Burrillville, Rhode Island
Encyclopedia
Burrillville is a town
in Providence County
, Rhode Island
, United States
. It was incorporated as an independent municipality on November 17, 1806 when the Rhode Island General Assembly
authorized the residents of then North Glocester to elect its own officers. The population was 15,955 at the 2010 census
. This town was named for 19th century United States senator James Burrill, Jr.
who was then the Rhode Island Attorney General
.
, Rhode Island
. John Smith and members of the Saulsbury family were among the earliest settlers. In 1806, The Town of Burrillville became a separate town and consisted of 60 square miles (155.4 km²) of land in the northwest corner of Rhode Island, bordering Connecticut and Massachusetts. Later Boundary disputes with Massachusetts and Glocester reduced this land area by the mid-19th century. Joktan Putnam was the first Town moderator. The Nipmuc word for snake was rendered "askug" by Roger Williams in his Key Into the Language of North America, and "askoog" by the Reverend John Eliot in his Algonqian translation of the Bible. Burrillville's principal village, Pascoag, named after the stream upon which it is located, probably derives from this Algonqian root. Gradually in the early-to-mid-19th century, the various mills and villages took shape such as Harris mills, and the village of Harrisville, Mapleville mills, Oakland mills etc. Buck Hill was known for a colorful band of counterfeiters. The town is today part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
, New England's, historic National Park area.
, the town has a total area of 57.2 square miles (148.0 km²), of which, 55.6 square miles (143.9 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (2.76%) is water. ~~ Until 1846 the Sherman Farm was owned by the family. It totaled over 1100 acres (4.5 km²) and was once the largest fruit and dairy farm in the state. The farmhouse had 32 rooms.
, Harrisville
, Mapleville
, Nasonville
, Oakland
, and Pascoag
of 2000, there were 15,796 people, 5,559 households, and 4,252 families residing in the town. The population density
was 284.3 people per square mile (109.8/km²). There were 5,821 housing units at an average density of 104.8 per square mile (40.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.56% White, 0.22% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.
There were 5,559 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $52,587, and the median income for a family was $58,979. Males had a median income of $39,839 versus $28,835 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,096. About 3.7% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Providence County
Providence County, Rhode Island
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 621,602 people, 239,936 households, and 152,839 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,504 people per square mile . There were 253,214 housing units at an average density of 613 per square mile...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was incorporated as an independent municipality on November 17, 1806 when the Rhode Island General Assembly
Rhode Island General Assembly
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. A bicameral body, it is composed of the lower Rhode Island House of Representatives with 75 representatives, and the upper Rhode Island Senate with 38 senators...
authorized the residents of then North Glocester to elect its own officers. The population was 15,955 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. This town was named for 19th century United States senator James Burrill, Jr.
James Burrill, Jr.
James Burrill, Jr. was a Federalist-party United States senator representing the state of Rhode Island. He served in the senate from 1817 until 1820...
who was then the Rhode Island Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
.
History
Burrilville was probably first settled sometime around 1662, when the first Europeans began to settle the Nipmuc lands. The Town was originally a part of GlocesterGlocester, Rhode Island
Glocester is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 9,746 as of the 2010 census. The villages of Chepachet and Harmony are in Glocester. Putnam Pike Glocester is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 9,746 as of the 2010...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. John Smith and members of the Saulsbury family were among the earliest settlers. In 1806, The Town of Burrillville became a separate town and consisted of 60 square miles (155.4 km²) of land in the northwest corner of Rhode Island, bordering Connecticut and Massachusetts. Later Boundary disputes with Massachusetts and Glocester reduced this land area by the mid-19th century. Joktan Putnam was the first Town moderator. The Nipmuc word for snake was rendered "askug" by Roger Williams in his Key Into the Language of North America, and "askoog" by the Reverend John Eliot in his Algonqian translation of the Bible. Burrillville's principal village, Pascoag, named after the stream upon which it is located, probably derives from this Algonqian root. Gradually in the early-to-mid-19th century, the various mills and villages took shape such as Harris mills, and the village of Harrisville, Mapleville mills, Oakland mills etc. Buck Hill was known for a colorful band of counterfeiters. The town is today part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Corridor dedicated to the history of the early American Industrial Revolution, including mill towns stretching across 24 cities and towns near the river's course in Worcester County, Massachusetts and...
, New England's, historic National Park area.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 57.2 square miles (148.0 km²), of which, 55.6 square miles (143.9 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (2.76%) is water. ~~ Until 1846 the Sherman Farm was owned by the family. It totaled over 1100 acres (4.5 km²) and was once the largest fruit and dairy farm in the state. The farmhouse had 32 rooms.
Villages
Burrillville is further divided into villages: GlendaleGlendale, Rhode Island
Glendale is a village in the town of Burrillville, Rhode Island, United States. It is located at . The United States Postal Service has assigned Glendale the ZIP Code 02826.- References :...
, Harrisville
Harrisville, Rhode Island
Harrisville is a census-designated place and village in the town of Burrillville in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 1,561 at the 2000 census...
, Mapleville
Mapleville, Rhode Island
Mapleville is a village in Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States formerly home to various manufacturers in the 19th century. The village is home to a post office, fire station, churches, library, and various businesses....
, Nasonville
Nasonville, Rhode Island
Nasonville is a village in Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States, and was formerly home to various manufacturers in the 19th century.-External links and references:**...
, Oakland
Oakland, Rhode Island
Oakland is a village in Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States formerly home to various manufacturers in the 19th century. It is wholly or partly included in the Oakland Historic District, a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Students in...
, and Pascoag
Pascoag, Rhode Island
Pascoag is a census-designated place and village in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 4,742 at the 2000 census.Pascoag is one of at least eight villages that make up Burrillville...
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 15,796 people, 5,559 households, and 4,252 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 284.3 people per square mile (109.8/km²). There were 5,821 housing units at an average density of 104.8 per square mile (40.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.56% White, 0.22% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.
There were 5,559 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $52,587, and the median income for a family was $58,979. Males had a median income of $39,839 versus $28,835 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $21,096. About 3.7% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Adjacent Towns
- DouglasDouglas, MassachusettsDouglas is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,471 as of the 2010 census. It includes the sizable Douglas State Forest, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation .- History :...
, MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010... - GlocesterGlocester, Rhode IslandGlocester is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 9,746 as of the 2010 census. The villages of Chepachet and Harmony are in Glocester. Putnam Pike Glocester is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 9,746 as of the 2010...
, Rhode IslandRhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area... - North SmithfieldNorth Smithfield, Rhode IslandNorth Smithfield is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States, settled as a farming community in 1666 and incorporated into its present form in 1871. North Smithfield includes the historic villages of Forestdale, Primrose, Waterford, Branch Village, Union Village, Park Square, and...
, Rhode IslandRhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area... - PutnamPutnam, ConnecticutPutnam is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 9,002 as of the 2000 census. It is home to WINY, an AM radio station.-History:...
, ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately... - ThompsonThompson, ConnecticutThompson is a rural town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The town was named after Sir Robert Thompson, an English landholder. The population was 9,458 at the 2010 census...
, ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately... - UxbridgeUxbridge, MassachusettsUxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
, MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
National Historic Register sites
- Bridgeton SchoolBridgeton SchoolThe Bridgeton School is an historic school located at 16 Laurel Hill Avenue in Burrillville, Rhode Island.The Victorian school house was built in 1897 by G.W. Spaulding, Nehemiah Kimball & William H. Gory. It is also the site of the Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society. It was added to...
- Harrisville Historic District
- Oakland Historic District
- Pascoag Grammar SchoolPascoag Grammar SchoolPascoag Grammar School is an historic school building in Burrillville, Rhode Island on 265 Sayles Avenue in the village of Pascoag, Rhode Island....
Legend of Bathsheba Sherman
From the Round Top Mountain area of Burrillville comes a very well known New England legend of a witch named Bathsheba Sherman who, according to the legend, sacrificed her infant child as an offering to Satan, then hung herself in her barn. The story says that prior to her hanging Bathsheba, a known practicing witch, placed a curse on anyone that would take her land/farm. More than two dozen mysterious deaths took place on the lands since the purported curse was made. In the 1970's a family named Perron moved into the Sherman farmhouse. There are numerous reports and eyewitness accounts of supernatural phenomenon that took place while the Perron's lived in the home, physical attacks by the spirit of the witch on the Perron family and an attempted demonic possession of the mother, Carolyn Perron, by the spirit of the witch. Famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated the case and aided the Perron family in their fight against this demonic entity.Further reading
- History of the State of Rhode Island with Illustrations, Albert J. Wright, Printer No. 79 Mille Street, corner of Federal, Boston. Hong, Wade & Co., Philadelphia 1878.