The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Providence (county)

PROVIDENCE, the N. county of Rhode Island, bordered N. and E. by Massachusetts and W. by Connecticut, and drained by the Blackstone river, which runs partly along the E. border, and the Pawtuxet, which forms a portion of the S. boundary; area, 380 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 149,190. It has an uneven surface and generally fertile soil. It is intersected by several railroads centring at Providence. The chief productions in 1870 were 9,887 bushels of rye, 85,114 of Indian corn, 15,386 of oats, 9,900 of barley, 329,515 of potatoes, 38,606 tons of hay, 3,330 lbs. of wool, 296,128 of butter, and 30,235 of cheese. There were 3,323 horses, 8,056 milch cows, 1,369 working oxen, 3,655 other cattle, 1,667 sheep, and 6,612 swine. There are numerous manufactories, chiefly at Providence, the county seat.