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History of Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA
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Pepperell, Middlesex, MA
Pepperell was first settled in 1720 as a part of Groton, and was officially incorporated as its own town in 1775. The founders named it after Sir William Pepperrell, a Massachusetts colonial soldier who led the Siege of Louisbourg during King George's War. kids.kiddle.co
Pepperell includes: Babbatasset, Burkinshaw, Hollingsworth Station, Huff's Mill, Nissitisset, North Village, and Primus.
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Pepperell Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA
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Nashua River Paper Mills, Pepperell, Mass.
Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA
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Town Hall
Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA
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Methodist Episcopal Church, Pepperell, Mass.
Discover Pepperell: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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1839 - Pepperell
Pepperell, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. This is a very pleasant town, with a good soil and handsome orchards. It is watered by the Nashua river, which gives it a good water power. There are three paper mills in the town, and manufactures of palm-leaf hats, boots, shoes, &c. Annual amount about $80,000. Incorporated 1753. Population, 1837, 1,586. It lies 33 miles N.W. from Boston, and 17 N.N.W. from Concord.
Col. William Prescott, the brave defender of Charlestown heights, was a native of this town. He died in 1795, aged 70.
This town derived its name from Sir William Pepperell, who about the year 1727, was chosen one of his majesty's council, and was annually re-elected 32 years, till his death. Living in a country exposed to a ferocious enemy, he was well fitted for the situation in which he was placed, for it pleased God to give him a vigorous frame, and a mind of firm texture, and of great calmness in danger. He rose to the highest military honors which his country could... Read MORE...
Pepperell, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. This is a very pleasant town, with a good soil and handsome orchards. It is watered by the Nashua river, which gives it a good water power. There are three paper mills in the town, and manufactures of palm-leaf hats, boots, shoes, &c. Annual amount about $80,000. Incorporated 1753. Population, 1837, 1,586. It lies 33 miles N.W. from Boston, and 17 N.N.W. from Concord.
Col. William Prescott, the brave defender of Charlestown heights, was a native of this town. He died in 1795, aged 70.
This town derived its name from Sir William Pepperell, who about the year 1727, was chosen one of his majesty's council, and was annually re-elected 32 years, till his death. Living in a country exposed to a ferocious enemy, he was well fitted for the situation in which he was placed, for it pleased God to give him a vigorous frame, and a mind of firm texture, and of great calmness in danger. He rose to the highest military honors which his country could... Read MORE...
1845 - PEPPERELL. [Pop. 1,571. Inc. 1753.]
This town was named after Sir William Pepperell, who commanded the expedition which New England sent in 1745 against Louisburg, in the Island of Cape Breton, then a French fortress of great strength.
Pepperell was originally a part of Dunstable.
Nisitissit River runs through the town into the Nashua, which forms the eastern boundary, both rivers affording valuable sites for mills.
The chief manufactures are paper, shoes, and palm-leaf hats.
Colonel Prescott, who commanded the Americans at the battle of Bunker Hill, was a citizen of this town.
Distance from Concord, 17 miles; from Boston, 33.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
This town was named after Sir William Pepperell, who commanded the expedition which New England sent in 1745 against Louisburg, in the Island of Cape Breton, then a French fortress of great strength.
Pepperell was originally a part of Dunstable.
Nisitissit River runs through the town into the Nashua, which forms the eastern boundary, both rivers affording valuable sites for mills.
The chief manufactures are paper, shoes, and palm-leaf hats.
Colonel Prescott, who commanded the Americans at the battle of Bunker Hill, was a citizen of this town.
Distance from Concord, 17 miles; from Boston, 33.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1848 - Pepperell
This town was incorporated in 1753. This town, with several others in the vicinity, some in Massachusetts and some in New Hampshire, were once included within the ancient limits of the town of Dunstable. The river Nashua forms the eastern boundary of the town, dividing it from Groton and the present town of Dunstable. The land bordering on the river is level, and the soil is good; the land at a distance from the river is uneven. On Nisitissit river there are several mills for various purposes, and the Nashua itself has several falls in its course along the border of the town, affording many valuable water privileges.
In the central part of the town there is a village, containing two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian, and an Insane Asylum, by Dr. Cutter. Population. 1,586. Distance. 17 miles from Concord, and 33 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured 100 pairs of boots and 30,000 pairs of shoes, valued at $25,000; males employed 30; females, 15. There were 3... Read MORE...
This town was incorporated in 1753. This town, with several others in the vicinity, some in Massachusetts and some in New Hampshire, were once included within the ancient limits of the town of Dunstable. The river Nashua forms the eastern boundary of the town, dividing it from Groton and the present town of Dunstable. The land bordering on the river is level, and the soil is good; the land at a distance from the river is uneven. On Nisitissit river there are several mills for various purposes, and the Nashua itself has several falls in its course along the border of the town, affording many valuable water privileges.
In the central part of the town there is a village, containing two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian, and an Insane Asylum, by Dr. Cutter. Population. 1,586. Distance. 17 miles from Concord, and 33 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured 100 pairs of boots and 30,000 pairs of shoes, valued at $25,000; males employed 30; females, 15. There were 3... Read MORE...
1854 - Pepperell
Pepperell, a post-township in Middlesex co., Massachusetts, on Nashua river, on the Worcester and Nashua railroad. Pop., 1764.
Pepperell, a post-village in the above township, on the railroad, 87 miles N. W. from Boston, contains 2 or 3 churches.
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.
Pepperell, a post-township in Middlesex co., Massachusetts, on Nashua river, on the Worcester and Nashua railroad. Pop., 1764.
Pepperell, a post-village in the above township, on the railroad, 87 miles N. W. from Boston, contains 2 or 3 churches.
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.
1854 - The Destructive Gale - Its Effects at the East.
...In Pepperell, a house was blown down, containing nine persons, and, singular to record, not one of them was injured...
The New York Times
New York, New York
March 21, 1854
...In Pepperell, a house was blown down, containing nine persons, and, singular to record, not one of them was injured...
The New York Times
New York, New York
March 21, 1854
1886 - INJURED IN A COLLISION. A WRECK DUE TO A CONDUCTOR'S NEGLECT OF ORDERS
EAST PEPPEREL, Mass., June 20. - The north-bound passenger train No. 49, on the Worcester and Nashua Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad, due here at 7:51 last evening, and consisting of a baggage car and two passenger coaches, collided with an extra south-bound freight train of 17 cars, about 30 rods from this station last night. Engineer Whittemore, of the passenger train, who discovered the other train approaching when rounding a curve close upon it, had barely time to reverse his engine and apply the air brake before he, with his fireman, Edward Potter, jumped off. Whittemore escaped with slight bruises, while Potter was badly injured in the left hip. The few passengers on the train were violently shaken up. Mrs. Granville Parker, of Pepperel, was thrown over a seat and received a deep gash over her right eye. She was also rendered unconscious from bruises and internal injuries. Vincent Truder, of Ayer, was severely injured in the right hip. Mrs. Samuel Beverly, of Nashua,... Read MORE...
EAST PEPPEREL, Mass., June 20. - The north-bound passenger train No. 49, on the Worcester and Nashua Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad, due here at 7:51 last evening, and consisting of a baggage car and two passenger coaches, collided with an extra south-bound freight train of 17 cars, about 30 rods from this station last night. Engineer Whittemore, of the passenger train, who discovered the other train approaching when rounding a curve close upon it, had barely time to reverse his engine and apply the air brake before he, with his fireman, Edward Potter, jumped off. Whittemore escaped with slight bruises, while Potter was badly injured in the left hip. The few passengers on the train were violently shaken up. Mrs. Granville Parker, of Pepperel, was thrown over a seat and received a deep gash over her right eye. She was also rendered unconscious from bruises and internal injuries. Vincent Truder, of Ayer, was severely injured in the right hip. Mrs. Samuel Beverly, of Nashua,... Read MORE...
Pepperell Massachusetts, 1890
Pepperell is a busy and beautiful town in the northwesterly part of Middlesex County, having the Nashua River for its eastern line, except where it crosses an extensive eastern projection of the territory. The Worcester, Nashua and Portland Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad has its Pepperell station at Babbatasset village, on the Nashua, near the paper mills. The Nissitisset River, coming across the town from the northwest, and furnishing power at East Village, enters the Nashua a short distance northward of the station. The last-mentioned place and Pepperell (centre) are the posy-offices. The other villages are North, South and West Pepperell.
The town is bounded on the east by Dunstable and Groton, on the south also by the latter, on the west by Townsend, and on the north by Hollis in New Hampshire. The assessed area is 13,652 acres; of which 3,236 acres are forests — principally of pine and chestnut. In the northeast are the twin eminences, the Nissitissit Hills; on the... Read MORE...
Pepperell is a busy and beautiful town in the northwesterly part of Middlesex County, having the Nashua River for its eastern line, except where it crosses an extensive eastern projection of the territory. The Worcester, Nashua and Portland Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad has its Pepperell station at Babbatasset village, on the Nashua, near the paper mills. The Nissitisset River, coming across the town from the northwest, and furnishing power at East Village, enters the Nashua a short distance northward of the station. The last-mentioned place and Pepperell (centre) are the posy-offices. The other villages are North, South and West Pepperell.
The town is bounded on the east by Dunstable and Groton, on the south also by the latter, on the west by Townsend, and on the north by Hollis in New Hampshire. The assessed area is 13,652 acres; of which 3,236 acres are forests — principally of pine and chestnut. In the northeast are the twin eminences, the Nissitissit Hills; on the... Read MORE...
1890 - EAST PEPPERELLS BIG FIRE. A SHOE FACTORY AND A NUMBER OF SMALLER BUILDINGS BURNED.
EAST PEPPERELL, Mass., Oct.24. - A big fire was discovered this morning at 2 o'clock in the shoe factory of Leighton Brothers, and soon the whole building was ablaze. A high wind was blowing and the flames spread rapidly to a row of wooden houses. Help was called from the surrounding towns, the old apparatus of this place being insufficient. Nashua was called upon and responded with some of her trucks and men.
Before the flames could be attacked successfully the shoe factory was burned to the ground. Three residences, seven stores, and a block of boarding houses were also destroyed. The loss is estimated at $300,000. Several hundred persons are thrown out of employment, and the town is in distress.
The losers, with estimated amounts of their loss, are: Leighton's shoe factory, $150,000; Ames Block, owned by W. A. Ames, $3,000; S. Denham, druggist in Ames Block, $5,000; C. C. Blake, clothing, boots and shoes, and furnishing goods in Ames Block, stock valued at $3,000; mostly... Read MORE...
EAST PEPPERELL, Mass., Oct.24. - A big fire was discovered this morning at 2 o'clock in the shoe factory of Leighton Brothers, and soon the whole building was ablaze. A high wind was blowing and the flames spread rapidly to a row of wooden houses. Help was called from the surrounding towns, the old apparatus of this place being insufficient. Nashua was called upon and responded with some of her trucks and men.
Before the flames could be attacked successfully the shoe factory was burned to the ground. Three residences, seven stores, and a block of boarding houses were also destroyed. The loss is estimated at $300,000. Several hundred persons are thrown out of employment, and the town is in distress.
The losers, with estimated amounts of their loss, are: Leighton's shoe factory, $150,000; Ames Block, owned by W. A. Ames, $3,000; S. Denham, druggist in Ames Block, $5,000; C. C. Blake, clothing, boots and shoes, and furnishing goods in Ames Block, stock valued at $3,000; mostly... Read MORE...
1895 - Pepperell
Pep'perell, a post-village of Middlesex co., Mass., in Pepperell township, about 15 miles W. of Lowell, and 1 mile W. of Pepperell Station of the Worcester & Nashua Railroad. It has a high school, 4 paper-mills, a machine shop, and several churches. The township is bounded on the E. by the Nashua River, and contains other villages, named East Pepperell and North Pepperell. It has manufactures of wadding, pocket-knives and other cutlery, and shoes. Pop. 2348. Pepperell Station is at East Pepperell, 10 miles S.W. of Nashua, N.H.
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
Pep'perell, a post-village of Middlesex co., Mass., in Pepperell township, about 15 miles W. of Lowell, and 1 mile W. of Pepperell Station of the Worcester & Nashua Railroad. It has a high school, 4 paper-mills, a machine shop, and several churches. The township is bounded on the E. by the Nashua River, and contains other villages, named East Pepperell and North Pepperell. It has manufactures of wadding, pocket-knives and other cutlery, and shoes. Pop. 2348. Pepperell Station is at East Pepperell, 10 miles S.W. of Nashua, N.H.
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
Pepperell, a post-village of Middlesex co., Mass., in Pepperell township (town), 15 miles W. of Lowell, on the Boston and Maine R. The town is bounded on the E. by the Nashua River and has manufactures of paper, pocket-knives, and steel caskets. Pop. in 1900, 3701.
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
Pepperell, a post-village of Middlesex co., Mass., in Pepperell township (town), 15 miles W. of Lowell, on the Boston and Maine R. The town is bounded on the E. by the Nashua River and has manufactures of paper, pocket-knives, and steel caskets. Pop. in 1900, 3701.
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
2023 - Whether you're interested in outdoor activities, history, or simply enjoying the local charm, here are some places to go and things to do in Pepperell:
The Country Store: Start your visit at The Country Store, a historic shop offering locally made crafts, snacks, and gifts. It's a great place to pick up some local treats.
Rail Trail: Pepperell has a scenic rail trail that's perfect for biking, walking, or running. Enjoy the natural beauty of the area as you explore this trail.
Pepperell Covered Bridge: This iconic covered bridge is a must-see. It's a great spot for photos and a reminder of the town's rich history.
Hollis Hills Farm: Just a short drive from Pepperell, this family-friendly farm offers seasonal activities like apple picking, hayrides, and a petting zoo.
Pepperell Dam and Nashua River: Take a leisurely walk along the Nashua River and enjoy the picturesque views of the Pepperell Dam. It's a serene spot for nature lovers.
Bull Run Restaurant: This historic restaurant and live music venue offers great food and entertainment. Check their schedule for upcoming shows and events.
Hiking at Willard Brook State... Read MORE...
The Country Store: Start your visit at The Country Store, a historic shop offering locally made crafts, snacks, and gifts. It's a great place to pick up some local treats.
Rail Trail: Pepperell has a scenic rail trail that's perfect for biking, walking, or running. Enjoy the natural beauty of the area as you explore this trail.
Pepperell Covered Bridge: This iconic covered bridge is a must-see. It's a great spot for photos and a reminder of the town's rich history.
Hollis Hills Farm: Just a short drive from Pepperell, this family-friendly farm offers seasonal activities like apple picking, hayrides, and a petting zoo.
Pepperell Dam and Nashua River: Take a leisurely walk along the Nashua River and enjoy the picturesque views of the Pepperell Dam. It's a serene spot for nature lovers.
Bull Run Restaurant: This historic restaurant and live music venue offers great food and entertainment. Check their schedule for upcoming shows and events.
Hiking at Willard Brook State... Read MORE...
Our Pepperell Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: Pepperell Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Pepperell.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Abigail FARNSWORTH (2 December 1718, Groton, Massachusetts, USA - 17 January 1802, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA)
Joseph EMERSON (25 August 1724, Malden, Massachusetts, USA - 29 October 1775, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA)William PRESCOTT (20 February 1726, Groton, Massachusetts, USA - 1795, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA)Sarah SHATTUCK (23 February 1755, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA - 8 July 1785, Townsend, Massachusetts, USA (Townsend Harbor))Leonard BLOOD (1787, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA - 8 May 1870, Ware, Massachusetts, USA)Abigal SHATTUCK (1790, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA - 23 April 1859, Ware, Massachusetts, USA)Joseph B WHEELER (1807, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA - 2 January 1853, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA (Marlboro))David Herbert SHATTUCK (1849, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA - 5 November 1886, Groton, Massachusetts, USA)Henry George MANSEAU (26 October 1903, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica) - March 1968, Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA)Ancestors Who Were Married in Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Pepperell.View Them Now
Ebenezer BALL (2 September 1756 - 5 December 1837) and Sarah SHATTUCK (23 February 1755 - 8 July 1785) married 13 December 1781
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