History of Prescott, Massachusetts, USA*

Prescott, Massachusetts
Hampshire county. The surface of this town is rough and hilly. The principal manufacture consists of palm-leaf hats, of which about 50,000 are annually made. The soil is better for grazing than tillage. Prescott lies 76 miles W. from Boston and 16 N.E. from Northampton. Taken from Pelham in 1822. Population, 1837, 788.

Prescott was taken from Pelham and New Salem. It was named in honor of Col. Prescott, of Peperell, who was the actual commander at the battle of Bunker Hill.

Its soil is rough and hilly, but well watered by two sources of Swift river.

A large number of palm-leaf hats are made here, but the inhabitants are generally farmers.

Distance from Northampton, 16 miles; from Boston, 76.

Prescott, a post-township in Hampshire co., Massachusetts, 74 miles W. from Boston. Population, 737.

Prescott forms the northeast angle of Hampshire County, and is about 100 miles west of Boston. The Athol and Enfield Branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad passes through the southeast corner, and has stations in the adjoining towns east and south. Its territory is in the form of an inverted L. New Salem bounds it on the north, Dana and Greenwich on the east, the latter and Enfield on the south, and Pelham and Shutesbury on the west. Its assessed area is 11,007 acres; and there are about 2,300 acres of forest, consisting chiefly of chestnut and pine.

Prescott is a pleasant farming town of 448 inhabitants, 142 legal voters, 109 taxed dwelling-houses, and 111 farms. The products of the last are of the usual variety, and were valued in 1885 at $63,9992, The soil of this town is strong, yellow loam, but hard to till. There are some domestic manufactures of hats. There are several saw-mills, making lumber, boxes, whip-stocks, etc. The valuation in 1888 was $177,330, with a tax-rate of ...

Prescott, a post-township of Hampshire co, Massachusetts, about 28 miles N.N.E. of Springfield. Pop. 494.

Prescott, a post-township (town) of Hampshire co., Mass., about 28 miles NNE. of Springfield. Pop. in 1900, 380.