Three investors bought Merchants (or Pearce) island about 1890: Edward Samuel Page, Mr. Kitchen, and another investor. They had trouble selling lots because of fresh water issues. This photo shows Merchants Island from Riverview in 1910, with the pier and float in the foreground, enabling the only access to the island, and Wingaersheek dunes in the background (right) A handful of cottages still stand on Merchants, used in the summer only.Here’s a cottage on Merchant’s Island about 1900, with a moored dory holding fish traps. A few hardy summer residents of Merchants have visited the gallery. I noticed they frequently looked outside at the weather. That’s understandable – it’s a long row home.
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Fred Bodin is a photographer who owns a gallery on Main Street in downtown Gloucester, MA. The gallery features Fred's land and seascapes, as well as historic images printed from the old negatives.
View all posts by Fredrik Bodin
11 thoughts on “Island in the Annisquam: Merchants”
As a Gloucester Merchant I grew up wondering about the island. I never knew its history or which Merchant it was named for. I always wanted to motor out to it, but never did. Thanks for sharing the photos.
I was blessed to be raised on Wheelers Point. Still enjoy it summers! We played on the sand bar with the Merchants Island children. We played sink the row boat, cards on the rocks, rowing races through Jones Creek. Life was simple and care free. We dug clams and picked blueberries and sold them to the neighbors. Mr & Mrs Durney of Durneys Island fed us cookies and lemonade. And there were new IPads or Cellphones………………..
I am the great niece of Phillip Durney. I was wondering if people still knew the cabin was on Durney’s Island, as we called it. I have many pictures of my Aunts and Uncles sunbathing on the rocks. Such fond memories of a time past when a little girl from the Midwest spent summers on Durneys island.
Christine, wonderful memories! I know people that vacation on the island. If you are in the area let me know. If you kayak, I’ll take you around the island.
Fred, thanks for these great photos! I kayaked around this island yesterday. I couldn’t remember its name (Merchants/Pearce,) and when I did a search to find it, came across your post! Thanks for sharing. Looks a lot different now, with all the trees. But the cottages appear the same. You’ll see the island in a lot of my Annisquam sunset posts on GMG.
I was wondering about the little house that sits apart from the main island on a tiny pile of rocks at the south end of Pearce Island. I wonder if it the worlds smallest inhabited island? Does anyone know?
I’m a summer resident of the island, I’m glad all of you are so interested. I’ve been going there for the past 10 years, I’m 21 now. My grandmother first went at 6 months old and family of mine has been there for nearly 100 years. Theres no place like it in the world. The place hasn’t changed in 150 years. If any of you have any questions I’d be happy to answer.
I know this is a few years back but just inquiring who your Grandparents are? We spent our summers there from approx 1968-1979 and also know some of the families that were owners. I can’t remember a bad memory of a time spent there and it has always been a dream to return for a visit once more before time runs out.
Barbara “Boo” T.
Good Morning Gloucester 
As a Gloucester Merchant I grew up wondering about the island. I never knew its history or which Merchant it was named for. I always wanted to motor out to it, but never did. Thanks for sharing the photos.
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Ahem. Not a dory, of course, but a skiff of some kind. Gotta maintain purity about things Glosta.
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I was blessed to be raised on Wheelers Point. Still enjoy it summers! We played on the sand bar with the Merchants Island children. We played sink the row boat, cards on the rocks, rowing races through Jones Creek. Life was simple and care free. We dug clams and picked blueberries and sold them to the neighbors. Mr & Mrs Durney of Durneys Island fed us cookies and lemonade. And there were new IPads or Cellphones………………..
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Correction to merchants island. No I pads or cell phones. Thanks
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What a great view in the simple times! thanks Fred! 🙂 Dave
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I am the great niece of Phillip Durney. I was wondering if people still knew the cabin was on Durney’s Island, as we called it. I have many pictures of my Aunts and Uncles sunbathing on the rocks. Such fond memories of a time past when a little girl from the Midwest spent summers on Durneys island.
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Christine, wonderful memories! I know people that vacation on the island. If you are in the area let me know. If you kayak, I’ll take you around the island.
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Fred, thanks for these great photos! I kayaked around this island yesterday. I couldn’t remember its name (Merchants/Pearce,) and when I did a search to find it, came across your post! Thanks for sharing. Looks a lot different now, with all the trees. But the cottages appear the same. You’ll see the island in a lot of my Annisquam sunset posts on GMG.
LikeLike
I was wondering about the little house that sits apart from the main island on a tiny pile of rocks at the south end of Pearce Island. I wonder if it the worlds smallest inhabited island? Does anyone know?
LikeLike
I’m a summer resident of the island, I’m glad all of you are so interested. I’ve been going there for the past 10 years, I’m 21 now. My grandmother first went at 6 months old and family of mine has been there for nearly 100 years. Theres no place like it in the world. The place hasn’t changed in 150 years. If any of you have any questions I’d be happy to answer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know this is a few years back but just inquiring who your Grandparents are? We spent our summers there from approx 1968-1979 and also know some of the families that were owners. I can’t remember a bad memory of a time spent there and it has always been a dream to return for a visit once more before time runs out.
Barbara “Boo” T.
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