EXHIBIT 24.1 MCGOWAN, ENGEL, TUCKER, GARRETT & SCHULTZ (A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION INCLUDING A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION) COUNSELLORS AT LAW 125 HIGH STREET PAUL A. McGOWAN, III HIGH STREET TOWER, SUITE 2601 MARK D. ENGEL BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110 THOMAS H. TUCKER (617)951-9980 ROBERT W. GARRETT TELECOPIER (617)951-0048 STEPHEN SCHULTZ PETER L. KOFF OF COUNSEL May 13, 1997 Slade's Ferry Bancorp Box 390 Somerset, MA 02726 Dear Sirs: I hereby consent to the reference to me under the caption "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus included in Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement. Sincerely, /s/ Thomas H. Tucker Thomas H. Tucker