Today, Little Compton (population 3,593) is a rural-farming community. It was in Little Compton that the famous Rhode Island Red chicken was developed. Fishing is still a major industry in the town, as one can observe with the daily departure of the fishing fleet from the Sakonnet Wharf.
Who were the early settlers of Little Compton Rhode Island?
The first European settlers in Little Compton were Englishmen from Duxbury, Massachusetts in the Plymouth Colony who sought to expand their land holdings. After first attempting negotiations with Awashonks, they petitioned the Plymouth Colony, which granted them their charter.
