History of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, USA

1662 - Uxbridge is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

The Taft family, of England, settled in Mendon (originally called "Mendham"), in 1680, in a section that later became Uxbridge.

wikipedia.org

Incorporated in 1727, the town of Uxbridge was named after the Earl of Uxbridge, in Uxbridge, England.

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Uxbridge
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This very handsome and flourishing town lies 40 miles S.W. from Boston, 17 S. by E. from Worcester, and 24 N.N.W. from Providence, R.I. It receives an excellent water power from Mumford and West rivers, and the Blackstone canal passes through it.

The manufacturing villages are delightfully situated in valleys surrounded by picturesque elevations. There are 5 woolen and 3 cotton mills in the town, and manufactures of yarn, straw bonnets, boots, shoes, leather, chairs, cabinet and tin wares: total value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $402,450.

Uxbridge was formerly a part of Mendon. It was incorporated in 1727. Population, 1830, 2,086; 1837, 2,246. Iron ore is found here, and an abundance of beautiful granite.
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 - UXBRIDGE. [Pop. 2,004. Inc. 1727.]
Uxbridge was the western part of Mendon, and included part of Northbridge.

The Blackstone unites with two of its branches in this town, and they afford excellent water-power for factories of cotton and woollen goods.

Distance from Worcester, 18 miles; from Boston, 38.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Uxbridge
This town is composed of what was formerly the western part of Mendon. It was set off and incorporated by an act of the general court in June, 1727, and then received its present name. The Indian name was Wacantuck. It was larger at first than at present, as the north part, in 1772, was set off and made a distinct town, the name of Northbridge.

A church was gathered here in 1731, (under the direction of Rev. Joseph Dorr, of Mendon,) of which Rev. Nathan Webb was ordained pastor. He continued with the people 41 years, till his death, in 1772, and was succeeded by Rev. Hezekiah Chapman, ordained in 1774. He was dismissed in 1781, and in 1783 Rev. Josian Spaulding succeeded, who, continuing hut about 4 years, was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Thadson, who was ordained in 1792. Rev. Samuel Clarke was installed pastor of the parish church in 1833. Rev. David A. Grosvenor, the pastor of the second church, was settled in 1832. There is a Friends’ church in this town.

The above is a southern ... Read MORE...

1854 - Uxbridge
Uxbridge, a post-township of Worcester co., Mass., on the Blackstone river, and on the Providence and Worcester railroad, contains several small villages, the principal of which, a station on the above railroad, 18 miles S. S. E. from Worcester, has 2 or 3 churches, and a bank. Population, 2457.
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.

Uxbridge Massachusetts, 1890
Uxbridge lies on the Blackstone River, in the southeasterly section of Worcester County, 30 miles southwest of Boston and 18 miles south of Worcester. The Providence and Worcester Railroad passes through northwest and southeast, and the New York and New England Railroad passes through the southwestern section, having a station at Ironstone. The post-offices are Uxbridge and North Uxbridge. Other villages are Centreville, Elm Dale, Ironstone and Rogersville.

For boundaries, it has Sutton on the northwest, Northbridge on the north, Mendon and Blackstone on the east, Douglas on the west, and Burrillville, in R. I., on the south. The assessed area is 17,615; of which 8,242 acres are forest. The principal rock is gneissic; and in it occur argentiferous galena and iron ore. The manufacturing villages are situated in charming valleys, in which West River from Upton, Mumford River from Northbridge, and Emerson Brook from Douglas, unite with the Blackstone River, which comes down between... Read MORE...

1906
Uxbridge, a banking post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Uxbridge township (town), on the Blackstone River and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 19 miles 8SE. of Worcester. The town has several woollen- mills. Pop. of the town in 1900, 3699.
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 - PARCEL POST 'BOMB' ONLY AN APPLE - "Deadly Package" Scares Girl Who Received It - Police Uneasy.
Miss May Campbell, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. George Stull, at No. 511 West 157th street, received yesterday a parcel post package from Uxbridge, Mass. The package was delivered in
the afternoon by the letter carrier. It had the appearance of a bomb, so she took it to the West 152d street police station.

Lieutenant Thompson peeped cautiously at the package and then said:
"We'll call up the Bureau of Combustibles. This sort of job is for them; they like life perils."

Lieutenant Daniel Hopkinson, of that bureau, did not like the look of that re-soldering either. After a debate as to how to open the can without the sacrifice of life. Hopkinson said:

"Let us take it to Trinity Cemetery and bang it against that big wall on Broadway that is backed with a high bank of earth."

When the right spot had been selected Hopkinson stepped back into the centre of Broadway and tossed the deadly bomb at the wall. The can bounced off a rock, but nothing happened. Once again Hopkinson... Read MORE...

1955 - Hurricane Diane
...Flood waters roared down rain-filled rivers of the Northeastern states today, adding to heavy damage already inflicted by the area's severest flood in history. The loss was estimated in billions of dollars.

The death toll, which began to climb early yesterday, had reached at least 97 for the seven-state area. And the peak of the flood was still to come in some sections.

The known dead listed state by state were:
Pennsylvania 46; Connecticut 30; Massachusetts 11; New Jersey 5; New York 2; Virginia 2; Rhode Island 1.

From Stroudsburg, Pa., came reports that some 40 persons were missing from a private summer camp five miles away.

New reports of dams crumbling under the force of swollen streams added to the swelling total of property damage.

The collapse of the Rice City Dam in North Uxbridge, Mass., sent a five-foot wall of water charging down the Blackstone River toward Woonsocket, R. I. already devastated by earlier floods...

Chester Times
Pennsylvania
August... Read MORE...

2023 - Whether you're into history, nature, or just want to unwind, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Uxbridge:
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park:
Take a stroll or bike ride along the scenic Blackstone River and Canal. The park offers beautiful views, picnic areas, and a chance to learn about the area's industrial history.

West Hill Dam:
If you're into outdoor activities, West Hill Dam is the place to be. There are hiking trails, fishing spots, and even a beach for some summer relaxation.

Southwick's Zoo:
Just a short drive away in Mendon, Southwick's Zoo is a fantastic family-friendly destination. Get up close and personal with a variety of animals and enjoy the zoo's exhibits and attractions.

Yawgoog Pond:
This picturesque pond is perfect for a day of kayaking, fishing, or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature.

Ironstone Farm:
Spend some time at Ironstone Farm, where you can go horseback riding or enjoy therapeutic riding programs. It's a unique and calming experience.

Skydive Danielson:
For the thrill-seekers, Skydive Danielson is nearby, offering tandem ... Read MORE...