History of Hadley, Massachusetts, USA

1659 - Hadley is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1661 - Hadley is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Hadley
Hadley, Massachusetts
Hampshire county. This is a pleasant town on the E. bank of Connecticut river, and unites with Northampton by a beautiful bridge, 1,080 feet in length. It was first settled in 1647. Incorporated, 1661. Population, 1837, 1,805. It lies 88 miles W. from Boston. Two small streams afford the town some water power. Hadley contains a large and fertile tract of alluvial meadow. The village, situated on the river, is pleasant, and contains many neat and valuable buildings.

Hadley was a retreat of the celebrated Goffe and Whalley, two of the judges who condemned Charles I for execution. They remained secluded here for more than fifteen years, when Whalley died. Goffe died and was buried at New Haven, Ct., some years after.

The manufactures of Hadley consist of leather, boots, shoes, hats, glue, palm-leaf hats, wire, chairs, cabinet ware, brooms, and brushes. Total value the year ending April 1, 1837, $117,850. This town is celebrated for raising broom corn. The... Read MORE...

1845 - HADLEY. [Pop. 1,874. Inc. 1661.]
Hadley was founded by emigrants of great respectability from
Connecticut, and originally included Amherst, South Hadley, Granby,
Hatfield, and Sunderland and Whately, two towns now in Franklin
county.

This is an agricultural town, and its meadows, on the banks of the Connecticut, are extremely fertile.

Brooms and palm-leaf hats are the chief manufactures.

The most interesting event in the history of Hadley is the conceal- ment in the minister's house of two or three of the judges who signed
the death-warrant of king Charles the First, and fled to New England
when Charles the Second came to the throne.

When the town was sorely beset by the Indians, in Philip's War, one of these concealed judges suddenly appeared, animated the people,
fought valiantly, drove off the Indians, and so suddenly disappeared
again, that an angel was said to have saved the village.

Distance from Northampton, 3 miles ; from Boston,... Read MORE...

1854 - Hadley
Hadley, a post-township of Hampshire co., Massachusetts, on the E. side of Connecticut river, about 90 miles W. of Boston. This township is noted for its manufactures, particularly of brooms. The village has 2 or 3 churches and an academy. Population of the township, 1986.
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.

1859
HADLEY, a town in Hampshire co., in Massachusetts, U.S., lying on the E side of Connecticut river, nearly opposite Northampton, with which it is connected by a bridge 1,080 ft. long. Pop. 1,814.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1870 - They reach [sic] astounding arithmetic at North Hadley, Mass., juding from a recent illustration in Postmaster Cooley's store.
A twelve year old pupil in a school there tried a pair of skates, worth 67 cents, for a day, and liked them so well he offered to buy them, paying Mr. Cooley the six cents then and then the seven in a few days. When he found that 67 cents were not made up that way, the promising student was quite taken aback.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 15, 1870

Hadley Massachusetts, 1890
Hadley is a very pleasant and fertile farming town of 286 farms, 396 houses, and 1,747 inhabitants, situated midway in the northerly side of Hampshire County, about 109 miles west of Boston. The Massachusetts Central Railroad passes through Hadley village a little south of the middle of the town, connecting it closely with all the principal lines in this section of the State.

This town is bounded on the north by Sunderland, on the east by Amherst, on the south by South Hadley, and on the west by Northampton and Hatfield. The Connecticut River forms the entire western line, and the long ridge of Mount Holyoke divides it from its neighbor on the south. The assessed area is 12,757 acres. There are 2,191 acres of forest, consisting of pine, hemlock, oak, chestnut, maple, ash and white birch. The underlying rock is the lower sandstone, sienite, calcareous gneiss and dolorites. Mount Warner rises boldly midway of the western side, while at the southwest Mount Holyoke looks down upon the... Read MORE...

1895 - Hadley
Hadley, a post-village of Hampshire co, Mass, in Hadley township, on the E. bank of the Connecticut River. about 18 miles N., of Springfield, and 3 miles N.E. of Northampton. It has a bridge across the river, 3 churches, and the Hopkins Academy. Brooms and other articles are manufactured in this township, which also contains North Hadley. Pop. of the township in 1890, 1669.
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

1916
Hadley, a post-village of Hampshire co., Mass., in Hadley township (town), on the E. bank of the Connecticut River, 3 miles NE. of Northampton. It is on the Boston and Maine R. Brooms and tobacco are manufactured in this township, which also contains North Hadley. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1789.
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

Here's a list of the best places to go and things to do in Hadley:
Hadley Farm Museum:

Start your journey by exploring the Hadley Farm Museum. This historical gem showcases the region's agricultural heritage. You can learn about the evolution of farming in the area through exhibits and artifacts.

Metacomet-Monadnock Trail:

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail is a must. This scenic hiking trail offers stunning views of the Connecticut River Valley. Be sure to bring your hiking boots and camera to capture the beauty of the surroundings.

Amherst Cinema:

Just a short drive away in neighboring Amherst, the Amherst Cinema is a cultural hub featuring independent films, documentaries, and special screenings. It's a perfect spot for cinephiles looking to enjoy thought-provoking and unique films.

Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum:

Immerse yourself in history by visiting the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum. This well-preserved historic home allows you to step back in time and experience life in the 18th and 19th... Read MORE...