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Vol. 5, No.8 - 1 February 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";
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
We have changed our web URL, email, and email newsletter subscribing and unsubscribing process.
Please change your bookmarks/ Favorites/ address books.
BHSM
web site: http://www.boylstonhistory.org
general email: info@boylstonhistory.org

PotpourrEMAIL newsletter:
general comments, submissions, etc. - potpourremail@boylstonhistory.org
To subscribe: potpourremail-request@boylstonhistory.org
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When subscribing or unsubscribing put only the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the body of the email. You will then receive a confirmation email...when you get it just hit reply and
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If you ever have any problems subscribing or unsubscribing...
contact our general potpourrEMAIL address above.

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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 6

"The First Settlers of Boylston" by William O. Dupuis

Every town and hamlet takes great pride in pointing to that one person who first established himself in the area, and to whom the present inhabitants give the cherished title of "First Settler."

After a careful examination of deeds, historical documents and historians' conjectures, it seems that the honor of being Boylston's First Settler could be divided among three men: Joseph Sawyer, Sr., Samuel Bennett, and Deacon John Keyes.

Joseph Sawyer, Sr.
Born in Lancaster about 1683, he was the son of Thomas and Hannah Sawyer, who belonged to one of the earliest families in Lancaster. His first marriage was to Sarah Rice, the daughter of John Rice, sometime in 1703 in Lancaster. She died in Lancaster at the age of 37, on March 7, 1717/18. His second marriage was to Abigail Beaman, again in Lancaster on November 10, 1718. Joseph and Sarah had six children: Joseph, Jr., Sarah, Thomas, Abner, Asenath and Mary. He apparently first established himself in Lancaster, but then moved to Bolton. At a Town Meeting in Lancaster on February 1, 1713/14, we read about a contract or agreement between the town and Joseph Sawyer to build a saw mill on the Nashua River "above the falls."
In the Lancaster Proprietors Records (vol.I, p.88) we read the following: "January ye 29th, 1719/20; Then laid out for Joseph Sawyer fifty-two acres of land lying towards the south side of Lancaster Town bounds, and lyeth to the southward of a piece of land laid out to Sarah Taylor and is bounded northerly on it 90 rods and runneth further east; then said Taylor's land, 20 rods more east,that line being 110 rods and then turns and runs southerly 70 rods to the southwest corner from thence we ran a line 120 rods to the southeast corner and from thence to where we began 94 rods...more he hath one acre of land lying upon the river where there is falls upon the river below a great scar and lyeth upon both sides of ye river..."
Laid out by Joseph Wilder, Clerk

The "scar" mentioned above is,no doubt, the scars and bluffs near and easterly of the old location of Scar Bridge, all of which is now under the Reservoir. In the same volume and page of the Proprietors Records, we also note that on May 18, 1719, Joseph Sawyer acquired 38 more acres of land adjoining the land he had previously been given in 1719/20. Also, in the will of Joseph's father, Thomas Sawyer, dated August 29, 1719, we note that Thomas left to his sons, Joseph, Bezeliel, William and Elias, all of his lands.Some of this land lay in the southerly portion of Lancaster along the south branch of the Nashua River, and within the Tahanto Grant. The problem here is that Thomas did not die until 1736, and it is possible, but we have no verification, that Joseph may have received a sort of "advance" on his inheritance. Now, going back to the Proprietors Records, we read in Volume I, page 88:
"May ye 25th, 1727, then layed out for Joseph Sawyer 61 acres of land and 12 rods in Lancaster...".

And again on page 89 of the same book:
"January ye 4th, 1727/28, Joseph and Thomas Sawyer, (his brother) 66 acres adjoining and mostly above where Joseph Sawyer has built a saw mill...".

The reason for the extensive quotations of land transactions is that we must try to establish when Joseph Sawyer actually settled on Boylston land. Now, most of the land described in the preceding quotations was in Lancaster, but later would become a part of the Town of Boylston. The action of the Proprietors in 1714 and 1720 does not show that the proposed mill had actually been built. On the other hand, the layout of 1728 does mention the fact that the mill was there at that time. There is no doubt that Joseph Sawyer was the first white man to settle on land which, although at the time was Lancaster,would even�tually become Boylston. The earliest he could have settled there would have been in 1713, but there are no verifying documents, and so we must assume that the date is too early.

The late Hiram Harlow of Shrewsbury, who researched the land trans�actions in Boylston, states in one of his manuscripts, that Joseph Sawyer actually settled on Boylston land in 1723, and proceeded to build himself a log cabin for his family. The late George L. Wright, Boylston's Town Historian, states in a speech delivered on the occasion of the Centennial of the Town Hall, that Sawyer settled in Boylston between 1721 and 1728. In a letter written by Mr. Wright to Mr. Harlow in 1939, the former seems to indicate that he was in agreement with the approximate date of 1723. I believe that Mr. Harlow based his conclusions on the fact that in 1723 Joseph purchased 48 acres of land in the area he settled, from the widow Sarah Taylor, of Marlboro, and that the deed did not mention the presence of any dwelling. Unfortunately, we have no primary documentary proof that the Sawyer settlement did indeed take place in 1723, but there seems no doubt that both the first Sawyer Mill, and the first permanent home were built between 1721 and 1728.

Next Month-
The First Settlers of Boylston - continues

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From Our Readers
From Scot French - saf5g@cms.mail.virginia.edu
My book (The Rebellious Slave: Nat Turner in American Memory) is finally in print and should be in bookstores next month. At Chris's recommendation, I've purchased a web domain and designed a website to publicize the book:

http://www.scotfrench.com

Everyone get out there and buy some books so that I can get on the bestseller list! (smile) The New York Times is interviewing me tomorrow [Jan 20] for an article to be published in the Arts & Ideas section. I have to admit I'm pretty nervous about it, but I realize it's a great opportunity to publicize my work. I'll let you know when it appears in print.

* Editor's Note - And just in time for Black History Month! [Feb.] Good luck on your book!

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Tidbits
May 13, 1929
Herbert H. French, widely known resident, died early Sunday morning in his home on Scar Hill road.
Mr. French has been manager of the Boylston telephone exchange for over 20 years, janitor of the Sawyer Memorial Library building ever since it was built in 1904, and janitor of the Consolidated school for about 10 years, up to two months ago. He was interested in civic matters and one of the founders of the Boylston Men's Club.
Old-timers may remember him as driver of the Paxton stage to and from Worcester for about five years some 25 to 30 years ago. He joined Boylston Congregational church, May 19, 1886, was a member of Centennial Lodge, I.O.O.F., of West Boylston, and of the Boylston men's club, being its vice-president at one time. For some years he was superintendent of both cemeteries here.
Mr. French was married Nov. 25, 1891, to Miss Mary E. Andrews of Boylston, by Rev. Austin Dodge. Besides his wife he leaves a son, Harold B. French, a foreman for the Wyman Gordon Co. and two grandsons, Richard Andrews and Norman Houghton French of Boylston.
Funeral services will be Tuesday afternoon in the Boylston Contgregational church, with Rev.Frederic W. Manning officiating. Burial will be in Mr. French's lot in Pine Grove cemetery.
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West Boylston - Oct 24, Undated
Mrs. E.E. Andrews Dead
Mrs Emma E. Andrews passed away suddenly tonight at 10:15 o'clock at the home of her son, William A. Andrews, Hartwell street, of heart disease.
Mrs. Andrews was born in Boylston Sept. 27, 1842, the daughter of Nathum and Hannah B. Flagg.
July 20, 1864, she married William A. Andrews of Boylston, who had been brought home from the Civil War badly wounded. Her husband died on Jan 6 of this year.
On her last birthday Mrs. Andrews friends and the ladies relief corps members gave her a birthday party. This was the first party she ever had.
Mrs. Andrews is survived by two children, Mrs. Clara E. Rice and William A. Andrews, both living on Hartwell street, West Boylston; also six grandchildren, Hazel E. Rice, Grace A. Andrews, Irving Andrews, Edna C. and Clara E. Andrews, West Boylston, and Arthur W. Rice of Worcester.
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Clinton - March 5, 1928
The death of Mrs. Bessie Louisa Bray, aged 83 years 8 months and 26 days, wife of Charles Bray, occurred yesterday at the home of her daughter Mrs. Louise M. Walker of 146 East Street.
Mrs. Bray was a native of Lancaster. she was married Nov. 26, 1888 and for the past nine years had lived here. She leaves besides her husband four children, Charles C. Bray of Framingham, Walter H. Bray of Oakdale, Mrs. Loring Reed of Boylston, and Mrs. Walker of this town; also eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a sister Mrs. Christianna Farwell of this town.
The funeral will take place Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, services to be conducted at the East street home by Rev. Harold V. Jensen pastor of the First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Pine Grove cemetery, Boylston, in charge of Undertaker Everett King.

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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!
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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

On -Going
"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 - Dates are
going quickly so call BHSM NOW to reserve YOUR date.

February thru May
"Boylston's Unknown Citizens" a traveling exhibit. Look for it on these dates and places.

Boylston Public Library - Feb. 3-14
Boylston Deli - Feb. 16-28
Town Hall - Mar 1-15
Town House - Mar. 16-30
Baystate Auto - Mar.31- Apr. 9
Boylston Post Office - Apr. 12-23
Boylston Light Dept. - Apr. 26- May 7
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club - May 10-21
BHSM - May 22-31

March
"The Banisters of Boylston" by Betty Thomas.
Thursday March 18 7:30 pm at the museum
Experience the lives and loves of a 19th century Boylston Mill owner's family.

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Visit the gift shop.
We 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 February

1st- Jimmy Lee Thorpe [Golfer] born 1949
http://www.blackathlete.net/Golf/golf043002.html

2nd - Groundhog Day
http://www.groundhog.org/history/

8th - Boy Scouts of America founded 1910
http://www.scouting.org/
http://users.aol.com/randywoo/bsahis/

14th - Valentines Day
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/main.html
http://wilstar.com/holidays/valentn.htm

16th - Presidents Day
http://www.patriotism.org/presidents_day/

23rd - The Rotary Club was founded
http://www.rotary.org/

26th - Napoleon escaped from exile.
http://www.napoleon.org/en/home.asp
http://www.napoleonseries.org/

29th - Jimmy Dorsey born 1904
http://www.redhotjazz.com/jimmy.html
http://www.parabrisas.com/d_dorseyj.html

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Humor - from "REBECCA ROSA"

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.

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.8 - 1 February 2004.
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