The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-31
Letter from Massachusetts,.
NANTUCKET, August 18th, 81

Letter from Massachusetts,.
NANTUCKET, August 18th, 81.
MeSSrS. Editors,-I left off, in my last,
at the aboriginal tradition of the origin
of the island Nantucket-that the island
was made from the ashes of only one pipe
of tobacco smoked by Maushope, but
omitted saying that this pipeful was the
entire crop of the island of Martha s Vine
yard When one of those dense fogs, so
common here, comes, they say Maushope
is smoking. [ have not discussed the
pros and cons with these aboriginal be-
levers in this tradition, as to the impos-
sibility of growing tobacco on this sandy,
sterile soil, in this bleak, unpropltious
climate. will not disturb their tradi-
ton, but allow them to smoke this pipe
In innocent simplicity and peace. So this
is proper introduction to short report
OF my sojourn in Nantucket.
The Island; The City-Its Rise and Fall.
Nantucket is about two hours sail from
Martha's Vineyard Two steamers daily,
offer excursions. Each of these steamers
has historic interest-historic of the
late unpleasantness." The "Monahau-
sette' was used by General Grant as his
dispatch boat, and occasionally as his
headquarters on the Potomac and James :;
and IN her state-room are carefully pre-
served the chairs, sofa, bed and wash
stand, used by General Grant. The other
steamer, the "River Queen" was used by
President Lincoln as his dispatch boat on
the Potomac. On board of her, in Hamp-
ton Roads, February Sd, 1865, met that
remarkable company known as the Peace
Commissioners company and an event
ever memorable in fact, though not in re-
suit. In this boat sat Mr.. Lincoln and
Mr.. Seward, of the one part and Messrs.
A. FL. Stevens, 1. A.. Campbell, and R.
M. L. Hunter, of the second part. 1t is
a beautiful SAIL taking the voyager for a
short time out of sight of land. Before
entering the harbor of Nantucket, we see
first the old famous windmill first built
OH the Island, all dilapidated and left a
landmark of antiquity. Nantucket is
about sixteen miles long and four wide.
and its highest hill is 90 feet above the
sea. Like all the other islands, Nan
tucket is waste of sand and the stunted
scrub-oak, twisted and gnarled with oc.
casional fringing of moss, like the moss
upon the evergreen oaks of Florida. 1t
is strange to see, now and then, produc-
tive fields, yielding abundant crops of
New England's chief staple-hay-on
this sterile soil. 1t is another evidence
OF the thrift and enterprise of the Yam
kee. Here we find two blades of grass
where none grew before" Strange to
say, at one time 10000 sheep were raised
annually on this sand bank.
Among the early settlers was Peter
Folger, whose daughter, Abiah, was the
mother of Benjamin Franklin. These
islanders are very aristocratic, and claim
long line of worthy ancestry. When
asked what is their chief and important
staple, they answer, "Men p And in
deed they have a right Many of the
names of the eminent men of Massachu-
setts are found on their time-worn. moss
covered grave stones, dating as far back
as 1894.
Nantucket Sound was formerly the
habitat of whales-so numerous that fbe
natives captured them by canoes, right
IN the sound-and for many wears De
rived from them immense revenues.
nantucket Harbor is siDgularly land
locked. The entrance into it is narrow
deep, and tortuous; but once within the
ship, amid the tempestuous storms, lies
as safe and secure as "painted ship,
upon a painted ocean," while without
and hard by, lie Nantucket shoals the
terror and watery grave of vast numbers
OF sea-farers. These shoals are guarded
by one Of the finest light houses. But I
must tell you Of the city Of Nantucket.
Entering the harbor, the first thing one
sees is the old windmill built in i746.
from which may be had the finest views
OF the island. This old town was located
In 1878, and steadily increased in popula-
ton to l845; at this period it was a lively.
busting town, of 5000 inhabitants. After
the falling off Of the whaling interests, it