My first lessons concerning the true spirit of Martha’s Vineyard came from my father who settled here in the early 1900s. He and his fellow pioneers, many from Portugal, came to stay, to work the farms, to fish the sea, to “Give Not Take,” to share not keep, to build not tear down, and to preserve so that others might also enjoy the wonders of the Island.

My father taught me such things as admiring the May flowers and the lady slippers and leaving them undisturbed for others, and to leave our catch of the day on an old man’s porch so that he would have fresh fish for supper, not knowing who left them.

He and his generation of men and their families were the true builders of the spirit — the hard working principles which became the essence of the Island.

I write about these pioneers because they were the true founders. They shared their bounty unselfishly and loved the land, worked it diligently and left it unspoiled for those to come after.

Their names are too many to mention but the Island natives know of whom I write. It seems we have forgotten them, but I will never forget my father Raymond Brown. His gifts to me were accepted with love and pride.

Helen Brown Harley
Oak Bluffs