History of Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA

1641 - Nantucket is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

In 1659, nine men invested "the sum of thirty pounds...and also two beaver hats, one for myself and one for my wife", to the then owner, Thomas Mayhew, for the purchase of the Nantucket island.

www.greatpointproperties.com

1671 - Nantucket is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1676 - November 16 - 1st colonial prison organized, Nantucket Mass

historyorb.com

1795 - Bank of Nantucket Established
In 1795, Bank of Nantucket was established with capital of $100,000.

The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, Volume 3
Author Sir David Brewster
Publisher J. & E. Parker, 1832
Page 229

1820 - November 20 – After the sinking of the American whaleship Essex of Nantucket by a sperm whale in the southern Pacific Ocean the survivors are left afloat in three small whaleboats.
They eventually resort, by common consent, to cannibalism to allow some to survive.
wikipedia.org
November 20, 1820

1839 - Nantucket
Nantucket, Massachusetts
An island in the Atlantic ocean—town and county. It lies E. of Dukes county, and about 30 miles S. of Cape Cod, or Barnstable county. This island is about 15 miles in length from east to west, and about 4 miles average breadth. It contains 50 square miles. The town, formerly called Shelburne, is in about the centre of the island on the north side, in lat. 41°16'42", W. lon. 70°7'42". It is 100 miles S.E. by E. from Boston, 55 S.E. from New Bedford, 30 S.E. from Falmouth, and 500 from Washington. Population, 1837, 9,048.

Nantucket has a good harbor, with 7 1/ 2 feet of water, at low tide, on the bar at its mouth. This island was formerly well wooded, but for many years it has not had a single tree of natural growth. The soil is light and sandy; it however affords pasturage for about 7,000 sheep, 500 cows, and other cattle. In 1659, when this county was incorporated, the island contained 3,000 Indians, but now, not one.

The whale fishery commenced here in... Read MORE...

1841 - August 11 (Wednesday) Frederick Douglass spoke in front of the Anti-Slavery Convention in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

August 11, 1841

1841 - October 3 - An October gale, the worst of record for Nantucket, MA, caught the Cape Cod fishing fleet at sea. Forty ships were driven ashore on Cape Cod, and 57 men perished from the town of Truro alone.

WeatherForYou.com
October 3, 1841

1845 - NANTUCKET TOWN. [Pop. 9,012. Inc. 1687.]
The town-of Nantucket (marked n) is situated at the west end of a sort of bay, on the north side of the island, and there are few other houses, except at the small village of Siasconset (S) at the eastern end of the Island.

The harbor is capacious and safe, but a bar of sand before its mouth prevents the entrance of large vessels, unless they are buoyed up or unloaded.

The great business of Nantucket is the whale fishery, which was first introduced in 1690, by a whaleman from Cape Cod, and was long carried on in boats near the shore. As the whales gradually retired from the coast, the enterprising islanders pursued them to the most distant seas,

Thomas Mayhew obtained the first grant of this island in 1641, and Thomas Macy was the first settler, in 1659. In 1695, after Duke's County, in which Nantucket was included, was taken from New York and given to Massachusetts, Nantucket was made a separate county.

The town, under the name of Sherburne, was... Read MORE...

1854 - Nantucket
Nantucket, a post-town, port of entry, and seat of justice of Nantucket county, Massachusetts, is situated at the entrance of a deep bay on the N. side of Nantucket island, about 105 miles S. E. by S. from Boston, and 50 miles S. E. from New Bedford ; lat. 41° W 50" N., Lon. 70° & 12" W. The harbor is excellent, being capacious, deep, and nearly landlocked by two projecting points of beach, the extremities of which are only about three- fourths of a mile apart. The village is compactly built, mostly of wood, with narrow streets. It contains 8 or 9 churches, a bank with a capital of $200,000, an Athenaeum, a handsome building, and 2 newspaper offices. Besides a library of about 2500 volumes, the Athenaeum has a valuable collection of curiosities. The inhabitants of Nantucket have been long and successfully engaged in the whale fishery. The shipping of the port, June 30th, 1852, amounted to an aggregate of 23,779 tons registered, and 3451 tons enrolled and licensed. Of the registered... Read MORE...

1890 Nantucket Massachusetts
Nantucket, the town, embraces the entire island of the same name, and the smaller islands of Tuckernuck, Muskegat, with the three Gravelly Islands; and the town constitutes the entire county of Nantucket. Nantucket is also the name of the principal village; containing the court-house and jail. It is situated midway of the north side of the island, on a harbor of its own name. This place is 110 miles southeast of Boston, with which it has communication by the Old Colony Railroad and steamers.

At the northern extremity of the Nauma peninsula is Great Point Light; southeast of this, on the eastern extremity of the island, is Sankaty Head Light; and on the north shore of the western section is Bug Light, — with Nantucket Light eastward on Brant Point, marking the entrance to Nantucket harbor. From the wharves of the village the harbor extends northeastward above 6 miles, forming two basins, each about one and a half miles in extreme width; and on the south side of the first is Polpis... Read MORE...

1895 - Nantucket
Nantucket, a port of entry, and the capital of Nantucket co., Mass., is on the N. shore of the island of the same name, about 56 miles E.S.E. of New Bedford. It has a good, deep harbor, which is nearly landlocked. It contains 6 or 7 churches, a national bank, a savings-bank, and an athenaeum, in which are a museum of marine curiosities and a library of 5000 volumes. One weekly news paper is published here. A steamboat plies daily between this port and Martha's Vineyard and Wood's Hole. Pop. of the island in 1850, 8452; in 1875, 3201, Nantucket was formerly celebrated for its extensive whale-fisheries. It is now principally noted as a summer resort for invalids and pleasure-seekers. Pop, of post-town in 1890, 3268.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Nantucket, a banking post=town, capital of Nantucket co., Mass., is on the N. shore of the island of the same name, about 56 miles ESE. of New Bedford. It has a good, deep harbor, which is nearly landlocked. It is picturesque in aspect and has an athenaeum, in which are a museum of marine curiosities and a library of several thousand volumes. Nantucket was formerly celebrated for its extensive whale fisheries. It is now principally noted as a summer-resort for invalids and pleasure-seekers. Pop. of the town in 1900, 3006.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1909 - Six Killed In Crash at Sea.
The White Star liner Republic, rammed by the Italian liner Florida, in the fog off Nantucket, Mass., when six persons were killed, sank after being kept afloat for thirty-six hours. Her passengers, 1650, taken off many hours before by the steamship Baltic, were landed in New York.

The Republic was in tow of the revenue cutter Gresham and the derelict destroyer Seneca, proceeding to New York, when she sank. On board her was Captain Sealby with a volunteer detail of fifty of her crew. They were taken off by the Gresham, which cast loose from the crippled liner and stood by until she sank beneath the waves.

The Florida, which crashed into the Republic in the dense fog Saturday morning and gave her her death blow, was conveyed to this port by the American liner New York.

From the moment that the Republic was struck amidships by the Florida the danger that she would perish was apparent. The Republic was equipped with wireless telegraphy, and hardly had the shock of the collision... Read MORE...

1934 - SEVEN SAILORS PERISH IN COLLISION OF LINER WITH LIGHTSHIP DURING THICK FOG.
Nantucket, Mass., May 16. - The 43,000-ton liner Olympic, groping its way through a heavy fog, crashed broadside into the Nantucket Lightship Tuesday. Seven of the lightship's crew were either killed outright or were missing. The lightship sank.

Three men found by the Olympic's lifeboats died of their injuries. Four others were missing.
Coast Guard reported those dead as:
W. W. PERRY, Reading, Mass., engineer.
A. MONTELRO, New Bedford, cook.
J. RICHMOND, Boston, oiler.
The missing men were:
I. PINA, cook, New Bedford.
N. S. RODRIGUEZ., sailor, New Bedford.
J. PORTES, sailor, New Bedford.
E. B. GEORGE, sailor, New Bedford.
The rescued men were:
Captain GEORGE W. BRAITHWAITHE, of Cambridge, who suffered severe head injries.
C. E. MOSHER, first officer, New Bedford.
L. U. ROBERTS, oiler, Boston.
J. S. PERRY, radio operator, Provincetown.

Several other members of the crew were on shore leave.
The crash occurred at 10:30 a.m. E.S.T., after the giant White Star liner... Read MORE...

1952 - February 18 - Winds gusting to 72 mph created mountainous snowdrifts of the 18 inches of snow which buried Nantucket and Hyannis. A barometric pressure reading of 29.02 inches was reported at the center of the storm.

The Weather Channel

1956 - July 25 - The Andrea Doria sank in dense fog near Nantucket Lightship, MA.
The ship was rammed by the Swedish-American liner, Stockholm, forty-five miles off the coast of Massachusetts. Fifty-two persons drowned, or were killed by the impact.
The Weather Channel
July 25, 1956

1965 - August 29 - A national record for the month of August was established when 2.5 inches of snow fell atop Mount Washington NH.
Temperatures in New England dipped to 39 degrees at Nantucket MA, and to 25 degrees in Vermont. For many location it was the earliest freeze of record.
WeatherForYou.com

2023 - Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, a foodie, or simply seeking relaxation, there's something for everyone on this beautiful island. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Nantucket:
Nantucket Beaches: Nantucket is famous for its pristine beaches. Jetties Beach, Surfside Beach, Cisco Beach, and Madaket Beach are just a few of the many options for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing.

Whale Watching: Nantucket is one of the best places on the East Coast for whale watching. Take a boat tour to spot humpback, finback, and minke whales, as well as dolphins and seals.

Nantucket Town: Explore the island's charming main town, also called Nantucket. Wander down cobblestone streets lined with historic homes, boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

Brant Point Lighthouse: Visit this iconic lighthouse located at the entrance to Nantucket Harbor. It's a perfect spot for photos and offers great views of incoming boats.

Cycling: Nantucket is a bike-friendly island with miles of bike paths and scenic routes. Rent a bike and explore the island at your own pace.

Nantucket Whaling Museum: Dive into the island's rich whaling history at this museum. Learn... Read MORE...