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During the time that Epes W. Merchant was an active participant in the Gloucester fishing industry, he was a highly respected fishing captain. He was often consulted for information related to the fishing industry, and frequently quoted by writers compiling data for various public and governmental publications. of 1881 and 1884 where he shared information such as the following:

Report of the Commissioner - United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries -- 1881

from page 356: Capt. Epes W. Merchant, of Gloucester, who has been familiar with the fisheries since 1804, tells me that the first Sword-fish ever brought to Gloucester within his recollection was caught on George's Bank about the year 1831, by Captain Pugh, who brought it in and sold it at the rate of eight dollars a barrel, salted. Fishermen had before that been very much afraid of them, but afterwards a good many were caught.

Report of the Commissioner - United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries -- 1883

from page 187: Mode of fishing.-The present method employed by mackerel schooners of fishing with hook and line while the schooner lies adrift was first practiced in Massachusetts at the very beginning of the present century, and the use of toll bait began about the same time. According to Capt. Epes W. Merchant, the first man to introduce this method of fishing in Massachusetts Bay was John Story, of Rockport, about the year 1804.

from page 189: Capt. Epes W. Merchant, of Gloucester, informs us that the practice of salting mackerel was inaugurated at Gloucester in 1818. Scitnate fishermen had begun this practice somewhat earlier. The methods of salting have not materially changed since that time. Previous to 1850 the vessels engaged in mackerel fishing were generally accustomed to cany butts, in which the fish were salted.

from page 310: THE LARGE VESSELS OF THE GLOUCESTER FLEET. -- About 1821 the fleet began to enlarge. The "Volante," of 37 tons, a pinkie built by Mr. Epes W. Merchant, was considered a very large vessel; then came the Independence, and afterwards the Columbus, a square-sterned vessel of 43 or 44 tons, built by George Friend, which was considered a very large vessel. These vessels went after mackerel to salt. Previous to that the entire Gloucester fleet had 'tended the fresh-fish market. Plymouth, Scituate, and Cohasset began salting mackerel in advance of Gloucester.-(Statement of Capt. E. W. Merchant.)

The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States by Geroge Brown Goode -- 1887 (section IV)

from page 14: Immigration.-According to Capt. Epes W. Merchant, of Gloucester, the first Nova Scotian came to that port about the year 1828, on the fiehing schooner commanded by Capt. Elisha Oakes. As will be shown hereafter, the practice of enlisting Newfoundlanders was common as early as 1648, and has doubtless continued ever since to greater or less extent.

Capt. Fitz J. Babson, the collector of customs at Gloucester, in a letter to the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics in 1875, says:

" For some years there has been a large immigration of male adults coming from the Provinces to engage in the fisheries of Gloucester. They are mostly young men and unmarried. The superior class of vessels belonging to this port employed in the fisheries, the liberal and excellent quality of provisions furnished by the owners, the prompt settlement and payment in cash for the fares obtained instead of payment in goods, &c., which is the usual manner of payment to fishermen at other places, the rapid promotion to the command of a fine schooner consequent upon skill and success, all conspire to draw the ambitions young seamen from the Provinces.

" These immigrants make up to a large degree the crews of our fishing vessels, and hence the loss of life falls principally upon them. If the loss of life were confined to the native population of the town, Gloucester could not long maintain the fishing business.


excerpts above found on Google Books



The notes complied by George E. Merchant, the first family historian, about the Merchants of Cape Ann, also includes the following information found in issues of the Gloucester Telegraph:


Nov. 1834 - At a Grand Whig meeting held Sept. 10, was nominated on the general town committee on Elections

Nov. 1835 - nominated as a ______ to be voted for at March meeting

Nov. 1835 - served as sentry at Whig meeting at Union Hall on March 4

Nov. 1836 - nominated as representative by Whig meeting

Nov. 1836 - December 16 -- commissioned by Henry Phelps to settle an estate of Bethiah Giddings

Nov. 1836 - chosen a director in the Gloucester Lyceum (the Gloucester Lyceum Library was established in 1830)

Nov. 1837 - At meeting of Whigs Oct. 12, chosen with others as delegate to County convention at Ipswich

Nov. 1838 -At town meeting March 12, on a committee with others to settle with the Selectmen, Overseers, Assessors and Treasurer.





vessels skippered by Epes W. Merchant

1824 Volant Capt. Epes W. Merchant
1825-6 Hornet Capt. Epes W. Merchant
1827-8 Emblem Capt. Epes W. Merchant
1830 Emblem Capt. Epes W. Merchant


From the House af Jabez -- Chronicles of the Merchant-Marchant Family by Frank R. Merchant


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