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flag  History of Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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Holden, Massachusetts, USA - The Common

Holden, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Holden was named for Samuel Holden, a director of the Bank of England.

Holden includes: Bryantville, Chaffinville, Dawson Station, Jefferson, Lovellville, North Woods, Quinapoxet, Springdale, Uniondale and Unionville.


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There is MUCH more to discover about Holden, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!

Holden Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

The Common
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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The Common
First Baptist Church
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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First Baptist Church
Ye Old Abbott Tavern
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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Ye Old Abbott Tavern
New Reservoir
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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New Reservoir

Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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"Old Stone Bridge," Jefferson, Mass.
Town Hall, Holden, Mass.
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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Town Hall, Holden, Mass.
Gale Free Library, Holden, Mass.
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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Gale Free Library, Holden, Mass.
Holden High School
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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Holden High School
Holden Shopping Center
Holden, Massachusetts, USA

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Holden Shopping Center

Discover Holden: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1839 - Holden
Holden, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This town is finely watered by branches of Blackstone and Nashua rivers. It has a valuable water power on Quinipoxet river. It has some good meadow land on the borders of the streams. There are 5 cotton and 2 woolen mills in the town, and manufactures of leather, boots, shoes, straw bonnets, and palm-leaf hats; total amount of the manufactures for the year ending April 1, 1837, $201,960. Holden is 48 miles W. from Boston and 6 N.W. from Worcester. Incorporated, 1740.—Population, 1837, 1,789.
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 - HOLDEN. [Pop. 1,874. Inc. 1741.]
Holden was separated from Worcester, and named in honor of an English gentleman, whose family were benefactors of Harvard College, and of the colony.

Branches of the Nashua and Blackstone water the town.

The manufactures consist of cotton and woollen goods, boots and shoes.

Distance from Worcester, 7 miles ; from Boston, 48.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1848 - Holden
This town was taken wholly from the town of Worcester, being included in their original grants, and was the north-westerly part thereof. It was incorporated in 1740, by the name of Holden, in commemoration of the Hon. Samuel Holden, Esq., one of the directors of the Bank of England, who was a generous benefactor to the literary and religious interests of the country. This worthy man transmitted to New England for charitable purposes, in books and bills of exchange, to the amount of £4,847, New England currency. After his decease, his widow and daughters sent over in value, for the same noble and pious uses, the sum of £5,585. With part of this latter sum Holden Chapel, in the University of Cambridge, Mass., was erected, in the year 1745.

The first church was organized in 1742, and Rev. Joseph Davis was ordained their pastor. He was dismissed in 1772, and succeeded by Rev. Joseph Avery. Rev. Horatio Bardwell, the next pastor, was installed in 1823, and was succeeded by Rev. William... Read MORE...

1871 - A TORNADO. HOUSES, BARNS AND TREES PROSTRATED IN MASSACHUSETTS - DESTRUCTION IN ITS PATH - SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED.
Worcester, Mass., June 11. - A sweeping tornado passed through the towns of Paxton, Holden and West Boyleston this afternoon at 4 1/ 2 o'clock, demolishing every building in its track and tearing up trees by the roots. The first account of it received here was of its appearance in the town of Paxton, where it demolished the barn of L. N. PARKHURST, and blew off one gable of his house. From there it went in a north-easterly direction and blew down the buildings of MR. BIGELOW, on the old town farm. From thence it went through the woods, sweeping all before it, and striking the house and barn of LEWIS MARTIN, in Holden, entirely demolishing both. The village of Holden was next in its destructive march, and here five barns, three houses and one carpenter shop were blown down. Three persons were injured, one, CHARLES BURRETT, seriously. A strip of heavy stone wall, some twenty rods long, was completely blown over, and large trees were blown thirty rods with upward of a ton of earth upon... Read MORE...

Holden Massachusetts, 1890
Holden is a large town occupying high ground near the centre of Worcester County. Its form is nearly that of a diamond, having its greatest length north and south. Sterling and Royalston lie on the east, Worcester on the southeast, and Paxton, Rutland and Princeton on the southwest, west and northwest. Its assessed area is 22,133 acres.

In the north Barrett Hill is the highest elevation; close at the west of the centre, Davis Hill stands solitary; while the southern part is occupied by a group of hills, of which the highest in the town is Stonehouse Hill, with Asnebumsket Hill, 1,107 feet high, just outside the bounds. The northern central part of the town is mainly a broad valley into which gather streams from every part; on all of which are saw and grist mills, or the sites where they once were. Through the northeastern section flows eastward the Quinnepoxet River, gathering all these streams into its own rapid volume, which, in its course through the town, falls 380 feet. In the ... Read MORE...

1895 - Holden / Jeffersonville
Holden, a post-village in Holden township, Worcester co., Mass., on the Fitchburg Railroad and the Massachusetts Central Railroad (Quinapoxet Station), 52 miles of Boston, and 8 miles N.N.W. of Worcester. It has churches, a graded school, a cotton-mill, &c. The township contains Jeffersonville, and a pop. in 1890, of 2623
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
2023 - Whether you're a nature enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking for a quiet getaway, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Holden, Massachusetts.
1. Holden Hills Country Club:
If you enjoy a round of golf, then the Holden Hills Country Club is a must-visit. This scenic 9-hole golf course offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. It's a great place to spend a sunny day outdoors with friends or family.

2. Eagle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:
Nature lovers will appreciate a visit to the Eagle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. This beautiful natural area is perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife observation. The serene lake and well-maintained trails make it an excellent spot for a leisurely stroll or a more adventurous hike.

3. Dawson Recreation Area:
Dawson Recreation Area is a popular park in Holden with amenities like playgrounds, tennis courts, and picnic areas. It's an ideal spot for families to enjoy a day outdoors. You can pack a picnic, play a game of tennis, or let the kids run around on the playground.

4. Trout Brook Recreation Area:
For those who enjoy fishing, the Trout Brook... Read MORE...

Discover Your Roots: Holden Ancestry

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

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Holden.

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female ancestorDorothy HEALD (10 May 1679, Concord, Massachusetts, USA - 21 July 1776, Holden, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorSimon DAVIS (9 July 1683, Concord, Massachusetts, USA - 16 February 1763, Holden, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorThomas KIMBALL (12 February 1731, Boxford, Massachusetts, USA - 1789, Holden, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorLemuel FALES (19 August 1747, Dedham, Massachusetts, USA - 12 February 1826, Holden, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorJosephus RUGG (19 December 1753, Holden, Massachusetts, USA - 8 February 1823, Compton, Québec, Canada (Saint-Thomas-de-Compton))
female ancestorElizabeth Hannah WHITE (28 April 1754, Dedham, Massachusetts, USA - 4 February 1838, Holden, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorDavid KIMBALL (1771, Holden, Massachusetts, USA - 30 July 1815, Holden, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorIsaac PERRY (1 September 1771, Holden, Massachusetts, USA - 23 May 1845, Lenox, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorJohn B PERRY (11 July 1781, Holden, Massachusetts, USA - 24 December 1843, Lee, Massachusetts, USA)

Ancestors Who Were Married in Holden, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Holden.

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male ancestorJosephus RUGG (19 December 1753 - 8 February 1823) and female ancestorHepsibah NURSE (1 July 1755 - 12 January 1813) married 30 November 1768
male ancestorGardner GODDARD (15 March 1763 - 16 November 1816) and female ancestorSophia RICE (10 March 1765 - 18 April 1845) married 11 December 1782
male ancestorDavid KIMBALL (1771 - 30 July 1815) and female ancestorBetsey FALES (4 June 1779 - 12 October 1845) married 26 December 1804
male ancestorSamuel JOHNSON (18 December 1803 - 5 May 1888) and photo of Asenath GODDARD Asenath GODDARD (23 July 1796 - 17 June 1883) married 6 February 1825
male ancestorIsrael John Edward SHANNON (SHINER) (27 February 1854 - ) and female ancestorBridget FLEMING (1855 - ) married 29 February 1876
male ancestorAlick (Alexander) FLAGG (May 1846 - ) and female ancestorEuphemia DION (July 1853 - ) married 28 May 1876
male ancestorMichael J MANNING (1 February 1858 - 1925) and female ancestorNellie Ellen HANLEY (24 August 1858 - 1926) married 28 April 1887

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Updated: 9/22/2023 7:16:11 PM