History of Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA

(Ayers Village)

• 1641 - Haverhill founded
  First settled in 1640, incorporated 1641
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
  
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  Poet Whittier's Birthplace, built 1688
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• 1708 - August 29 - Haverhill, Mass destroyed by French & Indians
  
  historyorb.com
  
  
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  Bradford Academy
  
  Bradford College traces its origins to Bradford Academy, which was founded in 1803, making it the 3rd oldest post secondary institution in Massachusetts behind Harvard University and Williams College prior to becoming defunct in 2000. The academy incorporated in 1804. Many of Bradford's early graduates became Christian missionaries.... wikipedia
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• 1839 - Haverhill
  Haverhill, Massachusetts
  Essex county. This ancient, respectable and flourishing manufacturing town, lies on the N. side of the Merrimack river, at the head of navigation, and united to Bradford by two beautiful bridges. It is 30 miles N. from Boston, 31 N.N.W. from Salem, 12 W. by S. from Newburyp...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1845 - HAVERHILL [Pop. 4,336. Inc. 1643.]
  The Indian name of this place was Pentucket.
  
  This town was probably named in compliment to the first minister, Mr. Ward, who came from Haverhill in England.
  
  Before the settlement of the boundary line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, in 1737, Haverhill included a part of...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1854 - Haverhill
  Haverhill, a flourishing post-village of Essex county, Massachusetts, on the N. bank of the Merrimac river, at the head of navigation, about 15 miles from the ocean, and on the Boston and Maine railroad. 83 miles N. from Boston. It contains 7 churches. 2 newspaper offices, a bank with a capital of $...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1857 - A Snake on Ice
  A black snake, four or five feet long, the other day attempted to cross a pond in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on the ice, but the progress made by his snakeship over the cold, glassy surface was so slow, that when within about ten feet of the shore, he became so chilled by the ice that he could go no ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1859
  HAVERHILL, a handsome town of Essex co., Massachusetts, situated on the N side of Merrimac river, across which are two bridges, one 1,000 ft., and another 800 ft. in length, connecting this town with Bradford. The town consists chiefly of two streets, the principal of which runs parallel with the ri...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1869 - Haverhill incorporated as a city
  
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
  
•  1870 - Death of a Centernarian
  The Hon. Moses Wingate died at Haverhill, Massachusetts, yesterday, June 6th, at the advanced age of one hundred years and eight months. He held many public positions of high trust and honor, and was distinguished for his integrity and probity of character.
  
  His one hundredth birthday was celebrat...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1873 - French Count
  The French Count that married the belle of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who nursed him through the small-pox, has quite recovered, and will soon be strong enough to wave the napkin, strop the razor and cry "Next."
  The Cincinnati Enquirer
  Cincinnati, Ohio
  January 18, 1873
  
  
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  Winnekenni Castle
  
  In 1861, Dr. James R. Nichols, a brilliant chemist and agriculturist bought the Darling Farm, which sat on a hill overlooking Lake Kenoza, to use for his experiments with chemical fertilizers. In 1872 he visited England and Scotland and was inspired by their long-standing stone structures. He returned with an idea to build a summer home from native boulders and rocks. He was quoted at the time as saying … “we desire to prove to farmers and others in a practical way the... Read MORE...
  
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•  1876 - Married at 84
  A maiden lady was married in Haverhill, Massachusetts, last week, after turning her eighty-fourth birthday. This should comfort the hearts of disconsolate virgins and inspire new hopes for matrimonial bliss.
  Memphis Daily Appeal
  Memphis, Tennessee
  September 15, 1876
  
  
•  1882 - DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.
  Boston, Feb. 18. - Eighty-two shoe and leather firms, representing at least $2,500,000, are wiped out by the fire in Haverhill this morning. More than 2,000 people are thrown out of work, and the indirect loss amounts to at least $500,000 more. Haverhill is thirty-two miles north of Boston, and has ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1882 - Fire
  The loss by the great fire at Haverhill, Massachusetts, is estimated at $2,000,000. The burned territory embraces the largest part of the business section and most of the boot and shoe factories. Two thousand people are thrown out of employment. Four men, two of them firemen, are known to have peris...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1883 - Serious Accident
  While the steamers were playing at Washington square, Thursday, Herbert Swett, a lad 15 years of age, in climbing down from the building occupied by W. E. Morse, stove dealer, Merrimac street, had his hand terribly lacerated by coming in contact with a piece of zinc. The zinc had become detached fro...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1883 - Stamps Stolen
  The Haverhill, Massachusetts, post office was burglarized on Wednesday night and $500 in money and $7,000 worth of stamps stolen.
  The Weekly Hawk
  Burlington, Iowa
  November 8, 1883
  
  
•  1887 - Striking Stitchers Return to Work
  The striking M'Kay stitchers in Haverhill, Massachusetts, held a meeting yesterday and voted to notify the manufacturers that they were ready to go to work.
  Harrisburg Telegraph
  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  September 20, 1887
  
  
•  1890 - Shoemakers Return to Work
  The shoemakers' troubles at Haverhill, Massachusetts, were settled yesterday and 3,000 men returned to work.
  Tyrone Daily Herald
  Tyrone, Pennsylvania
  January 21, 1890
  
  
• Haverhill Massachusetts, 1890
  HAVERHILL, the Pentucket of the Indians, is an enterprising and uncommonly beautiful city, noted for the manufacture of boots and shoes, and for its recent growth and industrial prosperity. It lies in the northerly part of Essex County, on the north bank of the Merrimack River, at the head of tide-w...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1893 - HUNDRED LIVES IN DANGER. Ice In the River at Haverhill Breaks Up While People Are Crossing.
  HAVERHILL, Mass., Dec. 28. - Special Telegram - The Merrimac River was the scene this noon of a narrow escape from a frightful accident. More than 100 men, women, and children were on the ice. Since the river had been frozen over the operatives in the Haverhill factories who live in Bradford have wa...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1894 - Sunday Morning Fire
  HAVERHILL, Mass., Jan. 14. - The two story double house at North Groveland, occupied by Charles E Brown, was burned with its contents this morning. Loss on house, $2500, furniture, $800; insurance, $2700. The inmates barely escaped with their lives.
  The Lewiston Daily Sun
  Lewiston, Maine
  January 15, 1894
  
  
• 1895 - Haverhill
  Haverhill, a city of Essex co., Mass., is situated on the left or N. bank of the Merrimac River, about 18 miles below Lowell. It is 33 miles N. of Boston by the Boston & Maine Railroad, which here crosses the river, and 6 miles N.E. of Lawrence. A bridge over the river connects this city with Bradfo...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Washington Square and Merrimack Street. U.S. Post Office on right. Haverhill, Mass.
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  High School
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  Spiller Garrison House
  
  Built by Richard Hazen, early 18th century. Spelled "Hazzen" on his gravestone in Pentucket Cemetery.
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  Haverhill, Mass. Hale Hospital.
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  Haverhill Station, B. & M. Depot, January 1905
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• 1907 - November 28 - In Haverhill, Massachusetts, scrap-metal dealer Louis B. Mayer opens his first movie theater.
  It was a small vaudeville theater in Haverhill, Massachusetts, called the "Garlic Box" because it catered to poorer Italian immigrants. wikipedia
  historyorb.com
  
  
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  1909 ad
  Atherton-Byard Furniture Co.
  16 Washington Sq., Haverhill, Mass.
  
  Kensington, New Hampshire, sketches and reminiscences by Mace, Ida M Published 1909
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  City Hall
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  North Church
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  Winter Street School, 1910
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•  1913 - Women Barbers
  Haverhill, Massachusetts, master barbers, who have refused to grant the demands of the barbers' union for a $13 minimum wage, have engaged women barbers to take the places of the strikers.
  The Ottawa Journal
  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  January 25, 1913
  
  
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  Main Street
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• 1916
  Haverhill, ha'ver-hil, a city of Essex co., Mass., situated on the left or N". bank of the Merrimac River, about 18 miles below Lowell. It is 33 miles N. of Boston by the Boston and Maine R. The city is united with Bradford by bridge. Haverhill contains a number of public buildings, and has extensiv...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Merrimack Street, looking East
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  Haverhill Bridge
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  Elks' Home
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  Vickert Photographer
  38 Merrimack St.
  Haverhill, Mass.
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  Post Office
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