History The Mahican (Muh-he-ka-neew) Native American tribe lived in the area that now makes up Berkshire County until the early 18th century, when the first English settlers and frontiersmen appeared and began setting up farms and homesteads. On April 25, 1724, "The English finally paid the Indians 460 pounds, 3 barrels of cider, and 30 quarts of rum" for what is today southern Berkshire County.David H. Wood, 'Lenox Massachusetts Shire Town', (For the town: Lenox, 1969), p. 5. This deal did not include modern Stockbridge, Richmond, and Lenox, or any northern towns. Berkshire County was the western part of Hampshire County until separated in 1761.
History The Mahican (Muh-he-ka-neew) Native American tri.be li?ved in the area that now makes up Berkshi,re, Coun.ty until the early 18th century, when the first English settlers and frontiersmen appeared and began setting up farms and homesteads. On April 25, 1724, "The English finally paid the Indians 460 pounds, 3 barrels of cider, and 30 quarts of rum" for what is today southern Berkshire County.David H. Wood, 'Lenox Massachusetts Shire Town', (For the town: Lenox, 1969), p. 5. This deal did not include modern Stockbridge, Richmond, and Lenox, or any northern towns. Berkshire County was the western part of Hampshire County until separated in 1761.