Douglas is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,045 at the 2000 census.

For geographic and demographic information on the village of East Douglas, please see the article East Douglas, Massachusetts.

History
The name of Douglas was first given to the territory of the town in the year 1746. New Sherburn or'New Sherburn Grant'had previously to this date been its designation since its first occupancy by the English settlers which was as early as 1715. The original settlers came primarily from Sherburn, although many hailed from Natick as well. The name was given in 1746, Dr William...

Douglas is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,045 at the 2000 census.

For geographic and demographic information on the village of East Douglas, please see the article East Douglas, Massachusetts.

History
The name of Douglas was first given to the territory of the town in the year 1746. New Sherburn or'New Sherburn Grant'had previously to this date been its designation since its first occupancy by the English settlers which was as early as 1715. The original settlers came primarily from Sherburn, although many hailed from Natick as well. The name was given in 1746, Dr William Douglas, an eminent physician of Boston in consideration of the privilege of naming the township offered the inhabitants the sum of $500.00 as a fund for the establishment of free schools together with a tract of of land with a dwelling house and barn theron.