My Massachusetts Roots and the Joy Family Legacy
Imagine a time when Massachusetts was just taking shape—when rugged settlers laid the foundations of Boston, brick by brick, ideal by ideal. Thomas Joy lived in that era; he was a builder, a dreamer, and my 13th-generation direct ancestor. Born around 1610 in England, Thomas arrived in Boston in 1635, where he quickly made his mark as a skilled carpenter and architect. His most notable achievement? Constructing the first Boston Town House between 1657 and 1658, a building that stood at the head of what is now State Street, near the present-day Old State House. This wasn’t just a structure—it was an arsenal, courthouse, town hall, and the colony’s first seat of government, a symbol of a fledgling community finding its footing.
But Thomas Joy’s story is more than a list of accomplishments. It’s a tale of grit, conviction, and the courage to stand tall against towering odds. And in my campaign running for Belmont’s Select Board, I’m proud to share his story—not just to honor my family’s deep ties to the founding of Boston and Massachusetts, but to remind us all of the values that built this region and still guide us today.
Thomas Joy’s Trials: A Stand Against the Storm
Thomas Joy was a man who didn’t shy away from a fight when it mattered. In 1646, he clashed with the formidable Governor John Winthrop, a name familiar to anyone who’s brushed up on colonial history. The reason? Thomas dared to support a petition called Dr. Child’s Memorial, a bold call for greater liberties and voting rights in a colony where power was tightly held. For gathering signatures—“getting hands,” as they called it—Thomas was seized and “kept in irons for four or five days,” a punishment etched into his gravestone in Hingham. This wasn’t just a personal setback; it was a clash of visions for what Massachusetts could be.
The fallout was steep. His differences with Winthrop’s rigid administration resulted in Thomas, his wife Joan, and their entire family leaving Boston for Hingham, about 15 miles southeast, where they could all breathe freer air. There, Joy bought a home, a farm, and a mill privilege, pouring his energy into building a grist mill and a sawmill that powered the town’s growth. This move wasn’t defeat—it was defiance, a refusal to let adversity silence his democratic spirit. Thomas’s trials reveal a man who, when faced with chains, chose to forge a new path instead.
Thomas Joy’s Successes: Foundations That Endure
Thomas Joy’s hands shaped more than mills—they built the backbone of a young society. His crowning achievement came in 1657, when he was chosen to construct Boston’s first Town House. Picture it: a sturdy wooden building, 61 feet long and 36 feet wide, funded by a gift from Captain Robert Keayne and the community’s own contributions. It was a hub of colonial life, where justice was served, decisions were made, and the seeds of governance took root. That site, marked on his gravestone as the “First State House - Boston 1657,” still echoes in the shadow of today’s Old State House.
Thomas had many other achievements as well. Even after settling in Hingham, in 1648, he joined the Boston Artillery Company, a prestigious militia still known today as the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. By 1665, he earned the status of Freeman in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, securing his place as a full citizen. His mills in Hingham churned out flour and lumber, fueling the town’s economy, while Joy Street in Boston—near his old property—stands as a quiet tribute to his impact. Thomas didn’t just build buildings, he built communities, leaving a legacy that outlasted his life, which ended in Hingham on October 21, 1678.
Lessons for Today: A Legacy for Belmont
Thomas Joy’s story isn’t locked in the past—it’s a living thread that runs through my family and through Belmont. As his 13th-generation descendant, I see in him a blueprint for leadership: the resolve to stand for what’s right, the skill to build what lasts, and the heart to serve the common good. His journey from irons to influence mirrors the challenges we face today—whether it’s navigating Belmont’s financial predicament or crafting a future that works for everyone. Running for Belmont Select Board, I’m inspired by his example to tackle our town’s needs with the same tenacity and vision.
Thomas was no governor or grandee; he was a craftsman who rose above hardship to leave something enduring. That’s the spirit I bring to this campaign—a belief that ordinary people, working together, can do extraordinary things. In Belmont, we’re at our own crossroads, balancing growth with character, inclusion with tradition. Thomas’s life shows us that progress doesn’t come easy, but it’s worth the effort. His legacy isn’t just in stone or street signs—it’s in the idea that one person’s stand can lift a whole community.
A Call to Remember and Rise
Thomas Joy’s gravestone in Hingham tells a story of struggle and triumph, a reminder of the unsung figures who shaped Massachusetts. As we look ahead, let’s draw strength from those roots. I invite you to learn more about Thomas Joy and the early days of our commonwealth—and to join me in carrying that spirit forward. For Belmont Select Board, I’m running to build on our past, not just preserve it, to create a future where every voice counts. Together, we can honor the quiet heroes like Thomas Joy by proving that their values still light the way.
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