History of Beverly, Massachusetts, USA

1626 - Beverly is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1668 - Beverly is incorporated

1775 - First Navy Ship
The first ship of the US Navy, the schooner "Hannah", commissioned in
Beverly.

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

The first cotton mills were erected in Beverly, Mass., in 1787.
The founders of the original mill business concept were Thomas Somers and James Leonard, who had recruited others to build and create the mill and machines. In 1787, Beverly Cotton Manufactory was established by The Proprietors of the Beverly Cotton Manufactory, a Massachusetts company that consisted of Capt. John Cabot, George Cabot, Andrew Cabot, Deborah Higginson Cabot, Henry Higginson, Dr. Joshua Fisher, Moses Brown, Israel Thorndike, and Isaac Chapman.
Newburgh Daily Journal
Newburgh, New York
June 13, 1893

1839 - Beverly
Beverly, Massachusetts
Essex county. This town lies N. of Salem, and is united to it by a bridge across the North river, built in 1788, 1,500 feet in length. The people of this town are noted for their enterprise in commerce and the fisheries. There are some merchant vessels belonging to this place, about 50 sail of fishermen, and 20 coasters. The annual value of the fisheries at Beverly is about $100,000. The manufactures, consisting of Britannia ware, tin and cabinet wares, chairs, hats, boots, hair, mustard, and bricks, amounted to in one year about $120,000. The prosperity of this town has not suffered by the growth of luxury or excess of trade; its fisheries and manufacturing concerns are steady and progressive. First settled, 1626. Incorporated, 1688. Population, 1830, 4,079—1837, 4,609. Among many distinguished men who have lived and died at Beverly, was Captain Thomas Lathrop, who commanded the "flower of Essex," a company of young men from this county, and who were, with... Read MORE...

1845 - BEVERLY. [Pop. 4,689. Inc. 1668.]
Beverly is separated from Salem, of which it was originally a
part, by an arm of the sea called Bass River, over which is a bridge.

Beverly is quite an agricultural town, although extensively engaged in the fisheries, and in the manufacture of boots and shoes.

Captain Lathrop, who, with his men, was killed by the Indians at Bloody Brook, Deerfield, in 1675, was a native of Beverly, as was Nathan Dane, the distinguished statesman, to whom we owe the Act of Congress that prohibited slavery in the Western States.

Distance from Salem, 3 miles ; from Boston, 17.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Beverly
Beverly, a post-village, in a township of the same name, of Essex county, Massachusetts, 2 miles N. of Salem, and 16 miles N. N. E. from Boston, with which it is connected by railroad. Another railroad branching off from the Eastern Railroad, connects it with Gloucester. The principal industry of the inhabitants is directed to commerce and the fisheries ; it is also noted for its manufactures of shoes, tin-ware, &c. It contains 5 or 6 churches, a bank, and a newspaper office. Population of the township, 5376.
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.

Beverly Massachusetts, 1890
Beverly is an old agricultural, nautical and manufacturing town, beautifully situated on rising ground on the southern shore of Essex County. It is bounded on the north by Wenham, east by Manchester, south by Salem Harbor, and west by Danvers. A bridge 1,500 feet long connects Beverly village on the southwestern point with Salem, across the inner harbor, called Beverly Harbor. It is 18 miles northeast of Boston by the Eastern Railroad, which has stations at Beverly and North Beverly ; and on the Gloucester branch road, following Beverly station, are Montserrat, Pride's Crossing and Beverly Farms. The post-offices are Beverly and Beverly Farms ; and the villages are these and North Beverly, Centerville, Cove and Ryall's Side. The streams are East (or Bass) River, in the western part of the town, and Chubb's Creek, which partially separates it from Manchester, on the eastern side. The most elevated points are Bald Hill in the northeast, and Cherry and Brown hills in the northwest. Near... Read MORE...

1891 - BEVERLY FLAME SWEPT. A DISASTROUS FIRE WHICH DID OVER $200,000 DAMAGE.
Beverly, Mass., Nov. 2. - Beverly was visited yesterday by a $200,000 fire. The fire was discovered about 2:15 p.m. in ALLEN'S box factory on Revere street. The building was set on poles over the Danvers River. Owing to the inflammable contents of the factory, and the wind which prevailed, the factory was one sheet of flames before the fire department reached the scene.

Chief Engineer GOODHUE summoned the whole department. Marblehead was called on for aid. Steamers from Salem and Peabody also responded.
The detailed losses follow.

WOODBURY Bros., $95,000, insured for $80,000.
GEO. H. ALLEN, loss, $25,000, insured $17,000.
Roundy House, $2,000, insured $1,800.
Salem Savings Bank, loss $1,000, insurance $1,000.
WOODBURY Bros., loss on contents of their building $3,000.
Boston & Maine Railroad loss on car sheds and freight house, $2,000, on cars, $15,000.
Pullman Company, loss $18,000.
MORGAN & GRAY, loss $1,300, insurance $1,800.
DELLA OBER and others, loss on houses... Read MORE...

1892 - RAILROAD WRECK AT BEVERLY. A PASSENGER CRASHES INTO A FREIGHT - SEVERAL HURT.
BEVERLY, Mass., Aug. 17. - At 5:40 this afternoon Passenger Train No. 112, Rockport to Boston, met an extra freight at Paradise Crossing, on the Boston and Maine, Railroad at Beverly and a collision ensued. The passenger train was going thirty miles an hour and the freight twelve miles. Both engines were totally demolished, and with their coal and water tanks were piled in one heap.

Engineer Jones of the freight engine, with Acting Conductor Fred Macomber and six other trainmen were injured, the first very seriously. Brakeman Frank Heeney of the freight was killed. Francis E. Heeney left Gloucester in the afternoon on an order to run to Beverly and get two freight cars there, one car containing three horses and the other carriages. In the car with the horses was a colored coachman. Two of the horses were killed and one so badly injured that it was taken out and killed. The colored coachman was injured. Heeney was on top of the forward freight car and was pitched over into the wreck ... Read MORE...

1894 - Beverly is incorporated as a city

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1895 - Beverly
Beverly, a post-village of Essex Co., Mass., on the "North Shore," and on a bay or inlet of the Atlantic, 18 miles by rail N.E. of Boston, 2 miles N.N.E. of Salem, at the junction of the Gloucester and Rockport Branch. It is separated from Salem by an inlet of the sea, which is crossed by 2 bridges. It has a good harbor, a national bank, a savings-bank, a high school, a public library of 11,000 volumes, 2 newspaper offices, a masonic lodge, manufactures of shoes and shoe machinery, carriages, morocco, otters' ware, bricks, machinery, and wood and paper boxes. Many of the inhabitants are employed in navigation and the fisheries. Beverly owns about 80 vessels engaged in the cod-fishery. The township has 11 churches, Pop. of town in 1890, 10,821.
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

1910 - 2 DIE IN FIRE AT BEVERLY.
Three Other Men in Cottage Severely Injured

Beverly, Mass., June 21. - Two men were burned to death and three others received severe injuries in a fire which destroyed the Century Club cottage and an adjoining small summer residence at Bates parks, in this city, today. The dead are Henry B. Barrett, a drug clerk, of Peabody, and Bert McShane, of Salem.

The five men had hired the cottage for their summer vacation.
The Washington Post
Washington, D.C.
June 22, 1910

1916
Beverly, a banking city and summer-resort of Essex co., Mass., on the " North Shore," on a bay or inlet of the Atlantic, and on the Boston and Maine R., 18 miles NE. of Boston and 2 miles NNE. of Salem, from which it is separated by an inlet of the sea. Beverly has a good harbor, manufactures of shoes and shoe machinery, general machinery, morocco, belting, oil-clothing, etc. Many of the inhabitants are employed in navigation and the fisheries. Beverly owns numerous vessels engaged in the cod- fishery. The New England Industrial School for Deaf Mutes is located here. Pop. in 1900, 13,884.
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

1926 - Dies of Suffocation
Beverly, Mass., April 30 - (AP) - George H. Stamper, 60, died of suffocation in a fire which destroyed the building of the Jubilee Yacht Club here this morning.

The clubhouse was one of the landmarks of this city's waterfront. Stamper, who occupied a room in the building, and retired when the fire was discovered. He was awakened by members and dressed but apparently became confused by the smoke when he attempted to return for a coat. Damage to the building was estimated at $20,000.
North Adams Transcript
North Adams, Massachusetts
April 30, 1926

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Beverly:
Lynch Park:

A beautiful waterfront park with walking trails, gardens, and a beach.

Perfect for a relaxing day, a family picnic, or a scenic stroll along the ocean.

The Cabot:

This historic theater hosts a variety of events, from concerts to movies.

Check their schedule for live performances by local and well-known artists.

Beverly Farms:

Explore the charming village of Beverly Farms, known for its historic architecture and quaint shops.

Grab a coffee at a local cafe and enjoy a leisurely walk around the neighborhood.

Dane Street Beach:

Another great spot for beach lovers, offering a quieter and more secluded atmosphere.

Ideal for a day of sunbathing, swimming, or simply enjoying the coastal scenery.

Beverly Common:

A lovely park in the center of town with a gazebo and plenty of green space.

Great for a casual stroll, reading a book, or a picnic with friends.

North Shore Music Theatre:

Catch a Broadway-style musical or a live performance... Read MORE...