Bolton Historical Society

Name: Bolton Historical Society
Address: 676 Main Street, Bolton, MA, 01740, US
Telephone: +19787796392

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Bolton Historical Society

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A charitable organization (since 1962) stimulating and perpetuating an active interest in Bolton history. http://www.boltonhistoricalsociety.org/index.html Mrs.

Some citizens put together a book on Bolton history that was published on the 200th birthday of the Town in 1938. Many of the people who collaborated on writing and researching the book, and other citizens interested in history, continued to get together after the publication. They met at the Historical room of the Whitney Memorial Library. A small collection of donated items relating to the history of the Town and its people accumulated. The group formally incorporated as the Bolton Historical Society in 1962. In 1988, Esther Whitcomb published her definitive history of the Town, “About Bolton”, which coincided with the Town's 250th birthday. Florence Sawyer, a charter member of the Society, deeded her home to the society in 1970. The Bolton Historical Society has been physicially located in this building since that time. Charles Rich, a former owner of the house, purchased the Ballroom wing of the famous Holman Inn in 1874, and moved it east down the Great Road where it became the nucleus of a small two over two home for him and his family. The large barn and the blacksmith shop behind the house, as well as other wings were added by other owners over time. Florence and Perley Sawyer bought the house in 1931 and were the last private owners.

10/14/2026

Today State Representative Kate Hogan was at Town Hall to present to the Select Board and Town Clerk a hand-printed reproduction of the Declaration of Independence.

In July 1776, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered Ezekiel Russell of Salem to print copies of the newly drafted Declaration of Independence and sent them to ministers across the state to be read aloud and transcribed into official town records.

To mark the semiquincentennial, print historian Gary Gregory meticulously reset 14,000 pieces of lead type by hand at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, reproducing the text exactly as a colonial printer would have in 1776.

These authentic, hand-pressed broadside reproductions are being delivered to all 351 cities and towns across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to preserve local revolutionary history for future generations.
This is a commemorative project organized for the United States' 250th anniversary by Revolution 250 and the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

09/11/2026

Imagine being in battle and having only 30 seconds to load and fire your musket as the enemy approaches. Ed Sterling will explain in vivid detail the hows and whys of the mechanics in firing Revolutionary-era fi****ms in his presentation: Muskets and Minutemen: Arms of the Colonial Soldiers.
This Wednesday, September 16th, 7:00 p.m. at the Bolton Public Library

09/01/2026

Ed and Keith will keep you riveted with their knowledge of how muskets and ri**es were used during the American Revolution. They will demonstrate how they were made and how they work, show a video of one being fired, and display some of their own guns and reproductions.
We're collaborating with the Bolton Public Library on this event.

07/16/2026

Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston.

On July 18, 1776, the Declaration was formally proclaimed by Colonel Thomas Crafts from the balcony of Boston's old State House. This event was witnessed by a massive crowd and prominent local leaders, was met with thunderous cheers of huzzas and marked the city's official break from British rule.
The commands of Bolton’s Colonels John and his brother Asa Whitcomb and Sargent Paul Dudley paraded in King Street in thirteen divisions with a section of artillery which fired a 13-gun salute and the British flag was torn to shreds.

07/01/2026

At some point in time, Bolton’s Town Book #1, which dates from Bolton’s incorporation in 1738 to 1778, was restored. Some pages appear out of order and we assume some are missing due to being beyond repair. Because of this, we have been unable to determine the date that the Declaration of Independence was read before the townspeople, and when it was recorded into the Town Book.

06/30/2026

Who would have thought that after 250 years this record in Bolton's Town Book still remains "as a perpetual Memorial thereof."
On display at the Bolton Public Library through the month of July.
Happy 250th Birthday America!

05/04/2026

The Bolton Geranium Sale
Saturday, May 16th
from 9:00 am till all sold out

At Sawyer House, 676 Main Street, Bolton, MA

04/19/2026

101 Wilder Road – Witness House
101 Wilder Road was located on the major east-west route from Lancaster to Concord, the Bay Path. On April 19, 1775, it bore witness to one of America’s most important moments in America’s history, when on that morning men from the towns of Bolton, Lancaster, and Leominster with more to follow from Lunenburg, Westminster, Ashburnham, and Fitchburg (the other towns which belonged to the Lancaster regiment) all marched by it and down to the center of Bolton toward Concord throughout that day and into the evening of the next day.
In 1775, it was probably a plain Georgian farmhouse, a two-story, hip-roofed house owned by the Richardson family. It operated as an inn and tavern from 1754 to 1771 and was managed by Caleb Richardson who held an innkeeper’s license. In 1770, after the passage of the Stamp Act, Caleb Richardson was one of three respected citizens chosen to prepare the wording of the vote to boycott British goods that was overwhelming approved by town meeting; and in 1773 he served on the Committee of Correspondence. With such a patriot as an innkeeper, it is certain that the Richardson Tavern or inn (its official name is unknown) was a significant local gathering place for the fomentation of local plans prior to the Revolution. Caleb wasn’t the only Revolutionary Patriot, his brothers Josiah and James served in the war. Josiah responded to the alarm that day and served for three years. James was a Major and served as Deputy Assistant Commissary General of Issues.

03/26/2026

We have a real mystery: A framed hand written document with nine buttons. It reads “Buttons from the coat of Mr. Chappell a Revolutionary soldier. Worn by him as he stood guard over Major Andre the night before his ex*****on.” At the bottom left: “Given to Amory Moore by Mr. Chappell. Presented to the Bolton library by Sara A. Holman.
The buttons’ design is of the eagle fouled anchor with 16 stars. Marine or Navy, this style was issued after the Revolutionary War.

Our genealogical records show three Amory Moore’s. The one that is the closest match is an Amory Moore (b. Jan.17, 1807 in Bolton, d. Jan. 23, 1897 in Worcester) who had a daughter Sarah A. Moore, born 1843 in Worcester. We have no other information on Sarah. We also have no record as to when this was given to the library. We suspect that it was donated to the Bolton Historical Society in the 1960’s when the library was in need of more space for books.

As for who Mr. Chappell is; an online search shows several individuals named Chappell who served in the American Revolution, primarily as soldiers from Virginia, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Key figures include Isaac Chappell (1761-1817) (MA); (Pvt. Curtis Chappell, (1751-1821) (CT); Abner Chappell (1763-1839) (VA); John Chappell (1752-1812) (VA); and William Chappell (died around 1858) (KY).

Major Benjamin Tallmadge (Major of the 2d Regiment of Light Dragoons), and a rotating detail of Continental Army officers, stood guard over Major Andre on the night before his ex*****on.

We would appreciate any help in solving this mystery, because there is something not quite right with it.

Address

676 Main Street
Bolton, MA
01740

Opening Hours

1pm - 3:30pm

Telephone

+19787796392

Website

http://www.boltonhistoricalsociety.org/

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