History of Braintree, Massachusetts, USA

Braintree, Massachusetts
Norfolk county. This town formerly included Quincy and Randolph, and was first called Mount Wollaston. It is celebrated for the antiquity of its settlement, (1625) and for the eminent men it has produced, both in church and state. The surface of the town is variegated by hill and dale, presenting many delightful views of Boston, its harbor and the adjacent country. The soil is a strong gravelly loam, and very productive. Excellent granite abounds here, of which large quantities are annually quarried and transported; and some of the best merchant ships are built of native white oak and cedar. The holley tree (Ilex aquifolium) is indigenous. Indications of coal have been so strong as to warrant an attempt at mining. The Manatiquot river, which rises in Randolph, after meandering through this town and receiving the waters of Great and Little ponds, meets the tide waters of Boston harbor, at Braintree landing, on Weymouth Fore river, 11 miles from Boston. At this ...

Braintree formerly included Quincy and Randolph. The town of Quincy contains the oldest settlement.

The Maniquot river passes through the town, and unites with Weymouth Fore river, at Braintree Landing.

The chief manufactures are boots, shoes, nails, and paper.

Distance from Dedham, 12 miles ; from Boston, 10.

This town formerly included Quincy and Randolph, and was at first called Mount Wollaston, and is one of the most ancient places in the state, the first settlement being made in the town as early as 1625. The ancient history of Braintree now properly comes under the head of Quincy, as Mount Wollaston, the place where the first settlement was made, is within the limits of that town. Braintree was incorporated in 1640, Quincy in 1792.

The soil of this township, though not very fertile, is strong, and well repays cultivation. The Maniquot river, after passing through this town and affording many mill sites, meets the tide-waters of Weymouth Fore river at Braintree landing. In the town are manufactories of cotton, satinet, shovels, paper, nails, and chocolate; large quantities of shoes are made here. There is excellent granite found here, and large quantities are exported; ship-building is also carried on to some extent. There are 3 churches, one of which is Unitarian. On the eastern...

Braintree, a post-township of Norfolk co., Mass., on the S. Shore and Old Colony railroad, 10 miles S. by E. of Boston. Pop., 2969.

Braintree, one of the most respectable and ancient towns of the State, lies in the northeastern part of Norfolk County, 10 miles south of Boston, on the Old Colony Railroad. The stations, villages and post-offices are Braintree, South Braintree, and East Braintree. It is bounded on the northwest and north by Quincy, east by Weymouth, south by Holbrook, and southwest and west by Randolph. The area is 7,956 acres, aside from the highways and water surfaces. There are 1,997 acres of woodland, consisting chiefly of oak and pine. The holly tree (Ilex aquifolium) is indigenous here. Along the highways are numerous elms and maples, some of which have been growing fifty years.

Gooch, or Great, Pond, in the westerly part, contains about 150 acres; Little Pond, near South Braintree village, about 75 acres; and Cranberry Pond, at the south, 25 acres. The surface of the town is agreeably diversified by several eminences, affording fine views, but none of great height, except on the northwest...

Brain'tree, a post-village of Norfolk co., Mass, in Braintree township, on the Old Colony Railroad, at its junction with the Granite Branch and with the South Shore Railroad (operated as a branch of the Old Colony), 10 miles S. of Boston. It has several churches, a savings-bank, a public library, a newspaper office, and Thayer Academy, which has a fund of $200,000. P. of township (1890), 4848. The township has granite-quarries, and manufactures of boots, carpets, paper, organs, shovels, twine, tacks, &c. It contains villages named South Braintree and East Braintree.