In 1776, the British threatened to take down a Liberty Pole residents had erected on the schoolhouse grounds and use it as a spar on one of their warships. To prevent their patriotic symbol from falling into enemy hands, three teenage girls from Vineyard Haven inserted gunpowder into the pole and blew it up. In 1898, a new pole was erected to commemorate their daring act of patriotism. Their experience has embraced all aspects of Island Life. As early as 1703, estates included enslaved persons and there is evidence of an African-American history from that time until the present day.
Records show their work as seamen, preachers, wise women and even sea captains.
Remnants of buildings include churches, homes and social clubs. Methodism is believed to have been brought to the Island by John Saunders and his wife. They were formerly enslaved people who purchased their freedom in Virginia and traveled to Holmes Hole. There is a rock in the Farm Neck area known as Pulpit Rock where the preacher stood to exhort and spread the word of God. For over a century, local and travelling sailors have visited this bethel.