In 1628, several Plimouth colonists, led by John Endicott, established a new home north of the Charles River with permission from King Charles I in England and Governor John Bradford in Plimouth. Their new plantation would occupy much of today's Essex County and be centered on the town of Salem. In 1630, Endicott succeeded in securing a charter from the King to form a local government, separated from Plimouth colony and led by a crown-appointed governor. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was born.
In 1928, the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was formed to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Colony. Part of their celebration included a program to identify and detail the sites and people who were significant in the formation of the Colony. These historic sites follow the paths of the original settlers as they ventured out from Salem to establish towns as far north as Salisbury and as far west as Northfield and Hartford. These 'Tercentenary Markers' now dot the state along main roads as well as the countryside. Boston proper was not asked to provide any sites as it was deemed the city was historic enough and had all of its historical sites well marked already.
The Markers were all designed to a specific formula - roughly 45x36 inches, white background, black lettering, black borders, the state seal, and signed 'Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission', made from cast iron and weighing nearly 200lbs. The signs are often in neglect but a small few show evidence of great care. These signs can be found in downtown areas, along major roadways, in the middle of nowhere, on private land, and elsewhere. Often these signs are right under our noses and have blended in to the scenery. Sadly, their position makes them prone to damage from car accidents, snow plows, and such. Some are removed simply because they don't fit with the planning of a local historical commission.
This is my photo project to get most, if not all, of these links to our past. As far as I can tell this is the largest collection of Tercentenary Markers anywhere on the web. Most of my research comes from websites and a few books. If you know of one and want to share your information, drop me an e-mail at douging@hotmail.com. Thanks! 90 and counting...
Link to Google Maps detailing specific locations (work in progress): http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115988137233833491996.00045c51f8a7e01d95522&z=10
In 1928, the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was formed to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Colony. Part of their celebration included a program to identify and detail the sites and people who were significant in the formation of the Colony. These historic sites follow the paths of the original settlers as they ventured out from Salem to establish towns as far north as Salisbury and as far west as Northfield and Hartford. These 'Tercentenary Markers' now dot the state along main roads as well as the countryside. Boston proper was not asked to provide any sites as it was deemed the city was historic enough and had all of its historical sites well marked already.
The Markers were all designed to a specific formula - roughly 45x36 inches, white background, black lettering, black borders, the state seal, and signed 'Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission', made from cast iron and weighing nearly 200lbs. The signs are often in neglect but a small few show evidence of great care. These signs can be found in downtown areas, along major roadways, in the middle of nowhere, on private land, and elsewhere. Often these signs are right under our noses and have blended in to the scenery. Sadly, their position makes them prone to damage from car accidents, snow plows, and such. Some are removed simply because they don't fit with the planning of a local historical commission.
This is my photo project to get most, if not all, of these links to our past. As far as I can tell this is the largest collection of Tercentenary Markers anywhere on the web. Most of my research comes from websites and a few books. If you know of one and want to share your information, drop me an e-mail at douging@hotmail.com. Thanks! 90 and counting...
Link to Google Maps detailing specific locations (work in progress): http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115988137233833491996.00045c51f8a7e01d95522&z=10
Agawam-Ipswich, Route 1A, Ipswich. Residents of Ipswich, 1630. Governor John Winthop Jr. was born just 18 years after his father, the first provincial governor of Massachusetts Bay. Winthrop Junior moved to Boston with his new wife and step-mother in 1630 and was received in Boston with great celebration. He entered politics early but shortly after settling Ipswich his wife and daughter passed away and he moved back to England. Upon returning Winthrop Junior settled in New London, Connecticut where the residents of that colony elected him Governor a post that he would hold until his death in 1676. In addition to his political career, he was a lifelong scientist, prospector (he helped establish the Saugus Iron Works), and businessman. Governor Richard Bellingham was an English-educated lawyer when he settled in New England in 1634. He became one of the patentees of the Massachusetts Bay Charter and for 37 years he was elected as a magistrate of the colony. For ten years he served as Governor, narrowly beating John Winthrop for the post. Richard Saltonstall Jr. was a founding father of Ipswich but an opponent of Governor John Winthrop Sr. and his reign on Massachusetts Bay. His father, Sir Richard Saltonstall was a founder of Watertown but lived out his years in London acting as a representative of the Massachusetts and Connecticut colonies. Governor Simon Bradstreet was one of the colonys greatest leaders. He held political office from 1630 to 1679, serving as an assistant to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, governor, and chief magistrate. He settled at Cambridge first, then moved to Ipswich around 1633, staying for 19 years then moving to North Andover and finally settling, and dying, in Salem. His first wife, Anne (Dudley) Bradstreet, developed a flair for poetry that is considered to this today to be great, American writing.
Agawam-Ipswich, Route 1A, Ipswich. Residents of Ipswich, 1630. Governor John Winthop Jr. was born just 18 years after his father, the first provincial governor of Massachusetts Bay. Winthrop Junior moved to Boston with his new wife and step-mother in 1630 and was received in Boston with great celebration. He entered politics early but shortly after settling Ipswich his wife and daughter passed away and he moved back to England. Upon returning Winthrop Junior settled in New London, Connecticut where the residents of that colony elected him Governor a post that he would hold until his death in 1676. In addition to his political career, he was a lifelong scientist, prospector (he helped establish the Saugus Iron Works), and businessman. Governor Richard Bellingham was an English-educated lawyer when he settled in New England in 1634. He became one of the patentees of the Massachusetts Bay Charter and for 37 years he was elected as a magistrate of the colony. For ten years he served as Governor, narrowly beating John Winthrop for the post. Richard Saltonstall Jr. was a founding father of Ipswich but an opponent of Governor John Winthrop Sr. and his reign on Massachusetts Bay. His father, Sir Richard Saltonstall was a founder of Watertown but lived out his years in London acting as a representative of the Massachusetts and Connecticut colonies. Governor Simon Bradstreet was one of the colonys greatest leaders. He held political office from 1630 to 1679, serving as an assistant to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, governor, and chief magistrate. He settled at Cambridge first, then moved to Ipswich around 1633, staying for 19 years then moving to North Andover and finally settling, and dying, in Salem. His first wife, Anne (Dudley) Bradstreet, developed a flair for poetry that is considered to this today to be great, American writing.
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