Sutton in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
First Settlement Common
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024
1. First Settlement Common Marker
Inscription.
First Settlement Common. . In 1679, 8 miles of land was transferred by the Native American Wampus to the English owners. By 1718, 4,960 acres of virgin land had been laid out and established by 30 settlers. Within sight from this common were house lots, a gristmill, the minister's home, a Masonic lodge, a meetinghouse a store, several taverns and a large lake. This settlement grew at a steady pace, raising one of the largest Massachusetts militia regiments to fight in the American Revolution. The common became the focal point of the community, where the Declaration of Independence was read, spirited debates were held at Washington Hall and soldiers walked off to three wars. Noted visitors included John Paul Jones and Marquis de Lafayette on his triumphant return tour to the newly formed United States. Many of the 300th anniversary celebrations that took place in 2004 were centered around this common.
In 1679, 8 miles of land was transferred by the
Native American Wampus to the English owners. By
1718, 4,960 acres of virgin land had been laid out
and established by 30 settlers. Within sight from
this common were house lots, a gristmill, the
minister's home, a Masonic lodge, a meetinghouse
a store, several taverns and a large lake. This
settlement grew at a steady pace, raising one of
the largest Massachusetts militia regiments to
fight in the American Revolution. The common
became the focal point of the community, where
the Declaration of Independence was read,
spirited debates were held at Washington Hall
and soldiers walked off to three wars. Noted
visitors included John Paul Jones and Marquis de
Lafayette on his triumphant return tour to the
newly formed United States. Many of the 300th
anniversary celebrations that took place in 2004
were centered around this common.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1679.
Location. 42° 8.979′ N, 71° 45.732′ W. Marker is in Sutton, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is on Uxbridge Road north of Church Circuit, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Uxbridge Rd, Sutton MA 01590, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Quiet Corner, in Greater Worcester, and in the Blackstone Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Also see . . . History of Sutton. A Nipmuc Indian, John Wampas, had visited England in the 1600s and deeded thousands of acres in Massachusetts to Edward Pratt. Following Wampass death, Pratt came to America, where he sold interests in his land to several other Englishmen, whose claims, along with those of the Nipmucs, constituted a legal thicket for the provincial government. (Town of Sutton, MA) (Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024
2. First Settlement Common Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
