History of Blackstone

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History by John Warner Barber 1845

BLACKSTONE. Blackstone was incorporated as a town in 1845. It was originally the south parish of Mendon, in which was comprised most of the manufacturing interests of that town. These manufacturing establishments are mostly situated on Mill and Blackstone rivers. The villages are called Millville, Blackstone, Waterford, and Upper and Lower Canadas. The first minister in this place, Rev. Benjamin Balch, was ordained here in the year 1768, as pastor of the congregational church. "And on Saturday morning, March 27th, 1772, before daylight," (says Mr. Whitney in history of Worcester Co.) "Mr. Balch left the parish, without knowledge or consent of the people of his charge." Mr. B was afterwards installed at Barrington, N. H. It appears that at an early period, about one half the inhabitants were Baptists and Friends.