Sherborn, Massachusetts

Also referred to as Boggestow

The whole Charles River valley from South Natick to the falls at Medway kept its Indian name "Boggestow"; it was sought out by the English because of the abundant marsh grass growing on the wide flood plain. The earliest Sherborn land owned by the English took the form of large (200-1074 acres) grants called "farmes" made by the General Court beginning in the 1640s to individuals for payment of services rendered to the colony. These owners later sold land to settlers, the first resale being to Thomas Holbrook, and Nicholas Wood in 1652. They and successive settlers bought those wilderness lands and lived there while retaining their citizenship in the nearest incorporated town: Medfield.

By 1674, Boggestow had grown sufficiently to be incorporated as a new town (i.e. the land had never been part of another town) and was arbitrarily named "Sherborne" by the General Court. The original area was of such an awkward shape that the General Court allowed an exchange of 4,000 acres (16 km2) with the Natick Indians in 1679; and it was that new land which formed most of the present town. Henry Sherburne was Associate Judge of the Court at Strawberry Bank, 1651–52; Town Clerk & Treasurer 1656; Commissioner 1658; and Deputy to the Massachusetts General Court in 1660 - this could explain the origin of the town's name.

In the decade after King Philip's War (1675-6) Sherborn settlers organized the local government and drew up a Social Covenant, paid the Indians for land title, attracted a saw miller, built a Meeting House and called the first minister, and granted home lots throughout most of the present town. In the second decade they formed a town militia company, hired a schoolmaster, and acquired a gristmill. Thus by 1700 they had become an "established" town.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherborn,_Massachusetts

Johnson Direct Line Ancestors who lived in Sherborn

Places to visit in Sherborn

  • Course Brook crosses Brush Hill Road near Chestnut Brook Farm and Course Brook Farm – Jonathan and Lydia Whitney “settled near Chestnut Brook” which is now called Course Brook.
  • Boat or swim at the Reservation at Farm Pond, on Lake Street. open to the general public during the summer season from 6:00 AM to dusk. During off summer times, from April 1st to November 1st, access to the pond is from 6am to 9am. Please check the Town webpage for further information of hours during off season times. Public access to Farm Pond is permitted only from the Reservation. While swimming is permitted year-round, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards from early June until late August.
  • Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary.