Historic Nantucket, April 1960, Vol. 7 No. 4

Historic Nantucket

APRIL, 1960

Published Quarterly by

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

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NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, George W. Jones.

Vice-Presidents, Burnham 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 1960; 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 Barnes, 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

APRIL 1960

No. 4

CONTENTS

Nantucket Historical Association Officers

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Map of Nantucket—1915

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Coatue, by Everett U. Crosby

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History Making Events

62

Education: Nantucket's Schools from its Settlement to the Establishment of a Public School System

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By W. D. Perkins, (Part Two)

The Gam

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An Appeal

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75 77

Dr. Arthur L. Rawlings, 18,81-1959

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Legacies and Bequests

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"Round Cape Horn," by L. S., from "Nantucket Poems" Published by H. S. Wyer, 1888

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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 1960 Nantucket Historical Association.

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

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COATUE

By Everett U. Crosby April 2, 1960 Many a tourist coming by steamboat from the mainland to Nantucket for the first time has known little about Nantucket except that it was a place name. He may have been one who de­ cided to make a weekend visit after consulting a travel agency and learning it should make a pleasant ten-hour round trip by the boatline to an island thirty miles at sea, where there was a quaint town and people with their customs and colloquialisms quite different from anything he had experienced in his home land.

When he entered from Nantucket Sound through the narrow channel between two stone jetties, he passed between two points, Coatue on the east and Brant on the west, and came into the land­ locked harbor.

Coatue he rightly assumed to be an American Indian name, and in talking with permanent residents during his short stay he learned nothing more about Coatue and could have assumed that there was nothing of importance and but little of interest to be said on the subject. However, there are two exceptions to this statement which would not interest the general public, but are considered of great importance by scientists. One is the original formation of Coatue by nature, followed by the con­ stant changing of the peninsula by tide and wind, as best described

by Professor Nathaniel S. Shaler1 in 1889. The second is the vegetation, with its surprising variety of plant life.2 Due to the desirability of establishing correctly for the Gov­ ernment Coast Survey in their making of future maps, the place names that had best be used where alternatives existed, a con­ siderable research of the subject has been made and the results are recorded in the following References.

Coatue is a narrow peninsula,3 six miles in length, extending in a westerly direction from the northeasterly corner of the Is­ land near the head of the harbor at Coskata. The end of this pen­ insula, which is best called Coatue Point, is bordered by the channel above referred to, which is about a quarter of a mile wide, across which is Brant Point, an extension from the main body of

46

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

the island. The Coatue peninsula forms the long northern bound­ ary of the harbor.4 At the beginning of this peninsula there is another narrow strip of land, called Great Point, extending six miles in a northerly direction, where it ends in Nantucket Sound.

There is located the lighthouse which was established in 1784.

It is interesting to observe that on the Ewer historical map of 1869, the most comprehensive map of Nantucket Island pub­ lished,6 at least one-half of the principal places are indicated by Indian names, and the rest bear English names. Also there ap­ pear some twenty-five or more English names applied as to roads, creeks and rocks. The five points on the island projecting into the ocean have only English names with the exception of one, namely Great, Coatue, Brant, Eel and Smith Points. The Indian name of Coatue means "At the Pine Woods."0 There have been a number of spellings of the word Coatue.1 The earliest published view of Nantucket, made in 1811, shows a part of the Coatue peninsula.8 Coatue is largely covered, chiefly by low red cedar bushes,2 the roots of which color and flavor a considerable part of the underground fresh water" which has been reached by dug or driven wells.10 Coatue Beach, extending along the whole length of the penin­ sula on the Nantucket Sound side, has been well known under that name from early days, and was so marked on the maps. It was on this beach that parts of ships drifted ashore which had been wrecked11 in the Sound, often at a considerable distance.

A brief narrative description of Coatue is in the above, and is followed by References, containing all the notes indicated by the numbers in the above text, which in the aggregate, make a com­ prehensive description of most, if not all, that is to be said about Coatue. %

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REFERENCES 1. The portion of the Shaler report, "The Geology of Nan­ tucket," which relates specifically to Coatue, is as follows: "The details of the shore line of this island present many interesting features, most of which can be noted in connection

COATUE

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with the geological structure of the island, but some of them may best be considered in this general sketch of its topography.

The most remarkable of these topographic peculiarities is that which is commonly known as Coatue, including the harbor and the beach of that name, and the promontory of Great Head.

"This remarkable district exhibits a number of very singular features. The most notable of these are Coatue Bay and the sand beach which separates it from the sound on the north. Coatue Bay has the most puzzling configuration of bottom and of shores of any inlet on the North American coast. The bottom is divided into two great basins and a third one of lesser extent. In these basins the sea-floor slopes gently from the shores to considerable depths, the two greater easternmost basins having about twenty feet of water at low tide, while the barrier between them has then only about three feet of water upon it.

"The configuration of the shores is even more peculiar than that of the bottom. On the south the boundary of the bay is quite irregular, being decidedly more indented than the general outer face of the island, for the evident reason that it has been protected

by Coatue Beach from the action of strong waves. On the north shore of Coatue Bay the low dune-covered Coatue peninsula has six small crescent-shaped bays, of which five are very distinct in their outlines and of about the same size. These bays are each a little less than a mile wide, and the base of their curves is about two hundred yards from the line which connects their promontor­ ies. From each promontory there extends for a distance of 200 yards or more out into the bay a sandspit which is not delineated on the general map, but which, if represented, would add much to the peculiarity of their aspect. The cause of these peculiar pro­ jections is not plain. They are possibly due in some way to the action of the tidal currents, which sweep up the bay with much speed and move the fine-grained sands with considerable ease.

From a superficial inspection it appears that the tidal waters are thrown into a series of whirlpools, which excavate the shore be­ tween these salients and accumulate the sand on the spits.

"It is evident on inspection that the process which brought about the construction of these bays is still in operation. On each of the little headlands separating the basins there are traces of very recent, if not still active, building out of the point toward deeper water.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

"Coatue Beach, on the southern boundary of which lie the above-described bays, is in itself a remarkable bit of shore top­ ography. It clearly belongs to the class of barrier beaches such as are originated along coasts by the breaking of the waves in shallow water. It is evident that this beach has grown slowly and by successive and variable accretions; even in its narrow width we can trace a number of low walls which mark the line of the sea at various stages in the progress of its growth. The whole of these sands have been thrown up from the bottom of Nantucket Bay. When we come to consider the successive changes of level of this island we shall find that this beach affords us evidence of some value as to the nature of these movements."

In addition to Shaler, the following authorities are among those who have written on the subject of the formation and changes in the Coatue peninsula.

"Nantucket, A Morainal Island" by G. C. Curtis & J. B. Woodworth, 1899.

"Nantucket Shorelines II" by F. P. Gulliver, 1904.

"The Glacial History of Nantucket and Cape Cod" by J. Howard Wilson, 1906.

"Geography and Geology of Region Including Nantucket" by J. B. Woodworth and Edward Wigglesworth, 1934.

"A Report on Nantucket Harbor" by William F. Jones, 1938.

William F. Jones, brother of the late Bassett Jones, made prolonged searching examinations of the land structure and con­ stantly occurring changes therein. His scientific report on Nan­ tucket Harbor is outstanding as a written record relating to Coatue and is with some of his papers a treasured possession of the Maria Mitchell Association. Bassett Jones has stated as follows: "The data, photographs, notes, etc., accumulated by my brother before his death are in the possession of Professor John B. Lucke at Con­ necticut University. John Lucke is writing a book on Changing Nantucket Shore Lines based on his own and my brother's studies."

The following briefly indicates the subject matter relating to Coatue in William F. Jones' Report on Nantucket Harbor.

The general pattern of the coast line in this region is the result of the submergence beneath the sea of a land topography.

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COATUE

This submergence took place some thousands of years ago and was effected by a rise of sea level amounting to about 150 feet.

It is obvious from a study of the island shore of the present harbor from Wauwinet on the east to Nantucket Town on the west that that shore was at one time exposed to the waves of Nantucket Sound. A later emergence, due to the lowering of sea level of about 9 feet effected great changes in the island shores, and at that time were formed the original Coatue Beach of quite differ­ ent form than now, and Great Point, of much larger extent than at present. Several generations ago still another submergence took place amounting to about 12 feet and resulted in the gradual destruction of Coatue Beach from its original form. At this time the bays on the inner shore began to be scoured out. Its subse­ quent history has been one of destruction, although on its distal end a more recent growth forms the end of the present beach.

Coatue Beach, with the exception of this small area at the end, is not a form which developed by lengthwise growth. It is a type of beach called an off-shore bar and it grew and developed in the direction of its breadth by the successive addition of wavebuilt ridges. The points which protrude into the harbor are not constructional features. They are merely remnants of a once broader beach. Between Five Fingered Point and Bass Point is now being scoured out by tidal stream deflection within the harbor.

There is slow but constant erosion taking place there and it is believed it will not be a great many years before the beach is severed at this locality. *

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2. The geological formation of Nantucket Island has a direct influence on its flora, and this is especially true of Coatue.

The following is quoted from Anne Wilson's "Boggy Sol­ itudes of Nantucket", 1908. "Out of the sand at Coatue, covering a large area, grows the prickly pear cactus, whose fleshy, prickly, lobster-claw green leaves — studded with long needles that pierce the hand through a glove — hold the bright yellow blossoms that are the size of a water lily. These delicate flowers, of a fine silky texture, shade from the yellow to a bright red center, and cover acre after acre of ground, amid a weird growth of fantastic red cedars and juniper bushes."

Shaler has stated that this is certainly the easternmost and possibly the northernmost station in the region east of the Appa-

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

lachians attained by any part of this interesting specie of cacti, and that it seemed clear that it had been on the island for a long time, although it was impossible to ascertain when it appeared and whether it had been introduced by human agency or had come to its position in the natural way.

Bassett Jones, in his article published in The National Horti­ cultural Magazine of October, 1930, stated: "On Coatue. . . the red cedar grows in low dense hedge-like thickets along the ancient spit ridges, the trees a snarl of wind-twisted limbs reaching south­ west. Along the high tide mark of beach and swale grows the groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia). Here, too, in the beach grass between the ridges, quantities of pink lady slippers push up through the padding of bearberry, hudsonia and reindeer li­ chen. In May the hairy Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biftorum) often carpets the ground under the cedars. In the open on certain of the ridges are densely grown areas of the star-flowered Solo­ mon's seal (Vagnera stellata)." Another article written by Mr. Jones, entitled "Was Nantucket Ever Forested?", and printed in the Proceedings of the Nantucket Historical Association, 1935, should be read as giving important information about the Coatue cedars as they now exist and how they grew at previous periods.

According to Eugene P. Bicknell, in "The Ferns and Flower­ ing Plants of Nantucket," published in Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, February, 1914, "In the history of Nantucket bot­ any this Opuntia cactus bears the distinction of having been the first one of the island's plants to receive formal botanical mention and published record. We do not know that it was ever seen on Nantucket by civilized man prior to its discovery there by Mr. Thomas A. Green, of New Bedford, on whose authority it was an­ nounced as a Nantucket plant as long ago as 1833. On Nantucket this cactus is native only on that long arm of sand known as Coatue."

In 1888 Mrs. Maria L. Owen, in her "Catalogue of Plants Growing Without Cultivation in Nantucket County", made many references to the cactus and other plants growing among the red cedars at Coatue.

A great fire in 1913 spread from Coatue Point up to Coskata, where it was stopped just before it reached the Life Saving Sta­ tion. This fire destroyed a good part of the extensive growth of

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COATUE

red cedar which at that time largely covered the whole peninsula.

Burned stumps of such cedars can still be found. *

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3. The width of Coatue is constantly varying due to deposits of sand on the shore by the action of tides and wind and by occa­ sional erosion. Widths recently measured representing presentday conditions are approximately as follows. Across the end of the peninsula: 1 mile. At the Narrows, between Five Fingered Point and Bass Point: 150 yards. At Chatham Bend: 200 yards. At Bass Point, probably the widest part of the peninsula with the exception of the two ends: 2/3 mile.

The stone work of the eastern jetty extends back, covered by sand for a little over 1000 feet, the last 50 feet of which are so thinly covered by sand that the tops of the rocks are exposed to some extent. This indicates clearly how the effect of the jetty was to collect the sand that was in the water and washed against it by the tides, thus materially enlarging the width of the penin­ sula at the east side of the jetty, while on the channel side it was filled in to a smaller extent.

The western jetty was started in 18,81 and the eastern jetty was built a few years later. Small stones from the base of a fence around the Quaise farm of George C. Gardner were bought from him for $1.00 a ton, and brought by barges to fill in the spaces between the large stones of the western jetty. The eastern jetty was later made thicker and higher by the addition of more stones, and extended at the sound end. This caused less water to pass through the eastern jetty from east to west and therefore a greater accumulation of the sand, which was picked up by the tides from the bottom of the sound, was caught at the jetty and deposited on the peninsula of Coatue.

A discussion of the need for jetties was started in 1825, when Thomas Folger, father of the Secretary of the Treasury, went to Washington for aid from Congress, without success. The controversy lasted until 1881. *

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4. The projections from Coatue peninsula into the surrounding waters are entirely on the harbor side, if one properly excludes

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

the moderately constant changing projection of sand deposited on both sides of the eastern jetty where it adjoins the land.

The first to be mentioned is the end of Coatue itself, really not a point but a blunt termination of the peninsula, here about a mile wide. This end has been variously called, but Coatue Point is the name which appears quite naturally and properly to be the one that should continue to be used. Although the name First Point was applied for a time to a small sand bar projection at the southwest corner of the peninsula which was years ago washed away, this corner is now building up again as a point which curves about to the east and makes a small basin, and the name First Point could again be properly applied to it.

The 1848 Bache chart, based on surveys of 1846, is believed by the U. S. Department of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Sur­ vey, to be the earliest map or chart showing Nantucket published by a Federal agency. This chart named the westerly extremity Coatue Point, which was so called on all such Coast and Geodetic Survey maps except one published in 1887, which shows "First Point or Bogue Point" at the customary position of Coatue Point, and the recent Geological Survey revision chart #343, where it was again named First Point. This use of the name First Point on this chart is relatively recent, based on field work done in 1949 and upon information obtained from local sources. The meaning of Bogue, presumably an Indian name, does not seem to be known.

Worth, in a Nantucket Historical Association Bulletin, mentioned Bogue as "The end of Coatue peninsula, across the harbor entrance from Brant Point".

Another name, Hanloetoe Pt., was mentioned as one of those which the U. S. Geographic Board discarded when they adopted the name Coatue Point. It had appeared on the Oswell Carleton maps of Massachusetts, 1801 and 1802, on the Sampson map of 1824, and on a map from Cary's Atlas, Philadelphia, 1814. On this last mentioned map the name is spelled Hanloto Pt. Diligent searching has been made to establish the meaning of this name and how it originated, without the slightest success, and it has been reasonably concluded that no answer will be found. There­ fore, purely as a matter of fancy, the following has been sug­ gested. When the maker of the 1801 Carleton map was working from drawings, he found an undecipherable name written on the Coatue peninsula and made a guess at what it may have been.

COATUE

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Hence the origin of the word Hanloetoe, which was a very badly written Coatue or Cape Coatue. No one challenged his use of the name, and as is so often the case, the mistake continued to be perpetuated when it appeared on subsequent maps as above stated, until ruled out from Government maps. This fanciful sug­ gestion suits me, until or unless someone comes up with one as good or better.

From the end of the Coatue peninsula, going up the harbor shore, the next projection is called Second Point and the next one Third Point; then Five Fingered Point, and after a deeper in­ dentation in the curve of the shore to what is called the Narrows, comes Bass Point, so named for Bass Shoal where bass, which had come into the harbor, were often seen. The next indentation is called Chatham Bend, at the east end of which are a few remain­ ing buildings of the old fishermen's settlement called Little Chat­ ham. It was at this narrow strip of beach that it was proposed several years ago to cut an opening from the harbor to the sound, with the idea, held by some of the fishermen, of improving the quality of the water of the upper harbor. There was much oppo­ sition and the matter was dropped.

The next, and last to be mentioned, projection is Wyer's Point, spoken of by many people of that vicinity some two generations ago as Bob Wyer's Point, but why, and who Bob was, nobody seems to know. The first time Wyer's Point appeared on a map of Nantucket was in 1869, on the Ewer map. Gilbert Wyer, still an active resident of Nantucket, tells us he well remembers when as a small boy, rowing with his grandfather and great uncle to Wyer's Point, where they had a shack for headquarters while gathering driftwood to be used as firewood, which they boated back to town. Surely Wyer's Point was named after a man, and quite possibly it was Gilbert's grandfather, or one of his ances­ tors. The Nantucket vital statistics show at least four Robert Wyers of previous generations, going back to one who died in 1761.

Beyond this is Coskata, the name of that section around Coskata Pond, which has a connection to the salt water of the harbor through a narrow creek; and beyond Coskata and at the south, is the head of the harbor.

The entire sweep of the shore on the north side of the penin­ sula, washed by the waters of Nantucket Sound, the nearer portion of which is spoken of as the Chord of the Bay, has from olden

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

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times been called Coatue Beach, and extends from the eastern jetty in an easterly direction toward Great Point. It has been claimed that the name applies to this beach for its entire length up to the Galls, but it appears that that portion beyond the point across the peninsula from the head of the harbor was at one time called Coskata Beach and so appears on the Coast and Geodetic Survey map of 18,87, and on the latest map of the Coast and Geo­ detic Survey, published in 1959.

The word Galls, according to Webster, means "a weak place", and that is exactly what it is, as frequently in storms, particularly with a high tide, the waves break over this part of the peninsula from one side to the other, but once the water has receded, the sand appears much as it was before, and jeeps immediately can pass over it, and do, such as vehicles of the Coast Guard going to the Great Point Lighthouse.

There is a pole line carrying wires, running down the center of the peninsula from the Galls to Coatue Point, where a cable connects through the channel to Brant Point, to supply telephone service to the Great Point Lighthouse. Where the pole line ends at Coatue Point, there used to be a small building called the Horse Shed, where the Coast Guard or Lighthouse people who drove down the peninsula to go to the island stabled their horse and drew out a dory and oars stored there, and rowed across to Brant Point. Opposite this shed location in the shallow water that has been building up on the edge of the channel, is now a favorite place for taking scallops in season. ^

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5. The following list is of maps which show Coatue, leaving out the many modern, decorative and otherwise (from a historical viewpoint) non-interesting maps.

1776. Nantucket Island, by I. F. W. DesBarres, Esq. From the Atlantic Neptune Atlas. Surveyed for the English Government.

Coatue was shown, but not named.

1791. Chart of Nantucket Shoals, by Capt. Paul Pinkham. Pub­ lished by John Norman, Newbury Street, Boston. This contains much data certified by Nantucket authorities. It is the best and rarest of the old maps of Nantucket alone.

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1794. Norman published an atlas, called "The American Pilot", which included a map of the New England coast made of several adjoining sheets, showing Nantucket and surrounding waters.

"The American Pilot" had several editions. The one of 1798 in­ cluded a "Chart from Holland's Surveys of the Coast of New England" and showed Nantucket. A later "American Pilot" dated 1812 contained a similar map of the New England coast.

1801 and 1802. Map of Massachusetts, by Oswell Carleton. Both of these showed Coatue, with the only name for the whole of the peninsula appearing as Hanloetoe Pt. in the usual place of Coatue Beach.

1814. Cary's Atlas, Philadelphia, Pa. The only name on the whole peninsula of Coatue is Hanloto Pt., which appeared at the western end.

1824. "A Map of Massachusetts. Performed by William Sampson, Oct. A. D. 1824." The word Hanloetoe appeared on this map in the usual place of Coatue Beach.

1838. Map of the Island of Nantucket by William Mitchell. Lith­ ographer E. W. Bouve, Boston. The first large size map of local origin and of considerable accuracy.

1844. Topographical Map of Massachusetts, George G. Smith, Boston. Copywright by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Coatue Pt. was named.

1848. U.S. Coast Survey, by A. D. Bache, based on survey of 1846.

Coatue Point was named. There were also Government maps from Bache surveys published in 185,8, on which was named the Coatue peninsula, and 1864, which simply named Coatue Beach.

1869. Historical Map of Nantucket, by the Rev. F. C. Ewer, D.D. The Major & Knapp, Eng. Mfg. & Lith. Co., 71 Broadway, N. Y. The first issue had historical data through 1865. This is the largest, best-known and most useful Nantucket map, with im­ portant recording of old roads, Indian place-names and Propri­ etors' set-offs. There were a number of printings, the first as above; also a reduced scale copy of the Ewer map with most of the place names, stated as surveyed in 1866, '67 and '68, published in 1874 by John Medole, N. Y. On the Ewer maps the end of the Coatue peninsula was marked "First Point or Bogue Point".

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

1878. Coast Pilot of C&GS stated that entrance to Nantucket Harbor is between the western point of Coatue Beach on the east and Brant Point on the west. It also mentioned Coatue Point as the eastern point of entrance to the harbor.

1887. U. S. Geological Survey. End of peninsula was marked First Point or Bogue Point.

1889. Shaler topographical map. This showed Coatue Beach.

1901. C&GS Nantucket quadrangle. Showed Coatue Point.

1943. Topographical Survey. Coatue Point was marked, with eastern jetty extending out from it. The whole peninsula was also called Coatue Point.

1951. Revised 1943 chart. End of peninsula from which eastern jetty extends was marked Coatue Point.

1958. Chart #343 C&GS revision. Shows Coatue Beach along the length of the peninsula and First Point extending out to north­ west, to which is attached the eastern jetty. The southerly pro­ jection where harbor and channel meet is called Coatue Point.

Then Second Point and Third Point, etc., are shown.

1959. Chart #1209 C&GS 9th edition. The southerly projection where harbor and channel meet is called Coatue Point. Coskata Beach appears in addition to Coatue Beach.

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6. According to Lithgow in "Nantucket, a History", Coatue was given to Edward Starbuck by Nicornoose "out of free voluntary love" on January 5, 1660, and in said deed was called "Coretue", meaning "At the Pine Woods", which were then located there.

The deed evidently was chiefly interested at that time with the eastern end of the peninsula near Coskata. % % % • 7. The various forms of the word Coatue principally appeared in olden times due to characteristic inaccuracy in spelling prevalent at that time. According to Lithgow, the word appeared in old deeds spelled Coweightuet, Coretue, and Coddude, while Worth mentions that in a Town record in 1663 it is spelled Cowatu. In Obed Macy's History it appears as Coetue, while in Crevecoeur's writings it is called Coitou.

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COATUE

Crevecoeur, French consul at New York, visited Nantucket, staying some three months, and there wrote in English four chap­ ters of his book, "Letters from an American Farmer" in 1772, but due to war, it was not published until 1782 in London. In this first edition and subsequent ones, was published a crude map of the island made for him by the young son of Dr. Benjamin Tupper, who was the medical physician living at Nantucket, where he built his house in 1769. This considerable writing is important locally as the first of its kind about Nantucket, and should be read throughout by anyone interested in the history of the island and its people. The short passages which relate to Coatue are as follows: "On that point of land which forms the west side of the har­ bour, stands a very neat lighthouse; the opposite peninsula, called Coitou, secures it from the most dangerous winds . . . Many red cedar bushes and beach grass grow on the peninsula of Coitou; the soil is light and sandy and serves as a receptacle for rabbits.

It is here that their sheep find shelter in the snowstorms of the winter."

Two of the leading authoritative writings about Nantucket speak of Coatue. Obed Macy's "History of Nantucket", 1835, mentioned it briefly several times, while Alexander Starbuck's "History of Nantucket", 1924, merely quoted Shaler, which has been reported on elsewhere herein. Also to be mentioned are short verses in each of the following four books: "Nantucket Scraps"

by Jane Austin, 1882; "Vagrom Verse" by Charles Henry Webb, 1,889; "Nantucket and Other Verse" by William Wells Jordan, 1930. From "Harvest Gleanings" by Anna Gardner, 1881, is quoted: "Like a gem in the midst of the ocean, Our isle will loom fair to the view; Where the waves in continual commotion, Dash round the bleak shores of Coatue." *

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8. The oldest known Nantucket scene was drawn in 1811 by Joseph Sansom of Philadelphia, engraved by B. Tanner and pub­ lished the same year in Joseph Dennie's "Portfolio" in Philadel­ phia. This picture showed Coatue. In 1859 Thomas Birch painted "The Town of Sherburne"; it also showed Coatue, and is a similar view to the one above mentioned.

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9. Drainage or surface water may be readily obtained in most parts of Coatue at a depth of 12 to 15 feet and in some of the hollows in the sand dunes at a much less depth. However, the peninsula is quite heavily covered with small cedar trees which have very long roots reaching out for water in all directions; thus, most of the surface water is so tainted by these cedar roots that it is red in color, puckery to the taste and undrinkable. There are a few wells toward the sound side of the peninsula in the hollows of sand dunes, well away from the cedars, where useable drinking water may be had, but there is no great quantity of it.

Such wells as there are contain only about 2 feet of water and in a dry summer are almost entirely dry.

Various wells have been driven in an effort to reach the real water table. One in particular was recently driven to a depth of 55 feet in an attempt to get below the surface water and strike the water table. Fifty-five feet would be far below the bottom of the harbor. But only salt water was obtained at that depth. In the Coskata area at the site of the former Lifesaving Station the Government drilled to a depth of some 300 feet in an effort to obtain fresh water, without finding any, and finally solved their problem by building a huge water shed to catch and store rain water. *

*

*

*

*

10. One of the greatest drawbacks to the development of Coatue has been the lack of a fresh water supply. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to exploit it. In 1883 a group known as the Coatue Land Company had part of the peninsula surveyed and mapped into house lots, and the next year a land boom was started and several buildings subsequently constructed, together with a bathing pavilion, toboggan slide and other attractions. A small steamer was used to transport patrons from the wharf across to Coatue. This project was in operation for but a few years before the company went out of business.

Another development was started during the summer of 1922, as a shore dinner and dance resort, but after a few years this too was abandoned, and the buildings were taken down.

At the present time there are a number of shacks standing and in use, particularly those of Alexander M. Craig, Jr., at the Narrows; George W. Jones and C. Clark Coffin at Third Point;

59

COATUE

Leeds Mitchell, Jr., and the Murray boys near Second Point; and a few ruins of very old buildings, at Little Chatham and else­ where. A relatively large real estate holding is at the eastern end of the peninsula, running up toward and into Coskata and Wauwinet, belonging to the Backus family, and there is a considerable area in the middle portion belonging to the Craigs. There have been many occupancies and claimed ownerships of plots of land on the western part of Coatue, where today the areas and boundaries are obscure, and it is noticeable that the peninsula, with the ex­ ception of one small plot, has never been Land Courted. *

*

*

*

*

11. Little remains of wrecks and wreckage showing on Coatue at the present time, with the exception of a piece about 175 feet long on the beach close to the end of the eastern jetty. This is part of the five-masted schooner "Arthur Seitz", wrecked in May, 1902, on Skiff Island Shoal, Muskeget Channel. The schooner split in two and the starboard half floated up over the shoals and event­ ually was towed in and beached on Coatue.

Near the location of the former Coskata Lifesaving Station, sticking up in the air through the sand, is one rib of the "E. M. Roberts", a three-masted schooner driven ashore in a gale of wind in March, 1923. Abreast of Wyer's Point a few timbers showing at the edge of the beachgrass are all that is left of the five-masted "Dorothy Palmer", also wrecked in March, 1923, but on the west edge of Stone Horse Shoal.

The wreck of the two-masted schooner "Ravola" came ashore in December, 1916, and lay east of the Great Point lighthouse for many years, recently moving around the Point and coming to rest on the inside near the end. It was set on fire last summer and burned inside the timbers all Fall, until very little now remains. *

*

*

*

*

In searching for material for this narration, I have obtained information on special subjects from my friends, J. Allen Backus, Charles F. Sayle, Jr., J. Clinton Andrews, C. Clark Coffin, Alex­ ander M. Craig, Jr., and the late Bassett Jones. My secretary, Marie Coffin, with her unusual familiarity with the Nantucket scene, has been of continuous assistance.

62

History Making Events Once again Dr. Will Gardner has rendered great and good service to the Nantucket Historical Association. During the past few months he has worked assiduously to complete the index for the five year, bound copies of Historic Nantucket. The finished product is now back from the printers and ready for use by all of those persons who find the index to all articles such a convenience and time saver. One copy will be at the Museum Library, Fair Street, ready for use when the season opens, one copy at the Whaling Museum, one at Nantucket High School, one at the Maria Mitchell Library, and one at the Atheneum. This is the 11th volume of bound and indexed copies of the Historical Association s records starting with the first Proceedings at the incorporation of the organization in 1894. Dr. Gardner has established the fund which assures the perpetuation of this procedure. *

*

*

*

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, is having a special exhibition from January, 1960, through March, and among their exhibits is a representive Whaling Village.

The chairman, Mrs. James H. Chadwick, Houston, requested equipment to complete this exhibit from our Whaling Museum.

Mr. W. Ripley Nelson, chairman of the Whaling Museum, promptly responded to this request and among other articles some of our most interesting charts were shipped to Houston. The Nan­ tucket Whaling Museum is only one of several New England Museums and Institutions represented in the Houston Exhibition. *

*

*

*

Les Libraires Associes, Club des Libraires de France, wrote early in the year requesting copies of the old photographs used

by Mr. William F. Macy in his "Story of Old Nantucket", for a "nouvelle edition de 'Arthur Gordon Pym'." We presume they are referring to Edgar Allen Poe's, "Narrative of A. Gordon Pym", which is the vivid and gory tale of a Nantucket boy's ex­ perience on a Whaling Voyage, although the letter does not so state. We hastened to send them pictures which we hope they may be able to use. sj:

*

*

*

The Folger and Worth Families will be interested in the article, "Folger Bible Records and Cemetery Inscriptions", in the January, 1960, issue of The New England Historical and Gene­ alogical Register, by Walter Weston Folger, Chattanooga, Tenn.

63

Education Nantucket's Schools from its Settlement to the Establishment of a Public School System.

By W. D. Perkins (Continued, from January, 1960, Issue)

The longing to be remembered has expressed itself since the dawn of history in monuments which stand as witnesses to the shame or glory, as the case might be, of those to whom or by whom they happen to have been dedicated. Nantucket, and its education background are not without such monuments. Fore­ most among these is the Coffin School. Writings about Nantucket are generous in their references to the story of Coffin School's founding. Time and time again readers meet the tale told by Samuel H. Jenks of how, in the midst of his battle for the establishment of public schools in Nantucket, he met the good Admiral Coffin and took the "gouty old hero in a chaise to Siasconset."

On the way he disclosed to me the object of his visit; it was, he said, having no immediate heirs, to "do something to cause his name to be remembered." "Should he build a church?" he asked, — or "raise a great monument, or purchase a ship for the town's ben­ efit?"")

THE COFFIN SCHOOL.

64

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Mr. Jenks continues to relate how he brushed aside the ideas of a monument, a church or a vessel and proposed that the admiral establish and endow a free school to benefit his "numerous kinfolk" and "grateful posterity" while, at the same time, effectually perpetuating his name. Parenthetically, Mr. Jenks points out, "thereby shaming the town." These items of interest were being related by the author from memory some years after the facts.

To avoid any doubt as to the admiral's chief desire being to per­ petuate his name we might refer to his own words. In the first act of incorporation, the title "Admiral" was omitted. On March 25, 1827, Sir Isaac wrote: "Mr. Hector Coffin acquaints me in the act of incorporation my title has been omitted, which I am sorry for because my Cousin and Nephew are Post Captains in the British Service and may soon be made Admirals, when the credit for having formed the establishment might by Persons after we are gone (not knowing better) be given to them. Perhaps the omission can be rectified; if possible let it be done; at all events when you convey the schoolhouse and appurten­ ances to the President and Trustees let it be distinctly stated, it was instituted by Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Baronet, a native of Boston, for and in behalf of his relations, male and female, residing on the Island of Nantucket or elsewhere, and to have this painted neatly on a board and placed in some conspicuous part of the school — that the rising generation should know that by Morality, Exertion, Enterprise, and Probity they have a chance of obtaining the same honor, Happiness, and Prosperity which their relation the Founder of the School has done."n

As usual with most matters having to do with education, regardless of noble intentions, things moved slowly and, in their slowness, tended toward the unpleasant. On May 10 of the same year the Admiral wrote: "If your legislature will not insert my Title in the bill do you hold on and keep the Property. Was I an American citizen then indeed there might be a sound objection, but I am a British subject and was in the naval service before the war of the Revolution. I am sorry to see my countrymen do not respect me so much as the good Folks on the other side of the Atlantic. In the end they will be the losers as I shall probably alter my will on my return to England, being called there by urgent business, to my great regret for it would have afforded me much comfort to have seen the rising generation of Coffins receiving the benefits of my feeble efforts, that may, at a future Period, lead to every good human nature is susceptible of." 12

EDUCATION

65

Sir Isaac, military man that he was, did not let matters lag.

Eight days later, having travelled from South Carolina to New York, he wrote: "On my arrival from South Carolina I wrote Mr. Quincy, the Mayor of Boston, with whom my will was lodged, desiring that it might be returned that such alterations should be made in it as would ensure the Property's going with the Title."is

Finally, less than a month later, the Hon. Barker Burnell, Rep­ resentative from Nantucket, in a letter from the Senate Chamber dated June 8, 1827, wrote: "I send you an act agreeably to your petition. I have moved it forward with great celerity because I believe that the promptitude of the Legislature would remove a portion of those unpleasant feelings which were indulged in by Sir Isaac. I cannot but hope that now all parties will be satisfied."14

Apparently all parties were satisfied, for the school was suitably endowed and established according to the objects stated in the act of incorporation in 1827.

For the purpose of promoting decency, good order and morality and for giving a good English Education to the youth who are the descendants of the late Tristram Coffin.15

The business of running the Coffin School, which taught read­ ing, writing, arithmetic, spelling, geography, and grammar, Sir Isaac wisely left to the Trustees. But, in 1829 be purchased and equipped the brig "Clio" for the advancement of Coffin School pupils in the science of seamanship and navigation. Here, in an area where he was thoroughly at home, the admiral did not hesi­ tate to impose his own ideas. Mr. Edouard Stackpole, in the "Pro­ ceedings of the Nantucket Historical Association" for July 27, 1943, gives a brief, but interesting account of the schoolship.

Boston and local papers for the Fall and Winter of 1829-1830 add to the picture of this short, but fascinating phase of Nantucket's education story. Part of the prescribed uniform was a leather cap with an anchor insignia. The band around the hat, seen in Boston and any other port at which the ship touched, bore the words NANTUCKET SCHOOL in gilt letters.

66

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

A willingness to share knowledge presents a facet of the "private" education story in Nantucket's early years. Such will­ ingness made it possible for Nantucketers and others to learn from men like the Hon. Walter Folger, Jr., to visit him, to live at his home, to be taught by him all free of charge. He was a man who was not stingy with his intellectual gifts, but he is only one example. There have been others, many of them. William F. Macy lists the following as some of his accomplishments:16 1. He was recognized by his contemporaries in the scientific field as one of the great astronomers of his day.

2. He was one of the greatest mathematicians of his time.

3. He knew more about the art of navigation than most of the great navigators of the period.

4. He was a civil engineer and surveyor of very high ability, and well versed in the principles of mechanical engineering as well.

5. He was a lawyer of high standing at the bar, practicing that pro­ fession for twenty years, and serving for six years as judge of the Court of Common Pleas; and not one of his rulings or decisions while on the bench was reversed.

6. He was a statesman in the best sense of the term, serving for a year in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, six years in the State senate, and four years, covering two terms, in the Congress of the United States — all with great credit and honor to himself and to his constituency.

7. He was an inventor of fertility and originality, an expert me­ chanic, artist, and machinist.

8. He was a writer of force and vigor, with a command of clear, concise and grammatical English, and a frequent contributor to the scientific periodicals of the time.

We might add that he was a significant part of Nantucket's early education history for: He taught his ideas to many men who came here from abroad to learn of him, not only making no charge for his instruction, but often boarding his pupils in his home free of charged7

High in priority among other things, his life, as that of any teacher, was devoted to the advancement of knowledge and the spread of learning.

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The feeling that there was certain knowledge which should be passed on resulted, of c o u r s e , in schools of all descriptions.

Those already mentioned, IMPROVED < the Dame schools, Infant •For iho more c-afy attaining the schools, Cent schools, Tu­ torials, Coffin School, Boys ' reading of Engliih. schools, and Schoolship were ' T O W H I C H I S A D D E D I based on this premise even •The Allen tbly of Divines, audi though the motives behind their establishment may ! Mr.COTTON'S Batechifm, \ have been quite different.

The Academy and Charity schools might be added to the list. In 1800 an Acad­ 'tinted by E » w *. R o D a A P E R , emy was established on his Pnnirng-OlSco, ia Ne.whuty-\ Academy Hill by some of Street, and Soid by J a n s 8 o r v the leading citizens of the in Marfb6itmg;h-Street.

1777. town. It was a private school and at the time of This is the first pag'e, actual size, of the its establishment Academ­ Primers used in the early schools. Several have been saved and are in fair condition ies had not yet reached the peak of their development at the Historical Museum, Fair Street. in this country. In 1800 there were only 17 academies in the state of Massachusetts. By 1820 there were 36 academies in the state and by 1850 there were 403. As an insti­ tution for the education of the youth in the early days of our country's history, the Academy was a direct result of the realiza­ tion that much of the instruction then current, with its limited curriculum and college preparatory ends, was not adequate for the needs of the youth. Among the most characteristic features of the early academies was that of a broadened curriculum. One of the chief purposes was to establish courses which should cover a number of subjects having value other than that of preparation for college. Of particular concern were subjects of a modern na­ ture useful in preparing youths for the changed conditions of society, government, and business. Thus we find the Hon. Walter Folger, Jr., advertising for a teacher for the Academy in 1802.

68

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Wanted in the Nantucket Academy as an instructor of young Misses a Woman capable of teaching the following branches of education, vis: Reading, Writing, English, Grammar, Arithmetick, Needlework, and Genteel behavior. A letter directed to the trustees of the said Academy from any lady desirous of engaging as a Preceptress in this commodius, healthy, and pleasantly situated Academy containing her terms will be duly attended to.

N.B.—None need apply but such as are possessed of a moral char­ acter that will bear strict examination.is

The American Academy was the forerunner of the American High School and Nantucket's academy eventually became her first High School.

The charity schools of Nantucket have a definite place in any discussion of the Island's private education. Although these schools were not private, they were established to serve those who could not afford the private instruction of the time. Church groups were most often the supporters of these schools and they were usually the result of a conviction that everyone should have some instruction in reading and religion. Of the various Charity schools found in Nantucket, the Fragment School serves as a good ex­ ample. It was established in 1814 by a small group of young women, principally Friends, who felt that the poor children of the Island needed education. The school began with thirty chil­ dren and the women took turns teaching one month at a time during the warm part of the year. They could not afford the fire necessary to keep the school in operation during the cold months. The pupils were so poorly clothed that appeals were made to the people of the town. Among the donated articles were many fragments of cloth. These were made into clothes and the school's name is a result of that practice.

The African School might also be classed as a Charity School of the time. It was started in 1823 by Deacon Wilson Rawson for the education of the colored children of the town. The school, established before the system of public schools, was to serve until 1847, twenty years after the final establishment of a system of free public schools in Nantucket and during that period at least one of its pupils, duly examined and qualified, was to be re­ fused admission to the public high school. It was not until 1847 that the local school authorities wrote: The committee, in view of their duty to the colored inhabitants of the town, and in compliance with the expressed wish of our citi­ zens,—as manifested at the last election of School Committee,—at an early date after entering upon the duties of their office, allowed the

EDUCATION

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admission of colored children into the public schools to which they were found qualified by their educational advancement. On the first entrance day of the past year, a large portion of the children then composing the York Street School, together with a number who had for some time been deprived of their educational privileges, applied for admission into the several public schools in the school section where they severally resided, and were duly admitted, agreeably to the long established regulation,— that "no child will be admitted into either of the schools, unless he or she resides in the section where the school is located, except by special vote of the General Committee."19

Considerably more time could be spent expanding and elab­ orating the local education story prior to the final establishment of a public school system. For the purposes of a general overview, however, perhaps more than enough has already been said. As pointed out earlier, no distinct transition from one period to another is evident. A great variety of private educational enter­ prises continued to appear and disappear long after the first public schools. They continue to do so even today, but once the system of free public schools became a reality, the part played by private education in Nantucket changed from a major to a minor one. Among the schools which could be found in operation from time to time apart from the public school system we find the following: Coffin School Schoolship "Clio" Dame schools Infant schools Cent schools Dancing schools Mission school Pair Street Private School

Boys' Boarding School Main Street Academy Singing School Writing School Business School John Boadle's Private School Seminary for Young Ladies Navigation School

PUBLIC Probably the most spectacular aspects of Nantucket's educa­ tion story will be found in the period of Public Education. It is a period which might have started modestly enough in the year 1716 when it was voted to hire Eleazer Folger as schoolmaster if he would consent to serve. Eleazer was duly hired but his school had few pupils and did not last long. No other records relating to public education are to be found until the year 1818. In April of that year the town voted that: . . . Joseph Chase, J a m e s Gurney, Seth F . Swift, William Coffin, Oliver C. Bartlett, and Silvanus Hussey, Jr., be a committee to take into consideration the subject matter and expediency of having a free school, and to make a report at an adjournment of the meeting.20

%

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Sometime later the committee reported that there were about 300 children who did not attend school and whose parents could not afford to pay for their schooling. The committee expressed its belief that public schools regulated by a judicious committee would produce a "salutary effect and have a commanding and beneficial influence upon the manner and improvement of youth."

In the course of its duties, the "investigating" committee found that a schoolmistress of "good moral character" could be obtained for about $104 per year, that suitable facilities could be rented for $50 per year, and that the cost of heating would be about $25 per year. As a result it was recommended that a com­ mittee of seven be appointed to oversee five schools which, the committee reasoned, could be maintained for one year by an ap­ propriation of $1000. The town accepted the committee's report, appropriated the $1000 and appointed the first school committee composed of Joseph Chase, William Coffin, Oliver C. Bartlett, James Gurney, Peleg Mitchell, Gilbert Coffin, and Seth F. Swift.

At the end of the first year, the cost exceeded the estimated $1000 by only $14.38. Despite this fact, however, the system was dis­ continued in April of 1819 and another committee was appointed to study the question further.

The new committee recommended the appropriation of $500, of which all but $100 was to be paid to the Fragment Society and other charitable organizations. Various meetings and committees kept the issue alive and from 1819 until 1827 Nantucket was not without some kind of education, chiefly charity, financed, in part at least, by public funds.

Much of the credit for keeping the public eye focused on the free school issue must go to Samuel Jenks. As editor of the InquiveT he had the instrument and the courage, in the face of strong, and often bitter opposition, to keep the public well informed in the cause, to whip it, reason with it and, if the need arose, to shame it. But Mr. Jenks was not content to let the matter rest with his editorial activities. He carried it to the floor of town meeting and there he also met the opposition.

Some of the primitives said they had already "good enough" schools (meaning the charity schools). Others (the Friends) declared they had schools of their own and would not mingle their children with those of the world's people. Others again, like our friend Jethro M., ridiculed my motion for an appropriation for public schools, by denouncing it as a "Boston notion". I was voted Stranger and C00f".21

Most reports of the years between 1819 and 1827 point to

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the activities of Mr. Jenks as an editor and as a citizen at town meeting. They also include an account of his causing the town to be indicted "for a long continued and gross violation of the statutes of the Commonwealth" and close with reference to the promise on the part of the Selectmen to make ample provision for a system of public schools if Mr. Jenks would obtain a with­ drawal of the indictment. This having been done, we learn that a "small" sum was voted and "thus originated the new excellent school system of Nantucket." Substantiation for most of these accounts is to be found in the words of Samuel Jenks himself.

Some of his fellow townsmen, on the other hand, entertained doubts as to his true place in the scheme of things. A contempor­ ary, Charles Bunker, left no doubt that others "besides Mr. Jenks had a most efficient agency and power in the unpopular movement for popular education, and without their aid Mr. Jenks' labors in his newspaper and in town meeting would have been in vain." ...Junto did all they could to break down render him- powerless. They established a always in a hopeless minority and labored in the cause of instruction — seven years

Mr. Jenks and they did hostile paper. He was without practical result — from 1819 to 1826.22

Reference to the futility of Mr. Jenks' efforts did not include his part in the Coffin School story. This cannot be taken from him. Mr. Bunker said "of his having induced Admiral Coffin to found the latter (Coffin School) there is no question." This associ­ ate of Samuel H. Jenks in the battle for public schools on Nan­ tucket could not let the matter rest once he had stated his views as to the effectiveness of the newspaper. He openly challenged Mr. Jenks' part in having the town indicted. Jenks, on being voted down at town meeting, wrote: In my consequent indignation, I succeeded in causing the town to be indicted for a long continued and gross violation of the statutes of the Commonwealth.23

He continued with an account of the town's appeal for withdrawal and the consequent establishment of schools.

Mr. Bunker wrote: Nothing was done until decisive action in the courts against the town was finally achieved by the writer of this appealing to the attorney general and causing him to take an interest and prepare criminal process against the town.24

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

At this point the picture is somewhat clouded, but Mr. Bunker continued with a rather detailed description of the process of securing the indictment. He recounted how, in June, 1826, two chance meetings with the Attorney General, Hon. Perez Morton, provided the opportunity for him to mention the public school issue at Nantucket and suggest that the Attorney General might take some action. He took pains to explain as follows: This suggestion to him (Attorney General) was without any intima­ tion to me from any one, was impromptu upon the accident of meet­ ing him in Court and afterwards at a social gathering where there was opportunity for stating the case.25

The Attorney General was present with the court at its first session in the county during July of that year. Mr. Bunker said that Mr. Morton expressed the wish that a complaint should be made to him against the town in preference to his proceeding by information, ex officio. Mr. Bunker then explained that he, Mr. Jenks, and Henry M. Pinkham met in his office and drew up the complaint. "If preserved", he noted, "it will be seen in my handwriting". On delivery of the complaint to the Attorney Gen­ eral, a summons was issued to the town and the case was con­ tinued to the July term, 1827.

In March of 1827, however, the Legislature produced a tooth­ some law. The law provided detailed outline for the establishment of systems of free public schools in communities of various sizes.

It enumerated means and methods of financing, courses of study, procedures for providing books, duties of school committees, etc.

Section 19 was probably most effective in hastening the town's decision to appropriate $2,500, appoint a school committee, and establish two schools. That section stipulated that any town re­ fusing or neglecting to vote or raise money for schools and to choose a committee should forfeit and pay a sum equal to twice that which the town had ever voted to raise for support of schools.

By the time the court sat in July, 1827, Nantucket had established its system of schools and need to press the indictment did not exist.

In all fairness then, we cannot say that any individual was the "sole originator of Public Schools in Nantucket". It took much more than that. A happy combination of events after a number of years of effort finally ended the problem. The talents and energies of a variety of individuals, a convenient act of the Legis­ lature, and resultant action on the part of the local Selectmen combined to result in the final establishment of Nantucket's sys­ tem of public schools.

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The story of Nan­ tucket's s c h o o l s from 1827 to the present is a long and varied one. It includes the build­ ing of schools, the abandonment of schools, the modifi­ cation of schools. It includes the moving of school buildings from one part of the Island to another and from Nantucket to Tuckernuck. It includes the growth of the system until maintained 17 This Memorial to Cyrus Peirce may be found in it the Prospect Hill Cemetery. On the back of the s c h o o l h o u s e s and monolith are the words, "Erected By His Normal looked after the Pupils". educational needs of more than 1,400 girls and boys. It includes the founding of the High School and the story of its first principal, Cyrus Peirce. It includes the story of segregation on Nantucket. It includes the change from ungraded to graded schools. It includes Nantucket's first public Kindergarten. It includes the published by-laws con­ cerning truant children. It includes public examinations, purchase of school books and supplies by pupils, requirements for passing from one school to another, and many other important and inter­ esting items.

Time and space do not permit their consideration here, but the whole story is one which demonstrates the accuracy of the editorial words speaking of education before 1827 and the years which were to follow: . . . whatever may be the fate of free schools, it is not probable that a like indifference to education will ever again exist.26

To this date it has not.

74

The Academy Hill School which was replaced by the present building in 1929.

10

Easton, Harriet R., "Old Letters and Old Friends", Proceedings (July 24, 1901), p. 17.

11

Coffin, Elizabeth R., "The Coffin School, An Historical Sketch", The Inquirer and Mirror, (Oct. 8, 1898).

12

Ibid.

13

Ibid.

14

Ibid.

15 16

Ibid.

Macy, William F., "Hon. Walter Folger, Jr.", Proceedings (July 28, 1920), p. 48.

17

Ibid., p. 49.

18

The Inquirer and Mirror, August 1, 1940.

19

Report of the School Committee to the Town of Nantucket, for the Year Ending Feb. 1847, p. 5.

20

Inquirer and Mirror, July 3, 1937.

21

Proceedings (July 24, 1901), pp. 16-17.

22

Ibid., pp. 18-19

23

Ibid., p. 17

24

Ibid., p. 19.

25

Ibid., p. 19.

26

See note 1.

75

The Gam Friday evening, February 26, 1960, the 11th annual Gam of the Nantucket Historical Association was held in the Library of the Maria Mitchell Association. The number of interested and enthusiastic persons attending crowded the seating capacity of the library. Our president, Mr. George Jones, opened the meeting, as in former years, and introduced Dr. Will Gardner who had arranged the program and notified Association members with pertinent and specific suggestions thus insuring a rapidly moving and sometimes laughter provoking evening for all.

As in the past the Gam is tape recorded and the speakers, at Mr. Jones' request, made their remarks clear and precise so that they may be heard at any time.

Dr. Gardner suggested that this Gam deal with Nantucket "Celebrities" much as Cleveland Amory chose individuals for his "Register of Celebrities" defining celebrity as: "one who has done something, made news and interesting publicity, but is not always 'good', rather, 'colorful'!" Speaking of Nantucket's color­ ful individuals who had made news since 1800 invited guests and members of the audience presented many who contributed much to Nantucket's unique characteristics. Some were presented in "full dress" manner, some with one terse anecdote.

With Dr. Gardner and Mr. Jones were Mrs. Nancy Adams, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, Mrs. Jones, and Mr. Edouard Stackpole, all prepared to give the audience a delightful tale, and add to audience participation.

To set the pace and character for the Gam Dr. Gardner first presented "Dr." Zaccheus Macy, Nantucket's first "Bone Setter" and general practitioner. Dr. Macy never stinted his services, treating Indian and white with never-failing perseverance.

Dr. Benjamin Sharp, a well-known scientist, whose daughter, the late Mrs. George D. Richmond, continued to live in the family home here, was mentioned by Miss Margaret Harwood. She spoke of Dr. Sharp's years of teaching on Nantucket. Next Mr. Edouard Stackpole presented Cyrus Peirce, who was probably the finest teacher, and school administrator the Island has ever had. His two mottoes were: "Do good and be good" and "Love to tell the truth". It was, without doubt, Cyrus Peirce who gave Samuel Jenks, the Inquirer editor, the incentive and encouragement to lead the way in establishing public schools on Nantucket. His ac-

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

complishments in the educational field were far reaching. He was also a Unitarian minister of note.

Miss Gardner then inquired who present could recall "Black Annie Gardner". She was a highly-regarded teacher and was so called because she taught for many years in Southern negro schools. "Harvest Gleanings", a book filled with prose and poems

by Anna Gardner, tells of her many activities and interests, and is in the Historical Museum library. She was indeed a notable figure in her day.

Both J. E. Crawford, the colored barber, who served Nantucketers for many years, and Mr. Charles 0'Conor, a personage of national fame, who once paid the Town's debt, were presented in delightful anecdotes. Miss Elma Folger, one of Nantucket's colorful characters, was Mr. O'Conor's secretary because she could keep his personal affairs strictly secret! She, too, was a teacher, unusually gifted.

Will Baxter, the retired whaleman, who for years drove the horse and buggy "cab" to 'Sconset came in for a fair share of amusing tales, and Elisha Pope Fearing Gardner, who surrounded his property with a fence decorated with rhymes, carved figures, and fun gadgets. Miss Hannah Sheffield, who operated the "no­ tions" store on Petticoat Row, and was truly a town "character", had a bicycle costume made with full bloomers, and attempted to learn to ride — but failed!

For many years one of the sayings about town was: "Patience Cooper felled Phoebe Fuller with a fid". Mr. Thomas Kennedy gave many interesting details of the trial and sentencing of Pa­ tience for murder when many felt she was not guilty.

Mrs. Nancy Adams spoke of her grandfather, Captain Charles Grant, who was one of Nantucket's most successful Whaling Masters. Of the first eleven years of his marriage ten were spent at sea. It was then that his wife decided to travel with him. Of the twelve voyages he made she accompanied him on six. Three sons were born to them on Pacific Islands, one on Pitcairn Island.

Mrs. Charlotte King gave a short account of the daring res­ cue of the crew of the schooner H. P. Kirkham, by Captain Walter Chase, and his men, when he was in charge of the Coskata Lifesaving Station. Captain Chase and his men received Congressional Medals of Honor in 1892 for the heroic and successful rescue.

"Steady as you go", was always one of Captain Chase's mottoes,

GAM

77

and steady he was during a long and respected lifetime. Mr. Nor­ man Giffin stated that he had read the log book which recorded this battle of the Captain and his crew with terrific seas and two or three lines only had been devoted to it.

Owen Spooner, who "discovered" Sunset Longitude, was another of Nantucket's outstanding native sons. Billy Bowen, a town character; Mr. William Macy, who wrote the "Story of Old Nantucket"; Anne Ring, who taught Tuckernuck School, and was one of Nantucket's most competent teachers; Eunice Pad­ dock, the last Quaker, were all given a deserved word of praise.

Dr. Gardner pointed out Mr. Edouard Stackpole as probably the most famous 'native' Nantucketer present. His painstaking re­ search and writing which had placed the Island's unique and exciting history before the public gave him this right to fame.

It was Mr. Stackpole's search for, and locating of, the log books which reported the first sighting of the Antarctic Continent in 1820-21 by Nantucket captains. A. B. C. Whipple's book, "Yankee Whalers in the South Seas", reports this in detail. This is only one of many instances in which Mr. Stackpole has brought about world recognition of Nantucket's historical past.

Mrs. King read Helen McCleary's poem, "The Passing of Petticoat Row", and Mr. Jones read the fine memorial piece, from the Inquirer and Mirror, honoring Miss Anne Ring who was vividly remembered by many persons present.

Reminding the company that a Gam was a friendly gettogether for fun as well as education Dr. Gardner closed the 1960 Gam. All persons present agreed that highest honors go to Dr. Gardner for his years of tireless and successful efforts in giving Nantucket's past its proper historical location in the rec­ ord of our country's rise to the top in the world of nations.

••• AN APPEAL We wish to appeal to all members of the Nantucket Historical Association who may have a special interest in helping the As­ sociation to preserve the little old Fire House which has recently been given to the Association. Before our exhibit can be opened there extensive repairs must be made to insure its future as a historical unit and a safe place to exhibit the several pieces of ancient fire apparatus which it will house. Any contribu­ tion to this special project will be most helpful and gratefully received by the committee working to have the Fire House ready for this season of 1960.

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DR. ARTHUR L. RAWLINGS 1881—1959 Dr. Arthur L. Rawlings, noted horologist, died November 17, 1959, and by his death the Nantucket Historical Association lost a friend and one to whom the Association owes much in grateful appreciation.

Many members of the Association will recall that Dr. Rawl­ ings was the one person who was able to put the Walter Folger astronomical clock in operation. Not only did he repair, adjust, and write specific descriptive directions, but he also instructed Mr. Grenville Curtis in the care and operation of the clock. Since 1952 when Dr. Rawlings completed his work on the clock Mr. Curtis has been a devoted and faithful "caretaker" so that it is still in opera­ tion each season at the Historical Museum, Fair Street.

Dr. Rawlings was a chief engineer for research at the Bulova Research and Development Laboratories, Inc., Woodside, New York. He was internationally known for his work in gyroscopics and his most recent invention in that field was a unique, low-cost gyro for use in small missiles.

His books, "The Theory of the Gyro Compass", and "Science of Clocks and Watches", continue to be recognized authoritative works.

Dr. Rawlings received a degree in physics and a doctorate in mathematics at the University of London. In 1940 he came to the United States and worked first with the Sperry Gyroscope Company and the British Admiralty, and while there developed the fire control systems used for Navy ships and aircraft during World War II. He served as consulting engineer to Sperry and the U. S. Time Corporation. He was a member of the Horological Institute of America.

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.

"ROUND CAPE HORN"

By L. S. Ask any question in this town, Of any one, by night or morn, The answer will always be found, "Round Cape Horn."

I ask the ladies where I call, "Your husbands, are they here or gone?"

And get the answer from them all,— "Round Cape Horn." *

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*

I asked an aged man one day, How time had passed since he was born.

"My years," said he, "have passed away, 'Round Cape Horn'."

I asked a merchant for a fee, He turned and answered me with scorn, — "My property is all at sea, 'Round Cape Horn'."

I asked a maiden by my side, Who sighed and looked to me forlorn, "Where is your heart?" She quick replied, "Round Cape Horn." *

*

*

In fact, I asked a little boy, If he could tell where he was born; He answered with a mark of joy, "Round Cape Horn."* There's scarce a thing I chance to see Brought here, the Island to adorn, But either was, or will be, "Round Cape Horn." * See page 76