GreenerPasture Genealogy

Sign In



BEST FREE ancestry website since 1999 - History belongs to all of us!

Add YOUR Family To This Page

flag  History of Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA

Visit Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

Follow us on Instagram      Subscribe to our Youtube channel      Visit Our Store Visit Our Old Newspaper and Genealogy Blog Visit Our Life Blog

Do You Have Shutesbury Roots? Share Your Ancestral Story!

Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - Congregational Church

Shutesbury, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA

Shutesbury includes: Baconsville and Lock Village.

Shutesbury was colonized in 1735, when it was called Road Town, because the original request by Colonists to Boston was to build a road in a roadless area. Road Town was officially incorporated as Shutesbury in 1761. The town was renamed in honor of Samuel Shute, former governor.

kids.kiddle.co


netronline.com/mass_lookup.htm

There is MUCH more to discover about Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!

Shutesbury Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Congregational Church
Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Congregational Church

Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Greetings from Lake Wyola, Shutesbury, Mass.
Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Greetings from Lake Wyola, Shutesbury, Mass.

Discover Shutesbury: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
1761 - The town of Shutesbury is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
1839 - Shutesbury
Shutesbury, Massachusetts
This town is on high land, 10 miles E. from Connecticut river, 9 N. by E. from Amherst, 16 S.S.E. from Greenfield, and 78 W. by N. from Boston. Incorporated, 1761. Population, 1837, 816. Copper ore, and soapstone, are found here. On Swift river are three shingle mills and a wheel factory. There is a mineral spring of some note in this town, containing, in solution, iron, sulphur, &c. There is also a pond, covering about 700 acres, with an abundance of fine fish.

Ephraim Pratt lived in this town many years, and died here in 1804, aged 116 years. He married at the age of 21, and could count 1,500 descendants. He was a very temperate man, so much so that for 40 years he took almost no animal food. He was a farmer, and his health was so uniformly good that he was able to mow a good swath 101 years in succession. He was born at Sudbury, 1687.
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. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
1845 - SHUTESBURY. [Pop. 987. Inc. 1761.]
This town was named after Samuel Shute, who was a worthy Governor of the State from 1716 to 1723.

It was first settled by persons from Sudbury, one of whom lived to the great age of one hundred and sixteen years.

On a branch of Swift River are some small manufactories.

The land is elevated, and the inhabitants mostly farmers.

Distance from Greenfield, 16 miles; from Boston, 78
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1848 - Shutesbury
This town was incorporated in 1761. The town was first settled mostly by people from Sudbury, in 1754, and was at that period called Road Town. The land is uneven, encumbered with stones, and the soil is generally of an inferior quality. The Rev. Abraham Hill, the first Congregational minister, was settled here in 1742. Imbibing political sentiments hostile to the American cause, Mr. Hill was alienated from his people, and was regularly dismissed, in 1778; the church was reduced to one member. It was reorganized in 1806 with 20 members. Rev. John Taylor was settled here, 1816; his successor was Rev. Martyn Cushman. Population, 816. Distance, 16 miles from Greenfleld, 9 from Amherst, and 78 from Boston. In 1837, there were 22,000 palm leaf hats manufactured.

The following account of Mr. Ephraim Pratt, of this town, who lived to a very advanced age, is from the second volume of Dr. Dwight's Travels, page 358.

"He was born at Sudbury, Massachusetts, in 1687; and in one month from... Read MORE...

1890 Shutesbury Massachusetts
Shutesbury lies in the southeast corner of Franklin County, 112 miles west of Boston, and has New Salem and Prescott on the east, Pelham on the south, Amherst and Leverett on the west, and the latter and Wendell on the north. The assessed area is 16,665. There are about 8,500 acres of woodland, from which six saw mills, employing 11 men, prepare various forms of lumber. Large quantities of charcoal are made for market. Other manufactures are agricultural implements, carriages and metallic articles. The value of goods made in 1885 was $7,125. The value of the product of the 130 farms was $44,145. The population was 485, of whom 147 were legal voters. The valuation in 1888 was $152,820, with a tax-rate of $25 on $1,000. There were 124 taxed dwelling-houses. The school-houses were seven in number, and valued at some $4,000. The two churches are Baptist and Congregationalist.

The land of this town is rocky and uneven. The highest eminence is Morse's Hill, which overlooks Lock's Pond... Read MORE...

1895 - Shutesbury
Shutesbury, shoots'ber-e, a post-hamlet in Shutesbury township, Franklin co., Mass., 6 miles E.N.E. of North Amherst Station, and about 17 miles N.E. of Northampton. The township has 2 churches. Pop. of the township, 558.
1906
Shutesbury, a post-township (town) of Franklin co., Mass., 17 miles NE. of Northampton. Pop. in 1900, 382.
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
2023 - Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Shutesbury:
Lake Wyola State Park:

Start your adventure at Lake Wyola State Park. This scenic park offers a beautiful lake for swimming, fishing, and boating. The wooded trails around the lake are perfect for hiking, and there are picnic areas where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon with family and friends.

Mount Toby State Forest:

For nature enthusiasts, Mount Toby State Forest is a haven for hiking and birdwatching. The diverse trails cater to various skill levels, providing opportunities for both beginners and experienced hikers. In the fall, the foliage transforms the forest into a stunning display of autumn colors.

The Book Mill:

Head to Montague, a neighboring town, to visit The Book Mill. Housed in a historic gristmill overlooking the Sawmill River, this bookstore offers a unique literary experience. Browse through the shelves, sip coffee at the attached cafe, and enjoy the rustic atmosphere.

Shutesbury Athletic Club:

If you're into sports and recreation, check out... Read MORE...

Discover Your Roots: Shutesbury Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Shutesbury.

View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)



male ancestorJosiah PERRY (February 18, 1714, Waterbury, Connecticut, USA (Waterville) - October 21, 1783, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA)
photo of John DICKINSONJohn DICKINSON (27 October 1757, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 4 January 1850, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA (North Amherst) (South Amherst))
female ancestorFanny AGER (1786, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 25 November 1859, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA (North Amherst) (South Amherst))
male ancestorDaniel NYE (1789, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 1 May 1858, Dalton, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorEunice H. HASKINS (1792, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 11 March 1876, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA (North Amherst) (South Amherst))
male ancestorSimeon HAMILTON (1792, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 30 August 1870, Chicopee, Massachusetts, USA (Aldenville) (Chicopee Falls))
female ancestorAnna RAY (1793, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 5 July 1863, Deerfield, Massachusetts, USA (South Deerfield))
male ancestorAmos BRIGGS (1795, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 1 February 1880, Pelham, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorChester PRATT (1796, Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA - 31 March 1859, Shelburne, Massachusetts, USA (Shelburne Falls))

Ancestors Who Were Married in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Shutesbury.

View Them Now

male ancestorJosiah Leonard BRIGGS (25 June 1769 - ) and female ancestorLois VAUGHAN (31 July 1771 - 13 June 1864) married 1 February 1791
male ancestorGeorge Willard WATERMAN (2 November 1852 - 30 December 1930) and female ancestorMary Ann JOSLYN (18 October 1858 - 6 December 1924) married 24 November 1874

Genealogy Resources for Shutesbury

Massachusetts Newspapers

Not the place you are looking for? Try again!

Search for Your Family by Place

To search for a place, specify place name below. Choose name from the list. Then SEARCH.
*Place Name:


Expedia

HOTELS.COM - Save 10% - 30% on your next escape!

Ancestry Family Tree Search

Search for Your Family by Name

NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.

First Name:
*Last Name:
Gender:
Born (+/- 2 years):
Died (+/- 2 years):
Match all terms exactly:

Updated: 9/28/2023 11:55:08 AM