Chelmsford Settlement Marker
Across the street from 31 Central Square
In 1653, 39 people from Concord and Woburn petitioned the court for some land on the west side of the Concord River. At the same time, the Reverend John Eliot petitioned the court for another area of land for the Pawtuckett tribe of Native Americans. These petitions were granted on May 18, 1653. In less that 18 months, there were enough settlers to call a general meeting.
At the first public meeting (held at the home of William Fletcher) on
November 22, 1654, the first town officers were elected. They were: Esdras Reed, Edward Spalding, William Fletcher, Isaac Learned, Simon Thompson, William Underwood, and Thomas Adams. Reverend John Fiske became the town minister. The second town meeting was held on March 24, 1655. It was voted that the first Monday in March would be the annual town meeting. Every person had to attend these meetings, or they would be fined.
On May 29, 1655, Chelmsford officially became a town. It was named after Chelmsford in Essex and it is assumed that some early settlers were from there. In 1656, the General Court granted Chelmsford even more land. At this point in time, Chelmsford included the present-day towns of Chelmsford, Westford, and most of Carlisle and Lowell.