Manuscript Collections of the
Nantucket Historical Association Research Library

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MS4 - Crosby Family Papers, 1812-1893

Collection Overview:
An autobiographical letter, record books with farming data, and information on the lighthouse at Tuckernuck Shoal are in this collection.

Historical Note: Matthew Crosby (1791-1878), son of Silvanus and Hulda (Pease), married Lydia (Coffin) in 1813. She died in 1823 and he then married Elizabeth (Powell) in 1825. He had 15 children by his two wives. During his life, he was a bank director, merchant, pilot, ship captain, and owner of the ship “American.”

FOLDER 1
Matthew Crosby (1791-1878) Autobiographical Letter, April 12,.1878 Addressed to his children explaining business transactions with his father in law [Zenas Coffin] and defining his financial status and wishes for his children's inheritance.Letter also refers to the War 1812 and the Phoenix and bank failures. Copy of will, Dec. 29, 1871

FOLDER 2
Matthew Crosby papers
Contents:
Contract, May 1837 to build house in Siasconset with specifications; Architect: Charles Pendleton ALS to Henry Phelan regarding payment of note. Nantucket, March 28, 1842 ALS to grandson re: a petition. Nantucket, Feb. 13, 1867 ALS to nieces and Sarah B. Swift re: reimbursements and a poem about his age. Nantucket, Dec. 25, 1875 ALS from Mary Coffin re: money. n.d.

FOLDER 3
Matthew Crobsy Plan for hog feeder, with drawing Bill to Simeon Folger and Henry Riddle for freight of oil. Aug. 18, 1812 Receipt, Nantucket, June 28, 1861

FOLDER 4
Temporary Location:Book B missing (6/98)
Matthew Crosby Record Books a) 1858-1860 (printed for year 1858) List of land holdings, produce from farm, work done at farm, plan of garden, journal of crops planted, 1859; assessed valuation of real estate, personal property and securities; a few notes on the events between the election of Lincoln and the start of the Civil War; list income from whale oil sales; lists of notes held; list of profit and loss on ships. b) 1856-1877 (printed for year 1856) MISSING (6/98) List of vessels including Ships "Island," "Sea Ranger," "Mary.,"Lexington," Steamers "Massachusetts" and "Old Glory." Letters written and received and some family information. Real estate transactions, business notes. c) 1861-1865 (printed for year 1861) List of lots owned in Siasconset, dates of deaths of relatives and friends, amount of hay, accounts in Pacific Bank, list of crops planted, list of real estate and valuation, income tax in 1864 and 1864. d) 1862- 1875 (Pocket Ledger) Financial holdings, ownership and dividends from securities, ownership of shares of vessels "Barstow," "Amy" and fishing boats, detailed account of stocks, bonds and income from real estate including record of purchase and rental of Daniel Macy house on Trader's Lane, list of tenants, receipts. e) 1866-1871 (printed in year 1866): some pages cut out More diary-type entries including account of trip to Detroit, deaths of relatives and friends, information on property owned in Siasconset; expenses; family records; list of amount of produce from farm; distribution of produce to relatives, expenses incurred in growing vegatables; assessed valuation of property; shares of vessels; taxes; notes on Brig "Bohio,"; receipts from income from stocks, bonds and realestate; income for 1865 and 1868.

FOLDER 5
Matthew Crosby Letters In: 1831-1850 ALS from Jacob Weeks requesting letters, May 19, 1831 ALS to "Uncle" from R. Barnard discussing economic future of whaling in view of the use of spirit and liquid gas and lard; speaking of the high cost of supporting slaves because of foreign competition in the cotton market; anti-abolition. May 6, 1843 ALS from John Crosby, inquiring about possible inheritance, March 16, 1850 ALS from Dorcas Crosby establishing relationship, Aug. 4, 1850

FOLDER 6
Matthew Crosby-Items concerning Matthew Crosby: ALS Asa Foster to James Brewer, June 21, 1839: letter of introduction. Humorous resolutions of group in Siasconset regarding: Matthew Crosby, Francis M. Mitchell, Andrew Whitney, John Maxey Bovey, Alfred Macy, n.d. Bill for supplies from Crosby and Co. for ship "Onward", Callao, Nov. 16, 1859 Letter certifying sale to William Bowen fisher lot at Siasconset, 1876

FOLDER 7
Matthew Crosby Papers regarding Lighthouse on Tuckernuck shoal 1826 a) Committee set up to answer letter from Hon. John Reed, Mar.7, 1826 b) Two copies of minutes of meeting, Mar. 8, 1826 Copy of reply to Hon. John Reed, signed by comittee, 1826.

FOLDER 8
Matthew Crosby Proposal for digging out Bar flats, May 2, 1828

FOLDER 9
Lot & Margaret Crosby a) ALS to Sylvanus Crosby in Nantucket, concerning family news. Hartwick, July 14, 1804 b) ALS to brother Sylvanus Crosby on vessel in harbor at Albany, N.Y. Sept. 22, 1804. c) Power of Attorney, April 2, 1805.

FOLDER 10
Matthew Crosby Jr. (1827-1904) Share of stock in the Nantucket Gas Light Company. Nantucket, May 14, 1860

FOLDER 11
Francis Lewis Crosby (1841-1910) Photocopy of typed autobiography, includes discussion of Nantucket schools.

FOLDER 12
Other members of Crosby family Silvanus Crosby Receipt, Nantucket, Nov. 20, 1805 Zenas Hamblin (1806- ) husband of Sarah Crosby Fragment of receipt.