We began our new year with a program about the Isles of Shoals. Nancy Barrett, our leader, had attended a conference there and was so taken with the islands and its history that she wanted to share her information with the Halcyon Seeker members.

So many times we are so anxious to go other places we miss what is in our own backyard.

There are nine islands ten miles off the coast of New Hampshire that make up the Isles of Shoals. Some of the islands were used by Native Americans as seasonal fishing camps and were first settled by Europeans in the early 1600s.They were an important fishing area for the British and French colonies.

At one time the vast quantities of fish caught off the Isles of Shoals caused large communities to be located on the islands. These communities exported fish to Europe and the Caribbean and on return trips brought wine, sugar, tobacco, and other goods back to be stored in warehouses on the Isle of Shoals and Strawberry Bank for subsequent sale to other communities. In Europe, Shoal fish were highly prized and brought high prices.

The Isle of Shoals was originally part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which eventually lost it to New Hampshire and Maine.

The first township (1661) was established on Appledore Island (previously called Hog Island) with a population of 600 people. It is the largest island, consisting of 95 acres. It is now the site of Shoals Marine Laboratory and is run by Cornell University and University of New Hampshire. It is located in Maine.

The second largest (Star Island, New Hampshire) is 46 acres and has a hotel, chapel, and some other original buildings. It is used mainly for a conference center. Smuttynose (Maine) is the next largest island of 25 acres. It is unpopulated but has two small houses on it. It was the site of a famous murder of two women in 1873.

In 1679, eighty families moved from Appledore to Star Island to avoid Maine taxes.

Over the years, fishing declined, and in 1775 forty-four families were forced to relocate to Rye, New Hampshire due to the war.

The islands were pretty much abandoned until the middle of the nineteenth century, when a summer hotel was built on Appledore. This was followed by the Ocean House Hotel on Smuttynose and the Oceanic on Star Island.

Other islands comprising the Isles of Shoals are owned by New Hampshire, Maine, and some privately.

Now a good portion of the Isles of Shoals is owned by the Star Island Corporation and hosts conferences on Star Island.

It was a very interesting program and well presented.

We are thinking of taking a trip there this summer.