WASHINGTON COUNTY, RI HISTORY AND LOOKUP (FORMERLY KING’S COUNTY)

County History Books

History of Washington and Kent Counties, Rhode Island by J.R. Coles, (1889) – 507 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.13.0116.CD.AR

Washington County, Rhode Island: A Genealogical Overview

Commonly and affectionately known as “South County,” Washington County covers the entire southern and western coastline of Rhode Island. Its identity is shaped by its sandy beaches, historic coastal villages, and a rich, complex history rooted in the lands of the Narragansett people. For genealogists, it is crucial to understand that Rhode Island’s counties have no governmental, judicial, or record-keeping functions. They exist today as geographical names and boundaries for the state court system. All original historical records—land, vital, and probate—are held at the town level, making town-based research the only path to success.

I. County Formation and Evolution

The county’s history involves a significant name change and its creation from a long-disputed territory.

  • 1729: County Formed: The area was officially incorporated as Kings County on June 16, 1729. It was the fifth and final of Rhode Island’s original counties to be established.
  • Parent County: It was formed from the western part of Providence Plantations, specifically from the large, unincorporated territory known as the “Narragansett Country,” which had been the subject of a decades-long jurisdictional dispute with the Connecticut Colony. Records prior to 1729 may be found among the Rhode Island colonial records in Providence or even in Connecticut archives.
  • 1781: County Renamed: In a surge of patriotic fervor following the American victory at Yorktown, the Rhode Island General Assembly officially renamed Kings County to Washington County on October 29, 1781, in honor of General George Washington.
  • County Seat History: There is no county seat. As Rhode Island counties have no government, they do not have a seat of government. State Superior Court proceedings for the county are held in the Washington County Judicial Complex in West Kingston, but this is a state, not a county, function.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was the heartland of the powerful Narragansett Tribe, one of the largest and most influential Native American nations in New England.
  • Colonial Settlement and Economy: The first European settlements were trading posts, such as Richard Smith’s post at Cocumscussoc (now Smith’s Castle in Wickford). Widespread settlement was delayed by the Narragansett Country land disputes. In the 18th century, the region developed a unique plantation-style economy based on slave labor, a practice distinct from the rest of New England. These “Narragansett Planters” raised livestock, including the famed Narragansett Pacer horse, and produced cheese and other agricultural goods for trade.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • King Philip’s War (1675-1676): This devastating regional conflict critically impacted the area. The Great Swamp Fight in December 1675, a decisive and brutal colonial attack on a major Narragansett fort in what is now South Kingstown, effectively broke the tribe’s power and opened the territory to colonial expansion.
    • The Rise of Tourism: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the county’s beautiful coastline transformed its economy. Seaside towns like Narragansett, Watch Hill (in Westerly), and Weekapaug became fashionable summer resorts for America’s wealthiest families.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This is the most critical section for Rhode Island research. All original, genealogically significant records are created and maintained by the individual Town Clerks. You must first identify the town in which your ancestor lived.

  • Town Halls (Primary Repositories): The office of the Town Clerk in each of the county’s towns is the primary repository for:
    • Land Records: Deeds, mortgages, and plats from the town’s founding.
    • Vital Records: Births, marriages, and deaths.
    • Probate Records: Wills, estate inventories, administrations, and guardianship papers are held by the town’s Probate Court, which is typically housed in the same town hall.
  • Towns within Washington County: Your research must begin in one of these municipalities:
    • Charlestown
    • Exeter
    • Hopkinton
    • Narragansett (separated from South Kingstown in 1888)
    • New Shoreham (Block Island)
    • North Kingstown
    • Richmond
    • South Kingstown
    • Westerly
  • State-Level Repositories:
    • Rhode Island State Archives: Located in Providence, this office holds colonial-era records, state census records, military records, and court records.
    • Rhode Island Division of Vital Records: Holds statewide vital records for more recent years (generally post-1915).
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Rhode Island Historical Society Library: Located in Providence, it has the state’s premier collection of genealogies, town histories, and manuscript collections.
    • Westerly Public Library: Has an excellent special collection for local history and genealogy covering the southwestern part of the state.
    • North Kingstown Free Library: Contains significant local history resources for the northern part of the county.
    • New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS): Located in Boston, MA, this is the most important regional repository for New England research.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Kent County, RI (north)
    • New London County, Connecticut (west)
    • The Atlantic Ocean (south and east)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks