Avon
Town History Continued
In
1736, and again 1737 and 1738, the residents of East Stoughton (present
day Avon) were unhappy due to the isolation from Old Stoughton Centre.
They suffered remoteness from the great distances needed to travel for
worship. This issue simmered for years as the began the long process
of petitioning independence.
The petition began
with communication sent to town officials explaining the conditions of
terrain which separated them from their townsmen presented a special hardship.
"We live on
a Gore of Land that Lys Between Bridgewater and Braintree but in the township
of Stoughton . . . ware we are Deprived of any tow prevelege by Reson
of a Grate Sedar Swamp and other Swamps & a River & Hills of Rocks
that Cut this Gore of Land that We Live on off from the Towne of Stoughton.
And if it were so that We could pass the nearest Way throw them Swamps
& Hills it is seven mils So that we are deprived of any Preveledg
of the towne scoole and all most Every preveledg that belongs to towne
inhabitants."
In July 1741, the
petitioners took the matter up with the House of Representatives.
The House dismissed the petition almost immediately. The issue stayed
alive up until the time of the American Revolution.
This small re-cap
of Avon's History was found in your local library. I encourage all
ages to visit the library and learn about the history of your community,
people, and wonderful town of Avon.
I would like to
thank William F. Hanna and his great book titled A History of Avon,
Massachusetts 1720-1988. This is just one of many excellent
books you can find on Avon's rich history.