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History of Holliston, Massachusetts, USA
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(Metcalf)
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Holliston, Middlesex, MA
Holliston, then part of Sherborn, was first settled by Europeans in 1659 by Massachusetts Bay Puritans. The town of Holliston was incorporated on December 3, 1724, by virtue of approval by the General Court petition requesting that "the western part of Sherborn be a Town." The name was taken in honor of Thomas Hollis of London, a benefactor of Harvard College. kids.kiddle.co
Holliston includes: Braggville and Metcalf.
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Holliston Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Holliston, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Holliston, Mass., from Strawberry Hill.){kind=small}
Holliston, Mass., from Strawberry Hill.
Holliston, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Factory of The Arthur A. Williams Shoe Co.
"With a bond issue offered to the rich and the not so well off alike, the construction of a three story manufacturing facility on Water Street, Holliston’s Big Shop, was undertaken with great optimism in 1891. The townspeople hoped to attract a major shoe manufacturer to the new building in order to provide more stable employment in a town with a large pool of skilled shoe workers in need of steady employment. Several of Holliston’s old guard in the shoemaking industry, such as the Batchelder brothers, had retired, died, or moved their factories to more economical environs, leaving Holliston with fewer job opportunities.
The completed building on Water Street was described as 203 by 35 feet, four stories tall; with a front porch ell and tower 20 by 30 feet, a brick engine and boiler house 30 by 30 feet, and a chimney built with 35,000 bricks to a height of 95 feet...
...In 1898 the building was vacant and remained so until Arthur A. Williams, after a most unfortunate fire at his factory in Cochituate, made the move to the spacious factory building on Water Street." www.hollistonmill.com){kind=small}
Factory of The Arthur A. Williams Shoe Co.
"With a bond issue offered to the rich and the not so well off alike, the construction of a three story manufacturing facility on Water Street, Holliston’s Big Shop, was undertaken with great optimism in 1891. The townspeople hoped to attract a major shoe manufacturer to the new building in order to provide more stable employment in a town with a large pool of skilled shoe workers in need of steady employment. Several of Holliston’s old guard in the shoemaking industry, such as the Batchelder brothers, had retired, died, or moved their factories to more economical environs, leaving Holliston with fewer job opportunities.
The completed building on Water Street was described as 203 by 35 feet, four stories tall; with a front porch ell and tower 20 by 30 feet, a brick engine and boiler house 30 by 30 feet, and a chimney built with 35,000 bricks to a height of 95 feet...
...In 1898 the building was vacant and remained so until Arthur A.... Read MORE...
Holliston, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - The Elms, Holliston, Mass.){kind=small}
The Elms, Holliston, Mass.
Discover Holliston: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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1839 - Holliston
Holliston, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. First settled, 1710. Incorporated, 1724. Population in 1837, 1,775. It lies 24 miles S.W. by W. from Boston and 21 S. from Concord. There is a woolen mill in the town, and some manufactures of boots, shoes, leather, chairs and cabinet ware, combs, ploughs, straw bonnets, books, clothing, wagons and harnesses: total value in one year $335,948. The value of boots and shoes amounted to $241,626, employing 461 hands. Holliston is watered by a small branch of Charles river.
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. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
Holliston, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. First settled, 1710. Incorporated, 1724. Population in 1837, 1,775. It lies 24 miles S.W. by W. from Boston and 21 S. from Concord. There is a woolen mill in the town, and some manufactures of boots, shoes, leather, chairs and cabinet ware, combs, ploughs, straw bonnets, books, clothing, wagons and harnesses: total value in one year $335,948. The value of boots and shoes amounted to $241,626, employing 461 hands. Holliston is watered by a small branch of Charles river.
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. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
1845 - HOLLISTON. [Pop. 1,782. Inc. 1724.]
Holliston, which belonged to Sherburne until it was incorporated, was named in honor of Thomas Hollis, of London, an early patron of Harvard College.
One source of Charles River is in this town, and affords a good water power.
The chief manufactures are shoes, boots, and straw bonnets.
Distance from Concord, 21 miles; from Boston, 21.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Holliston, which belonged to Sherburne until it was incorporated, was named in honor of Thomas Hollis, of London, an early patron of Harvard College.
One source of Charles River is in this town, and affords a good water power.
The chief manufactures are shoes, boots, and straw bonnets.
Distance from Concord, 21 miles; from Boston, 21.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1848 - Holliston
The first settlements were made in this town about 1710. In 1724, the people had increased to thirty four families, and finding it inconvenient, on account of the distance, to attend meeting and do duty in Sherburne, they petitioned the town to set them off, which was amicably voted. The same year, (1724) they were incorporated by the general court; and as a mark of respect for Thomas Hollis, of London, one of the patrons of the university in Cambridge, the place was called Holliston. The soil in this town is generally of a good quality; a small branch of Charles river rises in this town, and affords a good water-power. There is one woollen factory, one of thread, and one of combs. A considerable quantity of brogans are made here, employing about 300 men, women and children. There are 2 churches, 1 for Congregationalists and 1 Methodist. Distance, 21 miles S. of Concord, 6 N. E. of Hopkinton, and 24 south-westerly from Boston. Population, 1,775. In 1837, there were manufactured in... Read MORE...
The first settlements were made in this town about 1710. In 1724, the people had increased to thirty four families, and finding it inconvenient, on account of the distance, to attend meeting and do duty in Sherburne, they petitioned the town to set them off, which was amicably voted. The same year, (1724) they were incorporated by the general court; and as a mark of respect for Thomas Hollis, of London, one of the patrons of the university in Cambridge, the place was called Holliston. The soil in this town is generally of a good quality; a small branch of Charles river rises in this town, and affords a good water-power. There is one woollen factory, one of thread, and one of combs. A considerable quantity of brogans are made here, employing about 300 men, women and children. There are 2 churches, 1 for Congregationalists and 1 Methodist. Distance, 21 miles S. of Concord, 6 N. E. of Hopkinton, and 24 south-westerly from Boston. Population, 1,775. In 1837, there were manufactured in... Read MORE...
1854 - Holliston
Holliston, a post-township of Middlesex county, Massochusetts, 25 miles S. W. by W. from Boston. Population, 2428.
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.
Holliston, a post-township of Middlesex county, Massochusetts, 25 miles S. W. by W. from Boston. Population, 2428.
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.
Holliston Massachusetts, 1890
Holliston is a pleasant agricultural and manufacturing town, 6 miles southwest of Boston, and forming the southern extremity of Middlesex County. The form of the territory is irregular, its mass occupying a northeast and southwest position, with the greatest breadth in the northeast section. The four villages, East Holliston, Holliston centre, Metcalf and Braggville, are situated nearly along the line of greatest length. All are post-offices, and are connected by the Milford Branch with the Boston and Albany Railroad at Framingham.
Hopkinton, Ashland and Sherborn lie on the north of this town, the first and last being also on the east and west respectively; with Medway on the southeast and Milford on the southwest. The assessed area is 11,269 acres; of which 3,856 acres are forest, consisting of chestnut, oak, pine, birch and maple. The surface is uneven, though well divided into upland and meadow. Long Hill, near the Ashland line, is, perhaps, the most commanding elevation. Mount... Read MORE...
Holliston is a pleasant agricultural and manufacturing town, 6 miles southwest of Boston, and forming the southern extremity of Middlesex County. The form of the territory is irregular, its mass occupying a northeast and southwest position, with the greatest breadth in the northeast section. The four villages, East Holliston, Holliston centre, Metcalf and Braggville, are situated nearly along the line of greatest length. All are post-offices, and are connected by the Milford Branch with the Boston and Albany Railroad at Framingham.
Hopkinton, Ashland and Sherborn lie on the north of this town, the first and last being also on the east and west respectively; with Medway on the southeast and Milford on the southwest. The assessed area is 11,269 acres; of which 3,856 acres are forest, consisting of chestnut, oak, pine, birch and maple. The surface is uneven, though well divided into upland and meadow. Long Hill, near the Ashland line, is, perhaps, the most commanding elevation. Mount... Read MORE...
1890 - Burglars
Burglars blew open the office safe at the Boston & Albany Railroad depot at Holliston this morning but obtained less than one dollar in money for their trouble.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
January 31, 1890
Burglars blew open the office safe at the Boston & Albany Railroad depot at Holliston this morning but obtained less than one dollar in money for their trouble.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
January 31, 1890
1895 - Holliston
Hol'liston, a post-village in £ township, Middlesex co., Mass, on the Boston & Albany Railroad (Milford Branch), 26 miles S.W. of Boston. It contains 4 churches, a national bank, a savings-bank, a high school, a newspaper office, and a free public library. The township has manufactures of boots, shoes, and straw goods, Gneiss and syenite occur here. Pop. of township (1890) 2619.
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
Hol'liston, a post-village in £ township, Middlesex co., Mass, on the Boston & Albany Railroad (Milford Branch), 26 miles S.W. of Boston. It contains 4 churches, a national bank, a savings-bank, a high school, a newspaper office, and a free public library. The township has manufactures of boots, shoes, and straw goods, Gneiss and syenite occur here. Pop. of township (1890) 2619.
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
1916
Holliston, a banking post-village in Holliston town ship (town), Middlesex co., Mass., on the Boston and Albany R., 26 miles SW. of Boston. The town has manufactures of boots, shoes, woollens, furniture, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2598.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Holliston, a banking post-village in Holliston town ship (town), Middlesex co., Mass., on the Boston and Albany R., 26 miles SW. of Boston. The town has manufactures of boots, shoes, woollens, furniture, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2598.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Holliston:
Lake Winthrop: Enjoy a peaceful day by the lake. You can go for a walk, have a picnic, or simply relax by the water.
Holliston Rail Trail: Take a stroll or bike ride along the scenic rail trail that winds through Holliston. It's a great way to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
Holliston Historical Society: Explore the town's history at the Historical Society. They often have exhibits and events that showcase the heritage of Holliston.
Coffee Haven: Grab a cup of coffee at Coffee Haven, a local coffee shop with a cozy atmosphere. It's a great spot to relax or catch up with friends.
Fiske's General Store: Visit this historic general store that has been serving the community since 1863. You can find a variety of items, from snacks to unique gifts.
Parks and Recreation Areas: Holliston has several parks, such as Goodwill Park and Pleasure Point, where you can enjoy outdoor activities like sports or simply unwind.
Bertucci's: If you're in the mood for Italian cuisine,... Read MORE...
Lake Winthrop: Enjoy a peaceful day by the lake. You can go for a walk, have a picnic, or simply relax by the water.
Holliston Rail Trail: Take a stroll or bike ride along the scenic rail trail that winds through Holliston. It's a great way to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
Holliston Historical Society: Explore the town's history at the Historical Society. They often have exhibits and events that showcase the heritage of Holliston.
Coffee Haven: Grab a cup of coffee at Coffee Haven, a local coffee shop with a cozy atmosphere. It's a great spot to relax or catch up with friends.
Fiske's General Store: Visit this historic general store that has been serving the community since 1863. You can find a variety of items, from snacks to unique gifts.
Parks and Recreation Areas: Holliston has several parks, such as Goodwill Park and Pleasure Point, where you can enjoy outdoor activities like sports or simply unwind.
Bertucci's: If you're in the mood for Italian cuisine,... Read MORE...
Our Holliston Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: Holliston Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Holliston, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Holliston.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Mercy PIERCE (PEARCE) (July 1650, Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA (Annisquam) - 11 December 1744, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))
Ebenezer HILL (1656, Medfield, Massachusetts, USA (Harding) - 1734, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))Hannah BABCOCK (8 February 1664, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf) - 9 November 1711, Sherborn, Massachusetts, USA (Sherburne))Timothy LELAND (22 February 1684, Sherborn, Massachusetts, USA (Sherburne) - 1 April 1748, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))Martha HAVEN (7 April 1690, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA (South Framingham) - 21 October 1746, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))Elizabeth LEARNED (28 April 1694, Sherborn, Massachusetts, USA (Sherburne) - 21 July 1775, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))Elizabeth KIBBE (1699, Sherborn, Massachusetts, USA (Sherburne) - 17 November 1762, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))Ebenezer LITTLEFIELD (2 May 1701, Newton, Massachusetts, USA - 20 January 1754, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))Benjamin BULLARD (4 March 1702, Sherborn, Massachusetts, USA (Sherburne) - 23 September 1766, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA (Metcalf))Ancestors Who Were Married in Holliston, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Holliston.View Them Now
Asaph LELAND (7 February 1730 - 7 August 1812) and Beulah LITTLEFIELD (31 October 1731 - 7 August 1812) married 20 June 1751Paul GOULD (22 December 1746 - ) and Sarah PIKE (20 June 1756 - 28 November 1848) married 20 February 1777Walter BULLARD (26 September 1765 - 24 October 1845) and Charlotte HARRIS (1769 - 28 November 1852) married 10 December 1787
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