|
NAVIGATION
Massachusetts
Histories
Historical Sketches
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Worcester County
New York
Histories
Maine
Histories
History at
Rays Place
Also see [ Railway
Officials in America
1906
] NEW
Rays
Places
|
THIS town was granted by the general court to Thomas Tileston and others, for and in consideration of services
done by officers and soldiers of the ancient town of Dorchester in the expedition to Canada, in 1690, under Capt.
John Withrington. This grant was formerly known by the name of “Dorchester Canada,” but at its incorporation, in
1765, it was named Ashburnham. The Congregational church was gathered here in 1760, and Rev. Jonathan Winchester
was ordained their pastor. He died in 1767, and was succeeded Rev. John Cushing, D. D., in 1768. Dr. Cushing died
in 1823, and was succeeded by Rev. George Perkins, in 1824. Rev. George Goodyear was installed the next pastor,
in 1832. About the year 1782, the Shakers made a commencement in this town, but they have long since become extinct.
This town lies upon the highlands between Connecticut and Merrimac rivers, so that part of its waters pass through
Miller’s river into the Connecticut, and part through Nashua river into the Merrimac. It is uneven in its surface,
and contains several large ponds. Here are excellent farms and grazing lands, and the inhabitants are chiefly employed
in agriculture. Leather has been extensively manufactured here, and a soap-stone company carry on their works in
this town. In 1837, there were in this town 11 manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware; value of chairs and cabinet
ware, $37,390 12; hands employed, 115; six tanneries; value of leather tanned and curried, $23,509.03, there were
122,864 palm-leaf hats manufactured, valued at $19,944. There was also 1 cotton mill. There are three churches,
1 Congregationalist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. Distance, 30 miles N. of Worcester, and 50 N. W. of Boston. Population,
1,758.
FROM:
Historical Collections Relateing to the
History and Antiquities of
Every town in Massachusetts with
Geographical Descriptions.
By John Warner Barber.
Worchester
Published by Warren Lazell.
1848
|
|