USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts directory; being the first part of the New-England directory 1835 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
Washington.
Watered by branches of the Westfield and Housatonick rivers. 122 miles W. of Boston, 8 E. of Lenox, and 40 S.E. by E. of Springfield. Mountainous. In this town is found a porous quartz, which is used as buhr stones, for mill-stones, and is remarkable for resisting heat. Inc. 1777; pop. 701 ; r. ps. 183 ; val. 56 cents .; s. m. $300. C/-Caleb Knight, c; 1 soc. m ; 1 soc. b. J. P-Philip Eames, Wm. G. Ballantine. Pm- W .. G. Ballantine.
27
BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
West-Stockbridge.
On the line of New-York. Williams river affords this town a great water power. Incorporated 1774; pop. 1208 ; r. ps. 330; val. $1 09. Fine iron ore and marble. One large flour mill, 12 marble saw mills, 2 nail factories, a cotton mill, forge, pail factory, and other mechanical operations by water. This is a flourishing town, and will derive great advantages (in common with the whole county) by the passage through it of the great western railroad from Boston to Albany. 135 miles W. of Boston, 9 S.S.W. of Lenox, 26 E. by N. of Hudson, 64 N.W. of Hartford, and 37 1-2 miles S.E. by S. of Albany, by the proposed railroad. CZ-Munson Gaylord, Nathan Shaw, c; 1 soc. b; 1 soc. m. Phs-Luke Dewey, Dudley Leavitt, and Dr. Hand. Att-Robbins Kellogg. Pm-E. Kellogg.
Williamstown.
Inc. 1765; pop. 2132; r. ps. 488 ; val. $2 24; s.m. §1000. At the N. W. corner of the county ; 6 miles S. of Pownal, Vt. and E. of Berlin, New-York ; 135 miles W. by N. of Boston, 27 N. of Lenox, 49 N.W. of Northampton, and 26 E. by N. of Albany. This is a pleasant town, situated in a fertile val- ley, and well watered. Considerable manufactures on Hoo- sick and Green rivers. Here is a tepid spring, of considera- ble use in cutaneous diseases. Colonel Ephraim Williams founded an Academy here previous to 1790. In 1793, the Academy was incorporated as Williams College, since which it has increased both in funds and usefulness. Succession of Presidents. Dr. Ebenezer Fitch, from 1793 to 1815; Dr. Z. S. Moore, from 1815 to 1821; Dr. Edward D. Griffin, from 1821. Professor of Divinity, Dr. Edward D. Griffin; Pro- fessor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, Albert Hop- kins, A. M .; Professor of Moral Philosophy and Rhetoric, Mark Hopkins, A. M .; Professor of Languages, Ebenezer Kellogg, A. M .; Professor of Natural History, Ebenezer Emmons, A. M., M. D .; Lecturer on Chemistry, Edward Lazell, A. M .; Tutors, J. L. Partridge, E. T. Mack, George Hale. Commencement, 3d Wednesday in August. Vacations. First-four weeks from commencement; second-six weeks from 3d Wednesday in December; third-three weeks from 1st Wednesday in May. Cl-J. Alden, c; W. C. Johnson, b ; 2 socs. m. Phs-Samuel Smith, Ebenezer Emmons, H. L. Sabin, James Smedley. Atts-Daniel N. Dewey, Henry S. Raymond. Pms-Phineas Cone ; South, John P. Jordan.
5*
28
MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
Windsor.
Pop. 1042; r. ps. 259; val. 90 cents; s. m. $300; inc. 1771. 117 miles W. by N. of Boston, 12 E.N.E. of Pittsfield, and 18 N.N.E. of Lenox. High land-source of the east branch of the Housatonick river. The Westfield river also rises from a pond in this town. Beds of serpentine and soap stone. Good farmers. Cl-George Walker, b; 1 v. soc. c. Ph-Dr. Briggs. J. P-E. Baldwin, Daniel Ó. Holbrook. Pm-H. M. Wells.
Zoah.
A small, unincorporated tract, hemmed in between Florida, Monroe, Rowe, and Charlemont-pop. 129. 135 miles W. by N. of Boston. A fine bed of serpentine,-a speciesof rock of various colors, used in sculpture and ornamental architecture, -is found here ; also soapstone. This place is mountainous : it has much wild scenery, and a good water power.
BRISTOL COUNTY.
-
THE surface of this county is somewhat broken, but gene- rally level. Its soil in many parts is of an inferior quality. Area, 600 sq. miles. It has a maritime coast of considerable extent, and its people are extensively engaged in navigation. The tonnage of the two districts in this county (New-Bedford and Dighton) is 75,188 tons. This county gives rise to many im- portant streams that fall into Massachusetts and Narraganset bays, and its water power is abundant in almost every town. It abounds in excellent iron ore, and in no section of our country, of its extent, are more extensive manufactures of that material, for almost all the uses of man. This county is bounded N. by Norfolk Co .; E. by Plymouth Co .; S.E. by Buzzard's Bay ; and W. by the counties of Providence, Bris- tol, and Newport, R. I. In King Philip's time this part of the country was called Pawcunnawcutt. It was inc.1685; pop.1820, 40,908-1830, 49,474; r. ps. 11,527; val. $58 62. Cent. lat. 41° 15' N., lon. 70° 55' W. The Taunton and Pawtucket, both emptying into Narraganset bay, are its chief rivers .- 19 towns ; 82 inhabitants to a square mile.
Attleborough.
This town is at the N. W. corner of the county ; 12 miles N. of Providence, 8 N.W. of Taunton, and 28 S. of Boston. A branch of the Pawtucket rises here, and several other rivers pass through the town. Fine water power. It was inc. 1694 ; pop. 3215; r. ps. 748 ; val. $3 07. In this town are 8 cotton mills, with about 13,000 spindles, and 350 looms, employing 420 hands. There are also an extensive metal button factory, employing 75 hands, and considerable manufactories of jew- elry, glass buttons, shuttles, and straw hats. Cl-John Fur- gerson, Charles Simmons, and S. W. Colburn. c; J. E. For- bush, b; 1 soc. u. Phs-S. Carpenter, Phineas Savory, J. Hatch, and Dr. Martin. Att-John Doggett. Pms-Ira Osborne ; North, Israel Hatch ; East, W. Blackington.
30
MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
Berkley.
Inc. 1735 ; pop. 907; r. ps. 208 ; val. 82 cents ; s. m. §350. 37 miles S. of Boston, 5 S. of Taunton, and 18 E. of Provi- dence. On the E. side of Taunton river. This place has about ten sail of coasting vessels, and some iron ore. Cl- 1 v. soc. c. J. P-Barzillai Crane, Adoniram Crane, and others. Pm-Asahel Hathaway.
Dartmouth.
The Aponiganset of the Indians. A seaport on Buzzard's bay, on the west side of Accushnet river, 56 miles S. of Bos- ton, 23 S. by E. of Taunton, and 3 W. of New-Bedford. Inc. 1664; pop. 3867; r. ps. 889 ; val. $3 69; s. m. §1000. 'Three whale ships are owned at this place, and some coasting and fishing vessels. It has a linseed oil mill and some iron ore. Cl-Thomas C. Richmond, c; Daniel Hix, Howard Tripp, and Mr. Benson, b ; 4 societies of friends. Phs-S. P. Winslow, and two others. J. P-Joseph Gifford, Elisha Slocum, &c. Commissioner of Wrecks-Prince Sears, Jr. Pms-A. Tucker ; North, Jolin Cummings ; South, B. How- land.
Dighton.
A port of entry on the west side of Taunton river, opposite to Berkley. Inc. 1712; pop. 1737; r. ps. 399; val. $1 54 ; s. m. $450. 40 miles S. of Boston, 8 S. of Taunton, and 20 N.W. by W. of New-Bedford. There are in this place three cotton factories, a furnace, and other iron works. Tonnage of the district, 4,688 tons. The noted " Dighton Rock," so called, on which are inscriptions difficult to decypher, in fact lies on the Berkley side of the river. Cl-Abraham Gushee, Preston Cummins, c ; Mr. Blackman, b; 1 soc. m. Ph-Al- fred Wood. J. P-David Hathaway, &c. Pm-William Newhall.
Easton.
In this town are five small cotton factories, with 2,500 spin- dles ; a shovel factory, making 6,000 dozen a year, valued at $50,000, and an extensive iron foundry. There are many shoes and much straw manufactured here. Two branches of Taunton river pass the town. Iron ore. Cl-Luther Sheldon, and 1 v. soc. c ; 1 soc. m. Phs-Caleb Swan, Samuel Dean, Z. Randall, F. W. Perry, J. B. Dean. Att-Cyrus Lathrop. Inc. 1725 ; pop. 1756 ; r. ps. 473 ; val. $191. 22 miles S. of Boston, 10 N. by W. of Taunton, and 22 N.E. by N. of Prov- idence. Pms-Daniel Wheaton ; Turnpike, B. Alger.
31
BRISTOL COUNTY.
Fairhaven.
This pleasant town was taken from New-Bedford, in 1812. It lies, across Aqueshnet river, about a mile east of New- Bedford. It is united to New-Bedford by a long bridge, and is associated with it in many of its enterprizes. Pop. 3034 ; r. ps. 697 ; val. $3 62 ; s. m. §1,500. The " Fairhaven Bank" has a capital of $100,000-E. Sawin, Pt .; D. McB. Thaxter, Cr. The " Fairhaven Insurance Company" has a capital of $100,000-W. Delano, Pt .; Asa Swift, Jr. Sec'y. Cl-W. Gould, c; Mr. Taylor, b; 2 socs. m ; 1 soc. friends. Ph-J. S. Mayhew. Att-Nathaniel S. Spooner. Pms-Joshua Drew; North, Cyrus Clark.
Fall River.
This town took the name of Troy in 1803. In1834, the name was changed to that of the river within its borders, at the junction of which and Taunton river the town is very pleasantly situated. This town is without a parallel on the continent of America in regard to the union of hydraulic pow- ers and navigable facilities. Fall river rises in Wattuppa Ponds ; one of which is 11 miles in length and 1 in breadth. These ponds are produced by perpetual springs, and lie about two miles east of the town. 'The descent of this river is 136 feet. The volume of water is constant, not liable to excess, and of sufficient power for the largest manufactories. In this town are 9 cotton factories, with 31,000 spindles, and 1,100 looms ; 2 printing establishments, furnishing 5,000,000 yards of calico annually ; 1 satinet factory, making 250,000 yards annually ; 1 rolling and slitting mill, making annually 700 tons of nails. There are also one iron foundry, and two machine shops. The number of operatives in the manufacturing estab- lishments is 1,768. The price paid for labor is $316,175, and the cost of stock and materials manufactured is $1,122,583, annually. The " Fall River Bank" has a capital of $200,000 -David Anthony Pt .; M. C. Durfee, Cr. The " Fall River Insurance Company" has a capital of $100,000-John Eddy, Pt. The harbor on Taunton river is safe and easy of access, and of sufficient depth of water for the largest ships. Two ships from this port are engaged in the whale fishery. It has also some merchant and coasting vessels. A marine rail- way was constructed here in 1834. Population, 1830, 4159- 1834, 5,500 ; r. ps. 956 ; val. $4 82. 18 miles N.E. of New- port, 12 E. by N. of Bristol, 18 S.E. of Providence, 14 W. of New-Bedford, 17 S. of Taunton, 49 S. of Boston, and 190 E. N.E. of New-York. This town has an abundance of fine gran- ite, equal to the Quincy. A railroad is in progress, to meet
32
MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
the Boston and Providence, at Seekonk, 13 miles. The Po- casset Hotel, belonging to a company of gentlemen, is a splen- did building, constructed in 1833. No house in the country affords better accommodations. A regular steamboat line is established between this place and Providence :- Distance, by water, 28 miles. Cl-Orin Fowler, G. W. Briggs, c ; Simeon Clough, c.n; Asa Brunson, b. There is a large society of friends in this town, and a society of methodists. Phs-E. Glazier, J. H. Archer, F. Hooper, Thomas Wilbour, N. Dur- fee, B. B. Sisson. Atts-James Ford, H. Battelle, J. Hatha- way, Cyrus Alden, E. Williams Pms-Benjamin Anthony, Wm. B. Canedy. Collector-Phineas W. Leland.
Freetown.
On the east side of Taunton river, 8 miles S. of Taunton, 12 N. by W. of New-Bedford, and 40 S. of Boston. First settled, 1659 ; inc. 1683 ; pop. 1909 ; r. ps. 439 ; val. $1 73. This town has between 20 and 30 sail of freighting vessels-2 furnaces and other iron works-granite and iron ore. Cl- Stetson Raymond, c; Abner Janes, James Taylor, b ; 1 soc. friends. Phs-William Carpenter, Thomas Bump, and Dr. Pratt. Atts-E. P. Hathaway and Mr. Eddy. Pm-George Pickens.
Mansfield.
Some branches of Taunton river furnish this town with a good water power. It has 6 cotton mills and a satinet factory. Taken from Norton, 1770; pop. 1172; r. ps. 269 ; val. $1 13; s. m. §353 50. 11 miles N.N.W. of Taunton, 18 S.W. of Providence, and 26 S.S.W. of Boston. Cl-a soc. friends ; 1 v. soc. c ; 1 soc. m; 1 soc. c.n. Phs-Benjamin Billings, R. Green, H. Skinner, Charles Talbot. Att-David Gilbert. Pm-Solomon Pratt.
New-Bedford.
This is a half shire town of Bristol County, and port of en- try, pleasantly situated on the west side of the Acushnet, a river, or more properly an estuary, connected with Buzzard's Bay. The ground on which the town stands rises rapidly from the river, and affords an interesting view from the oppo- site side.
This harbor, though not easy of access, is capacious and well secured from winds. A wooden bridge, near the centre of the town, connects it with the village of Fairhaven. A ferry has also been established, on which it is proposed to run a steamboat.
1
33
BRISTOL COUNTY
New-Bedford was incorporated in 1787, previous to which it constituted a part of the town of Dartmouth. In 1812, the eastern part was set off as a separate township by the name of Fairhaven.
The almost exclusive business of the place is the whale fishery, which commenced before the war of the revolution, and has gradually grown to its present importance. The in- crease, however, within the last ten years lias been more rapid than during any former period. The number of ships and brigs now employed is 141. Tonnage of the district, 70,550 tons.
There are ten oil manufactories, at which a large amount of oil and candles is made. A considerable quantity of the oil imported is, however, sold in the crude state to other places.
Few places in Massachusetts have increased in population more rapidly than this. By the census of 1790, the population of the village was about 700. In 1830, the township contained 7592-in 1833, 9,200 ; r. ps. 1746 ; val. §14 85 ; s. m. §8,250. Within a few years, the inhabitants of this town have mani- fested a commendable liberality in providing the means of ed- ucation. There are in the town an academy, 16 public and a number of private schools ;- some of them of high rank. This town has 4 banks, with a capital of $1,300,000, and an insurance capital of 8400,000. It lies 52 miles S. of Boston, 52 N.W. of Nantucket, and 214 N.E. by E. of New-York. Cl-Sylvester Holmes, James A. Roberts, Daniel C. Burt, c ; John O. Shoules, b ; Charles Morgridge, Luther Baker, c.n ; 1 soc. friends ; N. T. Bent, e ; 1 soc. u; 2 socs. m; a mari- ners' chapel, a catholic church, and an African c.n. society. Phs-Paul Spooner, Alexander Read, Wm C. Whitridge, Andrew Mackie, T. T. Wells J. S. Mayhew, Edward W. Greene, Samuel West, Jr., L; man Bartlett, Zaralı Baker. Atts-See Law-Register. Coll ctor of the Customs-Lemuel Williams, Commissioner of Wr. cks-Charles Grennell. Pm -R. Williams.
Norton.
This town was inc. 1711 ; pop. 1484 ; r. ps. 341 ; val. $1 92 ; s. m. $500. It is 8 miles N.W. of Taunton, 30 S. of Boston, and 17 N.E. of Providence. This place has 4 cotton facto- ries-iron ore, and a species of yellow ochre. The town is well watered by Cocasset, Canoe, and Rumford rivers. Win- nicunnet cave is something of a curiosity. Cl-Pitt Clark, c. died 13th Feb. 1835, in the 42d year of his ministry :- This society is now v. Ph-Richard F. Sweet. Atts-Laban Wheaton, Laban M. Wheaton. Pm-Laban M. Wheaton.
34
MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
Pawtucket.
An important manufacturing village, below the falls on a' powerful river of that name. The village of Pawtucket lies on both sides of the river-and including the North Provi- dence side, in R. I., contains about 6000 inhabitants. The first manufacture of cotton cloth in this country, by water power machinery, was commenced at this place. The water power is immense, and the fall of the river within a short dis- tance is 50 feet. 'There are now in the village of Pawtucket 12 cotton factories with 35,000 spindles and 1000 looms. The Franklin calico printing works do a great business. There are also 5 machine shops and a number of iron works. About 2000 operatives are employed in these establishments. The river is navigable to the village for vesseis of considerable burthen. It runs 4 miles S. by W. to Providence river, at In- dia Point-one mile below the centre of the city of Provi- dence. The river, above Pawtucket, takes the name of Black- stone. This place is 4 miles N. of Providence, 36 S. of Boston, 16 W. by S. of Taunton, and 38 S.E. of Worcester. The town lies on the east side of the river, is two miles square, and was taken from Seekonk, in 1828. Pop. 1458; r. ps. 335 ; val. $1 40 ; s. m. $300. " Pawtucket Bank" has a capital of $100.000-A. A. Tillinghast, Cr. CZ-Barnabas Phinney, c ; (on the R. I. side-1 soc. e ; 1 soc. b, and 1 soc. m.) Phs- Ira Barrows, Draper Carpenter ; (on the R. I. side-Niles Manchester, C. Gardner.) Atts-Apollos Cushman, Collins Darling ; and Jobn H. Weeden of North Providence.
Raynham.
This town lies on Taunton river, and was taken from Taun- ton in 1731. Pop. 1209 ; r. ps. 278 ; val. $1 17. It is 30 miles S. of Boston, 3 N.E. of Taunton, and 24 E. of Provi- dence. There are a number of large ponds in this town pro- ducing a good water power, and to which vast quantities of herring (alewives) resort. On the banks of one of these ponds the celebrated King Philip had a hunting house. The first forge in America was erected in this town, by James and IIenry Leonard, in 1652. 'The house of the Leonards, an old Gothic building, is now standing, and owned by the 7th gene- ration. Here are a large shovel factory, a wire mill, and a furnace ; also a nail factory, which has produced eleven tons of nails daily. Good iron ore. Cl-Enoch Sanford, Simeon Daggett, c; 1 v. soc. b. Ph-Elisha Hayward. J. P-G. Robinson, Amos Hall, E. B. Dean, John Gilmore.
35
-
BRISTOL COUNTY.
Rehoboth.
The Saconet of the Indians,-watered by Palmer's river,- 40 miles S. by W. of Boston, 10 S.W. of Taunton, 6 W. of Dighton, and 7 E. of Providence. This place has two cotton factories. First settled, 1644; inc. 1645; pop. 2468; r. ps. 565 ; val. $2 33; s. m. $800. Cl-Otis Thompson and Thos. Vernon, c ; Childs Luther, George Kilton, b ; 1 soc. m. Phs- S. Bullock, R. Carpenter, and Dr. Randall. J. P-Thomas Carpenter, James Bliss, and others. Pms-G. Stevens ; Cen- tre, J. Wheaton, Jr.
Seekonk.
On Providence river and the southern termination of the Boston and Providence railroad. On Ten-Mile river, a branch of the Pawtucket or Seekonk river, are 3 cotton factories, with about 5000 spindles and 150 looms. 41 miles S. of Boston, 4 E. by N. of Providence, and 14 S. W. of Taunton. Taken from Rehoboth in 1812; pop. 2134; r. ps. 482 ; val. §1 86 ; s. m. $500. Cl-James O. Barney, c; Henry Clark, b. Phs -Calvin Martin, Theophilus Hutchins, Benoni Carpenter. Att-Ezra Wilkinson. Pms-Church Gray ; South, Allen Munroe.
Somerset.
On Taunton river, opposite the town of Fall River, and the starting place of the railroad from Fall River to Providence. Distance to Providence, 13 miles S. W. This town has good navigable waters, with about 1200 tons of shipping, and seven potteries. Some indications of anthracite coal. 45 miles S. of Boston, 13 S. of Taunton, and 7 S. of Dighton. Inc. 1790 ; pop. 1014; r. ps. 235 ; val. 99 cents. Cl-Elisha Slade, b; 1 soc. friends ; 1 soc. m. J. P-Wheaton Luther, Jona- than B. Slade. Pms-Elisha Slade, Jr .; West, Nathaniel Mason.
Swansey.
This is a pleasant town of some navigation and ship build- ing, on the west side of the Taunton, and watered by Cole's river. It lies 46 miles S. by W. of Boston. 14 S.W. by S. of Taunton, and 10 N.E. of Bristol, R. I. It has a cotton facto- ry, a paper mill, and a woolen factory. Cl-Jesse Briggs and Mr. Potter, b; 1 soc. N. J. C. Phs-John Winslow, John W. Winslow. J. P-John Mason, Thomas Peck, and others. Inc. 1667 ; pop. 1677 ; r. ps. 384; val. $1 55; s. m. $406 50. Pm-Jolin Mason.
6
36
MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY,
Taunton.
This beautiful place, a shire town of the county, is at the head of sloop navigation, on the river whose name it bears. It lies 32 miles S. of Boston, 20 E.N.E of Providence, 32 N. N.E. of Newport, and 415 miles from Washington. This place has an abundant water power, by the junction of Canoe and Rumford rivers with the Taunton, which is well improved for manufacturing purposes. In this town are 8 cotton facto- ries, a large establishment for printing calico, a large forge, and factories for making nails, wire, hoop iron, tacks. brads, sheet zink, for the covering of houses ; coaches and chaises, &c. &c. There are about 30 sail of coasters, of considerable burthen, which ply between this and the neighboring ports. A railroad is in progress between this place and Boston, When this is accomplished and the improvements on Taunton river are completed, another safe and easy route, by steam, between the capitals of New-England and New-York will be effected. This place has three banks :- " Taunton," capital 8250,000-Samuel Crocker, Pt .; Samuel B. King, Cr. " Bris- tol County," capital $100,000-Wm. A. Crocker, Pt. " Co- hannet," capital $100,000-D. Wilmarth, Pt .; H. M. Barney, Cr. There are also two insurance companies :- The " Mutual Fire," Marcus Morton, Pt .; Alfred Williams, Sec'y ; and the " Fire and Marine," capital $100,000, William Reed, Pt .; H. Washburn, Sec'y. There are in this town a number of insti- tutions for the promotion of moral and religious knowledge. Cl-Alvan Cobb, Erastus Maltby, A. Bigelow, c ; E. C. Bull, e; Mr. Trask, and 1 v. soc. b; a soc. m; 1 soc. u ; and 1 soc. r. c. Phs-Ebenezer Dawes, Alfred Baylies, George Leon- ard, and Dr. Gordon. Atts. and J. P-See Law-Register. This town was inc. 1639; pop. 1820, 4,520-1830, 6,045; r. ps. 1445 ; val. $7 46; s. m. $3000. Pm-Joseph L. Lord.
Westport.
On Acoakset river, near the mouth of Buzzard's Bay, on the line of Rhode-Island-18 miles N.N.E. of Newport, 25 S. of Taunton, 10 S. by E. of Fall River, 10 S.W. of New-Bed- ford, and 60 S. of Boston. Three brigs belong to this place, engaged in the whaling business, and a number of small ves- sels are employed in coasting and fishing. It has a cotton mill and some other factories. CZ-2 socs. friends ; 1 soc. m ; and 1 b. soc. Phs-James H. Handy, Thomas Richmond. J. P-Abner B. Gifford, N. C. Brownell, and others. Inc. 1787 ; pop. 2773 ; r. ps. 638; val. $2 76 ; s. m. $900. Pm- Stephen Howland.
DUKES COUNTY.
THIS county is formed of the islands of Martha's Vineyard, Chappequiddick, Elizabeth Islands, and No Man's Land-the latter of which is the southern extremity of Massachusetts. These islands lie off and south of Barnstable county and Buz- zard's bay, and contain about 120 square miles. The princi- pal island, Martha's Vineyard; the Indian Nope, or Capawock, was first settled by the whites, at Edgarton, in 1641, and is 21 miles in length and 6 in breadth. Although a large portion of this county is woodland, and many of the people engaged in the fisheries and coasting trade, yet considerable exports are annually made of wool, woolen cloth, salt and grain. This county suffered much during the revolutionary war. In 1778, the people were compelled to surrender their fire arms and 2,300 head of cattle to the British. Inc: 1695; pop. 1820, 3,292-1830, 3,518 ; r. ps. 1022 ; val. $3 36. Central lat. 41° 25' N .; lon. 70° 25' W .- 3 towns ; 30 inhabitants to a square mile.
Chilmark.
This town lies on the S. and W. part of Martha's Vineyard. Gay Head, in this town, is the south point of the island; it is 150 feet above the sea, and is crowned with one of the five light-houses in this county. Gay Head is about 60 miles E.N. E. of Montauk, on Long Island, and bears marks of having been subject to volcanic eruptions. This place abounds in specimens of minerals worthy the notice of geologists. This part of the island is inhabited by some descendants of the na tive Indians, who own part of the lands. Inc. 1714; pop. 691; r. ps. 185 ; val. 95 cents ; s. m. §325. 92 miles S.E. of Bos- ton, 33 W. of Nantucket, 23 S.E. by S. of New-Bedford, and 12 S.W. by S. of Edgarton. Cl-1 v. soc. c; 1 soc. m. J. P -Matthew Mayhew, H. P. Mayhew. Conun'r of Wrecks- John Hancock. Pm-Matthew Mayhew.
1
38
MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
Edgarton.
County town and port of entry on the island of Martha's Vineyard-91 miles S. E. of Boston, 20 N.W. by W. of Nan- tucket, 28 S.E. by E. of New-Bedford, 20 S. of Falmouth, and 495 miles from Washington. Inc. 1671; pop. 1509; r. ps. 490 ; val. $1 31 ; s. m. $450. Edgarton (Old Town) har- bor is on the east side of the town, in lat. 41º 25' N .; lon. 70° 25' W. This township includes the fertile island of Chappe- quiddick, on the southeast, on which are some Indians. Seven whale ships belong to this place, and a number of coasting vessels. It has an incorporated academy in good standing. This is said to be the only place in the state where grouse are native. Cl-Ebenezer Poor, c; 1 soc. m ; 1 soc. b. Phs- Daniel Fisher, Samuel Whelden. Atts-T. G. Mayhew, L. Thaxter. Collector-John P. Norton. Comm. of Wrecks- Thomas Mayhew, 2d. Pm-Timothy Coffin.
Tisbury.
On Martha's Vineyard. Inc. 1671 ; pop. 1318; r. ps. 347; val. $1 10; s. m. $550. 8 miles W. of Edgarton, 6 S. of Falmouth, 23 S.E. of New-Bedford, and 85 S.S.E. of Boston. The celebrated harbor of " Holmes Hole" is on the N.E. side of the town and island. Cl-1 soc. m. Ph-Dr. Yale. Att- Thomas Dunham. Commissioner of Wrecks-Ebenezer Skiff. J. P-Thomas Dunham, Charles G. Atherton, and others. Pm-S. Dunham.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.