History of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA

1650 - Dartmouth is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1664 - Dartmouth is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Bristol county. The Aponiganset of the Indians. A sea-port on Buzzard's bay, on the W. side of Accushnet river, 56 miles S. from Boston and 3 W. from New Bedford. Incorporated, 1664. Population, 1837, 3,958. There are 5 vessels belonging to this place engaged in the whaling business, and a number in coasting, and other fisheries. The product of the whale, cod, and mackerel fisheries the year ending April 1, 1837, amounted to $93,108. The value of wool grown was $2,110. The value of salt manufactured, of vessels built, of leather tanned, and of boots and shoes made, was $27,910.
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. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - DARTMOUTH. [Pop. 4,155. Inc. 1664.]
Dartmouth once included the great towns of New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Westport, and still its dimensions and population are considerable.

Some of its vesseL are engaged in the whale fishery, but the inhabitants are chiefly engaged in the cod fishery, in farming, and in the manufacture of salt.

Distance from New Bedford, 3 miles; from Taunton, 21; and from Boston, 56
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1849 - Capt Joseph Weldon, of Dartmouth, Mass, has remitted $3000 in gold from California to his family. With his schooner Favorite, 30 tons, he was earning $1000 a month on the Sacramento.

genealogybank.com
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
October 4, 1849

1854 - Dartmouth
Dartmouth, a post-township of Bristol county, Massachusetts, on the north side of Buzzard's bay, 60 miles S. by E. from Boston. Population, 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.

1859
DARTMOUTH, a township of Bristol co., in the state of Massachusetts, U.S. 65 m. S of Boston, intersected by Aponiganset river, which flows into Buzzard's bay, in the SE of the co. Pop. in 1840, 4,135.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1876 - Earthquake
A distinct shock of earthquake was felt on the 22d at New Bedford, Fairhaven and Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Arizona Weekly Citizen
Tucson, Arizona
September 30, 1876

1877 - Avid Reader
Publishers of newspapers seldom meet with such conscientious subscribers as one Mrs. Butts, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Although seventy-five years old, she is reported to have recently walked from her home to New Bedford - a distance of fourteen miles - for the sole purpose of paying her subscription to a newspaper of that town.
Delaware County Daily Times
Chester, Pennsylvania
November 27, 1877

Dartmouth Massachusetts, 1890
Dartmouth is a large farming, fishing and manufacturing town in the southern part of Bristol County, bordering on the other section of Buzzard's Bay [sic]. It is bounded on the north by Fall River and Freetown, on the east by New Bedford, on the west by Westport, and south by Buzzard's Bay. The shore line is quite irregular, being broken by Apponaganset Bay, Pamanset River Bay, and others, and projecting far into the sea at Mishaum and Barney's Joy points. The assessed area is 34,848 acres.

The Old Colony Railroad station at New Bedford is near and just opposite the middle of the town, and the Fall River and New Bedford Branch has stations at Hicksville and North Dartmouth. The villages are on Apponaganset Bay at the southeast, on the Pamanset River near the eastern line, in the north part of the town on the main branch of the Westport River, and at Westport Mills, on the same river, where it leaves the town on the western side. The villages by their latest names are Apponegansett, ... Read MORE...

1895 - Dartmouth
Dart'mouth, a post township of Bristol co, Mass., about 2 miles W. of New Bedford, is bounded on the S.E. by Buzzard's Bay. It has several good harbors, and contains a village named South Dartmouth. Dartmouth Post Office is about 60 miles S. of Boston. The township is traversed by the railroad from Fall River to New Bedford. It has 12 churches. Pop, in 1880, 3430; in 1890, 3122.
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

1899 - Dartmouth
Dartmouth. - This town was formed from so-called "common land" on June 8, 1664, and included the territory called Acushena, Ponagansett and Coakset. The bounds of the town were defined June 3, 1668. From this territory New Bedford was set off February 23, 1787, Westport July 2, 1787; New Bedford then included what are now Fairhaven and Acushnet. In February a small part of Dartmouth was annexed to Westport, and another tract was likewise set off March 4, 1805. On March 20, 1845, a tract was annexed to New Bedford, and another on May 3, 1888. Dartmouth is bounded on the north by Fall Reiver and Freetown, on the east by New Bedford and Buzzard's Bay, on the south by Buzzard's Bay, and on the west by Westport. It has four post-offices, viz., Dartmouth, North Darthmouth, South Dartmouth, and Nonquitt. There have been post-offices in the past at Aponagansett and Hicksville, but they were closed. The population of the town by the census of 1895 is 3,107; the number of legal voters in that... Read MORE...

1916
Dartmouth, a post township (town) of Bristol co., Mass., 2 miles W. of New Bedford, is bounded on the SE. by Buzzards Bay. Pop. in 1900, 3669. The banking point is New Bedford.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1930 - SEVEN INJURED AS BUS HITS AUTO. Latter Vehicle Is Knocked Ten Feet Off Road at Dartmouth, Mass.
(By Associated Press)
New Bedford, Mass., Feb. 11. - Seven persons were injured, two severely when a Union Street Railway bus operating between Providence and New Bedford, struck a sedan on the state road in Dartmouth yesterday. The bus knocked the sedan 10 feet off the road and then struck a telephone pole. The sedan was wrecked and the bus damaged about the front.

Severely injured were two women passengers in the sedan, Mrs. Eliza P. Hawes, 77, Dartmouth, and her daughter, Mrs. Cynthia Hawes Lamb, Los Angeles. The mother suffered several possible fractures, preliminary examination at a hospital disclosed, and the daughter has a possible fractured skull. All the injured, three women and four men, were taken to a hospital here.

Several physicians from this city and surrounding towns were rushed to the scene of the accident.
Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
February 11, 1930

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Dartmouth:
1. Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust Reserves: Explore the stunning natural beauty of Dartmouth by visiting the DNRT Reserves. Places like Destruction Brook Woods and Slocum's River Reserve offer hiking trails, bird watching, and peaceful walks through the woods.

2. Round Hill Beach: This serene beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying a leisurely stroll along the shoreline. It's a great spot for a relaxing day by the ocean.

3. Apponagansett Park: This park is a fantastic place for picnics, family gatherings, or just relaxing in a peaceful setting. There's a playground for kids and a pond for kayaking and fishing.

4. Cornell Farm: If you're interested in agriculture and horticulture, Cornell Farm is a must-visit. They have beautiful gardens and offer educational programs and workshops.

5. Demarest Lloyd State Park: This coastal state park offers a beautiful beach, walking trails, and picnicking areas. It's a great place for swimming and taking in the coastal... Read MORE...