History of Mansfield, Massachusetts, USA

1659 - Mansfield is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Mansfield
Mansfield, Massachusetts
Bristol county. This town lies 26 miles S.S.W. from Boston, 18 N.E. from Providence, and 11 N.N.W. from Taunton. It was taken from Norton in 1770, and is watered by several branches of Taunton river. The soil is thin and the surface level. Population, 1837, 1,444. There are 6 cotton and 1 woolen mills in the town, and 2 nail factories. The manufactures consist of cotton and woolen goods, nails, straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, and baskets: total annual amount, about $110,000.

A mine of anthracite coal was discovered in this town a few years since, near the Boston and Providence rail road, which promises to be of inestimable value to the community. It was discovered in digging a well. An incorporated company has purchased the right of mining on that and several adjoining farms. They sunk a shaft which struck a vein five feet in thickness, at the depth of 20 feet, running N.E. and S.W., and dipping to the N.W. 52°. The shaft was continued 44 feet further to... Read MORE...

1845 - MANSFIELD. [Pop. 1,382. Inc. 1770.]
Mansfield was named after Earl Mansfield, then lord chief-justice of Great Britain. It was formerly a part of Norton, and with that town a part of Taunton.

Mansfield is watered by three branches of Taunton river, the Rumford, Cocasset, and Canoe, on which are cotton-mills, nail-factories, &c.

Straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats and baskets are also manufactured here.

Indications of extensive beds of anthracite coal have been found in this town.

Distance from Taunton, 12 miles; from Boston, 23.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1854 - Mansfield
Mansfield, a post-township of Bristol co., Massachusetts, on the Boston and Providence railroad, about 28 miles S. S. W. from Boston. Population, 1789.
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.

1868 - In the little town of Mansfield, Mass., resides Mr. John H. Potter, who learned to read by overlooking the primer upside down, and who has ever since kept up the habit, partly from choice and partly from pride.
He reads everything wrong end first, and his case is probably the only instance of the kind on record. He is quite a well-read man, and is now in his forty-seventh year.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
September 5, 1868

1870 - The house of Mrs. Martha Kean, in East Mansfield, Mass., was burned on the 25th, and a young man named Frederick Ames perished.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 30, 1870

Mansfield Massachusetts, 1890
Mansfield is an agricultural and manufacturing town lying on northern border of Bristol County, 24 miles southwest of Boston by the Providence Railroad. This is intersected at Mansfield centre by the Taunton and New Bedford line and by the Framingham and Mansfield branch, all being parts of the Old Colony Railroad system. Mansfield is bounded on the northwest by Foxborough, on the east by Easton, on the southeast by Norton, and on the southwest by Attleborough and North Attleborough. The assessed area is 11,207 acres, of which 3,326 acres are woodland.

The scenery is beautified by several small ponds. Canoe, Rumford and Wading rivers, tributaries of the Taunton, flowing southerly, drain the town and furnish several mill-powers. A coal mine was opened here in 1836, and shafts sunk 60 or 70 feet; but the enterprise was abandoned. A deposit of yellow ochre has been discovered which promises better results. The geological structure is sienite and carboniferous. The land varies little... Read MORE...

1895 - Mansfield
Mansfield, a post-village in Mansfield township, Bristol co, Mass, on the Boston & Providence Railroad, at its Junction with the New Bedford & Taunton Railroad and the Mansfield & Framingham Railroad, 24 miles S. by W. of Boston, and 20 miles N.N.E. of Providence. It has several churches, a high school, a newspaper office, and manufactures of cutlery, jewelry, straw goods, baskets, ranges, &c. The township also contains West Mansfield, and has a pop of 3432.
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 - Mansfield
Mansfield. - This was the thirteenth town formed in Bristol county, and was set off from Norton April 26, 1770, as a district. On August 23, 1775, the district was made a town by a general act. It forms a part of the Twelfth Congressional district, and with Easton and Raynham constitutes the Second Representative District, with 2,459 legal voters, entitling the district to one representative. The State census of 1895 gives the town a population of 3,722 and the number of registered voters in 1897 was 764.

Mansfield has three post offices, Mansfield, East Mansfield and West Mansfield. The largest and most important village in the town is Mansfield, which is situated in the northern central part. It has for many years been an important industrial center. Early in the present century Simeon White began making shoe nails and tacks at Whiteville, which eventually became a large industry under direction of his sons. There is at the present time no business interest of importance at that... Read MORE...

1906
Mansfield, a banking post-village in Mansfield township (town), Bristol co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 24 miles S. by W. of Boston and 20 miles NNE. of Providence. It has manufactures of cutlery, jewelry, straw goods, baskets, electrical supplies, ranges, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4006.
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

Here's a list of places to see and things to do in and around Mansfield:
Xfinity Center: Formerly known as the Comcast Center, this outdoor amphitheater is a great place to catch live concerts. It hosts a variety of music events throughout the year, so check the schedule to see if any of your favorite artists are performing.

Mansfield Memorial Park: A peaceful spot to enjoy nature, Mansfield Memorial Park offers walking trails, picnic areas, and a beautiful pond. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll or a family picnic.

Twin Willows: If you're into golf, Twin Willows is a public golf course in Mansfield. It's a well-maintained course that caters to golfers of all skill levels.

Mansfield Historical Society: Learn about the history of Mansfield at the local historical society. They often have exhibits and events that showcase the town's rich past.

Great Woods Conservation Area: If you're a nature enthusiast, explore the Great Woods Conservation Area. It offers hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and a chance to immerse yourself in the natural... Read MORE...