05/24/2026
This being Memorial Day and the 250th Anniversary of the founding of our Country will be soon upon us, the history of Winchendon in those early days and our founders contribution to the Revolution should be retold. The following was written in 1914:
Winchendon's Early History - Part 1
Settlers began to arrive in such numbers, that in the year 1763 steps were taken toward applying to the General Court for an act to incorporate the town. Ipswich Canada was then upon the frontier, with but few settlers between it and Canada. The proprietors had labored strenuously to bring the land under cultivation, and to establish themselves in their new homes. The intermittent wars between England and France had rendered their holdings insecure. The capture of Quebec by General Wolff, had finally broken the power of France, and in 1763 Canada was ceded to England. This induced a feeling of security on the part of The Pioneers, it led to an increase of their numbers
The General Court on the 14th day of June in the year 1764 incorporated the Plantation of Ipswich Canada into a town to be called Winchendon There were at this time within the town about 35 families probably number 200 individuals. At the first town meeting Richard Day was chosen as Moderator; Town Clerk, Able Wilder; Selectmen, Benony Boynton. Theos. Mansfield, Ephriam Boynton; Treasure, Nathaniax Bixby; Collector of Land Tax, Daniel Goodridge; Church Wardens, Silas Whitney, Reuben Whitman; Tithingman, John Darling
The date for the holding of the annual Town Meeting was fixed as the second Monday in March of each year. At its first annual Town meeting held on the 11th day of March 1765, it was voted that all freeholders shall be allowed to vote
Winchendon with an enterprising, industrious, and religious people, now take its place in the completely organized Township of the Massachusetts Colony. If the people were poor and their comfort scant the moral tone of the community was high and care was taken to keep the town free from objectionable settlers as we may infer from an order issued by the selectmen in January 1765 directed to the constable for the removal from town of a certain undesirable family. In that same year at a special town meeting held on the 4th of September a grant of $8 was made for School purposes. This may seem like a feeble effort at providing for education but at least it was a beginning from which splendid results have been realized.
In the early part of the year 1773 the people of the town approved the attitude of the town of Boston, in its Statement of the Rights of the Colonists as set forth in a pamphlet sent by the Committee of Correspondence of Boston to the selectmen of Winchendon. “We are of the opinion they say that the rights of this province are well and truly stated in some list as they are well supported and warranted by the laws of God, of Nature, of the realm of Great Britain and the rights of this Province; that a list of infringements and violations of those rights and privileges inherent to the inhabitants of this province are well stated and supported by a great variety of incontestable facts whereby it appears to us that the time is speedily hastening when we shall be reduced to the most abject slavery.
“Resolved that the town will at all times, hardly join with our brethren of this Province, and with every true friend of liberty in all lawful measures which may be proper, salutary and effectual, for the readiness of our grievances and the establishment of our Charter rights privileges and liberties.”
Here was no uncertain or hesitant tone. As the intentions of the British government became clearer, the opposition of the colonists became more determined. They would not forego their rights without a struggle. The people of Winchendon heartly concurred with their fellow colonists in this growing decision .
From “A Retrospective of 150 Years” by Alfred Free, Ph. D. printed in 1914
