# Timeline ## expand\_more ### 1600 - 1699 expand\_more ## 1600 - 1699 Open all sections Close all sections ### 1607 - First American Colony in Virginia expand\_more First American Colony in Virginia 1607. ### 1621 - Plymouth Settled expand\_more Plymouth Settled 1621 ### 1630 - Massachusetts Bay Colonized expand\_more Massachusetts Bay Colonized 1630 ### 1636 - Harvard College Established expand\_more Harvard College Established 1636 ### 1675 - King Philip's War expand\_more 1675 - King Philip's War ### 1700's expand\_more ## 1700's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1704 - Raid on Deerfield expand\_more 1704 - Raid on Deerfield ### 1710's expand\_more ## 1710's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1717 - Shrewsbury Settled expand\_more ![Shrewsbury](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/skull1717.png?itok=rckkq5Na) In response to a petition, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony allowed settlement to the west of the town of Marlboro. This new town was to be incorporated as 'Shrewsbury' after 40 families and a minister settled there. One of the petitioners was the 32-year-old Nahum Ward, who settled in the area with his wife Martha Howe. Their infant son Benjamin is the first recorded death in Shrewsbury. ### 1727 - Town of Shrewsbuy Incorporated expand\_more ![Church](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/church_1727.jpg?itok=4B8z4if5) Nahum Ward helped draw up the application for incorporation. After the town was incorporated, he was quickly elected to town offices and regularly reelected in the subsequent years. ### 1720's expand\_more ## 1720's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1720 - House Built expand\_more ![House Built](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/artemas_40.jpg?itok=M2DF9Pcz) A very small, saltbox style house was built, possibly for use by tenants on the Ward farm. The family lived across the street in a large two-story farmhouse. ### 1727 - Artemas Ward Born expand\_more ![Artemas Ward](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/artemas_1727.jpg?itok=loIQZ_av) November 26, 1727 - Artemas was the sixth child born to Nahum and Martha Ward. At this time, the family was already prominent in the new community of Shrewsbury. ### 1730's expand\_more ### 1740's expand\_more ### 1750's expand\_more ## 1750's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1750 - Artemas Returned to Shrewsbury expand\_more ![Desk](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/desk_1750.jpg?itok=5K6tNeqt) After receiving his degree at Harvard College, Artemas taught school for a time in Groton MA. He married Sarah Trowbridge and returned to Shrewsbury. The newlyweds started a family, ran a General Store in the center of town and became respected members of the community. ### 1754 - Nahum Ward died expand\_more ![Nahum Ward](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/artemas_113.jpg?itok=AqjJIIAH) Nahum Ward died. The house was left to his sons Artemas and Elisha. ### 1754 - French and Indian War expand\_more French and Indian War in North America 1754. ### 1755 - Artemas Commissioned Major expand\_more ![Major Ward](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/major_1755.jpg?itok=lm4yH8rA) Artemas began his military career when he was commissioned as a major on January 28, 1755. He did not see active service for two and a half years after his appointment, but instead carried out his duties in the Worcester militia and continued to serve in several political offices. Artemas had no prior military experience, so his commission as a major was likely due to his family's position and his education at Harvard. ### 1758 - Artemas Engaged in Combat expand\_more ![Combat](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/combat_1758.jpg?itok=gXr3HIqF) By this time a lieutenant colonel, Artemas had his first taste of combat in the failed British assault on French-held Fort Ticonderoga. Even though the campaign did not succeed, Ward gained valuable experience as a provincial officer serving under seasoned commanders. ### 1760's expand\_more ## 1760's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1763 - Artemas and His Family Move into the House expand\_more ![House](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/artemas_40_0.jpg?itok=NJylXlFg) Artemas Ward took ownership of the saltbox house and moved in with his family. Prior to this point they had been living in a different house in the center of town. ### 1765 - Stamp Act expand\_more Stamp Act ### 1770's expand\_more ## Timeline 1770's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1770 - Boston Massacre expand\_more Boston Massacre ### 1773 - Boston Tea Party expand\_more Boston Tea Party ### 1774 - First Continental Congress meets expand\_more First Continental Congress meets ### 1775 - American Revolutionary War expand\_more American Revolutionary War ### 1775 - Battle of Lexington & Concord expand\_more Battle of Lexington & Concord ### 1775 - Artemas fought in the Revolutionary War expand\_more ![Artemas Revolutionary War](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/artemas_67.jpg?itok=l2tOyaJ5) Major General Artemas Ward took the oath as commander-in-chief of the patriot army around Boston on May 20, 1775. Though initially the commander-in-chief, he relinquished command to General Washington on July 7, 1775 and served directly below him. Ward was actively involved in the major military decisions of the siege of Boston, but his contributions have been overshadowed by controversy in large part due to contemporary political maneuvering and the subsequent historical treatment of the events. Ward eventually resigned his command, citing a chronic ailment that troubled and pained him in the performance of his duties. ### 1775 - Artemas was commissioned as First Major General expand\_more Artemas was commissioned by Continental Congress as First Major General and Second in Command under George Washington. ### 1775 - Siege of Boston expand\_more Siege of Boston ### 1776 - Fortification of Dorchester Heights expand\_more Cannons taken from Ft. Ticoderoga and brought across country to Boston were mounted in the hills of Dorchester and aimed at the British occupying Boston Harbor. ### 1776 - Evacuation Days expand\_more Gen. Howe ordered British evacuation of Boston; Loyalists who had not already left the city fled with the British to Nova Scotia; Siege of Boston ended. ### 1776 - Declaration of Independence expand\_more Declaration of Independence ### 1780's expand\_more ## 1780's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1780 - Massachusetts state constitution ratified expand\_more Massachusetts state constitution ratified ### 1781 - Battle of Yorktown expand\_more Battle of Yorktown ### 1781 - Articles of Confederation ratified expand\_more Articles of Confederation ratified ### 1784 - Begining of China Trade expand\_more Begining of China Trade ### 1785 - House expanded expand\_more ![Front of House](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/front_of_house.jpg?itok=sLceQ5ym) The house was doubled and the roof raised two stories. Artemas Ward and his family lived in the new part, while his son Thomas Walter Ward lived in the old part. The expansion made the house suitable for either double- or single-family occupancy. The house was used in both arrangements over the years, as family members aged and grown children returned home to operate the farm. ### 1785 - Shays' Rebellion expand\_more Artemas Ward, serving as a circuit judge, faced down the rebels at the Worcester Courthouse. The defeat of Shays' Rebellion was a landmark event for the stability of the young nation. ### 1787 - Constitution written at Philadelphia Convention expand\_more Constitution written at Philadelphia Convention ### 1788 - Massachusetts ratified federal Constitution expand\_more Massachusetts ratified federal Constitution ### 1789 - Constitution ratified expand\_more Confederation government replaced by Constitution government ### 1790's expand\_more ## 1790's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1791 - Barn Built expand\_more ![Barn](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/hay_in_barn.jpg?itok=619NZW-R) Barn built ### 1791 - Artemas elected expand\_more ![Artemas](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/artemas_1727_0.jpg?itok=g07y3GYB) Served at Second and Third Continental Congress. ### 1798 - Artemas retired expand\_more ![Cloak](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/cloak_1798.jpg?itok=B2gPFOIO) Left position as Judge of Worcester County Court of Common Pleas. ### 1800's expand\_more ## 1800's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1800 - Artemas died expand\_more ![Grave](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/died_1800.jpg?itok=W0p_hbZR) Artemas died ### 1801 - Thomas Jefferson took the oath of Office expand\_more Shift of power away from Federalist Party ### 1810's expand\_more ## 1810's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1812 - War of 1812 expand\_more War of 1812 ### 1814 - Boston Manufacturing formed expand\_more Boston Manufacturing formed ### 1816 - Barn built expand\_more ![Barn](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/hay_in_barn.jpg?itok=619NZW-R) Thomas Ward paid Moses Cloughlin to build a New England style barn, but it was probably not on the Ward farm; instead, it may have been on the Henshaw farm, an adjacent tenant farm he owned. ### 1820's expand\_more ## 1820's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1822 - Lowell, MA created as factory town expand\_more Lowell, MA created as factory town ### 1825 - Erie Canal completed expand\_more Erie Canal completed ### 1828 - Free masonry expand\_more Henry Dana Ward wrote Free masonry: its pretensions exposed in faithful extracts of its standard authors. ### 1830's expand\_more ## 1830's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1830 - House expanded expand\_more ![House](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/house_1830.jpg?itok=KtY7eCI1) House expanded ### 1831 - The Liberator first published expand\_more The Liberator first published ### 1832 - Anti-Masonic Party expand\_more Anti-Masonic Party ### 1834 - First Lowell Mill Strike expand\_more First Lowell Mill Strike ### 1835 - Thomas Walter Died expand\_more ![Thomas Walter Portrait](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/portrait_1835.jpg?itok=wlHJSpRQ) Thomas Walter died ### 1836 - Second Lowell Mill Strike expand\_more Second Lowell Mill Strike ### 1837 - Financial Panic expand\_more Financial Panic ### 1837 - Horace Mann became Secretary of Massachusetts Board of Education expand\_more Horace Mann became Secretary of Massachusetts Board of Education ### 1840's expand\_more ## 1840's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1843 - Tenant farming ended at Henshaw farm expand\_more ![Henshaw Farm](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/whsa109.jpg?itok=wVPgoSCE) The Henshaw farm, which was adjacent to the Ward farm, had been leased to tenants who paid the Wards with a share of the produce. In 1843 this arrangement ended and the main farm took over all agricultural production. ### 1847 - Artemas Ward Family monument erected expand\_more Artemas Ward Family monument was erected in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury Center. ### 1847 - History of the town of Shrewsbury expand\_more Andrew Henshaw Ward wrote History of the town of Shrewsbury. ### 1848 - Barns joined expand\_more ![Barns](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/whsa15.jpg?itok=RnujTixt) Barns joined ### 1848 - Seneca Falls Convention held in western New York State expand\_more Seneca Falls Convention held in western New York State ### 1850's expand\_more ## 1850's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1850 - Barn expanded expand\_more ![Barn](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/whsa110.jpg?itok=sEKi1RiD) A slaughterhouse and shop were joined together and added to the barn to create a back ell. ### 1850 - First historic house museum created expand\_more First historic house museum created ### 1850 - The first National Women's Rights Convention expand\_more The first National Women's Rights Convention met in Worcester. ### 1860's expand\_more ## 1860's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1861 - American Civil War expand\_more American Civil War ### 1864 - Charles Grosvenor died expand\_more ![Charles on horse](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/charles_on_horse.jpg?itok=HzQE8BpN) Charles Grosvenor Ward died as a soldier in the Civil War. ### 1870's expand\_more ## 1870's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1873 - Financial Panic expand\_more Financial Panic ### 1880's expand\_more ### 1890's expand\_more ## 1890's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1890 - Thomas Walter Jr died expand\_more ![Thomas Walter Jr.](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/walterjr.jpg?itok=CLwgKCEr) Thomas Walter Jr died ### 1890 - House rescued from foreclosure expand\_more ![Henry Ward](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/henry_ward.jpg?itok=izbpfFic) Thomas Walter Ward II died heavily in debt, and the Worcester County Institution for Savings foreclosed on the Ward farm. Henry Galbraith Ward, a relative who had summered at the house as a child, bought the 135 acre farm and its buildings for $4500. He neither lived at the house nor planned to farm the land, but his purchase kept the property in the family. ### 1890 - Elizabeth and Harriet became caretakers expand\_more ![Ward House](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/house_1890.jpg?itok=2Pd8SEtH) Elizabeth and Harriet became caretakers ### 1892 - Old times in Shrewsbury expand\_more Elizabeth wrote Old times in Shrewsbury, a history of the town. ### 1893 - Financial Panic expand\_more Financial Panic ### 1900's expand\_more ## 1900's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1900 - Elizabeth Ward died expand\_more ![Elizabeth](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/wardhouse/files/elizabeth_0.jpg?itok=KDpASCHq) Elizabeth died ### 1907 - Financial Panic expand\_more Financial Panic ### 1908 - Samuel Denny Ward died expand\_more Samuel Denny Ward was the last Ward to farm the property. ### 1909 - Harriet Ward died expand\_more ![Harriet](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/harriet.jpg?itok=a_aqx05Z) Harriet died ### 1909 - Ella, Clara and Florence became caretakers expand\_more ![Ward House](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/house_1890.jpg?itok=2Pd8SEtH) Ella, Clara and Florence became caretakers ### 1960's expand\_more ## 1960's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1966 - National Historic Preservation Act passed expand\_more National Historic Preservation Act passed ### 1970's expand\_more ## 1970's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1975 - House restored to 1830 period expand\_more ![House Restored](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/house_1975.jpg?itok=6_MrtC8B) The house was restored according to museum practices of the day. For instance, custom carpets with period-appropriate designs were produced and installed. The inside of the house has changed very little since this restoration, as it is no longer accepted practice to restore houses as part of the interpretation. Instead, the curator focuses on conserving and displaying the furnishings that once belonged to the house and its family. ### 1976 - U.S. Bicentennial expand\_more U.S. Bicentennial ### 1980's expand\_more ## 1980's Open all sections Close all sections ### 1980 - Old Sturbridge Village researchers studied the house expand\_more ![Barn](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/barn_with_tools.jpg?itok=iLFvxlQY) Old Sturbridge Village researchers studied the house. ### 2000's expand\_more ## 2000's Open all sections Close all sections ### 2000 - Students research the house expand\_more ![Quilt](/sites/g/files/omnuum10931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wardhouse/files/quilt_2000.jpg?itok=xMvmCpE-) Students research the house ## Timeline Events [### All Other Events ](/faq?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_typeofevent%3A27906) [### Massachusetts Events ](/faq?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_typeofevent%3A27901) [### Ward House Events ](/faq?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_typeofevent%3A27896)