History of Norton, Massachusetts, USA

1669 - Norton is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1711 - Norton is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Norton
Norton, Massachusetts
Bristol county. Norton was taken from Taunton in 1711. It lies 30 miles S. from Boston, 17 N.E. from Providence, and 8 N.W. from Taunton. Population, 1837, 1,530. It is well watered by Rumford, Cocasset, and Canoe rivers, which empty into the Taunton. The manufactures of the town consist of sheet copper and copper bolts, cotton goods, boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, ploughs, shuttles, straw bonnets and baskets:—total value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $397,763.

Winnicunnit pond [Winnecunnet Pond], in this town, was a great resort for the Indians, some of whom resided in natural caves, on its shores, and lived on fish and clams.
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 - NORTON. [Pop. 1,545. Inc. 1711.]
Norton was probably named after the Rev. John Norton, who came to Plymouth with Gov. Winslow, in 1635, and was settled over the first church in Boston for many years.

This town once included Easton and Mansfield, and with them was originally a part of Taunton.

The chief manufactures are of copper, iron, and cotton. The soil requires industrious men to make it profitable.

Distance from Taunton, 8 miles ; from Boston, 30.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Norton
Norton, a post-village of Bristol co., Mass. on the Taunton Branch railroad, 27 miles S. W. of Boston. Pop. of the township, 1966.
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.

1890 Norton Massachusetts
Norton is a farming and manufacturing town lying in the northern part of Bristol County, 30 miles south of Boston by the Taunton and New Bedford Branch of the Old Colony Railroad; from which, also, another branch connects with Attleborough. On the first the stations are Norton and Crane's; on the latter, Chartley, Barrowville and Norton Furnace (Norton Mills). The post-offices are Norton, East Norton, Barrowsville and Chartley. The other village is Winneconnet. The town is bounded on the north by Mansfield and Easton, on the southeast by Taunton, and west by Attleborough, with Rehoboth at the southwest angle.

The assessed area is 16,828 acres,— of which 2,767 acres are forest, composed chiefly of pine. Formerly large quantities of ship timber were cut here. There are many small streams, as Rumford, Wading and Canoe rivers and Dora's Brook—flowing southeasterly through the town into the Taunton River — all abounding with pickerel and furnishing motive power. In the easterly part of... Read MORE...

1894 - NORTON'S BIG FIRE. STARTED IN A BOX FACTORY AND EVENTUALLY BURNED OVER TWO ACRES OF LAND.
Norton, Mass., July 27. - Fire broke out yesterday in the three-storied wooden building owned and occupied by A. H. Sweet & Co. as a box factory. Owing to there being no water system in the town, a bucket brigade was formed, but which proved totally inadequate, and the building was razed to the ground within 30 minutes.

The large lumber yard adjoining the factory was soon ablaze and 2,000,000 feet of lumber were consumed. A stiff wind carried the flames across the street to the boarding house owned by the company, which was speedily a mass of ruins. The residence of Selectman Cady was the next building the fire attacked, and although the fire departments of Taunton and Attleboro fought the flames with desperation the house was totally destroyed. Two new houses, unoccupied, belonging to Austin Messenger, were also engulfed in the holocaust.

It is estimated that the total damage will be in the neighborhood of $100,000, and was insured about half that amount. The fire is thought to ... Read MORE...

1895 - Norton
Norton, a post-village in Norton township, Bristol co., Mass., near the Mansfield & Taunton Branch Railroad, 8 miles N.N.W. of Taunton, and 27 miles S. by W. of Boston. The station is at East Norton, 1 mile E. of the village. Norton contains the Wheaton Female Seminary and 6 churches. The township has manufactures of cotton, woollen goods, jewelry, friction matches, and copper. Pop. of the township, in 1890, 1785.
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 - Norton
Norton. - This was the seventh town formed in Bristol county and was set off from Taunton on March 17, 1710. On June 12, 1711, a bill to perfect the grant was passed. Easton was set off from Norton in December, 1725. On the 26th of April, 1770, a part of Easton was constituted the District of Mansfield. Easton is part of the Twelfth Congressional District, and with Mansfield and Raynham, forms the Second Representative District, with 2,459 legal voters, entitling the district to one representative. The State census of 1895 gives the population of the town as 1,614, and the number of registered voters in 1897 was 348. There are five post-offices in Norton, namely, Barrowsville, Chartley, East Norton, Norton, and Norton Furnace.

The principal village in the town is Norton, which is centrally situated and within a short distance of the Taunton division of the railroad, on which there is the station call East Norton; the population is about 450. This is and long has been a considerable ... Read MORE...

1906
Norton, a post-village in Norton township (town), Bristol co., Mass., 8 miles NNW. of Taunton on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R. Norton contains the Wheaton Female Seminary. It has manufactures of paper and wood-boxes. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1826; of the village, about 600.
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

1909 - $100,000 Fire in Norton, Mass.
NORTON, Mass., May 27. - Three wool storehouses, connected with the George A. Talbot & Sons mill here, were burned to the ground to-day, causing a loss of $100,000. Each storehouse was afire when the flames were discovered, and this fact leads the police to believe that the blaze was of incendiary origin. The wool burned was owned by twenty firms, located in all parts of the country.
The New York Times
New York, New York
May 28, 1909

2023 - Whether you're a resident looking for new experiences or a visitor passing through, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Norton and its surrounding areas:
Wheaton College: Start your journey in Norton by exploring Wheaton College. This liberal arts college boasts a beautiful campus with stunning architecture, open green spaces, and walking trails. You can take a leisurely stroll, visit the college's art galleries, or attend one of their cultural events.

Norton Reservoir: For outdoor enthusiasts, Norton Reservoir offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and picnicking. The serene surroundings make it a perfect spot for a relaxing day out with family or friends.

Myles Standish State Forest: Located just a short drive away in neighboring Plymouth, Myles Standish State Forest is a vast natural area with miles of hiking and biking trails. It's also a great spot for camping, birdwatching, and enjoying the beauty of New England's forests.

Norton Country Club: Golfers can tee off at the Norton Country Club, a picturesque golf course that offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience. The course is beautifully maintained, and the club ... Read MORE...