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Vol. 2, No. 2, 1 August 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; 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
Tory Cave
There is a meadow lying on the line between Boylston and Berlin, which has
long been known as "Rack Meadow," and the brook flowing through it was
known as "Rack Meadow Brook." In the East Woods, which embraces a large
territory from Rocky Pond nearly to the Berlin Road, and from William
Hastings', Fred Stark's and Charles Cutler's farms to the Berlin and
Northborough lines, there is a cave situated back of the Charles E. Button
farm, or as it was formerly known, the Houghton Farm, called the "Tory
Cave." It was said that this was the place Solomon Houghton, who was a
Royalist during the Revolutionary War, secreted himself from the
Continental authorities until he could escape to Boston, where he boarded a
British ship for Nova Scotia. This cave is upon land formerly owned by the
late A.V.B. Prouty and Charles I. Longley, and is upon what was once the
Oliver Barnes property. There is also in the same locality, a place called
" Bear's Den." Although I am not sure whether these are two separate
places, or whether it is the same cave called by different names and in the
same vicinity. In the same vicinity, though farther eastwardly is an _____
pile of rocks which marks the southeasterly corner of the old Lancaster
Town Boundary, and once the dividing line between the towns of Lancaster
and Shrewsbury. It is said that Elijah Ball, the grandfather of the late
Alonzo Ball, who lived in this section upon the old Ball farm, was in the
habit when clearing his mowing lands of stones, of dumping these stones
there, which he called, "renewing the Lancaster Boundary."
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Tidbits
>From our Correspondence Files
part of a letter written to Mrs. Wirt from A.W. Knight in 1975
Personal data - born April 6, 1906 at the Farwell house [later Boydin and I
understand now moved] next to the Congo. Church [No bronze plaque ever
installed for the event!!!!] I haven't the foggiest idea who you are -
whether orginally Boylston or B-by-Choice. When I left Boylston to enter
W.P.I. they had not become citified with street numbers! So I have no idea
where 561 Main St. may be.
When I left Boylston you got your telephone call "Mamie get me George
Wright" or someone else who was wanted - For years my father, because of
his police work, had the only private telephone line in Boylston- as I
recall it - and at the time had a special line to his office at the
Wachusett Dam in Clinton.
Tho most of the phone lines were togetherness - 3-4 and even 8 party lines.
Too bad the BHS can't obtain the old plug-in phone board that was in Herb
French's house and operated by Mamie [Andrews] French for years.
Re John B. Gough. Mrs Knight's great aunt May [Gough] Allen was daughter of
JBG's half brother Herbert D. Gough. We have inherited a great deal of JBG
stuff - some china - silver - books etc. Some was culled out years ago and
sent to American Antiquarian Society of which we are members - some was
sent to Worcester Historical Society. There used to be quite a bit of stuff
at the Sawyer Memorial Library including two framed pics of John and Mary
Gough. You may know there is [or was] a monstrous oil painting of JBG
hanging in Mechanics Hall Worcester.
We both do historical and genealogical research. Mrs.K. is working on a
history of Waterford, VT of which we became Vermonters-by-Choice in 1962,
having left Shrewsbury, Taxashusetts.
By the way Boylston was originally Shrewsbury North Precinct. While in
Shrewsbury 1941-1962 I was pres of the Shrewsbury Hist. Soc. for a few
years.
My great grand father David Tilton Moore owned quite a spread in Straw
Hollow [ I-290 passes over about where the barn stood!] His daughter Jennie
Maria [Moore] Rice taught school first at the old south school and later at
the Center school where Library now located. Have pic and brass eagle that
graced the top of silk flag and staff her father gave her.
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>From Our Readers
from "Patrick Healy"
Thanks for the potpouremail. The link to the USGS maps was quite
interesting.
Here is a link to digital orthophoto of Boylston Center!
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.asp?S=10&T=1&X=1374&Y=23462&Z=19&W=2
*this is a long URL - if it appears on two lines in your mail program, make
sure to copy ALL of it into you browser location window.
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Book of the Month -
Boylston Bicentennial Commemoration Book - 1986
This hardcover book is crammed full of photos from the entire Bicentennial
year - Dances, Parades, Plays, Picnics, and more! There is also a short
history of Boylston and a few short bios on our more famous citizens. But
this is really a picture book...if you know anyone who lived in Boylston in
1986...they are probably in this book. The book is also a great bargain!
$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.
NEW -SUMMER HOURS ONLY
Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday: 9 am to noon
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. A
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 regular
on WBZ's Larry Glick show for 14 years, Bob Raleigh show for 6 years,
and is now heard on WBZ's Steve LeVeille Show.
Admission - $5 Get your tickets now, seating is limited!!! Call BHS
508-869-2720
Program - Thursday, Oct. 19, 2000 at 7:30 pm.
"China Today: Its Landscapes, Historical Sites, and People" a slide
travelogue
by BHS member Bob Haynes. Admission: FREE
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. Luscious Tavern wenches will serve
samples.
Admission - $2
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 28, 2000 at 7 pm
"Victorian Tea and Crafts" By the Senior Girl Scouts of Glens Falls, NY
Learn the art of Victorian High Tea. Crafts will also be Victorian in
nature.
This event is especially for young people.
$3 per member child [one parent free with each child]
Event - Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001 from 2pm to 3:30pm
"Who are They - Boyslton's Unidentified Citizens"
Photo Exhibit - Grand Opening Reception.
Admission: FREE
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
" Land Distribution and the Origins of Shrewsbury"
By Bob Cormier of the Shrewsbury Historical Society
A slide lecture on the proprietors' Records, historical anecdotes, glimpses
at the Prior Grants, and a look at the Land that the Proprietors gave out.
Admission: FREE
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. Admission: FREE
Event - "John B. Gough Day" - Day and Time - TBA
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.
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Visit the gift shop
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/gift.htm
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On The Web--
Find anyones Birthday!
http://www.anybirthday.com/
You can obtain a free trial copy of HISTORY MAGAZINE by
visiting http://www.history-magazine.com/
1881 Illustrated Worcester Business Guide
http://homepages.go.com/~boyhissoc/index.htm
Worcester County Genealogy
http://www.rootsweb.com/~maworces/
Worcester (City) Genealogy
http://carver.holycross.edu/~bbatty/worcester/
Marlboro, MA Genealogy
http://genweb.net/History-of-Marlboro/
Grafton, MA Genealogy
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~history/grafton/
The 53rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
http://www.intac.com/~blenderm/53rd_Mass_f/53rd_Mass.html
Massachusetts 36th Regiment
http://www.cyberhighway.net/~dhanco/36th.html
15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
http://www.nextech.de/ma15mvi/
New England History and Genealogy Free
Books Online Effort
http://genweb.net/~blackwell/books.html
Ireland GenWeb
http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlwgw/
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Humor - Gravestone inscriptions???
Nova Scotia: Here lies
Ezekial Aikle
Age 102
The Good
Die Young.
In a London, England cemetery:
Ann Mann
Here lies Ann Mann,
Who lived an old maid
But died an old Mann.
Dec. 8, 1767
In a Ribbesford, England, cemetery:
Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread
And the Lord sent them manna,
Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife,
And the Devil sent him Anna.
Playing with names in a Ruidoso, New Mexico, cemetery:
Here lies
Johnny Yeast
Pardon me
For not rising.
Memory of an accident in a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery:
Here lies the body
of Jonathan Blake
Stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
In a Silver City, Nevada, cemetery:
Here lays Butch,
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger,
But slow on the draw.
A lawyer's epitaph in England:
Sir John Strange
Here lies an honest lawyer,
And that is Strange.
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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. 2, 1 August 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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