THE BEING A COMPENDIOUS ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND BY THE ENGLISH, TOGETHER WITH THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE WHALE FISHERY; AND OTHER HISTORICAL FACTS RELATIVE TO SAID IN TWO PARTS. BY OBED MACY. WITH A CONCISE STATEMENT OF PROMINENT EVENTS FROM 1835 TO 1880, BY WILLIAM C. MACY. "We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God." SECOND EDITION. MANSFIELD: MACY & PRATT. 1880. 1153 .388 .61 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, by In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. THOS. S. PRATT, Printer, Mansfield, Mass. PREFACE. It has long been a subject of surprise to the author, that no person has written a history of Nantucket. Such a work, commencing with the settlement of the island by the English, and continued to the present day, could not fail of containing much both of interest and instruction. There are few places of equal magnitude, the annals of which would afford matters for a more valuable volume. The occasion which drew some of the first families to settle at Nantucket, was that of avoiding the rigors of the law against the people called Quakers. To enjoy the exercise of the rites of hospitality and of religious freedom, they were willing to leave their homes, their friends and connections, to sacrifice their property, and to settle in a place inhabited by some thousands of savages, from whom, in case of assault, no retreat could be made. Driven from civilized society for no crime, but for their virtues rather, they took refuge in a land of barbarians; and, without vessels for flight, or arms for defence, they erected their altars and traced their furrows with all that confidence and fearlessness, which is inspired by unwavering trust in the blessing of heaven. They committed themselves to the guidance of divine power, believing that, under His influence, they would succeed in their undertaking. They did succeed; and so rapidly and so peaceably, that, in a few years, they found themselves in possession of the whole island, while neither record nor tradition affords a single instance of hostility between them and their savage neighbors. The Whale Fishery will be found a leading topic in the following pages, and, it is presumed, one of the most interesting parts of this history. Reflecting at how early a period this business was commenced after the island was settled, the speedy acquisition of knowledge, as to the best mode of carrying it on, and the success in its progress are considerations which must strike the reader with astonishment. The sight of whales playing near the shores led the inhabitants to contemplate the advantages which would arise, could they become possessed of the proper means of taking them. These means |