A History of Worcester, 1674-1848

Book excerpt: Author Kenneth J. Moynihan chronicles the fascinating early history of this bustling junction town and offers readers a front-row view of Worcester's dramatic, nearly forgotten past. The Nipmuc Indians destroyed the first settlement at Worcester in 1675. A second attempt was made in the 1680s, but a permanent settlement did not take root until 1713. Worcester's first citizens battled French and Indian enemies and endured a succession of political, ethnic and religious rivalries. How did the Nipmuc deal with the English threat? How did settlers cope with changes in economic and political life after the Revolution? For the first time in 170 years, a historian takes a fresh look at the history of early Worcester.