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History of Brighton, Massachusetts, USA*
Journey back in time to Brighton, Massachusetts, USA*
Explore Brighton, Massachusetts, USA*! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Brighton Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
Brighton is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, located in the northwestern corner of the city. It is named after the town of Brighton in the English city of Brighton and Hove. Initially Brighton was part of Cambridge, and known as "Little Cambridge". Brighton separated from Cambridge in 1807 after a bridge dispute, and was annexed to Boston in 1874.Explore even more about Brighton, Massachusetts, USA*. Keep reading!
Brighton Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to BRIGHTON

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Discover Brighton: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1839 - Brighton
Brighton, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. This was formerly a part of Cambridge, and called "Little Cambridge" until its incorporation in 1807. It lies 5 miles S.W. from Boston, 13 S.E. from Concord, 35 E. from Worcester, 8 N. by E. from Dedham, and 15 N.W. by N. from Weymouth landing. Population, 1830, 972; 1837, 1,337. The western and northern boundaries of this town are washed by Charles river. The soil is excellent and highly cultivated, and, in common with all the towns in the vicinity of Boston, Brighton has become the residence of many people of wealth and taste who possess beautiful country seats and splendid gardens. Winship's garden is noted throughout the country for its nursery of fruit-trees and shrubbery, and for its grand display of plants and flowers of every variety. Brighton is the largest cattle market in New England. Monday is the market day, when sellers and buyers meet in throngs to traffic in live stock, both for slaughter and domestic use.
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
Brighton, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. This was formerly a part of Cambridge, and called "Little Cambridge" until its incorporation in 1807. It lies 5 miles S.W. from Boston, 13 S.E. from Concord, 35 E. from Worcester, 8 N. by E. from Dedham, and 15 N.W. by N. from Weymouth landing. Population, 1830, 972; 1837, 1,337. The western and northern boundaries of this town are washed by Charles river. The soil is excellent and highly cultivated, and, in common with all the towns in the vicinity of Boston, Brighton has become the residence of many people of wealth and taste who possess beautiful country seats and splendid gardens. Winship's garden is noted throughout the country for its nursery of fruit-trees and shrubbery, and for its grand display of plants and flowers of every variety. Brighton is the largest cattle market in New England. Monday is the market day, when sellers and buyers meet in throngs to traffic in live stock, both for slaughter and domestic use.
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
1851 - Dog Law in Brighton
A special meeting of the town officers of Brighton was held on Monday, at which it was voted to destroy all dogs found running at large, that were not furnished with muzzles and collars, and the owners of which had not paid a license fee of $2. It was also voted that whoever killed any dog found transgressing the town regulations, should be paid fifty cents for killing, and an additional sum of twenty cents for interring the defunct canine.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
May 3, 1851
A special meeting of the town officers of Brighton was held on Monday, at which it was voted to destroy all dogs found running at large, that were not furnished with muzzles and collars, and the owners of which had not paid a license fee of $2. It was also voted that whoever killed any dog found transgressing the town regulations, should be paid fifty cents for killing, and an additional sum of twenty cents for interring the defunct canine.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
May 3, 1851
1854 - Brighton
Brighton, a post-township of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, 4 miles W. of Boston, on the Boston and Worcester railroad. In this township is a celebrated cattle market. The village contains a bank. Pop., 2356.
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.
Brighton, a post-township of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, 4 miles W. of Boston, on the Boston and Worcester railroad. In this township is a celebrated cattle market. The village contains a bank. Pop., 2356.
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.
1875 - January 5 - Brighton is annexed to Boston
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
1895 - Brighton
Brighton, a post-village of Suffolk co., Mass., on Char's River, and on the Boston & Albany Railroad, 5 miles W. of Boston. It is intersected by the Grand Junction Rail: road to East Boston. It has 2 national banks, 7 churches." hotels, an abattoir, and an important cattle-market. One weekly newspaper is published here. Brighton Post Office is a branch of Boston Post-Office, Pop. of the township in 1870, 4967. In 1874 it became a portion of Boston, and is now the 25th ward of that city.
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
Brighton, a post-village of Suffolk co., Mass., on Char's River, and on the Boston & Albany Railroad, 5 miles W. of Boston. It is intersected by the Grand Junction Rail: road to East Boston. It has 2 national banks, 7 churches." hotels, an abattoir, and an important cattle-market. One weekly newspaper is published here. Brighton Post Office is a branch of Boston Post-Office, Pop. of the township in 1870, 4967. In 1874 it became a portion of Boston, and is now the 25th ward of that city.
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
Discover YOUR Roots: Brighton Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Brighton, Massachusetts, USA*
We currently have information about 9 ancestors who were born or died in Brighton.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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