History of Oxford, Massachusetts, USA

The oldest Universalist Church in the world

Oxford, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This is an important manufacturing town, of uneven surface, strong, gravelly soil; 45 miles W. from Boston, and 10 S. from Worcester. Incorporated, 1773. Population, 1837, 2,047. There are in the town 5 woolen and 4 cotton mills, and manufactures of boots and shoes:—total value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $501,394. Oxford is a pleasant town, and finely watered by French river, which passes to the ocean by the Quinnebaug and Thames.

The original township of Oxford was eight miles square and was granted to Joseph Dudley and others, in 1680, for the accommodation of about 30 French protestant families who had escaped from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantz, when they became exposed to every cruelty and hardship that catholic intolerance and religious bigotry could invent. They were assisted in their emigration to this country by the proprietors of the grant, and settled here about 1686. They built a fort on a hill in the...

Oxford was granted to Gov. Dudley, Lieut. Gov. Stoughton, and others, in 1682, and included the whole of Charlton, and a part of Auburn, Dudley, and Webster.

The first settlers, in 1686, were about thirty families of French Protestants, called Huguenots, who were driven from France by religious persecution. They were so annoyed by the Indians, that, in the course of twenty years, they all removed, and most of them went to Boston, where others of their countrymen had founded a church.

French River, one of the sources of the Thames, runs through Oxford, and owes its name to the above circumstance.

Though possessed of a good soil, Oxford is distinguished for its manufactures, the principal of which are cotton and woollen goods, and boots and shoes.

Distance from Worcester, 10 miles ; from Boston, 45.

This town was a grant made by the government, in 1682, to Joseph Dudley, Esq., governor, to William Stoughton, Esq., Lieut. governor of Massachusetts, to Major Robert Thomson, Messrs. Cox and Blackwell. and associates. It was styled a tract of land lying in the Nipnet or Nipmuc country,” (the Indian name of which was Mauchaug.) The grant expressed 8 square miles, but according to the survey and boundaries it comprehended 12 miles in length from east to west, and about 9 in width, comprehending the whole of Chariton and a part of Dudley and of Ward.

It was surveyed by Mr. Gore of Roxbury, and a return thereof being made to the general court, they accepted the same, and on the 16th of May, 1683, they granted the plantation and gave it the name of Oxford. The original proprietors of Oxford, in the year 1686, took on to the grant 30 families of French Protestants, who were driven out of France in consequence of the repeal of the edict of Nantz by Louis XIV., in the year 1684. According ...

Oxford, a thriving post-village of Worcester co., Massachusetts, on the Norwich and Worcester railroad, 11 miles S. by W. from Worcester. The village is built chiefly on one extended street, and contains a bank. Population of the township, 2380.

Oxford is a pleasant farming and manufacturing town midway of the southerly part of Worcester County, about 55 miles from Boston by the Webster Branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad. The Norwich and Worcester Railroad also runs through the town north and south. Oxford has Leicester and Auburn on the north; the latter, Millbury and Sutton on the east; Douglas and Webster on the south; Dudley at the southwest; and Charlton on the west.

The town is narrow at the north end and broad at the south. The assessed area is 16,257 acres, which includes 5,364 acres of forest, consisting chiefly of oak, chestnut, pine and maple. There are many hills, with a wide valley for most of the distance along French River, which winds through the midst of the town southward. The soil is a sandy loam. Apple trees are numerous and thrifty; and blueberries, huckleberries, cranberries, and strawberries are a source of more than usual profit.

The value of the aggregate product of the 163 farms in 1885...

Oxford, a post-village in Oxford township, Worcester co., Mass., on French River, and on the Norwich & Worcester Railroad, 11 miles S. by W. of Worcester City, and about 48 miles W.S.W. of Boston. It contains a fine town hall, a national bank, a high school, 5 churches, a public library, and extensive manufactories of boots and shoes. The township contains also North Oxford, and has several cotton-mills and woollen-mills. Pop. of township, 2938.

Oxford, a banking post-village in Oxford township (town), Worcester co., Mass., on the French River and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 11 miles S. by W. of Worcester. It contains a fine town-hall, public library, etc., and has extensive manufactories of boots and shoes, satinets and woollens, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2677.

Oxford, Mass., Sept. 13 (AP) - Six persons were killed and 13 others injured, several seriously, today when a New York-Houston bus and a truck-trailer collided almost head-on on a rain-swept highway.

The impact was heard a quarter-mile away by a restaurant proprietor who notified state police and a doctor.

The bus overturned and blocked the highway. Fuel tanks of both vehicles burst but the gasoline did not catch fire.

It took firemen two hours to extricate the dead and injured from the wreckage, pulling them through the shattered windows.

Four of the dead were identified as ALBERT ROSCOE, 45, of Medford; and MARGARET HOGAN, 65, DAVID COHEN and MARY SUMNER, all of Boston.

Another woman was identified tentatively several hours later at Worcester City Hospital as MRS. ALBERT ROSCOE, 40, wife of the Medford man.

A man still remained unidentified at a Charlton funeral parlor.

HENRY BROWN, 23, of Hanover, described by police as the truck driver, was in critical...

1. Buffumville Lake: If you love spending time in the great outdoors, Buffumville Lake is a must-visit destination in Oxford. This reservoir offers fantastic opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking. The serene setting is perfect for a family outing or a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

2. Clara Barton Birthplace Museum: History buffs will appreciate a visit to the Clara Barton Birthplace Museum. Clara Barton, a pioneering nurse, and humanitarian was born in this house in 1821. The museum showcases her life and work, including her role as the founder of the American Red Cross. It's a fascinating glimpse into the life of an incredible woman.

3. Golf at Pine Ridge Country Club: If you enjoy hitting the links, Pine Ridge Country Club is the place to be. This 18-hole golf course is known for its challenging layout and beautiful surroundings. It's a great spot to spend a day on the fairways with friends or family.

4. Explore Local...