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PotpourrEMAIL
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Vol. 2, No. 1, 1 July 2000. Circulation: 100 and growing!
(C) 1999 Boylston Historical Society and Museum
7 Central St., PO Box 459, Boylston, MA 01505
boyhisoc@ma.ultranet.com 508-869-2720
Editors: Betty L. Thomas and Judith Haynes
Boylston Historical Society and Museum Web Page:
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/index.shtml
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the PotpourrEmail, or
to submit information to be included in the PotpourrEmail,
e-mail info to: boyhisoc@ma.ultranet.com
CONTENTS. Welcome; What's in a name?; Tidbits;
From Our Readers; Reviewing Hillside's Past;
Book of the Month; BHS NEWS; On The Web; Humor
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Welcome to our email newsletter! For those of you who are not
members of BHS and don't receive the snailmail newsletter, it is called
The Potpourri. Sooooo, we thought the appropriate name for this version
would be PotpourrEMAIL. This email version is not meant to repeat or
copy the snailmail version, but to complement it, with the addition of
topics of interest to those with computer and web capabilities. If you
have a story to tell, information to impart, a good genealogy joke, computer
or web genealogy info, a Boylston genealogy Query, or anything that would
be of interest to our readers--please email us at:
boyhisoc@ma.ultranet.com
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What's In a Name??
"Names of Places" by G.L. Wright
Volume I in the Historical Series
Rocky Pond
Rocky Pond recieved its name from the numerous boulders in and around the
pond.
The pond of the Worcester Road, near the South School Road, has long been
called "Spruce Pond." The smaller ponds on the opposite side of the
Worcester Road near the George A. Flagg place, were known as the "Flagg
Ponds," the place having long been in the possession of Stephen Flagg and
his son, Capt. Stephen Flagg.
The pond back of the place now occupied by the Slack Family, and near
Windsor Park, has been designated by various names--"Mud Pond," "Pout
Pond," "Temple's Pond," and "Hall's Pond," but the old Deeds give the real
name as "Spectacle Pond."
"Sewall Pond" takes its name from being within the Sewall Grant. The
smaller pond below Sewall's Pond was long called "Bannister's Pond" since
the Bannister Mill was situated on it. The large pond below Bannister's,
lying partly in Boylston and partly in Shrewsbury, had been called
"Newton's Meadows," and later "Mud Pond."
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Tidbits
Town Warrant - Feb. 22, 1882
Article 18
To see if the town, by its vote, or other wise, ask the Legislature, to
extend to women, who are citizens, the right to hold offices, and vote in
town affairs, on the same terms as male citizens.
H.V. Wood, L.L. Flagg, Elmer Shaw
Selectmen
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George Lawson Wright
[from "Lives Thus Spent", by William O. Dupuis]
Mr. Wright must be regarded as the major historian of Boylston. His entire
adult life was devoted to researching the town's past, and what remains of
his prolific writings provide us with the basis for all ongoing historical
research in Boylston.
He was born in Concord, MA, on December 31, 1856, the son of Joseph M. and
Ashah Barrows Wright. The family moved to Boylston around 1863 and settled
on Central Street.
Mr. Wright was instructed in the local schools and was a surveyor by
profession. He was in addition, self-taught in the fields of
law[especially state law], history, geology, art, and calligraphy.
He occupied just about every public office in this community and , although
he never married, we might justifiably say that he was wedded to Boylston.
He holds a record for membership on the School Committee--30 years--serving
from 1884 to 1912, and again form 1921 to 1929, with most of that time as
Chairman. He was a Selectman from 1904-06,07-12,17-18; Town Clerk,
1893-1935 [another record]; Moderator of Town Meetings, 1884-86; Justice of
the Peace for 60 years; Librarian for four years; Treasurer of the Library,
4 years; Library Moderator; Representative to the General court; Official
Town Historian, 1936-1943;charter member of the Dramatic Club, 1901; member
of the Village Improvement Society, 1901; Secretary of the Boylston Farmers
and Mechanics Association, 1886; chairman of the Town Republican Committee;
Grange; and much, much more!
Mr. Wright researched and wrote on a myriad of subjects including genealogy
[especially the families of Boylston], local events, state history,
religious history, etc.
He was often called upon to deliver lectures, patriotic addresses, and
inspirational messages of all types. Many of his articles on history
appeared in local newspapers. He was an amateur artist, specializing in
calligrapphy and pen and ink sketches. He also engaged in the writing of
poetry and short essays. He drew up legal documents for his neighbors and
was considered an expert in state law. He was the designer of the town
seal which was used until recently when a more appropriate theme was
adopted.
Unfortunaltely, much of his writings and the many historical memorabilia he
had collected were destroyed at his death. Thankfully, some were salvaged
by historic-minded citizens and they now rest in the Historical Society
Museum. Mr. Wright died on April 15, 1943 - truly deserving of the title,
"MR. BOYLSTON."
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>From Our Readers
from Mary Fuhrer
As usual, the newsletter was great -- just adding my thanks to the chorus!
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Reviewing Hillside's Past
Wednesday, July 19 5-7pm
at John B. Gough Estate at Hillside
221 Main St., Boylston
As part of the Hillside Restoration Project, The Hillside Advisory Council
will sponsor a reception to learn more about the John B. Gough Estate and
its past. Refreshments will be served. Former Shepherd Knapp Day School
Alumni and Teachers, as well as those who lived in the house prior to the
school, are invited to attend and share their knowledge. Please bring any
photos or slides you have that were taken at the house/grounds - you never
know what might be helpful - even a small section of a room in the
background or a small piece of an out-building!
Please RSVP by July 14 to Nel Lazour, 508- 869-0388
Please pass this information on to anyone who you know who might be
interested.
For more information on Gough and Hillside visit our website:
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/gough.htm
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Book of the Month -
"The Story of Dog Jack", illustrated by Michelle Dillaire
Learn the story behind the stone dog in the lobby of the Historical Society.
24 pages - $3 plus shipping
AND
"Color Fun For Kids With Dog Jack", illustrated by Michelle Dillaire
8 pages - $.50
AND
Dog Jack Mugs - $5 plus shipping
For more info go here:
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/gift.htm
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BHS NEWS -
Boylston Historical Society has a large research library containing over
10,000 books and other records.
Researchers are always welcome.
OPEN HOURS:
Museum and Library for research:
Tuesday & Thursday 9am to noon (except holidays)
and by appointment.
Admission: $2, members of BHS free. Call for group pricing.
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2000 - 2001 PROGRAMS and EVENTS
All Programs are open to the public and held at the Society (unless
otherwise noted).
Donations at the door are always gratefully accepted!
Event - Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 6 pm
A Magical Summer Night of dining, dancing and strolling through Tower Hill
Botanic Gardens
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens, 11 French Drive, Boylston
Cocktails and live classical music in the Great Hall. Dining and Dancing
in the Orangerie. Strolls along
the new formal gardens. All proceeds will benefit the Hillside Restoration
Project, Boylston MA
$75 per person For tickets and/or information: call 508-869-2720
Program - Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 at 7:30 pm.
Mel Simons presents a fun program, "The Golden Days of Radio." It is a
nostalgic trip down memory
lane, with shows like Jack Benny, Fibber McGee & Molly, Eddie Cantor, the
Shadow, and many others. Mel
was a regualr on WBZ's Larry Glick show for 14 years, Bob Raleigh show for
6 years, and is now heard on
WBZ's Steve LeVeille's Show.
Advance tickets - $5
Tickets at the door - $6 [if there are any left!]
Get your tickets now, seating is limited!!! Call BHS 508-869-2720
Program - Thursday, Oct. 19, 2000 at 7:30 pm.
"China Today: It's Landscapes, Historical Sites, and People" a slide show
by BHS member Bob Haynes.
Members[must show card] - $2
Non- members - $3
Program - Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000 at 7:30 pm.
"History of Boylston Taverns" by Bill Dupuis, Director of Boylston
Historical Society and Museum
A lecture on the town's early taverns. Then a demonstration on how a
number of colonial drinks were made. Bar wencheswill serve samples.
Members[must show card] - $2
Non- members - $3
Event - Every Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000 to Dec. 16 from 10 am to noon
Every Saturday morning from Nov. 18th through Dec 16th, BHS will be open to
supply all your holiday
gift giving needs - Books, maps, Stationary, postcards, photos, jewlery,
tea, Dog Jack mugs, and much more.
Event - Thursday, December 9, 2000at 7:30 pm
TBA
Event - Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001 from 2pm to 3:30pm
"Who are They - Boyslton's Unidentified Citizens" Photo Exhibit - Grand
Opening Reception. Are they
someone from your family or an old neighbor? Are they someone you went to
school with? Each photo
will have a place for viewers to leave their comments, ideas, and clues to
the identity of the people in that
photo. The exhibit will run through September 2001.
Program - Thursday, March 18, 2001 at 7:30 pm
"History of Shrewsbury" - by Bob Cormier of the Shrewsbury Historical
Society
Members[must show card] - $2
Non- members - $3
Program - Thursday, April 14, 2000 at 7:30 pm
The Works of George Wright, Boylston's Foremost Historian"
by BHS Staff and Board member, Jim Lavallee
This multi media presentation will showcase the writings and artwork
of George Wright, 1856-1943.
Members[must show card] - $2
Non- members - $3
Event - Sunday May 7, 2000, 2pm - 5 pm
at "Hillside" Manor, 221 Main St., Boylston
"John B. Gough Day" - Informal talks, Tours Inside, Entertainment, and
more!!!
Event - Monday, May 29, 2001, 10am to 2pm
"Memorial Day Open House" Come and visit!!!
Free Museum admission
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WE need a few people to enter data into our computer Genealogy Program from
information now located in a three ring binder. This would involve a bit
more typing than our other data entry projects, so if you like to type,
give us a call or drop by- 869-2720!
JOIN the TEAM!! Drop in any Tuesday or Thursday, 9 am to noon.
--------------------------------------------
Visit the gift shop
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/gift.htm
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On The Web--
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL DATABASE http://www.awm.gov.au/database/
The Australian War Memorial has many databases related to
Australians at war, including photographs of the war in the
Pacific. These include many photographs of U.S. units. The names
of units and some people in the images are included in the
database which is searchable, so go hunting. If you know the
names of people in the images that are not included in the
searchable index, then please contact the Australian War Memorial
with details.
SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS, London, England
http://www.sog.org.uk/
CEMETERY RESTORATION, Harrison County, Indiana.
http://www.jbntelco.com/~straub/flock/littleflock.html
GRAVE MATTERS: SYMBOLS, DESIGNS AND EPITAPHS ON TOMBSTONES
http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/memorial.htm
IOWA. The library of the State Historical Society of Iowa in
Iowa City will be closed for extensive remodeling 24 July to
4 September 2000. Our library in Des Moines will remain open
and will welcome all researchers.
http://iowahistory.org/non_flash.html
TIMELINE. Create your own personal timelines for yourself, your
ancestors, and your descendants.
http://www.ourtimelines.com/
UNITED STATES NEWSPAPER PROGRAM PROJECT AND LINKS
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/techserv/inp/usnpwebs.htm
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/default.asp/
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Humor -
Top 10 Reasons You Have Become a Gene-aholic!
10. You introduce your daughter as your descendent.
9. You've never met any of the people you send e-mail to, even
though you're related.
8. You can recite your lineage back eight generations, but can't
remember your nephew's name.
7. You have more photographs of dead people than living ones.
6. You always take a tape recorder and/or notebook to a family
reunion.
5. You can't go by a cemetery without stopping.
4. The local genealogy society borrows books from you.
3. The only film you've seen in the last year was the 1880
census index.
2. More than half of your CD collection is made up of marriage
records or pedigrees.
1. Your elusive ancestor has been spotted in more different
places than Elvis!
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PERMISSION TO REPRINT articles from PotpourrEMAIL is granted
unless specifically stated otherwise, PROVIDED: (1) the reprint
is used for non-commercial, educational purposes; and (2) the
following notice appears at the end of the article:
Written by
Previously published by PotpourrEMAIL,
PotpourrEmail, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1 July 2000. Please visit
Boylston Historical Society and Museum's main Web page at
.
This newsletter is distributed monthly, on the first day of the month,
to all Boylston Historical Society members (who have email!), genealogists
and friends who have a special interest in the history of the town of
Boylston.
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boyhisoc@ma.ultranet.com
508-869-2720
Boylston Historical Society
PO Box 459
Boylston, MA 01505
Web Page: http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/index.shtml
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