African American History

October 25, 1968
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Cottagers Acquire an Old Town Hall and Many Annals of Old Cottage City and Oak Bluffs

On Aug. 26, 1869, the Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company, an energetic corporation which had bought up acres of the lovely woods and meadows and shore front stretches of what is now Oak Bluffs, sold one of those lots, 69 Pequot avenue, to Lydia B. Smith of New Bedford.

The Cottagers
Dorothy West
Oak Bluffs town hall
Historic buildings
September 2, 1927
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Interesting Vineyarders: Rev. Oscar E. Denniston

Vineyard Gazette
The student of Vineyard history, at least such history as has been published, will recognize the fact that it was largely through the clergy that things were accomplished during the first hundred and fifty years of the Island’s existence as a colony and province. Not only did they preach the word of God to whites and Indians, but they worked energetically to promote various industries and acted as advisors in settling all manner of disputes which arose, besides writing wills and other legal documents and keeping records, in many cases, being the only ones now existing.
 
African American History
Oscar E Denniston
Bradley Memorial Church
Denniston House
Profiles
April 11, 1851

Town Meeting

Vineyard Gazette
The following business was transacted at the adjourned [Edgartown] town meeting, on Wednesday last.
African American History
Edgartown History
September 22, 1854

A Runaway Slave

Vineyard Gazette
The Bark Franklin, which arrived at Holmes Hole on the 12th inst, from Jacksonville, Florida, had a slave on board, who secreted himself in the hold, when the vessel was loading. During the night, while the vessel was lying at anchor, he took a boat, and made good his escape to the shore; since which his whereabouts have been known only to a select few. He was from 25 to 30 years of age. The Franklin was bound to Hallowell, Me.
African American History
Tisbury History
Slavery
May 11, 1855

Slaves

Vineyard Gazette
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.
African American History
Slavery
Wampanoag Tribe of Chappaquiddick
September 21, 1855

Citizens of Edgartown Opposed to Slavery

Vineyard Gazette
The citizens of Edgartown, opposed to the further extension of slavery in this country, assembled at the Town Hall on Friday evening last.
African American History
Edgartown History
Slavery
January 2, 1857

An Old Landmark Gone

Vineyard Gazette
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.
African American History
April 17, 1857

The Dred Scott Decision

The Vineyard Gazette
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 al
African American History
Civil War
November 27, 1857

Slavery

Vineyard Gazette
It is very much to be deplored that the subject of slavery in our country has become such a paramount interest in politics, as nearly to drive away from consideration other topics of general politi
Civil War
Slavery
Frederick Douglass
December 4, 1857

Frederick Douglass

Vineyard Gazette
Frederick Douglas, the colored orator, addressed a very respectable, though not large audience, at the Town Hall, on Saturday evening last, on the Unity of the Races.
African American History
Frederick Douglass
Famous visitors
May 17, 1861

The Importance of the Struggle

Vineyard Gazette
The duty of sustaining our government in the present contest, has taken the strongest hold upon the public mind in all the loyal States.
Slavery
Civil War
February 3, 1865

Union Victory

Vineyard Gazette
The Anti-Slavery Amendment to the Constitution, passed the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, on Tuesday last.
African American History
August 11, 1876

Methodism on Martha’s Vineyard

The first introduction of Methodism on this island was subsequent to the Revolutionary war.
African American History
Oak Bluffs history
Camp Meeting History
Wampanoag Tribe of Chappaquiddick
July 11, 1907

Passed Their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary

Vineyard Gazette
On the 2d of the present month occurred the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Capt. and Mrs. William A. Martin, well-known residents of Chappaquiddick. Mrs. Martin was before her marriage Sarah G.
Whaling captains
Chappaquiddick
William Martin

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