Historic Nantucket, April 1966, Vol. 13 No. 4

Historic Nantucket

Straight Wharf, circa 1940.

April, 1966

Published Quarterly by NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, George W. Jones.

Vice Presidents, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, W. Ripley Nelson, Albert F. Egan Jr., Mrs. William L. Mather, Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman.

Treasurer, Norman P. Giffin.

Secretary, Miss Ethel Anderson.

Councillors, George W. Jones, Chairman; Mrs. Nancy S. Adams, A. Morris Crosby, term expires 1966; Miss Helen Powell, Albert G. Brock, term ex­ pires 1967; Mrs. Ernest H. Menges, Walter Beinecke, Jr., term expires 1968; Leroy H. True, Herbert I. Terry, term expires 1969.

Advertising and Publications, W. Ripley Nelson and H. Errol Coffin.

Honorary Curator, Mrs. Nancy S. Adams.

Curator, Mrs. William L. Mather.

Finance Committee, Albert F. Egan Jr. and Alcon Chadwick.

Editor, Historic Nantucket. A. Morris Crosby; Assistant Editors, Mrs. Mar­ garet Fawcett Barnes, Mrs. R. A. Orleans.

Chairmen of Exhibits, Historical Museum, Mrs. William L. Mather; Whaling Museum, W. Ripley Nelson; Hadwen House — Satler Memorial, Albert F. Egan, Jr.; Old Mill, Henry B. Coleman; Old Jail, Albert G. Brock; 1800 House, Miss Ethel Clark; Fire Hose Cart House, Irving T. Bartlett; Oldest House, Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews; Folger-Franklin Seat and Memorial Boulder, Herbert I. Terry.

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 13

April, 1966

No. 4

CONTENTS

Nantucket Historical Association Officers

2

The Council Takes a Long Step Forward

5

The Massachusetts Humane Society on Nantucket

14

It's a Far Cry

17

The 1966 Gam

21

Recent Events

25

Diary of William C. Folger. Edited by Nancy S. Adams

28

Legacies and Bequests

31

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 $3.00 ; Sustaining $10.00 ; Life—one payment $50.00 Second-class postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Copyright, 1966 Nantucket Historical Association.

Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts, 02554.

The Old Buildings moved out on Straight Wharf await patiently, like Refugees, their permanent locations.

5

The Council Takes a Long Step Forward (Report of the Interim Committee) FOR SOME TIME NOW the Council of the Nantucket Historical Associa­ tion has been concerned with the need of strengthening and enlarging its financial structure and of up-dating the administrative machinery of the Association to make it more efficient and more responsive to the needs of a constantly growing organization. To this end, President Jones, following the January meeting of the Council, appointed Councillors Egan, Chadwick, and Nelson an interim committee to consider this matter, with especial reference to a long-needed "capital growth fund," and report its con­ clusions and recommendations to the Council as soon as possible. Pursuant to its instructions, this Committee prepared a report which it presented to the regular meeting of the Council on February 15th last, having first submitted a copy to each member for study. After a full discussion and with some changes the report was adopted at that meeting and a resolution passed unanimously approving the changes in administration proposed by the interim committee. Following this, on motion duly seconded, these Councillors were chosen and appointed members of the new Executive Committee: George W. Jones, Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, Albert F. Egan, Jr., W. Ripley Nelson. Because of the importance of the Council's action and because the report is in itself unusually interesting it is printed here with the implementing Resolution at the end. Editor.

FINANCES — FINANCING — FUTURE REPORT OF CAPITAL FUNDS COMMITTEE "The Nantucket Historical Association is entering a new and even greater era of useful and constructive value to Nantucket but an era which will require greater participation both in work and financial support by many more residents and friends of Nantucket than ever before have joined hands." Thus read the opening of a Finance Committee report presented to the members of this Association in 1953. Today this statement is even more true than it was 12 years ago.

Nantucket is rich and still unique as compared with other cities and towns in the quality and quantity of its historic reminders and the many unspoiled areas of historic buildings, streets, ways and its open undeveloped moorland, wetlands and beach areas. While resident Nantucketers and summer residents may appreciate and enjoy these assets, they are, as so often happens, too close to the scene to factually visualize and admit to the great stake that the preservation of these assets plays in the future of the Island.

Nantucket for many years past, through its Historical Association and the Nantucket Civic League and in the recent years through its Historic Districts Commission, recognized and accepted its responsibility and has come a long way in trying to preserve these evidences of its historic achieve­ ments. More recently their efforts have been added to by the creation of the Nantucket Historical Trust, Sherburne Associates, the Town of Nan­ tucket Conservation Commission, and the Nantucket Conservation Foun-

6

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

dation. While, in general, these organizations cooperate in the common cause, there is no single leadership or joint planning and each is limited as to the extent of its activity.

"Summer business," generally limited to July and August, is Nantucket's chief element today for economic survival. With ever improving transpor­ tation by water and by air, summer business has grown tremendously and its future growth is likely to be even greater. Such growth in other com­ munities has brought about complete and undesirable changes resulting in the so-called "Modern Scene." During the past year the Island has had a building boom with small houses being built or planned in the out-lying areas such as Pocomo, Madaket, Tom Nevers area, and on out-of-town roads such as the Polpis, Fair Grounds and Hooper Farm Roads, and Vesper Lane, and Business Areas have been extended to out-of-town areas. Year round and summer residents are justly experiencing alarm as to Nantucket's future development.

Nantucket has a great potential often discussed but never carefully planned — namely, to become a resort for "year-round" visitors. To develop this potential three major factors must be faced: (1) To preserve by wise leadership and action over and above all present independent efforts its present historic areas, sites, buildings, culture, and ways; (2) to attract to Nantucket through dignified publicity the tremendous public interest in historic areas which continues to grow; and (3) to build Nantucket's future, keeping very clearly in mind Nantucket's architecture and early New Eng­ land charm.

With these thoughts in mind what better and more logical leadership is there than that which could be provided by the Nantucket Historical Association?

It is the opinion of this Committee that the Association is the logical leader and recommends that every effort be made to assume such leader­ ship. This recommendation is predicated, however, upon the recognition and correction of two basic faults in the set-up of the Association, namely; (1) the lack of Capital Funds and (2) lack of Centralized Experienced Executive Business Management, which together create a real operating problem. To understand this problem one must be at least somewhat cog­ nizant of the Association's birth and remarkable growth despite the most limited financial aid received as compared with that enjoyed by many younger and even smaller societies. To this end the following brief historical review is presented.

ORIGINAL INCORPORATION AND OBJECTIVES "In accordance with the sentiment so widely spread and so deeply felt that a Society should be formed at once for the purpose of collecting books, manuscripts and articles of any sort, to illustrate the history of our Island, a meeting was held on May 9th, 1894 at the house of Elizabeth Starbuck and the Nantucket Historical Association was organized then and there."

Thus reads the opening paragraph of the Proceedings of the First Annual Meeting of the Association held January 12, 1895.

The Original Certificate of Incorporation issued July 9, 1894, by Wm. M. Olin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, stated verbatim the purposes for which it was formed as filed by the incorporators namely: "Collecting and preserving historical relics, documents, books, etc., etc."

THE COUNCIL TAKES A LONG STEP FORWARD

7

The original objectives as stated in the by-laws were: (a) "Collection and preservation of such memorials, books, papers and matters of interest as may tend to illustrate and perpetuate the history of the early settlers of the island, their descendants and the race which vanished before them, (b) "To interest all those people who have an attachment for Nantucket in obtaining and protecting these records."

Under these sparsely worded objectives and authorities the Association operated and grew over the years until its operations far exceeded these authorities, so that in 1952 the by-laws were broadened and amended and in 1958 the Certificate of Incorporation was amended to meet present day operations and the powers currently usually held and required by similar •Corporations.

HISTORICAL RECORDS The broadening of these objectives and operations and the hand-to-mouth financing over the years are briefly summarized as follows: JUNE 20, 1894: A fourth Organizational Meeting was held in the Friends Meeting House. The president, losing no time, and despite no funds in hand recommended buying the Friends Meeting House to serve tempor­ arily as Association Headquarters. The purchase price of $1,000 was ap­ proved — $250 paid in cash; $600 borrowed on Mortgage; and $150 borrowed on promissory note from an individual.

JULY 23, 1895: Second Annual Meeting recorded the mortgage paid off by an unknown friend on the condition that the Association raise a like sum to be held in reserve for the purchase, at some future time, of a piece of property of special value to the Association. This started the "Life Mem­ bership Fund."

THE THIRD ANNUAL MEETING IN 1896 found the Association with over 289 members, 1,115 exhibits, donated and loaned; $739.16 in its contingent or reserve fund, but with only $27.88 in its checking account.

Time and space do not permit an historical review through the years in such detail but the story of the initiative, daring, and accomplishments of the first three years is indicative of the life story of the Association; but special brief comments about property acquisitions and maintenance present further confirmation of the foregoing.

THE OLD MILL: Bought in 1897-98 at public auction. This landmark and about 4 acres cost $885 paid for from the Life Membership Fund and generous subscriptions. The year end, however, showed only $27.68 free cash and no reserves.

Maintenance of properties is always a problem and age and weather are the two active enemies of the Old Mill with the result that extensive repairs have been necessary, to wit — 1913-14 — $200, approximately; 1935-36 $5,000; 1949-50 — $617 plus wood donated; 1952 — $2,000' 1953-55 — $373; 1960-62 — $1,686; 1962-63 — $875; total of $10,751.00 partially offset by special donations.

THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM: In 1899 the need for a fireproof build­ ing was recognized and a fund started. By 1904 $1,535.40 had been collected and the building was started at a contract price of $5,600. The final cost, including moving the Friends Meeting House was $8,500. Donations and an unexpected $5,000 legacy paid for the building by the end of 1906. The Association was again out of debt, but its general fund held only $65.13.

The builders, intent on fireproofing, failed lamentably in making the build-

8

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

ing waterproof, so that the roof was patched year after year until 1925-26 when a new roof had to be constructed at a cost of $1,000. Cash and reserves could not meet this and other demands but another unexpected legacy saved the day. Since that time constant repairs, charged as operating expense, have been necessary to repair leaks.

THE GEORGE GARDNER HOUSE, SIASCONSET: In 1910-1911 this typical 'Sconset fishing cottage was purchased for $1,500. Cash for the purchase, fitting up and furnishing was taken from the Reserve Account which was reduced to $3,064, while the checking account showed only $86.29. In 1939, after years of management problems and operating deficits, it was sold for $1,200 to a direct descendant of the original owner, who gave assurance of its preservation.

THE OLDEST HOUSE: In 1923 Tristram Coffin offered the Oldest House to the Association which promptly purchased it for $3,500; the terms $1,500 down and a mortgage of $2,000. 1924-25 the mortgage was paid in full. The Association was again out of debt but the Reserve Funds were reduced to $1,817 and its checking account to $110.84.

Having purchased the Oldest House, its restoration had to be faced.

In January 1926 Mr. Winthrop Coffin offered to assume the cost, provided the work was supervised by William Sumner Appleton, an official of the Society for Preservation of New England Antiquities. The 1928 Annual Meeting was advised that the restoration had been completed for approximately $12,000, of which $10,000 was donated by Mr. Coffin and the balance by others.

In 1948-49 major repairs had to be made to windows, shingles, etc. at a cost of $1,500 taken from the current earnings, reserves and special contributions, but the major portion of interior restoration remained to be done. In 1952-53 and 1953-54 $1,438 was spent in such work and charged to expendable Surplus.

THE WHALING MUSEUM: In 1926 the thirty-second Annual Meet­ ing was informed that reserves were reduced to less than $2,500, the checking account balance was $75.23, and that grave problems were to be faced, such as $1,000 for the new roof at the Historical Museum and the restoration of the Oldest House. Undaunted, plans were launched to estab­ lish a "Whaling Museum."

In 1927 it was reported that only $13,660 in cash and pledges had been received. In 1928 it was reported that about $30,000 had been pledged but only $10,000 was in cash. July 21, 1929 the Candle House property was purchased for $25,501.12 subject to a mortgage of $10,000.

Alterations and equipment were essential and the final accounting of June 30, 1933 reported total donations of $43,412, but with the $10,000 mortgage still unpaid. By applying reserve funds and an unexpected legacy, the mortgage was finally paid off in 1939.

Major repairs and alterations continued to be costly, for in 1949-50 $2,288 was spent to provide suitable library space and in 1951 a new roof had to be installed at a cost of $1,769.

From May 31, 1952, to May 31, 1965, essential installations were completed which included (1) the Dry-pipe Valve Sprinkler System; (2) new fire doors, etc. to meet Department of Public Safety regulations; (3) Waterproofing exterior bricks; (4) Removing tree growths from foundation; (5) Rebuilding fencing; (6) Installation of the A.D.T. Burglar Alarm System and (7) Rewiring of electric system. During the same period extensive

THE COUNCIL TAKES A LONG STEP FORWARD

9

alterations in, and additions to, exhibits were made which included (1) Labelling exhibits; (2) New chart exhibits; but above all (3) the building of the Craft Shops in the basement.

All of this work cost $41,576 against which donations totalling $19,462 were raised showing net charges to earnings and reserve of $22,113. Flowever, from 1951 to May 31, 1965 gross earnings of the Whaling Museum were $138,360; operating expenses $81,416; showing a net profit of $56,944 covering not only the aforementioned charges but helping to a large extent to cover operation deficits of other exhibits.

OLD GAOL AND HOUSE OF CORRECTION: In 1946 the Town deeded to the Association these two old buildings. Restoration of the Old Gaol was completed at a cost of $1,042 in 1948, but in 1952 the House of Correction was still a problem, for restoration cost, it was estimated, would exceed $8,000. It was finally decided to tear it down at a nominal figure.

1800 HOUSE: In 1952 this building was given to the Association by Mr. & Mrs. Allan L. Melhado. The restoration costs for the building to Dec. 31, 1952 amounted to $6,619, towards which Mr. Melhado's donation of $2,500 was applied and the deficit of $3,919 was taken from Reserve Funds. Additional costs for restoration of the two upstairs bedrooms, finishing the first floor and for the grounds were covered by special donations and a charge to special reserves for a final total of $4,054.

FOLGER FRANKLIN SEAT AND MEMORIAL BOULDER: At the 1958 Annual Meeting, Thos. J. Hallowell, Jr. appeared and made a gift of the land on which this Memorial now stands. A campaign for funds was conducted by the late Dr. Wm. E. Gardner and during the seven-year period 1958-1965 donations amounting to $2,594.12 were received to defray the cost of this unusual memorial, the work of Island Craftsmen.

FIRE HOSE CART HOUSE: In January 1960 Miss Edith Bartlett donated the old fire house building and land on Gardner Street. In the three years 1959-60 to 1961-62 there was credited $3,500 for restoration and setting up the exhibit.

HADWEN HOUSE - SATLER MEMORIAL: In October 1963 Mrs. Winthrop Williams advised that she wished to make a gift of the property known as the Hadwen House and most of its furniture and furnishings which was promptly accepted. The term of the gift and the financing of the required work on the building and grounds are currently generally known so are not commented on in detail, except to say that up to May 31, 1965 expendi­ tures of $5,620 had been incurred against a credit of $5,000, but the work is not as yet completed.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY The record of acquisitions and growth of the Association is almost unbelievable. In seventy-one years it has acquired ten buildings and one historic site (and it has disposed of only one building) currently maintaining and exhibiting them.

The factual record proves that all of this has been done literally on a "shoe string" or from "hand-to-mouth," with no paid in Capital.

In 1952 the Finance Committee in its report to members made a state­ ment as follows: "LEGACIES AND GIFTS: It seems that many people are under the impression that many legacies making a large sum in total have been received by the Association. Possibly that may be the reason for the contrary being

10

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

true and why so few legacies and in such small amounts have been bequeathed and paid to the Association.

"The staggering truth is that during the 59 years it has been in existence the Nantucket Historical Association has received only 18 bequests for a total sum of $39,106.01. Practically all have been unrestricted so have been all too readily available for acquiring properties, meeting yearly operating deficits and financing restoration and major maintenance repairs."

"Unrestricted donations or gifts have been large in number but total approximately only $2,000, which would seem almost astounding for a period of 59 years. Gifts for special purposes, as heretofore described under each building, have amounted to $62,700.26.

"All gifts have been expended and of the legacies received only $12,031.57 in principal remains unexpended. Even so, the available resources used have never been sufficient to completely restore newly acquired properties, to effect major needed repairs; in fact, to even meet ordinary maintenance charges. Despite the strictest economy, operating revenues in most years have failed to meet expenses, so deficits have been charged to reserves. At no time have funds been available, except for special donations, to purchase exhibits offered which should have been added to our collec­ tions. At first glance some might question such management, but when one considers the record of 59 years, the buildings and exhibits acquired, restored, preserved, and made available to the public, who can deny the truth of the statement — never was so much done with so little and by so few."

For the 13-year period of June 1, 1952 to May 31, 1965 the net operating income totalled $39,141 for an average of $3,010.92 per year.

Other items charged against Reserves and special donations received show a deficit of $17,491.42 for an average per year charge against surplus of $1,345. Thus the net results for the period to be added to Reserves & Surplus are $21,650, an average of only $1,665 per year which added to the expendable Surplus of May 31, 1952 of $8,992,41 produced an expend­ able Surplus May 31, 1965 of $30,642.95 — the free funds of the Asso­ ciation.

The May 31, 1965 Balance Sheet shows total assets and liabilities of $189,992; but this is far from a true valuation, for Land and Buildings are carried at $102,189 and Collections, All Buildings, at $10,351. The truth of this statement is found in the fact that the Whaling Museum building, carried at $10,000 is conservatively valued for insurance purposes at $100,000 and insurance in the amount of $90,000 is carried. The value of the Collection in the Whaling Museum alone has been conservatively estimated at $500,000, although there is only $12,000 insurance carried at present.

The outstanding bald fact is there are no capital funds and no planned effort has been made to raise any capital funds either in the form of cash or through legacies and bequests.

Gifts have been sought from time to time for special projects but in most instances have failed to fully cover the project costs. Without Capital Funds wisely invested there is no regular yearly income and the Association must rely upon yearly and variable net earnings from operations, which for the most part are produced largely by one exhibit — The Whaling Museum — with some small help usually from the Oldest House.

THE COUNCIL TAKES A LONG STEP FORWARD

11

Comparisons are sometimes odious but can be at the same time "eye opening." Our neighbor, the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association, founded in 1902 reports, in its last published statement of December 31, 1964, total Assets and Liabilities of $760,462.27, of which $607,209.46 is Endowment Funds held by the Fiduciary Trust Co. of Boston, with a book value of $607,209.46, with the notation that the market Value of Securities held amounted as of December 31, 1964 to $984,174.93. It is also of interest to note that $36,571 was transferred to Endowment accounts and that of this amount $34,227 was from bequests.

PRESENT MANAGEMENT The by-laws of the Association provide that "The Council of the Association shall be composed of the elective officers of the Association and eight other Councillors ..." The elective officers of the Association are the President, six Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Thus the Council has 17 members.

Section 2 of the by-laws outlines the power and duties of the Council, which summarized provides —- that the Council shall have general control and supervision of the funds, property and affairs of the Association.

Definite dates for or frequency of meetings is not specified. For many years, however, meetings have been held monthly on the third Tuesday.

Attendance at these meetings varies but generally they are well at­ tended. In fact, at present they are attended also by the Chairman. Recep­ tionist or Custodian of several of the exhibits, not covered by a Council member as Chairman. Over the years control and supervision by the Council has tightened so that even all matters of ordinary business management, not actually included in the annual approved budgets, must be submitted to, discussed by and voted upon by the Council. The result is that frequently rather trivial matters receive unnecessarily lengthy discussion and for one reason or another these meetings are apt to run for almost two hours, and frequently proposals are referred to a committee to be appointed by the President for review and report to a subsequent meeting which then must act upon the committee's recommendation which, again, is apt to create further discussion.

The management of Historical Associations and sites is generally rec­ ognized today as "Big Business" requiring the observance of accepted modern business methods, especially as to management, control, finance, accounting, and property protection. The Nantucket Historical Association is no ex­ ception, for with its nine buildings and one historic site and the part it should be playing in promoting and protecting the economy and future of the town, it certainly ranks among the largest and most important. Big business does not centralize all business decisions in its Board of Directors, but delegates full authority to Finance, Executive, and other Committees, but retains general supervision in its Board through regular reports sub­ mitted by such Committees.

The Association is a "Public Trust" of substantial size and while it is hard for the "family" to realize the child has grown up to a stature of such size, it is true. Of necessity our policy of management, accounting, finances, and future planning must be changed to meet recognized standards set for Welfare, Charitable, and Historical non-profit organizations soliciting and accepting public interest and support and especially if it is to play a real leadership in the economy and future of the Town.

12

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The by-laws provide that the Council "may appoint from its own number a finance committee of three — to whom may be delegated authority in respect to financial matters." The by-laws provide also that — "The Council may appoint from its members, an Executive Committee, to whom may be delegated authority in respect to the management and operation of all the properties."

RECOMMENDATIONS This Committee, after due consideration, makes the following rec­ ommendations : I. That the Council appoint a managing committee to be a combined Executive and Finance Committee but to be named and known as the "Executive Committee" to be composed of not less than three nor more than five of its members, experienced in business and financial management and delegate authority to such committee to take full action with respect to financial matters and the management and operation of all management of the properties.

II. That the committee be authorized to decide upon the frequency, time and place for its meetings.

III. That the committee be instructed to keep complete record of its decisions and actions and minutes of its meetings which shall be submitted to the Council for review at its meetings but that no action of the Executive Committee shall be changed or revoked so as to affect existing contracts.

IV. That the regular meetings of the Council be held monthly as here­ tofore, to receive reports of the Executive Committee and to transact such business as may properly come before it.

V. That the Executive Committee promptly prepare plans for and in­ augurate a program to raise over a period of years Capital Funds in the amount of at least $500,000, the said program to be divided generally into two parts, namely: (a) Cash Contributions and Pledges for Cash Contributions at specified time intervals. (b) A Deferred Gifts program which would include: (1) Specific or Outright bequests by Will. (2) Residual Bequest or remainder of an estate.

(3) Living Trust. Income payable during life of donor under irrevocable Trust with provisions for distribution of principal after death. (4) Insurance beneficiary under Life Policies. (5) Annuity both during life of donor and as a residual beneficiary.

VI. That the Council authorize and instruct the Executive Committee to employ, at such time as it may deem proper, a full-time paid employee to serve as Executive Manager and/or Curator at a salary commensurate with the position as determined by the Executive Committee with the necessary full-time paid clerical assistance. The Executive Manager to be responsible, under the direction of the Executive Committee, for the business management of personnel, land and buildings, and carrying out exhibit policies as planned by the Exhibits Chairmen and Curator for the preservation and proper protection of all property other than land and buildings.

With respect to this recommendation it is emphasized that the Associa­ tion holdings and business have grown to such a size and will continue such growth that voluntary workers cannot be expected to carry the burden and constant necessary following up of business management. An excellent example of what is meant is found in the appointment last year of a "Winter

THE COUNCIL TAKES A LONG STEP FORWARD

13

Custodian" at regular pay to inspect at least weekly each property of the Association and to report at once anything found not in order. Up to that time most of our buildings were never inspected throughout the eight or nine months closed to the public.

VII. The calling of a meeting at an early date by the Executive Com­ mittee, and the extending of an invitation to attend to the Head Official of the (1) Nantucket Civic League; (2) Nantucket Historical Trust; (3) Sherburne Associates; (4) Town of Nantucket Conservation Commission; (5) Town of Nantucket Historic Districts Commission; and (6) The Nan­ tucket Conservation Foundation, Inc., to discuss ways and means and plans for leadership and cooperation with respect to these organizations and our Association, (a) for the development of the Island with special care as to the preservation of its historic atmosphere and unspoiled open areas as they might be affected by growth; (b) for the banning insofar as possible of undesirable developments and elements; (c) to consider the advisability of including other organizations and Town officials in so-called advisory discussion groups to insure coperative planning.

VIII. That the Council vote to appropriate twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500) to cover the initial expenses of the Capital Fund Raising program to be used at the discretion of the Committee designated to raise Capital Funds.

IX. That the said Committee be authorized to use its discretion as to publicity and advertising to be employed for the furthering of the program.

X. That hereafter the Executive Committee shall be appointed at the beginning of each fiscal year of the Association, each member to serve until his successor is duly chosen and appointed.

Respectfully submitted, CAPITAL FUNDS COMMITTEE Albert F. Egan, Jr., Chairman Alcon Chadwick W. Ripley Nelson

RESOLVED: That the recommendations of the Capital Funds Com­ mittee contained in Paragraphs I. to X. inclusive on Pages, 9, 10, and 11 of the Committee's Report of February 1966 presented to the Council at this meeting be and they hereby are accepted, authorized and approved as amended to be carried out forthwith, and that a copy of the said Report be filed as a matter of record, marked Exhibit A, with the minutes of this meeting.

14

The Massachusetts Humane Society on Nantucket THE LATE M. A. DeWOLFE HOWE in his history of the Massachusetts Humane Society ("The Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachu­ setts, An Historical Review 1785-1916, 1918") gives considerable prominence to Nantucket. This is natural and to be expected because, when the Humane Society, formed in 1786 and incorporated in 1791, enlarged its operations from its original end and design of recovering persons who "meet with such accident as to produce in them the appearance of death, and for promoting the cause of humanity, the preservation of human life and the alleviation of its miseries," to the shore rescue of shipwrecked mariners, Nantucket necessarily played a prominent part.

As this extended activity developed, the Humane Society realized that it needed better equipment than small craft such as dories, although these boats still had their uses and were retained in certain places. Consequently it contracted for the construction of a suitable boat in Nantucket, which became the first lifeboat built in America, and, completed in October, 1807, was sta­ tioned in Cohasset. She was built by William Raymond under the inspection of Capt. Gideon Gardner. Thirty feet long and ten feet wide she resembled a whaleboat, except that the bottom was much flatter and she was equipped with cork lining inside and outside the gunwale, underneath the seats, and at the stem and stern. Rowed by ten men double-backed, she was steered by two men with oars, one at each end as both ends were alike. She drew very little water and could carry twenty people, including two extra oarsmen if necessary. She cost $1,433.11. In an early record of the Humane Society it is stated: "The boat is able to contend against the most tremendous sea and broken water, and boats of her construction have proved, in England, ex­ tremely useful." With this type of boat the Massachusetts Humane Society for more than forty years, until the United States Government took the first steps that led to the establishment of its Life-Saving Service in 1871, stood alone in its work toward rescuing seafarers on the coast of Nantucket.

The boats used here were of medium size about twenty and twenty-one feet long, fitted with floats, life belts, etc. "Surfboats," so-called, were stationed at Great Point, Siasconset (described as "Old Coffin Boat" bought in 1869), Forked Pond, Hummock Pond, Muskeget, and a "metallic boat" at Nantucket Bar. This was a large and heavy craft transferred to the Society from the Treasury Department in 1855. In addition, a number of huts-of-refuge were placed at strategic points on the Island and a "mortar station" was main-

15

This surfboat, attached to the old U. S. Life Saving Service Station at Surfside, was substantially the same as the first Massachusetts Humane Society at Nantucket.

surfboat built for the

16

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

tained in the Town of Nantucket. The mortar type of life-line gun was sup­ planted in 1880 by a much more efficient and longer firing gun, invented in 1879 by Edward S. Hunt of Weymouth, Massachusetts, and known as the "Hunt Gun." In 1891 the Humane Society awarded Mr. Hunt its gold medal, "in recognition of his eminent services in saving life by inventing the Hunt Gun and projectile."

In 1869, two years before the U. S. Life-Saving Service was organized, the Massachusetts Humane Society had the following equipment on Nan­ tucket: on Tuckernuck, nine boats. (These were old, built before 1840.) One boat each at Smith's Point and Kroskaty (sic); and six dories as follows: Great Point, Kroskaty, Smith's Point, Forked Pond, Hummock Pond, Muskeget.

Generally, each station of the Humane Society was in charge of a Cap­ tain, who received a small sum for keeping the station, its boats, and appara­ tus in repair, and took charge of the boat and secured a crew when called into rescue service. The members of the crew, like their counterparts in vol­ unteer fire departments, were volunteers, but were paid small sums when performing actual service. The buildings housing the larger boats, the first of which was placed on the Island in 1845, was a structure twenty feet long, eight and one-half feet wide, shingled on the top and battened on the sides.

After the United States Government took over in 1871, the work of the Humane Society naturally decreased so far as its sea-rescue activities were concerned. Stations and boats were reduced in number and the refugehuts gradually disappeared from the annual reports. The last of these installa­ tions to survive was at Tom Never's Head, at Siasconset, and in time this also vanished from the records.

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17

It's A Far Cry

f

From the Frederick C. Sanford House

18

Past the Clearing

19

Through the Draining

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The 1966 Gam THE 17th ANNUAL GAM under the auspices of the Nantucket Historical Association was held, again through the courtesy of the Maria Mitchell Asso­ ciation, in their attractive library in Vestal Street, Thursday evening, March 3rd., at eight o'clock. President George W. Jones presided; Edouard A. Stackpole, former long-time President of the Nantucket Historical Association, author, and formerly Curator of Mystic Seaport sat, an honored guest, beside him. Leroy H. True was at the controls of the tape-recorder.

In welcoming the some sixty or so persons gathered to perpetuate this revival of the famous whaling custom, Mr. Jones explained that no set subject had been proposed in order that everyone might have a free rein. He ob­ served that the rule, "Silence is golden," does not apply at a Gam and urged any person with something interesting to say to speak up. Suggesting that the waterfront might be a good place to start, he set the ball rolling with a description of the way boys in the summer time would dive off the coalloading frames at the end of Steamboat Wharf. These frames were 60 feet high and it was quite a spectacular stunt and thrilling to watch. With this beginning recollections and anecdotes followed freely.

Clinton Andrews recalled a character known as "Roily Ghost." He was a hand on a schooner, and for a small consideration he would shinny up a mast, bowlegs and all, and balance on one foot at the top. Mrs. George A. Folger added her recollection of "Roily" as the driver of Mrs. Temple's white horse and coupe.

Edouard Stackpole mentioned the wonderful fleet of catboats that used to crowd the wharves — "Lillian," "Nestor," "Cleopatra," "Avilda," "Cru­ sader," and others. He told a story about Zeb Tilton who came down o I his honeymoon on the old "Alice Wentworth" with a load of soft coal. Charles Sayle, Wallace Long and Ed. went down to the wharf to welcome him.

Curious to see the bride, they hung around for three quarters of an hour, but still no bride. Finally they heard a stirring below decks and a woman's voice came up the companionway, "Zeb, that stove is giving trouble again."

Zeb asked, "What's the matter now?" "The port side's still going, but the starboard side's out." Zeb called back, "To heck with the starboard side, just watch the port side."

The Bon Ton Fish Market, owned and operated by John Taber in Easy Street was next discussed and the part that Taber played in connection with the wreck in 1920 of the "Gallant Prince" and her cargo of cocoanut oil which spilled out and floated around in lumps. These were picked up, put on the old schooner "Nautisko," and taken to town. Then the question was would the Palm Olive-Peet people buy it? A company representative came down and offered one and a quarter cents per pound for the stuff. This was a great blow to the people who had brought it in. The company man asked John Taber to ascertain the cost, to which Taber answered that it would take a lawyer and a couple of committees a week, "but if you want, I can have it for you tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."

John Bartlett, Jr., and Norman Giffin discussed the difficulty of putting cows and horses on board the steamers. The animals were shipped separately, not in vans or trucks as now. Occasionally a horse or a cow would fall over-

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

board and swim ashore. Once a cow fell overboard and instead of swimming ashore swam out into the harbor where it drowned. The body was recovered and Norman took it to the slaughterhouse where it was rendered. The next day it devolved on him to take the meat to New Bedford on the steamer, where he sold it to a man for hot dogs or something. It was during the war and, with meat rationed, this sale brought more than if it had gone through regular channels.

The County Fairs came in for some lively discussion. The Fair Grounds in days not so long ago were famous and busy. On the first day there was an all cattle show; on the second day all horses. Also exhibited were flowers and vegetables, particularly vegetables from the gardens of the Sea Cliff Inn. Some of the cattle were shown in town opposite the Atheneum together with dairy exhibits. The first box milk wagon of that period was actually made on Nantucket, afterwards copied and made on the mainland. The horse races were, of course, popular and exciting and also amusing. Edouard Stackpole illustrated with a story concerning a horse named "My Star," which originally belonged to the famous actress Lotta Crabtree. A notable racehorse in his day, but now at least 16 years old, he had been bought by Amos Arey. Amos must have spent all spring getting the horse ready for the coming season and when the time came he entered him in one of the races at the Fair Grounds. His horse, however, was outdistanced from the start and as he came lumbering down the stretch all alone with Amos in the saddle, Leonard Chase leaned over the fence rail and shouted out, "Amos — they went that way!"

There were many small stores in Nantucket thirty and forty years ago with some rather strict rules concerning their operation. Mrs. Charlotte King read off one set of such rules: "Store must be opened from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. the year round. The store must be swept, counters, shelves, and showcases dusted; lamps trimmed, filled and chimneys cleaned; pens made, doors and windows opened, a pail of water and bucket of coal brought in before break­ fast if there is time to do so. The store must not be opened on the Sabbath unless necessary, and then only for a few minutes. The employee who is in the habit of smoking Spanish cigars, being shaved at the barber's, going to dances and other places of amusement, will surely give his employer reason to be suspicious of his integrity and his honesty. The employee must give not less than five dollars per year to the church and must attend Sunday School reg­ ularly. Many employees are given one evening a week for courting and two if they go to Prayer Meeting. Of the fourteen hours spent in the store, the leisure time must be taken up chiefly with reading. "So,' Mrs. King con­ cluded, "Who is heard sighing for the good old days?"

The Gam swung to the more serious topic of Island fires, some of the too-well remembered including the destruction of the Barnes boathouse with the loss of three or four lives and the burning of Pease's stable. The latter might well have resulted in disaster for the town had it not been for snow on the roofs, because burning shingles rode a northeasterly gale far into the town. The worst fire in the history of the Island from the point of view of human loss was the destruction of the Old Folks Home in Quaise in 1844, when ten people were killed. Mrs. Mildred Edgarton read a vivid eye-witness account of the tragedy penned by one of her ancestors. Fire alarms before the installation of the present system were given by the Fire Wards in the Watch Tower by blowing on fish horns. This was followed by the ringing of all the church bells. Mr. Jones characterized this conglomeration of sound

THE 1966 GAM

23

as "eerie." To us this would seem an understatement. This subject disposed of, the talk then turned again to a more cheerful subject.

Reverting to the waterfront, Edouard Stackpole told of the time that Zeb Tilton took a cargo of some sort up the Providence River to Providence.

There he met a young man on the street with a tambourine and some kind of pamphlets who said, "Will you give fifty cents to see the Lord?" To which Zeb said, "Give me the fifty cents — I'll see him before you will."

Mrs. King capped this story with one about her mother, who was very devout but when excited would sometimes exclaim, "The Devil!" One time this good lady went to the door and there stood a strange man. A little frightened, she said, "The Devil." "No," said the stranger, "the new Methodist minister."

The famous "chowder story" was then mentioned, which, for the un­ initiated, concerned "Uncle" Scudder who ran a lunch room on the northly side of the old Steamboat Wharf during the summer, his specialty being quohaug chowder. He was a sharp business man and at boat-time would station himself out on the wharf. If the boat came round Brant Point, her decks black with people, he would shout back to his helper, "Put another bucket of water in the chowder — there's a crowd today."

"Freeze-ups," now apparently no longer to be expected, were severe in the early part of the century. In 1911 or 1912, Norman Giffin related, the side-wheeler "Martha's Vineyard" tied up in Nantucket for the whole winter; and in the famous freeze in 1917-1918 no boat entered or left Nan­ tucket for many days. Mails and supplies had to be transported by Coast Guard cutters and landed at Wauwinet or Quidnet. There were, of course, shortages and one of these involved coffins. One story went that the under­ takers, being hard pressed, engaged a boat builder to make a casket. This man was somewhat inclined to strong drink, and when the finished casket was opened in preparation for a funeral, it was discovered that he had put a centerboard in it.

Little remains to show for it now, but there was at one time a dance hall on Coatue — Tunnings — and many people remember the good times they had out there the two years of its existence. A motor-powered catboat served as a ferry from the town and, such were the times, somebody was sure to fall overboard. On one night-trip back the skipper said, "If any of you fall overboard tonight, I'm not going back for you." It was quite an elaborate amusement center and a picture of it is filed in the Registry of Deeds.

Edouard Stackpole capped this story with another anecdote from his stock of yarns: When the automobile first came to Nantucket, there was a movement on foot to shift the Civil War Monument in Main Street, because, it was argued, it was a hazard to traffic. So Molly Starbuck wrote a letter to the newspaper saying that, "Our ancestors 100 years ago rounded Cape Horn in great gales, and if we can't navigate around a stationary object in a flat calm we shouldn't be driving."

In similar vein, Ripley Nelson told of the irate actress in 'Sconset who complained about the accommodations at the old Atlantic House. "No run­ ning water in the rooms," she grumbled. Came the reply, "Wait until you get a three-day northeaster."

With this, and after two or three random observations, the 1966 Gam, a most jolly one, adjourned about nine-thirty to some time in March, 1967.

— A.M.C.

24

More Business, More Power for the Nantucket Gas & Electric Co.

25

Recent Events FOR THE THIRD year in succession, reports the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket Steamship Authority, the Island's boatline has been navigating in black ink, this time to the tune of an operating surplus of $170,000. All of which demonstrates what a publicly owned and operated transportation facility can do when it enjoys the patronage rather than the competition of trucks and automobiles. *

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And speaking of island ferry business: In the January, 1965, issue HISTORIC NANTUCKET carried a brief account of the trouble brewing between

the church people of the Isle of Skye and the ferry companies operating from the west coast of Scotland to that indomitably Calvinistic resort island, over the question as to whether or not the ferries should run on Sundays against the will of the churchmen. Well, the matter came to a head last June 6th — and it was head on. A ferryboat arrived that day from the mainland loaded with happy and no doubt expectant tourists and was met at the wharf in Skye by a crowd of demonstrators led and organized by the Free Church of Scotland. The tourists and their cars plowed ashore. There was a scuffle — not too violent, for the average Britisher, it would appear, takes these affairs a good deal as though they were sporting events. Never­ theless, at this juncture the constabulary entered the arena, arrested fourteen of the demonstrators including a minister and some elders, and locked them up, probably for their own protection as much as anything, since no charges were preferred against them and they were subsequently released. So, also, was the ferry company from further interference and throughout that day it carried 202 cars and some 900 passengers to and from the island. The pat­ tern thus set prevailed throughout the summer and it seems now that the good people of Skye will have to get used to the universal week-end tidal wave of humanity just as other island resorts have had to. After all, as elsewhere, it constitutes most of Skye's economic life-blood. Incidentally it might be noted that the first car ashore on that epochal day was driven by a young American couple — who else! *

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Of lively interest to Nantucket in general and to the Nantucket His­ torical Association in particular is the announcement that Edouard A. Stackpole has relinquished his position as Curator of Mystic Seaport to assume the post of Executive Director of the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, suc­ ceeding Allan W. Stapleton who resigned last fall. A hearty welcome back, Mr. Stackpole, to the island of your birth. *

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Two events of importance are scheduled for Nantucket next June: the Bay State League will hold its Annual Meeting here on the 18th; and on the

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

23rd some 75 members of the Organ Historical Society of America plan to take time off from their annual convention, which will be held this year on Cape Cod, to attend two special organ recitals here, one on the Goodrich organ in the Unitarian Church, the other on the Appleton organ in the Methodist Church. These two historic and fine instruments (see "A Tale of Two Organs" in the issue of HISTORIC NANTUCKET for April 1963) have aroused the interest of the Organ Historical Society to the extent that the trip to Nantucket will be something like a pilgrimage to Mecca. The recitals, to be given by outstanding organists, will be open to the public and will offer an opportunity to hear fine organ music played on instruments uniquely fitted for it.

The Bay State League is composed of most of the historical societies of Massachusetts. It is organized to unite and foster the broad work of these societies in the field of historical research and development. The Nantucket Historical Association is the host this year and is pushing plans to make the 1966 meeting especially attractive. *

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Anything to do with whaling, especially any current activity of that nature, naturally interests us. Consequently, we were intrigued some time ago by a television film of a "Whale Hunt," conducted by Marineland of the Pacific aboard the collecting vessel "Geronimo," a stout little motor vessel, looking somewhat like a sea-going tug, with a bowsprit almost as long as itself. The prime purpose of the expedition was to bring back alive, of course, a "pilot whale," also called Blackfish, for the huge aquarium of performing porpoises, sea lions, and whales of that species. On the way, however, a shore expedition of two of the crew captured a young bull sea lion in a sort of huge butterfly net. Struggling furiously but futilely, young Mr. Sea Lion, barking like an angry dog, was taken to the mother ship and put in a salt water tank to keep him, if not entirely comfortably, at least alive and in good condition until the "Geronimo's" return to Marineland.

Off again then to continue the search for a pilot whale, seemingly in­ creasingly elusive. On the way, another pause to capture a rather smallish blue shark, baited by a dangling fish into another butterfly-type net, the while a member of the crew took underwater pictures of the school of sharks curiously ogling him in his protective steel cage. He was glad to be hoisted on deck again, while the captive shark, not so happy judging by his struggles, was finally eased into the salt water tank along with the sea lion.

On our way once more and this time, "Eureka!" We sight a lone pilot whale gamboling in the warm water, his sleek back just visible, until, with a graceful thrust of his flukes, he up-ends and dives, only to come up again a few minutes later to gambol some more. In the meantime, the crew gambles on catching him. A stout line is coiled on deck and one end made fast to a huge enveloping net with a lasso-like opening which the "harpooner car­ ries to the end of the long bowsprit, where he braces himself in a swordfishing "pulpit." The engine of the "Geronimo" is idled, and cautiously the skipper in the wheelhouse lets the little vessel drift toward the prey. Suddenly the end of the bowsprit is over the unsuspecting whale and with one mighty swing of his arm the netman, like a discus thrower, flings his net over the

RECENT EVENTS

27

quarry. ... An agonizing moment of suspense. Has the net caught? ... It has, and the whale takes off in a swirl of foam and "sounds."

Then comes the tug-of-war, but no "Nantucket Sleigh Ride"; for the line is gingerly snubbed around a steel post and the whale gradually brought to the side of the vessel. Here it puts up another vigorous fight before being secured by a stouter rope passed several times around its body and lifted aboard in a combined heave-ho by all hands and into its own special tank.

During the capture of this particular pilot whale, a 2,000-pound beauty some eighteen feet long, the second rope fouled and the leader of the expedition had to go overboard again to release it. This was a ticklish and dangerous job, as he had to dodge the thrashing tail and at the same time keep from being crushed between the whale and the side of the ship. He finished it just in time, for the ever-present and nosey sharks were beginning to nudge and poke at him.

In conclusion, some of the animals at Marineland were shown going through their stunts, even a pilot whale leaping from the water like a porpoise.

It was truly a fascinating and exciting film, marvelously photographed and narrated, and thanks are certainly due both to the Marineland of the Pacific and to the insurance company, Omaha of Nebraska, which sponsored it. Our final thought was that, after all, the capture of even a relatively small whale by hand-line is still a dangerous and daring undertaking.

28

Diary of William C. Folger EDITED BY NANCY S. ADAMS

(Continued from the January, 1966, issue of "Historic Nantucket") 1841 Jan. 1—I gave the scholars this afternoon for a holiday, it being New Year's Day. I handed Capt. Potter the ten dollars cash that I had received from Nabby Bailey.

Jan. 3—I surveyed a piece of land for Lydia G. Bunker. It was on Fair St. Worked out my survey at night. I handed Henry Swift my survey of the Jesse Gardner land on seventh day last and he paid me $1.50 being what I asked for it.

Jan. 7—It being a very pleasant afternoon and the scholars asking for a holiday, I gave them one and they agreed to come Seventh day afternoon to make it up. I went out to Polpis afoot and visited the school — took tea at Capt. Barna Coffin's, came down in the evening.

Jan. 9—I signed and applied the seal of the Nantucket Baptist Society to their petition to get insured in the office of the Bristol County Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Agent, Joseph B. Swain, as the Society made me their Attorney for that business at the last meeting.

Jan. 10—Attended funeral of William House this afternoon. Had several more new scholars. Had a gold ring lent me by ?

Jan. 12—Had more new scholars in my day school. I visited uncle Benjamin Bunker, not having seen him for some time.

Jan. 13—I received some time ago, say about a week, a letter from Jesse R. Freeman of Parma, Ohio, where I boarded during a part of the time when I kept their school. They were well. He mentioned the marriage of one of my scholars viz: Mindwell Hodgeman — says they have now the best school house in the County. Have a winter school and a singing school, men­ tions the prices of grain, etc. Says the County officers are Whig.

I got at Henry Clapp's 2 inkstands for 12Vi cts. each and the American Almanac for 1841 for $1.00.

Jan. 14—Meeting of the Nant. Bap. Soc. held at the school house at six this evening. I was appointed one of the Committee to appraise the pews in the new Meeting House, also a Committee to prepare deeds of pews, sign them and receive and approve notes for pews — also to advertise sale of pews in both papers. I gave $1.00 towards a subscription taken for one of the Society's debts. Received by cash from Arnold Morse $1.00 for account of Charles L.'s school bill.

Jan. 15—Capt. Solomon Folger paid me $6.00 being for one quarter for George R. & Eben R. Folger, his sons, who come to my day school the quarter ends Jan. 5th. 1841.

Jan. 16—I with the rest of the Comm. attended the Baptist Meeting House and appraised the pews. Received two numbers of the Christian Watchman and a receipt for paying five months it being $2.50 per annum.

DIARY OF WILLIAM C. FOLGER

29

Jan. 27—Sale of pews in the Bap. Meeting House at auction by G. G. Folger, Auctioneer. I bid off pew No. 38, it being priced at $150.00. I bid $2.25 choise money. There were further sales of pews.

Jan. 28—I received $5.00 of Allen, it being for his son's schooling last year. Paid $2.75 for a piece of carpet for my pew.

Feb. 4—1 paid Capt. Potter $8 towards my pew. I borrowed a few days ago $9 of E. R. Folger.

Feb. 5—I gave the scholars a holiday this afternoon and went to try to get another school house as the one I occupy is to be taken down. Went up to Thomas Coffin's and hired from his daughter the one in Vestal St. @ $30 a year. Hired it for one quarter with the privilege of buying it or hiring it longer.

Feb. 6—I hired a piece of land near the school house for a yard at $2 a year.

I got yesterday a barrell of flour at $6 of Rowland Pollard and sent it to Lydia Paddack towards rent of school house.

Feb. 8—1 got Stephen Easton to take up the benches in the school house having purchased them of John Nicholson and boards for benches and shelves.

I bot also the privy belonging to the school house. I had borrowed of James Austin some school benches which I had carted to my new school house.

I got Capt. John Gardner to cart them and also to cart other things up.

Feb. 9—I got through moving and Stephen Easton put up the benches for me to-day. I also moved the Sabbath School Library up. I paid Capt. Gardner $1 and am to pay him another. These two days are Town Meeting days and I have had no school. Began this evening my evening classes again and most of the scholars attended.

Feb. 10—Began my day school this morning in the new building, I find it a much colder building than the one 1 left.

Feb. 20—I broke up my evening school as the evenings were short and the scholars getting tired and the other teachers having quitted.

Feb. 22—Had a letter from father by mail post paid giving information of his having a cough, but his health has been good. He speaks of their having had meetings 17 days steady and a number of persons having been converted, among them Capt. Z. D. Bassett.

Feb. 23—I measured a lot of land at Watercomet sold by Anson Raymond to N. A. Sprague, containing two acres and about five rods.

Feb. 24—A man had come to the island a few days ago who I had seen here before and also travelled with in the State of New York. To-day I heard that my friend came here solely to take my heart's blood — because I had informed some of his relatives of his having abstracted some of my in the State of New York. I thought of having him arrested but heard he had left the island. I heard this morning he was still on the island. He came to the house where I reside and denied having seen me in New York state and denied having made such a threat. I got John Nicholson to move my build­ ing from School street up to Vestal St. — and had also the help of Stephen Easton.

Feb. 25—I lodged these two nights at the house of Arnold Morse as I did not wish to lodge in the same house with my quandom friend.

Feb. 26—I got a day or two ago a bottle of Mrs. Gardner's balsam of Liver­ wort for my cough which is quite severe, got it at Edward Mitchell's for 50 cts.

Feb. 27—I got of William A. Jenks, Barber's Historical View of Massachu­ setts in one thick volume with a number of plates at $3.00. He had collected

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

a bill from George Rudberg of $3.00 being the balance due for last years schooling of his son Charles — I took this book of Wm. A. Jenks for that bill.

Samuel H. Jenks — To $4.50 collected of James Gillespie by Wm. A. Jenks, being my bill against said Gillespie for instructing his son last year in evening school. Yesterday Thomas Ellis Gibbs quitted day school and Prince Gardner paid his bill of $6.33. To-day Gershom Phinney quitted school. I paid Mr. Rounds for 2 hymn books for myself @ 62V$ cts. Lent Stephen Maey 62Vi cts. to pay for his hymn book.

March 1—I paid Capt. John Gardner at the time I moved up to Vestal street one dollar and I have since paid him another which settles the bill for moving.

I had Joseph Coffin cart me a load of pine wood in February up to Vestal street — wood and carting $.53. Received a letter from father dated Hyannis, Feb. 25th. he mentions having a cough and wished me to send him a jacknife. To-day I sent him 2 jacknives at 60cts. each which I bought at H. A. & E. G. Kelley's, gave them to Bartlett Cobb to take to him. Sent a letter to father and a bundle of Grammars that Mrs. Chesman sent on by me last summer.

March 4—I gave the scholars a holiday this afternoon it being the Inaugura­ tion of President Harrison. N. A. Sprague paid me $1.00 for measuring his land. I went down to correct a survey I took of a piece of land from George R. Gardner in Dec. 1840. I had not worked it out until now and some of the pencil marks were nearly obliterated.

March 9—I handed to George Gardner my plot of his land containing be­ tween three and four acres — charged him $2.00 for it. I had got a cravat at $1.00 yesterday — I now got $3.89 of cotton and linen for shirts & shirtees & collars — he owed me a dollar which leaves $2.89 now due him.

March 12—Reuben Meader paid me $19.33 being for four boys he sent to evening school this winter. Also received $5.00 from Capt. Peter Chase being for Andrew Jackson's schooling.

March 13—I paid George Jenks $3.00 for lining my pew, making cushions and furnishing tape and nails. I have bought a number of cts. worth of snuff that I have neglected to put down at the time — one to-day & 6 cts. worth of Jujube Paste.

March 15—Charles Wilson paid me for John Wheldon's schooling and John Colesworthy paid $2.67 for the evening school bill this winter. William Ramsdell paid me $2.67 for John F. evening school bill. I paid Edward C. Hussey 50 cts. for mending boots.

March 16—Snowstorm. I had a billet to attend the wedding of C. G. Clark & Harriet M. Gruber to-morrow evening but had a bad cold and could not go.

March 18—Annual Meeting of the Nant. Bap. Soc. for the choice of officers.

The officers were chosen according to law and duly qualified before Hon. Walter Folger, Esq. I was chosen Clerk and also a Treasurer Pro Tern to act as such during the absences of Capt. Potter.

March 19—1 signed and sealed with Capt. Potter at Uncle Walter's a deed of Pew No. 2 to Allen Ames. I got two writing books at Edward Mitchell's.

I borrowed The Pictorial Geography by S. G. Goodrich having a thousand pictures, but like some others of his works it has more show than intrinsic merit. I got at Capt. Potters some garlics and bought a pint of gin of Geo. A. Lawrence to put to them. Still fighting a cold.

(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 development of our country. You can perpetuate that interest by giving to the Association a legacy under your will, which will help to insure the Association's carrying on. Counsel advises that legacies to the Nantucket Historical Association are allowable deductions under the Federal Estate Tax law.

Legacies will be used for general or specific purposes as directed bv the donor. A sample form may read as follows: "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Nantucket Historical Association, a corporation duly or­ ganized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and located in the Town of Nantucket, in said Commonwealth, the sum of Dollars."

Legacies may be made also in real estate, bonds, stocks, books, paint­ ings, or any objects having historical value, in which event a brief descrip­ tion of the same should be inserted instead of a sum of money.

Please send all communications to Miss Ethel Anderson, Secretary, Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts, 02554. Office, Fair Street Museum.

Fog, with Time, also waits for No Man.