USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > West Boylston > Historical memorandum and genealogical register of the town of West Boylston, Massachusetts, from its early settlement to 1858; together with miscellaneous items and incidents > Part 2
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BROWN, JOSIAH P., was a native of Sterling, and re- moved to this town with his family in 1802, becoming a resident, and occupant of a farm in the north part of the town then owned by Major Beaman, but now in the pos- session of Lucius Newton. He continued his residence on this farm for fifteen years, when he left it and relin- quished the business of farming, and d. by an act of sui- cide in 1830, being about 50 years of age. His wife survived him and has lately deceased.
CHILD, ZACHARIAH, b. in 1763, was the eldest s. of David Child of this town. In 1784, he m. Lydia, dau. of David Bigelow of Worcester, and settled on a small farm situated in the south part of the town. adjoining the resi- dence of his father. Here he resided until his decease, which occurred in 1845, at the age of 81 years. They had a large family of ch., several of whom are yet living. His wife survived him, and d. in 1849, at the age of 85 years. He was a soldier of the Revolution and received a pension for several years.
L'uein Chiusuranie
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CHILD, AMOS, s. of David Child, b. in 1765, m. Dorcas Davenport of Boylston, and resided awhile with his pa- rents, but in consequence of some difficulty arising be- tween himself and his brother, Zachariah, he left the home- stead and purchased a farm in the northwest part of the town, which he occupied several years, when he gave up farming and became a merchant, occupying a store now used as a dwelling house, and situated a short distance from the brick meeting-house in this town. Here he re- mained until his decease, which occurred in 1839, being 74 years of age. His wife d. in 1822, being 56 years of age. They had several ch., but one of whom is now liv- ing. In 1823, he m. Nancy Rice of this town, who is yet living.
DAVIS, BARNABAS, Esq., s. of Dea. David Davis of Paxton, b. in 1778, m. Mercy Bellows, settled in this town in 1802, or about that time, and established himself in the business of tanning and currying leather on the premises previously occupied for the same purpose by his brother, Simon Davis. He continued his residence here until 1851, when he removed to Paxton, his native town, where he and his wife soon after d., being more than 70 years of age. They had four ch. two of whom are de- ceased. Mr. Davis sustained an unblemished character, was a quiet, peaceable citizen, enjoying the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen, by whom he was fre- quently promoted to stations of trust and responsibility. He was six successive years elected to represent the town in the State Legislature, performing the duties of that re- sponsible station to the entire satisfaction of his constit- uents.
DAVIS, ELIAS, a younger brother of Barnabas Davis, b. in 1784, came here and was employed as an assistant in the store of his brother, Simon Davis, several years. He afterwards erected a store in connection with a dwelling- house and went into trade for himself, but eventually dis- posed of his business and went to Keene, N. H., where he remained a few years and then returned to this town where he has since resided. In 1805, he m. Mary Bige- low of this town, with whom he lived in the marriage relation more than fifty years. Her death occurred in
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1857, at the age of 72 years. They had three ch., one son and two daughters, the son died in carly life, the daughters are yet living.
DINSMORE, REUBEN. S. of John Dinsmore, b. in 1771, and died in 1821, in the 50th year of his age. He m. Polly, dau. of Paul Goodale, in 1800, who survived him and died in 1856, being 80 years of age. They had sev- cral ch., the most of whom are yet living. He was a farmer and first occupied the farm now in the possession of Benjamin Lee, in the west part of the town. He af- terwards resided on the farm now in the possession of Stephen Hemenway, in the north part of the town, and finally removed to Princeton, where he died.
DINSMORE, SILAS, S. of John Dinsmore, b. in 1779, and d. in 1824, being 46 years of age. In 1802, he m. Polly, dau. of Amos Lovell of this town, who survived him and died in 1842, aged 65 years. They had a large family of ch., six of whom are yet living. He was a cooper, and worked at that business during the earlier part of his life. Subsequently he worked in a saw mill, an occupation for which he was peculiarly qualified. He resided in the house now owned and occupied by Eli W. Holbrook, near the central bridge in this town.
DWELLEY, JOSEPH, was b. in 1765 and resided in Wor- cester in the earlier part of his life, where he m. Mary Stearns in 1791. He afterwards purchased a farm in this town, now the residence of James Fiske, on which he set- tled and resided about 40 years, when he sold his farm and removed to Oakham, where he d. in 1840, aged 75 years. He enlisted into the army of the Revolution when 15 years of age, and faithfully served his country as a soldier during the last three years of that war, when he was honorably discharged and returned home. He en- dured trials and hardships while connected with the army, was at the surrender of Cornwallis, and participated in other scenes of momentous interest and importance. His only ch., Joseph Dwelley, now resides in Oakham.
EAMES, WILLIAM, was the proprietor and occupant of a large and valuable farm, situated at the extreme south part of this town, contiguous to Worcester and Shrews-
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bury, on which he settled in the earlier part of life, and where he resided until - his decease in 1814, at the age of 65 years. His wife d. several years previous. They had several ch., some of whom are yet living. This farm was lately in the possession of Asa Rice, being the place of his residence at the time of his death.
EAMES, LEVI, s. of William Eames resided with his father until his decease, when he took possession of the premises, and there continued as the occupant in connec- tion with a younger brother for several years, when he left the homestead and went to Worcester where he now resides. In 1809, he m. Hephzibah Winter, who d. in 1816, aged 38 years. He afterward m. a dau. of Luther Rice of Worcester, who has also deceased.
EAMES, WILLIAM, Jr., s. of William Eames, m. a dau. of Luther Rice of Worcester in 1808, and resided on the homestead in connection with his elder brother for several years, when he removed to Worcester, where he d. in mature life leaving a family.
ESTABROOK, SAMUEL, s. of Samuel Estabrook, b. in 1747 and d. in 1816, aged 69 years. He m. Sarah Mar- shall of Holden, who survived him and d. in 1820, at the age of 77 years. He was a carpenter, and resided on a farm of which he was the proprietor, situated in the south- west part of this town, being now in the possession of John Phelps.
FAIRBANK, JABEZ, eldest s. of Jonathan Fairbank, one of the early settlers of this town, b. in 1738 and d. in 1822, aged 84 years. He was m. in 1760 or about that time to Miriam Davis, and had a large family of children. His wife d. in the meridian of life much lamented. Hc afterward m. Persis Bouker of Petersham, who survived him and d. in 1833, aged 89 years. He resided in the north part of the town on the farm now in the possession of his grandson, Uriah Fairbank.
FAIRBANK, LEMUEL, s. of Jonathan Fairbank, b. in 1751 and d. in 1819, aged 68 years. He m. Phebe, dau. of Jacob Winn, one of the early settlers of this town, who survived him and d. in 1824, aged 73 years. They had several ch., two of whom are yet living. He was a
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farmer, and resided in the north part of the town, his resi- dence being situated on the hill road leading to Sterling, and lately in the possession of John H. Stratton.
FAIRBANK, SETH, S. of Jonathan Fairbank, b. in 1755 and d. in 1833, aged 78 years. He m. Relief, dau. of Amos Sawyer, in 1777, and settled on a farm in the north part of the town, near the residence of his elder brother, Jabez Fairbank. They had ten ch., five sons and five daughters, all of whom survived their parents. His wife d. in 1839, being 80 years of age. They resided through life where they settled at the time of their marriage.
FAIRBANK, WILLIAM, youngest s. of Jonathan Fair- bank, b. in 1758 and d. in 1840, aged S1 years. He m. Keziah Houghton of Sterling, and had several ch., some of whom are yet living. His wife d. in 1811, and in 1812 he m. Persis Sawyer of Boylston, who survived him and died in 1851, aged 78 years. He was a farmer, and occu- pied a farm now in the possession of Silas P. Bruce, in the north part of the town. He was a man of ability and prominence, being often chosen to offices of trust and re- s ponsibility by his fellow citizens. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and received a pension the latter part of his life.
FAIRBANK, ALPHEUS, eldest s. of Jabez Fairbank, b. in 1766 and d. in 1832, aged 66 years. He m. Polly Wil- lard of Sterling, who survived him and d. in 1836. They had several ch. who survived them, some of whom have since deceased. He became the proprietor of a farm situ- ated in the northwest part of the town, now in the posses- sion of Solon F. Brown, on which he resided to the close of his life.
FAIRBANK, JABEZ, Jr., s. of Jabez Fairbank, b. in 1773 and d. in 1843, aged 70 years. He m. Hannah Eager of Sterling, who survived him and died in 1847. They had several ch., four of whom are yet living. He resided with his father on the homestead where he continued un- til the close of life, when the premises became the pos- session of his son, Uriah Fairbank.
FAIRBANK, DAVIS, youngest s. of Jabez Fairbank, b. in 1777 and d. in 1857, aged 80 years. In 1801, he m.
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Rebecca Fairbank of this town, who d. in 1803. He af- terwards m. widow Sally Holt of this town, who d. in 1852. He occupied during the earlier portion of his life the premises originally held and occupied by his grand- father, Jonathan Fairbank, and now in the possession of Francis Johnson, situated in the north part of the town, He had but one child who survived him.
FAIRBANK, BARAK B., s. of Lemuel Fairbank, b. in 1779 and d. in 1824, aged 45 years. In 1803, he m. Sal- ly, dau. of Amos Lovell of this town, and settled in the north part of the town near the residence of his father, on the old road leading to Sterling, where they continued to reside until their decease. His wife survived him and d. in 1847, aged 67 years. They had several ch., the most of whom are now living. He was a carpenter, and work- ed at that business the most of his time during the last years of his life.
FAIRBANK, AMos, eldest s. of Seth Fairbank, b. in 1779 and is yet living. In 1813, he m. Lucy Houghton, who d. in 1841, being about 60 years of age. He has re- sided in this town most of the time during his life, work- ing as a common laborer.
FISHER, JOHN, removed with his family to this town in 1806 and resided in the south part of the town, occu- pying the farm, since the possession of Cicero Hinds, and now the residence of Dana Newton. After a few years' residence he sold out and removed from this town and has since deceased.
GALE, OLIVER, S. of Jonas Gale, one of the carly set- tlers of this town, b. in 1771 and died in 1824, aged 53 years. He m. Esther, dau. of Ebenezer Willington of Worcester, who survived him and d. at an advanced age, having been four times legally connected in the marriage relation. He was a farmer and settled on the farm now in possession of the town, and occupied as a pauper es- tablishment, where he resided several years, when he sold out and purchased a small situation near the centre of the town where he resided until his decease. This location now belongs to N. H. Goodale.
GLAZIER, OLIVER, S. of John Glazier of Boylston, b. in 1763 and d. in 1855, aged 92 years. He was m. in
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1785 to Rachel, eldest dau. of Stephen Hastings of Boyl- ston, who d. in 1841, at an advanced age. They had ten ch., nearly all of whom survived their parents. He pur- chased a plot of land in this town in 1796, on which he erected a dwelling-house, which was the place of his resi- dence until after the decease of his wife, when he went to Northborough and resided with his eldest daughter until his decease. He was a carpenter, and worked at that business the most of his time.
GLAZIER, JASON, youngest s. of John Glazier, b. in 1767 and is now living, being 90 years of age. He early in life m. Sarah, daughter of John Dinsmore of this town, and lived in the marriage state about 30 years, when she d. in the meridian of life, leaving several ch. He after- ward m. Polly Gerry of Sterling, who is now living. He resided many years on the premises now in the possession of George Dana, situated in the north part of this town.
GOODALE, MOSES, was b. in 1739 and d. in 1815, aged 75 years. He was the eldest s. of Edward Goodale, one of the early settlers of this town. In 1797, he m. Silence Good- enow of Boylston, who survived him and d. in 1836, being about 80 years of age. The place where he resided dur- ing the last part of his life and at the time of his decease, is situated 40 rods southwest of the railroad station in this town, and now the residence of William Bolton. He possessed mental capacities above mediocrity while he was much accustomed to freaks of whimsical fancy and humor- ous caprice which could hardly fail to excite the merri- ment of the most serious observer. His decease was sud- den and unexpected at the time of its occurrence.
GOODALE, AARON, second s. of Edward Goodale, b. in 1743 and d. in 1817, aged 74 years. In 1767, he m. Eunice, dau. of William Marshall of Holden, who surviv- ed him and died in 1832, aged 84 years. They had eleven ch., five s. and six dau., each of them living to mature age and all eventually becoming connected in the marriage relation. The youngest of this family is now the only surviver, being 68 years of age. Mr. Goodale was a farm- er occupying a farm half a mile west of the Common, now in the possession of his grandson, Charles Goodale. On
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this farm he settled in early life and there resided until his decease.
GOODALE, PAUL, third s. of Edward Goodale, b. in 1747 and d. in 1828, aged 81 years. He m. Eunice, dau. of Jonathan Lovell, one of the early settlers of this town. She d. in 1824, aged 77 years. They had nine ch., four s. and five dau., all of whom have deceased. In 1825, he m. widow Betty Lovell of this town, who survived him and d. in 1837, aged 84 years. Mr. Goodale was an enter- prising, successful farmer, occupying an extensive and valuable farm on which he resided nearly 60 years. He accumulated a large estate, being one of the wealthiest citizens of the town. He was possessed of ability and talents which qualified him for extensive influence and usefulness. He was frequently chosen by the citizens of the town to fill important stations of trust and responsi- bility, discharging the duties thereof with fidelity and to the acceptance of the town.
GOODALE, PETER, youngest s. of Edward Goodale, b. in 1752 and d. in 1834, aged 82 years. In 1775, he m. Abigail, dau. of Benjamin Hinds, who d. in 1809, aged 58 years. They had six ch., only one of whom is now living. He was again m. in 1809, to widow Rachel Flagg of this town, who d. in 1828, aged 63 years. He first set- tled in Gardner, where he resided 15 years, when he re- moved to this town in 1793, and settled on the homestead then in the possession of his mother, where he resided un- til his decease.
GOODALE, AARON, Jr., s. of Aaron Goodale, b. in 1779 and d. in 1840, aged 61 years. In 1805, he m. Mehita- ble Blake of Holden, who is yet living. They had six ch., two of whom are now living. He settled on the farm originally occupied by Ebenezer Frizzol, afterwards by David Winch and now in the possession of his youngest son, Aaron Goodale, being situated half a mile west of the Common on the south Malden Hill road leading to Holden.
GOODALE, ABEL, Dea., s. of Aaron Goodale, b. in 1785 and d. in 1853, aged 68 years. In early life he m. Grace Merrifield, who d. in 1819, aged 34 years. They had five
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ch., two of whom are now living. He was again m. in 1821 to widow Mehitable Hubbard of Holden, who is yet living. They had two.ch., one of whom is also living. He was for nearly 30 years of the latter portion of his life the proprietor and occupant of the farm originally the residence of his grandfather, Edward Goodale, and now in the possession of his son, Gardner E. Goodale. Dea. Goodale was a valuable citizen, a firm, substantial man, ardent in feeling, discriminating in judgment, decided in action, never vacillant or equivocal in his course. He would thoroughly investigate a subject or proposition and decide upon a proper course of action relative thereto, then proceed to act with promptness and energy, never turning aside or compromising in the least with opposi- tion or antagonism. Thus always exhibiting a consisten- cy of character and conduct, he won the respect and con- fidence of those with whom he associated and acted in the various departments of life. He was irreconcilably hos- tile to secret associations whatever might be their charac- ter or design, believing them to be anti-republican and of dangerous tendency.
GOODALE, LEVI, S. of Paul Goodale, b. in 1783 and d. in 1854, aged 71 years. In early life he m. Abigail Cros- by of Holden, who d. in 1810, being 27 years of age. He was again m. in 1811 to Eunice H. Brimhall of Oakham who d. in 1826, aged 38 years. In 1827, he m. Orinda Cleveland of Medfield, who d. in 1845, being 59 years of age. He was again m. to Sarah Ann Nelson of Medfield, who is now living. He had several ch., the most of whom are also living. He was a farmer and resided on the homestead until the last years of his life, when he changed his residence and became the occupant of the premises now in the possession of Winthrop Snow, situ- ated 80 rods southeast of the railroad station in this town.
GOODALE, JASON, S. of Peter Goodale, b. in 1780 and d. in 1852, aged 72 years. In 1807, he m. Hannah, dau. of Dea. Asa Lovell, who died in 1812, aged 31 years. He afterward m. Sarah Raymond of Ashby, who is yet living. He was a farmer and resided in Winchendon the latter part of his life. Several of his ch. are now living.
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GOODENOW, ELIJAH, eldest s. of Jonas Goodenow of Boylston, b. in 1768 and d. suddenly in 1821, aged 53 years. He m. Eunice, dau. of Micah Harthan, who sur- vived him and d. in 1828, aged 56 years. They had ten ch., only three of whom are now living. He resided with his father-in-law, assisting him in the managing of his farm and other matters. In 1804, he erected a distillery which was used several years for manufacturing gin and cider brandy. These premises are situated near the Bap- tist meeting-house, and are now in the possession of George Holmes, a s. of the late Thomas Holmes of this towI.
HADLY, EPHRAIM, was b. in Sterling, came to this town and m. Prudence, dau. of John Dinsmore, in 1799. He d. in 1814, being nearly 40 years of age, and after his decease, she m. Jonathan Nichols of Holden, and d. in 1856. Mr. Hadly was a cooper, and when not engaged in that business, labored where he could find employment. He resided in this town some 15 or 20 years.
HARTHAN, DAVID, eldest s. of Micah Harthan, b. in 1764 and d. in 1823, aged 59 years. He m. Prudence, dau. of Jacob Winn, and had six ch., only two of whom are now living. She survived him and d. in 1840, aged 76 years. He d. suddenly and alone, in consequence of a fall. He was a miller, having attended a grist mill from his boyhood until his decease. He was the proprietor of the well known and far famed Harthan Mills in this town. Ilis dwelling place was situated about 50 rods north of the railroad station in this town.
HINDS, JACOB, S. of Benjamin Hinds, b. in 1767 and d. in 1852, aged 85 years. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Jona- than Fawcett of Boylston, who survived him and d. in 1856, aged 82 years. They had four ch., three of whom have deceased. He settled on the homestead where he resided the earlier portion of his life, but eventually left the place of his nativity and resided with his son in the south part of the town until his decease. He was a farm- er and much in the habit of originating new schemes and projects of a philosophical and scientific character, sacri
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ficing much time and expense in putting them into opera- tion for the purpose of trial and experiment.
HINDS, JOSEPH, Esq., s. of Benjamin Hinds, b. in 1773 and d. in 1835, aged 62 years. In 1798, he m. Rebecca Sawyer of Sterling, who is now living, being 82 years of age. They had seven ch., four of whom are now living. He was a bookbinder and a farmer, successfully pursuing and managing two kinds of business at the same time. He was a prominent, useful citizen of the town, being fre- quently chosen by the inhabitants to fill offices of trust and responsibility, and several times represented the town in the State Legislature. His residence was 70 rods south of the Common.
HOLT, ABEL, S. of Barzilia Holt of Boylston, b. in 1743 and d. in 1815, aged 72 years. He m. Eunice, dau. of Henry Keyes of Boylston, who survived him and d. in 1840, aged 95 years. They had six s. and two dau., two of whom are now living. He was a farmer, and resided one mile south of the Common, on the premises now in the possession of Cyrus L. Knight.
HOLT, ABIEL, a younger brother of Abel Holt, was m. in in the early part of life and had several ch., some of whom are now living. His wife d. in 1819, aged 50 years. He survived his wife and d. in 1845. He occupied the farm during the former part of his life time, now in the posses- sion of Brigham Prescott, situated in the north part of the town, on the old road lead to Sterling.
HOLT, JAMES, was a s. of Barzilia Holt, Jr., of Boyl- ston. He d. in 1855, being about 84 years of age. In 1800, m. Eunice, dau. of Dea. Asa Lovell, who d. in 1821, by an act of suicide in consequence of mental derange- ment. They had several ch., some of whom are yet living. He resided in the west part of the town about 20 years of the earlier part of his life, being the proprie- tor and occupant of a small farm.
HOLT, JONAS, S. of Abel Holt, b. in 1779 and. d. in 1858, aged 73 years. In 1802, he m. Anne Wran, who d. in 1845, aged 65 years. They had several ch., four of whom are now living. He was a carpenter, and resid- ed half a mile south of the Common on the old road lead-
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ing to Worcester. The premises are now in the posses- sion of his son, Ward E. Holt.
HOWE, ALVAN, in the earlier part of life was a resident of Shrewsbury. He m. Mary Willington, had a large family of ch., removed to this town perhaps in 1802 or about that time. He resided in the north part of the town on the premises now in the possession of the West Boylston Manufacturing Company. For several years he was the occupant of a grist mill then standing near the location of the brick factory now occupied by the afore- said Company. He d. in 1820, aged 66 years. His wife survived him a few years and also died,
HOWE, HIRAM, S. of Nathan Howe of Shrewsbury, b. in 1775 and d. in 1829, aged 54 years. He m. Olive, dau. of Micah Harthan, who survived him and d. in 1852, aged 78 years. They had several ch., five of whom are now living. He was the proprietor of a farm in the north part of the town on the old road leading to Sterling, where he resided at the time of his decease. Since that time the house has been burned, and the farm divided and sold to different individuals and is no longer a family residence.
JOHNSON, TIMOTHY, with his family removed from Sutton to this town in 1805, having purchased the black - smith shop then situated near where the factory belonging to Eli W. Holbrook now stands. Here he pursued the business of manufacturing and vending scythes for a few years, having built a dwelling-house for his convenience and accommodation, when he sold his establishment to Ja- cob and Ezekiel Peirce and removed back to Sutton where he afterward died.
KEYES, REUBEN, eldest s. of Simeon Keyes, b. in 1766, m. Olive, dau. of Capt. Joseph Bigelow, had two sons, one of whom is now living. He was a blacksmith, and erect- ed a shop on the premises now occupied by Charles Morse. near the railroad station in this town, where he pursued the business of his occupation awhile, and then disposed of his establishment and built a dwelling-house now in the possession of N. H. Goodale, where he resided a few years, then sold out and removed to Barre, Vt., where he d. at an advanced age, his wife and eldest s. having previously de- ceased.
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KEYES, THOMAS, Jr., eldest s. of Thomas Keyes, b. in 1767 and d. in 1856, aged 89 years. He m. Lydia, dau. of Micah Harthan, in 1791, and had six ch., only one of whom is now living. She d. in 1824, in the 60th year of her age. He was a farmer and settled on the homestead with his father, where he resided during the whole period of his life. He was respected by his fellow citizens, who frequently selected him to fill stations of trust and re- sponsibility. He became the proprietor of the homestead by inheritance from his father, and left the same with ad- ditions and improvements to his only surviving son, Ben- jamin F. Keyes.
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