The manual of the West Boylston Congregational Church can serve as a brief genealogical glimpse into the lives of its early members. After providing the Original Constitution and Articles of Faith and Convenant, along with a list of officers (pastors, deacons, clerks) he then provides a chronological list of members. It is this list which will prove most beneficial to researchers as it provides brief genealogical details of the member. For example:
- Asa Keyes, by letter from Sterling; son of Thomas and Mary (Temple) Keyes, bro. of Thomas (447); m., first, Sarah Thurston of Westboro’, May 31, 1798, who d. Feb. 27, 1807, a. 41; m., second, Tamer Eager (261), May 31, 1808, who d. Dec. 29, 1854, a. 81. He d. June 25, 1850, a, 82.
- Tamer Keynes, by letter from Sterling; wife of Asa Keyes (260), sister of Uriah Eager and Hannah (468 and 290), and d. Dec. 30, 1854, a. 81 yrs. 5 ms. 21 dys.
- Sarah Keyes, by letter from Sterling; dau. of Asa and Sarah (Thurston) Keyes (260), and d. unm., Dec. 12, 1830, a. 29.
- Mary Keyes, by letter from Sterling; dau. of Asa and Sarah Keyes (260); m. Dea. Simeon Partridge, son of James and Ruth of Boylston, Dec. 5. 1831, and d. April 18, 1836. Dea. Partridge m., second, Sarah G. Hartshorn, Nov. 30, 1837, and d. Feb. 20 1866, a. 66.
The index at the back of the book is not an everyname index, but an index only to the list of members of the church. Conduct a search of the book for the surname you’re researching to get a more complete list of people.
Source
James H. Fitts, Manual of the Congregational Church in West Boylston, Mass., Clinton, [Mass.] : W.J. Coulter, 1870.