t of Boston, lies in a valley
surrounded on all sides by hills, and covers an area which may be
roughly estimated as extending four miles in length by two in breadth,
its long axis running north and south. It is the second city in the
State in point of population, while in enterprise it yields the palm to
none of its size in the country, sending to all parts of the world its
manufactured products, the excellence of which has established the
reputation of the place in which they were produced.

[Illustration: UNION PASSENGER STATION.]

Worcester was first settled in the spring of 1675, under the name of
Quinsigamond. The original order of the General Court, granted Oct.
11th, 1665, was as follows:--

This Court, understanding by the petition of Thomas Noyes, John Haynes
of Sudbury, and Nathaniel Treadaway of Watertown, hereunto affixed,
that there is a meete place for a Plantation about ten miles from
Marlborow, westward, at or neer Quansetamug Pond, which, that it may
be improved for that end, and not spoiled by the grantinge of farms,
in answer to the forsaid petition, This Court doth order, that there
should he a quantitie of eight miles square layd out and reserved
thereabout, in the Courts dispose, for a plantation, for the
encouragement of such persons as shall appear, any time within three
years from the date hereof, beeing men approved by this Court; and that
Capt. Edward Johnson, Lieut. Joshua Fisher, and Lieut. Thomas Noyes,
shall, and are herby appointed and empowered to lay out the same,
and to be payd by such persons as shall appear within the terme above
expressed. The Deputies have passed this with reference to the consent
of our honored Magistrates hereto.

WILLIAM TORREY _clerk_

The Magistrates consent to a survey of the place petitioned for, and
that Capt. Gookin doe joine with those mentioned of our brethren the
deputies, and make return of their survey to the next General Court of
Elections, who may take order therein as they shall see meete, their
brethren the deputies hereto consenting.

EDWARD RAWSON _Sect'y._

WILLIAM TORREY _Cleric._ Consented to by the deputies.

[Illustration: FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.]

[Illustration: FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH.]

[Illustration: PLAN OF WORCESTER 1673 TO 1675.]

At that time several persons occupied lands that had been granted them,
and built houses. This infant settlement was strangled almost at its