Historic Nantucket, October 1967, Vol. 15 No. 2

Historic Nantucket

One of Nantucket's Unique "Bent" Houses OCTOBER, 1967

Published Quarterly by NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET. MASSACHUSETTS

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, Edouard A. Stackpole.

Vice Presidents, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, W. Ripley Nelson, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, George W. Jones.

Honorary Vice President, Mrs. William L. Mather.

Treasurer, Leonard W. Giles.

Secretary, Mrs. Robert M. Ray. Councillors, Edouard A. Stackpole, Chairman; Mrs. Ernest H. Menges, Walter Beinecke, Jr., terms expire 1968; Leroy H. True. Herbert I. Terry, terms expire 1969; Mrs. James C. Andrews, Richard F. Swain, terms expire 1970; Mrs. Albert F. Egan, Jr., H. Errol Coffin, terms expire 1971.

Executive Committee, W. Ripley Nelson, Chairman; Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, Albert F. Egan. Jr., George W. Jones, Edouard A. Stackpole, ex officio.

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

Curator Emeritus, Mrs. Nancy S. Adams.

Honorary Curator, Mrs. William L. Mather.

Curator, Miss Dorothy Gardner.

Editor, "Historic Nantucket". A. Morris Crosby; Margaret Fawcett Barnes, Mrs. R. A. Orleans.

Assistant Editors, Mrs.

Chairmen of Exhibits, Historical Museum, Mrs. Elizabeth Worth; 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, Mrs. Herbert Foye; Fire Hose Cart House, Irving T. Bartlett; Oldest House, Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews; Franklin-Folger Seat and Memorial Boulder, Herbert I. Terry.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION filed with Postmaster, Nantucket, Massachusetts, according to Act of October 23, 1962 ; section 4369, title 39, United States Code. DATE OF FILING: September 6, 1967. TITLE OF" PUBLICATION: HISTORIC NANTUCKET. FREQUENCY OF ISSUE: Quarterly.

LOCATION OF KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION: Nantucket Historical Association, Fair Street, Nantucket, County of Nantucket, Massachusetts, 02554.

LOCATION OF THE HEADQUARTERS OR GENERAL BUSINESS OFFICES OF THE PUBLISHERS: Fair Street, Nantucket, Massachusetts. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PUBLISHER, EDITOR AND MANAGING EDITOR: PUBLISHER: Nantucket Historical Association, Fair Street, Nantucket, Massachusetts. EDITOR: A. Morris Crosby, 6 Step Lane, Nantucket, Massachusetts. MANAGING EDITOR: None.

OWNER: Nantucket Historical Association, Fair Street, Nantucket, Massachusetts.

OFFICERS: President, Edouard A. Stackpole, Nantucket, Massachusetts; Vice-Presidexits ; Miss Grace Brown Gardner, W. Ripley Nelson, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Alcon Chad­ wick, Henry B. Coleman, George W. Jones, all of said Nantucket, Massachusetts.

TREASURER: Leonard W. Giles. SECRETARY, Mrs. Robert M. Ray, both of said Nantucket, Massachusetts. KNOWN BONDHOLDERS, MORTGAGEES, AND OTHER SECURITY HOLDERS, OWNING OR HOLDING 1 PERCENT OR MORE OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF BONDS, MORTGAGES OR OTHER SECURITIES: None (Non-Profit Corporation). I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete, (signed) A. Morris Crosby, Editor.

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 15

October 1967

No. 2

CONTENTS Nantucket Historical Association Officers

2

President's Report for the Year 1966-67

5

Secretary's Report of Annual Meeting

9

Trial and Execution of Nathan Quibbey

By Emil Frederick Guba

12

Nantucket Street Lighting

By H. Errol Coffin

17

Lucretia Coffin Mott (1793-1880)

By Nancy Bowen Honorable Mention, 1967 Historical Essay Contest 25 Recent Events

28

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

30

Legacies and Bequests

35

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, 1967, Nantucket Historical Association.

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

4

Vice President George W. Jones with carved ivory desk set, a gift to him from the Association on his retirement as President last July.

5

W

President's Annual Report

E have completed seventy-three years as an Association, seventy-three successful years which have shown a satisfy­ ing- growth, a growth which has been accelerated as the years have passed. The general public has never been more conscious of our work or more interested in it than at the present time. This is true all over the country as thousands of historical societies and associations have been formed and have worked to keep before the people the value of their heritage and show them the importance of remembering what has gone before to make this country great.

This year has seen a number of changes in our personnel, and the problems of replacement have been difficult to meet.

We have been fortunate in filling the positions vacated and in being able to operate again in all departments.

Our Secretary, Mrs. James Duffy, due to personal reasons, felt compelled to relinquish her position as of May 31st. We lose a competent and interested worker whose work has been well done and greatly appreciated. She leaves with our thanks and well wishes.

Mr. Norman P. Giffin notified the Council some months ago that he desired to conclude his services as Treasurer at the expi­ ration of the fiscal year, May 31st. He has done an outstanding job and meticulously handled our finances. This has become a very time-consuming position. During his term he has introduced several innovations which have helped to make our records more easily understood and easier for the auditor. Our payroll alone during the summer season runs over $900.00 each week, and our income and expenses have grown with each new exhibit (the total of which has now reached nine). The Council is indebted to him, and I express my personal appreciation of his fine work.

Our Curator and one who, in addition, performed the duties of Chairman of the Fair Street Museum, along with those as one of our Vice-Presidents, has been compelled for physical reasons, to relinquish the posts of Curator and Chairman of Fair Street Museum. Mrs. William L. Mather has filled these positions for some years with keen interest and has displayed loyalty to the Association and cooperation with her fellow workers. May I say to her, "Well done." We are sorry for the necessity of this action.

The Admission Hostess at the Whaling Museum, Mrs. Bernice Foye, who has held the important position at the admission desk at this exhibit and has assisted in many ways to make this a successful museum, has been unable to continue in this capacity but has, we are happy to report, assumed the duties of Chairman and Hostess at the 1800 House, where Miss Ethel Clark has per­ formed the requirements of that position for several years most satisfactorily. Miss Clark, after due consideration, felt that she could no longer continue. We regret the loss of her services.

Mrs. Ellen Chace, the librarian at the Whaling Museum and one who has worked hard for many years to improve the value

6

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

of our library and the importance to the public of our many whal­ ing ship logs and journals, has found it necessary to lighten her work load somewhat and is now working fewer hours but with no less interest in the work being done there.

Mrs. Louise Hussey is giving more time at the Whaling Mu­ seum where she worked as part-time employee last year. She and Mrs. Chace are dividing the time as librarians, a solution which is working out very satisfactorily.

After Mr. William Garnett was incapacitated last season, we had difficulties in filling his position at the Old Gaol. Tempo­ rary attendants were located, which helped us complete the sea­ son last year.

Mr. Albert G. Brock, Chairman of this exhibit, has been successful in acquiring the services of Mr. Joseph Lavoie as at­ tendant this year, where he is carrying on very satisfactorily.

To carry on the duties of Secretary and Treasurer until our annual meeting and election of officers, Mr. Leonard W. Giles has filled the position of Secretary, and I have endeavored to execute the Treasurer's chores.

Mrs. Elizabeth Worth, who was at the admission desk at the Fair Street Museum during last summer, is again at that stand and in addition has taken on the responsibilities of Chair­ man of that exhibit. I feel we are most fortunate in acquiring her services for this additional work.

Thus have the inevitable changes been taken care of and we seem headed for a banner year.

Our operation over the last twelve months has been suc­ cessful and satisfying. We have grown in attendance at the exhibits and public interest continues to increase.

The Council concluded last fall that a heating system should be installed at the Whaling Museum, and this work has been carried on under the guidance of the able Chairman of that exhibit, Mr. W. Ripley Nelson, and will be in operation come fall of this year.

Several additional items have been received and displayed, and Mr. Nelson's report has covered these accessions.

The building at number One North Water Street, which had been purchased, with the land it stood on, and presented to the Association by the Nantucket Historical Trust in antici­ pation of the construction of a new Museum Building, has been razed and the land cleared.

With the completion of the new Town and County Build­ ing, the Town's temporary office space in this house was dis­ continued and the structure being in poor repair, it was torn down and removed in accordance with previously formulated plans.

A burglary at the Fair Street Museum late last winter resulted in the loss of several items which, although of little monetary value, had considerable historic value and, of course, are irreplaceable. It is difficult to understand how anyone with

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

7

the least pride in the history of the town where they live could be so selfish as to deprive others for perhaps generations of the pleasure of feeling the connections which these items made with those who lived here before us.

The Friends Meeting House underwent quite extensive ex­ terior repairs last fall and with a new coat of paint looks very neat and able to continue on for many years.

It continues to serve as a Meeting House for the Friends services each summer.

The Old Mill vanes fell victim to dampness and rot, and two of the heavy timbers had to be replaced. Chairman Henrv B. Coleman had this work done by Mr. Joseph Senecal, a me­ chanic who has practiced his art on this structure for many years and whom we can always depend upon to do a fine job.

Mr. Herbert I. Terry, who keeps a watchful eye on the Folger-Franklin Memorial as Chairman, made arrangements for a shorter and easier entrance to run directly from the fountain on Madaket Road across the intervening field. A rail fence en­ trance was constructed and this path became a popular entrance route for both pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Oldest House, under the supervision of Mrs. Clinton Andrews, its Chairman, continues to draw many interested visi­ tors. Its over 280 years of existence gives it a particular charm for many people coming to the Island.

Hadwen House-Satler Memorial is one of our popular exhib­ its due to the fine and friendly atmosphere presented by its several hostesses, and the care and planning furnished by the exhibit committee headed by Mr. Albert Egan, Jr., and assisted by the three ladies who comprise the house committee.

The Gardner Street Hose Cart House, while not a large ex­ hibit and lacking an attendant, catches the interest of many and lends added charm to that particular location. Mr. Irving Bartlett, as Chairman and as a near-by resident, watches over this property.

The Council members have shown their lively interest by their regular attendance at the monthly meetings, and I have been conscious of their friendly and helpful support.

I have had the pleasure and privilege of attending three out of the four quarterly meetings of the Bay State Historical League, and at none of them have I failed to hear compliments about the manner in which the Nantucket Historical Association, acting as their host, entertained them in June of 1966. We have many friends in this organization, and I strongly urge all who can to attend these quarterly get-togethers. Some of the member societies have consistently large attendances. One makes valuable contacts and learns much about the history of other areas in Massachusetts.

Our Annual Gam in March was a big success. Held as usual in the Maria Mitchell Library, it was conducted by one of our former presidents, Mr. Edouard A. Stackpole. The attendance was

HISTORIC NANTUCKET the greatest ever and passed the one-hundred mark. The remi­ niscences were enjoyed by all and in many cases were highly humorous. The Annual Gam has become legendary and is looked forward to by many as the time for one rolls around each year.

The annual High School historical essay contest was won by Bruce Francis with honorable mention going to Nancy Bowen.

The Nantucket Historical Trust continues to strengthen our accessions list by adding very valuable and desirable material to our several exhibits.

Through the generosity of two of our members, who prefer to remain anonymous, we have been enabled to repair and pre­ serve several of our valuable oil paintings, and the work will be continued this summer, financed from the same source.

Each year we lose two Council members whose four-year terms expire and who in conformity with our by-laws cannot succeed themselves. This year those leaving the Council are Miss Helen Powell and Mr. Albert G. Brock. Both have had consistent attendance at meetings and have always been willing to do more than their duties required. May they continue to be interested and helpful members.

The report of the Treasurer shows us to be in a stable situa­ tion, and we anticipate an ever-growing number of admissions.

Our members in good standing remain very close to twelve hundred, and our quarterly magazine, HISTORIC NANTUCKET, re­ tains its fine quality under the editorship of Mr. A. Morris Crosby and is a source of pleasure to many of our members nation-wide.

It has been my good fortune to have been your president over the last eleven years and to have attempted to carry on the good works of my predecessors.

For several years now I have felt that another should fill this position in my stead to restimulate the work and bring forth new and fruitful ideas.

My suggestions to this effect have not been heeded, and it was evident that the action rested with me.

I have, therefore, informed the nominating committee that I am no longer a candidate for re-election.

I do this not without some soul-searching, as I am still inter­ ested in the work and aims of this Association and trust that I may continue to be of service from the perimeter rather than the center.

As this will be my last opportunity to do so as President, I extend to all my fellow workers my sincere appreciation of their efforts in behalf of this Association. It has been a pleasure to work with them all.

The workers here are many: Council Members, Exhibit Chairmen, hosts, hostesses and all the workers paid and voluntary who display sincere loyalty to this organization.

To you all, I say thank you for your support; may your good work continue.

Respectfully submitted, George W. Jones, President 8

9

Secretary's Report of Annual Meeting THE 73rd ANNUAL MEETING of the Nantucket Historical As­ sociation, held on Tuesday, July 18, 1967, at the Friends Meet­ ing House on Fair Street, was called to order at 2:30 p.m. by the President, Mr. George W. Jones, with 86 persons in attend­ ance.

As he welcomed the members and friends of the association, the president noted that this was the eleventh year he had been privileged to extend this greeting.

The secretary's report of the 1966 annual meeting was read by acting secretary, Leonard W. Giles, and was approved with the correction that the Bay State Historical League was given a tour of the town, rather than a tour of the island.

Inasmuch as all committee reports are printed in the July issue of HISTORIC NANTUCKET which was already in the hands of the members, the president asked for a motion to waive the reading of those reports. The motion was made, seconded and carried.

As no questions were raised concerning the reports, the president presented his annual report. He stated that the general public has never been more conscious of our work or more inter­ ested than at the present time.

President Jones noted the changes in personnel which in­ cluded the retirement of Mrs. Duffy as Secretary as of May 31st, that of Norman P. Giffin as Treasurer as of May 31st, and that of Mrs. William Mather as Curator and Chairman of the Fair Street Museum, and that of Miss Ethel Clark as hostess of the 1800 House.

One of the most important accomplishments of the year was the installation of the heating system in the Whaling Museum which will be in operation this fall. The building at No. 1 North Water Street has been removed in anticipation of a future mu­ seum building adjacent to the Whaling Museum.

The Annual Gam was held at the Maria Mitchell Library in March and was attended by over one hundred persons.

The report of the Nominating Committee was presented by the Chairman, Henry Coleman, who made the following nomi­ nations: President, Edouard A. Stackpole; Vice Presidents: Miss Grace Brown Gardner, W. Ripley Nelson, Albert F. Egan, Jr., George W. Jones, Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman; Honorary Vice President, Mrs. William Mather; Councillors until 1971, H. Errol Coffin, Mrs. Albert F. Egan, Jr.; Secretary, Mrs. Robert Ray; Treasurer, Leonard W. Giles. Serving on the Nominating Committee with Mr. Coleman were Alcon Chadwick and Mrs. Ernest Menges. The President asked if there were other

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

nominations from the floor. There were none. Motion was then made, seconded and carried that the nominations be closed, and the secretary be instructed to cast one ballot for the slate as read by the president. That action was taken and all were declared elected. Mr. Jones then presented the gavel to the newly elected president, Mr. Edouard A. Stackpole. Mr. Stackpole stated that he was honored to be asked to return to this position which he had held in the past.

Mr. Stackpole then presented the following resolution: RESOLUTION — Be It Resolved: that the Nantucket His­ torical Association, having had as its President from 1956 to 1967 George W. Jones, a native of Nantucket, hereby recognizes that during the carrying out of his official duties as the head of this Association he has always kept in the forefront its funda­ mental purposes and precepts, bringing a strong credit to him­ self as well as to this Association.

Therefore: The Nantucket Historical Association, at its An­ nual Meeting, held on the 18th of July, 1967, hereby places on record this Resolution, expressing its gratitude to Mr. Jones for his unfailing loyalty, his continuous service, and his excellent direction in the affairs of this Association.

It Is Further Resolved: That this expression of appreciation for the services and interest of George W. Jones during his years as President of the Nantucket Historical Association be spread upon the minutes of this Annual Meeting of 1967.

The resolution was adopted by unanimous applause.

Vice President Henry Coleman requested the floor and pre­ sented Mr. Jones a scrimshaw whale's tooth desk set made by Miss Nancy Chase. The entrance to the Whaling Museum is etched on the tooth, and the set has a plaque which reads: "Pre­ sented to George W. Jones, President, Nantucket Historical As­ sociation, 1956-1967, in grateful recognition of his devoted ser­ vice."

President Stackpole then introduced the speaker, Mr. Eu­ gene George, of the Historical Association Building Survey. He reported on the work of measuring and recording data on many old historic structures in the town which will be permanently recorded in the Library of Congress.

The buildings which were measured 25 years ago included: The Old Gaol, Windmill, Elihu Coleman House, Sanford House, the Betsy Carey Cottage in 'Sconset, the meridian stones and various fences.

Last year when this work was resumed, the structures measured were: The Atheneum, the Congregational Church and Vestry, and the old Masonic building in back of the Pacific Na­ tional Bank.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

11

The buildings being measured this year include: Whaling Museum, Unitarian Church, the old African Baptist Church Building on the corner of York and Pleasant Streets, the Nan­ tucket Lodge No. 66, I.O.O.F. Building, the Josiah Coffin (Tuttle) house, the Macy warehouses (Taylor Galleries and Straight Wharf Theatre buildings), 14 Orange Street, 51 Centre Street, and the old Life Saving Station at Surfside.

He has done much research into the entire life of the com­ munity during the period of these buildings. He found the exca­ vation of the former gas station on Washington Street to con­ tain a fascinating record of history in its many layers which include a wharf from some unidentified time and charred wood from the Great Fire of 1846. He showed a piece of this charred wood to the audience, along with three items from the tower of the Unitarian Church — an old bent horn which might have been used by Billy Clark, a very old oil can, and an old bottle which might have been used for medicine, or for "Something more potent."

Mr. George pointed out that throughout history the demo­ lition of buildings ultimately leads to the destruction of the culture and then of the nations themselves. The importance of seeing lasting accomplishments, such as the old buildings, is a step toward maintaining a living historical culture for future generations.

With the conclusion of Mr. George's talk, the meeting ad­ journed at 3:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Elinor M. Ray, Secretary

12

The Trial and Execution of Nathan Quibbey

T

BY EMIL FREDERICK GUBA HE Nantucket whaling enterprise in seagoing vessels had its beginnings shortly after the year 1700. By 1720 the Nantucketers were whaling 80 leagues at sea. The native Indians played an important role in the business from the beginning.

They were good workers and expert mariners. As the industry developed, larger vessels were built for longer whaling voyages.

Prior to the American Revolutionary War the vessels were of 150 tons burden, usually brigs manned with 13 hands, five of whom were Indians. But the Nantucket race of Indians was destined to meet with misfortune and annihilation. Crevecoeur in 1782 wrote, "They are hastening toward total annihilation and this may be perhaps the last compliment that will ever be paid them by any traveler." The strange fever epidemic of 1763 swept away most of them. Those away at sea escaped the malady. Their other calamity came from their addiction to intoxicating liquor and it was a serious, degrading one. Sometimes, in periods of intoxica­ tion, the Indians would resort to murder. Some of the capital crimes among Nantucket Indians occurred in drunken brawls among them. Even savage instinct sometimes manifested itself in murder. Such was the episode on the whaler Sally in Nantucket Harbor in October, 1767.

The trial and execution of the Nantucket Indian, Nathan Quibbey, for the crime of murder in Nantucket Harbor and the Nantucket County Gaol took place in 1768. Some of the high dig­ nitaries of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay from Boston participated, including Chief Justice Thomas Hutchinson, latei the last royal governor of the Massachusetts Bay Province. The trial was held in the Presbyterian Meeting House (Old North Vestry) and the execution by hanging near the First Milestone on the road to Siasconset. This was the last execution at Nan­ tucket, although not the last murder. Published history records the first murder at Nantucket, in 1665, of Joel Iacoomes and ten executions for murder between 1665 and 1768, all of Nantucket Indians at Nantucket.

Nathan Quibbey was one of the Indian seamen on the whal­ ing schooner Sally, Captain Benjamin Russell. The Sally arrived at ° Nantucket Harbor after a whaling voyage at exactly nine o'clock on Saturday evening, October 4, 1767. The master of the vessel immediately went ashore to join his family. The vio­ lent aftermath following his departure in the night was de­ scribed at the trial by Brian Gall and Robert Ellis, both mar­ iners on the Sally. Brian Gall related that "in the night, between October 4 and 5, Robert Ellis called to 'get up, the Indians are killing one another'." There he saw forward Peleg Titus expir­ ing with a mortal knife wound in his back. Brian Gall contin-

THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF NATHAN QUIBBY

13

ued: "He strove to breathe. Nathan Quibbey said he killed him.

Then Isaac Jeffrey called 'murder' several times; then he died.

Quibbey said he killed in self defense, but he was willing to die for it, and he spoke to John Charles saying, 'You are as guilty as I am'."

Robert Ellis corroborated the testimony of Brian Gall and related that after the master of the Sally went ashore, he went to his cabin and fell asleep. At half-past one (Sunday morning, October 5) one of the Indians, Robert Narre, called at the gang­ plank that the Indians forward were killing one another. Ellis got up and went forward and there found Peleg Titus with a mortal knife wound between the shoulder blades lying prostrate and dying. There he saw Nathan Quibbey and John Charles holding whale lances. Nathan jumped down into the forecastle with two knives in his hands. "After he was down I heard Isaac Jeffery cry 'murder.' Then all was still for I heard many blows and cries and Nathan returned on deck and said he killed Isaac and he meant to do it and was willing to die for it." Robert Ellis tried to take his knife from him but Nathan threw it over­ board. "I then confined him with the help of Brian Gall and an Indian who called as above (Robin Narre).

An inquisition was conducted by Timothy Folger, coroner, on Monday, October 6, 1767, the seventh year of the reign of King George III, on the bodies of Peleg Titus and Isaac Jeffrey.

Nathan Quibbey and John Charles were held for murder and committed to the Nantucket County Gaol, then situated on a site north of No Bottom Pond. The coroner's verdict, together with a request from the sheriff, Benjamin Tupper, for a special sitting of the Judges of Circuits at Nantucket was brought in person by Timothy Folger, Coroner of Nantucket County, to His Excellency Governor Francis Barnard and Council at Boston. The document read: "To His Excellancy "Governor Francis Barnard, Boston

Sherburne October 15,1767

"May it please Your Excellancy — now confined in our Nantucket Gaol — two Indians John Charles and Nathan Quibbey appre­ hended for the murder of two other Indians, Peleg Titus and Isaac Jeffrey — occurring in Sherburne on the night of October 4 and as Judges of Circuits do not visit our Island at all — I conclude a special court will be appointed for their trial as usual in this place — and if it be possible if this fall it would save considerable charge from the County more especially to the men that are the evidences in the case — if it should not be till the Spring and Summer they will be prevented from their voyages which is all they depend on for their support. Timothy Folger Esq. who is Cor­ oner of the County by whom I send this can give a more particular account of this tragical affair and will wait on Your Excellancy

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

and hear the other part of your wisdom in the case. From your excellant most obedient humble servant "Benjamin Tupper, Sheriff, Nantucket County."

Andrew Oliver, secretary to the Governor and Council under date of November 4, 1767, advised the judges of the Superior Court that he had been directed by the Governor and Council to send the application of the sheriff of Nantucket County to their honors, "advising that you would make return to them accord­ ingly as shall suit your convenience. Mr. Folger who brings this awaits your Honors answer." Thereupon Governor Francis Bar­ nard addressed an order to the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General Gaol Delivery, to establish a special court for recent capital cases at Nantucket for May 4, 1768, the prisoners then being in the Gaol at Nan­ tucket for committing murder.

Then on December 26, 1767, in the Nantucket County Gaol, Nathan Quibbey wilfully murdered John Charles, his accomplice and Gaol mate, by stabbing "him with a knife twice near the collar bone and into the back into the kidneys." Quibbey con­ fessed to the murder. An inquisition was held promptly on the same day before Timothy Folger, coroner, on the body of John Charles found dead in the Nantucket County gaol.

On March 7, 1768, Samuel Winthrop, Esq., Clerk of the Su­ perior Court at Boston, notified the constables at Sherburne to assemble the freeholders and inhabitants for the purpose of choosing forty-four good and lawful men, twenty on the Grand Jury, twenty-four on the Jury of Trials, for the court to be held at Sherburne, May 4, 1768. At Nantucket town meeting assem­ bled April 16, 1768, and selected the Grand and Petit Jurors.

The court met at Nantucket on Wednesday, May 4, 1768, as directed. Present were Thomas Hutchinson Esq., Chief Justice, and associate Justices Peter Oliver, Esq., Edmund Trowbridge, Esq., and James Hovey acting for the King's Attorney General.

The indictment presented that "Nathan Quibbey of Sherburne, laborer, on October 4 last, assaulted Isaac Jeffrey with a certain instrument called a boat-hook made of wood and iron of value of one shilling. Nathan struck him three severe blows on left side of Isaac's head and made a mortal wound one inch long on the left side of his head. Nathan Quibbey did with force of arms feloniously, wilfully and of his malice assault Isaac Jeffrey. Then with knife of value of one shilling Nathan struck with right hand the said Isaac on right side under short ribs of Isaac, giving Isaac a mortal wound on his left side, under his short ribs three inches long, two inches wide, six inches deep. Isaac Jeffrey died instantly."

The indictment for assaulting Peleg Titus presented that Nathan Quibbey used "a whale lance of wood and iron striking him in the trunks, in the back part of the body near the kidneys,

THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF NATHAN QUIBBEY

15

making a mortal wound two inches long, one inch wide and six inches deep."

The indictment of Nathan Quibbey for murdering John Charles in the gaol house on December 26 stated that John was knifed "in the throat making a mortal wound four inches deep, one-half inch wide and one inch long, and another mortal wound in the kidneys through the back, one inch long, one inch wide and four inches deep." According to Sheriff Benjamin Tupper they were the only prisoners in His Majesty's Gaol at the time.

Nathan Quibbey pleaded not guilty upon his arraignment at the bar, and put himself to trial. The Petit Jury sworn to try the issue, comprised: Christopher Hussey, Foreman, John Gard­ ner 2nd, Charles Folger, Benjamin Coffin 3rd, William Brock, Hezekiah Cartwright, Uriah Gardner, Beriah Fitch, Francis Brown, Joseph Bunker, Samuel Cartwright, and Timothy Gard­ ner. There was no defense and no defendant counsel. The jury heard the evidence, the charge, and deliberated, then returned a verdict of guilty. The prisoner uttered no statement or objec­ tion. The King's Attorney, James Hovey, moved for sentence, and the Chief Justice ordered the execution of Nathan Quibbey by hanging on Thursday, May 26, 1768.

This was a period of great trouble in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1769, Governor Francis Bernard, on the insis­ tence of the House of Representatives and the pleasure of the inhabitants, was recalled to England. The distracted Massachu­ setts Bay government was left in the hands of Thomas Hutchin­ son who, in the summer of 1769, became the last royal Governor.

As Governor he made some costly political errors and his resig­ nation was requested. Thus, two governors in succession were driven out of office by a majority radical group in the General Court. Hutchinson left his native land for England in 1771, an old, heart-broken exile.

Before Hutchinson's eventful departure from the Massachu­ setts Bay Colony, he received a memorial from Peter Oliver Esq., which was submitted to the House of Representatives assembled in Cambridge on April 6, 1771. It read: "Peter Oliver, one of His Majesty's Justices of Superior Court represents to your Honors that he, together with the late Chief Justice and Edmund Trowbridge, Esq., appointed in April, 1768, by the Governor's Council to proceed to Nantucket in the trial of Nathan Quibbey, an Indian, for murder, which service they performed. Your Me­ morialist had considerable Expense, Time and Trouble and Charge in performing said service, submits it to your Excellency and Honors to make him such allowance as your Honors shall think adequate to his service." Another memorial by Samuel Winthrop, clerk of the Superior Court, was addressed to His Excellency, Governor Thomas Hutchinson and to the Honorable Council and House of Representatives in General Court assembled

16

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

June 5, 1772. It also related to his travel, stay and expenses at Sherburne for one week. The General Court granted Winthrop eight pounds in full for his expenses. The Justices, for their extraordinary services and expenses, were each reimbursed a total of thirty-nine pounds. Peter Oliver became Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature in 1772 and also the most hated Tory in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1775. The outbreak of the American Revolution was at hand.

Colonel Joseph C. Hart used the Quibbey affair in his Nan­ tucket historical novel, "William Coffin or the Whale Fisherman," published in 1834. Hart climaxes his story with the murder of the fictitious whaleman Harry Gardner on shipboard at sea by the Indian Nathan Quibbey. The fictitious Harry was Ruth's first suitor, she being the wealthy Nantucket princess Kezia Coffin, daughter of John and Kezia (Folger). Ruth awaited the return of her fiance but the whaler arrived at the Nantucket Bar without him. Kezia's real suitor was Phineas Fanning, the fictitious Grimshaw of Hart's novel. Kezia and Phineas were united in marriage on April 5, 1777 by Rev. Bezaleel Shaw, Congregational minister at Nantucket.

The murder of "Harry Gardner" at sea by the Indian Nathan Quibbey is pure fiction, yet the incident has been related as good history. There was no Harry Gardner in Nantucket history at the time. By the marriage of Kezia Coffin and Phinneas Fanning there were eight children, all born on the Island.

Hart's novel, however, is a classic, still available at some li­ braries, but very rare.

17

Nantucket Street Lighting A Report to the Nantucket Historical Trust

BY H. ERROL COFFIN Although most of us have realized that the street lighting poles and standards here are not objects of beauty it was not until Dr. William J. Murtagh, the historian and program director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation lectured here re­ cently that the incongruity was forcefully emphasized. After stat­ ing how he had been favorably impressed by many aspects of Nantucket, he remarked: "But your Main Street lights are an abomination."

The island was without or had very inadequate street light­ ing for about 200 years (1659-1854). The early settlers and their immediate descendants, when they did leave their homes at night, carried candle-lit pierced tin or horn lanterns.

During Nantucket's most prosperous time, when her whale oil was lighting the streets of London, there is very little evidence that much of this "liquid gold" was used by the thrifty Nantucketers to light the streets of their town.

About 40 years ago I found in the cellar of an antique shop, on Main Street, a large whale oil street lamp which had been bracketed out from a building. The lantern was still attached to the wrought iron brackets. I bought it and had it transported and mounted on an old house of ours, built in 1702, in Old Green­ wich. This lamp served as the model shown in drawing (4).

Whether or not there were street post lamps, at this time, is problematical. I have found no evidence of any. There is a rare old photograph of Lower Main Street taken before the fire of 1846, now in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Associa­ tion. This photograph shows the street and the stores on the North side without visible evidence of any form of street lighting.

If there were lamp posts then the posts or standards were, in all likelihood, made of turned wood as the material was readily available and the mechanics were used to forming spars and masts. The lamp post shown in drawing (3) indicates a turned and tapered wood shaft surmounted with a lantern similar to the one shown in drawing (4).

Main Street was first lighted by gas, from mains, in the busi­ ness section in the evening of November 22, 1854. We know more, definitely, about street lighting by gas and the design of the fix­ tures than we do of whale oil street lighting.

There is a stereoscopic view, by J. Freeman, looking up Main Street, from the Pacific National Bank, which shows a street bracket gas lamp attached to and projecting diagonally from the

18

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

corner. Actually there was another of these lamps attached to the corner of the bank next to the Methodist Church. The brackets are still there but the lanterns have long since gone. Small hang­ ing marine type lights have been substituted. This stereoscopic photograph together with measurements and sketches of the ex­ isting brackets formed the basis of drawing (2).

I also found a stereoscopic view, by C. H. Shute & Son, Edgartown, Mass., looking East down upper Main Street. The photograph is of such small scale and faded that the detail of the post is not discernible.

There are still two of these old posts on the island, salvaged when street gas lighting was abandoned. They are beautifully proportioned and detailed with acanthus leaves and fluted, tap­ ered columns. These posts complement the neo-classic residences on the street. The stereoscopic photograph together with meas­ urements, sketches and photos served in preparing the lamp post drawing (1).

It would be nice if these two original gas lamp posts could be acquired by the Nantucket Historical Association and possibly used (suitably labeled) in front of the proposed new museum building.

The gas light street lamps we have discussed were inspired indirectly by European street lamps. Typical of these are a bracket type in Spain and post type in Italy (see sketches [5].)

The Nantucket designs, by Quaker influence, are simpler in detail (compare drawings 1 and 2 with 5). The Europeans frugally and with their inherent esthetic sense retained the gas fixtures and converted them to electric lighting.

I believe the gas street light was limited to the business section of Main Street extended aways along Upper Main Street and some say into Fair Street a short distance.

Electricity was introduced into the Town in August, 1889, and adopted by the Town for street lighting in 1893. This ended the gas era of street lighting.

Within the last few years some of the discarded Boston gas street lamp posts have been acquired and set about the Jared Coffin House and along Old North Wharf. They are a late, more efficient development of the type previously used in Nantucket.

They are higher with a circular section lantern.

Imitations of these Boston type gas street lights are being made commercially and electrified. Why they are made with an oil lamp enclosing an electric bulb is beyond my understanding.

The new waterfront improvement with forethought and con­ siderable expenditure of funds has eliminated poles, with all of the services and cables underground, and used effectively the commercially made electrified gas type street lamp posts.

NANTUCKET STREET LIGHTING

19

The street lighting fixtures (lamp post and bracketed gas prototypes) are urban and sophisticated and should not be used indiscriminately throughout the town, if and when the existing poles are removed and the electric lighting cables placed under­ ground.

It is my belief that the gas prototype lights (1) and (2) should be used only on the business streets and the streets where the larger statelier residences exist, built from 1820 to 1839.

You can readily visualize how incongruous it would appear to have one of these in front of or attached to an early house such as the Elihu Coleman House, 1722.

The whale oil type (3) and (4) should be used along the streets where the simpler and earlier buildings predominate.

The appearance of these will be more appropriate and suitable to the locale and give more variation to the total environment than if one type were used throughout the Town.

It is my recommendation that earlier type (3) be made with redwood posts and type (4) with wrought iron brackets.

Also that type (1) be made of cast aluminum painted stand­ ards, duplicating the two existing ones in appearance and that type (2) be made of wrought ciron, duplicating those on the Pacific National Bank.

It would save maintenance if the glass used in all lanterns could be clear, non-shatterable glass or plexiglass.

(The drawings to which Mr. Coffin refers appear on the fol­ lowing five pages. — Ed.)

20

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25

Lucretia Coffin Mott 1793-1880

BY NANCY BOWEN Honorable Mention, 1967 Historical Essay Contest

LUCRETIA MOTT was an American reformer and leader in woman's rights movement. She was born here in Nantucket, and was educated in a Quaker boarding school.

On the 10th of April, 1811, Lucretia married James Mott in Philadelphia. The Motts had been married only a year when the threat of war became a reality.

Along the Atlantic coast where prosperity depended upon shipping, Mr. Madison's War (the War of 1812) was roundly de­ nounced. The British fleet anchored off Cape May bottling up Philadelphia's harbor. Any ships that dared to put out to sea were captured.

The businesses on Nantucket were failing; those who had money kept it in their own hands. The firm of Coffin and Mott managed to stay open, but it could barely support two families.

To cut down on expenses the Coffins moved in with the Motts.

In the summer of 1812, just before the U.S. Constitution captured the British vessel Guerriere in America's first naval victory of the war, Lucretia gave birth to a daughter, Anna. They then moved to Long Island Sound because food was getting scarce and many people were dying of starvation. There, another child was born; his name was Thomas.

All through their stay they never stopped worrying about the war. Two British frigates were anchored in the Sound in full view of the mill house.

As the summer drew to a close, James decided to return to Philadelphia. They were preparing for the journey when word came of the fall of Washington. The British troops had set fire to the Capitol and the White House and forced President and Mrs. Madison to flee. Now the enemy was heading toward Phil­ adelphia.

Lucretia spent all her free hours stitching together peace almanacs-calendars decorated with anti-war sentiments — which she gave to neighbors and friends. Sixty years and two wars later Lucretia was still remembered for her efforts to bring "the cruel war" to an end.

In the fall of 1814, they reached Philadelphia. Lucretia worked with her cousin, Rebecca, in the spring and they opened a Select School for Girls, which was sponsored by the Friends Pine Street Meeting Society. Starting with four girls who paid

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

$7 a quarter for lessons, the school grew rapidly. Before the end of the year the two young women were teaching reading, writing, ciphering and even French to forty pupils.

Four weeks after her classes had started, she received a blow that was all but crushing. Little Thomas, her active two-year-old, was dead. He had been stricken by a mysterious fever.

She continued to teach, leaving the school in 1818, six weeks before the birth of a second daughter, Maria. Throughout the 1820's there always was a baby in the cradle, and two or three toddlers running through the house. Thomas, the second, was born in 1823, followed by Elizabeth two years later. Martha, who was nicknamed Patty was born in 1828.

Lucretia's children were brought up according to Nantucket standards. Each little girl had her sampler and her daily stint of hemming to finish, while Tom, the only boy, was assigned to the woodbin and the care of the small yard out back. As the girls grew older they helped to make James' shirts and their own dresses. In the late afternoon they all gathered around the fire­ place in the parlor with their sewing much as the Coffins had done when Lucretia was a girl.

Lucretia was invited to become a minister of the Society of Friends. She became a minister at the time of bitter struggle within the Society. The meeting had split up and James and Lucretia were forced to take sides. She began to preach at the new Hicksite meeting house. As she studied, she slowly worked out a philosophy of her own. "Loving God was meaningless unless one also loved man — this included strangers as well as friends."

As she looked at the world around her, she saw many wrongs that needed righting. The greatest wrong of all was slavery. There were two million slaves in the United States.

In 1833 James McCrummell, a member of the Anti-Slavery Society's Board of Managers, adopted a constitution which Lu­ cretia was the first to sign.

In 1833, the life expectancy of a woman in the United States was forty years. With the formation of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, forty-year old Lucretia felt as if she had just begun to live.

The female society started a school for Negro children. The school was still in the planning stage when Prudence Crandall arrived in Philadelphia. In 1834, Prudence Crandall was perhaps the most noted woman and certainly the most notorious school marm in America. Two years earlier she had angered her neigh­ bors by opening an "academy for young ladies and little misses of color" in her home in Connecticut. Stoned, jailed, refused medical attention when she was ill, she kept the school open until her tormentors set it on fire. She came to Philadelphia to open

LUCRETIA COFFIN MOTT

27

another school. Lucretia thought she would be just the right teacher for the school.

The Negro parents were eager to have Prudence Crandall teach their children — but the white Philadelphians weren't. The ladies of the Female Society started the school with Sarah Doug­ lass, a Negro teacher, to run it. Prudence Crandall moved on to Illinois.

Great strides had been made since the first Anti-Slavery Con­ vention. Local societies had been formed in every state of the North. James was a founder of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and in 1,837 Lucretia had led a delegation of seventeen women to New York for a National Convention of Anti-Slavery Women.

Lucretia was asked to speak at Pennsylvania Hall about slavery. There was a great mob outside who set fire to the build­ ing. The beautiful building consecrated to Liberty was but a mass of blackened rubble.

The next day they held their meeting in a little schoolroom.

There were rumors that Lucretia's house would be attacked that night, but she refused to listen. That night they were coming to burn her house, but a quick-witted friend had led them in the wrong direction.

In 1839 the last convention of the Aanti-Slavery women was to be held. That year the American Anti-Slavery Society had voted to invite "all persons opposed to slavery" to join its ranks and "persons" now included women.

Lucretia was chosen as a delegate to the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London (1840). When she was not allowed to take her seat on account of her sex, she launched the women's right movement. This was formally inaugurated by Mrs. Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton at a Convention held in Seneca Falls, New Jersey in 1848.

On the 11th day of November, 1880, Lucretia Mott died.

More than a thousand people followed her plain walnut coffin to the burial grounds.

Little did Lucretia know that about forty some years after her death there would be an amendment passed for the rights of women. Also even today Negros are still fighting for their rights.

28

Recent Events IN ANY REPORT of the last summer season perhaps the less said of it the better. Those who experienced any part of it need no reminder. For those who were not here it is enough to say that it was one of the worst in the history of Nantucket weatherwise, and that means economy-wise, too. No need to go into statistics — the Weather Bureau has all the details. But fog, drizzle, rain were the order of the day with an occasional few hours of sunshine interspersed as a sort of assurance that "behind the clouds the sun still shines." Nevertheless, our visitors, though well below the average in numbers, carried on cheerfully enough and val­ iantly supported the usual summer activities — it seemed as though new art galleries sprang up everywhere — and appeared to accept the miserable weather as a challenge. A group of young people, as an example, were seen pedalling their bicycles along Centre Street in one of the usual brisk morning rains, laughing and talking, happy as the proverbial clam at high water, with one calling out, "Isn't this fun!" And he must have been soaked to the skin. The sometimes heavy rains were fine for the lawns and the trees, and the moors were never before so fresh and lovely. Vege­ tation throughout the Island was luxuriant, especially the scrub oaks, which added a spectacular growth to their stubby trunks.

Indeed, this tree (the true scrub oak of Nantucket) is spreading almost like a weed and bids fair, in time, to supplant the black pine which some experts say is dying and eventually will disap­ pear from the Island. There is one note we should add (it could be invidiously) concerning this past, very rainy season: with so much water drenching our streets, the bare feet of the back-tonature folk seemed less dirty than in previous, dry seasons. In fact, we saw one thrifty damsel washing her feet in a rain-puddle.

Well, that was the summer that was. The boats from Woods Hole and Hyannis came and went their appointed ways, and so­ journers and excursionists and cottagers came and went with them and seemed, after all, to be having not such a bad time.

Finally, when Labor Day arrived and with it that inveterate kill­ joy X. 0. Dus, the weather turned (as it almost always does turn at that time of year) bringing the warm sunny days we should have had in August, and the "Little Gray Lady," in her best bib and tucker, walked the streets and lanes once more smiling and nodding at all the people, young and old, fortunate enough to be "on-Island." *

*

*

*

*

CORRECTION: In the perhaps unavoidable confusion inci­ dental to a change in command, the Membership Committee in its report published in last July's HISTORIC NANTUCKET erron­ eously included among the deaths of members the names of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence P. Day of Pasadena, California. Both names should have been omitted, because Mr. Day is very much alive

29

RECENT EVENTS

and, while Mrs. Day, we are sorry to say, has deceased, she was not a member of the Nantucket Historical Association. A proper apology has been sent to Mr. Day for this regrettable error. $

^

^

How sweet it was to hear Nobska's melodious steam whistle twice daily, coming and going, all summer long. . . . Back to the horse-and-buggy days? By all means — whenever and wherever possible. . . . And in this connection, musically speaking, did you know that the early symphonies of Joseph Haydn, redis­ covered, are being recorded and received with growing interest and pleasure? Why not? When a dead-end is reached the only way to go is back. ^

^

To pursue this musical thought: One of the pleasantest en­ tertainments of the past season was the organ recital at St. Paul's Church, Sunday evening August 27th, featuring Ernest D. May of Heightstown, New Jersey, and Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard. Mr. May, a talented member of the younger genera­ tion of American organists, was graduated from Harvard with honors in Music in 1964. Thereafter he spent two years in Paris studying with Mile. Nadia Boulanger and Andre Marchal. He is presently associated with the music department of Princeton and holds the position of organist at the Methodist Church in Summit. The program, covering the broad field of early and later organ literature from J. S. Bach to Camille Saint-Saens, had to compete with the usual Sunday evening band concert at Straight Wharf. Nevertheless, a good-sized audience attended.

The next morning, Mr. May, through the courtesy of Rev. Wil­ liam Reid, had the opportunity of playing the newly restored Goodrich organ in the Unitarian Church. Having heard of this famous instrument and welcoming the opportunity of trying it out, Mr. May put it to an hour's long test, treating his audience composed of his wife and this editor to a delightful private re­ cital of a wide selection of organ compositions. He was delighted with its performance. "A very fine organ," he described it, 'when Goodrich made it, and just as fine today; beautifully voiced and responsive to a type of organ music for which the larger, noisier organs are ill-suited." We had the feeling that Mr. May could have played on all day; certainly this listener would have stayed with him. (For a historical and technical account of the Goodrich organ, built in 1831, see "A Tale of Two Organs," by Barbara Owen in the April, 1963, issue of HISTORIC NANTUCKET.)

30

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

(Continued from the July 1967 Issue of "Historic Nantucket) 1841 Sept. 24 — (Continued: Folger has reached the Worcester rail­ road depot on his trip from Springfield to Worcester) Got out my trunk and stopped at Porters Temperance House near the De­ pot. I had a letter to Elihu Barritt, so I soon went in the rain to see him, found him in the Blacksmiths shop just ready to go to tea. I walked with him to the Antiquarian Hall which was shut at this hour. I took leave of Mr. Barritt who offered to go with me next day to see the Antiquarian Hall and Hospital if I stayed but as my cousins trunks had gone on to Boston I felt I could not stay over. Started for Boston at 6 a.m. in the cars and arrived a little before 9 a.m. Went to the Park House. Went over to East Boston and saw the Steam packet Caledonia at the Cunard wharf. Called in at C. K. King's No. 7 Broad Street & looked at some Mathematical Instruments. After cruising around a little after dinner we were ready to leave Boston. I paid 67 cts. for my dinner, a high price. We took separate cars, my cousin for New Bedford and I for Providence, where we arrived about 5 p.m. I left my baggage in care of the Baggage Master and made the best of my way to Brown University to see my friend Amory Gale. Not finding him at his room I was going back to the depot when I met my cousin Isaiah Folger who invited me to stop aboard his vessel. I went down aboard and afterwards went to the college for Mr. Gale & lodged there that night.

Sept. 26 — I shaved and brushed up and then attended prayers in the College Chapel. Heard the President Dr. Francis Wagland, after that I breakfasted with the students and later went with Mr. Miller to the Sabbath School of the 3rd. Baptist Church.

Saw there Miss Charlotte Green. Attended Meeting in that church and in the afternoon went to First Baptist Church and heard Dr. Pattison the Pastor. Went with Mr. Amory Gale to Fitts to tea. Mr. Fitts is father to Mrs. Round.

Sept. 27 — Sought out & found Uncle Clements widow and two sons. I then called on Mr. Gale and he gave me a letter to the Librarian of the Atheneum. I took tea at John Clark's by invi­ tation of Charlotte Green yesterday. In evening I went with Mr. Clark to the Baptist Church and heard Elder Knapp of New York the Great Revivalist preach. Lodged aboard Capt.

Folger's vessel.

Sept. 28 — Breakfasted aboard then went up to College, called and viewed the Atheneum, was shown a copy of Denons great work on Egypt with plates. This library has about 9000 vols.

Afterwards went into a Photogenic establishment and saw the Daguerreotype process. I took tea at Aunt Sally Folger's where

THE DIARY OF WILLIAM C. FOLGER

31

I spent the evening. This afternoon I saw Mr. Round who had arrived from Nantucket yesterday. I went with him & saw his brother & a house which was being erected for his father. Hon. Nicholas Brown died night before last.

Sept. 29 — Called and got a letter for Stephen Easton and another for Nabby Bailey and at 3 p.m. got into the Railroad cars for Boston. Paid fare $1.50. Upon arrival I got into a hack and directed the driver to take me to the Barnstable Packet at India wharf, when I got there I found the Sloop Emerald, Capt.

Ferris who was to sail to-morrow. After putting my trunk aboard & engaging passage and lodgings aboard I walked to Charlestown to see the Bunker Hill Monument which has arisen to a height of 165 feet, but was overtaken by a rainstorm and by the shades of evening. I however ascended Bunker Hill and saw the monument which is now enclosed by a board fence.

After returning to Boston I stopped and got 6V4cts worth of oysters at Hanover street and then went to the Museum on Tremont Street, paid 25 cts. I saw the natural and artificial curios­ ities and afterwards saw a young lady Miss Gannon dance & sing, and several comic representations. I lodged aboard the Emerald.

Sept. 30 — I went up this morning and got acquainted with Drake's Bookstore then went and saw the Bowdoin Square Bap­ tist Church thence to the State House. Got 9 cts. worth of ap­ ples & cakes for breakfast then visited Wm. D. Ticknor and also B. F. Goodrich's store. Called & saw Brackett the celebrated sculptor who was making a head of Hon. Nicholas Brown.

Left Boston about 12M. for Barnstable, had a very rough pas­ sage, arrived about 11:30 p.m. and walked over to father's in Hyannis, about 2 hours.

Oct. 2—Went over to Barnstable and got my trunk and called cn John Munroe.

Oct. 3—A furious storm all day continuing through the 4th.

Oct. 5—Still stormy, the greatest gale and most destructive storm for many years.

Oct. 6—Went to Cotuit and back.

Oct. 11—Went to Cotuit Port with father & carried my trunk & put it aboard the Sloop Railroad, but the Capt. concluded not to go to-day. I helped father some in farming.

Oct. 12—Got up early but it stormed, as it began to clear we started for Cotuit Port about 20 min. past eight. When we got there the Railroad had left with my trunk so father took me to Mashpee district, soon after passing the Meeting House we parted, he returning and I went on to Waquoit & Falmouth, not finding a vessel- in Falmouth bound for Nantucket I walked on to Woods Hole or Woodsville where I arrived a little before dark. I met Cousin Stephen Swift on my route. Soon after ar­ riving at Woods Hole I went to cousin Joseph Hatch's where I lodged & took tea, breakfast & dinner. They would not take

32

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

anything for it. I took leave of my kind friends after dinner & went on board of the packet Portugal, Capt. Luce & arrived at Nantucket about 7 p.m. Called upon Uncle Walter, Stephen Easton and other friends.

Oct. 25—I undertook to keep a day school but having only two scholars I adjourned for one week. I have been writing off an account of my travels for the Inquirer & Mirror.

Nov. 1—I commenced my day & evening schools and had 7 day & 15 evening scholars.

Nov. 4—By cash received from James Athearn, twenty dollars being amount of Henry Starbuck's note due the Baptist Society.

Cash paid John Chadwick towards his bill for tower etc. $40.

Nov 20— I bot one quarter cord of wood $1.37Vfc- Paul Paddack carted it for me and he and his brother sawed it. I must give them credit 37for carting & sawing. I have put in ten dollars worth of books into the Baptist Library on account of David Joy's subscription for which David is to give me credit.

Nov. 25—I had no school to-day as it is the day appointed for a Public Fast. I dined at the ministers.

Dec. 6—I let the boy's have this afternoon for a holiday and worked on a survey of Nabby Bailey's land at Guinea.

Dec. s— I paid Lyman Dickerman two dollars being for eight private lessons in Musical Instruction.

Dec. 9—1 have lately received $2.33 being Wm. C. Myrick's school bill. From Gershom Phinney $2.67. From Frederick A. Gardner $1.00 towards school bill of Chas. G. Myrick. Also $2.50 towards James G. Allen's bill and $2.00 toward Reuben Folger's bill.

Dec. 9—I gave the boys a holiday this afternoon as Stephen Easton was at work fixing forms etc. I attended a week ago to-day J. C. Abbotts lecture at Atheneum on the Eastern Question or the Power of Russia. Received recently from Aunt Phebe two let­ ters & a pair of stockings I left. I made a deed from Nabby Bailey to Wm. King of the piece of land I surveyed & gave uncle Walter Folger 25 cts. for taking the acknowledgement.

Dec. 13—I gave George Parker $1.50 being my Atheneum tax from July to Jan'y, 1842.

Dec. 25—I gave the scholars this forenoon it being Christmas.

1 got a moleskin silk hat and hat cape of Wm. H. Geary for $4.00.

Dec. 31—I went this evening about 10 o'clock to a watch meet­ ing in the basement of the Baptist Meeting House. At a meet­ ing of the Baptist Society we voted to mortgage the Meeting House land to Thomas Potter and to transfer the policy of in­ surance to him also.

1842 jan. 3 — I plotted a survey of a piece of land for Geo. A. Law­ rence back of his house. Attended a meeting at Sunrise this

THE DIARY OF WILLIAM C. FOLGER

33

morning and again in the forenoon and at 2 p.m. and in the evening at the Baptist Church, it being Fast Day. Many indi­ viduals in the evening went to the Inquiry Room.

Jan. 7—I was at the latter part of a meeting of the Washing­ ton Total Abstinance Society at the Baptist Meeting House this evening.

Jan. 20 — I went to a meeting at the Baptist M.H. this evening by invitation of the Pastor and after having been questioned and retiring to another room was voted in a member of the Institution provided I would be baptised.

Jan. 23 — Was baptised according to the forms of the Baptist Church at 9:30 a.m. by the Rev. Daniel Round.

Jan. 24 — This morning early died Hon. Isaac Coffin, Judge of Probate etc. and the moderator of the Baptist Church.

Jan. 25 — Surveyed a piece of land for Sam'l Woodward & charged one dollar.

Jan. 26 — Went to Judge's funeral.

Jan. 27 — Was at Capt. Alexander H. Robinson's at a tea party this eve.

Jan. 29 — This evening the Baptist Soc. met and voted to raise a tax of 13% on the pews.

Feb. 1 — Having a bad cold and being hoarse, I did not keep school to-day but I made out the Pew Taxes.

Feb. 3 — Heard Dr. Winslow lecture on the Character of Ma­ homet and His Times.

Feb. 5 — I borrowed $4.00 of Susan G. Gardner. Paid $3.50 being for my privilege as member of the Whip & Commercial Reading Room.

Feb. 5 — I received the Right Hand of Fellowship to the Baptist Church.

Feb. 9 — I recorded a deed of James M. Coffin's for pew — he let me have a spitoon for pew for 621/2 cts.

Feb. 12 — I measured over the house lot of J. B. Lawrence and made a new plot as I had not been rightly informed of the proper bounds before.

Feb. 13 — I was down to the Creek below Deacon Joshua Gruber's at the baptising of 16 persons by Rev. D. Round.

Feb. 17 — Heard the lecture this evening on the Life of Louis Phillippe, King of France, by J. C. Abbott.

Feb. 22 — I gave the scholars this afternoon as it is Washing­ ton's birthday.

Feb. 25 — I began again to-night to attend Mr. Dickerman's Singing School.

March 4 — I received of Prince Gardner $5.00 being for the evening schooling of two boys of his & Thomas E. Gibbs day schooling.

34

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

March 11 — I paid Thomas Coffin $8.00 being rent for school house from May 8th to August 8th, 1841 — one quarter.

March 12 — Capt. Alexander H. Robinson paid me $10.92 be­ ing his 2 sons school bills from Nov. to March, including eve­ ning school.

March 27 — I wrote to father to send by Eunice Swain. I also enclosed a copy of the articles of faith of the Nantucket Baptist Church.

March 30 — I paid Isaiah C. Ray three dollars & took receipt for the pair of boots which I got last summer.

March 31 — I got horse & wagon of Thomas B. Field and went out to Polpis & Squam with J. L. M. (Jane L. Middleton) and Harriet M. Gardner. It was pleasant when we started but began to rain before we got to Lice & Hunter's in Squam & soon after we got there it began to snow and became a severe storm, so we were convinced that we could not return so we stopped for the night.

April 1 — Left our friends house about a quarter before ten, the weather improved and sunshine but cold, the ground cov­ ered with snow, got down about quarter to eleven.

April 2 — I paid Allen Gibbs 50 cts towards the $1.50 I owed him for setting glass etc.

April 9 — Zephaniah C. Macy paid me $4.67 being Wm. H. Macy's school bill for last winter.

April 11 — Capt. Solomon Folger paid me $4.62!/> for his son's schooling for day & evening school. Also George Allen paid me $2.50 for his son's schooling winter before last.

April 14 — Uncle Benjamin Bunker died about 2 a.m. aged 91 yrs, 25 days. On the 15th I attended his funeral.

April 23 — I quitted keeping school to-day as my scholars were very few in number.

April 24 — Reuben G. Folger put up two mahogany book racks and a leaner in my pew in Church.

April 27 — At the York St. Meeting to-day.

April 28 — I paid Thomas B. Field two dollars being for my ride last August to the Great Point with his horse & wagon.

May 1 — I attended the Baptisms this morning at the southern extremity of the Town of 11 persons.

May 2 — Spencer Leonard brought me a little trunk that he had made me for my razor. I took it over to Reuben G. Folger's shop & got him to put on lock and hinges. James Frank­ lin Chase paid me $2.67 for his son's school bill. I bought a little trunk of Reuben G. Folger for keeping letters & notes in for one Dollar. At the Missionary Concert for prayer I gave the little trunk I bought to J. L. M.

(To Be Continued)

Legacies and Bequests Membership in our Association proves that you are interested in its program lor 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 iaw.

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 °f 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 the Secretary, Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554. Office, Fair Street Museum.

Twilight Moon Over Nantucket