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 3
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KILBURN, LEVI, was b. in Sterling, and there m. Cath- erine, dau, of Manassalı Sawyer, from thence he removed with his family to this town, having purchased a sinall farm situated in the north part of the town, now in the possession of John S. Cutting, where he resided until his decease, which occurred in 1847, aged 76 years. Ilis wife d. in 1830, and he afterward m. a second wife who survived him and d. in 1857. He had four ch. who are now living.
LOVELL, ASA, Dea., s. of Jonathan Lovell, one of the carly settlers of this town, b. in 1751 and d. in 1814, aged 63 years. He m. Betty Raymond, had one s. and five dau., three of whom are now living. His wife survived him and in 1825 m. Paul Goodale, and also survived him. Dea. Lovell was the proprietor and occupant of a farm now in the possession of Erastus Broad, situated a mile west of the Common, on the north Malden Hill road leading to Holden. He was a man of integrity and exemplary character, and a valuable citizen .
LOVELL, AMos, s. of Jonathan Lovell, b. in 1753 and d. in 1815, aged 62 years. He m. Mary Ball of Concord. had three s. and five dau., four of whom are now living. His wife survived him and d. in 1833, at the age of 77 years. He was a farmer and resided near his brother, Asa Lovell, on the farm originally occupied by his father, and now in the possession of his grandson, Addison Lovell.
LOVELL, AMos, Jr., eldest s. of Amos Lovell, b. in 1782, and is now living. In 1807, he m. Martha, eldest
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dau. of Abel Bigelow, who d. in 1837, aged 54 years. They had three s., two of whom are now living. He was a farmer and settled on the homestead with his father, where he resided during the earlier part of his life, but eventually relinquished the possession of the premises to his son, Addison Lovell, and erected a large commodious dwelling-house near the Common, where he has since resided.
MASON, SAMUEL, was b. probably as early as 1755 and d. in 1839, being over 80 years of age. He was m., and had several ch., some of whom are now living. He was a farmer and resided in the northwest part of the town, oc- cupying the farm now in the possession of his children, John and Lucy Mason.
MASON, DANIEL, s. of Samuel Mason, b. in 1780 and d. in 1818, aged 38 years. He d. by an act of suicide, supposed to be in consequence of a depression of mind or a kind of mental derangement, to which he seemed to be constitutionally predisposed. He was somewhat re- served and serious in his general deportment, industrious and frugal in his habits, and respected by his friends and associates in life.
MAY, EZRA, was b. in Sterling in 1772 and d. in 1815, aged 43 years. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Jabez Fairbank, who survived him and d. in 1845, aged 75 years. They had several ch., two of whom are now living. He set- tled on a farm in the northwest part of this town, now in the possession of his son, John May, where he resided until his decease.
MAYNARD, CALVIN, came from Marlboro' in 1804, was a trader occupying a store near the Common in this town, where he continued in business about five years, when he removed to Sterling, and there established himself as a trader. He m. Olive, dau. of John L. Whiting, and resid- ed in Sterling a few years, when they both d., leaving no children.
MERRIFIELD, ASAPH, was b. in 1741 and d. in 1820, aged 79 years. He removed with his family from Sher- burne to this town in 1785, having purchased a farm situ- ated in the southwest part of the town, now occupied by
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Ira Warren, who m. one of his dau., where he resided un- til his decease. His wife survived him and d. in 1845, aged 89 years. He had ten ch., several of whom are now living.
MERRIFIELD, LOUIS, S. of Asaph Merrifield, b. in 1781 and d. in 1851, aged 70 years. He m. Phobe, dau. of Sylvanus Morse, who died in 1839, aged 60 years. They had several ch., one of whom is now living. They resid- ed with her father assisting him in the management of his farm. After the father's decease, he became the proprie- tor of the farm, and was the occupant thereof during the continuance of his life, leaving the premises as a patrimo- ny to his only son, Louis W. Merrifield. He was m. a. second time, his wife survived him and d. in 1853, aged 62 years.
MOORE, ISRAEL, s. of Dea. Israel Moore, b. in 1777 and d. in 1811, aged 34 years. He m. Mary Chency, dau. of Paul Goodale, who survived him and afterwards m. Nathan Rogers of Holden, where she d. in 1328, aged 50 years. Mr. Moore settled on a farm in the north part of this town, adjoining that occupied by his father, where he resided a few years and then sold out and removed to the homestead, of which he became the proprietor at the decease of his father, where he resided until his own de- cease. He had two sons and two daughters who are now living, the eldest son, James H. Moore, being now the pro- prietor and occupant of the homestead.
MOORE, JOEL, s. of Dea. Israel Moore, b. probably in 1780, m. Susanna Kennan, of Rutland, and settled on a small farm half a mile north of the Beaman place, on the road leading to Lancaster, and now the residence of L. 1). Newton. He afterward removed to Holden where he d. in 1856, aged 76 years. He had ch. some of whom to- gether with their mother are now living.
MOORE, ASA, youngest s. of Dea. Israel Moore, b. por- haps in 1784 or about that time. He m. Sabia, dau. of Dea. Asa Lovell, in 1804, and settled on a farm in the north part of this town, now held and occupied by a fam- ily of aliens. He removed from this town, afterward fre- quently changing his residence, and now resides in Hub-
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bardston. His wife d. in 1854, aged 68 years, and he is again connected in marriage.
MORSE, SYLVANUS, s. of Joseph Morse, one of the early settlers of this town, b. in 1746 and d. in 1813, aged 66 years. He m. Phebe Church of New Marlboro', who d. in the meridian of life. They had several ch., all of them having deceased. He was a farmer and during the latter part of his life, occupied the premises original- ly belonging to his father where he resided until his decease.
MORSE, JOSEPH, s. of Joseph Morse, b. in 1758 and d. in 1826, aged 68 years. He m. Sophia, dau, of Benjamin Bigelow, one of the early settlers of this town, who sur- vived him and d. in 1831, aged 70 years. They had nine ch., four of whom are now living. The farm on which he resided is three-fourths of a mile north of the Common, and lately in the possession of his grandson, Joseph Morse, now deceased. A considerable portion of this farm once belonged to the elder Joseph Morse. It is an incident worthy of notice, that four persons having the same name in a regular line of descent, have successively held and occupied the same premises during a period of more than one hundred years.
MURDOCK, ARTEMAS, Dea., eldest s. of William Mur- dock of Westminster, b. in 1776 and d. in 1855, aged 79 years. He m. Keziah Clark of Medfield, and came to this town in 1801. He settled on the premises now in the possession of his eldest s , David C. Murdock, where he worked, being a cabinet maker. His wife d. in 1848, aged 68 years. They had nine ch., seven of whom are now living. Dea. Murdock was a valuable and exemplary citizen, possessing a mild, pacific temperament and dispo- sition, together with that honesty of purpose and integri- ty of character, which enabled him in all business mat- ters and transactions to act with that fairness and just regard for the rights and interests of others, that secured for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he chanced to have intercourse relative to the common affairs of life. He d. suddenly, a victim to extreme pain and suffering.
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MURDOCK, JOSHUA, Dea., a younger brother of Arte- mas Murdock, was b. in 1780. He m. Clarissa Hartshorn of Medfield, and in 1806, settled in this town near his brother, the place of his residence being now in the pos- session of N. H. Goodale. He was a cabinet maker and worked with his brother. In 1811, he removed to Lei- cester, and there has continued to pursue his occupation with success and advantage. His wife d. in 1847, aged 63 years. They had five ch., four of whom are now living.
NASII, WILLIAM, Rev., the first minister of this town, was a native of Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Mass., was b. in 1769 and d. in 1829, aged 60 years. He came here in 1796 and preached as a candidate for settlement, and was ordained Oct. 11, 1797, as a minister of the church and society previously organized in the second pre- cinct of Boylston, Sterling, and Holden. In 1801, or about that time, Mr. Nash m. Elizabeth Doubleday, and having purchased a farm in the south part of the town, now occupied by D. P. Worcester, settled thereon, where he continued to reside until his decease. He continued in the ministry until 1815, when his connection with the chuch and society was formally dissolved at his own re- quest. His only surviving s., Charles Nash, now resides in Worcester.
NEWTON, SILAS, was b. in 1770 and d. in 1836, aged 66 years. He came from Paxton to this town in the ear- lier part of life, m. Eunice, youngest dau. of Ezra Bea- man, Esq., who survived him and is yet living, being 84 years of age. He had no permanent abode, frequently changing his residence until 1810, when he purchased a farm now in the possession of his son, Jabez B. Newton, situated in the northwest part of this town, where he set- tled and resided until his deccase. He had six ch., sever- al of whom are now living. He was a respectable and useful citizen, being frequently elected to places of trust and responsibility, and once represented the town in the State Legislature. In 1811, he united with the Congrega- tional church, and afterwards became a prominent member of the Baptist church.
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PAINE, EBENEZER, was b. in 1777 and d. in 1847, aged ' 70 years. He came with his family to this town, proba- bly in 1806, and settled on the farm previously in the pos- session of Israel Moore, and now adjoining the farm of James H. Moore, in the north part of the town, where he continued his residence until his decease. His wife d. in 1825, at the age of 49 years. He afterward m. widow Cynthia Harthan, who survived him and d. in 1849, aged 64 years. They had ch., some of whom are now living.
PERRY, MOSES, was b. in 1758 and d. in 1843, aged 85 years. He removed with his family from Hopkinton to this town in 1801, and settled on the farm once cccu- pied by Ebenezer Inglesby, an early settler, and now the residence of Jabez B. Newton. Here he resided nine or ten years and removed to the state of Maine. He remain- ed in that state a dozen years, then returned and resided in this town until his decease. He had several ch., some of whom are now living. His wife d. in 1843, previous to his death, aged 84 years, they having been connected in marriage 64 years.
PERRY, JOSEPH, S. of Moses Perry, b. in 1779, camc from Hopkinton to this town in 1801. He m. Saralı, daughter of Manassah Sawyer, was a carpenter, resided with his father a few years, and then removed to the state of Maine where he and his wife are yet living.
PEIRCE, OLIVER, S. of Josiah Peirce 'of Worcester, b. probably as early as 1750 and d. in 1813. He had a fam- ily and resided in the south part of this town, and occu- pied the farm now in the possession of Nathan Morse, where he continued to reside until his disease. His wife died in 1831. He had some eight or ten ch, several of whom are yet living.
PEIRCE, LEVI, S. of Josiah Pierce, b. in 1760 and d. in 1833, aged 73 years. He m. Persis Robinson who sur- vived him, and d. in 1833 aged 71 years. She was a na- tive of Lexington and distinctly recollected the battle fought in that place in 1775, the approach of the British troops, and other scenes which there occurred on that memorable occasion. They had seven ch., all of whom are now living. His residence was in the south part of
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the town, being now in the possession of Luke Hipsly. He was a surveyor and was much employed in that occu- pation.
PEIRCE, HOLLIS, eldest s. of Oliver Peirce, b. perhaps in 1777, or about that time, and d. in 1833. He m. Lu- cinda Merrifield, who d. previous to 1830. He afterwards in. Mercy Merrifield of this town, who survived him and m. Timothy Farker and removed to the state of N. Y. He built a house and resided during the earlier part of life half a mile north of the Common. The premises are now occupied by Storrs Eldridge. He afterwards resided south of the Common and there deceased. He had ch., some of whom are now living.
PEIRCE, JAMES, S. of Oliver Peirce, b. in 1779 and d. in 1844, aged 65 years. He m. Sally Fiske of Holden who is now living. They had several ch., some of whom are also living. He was a farmer and resided in the south part of the town, the premises being now in the posses- sion of his youngest son, Lyman Peirce.
PEIRCE, JACOB, came from Sutton to this town in 1805, being over 21 years of age. He was a blacksmith and worked with Timothy Johnson at scythe making. He eventually became the proprietor of the establishment in connection with a younger brother. In 1808 he m. Azu- bah, eldest dau. of Oliver Glazier of this town; and in 1823 sold out his interest in business to his brother Eze- kiel Peirce, and removed to Northboro' where he died.
PLIMPTON, JONATHAN, removed from Shrewsbury to this town in 1803 with his family, and settled on a farm in the south part of the town, previously occupied by Tim- othy Hildreth and now in the possession of James D. Moore. Here he resided 20 years and d., being probably about 70 years of age. His wife had previously deceased. They had two sons and perhaps other children.
PLIMPTON, JONATHAN, Jr., eldest s. of Jonathan Plimp- ton, resided in the south part of the town on the premises now in the possession of J. B. Eames. In 1806 he m. Betsey Harris of this town, who d. in 1810. He subse- quently m. Eunice Peirce of Holden, and d. in 1815, aged
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33 years. His wife survived him and m. Edmund Brig- ham-she also survived him and died in 1857.
PRESCOTT, BRIGHAM, s. of Jonathan Prescott, b. in 1783, and m. in 1807 Eunice, the youngest dau. of Abel Holt. They are both now living, having been connected in the married state 51 years. They have had four ch.
two of whom are now living. Mr Prescott is the proprie- tor and occupant of a farm in the north part of the town, formerly the residence of Abiel Holt. As a manifestation of confidence and respect, he was three successive years chosen by the citizens of this town to represent them in the State Legislature.
PRESCOTT, JOHN, s. of Jonathan Prescott, b. in 1785, d. in 1848, aged 63 years. He m. Eunice, dau. of John Dinsmore, who is now living. His residence was in the north part of the town, near the residence of George Dana on the road leading to Lancaster. They had several ch. who are now living, and with whom the mother resides.
READ, JOHN, was b. in Rutland in 1770. He came to this town in early life, m. Hannah Dwelley, and settled in the southwest part of the town, residing successively on the premises now severally occupied by Benjamin Lec, Moses Fisher, and Joseph C. Lovell. In the latter part of his life he erected a commodious dwelling house near the Common, now in the possession of Silas Dinsmore, where he resided until his decease which occurred in 1838, at the age of 69 years. He had four ch., two of whom are now living. He was a successful farmer and held in possession a large estate at the time of his decease. His wife survived him and d. in 1850, aged 77 years.
SHATTUCK, THADDEUS, was b. in 1752 and d. in 1819, aged 67 years. He came to this town in the earlier part of life, m. Susannah Wait of Sterling, and settled a mile from the Beaman place on the old road leading to Sterling, where he resided until his decease. His wife survived him and d. in 1831. He had two sons who survived him and have since deceased.
SHATTUCK, WALTER, S. of Thaddeus Shattuck, born in 1778, and d. in 1843, aged 64 years. He m. Betsey, eldest dau. of Jeremiah Morse, and resided on the home- stead with his father where he continued his residence
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through life ; his wife survived him and is now living. He was a cooper and pursued that occupation as long as he was able to labor.
SMITIL, ISAAC, was b. perhaps as early as 1755, came to this town in 1783, m. Prudence Cutting, and settled on a farm one mile west from the Common now belonging to L. W. Merrifield, where he resided until his decease. His wife d. in 1801, and in 1802 he m. a widow Horne of Southboro', who survived him and d. in 1846. He d. in 1824, having had six ch., four of whom are deceased. He was a soldier of the revolution, and performed good service for his country during that memorable struggle for liberty and independence, and by the faithful discharge of duty and the fatigue and hardship endured, he merited and ought to receive the gratitude and veneration of the present and future generations. He was truly one of those brave spirits, who by their persevering efforts and untold sufferings, helped to consummate the patriotic and noble enterprise in which they were engaged.
SMITHI, JOHN, was born in Southboro' in 1773. In the earlier part of life he resided in Boylston, and m. a dau. of Artemas Maynard, who lived but a few years after their marriage. He afterwards m. Martha Hastings, and in 1804 removed to this town where he d. in 1855, aged 81 years. His wife survived him and is still living. He had eleven ch., six have died, and five are now living. He formerly worked at shoemaking, but latterly at painting. His residence was a short distance south of the Common, being now the residence of his son Stephen H. Smith.
STONE, SIMON, removed with his family from Bolton to this town in 1807, being probably about 25 yrs. of age. He was a shoemaker, and resided successively in different parts of the town about 20 years, when he removed to Princeton, and there became the occupant of a farm where he with his family still reside.
TEMPLE, JOHN, the eldest s. of Jonas Temple of Boyls- ton, was b. in 1762 and d. in 1841, aged 79 years. In 1791 he m. Lois, daughter of Micah Harthan, who d. in 1792, aged 22 years. In 1793 he m. Persis, dau. of Ezra Beaman, Esq., previously the wife of Dr. Amariah Bigelow.
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Mr Temple was an enterprising, successful farmer, possess- ing and occupying an extensive farm situated in the south> erly part of the town, formerly the residence of Dea. Amariah Bigelow, an early settler and prominent citizen of the town, and now in the possession of Edmund F. Brigham. His second wife d. in 1832, aged 70 years .- She had three ch. while she was the wife of Dr. Bigelow, and three after her second marriage,-one of each branch has deceased. Mr Temple was a prominent, active citizen, possessing an enterprizing, energetic temperament, togeth- er with firmness and decision, which enabled him to act promptly and unhesitatingly in matters of moment and importance. He was chosen several successive years by the citizens of the town as chairman of the Board of Se- lectmen ; and frequently was called to the performance of other important duties of a public character. After the decease of his second wife, he m. Polly Dakin of Boylston, who survived him and d. in 1856.
TEMPLE, ISAAC, youngest s. of Jonas Temple, b. in 1784, and d. in 1832 aged 48 years. In 1806, he m. Hannah Stillman Bigelow of this town, and settled on the homestead, occupying his father's farm. In 1816, after the death of his father, which occurred in 1815, he left the homestead and became the occupant of the premises formerly the residence of Capt. Joseph Bigelow, situated a short distance west of the Common, where he resided until his decease. His wife d. in 1839, aged 54 years. They had three ch. but one of whom is now living.
THOMAS, WILLIAM, was b. 1725 and died in 1810, aged 85 years. He came to this town and settled on the farm now the residence of David D. Prescott, situated half a mile northwest from the railroad station at Oakdale, where he resided until his decease. He was m. and had two sons who survived him. His wife d. in 1781, aged 43 years. He was again m., his wife survived him and d. in 1831, aged 88 years. He possessed a peculiar relish for literature and science, and devoted much time to read- ing and study, thereby becoming intelligent and interest- ing to those with whom he associated. He had also a pe- culiar taste for astronomical research and calculation, his bias and genius being strongly fixed in that direction.
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THOMAS, ROBERT B., Esq., eldest s. of William Thom- as, b. in 1766 and d. in 1846, aged 80 years. He m. Hannah Beaman of Princeton, who survived him, and d. in 1855, aged 81 years. He resided in the northwest part of the town, two miles from the Common, occupying a small farm now the residence of Dea. Joseph White, and near the railroad station at Oakdale. He was a promi- nent man in the town, was the first Town Clerk after the incorporation of the town, several times chairman of the Board of Selectmen, represented the town in the State Con- vention of 1820 for revising the Constitution, and was sev- eral years a member of the State Legislature. He originat- ed and established the " Farmers' Almanack" in 1793, annually preparing and furnishing the matter for that popu- lar manual for more than 50 years. He accumulated a large amount of property, leaving no children to inherit and retain his estate after his decease. He died intestate, leaving his estate to his widow and two children of a 'de- ceased brother who were his only legal heirs.
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THOMAS, AARON, youngest s. of William Thomas, b. in 1769 and d. in 1833, aged 64 years. He m. Lydia, dau. of Dea. Ebenezer Mason of Sterling, who survived him a few months and d. the same year, aged 62 years. They had three ch., two of whom are now living. He resided in the northwest part of the town near the place of his father's residence, occupying a farm, although unable to perform much labor thereon, in consequence of partial deprivation of sight. He enjoyed the confidence and re- spect of his family and others, leaving his ch. a valuable patrimony at his decease.
WHITE, PETER, was b. perhaps in 1770, or about that time. He m. Sally Moore, and settled in this town in 1797. He had one son and two daughters, one of whom d. young. His s. obtained an education and became a settled minister of the gospel in the State of Maine. He was a clothier, and pursued that business while he resided here. His place of residence and business was near Har- than's Mills, the premises being now occupied by Ruel G. Cowee. In 1813 he sold out and removed to Spring- field, Vt., where he and his wife have since deceased.
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WHITTAKER, JOSEPH, was probably b. as early as 1750, or previous to that time. He d. in 1811. He m. a dau. of William Whitney, one of the early settlers of this town .. He resided on or near the premises originally occupied by Mr. Whitney, situated in the northwest part of the town and now occupied by his grandson, Luther Whittaker.
WILDER, REUBEN, s. of Asa Wilder, b. in 1757 and d. in 1832, aged 75 years. He m. Mary Peirce of Boyls- ton, who d. in 1807, leaving several children. In 1808 bc m. widow Thankful Whitcomb of this town, who sur- vived him and d. in 1855, aged 80 years. He was a black- smith and farmer, and resided in the north part of the town, on the premises originally occupied by his grand- father, Josiah Wilder, and afterwards by his father, and now occupied by John Bruce who is the legal proprietor thereof.
WILLINGTON, EBENEZER, was b. in 1768 and d. in 1335, aged 67 years. He m. Susannah, dau. of Jonas Gale, who d. in 1833, aged 64 years. They had five ch. two of whom are living. He was a blacksmith and also a farmer, and resided in the southerly part of the town on the premises originally occupied by Mr. Gale, and now in the possession of G. W. Mathews.
WINN, JOHN, S. of Jacob Winn, b. in 1760 and d. in 1843, aged 83 years. He m. Abigail Cross of Boston, who d. in 1853, aged 89 yrs. They had ch., some of whom are now living. He resided in the north part of the town, was a cooper, and occupied the premises formerly the res- idence of his father, and now in the possession of Robert C. Toombs.
WINN, WILLIAM, S. of William Winn formerly of this town, born perhaps in 1780, or about that time. He m. Dolly Goss of Sterling-was a cooper, and resided half a mile north of the Beaman place, occupying the premises now in the possession of Windsor Morse. He removed from this town, and afterwards died in mature life.
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RESIDENTS-NOT VOTERS.
The following persons were residents here in 1808, and each at the head of a family, but were not.legal voters :
Boynton, Abiel, was b. perhaps in 1755, or about that time, and d. in 1810. He m. Lois Raymond who surviv- ed him, and was again m. and left this town. He resided in the north part of this town, near Stillwater river, and nad a numerous family of children.
Carroll, Benjamin, removed from Rutland with his fans- ily to this town in 1807. His wife d. in 1808 and in 1809 he left the town. He was a carpenter and millwright.
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