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4512 results found. Records searched: 4512

1. 2024.005.001 - Hurricane Carol 1954

   Hurricane 1954

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. 2024.007.001 - History of Westport library

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. 2024.008.001 - The journal of Henry Smith The journal was scanned by NEDCC, PDF attached. A selection of pages are attached wth this record. Henry Smith (1815-1873) is the father of Abbott Smith who bought the Handy House. Henry Smith had a farm on Horseneck Road, near Cross Road. He also owned a house at Westport Point (The Captain Ball House) 1998 Main Road (1849- 64). Manuscript journal of Henry Smith, Massachusetts whaling ship agent, sailor and farmer SMITH, HENRY Westport, Mass, 1861. 361 pp. With 13 items laid in, including letters, school board notices, memorandums, etc. Folio. Quarter-leather commercial journal of unruled blue paper. Some wear to cover and spine but internally fine. Monday January 3, 1853: "in company with H Willcox Started off to look [for] a Mate for the Brig Mexico went by the way of Hix Bridge and Adams Ville called on John Le Munion at his home ... he did not feel disposed to go mate owing to poor health and other excuses his qualifications as an Officer middling fare and fair whale men rather easy and lack of ambition; proceeded on north to Gideon Manchesters tryed to Ship him for a Mate but owing to other engagements would not Ship, his qualifications steered a Boat two voyages and part of another good Boat Steer would make a good whale man or for a mate for a Small Ship...." Smith and Willcox continue their search and on Thursday 6th he writes, "Called on Elwood Studley at his house about 1/2 a mile East of Macombers Corner he had steered a boat-in the Nimrod with Capt Sherman and was 3rd mate with Capt. Cornell in the Lancaster his qualifications smart man on the land for gaining a livelyhood good boat steer and might do for a mate for a small vessel." Finally they find one George C. Simmons, of Adamsville, Rhode Island, for the Boat Steer for the Brig Mexico. Other entries throughout record similar efforts and other business on behalf of Wilcox's other ships, including the Solon (mentioned most, as Smith had a stake in it himself), the Janet, Governor Carver, and Mattapoisett.Entries also record purchases made and efforts undertaken for Smith's home farm; local marriages and deaths; Friends meetings attended (Smith was a Quaker) and sermons heard; and the occasional sensational news item, such as the detailed entry of May 13, 1861, on the funeral of Edward Slocum, age 21, who killed himself with a shotgun. We also discover that in November of 1856 Smith voted for John Fremont for President and Dayton for Vice President, and that he voted for Josiah Quincy of Boston for Governor of Massachusetts. Also of note is a neat manuscript "Plan of Orchard Set out in the Fall of 1827 By Henry Willcox, Westport" at the front of the journal. Though not of the same scale as Nantucket or New Bedford, Westport was still an important whaling port: over 300 whaling voyages were made from there over a hundred year period, and in the mid-1850s Westport was homeport of some twenty whaling vessels.

   Whaling Farming Schools Westport Point

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. 2024.011.001 - Captain Kidd and treasure, found by James Eddy FDR at Horseneck Moonshine and stills Horseneck Beach Message in a bottle, shipwreck Ann Macomber , mill hand BOSTON GLOBE NOV 1, 1888 SPANISH SILVER FOUND ON HORSENECK BEACH JAMES EDDY BRINGS TO LIGHT OVER 1550 COINS THE BOSTON GLOBE EXTRA NOVEMBER 1, 1888 NOT KIDD'S COIN THOUGH IT MAY BE SOME OTHER PIRATE'S. Various local history publications have alluded to the legend that Captain Kidd buried his treasure on Liniken Island (for example, The Village at Westport Point by Katherine Hall and Mary Sowle). It's easy to dismiss this story as historical fiction, but the recent discovery of an 1888 Boston Globe article casts new light on this legend, suggesting that there may indeed be treasure to be found. The location is Horseneck Beach (not Liniken Island) and it was buried long after Captain Kidd was executed. All that's needed to find the treasure is the parchment map marking three locations on Horseneck Beach. THE BOSTON GLOBE Nov 1, 1888 Spanish Silver Found on Horseneck Beach James M. Eddy brings to light over 1550 coins His homestead is thought to hide more treasures Fall River Oct 31 1888 There is evidence that the $550 silver dollars were dug up by James M. Eddy of Providence, who owns a farm on Horseneck Beach is a portion of the famous Captain Kidd treasure. Eddy's grandfather was Amasa Eddy who sailed the high seas. After a career as a pirate he returned to his farm on Horseneck. He left a map containing the directions for finding buried treasure. Mr. Eddy has dug on the farm at odd times without any success until this morning when he turned up an old iron kettle containing 1550 silver dollars. Twelve hundred of the coins were Spanish dollars, bearing the inscription: "Ferd. VII, Dei Gratia, 1815" There were also 350 coins: "Sit nomen domino benedictum 1787." Mr. Eddy is not through digging yet, he is confident that there are still $100,000 in gold Spanish doubloons buried on his father's farm, and he proposes to find them if he has to dig up his entire place. The find has caused no little excitement in Westport and vicinity. THE BOSTON GLOBE EXTRA NOVEMBER 1, 1888 NOT KIDD'S COIN THOUGH IT MAY BE SOME OTHER PIRATE'S. The silver found in Horseneck Sands Evidently buried there later than 1851. Nov 1. James M. Eddy, who has been digging for Captain Kidd's treasure and who turned up an iron kettle full of Spanish silver coins on the beach adjoining his farm opposite the summer resort of Westport, arrived at his home in Johnston yesterday with his wealth. He denies that his grandfather ever had anything to do with pirates….he said that two years ago he became the possessor of a piece of parchment that apparently had served as a drumhead, and from which had been converted into a chart purporting to describe the location of three lots of buried gold, silver and other valuables, beached by a pirate many years ago. The lines were drawn as though with a sharpened stick and a red fluid. On it were three points designated as the burial places of the wealth. The starting point was a rock on Horseneck Beach … When this parchment fell into his hands he was impressed with confidence in its being a valuable document. This summer, he resumed exploring for the treasure but to avoid being seen at work and fearing that his object would suspected, he proceeded very cautiously, and this retarded his progress materially. He groped his way patiently in the course directed on the chart, and last Monday made the discovery reported. He declares it will be an easy matter to locate the other two deposits of wealth as he now has two points by which he can more easily get accurate bearings. One of the two lots consists of gold coins and the third, he believes, will be a lot of diamonds. The dates on the silver range from 1781 to 1851 show that it is not part of Captain Kidd's treasure. Mr. Eddy will not tell his theory but says it is a pirate's treasure, though not Kidd's.

   Horseneck Beach Rum Runners Mills

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. 2024.013.001 - Marjorie Robb Titanic survivor, 103 years old

   Titanic

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. 2024.014.024 - Article om the Earle of Westport - Richard Earle

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. 2024.014.030 - Prelimary Prospectus dated 7/29/1968 for Prelude Corporation

   Prelude Corporation Lobstering Lobster Company

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. 2024.014.033 - History of lobstering written by Russ Hart 2006 A brief history of the Westport lobster fishery, some of the families involved and the effects on the community and the fishery. Starting back in the 1920s, after World War 1, small lobster boats usually locally built were powered with small engines, one or two cylinders, generally manufactured by Lathrop or Palmer. The only fast boats were owned by the rum runners sometimes powered with WWI liberty aircraft engines. Prior to the 1920s, small cat boats with sail and fishermen working off the beach in row boats provided the area with lobsters. Refrigeration was non-existent and transportation was a problem. Lobsters die quickly in warm weather out of water. The lobster gear was hauled by hand.In the 20s and 30s, keeping lobsters alive and transporting then1 was still a problen1. The catches were sold locally and the lobstermen kept their catches in floating crates about the size of lobster pots. We have to consider that during this period of time weather reports were primitive before satellites and Doppler radars. The fishern1en depended on their barometers ( or the glass) and their knowledge of local conditions.Even then, they took chances. Many of them got caught in hard weather and took a beating to get home.Browns Ledge, about 10 miles off shore) seems to have been about maximun1 as far as day trip fishing in this era. All the navigation was done by compass and time and anyone who dared to go to Cox l edge (about 20 miles) was really pushing it until the middle 30s. S01ne of the fishermen lost their boats in the 38 hurricane, some boats that survived were repaired with the help of the Red Cross, etc. 2. Lobstering was generally not the main source of income. Even in the 40s and 50s most of the lobstermen supplemented their income by farming, carpentering, and other modes of occupation during the winter months. A few examples: In the 30s after and during the depression, Joe Whittle's wife ran a restaurant at 96 River Road, served great lobster meals.Fred and Etta Palmer had a restaurant on Main Road called the "Pilot House" and served great lobster meals. Joe Brouillard was a stationary engineer at the power plant, Del Perron owned a laundry in Fall River, Eddie Croake was a union bricklayer, Don Chace had a farm in Somerset, George Hart was a carpenter etc. Many of the lobstermen who lived in town worked the rivers shellfishing, eeling, etc. Many of the lobstermen during September and October went Fall fishing and took fishing parties for about $5.00 a head. They fished for tautog and crated them up to be sold in December hoping to get 10 cents a pound. If it snowed , and the fish got snow in their gills , they would die and that was the gamble that was taken. This brings about terminology.We in this area through the 40s and part of the 50s referred to lobster equipn1ent as lobster gear, lobster pots, nozzles were the twine entrances to the pots, the buoys were of wood , generally cedar 4 x 4 x 1 2, the rope was manila or cycal and was measured by 6 thread, 9 thread, etc. With the best of care, the rope would last 2 seasons if you were lucky. The nozzles were made of manila twine and dipped in tar to help with the lasting quality. Some lobstermen dipped the rope in copper paint thinned with kerosene to prevent n1arine growth and help with lasting quality. 3. In the late 30s, early 40s, gas engines became more efficient and a flat leather belt run off the front of the engine powered a capstan to aid in the hauling of the gear. Later, V-belts replaced the flat belts. Keeping the catch alive was still a problem. Many of the larger boats, 30-40 feet had wells built into the hulls. These were water tight boxes that went from the deck to the bottom of the hull and holes were drilled through the planking to allow circulation. These wells would generally hold 3 to 400 lbs. of lobsters but packing then1 too tight was dangerous because of the lack of circulation. The weight of the water in the well did add to the stability of the boat. ln the 1950s, there was an influx of light built but very efficient boats built in Nova Scotia. These were called Novie boats and the price new was about $100.00 per foot. The government limited the size of the boats imported from Canada to about 10 net ton or about 38 ft. x 12 ft. wide. This was to protect the Maine boat builders. The world war 11 surplus gray marine engines 671 diesels and the use of the loran navigation aid from the B-29s i1nproved navigation and on the surplus market were very reasonable. Radar became available and the industry began to expand. In my opinion, the invention of polypropolene rope which lasts for many years and the hydraulic pot hauler allowed what we now call the off-shore fishing industry to expand. With the old manila rope it would be nearly i1npossible to operate. 4. Back to technology -- with the import of 32" wooden pots at $3.25 each with nylon nozzles from Maine the terminology changed. Pots became traps, nozzles became heads, and the wooden buoys were replaced by styrofoam buoys and the rope became polypropelene line. In the last 50s, the lobster market became more stable with the development of large salt water pumps for the buyers to use for tanks indoors. Refrigerated trucks expanded the market to New York and the west. In the 1960s, shipping of lobsters by air to Europe and the west coast became possible with the developn1ent of Styrofoam containers. The 1narketability of the product increased the demand and thus the price. The location of Westport on the coastline, its proximity to Browns Ledge and Cox Ledge has attracted fishermen fron1 other areas to fish from Westport Point. Despite having a tricky breaking inlet at the Harbor mouth and a shallow channel in the river, it was an attractive place to fish from; however, the characteristics of the harbor Iin1ited the size of the vessels that could fish from Westport. Even today, the steel boats that are using Westport as a home port have to play the tides to get into the river. Examples - Henry Clem in the late 20s and early 30s came from Hyannis and brought with him the half-round trap which local fishermen adapted to. Carl Veeder came from Cuttyhunk, fished from both places and helped supply Laura's Restaurant as he was Laura Allen ' s brother. 5. Bill Whipple and John Osborne came from Marblehead in the 60 . Bill Whipple came to Westport with a pot (trap) roughly 4' x 3' x 18". This trap was developed by Watson Curtis of Marblehead to be used for fishing on Cashes Ledge offshore from Marblehead. Bill was successful in catching 3 - 6 lb. lobsters offshore, a crop never tapped by local fishermen with their smaller traps. During and after the 60s, the offshore lobster business basically exploded in this area. Bud Smith had 3 steel boats and an alun1inun1 boat built - 2 of then1 are still fish in g. The Captain Don, a steel boat came to Westport, Bill Whipple established the Prelude Corporation and had several large steel boats making long trips. lronically, some of these boats the Broadbill for example is nearly the same length as the Kate Cory was, perhaps not as wide or as deep. This brings us pretty much to date. Westport Lobstering Families Joseph Fields - Lost at Sea Son Donald Fields Son Raymond Fields Grandson, Albert Fields (Brad)-currently fishing Orin Crapo Son Orin Jr. - Lost at Sea Grandson - Sandy Pierce - Lost at Sea James Pierce Son - Sandy Pierce - Lost at Sea Grandson - George Pierce - Currently fishing Fred Palmer Son - Albert (Ab) Palmer Son - Raymond Palmer Donald Chace Son - Donald Chace, Jr. Son - Willian1 (Billy) Chace Son -John Chace George W. Hart Son - Roger E. Hart Son - Russell T. Hart Grandson - George W. (Bill) Hart Great Grandson - Kevin Hart - currently fishing 2. Carlton Macomber, Jr.- (Cukey) Son - Paul Macomber - currently fishing Joseph Brouil1ard Son- John (Jackie) Brouillard - currently fishing Son - Milton Brouillard Grandson - Milton Brouillard, Jr. - Lost at Sea Alexander (Bud) Smith Son - Dale Smith Brother - Herbert Smith Peter Leuvelink - Lost his life in a boat construction accident Son - Peter Leuvelink, Jr. currently fishing Son - Paul Leuvelink - currently fishing Clint Lusitano - Lost at Sea Son - Clint Lusitano , Jr. - Lost at Sea Costa-Rosinha family Tony (Costa) Rosinha Son - Albert Rosinha (died after a fishing accident) Grandson - Albert Rosinha , Jr. - currently fishing Grandson - Alan Dean - currently fishing Brother - Mannie Costa Roshina Albert Sherman Son - Gary Sherman 3. William (Bill) Borges - currently fishing Son - Chapin Borges - currently fishing Kenneth Manchester Son - Kenneth (Skip) Manchester Roger (Father) Reed Son - Roger Reed, Jr. Son - Samuel Reed Fishermen and boats that fished from Westport for the 20s to 2000: Joseph Fields Joseph Whittle Henry & Fred Palmer Orin Crapo George Hart Salem Bshara Lillian Idlewhi1e Hilda Alice Salem West River West River The Point The Point West River Westport Harbor Henry Clem Car] Veeder Ed Croake and Father Reed Joseph Brouillard Capt. Bill Broadbi11 Janice B Westport & Falmouth Westport & Cuttyhunk The Point The Point Adelard Perron Don Chace Gus Robillard Edward (Dill) Messier Chace Heaton Ave MariaThe Point Betty & Marge The Point Good LuckThe Point The Point The Point Jim PierceEast Beach Bi11 WhiteEast Beach John BordenOrin CThe Point Joe Whittle & Al BowersBilly BoyThe Point (nicknamed "'Between Drin ks") built at the top of Sherman ' s Hill across from Santos's barn Robinson Brad Fields* The Point Rock 'n RollThe Point Donald FieldsWest River Raymond FieldsWest River Pete ManchesterSparrow Hawk West River Alex (Bud) Smith* Sherry Ann Dale The Point Ray DavollThe Point Milton Brouillard You Got to BelieveThe Point Milton Brouillard, Jr. Peter Leuvelink Peter Leuvelink, Jr.* Paul Leuvelink* Jim Manchester 2. Elizabeth Ann White Fly Jessie M The Point The Point East Beach The Point The Point Raymond Elmer Manchester Paul Macomber & David Grace* Russ Hart & Roger Hart and Dick Squire Harold Wood, Ed Bibeau & Candy & Paula Cee Dee Jeannie H The Point The Point The Point Bill Hart Edward (Deacon) Earle Jackie Brouillard* Bill Whipple Jim DandyThe Point Kay T.The Point Janice BThe Point Horizon & PreludeThe Point John Osborne - Clint Lusitano 5 l A- \-PLaurie L. Sheila & Linda The Point The Point The Point Albert Ros i nha, Jr.*Rebecca & Naomi Jim Holl isrtv6 s-,":> - t '<>c:. A .uJ un e 1-:1. Billy Gell*Gale Curtis DavollBay Breeze Bob Ha ine s Orin Cra po, Jr. and The Point The Point The Point The Point The Point Sandy Pierce Jim Delaughter Atlantic SwordThe Point John Pa u ld i ngThe Point 3. Grant Moore* Sideshow & DirectionThe Point Now New Bedford Harry Kirby & Russell Walters 11.,:::ret Shelton Judson & John Osborne Rob Reitano Bill Borges* Dorothy M.The Point Moby DickThe Point Marci AnnThe Point Jean BThe Point Arthur Denault Jim Smith, Jr. Alan Dean* Kevin Hart Bridget Ann & Rodman SwiftThe Point Westport Harbor Kim & JakeThe Point BullwinkleThe P, o nt And New Bedford John Borden Kevin Mello and Dave Mello* Bob Hebden Gary Sherman and Al Shern1an Jim King George Pierce* Orin C Ocean Hunter Scotty Meredith B Little Gull The Point The Point The Point The Point The Point The Point Mike O'Connor Herb Smith* John Chace and Bill Chace Don DePriest Fred Cambra Dan Sullivan ShamrockThe Point Mary F. andThe Point Curlewand New Bedford ChabroThe Point ChristineThe Point The Point The Point 4. Richard RavenelleAmerican Born The Point Arthur BerardBi11y BThe Point Bob LeesThe Point Brad ShermanLaughing GullThe Point Hugo DenaultThe Point Paul Brayton and Richy Earle.Side ShowThe Point Bill Hart, Don Chace & Bud S1nithJackie & Jennie The Point And Capt. Don Larry Yacubian Bill Pires Half a day Frank Frank Dutra M rt;F MC r!flt1fiJ' Susan Y.The Point Mr. BillThe Point Half a DayThe Point The Point "(her /20 r(l/r Some of these fishermen only lasted one season and others lasted 40 or 50 years. This list is from memory and n1ay be incomplete. 1t may be trivia today but it may be history tomorrow. oCurrently fishing l would be remiss not to n1ention the folks who worked with me as crew over the last 45 years: My brother Roger (Pierre) Hart, Edward (Deacon) Earle, M1 J

   Lobstering Prelude Corporation

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. 2024.014.040 - Rum running in Little Compton, Tiverton

   Rum Runners

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. 2024.015.001 - Prelude Corp lobster peg

    Prelude Corporation

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. 2024.016.001 - Video of Gooseberry Neck after Hurricane Carol 1954, digitized and original DVD returned. Film footage made by Leo Benjamin and family who had a cottage on Gooseberry. Video shows the damage, clean up, quonset huts, causeway, Gooseberry Pavilion https://vimeo.com/907890930 Attached images are stills from the video

    Gooseberry Island Gooseberry Neck Hurricane 1954

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. 2024.017.002 - Genealogy of the Bienvenue family, and photograph of the Bienvenue family. Rosalie Phillie Bienvenue with children Genealogy of Bienvenue family

    French-Canadians

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. 2024.019.001 - Book:Genealogies of the Potter family, published 1888

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. 2024.019.002 - Framed sketch of the Charlton Estate tower

    Charlton Estate

    Record Type: Archive

    
15. 2024.019.003 - Book: Dartmouth, Westport, Acushnet Directory 1915

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. 2024.019.004 - Account book: A.H. Cory Store 1852-1860

    Cory's Store Westport Point

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. 2024.021.001 - A History of the Clifford Ashley House, Maskasach MASKASACH FARM 1838 DRIFT ROAD THE ASHLEY FAMILY HOME

    Clifford Ashley House

    Record Type: Archive

    
18. 2024.023.002 - Video of interviews with Russell Walters and Richie Earle about Westport's lobster fishery https://vimeo.com/930685070 Jimmy Hollis https://vimeo.com/930684831 Texas Tower https://vimeo.com/930682642 Ray Davoll

    Lobstering

    Record Type: Archive

    
19. 2024.023.003 - PDF of facebook response to lobsterboat research

    Lobstering

    Record Type: Archive

    
20. 2024.025.001 - Collection of photographs, research and recordings for the publication Early Schooldays in Westport published in 1989

    Schools

    Record Type: Archive