History of Bristol, Rhode Island, USA

Bristol is an ancient, wealthy commercial post township, port of entry, and seat of justice of the county, situated on the eastern shore of the Narragansett, adjoining the waters of Mount Hope bay, in north lat. 41 degrees 40 feet; bounded on the north by Warren, on the east, partly by Massachusetts, and in part by Mount Hope bay, and on the south and west by the Narragansett bay. The average length of the township, from north to south, is more than five miles, and its mean breadth more than two miles, comprising an area of about twelve square miles.

This township is a very interesting tract of country, having a charming situation, and washed, upon its southern and western borders, by the most beautiful sheets of water in the world. Its surface, with the exception of Mount Hope, a considerable eminence in the southeast section of the town, is uneven, exhibiting a pleasant diversity. Some sections however are somewhat rocky.

Mount Hope is a beautiful eminence, affording an...

Three vessels belonging to Bristol, Rhode Island, have been captured by the British Brig Thistle, all with full cargoes of slaves, and sent to Sierra Leone. We regret that they were not captured by the Cyane, and trust that our vessels, on that coast, will be unusually vigilant in detecting these violators of law and gospel. Nat. Advertiser

Bristol, Rhode Island
This is the chief town of Bristol county; the Pocanocket of the Indians. It is delightfully situated on the waters of Narraganset and Mount Hope bays, in lat. 41°39'53" N., lon. 71°19' W. It lies 15 miles S. from Providence, 15 N. from Newport, and 56 S.S.W. from Boston. Its navigable advantages are unrivalled. The commerce of this place is not so extensive as formerly; still there is considerable maritime trade. It has 18 vessels engaged in the whale fishery, 15 or 20 sail in the merchant service, and a large number in the coasting trade. The amount of tonnage in this district in 1837, was 16,627 tons. Much of the capital of this town is employed in manufacturing concerns at other places. The town comprises an area of about 12 square miles, including Mount Hope, once the residence of the celebrated king Philip. The soil is deep, gravelly loam, very fertile and productive. Great quantities of onions are produced here, the cultivation of which gives a lucrative...

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...

BRISTOL, a township, port-of-entry, and cap. of Bristol county, in Rhode Island. On the E side of Narragansett bay, 18 m. SE of Providence. It has a good harbour, and is extensively engaged in the coasting-trade and fisheries. Its shipping in 1840 amounted to 15,890 tons. In this township is Mount Hope, on which the chief of the Pequods, the terror of the early colonists, held his court. It rises 300 ft. above sea-level, commanding a magnificent view. Pop. in 1840, 3,490.

PROVIDENCE, July 21. - To-day a passenger train on the Bristol Railroad ran into a head of cattle two miles this side of Bristol. The engine and one car were thrown from the track, and the engineer, RUFUS SHIPPEE, killed. None of the passengers were injured.

It is said that in the small town of Bristol, Rhode Island, for several years before the war a young man named Cole was in the habit of throwing every silver dollar that came into his possession into a cistern at the side of his house. After coin get scarce and at a high premium he took the silver out and found that he had accumulated over $5,000 which he was able to sell at a a large premium. We would not recommend that others do likewise, for a cistern is not the safest place for making deposits; but we would recommend that a good savings bank - or dollar bank for instance - be substituted.