Ashfield, Massachusetts

Ashfield, first named Huntstown in honor of Captain Ephraim Hunt, was created in 1736 as payment to soldiers who, in 1690, participated in an unsuccessful military campaign against Canada. Settlement began around 1745, but was abandoned for a time in the 1750s. In 1765 Huntstown was incorporated as the town of Ashfield. A thriving peppermint and essence business created a population boom during the early 1800's. Dairy farms, sawmills, apple orchards and maple sugar houses have provided income to Ashfield families for many centuries.