164 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



From reading this, one gets the impression that 

 other persons were concerned with the Mayhews when 

 the island was granted to them in 1641. This certainly 

 could not have been the case, as will be seen a little 

 farther on. It is possible that the Mayhews (father 

 and son) may not have been able to purchase the In- 

 dian or u sachem rights," but it is certain there were 

 no " associates" until 1659. The original deed irom 

 Lord Sterling, by his agent Forrett, reads, " Thomas 

 Mayhew, and Thomas Mayhew his son, or their as- 

 signs." Ten days afterward, however, in granting the 

 Mayhews the same privileges upon Martha's Vine- 

 yard that had been given them on Nantucket, Agent 

 Forrett substitutes the word "associates" for u as- 

 signs." That the Mayhews claimed sole ownership, 

 up to 1659, of the greater part of the island of Nan- 

 tucket, is evidenced by the following 



Deed of Nantucket to Ten Purchasers.* 



Recorded for Mr. Coffin and Mr. Macy afores d y e Day and Yeare 

 afores d . 



Bee it known unto all Men by these Presents, that 

 I, Thomas Mayhew, of Martha's Vineyard, Merchant, 

 doe hereby acknowledge, that I have sould unto Tris- 

 tram Coffin, Thos. Macy, Christopher Hussey, Rich- 

 ard Swayne, Thomas Bernard, Peter Coffin, Stephen 

 Greenleafe, John Swayne, and William Pike, that 

 Bight and Interest I have in y* Land of Nantuckett, by 

 Patent; y e w ch Bight I bought of James Fforrett, Gent. 



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

 in the office of the Secretary of State, at Albany, N. Y. 



