Brown University - Liber Brunensis Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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The conflict between Roger Williams and Massachusetts reached a climax in the edict of banishment dated October 1, 1635 Whereas, Mr. Roger Williams, one of the elders of the church at Salem, hath broached and divulged diverse new and dangerous opinions against the authority of the magistrates: has also writ letters of defamation, both of the magistrates and churches here, and that before any conviction, and yet maintained the same with- out any retracting; it is, therefore, ordered that the said Mr. Williams shall depart out of this jurisdiction. . . .7 Roger Williams was antagonistic to the theocracy of Massachusetts and he was considered to be dangerous. The banishment was modified to allow Williams to re- main in Salem until spring, but when words spread that he was again furthering the cause of his blasphemy, a posse was sent after his failure to appear at court in Boston to place him on board a ship hound for England. Tt was this which prompt- ed his departure from Massachusetts and his eventual arrival at the Seekonk River in June, 1636. And it 1s usual in the relating of these events to state that thus Providence was settled. There were the long series of agreements and deeds with the Indian chiefs, the simple adjustments to topography and geography, and the need for numbers finally Powder Horn view of Providence. satisfied, that helped Providence to attain the permanency of a settlement. It is true, however, that through the wisdom of Roger Williams many of the obstacles were overcome in relatively short time. His appreciation of the importance of the Indian to the success of the new colony helped much in speeding up the process. March 24, 1638 is the date of the first known written deed whereby Canonicus and Minantonomi sold land to Williams. The twelve other original proprietors of Providence Plantations besides him were: Stukely Westcott, William Arnold, Thomas James, Robert Cole, John Greene, John Throckmorton, William Harris, William Carpenter, Thomas Olney, Francis Weston, Richard Waterman, and Ezekial Holyman. 07 AT o 1 3 ;,Xu y t WILLIAMS LEAVES MASSACHUSETTS MARCH 24, 1638 - ' a2 Rhode Island Historical Society

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Rhode Island Historical Society ROGER WILLIAMS: Founder of the first Rhode Island town; the chief figure in the early colonization of the Narragansett country; ohlamed the first Rhode Island Charter; contributed greally to the understanding between the Indians and settlers; successful in his task in spite of many private and public difficulties. e o quut, S ADELIC ; A E i4 hf A;m o 1l mu o, By, e T, Uy rz,nzxz,,zx z TP e 144444: lwip E B o Rhode Island sttoncal Soczety Right: ProvidenceFEast Side of River

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Plan showing the approximate locationn of Homze Lors of the EARLY SETTLERS PROVIDENCE. R T COPYRIGHT BY CHARLES W HOPKINS Discontented colonists from Massachusetts sought refuge in Rhode Island. As more and more came it became necessary to have leaders to further their economic, religious, and political concerns. Providence did not long remain the only scttlement. The Antino- mian controversy was basic to the settlement on Aquidneck Island of William Coddington, John Clarke and others. But early in the history of the colony it was Roger Williams who made the differ- ence because the real fight for survival was in Indian relations. Wil- liams diplomacy and constant striving for peace saved the settle- ments from certain disaster. Whatever may be said for the com- munity spirit and united purpose of the new settlers, without the intelligent leadership which constantly demonstrated the value of beneficent Christian doctrineall would have ended in failure. The settlers were often impatient with the tribes who owned the land but nothing was ever gained by antagonizing them. The fre- quent intervention of Williams in matters of misunderstanding and disappointment attest to his wisdom as a politician and to his hon- esty as a clergyman. Right: Lithographi par Deroy Dessin d'apres nature par J. Mil- bert. Circa 1817, The two steeples at the left of the view are from left to right: those of the First Baptist Church, and the First Congregational Church. The view shows the Cove with Weybossct Bridge in the distance left center background.