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flag  History of Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA

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Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA - American Woolen Co., Saranac Mills, General View, Blackstone, Mass.  ...These mills were founded by Welcome & Darius D. Farnum in 1840 and were sol

Blackstone, Worcester, MA

Blackstone was settled by European immigrants in 1662 and was incorporated in 1845. The town was part of Mendon, Massachusetts, before becoming a separate municipality. wikipedia

Blackstone includes: Millerville, New City, Privilege, Waterford, and Wheelockville.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm




There is MUCH more to discover about Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!

Blackstone Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

American Woolen Co., Saranac Mills, General View, Blackstone, Mass.
Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA

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American Woolen Co., Saranac Mills, General View, Blackstone, Mass.

"...These mills were founded by Welcome & Darius D. Farnum in 1840 and were sold to Bailey Evans, Caleb Seagrave & Co. in 1850. They were burned down in 1864, and rebuilt in 1865, running until the fall of 1893 by Mr. Charles Fletcher who remodeled the interior of the mill, threw out all the old machinery and equipped it with new of the latest make...

The mills were started in full operation in 1899 under the management of Mr. Joseph E. Fletcher, eldest son of Mr. Charles Fletcher, formerly treasurer and manager of the Saranac Mills, Providence. The Saranac Mills are now a part of the property of American Woolen Company, Mr. Fletcher continuing as their resident agent until succeeded by Mr. A. A. Langewald.

The mills employ 550 hands and produce annually 1,250,000 yards of high-grade fancy worsted cloth..."

A Sketch of the Mills of the American Woolen Company
American Woolen Company, 1901
St. Paul's Church
Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA

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St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's Rectory, Blackstone, Mass.
Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA

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St. Paul's Rectory, Blackstone, Mass.

Discover Blackstone: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
1845 - BLACKSTONE. [Pop. in 1840, 2,517. Inc. 1845.]
Blackstone, was the south parish of Mendon, until its incorporation as a separate town. It was named in honor of the Rev. Mr. Blaxton or Blackstone, who was the fiist settler of Boston, and who removed into this vicinity in 1634.

This new town is watered by Mill and Blackstone rivers, and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of cotton and woollen goods, and boots and shoes.

Distance from Worcester, 20 miles; from Boston, 84.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1851 - SAD ACCIDENT.
One of the melancholy results of intemperance, transpired this morning at Blackstone. A man, with a horse and chaise, left TAFT'S stable at about 12 o'clock last night, for Milford, where he belonged. Bewildered with drink, he took the track of the Worcester Railroad, and drove off a high bridge near the Norfolk County depot. The distance to the water is upwards of forty feet. The terrible plunge was heard at a house near by, and several men immediately repaired to the spot. The dead horse and smashed vehicle were soon drawn to the shore, but the search for the man proved fruitless, till about seven this morning, when his body was recovered. We understand that the deceased was a Scotchman, named MOLAND, and that he leaves a family. Two rum bottles were found in the carriage. The water, where the accident occurred, is from ten to fourteen feet deep. Two caps or hats were found floating of the surface, which leads to the supposition that another human victim may have shared in this... Read MORE...

1869 - In the towns of Cumberland, Smithfield, Blackstone, and Bellingham, R. I.,
there are seventeen cotton and eight woolen mills, which employ 5,550 hands, run 4,480 looms, and annually use 15,300,000 pounds of cotton. Foundations are now being laid to run 150,000 spindles.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 20, 1869
Blackstone Massachusetts, 1890
Blackstone is a young, enterprising and growing town in the extreme southeastern corner of Worcester County, 36 miles from Boston on the New York and New England Railroad. Blackstone village is the station on the main line of this road, while the Woonsocket Division has also a station at East Blackstone The Providence and Worcester Railroad has stations at Blackstone village and Millville. The post-offices are the places named and Waterford ; and the villages include these and Chestnut Hill. The town is square in form, having an assessed area of 9,330 acres ; and of this, 3,880 acres are woodland. It is bounded on the north by Mendon, east by Bellingham, south by Woonsocket and North Smithfield in Rhode Island, and west by Uxbridge. Mill River, coursing from north to south along the eastern line of the town, and the Blackstone traversing the southwest corner to the principal village, furnish power for propelling the machinery of extensive manufactories. The place has a large cotton... Read MORE...

1895 - Blackstone / East Blackstone / Millville
Blackstone, a post-village, partly in a township of the same name, in Worcester co., Mass., and partly in Providence co, R.I., is on Blackstone River, and on the Providence & Worcester Railroad where it crosses the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad, 18 miles N. by W. from Providence, and 36 miles S.W. of Boston. It has 6 churches, a large manufactory of cotton prints, and manufactures of woolen goods, scythes, and shoddy. Pop, 3205; of the township, in 1880,4907; in 1890, 6138. The township contains villages named East Blackstone and Millville.
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
1916
Blackstone, a post-village, in a township (town) of the same name, in Worcester co., Mass., is on the Blackstone River and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 18 miles N. by W. of Providence and 36 miles SW. of Boston. It has manufactures of cotton goods. Pop. about 3000 ; of the town in 1900, 5721. The banking point is Woonsocket, R.I.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Blackstone:
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park:

Explore the scenic park along the Blackstone River.

Walk or bike along the Blackstone River Bikeway.

Enjoy picnicking and bird-watching.

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation:

Discover the unique rock formations and hiking trails at Purgatory Chasm.

Great for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Lincoln Woods State Park:

Located nearby in Rhode Island, offering hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

Beautiful wooded areas and a freshwater beach.

Blackstone Historical Museum:

Learn about the local history of Blackstone and the surrounding areas.

Explore exhibits showcasing the region's past.

Hopedale Parklands:

Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and walking trails.

Great for a leisurely stroll or a family picnic.

Southwick's Zoo:

Located in Mendon, a short drive from Blackstone.
A popular destination with a variety of animals and family-friendly activities.

Worcester Art Museum:

Explore an... Read MORE...

Discover Your Roots: Blackstone Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Blackstone.

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female ancestorLydia ANGELL (1755, - 19 February 1847, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorArthur Cook SIEGNON (1761, - 6 October 1846, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorSally THOMPSON (1762, - 2 December 1846, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorMiltiah ROCKWOOD (1762, - 19 May 1848, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorSeth KELLY (1762, - 27 December 1850, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorPeter GASKILL (1763, - 17 May 1846, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorGeorge ALDRICH (1764, - 8 August 1845, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorLydia CROSBY (1764, - 17 August 1846, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorLavinia POTTER (1765, - 20 October 1845, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA)

Ancestors Who Were Married in Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Blackstone.

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male ancestorFrançois-Xavier BOUCHER (17 February 1854 - 24 April 1914) and female ancestorMarie Louise TRAHAN (1 May 1856 - 25 June 1905) married 12 June 1874
photo of Embert Reuben GREENE Embert Reuben GREENE (16 September 1864 - 9 May 1940) and female ancestorMiranda Freelove TRASK (6 November 1869 - 5 March 1893) married 25 December 1884
photo of Aldor Armand FONTENAULT Aldor Armand FONTENAULT (4 March 1905 - 11 November 1966) and photo of Cecile Aurore GIRARD Cecile Aurore GIRARD (23 July 1906 - 23 May 2001) married 27 November 1924

Genealogy Resources for Blackstone

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Updated: 10/8/2023 9:59:22 AM