Proceedings of the Nantucket Historical Association: Eleventh Annual Meeting

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL c:.ASSOCIATION

. Eleventh Annual Meeting JULY 18, 1905

WALTHAM PUBLISHING CO., PRINTERS, WALTHAM, MASS., 1905,



c.ANNUAL MEETING

CT

Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Association was eld in the Friends' Meeting-house, the property of the Association on Fair Street, on Tuesday morning, July 18, 1905. President Starbuck called the meeting to order promptly at 9.45 o'clock. The records of the last Annual Meeting and of the Special Meeting of Nov. 1, 1904 were read and approved. The reports of the Secretary, Curator and Treasurer were read and ordered printed in the Proceedings. The Secretary spoke aanguinely of the excellent condition of the Association and its somewhat remarkable.progress during the last decade. The report of Curator told of the work involved in removing the Association' scol lection to its new home and of the interesting and valuable accessions since the last Annual Meeting. The Treasurer gave in detail the financial transactions of the year and showed the prosperous condition of its monetary affairs. The President read his annual address which also was ordered printed in the Proceedings. His suggestions as to future work to be carried out we trust will give us new impetus to work with greater zeal than ever before. The Committee on Nominations reported with a printed ballot. The report of the committee was accepted and the Association proceeded to ballot for officers for the ensuing year, Allen Coffin, Esq. and Mr. Arthur H. Gardner acting as tellers. There were 73 ballots cast and the ticket as re­ ported by the committee was elected with substantial unani­ mity. The officers chosen were :


8

MINU'l'ES OF MEETING PRESIDENT,

ALEXANDER STARBUCK. VICE PRESIDENTS,

HENRY S. WYER, DR. BENJAMIN SHARP, MRS. GEORGE G. FISH, M RS. SARAH C. RAY­ MOND, MOSES JOY, HENRY B. WORTH. SECRETARY,

MRS. ELIZABETH C. BENNETT. TREASURER, CHARLES C. CROSBY. CURATOR,

MISS SUSAN E. BROCK. COUNCILLORS FOR FOUR YEARS,

HENRY PADDACK, HENRY P. BROWN. Mr. Henry S. Wyer spoke of the salaries attached to the offices of Curator, Treasurer and Secretary, which he thought were inadequate to the labor and responsibility involved. Ile moved that the salaries be increased to the following amounts: Curator, $100; Treasurer, $75; Secretary, $50. The amounts named were voted as the salaries until otherwise ordered, the vote showing a unanimous agreement with Mr. Wyer's sug­ gestion. Action on the Revised Constitution was next in order. The draft submitted as the committee's report, a copy of which was sent to each member with the notice of the meet­ ing, and which in the main simplified and made more clear the former Constitution, was acted on article by article. The only change made in Article I was to strike out the phrase "and the securing of a merr,orial building in which such collections can be preserved," as that object already has been accomplished. Article II was unchanged. Article III, as reported by the committee, was only changed to make its


CONSTITUTION

9

intent more clear and to provide for filling vacancies in the officers or committees. It was amended subsequently in Section 1 to provide for three Auditors to be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting, whose duties are to examine and audit the books and accounts of the Association. Article IV was amended in Section 1 so as to make fifteen mem hers of the Association constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Association, and in Section } by making the Annual Meeting of the Council held as soon as possible after the Annual Meeting of the Association. The changes in Article V were simply to make more clear the intent of the original article. Article VIII was stricken out as superfluous. The Con­ stitution as revised and amended and subsequently adopted, is as follows :

CONSTITUTION -OF THE-

Nantucket Historical Association ARTICLE I. 1. The object of this Association shall be the collection and preservation of such memorials, books, papers, and matters of inter­ est as may tend to illustrate and perpetuate the history of the early settlers of the Island of Nantucket, their descendants, and of the race which vanished before them. SECTION

ARTICLE II. SECTJOX 1. The buildings of the Association shall be used exclu­ sively for the purposes of the institution except when specially ordered by a vote of the Association. SECT. 2. Neither the buildings occupied by the Association, nor any part of the sites or grounds pertaining thereto, shall be sold, encum­ bered or charged in any manner whatevar, nor shall any apartment or space in the buildings or adjacent grounds be assigned or appropriated


IO

CONSTITUTION

permanently to the exclusive use of any person or to the ac� omm�dati�n _ of any special collection or collections, unless the propos1tton m this connection be in writing, signed by at least five members, presented at a regularly called meeting of the Association, and referred to the Council for examination and report, which report shall be considered a special business to be acted upon at a subsequent regularly called meeting, lo be held at least twenty-six days after that at which the report of the Council has been read, the date to be fixed by resolution; but no action shall be taken thereon until after full notice thereof and of said date shall be given to the members by advertisement once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Nantucket, and by written or printed notice by mail or otherwise to all members whose residence or places of business shall be known to the Secretary. At such meeting, the measure proposed may be considered and adopted by two thirds of the members present at that meeting or at any subsequent adjourned meeting for that purpose, provided that at least forty members be present and vote; and, provided also, that nothing in this Article shall be so con­ strued as to release the Curator from the charge and care of collections as provided for in this Constitution. ARTICLE III. SECTION 1. The officers of this Association shall be a President, six Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Curator, to be elected annually, and eight Councillors, two of whom shall be elected each year for a term of four years; the whole to constitute a Council of eighteen. There shall also be elected three Auditors, who shall hold no other office in the Association, whose duty it shall be to audit the accounts and books of the Association. All officers shall be elected by ballot. No Councillor having served a full term of four years shall be eligible to succeed himself. SECT. 2. The President (or in his absence one of the Vice Presi­ dents) shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Council. SECT. 3. The Recording Secretary shall keep a true record of the proceedings of the Association and of the Council, and a list of all the members of the Association, with a record of date of admission, resig­ nation, death, and other facts of importance. SECT. 4 .. The Treasurer shall give such surety for the faithful per­ . formance of his duties as the Council shall require; he shall collect all dues, and receive and pay out all money belonging to the Association under the direction of the Finance Committee without whose order n� money shall be in�est �d or paid from the Treasury. He shall report at _ the Annual Meetmg m detail, the receipts and expenditures of the pre-


CONSTITUTION

II

ceding year, and shall keep the books always open for the inspection of any member. Ile shall keep a list of the members of the Association with dates of all payments made as fees for membership. SECT. 5. The Curator shall have charge of all books, papers and articles of the Association, and shall record in a book kept for that pur­ pose a full list of the articles in his custody with the name of the donor and the date when such articles were presented. SECT. 6. The Council, seven members of which shall constitute a quorum, shall have the general management of the affairs of the Associ­ ation, shall appoint annually a Finance Committee of three, who shall be members of their own body, and such other subcommittees as may be necessary. They shall have power to fill all vacancies occurring in their own body or in the board of officers, the appointees to hold for the un­ expired term of the office which ii; vacant. ARTICLE IV. SECTION 1. The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held during the month of July, at such date in the month as may be fixed upon by the Council, when all officers shall be chosen by ballot. A ma jority of ballots shall be necessary to elect. At all meetings of the Asso­ ciation 15 members shall constitute a quorum. SECT. 2. A Nominating Committee of five members shall be elected "viva voce" by the Association at any regularly called meeting, whose duty it shall be to nominate at the next annual meeting, for election, the names of persons, to fill the offices named in Section r of Article III. SECT. 3. The Annual Council Meeting shall be held as soon as possible after the Annual Meeting of the Association. ARTICLE V. SECTION 1. Any person may become and continue a member of this Association by the payment of one dollar per year. SECT. 2. The name of a member failing to pay dues for three con­ secutive years shall be dropped from the rolls and this provision shall b,: printed on the Treasurer's notices and bills. SECT. 3. Any person may become a Life Member and b1: entitled to a certific..,te of memhership, on the payment of fifteen dollars. SECT. 4. Any person may become a Life Councillor by vote of the Association, on payment of fifty dollars, and shall be entitled to a certifi­ cate of membership. Life Councillors shall be entitled to seats in the Council but not entitled to a vote therein. SECT. 5.

Any person may be made an Honorary Life Member or


12

CONSTITUTION

Honorary Life Councillor by vote of the Association upon recommcn• dation of the Council. SECT. 6. Honorary Members may participate in all meetings of the Association or Council but shall not have the right to vote. SECT. 7. The annual tax shall be due the 15th clay of June, and the fiscal year shall close May 31st of each year.

ARTICLE VI. S ECTIO:-. 1. The stated meetings of the Association shall be called by the President, who shall give notice through some newspaper publish­ ed on this Island, of the time and place of holding the same, seven days at least, bdore the time appointed. SECT. 2. The President (or in his absence one of the Vice Prcsi, dents) shall call occasional meetings of the Council upon his own motion or upon the application of two members, and of the Association, upon the application of seven members, said application being made:: in writing and stating the object for which such meeting is called. SECT. 3. Articles shall be inserted in the call for said meeting <,( the Council on written :,pplication of three members; and of the Associa­ tion upon tht: written application of seven members.

ARTICLE VII. This Constitution may be altered or amended by the Association at any meeting, upon a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, notice of said proposed change having been inserted in the l.all of said meeting. BY-LAWS.

Donations may be received by the Nantucket Historical Associa· tion as loans or gifts, and receipts for the same shall be given by the Curator.

In accordance with the provisions of Section I of Article III, Messrs Arthur H. Gardner, Irving Elting and A. B. Lamberton were nominated for Auditors and the Secretary _ was mstructed to cast one ballot for them as th1.: choice of the Association, and they were declared elect cl. Rev. I!.dwarcl Day, Arthur H. Gardner, Miss Florence M. Bennett, Miss Annie P. Scaring and Miss Ann C. Swift were nominated and elected the Committee on Nominations


MINUTES OF MEETING

A vote of thanks to Miss Susan E. Brock was passed for her care and labor in moving the collection from the Friends' Meeting House to the new Fire Proof Building aud classifying it in its new home. Mr. Wyer, as local acting chairman of the Building Committee, and on whom devolved the bulk of the care in overseeing and forwarding the work, made an interest­ ing report of the duties and performance of the Committee, which was ordered printed in the Proceedings. The President was authorized to appoint a committee to prepare a memorial to our late associate \,Vilson Macy, to be published in the Proceedings. Mr. William M. F. Round then read a very interesting paper on "The Visit of Hector St John de Crevecreur to Nantucket." A vote of thanks to Mr Round was passed unanimous! y. Owing to the lateness of the hour the paper on "Anti­ Slavery Nantucket" by Rev. Edward Day, which was to have been read was postponed. By request of the Council, Mr. Day read his paper on the next following Sunday evening, in the Unitarian Meeting-house, and it proved an exceedingly interesting and historically valuable production. As it is to be published in a magazine it was not available for our Pro­ ceedings. Mr. Henry S. Wyer, in behalf of a donor whose name was not given, presented the Association with what he called a "mermaid," a curiously and ingeniously constructed figure. The meeting was adjourned. In the evening at the North Congregational Meeting­ house, Hon. Charles Q. Tirrell, Member of Congress from the Fourth Congressional District of Massachusetts, de­ livered a very interesting and entertaining address on "Rem­ iniscences in Congress," after which the members and friends repaired to the Point Breeze Hotel and enjoyed the Annual Reunion, closing the exercises of the year by singing "Auld Lang Syne."


SECRETARY'S REPORT FOR 1904-5

MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE NANTUCKET HIS TORICAL AssoCIATION:-

The first year in a new decade of our life as an Association crowned as it is with success, moves us to look back to begin­ nings. If we were less prosperous we might be well pleased to trust in silence to what another ten years would do for u ; as it is we may be pardoned if we pause to contemplate our attainments as well as to hope for the future. In no spirit of self-satisfaction shall we do this; rather a girding up our courage anew. Our first feeling in recaliing those early days is one of deep gratitude to Mrs. Elizabeth Starbuck, Mr. Henry S. Wyer, Rev. Myron S. Dudley. It is significant of the place our island holds that of these, two should be by birth, by edu­ cation, by sentiment, loyal Nantucketers, the third one among those many strangers as we call them who have stimulated and invigorated us by their appreciation and service. In the absence of Mr. Dudley I may venture to call attention to his untiring efforts in our behalf during a period of growth, a time when necessarily there was much discouragement and when therefore assistance was all the more valuable. The presence of many whose feelings I must spare and the fear of resolving this meeting into a committee of the whole of mutual admiration cry a halt to me here. I would direct your attention to the Fire-proof Building. This structure has been officially brought before you for the past six years or more; for corroboration of my statement see reports of officers for that number of recent years. We are glad, we are overjoyed to recognize it informally, so to speak, and substantially, adjoining this very Meeting House. Mi$ Susan Wilson Folger's bequest, larger than


15

SECRETARY'S REPORT

we expected, leaves us free from debt at the completion of this building. That however our financial basis was considered solid, prior to our being in the eyes of the law legatees was clearly shown at last year's Annual Meeting when notes which should defray the expenses of such a building were promptly taken up. What we owe to the generosity of our members and friends would be a long story-one item new this year is a bequest of $500 from Miss Mary C. Whippey, whose death was mentioned at our last Annual Meeting. Again this year we have the sad list of those who have gone from us, Captain John Morrissey, Mrs. William F. Codd, Mr. Richard P. White, Mr. Henry M. Pinkham, Mrs. Sarah Barney Swain, Mrs. Sidney Starbuck, Miss Sarah Jane Baker, Mr. Wilson Macy. Our list of members now stands: Annual Life Life Councillors

228 54

5

Total 287 I may summarize in a few words the points concerning the business of the year. We have had the usual Council meetings always well attended, the interest never flagging. We still continue our membership in the Bay State League which keeps us in touch with the various efforts like our own, Mr. Starbuck our representative at these meetings can tell us more about it. A Special Meeting of the Association was called on Tuesday evening, November 1st, 1904, the minutes of which you have already heard. I recite facts hoping they will invite acts. Respectfully submitted, ELIZABETH C. BENNETT, Secretary.


CURATOR'S REPORT

MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE HIS TORI CAL AssOCJATION:-

The labor of moving our historical collection from the Meeting-house to our beautiful new Fire-proof Building has engrossed the whole time and efforts of our working officials during the past year, and a most strenuous year's work for Curator and assistants is expressed in these few words. Our collection has been enlarged. First, by the addition of Miss Susan W. Folger's bequest, consisting of five large portraits, two book-cases, books, shells and small articles too numerous to mention. Then the unexpected acquisition of the valuable and interesting collection of the Athenrcum, with its many marine curiosities, its rare South Sea Island articles the great whale's jaw, the models of ships and the "Camels," etc. Besides these large additions, we have received more donations than usual, the most noteworthy being four large oil portraits of prominent Nantucket men, as follows:- William Hadwen, George Cobb, Eben W. Allen, and Capt. Charles B. Swain; an ancient trunk whose lining consists of Journals of the House of Comm�ns, published in England from 1646 to 1689, containing news from the reign of King Charles the First; a set of elegantly carved chessmen; two watches; a pair of very ancient iron andirons; and the first sewing machine brought to Nantucket which has a most interesting history attached to it. The loans are also much more numerous and valuable than we have received for years. Amongst the lcitter may be men­ tioned the beautiful model of a whaleship designed and made


CURATOR'S REPORT

17

by CLpt. John Gardner, and loaned us by his niece, Mrs. C. G. S. Austin. This shows the complete process of trying out the oil and gives in miniature a fine representation of the art as it was practised by our ancestors, and must grow in interest and value as the details of our former great industry recede farther into the past. A second beautiful model is of an A I clipper ship made by Capt. William P. Joy of Nantucket and loaned by Mrs. A. W . Seaverns. Another loan is of eight pastels of old Nantucket houses, many of which are now no more, and these faithful reproductions bring before us scenes of our youth and revive old associations as nothing else can di). Still others are a handsome Masonic punch bowl, made in China for Simeon Folo-\'.!r who became a Mason in 1805, a decorated China tea-pot made at the same time, a sugar bowl, given to Walter Folger 3rd. in 1838 by Mrs. Jared Coffin as he had lost all his house­ hold goods by the fire of that year, several pieces of old cut glass, a "Bunker Hill" cup-plate, a finely executed French medallion of bronze and many more articles of perhaps equal value. Feeling that we must devote all our available funds to the building, we have not spent much money in purchasing, but a few articles of exceptional value offered and we could not lose the opportunity. One of these was an old bureau of handsome hard wood, with brass handles em bossed with the head of Ben­ jamin Franklin; a few generous members aided us in buying this. We have purchased also some finely carved walrus tusks, a small ivory swift and a model of a schooner built about fifty years ago, and have had made a life sized crayon portrait of our greatest benefactor, Miss Folger. Our new building is proving very satisfactory and all arti­ cles can be displayecl to much b<. tter advantage than ever before. We have plenty of space for all we now possess and are likely to acquire for many years to come.


18

CURATOR'S REPORT

We have made an attempt at classification of the collection. Much time and thought have been given to this and we think we have succeeded as well as possible with such a mass of het­ erogeneous articles. The most wholly satisfactory part of our work has been the restoring of this old meeting-house to its former condition, We hope to be just as it appeared when we purchased it. able to preserve it forever, in its Quaker simplicity, as a type of the places of worship of our ancestors. We are all pleased and happy in the fruition of our long cherished ambition and the assurance that we have a permanent home such as the life and work of our Association deserve, but we hope that no one will suppose that there is nothing more to work for. In reality, now that we need not beg or hoard for a safe abiding place, we feel that we are just ready and free to begin our historical labors. Last year reference was made to several lines of work that seem to come within the scope of our aims and possi­ bilities. These have never been followed out and still call for our efforts. One was the sorting and filing of all our various dona tions of Nantucket newspapers which should be well bound in <1rder to be easily accessible and to be preserved for future use. A second scheme was the forming of a scrap book of Nantucket anecdotes. This was considerably talked about but nothing definite was accomplished. The third an::l must urgent call upon us is the duty of copying the remaining cemetery inscriptions in response to the request of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society that all Historical Societies lend their aid in its valu-


CURATOR'S REPORT

19

able work of collecting and publishing the "Vital Records" of every town in the state. In the report of the committee of this society the chairman remarks that "one of the purpos­ es of the committee is to emphasize the truth that old grave­ stones are not merely a source of "funny epitaphs" but that they contain facts of great value to historians, genealogists, conveyancers and owners of real estate, and that, therefore, these facts must be preserved and placed where they may be readily accessible." We should recognize the importance of this work and should appoint a committee to take it in charge and finish the task which is already about half done. These are a few of the things we ought to do and for this purpose we must ask and plead for more co-operation and per­ sonal aid from our members. This is really more than we have done heretofore:- whereas we have usually asked you to give financial aid, we now must beg for the much greater gift of yourselves, your labor and personal assistance. This is what our Association most needs now to carry on its good work. Perhaps at this time when we hold our Annual Meeting in our own room once more, it may be fitting to recall the last time we met here for this same purpose. It was in the year 1896, and the reports of Secretary and Curator, covering but a few lines, showed our small beginnings. If one had foretold then what our possessions would be in ten years time it would have been like a fairy-tale, and the comparison of then and now makes us appreciate the fact that we have, as a society, been wonderfully prospered, and we, who must soon pass on, may feel that we have at least built a solid foundation for a nobler structure to be reared by those who shall come after us. Respectfully submitted, SUSAN E. BROCK, Curator.


TREASURER'S REPORT.

ACCOUNT NO. I. NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION IN ACCOUNT WITH GENERAL FUND, CHARLES C. CROSBY, TREASUllER. CREDITS. 1904

June 16. June 27. July 22. August 20. August 20. Sept. 27. 5. Sept. 3. Nov.

" "

,,

"

" " " "

" "

" " " Feb. May June June

19.

6. 6. 14.

• 82.1-4

By Balance " Collection on Check " Gate Money

" " " "

"

,c

.IO

"

25.00

"

35.00

20.00

"

6o.oo

Masonic Pamphlets Fire Proof Building Fund B. F. Williams-Rent of Land Old Mill Dues, 1 903 Dues, 1904 Dues, 1905 Dues, 1906 Dues, 1907 Dues, 19o8 Dues, 1909 Balance from Fire Proof Building Fund Balance from Sinking Fund 27 loads Soil Henry S. Wyer ac. Mary C Whippey, Estate DEBITS.

1904.

June

17. 21.

To " " "

Two Brooms, Old Mill Alex. M. Myrick Collection on Check Suffolk Electro Engraving Typing Co.

$

.56

5.00 .IO

5.o6

2.25 162.51

8.oo 59.oo 1.00

7.00 126.00 122.IO

1.00 1.00

1.00 .37 1o6.15 3·24 3.5o


TREASURER'S

July

l.

July

14. 22. 28.

August

29. I.

6. 8. 15. Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

29. l.

3. 2. 8. 9. 28. 30. 7.

12. 18. 21. 3. 4· 5. II,

Dec.

15. 29. I.

5. IO.

1905 2. Jan. 7. 17. 18. 23. 31.

REPORT

To Typewriting Copy of Ar.nual Report " W annacomet Water Co. " H. Paddack & Co. " Mercury Publishing Co. " W. F. Worth " North Congregational Church " W. D. Carpenter " Alexander Starbuck " Nantucket Industrial Union " Henry S. Wyer " Nantucket Gas & Electric Co. " .1 Loads Cinders Old Mill " Fire Proof Building Co. " Waltham Publishing Co. " Elizabeth C. Bennett " Inquirer & Mirror " David Folger Insurance " Waltham Publishing Co. " Albert G. Brock, Insurance H. S. Wyer, Chenoweth " Mrs. Wm. T. Swain, Jr. " Arthur Snow " Repairing steps " B. S. Adams, Freight and Carting " Fire Proof Building Fund " Weighing stone " Geo. J. Sennitt " Unitarian Church " F. W. Marvin " Carting Boxes " Chopping Block " Carting Engine " Axe ., Albert G. Brock, Insurance " Step Ladder

.

" " " " " "

.

H. Paddack & Co. Inquirer & Mirror Susan E. Brock Carting Rubbish & Spring Cait Everett Bowen, old sleigh Carting Sleigh H. S. Wyer

21

1.00 6.oo 11.67 43.20 12.00 3.00 12.50 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 .75 5.3o 5-5° 10.00 12.05 7.20 48.00 12.50 11.25 1.60 7.78 .50 7.14 162.51 .08 17.85 .50 7.62 .13 I,00 .25 .88 18.00

.90

9.88 8.10 I0,00 .50 5.00 .25 20.8o


TREASURER'S REPORT

22

3· Feb. March 2. 8. 15. March 31. April

4. 16. 17. 20.

May

8.

16. 25. 26. June

I.

3. 5. 8. JO,

12. I 5.

To Carting, John Terry " Henry S. Wyer " Chas. M. Crocker to 3 -8 " C. C. Crosby " Typewritten Copy " Henry S. Wyer " Laura M. Pollock " Waltham Publishing Co. " H. S. Wyer " John Terry " Chas. C. Crosby " Hatch & Co. " 2760 lbs Crushed Stone " Item 3-20 Charged in Sinking Fund " Postage " C. H. Davis " 3 1-2 Hours " Geo. E. Mooers " H. S. Wyer 11 1-2 pint Sperm Oil '' Elizabeth C. Bennett, Services " Miss Susan E. Brock " M. F. Freeborn " Ch.as. M. Crocker, on ac. " Henry S. Wyer 11 J. D. Jewett Co. 1 1 Carting Sewing Machine 11 H. S. Wyer " Chas. C. Crosby, Services By Balance to Cr.

t,

.25 5·13 31.65 6.40 . 50 5-55 4.00 7.75 1. 50 7.00 8.25 1.40 2.07 .25 5.00 1.97 .53 16.00 17.00 .IO

25.00 25.00 76.54 5.00 4.85 1.00 .50 .25 50.00 12.01

Nantucket, June 15th, 1905. Approved, M. F. FREEBORN I H. S. WYER, A. B. LAMBERTON.

CHAS. C. CROSBY, Treasurer.


TREASURER'S REPORT

23

ACCOUNT 2. NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. IN ACCOUNT FIRE PROOF BUILDING FUND. CHARLES C. CROSBY, TREASURER. 1904 June 16. 23. July 2.

5.

7.

11.

13.

15. 19. 23. 27. August 23. 24.

Sept.

22. 2. 8. 13. 17. 27. 28.

Oct.

8. 12.

18.

22.

24.

CREDITS. By Balance " Mary A. Albertson, Gift " Alexander Starbuck, Gift " Mrs. Julia D. Brown " Mrs. Geo. Martin Luther " 2()6 Loads of Sand " Irving Elting, Life Member " Mrs. Susan Elting, Life Member " Mrs. Susan Elting, Gift " Irving Elting, Gift " Interest to July 5th " Wilson Macy, Gift " Elizabeth R. Coffin, Gift " Rebate on W. H. Wyer & Co. Bill " Mary Eliza Starbuck, Gift " Mary L. Myrick, Gift " Sarah C. Raymond, Gift ' Bills payable Note No. 2, James Kite Etta Weeks Smith, Gift General ac. Susan E. Brock, Gift Josiah Folger Fund W. H. M. Austin, Life Member Harrison Loring, Jr., Gift Bills payable Note No. 1, H. S. Wyer " C. L. W. French Fund " Hills payable Note No. 3, Susan E. Brock " Bills payable Note No. 4, Susan E. Brock " Gift II 6 tons 565 lbs. stone, at �h.oo " Interest New Bedford Savings Bank " Genl. Fund " 985 lbs. stone " Herbert Folger, Gift

$1535.40 J.00 10.00 15.00 25.00 35-52 15.00 15.00 35.00 35.oo 20.00 15.00 25.00 .50 2.00 2.00 5.00 500.00 J.00 5.3o 1.00 510.00 15.00 5.00 500.00 500.00 500.00 500.00 1.30 12-57 25.42 162.5 I .89 10.00


TREASURER'S REPORT Oct. Nov.

Dec.

28. 1. 8. 19.

29. 7.

1-4. 1905· Jan. 7. 16.

1904• 2. June 6. July 14. 23. August 22. August 13. 30. 7. Sept. 9. IO.

Oct.

Nov.

14. 8.

18.

24. 27. 28. 29.

I 5.

16. 18. 21.

'250.00 Alexander Starbuck, Note No. 5. 750.00 Annie B. Folger, Note No. 6 500.00 Henry S. Wyer, Demand note 2.oS Rebate in Improved Plastic Roofing Co. 750.00 Pacific National Bank, Demand Note Eben Weed Tallant, Mary £. Tallant, Wm. Easton Tallant, Clara Starbuck Tallant. Gift 4.00 " Rebate on J. D. Jewett Company's Bill 3d 2·35

By " " " " "

" Rebate en New England Dolt & Reel Co. " Demand Note, Pacific National Bank " Di1I. in Interest Saving Bank Books 107 and 23 DEBITS.

To Alexander Starbuck, for postage ,, 20.37 " Collection N. B. Savings Bank ,25 11 Geo. W. Watson on ac. 100,00 " W. H. Wyer & Co. on Credit side 50 ct 71.81 11 Index Book .25 " Hatch & Co. Express Co. 5.3o " Aberthaw Construction Co. 6oo.oo " Hatch & Co. .90 11 Geo. W. Watson 50.00 11 Nant. Steamboat Co. 12.('9 " Aberthaw Construction Co. 1700.00 " W. D. Appleton l.00 11 Weighing 4 loads stone .32 " New England Bolt & Nut Co. 255-51 " Boston Check .05 " Aberthaw Construction Co., in full 2165.00 " N. B. Steamboat Co. 26.45 11 Carting Rubbish .50 " Improved Plastic Slate Roofing Co. lg8.73 11 Evan N oorden Co. 587,50 " Genl. Fund 162,51 " Nant. Steamboat Co., freight 2.08 " Geo. W. Watson 7.6o " Express on spout .45 " 815 lbs. s. coal 2.¢ 11 Carting and Storing .40 11 Carting Rubbish .25 " Benjamin Pearson 22.20


25

TREASURER'S REPORT

Nov.

26. 28. 29.

Dec.

I.

:z.

3.

5. IO. 1 5. 16. I

7.

1905· Jan. 2. 5.

IO.

14. 16. 21. Feb.

JI. I. 9.

16.

To cc " " cc " cc 11

" cc '' cc " " " " cc " " " cc cc cc " 11 cc " cc cc 11

cc " cc cc

C. W. Austin Eben W. Francis Geo. W. Watson Hatch & Co. Samuel Thurston W. H. Wyer & Co. C. C. Crosby Eben W. Francis J. D. Jewett Co. Carting Rubbish B. S. Adams I basket Chestnut Coal (to try) 1-2 ton Chestnut Coal Carting and Storing J. D. Jewett Co. C. M. Crocker C. W. Austin Geo. A. Barrett C. M. Crocker 1-2 ton Chestnut Coal Carting and Storing Carting Rubbish C. M. Crocker C. C. Crosby Willard B. Marden M. F. Freeborn James Y. Deacon Eben W. Francis Carting Rubbish 1740 lbs. Chestnut Coal Carting and Storing Evan Noorden Company W. H. Wyer & Co. Balance to Cr. General Account

By Balance down

26.17 95.12 87.50 3-35 3.00

851.81 8.oo 8.49 29.00

.50 71.96 . .38 3 .5o .50 7.35 10.00

3 .7o 1.25 5.00 3.5o .50 .50 31.95 6.66

107.71

289.02 40.31 8.16 .13

6.09 .88 1 30.00

101.77 . 37 .3 7

Nantucket, February 18th, 1905 CHAS. C. CROSBY, Treasurer. Approved, H. S. WYER, M. F. FREEBORN, A. B. LAMBERTON.


TREASURER'S REPORT

26

ACCOUNT NO. 3· NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. SINKING FUND IN ACCOUNT WITH CHAS. C. CROSBY, TREASURER.

1905. March 1 1905. March 2 4. 6.

20. 25.

JO.

April May

17. 29. I.

3. 6.

CREDITS.

By Bequest of Susan W. Folger " Item 3-20 in Sinking Fund Charged lo General Account

15000.00

DEBITS.

.25

I 500.00 To Bills payable Demand Note " Bills payable Demand Note 750.00 " Interest on above 12.72 " Bills payable Note No. 3. 500.00 " Bills payable Note No. 4. 500.00 " Interest 5 months 4 days 21.39 " Bills payable Demand Note 500.00 " Interest from November 8th, 1904, to 8.33 March 8th, 1905 " Interest on Note No. 1 from September 27th, 1904, to March 27th, 1905 12.50 " Interest on Note No. z from August 23d, 1904, to March 23d, 1905 " Deposited in N. Bedford Savings 12.50 Bank $1000 " Depositing money in Savings Bank .25 " Alexander Starbuck, Note No. 5 250.00 Interest to March 31st, 1905 5.45 " Miss Anna B. Folger's Note No. 6 750.00 to date 17.29 " Interest S. Wyer 1.75 " H. C. C. Crosby 6.30 " Griffin and Manter 2.04 " B. S. Adams 16.38 " Brown & Co. 9.63 " H. G. Gardner 17.57 " Balance to General Account 1o6.15 " Balance to New Account 1000.00

Approved, H. S. WYER, M. F. FREEBORN, A. B. LAMBERTON.

15000.2515000.25 CHARLES C. CROSBY, Treasurer.


TREASURER'S REPORT

27

ACCOUNT NO. 4. NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION IN ACCOUNT WITH CHARLES C. CROSBY, TREASURER. I<JOS· June 6.

8.

By Bequest ol Mary C. Whippey " Bequest of Susan W. Folger

t,

500.00 5000.00

Balance to new account $5500.00 Nantucket, June 16th, 1905. CHAS. C. CROSBY, Treasurer. Approved, M. F. FREEBORN, H. S. WYER, A. B. LAMBERTON.

ACCOUNT NO. 5. SUM'.l'IARV. General Account Fire Proof Building Value ( cost about 8,300) Old Mill Insured for Expires September 1st, 1905. Building, Fair St., Insured for Expires September 5th, 1905. Collections Insured for Expires December 4th, 1905. Uncollected Dues 1904 1905 19()6 Sinking Fund Account

f,

12.01 7000.00 1000.00 800.c,o 1000.00 13.10 28.00 164.00 6500.00

$16517.11

Less Biils Payable

1000.00

Nantucket, June 15th, 1905. CHAS. C. CROSBY, Treasurer.

Approved, H. S. WYER, M. F. FREEBORN, A. B. LAMBERTON.


28

TREASURER'S REPORT ACCOUNT KO.

6.

MKIIIBERSHIP.

Annual Life Life Councillors Loss in Membership

II J Nantucket, une 15th, 1905.

1<)04

1905

2JZ 6o 6

228

298

287

CHAS. C. CROSBY.

54

5



ROOMS OF THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ( Firr /'n•�f /111i/,/i11g i11 tlu Rrt11·)


REPORT OF MR. H. S. WYER.

MR. PRESIDENT AND FRIEND s:

I have been wondering, recently, whether a report would be expected from the Building Committee or its agent. As the Committee, several of whom are non-residents, have held no formal meetings since the work of construction was begun, no report could be said to emanate from it as a whole. But, as its agent, I have thought it well to make a brief statement of fact s concerning the work. Since you, Mr. President, have already made a statement of figures and statistics,! am, fortunately relieved of that ne­ cessity, so will confine myself to a brief general review. You, Mr. President, will remember how, in the summer of 19<>3, a gentleman from Cincinnati came to us with a glow_ ing account of a building which had just been completed in that city: a 22 story skyscraper, built entirely of concrete, within and without. This building was obviously the first of its kind in Cincinnati, and (as is inevitable with all new enterprises) many of the sapient citizens sneered at it, and predicted that it would be structurally weak,ugly,too expensive,and not fire proof at all. But the work went on, and in due time the great build­ ing stood completed, an edifice of solid rock; and, strange to relate, even the sceptics were converted, and everybody said "this structure is a great success and marks a new epoch in building in Cincinnati." This gentlemen was a good talker, and he easily converted you and me (experts in building that we are). We, in turn, pass­ ed on the good word, with the result that the Council voted to erect a concrete building. It was such a cheap, easy process, it would almost build itself.


REPORT OF MR. H. S. WYER.

the Having been elected (by the irony of fate) agent of to out starte I , work the ? of Committee, to have full charge regard m , around lying be pick up such information as might to concrete construction. Firstly, I learned that there were two methods in use, one consisted in the laying of large concrete in the bricks' which were first moulded by a machine; the other, . . use of a wooden matrix, or frame-work, in two sections, mto which the mixed concrete was packed solidly; the matrix being shifted upward as each section of the wall hardened. Of a vast quantity of letters and pamphlets which I re­ ceived (through the agency of Mr . .Fred Fuller of Medford) aJI had reference to brick making and brick construction and invit­ ed us to purchase an outfit at prices ranging from $500 to $1500. In the pamphlets were many photographs of public buildings as well as private dwellings, very elegant and sub tantiaJ in ap• pearance, all built with concrete brick. But it became evident as we investigated further, that the moulding of bricks with an expensive machine would add materially to the cost of our build• ing, so, acting on what seemed to be competent advice, we adopted the matrix system. Our architect, Mr. George W. Watson, easily obtained estimates from four different firms for the construction of the walls and floors. By the sheer good luck which has followed us all through, the Aberthaw Co. gave the lowest bid and received the contract. I say good luck, for, by a singular coincidence that Co. proved to have been the constructors of the Cincin­ nati sky-scraper, so we might well f el safe with our modest structure in their hands. Events proved this to be true, but we were yet to learn much to this effect; with the probable ex­ ception of Mr. Wason, the President of the Aberthaw Co., who was chief engineer of the Cincinuati building, not one of the persons engaged in our work had ever seen a concrete building with the single exception of the Harvard Stadium. In fact each of the two foremen who consecutively had our work in hand asserted with confidence that there was not at that time


REPORT OP' MR. H. S. WYER

31

another in the State. Concrete had been used by them and others, for foundations., bridges, goverment fortifications, etc. but never for a building-except the Stadium. So, in view of these facts, it became evident that each and all of us, however wise in theory, had much to learn as to the practical application in this particular work. We were somewhat in the position of the skipper of a coaster who was boasting to a passenger how farr,iliar he was with the channel, that he knew every rock in it. Just then the schooner struck on a big one. "There," said he, "there's one of the darned things now." In fact we rather improved on his formula, for we made the rocks as we sailed. So, considering everything, this society may well congrat­ ulate itself on the fact that, by a series of fortunate accidents, it has obtained the fire-proof building. As the agent of the committee I may say as a last word, that while like that other skipper of renown, I have not "brought home much ile," I have had, on the whole, "a --- fine sail," but will never go another voyage. H.S. WYER. Nantucket, July 17, 1905.


PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL AssOCIATION:-

Another year, with its joys and sorrows, its pleasures and pains, its encouragements and reverses, has clo s�d, and again we are assembled to take our note of time, not by its Joss but by its accomplishments, not by its hopes so much as by its fulfilments. We gather from far and near around the old hearthstone, all eager to cast upon the altar of affection our tributes of love for the old home. In the musing-time that comes to us all occasionally, I think there is brought with it this sentiment, delightfully expressed by Longfellow: "Often I think of the beautiful town That is seated by the sea, Often in thought go up and down The pleasant streets of that dear, old town, And my youth comes back to me. And a verse of a Lapland song Is haunting my memory still 'A boy's will is the wind's will, And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts." Time has dealt so kindly with us of late that it would be ungrateful to regret that we are a year older than we were at th� date of our last annual meeting. The Fire Proof Building on which our hopes were centered for so many years, and of which a year ago we laid the corner-stone with a simple but interesting ceremony, is a completed structure, with our valuable collection installed therein, and our hopes are fulfilled. The work that was begun with misgivings on the part of some has been ended with enthusiasm on the


PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

33

part of all, and the treasures of the Association, the great value of which I am afraid too few fully appreciate, are now, so far as human foresight can determine, housed in absolute safety from all danger from fire. The unstinted generosity of friends, who, we grieve to say, are beyond the reach of earthly thanks, has enabled us to complete our building and occupy it without the least incumbrance of debt. Yet there is with me a feeling that such use of our bequests should be treated somewhat in the nature of loans, gradually to be re­ placed from our receipts, if possible, and when so replaced, to be maintained as funds in the names of the generous donors. Our building, as completed, stands us in $8,300.00. Add to that our old and historic meeting-house, in which our present meeting is being held, and the grounds, the old mill and its grounds, our collection, which is insured for $1,000, but for which money is no equivalent, the $5,000 additional bequest from the estate of Susan Wilson Folger, and the other cash assets, and we count our total property at $18,000. Our future seems so full of promise that there is no room for pes­ simism, and the most glowing optimism is pardonable. Now we can say to our friends and well-wishers "we have built you a place of absolute security, and we are ready to receive those antiquities and memorials which you have orally or mentally promised to donate to us when conditions justified us in ask­ ing for them. I know I but voice the sentiments of you all when I say the Association owes much to the ceaseless activity and careful supervision of the acting local Chairman of the Build­ ing Committee. Mr. Henry S Wyer, for the eminently satis­ factory and prompt completion of our new building. Since our last annual meeting we have received renewed proof of the affection in which Miss Susan Wilson Folger held the old home and its institutions. As one of the resid­ uary legatees of her estate we have received a second $5,000 . Whether there is more yet to come is for the executor to


34

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

determine, but the munificent gifts already bestowed upon us command a degree of gratitude to which words fail to give adequate expression. Nor should we fail to express our earnest _ appreciation of those gifts, which, though lesser m amount, others out of less plentiful estate, but with like generosity, have endowed us with. We record here and now that grateful appreciation to which all are and each is entitled. Before passing from this subject let me express the hope that this Annual Meeting will set aside this sccund gift from the estate of Miss Folger and all possible further additions to it, as a perpetual fund to be known as the "Susan Wilson Folger Fund," to be invested under the direction of the Council, the income only to be used, unless some entirely unforeseen emergency may seem to require a temporary en­ croachment on the principal, that necessity and its extent to be determined at a regularly called meeting of the Association on the notices for which the proposed action shall be an­ nounced, and for the determination of which an affirmative vote of of three-fourths of those present and voting shall be required. During the past year the Bay State Historical League has held two meetings. Owing to some misunderstanding arising from the choice of a new Secretary, I failed to receive the proper notices, and our Association was not represented, a fact which the President and Treasurer of the League ex­ pressed much regret for. At the meeting held in Boston, February 25, Mr. C. J. H. Woodbury, of the Lynn Historical Society, read a paper on "Co-operation among local Histori­ cal Societies," which was so much in line with the work and purposes of the League that it was voted to have it printed. A copy is now among the archives of our Association. In his paper Mr. Woodbury said, "There arc two elements of local history; the one is largely of personal interest to the individual in its genealogical relations and the personalities of the actors, and the other is the sequence of public events as a portion of


PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

35

the development of the whole country. As (few) none of these events occurred within any one arena but continually shifted their field of action with the migration of settlers or the movement of troops, the concurrent story cannot be a local one, and it is only by co-operation that these numerous details can be secured to complete the whole framework." This co-operation, he argues, is a particular province of the League. The second meeting of the League took the form of a Field Day and was held in historic and literary Concord, on the afternoon of Saturday, June 3d. The business meeting for the election of officers etc., and the public exercises were held in the Church of the First Parish, not the historic old edifice of Revolutionary fame, where the Provincial Congress met and around which so many heroic memories clustered, but which was destroyed by fire in April 1900, but almost a replica of the ancient structure, and erected on the same site. The principal address was delivered by Hon. Charles Francis Adams, of that famous family which has furnished the United States with two presidents and a minister to England, and his subject was "Town History, its Value and Study." After the public meeting the members made a tour of the old town, viewing its numerous localities made famous in history and in literature. During the past year eight of our members have passed over the river into the Great Beyond, Mrs. Emma Codd, Mrs. Laura Starbuck, Mrs. Sarah Barney Swain, Miss Sarah J. Baker, Mr. Wilson Macy (one of our valued Councillors,) Mr. Richard P. White, Mr. Henry M. Pinkham and Capt. John Morrissey. The oft-told tale that it is only the natural course of events does not lesseTl our loss, nor mitigate our sor­ row that they no longer are with us. We can only pay our tribute to their memories, close up our ranks anew and march


PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

forward again. Our faith t�aches us they are not unmindful of what their friends are domg. "Not upon us or ours the solemn angel Have evil wrought; The funeral anthem is a glad evangel; The good die not I God calls our loved ones, but we lose not wholly What He has given; They live on earth in thought and deed, as truly As is heaven." A year ago attention was called to the exccedinl!' desira­ bility of keeping closely in touch with old letters and docu­ ments that have accumulated in garrets and were about to be sold or destroyed. In a town so old as Nantucket, and one in which a more than ordinarily intelligent people wrote much, and treasured much that was written and printed, there must be a vast deal of social and historical interest yet to be brought to light. My attention during the past year has twice been called to the possibilities that exist in unsearched attics and the treasures that the unthinking or the stolid individual is liable to dispose of for a mere song to the dealers in old junk. A Boston paper of Feb. 6, 1905, contained a two-column account of the contents of two old chests taken from an attic in Acton. The report opens with these words: "At a recent meeting of the Bay State Historical League it was urged that muoh historical material lies hidden in the old garrets of New England. No better proof of this can be offered than the contents of the old red chests recently taken from the Robbins' garret of the town of Acton." One thing found there was the record book of the Concord Village proprietors of 1714. There were also interesting and valuable papers connected with the Revolution, and articles of use and adorn­ ment worn in Colonial days. Another Boston paper of March 19, 1905, tells of the actual purchase by a junk dealer for 50 cents, of a knapsack of the year 17�5, containing several valuable old record books of the_ R�volut1on as well as genealogical documents of ex­ ceeding mterest to the members of the Tufts family.


PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

37

Those two items clearly reveal the possibilities that con­ front the people of Nantucket probably more forcibly than any other community of its size in the country, and point out a most promising field for investigation and labor by resident members of our Association. Josiah Coffin, Grafton Gardner, Timothy Folger, Josiah Barker and Stephen Hussey were appointed by the Provincial Congress to be the Committee of Correspondence in 177 5. Are there no letters or papers in existence relating to the work they did or sought to do? Are there no letters from the 1 50 or more men our Island contrib­ uted to the army and navy of the Revolution? Josiah Hussey Esq., a prominent lawyer in the early part of the last century, collected quite a mass of material bearing on the early history of Nantucket. Where is it? Once deposited in the new building of our Association such documents are absolutely sure to be preserved; in what may be their present location s they are alike liable to be a prey to fire or sacrificed to the passion for disposing of "clutter" which assails the ultra tidy but historically iconoclastic housewife. I would suggest that so far as is practicable the Associa­ tion takes up some special work during the coming year. An assured income enables us to carry out' plans that before we could only view as Moses gazed upon the Promised Land, from afar off. Every year should show progress and the ac­ complishment of definite purpose. There are transcriptions to b� made of the records of the Society of Friends, now in Lynn, of the records of the Town in charge of the Town Clerk, and of genealogical collections so far as the ow�ers . are willing to permit them to be copied. In all these directions only single volumes of the documents named exist, subject to such accidents as always are as disastrous as unexpected. The harvest seems to be abundant-let us hope the laborers are numerous enough to cope with. it. Our especially good fortune through the generous reme_m­ brance of friends opens to us a fascinating vista down which we not only can gaze with pleasure, but along which we can joyously and profitably stray. Let us hope that even oth�r future remembrances may come to enable us to broaden st11l further that area of usefulness.


An American Farmer's Letters from Nantucket The reappearance of an almost forgotten book, after a century and a quarter, and its ready acceptance by the public, is generally a voucher for its need as well as its quality. There is a latent vitality in all really useful books. As with fashions, they have their periods of vogue and of desuetude, tallying with social conditions, or spiritual movements or with per­ ennial problems of economics and ethics. A book that has truth in it, and that makes for righteousness, is never quite dead; since truth and its blossoming goodness has no part in common with death. One edition is the complement of its predecessor, or perhaps its completemcnt and vindication. So it has been with the book that I have the honor of laying open before you to-day. It is a vindication of principles always imperishable; of principles upon which civic structures may well be built. It attests the staying power of both a strenuous and of a simple life, of which we hear a good deal in these days. To the new edition of the book before us, as now issued, in all excellent qualities of taste and durability, I find the imprint of Fox, Duffield & Co., New York, 1904, and the title "Letters from an American Farmer by J. Hector St. John de Crevecceur, Reprinted from the Original Edition with a Pref­ atory Note by W. P. Trent and an Introduction by Ludwig Lewisohn," thus acquiring merit by the touch of two men whose word as to books may, as a rule, be taken without question. There is also a reprint of the title page under which the first edition came to be known. It is worth re­ peating here, accounting for some editorial touches that appear elsewhere in the book and in harmony with the grace­ ful style of him who wrote the letters. It is as follows:Letters from an American Farmer, Describing Certain Provincial Situations, Manners and Customs, not generally known; and Conveying Some Idea of the Late and Present


AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

39

Interior Circumstances of the British Colonies in North America. Written for the Information of a friend in England, by J. Hector St. John, a Farmer in Pennsylvania. London. Printed for Thomas Davis in Russell Street, Covent Garden, Lockyer Davis in Holborn, MDCCLXXXII." It will be noted that the farmer author uses only a part of his name and leaves off the "de" of aristocratic birth. His habit of conjuring with a rather long and distinguished name has led to some confusion in the endeavor of biographers t o trace the later history of this clever writer. We need not read through many of the de Crevecccurs' pages to find ourselves in fellowship with an excedingly inter­ esting personage. As his name indicates, de Crevecceur was a Frenchman with all the qualities of his ancestry, plus the faculty of a fine literary expression, and also an ability to hold to his point of view, through all his description�, a qual­ ity greatly lacking in historical books of the heated time in which he lived. It would be a pleasant thing to follow de Crevecreur through all the unwearying pages of his book. There is space allowed only to sketch his biography in its broadest outlines, and to pass by his excedingly clever nature studies in which he must be given a well earned place in the rank of poet-naturalists. Our purpose in this paper is to consider alone, de Creve­ cceur's visit to Nantucket. We shall enjoy better those five fascinating letters if we are better acquainted with our companion. We find him to be an educated man in the best sense. A man who had been brought up among refining in­ fluences. A man who had known something of the life of French chateaux before he had acquired his farm in Pennsyl­ vania. He brought to his American life letters to the best society there was in it. Madame de Houdetot had accredited him as a friend of generations to Franklin and other leading Americans. He had been honored by attention from Wash­ ington, who was himself an Amerkan Farmer and who had


AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

described the book as one that would "afford a great deal of profitable and amusive infnrmation." Wherever the man de Crevecreur, had gone he had brought people under the spell of his charming personality, full of poetry and patriotism and glowing with a belief that here among the undeveloped re­ sources of a mighty country the Arcadia was to be something more than a poet's dream. With him through the long fur­ rows of his virgin fields, he carried his young son of three, seated between the plough handles, while in his memory he marshalled the best men of his time as companions. Rousseau, Chateaubriand, Bernardin St. Pierre and Goethe made a path for their feet in the fields of a Pennsylvania. And when our farmer had gathered his harvest he went abroad through the new country to study men and manners. Every such journey was to him an unfolding of a vision; he saw in a not distant future, the realization of those things fondly dreamed by the patriot philosophers of the older coun­ tries of Europe. In one of these journeys he sought out Nantucket, already a town much spoken of in Europe, but of which little was known as to detail of daily life and social conditions. De Crevecreur found a community already well established in the high tenets of a simple civic life. He found riches with­ out ostentation,numerous citizens holding fortunes of £20,000, gathered in the steady and slow processes of fishing", whaling and trade. The sum named is not a fortune in these days, it was a great competency then. He found that the wealth of the island was not squandered in ruinous and fashionable vices of the time, but used to promote family welfare, laying found­ ations for educative institutions, and for the general uplifting of the ;ommunity. The shipowners constituted a kind of aristocracy, just a step above the ship captains, the two classes not quite distinctly apart but merging into each other. Below them the common sailors, comers from all lands, mingling with Nantucketers of past generations; a miscellaneous popu-


AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

41

ation in which social distinctions were clearly marked-as they are by their descendants to-day. And here is perhaps a place for an interpolation regardi l'l g the literary style that characterizes de Crevecceur's work. Since the five letters describing Nantucket have a style quite different from the body of the book and give emphasis to what Mr. Lewisohn has well said in the introduction to the book, namely:-" As to Crevecceur's style in the narrower sense, his translation in French and his original work in that language show that he had, to some extent, unlearned his native speech during his many years residence in England and America. His English is of singular purity, and is upon the whole quite idiomatic. "' • • • • * His sense of the effects of English prose style is of unusual delicacy. His dic­ tion, as a rule, conventional enough, though rarely inadequate; but in the rhythm of his easily gliding sentences, often though never obtrusively balanced, there is a genuine charm." It is in the Nantucket letters that one finds the best de­ scriptive writing. They have a style of their own quite differ­ ent to that of the earlier chapters; they have a vivid journalis­ tic touch, as of a man furnished with material to make a good "story" and who swings loose from methods learned in the schools of rhetoric. There have been some who have gone so far as to say that Hector St. John de Crevecceur never visited Nantucket, but iri the processio n of his life, so varied on land and sea, had run across sorr,e enthusiastic Nantucketer who had furnished him with data for his friends abroad. Aside from the letters themselves and the square stand on Nan­ tucket sands taken by de Crevecceur, there is no evidence that I have been able to obtain pointing to the fact that he was on the Island at all. It does indeed seem strange that a man of such parts should have come and gone leaving no record in local traditions as to his visit, and Nantucketers of those days were in the habit of keeping careful diaries, as the treasures of this Society can show.


42

AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

There is an air verisimlitude in all of de Crevecreur's writings and particularly in these Nantucket letters, a minute familiarity with people and locations, which have the crisp freshness of a looker-on. Still there is the singular fact that our writer left no foot-prints, no circumstantial evidem.e by the wayside as to his stay. He did however make one state. ment and only one, which on the face of it seems so far away from observable facts that it could never be taken with cred­ ence by any one who knew Nantucket, or even who knew of it in 1777, the year of his recorded visit, when he was using the two names, St. John and de Crevecreur, interchangeably in signatures and title pages . He may have adopted some other In the correspondence of Madame de name altogether. Houdetot, an explanation of his straying letters was given by that clever woman on the ground that St. John often used surname or Christian name according to fancy. Among patriots in those days, and especially French patriots, the aris­ tocratic prefix was sometimes a peril, and in America a fre quent prejudice to a man's character and work. The really noteworthy and important suggestion that de Crevecreur had not visited Nantucket has grown out of a statement on the use of opium by its inhabitants. He says:­ " A singular custom prevails here among the women, at which I was greatly surprised; and am really at a loss how to account for the original cause that has introduced in this primitive society so remarkable a fashion, or rather so extraordinary a want. They have adopted these many years the Asiatic cus­ tom of taking a dose of opium every morning; and so dee ply rooted is it, that they would be at a loss to know how to live without this indulgence; they would rather be deprived of any necessary than forego their favorite luxury. This is much more prevailing among the women than the men, few of the latter haviug caught the contagion; though the sheriff, whom I may call the first person in the island, who is an emin ent physician beside, and whom I had the pleasure of being well acquainted with, has for many years submitted to this custom.


AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

43

He takes three grains of it every day before breakfast, without the effects of which, he often told me, he was not able to tran­ sact any business." I had no sooner read this paragraph than I turned to such sources of information as were likely to be at hand. A note to Our Lady of the Books, the librarian of our excellent library, asking for data as to de Crevecreur, brought a prompt and polite reply saying that there was a copy of the first edition in the library. I subsequently found it and to be annotated by various hands, among them, and principally, that of the late F. C. Sanford, who protests against de Creve­ creur's statement. He believes it to have grown out of a mag­ nified story by a man well known as a gossip and who was an opium eater by his own admission, the only one so known on the island. "A lie withput a shadow of foundation" is the strong statement of one annotater. Another, which is I think Mr. Sanford's, though not signed says, "Dr. Tucker or Tupper had told the author that the custom prevailed." And in un­ mistakably Mr. Sanford's hand "It was only an old man's whim, and none other on the Island." Thus passing over this isolated question of veracity, we may turn to the delightful pages and try to see Nantucket life as our writer saw it in 1777. We must recall to ourselves that it was a prosperous and busy town of 5,000 inhabitants, 500 houses, 200 sail of vessels, and employing 2,000 seamen. "Would you believe it," said St. John, "that a sandy spot of about 23,000 acres, affording neither stone or timber, could provide such a popu­ lation?" He sees in the conditions that he found, a consum­ mation of all the results that would eventually accrue through a logical application of the first principles of virtuous and industrious community life, and that too, in spite of sur­ roundings by no means favorable to the aocumulation of riches. He holds the inhabitants to be rich in all civic and manly virtues. Says this shrewd observer, "the island has nothing de­ serving of notice but its inhabitants," and in the course of t�e letters be gives some close views of them. He marvels at the


AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

44

nature of "the sagacity which, deprived as they are of every necessary material, produce, etc., yet enables them to flourish, to live well, and sometimes to make considerable fortunes," and farther, "The whole is an enigma to be solved only by coming to the spot and observing the national genius which the original founders brought with them, as well as their un­ wearied patience and perseverance. They have all, from the highest to the lowest, a singular keenness of judgment, un• assisted by any academical light; they all possess a large share of good sense, improved upon the experience of their fathers; and this is the surest and best guide to lead us through the path of life, because it approaches nearest to the infallibility Its isolation, its dependence upon industries of instinct. always precarious, always having in them the element of chance, and pursued on a system that demanded long absences of a large proportion of the male population, could but have had a decided influence on the physical and moral condition of the community. It wa.s then and always has been an inter­ esting field for the study of social conditions and of anthro­ pology, especially in its psychological aspects. 11

The religious influences were peculiar. The Friends dominated at the time of de Crevecreur's visit. Ethical stand­ ards were based on the tenets of the Friends and the Presby­ terians. With such influences, the problem of dealing with the Indians, not aborigines here, but fragments of wandering tribes coming here from the mainland to feast on the shell fish and to share in the profitable fisheries, was simple. I am writing this in Sacchacha where was once a large settlement of Indians,who caught whales from the shore and built Christian churches before the white men had built a temple for themselves. Coming as they did from various tribes on the main land they brought their feuds with them. They were no sooner estab­ lished on the main land than they began fighting among them­ selves for vantage ground as clam diggers and fishermen; so they went down and out through their own weaknesse& and ambitions. De Crevecreur had a word of regret that their


AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

45

rapid annihilation was already in sight. We are glad to say that they were not robbed and driven out of existence by the rapacity and race prejudice of the whites, so often the case elsewhere. Incidentally however it should be 'mentioned that their extinction was in no small degree due to the "Strong Waters of Hell" which so often goes along with the forces of civilization; to the Nantucket Indians a way to death-more dangerous than the pestilence and famine which had visited them . It was not alone the gallantry of his race that prompted de Crevecreur to speak in glowing terms of the Nantucket women. In the long absences of the men the women had time for study and the development of business instincts. They lived in abundance, and a physical and intellectual de­ velopment was but a natural consequence. Our author says: "As the sea excursions are often very JOng, their wives in their absence are necessarily obliged to transact business, to settle accounts, and, in short, to rule and provide for their families. These circumstances being often repeated, give women the abilities as well as a taste for that kind of superintendency, to which, by their prudence and good management, they seem to be in general very equal This employment ripens their judgment, and justly entitles them to a rank superior to that of other wives; and this is the principal reason why those of Nantucket are so fond of society, so affable, and so conversant with the affairs of the world. The men at their return, weary with the fatigues of the sea, full of confidence and love, cheerfully give their consent to every transaction that has happened during their absence, and all is joy and peace " Those who have known Nantucket find full corroboration of all this enthusiastic comment on its women. In all the great social movement� of our country the Nantucket women have taken a prominent part. We may go on through the eighty or more pages in which our American Farm�r sums up his impressions of Nantucket


AN AMERICAN FARMER'S LETTERS

and congratulate ourselves that much that won his praise remains unchanged. The changes that have come have been such as could but come when a great industry, having most peculiar characteristics, passes away altogether, and the source of support comes through the visitation of strangers for summer rest and recreation. It is noteworthy that in no place in the country is there a quicker and more generous response to any acknowledged claim of civic need or philan­ thropic enterprize than here. No place where there is a more loyal spirit of right citizenship than here. All the nat­ ual beauties of the place remain, the balmy moors or commons let us rather call them, are as fragrant as when this gallant Frenchman rode to Sconset and tasted its cheer and felt its hospitality. Hector St. John de Crevecreur was here no doubt and his name will remain a pleasant one to the ears of true Nantucketers. The republication of his book, after all these years, is a matter of literary historical importance.


SUSAN WILSON FOLGER.

Miss Susan Wilson Folger, whose portrait appears as the frontispiece for this number of the Proceedings, was a native of Nantucket, where she was born November II, 1843. She was the daughter of Paul and Susan (Swain) Folger, and was the youngest of seven children. Her father died in 1844, and at the time of his death was the youngest deacon ever ordained in the North Congregational church. Her paternal grand­ father was Gideon Folger and her mother was the daughter of Capt. Frederick Swain and grand-daughter of James Coffin. Miss Folger removed from Nantucket with her family in the early sixties, and took a course of study in elocution. Quiet and unobtrusive in her manner, she went about doing good in that unostentatious way which keeps from the knowledge of the left hand the kindly deeds of the right. During her entire life she never wavered in her affection for her native town and its institutions, and her will bore eloquent testimony to the strength and thoughfulness of that affection. The Nantucket Historical Association owes to her a debt of gratitude which words are inadequate to express.


COMMITTEES ON MEMORIALS.

The Committee appointed to draft a Memorial to our late Councillor, Thurston C. Swain, and report in the Annual Pro­ ceedings, presented the following: REsoLvEo-That this Association has sustained a sub­ stantial loss in the death of Thurston C. Swain, whose extraor­ dinary interest in Old Nantucket and vivid remembrance of its landmarks and its old people, made us turn to him contin­ ually for pictures of the conditions and people of fifty years ago. We shall always regret not having made ourselves more familiar, through him, with the old places and times that he was so happy in dwelling upon. We may well take warning from so great a loss not to neglect in the future to jot down the stories and recollections of tr.e older people still left to us. RESOLVED-That the sincere sympathy of our Association is hereby extended to the surviving members of his family, whose grief we all share, and to whom we tender such consola­ tion as the tribute of loving friends can give. The Committee on Memorial to our other deceased Coun­ cillor and Vice President, Wilson Macy, who also were author­ ized to report in the Proceedings, presented the following: Wilson Macy was born on the Island of Nantucket, January 22, 1850 and died in New York City,. May 10, 1905. He was of the eighth generation from that Thomas Macy who with Edward Starbuck and the boy Thomas Coleman spent on Nantucket the experimental winter of 1658-9, which resulted the next year in the purchase of the island and its settlement by the families of the twenty proprietors. Wilson Macy was the son of Philip, who was son of Thomas, whose father was Obed, the historian of the Island. His mother was Susan Wilson of Newport, R. I. A descendant on both sides of such New England stock,


COMMITTEES ON MEMORIALS

49

many of whom were of the noble sect called Quakers, it was perhaps to be expected that certain sterling qualities should appear in his character. As a boy Wilson though of a sensi­ tive, nervous temperament was strong and active. He was the swiftest runner among his playmates. In July 1861 an event occurred which was the cause of his subsequent suffering and ill-health. While he was in swim­ ming with other boys a thoughtless companion threw Wilson's clothes into the dock. Already tired and exhausted by his efforts Wilson remaim:d in the water while two boys ran home for dry clothing. Inflammatory rheumatism was the result of the exposure at this time. Although he recovered from the acute attack, it was only to find himself a hopeless invalid. There was a period of inward struggle and then Wilson took up his life with a dauntless faith and courage that never wavered. He was finally able to go back to school and graduated with his class from the High School in 1867, showing already that pluck and determination so prominent throughout his whole life. As his friends left the Island to enter college or business life Wilson felt keenly his position as one out of the running, and at last he decided to try his luck away from home. He went to New York but after a few weeks he became so ill that he was obliged to return to Nantucket where he remained only until he was strong enough to try again. This time he held on, with many discouragements and drawbacks, and many busines · ventures. In 1871 he entered the business in which he remained until the very day of his death. Beginning as an under clerk in the firm of Gifford, Beach and Co., he gradually acquired a knowledge of the details of a vast commission house until it became possible for him to assume control of every department of the business.


50

COMMITTEES ON MEMORIALS

The last to take the much-needed annual vacation, as the members and head-clerks of the firm left for their summer outings, Mr. Macy quietly added their work to his own and when the last one came back, Wilson had his breathing space. In the autumn of 1890 in addition to increasing pain and weakness, his eyes failed him and he came to Nantucket where he spent the greater part of nine months in darkened rooms, unable even to go (>Ut at night for fresh air. In September 1 891, owing as much to his own unflagging, patient courage as to the skill of his devoted physician and the tender minis­ trations of his family, he was able to return to his work and fourteen years more of efficient service were saved by him from what seemed in 1890 a completely shattered system. During these long years of active business life this man of undersize, with his crippled body, his clear brain, his most sympathetic and responsive of human hearts, to whom were denied all the pleasures and enjoyments of the normal man, spent never a waking moment without consciousness of pain. Once for all, while still a b oy, had the battle been fought in which he was more than conqueror, having conquered himself, and the courteous cheeriness of manner, the starry brightness of the spiritual face were never for an instant clouded, the large charity of his purified vision never failed. He was always ready with sympathy and advice for those who needed them, and these demands were constant. From the porters in the store to the men and women who were his life-long friends and associates there was not one who did not at times ask his aid in some emergency, and not one who failed to obtain just what his special needs required. Interested in all human concerns, he found time and strength to uphold the weak, to comfort the sorrowing, and what sometimes requires even greater self-abnegation, to rejoice with those who rejoiced. Truly "his strength was the strength of ten Because his heart was pure-" pure from self-seeking.


COMMITTEES ON MEMORIALS

51

The day after his death, the store being closed in conse­ quence, twelve employees in the business went to his late home in New York to see for the last time their beloved friend. Twelve stalwart men gathered about that pathetic little figure with the quiet face, no more peaceful in death than in life, and each in tum told of what this friend had done for him. Unsought testimony to the power and value of that beautiful life. Letters innumerable have been received by his devoted sister, left quite alone by this last great bereavement, and bearing witness to the great love and respect he inspired in all who knew him. From England a young man writes:- Your dear, sweet brother was my best friend either in America or this country, one of the best and most faithful friends that ever man was blest with. " Faithful, kind and true, gracious and good, it seems to me that there never was anybody like him. How could any­ one help loving him?" His nearest friend perhaps, outside his family, writes :­ " I am entirely unable to realize that Wilson is gone, and as time passes since his death, I am beginning to think that I never shall realize it, unless it may be in places where I have known him, and with which he is associated. And I think that the reason why I cannot realize his death is that his undying qualities of fortitude, loyalty and courage, in which he surpassed any man I ever knew and which were recognized by all who ever knew him, so dominated and rose superior to his mortal body that they rather than that, in his case seemed tb be as they really are, the man himself. These qualities of character will always be just as they always have been, an example and inspiration to us all, and so we have not lost and never can lose him."


COMMITTEES ON MEMORIALS

The wife of this friend adds : "Perhaps we can best show our appreciation of him by trying to have somethini of his spirit." One of his physicians says :-"He surely showed in his way of living the highest type of character;" and another­ "! feel better for having known him." While his Nantucket physician writes:-" His character was to me something phenomenal, so saint-like and so strong. Life with him was nothing but a painful uphill fight. I know he never knew what a truly comfortable moment was, and yet he never mur­ mured nor complained, nor allowed others to do so in his behalf. I cannot say all I feel but let me s:iy this, that his life was a beautiful example to all that came in contact with him, so gentle, so true, so steadfast and so brave." The Sunday after Wilson Macy's death there was preached in Nantucket in the Unitarian Church, wherein his family had always attended, a sermon on "The Heroic Life" from 1 Corinthians 9-26. "So fight I not as one who beateth the air." This discourse though not intended as a strictly memorial sermon, yet contained many references to the heroic life whose passing had left with many of the congregation an indescribable sense of loss. Rev. Mr. Day said: "It is not every man who can remain at his post until the night falls when he must go home to die," and further "The wine which came from the bruised life was sweet yet exhilarating. He bravely trampled over his physical maladies and in­ firmities. Though he suffered constantly he impressed one as lifted above all consciousness of suffering." The following card sent out the day of Mr. Macy's death, by the head of the firm requires no explanation. As one friend truly says, "This well and appropriately worded card is one to stop and think over and many a busy man will do so."


COMMITTEES ON MEMORIALS

53

New York, May 10, 1905. " It is with great sorrow that I announce to you the death of my friend and business associate for over thirty years, Mr. Wilson Macy, which occurred after a short illness early this morning at his residence in this city.•• JORN A. GIFFORD. Mr. Macy was one of the charter members of the Nan­ tucket Historical Association, organized in 1894. ln the work of this society, as in everything pertaining to his loved island, Mr. Macy took the greatest interest. He was made Vice-President in 1897, an office which he held until his death.


COUNCIL COMMITTEES.

At the Annual Meeting of the Council held on the after­ noon of July 19th the following committees were chosen : FINANCE,

HENRY S. WYER, MILLARD F. FREEBORN, HENRY PADDOCK. MILL,

CHARLES C. CROSBY, DR. BE JAMIN SHARP, MRS. JANE C. PERRY. PUBLICATION,

MISS SUSAN E. BROCK, DR. SHARP, MISS ELIZA­ BETH S. RIDDELL. BUILDING,

MISS BROCK, MR. CROSBY, HENRY P. BROW ANNUAL MEETING,

MRS. ELIZABETH C. BENNETT, MISS AN A B FOLGER, DR. SHARP, MISS MARY L. MYRICK, MRS. JUDITH G. FISH. NEW WORK,

ALEXANDER STARBUCK, MISS BROCK, MISS ALICE G. BEEBE, MISS FLORENCE M BENNETT, MISS HELEN B. WORTH.


LIST OF MEMBERS (CORRECTED TO SEPT. I, 1905)

Mrs. Mary A. Albertson, 3940 Brown St., Philadelphia, Pa. Miss Rachel Austin, 85 Congdon St., Providence, R. I. Capt. Seth M. Ackley Navy Dept., Washington, D. C. Mrs. Deborah C. Adams, Wellesley Hills, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. James W. Adams, 107 Clinton Ave., Newark, N. J. Mrs. Letitia Macy Adams, 2785 Morris Ave., Bedford Park, N. Y. City. Mr. and Mrs. C. Warren Austin, Nantucket. Mrs. William M. Austin, Nantucket. Mrs. James Alden, Nantucket. Geoffrey Charlton Adams, 608 Flat Iron Building, New York City.

B Mrs. Joseph S. Barney, Nantucket. Miss Annie W. Bodfish, Nantucket. Captain George H. Brock, Nantucket. Mrs. George H. Brock, Nantucket. Miss Susan E. Brock, Nantucket. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Bennett, Nantucket. Miss Florence M. Bennett, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Brock, Nantucket. Miss Harriet S. Bennett, 352 Carlton Ave., Brooklyn. Col. George M. Brayton, Clifton Springs, N. Y. Mrs. Joseph H. Belcher, 298 Dudley St., Providence, R. I. Alexander P. Browne, 31 State St., Boston. Alfred Bunker, 25 Juniper St., Roxbury. Mrs. Elizabeth G. M. Barney, Nantucket. Thurlow W. Barnes, 253 Broadway, New York City. Joseph C. Brock, Nantucket. Captain James F. Brown, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin A. Barney, Menlo Park, Cal., San Mateo Co. Job Barnard, U.S. Court House, Washington, D. C. Mrs. John M. Bovey, The Ansonia, New York City. Charles C. Barrett, 176 Randolph St., Chicago, Ill. Maria L. Booth, Care of A. W. Booth & Bro., Bayonne, N. J. John W. Barrett, Care of James E. Ward & Co., New York City.


LIST OF MEMBERS

Mrs. Charles W. Brooks, Nantucket. Mrs. Mary W. Babcock, Montclair, N. J. Alanson S. Barney, Care of Scheiffelin & Co., New York City. Hon. William M. Bunker, San Francisco, Cal. Mrs. Sarah G. Hensuson, 159 Madison Ave., New York City. Mrs. William Barnes, 229 State St., Albany, N. Y. Mrs. Marianna S. Barnard, 129 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Miss Marian J. Barnard 129 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y Frank R. Barnard, 129 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. Amy A. Benton, 177 Kensington St., Cleveland, Ohio. Mi�s Alice G. Beebe, Wellesley, Mass. Mrs. R. A. Babbage, 244 West IOI st St., New York City. Miss Maud Babbage, 244 West 101st St., New York City. Prof. Charles Barnard, 139 East 39th St., New York City. Mrs. Harry R. Brayton. Mrs. William Boone, 327 Central Park West, New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Percy A. Bridgham, 29 Court St., Boston, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. William Barnes, Sr., State St., Albany, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. William Bunker, No. 1 Broadway, New York City. Miss Phebe W. Bunker, Nantucket. Miss Julia D. Brown, 35 West I3oth St., New York City. Henry P. Brown, Nantucket. Dr. Anne Blossom, Siasconset, Mass. Lauriston Bunker, Nantucket. Miss Elizabeth M. Blackburn, 108 Thornton St., Roxbury, Mass. Barker Burnell, San Diego, Cal. Mrs. Henry Brown, Orange St., Nantucket. Dr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Burrill, 22 Newbury St., Boston. William M. Barrett, Equitable Building, New York City, Post Office Box 300. Mrs. Adelaide T. Bryant, 214th St. and Bolton Road, New York City.

C Allen Coffin, Nantucket. Miss Sarah A. Catlin, Warsaw, Indiana. Miss Elizabeth R. Coffin, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Chase, 74 Devonshire St., Boston. Charles C. Crosby, Nantucket. Miss Mary E. Crosby, Nantucket. Miss Eva Channing, Exeter Chambers, Boston, :Mass. Mrs. Delia Upham Chapman, 622 Tremont St., Boston, Mass.


LIST OF MEMBERS

57

Elisha P. Coleman, 1 Potter Park, Cambridge, Mass. Miss Winnifred S. Chase, Nantucket, Mass. Tristram Coffin, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Dr. Ellenwood B. Coleman, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Chase, -4851 Kenwood Ave., Chicago. Mrs. Henry A. Chisholm, 2025 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Llewellyn Crowell, Nantucket. Mrs. A. M. Callender, 42 Pine St., New York City. Mrs. Morris Conable, Monrovia, Los Angeles Co., California, Box 4o6. Miss Harriet A. Chase, 1700 Locust St., Philadelphia, Pa. Col. H. 0. Clark, East Orange, N. J. Miss Emma Cook, Nantucket. Mrs. Mary J. Cobb, Nantucket. Philip Camphell, Kansas City, Mo. Miss Harriet M. Coffin, 104 Johnson St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Miss Emma Coleman, Nantuckd, Mass. William F. Codd, Nantucket, Mass. James H. Cary, 152 Friendship St., Providence, R. I. Bracey Curtis, Nantuckct.

D Rev. and Mrs. Myron S. Dudley, Portsmouth, N. H Capt. and Mrs. Charles B. Dahlgren, Trenton, N. J. Harrison G. 0. Dunham, 66 1-2 Pine St., New York City. Miss Harriet K. Dunham, 39 Fifth St., New Bedford. Miss Margaret E. Dodd, Norfolk House, Roxbury, Mass. Mrs. Thaddeus C. Defriez, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Dibble, 275 No. Fulton Ave., Mt. Vernon, N. Y Mrs. Mary Ewer Denham, Nantucket. Miss Hannah W. DeMilt, 72 West Eighty-seventh St., New York City. Mr. Horace Dodd, Norfolk House, Roxbury, Mass. Mrs. Henry R. Durfee, Palmyra, N. Y. Rev. Edward Day, Nantucket.

E Richard G. .Elkins, 40 State St., Boston. Mrs. Benj. C. Easton, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. B. Edwards, 539 Cass Avenue, Detroit. Paulina Echeverria, 56 East 93d St., New York City. Horace Easton, Atlantic Mutual Ins. Co., New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Irving Elting, Nantucket and Poughkeepsie.


LIST OF MEMBERS

Miss Harriet A Elkins, Nantucket. Miss Harriet R. Easton, Nantucket. John Tracey Edson, 66 West 49th St., New York City. Miss Sarah F. Earle, Worcester, Mass.

F Mr. and Mrs. George G. Fish, Nantucket. Miss Lydia M. Folger, Nantucket. Miss Sarah Joy Folger, Nantucket. Miss Gulielma Folger, Nantucket. Miss Anna Barker Folger, Nantucket. Mrs. Rebecca M. Farnum, Franklin, Mass. Millard F. Freeborn, Nantucket, Mass. Miss Ellen Frothingham, 9 Exeter St., Boston, Ma�s. Mrs. Emily Shaw Forman, Wellesley Hills, Mass. Frederick V. Fuller, West Medford, Mass. Miss Caroline L. W. French, Boston, Mass. Mrs. Seth W. Fowle, 90 Cranford .St., Roxbury, Mass. Miss Madeleine Fish, Hotel Greenleaf, Quincy, Mass. Herbert Folger, 214 Sansome St., San Francisco, Cal. Edward A. Fay, Kendall Green, Washington, D. C. Eben W. Francis, Nantucket. Franklin Folger, Nantucket. John B. Folger, 113 Park St., Medford, Mass. Miss Annie A. Folger, 113 Park St., Medford, Mass.

C

Rev. Walter R. Gardner, D. D., Algoma, Wis. Kewaunee Co. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Gardner, Nantucket. Miss Grace Gardner, New Bedford, Mass. Mrs. Wm. B. Gurley, 1401 Sixteenth St., Washington, D. C. Miss Charlotte Gardner, Nantucket. Mrs. Elizabeth F. Goodsell, 938 President St., Brooklyn, N. Y. G. S. Griscom, Pittsburgh, Pa. Mrs. G. S. Griscom, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edward W. Gardner, 97 High St., Passaic, N. J. F. B. Gummere, Haverford, Pa. Miss Helen A. Gardner, 2 Cleveland St., Roxbury, Mass. Miss Lucretia M. Gardner, 2 Cleveland St., Roxbury, Mass. Edward P. Greene, 236 Cumberland St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Donald Grey, Boston, Mass.


LIST OF MEMBERS

Mrs. Sarah D. Gardner, 83 Arundel St., Roslindale, Mass. Mrs. Elizabeth F. Glen, 62 Seventy-first St., New York City.

H

Mrs. John H. Hutaff, 321 West 79th St., New York City. Mrs. Annie E. Hodge, Nantucket. Rev. Phebe A. Hannaford, 230 West 95th St., New York City. Mrs. Adeline J. Holbrook, 222 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, Mass. Miss Bertha Hazard, 18 Center St., Roxbury, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Hussey, Nantucket. Mrs. Lydia S. Hincl>man, 3635 Chestnut St., Phi!adelphia, Pa. Mrs. Marcellus Hartley, 232 Madison St., New York City. Mrs. Andrt!w G. Hussey, 3616 Washington St., Kansas City, Mo. Eliot B. Hussey, Waldeck Road, East Milton, Mass. Peter B. Hayt, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Beulah M. Hacker, 2312 Locust St., Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Moreson Hutchinson, Englewood, N. J. Charles W. House, 84-86 Read St., New York City. Mrs. Geo. C. Hollister, 6 Granger Place, Rochester, N. Y. Miss Martha Hussey, 303 East Ave., Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. 0. W. Humes, Nantuc)<et.

I

E. S. Isom, 177 Kensington St., Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Lucy A. Ivey, 63 Ilotolph St., Melrose Highlands, Mass.

J

Mrs. Stanley E. Johnson. Moses Joy, 42 Division St., New Haven, Conn. Mrs. B. F. Janes, 2192 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge, Mass.

K

Robert B. King, Nantucket. Miss Gertrude M. King, Nantucket. Charlc5 E. Kelly, 1926 Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Geo. Kempton, Sharon, Mass. Mrs. Wm. L. Kelley, .n8 County St., New Iledfo1·d, Mass. Harold C. Kimball, 13 Argyle St., Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. Laura Kimball, 13 Argyle St., Rochester, N. Y.

L

Josiah Coffin Long, 148 E. 20th St., New York City. Miss Sarah E. Lovell, 34 Akron St., Roxbury, Mass. . Mr5. Isabel Macy Lehmair, 132 Nassau St., New York C!ly. Y. N. Mrs. Mary G. Luther, 886 Carroll St., Brooklyn,

59


60

LIST OF MEMBERS

Miss Phebe A. Luther, 886 Carroll St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Miss Mary G. Luther, 886 Carroll St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Geo. M. Luther, 886 Carroll St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Hon. A. B. 0Lamberton, 303 East Ave., Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. Sarah G. Lathrop, Sharon, Mass. Mrs. Susan B. Lowden, New Bedford, Mass. Miss Mary L. Myrick, Nantucket. Augustus Macy, 66 1-2 Pine St., Ntw York City. Miss LydiaH. Macy, 66 1-2 Pine St., New York City. Miss Mary E. Macy, 66 1-2 Pine St., New York City. Mrs. Eliza Mildram. Nelson Macy, 23 N. Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Judith Mitchell, Nantucket. Miss Carrie A. Middlebrook, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. S. Macy, Reynolds Terrace, Orange, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Mackey, 304 Bay State Road, Boston, Mass. Mrs. Susan R. Mitchell, Nantucket. Miss Madeleine Mixter, 241 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass. Mrs. Sidney Mitchell, 2954 Prairie Ave., Chicago, Ill. John W. Macy, The Warren, Roxbury, Mass. Mrs. Charlotte E. Morrissey, Nantucket. Mrs. Samuel Mattocks, Lyndon, Vt. Miss Emily B. Mitchell, 405 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Miss Elizabeth E. Macy, Nantucket. William F. Macy, 82 Devonshire St., Boston, Mass. Miss Helen Marshall, 71 William St., Norwich, Conn. ' Cromwell G. Macy, 261 Broadway, New York City. Cromwell G. Macy, Jr., 261 Broadway, New York City. Edwin D. Mead, 20 Beacon St., Boston, Mass. Almon T. Mowrey, Nantucket. Mrs. Eleanor W. Morgan, Nantucket. Miss Rosamond L. Mitchell, 3 Home St., Worcester, Mass.

N Mrs. Harriet C. B. Nicholson, 27 G. St., South Boston, Mass.

0

Mrs. V. L. Owen, Springfield, Mass. Mr. Henry Paddack, Nantucket. Timothy C. Pitman, Nantucket. Dr. :Renj. F. Pitman, Nantucket.

p


LIST OF MEMBERS

61

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Phinney, 27 Congress St., Boston. Mrs. Jane C. Perry, Nantucket. Mr. Edgar J. Phillips, Tribune Building, New York City.

R

Miss Elizabeth S. Riddell, Nantucket. Mrs. Sarah C. Raymond, 42, Division St., New Haven, Conn. Rev. Walter H. Rollins, Newtonville, Mass. Dr. George D. Richmond, Nantucket. Mr. John H. Robinson, 1932 First St., Washington, D. C.

s

Miss Susan A. Starbuck, Nantucket. Mr. Sidney Starbuck, Astoria, Oregon. Miss Mary E. Starbuck, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Starbuck, Santa Barbara, Cal. Mr. John Austin Starbuck, Santa Barbara, Cal. Mr. Horace Starbuck, Nantucket. Mrs. Maria T. Swain, Nantucket. Mrs. Hannah B. Sharp, Nantucket. Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Sharp, Nantucket. Miss Sarah B. Swain, Nantucket. Mrs. Lilian C. Streeter, 234 Main St., Concord, N. H. Miss Hannah G. Sheffield, Nantucket. Miss Anna G. Swain, Nantucket. Mrs. John Simonds, Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Small, Nantucket. Mr. Alexander Starbuck, Waltham, Mass. Mrs. Mary P. Smith, Nantucket. Edward A. Swain, 100 William St., New York City. William H. Swift Esq., Portland Block, Chicago, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Swain, 81 St. James Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. Miss Ella F. Sylvia, Nantucket. Mr. Charles W. Sawtelle, Sharon, Mass. Mrs. Mary S. Stran, 83d St. and Broadway, New York City. Miss Mary Abby Starbuck, 303 East Avenue, Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. Albert D. Smith, Center St., Orange, N. J. Mr. J. H. Smith, Bessemer City, North Carolina. Mrs. Jessie M. Smith, 120 Riverside Drive, New York City. Miss Caroline E. Swift, 30 Woburn St., Medford, Mass., Miss Anne C. Swift, 30 Woburn St., Medford, Mass. Mrs. Ellen S. Swain, 144 Clinton St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Samuel B. Sweet, Gen. Freight Agent, Lake Erie and Western R. R., Indianapolis, Ind.


62

LIST OF MEMBERS

Mr. Alfred E. Smith, Nantucket. Miss Ida A. Shaw, 25 West 58th St., New York City. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Searing, Kingston, N. Y. Mrs. Alden Sampson, Haverford, Penn.

T

Mrs. Mary G. Tallant, Smith College, Northampton, Mass., Morns House. Mr. John P. Treadwell, 864 Beacon St., P. 0. Box 3354, Boston, Mass. Mrs. Mary A. Torrey, 23 Winthrop St., Boston Highlands, Mass. Mr. Edward G. Thomas, Nantucket. Miss Minnie Townsend, Nantucket.

V

Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Upham, Exeter Chambers, Boston, Mass. Miss Florette Upham, Nantucket. Mrs. Alice H. Upton, Milton, Mass. Mr. Henry S. Wyer, Nantucket. Mrs. Henry S. Wyer, Nantucket. Miss Mary C. Wyer, Nantucket. Miss Mary S. Whippey, Center St., Nantucket. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Worth, 314 Cumberland St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Miss Mary Worth, 314 Cumberland St,, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Frederick Worth Jr., 314 Cumberland St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Miss Emily Weeks, 252 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass Prof. Burt G. Wilder, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. Mr. William H. Wyer, Nantucket. Mrs. Sarah G. Whittemore, Nantucket. Miss Helen B. W. Worth, Nantucket. l\Irs. Annie Spenser Wait, Nantucket. Mr. Henry B. ,vorth, New Bedford, Mass Prof. William Watson, 107 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass. Mrs. Caroline Earle White, 2024 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa Mr. Henry Augustus Willard, 1333 K St., \Vashington, D. C. Mrs. Horace Williams, 10 Rockland St., Roxhury, Mass. Mrs. Sarah M. Wing, Hotel Colonial, Nassau, N. P. Bahamas. Miss Nannie R. Wood, Nantucket. Mr. William S. Walsh, Yonkers, N. Y. Mrs. Elias�- White_, 700 West End Trust Building, Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. J. Mortimer Whitford, 125 East 50th St., New York City. Mrs. Amelia B. White, 1087 Madison St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. James Chase Wallace, American Shio - Building Company' Cleveland, Ohio.


Publications of Nantucket Historical Association Quakerism on Nantucket since 1800, by Henry Barnard Worth. Vol. 1, No. 1, 1896. Timothy White Papers, by Rev. Myron Samuel Dudley. Vol. 1, No. 2, 1898. Nantucket Lands and Land Owners, by Henry Barnard Part 1, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1 901. Worth. The Settlers, thc.ir Homes and Government (Map) by Henry Barnard Worth. Part 2, Vol. 2, No. 2, 1902. The Indians of Nantucket, by Henry Barnard Worth. Part 3, Vol. 2, No. 3, 1902. Nantucket Lands and Land Owners, by Henry Barnard Worth. Part 4, Vol. 2, No. 4, in preparation. A Century of Free Masonry on Nantucket, by Alexande r Vol. 3, No. 1. Starbuck. PRICE 25 CENTS EACH.

Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association. July 25th, 1898. Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association. July 19th, 1899 (Out of print.) Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association. July 19th, 1900. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association. July 24th, 1901. Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association. July 15th, 1902. Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association. July 21st, 1903. Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association July21st, 1904. Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association, Constitution and list of Members. July 18th, 1905. PRICE 5 CENTS EACH. Above will be forwarded, postpaid, upon Application to Miss Susan E. Brock, Curator, Nantucket, Mass.





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