History of Dorchester, Massachusetts, USA

1630 - In September 1630, Governor John Winthrop and the Massachusetts Bay Colony settlers traveled to the peninsula, known as Shawmut by the Algonquins, and founded Dorchester, the first part of the city of Boston.

www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ massachusetts.html

Read more about John WINTHROP

1639 - May 20 - The first free American public school, the Mather school, was founded in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston

1717 - March 7 - The Great Snow, a composite of four winter storms to hit the eastern U.S. in nine days, finally came to an end.
Snow depths averaged 60 inches following the storm. Up to four feet of snow fell around Boston MA, and snow drifts 25 feet high were reported around Dorchester MA.
The Weather Channel

1839 - Dorchester
Dorchester, Massachusetts
Norfolk county. This ancient and respectable town lies on Dorchester bay, in Boston harbor, 5 miles S. from Boston and 7 N.E. from Dedham. Population, 1837, 4,564. It was first settled by a party of Puritans from England. These pilgrims landed from the ship Mary and John, at Nantasket, on the 11th of June, 1630, and on the 17th day of that month they located themselves at the Indian Mattapan, and called it Dorchester, in honor of their pious and learned friend, the Rev. John White, of Dorchester, 120 miles W. from London. The town was incorporated on the 7th of September following, and included most of the territory of the towns of Milton, Canton, Stoughton, Sharon, and that part of Boston on which stand "Dorchester Heights," memorable for their sudden conversion into a fortress, for the protection of Boston harbor, by order of Washington, on the night of March 4, 1776. These lands were obtained from the Indians by purchase, not by combat. The present limits ... Read MORE...

1845 - DORCHESTER. [Pop. 4,875. Inc. 1630.]
NORFOLK COUNTY

Dorchester was named after Dorchester in England, from which some of the first settlers came. The Indian name was Matapan.

Dorchester originally included what aie now the towns of Milton, Stoughton, Sharon, Foxborough, and Canton.

The Burial Ground contains some of the oldest and most curious memorials to be found in the State.

Lieutenant-Governor William Stoughton was a citizen of Dorchester ; and Richard Mather, one of its earliest ministers, was the father of Increase Mather, and the grandfather of the learned Cotton Mather, of Boston.

Dorchester is celebrated for its country-seats, and the delightful prospect from its hills. The place was selected by the settlers, because that peninsula of it, which is now South Boston, was ' a safe place for keeping sheep.'

Distance from Dedham, 7 miles ; from Boston, 4.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Dorchester
Dorchester, a post-village of Norfolk county, Massachusetts, on Dorchester bay, and on the Old Colony railroad, 5 miles S. of Boston. It has considerable shipping, chiefly employed in the whale and other fisheries, and contains several churches and two banks. Dorchester may properly be regarded as a suburb of Boston. Population of the township, 7969.
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.

1869 - Dorchester Annexed to Boston
Dorchester the Indian name of which was Mattapan, was named in honor of the Rev. John White, of Dorchester, the capital of Dorset County, England. It was incorporated as a town September 7, 1630; annexed to Boston June 4,1869.

A Gazetteer of the State of Massachusetts, with Numerous Illustrations Rev. Elias Nason, M.A.; revised and enlarged by George J. Varney. Boston: B.B. Russell. 1890, 724 pages

1870 - January 3 - Dorchester is annexed to Boston

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1873 - For the Love of "Rob"
A widow in Dorchester, Mass., has been three times married. Her first husband was Robb, the second Robbins and the third Robinson. The same door plate has served for the whole three, and the question now is, what extended name can be procured to fill out the remaining space on it.
Harrisburg Telegraph
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
March 1, 1873

1891 - SIX LIVES LOST. A PLEASURE PARTY THROWN INTO THE WATER BY THE VESSEL OVERTURNING.
Boston, Aug. 10. - A sad accident occurred on Dorchester Bay yesterday afternoon by which six persons lost their lives. The yacht Nay, owned and sailed by Captain J. M. BURKE, started on a cruise about the bay yesterday afternoon, having on board four men and five children. There was a light breeze blowing, but yachtsmen say the boat was overcrowded. In tacking the vessel keeled over too far and the entire party was thrown into the river.

Skipper BURKE, aged 46, was one of the victims.

The others who were lost are:
THADDEUS MANTHON, aged 30.
NELLIE BURKE, aged 11.
JAMES BURKE, aged 8.
THOMAS CARMODY, aged 11.
ANNIE CARMODY, aged 13.

VINCENT BURKE, aged 14, FERGUS CHURCHILL, aged 30, and THOMAS BALLARD, aged 30, succeeded to clinging to the overturned boat from which they were taken by a passing boat when they were almost exhausted. The bodies of the victims have all been recovered.
The Evening Bulletin
Maysville, Kentucky
August 10, 1891

1895 - Dorchester
Dorchester, a former town of Suffolk co., Mass, situated on Massachusetts Bay, 4 miles S. of Boston, on the Old Colony Railroad and the New York & New England Rail road. It is now the 16th ward of Boston, to which it was annexed in 1869. It is bounded on the S.E. by the Neponset River, has a hilly surface, and presents picturesque scenery. Here are extensive manufactures of various articles, and many fine country-seats. Dorchester post-office is now a branch of Boston post-office. Pop, in 1890, 18,048.
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

1916
Dorchester, a former town of Suffolk co., Mass., situated on Massachusetts Bay, 4 miles S. of Boston, to which it was annexed in 1869. It has extensive manufactures of various articles and many fine country-seats.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Here's a list of places to visit and things to do in Dorchester:
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: This iconic museum is located on Columbia Point and is dedicated to the life and legacy of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. It features exhibits on his presidency, the Kennedy family, and the era of the 1960s.

Savin Hill Beach: Enjoy a day at the beach at Savin Hill Beach, which offers beautiful views of the Boston skyline. It's a great spot for sunbathing, swimming, and picnicking during the summer months.

Dorchester Heights: Visit this historic site, where during the American Revolutionary War, George Washington's troops fortified the hill to force the British to evacuate Boston in 1776. You can explore the monument and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Franklin Park: This expansive park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted offers a wide range of activities. You can go for a walk or jog along the trails, have a picnic, play sports, or visit the Franklin Park Zoo.

Franklin Park Zoo: Located within... Read MORE...