What is today the town of Smithfield, RI was, in colonial times, wilderness. Known as Wionkhiege by the Wampanoag Indians, the land was used for hunting and fishing, but it was not settled. Pioneers from Providence gradually established small outposts in the territory with the cooperation of the Wampanoags. That cooperation evaporated during King Philip's War, however. Following the war which saw the elimination of the Narragansett Tribe and the severe reduction in the size and power of the Wampanoag tribe, settlement of the area began in earnest. Smithfield grew in size to encompass what is now Smithfield, Glocester, and Scituate and extended to include parts of what is today Cumberland, Lincoln, and Central Falls. The area was reduced to a more manageable size in 1731.
Farming was a principle way of life in the rural community. Descendents of the original pioneers that settled the area remain on the land their ancestors cultivated, and despite the 20th century urbanization of the town, small pockets of farmland remain. Here's one such pocket, nestled off bustling Douglas Pike. This small pasture, surrounded by modern homes, holds some sheep and horses. Nearby is a cattle farm and another sheep farm, all surrounded by modern 20th and 21st century homes. It's an interesting juxtaposition of modern life and the colonial past.
Post processing started with a warm tone II filter in Topaz B&W FX. I adjusted color sensitivity sliders, adaptive exposure, boost black, boost white, and protect highlights. A levels adjustment was added in PSE.
