History of Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA

1766 - Cheshire is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1793 - Cheshire was founded in 1793. Its parent towns were Adams, Lanesborough, Windsor and New Ashford District.
The vital records for the period of 1750-1865 were destroyed by fire. Marriage intention records were at the home of the Town Clerk at the time of the fire. No records have been published.

ma-vitalrecords.org/ MA/ Berkshire/index.shtml

1839 - Cheshire
Cheshire, Massachusetts
Berkshire county. Cheshire has rendered itself worthy of its name by its production of cheese of fine flavor and quality. In 1801 the good people of this place sent a cheese to Mr. Jefferson, weighing about 1200 pounds. The value of wool, the growth of 1836, sold for $5,522. The Hoosack river passes through the town. Although a mountainous township, the soil has been rendered productive by the industry of the people. It has some manufactures of leather and shoes. 125 miles W.N.W. from Boston and 16 N. by E. from Lenox. Population, 1837, 924. Incorporated, 1793.
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 - CHESHIRE. [Pop. 985. Inc. 1793.]
This town was formed from parts of Lanesborough, New Ashford, Adams, and Windsor.

The town rises from the centre into hills well adapted for grazing;
and the products of the dairy, rivalling those of Cheshire in England,
probably suggested the name.

The greatest event in the history of this town was the manufacture
of a cheese, weighing over twelve hundred pounds, which was sent to the President of the United States, in the year 1801.

The Hoosic River passes northwardly through Cheshire.

Distance from Lenox, 16 miles ; from Boston, 120.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Cheshire
Cheshire, a post-township of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, about 120 miles W. by N. from Boston ; intersected by the Pittsfield and North Adams railroad. Pop., 1298.
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
CHESHIRE, a township in Berkshire co., in Massachusetts, 130 m. W by N of Boston. Pop. 985.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1888 - The Great Jefferson Cheese
When Thomas Jefferson was chosen President Elder John Leland, a Baptist clergyman of Cheshire, Mass., proposed that his flock should celebrate the victory by making for the new Chief Magistrate the biggest cheese the world has ever seen. Every man and woman who owned a cow was to give for this cheese all the milk yielded on a certain day only - no Federal cow must contribute a drop. A huge cider press was fitted up to make it in, and the appointed day the whole country turned out with pails and tubs of curd, the girls and women in their best gown and ribbons, and the men in their Sunday coats and clean shirt-colors. The cheese was put to press with prayer and hymn singing and great solemnity. When it was well dried it weighed 1,600 pounds. It was placed on a sleigh and Elder John Leland drove with it all the way to Washington. All the country had heard of the big cheese and came out to look at it as the elder drove along.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
May 26, 1888

Cheshire Massachusetts, 1890
Cheshire is a fine grazing town in the northerly part of Berkshire County, about 150 miles west, slightly north, of Boston. At Cheshire, Cheshire Harbor and Farnum's are railroad stations on a branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad connecting Pittsfield with the Fitchburg Railroad at North Adams. The town is bounded by New Ashford and Adams on the north; Savoy, Windsor and Dalton on the east; the latter and Lanesborough on the south; and the last, with New Ashford, on the west. The form of the township is very irregular, its lines taking not less than 21 different courses. The western, southern and eastern parts are very hilly, but the northern, and the middle from northeast to southwest, have fine valleys, with clayey and fertile soil.

Stafford's Hill is in the northeast; and " Round's Rocks " situated at the northwest, was a station of the Topographical Survey of the State. The geological formation consists of calcareous gneiss, Levis limestone, Lauzon schist and the Potsdam... Read MORE...

1895 - Cheshire
Cheshire, a post-village of Berkshire co., Mass., in Cheshire township, on the Pittsfield & North Adams Branch Railroad, 10 miles N.N.E. of Pittsfield. The township has 4 churches. Cheshire has a hilly surface and a fertile soil. It is noted for dairies, has manufactures of cotton, leather, iron, and lumber, and exports much quartz-sand. P.1308.
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

1916
Cheshire, a post-village of Berkshire co., Mass., in Cheshire township (town), on the Boston and Albany R., 10 miles ENE. of Pittsfield. Pop. in 1900, 1221.
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

1926 - NINE INJURED AS CAR TURNS TURTLE. Locomobile Owned by Lester Carpenter, Overturns in Car Tracks. CHILD IN HOSPITAL.
Gertrude Carpenter, Two Years Old, Has Possible Concussion - Others Not Injured

Nine Adams people, riding in a Locomobile touring car, owned by Lester Carpenter, 117 Grove street and operated by Albert H. Newton of this town, who lives with the Carpenters, miraculously escaped fatal injury yesterday afternoon about 5:15 o'clock when the car turned turtle near Dowens Corners in Cheshire, opposite the Orin Martin farm.

One of the occupants, Mrs. Walter Sheldon, sustained a broken collar bone and it is feared that one of the Carpenter children, Gertrude, 2 years old, may have concussion of the brain. She is still in the hospital. Three of the occupants, Mrs. Walter Sheldon, her daughter, Theresa and Harold Lewis, of Phillips Hill were taken to the Plunkett Memorial hospital by Donald Bennett of Cheshire but were discharged later in the evening after receiving treatment from Dr. B. E. Howe. None of the three, except Mrs. Sheldon were injured in any way. Mrs. Lester Carpenter, wife... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Cheshire:
Cheshire Reservoir:

Spend a peaceful day by the Cheshire Reservoir. It's an ideal spot for fishing, kayaking, or simply enjoying the scenic beauty.

Mount Greylock State Reservation:

Explore the natural beauty of Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. There are numerous hiking trails, and the summit offers breathtaking panoramic views.

Hike the Appalachian Trail:

Cheshire is home to a section of the famous Appalachian Trail. Whether you're a serious hiker or just looking for a nature walk, this trail provides a beautiful outdoor experience.

Cheshire Historical Society:

Discover the history of Cheshire at the local historical society. It's a great place to learn about the town's past and how it has evolved over the years.

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum:

Take a nostalgic trip back in time at the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum. Enjoy a scenic train ride through the picturesque Berkshire Mountains.

Cheshire Cheese Festival:

If you happen to... Read MORE...