<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>slad-x23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23
<TEXT>

                                                                 Exhibit 23

                     SHATSWELL, MACLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.
                        CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

                               83 PINE STREET
                   WEST PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS 01960-3635
                          TELEPHONE (978) 535-0206
                          FACSIMILE (978) 535-9908


                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K of Slade's Ferry Bancorp of our report dated January 11, 2002.


                                       /s/ SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.
                                           SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.

West Peabody, Massachusetts
March 6, 2002


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>