History of Whately, Massachusetts, USA

1672 - Whately is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1771 - The town of Whately is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Whately
Whately, Massachusetts
Franklin county. This town lies on the west side of Connecticut river, 9 miles N. from Northampton, 11 S. from Greenfield, and 92 W. by N. from Boston. Incorporated in 1771. Population in 1837, 1,140. There are some pine plains, and a part of Sugar Loaf mountain extends into the town from Deerfield; still there are some tracts of good intervale land on the Connecticut, and smaller streams, by which it is watered.

The number of sheep in Whately, in 1837, was 1,650; weight of wool, 4,953 lbs.: value, $2,862. There are 3 woolen mills in the town, 3 tanneries, 3 distilleries, and manufactures of gimblets, augers, hammers, brooms, brushes, palm-leaf hats, boots, shoes, pocket-books, &c. Annual value, about $90,000.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1848 - Whately
The territory comprising this town was a part of the original grant of Hadley, from which it was separated, with Hatfield, in 1761, with which town it remained one hundred years, till its incorporation in 1771. The Rev. Rufus Wells, the first Congregational minister, was ordained here in 1771; he died in 1834, at the age of ninety. Rev. Lemuel P. Bates, a native of Blandford, Scotland, was settled as colleague with Mr. Wells in 1822; he resigned in. 1832, and was succeeded by Rev. John Ferguson in 1836. There is a small Baptist church in the western part of the town.

There is a considerable quantity of interval land on Connecticut river, but it is not of the first quality. The town Street, which passes by the Congregational church, runs parallel with the river about two miles westward; between this street and the river there is an extensive tract of swampy land, called Whately Swamp, extending from north to south almost the entire length of the town. Westward of the street above... Read MORE...

1854 - Whately
Whately, a post-township in Franklin co., Massachusetts, on Connecticut river, and intersected by Connecticut River railroad, 88 miles W. by N. from Boston. Pop., 1101.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

Whately Massachusetts, 1890
Whately is a pleasant farming town lying on the west bank of the Connecticut River, in the southern border of Franklin County, about 116 miles west of Boston and 10 miles south of Greenfield. The Connecticut River Railroad and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad run through the town. The base-line of the Trigonometrical Survey of the State lies across the eastern section.

Conway and Deerfield bound the town on the north; Sunderland, on the east; Hatfield, on the south; and Williamsburg and Conway, on the west. The northern line is irregular. The assessed area is 12,211 acres; of which 2,807 are forests of chestnut, maple, beech and spruce. The land is low and swampy next the Connecticut, but high and broken in the west. Mount Esther, in the north of the northwest section, has an altitude of 995 feet; and at the southwest is another elevation called Grass Hill. The scenery is further beautified by Belden's, Moore's and Bardwell's ponds. Mill River (called by the Indians... Read MORE...

1895 - Whately
Whately, whât'le, a post-village of Franklin co., Mass., in Whately township, on the Connecticut River Railroad, 26 miles N. of Springfield. It has 2 churches, and manufactures of brooms and brush-handles. Pop. of the township, 958.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Whately, a post-village of Franklin co., Mass., in Whately township (town), on the Boston and Maine and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Rs., 26 miles N. of Springfield. Pop. of the town in 1900, 769.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

Here's a list of places to see and things to do in and around Whately:
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory:

Step into a magical world filled with vibrant butterflies at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. It's a great place to appreciate the beauty of these delicate creatures in a lush tropical environment.

Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation:

For outdoor enthusiasts, Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation is a must-visit. Hike to the summit for breathtaking views of the Pioneer Valley and the Connecticut River.

The Book Mill:

Located in nearby Montague, The Book Mill is a unique bookstore set in a historic mill overlooking the Sawmill River. Explore the shelves, enjoy a cup of coffee, and soak in the literary atmosphere.

Pioneer Valley Winery:

Indulge in some local wine tasting at the Pioneer Valley Winery. The scenic vineyard offers a relaxing setting to savor a variety of wines produced on-site.

Historic Deerfield:

Take a step back in time by visiting Historic Deerfield, a preserved 18th-century village with beautifully restored ... Read MORE...