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HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF A FEW NORTH SHORE ISLANDS 
By Mary Taylor Falt. 
The many picturesque islands along the North 
Shore, which add to the scenic charms of her coast line, 
have much traditional interest for the seeker of his- 
torical knowledge. 
The three islands that attracted the notice of the 
famous English explorer, Capt. John Smith, in 1614, 
were Thatcher’s, Straitsmouth and-Milk islands, lying 
oft the Rockport shore. To these Capt. Smith gave the 
name of the ‘‘Three Turks Heads’’ commemorating the 
slaying of three Turkish champions by him in personal 
combat. 
THATCHER’S ISLAND, CAPE ANN. 
. 
Thatcher’s Island, which is today such a famous 
euide for mariners of all nations, is the largest of the 
traditional ‘‘Three Turks Heads’’ and is estimated to 
contain 80 acres, most of which consists of good soil 
apd in the early days good pasturage. 
Rev. John White, Gloucester’s first colonial pastor, 
owned Thatcher’s Island in 1714, paying one hundred 
pounds for it. In 1727, he sold it to Joseph Allen 
for one hundred and seventy-five pounds. It became 
the property of the Colonial Government in 1771, five 
hendred pounds being paid for its possession. During 
that year, two lighthouses and a dwelling house were 
erected on it and the lights sent their warning rays 
over the ocean for the first time, December 21, 1771. 
During the Revolutionary War, Lightkeeper Kirk- 
wood was forcibly removed from the island by a com- 
pany of minute-men for unpatriotic behaviour. For 
a lapse of time, after this incident, the lights were not 
lighted, but later arrangements were made to have them 
relighted. They have since sent their friendly beams 
to the ocean voyagers for one hundred and thirty years 
or more. 
The origin of the name of Thatcher’s Island comes 
down to us in a sorrowful tale of shipwreck and dis- 
aster. On the twelfth of August, 1635, a pinnace left 
Ipswich with Rev. John Avery and family, a wife and 
six children, and Anthony Thatcher, his wife and four 
children, two other passengers and four mariners, eleven 
in all who were enroute. for Marblehead, where Rev. 
Mr. Avery was to settle in the ministry. <A furious 
storm overtook the little colonial craft and dragging 
her anchors, she became the plaything of the raging 
elements and was driven on the rocks near Thatcher’s 
Island, known today as ‘‘Avery’s Rocks,’’ or ‘‘ Avery’s 
Woe.’’ Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher were the only survivors 
of the shipwreck. Mr. Thatcher gave his own name 
to the island upon which he was providentially cast, 
and later rescued. He ealled the rocks on which the 
vessel Was wrecked, ‘‘ Avery, His Fall.’’ 
Today two great modern lighthouses, two lght- 
keepers and two households are on. the island, also a 
wireless telegraphy station. Visitors, who have been 
privileged to visit the island, are fascinated with their 
