Hampshire County, Massachusetts
Northampton is the chief town. This ancient county, although its limits have been greatly reduced by the production of Franklin and Hampden counties, is still increasing in agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing strength. Located in the centre of the alluvial basin of the noble Connecticut; blessed with a rich and variegated soil, and great water power, this must ever remain one of the most independent counties in New England.—Area, 532 square miles. Population, 1820, 26,447; 1830, 30,210; 1837, 30,413. Incorporated, 1662. This county is bounded S. by Hampden, W. by Berkshire, N. by Franklin, and E. by Worcester counties: 57 inhabitants to a square mile. The Connecticut, Westfield, and Swift, are its chief rivers. The manufactures of this county, the year ending April 1, 1837, amounted to $2,335,652. The value of wool, the fleeces of 64,274 sheep, amounted to $103,751.
