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PotpourrEMAIL
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Vol. 5, No.6 - 1 December 2003. Circulation: 250 and growing!
(C) 1999-2003 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";
From Our Readers; Tidbits; 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 joke, computer
or web genealogy info, a Boylston genealogy query, or anything that would
be of interest to our readers--please Email us at:
potpourremail@boylstonhistory.org
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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"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.] There are drawings,
sketches and photos in the book that we cannot include
in this Email.
"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 5
THREE LEGISLATIVE GRANTS IN BOYLSTON
George L. Wright
SEWALL FARMS GRANT
The Chief Justice Sewall Quinsigamond Farms grant contained 1,500 acres, and lay within the southerly section of the present town of Boylston, extending into Shrewsbury as far as the head of Long Pond, or Lake Quinsigamond. From this point the westerly line extended northerly for a distance of 730 rods, or nearly two and a half miles, and was bounded for a considerable distance by the easterly line of the Malden Grant. It then ran east by north for one mile and 20 rods to a point not far from the present junction of Temple and School Streets, or the main County Road to Shrewsbury, and then nearly south for the same distance as the northerly line, to a tree on a pine hill on the north side of the Connecticut Road.
The Sewall Grant was laid out at first in two separate farms or grants. The southerly section, or farm, comprised 1,000 acres, and was laid out by the General Court, November 30, 1695, to James Russell of Charlestown, who was for some time the Colonial Treasurer. It had been previously granted, but not located, to Francis Willoughby, Deputy Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, from 1665 to 1671, and who died in office during the latter year. The grant was made to Willoughby in consideration of his public services. Prior to his death he had disposed of his right, to Richard Russell, who had preceded his son, James, in the Colonial Treasureship, and who was a very prominent man of his time, and the progenitor of the family from which descended Governor William E. Russell. Upon the death of his father, James Russell had the land grant laid out and located, and then disposed of it to Chief Justice Samuel Sewall for, and in consideration of the sum of 100 pounds. Chief Justice Sewall's title to the northerly section, or farm, of 500 acres came to him in the right of his first wife, Hannah Hull, only child of Capt. John Hull, the famous mint master. The grant was surveyed by David Haynes of Sudbury, who perambulated, and ran out the lines in November 1714 at the request of Judge Sewall. The chain of title from Major John Endicott to Samuel Sewall, through his wife, Hannah Hull, I have thus far been unable to obtain. There is also recorded with the plan, a deed from Sir William Pepperell and Mary, his wife, of Kittery, Maine, and Nathaniel Balston and Hannah, his wife, from Boston conveying an undivided half-part in the entire Sewall Grant of 1,500 acres to Col. Nahum Ward of Shrewsbury, for the consideration of 500 pounds. This deed bears the date May 27, 1732, and contains a recital of the title as given above. The wives of Sir William Pepperell and Nathaniel Ba1ston were Mary and Hannah Hirst, daughters of George Hirst, a Boston Merchant, whose wife was a daughter of Justice Sewall, and who at the time of the execution of the deed, had deceased, and her daughters had succeeded to her rights in the grant.
Sewall Pond, called Grassy Pond, lay within the grant, and the dividing line between the two sections of the Sewall Farms ran across the Pond to a great oak tree on the boundary line of the Levi L.F1agg, and Gideon and Henry Harlow Farm. The Sewall oak is now gone, but its location has been preserved by a stone monument set in the ground by the late Dea. Henry Harlow of Shrewsbury.[44]
Footnotes:
44. Located easterly of Gulf Street on the Boylston-Shrewsbury line.
Next Month-
Rocky Pond Grant
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From Our Readers
from Mary Fuhrer - mfuhrer@comcast.net
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the papers of George
Wright and how helpful it is to get them via email. I've learned so
much about Boylston from them - what a great service. As always, thanks
for the good you do.
Mary F.
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Tidbits
July 12, 1929 - Worcester Telegram
County Rich in Farms Tilled By Settler's Descendants
By HAROLD G. STAGG - Telegram Staff Reporter
A review of the early farms of Worcester county now occupied and cultivated by direct descendants of the original owners, some since the day when parties of Indians passed over title to acres and acres of land for trinkets and gifts from olden civilization, show many held today after more than 200 years of proud ownership. One gleans from the study an impression of unceasing and tireless industry of these early New England settlers and farmers and their sturdiness of character and strict integrity and honesty of purpose, traits that have remained and have shone forth in the succeeding generation of their descendants.
County Record Notable
Father and son, from the day of the first arrivals at Plymouth Rock, have tilled and developed the rough and stony acres of the plains and hillsides of Massachusetts. Through the various changing periods of civilization the staunch farm blood, heritages of the original purchasers or settlers, has continued so that today Worcester county , has an enviable, record of pioneer farms, and the families who have come down through the years in happy servitude upon these lands.
Data, compiled at no little effort, by George F. E. Story of the Worcester County Extension Service, shows the Maynard farm, Maynard street, Westboro, to be the oldest possessing the original grant and still under the Maynard's' ownership. It was granted by the proprietors of Marlborough to John Maynard (1630-1711) of Marlborough, when they made the third division of lands In 1664. On April 10, 1699, John Maynard deeded the property to his sons, David and Zachariah. Here David built a house and it is standing today in a, fine state of preservation and owned by Herbert W. West on Park street. Another house on the premises was built by Isaac and Margery Maynard Parker in 1777 on Maynard street and is owned by George S. Maynard, occupying an imposing site on Maynard hill. John Maynard was one of the proprietors of Marlborough and the land has been owned by the Maynard family since the grant by the General court May 14, 1656, and has not been out of the family for a period of 273 years.
In Family 218 Years
The Warren farm on East Main street, Westboro, was settled in 1689 by Capt. Daniel Warren, who married Rebecca Garfield in 1711 and remained on the farm until 1712. The original house was built at the corner of East Main and Haskell streets and was sold with a little plot of land 7 by 6 rods in 1756. The house now on the farm and occupied by a descendent is owned by Robert C. Harrington, whose grandmother was the daughter of Abner Warren, 1761-1839. This farm has not been out of the family for 218 years.
Also, In Westboro on Warren street is another Warren farm; this in the same family for 209 years was bought by Jonah Warren from Thomas Rice, Nov, 25. 1720. The house is now occupied by the heirs of Hercules Warren Fay. On Nurse street is located the Nurse farm, originally House Lot, Number 3 granted by the Proprietors of Shrewsbury in 1718 to Joseph Buckminster, Esq. Buckminster sold it to William and Ebenezer Nurse in 1720. The descendants of William have lived on this farm since that date and it has not been out of the family for 209 years. It was set off from Shrewsbury and became part of Westboro in 1762.
In West Brookfield is the farm belonging to the Misses Alice J. and Grace White, descendants of Peregrine White, first child to be born in Massachusetts after the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620 and whose cradle is among the Pilgrim relics.
There are several homesteads in the old town of Boylston that have been in the possession of the same family or its family connections for a period of 100 years or longer. Of these perhaps the oldest is the farm now owned by the heirs of the late George H. Prouty and now occupied by his widow Mrs. Nellie M. Prouty. This place was one of the first settled in the territory now constituting the town of Boylston. It is said that when Daniel Hastings who first settled there about 1725, came to his pioneer home from Watertown, he came with his wife and family on horseback and was several days in making the journey. He blazed the trees with his axe so that he could afterward more readily find his way back to Watertown. He was an extensive landholder in the Shrewsbury north precinct, now Boylston, and divided his real estate holdings into farms upon which he settled his sons as they became of age. Nathaniel Hastings, young er brother of Daniel, followed him to this section and settled in the southerly part of Lancaster on territory now within the extreme northerly part of Boylston and from these two brothers sprang the numerous famlies of Hastings in Boylston, Berlin and Northborough.
With the death of Daniel Hastings his home passed into the possession of his son David and he in turn by his son David, and he was followed by David W. This making three generations of Hastings by the name of David. who succeeded ownership of the place. The last one, died at the age of 43, leaving a widow and three small children who remained on the farm. The widow of David W. Hastings married Alexander V. R. Prouty and they continued in possession of the farm. Deacon A. V. R. Prouty, at his death, was succeeded by his son, the late George H. Prouty, making more than 200 years that this farm has been in possession of the Hastings and Proutys.
The farm in the easterly part of Boylston, known today as Maplewood, farm, on the Northborough road and near the Prouty farm is today owned by William H. Hastings and came into the possession of Nathaniel Hastings, the present owner's grandfather, about 1824. Nathaniel Hastings was a son of Silas and a grandson of Nathaniel, one of the two pioneer brothers who brought the name of Hastings to Boylston, and his wife was Betsy Hastings, a great granddaughter of Daniel, the other pioneer brother. After Nathaniel's death, his son, Eli Hastings. resided there until his death and he
was followed by his son. William H. Hastings, the present owner. Mr. Hastings conducts a large dairy farm and market garden business and has the most extensive apple orchard in Boylston. He is assisted by his son, Calvin.
Throughout the entire county are many more farms 100 years or over that have never changed hands since the earliest days of their cultivation. The present condition of many of them and the earnestness with which they are operated gives reason to believe that for many more generations the same names will carry on the work of the first pioneers.
* note: this article also contained a photo of William H. Hastings and his son, Calvin.
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BHSM News
2003 - 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
December
"Vintage Toy Display" - Two Sundays - Dec. 7 and 14
2 pm - 4pm Free
Featuring toys from the BHSM collection including trains, cars, trucks, and a doll house. Don't miss this one time display! Bring the kids and grand kids
January
"Town Remembrances" - Starting in January 2004--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 - call BHSM NOW to reserve YOUR date.
"Saturday Work Days " January 17 & 24 - 1 - 4 pm
Your chance to HELP behind the scenes at BHSM. We need volunteers who can help move, relocate, and archivally store portions of our collection, and also do some much needed light cleaning. A job for everyone! Many hands will make light work.
Call BHSM NOW to sign up !
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Visit the gift shop for your Holiday gift giving
We also have gift certificates.
Membership makes a great gift too!!
http://www.boylstonhistory.org/gift.htm
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On the Web ...for the month of December
5th - Utah is the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution [1933]
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/details_explanation.php?link=204&const=28_amd_21
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html
9th - Birth of John Milton - 1608-1674
http://www.richmond.edu/~creamer/milton/
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/
11th - Abdication of Edward VIII - 1936
http://www.britannia.com/history/monarchs/mon61.html
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/edward.htm
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page143.asp
14th - Death of George Washington - 1732-1799
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html
http://www.mountvernon.org/
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/
19th - Hanukkah Begins
http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/
http://www.joi.org/celebrate/hanuk/
http://www.hanukkah-traditions.com/
22nd - Winter Solstice - 7:04 [GMT]
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/astronomy/WinterSolstice.html
http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice.htm
http://www.shambhala.org/arts/fest/unconquered.html
25th - Christmas
http://www.holidays.net/christmas/
http://www.merry-christmas.com/
http://www.techdirect.com/christmas/
26th - Kwanzaa Begins AND Boxing Day
http://www.melanet.com/kwanzaa/
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/
http://www.calendar-updates.com/Holidays/Canada/boxing.htm
http://www.snopes2.com/holidays/christmas/boxing.htm
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Humor -
Previously published in RootsWeb Review: Vol. 6, No. 1, 1 January 2003.
Thanks to: Bernard Brooks benbrooks@new.rr.com
An older friend, recently returned from her hometown in North Carolina,
says they've spruced up the churchyard cemetery since her last visit
several years back. "Lots of new greenery," she said. "And families are
together now."
"Together?" I asked, puzzled.
"Well, years ago they never much worried where they buried someone
because everyone was a neighbor anyhow. They'd just dig a grave wherever
it seemed to balance things. But, they've redone it so people are with
their children and grandchildren, instead of scattered."
"You mean they exhumed all those people and buried them?"
"Oh no," she said. "They just shifted the headstones. Everyone agrees it
looks ever so much nicer."
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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 -author's name, e-mail address, and URL, if given-
Previously published by PotpourrEMAIL,
PotpourrEmail, Vol. 5, No.6 - 1 December 2003.
Please visit Boylston Historical Society and Museum's main
Web page at http://www.boylstonhistory.org
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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Boylston Historical Society and Museum
7 Central St., POB 459
Boylston, MA 01505
www.boylstonhistory.org
508-869-2720
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