North Providence, Rhode Island
Providence county. This ancient and wealthy town was a part of Providence until 1767. Population in 1810, 1,758; 1820, 2,420; 1830, 3,503.
The surface of this town is uneven, consisting of moderate elevations and gentle declivities. The rocks are primitive and transition: some limestone is found.
The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, which is interspersed with tracts of sandy loam, and some of calcareous. The forests consist of oak, walnut and some pine; and the agricultural productions, of grass, hay, corn, some rye, potatoes, vegetables and fruits, many of which are sent to Providence.
The waters of the town consist of the Seekonk river, which washes its eastern border; the Wanasquatucket, which forms its western boundary; and the Mashasuck, which intersects the interior of the township. These streams afford numerous sites for hydraulic works, some of which are almost unrivalled. There are some valuable shad and herring fisheries in the Seekonk.
This town is distinguished for its manufactures, particularly those of cotton, which form an important interest. The extent of this business, having concentrated a large capital and an immense aggregate of industry, has, within the last fifty years, given rise to a large and flourishing village. The village of Pawtucket is situated in the northeast section of the town, four miles northeast from Providence, on the border of the Seekonk river; its site being principally the declivity of a hill, and it is highly romantic and picturesque. The river here affords numerous natural sites for manufacturing establishments, mills and hydraulic works of almost every description, which are scarcely rivalled, and which are occupied to a great extent. The rapid march of manufacturing and mechanical industry, which the short annals of this place disclose, has few examples in our country, and has produced one of the most considerable and flourishing manufacturing villages in the United States. The river here forms the boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and the village is built upon both sides of it; being partly in each state. That part of the village which is in this state is principally built on four streets, and comprises a large number of handsome buildings.
Besides the cotton business, there are in the town furnaces for casting, slitting mills, anchor shops, cut nail factories, screw manufactories, &c. &c. See Pawtucket, Mass.
