Vikings, Whales and Coffee - Click on ‘Vikings’ tab

The Vikings almost certainly sailed to North America in the 900’s and archaeology has uncovered one of their settlements in Newfoundland. The Norse sagas refer to a region they called ‘Vinland’ for its abundance of wild vines which fits very closely to the area known as ‘Martha’s Vinyard’ today. These early mariners may have left tantalising traces of their travels and these are currently being actively researched to substantiate the claim that they reached America 400 yrs before Columbus.

Edward Starbuck was an Anabaptist, he left England in the 1600’s to escape the religious persecution and settle in the New World, eventually becoming one of the original European settlers of Nantucket Island. His descendants were instrumental in founding the whaling industry of the 18th C. immortalised in Herman Melville’s book ’Moby Dick’. One of Melville‘s characters was named Starbuck and ranks among the names he took from other Nantucket whaling families in this new era.

Peter has discovered some intriguing links that go far beyond whaling. He has a rare DNA haplogroup that was identified through genetic-analysis conducted by same the laboratory that had confirmed the authenticity of Richard III’s remains in Leicester. Peter’s origins have been proven beyond doubt to be Norse, Edward Starbuck was a brother to Peter’s direct ancestor William.Thus it may be claimed, the Vikings returned to ‘Vinland’ in the 1600’s in the person of Edward Starbuck from the North of England.

This short account tracks the history of the family from Edward’s voyage to America up to the present day uncovering some interesting links to some of America’s significant historical figures including Benjamin Franklin. Of the original 10 families that sailed to Nantucket, a few became prominent entrepreneurial dynasties founding: Folgers coffee; Macy’s dept. store and General Electric through its co-Founder Charles Coffin.

The amazing story can be read by clicking on the ‘Vikings’ tab on the bar above.