"Preserving the Past for the Future"
Vol. 5, No.12 - 1 June 2004 Circulation: 250 and growing!
(C) 1999-2004 Boylston Historical Society and Museum
7 Central St., PO Box 459, Boylston, MA 01505
potpourremail@boylstonhistory.org 508-869-2720
Editors: Betty L. Thomas and Judith Haynes
Boylston Historical Society and Museum Web Page:
http:www.boylstonhistory.org
CONTENTS. Welcome; "The History of Boylston 1642-1741";
Tidbits; BHS News; On The Web; Humor
Welcome to our Email newsletter! For those of you who are not
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From the editor: The PotpourrEMAIL will be on vacation during July and August...next issue will be September 1st.
"The History of Boylston 1642-1741"
The following is from Vol.II of the Historical Series.
This book is no longer available for sale, but there are bound
copies of all the Historical Series books in the Museum's Fuller
Research Library, the Boylston Public Library, the DAR Library and the
Allen County Public Library [Fort Wayne, IN.]
"The History of Boylston 1642-1741"
A Critical Edition of the Papers of George L. Wright
by William O. Dupuis
Volume II in the Boylston Historical Series
Revised edition 1978
CHAPTER 6
"The First Settlers of Boylston" by William O. Dupuis
THE FOUNDING FAMILIES
Simon Stone
The son of Simon and ? Stone, he was born ca. 1692 in Andover, and married Esther Foster in December 1716. He purchased lot #39 from its original owner, John Wheeler, Jr., and in 1723-24 he, his wife and five children settled near the Nashua River. He was elect ! ed a Shrewsbury Selectman in 1717, which leads us to believe that he lived in that town for a time before moving here. He left here around 1731, and is reported to have died in 1746/47. In 1734 he sold his farm to Joseph Bennett. and he in turn, to Nathan Woods of Groton Woods sold it within months to Jonathan Page, and in 1733. Page sold it to Jonathan French, who in 1748 sold it to Capt. Robert Andrews. After stone left, no one lived there until Andrews arrived.
Joshua Houghton
In 1722/23 two brothers, Joshua and Eleazar Houghton, were granted land by the Lancaster Proprietors in what is now northern Boylston. They were the sons of Robert and Esther Houghton. Joshua was born in April 1695 in Lancaster. He married Elizabeth Bennett in Lancaster on April 8, 1719. He and his family of 8 children arrived here and settled in the area of 330 Linden Street... the exact location of this first settlement is unknown, but may have been near the Tory Cave ! . We believe that his brother Eleazar lived with him for a time, but w e do not know, what eventually became of him. Joshua's wife died, and he married Elizabeth Garfield on November 27, 1746. He died in Lancaster in 1779. Joshua's son, Solomon, would go down in Boylston History as one of the area's most notorious Tories. He is believed to have built the present structure at 330 Linden Street.
Captain Joseph Biqelow
The son of John and Jerusha Garfield Bigelow, he was born in Marlboro on January 1, 1703. He married Martha Brigham, daughter of Gershom Brigham on February 22, 1725. Between 1723 and 1726 he purchased Shrewsbury lot #18 from its original owner, John Shattuck. He settled on land in the Straw Hollow section, and built a house which once stood where 201 Stiles Road is-presently. He became a Captain in the Militia, and active in town affairs. His son, John, born in 1726/27, was the first child born on Boylston territory. He died in 1783 at the age of 81.
Daniel Hastings
The son of Thomas and Margaret Che ! ney Hastings, he was born in Water town in July 1702. He married Sarah BaIl on August 5, 1724, and was blessed with 10 children. Daniel purchased Shrewsbury lot #41 from the original owner, Caleb Rice, and moved here around 1725. He built his home, which still stands, at 246 Central Street. He held the position of Town Clerk and Precinct Treasurer for many years, and was one of the founders of the Boylston Church. It is said that all the Hastings of Boylston trace their origin to him and his wife. He died July 4, 1777.
Phineas Howe
The son of Joseph, Sr. and Sarah Howe, he was born in Marlboro on December 4, 1707. He is said to have traveled here in 1725 armed only with an axe and accompanied by his dog. He built a small cabin about where the barn now stands at 30 Cross Street. Between 1726 and 1729 he built his house, which still stands at the above address. The land apparently belonged to his father, and was later given to Phineas when he was of legal age. On Ma ! rch 22, 1732, in Shrewsbury, he married Abigail Bennett, the daughter of Samuel Bennett, who was his nearest neighbor. They had a large family of seven children. He and his wife were founders of the Boylston Church. He died on January 4, 1801 at the age of 93.
-Continues in September-
TIDBITS
November 24, 1924
BOYLSTON. Nov 21.-Twenty-one years of continuous service In Uncle Sam's R. F. D. mail service, with a faithful horse as his aid, battling the elements and rarely missing a day in the fulfillment of his duties, is the record of Warren S. Young, of this town, who recently was retired under the Federal pension system.
Since March 2, 1903, Warren Young has weathered the storms of winter, has withstood the intense heat of the midsummer suns and through it all has given to the people of Boylston such service as to draw forth words of praise at every home along the 23 miles of his route.
The retirement of Mr. Young from the ranks of the R. F. D. forces adds a another remarkable record to the many that have already been made by others who have served the public in this essential branch of the government. Faithful to his duties even in the fact of the severest handicaps Mr.Young has elevated the position of R ! .F.D. carrier in this vicinity to a dignified position and gained for the postal service the warm friendship of the community.
While Mr. Young received many messages of regret from those to whom he has been delivering mail for years upon his retirement, still it is the sentiment of the people of Boylston that the life of comparative ease is well earned.
Residents of the town who as children watched Mr. Young as drove his horse and buggy through the snow and rain year in and year out could not help but harken back to the days of 20 years ago when as a younger man he brought to the homes letters of joy or sorrow.
Brought Good Cheer
To the country communities of the nation, the R. F. D. carrier has become an institution. Warren Young has been no exception to this rule. It was not for him merely as a letter carrier that people waited anxiously for his horse to round a corner, but as Warren You ! ng, the dispenser of letters from loved ones and others, accompanied b y a cheerful word about the weather or world conditions.
Whether he had a letter to deliver at a home or whether he found one awaiting his collection, he never failed to wave a hand of greeting or shout a word of cheer to those whose homes he passed.
With his 21 years of service behind him he finally decided at the request of his family to retire under the provisions of the postal system which provides for retirement of all employees when they reach the age of 65 years.
Seen around his humble, yet cozy little home he displays the spirit of one who is yearning to get back into the harness. So, too, does his faithful horse, "Buster Bill" who has accompanied him for the past nine years. While his master roams around the farm seeking work to keep him active, "Buster Bill" beat" his hoofs upon the floor of his stall awaiting the command to back out to be harnessed to the mail buggy.
Like every member of the R. F. D, service, Mr. Young has had some thrilling exp ! eriences during his years of duty, He fought against storms during the intense New England winters. But, it is not of his own ability to combat these difficulties of the mail route that Mr. Young likes to talk. It Is the horse that has drawn the mall buggy that should be given the greater portion of credit in the opinion of Mr. Young.
Horse Wouldn't Give Up
When Mr. Young was seen today by the reporter he was giving his horse a short workout to keep him in physical condition. When asked about some of the experiences of the R, F. D. carrier over the Boylston service the first story told by Mr. Young was about his horse.
[editors note: a chunk of the clipping was missing here.]
------man had given up, the horse
That was the ! sequel
With the snow so deep
bury the horse and
severe storm of a
"Buster Bill" per-
long remain
Young. The
embedded
the road
alter-
Warren Young had driven his horse and buggy until he knew every hole and bump as he knows the interior of his home.
Work Grew Rapidly
With the passing of the years, Mr.Young has seen the work of the R.F.D. increase rapidly. When he entered the service there were but 50 boxes on the route. Up to the present installation of the Morningdale post office the number of boxes had increased to 142.
With the increase of boxes came also the added burdens of the po ! stman's life such as the parcel post, C. O. D. deliveries and insured letters and packages. All of these conveniences for the public have added tremendously to the work of the R.F. D. carrier.
When Warren Young was beginning his years of continuous service it was customary for the carrier to sell the morning papers to the people on his route. As he recalled those days, Mr. Young told of his daily sales of THE WORCESTER TELEGRAM, always a favorite with people of the rural districts. Later the postal authorities objected to this additional work by the carriers and it was discontinued. Today, however, as many papers as were then sold by the carrier are delivered by the regular mail system.
Few Improvements can be made upon the United States postal system in the opinion of Mr. Young. He believes the system as developed by the government is well nigh perfect.
He did, however, think of ! a few suggestions for the public which might make it a bit easi er for the
R. F.D. carrier.
One of these suggestions was that people on the R. F. D. routes continue the habit of putting pennies in the mail box with unstamped letters. The stamps should he placed upon
the letters by the sender, says Mr. Young, for, as he laughingly stated, "It Is mighty cold business getting a penny out of a mail box when the thermometer is registering around zero."
Snow Plied Over Boxes
The drivers of trucks that are now used for plowing roads out in wlnter could be considerate of the R. F. D. man by refraining from piling the snow up over the mail boxes, is the belief of Mr. Young. While he voiced his appreciation of the work done by those clearing the roads, Mr.Young said that in many instances the piling of snow over the boxes proved a hindrance to the R. F. D. carriers.
The automobile could ! replace the horse in the R. F. D. service for about seven months of the year in Mr. Young's opinion. However, he insists that as long as New England continues to have blizzards and snowdrifts, the horse and sleigh will always be an essential factor in the delivery of rural mail.
Mr. Young has been a member of the state and county R. F. D. carriers' associations for years. He holds a high place In the esteem of the other men of the department throughout the state, and, although he has never held office in the association, he has been active in the business of the organization.
He Is married and has three daughters, Mira A. and Hazel V., who live with him and his wife In Boylston, and Mrs. Camile Rogers of the Morningdale district.
BHSM News
2004 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!
ONGOING
"We Were There" exhibit
Exhibit focuses on the World War II military careers of three Boylston soldiers...
Victor Delnore, Fenton Bean, and Florence Swenson Tobiesen Smith.
The exhibit is open during normal open hours.
On our Web Site:
Share your memories of WW II ...whether you were in the service, at home,
at school, or college.
Fill in the form and hit submit...it's as easy as that!
http://www.boylstonhistory.org/ww2form.htm
"Town Remembrances" - -until! June 2004 !
Stories, thoughts, descriptions of places and people, family life or just rambling through the "old days" - BHSM invites Boylston citizens of all ages to come in and have their "Town Remembrances" recorded on Audio and /or Video tape. By appointment ONLY - Dates are going quickly so call BHSM N! OW to reserve YOUR date.
June
Annual Meeting and Dinner
Thursday June 10, 2004 - 6pm to 9 pm - cash bar at 6pm, dinner at 7pm
at the Manor in West Boylston
Annual Meeting - Awards - Boylston History Trivial Pursuit - Prizes!!!
Bill Dupuis will be conducting the history quiz....come and win a prize!
We must have your reservation by June 8th.
$25 / person Members and Friends welcome. For tickets call the museum.
September
Sat. Sept. 18 - Appraisal Day with Paul Royka
10 am til 2pm - at the Townhouse 599 Main St.,
$5/item
--------------------------------- !
Visit the gift shop.
We have gift certificates.
Membership m akes a great gift too!!
http://www.boylstonhistory.org/gift.htm
On the Web
The History of Graduation
http://www.brownielocks.com/graduation.html
http://www.blackmarket-press.net/articles/article01.htm
History of Summer Vacations
http://www.factmonster.com/spot/schoolyear1.html
The History of Weddings
http://www.weddingzone.net/px-pl079.htm
http://www.scottishweddingsonline.com/history.htm
http://www.nellbutler.com/weddings.html
History of Japanese Marriage
http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/marriage_history.html
Pioneer Weddings
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inshelby/historical_articles/history_pioneer_wedding.htm
Greek Weddings
http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/ancientweddings2.html
Scottish Weddings
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/social/sh7.html
Medieval and Renaissance Wedding
http://www.drizzle.com/~celyn/mrwp/mrwp.html
Humor: Dead Zone
"As a cem-gin-eer I rely on my cell phone constantly. There are some
areas that it just won't work. I called the phone company the other day
to find out the problem and they asked me where I was calling from. I
said the cemetery. Their reply: 'No wonder the phone won't work, you're
in a dead zone!'" -- http://www.cemgineer.com/jokes.htm
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Previously published by PotpourrEMAIL,
PotpourrEmail, Vol. 5, No.12 - 1 June 2004.
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