It is interesting to contemplate what influenced our prevailing
architecture. First, as in many other affairs, it was the almighty
dollar. In the 18th century, and much of the first quarter of the
19th, there was little spare cash available on this Island. That
which was accumulated, and more, was needed for outfitting ships.
Hence the houses were built inexpensively and of moderate size.
Second, the Quakers put their indelible stamp on Nantucket houses,
particularly those built from 1750 to 1825. Worth tells us the
Society of Friends reached its highest tide of membership and
influence on the Island a few years prior to the opening of the 19th
century. At this time the population of Nantucket was about 5,600
and nearly one-half attended Friends Meeting. The most potent cause
of the decline of Quakerism was the enforcement of their discipline.
They required utmost simplicity and utmost plainness in detail of
their houses. He recites an event which took place as late as 1790,
when Job Macy was building his house on Mill Street. When his father
discovered that the plan was to erect a house of two stories, both
front and rear, without a lean-to and a long north sloping roof, he
expostulated with Job for the innovation and vowed that if the house
was built in the new style as proposed he would never enter it, and
tradition is that he never did. An incident of the same nature and of
about the same time is reported by Hussey. When a certain house near
Stone Alley was being erected from frames made on the mainland, it
was found to be upright all around, the back two stories high like
the front and so without the regulation long back roof. To some of
the Islanders this caused uneasiness, as being likely to introduce
change and extravagance. A citizens’ meeting was convened and the
owner requested to cut down the back posts. Good man as he was, he
complied.
Third, relative affluence, when it came, was derived from or had its
origin in the sea. It was possessed by the ship captains and ship
owners. They were influenced by the balance and carpentry of ships.
This extended to their dwellings. During the latter part of the
prosperity period, approximately from 1825 to 1860, some of these men
had become merchants and capitalists. They enjoyed themselves on
shore and built the few mansions with which we are familiar.