Archive Record
Metadata
Catalog Number |
WNT 1932.09 |
Title |
Incorporation and New Town Formation |
Collection |
Town Records |
Object Name |
Records |
Scope & Content |
Contained in this collection are minutes and documents relating to the incorporation of the Town of Winchester plus early Board of Selectmen minutes (1850-1861). |
Admin/Biographical History |
The town of Winchester was created in 1850, its territory taken from the towns of Woburn, Medford, and West Cambridge. The movement toward incorporation began with the formation of the South Woburn Congregational Society in 1840 and continued for ten years until Winchester was actually incorporated. The main issues leading to separation were financial (South Woburn feeling it did not get its fair share) and political (with Woburn being highly Democratic while South Woburn was predominantly Whig). There was also a sense that the area, though in three communities, had an individuality of its own. The first public meeting on the issue was held on Nov.26, 1849, in the church vestry. The majority attending were in favor, and a committee was formed which prepared a map with proposed boundary lines. On Dec. 3 a second committee as chosen to draft a petition to the legislature. The finished petition was submitted to the Massachusetts Senate on Jan. 19, 1850. Not all the affected residents supported it. The bill for incorporation went to the Legislature, accompanied by remonstrances. One from Woburn was signed by 54 who lived within the proposed boundaries. The remonstrance from Medford was signed by 9 living within the boundaries and 95 other Medford residents. Another 89 in West Cambridge also signed a protest. Those in West Cambridge had perhaps the greatest grievance since that area had just been annexed from Charlestown "by the mutual consent and agreement of all parties" in 1842. Opinion in the Legislature was also divided. After three readings, the bill passed the House 96 to 42. The Senate also approved it, and Governor George N. Briggs signed the bill on April 30, 1850. |
Copyrights |
Permission to publish material from this collection is subject to approval by the Town of Winchester. |
Finding Aids |
A finding aid with detailed information about the contents of the collection is available. Contact the Archives for a copy. |
Search Terms |
Finance Budget |
Containers |
Board of Selectmen 1850-1856 Town Meetings 1849-1855 Board of Selectmen 1856-1861 Incorporation papers Town Warrant 1850 Parent Towns Settlement Claims Boundary line Chattel mortgages Deeds to Woburn & Winchester Early Town Officers |