Time Machine Terms
April 17, 1857
The Dred Scott Decision
The decision of a majority of the Judges of the Supreme Court adverse to the right of citizenship of this individual, has called forth many severe comments from the press in the free states, and also from the pulpit. Personal abuse of the Judges expressing this opinion, and especially of Chief Justice Taney, has characterized many of these strictures.
April 3, 1857
Public House Notice
The undersigned would respectively give notice that he has opened the large and commodious house, known as the Marcy House, at Edgartown. This house is very pleasantly situated in the central part of town, two minutes walk from the steamboat landing - commanding a fine view of the harbor and surrounding scenery. Persons travelling on business, or for pleasure, will find this house a comfortable and quiet resort.
- Leonard Marcy
January 2, 1857
An Old Landmark Gone
Mrs. Nancy Michael, known to most our readers by the familiar cognomen of “Black Nance” is no more. She departed this life on Saturday last, at a very advanced age. Probably she was not far from 100 years old. She had changed but little in her appearance for 40 years past; and those who knew her 50 years ago looked upon her as an old woman. She was a very remarkable character in her day.
November 14, 1856
New Light at Gay Head
Notice to Mariners. - The new light at Gay Head will be exhibited at sunset on December 1st, 1856, and will be kept burning during every night thereafter from sunset to sunrise. The focal plane of the light is 43 feet above the ground and 170 feet above the level of the sea. The tower is of brick, colored brown, and stands about 12 feet from the centre of the rear of the dwelling houses, with which it is connected. The lantern is painted black. The dwelling houses are brick color.
July 18, 1856
The Cable Is Down
The submarine cable which is henceforth to connect us with the world, was safely and expeditiously put down on Wednesday forenoon last, between the hours of ten and twelve. It arrived at Holmes’ Hole on Tuesday. Before the cable had reached the Vineyard shore, and when mid way the Sound, communication was had with Boston. Communication was also had with the same place after the cable reached this side, thus proving it to be all right. While the cable was being laid quite a lively scene was presented off the West Chop, where numberless boats were passing to and fro.
March 28, 1856
Massachusetts Legislature
In the Senate, on the 20th inst., the bill authorizing Shaw Norris to build a wharf, was passed to be engrossed.
In the House, a remonstrance was presented from Daniel Butler, and others, of Edgartown, against the petition of Benj. Worth and others.
In the House, on the 21st inst., a petition was presented from John P. Norton, and others, of Dukes County, that women may be allowed to vote. Laid on the table.
In the House, on the 25th inst., the bill to incorporate the Cape Cod Marine Telegraph, passed to a third reading.
September 21, 1855
Citizens of Edgartown Opposed to Slavery
The citizens of Edgartown, opposed to the further extension of slavery in this country, assembled at the Town Hall on Friday evening last.
E. Marchant was chosen Chairman, and Henry A. Coffin, Esq., Secretary.
The following gentlemen were elected Delegates to the Worcester Convention, to nominate candidates for State Officers, viz: - John Vinson, J.R. Dillingham, Harrison P. Mayhew.
August 31, 1855
Intermarriage of Blood Relations
It was the Rev. Charles Brooks, of Boston, who said at the late Scientific Association, in Providence, that there was hardly a living descendant of Martha’s Vineyard who could write consecutively a page of good sense! Mr. Brooks, it would seem by the papers, made himself quite merry over the supposed misfortunes of our people. He stated that but few strangers could be persuaded to settle here! And the following is given as one of his periods, when trying to prove us of the Vineyard of lilliputian intellect: -
May 11, 1855
Slaves
We learn that two or three slaves, fresh from the South, were in town last week. They were conveyed to New Bedford by one of the colored residents of Chapaquidic.
October 6, 1854
Arrival of the Metacomet: the Big Guns Brought Out!
The new and beautiful steamer Metacomet, which is to ply between this place and Fairhaven, arrived here, on her first trip, Thursday afternoon. As the Metacomet rounded the East Chop, a cannon was fired as a signal of her approach; and as she entered our harbor, a salute of fifty guns, and the hearty cheers of our people, welcomed her arrival among us.
