Exhibit 10.8

                            EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into
effective as of August 9, 2004, by and between Slade's Ferry Bancorp, a
Massachusetts corporation ("Company") and Manuel J. Tavares ("Executive").
Any reference to "Bank" herein shall mean Slade's Ferry Bank, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of the Company, or any successor thereto.

                            W i t n e s s e t h :
                            ---------------------

      Whereas, the Company desires to assure for itself and for the Bank
the availability of Executive's services and the ability of Executive to
perform such services with a minimum of personal distraction in the event
of a pending or threatened Change of Control (as hereinafter defined);

      Whereas, Executive is willing to serve the Company and the Bank on
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

      Whereas, this Agreement is intended to supercede any and all prior
change of control, employment and confidentiality, and non-solicitation
agreements between the Executive and the Company or the Executive and the
Bank;

      Now, Therefore, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Company and Executive
hereby agree as follows:

      Section 1.  Employment.
                  -----------

The Company agrees to continue to employ Executive, and Executive hereby
agrees to such continued employment, during the period and upon the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

      Section 2.  Employment Period; Remaining Unexpired Employment Period.
                  ---------------------------------------------------------

      (a)   The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain
in effect during the period of employment established under this section 2
("Employment Period").  The Employment Period shall be for an initial term
of two (2) years beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the
second (2nd) annual anniversary date of this Agreement.  Upon the first
(1st) annual anniversary date of this Agreement and each anniversary date
thereafter, the Board of Directors of the Company ("Board") shall review
the terms of this Agreement and the Executive's performance of services
hereunder and may, in the absence of objection from the Executive, approve
an extension of the Employment Agreement to a new two year term.  The
Executive shall be notified by the Board of any renewal or non-renewal of
this Agreement by the Board within thirty (30) days following any such
action.  The "Remaining Unexpired Employment Period" shall be the remaining
period of the Employment Period subject to such extensions as the Board may
determine pursuant to this paragraph unless modified by this Agreement.


<PAGE>


      (b)   Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the
Company at any time from terminating Executive's employment during the
Employment Period with or without notice for any reason; provided, however,
that the relative rights and obligations of the Company and Executive in
the event of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

      (c)   Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the
Executive at any time from terminating his employment during the Employment
Period with or without notice for any reason; provided, however, that the
relative rights and obligations of the Company and Executive in the event
of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

      Section 3.  Duties.
                  -------

      Executive shall serve as Senior Vice President and Senior Lending
Officer of the Company and the Bank, and having such power, authority and
responsibility and performing such duties as are prescribed by or under the
By-Laws of the Company and the Bank and as are customarily associated with
such positions.  Executive shall devote his full business time and
attention (other than during weekends, holidays, approved vacation periods,
periods of illness or approved leaves of absence and the activities covered
by section 7 of this Agreement) to the business and affairs of the Company
and the Bank and shall use his best efforts to advance the interests of the
Company and the Bank.

      Section 4.  Cash Compensation.
                  ------------------

      In consideration for the services to be rendered by Executive
hereunder, the Company shall pay to him a salary at an initial annual rate
of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS ($126,000), payable in
approximately equal installments in accordance with the Company's or Bank's
customary payroll practices for senior officers.  The Board shall review
Executive's annual rate of salary at such times during the Employment
Period as it deems appropriate, but not less frequently than once every
twelve months, and may, in its discretion, approve an increase in the
Executive's annual rate of salary.  In addition to salary, Executive may
receive other cash compensation from the Company or the Bank for services
hereunder at such times, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions
as the Board, as applicable, may determine from time to time.

      Section 5.  Employee Benefit Plans and Programs.
                  ------------------------------------

      During the Employment Period, Executive shall be treated as an
employee of the Company and the Bank and shall be entitled to participate
in and receive benefits under any and all qualified or non-qualified
retirement, pension, savings, profit-sharing or stock bonus plans, any and
all group life, health (including hospitalization, medical and major
medical), dental, accident and long-term disability insurance plans, and
any other employee benefit and compensation plans (including, but not
limited to, any incentive compensation plans or programs, stock option and
appreciation rights plans and restricted stock plans) as may from time to
time be maintained by, or cover employees of, the Company or the Bank, in
accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans and
programs and compensation plans and programs and consistent with the
Company's and Bank's customary practices.  Nothing paid


<PAGE>  2


to the Executive under any such plan or arrangement will be deemed to be in
lieu of other compensation to which the Executive is entitled under this
Agreement.

      Section 6.  Indemnification and Insurance.
                  ------------------------------

      (a)   During the Employment Period and for so long as the Executive
is subject for suit on claims related to his performance of the duties
described in section 3 of this Agreement, the Company shall cause Executive
to be covered by and named as an insured under any policy or contract of
insurance obtained by it or the Bank to insure its directors and officers
against personal liability for acts or omissions in connection with service
as an officer or director of the Company or the Bank or service in other
capacities at the request of the Company or the Bank.  The coverage
provided to Executive pursuant to this section 6 shall be of the same scope
and on the same terms and conditions as the coverage (if any) provided to
other officers or directors of the Company and the Bank.

      (b)   To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, during
the Employment Period and for so long as the Executive is subject for suit
on claims related to his performance of the duties described in section 3
of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Executive against and hold
him harmless from any costs, liabilities, losses and exposures to the
fullest extent and on the most favorable terms and conditions that similar
indemnification is offered to any director or officer of the Company, the
Bank, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.

      Section 7.  Outside Activities.
                  -------------------

      Executive may serve as a member of the boards of directors of such
business, community and charitable organizations as he may disclose to and
as may be approved by the Board (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld); provided, however, that such service shall not materially
interfere with the performance of his duties under this Agreement.
Executive may also engage in personal business and investment activities
which do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties
hereunder; provided, however, that such activities are not prohibited under
any code of conduct or investment or securities trading policy established
by the Company and generally applicable to all similarly situated
executives.  Executive may also serve as an officer or director of the Bank
on such terms and conditions as the Company and the Bank may mutually agree
upon, and such service shall not be deemed to materially interfere with
Executive's performance of his duties hereunder or otherwise result in a
material breach of this Agreement.  If Executive is discharged or
suspended, or is subject to any regulatory prohibition or restriction, with
respect to participation in the affairs of the Bank, he shall continue to
perform services for the Company in accordance with this Agreement but
shall not directly or indirectly provide services to or participate in the
affairs of the Bank in a manner inconsistent with the terms of such
discharge or suspension or any applicable regulatory order.

      Section 8.  Working Facilities and Expenses.
                  --------------------------------

      Executive's principal place of employment shall be at the Company's
executive offices, or at such other location within Bristol County at which
the Company shall maintain its principal executive offices, or at such
other location as the Company and Executive may


<PAGE>  3


mutually agree upon.  The Company shall provide or cause the Bank to
provide the Executive at his principal place of employment with a private
office, secretarial services, and other support services and facilities
suitable to his position with the Company and necessary or appropriate in
connection with the performance of his assigned duties under this
Agreement.  The Company shall provide to the Executive for his exclusive
use an automobile owned or leased by the Company and appropriate to his
position, to be used in the performance of his duties hereunder, including
commuting to and from his personal residence.  The Company shall reimburse
Executive for his ordinary and necessary business expenses, including,
without limitation, all expenses associated with his business use of the
aforementioned automobile, fees for memberships in such clubs and
organizations as Executive and the Company shall mutually agree are
necessary and appropriate for business purposes, and his travel and
entertainment expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his
duties under this Agreement, in each case upon presentation to the Company
of an itemized account of such expenses in such form as the Company may
reasonably require.

      Section 9.  Termination of Employment with Severance Benefits.
                  --------------------------------------------------

      (a)   Executive shall be entitled to the severance benefits described
in section 9(b) herein in the event that his employment with the Company or
the Bank terminates during the Employment Period under any of the following
circumstances:

            (i)   Executive's resignation for Good Reason from employment
      with the Company within one hundred eighty (180) days following:

                  (A)   the failure of the Board to appoint or re-appoint
            or elect or re-elect Executive to the position stated in
            section 3 of this Agreement (or a more senior office of the
            Company) or the failure of the Board of Directors of the Bank
            ("Bank Board") to appoint or re-appoint or elect or re-elect
            Executive to the position stated in section 3 of this Agreement
            (or a more senior position of the Bank);

                  (B)   the expiration of a thirty (30) day period
            following the date on which Executive gives written notice to
            the Company or the Bank, as the case may be, of its material
            failure, whether by amendment of the Company's organization
            certificate or By-Laws, or the Bank's state charter or By-Laws,
            action of the Board, Bank Board or the Company's stockholders
            or otherwise, to vest in Executive, or continue to allow the
            Executive to perform, without material change or diminution,
            the functions, duties, or responsibilities prescribed in
            section 3 of this Agreement, unless, during such thirty (30)
            day period, such failure is cured in a manner determined by
            Executive, in his discretion, to be satisfactory; or

                  (C)   the expiration of a thirty (30) day period
            following the date on which Executive gives written notice to
            the Company or the Bank, as the case may be, of its material
            breach of any term, condition or covenant contained in this
            Agreement (including, without limitation any reduction of
            Executive's rate of base salary in effect from time to time and
            any change in the terms and conditions


<PAGE>  4


            of any compensation or benefit program in which Executive
            participates which, either individually or together with other
            changes, has a material adverse effect on the aggregate value
            of his total compensation package), unless, during such thirty
            (30) day period,  such failure is cured in a manner determined
            by Executive, in his discretion, to be satisfactory;

                  (D)   the relocation of the Company or the Bank's offices
            at which the Executive is principally employed to a location
            more than 50 miles from such offices;

                  (E)   any purported termination of the Executive's
            employment in a manner inconsistent with section 10 of this
            Agreement; or

                  (F)   the failure of the Company and/or the Bank to
            obtain an effective agreement from any successor to assume and
            agree to perform this Agreement, as required by section 14 of
            this Agreement; or

            (ii)  subject to the provisions of section 10, the termination
      of Executive's employment with the Company for any other reason not
      described in section 9(a) other than a termination of the Executive's
      employment for "cause";

then, the Company shall provide (or cause the Bank to pay and provide) the
benefits and pay to Executive the amounts described in section 9(b).

      (b)   Upon the termination of Executive's employment with the Company
under circumstances described in section 9(a) of this Agreement, the
Company shall pay and provide (or cause the Bank to pay and provide) to
Executive (or, in the event of his death, to his estate):

            (i)   the portion, if any, of the compensation earned by the
      Executive through the date of the termination of his employment with
      the Company which remains unpaid as of such date, such payment to be
      made at the time and in the manner prescribed by law applicable to
      the payment of wages but in no event later than thirty (30) days
      after the Executive's termination of employment;

            (ii)  the benefits, if any, to which he is entitled as a former
      employee under the employee benefit plans and programs and
      compensation plans and programs maintained by the Company and the
      Bank for their officers and employees;

            (iii) continued group life, health (including hospitalization,
      medical and major medical), dental, accident and long-term disability
      coverage plans under the plans and programs maintained by the Bank
      for similarly situated employees until the earlier to occur of:

                  (A)   the date the Executive first becomes eligible for
            such benefit coverage plans under the plans or programs
            maintained by a subsequent employer; or


<PAGE>  5


                  (B)   the date the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period
            terminates;

            (iv)  within thirty (30) days following his termination of
      employment with the Company, a lump sum payment, in an amount equal
      to the present value of the salary that Executive would have earned
      if he had continued working for the Company during the Remaining
      Unexpired Employment Period at the highest annual rate of salary
      achieved during that portion of the Employment Period which is prior
      to Executive's termination of employment with the Company, where such
      present value is to be determined using a discount rate equal to the
      applicable short-term federal rate prescribed under section 1274(d)
      of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code"), compounded using the
      compounding period corresponding to the Company's regular payroll
      periods for its officers, such lump sum (the "Salary Severance
      Payment") to be paid in lieu of all other payments of salary provided
      for under this Agreement in respect of the period following any such
      termination;

            (v)   within thirty (30) days following his termination of
      employment with the Company and the Bank, a lump sum payment in an
      amount equal to the estimated present value of the annual bonuses
      that the Executive would have earned if he had continued working for
      the Company during the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period at the
      highest annual rate of salary achieved during the period of three (3)
      years ending immediately prior to the date of termination (the "Bonus
      Severance Payment").  The Bonus Severance Payment shall be computed
      using the following formula:

                           BSP = SSP x (ABP / ASP)

      where "BSP" is the amount of the Bonus Severance Payment (before the
      deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding taxes);
      "SSP" is the amount of the Salary Severance Payment (before the
      deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding taxes);
      "ABP" is the aggregate of the annual bonuses paid or declared
      (whether or not paid) for the most recent period of three (3)
      calendar years to end on or before the Executive's termination of
      employment; and "ASP" is the aggregate base salary actually paid to
      the Executive during such period of three (3) calendar years
      (excluding any year for which no bonus was declared or paid).  The
      Bonus Severance Payment shall be in lieu of any claim to a
      continuation of participation in annual bonus plans of the Bank or
      the Company which the Executive might otherwise have;

            (vi)  within thirty (30) days following his termination of
      employment with the Company, a lump sum payment, in an amount equal
      to the value of the additional employer contributions that would have
      been credited directly to the Executive's accounts under the tax-
      qualified plans and non-tax-qualified plans maintained by the Company
      and/or the Bank if he had continued working for the Company during
      the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period, where such amounts are
      calculated by multiplying the last annual amount credited to the
      Executive's account under each of these plans by the Remaining
      Unexpired Employment Period irrespective of the Executive's vested
      status;


<PAGE>  6


            (vii) within thirty (30) days following his termination of
      employment with the Company, the Executive shall have the right to
      purchase full unencumbered ownership of the Company provided
      automobile then provided to the Executive at the prevailing Kelley
      Blue Book value with any ambiguities in such value to be determined
      by the Company in its sole discretion; and

            (viii) the Executive shall be 100% vested in any benefits
      provided in any agreement related to life insurance that he has
      entered into with the Company or the Bank including, but not limited
      to, any split dollar life insurance plan or any Supplemental
      Executive Retirement Benefit Plan or Arrangement with the payments
      thereunder to be otherwise made pursuant to the terms and conditions
      of such arrangement.

The Company and Executive hereby stipulate that the damages which may be
incurred by Executive following any such termination of employment are not
capable of accurate measurement as of the date first above written and that
the payments and benefits contemplated by this section 9(b) constitute
reasonable damages under the circumstances and shall be payable without any
requirement of proof of actual damage and without regard to Executive's
efforts, if any, to mitigate damages.  The Remaining Unexpired Employment
Period for purposes of this section 9(b) shall be computed so that the
Remaining Unexpired Employment Period is never less than twelve (12)
months.  The Company and Executive further agree that the Company may
condition the payments and benefits (if any) due under sections 9(b)(iii),
9(b)(iv), 9(b)(v), 9(b)(vi), 9(b)(vii) and 9(b)(viii) on the receipt of (i)
Executive's resignation from any and all positions which he holds as an
officer, director or committee member with respect to the Company, the Bank
or any subsidiary or affiliate of either of them and (ii) a release of
claims in favor of the Company and the Bank in a form substantially similar
to that attached hereto as Appendix A.

      Section 10.  Termination without Additional Company Liability.
                   -------------------------------------------------

      In the event that Executive's employment with the Company shall
terminate during the Employment Period on account of:

      (a)   the discharge of the Executive for "cause," which, for purposes
of this Agreement shall mean willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty
involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties,
willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic
violations or similar offenses) or final cease and desist order, or any
material breach of this Agreement, in each case as measured against
standards generally prevailing at the relevant time in the savings and
community banking industry;

      (b)   Executive's voluntary resignation from employment with the
Company for reasons other than those specified in section 9(a);

      (c)   Executive's death; or

      (d)   a determination that the Executive is eligible for long-term
disability benefits under the Bank's long-term disability insurance program
or, if there is no such program, under the federal Social Security Act;


<PAGE>  7


then the Company shall have no further obligations under this Agreement,
other than the payment to Executive (or, in the event of his death, to his
estate) of the portion, if any, of the salary earned by the Executive
through the date of his termination of employment with the Company which
remains unpaid as of such date and the provision of such other benefits, if
any, to which he is entitled as a former employee under the employee
benefit plans and programs and compensation plans and programs maintained
by, or covering employees of, the Company or the Bank.

      For purposes of section 10(a), no act or failure to act, on the part
of Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted
to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company and
its affiliates.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given
pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the
written advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to
be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best
interests of the Company.  The cessation of employment of Executive shall
not be deemed to be for "cause" within the meaning of section 10(a) unless
and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the
non-employee members of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held
for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to Executive and
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard
before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board,
Executive is guilty of the conduct described in section 10(a) above, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

      Section 11.  Termination Upon or Following a Change of Control.
                   --------------------------------------------------

      (a)   A Change of Control of the Company ("Change of Control") shall
be deemed to have occurred upon the happening of any of the following
events:

            (i)   the acquisition by any individual, entity or group
      (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(D)(2) of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), of beneficial
      ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
      Exchange Act) of 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of common
      stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock");
      provided, however, that any acquisition by the Company or its
      subsidiaries of 20% or more of Outstanding Company Common Stock shall
      not constitute a Change of Control; and provided, further, that any
      acquisition by a corporation with respect to which, following such
      acquisition, more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common
      stock of such corporation, is then beneficially owned, directly or
      indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and
      entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company
      Common Stock immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially
      the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such
      acquisition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock, shall not
      constitute a Change of Control; or

            (ii)  individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement,
      constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
      constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any
      individual becoming a director subsequent to the date of this
      Agreement whose election, or nomination or election by the Company's
      shareholders,


<PAGE>  8


      was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
      comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
      individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for
      this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office
      is in connection with either an actual or threatened election contest
      (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated
      under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of
      proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;
      or

            (iii) consummation by the Company of

                  (A)   a reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each
            case, with respect to which all or substantially all the
            individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the
            Outstanding Company Common Stock immediately prior to such
            reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, following such
            reorganization, merger or consolidation, beneficially own,
            directly or indirectly, more than 40% of the then outstanding
            shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such a
            reorganization, merger or consolidation;

                  (B)   a reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each
            case,

                        (a)   with respect to which all or substantially
                  all of the individuals and entities who were the
                  beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
                  immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
                  consolidation, following such reorganization, merger or
                  consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
                  more than 40% but less than 50% of the then outstanding
                  shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from
                  such a reorganization, merger or consolidation,

                        (b)   at least a majority of the directors then
                  constituting the Incumbent Board do not approve the
                  transaction and do not designate the transaction as not
                  constituting a Change of Control, and

                        (c)   following the transaction, members of the
                  then Incumbent Board do not continue to comprise at least
                  a majority of the Board; or

                  (C)   the sale or other disposition of all or
            substantially all of the assets of the Company, excluding a
            sale or other disposition of assets to a subsidiary of the
            Company; or

            (iv)  consummation by the Bank of (i) a reorganization, merger
      or consolidation, in each case, with respect to which, following such
      reorganization, merger or consolidation, the Company does not
      beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then
      outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation or bank
      resulting from such a reorganization, merger or consolidation or (ii)
      the stockholders of


<PAGE>  9


      the Company approve a plan the sale or other disposition of all or
      substantially all of the assets of the Bank, excluding a sale or
      other disposition of assets to the Company or a subsidiary of the
      Company.

In no event, however, shall a Change of Control be deemed to have occurred
as a result of any acquisition of securities or assets of the Company, the
Bank, or a subsidiary of either of them, by the Company, the Bank, or a
subsidiary of either of them, or by any employee benefit plan maintained by
any of them.  For purposes of this section 11(a), the term "person" shall
have the meaning assigned to it under sections 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Exchange Act.

Notwithstanding section 9, in the event that the Executive terminates
employment with the Company for any reason or no reason within ninety (90)
days following the effective date of a Change of Control or due to a
termination not for Cause, Executive shall be entitled to the payments and
benefits contemplated by section 9(b); provided, however, that the benefit
owed under section 9(b) shall be calculated as if the Remaining Unexpired
Employment Period was a fixed term of two (2) years and any payments under
a Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefit Plan or Arrangement shall be
made in a lump sum as if the Executive had attained normal retirement age
under such arrangement; provided, further, that if the payments and
benefits pursuant to section 9(b) and 11(b) hereof, either alone or
together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right
to receive from the Bank or the Company, whether pursuant to this Agreement
or otherwise, would constitute a "parachute payment" under Section 280G of
the Code, then the amount payable under this Agreement shall be reduced to
result in no portion of the payment payable under this Agreement being non-
deductible to the Bank or Company (or any successor thereto) by reason of
Section 280G of the Code and subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of
the Code.  There parties hereto agree that the payments and benefits
payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced so as not to equal or
exceed three times the Executive's "base amount," as that term is defined
in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code, and shall be reduced to 2.99 times the
Executive's base amount.  The determination of any reduction in the payment
to be made to the Executive shall be based upon an analysis of an
accounting or law firm selected and paid for by the Bank.

      (b)   For purposes of this Agreement, a "Pending Change of Control"
shall mean: (i) the signing of a definitive agreement for a transaction
which, if consummated, would result in a Change of Control; (ii) the
commencement of a tender offer which, if successful, would result in a
Change of Control; (iii) the circulation of a proxy statement seeking
proxies in opposition to management in an election contest which, if
successful, would result in a Change of Control; (iv) the Company or any
person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking
action, which, if consummated, would constitute a Change of Control; (v)
any person (other than the Company, the Bank or an employee benefit plan of
either) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, (or
discloses directly or indirectly to the Company or the public a plan to
become the beneficial owner) of securities of the Company representing 20%
or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities; or (vi) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for
purposes of this Agreement, a Pending Change of Control has occurred.  For
purposes of this paragraph, if a termination of the Executive's employment
occurs prior to a Change of Control, but following a Pending Change of
Control, such termination shall be deemed to have followed a Change of
Control and to have been: (i) by the Company without Cause, if the
Executive's employment is terminated without Cause with


<PAGE>  10


the encouragement of, or at the direction of, a third party, or (ii) by the
Executive with Good Reason, if the Executive terminates the Executive's
employment with Good Reason and the act (or failure to act) which
constitutes Good Reason occurs following such Potential Change of Control
and with the encouragement of, or at the direction of, a third party.

      Section 12.  Protective Covenants
                   --------------------

      (a)   Non-Competition.  The Executive hereby covenants and agrees
that, in the event of his termination of employment with the Company prior
to the expiration of the Employment Period, for a period of two years
following the date of his termination of employment with the Company or the
Bank, he shall not, without the written consent of the Company, become an
officer, employee, or consultant of any savings bank, savings and loan
association, savings and loan holding company, bank or bank holding
company, any other entity engaged in the business of accepting deposits or
making loans, or any direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of any such
entity having its principal office located within Bristol County,
Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Massachusetts or the State of Rhode Island;
provided, however, that this section 12(a) shall not apply if the Executive
is entitled to the benefits described in section 11 hereof.

      (b)   Confidentiality.  Unless he obtains the prior written consent
of the Company, the Executive shall keep confidential and shall refrain
from using for the benefit of himself, or any person or entity other than
the Company or any entity which is a subsidiary of the Company or of which
the Company is a subsidiary, any material document or information obtained
from the Company, or from its parent or subsidiaries, in the course of his
employment with any of them concerning their properties, operations or
business (unless such document or information is readily ascertainable from
public or published information or trade sources or has otherwise been made
available to the public through no fault of his own) until the same ceases
to be material (or becomes so ascertainable or available); provided,
however, that nothing in this section 12(b) shall prevent the Executive,
with or without the Company's consent, from participating in or disclosing
documents or information in connection with any judicial or administrative
investigation, inquiry or proceeding to the extent that such participation
or disclosure is required under applicable law.

      (c)   Solicitation.  The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that,
for a period of two years following his termination of employment with the
Company or the Bank, he shall not, without the written consent of the
Company and the Bank, either directly or indirectly:

            (i)   solicit, offer employment to, or take any other action
      intended, or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances
      would expect, to have the effect of causing any officer or employee
      of the Company, the Bank or any of their respective subsidiaries or
      affiliates to terminate his or her employment and accept employment
      or become affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in
      any capacity whatsoever to, any savings bank, savings and loan
      association, bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding
      company, or other institution engaged in the business of accepting
      deposits, making loans or doing business and having its principal
      office located in Bristol County, Massachusetts, Plymouth County,
      Massachusetts or the State of Rhode Island;


<PAGE>  11


            (ii)  provide any information, advice or recommendation with
      respect to any such officer or employee of any savings bank, savings
      and loan association, bank, bank holding company, savings and loan
      holding company, or other institution engaged in the business of
      accepting deposits, making loans or doing business within the
      counties specified in section 12(a); that is intended, or that a
      reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect, to have
      the effect of causing any officer or employee of the Company, the
      Bank, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates to
      terminate his or her employment and accept employment or become
      affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in any capacity
      whatsoever to, any savings bank, savings and loan association, bank,
      bank holding company, savings and loan holding company, or other
      institution engaged in the business of accepting deposits, making
      loans or doing business and having its principal office located in
      Bristol County, Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Massachusetts or the
      State of Rhode Island;

            (iii) solicit, provide any information, advice or
      recommendation or take any other action intended, or that a
      reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect, to have
      the effect of causing any customer of the Company to terminate an
      existing business or commercial relationship with the Company.

      (d)   Survival of the Section 12 Provisions.  The provisions of this
section 12 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement,
and the existence of any claim or cause of action of the Executive against
the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such covenant.

      Section 13.  No Effect on Employee Benefit Plans or Programs.
                   ------------------------------------------------

      The termination of Executive's employment during the term of this
Agreement or thereafter, whether by the Company or by Executive, shall have
no effect on the rights and obligations of the parties hereto under the
Company's or Bank's qualified or non-qualified retirement, pension,
savings, thrift, profit-sharing or stock bonus plans, group life, health
(including hospitalization, medical and major medical), dental, accident
and long-term disability insurance plans or such other employee benefit
plans or programs, or compensation plans or programs, as may be maintained
by, or cover employees of, the Company or the Bank from time to time.
Except  as otherwise provided under this Agreement, the Executive's rights
under such plans and programs shall be determined under the governing
documents of such plans and programs.

      Section 14.  Successors and Assigns.
                   -----------------------

      This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
Executive, his legal representatives and testate or intestate distributees,
and the Company and its successors and assigns, including any successor by
merger or consolidation or a statutory receiver or any other person or firm
or corporation to which all or substantially all of the assets and business
of the  Company may be sold or otherwise transferred.  The Company and/or
the Bank shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all
of the business or assets of the Company and/or the Bank to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company and/or the Bank would be required to perform
if no such succession had taken place.


<PAGE>  12


Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption of this Agreement prior to
the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this
Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company
in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled
to hereunder if the Executive were to terminate the Executive's employment
after a Change of Control, except that, for purposes of implementing the
foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be
deemed the date of termination.

      Section 15.  Notices.
                   --------

      Any communication required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement, including any notice, direction, designation, consent,
instruction, objection or waiver, shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been given at such time as it is delivered personally, or five (5)
days after mailing if mailed, postage prepaid, by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, addressed to such party at the address
listed below or at such other address as one such party may by written
notice specify to the other party:

      If to Executive, to the most recent address on file for the Executive
in the Company's records.

      If to the Company:

            Slade's Ferry Bancorp
            100 Slade's Ferry Avenue
            Somerset, MA 02726

            Attention:  Board of Directors - Personnel Committee
                        ----------------------------------------

            with a copy to:

            Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP
            1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 800
            Washington, D.C.  20006

            Attention:  Richard A. Schaberg, Esq.
                        -------------------------

      Section 16.  Indemnification for Attorneys' Fees.
                   ------------------------------------

The Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend Executive against
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by him in connection with
or arising out of any mediation, action, suit or proceeding in which he may
be involved, as a result of his efforts, in good faith, to defend or
enforce the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that Executive
shall have substantially prevailed on the merits pursuant to a judgment,
decree or order of a court of competent jurisdiction or of an arbitrator in
an arbitration proceeding, or of a mediator in a mediation proceeding, or
in a settlement.  For purposes of this Agreement, any settlement agreement
which provides for payment of any amounts in settlement of the Company's
obligations hereunder shall be conclusive evidence of Executive's
entitlement to indemnification hereunder, and any such indemnification
payments shall be in addition to amounts payable


<PAGE>  13


pursuant to such settlement agreement, unless such settlement agreement
expressly provides otherwise.

      Section 17.  Severability.
                   -------------

      A determination that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or
unenforceable shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision hereof.

      Section 18.  Waiver.
                   -------

      Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms,
covenants or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term,
covenant, or condition.  A waiver of any provision of this Agreement must
be made in writing, designated as a waiver, and signed by the party against
whom its enforcement is sought.  Any waiver or relinquishment of any right
or power hereunder at any one or more times shall not be deemed a waiver or
relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.

      Section 19.  Counterparts.
                   -------------

      This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall constitute one
and the same Agreement.

      Section 20.  Governing Law.
                   --------------

      This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the federal laws of the United States and, to the extent
that federal law is inapplicable, in accordance with the internal laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to contracts entered into
among parties all of whom are citizens and residents of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and to be performed entirely within the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, irrespective of the actual citizenship or residency of the
parties.

      Section 21.  Headings and Construction.
                   --------------------------

      The headings of sections in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and are not intended to qualify the meaning of any section.
Any reference to a section number shall refer to a section of this
Agreement, unless otherwise stated.

      Section 22.  Entire Agreement; Modifications.
                   --------------------------------

      This instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes in its entirety any and all
prior agreements, understandings or representations relating to the subject
matter hereof.  No modifications of this Agreement shall be valid unless
made in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

      Section 23.  Non-duplication.
                   ----------------

      In the event that Executive shall perform services for the Bank or
any other direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company, any compensation or
benefits provided to Executive by


<PAGE>  14


such other employer shall be applied to offset the obligations of the
Company hereunder, it being intended that this Agreement set forth the
aggregate compensation and benefits payable to Executive for all services
to the Company and all of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, including
the Bank.

      Section 24.  Required Regulatory Provisions.
                   -------------------------------

      Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, any
payments to Executive by the Company, whether pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with
section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C.
[SECTION]1828(k), and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

      Section 25.  Company and Affiliates.
                   -----------------------

      The Company may satisfy its obligations under this Agreement either
directly or indirectly through one or more direct or indirect subsidiaries
or affiliates.  The Executive agrees that this Agreement requires that the
Executive make his services available to the Company, the Bank and their
respective direct or indirect subsidiaries or affiliates as determined by
the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank within the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.


<PAGE>  15


      In Witness Whereof, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed and Executive has hereunto set his hand, all as of the day and
year first above written.


                                       /s/ Manuel J. Tavares
                                       ------------------------------------
                                       Manuel J. Tavares


ATTEST:                                Slade's Ferry Bancorp


By:  /s/ Isola A. Anctil               By:  /s/ Paul C. Downey
     ------------------------------         -------------------------------
     Clerk/Secretary                        Name:  Paul C. Downey
                                            Title: Director, Chair of
                                            Compensation Committee

[Seal]


<PAGE>  16