Andover, MA news and local guide

The settlement was incorporated as a town in May 1646 and named Andover, probably for the English town near the original home of some settlers. Its first recorded town meeting was held in 1656 in John Osgood's house in what is now North Andover, where the old burying ground marks the center of the early town. Residents of the southwestern part, tired of walking to the Old North Church, built their own South Church, which later led to the split into two towns. During the Salem witch trials of 1692, Joseph Ballard sought help for his sick wife from the Salem Village girls who were accusing witches, and they named several Andover women. More than 40 Andover residents, mostly women and their children, were formally accused, and three, Martha Carrier, Mary Parker and Samuel Wardwell, were convicted and executed. Sources Wikipedia: Andover, Massachusetts