When Samuel F. Smith wrote the lyrics to "America" in 1832, he said he was inspired by Andover's beauty, which is reflected in his second stanza: "I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills." Conservationists such as Alice Buck and Harold Rafton have kept Andover beautiful, and innumerable others made Andover a unique and extraordinary town. From Martha Carrier, defying her accusers to the moment of execution, to all the townspeople who fought in our nation's wars, Andoverians have never lacked for courage. Former slaves such as Salem Poor, a hero of Bunker Hill, made many contributions. Teachers such as the Stack sisters and Ted Boudreau kept Andover's standards high. Philanthropists like Sarah Abbot, Benjamin Punchard, and Yvon Cormier contributed to Andover's youth. Literary talent such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mary McGarry Morris make life poignant and interesting. Jay Leno keeps America amused. Businesspeople like Samuel Phillips Jr. and William Wood created wealth and jobs, and smaller businesses through the years added to local lore and traditions. These pages are filled with the stories of people who created the admirable, complex tapestry that is Andover.

Since Haverhill was first settled in 1640, its citizens have shown courage and determination to make it a better place to live. Many unique individuals have called Haverhill home, including Hannah Dustin, who was captured by and then avenged a group of Abenaki Indians; business pioneer Thomas Sanders, financial backer of Alexander Graham Bell; department store entrepreneur Rowland Macy; James Nichols, whose home Winnekenni Castle became one of Haverhill's most famous landmarks; baseball star Carlos Pena; Gerald Ashworth, Olympic gold medalist; literary greats John Greenleaf Whittier and Andre Dubus; Archie Comics artist Bob Montana; screenwriter Harold Livingston; and rising star Christopher Golden. Movie mogul Louis B. Mayer and television personalities Tom Bergeron and Frank Fontaine, along with gardening legend James Crocket, all began their careers here. And Haverhill's veterans who have gone into harm's way to defend our country are not to be forgotten. This book is a tribute to them and all of Haverhill's citizens boldly moving forward.

Established in 1669 as a small farming village on the banks of the Merrimack River, Dracuts early settlers made their mark during the American Revolution. From French nobleman Louis Ansart, who became an American citizen and settled in the area, to Dracuts own Joseph Bradley Varnum, the town played a pivotal role in the founding of the nation. More recently, Dracut continues to be the home of modern-day patriots such as Michael Monahan, who left college to serve in the Vietnam War, and Capt. John Ogonowski, who gave his life on September 11, 2001. Dracut has been home to numerous other local legendsDr. Christos Daoulas was the longest-serving Massachusetts school superintendent, and Dennis Piendak oversaw incredible growth and expansion during his 28 years as town manager. Dracut was also home to the indomitable Polly Urquhart, whose name now graces the corner where her store once stood; Rev. Larry Zimmerman, the pastor of the Old Yellow Meeting House for 33 years; and Edmund Murphy, the dean of Massachusetts high school football coaches. These are a few of the many amazing people who came from a town that was once known as simply the wildernesse north of the Merrimac.

Yeat! The colloquial greeting is distinctly Newburyport, uttered by this seaports citizens to acknowledge one another in passing or to seek out fellow locals in far-flung places. Individuals featured in Legendary Locals of Newburyport extend to readers a congenial Yeat! William Lloyd Garrison, native son and leading abolitionist; Lord Timothy Dexter, who staged his own mock funeral; Harry OConnor, founder of the Worlds Shortest St. Patricks Day Parade; James Stehlin, celebrated Newburyport High School football coach; Rhina Espaillat, award-winning poet and founder of Powwow River Poets; Richard Simkins, owner of the legendary Grog restaurant-tavern; Sue Little, owner of Jabberwocky Bookshop; Tom Maginnis, drummer for the post-punk band Buffalo Tom; Mickey, feral cat mascot for the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, and 1st Lt. Derek Hines, who gave his life while serving his country in Afghanistan, are among the legendary localsnative born and transplantswho have left their imprint, or paw print, upon the Port.

Holyoke is home to some of the most amazing and courageous individuals. In 1658, European pioneer John Riley, along with other early planters, was instrumental in establishing a community in the West Springfield area called Ireland Parish, which eventually became known as Holyoke. This tenacious man led the way for many other trailblazers, including George Ewing, who envisioned utilizing hydropower to operate factories and inspired town engineers to design one of the first planned cities in the United States. In 1898, the progressive Elizabeth Towne encouraged Holyoke residents and an international audience with her New Thought movement that advocated a healthy lifestyle. Another outstanding citizen, Timothy Alben, judiciously leads the Massachusetts State Police, while Holyoke's Henry Jennings honorably served his country in the armed forces, as a commander of the Holyoke War Memorial Building, and on the Holyoke City Council. Barbara Bernard has astutely kept residents informed about current events for the last 70 years. Legendary Locals of Holyoke chronicles the community's finest men and women who survived and prospered through harsh circumstances and against all odds.

The story of a community is best told through the stories of its people. And Legendary Locals of Foxborough by veteran journalist Jeffrey Peterson aspires to do just that. Relying heavily on newspaper files and Foxborough Historic Commission archives, Peterson introduces readers not only to the movers and shakers who made headlines over the past two centuries but also to scores of common folks with decidedly uncommon stories: E.P. Carpenter, 19th-century industrialist and visionary; E.H. and B.B. Bristol, brothers whose Foxboro Company ushered in decades of unprecedented prosperity; outsized personalities like Betty Friedmann, Al Truax, and Herb Seltsam; lanky Gene Conley, Boston Red Sox pitcher and Boston Celtics center; Alex and Sonja Spier, who fled postwar Europe to establish a local real estate empire; beloved Deerfield Academy headmaster Frank Boyden; and renowned educators John Ahern, Mabelle Burrill, and Steve Massey. Images and biographical text on these and other remarkable residents provide a delightful retrospective documenting the rich and spirited community of Foxborough.

Amesbury was incorporated in 1668. The settlers began to build the community, starting the first sawmills on the Powwow River. The community continued to grow with carriage manufacturers starting businesses in town; Jacob Huntington was very influential in this endeavor. The automobile industry was the next major industry with the S.R. Bailey Company leading the way. George McNeil was responsible for unions coming to town, and Amelia Earhart was teaching English as a second language to factory workers. Valentine Bagley made sure that everyone had water, and John Greenleaf Whittier wrote a poem about it, "The Captain's Well." Gregory Hoyt and Jeffrey Donovan left the Amesbury High School drama club behind and made it big in movies and television. Ryan Noon went from designing his own fashions to designing for Nike. Legendary Locals of Amesbury showcases just a select few from the long list of fabulous people who have helped make Amesbury the community it is today.

From the South End's early years as an upper- and middle-class residential district to its time as an immigrant and rooming house neighborhood and then to its recent urban renewal, residents have shaped its legacy and its place within the city of Boston. Locals have worked in common to make the South End a safe and vibrant community for over two centuries. Notables such as architect Gridley J.F. Bryant, preservation advocate Arthur Howe, and pedestrian advocate Ann Hershfang contributed immensely to the built environment. Residents like settlement house leader Robert Woods, immigrant and author Mary Antin, politician and activist Mel King, urban gardener Betsy Johnson, and lawyer Harry Dow, to name a few, shaped minds and lives alike. Add to their ranks artists like Allan Rohan Crite and Kahlil Gibran, jazz club owner Joseph Walcott, longtime restaurateurs such as the Foley and Manjourides families, and bar owner and gay rights advocate Leo Motsis and a true picture of the South End's history and diversity begins to emerge.

Since its settlement in 1769, Bangor's greatest resource has been its people. Long before 1834, when the town on the Penobscot became a city, future legends were born who transformed it into a world-class community. Hannibal Hamlin served as Abraham Lincoln's first vice president. Timber tycoon Sam Hersey financed urban development while less affluent folk such as Molly Molasses also made their mark. When philanthropists Stephen and Tabitha King are not writing best-selling novels, they are spreading their wealth throughout the community. Bangor's melting pot includes the Italian Baldacci family and the Jewish baker Reuben Cohen, who, with his wife Clara, raised their son Bill, a US senator and defense secretary. More infamous but equally legendary is brothel keeper Fanny Jones. Paul Bunyan earned a statue on Main Street. Airport troop greeters Kay Lebowitz and Bill Knight round out the list of notables. They are all jewels in Bangor's crown, and each in their own way is a bona fide legend.

In the 1870s, railroads transformed Montclair from a rural retreat to a haven for influential businessmen and artists. They came for the orderly government, excellent schools, flourishing churches, able physicians, and attractive families. Actress Laura Keene sought the area's healthy atmosphere after contracting tuberculosis. Civil War hero Dr. J.J.H. Love was influential in organizing the first hospital. Other Civil War notables include Medal of Honor recipient Abram Haring and Gen. John C. Tidball. After famed painter George Inness made Montclair his home, dozens of artists came to be near him and share his influences. Today's roster of artists continues to be amazing: Oliver Lake, Frankie Faison, Horace Ott, George Walker, Olympia Dukakis, and Louis Zorich. Legendary Locals of Montclair shares the inspiring tales of songwriter Herman Hupfeld; Lucy Stone, founder of the American Suffrage Association; medical pioneers Emily and Elizabeth Blackwell; pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick; violin maker Carleen Hutchins; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; inventor Carleton Ellis; and baseball greats Yogi Berra and Larry Doby.