What Readers Are Saying

PRESS RELEASES & MENTIONS

Millbury Historical Society: "Dority/ Dorothy/ Doherty OR Dougherty?" (11/25/2024)

Three Rivers College (Poplar Bluff): "Three Rivers College to feature author Will Dougherty III during Alumni Reunion" (01/22/25)

Daily American Republic (Poplar Bluff): "Dive into the past: Author talk and alumni reunion at Three Rivers College featuring Will Dougherty III" (01/27/25)

Daily American Republic (Poplar Bluff): "Will Dougherty III is featured alumni author at TRC" (01/28/25)

About the Author

In The Long-Forgotten Story of Dorothy Pond in Millbury, Massachusetts, I explore the untold history of one of the area’s most intriguing landmarks. What began as a personal journey to trace my family’s roots in the region—specifically, my connection to Dorothy Pond—soon evolved into a passionate endeavor to uncover the hidden stories of this historic pond and the land around it. My research, spanning thousands of handwritten deeds, early maps, and archival documents, has brought to light a wealth of information, much of it previously unknown to the public.

This book not only addresses the mysterious origins of Dorothy Pond, but also reveals the lives of its first settlers, the changes it has witnessed over the centuries, and the stories of the families who shaped its history. From early land transactions to the significance of the pond’s name anniversary, every page uncovers new pieces of the puzzle that is central to Millbury’s heritage.

Celebrating Dorothy Pond’s 300-year name anniversary, this work is both a tribute to the past and a resource for anyone curious about the roots of the region, its people, and the land that binds them together.

Contents of the book

Chapter 1: The Story of Dorothy Pond—The We Know

This chapter, weighing in at 50 pages, is the largest in the book. Beginning at pre-history and going through to the present, it details the settlement and development around the pond, offering long-lost anecdotes and intriguing details to paint a vivid picture of Dorothy Pond's history. Do you know what happened to the Ice House that once stood at the pond? Or that Dorothy Pond once had a floating island? Or that the shape of the pond today is nothing like it used to be? Who were the first colonial settlers to call the pond home? These are just a few of the fascinating questions explored within this chapter, which uncovers layers of the area's past from its Native American roots to its role in industry and community life. It is also littered with historic photographs, bringing the past to life in a way that words alone cannot.

Chapter 2: Dorothy Pond in Histories and Records

This chapter delves into the earliest references to Dorothy Pond, exploring how the pond's name has evolved over centuries. Using excerpts from town and county histories, original 1700s proprietors' records, and early maps, we uncover the varying spellings and names given to the pond throughout its history. How many different variants of the pond's name have you come across? When did was it first named "Dorothy Pond," and what was the pond called before that? Did you know that some of the earliest spellings, written over three hundred years ago, were "standardized" and eliminated nearly two centuries ago? This chapter explores the evolution of place name and provides clues that will make you wonder how much more there is to uncover about this enduring landmark.

Chapter 3: Dorothy as a Surname

This short chapter asks what is the nature or origin of the toponym "Dorothy Pond." Who was Dorothy? Could she have been an early settler? How many other Massachusetts great ponds are named after women? Or could the pond’s name have another origin? Scrutinizing over 500 Massachusetts great pond names, this chapter explores the possibility that Dorothy Pond was named after a European family surname, rather than an individual woman.

Chapter 4: Locating an Early Dorothy Family Nearby

After an exhaustive search through local histories, town, probate, and land records, it seemed like no relevant names would ever surface. But just when it seemed there was nothing left to uncover, a list of names with spellings resembling the pond’s name finally appeared. Could the pond’s name have been a result of a misrecorded surname like “Doherty” or “Dougherty”? The possibility begins to seem more plausible, but no clear answers come into focus yet.

Chapter 5: Dorothy as a Misspelling of Dougherty

Did you know there are multiple ways that current residents pronounce Dorothy Pond’s name today, and that it holds a significant clue to the origin of this place name? A century and a half ago there was a heated controversy over the pond's naming, and revealing connections emerge when examining the different ways the Dougherty surname and Dorothy Pond place name were spelled. Do all these variations indicate a shared origin? This section delves into Revolutionary War records, early 1700s deeds, and documents from the Massachusetts Archives to answer these questions. Plus, discover when and why the name's pronunciation shifted from "Dority" to "Dorothy."

Chapter 6: Was Dougherty Here When the Pond was Named

This chapter explores the moment when the pond was renamed and what its earlier name reveals about the Worcester colonists in the 1680s. It delves into the reason behind the name change and speculates on who the pond may have been named after, including the possibility of a connection to Charles Dougherty. Was he in the area when the pond was named? The chapter examines immigration patterns to the region, highlighting Charles Dougherty’s reluctance to affiliate with the government-established church, offering insight into who he was and when he arrived. By analyzing early deeds, wills, and debt lawsuits, a story unfolds that uncovers his family relationships and reveals a bond of friendships that developed among a group of young immigrant men. Together, they worked and supported each other in a land that was both new and foreign, contributing to the history surrounding Dorothy Pond. Could the affluent connections of one from this group have been responsible for naming the pond?

Chapter 7: Did Dougherty Live Near Dorothy Pond

In this chapter, we delve into the curious details of a legal case of Charles Dougherty, a man who in 1732 took the unusual step of having the court clerk correct his residence from “of Worcester” to an obscure location nestled between Worcester and Sutton—a place so little known that its very name has largely faded from history. But what was behind this strange request, and what does it reveal about Dougherty’s motivations, his past, and the deep personal sentiments he may have held toward the town of Worcester? As we follow Dougherty through a courtroom drama, we also uncover the proximity of this mysterious “Country Gore” to Dorothy Pond, a place that plays a pivotal role in his story. Was this minor change in residence simply a technicality, or does it hint at deeper frustrations and motivations, perhaps tied to the prejudices and conflicts of the time? This chapter opens a fascinating window into a forgotten corner of history, urging us to reconsider the importance of place and identity in the lives of early New England settlers.

Chapter 8: Dougherty’s Connections to the Gore and Dorothy Pond via His Associates

This chapter explores deed witnesses, court sureties, land sales, receipts, and other documents to form a picture of Charles Dougherty’s personal network. Do these relationships, both direct and indirect, reveal anything about his close ties to Dorothy Pond? How about his involvement in the booming water privilege development and mill construction occurring at the time?

Chapter 9: Dougherty as a Speculator and Millsite Developer

This chapter delves deep into the land transactions of Charles Dougherty, a man often labeled merely as a "husbandman," revealing a far more complex story. What theme ties together most of his properties, and how do archaeological remains on these tracts offer a glimpse into the area's past? How did the financial instability and inflation of colonial Massachusetts influence speculators like Dougherty, and what does this tell us about the early industrial activity along Dorothy Brook? The records suggest there may be more to the region's industrial beginnings than we know today. Could the renaming of South Pond to Dorothy's Pond hold clues about this fascinating era?

Chapter 10: Another Dorothy Place Name Nearby

This brief section uncovers the mystery of a second "Dorothy Hill," located just a few miles from Dorothy Pond. Long overlooked, this hill's connection to Charles Dougherty is both unexpected and revealing. Could the name “Dorothy” be linked to the Dority or Dougherty family? Where is this hill and how could it shed light on the origins of Dorothy Pond's name? Through historical references and careful analysis, this chapter explores how local place names might be more closely connected to Dougherty’s legacy than we ever realized.

Chapter 11: Dougherty’s Settlement Meadow and Pond

This final large chapter works to piece together the mysterious early years of Charles Dougherty, the first settler near Dorothy Pond, and the land he called home. Why didn’t he own land in the very place he said he lived—a narrow tract of unclaimed government land then located between Worcester and what is now Millbury. Tracking ownership of nearby properties and identifying the earliest homes was there any room for the Doughertys? Could they have been squatters? Maybe, but could they also have rented or leased land in this otherwise crowded area? Nope. Out of the remaining wilderness was there a place they could have lived? Exploring the surrounding land, soil quality, water sources, and roads helps us hone in on a place where these necessities converged. The chapter brings us closer to uncovering what was likely the location of the Dougherty cabin. How close was this location to the pond and how did the legal landscape at that time both help and then hinder their access to Dorothy Pond.

Conclusion

The concluding chapter synthesizes the research and analysis presented throughout the book, evaluating the methods used to uncover the historical significance of Dorothy Pond. It brings everything together, providing a definitive answer to the central question of who the pond was named after, offering a valuable contribution to the local history of the area. By offering pointed insights into the character of the local historical community, the conclusion helps frame Dorothy Pond’s history within the broader context of American history, providing a snapshot of local identity within the larger narrative. This final chapter ties together all the threads of the research, giving closure to the story while inviting readers to reflect on the lasting significance of the area’s heritage.

Appendices:

Appendix A: Dorothy Pond in Historical Maps

There are many interesting maps which show the development and changes around the pond from 1715 through the mid-1900s.

Appendix B: Dorothy Pond in the Registry of Deeds & Proprietors’ Records

Traces a few selected chains of title owner by previous owner from the county registry of deeds back to entries from the early 1700s in the original town proprietors records.

Appendix C: An Evaluation of Early Landowners at Dorothy Pond

Reviews the families of the various original grantees of land surrounding Dorothy Pond in search of a person named Dorothy.

Appendix D: Early 18th-Century Land Ownership Within the Country Gore

Explores and plots out who owned the land in the unincorporated area between Sutton and Worcester during the early 1700s.

Appendix E: Early 18th-Century Homes Within the Country Gore

Pieces together a surprising amount of information about the few homes that existed in the unincorporated area between Sutton and Worcester during the early 1700s and who appears to have lived in them.

Appendix F: Charles Dougherty in the Registry of Deeds

A list of each of the land purchases and sales of Charles Dougherty.

Appendix G: Charles Dougherty Family Register

A list of the children and related genealogical data for the family of Charles and Jane Wallis Dougherty.

Appendix H: Naming Conventions of Commonwealth Great Ponds

Documentation for the category distribution study of great pond place names in Massaachusetts.

Selected Bibliography and Index.

The Long-Forgotten Story of Dorothy Pond in Millbury, Massachusetts offers a meticulously researched exploration of the history behind a local landmark. Spanning from pre-colonial times to the present, the book investigates how Dorothy Pond has shaped the community's development, uncovering stories lost to time.

Through historical records, maps, deeds, and land transactions, the author traces the origins of the pond’s name, presenting compelling evidence that it honors Charles Dougherty, an early Irish immigrant and pioneer settler. The book examines Dougherty’s role in water privilege development and his likely homestead near the pond. It further explores place-naming conventions, alternative spellings, and local historical connections, demonstrating how regional history, entrepreneurship, and personal narratives intertwine at Dorothy Pond.

Organized with comprehensive chapters, historical documents, and appendices, this study offers a significant contribution to Millbury’s history and sheds light on the legacy of an overlooked figure. This work will appeal to local residents, history enthusiasts, and genealogists alike, providing a new perspective on the heritage of this serene waterscape.

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