{"history":[],"article":{"id":"b043a134-9190-4e87-89f0-caab62fc5665","title":"Seekonk, Massachusetts","slug":"seekonk-massachusetts","content":":::summary\n**Settlement Type:** [Town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-england-town) \n**Image Skyline:** Seekonk MA Town Hall.jpg \n**Imagesize:** 250px \n**Image Caption:** Seekonk Town Hall \n**Image Flag:** Flag of Seekonk, Massachusetts.gif \n**Image Seal:** Seal of Seekonk, Massachusetts.png \n**Image Map:** Bristol County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Seekonk highlighted.svg \n**Mapsize:** 250px \n**Map Caption:** Location in Bristol County in Massachusetts \n**Coordinates:** 41.80833°N, -71.3375°W \n**Subdivision Type:** [Country](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-sovereign-states) \n**Subdivision Name:** United States \n**Subdivision Type 1:** [State](https://bliptext.com/articles/u-s-state) \n**Subdivision Type 2:** [County](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-counties-in-massachusetts) \n**Subdivision Name 1:** [Massachusetts](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts) \n**Subdivision Name 2:** [Bristol](https://bliptext.com/articles/bristol-county-massachusetts) \n**Established Title:** Settled \n**Established Date:** 1636 \n**Established Title 2:** Incorporated \n**Established Date 2:** 1812 \n**Government Type:** [Open town meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/open-town-meeting) \n**Leader Title:** Administrator \n**Leader Name:** Shawn E. Cadime \n**Leader Title 1:** Selectmen \n**Leader Name 1:**

Justin Sullivan, Chairman;
Christopher Zorra, Vice Chairman;
Adam Petronio, Clerk;
David Andrade
Michael P. Healy

\n**Area Total Km 2:** 47.7 \n**Area Total Sq Mi:** 18.32 \n**Area Land Km 2:** 47.4 \n**Area Land Sq Mi:** 18.22 \n**Area Water Km 2:** 0.3 \n**Area Water Sq Mi:** 0.10 \n**Elevation M:** 15 \n**Elevation Ft:** 50 \n**Population Total:** 15531 \n**Population As Of:** 2020 \n**Population Density Sq Mi:** auto \n**Postal Code Type:** ZIP code \n**Postal Code:** 02771 \n**Area Code:** [508](https://bliptext.com/articles/area-code-508) / [774](https://bliptext.com/articles/area-code-774) \n**Website:** http://www.seekonk-ma.gov \n**Timezone:** [Eastern](https://bliptext.com/articles/eastern-standard-time-zone) \n**Utc Offset:** 5 \n**Timezone Dst:** [Eastern](https://bliptext.com/articles/eastern-standard-time-zone) \n**Utc Offset Dst:** 4 \n**Blank Name:** [FIPS code](https://bliptext.com/articles/federal-information-processing-standard) \n**Blank Info:** 25-60645 \n**Blank 1 Name:** [GNIS](https://bliptext.com/articles/geographic-names-information-system) feature ID \n**Blank 1 Info:** 0618286 \n:::\n\n# \n**Seekonk** is a [town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-england-town) in [Bristol County, Massachusetts](https://bliptext.com/articles/bristol-county-massachusetts), United States, on the [Massachusetts](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts) border with Rhode Island.\nIt was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of [Rehoboth](https://bliptext.com/articles/rehoboth-massachusetts).\nThe population was 15,531 at the 2020 census.\nIn 1862, under a U.S. Supreme Court decision resolving a longstanding border dispute between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a portion of [Tiverton, Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/tiverton-rhode-island) was awarded to Massachusetts to become part of Fall River, while two-thirds of Seekonk (now eastern Pawtucket and East Providence) was awarded to Rhode Island.\n\n# History\n\n## Early years\nThe earliest known inhabitants of Seekonk were [Native Americans](https://bliptext.com/articles/native-americans-in-the-united-states) from the [Wampanoag](https://bliptext.com/articles/wampanoag-people) Tribe.\nThe name Wampanoag means People of the Morning Light.\nThis name refers to the geographical area of the tribe.\nLiving in the East they would be the first people to greet the sun each morning.\nThe area now known as Seekonk and Rehoboth provided agricultural and water resources with abundant food supplies.\nDuring the warm summer months the Natives spent time near the rivers and oceans in what is now Southeastern Massachusetts.\nIn the winter months the Natives lived inland, including several locations in Seekonk.\nAt one time there were three Native American villages in the area we now call Seekonk.\nThere have been many spellings of the name Seekonk.\nSome of the various spellings include Seconch, Sink Hunk, Secquncke, Seaconke, and Squannakonk.\nThe symbol of the goose in flight is used on the Town Seal.\n\n## Chief Massasoit\nThe chief of the Wampanoags at the time the colonists settled in Southeastern Massachusetts was known as [Massasoit](https://bliptext.com/articles/massasoit) Ossamequin and had been seriously affected by a plague just prior to the arrival of the [Pilgrims](https://bliptext.com/articles/pilgrim-plymouth-colony) at [Plymouth](https://bliptext.com/articles/plymouth-massachusetts).\nA large number of Wampanoag Indians had been killed by this illness.\nMost historians believe this plague to have been [yellow fever](https://bliptext.com/articles/yellow-fever).\nMassasoit decided to make a peace treaty with the new immigrants for a number of reasons.\nPerhaps the most important factor was that the Wampanoags were fearful of being overtaken by the [Narragansett Indians](https://bliptext.com/articles/narragansett-tribe) who lived nearby.\nOssamequin believed an alliance with the English would help to secure the safety of his people.\nIn 1641, the local Native Americans had granted a large part of modern-day Seekonk to purchasers from Hingham, including Edward Gilman Sr., Joseph Peck, John Leavitt and others.\nIn 1653 Ossamequin and his son Wamsetto, also known as Alexander to the English, signed a deed granting the land that is now Seekonk and the surrounding communities to Thomas Willitt, [Myles Standish](https://bliptext.com/articles/myles-standish) and Josiah Winslow.\nThe Wampanoags were paid 35 pounds sterling by the English settlers, for instance, for the sale to Willitt, Standish and Winslow.\nThree of the earliest English men to settle in the area now known as Seekonk and Providence were [William Blackstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/william-blaxton), [Roger Williams](https://bliptext.com/articles/roger-williams) and [Samuel Newman](https://bliptext.com/articles/samuel-newman).\nThese men and their followers proved it was possible to provide a living away from the coastal areas.\nThis allowed groups of individuals to separate themselves from Puritan control.\nIn turn this led to a greater diversity of culture and religious and philosophical freedom.\nIt was only by forming alliances with the Native Americans in both the Wampanoag and Narragansett tribes that these early settlements were able to flourish.\n\n## King Philip's War\nMassasoit lived until he was 80 years old.\nWhile he lived, his people and the settlers lived in relative peace.\nHe was followed in power by his son Wamsetto, also known as Alexander.\nThis chief died shortly after his father and was replaced by his brother [Metacomet](https://bliptext.com/articles/metacomet), also known as King Philip.\nIn 1675, [King Philip's War](https://bliptext.com/articles/king-philip-s-war) began and both sides saw this as an opportunity to claim the land for their people and their way of life.\nMetacomet and his people ultimately lost the war, and the chief was killed by a mixed group of English and Indian fighters led by [Benjamin Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/benjamin-church-ranger).\nHe was beheaded and his head stayed on public display on a pole in Plymouth for 25 years.\n\n## Incorporation to today\nFor the next 200 years, the area now known as Seekonk was primarily a farming community.\nAccounts of Town Meetings during these years communicate just how contentious deciding what was best for this area could be.\nBoundary disputes were common and the land that is now [Rehoboth](https://bliptext.com/articles/rehoboth-massachusetts), [East Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-providence-rhode-island), [Pawtucket](https://bliptext.com/articles/pawtucket-rhode-island) and Seekonk was claimed by both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.\nIn 1812, the border disputes were settled by the courts and the present town of Seekonk was incorporated.\nTwo industrial villages developed to supplement the agricultural economy, with such businesses as the Rumford Chemical Works, but what had been the industrial area of the town in the late-18th and early-19th century was lost when East Providence was incorporated in 1862, taking half of the town's territory, two-thirds of its valuation and more than two-thirds of its population.\nThe town remained basically agricultural into the 20th century, although the Kent Manufacturing Company did make tennis racquets and croquet sets on the upper reaches of the Tenmile River.\nWith the opening of the Providence and Taunton street railway in 1891, Seekonk became an increasingly residential suburb of Providence.\nVery few farms still exist in Seekonk.\nDevelopers have turned the farms into housing divisions and Seekonk is used largely as a suburban home community for people who work in the Rhode Island and Boston areas.\nIt is now well known for its retail area along Route 6, which includes a movie multiplex, many different chain stores and restaurants, [Seekonk Speedway](https://bliptext.com/articles/seekonk-speedway), a 1/3 mile oval track located along Route 6, as well as Seekonk Grand Prix, with multiple amusement rides and miniature golf.\nAlthough there has been a great deal of building in Seekonk since the Wampanoags first lived here, one can still see many of the \"black\" [Canada geese](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada-geese) which give the town its name.\n\n# Geography\nAccording to the [United States Census Bureau](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-states-census-bureau), the town has a total area of 18.4 sqmi, of which 18.3 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi is water.\nThe total area is 0.54% water.\nIt is bordered by [Rehoboth](https://bliptext.com/articles/rehoboth-massachusetts) to the east, [Barrington](https://bliptext.com/articles/barrington-rhode-island), [Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island) and [Swansea](https://bliptext.com/articles/swansea-massachusetts) to the south, [East Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-providence-rhode-island) and [Pawtucket](https://bliptext.com/articles/pawtucket-rhode-island), [Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island) to the west, and [Attleboro](https://bliptext.com/articles/attleboro-massachusetts) to the north.\nMuch of the population is concentrated in two areas; one, the Lebanon Mills and Perrins Crossing neighborhoods in the north, and the other, the southern neighborhoods of Luthers Corners and South Seekonk, mostly located between Interstate 195 and Route 44.\nSeekonk is just five miles (8 km) east of [Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/providence-rhode-island), [Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island), and is 48 mi southwest of [Boston](https://bliptext.com/articles/boston-massachusetts).\nThe town has three golf courses Ledgemont Country Club (private), Pawtucket Country Club (private) and Firefly Golf Course (public).\n[Slater Memorial Park](https://bliptext.com/articles/slater-park) in Pawtucket lies just over the Seekonk line, next to Pawtucket Country Club.\nThe Town lies within two watershed areas, the Ten Mile River Watershed and the Narragansett Bay Watershed.\n# [Old Grist Mill Pond | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Old///Grist///Mill///Pond%2C///Seekonk///MA.jpg]\n\n# Transportation\nThe town can be accessed through one interstate, [I-195](https://bliptext.com/articles/interstate-195-rhode-island-massachusetts), as well as [Route 6](https://bliptext.com/articles/u-s-route-6-in-massachusetts), [Route 44](https://bliptext.com/articles/u-s-route-44), [Route 152](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts-route-152) and [Route 114A](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts-route-114a).\nSeekonk has its own exit on I-195, Massachusetts Exit 1, Route 114A, which provides easy access to Route 6 to the south and Route 44 to the north.\nRoute 152, while not connected to any other state route in town, is a major route running between [East Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-providence-rhode-island) and [Attleboro](https://bliptext.com/articles/attleboro-massachusetts).\nFrom the south end of town, access can be had by the [Rhode Island Public Transit Authority](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island-public-transit-authority) (RIPTA) stop on Commerce Way.\nFrom the north end of town, easy access can be had to [Interstate 95](https://bliptext.com/articles/interstate-95-massachusetts) and the [South Attleboro](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-attleboro-mbta-station) stop of the [MBTA's](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority) [commuter line](https://bliptext.com/articles/mbta-commuter-rail) between Providence and Boston.\nThat end of town is also served by a regional transit authority, the [Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority](https://bliptext.com/articles/greater-attleboro-taunton-regional-transit-authority) (GATRA).\nThe town's nearest airport is [T.F. Green Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/t-f-green-airport) in Warwick, Rhode Island, near Providence 13 mi away.\n[Logan International Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/logan-international-airport) is the nearest international airport, 50 mi away in Boston.\n\n# Demographics\nAs of the [census](https://bliptext.com/articles/census) of 2000, there were 13,425 people, 4,843 households, and 3,874 families residing in the town.\nThe population density was 733.0 PD/sqmi.\nThere were 4,947 housing units at an average density of 270.1 /sqmi.\nThe racial makeup of the town was 96.57% [White](https://bliptext.com/articles/white-u-s-census), 0.52% [African American](https://bliptext.com/articles/african-american-u-s-census), 0.28% [Native American](https://bliptext.com/articles/native-american-u-s-census), 0.95% [Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-u-s-census), 0.00% [Pacific Islander](https://bliptext.com/articles/pacific-islander-u-s-census), 0.51% from [other races](https://bliptext.com/articles/race-u-s-census), and 1.18% from two or more races.\n0.74% of the population were [Hispanic](https://bliptext.com/articles/hispanic-u-s-census) or [Latino](https://bliptext.com/articles/latino-u-s-census) of any race.\nThere were 4,843 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were [married couples](https://bliptext.com/articles/marriage) living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families.\n16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.\nThe average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.12.\nIn the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older.\nThe median age was 40 years.\nFor every 100 females, there were 94.3 males.\nFor every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.\nThe median income for a household in the town was $56,364, and the median income for a family was $62,361.\nMales had a median income of $42,404 versus $29,782 for females.\nThe [per capita income](https://bliptext.com/articles/per-capita-income) for the town was $24,058.\n2.4% of the population and 1.7% of families were below the [poverty line](https://bliptext.com/articles/poverty-line).\n3.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.\nIn the year 2000 the population was 13,425, with 6,517 males (48.5%) and 6,908 females (51.5%).\nPopular ancestries of the population include Portuguese (22.0%), Irish (21.4%), English (16.7%), French (14.4%), Italian (11.9%) and French Canadian (6.4%).\n\n# Government\nOn the state level, Seekonk is part of the Fourth Bristol state representative district, including Rehoboth and parts of Norton and Swansea, and the Bristol and Norton state senatorial district, including part of the city of Attleboro and all or parts of the towns of Dover, Foxborough, Mansfield, Medfield, Norton, Rehoboth, Sharon and Walpole.\nSeekonk's state representative is [Steve Howitt](https://bliptext.com/articles/steve-howitt) representing the 4th Bristol District.\nSeekonk is patrolled by Troop D (Southeast District), 4th Barracks (located in Middleborough) of the Massachusetts State Police.\nOn the national level, the town is part of Massachusetts Congressional District 4, which is represented by [Jake Auchincloss](https://bliptext.com/articles/jake-auchincloss).\nThe state's Senior (Class I) Senator is [Elizabeth Warren](https://bliptext.com/articles/elizabeth-warren), and the state's Junior (Class II) Senator, is [Ed Markey](https://bliptext.com/articles/ed-markey).\nSeekonk is governed by an [Open Town Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/open-town-meeting) led by a [Board of Selectmen](https://bliptext.com/articles/board-of-selectmen).\nThe town has a central police station on Route 44, and a central post office at the corner of Routes 44 and 114A.\nThe Seekonk Public Library is located near the center of town along Route 152.\nThe town also has a branch of the [YMCA](https://bliptext.com/articles/ymca).\nSeekonk's current board of selectmen are: Justin Sullivan (Chairman), Christopher Zorra (Vice Chairman), Adam Petronio (Clerk), David J. Andrade, and Michael P. Healy.\nThe current Town Administrator is Shawn E. Cadime.\n\n## Fire Department\nThe Seekonk Fire Department provides all fire and paramedic services to the town.\nThe Department responded to 3,157 calls for emergency services in fiscal year 2017.\nThere are 38 career firefighters, consisting of 4 groups of 9 firefighters.\n2 Monday–Friday daytime Captains and Chief of the Department, Sandra J. Lowery.\nThe Fire Department operates the following stations and apparatus.\n\n# Education\nSeekonk has its own public school system, with four active schools.\nThe town has two elementary schools: Mildred H. Aitken Elementary School (serving the north and central parts of town), and George R. Martin Elementary School (serving the south).\nNorth Elementary School closed during the summer of 2006 after 95 years of service due to budget cuts.\nDr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School, named for a popular town educator, is located along Route 152 and serves the town's 6th through 8th grade population.\n[Seekonk High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/seekonk-high-school) is located near the center of town.\nSeekonk athletics teams are nicknamed the \"Warriors,\" and its school colors are Columbia blue, navy blue, and white though traditionally the school colors are Columbia blue and white.\nThe school uses the \"spear\" logo made famous by [Florida State University](https://bliptext.com/articles/florida-state-university) and, formerly, the [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-commanders).\nSeekonk is the southernmost member of the [Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/tri-county-regional-vocational-technical-high-school) district, which is centered in [Franklin](https://bliptext.com/articles/franklin-massachusetts).\nHigh school students may also choose to attend Bristol County Agricultural High School in [Dighton](https://bliptext.com/articles/dighton-massachusetts), or any of a number of religious schools in the surrounding communities (the closest school in-state being [Bishop Feehan High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/bishop-feehan-high-school) in Attleboro).\n\n# Notable people","current_revision":null,"created_by":"kACnuQmH5k9Nr5VNVEpVeg7XpvUmMctD","created_at":"2025-01-25T18:05:50.951Z","updated_at":"2025-01-25T18:05:50.951Z","search_vector":"'massachusett':2 'seekonk':1","search_content":" \n**Settlement Type:** [Town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-england-town) \n**Image Skyline:** Seekonk MA Town Hall.jpg \n**Imagesize:** 250px \n**Image Caption:** Seekonk Town Hall \n**Image Flag:** Flag of Seekonk, Massachusetts.gif \n**Image Seal:** Seal of Seekonk, Massachusetts.png \n**Image Map:** Bristol County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Seekonk highlighted.svg \n**Mapsize:** 250px \n**Map Caption:** Location in Bristol County in Massachusetts \n**Coordinates:** 41.80833°N, -71.3375°W \n**Subdivision Type:** [Country](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-sovereign-states) \n**Subdivision Name:** United States \n**Subdivision Type 1:** [State](https://bliptext.com/articles/u-s-state) \n**Subdivision Type 2:** [County](https://bliptext.com/articles/list-of-counties-in-massachusetts) \n**Subdivision Name 1:** [Massachusetts](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts) \n**Subdivision Name 2:** [Bristol](https://bliptext.com/articles/bristol-county-massachusetts) \n**Established Title:** Settled \n**Established Date:** 1636 \n**Established Title 2:** Incorporated \n**Established Date 2:** 1812 \n**Government Type:** [Open town meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/open-town-meeting) \n**Leader Title:** Administrator \n**Leader Name:** Shawn E. Cadime \n**Leader Title 1:** Selectmen \n**Leader Name 1:** Justin Sullivan, Chairman; Christopher Zorra, Vice Chairman; Adam Petronio, Clerk; David Andrade Michael P. Healy \n**Area Total Km 2:** 47.7 \n**Area Total Sq Mi:** 18.32 \n**Area Land Km 2:** 47.4 \n**Area Land Sq Mi:** 18.22 \n**Area Water Km 2:** 0.3 \n**Area Water Sq Mi:** 0.10 \n**Elevation M:** 15 \n**Elevation Ft:** 50 \n**Population Total:** 15531 \n**Population As Of:** 2020 \n**Population Density Sq Mi:** auto \n**Postal Code Type:** ZIP code \n**Postal Code:** 02771 \n**Area Code:** [508](https://bliptext.com/articles/area-code-508) / [774](https://bliptext.com/articles/area-code-774) \n**Website:** http://www.seekonk-ma.gov \n**Timezone:** [Eastern](https://bliptext.com/articles/eastern-standard-time-zone) \n**Utc Offset:** 5 \n**Timezone Dst:** [Eastern](https://bliptext.com/articles/eastern-standard-time-zone) \n**Utc Offset Dst:** 4 \n**Blank Name:** [FIPS code](https://bliptext.com/articles/federal-information-processing-standard) \n**Blank Info:** 25-60645 \n**Blank 1 Name:** [GNIS](https://bliptext.com/articles/geographic-names-information-system) feature ID \n**Blank 1 Info:** 0618286 \n \n\n# \n**Seekonk** is a [town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-england-town) in [Bristol County, [Massachusetts](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts)](https://bliptext.com/articles/bristol-county-massachusetts), United States, on the [Massachusetts](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts) border with Rhode Island.\nIt was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of [Rehoboth](https://bliptext.com/articles/rehoboth-massachusetts).\nThe population was 15,531 at the 2020 census.\nIn 1862, under a U.S. Supreme Court decision resolving a longstanding border dispute between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a portion of [Tiverton, Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/tiverton-rhode-island) was awarded to Massachusetts to become part of Fall River, while two-thirds of Seekonk (now eastern Pawtucket and East Providence) was awarded to Rhode Island.\n\n# History\n\n## Early years\nThe earliest known inhabitants of Seekonk were [Native Americans](https://bliptext.com/articles/native-americans-in-the-united-states) from the [Wampanoag](https://bliptext.com/articles/wampanoag-people) Tribe.\nThe name Wampanoag means People of the Morning Light.\nThis name refers to the geographical area of the tribe.\nLiving in the East they would be the first people to greet the sun each morning.\nThe area now known as Seekonk and Rehoboth provided agricultural and water resources with abundant food supplies.\nDuring the warm summer months the Natives spent time near the rivers and oceans in what is now Southeastern Massachusetts.\nIn the winter months the Natives lived inland, including several locations in Seekonk.\nAt one time there were three Native American villages in the area we now call Seekonk.\nThere have been many spellings of the name Seekonk.\nSome of the various spellings include Seconch, Sink Hunk, Secquncke, Seaconke, and Squannakonk.\nThe symbol of the goose in flight is used on the Town Seal.\n\n## Chief Massasoit\nThe chief of the Wampanoags at the time the colonists settled in Southeastern Massachusetts was known as [Massasoit](https://bliptext.com/articles/massasoit) Ossamequin and had been seriously affected by a plague just prior to the arrival of the [Pilgrims](https://bliptext.com/articles/pilgrim-plymouth-colony) at [Plymouth](https://bliptext.com/articles/plymouth-massachusetts).\nA large number of Wampanoag Indians had been killed by this illness.\nMost historians believe this plague to have been [yellow fever](https://bliptext.com/articles/yellow-fever).\nMassasoit decided to make a peace treaty with the new immigrants for a number of reasons.\nPerhaps the most important factor was that the Wampanoags were fearful of being overtaken by the [Narragansett Indians](https://bliptext.com/articles/narragansett-tribe) who lived nearby.\nOssamequin believed an alliance with the English would help to secure the safety of his people.\nIn 1641, the local Native Americans had granted a large part of modern-day Seekonk to purchasers from Hingham, including Edward Gilman Sr., Joseph Peck, John Leavitt and others.\nIn 1653 Ossamequin and his son Wamsetto, also known as Alexander to the English, signed a deed granting the land that is now Seekonk and the surrounding communities to Thomas Willitt, [Myles Standish](https://bliptext.com/articles/myles-standish) and Josiah Winslow.\nThe Wampanoags were paid 35 pounds sterling by the English settlers, for instance, for the sale to Willitt, Standish and Winslow.\nThree of the earliest English men to settle in the area now known as Seekonk and Providence were [William Blackstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/william-blaxton), [Roger Williams](https://bliptext.com/articles/roger-williams) and [Samuel Newman](https://bliptext.com/articles/samuel-newman).\nThese men and their followers proved it was possible to provide a living away from the coastal areas.\nThis allowed groups of individuals to separate themselves from Puritan control.\nIn turn this led to a greater diversity of culture and religious and philosophical freedom.\nIt was only by forming alliances with the Native Americans in both the Wampanoag and Narragansett tribes that these early settlements were able to flourish.\n\n## King Philip's War\nMassasoit lived until he was 80 years old.\nWhile he lived, his people and the settlers lived in relative peace.\nHe was followed in power by his son Wamsetto, also known as Alexander.\nThis chief died shortly after his father and was replaced by his brother [Metacomet](https://bliptext.com/articles/metacomet), also known as King Philip.\nIn 1675, [King Philip's War](https://bliptext.com/articles/king-philip-s-war) began and both sides saw this as an opportunity to claim the land for their people and their way of life.\nMetacomet and his people ultimately lost the war, and the chief was killed by a mixed group of English and Indian fighters led by [Benjamin Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/benjamin-church-ranger).\nHe was beheaded and his head stayed on public display on a pole in Plymouth for 25 years.\n\n## Incorporation to today\nFor the next 200 years, the area now known as Seekonk was primarily a farming community.\nAccounts of Town Meetings during these years communicate just how contentious deciding what was best for this area could be.\nBoundary disputes were common and the land that is now [Rehoboth](https://bliptext.com/articles/rehoboth-massachusetts), [East Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-providence-rhode-island), [Pawtucket](https://bliptext.com/articles/pawtucket-rhode-island) and Seekonk was claimed by both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.\nIn 1812, the border disputes were settled by the courts and the present town of Seekonk was incorporated.\nTwo industrial villages developed to supplement the agricultural economy, with such businesses as the Rumford Chemical Works, but what had been the industrial area of the town in the late-18th and early-19th century was lost when East Providence was incorporated in 1862, taking half of the town's territory, two-thirds of its valuation and more than two-thirds of its population.\nThe town remained basically agricultural into the 20th century, although the Kent Manufacturing Company did make tennis racquets and croquet sets on the upper reaches of the Tenmile River.\nWith the opening of the Providence and Taunton street railway in 1891, Seekonk became an increasingly residential suburb of Providence.\nVery few farms still exist in Seekonk.\nDevelopers have turned the farms into housing divisions and Seekonk is used largely as a suburban home community for people who work in the Rhode Island and Boston areas.\nIt is now well known for its retail area along Route 6, which includes a movie multiplex, many different chain stores and restaurants, [Seekonk Speedway](https://bliptext.com/articles/seekonk-speedway), a 1/3 mile oval track located along Route 6, as well as Seekonk Grand Prix, with multiple amusement rides and miniature golf.\nAlthough there has been a great deal of building in Seekonk since the Wampanoags first lived here, one can still see many of the \"black\" [Canada geese](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada-geese) which give the town its name.\n\n# Geography\nAccording to the [United States Census Bureau](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-states-census-bureau), the town has a total area of 18.4 sqmi, of which 18.3 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi is water.\nThe total area is 0.54% water.\nIt is bordered by [Rehoboth](https://bliptext.com/articles/rehoboth-massachusetts) to the east, [Barrington](https://bliptext.com/articles/barrington-rhode-island), [[Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island)](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island) and [Swansea](https://bliptext.com/articles/swansea-massachusetts) to the south, [East Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-providence-rhode-island) and [Pawtucket](https://bliptext.com/articles/pawtucket-rhode-island), [[Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island)](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island) to the west, and [Attleboro](https://bliptext.com/articles/attleboro-massachusetts) to the north.\nMuch of the population is concentrated in two areas; one, the Lebanon Mills and Perrins Crossing neighborhoods in the north, and the other, the southern neighborhoods of Luthers Corners and South Seekonk, mostly located between Interstate 195 and Route 44.\nSeekonk is just five miles (8 km) east of [Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/providence-rhode-island), [Rhode Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island), and is 48 mi southwest of [Boston](https://bliptext.com/articles/boston-massachusetts).\nThe town has three golf courses Ledgemont Country Club (private), Pawtucket Country Club (private) and Firefly Golf Course (public).\n[Slater Memorial Park](https://bliptext.com/articles/slater-park) in Pawtucket lies just over the Seekonk line, next to Pawtucket Country Club.\nThe Town lies within two watershed areas, the Ten Mile River Watershed and the Narragansett Bay Watershed.\n# [Old Grist Mill Pond | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Old///Grist///Mill///Pond%2C///Seekonk///MA.jpg]\n\n# Transportation\nThe town can be accessed through one interstate, [I-195](https://bliptext.com/articles/interstate-195-rhode-island-massachusetts), as well as [Route 6](https://bliptext.com/articles/u-s-route-6-in-massachusetts), [Route 44](https://bliptext.com/articles/u-s-route-44), [Route 152](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts-route-152) and [Route 114A](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts-route-114a).\nSeekonk has its own exit on I-195, Massachusetts Exit 1, Route 114A, which provides easy access to Route 6 to the south and Route 44 to the north.\nRoute 152, while not connected to any other state route in town, is a major route running between [East Providence](https://bliptext.com/articles/east-providence-rhode-island) and [Attleboro](https://bliptext.com/articles/attleboro-massachusetts).\nFrom the south end of town, access can be had by the [Rhode Island Public Transit Authority](https://bliptext.com/articles/rhode-island-public-transit-authority) (RIPTA) stop on Commerce Way.\nFrom the north end of town, easy access can be had to [Interstate 95](https://bliptext.com/articles/interstate-95-massachusetts) and the [South Attleboro](https://bliptext.com/articles/south-attleboro-mbta-station) stop of the [MBTA's](https://bliptext.com/articles/massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority) [commuter line](https://bliptext.com/articles/mbta-commuter-rail) between Providence and Boston.\nThat end of town is also served by a regional transit authority, the [Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority](https://bliptext.com/articles/greater-attleboro-taunton-regional-transit-authority) (GATRA).\nThe town's nearest airport is [T.F. Green Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/t-f-green-airport) in Warwick, Rhode Island, near Providence 13 mi away.\n[Logan International Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/logan-international-airport) is the nearest international airport, 50 mi away in Boston.\n\n# Demographics\nAs of the [census](https://bliptext.com/articles/census) of 2000, there were 13,425 people, 4,843 households, and 3,874 families residing in the town.\nThe population density was 733.0 PD/sqmi.\nThere were 4,947 housing units at an average density of 270.1 /sqmi.\nThe racial makeup of the town was 96.57% [White](https://bliptext.com/articles/white-u-s-census), 0.52% [African American](https://bliptext.com/articles/african-american-u-s-census), 0.28% [Native American](https://bliptext.com/articles/native-american-u-s-census), 0.95% [Asian](https://bliptext.com/articles/asian-u-s-census), 0.00% [Pacific Islander](https://bliptext.com/articles/pacific-islander-u-s-census), 0.51% from [other races](https://bliptext.com/articles/race-u-s-census), and 1.18% from two or more races.\n0.74% of the population were [Hispanic](https://bliptext.com/articles/hispanic-u-s-census) or [Latino](https://bliptext.com/articles/latino-u-s-census) of any race.\nThere were 4,843 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were [married couples](https://bliptext.com/articles/marriage) living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families.\n16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.\nThe average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.12.\nIn the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older.\nThe median age was 40 years.\nFor every 100 females, there were 94.3 males.\nFor every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.\nThe median income for a household in the town was $56,364, and the median income for a family was $62,361.\nMales had a median income of $42,404 versus $29,782 for females.\nThe [per capita income](https://bliptext.com/articles/per-capita-income) for the town was $24,058.\n2.4% of the population and 1.7% of families were below the [poverty line](https://bliptext.com/articles/poverty-line).\n3.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.\nIn the year 2000 the population was 13,425, with 6,517 males (48.5%) and 6,908 females (51.5%).\nPopular ancestries of the population include Portuguese (22.0%), Irish (21.4%), English (16.7%), French (14.4%), Italian (11.9%) and French Canadian (6.4%).\n\n# Government\nOn the state level, Seekonk is part of the Fourth Bristol state representative district, including Rehoboth and parts of Norton and Swansea, and the Bristol and Norton state senatorial district, including part of the city of Attleboro and all or parts of the towns of Dover, Foxborough, Mansfield, Medfield, Norton, Rehoboth, Sharon and Walpole.\nSeekonk's state representative is [Steve Howitt](https://bliptext.com/articles/steve-howitt) representing the 4th Bristol District.\nSeekonk is patrolled by Troop D (Southeast District), 4th Barracks (located in Middleborough) of the Massachusetts State Police.\nOn the national level, the town is part of Massachusetts Congressional District 4, which is represented by [Jake Auchincloss](https://bliptext.com/articles/jake-auchincloss).\nThe state's Senior (Class I) Senator is [Elizabeth Warren](https://bliptext.com/articles/elizabeth-warren), and the state's Junior (Class II) Senator, is [Ed Markey](https://bliptext.com/articles/ed-markey).\nSeekonk is governed by an [Open Town Meeting](https://bliptext.com/articles/open-town-meeting) led by a [Board of Selectmen](https://bliptext.com/articles/board-of-selectmen).\nThe town has a central police station on Route 44, and a central post office at the corner of Routes 44 and 114A.\nThe Seekonk Public Library is located near the center of town along Route 152.\nThe town also has a branch of the [YMCA](https://bliptext.com/articles/ymca).\nSeekonk's current board of selectmen are: Justin Sullivan (Chairman), Christopher Zorra (Vice Chairman), Adam Petronio (Clerk), David J. Andrade, and Michael P. Healy.\nThe current Town Administrator is Shawn E. Cadime.\n\n## Fire Department\nThe Seekonk Fire Department provides all fire and paramedic services to the town.\nThe Department responded to 3,157 calls for emergency services in fiscal year 2017.\nThere are 38 career firefighters, consisting of 4 groups of 9 firefighters.\n2 Monday–Friday daytime Captains and Chief of the Department, Sandra J. Lowery.\nThe Fire Department operates the following stations and apparatus.\n\n# Education\nSeekonk has its own public school system, with four active schools.\nThe town has two elementary schools: Mildred H. Aitken Elementary School (serving the north and central parts of town), and George R. Martin Elementary School (serving the south).\nNorth Elementary School closed during the summer of 2006 after 95 years of service due to budget cuts.\nDr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School, named for a popular town educator, is located along Route 152 and serves the town's 6th through 8th grade population.\n[Seekonk High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/seekonk-high-school) is located near the center of town.\nSeekonk athletics teams are nicknamed the \"Warriors,\" and its school colors are Columbia blue, navy blue, and white though traditionally the school colors are Columbia blue and white.\nThe school uses the \"spear\" logo made famous by [Florida State University](https://bliptext.com/articles/florida-state-university) and, formerly, the [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-commanders).\nSeekonk is the southernmost member of the [Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/tri-county-regional-vocational-technical-high-school) district, which is centered in [Franklin](https://bliptext.com/articles/franklin-massachusetts).\nHigh school students may also choose to attend Bristol County Agricultural High School in [Dighton](https://bliptext.com/articles/dighton-massachusetts), or any of a number of religious schools in the surrounding communities (the closest school in-state being [Bishop Feehan High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/bishop-feehan-high-school) in Attleboro).\n\n# Notable people","revisionCount":0},"hasMore":false,"nextCursor":null}