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Bristol, Rhode Island

Coordinates: 41°41′3″N 71°16′7″W / 41.68417°N 71.26861°W / 41.68417; -71.26861
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Bristol, Rhode Island
Town
(L–R) Walley School (1896), First Baptist Church (1814), and Bristol County Statehouse/Courthouse (1816) on the town common
(L–R) Walley School (1896), First Baptist Church (1814), and Bristol County Statehouse/Courthouse (1816) on the town common
Location in Bristol County and the state of Rhode Island
Location in Bristol County and the state of Rhode Island
Coordinates: 41°41′3″N 71°16′7″W / 41.68417°N 71.26861°W / 41.68417; -71.26861
CountryUnited States
StateRhode Island
CountyBristol
Settled1680
IncorporatedOctober 28, 1681
Annexed from MassachusettsJanuary 27, 1747
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • Town AdministratorSteven Contente (I)
Area
 • Total
20.6 sq mi (53.4 km2)
 • Land10.1 sq mi (26.2 km2)
 • Water10.5 sq mi (27.2 km2)
Elevation
0–131 ft (0–40 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
22,493
 • Density2,224/sq mi (858.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
02809
Area code401
FIPS code44-09280[1]
GNIS feature ID1220083[2]
DemonymBristolian[3] ("brihs-TOH-lee-an")
Websitebristolri.gov Edit this at Wikidata

Bristol is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States, as well as the county seat.[4] 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 the unified school system for Bristol and the neighboring town of Warren.[5] Prominent communities include Portuguese-Americans, mostly Azoreans, and Italian-Americans.

History

[edit]

Early colonization

[edit]

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, the Massasoit Osamequin, befriended the early settlers.[6]: 10  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.[6]: 11  "Massasoit's Seat" 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.[7] Other settlers included John Gorham and Richard Smith. A variant of the Indian name Metacomet is now the name of a main road in Bristol: Metacom Avenue (RI Route 136).[6]: 11  Bristol was a town of Massachusetts until the Crown transferred it to the Rhode Island Colony in 1747.[6]: 11 

Slave trade and the DeWolf family

[edit]

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, 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 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.[8]

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.[9] The DeWolf family, as well as Bristol's and the northern United States' participation in slavery, are featured in 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,[10] and the 2014 historical study James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade by Cynthia Mestad Johnson.[11]

American Revolution

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A view of Bristol RI from the harbor
A view of Bristol RI from the harbor. 1886 engraving.

During the American Revolutionary War, the British Royal Navy bombarded Bristol twice. On October 7, 1775, 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.

New Goree

[edit]

Starting in at least in 1805, 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 the construction of a U.S. Rubber Co. plant on Wood Street in 1864 may have played a role in the neighborhood's demise.[12][13]

Other history and current day

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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[14] 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 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, 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 the building as headquarters in 1778 during the Battle of Rhode Island.[15]

Fourth of July parade

[edit]
Main article: Bristol Fourth of July Parade
The front of the 231st Bristol Fourth of July Parade in 2016.

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 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.[16]

The annual official and historic celebrations (Patriotic Exercises) were established in 1785 by Rev. Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church and veteran of the Revolutionary War, and later by Rev. Wight as the Parade, and continue today, organized by the Bristol Fourth of July Committee.[17] 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 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.[18]

Geography

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Bristol is situated on 10.1 square miles (26 km2) 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 the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 20.6 square miles (53.4 km2), of which, 10.1 square miles (26.2 km2) of it is land and 10.5 square miles (27.2 km2) of it (50.99%) is water. Bristol's harbor is home to over 800 boat moorings in seven mooring fields.

Climate

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Climate data for Bristol, Rhode Island
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 67
(19) 		64
(18) 		80
(27) 		89
(32) 		91
(33) 		94
(34) 		98
(37) 		96
(36) 		93
(34) 		83
(28) 		74
(23) 		70
(21) 		98
(37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 38
(3) 		40
(4) 		47
(8) 		58
(14) 		68
(20) 		77
(25) 		83
(28) 		82
(28) 		74
(23) 		64
(18) 		53
(12) 		43
(6) 		61
(16)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 21
(−6) 		22
(−6) 		29
(−2) 		38
(3) 		48
(9) 		58
(14) 		64
(18) 		63
(17) 		56
(13) 		45
(7) 		35
(2) 		27
(−3) 		42
(6)
Record low °F (°C) −7
(−22) 		−7
(−22) 		2
(−17) 		18
(−8) 		31
(−1) 		41
(5) 		50
(10) 		49
(9) 		35
(2) 		27
(−3) 		14
(−10) 		4
(−16) 		−7
(−22)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.66
(93) 		3.34
(85) 		4.52
(115) 		3.90
(99) 		3.54
(90) 		3.90
(99) 		3.54
(90) 		4.03
(102) 		3.90
(99) 		4.64
(118) 		3.90
(99) 		4.52
(115) 		47.39
(1,204)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 10
(25) 		10
(25) 		7.1
(18) 		1
(2.5) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1
(2.5) 		7.1
(18) 		36.2
(91)
Source 1: [19]
Source 2: [20]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
17481,069—    
17551,080+1.0%
17741,209+11.9%
17761,067−11.7%
17821,032−3.3%
17901,406+36.2%
18001,678+19.3%
18102,698+60.8%
18203,197+18.5%
18303,084−3.5%
18403,490+13.2%
18504,616+32.3%
18605,271+14.2%
18705,302+0.6%
18806,028+13.7%
18905,478−9.1%
19006,901+26.0%
19108,565+24.1%
192011,375+32.8%
193011,953+5.1%
194011,159−6.6%
195012,320+10.4%
196014,570+18.3%
197017,860+22.6%
198020,128+12.7%
199021,625+7.4%
200022,469+3.9%
201022,954+2.2%
202022,493−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[21][22]

As of the 2010 census Bristol had a population of 22,954. The ethnic and racial composition of 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.[23]

As of the census[1] 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/km2). There were 8,705 housing units at an average density of 860.9 per square mile (332.4/km2). The ethnic group makeup of 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.

Government

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Bristol town vote
by party in presidential elections[24]
Year GOP DEM Others
2020 39.42% 4,595 58.45% 6,813 2.10% 249
2016 38.26% 4,080 54.11% 5,771 7.63% 814
2012 36.11% 3,707 61.94% 6,359 1.96% 201
2008 35.39% 3,834 63.08% 6,833 1.53% 166
2004 38.30% 4,000 60.10% 6,276 1.60% 167
2000 32.20% 3,065 62.13% 5,914 5.67% 540
1996 26.15% 2,293 62.42% 5,474 11.44% 1,003
1992 28.00% 2,818 49.87% 5,018 22.13% 2,227
1988 42.51% 3,538 57.02% 4,746 0.47% 39

In the Rhode Island Senate, Bristol is split into three senatorial districts, all Democratic:[25]

At the federal level, Bristol is a part of Rhode Island's 1st congressional district and 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.[24][when?]

Points of interest and Registered Historic Places

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Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]
  • DeWolf family, a prominent local family which made their fortune in the slave trade

References

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  1. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ MacKay, Scott (October 7, 2013). "Why I'll Never Call Myself a Bristolian". One Square Mile (story series). Rhode Island Public Radio. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "About Us". Bristol Warren Regional School District. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Susan Cirillo; Lombard John Pozzi (1980). Bristol: Three Hundred Years. Providence, Rhode Island: Franklin Graphics. OCLC 6811058.
  7. ^ Warren, Elizabeth Sargent; Pamela A. Kennedy (1990). Historic and Architectural Resources of Bristol, Rhode Island (PDF). Providence, RI: Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission. p. 7. OCLC 23833645. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  8. ^ "Synopsis". Traces of the Trade. June 14, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Faulkner, Carol (2011). Lucretia Mott's Heresy: Abolition and Women's Rights in Nineteenth-Century America. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-0500-8. OCLC 844843687.
  10. ^ DeWolf, Thomas Norman (2008). Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as the Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U.S. History. Boston: Beacon Press. ISBN 9780807072813. OCLC 134989752. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  11. ^ Johnson, Cynthia Mestad (2014). James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade. Charleston, SC: The History Press. ISBN 9781626194793. OCLC 869920838. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Farzan, Antonia Noori (August 4, 2023). "Shedding light on the little-known history of New Goree, Bristol's free Black neighborhood". The Providence Journal. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Farzan, Antonia Noori (August 4, 2023). "Shedding light on the little-known history of New Goree, Bristol's free Black neighborhood". The Providence Journal/Yahoo News. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  14. ^ [1] Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ [2] Archived July 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Simpson, Richard V. (2002). Bristol: Montaup to Poppasuash (RI). Making of America. Mount Pleasant, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-738523-56-9.
  17. ^ "Annual Fourth of July Celebration | Bristol, Rhode Island". July4thbristolri.com. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  18. ^ Bristol County Fifes and Drums
  19. ^ MSN weather records and averages for Bristol, RI
  20. ^ MyForecast.co for snowfall averages
  21. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  22. ^ Snow, Edwin M. (1867). Report upon the Census of Rhode Island 1865. Providence, RI: Providence Press Company.
  23. ^ 2010 general profile of population and housing characteristics of Bristol from the US Census
  24. ^ a b "Previous Election Results". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  25. ^ "State of Rhode Island General Assembly". State of Rhode Island. 2024. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  26. ^ Bristol Art Museum
  27. ^ Coggeshall Farm Museum

Further reading

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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bristol, Rhode Island.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bristol, Rhode Island.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Bristol (Rhode Island)".
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