History

In 1636, Roger Williams founded Providence, a new colony devoted to religious freedom for all.  He had left (or technically been banished from) the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of its constrictions related to religion.  Soon after, his effort of establishing a free, thriving colony was joined by Anne Hutchinson, who founded Portsmouth, another colony located near Providence.  Pretty soon, four colonies were established all with matching goals and values. 

          In 1643, Williams ventured to England in an effort to obtain a parliamentary patent that would combine the four existing colonies.  His quest was a success, and Providence was declared the principle city of the newly united single colony.

         The colony’s name was given by a Dutch explorer named Adrian Block, who dubbed it “Roodt Eylandt,” which means “red island.”  This was in reference to the abundance of red clay that lay on the shoreline.  Eventually, the name was anglicized by the presence of British rule, and it became Rhode Island

(timeline by: Cecilia Huber)