Elias Whitney Boyden

Elias was born in Millbury, MA to Elias Whitney and Sylvia F. (Adams) Boyden on May 7, 1832. He was the fourth of their eleven children, which included two sets of twins. Elias senior was a blacksmith.

In the early 1850s Elias junior moved to the Rockdale District of Northbridge, MA and worked as a machinist in one of the local mills. He married Fidelia Smith in 1854. In 1855 Elias senior died, and Sylvia moved in with her son and daughter-in-law. Elias and Fidelia had three children: Charles "Charlie" Frederick in 1859, Emma "Emmie" Flora in 1862, and Sylvia Esther in 1869. Sadly, Charlie died in 1861. Emmie and Sylvia both grew up and had families of their own.

Elias enlisted in August 1862 and was mustered into the 25th Massachusetts Regiment Company C as a Private. His enlistment papers give the following description: 5' 8" tall with a dark complexion, blue eyes, and black hair. Most of his service was spent in North Carolina and Virginia, and he was likely involved in battles at New Bern, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Richmond. Elias mustered out in late October 1864. After the war he returned to Northbridge and continued working as a machinist.

In the late 1880s Elias and Fidelia moved in with their daughter Emmie and her family in Hopedale, MA. Fidelia passed away from cancer in 1893.

Elias died of heart disease and edema of the lungs on February 22, 1902. He and Fidelia are buried side by side in Hopedale Village Cemetery in Hopedale.