Historic Nantucket, Fall 1990, Vol. 38 No. 3

F A L L

1990

V O L U M E 38

Tales of 'Sconset

No. 3

From The President

W

Helen Winslow Chase, Editor Diane Ua:i, Associate Editor Bruce A. Courson, Curator of Interpretation Photos: NHA collections unless otherwise credited

'Sconset Wireless Stations

36

'Sconset in Comparison

43

At 9:00 a.m. on August 12, 1901, as many curious Nantucket citizens watched on 'Sconset's Bunker Hill, the signal came in loud and clear.

By Captain John Lacouture

The 'Sconset of my childhood differed from the 'Sconset of today. The village was almost complete in itself.

By Joan Pennock Craig

ith the energetic leadership or Ginger Heard and Mimi Young, the able management or Betty and Dave Ogden, and the enthusiastic assistance or a large com­ mittee, the successful 1990 August Antiques Show pro­ duced more than $30,000 which is targeted for the crea­ tion or a Museum Support Center. Several people have asked why we want another structure to maintain in addi­ tion to those we already have, and here is the answer: we need a building to do a job that none or our others can do.

A Museum Support Center will combine warehouse and workshop where we can store, repair, and maintain our collections under proper climate-controlled conditions. It will give us our own shop for constructing exhibits. Once we have sufficient space for our collections we might be able to reopen the Peter Foulger as exhibit space and connect it to the Whaling Museum, creating a more inte­ grated and attractive experience for members and visitors alike.

We have an appropriate parcel or land for the Center, in a commercial zone off Surfside Road, and now we are working on design and construction or a structure. When you engage in long-range planning, you have to start somewhere. A Museum Support Center would not only be our first step toward returning the Peter Foulger building to exhibition status, but it would also represent our profes­ sional leap into the next century.

- H. Flint Ranney THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES H. Flint Ranney, President Joseph McLaughlin, Vice President Walter Beinecke, Jr., Vice President Paul A. Wol[, Jr., Treasurer Mrs. Bernard Grossman, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer Wynn Lee, Executive Director

Charles H. Robinson This Nantucket native created more structures than any contemporary island builder. ter

By Clay

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Departments

We couldn't do it without you...

35 42 45 48

Mrs. C. Marshall Beale Max N. Berry Mrs. Richard Brecker Charles C. Butt Kimberly Corkran-Miller Earle Craig John W. Eckman Nancy Martin Evans Mrs. Thomas Gosnell Erwin L Greenberg

Mrs. Anhur Jacobsen Reginald E. Levine Mrs. Earle MacAusland Mrs. William B. Macomber Mrs. Carl Mueller David M. Ogden Richard S. Silvia Susan Spring Whisler Mrs Bracebridge H. Young

ADVISORY BOARD Mrs. Robert Bailey Mrs. Thomas Loring Mrs. Charles Balas William B. Macomber Mrs. Donna Beasley Paul H. Madden Patricia A. Butler Roben F. Mooney Mrs. James F. Chase Mrs. William Pullman Mrs. Herbert Gutterson F. Blair Reeves William A. Hance Susan Tate Mrs. Hamilton Heard, Jr. Donald E. Terry Mrs. Roben Hellman Mrs. Mark White Mrs. John Husted John S. Winter Andrew j. Leddy Mrs. Joseph C. Woodle EDITORIAL BOARD Mrs. Dwight Beman Roben F. Mooney H. Flint Ranney

Susan Beegel Tiffney Mrs. Jane D. Woodruff Mrs. Bracebridge H. Young

WHAT'S NEWS AT THE NHA

Mark Fortenberry inspects newly cleared spaces under the 1800 House.

N

ow that the all-consuming restoration of the Oldest House is behind us, other NHA properties are receiving well-deserved at­ tention. Mark Fortenberry, Curator of Struc­ tures, and his assistant, Rick Morcom, excavated the fill inside the foundation of the 1800 House to explore the building's substructure. With techniques very similar to those used at the Oldest House, they investigated and rectified both moisture and insect damage. Ray St.Jean's Native Paint Company painted the exterior of the house as well as the main facade of the Peter Foulger Museum building. The color they used for the 1800 House was based on the earliest paint found when the Society for the Preserva­ tion of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) did a paint analysis of the house's exterior in August 1989.

The Old Mill's lightning protection system has been repaired after an unfortunate episode of vandalism. Bernard Walsh of Nantucket Multi­ Systems, who had originally installed the sys­ tem, corrected the damage. We are awaiting oak timber to replace the working fulcrum point of the compression-type break system located on the mill's third floor.

Rick Morcom has taken responsibility for the coordination of upgrading the grounds of all our properties and has begun the process by clearing away ivy from the foundation of Greater Light to promote better drainage and ventila­ tion. He has also planted annuals in the garden.

Paul Droz of the Trapper Tree Service pruned a number of large trees at various proper­ ties, a project which will con­ tinue in coming years.

On August 2, NHA repre­ sentatives met with a group of island carpenters to discuss the creation of a mutual support system. In return for volunteer services on NHA properties, interested contractors would have access to our research ma­ terial, information on restora­ tion techniques, and the NHA's endorsement. The meeting gen­ erated interest and enthusiasm about the evolution of such an exchange program. Further dis­ cussions are planned in the fall.

Mark Fortenberry is avail­ able to consult with homeown­ ers who contemplate restoration or who are just curious about their historic house. To schedule an appointment, call 228-1894. We appreciate vol­ untary contributions for these services.

Hello and Farewell

M

ichael Jehle came to Nantucket for a family vacation when he was twelve years old. He now returns as the NHA's Curator of Collections and will reside in the apartment at the rear of 99 Main Street. Mike's love of history and maritime life led him to a career in the museum field where he can pursue both interests. He enjoys the academic side of history but likes working with the public as well. This is evidenced in his job experiences as environmental educator aboard the Hudson River sloop, Clearwater, and as Curatorial Assistant at the Philadelphia Mari­ time Museum. He feels that history offers a per­ spective that nothing else can - if only we let it!

Mike graduated from Kalamazoo College with a B.A. in History and American Studies and has his M.A. in American Civilization from the Univer­ sity of Pennsylvania. He spent time as a Conserva­ tion Assistant at Mystic Seaport and also sailed as first mate on the brigantine Romance. Most re­ cently, Mike coordinated the archival installation of the Ellis Island project for Philadelphia's Con­ servation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts.

He looks forward to making the transition from urban life to a small community where it will be refreshing to know names and faces. Though Mike confesses to loving his work, he also enjoys cooking, gardening, and reading in leisure mo-

ments. He reads, writes, and speaks French as well.

Mike is eager to put his organizational skills to work as he delves into the NHA's extensive collections. He feels the resources there have the potential to give a very rich and diverse pano­ rama of island history. Mike would like to see the collections become more accessible so people have the opportunity to learn from their history.

With his relaxed and open manner, Mike fits into the NHA team already.

As we greet our new Curator of Collections, we bid farewell to Betsy Codding, our Assistant Curator of Collections. In 1988, Betsy started as one of the NHA's summer docents. Her enthusi­ asm and expertise led her to a more in-depth in­ volvement with the collections and exhibitions.

For the past two years, Betsy has hired, trained, and scheduled the summer staff. It takes organi­ zation, humor, and people skills to tackle prob­ lems that surface during the hectic summer season. Betsy has balanced all three very well.

She worked closely with Bruce Courson, Curator of Interpretation, and was an integral part of the creation of both this year's "Summer­ ing" exhibit at the Thomas Macy Warehouse and the interpretation of the reopened Oldest House.

For this latter project she researched local house­ hold inventories from the eighteenth century to guide her presentation of the Coffin House.

Students in the Nantucket school system will remember Betsy long after her departure because she was instrumental in a project de­ signed to bring island history closer to home.

She and a team of teachers worked on an inno­ vative instructional guide which utilizes local re­ sources, such as NHA houses and museums, in teaching Nantucket history. Betsy met with classes at both the 1800 House and the Thomas Macy Warehouse where she described island life of the past. We will all miss Betsy's energetic presence at the NHA, but we wish her well as she relocates to Boston in early October.

Mike Jehle and Betsy Codding review collections materials.

Photo: Diane

Ucci

35

At 9:00 a.m. on August 12, 1901, as many curious Nantucket citizens watched on 'Sconset's Bunker Hill, the signal came in loud and clear.

Siasconset Wireless Stations F

or years we have been coming to our cottage in 'Sconset near Bunker Hill, the site of America's first permanent wire­ less station. And, normally, each spring we spend several weeks on the Helford River in Cornwall, England, about twenty miles from the spectacular site on the cliffs at Poldhu where Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first radio signal across the Atlantic. It seems inevitable, therefore, that I should write about the early days of Siasconset's Marconi stations.

This 'Sconset story began in Europe in the late nineteenth century with Marconi's wireless experiments in marine communi­ cation, first in his native Italy and then in Great Britain. He installed his equipment on lightships and lighthouses, on British naval vessels and ocean liners, and on shore sta­ tions, transmitting and receiving messages which ranged from reports of popular rac­ ing regattas to accidents at sea. Impressed

by Marconi's accomplishments, Commander John D. J. Kelley, senior writer-manager of the New York Herald, alerted its owner and publisher, James Gordon Bennett, who was also a yachtsman and racing enthusiast, to the usefulness of wireless to newspapers. At Bennett's direction, Marconi put up stations on shore and on two ships to cover the 1899 America's Cup Races in lower New York Har­ bor. He became a national hero by sending 1200 messages that updated the races' prog­ ress, and his success confirmed the Herald's confidence in the potential of wireless com­ munication as a tool of the press.

The news vacuum which had for so long frustrated those on the high seas could now be eliminated. Transatlantic liners could report their position and estimated time of arrival. Their passengers could keep in­ formed of world events and could exchange messages with persons ashore.

The enthusiasm of Kelley and Bennett for using the Marconi system to communi­ cate with ships at sea would move the focus of events closer to Siasconset. As western

36

By Captain John Lacouture stations the Herald selected Nantucket Is­ land and, forty-two miles away, South Shoals where Nantucket Lightship was the first point of contact for ocean liners bound for New York City. Crookhaven on the south coast of Ireland became the eastern location.

When Siasconset was chosen as the specific site for a wireless station on Nantucket, Guglielmo Marconi was not present. He had worked continuously since the America's Cup Races to improve transmission dis­ tance and reception clarity and was deeply involved in preparing for his most spec­ tacular triumph of transatlantic communi­ cation, which linked Poldhu, England, with St. John's, Newfoundland. His representa­ tive, W.W. Bradfield, and Commander Kelley

selected a lot owned by Samuel Pitman on Bunker Hill behind 'Sconset village as the ideal spot for a marine communication station. They rented the Hussey cottage already on the site to hold the wireless equipment and to house the operators.

Early in August 1901, Antone Perry of New Bedford and a crew of five riggers began construction of the station under the supervision of Commander Kelley. He, in tum, was assisted by Mr. Bradfield, J. C. Lockyer, and E. N. George, all from the Marconi Wireless Company in London.

Twenty-five hundred feet of wire arrived on August 3 from New Bedford. Spars for the mast were also built there. The bottom spar-77-1/2 feet of Douglas fir, 18 inches

The first Siasconset Marconi Station began operations on August 12 1901. Wireless equipment was installed in the left ell.

in diameler, weighing 3-1/2 Lons--was Lhe News of Lhe successful comact spread first transatlantic liner to greet the New largesl ever shaped in Lhal hisloric whaling throughoul Lhe island. Soon, Lhere was a World with a wireless message sent from porl. The lopmasl was while pine--68 feel slring of visitors at Lhe wireless station, midocean. The Herald flashed: "...[It] is long, 11-1/2 inches Lhick, weighing 3/4 marveling al Lhe flying blue sparks and singularly appropriate that the old Cunard Lon; and Lhe lopgallanl masl was 45 feel amazed Lhal il was possible lo communi­ company's line... should inaugurate this mag­ long, 8 inches Lhick, weighing 700 pounds. cale through space. On Tuesday morning, nificent achievement of science, genius, The spars were so large Lhal Lhe regular Margarel Fawcell, Lhe little daughLer of and inventive skill." The long ocean voyage Nanluckel sleamer refused Lo load Lhem, well-known actors, George and Percy Haswell would be robbed of the terrors of isolation. and Lhe Lug Petrel had lo be chartered lo Low Fawcell, raised Lhe Stars and Stripes on the While everyone awaited the much­ Lhem Lhe sevenly miles LO Lhe island. The big telegraph staff. Construction personnel publicized approach of the Lucania, the localion of Nantuckel's wharves and Lhe and station operators had given her Lhe first message to reach the Siasconset station narrowness of ils slreels complicaLed Lhe honor in gralilude Lo Lhe Fawcells for Lheir actually came on Wednesday evening when arduous Lask of dragging Lhe huge maslS, many kindnesses. Those in neighboring Lhe westbound German liner Lahn asked to mounled on wheels, Lo 'Sconsel. be reported. On Thursday, a pass­ The largesl spar required a Learn ing tramp steamer made the same of eighL horses. By Augusl 10, requesl. As Friday, August 16, fony-eighL hours afler arrival, all approached and the Lucania reached Lhree seclions were neverlheless transmission range, Commander raised in place. The whole proceKelley of the Herald assigned men I dure caused greal inleresl among to forward messages from the Nanluckel's permanenl residenls, Lucania quickly and sent the light­ I and many relired masler mariners I ship a series of latest news bulle­ I galhered Lo walch and advise. The tins to be lransmilled.

186-fool masl, localed on land 55 Finally, Lhe hisLOric message i II feel high, placed Lhe receiving wire from Caplain Horalio McKay was 241 feel above sea level. Mean­ received al Lightship No. 66, and while, Bradfield and his assislanls was lransmilled by Marconi op­ were busy in Lhe Hussey collage eraLOr Lockyer lo Siasconset. As erecling Lhe apparalus for Lhe large Kelley and Bradfield lislened and receivers, Lhe Lransmiller key, and walched brealhlessly, operalors olher equipmenl. Wilhin Lwenly­ Tom Tierney and E. Milchell wrole four hours afler Lhe masl was in oul Lhe words: "All well on board. place, Lhe Siasconsel wireless sla­ We are 237 miles from Sandy Hook. lion was ready lo lransmil and Expecl LO reach New York Harbor receive.

Salurday." Wilhin Lhirty minules Bradfield and Lockyer along Lhe Herald office had Lhe slory. wilh Perry and Lhe riggers Lhen The firsl privale message from Lhe planned lo sel oul immedialely Lucania was from passenger Car­

by Lug for Lreacherous Soulh Shoals roll Payne LO Clark Howell al Lhe Percy Haswell Fawcett, well-known member of Siasconset's actors and Nantucket Lightship No. 66 Atlanta Constitution: "Homeward colony, and daughter Margaret. The little girl raised the colors at where Lhey would secure a 45bound. Passage rough. Though far the opening ceremony of the New York Herald's Marconi wire­ fool wooden spar lo her 60-fool from home message sent thanks less station in 1901. sleel masl, rig Lhe cables, and in­ lo Lhe Herald's enlerprise." slall Lhe wireless equipmenl. AIBy midnighl, Siasconset sla­ Lhough Lhey were delayed al Nanluckel by collages followed Lhe example and set Lheir lion could read Lucania's messages directly, and by 2:45 a.m. Lhere was good Lwo-way a reluclanl Lugboal skipper and al Soulh colors in recognition of Lhe evenl.

In the meantime, Lhe New York Herald communicalion belween Lhe ship and Lhe Shoals by seasick riggers, Bradfield man­ aged Lo complele Lhe inslallalion and de­ built up publicity prior Lo receiving the slalion. Eighl hours elapsed from Lhe ini­ parled from Lhe lighLship on Sunday eve­ first official message from a transatlantic Lial exchange of signals belween Lucania ning, Augusl 11. He lefL Lockyer Lo operate liner. One article trumpeted Lhat the Her­ and Lightship No. 66 unlil Lhe final exchange the wireless initially and LO train two New ald's wireless station on Nantucket Lightship belween 'Sconsel and liner. As Lhe passen­ York Herald operators. The firsl test was set would shorten Lhe Atlantic crossing by one gers of Lhe Lucania disembarked, Lhey re­ day and that westbound passengers could ceived a souvenir issue of the Herald cover­ up for Monday morning.

At 9:00 a.m. on August 12, 1901, as communicate with the American continent ing Lhe vessel's hisloric voyage. Copies were many curious Nantucket citizens watched fourteen to sixteen hours earlier. The paper senl lo 'Sconsel and Lhe lighLship so Lhal all on 'Sconset's Bunker Hill, the signal from announced that the route of communica­ participanls would be able LO show Lheir South Shoals came in loud and clear: three tion from the liner would be first by wire­ grandchildren Lhe slory of Lhe inaugural dots and a dash, the leller V in Morse code. less from the lightship at South Shoals to operations of Lhe first, permanent Marconi "We've got her!" shouted Bradfield, and the 'Sconset station, then by telephone to sysLem in Lhe Uniled States.

The early novelty of wireless fascinated signals were quickly exchanged. Siascon­ the Nantucket office of the Southern Mas­ set's signal, or call sign, was MSC. The first sachusetlS Telephone Company and finally everyone on board the vessels that were message from stalion to lighLship was: "How by telephone to the mainland and the Her­ equipped wilh it. On August 20, 1901, Nantucket Lightship began to relay messages are you all? What's doing?, The response ald office in New York.

The Cunard liner Lucania, sailing from from the North German Lloyd liner Kaiser from No. 66: "Convalescent Lhanks. Fog­ Liverpool on August 10, was selected as the Wilhelm der Grosse via Lhe 'Sconset stalion at horn going since last nighl."

I

I

I

...

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about 10:30 p.m. For almost three hours, passengers stood outside in a driving rain to get the latest news. Because, in the time available, only a few could send souvenir messages, passengers offered as much as one hundred dollars to be selected.

Although its novelty wore off as more and more ships installed the equipment, wireless communication continued to prove its worth; and 'Sconset station settled down to a busy routine. Its first operators were Mitchell (chief), Fund, and Tierney; once the latter had mastered the system, he was transferred to South Shoals and became the first American assigned to duty as a regu­ lar, lightship wireless operator. 'Sconset shifts changed at midnight, 8:00 a.m., and 5:30 p.m., and the busiest period was usually from afternoon to early evening. Messages from New York, including the closing stock market prices, came in for transmission to passing liners. Ships that met in mid Atlan­ tic could exchange messages that were re­ layed to Siasconset or Crookhaven and received days before the vessel reached its destination.

One of the principal, but unofficial, duties of the 'Sconset wireless station was to provide daily bulletins of the New York Giants' baseball games for the summer citi­ zens of 'Sconset. Today, if one wonders "Why not the Red Sox?", one must remem­ ber that these bulletins went to members of the Lambs Club who were largely New York theater people. Whenever there was a game, they gathered at the Ocean View House down the road from the station. If the Giants won, there was much celebra­ tion; if they lost, however, the flag was lowered to half-mast, and it was a gloomy night in 'Sconset.

In spite of increasing general, business, and marine communication, the New York Herald did not continue to operate its own wireless stations. Two years after James Gordon Bennett and Commander John D. J. Kelley opened the 'Sconset relay and demonstrated the commercial uses of the wireless telegraph between ship and shore, they sold the Siasconset station to the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America.

Kelley became the firm's treasurer and a member of its board of directors. (I wonder what happened to the station's painted sign, which Henry Paddack had presented to him: it included an owl, the emblem of the Herald, carved by Nantucket artist James Walter Folger.)

The Marconi Company's 'Sconset sta­ tion became one of the most important in America; but as its work load increased, its facilities were no longer adequate. In 1904, an enlarged, refitted station was moved across the road and two taller wireless poles were erected. In 1907, an overheated

38

FIITil SECTIOS.

THE NEW_ YORK HERALD.

l'_\t"';F"' 1 f11 11

On Sunday, August 18, 1901, the New York Herald announced that its Siasconset Marconi wireless telegraph station had transmitted by telephone the historic first message of the Cunard Liner Lucania, as relayed from Nantucket Lightship No. 66 on South Shoals. exhaust pipe caused a fire that left only the chimneys, the foundation, and the genera­ tor standing by the time the chemical fire cart came from town. The structure was rebuilt, and the station's important opera­ tions routine continued until the end of World War I. Over the years, the general public would be reminded of 'Sconset station's vital com­ munication role only in times of marine crisis. On December 10, 1905, for example, Siasconset received the first American dis­ tress call. Replacement Nantucket Lightship No. 58, then stationed at South Shoals, had sprung a bad leak and was in danger of foundering. Upon receiving the call HELP (CQD before the days of SOS), 'Sconset alerted the Coast Guard and other ships in the vicinity. The U.S.S. Azalea rushed to the lightship's assistance and arrived just in time to remove the crew before the vessel sank.

On the night of January 23, 1909, two ocean liners collided in dense fog sixty miles south of the Siasconset wireless sta­ tion. Duty operator Jack Irwin immediately picked up their call for help and flashed messages to all naval stations and incoming vessels. Soon, eight tugs and ocean liners were rushing to the scene where J. P. Mor­ gan's White Star liner S.S. Republic with 750 passengers and crew had been struck broad­ side amidships by the bow of the Italian liner Florida.

Impeded by the fog, the Baltic was nev­ ertheless first to arrive and found that the Republic was quickly sinking. The Florida, although badly damaged herself, had re­ moved all of the Republic's passengers and crew. The Baltic went alongside the Florida, removed most of her passengers as well as all the Republic personnel, and took them to New York. The Florida eventually made port under tug escort. As a result of this dramatic

rescue, Congres.s pas.sed a law in 1910 that made the installation of wireles.s manda­ tory on all American ships carrying more than fifty pas.sengers and crew on routes longer than two hundred miles. This, of course, increased markedly the work load of the Siasconset station.

The wireles.s heroes of the Republic dis­ aster were its telegraph officer, Jack Binns, and Siasconset station operator Irwin. Binns had transmitted the original CQD to 'Scon­ set and sent out status reports from the badly damaged, sinking ship almost to the last. Jack Irwin received much credit for alerting rescue operations, but curiously, an act of personal kindnes.s two years be­ fore would be of greater historical note than his heroic action in the sinking of the

Republic.

In September 1906, through Irwin's help, David Sarnoff, an eighteen-year-old immi­ grant from Minsk, Rus.sia, became an office boy in the Marconi Company's New York office. By 1908, when Irwin was one of four operators at the 'Sconset station, he had trained Sarnoff to replace him when­ ever he went to sea on one of the company's ships equipped for Marconi wireles.s. While living under Oscar Folger's roof in 'Scon­ set, David studied hard; but who would have thought that one day he would be General Sarnoff, founder and chief execu-

tive officer of RC.A. (Radio Corporation of America)?

During the most famous sea-going dis­ aster of the twentieth century, the Siascon­ set station played a critical role. Late on the night of April 14, 1912, duty operator Matt Tierney received distress signals from the sinking Titanic. Siasconset was the first mainland wireles.s station to receive them, and he immediately alerted all other sta­ tions of the tragedy.

With the start of World War I, new factors complicated the work of Siasconset station. On September 25, 1914, the gov­ ernment closed it for an alleged violation of neutrality laws. A Navy ensign as.signed as censor had reported the violation. The company questioned the legality of this closure but was overruled by the govern­ ment. On January 17, 1915, the station reopened under Navy supervision, which lasted for the duration of the war. On Octo­ ber 8, 1916, prior to our entry into the con­ flict, the station picked up, within a period of six hours, the distres.s signals of six ships, all torpedoed and sunk off Nan­ tucket by one German submarine, the U-53.

Soon after World War I ended, the second Siasconset station closed permanently; but this was not quite the end of wireles.s com­ munication on Nantucket.

In 1920, the International Wireles.s Tele-

graph Company thought a commercial wireles.s operation was still needed on the island and built a large station just south of Sankaty Golf Club. This third, short-lived station had the latest equipment and could communicate with steamers out to 1800 miles. Placed in operation on October 13, it did a thriving busines.s for a while. For some reason-probably new, competitive communication developments-this last 'Sconset wireles.s station shut down for good in April 1922.

To commemorate the site of Siascon­ set's wireles.s operations and the seventieth anniversary of the reception of the Lucania's historic message, the Nantucket Historical Association erected a plaque outside the Cahoon cottage at Bunker Hill on August 16, 1971. The importance of this "famous first" and the vital services performed are evidenced by the replacement stations maintained in the area over the next several years. The 'Sconset stations deserve to be remembered for the significant role they played in the early years of American wire­ les.s communication.

Captain John Lacouture attended the U.S. Naval Academy and Princeton and Cambridge Univer­ sities. He was a naval aviator for thirty years and commanded the aircraft carriers Saratoga and Independence, both of which are now on station in the Persian Gulf region.

Cunard liner S.S. Lucania, built in Glasgow, 1893. Eight hours elapsed on August 16, 1901, from the initial exchange of signals between the liner and Lightship No. 66 until the final contact between Lucania and 'Sconset.

Photo: Peabody Museum of Salem.

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CENTRAL MARKET, SIASCONSET

ON THE COVER

41

I

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU...

Committed Volunteers

1

volunteers undertake the planning and production of the show.

This year, Mrs. Hamilton Heard, Jr., and Mrs. Bracebridge H. Young shared the responsibility of chairing the event. Their devotion to the NHA's causes and their extensive island connections enabled them to gather and direct a group of experienced, competent volunteers who contributed many hours executing a spectacular show.

In past years, an outside antiques show management company arranged the details for the participating antiques dealers. This year, Mr. and Mrs. David Ogden assumed many of the management responsibilities on behalf of the NHA. Not only did this cut the cost of management in half-Mr. and Mrs. Ogden donated their share to the Antiques Show-but it greatly enhanced the enjoyment of the show for the dealers, many of whom come from great distances to participate.

One group of Antiques Show volun­ teers deserve a special thank you this year.

We added a Junior Committee to the roster of committees to help specifically with the parties and the program advertising. About twenty-five young women and men do­ nated a significant amount of their valuable time and energy to the project. As all these volunteers hold full-time jobs (in the summer on Nantucket this means at least six days a week!), their contribution is especially appreciated. Their enthusiasm and cheer­ fulness lent a new spark to the trad1uonal Antiques Show functions.

We would love to be able to mention by name everyone who helped with the show, but limited space, unfortunately, does not permit this luxury. Help of this kind is important to the NHA, and we are fully aware that the show would not be possible without our group of devoted volunteers.

1rg1ma Newhouse connects to a lot of Nantucket his­ tory. Her great grandmother came here in 1890, and her grandfather, Dr. Benjamin Sharp, was one of the two founders of Nantucket Cot­ tage Hospital. Ginny started com­ ing to the island from New York seventy-two years ago. For the last seven years, she has devoted much of her time to volunteering for the NHA. She and her husband Alan were originally volunteers at the Whaling Museum, where they helped Bruce Courson rearrange collections.

Ginny also polished brass and cleaned the swifts!

Alan now takes long sailing trips, and Ginny prefers to stay on-is­ land and dig her hands into detail Ginny Newhouse cataloges photographs at the Research work. She loves being busy and Center. can often be found at the Research Center volunteering there this summer. The his­ for eight hours at a stretch. Ginny works at tory of the Oldest House fascinates Mar­ cataloging old photographs for the archival jorie, and she enthusiastically shares this collection, and after so much time on Nan­ with visitors. She especially enjoys meet­ tucket, she is especially good at identifying ing island visitors and fellow docents. people and places. She, in turn, is delighted Marjorie treasures her island visits and by memories that the images evoke. She en­ hopes to be a year-round resident in the courages people to give their old photo­ future. At such time, she would like to do graphs to the archives where they can be some serious research on Blacks on Nan­ preserved, used for research purposes, and tucket during the Civil War. It is a pleasure just enjoyed by others. to have Marjorie's energy and enthusiasm Marjorie Schultz started coming to Nan­ at the Oldest House this summer. tucket with friends as a college student.

She rented a room on Liberty Street for eleven dollars a week! In 1983 she bought a home here and has been coming every summer since then. During the winter she does consulting and research in the field of social work. Marjorie has been a member of the NHA since 1985, and since her arrival on Nantucket she has spent time reading and researching various facets of island ere at the NHA, the month of history. About four years ago her interest August means "Antiques became more serious when she saw an exhibit Show." We're planning it, hosting it, on Nantucket artists at the Fair Street Mu­ or clearing up and setting the ac­ seum. She was very impressed with the ex­ counts straight. As our single biggest hibit and decided she wanted to be more in­ fund-raising event, it successfully gen- Mrs. Dav·id Ogden (right) displays a range of . . . volved with the museum. She volunteered erates money for a specific proiect , interesting pieces Photo: Diane Ucci there as a docent for two years and then and places the NHA firmly on Nanwent on to work at both the Hadwen House tucket's August calendar of events.

We look forward to continued support and the Thomas Macy Warehouse.

Organizing the Antiques Show in the from all of the people who involved them­ Marjorie's house is close to Sunset Hill, middle of the summer is not a task the staff selves in the show this year and to seeing and she was on island when the Oldest can undertake alone. Although some of the more new faces with new ideas to keep the House was struck by lightning. She fol­ show's logistical details are channelled NHA's Antiques Show THE event of Nan­ lowed its restoration closely and started through the office, a dedicated group of tucket's August calendar.

hank You, Antiques Show Volunteers.

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The 'Sconset of my childhood differed from the 'Sc onset of today. The village was almost complete in itself

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'Sconset Ill Comparison

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By Joan Pennock Craig

!though I have been a year-round resident of the town of Nantucket for forty-two years, I still get excited every time I am in 'Sconset. Until I was married, I spent all but the first two summers of my life there and loved every minute of it. For a child who was city-born-and-raised, it was like coming to paradise when we ar­ rived in early June each year. Hardly a day goes by now that I don't think back to some part of my life in those summer days of the 1920s and 30s.

The 'Sconset of my childhood differed greatly from the 'Sconset of today. The village was almost complete in itself. Ex­ cept to purchase groceries or catch the boat, there was no real need to drive the seven miles to town. Of course, there were many things 'Sconseters enjoyed doing in town, and many trips were made; but the need was not as great as it is now.

Summer 'Sconset back then had many more shops and services. The grocery store was at Pump Square and was run by Larry Welch. Many people used it only in emer­ gencies because prices were high, but I frequented it almost daily to buy O Boy bubble gum for a penny a stick. The Elbow Lane Gift Shop sold photographs, paint­ ings, and a few assorted gifts.

Nearby on either side of the footbridge over Gully Road were two popular estab­ lishments. On the ocean side was the 'Scon­ set branch of Marshall Gardiner's where one could purchase cameras, film, and art supplies, as well as some gifts. There was a spectacular display of postcards, showing various island scenes, and several were as large as thirty inches in length. These are considered valuable antiques in today's market, and many a home sports these cards handsomely framed. The shop oppo­ site Gardiner's was a delight where one could easily find a suitable gift for any occasion. The store was devoted mostly to items that would please "grown-ups," but in the back there was a children's area. I remember well the wonderful collection of

Tootsie Toys and small china animal sets that were so popular with boys and girls at that time.

There was a store known as "Wander In" at the end of the Gully Road under the bridge near where the swing sets are now.

(To get to it, one passed two houses, no longer there, named "Tweedledum" and 'Tweedledee.") This shop was in the front of a private house and sold bathing suits, caps, beach towels, and toys. The beach in front, then called Wander In Beach, was seldom used. The next area toward Sankaty was the popular spot where everyone gath­ ered to swim and was known as the "Main" beach. It was here that the town stationed 'Sconset's first lifeguard in the late 1930s.

Where the Sconset Cafe and package store are now was Cliff Eddy's Siasconset Book Store. It was to 'Sconset what the Hub presently is to Nantucket. Cliff Eddy's was the village gathering spot where people could purchase newspapers and magazines as well as sundry drug and gift items. There was also a small, popular soda fountain.

Outside the door stood the cab that pro­ vided Cliffs taxi service. Next door, where it is today, was the Siasconset Post Office.

Across the street was the bus stop for trans-

portation to Nantucket and return.

Around the corner, John Salvas, known as 'John, the barber," had a small shop which was to the left as you face what is now the Siasconset Market. John also had gas pumps. Outside the barbershop door was a shoeshine chair where Walter Kelly conducted a thriving business. You could either climb up into the chair and get your shoes shined as you chatted with people coming for their haircuts, or you could leave your shoes with Walter in the morn­ ing and pick them up later in the day.

Known to everyone, Kelly was a large, jolly man with an artificial nose--a necessity resulting from an undisclosed event in his past.

'Sconset even had its own library, lo­ cated in the Old Gardner House on Broad­ way. Mrs. Grant, the helpful librarian, was always available. There were adequate copies of the popular Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys series, as well as many other reading selections for young and old.

Miss Elna ran the Kozy Beauty Studio for ladies hairdressing at 17 Shell Street.

The Holdgate family conducted a laundry business from their home on New Street.

Oscar Folger rented garage spaces, and Pease's Garage in Nantucket had a branch across from the Casino. Manager Al l..aVoie dis­ pensed free air for the tires of all the chil­ dren's bikes. A little French lady, Mrs. Allo, did mending and made slipcovers.

Her husband, Victor, tended many of the 'Sconset gardens, as did Earl Coffin. Albert Egan and Ernest Coffin took care of all 'Sconset carpentry and repairs, and Martindale Coffin coped with the trash and garbage.

In a cottage on Shell Street was a branch of the New England Telephone Company, operated for many years by Doris Handy.

Across the street was the Siasconset Water Department, ably superintended by Har ry Holden. And, believe it or not, 'Sconset had its own Western Union office, located in

The Elbow Lane Gift Shop sold photographs, paintings, and a Jew gifts.

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the building on Park Lane known as 'Tele­ graph House."

John Thomas operated the 'Sconset fish market "down bank" in Codfish Park where he also sold littlenecks on the half shell.

Families would frequently stop on the way up from a swim, and he would open and serve the quahogs for a nickel apiece.

The restaurants I remember most clearly were the Chanticleer, which in many ways has not changed in appearance, and the Dine A Mite Tea Room, run by "Pinky" Gouin across from the Post Office. Another place to eat was Sadie Folger's Wander Inn on Broadway. An appropriately little lady, Minnie Nichols, ran a tearoom in La Petite (sic) Cottage at the head of Shell Street.

There was also the popular Morris's Ice Cream Parlor in Daisy Cot on New Street.

Other eating establishments came and went, but I can't leave this subject without mention of my favorite. This was a tiny place to the left at the bottom of the road from Front Street that we called "Cobbie­ stone Hill." This little eatery was run by Mrs. Amos Arey who sold, without a doubt, the best hot dogs and blueberry pie.

In addition, many products and serv­ ices were delivered right to the home. Harry Dunham trucked our milk and fresh vege­ tables from his Polpis farm a few times a week. Horace Jernegan brought much-needed ice by wagon every day or so. And there were those wonderful men who appeared at the kitchen door with pails of freshly picked blueberries, priced from thirty cents a quart (fair) to forty cents (expensive).

The 'Sconset of my childhood had much to offer in the way of sports and relaxation.

There was golf at the "Old 'Sconset" course on Milestone Road as well as at Sankaty.

The first ten holes plus the eighteenth were on the 'Sconset side of the course, and the other holes were across the Polpis Road.

The Casino supplied the only tennis courts.

Horseback riding was a very popular pastime. Opposite the water tower was a stable run by Marquis Gouin, an ex-officer in the French cavalry. My sister always rode a chestnut horse named "Lucky," while I rode a large black one named "Prince." In summer we frequently started out early in the morning and followed our ride with breakfast in the Chanticleer garden. In the fall we rode onto the moors and picked grapes from horseback. "Gouiny," as he was known, always made sure that all the young riders learned to care for the horses.

We were taught to saddle, water, and groom them as well as to clean out their stalls. We spent a lot of time at the stables.

The Srail Club ("Liars" spelled back­ wards) was popular with many men in the village. Their clubhouse on New Street across from Daisy Cot was a barnlike building

44

"Pinky" Gouin's Dine A Mite Tearoom was across from the Siasconset Post Office. that still bears the name "Srail." Here the group gathered informally to swap stories and discuss topics of current interest. I think of the Srail Club as 'Sconset's equiva­ lent of the Wharf Rat Club in Nantucket. I am sure there are still many people around who can tell us about the earliest "Srails."

In the evening there were assorted ac­ tivities. Dances were held for adults twice a week-on Fridays at Sankaty and on Tues­ days, preceded by a children's dance, at the Casino. One of the highlights of the season was the children's masquerade held in late August. The competition for prizes was keen, and costumes were often planned well in advance. There was always a live orchestra, and there were lucky-number and spotlight dances and prizes.

Interesting lectures were presented in the Tavem on the Moors on School Street.

Exotic travel posters covered the interior walls. There was a wonderful stagecoach in the front yard, and as children, we acted

out many a drama in it. If our playacting turned to tales of the sea, we moved the scene of our action to an old boat in the front yard of the Beach House on Ocean Avenue. Neither building exists today.

On Sunday evenings many people went to root for the summer baseball teams. The action took place in approximately the same area used today on the Milestone Road just west of town. When there was competition against the Caddy Camp, however, the games were often played at Sankaty Golf Club.

On Wednesday and Saturday nights, we had movies at the Casino--twenty-five cents in the balcony and forty cents downstairs.

We sat on the same uncomfortable chairs that are used today. The first movies I went to were silent pictures, and Herbie Brownell supplied music appropriate to the action from the piano in the left front of the auditorium. Because Herbie was blind, someone always sat with him and explained what was happening on the screen.

A small bar and night spot, known as the Moby Dick, was situated partway down the bank off Ocean Avenue. Some say that the building had once been the railroad depot. Early and late in the season, when the Moby Dick was not too crowded, pa­ trons could watch old movies there as well.

I don't think the summer people from 'Sconset and Nantucket mixed as much in the 1920s and 30s as they do today. We lacked very little; most of what we needed and enjoyed was right there in our own village. 'Sconset was truly a fantastic place to spend the vacation months, and I'm ever grateful that it was a part of my life.

Joan Pennock Craig on "Prince" in 1930, owned by Marquis Gouin's stable in Siasconset.

Joan Pennock Craig has lived on Nantucket year­ round since 1948 and has been an NHA member since 1954.

Photo: Courtesy of the author

ITEMS OF

INTEREST

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Thank You, Robert M ooney

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alter Folger, Jr., inven­ tor, mathematician, and legislator, served as Nantucket's Justice of the Peace from 1807 until 1814. While in office, he kept a detailed account of the cases he tried. His docket re­ veals that Nantucket was far from a quiet town. Respected family names appear throughout the book in reports of assault, theft, and indiscretion.

T abathy Marsh stole Eliza­ beth Folger's bed, complete with bed rope. Benjamin Bailey was double-fined for profanity and threatening to haunt Simon Coffin, Jr. Thaddeus Coffin III smoked a cigar in the street!

Peter Crow paraded on Sunday, imitated a Tax Collector, and laughed when told to stop. Jane Barnard traveled unnecessarily and refused to say why. Mary Walter Folger, Jr., Nantucket Justice of the Peace Pease sought protection from her brothers' and sister's attacks. Witnesses change for giving evidence. Fines were Hussey, Coleman, Gardner, Wyer, and Barney frequently a dollar and some cents. attested to Thomas Riddell's assault on Abigail How do we know all this? Somehow, Coffin. Nancy Michael, spinster, accused Folger's docket traveled to Maine where, in Phillip Tyler, mariner, of attacking her with 1944, a local farmer found it in the town "swords, guns, staves, knives, clubs, ropes dump. When he died last year, the book and his fists." Benjamin Slade gave false in­ was auctioned off with his effects. The formation on the Tax Collector. Wives were NHA was outbid. This summer the pur­ beaten, cattle stolen, and debts were left chaser offered to sell the record. This would unpaid. have been a real loss for our archives had Folger heard cases almost daily in his attorney Robert Mooney not recognized its home. Witnesses were paid thirty-three cents importance. He generously purchased it to appear. His own son was excused from for the NHA Research Center where it has $100 debt to the Commonwealth in ex- finally found a permanent home.

Author and Member

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n NHA member and active volun­ teer, Mrs. Hamilton Heard (Ginger) also found time to write the text for a splendid and informative new book, Nan­ tucket Gardens and Houses, published this summer by Uttle, Brown. As a year-round resident and Vice President of the Nan­ tucket Garden Club, Ginger had access to Nantucket homes and gardens of great his­ torical significance and beauty. The photo­ graphs of Taylor Lewis combined with Ginger's prose take you on a picturesque

tour through Nantucket's eighteenth- and nineteenth-century houses, cottages, and elaborate estates.

When she was congratulated on her wonderful book at the Annual Meeting in July, Ginger responded graciously by thank­ ing all the NHA members who were so helpful during her research and writing.

In addition to being this summer's co­ chair for the Antiques Show, Ginger is on the Development Committee. Nantucket Gardens and Houses holds great interest for a wide range of readers and has been selling well on- and off-island. We applaud her creative efforts and continue to marvel at how she finds time for all her activities.

Est ate Planning Tips

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n Friday, September 14, Mr. Rich­ ard Loftin, local attorney and NHA member, presented a seminar on how to reduce taxes through estate planning. Mr. Robert Karelitz, trustee of the Tupancy­ Harris Foundation and director of the Fidu­ ciary Trust Company, Boston, also partici­ pated in the session. Included in their two­ hour presentation were such topics as us­ ing marital trusts for tax savings, the thorny problem of Massachusetts probate if you are a non-resident - and how to avoid it, and why you may not want to give property to your children. Their analysis of chari­ table giving as a means to minimize tax burdens covered the use of charitable remainder trusts, conservation and preser­ vation easements, and other vehicles.

For anyone who was unable to attend, written summaries of the information pre­ sented are available upon request from the NHA Office, P. 0. Box 1016, Nantucket, MA 02554.

Gene alogy Workshop

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n introductory Genealogy Workshop will meet on Monday, November 5, 1990, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon al the NHA Research Center in the Peter Foulger building on Broad Street. Sign up before October 15 with the NHA Historian, Helen Winslow Chase, so that preliminary mate­ rials can be sent to you. Call (508) 2281667 or 228-1181. Limit: 15 persons.

The workshop is open to persons who want to begin tracing their family, to those who have already started their research, and to anyone interested in having a genea­ logical organization on Nantucket. NHA members may attend without charge; non­ members must obtain an NHA Research Center permit for $5.00 at the workshop, which will entitle them to two days' re­ search.

Historian Chase will discuss research methods; lineage charts and work sheets; family, public, historical, and church rec­ ords; and the pleasures of genealogical "sleuth­ ing." Featured speakers will be Barbara Andrews, Librarian, Nantucket Atheneum; Jacqueline Haring, NHA Curator of Re­ search Materials; and Joanne Holdgate, Town Clerk, Nantucket Town and County Build­ ing. They will review the materials for ge­ nealogical research available in the major Nantucket collections.

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it was "a fruit and confectionery store." The partners did not run the Ocean View House themselves but placed it in the hands of a succession of managers who left Robinson free to continue building.

After the second season, another pavil­ ion was erected in front of the original building, and the two were connected by an elongated porch. The old parlor was combined with the dining room, and the later building contained the new parlor and twenty more bedrooms. The two structures were of different styles. The 1872-73 hos­ tel was a vertical-board, carpenter's Gothic

By Clay Lancaster design, with ornamental bargeboards, pin­ nacles at the apex of the gables, hood­ molds over the windows and doors-some Charles H. Robinson bridge from the end of Broadway across of them pointed-and cutouts in the trusses (1829-1915), a native of South Gully to Sunset Heights. Near its and railings of the verandah. In the summer Nantucket, erected more south end he erected the first summer cot­ of 1875, nearby bathing rooms were avail­ structures than any con­ tage in the development. Photographer Josiah able. The bulkier 1875-76 addendum to temporary island builder. Freeman made a stereograph of it from the Ocean View House had walls covered Off-island, he fulfilled nu­ across the passerelle soon after its comple­ with horizontal clapboards, deep brack­ merous contracts in vaca- tion in the late spring of 1873. The basic eted eaves, and an encircling gallery. In the tioners' "cottage cities" at form of the building was a two-story, three­ spring of 1876, Robinson added a wing to Oak Bluffs and Falmouth Heights. Son of bayed town house with a bracketed porch the east or right flank of the hotel. Al­ local builder Benjamin E. Robinson, Char­ that encircled the first floor. A service ell though these changes increased its accom­ les learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and some kind of detached dependency modations, they hardly improved its ap­ and began his career as contractor and builder seem to have been constructed behind. The pearance. in early manhood. He was well established stable off to the right stood on another lot In September 1882, Robinson accepted in business in 1872 when the cottage city and, perhaps, served the hostel ry that another major project in 'Sconset. He con­ craze reached Nantucket and Siasconset.

Robinson erected about the same time. tracted to build thirteen summer-rental Formerly a village of eighteenth-cen­ A focal point of the Robinson-Ellis ad­ cottages for H. K. White of Detroit on tury fishing shacks on the east end of the dition to Siasconset was their caravansary Sunset Heights land recently purchased from island, Siasconset became Nantucket's spa. called the Ocean View House. It accommo­ W. J. Flagg. Robinson lost no time in tack­ In 1845 the Atlantic House, a small, square­ dated both permanent and transient board­ ling the job, and by March 5, a notice in the piered Greek Revival inn, was built. After ers "with all the comforts of home" at as Inquirer and Mirror stated that the cottages the Civil War, lesser boardinghouses and a low rates as could be found either in the were "rapidly approaching completion, and few summer cottages joined it along 'Scon­ village or in town. A restaurap.t was con­ furniture for them...[was] on the way." They set's Main Street. After 1873, the small nected with the house, and meals were were all rented for the summer of 1883. village grew rapidly. In that year Charles served "at any and all hours." The dining The same notice credited the builder H. Robinson was deeply involved with Dr. hall was thiny feet in length, and adjoining with having just "boarded in" the chapel Franklin A. Ellis in a development and F. J. Crosby's store. Union Chapel The footbridge at Siasconset with Robinson's first summer scheme known as "Sunset Heights" on New Street was a little, carpen­ cottage on Sunset Heights, 1873. below Main Street and South Gully. ter's Gothic building in the stick Stereograph by Josiah Freeman The partners laid a broad road, style with a steep roof and pointed called Ocean Avenue, along the edge windows. The front gable was flanked of the bank for three-quarters of a on one side by a square tower with mile and offered 50-by-75-foot lots decorative wood panels and, on the for sale at prices ranging from $100 other side, by what was probably a to $250. In May 1873, C. H. Robin­ chimney covered with wood siding son &: Son displayed a number of and topped with a turret hood. Built finely executed plans of cottages, in at the cost of $1,680.00, the chapel elevation, in the window of Macy's was dedicated on July 26, 1883.

Express Office on Main Street in Four years later, at a cost of $1,503.36, Nantucket. The "Son" was William it was enlarged at the rear. Union M. Robinson, Charles' only male scion, Chapel was used by all denomina­ then nineteen, and a promising lad tions and for concerts as well as for whose untimely death occurred six other public entertainments and years later. On July 26, 1873, a no­ assemblies prior to the construction tice in the Inquirer and Mirror recom­ of the Siasconset Casino in 1900. mended that "any one wishing a cot­ In October 1883, Robinson added tage on 'Sconset Heights' will do well the Annex to the Ocean View House to examine the plans." (which he still owned with Dr. Ellis) Charles built a 90-foot-long footacross the road from the original

Nantucket

builder of cottages and caravansaries in Siasconset

Charles H. Robinson

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In 1906 Robinson added to, or buildings. The new 118-by-32replaced, the Lamberton house foot pavilion was three-storied with a deep wing to balance the with a piazza along the entire mansarded section. The new part front to take advantage of the was a full three stories, but a view. The third level was not cornice above the second-story covered. The Annex contained windows tied it in with the north a 32-by-22-foot "grand parlor" wing of 1901. Subsequently, a and thirty-four rooms, includ­ second, tall, polygonal pavil­ ing ten on the lower floor and ion with a third three-storied twelve on each of the other two block beyond were constructed floors, plus sanitary facilities in on the north end. The Beach an extension.

House was demolished in 1957.

The new Annex was com­ Although little of Charles pleted simultaneously with the H. Robinson's architecture elongation of the Nantucket remains in the village today, Railroad from Surfside along the his structures, as well as events seven-mile shore front to Sias­ which took place within their conset. In the spring of 1885, walls and on the grounds figure half of the Surfside depot, which Union Chapel, Siasconset (1904), exhibits changes made in 1887 when prominently in historical rec­ Robinson had built previously, the rectangular, carpenter's Gothic structure, built by Robinson in ords and picture archives. Fond was brought to the end of the 1883, was enlarged. memories of his buildings still line and set up at the foot of the walk up to the Ocean View Annex. These regular building, it was in three parts: a linger for many summer and year-round two buildings previewed the simpler style two-and-a-half story, three-bay summer residents.

Robinson used occasionally from the mid- cottage built for Alexander B. Lamberton in Clay Lancaster is the author of several the 1880s; a newly-built polygonal pavil­ 1880s onward.

Nantucket books among which the picture album Robinson's last known, major building ion; and a square section, built beyond at Nantucket in the Nineteenth Century (1979) is contract in 'Sconset was to enlarge the Beach an angle, with its third story under a man­ the most comprehensive. His essay about builder House at the corner of Ocean and Cypress sard roof. A bracketed porch spanned the Charles H. Robinson's work will conclude in the Avenues in 1906. G. Herbert Brinton, an front and the south side. A wooden fire Winter 1990 issue of Historic Nantucket and will innkeeper of long standing, had opened the escape extended across the roof of the concentrate on Nantucket Town and locations hotel for the· 1901 summer season. An ir- Lamberton house down to the south porch. other than Siasconset.

Dr. Franklin A. Ellis: Sunset Heights Partner One of the major land developments on Nan­ tucket began at Siascon­ set in 1872 when Dr. Franklin A. Ellis and his partner, Charles H. Robin­ son, purchased two sheep commons. The rough, tri­ angular area sat on a low bluff that fronted the beach on one side and opened into flat land on two others. Ignoring the varied views of the morning sun rising out of the Atlantic that could be seen from their three-dollar purchase, they named it "Sun­ set Heights." It proved to be a successful venture for both entrepreneurs, in spite of Dr. Eilis's somewhat dubious past.

Franklin August Ellis was born in New Salem, Massachusetts, in about 1833 and remained in Worcester County until about 1858. Ellis practiced dentistry in Gay­ lesville, Alabama, apparently without a professional degree. He married Miss Martha Paty in 1860. With the advent of the Civil War, Ellis persuaded his mother-in-law to sell her property and go north. The family

moved to Illinois and purchased a house in Morea for $7,000, leaving his mother­ in-law some $6,000 which she stored in a tin box in the attic. Shortly thereafter, Ellis volunteered to go to the railroad station to check on the arrival of their household furnishings. He never returned.

Upon checking the tin box, Mrs. Paty discovered the money gone as well.

In 1862, under the name Augustus E. Franklin, Ellis arrived on Nantucket where he practiced dentistry and ho­ meopathic medicine. He purchased Jaggar's Drugstore on Main Street in partnership with B. F. Pitman and be­ gan to acquire real estate. He was a well­ liked bachelor in the community and participated in social and fraternal ac­ tivities. His patients were devoted to him. Suddenly, in 1870, he sold off his property and left the island without explanation. Many rumors circulated, but none was substantiated.

On October 7, 1871, Dr. Franklin returned to Nantucket, this time as Fran­ klin A. Ellis. He reestablished his medi-

By Gayl Michael

cal practice at 5 Broad Street. In addition to becoming Charles Robinson's partner in the "Sunset Heights" scheme, Ellis be­ came an officer of the Agricultural Soci­ ety, purchased land in an area of Nan­ tucket known as 'The Cliff," bought stock in the Nantucket Railroad, and invested in the Ocean View House.

On the surface everything seemed to be going well for Dr. Ellis; but, by 1883, friends and neighbors noticed that he looked ill and attributed it to overwork. Early in 1884, he left the island as abruptly and mysteriously as he had fourteen years ear­ lier. In March he arrived alone at his sister's home in Monson, Massachusetts, where he died at age fifty, a victim of opium, on May 23, 1884. What effect his unfortunate substance abuse may have had on his business relationship with Charles H. Robinson in Sunset Heights is not known.

Gay! Michael is Assistant Curator of Re­ search Materials at the Nantucket Historical Association Research Center.

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BROWSING AT THE MUSEUM SHOP

The work of colonial Nantucket sil­ versmiths survives in the pieces made

by John Jackson and Benjamin Bun­ ker. In the NHA museums or in is­ land homes, their spoons, porrin­ gers, and other examples are seen.

The NHA is fortunate to have access to the continuing tradition of silver craftsmanship on the island. Reva and Morton Schlesinger, two silversmiths who live and work on Nan­ tucket, reproduce museum items and create special island pieces, including their 1990 Christmas ornament, Indian chief "Nickanoose."

The Old North Church ornament was last year's special Christmas selec­ tion, and both are exclusive to the NHA Museum Shop. "Nickanoose" is now available with other sterling items hand-crafted by the Schlesingers.

The Museum Shop Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Reproductions and Adaptations Featuring Fine China, Furniture, Brass and Silver Adjacent to the Whaling Museum, �antucket

(508)-228-5785

Members of the Historical Association are entitled to a 10% discount upon presenting their membership card.