History of Spencer, Massachusetts, USA

1721 - Spencer is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

Spencer's first mill was built in 1740 on Seven-Mile River, the greatest source of waterpower in the town.

spencerma.gov

General Henry Knox and his troops passed through Spencer, Massachusetts 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."


Read more about Henry KNOX

In 1811, Josiah Green began making shoes, and in 1834 he built a factory.

spencerma.gov

The Prouty family began to make shoes in 1820 and built their factory in 1855.

spencerma.gov

In 1839, the town hall was constructed and eighteen years later the town's first high school, Denny Hall, was built.

spencerma.gov

1839 - Spencer
Spencer, Massachusetts
Worcester county. Seven Mile river, a branch of the Chickopee, waters this town. There are two woolen mills in this town, and manufactures of scythe snaiths, straw bonnets, boots, shoes, leather, cabinet ware, chairs, palm-leaf hats, harnesses, and barrels: annual value, about $80,000.

This township is quite elevated for the section of country in which it lies. It is stated to be the summit level between the waters of Boston harbor and Connecticut river, 950 feet above the former, and 880 feet above the latter. The surface of the town is agreeably varied by hills and valleys: the soil is fertile, and cultivated by men of industry and independence.

Spencer is 52 miles W. from Boston and 12 W. from Worcester. Population, in 1830, 1,618; 1837, 2,085. It was taken from Leicester in 1753.
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 - SPENCER. [Pop. 1,604. Inc. 1753.]
Spencer was originally a part of Leicester.

The town is on elevated ground,, but the soil is good, and watered by several small streams belonging chiefly to the Chicopee.

The manufactures are boots and shoes, woollen goods, gunpowder, wire, and palm-leaf hats.

Distance from Worcester, 11 miles; from Boston, 51.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Spencer
The whole of this town was included in the original grant of Leicester. It was made a parish in the year 1744, by the name of the West Parish of Leicester, and was incorporated a town in 1753, by the name of Spencer. The church was organized here in 1744, and Rev. Joshua Eaton was ordained their pastor the same year. He continued with the people till his death, in 1772, and was succeeded, the next year, by Rev. Joseph Pope. The next ministel was Rev. Stephen Crosby, who was settled in 1819. Mr. Crosby was succeeded by Rev. Levi Packard, in 1826.

The above engraving shows the appearance of the central part of Spencer, as it is entered from the westward, upon the road to Brookfieid. The Congregational church is seen on the right, on the elevated ground in the distance. The Universalist church is the building with a tower, standing in the compact part of the village, which consists of about 40 dwelling-houses.

This town is elevated, and is said to be 950 feet above the tide waters... Read MORE...

1854 - Spencer
Spencer, a post- village in Worcester co., Massachusetts, on the Western railroad, 62 miles W. S. W. from Boston, contains 2 or 8 churches. Population of the township, 2244.
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.

1873 - Wrong Vaccine
Doctor Fontaine, of Spencer, Mass, was held in $2,000 bonds yesterday for manslaughter in causing the death of a child by using small pox virus for vaccination instead of vaccine matter.
The Daily Milwaukee News
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 8, 1873

1885 - Men of Brains - Some of the Distinguished American Inventors
Elias Howe, inventor of the modern sewing machine; born at Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1819; died in 1867; machinist; sewing machine patented in 1846. From that time to 1854 his priority was contested, and he suffered from poverty, when a decision of the courts in his favor brought him large royalties, and he realized several millions from his patent.
The Daily Republican
Monogahela, Pennsylvania
January 20, 1885

Read more about Elias HOWE

1888 - Spencer Fair
The Spencer Fair was established in 1888.

Spencer Massachusetts, 1890
Spencer is an elevated and beautiful farming and manufacturing town in the southwesterly section of Worcester County, 18 miles from Worcester and 62 from Boston. The Boston and Albany Railroad runs through the southwestern part, haying a station at South Spencer and sending a branch to Spencer (centre). The latter is the post-office for the town. The other villages are North Spencer, Hillsville north of the centre, and Wire Village northeastward.

The town has Oakham and Paxton on the north, the latter and Leicester on the east, Charlton on the south, and Brookfield and North Brookfield on the west. The territory is in the form of a parallelogram, with its length north and south. Its assessed area is 20,490 acres; of which 6,564 are forests of oak, pine, chestnut, white and black birch and maple. The laurel (Kalmia latifolia) often adorns the pastures. The land is varied by many beautifully rounded hills and by winding valleys. Green, Flat and Moose hills are the most noted... Read MORE...

1895 - Spencer
Spencer, a post-village in Spencer township, Worcester co, Mass., 1 1/ 2 miles N, of Spencer Station of the Boston & Albany Railroad, and about 12 miles W. of Worcester. Spencer Station is 17 miles W. by S. of Worcester. Spencer contains a high school, a national bank, a savings bank, 3 churches, a newspaper office, woollen-factories, a fine hotel, and 4 or 5 manufactories of boots. Pop. of township, 8747.
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

1906
Spencer, a banking post-village in Spencer township (town), Worcester co., Mass., on the Boston and Albany R., and about 12 miles W. of Worcester. The town has manufactures of wire, satinets, woollens, boots and shoes, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 7627.
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

1907 - WOMAN HURT AS AUTO TURNS OVER
Spencer, Nov. 24 - Mrs. Justin D. Anderson, wife of the president of the Hartford Rubber Works Company of Hartford, Conn., was severely injured tonight by the overturning of a heavy touring car in which she was riding with Mr. Anderson and J. J. Shea, chief engineer of the rubber works. They were returning form Providence to Hartford, and when near Sibley's corner in the outskirts of this town, the machine skidded in the slippery road and was upset. Mr. Anderson, who was driving, had slowed down in approaching the turn and set his brakes when the car began to slide, but a wheel caught in the electric car track and the machine turned over.

Mrs. Anderson suffered a fracture of the left shoulder and contusions, and was badly shaken up. The men escaped without injury. After the fracture had been reduced by a Worcester physician who happened to be passing on an electric car, Mrs. Anderson was taken to her home in Hartford.
The Boston Journal
Boston, Massachusetts
November 25, 1907

1910 - HOTEL BURNED.
Spencer, Mass., Oct. 7. - Through smoke-filled corridors the thirty guests of the Massasoit house, the largest hotel in Spencer, made hurried exits in their night clothes in a fire that destroyed the hostelry early today. It is believed that everyone escaped. An exploded lamp is believed to have caused the fire and in the high wind the three-story wooden structure was quickly destroyed. The loss is $50,000.
Titusville Herald
Titusville, Pennsylvania
October 8, 1910

2023 -
Spencer Fair:
If you happen to be in Spencer on Labor Day Weekend, visit the Spencer Fair. A classic New England fair, the Spencer Fair has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1888. It was originally established as an agricultural and industrial fair to showcase the talents and achievements of local farmers and craftsmen. Today, it features Agricultural Exhibits, Entertainment, Food, Crafts and Exhibits and Carnival Rides.

Stroll around Howe State Park:
Howe State Park is another beautiful outdoor destination. It's located on Howe Pond and provides a picturesque setting for a leisurely walk, fishing, or a quiet afternoon of relaxation.

Hike the Seven Mile River Trail:
If you're up for a scenic hike, check out the Seven Mile River Trail. This trail meanders through picturesque woodlands and alongside the Seven Mile River, providing a peaceful and scenic outdoor experience.

Play a Round of Golf:
If you're a golfer, head to the Spencer Country Club, where you can ... Read MORE...