HISTORICAL REFERENCES: MASSACHUSETTS. 727 



WELLFLEET IN 1844. The Key. Enoch Pratt, -writing in 1844, gives the following topographical description and 



historical account of the town : 



" Tbere are. three harbors in the town, all having about the .same depth of water, 12 feet at high tide. One is 

 called the River Harbor, in the north part of the bay ; another, in the (enter of the town, called Dnck Creek Harbor; 

 ami the third, in the south part, called Blackfish Creek. 



' These harbors arc of great importance tothe town, as they are safe, and afford the best facilities for cariying on 

 the cod and mackerel fisheries, which have always been very extensively prosecuted. These employ the largest 

 portion of the male inhabitants, who derive from them their principal support. 



" In some past years there have been more than one hundred sail of \ essels engaged, im.stly in the mackerel-fishery, 

 and with great success. The vessels are from 20 to C.O tons. For three or lour years past they have riot been able to 

 take that fish in such quantities an formerly, consequently the number of vessels engaged has been reduced to about 

 seventy at the present time. There are three wharfs and packing establishments. Formerly the whaling business 

 was carried on here extensively, with large schooners, many of which were built, here, of timber that grew on tl:i> 

 shore." 1 



WELLFLEET MACKEI:EL-FISIIEKY IN 1800. The Barnstable 1'atrint of August 2>. iscii, gives the following 

 account of the fisheries at Wellileet for that year : " Number of vessels, 7.~i ; value, including outfit, 375,000 ; 'Ji 

 barrels mackerel were told last year, at $12 a, barrel, amounting to $240,1)00. Not only does the mackerel-uVici y 

 prosper, but a new source of thrift in the oyster-fishery is open during a portion of the year that mackerel are not 

 taken." 



WELLFLEET ix 1862. Freeman, in his history of Cape Cod, published in 1802, in regard to Wellfleet, says : 



"The employment of the male inhabitants is almost entirely connected with the ocean. The cod and mackerel 

 fisheries have always been extensively prosecuted here. More than one hundred vessels, some years, being engaged 

 in the business. For the accommodation of those thus employed are several wharves and packing establishments. 



"From the table-lands of Kastham is a range of hills extending through this town, Trnro, and Provincetow n. te. 

 Kace Point. West, and in range of these hills, are several ponds, namely, Duck Pond, in the center of the town, 15 

 fathoms deep, perfectly round, with a beautiful shore of white sand ; Hopkins Pond, one-quarter of a mile farther 

 north, of about the same size, but not so deep ; Great Pond, 1 mile in circumference, having several small ponds 

 flowing into it, abounding with red perch ; Long Pond about 20 rods distant from the last named, which also abounds, 

 with fish, and has near it the village formerly known as Lewis's Neighborhood ; Turtle Pond, between Long and 

 Hopkins ; Gull Pond, large and beautiful, If of a mile in circumference, abounds with perch, and being in their season 

 the resort of alewives, lying at the eastern extremity of Hunt's Hollow, near the east side of the cape ; Newcouib 

 Pond, also on the east side, and connecting with Great by a, small stream : Herring Pond, from which issues Herring 

 Brook, yielding large quantities of alewives in their season ; and Squier's Pond, situated in Duck Creek village, also 

 affording fish. Beside there are others less important." 



Pratt also describes these ponds, and speaks of the species of fish they contain. He says : 



"Great Pond is nearly round, 1 mile in circumference, and abounds with red perch. Four small pom's are near 

 it, the waters of which sometimes flow into it. Turtle Pond is betweeu Long Pond and Hopkins Pond. 



"Long Pond is on the easteru side of Great Poud, about 20 rods distant, is 1 mile iu length, and contains 

 red perch. Near this pond are four or five dwelling-houses, and the village is called Lewis's Neighborhood. Gull 

 Poud is the largest and most perfect pond in the town. It is perfectly round, 1} miles iu circumference, and contains 

 herring and perch. It is at the eastern extremity of Pearce's hollow, and near tbe back side of the cape. Near it is 

 a small pond, called Newcomb's, which is connected with Great Pond by a stream of water, and another, called 

 Herring Brook, from which herring are taken in the spring in considerable quantities. There are three other small 

 ponds near the eastern shore. Squire's Pond is small and round ; it is situated in Duck Creek village, and affords 

 perch and eels." 2 



BLACKFISII AND WHALE FISIFERY. According to Freeman, "the whaling business was, in early times, carried 

 on extensively here, and iu the taking of whales none were more expert than the ludians then inhabiting the 

 neighborhood, whose services were always in demand. This fishery, once the chief employment, was lucrative; and 

 and by it some large properties were acquired. But little has beeu done here in whaling since the Revolutionary 

 [icriod, except that occasionally the species of whale called blackii.sh make their appearance and are taken ; or 

 perad venture a whale of the larger kind is seen to bio win Barnstable Bay, possibly in Wellflcet Bay, or Province to\vu 

 Harbor, which is the signal for sport that is generally successful." 3 



THE OLD OYSTER-BEDS. From the statements of the historians Pratt aud Freeeman, it would appear that at 

 the time of the settlement of Wellfleet great oyster-beds existed in the bay, and that tlu oyster-fishery, which has 

 now almost entirely died out, during the early years was one of the. most important fisheries of the town. In 1'iatt's 

 history we find the following account: 4 "Oysters and other shell fish were found in the bay in great abundance, at 

 the first settlement, which not only afforded a supply for the inhabitants but in time were taken to Boston aud other 

 places for sale. This business has been carried on extensively and profitably to those engaged in it. Shops and 

 stands were opened iu Boston, Salem, Portland, and other places, where the oysters were sold in quantities to suit the 

 purchasers. 



" In 1770 all the oysters iu the bay died. What caused the destruction is not certainly known, but it is supposed 



History of Eastlmm, Wollfleet, and Orleans: Yarmouth, 1844. 'Freeman's History of Cape Cod. Boston. Ifi62, vol. ii, p. 655. 



'Ibid., p. 112. 'Op. fit., ]<}>. Ill, m. 



