Town History

A Brief History of Millis - How East Medway Became its Own Town in 1885

By Liam Termini

The arrival of European settlers in the early 17th century drastically changed the land we know today as America. The Pilgrims, a group of Puritans seeking religious freedom, landed in Plymouth Harbor on November 11th, 1620. With the arrival of these new European settlers, society adapted to a new form of living with the aid of Native Americans - up until the point when Native Americans tried removing colonists from their ancestral lands. Millis, a small town located in modern day Norfolk County, was originally part of Dedham. Dedham granted these lands (modern day Millis) to another thriving town, Medfield. Half a century later in 1713, Medfield applied for a grant to establish a new town, Medway. Medway, for a century and a half, was known as West and East Medway - a thriving community that was located alongside the Charles River. Medway was originally created by pioneers who wanted to remain close to the Charles River, for many distinctive reasons. For one, the river allowed for fertile land to raise animals, grow crops, and provide fresh water to the colonists. Colonists also disfavored long walks to attend their religious obligations - which were on the other side of town. The only way to access the community's churches was through rugged paths - whether there be rain or sun. Thus, the town of Medway was established, alongside a meeting house and newly created churches.

As time went on, America had arrived in a time period known as the Industrial Revolution - where machinery had outgrown former agricultural ways of producing goods. Medway, through the resources provided by the Charles River, became a small manufacturing town, boosting its economic status. Because of the large growth in industry and manufacturing in Medway, through their independence and reliability of the Charles River, East Medway split off from West Medway to become Millis. Millis was able to utilize their manufacturing goods, alongside their ability to transport these goods through trains, to continue thriving after departing from Medway. The name Millis derives from one of the founders of the town, who helped lead East Medway to split from West Medway, Lansing Millis.

Resources used: Medway History; Millis.

King Philip's War: Ties to Millis, Massachusetts

By Liam Termini

King Philip's War (1675-76) is known as one of the "bloodiest" wars on American soil, as around 8,000 soldiers were killed in combat between both the Native Americans and the English settlers. Native Americans, such as the Wampanoags from New England, were forced to choose a side - to fight against or alongside the English soldiers. Millis, believe it or not, was actually a major battlefield in the war - serving as one of the three major combat areas in the modern-day Norfolk County. These areas - Millis, Medway, & Dedham - were severely targeted by two Native American tribes, the Nipmuc and the Wampanoag. Metacom Philip, the son of the Wampanoag's chief Massasoit, led the last major rebellion against the English colonization in what we know today as America, hence why the war received the title of "King Philip's War." Land claims had become the deadliest dispute between Natives and Colonists, due to the fact that neither side wanted to capitulate their foes.

In February 1676, both Medway and Millis were torched by a mix of Nipmuc and Narragansett warriors, the largest recorded battle in Millis history. The original goal of the Natives had been to push back the English settlers even farther, although the Charles River became a major asset to whichever side could access its benefits. This 80 mile river that led to Boston Harbor, the largest port in America at the time, was an important asset to traverse the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The river also gave access to an abundance of fish, allowing for well-fed families and trade between the English and allied Native Americans. After a victory for King Philip, a feast was held on February 21, 1676, at the modern-day "King Philip Trees" in the Millis Historical Society.

Although the significant battles in Millis and Medway were in favor of the Wampanoag and the Nipmuc, the English settlers pushed back the Native Americans in the late spring of 1676. As the Native Americans were pushed back to the west, it would secure the victory of English colonial settlers as the year progressed. In winning the war, it would secure the future of America one century later when the Declaration of Independence was passed by Thomas Jefferson, one of our founding fathers and the author of the Declaration of Independence.

Resources used: Britannica, "King Philip's War"; History of Massachusetts, "What Was King Philip's War?"

The Charles River & How Water Power Built the Millis Economy

By Liam Termini

The Charles River, a vital river to the economy of cities and towns spanned across the river's 80 miles, was given its name in honor of Prince Charles back in 1614. The Charles River provided resources and natural goods to the Wampanoag and the Pawtucket - two distinct Native American tribes who dominated the areas surrounding the precious river before the arrival of European colonists. After the arrival of Pilgrims in the early 17th century, colonialism tore away at the natural resources the river provided, profoundly polluting the river and diminishing certain goods such as fish and clean water these Native American tribes relied upon. This once beautiful river remained polluted for two centuries, until in 1844, a notable landscape architect devised a plan to restore the Charles River to its original state. In 1844, Charles Eliot successfully established his three-step plan to restore the once thriving river. His plan returned the river to the public, created the Charles River Dam to stabilize water levels and manage pollution, and established the Storrow Drive Memorial Embankment. The Charles River, as it was during pre-colonial days, would provide a significant role in the following years to create a permanent source of wealth for the surrounding economies - one of these being Millis.

Millis, one of the many small economies surrounding the Charles River, began utilizing the economic opportunities it provided during the Industrial Revolution - a time of mass production and a transfer from agriculture to machine based industry. By utilizing this coveted river, Millis was able to harness the river to raise their own small-town industrial manufacturing. Small mills evolved into specialized manufacturing centers, which helped drive Millis's economy for years to come. For one, it introduced jobs in both textiles and textile machines, leading to population growth as time went on. With the introduction of new jobs, many individuals sought a better chance at wealth through these new openings. All together, the Charles River area itself was flourishing with new goods, new jobs, and even a new Millis - all which helped grow the economy through water power.

Resources used: Yale University (image and information); Charles River history.