HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 163 



islands lying to the south of Massachusetts. During this 

 year the Elizabeth Islands, Caparrock or Martha's Vine- 

 yard, Xanticon or " Nantuckett," and Tuckanuck or 

 Tuckanuckett, were " graunted unto Thomas Mayhew 

 at Watertowne, Merchant, and to Thomas Mayhew 

 his Sonne." 



The consideration named in the deed of Nantucket 

 was, " That Thomas Mayhew and Thomas Mayhew his 

 Sonne, or either of them or their Assignes, doe render 

 and pay yearly unto the Hon ble the Lord Sterling, his 

 Heyres and Assignes, such an acknowledgement as shall 

 bee thought iitt by John Winthrop Esq r . the Elder, or 

 any two Magistrates in the Massachusetts Bay, being 

 chosen for that End and Purpose oy the Honble the Lord 

 Sterling or his Deputy ; and by the said Thomas May- 

 hew and Thomas Mayhew his Sonne," or their As- 

 signes." * This deed was dated Oct. 13, 1641. 



It is evident that the May hews faithfully performed 

 their part of the contract, from the fact that in 1659 

 the island was still in their possession, or rather the 

 patent of it. 



Macy's History (page 19) says : — 



" Although we find in the body of the deed that it 

 was made to the Mayhews and their associates, yet it 

 was not conveyed to the associates until May 2, 1659; 

 the reason of which was, that the Mayhews could not 

 purchase the sachem rights until the before-mentioned 

 date, and those who intended to join the association 

 were not disposed to engage until that was effected." 



* From F. B. Hough's book, compiled from official records in 

 the office of the Secretary of State, at AlbaDv, N. Y. 



