West Bridgewater in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Bridgewater Purchase

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 26, 2022

1. Bridgewater Purchase Marker

Inscription.
The land of this park was bought in 1649 from the Massasoit Indians by Miles Standish and others as part of the Bridgewater Purchase and allotted to John Ames an original shareholder and settler

And here before the Revolutionary War, the fourth inheritor, Captain John Ames, began the manufacture of shovels with a trip-hammer set on this stone

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1649.

Location. 42° 1.005′ N, 71° 0.488′ W. Marker is in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It can be reached from River Street near Arch Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located in War Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 46 River St, West Bridgewater MA 02379, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western

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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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Deacon Samuel Edson (within shouting distance of this marker); West Bridgewater World War II Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); West Bridgewater World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Pulpit Rock (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Bridgewater Civil War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Home of John Cary (approx. ¼ mile away); Home of Rev. James Keith (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tory House (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Bridgewater.

Regarding Bridgewater Purchase. Originally part of Bridgewater, West Bridgewater became a separate town in 1822.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. West Bridgewater, Massachusetts (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 4, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Mr. John Ames.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 26, 2022

2. Bridgewater Purchase Marker

John Ames was born in Braintree Massachusetts in March 1647 to Puritan immigrants William and Hannah Ames of England. John is nephew of William's brother John (who had no children), who was a party to the Bridgewater Purchase. The Ames family continued to live in Bridgewater for many generations. (Submitted on March 28, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

3. The Bridgewater Purchase.

...on March 23, 1649 the Indian chief Massasoit, the most powerful of the Massachusetts sachems, set his official mark -- a rough drawing of his own hand -- at the bottom of a deed of sale and had it signed by his personal name Ousamequin, or "Yellow Feather".

(Submitted on March 28, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 475 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on March 28, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.