Westerly, Rhode Island
Washington county. Westerly is washed by the Atlantic ocean on the south, and Pawcatuck river, which separates this state from Connecticut, on the west. This maritime town has its principal harbor at the mouth of the Pawcatuck, in which vessels are built, and in which some navigation is employed in the fishery and domestic trade. The Pawcatuck affords a great variety of scale and shell fish.
The surface of the town is generally uneven; in some parts it presents rugged features. Its soil varies from good to bad, but its average quality is well adapted to the culture of all the varieties of grains, grasses, fruits and vegetables common to the climate. The business of the dairy is extensive and lucrative.
The village of Pawcatuck is very handsome; it is finely located 6 miles from the sea, at the head of navigation on the Pawcatuck, and at the falls on that stream. This village is the site of valuable manufactures and of a large interior trade. It is crossed by the Providence and Stonington rail road, and lies 40 miles S.S.W. from Providence, 5 N.N.E. from Stonington, and 35 W. by S. from Newport.
There are a number of pleasant ponds in the town, well stored with fish. Westerly was incorporated in 1669. Population, 1830, 1,904. Its Indian name was Misquamicut.
