CHRONOLOGY OF STOUGHTON HISTORY

A time line of

S T O U G H T O N

historical events from "Beyond the Blew Hills" - and beyond

This Stoughton time line includes the Chronology from John E. Flynn's Beyond the Blew Hills and other historical events researched and included by local historian / genealogist David Allen Lambert.

If you have a historic Event in Stoughton's past you wish added please email me.

17th Century

Aboriginal before 1620

Territory inhabited by Indians: Algonquins - Massachusetts tribe; local name Neponsets; some Pequots, Wampanoags, Nonantums and Nashaways. Rulers: Chief Chicatawbut, Regent Kitchamakin, Chief Wampatuck.

Colonial 1606

Company formed in Plymouth. England for governing New England.

"The Bay Colony" by H. A. L. Fisher for estimate of character and objectives of Pilgrims and Puritans.

1620

Royal charter granted to Plymouth Plantation between 40th & 48th degrees N.L. Charter surrendered in 1635.

1621

Treaty by English Pilgrims and Chief Chicatawbut

1629

A Royal charter was granted to a trading company.

The Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay in New England.

1630 (September 7)

An order region known as Mattapan should be called Dorchester.

1630

Chief Chicatawbut consented to occupancy of Dorchester by Bay Colony English.

1631

William Stoughton born, son of Israel Stoughton. Date and place of birth uncertain. (Sibley's Harvard Graduates Vol. 1 pp 194-208).

Chief Justice Massachusetts Courts and Governor of Colony.

William Stoughton (1631-1701)

1636 (March 28)

Boundaries between Dorchester and Boston established.

1637 (November 20)

Town limits of Dorchester defined by General Court along the Old Colony line.

1638 (May 17)

Boundaries between Dorchester and Dedham established.

1657 (December 7)

Dorchester town meeting created the 6,000 acre Ponkapoag Plantation, Indian Meeting House at York Pond, Indian cemetery at Indian Lane.

Captain Daniel Gookin, Historian of tribe; John Eliot, Missionary; Sassamon, Indian convert, helped Rev. John Eliot translate the bible

1660-1663.

1659 (November 12)

A tract of 1,000 acres granted to Dorchester.

1662 (May 7)

Part of Dorchester set aside to establish the town of Milton.

1666 (October 8)

Regent Kitchamakin conveyed all Indian land beyond Neponset Mill to the English (October 8) - Cf. Stoughton Sentinel - Apr. 30, 1898, for Ponkapoag Indians by Hon. Newton Talbot. Committee to lay out Indian plantation at Ponkapoag: Major Humphrey Atherton, Lieut. Clap, Ensign Foster and William Sumner.

1668

Dorchester Proprietors drew lots for land grants; some owners absentees.

1684 (June 4)

Deed of tract south of "Blew'' Hills; "40,000 acres - excepting and beside 6,000 allotted to Indians." Principals For Indians: Job Ahauton,

Squamaug, Momentaug, For English: William Stoughton, Capt. John Capen, Lieut. Richard Hall, Ensign Samuel Clapp and Qms tr.

Thomas Swift.

1686

William Stoughton appointed first Chief Justice of Colonial Courts.

Colonial Courts organized.

1691

Bay Colony received new charter as Royal Province to all of Massachusetts and Maine. Plymouth after three attempts was refused a royal charter

and became part of The Bay Colony. Pilgrims absorbed into The Bay Colony.

1692

William Stoughton appointed as Chief Justice of Superior Courts. Presided at witchcraft trials.

1698

Allotment of the Twelve Divisions on July 29 into acres, quarters, etc. with John Butcher as surveyor (p. 593 et seq. Huntoon).

Committee: Thomas Vose, William Blake, Timothy Tileston, John Bird, James White.

18th Century

1701 (April 14)

First white child born in Stoughton. (see Huntoon p. 631) - (Diary of Samuel Chandler) Hon. Newton Talbot claims: daughters of James

Puffer - Abigail born November 26, 1696, and Hester born May 29, 1699 and son of John Puffer - John, born Oct. 3, 1698.

Thankful Redman Re: Puffer (see Huntoon).

1701 (July 7)

William Stoughton died July 7th. Built Stoughton Hall and endowed it at Harvard, Left estate for same, eventually $150, 000.

1707

First church structure in area. Church of Christ on Packeen Plain. First Minister. Joseph Morse.

1707

The New Grant established in 12 Divisions to 480 members called the Dorchester Proprietors; hereafter called Dorchester South Precinct. It extended to a point near Attleboro within 176 rods of what is now the easterly line of the State of Rhode Island. This southerly line was 191/2 mi. long on the Old Colony line which was followed N.E. by Braintree and Milton; crossed the crest of the Great Blue Hill to Dedham; thence back to point of beginning. Territory now comprising Stoughton, Canton, Sharon, Avon, Foxboro and parts of Dedham, Westwood, Walpole, Norton, Wrentham and Brockton.

1709

The oldest section of the David Tilden house in present day Canton was built. The house is currently being preserved by the

efforts of The Friends of the Little Red House, Inc.

1713

Proprietors incorporated as a district. Dorchester had nothing further to do here. In same year all undivided land unsold henceforth known as The 25 Divisions. (see Mass. Archives Collection- XLV: 418-425).

Surveyors under The Proprietors: 1713-1794 Nathaniel Glover Jr.; Joseph Hewins Jr.; Hon. Elisha Dunbar and Nathaniel Fisher.

1716

First house built in present town of Stoughton.

Deacon Isaac Stearns (Monument on West Street).

1716

The oldest gravestone from the original settlement of Stoughton is that of Gilburt Indicott [Gilbert Endicott] who died October 18, 1716, age 58 yrs. in the Canton Corner Cemetery, Canton, Mass. (originally the cemetery in the churchyard of the First Parish Church of Stoughton).

Inscription: HERE LYES THE / BODY OF / GILBURT INDICOTT / AGED 58 YEARS / DYED OCTOB^R Y^e / 18^th 1716

1719

First school was held in the South Precinct of Dorchester.

1726 (December 14)

Dorchester South Precinct petitions for a township.

Stoughton founded; Petitioners: Capt. Isaac Royal, Ensign William Billings, Capt. John Shephard, Silas Crane and George Talbot.

1726 (December 22)

Petition granted for a township.

The town would be named for William Stoughton. Gov. William Dummer.

1726

New town of Stoughton receives £ 50 for school money. Schools were held in private homes.

1727 (January 2)

First town meeting held in George Talbot's home.

First Board of Selectmen: Nathaniel Hubbard, Joseph Hewins, Joseph Tucker, William Crane and George Talbot.

1727

Second Minister called. Approved by town meeting Aug. 3. Rev. Samuel Dunbar accepts his call to the church in Stoughton on September 23.

1727

Town surveyed for tax list. Found 7 saw mills, 2 grist mills, 4 iron works, 121 houses, 275 persons taxable, 763 neat cattle and horses. Occupations: Farmers, carpenters, lumbermen, cobblers, weavers. No books or periodicals, except the Bible, an almanac, Watts Hymns and a catechism.

First town survey.

1730

Joseph Porter, born June 10th in Bridgewater - moved to Stoughton 1777.

Advent of Porter family; developed 300 acres in center of Stoughton.

1730

Stoughton considers constructing its first school house. However due to scarce funds it was not see through.

1733 (April 25)

Part annexed to Dedham.

1734 (May 29)

Some residents of Stoughton petitioned Walpole to attend their church.

1734

The town voted to build a school house on the land near the Meeting house in Ponkapoag. The committee involved included:

Ens. Charles Wentworth, Lt. William Billings, and Preserved Lyon.

1735

First school established. Mr. John Withington hired for a year (£ 21, 15s. salary).

1737 (December 10)

Part annexed to Dedham.

1738 (December 11)

Bounds established between Stoughton and Dedham.

1740 (July 2)

Second Precinct (now Sharon and Foxborough) was incorporated.

The Second Precinct.

1741

A school was taught at Dea. Isaac Stearns house on West St.

1743 (November 9)

Third Precinct, or Parish, (now largely present town of Stoughton) was incorporated. The reason for all precinct changes was accommodation for

public worship. William Shirley, Governor. Religion dominant.

1744

(June 18) -The First meeting house in present day Stoughton was raised in Stoughton Square.

1744 (August 10)

Third Parish in Stoughton organized - Church of Christ at Stoughton Centre.

1744

First record of a female teacher in Stoughton. Elijah Capen was paid £ 16 for the services of his wife Damaris (Bird) Capen, and her sister.

1745

School kept in the house of Isaac Paul. This is thought to be the first school within the limits of present day Stoughton.

1751 (March 29)

Supply Belcher (1751-1836) was born in Stoughton, and moved to Hallowell, Maine then to Farmington, Maine.

He served in the Revolutionary War from Stoughton. Supply was a musician and a composer. He was given the

title of "The Handel of Maine" for the music he composed while living in Farmington, Maine.

1752 (November 25)

Part annexed to Walpole.

1753

(March 30 & June 13) Parts annexed to Walpole.

(December 22) Part annexed to Norton.

(December 28) Part annexed to Wrentham.

1754

The 1754 Massachusetts Slave Census reported eight slaves living in Stoughton of the age of 16 and over.

1755 (October 25)

Part annexed to Walpole.

1756

Leader of Stoughton Minute Men born.

Captain Asa Waters. Buried at the Dry Pond Cemetery, his gravestone erected by Lucius Clapp.

1761

Town of Stoughton fined £ 40 for failing to maintain a grammar school for the past two years.

1762

Musical Club. First Parish Church.

Beginning Old Stoughton Musical Society: Capt. Samuel Talbot, leader.

1764

Smallpox breaks out with some families in Stoughton. Burial site located on Kinsley Street in present day Canton.

1765 (June 21)

Part of Stoughton established as a district called Stoughtonham.

1766

Elijah Dunbar began a moving grammar school. He taught school in seven different section of towns for periods of 4 to 14 weeks. Still the only

school house was at Ponkapoag.

1766

The Dry Pond School was established. Elijah Dunbar the teacher began a "moving grammar school". He would teach in

seven different sections of Stoughon for a periof of 4 to 14 weeks. At the time there were only one school house in Stoughton, that at Ponkapoag.

1768

First school house built (on the site of the Stoughton Historical Society).

$100. allotted. The committee consisted of: Capt. Peter Talbot, John Atherton, and Jonathan Capen.

1768-1785

Three new school houses erected during this time period.

1770 (November 20)

Part annexed to Bridgewater.

1771

Stoughton constructs a third school house in the First Precinct (now Canton).

1772

A petition to the General Court was sent from Stoughton. Stoughtonham and Dorchester were to sell the "School Farm" at Wrentham. The proceeds which Stoughton received from the sale was £ 108- 18s., from the £ 284 - 13s. - 4d. sale price.

1774 (August 16) - The Revolution

Meeting at Doty's Tavern, Stoughton to formulate Suffolk Resolves.

Parson Samuel Dunbar, Paul Revere; Place chosen by Samuel Adams and Dr. Joseph Warren.

1775 (April 19)

Battle of Lexington - 148 Minute Men from Stoughton answer the call. Capt. James Endicott in charge.

Cf. Stoughton Sentinel. March 26 - April 29,1898 for Minute Men by Hon. Newton Talbot.

Roger Sherman, Signer: Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States.

1775 (August 23)

Stoughtonham and other districts are made a town by an act passed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

1775

Dr. Benjamin Church treason revealed in Drapers Gazette Sept. 21. Quote from intercepted letter: "The Com. of Warlike Stores made me a formal tender of

12 pieces of cannon, 18 and 24 pounders, they having took resolution to make the offer to Gen. Ward. To make merit of my service I sent them down and when they received them they sent them to Stoughton to be out of danger, even though they had formed the resolution as I before hinted of fortifying Bunkers' Hill

which - was the lucky occasion of their defeat."

Gen. Richard Gridley, First Engineer, U.S. Army.

Dr. Benjamin Church, see Diary of Dorothy Dudley, p. 38 (1876) and History of Massachusetts - J. S. Barry (1857).

1775

Stoughton Member of Second Provincial Congress - Thomas Crane.

1776 (May 22)

Resolutions in town meeting exactly expressing Declaration of Independence six weeks before adoption at Philadelphia. The Town Meeting voted to support

Independence "with lives and fortunes".

Powder mill begins operation in Stoughton which supplies most of powder during first 3 years of the war. Cannon also cast here.

Town records, Diary of Ezra Tilden, Soldier in Revolution, 1776-1777

Thomas Crane, Daniel Vose.

1776 (August 18)

Rev. Samuel Dunbar reads a copy of the Declaration of Independence from the pulpit of the Old Meeting House (site located withing the Canton Corner Cemetery boundaries). A copy of the Declaration was entered into the town record book.

1778 (June 10)

Part included in new town of Foxborough.

1778

Representative in Legislature. - Thomas Crane.

1779 (October 30)

Stoughton Powder mill blew up. Mr. Pettengill is killed.

1780 (June 17)

Part annexed to Dedham.

1783 (February 25)

Stoughtonham name changed to Sharon.

Total of 596 men from Stoughton served in Reuolutionary War.

1784

Aaron Bancroft, father of George Bancroft, preached here.

First President American Unitarian Association.

1784 (December 23)

  Adm. John Downes born. Fought Barbary pirates under Decatur.

  Commander U. S. Navy 'Essex, " "Constitution, " "Wasp".


  Deborah (Sampson) Gannett (1760-1827), lived in Stoughton with her uncle, Zebulon Waters' family. She married

  Benjamin Gannett, April 7, 1785  by Stoughton Town Clerk George Crosman to Benjamin Gannett “of Sharon”.

  She served as "Robert Shurtleff" a female Soldier of the Revolution.

  Oldest Choral Society in the world founded at the home of Robert Capen (corner of Park and Seaver Streets).

  Old Stoughton Musical Society (see History of same).

  Col. Jesse Pierce born November 7.

  Famous teacher of noted men including: Capt. Robert B. Forbes, U. S. S. Jamestown, J. Malcolm Forbes and Fletcher Webster.

1789 (February 16)
 Part annexed to Sharon.

1790 - The first Federal Census of Stoughton's population: 1,994.   This included the population of Stoughton which would become

Canton in 1797.  Note the difference in the 1800 Census figures below.  In 1790 there were 315 dwelling houses in Stoughton.

Click here for images and an index of the 1790 Stoughton Census.

1792 (February 22)

 Part annexed to Sharon.

1793 (March. 12)

  Part annexed to Foxborough.

  Eleven "Little Red School Houses" built, to be followed by others.  One was located on the southeast corner of West & Plain

  Streets.  This would be the first of three Dry Pond School Houses.

  Azel (Asahel) Capen born Feb. 22; died Feb. 9, 1884.

  Portrait painter, Primitive Americana.

1796 (June 21)

Gen. Richard Gridley died at Stoughton Manor.  He was 1st Engineer of the U.S. Army. He is buried at Canton Corner Cemetery, Canton, Mass.

1797 (February 23)

 The most northern region of Stoughton is incorporated as the town of  Canton.

1798 (February 8)

 Part annexed to Bridgewater.

1799 (December 10)

Rising Star Lodge F. & A.M. founded. Paul Revere was at the inaugural.

19th Century

1800 - Census Population of Stoughton: 1,020. (Search the 1800 Census of Stoughton)

Click here for images and an index of the 1800 Stoughton Census.

First meeting of Rising Star Lodge at home of Lemuel Drake (The Austin House) Peter Adams, first master.

Charter Members: Peter Adams, Nathan Gill, Wm. Capen, Consider Southworth, Benjamin Capen, Abram Capen, Amos Capen,

Joseph Richards, David Wadsworth, John Atherton, Jr.

September 26, 1800

William Billings the American composer who taught in Stoughton dies in Boston.  He was buried at Central Cemetery in Boston, Mass.

Revere engraving image provided with the permission of www.amaranthpublishing.com/billings.htm where you can listen to music by Billings.

Martin Wales born February 22nd - Pioneer boot manufacturer.

1806 (June 23 and June 24)

  Swan's Tavern - Washington Hotel

Franchise granted by General Court to Stoughton Turnpike Company (June 23), and to the Taunton and South Boston Turnpike Company the next day.

Turnpike franchise, Washington Hotel (aka) Swan's Tavern is built.

1808 (June 2)

Church of Christ (on the Green) second building dedicated; became Universalist in 1830.
Ministers: Rev. Thomas Jones, Rev. Jedediah Adams, Rev. Edward Richmond, Rev. Ebenezer Gay.

1810 - Census Population of Stoughton: 1,134.

Click here for images and an index of the 1810 Stoughton Census.

1810 - Master Rising Star Lodge F. & A.M. Maj. Gen. Elijah Crane.

1812
 First industry in town a straw hat shop at West Shares.

 The Methodist Episcopal Church is founded in Stoughton.

1813
 Gay Cotton Manufacturing Co. established.
 Leonard & Samuel Hodges.

1814 (August 8)

Aaron Gay appointed the first Postmaster of Stoughton.

1815
  First boot shops - Manufactories and 34 home yard shops. Littlefield Brothers, John Linfield.

1817 (January 14)

Lucius Clapp born in North Bridgewater, the son of Charles and Sarah (Manley) Clapp.  Clapp would moved to Stoughton on West Street.

He would become one of Stoughton's most generous benefactors.

1818
  First post office in Stoughton at Wallace Capen Place, 769 Turnpike Street. Aaron Gay, first Postmaster.

1818
  First Methodist Meeting house built in West Stoughton.

Samuel Hodges (1792-1827), Consul for the Unites States of American at Cape Verde Islands. See the obituary

for his widow Polly (Wales) Hodges.

1820 - Census Population of Stoughton: 1,313.

Click here for images and an index of the 1820 Stoughton Census.

1821
  Shoe factory established. Isaac Beals

  First Methodist Church erected in West Stoughton. Methodist Church erected.

1821 (August 22)
  Mount Zion Royal Arch Chapter consecrated, instituted December 12, 1820.

  Majority withdrew from Church of Christ and formed Congregational Church in loft over Swan's Store, then the home of Daniel Hayward.

  Congregational Church formed. Rev. Calvin Clark.

1822 (September 16)

Stoughton uniformed Militia organized. Stoughton Grenadiers Association have their first parade.

1823
 First cotton cord ever made in Massachusetts by water power.
 Col. Consider Southworth.

1825 (June 1)
 Congregational (Orthodox) Church erected on Washington Street.

        Henry Lillie Pierce

                   (1825-1896)

   Painting by F. Mortimer Lamb

1825 (August 23)
  Hon. Henry Lillie Pierce born August 23, 1825 on Highland Street, Mayor of Boston, Legislator, Congressman 1843-1844 Congress.
  Henry L. Pierce   Donor of $25,000 to Library.

  First School Committee in Stoughton.  A result of a Massachusetts State Law.

1827 (October 26)

 Samuel Hodges from Stoughton, and the first Consul to Cape Verde, Africa died on the island of St. Jago.

1829 (b. May 29)   (Population of Stoughton 1,591)
  Trustee est. of Charles Sumner, Author   Life of Charles Sumner. Author    Treatise on Railroad Law.
  Edward L. Pierce.

1830 - Census Population of Stoughton: 1,591.

1835 (August 23)
  Methodist Church at Center erected.  Located on the site of present Methodist Church and parsonage on Pleasant St.

  The church was dedicated September 16, 1835.

1836
  Sumner Academy   private school until 1868

1836
  Patent leather invented and developed for shoe trade.
  Nathan Tucker & Bros.

1836 (July 28)

   North Stoughton Methodist Episcopal Church erected. Methodist Episcopal Rev. Thomas F. Norris.

1838
  First Parish formally became the Universalist Church.
  Universalist Church Rev. Massena B. Ballou

1838
  Dr. Elmer Hewitt Capen, born at Stoughton April 5,1838; died March 22,1905.
  President of Tufts College 1875 1905.

1839 (March)

 The Stoughton Turnpike Corporation was dissolved by an act of the legislature.

1840 - Census Population of Stoughton: 2,412.

 First Masses in Stoughton by visiting missionaries. Catholic Church

1843
Nathaniel Wales - Executive Council, State Senate. Assessor U.S. Internal Revenue, Sheriff.

Hon. Nathaniel Wales born Nov. 25,1819, came to Stoughton 1843.

  Rev. Henry Turner Eddy born in Stoughton June 9, 1844, President, Rose Polytechnic Institute, Terra Haute, Indiana.

1844
  Henry Clay Ide, born Sept. 18th, died June 3, 1921; married Mary M. Melcher;
  daughter married Bourke Cochran; daughter married Sir Shane Leslie. Ide
  became Chief Justice, Samoa and Gov. General of Philippine Islands.
  Henry C. Ide, Mary M. Melcher, Hon. Bourke Cochran, Sir Shane Leslie.

1845 (March 18)

  First railroad in operation here. Stoughton Branch R.R.  The first railroad car ran between Stoughton and Canton.

1845 (April 7)

  The first railroad car ran between Stoughton and Boston.

1845 (May 5)

 Independent Order of Odd Fellows inaugurated. I.O.O.F.

1845 (June 20)

  The first Stoughton Railroad Depot burned down.

1845 (October 13)

  The second Stoughton Railroad Depot blew down before completion.

A third Stoughton Depot is constructed from brick and Railroad Avenue is defined.

1847 (March 31)

  Part of Canton annexed.

1847 (September 11)

Wales French born, founder of the Stoughton Public Library.

1848 (March 30)

The Third Baptist Meeting House is erected in East Stoughton (now Avon, Mass.)

1848
 First Mass of record in town in house on Capen Street, now on Brook Street.
 Father John Rodden, Quincy.

1848
 The Universalist Church in Stoughton Centre was altered.

1849
 First regular services of the Catholic Church held in Austin House.
 Rev. Terrence Fitzsimmons from South Boston.

1850 - Census Population of Stoughton: 3,494.

  Shoe last business established. Moses Linfield, Leonard Drake.

  Fire Department organized Captains: Henry Drake and James Capen.

1852 (January 28)

 First Congregational Church dedicated at 819 Washington Street (site of the gas station next to the V.F.W. Hall in 2005) at a cost

 of $12,000.  The dimensions were 58 ft. x 75 ft., and would seat 500 hundred parishoners.

  Edwin Arthur Jones, born at Stoughton January 27, 1853, died at Stoughton January 9, 1911; music composer and philanthropist.
  Town's greatest benefactor.


  Dr. William Otis Faxon, born Oct. 24th, died Nov. 12,1942.
  Physician and political leader 60 years.

1855
  Birds eye view of Town government items:

	School Dept. 	$ 3,505.78
	Welfare Dept.  	   1,180.54
	Fire Dept.                      958.14
	Police Dept.	       None
	Town Officers	      574.38
	Incidentals	   6,972.92

	Total:	                13,191.76