Posted on April 29, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

The transcribed town records can be accessed at https://wpthistory.org/in-our-own-words-the-path-to-independence-1760-1790/ The late 1700s was an era of revolution for the American colonies. It was also a time of formation for Westport and other neighboring towns. In the decade following the Revolution, Westport separated from Dartmouth and, in 1787, was incorporated as a town, forging its own unique […]

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Image: Paul Cuffe Nearing Nantucket after a Night at Sea Resolving Some Lingering Questions David C. Cole Paul Cuffe was just sixteen years old in 1775 when the Battles of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill occurred, and he was reportedly at sea on a whaling voyage during those events. He set forth on another whaling […]

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Photo pre 1938 showing Westport Harbor, known during the Revolutionary War era as the Devil’s Pocket Hole Written by Robert Barboza Historical researcher Robert Barboza has written two books about local patriots in the American Revolution.  His 2025 book, Patriots of the South Coast, and his 2014 history book, Patriots of Old Dartmouth, are available for purchase […]

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

  Image: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852-1911) painting of Baron Steuben drilling American troops at Valley Forge in 1778. Written by Robert Barboza Historical researcher Robert Barboza has written two books about local patriots in the American Revolution.  His 2025 book, Patriots of the South Coast, and his 2014 history book, Patriots of Old Dartmouth, are available for […]

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

By ROBERT BARBOZA Historical researcher Robert Barboza has written two books about local patriots in the American Revolution.  His 2025 book, Patriots of the South Coast, and his 2014 history book, Patriots of Old Dartmouth, are available for purchase at the Westport Historical Society bookstore.    Westport native Joseph Allen was one of the many men from […]

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Image: Pearlware from Waite Kirby Potter House The temptations of prize sugar Women’s voices are, of course, absent from the Dartmouth town meeting debates. But fortunately, another source provides some insights from a Quaker perspective, into their activities during this era of upheaval. The recently transcribed minutes of the Dartmouth Monthly Meeting of Friends include […]

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

“The inhabitants of said Town of Westport who were qualified by law to vote, being legally notified and warned by the said William Almy, assembled at the dwelling house of William Gifford in said Westport on Monday the Twentieth day of August 1787 at ten of the clock A.M.” An open field at 1074 Main Road marks […]

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

I still recall the sense of disbelief and mild shock when I came across a reference to “a lock of George Washington’s hair” presented to and preserved by the Noquochoke Masonic Lodge in Westport MA. The lock of hair had been handed down through generations of the Cameron family of Philadelphia who were close to […]