“They truly are fine sheep”  Feeding the British soldiers

Westport’s Revolutionary Stories

According to an old story, the owner of Gooseberry Neck was one Job Almy who kept his sheep on said island. Some of the crew from an English vessel, hungry for fresh meat, proceeded to round up sheep.  Job Almy, an outstanding Quaker, mounted his horse and rode over to view the proceedings. According to the story, the British captain and the colonial landowner conducted themselves properly.

“Sir,” said the captain, “these truly are fine sheep.”

“Sir,” replies Job Almy, “they truly are fine sheep. Truly, also, they are my sheep and I do believe you should pay me for them.”

The response was that Job Almy should name his price. The Quaker returned to his homestead with English coins in his pocket.  (Extract from the History of Riverside)

Elements of this story are based on historical fact: the Almys owned Gooseberry, which was used for sheep grazing. Job Almy (1730 – 1816) is buried in the Almy cemetery located on private land at the southern end of Horseneck Road. The difficulty of obtaining fresh meat for the British soldiers was an ongoing issue. According to historian Henry Worth, the British had a secret arrangement with the owners of Cuttyhunk Island to supply them with livestock.

Job Almy gravestone