Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas, Milton, originally a part of the town of Dorchester, was settled in 1640 by Puritans from the Massachusetts Bay Colony; and
Whereas, Milton, named in honor of Milton Abbey, Dorset, England, was incorporated as an independent town in 1662; and
Whereas In September 1774, a convention of Suffolk County delegates met in Milton to adopt the Suffolk Resolves, which were used as a model by the drafters of the Declaration of Independence in 1776; and
Whereas For well over two centuries after its founding, Milton remained a primarily agrarian community and center for industrial activity, home to some of the earliest mills in New England; and
Whereas After the Civil War, Milton's population began to rapidly increase due to the convenience of the Milton and Dorchester branch of the Old Colony Railroad; and
Whereas On this day we celebrate the 350th anniversary of the town of Milton and its many contributions to the vibrancy of the Commonwealth,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim June 9th, 2012, to be,
Milton Day
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this eighth day of June, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts