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| Town of Berkley History and
Resources |
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| The notably stony soil of Berkley
did not discourage the early settlers of the community who did some
shipbuilding but essentially concentrated on agriculture. The town is
still rural in character, and has retained much of its 18th century
landscape. Berkley was a well known Indian settlement area because of the
rich shellfish and water fowl resources to be found there. These and the
woodlands in the town also drew the first European settlers. But the town
was abandoned by residents because of its vulnerability to Indian or
French attack at the outbreak of King Philip's war, when townspeople
sought shelter and safety in Taunton. These wars delayed development of
the community, as did the lack of water power to fuel the industrial mills
of Colonial times. However, there were sufficient clay deposits to
stimulate a small pottery industry for a time. Still a small, rural
community, Berkley is well loved by its residents for its peacefulness and
its reminders of the past, among which is the Berkley-Dighton Bridge,
possibly the oldest swing span bridge in the state.
Narrative based on information provided by the
Massachusetts Historical Commission. |
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Berkley
Public Library |
Federal
Census, 1790, Berkley |
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Historic
Maps Covering Berkley |
Federal
Census, 1800, Berkley |
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Federal
Census, 1850, Berkley |
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Federal
Census, 1860, Berkley
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Richard
Burt House
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