Who? |
When? |
Why? |
Roger Williams
He was a young, zealous minister living in Salem, Massachusetts after leaving London, England as a Separatist. Williams was devoted to God alones and wanted nothing to do with the Church of England. He wanted the church and state to be completely separated, but religious authorities disagreed and banished him. In his banishment, he lived with Narragansett Indians. From them he bought an area of land and settled it with his followers. Williams named the land Providence. Anne Hutchinson Eventually the settlers were joined by a number of others seeking religious freedom, including Anne Hutchinson and her followers. Hutchinson was also banished from Massachusetts based on her radical religious beliefs and is sometimes credited as one of the cofounders of Rhode Island. |
1636
Williams banishment with the Native Americans lasted during the winter of 1636. After he and his followers formed the town of Providence the community grew to become Rhode Island as they bought more and more land from Native Americans. Williams sought a charter and in 1644 Parliament gave it to him and he was able to form an official government. Rhode Island was an official charter colony. |
Religious Freedom
Overall, the colony of Rhode Island was founded on religious freedom. People left Massachusetts because they did not agree with the religious authorities of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Roger Williams wanted a complete separation of church and state, which would have put many out of power. Hutchinson wanted only the "elect" to be the authorities and felt women deserved better treatment. The colony was essentially created in order to give citizens of the new colony "liberty in religious concerns" according to Williams. People were allowed to practice their faiths, whatever their religion was, freely. |