Tisbury Town (part 2 of 5)

'A contemporary thus characterizes the preacher:-" The Methodist Minister that is now occupieci here is Mr. Louis Janson, an Englishman by birtli, young, say 27 or 28, active, possessed of some natural talent, but not a very thorough education and his sermons are mostly addressed to the passions of his hearers, without being very instructive and this is true of most of the preachers of that denomination, that I have heard. There has been, however, a good deal of religious excitement under his preaching and a number give good evidence of having met with a saving change and have united with the class, which I understand to be a state of probation for six months previous to joining the church, during which time if they walk orderly, they are afterward admitted, but if not, rejected." (Diary of Leroy M. Yale, M. D., January 6, 1833.) During Mr. Janson's term the Seamen's Prayermeeting was inaugurated, and for twenty-five years it continued its meetings on the first Thursday of every month. They were non-sectarian, and sailors at sea who had attended it were expected to remember the time and hold like services wherever they might be. Mr. Janson in 1836 became an Episcopal clergyman.

Succession Of Pastors

Mark Staple, 1833-5; Aaron Josselyn, 1835-6; Joseph B. Brown, 1836-7;^ Abram Holloway, 1837-8; Mark Staple (second time), 1838-9; Onesiphorous Robbins, 1839-41;^ Henry H. Smith, 1841-2;^ J. G. Goodrich, 1842-4; Nathan Paine, 1844-5; ^^^ A. B. Wheeler, 1845-7. During the terms of these ministers the society prospered greatly in numbers, and increased its influence in the community.

Second Methodist Meeting-House

As a result of the growth of the membership, the old building which had been in use but twelve years was found to be too small to accommodate the congregation, and the building of a new house of worship was determined upon by the society. A lot of land opposite the existing meeting-house, on the northeast corner of William and Church streets was donated by Captain William Daggett, and a larger and more pretentious structure built thereon and dedicated Nov. 13, 1845, with appropriate ceremonies. This new house had cost $6,500, and was surmounted by a tower which now carries a clock. A pipe organ, costing $1,200, was installed in 1865, to replace a small instrument worked by hand. The building has had a few additions and trivial changes inside and out and remains today substantially as originally designed.

The Congregational Church

The first meetings of a religious society organized under the Congregationalist denomination were held about 1825, in the small one story building, occupied for a long time after as an undertaker's establishment, and since 1903 by Sea Coast Defence Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The building was then used as a school during week days, and on Sunday for religious purposes. This school-house for years after was known as the "Chapel." It had a small cupola, within which was suspended a triangle that called the people to worship, and the scholars to struggle with the rudimentary R's. It continued to do this double duty until 1844, when members of the society felt that they should outgrow its temporary shell, and build a larger edifice devoted exclusively to their uses.

Nathan Mayhew, the school-teacher, was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Congregational church, and became one of its Deacons.^

Another associate with the late Deacon Mayhew was Dr. Leroy M. Yale, and from his diary the following notes of the beginning of this society are taken : -

In 1844, after much deliberation, Mr. James L. Barrows, Nathan Mayhew and myself formed the design of organizing a Congregational Church in this place and we obtained the services of Rev. Wm. Gould of Fairhaven who commenced preaching in a small school house and after a few weeks, a small church of ten members was organized, which was soon increased by the addition of five or six more.

Having thus made a beginning and not having a suitable house for worship, we determined on building a meeting house and in the course of that season erected one at a cost of nearly five thousand dollars, in which we have since held our meetings having settled as our first minister Rev. Samuel S. Tappan, who is still with us. This step, viz, the organization of the church and building of the meeting house has called out the most violent opposition by the Baptists and Methodists, so much so that they, or individuals of the Baptist society have advanced money to the amount of 3 or 4 hundred dollars to set up a physician in opposition to me and the Methodists have built them a new house, which they did not previously design.^

Rev. Mr. Tappan remained until 1849, ^^^ was succeeded by William Fyvie, who remained one year (1850) only. The next and last settled minister was William H. Sturtevant, who held the pastorate until 1859, when he accepted a call to the West Tisbury church and the society gradually dissolved. The church building was occupied by the Universalists, and they were in turn followed by the Unitarians, but it was abandoned for church worship about 1866, and used for secular purposes as a public hall, and by the town for a town hall. It is now known as Association hall, from its former ownership by a number of shareholders. It now contains the town offices and fire apparatus.

Unitarian Church

Seamen's Chapel. - In 1867 Rev. Daniel Waldo Stevens was sent to Homes Hole by the American Unitarian Association as a missionary. He was a Harvard graduate, class of 1846, of the Divinity school in 1848, and from 1850 to 1862 was settled in Mansfield, Mass. For a number of years he had been doing unattached mission work for the association, and when he came to Homes Hole he saw an opportunity to serve the multitudes of seafaring men who came annually into the harbor as a port of call. A man of strong intellect, unconventional in his methods, and full of enthusiasm, he soon had established a chapel and reading room for sailors, on a commanding bluff midway to the head of the harbor. Through the aid of friends and the support of this denomination, he maintained a unique establishment where he dwelt and ministered to "Jack" at all times for nearly twenty-four years. In this way he was quite as well known to mariners on the coast as the famous "Father" Taylor, who had in earlier years carried on the same work at this place. His rooms were a veritable museum of curios, interesting and valuable, for he was a collector of historical and natural relics and knew their worth, and a splendid collection of stone implements made by the aborigines, was one of the important portions of this treasure house.* The author recalls this venerable man in the last years of his ministry, when after acting as sexton and ringing his own bell on Sunday morning he would continue

'This collection of Indian implements was removed from the Vineyard by his son after the death of Dr. Stevens, and was placed on deposit with the Bristol, R. I. Historical Society. It is a matter of great regret that this unique collection was not donated to a local museum.

the service, somewhat short of breath from his exertion. He was at his beloved chapel until his last sickness put an end to his labors. He died Oct. i, 1891, aged 71 years, having been born Jan. 18, 1820, at Marlboro, Mass.* After his death the building passed into private hands, and has been remodeled into a summer residence.

Church of the Unity. - The residents who had attended Dr. Stevens' services for a considerable time desired to continue the skeleton organization that had existed in his day, but for a number of years the project of reviving his work languished. The matter was finally taken up by an association of Unitarians, called the Channing Conference. A neat building was erected by it on the West Chop road, on a picturesque knoll in the grove, in 1896, and in 1898 the ''Vineyard Haven Unitarian Society" was organized to maintain services therein. Since that date a regular ministerial supply has been had, beginning with W. C. Litchfield, 1898-1903; W. H. Johnson, 1905-07; 1. P. Quimby, 1907 (present incumbent). The meeting-house is generally known as the Stevens Memorial Chapel.

The Episcopal Church

On Dec. 25, 1862, the first public service of this church was held at Capawock Hall by the Rev. John West of New York, and as a result of the interest manifested, that clergyman was appointed missionary for Martha's Vineyard. Services were held for several years, but were discontinued owing to the ill health of Mr. West.

In the summer of 1866 services were held by the Rev. Benjamin Gifford, who baptized five persons. During the following winter services were held monthly by the Rev. Hiram Carleton of the Church of the Messiah at Woods Hole, with which parish this Mission had been incorporated. The removal or death of many of the communicants caused the services to be discontinued, except such as were held in private houses, as the membership was not large at this time. In this pioneer work the late Mrs. Ellen Louisa Richardson, who was one of the earliest members of the "Summer colony," was a conspicuous leader. She was a devout and devoted member of the church in another part of the state, and brought with her the zeal to carry on the mission work for her church in her adopted home. Services were again held in Association hall in the summer of 1881, by the Rev. Benjamin Gifford, the Rev. John J. Roberts, D.D. and the Rev. Arthur B. Conger. During the summer of 1882 services vi^ere held in Association hall by the Rev. Thos. G. Addison, D.D., the Rev. F. S. Harraden, the Rev. Samuel Edwards and the Rev. J. S. Beers. As a result of this renewed interest in the church a meeting was held July 17, 1882, and an Association formed for the purpose of raising money to build a chapel. Gen. Benjamin Alvord, U.S.A., was chosen Chairman; Col. Asa B. Carey U.S.A. and Laura, his wife, gave a lot of land, 50 x 100 feet, on Main street, opposite the Grove Hall house, on which to build the edifice. On Sept. 25, 1882, another meeting was held, at which articles of association and by-laws recommended by the Diocesan Convention of Massachusetts were adopted, and a permanent organization known as Grace Episcopal Church Congregation was formed. Dr. W. D. Stewart, U.S. Marine Hospital Service, was elected warden, Mr. Thos. H. Tuckerman was elected treasurer, and Miss Martha W. Daggett, secretary. It was announced by the treasurer that the sum of $1,000 had been subscribed. A building committee consisting of Dr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. T. H. Tuckerman, and Mr. H. W. McLellan was appointed.

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1882, the corner-stone of Grace Church was laid by the Rev. John J. Roberts, D.D., of New York. During its construction cottage services were held at the residence of Mr. Thos. Tuckerman, from Oct. i, 1882, to June 3, 1883, by Dr. R. A. Ottiwell, lay reader. The Church was opened for divine service June 3, 1883, and on Friday, June 15, the building was duly consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, D.D., Bishop of Massachusetts, assisted by the Revs. E. M. Gushee, B. R. Gifford, and John S. Beers. At this service a class of four persons was confirmed, and Holy Communion administered to fifty persons.

The records show that after this the following clergymen conducted the services in the next few years ; the' Rev. John J. Roberts, D.D., the Rev. H. H. Neales, the Rev. Jno. S. Beers, the Rev. Wm. S. Chase, the Rev. Jos. Dinsey, and in October, 1894, the Rev. Wm. Cleveland Hicks was appointed the first permanent resident clergyman in charge of the church. The Rev. Mr. Hicks resigned in September, 1898, to accept a call to St. Agnes' Church, New York. During the rectorate of Rev. Mr. Hicks the church building was moved from its original site on Main street to the corner of William and Woodlawn streets. The Rev. H. S. Habersham succeeded to the charge March, 1899, and served until September, 1900. The Rev. Harland H. Ryder was appointed to the charge in May, 1902, and resigned in January, 1904. Various clergymen and lay readers continued the services until Oct. i, 1906, when the Rev. Wm. Doane Manross was appointed to the charge, and is the present Rector. The whole island of Martha's Vineyard is now incorporated into one parish, and the rector of Grace Church, Vineyard Haven, has charge of all matters within the jurisdiction of the Episcopal church. The church building was remodeled in 1901 by the addition of transepts and lengthening the chancel end of the nave, making the whole of cruciform shape. The enlarged church was dedicated on the tenth Sunday after Trinity of that year by the Arch-Deacon of New Bedford, the Rev. Samuel G. Babcock, assisted by a former rector, Rev. WiUiam C. Hicks. There were seven memorial gifts, one of which, a beautiful chancel window by Tiffany, was the gift of the family of Ellen Louisa Richardson and George Morey Richardson. It is the finest piece of stained glass work on the Vineyard, and represents, in life size, the risen Christ, in white vestments, coming forth from a garden of green and tinted foliage, with raised hand and finger pointing upward, as bearing an Easter message to his flock. Soft blue sky and distant hills in faint atmospheric haze complete a picture of singular impressiveness. The bell, prayer desk and chancel chairs were presented by Judge and Mrs. William H. Arnoux, in memory of their deceased children. The altar cross of polished and ornamented brass is a memorial to Rev. Henry Huntley Neales. An oaken font, a replica of the ancient stone font in the church of St. John the Baptist, Tisbury, England, in which was baptized (1593) Governor Thomas Mayhew, was presented by the family of the author of this history as a memorial to a deceased relative, Mrs. Hester Nash Myers, a devoted communicant of the church. A representation of it may be seen in Vol. I, p. 116, of this work. The communion rail, of moulded oak and ornamental brass standards, is a memorial to Emily Norwood de Forest Hicks and Lucy Cleveland Hicks, and the altar, of beautiful Gothic construction with carved columns and traceried panels, is a memorial to Emma Sheldon Strahan. In addition to these memorials, two mural tablets adorn the walls, one to Gen. Benjamin Alvord, U.S.A., and the other to Surgeon W. D. Stewart, both identified with the early foundations of this parish.

The first record of the granting of a license for a tavern on the Vineyard is found under date of March 26, 1677-8, when Lieut. Isaac Chase of Homes Hole was granted a license to keep ''A Publike house." The following is the full record:

Isaack Chase of Holmses hole is admitted to keep a publike house of Entertainment & to sell liquor &c by Retail except to the Indians and this to continue for two years at ten shillings per annum.

This house, situated in Vineyard Haven, then Homes Hole, was the residence of the progenitor of the Chase family on the Vineyard. The location of it is not accurately known, but it was about fifty yards north of the old Company Place barn, near which, in early days was the ferry stage for the boats that plied between Falmouth and Tisbury. Following the custom of so many elsewhere. Landlord Chase combined the calling of an inn-keeper with that of a ferryman.

Thomas Chase, who succeeded his father, as eldest son, and in the course of time, Abraham Chase, who probably built the "Great House," were inn-keepers at Homes Hole. Thomas was the ferryman, following in his father's wake, and with his sloop "Vineyard" piloted travelers to his inn by the beach. At the same time, Thomac West was granted a license in 1722 to be an innholder at Homes Hole; his tavern was the house in which he lived near the Marine Hospital.

In 1722, Thomas Chase having deceased, his widow Jane was licensed the next year in succession to her deceased husband, and the energetic widow maintained the inn until her second marriage in 1724, to Thomas Cathcart. Thomas Cathcart died in 1732, and in his will calls himself an "innholder," which indicates that he continued the business until his decease. The widow Jane survived till 1750, and presumably maintained the inn, where we may surmise that the dispenser of spiritual comfort to her guests and general factotum was her mulatto servant, Ishmael.

The "Great House" was doubtless the tavern kept by Abraham Chase. Among the patrons of the house were the sailors who came into Homes Hole, storm-bound, to find good cheer while waiting for fair weather. One of this class found here a bride, the inn-keeper's daughter, Hannah. The happy "Jack Tar" was Captain John Ferguson of Kittery, Maine, and probably they were married in that house in 1742. Their son John became a captain when he came to manhood. The "Great House," remaining in the hands of Abraham Chase, passed to his widow, who, marrying again, with her husband, Thomas Winston, transferred it in 1777 to Elijah Smith, Senior, and the latter sold it in 1796 to his son, Elijah. It remained a public house, it is believed, under the last named owner.

Thus it will be seen that the business of tavern keeping on the Vineyard in early days descended in family succession. The former generations of travelers to the Vineyard were thus able to return to familiar hearths and the convenient taprooms of Chase's at Homes Hole and Sarson's (later Worth's) at Edgartown, with a feeling of homecoming.

It may be safely believed that' 'Chase's" was not the only tavern, for the business of tavern-keeping was not confined to one or two persons. Very few of the old houses in our village have not been at one time or another a "licensed inn," and the occupation of bum-boating, fishing, and keeping tavern were combined by many. It will only be feasible to speak of the more prominent.

Another "innholder" of Homes Hole was Ebenezer Allen, son of Ichabod of Chilmark, who had married Sarah Chase. In 1745 he was first licensed as "innholder" of the constablewick of Homes Hole, and this fact should be interesting, because Maria Allen, one of the three "liberty pole" heroines, was his daughter, and we may easily suppose that this dashing young girl was the moving spirit in the life of the tavern kept by her father. Its location is not definitely known, but it was undoubtedly on the land set off to his wife in the division of the Chase property.

In 1759 John Baxter kept an ordinary in this town. Its location is not known, and as he was not a property owner, he presumably hired a house of Jonathan Manter for the carrying on of his business. The only reference to it is found in the Boston News Letter, issue of May 5, 1762. It says: -

We hear from Marthas Vineyard that on the 29th of last month the house of IVIr John Baxter, Tavern keeper at Holmes' Hole, was consumed by fire with most of the household furniture and goods that was therein. It was occasioned by a defect in the Chimney. The whole was consumed in eight minutes.

The tavern kept by Joseph Claghorn (b. 1753, d. 1805), in the house now owned by Deacon Holmes Athearn, was a famous one in its day, and the sign of it is still in existence, covered with paintings of various sizes of receptacles for liquids. After viewing the wide choice of measures, the traveler would hardly need the invitation of "Walk In," which accompanied these pictorial representations of the kind of cheer dispensed there. The only problem that might arise in his mind, after investigating these generous tankards, would be whether he could walk out.^

This Claghorn Tavern is also interesting because at one time Polly Daggett Hillman, another of the "liberty pole" heroines, lived there. Joseph Claghorn followed in the foot-

*The author has been told that this sign was suspended 'from an iron arm swung from a tall pole, after the manner of tavern signs, and not from the house.

steps of his grandfather, Thomas, who was an innkeeper at Eastville. The Branscomb house on Beach street was an inn before 1800 to about 181 2, being the residence of a village factotum, Dr. Rufus Spaulding, who was doctor, postmaster, justice, village librarian, inn-keeper, and Master of the lodge of Masons. The adjoining lot was occupied by Jane, wife of Timothy Luce (1016), who also kept open house for w^ayfarers, a business that has been maintained for a century at the same place; the present Mansion house, our most pretentious modern hotel, rises over the cellar hole of the modest inn of Mistress Luce. It was later kept by Matthew Butler. Forty years ago "Porte Crayon," the famous artist of Harper's Magazine at that period, visited our island and thus speaks of the Mansion house, then kept by the late Mrs. Nickerson: "A civil porter" he says "takes charge of our baggage and conducts us to the house of entertainment, kept by Mrs. Captain Leander West, an old-fashioned country inn, and as full of comfort, tidiness and snugness as all the old fashioned places are supposed to be."

In the olden times it was customary for captains, supercargoes and passengers to come ashore and put up at the taverns, sometimes for weeks, while their vessels rode at anchor, wind-bound, in Homes Hole. Frequently these vessels carried persons who in later years became prominent, and it has been stated that Commodore John Paul Jones was a visitor to our haven under the above conditions, and was well remembered by '^A.unt Sally" Claghorn.

"Smith's Tavern" was first kept by Silas Daggett (1757- 1825), and afterwards by Captain David Smith (i 757-1818). The house lately owned by Dr. William Leach was a tavern

From The Dbs Barres Chart

Space will not allow of the particular enumeration of other and later taverns, the Dexter House on the beach, the Thomas Dunham house (where Joseph Chase follows the occupation of his ancestor as "mine host," nor of our latest creations, the Tashmoo Inn and The Cedars). The historian of the future must preserve their traditions.

Paths, Highways And Bridges

Beach Street. - This highway, usually called the ferry road, was the first to be officially laid out in February, 1763, and again in May, 1776, though it had been a town way since the beginning of that century. The ferry landing on Bass creek was at the foot of Beach street, and probably it was the first and only public street into the settlement at that time. The following record describes the way as laid out on the last named date : -

The Southmost Cart Way that runs from sd Gate to the Harbour: said way to be Forty feet from the Furthermost Rut of sd Cart Way untill it comes to a heap of Stones near the Cherry Trees that stand to the Eastward of Mr. Abraham Chases Barn, and from that to the Harbour or water, as the Road or way now Runs: and from that to the Crick where the ferry boat now Lyes at the Stage Forty feet wide from high water mark.^

In 1 801 this street was resurveyed, and it was determined at that time where the landing stage of the ferry was formerly situated. "Which place," the committee stated, "is North 54° East from the top of the Chimney of Jedidah Coffin's dwelling House, and N. seventy degrees East from the Top of the Chimney of Robert Cottle's dwelling house. "^

^Abraham Chase was given liberty to set up a gate across said way, "near where the Try House stood formerly, if he see cause." He was awarded two pounds damages. (Dukes Co. Court Records, May term, 1776.)

*Ibid., April term, 1801. These chimneys are yet standing, the Coffin house being now known as the Cromwell house, and the one next west (Crowell) was the West- Cottle house.

Main Street. - As the settlement grew northward a way was made by carts parallel to the shore. It was the usual ''path" blocked by gates and bars at each cross fence, while at the junction with Beach street the Great Gate, so called, was erected, which shut off the entire Neck. This way was laid out in October, 1798, and the official record of its course is as follows : -

Beginning at North side of the Old Highway that leads from the Head of Homes Hole Harbor to the town of Tisbury the East Corner Post of Peter Butlers frunt Inclosure and from thence North 25 Degrees East till it comes to the Divisional Line between the Meeting House Lot thence North 10 Degrees East to the East corner of Silas Daggett's frunt yard and to continue northerly by said Daggett yard to the North Corner

The above described line thus far to be the Westerly Bounds of said Road, and from said Line to take its breadth Easterly full twenty-seven feet in all its parts and windings.

And from the last described stake and stones to pass over said road Eastward to another stake and stones standing at Right Angles and twentyseven feet Distant which is the easterly bounds of said Road, and from thence to continue Northerly as the Old Cart Way now goes, and parallel thereto, and three feet to the Eastward of the Eastermost Cart Rut, until it comes upon the land of John Holmes to a large crotched black oak to the Northward of where the Path that leads to the house of the sd Holmes turns out of the sd Cart way and then from said black oak tree to continue on the same course on a straight hne to a stake standing on the Beach at the Hollow (so called) and so to the Water or Harbor and to continue Northerly by the Harbor till it meets with the Head of the Point Pond (so called) and southerly till it comes to the foot of the Upland and to be in Breadth forty foot in all parts.*

No changes have been made in this layout since that date, but in 18 18 there was a petition to the Court from the property holders for permission "to maintain a Gate across the County highway that leads from the head of Homes Hole harbour towards the West Chop . . . . .in the lands of the late Timothy Chase at or near the house of John Cleveland." This was granted and maintained for many years. It was not till 1889 that the road from the Slough to the Lighthouse was cleared and graded, its width marked and. the surface dressed with shells. It is now a splendid highway its entire length.

Wharf Street, - Some time prior to 1834 the way leading from Main street to Union wharf was laid out. It began according to the record, "at the South westerley corner of Capt Charles Smiths lot and runing by said Smiths and Jonathan Luce Jr Land to high water mark the course to be S 89° E distance twenty three rods & Eight feet to a bound there Sett Making said road forty feet wide at the High water line and thirty feet wide at the head."^

William Street. - This street received its name as a compliment to Captain William Daggett, prominent in town and church affairs. It was officially laid out in 1864, as far north as the lane leading by the old "Chapel" school house.

The U. S. Government Services The Post Office

The first representative of the general government to be established here was the Post Office department, which appointed Isaac Daggett, on Jan. i, 1795, as postmaster of Homes Hole. At that early time the office was in the residence or store of the occupant of the position, and it is probable that it was then in his store and tavern on Wharf street. He held this appointment only a brief time, and was' succeeded

Capt. William Daggett

Apirl I, 1796, by Joseph Claghorn, who then Hved in the Hillman house on Water street, where the office was probably carried. The position was held by Claghorn for exactly two years, and he was succeeded by Silas Daggett (115), who kept the tavern on the corner of Main and Centre streets. After him came Dr. Rufus Spalding, who was appointed Jan. I, 1803, and took the office to his residence on Beach street. His successor was Theodosius Parsons, appointed March 23, 18 1 2, and he held the office for sixteen years, keeping it in his house on Main street, opposite Spring street.^ Capt. William Cottle (105) was- the next postmaster, commissioned Jan. 28, 1828, and the office was located in his store adjoining his house on Main street, opposite Centre street. He died 1830, and it appears that the Postmaster General wrote to the people here to select a successor. The town records contain the following entry : -

Voted by ballot for a suitable man to keep the post office in holmes hole in answer to a Request from the Postmaster General. Votes being brought in & counted for Charles West seven for William Downs one^ [November 24, 1830I.

This town meeting of eight voters had no effect upon the matter, for before they had solemnly met to vote, a successor was already appointed, Nov. it, 1830, in the person of Capt. Shubael Dunham (257), who lived on the spot now occupied by the present post office, corner of Church and IMain streets. He held the office till his death, in 1835, when he was followed by his son George Dunham (425), who was commissioned March 2, 1835, and held the office for over twenty-three years, the longest tenure of any of our postmasters. His successors have been as follows: Eliakim Norton, appointed Sept. 15, 1858; James Norton, Feb. 14, 1861; James D. Peakes, July 25, 1861 ; George N. Peakes, Nov. 7, 1881 ; John F. Robinson, Sept. 18, 1885; Horton Johnson, 1900- 1902; Stephen Cary Luce, 1902 (present incumbent). After the fire of 1883 the office was located in Lane's block till the appointment of Mr. Luce, who removed it to the corner of Main and Church streets, where it now is.

'He was from Greenwich, Conn., and had served as a soldier in the Connecticut troops. He was in the Lexington alarm list, 1775, and served as a gunner in Col. Lamb's regiment of artillery. His enlistments covered the war from start to finish.

Customs Service

In 1 817 Homes Hole was made a sub-port of entry for Edgartown, in consequence of the growth of this place as a maritime centre. Prior to that, Capt. William Worth (65), was acting as customs officer here, until his removal in 181 4 to Charlton, Mass. His nephew, Henry Pease Worth (72), was the first Deputy Collector, under appointment dated Nov. 29, 181 7, and he held this position nearly fifty years. His office was in a building where the Public Library is now located, on Main street. He was succeeded, June 17, 1861, by^Capt. Henry W. Beetle, a native of New Bedford, who held the office for nearly thirty years, until his death. The present incumbent, Lorenzo F. Luce, was appointed Aug. 16, 1890, and it will be noted as an unusual circumstance that for a period of over ninety years (181 7-1908) there have been but three persons to occupy this office in succession.

Marine Hospital Service

This town was the first on the Vineyard to have a public hospital. The harbor of Homes Hole was much frequented in colonial days by sailing craft from all ports on the north and south Atlantic coasts, and diseases of a contagious character, like small pox, were frequently spread by the crews of vessels riding at anchor here, while weather-bound. In August, 1763, the town gave Dr. Samuel Gelston of Nantucket permission to ''Cary on and Practice Inoculation of the Small Pox in Soume Suitable Place at Homeses hole" under certain provisions and restrictions. He was obliged to treat all cases of small pox landed here, "without any Demands from the Town their for," and further required to pay six shillings for every person inoculated "While he Practices in that Distemper." How long he carried this on is not known, but this arrangement was renewed the next year.^ The location of the hospital is not of record, as it was only a temporary structure in all probability. In 1 798 the Justices of the County Court petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts to erect a hospital for contagious diseases on the Vineyard, and suggested "that the West side of Homeshole Harbour would be much the most Convenient place for such a Building." But after securing an appropriation the committee located it at

Voted to Petition Congress to erect a Hospital in this Town for the reception of Distressed Seamen or make Some Provision for Seamen that may be landed here destitute of the means of Support.^

This failed to accomplish any result, and another was sent, April, 1826, to Congress, ''praying that some provision might be made for the relief of the sick and disabled seamen arriving at this port."^ The Secretary of the Treasury, who had charge of such matters under the law, directed the Collector of Customs at Edgartown to make some suitable arrangements. This was done immediately, and Dr. Daniel Fisher contracted to furnish subsistence, lodging, medical attendance and nursing for all cases that might be brought into port for the sum of $300 per annum. This arrangement apparently lapsed or was not properly carried out, as on Dec. 24, 1836, the Secretary wrote the Collector that "Complaints are made to the Department that no provision is made for the relief of sick and disabled seamen in that part of your District in which the harbor of Holmes Hole is situate."^ He ordered the Collector to make the necessary arrangements, but it not known how the directions were carried out.

The Secretary of the Treasury, Hon. Levi Woodbury, on Dec. 11, 1837, in a report to the Senate on the subject, recommended that "a Marine Hospital be located at Holmes Hole or Edgartown or some other convenient point in the neighborhood of Marthas Vineyard." From 1853 to 1861 Dr. John Pierce had the contract for medical services, but his appointment caused dissatisfaction because of his residence in Edgartown. Numerous petitions were sent to the Department in 1854, asking for his removal and the appointment of Dr. Moses Brown, who resided here.^ In 1856 Dr. Ralph K. Jones was an applicant for the appointment, but Dr. Pierce survived the campaign against him until 1862, when Dr. D. A. Cleveland obtained the office.^ He was followed by Dr. William Leach, who erected a small hospital on the Edgartown road in 1866, especially for the treatment of sick seamen. This was an improvement over the old method of "farming out" these cases, but it was still unsatisfactory, from an administrative standpoint, to the Department. Accordingly, in 1879, the late Surgeon General Hamilton, in charge of the Marine Hospital Service, made a personal visit to Vineyard Haven to inspect the situation. He secured as temporary quarters for sick seamen the abandoned lighthouse building at the head of the harbor, and converted it into a hospital.^ It was opened on Nov. 28, 1879, under the charge of Acting Assistant Surgeon W. D. Stewart of the general service, and became a marine hospital and a station of the first class officially. This officer, who had greatly endeared himself to the community through a period of seven years, died October 30, 1886, and was succeeded temporarily by Assistant Surgeon Seaton Norman, and later as a regular detail by Passed- Assistant Surgeon R. P. M. Ames (1886- 1889). From this time forward the hospital has been under command of regularly commissioned officers as follows: Surgeon Charles E. Banks, 1889-92; Passed Assistant Surgeon Elisha R. Houghton, 1892-6; Passed Assistant Surgeon J. C. Perry, 1895 (temporary); Passed Assistant Surgeon Duncan A. Carmichael, 1896-7; Passed Assistant Surgeon Wm. J. S. Stewart, 1897-8; Assistant Surgeon Sherrard Tabb, 1898-9; (temporary)^ Surgeon Frank W. Mead, 1899-1901; Surgeon Duncan A. Carmichael, 1901-5; Assistant Surgeon William C. Rucker, 1905-7; Acting Assistant Surgeon E. P. Worth, 1907 (temporary).

The present hospital building is of modern construction and recently built on additional land adjacent to the old lighthouse grounds. The following extract from the report of the Surgeon- General conveys particular information as to the new structure : -

Through the assiduous efforts of Surgeon Charles E. Banks, then on duty at this station, Hon. Charles S. Randall, member of Congress from this district, and the Surgeon General, an item of $20,000 was included in the Sundry civil bill for the erection of a new hospital at this station, which bill became a law on March 4, 189 1.

'This officer will be kindly remembered by the residents of Vineyard Haven for his bravery and untiring efforts in the dangerous work of rescuing shipwrecked sailors in the terrible storm of November, 1898, when 26 vessels were driven ashore and a number of the crew perished from cold and exhaustion in sight of the beach, almost beyond human help.

The hospital station now incorporates the old lighthouse building and ward as a part of the establishment, these original buildings serving as apartments in the rear for employees, storerooms and other adjuncts of a hospital.

In the twenty-five years since its establishment, this hospital has treated about 6,500 sick and disabled seamen, an average of about 250 cases annually.

U. S. Weather Bureau

A station of this service was opened here in November, 1886, and the office established in the Mansion House by H. H. Curley as Observer. The headquarters for this meteorological district were at Nantucket. The late Lieut. Max Wagner, U.S.V., then in the Weather Bureau, succeeded as officer in charge, and he was followed by William W. Neifert (1890), Harvey B. Dick (1893), and Cornelius J. Doherty (1900), all of the general service. In 1895 the telegraphic business w^as sold to the Martha's Vineyard Telegraph Co., and the meteorological work discontinued, June 18, 1900, after being in existence fourteen years. The records of the station were sent to the Bureau in Washington, and an" abstract copy deposited with the late Thurston W. Tilton for convenience of reference locally.

Lighthouse Establishment

West Chop. - Under provision of an act approved March 3, 181 7, by which the sum of $5,000 was appropriated therefor, a lighthouse was built on the point of West Chop, on the bluff. ^ Constant erosions of the shore by the swift tidal action at this exposed locality caused the government to remove it further back in 1830, and again in 1846 to its present position, for similar reasons.^ Since the latter date the tower has been increased in height. It is a fixed white light, with a red sector, and a steam fog whistle is an auxiliary part of this important aid in the navigation of the Vineyard Sound.

Harbor Light. - In the appropriation act of March 3, 1 85 1, the establishment of a harbor or range light at the head of Homes Hole was authorized, and $3,500 made available therefor.^ Jurisdiction was not ceded for two years by the state, and then a two-story house with a small lantern tower^ was iDuilt in 1854 on the edge of the bluff, in front of the U. S. Marine Hospital. Originally there were three range lights connected with the house, but they were abandoned for one in the cupola. Matthew P. Butler was the first light keeper, and he was succeeded by Moses T. Cromwell. It was abandoned about 1875, and in 1879 was transferred to the Marine Hospital service. In recent years a red lantern, suspended nightly from a flag staff of the hospital, acts as a substitute range light for entering the harbor.

Salt Works. - At the time of the Revolution there were large pans on the shores of Bass creek, where salt was manufactured by the ancient method of evaporation of sea water. They were in existence in 1840, and others at or near the herring creek, owned by Isaac Luce, were erected at least twenty years previously.

Whale Fishery. - This town had an indirect connection with this business through its seafaring men, who went out as masters or sailors of vessels outfitted elsewhere, but there was no local establishment for the accommodation of whalers.^ In 1850 three vessels engaged in this industry were owned here, the ships Ocmulgee and Pocahontas and the bark Malta, representing an investment of $68,000, which had brought a return of $125,378 that year. This industry has today its representatives resident in Vineyard Haven, Captain Leander Owen, a whaler of the old sailing craft days, survivor of the great Arctic disaster of 1871, whose eyesight was permanently injured by Arctic "ice blindness," and Captain Hartson H.

^There was a Try house near Beach street before 1800, but it had become disused by that date. It was probably erected for trying out the oil from whales.

The merchant service, however, has been the principal field of activity for this community from the earliest times. The men of Homes Hole, young and old, have ventured afar on the seven seas for generations, have carried our flag to the most distant parts of the navigable globe. To name them would be almost a census of its male inhabitants in every decade.

Herring Fishery. - The fine herring run and fishery at Ashappaquonsett has been a famous and prolific domestic industry from time immemorial, and it is a common heritage of the townsmen unto this day. But it represents a century of wasted opportunity for the development of an industry productive of revenue for the town. As an annual free-for-all spoliation it neither benefits the few nor profits the town as a whole, as managed in the past.

Harness Factory. - In 1872 a harness factory was established by R. W. Crocker and from small beginnings, grew to be a large and valuable industry. At times nearly a hundred people found employment through its operations, directly or indirectly. It was incorporated in 1892 as the Crocker Harness Company, under new management, but after a short career suspended operations and finally went out of business. The building remained unoccupied for a number of years, and was finally destroyed by fire.

Corn Mill. - A steam grist mill was established on Water street in 1881 by William J. Rotch and is yet in operation, under the management of William P. Bodfish.

Leather Embossing. - A factory for the embossing of leather in artistic designs for ornamental purposes was established by the Luxemoor Co., operating under letters patent. The head of this enterprise was William Barry Owen as financial backer. It closed down in 1908, and is now a thing of the past.

Educational Matters

There is nothing in the tow^n records, or other documents to show that the schools had any place in the thoughts of the town before 1737, though we may surely suppose that something had been done in this line which is not of record. One of the West family, Thomas (20), had been graduated from

Harvard in 1730, and he must have received his preliminary education here. The first town record, under date of Feb. 14, 1736-7, provides a school "the Remaining part to Compleat a year (two months) to be keept at some Convenient place at Homeses Hole," and Abner West was the committee man for that year,^ No further reference occurs till 1749, when a similar provision was made,^ and again in 1752 the school was ''to be keept at Homeses hole two Months."^ A quarter of a century elapses before another allusion is made to schools, in December, 1776: -

Thirdly it was Likewise Voted at Said meeting that the People of Homseshole in the Districts of Tisbuary are to be provide a School for themselves to Extend Westward as far as Thomas Smiths sam'l Looks Silvanus Luces and to Draw their proportion of Monney Out of the Treasury for Said School for Three Years Ensuing the Date hereof *

In 1792, the next record, this village was made the 4th School District of Tisbury, and the ensuing year Samuel Look, Timothy Chase and Abraham Chase were appointed the school committee.^ These infrequent references, half a dozen in a century of existence, give meagre details on this topic, but the context implies continuity.

The location of school-houses, like all matters pertaining to the early annals of education in the town, is lost in the obscurity of the past. Probably the first school-house was erected at the junction of Beach street and the County highway, but when it was built is not of record. It was called the South school after 1829, when the town was divided into two districts, and the second school-house was built, probably in that year or the next/ This new school building was the "Chapel" so called, now the home of the Sea Coast Defence Chapter, D.A.R. In 1850 there was a third school-house built on the West Chop road, opposite the Slough. The present commodious building on Church street accommodates the primary, intermediate, grammar, and high school grades. It was enlarged in 1900, fitted with modern sanitary and hygienic furnishings, and is a model suburban school, houses all the scholars in town and furnishes instruction in the highest grade for pupils from other towns.

The names of teachers employed in the early times are not recorded. Joseph Claghorn (162) was the first known "Schoolmaster" in the town, probably from his coming here (about 1788) to his death (1805), and he taught in the old South school. Nathan Mayhew (801), a native of Chilmark, born 1798, was the next school-teacher of note. He had removed with his father to Farmington, Me., about 1808, but returned about 1825, and settled in this town as a teacher in the public school. He ovmed and occupied the house recently in the possession of Captain James Lawrence Smith, and the new school-house across the lane was the scene of his labors as a pedagogue for a quarter of a century. He removed to Norton, Mass., about 1853, and later lived in Boston. He died in 1865 at Milton, Mass. at the residence of his son, Rev. Wm. H. Mayhew (now of Yarmouth Port), and his body was buried in Milton cemetery.

Contemporaneously, the Rev. Seth Ewer, the Baptist preacher, taught the South school and subsequent to them came J. Dana Bullen, John Gower, Rev. J. C. Boomer, George B. Muzzey, S. W. Hathaway, E. K. Parker, Charles E. Mosher, Judge Hammond, now of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, Thurston W. Tilton (1874 to 1898 at intervals), H. H. Lovell, Timothy P. Weeks, Louis A. Fales and Arthur C. Clarke.

As in the other towns, there were many teachers of private schools in the course of the past century. Chief of these must be mentioned the late Abigail W. Daggett (b. 1798), who taught in the forties and fifties.

Grove Hill Seminary

Baptist church in this village. The venture was only partially successful after several years' trial, and the building passed into the possession of the late Joseph Nickerson and his wife, Love (Robinson) Nickerson, who used it as a hotel. It was called the Grove Hill house during this period, and after the death of the proprietors became the property of the late Major C. R. Barnett, U.S.A. It was then remodeled for a private residence, and is now a part of the Barnett estate.

Miscellaneous Annals

The first practitioner of medicine on the Vineyard, Dr. Thomas West, was a resident of this town, and three of his descendents in the male line have followed in his professional footsteps here, Elisha West, Elisha West, Jr., and Silas West. Dr. Benjamin Trask came here from Sandwich before 1800, and practised until his death (1821). He resided on Main street, on the site of Eagleston Block. Dr. Rufus Spalding (1800-1812) was his contemporary and rival in medicine, politics and religion. Dr. Forsyth was settled here before 1832, and about the same date Dr. Leroy Milton Yale, father of the late distinguished New York physician of the same name, came to practise here. In the next decade came David Crossthwaite, a native of England, who died (1849) early in life. In 1850 there were five physicians resident in town, George N. Hall from Baltimore, Md., Moses Brown from Kensington, N.H., Nathaniel Ruggles from Rochester, Mass., and his son, Charles A. Ruggles, and Ralph K. Jones, a young graduate from Stockbridge, Mass. Ten years later George T. Hough was the leading physician. Following him came William Leach (1863) and Winthrop Butler (1868), the latter a native of the village and fresh from arduous duties in the Civil war. Of him it is a duty and a pleasure for the author to record a brief narration of his life and labors in this community. He was born June 25, 1838, the son of Matthew P. and Martha Allen (Robinson) Butler, and received his preliminary education here in the public schools. One year was spent at Cushing's Family school in Middleboro, Mass. (1858), and another (1859) at the Dukes County Academy in V the completion of his education in the higher branches. He chose the medical profession for his life work, but his studies were interrupted by the Civil war, and he entered the Navy for service in the medical department, ranking as an Assistant Surgeon. He served three years in the Gulf Squadron, until the close of the war. Then he resumed his course, and was graduated March 6, 1866, from Harvard Medical school. After practising for one year in Groveland, Mass. (1867), he returned to his native town, and thenceforth devoted himself to a practice which covered the western half of the Vineyard.

In 1903 he suffered a paralytic stroke, and it was the warning signal to him to lay down the exhaustive work of a widespread country practice, and do for himself what he had for thirty-five years so ungrudgingly done for others. Thenceforth he lived in quiet retirement, greeted daily, as he was able to go about, by the affectionate salutations of all who knew him, until on April 22, 1907, a career narrowed only by the natural opportunities of its insular limits, but none the less noble by its perfection of achievements and ideals, passed into the memory of his friends and became a splendid heritage for this community. He was the typical physician of the. "old school" of gentlemen, courteous in every relation of life, generous to a fault, charitable in his estimates and splendid in his standards of action. His portrait opposite this, gives an index of the handsome head, which was well carried by his tall graceful figure, and it will serve to us of his day and generation as a reminder of this fine, gentle, manly spirit, this skilful, loyal, well beloved physician.^

Crossways. - This "acre" contains the oldest interments in the town, beginning with the year 171 7, the date of the earliest remaining stone, but it is probable that it was in use some years before that, although Dr. Thomas West, who died here in 1706, and his wife (d. 1724) are buried in West Tisbury. It was located on the West property, and probably was given to the town for a public burial place. In 1756

'The Duodecimo Club of Vineyard Haven, of which he was the president, contributes this portrait to the Annals of Tisbury as a tribute to his memory.

^Dr. Frank B. Look (1858-1908), a native of West Tisbury, established a sanitarium in this town in 1905, remodeling the Owen house for the purpose, but his death in 1908 terminated his career after three years of labor in founding the institution.

Abner West donated an acre to the "People of Homes Hole" on the Edgartown road, "to build a meeting house upon, or Scoule house or to bury our dead in."^ It is not known whether this gift was accepted for the purposes specified.

Franklin Street. - In the rear of Association hall is a burying ground on the corner of Centre and Franklin streets, occupied as such before 1800, and increased in size in 1803 by a gift from Abraham Chase. ^ The oldest stone in this ground is that of Abigail, wife of Isaac Daggett, who died in 1770, but the inscription states that the body was removed, in 1805, from the family burying ground. The oldest stone, after this, is dated February, 1803, and most of the older stones range from 1805 to 181 7.

Oak Grove. - This latest addition to the town's cemeteries is on the old highway from the village to West Tisbury, and was first acquired in 1863 and plotted for use. The original owner, Edward T. T. Smith, engaged in this as a private venture, and in 1869 he sold his interests to James Lyon Luce. In 1886, the heirs of the late James Lyon Luce sold it to Stephen Carey Luce and Henry H. Smith, and acquiring adjacent property laid out additional lots according to plans drawn by John H. Crowell.^ On May 2, 1900, this was conveyed by the owners to the Town of Tisbury, and the ground is now under the care of commissioners elected by the town. Since then additional land has been acquired, the ground suitably fenced, and an ornamental stone gateway completes the attractiveness of this resting place for the town's dead. The cemetery now contains about twenty-four acres.

Private Grounds. - The Holmes-Dunham plot on the West Chop road, has been occupied since 1791. The famous John and Lydia Claghorn stone is in a separate enclosure on the heights back of the hospital, and a stone to Seth Daggett, who died of small pox in 1779, is on the Tashmoo farm.

There are no annals of a military nature in connection with this town that are worthy of record, except some earthworks constructed during the Revolution. They were situated

'Ibid, XV, 27. The deed of 133 rods began at the "corner of the Land now and formerly occupied as a Burying Ground." ^Dukes Deeds, LXXVI, 572.

just north of the Seamen's chapel (Stevens) on the harbor side, and a similar breastwork was thrown up on the Sound shore. It is probable that they were nothing more than trenches for the protection of musketeers.^

King Solomon'' s Lodge in Perfection iy8^. - The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to be organized on the Vineyard was chartered in this town under the title of ''King Solomon's Lodge in Perfection" in 1783, by the thrice illustrious Bro. Moses Michael Hayes, Deputy Inspector General, S. R., for North America.^ It was authorized to confer fourteen degrees through the Royal Arch, in addition to its functions as a lodge of Master Masons.

The Scottish Rite Masons in America derived their authority from the order in France, established in Paris, under the title of The Sovereign Lodge of St. John of Jerusalem. The Grand Lodge of Free Masons of France, in conjunction with this Scottish Rite body, issued to Stephen Morin, in 1761, a joint warrant to establish symbolic and Scottish Rite lodges in America. Morin first went to the West Indies, where he instituted lodges and granted charters in several of the colonies belonging to this archipelago. In Jamaica he met Moses Michael Hayes, a Portuguese Jew, and Morin conferred upon him the title and powers of Deputy Inspector General of the Scottish Rite for North America. Hayes first went to New York and later to Newport, R. I., where he instituted a symbolic lodge called King David. Little was known then about Free Masonry, and the higher degrees were looked upon with suspicion, even by the Blue Lodge Masons. Hayes finally removed to Boston, where he soon became identified with the existing order, working under the Grand Lodge of England, and through the influence of John Warren (brother of Gen. Joseph) he dropped the new-fangled Scottish Rite work and was made Grand IMaster of Massachusetts in recognition of his labors for the craft.

'In a remarkable document prepared for English reading by Col. Beriah Norton when he was prosecuting the claim for repayment of the value of cattle, &c., taken by General Grey, and trying to impress the British authorities with the loyalty of the people of Martha's Vineyard, he stated that these works were constructed by soldiers from the mainland, to keep the people of the Vineyard under subjection to the rebel government ! !

The earliest documentary evidence of the hfe of this Royal Arch lodge has recently been found, dated May i6, 1787, and is a certificate of membership, engrossed, and signed by the Master and Wardens. It is worth printing verbatim because of its prime importance as establishing the status of the lodge so early.

Wee the Master, Wardens, and Secretary of the Royal-Arch King Solomon's Lodge held at Edgartown in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certifie that the bearer hereof our worthy Brother Arthur Fenner has been Regularly Initiated into the third Degree of Masonry.

As such he has been Received by us; and being a True and faithful Brother, he is hereby recommended to the faver and prote'n of all free and accepted Masons wheresoever Dispersed.

In witness whereof we have Caused the Seal of our said Lodge to be afixed this sixteenth day of Mav in the year of our Lord 1787 and of Masonry

The language of the certificate raises some interesting questions. It will be noticed that the location of the lodge is omitted, while the meeting was "held at Edgartown," and that all the officers are residents of that town. It is not supposed that there was a lodge room or building used exclusively by Masons for their meetings at this time. It was customary elsewhere to hold these communications in taverns or private houses, and doubtless this was the situation here, and we may suppose the lodge met both at Edgartown and Homes Hole to accommodate the brethren. The lodge is specifically called *'of Homes Hole," in 1797, and for that reason it may be assumed to have always belonged here by its official location, and that the brethren met in Eastville and Tisbury at the taverns of these locahties. Both towns bordered on Homes Hole, but the settlement on the west side was always known as the precinct or village of Homes Hole/

No records of this lodge are known to be in existence, and but fragmentary references to it remain. In 1797 a new charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and in 1799 a complaint was filed against it with the supreme officers, but nothing is known of its character and nothing appears to have been done.

In 1798 Abijah Luce was W. M. and in 1802 the following officers are of record: W. M., Dr. Rufus Spalding; S. W., Elijah Hillman; J. W., Jonathan Luce; Sec, Benjamin Smith; Treas., Jesse Luce; Tiler, Jesse Luce, Jr. Other known members at this period were David Pease, Levi Pease, Thomas Cooke, Paul Dunham, Lot Luce, Samuel Luce, Silas Daggett and John Pease. These names include residents of Edgartown as well as Tisbury. Dr. Spalding was the Master in 1807, and it is probable he continued as such until his departure from Holmes Hole five years later.*

The lodge was represented in the Grand Lodge each year, at the annual communications, usually by a proxy, but after 181 2 it ceased to send anybody regularly and fell into arrears. This condition lasted until 1820, when the report of the District Deputy of the 12th Masonic district states: "King Solomon's Lodge in Perfection at Holmes Hole is 8 years in arrears and has manifested a spirit of insubordination inconsistent with their obligations and the known and acknowledged principles of Masonry." A committee was appointed to investigate the status of the lodge and they reported that it had held no meetings for about eight years. Elijah Hillman, who was probably the W. M. in succession to Dr. Spalding, in a letter to the D, D. G. M. for the 12th District, admitted the conditions reported, but threatened, by implication, if the Grand Lodge

^Masonic Observer, March 7, 1910. The original certificate is in the possession of the Masonic Library Association, of Minneapolis, Minn. The name of the Master, John Cooke, is believed to be an error for Thomas Cooke, who is known to have been a member of the lodge in later years. There was no John Cooke then residing in Edgartown. The size of the document is about six by eight inches, and the seal referred to is a square piece of paper, affixed diagonally to the upper left corner by a wafer. The text is enclosed in a border of double lines. It is not known to whom the certificate is made, as no person of that name resided here as far as can be learned. There were several Arthur P^enners living in Rhode Island in 1790, but why the person came to the Vineyard to join a lodge when one existed in Newport, is not understood.

At the quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge held December 27, 1822, it was reported that this lodge, after being many years in arrears, had finally surrendered its charter and gone out of existence. The records and jewels of the lodge were surrendered to the Grand Lodge, and were destroyed at the burning of the Masonic Temple in Boston.

Martha's Vineyard Lodge, 1859. - Twenty-five years elapsed before the interest in the craft was revived. At that date (1852) but three members of the old King Solomon's Lodge survived, and when approached by a recent arrival in the town, a Mason, Mr. Joseph T. James, with a proposition to reorganize, they could not be persuaded to join the movement. After some time this zealous brother interested Captain Benjamin Clough, Henry Bradley, Alexander W. Smith, Dr. William Leach, Daniel F. Worth and Alexander Newcomb to apply to Marine Lodge, Falmouth, for the necessary degrees. After these men were made Master Masons in that Lodge, application for a dispensation to work was presented to the Grand Lodge and granted.^ A lodge -room was fitted up in Hiram Nye's paint shop (near the Martha 's Vineyard Bank building) at a cost of $1000, and in September, 1859, these seven brothers, with James as W^orshipful Master, Clough as Senior Warden, and Bradley as Junior Warden restored speculative Masonry to its respected place in the community. A charter was granted Sept. 12, i860, and from that time the growth of the lodge was rapid, until at the close of the term of Mr. Jam.es as Master in 1863 it had about seventy members. In the half century of its life the lodge has prospered through much adversity and many discouragements. In 1883 a new lodgeroom was just completed at large outlay, when the great fire of that year swept it out of existence after one meeting had been held in it. With it went the records and jewels. After recovering from the disaster a room was fitted up over Swift Brothers' store on Main street, and there the regular meetings were held for twelve years. In 1895 a charter member, Capt. Daniel F. Worth, who had returned to his old home after an absence of thirty-five years, urged the acquisition of a building which should be owned exclusively by the lodge, and as a result of his efforts the old Capawock hall was pur-

*Mr. James states that he "labored hard to have the old records and jewels of King Solomon's lodge restored, but the Grand Lodge would not give them up."

chased and remodeled interiorly to meet the special needs of the order, at considerable added cost.^ It was dedicated Oct. 25, 1895, with the elaborate ritual of the order by the Grand Master of Massachusetts, assisted by other Grand officers.

Submarine Telegraph, 1 856

,The first cable to be laid between this island and the main land had its shore connection at West Chop, and it was constructed by the Cape Cod Telegraph Co. as a part of their existing system.^ This was in 1856, and the particulars of this important event are here detailed.

The steamer Neptune with a party of invited guests sailed from Boston, and on the following morning, July 16, 1856, took in tow, in Homes Hole harbor, the schooner Wm. T. Conquest of New York. The schooner was placed in position at Woods Hole and commenced paying out cable, which in two and a half hours was satisfactorily laid from Woods Hole to the West Chop, a distance of five miles.

Upon its arrival the village presented a scene of unwonted animation and excitement. The connection of the island with the main was celebrated with various festivities, and more than a thousand persons were gathered to participate in the enjoyment of the occasion. At two o'clock a procession was formed under the direction of Mr. Thomas Barrows, marshal of the day, which, escorted by the New Bedford Brass Band,

'The lodgeroom on the second floor is 34 x 48 feet, with the usual anterooms. On the ground floor there is a banquet hall 25 x 34 feet with kitchen, toilet, coat room and smoking room. The interior is finished throughout with southern pine, and ample heating arrangements make this one of the best suburban lodge buildings in the State. The name of Capt. Gilbert L. Smith should be associated with that of Capt. Worth in the project of acquiring and improving the property.

marched through the principal streets of the town to the grove where the tables were laid for the dinner. About four hundred ladies and gentlemen sat down to the tables, more than twice that number being assembled in the grove. After the viands had been fully discussed, the president of the day, Capt. Thomas Bradley, briefly addressed the assembly, tendering those who were strangers a hearty welcome to the Vineyard, and congratulating all upon the successful completion of the union of the island and the main. He then introduced the toast master, Capt. Enoch Cook, Jr., who read the first regular toast, as follows: -

''Our Prodigal Sons, we hail their return from much wandering with joy and to-day greet them with the best the house affords." This toast was responded to by Chas. A. Luce, Esq., of New York, a native of the Vineyard.

The next toast was: "The memory of Franklin. He aided in our political separation from our Mother country, may his more modern successor in electric science soon unite America, not only with England, but with all the world." This toast was eloquently responded to by James B. Congdon, Esq., of New Bedford. Mr. Congdon alluded to the fact that Franklin was connected with the Vineyard through his grandfather, Peter Folger, who was the first schoolmaster on the Island.

The third toast : "To the inventor of the system of electrotelegraphic communication," called up Dr. Chas. T. Jackson of Boston, who gave a succinct and lucid history of the electric telegraph.

Toasts were given also to the " Cape Cod Telegraph Co.," to the "Press," the "Union," "Massachusetts" and "New York," all of which were fittingly responded to, the last two by Mr. Bates of Plymouth Rock, and Mr. W. L. Burroughs of New York, vice-president of the New York and Washington Printing Telegraph Company, "a man of infinite jest and most excellent fancy," well known upon the Vineyard, "where he has troops of friends," as appears by the contemporary account of the celebration.

Numerous volunteer toasts were made and responded to. The last sentiment was given by Mr. J. T. Allen of Dorchester, who, with characteristic gallantry, gave "The Marthas of the Vineyard, the true galvanic power that moves the world."

The Great Fire

On Saturday night, Aug. ii, 1883, occurred the greatest disaster in the history of the town. A fire started in the harness factory, and before it could be smothered the whole building was ablaze. Quickly the adjoining structures caught fire, and before an hour had elapsed it was seen that a disastrous conflagration was in full sweep. The destroying flames took a southerly direction, burning many buildings on Main street on both sides its entire length. A property loss of more than $100,000 was - involved in this conflagration, a terrible blow to the small village. It was the greatest disaster in the annals of the island.

When the last embers had died out it was found that the Baptist meeting-house, 32 dwelling houses, 26 stores, 12 barns, and 2 stables had been burned to the ground. A damage more irreparable was done to the beautiful shade trees on the Main street and others covered by the burnt district, as these noble trees were all killed by the flames. Such a blow might well have staggered and discouraged any community, but the present beautiful village arisen from the ashes is an evidence of the bravery of its people. Having little outside assistance except for temporary necessities, the residents got together to restore their destroyed buildings. With characteristic energy Mr. R. W. Crocker, the proprietor of the harness factory, began work on a new structure whfle the unburnt timbers were yet smouldering, and others followed in quick order. The quaint street had vanished, but a new line of buildings soon arose on the old thoroughfare.

Social And Literary Organizations

A number of organizations in this town, having for their object the direct personal benefit of the members and the general welfare of the community indirectly, merit brief mention in its annals.

^Boston Traveller of July 17, 1856, abstracted from a letter giving an account of the celebration of the laying of the Submarine Telegraph to Martha's Vineyard, dated at Homes Hole, July 16, 1856.

the first public collection of books in the town. In the autumn of 1878 Miss Hannah T. Bradley organized a number of young ladies into a society called the Ladies' Library League, and in March, 1879, their books (71 volumes) were first made available for public use upon payment of a weekly charge for each loan.^ Four years later, at the date of the great fire, they had accumulated 483 volumes, with necessary library furniture and equipment, and these were all lost in the night of that disaster. The members took immediate measures to replace their loss, with the aid of a small insurance, and in May, 1884, new rooms were opened, specially fitted for their use by the late Dr. Winth'rop Butler, over his ofiice and drug store. In the spring of 1895 steps were taken to dissolve the League and turn over the collection to the town as a public library, under the provision of the statutes governing such matters. The library numbered at this time about 2500 volumes, the accretions of the past eleven years. ^ With appropriate exercises, participated in by some of the original founders of the League, the Public Library of Tisbury was formally opened, July 31, 1895, and since that date it has grown in usefulness and strength. It now numbers 3000 volumes on its shelves.

Mrs. John R. McArthur, a daughter of the late Judge Arnoux has announced her intention this year (1909) of donating land on Main street for the uses of a public library.

Duodecimo Club. - This organization, composed of twelve gentlemen, as its name indicates, was launched in the spring of 1891, through the efforts of Dr. Charles E. Banks, to bring together the leading men of the community for mutual improvement. The club meets monthly, usually at the residences of the members in rotation, and the members present papers "" on subjects selected by themselves, and the meeting is then open for general discussion. This is followed by a light lunch and social intercourse. The club has been in existence for eighteen years, maintaining with continued vigor and activity a high standard in the literary life of the town.

Sea Coast Defence Chapter, D.A.R. - This flourishing chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in 1896, after preliminary interest in the movement had been aroused by Mrs. Florence M. Banks, a member of the organization in another state. It was chartered Oct. 30, 1896, and now numbers 62 members. In 1904 the Chapter acquired the old Mayhew school-house, the "Chapel" of 1830, and converted it into headquarters for the organization, and a museum of historic and local relics. It has now a large and valuable collection of such articles, which is constantly increasing in interest by the donations of members and friends. In 1898 the Chapter erected a flag staff in front of this building, on which a bronze tablet was placed, commemorative of the Liberty Pole incident of Revolutionary days. This tablet bears the following inscription : -

Is Erected By The

Nohnocket Club. - A social club for gentlemen was organized Oct. 4, 1902, under the name of Nobnocket Club. It has a commodious house fitted for this special purpose on the harbor front, containing billard room, card room, reading room and sleeping chambers for guests.

This town is now two hundred and thirty-seven years old, and although but a moiety of the original territory is now comprised in it, yet it has prospered and developed wonderfully in that period. The following statistics show the material condition of the town as it exists at this time: personal estate assessed, $154,475.00; real estate assessed, $1,178,667.00; total, $1,333,142.00. The total tax assessed May i, 1908, was

The town has real and movable property to the value of $11,900.00, including schools, fire apparatus, etc. In addition to this the town owns, by purchase in 1907 at a cost of $95,000.00, the public water works, the Tashmoo Spring, the purest water supply in the state, which is one of the town'smost valuable assets.

Annals Of Oak Bluffs

The Algonquian name for this tract, above described, was Ogkeshkuppe (Agescape, 1660, Aukeshkeppe, Ogkeshkupbeh, etc.), the definition of which is ''the WTt or damp thicket, or woods," probably referring to the swampy grounds bordering on Squash meadow and Farm ponds, in the eastern part of the town. The equivalent name is found in the Massachusetts dialect, Ogqush-kuppi (Eliot), Agkess-cuppi (Cotton).^ It was later called Sanchacantacket neck, but this appellation was evidently given to it by the English settlers, from the pond on the southern border.

The meaning of Sanchakantacket is believed to be "at the bursting forth of the tidal stream," having reference to the opening of this pond at the bridge, where the tides are so strong. In the Abnaki, a dialectal form of the Algonquian tongue, the form Sanghe dentegge is found, meaning I'embouchere, sortie (of a river), which is probably parallel to our Sanchakantacket. The word first occurs in the records as relating to the region about the pond (Edg. Rec, p. i), and by the settlers was applied to the land adjacent as well as to the pond itself. In 1663 Sanchacantacket pond is first mentioned (ibid., i), and in a deed dated 1660, "Wabamuck alias Samuel, son of Autumsquum, sachem of Sanchacantacket, alias Akeshkeppe neck," shows its use as applied to the region bordering upon the pond (Deeds, I, 289). Other deeds refer to the "place" called Sanchacantacket, and farm or Sanchacantacket neck (ibid., I, 89; III, iii; IV, 94).

Another name, Quasquannes, was once used, in 1660, to designate this region (Deeds, II, 253), but it probably referred to Squash meadow only, or the territory which comprised the "farm" purchased by John Daggett.

^The tov.-n clerk of Edgartown, in his copy of the old records, about 1720, made one of his usual blunders, and wrote it Ogisket (Records, I, 131).

East Chop And Farm Neck

The earliest English name for this territory was given in 1646 by Thomas Mayhew, when he called it the "Eastermost Chop of Homses Hole," as distinguished from its fellow Chop on the west side. The word is a variation of chap, the jaw of a vise or clamp. In the plural, it signifies the mouth or entrance of a channel, as the chops of the English Channel. It was called ''Farm Neck" for the first time in the records, February 2, 1703-4, and this name has clung to it with a tenacity which time and a newer and more fancy name cannot sever. ^ This name was derived from the first grant of five hundred acres, made in 1642 to John Daggett "for a farm," which covers the present settlement of Oak Bluffs.

Beginning at the middle of the bridge over Sengekontacket, opening and running by the centre of Sengekontacket pond and Major's cove to Miobers bridge, so called; thence due west to the Four Town bound; thence to the Stepping Stones at the head of the Lagoon; thence through the middle of the Lagoon and middle of the Lagoon bridge; thence by the harbor of Vineyard Haven and the Vineyard Sound to the first mentioned bound. ^

There are no records of enumeration for a census of this region prior to 1880, but a few scattering data will enable us to estimate the population. The map of Des Barres (1781) shows thirty-two houses, probably containing thirty-five families, or about 180 souls, at that date. The majority of these were located in Eastville. In 1850 a map shows twentysix houses, or thirty families (estimated), with a probable total of 180 souls, most of whom were still located in Eastville. The first census (U. S., 1880) showed a population of 672, at which time Cottage City was then the largest settlement. In 1890 it was 1,080; in 1900 it was 1,100 and the state census of 1905 showed 1,138 souls resident in the town. Probably ninety per cent, resided in Cottage City.

Ancient Landmarks Algonquian Place Names

Anassanimsuh. - This was referred to in a deed of land dated 1691, and is in the Sanchacantacket region. Ezekiel to Isaac and Joseph Norton (Deeds, I, 88; IV, 119). It was on some portion of the earhest Norton purchases.

Assanootacket Pond. - It is recorded (1685) that Puttuspaqun, of Sanchacantacket, sold to his ''cousins Hester and Ellis Daggett" a certain meadow ... on the north side of Ohkeshkepe Neck lying between Quaniamo and the western end of Asanootackett Pond" (Deeds, I, 251), and on June II, 1703, Elhs Daggett sold to Samuel Sarson "a certain parcel of meadow being about two acres .... bounded north westerly by the beach by holmses hole harbor: Southeasterly by the westward end of Asanootakut pond" (ibid., I, 89). This describes the small salt pond emptying into the Lagoon at Eastville. There was in the early days "a bridge to pass from the upland to the beach." The definition is ''at the alienated tidal stream" alluding to the sale of some property, of which this was a boundary, probably the sale by Wampamog to Alice Sissetom, the mother of Ellis (Alice) Daggett.

Chqudeetussos. - Two Indians in 171 7 concluded a land transaction covering a tract on the west side of Farm neck, called by the name just quoted.

Onkaw - Unkaw. - Under the above variations, as well as Ankaw, a "place" of this name on East Chop is referred to in several deeds, as Cathcart to Norton, 1699, Joseph Daggett to his daughter Alice, 1698, and same to his granddaughter, Esther Cottle, 171 5 (I, 26; III, iii, 112). It is described as between a place called "Quanyamoo" and a small neck called "Oohquees," or "Ukquiessa." This name is the same as Onkokemmy, in Tisbury, and probably has the same significance. Esther Cottle, daughter of Edward, above mentioned, sold the tract given to her by the grandfather Daggett to Thomas West, Jr., innholder of Edgartown, in 1724, and it was then described as in the possession of John Talman, an "Indian man of Edgartown, but formerly belonging to AUis Daggett" (ibid., IV, 107). This passed to the heirs of West, after his death in 1728, and was by them sold to various purchasers (ibid., VII, 500, 502), the name "Unkaw" being retained then (1747) as belonging to the land.

Oohquaess. - First mentioned in 1715 in a deed from Joseph Daggett to his granddaughter, Esther Cottle, conveying land at Onkaw, and "a small neck called Oohquaess being the southermost part of the meadow divided between my 2 daughters Esther Cottle and Ellis Daggitt" (Deeds, III, III). This word has many variations, Ohqueehesoo, Ocquays, and finally Quays, which is the modern form (ibid., V, 31; VII, 4, 294). There was a Quaise in Nantucket, with an alias of Masquatuck. It is probably the same word as Ukquiessa, the name of Tisbury Great pond and denotes, "as far as," or "the end," a boundary term. In full it would be Uk-qui-es-et, "at the ending place," the last or terminal point of Ogkeshkippe neck.

Ohhomeck. - In a deed from the Indian Wabamuck to Joseph Daggett, of Tisbury, dated June 18, 1689, a certain neck, "neer Sanchakantacket harbor," called "Ohhomeck," is mentioned (Deeds, I, 16). A place called Ahomma on Dagget's farm is mentioned, probably a variation of Ohomeck (ibid., VI, 495). John Daggett of Edgartown sold, in 1734, to John Talman, Indian, a point called "the hommok" bounded northeast and west by "the Pond," southerly by a pole fence adjoining to "an island commonly called and known by the name Watchee, the olde Indian name" (ibid., V, 405). Joseph and David Potumpin sold to Elijah Butler a small island called "the Hummock" at Farm neck, Feb. 6, 1743-4 (ibid., VII, 37). The modern designation of "Hummock" is undoubtedly derived from this Indian word.

Pecoye. - This was the name of a small neck in the bounds of Farm neck, and the name survives to the present time (Deeds, IV, 114). It is derived from Pohqu-auk, meaning "open land," or land naturally fit and clear for cultivation. This is a common Indian place name throughout New England. In a deed from the Indian Ezekiel it is written Pokoiauk (I, 88).

Pateche. - In a deed, dated June 28, 1683, Thomas Sussetum, an Indian, sold certain land to Joseph Daggett, and describes it as bounded on the southeast by "Pateche pond" (Deeds, I, 15). The name is now extinct, as it is believed the pond has been filled up in cultivation of the region.

Quinnaamuk. - This name occurs in an Indian deed dated March 14, 1669, and appears later also as Quinniummuh. (It designated a beach "commonly called the long beach" and may refer to the long strip of sandy beach separating the Lagoon and harbor at that time. Deeds, II, 51; VI, 412.) Quinniaamuk was one of the Indian fishing stations. The meaning of the word is "place where the long fish (lamprey eel) is taken. At certain seasons of the year, when an inlet is cut through some of these beaches, there is a rush of these eels for the salt water.

Quanames. - This was described in a deed (I, 251), dated March 25, 1685, and also again in 1693 (III, 23); in the latter document the text is as follows: "all that upland which from the other lands lyeth and leadeth as a way to the Hand quanaimes." It is the small island off Pecoy point, on the west side of Sanchacantacket pond, northward of Major's cove, as indicated on a map of Edgartown, 1830 (Mass. Arch., vol. VII). This name occurs in a deed, dated 1759, when Isaac Norton sold one half "a certain island called Quanaimes."

Quasaquannes. - In a deed from Wampamag to John Daggett, dated March 3, 1660, he conveys a tract of land "upon the East side of the Eastermost Chop of homes hole called by the English Quasaquannes" (Deeds, II, 253). This was the tract granted by Thomas Mayhew, Senior, and Thomas Mayhew, Junior, to John Daggett, "for a farm," and probably referred to Squash meadow in its limits. This is possibly an Indian personal name, because the place was so "called by the English."

Quatapog. - This is a small pond on Farm neck. It is a derivative of the Algonquian word Wquahti-pog, meaning "the end of the pond, or water place," and probably refers to some boundary point, known to the Indians. Eliot in his Indian Bible, Genesis, XXIII, 9, uses Wquahti-konit, "end of the field," the character W is used by him as the prefix of the third person singular, and also for the whistled sound of W, as in "with."

Sepooisset. - Thomas Sussetum, an Indian, sold to Joseph Daggett of Tisbury, June 28, 1683, twenty acres of Farm neck, and refers to "his meadow lying at Sepooisset," on the northwest corner of Daggett's land (Deeds, I, 15). Isaac Norton, in a deed dated 1759, sold "one half a certain island called Quanaimes, and the islands hard by, also a tract of land and meadow called Seaquaneck and Sepueset." The meaning of the word is "at the little river or brook," a compound of Sepoe-es-et.

Seqiianeck. - This word is referred to in the preceding paragraph, and belonged to a tract of land at the head of Sanchacantacket pond. It may be derived from Sequnan, remnant, what is left and auk (ack, eck) the generic term for land, meaning a portion remaining after some previous sale. It is also possible that it may be a personal name.

Tikhomah. - This was the name of a place near the head of the Lagoon, and is referred to in a deed, or Indian writing, conveying certain property at Weaquitaquayage (Deeds, IV, 348).

Waptesim Pond. - In 1686 this is first mentioned in a deed from Wabamuck, the sachem, to Richard Sarson, when he sold a tract of land "adjoyning near the Eastermost end of that Pond called Waptesun Pond, It being that salt Pond next ajoyning at the East side of the said [Homes Hole] harbor and att the place called onkaw" (Deeds, V, 413). It is probably the pond later known as Rufus' pond (q. v.).

English Place Names

BouWs Farm. - This is one of those curious survivals of place names derived from transient settlers, who owned this land in 1686, ''lying on the North side of Edgartown, at a place called Sanchacantacket," and known by the name of Boult's farm, containing about 100 acres, bounded as follows:

Beginning at a small black oak tree by Myober's Bridge; thence about Northwest 215 rods to a small white oak bush or sapling, marked; thence Northeast about 80 rods to a rough oak tree formerly marked and now marked, and for a corner bound; thence Southeast 80 rods partly by the old ditch to the pond or water; thence crossing s'd water about Southeast and by South to a white oak tree marked; thence Southeast and by South 61 rods to the Old Mill dam; thence South and by East 41 rods to the gate post; and from thence from said gate post to the Horse Pond; thence to a black oak stump newly cut down; thence to the river; thence Westerly by said river to the fence of said Norton that runneth into said river; and from and by said fences to the first mentioned black oak tree by the said Myober's Bridge.

Burial Hill. - First mentioned in 1713 as part of the Isaac Norton property on the northwest shore of Sanchacantacket, and again in 1723 (Deeds, III, 197; IV, 149). The ground is on the knoll (66 feet high) near by.

The Gore. - A tract of land lying to the northwest of Boult's farm (now belonging to Henry Constant Norton) and west of the road to Eastville.

Great Woods. - The tract of about two or three hundred acres extending from the Gore to the old Homes Hole road, formerly belonging to Bayes Newcomb, and later to Peter and Ichabod Norton.

Isaac^s Neck. - First mentioned in 1752 as a "little neck," in the Onkaw tract, and as late as 1810 (Deeds, VIII, 307; XVII, 463). It may have received its name from Isaac Norton, who had property in that vicinity quite early.

Middle Line. - Marked the division between the "Daggett Farm" and the lots which extended to the Lagoon. The southerly end of it is indicated now by a ditch for about half a mile.

Majofs Cove. - The inlet north of Felix neck, so-called in allusion to Major Peter Norton (1718-92), one of the early settlers on its shore.

Rujus^ Pond. - This is a little pond just north of the Rufus Davis place, and has been so called since the first of that name lived in Eastville. Its Indian name was Waptesun (q. v.).

Tackenashh Field. - An Indian, named John Tackenash, living about 1680, probably gave his name to a tract cultivated by him on the northwest side of Sanchacantacket pond. (Deeds, I, 88; II, 119: Comp., Edg. Rec. 34). Also a second field, a tract of about fifteen acres on the east side of the Lagoon, midway its length, deriving its name from a squaw called Tockinosh, who lived there early in the i8th century.

Tyler^s Creek. - A small brook, which runs out of a swamp between the Benjamin Davis and Christopher Beetle farms into Sanchacantacket pond. Tyler's Field bordered on this creek, and both derived titles from Tom Tyler, the Indian.

Wading Place, (1676). - The shallow water connecting a small salt pond with Major's Cove (southern shore) west of the inter-town bounds. (Edg. Rec, 21).

First Settlement

It is easier to designate the first land holders than the first settlers, because the territory was owned by men who also had lots of land in the village at Great Harbor at the same time, and it cannot be said with surety in which place some of them actually resided. The first record relating to Ogkeshkuppe occurs under date of May i6, 1653, when it was ordered that "Mr. Mayhew is to Purchase part of Ogisske (ppe) neck of the Indians for the town."^ This was in line with Mayhew's policy of satisfying the native owners of the soil whenever the whites enlarged their sphere of improvement beyond former acquisitions, and it is presumed that Mayhew carried out the town directions. It is not known what "part" of the neck was secured in this way.

On Dec. i, 1642, probably after their first visit to their island domain, Thomas Mayhew, Senior, Thomas Mayhew, Junior, and John Smith, granted to John Daggett, a neighbor of theirs in Watertown, the following lands on the Vineyard :

.... twenty acres of land upon the point beginning at the great stone next to my lot, and twenty acres of meadow: and also five hundred acres of land for a farm: he have liberty to take up wherever he the said John Doggett wishes, only provided he take not up his farm within three miles of the spring that is by the harbor in my lot aforesaid, before I that is Thomas Mayhew the elder have made choice of twenty acres of meadow and a farm of five hundred acres for myself, the which choice not being made within one year insueing the date hereof, then the said John Doggett have liberty to chuse for himself.^

When John Daggett came to the Vineyard cannot be accurately stated, but the first time his name appears of record is in 1 65 1, though it is to be supposed that he had been here for some time previous.^ He had a home lot in the village of Great Harbour, and there is nothing to indicate that he did not reside there, as the most desirable place for residential purposes at that time. With his early grant, just referred to, he followed the custom of the patentee, and after locating to his satisfaction, the tract of five hundred acres, three miles from a spring near Mayhew's house, he proceeded, in 1660, to buy the sachem's "rights" to the soil. On March 3rd of that year Wampamag, the chief of the Sanchacantacket tribe, sold to Daggett, "a certain tract of land which was granted by Mr Thomas Mayhew Sen, and Mr Thomas Mayhew Jr, for a farm, I say a tract of land lying upon the east side of the eastermost Chap of Homes Hole, called by the English Quasquannes, butting down to the sea on the east, being bounded on the east side by the sea, and on the north side with marked trees, running into the woods three hundred and twenty rods, and on the north side from the sea three hundred and twenty rods and on the west side three hundred and twenty rods."^

For reasons not now known. Governor Mayhew refused to fulfill his early grant, and Daggett thereupon purchased the "rights" of the Indian sachem to the soil on the date above mentioned. Acting under the influence of Mayhew the town voted, Oct. 3, 1660, "that John Daggett, the elder, hath broken the order of ten pounds upon every acer In purchasing a farm at Sanchacontackett at the hands of the Indians without the towns consent."^ On December 17, following, the townsmen proceeded to collect the fine by the passage of the order here quoted :

These are to warne you by the authority of this town to levie upon the estate of John Doggett, the elder, upon Martins Vineyard the sum of five thousand (pounds) upon the breach of order in purchasing lands.^

A penalty of five thousand pounds was a little too much for John Daggett to pay for obtaining a title to a farm which had been granted to him in due and legal form, and he resisted this absurd levy. It was not only confiscation, but it meant banishment, the favorite method of Mayhew in dealing with his enemies. As the case could not be adjudicated in the local court, because of the interest of Mayhew in the result, the parties agreed to refer it to the Plymouth Colony court for arbitration. The records of the town state "the names of those that Doth try for the farme with John Daggett:"

'Dukes Deeds, II, 253. Quasquannes is probably an Indian personal name. ^Edgartown Records, I, 133. A town order dated Jan. 4, 1652. ^Ibid., 130.

Thomas Mayhew for My self and all Relations in the town that is eight lotts; Mr. Butler 2 lots; William Vinson his lot & his mothers; Thomas Trapp i lot; Robert Codman, i; Nicholas Norton & 2 sons; Thomas Bayes 2 lots; Thomas Burchard; Nicholas Butler; William Weeks; Goodman Jones; James Covel one half lot/

This list comprises most of the resident land owners, though the names of Arey, Bland, John Burchard, Eddy, Folger, Lay and some others are not included. Of course his son, Thomas Daggett, could not be identified with the case, on either side. The town appointed Nicholas Norton and John Pease to conduct the case in its behalf, and on Oct. 2, 1662, the trial was held in Plymouth. The following is the record in the archives of that colony: