Abstract:
Harkers Island, known as Crany Island during the 1700s, was a prominent location during the colonial period. John White, a 16th century explorer, was the first European to document the island—he describes some of the Coree living on the island, evidenced by shell mounds. By the early 18th century, British colonists were farming the island and had constructed several warehouses for cargoes associated with the island’s port. During the 1800s, many island residents worked in the regional whaling industry.