First District Communities - Little Compton

In 1682, Little Compton was incorporated into the Plymouth Colony after having been settled by Capt. Benjamin Church. It was transferred under Royal Decree in 1746 to Rhode Island along with several other towns. It was originally the home of the "Sagonate" or Sakonnet Indians, a particularly independent group of native Americans who fought alongside the settlers against the notorious King Philip, Sachem of the Wampanoags. The southern end of Little Compton bordering the Atlantic Ocean is still known as "Sakonnet" and it was here that Capt. Church cleared the area for settlement. After Indian hostilities subsided, Little Compton enjoyed comparative peace and prosperity until the British occupation of Newport during the Revolution. Then foraging parties from the British garrison invaded the small town but met with stiff resistance.

Today, Little Compton is a rural farming community. It was here that the famous Rhode Island Red chicken (Rhode Island's State bird) was originally developed. Fishing is still a major industry and fleets of fishing boats depart from Sakonnet Wharf daily. The town has also developed into an ideal vacation spot with some splendid beaches and unspoiled countryside most typical of Southern New England.

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