Background
Heywood, Ezra Hervey was born on September 29, 1829 in Princeton, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Ezra and Dorcas (Roper) Hoar.
Heywood, Ezra Hervey was born on September 29, 1829 in Princeton, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Ezra and Dorcas (Roper) Hoar.
Graduate Brown U., 1856.
Took name Heywood by Massachusetts legislation, 1848. After meeting with William Lloyd Garrison in Framingham (Massachusetts) became member Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Opposed to Civil War.
Set up Cooperative Public Company with his wife and children, Princeton, Massachusetts, 1871. Published monthly reform journal The Word, 1872-1893. Organized (with wife) Union Reform League, Princeton, also New England Free Love League (1873).
Arrested for violating Federal law of 1873 which forbade mailing of obscene matter, 1877, convicted in the United States Court, 1878, sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in Dedham (Massachusetts) jail, and $100 fine. Pardoned (after pleas from some 6,000 of his followers) by President Rutherford B. Hayes after serving only 6 months. Arrested again for mailing obscene literature, 1882 (acquitted), arrested 3d time under Massachusetts obscenity law, 1883 (acquitted).
Convicted for obscene articles in The Word, 1890, served 2 year prison term. Author: (pamphlets) Uncivil Liberty. Social Ethics … Free Rum … Assures Temperance.
The Labor Movement; Hard Cash. Free Trade; The Great Strike … of 1877.
Member Mass.
Married Angela Fiducia Tilton, June 6, 1865, 4 children—Hermes, Angelo, Vesta, Psyche Ceres.