History of Northborough, Massachusetts, USA

1672 - Northborough 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."

1839 - Northborough
Northborough, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This is a pleasant farming town, of good soil, and watered by Assabet river. It was incorporated in 1766, and lies 32 miles W. from Boston, and 10 N.E. from Worcester. Population, 1830, 994—1837, 1,224.

The manufactures of the town consist of cotton goods, boots, shoes, leather, children's wagons, &c.; annual amount, about $75,000.
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 - NORTHBOROUGH. [Pop. 1,248. Inc. 1766.]
Northborough was so called because it was taken from the north part of Westborough, after Westborough was taken from Marlborough.

This town was settled before any part of Westborough, and suffered some during the French wars, while a part of Marlborough.

The Rev. Peter Whitney, of this town, wrote a valuable History of Worcester county.

The chief manufactures are cotton goods, boots and shoes. Distance from Worcester, 10 miles ; from Boston, 32.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Northborough
This was the north part of the town of Westhorough, the main part whereof was set off from Marlborough in 1717. It was made the second precinct, or parish, of Westborough in 1744, and incorporated a town in 1766. There were settlers in this part of Meriborough before there were any in what is now Westborough. As early as 1700, or rather before, a few families had fixed down here. The following is a list of persons who were heads of families in this place before it became a separate parish.

John Brigham, Samuel Goodenow, Sam. Goodenow. Jr., David Goodenow, Nathaniel Oakes, Simeon Howard, Sen., Gershom Fay, Sen., Thomas Ward,
Oliver Ward, Dea. Isaac Tomblin, Hezekiah Tomblin, Epliraim Beeman, Joseph Wheeler, Simon Rice, Daniel Bartlett.

The Congregational church was gathered in this place on the 21st of May, 1746, and on the same day the Rev. John Martin, a native of Boston and graduate of Harvard College in 1724, was ordained their first pastor. He died April 30, 1767, aged... Read MORE...

1854 - Northborough
Northhorouoh, a township in Worcester co., Massachusetts, 35 miles W. of Boston. Population, 1535.
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.

Northborough Massachusetts, 1890
Northborough is a pleasant town in a hilly region near the middle of the eastern side of Worcester County, 35 miles west of Boston by the Northern Division of the Old Colony Railroad, which passes through the central village. It is bounded on the north by Berlin, east by Marlborough and Southborough, south by Westborough, and west by Shrewsbury and Boylston. The assessed area is 11,515 acres, of which 2,731 acres is woodland.

The highest points of laud are three parallel ridges in the north and west — Ball's Hill, Mount Pisgah, and Sulphur Hill, — Tomlin Hill in the southwest, Rock Hill in the southeast, and Assabet Hill near the village. From the summit of the latter the spires of nearly twenty churches may be seen. Howard and Cold-water brooks, corning from the northwest and southwest, unite at the centre with a larger stream from the south, forming Assabet River. By Stirrup Brook the waters of Little Chauncy and Bartlett ponds, in the southeasterly part of the town, find their... Read MORE...

1895 - Northborough
Northborough: north'bür-rüh, a post-village in North borough township, Worcester co, Mass, on the Boston, Clinton & Fitchburg Railroad, 36 miles W. of Boston. It has a free library, a high school, a national bank, 3 churches, a newspaper office, and manufactures of horn combs, shell jewelry, &c. Pop. of the township in 1890, 1952.
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

1908 - Trolley Accident on Worcester Road.
Northboro, Mass., Feb. 21. - Thirteen persons were hurt, three of them seriously by the derailment of a trolley car bound from Worcester for Marlboro over the Worcester Consolidated street railroad last night. The rear wheels of the car left the rails at a curve, about a mile and a half west of Northboro and the car was thrown squarely off the track, the rear vestibule bringing up with great violence against a tree.
St. Albans Daily Messenger
St. Albans, Vermont
February 21, 1908

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Northborough, Massachusetts:
1. Beals Preserve:

Enjoy nature walks and hiking trails at this beautiful nature preserve.

2. Ellsworth McAfee Park:

A great place for outdoor activities, picnics, and sports.

3. Northborough Free Library:

Explore the local library for a quiet reading spot or community events.

4. Tougas Family Farm:

Visit this family-friendly farm for apple picking, seasonal festivals, and fresh produce.

5. Juniper Hill Golf Course:

Tee off at this well-maintained golf course.

6. Northborough Historical Society:

Learn about the town's history and heritage at the local historical society.

7. Ski Ward Ski Area:

In the winter, enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Ski Ward.

8. Assabet River Rail Trail:

Take a bike ride or a leisurely stroll along this scenic trail.

9. Davidian Bros. Farm:

Another excellent spot for fresh produce and seasonal activities.

10. Northborough Art Guild:

Explore local art at the Northborough Art Guild.

11. Ward Hill... Read MORE...