History of Mendon, Massachusetts, USA

The town was originally 64 square miles (170 km2), including the modern-day towns of Milford, Bellingham, Hopedale, Uxbridge, Upton, Blackstone, Northbridge and Millville. For this reason, the town of Mendon is sometimes referred to as "Mother Mendon". wikipedia

Mendon, Massachusetts
Worcester county. The Indian name of this town was Quanshipauge. It was first settled by people from Roxbury, about the year 1647. Incorporated, 1667. Mendon is a township of variegated surface, excellent soil, and in a good state of cultivation. The products of the dairy are large and valuable.—Blackstone river and canal pass its southwestern border, and Mill river traverses its whole extent. These streams afford an excellent hydraulic power. There are 8 cotton and 4 woolen mills in the town, and manufactures of boots, shoes, iron castings, scythes, ploughs, straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, machinery, wagons, and harnesses; total value, the year ending April 1, 1837,—$629,282. This very pleasant and flourishing town lies 32 miles S.W. from Boston, 18 S.E. from Worcester, and 22 N. from Providence. Population, 1830, 3,153; 1837, 3,657.

Mendon was first attached to Middlesex county, and was settled by emigrants from Braintree and Weymouth, in Norfolk county.

This town was once eight miles square, but its territory has been greatly diminished to form the towns of Milford, Uxbridge, North-bridge, Bellingham, part of Upton, and, last of all, Blackstone.

After Lancaster, Mendon is the oldest town in the county. In 1675, it was destroyed by the Indians, but the inhabitants returned in 1680.

What remains of Mendon is essentially agricultural.

Distance from Worcester, 18 miles ; from Boston, 34.

MENDON is situated at the south-easternmost extremity of the county of Worcester, and is the oldest town in it except Lancaster. It was incorporated May 15, 1667. It is 18 miles from Worcester, 34 from Boston, and 24 from Providence, R. I. It is 12 miles from the Worcester and Boston railroad at Westborough. Population in 1837, 3,657.

The face of the town is broken and hilly; the north part is the most fertile, producing large crops of hay and grain. This part of the township has also long been noted for its variety and abundance of winter apples. The south-westerly portion of the town is generally rough and stony, though there are some excellent farms in it. The south-easterly part is more level and sandy, and less fertile; the middle, hilly and thinly inhabited.

The manufacturing villages are all in the south parish, and are situated principally upon Mill and Blackstone rivers. They are called Millville, Blackstone, Waterford, and Upper and Lower Canadas. There are five post...

Mendon, a post-village of Worcester co., Massachusetts, on a commanding elevation, 35 miles S. W. from Boston. It contains 3 or 4 churches, from 60 to 60 dwellings, and several stores. Pop. of the township, 1301.