History of Wendell, Massachusetts, USA

Wendell, Massachusetts
Franklin county. The surface of Wendell is uneven, and in some parts hilly; but the soil is strong and productive. Miller's river passes through the north part of the town, giving mill privileges, fertility and beauty in its course. There is a curious kind of stone found here, embedded with mica slate; and Chalk pond furnishes a substance from which chalk is made by burning it.

The manufactures of this pleasant town consist of palm-leaf hats, boots, shoes, leather, cabinet ware, chairs, &c.

Wendell was incorporated in 1781, and named in honor of Oliver Wendell, Esq., a very worthy man, for many years president of Union Bank, in Boston, the second institution of the kind in Massachusetts. Mr. Wendell was a great patron of this town, and frequently visited it.

Wendell is bounded north by Erving, east by Phillipston, south by [New] Salem, and west by Montague.

The mill privileges on Millers river in this town are very valuable; many of which remain...

This town was named in honor of the Hon. Oliver Wendell, and was once a part of Shutesbury and of a tract called Ervingshire.

It is well watered by Miller's River and its branches.

The inhabitants are mostly farmers, and are not collected into any considerable village.

Some palm-leaf hats, boots and shoes, are made here.

Distance from Greenfield, 14 miles; from Boston, 80.

This town was incorporated in 1781. It is mostly a farming town, composed of scattered plantations, there being no considerable village in the town. The surface is uneven, but not much broken or precipitous. There are two houses of worship in the central part of the town, one a Congregational, the other a Baptist church. Rev. Joseph Kilburn, a Congregational minister, was settled here in 1783; he died in 1815, and his successors have been Rev. Hervey Wilbur, Rev. John. B. Duncklee, and Rev. William Claggett.

Miller river, which forms the northern boundary of the town, is here a fine stream, and adds much to the beauty and fertility of this part of the township. Population, 847. Distance, 14 miles from Greenfield, and 80 from Boston. In 1837, there were 37,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured here, valued at $5,000;. the value of boots and shoes manufactured was $5,250.

Wendell, a post-township of Franklin co., Massachusetts, intersected by the Vermont and Massachusetts railroad, about 40 miles N. by E. from Springfield. Population, 920.

Wendell's Depot, a post-office of Franklin co., Massachusetts, on the Vermont and Massachusetts railroad, 40 miles W. by N. from Fitchburg.

Wendell is a pleasant town of 509 inhabitants, located in the easterly section of Franklin County, 89 miles from Boston on the Fitchburg Railroad, which has a station at Wendell (depot), at the northeast corner of the town. The station at Erving (centre), at the middle of the north line of the town, is also convenient. These, with Wendell Centre, and Look's Village at the southwestern border, are the post-offices used. Farleyville and South Wendell are the other villages.

Miller's River separates this town from Erving on the north; on the east it has Orange and New Salem; on the south, Shutesbury, and on the west, Montague. The assessed area is 21,311 acres; of which 10,155 acres are forest. The surface is uneven; and rises in the north into a commanding eminence called "Bear Mountain," whose summit is 1,281 feet above sea-level. A long north and south ridge in the middle of the town bears the village of Wendell Centre. From this vicinity flow Wickett Brook in the west and...

Wendell, a post-hamlet in Wendell township, Franklin co, Mass., about 36 miles N. by E, of Springfield. The township is bounded on the N. by Miller's River. It contains Wendell Depot. Pop. of the township, 503.

Wendell Depot, a post-village in Wendell township, Franklin co., Mass., on Miller's River and the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad, 40 miles W. of Fitchburg.