Bogastow History
Prior to 1674, the area South of Natick, but West of the Charles River (including wetland bogs) was referred to by colonists by its Natick Indian name of “Bogastow” (with several alternative spellings).
In the Algonquian language of the Natick Indians, Bogastow means “Runs out in a meadow.” Historically, the term was a place name for the entire Charles River Valley area stretching north and west between Natick and Medway. It was more specifically used by the Natick Praying Indian Village to denote the fertile meadows and floodplains lying west of the Charles river, an area highly valued by both early Indigenous communities and subsequent English settlers for its marsh grass. With their leader, Waban, about 100 Algonquian Indians, established their village (see photo & second link at bottom).
“Bogastow, ” and a few less common spellings, can be seen on many historical landmarks and organizations sprinkled in our region:
- Bogastow Brook, Sherborn
- Bogastow Brook Road, Sherborn
- Bogastow Farm Project, Millis
- Bogastow Viaduct, Holliston (famous Viaduct on walking trail)
- Bogastow Brook Road, Holliston
- Bogastow Brook, Holliston
- Boggestowe Fish and Game Club, Millis
- Bogastow Circle, Millis
- Bogastow Farms stone house discovered in Millis, 2005
- Bogastow Meadows, Millis (40 acres of town owned fields)
- “Boggastow” on the Sherborn historical sign, North Main Street / Rt. 27 coming from Natick (see next photo)
- Boggastowe Farm, Pepperell, MA (former residents of Bogastow area)
- Boggestow Ski Club Bethlehem, NH (created by a group originally from the Bogastow area).
In 1674, the Bogastow area was incorporated as the town of “Sherborn” by the Mass General Court. Holliston was still part of Sherborn at that time known as “West Sherborn” until 1724 when it was incorporated as “Holliston.”
In 1842, the northern slice of both Sherborn and Holliston were combined with slices from Framingham and Hopkinton to form Ashland. Ashland wasn’t entirely carved from the Bogastow area, but its southern side was. In 1885 the southern part of Bogastow was incorporated as “Millis.”
This Natick Indian word was shortened and reinterpreted by early colonists (commonly done in those days producing old words with different spellings) because the old English word for “place” was “stōw.” Thus to the early colonists, Bogastow was “Place of the bog,” which fittingly described that wetlands area.
It’s fascinating to follow Millis Historical Society President Paul La Croix’s 2005 discovery of the Stone House remains and artifacts at Bogastow Farm, Millis. Paul has given many talks and even written a book on the “The History of George Fairbanks’ Stone House at Bogastow Farms.” Read more: https://share.google/90cDqcENBw5VacTHD
Read about the Praying Indian Village & Bogastow’s founding:
https://www.natickhistoricalsociety.org/first-praying-indian-village