Capt. Best

Captain James Best (1791-1846) and his wife Nancy Howard Best (1801-1857) are buried in the old George Howard cemetery near the British Cemetery.

On October, 1846, a public sale was held to dispose of Capt. Best's property, and to pay bills due. The sale brought in $136.98. Following are a select few of the items sold, and their sale prices.

2/3 Bbl Pork......$4.37
one old stove......$0.25
1 grappling......$0.30
1 pair oyster tongs......$0.70
1 canoe......$5.55
3 dead lights [protective covers fitted over portholes on a ship]......$0.06
1 rocking chair......$0.55
1 spy glass......$5.00
1 warshing bors......$0.30
1 sow & pigs......$4.50
1 Beaurough......$11.75 [This was the most expensive item.]

Much of the rest included household items (furniture, stoves, linens, kitchen utensils & crockery), livestock, tools, and nautical items (2 "Beuys," blocks, and a lead line).

During his lifetime Capt. Best was owner and captain of a 54 ton schooner, Louisa, and, later, the owner and master of the schooner Little John.

(Most of the information above came from Ellen Fulcher Cloud's publication, From Whence We Came, the History of the Original Ocracoke Names.)

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of whale and porpoise fishing on the Outer Banks. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082115.htm.