USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Registers of probate for the county of Suffolk, Massachusetts, 1639-1799 > Part 4
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Boydell succeeded Marshall not only as postmaster but also as publisher of the " Boston Gazette." 1 He continued to pub- lish the " Gazette " even after he retired from the postmaster- ship in 1734. He was its publisher up to the time of his death. After this, it was printed for the benefit of his family until 1741, when it fell into other hands.
Governor Belcher in a letter 2 dated November 19, 1739, to Sir Charles Wager speaks of " M" John Boydill, who is now dan- gerously ill," and in a letter 3 to Peter Warren - afterward Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Warren - dated Boston, December 24, 1739, he says : --
" Poor Boydill, after a strong struggle with a fever, jaundice, &c", dyd the 11 currant, belov'd as much as any man in his life & so lamented in his death."
The Boston Gazette of Monday, December 17, 1739, contains the following obituary notice : -
" On Tuesday last died here in the 49th year of his age. John Boy- dell, Esq: late Publisher of this Paper, and some time Deputy Post- Master within this and the three neighboring Governments, than whom
1 Professional and Industrial History of Suffolk County, The Postal Service, by C. W. Ernst, II. 457; Memorial History of Boston, The Press of the Provin- cial Period, by Delano A. Goddard, II. 892; Transactions of the American Anti- quarian Society, History of Printing in America, by Isaiah Thomas, VI. 29, 50, 225.
The Boston News Letter of June 27, 1734, contains the following : -
" From New York, We have Advice, That they were credibly informed, that Mr. Ellis Huske will be appointed Post-Master of Boston, Mr. John Boydell having desired to resign that Place, and Col. Spotswood (in whose dispasal it is) having promised it to the said Mr. Huske, whenever it became vacant."
In the same issue of the News-Letter is this announcement : -
" We are well inform'd that Mr. Boydell (Life permitted) will continue to pub- lish his News Paper call'd the Boston Gazette, for his Customers both in Town and Country, after he is succeeded as Post-Master of Boston."
The Boston Gazette of December 17, 1739, contains the following : -
" This is to acquaint the Publick, That this Paper will be carried on as usual for the Benefit of the Family of the late Publisher Mr. John Boydell, deceased."
2 Belcher Papers, II. 494.
8 Ibid., II. 255.
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none ever lived in this Province more generally esteem'd and beloved, as an honest worthy man, by Persons of all Ranks, Perswasions and Parties, or was more lamented as such at his Death. He first came over from England into this Country in the year 1716, Secretary to the late worthy Governor Shute, and Register of the Court of Vice Admi- ralty for this Province, New Hampshire and Rhode Island ; after which he was appointed Register of the Court of Probate of Wills, &c., for the County of Suffolk, and Naval Officer for the Port of Boston ; all which offices he discharged with such singular diligence, integrity and goodness, that this community never lost a more useful and valuable member, than he was in his degree and station."
In his will dated December 9, 1739, probated December 20, 1739, he mentions his wife Hannah, his sons Edward and John, and his daughters Martha and Mary, his " Honour'd Mother" and his " Dear Sister now living in England." 1
1 In Suffolk Court Files, CCCXLIX. 147, there is a letter dated November 26, 1741, and addressed to J. Yeamans Esq! It is unsigned, but was probably writ- ten by John Payne. It begins as follows : -
" SIR,
I wrote you p !. Capt Watts of the Death of M" Boydell since which one M! Goldthwait at the request of the Gov! has taken the adminacon of the Estate. he is a very capable & also a very honest Man and believe he will do every thing in his power for the benefit of the Estate.
It is very Surprizing that M! Boydell (who was a perfect Slave to Mankind in General) should not have one Friend that won'd undertake the admninacon, but so it is, and it was 3 Weeks after her death before there was an admr ap- pointed tho' all his Friends were desired to undertake it.
The Family are now broke up, and the greatest part of ye Goods disposed of. Mrs Patty is at M! Middletons who is a relation to ME Peagrum. Polly is with Col. Hatch and Jack is at present at a Boarding School. M! Bollan promised his Mother to take him and he intends to do it when he is fit. Before the adminacon was Granted I took out all the Letters that pass'd between M! Boy- dell & you and also those of your Family & his Letter Book & deliverd them to Miss Patty as thinking 'em not proper to come into the hands of the Admin! and those Papers that related to your Estate here I delivered to the Gov! . . . I beg pardon for Troubling you so long, ye reason of weh was I thought you won'd de- sire to know the State of ME Boydells affairs.
Sent p Fones Nov. 26. 1741.
I am S! Yo! humble Serv!
J. Yeamans Esq! "
The Boston News Letter of July 26, 1744, contains the following : " We have also Advice from Jamaica of the Death of Capt. Cobbet and Mr. Edward Boydell of this Town."
In the Mass. Archives ( V. 481-486), there is a letter dated Boston, March 18, 1746/7, addressed to the Governor-General of Canada concerning the exchange of prisoners of war held by the French. Among those prisoners then in Canada whose exchange was demanded was " John Boydell a Youth of about 19 Years of Age taken in a Vessel coming from Louisbourg by one of the late Duke d'Anville's Squadron."
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In one of the inventories of his estate, which was ap -. praised at £2277. 13. 9. there are, among other items, the following : -
" Negro Philip £70"
"Judge Sewalls Picture 15
Judge Byfields D° · 15 Judge Auchmutys D" 15"
BENJAMIN ROLFE.
1722-3. 1726-8.
Benjamin Rolfe, son of the Rev. Benjamin Rolfe 1 of Haver- hill, was born in Haver-
hill September 2, 1696.
In the Indian attack
Senj . Rolfe
on Haverhill his father, mother, and youngest sister were killed.
" At the assault on Haverhill, at daybreak, on Sunday, 29 August. 1708, the enemy immediately attacked Rolfe's house. He sprang out of bed, braced himself against the door which they were trying to force open, and unavailingly called for assistance from the soldiers who were in his house. The enemy fired through the door two balls, one of which wounded him in the elbow. According to one statement the ball killed him. But the most probable is, that the Indians pressed against the door so hard, that Rolfe, being wounded and no longer able to resist successfully, fled through the house and out at the back door, and was tomahawked at the well by the Indians who pursued him. One soon sunk the hatchet into his wife's head, and another, taking the youngest child from her dying grasp, dashed its head against a stone near the door. Upon the first alarm, Hagar, the negro slave, jumped from her bed, and took the young girls Mary and Elizabeth into the cellar, placed them under tubs, and concealed herself behind some barrels. The Indians plundered the cellar, repeatedly passed the tubs, even stepping on the foot of one of the children, drank milk from the pans and dashed them on the cellar bottom, and took meat from the barrel behind which Hagar was concealed, without discovering either of them. An intrepid man, named Davis, went behind Rolfe's barn, and with a large club pounded it so violently, at the same time calling on the men by name, and giving orders for an attack, that the party in Rolfe's house became alarmed, and, after attempting to set the house on fire,
1 Sibley's Harvard Graduates, III. 310; New England Historical and Gene- alogical Register, II. 353, III. 151, XXXI, $7, XXXVI. 143.
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precipitately left. Another female named Anna Whitaker, who then lived in Rolfe's family, concealed herself in an apple chest under a flight of stairs, and was not discovered." 1
Father, mother, and child were buried in one grave. The surviving children, four in number, were placed under the guardianship of their uncles, John and Henry Rolfe of Newbury.2
Benjamin the son was bred a scrivener. The Boston News Letter of August 11, 1718, contains the following advertisement : -
" These are to give Notice, that Mr. Benjamin Rolfe who served an Apprenticeship with Addington Darenport, Esq : now keeps a Scriv- eners Office at the New Brick House next to the late Mr. Secretary Addington's Deceased near the lower End of the Town House in King's-Street, Bostou."
Elisha Cooke, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature, having incurred the resentment of the Governor on account of words spoken over a bowl of punch. His Excellency informed the Judges of that Court that " he expected he should be re- mov'd from his Clark's place." While the matter of Cooke's removal was still pending, Judge Sewall writes in his Diary 3 the following : -
" Feb. 18. [1718 9]. After the Council, Mr. Tylye speaks to me for the Clark's office if the place be vacant. Mr. B. Rolfe, and Mr. Treas- urer's Son had done it before. Judge Menzies and Mr. Boydell visit me."
And again : 1 -
" Midweek, Feb. 25. [1718/9]. The Judges met p. m. in the Council- Chamber, before the Meeting of the Council ; and after some arguing, Sewall, Lynde, Dudley, Quincey, gave their Opinion, that all things Considered, twas convenient to dismiss Mr. Cooke from being Clark of the Super. Court. Mr. Davenport mention'd his Relation, and voted not, or voted the contrary way.
1 Sibley's Harvard Graduates, III. 312, 313.
2 Essex Probate Records, Nos. 21102, 24104.
3 Sewall's Diary, III. 212.
4 Ibid., III. 212.
See also Catalogue of Records and Files in the office of the clerk of the Suffolk Supreme Judicial Court, 75. Benjamin Rolfe sworn February 20, 1718-9. (Records Superior Court of Judicature, [1V.] 1.) Reappointed January 28, 1728-9. (Ibid., [VII.] 185.) Reappointed April, 1795, sworn May 13, 1705 (Ibid., [X.] 193.)
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Then, in the Closet, voted it convenient to have Two Clerks. Then I told the Judges, Though they put me upon Nominating, yet would have them previous to it, freely confer about it. I acquainted them that Mr. Benjamin Rolfe, Mr. Samuel Tylye, Mr. Treasurer Allen's Son, had been mentioned to me, and Mr. Jnº Boydell. Some spake of Mr. John White, if there was but one Clerk. Mr. Davenport said his son was under Age, he would not mention him. Mr. Lynde said he would have mention'd his Son but for the same reason. All inclin'd to the two first save Mr. Lynde ; and he came over. I ram'd Mr. Tylye, and he was Unanimously voted, then I named Mr. Rolfe, and he was likewise Unanimously voted.
Feria quinta, Feb. 26. Gave our New Clerks their Oaths, all sign'd it: I drew it up all save the last words about Fees.
All sign'd an order to Mr. Cooke to deliver the books. Files, Seal - He delivered the Seal and asked 20. days for the rest."
Judge Sewall gives this account 1 of the appointment of Ben- jamin Rolfe to be Register of Probate, during the absence in England of the Register, John Boydell : -
" Oct! 8. [1722]. Mr. Boydell, told me he intended to go to England in Lethered, and propos'd Mr. Rolfe to supply his place in his absence ; which I was surpris'd at; I think I mention'd Mr. Tylye. He had spoken to me, and had serv'd a hard Aprenticeship in the place.
8: 10th Mr. Boydell prefers a petition to the Gov' and Council, that Mr. Rolfe might supply his place in his absence. I take this to be a direct breach on the Order used to be observ'd in Nominations. I said, it ought to be a Gen! Council : Mr. Belcher seconded me. Mr. Daven- port pleaded that any Council might do for this. At last an Appoint- ment was made to call a Council. When men's privat self-Interests are to be served, then Methods may be broken in upon; which at other times will be strenuously urged; and by none more than by Mir. Davenport. Gov' gave a paper to Mr. Davenport to be considered by the Judges. And his Excellency in that maner frequently passes over me. May the Blessed God reach ont his Hand to me; and that shall abundantly suffice !"
At a Council 2 held at the Council Chamber in Boston, Fri- day, October 19, 1722,
"The General Council for civil Officers being met according to ap- pointm! His Excellency was pleased to nominate M: Benj: Rolfe to be Regter of Wills for ye county of Suffolk in the room of M: John Boyd- well & during his absence.
To which nomination His Majestys Council advised & consented."
1 Sewall's Diary, III. 310. 2 Council Records, VII. 409.
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Judge Sewall 1 thus comments on this appointment : -
" Oct: 19. Mr. Rolfe is made Register. I said I am many times better provided for by others than by myself. I tried before the Council met, and found if I had used my Interest for I-e M-r. it would not have pass'd."
Rolfe performed all the duties of Register of Probate until the return of Boydell, who resumed his attestation of the records with volume twenty-three, which begins September 30, 1723.
At a Council 2 held in Boston, February 23, 1726, the Lieutenant-Governor nominated
" M: Benjamin Rolfe to be Register to the Judge of the Probate of Wills & for granting Letters of Administration &c in the County of Suffolk so far as relates to the Administration on the Estate of Thomas Lewis & dece! in the room of M: John Boidel (the standing Register) in case the sd Judge should see cause to grant Administration on the s! Estate to the said John Boidel. The sd Benj? Rolfe to have ye Admin- istration Bond in his Custody."
The Council Records4 show continual payments made to him for " writing for ye Publick " and "writing for Gov." from 1720, at least, down almost to the time of his death.
August 14, 1722, he was allowed £4. 5s. " for his service as Clerk to the Commissioners appointed to meet the Indians at Arrowsick in July 1721." 5
June 28, 1734, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex.6
On his petition in behalf of himself and the other children and heirs of his father, the Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, the General Court, December 23, 1735, granted to them a tract of land " lying on the West side of the Town of Lunenburg," not to exceed six hundred acres."
1 Sewall's Diary, III. 311.
2 Council Records, VIII. 523.
8 Thomas Lewis was Postmaster of Boston. When administration on his estate was granted to John Boydell, a creditor, and therefore an interested party, the appointment of a special " Register in ye affair " became necessary.
+ Council Records, VII., VIII., LX., X.
5 Ibid., VII. 390.
6 lbid., IX. 520.
: General Court Records, XVI. 242ª.
By deed dated September 18, 1750, recorded with Worcester Deeds. Liher 32, folio 84, Benjamin Rolfe of Boston, gentleman, one of the children of Benjamin
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December 23, 1737, a warrant was ordered to be issued 1 to pay Benjamin Rolfe " Register of the Special Court of Admi- ralty for trying Pirates, of the Charge of the Trial of John Barns," £66.19 to be by him paid to the persons to whom it was due.
He was elected by the General Court 2 June 28, 1727, one of the two Notaries Public for the Port of Boston, and was annually re-elected to that office until the year of his death.
The November Term, 1738, of the Superior Court of Judica- ture was held at Salem,3 and Benjamin Rolfe was there in the performance of his duties, when he was overtaken by death in the manner described in the following notice from the Boston Gazette of Friday, November 24, 1738 : -
" We hear from Salem. That last Tuesday Night Mr. Benjamin Rolfe, of this Town, one of the Clerks of the Superiour Court of Judi- cature, having eat his Supper, went to Bed as well in Health, to all Appearance, as he had been for a long Time, but was the next Morning found Dead in his Bed." 4
He married in Boston, March 1, 1719,20, Elizabeth Garland, by whom he had several children.
Rolfe late of Boston, gentleman, deceased, who was the eldest son of the Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, late of Haverhill, clerk, deceased, conveys to John Greenwood of Boston, painter, all his interest in the said tract of six hundred acres.
1 Council Records, X. 164.
2 General Court Records, XIII. 374.
3 Records of the Superior Court of Judicature, XII. 1.
The Boston News Letter of February 15, 1789, says : -
"Mr. John Walley, jun. of this Town, is appointed one of the Clerks of the Superiour Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, &e. in this Province, in the Room of Mr. Benjamin Rolfe, lately deceased."
The Boston News Letter of March 30, 1739, contains the following advertise- ment : -
" ALL Scrireners Business done by Daniel Marsh, ut his House opposite to the Governours, agreeable to the Rules of the late Mr. Benjamin Rolfe, deceas'd."
The advertisement of Benjamin Pollard, Notary Public, in the Boston News Letter of March 20, 1740, adds : -
" The said Pollard has employ'd William Morto, Clerk of that late accurate Con- veyancer Mr. Rolfe, and with his Assistance will give constant Atteudance aud Dispatch to the aforesaid Business."
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ANDREW BELCHER.
1739-1751.
Andrew Belcher, eldest son of Governor Belcher,1 was born in Boston Novem- ber 7, 1706, and was graduated at Har- And Melcher vard College in the class of 1724.
When his father sailed for London in 1729, as agent of the Province of Massachusetts and Colony of Connecticut, the son went with him.2 It was while in England upon this mission that his father received the appointment of Governor of Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire, his commission bearing date January 8, 1729-30. He landed in Boston on his return Angust 10, 1730.
Governor Belcher's second son, Jonathan Belcher, Jr., who was graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1728, entered upon the study of the law at the Middle Temple, London. It was the Governor's desire that his eldest son also should be bred to the law, but the latter had apparently little taste or aptitude for a professional life, and in a letter 3 dated July 18, 1733, to Lord Townshend, the father writes : --
" After all my own inclinations. my Lord, I have been in a great measure oblig'd to conform 'em to those of my children. where it re- spected their future employment in life. I wou'd feign have had my eldest son gone to the Temple, but he wouldn't, and chose to be a man in trade."
1 New England Historical and Genealogical Register, XXVII. 239; XXXI. 57; IV. 345.
2 The Boston News Letter of March 18, 1729. contains the following: "On Monday last the 10th Currant, early, sailed Capt. Fones for London, in whom went the Hon. Jonathan Belcher, Esq ; and his Eldest Son."
3 Belcher Papers, I. 508.
Governor Belcher writes to Francis Harrison, under date of Nov. 15, 1731 :- "I am now become a perfect stranger to all trade & commerce, and my son who succeeded me therein has no concern in shipping." ( Ibid., 1. 455.)
In a letter to - Davy, dated Boston, July 18, 1783, Governor Belcher recom- mends Messrs. Foye, Belcher & Lyde as a good house for him to correspond with. "The first of the house was in business with my father & self for about 30 years. and is perfectly knowing in all the trade of this country, and it's 9 years that my son has been in business, being about 27 years of age, and Mr Lyde marry'd my only daughter." (Ibid., I. 507.)
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In a letter 1 to George Bellamy, dated Boston, October 21, 1732, Governor Belcher, mentioning the death of Henry Mar- shall, the Postmaster of Boston, and publisher of the Boston Gazette, who had recently died, leaving no heirs in this coun- try, says : -
" As my son Andrew is a merch I shou'd esteem it a favour that they wou'd order the administrator to pay the money here into his hands to be remitted them in such manner as they may direct. He is as capable of it as any body else, and the commission may be some small perquisite to him."
Governor Belcher, in a letter 2 dated Boston, April 30, 1733, writes to his brother-in-law, Richard Partridge, who was then in London, in reply probably to the latter's suggestion of a government appointment for Andrew Belcher : --
"If And' will be diligent & mind his business, his compting house will be much more profitable than any paltry office in this government : and why can't he live by business as I have done before him ? J de- sire none of my children to work harder or take more pains to get into the world than I have done."
Governor Belcher in another letter 3 to Richard Partridge, dated Boston, May 28, 1733, says : -
" My son Andrew sends his brother 4 p Crocker a cage with 5 flying squirrells, the dam & 4 young ones, the latter are very tame. I wou'd have Jonathan contrive to be introduc'd to the Princess Royal, and present them to her. I know they are a curiosity in England."
In a letter 5 dated Boston, January 7, 1734 / 5, to Lord Towns- hend, whose son, the Hon. George Townshend, was then in Boston, Governor Belcher refers to the latter as
"'the Honble M' Townshend, who is so good as to make my house his home, and my eldest son (of 28 years of age) is his bedfellow and con- stant companion, and is highly pleas'd & honour'd therewith."
] Belcher Papers, I. 208.
2 Ibid., I. 275. Andrew Belcher seems to have made one or more journeys to Connecticut in 1732-4, to look after his father's property there. The Belcher Papers contain numerous letters from the father to the son, embodying the instructions for his visit, and from the father to Governor Talcott of Connec- ticut and others, introducing the son. Ibid., I. 487, 488, 501, 502 ; II. 475. See also Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, IV. 115, 282, 807, 312.
8 Belcher Papers, I. 299.
4 Jonathan Belcher, Jr., was then in London.
5 Belcher Papers, II. 181; see also Ibid., I. 421.
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Governor Belcher, in a letter 1 dated Boston, October 4. 1733, to Richard Partridge in London, refers to Benjamin Pemberton's
" bringing the King's order to rend from me the Naval Office, the one half whereof I gave my son Lyde 2 towards the support of his family, and intended the other half for my son Andrew (the whole office being worth about £550 this money)."
The order to the Governor to make Pemberton Clerk of the Naval Office was resented as being an encroachment on the rights and privileges of the Governor, that office having been always considered "an inseperable perquisite of his commis- sion."
"However, I have obey'd the King's order, and given him a com- mission, tho' I have turn'd my children out of so much bread."
He asks Partridge to ascertain
" whether it may not be practicable to regain this office to my family, - I mean to get the King's patent either for my son Audrew or Lyde. . . . I wou'd realy leave no stone unturn'd to get it again, not only for the profitt, but for my own honour."
Governor Belcher, in a letter 3 dated Boston, October 4, 1733, writes to the Duke of Newcastle : -
" I have, my Lord Duke, recd. his Majesty's commands for appoint- ing M' Pemberton Clerk of the Naval Office of this Province, which I wou'd humbly observe to your Grace is the first instance of the kind here, and seems to militate with the act of 7 & 8 of K. W. 34, where the Gov" is made intirely accountable for that office, and is one of the best perquisites of this governm', all which his Majesty in his royal com - mission to me sayes, I shall hold &' enjoy ; yet the sight of his Majesty's order in that behalf commanded my ready obedience, and I have in compliance therewith turn'd my son out of the office, to whom I had given it to help support his family, and have put M' Pemberton into possession thereof. How hard this is upon me, your Grace in your great goodness will please to consider, that while I have been con- stantly attacht to his Majesty's interest & honour in a strict adhierence to all his royal instructions, and for that reason only have been kept out of my just support by the people, with great submission to your
1 Belcher Papers, I. 376.
2 Byfield Lyde and Sarah Belcher, daughter of Governor Belcher, were mar- ried August 17, 1727.
3 Belcher Papers, I. 385 ; see also Ibid., I. 413.
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Grace, to have the best perquisite of my government taken from me. I believe your Grace must think severe & discouraging to a good servant. I humbly pray your Grace wou'd so consider it, as that in a convenient time I may restore my son to the place, which will oblige me & my son to pray for your lasting health & happiness."
In a letter 1 dated Boston March 3, 1734/5, to his son Jou- athan Belcher, Jr., in London, Governor Belcher says: -
" If any thing can be done about the Naval Office, and it be not fill- isht before this comes to hand, I shou'd rather it shou'd be given to your bro And' than to your bro Lyde, because I have lately well provided for the latter by making him sole Clerk of the Inferiour Court, which is worth near £1000 a year."
Governor Belcher, in a letter2 dated Boston, November 19, 1739, to Sir Charles Wager,8 asks that Andrew Belcher may be appointed
" Register of the Court of Vice Admiralty in New England in case of the death of M' John Boydill, who is now dangerously ill."
The following is the letter + of Governor Belcher, dated Bos- ton, December 13, 1739, to Sir Charles Wager : -
" HONBLE SIR, - The 29 last month I askt your favour for my son M!' Andrew Belcher to be Register of the Court of Admiralty here in case of a vacancy, since which M' John Boydill, the late Register, dy'd (the 10th [sic] inst, in the morning), & I have this day appointed my son to be Register of the said Court, & pray he may have a commission frou your board for that place in the usual form, which I shall esteem as a fresh obligation laid on, S',
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