History of Northbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Northbridge, Massachusetts
Worcester county. The Blackstone river and canal pass through this pleasant manufacturing and agricultural town. It has some excellent intervale land, and the soil of the uplands produces grass, grain, and vegetables in abundance. The river here is beautiful, and produces a great hydraulic power. The manufactures of the town consist of cotton and woolen goods, cotton machinery, boots, shoes, &c.: value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $281,000.

Northbridge lies 35 miles S.W. by W. from Boston and 13 S.E. from Worcester. Incorporated, 1772. Population, 1830, 1,053; 1837, 1,409.

Northbridge was once the north part of Uxbridge.

The Blackstone, Mumford's and West River fertilize the town and
furnish abundant water-power.

The chief manufactures are cotton and woollen goods, machinery,
and boots and shoes.

Distance from Worcester, 12 miles; from Boston, 35.

This town was chiefly taken from Uxbridge, and derived its name from its situation and bearing relative to that town. It was incorporated a distinct town in 1772. The first church was organized in 1782, and the next year Rev. John Crane, D. D., was ordained their pastor; his successor was Rev. Samuel H. Fletcher, who was settled in 1832; Rev. Charles Furbush, the next pastor, was settled in 1834. Rev. Michael. Burditt was installed pastor over the second village church in 1835.

The surface of this town is somewhat rocky and rough, but the soil in general is rich, strong, and good. It is finely watered by springs, streams, and rivers. Of these Blackstone and Mumford rivers are the largest. On these rivers are tracts of good interval land. Blackstone canal passes through this town, on the west bank of Biackstone river. There are 4 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Methodist, and 1 for Friends. Population, 1,409. Distance, 12 miles from Worcester and 35 from Boston. In 1837, there were 4...

Northbridge, a post-township in Worcester co., Massachusetts, intersected by the Blackstone river and canal, and by the Providence and Worcester railroad. Pop., 2230.

Northbridge Centre, a post-village in the above township, 38 miles S. W. by W.of Boston.

Northbridge lies in the southeasterly section of Worcester County, 46 miles southeast from Boston. The Providence and Worcester Railroad follows the Blackstone River through the eastern section of the town; the course of the latter being somewhat east of south. Grafton bounds this town on the north, Upton and Mendon on the east, Uxbridge on the south, and Sutton on the west.

The assessed area is 9,663 acres, of which 4,393 are forest. Maple, elm, pine and chestnut abound. Nearly the entire border of the town east of the Blackstone River is occupied by a long ridge extending north into Grafton. The central part is somewhat elevated, and the western part hilly, except the valley of the Whitinsville Pond and Mumford's River. Good's Hill, on the southern border, is a noted eminence. The principal rock is calcareous gneiss, which— under the name of granite— is much used for building purposes. In one locality the gneiss crops out, forming an immense ledge called "Shining Rocks," and in...

North'bridge, a post-village in Northbridge town ship, Worcester co., Mass., on Blackstone River, and on the Providence & Worcester Railroad, 11 miles S.E. of Worcester. It has a bank, a high school, and 5 churches. The township has manufactures of shirtings, cotton prints, and machinery, also a quarry of granite. Pop. of the town ship in 1880, 4053; in 1890, 4603. It contains villages named Rockdale, Northbridge Centre, and Whitinsville.

Northbridge Centre, a post-village in Northbridge township, Worcester co, Mass., 2 miles from the Worcester & Providence Railroad, and about 36 miles W.S.W. of Boston. It has a church and manufactures of boots and shoes.