Lauri Carlson, John Jenney and Faith Ball recently donated Strawberry Point and the Pine Islands south and west of Pine Island Pond to the Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT.) All three are the children of David (deceased) and Janet Jenney, well-known and remembered Mattapoisett residents. These lands have been loved by the family since the early 1930’s beginning with Janet Jenney’s parents Eddie and Cappie Ferry.
Faith Ball reported “Our family has cherished these lands for three generations for camping, hiking and enjoying the natural beauty of the landscape and wildlife. We want them protected in their natural, wild state for many, many generations to come.”
“MLT is delighted to receive this generous gift of 26 acres of iconic coastal landscape including cobble and sand beaches, coastal dunes, salt marsh and the Pine Islands themselves” said Mike Huguenin, MLT’s President. He continued “Public access will be available by small boat or walking via Pine Island Pond, and we plan to create hiking paths over the next few years. We are deeply honored that the family chose MLT to care for these beautiful lands in perpetuity.”
The Pine Islands have been a well-known feature of Mattapoisett since colonial times. Their first mention as “Second Island, Middle Island, Great Island, and Goat Island” is found in Book 3 of the Proprietors” Records of the Town of Rochester and reportedly shown on a plan drawn by Benjamin Hammond on May 30, 1749. Early settlers used the surrounding salt marsh for grazing livestock and may have kept animals on the islands themselves.