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History of Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
Journey back in time to Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
(Podunk)
Visit Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.
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Brookfield, Worcester, MA
Brookfield was first settled in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1718. The town was settled by men from Ipswich as part of the Quaboag Plantation lands. kids.kiddle.co
Brookfield includes: Podunk.
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Brookfield Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
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 - Congregational Church){kind=small}
Congregational Church
Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
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 - Brookfield Cemetery){kind=small}
Brookfield Cemetery
Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
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 - Brookfield Inn){kind=small}
Brookfield Inn
Discover Brookfield: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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General Henry Knox and his troops passed through here in the winter of 1775-76 with a load of 59 cannons pulled by teams of oxen.
The cannons were captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. They were transported from Lake Champlain to Dorchester Heights, Massachusetts and used by George Washington's army on March 17, 1776 (Evacuation Day) to free Boston from British control during the American Revolutionary War.
General Henry Knox Trail - Historic Marker reads:
"Through this place passed General Henry Knox in the winter of 1775-1776 to deliver to General George Washington at Cambridge the train of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga used to force the British army to evacuate Boston."
The cannons were captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. They were transported from Lake Champlain to Dorchester Heights, Massachusetts and used by George Washington's army on March 17, 1776 (Evacuation Day) to free Boston from British control during the American Revolutionary War.
General Henry Knox Trail - Historic Marker reads:
"Through this place passed General Henry Knox in the winter of 1775-1776 to deliver to General George Washington at Cambridge the train of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga used to force the British army to evacuate Boston."
1778 - Bathsheba Spooner
In March 1778, Joshua Spooner, a wealthy farmer in Brookfield, was beaten to death and his body stuffed down a well. Four people were hanged for the crime: two British soldiers, a young Continental soldier, and Spooner's wife, Bathsheba, who was charged with instigating the murder. She was 32 years old and five months pregnant when executed. Newspapers described the case as "the most extraordinary crime ever perpetrated in New England."
Bathsheba was the mother of three young children, and in her own words felt "an utter aversion" for her husband, who was known to be an abusive drunk.
A year before the murder, she took in and nursed a sixteen-year-old Continental soldier who was returning from a year's enlistment under George Washington. The two became lovers and conceived a child.
Divorces were all but impossible for women at that time, and adulteresses were stripped to the waist and publicly whipped. Bathsheba's pregnancy occasioned a series of desperate plots to murder her ... Read MORE...
In March 1778, Joshua Spooner, a wealthy farmer in Brookfield, was beaten to death and his body stuffed down a well. Four people were hanged for the crime: two British soldiers, a young Continental soldier, and Spooner's wife, Bathsheba, who was charged with instigating the murder. She was 32 years old and five months pregnant when executed. Newspapers described the case as "the most extraordinary crime ever perpetrated in New England."
Bathsheba was the mother of three young children, and in her own words felt "an utter aversion" for her husband, who was known to be an abusive drunk.
A year before the murder, she took in and nursed a sixteen-year-old Continental soldier who was returning from a year's enlistment under George Washington. The two became lovers and conceived a child.
Divorces were all but impossible for women at that time, and adulteresses were stripped to the waist and publicly whipped. Bathsheba's pregnancy occasioned a series of desperate plots to murder her ... Read MORE...
1839 - Brookfield
Brookfield, Massachusetts
Worcester county. The Indian Quaboag, a large, fertile and beautiful township, in two parishes, well watered by several large ponds which give rise to a principal branch of Chickopee river. For about forty years after its first settlement, in 1660, this town suffered exceedingly by the Indians. The ponds afford fine fish of various kinds, and in this town is a mineral spring of some celebrity. It lies 59 miles W. from Boston, 18 W. from Worcester, and 7 E. from Ware. Incorporated, 1673. Population, 1830, 2,342; 1837, 2,514. The agricultural products of this town are butter, cheese, wool, and fine beef cattle. The manufactures consist of boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, ploughs, chairs, cabinet ware, palm-leaf hats, silver plate, shoe makers rolling and shingle machines, sleighs, carpenters' hammers, coach wrenches, sewing silk, and wooden legs. These manufactures, for the year ending April 1, 1837, amounted to $248,502, exclusive of the silk.
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
Brookfield, Massachusetts
Worcester county. The Indian Quaboag, a large, fertile and beautiful township, in two parishes, well watered by several large ponds which give rise to a principal branch of Chickopee river. For about forty years after its first settlement, in 1660, this town suffered exceedingly by the Indians. The ponds afford fine fish of various kinds, and in this town is a mineral spring of some celebrity. It lies 59 miles W. from Boston, 18 W. from Worcester, and 7 E. from Ware. Incorporated, 1673. Population, 1830, 2,342; 1837, 2,514. The agricultural products of this town are butter, cheese, wool, and fine beef cattle. The manufactures consist of boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, ploughs, chairs, cabinet ware, palm-leaf hats, silver plate, shoe makers rolling and shingle machines, sleighs, carpenters' hammers, coach wrenches, sewing silk, and wooden legs. These manufactures, for the year ending April 1, 1837, amounted to $248,502, exclusive of the silk.
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 - BROOKFIELD. [Pop. 2,472. Inc. 1673.]
Brookfield was originally granted to persons from Ipswich, in Essex county, and it was long a connecting link between the eastern towns and those on the Connecticut.
North Brookfield, Warren and part of New Braintree, were taken from Brookfield.
Brookfield is situated on the Quaboag, which is connected with
three considerable ponds, and the town, for a time, was named after the river.
Brookfield suffered greatly in Phillip's War, and every house was
burned. On their return, after the death of Philip, the inhabitants continued to be annoyed by the French and Indians as late as the year 1710.
The soil is excellent. The chief manufactures are boots, shoes,
and iron ware.
Distance from Worcester, 18 miles ; from Boston, 68
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Brookfield was originally granted to persons from Ipswich, in Essex county, and it was long a connecting link between the eastern towns and those on the Connecticut.
North Brookfield, Warren and part of New Braintree, were taken from Brookfield.
Brookfield is situated on the Quaboag, which is connected with
three considerable ponds, and the town, for a time, was named after the river.
Brookfield suffered greatly in Phillip's War, and every house was
burned. On their return, after the death of Philip, the inhabitants continued to be annoyed by the French and Indians as late as the year 1710.
The soil is excellent. The chief manufactures are boots, shoes,
and iron ware.
Distance from Worcester, 18 miles ; from Boston, 68
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1848 - Brookfield
This town was granted to a number of the inhabitants of Ispwich, in the county of Essex, by the general court, (upon their petition,) in May, 1660. The tract granted was to be six miles square. The grantees, that they might have a just right to the soil, purchased and took a deed of the natives. This place progressed so rapidly that, upon application to the general court, it was incorporated a town in 1673.
The church was gathered, and the first minister, Rev. Thomas Cheney, was ordained here in 1717; he died in 1747, and was succeeded by Rev. Elisha Harding who was ordained in 1749. The town increased so rapidly that in 1750 a second parish was incorporated in the northerly part of the town, now North Brookfield. Mr. Harding continued the minister of the first precinct till his people fell into a controversy about a new meeting-house. The contention was so severe that the society parted, and the third parish was formed in 1754. The church was gathered in 1756, and in 1758 Rev.... Read MORE...
This town was granted to a number of the inhabitants of Ispwich, in the county of Essex, by the general court, (upon their petition,) in May, 1660. The tract granted was to be six miles square. The grantees, that they might have a just right to the soil, purchased and took a deed of the natives. This place progressed so rapidly that, upon application to the general court, it was incorporated a town in 1673.
The church was gathered, and the first minister, Rev. Thomas Cheney, was ordained here in 1717; he died in 1747, and was succeeded by Rev. Elisha Harding who was ordained in 1749. The town increased so rapidly that in 1750 a second parish was incorporated in the northerly part of the town, now North Brookfield. Mr. Harding continued the minister of the first precinct till his people fell into a controversy about a new meeting-house. The contention was so severe that the society parted, and the third parish was formed in 1754. The church was gathered in 1756, and in 1758 Rev.... Read MORE...
1854 - Brookfield
Brookfield, a post-township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, 55 miles W. by S. from Boston. Population, 1674.
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.
Brookfield, a post-township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, 55 miles W. by S. from Boston. Population, 1674.
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
BROOKFIELD, a township of Worcester co., in the state of Massachusetts, 60 m. W of Boston. It is generally well-cultivated. On its first settlement it suffered much from incursions of the Indians. Pop. 2,472.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859
BROOKFIELD, a township of Worcester co., in the state of Massachusetts, 60 m. W of Boston. It is generally well-cultivated. On its first settlement it suffered much from incursions of the Indians. Pop. 2,472.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859
1888 - The wife, daughter and two grandchildren of W. B. Jones were drowned by the upsetting of a boat on the 21st on a pond at Brookfield, Mass.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 28, 1888
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 28, 1888
Brookfield Massachusetts, 1890
Brookfield lies in the southwestern part of Worcester, 55 miles from Boston by the Boston and Albany Railroad, whose stations are at Brookfield and East Brookfield. It has North Brookfield on the north, Spencer on the east, Charlton at the southeast, Sturbridge on the south, and Warren and West Brookfield on the west. The assessed area of the town is 14,021 acres ; and of this, 4,332 acres are woodland.
The highest points of land are Cooley and Blanchard hills in the north, and in the southeast are High Rock (a ledge 40 feet high and almost a mile long), Teneriffe, Stone and Wheelock hills. There is a mineral spring north of High Rock. Quaboag, or Podunk, Pond, a very beautiful sheet of water, about a mile square, and well stored with a variety of fish, lies in the centre of the town, and is connected by a canal with South Pond, of 340 acres, lying on the line of Sturbridge. A small steamer is run on these ponds. Great Brook and East Brookfield River discharge into Quaboag Pond;... Read MORE...
Brookfield lies in the southwestern part of Worcester, 55 miles from Boston by the Boston and Albany Railroad, whose stations are at Brookfield and East Brookfield. It has North Brookfield on the north, Spencer on the east, Charlton at the southeast, Sturbridge on the south, and Warren and West Brookfield on the west. The assessed area of the town is 14,021 acres ; and of this, 4,332 acres are woodland.
The highest points of land are Cooley and Blanchard hills in the north, and in the southeast are High Rock (a ledge 40 feet high and almost a mile long), Teneriffe, Stone and Wheelock hills. There is a mineral spring north of High Rock. Quaboag, or Podunk, Pond, a very beautiful sheet of water, about a mile square, and well stored with a variety of fish, lies in the centre of the town, and is connected by a canal with South Pond, of 340 acres, lying on the line of Sturbridge. A small steamer is run on these ponds. Great Brook and East Brookfield River discharge into Quaboag Pond;... Read MORE...
1895 - Brookfield
Brookfield, a post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Brookfield township, and on the Boston & Albany Railroad, 23 miles W. by S. from Worcester, and 31 miles E.N.E. of Springfield. It is near Chicopee River, which intersects the township. It has a high school, a savings-bank, a newspaper office, and several manufactories of carriages and shoes. The township has 5 churches, and contains a village named East Brookfield. Pop. 2660.
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
Brookfield, a post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Brookfield township, and on the Boston & Albany Railroad, 23 miles W. by S. from Worcester, and 31 miles E.N.E. of Springfield. It is near Chicopee River, which intersects the township. It has a high school, a savings-bank, a newspaper office, and several manufactories of carriages and shoes. The township has 5 churches, and contains a village named East Brookfield. Pop. 2660.
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
1904 - ARCHBISHOP IN WRECK.
Special Train Strikes an Engine, but No One Is Injured.
East Brookfield, Mass., Sept 23. - The special train conveying the Archbishop of Canterbury from Bar Harbor, Me., to Washington was wrecked on the Boston and Albany division of the New York Central Railroad near the station here today. The archbishop was not injured, although considerably shaken up. J. Pierpont Morgan, of New York, who was on the train, accompanying the archbishop, also escaped injury.
The train, running at the rate of sixty miles an hour, was just passing the station when a detached locomotive, which had been drawing a train on the North Brookfield branch, ran onto the main line for some reason at present unexplained. The engineer of the special sighted a danger signal, but owing to the high speed of the train and the slippery condition of the rails, due to the mist of early morning, he found it impossible to do more than slightly reduce the speed of his locomotive. The engineer of the branch engine heard... Read MORE...
Special Train Strikes an Engine, but No One Is Injured.
East Brookfield, Mass., Sept 23. - The special train conveying the Archbishop of Canterbury from Bar Harbor, Me., to Washington was wrecked on the Boston and Albany division of the New York Central Railroad near the station here today. The archbishop was not injured, although considerably shaken up. J. Pierpont Morgan, of New York, who was on the train, accompanying the archbishop, also escaped injury.
The train, running at the rate of sixty miles an hour, was just passing the station when a detached locomotive, which had been drawing a train on the North Brookfield branch, ran onto the main line for some reason at present unexplained. The engineer of the special sighted a danger signal, but owing to the high speed of the train and the slippery condition of the rails, due to the mist of early morning, he found it impossible to do more than slightly reduce the speed of his locomotive. The engineer of the branch engine heard... Read MORE...
1916
Brookfield , a banking post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Brookfield township (town), on the Boston and Albany R.. 23 miles W. by S. of Worcester. It has manufactories of shoes, flour, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 3062.
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
Brookfield , a banking post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Brookfield township (town), on the Boston and Albany R.. 23 miles W. by S. of Worcester. It has manufactories of shoes, flour, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 3062.
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
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Brookfield:
Quaboag Pond:
Enjoy a relaxing day by the water at Quaboag Pond. You can bring a picnic, go fishing, or simply take in the serene surroundings.
Brookfield Orchards:
Visit Brookfield Orchards for a classic New England experience. Depending on the season, you can pick your own apples or enjoy fresh cider and cider donuts.
Village Pizza and Pub:
Grab a bite to eat at Village Pizza and Pub. It's a local favorite for pizza, subs, and a cozy pub atmosphere.
East Quabbin Land Trust Trails:
Explore the outdoors by hiking the trails maintained by the East Quabbin Land Trust. These trails offer a chance to connect with nature and enjoy the changing seasons.
Brookfield Town Common:
Take a leisurely stroll around the charming Brookfield Town Common. It's a great spot to relax, and the surrounding historic buildings add to the town's character.
Sturbridge Village:
Just a short drive away is Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum that re-creates life in... Read MORE...
Quaboag Pond:
Enjoy a relaxing day by the water at Quaboag Pond. You can bring a picnic, go fishing, or simply take in the serene surroundings.
Brookfield Orchards:
Visit Brookfield Orchards for a classic New England experience. Depending on the season, you can pick your own apples or enjoy fresh cider and cider donuts.
Village Pizza and Pub:
Grab a bite to eat at Village Pizza and Pub. It's a local favorite for pizza, subs, and a cozy pub atmosphere.
East Quabbin Land Trust Trails:
Explore the outdoors by hiking the trails maintained by the East Quabbin Land Trust. These trails offer a chance to connect with nature and enjoy the changing seasons.
Brookfield Town Common:
Take a leisurely stroll around the charming Brookfield Town Common. It's a great spot to relax, and the surrounding historic buildings add to the town's character.
Sturbridge Village:
Just a short drive away is Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum that re-creates life in... Read MORE...
Our Brookfield Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: Brookfield Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Brookfield.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
John AYERS (AYRES) (1625, , England (United Kingdom) - 3 August 1675, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk))Joseph MARKES (1672, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk) - , )George HAYWARD (20 July 1673, Concord, Massachusetts, USA - 7 May 1725, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk))
Mary UNKNOWN (1676, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk) - , )Rebecca KIMBALL (22 October 1694, Hingham, Massachusetts, USA - 2 January 1721, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk))Esther PERKINS (30 September 1695, Wenham, Massachusetts, USA - 20 June 1780, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk))Susanna FULLER (15 October 1695, Topsfield, Massachusetts, USA - 1772, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk))Dorothy KELLOGG (6 March 1699, Hadley, Massachusetts, USA - 21 January 1743, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk))Peter ABBOTT (27 July 1701, Andover, Massachusetts, USA - 26 April 1785, Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA (Podunk))Ancestors Who Were Married in Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Brookfield.View Them Now
Hezekiah MARKES (1704 - 6 September 1788) and Judith HAYWARD (31 March 1701 - 7 March 1786) married 23 April 1734James MINOT (17 October 1694 - 6 February 1759) and Elizabeth WILDER (1703 - 13 September 1779) married 9 October 1735Smith AINSWORTH (3 February 1731 - 17 September 1758) and Mary BURT (1722 - 7 February 1809) married 6 June 1757Onesiphorous AYERS (7 April 1733 - 2 June 1809) and Anna GOODALE (18 June 1740 - 13 June 1814) married 6 December 1759
Rufus PUTNAM (9 April 1738 - 4 May 1824) and Elizabeth AYRES (1736 - 16 November 1761) married 6 April 1761
Hezekiah CONANT (28 July 1827 - 22 January 1902) and Harriet Knight LARNED (10 May 1828 - 6 July 1864) married 24 November 1859Narcisse Nelson REMILLARD (March 1844 - 17 January 1903) and Adeline TREMBLAY (1855 - 1932) married 21 November 1880
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