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1636 - Danvers is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1757 - Danvers is incorporated

1839 - Danvers
Danvers, Massachusetts
Essex county. This flourishing town lies 2 miles N.W. from Salem, to which it was attached until 1757, and called "Salem Village." It is very pleasant, and has some mill and navigable privileges. The manufactures for the year ending April 1, 1837, amounted to $854,300. The articles manufactured were boots and shoes ($435,900,) leather, ($264,400,) nails, bricks, pottery ware, glue, lasts, morocco, chocolate, shoe pegs, shoe and soap boxes, soap and candles. Population, 1830, 4,228; 1837, 4,804.
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 - DANVERS. [Pop. 5,020. Inc. 1757.]
Danvers was settled by Governor Endicott and his associates, and was called Salem Village till its incorporation. The name is supposed to be taken from that of Earl D'Anvers, Anvers being the French for Antwerp ; but why it should have this name is unknown.

The famous General Israel Putnam was a native of Danvers, as were several other valuable officers of the revolutionary army.

In 1692, the delusion usually called the Salem Witchcraft commenced in this town, while it was a part of Salem, in the family of Mr. Parris, the minister. Those who suffered were executed on a hill in the westerly part of the town, still called Gallows Hill.

The chief manufactures are boots, shoes, and leather. Strange as it may seem, in the revolutionary war, four 20 gun ships were built in Danvers.

Distance from Salem, 2 miles ; from Boston, 14.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1854 - Danvers
Danvers, a post-township of Essex county, Massachusetts, 15 miles N. by E. from Boston. It contains 10 churches, 15 schools, 2 banks, and numerous manufactories, among which are 30 of leather and 20 of boots and shoes. Hands employed in all branches, about 1200; Capital, $1,000,000. The principal village may be regarded as a suburb of Salem. Population, 8109.
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.

1854 - Fatal Railroad Accident.
Boston, Monday, July 17.
At Danvers, this morning, as two young ladies, daughter of FREDERICK HOWES, Esq., of Boston, were attempting to cross the Railroad track in a wagon, the Manchester train came along, and dashed the wagon to pieces, instantly killing one of the ladies, and mangling the other so badly that she cannot survive.
The New York Times
New York, New York
July 18, 1854

1868 - A tomb in the old burying ground in Danvers, Mass., holding the remains of the Putnam family for generations past, was recently broken into by some boys,
who stole the silver plates from the coffins, and carried off and sold the bones to peddlers. One of the parties was caught, which led to the detection of others,. When arrested, they had a basket of bones with them, and were playing foot-ball with the human skulls taken from the tomb.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 20, 1868

1869 - Charles King celebrated his one hundred and eighth birthday on the 16th at Danvers, Mass. He has six hundred descendants living.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 19, 1869

1869 - Salem and South Danvers (Mass.) Oil Company gave each of their seven workmen a New Year's gift of $100.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 23, 1869

Danvers Massachusetts, 1890
Danvers is an ancient and beautiful town lying in the southerly part of Essex County, and having for its boundaries Topsfield on the north, Wenham and Beverly on the east, Peabody on the south, and Middleton on the west. The general form of the township is triangular, with its corners nearly at the northeast, southeast and southwest. The assessed area is 7,420 acres, of which 482 acres are wooded with oak, with some pine, walnut, alder, maple, and the gray and rarely the white birch.

There are groups of hills at the southeast and centre of the town ship, and a more extended group at the northwest, having Putnam's Hill as their eastern outpost. At the west is Hawthorne's Hill, with its summit 257 feet above sea-level, bearing the State Lunatic Asylum, — the largest building in Essex County and visible from a great distance. Lindall's Hill slopes down to Danvers Plain, the principal village; and a little westward Whipple's Hill overlooks Danvers centre, anciently Salem Village. The... Read MORE...

1895 - Danvers
Danvers, a post-village of Essex co., Mass, in Danvers township, on the Lawrence Branch of the Eastern division and the Newburyport Branch of the Western division of the Boston & Maine Railroad, 19 miles N. by E. from Boston, and 5 miles N.W. of Salem. It has several churches, a national bank, a savings-bank, a high school, a branch of the Peabody Free Public Library, and extensive manufactures of shoes, bricks, leather, and boxes. Here is the new and beautiful insane asylum founded by the state, the edifice of which cost nearly $2,000,000. It is situated on a hill, and is surmounted by towers which command a magnificent view. A weekly newspaper is published here. The township contains also 2 villages, named Danvers Centre and Danvers Port, and has 9 churches. Pop, in 1890, 7454.
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
Danvers, a post-village of Essex co., Mass., in Danvers township (town), on the Boston and Maine R., 19 miles N. by E. of Boston. It has extensive manufactories of shoes, bricks, leather, boxes, electric supplies, etc., and is the seat of St. John's Normal College and the state insane asylum, the edifice of which cost nearly $2,000,000. The town contains also the villages Danvers Center and Danvers Port. Pop. of the town in 1900, 8542.
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 see and things to do in and around Danvers:
Rebecca Nurse Homestead:

Explore the historic home of Rebecca Nurse, one of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials. The homestead offers guided tours and events that provide a glimpse into the region's colonial history.

Salem Witch Trials Memorial:

Head over to Salem to visit the Witch Trials Memorial. It's a somber yet essential place to remember the events of 1692. The memorial consists of 20 granite benches, each engraved with the name of an accused victim and their date of execution.

Endicott Park:

Enjoy some outdoor time at Endicott Park. It's a beautiful spot with walking trails, a pond, and picnic areas. Great for a leisurely stroll or a family outing.

Danvers Archival Center:

If you're into local history, check out the Danvers Archival Center. It's a treasure trove of historical documents, photographs, and artifacts related to the town's past.

Glen Magna Farms:

Explore the stunning Glen Magna Farms, a historic estate with gardens, a carriage house,... Read MORE...

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Danvers, Massachusetts, USA

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