133 



as of the best soil for grass ; great quantities of superior 

 butter and cheese had been made there from the milk 

 produced on its fodder ; always had a supply of fresh 

 water, and was " never known to be infested with flies, 

 musketoes, or other insects to disturb " the cattle. The 

 Light Houses were erected in 1797, and the lights first 

 shown January 3, 1798. 



The following article by Dr. Bentley, which was pub- 

 lished in the Essex Register of August 9, 1817, is of in- 

 terest in this connection : 



" Our Islands are not in the high cultivation they read- 

 ily admit, and are the only part of our soil which is d^- 

 prived of its former reputation. They are not so exten- 

 sive as the Boston Islands, but they are recovering the 

 share of favor they have lost. 



The excellent crop of grass this year, on Cat Island, 

 has rewarded the labor of our neighbors from Marble- 

 head, who gathered it. 



The provident keeper of the Light House on Baker's 

 Island has restored a garden to that spot, and has re- 

 newed some of the labors which rendered that island 

 delightful, while it was the property of Col. Turner and 

 his heirs, above a century. 



The Moulton Misery Isles had as earjy attention, and 

 were an object to the family of Capt. Curwen, the great- 

 est merchant of Salem. The House, which was demol- 

 ished during the war of the Eevolution, has not yet been 

 restored, but the Islands promise to reward the diligence 

 of any worthy inhabitant and cultivator. 



The romantic scenery of Eagle Island remains the 

 same, losing only its trees. 



Coney Island was purchased by the family of Sewall, 

 not long after the former purchases we have mentioned, 

 and has yielded its harvests in our own time, and been 



