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Sheffield, Massachusetts

Sheffield, Massachusetts
Town
Dewey Memorial Hall
Dewey Memorial Hall
Official seal of Sheffield, Massachusetts
Seal
Motto: "He Who Plants a Tree Plants Hope"
Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
Coordinates: 42°06′37″N 73°21′20″W / 42.11028°N 73.35556°W / 42.11028; -73.35556Coordinates: 42°06′37″N 73°21′20″W / 42.11028°N 73.35556°W / 42.11028; -73.35556
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Berkshire
Settled 1725
Incorporated 1733
Government
 • Type Open town meeting
Area
 • Total 48.6 sq mi (125.8 km2)
 • Land 47.5 sq mi (122.9 km2)
 • Water 1.1 sq mi (2.9 km2)
Elevation 675 ft (206 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 3,257
 • Density 69/sq mi (26.5/km2)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01257
Area code(s) 413
FIPS code 25-61065
GNIS feature ID 0619428
Website www.sheffieldma.gov

Sheffield is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,257 at the 2010 census. Sheffield is home to Berkshire School, a private preparatory school. The former resort town includes the village of Ashley Falls, and is bordered by various other towns and villages, such as Egremont and Great Barrington.

The land was purchased on April 25, 1724, from Chief Konkapot and 20 other Mahican Indians. Its price was 460 pounds, 3 barrels of cider and 30 quarts of rum. The lower township of Housatonic (as Outhotonnook would be corrupted) was first settled by Matthew Noble of Westfield, who arrived in 1725.

But New York claimed west of the Housatonic River under the Westenhook Patent, dated July 11, 1705, and insisted that Massachusetts cease encroachment. Indeed, one early settler was arrested and incarcerated at Albany as a trespasser on Westenhook land. Nevertheless, Sheffield, Massachusetts, was officially incorporated on June 22, 1733, the first town incorporated in what is now Berkshire County. Its north parish was set off and incorporated as Great Barrington in 1761. Located on the fertile floodplain of the Housatonic River valley, the principal industry was agriculture.


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