Lancaster, Massachusetts, USA (South Lancaster)
1845 - LANCASTER. [Pop. 2,019. Inc. 1653.]

Lancaster is the oldest town in the county, and was called Nashoway by the Indians, who early invited white settlers from Watertown.

During Philip's War, the town was reduced to ashes, and entirely deserted. The Indians were led on by Philip himself. A decided
stand was made by the inhabitants, at the house of Mr. Rowlandson,
their minister, who was in Boston ; but the house was burned, and
all the inmates killed or carried into captivity.

A narrative of the numerous and painful removals of Mrs. Rowlandson from place to place, as her captors fled or advanced, was
published ; and when any family removes often, it is common, even
now, to say, ' They have as many removals as Mary Rowlandson.'
She returned in a few months to her friends.

Lancaster also suffered greatly in the French and Indian Wars
that followed, and had no rest until 1710.

The north and south branches of the Nashua meet in this town,
and enrich the soil by annual inundations.

The manufactures are numerous, and among them are cotton and
woollen goods, combs, cabinet ware, &c.

Distance from Worcester, 16 miles ; from Boston, 35

An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

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