History of Wayland, Massachusetts, USA

1638 - Wayland is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

General Henry Knox and his troops passed through here in the winter of 1775-76 with a load of 59 cannons pulled by teams of oxen.
The cannons were captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. They were transported from Lake Champlain to Dorchester Heights, Massachusetts and used by George Washington's army on March 17, 1776 (Evacuation Day) to free Boston from British control during the American Revolutionary War.

General Henry Knox Trail - Historic Marker reads:
"Through this place passed General Henry Knox in the winter of 1775-1776 to deliver to General George Washington at Cambridge the train of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga used to force the British army to evacuate Boston."

1780 - Wayland is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Wayland
Wayland, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. The name of this town was East Sudbury, from 1780 to 1835. It lies on the east side of Sudbury river, and is bounded east by Weston. The surface of the town is pleasant; the soil is generally good, and contains some well cultivated farms. There are 4 forges in this town, and manufactures of chairs and cabinet ware; but the principal manufacture is that of boots and shoes; the annual value of which is about $25,000. Wayland is 16 miles W. from Boston and 7 S. from Concord. Population, 1837, 931.
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 - WAYLAND. [Pop. 998. Inc. 1780.]
The name of East Sudbury was changed to Wayland in 1835, probably in honor of Francis Wayland, President of Brown University.

This town is separated from Sudbury by Sudbury River, a sluggish branch or source of the Concord, which annually overflows its banks, enriching the lowlands, and producing large crops of hay.

Boots and shoes are manufactured here, but not to a very large amount.

Distance from Concord, 7 miles; from Boston, 16.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Wayland
This town bore the name of East Sudbury from 1780 until 1835. It is separated on the west from Sudbury by the river of that name, a sluggish stream, which annually overflows a large tract of low lands, which produce great crops of hay without the necessity of cultivation. In February, 1722-3, the church at Sudbury was, by a vote of the members, divided into two distinct churches. Mr. Cooke was ordained the pastor on the east side of Sudbury river, in March, 1723; he died in 1760. In 1765, the number of houses on the east side was 112; the number of families, 129; the number of white inhabitants, 698. There are two Congregational churches in this town, one of which is Unitarian. It is 7 miles south of Concord, 7 north east of Framingham, and 16 west of Boston. Population, 931. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 230 pairs of boots, and 29,666 pairs of shoes, valued at $22,419. There were 4 forges, which manufactured 8 tons of bar iron, valued at $2,600.
Historical Collections Relating to the History... John Warner Barber, Worcester, Warren Lazell, 1848

1854 - Wayland
Wayland, a post-township in Middlesex co., Massachusetts, 16 miles W. by N. from Boston. Cochituate lake, from which Boston is supplied with water, lies partly on its southern boundary. Population, 1115.
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.

Wayland Massachusetts, 1890
Wayland is an agricultural and shoemaking town of 1,946 inhabitants, nearly central in the southerly section of Middlesex County, 16 miles west of Boston by the Central Massachusetts Railroad, which runs through the midst of its territory. Lincoln lies on the north, Weston on the cast, Natick on the south, and Framingham and Sudbury on the west. The assessed area is 9,248 acres.

The Sudbury River winds slowly northward through the "Sudbury Meadows," in the western part, receiving the Larnum Brook from Sudbury, another pretty streamlet near the centre, — and forms the western line of the northern part. Dudley, Heard's, Baldwin's and Rice ponds add beauty and interest to the scenery; and Cochituate Lake covers a considerable extent of the southwest line. The gray old gristmill among the willows by a wood-encircled pond is a picturesque and pleasing bit of scenery. Reeves Hill, near the western line, is the highest elevation; being the southwestern point of a range of hills which... Read MORE...

1901 - TO THE GRAVE TOGETHER.
Burials of Henry F. Canney and Charles Inman, Who Were Drowned at Wayland.

Roxbury has never seen a more impressive funeral procession than that of yesterday, when two of her young and promising sons, Henry F. Canney and Charles Inman, who met death while canoeing at Wayland, were borne to their last resting place.

There was no service over the body of Charles Inman. His grief-stricken mother was forced to bear the burden of affliction alone, the father of the dead boy being absent in Mexico.

The funeral of Henry F. Canney was held at his home, 158 Ward Street. The cortege proceeded to the Mission Church where 9 o’clock high mass of requiem was celebrated.

The body was borne from the church, and as the procession formed the funeral of the other unfortunate young man came slowly up the hill. Side by side they went away from the church, a fife and drum corps composed of boys of the St. Alphonsus Association, to which both young men belonged, leading.

At Forest Hills the... Read MORE...

1902 - ENGINEER AND BRAKEMAN DEAD.
Freight Train Ran Into Open Switch on Boston and Maine Railroad.

WAYLAND, Mass., April 10. - A freight train over the Massachusetts Central Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which ran into an open switch here early to-day, jumped the track, and, striking a small freight house, pushed it from its position and two men were killed, one was injured, and eight cars were demolished.

The wreckage blocked both the outward and the inward tracks, and traffic had to be transferred around the blockade nearly all day. An investigation will be held to place the responsibility for the open switch.

The dead are:
Engineer Fred JUDKINS of Somerville, and
Brakeman William SOUTHERLAND, Somerville.

Fireman Charles McNEAR of Boston was badly injured. He was taken to a Boston hospital.

The train was a regular east-bound freight from Oakdale to Boston.
The switch from the main track to the siding and at the freight house was open, but the trainmen did not know it until the engine... Read MORE...

1906
Wayland, a post-village of Middlesex co., Mass., in Wayland township (town), on the Sudbury River and on the Boston and Maine R., 16 miles W. of Boston. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2303.
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

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Wayland:
Wayland Town Beach:
Enjoy a day by the water at Wayland Town Beach on Lake Cochituate. It's a great spot for swimming, picnics, and relaxing by the lake.

Sandy Burr Country Club:
If you're into golf, check out Sandy Burr Country Club. It's a picturesque golf course that offers a beautiful setting for a round of golf.

Grist Mill and Mill Pond:
Visit the Grist Mill and Mill Pond, a historic site with a charming mill and pond. It's a great spot for a leisurely stroll and some photography.

Walden Pond State Reservation:
While technically located in Concord, Walden Pond is nearby and offers beautiful hiking trails, swimming, and a chance to connect with nature.

Wayland Depot:
Explore the Wayland Depot, a historic train depot that now serves as a community gathering place. It often hosts events and exhibits.

Greenways Conservation Area:
Hike the trails at Greenways Conservation Area, a natural reserve with scenic views and peaceful surroundings.

Wayland Town... Read MORE...