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Journey back in time to Rochester, Massachusetts, USA

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Rochester, Massachusetts, USA - Village Blacksmith

Rochester, Plymouth, MA

Rochester was settled in 1679 on the lands called "Sippican" by the local Wampanoags, along the coast of Buzzards Bay. (Sippican was the name of the local tribe.) It originally included the lands of Mattapoisett, Marion and parts of Wareham (which was lost when Wareham was founded in 1739). The town was officially incorporated on June 4, 1686 as Rochester, and was renamed for Rochester, England, from which early settlers to the town came. kids.kiddle.co

Rochester includes: Bisbee's Corner and Pierceville.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm



There is MUCH more to discover about Rochester, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!

Rochester Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Village Blacksmith
Rochester, Massachusetts, USA

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Village Blacksmith
View at Leonard's Hill
Rochester, Massachusetts, USA

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Rochester, Massachusetts, USA

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Discover Rochester: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1839 - Rochester
Rochester, Massachusetts
Plymouth county. A large maritime town on Buzzard's bay, 9 miles E. from New Bedford and 48 S.S.E. from Boston. Incorporated, 1686. Population, 1837, 3,570. The face of the town is uneven and the soil light. Mattepoiset and Sipican rivers, rising in large ponds in the town, empty into the bay and form good harbors. The manufactures of Rochester consist of vessels, salt, bar iron, boots, shoes, &c.; value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $101,811. During that period there were 9 vessels engaged in the whale fishery, and brought into port 116,928 gallons of oil, valued at $71,658. A number of merchant vessels belong to this place, and numerous coasting and fishing vessels.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
1845 - ROCHESTER. [Pop. 3,864. Inc. 1686.]
This is a very large township, originally called by the Indians Sippican, and named Rochester, after Rochester in England, from which some of its first settlers came to Scituate, and thence hither.

The chief village, called Mattapoiset, has a good harbor on an arm of Buzzard's Bay, and is largely concerned in the whale fishery.

Ship-building is extensively carried on in this town, and at Sippican Village much salt is manufactured.

Distance from Plymouth, 16 miles; from Boston, 48.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1854 - Rochester
Rochester, a post-village of Plymouth co., Massachusetts, near the head of Rochester harbor, in Buzzard's bay, on the Cape Cod Branch railroad, 50 miles S. by E. from Boston. It has considerable ship building, and several vessels engaged in the whale fisheries. Population of the township, 3808.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
Rochester Massachusetts, 1890
Rochester is a large farming town in the southwesterly part of Plymouth County, 50 miles southeast of Boston. It is bounded on the north by Lakeville and Middleborough, east by Wareham and Marion, south by Mattapoisett, and west by Acushnet and Freetown. The assessed area is 18,410 acres; and above 10,000 acres are occupied by forests of oak, pine and cedar. There are several extensive swamps; the ponds are Snipatuit in the northwest section, with Great and Little Quittacus lying on the northern border; a considerable hill between the three affording a fine view of them and their surroundings. Mary's Pond lies in the east, and in the west is another fine pond with a long hill in the cast, and one or two grist mills near by. Sippican River drains the eastern, and Mattapoisett River the western section of the town.

In the eastern section are other grist mills, and saw mills are found in all parts of the town. There are manufactures of nails, boots and shoes, carriages, etc.; and the... Read MORE...

1895 - Rochester
Rochester, a post-village in Rochester township, Ply mouth co., Mass, about 9 miles N.E. of New Bedford, 3 miles from Buzzard's Bay, and 3 miles W. of the Cape Cod Railroad. It contains an academy, lumber-mills, and 5 churches. Pop. of the township, 1001.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1906
Rochester, a post-village in Rochester township (town), Plymouth co., Mass., about 9 miles NE. of New Bedford and 3 miles from Buzzard's Bay. Pop. of the town in 1900, 986.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Rochester:
East Over Reservation:

Enjoy the scenic beauty of this nature reserve.
Perfect for hiking and bird watching.

Sippican River Farm:

Explore the farm and enjoy its picturesque surroundings.
Check if there are any events or farmer's markets.

Rochester Memorial School Playground:

Ideal for families with kids.
A great place for a day out with a picnic.

Copicut Woods:

Hiking and nature trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
Enjoy the serene woodland setting.

Rochester Country Fair:

If you're visiting during the fair, it's a must-attend event.
Experience the local culture and enjoy fair activities.

Explore Mattapoisett:

A neighboring town with charming shops and waterfront areas.
Great for a day trip from Rochester.

Rochester Historical Society:

Learn about the local history and heritage.
Check for any events or exhibitions.

Nasketucket Bay State Reservation:

Enjoy coastal views and walking trails.
Birdwatching and photography... Read MORE...

Discover Your Roots: Rochester Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Rochester, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Rochester.

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male ancestorSamuel HAMMOND (1655, , Massachusetts, USA - 1728, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorJohn WING (14 December 1656, Sandwich, Massachusetts, USA (East Sandwich) (Forestdale) - 1 August 1717, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorMartha SPOONER (1657, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (North Plymouth) (White Island Shores) - 25 March 1717, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorBeulah WING (16 November 1658, Sandwich, Massachusetts, USA (East Sandwich) (Forestdale) - 3 March 1715, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorEdmund Freeman ELLIS (1661, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA - 20 June 1728, Sandwich, Massachusetts, USA (East Sandwich) (Forestdale))
female ancestorMary HATHAWAY (1665, , Massachusetts, USA - 12 July 1728, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorRebecca BURGESS (17 January 1667, Sandwich, Massachusetts, USA (East Sandwich) (Forestdale) - 17 June 1718, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorMary Mercy WINSLOW (1668, , Massachusetts, USA - 16 July 1755, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorHannah MOREY (30 April 1673, Duxbury, Massachusetts, USA (Cedar Crest) (South Duxbury) (West Duxbury) - 12 July 1729, Rochester, Massachusetts, USA)

Ancestors Who Were Married in Rochester, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Rochester.

View Them Now

male ancestorSamuel HAMMOND (1655 - 1728) and female ancestorMary HATHAWAY (1665 - 12 July 1728) married 1680
male ancestorBenjamin CLIFTON (1 August 1690 - 1730) and female ancestorSarah (Sary) DAVIS (18 March 1695 - 25 January 1731) married 25 January 1717
male ancestorThomas LEMUNYON (1688 - 1728) and female ancestorHester HOWARD (1692 - 1750) married 31 January 1720
male ancestorThomas HAMMOND (16 September 1687 - 7 January 1741) and female ancestorSarah SPOONER (6 October 1700 - 7 January 1741) married 6 April 1721
male ancestorJedediah WOOD (26 July 1700 - 1761) and female ancestorKeziah SIMMONS (SUMERS) (25 June 1701 - 11 November 1788) married 24 December 1724
male ancestorWilliam ASHLEY (12 December 1708 - ) and female ancestorMercy "Marcy" ASHLEY (5 October 1708 - ) married 12 February 1733
male ancestorAbraham ASHLEY (1714 - ) and female ancestorRebecca WHITRIDGE (22 September 1717 - ) married 1736
male ancestorThomas VAUGHAN (VAUGHN) (6 December 1729 - 1 December 1773) and female ancestorHannah PETERSON (1732 - ) married 17 November 1751
male ancestorPercival ASHLEY (1740 - 13 January 1822) and female ancestorAnna BISHOP (18 October 1744 - 13 April 1788) married 27 August 1761

Genealogy Resources for Rochester

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Updated: 10/8/2023 9:53:49 AM