MS96 Macy Family Papers, Folder 75 Obed Macy: Letter books, Item 2

MS96 Macy Family Papers, Folder 75 Obed Macy: Letter books, Item 2

Author: Macy family.

Year: 1835

In 1659, Thomas Macy was among the first Englishmen to purchase land on Nantucket. He, his wife Sarah Hopcott Macy, and their five children became the first European settlers on the island and his descendants would contribute to local government, whaling, manufacturing, and Nantucket history. This collection includes correspondence, diaries, deeds and land records, estate papers, business and financial records, and other materials of various members of the Macy family including Obed Macy (1762–1844). Subjects in both series include the manufacture of soap and candles, salt trade, fishing, whaling, real estate, the Coffin School, banking, local history, ships, shipbuilding, shipwrecks, the War of 1812, weather, Quaker meetings, Native Americans, and medicinal cures. Of note are the 6 volumes of journals kept by Obed Macy in which he recorded daily details of island life, as well personal opinions on national and international events. Letter book, 1 January 1835-19 November 1843 includes letters relating largely to personal affairs and his antislavery concerns including letters to Hezekiah Barnard, Moses Brown, John Macy, Benjamin and William Rotch. Also correspondence regarding the