TAUNTON, a town of the United States of North America, Massachusetts, on the river of the same name, 35 miles S. of Boston, and 30 E.N.E. of Providence. It is generally well built; and has in the centre an enclosure called Taunton Green. The chief buildings are the town-hall, court-house, jail, and numerous churches. Various manufactures are extensively carried on here, especially those of paper, leather, hardware, and machinery. The river is navigable up to the town for small vessels; and some coasting trade is carried on here. Pop. (1850) 10,431.