History of Sutton, Massachusetts, USA

1704 - Sutton is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1714 - Sutton is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Sutton
Sutton, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This is a very pleasant and flourishing town, 44 miles W. by S. from Boston and 9 S. by E. from Worcester. Incorporated, 1715. Population, 1830, 2,186; 1837, 2,457.

Sutton is watered by Blackstone river, and the Blackstone canal passes through the town. There are in the town four cotton and two woolen mills, two scythe factories, and manufactures of boots, shoes, shuttles and spindles: total value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $309,578.

The surface of the town is agreeably diversified, and the soil capable of producing good crops. Granite and soapstone are abundant.

"Purgatory Cavern," in this town, is a great curiosity. It is a fissure in gneiss, nearly half a mile long, in most parts partially filled by the masses of rock that have been detached from the walls. The sides are often perpendicular, and sometimes 70 feet high; being separated from each other by about 50 feet.
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 - SUTTON. [Pop. 2,370. Inc 1715.]
The settling of Sutton was retarded by the Indian wars.

It is a pleasant town, situated on the Blackstone and its branches.

Sutton originally contained Millbury and part of Upton .and of Auburn.

Its chief manufactures are cotton and woollen goods, and boots and shoes.

Distance from Worcester, 10 miles ; from Boston, 44.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Sutton
This town was originally purchased by a number of persons of John Wampus, a sachem, and his company of Indians, who claimed it, and was confirmed to the purchasers by the general court in 1704. It was formed into a township and called Sutton by an act of the legislature in 1715. The settling of the town was retarded for some time by reason of the wars with the Indians.

In the year 1716, three families were seated in the place, and spent the succeeding winter there, which was that of the great snow. This snow fell on some of the last days of February, (0. S.) and came so deep that it wholly covered over the hut in which one of the families lived. The man being from home, the family would probably have suffered much, had not an Indian. who knew the circumstances, come to their relief. He found the cottage only by the hole which the smoke from the fireplace had made through the snow. In September, 1717 the first child was born in the town, named Abigail Marsh, daughter of Mr. Benjamin ... Read MORE...

1853 - Sad Occurrence
Mrs. Mary Whiting, an aged lady of nearly 90 years, was burned to death in Sutton, Massachusetts, on Sabbath evening. She was alone in the house, the other members of the family being absent at an evening meeting.
The Adams Sentinel
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
December 5, 1853

1854 - Sutton
Sutton, a post- village in Worcester co., Massachusetts, near the Blackstone river and canal, and the Providence and Worcester railroad, 42 miles W. S. W. from Boston. Population of the township. 2695.
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.

1865 - Thank You to Soldiers
A noble woman, by the name of Susan Williams, South Sutton, Massachusetts, gives to every soldier who enlisted from that town, on his return, the sum of five dollars, and the same amount to the families of those who have fallen in defense of their country.
Janesville Weekly Gazette
Janesville, Wisconsin
August 31, 1865

1879 - 100 Pet Cats
Miss Mary Jane Wadleigh, of Sutton, Massachusetts, has one hundred pet cats, and when one of them dies she has it buried in its grave marked by a neat monument.
The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta, Georgia
February 23, 1879

1885 - Men of Brains - Some of the Distinguished American Inventors
Thomas Blanchard, born in 1788, at Sutton, Massachusetts; died in 1864; invented a tack machine in 1806; builds a successful steam carriage in 1825; builds the stern-wheel boat for shallow waters, now in common use on western rivers; in 1843 patents the lathe for turning irregular forms, now in common use all over the world for turning lasts, spokes, axe-handles, gun-stocks, hat-blocks, tackle-blocks, etc.
The Daily Republican
Monogahela, Pennsylvania
January 20, 1885

Sutton Massachusetts, 1890
Sutton is an agricultural and manufacturing town of 3,101 inhabitants, situated in the southeastern section of Worcester County, about 40 miles southwest of Boston. The Providence and Worcester Railroad has a station at Wilkinsonville, in the northeast corner of the town. This village and Sutton (centre), Manchaug in the south, and West Sutton, are post-offices; the other villages being South Sutton and Woodbury's Village. Sutton is bounded on the north by Millbury, on the northeast by Grafton, on the east by Northbridge, on the south by Douglas, and on the west by Oxford. The assessed area is 20,035 acres; more than one third of the town being covered with forests of oak and chestnut. The geological formation is calcareous gneiss, with much granite and quartz. In the southeast section is a chasm in the rock nearly one fourth of a mile in length, with jagged sides, often perpendicular, 40 feet apart, and said to be at some points 70 feet or more in depth. Notable eminences are Leland... Read MORE...

1906
Sutton, a village in Sutton township (town), Worcester co., Mass., 8 miles S. by E. of Worcester. Pop. of the town in 1900, 3328 ; of the village, about 1200. The post- office is Millbury.
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

1910 - Signed "Wife"
Up in Sutton, Massachusetts, a young woman organist wrote a preacher and signed herself "wife." And the organist's play-ful ways caused the deuce of a domestic discord.
The Wilmington Dispatch
Wilmington, North Carolina
November 24, 1910

1916 - Sutton
Sutton, a village in Sutton township (town), Worcester co., Mass., 8 miles S. by E. of Worcester. Pop. of the town in 1900, 3328; of the village, about 1200. The post office is Millbury.
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 things to do and places to visit in Sutton, Massachusetts:
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation: Purgatory Chasm is one of Sutton's most famous natural landmarks. This unique geological formation features a dramatic chasm with steep, granite walls that you can hike through. The park also offers picnic areas and scenic overlooks.

Waters Farm Preservation: Waters Farm is a historic property that dates back to the 1750s. It's now a preserved farmstead with walking trails, gardens, and a museum. Explore the grounds and learn about the agricultural history of the region.

Blackstone National Golf Club: If you're a golfer, you'll appreciate the challenging and well-maintained courses at the Blackstone National Golf Club. The picturesque surroundings make it an enjoyable place to tee off.

Sutton Common Historic District: Stroll through Sutton Common to admire the town's historic architecture. The district features well-preserved colonial-era homes and buildings, offering a glimpse into Sutton's past.

Manchaug Pond: This 380-acre pond is a... Read MORE...