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PotpourrEMAIL
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Vol. 3, No. 4- 1 October 2001. 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/
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;
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??
The following is from Vol.1 of the Historical Series.
The book is no longer available for sale, but there are
copies in the Boylston Public library and the Museum
library. You might want to take a look at Volume I, as
there are drawing, sketches and photos in the book
that I cannot include in this email.
"Boylston's Roads, 1720-1740" by William O. Dupuis
Introduction
The first roads in Boylston were made in the vicinity
of the settlements, and went where the settlers habitually
had to go; from their homes tothe meadows, to the
pastures, tothe woods, to the mill, and to the Meeting
House. Most of the early roads were from 2-3 rods wide
[33 feet to 49.5 feet,] and often went along the edge of fields
that had already been cleared for raising crops, or they
followed older roads, or Indian trails.
The roads were usually poorly maintained, and were filled
with ruts, roots, rocks, fallen trees, mudholes, and wash-outs.
Roads in colonial times were as much for trade as for travel.
Horses were used to carry riders, or to pull coaches and
carriages, but for heavy loads of lumber and farm produce
the ox was the favored animal - the ox is slow, but strong,
and not so nervous as the horse.
The passage of time has altered most of the early roads
in Boylston, while still others have totally disappeared.
Our attempt to reconstruct the early road system is tentative
at best, but hopefully it will provide the inhabitants with a
basic notion of what transportation was like in the first
years of our existence.
Most of the first roads had no names. I have taken the
liberty of identifying them, either by the names of the
principal resident on the road, or by the name of the
person who laid it out, if this be known. Many later
roadways were laid out over the earlier ones, or over
exisitng cartpaths.
The Bay Path
Even before the first permanet settlement in 1720, the
area was traversed by the Bay Path. Originally laid out
in 1630, it entered Boylston along what was known as
the Clinton Road [now under the Reservoir,] then
climbed the westerly side of Mile hIll, and went on to
meet Linden Street at Medio R. Chiarelli's . From there
it followed Linden Street, and arrived at the old Town
Farm. It then entered what is now woodland, and
proceeded southward and into Shrewsbury. It curved
back and re-entered Morningdale, and proceeded down
Route #70 to the Worcester - Shrewsbury line.
Next month: The Marlboro Rd, Old West Boylston Road,
Jonathan Keyes Lane, and Deacon John Keyes Road
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Tidbits
from the BHS scrapbooks -
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Feb. 7 1924
Boylston Appreciates Aid of City Firemen
Fire Chief McCarthy today announced the receipt of a letter
from George A. Hastings of the Boylston selectmen,
expressing the appreciation of the work of member of
Chemical 1. Capt. William J. Quinn, commanding at
the fire Monday, which destroyed the Congregational
Church.
The selectmen offer to reimburse the department
for their services, but this will be unnecessary,
according to Chief McCarthy, since such assistance
is a matter of courtesy between the adjoing towns
and the city.
"Chemical 1 gave valuable assistance in many ways"
wrote Mr. Hastings,"and we desire to express to you
and to your city and department our deep and sincere
gratitude for the valuable and efficient services of the men
and apparatus which you sent to assist us, and for the
prompt and timely sending of such assistance."
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May 28 [ no year]
John N. Flagg, road commissioner, began laying a cobble
stone gutter on the west road past the parsonage today.
Heretofore, the volume of water which rushes from the
common at every heavy rain, has washed out the road
near the parsonage. In front of the parsonage will be a
12 inch pipe to take the water from the gutter.
Mrs. Levi P. Hawes, Somerville, and Mrs. Fannie
E. Dodge, Westboro, came today to pass a few
days with Rev. and Mrs. George S. Dodge.
Mrs. Mary A. Willis, Worcester, is passing a few
days with her cousin, Mrs. William H. Brigham.
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Jan 23, 1944
A vesper service this afternoon in the Center Church
was arranged by Organist C. Clifton Hosmer of Worcester.
The soloists were Edward H. Parker of Worcester and
Ralph W. Adams.
Lt. Marion V. Donaldson, WAC, an assistant special
service officer, from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
15 months in the service, is at home until Jan 31.
Her sister and husband, Lt John B. Coyle are at
home until Jan. 26. He is stationed at Camp Butner,
NC and they are living in Durham, NC.
Pfc Raymond S. Mentzer, in the Coast Artillery,
off Portland, ME, is at home on a short leave.
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Book of the Month
There are a few books in our new "Clearance Basket"
Call the Museum for up to date info on clearance items.
Lives Thus Spent [ photos and bios of Boylston citizens]- $1.50
Manners and Morals of Long Ago - $2
Mail Order Fashions - $2
Boylston Bicentennial Commemoration Book -
[hard cover] full of photos - $2.50
Visit the gift shop for more info:
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/gift.htm
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BHS News
2001 - 2002 PROGRAMS and EVENTS
All Programs open to the public and
held at the Society (unless otherwise noted).
7 Central St., Boylston
Donations at the door are gratefully accepted!
Program - Thursday October 18, 2001 at 7:30 pm.
"When Women Went to Sea: Whales, Pirates,
Shipwrecks, and Foreign Lands" by James Coogan
Hundreds of women from coastal areas accompanied their
sea captain husbands on trips around the world in the 19th
century. This slide lecture will bring these women
to life through their sea journals. Learn what shipboard life
was like for both women and men. Experience the feelings
of the people who endured shipwrecks, sea sickness, boredom,
exotic ports, and pirate attacks.
Jim Coogan is a Cape Cod historian. Raised on the Cape and a
well known lecturer on all subjects related to the peninsula, Mr.
Coogan is the co-author with Jack Sheedy of the popular book,
"Cape Cod Companion: The History and Mystery of Old Cape Cod,"
written in 1999, and now in its third printing. Mr. Coogan was also
one of the contributing writers to the 1985 History of Barnstable
County, sponsored by the county as part of the 300th anniversary
of its founding. In addition to his lectures, he is a regular columnist
for the Cape Cod Times newspaper and also the Vermont Times.
Now retired from an almost 30 year career as a high school history
teacher, Mr. Coogan divides his time between speaking, writing,
research, trips to the dump, and attempting to train his Great Dane
puppy, Sussannah. He lives with his wife Elizabeth in Dennis, MA.
Members - $2 Non-Members - $3
Program - Thursday November 15, 2001 at 7:30 pm
"Shay's Rebellion, 1786-1787: Causes and the
Consequences" by Larry Lowenthal
A slide lecture on the basic causes of the Rebellion,
to explain why the Shays forces did so poorly.
Members - $2 Non-Members - $3
Event - Every Saturday, Nov. 10 to Dec. 15, 2001
from 10 am to noon
Every Saturday morning from Nov. 10th through Dec. 15th,
BHS will be open to supply all your holiday gift- giving needs
- Books, maps, stationery, postcards, holiday cards, photos,
jewelry, tea, Dog Jack mugs, and much more.
Event - Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002 at 7:30 pm
"Be Our Valentine" Exhibit -
Grand Opening Reception and Talk
Late 19th and Early 20th century valentines on
display and a talk by William Dupuis on the
History of Valentines. The exhibit will run through
September 2002 during normal open hours
and at regular museum admission.
Members - $2 Non-Members - $3
Program - Thursday, March 21, 2002 at 7:30 pm
"The life and Times of John W. Partridge"
by William O. Dupuis - BHS Curator
A slide lecture on a Civil War soldier from Boylston
who left behind over 100 letters detailing his war experiences.
Members - $2 Non-Members - $3
Program - Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 7:30 pm
"Genealogy on the Internet"
by Betty Thomas - BHS Computer Services Dir.
Find out what you need to know about
doing genealogy on the internet.
Members - $2 Non-Members - $3
Event - Monday, May 29, 2002, 10am to 2pm
"Memorial Day Open House" Come and visit!!!
Free Museum admission
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New this Year !!! Season Tickets!
Buy one ticket that will admit you to the remaining
five programs for the year !
WAS $10-----NOW Only $8,
THIS is your LAST CHANCE to buy Season Tickets,
before they disapper forever on Oct. 19
Buy one for every family member.
This also makes a wonderful gift for family and friends!!
Get yours TODAY!! Call or Stop by the Museum.
508-869-2720
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C.A.P. CLUB
CAP [Cut and Paste] Club meets at BHSM EVERY Thursday
from 10am to noon to organize the photo copies of BHS
Scrapbooks into useable, indexed research tools.
Work involves cutting out each individual article, grouping
them, and pasting the groups onto pages, putting the pages into binders,
and then indexing the binders. You will have fun reminiscing, discovering,
and reading all the old newspaper articles. Coffee and tea will be served!
Everyone is welcome to join in the fun....no dues....no roll call... .
Just show up!!!!
9-5ers - Take a day off from work, join us and have some fun.
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Membership
Your annual memberships are due NOW. Memberships run
from September to August. Please take a moment to send
yours today.
IMPORTANT NOTE - only those with current renewed or new
membership will be allowed to vote in the upcoming bylaws vote.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 2001-2002 SEASON !!!!
The board and staff can't do it all...YOU the members have to
"step up to the plate" and serve YOUR museum so that it may
grow and prosper. People are needed to serve on and chair the
following committees/jobs for this year.
Call BHS NOW - 508-869-2720
Refreshments - Dave Cole [chair] - provide refreshments for
programs and events
Fund Raising - grant writing, fund raising events, annual
appeal, etc.
Publicity - Betty Thomas [chair] - publicize all
programs and events
Program Planning - plan and confirm programs/ events
for next year
General Museum Help - Bill Dupuis [curator/chair] -work
on the collection, clean, set up for
programs etc.
Data Entry/ Computer work - Betty Thomas[chair] - always
loads to do on computer
Nominating Committee - Search for nominees for open
board positions for next year
Annual Meeting - We would like revive the Annual Meeting
- plan and excute all tasks to get
members to an Annual Meeting
Membership - The Society needs more "young" blood if
it is to grow and prosper -
plan & excute ways to attract new members
Personnel - Judy Haynes[chair] - create and maintain all
job descriptions
*All committee chairs report to the President.
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Visit the gift shop
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/gift.htm
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On The Web
ROOTSWEB'S GUIDE TO TRACING FAMILY TREES
(RWGuide) where you will
find answers to many of your research questions.
http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/
Boylston Elementary School
http://www.nonprofitpages.com/bespto/
Boylston Public Library
http://www.boylston.org/library/index.htm
Lowell National Historic Park
http://www.nps.gov/lowe/home.htm
Making of America
a digital library of primary sources in
American social history from the antebellum period
through reconstruction.
http://library5.library.cornell.edu/moa/
Free BMD
a search site - 1837- present
Birth, marriages, deaths in the UK
http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl
SHAKING YOUR FAMILY TREE (SYFT) by
Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG.
In this week's column see why it is important
to check your calendars old ones, that is.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/syft/curcolumn.htm
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Humor
An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after
eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two
elderly gentlemen were talking, and one said, "Last night we went out to
a new restaurant, and it was really great. I would recommend it very
highly."
The other man said, "What is the name of the restaurant?"
The first man thought and thought and finally said, "What is the name of
that flower you give to someone you love? You know...the one that is red
and has thorns on it?"
"Do you mean a rose?"
"Yes," the man said. He turned toward the kitchen and yelled, "Rose,
what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"
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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. 3, No. 4- 1 October 2001. Please visit
Boylston Historical Society and Museum's main Web page at
http://www.ultranet.com/~boyhisoc/
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