Uxbridge, Massachusetts

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Uxbridge
Uxbridge, from King Phillip's rock * First new Congregational Church in the Great Awakening period of Massachusetts(1730-1740)
Uxbridge, from King Phillip's rock
Location in Worcester County in Massachusetts
Location in Worcester County in Massachusetts
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Coordinates: 42°04′38″N 71°37′48″W / 42.07722, -71.63
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Worcester
Settled 1662
Incorporated 1727
Government
 - Type Representative town meeting
 - Chairman, Board of Selectmen Kevin Kuros
 - Vice Chairman, Board of Selectmen Michael Potaski
 - Clerk, Board of Selectmen Peter Baghdasarian
 - Selectmen 2 (vacant)
 - Town Manager Jill R. Myers
Area
 - Total 30.4 sq mi (78.7 km²)
 - Land 29.5 sq mi (76.5 km²)
 - Water 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Elevation 270 ft (82 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 11,156
 - Density 377.6/sq mi (145.8/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01569, 01538, 01525
Area code(s) 508 / 774
FIPS code 25-71620
GNIS feature ID 0618387
Website: http://www.uxbridge-ma.gov/

Uxbridge, settled(1662), incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk, then Worcester Co., Mass. Named for an Earl, it claims the first woman voter,[2] first woman soldier, and early industrialization.

Contents

[edit] Early history

Nipmuc, "small pond people”[3] praying indians, settled at Wacentug("tribe that fished rich waters.)"[4] 1662 settlers bought Native land, "8 miles2(13km)2 15 miles (24 km) W. of Medfield"[5] “for 24 pound Ster”.[6] Squinshepauke became Mendon(1667),[5] which burned in King Phillip's War (1675).[5] Uxbridge (W. Mendon) incorporated (1727) and Farnum House[1] held the first town meeting.[7] Rev. Webb's church, was Mass.'s first new Congregational church in the Great Awakening.[1] Lowell Mason wrote the hymn tune Uxbridge.[8]

[edit] Revolutionary period

Committees of Correspondence(1774)[9] stirred Lt. Col. Seth Read[2] and Col. J. Read. Col. Tyler, Col. Chapin, Capt. Green, Capt. Bezaleel Taft, Capt. Hall, Capt. Rawson, Lt. Wheelock, Lt. J. Taft, Lt. Farnum, and Lt. White, served with 46 local heros.[10] Baxter Hall(Lexington drummer), served at Bunker Hill and at West Point when Gen. Arnold escaped."[11] Deborah Sampson enlisted as Robert Shurtlieff,[12] was wounded, and became a women's rights hero. Shays Rebellion's opening salvos were here.[13] Lt. Wheelock died at Springfield.[14]

[edit] Quakers

RI Quaker abolitionists settled at Quaker City building mills, railroads, houses, tools and wagon wheels.[14][15][16] Southwick's store housed "Uxbridge's Social and Instructive Library". Friends Meetinghouse[3] [17] claimed "fiery abolitionist" Abby Kelley[18] who recruited Susan B. Anthony to the cause. The second Great Awakening touched Quakers, women's suffrage, human rights, and changed local mortuary practices for the poor.[19] The "meeting" later disowned Kelley.[20] Historic Quaker homes were underground railroad sites.

[edit] Transportation

The Middle Post Road, set down by Ben Franklin as the 9th Massachusetts Turnpike,[21] carried French and Indian War troops, 1812 War supplies, and passed a Civil War camp near "Stage Coach Hill".[14] Teamsters drove huge wagons on the "Great Road" to Worcester and Woonsocket. Erie Canal Irish laborers, built the 46-mile (74 km) Blackstone Canal which carried thousands of tons of goods yearly from Worcester to Providence (1828).[5][22][23][4]The Providence and Worcester Railroad replaced the canal(1847). Route 146 provides access.

[edit] Industrialization

Uxbridge birthed industry, forges, distilleries, and 20 local mills.[14][24] Richard Mowry built and marketed equipment to manufacture woolen, linen or cotton cloth.[25] 561 workers made 2.5 million yards of cloth in 1855.[14][24][26] Capron's Power looms made "the first" cashmere satinets.[5][24][27][26] Ben. Taft's Ironstone forge let Caleb Handy make tools, scythes and guns.[14] Wm. Arnold's mill worker housing remains.[14] "Hecla" had American Woolen, [14] Daniel Day's 1810 Woolen Mill,[2][5] and H. Lowell's shoe factory. Wheelockville's Waucantuck Mill, coined "wash and wear" fabrics.[14] Calumet's (Central Woolen) ran 24/7 making Civil War cloth.[14] Linwood's cotton mill and Robert Rogerson' Crown and Eagle Cotton Mill were near N. Uxbridge's Rivulet Mill.[14] Blanchard's quarry rebuilt Boston and NYC curbs.[14][24][28]

[edit] Public health

Smallpox killed natives[5].[2][10] Seth Reed's regiment had smallpox.[9] Uxbridge refused smallpox vaccine(1775).[2] Dr. Willard treated its victims,[29] and Joseph Richardson, died of smallpox(1825).[14] Sen. Bezaleel Taft, Jr, and woolen mill pioneer Daniel Day, died of TB(1840's).[10] Dr. Leonard White published reports of early childhood vaccine related deaths (1885).[30] State pathologist, Theobald Smith, warned health officer Dr. White on local malaria links to mosquitos(1896)[31] The Board of Health advised a clean water supply in 1905.[32] Sen. Moore aided health reform(2006).[33]

[edit] Recent history

Mills closed, rivers were polluted,[34] and renewal followed. The Great Gatsby('74) and Oliver's Story were filmed here. The NYT called school reforms "a little revolution, ...started in this tiny town".[35] The National Heritage Corridor[36] has a 1,000-acre (4.0 km²) Heritage State Park,[37] 9 miles (14 km) of the River Bikeway,[38] the Trunkline Trail, and West Hill wildlife refuge.[39] 60 Federalist homes [14] add to 54 National, and 375 state sites including: Georgian Elmshade, and other styles.[14] A 2007 fire destroyed the [6] 400,000 square feet (37,000 m²) Bernat Mill, 500 jobs, and 65 businesses.[40] A 1953 Time Magazine[41] said Harold Walter's mill led New England's textile industry. Civil War, WW I, WW II Army and nurse corps uniforms, the first Air Force uniform, "Uxbridge 1683 Blue",[42][14] and "latch hook kits" were made here.

[edit] Notable people

Robert Taft I, settled here(1680). His grandson's widow, Lydia Chapin Taft, was "the first woman voter"(1756).[2] Samuel Taft hosted President George Washington's innuagural tour.[7] [2][43] Ezra Taft Benson was a Mormon Apostle(1846). Peter Rawson Taft I's son was War Secretary Alphonso(1874).[44] Grandson, President William Howard Taft, stayed at Taft House(1910).[45] Arthur MacArthur, Sr. was Governor, Lt. Governor and Supreme Court Justice in Wisconsin. Grandson, Douglas was a famous general. Seth Read added E Pluribus Unum to U.S. coins.[46][47][9] Phineas Bruce and Benjamin Adams were Congressmen. Benedict Arnold's widow died here(1836).[8] Joshua Macomber and William Augustus Mowry, were educators. Ed. Sullivan won a Medal of Honor(1898). Tim Fortugno, pitched for the Angels, White Sox and Reds(1990's). Richard T. Moore was Associate FEMA administrator (1994-1996).[33] Brian Skerry, is a photojournalist.

[edit] Government

County government: Worcester County
Clerk of Courts: Dennis P. McManus (D)
District Attorney: Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D)
Registrar of Deeds: Anthony J. Vigliotti (D)
Registrar of Probate: Stephen Abraham (D)
County Sheriff: Guy W. Glodis (D)
State government
State Representative(s): Jennifer M. Callahan (D), Paul Kujawski (D)
State Senator(s): Richard T. Moore (D)
Governor's Councilor(s): Thomas J. Foley (D)
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s): Richard E. Neal (D-2nd District),
U.S. Senators: Ted Kennedy (D), John Kerry (D)

The Representative town meeting government, has a Board of Selectmen:[48] Kevin J. Kuros, Chairman, Michael Potaski, Vice Chairman, Peter Baghdasarian, Clerk, 2 Selectmen, and Town Manager: Jill R. Myers.

[edit] Geography

The town's total area is 30.4 square miles (78.7 km²) {with 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) (2.73%) of water}, located 38 miles (61 km) SW of Boston, 16 miles (26 km) SE of Worcester, 175 miles (282 km) NE of New York City, and 24 miles (39 km) NW of Providence, (Greater Boston CSA).[9] Elevations are 200 feet (61 m) to 577 feet (176 m). It borders Douglas, Mendon, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Burrillville, and North Smithfield.

[edit] Demographics

2000's census,[49] showed 11,156 people, 3,988 households, and 3,034 families. 98.04% were White, 0.95% Hispanic, 0.15% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.61% Asian, and 0.07% Pacific Islander. Density was 377.6 people/ mile2 (145.8/km²). 9.5% of households had a 65 + person living alone, 29.2% were under 18, 5.8%, 40.9% from 18 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64. Median income was $61,855 and Per capita income was $24,540. 4.7% fell below the poverty line.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Clarke, D.D., Joseph S. (1858). A Historical Sketch of the Congregational Churches in Massachusetts, from 1620 to 1858. Boston (Digitized by Google books): Congregational Board of Publication, p. 148. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Chapin, Judge Henry (1881). "Address Delivered at the Unitarian Church in Uxbridge, 1864", p.172. 
  3. ^ Nipmuc History. Lee Sultzman. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  4. ^ “Nipmuc place names of New England. native tech.org. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Marvin, Rev. Abijah Perkins (1879). History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Embracing a Comprehensive History of the County from its earliest beginnings to the present time; Vol. lI. Boston, MA: CF Jewitt and Company, 421-436. 
  6. ^ Connole, Dennis A. (2001). The Indians of the Nipmuck Country in Southern New England, 1630-1750: A Historical Geography. McFarland and Company (Accessed by Google Books), p. 146. 
  7. ^ John Farnum, Jr.. Doug Sinclair's Archives. Retrieved on 2007-10-04.
  8. ^ The Heavens Declare Thy Glory (Watts). www.cyberhymnal.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  9. ^ a b c Buford, Mary Hunter (1895). "Seth Read, Lieut.-Col.Continental Army; Pioneer at Geneva, New York, 1787, and at Erie, Penn., June, 1795. His Ancestors and Descendants.", 167 Pages on CD in PDF Format.. 
  10. ^ a b c Baldwin, Thomas Williams (1916). "Vital Records of Uxbridge, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Boston: Wright and Potter Printing, p. 2-450. Retrieved on 2007-11-02. 
  11. ^ Martial Musick in Uxbridge Massachusetts 1727-Present. www.anglefire.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  12. ^ "DEBORAH SAMPSON.; How She Served as a Soldier in the Revolution -- Her Sex Unknown to the Army.*". New York Times (1898-10-08). Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
  13. ^ "Quelling the opening salvos of Shay's rebellion". alexautographs.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-10.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "walking tours-Uxbridge". Blackstone Daily. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  15. ^ Uxbridge, Worcester County. Department of Housing and Community Development. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  16. ^ The Conestoga Wagon. The Conestoga Area Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  17. ^ The Uxbridge Meeting House. Blackstone Daily. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  18. ^ Uxbridge, Friends Meetinghouse. NPS. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  19. ^ "The Historical Archeology of Mortuary Behavior: Coffin Hardware from Uxbridge, Massachusetts; Abstract: Edward Bell". University of Florida (1992). Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  20. ^ Buffum, Lucille. "Elizabeth Buffum Chase- Her Life and its Environment. Google books. 
  21. ^ , The Old Post Road: The Story of the Boston Post Road, McGraw Hill, 1962.
  22. ^ History of the Canal, The Blackstone Canal: A Brief Overview of Its Historical Significance. Worcester Historical Museum. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  23. ^ Stone Arch Bridge across Blackstone Canal in Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. Uxbridge, Massachusetts, October 10, 2004. Asgreev Photos. Retrieved on 2007-09-25.
  24. ^ a b c d "MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report: Uxbridge; Report Date: 1984 Associated Regional Report: Central Massachusetts;". Massachusetts Historical Commission; (1984). Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
  25. ^ "Blackstone River Valley, New England’s Historic National Park area; Navigator/Uxbridge". Blackstonevalley.com.
  26. ^ a b ”Uxbridge, MA-Description of Uxbridge”. mass.info. Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
  27. ^ Blackstone River Watershed. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Mass Gov.. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  28. ^ Crane, Ellery Bicknell (1907). Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memories of Worcester County, Massachusetts with a history of Worcester Society of Antiquity;. Lewis, 385. 
  29. ^ Backofen, Walter A (2001). Elias Frost, M.D., and his strategy for being remembered, p. 6. OCLC: 58438763. 
  30. ^ Shrady, George F, Editor (1885). "Medical Record, A Weekly Journal of Medicine and Surgery", Vol 28, No 24, December 12, 1885. New York City: William Wood & Company, p.651. 
  31. ^ "A History of Mosquitoes in Massachusetts, by Curtis R. Best". Northeast mosquito control association. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  32. ^ (1905) ‘Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Massachusetts”. Public Documents of Massachusetts; Google Books, p. 52. 
  33. ^ a b The rock stars of universal coverage, by J. Kaisser (December 5, 2006). The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  34. ^ "Cleaning up the Blackstone". National Park Serivce. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.
  35. ^ "The ramparts of a little revolution in education". New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-04.
  36. ^ John H. Chaffee Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor; Massachusetts/Rhode Island; Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. National Park Service; US Department of the Interior. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  37. ^ Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. Mass.gov; Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  38. ^ "About the Bikeway". Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  39. ^ West Hill Dam, Uxbridge Massachusetts. US Army Corps of engineers. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  40. ^ Fire ravages old Uxbridge mill, by John Guilfoil (July 22, 2007). The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  41. ^ The Pride of Uxbridge (August 24, 1953). Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  42. ^ Getting the Blues, by Tech. Sgt. Pat McKenna. Air Force Link. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  43. ^ "Stanton River Tour". oldhalifax.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
  44. ^ Leonard, Lewis recounted Alexander. "The Life of Alphonso Taft" by Google Books. Leonard, Lewis Alexander. "The Life of Alphonso Taft" by Google Books. dq=%22the+life+of+alphonso+taft%22+by+lewis+alexander+leonard&source=web&ots=oPnSgqCCBA&sig=ItrjVR1tAeXtoOKUMZX4KXjKiy4#PPA230,M1 "Life of Alphonso Taft". Google Books. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
  45. ^ "Taft visits Home of His Ancestors". New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-11-27.
  46. ^ "e pluribus unum". www.treas.gov. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  47. ^ Preble, George (1879). Origin and History of the American Flag and of the Naval and Yacht club Signals, Seals and Arms, and of the Principal National Songs of the United States; Volume II. Philadelphia: Brown, p. 695-696. 
  48. ^ Uxbridge Massachusetts Website - Board of Selectmen (1.00.00)
  49. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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