Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/23

Rh, crossing Barrington River not far from Runen's Bridge, and crossing Palmer's River, north of the present village of Barneysville. When the people living on the westward end of Swansea petitioned for a new town in the year 1711, they asked the Massachusetts Court "To grant us a township according to the limits of Capt. Samuel Low's Military Company in Swansea." This included all the territory of the old town, west of Palmer's River, and when the boundary line of Barrington was fixed in 1717, the eastern bounds of the town extended from Rumstick Point to Myles Bridge, with all the lands in the Swansea grant included in New Meadow Neck and Peebee's Neck to the west of that line, including territory now embraced in the towns of Swansea, Seekonk, and East Providence.

Barrington was once Ancient Sowams, occupied by the Wampanoags, and was the dwelling place of their Chief, Massassoit.

In 1653, Massassoit deeded the territory with other lands to the proprietors of Ancient Sowams, under the jurisdiction of Plymouth Colony. In 1667, Swansea, which included Barrington, was incorporated by Plymouth Colony, and continued under the government of Plymouth until 1691.

In 1685, Bristol County was incorporated and Swansea became a town of Bristol County, Plymouth Colony.

In 1691, Plymouth Colony was united with Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Swansea came under the government of Massachusetts Colony.

In October, 1717, Barrington was set off from Swansea and incorporated under its present name, as a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts Colony.

In 1747, Barrington, a part of Swansea, now Warren, and Bristol, were set from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, Barrington was united with the territory taken from Swansea, and called Warren, and the two towns formed Bristol County, R. I., with Bristol the shire town.

In 1770, Barrington was set off from Warren, with boundary lines substantially as at the present time.