USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Reminiscences of a nonagenarian > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
As the zealous advocate of civil lib- erty we give you welcome ; as the brave defender of an oppressed people, we make you welcome-as the friend and companion of our immortal Washing- ton, we bid you welcome."
To this a brief and appropriate reply was made, in which the General mod- estly hinted, that "the great attention paid him was far beyond his expecta- tions or deserts-that his feelings of at- tachment towards this country could not be expressed, but only felt by a heart glowing with the most ardent af- fection."
A window was thrown up, and the General presented himself to the crowd. Every one strove to first grasp his hand ; the shouts were hushed in the excess of affectionate feeling, while in kind re- bukes he expressed his sorrow that any should be exposed for his sake to the inclement weather. Supper, which had
318
REMINISCENCES
been provided by Mr. Stetson, was then served. At the table, with the General and his suite, were the military officers, the committee of arrangements, the cler- gymen of the town and the marshals of the day.
I passed an anxious evening. My husband's health did not admit of ex- posure, and I knew he must be com- pletely drenched. The bells and the guns announced the arrival of the cor- tege. About 11 o'clock I was startled by the entrance of a stranger, a cavalry officer from Andover, who brought an introduction from my husband. He was in delicate health and feared the worst from such æwetting. I supplied dry clothes and a cup of hot tea, while Babb, having stabled the officer's steed, built a ronsing fire in the kitchen fire- place to dry his uniform. Mr. Emery arrived about 12; his military cloak had been some defence, still his cloth- ing was saturated. The crowd had been great, and owing to the pelting rain there had been much confusion. A gang of pickpockets was following the General on his route, and several of our citizens were most adroitly despoiled of their pocket-books and watches. The marshals had been obliged to remain on horseback until the company sat down to supper. As the suits must be ready for service in the morning, the faithful Babb and John B. Porter, then a lad in the family, took them in charge while the tired owners sought repose.
On Wednesday morning the weather being unpromising, the procession was abandoned. After gracefully receiving all who chose an introduction, LaFay- ette entered his carriage for Portsmouth. An escort composed of cavalry, light infantry and artillery, accompanied him a short distance ; the gentlemen of the
committee of arrangements, and the marshals attended him to Leavitt's tav- ern in Hampton. In the afternoon the disappointed children were paraded on the mall ; they had been furnished with LaFayette badges. The girls wore white dresses and blue sashes, upon which was stamped a portrait of the General ; a similar likeness had been put on white satin ribbons about a quar- ter of a yard in length, which were at- tached to the buttonholes of the boys' jackets.
LaFayette returned to town between 12 and 1 o'clock Thursday morning. The houses on High street through Belleville and Newburyport were bril- liantly illuminated, and every one was up to receive the beloved visitor.
The General remained here about two hours, and then set out for Boston, where he was under an engagement to review a body of troops at Lexington.
There were many interesting meet- ings during LaFayette's visit with old friends, his former comrades in arms, Capt. Gould and Mr. Edward Toppan, had served under him in Rhode Island ; Mr. Lemuel Coffin had been under Col. Bayler of Washington's Life Guards, and witnessed LaFayette's brave .con- duct at Monmouth ; Mr. Amos Pear- son had been with him at the capture of Burgoyne ; but of the many veterans of the continental army who were present- ed to the General, none produced a stronger title to notice than Mr. Daniel Foster ; he was a non-commissioned of- ficer in LaFayette's select corps of Light Infantry, and constantly about the General. This had been the pet corps of LaFayette, and he uniformed and armed it at his own expense. Mr. Foster advanced before the General, and holding his sword, welcomed his
EMERY PLACE.
319
OF A NONAGENARIAN.
former commander to our shores. He told him "he was proud to see him once more on American soil, and that his son's sons participated in his happiness on this joyful occasion." When La- Fayette saw one of his own infantry standing before him, one who had often commanded his quarter guard, and his own mark on the blade of the sword half drawn from the scabbard, he greet- ed the old soldier most cordially, em- bracing him enthusiastically, telling him "that he looked upon him as one of his own family."
Had it not been for the unpropitious weather, this reception would have been most auspicious ; but the rain causing a change in the programme, some dis- appointment and mistakes ensued.
The Byfield Rifle Corps was to have joined in the Wednesday morning's pro- cession ; they came into town the even- ing previous to witness the arrival of the General and be in readiness for the next morning's celebration. Owing to the procession 's being abandoned they were entirely overlooked. Mr. Emery found them a rueful set of men, without a breakfast. He immediately ordered the requisite refreshment, which, though it took nearly forty dollars from his pocket, secured him the kind remem- brance of his own comrades, friends · and neighbors.
CHAPTER LXII.
In August the county bought the es- tate above the jail. This property be- longed to Mr. Thomas Somerby. On it was a good two-story house, which was sold to be removed, for the erection
of the stone house occupied by the jail keeper. The Somerby house was put up at auction, and was knocked off to Mr. Emery for $190. By the terms of sale he was obliged to move it in one week ; it was sold on Tuesday, and the next week Monday at half-past 5 in the afternoon, it was on his hill fronting his stable and slaughter-house. This was an astonishing expedition- for those days, as none of the present appliances for moving buildings were at hand. Mr. Emery was obliged to go to Dan- vers to procure the wheels upon which the building was moved. The team- sters and farmers in the town and vi- cinity furnished the teams ; a string of forty-two yoke of oxen drew the build- ing to its place.
High street was lined with people to witness the novel sight; there had not been such a stir in the town for months, as in those days there was little to break the monotony excepting the daily arrivals of the various stages, and "court week," which was hailed with especial delight by the young ladies, as a season for evening parties, at which the lawyers and other distinguished strangers which the court drew into town, were entertained.
The evening of LaFayette's arrival the house stood upon posts, the cellar not having been completed, and I great- ly feared that it would be blown over in the southeastern storm. No acci- dent happened, and an L was immedi- ately added. There was so little build- ing at that time that the remodelling of the house attracted much attention, and visitors often went to view the building and the fine prospect which its site af -. forded. Mr. Moses Coffin and his sons did the joiner's work, and Mr. Marshall the masonry. The house was complet-
320
REMINISCENCES
ed by November, and we took posses- sion on the 22nd.
The next February my Aunt Thurrel died ; her husband went before some two or three years. In March, her brother, and Mr. Emery's grandfather, John Little, died ; he took cold at his sister's funeral and never went out again. In the same week we were called to mourn the loss of Jane Noyes, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Noyes. Jane was a very beau- tiful and lovely girl of nineteen, and her death caused a sad void in the home and throughout the family. Her illness was lingering and distressing, but it was borne with a patience and even cheerfulness, which evinced the most lovely traits of a truly christian charac- ter. Leaning upon the Savior, she calmly met the approach of death, and with childlike trust at last fell asleep in Jesus. Jane Noyes was buried on one day, and Grandfather Little on the next.
The next October my brother Joseph moved to Boston, and went into the .
wholesale grocery business in a store on North Market street, in company with the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder.
The next spring Mr. Solomon Babb took possession of a farm which he had purchased in Meredith, N. H., border- ing on Lake Winnipiseogee. This es- tate was bought with the savings of his period of service in our family. He not only secured a fine large farm, but had also sufficient funds to stock it and set up housekeeping.
In the August of 1824 Capt. John Emery Remick, then a lad of fourteen, the second son of Capt. John Remick, and grandson of Mr. Emery's uncle, Maj. Ephraim Emery, came to reside with us ; he continued in our household
until after his majority, and was ever regarded as a son in the family.
CHAPTER LXIII.
Methodism acquired but few adhe- rents in this vicinity until 1819, when the Rev. John Adams, commonly known as "Reformation John," commenced his labors. The first meetings were held in private houses ; then, an old school- house on Marlborough street became the place of worship. while the prayer- meetings were still held at the dwellings of the converts.
A church had been built at Salisbury, and until 1825 the two societies were connected, Mr. Adams preaching alter- nately at the two places. On the Sab- baths when the service was held in Salisbury, many of the Newbury people crossed the river in boats to attend di- vine worship. At that period there were many itinerant preachers conse- crated to missionary work ; these trav- elled on foot, their clothing slung in a knapsack on their shoulders or on horse- back, the saddle-bags depending from the saddle containing the sum of their worldly possessions.
Mr. Cutting Pettingell was one of the first converts, and his house was ever open to his bretliren. Often at sunset one or more of these tired, dusty, way- worn travellers would arrive, explain- ing that they had been directed to the "Pilgrim's Home," as Mr. Pettingell's house had become designated.
In 1825, a small, one-story chapel, with an unpretending portico over the entrance, was erected in the midst of a field between South and .Marlborough
321
OF A NONAGENARIAN.
streets. Gates opening upon paths through the potato patch gave ingress to the building ; the principal walk led from a gate at the head of Chase's court directly to the front door. This incon- venient location had been chosen on ac- count of the cheapness of the site.
Among the first pew-holders were the Pettingells, Plummers, Hunts, Good- wins, Lunts, Thurlows, Capt. Joseph L. Colby, Mr. Benjamin Brown, Mr. David Watts. Mr. Moses Chase, Mr. Charles Shoof, Mr. Amos Currier, Jo- siah Plummer Noyes, Mr. Isaac Noyes, Mr. William Ilsley, Mr. Michael Worm- stead, Mr. Samuel Smith, Mr. Benja- min Atkinson, Mr. Joseph Janvrin and Mr. Peabody Greenleaf.
In a few years Adelphi street was laid out ; this brought the chapel into a pleasant and convenient situation; ac- cessible from the sidewalk. The band, who in the face of much opposition had founded this new society, reckoned among its members some of the deepest thinkers and most respectable citizens of that part of the town ; still they were subjected to much animadversion and derision. Many of the more zealous female members, discarding outward adornment, wore short hair and ex- tremely plain attire ; this, and their as- sisting to conduct the meetings, brought upon them the scorn and ridicule of the more worldly minded.
Greatly in need of a domestic, I was informed that a young girl named Ann Page desired a place. My invitation that she should call was immediately answered by a pretty, black-eyed girl of eighteen, lively and enthusiastic. To the chagrin and displeasure of her parents, Miss Page had embraced Meth- odism, and her mother declared "that if she would persist in disgracing her-
self, she must leave the paternal roof." Ann gave a graphic description of her conversion. One evening, from curi- osity, she attended a meeting, declaring in her gay manner, "that she must hear the preacher, who shouted so loud that one could see the pudding he ate for dinner." The careless, thoughtless girl entered that old Marlborough street school-house to emerge a changed be- ing. "Old things had passed away, all had become new." Her fine clothes were laid aside, her luxuriant locks were shorn, and in a plain calico, and a straw bonnet tied by a ribbon, drawn smoothly over the crown, she sought a place at service, that she might enjoy her religion without censure. The only boon she craved was to attend the Sat- urday evening class meetings and the Sabbath services. Though a total ig- norance of the duties of a serving-maid was admitted, I was so much pleased with the girl that I hired her directly, and a most pleasant and efficient mem- ber of the household she became ; wil- ling, quick, lively and affectionate, she grew to be the light of the house. At the end of a year, her parents having become reconciled to her change of faith, she returned home to prepare for mar- riage. In that relation and throughout life she has exemplified the sincerity of her conversion. In her sportive man- ner she often testifies to the benefit that Methodism conferred in a temporal as well as spiritual sense. By being sent to service she gained the knowledge which is invaluable to a woman, a thor- ough training in domestic life.
The Boynton family date from the in- vasion of Ireland by the Norsemen, in the seventh century. A chieftain of the race obtained a victory on the river Boyne, and from that historic stream
41
322
REMINISCENCES
took the name of Boynton. The com- mencement of the family pedigree in England is as follows :
"Bartholomew Boynton, of Boynton, Lord of the Manor, in 1014, had Wal- ter de Boynton, living in 1092, who had Sir Ingram Boynton Kent, 1113, who had Thomas Boynton, 1142, who had William de Boynton, 1166.
Sir William de Bovington, living in 1214, to whom Ingelram Monceau gave 2 messuages, 3 cottages and 7 bovats of land in Bovington, married Alecia, daughter of Ingelram Monceau, living a widow in 1221, when she gave two oxgangs of land in Bovington to Nun Appleton Priory.
Sir Ingelram de Bovington, seated at Acklam, 1229, married a daughter of Roger der Acklam.
William Boynton of Acklam, living in 1277, married Jaon, daughter of Sir John Wadsley.
Ingram de Boyton, held the 3d part of one knight's fee, in Acklam, Levin- thorpe, Thornton, Martin, Cottesby and Rouceby 1313, married Margaret, daughter of Sir Walter Grindal-Isabel, daughter of Robert Nevile of Hornby 2nd wife.
Sir Walter de Boynton succeeded his father 1320, and heir to his brother John. He was knighted in 1356, being in the service of the Black Prince in Brittany ; married daughter of William Aton of Ayton.
John de Bovington, gave 1 messuage, 1 taft, and 4 bovats of land in Boving- ton, for the maintenance of a chaplain, to pray at the altar of the Blessed. Mary in Bovington, 'for his own soul, the souls of his father and mother, and the souls of all his ancestors, and the faith- ful dead.'
Sir Thomas Boynton of Acklam 1377,
jointly with Thomas de Ingleby, had a grant from King Edward for free war- ren in Acklam, Cleveland, Aresome; Rousby, Newton, Smeaton and Boyn- ton, co. York, and in 1392 Richard 2nd confirmed a gift of the fishery ou the river Teyse at Catterick ; married Catharine, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Geoffery Rossels of Newton, under Dunesburgh, Cleveland.
Sir Thomas Boynton, lieutenant and constable at Carlisle, under Henry Per- cye, son of the Earl of Northumberland in 1383, died before his father, married Margaret, daughter of Sir John Spec- ton of Sawkill.
Sir Robert Boynton was governor of Berwick Castle in 1377, married Isabel, daughter of Sir William Normanville.
Sir Henry de Boynton, succeeded his grandfather, Sir Thomas, in 1402. He was suspected of being in the interest of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumber- land, and his son, who· had taken arms against Henry 4th in 1403; when the battle of Shrewsbury was fought, his oath was taken to be true to the king, yet three years after he was concerned with the said Earl, Thos. Mowbray, Earl Marshall, Richard Serope, arch- bishop of York, and others who had taken arms, and flying to Berwick, was apprehended, and on the surrender thereof to the king, with seven others, executed July 20th, 1405 ; he married Elisabeth, daughter of Sir John Con- gers, of Sackburne.
Thomas de Boynton, aged 12 at his father's death, married Margaret, daugh- ter of Peter Mirfield.
Sir William Boynton, brother and heir to Thomas de Boynton, married Jane, daughter of Simon Harding.
Sir Thomas Boynton of Akelam, mar- ried Isabel, daughter of Sir William
323
OF A NONAGENARIAN.
Normanville of Kilnwick. The will of Dame Joan Boynton of Yarm, was proved Feb. 7th, 1488. She had a li- cense for an oratory at Sudbury Dec. 2nd, 1455, and also April 30th, 1463, to have service in an oratory wherever she chose, and in March 1473 Arch- bishop Nevile granted her the privilege for three years.
Sir Henry Boynton, lord of Barm- ston, married before 1473, Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Martin del See, Lord of Barmston, ob. before 1497. Dame Margery was a votary and patroness to the priory of Nun Cotham.
Thomas Boynton of Barmston and Akclam, in 1519 petitioned the Cardinal of York to have the chapel of Rousby consecrated and sacraments adminis- tered there. He died March 17th, 1523, and was buried in Rousby chapel ; married Cecelia, daughter of Sir James Strangeways at Smeaton.
Matthew Boynton Esq., steward of the lordships belonging to St. Mary's Abbey, in York, died at York July 31st, 1541, aged 40. He had a grant of land for life from Henry 8th, of the high stewardship of all lands in the counties of York and Lincoln, forfeited by the attainder of William Wood, prior of Bridlington. In his will desired to be buried at Barmston, and leaves 20£ to the high altar in that church ; married Ann, daughter of Sir John Bulmer of Wilton.
Sir Thomas Boynton, son and heir, aged 18 at his father's decease, and whose custody was given to Sir Ralph Evans, M. P. for Boroughbridge, 13th Elisabeth, high sheriff of Yorkshire, 18th Elisabeth, and knighted by her Majesty at Hampton Court January 1577, in the 20th year of her reign, was
buried amongst his ancestors at Barm- ston. In his will he earnestly requests Henry, Earl of Huntingdon, (styling him 'that man of God,') to take upon him the guardianship of his only son ; married 1st Ellen, daughter of Sir, Nicholas . Fairfax, of Walton, was a minor in the king's wardship, with whom he had never company, but she was di- voreed from him, and married Vava- vour of Hazlewood (1174) ; Margaret, 2nd wife, daughter of Sir William Hen- ton, of Harpsham ; 3d wife, Frances, daughter of Sir Francis Frobisher, of Altufts ; 4th wife, Alice, daughter of Nicholas Tempest, of Helmsden. Cece- ly Boynton, second daughter of Sir Thomas, was maid of honor to Queen Elisabeth.
Sir Francis Boynton, high sheriff of Yorkshire, 1536, knighted at York April 17th, 1603, by King James, when he passed through that city on his way from Scotland, and had a deputation dated at York March 11th, 1615, for preserving game in the North and East Ridings. He died April 9th, 1617, and was buried at Barmston. At his death he was seized of the Manors of Barm- ston-cum-Winkton, .Rousby, Acklam, Rudstone, a moiety of the manor of Middleton, Tyas, and lands in Barm- ston, and the rectories of Barmston and Bridlington ; married Dorothy, daugh- ter and heiress of Sir Christopher Place of Holnaby.
Sir Matthew Boynton, baptized at ·Barmston Jan. 26th, 1591, knighted by King James at Whitehall, May 9th, 1618, and by letters patent, dated the 25th of that month, advanced to the dignity of a baronet of Great Britain, M. P. for Heyden 1620. He was one of those rebels (?) chiefly entrusted in Yorkshire, for whom Sir John Hotham,
324
REMINISCENCES
and his son, Capt. Hotham, were con- triving the surrender of Hull to the King. This Sir Matthew Boynton, had orders from parliament to have an eye on them, and endeavor to preserve the town if he perceived it in danger, pur- suant to which he contrived the seizing him, and Col. Matthew Boynton, his son, actually took Sir John prisoner, and received pardon under the great seal Feb. 10th, 1625, high sheriff co., York 1628, 1644 and 1645. He had a deputation dated at Westminster April 5th, 1631, for preserving the game in the North and East Ridings, M. P. for Scarborough Oct. 25th, 1643, colonel of a troop of Horse, and governor of Scarborough Castle temp of Charles 1st and took an active part in the civil wars of the period. He died at Highgate, co. Middlesex, and was buried in the chancel of St. Albans, Holborn, March 12th, 1646. 1st wife, Frances, daugh- ter of Sir Henry Griffeth Kent, and Bart. of Wicknow, co. Stafford and Burton Agnes, co. York (and sole heir- ess to her brother Sir Henry) by his lady Elisabeth, daughter of Thomas Throckmorton Esq. of Loughton, eo. Warwick, lineally descended from the Kings of England, the Dukes of Nor- mandy, the Princes of Wales, and the Earls of Northumberland, before and after the Conquest, of the Earls of March and Dunbar in Scotland, mar- riage settlement dated Sept. 27th, 1614, and died in July 1634, aged 36, and buried at Rousby, where a tomb is erect- ed to her memory. 2nd wife, Katha- rine 2nd, daughter of Thomas, Viscount Fairfax of Emley.
Mathew Boynton, Lieutenant Colonel, was slain at Wigan, co. Lancaster, Aug. 26th, 1631, in the advance of King Charles' army towards Worcester ; mar-
ried Isabel, daughter of Robert Staple- ton, of Wighill. Peregrine Boynton died Aug. 28th, 1645, and was buried at Barmston, whereon an epitaph is in- scribed, 'This child God gave unto them when strangers in a foreign land.' Mary and other children."
This is all the record in England of the Boyntons coming to America.
. Rev. Ezekiel Rogers arrived in this country with many respectable York- shire families, "godly men" and "most of them of good estate," in the autumn of 1638. The settlement of Rowley was commenced April, 1639. On the 3d of Dec. 1639 Mr. Rogers was in- stalled pastor over the church.
The town was laid out in streets and lots. The record reads : "On Bradford Streete, To John Boynton, one lotte containinge an acree and a halfe, bound- ed on the south side by Michael Hop- kinson's house lott, part of it lyinge on the west side, and part of it on the east side of the street.
To William Boynton, one lott, con- taininge an acree and a halfe, bounded on the south side by John Boynton's house lott, part of it lyinge on the west side, and part on the east side of the street."
John Boynton died in 1670.
William Boynton was made Freeman in 1640, died in 1665. William, the son of William and Elisabeth Boynton, was the first teacher in Rowley ; he taught about twenty-four years.
William Boynton was one of fifty- eight, to whom, in 1667, Hog Island marshes were divided and laid out. In 1680 Rowley appointed nine tithing men for the inspection of families. Ivory Kilbarn was to inspect John and Caleb Boynton's families, and John Pearson the family of Joseph Boynton.
325
OF A NONAGENARIAN.
In 1691 the town paid Caleb Boyn- ton £4. 15s. 3d. for his son William Boynton for military service in Canada.
In 1754 Stephen Boynton was out under Capt. John Lane at the eastern frontier, and in 1755 he was a private in a company under Capt. Thomas Gage, raised in Rowley to do duty at Lake George and vicinity.
John Boynton was out six and a half months under Capt. Jonathan Pearson of Newbury.
May 31st, 1757, James Boyriton's name is amongst those forming Capt. John Pearson's Troop of Horse.
June 15th, 1759, John Boynton was one of Capt. Thurston's Alarm List.
In 1759 James Boynton was a pri- vate under Capt. Thomas Poor, of An- dover.
In 1760 James Boynton was in a company raised under Capt. James Her- rick, of Boxford, for the total reduction of Canada.
In 1779 Enoch Boynton was one of Capt. Thomas Mighill's company, who served in Col. Nathaniel Wade's regi- ment at West Point the term of three months.
Ephraim Boynton was fourth ser- geant in the train band belonging to Capt. John Northend's company in Rowley. Ephraim Boynton married Abigaile, daughter of David Emery, of Newbury.
Joshua Boynton, son of John, born in 1640, held two hundred acres of the water front on the river Parker in By- field,
His son Joshua, born in 1677, was deacon of the church in that parish for forty years ; he died in 1770.
Joshua, born 1677, died in 1770.
Enoch B., born in 1759, died in 1798. Enoch, born in 1730, died in 1805.
Enoch, born in 1799, died in 1859. His son, Methusela, was the father of Alfred Boynton, who married Abigail Moody ; children, Alfred, Eben Moody, Charles and William.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.