For some inexplicable reason, the settlement of Bridgewater had failed to fix and establish a centre, despite frequent and pressing admonitions by the court of New Plymouth.

  

In 1656, Bridgewater had incorporated into a distinct township, without a center or definite boarders, when a grant of 300 acres was made to Capt. Miles Standish.  He was given the land, provided it came not within the court's grant of Bridgewater.  Because of this, it became urgently necessary that the centre of Bridgewater should be fixed in order to ascertain its limits and extent.  When Southworth knew where Bridgewater ended, then he could claim his land.

  

Finally in 1659, the centre was marked by a White Oak Tree, small in stature, standing on high ground.  This location now has a stone marker on the East and West Bridgewater line along the south side of East Center Street.  The tree also bore the initials C.S.  This stood for Constant Southworth of the New Plymouth court committee.  The Plymouth Court shows no entry recorded until 1695 regarding the marking of the centre.  In the end, it was the Court of New Plymouth not Bridgewater itself establishing the centre of Bridgewater township!  

Resource books:  Old Bridgewater Tercentenary 1656-1956.  History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater by Nahum Mitchell.