Charlestown, Rhode Island, USA (Quonochontaug)
1819 - Charlestown

Charlestown is a post township, situated 40 miles southwest from Providence; bounded on the north by Charles river, which separates it from Richmond, on the east by South-Kingston, on the south by the Atlantic ocean, and on the west by Westerly.

The township is between six and seven miles square, and nearly in a square form, comprising an areas of about 43 square miles, including its waters, of which there are five considerable ponds, two salt, and three fresh water, all of which, it is estimated, contain about 7 square miles. These ponds are called Charlestown, Conaquaetogue, Posquissett, Watchaug and Cochumpaug. The first two are salt water, and the three latter fresh water ponds.

Between the two first mentioned ponds there are communications with the sea, which are occasionally closed by sand. The entrance into Conaquetogue pond is sometimes of sufficient depth to admit of vessels of from 15 to 20 tons; but that into Charlestown pond only admits of small open boats. In these ponds, and in the sea, considerable quantities of fish are taken; the most important are codfish, haddock, black fish, mackerel, blue fish, white fish, scupaug, (an Indian name,) bass, perch and alewives.

Charles river, which has its source in Warden's pond, in South-Kingston, washes the northern border of the township. This stream, after affording several sites for hydraulic works, unites with Wood river from the north, forming Pawcatuck river, which discharges its waters int Fisher's Island sound...


A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... : with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State
Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles
Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819




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