File:A gazetteer of the state of Massachusetts - with numerous illustrations (1890) (14764660034).jpg

Identifier: gazetteerofstate00naso (find matches)
Title: A gazetteer of the state of Massachusetts : with numerous illustrations
Year: 1890 (1890s)
Authors: Nason, Elias, 1811-1887 Varney, George J. (George Jones), 1836-1901
Subjects: Massachusetts -- Gazetteers
Publisher: Boston : B.B. Russell
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
obate was James Coffin; the last (from 1873), Thaddeus C.Defriez. The judge longest in office was Jeremiah Gardner, whoserved from 1744 to 1767 ; his immediate successor, Grafton Gard-ner, serving from the latter date to 1789. The county was, in itsearlier occupation by the English, a part of Dukes County, andbelonged to the State of New York. It was annexed to Massachu-setts in 1692; and on June 20th, 1695, it was taken from Dukes andincorporated as a distinct county. The origin of its name is obscure, but appears to be of Indianderivation, —whose name for the island is said to have been Nauti-can. The native population, at the period of settlement by the Eng-lish, had been depleted by a Avar between the eastern and the west-ern tribes about the year 1630; but four sachems with a few follow-ers still held possession of the territory now included in the county ;their respective domains being distinctly defined. This island was described by Gosnold, Avho discovered it in 1602. rSfc^F
Text Appearing After Image:
NANTUCKET VIEWS. 82 GAZETTEEB OF MASSACHUSETTS. It was deeded by Lord Sterling to the Mayhews in 1641; who, in1659, sold it for thirty English pounds and two beaver hats to theten original purchasers and settlers, — the Mayhews retaining onetenth of the island, together with Maisquatuck or Quaise, a peninsulaof red land midway of the harbor on the south side. Later, piece bypiece, the same land was bought of the Indians, by the settlers.Thomas Macy and his family, with Edward Star buck, appear to havebeen the original settlers, in 1659 ; bringing in a colony of ten fami-lies a year later. All of these appear to have been Eriends or Quak-ers in sentiment, if not of the communion, — who sought and foundhere a refuge from persecution. In 1663 there were about 1600Indians on the island. In 1761, the white population was 3,220;and the Indian, 358. The island early became largely devoted to sheep-raising; butfrom the year 1673 whaling increased to be a vast business; andthis, too, came

Note About Images