Brown University - Liber Brunensis Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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BLOCK AND ROODT EYLANDT BLACKSTONE LEAVES MASSACHUSETTS The first white landholder in the Narragansett Bay region; settled in northern Rhode Island about two years before the arrival of Roger Wil- liams and his party; the recluse of Study Hill. Whereas some attribute the name Rhode Island to Verrazzano, others wish to claim Adrian Block as the man who is actually responsible. Block, so they say, gave it the name Roodt Evlandt' commeniorating the fiery aspect of the shore duc to the red clay. To those who know, however, it really doesn't matter as long as you pronounce it RHO D'ISLAND. In 1614, Adrian Block found the Indian island of Manisses, which Verrazzano had named Louisa some ninety years before. The Dutch explorer save to the island his own name. Block Island has been connected through the years with both the dramatic sea exploits of the past and the fantastic stories which usually accompany them. I left England to get from under the Lord Bishops, but in America I am fallen under the power of the lord brethrenand thus William Blackstone left Massa- chusetts for consciences sake. This was in 1634. His was the first white settlement in Rhode Tsland. William Blackstone, a clergyman of the Church of England, was a man of strong will who rejected the interference of his neighbors in matters of his spirit and sought the solace of the isolated existence. He is sometimes described as an horticulturist who planted the first apple orchard in Rhode Island. But more often than not, he is compared to the man whom he precededRoger Williams. Blackstone's lack of social-consciousness serves the historian with beautiful example of the real worth of Williams whose pre-occupation with the condition of his fellow men was instrumental in furthering the causes of human liberty and justice. Gave his name to Block Island; explored and left definite records and descriptions of Narragansett Bay, the surrounding country, and the Indian tribes, he found there.

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ROM 1524 where this story begins until roughly Il 1700, there is litde point in interpreting the events of history as direct precursors to the inception of Rhode Island College, now Brown University, It is not until two centuries later when Rhode Island developed both culturally and economically that a college was even pOs- sible. It is, therefore, proper in a representation of the state which is the home of this institution to concentrate on the happenings which demonstrate this development. At the beginning it was the individuals and the places that they went that cap- ture our attention. The discovery' brousht about by various motives: new wealth, love of exploring, ideolagies, spiritual peace, ete. Different motives have importance for different people. It is the story of mien and women what they looked like, why they came, and what this part of the world looked like. Giovanni da Verrazzano, seeking a westward passage to China and India, landed on the coast of North America about March 20, 1524. His numerous ex- plorations along the North Atlantic coast brought him on April 21 to Narragansett Bay. The extended account of his observations and reactions to Rhode Island are tecorded in a letter tha: the Florentine navigator wrote to Francis 1 of France. It offers the earliest Tull description of the North American coast I impressions of a semi-barbaric race are most interesting. Verrazzano s sensitivity to physical beauty causes him to dwell at great length on the Narragansetts whom he found there. Weighing anchor, we sailed fifty leagues toward the east, as the coast stretched in that direction. and always in sight of it; at length we discovered an island of triangular form, about ten leagues from the mainland, in size about equal to the island of Rhodes, having manv hills covered with trees, and well peopled, judging from the great number of fires which we saw all around its shores; we gave it the name of your majesty's illustrious mother . . . This is the finest-looking tribe, and the handsomest in their costumes, that we have found in our vovage. They exeeed us in size, and they are of a very fair com- plexion; some of them inclining more to a bronze, and others to a tawny color; their faces are sharp, their hair long and black, upon the adorning of which they bestow great pains; their eyes are black and sharp, their expression mild and pleas- ant, greatly resembling the antique I say nothing to your majesty of the other parts of the body, which are all in good proportion, and such as belong to well-formed men. Verrazzano's details are, perhaps, worthy of attention. The savage simplicity of the tribes and the description of their costumes remind us of the freedom' of the new world as manifested in the peoples whom the Europeans found there. Circled by waters that neverfreeze Beaten by billows and swept by breeze Ao v Lieth the Island of Manisses Arprrierestce A o KX it bubien Whittier, Palatine Left: Earliest known chart of Narragansett Bay. VERRAZZANO VISITS NARRAGANSETT BAY Rhode Island Historical Society

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An artist's conception of the flight of Roger Williams from Massachusetts in 1636, The picture was prob- ably inspired by Williams own account of being storm tossed in the wilderness during his journey. Rhode Island HistoricalrsrocietyA Thumb prints of Roger Williams ,gggpmfi'w Rhode Island Historical Society Signature of Roger Williams bk JMefs embroke College-Cambridge, England where Jel bione Q!LE:VL Roger Williams attended. Unelj QEuh'once Rhode Islcnd Historical Society