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Newbury, Massachusetts

Coordinates: 42°46′00″N 70°50′45″W / 42.76667°N 70.84583°W / 42.76667; -70.84583
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Newbury, Massachusetts
Town
Flag of Newbury, Massachusetts
Flag
Official seal of Newbury, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Essex County and the state of Massachusetts.
Location in Essex County and the state of Massachusetts.
Coordinates: 42°46′00″N 70°50′45″W / 42.76667°N 70.84583°W / 42.76667; -70.84583
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyEssex
Settled1635
IncorporatedMay 6, 1635
Government
 • TypeOpen town meeting
Area
 • Total26.3 sq mi (68.1 km2)
 • Land23.4 sq mi (60.5 km2)
 • Water2.9 sq mi (7.6 km2)
Elevation
37 ft (11 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,716
 • Density260/sq mi (99/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
01951
Area code351 / 978
FIPS code25-45175
GNIS feature ID0619452
Websitewww.townofnewbury.org

Newbury is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,716 at the 2020 census.[1] Newbury includes the villages of Old Town (Newbury Center), Plum Island and Byfield. Each village is a precinct with its own voting district, various town offices, and business center.

History

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Native Americans lived along the Merrimack River for thousands of years prior to European colonization of the Americas. At the time of contact, Pennacook or Pentucket controlled territory north of the Merrimack, while Agawam and Naumkeag controlled territory southeast and southwest of the river respectively.[2] The original name for the land that would become Newbury may have been Quascancunquen meaning "waterfall," referring to the falls in Byfield where Central Street crosses the Parker River, and was likely part of the territory of Agawam sachem Masconomet at the time of contact.[2] No formal agreements between the original inhabitants of Newbury and English colonists would be made until more than a generation had passed from settlement and the effects of virgin soil epidemics had significantly decreased native populations in the area.

English colonists settled and incorporated Newbury Plantation in 1635. The Rev. Thomas Parker and cousin Rev. James Noyes, along with the latter's brother Nicholas, led a group of about 100 pioneers from Wiltshire, England. They sailed from the River Thames aboard the ship Mary and John, first landing in Agawam (now Ipswich) in 1634. They arrived the next spring at the Quascacunquen River, now the Parker River. A commemorative stone marks the spot where Nicholas Noyes was the first of the new settlers to leap ashore at Newbury, named after the town in Berkshire, England.

In 1650, 30 acres of modern day West Newbury referred to as Indian Hill was purchased by the town of Newbury from an indigenous man named Great Tom for three pounds.[2] In 1681, the descendants of an indigenous man Old Will would sell one hundred and sixty acres to the town of Newbury for six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence.[2] Finally, in 1700, the grandson of sachem Masconomet of the Agawam would relinquish his title to any lands in Newbury for a sum of ten pounds.[2]

In 1791, 3,000 head of cattle grazed town lands, or on the region's abundant salt marsh hay. Other trades included tanning and shipbuilding. Newbury originally included Newburyport, set off in 1764, and West Newbury, set off in 1819.

In 1636, the first water-powered mill was established at the falls. Gristmills and sawmills were built, and in 1794, the first textile mill in Massachusetts. At Byfield in 1763 was founded the nation's first boarding preparatory school, Dum'r (Dummer) Charity School, known subsequently as Dummer Academy, Governor Dummer Academy, and now The Governor's Academy. It was also site of the first female seminary, founded in 1807. Byfield developed into a mill village, and once had six water-powered mills, manufacturing various products from woolens to snuff.

The railroad entered the community in 1850, carrying freight but also tourists, helping Plum Island develop into a Victorian seaside resort. Back on the mainland, silver was discovered in a large field in 1878, and the Chipman Silver Mine would begin operations until it finally closed in 1925. By 1905, however, the economy had shifted back to agriculture, and Newbury became a supplier of eggs, milk and poultry. Some would dig for clams or hay the salt marshes. The town is today primarily residential, with many examples of fine antique architecture.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68.1 km2), of which 23.4 square miles (60.5 km2) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.6 km2), or 11.17%, is water.[3] Newbury lies just south of the mouth of the Merrimack River, and is drained by the Little River and Parker River, which, along with the Plum Island River, drain into Plum Island Sound, separating Plum Island from the mainland. Much of the town land is made of marshes, and is protected land, included in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Old Town Hill Reservation Area, Kents Island Wildlife Management Area, Downfall Wildlife Management Area and parts of the Mill River Wildlife Management Area and Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area.

Newbury is located along the Atlantic Ocean, and is bordered by Newburyport to the north, West Newbury to the northwest, a small portion of Groveland to the west, Georgetown to the southwest, and Rowley to the south. The center of Newbury lies 19 miles (31 km) east of Lawrence, 19 miles (31 km) north of Salem, 32 miles (51 km) north-northeast of Boston and 24 miles (39 km) south of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Interstate 95 passes through the western part of town, with two exits providing access to the town. U.S. Route 1, locally known as the Newburyport Turnpike, passes from north to south through the middle of the town, and Massachusetts Route 1A's northernmost portion passes through the east of town, just inland from the marshes. The town is home to the Plum Island Airport, a private general aviation airport; the nearest national service is at Logan International Airport. The Newburyport branch of the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail passes through town, with its northern terminus just over the Newburyport line.

Demographics

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See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income
Sunlight and Shadow: The Newbury Marshes, c. 1871–1875, by Martin Johnson Heade
Historical population
YearPop.±%
17903,972—    
18004,076+2.6%
18105,176+27.0%
18203,671−29.1%
18303,603−1.9%
18403,789+5.2%
18504,426+16.8%
18601,444−67.4%
18701,430−1.0%
18801,566+9.5%
18901,427−8.9%
19001,601+12.2%
19101,482−7.4%
19201,303−12.1%
19301,530+17.4%
19401,599+4.5%
19501,994+24.7%
19602,519+26.3%
19703,804+51.0%
19804,529+19.1%
19905,623+24.2%
20006,717+19.5%
20106,666−0.8%
20206,716+0.8%
2022*6,695−0.3%
* = population estimate.
Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 6,717 people, 2,514 households, and 1,815 families residing in the town. The population density was 277.0 inhabitants per square mile (107.0/km2). There were 2,816 housing units at an average density of 116.1 per square mile (44.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.32% White, 0.37% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 2,514 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.16.

Plum Island Hotel c. 1910

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $74,836, and the median income for a family was $83,428. Males had a median income of $52,366 versus $35,656 for females. The per capita income for the town was $34,640. About 1.2% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Newbury presidential election results[16]
Year Democratic Republican Third parties Total Votes Margin
2020 62.45% 3,138 34.91% 1,754 2.65% 133 5,025 27.54%
2016 55.22% 2,465 38.44% 1,716 6.34% 283 4,464 16.78%
2012 51.29% 2,291 47.10% 2,104 1.61% 72 4,467 4.19%
2008 54.06% 2,326 43.76% 1,883 2.18% 94 4,303 10.30%
2004 52.93% 2,159 45.65% 1,862 1.42% 58 4,079 7.28%
2000 49.76% 1,866 41.15% 1,543 9.09% 341 3,750 8.61%
1996 50.80% 1,780 36.19% 1,268 13.01% 456 3,504 14.61%
1992 38.61% 1,405 33.36% 1,214 28.03% 1,020 3,639 5.25%
1988 44.97% 1,439 53.38% 1,708 1.66% 53 3,200 8.41%
1984 34.88% 945 64.64% 1,751 0.48% 13 2,709 29.75%
1980 28.38% 692 53.45% 1,303 18.17% 443 2,438 25.06%
1976 40.59% 932 55.97% 1,285 3.44% 79 2,296 15.37%
1972 36.14% 716 63.10% 1,250 0.76% 15 1,981 26.96%
1968 35.90% 639 60.67% 1,080 3.43% 61 1,780 24.78%
1964 51.10% 812 48.58% 772 0.31% 5 1,589 2.52%
1960 29.80% 473 70.13% 1,113 0.06% 1 1,587 40.33%
1956 16.82% 220 82.80% 1,083 0.38% 5 1,308 65.98%
1952 18.39% 217 81.53% 962 0.08% 1 1,180 63.14%
1948 22.21% 201 76.35% 691 1.44% 13 905 54.14%
1944 26.26% 219 73.50% 613 0.24% 2 834 47.24%
1940 24.66% 220 74.89% 668 0.45% 4 892 50.22%


Education

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Newbury is home to one public elementary school which serves K–6: Newbury Elementary School. Middle School students attend Triton Regional Middle School for 7–8, and high school students attend Triton Regional High School for 9–12, along with Rowley, and Salisbury. Along with 10 other towns and cities in Essex County, Newbury is part of the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School district.

Points of interest

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See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Essex County, Massachusetts

Notable people

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See also

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Sources

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Newbury town, Essex County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Perley, Sidney (1912). The Indian land titles of Essex County, Massachusetts. The Library of Congress. Salem, Mass. : Essex Book and Print Club.
  3. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Newbury town, Essex County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  4. ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  5. ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  6. ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  7. ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  8. ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  9. ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  12. ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  14. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  16. ^ "Election Results".

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Coffin, Joshua (1845). A Sketch of the History of Newbury, Newburyport, and West Newbury from 1635 to 1845. Boston: Samuel G. Drake.
  • Currier, John J. (1902). History of Newbury, Mass., 1635-1902. Boston: Damrell & Upham. OCLC 2303477. OL 6922835M.
  • Noyes, Henry E.; Noyes, Harriette E., eds. (1904) [1897]. Genealogical Record of Some of the Noyes Descendants of James, Nicholas and Peter Noyes. Vol. I: Descendants of Nicholas Noyes. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society.
  • Noyes, Henry E.; Noyes, Harriette E., eds. (1904). Genealogical Record of Some of the Noyes Descendants of James, Nicholas and Peter Noyes. Vol. II: Descendants of James and Peter Noyes. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society.
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