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Historical Data Relating to the Incorporation of and Abolishment of Counties in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Incorporation

County

Date of Incorporation or, First Mention in the Names of Counties Records

Reference to Act

Barnstable June 2, 1685 Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. VI, p.169
Berkshire April 21, 1761 (1) Prov. Laws, Vol. IV, p.432
Bristol June 2, 1685 Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. VI, p.169
Dukes June 22, 1695 (2) Prov. Laws, Vol. I, p. 216
Essex May 10, 1643 Mass. Bay Rec. Vol. II, p.38
Franklin June 24, 1811 (3) Chapter 61, Acts of 1811
Hampden February 25, 1812 (4) Chapter 137, Acts of 1811
Hampshire May 7, 1662 Mass. Bay Rec. Vol. IV Part 2, p.52
Middlesex May 10, 1643 Mass. Bay Rec. Vol. II, p.38
Nantucket June 22, 1695 Prov. Laws, Vol. I, p. 216
Norfolk (Extinct) May 10, 1643(5) Mass. Bay Rec. Vol. II, p.38
Norfolk March 26, 1793 (6) Chapter 72, Acts of 1792
Plymouth June 2, 1685 Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. VI, p.169
Suffolk May 10, 1643 Mass. Bay Rec. Vol. II, p.38
Worcester April 2, 1731 (7) Prov. Laws, Vol. II, p.584
  1. Act took effect June 30, 1761
  2. By an act passed by the legislature of New York, November 1, 1683, entitled, "An act to divide this province and dependence into shires and Countyes," the County of Dukes County was established as follows: "Dukes County so contayns the Island and nomans Land." By the Province Charter in 1692 (Prov. Laws, Vol. I, p.9) the "Isles of Cappawock and Nantucket near Cape Cod" were granted to the Province of Massachusetts Bay. June 13, 1693 (Prov. Laws, Vol. I p. 117), the "Islands of Capawock, alias Martha's Vineyard," are referred to. June 22, 1695 (Prov. Laws, Vol. I p. 216), it was ordered that "The Islands of Martha's Vineyard, Elisabeth Islands, the islands called Noman's land and all the dependencies formerly belonging to Dukes County (the Islands of Nantucket only excepted) shall be and remain, and continue to be one county to all intents and purposes, by the name of Duke's County"
  3. Act took effect December 2, 1811
  4. Act took effect August 1, 1812
  5. February 4, 1680, the towns remaining in Norfolk County were re-annexed to Essex county (Mass. Bay Rec., Vol. V, p. 264
  6. Act took effect June 20, 1793
  7. Act took effect July 10, 1731

Source: Historical Data Relating to Counties, Cities and Towns in Massachusetts 1997. Prepared by William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth and published by The New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Abolishment

County

Date

Chapter: Section / Acts of
Franklin July 1, 1997 151:567 / 1996
Middlesex July 11, 1997 48:1 / 1997
Hampden July 1, 1998 48:1 / 1997
Worcester July 1, 1998 48:1 / 1997
Hampshire January 1, 1999 300:11 / 1998
Essex July 1, 1999 300:11 / 1998
Berkshire July 1, 2000 300:11 / 1998
Suffolk July 1, 1999 Ma. Gen. Law Chapter 34B Sec.1