Seasonal stories & historical reading
History of Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
Journey back in time to Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA.
About Hamilton
In June 1638, John Winthrop the Younger, son of the founder of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, bought most of present-day Essex County from Masconomet, chief of the Agawam Indians, for the sum of twenty English pounds. A memorial stone on Sagamore Hill in southeastern Hamilton marks where Mosconomet was buried with his gun and tomahawk around 1658.
Hamilton was first settled in 1638 and was originally a section of Ipswich known as "The Hamlet". The first recorded land grant in the Hamlet was Matthew Whipple’s farm, dated 1638. Three years later the new stagecoach road from Boston to Newburyport (Bay Road) was laid out through the Whipple land. Other early settlers of the Hamlet, including the Appletons, Winthrops, Lamsons, and Dodges, were attracted by countryside similar to the English farms and estates they had left behind.
The town was incorporated on June 21, 1793, and named for Alexander Hamilton, whose portrait became the town seal in 1903. hamiltonma.gov
Hamilton includes: Asbury Grove, Centennial Grove Station, Miles River Station, and Woodburys Station.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm
Hamilton Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

"Myopia Hunt Club is a foxhunting and private country club, located in South Hamilton, Massachusetts...
Myopia Hunt Club was founded in 1882 by J. Murray Forbes. The golf course was designed and built by Herbert C. Leeds in 1894 and he continued working at the Club for over 30 years...
Myopia also features one of the oldest continually running polo fields in the nation. Gibney Field, formerly used as a pasture, was mowed and used for practice in the summer of 1888..." wikipedia
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to HAMILTON

MASSACHUSETTS Genealogy Mug – My Ancestors Came From Massachusetts – Cranberries, Baked Beans and New England Heritage – Massachusetts Ancestry Gift
Celebrate your Massachusetts roots with a mug inspired by the history, traditions, coastline, and unmistakable character of the Bay State. The “My Ancestors Came From Massachusetts!” mug combines genealogy with classic New England personality in a richly illustrated vintage-style wraparound design. From Boston and Plymouth to Salem, Lexington, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, the design celebrates the places and traditions that make Massachusetts feel unmistakably Massachusetts.
Discover Hamilton: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Hamilton through the years.
Essex county. This is a beautiful farming town, and most of the inhabitants are engaged in cultivating it. There are some vessels built here, and some manufactures of leather, boots, and shoes. The town is quite small. Population, 1837, 827. Taken from Ipswich in 1793. It lies 8 miles N. by E. from Salem.
Agriculture is the chief resource of the inhabitants.
Chebacco River, the outlet of Chebacco Pond, divides the town ; and Ipswich River separates it from Ipswich and Topsfield.
Distance from Salem, 8 miles; from Boston, 26.
Except on the southern side (which is a straight line) the outline of the town is extremely irregular. The assessed area is 8,825 acres. Of this, 1,835 acres are forest, consisting chiefly of hemlock and pine. The land is rather level; Vineyard Hill in the west, and Brown's Hill in the southeast, being the highest elevations. Chebacco, Gravel, Round and. Beck's ponds diversify the southeastern section of the town; a large swamp occupies the southwestern. angle; and Miles River runs across the town from south to north, parallel with the central village. Black Brook drains the northwest part of the town, discharging into Ipswich River,...
Show more local history, news & stories
ASHLAND IS THREATENED BY BLAZE THAT DESTROYS THREE DWELLINGS
GREAT NORTH SHORE FIRE SUMMARIZED
Started in "cottage" house in Hamilton, presumably from a defective flue.
Burned a strip three-quarters of a mile long through business, residential and summer colony sections of Hamilton, destroying twenty-one buildings at a loss of $100,000.
Ember, carried by gale, set fire to and destroyed eight ice houses in Essex, a mile away; blazed path two miles long through timberland and endangered Essex Center.
Steamers from Beverly and Ipswich forced to pump from a rain water pond in Hamilton. Old Wenham handtub "Phoenix" saved only building left standing in burned area.
In Essex steamer from Salem was mired and firemen set backfires to save summer camps.
Loss in both towns estimated at $175,000.
A March gale, running with throttle wide open, ...
Explore the beautiful grounds of the Myopia Hunt Club. While it's a private club, the area around it is picturesque and great for a leisurely stroll.
Crane Beach:
Spend a day at Crane Beach, one of the most scenic beaches in the area. Enjoy the sun, sand, and surf or take a nature walk along the dunes.
Russell Orchards:
Visit Russell Orchards for a fun day of apple picking in the fall, berry picking in the summer, and enjoying their delicious cider donuts year-round.
Appleton Farms:
Discover Appleton Farms, one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country. Take a guided tour to learn about their sustainable farming practices and enjoy the scenic landscapes.
Penguin Hall:
Check out Penguin Hall, a historic mansion turned event venue. Even if you're not attending an event, the architecture and surrounding gardens are worth a visit.
Patton Homestead:
Explore the Patton Homestead, the former home of General George S....
Discover YOUR Roots: Hamilton Ancestry
Explore ancestors connected to Hamilton through births, deaths, marriages, cemeteries, and local genealogy resources.
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about 5 ancestors who were born or died in Hamilton.
View ancestors by year of birthAncestors Who Were Married in Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Hamilton.
View married ancestorsSearch Hamilton Genealogy
Search by place or by ancestor name to keep exploring families connected to Hamilton.
Find Family by Place
Not the place you were looking for? Start another place search and choose a location from the suggestions.
Find Family by Name
You can enter part of a name if you are unsure of the full name or exact spelling.
Discussion & Local Contributions
Share corrections, memories, local history, or family connections that may help other researchers.
