Summers on the island of Nantucket are nothing new for Chris Bouton '09 (Beverly, Mass.), although this is the first summer he has spent there doing research as well. Advised by Associate Professor of History Douglas Ambrose, Bouton spent his summer investigating the contentious Nantucket anti-slavery movement in the 1840s.
In 1842, a group of Nantucket natives held an anti-slavery convention on the island and invited Stephen S. Foster, a professional abolition agitator, to speak. During the course of the convention, Foster delivered an inflammatory speech which personally insulted a number of prominent citizens. The meeting ended in a riot, and attempts to continue the convention were met by an armed mob of angry islanders. The anti-slavery forces continued their activity, however, and the island's public schools (the establishment of which had been a separate fight) were officially integrated in 1847.
Bouton's work this summer concentrated on the period between the establishment of the anti-slavery party in 1839 and the school integration in 1847. He hoped to understand the reactions of the islanders to the anti-slavery and the integration movement. At the end of his summer, Bouton concluded that the reaction of the irate Nantucketers had more to do with their situation as an island than their strong racism.
"This island has a history of being independent," Bouton said, explaining that Nantucket had attempted to declare itself neutral during both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. With an economy that depended solely on the whaling industry, Nantucket tended to be far more concerned about the destruction of their fleet (which occurred in both wars) and their trading relations with England, which were threatened by the anti-slavery movement.
"Every time the mainland brings in something from the outside, it almost destroys the island. The anti-slavery movement looks like that to them," Bouton said.
Bouton, a rising junior with a major in history and a minor in classical studies, came to his research because "I wanted to do something that was interesting to me." In fact, he was inspired to choose a topic partly based on a local restaurant called The Brotherhood of Thieves, "which I quite enjoy." This was also the title of Foster's controversial speech given in 1842; "I suppose you could say I've been inspired by food," Bouton joked.
A first-time researcher, Bouton enjoyed his work this summer ("except for reading microfilm") and hopes to do more in the future. Given that he plans to attend graduate school in history after Hamilton, he will probably have the opportunity.
During the year, Bouton is a member of the Media Board. His work this summer was funded by the research stipend of his Bristol Scholarship, a merit award that recognizes Hamilton's strongest applicants by meeting their full financial need without loan for four years. Bristol Scholars also receive substantial research funding to be used before graduation.
-- by Lisbeth Redfield
In 1842, a group of Nantucket natives held an anti-slavery convention on the island and invited Stephen S. Foster, a professional abolition agitator, to speak. During the course of the convention, Foster delivered an inflammatory speech which personally insulted a number of prominent citizens. The meeting ended in a riot, and attempts to continue the convention were met by an armed mob of angry islanders. The anti-slavery forces continued their activity, however, and the island's public schools (the establishment of which had been a separate fight) were officially integrated in 1847.
Bouton's work this summer concentrated on the period between the establishment of the anti-slavery party in 1839 and the school integration in 1847. He hoped to understand the reactions of the islanders to the anti-slavery and the integration movement. At the end of his summer, Bouton concluded that the reaction of the irate Nantucketers had more to do with their situation as an island than their strong racism.
"This island has a history of being independent," Bouton said, explaining that Nantucket had attempted to declare itself neutral during both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. With an economy that depended solely on the whaling industry, Nantucket tended to be far more concerned about the destruction of their fleet (which occurred in both wars) and their trading relations with England, which were threatened by the anti-slavery movement.
"Every time the mainland brings in something from the outside, it almost destroys the island. The anti-slavery movement looks like that to them," Bouton said.
Bouton, a rising junior with a major in history and a minor in classical studies, came to his research because "I wanted to do something that was interesting to me." In fact, he was inspired to choose a topic partly based on a local restaurant called The Brotherhood of Thieves, "which I quite enjoy." This was also the title of Foster's controversial speech given in 1842; "I suppose you could say I've been inspired by food," Bouton joked.
A first-time researcher, Bouton enjoyed his work this summer ("except for reading microfilm") and hopes to do more in the future. Given that he plans to attend graduate school in history after Hamilton, he will probably have the opportunity.
During the year, Bouton is a member of the Media Board. His work this summer was funded by the research stipend of his Bristol Scholarship, a merit award that recognizes Hamilton's strongest applicants by meeting their full financial need without loan for four years. Bristol Scholars also receive substantial research funding to be used before graduation.
-- by Lisbeth Redfield
