CAPTAIN
JAMES NUGENT
In a history of
the maritime interests of the northwest mention must be made of Captain James
Nugent, who played an important part in connection with shipping in the Sound
country and had the notable record, throughout all the years of his experience
as a skipper, of having never met with an accident to any of the vessels which
he commanded. There were at times thrilling experiences in his career, but
whether in the routine performance of duty or in the face of an emergency,
Captain Nugent was always clear-headed and ready to meet the task that devolved
upon him. He was born at East Boston, Massachusetts, November 16, 1845, in a
district that was then largely given over to the building of the famous old
clipper ships which made such a record on the seas in the days of the sailing
vessels. His grandfather, James Nugent, had come from Ireland to
the new world. His father, also named James, was born in Massachusetts and
became a contractor and builder, following that line of business at East
Boston. He married Catherine Gallagher and Captain Nugent was the eldest of
their four sons. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he
followed for eleven years in his home community. In
1867, when in his twenty-second year, he decided to come to the Puget Sound
country, casting in his lot with
the early settlers of the northwest. From the time of his arrival he was a great
believer in the future of this district, believing that this would become one of
the great ports of the world and Seattle one of the leading cities. Time has
shown the justification of his faith and he ever greatly rejoiced in the
progress and up-building of the northwest.
Captain Nugent first
located at Port Madison and not long afterward purchased the sailing
sloop J. C. Caswell and obtained a contract for carrying the mail from Olympia
to Seattle. This was before the era of railroad building' when all transportation was by water. Later he became owner of
the steamer Success, which for years he operated between Seattle and Port
Blakely on a run that was first established by Captain Keen. He likewise became
the owner of the Seattle, and
still later of the steamer Michigan and was one of the most familiar
figures in connection with the shipping industry in the northwest After
establishing his shipping interests at Port Blakely he moved his family to that
place and later erected a large and beautiful residence there. His
home became known all over the world, for he and his wife through many
years made it a practice to entertain skippers from all ports, keeping
open house and extending its hospitality to hundreds: Because of
their tact, kindliness and genial dispositions they were most
successful as entertainers and it was a matter of great delight to their
friends to enter their home. In 1891 they removed to Seattle, where again
Captain Nugent erected a fine residence situated at the corner of Cherry
street and Minor avenue. Here again they kept open house and to this
day Mrs. Nugent is known as a most charming hostess, taking great pleasure in
getting the early settlers together. Captain Nugent was noted far and wide for
his open-handed generosity to every one who approached him for assistance
for any worthy cause or person.
It was in 1876 that Captain Nugent was married to Miss Emily FISH, a native of Belvedere, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of one daughter, Etta, who is now the widow of Walter S. Fulton and the mother of a daughter Jane. Mrs. Nugent traces her ancestry to the Bartholomews, the Kleinhanes, the Drexels and the Culps, all of old Quaker stock in Philadelphia in colonial days. The Bartholomews were the builders of the “Little Church Around the Corner” in New York. Mrs. Nugent's father was head mechanic for the Delaware & Lackawanna Railroad before the Civil war, in which he served and from the effects of which he died at the age of twenty-four years. Captain Nugent had great faith in Seattle and demonstrated it by investing heavily in property in this city. He profited by these investments, for with the growth of the city his holdings increased in value. In 1896 he retired from active service on the Sound in order to give his entire attention to the management of his property interests. It was always a pleasure to him to recall the days of his early residence in the Sound country and the conditions which existed here at that period. His reminiscences were most interesting and he always counted among his warmest friends those with whom he became associated in pioneer times. In his political views he was a democrat, while fraternally he was connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He lived to see the little town which he first visited in 1867 develop into a great metropolis, while on the Sound waters sail the ships of many lands, making Seattle the port of entry or departure for great cargoes that connect this district in its trade relations with all sections of the globe. His death occurred at the family home, July 7, 1918.
Source:
HISTORY OF KING
COUNTY Pages 204, 207- 208
CAPTAIN
JAMES NUGENT
Seattle Mansion was at 1118 Cherry Street at Minor Avenue, MOHAI has a photo
Maritime Photo Collection at MOHAI - Capt. James NUGENT owned these ships 1) "(after 1867) sailing sloop J. C. Caswell and obtained a contract for carrying the mail from Olympia to Seattle. 2) steamer Success, which for years he operated between Seattle and Port Blakely on a run that was first established by Captain Keen. 3) the Seattle, 4) steamer Michigan
MARRIAGE RECORDS OF KING COUNTY, 1853-1884
Record Series Vol 1, Seattle Genealogical Society, 1963
NUGENT, James - res. King County, legal age
FISH, Emma - res. King County, legal age
license: 26 Oct 1876 witnessed by Alexander Bergman
marriage: 29 October 1876 at Occidental Hotel, in King County by David Sires,
Minister
Witnesses: A. L. Spencer and Alex Bergman