1655
Our town was part of the territory granted to Dean Winthrop, son of Governor Winthrop, which was named Groton in honor of his former home, Groton England.
1720
The first mills and farms were established along the Squannacook River and the Mulpus Brook.
1747
Thirty-three petitioners from the part of Groton south and west of the Squannacook and Nashua Rivers asked to be set off from the town and allowed to build their own meetinghouse. For more information, click here
1750’s
Thefirst mills were built on theCatacunemaugin the southern part of the area.
1753
The General Court of Massachusetts incorporated the territory as a district and named it after Colonial Governor William Shirley.
1754
The first small wooden meetinghouse was built near Parker Road, on Green Lane.
1757
It was voted to hold school for three months in private homes.
For further information on early Shirley schools,click here.
For further information on all Shirley school building projects,click here.
1765
The southern border of Shirley was moved further south and Stow Leg was added to the town. The Historical Society has a file of information on Stow Leg
1773
The First Parish Meetinghousewas erected in the middle of the Town Common.
1775, April 19
Eighty Shirley men marched to the aid of their country men in Lexington, Concord, and Cambridge. Twenty-two of them soon enlisted in the Continental Army. To find their names, click here.
1775, August 23
A general act was passed in which all districts became towns
1777
First tax list shows men who paid poll tax and real estate tax – contact Museum for a copy.
1783
Shaker Mother Ann Lee visited the Wilds family in Shirley.
1787
Some Shirley men joined Shay in his protest of taxes assessed by the new government.
1793
The Shirley Shaker Communitywas formally established. (It lasted till 1908.)
1798
Some Groton farms east of the Nashua River and south of the Nonacoicus Brook were made part of Shirley. Further information is available at the SHS Museum.
1811
The first Shirley Post Office opened in the Center.
1812
Shirley sent its quota of troops to help defend our seaboard.
1816
The Universalists erected a building on the corner of Harvard and Lancaster Roads
1828
The small brick Congregational Church was built on Parker Road
1830
Shirley Village Post Office opened.
1832
Fredonia Mill was erected on the Catacunemaug
1837
A workhouse for the poor and homeless was built on farmland in North Shirley.
1845
The Fitchburg Railroad line opened, bringing new opportunities to Shirley Village.
1846
Bounds between Shirley and Lunenburg were adjusted.
1847
Construction was begun on a new Townhouse to be used for town meetings, offices, lectures, school classes, and entertainments. It was opened in 1848. For information the development of Shirley Center,click here.
1848
Bounds between Shirley and Lunenburg were adjusted again, See SHS files for details .
1848
Shirley’s last one room schoolhouse was built, in District Eight, to help educate the influx of factory worker families who were settling in the Village area. This building is periodically opened for visitors.
1849
The Village Cemetery opened on Harvard Road.
1850
The Shakers built the factory later to be known as Samson Cordage Works.
1851
A large wooden Congregational Church was erected on what was to be named Church Street.
1852
A Baptist church was erected on Chapel Street. It would remain active till 1937.
1853
The workhouse was discontinued and paupers were sent to county institutions.
1855
The grammar school building was erected on Lancaster Road. It was later used for Shirley High School, andlater as a Police Station and Municipal Building. Old photos are at the Museum.
1861
The town voted to support the families of those men who would enlist in the war against the rebels. One hundred thirty-eight Shirley men eventually served in the Civil War. For a list of their names,click here.
1868
Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic began the custom of scattering flowers on the graves of departed soldiers.
1870
Norman Munson moved the first Universalist church building to Leominster Road and renovated it to serve as a Village Hall. A new Universalist Church was built at the original location and is the currentUnited Church of Shirleybuilding.
1881
C.A.Edgartonand Sons opened a factory on Leominster Road to produce webbing for suspenders and garters. Around 1900 – it became known as the President Suspender Company. About 1930 – George Frost Belt Company merged with the Suspender Company. In the early 1960’s the President name was dropped and it was just George Frost Company. In 1988 – AMPAC bought the All Star sporting goods line from George Frost. In 1996 – AMPAC bought the George Frost building and rented out portions to other businesses.
1894
The Queen Anne style Fire Station was built on the corner of Lancaster and Leominster Roads.
