East Freetown, Massachusetts

East Freetown is one of two villages in the town of Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Added to the town in 1747, East Freetown was originally an outpost settlement of Tiverton, Rhode Island, then a part of Massachusetts. It rests on the shore of Long Pond.

History

East Freetown was made a part of Freetown as a result of the Pocasset Purchase of 1747. It remained less economically developed and industrialized than its sister village, Assonet well into the twentieth century. The village was the birthplace of Massachusetts Governor Marcus Morton.

Historic District

The East Freetown Historic District has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999. It contains many buildings, sites, and features of local historical significance.

*"See also: [http://www.assonetriver.com/preservation/default.asp Friends of Historic Preservation - Freetown, Massachusetts] "

Government

East Freetown is governed by the Town of Freetown. The Town is governed by a three-member Board of Selectmen, with an Open Town Meeting legislature. For more information, see the article Freetown, Massachusetts.

Representatives in General Court
*Precinct II: John F. Quinn (D-Dartmouth)
*Precinct III: Stephen R. Canessa (D-New Bedford)

Senator in General Court
*Joan M. Menard (D-Fall River)

Representative to the United States House of Representatives
*Barney Frank (D-Newton) (4th Massachusetts District)

Senators in the United States Senate
*Edward Kennedy (D)
*John Kerry (D)

Churches

Several churches have been built in East Freetown.

t. John Neumann Church

St. John Neumann Church is a Roman Catholic parish covering the village of East Freetown. On the grounds of the church are Cathedral Camp and Our Lady of the Lake camp, both of which combined to form the co-ed Cathedral Camp. The camp has an extensive outdoor program, including swimming and boating on Long Pond.

East Freetown Congregational Christian Church

The East Freetown Congregational Christian Church is a family oriented gathering of friendly people who enjoy music, inspirational prayer, envigorated, Bible based preaching, laughter and food - all as part of their worship life together. The congregation is gathered by covenant and not by creed. That means that rather than telling individuals what to believe, we encourage them in how to approach personal faith. The congregation has not been part of any other denomination or structure since its gathering in 1831. Since its inception in the New England "Christian Connexion" movement of the 18th-19th century, the congregation has held fast to the five steadfast tenets of that movement: "The Lord Jesus Christ as the head of the church. Christian our only name. The Bible our rule of faith and practice. Individual interpretation of the Scriptures, the right and duty of all. Christian character the test of fellowship. The union of all the followers of Christ, to the end that the world may believe." The church took on the additional title "Congregational" in 1931 as a recognition of the historical roots of its polity, and as part of an emerging spirit of communion among Restoration churches.

Schools

From the early 1800s until 1950, Freetown was serviced by several neighborhood grammar schools, several of which existed in East Freetown.

Furnace School

tructure

Mason's Corner School

tructure

Today

From 1950 forward, students have attended the [http://www.freelake.mec.edu/FES/ Freetown Elementary School] , first for grades 1-8, later K-6, and currently PreK-4. Students also attend [http://www.freelake.mec.edu/AIS George R. Austin Intermediate School] (5), and Freetown-Lakeville Middle School (6-8).

For secondary education, students have three options: Apponequet Regional High School serves students with an academic focus for grades 9-12. Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester accepts students from Assonet when there are openings, and provides a voc-tech atmosphere. Bristol County Agricultural High School serves students wanting to focus primarily in agricultural and animal studies.

Geography

East Freetown is located in Southeastern Massachusetts. It is bounded by Dartmouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Lakeville, Assonet, Rochester, Acushnet, and Long Pond. It has a hilly terrain, with many outcroppings of bedrock. Maple, elm, oak, pine, and birch trees are common throughout. Numerous streams and brooks flow through the village, including Fall Brook.

Many peninsulas exist around Long Pond, laying site for summer resorts such as Heaven's Heights and Hemlock Point. A small portion of the village comprises a part of the Freetown-Fall River State Forest.