The Pokanoket (also spelled Pakanokick ) are a group of Wampanoag people and the village governed by Massasoit (c. 1581–1661), chief sachem of the Wampanoag people.
40-573: The village was located on what is now called Mount Hope in Bristol, Rhode Island . Later the term Pokanoket broadened to refer to the peoples and lands governed by Massasoit and his successors, which were part of the Wampanoag people in what is now Rhode Island and Massachusetts . Pokanoket is also spelled Pauquunaukit , and translates as "land at the clearing" from the Massachusett . At
80-505: A land acknowledgment on a town sign. Bristol, Rhode Island Bristol is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island , United States, as well as the county seat. The population of Bristol was 22,493 at the 2020 census. It is a deep water seaport named after Bristol , England. Major industries include boat building and related marine industries, manufacturing, and tourism. The Bristol Warren Regional School District manages
120-513: A community of free Blacks known as "New Goree" existed along the northern portion of Wood Street in the 19th century from Bayview Avenue to Union Street. This community disappeared by 1900. An African Methodist Episcopal church stood at 417 Wood Street, but was razed by 1898; the Bristol Sports Club currently stands on that lot. Two modest homes on Wood Street were identified in 2023 as being New Goree homes. Researchers speculate that
160-609: A group of ships led by Captain Wallace and HMS Rose sailed into town and demanded provisions. When refused, Wallace shelled the town, causing much damage. The attack was stopped when Lieutenant Governor William Bradford rowed out to Rose to negotiate a cease-fire, but then a second attack took place on May 25, 1778. This time, 500 British and Hessian troops marched through the main street (now called Hope Street (RI Route 114)) and burnt 30 barracks and houses, taking some prisoners to Newport . Starting in at least in 1805,
200-490: A household in the county was $ 50,737, and the median income for a family was $ 63,114. Males had a median income of $ 41,902 versus $ 28,985 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 26,503. About 4.40% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 49,875 people, 19,150 households, and 12,750 families living in
240-707: A leading slave trader, later became a United States Senator from Rhode Island. Beginning in 1769 and continuing until 1820 (over a decade after the slave trade was outlawed in the Atlantic), the DeWolf family trafficked people out of West Africa, enslaving them and bringing them to work on DeWolf-owned plantations, or selling them to be auctioned at ports in places such as Havana , Cuba and Charleston , South Carolina . Sugar and molasses from slave plantations in Cuba would be brought to Rhode Island to DeWolf-owned distilleries. By
280-489: Is a rocky ledge on the mountain which was a lookout site for enemy ships on Mount Hope Bay. After the war concluded, four Boston merchants – Stephen Burton, Nathaniel Byfield , Nathaniel Oliver, and John Walley – purchased a tract of land known as "Mount Hope Neck and Poppasquash Neck" as part of the Plymouth Colony . Other settlers included John Gorham and Richard Smith . A variant of
320-518: Is currently represented by Democrat Gabe Amo . In presidential elections, Bristol is a Democratic stronghold, as no Republican presidential nominee has won the town since prior to the 1988 election. Bristol County, Rhode Island Bristol County is a county located in the U.S. state of Rhode Island . As of the 2020 census , the population was 50,793, making it the least populous county in Rhode Island. In terms of land area, it
360-711: Is the dialect of Massachusett spoken among the Pokanoket. The Pokanoket's conceded territory shown in the map featured here is a reconstruction of Pokanoket ancestral boundaries based on a political and topographical map from 1895, which itself drew on 17th-century topographical descriptions of political borders. Today, the area includes cities and towns on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island border such as Bristol, Warren, Barrington, East Providence, Seekonk, Rehoboth, Attleboro, Cumberland, North Attleboro, Norton, Mansfield, Dighton, and Somerset. Today, descendants from
400-543: Is the third-smallest county in the United States , at only 25 square miles (65 km ). The county was created in 1747 when it was separated from Bristol County, Massachusetts . Bristol County is included in the Providence - Warwick , RI- MA Metropolitan Statistical Area , which in turn constitutes a portion of the greater Boston- Worcester -Providence, MA-RI- NH - CT Combined Statistical Area . The county
440-651: The Indian name Metacomet is now the name of a main road in Bristol: Metacom Avenue ( RI Route 136 ). Bristol was a town of Massachusetts until the Crown transferred it to the Rhode Island Colony in 1747. The DeWolf family was among the earliest settlers of Bristol. Bristol and Rhode Island became a center of slave trading , from which it derived much of its wealth. James DeWolf ,
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#1732772216651480-682: The Massasoit Osamequin, befriended the early settlers. King Philip's War was a conflict between the Plymouth settlers and the Pokanokets and allied tribes, and it began in the neighboring area of Swansea, Massachusetts . Metacomet made nearby Mount Hope (a corruption of the Pokanoket word Montaup ) his base of operations; he died following an ambush by Captain Benjamin Church on August 12, 1676. "Massasoit's Seat"
520-424: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 45 square miles (120 km ), of which 24 square miles (62 km ) is land and 21 square miles (54 km ) (46%) is water. It is the smallest county in Rhode Island. In land area only (water area omitted), it is the third-smallest county in the United States, following Kalawao County, Hawaii and New York County, New York (Manhattan). The highest point in
560-488: The United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 20.6 square miles (53.4 km ), of which, 10.1 square miles (26.2 km ) of it is land and 10.5 square miles (27.2 km ) of it (50.99%) is water. Bristol's harbor is home to over 800 boat moorings in seven mooring fields. As of the 2010 census Bristol had a population of 22,954. The ethnic and racial composition of
600-884: The 2008 documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North , in the 2008 companion memoir Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as the Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U.S. History by Thomas Norman DeWolf, and the 2014 historical study James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade by Cynthia Mestad Johnson. During the American Revolutionary War , the British Royal Navy bombarded Bristol twice. On October 7, 1775,
640-611: The Pilgrims sailed: "The Pokanokets, which live to the west of Plymouth, bear an inveterate malice to the English, and are of more strength than all the savages from there to Penobscot . Their desire of revenge was occasioned by an English man who, having many of them on board, made a great slaughter with their murderers and small shot, when (as they say) they offered no injury on their part." The area in Rhode Island consisting of Bristol, Barrington, and Warren (the latter named Sowams by
680-701: The Pokanoket village are part of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe , a federally recognized tribe in Massachusetts . An unrecognized tribe , the Pokanoket Tribe , also known as the Pokanoket Nation claims to descend from the Pokanoket people. They are not federally recognized ; state-recognized by Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or any other state; or recognized by Wampanoag tribes. The town of Warren, Rhode Island , lists
720-688: The Revolutionary War, and later by Rev. Wight as the Parade, and continue today, organized by the Bristol Fourth of July Committee. The festivities officially start on June 14, Flag Day , beginning a period of outdoor concerts, soapbox car races and a firefighters' muster at Independence Park. The celebration climaxes on July 4 with the oldest annual parade in the United States, "The Military, Civic and Firemen's Parade", an event that draws over 200,000 people from Rhode Island and around
760-464: The United States with a plurality of people of Portuguese ancestry (the other being contiguous Bristol County , Massachusetts ). There were 19,033 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. Of all households 25.10% were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who
800-538: The best views of Narragansett Bay can be seen along this corridor. The construction of the East Bay Bike Path was highly contested by Bristol residents before construction because of the potential of crime, but it has become a welcome asset to the community and the anticipated crime was non-existent. The Bristol-based Herreshoff boat company built five consecutive America's Cup Defenders between 1893 and 1920. The Colt Estate, now known as Colt State Park ,
840-595: The building as headquarters in 1778 during the Battle of Rhode Island . Bristol has the oldest continuously celebrated Independence Day festivities in the United States. The first mention of a celebration comes from July 1777, when a British officer noted sounds coming from across Narragansett Bay : This being the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Rebel Colonies, they ushered in
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#1732772216651880-615: The construction of a U.S. Rubber Co. plant on Wood Street in 1864 may have played a role in the neighborhood's demise. Until 1854, Bristol was one of the five state capitals of Rhode Island. Bristol is home to Roger Williams University , named for Rhode Island founder Roger Williams . The southerly terminus of the East Bay Bike Path is located at Independence Park on Bristol Harbor. The bike path continues north to India Point Park in Providence , R.I., mostly constructed following an abandoned railroad right of way. Some of
920-402: The county is Mount Hope , in Bristol , which stands 217 feet (66 m) above sea level. As of the census of 2000, there were 50,648 people, 19,033 households, and 13,361 families living in the county. The population density was 2,052 inhabitants per square mile (792/km ). There were 19,881 housing units at an average density of 805 per square mile (311/km ). The racial makeup of the county
960-403: The county. The population density was 2,064.0 inhabitants per square mile (796.9/km ). There were 20,850 housing units at an average density of 862.8 per square mile (333.1/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% white, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of
1000-452: The end of 1820, the DeWolf family had trafficked and enslaved over 10,000 Africans. James DeWolf died as the second wealthiest person in the United States. Quakers from Rhode Island were involved early in the abolition movement, although abolition was a divisive issue among Quakers, resulting in the creation of new Quaker groups. The DeWolf family, as well as Bristol's and the northern United States' participation in slavery, are featured in
1040-533: The fears initially felt by the Pilgrims, the Pokanoket quickly made a pact of peace with the new settlers. Bradford referred to the Pokanoket leader Ousamequin as "their great Sachem, called Massasoit ". Ousamequin was succeeded as Great Leader of the Pokanoket by his sons, first by Wamsutta , (also known as Alexander), and then by Metacomet (also known as Philip), who was killed in the King Philip's War (1675–76). Natick, sometimes referred to as Pokanoket,
1080-544: The morning by firing 13 cannons, one for each colony, we suppose. At sunset, the rebel frigates fired another round of 13 guns, each one after the other. As the evening was very still and fine the echo of the guns down the Bay had a grand effect. The annual official and historic celebrations (Patriotic Exercises) were established in 1785 by Rev. Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church and veteran of
1120-417: The natives) was the main settlement of the Pokanoket when the Pilgrims arrived. Bradford had been told that the land of the Pokanoket had "the richest soil, and much open ground fit for English grain". Giovanni da Verrazzano sailed into Narragansett Bay in 1524, and people appeared on the shores, most likely Pokanokets. The navigator's recorded latitude of 41°40′ north corresponds to Mount Hope Bay , where
1160-492: The population was 94.9% non-Hispanic white, 0.8% Black, 0.1% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.4% some other race, 1.4% from two or more races and 2.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the census of 2000, there were 22,469 people, 8,314 households, and 5,653 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,222.2 inhabitants per square mile (858.0/km ). There were 8,705 housing units at an average density of 860.9 per square mile (332.4/km ). The ethnic group makeup of
1200-411: The population. The largest ancestry groups were: Of the 19,150 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.4% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age
1240-401: The seat of the Pokanoket is located. Verrazzano wrote of these Rhode Island Native Americans whom he encountered: "These people are the most beautiful and have the most civil customs we have found on this voyage." The Pilgrims lost more than half of their people due to sickness and starvation over the first winter. The Pokanoket taught them how to plant crops and live in this country. Despite
Pokanoket - Misplaced Pages Continue
1280-559: The time of the pilgrims' arrival in Plymouth, the realm of Pokanoket included parts of Rhode Island and much of southeastern Massachusetts. European accounts of Pokanoket social life noted the political authority of the Massasoit (Great Leader). The realm of the Pokanoket was extensive and known to the Pilgrims before they arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts on the Mayflower in 1620. William Bradford wrote that he had received before
1320-477: The town was 97.14% White , 1.29% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 0.67% Asian , 0.62% Black , 0.16% Native American , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.33% other ethnic group , and 1.03% from two or more races. In the Rhode Island Senate , Bristol is split into three senatorial districts, all Democratic: At the federal level, Bristol is a part of Rhode Island's 1st congressional district and
1360-531: The unified school system for Bristol and the neighboring town of Warren . Prominent communities include Portuguese-Americans , mostly Azoreans , and Italian-Americans . Before the Pilgrims arrived in 1620, the Pokanokets occupied much of Southern New England, including Plymouth . They had previously suffered from a series of plagues which killed off large segments of their population, and their leader,
1400-590: The world. These elaborate celebrations give Bristol its nickname, "America's most patriotic town". Bristol is represented in the parade with hometown groups like the Bristol Train of Artillery and the Bristol County Fifes and Drums. Bristol is situated on 10.1 square miles (26 km ) of a peninsula (the smaller sub-peninsula on the west is called Poppasquash), with Narragansett Bay on its west and Mount Hope Bay on its east. According to
1440-558: Was 42.9 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 68,333 and the median income for a family was $ 87,781. Males had a median income of $ 59,725 versus $ 44,060 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 35,588. About 3.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over. The following towns are located in Bristol County: There are two school districts in
1480-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04. In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males. The median income for
1520-521: Was 96.81% White , 0.69% Black or African American , 0.16% Native American , 1% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.3% from other races , and 1.01% from two or more races. Of the population 1.13% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.7% were of Portuguese , 18.6% Italian , 12.4% Irish , 10.5% English and 5.9% French ancestry. 85.4% spoke English , 10.4% Portuguese and 1.3% Spanish as their first language. The United States Census Bureau reported Bristol County as being one of two counties in
1560-596: Was formed by the transfer of part of Bristol County, Massachusetts , to the Colony of Rhode Island in 1746, having been the subject of a long-running border dispute. The original county was part of the Plymouth Colony and named after its "shire town" (county seat), what is now Bristol, Rhode Island . The new Rhode Island county was formed in 1746 with the full modern territory of Bristol, Barrington, and Warren. See Bristol County, Massachusetts for later land transfers between Massachusetts and Rhode Island. According to
1600-739: Was home to Samuel P. Colt , nephew of the man famous for the arms company, and founder of the United States Rubber Company, later called Uniroyal and the largest rubber company in the nation. Colt State Park lies on manicured gardens abutting the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, and is popular for its views of the waterfront and sunsets. Bristol is the site of the National Historic Landmark Joseph Reynolds House built in 1700. The Marquis de Lafayette and his staff used
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