Burrillville, Rhode Island

History

Burrillville was settled around 1662 by English colonists as part of Glocester, Rhode Island. John Smith and members of the Saulsbury family were among the earliest settlers. Samuel Willard treated many smallpox victims in South Uxbridge and Glocester (Burrillville). In 1806, Burrillville became a separate town and consisted of 60 sqmi of land in the northwestern corner of Rhode Island, bordering Connecticut and Massachusetts. Boundary disputes with Massachusetts and Glocester reduced this land area by the mid-19th century. Joktan Putnam was the first town moderator.

The various mills and villages took shape in the 19th century, such as Harris mills and the village of Harrisville, Mapleville mills, and Oakland mills. The town is today part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, New England's historic National Park area.

Burrillville was incorporated as an independent municipality on November 17, 1806, when the Rhode Island General Assembly authorized the residents of North Glocester to elect their own officers. The town was named for Senator James Burrill Jr., who was the Rhode Island Attorney General.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 57.2 square miles (148.0 km2), of which 55.6 square miles (143.9 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (2.76%) is water.

Villages

Burrillville is further divided into villages: Glendale, Harrisville, Mapleville, Nasonville, Oakland, and Pascoag.

Climate

|Jan record high F = 67 |Feb record high F = 68 |Mar record high F = 88 |Apr record high F = 94 |May record high F = 93 |Jun record high F = 94 |Jul record high F = 97 |Aug record high F = 97 |Sep record high F = 94 |Oct record high F = 84 |Nov record high F = 78 |Dec record high F = 75 |year record high F = 97 |Jan record low F = −13 |Feb record low F = −11 |Mar record low F = −1 |Apr record low F = 14 |May record low F = 27 |Jun record low F = 38 |Jul record low F = 42 |Aug record low F = 39 |Sep record low F = 31 |Oct record low F = 21 |Nov record low F = 4 |Dec record low F = −15 |year record low F = −15

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 16,158 people and 6,029 households in the town. The population density was 294.2 PD/sqmi. There were 6,701 housing units in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 92.75% White, 0.65% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 4.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.43% of the population.

There were 6,029 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 22.2% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 15.2% had a male householder with no spouse present. Of all households, 8.6% were made up of individuals, and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $111,829, and the median income for a family was $129,363. The per capita income for the town was $46,197. About 6.9% of the population was below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

In the Rhode Island Senate, Burrillville is a part of the 23rd District and is currently represented by Republican Jessica De La Cruz. At the federal level in the U.S. House of Representatives, Burrillville is in Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district, which is currently represented by Democrat Seth M. Magaziner.

In presidential elections, Burrillville has traditionally leaned Democratic; however, in 2016, Donald Trump became the first Republican to win the town in over three decades when he defeated former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by approximately 22 points. This was the best Republican performance since 1920.

Burrillville was also one of seven towns in Rhode Island where independent candidate Ross Perot finished in second place during the 1992 presidential election. Perot received 2,018 votes (31.47 percent) behind Bill Clinton's 2,454 votes (38.27 percent) and ahead of George H. W. Bush's 1,880 (29.32 percent).

Notable people==

• The article must mention how they are associated with the community, whether born, raised, or residing. • The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited. • Alphabetical by last name please • All others will be deleted without further explanation END OF NOTICE * * * * * * * * * * * * END OF NOTICE * * * * * * * * * * * *END OF NOTICE --

• Vice Admiral Walter E. Carter Jr., naval flight officer and President of the U.S. Naval War College
• Oscar Lapham, U.S. Congressman
• Henry Francis Walling, cartographer

National Historic Register sites

• Bridgeton School (1897)
• Harrisville Historic District
• Moses Taft House (Burrillville, Rhode Island) (1786)
• Oakland Historic District
• Pascoag Grammar School (1917)

Notes

References

References

1. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. {{GNIS. 1220081
3. Farzan, Antonia Noori. "Rhode Island pronunciation guide: 35 names that visitors and even some locals get wrong". [[The Providence Journal]].
4. "Rhode Island Reading Room/History of Rhode Island/History of Burrilville with Illustrations". rootsweb.
5. Backofen, Walter A. (2001). "Elias Frost, M.D., and his strategy for being remembered".
6. "Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor/Valley sites-Glocester and Burrilville". National Park Service.
7. "Burrillville History/James Burrill".
8. "Intellicast - Local and National Weather Forecast, Radar, Maps and Severe Report".
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
10. Snow, Edwin M.. (1867). "Report upon the Census of Rhode Island 1865". Providence Press Company.
11. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Previous Election Results".
12. "United States Navy Biography Rear Admiral Walter E. "Ted" Carter, Jr. Superintendent U.S. Naval War College". U.S. Navy.
13. "LAPHAM, Oscar, (1837–1926)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.