History of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, USA

Ashburnham, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This township was granted to Thomas Tileston and others of Dorchester, for services in an expedition against Canada in the year 1690. For many years it was called "Dorchester Canada." It was incorporated as a town in 1765. Ashburnham lies on the height of land between the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers. It is watered by large ponds which furnish good mill seats. Its manufactures consist of cotton goods, boots, shoes, leather, chairs, cabinet ware, fur and palm-leaf hats; the annual value of which is about $100,000. This town is 30 miles N. from Worcester, 50 N.W. from Boston, and 35 W. from Lowell. Population, 1837, 1,758.

This town was granted to certain inhabitants of Dorchester, for services in Canada, in 1690, and it was called Dorchester-Canada,
till incorporated. Part of Gardner was taken from this town.

Ashburnham being on the ridge between the Connecticut and the Merrimack, some of the sources of the former run west into Miller's River, and other streams run east into the Nashua. It has several
large ponds.

The chief manufactures are leather, cabinet furniture and palm leaf hats.

Distance from Worcester, 30 miles ; from Boston, 50

This town was granted by the general court to Thomas Tileston and others, for and in consideration of services done by officers and soldiers of the ancient town of Dorchester in the expedition to Canada, in 1690, under Capt. John Withrington. This grant was formerly known by the name of “Dorchester Canada,” but at its incorporation, in 1765, it was named Ashburnham. The Congregational church was gathered here in 1760, and Rev. Jonathan Winchester was ordained their pastor. He died in 1767, and was succeeded Rev. John Cushing, D. D., in 1768. Dr. Cushing died in 1823, and was succeeded by Rev. George Perkins, in 1824. Rev. George Goodyear was installed the next pastor, in 1832. About the year 1782, the Shakers made a commencement in this town, but they have long since become extinct.

This town lies upon the highlands between Connecticut and Merrimac rivers, so that part of its waters pass through Miller’s river into the Connecticut, and part through Nashua river into the Merrimac....

Ashburnham, a post-township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, 60 miles N. W. from Boston, is intersected by the Cheshire railroad, and has a number of valuable mill seats ; with manufactures of cotton goods, boots, cabinet ware, Ac. Population, 1875.

Ashburnham Depot, a post-office of Worcester county, Massachusetts.

ASHBURNHAM, a township of Massachusetts, U. S., 53 m. NW of Boston, on Miller's river. Pop. 1,652.

Austin Whitney & Sons' morocco leather tannery at Ashburnham, Mass., was burned at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. A shed, an engine, and some stock were saved. The loss and issurance[sic] are unknown at present.