First District Communities - Barrington

Barrington, originally known as "Sowams," was the residence of the Chief of the Wampanoag Indians, Massassoit. In 1653, Chief Massassoit sold the area between Narragansett Bay and the Taunton River to the Pilgrim Fathers, among whom were Captain Miles Standish and Governor W. Bradford. In 1717, the area was set off as a separate Town as part of the State of Massachusetts and it was not made part of Rhode Island until 1746. The next year, the Town's name was changed from "Sowams" to Warren in honor of Sir Peter Warren of the British Navy, and it was not until June 16, 1770 that Barrington was separated from Warren.

In its early days, Barrington was a farming community and became popular as a summer resort in the 19th century. Gradually, some manufacturing companies moved in, but to this day, the Town is still known mainly for its beautiful waterfront homes, year-round estates and summer colonies such as Nyatt Point in the southwestern part of the Town. The Barrington River offers safe anchorage for a large number of motor and sailing craft, providing convenient access to the broad reaches of Narragansett Bay where some of the best sailing in the world is to be found.

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