History of Georgetown, Massachusetts, USA

1639 - Georgetown is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1838 - Georgetown is incorporated

1839 - Georgetown
Georgetown, Massachusetts
Essex county. Georgetown was the W. part of Rowley. It was called New Rowley for some years, until its incorporation as a separate town in 1838. Georgetown is watered by a branch of Parker's river, and is almost entirely engaged in manufactures and the mechanic arts. It is a pleasant town and highly flourishing. Population, about 1,500. It lies 30 miles N. from Boston and 10 S.W. from Newburyport. The people of Georgetown are probably more extensively engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes than at any other place, of its population, in America. The value of boots and shoes manufactured, and leather tanned, is said to exceed $500,000 annually.
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 - GEORGETOWN. [Pop. 1,540. Inc. 1838.]
This thriving town was formerly the western part of Rowley, and called New Rowley. It is watered by a branch of Parker's River, and may be called a manufacturing town.

The highest land in the county, called Bald Pate, is in this town.

Boots, shoes, and leather are manufactured to a great amount.

Distance from Salem, 15 miles ; from Boston, 30.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1854 - Georgetown
Georgetown, a post-village of Essex county. Massachusetts, 29 miles N. from Boston. It contains 3 churches, and a bank with a capital of $100,000. There are several tanneries in the place, and manufactories of boots and shoes, and machinery. About 40,000 pairs of boots and shoes are annually produced. Incorporated in 1838. Population of the township, 2052.
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
GEORGETOWN, a village of Essex co., in the state of Massachusetts, 31 m. NE of Boston, watered by a branch of Parker's river. Pop. 1,540.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1879 - At Georgetown, Mass., the son of a widow married a girl whose brother married the widow, and a child born to the first couple has an uncle and a grandfather and a grandmother and an aunt in the same persons.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 15, 1879

1883 - Injured His Eye
While the Georgetown steamer was playing, Henry Mack, who was assisting in holding the nozzle, for a moment had his attentions called off, during which in some way the hose turned bringing the stream of water in his face, inflicting a painful injury upon his left eye. It was feared at first that the sight was destroyed, but it will probably be restored. He was attended by Dr. Roy.
Daily Evening Bulletin
Haverhill, Massachusetts
October 5, 1883

Georgetown Massachusetts, 1890
Georgetown is a prosperous agricultural and manufacturing town in the central part of Essex County, 31 miles north of Boston by the Danvers and Newburyport Railroad; the Haverhill Branch forming a junction with this at the Georgetown station. The other stations are South Georgetown and Byfield; and the other villages are South Byfield and Marlboro.

Georgetown is hounded on the northwest by Groveland, northeast by Newbury, southeast by Rowley, and southwest by Boxford. The assessed area is 7,548 acres. The flora is varied; and in the 2,285 acres of forest there appears nearly or quite every kind of indigenous tree found in New England. The soil is very good, with a clay bottom. The rock is sienite. The land is undulating; and at the west is a hill called Bald Pate (said to be the highest in Essex County), which commands a splendid view of the surrounding country. The landscape is beautified by Pentucket and Rock ponds, somewhat north of the central village, about 200 and 150 acres... Read MORE...

1895 - Georgetown
Georgetown, a post-village of Essex co., Mass, in Georgetown township, on the Boston & Maine Railroad, at the junction of 2 branches of the same, 30 miles N. of Boston, and 9 miles S.W. of Newburyport. It contains a high school, 5 churches, a national bank, a savings-bank, and a newspaper office. The township has manufactures of boots and shoes. Pop. of the township in 1890, 2117.
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
Georgetown, a banking post-village of Essex co., Mass., in Georgetown township (town), on the Boston and Maine R., 30 miles N. of Boston. The town has manufactures of boots and shoes, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1900.
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

Here's a list of places to see and things to do in and around Georgetown:
Baldpate Mountain:

Hike the trails of Baldpate Mountain for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Enjoy a picnic at one of the designated areas and take in the fresh air.

Georgetown-Rowley State Forest:

Explore the hiking and biking trails in this state forest.

Pack a lunch and make use of the picnic areas for a relaxing day outdoors.

Maudslay State Park:

Wander through the beautifully landscaped gardens and along the walking paths.

Attend one of the seasonal events held in the park.

The Christmas Dove:

Visit this delightful store for unique Christmas decorations and gifts.

Get into the holiday spirit regardless of the season.

Georgetown Historical Society:

Learn about the town's history through exhibits and artifacts.

Attend one of the society's events or lectures.

The Meetinghouse Museum:

Explore the Meetinghouse Museum to delve deeper into the town's past.

Discover the fascinating stories behind Georgetown's historic... Read MORE...