York.

Roger Williams in Rhode Island had, a few years previously,

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

9

initiated the first settlement to the doctrine which was later adopted for this whole country. Just think for a while about that.

Here was a kernel of the thoughts which were later incorporated into our governing constitutions, both state and national. Roger Williams believed and taught that the individual had a God-given right to worship as he chose, or not at all, and that right was enforced in Rhode Island. He expanded those ideas and coupled democracy with religious liberty. We are all indebted to this man for his practised ideals.

One of the most noteworthy things that happened in this part of the world was the formation of the New England Con­ federacy in 1643 principally for defense against the Dutch, French and the Indians. A Board of Commissioners was formed represent­ ing the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven and was called the "United colonies of New England."

The articles read to form "a firme and perpetuall league of friend­ ship and amitie for offense and defense, mutuall advise and succore upon all just occasions". The confederation of colonies in 1777 was in several respects based on this agreement.

In 1655 during the brief rule of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector an expedition under Admiral Penn (father of William Penn) captured the island of Jamaica from the Spanish and established a settlement there that was to become the most valu­ able of England's tropical colonies.

By 1660 New England, Virginia and Maryland were firmly established as commonwealths and possessed many of the qualifi­ cations for civilized life of that period.

We think of progress at that time as being very slow but in about fifty years from the settlement of Jamestown, the West Indies, the Chesapeake, the Hudson, the Delaware and New Eng­ land had been taken under English and Dutch control and the the ideas of government and folkways had been planted which produced our free institutions throughout the North American continent.

We seldom think in this day and rapidly-moving age of the time when prior to the American Revolution the real foundations of our country were laid.

I have endeavored to give you a glimpse of what was taking place along these shores of North America slightly before, during and following the settlement of Nantucket.

10

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Before closing, I desire to express my thanks to the officers, Council members and co-workers in this Association and send greetings to Vice-President Everett U. Crosby who was unable to attend this meeting.

I appreciate the assistance to our work given by many of our members and I thank you all for your most courteous atten­ tion. May I see you all here a year from now on a similar occasion.

Until then, I feel sure you can safely leave the navigating of this association in the competent hands of your Council.

July 21, 1959 GEORGE W. JONES, President

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The Sixty-fifth Annual Meeting The sixty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association was held in the Unitarian Church July 21, 1959 at three o'clock in the afternoon.

The President, Mr. George W. Jones, greeted the members and friends present. The report of the 195,8 Annual Meeting was read and accepted. All other reports were accepted as recorded in the July issue of Historic Nantucket.

Notices of the Civic League Garden Tour, and of the one hundred and fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of the Unitarian Church were read.

A letter was read from the Chairman of the Coffin Family Reunion expressing appreciation to the Association for granting members of the family free admission to the Jethro Coffin house.

The President then gave a full report of the activities of the Association which have taken place since the last annual meet­ ing. (See page 5).

The Nominating Committee, Mr. Howard U. Chase, Mr. Rich­ ard J. Porter, and Miss A. P. Robbins, presented the names of new and re-elected officers for approval. All were unanimously elected. Mr. Albert Egan, Jr., newly-elected vice-president, all others re-elected except Mr. Howard U. Chase who was unable to serve longer. Members of the Council, Mrs. Cyril Ross and Mr. Albert Egan, Jr., whose terms had expired were replaced

by Mrs. Franklin Bartlett and Mr. Robert Deeley who will serve until 1963.

Dr. Will Gardner reported briefly on the Folger-Franklin Memorial and pamphlets describing the seat and Memorial plaque in detail were given to each member.

The President then introduced Dr. Leonard W. Labaree, Historian, and Editor of the Papers of Benjamin Franklin, of Yale University. His topic was "Benjamin Franklin, the Folger Family and Nantucket." His stories of the letters which Franklin received from his Nantucket relatives, and the anecdotes, to­ gether with the details of an unsolved mystery surrounding Frank­ lin and one Nantucket Folger, held his audience in rapt attention and left them with a desire to hear more from Dr. Labaree at the earliest opportunity.

Meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

(This is, in part, the Secretary's report).

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PETER FOLGER- Descendant of Crusaders

BY LAURENCE ELIOT BUNKER

Ne iv Found Facts Regarding the Ancestry of the First Peter In the volume of "East Anglian Pedigrees", published by the Harleian Society in 1939 as volume XCI of their famous series, there is a pedigree (pp. 73-4) of Gibbs of Frenze, county Norfolk.

It gives the family arms as ". .. three battle axes in pale" and starts with John Gibbs of Frenze, "yeoman", who died in 1608 or 1609. It lists his wife as Alice, daughter of Richard Elmy of Palgrave, county Suffolk, and a daughter "Merable" as wife of John Folser, an obvious misspelling of Folger.

Turning to Muskett's "Suffolk Manorial Families", we find (vol. I, p. 167) that Richard Elmye (who also heads the pedi­ gree) married Margaret, daughter of . Lawrence" of St. James's Park, South Elmham, "a famous preacher". (A footnote further describes him as "a reverend grave minister who had been a preacher to those who fleeing for religion in Q. Marie's dayes met together in woods and secret places as they could. He was a gentleman of a great estate and exceeding in liberality to the poore. In the time of Q. Elizabeth he preached at Fresingfield.")

Muskett further shows that Richard Elmy and Margaret Lawrence had a daughter who married ".. . Gippes (Gibbs), a farmer of Friends Hall in Norfolk" and that the latter had at least six children, one of whom, Anne, was married to John Fiske "who went with his family into New England". (This John Fiske, according to Frederick Clifton Peirce's Fiske and Fisk Family — Chicago, 1896 — was the Reverend John who was born at St. James's, South Elmham, in 1601, a freeman in Massachus­ etts in 1637-8, a settler first in Wenham and then in Chelmsford, where he died 14 January 1676.)

In "The Genealogy of the Family of John Lawrence" by John Lawrence (Boston, 1857), we find that William Lawrence of St. James's Park, So. Elmham, was exiled during the reign of Queen Mary, returned and labored as preacher at Fresingfield. He was a son of James Lawrence of Rumburgh, eleventh in descent from the James Lawrence of Ashton Hall who married in 1252 Matilda de Washington, daughter and heir of John de Washington, and thirteenth in descent from Sir Robert Lawrence of Lancashire

PETER FOLGER — DESCENDANT OF CRUSADERS

13

who was knighted at Acre by King Richard "Coeur de Lion" in 1191 as "Sir Robert Lawrence of Ashton Hall."

In chart form: Sir Robert Lawrence John Lawrence—Matilda de Washington William Lawrence Margaret Lawrence—Richard Elmye ] Alice Elmye—John Gibbs Merable Gibbs—John Folger

Anne Gibbs—Rev. John Fiske

Peter Folger Since John de Washington was related to the Washingtons who later held Sulgrave Manor and William Lawrence to the family that developed the textile industry at Lawrence, Massa­ chusetts, it appears that Peter Folger was not only a near cousin of the various distinguished descendants of the Reverend John Fiske, but a further cousin (at several removes) of President A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard University and that he, as well as Benjamin Franklin, was a very distant cousin of General George Washington!

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1 •l—i

Why Is the Quaker Meeting On Fair Street Revived?

BY HANNA D. MONAGHAN

There is on Fair Street an old Quaker Meetinghouse, now a part of the Nantucket Historical Association's Museum, which through many years was an integral and vital part of the Island's activities. This one is the only remaining Meetinghouse of the many which once were actively the heart of the Island's strength, when over half of the population called themselves "Quakers."

The founder in England in 1652 called them "Children of the Light."

In this small building filled with wooden benches, one single aisle goes up the center. Built in 1838, the pine benches are worn and toned a rich pink by the passage of years. On one side used to sit the men with their hats upon their heads, on the opposite side sat the women in gray gowns with poke bonnets. At the end of the room is no chancel, only two rows of benches called "facing benches." It was here the Elders or Overseers sat. It was to this Meetinghouse, also, from all over the world, from England and the Barbados, came visiting Friends. "Publishers" as they thought of themselves, "Publishers of the glad tidings of the word of God."

WHY IS THE QUAKER MEETING ON FAIR STREET REVIVED?

15

The strength of a religion lies only in what it means to each age in this ever-widening world. By 1900, it was said, there was not a Quaker left on the Island. One might wonder why after more than fifty years did the old Meetinghouse close its doors and lie idle on First-day mornings? Was it the fault of the Truth, or of those partaking of its living waters?

For many years none passed into the little Hall to worship, it was only a museum! Had the Quaker faith come to be within the confines of "a museum"?

Then dawned the age of science, when life was being reduced to molecules, to atoms, to nuclear power. Could religion — any religion — weather the storm? Could Quakerism be of value in the fast moving current ?

A few off-Island Friends believed it could. So, once again, the Meetinghouse door was opened, if only two or three should meet "in His name", it would be worth the effort. For quite a few years in the summer months, unostentatiously, the door each Sunday has been opened. Was there not a place in this hurried world today for contemplation and worship?

Although the hard wood benches still cut into one's back, and although half the time is spent in silence, some forty, even fifty, slip into the Sunday morning Meetings. Perhaps there is an awareness of what it meant to the early whalers' wives whose men folk were on the sea, to come together thus to worship God; perhaps today, there is a realization that our perils are more deadly, and that there is meaning still in this small "gathered" communion.

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The Bunker Family Reunion On August 20th, 1959, 30 members of the Bunker family gathered at the Breakers Hotel for a reunion dinner and interesting after-dinner program. Stan­ ley Learning, of Martha's Vineyard, was the reunion chairman and also served as master of ceremonies for the dinner.

Members of the family had traveled from as far west as Lawrence, Kansas, to be on hand for the occasion.

Mr. Learning opened the program by describing several incidents occurring in his own branch of the family, and then called on Franklin Folger Webster who asked the descendants of each branch to rise and be recognized. Mr. Webster also read a poem entitled "Nantucket Island is Calling", written by Mrs. Virginia BeBerus of Glen Mills, Pa., who was among those present. Copies of this poem were given to each one afterwards.

The principal speaker was Colonel Laurence Eliot Bunker of Wellesley Hills, Mass. He mentioned a number of prominent members of the Bunker family, including the Ambassador to India, Ellsworth Bunker, and General Matthew Bunker Ridgeway, both of whom sent greetings to the reunion. Captain Eber Bunker, he recalled, went to Australia in the 1780's and became the father of the whaling industry there. He then spoke about the activities of his own branch, including his wartime experiences as aide to General MacArthur, also in Australia. The speaker's father, Mr. Clarence A. Bunker, of Wellesley Hills, who is 93 and still practic­ ing law in Boston, was the oldest one of the family present.

A Bunker genealogy is being prepared by former Congress­ man Edward C. Moran, Jr., of Rockland, Maine, and anyone in­ terested should get in touch with him there, Colonel Bunker said.

Group photographs were taken by another member of the family, Mr. Henry L. Bunker of Swarthmore, Pa., which will be distributed at a later date.

Franklin Folger Webster

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The Coffin Family Reunion Nantucket — July 7, 8, 9, 1959 The Coffin Family Reunion brought together approximately 400 "off-island" and 95 Nantucket descendants of Tris­ tram Coffin for three days of historic pilgrimages to places of special interest to Coffins, social gatherings for meeting Coffin "cousins", and enjoyment of Nan­ tucket's various attractions.

The Coffin School was headquarters for registration, information, and in­ formal meetings.

One of the main events was the gathering for the group pic­ ture outside the Jethro Coffin House, which was later published in LOOK as the feature picture in a human interest story, "Boy Meets 416 Cousins".

The highlight of the three-day gathering was the reunion dinner at the Sea Cliff Inn with 381 registered Coffins present.

The program, with Vincent Coffin, Chancellor of the University of Hartford, as master-of-ceremonies, included brief historical talks: Jethro Coffin House by Mildred Coffin Edgarton; Whaling

by Henry Coffin Carlisle; the 18,81 Reunion by Isabel Worth Duffy; Stories of the Coffin Manorial Estate at Portledge, England, by Dexter Coffin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of C. H. Dexter and Sons. Tristram's staff of office (now a cane), gift of Miss Helen Coffin of Hartford, Conn., was formally presented to the Nantucket Historical Association. Representing the activity of living Coffins, Patricia Coffin, editor of Special Departments of LOOK, spoke briefly of her work; greetings were read from Cof­ fins in distant places, Hawaii and Singapore; a cablegram brought greetings from Lt. Col. E. C. Pine-Coffin in England; and a formal message from the Honorable Frank Morey Coffin, M. C., Repre­ sentative from Maine, was read by Ralston Coffin, vice-president of R.C.A. "Open house" was held at 75 Main Street (Henry Coffin house) by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Carlisle; at 91 Main Street (Mary Coffin Swift house) by Mr. Herman Riddell; at 9 Pine Street (Zenas Coffin house) by Mrs. George Dyer; and at 52 Centre

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Street (Jonathan Coffin house) by Mr. and Mrs, Lewis Edgarton.

The Jethro Coffin House was open free to registered Coffins during reunion days.

An informal social hour and tea at the Coffin School on Thurs­ day afternoon brought reunion activities to a close.

Tangible mementos of the occasion were various souvenirs: blue ribbon identification badges with lettering and the family coat-of-arms in gold; copies of the coat-of-arms in color, hand painted by H. Errol Coffin; red and gold dinner tickets, copies in color and design of the 1881 tickets; and souvenir booklets with the coat-of-arms engraved in color on the cover, and containing greetings from England, Newbury, Mass., and the Nantucket Tercentenary Committee, an account of the 1881 reunion, the after-dinner program, a listing of the "open houses", hostesses, committees, and the names of all Coffin descendants registered at press time, May 30. Commemorative pottery with the coat-of-arms was specially made for the reunion by Old Spouter Pottery.

It was evident that everyone, young and old, felt that the reunion was truly a most enjoyable and a memorable occasion.

The Honorable Frank Morey Coffin's words sum up the thoughts and emotions of all who were present: "To gather in such a place as Nantucket and to dwell upon the contributions of this tradition is far from a frivolous enterprise. We can emerge from such a fellowship with history refreshed by the color, strength, and faith of those who have gone before us — better equipped in a signifi­ cant way to make our humble additions to the times in which we live."

Isabel Worth Duffy, Chairman

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The Folger Family Reunion The Folger Family Reunion was held August 26 to 28, 1959. About 120 attended.

The highlight of the reunion was the dedication, on the morning of the 27th, of the Folger-Franklin Seat and Memorial Boulder on Peter Folger's homesite off the Madaket Road about a mile west of Nantucket Town. Credit for the development of this idea of com­ memoration goes to Dr. Will Gardner.

Remarks made by Franklin Folger Webster, Nantucket Chairman of the reunion, paid tribute to the early settler, Peter o ger, is daughter, Abiah Folger, and her son, Benjamin Franklin. The religious dedication was conducted by the Reverend Hany Folger, 2nd, of Winthrop, Mass. .

The Gordon Folger Hotel, made available through the kind­ ness of Mr. Gordon Folger, was the scene of registration during the first day. Members of the family from as far away as Cali­ fornia met, some for the first time, to exchange experiences. Each received informative literature describing Nantucket, together with a ceramic ashtray specially made as a lasting souvenir o the reunion. _ ,, In the afternoon five homes were opened for inspection. In the evening the off-island members were introduced to Nantucket by a showing of colored movies, "Nantucket—Island of the Whalers .

The next day a group photograph was taken at the old I o gei Homestead on Upper Main Street.

J_T. Q Prff In the evening the reunion dinner was held at the Sea uim Inn Mr Webster, as master of ceremonies, welcomed the gather­ ing and then introduced Mrs. Dorothy Folger Rowley of Rich­ mond, Va., the overall chairman of the reunion. Professor Jos®Ph Butler Folger, Jr., related a number of Nantucket anecdotes. The Reverend Folger, as an off-islander who, however, had spent his honeymoon here some twenty-five years ago, gave his opinion of the island and the reunion.

The last day many attended a Nantucket auction at Wallace Hall, and then closed the reunion at an informal social hour at the home of Dr. and Mrs. George A. Folger on India Street.

Franklin Folerer Webster

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"A PEEP AT THE MOON"

A corner in the Historical Museum, Fair Street.

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Ancient Wall Papers in Historical Museum The framed border of wall paper called "A Peep at the Moon" hanging in the corner of the Museum, pictured opposite, was found in the Silas Paddock house on India Street, Nantucket.

The house was built in 1769. Silas Paddock did not use this paper in his new house for it was probably first printed about 1840 but some one of his descendants may have traveled to Vermont with their hats in a box which they had covered with this paper for the August, 1959, American Heritage Magazine pictures a hat box covered with "A Peep at the Moon". They received the pic­ ture from the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vermont, where the hat box may be seen. There are several wall paper covered boxes in the Historical Museum but none covered with "A Peep at the Moon". However, the hall of the Maria Mitchell Memorial House does have a wall bordered with this very same pattern.

As you see in the picture, the Historical Museum has other samples of ancient wall papers, as wrell as other fine relics, but we mention "A Peep at the Moon" as it is much in vogue at this time with all the talk of a "landing" there!

22

The Hussey Family Reunion Saturday, September 12, 1959, some twenty members of the Hussey Family, and several guests, gathered at the Breakers Hotel for their Family Dinner. There were four "off-Island" Hussey families represented among this group and they were enthusiastically welcomed by all present. The informal program following dinner was thor­ oughly enjoyed by all. Mr. Robert C. Caldwell, toastmaster, introduced ViceAdmiral George Hussey of Norwalk, Conn., who related many of his naval experiences, and Dr. Will Gardner entertained all with his stories of many Nantucket Husseys. To complete the evening a moving picture, "Nantucket Sampler" was shown; these beauti­ ful views of the Island were enjoyed and greatly appreciated.

The next day all Husseys went to the Cyrus Hussey house on Pleasant Street where an informal "open house" was held. This was the home of the young Cyrus Hussey, one of two survivors of the Globe Mutiny. Cyrus, with William Lay, wrote the only report of this tragic episode of the wild, and often wonderful, days of whaling. "The Globe Mutiny", by William Lay and Cyrus M. Hussey, "A narrative of the Mutiny on Board the Ship Globe, of Nantucket, in the Pacific Ocean, Jan., 1824, and the Journal of a Residence of Two Years on the Mulgrave Islands;. . ."

The Pleasant Street Hussey Home came through the Carys to Robert Caldwell, a direct descendant, and he was able to relate much family history for the enjoyment, especially, of the "offIsland" members of the family.

This informal gathering was the final meeting of the Hussey Family Reunion and each expressed the desire to repeat the Re­ union another year, having made this small start, with more mem­ bers of the family gathering together, cousin meeting cousin.

Robert C. Caldwell, Chairman

23

The Macy Family Reunion So far as could be ascertained prior to 1959, the Macy Family had never before held a reunion. The reunion on the occasion of the 300th celebration of the settlement of the Island by white men was, therefore, an unique aifair. It was attended by 222 descendants of Thomas Macy. They came from 34 States. The program covered two days of activities, although most of those who attended spent more than June 20 and 21 on the Island.

The highlight of the program was a dinner held at the Sea Cliff Inn, attended by nearly 200 of the returning Macys, over 50 per cent of whom had never visited Nantucket previously.

It was agreed that a permanent committee should be formed to act as a focal point about which family matters could be trans­ acted and the interest so plainly displayed kept alive. It was fur­ ther agreed that the genealogy, published in 1868 by Silvanus J. Macy, be brought up to date.

Members of the family unfamiliar with the Island home of their ancestors delighted in sightseeing tours, but the expression of enjoyment most often heard was in the pleasure of meeting so many "cousins".

Several Macy descendants, distinguished in various walks of life, were present. Among this group was the Honorable Kingsland Macy, former New York Congressman and chairman of the New York Republican Committee, who acted as toastmaster; J. Noel Macy, the publisher of a large chain of daily newspapers, and John Macy, Jr., executive vice-president of Wesleyan Uni­ versity. A handsome brochure illustrated with reproductions by Kathleen Macy Finn, and a set of tumblers decorated with a re­ production of a famous Macy sailing ship were given to the re­ union guests.

The committee which worked out the details of the reunion was composed of Curtiss S. Johnson, Essex, Conn., Chairman; Mrs. Madeline Macy Legg, Nantucket; J. Noel Macy, Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Kathleen Macy Finn, Southport, Conn.; Hon. W. Kingsland Macy, Islip, N. Y.; and Foster Macy Johnson, Meriden, Conn.

Curtiss S. Johnson, Chairman

24

The Swain Family Reunion Nantucket — September 4, 5, 6, 1959

Plans for the Swain Family Re­ union began in January 1959. The Com­ mittee exchanged correspondence with descendants of Richard Swain; most of the letters received came from the Mid­ dle West, New Jersey, and North Caro­ lina. This coincides with the family records which show John Swain's nine children settling in those localities.

About forty members of the family t: gathered at Nantucket, not including twelve children. On Friday afternoon registration was held in the upper hall of the Atheneum.

Saturday morning the clan gathered for a tour of the Island.

The first stop was at the Old Mill which once belonged to John Swain. Here the official family photograph was taken. Mr. Charles E. Swain directed the tour and was prepared to answer questions concerning Swain history. The next stop was at the site of the John Swain House in Polpis. Once the oldest house on the island, now in exact replica, it is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Craig who were most gracious, permitting us to roam at will.

Returning to town, some members took off to explore by themselves, others continued to Madaket where Mrs. B. R. Wood held open house. Most of the "Islanders" added a story or anecdote which enlivened the tour.

Saturday, after the banquet, an informal program was pre­ sented with Mr. Elmore Swain as master of ceremonies He called upon Franklin Folger Webster, who told interesting family his­ tory.

The toastmaster then called upon Mr. Thomas Hallowell who spoke briefly of his "back door" entry into the Swain family He also referred to the Swain Coat of Arms which was brought to this country by Richard Swain in 1635, it was confirmed in Eng­ land in 1612. If it can be proven that Richard was entitled to use it, the Nantucket branch of the family would also have it validated.

Sunday afternoon an informal social hour was held at the home of Mrs. Preston Swain. This concluded the Swain Reunion It is hoped that the reunion can become a regular event with more members in attendance. Mrs. Charles E. Swain, Chairman

25

Maria Mitchell Our First Lady Astronomer

BY WILLIAM CLAPP WINKLEY

"We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics nor all logic, it is somewhat beauty and poetry."

Nantucket is a quiet little Island located south of Cape Cod. In winter, with the hustle and bustle of the summer tourist in­ vasion gone, its atmosphere is virtually the same as it was one hundred and fifty years ago. The automobiles and television an­ tennae are there, and some of the old cobblestones have been paved over, but the people remain, and with them in their shingled old houses lies the spirit of the onetime whaling capital of the world. They are a sturdy and fearless lot, strong in their convic­ tions, but with the peaceableness inherited from the Quaker an­ cestors.

From this race came Maria Mitchell, our first lady astrono­ mer. Throughout her lifetime she exhibited the traits of her people. Tireless and meticulous, brutally frank and honest, she advanced the cause of women in science as courageously as her townswoman, Lucretia Mott, did their right to vote. In Nantucket, where the women ran things during the two to four year whaling voyages, there was never any question of their ability. On the mainland, where no such precedent existed, it was quite a different matter, and it took strong and intelligent minds to convince the dubious.

Maria Mitchell was born August 18, 1818 under very auspici­ ous circumstances. Her nativity was omened by the presence of a flaming comet in the west. Another comet twenty-nine years later was to herald another birth, her entrance into international scientific society.

Maria was the third child of William and Lydia (Coleman) Mitchell. She was the direct descendant, through her mother, of one of the original settlers of the Island, and was a relative of Benjamin Franklin whose mother was a Nantucketer. Her family (In 1958 Mr. Winkley was a sophomore at Harvard College. This paper was his thesis in elementary astronomy. It has been condensed for our magazine. He is presently in the Coast Guard service.)

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

were Quakers, her mother a very strict one. Her father was more open-minded, keeping, for instance, a garden of pretty flowers, which was considered sinful by the other Friends. Maria shared her father's love of color and was the most like him of all his nine children. She shared his love for astronomy and was his constant companion at the telescope on the "walk". She was very independent and her "Recollections of My School Days", written under the pseudonym "Jane", at the age of fourteen, illustrates this. More important, however, it gives her opinions of the meth­ ods of teaching which were in contrast to the method she used three years later when she opened her own school, and thirtythree years later when she accepted the professorship of astron­ omy at the new-born Vassar Female College.

She was recognized by her teachers as possessed with an in­ satiable curiosity. Her father, at home, and at the school which he started, developed this curiosity, not only in his daughter, but in other children also, "Thee must wonder," he used to say. (How we need teachers like him today—Editor).

At the age of twelve, she watched the chronometer for her father during an eclipse of the sun. She was also able to rate the chronometers brought in by sea captains during her father's ab­ sence, a job that they could not do for themselves.

In 1836 she became the first librarian of the Atheneum, a position which she was to hold for twenty years. Here, before and after closing time, she was able to study the mathematics she loved so well, and to learn of the great scientific advances which had been made in ancient and modern times. Here she kept records of the weather, and in these records we find brief but descriptive remarks on various natural occurrences of the time.

"1847: August 8 10 o'clock — Rainy night, shock of an earthquake felt at 10m before 10 a.m. by many persons.

"1848: March 11-10 Splendid meteor seen at y2 past 3 a.m. Said to have been dazzling and accompanied by a loud report."2 Her father gave a brief discourse on the above-mentioned comet before the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A very

MARIA MITCHELL — OUR FIRST LADY ASTRONOMER

27

accomplished gentleman, William Mitchell is thought by some to be the greatest male resident of Nantucket. He was Chairman of the Observatory Committee and a member of the Board of Over­ seers of Harvard College. The War of 1812 made it impossible for him to enter Harvard as planned. Like his daughter, he was selfmade. Perhaps someone, such as Dr. William E. Gardner, who has written several fine books on Nantucket and its people, will do for the father what Helen Wright did for the daughter. (Sweeper in the Sky—by Helen Wright) (William Mitchell of Nantucket—by Helen Wright, Proceedings of the Nantucket Historical Associa­ tion—1949).

With her father, Maria made the first survey of the island for a map, and her help in measuring the land was as much ap­ preciated as her help in measuring the sky.

In 1843 Maria left the Quaker fold as she was "unsettled on religious subjects," and the Friends could have none with doubts in their membership. Nevertheless, she retained much of their spirit, and many of their ways throughout the rest of her life.

In 1884 she and her sister went to visit her sister's friend, Priscilla Haviland, in the village of Dover, eastern New York State. This was Maria's first real vacation; she was much im­ pressed with the hills and valleys, and could easily understand why many Nantucketers had moved there during the troubled times between the Revolution and the War of 1812.

The Great Fire of July 1846 destroyed much of the centre of town including the Atheneum. At that time Maria burned her diary and letters to prevent their being scattered over the town in the confusion. It is incidents such as this that make the work of the biographer difficult.

During the six months that it took to build the new Atheneum and replace and augment the 3200 volumes destroyed, Maria had time to aid her father. They built a new observatory replacing the one on the top of the Pacific Bank. They determined the true position of it, and swept the sky as usual with their own instru­ ments and those lent them by the State, West Point, and the Coast Survey. The latter had been loaned "with the understanding that the Nantucket Observatory should be at the end of a great arc in the determination of the earth's figure."1 Maria returned to the Atheneum, and continued her observa­ tions from the roof of the Bank. Her primary examinations were

28

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

directed toward the study of nebulae and the search for comets.

She discovered many small nebulae, and several comets. But all of these had been seen earlier in Europe. On October 1st, 1847 her luck changed. It was then that the event took place which was to bring her international renown. The facts are all clearly and concisely contained in William Mitchell's observing book between ratings of a French ship and the ship Clarkson of Nantucket.

"10 mo 1 1847 This evening, at half past ten, Maria, discov­ ered a telescopic comet five degrees above Polaris. Persuaded that no nebula could occupy that position unnoticed, it scarcely needed the evidence of motion to give it the character of a comet." .. . "10 mo 17 at 7h. 30m — Bright moon, Comet nevertheless visible to the naked eye." . . .

The study of the comet's position enabled Maria to publish her calculations as to its elements. This report appeared in the "Monthly Notes of the Royal Astronomical Society".

In 1831 the King of Denmark had issued a proclamation that the first discoverer of a telescopic comet would be awarded a gold medal of the value of twenty ducats. After much writing of letters, especially on the part of G. P. Bond of the Harvard Observatory and Edward Everett, President of Harvard, Maria Mitchell's claim as the first discoverer was recognized, and she was duly awarded the medal one year after the discovery.

The medal was not the only honor she received at this time.

In 1848 she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 1850 to the Association for the Advancement of Science, being the only woman ever unanimously elected to the latter.

In 1850 she was appointed a computer for the newly-founded "American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac" with her assign­ ment being the Tables of Venus. The Ephemeris was designed to predict heavenly events for the aid of the mariner — "while on the pathless sea, in order to pass from country to country", and was compiled by the leading astronomers and mathematicians of the day. It was a great recognition for Maria.

That same summer she was invited to Mt. Independence, Maine, by Dr. Bache, in order to learn how to operate the zenith sector and the zenith telescope. This was in conjunction with her work for the Coast Survey.

Maria had been saving money in order to take an European

MARIA MITCHELL — OUR FIRST LADY ASTRONOMER

29

tour, but her family and friends opposed her going alone. The problem was solved when Gen. H. K. Swift of Chicago requested her to accompany his daughter, Prudence, on a tour of this country and Europe. The "Nautical Almanac" officials said that she could go if she took her work with her! Thus in 1,857 she set out.

Their travels took them through the South, of which she observed, "The literature of the South, so far as I know it, is like all the intellectual life, feeble."1 On the twenty-second of June they left New York on the steamer, Aurora. While in Europe she visited the greatest Euro­ pean scientists such as, Sir John Herschel and Sir George B. Airy, the Astronomer Royal, Mary Somerville, Leverrier, Humboldt, and Encke. She traveled to Rome in Nathaniel Hawthorne's party, and while there she was the first woman ever allowed to visit the Vatican Observatory. This special dispensation had been de­ nied to all others.

Upon her return, she was presented with a five-inch telescope by the "Women of America". This idea had been sponsored by Elizabeth Peabody, the "most learned woman of her time".

After her mother's death in 1861, she and her father moved to Lynn. It was here that she received offers from "Vassar Female College" to take the Professorship of Astronomy. In 1865, there­ fore, she and her father, took up residence at the Vassar College Observatory in Poughkeepsie, where he was a friend to her stu­ dents until his death in 1869. She enjoyed the teaching and was happy to have a part in this "great experiment".

While at Vassar she continued her observations, especially with regard to the planets, Jupiter and Saturn, and their satel­ lites. She also studied the Sun, constructing, at her own cost, the apparatus necessary for solar photographs. She published many of her findings in "Silliman's Journal". She and her students went to Burlington, Iowa, in order to view the total eclipse of the sun of August 7, 1869. . . .

In 1877-78 we find Miss Mitchell studying the satellites of Saturn. Her introduction to an article in the "American Journal of Science and Arts" describes what she was doing in that field. .. .

"In the course of these observations such different relative magnitudes have been given to the small satel­ lites, on different evenings, as to lead to the suspicion that some of them are veriable."10 . . .

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

In 1878 Miss Mitchell again took her girls to witness an eclipse; this time it was at Denver. The eclipse did not have the brilliance of that of 1869, but it was a stirring sight just the same. Maria did not observe this time but watched the chronometer for the girls as she had for her father forty-seven years before.

Maria Mitchell's observing included the study of sunspots, the "dark bodies" between Jupiter and Saturn, and the nebulae, in addition to the previously mentioned projects. These were the primary objects of her endeavor. The records of these and her other work are kept locked up in the Library of Vassar College.

In addition to her teaching and observing she took time to involve herself in the Emancipation of Women Movement, especi­ ally in Education, being named President of the Association for the Advancement of Women in 1875, at Syracuse, and again in 1876, at the convention in Philadelphia. Beside this honor, she received the following recognitions not previously mentioned: LLD from Hanover College in 1853, and Columbia in 1887, and an Honorary PhD from Rutgers Female College in 1870. She received not only the medal from the King of Denmark but one from the Republic of San Marino in 1859, and one from the Cantons of Switzerland. In 1885 she received a certificate from the "World's Industrial and Cotton Exposition," (Centennial), and an award for her notes on Jupiter and Saturn. She was also voted a member of the American Philosophical Society (1869), and Vice President of the Social Science Association in 1873. Her posthumous honors include an Honorary Membership in the Women's Anthropological Society (1889), the placing of her name on the frieze of the Boston Public Library (1893), the foundation of The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (1903), a tablet in her memory in the Hall of Fame in New York University (1907), and the placing of her bust there in 1922.

In January of 1888, she tendered her resignation at Vassar, as the work was becoming too much for her. They refused to ac­ cept it, but granted her an unlimited leave of absence with pay until the next Board Meeting. She moved back to Lynn where she lived for another year, until her death on June 28, 1889.

Her passing was greatly mourned especially by her students at Vassar. Her influence was long remembered as this statement by one of them indicates:

MARIA MITCHELL — OUR FIRST LADY ASTRONOMER

31

"Yes, Maria Mitchell was my teacher, and a great teacher she was. I have long forgotten Kepler's Laws of Motion and would find it hard to quote Newton's Law of Gravitation, but I have never forgotten the inspiration or the way of life she taught me.

I have followed them all my days."1 *

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Footnotes: '"Sweeper in the Sky"—Helen Wright. zMitehell, Maria; Weather Reports. i°Mitchell, Maria; The American Journal of Science and Arts p. 430. *

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Editor's Note: The first President of the Nantucket Historical Association, Dr. J. Sidney Mitchell was a second cousin, once removed of Maria Mitchell. Her grandniece, Mrs. Alice P. Amey, makes her year 'round home on the Island. *

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It is most fitting that the Historical Association honor Maria Mitchell's memory with this short account of her life work, for this year The American Academy of Arts and Sciences for the first time held their meetings away from the mainland and honored the memory of Maria Mitchell further by presenting a plaque to the Maria Mitchell Association during their sessions on the Island.

32

Exhibits' Publications Committee A Report by the Chairman Burnham N. Dell

The Nantucket Historical Association has in recent years published a number of pamphlets and booklets descriptive of the history and contents of its various exhibits. For the labor involved in this literary output, the Association is deeply indebted to Dr. Will Gardner, Edouard A. Stackpole, W. Ripley Nelson, and Mrs. Walton Adams, among others.

These publications require revision from time to time to in­ clude recent acquisitions, the descriptions of new features added to the exhibits, and changes in the location of the various objects on display. It was the view of the Council that these additions and revisions of our publications should be put in the hands of a permanent committee, to which the President appointed Miss Ruth Sutton, Mrs. John Bartlett, Jr., Mrs. William Perkins and Burnham N. Dell, Chairman. This is a short report of the activities of this committee since its creation in the Council meeting of March 1957.

The publications for which the Committee is responsible fall under two categories, those of a general nature and those serving as guides to the various exhibits. In the first category are listed the following: The Nantucket Historical Association Exhibits: a small eight-page pamphlet describing briefly the various ex­ hibits with a small map showing their location in the town.

Each exhibit is illustrated by a pen and ink drawing by Miss Ruth H. Sutton.

Rambles through the Nantucket Historic Districts: a pam­ phlet prepared by Dr. Will Gardner, and adapted to use by the Historical Association, with historical notes and anecdotes of the buildings and their owners to be seen by visitors strolling through the town.

Commission granted to Mr. Tristram Coffin, Sr., as Chief Magistrate over the Islands of Nantuckett and Tuckernuckett: the reproduction of a historical document of special interest to the Coffin family.

33 Among the booklets prepared as guides to the Exhibits are the following: The Nantucket Whaling Museum, by W. Ripley Nelson, with an addition describing the "Whale Craft Shops" re­ cently installed in the basement of the Museum.

The Fair Street Museum: revised to include recent acqui­ sitions.

The 1800 House: descriptive of its history and contents.

The Old Windmill: reprinted from the Inquirer and Mir­ ror of August 2, 1941, by H. B. Turner.

The Old Nantucket Gaol: a revision of a historical account

by Edouard A. Stackoole.

These pamphlets and booklets have been made available at the various Exhibits of the Historical Association during the past season. Judging by the demand for them, they have served a useful purpose in acquainting the visitor with the rich store of historical treasure contained in the ancient buildings of the town. *

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History Making Events A NEW HISTORICAL MAGAZINE — The Dukes County Intelligencer, published by the Dukes County Historical Society, Inc., Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

The first issue, the August 1959, issue, contains, "The Christiantown Story, 1659-1959," by Eleanor Ransom Mayhew; "Two Beaver Hatts", by Dionis Coffin Riggs; "Genealogy", by Flavel Mayhew Gifford; together with interesting illustrations as well as a copy of the "Nantucket" Deed.

The annual dues are $2.00 and they will be pleased to have the support of new and interested members. Since many Nan­ tucket families had relatives living on Martha's Vineyard from the very early years, the records dovetail frequently and you may wish to become a member of "The Dukes County Historical So­ ciety, Inc.". You will receive a copy of "The Dukes County In­ telligencer" if you join the Society. *

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The Quaker Date Book for the calendar year of 1960 is now ready for distribution. It contains the story in picture and prose of the establishment of Friends Meetings along the Atlantic Coast between the years 1657 and 1734. With the month of October

34

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

there is a "Nantucket" page with a small reproduction of the picture by Margaretta Hinchman depicting an English Friend preaching in Mary Starbuck's home. There is also a reproduction of Friends riding to meeting in a calash. The article mentions Nantucket's 300th anniversary as well as highlights in its Quaker history.

The editor of the Quaker Date Book is Mary Sullivan Patter­ son, and it is published by Colonial Publishing, Inc., 10 Thacher Street, Boston 13, Mass., $1.50 each. %

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Membership Report Changes in memberships, together with new members added to date, September 15th, will complete the list recorded in July 1959 issue of Historic Nantucket, (Supplement).

Our apologies for the names inadvertently omitted, as many of these members have been faithful for many years.

Life Members Omitted Armstrong, M. M., Box 1164, Tryon, North Carolina Aria, Mrs. Peter, 12 West Drive, Larchmont, N. Y. Coffin, Mrs. Tristram C., 2nd, T Bar T Ranch, Sheridan, Wyoming Coffin, Miss Valina, 376 Broadway, Newport, R. I. Grout, Mr. John W., Main St., Nantucket, Mass.

Transferred from Sustaining to Life Membership Harris, Mrs. Julian H., 99 Main St., Nantucket, Mass.

New Members Blankarn, Mr. Marshall, 187 East 64th St., New York, N. Y. Johnson, Mrs. J. Seward, Jr., 75 Cleveland Lane, Princeton, N. J. Sustaining Members Omitted Martin, Shelton E., Peapack, N. J. Proddow, Robert, Jr., Lake Ave., Greenwich, Conn.

Transferred from Annual to Sustaining Arnoff, Mrs. Arthur E., Indian Head Road, Riverside, Conn.

Curtis, Mrs. Theodore, 286 S. State St., Painesville, Ohio Everett, Mr. Richard M., 21 Orange St., Nantucket, Mass.

Everett, Mrs. Richard M., 21 Orange St., Nantucket, Mass.

Gilford, Donald S., Main St., Nantucket, Mass.

Haines, Mrs. Wilder H., 451 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass.

Pollak, W. G., 30 Broad St., New York, N. Y. Tuttle, Mrs. Emerson, 107 Autumn St., New Haven 11, Conn.

Wood, Miss Gladys, Main St., Nantucket, Mass.

Willard, Henry A., II, 2801 Tilden St., N. W., Washington, D. C.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

35

Bradley, Karl, 66-20 108th St., Forest Hills, N. Y. New Members Clark, Merritt, 61 North St., Milford, Conn.

Annual Members Omitted Atheneum, Nantucket, Mass.

Billerica Historical Society, Billerica, Mass.

Bixby, Miss Mildred E., 89 State St., Boston, Mass.

Boston Atheneum, 10% Beacon St., Boston, Mass.

Briard, Mr. William, 145 Main St., Nantucket, Mass.

Briard, Mrs. William, 145 Main St., Nantucket, Mass.

Dorchester Historical Society, Dorchester, Mass.

Everett, Mrs. Henry C., Jr., Bedford Road, Lincoln, Mass.

Girardet, Mr. G. S., 18 Bassett St., Lynn, Mass.

Gorman, Harrison, Washington, St., Nantucket, Mass.

Harris, Rev. John U., 913 Salem End Road, Framingham, Mass.

Hettinger, Mrs. M. L., Shimmo Hills, Nantucket, Mass.

Hough, Henry B., Edgartown, Mass.

Hussey, Mrs. Peter, West Chester St., Nantucket, Mass.

Littleton Historical Society, Littleton, Mass.

Maria Mitchell Library, Nantucket, Mass.

Martin, Sidney E., 17 Summit St., Philadelphia, Pa. Pearl, Charles W., Sherburne Road, Nantucket, Mass.

Pease, Francis W., 21 Hussey St., Nantucket, Mass.

Pease, Mrs. Francis W., 21 Hussey St., Nantucket, Mass.

Phildelphia Public Library, Philadelphia, Pa. Porter, Col. Charles P., 270 Clinton Ave., New Rochelle, N. Y. Ranney, H. Flint, Cherry Lane, Morristown, N. J. Swain, Charles E., 40 Union St., Nantucket, Mass.

Welsh, George W., 284 Maple St., Burlington, Vt. Winthrop Improvement and Historical Society, Winthrop, Mass.

Names Changed Macy, Madeline changed to Luques, Mrs. S. A., 228 Seminole Ave., Ormonde Beach, Fla. Bradlee, Mrs. Herbert changed to Marvel, Mrs. Herbert M., Winchester, Mass.

Chadwick, Ida Frances changed to Pinkava, Mrs. Robert, Nantucket, Mass.

Anderson, Mrs. John changed to Stamatis, Mrs. George, 476 Parker St., Boston, Mass.

New Members, Annual Alter, Mr. Frederick, 234 Edgar Place, Elizabeth, N. J. Alter, Mrs. Frederick, 234 Edgar Place, Elizabeth, N. J. Arscott, Dr. John R., 159 Hamilton Ave., Princeton, N. J. Arscott, Mrs. John R., 159 Hamilton Ave., Princeton, N. J. Arscott, John C., 159 Hamilton Ave., Princeton, N. J. Arscott, Dave G., 159 Hamilton Ave., Princeton, N. J. Baker, Frederick E., 30 High St., Farmington, Conn.

Baker, Mrs. Frederick, 30 High St., Farmington, Conn.

Beduhn, Miss Maxine M., 5870 Gunston, Detroit 13, Mich.

Beer, Alice Baldwin, 515 E. 14th St., New York, N. Y.

36

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Benjamin, Mrs. A. L., 87 Sycamore Ave., Little Silver, N. J. Bitting, Mrs. Gilbert C., 7 Cushman Road, Rosemont, Pa. Black, Mrs. J. Nelson, 995 Taylor Road, Gahanna, Ohio Blacklow, Mr. Robert, 34 Harris St., Brookline 46, Mass.

Blacklow, Mrs. Robert, 34 Harris St., Brookline 46, Mass.

Blackmur, Eleanor, 86 Charles St., Boston, Mass.

Boericke, Keith, 652 San Luis Road, Berkeley 7, Cal. Boericke, Patricia, 652 San Luis Road, Berkeley 7, Cal. Bondfield, Richard W., 33 Longview Road, Port Washington, N. Y. Bondfield, Chesta H., 33 Longview Road, Port Washington, N. Y. Brenner, Dennis M., 412 Rural Ave. So., Salem, Oregon Brenner, Magdaline R., 412 Rural Ave. So., Salem, Oregon Brooks, Barbaralee, 5 Inverness Road, Winchester ,Mass.

Brown, Mr. Clifford R., 43 Winthrop St., Holliston, Mass.

Brown, Dr. Mary Frances, 277 Crescent St., Northampton, Mass.

Bunker, H. L., 904 Mt. Holyoke Road, Swarthmore, Pa. Burgess, Mr. Joseph R., Chamberlain Ave., Sturbridge, Mass.

Caldwell, Robert C., 25 Pleasant St., Nantucket, Mass.

Chapel, James Everett, 31 Union St., Nantucket, Mass.

Chapman, John S., Box 112, Basking Lobe, N. J. Clark, Mrs. Merritt, 61 North St., Milford, Conn.

Cleaveland, Edward H., Jr., Box 147, Halesite, Long Island, N. Y. Coffin, Mrs. Kenneth, 512 Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Coffin, Miss Helen, 49 Torwood St., Hartford, Conn.

Coffin, Willard D., 60 Oakland St., Melrose 76, Mass.

Coffin, J. Paul, 416 Hartman Road, Anderson, Indiana Coffin, Frank S., 1400 Hinman Ave., Evanston, 111.

Coffin, Miss Winifred, 1816 dela Vina, Santa Barbara, Cal. Coffin, Herbert A., 4295 Ibis St., San Diego 3, Cal. Converse, Mrs. Robert S., Common St., Brookfield, Mass.

Coram, Mr. Herbert, 75 Franklin St., Dublin, Ohio Coram, Mrs. Herbert, 75 Franklin St., Dublin, Ohio Coram, Joan, 75 Franklin St., Dublin, Ohio Crane, Mrs. Frank Norman, 2158 Sinaloa Ave., Altadena, Cal. Creedon, Mrs. Walter, 70 Springdale Ave., Saugus, Mass.

Crider, Alice L., 552 Riverside Drive, New York 27, N. Y. Dahring, Miss Marie, 203 E. 17th St., New York 3, N. Y. Davies, Mrs. Charles R., Box 34, Roswell, New Mexico Dinsmore, Mrs. Frank, 48 Main St., Nantucket, Mass.

Drake, Mrs. Thomas, 650 Clyde Road, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Dwyer, William J., 81 Mount Fort St., Boston, Mass.

Edgerton, Mrs. R., Mt. Dora, Fla. Edgerton, Miss B., Mt. Dora, Fla. Edgerton, Miss C., Mt. Dora, Fla. Fines, Ann S., 62 Kirkland St., Cambridge 38, Mass.

Finn, Mr. James A., 921 Hills Hwy., Southport, Conn.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

37

Finn, Mrs. James A., 921 Hills Hwy., Southport, Conn.

Finn, Mr. William, Porters Landing, Freeport, Maine Finn, Mrs. William, Porters Landing, Freeport, Maine Fletcher, Miss Molly, 1040 Woodberry Rd., New Kensington, Pa. Folger, Mrs. Walter, 211 Cypress Ave., Seabright, Santa Cruz County, Cal. Folger, Homer J., 829 Fifth Ave., Troy, N. Y. Folger, Mrs. Homer J., 829 Fifth Ave., Troy, N. Y. Folger, J. Butler, Jr., 2 Woodrow Road, Hanover, N. H. Folger, Peter, 39 Ingraham Road, Wellesley 81, Mass.

Folger, Richard S., 39 Ingraham Road, Wellesley 81, Mass.

Folger, Mrs. Mabel K., 39 Ingraham- Road, Wellesley 81, Mass.

Folger, Mrs. George A., India St., Nantucket, Mass.

Folger, Rev. Harry P., 158 Winthrop St., Winthrop, Mass.

Fordyce, Wesley A., 3 Darling St., Nantucket, Mass.

Frantz, Margaret L., Woods Hole, Mass.

Frost, Mr. G., Gordonville, Va. Frost, Mrs. G., Gordonville, Va. Gardner, Miss Inez J., 201 Eight St., N. E., Washington 2, D. C. Gilbert, Mr. John, Hurstley, Paget, Bermuda Graham, Nancy K., 116 Conant Road, Melrose, Mass.

Greene, Mrs. Harding, Powder Mill Road, Concord, Mass.

Guilfoyle, Marion I., 2170 Ryer Ave., Bronx 57, N. Y. Gussman, Mrs. K. W., 51 Lincoln Road, Medford 55, Mass.

Hall, David, 41 Forest St., Wellesley, Mass.

Hallett, Mrs. Reuben, Jr., 200 Howard St., Burlington, Vt. Jackson, Miss Maud, 37 V2 Saragooza St., St. Augustine, Fla. Jacobs, Clara E., 266 Lexington Ave., Lexington, Ky. Janes, Mr. J., 11 August Road, Simsbury, Conn.

Janes, Mrs. J., 11 August Road, Simsbury, Conn.

Johnson, Shirley, 622 Howard Place, Madison, Wis. Johnson, Frank W., 539 Orange St., New Haven 11, Conn.

Johnson, Mrs. Frank W., 539 Orange St., New Haven 11, Conn.

Johnson, Mrs. Selina T., 24 Hawthorne Terrace, Leonia, N. J. Kendig, Dr. Isabelle V., Ashton, Maryland Kennedy, Mrs. Warren J., 80 Canterbury St., Hartford, Conn.

Kuchler, Mrs. George W., La Grangeville, N. Y. Lamb, Mrs. Elizabeth Worth, 97 Orange St., Nantucket, Mass.

Levine, Rebbie, 482 E. 74th St., New York, N. Y. Levine, Dr. I. Morgan, 1323 Main St., Springfield, Mass.

Low, W. Gilman, Low Lane, Bristol, R. I. Lynham, John M., 14 Oxford St., Chevy Chase, Md. Macy, Kingsland, Islip, N. Y. Marlow, Jane, 230 Farmington Ave., Hartford 5, Conn.

38

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Mason, Mrs. Ronald W., Shaker Seed House, Somers, Conn.

Masten, Elizabeth L., 81 Oakland Beach Ave., Rye, N. Y. Masten, Laura W., 81 Oakland Beach Ave., Rye, N. Y. Masten, John E., 81 Oakland Beach Ave., Rye, N. Y. Masten, John, 81 Oakland Beach Ave., Rye, N. Y. McKenzie, Mrs. G. L., Madaket Road near New Lane, Nantucket, Mass.

Meehan, Warren, 69 Sprague St., Maiden 48, Mass.

Miller, Roy W., 25 Larkin Road, W. Newton 65, Mass.

Miller, Mrs. Roy W., 25 Larkin Road, W. Newton 65, Mass.

Minnesota Historical Society, Cedar and Central St., St. Paul, Minn.

Newhoff, Mrs. Theresa, 514 Oldham Ave., Lexington, Ky. Newhouse, Mrs. Clara, 5216 Pine St., Bellaire, Texas Noble, Phyllis C., 109 Myrtle Ave., No. Plainfield, N. J. Orleans, R. Arthur, Sandwich Road, Nantucket, Mass.

Parker, Mrs. Arthur B., 137 Pine St., Lowell, Mass.

Peterson, J. Don, 40 Iselin Terrace, Larchmont, N. Y. Ponte, Dianne E., 8 Lawton St., Fairhaven, Mass.

Ray, Mrs. Robert M., H. St., Madaket, Nantucket, Mass.

Rausch, Mrs. Louis P., 101 East Eighth St., Marysville, Ohio Rehm, Mrs. Raymond M., 6B Chelsea Drive, Savannah, Ga. Reid, L. Bagley, 1323 Bellevue Ave., Richmond, Va. Roberts, Mr. Edward C., 1110 Prospect Ave., Hartford, Conn.

Roberts, Mrs. Edward C., 1110 Prospect Ave., Hartford, Conn.

Roberts, Lawrence W., 91 Playstead Road, West Medford, Mass.

Robbins, Jhan, Peaceable Hill Farm, Commondale, Conn.

Rosenblatt, Joseph B., 544 East 86th St., New York, N. Y. Rounsville, Mrs. Joseph D., Depot St., E. Wareham, Mass.

(To Be Continued)

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 objects having historical value in which event a brief description of the same should be inserted instead of a sum of money.

Please send all communications to Miss Ethel Anderson, Secretary, P. 0. Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts. Office, Fair Street Museum.

The small pictures of the Family Coat of Arms (except the Swain) used in this issue of Historic Nantucket were copied from the colored plates published in "American Illustrated", Vol. I, No. 2, 1931, by The American Historical Society, Inc., New York City. We do not guarantee their authenticity. The Sivain Family Coat of Arms print is in the possession of Mrs. Charles E. Swain.

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The Folger-Franklin Seat dedicated August 27, 1959.

This dedication was an outstanding event of the Folger Family Reunion and Nantucket's 300th Birthday cele­ bration.