N.Y. State Law Section 3
Massachusetts boundary line

The boundary line between the states of New York and Massachusetts is as follows: Beginning at bound one, a granite monument set in ledge on the side of a wooded mountain peak six hundred and nine feet east of Ryan bush road, in latitude forty-two degrees two minutes fifty-eight and four hundred and twenty-seven thousandths seconds north of the equator, and longitude seventy-three degrees twenty-nine minutes fifteen and nine hundred and fifty-nine thousandths seconds west from Greenwich, and marking the northwest corner of Connecticut, a corner of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a corner of the state of New York; thence on an azimuth of ninety degrees forty-three minutes forty-nine seconds twenty-six hundred and twenty-four feet to bound three, a granite monument set in ledge on the steep westerly slope of a wooded mountain, in latitude forty-two degrees two minutes fifty-eight and seven hundred and fifty-six thousandths seconds and longitude seventy-three degrees twenty-nine minutes and fifty and seven hundred and thirty-seven thousandths seconds, at the southwest corner of Massachusetts, also in the eastern line of New York and marking a corner of the towns of Mount Washington in Massachusetts, and Ancram and northeast in New York; thence on an azimuth of one hundred and sixty-seven degrees eight minutes fifteen seconds, thirteen thousand six hundred and forty-nine feet to bound nine, a granite monument set in ledge on the westerly wooded slope of Alandar mountain about a quarter of a mile west of its summit, in latitude forty-two degrees five minutes ten and two hundred and five thousandths seconds and longitude seventy-three degrees thirty minutes thirty-one and thirty-one thousandths seconds, at the corner of Mount Washington in Massachusetts and Copake in New York; thence on an azimuth of one hundred and ninety-five degrees twelve minutes twenty-two seconds, two hundred forty-nine thousand two hundred and forty-six feet, by the towns of Mount Washington, Egremont, Alford, West Stockbridge, Richmond, Hancock and Williamstown in Massachusetts, and Copake, Hillsdale, Austerlitz, Canaan, New Lebanon, Stephentown, Berlin and Petersburg in New York, to bound one hundred and twelve, a granite monument set in ledge and earth on an open easterly slope about seventy-five feet west of a private roadway, in latitude forty-two degrees forty-four minutes forty-five and two hundred and one thousandths seconds and longitude seventy three degrees fifteen minutes fifty-four and nine hundred and four thousandths seconds, at the northwest corner of Massachusetts, also in the east line of New York and in the south line of Vermont, and marking a corner in the boundaries of the towns of Williamstown in Massachusetts, Petersburg in New York, and Pownal in Vermont. The term “azimuth,” as used in this description, is the angle which a line makes at its point of beginning with the true meridian, reckoning from the south around by the west. In addition to the monuments at the ends of the above mentioned straight lines other monuments have been set at the points of intersection of the above described straight lines with highways, railroads and boundary lines of three towns in New York and seven towns in Massachusetts; also at mile points, excepting the twenty-second and twenty-third miles, which are unmarked. These additional marks are described as follows: Beginning at the said northwest corner of Connecticut; thence westerly about six hundred and nine feet to a monument on the west side of Ryan Bush road; thence westerly about two thousand and fifteen feet to bound three, at the southwest corner of Massachusetts previously described; thence northwesterly about twenty-six hundred and fifty-six feet to a monument marking the first mile point; thence northwesterly about forty-eight hundred and fifty-five feet to a monument on the north side of the Roberts road; thence northwesterly about three hundred and thirty feet to a monument at the corner of Ancram, Copake and Mount Washington; thence northwesterly about ninety-five feet to a monument marking the second mile point; thence northwesterly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the third mile point; thence northwesterly about four hundred and thirty-three feet to bound nine, on Alandar mountain previously described; thence northerly about thirty-four hundred and eighty-six feet to a monument at the boundary summit of the Bashbish mountain; thence northerly about thirteen hundred and sixty-one feet to a monument marking the fourth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the fifth mile point; thence northerly about twelve hundred and nineteen feet to a monument on the north side of the Bashbish road; thence northerly about twenty-five hundred and seventy-six feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Cedar mountain; thence northerly about fourteen hundred and eighty-five feet to a monument marking the sixth mile point; thence northerly about twenty-eight hundred and forty-eight feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Dugway hill; thence northerly about nine hundred and eighty-five feet to a monument on the north side of the Mount Washington-Hillsdale road; thence northerly about fourteen hundred and forty-seven feet to a monument marking the seventh mile point; thence northerly about six hundred and seventy-seven feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Mount Prospect; thence northerly about forty-five hundred and ninety-four feet to a monument at the corner of Copake, Egremont and Mount Washington; thence northerly about nine feet to a monument marking the eighth mile point; thence northerly about nine hundred and seventy feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Mount Fray; thence northerly about forty-three hundred and ten feet to a monument marking the ninth mile point; thence northerly about fourteen hundred and fifty-nine feet to a monument on the north side of the Hillsdale-South Egremont road; thence northerly about four hundred and seventy-eight feet to a monument at the corner of Copake, Egremont and Hillsdale; thence northerly about thirty-three hundred and forty-three feet to a monument marking the tenth mile point; thence northerly about twenty-seven hundred and eighty-six feet to a monument on the north side of the Hillsdale-North Egremont road; thence northerly about twenty-four hundred and ninety-four feet to a monument marking the eleventh mile point; thence northerly about forty-four hundred and eight feet to a monument on the south side of the North Egremont-North Hillsdale road; thence northerly about eight hundred and seventy-two feet to a monument marking the twelfth mile point; thence northerly about twenty-five hundred and forty-three feet to a monument at the corner of Alford, Egremont and Hillsdale; thence northerly about three hundred and seventy-three feet to a monument on the north side of the Whites Hill road; thence northerly about twenty-three hundred and sixty-four feet to a monument marking the thirteenth mile point; thence northerly about thirty-eight hundred and ninety-three feet to a monument on the south side of the Green River-North Egremont road; thence northerly about thirteen hundred and eighty-seven feet to a monument marking the fourteenth mile point; thence northerly about twenty-three hundred and five feet to a monument on the north side of the Green River-Great Barrington road; thence northerly about twenty-five hundred and thirty-two feet to a monument on the south side of a road; thence northerly about four hundred and forty-three feet to a monument marking the fifteenth mile point; thence northerly about thirty-five hundred and twenty-seven feet to a monument at a boundary summit; thence northerly about seventeen hundred and fifty-three feet to a monument marking the sixteenth mile point; thence northerly about fourteen hundred and ninety-four feet to a monument on the north side of the Alford-Green River road; thence northerly about thirty-four hundred and fifty-six feet to a monument on the north side of a road; thence northerly about three hundred and thirty feet to a monument marking the seventeenth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the eighteenth mile point; thence northerly about five hundred and fifty-three feet to a monument at the corner of Alford, Austerlitz and West Stockbridge; thence northerly about forty-seven hundred and twenty-seven feet to a monument marking the nineteenth mile point; thence northerly about fifteen hundred and ninety feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Mount Harvey; thence northerly about thirty-six hundred and ninety feet to a monument marking the twentieth mile point; thence northerly about twenty-nine hundred and two feet to a monument on the south side of the Austerlitz-West Stockbridge south road; thence northerly about three hundred and twenty-seven feet to a monument on the south side of a road; thence northerly about two thousand and eight feet to a monument on the south side of the Austerlitz-West Stockbridge north road; thence northerly about forty-three feet to a monument marking the twenty-first mile point; thence northerly about twenty-six hundred and thirty-five feet to a monument on the north side of a road; thence northerly about twenty-four hundred and nine feet to a monument on the south side of the Canaan-West Stockbridge road; thence northerly about one hundred and fifteen feet to a monument on the Boston and Albany railroad; thence northerly about one hundred and sixty-six feet to a monument on the north side of the Canaan-Richmond Furnace south road; thence northerly about three hundred and ninety-one feet to a monument at the corner of Canaan, Richmond and West Stockbridge; thence northerly about forty-eight hundred and thirty-four feet to a monument on the south side of the Canaan-Richmond Furnace north road; thence northerly about eight hundred and twenty feet to a monument on the east side of the Cunningham Hill road; thence northerly about eight hundred and ninety-seven feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Cunningham hill; thence northerly about thirty-five hundred and seventy-three feet to a monument marking the twenty-fourth mile point; thence northerly about one hundred and sixty-seven feet to a monument on the south side of the Canaan-Richmond road; thence northerly about twenty-eight hundred and thirteen feet to a monument on the west side of a road; thence northerly about twelve hundred and eighty-five feet to a monument on the south side of the Canaan-Pittsfield road; thence northerly about one thousand and fifteen feet to a monument marking the twenty-fifth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the twenty-sixth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the twenty-seventh mile point; thence northerly about eighteen hundred and ninety-nine feet to a monument at the corner of Canaan, Hancock and Richmond, on Perry’s Peak; thence northerly about thirty-three hundred and eighty-one feet to a monument marking the twenty-eighth mile point; thence northerly about seventeen hundred and ninety-two feet to a monument on the south side of the Mount Lebanon-Pittsfield road; thence northerly about eighty feet to a monument on the north side of the Mount Lebanon-Pittsfield road; thence northerly about thirty-three hundred and twenty-four feet to a monument on the north side of the state highway between Pittsfield and New Lebanon; thence northerly about eighty-four feet to a monument marking the twenty-ninth mile point; thence northerly about thirty-three hundred and fifteen feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Mount Lebanon; thence northerly about nineteen hundred and sixty-five feet to a monument marking the thirtieth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the thirty-first mile point; thence northerly about two hundred and fifty-six feet to a monument on the north side of the old Lebanon Springs-Pittsfield road; thence northerly about eleven hundred and eight feet to a monument on the south side of the Lebanon Springs-Pittsfield road; thence northerly about thirty-nine hundred and sixteen feet to a monument marking the thirty-second mile point; thence northerly about nine hundred and ninety-six feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Clover hill; thence northerly about forty-two hundred and eighty-four feet to a monument marking the thirty-third mile point; thence northerly about twenty-five hundred and fifty-five feet to a monument on the south side of Goodrich Hollow road; thence northerly about twenty-seven hundred and twenty-five feet to a monument marking the thirty-fourth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the thirty-fifth mile point; thence northerly about twenty-six hundred and eighty-nine feet to a monument on the north side of the Hancock-Stephentown road; thence northerly about twenty-five hundred and ninety-one feet to a monument marking the thirty-six mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the thirty-seventh mile point; thence northerly about two thousand and sixty-five feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Rounds mountain; thence northerly about thirty-two hundred and fifteen feet to a monument marking the thirty-eighth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the thirty-ninth mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the fortieth mile point; thence northerly about forty-nine hundred and seventy-four feet to a monument marking the boundary summit of Mount Misery; thence northerly about three hundred and six feet to a monument marking the forty-first mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the forty-second mile point; thence northerly about nine hundred and seventy-two feet to a monument at the corner of Berlin, Hancock and Williamstown; thence northerly about two thousand and eleven feet to a monument on the north side of the Sweet road; thence northerly about twenty-two hundred and ninety-seven feet to a monument marking the forty-third mile point; thence northerly about fifty-two hundred and eighty feet to a monument marking the forty-fourth mile point, on the north slope of Rhodes Pinnacle; thence northerly about two thousand and fifty-six feet to a monument on the south side of Mills Hollow road; thence northerly about thirty-two hundred and twenty-four feet to a monument marking the forty-fifth mile point; thence northerly about forty-six hundred and two feet to a monument on the north side of the Beebe Hollow road; thence northerly about six hundred and seventy-eight feet to a monument marking the forty-sixth mile point; thence northerly about twenty-one hundred and seventy feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Berlin mountain; thence northerly about thirty-one hundred and ten feet to a monument marking the forty-seventh mile point; thence northerly about sixteen hundred and thirty-five feet to a monument on the north side of the Berlin-Williamstown road; thence northerly about thirty-six hundred and forty-five feet to a monument marking the forty-eighth mile point; thence northerly about thirty-four hundred and sixty-three feet to a monument on the south side of the South Williamstown-Petersburg road; thence northerly about three hundred and seven feet to a monument on the north side of the Williamstown-Petersburg road; thence northerly about fifteen hundred and ten feet to a monument marking the forty-ninth mile point; thence northerly about thirty-one hundred and twenty-seven feet to a monument at the boundary summit of Jim Smith hill; thence northerly about twenty-one hundred and fifty-three feet to a monument marking the fiftieth mile point; thence northerly about fifteen hundred and nineteen feet to bound one hundred and twelve, at the northwest corner of Massachusetts, previously described; thereby including within the state of New York that portion of the former territory of Massachusetts known as the district of Boston Corner, situate formerly in the southwesterly corner of Massachusetts, and westerly of the southwest line of the town of Mount Washington, in the county of Berkshire, and ceded to the state of New York upon certain conditions by an act of the legislature of Massachusetts passed on May fourteen, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, entitled “An act relating to the separation of the district of Boston Corner from this commonwealth, and the cession of the same to the state of New York.” The acceptance by this state of sovereignty and jurisdiction of such ceded territory which took effect January three, eighteen hundred and fifty-five, the date of the approval of the act of congress consenting to such cession, is continued in force, subject to the retention by the state of Massachusetts of jurisdiction in any cause which arose or was pending before the date of the issuing of the proclamation provided in the third section of such act of the legislature of Massachusetts, provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect existing titles to property corporeal or incorporeal held under grants heretofore made by either of said states, nor to affect existing rights which said states, or either of them, or which the citizens of either of said states may have, by grant, letters patent or prescription irrespective of the boundary line hereby established, it not being the purpose hereof to define, limit or interfere with any such right, rights or privileges whatever the same may be.

Source: Section 3 — Massachusetts boundary line, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/STL/3 (updated Apr. 28, 2023; accessed Jan. 4, 2025).

Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Jan. 4, 2025

Last modified:
Apr. 28, 2023

§ 3’s source at nysenate​.gov

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