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History of Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Journey back in time to Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Dighton, Massachusetts, USA.
ABOUT THE PLACE
About Dighton
Dighton, Bristol, MA
Dighton, which was named in honor of a woman, Frances Dighton Williams, was founded in 1712 as the southern precinct of the Town of Taunton and retains close regional ties with Taunton, Fall River, and Providence. dighton-ma.gov
Included in Dighton are: Segreganset and Broad Cove.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm
Dighton, which was named in honor of a woman, Frances Dighton Williams, was founded in 1712 as the southern precinct of the Town of Taunton and retains close regional ties with Taunton, Fall River, and Providence. dighton-ma.gov
Included in Dighton are: Segreganset and Broad Cove.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm
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VINTAGE DIGHTON
Dighton Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
![Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3a%2f%2fgreenerpasture.com%2fPlaces%2fDetails%2f978&media=https%3a%2f%2fgreenerpasture.com%2fContent%2fancestorimages%2fdighton_ma_house3.jpg&description=Dighton, Massachusetts, USA - Coram-Shove House
This house was probably built by Thomas Coram about 1690. Coram came from England and set up a shipyard at what is known as Zebulon's Landing. After ten years he returned to England and founded the Foundling Hospital at London. Later the house was owned by Capt. Anthony Shove, who superintended the building of the steeple on the Unitarian Church. His son, George, built the handsome lyre fence. He was a man of literary and artistic taste. His painting entitled "The Landing of the Norsemen" may be seen at historical Hall, Taunton, Mass.){kind=small}
Coram-Shove House
This house was probably built by Thomas Coram about 1690. Coram came from England and set up a shipyard at what is known as Zebulon's Landing. After ten years he returned to England and founded the Foundling Hospital at London. Later the house was owned by Capt. Anthony Shove, who superintended the building of the steeple on the Unitarian Church. His son, George, built the handsome lyre fence. He was a man of literary and artistic taste. His painting entitled "The Landing of the Norsemen" may be seen at historical Hall, Taunton, Mass.
This house was probably built by Thomas Coram about 1690. Coram came from England and set up a shipyard at what is known as Zebulon's Landing. After ten years he returned to England and founded the Foundling Hospital at London. Later the house was owned by Capt. Anthony Shove, who superintended the building of the steeple on the Unitarian Church. His son, George, built the handsome lyre fence. He was a man of literary and artistic taste. His painting entitled "The Landing of the Norsemen" may be seen at historical Hall, Taunton, Mass.
Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
Hodijah Baylies House
This house was an old tavern during the Revolutionary War. In 1789 it was purchased by Hodijah Baylies and was used as a custom house. In 1810, when Baylies was made judge of the Probate Court for Bristol County, court convened at this house. Hodijah Baylies was aide-de-camp to Washington and was present at the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He remained for a time with Washington at Mount Vernon. The anchors for the frigate, Constitution, were made at Baylies forge at Taunton.
This house was an old tavern during the Revolutionary War. In 1789 it was purchased by Hodijah Baylies and was used as a custom house. In 1810, when Baylies was made judge of the Probate Court for Bristol County, court convened at this house. Hodijah Baylies was aide-de-camp to Washington and was present at the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He remained for a time with Washington at Mount Vernon. The anchors for the frigate, Constitution, were made at Baylies forge at Taunton.
Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
Rufus Whitmarsh House
This house was built by Rufus whitmarsh before the Revolutionary War. William Ellery, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived with Mr. Whitmarsh during the War, and rode from this house to Philadelphia to Congress on horseback. Ezar stiles, who rented half of the house during the War, later became president of Yale College. Mr. Channing was also domiciled at this house during the War.
This house was built by Rufus whitmarsh before the Revolutionary War. William Ellery, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived with Mr. Whitmarsh during the War, and rode from this house to Philadelphia to Congress on horseback. Ezar stiles, who rented half of the house during the War, later became president of Yale College. Mr. Channing was also domiciled at this house during the War.
Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
Unitarian Church and Horseblock, Dighton, Mass.
Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
Birds Eye View Taunton Yacht Club from the Tower, Dighton Rock Park, Mass.
Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
Elementary School
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to DIGHTON
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LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Dighton: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Dighton through the years.
1678 - Dighton is settled
1712 - Dighton is incorporated
1839 - Dighton
Dighton, Massachusetts
Bristol county. A port of entry on the west side of Taunton river, opposite to Berkley. Population, 1837, 1,453. 40 miles S. from Boston, 8 S. from Taunton, and 20 N.W. by W. from New Bedford. There are in this place three cotton factories, a woolen mill, a furnace, and other iron works. Tonnage of the district, 9,032 tons. The noted "Dighton Rock," so called, on which are inscriptions difficult to decypher, in fact lies on the Berkley side of the river. The value of cotton and woolen goods, boots and shoes, pig iron and wooden ware manufactured, and vessels built in Dighton, in one year, was $30,000.
Bristol county. A port of entry on the west side of Taunton river, opposite to Berkley. Population, 1837, 1,453. 40 miles S. from Boston, 8 S. from Taunton, and 20 N.W. by W. from New Bedford. There are in this place three cotton factories, a woolen mill, a furnace, and other iron works. Tonnage of the district, 9,032 tons. The noted "Dighton Rock," so called, on which are inscriptions difficult to decypher, in fact lies on the Berkley side of the river. The value of cotton and woolen goods, boots and shoes, pig iron and wooden ware manufactured, and vessels built in Dighton, in one year, was $30,000.
1845 - DIGHTON. [Pop. 1,378. Inc. 1712.]
This town was originally a part of Taunton, and included the town of Berkley, from which it is separated by Taunton River.
The Dighton Rock, remarkable for its mysterious hieroglyphics, is now in Berkley.
Dighton has some navigation, and some factories of cotton and woollen goods, nails, &c.
Distance from Taunton, 7 miles; from Boston, 43.
The Dighton Rock, remarkable for its mysterious hieroglyphics, is now in Berkley.
Dighton has some navigation, and some factories of cotton and woollen goods, nails, &c.
Distance from Taunton, 7 miles; from Boston, 43.
1854 - Dighton
Dighton, a post-township of Bristol county, Massachusetts, 35 miles S. by W. from Boston, on the E. side of Taunton river. Population, 1641.
1859
DIGHTON, a town and port of entry in Bristol co., in the state of Massachusetts, 41 m. S of Boston, on the W side of Taunton river, which is navigable to this place for small vessels. Pop. 1,378.
Dighton Massachusetts, 1890
Dighton lies in the central part of Bristol County, 40 miles south of Boston by the Old Colony Railroad, which runs along the Taunton River (forming the divisional line on the east) through the entire length of the town. Taunton bounds it on the north, Berkeley on the east, Somerset and Swansey on the south, and Rehoboth on the west . The assessed area is 13,023, which includes 3,797 acres of woodland. The post-offices are Dighton, North and West Dighton, and Segreganset.
Though generally level, the town has several delightful elevations, as Richmond Hill and Hunter's Hill, in the southeast. An irregular line of elevations extends from these to the centre, where is another group; and still another extends along the northern half of the western line. From the summit of one of the hills named, it is said, more than forty churches can be seen.
Three-mile River forms the line separating Dighton from Taunton at the northeast corner, where it furnishes power for the manufactories of...
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Though generally level, the town has several delightful elevations, as Richmond Hill and Hunter's Hill, in the southeast. An irregular line of elevations extends from these to the centre, where is another group; and still another extends along the northern half of the western line. From the summit of one of the hills named, it is said, more than forty churches can be seen.
Three-mile River forms the line separating Dighton from Taunton at the northeast corner, where it furnishes power for the manufactories of...
1895 - Dighton
Dighton, a post-village of Bristol co., Mass., 6 miles by rail S. of Taunton, and 42 miles by rail S. of Boston. It has 3 churches, a wool-scouring mill, color-works, stove lining works, and manufactures of pumps. Pop. of Dighton township, 1889
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1899 - Dighton
Dighton. - This was the eighth town formed in Bristol county, it having been set off from Taunton an incorporated on the 30th of May 1712. It has passed through several minor territorial changes, the first of which took off a part for the formation of Berkley on April 18, 1735. On March 2, 1743, the bounds of the town were reported by a committee. January 8, 1745, the bounds were established. On February 26, 1799, a small part was annexed to Berkley, and on June 9, 1814, the north part was set off as the town of Wellington. On February 12, 1824, the bounds between Dighton and Wellington were established and a small part annexed to Wellington. On February 22, 1826, Dighton and Wellington were reunited as Dighton and the act was accepted on February 26 of that year. On April 4, 1854, a small part was annexed to Somerset, leaving the town with its present area. The census of 1895 gives the population as 1,797, and the number of registered voters in 1897 was 398. It constitutes a part of...
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1916
Dighton, a post-village of Bristol co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 40 miles S. of Boston. It has color-works, stove-lining works, nurseries, etc. Pop. of the township (town) in 1900, 1802.
Dighton, Massachusetts may not be the most famous tourist destination, but it's got its own charm and plenty of things to see and do. Here's a list to get you started:
Dighton Rock State Park:
Check out the famous Dighton Rock, a 40-ton boulder covered in petroglyphs that has been a subject of mystery and speculation for centuries. The park itself is a great spot for a picnic or a riverside stroll.
Bristol County Agricultural High School Farm:
Explore the agricultural side of Dighton by visiting the Bristol County Agricultural High School Farm. It's not just a school; it's a working farm with animals and crops. You might even catch an event or a farmers' market.
Segregansett Country Club:
If you're into golf, Segregansett Country Club is the place to be. Enjoy a round of golf on a well-maintained course surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Battleship Cove:
While technically in nearby Fall River, it's worth the short trip to visit Battleship Cove. Marvel at the historic naval vessels, including the USS Massachusetts battleship.
Hike at Freetown-Fall River State Forest:
For nature lovers, the Freetown-Fall River State Forest...
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Check out the famous Dighton Rock, a 40-ton boulder covered in petroglyphs that has been a subject of mystery and speculation for centuries. The park itself is a great spot for a picnic or a riverside stroll.
Bristol County Agricultural High School Farm:
Explore the agricultural side of Dighton by visiting the Bristol County Agricultural High School Farm. It's not just a school; it's a working farm with animals and crops. You might even catch an event or a farmers' market.
Segregansett Country Club:
If you're into golf, Segregansett Country Club is the place to be. Enjoy a round of golf on a well-maintained course surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Battleship Cove:
While technically in nearby Fall River, it's worth the short trip to visit Battleship Cove. Marvel at the historic naval vessels, including the USS Massachusetts battleship.
Hike at Freetown-Fall River State Forest:
For nature lovers, the Freetown-Fall River State Forest...
GENEALOGY IN DIGHTON
Discover YOUR Roots: Dighton Ancestry
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BIRTHS & DEATHS
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Dighton, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about 246 ancestors who were born or died in Dighton.
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Updated: 10/7/2023 9:24:29 AM
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