A BRIEF HISTORY OF ASHBY, MASSACHUSETTS
The town of Ashby, incorporated in 1767, is situated forty-five miles from Boston and joins the northern border of Fitchburg. Ashby is in the northwestern extremity of the county of Middlesex. Early in the history of the area Ashby was a pat of the present towns of Townsend, Lunenburg, Ashburnham and Fitchburg. The township is a variety of hills and valleys, with rich pastures and farm land.
The first three families to settle in Ashby were those of James Coleman, James Locke, and John Fitch. John Fitch had moved to the area from Bradford, Massachusetts. Captured by the Indians on July 5, 1748 he, his wife and two children were taken to Canada. Thsi was during the French and Indian War. Mr. Fitch had traded with the Indians, and his frontier standing well known to them. The Indians knew that his friends would contribute liberally for his release from captivity. The ransom was paid by Fitch's freinds in Bradford. Six month after being captured and suffering extremely harsh treatment, they were able to return to their farm in Ashby.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Peter Lawrence in 1767 soon after the incorporation of the town. John Fitch was chosen moderator; James Locke, John Fitch and John Jones, were chosen as selectmen. They held town meetings for several years at the houses of Peter Lawrence, Jonas Barrett and Joseph Davis.
One of the reasons given for the formation of a new town, was the remotemenss of the people from any place of public worship. Therefore a house of worship was built but was not fully finished until after 1771. Persons of acknowledged rank and office had the first seats. The other members were seated according to the property they owned. Twenty five pews were assigned to the twenty-five persons whose estates stood the highest on the tax list. The names given here are th eorder in which they were rated, James Coleman, Ebenezer Stone, John Jones, Thomas Stearns, Levi Houghton, John Bates, John Locke, Jacob Puffer, Samuel Stone, James Lock, Jr., William Cox, James Barrett, Stephen Gibson, William Flagg, Caleb Nurse, Sameul Rice, Abijah Wyman, Benjamine Blanchard, Amos Wheeler, Charles Lawrence, Joseph Davis, Samuel Brown, Abram Taylor, James Bennett and Parker Dole.
Soon after the beginning of building the meeting-house, the town ordered stocks built and placed upon the common. The record adds "Mr. Joens gives the hinges, Mr. Puffer gives the locks, Mr. Davis gives the staples and hasps, Mr. James Locke gives the plan, Mr. Wyman makes them, and James Bennett brings the plank to the spot where they are to be placed." In 1809 the first meeting-house was torn down, and a new one built by the town on the same location.
Some indication of the early commercial activity of the region may be obtained from the products that were produced. In the early 1800's the manufacture of palm-leaf hats was its principal manufacturing business. In 1837 there were 59,989 hats manufactured. Occupations are listed in the vital records for many individuals.
The Ashby town center is a typical small New England village dominated by the white spire of the Congregational Church. The old burying ground is behind this church. It is unusual because of the great number of very tall old headstones. The Town Offices and Library are located across the street and very near this church.
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