History of Shirley, Massachusetts, USA

Shirley, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. This is a very pleasant agricultural and manufacturing town, 32 miles N.W. from Boston, 16 N.W. from Concord, and 18 S.W. from Lowell. There are some elevations in the town, but of warm and fertile soil. There are large tracts of intervale land along the streams, which are very fertile and valuable.

Shirley is separated from Groton by Nashua river and from Pepperell by the Squanicook, a branch of the Nashua. These streams afford Shirley a fine water power, which renders it an excellent location for manufacturing establishments. There are 1 woolen and 3 cotton mills in the town, and manufactures of boots, shoes, paper, leather, palm-leaf hats, &c. Annual value, about $125,000. Population, 1837, 967.

Shirley was named in honor of William Shirley, Governor of the State, who was born in England, but died at Roxbury, Norfolk county, in 1771.

A society of Shakers, in the southern part of the town, have acquired some reputation for raising and preparing herbs and garden seeds.

The chief manufactures are cotton and woollen goods, paper, and palm-leaf hats.

The town is well watered by the Nashua and its branches.

Distance from Concord, 16 miles ; from Boston, 32.

This town was incorporated in 1753. This town is well watered, and a large proportion of the township consists of low lands, and its pastures are not considered so good as those of more hilly towns. In the central part of the town are two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian. The largest village in the town is in the southern part, near a stream which empties into Nashua river. There is a Universalist church in the village. A society of Shakers live on the southern borders of the town, and. their lands extend into Lancaster, in Worcester county. The society consists of from 150 to 200 persons, and are distinguished for their neatness, industry, and the raising of garden seeds, &c. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills, 2,568 spindles; 474,364 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at $52,100; males employed, 19; females, 39; one woollen mill; 20,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $12,000; two paper mills; 300 tons of stock manufactured: value of paper, ...

Shirley, a post-village in Middlesex co., Massachusetts, on the Fitchburg railroad, at the terminus of the Peterborough and Shirley railroad. Population of the township, 1128.

Shirley is situated in the northwesterly section of Middlesex County, 40 miles northwest from Boston on the Fitchburg Railroad, which has a station at Shirley village, in the southern part of the town. The Peterboro and Shirley Branch follows on the opposite side of the Squannacook River, which forms the northeastern line of the town. Groton adjoins on the northeast, Ayer and Harvard on the east, the latter and Lancaster on the south, and Lunenburg on the west.

The assessed area is 9,255 acres. Upwards of 4,000 acres are woodland, containing much oak and hard pine. There are many small hills and several ponds. Malpus Brook crosses the middle of the town to the Nashua, having Woodsville near the latter river. Nashua River forms half the eastern line; receiving from Catacunnemug Pond, at the western border, a stream furnishing the power for Shirley village. The soil of the uplands is light and sandy, and devoted to forests, while along the streams is much good intervale. Apples,...

Shirley, a post-township of Middlesex co., Mass, about 8 miles E. of Fitchburg, is bounded on the E. by the Nashua River, and intersected by the Fitchburg Railroad. Pop. 1352. It contains a hamlet named Shirley and a larger place called Shirley Village.

Shirley, a post-township (town ) of Middlesex co., Mass., about 8 miles E. of Fitchburg, on the Boston and Maine R. Pop. in 1900, 1680.