Self-sufficient farming by courageous pioneers marked the beginning of Petersham in the mid-1700’s. The formation of the town was the result of a petition of 67 soldiers who, under the leadership of Capt. John Lovell of Dunstable and Capt. John White of Lancaster, fought in military expeditions against the French and Indians. The General Court granted their petition in 1733 and the new township was named Volunteers Town. Later, the name of a local Indian settlement, Nichewaug, was used until the town’s incorporation in 1754 as Petersham.