Posted on April 28, 2008 by Greg Stone
As at the Head of Westport, wealthy sea captains changed the architectural landscape of Westport Point. Many built grand Greek Revival style homes on land carved from the dissolved Gifford estate. These imposing homes were in stark contrast to the small houses clustered together near the wharves.
Continue ReadingPosted on April 28, 2008 by Greg Stone
Navigating Westport harbor was not an easy feat for many of the whaleships, particularly the larger vessels. Isaac Macomber on board the Mattapoisett describes his experience attempting to enter the harbor in 1851: “Found ourselves aground 30 yards from the ½ mile rock and directly to windward after heaving, hauling and pulling, got her head […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
[House at 2043 Main Road] The Howland brothers owned three cooper shops where they made oil casks. One resident recalls how they performed an exceptional feat by replacing one stave in a barrel that remained filled with oil. “They’d roll it so the rotted stave was on top and somehow hold the barrel together with […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
[Letter to Mr. Henry Gifford on board the Bark Theophilus Chase, courtesy NBWM] In addition to being a prominent ship owner and whaling merchant, Alexander H. Cory also served as postmaster for Westport Point 1840 – 1897. Among the Cory Family Papers at the New Bedford Whaling Museum is a fascinating collection of letters sent […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
[Photo courtesy of the NBWM ] Isaac Cory built this store in the late 1820’s in order to move the expanding business from his home at 2039 Main Road. It was central to the commercial life of Westport Point. The store was on the first floor, a milliner’s and tailor shop were on the second, […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
In the shipyard behind the Cory store, Frank Sisson and Eli Allen built the Kate Cory in 1856. The specifications have been transcribed from the original document in the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Carpenter’s certificate for the Mermaid built for Andrew Hicks in 1855. [Courtesy New Bedford Whaling Museum] Kate Cory Specifications […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
[Cory House – Photo by Jon Alden.] Three generations of the leading Westport Point merchant family, the Corys, made this house their home. Isaac Cory, Isaac Cory, Jr. and Alexander Hamilton Cory built ships, managed whaling and fishing voyages and served as general merchandisers of the area. They are best remembered for their ship, the […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
“…I got baptized handsome in the following manner without ceremony. We raised whales and lowered away and the boat that I was in soon got fast and as soon as Tripp struck the whale he struck our boat and stove her and then by way of proving his regard for us beyond a doubt he […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
Young Albert was but a lad of 17 when he left Westport on the Mexico on April 12, 1844. He returned in August of 1845. (The image here was taken in 1863.) The youthful Albert’s early entries into his journal mention that he manned the mastheads and washed off the decks, ordinary duties of the […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 27, 2008 by Greg Stone
[Ambrotype of Albert Augustus Gifford, WHS] The handsome gentleman in 19th century attire pictured here is Albert Augustus Gifford. He is the man who kept the whaling journal while on the Bark President. The journal is now in the collection of Westport Historical Society. Albert was neither the captain nor the first mate on the […]
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