City Directories from 1869 to 1939....I will add this info to the WRG website. Databases added to GODFREY MEMORIAL LIBRARY this month are Watertown, Mass. City Directories >From GREENOUGH’S DIRECTORY for 1869-70: Watertown and Waltham Town of Watertown Sketch of Watertown Watertown was permanently settled about 1630, by a part of emigrants who came in Winthrop’s fleet, with Sir Richard Saltonstall and Rev. George Phillips at their head. The Court of Assistants at Charlestown “Ordered that Tri-mountain be called Boston; Mattapan, Dorchester; and the town of Charles River, Watertown.” Rev. Mr. Wareham, and some of his people, visited the location previous to this; they remained, however, but a short time, and then removed to Dorchester. The name of Watertown is supposed to have originated from the circumstance of its being a “well-watered place”; or perhaps from its being situated on a considerable river, and the communication with Boston being at first by water. The Indian name of the town was Pigsguesset. The territory then called Watertown was very large, and its boundaries on the west side, for a considerable time, somewhat undefined. Waltham, Weston, and a part of Lincoln were once included within its limits. The first church was gathered in 1630, with Rev. George Phillips settled as pastor. Charles River, which passes along its whole southern border, and divides the town from Brighton and Newton, gives the town a good water power. Vessels drawing six feet of water can pass up to the centre of the town. Fresh pond, a beautiful sheet of water, lies partly in this town. Large quantities of ice are cut from this pond annually. Also Mt. Auburn Cemetery, so justly renowned for its beautiful and elaborate monuments, is located partly in Watertown. On the north bank of the river is located the United States Arsenal, occupying a sit of forty acres of ground, and containing immense amounts of munitions of war. Watertown took an active part in the Revolutionary war. The second and third sessions of the provincial congress were held at Watertown, in the meeting-house, within the first six months of the year 1775. Dr. Joseph Warren, the lamented martyr to the cause of freedom, presided at their deliberations. Watertown possesses many attractions, which make it a desirable residence for the Boston merchants, who desire a suburban home. The surface of the town is diversified by hills and valleys, which are rendered very beautiful by a high state of cultivation, and the numerous elegant and cosy residences, neat cottages, and delightful gardens, which meet the eye in every direction. The Fitchburg Railroad and the Horse Cars furnish ready communication with the city, while omnibuses connect it with the neighboring town of Waltham. Whitney Amasa, carpenter, house Market, near Arsenal Whitney Bradshaw, farmer, h. Lexington, n. Belmont Whitney Charles, contractor, house Summer, corner Pearl Whitney Charles, clerk, Hollingsworth & Whitney, boards L. Whitney jr’s. Main Whitney Charles C. hack driver, boards Chas. Whitney’s Whitney Charles E. boards L. Whitney’s, Main Whitney Hiram, house Spring, corner Summer Whitney Leonard, jr. (Hollingsworth & Whitney, paper manufr’s. Pleasant, opp. Cross, h. Main, c. Whitney’s ave. Whitney Solon F. teacher, High school, house Palfrey, corner Church Whitney Thomas F. paper maker, h. Fayette, n. Pearl Whitney William H. carpenter, bds. Summer, cor. Pearl Sketch of Waltham This town was the west parish of Watertown until its incorporation in 1738. The three first ministers in the town were the Rev. Warham Williams, in 1723; the Rev. Jacob Cushing, D. D., in 1752; and the Rev. Samuel Ripley, in 1809. The surface of this town is moderately level, with some elevations. “Prospect Hill,” 482 feet above the level of the sea, presents a delightful view of Boston, its harbor, and the adjacent towns and country. The soil is generally not very fertile, but is rendered productive by industrious and skilful farmers. “Waltham Plain” is a beautiful tract of land, under a high state of cultivation. It is about two and a half miles in length, and a mile in width. On the road over this plain is a continuous village, containing many handsome dwellings and beautiful gardens. In this town the first cotton-mill on an extensive scale was erected in 1814. The capital of the company was $600,000. By extraordinary skill and good management, through all the various commercial changes, the establishment has given a character to domestic manufactures, both at home and abroad, highly favorable to the proprietors and beneficial to the public. The works have, of late years, been very much enlarged. An extensive machine-shop and a large bleachery establishment have been added, all owned by the original company. The celebrated American watch-factory is located here. It employs about four hundred and fifty hands. The Waltham watch is very favorably known, and the company find a ready sale for all they can make. Mead’s Pond, in the northern part of the town, is a fine sheet of water, well stored with fish. Around its borders is some fine scenery, and also well cultivated farms. Waltham is a beautiful residence, and a fine retreat from the noise and bustle of a busy city. The common roads in this and the neighboring towns are uncommonly good; indeed, in no part of the country are the roads better, if so good, as in the vicinity of Boston. The Fitchburg Railroad passes through Waltham; nine miles west by north from Boston, and eleven east south-east from Concord. Whitney Edward P. watchmaker, house 445 Main Whitney John, laborer, house Water, near Charles Whitney John W. watchmaker, boards Mrs. M. A. Whitney’s, Moody Whitney Joseph, boards 200 Main, corner Newton Whitney Joseph W. farmer, house Main, near Liberty Whitney J. Wallace, machinist, watch factory, boards 34 Ash, near Adams Whitney Mary A. Mrs. House Moody, near Charles Whitney Mary W. widow of Samuel B. house 12 Crescent, near Moody Whitney Nathan, clerk, 311 Main, h. Charles, n. Fountain Whitney Nathan S. watchmaker, h. Charles, n. Fountain Whitney Richard S. (Stowe, Bills & Co.), shoe manufacturers, Bacon, house at Boston Whitney Samuel, jr. machinist, watch factory, house 30 Ash, near Adams Whitney Walter, overseer, cloth room, B. M. Co. house Main, near Elm Whitney, William, paper box maker, boards Nathan Whitney’s, Charles Advertisement: Cambridge Furniture And Carpet Rooms. Whitney & Worcesters, Brattle Square. W. & W. manufacture to order French Furniture, in Damask, Plush, and Brocatelle. They are also Agents for the sale of Howe’s Patent Spring Bed. A. A. Whitney C. H. Worcester F. Worcester _________________________________________________________________ Puzzles, trivia teasers, word scrambles and more. Play for your chance to win! http://club.live.com/home.aspx?icid=CLUB_hotmailtextlink