Rhode ISland- Culture
Founded by: Roger Williams
Year Founded: 1636 ROGER WILLIAMS was banished from the colony of Massachusetts due to his outspoken views of religious inequality, fled to the head of Narraganset Bay, and there, with a few followers, planted the seed of the commonwealth of Rhode Island in 1636. Rhode Island began as a charter colony meaning they were self governed. They were governed by Royal Charter without direct interference from the crown. They were mainly chartered to an individual, trading company, etc. by the British Crown. Rhode Island is also known for it's fierce independence. The early Rhode Island relied heavily on trade with the native Narragansett Indians initially. Yet Rhode Island’s settlers were not the permissive people of Virginia, nor were they the Purist-minded Anglicans of Massachusetts; the “red island’s” new residents proved more industrious than the Virginians and less prejudiced than the Massachusetts folk. Rhode Island villages (the first villages, that is) were fairly purchased from Indian friends, and were small in number. Rhode Island continued in this almost isolated way for several decades – that is, Rhode Island almost sought to isolate itself from its unfriendly Massachusetts neighbor. |
Roger WilliamsI've known them to leave their house and mat
To lodge a friend or stranger When Jews and Christians oft have sent Jesus Christ to the Manger Oft have I heard these Indians say These English will deliver us Of all that's ours, our lands and lives In the end, they'll bereave us. --Roger Williams |