DANVERS
The town of Danvers, which previous to 1855, also included the present town of Peabody was originally a part of Salem, the first grant of land within this territory having been made on July 3, 1632 to Gov. John Endecott. On Mar. 22, 1671-2, this section, known as "The Farms," was set off from Salem and established as "salem Village" parish. On Jan. 18, 1710, another division was effected, the territory which comprised the southern portion of the present town of Peabody being set off from Salem as the "Middle Precinct." On Feb. 11, 1712, the inhabitants of the eastern part of the Village parish, together with some of Beverly, united in forming the parish know as the "Precinct of Salem and Beverly at Royal Side." The inhabitants in the vicinity of Will's hill were set off from the Village parish, and incorporated June 20, 1728, as the town of Middleton.
On Jan. 28, 1752, the Village and Middle parishes of Salem were established as the district of Danvers, and on June 16, 1757, the district was duly incorporated as the town of Danvers. Objections being made on account of the King's previous mandate that no new towns should be incorporated which would increase the number of representatives to the General Court, the act was disallowed by the Privy Council, Aug. 10, 1759. However, by a general Act passed Aug. 23, 1775, the district became the town of Danvers, On Mar. 17, 1850, the bounds between Danvers and Salem were established.
The population of Danvers at different periods was as follows:
|
| 1765, |
2,133. |
|
1800, |
2,643. |
|
1830, |
4,228. |
| 1776, |
2,284. |
|
1810, |
3,127. |
|
1840, |
5,020. |
| 1790, |
2,425. |
|
1820, |
3,646. |
|
1850, |
8,109. |
| |
|
|
1905, |
9,063. |
|
|
|
|
|
