HISTORICAL REFERENCES: MASSACHUSETTS. 727 



WELLFLEKT IN 1844. The Eev. Enoch Pratt, writing in 1844, gives the following topographical description and 

 historical account of the town : 



"There 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 center of the town, called Duck Creek Harbor ; 

 and the third, in the south part, called Blackiish Creek. 



' These harbors are of great importance to the town, as they are safe, and afford the best facilities for canyiug ou 

 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 .tlian one hundred sail of vessels engaged, mostly in the mackerel-fishery, 

 and with great success. The vessels are from 20 to CO tons. For three or lour years past they have not been able to 

 take that fish in such quantities as 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 the 

 shore." 1 



WELLFLEKT MACKEISEL-FISHEHY IN I860. The Barnstable Patriot of August 28, 1860, gives the following 

 account of the fisheries at Wellfleet for that year : " Number of vessels, 75 ; value, including outfit, $375,000 ; 20,000 

 barrels mackerel were sold last year, at $12 a barrel, amounting to $240,000. Not only does the mackerel- iishery 

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

 taken." 



WELLFLEET IN 18G2. Freeman, in his history of Cape Cod, published in 1862, 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 Eastham is a range of hills extending through this town, Truro, and Provincetown, to> 

 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 circumfirence, 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 6sh, 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 ; Nevvcomb. 

 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 iu circumference, and abounds with red perch. Four small ponds are near 

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



"Long Pond is on the eastern side of Great Pond, about 20 rods distant, is 1 mile in length, and contains 

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

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

 herring and perch. It is at the eastern extremity of Pearce's hollow, and near tbe baek 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."* 



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

 ou extensively here, and in the taking of whales none were more expert than the Indians 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 been done here in whaling since the Revolutionary 

 period, except that occasionally the species of whale called blackfish make their appearance and are taken ; or 

 peradventure a whale of the larger kind is seen to blow in Barustable Bay, possibly in Wellfleet Bay, or Provincetown 

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



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

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

 now almost entirely died out, during the early years was one of the most important fisheries of the town. In Pratt'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 and 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 in the bay died. What caused the destruction is not certainly known, but it is supposed 



1 History of Eaathnm, 'Wellfleet, and Orleans: Yarmouth, 1844. Freeman's History of Cape Cod. Boston. 1862, vol. ii. p. 655. 



'Ibid., p. 112. Op. at., pp. Ill, 112. 



