I am trying to solve a mystery. We (the Nantucket Historical Association) has a log kept by Susan Veeder on the Nauticon; we all love her story, and when someone asked when her husband, whaling Capt. Charles Veeder, died, we investigated. We have found that he left his ship (the William Gifford) in Tahiti (probably Papeete, since the US consul came on board), in May 1872. The consul wrote that Veeder "will remain at one of these islands with the native woman whom he had on board the vessel as his mistress." Since the ship's log records Veeder as "doing her laundry," he must have been in love.

But what happened to Veeder? We know he died in 1878 in the "Society Islands."

Would anyone have information or leads on other places to search? He's not mentioned in the Whalemen's shipping list. Is there a historical society or cemetery inscription project down there? I keep thinking there's probably more information someplace, if I just knew who to ask.

Thanks!