From the December 17, 1926 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
Beside the roads or near them have lived all of those who have made Island history and whose memory is preserved far too often only in the traditions which have been handed down from one generation to another, becoming more brief, more distorted with each until at last it is forgotten entirely or treated as a joke.
The tales of Island roads are without number and the changes even within the last half century so marked that, using them as an example of what may have gone on before, makes it seem impossible to draw anything approaching a perfect picture of the happenings by the roadsides, since the roads ceased to be trails. If we therefore take the North Road, which is but seven miles in length, and briefly sketch its history from a period within the memory of living persons, many facts will appear which will be a revelation to those who think they know the road and the vale of Capigan.
North Road forms a junction with the state highway at North Tisbury, opposite the Priester estate. This estate is not, properly speaking, on the North Road, but it has a most interesting history. Up to the time of Zadoc Athearn’s death, which occurred but comparatively few years ago, the property had never been held by any except the Athearn family since the early days of West Tisbury’s settlement.
One of the first grist mills in the town once stood beside the mill pond, which the decay of the sluiceway and falling of the dam drained off, leaving only a muddy swamp. It was in this condition for many years until the dam was restored by the present owners.
A curve in the road, a few trees and a little brook and the another farm comes into view. A part of the Seven Gates farm, this property was owned by R.W. Crocker a few years ago and the house is probably the first up-Island building which was supplied with running water, it being pumped through the house and barn by a hydraulic ram from the brook nearby. The stream fed by the beautiful little pond, still operates a mill, the last on the Island. The Pond itself is one of the chain which was constructed by Dr. Daniel Fisher, who spent a fortune in building dams. Only one more house is passed after the Seven Gates driveway - which once led to the summer home of Prof. Nathanel S. Shaler - until Fisher’s Hill is reached.
Named for the illustrious doctor, it commands a view of his finest pond, “Fisher’s Pond,” and the site of his house, although that dwelling was constructed long before hist time. The stone doorstep is still in use at the little cement cottage by the pond slide, and the splendid dam of cut stone may be seen stretching away to the southward.
The next house is partly surrounded with a high wall of cut stone, now somewhat dilapidated. It gives the place the appearance of a fort, but the wall was constructed for shelter from the wind rather than enemies. In the stones may still be seen iron rings, placed there conveniently to hitch horses to, for this was once a general store kept by Asa Luce. By the brook which runs a few hundred yards from the house stands a large oak tree, and the story has been told that two spies were captured and hung to this tree during the Revolutionary War. The spot has since been said to be frequented by spooks and at least one man has told of “seein things there at night.”
“Fair Oaks” comes next, sheltered by a magnificent grove of oak trees. Once the home of Nahum Norton, who though but recently deceased, taught many of the grandparents of Chilmark at the Capigan school.
At this point and so on, the land rises and a wonderful view of the surround country is disclosed. Hills, woods, and stone walls have been common enough before but from this point on they seem to be better and more numerous.
Passing on, the former holdings of the Hammett family are again encountered. Hundreds of acres of land where once great flocks of sheep and many cattle grazed. Now little of the land produces anything and but one of the family is left to bear the name. Gilson Hammett, the only young man of his generation who did not leave the Island lives on the farm which was once his grandfather’s.
A hill, a wood, a road leading to the once famous brickyard and to Uncle Billy Manter’s mill. The the grand old-fashioned home of Horace L. Flanders with the Hillman house in the distance. This last was the home of Capt. Isaiah Hillman, son of the patriot who defied the pre-Revolutionary “dry” law on tea and brought some home to his ailing wife. He was never convicted according to the tale.
More woods, more hills, steep and high. A couple more old houses which look historical and probably are. A broad view of Quitsa, Chilmark Pond, Gay Head and Menemsha Bight. A mighty panorama which causes the observer to hold his breath, a stretch of sand and then, — the surfaced state highway leading to Menemsha Creek with the fishing village, picturesque, quaint, and colorful, at its end.
Compiled by Hilary Wall
library@mvgazette.com
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