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1723 - Holden is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1741 - Holden is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

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...

1854 - Holden
Holden, a post-township of Worcester co., Massachusetts, 50 miles W. of Boston. Population, 1933.
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.

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

1916
Holden, a post-village in Holden township (town), Worcester co., Mass., on the Boston and Maine R., 52 miles W. of Boston. It has woollen manufactures, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2464.
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

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...

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

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