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flag  History of Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA

Visit Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

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Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA - Cheshire Inn and South Street, Cheshire, Mass. (1908)

Cheshire, Berkshire, MA

The Berkshires town of Cheshire, Mass. boasts a 500 acre lake, spectacular views from Stafford Hill, and one of the most unusual monuments anywhere, which celebrates the 1,235 pound cheese presented to President Jefferson by Cheshire farmers. berkshirelinks.com

Cheshire includes: Cheshire Harbor and Farnams.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm



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

Cheshire Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Cheshire Inn and South Street, Cheshire, Mass. (1908)
Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA

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Cheshire Inn and South Street, Cheshire, Mass. (1908)
Cheshire Pond, Cheshire, Mass. Boston & Albany R. R.
Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA

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Cheshire Pond, Cheshire, Mass. Boston & Albany R. R.
Reynolds Rock

Reynolds Rock, a climbers' favorite, in Cheshire stands 30 feet high and sits 40 fe
Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA

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Reynolds Rock

Reynolds Rock, a climbers' favorite, in Cheshire stands 30 feet high and sits 40 feet long.

Discover Cheshire: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
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. Alphabetically arranged. 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
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
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...

2023 - 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...

Discover Your Roots: Cheshire Ancestry

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

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

View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)



female ancestorPenelope WOOD (23 May 1722, Swansea, Massachusetts, USA (Ocean Grove) - 1800, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorJael CHASE (1724, Swansea, Massachusetts, USA (Ocean Grove) - 19 May 1814, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorCaleb BROWN (2 April 1754, Rehoboth, Massachusetts, USA - 22 May 1827, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorAmey MASON (9 November 1758, Swansea, Massachusetts, USA (Ocean Grove) - 17 March 1822, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorAbigail FISH (1791, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA - 17 January 1863, Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA (Berkshire))
male ancestorRufus WELLS (1797, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA - 25 October 1844, Adams, Massachusetts, USA)
male ancestorWaterman BROWN (January 1798, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA - 30 January 1877, Adams, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorMary INGRAHAM (1799, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA - 3 April 1879, Tyringham, Massachusetts, USA)
female ancestorLaura WERDEN (Oct 10 1802 , Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA - Mar 15 1874 , Ludington, Mason, Michigan, USA)

Ancestors Who Were Married in Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA

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

View Them Now

male ancestorTimothy BROWN (18 February 1774 - 15 April 1852) and female ancestorBetsey MUNRO (23 October 1779 - 30 May 1863) married 13 March 1796
male ancestorSnell BABBITT (9 September 1783 - 9 March 1853) and female ancestorJael EDSON (23 January 1787 - 1 February 1866) married 15 July 1809
male ancestorGeorge Colburn BOYNTON (11 January 1848 - 4 April 1935) and female ancestorHarriet A JONES (May 1850 - 1923) married 12 May 1866
male ancestorGeorge Dorr INGALLS (16 July 1845 - 13 June 1913) and female ancestorEdna Rosalind FISHER (29 April 1850 - 8 December 1919) married 14 September 1870
male ancestorHenry D FLETCHER (March 1865 - 1916) and female ancestorIda Mae PATTEN (22 February 1864 - 1 September 1950) married 22 November 1890
male ancestorWarner A FARNAM (24 October 1868 - 14 February 1949) and female ancestorGrace Augusta SMITH (5 April 1873 - 5 October 1950) married 28 July 1892
male ancestorPeter HORN (25 June 1888 - March 1963) and female ancestorMabel Irene BOYINGTON (5/14/1890 - 1942) married 3 December 1910
male ancestorDonald Paul WHITNEY (November 1883 - 1929) and female ancestorRuth Zilpha INGALLS (4 August 1891 - 22 August 1982) married 31 October 1914
male ancestorStarr Ingalls WHITNEY (11 December 1914 - 19 April 1993) and female ancestorPauline Miller HORN (5 March 1923 - 7 October 1972) married 14 December 1940

Genealogy Resources for Cheshire

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Updated: 10/1/2023 8:46:40 PM