Rehoboth is a historic town in Bristol County, Massachusetts. Established in 1643, Rehoboth is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts. The population was 12,502 at the 2020 census.[1] Rehoboth is a mostly rural community with many historic sites, including 53 historic cemeteries.
History
Rehoboth Congregational Church celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2021.
Rehoboth was established in 1643 by Walter Palmer (born 1585) and William Sabin. It was incorporated in 1645, one of the earliest Massachusetts towns to incorporate.[2] The town is named for the Hebrew word for "enlargement," (Broad Places) signifying the space settlers enjoyed (God has given us room).[3]
One of the founding fathers of Rehoboth was Samuel Newman, a clergyman from Weymouth, Massachusetts who moved to the Seconet area near to Little Compton in the Plymouth Colony. Samuel Newman and his followers migrated north and established a huge town common in what is now Rumford, Rhode Island. They gave the roundabout a distinctive name: "The Ring of the Green." Newman Congregational Church (founded 1643, current building dates to 1810) still stands at the intersections of Pawtucket Ave, Newman Ave and Ferris Ave.[5] The area was known as Rehoboth village. Somewhat of a celebrity, Newman's famous bible concordance (the third ever printed in English) had just been published in London. He spent the next few years revising the concordance with a second edition published in 1650 that includes on the title page, "By Samuel Newman, now teacher of the Church at Rehoboth in New England." According to legend, he worked on the revisions by burning pine knots instead of candles. The concordance, later called the Cambridge Concordance, was reprinted as late as 1889, almost 250 years after it was first published by the founder of Rehoboth.
The Rehoboth Carpenter family was one of the founding families. Among the earliest purchasers of the land that is now Rehoboth and nearby communities was the Peck family, who came from nearby Hingham, Massachusetts, initially. Joseph Peck, the brother of the Rev. Robert Peck,[4] the disaffected Puritan who had fled his Hingham church in England, after the crackdown by Archbishop Laud, had purchased sizable tracts of lands from the Native Americans. Peck's son was fined fifty shillings for making continuous sexual advances toward the maid. Peck died in Rehoboth in 1697. These tracts of land Peck willed to his son Samuel, who served as Deputy to the General Court at Plymouth, as well as the first representative from the town of Rehoboth after the Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts were united. The family continued to live in the area through the twentieth century. Today's Pecks Corner in Rehoboth is named for this early Puritan family.
King Philip's War (1675–1676)
Headstone of Capt. Samuel Peck, son of Joseph Peck, one of the original settlers of Rehoboth. Peck Burial Yard, Historic Cemetery #13Sign at Anawan Rock Historic Site
Rehoboth was a significant site during King Philip's War. On June 30, 1675,[6]King Philip led a small force in a surprise attack against the undefended settlement, killing settlers, burning houses, and causing residents to live in constant fear of attack.[7]
On March 28, 1676, Canonchet led the Narragansetts in a second attack, destroying 42 homes, 21 barns, corn mills and a sawmill.[6]
On August 28, 1676, Captain Benjamin Church surrounded and captured Anawan, a Wampanoag sachem who had become chief upon the death of King Philip two weeks earlier. The Wampanoags had taken a position above Squannakonk Swamp to hide from the colonists. Church's capture and execution of Anawan effectively ended the campaigns in southeastern Massachusetts of King Philip's War. Anawan Rock, a large puddingstone, still marks the location.[8] Although a desolate place at the time, the rock is not far off modern-day Route 44.
Public education
Rehoboth is the birthplace of public education in North America. Upon incorporation, members of the Rehoboth community and Newman Church (in present-day East Providence, Rhode Island) elected to collect funds to pay a teacher for the settlement's children. Church and government were closely tied in early colonial villages, so the word 'public' refers instead to access to education by all children in the community, not just those of wealthy parents. Another town landmark is related to education: The historic Hornbine School, built in 1845, is located in the southeast corner of town and is open to the public for visiting and educational purposes from May to September.
For the town's 350th anniversary in 1992, the town conducted a promotional "take back" of the communities that were once the original Rehoboth. With encouragement from musket-bearing members of the 13th Continental Regiment, Rehoboth Minutemen, other towns and cities ceremonially 'returned' their land for the duration of the anniversary year celebration.
Sylvester Round House (Rehoboth, Massachusetts) (1782) site of R.Round Tavern (1810) & Grenville Stephens' store & first post office in Rehoboth, MA
Geography
Redway Plain, at Route 44 and Bay State Road
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.8 square miles (121 km2), of which 46.5 square miles (120 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 0.60%, is water. Much of the land is hilly and swampy, with most of its brooks and swamps feeding into the Palmer River, which empties into Narragansett Bay to the south.
Rehoboth shares its entire western border with Seekonk. It is also bordered by Attleboro and Norton to the north, Taunton and Dighton to the east, and Swansea to the south and southeast. Rehoboth's localities are Four Corners, Hornbine, Kingmans Corner, North Rehoboth, Pecks Corner, Perrys Corner, Perryville, Rehoboth Village, South Rehoboth and Anawan Rock. The town is located 11 miles (18 km) east of Providence, Rhode Island and 50 miles (80 km) south of Boston.
Conservation areas
Mason Street Conservation Area is 12-acre property along the Palmer River, managed by the Rehoboth Land Trust.
Rehoboth State Forest off Peck Street has hiking trails.
The Ephraim Hunt Ministerial Land Conservation Area, 55 Pond Street
The Mason Street Conservation Area (open to the public) is located off Mason Street.
Shad Factory Conservation Area on Reed Street has hiking trails.
As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 10,172 people, 3,523 households, and 2,871 families residing in the town. The population density was 218.8 inhabitants per square mile (84.5/km2). There were 3,597 housing units at an average density of 77.4 per square mile (29.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.70% White, 0.35% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population. The leading ancestries reported by Rehoboth residents are 17% Irish, 17% English, 16% Portuguese and 11% French.[20]
There were 3,523 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.5% were non-families. 14.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,373, and the median income for a family was $71,992. Males had a median income of $45,557 versus $32,445 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,467. About 2.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
The Rehoboth Antiquarian Society (RAS) operates both the Carpenter Museum located on Locust Street, and Blanding Free Public Library housed in Goff Memorial Hall located on Bay State Road. The RAS hosts cultural events including Arts in the Village at Goff Memorial Hall, a classical concert series featuring world-class artists.
The Carpenter Museum hosts several annual events including the Folk Art & Artisans Show in November and many other events held throughout the year. In 2013, the museum was awarded the Gold Star Award by the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their 2012 multi-event cultural program, "Remembering Rehoboth School Days." The antiquarian society hosts a yearly Clam Bake each summer, a traditional that began in 1884, behind Goff Memorial Hall.
Blanding Free Public Library hosts events and programs for children and adults throughout the year. The Blanding Book Club meets monthly. Programs are offered for children, from pre-schoolers up, including reading, arts/crafts, summer programs, performances, visiting exhibits and other special events.
Many cultural events held in Rehoboth are supported in part by grants from the Rehoboth Cultural Council, an affiliate of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Members of the council, although appointed by town selectmen, operate independently from town government and award grants on a yearly basis with funds allotted by the state organization. Several non-profit organizations based in Rehoboth provide resources or cultural events.
The Rehoboth Country Dance Society, founded in 1981, holds public contra dances with acclaimed musicians and callers at least twice monthly at Goff Memorial Hall. A monthly community dance is held on a Sunday evening with the Sunday Night Jammers, also at Goff Memorial Hall.
For those interested in history, the 13th Continental Regiment Rehoboth Minute Company, originally chartered in 1774, was recommissioned in 1992 as part of the town's 350 anniversary celebration. It was incorporated three years later as a non-profit, educational organization. The present recreated group portrays the original 1774 unit in civilian dress, accoutrements and firearms. Men, women and children participate in the unit as musketmen, drummers, fifers and assorted characters. The well-known group of re-enactors are invited to participate in parades, ceremonies, encampments, and battle re-enactments, as well as visiting schools throughout the region.
Each September, the town events committee hosts the Annual 'Larry Procopio' Harvest Block Party, a free event held on the Redway Plain field off Route 44. The event was named after the late Larry Procopio, an active member of the community who first organized the yearly event.
Hornbine School
The town's historic one-room school house, the Hornbine School, is open spring and summer for visits and tours. The school, operated from 1848 to 1937, was restored in 1969 and now belongs to the town under the jurisdiction of the historical commission, and tended carefully by the non-profit Horbine School Association.
Government
Police and Fire station on Anawan Street
The town is part of the Fourth Bristol state representative district, including Seekonk and parts of Swansea and Norton. In the state senate, the town is part of the Bristol and Norfolk district, which includes part of the city of Attleboro and all or part of the towns of Dover, Foxborough, Mansfield, Medfield, Norton, Seekonk, Sharon and Walpole. Rehoboth is patrolled by Troop D (Southeast District), 4th Barracks (located in Middleborough) of the Massachusetts State Police. On the national level, the town is part of Massachusetts's 4th congressional district, which is represented by Jake Auchincloss. The state's senators are: Ed Markey, and Elizabeth Warren.
Rehoboth municipal government operates from town offices located in a one-story building on Peck Street, previously a Project Nike site.
Municipal government is overseen by a five-member board of selectmen and a town administrator. Residents may vote on town governing issues at town meetings which are held in the spring and fall. The current board of selectmen consists of: Frederick "Skip" Vadnais (chair), Michael Diegnan and George Solas with two vacant seats.
The town has a central police and fire station (Public Safety Building) on Anawan Street (Route 118). There are two additional fire stations: North Station (#2) located on Tremont Street; South Station (#3) located on Pleasant Street. The RFD is an on-call department with trained firefighters. Only the fire chief is a full-time employee of the town. The Rehoboth Rescue Squad has served the community for the past 46 years and is the town's only 100% unpaid volunteer public safety organization. Rehoboth Ambulance is an independent, non-profit organization that provides vehicles, equipment, supplies and staffing stipends without direct funding from the town. In cases of emergency or disaster, the Rehoboth Emergency Management Agency (REMA) coordinates efforts of all the public safety entities. The Highway Department and Forestry service is located down the road from police/fire headquarters.
An additional town-owned building, located on Anawan Street, houses Rehoboth Community TV, the local public access cable television service. Operation of public programming on three channels (Government Channel 9, Education Channel 15 and Public Channel 98) is the responsibility of the town's Cable Advisory Committee and town employees. Some municipal meetings are broadcast live while others are recorded and broadcast at various times.
The town owned the Gladys L. Hurrell Senior Center located on Bay State Road. The building was used for municipal meetings, private and public events, until it was destroyed in a fire in September 2020.[21]
Military veterans in Rehoboth are supported by the town's Veterans Services Department located at the town office. The Veteran's agent Jake Kramer works with veterans of all ages to help them access services. In 2012, residents voted at town meeting to adopt provisions of the Massachusetts Valor Act so that local veterans can perform municipal work to offset their property tax bills.
Rehoboth's educational system can be traced back to the earliest days of the town (see "History" for more details). The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District was formed in 1958 and expanded to include all schools in both Rehoboth and neighboring Dighton.
Rehoboth schools include Palmer River Elementary School on Winthrop Street (Route 44) and D. L. Beckwith Middle School, adjacent to the elementary school. Both schools offer special education to students with an Individualized Education Program. The Rehoboth Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) serves both students of both schools. Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, located in North Dighton, provides AP, Honors, college preparatory and career-technical education (CTE). The school also supports a transition program for special education students from 18 to 22 to continue academics and pursue vocational interests while concentrating on independent living skills.
The athletics teams of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School (the "Falcons") participate in the South Coast Conference (SCC) of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). Sports include cheerleading, cross-country, soccer, football, volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball, golf, field hockey, indoor track, outdoor track, tennis, wrestling, lacrosse and swimming.
The Dighton-Rehoboth Marching Band is a large organization of students that performs for athletic games, parades and special events such as the annual Dighton Christmas Tree Lighting and Rehoboth's Harvest Block Party. Under the direction of Joe Botelho, the band has performed several times at Walt Disney World and most recently represented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the National Independence Day Parade in 2014. The band's travels, equipment and events are supported by the Friends of D-R Marching Band, a group of parents that conduct fundraising efforts throughout the year.
The school district has a cooperative agreement with Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical School for those high school students wishing to attend a vocational-technical school. Rehoboth students may also elect to attend Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton.
Rehoboth has two private elementary schools: Cedar Brook School,[22] a Seventh-day Adventist school serving students from grades Pre-K–10; and the Pinecroft School serving students from K–5.
Infrastructure
Transportation
This banner across U.S. Route Route 44 commemorates the town's 375th anniversary in 2018.
The town is full of winding, country roads. The longest state routes through town, U.S. Route 44 and Massachusetts Route 118, intersect near the center of town. U.S. Route 6 and Interstate 195 run through the southwest corner of town for approximately 0.7 and 1.5 miles (2.4 km), respectively. Exit 2 off I-195 ("Route 136/Warren, R.I.-Newport, R.I.") is just south of where the interstate passes into Swansea and can be reached by Kingsley Way (which also leads into Route 136).
Airports: The closest small aircraft public airports are located in Taunton and Mansfield. T. F. Green Airport is located in Warwick, RI, less than 20 miles (32 km) away. The nearest international airport is Logan International Airport in Boston, 53 miles (85 km) away.
Rehoboth individuals and families who find themselves in need are assisted by Rehoboth Food Pantry, originally known as Rehoboth Helping Hands. This independent, non-profit organization provides year-round assistance with a food panty located at 51 Winthrop Street (Route 44). They work in conjunction with local social services to offer a fuel assistance program, holiday meals, and holiday giving programs. Local farmers typically donate fresh produce.
Rehoboth-based non-profits include
American Legion Post 302
Anawan Lions (women's Lions Club affiliate)
Anawan Club (private organization)
Boy Scouts of Rehoboth
Bristol County Horseman's Association
Citizens Scholarship Fund
Christian Life Fellowship
Circle of Salgion Church of Wicca
Community Covenant Church
Crestwood Country Club
Dighton-Rehoboth Marching Band Boosters
Dighton-Rehoboth Track & Field Boosters
Fraternal Order of Police - Rehoboth Lodge
Friends of the Blanding Library
Friends of Rehoboth Elderly
Girl Scouts of Rehoboth/Seekonk
Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center
Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Charity
Hornbine Baptist Church
Hornbine School Association
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Intercollegiate Dressage Association
Leo's Club (DRRHS Lions Club affiliate)
Lions of Rehoboth
Laurel Brook Club
Master Wardens & Members, Grand Lodge of Masons
New England Antique Tractor and Truck Association
Norwegian Elkhound Rescue Referral of NE
Pop Warner
PTSA Rehoboth
RI Muzzle Loaders Club
Rehoboth Ambulance Committee
Rehoboth Antiquarian Society
Rehoboth Breed Expo
Rehoboth Business Association
Rehoboth Co-ed Softball
Rehoboth Community Garden
Rehoboth Congregational Church
Rehoboth Contra Dance
Rehoboth Fair
Rehoboth Food Pantry
Rehoboth Garden Club
Rehoboth Minute Company
Rehoboth Station Three Firefighters Association
Rehoboth State Two Firefighters Association
Rehoboth Youth Basketball
Rehoboth Youth Soccer
Rehoboth Youth Baseball and Softball
Rehoboth youth Monarch training academy
Save Our Schools – Dighton-Rehoboth
Trivia
Rehoboth was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the town with the most golf courses in the United States. Today there are five: Crestwood, Sun Valley, Pine Valley, Hidden Hollow and Hillside.
Rehoboth had the first tornado in the United States recorded by Europeancolonists in August 1671.
Rehoboth contains the transmission towers for the majority of the television stations in the Providence market, with five of the market's seven full-power TV stations transmitting from the north-central part of town.
According to Ripley's Believe It or Not, Rehoboth boasts the longest gravestone epitaph in the United States. At 407 words, it is probably the longest in the world. The gravestone belongs to the Honorable Simeon Martin, an officer who served under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Rehoboth borders the south angle of the so-called "Bridgewater Triangle" an almost 200-square mile section of southeastern Massachusetts said to be a hub of paranormal activity.
Mary E. Thatcher, a 13-year-old Rehoboth girl, documented her days at the Perry School in her 1875/76 diary which was later discovered and published in 2007 by Catherine Potter. Mary later went on to become the superintendent of nurses at the Rutland Sanatorium, the first tuberculosis hospital in the country.
The Rehoboth Grange was once used as a storage facility for bootleggers during the Prohibition era.
^"1950 Census of Population"(PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
^"1920 Census of Population"(PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
^"1890 Census of the Population"(PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
^"1870 Census of the Population"(PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
^"1860 Census"(PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
^"1850 Census"(PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
