USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Boylston > Centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Boylston, Massachusetts, August 18, 1886 > Part 8
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* The powder horn of Lieut. Beaman, now in possession of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, is a beautiful and interesting relic. The inscription upon it is as follows: "Lieut. Ezra Beaman, his horn, made at Fox Poynt, so called, in Dorchester September the 30 ye 1775, in Thomas Gage's war who came to Boston ye Americans for to enslave and take their rights away. Made by Micah Briard."
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to limits or in jail as the case might require. Thus the office was no sinecure, but on the contrary one of great labor, and prob- ably at no time in the history of the colonies or the states, has such care been exercised in the choice of town officers as during this period of toil and strife. It is difficult at this day to realize the amount of labor and responsibility which devolved upon them.
Major Beaman, aside from his services in the army, acted a prominent part in the revolutionary proceedings of the town. As selectman, member of the committee of inspection, committee of correspondence and safety, as a prosecutor of persons inimically disposed towards the cause of the colonies, as one chosen to pro- cure men and supplies for the continental army, he was zealous and indefatigable.
In 1781 the people of the North Parish desiring to obtain an act of incorporation as a town, took steps in that direction. In the warrant for a town meeting to be held in May of that year, the fifth article was as follows: "To hear the petition of Ezra Beaman and others praying to be set off a separate town." Some opposition manifesting itself, it was not until 1786 that an act of incorporation was obtained. Of the new town, which was named Boylston, Ezra Beaman was chosen Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, which office he held during the years 1786-88-89-90- 91-92, and was a member of the board during the years 1803-4, 5. He was also representative from this town to the Great and General Court in 1789-91, and town treasurer 1791-92-93-94. In 1794 a controversy arose in relation to the location of a new meeting-house about to be erected. Major Beaman, whose resi- dence was some three miles west from Boylston center, was desir- ous that the new house be erected half a mile northwest of the old one. After a protracted struggle the majority decided to build upon the old site. Major Beaman, with others, seceded and he, at his own expense, built a meeting-house about three miles to the westward, and this difficulty in relation to the meet- ing-house culminated, after much difficulty, in the incorporation of the town of West Boylston in 1808.
Of the new town he was chosen Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Town Treasurer and Representative to the General Court each year until his death in 1811. Benjamin F. Keyes, in
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a very brief history of West Boylston, published in 1858, says : " Although it may in truth be said that West Boylston eventually became a town almost wholly in consequence of his great exer- tions and untiring efforts, and that he laid the foundation for its future growth and prosperity, and although he did more to pro- mote the general interest thereof than all others associated with him, yet very little, if anything of adequate importance, has been done (aside from a common tomb-stone erected at his grave ) either by individual citizens or the town, as a testimony of his extensive influence, usefulness and great worth as a citizen and public benefactor, or for the perpetuation of his memory as one of the most distinguished and influential of the town and com- munity in which he resided."
A few years ago, however, the town desiring to do honor to his memory as its principal founder, voted by a large majority to petition the legislature for a change of name to that of Beaman. Some opposition appearing, and the then representative of the family, a son of him for whom it was to be named, objecting, the petition was never presented.
Ezra Beaman's death occurred June 4, 1811, and his re- mains were buried in the plot of ground appropriated by his father, previous to his death, as a family burying ground, and in which several generations of the family now lie. This ground is on a ridge of land half a mile from the old Beaman Mansion. near the public road leading to Boylston. It overlooks a beauti- ful scenery of intervale bordering on the Nashua river, and is enclosed by a remarkably solid and substantial stone wall with an iron gateway.
At his funeral people came from far and near to pay respect to his memory. A lady still living, who was present on that occasion, seventy years ago, informed me that although the place of burial was half a mile from the house, the head of the procession had arrived back to its starting point before the rear had left it. The inscription on the stone which marks his grave is as follows :
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BOYLSTON CENTENNIAL.
ERECTED IN MEMORY OF EZRA BEAMAN ESQR WHO DIED June 4 1811 Aged 74 years 7 months 19 days.
Friends & Physicians could not save My mortal body from the grave Nor can the grave confine me here When Christ shall call me to appear.
Major Beaman was rather short in stature, quick and ener- getic in motion. He took much pride in beautifying the road- sides of the town by planting along the highway adjoining his vast estate, trees of various kinds with a view to beauty and shade. There is a large buttonwood tree standing by the roadside near the old location of the ancient Beaman house bearing the marks of age, which was planted by him in 1749, he being then thir- teen years of age. His life was devoted to whatever tended to the advancement of the interests of the community, and his death was sincerely mourned. He was a member of the Congregational Church and was a liberal contributor to the cause of religion.
The following has an interest as connected with the incor_ poration of the town of Boylston :
At a legal meeting holden at the Second Precinct in Shrews- bury on Monday the Ninth day of May A. D. 1785, the warrant for said meeting contained the following article viz: . andly To hear the Petition of the Committee of the Second Precinct in Sa Shrewsbury requesting the town would choose a Joynt Commit- tee from each Precinct to perambulate the line and renew the Bounds between the Precincts, as also to settle all other matters relating to a Separation of Parishes & to act anything relative thereto the toun may think proper." The town voted a com- mittee consisting of six, three in each precinct, viz : Colo Job Cushing, L' Jonas Temple, Capt. Jonah Howe, Capt" Joseph Bige- low, Maj" Ezrah Beaman and Maj' Asa Rice who reported at a
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subsequent meeting that they had " run the bounds &c .; that the one half of the town securities, Town Stock of Ammunition & Intrenching tools which are the Property of said Town shall be- long to the first precinct, and the other half shall be the property of the second Precinct, being equally divided. The Weights & Measures to be the property of the first precinct." The poor are severally assigned. Voted to sett off.
The following receipts are interesting as showing the posi- tion of the town of Boylston in Shays' Rebellion, and as giving the names of persons who served in suppressing that insurrec- tion.
Boylston, May the 4 A D. 1787.
Then Received of Ezra Beaman the wages that is due to us the Subscribers as they are made up in Capt. Robert Andrews' Muster Roll, for servisses Dun in suppressing the Late Rebellion
JOSEPH HERENY ELIJAH PIKE SILVANUS DINSMOOR.
Boylston May 10 A. D. 1787
Then Receivd of Ezra Beaman all the wages that is Due to us the Subscribers for Serveises while we ware in Capt. Jonah How's Company in Sirpressing the Late Rebellion in the west- ward County is
JAMES LONGLEY
SAMUEL WHITCOMB
ALMER GOODNUF
JOHN ANDERSON
STEPHEN BIGLO DAVID RICE
JONAS GOODNUF
JASON GLAZIER KING HOW
JOTHAM GOODNUF ROBERT HUDSON
JOSHUA STILES
LEVI MOORE AMARIAH SAWYER
JOHN WHEELER
WILLIAM SAWYER LEVI BIGLOW
JOHN HASTINGS JR SAMUEL HARTHAN
JOSEPH BIGELOW JR
JONATHAN BOND
Boylston May the 4th 1887
Then Received of Ezra Beaman the wages that is due to us the Subscribers as they are made up on Capt Hollowell Taylers Muster Roll for Servisses Dun in Suppressing the Late Rebellion in the westward Counties.
AMHERST MORSE JONATHAN BOND JR JOHN ANDREWS.
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BOYLSTON CENTENNIAL.
The documents which follow have an interest as presenting a portion of the history of the incorporation of the town of West Boylston. In 1794 a petition was presented to the town of Boyl- ston as follows :
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Boylston, Gentlemen- The petition of the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioners view the time as being near at hand when circumstances will admit of their enjoying Ecclesiastical privileges in a more conscientious, agreeable & in a Much more convenient & enlarged manner than they have hitherto done, & being sensible that Religion the basis of human' happiness is a natural concomitant of these privileges, we think it our duty to request that you would fully consent to our being incorporated into a separate Town, District or Society, as you think most proper. We do not solicit this favor wholly with a view to pro- mote our Interests, Emolnment or convenience, but for the good of a respectable number of our Neighbors, the welfare of our own & their Children & succeeding generations. Your compliance or non compliance with our request we do not consider as deci- sive of the cause we have undertaken ; but we view it in your present power either to aid or oppose our pursuit of the object we aim at.
We now declare unto you Gentlemen, that we do not wish to obtain the Prayer of our Petition to you, or of a similar one to higher, power, by any unlawful or unfair means ; but by contrary means. We are inflexibly determined to use our utmost efforts, Because we are persuaded that our request is not only reasonable but that there is a fair prospect of our being separated from you. That this is the case we think you will not deny. If so, will it not be consistent with your own & our Interest to grant us our request. We think it will.
Consider your Petitioners as separate from you, and you will still be a respectable society, more numerous, of greater ability than many other Towns in the State. Is a forced connection with us worth contending for. Again, we ask what injury can you sustain by parting with us. To this you may reply that your minis- ters tax will be a little augmented. This will not we think afford
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you a sufficient plea to withstand or even induce you to engage in an uncertain contest. These things Gentlemen we request you would wisely consider & your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
EZRA BEAMAN & 27 others.
This petition the town refused to grant and the following was sent to the Great and General Court:
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled.
Humbly shew the Subscribers your petitioners, agents for the second parish in Boylston Holden and Sterling in the County of Worcester that the Inhabitants of said Parish are desirous that the Territory belonging to said Parish may be constituted and incorporated into a District by some proper Name and vested with all the Powers and Privileges which by law appertain and belong to Districts.
Your petitioners believe that the Happiness and Comfort of the second Parish aforesaid will be promoted by an incorporatiou into a District, that their concerns will be managed with more facility, convenience & with less Difficulty than in their present situation, that no possible injury can accrue to the town of Boyl- ston, Holden & Sterling or any other place, by your granting their request. Confidently relying on the Justice & Wisdon of the Legislature they humbly hope that their petition will be granted and as in Duty bound will ever pray.
Jan'y 1807 EZRA BEAMAN Agents for and JONATHAN PLYMPTON in behalt of the
PAUL GOODALE Parish in Boylston
WILLIAM FAIRBANK Holden & Sterling.
In House of Representatives
July 23, 1807 Received & Committed to Committee on Towns. Sent up for Concurrence PEREZ MORTON Speaker.
In Senate Jan'y 23 1807, Read & Concurred.
J. BACON President.
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BOYLSTON CENTENNIAL.
The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider the Applications for the incorporation of Towns &c. on the Petition of Ezra Beaman and others report the following order which is submitted.
SALEM TOWNE Per order.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Ordered : That the Petitioners cause an attested Copy of their Petition with this order thereon, to be served on the respective Town Clerks of the Towns of Boylston, Holden & Sterling, Forty days at least before the first Tuesday of the first session of the next General Court, that all persons may then appear, and show cause (if any they have) why the prayer of said Petition should not be granted.
In Senate Jan'y 24th 1807
Read and passed. Sent down for Concurrence. J. BACON President. In House of Representatives Jan'y 26th 1807
Read & Concurred. PEREZ NORTON Speaker.
A copy of this petition was served upon the town clerk of Boylston by Silas Beaman. A copy was served upon the town clerks of Holden and Sterling by Robert B. Thomas.
This petition brought out the following remonstrance :
To the Honorable Senate & House of Representatives iu General Court Assembled.
The Inhabitants of the town of Boylston in the County of Worcester being cited on the Petition of Ezra Beaman & others to shew cause why the second Precinct in the Town of Boylston, Sterling & Holden should not be Incorporated into a District : The Subscribers, agents for said Town duly authorized & appoin- ted for that purpose Respectfully submit to your consideration their answer to the said prayer of said petition.
An unfortunate division having arisen in said Town in the year 1794 relative to the location of a Meeting house, then about
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to be erected, a few disaffected individuals have from that period been indefatigable in their exertions to produce the dismember- ment & eventually the total ruin of the Corporation. In pur- suance of this object the leading Petitioner availed himself of the Power and Influence derived from an ample fortune, erected a Meeting house at his own Individual expense within the limits of the present precinct, publicly proclaiming his intention to bring a separation as the most direct and certain means of des- troying the Town. A petition was presented to the Legislature for the Incorporation of a new Town to be composed of certain sections of the towns of Boylston, Sterling & Holden; on this Petition the said towns were cited and their opposition having proved successful, the next effort was to obtain an Incorporation of the present Precinct. Not satisfied with the accomplishment of this purpose, a petition was soon after preferred for an enlarge- ment of the precinct by lopping off another section of the said Town of Boylston. The Inhabitants were again cited and not- withstanding their strenuous opposition the object was effected.
Having thus gradually severed from the original Corpora- tion by far the most valuable and fertile portions of the Territory & more than one quarter of the whole number of ratable polls, the remaining Inhabitants had flattered themselves that the enemy would " Cease from troubling " and that they should be permitted to enjoy in tranquility the privileges which had been left to them after this injurious encroachment.
It being discovered however that the Town would survive the shock and that something more remained to be done before the Ancient Corporation would be completely subverted, a new Pro- ject is devised & an attempt is now made, (with a spirit of obsti- nate perseverance for which our leading opponent is particularly distinguished ) to convert the Precinct into a district more effect- ually to Impair our privileges and to accomplish this systematic work of Destruction. Possessing advantages for an Increase of Population much superior to the first Precinct (from the better quality of their Land & other local causes) it is calculated with confidence by the Petitioners that the ratable polls within the intended district which are now nearly equal will soon exceed in number those within the Town of Boylston. By thus bringing to
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their aid a small portion of the Inhabitants of Sterling and Hol- den (who will compose a part of the district) it is intended by our enemies Inhabiting this disaffected section to deprive the Town of the important privilege of Representation. Such will be the Inevitable consequence of incorporating the petitioners into a district, Provided such district is attached to the Town of Boylston.
Such we know to be the object of their leaders because it has been openly avowed, and although the petition is silent on the subject of annexation they have publicly declared their intention to be annexed to the Town of Boylston.
With this impression, with an anxious desire to preserve our Corporate existence, to retain the privilege of representation and to defeat a project concerted for our complete disfranchisement as a member of the Commonwealth, We beg leave respectfully & earnestly to remonstrate against the prayer of said petition, pro- vided the District thus to be incorporated is to be annexed to the town of Boylston of which we are Inhabitants.
At the same time we wish it to be explicitly understood that all opposition on our part is withdrawn if it be consented on the part of the petitioners or is found expedient by the Legislature to annex the intended District to Sterling, Holden or any other Town in the County. For although we have most sensibly felt the injury resulting to us from the partial dismemberment of this small but once united & flourishing Corporation, yet our peace has been so incessantly disturbed by new projects of encroach- ment, and we have encountered so much trouble and expense in opposing these projects that we are now fully pursuaded we shall never be at rest ; that our existence as a Corporation will be in perpetual jeopardy until this troublesome and offending member is totally severed from the body which it thus threatens to destroy.
For the fourth time the Town of Boylston is now cited before the Legislature to answer to the petition of Ezra Beaman and others. The object of each of these petitions has been most essentially to injure if not destroy us as a Corporation. Let Ezra Beaman & others become a Corporation totally detached from us, & whatever may be the evil we will Patiently submit. We trust with confidence in the wisdom of the Legislature to discern
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the object of the present petition, & we trust with equal confi- dence that they will be influenced by a desire of justice & a regard to the essential interests of a small but peaccable community, to refuse an act of incorporation annexing the proposed District to the Town of Boylston against the earnest wishes and settled op- position of every Individual who feels a solicitude to preserve our existence as a Corporation.
Boylston May 27 1807 JAMES LONGLEY -
Agents for ROBERT ANDREWS the town of AARON WHITE - Boylston.
A remonstrance against annexation signed by Jonas Temple and sixty-one others was also presented to the Legislature, the principal argument being that it would affect the privileges of representation. Sometime afterwards agents of the town of Boylston and of the precinct in Boylston, Holden and Sterling, met and signed articles of agreement, Article 1st of which was as follows : " It is agreed that the Precinct shall be incorporated into a town."
ANCIENT DOCUMENTS.
We are indebted to Mr. George Sumner, of Barnard, Sum ner & Co., Worcester, who has kindly loaned the original papers from which we copy the following items. It may be of interest to the present generation to know how our ancestors conducted their church councils, and what they had for refreshments. The first item refers to a bill which was contracted with Ezra Bea- man for entertaining a church council which convened to settle a minister, and lasted seven days, beginning Jan. 25th. 1768, and closing Feb. 2nd, 1768. We give the bill of items for the first day's entertainment. The total amount for the seven days foots up £13-12-10-3.
It appears by the subjoined receipts that the bill was not paid till several years after.
December the 30 A d 1767
Deacon Jonathan-Keyes & Cyprian Keyes Committy for the Sec-
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ond Church in Shrewsbury to Ezra Beaman Dr to Entertainment for part of a Councel that met at my house then.
To Sundries Delivered then
0-17-8-3
January 25 A d 1768
the whole of the Councel then met at my house
to things Delivered then Viz
Sd 2
to Brandy
0-6-0
to one mug flip
0-6-0
to half a mug westindia flip
0-3-2
to Brandy & Spirits . ·
1-3-3
to 19 Suppers .
11-5-0
Ceeping 19 Horses one Nite
12-8-0
to 13 Logings
3-5-2
Januar 26
to Brandy & Spirits .
1-8-0
to 19 Brexfasts
11-5-0
to 19 messes of oats
3-10-0
to two mug of flip .
1-0-0
one Boal Toddy Spirits & flip
1-1-2
to 19 Dinners
15-2-2
Carried over
Shrewsbury march 17 ye 1768
Then Receid of Decon Jonathan Keyes two pounds two shillings In part of the Expence of the Councel which was Due from the Church : I Say Receid By me pr EZRA BEAMAN.
Shrewfbury march the 8th 1771
Received of Cyprian Keyes one of the Committee of the Second Church in Said Shrewfbury the Sum of Two Pounds Ten Shil- lings & Eight Pence in part to Pay the Expence of the Councel that Conveined at my house in the year 1768.
Lsp
Pr EZRA BEAMAN.
2-11-8
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A Return Capt Ezra. Beaman Company in Shrewsbury the Seventh Compt Col. Goldings Rigi Mens Names Ebenezer Keyes 3 Richard Smith 3 John Ingalsbee 3 Joseph Bixby Dureing Eli Keyes Dureing David Bennit 3 Benjamin Hinds 3 John Bixby 3 under Capt adam wealler & Colonel Nixsons Regiment.
Abraham Hager 3 Capt Morse. Col Putnam Regiment.
Matthew wigman During the war David williams 3 years Eli Gale 3 years Joel Chase 3 years Capt Gates Colo Biglo Regiment.
Nickles Briard 8 months Israel Keyes 8 months Reubin townsend 8 months Asher Hinds 8 months James Parker 8 months Ditto Ditto
Jonathan Ginnings In the Lite horse.
mr James Walker, of woburn, Rum. was 5 gallons 3 Quarts & one gil which I receid the 20 Day Nov. 1779 for which I am. to give 2 Bushels of Corn. for Each gallon. 11 Bushel one half. & two Quarts of Corn.
Shrewsbury June 6 AD 1777
A Return of Capt Ezra Beaman Company of the arms & Equip- ment
EZRA BEAMAN Capt
men Names
Robert Andrews Jr
Jonas Goodnow
Jonathan Bond
matthew Deavenport
Jonathan Bond Jun
oliver Dinsmoor
Amariah Biglo
Ebenezer Ingalesbee moses Goodale
Benjamin Hinds Jouas Temple
Aaron Goodale
David Goodale
Joseph Bigelo Jun Ebenezer Ingalesbec
Thomas Keyes
Robert Andrews Ephriam Beaman
William Winn
Timothy Ross
Ebenezer Morse
Stephen Partridg Abel Holt John Willington Josiah Cutting Calvin Glazier
mens Names
Edmond Stiles
Daniel Whitney Jun
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BOYLSTON CENTENNIAL.
Simeon Keyes Josiah Randel
Joseph Morse
Cliakim Morse
Abel Biglo
Amherst Morse
Daniel Ball
Richard Rand
John Fleharty
Job Spafford
Daniel Andrews
David Andrews
John Andrews
amos fuler
John Parker
Benjamin Keyes
Joseph morse Jun
Abraham Townsend
Jacob Pike
Cyprian Keyes Jun
Caleb Kendall
Benjamin Fisk
John Flagg
Charles Biglo
Stephen Flagg
William Crafford
Stephen Flagg Jr
John Wright
Stephen Brigham
Oliver Peirce
Samuel Andrews
Jonathan Gage
William Eames
Stephen Hastings
Jonathan Andrews
Joseph Cutting
Silas Cutting
Nethanel Robbins
Zaddock Cutting
micah Briard
Ebenezer Cutting
Timothy Temple
David Hastings
Barzealli Bennit
Aaron Temple
Daniel Tombe
James Holland
John Bennit
Phillip monroc
Jonas Richardson
Abel Osgood
Timothy Whitney
Joseph Inglesbee
Joshua Townsend
Thomas Andrews
Jotham Bush Juner
REV. EBENEZER MORSE.
The following inscription was copied from the stone which marks the resting-place of the first minister settled in Boylston, at that time (1743) the " North Parish of Shrewsbury."
" Beneath this stone rests the remains of Rev. Ebenezer Morse, A.M., who upwards of fifty years exercised the functions of a christian minister in this place. Endowed by the Father of Lights with a strong and capacious mind, he richly stored it by
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seeking and intermedling with all wisdom. As a Divine he was learned ; as a physician, eminent ; as a philosopher, deep, exten- sive and correct in his views. As a politician of piercing incite. of individual character, shrewd in reply, able in controversy, abounding with narrative, the portion of helpless merit, and ful- filling with exactness the duties of husband, teacher and friend, he died, Jan. 3rd, 1802. Aeg. 84 yrs."
This stone also preserves the memory of Mrs. Percis Morse. the amiable and virtuous consort of the Rev. E. Morse. She died May 6th, 1786, aged 61 years, having been united in mar- riage thirty-three years. From this union sprang eleven children.
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