<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-12-12</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001166760</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>(NEBS)</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001272001</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WARNER SUSAN L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>660 ENFIELD STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06082</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>0</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>1</isOther>
			<otherText>Director of Subsidiary Bank</otherText>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<footnotes>
	</footnotes>
	<remarks>
	</remarks>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>/s/ Warner, Susan L.</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-12-12</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

