Andover Massachusetts History

In 1634, the Court of Massachusetts set aside a portion of land in what is now Essex County for an inland plantation, which includes parts of what is now Andover. To encourage settlement, early colonists were offered three years' immunity from taxes, levies and services (except military service) as inducements to settle in the Andover area. The first permanent settlement in the Andover area was established in 1641 by John Woodbridge and a group of settlers.

Shortly after they arrived, they purchased a piece of land from the local tribal chief Cutshamache for the price of "six pounds of currency and a coat" and on the condition that Roger, a local Pennacook man, would still be allowed to plant his corn and take from a local water source. In May of 1646 the settlement was incorporated as a town and was named Andover.

Historically, Andover men were an influence on the growth of the area and served as representatives to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention and leadership of the area, several of those include: Colonel Zebadiah Abbot, John Farnum and Samuel Phillips, Jr.