The Life of Captain Edward Penniman, 1831-1913
| 1831 |
Born at Eastham, August 16, the second of nine children of Betsey (Mayo) Penniman. |
| 1842 |
At age 11, shipped as cook on a schooner bound for fishing on the Grand Banks. Wrecked near Nauset Light, crew and cargo saved. Continued as a local fisherman until 1852. |
| 1852-1855 |
Boatsteerer on the whaling bark Isabella, 3 years, 2 months. |
| 1855-1859 |
Mate on the whaler Minerva, 3 years, 10 months. |
| 1859 |
Married Betsey Augusta Knowles of Eastham, daughter of William Freeman Knowles, Jr. and Betsey Augusta Doane Knowles. |
| 1860-1864 |
Captain of the whaler Minerva, 3 years, 11 months. |
| 1860 |
Son Eugene Blanchard Penniman born at Eastham, September 11, 1860. |
| 1864-1868 |
Captain of the whaler Minerva, 3 years, 5 months. Narrowly avoided capture by the
Confederate raider Shenandoah in the Arctic. Mrs. Penniman and Eugene along on this voyage. |
| 1867-1868 |
The Penniman house was built on Fort Hill Road in Eastham. |
| 1868 |
Daughter Betsey Augusta Penniman born at Eastham, September 2, 1868. |
| 1870 |
Son Edward Damon Penniman born at Eastham, March 25, 1870. |
| 1874-1875 |
Captain of the whaler Cicero, I year, 7 months. |
| 1876-1879 |
Captain of the whaler Europa, 3 years, 2 months. Mrs. Penniman and Edward along on this voyage. |
| 1881-1884 |
Captain of the whaler Jacob A. Howland, 3 years, l month. Mrs. Penniman and Betsey along on this voyage. |
| 1884 |
Retired from the sea to the family home at Eastham at age 53, hoping for ten years of retirement as a gentleman farmer. |
| 1913 |
Died at home, October 16. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Eastham. |
During the 32-year period between 1852 and 1884, each of Captain Penniman’s seven voyages and over apporximately three years, two months, for a total time at sea of over 22 years. Mrs. Penniman spent more than nine years at sea over a twenty year period. Captain Penniman’s vessels produced 4,237 bbls. of sperm oil, 12,096 bbls. of whale oil, and 166,871 lbs. of whalebone.
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