History of Plainfield, Massachusetts, USA

Plainfield, Massachusetts
Hampshire county. This town is elevated on the Green mountain range, at the N.W. corner of the county, and watered by the upper branches of Westfield river.—Although the surface is rough and mountainous, yet the soil is excellent for pasturage, and produces some fine cattle. In 1837, the fleeces of 3,772 sheep, sheared in this town, were valued at $5,379. There are 2 woolen mills, and manufactures of boots, shoes, leather, palm-leaf hats, chairs, cabinet ware, &c.; total annual value about $40,000. Plainfield lies 110 miles W. by N. from Boston and 20 N.W. from Northampton. Incorporated, 1785. Population, 1837, 865.

Plainfield was originally the north part of Cummington.

The land is elevated, but the soil is good, especially for grass.

Several small streams and some beautiful ponds water the town.

The chief manufactures are woollen goods and palm-leaf hats.

The hills feed numerous flocks of valuable sheep.

Distance from Northampton, 20 miles; from Boston, 110.

Plainfield, a post-township in Hampshire co., Massachusetts, 110 miles W. by N. from Boston. Population, 814.

Plainfield occupies the northwest extremity of Hampshire County, having for its bounds, Hawley on the north, Ashfield on the east, Cummington on the south, and Windsor and Savoy on the west. It contains about 20 square miles. The assessed area is 12,498 acres; and there are about 3,000 acres or forest, consisting of beech, maple and spruce.

Except in the north, Plainfield is occupied by hills, mostly in northwest and southwest ranges; between which, Meadow, Mill and Bartlett brooks run southward to Westfield River, which flows along the southern base of Deer Hill, in the southwest corner, the highest eminence in the town. Crooked Pond, and Plainfield, or North Pond, in the northwest are the principal bodies of water. The underlying rock is talcose and mica-schist; in the latter of which occurs cummingtonite, a variety of hornblende. Rhodonite and pyrolusite —ores of manganese— are also found.

The soil is a heavy loam. The sugar maple is a source of profit, having afforded in...

Plainfield, a post-hamlet in Plainfield township, Hampshire co, Mass., about 22 miles N.W. of Northampton. It has a church and a woollen-mill. The township presents beautiful scenery. Pop. of the township, 481.

Plainfield, a post-village in Plainfield township (Town), Hampshire co., Mass., about 22 miles NW. of Northampton. The town presents beautiful scenery. Pop. in 1900, 404.