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History of Westminster, Massachusetts, USA
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Westminster, Worcester, MA
Westminster was unsettled territory in the 18th Century. The land was designated to be given as payment to Soldiers who fought in the French and Indian War, but many were not interested in leaving the comforts of home to settle in the New England wilderness. Originally called "Narragansett Number Two" in deference to the many Indian tribes who lived in the region, as the population grew, it became a district in 1759 and assumed the name Westminster, a name rooted in traditions of the minister in old England. Westminster became became fully incorporated in 1770. testwhs.westminsterhistoricalsociety.org/
Westminster includes: Bragg Hill, North Common, Notown, Wachusett Village, Whitmanville, Bean Porridge Hill, and Academy Hill.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm
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Westminster Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Discover Westminster: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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Westminster was first settled in 1737
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
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1770 - Westminster is incorporated
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
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Westminster Cracker Company formed in 1828
wikipedia.org
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1839 - Westminster
Westminster, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This town lies on the range of high lands which separate the waters of the Connecticut and Merrimack. From the village a prospect is presented of lake and mountain with all the varied scenery which renders a New England town peculiarly delightful.
Several streams rising from large ponds in this town and its neighborhood, produce a considerable water power, which is improved for manufactures of various kinds. These waters are so elevated and constant that, with a small expense, they might be rendered exceedingly valuable. They deserve particular attention of those in search of mill sites in this part of the state.
This town lies 50 miles W.N.W. from Boston, 20 N. by W. from Worcester, and 7 S.W. from Fitchburgh. Incorporated, 1759. Population, 1830, 1,640.
The manufactures of Westminster consist of chairs, cabinet and wooden wares, hats, boots, shoes, straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, card boards, saddlery, and leather: annual value... Read MORE...
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1845 - WESTMINSTER. [Pop. 1,645. Inc. 1770.]
This town was granted to the soldiers who had served in Philip's War. Long afterwards, it was greatly exposed to the Indians from Canada, who never failed to molest the English colonies, whenever there was a war between France and England.
Westminster is on the highlands between the Connecticut and the Merrimack. It once contained part of Gardner.
Agriculture is the chief employment, but much cabinet furniture and many straw bonnets are manufactured.
Distance from. Worcester, 26 miles; from Boston, 50.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
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1848 - Westminster
This town, with others, was granted by the general court to the soldiers who did service in the Narragansett or King Philip’s war, or to their heirs. It was styled Narragansett No 2. until its incorporation in 1769, when it was named Westminster. The proprietors of this town were chiefly inhabitants of Cambridge, Charlestown, Watertown, Weston, Sudbury, Newton, Medford, Malden, and Reading.
The first person who settled on the grant was Capt. Fairbanks Moor, who moved there with his family in March, 1737. In June following, Den. Joseph Holden moved his family into the place. These two families contained 15 persons. It being an exposed plantation, settlers moved in hut slowly. The proprietors erected a meeting. house in 1739. The Congregational church was formed, and Rev. Elisha Marsh ordained pastor, in 1742. He was dismissed in 1757, and the town had no minister from that time till 1765, when the Rev. Asaph Rice was settled. Previously Mr. Rice had been a missionary among the... Read MORE...
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1854 - Westminster
Westminster, a post-village of Worcester Co., Massachusetts, on the Vermont and Massachusetts railroad, 48 miles W. by N. from Boston. It contains 3 or 4 churches and several stores. Population of the township 1914.
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.
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The Westminster Town Library was established in 1868
wikipedia.org
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Westminster Massachusetts, 1890
Westminster is an elevated and pleasant farming and manufacturing town, situated upon the highlands in the midst of the northern part of Worcester County, 55; miles northwest of Boston by the Fitchburg Railroad, which crosses the northern section of the town, having a station for Wachusett Village, and one at the village called Westminster Depot. The post-offices are the latter, Westminster (centre) and South Westminster. North Wachusett is another village.
Fitchburg lies on the east, and on the north of an eastern projection; Leominster, on the east; Princeton on the southeast; Hubbardston, on the southwest. and Gardner and Ashburnham both on the northwest and north. The assessed area is 22,484 acres; of which 4,059 acres are forest, consisting of birch, beech, maple, oak, chestnut, walnut, pine arid hemlock. The underlying rock is ferruginous gneiss, dolerite, and, in the east, Merrimack schist. Graphite is found in small quantities. The soil is various, but generally fertile.... Read MORE...
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1895 - Westminster
Westminster, a post-village in Westminster township, Worcester co., Mass., 8 miles S.W. of Fitchburg, and 3 miles S. of the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad. It has 3 churches, a hotel, a high school, and a national bank. The township has manufactures of chairs, combs, and paper. Pop. of the township, 1712.
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
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1906
Westminster, a post-village in Westminster township (town), Worcester co., Mass., 8 miles SW. of Fitchburg. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1327; of the village, about 950.
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
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December 2008 - Ice Storm in Westminster
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