Bristol, Rhode Island, USA (Massachusetts)
1854 - Bristol

Bristol, a port of entry, and seat of justice of Bristol county, Rhode Island, on a peninsula extending S. into Narraganset bay, 16 miles 8. 8. E. from Providence, 14 miles N. by E. from Newport, and 7 miles W. S. W. from Salt river. The township is 5 miles long, and 2 miles broad, embracing 12 square miles of surface. On the E. is Mount Hope bay, extending up towards Fall river. Between this and Narraganset bay on the W. is Mount Hope, once the residence of the celebrated King Philip. More than one-fourth of the entire population are engaged in horticulture. The town is situated on an elevated plane, inclining gently towards the Narraganset shore. Portions of it are beautifully shaded. It contains several churches, 4 banks, and 2 newspaper offices. Manufacturing in this place has received considerable encouragement within a few years past, and is now in a very thriving condition. The harbor is easy of access, safe, and of sufficient depth for vessels of a largo size. Bristol has an extensive trade along the coast, and some commerce with the, West India Islands. Its shipping in 1852 amounted to an aggregate burden of 13,620 tons; 11,464 tons were registered. Four vessels, (two of them ships,) with an aggregate of 1232 tons, were built during the year. A steamboat plying between Providence and Salt river touches at this place. Bristol is much resorted to in the summer season, for its fine sea air. King Philip, who waged a destructive warfare with tho New England colonies, was killed here in 1676. During the revolutionary war the town was bombarded by the British, and most of it burned to the ground. Population of the township, 4616.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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