<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>slad-x23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23
<TEXT>

                                                                 Exhibit 23
                                                                 ----------

                  <LOGO> SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.
                         ----------------------------------
                            CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


                  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 15, 2003
(except for Note 11 which is March 5, 2003).


                                     /s/ Shatswell, MacLeod & Company, P.C.
                                     SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.

West Peabody, Massachusetts
March 19, 2003


<PAGE>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>