Canton Historical Society

1400 Washington Street
Canton, Massachusetts, USA 02021

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Canton is the home of American Freedom. In 1775, at the Doty Tavern, at the Foot of the Great Blue Hill the "Suffolk Resolves" were drafted. The Resolves were finalized in Milton, Mass. Then Paul Revere transported the documents by horseback to the "Continental Congress" in Philadelphia. The Suffolk Resolves was America's Declaration of War against England. At this time Canton was still part of the Town of Stoughton.


The Canton "Viaduct",  was built in 1835. The structure was built by Irish immigrants. The granite was quarried locally in Canton and neighboring Sharon. The Viaduct was the final link between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. This structure is on the National Historic Register.

The History of Canton, Massachusetts begins in 1630 with the Incorporation of the Town of Dorchester. In 1637, Dorchester extended its boundaries to "beyond the Great Blew Hills", this area included today's towns of Canton, Stoughton, Sharon and others. This area was also known as "Dorchester South Precinct" and the "New Grant". At this time Dorchester was the largest town in New England. In 1726, the portion of Dorchester which comprised Stoughton, Canton and Sharon wanted to be annexed from their mother town. So in March of 1726 the new Town of Stoughton was created, comprising these three towns. Stoughton was named for Lt. Governor William Stoughton, who presided at the Salem, Mass., Witch Trials in the 1690's. In the year 1765, the Second Parish (Sharon), wanted to be annexed from Stoughton, so it was to be. In 1796, the First Parish decided they wanted their freedom, a man named Elijah Dunbar thought the new town was antipodal to Canton, China, he was wrong of course. So, on February 23, 1797, Canton became her own town. Two other proposed names for Canton were "Freedom" and "Danbury". The town is planning a year long Bicentennial Celebration.

 

FIRSTS IN AMERICA

Paul Revere built the first Copper Rolling Mill here in 1801.

The first piece of Cotton Cloth was made in Canton in 1802 by James Beaumont.

The first Steam Shovel in America was invented here by William Otis in 1836.

Richard Gridley manufactured the first Cannons in America.

The masts on the USS Constitution came from Elm Street in 1797.

The copper bottom on the USS Constitution was made here by Paul Revere.

James A. Bazin invented the Pitch Pipe and many other musical instruments.

Alanson B. Bullock invented a Rotary Steam Engine and a Cordage Twisting Machine.

The Lifeboat was patented by Armand Didot.

Cornelius Callahan invented the Fire Hose Nozzle, they are still in use today.

Zenas Crane, born in the 1790's invented a way to prevent counterfeiting paper money, still in use today.

 

PLEASE VISIT OUR OTHER PAGES LISTED BELOW

Historical Society Information Interest In The Town's Past
Author Of The "History Of Canton" Paul Revere In Canton
Canton Biographical Sketches First White Child Born In Canton
Looking Back Columns 8/94 - 8/96 History Of Pequitside Farm
Canton Journal Index 1876 - 1890 Stoughton Branch Railroad Stories
The Incorporation Of Canton Canton's First Settlers
The Doty Tavern & the Suffolk Resolves Canton Public Library & Schools
Aerial Photo Of Canton Center In 1965 Civil War Letters Of G. Bolton Of N. Y.
The TRAIN PAGE The Rolling Stones In Foxboro
A History of the Viaduct 1829 Hunneman Hand Tub
Blue Hill Street Railway 1884 Thanksgiving Dinner In Canton
Historical & Genealogy Links #1 History & Genealogy Links #2
Revolutionary War Reenactment-1995 May's Tavern During The Revolution
NEW The History of the Esteys in England and America The Gridley Graveyard
The Early Baptist Church William Royall, The Last Slave Owner
The Early Orthodox Church John Shepard, Stranger In His Own Land
The Early Universalist Church The Old Dunbar Parsonage
Reverend Benjamin Huntoon The Packeen Ghost
Canton Catholic Club, Massapoag House Canton Junction Relocation Project
The End Of The British Flag In Canton  
Reverend Zachariah Howard Historical Society Organized 1871
Deacon Joseph Tucker The Little Red House At Pequitside Farm
Nathaniel Kenney Of Canton Old Canton Maps Page
Deborah Samson Mass. State Heroine Springdale Mudhens Football Team
Deborah Samson, By The Canton Girl Scouts 12 Golden Rules For Children, From The 1880's
Old Egg Superstitions, By The Girl Scouts Signs Of Rain, By The Girl Scouts
Pleasant Street Was Called Ragged Row The Country's Oldest Singing Society

Canton's Ponkapoag Indians & Links

Cure For Rattlesnake Bite Found Here
Genealogy Index Page Canton Chat Room Talk about Canton
Canton Junction, The Early Days  James A. Bazin, Inventor Of Musical Instruments
A Canton Gossip Hymn, 1897  Canton Center In The Olden Days 
Canton High School, Class Song, 1930 The Canton Telephone Exchange 
The Neponset National Bank  Canton Teacher Stoned To Death 
  Obituary Index   
Canton Area Radio Frequencies,  Police, Fire, Ham and More   Canton Bicentennial Book (TXT Version)  
Canton Message Board.  Communicate With Other Residents  Postal Train Wreck, 1898  
Story Of Commodore Downes  Canton's First Letter Carrier 
Drinking Was A major Problem Elijah Crane, Colorful Character 
Canton Corner Engine House  Elijah Dunbar, 1st Local Library 
Human Interest Stories Of The Past  The Lyceum Had Lively Debates 
Ye Old Meetinghouse Renovated Canton Inspired The Country In Music 
Old Canton Roads And Ways  Old School Information
Dorchester South Precinct  Stores Aren't What They Used To Be
Taverns Key To Colonial Travel  Watering Trough Trend, 1880's
Canton Evicts 1st Minister  Walking The Town Boundaries 
Paul's Variety Store    1973 Poem Of The Little Red House 
  Friends Of The Little Red House

 

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This Page Last Updated
01/19/06 08:48 AM

 

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