Before the town was named Somerset (part 1)
When Governor John Hancock of Massachusetts signed a bill establishing the Town of Somerset in 1790, the community that became today’s town had already been in existence for 110 years. From 1680- 1790, that community was part of Swansea and was always referred to in official records as “the part of Swanzey known as Shawomet.” But, as discussed in a couple of past columns, the residents of Shawomet did act independently on some matters. The school system was established by peo
The long vanished gristmill on Miller's Lane
As the population of colonial Shawomet grew, some small but important industries were developed that played a key role in providing the necessities and conveniences of everyday life. One essential feature of the community was a mill for grinding dried corn into corn meal. The gristmill was located in North Somerset during the 1700's, a time when wheat was unavailable and corn bread was a staple of everyone's diet. The miller in Shawomet required a license, and, because he hel
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