History of Grafton, Massachusetts, USA

1718 - Grafton is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1735 - Grafton is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1831 - Fell from Steeple
Ronald Hapgood, being at work on the steeple of a new meeting house in Grafton, Mass. fell from a staging 70 feet from the ground, struck upon the roof, and was thrown thence 36 feet to the ground, with no other injury than a dislocation of the right shoulder.
genealogybank.com
Brattleboro Messenger
Brattleboro, Vermont
November 5, 1831

1839 - Grafton
Grafton, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This important manufacturing town, the Hassanamisco of the Indians, was incorporated in 1735. It lies 36 miles S.W. by W. from Boston and 9 S.E. from Worcester. Population, 1830, 1,889; 1837, 2,910. Blackstone river and several large ponds give this town a constant and valuable water power. There are 5 cotton and 1 woolen mills. The total amount of the manufactures of Grafton, the year ending April 1, 1837, was $1,052,448. The manufactures consisted of cotton and woolen goods, boots, shoes, leather, scythes, chairs, tin, cabinet and wooden wares, shoe tools and bricks. The manufacture of boots and shoes amounted to $614,141, employing 1,392 males and females. Grafton has a fine soil, is beautifully located, and exceedingly flourishing.
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. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - GRAFTON. [Pop. 2,943. Inc. 1735.]
Grafton was a tract four miles square, reserved for the Indians, until it was incorporated. In 1671, an Indian church was established here by the apostle Eliot and others, but in 1825, not one unmixed descendant of those Indians was known to be living.

The Blackstone river and one of its branches flows through the town, affording good sites for factories of woollen and cotton goods. The manufacture of boots and shoes is very extensively carried on.

Distance from Worcester, 8 miles; from Boston, 36.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Grafton
This town is composed of a tract of land, 4 miles square, which was reserved for the Indians when the town of Sutton was granted for settlement. It was called by the Indians Has-sa-na-mis-co, and was known by that name till it was incorporated by the general court, in 1735, and named Grafton.

As the Indians diminished, the white people became proprietors, in 1728, of the soil by purchase, for the consideration of £2,500, and the grant was made on condition “that they should provide preaching and schooling, and seats in the meeting-house for the remaining Indians.” The general court, from the first, appointed a committee of three to superintend and take care of the Indian property, both personal and real. But this committee have little or nothing to do at present, as the Indians are nearly gone. “In 1765, there were 14 Indians in town. This number gradually diminished, but it was not till about the year 1825 that the last of the Nipinucks ceased to exist. They received the yearly... Read MORE...

1854 - Grafton
Grafton, a post-township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, 40 miles S. W. from Boston. Population, 3904.
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
GRAFTON, a township in Worcester co., in Massachusetts, 36 m. SW by W of Boston. Pop. 2,943.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1869 - Women Elected to School Committee
Two women nominated for School Committee, in Worcester, Mass., were chosen by a handsome majority. A woman was elected to the same office in Grafton, Mass.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 2, 1869

Grafton Massachusetts, 1890
Grafton is an important and prosperous manufacturing and farming town in the southeastern part of Worcester County; the station of the Boston and Albany Railroad at North Grafton being 38 miles from Boston. The Providence and Worcester has stations at Saundersville and Farnumsville, in the southwest part of the town, following the line of the Blackstone River. At the latter village this stream receives the Quinsigamond River, coming down through the midst of the town.

Grafton is bounded on the north by Shrewsbury and Westborough, on the east by the latter and Upton, on the south by Northbridge and Sutton, and on the west by the latter and Millbury. The assessed area is 13,467 acres; of which 3,890 are woodland. The geological basis is calcareous gneiss. The land is elevated, uneven, somewhat rocky, being stocked with innumerable rounded stones of various sizes, which are turned to good account in making wall fences. Chestnut Hill near the centre, George Hill on the Upton line,... Read MORE...

1895 - Grafton
Grafton, a post-town of Worcester co., Mass., about 9 miles S.E. of Worcester, and on the Grafton Centre Railroad (narrow-gauge), 3 1/ 2 miles S.E. of Grafton Station on the Boston & Albany Railroad. It has 5 churches, a national bank, a high school, and extensive manufactures of boots and shoes, cotton, thread, &c. The township is drained by the Blackstone River and its tributaries, which afford water-power. Pop. in 1890, 5002. It contains villages named North Grafton, Fisherville, Farmersville, and Saundersville. From Grafton Station short railroads extend to Millbury and Grafton Centre.
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

1916
Grafton, a banking post-village of Worcester co., Mass., 9 miles SE. of Worcester. The township (town) is drained by the Blackstone River and its tributaries, which afford water-power. It has extensive manufactures of boots and shoes, cotton, thread, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4869.
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

1950 - LIGHTNING KILLS MAN AT GRAFTON.
Worcester, Mass., July 13 (AP) - Lightning killed one man and found its mark on at least five structures in a brief but severe electrical storm that struck Western Massachusetts last night.

The victim was ROSCOE H. REED, 45, father of seven children who was struck while seeking shelter under a tree in Grafton. He had been fishing in Ripple Pond.

One-year-old ELAINE CORDIO was followed by lightning but escaped two separate bolts unhurt.

First a bolt struck the Westminster home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Cordio. The father grabbed his daughter and took her to his roadside restaurant 50 yards away.

Then he returned home to help his wife who had been knocked across a room.

A moment later another bolt struck the restaurant and set it afire.
Cordio raced back and carried his daughter to safety again.

One house was burned by lightning in Athol and the chimney of a dwelling in Millbury was knocked over by... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in Grafton:
Grafton Common: Start your visit with a stroll through Grafton Common, the town's picturesque center. You can admire the historic buildings, including the Congregational Church and the Grafton Inn. During the summer, there are often concerts and events held on the common.

Willard House and Clock Museum: Explore the fascinating history of Grafton's clockmaking heritage at the Willard House and Clock Museum. You'll find a remarkable collection of clocks and learn about the renowned Willard clockmakers who lived in Grafton.

Grafton Historical Society Museum: To delve deeper into Grafton's history, pay a visit to the Grafton Historical Society Museum. It's housed in the historic South Grafton Railroad Station and offers insights into the town's past through exhibits and artifacts.

Tufts Wildlife Pond: Nature lovers will appreciate the serene Tufts Wildlife Pond. It's a peaceful spot for birdwatching, picnicking, or simply taking a leisurely walk along the trails. Keep an eye out... Read MORE...