History of Phillipston, Massachusetts, USA

Phillipston, Massachusetts
Worcester county. There is a large pond in this town, the source of Burnshint river. This pleasant town was taken from Athol and Templeton, in 1786. It was called Gerry until 1812. The manufactures of the town consist of cotton and woolen goods, palm-leaf hats, leather, boots and shoes; annual value, about $75,000. It lies 58 miles N.W. by W. from Boston and 25 miles N.W. from Worcester. Population, 1837, 887.

Phillipston was chiefly taken from Templeton.

It was first named Gerry, in honor of Elbridge Gerry, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence ; but his measures, when Governor of the State, displeasing the inhabitants, they changed the name to Phillipston, in honor of a family long distinguished for its wealth and its munificence.

The soil is good, but uneven. Small branches of Swift, Ware, and Miller's River water the town, and afford a few good mill-sites.

Some cotton and woollen goods, and palm-leaf hats, are manufactured.

Distance from Worcester, 30 miles; from Boston, 58.

This town was chiefly taken from Templeton, and was set off as a separate parish in 1774, and in 1786 was incorporated a town, and named Gerry, in honor of Elbridge Gerry, a vice-president of the United States; “but on account of the disapprobation of his measures when governor of Massachusetts, and especially a law for districting the state for the choice of senators, which was highly obnoxious to a majority of the town, they petitioned to the court, and the name was changed to Phillipston, in 1812.” The organization of a church was retarded on account of the revolutionary war. However, in 1785, one was gathered, under the direction of the ecclesiastical council, and in 1788 Rev. Ebenezer Tucker was ordained pastor. He was succeeded, in 1800, by Rev. Ezekiel Bascom; the next minister, Rev. Joseph Chickering, was installed in 1822, and was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Lovell, in 1835.

This town is uneven, consisting of hills and valleys, but the soil is productive. Two miles west of ...

Phillipston, a post-township in Worcester co., Mass., intersected by Miller's river, 60 miles N. W. by W. from Boston. Pop., 809.

Phillipston is a good farming town lying in the northwesterly section of Worcester County, 58 miles from Boston. The Ware River Railroad crosses the southern extremity, and the Fitchburg touches the northern angle. The general form of the township is triangular, with a very irregular base-line running northwest and southeast; the town of Templeton, on the east, covering this entire side. Hubbardston and Barre lie at the southeastern angle; Petersham lies on the southwest, and Athol on the west, with Royalston at the north.

The assessed area is 14,756 acres. The soil is principally a light loam. The forests consist chiefly of pine, and cover 3,245 acres. The central part of the town consists of broad hills. Prospect Hill, about two miles west of the central village, is the highest, and a beautiful elevation. Echo Pond, a mile south of the centre, 1¼ miles long and one third wide, is the source of Burntshirt River. The latter also enters and drains Factory Pond, on the eastern line,...

Phil'lipston, a post-township of Worcester co., Mass., about 18 miles W. by S. of Fitchburg. It contains a public library and 2 churches, and has manufactures of chairs and toy wagons. Pop. 666.