The Town of Cumberland was one of five Rhode Island towns received from Massachusetts by Royal Decree. It is the 9th largest in population of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns. The town was known as Attleboro Gore until 1746, when it was incorporated in Rhode Island as the Town of Cumberland, named in honor of William, the Duke of Cumberland. The town has a long industrial history. Early industry was centered around the abundant water power of the Blackstone and Abbott Run River and the mining of iron and copper.