Mary was born into a family of Quakers. She was the oldest child of nine brother and sisters. Her brothers and sisters were Paul, Priscilla, Hephzibah, Abigail, Benjamin, Tristram Ruth and Anna.[2]
Her great grandfather migrated from Massachusetts to Nantucket in 1659.
At that time, the punishment for a Quaker to set foot in Massachusetts in 1660 was death by hanging. After the English monarchy was restored in 1662, the king sent a letter to Massachusetts ordering him to stop the Quaker persecution.[3]
While the early settlers of Nantucket were not Quakers they were "in close sympathy with Friends and were, at heart, in intimate accord with their message...The settlement was composed of persons of liberal spirit and it grew rapidly." Her great grandfather Edward Starbuck moved his family to Nantucket Island in 1659 where they eventually became Friends.[4]
Jethro Coffin House
Mary's cousin Jethro Coffin (grandson of Tristram Coffin) built this home on the Island in 1686. It is typical of the houses built on Nantucket is this time frame. Built as a wedding gift for Jethro Coffin (1663–1727) and Mary Gardner (1670–1767), the house represents the unity of two of the island’s oldest families. Jethro was the grandson of one of the island’s original proprietors, Tristram Coffin, and Mary was the daughter of John Gardner, one of the leaders of the so-called Half-Share Revolt, in which the island’s tradesmen rallied against the wealthier full-share proprietors. Although the relationship between Gardner and Coffin was never amicable, the marriage of Mary and Jethro helped unite the families and soothe old wounds. Built on Gardner land using Coffin lumber, the house is a physical manifestation of this unity. Mary's home was likely very similar to this home.[5]
Family Life on Nantucket
Mary married Jethro Folger on February 1, 1710 in Nantucket.[6]
The whaling industry in America originated on the island of Nantucket in the late 17th century, as colonists followed the example of the island's original American Indian inhabitants. Initial attempts were unsuccessful until Icabod Paddock of Cape Cod moved to Nantucket to serve as a whaling instructor in 1690. Nantucket acquired its first whaling sloop in 1694. The island possessed a total of 28 offshore whaling vessels by 1727 and began building its own ships in 1730. Nantucket's fleet continued to grow and dominate the whaling industry.[7]
Mary as well as many of the women of Nantucket, were responsible for the full management of their households during their husbands long absences at sea. Nantucket women transacted business as well as made frequent journeys to the mainland. [8] She was likely a very independent woman.
Nantucket Island
The Quakers on Nantucket were strong politically and financially; many were involved in the lucrative whaling industry. They were in the majority for most of the eighteenth century, and their devotion to simplicity and strict adherence to traditional ways influenced Nantucket’s architecture, home furnishings, clothing, and social behavior.[9]
Life on the island centered around their Quaker faith. During the quarterly meetings, one of which fell annually at Nantucket, Friends from different parts of Massachusetts and New Bedford came and were received and welcomed whether strangers or not. There were also "Feasts" when a calf was killed in a Nantucket household and friends and neighbors gathered to share the good cheer.[8]
The population of Nantucket in 1700 was approximately 300 whites and 800 Indians. Short of specie and wanting loyal suppliers, traders advanced up to ten pounds of cloth, fish hooks, shoes, shot, kettles, and more in exchange for feathers and fish – and Mary’s company store was born. The use of the credit system depended on the courts allowing the Indians to be sued for debt. Mary’s book shows accounts for as many as 200 Indians, who were primarily engaged in codfishing and fowling but were also performing routine manual labor, and later whaling. In return for their efforts, they received necessary tools, cloth, and supplies.[9]
Her grandmother Mary, who became known as “Great Mary of Nantucket,” was a woman of great power and influence. She was consulted upon all matters of public importance, because her judgment was superior, and she was universally acknowledged to be a great woman.[9]
Her grandmother Mary and her father Nathaniel helped make Quakerism the leading religion on the island. Her grandmother Mary was converted from Puritanism by the Quakers – the Society of Friends – at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1701 at the age of 56.[9] Mary was likely greatly influenced by her grandmother Mary Coffin Starbuck. Her grandmother Mary died in 1717.[10]
Mary and Jethro had eleven children born on Nantucket Island:
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-B2Z : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck, 31 Dec 1692; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 823,703.
↑ Starbuck, Alexander. The History of Nantucket: County, Island, and Town, including Genealogies of First Settlers. Charles E. Tuttle Company, Rutland, Vermont and Tokoyo, Japan: 1969. pg. 805
↑ "Nantucket Historic District, Featured in Maritime History of Massachusetts--A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary." National Parks Service. Accessed July 03, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/nan.htm.
↑ Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1620-1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016).
Name Mary STARBUCK
Death 1717
Location Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States
Original Text Mary, 13th, 9 mo. 1717, in 74th y. [w. Nathaniel (s. Edward and Catharine), d. Tristram Coffin and Dionis (Stevens), P.R.38. w. Nathaniel, a. 72, P.R.63.]
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-KPB : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Jedidah Folger, 22 May 1711; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-N6K : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Elizabeth Folger, 18 Jan 1713; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDZ-J2W : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for John Folger, 28 Mar 1715; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDZ-G56 : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Benjamin Folger, 06 Jun 1716; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-5SD : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Anna Folger, 06 Jan 1720; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-JRW : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Lydia Folger, 25 Apr 1722; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-XH1 : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Eunice Folger, 25 Jun 1724; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDZ-RX4 : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Tristram Folger, 10 Oct 1727; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDC-V2C : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Hephzibah Folger, 15 Aug 1729; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDZ-BMF : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Jethro Folger, 22 Nov 1731; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDZ-BZW : 10 February 2018), Mary Starbuck in entry for Nathaniel Folger, 13 Sep 1734; citing NANTUCKET,NANTUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0823703 IT 1-2.
Location Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States
Original Text Mary, w. Jethro, d. Nathaniel Starbuck and Dinah, 22d, 7 mo. 1763, C.R.4. [w. Jethro (s. John and Mary), d. Nathaniel Starbuck Jr. and Dinah (Coffin), P.R.38.]
↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 04 July 2019), memorial page for Mary Starbuck Folger (31 Dec 1692–22 Jul 1763), Find A Grave Memorial no. 138931282, citing Quaker Burial Ground, Nantucket, Nantucket County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by Jeff Guy (contributor 48521461) . (no photo)
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