Our Roots:
In 1636, Roger Williams was banished flrom the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his religious views. He settled at the tip of Narragansett Bay, on land granted to him by the Narragansett and Pequot tribes. Williams called the site Providence "having a sense of G-d's merciful providence unto me in my distress." As a result of Williams's experiences in Massachusetts, he believed deeply in religious freedom for all, a tenet of Rhode Islanders. The second image above shows him negotiating with the Narragansett Indians.
In 1638, after discussions with Williams, Anne Hutchinson, William Coddington, John Clarke, Philip Sherman, and other religious dissenters settled on Aquidneck Island (then known as Rhode Island). Like Williams before her, Hutchinson was also a banished Christian from Massachusetts. Aquidneck Island was purchased from the local natives. This settlement was called Portsmouth and was governed by the Portsmouth Compact which was the first document in history that cut both political and religious ties with England.
The purpose of the Portsmouth Compact was to set up a new, independent colony that was Christian in character but had no state religion. Its separation of church and state was unique at the time.
Settlement continued in Rhode Island with several different purchases of lands from the local tribes. In 1644, Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport united for their common independence as the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Settlement continued in Rhode Island with several different purchases of lands from the local tribes. In 1644, Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport united for their common independence as the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Rhode Island fought with Massachusetts, Connecticut and Plymouth under General Josiah Winslow in King Philip's War (1675–1676). The combined force fought the several Indian tribes including the Narragansett and Wampanoag Indians.
Sadly, when King James II tried enforce his authority over the colonies, Rhode Island was combined into the Dominion of New England in 1686. Thankfully, this situation did not last too long. In 1688, the colony of Rhode Island regained its independence.
Sadly, when King James II tried enforce his authority over the colonies, Rhode Island was combined into the Dominion of New England in 1686. Thankfully, this situation did not last too long. In 1688, the colony of Rhode Island regained its independence.
Fun Facts About Our Great Colony of Rhode Island!
Our name is derived from the Dutch name "Roodt Eylandt" which was given to us by Adrian Block, the Dutch explorer. The meaning of the name is "red island." It was a reference to the red clay that lines some of Rhode Island's shoreline. The name was later changed when the area came under British rule.
- Williams's beliefs in religious freedom, tolerance and the separation between church and state helped to inspire the future founders of the United States. We may be the smallest colony. But we had a big impact!
- Everyone has a black sheep in the family, even Rhode Island. Benedict Arnold, the first governor who was appointed under the Rhode Island Royal Charter in 1663, he was the great grandfather of Benedict Arnold, the traitor during the Revolutionary War.
- Rhode Islanders have guts and gumption. On May 4, 1776, we were the first colony to renounce allegiance to King George.
- While we profited from the use of slaves and slave trade, we also passed the first emancipation act after Rhode Island Quakers fought to abolish slavery. Children who were born to slaves after March 1, 1784, were to become free after a period of “apprenticeship,” but existing slaves were not granted freedom as part of the legislation.
- We were the last of the 13 states to ratify the Constitution. We liked the Articles of Confederation better.