If you live in Connecticut, you might have seen one of these “Take Back The Notch” stickers.

The sticker references the “notch” or the “Southwick Jog” area in northern Connecticut that is occupied by Massachusetts. (Picture below)

In recent years, an online movement has emerged that urges Connecticut residents to “take back the notch,” since it was unfairly taken from us over two hundred years ago by careless colonial surveyors.

How Massachusetts Got The Notch

Founding and Early Disputes In the mid-17th century, English explorers established Southwick in the Connecticut River Valley. To set boundaries, Massachusetts Bay Colony sent Nathaniel Woodward and Solomon Saffery to survey the southern border in 1642, but their inexperience led to errors, placing the line too far south. Connecticut, not yet chartered, didn’t challenge it.

Boundary Conflicts By 1662, Connecticut had its charter and realized the border was incorrect but hesitated to confront Massachusetts. A 1695 survey confirmed the error, but Massachusetts dismissed it. In 1702, a joint survey again proved the line was wrong, but Massachusetts refused to accept the findings.

Final Resolution In 1713, a joint commission adjusted the boundary, with Massachusetts keeping some disputed towns, including Southwick. Unhappy townspeople petitioned to join Connecticut, citing lower taxes. The issue was put on hold during the Revolutionary War but was finally resolved in 1801 when the area around Southwick was split between the two states, establishing the final border.