Captain Job Chase, Jr.

Job Chase was born August 8, 1776, at the ancestral home, near which, on the west bank of the river, he subsequently reared a home, where he died January 12, 1865. The limited means for obtaining an education in his boyhood were scarcely improved when he embarked upon his business career, in which he relied upon a retentive memory and a keen perception for his measure of success. He engaged in a fishing and mercantile business in which he attained a high point among those of the south shore, owning the controlling interest in as many as fifteen vessels at a time. In 1831 he erected, on the river, a store which in this he kept the first post office of West Harwich. In 1842 he built the wharf which, and also built the schooner Job Chase, of eighty-five tons, from timber cut upon his own lands. Other vessels were built for his use at Hamden, Me., and at Dartmouth. In his fishing business he fitted out a large fleet. His sons, Job and Sears, kept his business.

He was largely interested in public affairs, also in affairs of the church, and in both was an important factor. He served his town as a selectman, and was a representative from Harwich in the legislature. In the erection of the West Harwich Baptist church he was a large contributor, continuing' substantial material and spiritual aid during his life. He was one of the original stockholders in the old Yarmouth bank, and was among the foremost in all the public enterprises of his day, giving employment to a large number of men in building up the interests of West Harwich

Deyo, Simeon L.: History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, NY: H. W. Blake & Co., 1890, p. 867

Job Chase was one of his sons. He was born August 8, 1776, at the ancestral home, near which, on the west bank of the river, he subsequently reared a home, where he died January 12, 1865. The limited means for obtaining an education in his boyhood were scarcely improved when he embarked upon his business career, in which he must rely upon a retentive memory and a keen perception for his measure of success. He engaged in a fishing and mercantile business in which he attained a high point among those of the south shore, owning the controlling interest in as many as fifteen vessels at a time. In 1831 he erected, on the river, a store which was used by him and his sons until a few years ago, and in this he kept the first post office of West Harwich. In 1842 he built the wharf which is still in use, and also built the schooner Job Chase, of eighty-five tons, from timber cut upon his own lands, lands now robbed of their trees, but where, before his time, his father, Job, had also cut the timber for vessels which he built there. Other vessels were built for his use at Hamden, Me., and at Dartmouth. In his fishing business he fitted out a large fleet.

   He was largely interested in public affairs, also in affairs of the church, and in both was an important factor. He served his town as a selectman, and was a representative from Harwich in the legislature. In the erection of the West Harwich Baptist church he was a large contributor, continuing' substantial material and spiritual aid during his life. He was one of the original stockholders in the old Yarmouth bank, and was among the foremost in all the public enterprises of his day, giving employment to a large number of men 'in building up the interests of West Harwich. In his death the town sustained a severe check to its growing business and a great loss in its social and religious circles.

http://capecodhistory.us/Deyo/Harwich-Deyo.htm

Job Chase was one of the largest owners of coasting vessels ion the Cape. He dealt with everything form sheep's wool from Nantucket to mahogany logs from Santa Domingo. Many of his family took part in the maritime business. His focus was on making many short trips that yielded small returns rather than long voyages with large profits. He gave his captains much leeway in selecting their cargo.

Kittredge, Henry: The Shipmasters of Cape Cod, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1935, p. 21-23