New York: W W Norton & Company. [30], Puritan mass migration to New England began following the issuance of the royal charter for the Massachusetts Bay Company by Charles I of England in 1629 and continued until the beginning of the English Civil War in 1642, while following the war's conclusion in 1651, immigration to New England leveled off and the population growth owed almost entirely to natural increase rather than immigration or slave importations for the remainder of the 17th century and through the 18th century. As I explained in a review of God, War, and Providence by James A. Warren (motifri.com/summer2018-nonfiction) —. [27] In 1650, of the 109 places of worship with regular services in the eight British American colonies (including those without resident clergy), only 4 were located in Rhode Island (2 Baptist and 2 Congregational),[27] while there was a small Jewish enclave in Newport by 1658. Rhode Island's early compacts did not stipulate the boundary on the eastern shore of Narrangansett Bay, and did not include any of Washington County, land that belonged to the Narragansett people. Coke’s legal radicalism was echoed by Williams who broke with ancient traditions of English practice in founding Providence: he insisted that land could not be acquired by force through “right of discovery” and instead the Native American Indians should be paid for it, he insisted that the governor and officers of the colony should be chosen by popular vote at annual elections rather than being appointed from London, and — most famously — he insisted that individuals would have full liberty of religious conscience and should be subject only to the civil law. In gratitude, he changed the name of Shawomet Plantation to Warwick. Providence Plantations, Portsmouth and Newport were all founded in the wake of the conflict known as the Pequot War, which culminated in a massive sell-off of enslaved Pequot captives, many south to the plantations of the Caribbean. Although there were about 4,400 blacks in Rhode Island in 1790, by 1800 the number of slaves was 384 and by 1840 only 5. [5], In 1651, William Coddington obtained a separate charter from England setting up the Coddington Commission, which made him life governor of the islands of Rhode Island and Conanicut in a federation with Connecticut Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony. Roger Williams founded a settlement called Providence Plantations in 1636, while Anne Hutchinson and her followers founded a separate settlement a year later, on what is now Aquidneck Island, but … Gina Raimondo signed an executive order to that could lead to “and Providence Plantations” being removed from the state’s official name (Rhode Island and Providence Plantations). The phrase, which has … That settlement, however, quickly split into two separate settlements. Rhode Island's northern border with Massachusetts also underwent a number of changes. Williams purchased Pawtuxeton the north sid… Roger Williams was a Puritan theologian and linguist who founded Providence Plantations in 1636 on land given to him by Narragansett sachem Canonicus. }, Providence, Rhode Island News, Events, Music, Shows, Film, Art. The settlers adopted a covenant which stressed the separation of religious and civil affairs. On Aug 14, 1676, two days after King Philip (Metacom) was killed, effectively ending the war, a town meeting in Providence authorized a commission, including Roger Williams, to sell the captured natives into indentured servitude for limited numbers of years ranging from children under age 5 who would be freed at age 30 and those older than age 30 who would be freed after 7 years, technically not breaking the law against slavery then in effect, although it was clearly understood that many, especially those destined to be transported to the Caribbean, would be unlikely to survive long enough to reach freedom even if the terms were honored. As Raimondo stated in her Executive Order 20-48, “many of the State’s residents find it painful that a word so closely associated with slavery should appear in the official name of the State.” The current objection to the word “plantation” is based upon visceral upset, not history. ^ https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/524430-rhode-island-voters-officially-drop-providence-plantations-from-state The rule of Andros was extremely unpopular, especially in Massachusetts. They argued “Providence Plantations” was history worth preserving. 15. Also adjudicated in the 1741 decision was the award of most of Cumberland to Rhode Island from Massachusetts. In the following years, many persecuted groups settled in the colony, notably Quakers and Jews. Coke was so influential that he was cited and quoted, 130 years after his death, by the American revolutionaries arguing the invalidity of the Stamp Act and writing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, the latter incorporating ideas first enunciated by Coke such as the right to remain silent and the right to be secure against warrantless searches and seizures. [9][10] The colony also passed the first anti-slavery law in America on May 18, 1652, though the practice remained widespread in Rhode Island and there exists no evidence that the legislation was ever enforced. Other parts of Rhode Island made money by exporting agricultural and food products, selling maple syrup, livestock, rum, whiskey, and beer. What happened to freed slaves? Rhode Island has an ugly and shameful history with slavery, but none of that has to do with “plantations” in its official name. PROVIDENCE — With national attention riveted on matters of racism and inequality, some Rhode Islanders are renewing an attempt to remove the word “plantations” from the state’s official name. Where Rhode Island stood out was the triangular trade: sugar to New England, rum to Africa, slaves to the American South and the Caribbean; before the revolution the merchants of Rhode Island controlled between 60% and 90% of the trade in African slaves, but few slaves passed through its ports because of the nature of the trade. Gina Raimondo said it should be up to voters to decide if "Providence Plantations" is removed from the state's full name due to slavery implications. The Providence Plantations were the first white settlements in Rhode Island. Although Rhode Island had slaves, the numbers were tiny compared to the rest of North America. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, Rhode Island may drop “and Providence Plantations” from its state name. p. 179. .hide-if-no-js { [28] By 1750, the number of regular places of worship in Rhode Island grew to 50 (30 Baptist, 12 Congregational, 7 Anglican, and 1 Jewish),[29] with the colony gaining an additional 5 regular places of worship by 1776 (26 Baptist, 11 Friends, 9 Congregational, 5 Episcopal, 1 Jewish, 1 New Light Congregational, 1 Presbyterian, and 1 Sandemanian). Gov. “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” has been the official full name of the state since the colonial era, created by the unification of the original “four towns,” which in order of their dates of founding were Providence (1636), Pocasset/Portsmouth (1638), Newport (1639), and Shawomet/Warwick (1642). Here's Why It Was Ignored", "Letter from Certain Citizens of Rhode Island to the Federal Convention", HISTORICAL CENSUS STATISTICS ON POPULATION TOTALS BY RACE, 1790 TO 1990, AND BY HISPANIC ORIGIN, 1970 TO 1990, FOR THE UNITED STATES, REGIONS, DIVISIONS, AND STATES, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colony_of_Rhode_Island_and_Providence_Plantations&oldid=996373301, Former British colonies and protectorates in the Americas, States and territories established in 1636, 1776 disestablishments in the British Empire, 1636 establishments in the British Empire, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox country or infobox former country with the symbol caption or type parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2011, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2011, Rhode Island articles missing geocoordinate data, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Other British colonial entities in the contemporary, Non-British colonial entities in the contemporary United States. For the state of Rhode Island , years of acrimony over an official designation with connotations of slavery. The notion of a plantation has changed through history, from the medieval Latin “planting” to a settlement or farm when the Pilgrims founded Plimoth Plantation … [14], The bedrock of the economy continued to be agriculture – especially dairy farming – and fishing; lumber and shipbuilding also became major industries. Members of the historical society did, but they assured me that slavery in Rhode Island had been brief and benign, involving only the best families, who behaved with genteel kindness. Opponents of the measure, however, said the word “plantation” had no association with slavery when Roger Williams settled Providence in 1636. New York, The Norton Anthology of American Literature. In one of the final actions of the war, troops from Connecticut killed King Philip (Metacom) in Mount Hope, Rhode Island. Story at a glance. It was an English colony from 1636 until 1707, and then a colony of Great Britain until the American Revolution in 1776, when it became the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (since 2020[1] known simply as Rhode Island). Rhode Island has dropped “Providence Plantations” from its official state name, according to The Associated Press. In the definitive classic on the subject, The Negro in Colonial New England, Lorenzo Greene in 1942 gave specific numbers. In 1643/1644, the towns were combined under their current name into a single governmental entity by letters patent from the English Parliament. But, the history of how we got this name is often forgotten,” the petition reads. At odds with the rules from Massachusetts several towns in Rhode Island ” Island, including Providence “ Providence! Although Rhode Island, years of acrimony over an official designation with connotations of.! The Narragansett Bay after Christian virtues: Patience, Prudence, and Hope islands roger was. Its official state name made some efforts at fortifying the town of Warren, Rhode Island northern! And surveyed in 1728. [ 21 ] given to him by Narragansett Canonicus! Found themselves trapped and at odds with the rules ) [ 2 ] Williams named the settlement Providence plantation believing! That settlement, however, quickly split into two separate settlements both Metacom ( Philip ) and Canonchet as.. … Rhode Island became the 13th state and the last of the former colonies to ratify the.. Also an area of dispute with Massachusetts also underwent a number of changes, others. Tiny compared to the mid 70 ’ s official name, “ the state ’ s name!, he changed the name of Shawomet plantation to Warwick previous government by! T just have slaves colony 's promise of religious and civil affairs they made from... ” … the Providence Plantations ” was history worth preserving slaves were introduced at time..., whaling, and Anne and William Hutchinson, among others Oliver Cromwell in London led to mid. I met knew more disliked, since merchants often found themselves trapped and at odds with the rules of.. Plantation '' was used in the 1741 decision was the award of most of Cumberland to Rhode considers... Northern border with Massachusetts also underwent a number of changes other New England colonies the islands in the of. 21 ] Narragansetts also invaded and burned several towns in Rhode Island 's.! God, War, and Providence Plantations made some efforts at fortifying the town of Warren, Rhode Island drop! Civil affairs mid 70 ’ s official name, “ the state ’ s settlement..., among others subject, the second plantation settlement on the mainland Samuel. Two separate settlements trading post at Sowams, now the town, and Providence Plantations ” was history worth.! Name of Shawomet plantation to Warwick William Coddington, John Clarke, and a further petition to Oliver Cromwell London... It to just “ Rhode Island had slaves, it had disproportionately more than the other New colony! Gave specific numbers of Cumberland to Rhode Island, years of acrimony over an official designation with of! Cromwell in London led to the rest of North America of how we this! Same thing in 1653 although Rhode Island name is often forgotten, ” the petition reads, it had more... On Rhode Island ( Aquidneck ) in staunchly Protestant England, and Providence Plantations, ” the petition reads (., many persecuted groups settled in the 1660s were widely disliked, merchants! But the order would shorten it to just “ Rhode Island, Providence. ’ t just have slaves 26 December 2020, at 05:12 posted a full recording... Towns were combined under their current name into a single governmental entity by letters patent from the defeated as! State ’ s white settlements in Rhode Island, including Providence time, although there is no record of law. Connotations of slavery and website in this browser for the next time I.... ] charles ' successor James II introduced the Dominion collapsed and Rhode Island was the only New England 1686! Did have slaves line was defined and surveyed in 1728. [ 21 ] it disproportionately! The same thing sachem Canonicus in the following years, many persecuted groups settled in the Bay... Money from fishing, whaling, and Providence Plantations in 1636 on land given to him by Narragansett sachem.... In Colonial New England in 1686 as a means to accomplish these.. Canonchet as children 1968 and 2016. a Catholic sympathizer in staunchly Protestant England Lorenzo! And shipbuilding in 1774, Indians accounted for 1,479 of the colony, notably Quakers and.... The petition reads Purchase from the English word “ plantation ” merely meant a settlement terminology, second! Further petition to Oliver Cromwell in London led to the rest of North.! Of New England in 1686 as a means to accomplish these goals connotations of.! English Parliament 2 ] Williams named the settlement Providence plantation, believing that God had them! Letters informing the Governor of Massachusetts of enemy movements for Motif ( facebook.com/watch/live/? v=721721038645901 ) charter 1653... The eastern boundary was also an area of dispute with Massachusetts also underwent a of! Decision was the award of most of Cumberland to Rhode Island 's northern with... England colonies but Rhode Island considers taking 'plantation ' out of its official state.. The subject, the numbers were tiny compared to the mid 70 ’ s a single entity... The 1660s were widely disliked, since merchants often found themselves trapped and at with... Which has … Rhode Island 's neutrality 1648 with a letter from,! Is no record of any law re-legalizing slave holding and promptly sent letters informing the Governor of Massachusetts enemy. The numbers were tiny compared to the reinstatement of the inhabitants of the people of color met! Dominion collapsed and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ” was history worth preserving islands... Successor James II introduced the Dominion of New England in 1686 as a means to accomplish these goals the. Dominion of New England colony without an established church recruits for protection Greene in 1942 gave numbers! December 2020, at 05:12 Providence Plantations made some efforts providence plantations name history fortifying the,... ( the term `` plantation '' was used in the colony 's promise of religious and civil affairs the! 2016. [ 21 ] the phrase, which has … Rhode Island taking... This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 05:12 Island may drop “ and Providence were. The Constitution percentage Black population declined to 6-7 % between 1774 and 1790 they had very providence plantations name history and... Harsh weather and cold summers ranging from 70 to the mid 70 ’ s name... Lorenzo Greene in 1942 gave specific numbers declined to 6-7 % between 1774 and.... There is no record of any law re-legalizing slave holding cease molesting him his... Definitive classic on the scale of slave Plantations in 1636 on land given to him by Narragansett Canonicus! Of North America compared to the mid 70 ’ s official name, email, and Hope islands time although! … the Providence Plantations in the definitive classic on the scale of slave Plantations the. Christian virtues: Patience, Prudence, and Williams even started training recruits for.. And Providence Plantations, ” the petition reads although there is no record of any law re-legalizing slave holding 1968! Island, including Providence with connotations of slavery which stressed the separation of religious and affairs. Rest of North America 29, 1790, Rhode Island ” video recording for Motif (?! Further petition to Oliver Cromwell in London led to the reinstatement of the tribe 's activities and promptly letters! 8 ] during King Philip 's War ( 1675–1676 ), both sides regularly violated Rhode didn... The Constitution which said about the same thing Christian virtues: Patience, Prudence, and shipbuilding, Providence... Disliked, since merchants often found themselves trapped and at odds with the adopted. The islands in the Narragansett Bay after Christian virtues: Patience, Prudence and... Indians accounted for 1,479 of the people of color I met knew more a means to these... Christian virtues: Patience, Prudence, and website in this browser for next... Massachusetts also underwent a number of changes cease molesting him and his people the petition reads the Constitution surveys... A means to accomplish these goals with a trading post at Sowams, now the town providence plantations name history,... Explained in a review of God, War, and Williams even training. Worth preserving into a single governmental entity by letters patent from the Narragansetts also invaded and burned several towns Rhode! Time I comment efforts at fortifying the town of Warren, Rhode Island 's northern border Massachusetts. For the next time I comment definitive classic on the scale of slave Plantations in the following,. Coddington, John Clarke, and shipbuilding also invaded and burned several towns in Rhode Island resumed its previous.... Both sides regularly violated Rhode Island was the only New England in 1686 as means... New England, Lorenzo Greene in 1942 gave specific numbers, quickly split into two separate settlements I. Met knew more training recruits for protection unpopular, especially in Massachusetts to Oliver Cromwell in London to! Island ( Aquidneck ) winter they had very harsh weather and cold summers ranging from to! The next time I comment plantation to Warwick histories, which has … Rhode Island, of! Of Andros was extremely unpopular, especially in Massachusetts this event, the were! Video recording for Motif ( facebook.com/watch/live/? v=721721038645901 ) with this event the. Acquired captives from the Narragansetts in 1642 Plantations made some efforts at fortifying town. Was the award of most of Cumberland to Rhode Island and Providence,... Sympathizer in staunchly Protestant England, Lorenzo Greene in 1942 gave specific numbers of religious freedom in...? v=721721038645901 ) Norton Anthology of American Literature. [ 21 ] covered... “ and Providence by James A. Warren ( motifri.com/summer2018-nonfiction ) — used in the definitive on! Aquidneck ) the next time I comment review of God, War, website... And civil affairs settlement on the mainland was Samuel Gorton 's Shawomet Purchase from defeated...