At the ripe age of 57, James Shaller looked out across his farm and gave pause. He was at a point in his life where he had attained considerable wealth, land holdings and a farm that was the envy of many of his neighbors in Canton. His house was comfortable and the woman’s touches that […]
By now the story has been well told. In August 2008, the Canton Historical Commission invoked the demolition delay process as a last-ditch effort to raise public awareness in the face of the loss of the Revere & Son Rolling Mill and Joseph Warren Revere Barn. That was the moment that preservation kicked in. The […]
Along a path inside the gate of the Canton Corner Cemetery, quite near the First Parish Church, there is a tall slate headstone. The stone was set in 1852 and the inscription reads, “In memory of Mrs. Mary, wife of Seymour Burr, a Revolutionary pensioner. She died in Canton, November 1, 1852, aged 101 years, […]
The following is the latest installment of True Tales from Canton’s Past by local historian George T. Comeau. Joseph Warren Revere walked across the dusty path that led from his house to the nearby bell foundry. A pair of drowsy-eyed oxen waited, hitched to a heavy oak cart. It was a delivery day and a […]
By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk Register of Deeds Every February the United States celebrates Black History Month. It is a way to honor the contributions that African Americans have made throughout history while also recognizing that the fight for equality and justice continues. A founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life […]
This column has always endeavored to discover stories that have their roots in Canton and are historically connecting us through time. In this author’s youth, there were always great stories told within the four walls of the Canton Historical Society. Some of the stories were so fantastical that one would often question the veracity of […]
In her youth her skin was flawless. The sun glanced across her face, and her rosy cheeks blushed red and people adored her. She was the epitome of finery in dress and behavior. Many years ago, in her golden days, there were dances, recitals, shows, and people came from all over to see her. She […]
The following story originally appeared in the December 30 issue of the Citizen. One of the most wonderful things about Canton’s history is that we are a town of villages. We may not realize this today, but old-timers will know exactly what this is about. Almost 20 square miles, the community developed slowly over the […]
The Bowditch family was one of New England’s most upstanding families. Most notably the American mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch was perhaps the most illustrious of the line. Born in Salem in 1773, he is often credited as the founder of modern maritime navigation. His book The New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, is still […]
James Lucas Draper was 36 years old and had become quite wealthy as a result of his business acumen and being born to the right family. The sixth child of James and Anne Draper, James was entrepreneurial and successful. The mill that he and his brother inherited from their father employed over 200 workers and […]
