Acushnet, MA

Acushnet was first settled in 1659. It has been included as a part of three separate towns throughout history. It was formerly the northeastern section of the town of Dartmouth and Old Dartmouth, which included the towns of Westport, New Bedford, and Fairhaven. In 1787, New Bedford separated from Dartmouth, including the lands of Fairhaven and Acushnet. In 1812, Fairhaven was incorporated as a separate town, again including the lands of Acushnet. Finally, the town was officially incorporated in 1860. The name “Acushnet,” which is also the name of the river the town lies on, comes from the Wampanoag Cushnea, meaning “peaceful resting place near water”, originally designating the fact that the tribe which sold the land to the Puritans inhabited the lands leading up to the river.