Roger Williams Timeline
From Baroque music and paintings to sculptures and archicture. The dawn of the 17th century witnessed the birth of the Baroque era, marking a transformative period in the history of art that spanned from circa 1600 to 1750 CE. Originating in Italy and spreading across Europe, the Baroque movement represented a significant evolution in artistic […]
The Birth of Baroque Art Read More »
Treachery and Seduction This book was published for the first time in April 2014. At times, paper was scarce so on occasion Roger used existing books to write down his thoughts. Near the end of his life, Roger Williams scrawled an encrypted essay in the margins of a colonial-era book. This unpublished scribbles or “essay”
Roger’s Last Known Essay Read More »
Bartholomew Legate was the last man burned at the stake in Smithfield where Roger Williams grew up. Just like Roger’s father, Bartholomew was in the clothing industry and may have interacted with Roger’s father at his shop. Either way, Roger Williams was about ten years old when Bartholomew was burned at the stake for simply
Bartholomew Legate Burned at the Stake Read More »
From 2nd Book of Providence records: 10th of the 7th month [Sep] 1654 Mr Roger Williams is chosen Moderatour of this Assembly. Mr Roger Williams Chosen for President Arthur ffener Tho : Harris for Asistant Gregory Dexter General Recorder . / Hugh Bewet General Serjeant John Sayles General Treasurer: /
Roger Williams Chosen for President Read More »
The first TRUE democracy in America. From the charter largely drafted by Roger Williams who was influenced by his mentor Sir Edward Coke who relied heavily on the Magna Carta in legal proceedings. From Roger Williams’ 1643/4 charter: …full Power and Authority to rule themselves…by such a Form of Civil Government, as by voluntary consent
Patent for Providence Plantations, Roger Williams Read More »
In 1638 Roger Williams purchased the land on the north side of the Pawtuxet River from the local Native Americans. He then sold the land that same year to William Arnold and William Harris for the price of a cow. He signed the land deed with the sachems, Canonicus, and Miantonomy tribes on March 24,
They formed the first agreement or covenant for the government of Providence on April 7, 1638. Providence is the first place in modern history where citizenship and religion were separate. Providence provided religious liberty and separation of church and state. This was combined with the principle of majoritarian democracy in Providence and was a template
The First Providence Government Read More »
The local legislature decided to send Roger Williams back to England for trial. In early Jan 1636, Roger Williams flees into the wilderness with very little. We know he had his compass and sundial, and that he journeyed to Narragansett Bay with his young devoted servant Thomas Angell. The two wandered for almost fourteen weeks through the winter
Banished, R.W. Escapes to the Wilderness Read More »
The Great Quaker Debates occurred in 1672 on Aug 9, 10, 12, and 17 of August. Although Roger Williams welcomed those with differing opinions, he relished in the opportunity to present his viewpoint. Famously, in 1672 at the age of about 69 or 70, he rowed alone, all night from Providence to Newport to debate
The Great Quaker Debates! Read More »
In 1643, Roger Williams wrote A Key Into the Language of America, A help to the language of the natives in that part of America called New England. He wrote the book mostly while on the two-month voyage to England. It was on sale by September 7, 1643. He wrote down what he learned about the
Book: A Key Into the Language of America Read More »
In 1644, Williams published The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution. Historians consider it his most famous work. He wrote Bloudy after arriving in London in midsummer 1643. It was on sale by July 15, 1644. It is a fierce attack on religious and political intolerance in both Old England and New. He advocated for free thought and belief because
Book: The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution Read More »
Let go of labels that shrink people. Roger Williams saw that calling Native Americans “heathens” was not just a word; it was a habit of mind that made harm easier.
Book: Christenings make not Christians Read More »
In 1651, William Coddington received a commission to govern for life Aquidneck and neighboring Conanicut Island. Roger Williams responded by returning to England with John Clarke (1609-20 Apr 1676) the same year in 1651 to defend the colony’s charter. Just weeks earlier the parliament was busy with religious matters. Specifically, the powers of the church.
Roger Williams was president of the colony from 12 September 1654 to 19 May 1657. Upon his return, Roger Williams was elected the 9th President of the colony from 1654-57. He was able to reunite the factions in the area including Pawtuxet rejoining in 1658. Before and after he held many colony and town offices. During this time
President of the Colony Read More »
In July 1663, King Charles II granted a Royal Charter to the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations uniting Providence, Warwick, Newport and Portsmouth. It became the State of Rhode Island after the Revolutionary War. John Clarke, who stayed behind after Roger returned in 1654, worked hard and deserves much of the credit.
Founder, Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Read More »
The King Philip’s War started on Jun 20, 1675, and ended on Apr 12, 1678. An elderly Roger Williams played a key role in the conflict. At the urging of Roger Williams, the Narragansett natives maintained neutrality during the early months of King Phillip’s War. Later in 1676, a large army of about 3,500 native warriors led by chief
1675-1678: The King Philip’s War Read More »
Sometime in 1676, Roger’s wife Mary died in Providence. She reached 66 years of age and died about a year into the King Philips War. I have yet to find a record of how she died.
Death of Wife Mary Read More »
Roger lived a long productive life. On May 6, 1682, when he was about 80, he wrote to Governor Bradstreet saying: “I am old and weak and bruised (with rupture and colic), and lameness on both feet.” –Roger Williams Roger died in his beloved Providence between January 15, 1683 and April 1, 1683, at the age of about 80
PEMBROKE COLLEGE. Cambridge. England. On June 29, 1623, Roger Williams registered as a student. He obtained his degree in 1626. Pembroke Hall. Brown University commemorates this fact by its name.
R.W. Registers at Pembroke College Read More »
In 1634, Roger Williams moved to Salem and was the assistant to Pastor Samuel Skelton (1592-1634). He moved there at a time when Pastor Skelton was ill. The Pastor died soon after Roger arrived. Roger Williams was appointed their teacher and was finally empowered with authority. Over the next year, Roger preached separation of church
Teacher and Minister of Salem Read More »
