Sutton in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Boston Post Road

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

1. The Boston Post Road Marker

Inscription. In 1672, King Charles II decreed a mail system to aid communication between the colonies. Once a month, a rider on horseback delivered saddlebags marked for each town along the route from New York to Boston. Fees for delivering mail were assessed according to the miles the mail traveled. The recipient paid the tariff. Benjamin Franklin, the country's first postmaster, devised a precise method to levy postage fees in 1767. He ordered stone markers placed at each mile along the route between Boston and New York City so mail carriers could charge the correct postage. These mile markers gave birth to the historic “Boston Post Road”. Stone posts were placed in Sutton at miles 45 through 50. Four of these remain today. This marker was dedicated on Saturday, May 1st, 2004 by the citizens of Sutton and the Sutton 300th Anniversary Committee to commemorate and celebrate the Town of Sutton's historic role in the famous Boston Post Road.

Erected 2004 by Sutton 300th Anniversary Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Communications • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1672.

Location. 42° 9.009′ N, 71°

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45.743′ W. Marker is in Sutton, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is at the intersection of Boston Road and Church Circuit, on the right when traveling east on Boston Road. Marker is in Sutton Town Common. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ronald B. Gibson (within shouting distance of this marker); First Settlement Common (within shouting distance of this marker); Sutton, MA All Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Eight Lots District (approx. 1.6 miles away); First Sutton, MA Town Meeting (approx. 1.8 miles away); Corporal John M. Dawson (approx. 4½ miles away); Thomas Hooker Trail (approx. 5 miles away); Indian Reservation (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sutton.

Also see . . .
1. Boston Post Road (PDF). The first portions of the Boston Post Road were laid out in 1673, becoming America’s first mail route. In the 1700s, riders carried the Boston News-Letter, widely considered America’s first regular newspaper, along the Boston Post Road with regular mail, sharing information with settlers and connecting towns along the route. (U.S. Department of Transportation) (Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

2. The Boston Post Road Marker

2. Boston Post Road. Wikipedia entry on the early system of mail-delivery routes. (Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The Boston Post Road Marker (back side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

3. The Boston Post Road Marker (back side)

This stone marker informed mail carriers that Boston was 46 miles away.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 763 times since then and 169 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.