Pictured here is an actual image from the first book containing the birth records of New Ashford
New Ashford Vital records of birth, marriage and death were all destoyed in a fire around 1850. All that remains of these events prior to 1850 are church records. There are 2 collections of vital records that were published in book and microfiche. The microfiche collection is known as th Holbrook Collection. Both collections were comprised of all known church records at the time and are therefore, incomplete.
The town records did survive. I have created a page to host some of the early town records of New Ashford. Most are accounts of early town meetings but include names of early participants. Also included on the page are a few deed records. Most of the deed records pertain to my ancestor, Abel Kent, however, other names are on most deeds. You can view that page here.
Other pages about New Ashford on this site are listed below. You may also look at the page for Abel Kent Sr..
New Ashford in Berkshire County, Massachusetts was first incorporated as a district February 26, 1781. On March 14, 1793 a portion of New Ashford was taken to make up the town of Cheshire. People began settling the area around 1762. Among the earliest settlers of the town were:
The first store in New Ashford was kept by Peregrine Turner, the first hotel was kept by William Starkweather and the first taverns belonged to Abel and Gideon Kent. The first town record that recorded a town meeting is dated June 7, 1775. On that date it was decided that the Committee of "Rodes" should lay out a burying place. At that time the town was called "New Ashford Plantation". You can see a record of the early town meetings and find more information about the early settlers of New Ashford on the records page here.
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