History of Sharon, Massachusetts, USA

1650 - Sharon is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Sharon
Sharon, Massachusetts
Norfolk county. Mashapoag pond in this town is one of the sources of Neponset river. Sharon has a good water power; one woolen and two cotton mills. There are also manufactures of axes, bed-steads, straw bonnets, leather, boots, shoes, wool cards, machinery, joiners' gages, &c.: annual value, about $75,000. Sharon is a very pleasant town; the scenery around Mashapoag, the Indian names of the place, is highly pleasing. There is good fishing in this pond. This town was incorporated in 1765. It is 18 miles S.S.W. from Boston, 8 S. from Dedham, and 24 N. by E. from Providence, R.I. Population, 1837, 1,093.
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 - SHARON. [Pop. 1,076. Inc. 1765.]
Sharon was once a part of Stoughton, and, with it, a part of Dorchester.

The Indians called it Mashapoag, and from a pond of the same name issues one of the chief sources of Neponset River.

It manufactures are cotton and woollen goods, and straw bonnets.

Distance from Dedham, 8 miles ; from Boston, 18.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1854 - Sharon
Sharon, a post-village in Norfolk co., Massachusetts, on the Boston and Providence railroad, 17 miles S. by W. from Boston. Population of the township, 1128.
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.

1872 - Three young sons of Mr. Miller, of Sharon, Mass., were drowned in that town the other day, by breaking through the ice.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
February 24, 1872

1886 - The editor of the Sharon (Mass.) Advocate has bone into the marrying business as a little side speculation.
In a recent issue of his paper he says: "Persons intending marriage are reminded that the editor of the Advocate has had his commission as justice of the peace renewed by his Excellency Governor Robinson. Brother editors will be married to Sharon ladies free."
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 19, 1886

Sharon Massachusetts, 1890
Sharon occupies the highlands which form the water-shed of streams flowing in opposite directions — northeasterly towards Massachusetts or southwesterly towards Narragansett Bay. It has for its boundaries Norwood on the north, Canton on the northeast, Stoughton on the east, Easton and Mansfield on the southeast, Foxborough on the southwest, and Walpole on the west. It lies at the middle of the southern side of Norfolk County, 22 miles southwest of Boston by the Boston and Providence Railroad; whose stations here are Sharon and Sharon Heights, and Massapoag Pond in summer. The post-offices are the first and East Sharon.

The assessed area of the town is 13,764 acres. There are above 1000 acres of forest, including white and pitch pine, oak, elm, chestnut and maple. The flora generally is rich and various. There is found here a wood violet that is very large and fragrant. The chief rock is sienite, and there is much iron-ore at one or more places. The whole extent of the town is... Read MORE...

1895 - Sharon
Sharon, a post-village in Sharon township, Norfolk co., Mass., on the Boston & Providence Railroad, 17 miles S. by W. of Boston. It has several churches, and manufactures of cotton duck, carriages, trowels, &c. The town ship has 5 churches, and a large hotel on Massapoag Lake. Pop. of the township, 1330.
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

1896 - FOUND WATERY GRAVES
Sharon, Mass., June 30. - What was intended to be a week’s enjoyable outing was brought to an abrupt and sad close at Lake Massapoag Monday afternoon. Assistant Pastor Rev. Joseph Maxwell, Choir Master Frederick Brackett, Clerk George R Keys and 16 choir boys of St John’s Episcopal church, Charlestown, came to Sharon by team to camp out at Lake Massapoag for a week. After dinner Mr. Brackett and six of the boys went out in a boat. A little boy named Parker, fell overboard. Frank Cox, a bright little fellow of 13, immediately jumped after him, swam ashore, got a rope and by means of it saved the Parker boy, but in the confusion resulting from the accident the boat was overturned and Mr. Brackett and the other four boys were thrown into the water. None of the party save the Cox boy could swim and before help could reach them from the shore all five were drowned. The names of he drowned are: FREDERICK BRACKETT, THOMAS PARKER, HARRLY L. ACKER, WILLIAM S. ATKINS and BENJAMIN GIBBS.
Evening Bulletin
Decatur, Illinois
June 30, 1896

1898 - ONLY FOUR KILLED IN WRECK.
CASUALTIES AT SHARON NOT SO NUMEROUS AS AT FIRST REPORTED - TWO MAY NOT RECOVER.

Sharon, Mass., Aug. 22. - In the excitement and confusion attending the clearing away of the wreckage caused by last night's collision on the New York, New Haven & Hartford road it was reported that seven were killed, four of them being given as unknown. Today it was learned definitely that the total number killed was four, as follows:
FRANKLIN M. WATERS of Somerville, book-keeper, Boston, aged 25.
MRS. MARY FITZPATRICK of Boston, widow, aged 70 years.
MRS. C. H. BRISTOL, Winthrop, Mass.
Unidentified Woman.

The bodies of the victims were removed to Stoughton today. The identification of the body of MRS. BRISTOL was delayed and rendered difficult by the fact that both MR. FRYE and MR. BRISTOL were among the injured and were taken to Boston last night. MRS. BRISTOL has been fully identified.

The number of injured is still undetermined, owing to the fact that many who were hurt were about to go... Read MORE...

1906
Sharon, a post- village in Sharon township (town), Norfolk co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 17 miles S. by W. of Boston. It has manufactures of cutlery, boxes, carriages, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2060.
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 Sharon:
Borderland State Park:

Explore the beautiful trails, go for a hike, or have a picnic in this scenic state park.

Lake Massapoag:

Enjoy water activities such as boating, fishing, or simply relax by the lakeside.

Sharon Dog Park:

If you have a furry friend, the Sharon Dog Park is a great place for them to socialize and play.

Audubon's Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary:

Experience nature and wildlife through the trails and educational programs offered at Moose Hill.

Sharon Country Club:

Play a round of golf or enjoy the amenities offered at the Sharon Country Club.

Lake Pearl Wrentham:

Attend events, weddings, or dine at the Lakeside Pavilion with picturesque views.

Gillette Stadium:

Catch a New England Patriots game or attend a concert at this famous stadium in nearby Foxborough.

Sharon Historical Society:

Learn about the local history and culture at the Sharon Historical Society.

House of Possibilities (HOPe):

Support this local... Read MORE...