Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association

PROCEEDINGS -o�·

TIii!:-

Ninth Annual Meeting -OF TIii!:-

N a n tu c k et H isto r i ca I Asso c i at i o n, JULY 21, 1903.

1.

l

UHE inth ,\nnual l\leeting of the antucket Historical As ·ociation was held on Tue. day, July 21st, 1903, at 10 A. 1., in the old North Vestry.

There was a good attendance, and no manifestation of any diminu­ tion of interest. Vice-Pre ·idenl llenry S. \Vye1·, as acting !'resident, assumed charge of the business meeting, and spoke briefly, but with much feeling, of the loss to the A ·sociation by the death of its President, the late \Villiam 1·. Barnard.

The rrporls of the Secretary, Treasurer and Curator were read and accepted.

The election of officers re. ulted in the choice of the follow111g: President.

ALEXA, DER STARBUCK. Vice-Pr

idents.

HE RY S. \VYER, DR. BE JAMI SHARP, 1RS. SARAH C. RAY 10 D, WlLSO l\lACY, MRS. GEORGE G. FISH, MOSES JOY. Secretary.

1RS. ELIZABETH C. BE

ETT.

Treasurer,

CIIARLES C. CROSBY. Curator,

1JSS S SA

E. BR CK.

Councillors for Four Y4t-ar

MISS MARY L. MYRICK, MlSS A, IE B. F LGER. (To fill the unexpired term of Capt. J. W. Congdon): ROLA 'DB. HUSSEY.

2

A hne crayon portrait of the late Pre ident of the Association, Mr. William F. Barnard, was on exhibition, and it seemed as if the lights and shadows that play continually around t11e ancient beams of the old orth Vestry had tran figured the likeness whence the soul of the de­ parted greeted us with his benediction.

The following memorial resolutions were adopted in honor of Presi­ dent Barnard: \V1rn1tEAS, in the course of Pro,·idence it ha been the fate �f the Nantucket 11 istorical Association lo be bereft of its honored President, William F. Barnard, thereby losing a valuable ource of ready advice, hearty interest and active sen·ice, bt it R,.ro/;,,d, That the Association express to Mrs. Barnard and her family its !iympathy and intimate sense of lo!is; and furthermore be it Rr.wh·ed, That a copy of these resolutions be entered on the records of the Association, and also sent to the family of the deceased, and an­ other be printed in the columns of the 1 antucket Inquirer and Mirror. '' The 11 istory and Development of Schools and Education in an­ tucket '' were the subjects of a paper which was read by Miss Emily \Veeks. So far as historical value and literary selling are considered , the contribution of l\liss Weeks will rank among the choicest papers yet given before the Association. l\1r. Henry B. \\'orth talked in an entertaining manner of the" Early Settlers of antucket," but his addrcss was but a synopsis of what he intends to express more fully at some future time. :\Ir. Alexander Starbuck's paper, "A Century of Free l\lasonry in antucket," like all his historical articles, was replete with reliable in­ formation concerning the establishment and progress of Free Masonry, and his records were particularly noted by the members of the Frater­ nity who were present. It gave the history of Union and Urbanity Lodges, Rising Sun and I le of the Sea Royal Arch Chapters, and Unity Council of Royal and Select l\Iasters.

Only a portion of this paper was read, owing to it· length, and for the same reason it is omitted from this report, but is published in full as a Bulletin of the Association, Vol. 111., · o. 1.

The President read a letter from Hon. C-has. Q. Tirrell, the speaker advertised to entertain the Association in the evening, regretting that he would be unable to fulfil his engagement, owing to a sudden death in his family.

The forenoon ession was then adjourned.

In the evening, members and friends, a large assemblage, gathere"d at the Ocean House. It was their annual reception, during which cor­ dial greetings and civilities common to such occasions were exchanged1 followed by a bountiful collation of ice cream and cake.

WILLIAM FRA CIS BAR ARD, Born 1840.

Died March 20, 1903,

3 Once more-the second time in its brief history-this Society has been called upon to mourn the loss of its Pre. ident.

Again, as in the first instance, may it be truly said that our late President, \,Villiam F. Barnard, by his exalted character and noble rec­ ord, brought far greater honor to his office than it could possibly confer upon him. Yet, as truly may it be said, that such was his abiciing affec­ tion for his native island, and his interc t in everything pertaining to its history,his heart was divided between this home love and the great work to which he gave so long and steadfast a devotion-which,during thirty three years,grew and de,·eloped under his guiding hand.

Beyond a doubt, his connection with this Society, and his term of office in it, was a source of happiness to him, and he brought to it the same earnest devotion and conscientious effort that characterized all his work.

Were it pos ible for our dear friend, whose grave and earnest face looks out upon us from his portrait, to speak to u now and here, I am certain it would be with words of affectionate greeting: but it would also be to deprecate the expression of ful ome eulogy. For he was a modest man-even to self-distru t, and it was only to a few intimate friends that, on occasion, he would give brief reminiscences of his work at the Five Points. To adequately mea ure the benefits of any philan­ thropic work in a great city, even when continued for many years, is always mo t difficult, not to say impossible.

It is safe to as ert, however, that the large number of specific cases which Mr. Barnard was able to cite· the little life-histories of those who came to him a homele s waifs, and, after receiving under his fatherly care, such education as the House of !ndustry afforded, developed into u eful and self-respecting members of society: these cases by themselves amply ju tify the noble work of this institution, and forcibly suggest the efficiency of its Superintendent.

In this connection it is pertinent to state that there are, at present, at least three persons (probably more) engaged in teaching in the school in the House of Industry, who years ago came to it as homeless wards.

Of these, two young women, sisters, were given a college education through the generosity of the truskes, and after graduating with honors, each in turn elected to return to the llouse o f Industry and to teach in the school, thu showing their gratitude for the benefits received by them.

It was my pri,·ilege lo be pre. cnt at the impressive funeral service. in the chapel of the House of Indu. try. Se,·eral hundred little boys and girls-the present inmates of the institution-with their teacher., occu­ pied their usual seats on either side of the organ, and sang se,·eral familiar hymns.

Ir. Morris K. Jes up, Pre ident of the Board of Tru tees, and Mr. Barnard's staunch friend of many years, delh·ered an elo­ quent eulogy, from which I will quote a brief pa sage: "· Although we mourn Mr. Barnard as gone from u , yet he speaketh in the lives of the

4 children here present, and of tho e who have gone oul from this institu­ tion and his life will be an example and inspiration to them and to others.

S01�e years ago I was asked if I would name some of those in this cily who I thought had done the most lasting good for this community. I said "There is the late Charles L. Brace, of the Children's Aid Society; there is Alexander McBurney, of the Young Men's Christian Associa­ tion; and there i \Villiam F. Barnard, of the Five Points House of Industry. I said these are Lhe three men in this city that I would pick out as having done and are doing the grandest and best of all work, and I believe that I am right.

Now that they have all gone from us, who is willing to say that was wrong?"

The limit of time precludes my o-i,·ing a detailed account of Mr. Barnard' career. It is a familiar Lory to many here pre enl. Any who desire to read a summary of his noble life will find il in the April number of the Monthly Record of the House of Industry, a copy of which is on the table.

In his death thi · Society has sustained an irreparable loss; well ma�• it honor his memory. If religion be not an empty shell, but rather a life, if it be pos-ible to do the Ma ter's work in this world quietly, faith­ fully, persistently, \Villiam F. Barnard has lived that life-has performed that work, and in doing it, has found hi reward.

It remains for us-each and all-to emulate his example and to cherish his memory.

HE

1

RY

s.

WYER.

SECRETARY'S REPORT. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:That home attachment which reconciles "the Laplander to his freezing zones and the African lo his scorching suns" has nothing merL torious in it when it binds the antucketer to his i.land by ties of mem­ ory and beauty. The great virtue of these Historical gatherings is that they keep fresh the 1m:mories of past days. Like true Americans, we are not chary of boasting of departed glories, and doubtless a yearly burst of common admiration is salutary. Jf, in our recollections, an un­ dertone of sadness is present for those days of busy zeal and constant attainment, and social prestige slipping farther away each year, we have but to look about us lo revive our spirits. Far oul on the Commons or along the shore, science perhaps to the contrary, we may call our an_ tucket and its charm the same yesterday, today, and forever. Sadne s and pride mingle, too, in our more 1·ecwt memories. The list of those of our members who have died during the past year must surely arouse these two feelings.

William F. Barnard, a spirit who has passed from active, generous service, a noble work done. As our President, be gave us constant

5 evidence of the vigor of his sympathy. Captain Joseph \ . Congdon, who.e last years, most happily for us, were spent among us and warmly de,·oted to our interests.

Mrs. Harriet Clapp Hazard, who worked sincerely and effectually in our schools. She served antucket truly and turned to her fondly.

Mrs. Isabel Defries Kim hall. Those of us ,, ho sat with her in the High School can well recall her lo,·ing and impulsive nature, the charm of heartiness and quick response which was hers to the last.

Mr. William H. Macy, who verifies the saying that a antucketer is a 1 antucketer whatever seas and lands intervene between him and his island.

Mrs. Sarah Cartwright Galucia, who inherited in full measure the Cartwright ho pitality.

Prof. Henry Mitchell, who left a noble name more honored by his having borne it.

But we are not a society dedicated only to memories, or rather I would better. ay we are a society dedicated lo the un•ia of noble memo­ rie , and in that word sen·ice we imply a look to the future and definite aims. ow there i a tangible aim which you have all heard of before.

Permit me to alter these words of old Polonius: "\\'hat! still harping on a fire-proof building." \Ve flatter ourselves that there is a clas ic ring to them even with changed metre, we till look forward in the near future to possessing a fire-proof building. The nearness of the future depends on the enthusiasm of the Association. That we need such a building has been fully explained by past words as well as plain fact . A the Treas­ urer will tell you, our members for this year number 239, a decrease of six in comparison with last year. \Ve hav<! gained one life member and one life councilor, so our receipts from membership have increased over last year's. But we want members as well as money receipt . Widepread interest and individual activity are the life blood of an associa­ tion. To represent the society at the annual reunion of the Sons and Daughters of antucket, your humble Secretary wa chosen. We are bound closely to the Son and Daughter by a certain community of members, as it were, and a likeness of aim . Old affections and hopes give impetu to new endeavors. At this re-union, as at the meetings of our own organization, that tenacity of the home feeling was clearly shown. Let us keep it alive.

Our historical collection, aside from its scientific interest, is most fortunately a memorial to that very feeling. We have been animated by love for our ancestors and their deed . We haYe passed judgment on them, marking the good high. \Ve have inspired our history with a fel­ low feeling, which ought to timulate those to come. It is by establish­ ing the record of the best that history is the keynote to progres . \Ve strive to establish it fondly, yet not blindly, to warm cold facts with hu­ man sympathy.

Respectfully submitted, ETT. ELIZABETH C. BE

6 TREASURER'S REPORT. ACCOU)-11' NO. I. :-IA, T ,KET !IISTORT AL ASSOCIATIOl\' 1:,.: ACCOU:-T \\'ITII CIIAS. C.

ROSIIY, TREASURER.

REDIT ', 1902.

June 16.

$32.12

Il}' Balance, Annual Dues, 1901,

" " "

" " "

"

" "

190.1,

2.00

-

7.00 166.00 59.00 7.00

Fire-proof Building Fund ift of 1rs. Benj. Sharp and l\fiss Elizabeth - 136.00 R. Coffin, 8.oo " Rent of Land Old Mill, 91 00 " Old Mill, " Gate Money Historical Rooms, 150.00 " Sales of Refreshments, 1.50 " Sale of Harpoon, J.00 " Life Membership, 15.00 " Sale of Book on Quakerism, .25 " " Timothy \Vhite's Papers, " .25 " " " ant. Land & Owners' Bulletin .75 " Interest from Josiah Folger Fund to April, 1903, 1.1-46 " Interest on C. L. \\". French Fund, 10.00 DEBIT.

To Sundry Bills, Balance to Credit

By Balance to

ew Act.,

ew Act.,

S18.32

antucket, June 16th, 1902.

Approved, T. C. SWAI1, HE1 RY S. WYER, A. B. LAMBERTO

CHAS. C. CROSBY, Trea urer.

A

7 COU:ST

:so.

2.

XANTUCKET HI. TORICAL AS OCIATION J,; A COUNT WITH CHAS.

ROSIW.

Depo ited in antucket Institution for Savings, Fire-proof Building Fund.

CREl)ITS.

1902.

June 16.

July 9.

1903.

Jan. 6.

May 6.

By l:lalance, " Interest to July 1st, 1902,

941.14 18.37

By Interest to Jan. 5th, 1903, " General Fund,

19.18 7.00

antucket, June 16th, HJ03.

CHAS. C. CR SBY, Treasurer.

Approved, T. C. SWAI , H. S. WYER, A. B. LAMBERTO

ACCOU:ST • ·o.

>·

NANTU( KET IIISTOIUC.\L ASSOCIATIO:S, IN A

O NT WITH 'IIAS. C. l JlOSIIY, T REASURER . .\IISS C. L. \\', FRE:SCII FU:-.D.

Deposited in 1902.

June 16.

July 9.

1903.

Jan. 13.

antucket Institution for Savings.

CREIJITS.

500.00 10.00

By Balance, " Interest to July 1st, 1902,

"

" Jan. 5th, 1903,

10.00

DEJHTS.

1902.

July 24.

1903.

Jan. 13.

June 15.

To General Fund,

10.00

" Curator for purchase of Hist. articles, 10.co '' Balance to Credit, 500.00 520.00

Approved,

anlucket, June 16th, 1903.

CHARLES C. CROSBY, Treasurer.

T. C. SWAI HE RY S. WYER, A. B. LA 1BERTO

8 AC OUNT NO. 4. :SANTUCKET IIISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOK, HAS. C. CRO llY, TREASURER.

IN A COUNT WITII

JO "!All FOLGER FUl\D.

1902.

June 15.

CREDITS.

By Balance, " Interest to June 11th, 1903, To General Fund, " Balance to Credit,

DEBITS. 14.46 - 500.00

antucket, J unc 1bth, 1903.

CIIAS. C. CROSBY, Treasurer.

Approved, T. C. SWAI H. S. WYER, A. B. LAMBERTO

Al'COUXT XO. 5.

Sl'MMARY.

General Account, Fire-proof Building Fund, Miss C. L. \V. Fn,nch Fund, Josiah Folger Fund, Old Mill Insured for Expires Sept. 5th, 1903.

Building Fair Street, Insured for Expires Sept. 5th, 19c3.

Collections Insured for Expires Dec. 4th, 1904.

Uncollected Dues, 1902, 1903, " 1904,

$18.32 985.69 500.00 500.00 1000.00 800.00 1000.00

'4804.01 J:?.00 26.00 173.00

antucket, June 16th, 1903.

CHARLES C. CROSBY, T1easurer.

Approved, T. C. SWAI1 , H. S. WYER, A. B. LAMBERTO

9 ACCOUNT '0. 6.

MEMBERSHIP.

1()02.

245

Annual-La t year, " " LifeLife Councilors-Last year,

57

1903.

230

58

s

-I

3o6 Loss this year,

293

13

antucket, June 16th, 1903.

CHAS. C. CROSBY, Trea urer.

Approved,

C

RATOR'S REP RT.

Mr. President, and Member of the Historical Association:The sea on of 1902 opened cool and unplea ant, and promised small receipts for all business depending upon summer visitors, but at its clo e we found the list of names on the register at the room· ,·ery nearly a long a usual, and what was more encouraging than the mere fact of numbers, our own member had shown greater interest in our work, and visited us more numerously than ever before.

The collection ha· been augmented the pa t year by sixty-three donation., a few loans and everal purchases of articles of historical in­ terest, amongst which the mo t important i - the fine life size portrait of our late lamented President.

Our greatest activity has been exercised in the direction of improv­ ing the out ide of our Fair street building, which had receh·ed nothing but the most necessary repair since it became our property in 1S94.

The steps were growing unsafe, and we now have a complete new set,­ modelled exactly after the old ones; entirely new fences have been built all around the estate; all the windows have been inspected and re­ paired, and finally the whole was given a fine, thick coat of paint. The shade of the latter caused some controversy among the committee, as some of the members wished a change, and thought a new shade would do more credit to our taste, but the conservative member argued eloquently for the preservation of the old a sociations, finally inquiring "Who ever heard of a Friends' meeting-house of any other color?"

This being a question none of the opposing faction could answer satis­ factorily, they perforce yielded, and the buildini rejoices in its old dreis

IO

of unobtrusive Quaker wood color, matched so perfectly that it is neces­ sary to mention that it has been newly painted. lest you should never suspect the fact!

These important improvements were made possible by two of our member , who originated and presented an attractive entertainment la t summer, and generously donated the entire proceeds to us for this specific purpose. \Ve have nothing prepared for publication this year, as Mr. Worth has not been able to complete any further chapters of his " antucket Land and Landowners," some of which will probably be forthcoming another year, however. As this is the case, we are desirous of beginning another branch of our legitimate work.

It has been well said that a historical ociety should be something more than a "strong-box" to hold collections. It must be a living insti­ tution and must show something accomplished every year to prove its 1 ife and growth. \Ve have lately received several large donations of files of antucket newspapers. In their present form we can only pack them away, where, although we are glad to know we possess them, they are quite unavailable for use. These ought to be bound, that the tory of our past, as recorded in the newspapers of the day, might be easy of access to all our visitors. We have many calls for this information every year, and there is no doubt of the educational value of these records if they could be trongly bound and placed on our library shelves. But this work is costly, and to accomplish it we shall have to ask for aid,-or to express it in a better ,vay,-to give our members a new opportunity to increase our usefulne s.

In connection with our work for the coming year, I want to make an appeal to each one of our members here present, to make a personal effort to awaken an interest in the objects of our Association in the minds of our town people, the majority of whom seem to know or care but little about what we aim to accomplish.

A recent article on " Historical Societies and Social Progres " say "a people that lives only in the present, that knows not the past and cares naught for the future, can only be narrowly progre -ive, if at all.

The people that has no hi tory, and cares for none mu t remain forever infantile."

This should be brought home to the pt:ople of Nantucket, who can undoubtedly be awakened and aroused, if all the member of our As o­ ciation are determined t0 influence those immediately around them, Let us not forget that "We may build more splendid habitations, Fill our rooms with painting and with sculptures, But we cannot Buy with gold-the old a ociations."

Respectfully submitted, SUSA

E. BROCK, Curator,

II DEVELOPi\1E T OF SCHOOLS

ANTUCKET.

B\' EMILY \V-EEKS. Acts in regard to education were pas eel by the GenP.ral Court of Mas achusetts in 16.p and 1643. The law reads: "It is therefore ordered that every township in this jurisdiction , after the Lor<l hath increa ed them to the number of fifty (50) house­ holders, shall then appoint one within the town to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to write and read; who. e wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in general, by way of supply, as the major part of those that order the pruc;entials of the town shall appoint, provided that tho. e who send their children be not oppressed by paying much more than they can have them taught for in other towns."

In the Town-Meeting records of antucket of 1716, the following vote is recorded : "Voted, that the town will choose a school master for the year ensuing, -also voted, that the town will hire Eleazer Folger as a school ma ter for the year ensuing,-also \'Oted, that the town will give Eleazer Folger three (3) pounds current money to keep school one year, if he consent to keep for the above mentioned sum."

From the papers of Timothy \Vhite, also, we find schooling record dating from 1732 to 1748.

The ew England school system, at the commencement of the last century, was based upon the following ideas: "First. The instruction of all the children of the state in the rudiments of an English education,-that is, reading, writing, elementary arith­ metic, elementary geography and grammar,-this to be accomplished in every district or precinct containing fifty (50) householders, or even a smaller number.

Second. Every district to be independent in financial matters, hav­ ing a teacher, &c.

Third. A Superintendent or Board of Visitors generally consisting of professional men, and almost im·ariably including the clergy, to examine the teachers, inspect the schools, &c.

Fourth. The support of these schools by taxation and rate-bills, the poor being exempted from the latter.

Fifth. Power of compelling attendance on the part of the town authorities."

Material of historical reference concerning the early education of the island is extremely meagre. Tradition would fill pages with interesting accounts of the Vame schools and the Boys' schools of that period.

Indeed, much intere. t centers in those early schools,-the Infant school, the Cent school, the Sewing school,-in all of which various grades of nstruction and excellence are to be traced.

12

Few are left to rehear e to us now the records of those early days.

They were the beginnings, good, broad, generous foundations of all that ha followed in teacher and pupil, in matron and citizen of the later years.

A few of the stately, dignified women who have served their time with able in truction have been with the olde t of us,-though most of the names and places read like another town and another people.

Among the earliest school are those of Miss Merritt, who enjoyed the unique excellence of being prepared to teach" by ,,tudy in Boston;" l\1iss Eliza Cailiff, who taught a school of high grade in a house that stood on the now vacant lot on the corner of Center and Broad streets; Miss Lydia Cary, on Fair street, near the ite of the present Historical Building. Miss Cary was the fir t to use form and benches in her school room. Mrs. Rachel Austin, mother of James Austin, taught one of the best schools. Pupils from her school \\ent to Miss Cailiff's.

Alice Mitchell was one of the most popular teacher of that day.

Elizabeth GarclnerJ to us known as frs. Elizabeth Macy, taught another excellen• school.

1i�s Gardner was herself a pupil of Lydia Gardner; She and Mr. \Villiam Mitchell tudied astronomy together, and he gave Maria Mitchell her fir t le son in astronomy. At the age of fifteen she began her work a mistress of a chool in a room in her father's house, where he taught until the year of her marriage, 1828. �frs. Mary Mitchell, in a letter written shortly before her death in 1902, says: "I fir t went to school to Eliza Hus ey, daughter of Paul, on the corner of Federal and Che tnut street ; then to Lydia Coleman, then to Rose Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins was an Engli h woman, widow of Peter Jenkins.

He went to England as captain of a antucket hip, and she returned to the island with him. A few year later he died, and she opened a school for support. She was con ·idered a first-class teacher. From her school I went to Sarah Morgridge, a ·tranger, then to Mrs. Myrick, a sister of athaniel Barney, who taught in the house we t of the Methodist church, on Liberty street. Mr. Barney taught advanced classes in the same house. These classes were composed chiefly of young men who had made one or two voyages, and were then studying navigation and mathematic . I then went to the fir t public school, held in the second story of the Town Hall, corner of Milk and Main streets, taught by Mr. William Mitchell. At twenty years of age I opened a private school, with Sarah Easton as as istant. I left the school to her, with Amelia Coffin as assi tanl. Miss Easton continued the school for twenty-five

years."

These extracts tell better than records, were such to be had. The quiet dignity of two such women as Mrs. Macy and Mrs. Mitchell tell much of the potent force of the school mistress of that time. The ex­ quisite penmanship shown in the school bills of the time rivals the choicest copper-plate of our time. The carefully formed letters, the

i3 exqisitely modelled figure;;, only emphasize the well poised woman· Neither can we lose sight of the practical side of the girl's education of that day. The fine needlework, the drawing, painting, embroidery (those elaborate widows under weepin« willows), the amplers embel­ lished with impossible birds and Rowers. Yet here was laid the founda­ tion of the frugal, patient, capable womanhood that sent forth into the bu ier world daughters that have honored their Island home. The Boys' schools oi the time were of what might be called strenuous discipline.

That kept by Edward Freeman, a Friend, tradition paints oddly al vari­ ance with the notions of Friends as we are wont to know them.

In April, 1818, the town voted that Joseph Chase, James Gurney, Seth F. Swift, \Villiam Coffin, Oliver C. Bartlett, Josiah Hussey, and Sylvanu Russell, Jr., be a committee to take into consideration the sub­ ject matter and expediency of having a free school, and make report thereon at the adjourned meeting in May. The committee duly reported that three hundred (300) children, from three to fourteen years of age, did not attend school, and, moreover, their parents were unable to pay for their instruction. They advised free schools, and recommended that the town provide at least iour, at a cost of rnoo, the amount lo be raised by taxation. Also, that a standing committee of seven be appointed to have the oversight and direction of said schools. It was the duly of these seven "to visit each school once every month, and to use their best endeavors to awaken a zeal in the youthful mind for intellectual improvement, and to impress on the minds of children and youth who may attend aid schools the principle of piety, justice, and a sacred regard for truth, love of country, human­ ity, and universal benevolence, sobriety and frugality, moderation and temperance, with those other virtues, (Here one might a k, 'What otlur virtues?'), which are the ornaments of human society and the ba is upon which the Republican Constitution is tructured."

Various meetings and committees followed, and, in spite of unpop­ ular feeling for the so-called "charity schooling," under wise direc­ tion and management they flourished and gained a security for them­ selves that led to the establishment of public schools in 1827 by the town, on the basis that the schools throughout Ma ·sachuselts had been founded.

Early in 1827 an act had been passed to provide for instruction of youth and the establishment of schools throughout 1assachusetts, and antucket made an appropriation of •2500 towards the organization of free schools and their support. The town ,·otecl as school committee, Aaron Mitchell, Martin T. Morton, Paul Swift, Richard Mitchell, Sam­ uel H. Jenks, Philip JI. Folger, Gorham Coffin, Isaac Austin, James Mitchell, athaniel Barney, Charles Bunker and \Villiam Folger.

Two chools were opened, the South, in th<! Town House on the corner of Main and Milk streets, under the direction of Mr. \Villiam Mitchell, and the orth under the joint guidance of Mr. athaniel and

14 Mr. Obt:d Barney. There were in all three hundred and fifty (350) pupils, and in the Coffin school, under Mr. William Coffin, Jr. , and 114 iss Meach, 230 pupils.

Place!< were assigned according to age, beginning with the oldest.

The monitorial system was adopted, and a program of work assigned as follows: Orthography, Reading and Writing, Arithmetic, Geography and Grammar. The books prescribed were Cumming's Spelling Book, Walker's Dictionary, Pierpont's American Class Book, Bascom's \Vrit­ ipg Book, Colburn's First lessons in Arithmetic, Colburn's Sequel, Woodbridge's Geography, and Brown's Grammar.

The same books were used in the Coffin school, with the exception of Brown's Grammar. Fowle's Grammar was in use there, and various arguments, pro and con, discussed the two grammars in the local press.

Grammar seemed to be the rock on which they split, even in those early days.

To many of us these titles st:ern like old friend!> looking out of old frames.

The painstaking methods of arithmetic and grammar have borne their several fruits in the life-work of many a boy and girl of Nantucket.

The principal of the Salem ormal School once said when the registry of a antucket girl was made: "Ah! another good grammarfan ! " Many will recall the famous twenty-six rules in Brown's Grammar.

How did pupils of the grammar school age comprehend them? That twenty-sixth rule for the use of the subjunctive mood: "A future con­ tingency is best expressed by a verb in the subjunctive present; a mere supposition, with indefinite time, by a verb in the subjunctive imperfect; but a conditional circumstance a sumed as a fact requires the indicative mood."

Plain enough to the adult mind, perhaps. But imagine the ten year old girl or boy grovelling through it. o wonder Brown himself says: ·' The grand clew to all syntactical parsing is the sense."

The first examinations of the schools in September seemed to pro1·e the experiment a success.

In October of that year an article in the paper complains of too much standing required in the schools. An answer follows in the next issue, in which the writer says: "Pupils stand no longer than they stand for prayer in church. Nobody has ever been known to die from too much prayer; and until evidence can be educed to prove death from standing, he advocates standing in the schools_" Much of the so called "standing" was doubtless "on the line" for the numerous offence of the school room.

In February, 1829, record is made of an examination of the African school by Mr. Jenks. Thi school had been established under the auspices of Deacon Wil on Rawson, six years before. It had been under the direction of a Miss Thompson, a Mr. Perry, and then w1der

15 Rev. fr. Bayli , who was missionary to the colored people in the differ­ ent districts of this vicinity,-Chappequiddic, Christiantown, Gay Head and arragansett. Mr. Jenks adds in his report: " ot one of the gentlemen composing the school committee was present at the examination."

Testimony is left also of the excellence of schools taught by Mr. George Crosby and by Mr. Spofford.

About thi time a maritime school was founded by Sir Admiral Coffin, in the brig Clio, under command of Lieut. Alex. B. Pinkham.

The first voyage was to Quebec, and took twenty-one boys.

In 1831 the number of pupils in the school is reported as 805 1 at cost of 3.00 per head. In this year schools were opened in Polpis and Tuckernuck.

In 1832 a school was opened by Cyrus Pierce in the north end of the block on Orange ·treet, with an able assistant and a limited number of pupils. The notice reads: " Mr. Pierce hopes to make the school worthy of patronage, where male and female may receive a thorough Euglish education. Boys will be prepared for college. French, Spanish, Algebra, Book-keeping, avigation, Surveying. Al o Gymna tic and Calisthenic Department .

All ages received. Tuition, ·1 0 per quarter."

The Augu t report of Mr. Pierce's chool says: "\Ve ha\'C reason to be proud our i land po sesses among its many and greatly improved semmaries one of such excellent character. For all the qualifications which constitute the successful instructor of youth, for patient devotion to the cause of learning, for untiring perseverance in his arduous vocation, and for a certain felicitou aptitude in the con· veyance of elementary knowledge to the expanding mind, we know of no equal, certainly no superior, to the principal of this excellent sehool." l\lr. Andrew M. Macy appear as teacher of men and masters at his father's house on Pine street, in 1836.

In 1836 Mr. J. B. Thomson, from Yale University, ·came to an· tucket to e tablish a church school, under the patronage of the orth Congregational Church and Society. Funds were collected in the Soci­ ety, and in this very room (1 orth vestry) under the gallery, space was fitted for a school room. It was maintained for two or three years, and then Mr. Thomson bought the Lodge building on Main street, and taught a school, Miss Maria Mitchell being his assistant. Mr. Samuel H Jenks had a private school for advanced pupils in a school house next we t to the homestead of Mr. Charles G. Coffin on Main street.

Throughout the period from 1820 to 18.io the Evening School offered opportunity to men and boys. Obed Ray, Reuben Joy, Jacob Barney, \Villiam Morris, and many others;, offered in truction in the various de partments of ship-building, drafting, correct rules for rigging, cooperage, gauging, &c.

16 From Silliman's " Journal of Arts and Scii-nces," of 1827, we find the announcement that a Philosophical Institute has been formed at an. tucket, and the report of a later meeting, when an interesting paper on "Aerolites" was read by Walter Folger, Esq. Much is known of Mr. Folger's scientific knowledge and skill. He discovered an error of half a centu1·y in the arithmetics of the time. "The strength of cables, and consequently the weights of their anchors, are as the cubes of the peri­ pheries." It should read, and as corrected by Mr. Folger doe read,"as the squares of their peripheries." orth l n May, 1836, the teachers in the service of the town are: Grammar, \Villiam H. Hewes, Elizabeth Coggeshall, Avis M. Gardner. orth Primary, Elizabeth Coffin, Elizabeth Easton. West Primary, Eunice Easton, Lydia B. Folger. South Grammar, Farnham Spofford, Eliza M. Folger, Charlotte Coffin, Mary G. Edwards. South Primary, Hannah Coffin, l\lary F. Burdick. Bear Street Primary, ancy Luce, Caroline E. Bunker. African School, Anna Gardner.

In September, 1837, by State legislation, a Board of Education was created, consisting of eight members appointed by the cxecuth·e.

Return· were to be made to this Board of the condition and efficiency of the schools of the State. A convention was advised for every county, wherein all educator· and those interested in education should meet and discuss topics for general help and improvement. A meeting was appointed for antucket in October. The meeting was held in the Methodist church, and the following officers were chosen: !'resident, Ilon. Barker Burnell; Vice-Presidents, Hev. J. Y. Burrell, George B. Upton; Secretaries, Cyrus Pierce, James L Bunker.

The convention was addressed by Horace Mann, who was secretary antucket /11quiNr of the date says of the lloard of Education. The of the address: "Language i:; inadequate to a delineation of the excellence of this address. The people evinced their appreciation of it by a request that the address be repeated, which l\1r. 1ann did on Sun­ day evening in the nitarian church."

At the meeting of the convention Mr. Pierce presented resolutions, among which were: "Thai apparatus and school libraries be extended;" "that the multiplicity of variety in books should be remedied;""that physiology hould be made imperative as a branch of study." Also a re olution offered by Horace Mann: " That the office of teacher of youth involve. tru t the most responsible and duties the most arduous, and that in the opinion of the convention it is deserving of more liberal compensation and of higher social consideration than it has yet received."

Al o, a resolution that a county association be formed for the pro­ motion of education and the improvement of the chools.

A committee of fi\'e were cho en for general counsel and address to the people. The committee were Cyrus Pierce, Henry F. Edes, James Mitchdl, William Mitchell, William Coffin, Jr,

17 Later the antucket County Association was formed: President, Cyrus Pierce; Vice-President , \Villiam H. Hewes, Sam­ uel Iitchell; Treasurer, George B. Upton; Corresponding Secretary, Samuel H. Jenk ; Recording Secretary, James M. Bunker; Counsellors, Charles Bunker, James Mitchell, Paul Swift.

In February, 1838, a High school was established by vote of the town, for instruction of pupils in Greek and Latin, and the higher branches of an English education, under Mr. Pierce. In June of that year Ir• Pierce was called to the onnal school establi. bed in Lexington, Massa­ chusetts, and Mr. Augustus Morse was appointed his successor.

In June, 1839, appears the first notice of the examination of candi­ dates for the High school. Candidates were required to bring testi­ monials of character and efficiency; also a class book for reading, a slate and a pencil. Signed by Samuel H. Jenks and \Villiam R. Easton.

In ovember, 1838, the Monthly Meeting School was begun, with John Boadle as teacher. It was intended especially for the children of Friends, but others were allowed to attend. "John," as familiar Quaker parlance called him, was a thorough teacher and a popular one. Later the children of Friends being in the minority, the Monthly Meeting gave up the charge, and the school was continued simply as "John Boadle's Private School," until he left the Island and opened a school in ew Bedford.

We also remember the excellent school of Hepsibeth Hu sey. Here is her story in her own words: "My first experience in leaching was with John Boadle in the Monthly Meeting School. Afterwards Sarah J. Gorham and myself united in a school on High street on equal terms, 'a body with two heads,' some were pleased to call it. She removed from the Island, and I continued for awhile in the same location. Later l opened a chool in the Friends' chool house, and lastly in the building on Fair street that had been used by Caroline L. Tallant, where my chool was known as the Fair Street Academy until I left it in 1871.

My school wa for both exes, for grammar and high school branche , including the Latin and French languages.

My government was by moral suasion. There were often fifty or sixty pupils. I taught in antucket, with some interruptions, from 1842 to 1871."

Few of our town's teachers have equalled the charm and excellence of Miss Caroline L. Tallant and her sister, Maria Tallant.

Miss Tallant's school was at first in Harmony Hall, where the Cath­ olic Church now stands. Later her school was in the building on Fair steeet, referred to by Hepsibeth Hus ey. Of rare intelligence and per­ sonal charm, Mi s Tallant's name and memory hold abiding love in the hearts of her Nantucket pupils.

From 1840 on the schools maintained by the town held excellent

18 rank. There were now three large Grammar schools, the orth, the South and the West, with their accessory Primary and Introductory, be· side the Bear Strer.t Primary and a Primary on York street for colored children ln the early forties the rights of the colored child were urged, pro and con, with considerable fiercenes , e\en in this Island town. The climax was reached in 1843, when a colored girl, Eunice F. Ross, was re­ fused admis ion to the High School.

The men ,, ho guided school malter.· for the town were among the most worthy townsmen. The names of Samuel H. Jenks, Philip Folgtr, George B. t:pton, Charles P. Swain, John H. Shaw, Edward G. Kelley, Christopher C. Hussey, '\Villiam IC 1-.aston, Joseph Mitchell are certifi­ cates of the best executive abilit,· ,111<1 intt>lligence Directing tht:: youthful minds of h day were Thomas Rand, Samuel Mitchell, John Bridgman, William \f1tc.hell, athaniel Harney, Ohed Barnt::y, James Thomson, '\Villiam Coffin, Farnham Spofford, William Hewes, George W. Ide, Edward M. Gardner, and in later years. Jame, \f Bunker, lJr. Hanaford, Mr. Bliss, \fr. :\lead, :.\fr. Rice and Mr. Bax­ ter All these names tand (or genuine teacher· ,--men who knew the thing ,rnd had wonderful power to impart it. Original methods could be rec;illcd to-da, by the pupiL of .:vrr. Bri<l�man, Mr. Hewes or :\Ir. (,ardner.

OnC"e when a pupil at the black-boat d ,aid, "I do not know how to rnakP an interrog.ition point," Mr. f;arrlner said, "' Q' stands for que • tion, doesn't it? Make the 'Q,' put the period under it to denote the end, and 1l1Pre is your interrogation poin• •· VI any such apt, tactful methods imparted a truth never to be forgot­ ten hy the pupil Tht:: High School held most fa •orah],. rank under Mr. Morse, with some of the finest teachers to assbt l •m,--:\Iis!> Rebecca and :Miss Har· Japp, 1iss Maria L. Tallant, Ann MitcheH, Caroline Bassett, riet P Martha Mitchell. o teacher ex· A Iden B. Whipple succeeded Mr. Mor e in 1855. celled \fr. V.'hipple as the educator,-the one who had the power and used it succes!-fully to make the pupil do, and not alone receive. During Mr. Whipple's time the present High School building was built, and the town w as justly proud of one of the finest school rooms in the State. In 1857, under Mr. Whipple, the fir t class to graduate received diplomas • bearing the signatures of A. B. Whipple, Principal; Wm. R. Easton, Ch1.'rman of the School Committee; Alanson Swain, William Starbuck, Christo.•h 11 , , \ t11·. n .11, s C. . fl ) Ea_tur:, :1 l, tll.:: h:a1mu1•i< <...n ,, c1. �·r. '- 11,ri' c was follc,H.tl !:; F:c.1 J• m n F. ?\Ir niscn 111 1 ·5ll, Ilcr,ry Dame in 1862, Galen Ailcn in 1Su,,-then Lo;·i;i L. D.::mc, George Chase,

19 Charles Baker, Mr. Barrowt>, i\lr. Whipple (a second time), i\Ir. Spinney, Mr. Blood, Mr. Russell, Mr. Clough, Mr. Craig, Mr. Long, Mr. Miner, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Johnson, and the last Principal, Mr. Rice.

Able teacher ha\·e been in service through these year·, women of our O\\n town • o town ol its sile can show a better record of its supply than Nantucket. Until most recent time the ranks have been filled with our own women. The n?·.,es of Rebecca Clapp, Maria L. Tallant, Emily L. Shaw, Ann :\litchell, Caroline Ba sett, Harriet P. Clai,p, �Iartha !\Iitchell, Judith J. Derrick, in long period of ervice, ;is well a· other· who served :;ho.-te1 periods, are cherished names in the memories of many bo) � and girls who attended school on Academy Hill.

1 the schools ot the so11thLrn part of the town the lon� service of \liss ::-ially Smith, :\lrs. I.ydi !, I aimer, :.-Iiss Lydia B. Swain, Mis. .\Iary F. Swain, is most kind! rnnt>ml>cred, as well a· :-.Jiss \Lin S. Coffin, who ·erved long in the ::-;,H.th Grammar School, and later in the High school, with • Ir. Whipple, \Ii s Elizabeth C. Swain and HP.nrietta \Veeks in the we t, and .\liss Anne Gardner, the champion for tile col ored hildren.

The li:t of patient, faithful school servant would be too Ion� to enumerate here Their names ,,hould be enrolled upon our Records under the titles of'' H onorahle" a11d "\Vorthy of .Mention." !Jeclinc in population aud local prosperit} has materially changed the number of schools in ,. antucket. In 1850 there were (12) public ·chools, thirt} •One (31) tt!achers, and twelve hundred (1200) pupils within the town pri;cincts. To-day there arc less than five hundred (500) pupils, But ,111tucket yet sends her quota of ripe with fourteen (14) teacher -,cholarship and vigorous womanhood and manhood. \Ve witness to-day the recognition of e. c-ellence in our young townswoman who returns home\\ ith fresh laurels from \ assar The Island song and daughters are founrl in varied ranks of honorable life. Her teachers have been known from her harbor to the Pacific Coast, in city and town. Daugh­ ters have filled responsible positions in mercantile houses, witnessing ag:iin and again their calm, well-poised, e ecutive power.

Her boys have tro<lden unire4uented paths in science, and serve<l their country in army and na\ y. They have filled honorable places in professional life, and life has been none too dear to lay down for great philanthropy's sake, as we witness to-day in the death of our bdoved President, \\'illiam F Barnard \Ve are fond of their names and fame, for our Island communit) was wnnt to feel it!:ielf a family of brother,. and sister:,.

Times are indeed changed ·.l Ile da_ of the school-master whose individuality niade the school has r, c He could not be tolerated in this century. The development of a great school system and the growth of population in our countq, have evolved methods that minimize the

20 importance of the individual teacher. Yet, with originality and force of purpose, with genuine love for her work, no system of mana?ement, _ _ however inflexible, can resist her personal power m improving her pupils. She will conform to system, but color it with herself as she imparts instruction.

Our secondary schools, especially in High schools, are as thor­ oughly American as any institution we have yet developed, and they were based primarily upon the sound common sense of the men who founded and maintained them. The great national gathering of an Edu­ cational Association, witnessed recently in Massachusetts, had its begin­ ew England founded and ning in these primitive methods that cherished. It has been a slow but a sure process, and the vigorous plant of public school education promise a glorious fruitage.

Let the good Island mother town look well to the legacy she may bequeathe to her children, and may the close of yet another century giYe voices to many who shall rise up and call her blessed.

HE:-IRY B. WORTH spoke in sub lance as follows: An erroneou idea ha largely prevailed concerning the motive which induced the fir t settlers to leave their home� in Massachu ett Bay and take up their abode at antucket. Uecau e it had a feature of romance the assertion was promulgated that the purchasers of antucket were Quaker , and that they bought that island as a refuge from the au tere Puritans, who were threatening to execute all members of the Society of Friends who tarried in their limits. This pleasing theory has been followed in history and verse, until within a few years a careful examination of the old writings has disclosed the facts. As in all such events, the purposes and motives of men must be explained by their environment and their acts. These furnish a key to their conduct.

The first settlers were residents of the towns near the Merrimac River. In that time and place church membership was the sole requisite to citizenship. either property nor educational test was applied, but in order to vote, hold office in town, state or militia company the indi­ vidual must have Joined the church. In order to limit the religious life to a single narrow channel, laws were further enacted that no church should be organized without the consent of the local preachers. Puritan rules of conduct extended into the minutest detail of living. It was the aim to force the opinions and lite of men to conform rigidly to the standard set by Winthrop and Endicott, and any departure, however in­ significant, was rebuked or punished. Penalties were as severe as in­ genuity could devise, except that no torture was permitted; but disfran­ chisement, exile, and even death, were imposed unflinchingly.

As soon as they had started their government they discovered two men who refused to worship according to the Engli h prayer book.

Them they ordered back to England. Then they had a thorn in the

21 flesh in a young and talented preacher named Roger \Villiams, who offered two opinions that were at variance with the accepted doctrines: That the government should be separate from the church, and that the title of the Indians to the land of the new continent, being by occupa­ tion, was superior to that of the English crown, which was by the techni­ cal right of discovery only. Winthrop and his collt:agues could not permit such heresy, and \Villiam was driven out of the colony, and he founded the colony of Providence Plantations. Then Mrs. Ann Hutch­ inson followed with the same style and practice of the early Methodists, and this being opposed to the prevailing ministerial orders, she and her friends were banished, some of them founding Portsmouth in Rhode Island, and others Exeter, ew Hampshire. Immediately came the struggle with the individuals properly called Anabaptists, but later known as Baptists. They held the view that the Puritan custom of baptising infants was an error, and that baptism was a ceremony that should be sought by the free choice of the candidate. Hence some re· fused to allo" their infants to be baptised. Henry uunster had been the president of Harvard College from its beginning, and had liberally bestowed his money and land for its support; but he committed the seri ­ ous offence of declining to have his infant child baptised, and he was compelled to resign his office. Edward Starpuck, of Dover, was also disciplined for the same proceeding. Many who could not endure the punishment of Endicott emigrated to the south end of Aquidneck Island and founded ewport.

Previously there had been arranged a peaceful emigration of Hooker and his friends from Cambridge and \Vatertown, and they settled the part of Connecticut east of the Great River. Their view was that \Vin­ throp was combining church and state too closely.

In 1656 came the persecution of the Quaker!', which need not be re. viewed. It culminated in the execution of four on Boston Common in 1660.

One event took place that involved several who afterward joined the antucket company.

Robert Pike had commented very severely on the law which forbid men to exhort or preach without the approval of the neighboring minis­ ter , and called it tyranny. Immediately he was fined and disfranchised.

A petition was fined by thirty of his friends and sent to the Governor, asking that this severe penalty be remitted. This was con idcred pre­ sumpmou ·, and the commissioners were ordered to apologize or be fined.

This included Tristram Coffin, Thomas Coleman, and directly affected Thomas Macy, because he had been fined for unlicen ed exhorting.

Each line of rigorous persecution drew tighter, and in 1658 Starbuck, Coffin, Macy and Pike were ready to find a home in a more liberal land. Macy had a cousin named Thomas Mayhew, and he owned the Island of antucket. egotiations were completed for its purchase

22

in the late autumn of 1658, which were cousummated by delivery of the deed in July following. They reached Nantucket in a body in June, 1061, and after passing a vote about drawing their house lots, they pre­ ented the qualification of a voter: A residwt who was a fruholder. The religious qualification of the Puritan was abandoned at the outset. Not one of the first settlers was a Quaker, and a Friends' meeting was not held in antucket until after 1700.

From a section where the meeting-house was the center of every activity, religious, civil and social, and where the tirst thought was the maintenance of the parish and its minister, the e people went to an­ tucket then under Jurisdiction of 1 cw York and founded a community where any land u\\ner could vote; where no mention of meeting-hou�e 1s found for over fifty year after their landing, where an appropriation for minister or parish was never made, where no church \\ as erected until 1710, where there was no use for laws concerning the observanct of Sunday and they never had tything men to enforce them; where then: was the most complete religious freedom that ever exi ted on the American continent and where no man was ever persecuted for his opinions.

The contrasts between the land they left and their Island House are too significant, that their mcanmg hould be mis ed. It is clear that these ettler were not Quakers but that they lt:ft Ma sachu ctt Bay to enjoy absolute religious freedom in a DC\\ land.

COU CIL COMMITTEES. t the meeting of the Council held on \ ednes<lay n,orning the following sub-committees were appointed 'wain, ,\lr FI:\A. 'CF- Mr. A. B. Lamberton '\1r. fhurston Henry S. \Vyer.

MILL- Mr. C. C. Crosby, Dr. BenJamin 'harp, Mr. K ll. Hu-.sc} P1cruRES A J> FRAM! 'G-l\Tr. H. ' Wyer, Mr�. E. Barney, .\!is� S. E. Brock.

Pu11L1 ATIO. ·-\lbs S. E Brock, Dr. Benjamrn Sharp, !rs. S. C. Raymond.

Bun.m <, - Dr. Benjamin Sharp, Miss S. £. Brock, Mr. C. C Crosby. :\l .\I, MEET! ·G Dr. Benjamin Sharp, Mr. II. S. Wyer, Mis� L E Starbuck.

P BLT

TIO

THE • A TUCKET HISTORICAL SSOCIATIO • antucket Land and Land Owners, by Henry Barnard \Vorth.

Part -1, Vol. 2, o. 4, in preparation F

23 A Century of Free Masonry on Nantucket, by Alexande, �tarbuck Vol 3, o. 1 Quakerism on antuck..t s111ce 11>00, by Herny Barnard Worth \ ol 1,, o. 1, 1890. fimothy White Papers, by Rev. Myron Samuel Dudley.

Vol.,, o. 2, 1898 • antuc-ket Land. and Land Owners, by Henry Barnard Worth Part 1, Vol. 2, o. 1, 1901.

The ·ettlers, their Homes and Government, Map, by Henry Barnard \Vorth Part 2, Vol. 2, o. 2, 1902.

The Indians of amucket bv Henry Barnard Worth.

Part 3, Vol. 2, o. 3 1 1902.

Price 25 cents each.

Proceeding,, oJ the Eighth nnual Meeting of the Association. Jul ) 15th, 1902.

Proceeding of the inth Annual Meeting of the ssociation. July 21st, 1903. l:'toceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting ot the .\ssociation July 25, 18q8.

Proceedings of the Si. th Annual lleetlng of the A. sociation July r9th, 1900.

Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Association July 24th, 1901.

antucket Llistorical antuckct Historic.ii antucket Historical antucket Historical antucket Historical

Price 5 cents each.

Above will be fonvarded, postpaid, upon application to Miss Susan E Brock, Curator, antucket, Mass.