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The earliest inhabitants of Nantucket were Native Americans. In 1659, a group of nine Massachusetts Englishmen purchased the island for 30 pounds and two beaver hats. Their purpose was to raise sheep as well as to find refuge from the religiously intolerant Puritans. Among the early settlers were Thomas Macy and Tristram Coffin whose names reappear throughout the history of the island.

In 1672, looking for an additional source of revenue, the islanders recruited whaling men to settle on the island and teach islanders how to capture whales and obtain the oil. Whales were abundant at the time and could be captured close to shore. Eventually, though, aggressive hunting of the whales diminished their coastal population and whalers had to venture further out to sea to find them.

      In 1712, a captain blown off course took the first sperm whale. Since it was larger and its oil far more valuable, the hunting of sperm whales was very profitable. Thus began the era of Nantucket whaling and economic boom for the island.

 

Sherburne Inn-Apparition, Moving Objects

The Wood Box Inn -Apparitions, Moving Objects

The Roberts House Inn-Apparition

Snelling House -Sounds

Wade Green's Cottage -Sounds

Coffin House-Apparition

(Read what one guest experienced)