Coventry, Rhode Island, USA (Washington) (Harris)
1819 - Coventry

Coventry is an interior manufacturing post township, situated in the northwestern section of the county, 10 miles southwest from Providence; bounded northerly on the towns of Cranston, Scituate and Foster, easterly on Warwick, southerly on West-Greenwich, and westerly on the State of Connecticut.

The length of the township, from east to west, is about 12 miles, and its mean breadth about 6 miles, comprising an area of 72 square miles; being one of the largest towns in the State.

The principal section of this township presents primitive rugged features, being hilly and rocky. Some sections, however, are level, and possess a sandy soil. In the granitic sections the soil is a primitive gravelly loam, strong and fertile, being well adapted to grazing and affording good crops of Indian corn, rye, potatoes, &c.

The dairy business is the leading agricultural pursuit; and the town is celebrated for the excellent quality of the cheese made here. About three-fourths of the land is under a state of improvement, and the residue has been reserved for forests. The natural growth of timber is of the deciduous species...

The population of the township, in 1810, was 2929; and there are 400 Freemen or Electors, about 350 Dwelling-houses, and 5 companies of Militia.

There are five Religious Societies; four of Baptists and one of Methodists, all of which are accommodated with houses for public worship, 8 Schools and School-houses, and 1 Social Library.

This town was distinguished for its patriotism and services during the revolutionary war. In General Sullivan's expedition upon Rhode-Island, when nearly all of the militia of the State were called upon, the companies in this town rallied with great alacrity, there being in the whole town but five delinquencies, which were occasioned by religious scruples, the individuals being Friends or Quakers.

The first settlement of Coventry is not known. It was incorporated in 1742.


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




Visit Coventry, Rhode Island, USA (Washington) (Harris)
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.