The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-03

same Can0OaleS IOr REPRESENTATIVES LLot Tue wings
returned this year to honor.
The first settlement in what now forms the county
Of Worcester was made believe, in 1868, precisely
two centuries ago. The anniversary OF the event
was celebrated last week at Lancaster the place first
founded. Thu town was then in the county of Mid
dlesex, what ultimately was made county of that
name. The county of Worcester dates from July 10,
1731 an act authorizing its erection having been
PASSED April 2, that year. It then contained six
teen towns, among which was Woodstock now In
Connecticut What is more, the city Of Worcester
did not become the shire town OF the county without
considerable dispute and trouble. Its central posi-
ton decided the question in its favor, and it has al
ways exercised great influence over the county. In
the revolution, Worcester county took conspicuous
part the patriot side, and did good service to the
common cause. General Gage, at one time thought
of marching against Worcester, to seize stores there
accumulated, 80 that Worcester came nearto having
the honor Of commencing the war. There were many
influential tories in the county, but the people were
two strong for them. The responsibilities were
used up, as they ever when the people will it,
Worcester county contains ffty-eight (6s) towns,
from the city Of Worcester which had Is 1868 inhabi
tants at the last census to Paxton, which had but
S0S. Since that census was taken the city has add
ed upwards of 1000 to its population. The next
largest place is Fitchburg, which had ,OO9 nhabi.
tants in 1850, and now has about $500. Milford Is
about few hundred less than Fitchburg, growing
very fast. 1t bad 4l0 people three years ago. The
entire population of the county in ls40 was SO 462
be much belo LAG 900 at this time, judging from
such facts have to go upon. Seven of the towns
have less than one thousand inhabitants each, and
not more than eight have above four thousand each
The valuation Of 1910 showed the property in the
county to be worth 500 s04 ,3l6, which had in 1850
risen to 5497 1884, almost doubling. The greatest
increase was in Worcester city where the value had
rather more than tripled. NE next was in Fitch
burg, where the proportion was but trfe behind
Worcester. Many other towns more than doubled
their properys value, and some about doubled it, or
nearly did so. In no case, except where town had
been divided for the purpose Of making new town,
do the official returns show q falling off from
1910 to 1850 The picture of prosperous increase il
almost as pleasant in the details as IL Is in the ag
gregate.
The amount of the leading agricultural articles
produced in Worcester county, in 1850, was as fol-
lows:-Indian corn, 46S .l9l bushels; oats, 1913 $685.
barley, 53,3S1; rye, 46,275; wheat. 1884; hay,
$3.50 tons hops, 43,460 lbs; broom corn, l95
tons. or potatoes I have been able to obtain no
thing that can rely upon to the amount raised,
but II must have been very large. II should be re-
collected that the articles named have a leading
mercantile character, which always causes them to
be mentioned, while there is little account made Of
numerous articles which ore raised on farms, which