Grafton (Images of America) By Linda Marean Casey Kindle Edition 143965607X 9781439656075 Grafton (Images of America) Nestled in the hills 38 miles west of Boston, the area that would become Grafton originally belonged to the Nipmuc Indians. In the mid 1600s, John Eliot, a Puritan missionary, traveled throughout Massachusetts converting the natives to Christianity. He created a series of praying Indian villages, including Hassanamesit. In 1728, most of Hassanamesit was purchased by a group of investors, and in 1735 it was incorporated as the town of Grafton. By the early 19th century, Grafton was a national leader in leather tanning and shoe production. Textile mills appeared along the rivers, attracting emigrant workers from Canada and Europe. Three geographic areas evolved, each with its own Grafton Center, North Grafton, and South Grafton. Today, residents celebrate the differences and salute the forces that brought them together to form one united town. Grafton is the birthplace of the famous Willard clock makers Simon, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Aaron whose home and clock shop are now the Willard House and Clock Museum. Grafton is the birthplace of Robert Bailey Thomas, the founder, editor, and publisher of the Old Farmers Almanac. Native Jerome Wheelock invented a steam valve system, revolutionizing transportation worldwide. Grafton is also the childhood home of noted American poet Frank OHara.

Nestled in the hills 38 miles west of Boston the area that would become Grafton originally belonged to the Nipmuc Indians In the mid 1600s John Eliot a Puritan missionary traveled throughout Massachusetts converting the natives to Christianity He created a series of praying Indian villages including Hassanamesit In 1728 most of Hassanamesit was purchased by a group of investors and in 1735 it was incorporated as the town of Grafton By the early 19th century Grafton was a national leader in leather tanning and shoe production Textile mills appeared along the rivers attracting emigrant workers from Canada and Europe Three geographic areas evolved each with its own Grafton Center North Grafton and South Grafton Today residents celebrate the differences and salute the forces that brought them together to form one united town Grafton is the birthplace of the famous Willard clock makers Simon Benjamin Ephraim and Aaron whose home and clock shop are now the Willard House and Clock Museum Grafton is the birthplace of Robert Bailey Thomas the founder editor and publisher of the Old Farmer s Almanac Native Jerome Wheelock invented a steam valve system revolutionizing transportation worldwide Grafton is also the childhood home of noted American poet Frank O Hara Grafton Images of America AverageThis is an altogether average entry into the collection Grafton lacks the deep history of some New England locales The pictures were nice though 131

Grafton (Images of America) By Linda Marean Casey

143965607X

9781439656075

English

131

Kindle Edition

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