People

 

Painting of colonists around the fresh water spring

Roger Williams is the founder of Rhode Island and a champion of the ideal of religious freedom. Williams, banished from Massachusetts for his beliefs, founded Providence in 1636. This colony served as a “shelter for persons distressed of conscience.” Williams preached that religion must not be subject to regulation by the state but, instead, that it should be a matter of individual conscience.

Learn more about Roger Williams and the people who influenced and inspired him:

 

Roger Williams and Others

Roger Williams

Roger Williams

Learn about Roger Williams' Story

King James I

Learn more about King James I

Sir Edward Coke

Learn more about Sir Edward Coke

John Winthrop

Learn more about John Winthrop

The Narragansett

Learn more about the Narragansett

The Wampanoag

Learn more about the Wampanoag

Anne Hutchinson

Learn more about Anne Hutchinson

Dr. John Clarke

Learn more about Dr. John Clarke

King Charles II

Learn more about King Charles II

Isaac Hahn

Namesake of the Hahn Memorial

Learn about the first Jewish person elected to public office in Rhode Island

Judge Jerome Hahn

A Generous Gift

Judge Jerome Hahn gifted the historic spring to his fellow citizens.

The Puritans

The Puritans

Settlers of Massachusetts Bay