Glocester, Rhode Island
Encyclopedia
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 (U.S. Route 44
) runs through the center of Glocester into Connecticut.
Glocester was part of Providence
until 1731 when it became an independent town. North Glocester was incorporated as the separate town of Burrillville
in 1806. During the American Revolution
, Loyalists
from Newport were exiled in Glocester to Stephen Keach's farm, including Thomas Vernon, a Tory from Newport, who described Glocester residents in 1776 as:
The Dorr Rebellion
began in Glocester in 1841.
Since 1927 the Ancient and Horribles Parade
has been an annual Fourth of July tradition in Chepachet, where residents create traditional and satirical political floats.
See also "Foster, Rhode Island: History" for further information.
, the town has a total area of 56.8 square miles (147.1 km²), of which 54.8 square miles (141.9 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (3.55%) is water.
of 2000, there were 9,948 people, 3,559 households, and 2,818 families residing in the town. The population density
was 181.5 people per square mile (70.1/km²). There were 3,786 housing units at an average density of 69.1 per square mile (26.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.48% White, 0.34% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 3,559 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,537, and the median income for a family was $62,679. Males had a median income of $39,112 versus $29,071 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $22,914. About 3.4% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 1.9% 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, Rhode Island
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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 9,746 as of 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...
. The villages of Chepachet
Chepachet, Rhode Island
Chepachet is a village and census-designated place in the town of Glocester in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It is centered at the intersection of U.S. Route 44 and RI Route 102...
and Harmony
Harmony, Rhode Island
Harmony is a village and census-designated place in Glocester, Rhode Island, United States located on U.S. Route 44 .-Local sites and history:...
are in Glocester. Putnam Pike (U.S. Route 44
U.S. Route 44
U.S. Route 44 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 237 miles through four states in the Northeastern region of the United States. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 209 and New York State Route 55 in Kerhonkson, a hamlet in the Hudson Valley region of New York...
) runs through the center of Glocester into Connecticut.
History
Glocester was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of GloucesterHenry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester
Henry Stuart, 1st Duke of Gloucester was the third adult son of Charles I and his queen, Henrietta Maria of France...
Glocester was part of Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
until 1731 when it became an independent town. North Glocester was incorporated as the separate town of Burrillville
Burrillville, Rhode Island
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...
in 1806. During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, Loyalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
from Newport were exiled in Glocester to Stephen Keach's farm, including Thomas Vernon, a Tory from Newport, who described Glocester residents in 1776 as:
inclined much to talk of liberty...It is amazing what false and erroneous opinions and ideas these people have entertained...The religion of the people of this town consists entirely of New Light Baptists. The custom of DippingImmersion baptismImmersion baptism is a method of baptism that is distinguished from baptism by affusion and by aspersion , sometimes without specifying whether the immersion is total or partial, but very commonly with the indication that the person baptized is immersed completely...
is much in vogue in this and the neighboring towns.
The Dorr Rebellion
Dorr Rebellion
The Dorr Rebellion was a short-lived armed insurrection in the U.S. state of Rhode Island led by Thomas Wilson Dorr, who was agitating for changes to the state's electoral system.- Precursors :...
began in Glocester in 1841.
Since 1927 the Ancient and Horribles Parade
Ancient and Horribles Parade
Ancient and Horribles Parade, founded in 1927, is a nationally known Fourth of July parade on U.S. Route 44 in the village of Chepachet, Rhode Island in the town of Glocester...
has been an annual Fourth of July tradition in Chepachet, where residents create traditional and satirical political floats.
See also "Foster, Rhode Island: History" for further information.
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 56.8 square miles (147.1 km²), of which 54.8 square miles (141.9 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (3.55%) is water.
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 9,948 people, 3,559 households, and 2,818 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 181.5 people per square mile (70.1/km²). There were 3,786 housing units at an average density of 69.1 per square mile (26.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.48% White, 0.34% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.10% 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 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 3,559 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% 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, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,537, and the median income for a family was $62,679. Males had a median income of $39,112 versus $29,071 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 $22,914. About 3.4% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.
Prominent residents
- Arthur SteereArthur SteereArthur Wallace Steere was a Rhode Island politician and prominent businessman and landowner.-Biography:Arthur W. Steere was born in Glocester, Rhode Island on September 3, 1865 to Seth Hunt Steere and Lucy L. Smith...
, politician, businessman - Charles J. FogartyCharles J. FogartyCharles Joseph Fogarty, Jr., also known as Charlie Fogarty is the former Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. He is a Democrat. Fogarty served two full terms as Lt...
, politician
National Historic Sites in Glocester
- Chepachet Village Historic District
- Cherry Valley Archeological Site, RI-279Cherry Valley Archeological Site, RI-279Cherry Valley Archeological Site, RI-279 is an historic site in Glocester, Rhode IslandThe site contains various archaeological evidence from the pre-historic era and also serves as a campground. The site was added to the National Historic Register on November 1, 1984.-References:...
- Glocester Town PoundGlocester Town PoundThe Glocester Town Pound is a historic site on Pound Road and Chopmist Hill Road in Glocester, Rhode Island.The stone pound was built in 1748 to confine stray livestock and is allegedly the oldest extant pound in America. It was added to the National Historic Register in 1970....
(1748) - Harmony Chapel and CemeteryHarmony Chapel and CemeteryThe Harmony Chapel and Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Harmony, Rhode Island, a village in Glocester....
(1816) - Manton-Hunt-Farnum FarmManton-Hunt-Farnum FarmMaton-Hunt-Farnum Farm is an historic farm on Putnam Pike in Glocester, Rhode Island.The Federal Style farm was built in 1793 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.-See also:...
(1793)