History of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA

1637 - Tewksbury is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1734 - Tewksbury is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Tewksbury
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. The Indians called this place Wamesit. It lies on the south side of Merrimack river, 19 miles N.W. by W. from Boston and 6 E.S.E. from Lowell. Incorporated, 1734. Population, 1837, 907. The surface of the town is level, and the soil light and sandy.
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

1845 - TEWKSBURY. [Pop. 906. Inc. 1734.]
The Indian name of this town was Wamesit, and It was probably called Tewksbury after a town of this name in England.

A thriving village, called Belvidere, has lately been separated from Tewksbury, and annexed to Lowell.

The soil is not very fertile, though large quantities of hops have been raised here, and the inhabitants depend upon agriculture-Distance from Concord, 12 miles; from Boston, 19.

An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Tewksbury
This town was incorporated in 1734. The Indian settlement called Wamesit was formerly within the limits of this town, on the site now occupied by the flourishing village of Belvidere, recently included within the limits of Lowell. "There were fifteen families of Christian. Indians here in 1674. The Indian title was extinguished in. 1686; but the settlement of the English was slow, so that more than forty years elapsed from the extinguishment of the Indian title to its incorporation. The soil here is light and thin; the surface rather level, except the northern parts of the town, which is somewhat hilly, with a plenty of stones and a better soil." Large quantities of hops have been raised in this town. By the annexation of Belvidere to Lowell, this town was considerably reduced in its population and business. The population in 1830 was 1,527; in 1837, it was reduced to 907. Distance, 12 miles from Concord, and. 19 from Boston.
Historical Collections Relating to the History... John Warner Barber, Worcester, Warren Lazell, 1848

1854 - Tewksbury
Tewksbury, a post-village in Middlesex co., Massachusetts, 20 miles N. W. by N. from Boston, on the Lowell and Lawrence and Boston and Lowell railroads. Population of the township, 1044.
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.

1857 - Extraordinary Tornado in Tewksbury, Mass.
The Boston Traveler gives the following particulars of the violent tornado which passed over Tewksbury, Mass., and neighborhood, on Friday afternoon week:

At about half-past five o'clock P. M. some of the inhabitants noticed over Round Pond a singular appearance. It resembled in the opinion of some a water spout; was at first about the size of a cart wheel, and appeared to be in a whirl. As it gathered force a noise was heard like that of a heavy train of cars under full headway; it had a variable motion, at one time taking a south-west, and at others an easterly course. Its path was through the valley, with a width of about 25 rods, and it soon assumed all the characteristics of a violent tornado, levelling and sweeping all within its sphere.

It first struck among the orchards of MR. JACQUES and MRS. KITTREDGE, doing considerable damage. With increased force it then struck upon the farm of MR. MOREY, totally destroying a field of rye and uprooting all his apple trees. At this... Read MORE...

Tewksbury Massachusetts, 1890
Tewksbury is situated in the northeast part of Middlesex County, 21 miles from Boston. Dracut, separated by the Merrimack River, bounds it on the north; Andover on the northeast; Wilmington on the southeast; Billerica on the. southwest; and Lowell lies on the west of the northern end. The assessed area is 13,400 acres of which 4,549 are woodland. The Salem and Lowell Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad runs through the midst of the town, having a junction with the Lawrence line near the middle of the eastern side. Tewksbury (centre) and Wamesit are the post-offices; the other villages being Atherton, Burtt's, Mace's, Phoenix, North Tewksbury, South Tewksbury, West; Tewksbury and Tewksbury Junction.

The leading rock is Merrimack schist and calcareous guciss; and the timber-growth is maple, oak, pine, birch and alder. The Scottish heather is found in one locality near the centre. The soil is light and. sandy, and well adapted to the cultivation of early garden vegetables, for... Read MORE...

1895 - Tewksbury
Tewksbury, tüks'ber-e, a post-village in Tewksbury township, Middlesex co., Mass, on the Lowell & Andover and Salem & Lowell Railroads, 5 miles E.S.E. of Lowell, and about 22 miles N.N.W. of Boston. It contains a church, and near it is the state almshouse. At Tewksbury Junction, 6 miles E.S.E. of Lowell, several divisions of the Boston & Maine Railway system converge. The township is bounded N. by the Merrimac River, and W. by the Concord River. Pop, of township in 1890, 2515.
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

1903 - FACTORIES AND HOMES WRECKED AND MANY LIVES LOST. AS RESULT OF DYNAMITE AND POWDER EXPLOSIONS NEAR LOWELL, MASS.
TWENTY-FIVE PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND THE NUMBER OF INJURED ESTIMATED AT FIFTY OR MORE - EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED AT MILLS OF UNITED STATES CARTRIDGE CO. - MILITIA CALLED OUT.

Lowell, Mass., July 29. - An explosion destroyed the magazine of the United States Cartridge Co., located in Tewksbury, today, causing the death of probably 25 persons and injury to more than 50 others; set fire to a number of buildings in the vicinity and caused a general wreck of houses within a radius of half a mile.

The consussion was felt in Boston, 40 miles away, and at Exeter, New Hampshire, which is a greater distance from Lowell. At many points, a score of miles distant, window glasses were shattered and other damage done. In some cases there were reports in circulation that there had been an earthquake.

Panic Followed Explosion.
The city was thrown into a panic and it required every effort of the authorities to establish and maintain anything like order. It became necessary to summon four companies of... Read MORE...

1906
Tewksbury, a post-village in Tewksbury township (town), Middlesex co., Mass., on the Boston and Maine R., 5 miles ESE. of Lowell. Pop. of the town in 1900, 3683.
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

1930 - LOCOMOTIVE KILLS CROSSING TENDER
(By Associated Press)
Lowell, Mass., Feb. 19 - Michael F. Harrington, 67, a Boston & Maine railroad crossing tender at the Wamesit station, Tewksbury, yesterday was killed by a locomotive on the Salem branch of the road in this city.

Harrington, who was formerly a section foreman, stepped out of the path of an approaching freight train to another track without noticing the oncoming locomotive.
Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
February 19, 1930

Whether you're interested in outdoor activities, history, or local cuisine, Tewksbury offers a diverse range of attractions and things to do.
Tewksbury Town Common:

Take a stroll in the scenic Tewksbury Town Common, a central park with walking paths and green spaces.

Shawsheen River:

Explore the beautiful Shawsheen River by walking or biking along its picturesque banks.

Tewksbury Country Club:

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round at the Tewksbury Country Club, featuring an 18-hole course.

Wamesit Lanes:

Have a fun time bowling, playing arcade games, and enjoying delicious food at Wamesit Lanes.

Tewksbury Public Library:

Visit the Tewksbury Public Library for a quiet reading spot or to attend community events and programs.

Haggetts Pond:

Enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, or simply taking a nature walk around Haggetts Pond.

Tewksbury Historical Society Museum:

Explore the town's history at the Tewksbury Historical Society Museum, showcasing artifacts and exhibits.

Deanna Cremin Memorial Park:

Relax at Deanna Cremin Memorial Park, featuring playgrounds, sports fields,... Read MORE...