Obed Macy: Journal 6

20 6th 12 mo 1839 the storm is lessoning [LESSENING] wind still at NE. The difficulties in what is called the money still continues with a reasonable that a favorable attention will take place before long. In New York specie payments is reassumed [RESUMED], and probably it will in Massachusetts before long. At present it is more or less distressing to all classes. The Merchant & the Manufacturer of Oil & candles are doing little or no business consequently the Mechanics & the Laborers are mostly idle, and how they will get along the ensuing winter I know not. Our markets are full of all the necessary articles, but yet the sale is very limited. The markets abroad for Oil & Candles are very dull.

8th 12 mo The weather continues easterly. Overcast with thick clouds & drizzleing rain, light wind at SE and not cold for winter. Many Coasting Vessels are expected, wind & weather permitted. Notwithstanding our markets flows with nearly all the necessaries to make us comfortable, yet there are some articles wanted for winter's use such as Wood, Potatoes, etc., etc.

15th The weather since this month came in has been uncommonly wet & stormy, several heavy gales of wind with inssenet [INCESSANT] rains. Today wind at NE & a hard gale with rain, but not very cold.

14th Our Vane Pole gave out some time back & blew down, on examination it was found rotten we got William [FARSON?] to put up a new one today.

I do not recollect at any time of so stormy a month as this has been, within my memory, and although some of them have been excessivie hard, yet in general the weather has not been remarkably cold. The coldest was on the 17th and 19th by the Thursday it was down to 20 above, and very little snow. The with [WIND] has been very much prevailed from NW to North which has detained the Coasters & presented their return home, particularly the Wood Vessels, some of them have been a month since they took in their Wood to come here so that they have quitted coming for the season. I am apprehensive that many will fall short of Wood.

[21] 1839 15th & 16th The papers from Boston and many other places in New England gives very copious & melincolly [MELANCHOLY?] statements of the weather those two days. In Boston the wind was so powerful that it blew off a number of Chimneys and many of them was not stopped by the raughts. [RAFTERS?] but went through into the body of the house. Some homes was much wrecked. The snow fell during the storm to an uncommon depth. Great damage was done among the Shipping, some lives lost. In Gloucester on Cape Ann a large fleet was anchored bound Westward, the most of went ashore on the rock & came to pieces, and it was judged not short of 50 perished, many of the Vessels lost all on board. From various parts of the country the roads were impassable, the snow from 2 to 4 feet deep, and the roads obstructed by broken trees, etc.

22nd 12 mo Cold, Chilly, boisterous, Windy, rainy, Snowy weather. Wind East & SE, a heavy gale with Snow in the morning, rainy through the day.

28th Wind at SE a heavy gale this morning. It is said it was the heaviest gale that has been this season. The tide was higher this morning than I have known it for 50 years. 31st 12 mo The month and year closes with Cold boisterous weather. It is frequently remarked by elderly people that this month has been the most cold, wet, & uncomfortable of any year within their memory. The harbor is now froze over that no Vessel can pass in or out.

In one of the late gales the Sloop Fame Isaiah Folger was driven ashore at Homes [HOLMES] Hole. Information is received by the Telegraph that the Vessel is high and dry, the particulars not known. We frequently hear of ship wreck up & down the Coast of America, but nothing very disasterous [DISASTROUS] that immediately concerns Nantucket.

The conveyance by Telegraph is found very useful when the weather is clear, something new is daily communicated.

22 1840 6th 1 mo Since this month came in the weather is more moderate, but the cold increases. The thermometer from 10 to 12 and up to 30. The ice also increased, it is now out to the bar. The Brig Dromo - Lawrence from whaling is on the flats. The Mariner, Adams, from Baltimore is in the Ice a little out from Brant Point. This day is the most pleasant of any day we have had for a month. The ground is frozen hard but no snow. The chief business of the place is Eeling, and many poor people not able to contribute to their own necessity. Complaints are daily heard of no wood. Not any to be bought, nor a ton of coal.

8th A vessel arrived today from Edgartown & brought 25 passengers & returned same day. The late information by the Tellegraph [TELEGRAPH] of the ship Phoenix having got 2050 barrels of oil and of some other ship proved correct. And also of the death of Barzillai Norelander Master of Ship Charles of New Bedford. He died at Payta [PAITA] with a broken leg. The weather yesterday & today is very fine for winter. The wind Northerly which keeps the harbour [HARBOUR] block up with Ice & out as far out as the Bar. A number are laboring cut out to Brant Point. A considerable passing with Vessels in the made channel between the Straight Wharf & Brant Point. The weather for several days has threatened Snow, some times the ground has been covered.

13th A considerable snow fell today, 2 inches deep. The weather is mild for winter.

12th The cry of fire & ringing the bells alarmed the town this morning at 4 o'clock which proved to be house in New Town owned by Peter F. Ewer and occupied by James Sansbury, and burnt down. The family left in their night clothes. The fire was occasioned by ashes put into wooden barrel.

23) 1840 13th 1 mo A considerable snow fell today, about two inches deep, but not much wind. 14th Fine clear weather & moderate for the season. The harbor is still full of ice. A number of vessels have arrived & hauled up from Brant Point in the made channel. James H. Barnard from Norfolk, A.S. Doren Schoneer Champion from New York &c.

15th Another fall of snow of about 3 inches in depth and the weather very cold.

16 Thermometer at 8 & every where covered with snow

17 Thermometer at 4 to 5. The Ice has made beyond the bar. Very cold. Hard weather for man and beast. There has been two alarms of fire within a few days. One was David Joy's tryhouse. the other was the town's store occupied by Benjamin Chase. Fortunately they both were discovered in season to arrest their progress. The ship Zenas Coffin 2100 barrels Hiram Bailey Master and the ship Henry have both arrived at the Vineyard since the harbor froze up with ice.

There begins to be a great call for Wood. Many fell short of getting as much as they intended by reason of the boisterous weather, which prevented the Wood bringers from coming. The obstruction in what call the money market still hovers over the whole of the U.S. still it is said it grows better & probably resumes its wonted course in a short time. No doubt it is the extravagance of the people that has brought upon themselves. And when they are sufficiently punished it will be otherwise. It has already caused many failures, and broken promises, besides a loss of property to a great amount to many of the good and honest citizens. And a loss of confidence among the people here, hardly know who to trust. Many instances has occured where the fulfillment of contracts have not been complied with. The difficulty in the Money market has brought on some (otherwise) good citizens.

24 20th 1 mo 1840 The weather continues Cold. The Ice some distance beyond the Bar. The Light boat some days back drifted by the Ice some distance to the eastward of the Point from her station. This returned without much damage.

22nd Some appearance of Snow or rain storm. It began to rain early last night & the most of the 23rd. And finally resulted in a long heavy rain storm. Wind at SE to SW which carried of all the Snow & the ice as far as Brant Point.

24 Strong wind at NW and Cold. Two lighters on the Bar aground. Calvin Child arrrived at Brant Point with the Mail, by which a confirmation of the destruction of the Steam Boat Lexington, an awful calamity. The Steam Boat Lexington left New York for Stonington 13th 1mo 1840 at 3 o'clock PM & at half past seven PM off with Eatons Neck the boat took fire and nothwithstanding all the exertions that could be made, she was in a short time enveloped in flames. The scene was terrible, the utmost confusion ensued. Exertions were made with the Engine without effect. The wind blew strong at NW & the weather cold, they endevoured to save themselves with the boats but without effect they were all stove along side. There were nearly 200 persons on board. Men, women and children, three of whom only were saved. The Boat was mostly loaded with Bales of cotton. Those who were saved in a very exhausted state. A large amount of specie and paper money were lost with the Boat.