History of Dudley, Massachusetts, USA

Dudley, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This good farming town was called by the Indians Chabanakongkomum. It is finely watered by the Quinnebaug and other streams and possesses excellent mill privileges. During the year ending April 1, 1837, the value of the manufactures of Dudley amounted to $346,826. The articles manufactured were woolen goods, leather, shoes, scythe snaiths, chairs, and cabinet ware. The value of wool grown was $1,585.

Dudley lies 55 miles S.W. from Boston, 18 S. from Worcester, and 34 N.W. from Providence. Incorporated, 1731. Population, 1837, 1,415.

This township was granted to Paul and William Dudley, of Roxbury, sons of Governor Dudley.

Dudley once contained part of Southbridge and Webster.

The land is fertile, and well watered by several ponds and by French and Quinebaug rivers.

Woollen cloths and shoes are the principal articles manufactured.

Distance from Worcester, 18 miles ; from Boston, 60.

This township was originally granted to the Hon. Messrs. Paul and William Dudley of Roxbury, while yet in the possession of the aborigines, the tribe which was known by the name of the Pegan tribe. It was incorporated by the general court in 1731, and the name of Dudley was given to it as a token of respect to the above mentioned men, who were principal proprietors of the soil, and great benefactors to the first settlers in their infancy. The church was founded here in 1732, and the Rev. Perley Howe was ordained their first minister in 1735. He was dismissed in 1743, and the next year Rev. Charles Gleason was ordained, who continued the faithful minister till his death, in 1790. The Rev. Joshua Johnson was installed as successor to Mr. Gleason in 1790. His successors have been Rev. Abiel Williams, ordained in 1799, and Rev. James H. Francis, in 1831.

The central part of Dudley is situated on a commanding eminence, called Dudley Hill. The village consists of two churches, an...

Dudley, a post-township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, 60 miles S. W. of Boston. This township is watered by several good mill streams. Population, 1443.

DUDLEY, a township of Worcester co., in the state of Massachusetts, U.S., 58 m. SW of Boston, watered by Quinnebaug and French rivers, and in the S by a pond nearly 5 m. in length. Pop. in 1840, 1,352.

The Boston Traveller tells a story on Mr. Williams, the ancient pastor of Dudley, Massachusetts, who was a practical christian. One sultry summer Sunday, says the legend, the sound of distant thunder heralded the approach of a shower. Suddenly the preacher stopped, and peering from side to side through the church windows, as if observing the tokens of a change in the weather, he quietly said: "Brethren I observed that our brother Crosby is not prepared for the rain. I think it our duty to help our brother Crosby to get in his hay before the shower." With that he descended from the pulpit, and with several of his bearers, proceeded to Mr. Crosby's hay field where they worked half an hour, or until the hay was housed. The staunch old clergyman then returned to the church and resumed his discourses.

It later became the Dudley Inn and then a Nichols College dormitory.

Dudley is a pleasant and prosperous town lying in the southwesterly part of Worcester County, on the Southbridge Branch of the New York and New England Railroad, which has a station at West Dudley, 67 miles from Boston. The eastern part of the town is accommodated at the eastern border by the Webster station on the Norwich and Worcester Railroad. The town is bounded by Charlton and Oxford on the north, the latter and Webster on the east, Southbridge on the west, and Thompsonville, in Connecticut, on the south. The assessed area is 12,870 acres, of which 4,800 are woodland.

The Quinnebaug River crosses the southwestern part, receiving an affluent from the hills. Here its valley is broadened, affording ample space about the mills for the village of West Dudley. The southeastern part is an extended plain, on which are strung out a group of six large and small ponds, whose outlet enters the French River at Merinoville. The latter forms the eastern line of the town, and in this limit...

Mrs. Elizabeth Eaton Larned, of Pawtucket, R.I. is dead. She was the daughter of John Eliot Eaton, and Elizabeth Davis Eaton, and was born in Dudley Mass., January 7, 1790. Her father was a surgeon in the Revolutionary army, and at the close of the war he removed with his family from Spencer to Dudley, Mass., where they remained for years. In 1810 she was married to Morris Larned, of Dudley, Mass. He was born May 23, 1786, and died November 6, 1878, at the age of 92. Thirteen children were the result of the marriage, of whom five are still living - Mrs. Cordelia W Davison, of Central Falls; Thomas Larned, of Dudley, Mass.; Wm. Larned of Denver, Col.; John Larned, of Boston, Mass., and Elizabeth Davis, of Dudley, Mass. They were all in Dudley, and the old home is still in good repair, and the condition upon which the dwelling is rented was that her room should be kept in perfect order for her as long as she should live. Her decendants number five children, twenty-seven grandchildren...

Dudley, a post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Dudley township, about 18 miles S. by W. from Worcester. It has a church and an academy. The township is drained by the Quinebaug River. It has manufactures of linen, fancy cassimeres, shoe-knives, and paper, and is traversed by the Southbridge Branch of the New York & New England Railroad (West Dudley Station). Pop. of township, 2944.

Dudley, a post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Dudley township (town), about 18 miles S. by W. of Worcester. The town is drained by tbe Quinebaug River. It has woollen-mills, etc Pop. of the town in 1900, 3553 ; of the village, about 2800.

Dudley, Mass. Sept 3, (A.P.) - The air express plane operated by the Colonial Air Transport, Inc., which left Boston at 7:15 last night, was forced down here at about 9:30 by rain and fog. The plane landed without accident in a hayfield on the farm of Warren Bates and took off again at 1:05 this morning for Brainard field, Hartford, Conn.

W. E. Kline, the pilot, had previously hopped from the field at 10:15 p.m., but the weather forced him to return. On his second hop he circled about Dudley and Webster. The plane was not reported in this vicinity afterwards.

Dudley, Mass., Feb. 12 (A.P) - An attempt by armed men to steal a $13,000 payroll of the Stevens linen mills was frustrated today because the paymaster and his assistant took a route from a bank to the mills different than that usually taken.

Webster, Dudley and state police started an immediate search for the men, who had been marked in an automobile within 100 feet of the mill offices up to the time the mill officials learned of their presence.

H. Wadsworth Crawford, mill agent, told the police one of his workmen passed near the automobile and was confronted by one of the car's occupants who pointed a shotgun at him and told him to hurry away. The employe reported the matter to Crawford and he notified police.

In the meantime the paymaster had reached the plant through a door other than the one ordinarily used after varying the customary route from the bank to the mills.

The occupants of the automobile fled when the noticed the unusual activities within the...

Dudley, Mass., Jan. 6 (AP) - Brought under control after a day and night battle in zero weather, flames sputtered today in the ruins of the West Dudley paper mill and left damage estimated by fire officials at $250,000.

Crumbling floors that plunged wood pulp, huge rolls of paper and heavy machinery from the top of the rambling two-story mill kept the firemen at a distance as the roaring flames shot high into the air.

At times more than 100 persons - regular firemen from Dudley and Webster and volunteers that came from many surrounding towns - joined in fighting the blaze, which was discovered early yesterday morning.

The mill, one of the oldest industries in the section, employed 90 persons.

Nichols College: Begin your journey with a leisurely stroll through the charming campus of Nichols College. The campus boasts historic architecture and impeccably manicured grounds, offering a delightful setting for a walk.

Dudley Farm Museum: Immerse yourself in Dudley's history and agricultural roots at the Dudley Farm Museum. The museum showcases a collection of antique farming equipment, tools, and artifacts from the town's past, providing a captivating glimpse into rural life in Massachusetts.

Black Tavern Historical Society: Visit the Black Tavern Museum, operated by the local historical society. The Black Tavern was a renowned stagecoach stop during the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore the museum and learn about the building's storied past, which includes tales of travelers, colonial-era taverns, and more.

Hiking and Nature Walks: Surround yourself with the natural splendor of Dudley by exploring its hiking trails and nature preserves. Consider visiting Westville Lake...