The stone replaced the "Angle Tree" from the 17th century, which was a surveying landmark for the boundary between Bristol and Norfolk counties, and also between North Attleborough and Plainville, Massachusetts.

The line was often the subject of disputes and not finally settled until two U.S. Supreme Court decisions were handed down two centuries later in Rhode Island v. Massachusetts, 37 U.S. 12 Pet.

‘This monument, erected by order of the government to perpetuate the place on which the late station or angle tree formerly stood.

The commissioners appointed by the old colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts to run out and establish this line in 1664 were Robert Studson, Constant Southworth, Josias Winslow, Jos.

They began this work on the 10th day of May, the same year, and marked a tree then standing on this spot, it being (3) miles south of the southerly most part of Charles River.