Tiverton, Rhode Island
Newport county. Tiverton is bounded N. and E. by Massachusetts, S. by Little Compton, and W. by the eastern passage of Mount Hope and Narraganset bays. It is connected with Portsmouth, on the island of Rhode Island, by a stone bridge at a place called "Howland's Ferry."
The surface of the town is varied by hills and valleys. Its structure is granite, and the land, in some parts, is stony. The soil is principally a gravelly loam, and capable of producing good crops. There are valuable forests of timber in the town and a good number of sheep.
The navigable privileges of Tiverton are of a superior kind; and are improved, to some extent, in the fishery, and foreign and domestic trade. There are large ponds in the town, well supplied with fish. These ponds produce a water power which is applied to the manufacture of cotton and other materials.
The town was attached to Massachusetts until 1746. It is 24 miles S.E. from Providence and 13 N.E. from Newport. Population, 1830, 2,905.
