History of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA

1650 - Bridgewater is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1656 - Bridgewater is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Bridgewater
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Plymouth county. This township was formerly very large. It is now divided into four distinct towns. Not content with attaching the cardinal points of the compass to the names of three divisions of this ancient and respectable town, this remnant of the old territory is often improperly called South Bridgewater. The Indian name of this township was Nunketest. Bridgewater contains some very good land, and is well watered by branches of Taunton river. It lies 27 miles S. by E. from Boston, 20 S.S.W. from Plymouth, and 17 S. from Weymouth landing. Population, 1830, 1,855; 1837, 2,092. This town was first settled in 1651, and incorporated in 1656. The settlements were nearly all destroyed by the Indians in 1676. Manufacturing operations commenced here at an early period. Hugh Orr, an eminent Scotchman, carried on the manufacture of cannon and small arms during the revolutionary war. The present manufactures consist of boots, shoes, hats, paper, anchors, bar iron... Read MORE...

1845 - BRIDGEWATER. Pop. 2,131. Inc. 1656.
The Indian name was Saughtucket, and the Ancient Town, which included North, East, and West Bridgewater, was purchased by Captain Miles Standish of Massasoit, and for several years formed a part of Duxbury. It was called Bridgewater, after the English Duke of that name.

To show how much towns cost in that day, it may be stated that the Four Bridgewaters cost 7 coats, 9 hatchets, 8 hoes, 20 knives, 4 moose skins, and 10 and a half yards of cotton.

This town, before the separation, was called South Bridgewater. Its soil is good, and well watered by Taunton River.

Its chief manufactures are boots and shoes, machinery, nails, anchors, &c.

One of the State Normal Schools is established here. Distance from Plymouth, 20 miles; from Boston, 27.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Bridgewater
Bridoewater, a post-township of Ply mouth county, Massachusetts, on the Fall River railroad, 27 miles S. by E. from Boston. Population, 2790.
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
BRIDGEWATER, a township of Plymouth co., in the state of Massachusetts, 25 m. SE of Boston. It is watered by branches of Taunton river, is tolerably fertile, and possesses considerable manufactories. Pop. 2,131.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1879 - The oldest ex-representative of congress living is Mr. Austin Hale, of Bridgewater, Mass., who is ninety-six years old.

genealogybank.com
Kalamazoo Gazette
Kalamazoo, Michigan
June 3, 1879

Bridgewater Massachusetts, 1890
Bridgewater is a fine old town in the western part of Plymouth County, 28 miles south of Boston by the Old Colony Railroad, whose stations within it are Bridgewater Iron Works and, half a mile south of this, Bridgewater (Centre), and in the southern part of the town, State Farm. The post; offices are Bridgewater, Scotland and State Farm; the villages being these (except the last), and Paper Mill Village, in the eastern part of the town. The general form of the township is oval; having an assessed area of 16,055 acres, including 5,000 acres of woodland. The surface is for the most part undulating, having a fine eminence at the north called Sprague's Hill, 192 feet in height. In the western part of the town is the handsome Lake Nippenicket, covering 388 acres, and embracing several pretty islands. Robbin's Pond, three miles northeast of the centre, is also an attractive resort for fishing.

Town and Matfield rivers, entering Bridgewater on the north side, unite in the eastern part;... Read MORE...

1895 - Bridgewater
Bridgewater, a post-village of Plymouth co., Mass, in Bridgewater township, and on the Old Colony Railroad, # miles S. of Boston, and 32 miles N. by E. from Fall River, near the junction of the Abington & Bridgewater Railroad. It contains the Bridgewater State Normal School, and the Bridgewater Academy; also a savings-bank, and a manufactory of cotton-gins. One weekly newspaper is published here. The Taunton River forms the S.E. boundary of the township. It has 7 churches, and manufactures of cotton, iron, paper, augers, &c. The township is the seat of the state workhouse. Pop, in 1890, 4249.
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

1895 - THE BRIDEGROOM CAME NOT, And the Bride To Have Been Is Now Ill With Grief and Chagrin. A Church Wedding Which Failed to Come Off at Bridgewater, Mass.
Bridgewater, Mass., June 29. - Many invitations had been issued to the Perkins-Bevan wedding at Trinity-Episcopal church this forenoon, but the young man failed to put in an appearance and the young lady is ill at her home, prostrated with grief at the sudden change in her plans.

She first learned of the true state of affairs late Friday night from James Perkins, father of Robert H. Perkins, the prospective groom, who informed her of the departure of his son.

The breaking of the match is said to be the disinclination of the Perkins family to have the young man marry at present. He is 23 years old and Miss Bevan 29. Both are well known socially here, she being organist at Trinity church.

Perkins was for a while engaged in business here, having a store in Central Square.

It is understood that Miss Bevan will pass the summer in England. The couple had a home fitted up for their occupancy.
Lewiston Sunday Journal
Lewiston, Maine
June 29, 1895

1916
Bridgewater, a post-village of Plymouth co., Mass., in Bridgewater township (town), on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 27 miles S. of Boston. It contains the Bridgewater State Normal School and a state workhouse. The Taunton River forms the SE. boundary of the town, which has manufactures of cotton, iron, paper, shoes, brick, nails, etc., and has large foundries and machine-shops, cotton-gin factory, etc. Pop. of the town in 1890, 4249 ; in 1900, 5806.
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

Whether you're a resident or just passing through, there are numerous places to go and things to do in Bridgewater. Here's a list:
Bridgewater State University: Start your visit by exploring the beautiful campus of Bridgewater State University. Take a leisurely walk around the grounds, visit the library, or attend a cultural or sporting event if there's one happening during your visit.

Bridgewater Historic District: Stroll through the historic district and admire the well-preserved colonial and Victorian-era architecture. The town's historic charm is evident in its beautiful homes and buildings.

Bridgewater Iron Works Museum: For a glimpse into Bridgewater's industrial history, visit the Iron Works Museum. Learn about the town's role in the iron industry during the 19th century and the significance of the Bridgewater Iron Works.

Horseshoe Mill Dam Park: Enjoy some outdoor recreation at Horseshoe Mill Dam Park. You can go for a hike, have a picnic, or simply relax by the dam. It's a peaceful spot to connect with nature.

Bridgewater State Forest: If you're a nature enthusiast, Bridgewater State Forest... Read MORE...