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.

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