Stoughton in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Third Precinct of Stoughton

Photographed by Conrad Ward, June 23, 2024

1. The Third Precinct of Stoughton Marker

Inscription.
The Third Precinct of Stoughton was formed after permission was granted by the Royal Governor and General Court in 1743, permitting the building of a new church. On December 25th, the Precinct voted to build a meeting house on the site, "forty five feet in length and 35 feet wide." The first services were held inside the building in 1745. The Rev. Jedediah Adams began his ministry in that year and served for fifty-three years.

(Photo 1 Caption)
This panoramic view was taken on July 1, 1908 at the Dedication of the stone, marking the site of the First Meetinghouse on the Centennial of the building of the Second Meetinghouse. The Atherton building is to the left across Pleasant Street and the newly built Stoughton Public Library is to the right. There is a copy of this picture inside the church. The site of the stone has been moved since its original dedication.

(Photo 2 Caption)
This Second Meetinghouse was built in 1808 and burned in [indecipherable]. This 1839 engraving also shows The Methodist Church (1834) [indecipherable] down Pleasant St. and The Capen Tavern (1799) to the lower right.

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By Community Preservation Funds. See Accompanying Booklet At The Stoughton Historical Society.
Stoughton Historical Commission, 2016

Erected 2016 by Stoughton Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is December 25, 1743.

Location. 42° 7.47′ N, 71° 6.07′ W. Marker is in Stoughton, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. It is on Pleasant Street (Massachusetts Route 139), on the right when traveling south. Located near the First Parish Universalist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 790 Washington Street, Stoughton MA 02072, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Photographed by Conrad Ward, June 23, 2024

2. The Third Precinct of Stoughton Marker

marker: First Meeting House (here, next to this marker); Stoughton's First Schoolhouse (a few steps from this marker); First Public Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Trolley Tracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Stoughton Musical Society (within shouting distance of this marker); George Quincy Clifford (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stoughton Railroad Station (about 600 feet away); Memorial Bell (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stoughton.

First Parish Universalist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Conrad Ward, June 23, 2024

3. First Parish Universalist Church

Present-day church at this location

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.