- An early draft of -

Part Three:
Descendants of Capt. James Shaw West

WARNING:  Partially unedited!

This is part of a manuscript I am writing titled The Descendants of Capt. Jeruel West and Deborah Shaw of Frog Alley, Tisbury, MA. All sources are available upon request! If you have any additions, corrections, or suggestions, please email me!

300.     Capt. James Shaw West was born on 11 Dec 1777 in Tisbury, Dukes County, Mass. He married Charlotte Hammond on 1 Jun 1797 in Tisbury. He died on 4 Sep 1859 in Holmes Hole, at age 81, of Palsy, and is buried in Village Cemetery.

He appears on the Tisbury census of 1800 with his young wife and two sons. On 1 Oct 1800 "James West of Tisbury, mariner" bought land near Holmes Hole Harbor (bordered on the west by the road from the head to the point and adjacent to the properties of James Winslow, Jethro Hillman, and Jeremiah Crapo) for $100 from Ephraim Harding, blacksmith, and his wife Anna.

On 8 Oct 1803 he and 29 others bought a "lot of land for a burying ground" and a right of way to it, from Isaac and Rebecca Daggett for $60. This is undoubtedly what is now the West Chop Cemetery.

On 4 Jul 1808, "James West of Tisbury, pilot" and his wife Charlotte, sold a corner of his house lot along the road (by the highway from the lower part of Holmes Hole harbor to the head) for $30 to "agents for the proprietors of a School House to be built in the Northern part of the Homes's Hole School District". (The school was indeed built - near what is now the top of Hatch Road.)

James and Charlotte appeared on the census of 1810 in Tisbury with an older woman (perhaps mother-in-law Hammond??) and five children. His listing is adjacent to Peleg Winslow, two listings down from his brother Jeruel, and three down from his mother Deborah.

On 15 Jul 1817 (?), Abijah and Mary Luce of Boston sold about 4 acres of land on West Chop for $200 to the U.S. Government for the purpose of maintaining a lighthouse. (He later sold the 40 acre "Point Lot" on West Chop (except the lighthouse lot) to Timothy Bourne (deed 26/295.) The West Chop Lighthouse was first lighted on 5 Oct 1817, at which time it was a shingled tower. On 17 Oct 1817, Charlotte and "James S. West, of Tisbury, pilot," sold their home next to the schoolhouse, and presumably moved into the lightkeeper’s dwelling, where he maintained the light from 1818 until 1848.

Banks states mentions a "James Shaw West" who was a licensed inn-holder in Holmes Hole and ran the "County House." (Which "James" did he refer to - the father or the son?)

He appeared on the census of 1820 in Tisbury with his wife and children. In 1829 new lamps were added to the lighthouse.

On 28 Aug 1830, "James West of Tisbury, pilot" and his wife bought the Frog Alley land formerly owned by his father Jeruel West (near James Winslow, the harbor, and a "little pond") for $400 from his mother and twelve other heirs of his father. On 22 Jul 1832 he sold this land to his sister’s husband, Thomas H. Smith, trader, for $200 "and to support my Mother, Mrs. Deborah West during her natural life."

On 29 Jun 1836 he purchased grave plots for the family at the Proprietors Burying Ground (now known as the "Village Cemetery") for $10.

On 4 Jul 1837, "James West of Tisbury, lightkeeper" bought a five-acre lot on the north shore of Tisbury (consisting of the east half of "Winston's Lot") for $550 from Ichabod Norton of Edgartown, yeoman. This was probably the "Wood Land" he was taxed for in 1838 and 1842, and was noted as still owning this lot in 1862.

He appeared on the census of 1840 in Tisbury. In 1846 the lighthouse was rebuilt and moved, and a new dwelling built. The old dwelling was given to his son Gustavus and moved to Music Street in West Tisbury.

On 12 Oct 1840 James S. West, his brother-in-law Thomas H. Smith, and five others, "Trustees in trust for the Methodist Episcopal Church in Holmes Hole" bought "a lot of land for the purpose of building a parsonage house thereon" near the lands of James D. Peaks, Jane Luce, Thomas N. Hillman, and the fork in the roads from Holmes Hole to Edgartown and West Tisbury. They paid $100 to Jane Luce of Tisbury, trader.

On 28 Jan 1842, "James West of Tisbury, Light House Keeper" bought a 30-acre lot at Holmes Hole Neck "called the Point Lot at the West Chop" adjacent to Point Pond and the Sound, except for the land owned by the United States "whereon stands a Light and dwelling house." They paid $400 to Timothy and Elizabeth Bourne of Falmouth. The next year they sold this "Point Lot" for $400 to his sons Abner and David P. West of Tisbury, mariners.

Son David Porter West of Tisbury, mariner, appointed his father "James West, lighthouse keeper," his attorney on 8 Jun 1843.

On 28 Apr 1845 an indenture was made between William and Jane Daggett and the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Holmes Hole (consisting Thomas Bradley, Thomas Robinson, Edmund Crowell, Thomas H. Smith, James S. West, George W. Smith, and William Daggett) for $250 for the building of a church. The land was in Holmes Hole where the present stone church now stands, and was bounded on the south by "Methodist Street" (now called "Church Street") on the west by William Street, and on the north by William C. Downs’ lot "now occupied by [James’ son] Albert West."

Jeremiah Pease of Edgartown mentions "Mr. James West, the Keeper of [the West Chop] Light" in his diary, and noted that he "lived near this place" on 11 Jul 1846.

On 19 Nov 1847 James West, "gentleman" and his wife Charlotte sold their woodlot, (formerly the east half of "Winston's Lot") to his son David Porter West of Tisbury. The same day, "James West of Tisbury, gentleman" bought a home across the street from the Methodist Church (on the southeast corner of the intersection of William and Church Streets) from his son Capt. David Porter West for $1270. The following year, he gave up his position as lightkeeper and moved to this home in town. James West was still on the committee of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church when his son David sold the lot next door (containing the former Methodist Meeting House) to the church for $575.

He appeared on the census of 18 Sep 1850 in Tisbury, "Mariner," aged 72.

On 12 Nov 1852, James ("Gentleman") sold his William Street home to his son Capt. Abner West for $1270. On 18 Dec 1854, Capt. Abner sold the house back to his father again for $1150. Finally, on 22 Mar 1855, "James West of Tisbury, Gentleman," sold the same house for $1200 to his son Capt. Leander West of Tisbury! It is unclear what this transaction was all about, however Leander later sued Abner for back rent of this house.

James appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1855 in Tisbury, aged 78, pilot, living with his sons.

Charlotte Hammond (or perhaps Crapo?) was born about 1780-81, in the month of April, possibly in Falmouth. I have found no evidence of a Charlotte Hammond (or Crapo) born in Falmouth around that time after exhaustive searching, however there was one extended Hammond family living in Quissett during this period, and as the Falmouth records have many gaps, it is still possible that she belongs to this family. (Her West Chop neighbor, Jeremiah Crapo, was also a Falmouth resident, although I have no connection of Charlotte to his family, either.)

There are few records of Charlotte except for a handful of deeds and her husband’s census schedules.

Dr. Yale’s diary mentions his patient Mrs. James S. West, aged 60, who was suffering from "Pain in right side, pain in head... pain increased upon motion. Some nausea. ... cough and some bloody sputum ... fever ... cough almost constantly - raises a freely puralent mucous... some soreness of throat + side ... cough almost constant - preventing sleep ... some pain in side with beating pain in right shoulder ..." in entries dated from the 7^th to the 28^th of March, 1841. She died on 19 Jan 1849 of "dyspepsia," and was buried in Village Cemetery.

Children of Capt. James Shaw West and Charlotte Hammond were as follows:

301.  James Shaw West Jr., born 19 Mar 1798 in Tisbury, perhaps on West Chop. He married Eleanora Daggett.

ii.     John West was born in January 1799, probably at Frog Alley, and died on 2 Mar 1801 at age 1. He is buried in Village Cemetery. He appears on the census of 1800 in Tisbury as one of the males under ten living with father James West.

302.  Betsey West was born 25 Oct 1801 in Holmes Hole, probably Frog Alley. She married (1^st) Capt. William West 2d; and married (2^nd) Thomas N. Hillman.

iv.     John West was born on 11 Dec 1804 in Tisbury, probably Frog Alley. He married (1^st) Eliza Butler, daughter of Peter Butler and Polly Luce, on 31 Dec 1843 in Tisbury; and married (2^nd) Mary Bradford, daughter of Cornelius Bradford and Elisabeth Davis(?), on 15 Apr 1871 in Tisbury. He died on 22 Aug 1886 in Vineyard Haven, at age 81, of "Old Age."

Three whaling crew lists describe John as being about 5' 4" tall, with light complexion and brown hair. Although there were many men named "John West" who sailed in the whalers of the area, we can definitely identify this John West (by his age and birthplace) as the one who sailed on the Ship Midas of New Bedford from 25 Jul 1820 to 6 Apr 1821, the Ship Victory of New Bedford from 8 Jul 1823 to 6 Jun 1824, and the Ship William Rotch from 17 Jul 1830 to 17 Jun 1831.

In 1838 he was taxed in Tisbury for the ownership of a boat, and was noted as a Tisbury resident in 1842. He was called a "Mariner" in the 1850 Tisbury census, and a "pilot" in the 1855 census.

He was undoubtedly the owner of the house marked "J. West" on the Walling Map’s Holmes Hole inset, which was located on the south side of Beach Street, west of Lagoon Pond Road, near the site of the present Cumberland Farms.

He was called a Tisbury "mariner" on 26 Sep 1859 when he sued Capt. Edward Harding of Tisbury for assault, claiming he "struck him several blows on his head and shoved him into the water from a wharf upon which the plaintiff stood, to the imminent peril of his life." John West sued for $2000 in damages, and after going to trial, won $100 in damages.

He appeared on the census of 28 Jun 1860 in Holmes Hole, aged 58, "mariner," with his wife; on the census of 20 Jul 1865 in "East" Tisbury, aged 61, "fisherman"; and, following the death of his first wife, on the Tisbury census of 10 Jun 1870, aged 66, "fisherman," living alone, with real estate valued at $450.

He was called a Tisbury "pilot" at the time of his second marriage on 15 Apr 1871 and appeared on the Tisbury census of 18 Jun 1880, aged 76, living with his second wife. His second wife's death record gives her occupation as "Poor Farm [?] " (second word illegible.) Did they die in the poor farm?

303.    Drusilla A. West was born 13 Jan 1806 in Tisbury, probably Frog Alley. She married Capt. Charles Grandison Smith.

304.     Capt. Leander West was born 25 Feb 1809 in Tisbury, probably Frog Alley. He married Love Coffin Robinson.

305.     Capt. Abner West was born 29 Apr 1811 in Holmes Hole, probably Frog Alley. He married Sarah Elizabeth Hodge.

viii.     Capt. David Porter West was born on 22 Jan 1814, probably in Tisbury at Frog Alley. He married (1^st) Charlotte Jones some time before 1840; he married (2^nd) Laura W. Hathaway on 3 Jun 1848 in Stonington, CT. He died on 2 Feb 1886 in New Bedford, at age 72, of paralysis, and was buried in Village Cemetery, Vineyard Haven.

Although he certainly spent his childhood with his family on West Chop, it is unclear where he went upon reaching adulthood and where he met and married his first wife. The first record I have found of him on the Vineyard is the deed by which "David P. West of Tisbury, mariner" and his brother Abner bought the "Point Lot" on West Chop from their father for $400 on 21 Jan 1843. The following June, "David Porter West of Tisbury, mariner" appointed his father as his lawful attorney, in order to be represented in real estate and other transactions while away at sea.

On 31 Oct 1846, Abner West and David P. West of Edgartown [sic], mariners, sold land on West Chop to the United States for $225, but David was evidently away, as his father represented him as his attorney.

On 19 Nov 1847, "David Porter West of Tisbury, master mariner," sold the house on the southeast corner of Church and William Streets to his father for $1270. On the same day his father sold him a wood lot on the north shore of the Neck (formerly the east half of "Winston's Lot").

On 3 Apr 1848, "David Porter West of Tisbury" and his cousin Thomas N. Russell of New Bedford sold the land containing the old Methodist Church (adjacent to their father’s new property) to the committee of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Holmes Hole (composed of his father, his uncle Thomas H. Smith, and William Daggett) for $575.

On 4 May 1848, "David West of Tisbury, mariner," sold 2 acres and 2 rods of "upland" on West Chop, with road privileges, to the U.S. Government for $225. It was bounded on the north by the cliffs and on the northwest by property already owned by the U. S. A month later, David P. West "of Martha's Vineyard" married his second wife in Connecticut. I could not find him in the 1850 census.

He appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1855 in Tisbury, aged 41, "mariner," living with his father and his second wife.

On 1 Oct 1856, Capt. West sailed the whaling ship Rapid from New Bedford to the Pacific Ocean, and on 4 Feb 1858 he wrote a long letter to the Gazette from Hakodadi, Japan regarding the people, customs, geography, and navigation of Japan. It was published in the 12 Nov 1858 issue.

I could not find him listed in the 1860 census, but in April 1861 he bought property in Holmes Hole (adjacent to the "the Company farms") from his sister Charlotte. In August 1862 he witnessed the will of Charles Hardenburg. He appeared on the census of 20 Jul 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 50, "seaman," with his wife, adjacent to his brother Abner.

I have no records of David Porter West between 1865 and 1886, when the following article was published:

A HUMAN WRECK.
Sad Condition of a Once Successful Whaling Master.
[Special Dispatch to the Boston Herald.] New Bedford, Jan. 20, 1886.

There arrived in this city this afternoon, on the 1:45 o'clock train, an old man, evidently suffering from paralysis, whose articulation was very indistinct. When asked where he wanted to go, he could only reply, 'Anywhere.' Officer Wing took him to the central police station, after which he was taken to the office of the overseers of the poor, but as the secretary was unable to do anything for him, he was again taken to the central station, and is now in the sick bay at that institution. After getting to the station, the man gave the name of John Blake, and said he was 74 years old and was born here. He added that he had sailed from this port in the whaling business many years. He has been in Providence, where he met with an accident, and had been an inmate of the Rhode Island hospital in that city for treatment, and was this morning sent to this city without an attendant. In answer to a dispatch to Supt. Charles E. Woodbury, Chief of Police Tompkins was informed that Blake was removed by order of George W. Wightman, overseer of the poor in that city. Afterward, upon examination, he gave his name as David P. West, and said his father's name was James. At one time he was mate of the ship Franklin and master for two voyages, each in the Isaac Howland and the Heroine, the last named vessel belonging in Fairhaven. He also claims to have been master of the ship William Hamilton when she was lost on the coast of Chili in 1858. The old man says he has brought a good deal of oil into this port, having made one or two great voyages, and is only anxious to end his days in some hospital. The reason he changed his name from West to Blake was owing to some trouble about a patent in the manufacture of soap. Upon further inquiry by a Herald correspondent, it was learned that West's home was in Vineyard Haven, and he is known here as having been a most successful whaling captain from this port, and in the palmy days of whaling, was R. Mott Robinson's crack whaling master. At one time, Mr. Robinson built for him a new clipper whaler, the Rapid. West was also a man of considerable wealth."

His obituary was published shortly afterwards:

"Capt. David P. West, who was sent to this city some two weeks ago from the Rhode Island Hospital by the Providence Overseers of the Poor, alone and unattended, while in a paralyzed condition, died at the Almshouse in this city Tuesday. He had been in an unconscious condition for two or three days. His remains were taken to Tisbury for interment.

"It will be remembered that Capt. West was an old an well-known whaleman from this port, and on arriving here from Providence was cared for as best he could be at the police station before being sent to the Alms-house. He formerly commanded the following vessels, as we find in Starbuck's History of the American Whale Fishery:

Ship Heroine, which sailed from Fairhaven June 14, 1843, and arrived Feb. 24, 1845...
Ship Heroine, which sailed from Fairhaven June 4, 1845, and arrived Sept. 14, 1847...
Ship Isaac Howland, which sailed from New Bedford June 30, 1848, and arrived March 26, 1851...
Ship Isaac Howland, which sailed from New Bedford July 23, 1851, and arrived April 24, 1854...
Ship Wm. Hamilton, which sailed from New Bedford June 19, 1855, and returned July 16 with captain hurt. Sailed again Sept. 11th and sent home a small quantity of oil. The ship was lost off the Coast of Chili Jan. 27, 1856.
Ship Rapid, built in Fairhaven in 1856, and sailed from New Bedford Oct. 1, 1856. Had a series of reverses in 1860, was fired by the men, struck on a sunken rock, ran into the Jeannette, and was condemned in 1860. Sent home 1512 barrels whale oil and 15,600 pounds bone.

Nathan Church was agent of the Heroine, and I. Howland, Jr., & Co. of the other vessels".

 

306.    Charlotte E. West was born 15 Apr 1817 in Tisbury, probably Frog Alley. She married (1^st) Capt. Thomas Foster; she married (2^nd) Capt. Charles B. Hardenburg.

x.     Lenora West was born on 4 May 1822, probably at West Chop. and died on 19 Jul 1825 in Tisbury, at age 3. She is buried in Village Cemetery.

307.    Gustavus Lewis West was born 22 Jan 1826 at West Chop. He married Deborah R. Allen.

 

301.    James Shaw West Jr. (James1) was born on 19 Mar 1798 in Tisbury, perhaps on West Chop. He married Eleanora Daggett, daughter of Peter Daggett and Martha Luce, on 5 May 1822 in Tisbury. He died on 24 May 1871 in Tisbury, at age 73, of Apoplexy., town) and is buried in Village Cemetery.

James Jr., eldest son of James Shaw West, grew up at Frog Alley. Although there were many men named "James West" who sailed on the whalers in this area, we can definitely identify this James (by his age and birthplace) as the one who sailed on the Ship Maria of New Bedford from 11 Sep 1817 to 18 May 1819, and again from 17 Jul 1819 to 23 Sep 1820. In the crew lists he was noted as being 5' 7 1/2" tall at the age of 21 (having grown from 5' 6" tall at the age of 19), with a fair complexion and brown hair.

Following his marriage he appears on the census of 1830 in Tisbury with his wife and three children, and again in 1840. He appeared on the 1850 Tisbury census as a "mariner," and in 1855 as a "pilot." The 1860 Tisbury census calls him a Holmes Hole "Master Mariner," and in 1865 the census-taker found him as a 64-year-old widower "pilot" living with his daughter Jane.

He appeared on the census of 9 Jun 1870 in Tisbury, aged 73, "mariner," living alone, listed next to the home of his brother Abner. His 1871 death record calls him a Tisbury "pilot."

Banks notes that a "James Shaw West" was a licensed inn-holder in Holmes Hole (and ran the "County House"). Which "James" did he refer to, the father or the son?

Eleanora Daggett was born on 28 Jun 1806 in Tisbury. She appeared on each of the censuses from 1830 to 1855 with her husband and children. She died on 16 Aug 1857 in Holmes Hole, at age 51, of "Consumption," "after a long and distressing sickness of nineteen months, which she bore with Christian fortitude." She was buried in Village Cemetery adjacent to her parents.

Children of James Shaw West Jr. and Eleanora Daggett were as follows:

i.     Jane Luce West was born on 21 Aug 1823 in Tisbury, and died on 9 Mar 1920 in the home of Ornan J. Slocum, Franklin St., Vineyard Haven, at age 96, of "Debility and Exhaustion from old age" (The Gazette reported, "Since an accident deprived Miss West of the use of one hip and leg; confinement to bed and the infirmities of her age made her much of a sufferer, though tenderly cared for, but she was the patient, exemplary, uncomplaining Christian and unselfish woman throughout, that she had been all her life; though longing and praying for rest if God willed.") She was buried in Village Cemetery.

Her obituary reads, "Those living in this town twenty or more years will remember often seeing an elderly, high bred little lady on her way to church, or out calling or for tea with a friend.…This lady was Miss Jane Luce West, one of the long surviving children of the late James Shaw West and Ellenora (Daggett) West, his wife. We well recollect her lady-like manner in particular, indicating as it did to even a casual passer, culture and refinement, and, also the typical school teacher of the older days who taught the highest and best morals and manners, not alone by precept, but by example. … She was for over seventy years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tisbury".

Jane grew up in Tisbury and remained a single woman living in her parents’ Holmes Hole house, working as a seamstress, a school teacher, and eventually caring for her aging father. I have no record of her between 1865 and 1910. By 1910 she was boarding with her sister Eleanora on Woodlawn Ave. She appeared on the census of 7 Jan 1920 on Franklin St., Tisbury, aged 96, boarding with family of Ornan J. and Annie M. Slocum. (Ornan was the brother of the famous circumnavigator, Joshua Slocum.)

308.     Eleanora Daggett West was born 2 Jun 1825 in Tisbury. She married William Cook Luce.

309.    Capt. Philander Daggett West was born 22 Sep 1827 in Holmes Hole. He married Mary Cleveland.

iv.     Capt. Timothy L. West was born on 19 May 1831 in Tisbury. He died on 25 Feb 1861 on board ship Martha's Vineyard, at sea, aged 29, cause "unknown."

He was described as 5' 1" tall with light complexion, light hair, and blue eyes. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850, aged 19, "sailmaker," living with his parents, and again as a "mariner" in 1855. He appeared on the Holmes Hole census of 1860 as a 28-year-old "master mariner" living with his father and his two sisters. He was called a "mariner" in his 1861 death record.

310.     Drusilla N. West was born on 24 Dec 1841 in Tisbury. She married (1^st) Edward Stanton Mitchel; (2^nd) Austin Green; and (3^rd) (--?--) Van Gieson.

 

302.     Betsey West (James1) was born on 25 Oct 1801 in Holmes Hole, probably at Frog Alley. She married (1^st) Capt. William West 2d, son of Thomas West and Sarah Butler, on 21 Nov 1820 in Tisbury. She married (2^nd) Thomas N. Hillman, son of Elijah Hillman and Charlotte Coffin, on 25 Nov 1834 in Holmes Hole. She died on 5 Jan 1883 in Vineyard Haven, at age 81, of "Infirmities of Old Age."

See The Descendants of Betsey West Hillman.

303.     Drusilla A. West (James1) was born on 13 Jan 1806, probably at Frog Alley. She married Capt. Charles Grandison Smith, son of Ebenezer Smith and Mary Hulsart, on 31 Jan 1829 in Holmes Hole. She died on 1 Jan 1861 in Holmes Hole, at age 54, of "Adynamic Peretonitis" and is buried at Oak Grove.

Drusilla is reflected in the Tisbury censuses of 1810 and 1820 of her father, and the 1840 Tisbury census of her first husband. She appeared on the census of 1850 in Tisbury (aged 44), the census of 1855 in Tisbury (aged 49, with her husband and children), and the census of 1860 in Holmes Hole (aged 54, with her husband and children).

Capt. Charles Grandison Smith was born on 17 Feb 1802 in Eastville.

Although there were many, many "Charles Smiths" who sailed from New Bedford, he was undoubtedly the Charles G. Smith, Edgartown native, who sailed on the ship Iris of New Bedford from 13 Sep 1821 to 2 Feb 1824, the ship Abigail of New Bedford from 12 Dec 1825 to 13 Dec 1828, and the ship Hector of New Bedford from 18 Oct 1831 to 2 Oct 1834. He may also have been the Charles G. Smith who was the captain of the ship Roman of New Bedford from 29 Jun 1839 to 22 Dec 1842. The records suggest he was about 5' 7" tall with a light complexion and brown or black hair.

He resided in Edgartown at the time of his 1829 marriage, but was called a Holmes Hole "master mariner" in the birth records of his children between 1829 and 1836.

On 19 Jul 1838 in Holmes Hole, Betsey West (widow of Charles’ wife’s uncle) and her children sold there home "in Tisbury at the head waters of the Holmes Hole harbor" near the "county road leading to the head the wharf" [sic] for $1400 to "Charles G. Smith of Tisbury, mariner." This was undoubtedly the house that is now called likely the "1785 House." This house remained in the family until at least 1915.

He appeared on the census of 1840 in Tisbury, where his occupation was categorized under "Navigation of the Ocean."

On 18 Mar 1842 the widow Betsey West and her children made a four-year, $400 mortgage of land and buildings on the south side of Union Street (between John Daggett and Charles G. Smith, "it being the same premises formerly occupied by the said Betsey West and now occupied by Mr. Enoch Cook") with "Charles Smith of Tisbury."

He was called a Tisbury "master mariner" in 1844 and 1846 records, and a "mariner" in 1849. He appeared on the census of 1850 in Tisbury as a 48-year-old "mariner" and again in the 1855 census.

Although there are three houses marked "C. Smith" on the 1858 Walling Map’s Holmes Hole inset (two on Main Street, one near the site of the present A&P or Police Station) he is undoubtedly the owner of the house marked "C. G. Smith" on the south side of Union Street (the "1785 House.")

He appeared on the census of 29 Jun 1860 in Holmes Hole, aged 58, "master mariner," with his wife and children. His real estate was valued at $2000 and his personal estate at $4000. He appeared on the census of 17 Jul 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 63, "seaman," widower, with his children.

Charles G. Smith married (2^nd) Caroline (--?--) between 1865 and 1870. They appear together with two children from his first marriage on the Tisbury census of 7 Jun 1870.

He died on 21 Apr 1874 in Vineyard Haven, at age 72, "suddenly," of "disease of heart." His civil death record calls him a Vineyard Haven "mariner."

Children of Drusilla A. West and Capt. Charles Grandison Smith all born in Holmes Hole, were as follows:

314.    Eliza C. Smith was born 7 Nov 1829. She married Thomas N. Russell.

ii.    Nancy H. Smith was born on 24 Jul 1832. She died on 14 Jul 1834 in Tisbury, at age 1. (Dr. Yale wrote in his journal on July 14, 1834 "...This morning a child of Chas. G. Smith died about 2 years, after an illness of 3 or 4 days. She was attacked with diarrhea which continued very urgent till she died + a few hours after she was attacked 2 or 3 small blisters appeared on the chin + cheek, which soon spread very rapidly + ... together assuming a gangrenous appearance, black, +c. The evening before she died these patched extended all over the chin and under lip - about half of our[?] cheek, + from the chin on to the Neck as far as the ponum[?] adami - besides one or two distinct patches on the nastoic[?] process[?]").

315.    Charles Grandison Smith Jr. was born 8 Jul 1836. He married Drusilla W. Crocker.

iv.     David Porter Smith was born on 8 Jul 1836. He died after 1876 and before Dec. 1905 (probably closer to the latter date) probably in Chicago, IL.

He was recorded in the Tisbury census of 1840 with his father, and again in 1850. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged 19, "mariner," living with his parents.

He may have been the "David P. Smith" listed in whaling crew lists who sailed as a "Seaman" on the Ship Rapid of New Bedford which sailed on 29 Sep 1856 and was subsequently "condemned." He could also have been the "Greenhand" on the Ship Minerva Lmyth of New Bedford which sailed 22 Nov 1858 and returned 22 Apr 1862 (although this may have been another David P. Smith of New Bedford who was too young to have sailed on the Rapid, but was old enough to sail on this other voyage.)

He appeared on the Holmes Hole census of 1860, aged 22, "mariner," with his parents, and was probably the "David P. Smith" described as "at sea" in the September 1862 Tisbury draft list. He appeared on the census of 17 Jul 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 29, "seaman," living with his father. I could not find him in the 1870 census.

He resided on 1 Jun 1874 in Buffalo, NY, and on 5 Jun 1876 in Chicago, IL. He died before December 1905, when he was called "David P. Smith late of Chicago."

He had two children by an unknown spouse:

Marion E. Smith was probably born before 1888. She married George A. Page before December 1905, and was living in Fork Union, Virginia on that date. She was presumed to be still living in July 1919, although a letter mailed to her in Staunton, Virginia in August 1918 was returned stamped "not known." Her Vineyard relatives stated her residence as "unknown" in 1921.

Jessie E. Smith was probably born before 1888. She was living in Fork Union, Virginia in December 1905. A letter mailed to her at Staunton, Virginia in August 1918 was returned stamped "not known," but was still believed to be living in July 1919. Her Vineyard relatives stated her residence as "unknown" in 1921.

316.     Capt. George Fowler Smith was born 12 Jul 1838. He married Elizabeth Holmes Downs.

iv.     Charlotte Porter "Lottie" Smith was born on 8 Feb 1844. She never married. She died on 30 Mar 1915 in Tisbury, at age 71, of "Chronic Bronchitis," and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

She appeared on the Tisbury censuses of 1850, and 1855, and 1860 with her parents, and on the Holmes Hole census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 20, "house-maid," with her father). She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1870, "no occupation," with her father and stepmother. She appeared on the census of 1880 in Tisbury, aged 36, single, "keeping house." She was called a Tisbury resident in 1905. By about 1910 she was living on Union St., and in the 1910 census she was living on Water Street, single, "own income", aged 65, living with her brother Edward and his family. Her real estate (1/6^th interest in her father’s Union St. homestead) was valued at her death at $833.33, and her personal estate at $255.60, which was insufficient to pay her debts, so the sale of her father’s homestead was forced upon the family.

317.     Capt. Edward Jones Smith was born 17 Oct 1846. He married Sarah E. Pease.

318.     Henry H. Smith was born 10 Mar 1849. He married Olivia Boardman Nye.

 

304.     Capt. Leander West (James1) was born on 25 Feb 1809 in Tisbury, probably Frog Alley. He married Love Coffin Robinson, daughter of John Robinson and Jane Allen, on 12 Nov 1837 in Holmes Hole. He died on 15 Jan 1870 in Holmes Hole, at age 60, of apoplexy, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

He was described physically in at least five different crew lists, and although there are some contradictions, they suggest that he was probably about 5' 6" tall with a light complexion and brown hair.

He moved with his family from Frog Alley to West Chop when he was about nine, and is represented on the early censuses of his father’s household.

Although there are many records of a "Leander West" aboard the whalers of the area, we can definitely identify this Leander (by his age and birthplace) as being the one who first sailed on the Ship Midas of New Bedford, which left on 30 Jun 1825 and returned Mar 1826, followed by voyages on the Brig Emily of New Bedford from 9 Aug 1826 to 24 Dec 1827, the Ship Lancaster of New Bedford from 19 Jul 1828 to 22 Aug 1831, the Ship So. Carolina of Fairhaven from 11 Jun 1831 to 22 Feb 1832(?), and the Ship Washington of Dartmouth from 18 Jun 1836 to 5 Jun 1837. His widow's obituary notes that "Capt. Leander West, of Martha's Vineyard, was a whaling master long in service of the Howland family, New Bedford, ship owners."

He appears in the Tisbury tax lists of 1838 and 1842, the latter record showing ownership of a house. He was called a Tisbury "mariner" in his son’s 1843 birth record, the Tisbury census of 1850, and his daughter’s 1853 birth record.

An ad appears in the 25 May 1854 issue of the Vineyard Gazette: "Two dollars reward. Absconded from the subscriber, an apprenticed boy, by the name of Mark Minor. - Whoever will return said boy to me shal receive the above reward. Leander West. Holmes Hole, May 25, 1854." I don’t know whether his apprentice ever returned.

On 22 Mar 1855 his father James West, Gentleman, sold his home on the southeast corner of William and "Methodist" (Church) streets (next to the "Old Methodist Meeting House Lot") for $1200 to "Leander West of Tisbury, Master Mariner."

His daughter Grace's obituary notes that her parents were "once keepers of the Mansion House" and that Grace's "youth was spent in and about that establishment". Although I am not sure when they entered the hotel business, Leander does appear on the Tisbury census of 1855 as a 44-year-old "hotel keeper" living with his wife, children, father, brother, mother-in-law, brother-in-law(?), and a number of boarders. (His father is listed first, suggesting the home may be his, but there are a few miscellaneous boarders who suggest guests of the hotel.)

"Leander West of Tisbury, master mariner," left a will on 15 Aug 1855, "being about to depart on a voyage to sea." He named his wife executrix and left her his entire estate "provided she remains unmarried and my widow".

He appears in Walling’s 1858 Holmes Hole map as the owner of a house marked "L. West" on the southeast corner of William and Church Street. On 8 Apr 1859 the Gazette made reference to "the hotel of Capt. Leander West."

He appeared on the Holmes Hole census of 1860, "master mariner," aged 48, with his wife and two children.

On 30 Sep 1861 Leander ("master mariner") sued his brother Abner for $61.25 for use and occupation of a rented building, plus $100 in damages. The suit was eventually dismissed.

He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 56, "Proprietor of Hotel Mansion House", with his wife, two children, and three hotel employees.

His 1870 death records called him both a Holmes Hole "mariner", "Hotel Keeper," and "Master Mariner." At his death he owned real estate valued at $2250 (a house, barn, and outhouses on two lots) and $740 in personal estate (furniture.)

Love Coffin Robinson was born on 7 Sep 1819 in Chilmark. She appeared on the Tisbury censuses of 1850 and 1855 with her husband and children, (the latter census including her mother), and in 1860 her household also included others from her Robinson family. She appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 45, "housewife," with her husband, children, and a number of hotel employees.

She continued to run the hotel after the death of her husband in 1870. Her obituary notes that she "became widely known for her proprietorship of the 'Mansion House,' which until the great Vineyard Haven fire of 1883 was the sole hostelry of the busy port." She appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1870 in Tisbury, aged 49, "landlady." with her daughter and six boarders, and her real estate was valued at $3500 and her personal estate at $1000.

On 16 Oct 1872 "Love C. West of Tisbury, widow," sold a lot and buildings in Vineyard Haven (near the "County Road") and a lot and barn to Samuel Look for $3000. She appeared on the census of 1880 in Tisbury, aged 61, "widow," "Boarding House," with her daughter Grace.

A note in the 2 Feb 1883 issue of the Gazette notes that "Mrs. Love C. West, the genial hostess of the popular Grove Hill House, informs us that it has been reported - in some quarter - that the hotel is closed," but it goes on to say that her hotel is indeed open.

The Mansion House burned down in the Great Fire of 1883.

Her obituary continues, "When the 'Mansion House' was destroyed, the 'Grove Hill House,' under her guidance, became a favorite summer rendezvous for Washington officers of both the U. S. Army and Navy and their families. She was a woman of rare amiability and graciousness, charitable to generosity, and held in rarely wide personal regard. ..".

On 28 Nov 1883 she married Joseph Nickerson, son of David Nickerson and Polly (--?--), in Tisbury.

She died on 17 Nov 1900 at 16 Appleton St., Malden, MA, at age 81, of "of heart failure after a brief illness," and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Children of Capt. Leander West and Love Coffin Robinson were as follows:

i.    Leander E. West Jr. was born on 7 Jun 1843 in Tisbury. He died about 19 Nov 1867 off the coast of Africa, at age 24.

He appeared on the Tisbury censuses of 1850, 1855, and 1860 as a child with his parents.

Although there are many records of a Leander West sailing on whalers of the area (many being his father, Leander West Sr.), we can definitely identify this Leander (by his age and birthplace) as being the one who sailed on the Bark Morning Star which left 7 Aug 1862 and returned 21 Apr 1863, followed by a voyage on the Brig Mercy Taylor which left 11 May 1867 and returned on 20 Sep 1868. Presumably he died on the latter voyage.

He was described as "at sea" in September 1862 and appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 22, "seaman," with his parents.

ii.     Lenora West was born on 22 Jul 1848 in Tisbury. She died on 5 Aug 1849 in Tisbury, at age 1, of "disentary," and is buried at Oak Grove.

iii.     Grace Cook West was born on 30 Dec 1853 in Holmes Hole. She married (1^st) Adolphus Bradford, son of Alexander W. Bradford and Marianna (--?--), on 5 Jan 1882 in Tisbury. She married (2^nd) Capt. Albert Wheaton Cooke, son of Albert A. Cooke and Maria F. Talbot, on 17 May 1890 at the home of her mother in Tisbury (Gazette: "...The presents were numerous and costly.") She died on 6 Jul 1936 at Crocker Ave., Tisbury, at age 82, of a "cerebral hemorrhage," and was buried on 13 Jul 1936 at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Her obituary says, "She had made her home in Vineyard Haven during the greater part of her life. … The daughter of Leander and Love W. West, once keepers of the Mansion House, her youth was spent in and about that establishment. She was a near relative of the opera singer, Lillian Nordica, and she was intimate with the singer and traveled with her to some extent."

She appeared as a child with her parents on the Tisbury census of 1855, 1860, and 1865. She appeared on the 1870 Tisbury census, aged 16, "Attending School," living with her widowed mother, and on the 1880 Tisbury census, aged 26, single, "at home," living with her mother.

On 15 Mar 1889 (following the death of her first husband) the Gazette noted: "Mrs. Grace C. Bradford returned to Providence Monday. She will return in a few weeks with a full line of Millinery, which she will sell at very low prices".

She joined the Vineyard Haven chapter of the DAR in 1898, and was "admitted" to this organization on Mar. 16, 1899.

She resided in Malden, MA by 1903, and does not appear in the 1910 Tisbury census, but eventually she returned to Vineyard Haven. Her obituary notes that "For many years she made her home with the late Mrs. William E. Whittemore, and, following her death, she had lived in the Whittemore home."

 

305.     Capt. Abner West (James1) was born on 29 Apr 1811 in Holmes Hole, probably Frog Alley. He married Sarah Elizabeth Hodge, daughter of Elijah S. Hodge and Sarah Anthony, on 15 Mar 1847 in Troy, NY. He died on 20 Apr 1902 in Vineyard Haven, at age 90, of "Infirmities of old age," "chronic valvular disease of heart," and "pulmonary hyperaemia." and was buried on 23 Apr 1902 in Village Cemetery.

His obituary notes, "Many years of the life of Capt. West were passed upon the ocean. We learn that his first voyage at sea was made when he was but ten years of age, sailing as what was termed then mess boy." He was described as 5' 5 ½" tall with light complexion and brown hair in two records made when he was 16 and 17 years old. His first recorded whaling voyage was on the Ship Enterprise of New Bedford, which left on 14 Sep 1828 and returned 19 Jun 1829. This was followed by a voyage on the Ship George Porter of New Bedford, which left 29 Jul 1829 and returned 31 May 1830.

His first recorded voyage as Captain was on the Brig Pocahontas of New Bedford, which left on 9 Apr 1836 and returned on 18 Nov 1836 following a mutiny, after only seven months at sea. (This episode seems to have been conveniently forgotten, as neither of his obituaries mention the Pocahontas.) The Gazette, referring to what was likely his second voyage as Captain, states: "According to the best authorities among our older seamen Captain West made his first voyage as commander on the brig Delight of New Bedford, in 1839, Mr. Mosher, of the toll bridge, being owner and agent. She lay while in port at the wharf of John Avery Parker. This was in the flourishing days of the whaling industry at that city. One of our old sea captains now in his 77th year, relates that when he was a boy he well remembered the brig Delight as she was being made ready for this voyage, his father with a large gang of workmen being busy fitting her for this cruise." The Gazette also makes reference to a second voyage on the Delight.

Following this, he evidently commanded two voyages of the brig Popmonnitt of Mattapoisett and Fairhaven. He then sailed as master of the Bark Chase of New Bedford and Mattapoisett which left for Atlantic whaling grounds on 5 Jun 1841 and returned on 12 Oct 1842. He sailed twice more on this vessel as master: from 27 Dec 1842 to 7 Jul 1844, and from 7 Nov 1844 to 9 Sep 1846.

On 21 Jan 1843, his father ("James West, light keeper") sold the "Point Lot" on West Chop for $400 to Abner and his brother David P. West of Tisbury, Tisbury mariners.

One source notes "Captain West and his brothers were stalwart, fearless seafaring men. He and his two brothers built [c. 1846?] the house in which I am living for their aged father who had been for many years Light Keeper of West Chop Light House. Captain West and his family lived in the house on Center Street, Vineyard Haven, next to the tennis courts…"

On 31 Oct 1846 Abner and David P. West sold land on West Chop to the United States for $225.

The story has been nearly forgotten about how Abner met his wife, Sarah Hodge, who he married in Troy, NY in 1847. It is thought that Abner sailed with one of Sarah Hodge’s uncles (perhaps Samuel Anthony of Troy.) Abner was 35 and Sarah was15 at the time of their marriage. Sarah had lost her father, Troy carpenter Elijah Hodge, in a suicide a couple of years earlier.

On 4 May 1848, Abner (and wife Sarah) and David P. West, Tisbury mariners, sold land on West Chop to the U.S. Government for $225. It was 2 acres and 2 rods of "upland" bounded on the north by the cliffs and sea, along with road privileges, and was bounded on the northwest by land already owned by the U.S.

He was called a Tisbury "master mariner" in his son’s 1850 birth record, and appears as a 39-year-old "mariner" on the census of that year.

He next sailed as master on three voyages of the Bark America of New Bedford and Mattapoisett, from 24 Jul 1851 to 1 Oct 1852, from 7 May 1853 to 22 Sep 1854, and again from 28 Sep 1855 to 24 Aug 1858.

On 12 Nov 1852, James West ("Gentleman") sold a house on the southeast corner of William and "Methodist" (Church) streets to his son Abner West, "master mariner," for $1270.

He was called a Holmes Hole "mariner" on his son’s 1853 birth record.

On 18 Dec 1854 Abner West, Tisbury master mariner, and his wife Sarah sold the William Street home for $1150 back to his father James West, "Gentleman."

He appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1855 in Tisbury, aged 45, mariner, living with his wife, and was called a "mariner" on his son’s 1859 birth record. He appeared on the 1860 Holmes Hole census as a "Master Mariner," aged 49, with his wife, son Frederick, and brother-in-law. Abner was again called a "master mariner" on his son’s 1861 birth record, as well as on his daughter’s 1864 birth record. He was a "mariner" on his youngest daughter’s 1869 birth record.

On 30 Sep 1861 Leander West sued his brother Abner for $61.25 for use and occupation of a rented building, plus $100 in damages. The suit was eventually dismissed.

The Gazette continues, "During the Civil War [Abner] served as Acting Master on the flagship Roanoke, and assisted in taking several prizes. He was an eyewitness of the celebrated naval battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac."

He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 54, "seaman," with his wife, children, and brother-in-law, and again on the Tisbury census of 1870, "mariner," aged 59.

On 2 Sep 1873, Abner and Sarah sold land at West Chop on the northwest (or northeast?) corner of the intersection of Pine Street and Broadway for $200 to Mary S. Grafton of Boston. The following year, on 21 Jan 1874, they sold a lot on West Chop at #4 Broadway Avenue (bounded on the east by Broadway and on the south by Mary Grafton) for $265 to Emma G. Whyte of Boston.

He appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury, aged 69, unemployed, living with his wife and children.

The Gazette reported "Capt. Abner West has been making a sidewalk in front of his residence" on 25 Mar 1881, and that "Capt. Abner West has raised and will make an addition to the porch of his residence in our village" on 13 May 1881. On 14 Oct 1881 they reported "The premises occupied by Capt. Abner West were sold at auction a few days since."

The Gazette noted: "We learn that Capt. Abner West is recovering from a recent severe illness" on 15 Jan 1886.

He resided in 1897 on Centre St., Tisbury, and appeared on the 1900 Tisbury census on Center Street, aged 89, living with his wife. (His son Ernest and his family were living in the same dwelling.)

His death 1902 record called him a "retired sea captain." The Gazette reported in his obituary: "Captain West retired from the sea many years ago and his latter years have been tranquil and contented. He was a man of many estimable qualities, and many a young man owes him a debt of gratitude for his solicitude in his early welfare." "Capt. West delighted in the companionship of young people, and on his return from his voyages was several times accompanied home by some young lad who had been one of his crew. In those days many runaway boys were found on board ship, where desire for a sailor life overcame all home affection."

Sarah Elizabeth Hodge was born on 20 Oct 1832 in Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY. She appeared on the 1850, 1855, 1860, and 1865 Tisbury censuses with her husband, joined in 1865 by her younger brother Samuel Hodge from Troy. On 3 Oct 1865 Sarah West of Holmes Hole, and her brother John S. Hodge of Troy (and his wife Maggie A. Hodge) sold land at #18 Ferry Street, Troy to Thomas Halligan of Troy for $300. She appeared on the 1870 Tisbury census, aged 38, "keeping house," with her husband, children, and brother, and on the 1880 Tisbury census, aged 48, "keeping house," with her husband and children. She appeared on the census of 1900 in Center Street, Tisbury, aged 54, living with her husband and son Ernest and his family.

After Abner’s death, she remained at the Center Street home, where she was listed in 1907 and 1910. She appeared on the 1910 Tisbury census on Center St., aged 77, widow, in the home of her daughter.

Sarah died on 22 Jun 1914 in Vineyard Haven, at age 81, of "Myocarditis," and had been cared for in her last years by her daughter Marion. She owned a home on the north side of Center Street at the time of her death valued at $700 (which was sold to her daughter for $1100 to pay off her debts.) She was buried in Village Cemetery.

Children of Capt. Abner West and Sarah Elizabeth Hodge were as follows:

i.     Henry Wade West was born on 7 Apr 1850 in Tisbury. He died on 13 Sep 1853 in Holmes Hole, at age 3, of dysentery. (The Gazette death notice called him "an interesting and much beloved son of Capt. Abner and Sarah West.") He is buried in Village Cemetery. He appeared on the census of 18 Sep 1850 in Tisbury, aged "1/12".)

ii.     Abner West Jr. was born on 2 Jul 1853 in Holmes Hole. He died on 26 Jan 1854 in Tisbury and is buried in Village Cemetery.

iii.     Frederick Mortimer West was born on 2 Jul 1859 in Holmes Hole. He married Nettie M. Snell, daughter of Francis J. Snell and Adeline (--?--), on 1 Oct 1885 in Boston, MA. He died in March 1939 in Malden, MA, at age 79. ("Death came in his sleep.")

He Obituary: "Fred M. West, formerly of Vineyard Haven, died this week in Malden, where he has made his home for many years... for many years had conducted cleaning and dyeing establishments in Malden ... [He] spent his boyhood and early life in [Vineyard Haven.] He was a musician, and celebrated in his younger days for his talent as an amateur minstrel. He had been a member of Odd Fellows for forty-two years, serving in all offices, and was the leader in all the lodge minstrel and variety shows..."

Nephew Stan Lair recalled, "One of my fond recollections is the Fourth of July. I had an uncle who lived in Malden, lived around Boston anyway, Fred West, my mother's brother. And just before the Fourth of July, nearly every year, an expressman would arrive with a great big wooden box. We knew what was in it but we wouldn't open it until he arrived, like the day before the Fourth. He always brought a whole lot of fireworks, and we'd spend Fourth of July evening in the school yard (which was next-door) shooting them off. That was always a big event for us. All kinds of stuff in there. Firecrackers, skyrockets, you name it. … He was also a great showman. In his early days he had a combination called F. M. West's Great Ethiopian Combination, a minstrel show that traveled quite a few places and put on shows. Quite a sizable group of people. ...And he could do about anything. He could make a stump speech, he could play a banjo, sing a song. I would've liked to have heard some of those shows." He also recalled that Fred was a ventriloquist, and could "throw his voice" into a closet.

Fred appeared as a child on the 1860, 1865, and 1870 Holmes Hole censuses with his parents. He appeared on the 1880 Tisbury census, aged 21, "laborer" (unemployed 3 months of the previous year), living with his parents.

The Gazette gives us a few glimpses of him before he left for Malden: Vineyard Haven column, 13 May 1881: "We understand that F. M. West intends leaving for Silver Cliff, Col., where he will enter the employ of W. W. Douglas, Esq." Vineyard Haven Column, 20 May 1881: "We understand that F. M. West has reconsidered his determination in regard to visiting Colorado." Vineyard Haven column, 27 May 1881: "Fred M. West has been fitting up the upper story of his house for an ice cream saloon." Vineyard Haven Column, 21 Oct 1881: "Fred M. West has opened a shooting gallery over his oyster saloon."

His Vineyard Haven enterprises were short-lived, and was listed as a "gardener" living in Boston at the time of his 1885 marriage. He appeared on the census of 1900 in Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, aged 40, with wife, and was listed as a resident of Malden in 1914 and 1916.

His obituary mentions no children, although I recall my grandfather mentioning an adopted daughter.

319.     Ernest Chester West was born 28 Oct 1861 in Holmes Hole. He married Mary Ann Hatch.

320.    Sarah Elizabeth West was born 24 May 1864 in Holmes Hole. She married John Holman.

321.     Marion Hodge West was born 1 Aug 1869 in Holmes Hole. She married Leroy Crosby Lair.

 

306.     Charlotte E. West (James1) was born on 15 Apr 1817 in Tisbury. She married (1^st) Capt. Thomas Foster, son of John Foster and Jane (--?--), on 15 Jul 1833 in Holmes Hole. She married (2^nd) Capt. Charles B. Hardenburg, son of Benjamin Hardenburg and Rebecca (--?--), on 25 May 1862 in Holmes Hole. She died on 17 Feb 1869 in Holmes Hole, at age 51, of hepatitis, and was buried in Village Cemetery.

She is included in the 1840 Tisbury census with her first husband Thomas Foster, and appears on the 1850 and 1855 Tisbury censuses, with Thomas and their children. She appeared as a widow on the Holmes Hole 1860 census, aged 40, with her children. (Her real estate was valued at $1300, and her personal estate at $150.)

In April 1861 She sold her husband’s property in Holmes Hole (adjacent to the "the Company farms") to David P. West. She was called a Tisbury resident in her 1862 marriage records, and appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 48, "housewife," with her second husband Charles Hardenburgh and her sons.

She left a will in 1869, bequeathing $1 each to sons Thomas, Henry, and Gustavus, and the remainder to Abner. Her inventory totaled $400 (or $600?) for a dwelling house and lot, $203.45 in personal estate, and substantial debts ($506.70?) Her brother Abner West helped appraise the estate.

Capt. Thomas Foster was born about May 1808(?) in Farmington, ME. He was described as about 5' 7" tall with light complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes.

He sailed on the brig Juno of New Bedford from 6 May 1820 to 19 Jan 1821, four voyages on the ship Victory of New Bedford from July 1823 to 7 Jun 1824, 30 Jul 1824 to 29 Jun 1825, Aug. 1825 to 17 Jul 1826, and 22 Sep 1826 to 9 Jul 1829. He then sailed on the ship Young Phenix of New Bedford from 5 Feb 1830 to 15 May 1833, and the ship Wilmington Liverpool Packet of New Bedford from 11 Nov 1833 to 13 May 1837. He may also have been the Thomas Foster who sailed as master of the St. Peter of New Bedford from 3 Oct 1842 to 22 Sep 1846, as first mate of the ship Mercury of New Bedford from 29 May 1848 to 1 Sep 1852, and first mate of the bark Morning Star of New Bedford from 7 Nov 1853 to 27 Jun 1857.

He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1840 with his wife and sons. In January 1842 Timothy and Eliza Bourne of Falmouth sold a lot to Thomas Foster, "master mariner," adjacent to the lands of James West and Thomas H. Smith. He was called a Tisbury "master mariner" in his son’s 1847 birth record. He appears on the 1850 Tisbury census, "mariner," aged 42, with his wife and children, and again on the 1855 Tisbury census (aged 45, "mariner.")

He is undoubtedly the "T. Foster" whose home is listed on the 1858 Walling map on the east side of South Main street - perhaps in the house to the right of what is now Educomp.

He died on 2 Sep 1858 in Holmes Hole of an "internal injury" and is buried in the Vineyard Haven Village Cemetery. He died intestate and insolvent, "insufficient to pay all the just debts which said deceased owned," with an estate valued at $1150 in real estate. His Holmes Hole home was valued at $600, 50 acres of woodland at $550, $178.30 in personal estate (furniture) and debts totaling $882.38. The property was sold to pay his debts. His wife inherited 1/3 of their house and all of his personal estate.

Children of Charlotte E. West and Capt. Thomas Foster were as follows:

322.     Capt. Thomas Foster Jr. was born 21 Apr 1834 in Holmes Hole. He married Virginia L. Manchester.

323.     Capt. Henry Dearborn Foster was born 7 Mar 1838 in Holmes Hole. He married Mary Ann Williams.

iii.     Abner West Foster was born on 26 Jun 1842 in West Chop. He married Esther B. Ware, daughter of Gilman T. Ware and Patience Merrill, on 8 Mar 1899 in Tisbury. He died on 28 Oct 1919 in Vineyard Haven, at age 77, of "disease of the prostate gland, probably cancer." (The Gazette reported "Mr. Abner Foster, who, after an illness of only two weeks, in spite of physicians' skill and tenderest ministrations of a devoted wife, succumbed to the destroyer not so much dreaded as by some, for Mr. Foster felt it better that he should depart before the infirmities of age rendered him helpless who had been so helpful.") He was buried on 28 Oct 1919 in Oak Grove.

He appeared on the Tisbury censuses of 1850 and 1855 as a child with his parents, and on the 1860 Holmes Hole census, aged 18, with his mother. He appeared on the 1865 census of East Parish, Tisbury aged 21, "seaman," with his mother and stepfather. He was not in the 1870 Tisbury census, although he was called a Tisbury resident in 1873, when he and his brothers sold a fifty-acre lot at Holmes Hole Neck. (He signed this deed with an "X", as he did his will, suggesting that he was illiterate.) He appeared in the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 36, "laborer" (unemployed six of the last twelve months), single, boarding with widow Julia Worth. He resided in 1897 on Beach Street.

Following his marriage, he appeared on the 1900 census on Main St., Tisbury, aged 53, "lodging house keeper," with wife. He was described in 1907 and again in 1910 as living on "Beach Street, cor. Main," occupation "painter." He appeared on the census of 1910 on Beach Street, "no occupation," aged 64, living with his wife, a nephew, and a lodger. He resided in April 1915 on Main St., occupation "retired."

In his will, dated 31 Oct 1914 and signed with an "X," he bequeathed all of his estate to his widow. The probate records value his real estate (a house, out buildings, and a lot) at $4140 and his personal estate (furniture) at $602.

324.     Capt. Gustavus W. Foster was born 20 May 1847 in Tisbury. He married (--?--).

 

Capt. Charles B. Hardenburg was born about 1830 in Sullivan Co., NY. He was a New York mariner at the time of his marriage in 1862, and there is no evidence that he had lived on the Island before. He was "attached to [a] ship" in September 1862 in Tisbury, and during this same month he was called a Tisbury "mariner" when he mortgaged property at Holmes Hole Neck near his in-laws James West and Thomas H. Smith. He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury aged 34, "seaman," with his wife and stepsons. He died on 20 Aug 1866 in New Orleans, LA, of cholera. His probate is drawn out and confused, appearing as two dockets, dated 1874 and 1876 (long after his death and the death of his widow), as the first probate attempt apparently was rejected. His only estate was $1930 "cash from United States Government" and debts totaling $1843.69 (including money owed to stepsons Abner W. Foster and Thomas Foster.) In his will (dated 25 Aug 1862, filed 11 March 1869 and proved 17 July 1876) he left small amounts of money to his three brothers.

There were no children of Charlotte E. West and Capt. Charles B. Hardenburg.

307.     Gustavus Lewis West (James1) was born on 22 Jan 1826 in West Chop. He married Deborah R. Allen, daughter of Benjamin Allen Jr. and Delia Robinson, on 24 Feb 1848 in Tisbury. He died on 26 Jan 1906 in West Tisbury, at age 80, of "blood poison." (The Gazette reported that "Mr. West has been in feeble health for the last 3 years, but only during the last two weeks of his life has he been confined to his bed.") He was buried on 28 Jan 1906 in West Tisbury Village Cemetery.

Gustavus was described as being 5' 4" tall with a "dark" complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes. His obituary calls him "another one of the old standbys of West Tisbury. ...He was born at West Chop, Vineyard Haven, Jan. 22, 1826, where his father was the keeper of the lighthouse."

After the West Chop Light was moved and renovated in 1846, Gustavus’ father gave him the old lightkeeper’s dwelling. Following Gustavus’ marriage, they lived for a short time in Chilmark and Vineyard Haven before moving this old lightkeeper’s dwelling to Music Street in West Tisbury about 1850, on land paid for in part by money borrowed from his older brother Abner.

He appears in the 1850 census of Tisbury, aged 24, "painter." He had held this occupation since at least the time of his marriage, but left this trade briefly to sail as Seaman on the ship Isaac Howland of New Bedford, which left 22 May 1851 and returned 26 Apr 1854. Meanwhile, his Music Street home was sold in 1853 to Hannah Look, and he mortgaged a new house in West(?) Tisbury from Abner West (adjacent to the "district schoolhouse lot) on 28 Apr 1853.

After returning from sea, he returned to painting and remained in this profession - and in West Tisbury - until his death. He appeared on the 1855 (West) Tisbury census, aged 29, "painter," with his wife and children,and on the census of 1860 in West Tisbury, aged 35, "painter," with his wife and four kids. He appeared on the census of 1865 in West Parish, Tisbury, aged 39, "painter," and on the Tisbury census of 1870, aged 43, "painter," with his wife and children. The 1870 census valued his real estate at $500. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 53, "painter," (six months unemployed during the past year), with his wife and children He and his wife were called West Tisbury residents in 1895, and appeared on the census of 1900 in West Tisbury, age 74, "painter," living with his wife, daughter, son, and granddaughter. (6 months employed during the previous year).

Deborah R. Allen was born on 18 Dec 1828 in Chilmark. Her obituary states, "she learned tailoring as a young woman, and was one of several employed by Abram Anthony, Vineyard Haven." She appeared on the census of 1850 in Tisbury, aged 20, with her husband, and on the censuses of 1855, 1860, 1865, 1870, 1880, and 1900 with her husband and children in West Tisbury.

Following the death of her husband in 1906, she was called a resident of West Tisbury in 1907, and appeared on the census of 1910 in West Tisbury as an 81-year-old widow living on her "own income" with her son Charles and his family. She finally appeared on the census of 1920 on Edgartown Road, West Tisbury, aged 91, with her son Henry B. West.

She died on 7 Jan 1920 in West Tisbury, at age 91, of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was buried on 10 Jan 1920 in West Tisbury. (The Gazette reported, "Funeral services were held in Saturday. Rev. Newton I. Jones, pastor of the West Tisbury Congregational Church, of which Mrs. West was a member, officiating .")

Children of Gustavus Lewis West and Deborah R. Allen were as follows:

325.     James Porter West was born 8 Oct 1849 in Chilmark. He married Nettie B. Marchant.

326.     Gilbert Roy West was born 3 Sep 1852 in West Tisbury. He married Mary Eagleston Norton.

iii.     Maurice Jones West (sometimes spelled "Morris") was born on 8 Mar 1855, probably in West Tisbury. He died on 5 Nov 1895 in West Tisbury, at age 40, of "Apoplexy and Accident." (The Gazette explains: "Tuesday afternoon the body of Maurice Jones West was found in the edge of the Tisbury Great Pond. It is thought he was not drowned, but from appearances he had been ashore to eat dinner and that death was caused from heart trouble.") He was buried in West Tisbury.

He appeared as a child on the censuses of 1855, 1860, 1865, and 1870 in West Tisbury with his parents, and on the census of 1880 in (West) Tisbury, aged 24, single "laborer" (3 months unemployed during the past year), with his parents. In his 1895 death record he was called an unmarried West Tisbury "fisherman."

iv.     Maria Jones West was born on 24 Mar 1858 in West Tisbury. She married (1^st) Otis Saville, son of Elisha Saville and Lydia L. Gardener, on 30 Jun 1892, at the residence of her father in West Tisbury. She married (2^nd) William C. Deming, son of Owen H. Deming and Susan Mitchell, on 31 May 1917 in West Tisbury. She died sometime after 1930. She had no children.

She appeared as a child with her parents on the West Tisbury censuses of 1860, 1865, and 1870, and appeared as well on the census of 1880 in (West) Tisbury, aged 21, "at home" with her parents. By about 1892 she had moved to Brockton, MA, but was living in West Tisbury in January 1896. She appeared on the 1900 census in West Tisbury, aged 42, living with her parents and her brother. By February 1906 she was again in Brockton, and does not seem to be in 1910 Tisbury census. She resided "at home" in West Tisbury at the time of her second marriage in May 1917, and by January 1920 was living in Winthrop, MA. She resided in March 1930 in Boston, and I have no record of her after this date.

v.     Henry Bertrand West was born on 2 Jun 1861 in West Tisbury. He died on 8 Mar 1930 in Oak Bluffs, at age 68, of a cerebral hemorrhage. (The Gazette reported that he "died suddenly. ...He was in his usual state of health on Saturday morning and had been about town for some little time. He had returned home and was removing his coat when stricken.") He was buried on 10 Mar 1930 in West Tisbury.

He appeared as a child with his parents on the West Tisbury censuses of 1865 and 1870. And again on the census of 1880 in (West) Tisbury, aged 19, "laborer" (unemployed six of the last twelve months), with his parents. By October 1894 he was living in Vineyard Haven. His obituary notes that "as a young man he went to Vineyard Haven where he was employed in the harness factory. Later he engaged in gardening and the care of lawns and by reason of his occupation gained a wide acquaintance among summer and permanent residents." He appeared on the census of 1900 on Main St., Vineyard Haven, age 37, "day laborer," boarding with Frank and Rebecca Vincent. The census also notes that he was unable to read and write and that he had been unemployed three months during the past year. In 1907 he was again listed as boarding on Main Street, on the corner of Woodlawn Ave. By about 1910 he was boarding at the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven, where he appeared on the census of 1910 as a 48-year-old "servant", a hotel dishwasher, living with a number of other servants and boarders in the hotel. He was listed again in April 1915 on Main St. as a 52-year-old "laborer." He appeared on the census of Jan 1920 on Edgartown Road, West Tisbury, aged 56, no occupation, single, living with his mother. He was called a single "laborer" at the time of his death.

327.    Charles Hardenburg West was born 29 May 1864 in West Tisbury. He married Lavinia F. Brush.

 

308.     Eleanora Daggett West (James2, James1) was born on 2 Jun 1825 in Tisbury. She married William Cook Luce, son of Jonathan Luce Jr. and Sarah Holmes Dunham, on 3 Jan 1841 in Tisbury. She died on 23 Apr 1925 in Tisbury, at age 99, of "old age." (The Gazette reported, "It had been hoped that Mrs. Eleanora Luce would be spared to round out a century - which had she lived till June she would have done - but such was not to be the case. Until within a few months she maintained her always vigorous mind and her heart was strong. She passed on the same day as her daughter, Mrs. S. Jennie D. Munroe.") She is buried in Village Cemetery.

Eleanora appeared on the 1850 and 1855 Tisbury censuses with her husband and children, although I couldn’t find her listing in the 1860 census. Following the 1863 murder of her husband, she appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 39, "housewife," widow, with two children. She appeared on the census of 1870 in Edgartown, aged 45, living with her daughter Mattie's family, but by 1880 had returned to Tisbury, where she was living with her son.

During the Great Fire of 1883, "Mrs. Elnora D. Luce occupied a house which was at the extreme northern end of the line of fire. It's escape was miraculous, for it was near the hottest of the fire which raged in the harness shop, located where the Martha's Vineyard National Bank now stands and the paint shop next door. This house, the sole survivor for some two blocks down Main street, still stands [1920] , its trip white charms indicative of the beauty of the winding old street which was largely lost in the rush to rebuild."

In 1889, the Gazette reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Howes Norris came from Boston...as the guests of Mrs. Norris' mother, Mrs. E. D. Luce, at Bennington Heights." Eleanora next appeared on the census of 1900 on Woodlawn Ave., age 75, living with her son and daughter. She appeared on the census of 1910 as the owner of a home on Woodlawn (or Water?) Street, Tisbury, aged 84, living with her sister, son, and daughter, and on the census of 1920 on Woodlawn Ave., age 94, living with her daughter Sophia and her son William. By April, 1920, the Gazette reported, "Mrs. Luce is confined to her own home by a broken hip since some years ago."

William Cook Luce was born on 4 Jul 1812 in Tisbury. He became a grocer and wharfinger about 1840. He was called a Holmes Hole "merchant" in 1842, and a Tisbury "merchant" in 1845. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850 as a 37-year-old "trader" living with his wife and daughter. He was called a Tisbury "trader" in 1851. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged 44, "trader," living with his wife and children. He was called a Tisbury "merchant" in 1855. He was listed in the 1858 Walling Map Business Directory for Holmes Hole as owing a "Dry Goods & Groceries" business on the Union Street Wharf. I was unable to find him in the 1860 census. He lived in the house across the alley from the Free Mason's Lodge at the time of his death.

William Cook Luce was murdered on 23 Dec 1863 in Tisbury, at age 51. He was found "lying on his back in a pool of blood, a hatchet buried in his head" by his daughter. He had apparently been murdered in his store while he was closing for the day. Gustavus D. Smith was arrested and tried for the murder, but later acquitted.

Children of Eleanora Daggett West and William Cook Luce all born in Holmes Hole, were as follows:

i.     Charles Granville Luce was born on 25 Aug 1842. He died on 23 Mar 1847 in Tisbury, at age 4, of scarlet fever.

328.    Martha Daggett Luce was born 27 Apr 1845. She married Howes Norris.

iii.     Sophia Jane Daggett "Jennie" Luce was born on 18 Sep 1851. She married Russell Munroe before June 1900. She died on 23 Apr 1925 in Tisbury, at age 73 of "paralysis agitam"[?] on the same day as her mother. She is buried in Village Cemetery.

She appeared on the Tisbury census 1855, aged 4, with her parents, and was the "little daughter" who found her father murdered in 1863 at the age of twelve. She appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 14, with her mother and brother, and on the census of 1870 in Edgartown aged 18, with her mother and sister. Although I couldn’t find her in the 1880 census (was she married and off-Island?), she did appear on the census of 1900 on Woodlawn Ave., age 48, "widow," living with her mother and brother. She was admitted to the Vineyard Haven D.A.R. chapter on 1 Oct 1896, and resigned on 18 Feb 1919. She resided in 1910 on Woodlawn Ave., and appeared there on the 1910 census on Woodlawn (Water?) Street, "widow," aged 58, living with her mother, aunt, and brother. The Gazette described her as being "in delicate health" on 9 May 1918. She appeared on the census of 1920 on Woodlawn Ave., age 68, widow, with her mother and brother. She had no children. At the time of her death she owned no real estate, but had a personal estate (mostly savings accounts) valued at $5075, all of which she bequeathed to her brother William.

iv.     William Holmes "Willie" Luce was born on 1 Nov 1855. He died on 10 Jun 1938 at Martha's Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs, aged 82, of "coronary sclerosis." (The Gazette reported that "He had been an inmate of the hospital for some time, following a gradual breaking down of his health."). He was buried on 13 Jun 1938 in Village Cemetery.

He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 9, with his widowed mother and sister. He was absent from his household of his mother and sister in the 1870 Edgartown census; he may have been the "William H. Luce," aged 13 living with Alphonso and Sarah Smith in Tisbury.

He appeared on the census of 16 Jun 1880 in Tisbury, aged 24, "harness maker" (4 months unemployed during the past year), single, living with his mother. By 1897 he resided on Woodlawn Ave., where he appeared on the census of 1900, age 44, "house painter," single, living with his mother and sister. He was listed again in 1907 on Woodlawn Ave., "painter." He appeared on the census of 1910 in Woodlawn (Water?) Street, aged 54, single, self-employed painter, with his mother, aunt, and sister. He was listed again in April 1915 on Woodlawn Ave., "painter," aged 59, and again on that street in the census of 1920, age 64, single, no occupation, with his mother and sister. He was called a Vineyard Haven resident in 1925. He was called a Tisbury "painter" in his 1938 death record, and his obituary called him a "retired Vineyard Haven painter ... For many years he was employed as a painter, and was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church."

At the time of his death he owned the home on the southeast corner of Woodlawn and Franklin streets, which was valued at $3000 and sold (by nephew Howes Norris Jr.) shortly after his death. His personal estate was valued at $6474.25 (mostly in various savings accounts) much of which he had inherited from his sister Jennie.

 

309.     Capt. Philander Daggett West (James2, James1) was born on 22 Sep 1827(?) in Holmes Hole. He married Mary Cleveland, daughter of Warren Cleveland and Lucretia Luce, on 3 Oct 1849 in Tisbury. He died on 26 May 1903 in Tisbury, at age 75, of "senile dementia" and "exhaustion." (The Gazette reported he died "at his home on William Street Monday night after a long and painful sickness.") He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (at 33 Chestnut).

He was represented in his father’s household on the Tisbury censuses of 1830 and 1840, and was called a Tisbury "mariner" on his 1849 marriage record, as well as the 1850, 1852, and 1856, and 1863 birth records of his children. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850as a 21-year-old "mariner".

He was probably the "Philander D. West" who sailed as master of the Ship William Hamilton of New Bedford which left 18 Jun 1855, and/or the mate on the Bark America of Mattapoisett (captained by his cousin Abner), which left 28 Jul 1855 and returned 24 Aug 1858.

He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged 27, "mariner," with his wife and children, apparently in home of Grafton C. and Elizabeth Daggett. He did not appear in the 1860 Tisbury census, and was called "at sea" in September 1862. He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 36, "seaman," with his wife and children, living in the home of his mother-in-law. He was called a Tisbury "seaman" on his youngest daughter’s 1866 birth record, and a Holmes Hole "mariner" on his youngest son’s 1868 birth record. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1870, aged 43, "mariner," with his wife and kids, and again in the census of 1880, aged 52, "sailor." He resided in 1889 in Vineyard Haven, and was listed in 1897 on Williams St. In 1890 he was mentioned as the owner of a home on the west side of William Street, near the intersection of Center Street, and adjacent to the schoolhouse. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., aged 72, "day laborer," with his wife and grandson.

C. G. Hine mentions Philander West in several places in his book, The History of Cedar Neck. Hines calls Philander "an old boatman, and accounted able" and mentions that "Philander seems to have used all sorts of language when he got excited".

The Gazette reported that "Capt. Phildander [sic.] West has for a long time been seriously ill" on 5 Mar 1903. He was called Vineyard Haven "retired mariner" on his 26 May 1903 death record.

Mary Cleveland was born on 11 Oct 1830 in Tisbury, at a house on "Main street near the State and Edgartown Roads." Her obituary states that "Mrs. West was of the early stock and blood which peopled our island towns, having been the granddaughter of Zebdiel and Abigail Cleveland and the daughter of Warren and Lucretia Luce, and one of a family of eight sons and daughters all but one of whom lived to years of manhood and womanhood." "Mrs. West was early member of the First Baptist church of this town, for had a few more days or weeks of life been hers it would have counted 69 of membership in that body, uniting, with 40 other converts, of whom, naturally after this lapse of years, few remain."

She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850 with her husband, aged 19, as well as on the 1855 Tisbury census, aged 24, with her husband and daughter. Although she did not appear in the 1860 Tisbury census, she is listed in the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 33, "housewife," with her husband and children, living in home of her mother. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1870, aged 39, "keeping house," with her husband and kids, and again in 1880, aged 49, "keeping house." She resided on 18 Feb 1897 in Vineyard Haven, and appeared on the census of 5 Jun 1900 on William St., age 68, with her husband and grandson.

Following the death of her husband, she appeared on the census of 1910 on Main St., Vineyard Haven as an 80-year-old widow, living with son Luther and his family. She died on 5 Feb 1918 in the Vineyard Haven home of her birth, at age 87, of "arterio sclerosis," and was buried on 8 Feb 1918 in Oak Grove Cemetery (33 Chestnut.)

Children of Capt. Philander Daggett West and Mary Cleveland were as follows:

i.     Cornelia Frances "Nellie" West was born on 12 Mar 1850 in Tisbury. She died on 27 Dec 1856 in Tisbury, at age six, of croup. She was buried in Oak Grove. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850, aged two months, and on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged five.

ii.     Martin Luce West was born on 10 Apr 1852 in Holmes Hole. He died on 9 Aug 1854 in Holmes Hole, at age two, of "cholera infantum." He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (33 Chestnut).

329.     Mary Cleveland West was born 2 Mar 1856 in Tisbury. She married (1^st) Capt. Robert Theodore Albert Hagen; she married (2^nd) Dr. Lyman Horace Luce.

330.    Luther Pember West was born 23 Nov 1863 in Main St., Holmes Hole. He married Mary Taber Smith.

331.     Lucretia Warren West was born 2 Apr 1866 in Holmes Hole. She married Edmund W. Fuller.

vi.     Philander Daggett West was born on 8 Apr 1868 in Holmes Hole and died on 14 Apr 1868 in Tisbury. He was buried in Oak Grove.

 

310.     Drusilla N. West (James2, James1) was born on 24 Dec 1841 in Tisbury. She married (1^st) Edward Stanton Mitchel after 1860; she married (2^nd) Austin Green; she married (3^rd) --?-- Van Gieson before 1 Apr 1920. She died in 1924 in Madison, CT.

She appeared on the Tisbury census of 20 Sep 1850 ("Drusilla A.", aged 7), on the Tisbury census of 1855 (aged 13), and on the census of 1860 in Holmes Hole (aged 18, single, with her father, sister and brother). She did not appear in the 1870 Tisbury census in 1870. According to a note written by her granddaughter, Drusilla "moved to New York, and later lived in Montclair, NJ in early 1900's, died in Madison, CT in 1924." The Gazette reported that she was living in April 1920 in Montclair, NJ.

Children of Drusilla N. West and Edward Stanton Mitchel were as follows:

i.     Mary Mitchel was born before 1887, and died after 1920. She resided, evidently unmarried, in April 1920 in Guilford, CT.

ii.     Ormsby McKnight Mitchel was born before 1887, and died after 1920. The Gazette reported that he was "a prominent and wealthy resident of Montclair, N. J., doing business in New City" in April 1920.

There were no known children of Drusilla N. West by Austin Green or (--?--) Van Gieson.

314.     Eliza C. Smith (Drusilla2 West, James1) was born on 7 Nov 1829 in Holmes Hole. She married Thomas N. Russell, son of Lewis and Sarah Russell, on 3 Jun 1851 in Holmes Hole. She died on 27 May 1863 in New Bedford, MA, at age 33, of "childbed." (Her stillborn son's death record is listed after hers.)

See the Dukes County Intelligencer, Vol. 36, No. 1, "The Sad Voyage of Eliza Russell", by Joan Druett.

She was counted in her father’s 1840 Tisbury census entry, and appeared there on the 1850 census, aged 20. She was a resident of Holmes Hole at the time of her 1851 marriage. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged 25, living with her husband in her parents' home. She appeared on the census of 1860 in Ward 4, New Bedford, aged 35, with her husband, son and her husband's family. She was listed at 9 Cottage St., New Bedford in her 1863 death record.

Thomas N. Russell was born between 1820 and 1825 in New Bedford, MA. He was probably the "Thomas N. Russell" who sailed on the following voyages: as cooper on the Ship Heroine of New Bedford from 1845 to 22 May 1848; as 3rd mate and cooper on the Ship Isaac Howland of New Bedford from 28 Jun 1848 to 26 Mar 1851; as 1st mate of the Ship Isaac Howland from 22 Jul 1851 to 24 Apr 1854; and as master of the ship Corinthian of New Bedford from 10 Oct 1854 to 6 Apr 1858. "Whaling Masters" confirms that he was master of the Corinthian in 1854, and that he sailed as captain of the Lancaster of New Bedford in 1858. Starbuck also confirms his voyage on the Corinthian, and also notes some interesting details about his voyage on the Ship Lancaster. The Ship Lancaster, 383 tons, agent/owner T. & A. R. Nye, sailed to the North Pacific on 26 Oct 1858. "It sent home 264 Sperm, 600 whale, 6952 bone; condemned at Saint Thomas 1861." His son was born in Hawaii, probably during the Corinthian voyage.

On 3 Apr 1848, "Thomas N. Russell of New Bedford" and his future wife’s uncle, David Porter West of Tisbury sold land to the committee of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Holmes Hole (composed of William Daggett, James West, and Thomas H. Smith of Tisbury) for $575. He was called a New Bedford "mariner" in 1851. He was listed in 1852 as a "mariner" at 40 South Second, New Bedford. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged 30, "mariner," living with his wife in her parents' home. He resided in 1856 as a "master mariner" at 40 South Second, New Bedford, and again in 1859 on the corner of Court and Cottage, New Bedford, master mariner. He appeared on the New Bedford Ward Four census of 1860, age 39, "master mariner," with his wife, son, and parents. I have no record of Thomas Russell after his daughter’s birth in 1862.

Children of Eliza C. Smith and Thomas N. Russell were as follows:

i.     Thomas Russell was born in Jun 1859 in Sandwich Islands [Hawaii]. He died on 13 Apr 1861 in Honolulu, at age 1.

ii.    Katherine S. "Katie" Russell was born on 14 Feb 1862 on board Ship Lancaster at Santa Cruz, Peru. She resided on 5 Jun 1876 in Providence, RI. She married Frank Clapp before December 1905, and was living in Norton, MA in 1905, 1915, 1916, 1918, and 1919, and 1921. I have no record of her after July 1921.

 

315.     Charles Grandison Smith Jr. (Drusilla2 West, James1) was born on 8 Jul 1836 in Holmes Hole. He married Drusilla W. Crocker, daughter of Rodolphus W. and Sarah E. Crocker, on 25 Apr 1863 in Holmes Hole. He died on 17 Dec 1910 in the Soldier's Home at Chelsea, MA, at age 74, of "carcinoma rectum." He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (55 Cypress).

He was counted in his father’s 1840 Tisbury census entry, appeared on the 1850 census of Tisbury, aged 13, on the 1855 census, aged 19, "mariner," living with his parents, and again on the 1860 Holmes Hole census, "mariner," aged 24, with his parents.

Charles was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted as a Seaman in the Navy on 19 Oct 1861 in New Bedford. He was discharged on Dec. 31, 1862, as Yeoman, and appointed Acting Master's Mate on June 3, 1863. He resigned, as Mate, on 8 May 1865.. He served on Receiving Ships Ohio and North Carolina, U.S.S. Powhatan and served as Master's Mate on the Tuscadora, and Penguin (East Gulf Squadron.)

He was still serving in the military at the time of his marriage. He appeared on the census of July 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 28, "US Navy," with his wife, living in the home of his wife's parents.

Upon leaving the Navy he also quit the sea. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1870 "peddler," aged 33, and was called a Tisbury resident in 1874 and 1876. He was called a Tisbury "harness maker" in his daughter’s 1876 birth record. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 40, "saddle maker," with his wife and daughter.

He may have been the "Charles Smith" in a story about the Fire of 1883: "Charles Smith, whose house stood where Lane's block is, [was] forced to vacate his house in a hurry, [and] carried out one thing with great care. It was a box of Gay Head clay."

He resided in Jun 1890 in Vineyard Haven, and was remembered as living in a house at the corner of Church and William Streets. He resided in 1897 on Church St., occupation: "harness maker." He was called a Tisbury resident in December 1905. He probably entered the Soldier’s Home sometime before 1907, as he was not listed in the 1907 directory or the 1910 census. His December 1910 death record calls him a "farmer." At the time of his death his only property of value was 1/7^th interest in four shares on inherited railroad stock valued at $56, and he owned no real estate.

Drusilla W. Crocker was born on 16 Aug 1841 in Massachusetts, but it’s uncertain whether she was born in Wareham, Plymouth, or Hyannis. She appeared on the 1850 and 1855 Tisbury censuses with her parents. She appeared on the Holmes Hole census of 1860, aged 18, living with her father. Following her marriage, she appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury aged 23, "music teacher," with her husband in her parents’ home. She appeared on the Holmes Hole census of 1870, aged 27, and on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 35, "keeping house," with her husband and daughter. She died on 5 Sep 1891(?) at age 50 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (55 Cypress).

Children of Charles Grandison Smith Jr. and Drusilla W. Crocker were:

337.     Maud Crocker Smith was born 28 Feb 1876 in Tisbury. She married Loriston Stockwell.

 

316.     Capt. George Fowler Smith (Drusilla2 West, James1) was born on 12 Jul 1838 in Holmes Hole. He married Elizabeth Holmes Downs, daughter of Capt. Charles Downs and Mary P. Manter, on 28 Oct 1863 in Holmes Hole. He died on 18 Nov 1913 in Sailors' Snug Harbor, New York City, at age 75, of "Myocarditis," and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (39 Cypress.)

George was probably one of the males under five listed with his father Charles Smith in the 1840 census of Tisbury, and he appeared in that household on the 1850 Tisbury census, aged 11. He appeared on the 1855 Tisbury census, aged 17, mariner, living with his parents, and again on the Holmes Hole census of 1860, aged 21. He was called "at sea" in the Sep 1862 Tisbury draft list. He was called a Tisbury "mariner" in his 1863 marriage records. He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 26, "seaman," living with his wife in the home of her parents.

He was master of the Ship Jireh Perry of New Bedford, which voyaged to the Pacific and whose log exists at the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society for the dates 12 May 1868 to 27 Jun 1868 (still at sea).

He was called a Holmes Hole "mariner" on his daughter’s 1868 birth record. He appeared on the Holmes Hole census of 1870, aged 31, "mariner," living with his wife and daughter in home of her parents. He was listed as a Tisbury resident in records dating 1874 and 1876. He appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury, aged 40, "sailor," with his wife and daughter.

On 11 Mar 1881, the Gazette reported that "Capt. Geo. F. Smith, of bark Lucretia, was reported at sea with 2200 bbls. sperm oil all told." On 29 Apr 1881: "A letter to the Captain's wife reports bark Lucretia, Capt. Geo. F. Smith, at Talcahuana March 13th, with 2800 bbls. sperm oil, 700 bbls. last cruise. Fitting for home. All well". On 29 Jul 1881: "Capt. Geo. F. Smith arrived home on Wednesday last from a four year voyage as master of bark Lucretia, of New Bedford." He was master of the Steam-Whaler Belvedere of San Francisco, to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The log exists in Book 37 of the DCHS for the dates 10 Dec 1883 to 3 Nov 1884.

He resided in 1897 in Forest Ave., Tisbury, and appeared on the census of 1900 on Pine St., Tisbury, aged 36, "master mariner" (steam), living with his wife, daughter, and grandson. He was listed in 1907 and c. 1910 again on Pine St., "master mariner". He appeared on the census of 1910 on Pine St., aged 69, "own income", with his wife and grandson. He was called a "retired seaman" in his 1913 death record.

Elizabeth Holmes "Lizzie" Downs was born on 24 Jul 1841 in Holmes Hole. Her obituary reported, "Mrs. Smith was born in Vineyard Haven and always lived there, and while she never took any prominent part in public life, always prided herself on being a good wife and mother, a pride which is shared be her surviving relatives". She appeared as a child with her parents on the 1850 census of Tisbury, again on the Tisbury census of 1855 (aged 13), and again on the census of 1860 in Holmes Hole (aged 18). She was listed as a Tisbury resident in her 1863 marriage record.

She appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 22, "boarder", living with her husband in the home of her parents. She appeared on the census of 1870 in Holmes Hole, aged 28, no occupation, living with her husband, daughter, and parents. She appeared on the census of 1880 in Tisbury, aged 39, "keeping house," with her husband and one daughter).She appeared on the census of 1900 on Pine St., Tisbury, aged 36, with her husband. She appeared on the census of 1910 on Pine St., aged 66, with her husband and son. She appeared on the census of 1920 on State Road, Tisbury, aged 77, widow, living with her grandson George T. Tilton. She resided in 1925 on Pine Street. She died on 30 Jun 1925 in Vineyard Haven, at age 83 from "an illness lasting about two weeks," and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (39 Cypress.)

Children of Capt. George Fowler Smith and Elizabeth Holmes Downs were:

338.    Luella May Smith was born 5 Oct 1868 in Holmes Hole. She married (1^st) Capt. Charles Osborn Tilton; she married (2^nd) Charles Hunt Brown.

 

317.     Capt. Edward Jones Smith (Drusilla2 West, James1) was born on 17 Oct 1846 in Holmes Hole. He married Sarah E. Pease, daughter of John Pease and Elizabeth Dyer, on 17 Jun 1874 in New Bedford, MA. He died on 17 Jul 1921 in the U. S. Marine Hospital, Tisbury, at age 74, of "Angio Neurotic Oedema / Gangrene, Left Leg." (The Gazette reported that "The captain had been seriously ill for some months, and had undergone treatment in Boston hospitals. In a final effort to save his life, his foot and part of his leg were amputated. His weakened condition and his age made his recovery impossible. With him at the end were his devoted wife and his son, Lieut. Edward Hanson Smith, U. S. N. of the Seneca.") He is buried in Oak Grove.

Banks notes that he was a "resident of Vineyard Haven for many years and local agent of the New England Steamship Lines." His obituary stated that "Captain Smith was well known in Vineyard Haven, where for many years he was agent for the steamship company. He was also one of the town's longest surviving master mariners." A 1990 article in the Dukes County Intelligencer notes that "Edward Jones Smith was the owner of the steamship wharf in Vineyard Haven and served as the local agent for the New England Steamship Lines. ... The family lived in the stately old house, now known as the '1785 House,' a hundred yards or so from the today's ferry slips." Stan Lair remembered that "he was a wharfinger, a very gruff old gentleman, not too well liked by the kids… ‘Get out of there! What the Hell you doin’ there?!’ He would chase us off the dock - we liked to go down there and jump over the spiles that are on the end-board side of the dock there and he'd chase us off. Old Ed Jones Smith." Ralph Look referred to him as "the Admiral" but remembered that "his bark was worse than his bite."

He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850 (aged 3), on the census of 1855 in Tisbury (aged 11), and on the Holmes Hole census of 1860 (aged 13) with his parents. He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 18, "seaman," with his father. Although he does not appear in the 1870 Tisbury census, he is listed as a Tisbury resident in documents dated 1874 and 1876.

In the book Whaling Wives, he is noted as being master of the Stamboul which voyaged to the Arctic in 1888, and is called "an able whaleman and indeed an old-style Vineyarder; he had [previously] commanded the Ohio in 1878, and then the Lydia on two voyages." Contemporary Capt. Parnell Pease described him as "an old style Vineyarder" in a log about 1886.

He resided in 1881 in New Bedford, and in 1886 in Fairhaven. He was called a Vineyard Haven "master mariner" in the 1889 birth record of his son. He resided in 1897 on Main St., Tisbury, and appeared on the census of 1900 on Union Street, Tisbury, aged 54, with his wife and son. He was listed in 1907 and c. 1910 as "treas. Vineyard Haven Wharf Co., h. Union." He appeared on the census of 21 Apr 1910 on Water Street, Tisbury, "Freight Agent / Steamship Co.", aged 63, with his wife, son and sister. He resided in April 1915 on Union St., "wharfinger," aged 68. He was called a Vineyard Haven resident in 1915 and a Tisbury resident in 1918. He appeared on the census of 1920 in Tisbury, aged 73, no occupation, living with his wife. An October 1920 Gazette reported that "Captain Edward Jones Smith has returned home much improved after hospital treatment, and rest cure in New Jersey." He was called a "retired sea captain" in his July 1921 death record. At his death he owned no real estate, and his personal estate consisted of two spy-glasses and one watch, valued at $165.

Sarah E. Pease was born on 20 May 1850 in Fairhaven, MA. Her obituary states, "Mrs. Smith was the daughter of John Pease and Elizabeth Dyer of Fairhaven, in which town she was born and spent her early life. Visiting on the Vineyard as a young woman she met Captain Smith, and they married in New Bedford on June 17, 1874. … Shortly after her marriage she came to Vineyard Haven, where she lived up to the time of her death. Her life has been quiet. She was a member of the Methodist Church, and attended regularly when her health permitted, but she was not affiliated with any clubs or societies". She appeared on the census of 1900 on Union Street, Tisbury, aged 50, with her husband and son, and again on the census of 1910 on Water St., aged 59. She appeared on the census of 1920 in Tisbury, aged 69, living with her husband. She died on 8 Oct 1926 at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs, at age 76, of "chronic islertitial nephritis" "following a gradual decline which had kept her confined for about a month" and is buried in Oak Grove.

Children of Capt. Edward Jones Smith and Sarah E. Pease were as follows:

339.     Rear Admiral Edward Hanson Smith U.S.C.G was born 29 Oct 1889 in Vineyard Haven. He married Isabel Brier.

318.     "Dr." Henry H. Smith (Drusilla2 West, James1) was born on 10 Mar 1849 in Holmes Hole. He married Olivia Boardman Nye, daughter of Francis Nye and Mary P. Downs, on 15 Jun 1876 in Tisbury. He died on 1 Nov 1888 in Vineyard Haven, at age 39, of pneumonia, and was buried on 7 Nov 1888 in Vineyard Haven. (The Gazette noted that the burial took place at his residence.)

His obituary states that "...Mr. Smith was very well and favorably known all over the Island, and his loss to the town, his family and to all, will be keenly felt. He served the town of Tisbury as school committee for six years with great credit to himself, and those whom he served in this capacity were well pleased with the result of his labor. As a businessman he was one of the most active in this county".

He appeared as a child with his parents on the Tisbury censuses of 1850, 1855, and 1860. He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 15, "pupil," with his father, and on the census of 1870 in Tisbury, "harness maker," aged 21, living with his father and stepmother. He was called a resident of Tisbury in documents dated 1874 and 1876, and was called a Tisbury "M. D." on his 1876 marriage record. He appeared on the census of 1880 in Tisbury, aged 31, "druggist," living with his wife. In June 1881 the Gazette reported that "H. H. Smith and wife have moved to Cottage City, where they will remain during the season." In October 1881 they reported that "Mrs. H. H. Smith has moved to Boston, where her husband is engaged in business." And in December 1881: "It is rumored that Mr. H. H. Smith is to return home and devote his time to his insurance business, his position in the Boston Mercantile Agency not proving sufficiently remunerative." He was called a Vineyard Haven "Ins. Agt. and Druggist" in his son’s 1882 birth record. In February 1883, the Gazette reported that "Mr. H. H. Smith is agent for the Massachusetts Benefit Association, for Boston." In June, 1885 the Gazette reported that he had recently purchased a home on the corner of Spring and William streets, Tisbury and had it "neatly fitted up." In November 1888 the Gazette reported that "J. H. Gorham, of Cottage City is caring for Dr. Henry H. Smith during his illness." He was called a Tisbury "Insurance Agent" on his death record. His real estate (his home, a cemetery plot, and his interest in his father’s homestead) was valued at $2600, and his personal estate (stock, savings accounts, furniture, etc.) at $8316.89.

Olivia Boardman Nye was born on 20 Sep 1848 in Holmes Hole. Her obituary notes that she was "born in Vineyard Haven, she lived her entire life in that town, widely known and beloved by all who knew her. She was a member of Christ M. E. Church and belonged to the various church societies, taking an active interest in all matters pertaining to the institution as long as her health and strength would permit." She appeared on the census of 1850 in Tisbury, aged 1, with her parents, but I couldn't find her in the 1855 census of any Island town nor in the 1860 Tisbury census. She did appear on the Tisbury census of 1870, aged 21, no occupation, living with James and Mary Taber, and was called a Tisbury resident in her 1876 marriage record. She appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury, "Octavia B.," aged "3.", "keeping house," with her husband. In October 1905 the Gazette reported that "Mrs. O. B. Smith has been in town for a few days arranging her [Vineyard Haven] house which has been rented for the winter by Mrs. Jason Luce." She was listed on the corner of Spring and William streets in 1907 and about 1910. She appeared on the census of 1910 on William St., aged 61(?), no occupation, with a boarder. She appeared alone on the census of 1920 on Spring Street, aged 71. She died on 2 Oct 1937 at her home on Look Street, Tisbury, at age 89, of "cardiac disease / arteriosclerosis" "following a lengthy period of failing health" and was buried on 4 Oct 1937 in Oak Grove. She was called a widowed Tisbury "housewife" on her death record.

The only child of Henry H. Smith and Olivia Boardman Nye was:

i.     Capt. Francis Nye Grandison "Frank" Smith was born on 22 Mar 1882 in Vineyard Haven. He married Bessie M. Cushman in 1910 at "75 Campbell St." (New Bedford?) (The newspaper reported that "They will be at home at 68 Parker street, after Oct. 1st. Mr. Smith is wire chief for the Southern Massachusetts Telephone company.") He was called a New Bedford resident in 1915 and 1918. The Gazette reported that he was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain on 15 Jan 1919. He was called a New Bedford resident in 1921. He was called a resident of Melrose, MA in 1937. He died in Melrose on 26 Apr 1939, at age 57, of "Hodgkin’s Disease" "following a lengthy period of illness" and is buried in Oak Grove. His obituary called him "...of Melrose, formerly of Vineyard Haven ... He was 58 years old, and had been in the employ of the New England Telephone and Telegraph company since his youth. … The son of Henry and Olivia Smith of Vineyard Haven, he was born in that town and lived there until he was about twenty years of age." His occupation was listed as a "Telephone Supt. New [?] Eng. [?] Tel. Co." in his death record. He had no children.

 

319.     Ernest Chester West (Abner2, James1) was born on 28 Oct 1861 in Holmes Hole. He married Mary Ann Hatch, daughter of William F. Hatch and Margaret (--?--), in September 1882 (?) in Tisbury. He died on 15 Jan 1941 in Tujunga, CA, at age 79.

His obituary calls him "formerly of [Vineyard Haven] ... [he] left his birthplace for the west between thirty and forty years ago…" He appeared as a child with his parents on the Tisbury censuses of 1865 and 1870. On 19 May 1879 he sailed on the Bark Ocean of New Bedford, which returned 13 Sep 1882. He was noted in the crew list as being 5' 8" tall with a black complexion and black hair. (Was this in error?) He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 19, "laborer" (unemployed four of the past twelve months) listed with his parents.

He was called a Tisbury "mariner" in his 1882 marriage record, a Tisbury "laborer" on their first child’s 1883 birth record, and a Tisbury "farmer" on daughter Marion’s May 1885 birth record. In June 1885 the Gazette reported that "Mr. E. C. West and family have returned to this village [Vineyard Haven] to reside." He was called a Tisbury "harness maker" on daughter Marjorie’s 1886 birth record, a Tisbury "laborer" in 1887, 1890, 1894, and 1898 birth records, and a Tisbury "seaman" on daughter Sarah’s 1892 birth record.

He resided on the Cape in December 1895, but was listed as a "laborer" in 1897 on Centre St., Tisbury. (This was the Center Street home of his parents, in which he and his large family lived on the bottom floor.) He appeared on the 1900 Tisbury census again on Center Street, "hard line fisherman," aged 38, listed with his wife and eight children in his parents’ home. In May, 1902, the Gazette reported that "Mr. Ernest West and Mr. Leroy Lair came from Cuttyhunk where they are employed at the wreck of Str. Indian …"

Between May 1902 and December 1904 he and his family left the Vineyard for good. In December 1904 they were in Pierport, Michigan, and in June 1907 in Campbellsport, Wisconsin. He resided in 1914 in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. and was again listed there in March 1939.

Mary Ann Hatch was born on 20 Jan 1862 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

She visited her Aunt Hattie Legg. (See the 1881 notes of her father.)

She was called "at home" in Tisbury in her September 1882 marriage record. Her grandmother Laura A. (West) Hatch wrote her will in December 1882, and bequeathed Mary 25 cents. She appeared with her husband and children on the census of 1900 on Center Street, Tisbury, aged 38. She resided on 15 Jan 1941 in Tujunga, CA, and died between about 1956-57 in Santa Anna, CA.

Children of Ernest Chester West and Mary Ann Hatch were as follows:

(Ernest’s 1941 obituary notes that all of his surviving children except Marion were living in Los Angeles at the time of his death.)

i.     Ernestina May West was born on 19 May 1883 in Tisbury. She married Peter Fredrickson on 15 Jan 1908 in Superior, Wisconsin. She died on 12 Apr 1940 in Glidden, Wisconsin, at age 56. She appeared with her parents on the census of 1900 in Center Street, Tisbury, aged 17, "at school." I don’t know if she had any children.

340.    Marion Hatch West was born 6 May 1885 in Vineyard Haven. She married Theodor Hurll Couch.

iii.     Marjorie Spencer West was born on 22 Apr 1886 in Tisbury. She married Peter DeWitt on 21 Feb 1905 in Hingham, Wisconsin. She died on 2 Mar 1905 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, at age 18. She appeared with her parents on the census of 1900 in Center Street, Tisbury, aged 14, "at school."

iv.     Luretta Camp West was born on 15 Dec 1887 in Vineyard Haven. She appeared with her parents on the census of 1900 on Center Street, aged 12, "at school." I have no record of her after 1900.

341.     Anna Lucille West was born 11 Mar 1890 in Tisbury. She married Clyde C. Kesler.

vi.     Sarah Elizabeth West was born on 19 Mar 1892 in Tisbury. She appeared with her parents on the census of 1900 on Center Street, aged 8, "at school." I have no record of her after 1900.

vii.     Gladys Turner West was born on 2 Jun 1894 in Vineyard Haven. She appeared with her parents on the census of 1900 on Center Street, aged 5. I have no record of her after 1900.

viii.     Esther Hughina West was born on 8 Apr 1898 in Tisbury. She appeared with her parents on the census of 1900 on Center Street, aged 2. I have no record of her after 1900.

342.     Ernest Mortimer West was born 8 Sep 1900 in Tisbury.

x.     William John West was born on 16 Dec 1904 in Pierport, Michigan. I have no further record of him.

343.    Rudolph Holman West was born 9 Jun 1907 in Campbellsport, Wisconsin.

 

320.     Sarah Elizabeth "Sadie" West (Abner2, James1) was born on 24 May 1864 in Holmes Hole. She married John Holman, son of John Holman and Matilda C. (--?--), on 18 Nov 1887 in Boston, MA. She died after 1949.

Sarah appeared as a child with her parents on the Tisbury censuses of 1865, 1870, and 1880, and she was called a Tisbury resident in her 1887 marriage record.

It is unclear where she and her husband lived after 1887, but the 1 May 1902 issue of the Gazette mentions that "Miss Sara Holman, of Salem, has been visiting relatives in this village." (Sarah's father had died the week before.) She is not listed in the 1910 Tisbury census. She was called a resident of Deer Trail, Arapahoe Co., CO in 1914 and 1916, when her letterhead read "S. E. Holman, dealer in General Merchandise and Best Canon City Oil. Successor to Maher Mercantile Company. Dear Trail, Colo." She was called a resident of Denver, CO in March 1939, again on 15 Jan 1941, and again on 5 Mar 1943. I believe she was living in Deertrail, CO in 1949.

John Holman was born about 1853-54 in Sweden. He was employed as a "dyer" in Watertown in 1887. I have no records of him after his marriage.

Children of Sarah Elizabeth West and John Holman were:

i.     Leah Holman was probably born after 1887.

321.     Marion Hodge West (Abner2, James1) was born on 1 Aug 1869 in Holmes Hole. She married Leroy Crosby Lair, son of Peter J. Lair and Fannie Bradford Fish, on 6 Jun 1889 at Rev. Daniel W. Stevens’ home in Vineyard Haven. She died on 27 Feb 1943 at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Oak Bluffs, at age 73, of "arteriosclerosis" "…following a week's confinement at the [hospital.] Mrs. Lair had been in poor health for a number of years, previous to entering the hospital." She was buried on 1 Mar 1943 in an unmarked grave in Village Cemetery. Her Center Street home was valued at $1800 and her personal estate at $100 in her probate records.

Her obituary notes that she "had lived virtually all her life in Vineyard Haven, the town of her birth. The daughter of Abner and Sarah West, she received her education in the local schools, and she and her husband were married fifty-three years ago, each being 18 years of age at the time. … Mrs. Lair will be remembered chiefly for her kindness and generosity, and the intimate interest that she took in all her friends and neighbors in time of illness or trouble, and her passing is mourned by many who have received kindnesses from her hand during her active years…"

She appeared as a child with her parents on the Tisbury censuses of 1870 and 1880, and was called a Vineyard Haven resident on her 1889 marriage records. She appeared on the census of 1900 on William St., aged 30, with her husband and three kids, and on the census of 1910 on Center St., aged 40, with her husband and four children. She was called a resident of Tisbury in 1914. She appeared on the census of 1920 on Centre Street, aged 51, with her husband and children. Gazette articles in 1939 and 1941 refer to her as a Vineyard Haven resident. Her 1943 death record calls her a "housewife."

Capt. Leroy Crosby Lair was born on 30 Sep 1869 in Mattapoisett, MA. His son Stan remembered: "He was in several business. He was in the trucking business at one time. He came here as a harness maker, worked at the Crocker Harness Shop. He ran a fish market at one time, he had a little cat boat he ran for partying, he had various things. He had a license for steamboating. He was a yachting skipper for several years for the Fuller family on East Chop, and other people." "At one time he got the idea of peddling hulled corn. I hated the stuff. He would boil the stuff on the stove, and he'd dump it in lye to take the husks off and all that stuff. I don't know how they made it, but anyway. It was flat - I never liked that stuff. And lot of the people - the old timers - loved that. But anyway he would peddle that, he had a little automobile, and he would peddle around. I hated to meet him on a road, though! It didn't matter to him whether he was driving on the left side or the right side! I think he told me once he was coming back from Oak Bluffs and he looked out the side and he saw a wheel going along the side of him. One of the wheels had dropped off, or something, going along right along side of the car. He lived to a ripe old age. He was 86 when he died." "Brooks Carter built a small building which was a fish market. It was operated by...Captain Lair, and then a little later by Ralph Look. (That is, young Ralph Look.)" [This was on Union Street, just east of Carter Park.]. He was also remembered as having run a harness store on the northwest corner of Main and Spring streets, in the building that later became Issokson's cleaners. (Was this Crocker Harness Shop?)

Leroy came to the Vineyard as a boy with his mother and stepfather. He was called a Vineyard Haven "harness maker" in his 1889 marriage records, as well as on the 1891 birth record of his daughter. In October 1894 the Gazette reported that "the Lair brothers [Leroy and Carlton] have opened a fish market for the winter opposite Capt. Oliver's store" in Vineyard Haven. He was called a Tisbury "harness maker" on the November 1894 birth record of his oldest son. He was listed as a "harness maker" living on Williams St. in 1897. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., age 30, "harness market," with his wife, three children, and (adopted) grandmother, in the same house as his mother and stepfather. In May 1902 the Gazette reported that "Mr. Ernest West and Mr. Leroy Lair came from Cuttyhunk where they are employed at the wreck of Str. Indian to attend the funeral of their father, Capt. Abner West." He listed in 1907 as a "teamster" living on Centre St. near William St. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1910 on Center St., "teamster," aged 40, with his wife, children, and mother-in-law. He was listed in April 1915 on Center St., "fisherman," aged 45, and on the 1920 Tisbury census on Centre Street, aged 50, no occupation, with his wife and children. In 1932 he was mentioned again as living on Center Street. He died on 23 Jun 1955 in Tisbury, at age 85, of "cerebral hemorrhage / arteriosclerosis," and his death record called him a "retired harness maker."

Children of Marion Hodge West and Leroy Crosby Lair were as follows:

344.     Fanny Smith Lair was born 28 Oct 1891 in Vineyard Haven. She married John Leland Downs.

345.     Carlton Purrington Lair 2nd was born 17 Nov 1894 in Vineyard Haven. He married Ann Allen.

346.     Harold Stanton Lair was born 7 Oct 1902 in Tisbury. He married Phyllis Urquhart Lightowler.

Marion Hodge West also had one illegitimate son by an African-American hairdresser whose name I have not learned. The social stigma of raising an illegitimate black child was such that from Ralph’s birth in 1900 until her death in 1943 she rarely left the property. Leroy raised Ralph as one of his own children, although their relationship soured somewhat after Ralph reached adulthood.

i.     Ralph Crosby Lair was born on 3 Apr 1900 in Vineyard Haven. He married Alma (--?--) sometime after 1920. He died in June 1965 in Worcester, MA, at age 65. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., Tisbury, age 1 month, with his parents, and on the census of 1910 on Center St., aged 10, with his parents. He appeared on the census of 1920 on Centre Street, aged 19, "attending school," no occupation, with his parents. He was called a Vineyard Haven resident in 1927, and a Tisbury resident in 1943. He had no children.

 

322.     Capt. Thomas Foster Jr. (Charlotte2 West, James1) was born on 21 Apr 1834 in Holmes Hole. He married Virginia L. Manchester, daughter of Newel W. Manchester and Eunice L. Merry, on 6 Dec 1858 in Holmes Hole. He died on 28 Jan 1906 at "the Neck", Tisbury, aged 71, of "autotoxaemia." (The Gazette added that his death was "not expected." He was buried on 30 Jan 1906 in Oak Grove Cemetery (79 Cedar.) (The Gazette reported that "The funeral on Tuesday afternoon which was largely attended was in charge of the Masonic order, of which he was a member, and was an impressive ceremony. The procession to the cemetery of the Masons in full regalia with sprigs of evergreen as a badge upon the breast was solemn and imposing. Many beautiful flowers were heaped upon the casket.")

His obituary calls him "a retired whaling master, and one of Vineyard Haven's respected citizens... Captain Foster made his first voyage as master of the brig Mercy Taylor of Vineyard Haven, James M. Tabor owner. He returned with a full cargo of oil, and his second voyage, on the same brig was very successful. Captain Foster made four more voyages, sailing for John P. Knowles of New Bedford two voyages on the bark Sarah, one in the bark Cicero, and the other in the ship Alice P. Knowles. Captain Foster was of a retiring nature, and was respected by all those who knew him." His obituary also mentions that he was a member of the Martha's Vineyard Lodge of Masons.

He is represented in his father’s entry in the Tisbury census of 1840. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850, "mariner," aged 16, with his parents, and on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged 21, "mariner," with his parents. He was called a Tisbury "mariner" on his 1858 marriage record.

According to the files in New Bedford, he sailed on the barque San Francisco which left New Bedford on 31 Jul 1859 and was lost at Montauk Point in February 1864. He then sailed as first mate on the ship Gazell of New Bedford from 23 Aug 1862 to 20 Apr 1866, and then as captain of the Brig Mercy Taylor of Tisbury from 11 May 1867 to 20 Sep 1868 and again from 3 Dec 1868 to 3 Aug 1870. He then sailed as captain of the bark Sarah of New Bedford from 23 May 1871 to 12 May 1873, as captain of the bark Cicero of New Bedford from 4 Sep 1876 to 14 Nov 1878, and as captain of the Alice Knowles of New Bedford from 9 Jun 1879 to 26 Apr 1883 (with his wife and son, according to the Gazette!) He was described in crew lists as being about 5' 8" tall with light complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes.

He appeared on the Holmes Hole census of 1860, "mariner," aged 26, with his wife and children, in his wife's parents' home. In June 1862 he bought a lot of land on Grove street behind the West Chop Cemetery, which was to become his homestead. He was called "attached to ship" in the September 1862 Tisbury draft list. He was called a Tisbury "mariner" on his son’s 1863 birth record. He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 29, "mariner," with Virginia and three children, living in the home of Virginia's parents. He was again called a Tisbury "mariner" on his youngest son’s 1867 birth record.

A newspaper clipping dated 7 Jan 1870 makes reference to Capt. Thomas Foster of brig Mercy Taylor of Holmes Hole at St. Helena, eleven months out, with an excellent take. He appeared on the census of June 1870 in Holmes Hole, "mariner," aged 35, with his wife and children. It values his real estate at $200 and his personal estate at $600. He was called a Tisbury resident in 1873, when he and his brothers sold a fifty-acre lot at Holmes Hole Neck.

An undated newspaper clipping states that "St. Helena was a favorite stopping place for other Vineyarders. In the 1870's Virginia Foster of Vineyard Haven and Rebecca (Matthews) Vincent of West Tisbury were whaling in the Atlantic and along the coast of Africa with their husbands, Capt. Thomas Foster of the Cicero (1876) and Capt. Francis Vincent of the Desdemona (1876). The women spent some time on shore seeing the sights of that volcanic island together. They visited where Napoleon wad lived and the tomb where his ashes had rested. The captain used often to ship some of their sperm home from St. Helena. This gave them a little time for social activities on shore."

On 20 Dec 1878 the Gazette reported that "Capt. Thomas Foster is building a barn" in Vineyard Haven, and the following week reported that "Capt. Thomas Foster of this [Vineyard Haven], late master of bark Cicero, will sail in the spring in command of the new bark Alice Knowles, for a whaling voyage in the South Atlantic Ocean." The book Whaling Wives mentions this 1879 voyage of the whaleship Alice Knowles from New Bedford: "The Alice Knowles was a fine new bark, built at Weymouth the previous year, and she was to make her maiden voyage under command of Captain Thomas Foster... He was taking his wife, Virginia Manchester of Holmes Hole, and he had shipped one son, Thomas, as an ordinary seaman, and another, Daniel, as cabin boy. … [The Alice Knowles] did her whaling in the south Atlantic, by turns humpbacking off the African coast and cruising around Tristan in season...." and mentions that it visited St. Helena on this voyage. He appeared on the census of 1880 in Tisbury, aged 44, "sailor," with his wife and children. On 4 May 1883 the Gazette reported that "Capt. Thomas Foster, late master of bark Alice Knowles of New Bedford, arrived home Friday last. Capt. Foster was accompanied by his wife and youngest son Thomas, who were both with him on the voyage - just completed - of nearly four years duration."

He was called a Tisbury resident in 1890, resided in 1897 on Grove Ave., Tisbury, and appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900, aged 66, widower, "master mariner" (unemployed all twelve months of the last year), living alone. He was called a "retired sea captain" on his 1906 death record.

His will, dated 5 March 1906, stipulates that "in no way shall one cent be paid to [son Charles’] wife … it is my wish that not one thing shall be given to Charles Foster unless it can be done with no benefit to his wife. Now be it understood that I say that Charles Foster has brought a bad woman into my family which has caused me a great deal of trouble and unhappiness. …" His probate values his real estate (a house, barn, boathouse, house lot, woodlot, and a ½ interest in a lot in North Shore, West Tisbury) at $3675 and his personal estate (furniture, farming tools, etc.) at $2053.50. His homestead stood on the south side of Grove Ave., adjacent to the south to the West Chop Cemetery.

Virginia L. Manchester was born on 2 Nov 1834 in Tisbury. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850, aged 15, living with her parents. She is called a Tisbury resident in her 1858 marriage record. She appeared on the census of 1860 in Holmes Hole, aged 25, with her husband and children, living in her parents home. She appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 29, "housewife," with Thomas and three children, living in the home of her parents. She appeared on the 1870 Tisbury census, aged 33, "keeping house," with her husband and children. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880 in Tisbury, aged 42, "keeping," living with her husband and children, and was called a Tisbury resident in 1890. She died on 19 Jan 1897 in Winthrop, MA, at age 62. The Gazette reported that "The community was shocked by the sudden death of Mrs. Thomas Foster [of "the Neck" in Tisbury], who had been spending a week with her daughter, Mrs. David Norton, in Winthrop, and she was just starting for home when she fell on the sidewalk and expired. Her trouble was heart disease." She was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (74 Cedar).

Children of Capt. Thomas Foster Jr. and Virginia L. Manchester were as follows:

i.    Charles H. Foster was born in February 1857 in Tisbury. He married (1^st) Jennie W. Belmont, daughter of Lewis Belmont and Clara Armore(?), on 2 Jun 1895 in the Methodist parsonage in Tisbury. He married (2^nd?) Jennie Lamont, daughter of Angus Lamont and Jeannette Chisholm. He died on 24 Dec 1922 at the U. S. Marine Hospital in Tisbury, at age 65, of "hemiplegia, old. / bronchial pneumonia" (the Gazette reported that "Mr. Foster had been an inmate of the hospital, under Dr. Mayhewson's care for seven years") and is buried in Oak Grove.

His obituary states "The death of Charles Foster... removes another of our old friends of 'The Neck'. ... Thus comes these old sailors to 'the crossing of the bar', and before many tides shall have fulled and ebbed, there shall not be one left to tell us of the perilous and heroic times of the old whaling days".

He appeared on the census of 1860 in Holmes Hole, aged 3, with his parents, and again in 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 8. He appeared on the census of 1870 in Holmes Hole, aged 13, "attending school," with his parents. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 23, "farm laborer," single, with his parents (although his parents and brothers Thomas and Daniel were probably at sea - he was likely home alone.)

He was called a Tisbury "clerk" on his 1895 marriage record. He seems to be listed twice in the 1897 Tisbury directory, both as "Chas. Foster Jr., fish dealer, h. Grove Av." (his father is also listed on this street) and as "Chas. Foster, clk., Union wharf, h. West Chop" (perhaps suggesting that he worked at his brother Dan’s fish market?) He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900, aged 43, "day laborer," married for six years, living alone, three months unemployed during the past year. He was mentioned as a Vineyard Haven resident in February 1906 and a Tisbury resident in March 1906. He is listed in the 1907 and 1910-11 Tisbury directories: "Foster Charles H., h. at the Neck." He is called a Tisbury resident in 1909 and 1910. He does not appear in the 1910 Tisbury census. He was called a Tisbury resident in 1919. His 1922 death record calls him a "fisherman."

347.     Ella Scott Foster was born 15 Oct 1859 in Holmes Hole. She married David Whitman Norton.

iii.     Thomas M. Foster was born on 9 May 1863 in Tisbury. He died in March 1889, en route from San Francisco to the Arctic, and has a gravestone in Oak Grove Cemetery.

He appeared on the census of 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury, aged 2, with his parents, and again on the Holmes Hole census of 1870, aged 7, "attending school." He shipped as an ordinary seaman on the Alice Knowles of New Bedford, captained by his father. (His mother and brother Daniel were also on board.) The bark Alice Knowles left New Bedford on 9 Jun 1879 and returned 26 Apr 1883. He then sailed on the schooner Abbie Bradford of New Bedford from 9 Jun 1879 to 26 Apr 1883. He may also have served as third mate on the bark Abraham Barker of New Bedford from 23 Nov 1886 to 2 Nov 1887. Crew lists describe him as being 5' (age 18) or 5' 8" (age 21), with light complexion, light hair, and "light" eyes. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 17, "sailor," with his parents (although he and his parents were actually at sea on this date.)

On 2 Nov 1888 the Gazette reported that thirteen ships from the Arctic fleet were caught in ice floes, and in the Vineyard Haven column it was reported that "Thomas Foster, son of Capt. Thomas Foster, was one of the men imprisoned in the ice in the Arctic whaling fleet." A third article notes that among other islanders, "Thomas M. Foster, Vineyard Haven, 4th officer, of Bark Ocean" was "reported in the ice near Herald Island Sept. 25^th." I have no further record of stranded fleet, although we know that that Thomas died the following March. He never married and had no children. His probate mentioned deposits of $683.62 in the New Bedford Institution for Savings, and $1373.62 in the San Francisco Savings Union.

iv.    Daniel Worth "Dan" Foster was born on 13 Jan 1867 in Holmes Hole. He married Eunice Maud (--?--) sometime after 1888. He died on 16 Jul 1943 in Watertown, MA, at age 76. He was buried on 20 Jul 1943 in Oak Grove.

His obituary states that Dan was "…formerly of Vineyard Haven... Born in Vineyard Haven, the son of Capt. and Mrs. Thomas Foster, he spent his early life in that town and for years conducted the fish market formerly situated on the Union wharf, now known as the steamboat wharf. Disposing of this business years ago, he removed to Somerville and entered the employ of the Boston Transcript. He was employed in the mechanical department until the dissolution of that paper a few years ago, when he retired."

He appeared on the census of 1870 in Holmes Hole, aged 3, at home with his parents. He shipped as cabin boy on the Alice Knowles of New Bedford in 1879, captained by his father. (His mother and brother Thomas were also on board.) He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880 in Tisbury, aged 14, "sailor," with his parents, although he and his parents and brother Thomas were probably at sea.

On 22 Apr 1887 the Gazette reported that "The fish market of D. W. Foster at the steamboat wharf [Vineyard Haven] has been reopened this week." He is not listed in the 1897 Tisbury Directory, suggesting that he may have moved to the Boston area between 1887 and 1897. He resided in February 1906 in "Boston," in March 1906 in Somerville, and does not appear in Tisbury in the 1907 or 1910-11 directories, nor in the 1910 Tisbury census. He was living in Somerville in 1909 and 1910. In October 1919 he was living in West Somerville. On 7 Oct 1920 the Gazette reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Foster entertained a house party at Manchester Cottage, West Chop," and on 26 Dec 1923 that "Dan Foster was unable to come [the funeral of his brother Charles] on account of serious personal illness." His 1943 obituary called him a resident of Watertown, MA.

 

323.     Capt. Henry Dearborn Foster (Charlotte2 West, James1) was born on 7 Mar 1838 in Vineyard Haven. He married (2^nd?) Mary Ann Williams, daughter of William Williams and Victoria Fitzgerald sometime before 1869, although there is evidence he was married (1^st) to Jennie (--?--) in 1866. He died on 10 Nov 1901 in Vineyard Haven, at age 63, of "paresis exhaustion" and is buried in Oak Grove.

His obituary states that Henry was "...widely known on the Atlantic seaboard by his commanding for 30 years steamers of the Merchants & Miners line, chiefly between Baltimore, Norfolk and Boston, and also between Savannah and New York and Boston. He was commodore of the fleet when he retired in 1895, and, removing from Baltimore, established himself at Vineyard Haven, his birthplace. … Captain Foster, like most other Vineyard sons, began his seafaring life on board a whaleship going before the mast on ship America, Captain Abner West. He next sailed as third mate on the bark Virginia of New Bedford, Captain Thomas Peakes of Edgartown as master. They were gone on this cruise for five years. He then went into the merchant service, making several cruises on barks Martha's Vineyard and Revenue. He then entered the United States navy at the beginning of the war, serving throughout with distinction. … He was master's mate on the Varuna when Farragut took New Orleans and fired the last gun before the vessel sunk. He was also on the deck of the Calhoun when Commander Buchanan was killed, and at the same time Capt. Foster was shot through the cheek. He afterwards served on the United States boat Eutaw. … At the close of the war he resigned his commission and entered the employ of the Merchants & Miners Co. He sailed as mate for a year, and was then promoted to a captaincy, and commanded steamer William Kennedy, and finally the John Hopkins on the Savannah, Providence and Boston routes, but in 1885, when steamer Chatham was launched, he was made her master. He had remarkable success in express steamship service with perishable cargoes for northern markets during a long term of years." "Capt. Foster retired in 1895 with a tidy fortune, having made some good real estate investments in the city of Baltimore, where he lived. He purchased the property of the late Captain Presbury L. Smith at Vineyard Haven, which is pleasantly located on a hill overlooking the village and harbor, where he spent the remainder of his life."

He was represented as a child in his father’s 1840 Tisbury census entry, and appeared on the Tisbury census of 1850, aged 12, with his parents. He was probably the "Henry D. Fosta" who is listed as boatsteerer of the Bark America of New Bedford which left 7 May 1853 and returned 22 Sep 1854. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1855, aged 17, "mariner," living with his parents, and again on the census of 1860 in Holmes Hole, "mariner," aged 20, with his mother.

Banks notes that he served in the Navy during the Civil War and was rated as an ensign. He served on the "Baruna, with Farragut at New Orleans." He was listed as "in the navy" in the September 1862 Tisbury draft list.

He does not appear in the 1870 or 1880 Tisbury censuses, although he was called a Tisbury resident in 1873, when he and his brothers sold a fifty-acre lot at Holmes Hole Neck. In 1892 he was called a resident of Baltimore, MD, when he bought three acres adjacent to William and Spring Streets, west of Look St. (probably the lot where Tisbury School now stands.) He was listed in 1897 on William Street, Vineyard Haven, and on the 1900 census on William St., age 62, "capitalist," with his (2^nd?) wife, five daughters, and a servant. He was described as a "retired master mariner" in his 1901 death record in Vineyard Haven.`

His settlement of his estate was an enormous mess, dragging on for decades and creating much paperwork. His real estate consisted of a home on about twenty acres of land on the east side of William Street known as "Summer Hill" and a nearby three-acre meadow (the Tisbury School lot) all valued at $5400. His personal estate was valued at $1312. His will (dated 26 Jan 1899) instructed that "if they shall sell said homestead place to invest the money received therefor in Baltimore Ground Rents."

Children of Capt. Henry Dearborn Foster and Jenny (--?--) were:

i.    Lottie West Foster was born and died in 1866 in Washington, DC, aged 5 months and 27 days. (SEE GAZETTE 14 Sep 1866). The death notice of Lottie in 1866 calls her the daughter of "Henry D. and Jenny Foster."

Mary Ann Williams was born on 5 May 1849 in Baltimore, MD. She first appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., age 51, with her husband and five children. Following her husbands death in 1901, the Gazette reported on 1 May 1902 that "Mrs. Mary A. Foster, of Vineyard Haven, has been allowed a special pension of $8 per month" and added elsewhere that "The large magnolia tree on Mrs. Mary Foster's place at 'Summer Hill' is now in full blossom and a most beautiful sight." She was called a Tisbury resident in 1901. She was listed in 1907 and again in 1910-11 as "Widow of Henry D., h. end William." She appeared on the census of 1910 on William St., aged 60, widow, "own income," with four daughters. On 13 Aug 1914 the Gazette reported that "The owners of 'Summer Hill' place, the Foster family, are occupying it during the heated term." She died on 29 Jan 1916 in Watertown, MA, at age 66 of "carcemonia of stomach" and is buried in Oak Grove. Her administration states that she still owned the 19 acre "Summer Hill" homestead (adjacent to State Road, "Pine Tree Road" (West William St.?) and William Street) along with the three acre meadow adjacent to William and Spring Streets, and three "ground rents" in Baltimore, MD. Her personal estate was valued at $326.67 and included a piano. The settlement of this estate was nearly as complicated as her husband’s, and there is a 1918 reference to a "suit now pending in the Middlesex Superior Court vs. the said estate of Mary A. Foster, brought by the Winchester Visiting Nurse Association on a claim based on her last sickness."

Children of Capt. Henry Dearborn Foster and Mary Ann Williams were as follows:

348.     Emma Bennett Foster was born 24 Jun 1869 in Baltimore, MD. She married Arthur Leslie Smith.

ii.    Grace West Foster was born in 1872 in Baltimore, MD. She died on 11 Jan 1942 in Boston State Hospital, Boston, MA of "bronchopneumonia." (The Gazette added that "Afflicted with chronic illness, she had been a patient at the Boston State Hospital for years and her death occurred at that institution."). She is buried in Oak Grove.

Her obituary states: "Miss Foster was the daughter of Capt. Henry D. and Mary Foster, and was born in Baltimore, and educated in the schools of that city. Coming to Vineyard Haven with her family while a young woman, she spent many years in Vineyard Haven, removing to the mainland about twenty years ago…"

In May 1898 the Gazette reported that "Miss Grace Foster arrived at Summer Hill last week, after an extended tarry on the continent" and in November 1901 that "Miss Grace Foster is spending a few weeks at home." She was called a resident of "Boston" in 1902, 1911, and 1913. She is not listed in the 1910 Tisbury census. She was living in 1916 with her three sisters at 6 Springfield St., Belmont, MA. In 1919 she was living in Roxbury, MA and in 1922 she was living at No. 1 Danforth Place, Roxbury. She was called a "Boston" resident in 1921, 1922, and 1923. In1929 she sold a three-acre lot adjacent to William and Spring Streets to the Town of Tisbury, probably for the building of the Tisbury School. In 1931 her 1/8^th share of a two-acre woodlot adjacent to State Road and Pine St. was sold at auction to Adelaide Bangs for $16 in outstanding back taxes, and at the time of her death her only real estate was two acres adjacent to State Road, William Street, and "Pine Tree Road." She never married, and had no children.

iii.    Henry Dearborn "Harry" Foster Jr. was born on 6 Apr 1874 in Baltimore, MD. He married Alice L.(?) Cummings, daughter of Augustus F. Cummings and Elizabeth H. Davis, on 29 Mar 1898 in New Bedford. He died on 3 Nov 1947 in Norwood, MA, at age 73 of a "perforated bowel." He was buried on 7 Nov 1947 in Oak Grove Cemetery (Cherry St.).

His obituary states "Mr. Foster was born in Baltimore, but lived as a boy and in youth in Vineyard Haven which was for years the home of his family. By profession he was a stereotyper and was employed for years on the Boston Transcript, and later, on other newspapers of Boston. … Mr. Foster was the son of the late Capt. and Mrs. Henry D. Foster, and attended the Vineyard Haven schools. The Foster estate, the former home of Capt. Pressbury Smith, was once one of the showplaces of the Island."

On 31 Oct 1895 the Gazette reported that "Mr. Henry D. Foster Jr. returned Monday from a visit to Baltimore." He was called a Tisbury "clerk" on his 1898 marriage record, and the Gazette reported that he and his bride "will sail from Boston on Thursday to Baltimore, where they will spend a week with friends and visit Washington city and other places of interest before returning home. ... On their return from their wedding trip they will make their home at the residence of Mr. John Lambert."

On 19 May 1898 the Gazette reported that "Mr. Harry Foster is clerking for Swift Bros." in Tisbury. He appeared on the census of 1900 on William St., aged 26, fish dealer, with his wife.

His father died in 1901 and he was named executor of the estate. By the accounts of several members of the family, he tied up the estate for decades and none of his heirs were ever paid from the sale of the estate. In a letter dated 1940 from several members of the family, it is stated that his management of the estate caused "the various beneficiaries great mental suffering, which he has continued to do for a period of twenty four years." Another letter states that "the outrages committed against my Father’s and Mother’s estates beggars description."

On 1 May 1902 the Gazette reported that "Mr. Harry Foster met with a mishap while at work on the wrecked steamer Indian; by a misstep he fell into the hatch which was flooded with water. After a desperate struggle he was pulled out in safety by his companions." In 1907 he was listed as "clerk" boarding at the end of William Street. He is not listed in the 1910 Tisbury census, but does appear in the 1910-11 Tisbury directory as "Foster Henry D., printer, (Boston), bds. end William.". In June 1916 he was living at 37 Moreland St., Roxbury. In September 1916 as well as in 1919, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1940, 1942 and 1944 he was called a resident of "Boston."

iv.    Willie E. Foster was born in February 1876 and died on 9 Dec 1881 at age 5. He is buried in Oak Grove.

v.    Gertrude Fitzgerald Foster was born on 15 Jun 1880 in Baltimore, MD. She married John Everett Howland, son of John Wing Howland and Rebecca L. Crowell, on 27 Dec 1909 in Tisbury. She died on 22 Jan 1911 in William Street, at age 30 of a "cerebral embolism." (The Gazette reported that "She was enfeebled by a recent attack with her heart and died from a shock.") She is buried in Oak Grove.

She appeared on the 1900 Tisbury census on William St., aged 19, single, "at school," with her parents. On 16 Jan 1905 the Gazette reported that "Miss Gertrude Foster who has been soprano soloist at Stevens’ Memorial Chapel for the spring and summer months has gone to Boston for the purpose of studying voice culture," and on 3 Jan 1907 was mentioned as singing a solo during Christmas exercises at the Stevens’ Memorial Chapel which "was sung in a musical and pleasing manner, Miss Foster's voice being rich and melodious." In 1909 she joined the Vineyard Haven chapter of the DAR.

Her marriage to John Howland was reported to have caused a rift in his family. She was his second wife and had been his nurse (or his first wife’s nurse?) She appeared on the census of 1910 on William St., aged 28, with her husband and stepsons.

vi.    Lawrence K. Foster was born and died about 1881. He was buried in Oak Grove "aged two months."

vii.    Mary West Foster was born on 20 Mar 1884 in Baltimore, MD. She died on 8 May 1921 in Boston, MA, at age 37, of "myocarditis, caesarean section," and was buried in Oak Grove.

She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., age 16, "at school," with her parents. Her father died in 1901 when she was seventeen, and Samuel Keniston of Edgartown was named her guardian. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1910 on William St., aged 24, no occupation, with her mother. In 1916 she lived with her three sisters at 6 Springfield St., Belmont, and in 1919 in Brookline.

Her fatal pregnancy bore her a (presumably illegitimate) son, John L. Merrill Jr. (called "Robert" in a probate record dated 1930) born in 1921, who was listed with his guardian Dr. John L. Merrill at 140 Boylston Street, Boston in 1940. John’s aunt Grace Foster fought a long court battle to contest this guardianship. She wrote, "Now as I claimed my nephew when no on else wanted him namely as soon as I knew of his birth I was informed of my sister’s death first over the telephone + as soon as I reached my sister’s of my nephew’s birth + that I must take charge of this baby. … I took my nephew home and in less than 48 hours this Dr. John [illegible] Merrill of 2 Marcella Road Wellesley Mass. stole my nephew." "The crime of this Dr. Merrill of stealing my infant nephew from me + obtaining by fraud and forging guardianship must be prosecuted. … My brother and sister went to the Home of Little Wanderers + that is all recorded how they tried to get my nephew there + [illegible] Edith S. Foster[?] would never have done this yet she said this child should never come near the family. …"

viii.    Edith Madeline Foster was born on 22 Jul 1886 in Baltimore, MD. She died on 13 Jun 1944 in Boston City Hospital at age 57 "following an operation which climaxed a period of serious illness." She was buried on 16 Jun 1944 in Oak Grove.

Her obituary calls her a "former resident of Vineyard Haven... She was well known on the Island, especially in Vineyard Haven, where she made her home for a number of years. … The daughter of Capt. and Mrs. Henry D. Foster of that town, she was born in Baltimore, Md., coming to Vineyard Haven as a small child with her parents. She attended the schools of that town, living then and later in life on the well known Foster estate, once one of the show places of the Island, at the entrance to the town. The former home of Capt. Pressbury Smith, it was known as Summer Hill. … Training in the Malden Hospital, she entered the nursing profession, and for many years was employed in New York city, later entering a Boston hospital. She had been retired for the past few years."

She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., aged 13, "at school," with her parents. Her father died in 1901 when she was fifteen, and Samuel Keniston of Edgartown was named her guardian. On 16 Nov 1903 again on 16 Jan 1905 the Vineyard Gazette reported that "Miss Edith Foster, of Summer Hill, has gone to Boston to take a course of study preparatory to becoming a trained nurse." (?) She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1910 on William St., aged 22, no occupation, with her mother. She was called a Vineyard Haven resident in 1916 and 1919. She appeared on the 1920 Tisbury census on William St., boarding in the home of James O. and Lydia G. Fuller, aged 33, single, "trained nurse - general practice." On 7 Oct 1927 the Gazette reported that Edith was planning to board with Miss Mary F. Norris on Mt. Aldworth, Tisbury. She was called an unmarried resident of Tisbury in 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1933, 1936, and 1937, when she and her sisters sold subdivisions of land in Tisbury (including three lots to the General George Goethals Post 257 in 1933.) In 1940 she was living at 120 Peterboro St., Boston, and was called a resident of Boston in her 1942 obituary.

Edith fought a long battle with the courts to contest the guardianship of her nephew. (See the notes on John L. Merrill Jr.)

ix.    Edna Geraldine Foster was born on 2 Mar 1888 in Maryland, presumably Baltimore. She died after 7 Nov 1947.

She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., Tisbury, age 12, "at school," with her parents. Her father died in 1901 when she was thirteen, and Samuel Keniston of Edgartown was named her guardian.

On 9 Apr 1902 the Gazette reported that she "was the victim of a painful accident...which but for her remarkable presence of mind and courage might have resulted fatally. As it was she was severely and painfully burned on body and limbs. She was spending the night with an invalid neighbor and friend, for companionship and, to relieve some slight want of the invalid arose about four o'clock and lighted a lamp, while doing so she fainted and overturned the burning lamp. The pain of her burns restored her to consciousness and with almost superhuman pluck and sense she tore her clothes from her and threw them and the lamp out of doors before running for home and help. We are assured that in spite of severe burns there will not be any disfiguring scars." On 24 Apr 1902 it was reported that "Miss Edna Foster who was badly burned is improving rapidly" and on 1 May 1902 that "Miss Edna Foster who was seriously burned has recovered so far that her nurse has returned home," and on 15 May 1902 that "the friends of Miss Edna Geraldine Foster are rejoiced at her great improvement."

She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1910 on William St., aged 21, no occupation, with her mother. She resided in 1911 in Boston, and in 1914 in Watertown. In 1916 she lived with her three sisters at 6 Springfield St., Belmont, and in 1919 she lived in Brookline. She was called an unmarried resident of Boston in 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1933, 1936, and 1937, when she and her sisters sold subdivisions of land in Tisbury (including three lots to the General George Goethals Post 257 in 1933.) In 1940 she was living at 120 Peterboro St., Boston. She resided in 1944 in Boston, and in 1947 in Dedham, MA. She was unmarried, and had no children.

x.    Mildred Berry Foster was born on 25 Sep 1890 in MD, presumably Baltimore. She married Frederick Gilbert between 1926 and 1927. She died after 7 Nov 1947.

She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on William St., aged 9, "at school," with her parents. Her father died in 1901 when she was eleven, and Samuel Keniston of Edgartown was named her guardian. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1910 on William St., aged 18, no occupation, with her mother. In August 1914 she was described in the Gazette as arriving at her home in Summer Hill for "the heated term." In 1916 she lived with her three sisters at 6 Springfield St., Belmont. In 1919 she lived in Brookline. She was called an unmarried resident of Boston in 1924, 1925, and 1926, and a married resident of Boston in 1927, 1930, 1933, 1936, and 1937, when she and her sisters sold subdivisions of land in Tisbury (including three lots to the General George Goethals Post 257 in 1933.) In 1940, she was listed at 16 Laurel Lane, Dedham, MA, and in 1942, 1944, and 1947 she was again listed as a resident of Dedham. Her husband was alive in 1937.

 

324.     Capt. Gustavus W. Foster,,,,,, (Charlotte2 West, James1) was born on 20 May 1847 in Tisbury (1860 census suggests 1845-6);,,, He evidently married before about 1901, although I have not been able to learn his wife’s name. He died on 27 Feb 1908 in City Hospital, Boston, MA, at age 60 of an "Accidental Fracture of Leg." The Gazette reported that "Mr. Gustavus Foster of Boston who was the victim of a sad accident not long ago, died from his injuries last week.",, He is buried in Oak Grove ("Rev. I. P. Quimby officiated..").,

He appeared on the census of 16 Sep 1850 in Tisbury (Aged 3, with parents). He appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1855 in Tisbury (aged 8, living with parents). He appeared on the census of 28 Jun 1860 in Holmes Hole (Aged 14, with mother).

He was most likely the Gustavus Foster, Holmes Hole native, who sailed as a "seaman" on the ship "Janus" [?] (or "James"?) of New Bedford from 15 Jul 1862 to 29 Oct 1865, third mate and boatsteerer on the brig Mercy Taylor of Tisbury from 3 Dec 1868 to 3 Aug 1870, and finally on the brig Abbot Lawrence of New Bedford from 19 Apr 1875 to 5 Nov 1877. The crew list on this last voyage described him as being 5' 7" tall with light complexion and dark hair.

He appeared on the census of 17 Jul 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury (Aged 18, seaman, single, with mother and stepfather). He Not in 1870 Tisbury census in 1870, although he was called a Tisbury resident in 1873, when he and his brothers sold a fifty-acre lot at Holmes Hole Neck. He was probably the "Capt. Augustus Foster" who was "the guest of his brother, Capt. Thomas Foster" on 10 Jul 1885. He Not in 1897 Tisbury Directory in 1897. He Vineyard Haven column: "Capt. Gustavus Foster, of Boston, whose house on West Chop road is receiving the last interior decoration, has been in town for some days" on 24 Apr 1902. He resided on 1 Feb 1906 in Boston, MA. He Not in 1907 Vineyard Haven directory in 1907. He was "clerk", married on 27 Feb 1908.

Children of Capt. Gustavus W. Foster and his (unknown) wife were as follows.

i.     Gustavus E. Foster was born before 1901. In November 1919 he was living in Brookline, MA.

ii.     Frank C. Foster,,,,, was born before 1901. He Not in 1910-11 VH Directory circa 1910. He resided on 26 Jan 1911 in Boston, MA ("Mr. Frank Foster of Boston has been enjoying a brief vacation as the guest of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Abner Foster"). In November 1919 he was living in Detroit, Michigan.

iii.     Estrella W. Foster was born before 1901. She married (--?--) Rowell sometime before November 1919, when she was living in Brookline, MA.

 

325.     James Porter West (Gustavus2, James1) was born on 8 Oct 1849, probably in Chilmark. He married Nettie B. Marchant, daughter of Allen Marchant and Susan B. Coleman, on 22 Nov 1883 in Tisbury. He died on 19 Apr 1917 in West Tisbury, at age 67, of "Chr. Interstitial Neph." (The Gazette wrote "His death came suddenly although he had not been well for more than a year, but had been able to go about his accustomed duties most of the time.") He was buried on 22 Apr 1917 in West Tisbury Village Cemetery.

His obituary states: "Much of his life was passed at Vineyard Haven. He was a painter and paperhanger of note and will be much missed in that capacity. He had a cheerful sunny disposition and was always glad to see his neighbors and friends and greeted them with marked cordiality. He was a very kind and indulgent father and a devoted son."

He appeared on the [West?] Tisbury census of 1850, aged seven months, on the West Tisbury census of 1855, aged 5, and on the West Tisbury census of 1860, aged 10, with his parents. He appeared on the census of 1865 in West Parish, Tisbury, aged 15, "pupil," with his parents, and on the census of 1870 in Tisbury, aged 20, no occupation, with his parents. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 31, single, with his parents. On 22 Apr 1881 the Gazette reported that "James P. West is at work for F. H. Jenkins."

He was called a Tisbury "painter" on his 1883 marriage record, and on both his children’s birth records, dating 1884 and 1889. The 1897 directory of Tisbury contains an entry for "West James P., painter, h[ouse on] Beech." He appeared on the census of 1900 on Main St., Tisbury, aged 50, "house painter" (nine months unemployed during the past year), married, in his brother Gilbert's home. His wife and children are noticeably absent. The 1907 Vineyard Haven directory lists him as "West, James P., painter, emp. F. H. Jenkins." He appeared on the census of 1910 in West Tisbury, "Painter and Paper Hanger / Contractor," aged 60, living with his children, George and Genevieve. He was listed again in the 1910-11 Tisbury directory, "painter, emp. E. T. Walker & Co." He was listed in the April 1915 Tisbury Tax lists on Main St., aged "56." His 1917 death record calls him a West Tisbury "painter." At the time of his death his personal estate was valued at $329 (two savings accounts and a bicycle) and he owned no real estate.

Nettie B. Marchant was born on 12 Jul 1864 in Hyannis, MA. Her obituary states that "Mrs. West...by profession was a practical nurse, at which work she was engaged for many years, both on the Island and elsewhere." She does not appear in the 1870 Tisbury census, but she was called a Tisbury resident, "at home" in her 1883 marriage record. In May 1917, a month after her husband died, she was listed as a resident of Mattapoisett. She died on 7 Jan 1928 in "a Taunton hospital," aged 63, of "chronic myocarditis," "following a brief illness." She was called a "housekeeper" in her death record. She is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Children of James Porter West and Nettie B. Marchant were as follows:

349.     George Allen West was born on 9 Sep 1884 in Tisbury. He married Ramona May Cleveland.

350.     Genevieve Robinson West was born on 21 Nov 1889 in Vineyard Haven. She married Edward T. Smith.

 

326.     Gilbert Roy West (Gustavus2, James1) was born on 3 Sep 1852 in West Tisbury. He married Mary Eagleston Norton, daughter of Alfred Norton Jr. and Harriet F. Norton, on 3 Sep 1895 at the bride’s home in Tisbury. He died on 17 Aug 1931 in at his home in Vineyard Haven, at age 78, of "Angina Pectoris," and was buried in Oak Grove.

His obituary states that "as a young man he moved to Vineyard Haven and had spent most of his life there, never moving away. He became a carpenter and painter, working in late years as a painter most of the time. Some years ago he was employed by Horace Tilton, but for more than thirty years he had been employed by the William G. Manter company. … Mr. West was associated with the Methodist church."

He appeared as a child with his parents on the West Tisbury censuses of 1855, 1860, and 1865, on the Tisbury census of 1870, aged 17, "attending school," with his parents, and on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 27, "laborer" (6 months of the past year unemployed), living with his parents. On 23 Dec 1881 the Gazette reported that "Mr. G. R. West, who has been in the employ of F. H. Jenkins for some time, has returned to West Tisbury" and on 7 Mar 1892 that "Gilbert R. West and E. Frank Adams went to Vineyard Haven Monday to enter the employ of contractor Horace Tilton." He was called a West Tisbury "carpenter" in his 1895 marriage records.

The 1897 directory of Tisbury listed "West Gilbert R., painter, h[ouse on] Beech." On 19 May 1898 the Gazette reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert West, who have been stopping in Edgartown for some time, have returned to their home in Vineyard Haven." He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on Main St., age 46, "house carpenter" (unemployed nine months of the last year) living with his wife, brother, and step-daughter. The 1907 and 1910-11 directories of Vineyard Haven list "West Gilbert R., carpenter, h[ouse on] So. Main, n[ear] Beech." He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1910 on Main St., "house carpenter," aged 57, with his wife and daughter. He was listed as a 61-year-old "painter" living on Main Street in April 1915. He appeared on the Tisbury census of 1920 on Main Street, "house carpenter," aged 67, with his wife and daughter. The Gazette mentioned his residence as Vineyard Haven in March 1930. See "Interesting Vineyarders" article on 13 Mar 1930. He was called a Tisbury "painter" on his August 1931 death record.

Mary Eagleston Norton was born on 4 Nov 1858 at "the Norton Home" in Makonikey, West Tisbury. She appeared on the 1860 census of Holmes Hole, aged 1, with her parents, and again on the Tisbury census of 1870, aged 11, "attending school." She married (1^st) William Vincent sometime before March 1883. In her second marriage in 1895 to Gilbert she was listed "at home" in Tisbury. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1900 on Main St., aged 41, with her husband, daughter, and brother-in-law, on the Tisbury census of 1910 on Main St., aged 51, with her husband and daughter and on the Tisbury census of 1920 on Main Street, aged 60, with her husband and daughter).

Her obituary mentions that "although she had lived the greater part of her life in the town of her birth, Tisbury, she had made her home in New Bedford for several years [with her daughter Mrs. Edmund Ellis.] … For years she had made her home in Vineyard Haven and only left when advancing age made it impractical for her to live alone."

She died on 6 Feb 1953 in St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford, at age 94 ("she had been a patient for a week following a fall in which she broke a hip") and was buried on 8 Feb 1953 in Oak Grove.

Children of Gilbert Roy West and Mary Eagleston Norton were:

i.     Alfreda Hazelton West was born on 29 Mar 1902 in Tisbury. She married Edmund Aldrich Ellis on 19 May 1923. She appeared on the Tisbury census of 1910 on Main St., aged 8, with her parents, and again on the Tisbury census of 1920 on Main Street, aged 17, "attending school." Her father’s 1931 obituary stated that she resided with her three children in New Bedford, and her mother’s 1953 obituary also noted her as a resident of New Bedford. I have no further record of Alfreda (West) Ellis or her children.

 

327.     Charles Hardenburg West (Gustavus2, James1) was born on 29 May 1864 in West Tisbury. He married Lavinia F. Brush, daughter of Samuel N. Brush and Melvina W.(?) Luce, on 6 Jan 1910 in Chilmark. He died on 24 Oct 1916 at his home in West Tisbury, aged 52 of "tuberculosis of peritoneum." (The Gazette reported that "He had been ill for some months and, although a great sufferer at times, bore his sickness patiently, and always had a smile and cordial greeting for his friends...") He was buried on 27 Oct 1916 in West Tisbury Village Cemetery.

His obituary states that he "had lived in West Tisbury all of his life. ... He was a kind neighbor, and had the esteem of many. He was a devoted husband and father, and was a member of the West Tisbury Grange."

He appeared on the West Tisbury census of July 1865, aged 11 months, with his parents, on the Tisbury census of 1870, aged 6, "attending school," and again on the Tisbury census of 1880, aged 14, with his parents. He was listed in the 1897 Tisbury directory as "West Chas. H., painter, h. West Tisbury," and appeared on the West Tisbury census of 1900, aged 36, single, "painter," living with his parents and sister. He was listed in the 1907 West Tisbury directory as "West Charles H., painter and ice dealer."

His January 1910 marriage record calls him a West Tisbury "painter." He appeared on the West Tisbury census of 1910, aged 44(?), "house painter," with his wife, mother, and daughter (but no wife!) He was called a West Tisbury "painter" in his 1916 death record.

Lavinia F. Brush was born on 1 Nov 1886 in West Tisbury. The 1907 Vineyard Haven directory lists "Brush Lavinia F., clerk L. L. Aldrich, bds. Look." (Legrand L. Aldrich sold graphophones, phonograph records, cigars, post cards, etc. - and also had billiard tables - on the corner of Main and Spring streets.) She appeared on the West Tisbury census of 1910 (?) and was called a West Tisbury "housemaid" in her 1910 marriage record. She appeared in the 1920 census of West Tisbury with her two daughters and her late husband’s niece, Genevieve Smith’s family. She died on 13 Jan 1958 in Tisbury, at age 71, of "coronary thrombosis / arteriosclerosis" and is buried in West Tisbury Village Cemetery.

Children of Charles Hardenburg West and Lavinia F. Brush were as follows:

i.     Charlotte Hardenburg West was born about 1909 or 1910, and appeared with her widowed mother in the 1920 census. She married Frank Morash, son of Walter Morash and Roberta (--?--), on 19 Aug 1939 in Tisbury, and was called a resident of Tisbury on that date. She was living in Tisbury in October 1956. I have no record of her after this date, nor do I know if she had any children.

351.     Drusilla Fletcher West was born 17 Dec 1912 in West Tisbury. She married Albert Tavas Silva.

 

328.     Martha Daggett Luce,,,,,,,, (Eleanora3 West, James2, James1) also went by the name of Mattie;,, she was born on 27 Apr 1845 in Holmes Hole;,,,,, she married Hon. Howes Norris, son of Capt. Howes Norris and Elwina Manville Smith, on 16 Sep 1863 in M. E. Church, Holmes Hole (Ceremony performed by Rev. M. P. Alderman, Minister of the Gospel. 1st marriage of both);, she died on 6 May 1918 in Mass. General Hospital, Boston, MA, at age 73 (of "Cancer of Bladder");,,, she was buried after 6 May 1918 in Oak Grove Cemetery (488 Poplar), Tisbury.,,

She Obituary: "... Mrs. Norris was a Charter member of Sea Coast Defense Chapter D. A. R. and in that, as well as her favorite literary organization, "The Want to Know Club," had been very active and had seemed perfectly well throughout the winter. ..". She was undoubtedly the "Mrs. Norris" quoted repeatedly in Jim Norton's manuscript. She also wrote "Sketches of Old Homes in Our Village" (copyright 1921, DAR). She appeared on the census of 16 Sep 1850 in Tisbury (Aged 5, living with parents). She appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1855 in Tisbury (Aged 10, living with parents). She Not in 1860 censuses of Tisbury or Edgartown in 1860. She resided on 16 Sep 1863 in Holmes Hole., She appeared on the census of 6 Jun 1870 in Edgartown (Aged 25, keeping house, with husband, son, and mother). She appeared on the census of 3 Jun 1880 in Cottage City, Edgartown (Aged 35, with husband and son). She and Eleanora Daggett West Vineyard Haven column: "Mr. and Mrs. Howes Norris came from Boston...as the guests of Mrs. Norris' mother, Mrs. E. D. Luce, at Bennington Heights" on 8 Mar 1889. She DAR Member. ("Charter member" of VH chapter, and Regent in 1899.) #14893. Admitted to VH chapter 1 Oct 1896. Member until death in 1918. Mention to "1909" - did she leave and rejoin in 1909? Mentioned as a resident of Vineyard Haven (no date.) between 1896 and 1918., She appeared on the census of 21 Jun 1900 in Cottage City, Dukes, MA (Aged 55, living with husband. One child (living)). She appeared on the census of 29 Apr 1910 in William St., Tisbury (Aged 64, with husband, son, and granddaughter. (One child, living.)). She and Howes Norris Jr. VH col'n: "Mrs. Howes Norris and son Howes Norris are in town having taken the Hinckley Cottage, Tashmoo avenue again" on 1 Oct 1914 in Tisbury.

Hon. Howes Norris was born on 2 Nov 1841 in Tisbury (His obituary claims he was born in Edgartown. His death record claims 3 Nov 1840 in Tisbury).,,,,,,, He Obituary: "A conspicuous figure in state politics..." "...senator from the Cape district in 1884-85-86, and formerly high sheriff of Dukes County..." "At the age of nine he was left an orphan and spent his boyhood years with his uncle. Norris' early education was received in the schools of Martha's Vineyard, and afterwards he attended a commercial school in Boston..." "Following his graduation he went into the firearm business but after some years returned to his home where he became the marine agent of the Associated Press at Vineyard Haven and at the same time he established a ship chandlery business at that port. He was a leader in the division of his town, a fight...which finally resulted in 1880 of the incorporation of the town of Cottage City... It became necessary to establish a paper to champion the cause of the division and the Cottage City Star was started. Mr. Norris took control of it and ran it profitably for a number of years when he sold it and its name was changed to the Martha's Vineyard Herald." "Before he was 30 years of age, Mr. Norris was appointed ...to fill a vacancy in the office of the high sheriff of Dukes County, and later was elected to that office..." "In the fall of 1883 he was elected senator from the Cape district and held office for three years..." "Mr. Norris served on the Republican state committee from the Cape district for about 12 years..." "In 1883 Mr. Norris became a member of the Republican state committee. He was reelected in 1884 and later in 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1891. He had held commissions as justice of the peace and notary public practically all his life and was appointed a trial justice for Dukes county..." "During the whole of his life Mr. Norris had been interested in politics. Before he was a voter he was active politically, 1864 o 1869 being secretary and manager of the Lincoln club in Springfield during the second Lincoln campaign. He Note that his father died in the famous mutiny and his mother was killed by lightning while he was still very young. He was then raised by Shaw Norris. He appeared on the census of 16 Sep 1850 in Tisbury (eight years old). He appeared on the census of 1855 in Edgartown (Aged 13, living with Shaw and Clarrissa Norris. (Who are they? Uncle and aunt perhaps?)). He Not in 1860 Tisbury census in 1860. He Not mentioned in the Tisbury enrollment list of September 1862 in Sep 1862. He was Clerk on 16 Sep 1863 in Springfield, MA., He was merchant on 21 Mar 1867 in Tisbury. He was the Associated Press correspondent at Holmes Hole in 1870 in 1870 in Holmes Hole. He appeared on the census of 6 Jun 1870 in Edgartown (Marine Reporter, aged 28, with wife, son, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and a domestic servant. $500 RE, $2800 PE). He appeared on the census of 3 Jun 1880 in Cottage City, Edgartown (Aged 38, Editor + Publisher, with wife and son). He resided in 1897 in Cottage City, Dukes, MA. He appeared on the census of 21 Jun 1900 in Cottage City, Dukes, MA (employed in "Mining + Mfg.", aged 58, living with wife and servant). He resided in 1907 ("Norris Howes, (Missouri), mining, h. Timehagan Ave." [Suggesting he is a miner in Missouri with a summer home in Oak Bluffs?]). He appeared on the census of 29 Apr 1910 in William St., Tisbury ("Own Income", aged 68, with wife, son, and granddaughter). He was "retired" on 22 Jan 1913. He died on 22 Jan 1913 (?) in Vineyard Haven, at age 71 (of "Arterio Sclerosis / Chronic Cystitis" [town rec] Gazette reports that he died on the Jan. 22, 1913. "...after a long illness. For the past few years, Mr. Norris has not been in the best of health and recently he spent three months in the sanitarium at Vineyard Haven. His health bettered, Mr. Norris returned to his home, where he suffered a relapse from which he failed to recover. ..").,, He was buried after 21 Jan 1913 in Oak Grove Cemetery (488 Poplar), Tisbury.,

Children of Martha Daggett Luce and Hon. Howes Norris were:

352.     Howes Norris Jr., born 21 Mar 1867 in Tisbury; married and divorced Annie M. Mintell.

329.     Mary Cleveland West,,,,,,,,,,,,, (Philander3, James2, James1) was born on 2 Mar 1856 in Tisbury (Birth record explicitly states 2 Mar 1856 in Tisbury, which agrees with her death record and her marriage records. Her grave erroneously states "1857-1903");,,,,,,,, she married Capt. Robert Theodore Albert Hagen, son of Ludwig Hagen and Doris (--?--), on 26 Oct 1876 in Tisbury (First marriage of both. Marriage performed by George L. Lewis, clergyman); she married Dr. Lyman Horace Luce, son of Dr. William H. Luce and Abigail J. Davis, on 28 Mar 1884 in Tisbury (Second marriage of both. Marriage performed by A. M. Rice, West Tisbury);, she died on 25 Feb 1903 in Newton Hospital, Newton, MA, at age 46 (in Newton, of "Septicaemia following an appendicitis" [Town records.]

"The death of Mrs. Mary Hagen Luce occurred at Boston on Wednesday of last week at the hospital where she had three days previously undergone a surgical operation for appendicitis. It is thought that her life might have been saved had there not been a complication of diseases in the case." "Mrs. Luce was taken severely ill on Feb. 17th, the day on which she was to have been married to Mr. Frank Farquar of Newton. It was, we learn from relatives, while she was dressing for her bridal, and the groom was prepared and the minister was present to solemnize the ceremony, that the severe illness occurred which after a few days' suffering terminated in death. " [Gazette.]);,,, she was buried on 27 Feb 1903 in Oak Grove ("The funeral occurred...at Grace Church, of which she was a member, Rev. Harlan Ryder conducting the service").,,

She Obituary: "Mrs. Luce seems to have shared in an unusual degree of the checkered scenes of this earth life. She had already been twice married, the first marriage occurring 28 years ago to the late Capt. Albert Hagan, a German sea-captain. She visited his German home, and accompanied him on his sea-voyages. It was during a sickness while at sea and a love for medical knowledge, which her husband appeared to possess in a marked degree, that she became interested in hygienic study, which in later years led to the study and practice of nursing for her chosen life work." "After the death of Capt. Hagan she became the wife of the late Dr. Lyman Luce of West Tisbury, making her home in that place for several years. The beautiful family home there was that built by Capt. George Athearn on Main street and sold by him to the family of Dr. Luce." "After the death of Dr. Luce his widow studied, fitting herself for a nurse, and practiced that profession for several years. She appeared to be strongly attached to her home in the upper part of the Island, for it was at Quansoo she erected a residence, to be used as a summer home. ..". She DAR Member. She Not in 1860 Tisbury census in 1860. She appeared on the census of 17 Jul 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury (Aged 9, with parents). She appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1870 in Tisbury (Aged 14, attending school, with parents). She resided on 26 Oct 1876 in Tisbury. She appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 24, "boarder", with husband, daughter, and parents). She resided on 28 Mar 1884 in Tisbury ("At Home"). She resided on 22 Jan 1886 in West Tisbury. She resided on 6 Jun 1895 in Vineyard Haven. She resided on 18 Feb 1897 in Boston and West Tisbury, MA ("Mrs. Mary C. Luce, of Boston, has spent a week at her residence in this place. ... Mrs. Philander West, of Vineyard Haven, has been the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Mary C. Luce"). She was Nurse, residence: Chilmark, "widow (twice)" on 25 Feb 1903 in Chilmark.,

Capt. Robert Theodore Albert Hagen also went by the name of Albert R.,, He was born in 1846 in Mesklingberg? (Birth record of son Albert gives his birthplace as "Rostock[?], Germany").,,,, He "a German sea-captain". He Not in 1870 Tisbury census in 1870. He was Mariner on 26 Oct 1876 in Tisbury. He was mariner on 1 Sep 1877 in Tisbury. He appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 32, sailor, "boarder", with wife, daughter, and wife's family). He was master mariner on 8 Jan 1881 in Tisbury. He Vineyard Haven column: "Ship Transit, Capt. Hagen, of this place, from Liverpool for New York, went ashore on Square Beach, N.Y. last week, during think weather, and was high and dry at low water. It is probable that the vessel will be saved after her cargo is removed..." [Is this the same man?] on 22 Apr 1881. He Vineyard Haven Column: "Capt. Hagen arrived home from N. Y., on Saturday last, called home by the sad intelligence of the death of his child" on 13 May 1881. He died in 1881 (Lost at Sea).

Children of Mary Cleveland West and Capt. Robert Theodore Albert Hagen were as follows:

353.     Albertha Grunau Hagen, born 1 Sep 1877 in Vineyard Haven; married Willis Russell Hancock.

ii.     Robert L. Hagen,,,,, was born on 8 Jan 1881 in Tisbury;, he died on 7 May 1881 in Vineyard Haven (Gazette suggests death occurred before 7 May (when his father returned from New York upon hearing the news.));,, he was buried after 7 May 1881 in Oak Grove.

Dr. Lyman Horace Luce was born on 10 Apr 1845 in West Tisbury.,,,, He appeared on the census of 28 Sep 1850 in Tisbury (Aged 5, living with parents). He appeared on the census of 1855 in Tisbury (Aged 9, with parents). He appeared on the census of 19 Jun 1860 in West Tisbury (Aged 15, with parents). He appeared on the census of 10 Jul 1865 in West Parish, Tisbury (Aged 19, student, with parents). He Not in 1870 Tisbury census in 1870. He was Physician on 28 Mar 1884 in Tisbury. He died on 30 Jan 1892 in Tisbury, at age 46.,

There were no children of Mary Cleveland West and Dr. Lyman Horace Luce.

330.     Luther Pember West,,,,,,,,,,,, (Philander3, James2, James1) was born on 23 Nov 1863 in Main St., Holmes Hole ("He was born in the house which had always been his home");,,,,,, he married Mary Taber Smith, daughter of William M. Smith and Carrie Drew Daggett, on 6 Feb 1895 in the residence of Mrs. Carrie D. Smith, Church Street, Tisbury (Town record: 1st marriage of both. Marriage performed by S. F. Johnson, clergyman, Vineyard Haven. Gazette notes Rev. Johnson was from the Methodist Church);,,,, he died on 20 May 1946 in his home, Tisbury, at age 82 (of "Bronchopneumonia / General Arteriosclerosis" [town] [Gaz:] "following a few months of failing health. He was 82 years of age, and had been noted for years for a robust health and agility which seemed not to fall with advancing age." (Roy Norton states in error that he died 20 May 1945.));,, he was buried on 23 May 1946 in Oak Grove ("Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at his late home, Rev. M. Stetson Lincoln, Baptist minister, officiating..").,

"Luther lived in the upper Main street in, well, I suppose you really could say it's the last little farm in town that's got a house on it. The house faces Main street, the barn faces up on William street, and they're still there: the chicken house, the shed, the outhouse, it's all still there, still a little farm, tucked right in the middle of town. And Luther was tall, thin, and he used to stand out and lean against his fence under the maple tree with his overalls and a straw hat and he always had a big piece of hay or grass stuck in his mouth he was chewing and he used to talk to everybody that walked by."

"In his early days he was with the express company for a long time, way back to the Hatch Express, and then he was with Adams Express, then the American Railway Express. At that time the Express office was right next to Brickmans, down there where the goldsmith is there now, Mark Lender. And then eventually John Johnson ... took over, he and Laura, they ran it for a long time". He Obituary: "...one of the patriarchs of Vineyard Haven... [His] home has been one of the attractions of Main street, being a traditional farmhouse, set in the midst of spreading grounds which Mr. West cultivated, raising vegetables, clover, and keeping some livestock in the barn in the rear. Such was his avocation, which must be mentioned because his life work had been varied, but the home gardening and its attendant interests had always prevailed." "Although he had worked at various occupations as a young man, he was still young when he entered the employ of Hatch and Company as an express agent, a pursuit he followed for years. He was later employed on the Owen Farms for twenty-five years, and for a considerable period he was with the Vineyard Ice Company. In brief, it might be said of him that he had never known idleness, but took pride and pleasure in working with his hands and in the accomplishment of such labor". He Mrs. Howes Norris mentions his house: "The house owned by Luther P. West ... was moved from North Tisbury previous to 1821. Elijah Luce was the owner and sold Warren Cleveland, who married his daughter Lucretia, whose family resided there many years. Henry Swift was the next owner, who sold to George Swain and he to Luther West, the present owner." Stan Lair pinpoints it: "located between Main and William Streets directly across from the entrance of Delano Road". He Luther kept his horses and wagons in a barn on the little lane near the top of William Street. His house was at the bottom of the lane, fronting on Main street. "His property ran right through street to street... Probably the last farm area in town - I guess you'd call it a farm, It had a barn, and he did used to have a garden out there". He and Mary Taber Smith Mary's Obituary: "Mrs. West, a respected resident of the town, lived with her husband in the Main street residence in which he was born and where for many years he cultivated a small farm, home gardening being one of his major interests, although he had been an express agent for Hatch & Co., a longtime employee of Owen Poultry Farms and later of the Vineyard Ice Company." "She was a member of the W.S.C.S. of Christ Methodist Church, and was many of those remembered by the Society at a May meeting this year, when members of 80 years and more were feted". He appeared on the census of 17 Jul 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury (Aged 1, living with parents). He appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1870 in Tisbury (Aged 6, attending school, with parents). He appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 16, "at home", with parents). He Vineyard Haven Column: Who was the "Luther West, Esq.", brother of "Mrs. Dr. Smith" who was mentioned in the Vineyard Haven column?? Was there two Luther Wests? Or does this refer to a relative of his wife? on 27 May 1881. He was Marriage record: "Express Agt." Gazette: "Mr. West is the popular agent of Hatch & Co.'s Boston, New York, & Providence Express" on 6 Feb 1895 in Tisbury., He Was he of the "Mr. and Mrs. Luther B. west, of Taunton" who were guests of Charles H. Luce? on 6 Jun 1895 in Taunton, Bristol, MA. He resided in 1897 in Williams St., Tisbury (expressman). He was Express Agent on 26 Aug 1897 in Tisbury. He "Mr. Luther West and family have moved into residence lately purchased by him on Main street" on 19 May 1898 in Tisbury. He resided on 19 May 1898 in Main St., Tisbury ("Mr. Luther West and family have moved into residence lately purchased by him on Main St."). He was Express Agent on 29 Jan 1899 in Tisbury. He appeared on the census of 4 Jun 1900 in Main St., Tisbury (age 36, express agent, with wife, two kids, and a boarder). He resided in 1907 in South Main, near Old Edgartown Rd., Tisbury ("agent Hatch & Co., express" [Main St.] Also calls him manager.[p. 102]). He resided between 1910 and 1911 in Tisbury ("West Luther P., clerk, Look, Smith, & Co., h. So. Main, n. Old Edgartown rd"). He appeared on the census of 18 Apr 1910 in Main St., Tisbury ("Own Income", age 45, with wife, children, and mother). He resided in Apr 1915 in Main St., Tisbury (Teamster, aged 51). He appeared on the census of 1920 in Main Street, Tisbury (Hen Farm Laborer, aged 56, with wife and kids). He resided on 1 Apr 1920 in Tisbury ("...well known here where [he has] always resided.."). He resided on 6 Nov 1931 in Vineyard Haven (mentioned in obituary of sister Lucretia). He resided on 16 Oct 1935 in Vineyard Haven. He was married, retired express agent on 20 May 1946.

Mary Taber Smith was born on 15 Jul 1866 in Tisbury.,,,,,,,, She appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1870 in Tisbury (Aged 4, at home, with parents). She resided on 6 Feb 1895 in Tisbury ("At Home"). She appeared on the census of 4 Jun 1900 in Main St., Tisbury (age 33, with husband and children). She appeared on the census of 18 Apr 1910 in Main St., Tisbury (Aged 43, with husband and children). She appeared on the census of 1920 in Main Street, Tisbury (Aged 53, with husband and kids). She was widow, housewife on 21 Nov 1955. She died on 21 Nov 1955 in Vineyard Haven, at age 89 ("at her home in Vineyard Haven... after a long illness" [Gaz] of "Arteriosclerosis" [town]).,, She was buried on 23 Nov 1955 in Oak Grove.,

Children of Luther Pember West and Mary Taber Smith both born in Vineyard Haven, were as follows:

i.    Robert Smith West, born 26 Aug 1897; married Alice Amanda Young.

ii.    Eleanora Cleveland West (Roy Norton gave her the middle initial D),,,,,,, also went by the name of Tid; she was born on 29 Jan 1899 (1900 census states May 1899);,,,, she died in 1983; she was buried in 1983 in Oak Grove. She appeared on the census of 4 Jun 1900 in Main St., Tisbury (Age 1, with parents). She appeared on the census of 18 Apr 1910 in Main St., Tisbury (Age 11, with parents). She appeared on the census of 1920 in Main Street, Tisbury (Farm Office Bookkeeper, aged 20, single, living with parents). She Unmarried. (Called "Miss Eleanora West, sister of [Robert] .") on 9 Jan 1923. She resided on 24 May 1946 in Vineyard Haven (unmarried [called "Miss"]).

331.     Lucretia Warren West,,,,,,, (Philander3, James2, James1) also went by the name of Kittie; she was born on 2 Apr 1866 in Holmes Hole;,,,,, she married Edmund W. Fuller, son of George E. Fuller and Ellen M. (--?--), on 7 Dec 1886 in Baptist Church, Tisbury (1st marriage of both. Marriage performed by James E. Hamilton, clergyman, Vineyard Haven);, she died on 29 Oct 1931 in Allertown, MA, at age 65 ("Mrs. Lucretia Warren Fuller, wife of Edmund Fuller, died at her home at Allertown, Mass., on Thursday, Oct. 29. She was 65 years old and had been ill for several months");, she was buried after 29 Oct 1931 in Oak Grove.

She Obituary: "Mrs. Fuller was born in Vineyard Haven, the daughter of Philander D. and Mary Cleveland West. She was married at 19 and moved to the mainland at that time. Throughout the rest of her life she had lived in and around Boston". She DAR member. She appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1870 in Tisbury (Aged 4, at home). She appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 14, "At Home", with parents). She resided on 7 Dec 1886 in Tisbury ("At Home"). She resided on 10 Nov 1889 in Boston, MA. She Not in 1910 Tisbury census in 1910. She resided on 8 Feb 1918 in Boston, MA. She resided on 1 Apr 1920 in Boston, MA. She resided on 6 Nov 1931 in Allertown, MA.

Edmund W. Fuller was also known as Edward. He was born on 21 Oct 1857 in Medway, MA.,,,, He was Provision Dealer on 7 Dec 1886 in Arlington, MA., He was "Provisions", resident of Boston on 25 Sep 1887 in Boston, MA. He was Marketman on 10 Nov 1889 in Boston, MA. He Not listed in the 1897 Tisbury Directory in 1897. He Not in 1907 Vineyard Haven directory in 1907. He Not listed in the 1910 Tisbury census in 1910. He died on 16 Apr 1932 at age 74. He was buried after 16 Apr 1932 in Oak Grove.

Children of Lucretia Warren West and Edmund W. Fuller were as follows:

i.    Raymond Scott Fuller, born 25 Sep 1887 in Vineyard Haven.

ii.    Norman Fuller, born after 1889.

iii.    Leroy Hagen Fuller,,,, was born on 10 Nov 1889 in Vineyard Haven (1900 census claims Jan 1889)., He appeared on the census of 5 Jun 1900 in William St., Tisbury (With grandparents, at school. (Where is his parents?)). He resided on 8 Feb 1918 in Boston, MA. He resided on 24 May 1946 in Greater Boston, MA. He Is he the "Leroy F. Fuller of West Springfield" whose son Roy A. Fuller was married in Springfield to Janice H. McLaughlin of Falmouth Heights and Edgartown on 6 Feb 1953? There is also mention of Roy's sister Joy L. Fuller and brother-in-law Lawrence E. Syrett. There is also reference to "Mrs. Eva Fuller" on 13 Feb 1953.

 

337.     Maud Crocker Smith,,,,, (Charles3, Drusilla2 West, James1) was born on 28 Feb 1876 in Tisbury (Death record suggests (erroneously) that she was born 28 Feb 1878 in T);, she married Lauriston Stockwell before 1910; she died on 28 Jul 1914 in Melrose, MA, at age 38 (of "Poisoning by Illuminating Gas");, she was buried after 28 Jul 1914 in Oak Grove.,

She appeared on the census of 17 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 4, with parents). She Not in 1910 Tisbury census in 1910.

Lauriston Stockwell (also spelled "Loriston") was living in Melrose, Middlesex Co., MA in 1915 and 1918.

Children of Maud Crocker Smith and Lauriston Stockwell were as follows:

i.    Loriston Grandison Stockwell, was probably born between 1904 and 1910, probably closer to the former year. He was living in Melrose in 1910, 1918, and 1921.

ii.    Margaret C. Stockwell, was probably born between 1904 and 1910, probably closer to the former year. She was living in Melrose in 1910,1918, and 1921.

 

338.     Luella May Smith,,,,,,,,,, (George3, Drusilla2 West, James1) was born on 5 Oct 1868 in Holmes Hole;,,,, she married Capt. Charles Osborn Tilton, son of Thurston W. Tilton and Agnes B. Weeks, on 25 Mar 1888 in Tisbury (1st marriage of both. Marriage performed by Geo. A. Grant, clergyman, Vineyard Haven); she and Capt. Charles Osborn Tilton were divorced before 6 Jun 1900; she married Charles Hunt Brown, son of Dr. Moses Brown and Miriam H. Smith, on 3 May 1943 in Methodist parsonage, Tisbury (by Rev. John C. Vernon);, she died on 2 Jan 1952 in Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Oak Bluffs, Dukes, MA, at age 83 ("...shortly after she had been admitted." Roy Norton erroneously claims 2 Feb 1952);, she was buried on 7 Jan 1952 in Oak Grove.,

She Obituary: "...Her life had been quiet and devoted to her home and family. Perhaps she was best known for her knowledge of Island traditions, family history and a mass of information that has never been recorded. She was a member of Christ Methodist Church in Vineyard Haven". She "lived way up at the end of Centre Street at one time. And she was Charlie Brown's housekeeper - Charles Brown". She appeared on the census of 9 Jun 1870 in Tisbury (Aged 1, at home, with parents). She appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 11, with parents). She resided on 25 Mar 1888 in Tisbury ("At Home"). She resided in 1897 in Forest Ave., Tisbury. She appeared on the census of 6 Jun 1900 in Pine St., Tisbury (Age __, divorced, with son and parents. One child (living)). She appeared on the census of 2 May 1910 in Franklin St., Tisbury (Aged 40, "housekeeper" for Charles H. Brown and his aunt. One child, living). She was listed as a Vineyard Haven resident in 1915 and a Tisbury resident in 1918. She appeared on the census of 9 Jan 1920 in Pine St., Tisbury (Aged 50, widow, no occupation, house owner. With "boarder" Charles H. Brown). She and Charles Hunt Brown resided on 7 May 1943 in Causeway Road, Tisbury.

Capt. Charles Osborn Tilton was born on 26 Sep 1865 in Chilmark (Date from gravestone. Birth record of son and marriage record both suggest a birth year about 1865-6).,, He Obituary: "one of the most famous of his generation among Vineyard master mariners ... he...had been retired from the sea for twenty-two years. His career embraced all varieties of seafaring and at his retirement from the sea he was a coastal steamer master." "Born in Chilmark, the son of Thurston and Agnes Weeks Tilton, Captain Tilton began his career as a sailor at the age of thirteen, when he shipped on a whaling voyage. His second voyage was also in a whaleship, but after that he sailed in the merchant service. During the years that followed he commanded ships of all varieties, sailing on every ocean save the Arctic. He commanded vessels engaged in various adventurous enterprises along the Mexican and South American coast, was badly wounded there in a mutiny." "A mathematician of talent, he was superb navigator, and during these years he charted some of the lower Californian waters, in recognition of which service he was presented with a set of silk charts by the United States Government. He served as master in the Pacific Mail service and also in the British Mail, during which time he received a naval rating in the British Navy and was one of the very few masters entitled to fly the blue peter at his fore-truck. At one time he served in the navy and commanded the Brutus and Neptune, the Neptune being the largest naval collier in the world at the time". He "a famous Vineyard shipmaster". He Not in the 1870 Tisbury census in 1870. He appeared on the census of 16 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 14, with parents). He was Seaman on 25 Mar 1888 in Tisbury. He was Mariner on 19 Aug 1888 in Vineyard Haven. He Not mentioned in 1897 Tisbury directory in 1897. He Not in 1907 Vineyard Haven or West and North Tisbury directories in 1907. He Not listed in 1910 census (wife alone.) Luella Tilton is listed (I thin) as "D" for divorced in 1910. He married Irene Dexter, daughter of Dennis Dexter, before 7 Feb 1938. He died on 7 Feb 1938 in "near Manchester", NH, at age 72., He was buried on 11 Feb 1938 in West Tisbury Village Cemetery, West Tisbury.,

Children of Luella May Smith and Capt. Charles Osborn Tilton were:

362.     George Thurston Tilton, born 19 Aug 1888 in Vineyard Haven; married Virginia Griffen Hunter; married Bertha Bacon.

Charles Hunt Brown was born in 1860 in Charlestown, MA (death record claims he was born in Newburyport, MA).,,,, He Obituary: "...associated with the practice of law on Martha's Vineyard for nearly two generations... He had lived in retirement for a number of years at his home in Vineyard Haven, astonishing his friends and neighbors by his extreme vigor..." "Mr. Brown was a brilliant writer, one of the best informed students of Vineyard history, a spirited controversialist, and an able lawyer. ..." "...He came to the Vineyard with his parents when he was six months old, and thus always claimed the Island as his only home." "He attended the Dukes County Academy, the Adams Academy in Quincy, and Dartmouth College, playing football on the Dartmouth eleven. He was also distinguished in other athletics. He studied law at Boston University and was admitted to the bar in 1877 by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. He began the practice of law in Boston, opening an office on the Vineyard six years later and maintained both for a number of years, later closing his Boston office entirely. ..." [much more!] . He "Charlie Brown was a lawyer. Quite a smart man, too. Did a lot of writing. Quite a historian. He was in pageants and that sort of thing. He was one of those that was always at the town meetings, on his feet, with an argument. And a lot of fun to listen to at those town meetings". He appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1870 in Holmes Hole (Aged 10, attending school, with parents). He was graduated in 1883 in Dartmouth College, Dartmouth, MA., He His marriage notice states he was admitted to the bar in 1885, which conflicts with the year given in his obituary in 1885. He resided in 1897 in Forest Ave., Tisbury. He resided in 1907 in Franklin St., near Centre, Tisbury ("lawyer Oak Bluffs"). He appeared on the census of 2 May 1910 in Franklin St., Tisbury (Attorney at Law, aged 49, widower, living with aunt and "housekeeper" Luella Tilton). He appeared on the census of 9 Jan 1920 in Pine St., Tisbury (Lawyer (General Practice), aged 59, widower, boarding with Luella Tilton. Notes father b. NH, mother in MA). He See Interesting Vineyarders in 25 Mar 1932 Gazette on 25 Mar 1932. He was retired lawyer on 29 Dec 1943. He died on 29 Dec 1943 in Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Oak Bluffs, Dukes, MA (of "Bronchiopnuemonia / Senile Dementia" [town] [Gaz:] "...he was attacked by pneumonia a few days before his death").,,, He was buried on 31 Dec 1943 in Oak Grove ("...Rev. John C. Vernon, pastor of Christ Methodist Church, officiating").,

There were no children of Luella May Smith and Charles Hunt Brown.

339.    Rear Admiral Edward Hanson Smith U.S.C.G.,,,,,,, (Edward3, Drusilla2 West, James1) also went by the name of Iceburg Smith; he was born on 29 Oct 1889 in Vineyard Haven;,,,, he married Isabel Brier, daughter of Herbert E. Brier, on 12 Jul 1924 in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Edgartown (Roy Norton has 24 July 1924, in error);,, he died on 29 Oct 1961 in Sippewissett, Falmouth, Barnstable, MA, at age 72;,, he was buried after 31 Oct 1961 in Oak Grove.

See Falmouth Enterprise and NY Times obituaries! See 27 Nov 1925 issue, p. 1, of Vineyard Gazette ("Lieut. Smith Brings Surprise".). Also see 'Guardians of the Sea' by Robert Edwin Johnson. "Kayak given as gift [to DCHS] from his sons See "'Iceburg' Smith, Coast Guard Captain, Returns to the Island" by Florence Kern in the August 1990 Intelligencer. He appeared on the census of 6 Jun 1900 in Union Street, Tisbury (Aged 10, at school, living with parents). He was "valedictorian of the Class of 1909 at Tisbury High School. After a year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he entered the United States Revenue Cutter Service, now the Coast Guard, as a cadet in 1910" in 1909 in Tisbury. He appeared on the census of 21 Apr 1910 in Water St., Tisbury (Aged 20, no occupation, with parents). He resided in Apr 1915 in Union St., Tisbury ("U.S. Service", aged 24). He was called a Tisbury resident in 1921.

Isabel Brier died after 31 Oct 1961.

Children of Rear Admiral Edward Hanson Smith U.S.C.G. and Isabel Brier were as follows:

(omitted for protection of privacy.)

344.     Fanny Smith Lair,,,,,,,, (Marion3 West, Abner2, James1) was born on 28 Oct 1891 in Vineyard Haven;,,,, she married John Leland Downs, son of Frank G. Downs and Abbie P. (--?--), on 28 Oct 1911;, she died on 16 Apr 1927 in Newton, MA, at age 35 (Gazette claims she died in Brighton, but Tosbury death record states Newton. of "apoplexy" [town rec] [Gaz:] "Mrs. Downs was 35 years old and had been in poor health for some time, but her condition was not considered dangerous nor acute until a few days before her death");,, she was buried on 19 Apr 1927 in Oak Grove ("Funeral services were held on Tuesday at Christ M. E. Church..").,,

She Obituary: "formerly of Vineyard Haven ... She was born in Vineyard Haven, the daughter of Captain and Mrs. Leroy Lair and attended Tisbury High School, graduating with the class of 1908." "She was married 15 years ago and after living in Vineyard Haven a short time, moved to the mainland with her husband, who as a lumber salesman, has done business in several cities. For the past four years they have made their home in Brighton. ..". She appeared on the census of 5 Jun 1900 in William St., Tisbury (Age 8, living with parents). She was "Lair Fannie, telephone operator, Lane's Blk., bds. William" in 1907 in Lane's Block, Tisbury. She appeared on the census of 2 May 1910 in Center St., Tisbury (Bookkeeper - Grocery Store, aged 18, with parents).

John Leland Downs was born on 18 Jun 1889 in North Tisbury.,, He Not in 1907 Vineyard Haven directory in 1907. He appeared on the census of 21 Apr 1910 in Water St.?, Tisbury (Grocery Store Salesman, aged 20, with parents). He resided on 29 Apr 1932 in Hyde Park. He resided on 5 Mar 1943 in Wellesley, MA. He died in 1975. He was buried in 1975 in Oak Grove.

Children of Fanny Smith Lair and John Leland Downs were as follows:

(omitted for protection of privacy.)

347.     Ella Scott Foster,,,,,, (Thomas3, Charlotte2 West, James1) was born on 15 Oct 1859 in Holmes Hole (Birth record gives 15 Oct 1859, which agrees with her marriage record and 1865 census. 1860 census suggests about Jan. 1860. iS CENSUS DATED RIGHT?);,, she married David Whitman Norton, son of Isaac W. Norton and Harriet H. (--?--), on 22 May 1879 in Tisbury (First marriage of both. Marriage performed by Daniel W. Stevens, clergyman); she died in 1913 (? No 1913 death record in Tisbury); she died before 20 Jul 1943 (Brother Daniel Foster's 1943 obituary states that he was "the last of his family of three brothers and a sister").

She appeared on the census of 2 Jul 1860 in Holmes Hole (Aged 6/12, with parents). She appeared on the census of 14 Jul 1865 in East Parish, Tisbury (Aged 5, with parents). She appeared on the census of 9 Jun 1870 in Holmes Hole (Aged 10, attending school, with parents). She resided on 22 May 1879 in Tisbury. She appeared on the census of 3 Jun 1880 in Cottage City, Edgartown (Aged 20, living with husband, son(?), and husband's family). She resided on 19 Jan 1897 in Winthrop, MA (Her mother died while on a visit on this date). She resided in 1906 in Boston, MA. She resided circa 1910 in Grove ave., at the Neck, Tisbury ("Norton D. W., Mrs., h. Grove Ave., at the Neck"). She Not listed in the 1910 Tisbury census in 1910. She was called a resident of Boston in October 1909 and April 1910. In 1919 she was living in Orient Heights, MA. She resided on 26 Dec 1923 in Boston, MA.

David Whitman Norton was born between 1858 and 1859 in Cranston, RI., He was Laborer on 22 May 1879 in Edgartown. He appeared on the census of 3 Jun 1880 in Cottage City, Edgartown (Aged 21, Clerk in Store, married, living with parents, wife, and son(?)). He resided on 1 Feb 1906 in Boston, MA ("Mrs. Ella Norton, wife of David Norton of Boston" mentioned). He was called a resident of Boston in October 1909 and April 1910. He may have died before 1911? (wife mentioned (alone) in 1910-11 directory of VH).

Children of Ella Scott Foster and David Whitman Norton were:

i.     William L. Norton,, was born between 1878 and 1879 in MA; he was living in 1906.

348.    Emma Bennett Foster,,,,,,, (Henry3, Charlotte2 West, James1) was born on 24 Jun 1869 in Baltimore, MD (1900 census states she was born in June 1873 in MD. Roy Norton card has "1871." Death record suggests 24 Jun 1870. Gravestone states 24 Jun 1869);,,,,, she married Arthur Leslie Smith, son of Alexander Weeks Smith and Fanny Woodbury Luce, on 17 Apr 1895 in the Grace Church, Tisbury (Town record: First marriage of both. Performed by Wm. Cleveland Hicks, Rector, Vineyard Haven. Gazette notes that the wedding took place at the Grace Church);,, she died on 9 Apr 1907 in William Street, Tisbury, at age 37 (of "Valvular disease of heart." Married, occupation: "invalid");,,, she was buried after 7 Dec 1893 in Oak Grove;, she was buried after 9 Apr 1907 in Oak Grove.,

She Not in 1870 Tisbury census in 1870. She resided on 17 Apr 1895 in Tisbury ("At Home"). She appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1900 in "No Name", Tisbury (Aged 26, with husband and children).

See Part 7 for more on this family.

349.     George Allen West (James3, Gustavus2, James1) was born on 9 Sep 1884 in Tisbury. He married Ramona May Cleveland, daughter of arctic fur trader George W. G. Cleveland and his wife Hattie Walker Chase, on 4 Nov 1905 in Tisbury.

He appeared on the West Tisbury census of 1900, aged 15, "at school," living with his grandparents (where are his parents?) and was called a Tisbury resident in his 1905 marriage record. He does not appear in the 1907 directory of Martha’s Vineyard, but he is listed in the West Tisbury census of 1910, aged 25, "house carpenter," with his wife and children.

Sometime between 1910 and May 1917 George and his wife disappeared, and his family listed him as "residence unknown" in May 1917 and he was not mentioned in his father's 1917 obituary. His mother's 1928 obituary mentions him as a surviving son, but doesn't give his residence. Her 1928 probate also calls his "residence unknown."

Ramona May "Mona" Cleveland was born on 6 Jan 1890 in Tisbury, and was called a Tisbury resident in her 1905 marriage record. Cousin Judy Swan noted that "Ramona left Martha’s Vineyard about 1915, leaving her two daughters in the care of her grandmother. She was never heard from again."

350.     Genevieve Robinson West (James3, Gustavus2, James1) was born on 21 Nov 1889 in Vineyard Haven. She married Edward T. Smith, son of William G. Smith and Emma Mellen, on 22 Nov 1911 in West Tisbury. She died on 12 Jul 1962 in Tisbury, at age 72.

She appeared on the census of 1910 in West Tisbury, aged 20, single, living with her father and her brother George's family. She was listed as a West Tisbury resident, "at home" in her 1911 marriage record. She and her husband were listed as West Tisbury residents in 1917. She appeared on the census of Jan 1920 on Edgartown Road, West Tisbury, aged 30, with her husband and children, in the same house as Deborah R. West’s family. She was called a Vineyard Haven resident in 1928.

Edward T. Smith was born about 1891 in New Bedford. He was listed as a West Tisbury "clerk" in his 1911 marriage record. He appeared on the census of 1920 on Edgartown Road, West Tisbury, "estate night watchman," aged 28, with his wife and children. He was alive in 1950.

Children of Genevieve Robinson West and Edward T. Smith were as follows:

(omitted for protection of privacy.)

351.     Drusilla Fletcher West (Charles3, Gustavus2, James1) was born on 17 Dec 1912 in West Tisbury, and appeared with her sister and widowed mother in the 1920 census. She married Albert Tavas Silva, son of Antone Tavas Silva and Maria Joseph Santos, on 4 Aug 1934 in North Tisbury. She died on 29 Jun 1960 in Tisbury, at age 47.

Drusilla graduated from Tisbury High School in 1932, and was called a Tisbury resident, "at home" in her 1934 marriage record.

Albert Tavas Silva was born on 25 Apr 1904 in West Tisbury. He was called a West Tisbury "garage man" in his 1934 marriage record.

Children of Drusilla Fletcher West and Albert Tavas Silva were as follows:

(omitted for protection of privacy.)

352.     Howes Norris Jr.,,,,,, (Martha4 Luce, Eleanora3 West, James2, James1) was born on 21 Mar 1867 in Tisbury;,,, he married Annie M. Mintell on 19 Oct 1892 (Record not found in Tisbury town marriage records, not in Kay Stewart's Gazette index. ...perhaps in Oak Bluffs?); he and Annie M. Mintell were divorced before 1910 (There appears to be a "D" for divorced in Howes Norris Jr.'s 1910 census entry. He is with their daughter, but Annie isn't listed); he died after 17 Jun 1938.

He appeared on the census of 6 Jun 1870 in Edgartown (Aged 3, at home, with parents). He appeared on the census of 3 Jun 1880 in Cottage City, Edgartown (Aged 15, with parents). He resided in 1897 in Cottage City, Dukes, MA. He appeared on the census of 11 Jun 1900 in Cottage City, Dukes, MA (Office Clerk (6 mos unemployed), aged 33, living with wife and daughter). He resided in 1907 in bds. Timehagan Ave., Cottage City, Dukes, MA. He appeared on the census of 29 Apr 1910 in William St., Tisbury (Custom House Deputy Collector, aged 43, divorced(?), with parents and daughter). He Howes Norris Jr. served as deputy customs collector for Martha's Vineyard from 1913-1937 between 1913 and 1937. He was "deputy collector of the port of Vineyard Haven" on 24 Jan 1913 in Vineyard Haven. He and Martha Daggett Luce VH col'n: "Mrs. Howes Norris and son Howes Norris are in town having taken the Hinckley Cottage, Tashmoo avenue again" on 1 Oct 1914 in Tisbury. He resided in Apr 1915 in Tashmoo Ave., Tisbury (Department Collector, aged 48). He mentioned in obituary of mother on 9 May 1918. He appeared on the census of 1920 in Woodlawn Ave., Tisbury (Deputy Collector - Customs Office. Aged 52, grandson of Elenora D. Luce. (This listing was added onto Elenora D. Luce's entry towards the end of the census.)). He was called a resident of Vineyard Haven in 1925. He was called a resident of both Tisbury and Oak Bluffs in June 1938.

Annie M. Mintell was born in Oct 1871 in MA. She "Annie M. Norris" joined VH DAR in 1899. Member #29538 in 1899. She appeared on the census of 11 Jun 1900 in Cottage City, Dukes, MA (Aged 28, living with husband and daughter. One child (living)). She Not in 1910 Tisbury census? in 1910. She "Mrs. Howes Norris has closed her Eastville home and is at the North End cottage for the cold months with Mr. Howes Norris" on 2 Oct 1913 in Tisbury.

Children of Howes Norris Jr. and Annie M. Mintell were:

i.     Nannette Norris,, was born in Aug 1893 in MA; she married Charles G. Bergh; she married James S. Shoemaker Jr. between 1913 and 1922; she died in 1986. She appeared on the census of 11 Jun 1900 in Cottage City, Dukes, MA (Aged 6, with parents). She appeared on the census of 29 Apr 1910 in William St., Tisbury (Aged 16, with father and grandparents). She "Miss Nanette Norris has gone to New York city where she is attending Barnard College" on 2 Oct 1913. She Mentioned in obituary of grandmother on 9 May 1918. She "Mrs. Nanette Shoemaker" joined Vineyard Haven DAR, #170284. She was admitted on 18 Oct 1921, and resigned on 15 Jul 1930.

between 1921 and 1930. She resided between 1921 and 1930 (The DAR register gives a crossed out address of "722 Washington St., Portsmouth, Ohio" followed by "Tuckahoe, NJ (1922)". In another register, "Tuckahoe, NJ" is crossed out, followed by another crossed-out entry: "44 E. Roberts Ave, Wildwood NJ").

353.    Albertha Grunau Hagen,,,,,,,,,, (Mary4 West, Philander3, James2, James1) also went by the name of Berta;,, she was born on 1 Sep 1877 in Vineyard Haven;,,, she married Willis Russell Hancock, son of Russell Hancock and Susan R. Adams, on 10 Feb 1897 in West Tisbury (Town record: 1st marriage of both. Marriage performed by S. F. Johnson, pastor M.E. Church, Vineyard Haven. Gazette: "Wednesday evening, the 10th inst., a large number of invited friends assembled at the residence of Mrs. Lyman H. Luce to witness the marriage of her daughter, Miss Berta G. Hagan, to Mr. Willis R. Hancock. The Episcopal ceremony was performed by Rev. S. F. Johnson, of Vineyard Haven. ..." "...Mr. and Mrs. Hancock will reside in Vineyard Haven");, she died on 16 Oct 1935 in Deaconness Hospital, Boston, MA, at age 58 ("Mrs. Hancock had been in poor health for some time, but had entered the hospital only a few days before");, she was buried after 16 Oct 1935 in Oak Grove.

She Roy Norton states she first married Lyman Luce in 1884, but this was her mother!. She Obituary: "She was born in Vineyard Haven and educated in the public schools of West Tisbury and at Greenwich Academy. She belonged to the Christ M. E. church at Vineyard Haven, and of the following organizations: Kings Daughters, Ladies' Aid Society, Women's Foreign Missionary Society, D. A. R., Want to Know Club, and W. C. T. U. She had just been reelected president of the last named society before her death. She was the founder of the Kings Daughters. ..." "...She is survived by her husband and by an uncle, Luther West, of Vineyard Haven. There are no other relatives nearer than cousins. Her only son died about fourteen years ago". She appeared on the census of 18 Jun 1880 in Tisbury (Aged 3, living with parents). She resided on 6 Jun 1895 in West Tisbury. She DAR Member. Admitted to VH chapter on 3 Jun 1897, #19842, resident of VH in 1897 in Vineyard Haven., She resided on 10 Feb 1897 in West Tisbury ("At Home"). She resided on 5 Mar 1903 in West Tisbury ("Mrs. Berta Hagen Hancock, of West Tisbury, was the guest of her grandmother, Mrs. Mary West on Monday"). She resided on 28 May 1903 in West Tisbury ("The property on Franklin street belonging to the heirs of the late Mrs. george Smith, and perhaps better known as the Dea. Norton place was sold...to Mrs. Berta Hagen Hancock of West Tisbury"). She resided in 1907 in Main Street, Tisbury (No occupation, no "widow". Note different address from Willis). She appeared on the census of 18 Apr 1910 in Main Street, Vineyard Haven (Aged 32, with husband and son. Notes one child (one living.)). She appeared on the census of 1920 in Tisbury (Aged 42, with husband and son).

Willis Russell Hancock was also known as William R. He was born in 1871 in Chilmark ("on the ancient family holdings of Quenames").,,, His Obituary (Willis): "...for nearly seventy years associated with the plumbing business in Vineyard Haven..." "He learned his trade in very early manhood with John Mayhew of Oak Bluffs, and then worked for George F. Armsby in Vineyard Haven, when the town water system was comparatively new. He left the Island once to work at his trade in Gardiner, Me. for about a year, and on his return he was employed by the late Herbert L. Tilton, who was in the plumbing and heating business." "About 1910 he went into business for himself and continued as a proprietor until his death, plying his trade until a few months ago." "His life was a quiet one, dedicated chiefly to his business and the work it involved, for he worked with his men. He is not known to have held membership in any clubs or orders. He was affiliated with the Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven for many years, was a regular attendant before his health failed". He had a plumbing shop, on five corners - the Lagoon corner (where the Chinese bike shop is now.). He resided in 1897 in Spring Street, Tisbury (Tinsmith on Main Street near Spring Street). He was Tinsmith on 10 Feb 1897 in Chilmark. He was employed by Herbert Tilton of Vineyard Haven on 18 Feb 1897 in Vineyard Haven. He resided in 1907 in South Main St., near Old Edgartown Road, Tisbury ("Willis R. Hancock, plumber, h. So. Main, n. Old Edgartown rd." [No William listed. Note different address from Berta G. Hancock.] Note that there is also a "Russell Hancock," carpenter, living as living in West Tisbury). He resided circa 1910 in So. Main, n. Old Edgartown Rd., Tisbury ("Hancock, Willis R., plumber.."). He appeared on the census of 18 Apr 1910 in Main Street, Vineyard Haven (Aged 38, Plumber (employer), house-owner. With wife and son. Notes that his father was born in Germany and his mother in Mass). He resided in Apr 1915 in Main St., Tisbury ((Willis R.), plumber, aged 43). He appeared on the census of 1920 in Tisbury (Plumber ("Own Shop"), aged 48. With wife and son). He married Marguerite (--?--) before 1 Dec 1959?. He died on 1 Dec 1959 in Vineyard Haven ("at his home...following a lengthy period of failing health")., He was buried after 1 Dec 1959 in Oak Grove.

Children of Albertha Grunau Hagen and Willis Russell Hancock both born in Tisbury, were as follows:

i.     Russell Hagen Hancock,,,, was born on 13 Mar 1901 (Age at death in 1921 Tisbury Town report suggest birthdate 13 Mar 1901. Gravestone states "1901-1902" 1901 town report gives 13 Mar 1901);,, he died on 24 Jun 1921 in "his home", Tisbury, at age 20 (of "Broncho Pneumonia." [town rec] [Gazette:] "Three physicians did their best to save his life, and two nurses were on constant duty. The street on which he lived was barred to traffic and every effort was made to conquer the disease, septic pneumonia, from which he suffered");,,, he was buried after 24 Jun 1921 in Oak Grove. He His obituary notes he was an "only child of Mr. and Mrs. Willis [sic.] R. Hancock of Vineyard Haven" and mentions his fiancee, Miss Ethel Davey. It goes on to say: "Mr. Hancock, who was one of the most popular and promising young men of Vineyard Haven, was graduated only a few weeks ago from college". He appeared on the census of 18 Apr 1910 in Main Street, Vineyard Haven (Aged 9, with parents). He appeared on the census of 1920 in Tisbury (Aged 18, attending school, no occupation. Living with parents). He "Russell Hancock has returned to the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass. which opened on Wednesday, September 29. Mr. Hancock is now in his Senior year and his work on the island was in the required practice: that is from April 4 to Sept. 4 he was manager of the Look Tashmoo Farm - that splendid place at the head and westward of the lake. He was most successful in these five months of practical experience; and all is credited on the records of the College work" on 7 Oct 1920. He "single", "student" on 24 Jun 1921.

ii.     Infant Son Hancock, was born on 17 Sep 1916; he died on 17 Sep 1916 in Tisbury ("Stillborn"); he was buried after 17 Sep 1916 in Oak Grove.

362.     George Thurston Tilton,,,,,,,, (Luella4 Smith, George3, Drusilla2 West, James1) also went by the name of Tebby; he was born on 19 Aug 1888 in Vineyard Haven;,,, he married Virginia Griffen Hunter, daughter of Millard F. Hunter and Virginia Griffen, on 19 Aug 1911 in Tisbury (Was this "George T(hurston) Tilton", buried near Luella Brown, the same as Luella's son, George F. Brown?);, he married Bertha Bacon on 12 Sep 1952 in Tisbury; he died in 1968 (Not in Tisbury death records); he was buried in 1968 in Oak Grove.

He "He eventually retired and started making buttons and little things like that out of highland wood. They were very good too. Did a good job. He played in the Town Band for a good many years. Played bass, and got a big kick out of playing in the band". He appeared on the census of 6 Jun 1900 in Pine St., Tisbury (Age __, at school, with mother and grandparents). He resided between 1910 and 1911 in Pine st., Tisbury ("plumber, bds. Pine, with G. F. Smith"). He appeared on the census of 2 May 1910 in Pine St., Tisbury (Plumbing apprentice, aged 21, single, with grandparents). He resided in Apr 1915 in Pine St., Tisbury (Poultryman, aged 26). He appeared on the census of 13 Jan 1920 in State Road, Tisbury (Farmer, aged 31, with wife, children, and grandmother Elizabeth H. Smith). He resided on 11 Feb 1938 in Vineyard Haven. He resided on 4 Jan 1952 in Vineyard Haven. He resided on 12 Sep 1952 in Tisbury.

Virginia Griffen Hunter was born on 10 Oct 1891 in New Brunswick, NJ.,,,, She appeared on the census of 27 Apr 1910 in West Chop Road, Tisbury (Aged 18, with parents.). She appeared on the census of 13 Jan 1920 in State Road, Tisbury (Aged 28, with husband and family). She married housewife on 16 Apr 1952. She "Mrs Tilton had been a resident here the greater part of the time for the past fifty-one years. She was associated with the Baptist church in Vineyard Haven, was a member of the Delta Alpha class of that church, and through the years had taken an active part in church affairs..." on 18 Apr 1952. She died on 16 Apr 1952 in Vineyard Haven, at age 60 (of "Coronary Occlusion Acute" [town] [Gaz:] "died suddenly at her home.... Mrs. Tilton was found dead in bed by her husband, on his return home from work about 5 o'clock, and the verdict of the medical examiner...was an acute heart attack. She had ben in her usual state of health in the morning but had apparently been seized with illness at some time during the day and had been dead about two hours when discovered").,,, She was buried on 19 Apr 1952 in Oak Grove ("Funeral services will be conducted at the Baptist parish house...by Dr. Howard C. Whitcomb, pastor..").,

Children of George Thurston Tilton and Virginia Griffen Hunter were as follows:

(omitted for protection of privacy.)

Bertha Bacon was born between 1905 and 1906.

There were no children of George Thurston Tilton and Bertha Bacon.

368.     Marguerite Harvey Smith,,,,,,,, (Emma4 Foster, Henry3, Charlotte2 West, James1) was born on 3 Sep 1896 in Vineyard Haven (Gravestone states "2 Sep 1896" but death record agrees with birth record);,,,,, she married Albert P. Andrews, son of Antone A. Andrews and Mary Marerrer(?), on 12 Oct 1920 in Tisbury; she married (--?--) Young between 1921 and 1931; she died on 25 Dec 1931 in Tisbury, at age 35 (of "Bronchopneumonia / Acute pleuritis / ?Carcinoma affecting long bones");,, she was buried after 25 Dec 1931 in Oak Grove.

She appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1900 in "No Name", Tisbury (Aged 3, with parents). She appeared on the census of 2 May 1910 in Franklin St., Tisbury (Aged 13, with father). She appeared on the census of 6 Jan 1920 in Church St., Tisbury (Trained Nurse (General Practice), aged 23, single, living with father). She "Miss Marguerite Smith of New York City has been recently a guest of her father, 'Art' Smith, corner Franklin and Church streets." [Note that there is no suggestion of any marriage!] in Aug 1925 in New York City, NY. She was married housewife on 25 Dec 1931 in Tisbury.

Albert P. Andrews was born on 5 Jul 1897 in Edgartown.,, He appeared on the census of 19 Apr 1910 in Rainbow Row, Tisbury (Aged 13, with parents). He appeared on the census of 6 Jan 1920 in Church St., Tisbury (Aged 23, Express Company Chauffeur. Living with father). He died after 1921.

Children of Marguerite Harvey Smith and Albert P. Andrews:

i.     Phillip Harvey Andrews.

There were no children of Marguerite Harvey Smith and (--?--) Young.

369.    Helen Arthur Smith,,,, (Emma4 Foster, Henry3, Charlotte2 West, James1) was also known as Ellen S. Smith; she was born on 31 Oct 1897 in Vineyard Haven;,, she married Clarence Parker Chapman in Feb 1918 in "Camp Devens, Ayer." ("Mr. Arthur L. Smith's second daughter Helen is the latest war bride we hear of, she having been married last week to Mr. Chapman, located at Camp Devens, Ayer. The ceremony took place at an aunt's, and Rev. C. A. Merrill was the officiating minister. Mr. Smith returned home the following day and the bride will come back upon the expiration of her husband's leave").,

She appeared on the census of 8 Jun 1900 in "No Name", Tisbury (aged 2, living with parents). She appeared on the census of 2 May 1910 in Franklin St., Tisbury (Aged 12, with father). She resided on 19 Sep 1952 in Vineyard Haven. She resided on 29 Jan 1954 in Vineyard Haven.

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