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8 City of Worcester: 300 Years Nine years later new settlers created a one-half mile square village laid out around a citadel, protected by a wooden palisade. Settlers were allotted 100-foot square house lots and 25-acre farm lots. This settlement existed long enough to become a stable farming village, but again settlers deserted the site in 1702 during Queen Anne's War. From the 1650s forward, Reverend John Eliot, known as the "apostle to the Indians," was active in assisting the creation of "Praying Villages," small communities of Indian converts in the region. For example, in 1675, Packachoag later became the basis for the region's largest praying town; 20 Native American families here included about 100 individuals. During these turbulent years, another relatively unknown missionary and government magistrate, Daniel Gookin, labored tirelessly to establish a settlement, while also attempting to develop a better relationship with the Native Americans. He served as superintendent to the "Praying Indians," Native Americans who converted to the English ways of life and practiced Christianity. In spite of Gookin's efforts, he also failed to establish a settlement in this location, which was now called Worcester. Rather, Jonas Rice, who had lived in this area since 1702, has been hailed as the first permanent settler and founder of Worcester. Rice became a prominent citizen, serving as selectman, town clerk, first schoolmaster, judge, and signatory on the petition to establish Worcester as a town. On June 14, 1722, Worcester was incorporated as a town under the laws of Massachusetts Bay. FARM TO FACTORY In Worcester's early days, maps of the area show significant open space dominated by farms. In the early days, it was poised for the evolution from an agrarian society to an industrial giant to today's biomedical center. When you think of industry in Worcester, companies like Crompton Loom Works, Norton Co., or Washburn & Moen might come to mind immediately. Granted, these manufacturers had a significant impact on the economic health and growth of the city; some still call Worcester home. But smaller industries also played a role in sustaining families Wheeler House,73 Main Street. source: Worcester Historical Museum Nathan Patch House at North Main and Market Streets is representative of the elegant houses of the time. Many were later converted to stores. source: Worcester Historical Museum The American farmer. A hand-book of agriculture for the farm and garden, 1880. source: Wikimedia Commons 1878 map of worcester. source: Worcester Historical Museum