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Nancy And The Savings Bank

The ship Emerald on its way to Virginia put into Hyannis Harbor to take refuge from a storm. John Munroe, watch and clock maker, a passenger aboard on his way to Virginia to set up in business, stepped ashore to stretch his legs.

He started out to see the country. He also saw Nancy Phinney and promptly fell in love with her. Thoughts of Virginia flew from his mind to make room for thoughts of Nancy.

The ship Emerald sailed without the young John Munroe who stayed at Hyannis, wooed Nancy Phinney and married her. In 1831, he and twelve other men started the first savings bank on the Cape, The Barnstable Institute for Savings. Its offices were in the watchmaker’s shop.

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