History of Northfield, Massachusetts, USA

Northfield, Massachusetts
Franklin county. This is an interesting town, on both sides of Connecticut river. It was incorporated in 1673, and some years after desolated by the Indians. The inhabitants returned again in 1685, but it was soon after destroyed a second time. In 1713, it was again rebuilt. Fort Dummer was in the vicinity. This town was purchased of the Indians in 1687 for 200 fathoms of wampum and £57 value of goods. Its Indian name was Squawkeag. Most of the land in this town is excellent, and the village very pleasant: 28 miles below Walpole, N.H., 11 N.E. from Greenfield, and 83 N.W. by W. from Boston. Northfield produces fine cattle, and considerable wool. The manufactures of the town consist of leather, boots, shoes, ploughs, chairs and cabinet ware. Population, 1837, 1,605.

Northfield was called Squakheag by the Indians, and originally extended some miles into what is now New Hampshire and Vermont. Northfield is the only town of Massachusetts that is situated on both sides of Connecticut River.

During Philip's War the town was burnt, and the settlement broken up. After the inhabitants returned, it was again burnt by the French and Indians, and continued deserted until 1713.

The soil is good, and the village handsome and well situated.

Distance from Greenfield, 12 miles; from Boston, 83.

“In 1672, a township was granted to John Pynchon. Mr. Pearson, and other associates, at Squakheag, now Northfield, on Connecticut river; and the following year a few people from Northampton, Hadley, and Hatfield, began a plantation at that place. The township was laid out on both sides of the river, and included an area of six miles by twelve, extending several miles into the present states of New Hampshire and Vermont, including a valuable tract of interval land. The northern boundary of Massachusetts was at this time unknown, but the grant was supposed to be within the limits of the province. A deed to William Clark and John King of Northampton, agents for the proprietors of Northfield, covering the grant, was made August 13, 1687, by Nawelet Gongegua, Aspiambelet, Addarawanset, and Meganichcha, Indians of the place, in consideration of two hundred fathom of wampum and fifty-seven pounds worth of trading goods.' It was signed with the marks of the grantors, and witnessed. by...

Northfield, a post-township in Franklin co., Mass., on the Connecticut river, and on Brattleborough Branch railroad, 80 miles N. W. by W. from Boston. Population, 1772.

Northfield is a delightful farming town lying on both sides of the Connecticut River in the north side of Franklin County. The Connecticut River Railroad crosses its northwestern corner; and the New London and Northern Railroad follows the river through the town, having stations at Northfield. Farms, Mount Hermon, Northfield Village and West Northfield. It connects with the Fitchburg Railroad some two miles south of the town line at Miller's Falls, 97 miles northwest of Boston. Northfield is bounded on the east by Warwick, on the south by Erving, on the west by Gill and Bernardston, and on the north by Vernon in Vermont and Winchester in New Hampshire.

The assessed area is 19,616 acres, of which 6,783 are forest, containing most of the New England varieties of trees. The land along the Connecticut is alluvial, and very productive. The eminences are ridge-like; the highest being Cragg Mountain and Beer's Hill, in the southwestern section. Mill and Four-mile brooks drain the central...

Northfield, a post-village in Northfield township, Franklin co., Mass., on the E. bank of the Connecticut River, and on the New London Northern Railroad, 23 miles N. of Amherst, and about 11 miles N.N.E. of Green field. It has 3 churches, and a public library. A bridge crosses the river near this place. The township contains a village named West Northfield. Pop. of the township, 1641.