History of Weymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The site of Weymouth first saw European inhabitants in 1622 as Wessagusset Colony, a colony founded by Thomas Weston, who had been the main backer of the Plymouth settlement.
The settlement was a failure. The sixty men taken from London were ill-prepared for the hardships required for survival. They also may have lacked the motivation of the Pilgrims as this colony was purely economic in motivation and the men had not brought their families.
wikipedia.org

1635 - Weymouth is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Weymouth
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Norfolk county. This was the second settlement made by white men in New England. Mr. Thomas Weston, a respectable merchant of London, who had been active in promoting the interests of the Plymouth colonists, sent two ships and 50 or 60 men to plant a colony at this place in the year 1622. The fate of the colony was as unfortunate as the designs of Mr. Weston were philanthropic. By the unjust and wanton conduct of his agents toward the natives, the colony would have been totally destroyed, were it not for the timely assistance afforded it by a band of men from the Plymouth Colony, commanded by the gallant Standish. The colony was broken up and Mr. Weston lost his life on the coast in attempting to reach it. This place, the Indian Wessagusset, named Weymouth from a town in England, was however permanently settled by the Rev. William Morrill, Capt. Robert Georges and others, in the year 1624.

The surface of the town is pleasantly diversified by hills and... Read MORE...

1845 - WEYMOUTH. Set. 1622. Inc. 1635. Pop. 3,738.
Weymouth was named from Weymouth in England, from which some of the second company of settlers came. The Indian name was Wessagusset.

Next to Plymouth, it is the oldest town in the State. The first settlers under Mr. Weston were disorderly, and would all have been destroyed by the Indians, had not Massasoit revealed the plot.

Part of the town was burned by the Indians, in Philip's War.

The chief manufactures are boots, shoes, and leather.

Weymouth Village includes a part of Braintree, and is a thriving settlement.

Distance from Dedham, 14 miles ; from Boston, 11.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Weymouth / Weymouth Landing / Washington Square / South Weymouth
Weymouth, a post-township of Norfolk co., Massachusetts, bordering on Boston harbor, and intersected by the South Shore branch of the Old Colony railroad, 12 miles S. S. E. from Boston. Two estuaries or arms of Boston harbor, called Fore and Back rivers, afford facilities for navigation. There are several pleasant villages in the township, the principal of which are Weymouth Landing, or Washington Square, and South Weymouth. The former, at the head of Fore river, is a place of active trade, having several hundred tons of shipping, and a bank with a capital of $100,000. The manufacture of boots and shoes is extensively carried on. Population in 1840, 3738; in 1850, 5369.
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.

Weymouth Massachusetts, 1890
Weymouth is a busy industrial and progressive town situated at the southerly extremity of Boston Harbor (or Bay), in the northeasterly section of Norfolk County. An arm of the sea, called Weymouth Fore River, separates the territory from Quincy and partly from Braintree, which form the western boundaries; and another arm, called Weymouth Back River, separates it from Hingham, which is the boundary on the east; both bodies of water being nearly three miles in length and receiving streams as their interior formation. That on the east is the outlet of Whitman's Pond, near the centre of the town, having an area of some 240 acres. This receives the outlet of Great Pond, in the southwest part of the town; which contains about 280 acres, and has a pretty island in the centre. The Shore Line of the Old Colony Railroad runs through the northern part of the town, having a station at Weymouth Landing (W. P.O.), in the west, a station for North Weymouth, and one at East Weymouth, — where are... Read MORE...

1895 - Weymouth
Weymouth, wä'mith, a post-village in Weymouth township, Norfolk co., Mass., on the Old Colony Railroad, 12 miles S.S.E. of Boston. It has 4 churches, a national bank, a newspaper office, a high school, an iron-foundry, and a savings-bank. The township is bounded on the N. by Massachusetts Bay. It contains other villages, named North Weymouth, South Weymouth, and East Weymouth, and has 15 churches, 2 high schools, 2 national banks, and extensive manufactures of boots and shoes, nails, &c. Pop. of the township in 1890, 10,866. Weymouth Village is the seat of Tuft's Library, with 15,000 vols.
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

1898 - Big Fire in Weymouth, Mass.
Weymouth, Mass., Sept. 29. - The factory buildings of the Bradley Fertilizer works in North Weymouth were burned shortly before 11 o'clock last night, causing a loss of about $200,000 to the buildings and stock. The loss is practically covered by insurance. The plant was chiefly under one roof and covered much ground, so that when the fire broke out it spread to all parts, making it impossible to save anything. The cause of the fire is believed to be spontaneous combustion, as the watchman patrolled the building only a few minutes before the fire was discovered.
Naugatuck Daily News
Naugatuck, Connecticut
September 29, 1898

1906
Weymouth, a banking village in Weymouth township (town), Norfolk co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 12 miles SE. of Boston. It contains Tuft's Library and has manufactures of isinglass, fire-works, boots and shoes, etc. The post-office is South Weymouth. The town, which contains other villages, had a population in 1900 of 11,324.
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

1914 - Weymouth Town Hall destroyed by fire

wikipedia.org

1928 - New Town Hall opens in Weymouth. It is a replica of the old Massachusetts State House in Boston.

wikipedia.org

1973 - (Weymouth) - Stetson Shoe Company closed its doors.

wikipedia.org

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Weymouth:
Webb Memorial State Park: This beautiful park is perfect for picnicking, hiking, and enjoying scenic views of the Boston skyline. It's a great place to relax and unwind with family and friends.

Wessagusset Beach: Enjoy some fun in the sun at this local beach. You can swim, sunbathe, or have a picnic by the shore. It's a great spot for a summer day.

Great Esker Park: If you're into hiking and nature walks, this park is a must-visit. The trails wind through a glacial esker, offering a unique natural experience.

Abigail Adams Birthplace: History buffs will appreciate a visit to the birthplace of Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams and the second First Lady of the United States. The house has been preserved and offers a glimpse into early American history.

Whipple House Museum: Another historical gem, the Whipple House Museum, showcases 17th-century colonial life. It's a fascinating place to explore if you're interested in the past.

Fort Revere Park: This park is home to... Read MORE...