A Chronological History of
Woburn, Massachusetts



Introduction1700s1800s1900s
1710s1810s1910s
1620s1720s 1820s1920s
1630s1730s1830s1930s
1640s1740s1840s1940s
1650s1750s1850s1950s
1660s1760s1860s1960s
1670s1770s1870s1970s
1680s1780s1880s1980s
1690s1790s1890s1990s
Conclusion




Introduction

Charlestown, settled in 1629, only nine years after the Pilgrims founded Plymouth Colony, is actually the starting point of Woburn’s history. In the early 1630s, looking to expand Charlestown, its citizens petitioned the newly elected representatives of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony for more land. A wide extent of territory on the “main land” eight miles northward was granted to Charlestown (this area includes present day Woburn, Winchester, Burlington and parts of Stoneham and Wilmington).

In February of 1640 a group set forth from Charlestown to find a suitable location for their projected town. After much deliberation, present day Woburn Center was chosen as the site for the new Village.

On November 5, 1640 a committee of seven was appointed by Charlestown to determine the boundary lines of the new settlement. The seven men who received this grant to undertake the settlement of Charlestown Village, as it was to be called, were Captain Edward Johnson, Thomas Richardson, Samuel Richardson, Ezekiel Richardson, Thomas Graves, Edward Converse and John Mousall. These men were required to build houses for habitation within two years. They also were entrusted with the power to grant lands to other persons willing to build and live within the newly formed Village. The grant further stated that it was the duty of these men to select newcomers who would work as a unit to improve the land, lay out the streets and maintain a civil and religious society.

Edward Converse is said to have built the first house and mill in 1640. It was located in the southern part of town (now Winchester Center). John Mousall’s house was the first dwelling built in present day Woburn. It was located on what is now Montvale Avenue. Captain Edward Johnson was chosen as the first Town Clerk on December 18, 1640. Not yet even a year old, the spirit of independence was strong in the new Charlestown Village. Already plans were underway to create a distinct Town, instead of a Village more or less dependent upon Charlestown.

Religion played an important role in Puritan Massachusetts. Every incorporated Town or Parish was required to have a church and pastor. On December 5, 1641 the Rev. Thomas Carter, the first pastor, gave his first sermon. The first church was built around this time on the southerly side of the Common.

The new Village was growing, a church and pastor were a part of the community; the way was now prepared for granting the privileges of a Town to this newly established community. The General Court met in session in the fall of 1642 and the Town of Woburn was incorporated on October 7, 1642. The act of incorporation reads: "Charlestowne Village is called Wooborne'.

1620s
1630s
1640s
1650s
1660s
1670s
1680s
1690s
1700s
1710s
1720s
1730s
1740s
1750s
1760s
1770s
1780s
1790s
1800s
1810s
1820s
1830s
1840s
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1860s
1870s
1880s
1890s
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s

Conclusion

In 1640, seven courageous men, followed by their families, left the safety of Charlestown to undertake a settlement they could make their own. In a land previously known only to the Indians, these first Woburnites carved out a strong foundation upon which the City of Woburn was built.

Woburn's history is rich and diverse. Its citizens have included prominent figures in education, science, politics and entertainment. Inventions and ideas first discovered and discussed in our City have had direct impact on the entire country, perhaps on the entire world.

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