Tom Nevers, Nantucket facts for kids

Tom Never was a Native American man born on the island of Nantucket around the year 1640. His original birth name was quite long, but a group of important British settlers shortened it to Tom Never. He became well-known for his partnership with these settlers in the business of exporting whale oil. This oil came from a specific area on the island, which was first called Sachem Wanackmamack. Later, this place became known as Tom Never's Head, and today it's often called Tom Nevers Head or simply Tom Nevers.

Who Was Tom Never?

Tom Never was an important figure in the early history of Nantucket Island. He was a Native American who lived during a time when European settlers were just beginning to establish communities in North America. His story shows how Native Americans and settlers sometimes worked together in business.

Life on Nantucket Island

Tom Never was born on Nantucket, a small island off the coast of what is now Massachusetts. In the 1600s, Nantucket was home to Native American communities, and it was also becoming a place where British settlers were starting to live and trade. Life on the island at that time would have involved a lot of fishing and hunting, and later, whaling.

The Whale Oil Business

Whale oil was a very valuable product in the 1600s and 1700s. People used it for lamps to light their homes, for making soap, and for lubricating machinery. Nantucket became a major center for whaling. Tom Never played a key role in this industry. He worked with British settlers to collect and sell whale oil. The oil he helped produce came from a part of Nantucket known as Sachem Wanackmamack.

Why Tom Never's Oil Was Special

From 1672 to 1692, there was a special rule that helped Tom Never's business. Whale oil produced and sold by Native Americans was called "Indian oil." This "Indian oil" was exempt from export taxes. An export tax is a fee you have to pay to the government when you send goods out of a country or region. Because "Tom Never's Whale Oil" did not have this tax, it was cheaper to sell than oil from other places. This gave his business a big advantage over competitors.

Tom Nevers Head Today

Over time, the name of the area where Tom Never worked changed. The apostrophe in "Tom Never's Head" was eventually dropped. Today, that part of Nantucket Island is known as Tom Nevers Head or simply Tom Nevers. It's a reminder of Tom Never's important role in the island's history and its early whaling industry.