Joseph Thaxton Pease

From the Finding to the Martha's Vineyard Museum, Record Unit 329, Joseph Thaxter Pease Papers, 1814-1897, By Nancy Young:

Historical Note:

Joseph Thaxter Pease, 1814-1897, was born into Edgartown’s first family. His father Jeremiah, son of Capt. Noah Pease, served as deputy Collector of Customs, Justice of Peace, Lighthouse Keeper, bone-setter, and surveyor. His uncle Isaiah, the Vineyard’s most influential politician, was County Sheriff for 40 years. Both brothers were active in the newly important Methodist movement. Indeed, Jeremiah was a lay preacher and founder of the Methodist Camp meeting in Ocean Grove.

Joseph’s brother, William Cooke Pease, of the Revenue Cutter Service, is known as the father of the U.S. Coast Guard. Cyrus, William’s twin, served in the Revenue service and was a well regarded as a portrait painter on and off-Island. First cousin Richard Luce Pease, friend of Alexander Graham Bell, teacher, and genealogist held many public offices including Register of Probate.

Joseph Thaxter Pease, a Democrat, held the federal patronage appointment of Collector of Customs for the Port of Edgartown for two terms. During his times as Collector he continued his work as attorney, notary public, insurance agent and ship agent. While his brother William was on Revenue Cutter duty, Joseph handled his financial affairs paying bills and remitting money to William’s family. He was later appointed Judge of Probate Court and served until his death. For Joseph Thaxter Pease, as Collector of Customs, see Record Unit 139, for William Cooke Pease, Record Unit 330 and Record Unit 331 for Richard Luce Pease. Jeremiah’s Pease’ serialized diary can be found in the Museum’s quarterly, the Intelligencer.

Scope and Content Note:

Many of the personal and business papers of Joseph Thaxter Pease were found among the records of the Custom House at Edgartown where during his terms as Collector he continued his other business pursuits. He practiced general law. He was involved in the Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company as attorney and stock holder and made a speech at the banquet for the opening of the Sea View House built by the company.

As agent for The Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company, he sold policies to his friends and townspeople. He paid bills and lays and hired masters as agent for the owners of the coastal fishing schooner Monterey.

His brothers, William and Cyrus, relied on him to handle their finances while off island and the collection has their letters describing life and politics in the Revenue Marine Service and Washington, D.C. as well as William’s bank drafts and bills. In his personal life, he and his wife Sophronia Norton had 6 children so he paid bills for children’s shoes and beds and ordered himself new trousers and braces. Like all his family he was important in Democratic politics and sent and received letters on appointments and elections as well as lobbying for a job in the Boston Customs House.