Historic Nantucket, April 1975, Vol. 23 No. 4

Historic Nantucket

The Rev. Myron S. Dudley, a leading figure in the founding of the Nantucket Histor­ ical Association.

APRIL, 1975

Published Quarterly by NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, Leroy H. True.

Vice-Presidents. Albert G. Brock. George W. Jones. Alcon Chadwick, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Walter Beinecke. Jr., Mrs. Charles Clark Coffin.

Honorary Vice-Presidents, W. Ripley Nelson, Henry B. Coleman Secretary. Richard C. Austin Treasurer, John N. Welch Councillors, Leroy H. True, Chairman, Robert Metters, George A. Snell, terms expire 1975; Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman, Miss Mary Gardner, terms expire 1976, Benjamin Richmond, Francis W. Pease, terms expire 1977; Mrs. R. A. Orleans, H. Mitchell Havemeyer, terms expire 1978.

Curator, Miss Dorothy Gardner Historian, Edouard A. Stackpole Editor, "Historic Nantucket", Edouard A.. Stackpole; Assistant Editor, Mrs. Merle Turner Orleans.

STAFF Oldest House: Chairman, Mrs. Kenneth S. Baird Receptionists: Mrs. Margaret Crowell, Miss Adeline Cravott Hadwen House-Satler Memorial: Chairman, Mrs. Phoebe P. Swain Receptionists: Mrs. Irving A. Soverino, Miss Marjorie Burgess, Miss Maud Jackson, Mrs. Lucille P. Bell, Mrs. Helen Galagher 1800 House: Chairman, Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman Receptionist: Mrs. John Kittila, Sr. Old Gaol: Chairman, Albert G. Brock Whaling Museum: Chairman, Hugh R. Chace Receptionists: Mr. Clarence H. Swift, Mrs. Harold Killen, Mrs. Her­ bert Sandsbury, Abram Niles, James A. Watts, Jesse Dunham.

Peter Foulger Museum: Chairman and Director, Edouard A. Stackpole Receptionists: Mrs. Elizabeth B. Worth, Mrs. Clara Block, Mr. Joseph Sylvia Librarian: Mrs. Louise Hussey Nathaniel Macy House: Chairman, Mrs. John A. Baldwin Receptionists: Mrs. Sarah Morris, Miss Dorothy Hiller Archaeology Department: Chairman, Paul C. Morris, Jr. Field Supervisor, Miss Barbara Kranichfeld Old Town Office: Chairman, Hugh R. Chace Old Mill: Chairman, Richard F. Swain Folger-Franklin Seat & Memorial Boulder: Chairman, Francis Sylvia.

Friends Meeting House-Fair Street Museum: Chairman, Mrs. Harding U. Greene, Co-chairman, Mrs. Alfred M. P. Amey Monaghan House: Chairman: Mrs. Henry Koch

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 23

April, 1975

No. 4

CONTENTS Nantucket Historical Association Officers and Staff

3

Editorial — "The Bicentennial and Nantucket"

5

Report of the Administrator

6

The Fatal Indian Sickness on Nantucket

by Edouard A. Staekpole

8

When P. T. Barnum Tried to Buy the Sperm Whale Jaw

15

An Appeal for Abolition of Slavery on Nantucket by the late Clarence King (Continued from January)

19

The Nantucket Macys

by Edouard A. Staekpole (Continued from January)

26

University Nantucket History Course

34

Legacies and Bequests

36

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

Membership dues are — Annual-Active $5.00 : Sustaining $25.00; Life — one payment $100.00.

Second-ciass postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts.

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

Marker placed in 18,81 at site of original Tristram Coffin Homestead.

5

The Bicentennial and Nantucket An Editorial THE ROLE PLAYED by Nantucket during the Revolution might very easily be construed as one adopted by a non-belliger­ ent seeking to save his life by dodging the fighting. But it was far more complex than such an assumption might suggest. The true facts support a far different picture, one involving the sheer necessity of maintaining a neutral position at the outset and desperate measures for survival at the conclusion of the struggle.

When the guns of the Revolution hemmed the British army in Boston the Royal Navy was still in command of the sea and the coast, capable of capturing and burning any New England seaport town that took an active part in the spread of the Revolution. It is evident from the developments of 1775 that the British government hoped the outbreak around Boston would not spread. When it finally became evident that the Revolution­ ists were gaining support the maritime picture changed, and the Royal Navy became a decisive factor.

Nantucket was at this time at the crest of its great 18th century whaling prosperity. A fleet of one hundred whaleships gave the Island the position as the leading whaling port in the western world. Merchant vessels from this port carried oil and candles to Europe and the West Indies; and London was the chief market place for Nantucket whale oil, sperm candles and whale bone. Sherborn-Town was a thriving community, and the Society of Friends was the dominant force, controlling not only the religious life but the social and economic as well.

From the time the British were driven out of Boston (and many Loyalists from that city came to Nantucket for refuge), it was painfully evident that both the Continentals and the Royal Navy considered this Island as a supporter of one side or the other. Caught thus between two fires, unable to protect itself in case of attack by either of these two parties, the Island adopted the only role that could keep it from being destroyed by military action — it became neutral.

Led by the astute Quaker merchants, fully aware of the potential danger on either hand, the Nantucketers were deter­ mined to maintain this role — self-preservation through neu­ trality. It is true that the majority of the people were Loyalists, but the roster of young men who joined the Continental forces is impressive — well worth a study in itself. But the citizens as a whole knew that to keep Nantucket from destruction it was necessary to play the part of passive resistance. Even after the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolution the Town author­ ities petitioned the official government representatives in Boston for the designation as a "neutral port," so that they could resume sending oil and candles to London on a duty-free basis. When this was understandably denied one of the most astounding chapters in international maritime history began as the PostRevolution aftermath. But that is a complete story in itself.

6

Report of the Administrator IS IT POSSIBLE we are on the verge of a new season when only a short time ago we were looking forward to a long winter of planning and getting caught up on so many things? In general, plans for 1975 are similar to last year. All exhibits, including Fair Street, will be open. The Shuttle Trip will make it easy for anyone to get around without a car or bicycle. We expect to grind corn again at the Mill.

Several projects for the Bicentennial Celebration are pro­ gressing. Leading these is the Domestic Arts Exhibit on which you already have had a letter. Mrs. Greene has done a tremendous amount of research on Nantucket furniture, artifacts, pictures and manuscripts, and with your cooperation, will make this an extraordinary exhibit. The Audio Visual Documentary, Land­ marks Identification and Historical Publications are behind sched­ ule but will soon be underway.

Help is needed in several buildings this summer, both men and women. The hours are from 10 to 5 with two days off each week. Most people find it interesting and rewarding and except for spurts of activity, the work is not too hard. Do you know of anyone who might like to join our staff? Volunteers are also needed. We have set up a repair shop in the Hadwen House basement for polishing furniture and brass and doing all sorts of simple repair jobs. Small groups working together could get fun out of this and make a great contribution at the same time.

Then, too, we need hosts and hostesses for short periods during rush hours and at lunch time. Please call me if you would be willing to contribute a couple of hours each week.

We recently had our tenth lecture at the Peter Foulger, free to members and guests. Mr. Stackpole has been the speaker at most of these and no one needs to be told what an outstanding job he has done. These will be continued with him and others sharing the platform. Notices of these meetings are sent to all members known to be on the island. If you are on the island and have not been receiving these please call us at 228-1894 and have us change your address.

Use of the Peter Foulger Research Library has gone from a few students and townspeople to many constantly working there.

A sizeable group from the University of Mass. has accounted for some of this increase but there seems to be an accelerated interest by many in the history of this extraordinary island, particularly by people all across the country who can trace their ancestry back to Nantucket.

A new addition to our staff has made it possible for us to sort, file, identify, and index hundreds of old pictures of places

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR

7

and people. As of today, we cannot guarantee that you can walk into the Peter Foulger and see a picture of your great-grand­ father or of his house or place of business, but we are aiming toward making this possible and across the hall we may be able to show you things he wrote or signed, now in our manuscript files. The two young people organizing this material are doing an excellent job.

Should you have identifiable pictures or papers of Nan­ tucket's past that you are willing to give us we would like to add them to our collection. Few) people realize how often these tie in with other information to add to and expand historical records and their full value as a gift to us is probably tax deductible.

A number of very important accessions have been added this winter, too many to include in this report, although we greatly appreciate them all. I should like to recognize an especially out­ standing gift of log books and memorabilia received from Mrs. Frank E. Lewis. It is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of such gifts. In our vault they become forever available to schol­ ars and historians, whereas kept among family keepsakes, they may be lost or destroyed, with no possibility of perpetuating the information they contain.

In the past few years we have made tremendous advances in our preservation program. Structural repairs amounting to thousands of dollars have been done with only a few more needed to put all of our buildings in good condition; a sizeable number of portraits and prints have been restored and plans have been made to continue this work; care of written material and pictures is reported above and the cleaning out and making available arti­ facts from our attics is nearly completed; we are now starting another big project; restoring exhibits of furniture and arti­ facts. The need for this might go unnoticed by the casual visitor but all exhibits must look good even to the critical eye and we will, as fast as we can, find the money to pay for the work.

I

We are planning to hold the Annual Meeting on July 15th at the Peter Foulger Museum. This probably will be from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will consist of a brief business meeting and a special program. Your interest and support is urgently requested.

Leroy H. True ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In the January issue of HISTORIC NANTUCKET there was an article describing the gift to the Association of the leaves from the logbook of the ship Weymouth of Nantucket. We regret failing to mention that the donor was Mrs. William West, owner of the house at 59 Centre Street where Capt. Moses Harris's logbook pages were found under the floor of a room. We are also indebted to Mrs. John Barrows for making her mother's gift possible.

— E. A. S.

8

The Fatal Indian Sickness of Nantucket That Decimated the Island Aborigines

BY EDOUARD A. STACKPOLE

WHILE IT IS generally known that the Nantucket Indian popu­ lation was virtually swept away by a mysterious epidemic which caused the death of 222 of them, in the year 1763-1764, it is usually written that the disease which caused this calamity was never identified. But in recent months a number of important historical documents have been found which bring a much clearer picture and thus help to dispel the mists which have surrounded this chapter in Nantucket history.

During a visit to London two years ago, I was examining some historical material at the Royal Society and came upon the following letter, written in October, 1764, in Boston, by Governor Andrew Oliver, of Massachusetts Bay Colony, to Israel Mauduit, a Fellow of the Royal Society, who was then in London as the Agent for the Colony. It reads: Considering your connexions, both as a member of the Royal Society, and of the Society for propagating the gofpel among the Indians, I tranfmit you an account of an uncommon ficknefs, which prevailed the laft year at the iflands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard which lie about fix or feven leagues from each other, and the latter about four or five leagues diftant from the Indian plantation at Mafhpee on the Continent, where it did not make its appearance at all. I had my account from the Englifh minifter, and from the phyfician at Nantucket, and from the fociety's miffionary at the Vineyard, of each of whom I made the moft fcrupulous inquiry, you may depend on the truth of it.

About the beginning of Auguft, 1763, when the ficknefs began at Nantucket, the whole number of In­ dians belonging to that ifland was 358: of thefe, 258 had the diftemper betwixt that time and the 20th of Febru­ ary following, 36 only of whom recovered: of the 100, who efcaped the diftemper, 34 were converfent with with the fick, eight dwelt separate, 18 were at fea, and and 40 lived in Englifh families. The phyfician informs me, that the blood and juices appeared to be highly putrid, and that the difeafe was attended with a violent inflammatory fever, which carried them off in about five days. The feafon was uncommonly moift and cold, and the diftemper began originally among them; but having once made its appearance feems to have been propagated by contagion; although fome efcaped it, who were expofed to the infection.

THE FATAL INDIAN SICKNESS

9

The diftemper made its appearance at Martha's Vineyard the beginning of December, 1763. It went through every family, into which it came, not one efcaping it: fifty-two Indians had it, 39 of whom died; thofe, who recovered, were chiefly of the younger fort.

The appearance of the diftemper was much the fame in both thefe iflands; it carried them off in each, in five or fix days. What is ftill more remarkable than even the great mortality of the diftemper is, that not one Englifh perfon had it in either of the iflands, although the Englifh greatly exceed in numbers; and that fome perfons in one family, who were of a mixt breed, half Dutch and half Indian, and one in another family, half Indian and half Negro, had the diftemper, and all re­ covered; and that no perfon at all died of it, but fuch as were intirely of Indian blood. From hence it was called the Indian Sicknefs.

There had been a great fcarcity of corn among the Indians the preceding winter: This, together with the cold moift feafon, have been affigned by fome as the caufes of the diftemper among them. Thefe circumftances, it is true, may have difpofed them to a morbid habit, but do not account for its peculiarity to the Indians: The Englifh breathed the fame air, and fuffered in fome meafure in the fcarcity, with the Indians; they yet efcaped the ficknefs. I do not fee therefore, but that the Sudor Anglicus, which heretofore affected the Englifh only, and this late Indian ficknefs, muft be claffed together among the Arcana of Providence.

I am, SIR, your moft obedient Humble fervent, Andrew Oliver The manuscripts at the Peter Foulger Museum have two letters written by Christopher Starbuck, of Nantucket, to Moses Brown, the highly successful Quaker merchant in Providence, R. I. These letters reveal considerable information about the strange "Indian Sickness," and provide important details not otherwise found. The first letter was written to Moses Brown on November 23, 1797, more than thirty years after the incidents it described, but having the advantage of review afforded through the intervening years, Christopher Starbuck wrote: Esteemed Friend Thine of the 10th Instant I rec'd two or three days past.

I should have been glad if I could have procured a little more knowledge respecting what thou mentions concern­ ing the former mortality here among the Indians, as Zaccheus Macy (the person who I conclude knew the most about their affairs), died the 27th last mo. (aged

10

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

near 84) & my being one of the Executors to his will, & being now engaged in the settlement (of his estate), I have not had time yet to make so much enquiry as I could wish. However, I will give thee all the information I can.

In the 8th or beginning of 9 mo., 1763, this un­ common mortality here among the Indians began, (as near as I can find by enquiry of Richard Mitchell & some other), a brig from Ireland, having a number of passengers on board, was cast away near Long Hill upon the North side of this Island. Some few days afterward two women were found in the surf who died on board the vessel & were throwgi into the Sea & so drove on shore. Soon after it was discovered many were sick on board with what is called the Yellow Fever and some of the crew, having their cloaths washed at a home here by an Indian woman, it was thought occa­ sioned the spreading of ye disease, as this Indian woman was, soon after washing their cloaths, taken sick with the same yellow fever (which was prevalent on board this Brig or snow) & died in a few days among the Indians, which as said before was in the 8th or 9th mo.

1763.

From this the sickness spread and continued 'till near the middle of the winter or beginning of the 2d month, notwithstanding the time and the inclemency of the weather. As near as I can remember, out of 340 or 350 the number of Indians then upon the Island, about 80 survived or lived through it and some small part of this 80 were not with the rest but lived as servants or apprentices in town among the white people. What seems most observable in this sickness, then among the Indians, no Negro or white person took the distemper, although some white people frequently assisted them, and came among them. In particular Richard Mitchell tells me he went several times into their homes to help them to some necessaries; also, there was 2 or 3 of the surviving Indians continually among them in helping bury the dead & yet they escaped the sickness.

The manner in which they were taken or seized with this disorder was by complaining of much pain and a high fever & then soon appear yellow, some dying in two, some in three or four days, seldom any living more than four or five days. After they were taken sick, there wiere some instances when the whole number in the house were sick at one time, and all found dead in the house at one time. As they had scarcely any well persons suffi­ cient to bury the dead among them — they would some-

THE FATAL INDIAN SICKNESS times dig a hole near the house or wigwam door, and so pull the dead ones out and cover them up without put­ ting the corpse into any coffin. Then they would set fire to the wigwam to burn up all that was left in the house.

I believe there are only 5 or 6 Indians now among us on the Island — and I believe not one Negro slave but many free Negroes.

As to the sickness, that was among us here lately called the Dysentery although I find by enquiry that one half, if not two thirds (perhaps to the amount of 2000 or more) of the inhabitants have been sick with it. Yet I don't find but between 70 and ,80 old and young that died with it, and these were mostly children from 3 or 2!/2 years old and under. Some few aged and middle aged, as well as youth of both sexes died, but mostly as said before were children.

As to the symptoms, by what I have understood, in some instances some would be taken with much grip­ ing pain in the bowels & a thin whitish or light colored stool with a mixture of blood, and some would have a stool with mostly darkish bloody matter. There were various sorts or degrees in the disorders & some, as said before, have much pain with a fever and some a fever with but little pain — as to the weather it was mostly dry and warm being in the 8th and 9th month.

I don't remember of any other disease being much prevalent here when the dysentery prevailed. Doc Easton I remember called the disorder an Epidemic Dysentery.

I should have wrote thee something more in some other matters but not having time now must defray for the present & conclude with love to thy wife and family.

Thy Friend Christopher Starbuck Since I finished & partly had sealed my letter I find in another memorandum book left by Zaccheus Macy a more particular account about the mortality here among the Indians in 1763, Z. M. says the sickness began 16 of 8th mo., 1763, & continued until the begin­ ning of 2 mo., 1764, in which time 222 died with the yellow fever, as it was called. 34 that were sick recov­ ered ; 36 lived among them & did not have the sickness; 18 were at sea, a whaling, in Canada River, etc.; 40 lived in town among the English & none had the dis­ ease ; 8 lived at the west end of the Island & none had disease. This makes 358 in all, out of which, as I men­ tioned before, there is now 5 or 6 on the Island. What

12

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

number there might be when our forefathers first set­ tled the Island I don't know, but I think I have heard Z. Macy say from the best knowledge here there were as many as 2000. This mortality among them in 1763 was very great, indeed; out of 258 that had ye sickness 222 died.

(I was not aware that so many lived among them & did not have the sickness but so Z. M. has it.)

0 On January 1, 1798, Christopher Starbuck wrote again to Moses Brown, in answer to further queries which the Providence merchant had in regard to the malady that had so swiftly brought death to the native Indians. The letter reads: I am not able to procure any knowledge of what part of Ireland the vessel was from which we suppose brought the sickness, or whether the sickness was brought over in her, or whether took its rise on board after she left Ireland. The vessel, I believe, made no tarry here, & did not come into the Harbor, but soon got off again after being on shore (and sailed for New York, the port to which she was bound). All the knowl­ edge I can procure about it, partly by memory & by en­ quiry of Richard Mitchell (who seems to know the most of anybody about it) is, as I mentioned in my last to thee that is, it was thought the sickness spread from the washing of some of people's clothes here.

The cloaths were washed by an Indian woman, at the House of Joseph Quin, about % of a mile or less to the south and eastward of the eastermost windmill.

The wife of this Joseph Quin, named Molly Quin, also had the sickness very severe & was very yellow with it, but recovered, and I believe is yet living.

The Indian woman, as before-mentioned, when first taken sick or soon after, was removed among the Indians further south to a place called by the Indians Miacomet, where she died. Most, if not all, in that Indian town where she died were soon taken sick & died also. From there it spread among all the Indians upon the Island, except a few who lived to the west end of the Island and some as servants in town, who avoided going among them. The two or three dead bodies that were found on shore I believe were taken up & buried by the people of the Vessel but am not certain.

Zaccheus Macy could have told, but I do not meet with anyone now that knows. No white persons were exposed in washing their clothes except this Molly Quin,

THE FATAL INDIAN SICKNESS as said before; and she had the sickness & recovered.

There is no doubt with me but this mortal dis­ temper here among the Indians was the yellow fever & was brought here as said before in this Vessel from Ireland, and spread from this Indian woman who washed cloaths of some of the ship's crew. The bodys that were taken up I suppose could not be infectious, or not much, by reason of laying in the water which was cold at that time, and especially, as I before observed, if they were taken up and buried by the ship's crew, then it is most likely it spread as said before from this washer woman.

There appears something very observable in this Indian sickness formerly and seems to be differing from the yellow fever lately in these parts. That is, it seems, the yellow fever in Philadelphia decreased as the winter or the cold weather came on, and this yellow fever among the Indians did not, but continued almost through the winter. What is further very wonderful is that it should not spread among the white people, except with this Irish woman Molly Quin. Richard Mitchell tells me he went several times among the sick Indians, into their houses to carry some necessaries and victuals, and some other white people among us did the same, but none of them had the sickness.

Doctor Tupper seemed unwilling to go among the Indians in this sickness. I remember being of opinion he said that it was infectious like the plague in Europe, but upon the whole it was very wionderfull and remark­ able. Whether any Negro went among them I am not certain but I think I have heard some Negroes went among the sick Indians and did not have the sickness.

That it did not spread among the white people here may at least serve to show us that the works of the Almighty are beyond our Comprehension & what human knowledge cannot foresee or prevent.

Whaling Museum sperm whale's jaw.

15

When P. T. Barnum Tried to Buy The Jaw of the Great Sperm Whale ONE OF THE FEATURED attractions at the famous Nantucket Whaling Museum is the great sperm whale's jaw, which meas­ ures 18 feet in length and contains 44 teeth. It is not generally known that only a few years after it was brought to Nantucket aboard the whaleship Islander, under Captain William Cash, there was an offer for its purchase by the well known promoter Phineas T. Barnum, who wanted the extraordinary relic for his "Barnum's American Museum" in New York City. His letter, written in August, 1866, reads: Captain Cash, Dear Sir, When I was at Nantucket recently, I called to see your Whale's Jaw. It is a stunner, and I was sorry I could not see the man who captured it. I hope you will carefully read the enclosed circular. Perhaps you will then feel that if the Jaw was properly placed in my Museum, and its history and your name legibly inscribed on it, more of your friends (as well as the great public) would see it, than they would on your own premises.

Perhaps, also, these considerations would induce you to hand your name down to a grateful posterity by being identified as the Donor of this Jaw to the Free Museum in New York.

However, if you don't see it in that light, will you please inform me whether you will sell it to be placed in my Museum and, if so, for what price. & oblige, Yours truly, P. T. Barnum Fortunately, Captain Cash decided not to accept the offer.

Perhaps it was because he knew the background of how the jaw happened to become his property. The late Nancy Grant Adams, for many years the Curator of the Nantucket Histor­ ical Association, and also serving as its President, learned from Miss Emeline Christian, of Nantucket, that the jaw was actually from a huge sperm whale taken by one of the boats of the whaleship Niger, commanded by Mrs. Adams' father Captain Charles Grant — a whale harpooned by Miss Christian's father, James Christian.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

This fact was later substantiated by Captain Harry Manter, who was a nephew of Miss Christian, and who, at this time, was the Port Captain of New York City. Captain Manter gave the facts in this way: The Niger had been cruising in the Pacific Ocean.

They had sighted a large sperm whale which had been harpooned and killed by James Christian. After the customary preparation of disposal of the whale carcass, Mr. Christian asked Capt. Grant if he could have the jaw as it was the largest whale the Niger had taken that voyage. Capt. Grant gave his consent and the whale's jaw was slung over the side and being towed so that the fish, and the movement of the ship through the water, would remove the meat from the bone.

The ship Islander, Capt. William Cash, hove in sight and spoke the Niger and while gamming, Capt. Grant was asked what he had over the side on the line, Capt.

Grant said: "Jim Christian, the boatsteerer, is clean­ ing up the whale jaw which he struck and killed and which is the biggest whale we have taken this voyage.

I have given him permission to do so and he contemplates putting it in his back yard as a souvenir of the voyage."

Capt. Cash said: "Well, I am towing one as well, let me look it over." This was done and Capt. Cash seeing that Christian's jaw was larger, he became interested and asked Mr. Christian if he would agree to give it to him. Christian agreed and stated he was only taking it home for fun.

Upon arrival at Nantucket in the Islander, Capt.

Cash presented the jaw to the Atheneum at which place a museum was housed. But no mention was ever made as to how Cash came by the jaw nor who killed the whale.

This story I have heard told many times and know that it is authentic.

19

An Appeal for Abolition of Slavery On Nantucket by Elihu Coleman

BY THE LATE CLARENCE KING (Continued from Historic Nantucket — January 1975)

FORTUNATELY for him, Shubael Coffin arose and said: "I thank Friend Coleman for bringing this important matter before us.

He spoke to my condition. I own a slave whom I inherited. I have long felt uncomfortable about this but Bristol is a young boy without any special training. If he were freed now I doubt if he could support himself. I have already executed a paper providing that he shall be free when he reaches the age of 30."

There was a hubbub, several people wanting to speak at once. The clerk calmed the tumult: "Friends," he said, "let us have a period of silence during which we take this important matter to God in prayer and seek His guidance."

The ensuing silence seemed to Elihu to last for an eternity; it may have been ten minutes during which the members relaxed and approached the problem less heatedly. When at last the clerk raised his head, Sylvanus Hussey got up: "As Friend Coleman says Mark is an unusual person for a slave. I inherited him only recently when my father's estate was settled. I did nothing to acquire this ownership and have felt somewhat uncomfortable about it but I reflected that slavery was sanctioned by the Bible."

Another Friend said: "What may have been right for an Israelite to do in days of the Old Testament, may not be right for a Quaker to do today."

From different quarters of the room, several voices mur­ mured, "I agree" or "I unite."

Another member rose and said: "I have always understood that black people were the descendants of Cain and that God or­ dained that they should live in bondage to expiate Cain's sin."

No one answered this, but Elihu felt that none took the statement seriously. He could have pointed out that there were millions of black people in Africa whom God permitted to live free lives but he thought it wiser to keep still. When all who wished had spoken, there was silence broken only by the scratch­ ing of the clerk's pen as he wrote a proposed minute. He then read that it was the sense of the meeting that it is: . not agree­ able to Truth for Friends to purchase slaves & keep them Term for life."

20

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

A profound silence followed. Surely, thought Elihu, some slave owner present would protest, but there was no objection.

The clerk waited, looking over the meeting to see if any wished to speak but there was no response; there was "consensus"; the minute had been adopted. All bowed their heads for the few min­ utes of silent meditation which preceded adjournment.

Elihu walked home with mixed feelings of elation and doubt. Would Mark be set free? If Sylvanus took no action would the meeting disown him? Certainly not, Elihu said to himself.

Elihu did not want that to happen. It must be loving persuasion.

He must not disrupt the meeting with a contentious issue. The meeting was only eight years old. Might it break up over the "concern" which he had voiced? Must Quakerism on Nantucket die that Mark might be free? Elihu hoped not. He must consult his grandmother. She would know * what to do, and tell him whether he had acted unwisely.

At Parliament House he asked whether she was feeling well enough for him to see her. In a cheery voice she called to him to come upstairs. She was sitting up in bed, looking frail and worn, but she welcomed him with her usual loving smile.

"How is thee, Grandmother?"

"Never mind about me," she said impatiently, "tell me what happened at the meeting. I was so sorry not to be there."

Elihu told her of his getting acquainted with Mark and all that followed. When he finished she drew him to her and kissed him.

"Thee did absolutely right, my dear. I'm proud of thee. It's lucky that John Swain wasn't there."

"How did thee know he wasn't?"

"Because if he had been, there wouldn't have been a con­ sensus."

"But why didn't the other slaveholders object?"

"Thee had shamed them, Elihu. Swain is a poor Quaker. He has little shame and would have none about owning a slave."

"But will Mark be freed?"

"Yes, eventually, when Hussey feels uncomfortable enough, but thee must be patient. It may take some time."

"But is there nothing I can do, meanwhile?"

"Yes, thee can pray. The Light within will show thee the way. Then follow thy guidance."

That was the last talk Elihu had with his grandmother. In his grief over her death he forgot all about Mark and about his

AN APPEAL FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

21

hatred of slavery. For months he was like a boat without a rud­ der. He had become more dependent on the Great Woman than upon his own parents and he was not very self-sufficient within himself. He worked long hours at his carpentering and sought to tire himself out so that he would sleep.

One First Day morning he woke early. The sun was bright.

Dressing hurriedly, he went for a walk. His steps turned nat­ urally toward Parliament House and he sat down on the bench beside the quince bush where he and Mary Starbuck had held so many long, interesting discussions. He remembered that last talk with her after the Friends Monthly meeting. What was it she had said to him? "Thee can pray. The Light within will show thee the way. Then follow thy guidance." In the meeting for worship that day he prayed as he had never prayed before. He prayed for forgiveness for having forgotten in his grief the concern which had energized him and he prayed for further guidance. That afternoon as it was growing dark an idea occurred to him. He lit a candle, got paper and ink and settled down to write: "A Testimony Against that Antichristian Practice of Making Slaves of Men." The Meeting discussed the Testimony for weeks. At last in slightly improved form it was approved by adopting the following minute on December 23, 1729: "Our frd Elihu Goleman offered a small piece of manuscript to this meeting which was read and approv'd in & by this meeting & order'd to be carried to ye Quarterly meeting at Rhode Island which was a testimony against making slaves of men."

Meanwhile the Great Woman, Mary Coffin Starbuck's pre­ diction was proving true and a few slave owners on Nan­ tucket were beginning to execute documents of manumission freeing their slaves. Elihu's eyes would never see "the glory of the the coming of the Lord" nor the trampling out of the "vintage wfhere the grapes of wrath are stored," nor would he have "loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sWord." As a man of peace he could use only loving persuasion.

Month after month he labored with the remaining slave owners, urging them in loving terms to trust the "Light Within" and to follow its guidance. At last there was only one slave owner left. That was John Swain. He owned Prince Boston who in 1769 was aboard the whaleship Friendship, Captain Elisha Folger, in the South Atlantic. In the latter weeks of that year she came rolling home with a full cargo of oil. The barrels of oil were rolled up the wharf to William Rotch's warehouse.

Captain Folger and Rotch calculated the value of the cargo and determined the "lay" due each man aboard the Friendship.

22

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

This was a percentage agreed upon before the voyage began.

Prince Boston's was a substantial one. Swain insisted that the money be paid to him as Boston's owner and that the slave be turned over to him to work on his farm in Polpis. On Rotch's advice, Captain Folger refused and paid Boston directly. William Rotch told Swain that he knew of no law permitting slavery on Nantucket. Swain sued in the Court of Common Pleas in Nan­ tucket before a jury. The verdict was for the defendant*. Swain was furious and threatened to appeal to the Supreme Court in Boston.

The next morning while Elihu Coleman was at breakfast, a boy came with a message from William Rotch. Would he come to Rotch's office at 9 o'clock that morning? As Coleman walked down State Street he was joined by Captain Folger. At the warehouse several of the elders were waiting. When all were seated, Rotch explained the purpose of the meeting.

"Friends," he said, "we have got to win this appeal. I pro­ pose that we send to Boston and retain John Adams to defend it."

"What chance is there," said one of the elders, "that he would agree? He has more cases now than he can handle."

"Yes," said another, "since he won that case of Michael Corbet and got a verdict of justifiable homicide for killing a British officer with a harpoon when they were trying to impress him into the British Navy, Adams has been the most sought after lawyer in Massachusetts."

"Yes, I know," said Rotch, "if one of us goes to the great man and appeals to him as a business man appealing to a lawyer, there isn't a chance. That's why I propose that we send Elihu Coleman."

"But why," blurted out Elihu, "why send me?"

"Friend Coleman," said Mr. Rotch, "thee has spent 50 years of thy life fighting to rid Nantucket of slavery and thee has won unless we lose this appeal. Adams isn't going to let that happen without a struggle. Today our island is the one bit of Massachusetts where slavery is illegal. Go to Adams and tell him the whole story, how thee got thy concern. Show him the minute thee got adopted in the monthly meeting when thee was only sixteen. Show him thy Testimony against slavery. Tell him that all the other slave owners have voluntarily freed their slaves, we have."

All agreed that it was their only chance. * Starbuck's History, page 622.

AN APPEAL FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

23

So next morning, with many misgivings, Elihu sailed to Fal­ mouth and caught the packet for Boston. As a busy carpenter he had seldom been on the mainland. He knew Falmouth and New Bedford but had never been in Boston. They moored at Long Wharf. As he walked up King Street, Boston looked to Elihu like a metropolis. He had no difficulty in finding John Adams' office. The first passerby from whom he inquired was proud to direct him.

In the outer office a young man sat poring over a law book.

Elihu presented his letter of introduction from William Rotch.

The young man said: "Mr. Adams is in Court now but if you come back at 3 o'clock I think he will see you."

Coleman roamed over the Common and along the wharves.

He had an excellent fish dinner at a tavern on the waterfront and was back at the office well before three. He was shown immediately into the inner office. John Adams rose from his desk and shook hands. He was a shorter man than Elihu had expected but he was broad and thickset. He wore a neat black suit, a snowy wig and white silk stockings and silver buckles on his shoes.

"Your William Rotch is well known here in Boston," said the lawyer, "he is a fine citizen and a credit to Massachusetts.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Coleman?"

Elihu hardly knew how to begin. "It's a long story," he said, "and you are a very busy man."

"Never mind that," said Adams, "I have enough time to listen to anyone recommended by Mr. Rotch. Why not just start at the beginning and tell me all about it."

Thus encouraged, Elihu began. He told of how he had first become concerned. He showed a copy of the minute accepted by the meeting in 1716, and presented his Testimonial against slav­ ery. As a busy lawyer, Adams had a knack of scanning a lengthy document and getting the gist of it quckly.

"Mr. Adams," said Elihu, "all the other slave owners on Nantucket have now freed their slaves voluntarily except John Swain."

"Tell me about the parties to this suit and what the issue is in Swain versus Folger," said the lawyer.

"Folger," said Elihu, "is Captain Elisha Folger of the whaleship Friendship just returned from the whaling grounds with a full cargo of oil. In the crew was Swain's slave 'Prince Boston'.

He is a skilled harpooner."

At the word, Adams smiled; another harpooner! This might prove interesting.

24

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

"As a skilled man," continued Elihu, "he was entitled to a large lay. That means . .

"Yes, I know," interrupted the lawyer, "he gets an agreed percentage of the value of the cargo."

"Exactly," said Coleman. "Swain insisted that the money be paid to him and that Boston be sent back to him to work on his farm in Polpis. Mr. Rotch refused. He instructed Captain Folger to pay the money to the harpooner directly, and he told Swain that he knew no law which permitted slavery on Nantucket."

"Oh he did, did he!" exclaimed Adams, "good for him!"

"Swain brought suit in the Court of Common Pleas in Nan­ tucket," said Elihu, "the jury brought in a verdict for the de­ fendant and the judgment of the court was that slavery was illegal on Nantucket."

When Coleman finished speaking, Adams sat for a few mo­ ments playing with a quill pen and humming to himself. At last he spoke, "That may be bad law but's good morals. I wish it was the law in the rest of Massachusetts*. Do you realize, Mr. Cole­ man, that while that decision stands, your Island is the only bit of territory in this colony where slavery is illegal. You can tell Mr. Rotch and your associates that I accept your retainer."

"Oh, Mr. Adams, they will be so grateful. Mr. Rotch said that if you will tell us the probable amount of your fee, we will start raising the money at once."

The lawyer held up his hand. "Wait, wait," he said, "that may not be necessary. Tell me, what kind of a man is this John Swain."

"He claims to be a Quaker but he is not a good one."

"Would you say that he was a bully?"

Elihu thought for a moment: "Yes, I would."

"And how do most of the people on Nantucket feel about this suit?"

"Oh, they're all opposed to Swain, every one."

"Mr. Coleman, do you think Swain expects to go on living on Nantucket?"

"Oh, certainly. He owns a good farm in Polpis, the most fertile part of the Island."

Again Mr. Adams sat playing with his quill pen, humming to himself with a faraway look in his eyes. Finally he said: "When * In 1761 there was a slave auction in Boston. In 1770 there were 5,000 slaves in Massachusetts.

AN APPEAL FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

25

you get back, don't make any secret of the fact that you have retained me."

"Certainly not," Elihu agreed.

"Mr. Coleman, when you tell Mr. Rotch, how soon do you think it will be before Swain hears about it?"

"Oh, ours is a small village," said Elihu, "perhaps you have lived in a small town? Everyone knows why I'm up here. When I land at Straight Wharf there'll be a crowd waiting for the news. Before I say anything they'll see my face and they'll begin to cheer. Before I can get to Mr. Rotch's office the news will be on its way out to Swain in Polpis."

The lawfyer nodded with satisfaction. He rose from his desk, came around and shook hands with Elihu. Evidently the interview was ended.

"You tell Mr. Rotch," Adams said, "that I don't think we'll ever have to defend the appeal. And Mr. Coleman," shaking hands with him again, "I congratulate you on what you have done for Nantucket; yes, and for Massachusetts and the other colonies."

Elihu, blushing from such praise, left the office and caught the packet for Falmouth, still somewhat mystified by his victory.

On the way home Elihu remembered his last talk with his grandmother. How happy she would have been if she could have known how things were turning out! If he succeeded, it would be because of the influence of her spirit inspiring and urging him on.

Needless to say, the decision of the local court was never appealed.

The late Clarence King completed this article only a few weeks before his death, which came in his 90th year. Always interested in the history of his adopted island home, he wrote the life of Peter Foulger under the title of The Half Share Man, which was published by the Nantucket Historical Trust and is on sale at the Whaling Museum, Peter Foulger Museum and other exhibit buildings of the Nantucket Historical Association. Clar­ ence King contributed much of his talents to various community enterprises, but received an especial satisfaction in his researches into Nantucket history.

26

The Nantucket Macys (Continued from January Issue) Thomas Macy, son of Obed, married Eunice, daughter of Zenas Coffin, and his home at 99 Main Street was a Macy home­ stead for over a century. Thomas carried on the firm launched by his father, Obed, and uncle Silvanus. Among ships owned in major shares by the firm were the Potomac and the Aurora.

Joined by his two sons, Isaac and Philip, he carried on the af­ fairs of the Macy company successfully. Elected as Moderator at Town Meetings he was accorded the respect of the voters, and he also served as Postmaster for a number of years.

Among the shipmasters from Nantucket bearing the Macy name Captain Josiah Macy holds an honored place. Born in 1785, the son of Jonathan Macy and Rose (Pinkham) Macy, he first went to sea with his father, who was a coasting skipper and traded with firms in Philadelphia and other seaport cities.

His mother, Rose Macy, lived to the advanced age of 95 years, and just before her passing she had a photograph taken of her son, Josiah, her grandson, William H., and her great-grand­ daughter, Mary J. Kingsland, a truly remarkable 1850 daguerreo­ type.

Captain Josiah Macy, following his apprenticeship as a mariner, all in the coasting trade, married Lydia Hussey, daugh­ ter of Zaccheus, in 1805, and soon after took command of the sloop Hero, bringing oil and candles to Baltimore. He was then just twenty years of age. He invested in a larger vessel, the schooner Mount Hope, loaded her with whaling products and made a good voyage. He then entered the trans-Atlantic trade, making a successful voyage to Marseilles, with liberty to stop at any port where a sale of the supplies might prove profitable — eventually selling his cargo at Lisbon, Portugal. This was the beginning of a series of adventures in the European trade that established him as a dependable shipmaster.

After a short lapse in his fortunes due to the War of 1812, he re-entered the trans-Atlantic shipping business and became associated with the New York firm of Hicks & Jenkins. Even­ tually he bought a half-interest in the ship Edward, a new vessel built at Boston, which he commanded on a voyage to Liverpool. He continued in the Liverpool trade until 1818, when he decided on a voyage to Calcutta and Madras, making the return voyage to Philadelphia. With the death of Silvanus Jenkins, the firm of Hicks & Jenkins was dissolved with the business being continued by Samuel Hicks. At this time the later wellknown ship builders Brown & Bell were engaged to build a new

THE NANTUCKET MACYS

27

ship which was named the Orbit, and Captain Macy immediately placed her in the Liverpool trade. Later, on other newly built vessels, notably the ships Isaac Hicks, Diamond and Sylvanus Jenkins, he sailed regularly to Charleston, S. C., from New York, loaded with cotton, and sailed for Liverpool.

In 1827 he resolved to end his sea career and enter business in New York, now being aware of the packet trade to Europe as well as the cotton business. He was then nearing 43 years of age and had been for more than twenty years an active ship­ master, having never lost a vessel nor suffered shipwreck. At the beginning of the year 1828 he opened his new venture as an active trading house — the firm of Josiah Macy & Son, his eldest son, William H. Macy, having joined him. When his son Charles and three other sons joined the firm it became Josiah Macy & Sons, one of the most highly respected mercantile establishments in New York. In 1853, Captain Macy retired from his business and went to live on his property in Rye, New York, where, as he wrote, "When evening comes I have the cheerful view of the lights from five lighthouses, placed there to guide the mariner on his way."

William H. Macy, eldest son of Captain Josiah, left Nan­ tucket for New York when he was 17 years of age, entering the counting house of Isaac Hicks as a clerk. His experience induced him to enter business on his own as a commission merchant.

When he joined his father in the firm of Josiah Macy & Son, he decided to press his suit for the hand of Eliza Jenkins, daugh­ ter of Silvanus Jenkins, and the couple had eight children. In 1834, William H. Macy was elected to the Chamber of Com­ merce of New York, and some years later became its VicePresident. In 1845 he was elected as a Director of the Leather Manufacturers Bank, and ten years later became its President.

After serving as a Director of the Seaman's Bank of New York he was elected its President in 1863. Four years later he resigned, urging the selection of a man who could pay full attention to the bank's interest as that institution had grown so large. He continued to hold the position of Vice President of the United States Trust Company. A portrait of William H. Macy, painted by Thomas Hicks, now hangs in the Peter Foulger Museum.

The two other sons of Captain Josiah Macy who later joined the firm were Charles and Francis H. Macy, the latter becoming the senior member of the firm. Another brother, John H. Macy, also became one of the highly respected firm of Josiah Macy & Sons. All three entered into the mercantile life of New York City by becoming directors of a number of companies and banking institutions.

28

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

No account of Nantucket men entering the business life of New York City would be complete without some detail con­ cerning Rowland H. Macy, the proprietor of the establishment in New York City that became one of the best known stores in America — Macy's. Born in 1822, the son of Captain John Macy and Eliza (Barnard) Macy, he went to sea at the age of 15, on board the whaleship Emily Morgan, Captain Shubael Clark — a New Bedford ship under a Nantucket master — which sailed in 1887 and returned in 1841. Although his father had been a successful coasting skipper, after his first voyage Row­ land decided to leave a seafaring career for a life ashore as a storekeeper. He tried operating stores in Haverhill and Boston but with no success; he went to California and tried his luck at store-keeping in Marysville, but returned to the east coast nearly discouraged. In New York City he opened a dry goods store on 12th Street, enjoying a small success which enabled him to open a larger store further "up town." His unique ideas of advertising, and his variety of merchandise caught the public fancy and he became one of the best known merchants in the metropolis. Death came in Paris, France, when on a business trip to Europe, in 1870, at a time when his fame as a mercantile success was in full tide.

0 Of quite a different experience in life was the career of General George Nelson Macy, son of George Wendell Macy and Lucy (Percival) Macy. Born in 1835, at the age of 20 he was in Boston pursuing a clerk's training, and here met a number of young people in similar work. When the Civil War broke out he joined the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment and, upon obtaining a commission, came to Nantucket to enlist men for that Regiment. He took part in most of the major engagements of the War, losing his left hand at Gettysburg, again severely wounded at the Wilderness, suffered near death at the advance on Spotsylvania when his horse was shot and fell on him, but continuing in active service. He was appointed Provost Marshall of the Army of The Potomac and had in his charge a large number of Lee's troops after the surrender at Appomatox. He was made a Brigadier General at the final phase of his army career. But the attrition on his physical strength proved too much and he died only a few years after his retirement from the service.

0 Another of Nantucket's Macy clan who served in the Civil War was William Hussey Macy, born in 1826, and one of the surviving sons of Captain George Macy, a whaleship master.

His grandfather, Captain Barnabas Macy, had been lost at sea, and when young William H. joined the ship Planter, of Nan­ tucket, in November, 1841, he was the fourth generation of his

THE NANTUCKET MACYS

29

family to adopt a sea career. Captain Isaac Hussey, of the Planter, signed Macy on as a cooper's apprentice. During the voyage to the Pacific the Planter was in the harbor at Nukaheava, in the Marquesas Islands, at the time the ship Acushnet put into that anchorage, and in his journal young Macy recorded the desertion of five of that ship's crew — one of whom was none other than Herman Melville.

Upon returning home in May of 1845, Macy again signed on for another voyage whaling, shipping out on the Alpha, under Capt. Joseph B. Folger, 1846 to 1850. Then followed successive voyages on the Enterprise, Capt. Charles B. Swain, returning home in the Harriet Erring, in 1853; next on the Albion, of Fairhaven, Capt. John W. Hines, 1854-1857; and his last voyage on the brig Homer, under Capt. George Haggerty, from 1858 to 1859 — this a sea elephant voyage to Heard's Island.

In 1857 Mr. Macy married Phebe Ann Winslow, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Baker Winslow, and the first of five children, Carrie Louisa, was born to them in April, 1868. He had taken his bride to East Boston, where the family resided until returning to Nantucket. Two other children died very young. With the advent of the Civil War, Mr. Macy enlisted in the 45th Massachusetts Regiment. He was wounded at the battle of Kinston, N. C., in December, 1862, and was invalided home.

He carried the bullet in his left leg the rest of his life. The family had now returned to Nantucket, where he obtained employment with The Inquirer and Mirror. His letters home from the war front had attracted the attention of the editors, as well as the readers of the local paper. During the next quarter century Mr. Macy wrote a wide variety of articles for the newspaper, as well as editorials and historical material.

William Hussey Macy's literary gifts developed and he began writing short stories for a number of magazines, including Ballou's Monthly, Flag of The Union, and other periodicals of the day. The success of these encouraged him to write the book Thar She Blows, which became the most popular whaling story of its time, published in 1876. His reputation as a highly depend­ able man induced his friends to prevail upon him to run for public office, and in 1870 he was elected Register of Deeds for Nan­ tucket, and also served on the School Committee. For the news­ paper he originated a popular column of local news titled "Here and There," which has been continued to the present time in The Inquirer and Mirror. A collection of his verse which contained bits originally appearing in his column was printed in later years as "Here and There In Verse," and is now a collector's item.

At the full tide of his life, with further successes awaiting, he suffered two tragedies, one quickly following the other. First,

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

his wife, Phebe Ann Macy, died suddenly, leaving him with four children, the youngest barely five years of age. Swiftly following his bereavement his eyesight which had been failing, rapidly worsened and within a year he was stricken blind. The great courage of the man was now fully demonstrated. He designed a wooden frame wherein he was able to guide his pen, and thus continued to carry on his work at the Registry of Deeds, en­ abling him to support his family. Although unable to continue as Register in his own name he kept his desk at that office, his great knowledge of the intricacies of the Common and Undivided Lands of the Island being invaluable.

William Hussey Macy was in his 65th year when he died at his Main Street home in 1891. His passing removed a man from the community whose rare intellectual powers and genial personality had won him a wide circle of admirers and friends.

His eldest daughter, Carrie Louisa, married Herbert Gard­ ner; the next oldest daughter, Isabelle Winslow, married James Lehmaire, of New York; and the youngest in the family, Mary Jennie, married Lieut. Max Wagner, who was killed in the Philippines shortly after the War with Spain. Mr. Macy's only surviving son, William F. Macy, lived in Boston until his re­ tirement, when he returned to Nantucket. He served as President of the Nantucket Historical Association for a decade, and was the author of a popular condensed history The Story of Old Nan­ tucket. Before his death in 1935, at the age of 65, William F. Macy accomplished a great ambition — the successful launching of the Whaling Museum on Broad Street — one of the most significant features of Nantucket's present-day life.

The example of William Hussey Macy's life was an inspira­ tional force in his own time and in the time of his children.

0 Still standing tall among its fellows, and a landmark along the older portion of Straight Wharf, the old Macy warehouse is now known as the Kenneth Taylor Art Gallery. Erected imme­ diately after the Great Fire of 1.846 for Thomas Macy, whaling merchant, the brick structure was better known in the 19th century as the Joseph B. Macy warehouse. From his counting house office here Joseph B. Macy fitted out in 1869 the three last whaleships to sail from Nantucket — the brig Eunice H. Adams, which sailed in March, the schooner Abby Bradford, sailing in May, and the Bark Oak, which left Straight Wharf in November, 1869.

Joseph B. Macy was the older brother of William Hussey Macy. Becoming interested in the mercantile side of Nantucket life he began his business career with the firm of J. & N. Tallant in the provisions market. Upon assuming the management of

THE NANTUCKET MACYS

31

the Macy Warehouse one of his first ventures was the organi­ zation of the Nantucket Fishing Company, gaining investments in an enterprise which was hoped would supplant the loss of income from the rapidly failing whaling industry. Joining him in the enterprise were a number of veteran shipmasters, includ­ ing Captain Joseph Mitchell, Capt. Prince Ewer, and Captain William Cash. A fleet of five schooners were chartered, and the first arrival from Georges Banks with a load of fish whs the schooner Laurel in July, 1848.

Joseph B. Macy married Mary Myrick, daughter of George and Eliza Myrick, in August, 1846, and a little more than a year later his wife died. In 1849, two years later, he married Rebecca Coffin, daughter of Barzillai and Rebecca Coffin. Three daughters and one son were born to them. But only Charlotte, eldest of the daughters, can be traced at this writing, she having married William P. Kelly, of Nantucket. The only son of Joseph and Re­ becca Macy, John E. Macy, a promising young man — died at the age of 20. While on a voyage from Boston to Canton, China, he was lost overboard one night, and although a boat was quickly lowered the ship had such headway he was never again seen.

The fine old white mansion where Joseph B. Macy lived on Federal Street was unwisely removed in 1933 to make room for the new brick post office. During the business depressed years Macy assumed an active role in local affairs being one of the sup­ porters of increased steamboat service from Hyannis. He recog­ nized the potential of the "Summer Business" and encouraged the building of hotels which would serve the numbers of visitors to the Island who wanted this type of accommodation. He was one of the notable Nantucketers of his time.

0 Alfred Macy was another of the Island's outstanding nine­ teenth century men. Born in 1831, he was the son of Peter Macy and Elizabeth Gardner Macy, and the grandson of Obed Macy, the historian. A teacher and lawyer by profession he served as Principal of the Coffin School for a time, as well as being pressed into service as an Editor for The Mirror during a period in that newspaper's history. He was appointed Collector of Customs for Nantucket in May, 1861, by President Lincoln, and held this office for ten years. As Manager of the Massachusetts Life Asso­ ciation he became highly respected, and was a Presidential Elector in 1860, as well as a candidate for the nomination as Lieutenant Governor of the State on the Republican ticket.

Thrice elected to the Governor's Council he became one of its most active members, and was one of Governor Talbot's closest advisors during his last year as a Councillor — 1873-1874. At the age of forty-three he died in Boston, after being confined to his hotel room for two weeks with what was diagnosed as typhoid

32

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

symptoms. A special committee was elected to escort his body for burial on Nantucket, and in his obituary it was stated: "The Hon. Alfred Macy's loss will be keenly felt, not only in domestic but also in political circles, both of which he adorned by his sterl­ ing honesty of purpose and strict adherence to principle."

0 Several issues back in Historic Nantucket there was pub­ lished the story of Captain Alexander Macy's whaling career, as he recounted his experiences to his daughter. It is a thoroughly interesting account of a whaling master who had a wide range of adventure, and serves as another facet in the story of the Nantucket Macys.

But before we leave the 19th century representatives of the Macy family some mention should be made of Wendell Macy, an artist who painted a number of Nantucket scenes. Probably the best of his work was the panorama of the town of Nantucket which he completed in 1874. From it were struck a number of lithographic copies, and some of these are now prized possessions of collectors of Nantucket memorabilia. One of Wendell Macy's most popular canvases was the Wreck of The Warren Sawyer, depicting the large schooner on the beach at Surfside in 1884 (December 22), loaded with cotton and becoming a total loss.

He painted five versions of the wreck. His subjects range from farm scenes and landscapes to interior views of the Old Mill, as well as crayon portraits of Islanders. His painting of the sidewheel steamer Island Home is a favored exhibit at the Peter Foulger Museum.

E.A.S.

N. B. On page 9 of the article on the Macys of Nantucket, which appeared in the January issue, errors should be corrected. John Macy, son of John Macy (the first) and Jabez Macy were brothers.

The latter was listed as the son of John (the second) and should have been noted as the brother. Both were grandsons of Thomas Macy. The corrected paragraphs read as follows: of Deborah, and another sister, Sarah, married William Worth, thus combining families of first settlers.

During the next four generations the sons, grand­ sons and great-grandsons of John Macy inter-married with others of the first families — John the second marrying Judith Worth; Jabez, brother of John, marrying Sarah Starbuck; Thomas (great-grandson of Thomas) marrying Deborah Coffin; and Richard, son of Thomas, marrying Deborah Pinkham.

THE NANTUCKET MACYS

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Mrs. Orris Wilson Willard, of San Francisco, California, whose husband is a Life Member, noted that it was Sarah, and not Mary Macy, who married William Worth. In her letter she commented further on her husband's direct descent as being from both John Worth, son of William and Sarah (Macy) Worth, and Miriam Gardner, sister of Deborah, who married John Macy.

Continuing she writes: You may be interested to note that, because of these two marriages — William Worth to Sarah Macy, and and John Worth to Miriam Gardner, their descendant, my husband, is doubly related to the Macy descendant, Rowland Hussey Macy, who established R. H. Macy and Co. Orris Wilson Willard, my husband, had been asso­ ciated with Macy's for twenty-five years and been named a senior vice president and director of Macy's California, before learning that he was related to the founder of the firm. As far as is known, he is the only Macy presently associated with the corporation.

0 The genealogy of the Macy Family from 1635-1868, by Silvanus J. Macy, 457 pages, has been reprinted by Marshall S. Macy and is available, at $15.00 postpaid, from him at 606 North Main Street, Ellinwood, Kansas 67426.

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University Nantucket History Course Conducted 011 the Island OVER THE SIX WEEKS' period from January 13 through Feb­ ruary 21, 1975, a "Nantucket Program" was carried out on the island by the University of Massachusetts — Boston. A group of UMass upper classmen came to the town to take up residence in available rooms and also to reside at the Quaise branch of the university. Since the program is both intensive and informal the enrollment in the 3-credit courses presented had to be rela­ tively small. However, Nantucket residents were invited to at­ tend, and 16 applied for admission and did attend. Three courses were offered by the University, the "Nantucket Program" being funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The courses will be offered again in the fall utilizing the same schedule of study and the same instructors.

The first of the three seminars — "The History and Culture of Nantucket" — involves the social, commercial and political history, from the discovery of the Island to the present. The in­ structor and lecturer is Edouard A. Stackpole, the Historian of the Nantucket Historical Association. Classes were held in the second floor room in the Coffin School on Winter Street from 9 to 10:15 each morning, with special evening lectures once a week in the main room, featuring guest lecturers from the University of Massachusetts.

"The Natural Environments of Nantucket" constitutes the second course. It serves as an introduction to the natural history of Nantucket and to general ecological principles. Taught by Wesley Tiffney and J. Clinton Andrews of the University of Mass­ achusetts Quaise Field Station, it is also held at the Coffin School three days a week, from 10 to 11 a.m., and at the Field Station.

Both these courses feature field trips, during which the classes have an opportunity to study those parts of the Island involved in the several phases of the studies.

The third in the schedule of studies — "Methods of Human­ istic Research on Nantucket" — is an introductory seminar on research and methods for humanistic inquiry on Nantucket, util­ izing primary source materials and cultural artifacts. This course is under Dr. Barry Philipps, who is the University of Mass. — Boston's Director of the Nantucket Program, with visiting UMass scholars participating in the lectures. Meetings are held on Fri­ days at 9:00 a.m. until noon, Jan. 31 through April 4.

The Peter Foulger Museum Library has served as the head­ quarters for study, and each afternoon both the Library room and the Research Room have been utilized fully by the students.

The University has expressed its appreciation for the cooperation of the Nantucket Historical Association and the Coffin School, which has made the Nantucket Program both a reality and a significant feature of cultural opportunity on Nantucket in the winter months.

Bequests or gifts to the Nantucket Historical Association are tax deductible.

They are greatly needed and appreciated.

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