The History of Nantucket

CONTENTS.

PART FIRST.

CHAPTER I.

Discovery of the Island of Nantucket-Purchase of the Island
by Thomas Mayhew-Its sale to Tristram Coffin, and others-
Sachem-deed to Thomas Mayhew, Tristram Coffin, and others--
Geographical description of the Island-Soil and Productions.

CHAPTER II.

Settlement of the Island by the English-Biography of Thomas
Macy, the first settler-His removal to Nantucket, accompanied
by Edward Starbuck-Number of Natives, and their means of
subsistence-Edward Starbuck returns to Salisbury; and
thence proceeds again to Nantucket-Extracts from the Salis-
bury records-Removal of the first purchasers from Salisbury
to Nantucket-Treatment of the Indians-Esquire Kadooda-
Mode of improving the land, and keeping sheep-Divisions
of land from 1659 to 1822-Peter Folger-Early customs of
the settlers-Indian war previous to the settlement by the Eng-
lish-Indian mode of Fishing-- First whale killed--James
Lopar's engagement to carry on the whale fishery-John
Savage employed as cooper-Ichabod Paddock employed to
instruct the inhabitants in the best mode of killing whales and
extracting their oil-Indians employed in the whaling boats-
Cod Fishery-Method of saving whales; and how they were
descried from the shore-Spermaceti whale found on the
shore-Prophecy at the Folly Hill House-Choice of a site
for the town-The Island included within the lines of the

Province of Massachusetts-First spermaceti whale killed—
Vessels began to whale "out in the deep "-First wharf-
Encouraging prospects-Whaling to the "southward” and
near the Grand Bank.

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CHAPTER III.

Religion of the early inhabitants-Their social intercourse-
Zaccheus Macy—King Philip's visit to the Island—Habits of
the Indians-Their religious societies--Indian sickness—
Their final extinction-Threatened insurrection-Court of
inquiry into the legality of the purchases of land.

CHAPTER IV.

Increase of the whale fishery-Exportation of oil to London-
Loss of several vessels-Vessels sent to Davis' Straits-En-
couragement to carry on the whale fishery in England-Places
visited by whalers before the Revolutionary War-Importa-
tions of oil between the years 1762 and 1772-Prices of oil in
England between 1742 and 1753-Removals from the Island-
Social intercourse-Method of adjusting difficulties-Origin
of the Society of Friends on Nantucket-Visits of Friends
to the Island--Thomas Chalkley--Thomas Story—-John
Griffith-Longevity of the Inhabitants-Diseases-Small Pox
-Inoculation-Executions of criminals-Author's views of
capital punishments.

CHAPTER V.

Progress of the whale fishery-First manufactory of sperm can-
dles in America in Nantucket-Cod Fishery--Jefferson's
statement of the whale fishery in Massachusetts from 1771 to
1775- Anticipations of war-Petition of the Friends in Eng-
land, in behalf of Nantucket-Census between 1719 and 1830
-Views on war-Value of certain articles in 1712, and sev-
eral succeeding years-Value of certain articles in 1774-
Precautions for the security of property in case of war-
Sensations produced by accounts of the battle of Lexington-
Cessation of the whaling business-Employment of the inhab-
itants-Saltworks-West India trade commenced-Commu-
nication with the continent by boats-Prison-ships-Distress
for bread and fuel-Valuation for 1778-Plunder by the Refu-

gees-Committee sent to the British to ask relief-Sir John
Collier's answer-Threatened attack on the town; by what
means averted-Policy of the people in relation to self-de-
fence-Taxes.

CHAPTER VI.

Sufferings during the hard winter of 1780—Expedients to pro-
cure fuel-Scarcity of food-Clothing-Swamps laid out for
digging peat-Petition to the British commander-in-chief for
certain indulgences-Another petition-Permits granted by
the British commander, to carry on the whale fishery-Vessels
under permits taken and released--Continental money—
PEACE-Tonnage captured during the war.

CHAPTER VII.

Preparations for recommencing the whaling business-Valuation
of 1784—Prices of oil, provisions, and real estate--Light-houses
on Great Point, and Brant Point-Cod fishing commenced and
abandoned-Discouragements to the whale fishery—Petition
to the Legislature for relief-Bounty granted on oil-Its ill
effects-Removals to Halifax-Voyages extended—Act of the
Legislature requiring the oath of allegiance to be taken by
certain town officers-Petition for relief from that act-In-
creased consumption of oil-Colored persons engaged in the
service-Effects of the war on the habits of the people-Pros-
pect of a market for oil in France-Sealing voyages-First
whaling voyage from Nantucket to the Pacific-Difficulties
arising from the European war-Nantucket Bank incorporated
-Bank robbery-Name of the town changed-Consequences
of war to Nantucket-Voyage to the East Indies-Burning of
two barns-French spoliations-Ships detained at St. Mary's
—Whales killed near the island and brought into the harbor-
Academy incorporated. .

CHAPTER VIII.

Nantucket Bar-Increased consumption of oil and candles—
Pacific Bank and two insurance offices incorporated-Ships
detained by the Spaniards--Embarrassments--Encouragements
—Embargo—Anticipations of war-Removals-Embargo of
1812-Memorial to Congress-War-Plans to secure a contin-

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uance of the whale fishery-Removals-Number of vessels
belonging to the island-British cruisers-Scarcity of provis-
ions-Distress-Distrust of the banks-Petition to the Presi-
dent of the United States-Farming.

CHAPTER IX.

Inoculation-Mail Packet taken by the enemy-Whaling sloop
taken on the shoals, and afterwards lost-Direct tax-Petition
of the town to Congress-Anxiety for the arrival of whale
ships-Effects of the Embargo of 1813-The Island invested
with British cruisers-Remarks on privateering-Selectmen
authorized to import provisions-Gale-Depredations commit-
ted by a small privateer, and a tender of a British frigate-
Lights discontinued and buoys removed-Deputation to the
British naval commander-in-chief-Their instructions-Pri-
vate deputation-Visit of the Brig Nimrod to Nantucket--
Negotiations for Neutrality-Town Meeting and its resolu-
tions on the occasion-Stipulation of Neutrality-Passports to
vessels to bring provisions, &c.-Return of the town's deputa-
tion and their report-Town Meeting-Petition to Cogress for
exemption from direct taxes and internal duties-Letter to
Commodore Hotham-His reply-Resolutions of the town-
Battle between the Privateer Neufchatel and the barges of the
Endymion Frigate.

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CHAPTER X.

PEACE-Preparations for business-Taxes--Ships leave on whale
voyages-Newspaper established-Distress in 1817 and mea-
sures for relief-Prospects more cheering-Other places em-
bark in the whale fishery-Census of 1810-Vessels and ton-
nage in 1821-Concluding remarks.

PART SECOND.

208

Captain Benjamin Worth and Washington Gardner's whaling
service.

220

Description of the outfits of a whale ship and the manner of
killing whales, &c.

221

Description of the right-whale.

229

Progress of the whale fishery at Nantucket.
Produce of the whale fishery from 1804 to 1834.

Loss of a sloop and schooner.

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