List of early settlers of Rhode Island facts for kids

The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the first places in America where people could live freely and practice any religion they chose. This article shares lists of the first people who settled here before the year 1700. Most lists show the earliest residents of a specific town or area.

Native American Tribes and Their Leaders

Before European settlers arrived, several Native American tribes lived in the area that became Rhode Island. They had their own leaders and ways of life.

Ninigret in 1681

The Wampanoag people lived in what is now Bristol, Rhode Island, and parts of Plymouth Colony.

• Massasoit: A very important tribal leader who met the Pilgrims when they first arrived.
• Wamsutta: Massasoit's son, also known as Alexander. He became a leader after his father but died soon after.
• Metacomet: Another son of Massasoit, known as Philip. He became a leader after his brother and started King Philip's War.

The Narragansett people lived all over the Rhode Island colony.

• Canonicus: A chief leader who gave land to Roger Williams. This land became the first settlement of Providence.
• Miantonomo: Canonicus's nephew. He sold land to Samuel Gorton and others, which became the town of Warwick.
• Canonchet: Miantonomo's son. He led the Narragansetts during a big battle called the Great Swamp Fight.
• Pumham: A lesser leader in Kent County, Rhode Island.
• Soconoco: Another lesser leader from the same area as Pumham.

The Niantic people lived near the Pawcatuck River in the southwestern part of Rhode Island.

• Ninigret: He wisely kept his tribe neutral during King Philip's War, meaning they didn't pick a side.
• Harman Garrett: An Indian governor and Ninigret's nephew.

The Nipmuc people often moved through the Rhode Island Colony, mostly from the north.

First European Settlers

• William Blackstone: He was the very first European to settle alone in the area. He lived along the Blackstone River in what is now Cumberland, Rhode Island, around 1634–1635. At that time, this land was part of the Plymouth Colony.

The First Settlers of Providence

Narragansett Indians receiving Roger Williams

Roger Williams was a minister who was asked to leave the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 because of his beliefs about religious freedom. He found shelter with the Wampanoag people. He bought land from Chief Massasoit in an area called Seekonk.

In 1636, Roger Williams and a few friends planted crops in Seekonk. However, the governor of Plymouth Colony told them they were still in Plymouth's territory. He suggested they move across the Seekonk River into Narragansett land, where no colony had a claim.

The original 1636 deed for Providence, signed by Canonicus

Roger Williams and his group moved and settled in what became Providence. This happened around April 1636. They bought the land from the Narragansett leaders.

Here are the people who were likely the very first settlers in Providence:

• Roger Williams (his wife Mary and daughters Mary and Freeborn came later)
• William Harris (his wife Susannah and son Andrew came later)
• John Smith (his wife Alice and children John Jr. and Elizabeth came later)
• Francis Wickes (a young person)
• Thomas Angell (a young person)
• Joshua Verin (his wife Jane may have come later)

The Arnold family also arrived around this time:

• William Arnold with his wife Christian, daughter Joanne, and sons Stephen and Benedict
• William Carpenter with his wife Elizabeth (who was William Arnold's daughter)
• William Mann with his wife Frances Hopkins (who was William Arnold's niece)
• Thomas Hopkins, a young person and nephew of William Arnold. He was an ancestor of future Governor Stephen Hopkins.

Providence Civil Compact of 1637

As more people joined the Providence settlement, some younger men wanted to have the same rights as the older settlers, like being able to vote. So, on August 20, 1637, they created an agreement called the "civil compact." This agreement stated that everyone who wanted to live in Providence would agree to follow the rules made for the good of the community.

Here are some of the people who signed this important agreement:

• Richard Scott
• William Reynolds
• John Field
• Chad Browne
• John Warner
• George Richard
• Edward Cope
• Thomas Angell (now an adult)
• Thomas Harris
• Francis Wickes (now an adult)
• Benedict Arnold (now an adult)
• Joshua Winsor
• William Wickenden

Original Land Owners of Providence

These individuals were named in a land deed from Roger Williams around October 8, 1638. They were considered the original owners of land in Providence.

• Roger Williams
• Stukeley Westcott
• William Arnold
• Thomas James
• Robert Coles
• John Greene
• John Throckmorton
• John Sweet
• William Harris
• William Carpenter
• Thomas Olney
• Francis Weston
• Richard Waterman
• Ezekiel Holyman

Early Settlers of Pawtuxet

Pawtuxet River near where the Arnolds settled

Around 1638, some settlers left Providence to create a new settlement on the north side of the Pawtuxet River. From 1642 to 1658, this area was under the control of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Here are some of the Pawtuxet settlers:

• William Arnold
• Benedict Arnold (later moved to Newport in 1651)
• William Carpenter
• Thomas Hopkins
• William Mann
• Robert Coles
• William Harris
• Zachariah Rhodes
• William Field
• Stukeley Westcott (later moved to Warwick)

Providence Agreement for a Government, 1640

Town layout of Providence showing land plots of many of the earliest settlers

On July 27, 1640, 39 settlers in Providence signed an agreement to officially form a government for their town. This was an important step in organizing the colony.

Here are some of the people who signed this agreement:

• Chad Brown
• Robert Coles
• William Harris
• John Throckmorton
• Stukely Westcott
• Benedict Arnold
• William Carpenter
• Richard Scott
• Thomas Harris
• Francis Wickes
• Thomas Angell
• Adam Goodwin
• William Burrows
• Roger Williams
• Robert West
• Joshua Winsor
• Robert Williams
• Mathew Waller
• Gregory Dexter
• John Lippitt
• John Warner
• John Field
• William Arnold
• William Field
• Edward Cope
• Edward Manton
• William Man
• Nicholas Power
• William Reynolds
• Thomas Olney
• Richard Waterman
• William Wickenden
• Edward Hart
• Hugh Bewit
• Thomas Hopkins
• Joan Tiler (a widow)
• Jane Sears (a widow)
• Christopher Unthank
• William Hawkins

Early Settlers of Wickford

Smith's Castle, home of Richard Smith

The area known as Wickford, which was part of the "Narragansett country" (now North Kingstown), had early trading posts. These posts were important for trading with Native Americans.

• Richard Smith: He built a trading post around 1637. His house, Smith's Castle, still stands today.
• Roger Williams: He also built a trading post about a mile north of Smith's. He used it from 1644 to 1651, then sold it to Smith to help fund a trip to England.
• Mr. Wilcox (possibly Edward or John): He built a trading post in the early 1640s in the same area.

Founders of Portsmouth

Portsmouth Compact

Many people who supported Anne Hutchinson signed the Portsmouth Compact on March 7, 1638. Anne Hutchinson was a religious leader who was also banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for her beliefs. These people then founded the town of Portsmouth.

• William Coddington
• John Clarke
• William Hutchinson (Anne Hutchinson's husband)
• John Coggeshall
• William Aspinwall
• Samuel Wilbore
• John Porter
• John Sanford
• Edward Hutchinson, Jr. (Anne and William Hutchinson's oldest son)
• Thomas Savage
• William Dyer (husband of Mary Dyer)
• William Freeborn
• Philip Shearman
• John Walker
• Richard Carder
• William Baulston
• Edward Hutchinson, Sr. (William Hutchinson's brother)
• Henry Bull
• Randall Holden

Four other names were on the list but crossed out: Thomas Clarke, John Johnson, William Hall, and John Brightman. However, these men still came to Portsmouth or Newport.

Early Residents of Aquidneck Island (1638)

Aquidneck Island, later officially named Rhode Island, was settled by many people in 1638. The entire colony eventually took its name from this island. The lists below show some of the earliest residents of Pocasset (later Portsmouth) and Newport.

These people agreed to live on Aquidneck Island and follow the government established there, based on the word of God:

These people were admitted as residents in the town of Newport after May 20, 1638:

Residents of Portsmouth After the Split with Newport

Anne Hutchinson/Mary Dyer Memorial Herb Garden at Founders' Brook Park, Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Some settlers left Portsmouth to found Newport. The people listed below stayed in Portsmouth and signed an agreement for their own government on April 30, 1639.

Founders of Newport

Henry Bull house, built around 1639, from a 1900 post card

These individuals signed an agreement to create a new government for the town of Newport on April 28, 1639.

• William Coddington
• Nicholas Easton
• John Coggeshall
• William Brenton
• John Clarke
• Jeremy Clarke (his wife was Frances (Latham) Clarke)
• Thomas Hazard
• Henry Bull
• William Dyer

Founders of Warwick

Samuel Gorton's house, built after King Philip's War

These people bought land from the Native Americans on January 12, 1642, to establish the town of Warwick.

• Randall Holden
• John Greene
• John Wickes
• Francis Weston
• Samuel Gorton
• Richard Waterman
• John Warner
• Richard Carder
• Samson Shotten
• Robert Potter
• William Wodell
• Nicholas Power
• John Sweet

Pettaquamscutt Land Purchasers

Pettaquamscutt Purchase in 1724

These individuals bought the Pettaquamscutt lands (which later became South Kingstown) from the Native American leaders in 1657.

Original purchasers:

• John Porter
• Samuel Wilbore
• Thomas Mumford
• Samuel Wilson
• John Hull (a goldsmith and coin maker from Boston)

Later purchasers:

• William Brenton
• Benedict Arnold

In 1659, another group formed the Atherton Trading Company. They also claimed rights to land in the Narragansett area, including Wickford. However, their claim was later declared invalid.

Early Settlers of New Shoreham (Block Island)

Plaque showing both the names of the original purchasers, and names of the first settlers of Block Island

Block Island, also known as New Shoreham, was purchased in April 1661. A plaque on the island lists the original purchasers and the first settlers.

The original purchasers of Block Island:

• Thomas Terry
• John Clarke
• William Jud
• Samuel Dearing
• Simon Ray
• William Tosh
• Tormut Rose
• William Barker
• Daniel Cumball
• William Cohoone
• Duncan Mack Williamson
• John Rathbun
• Edward Vorce, Jun.
• Trustrum Dodge, Sen.
• Nicholas White
• William Billings
• John Ackurs (Acres)

The early settlers whose names appear on the plaque:

• Richard Billingum
• Samuel Dearing
• Nathaniel Winslow
• Tormut Rose
• Edward Vorce
• John Rathbun
• Thomas Faxson
• Richard Allis
• Phillip Warton
• John Glover
• Thomas Terry
• James Sands
• Hugh Williams
• John Alcock
• Peter George
• Simon Ray
• Trustrum Dodge (also an original purchaser)

People Named in the Royal Charter of 1663

Rhode Island's Royal Charter of 1663

The Rhode Island Royal Charter was a very important document signed by King Charles II on July 8, 1663. This charter gave Rhode Island the right to govern itself and was the basis for its government for almost 200 years. Many early Rhode Island residents were named in this document.

• Author: John Clarke (he helped write the charter)
• Governor: Benedict Arnold
• Deputy Governor: William Brenton

Assistants (who helped the Governor):

• William Baulston
• John Porter
• Roger Williams
• Thomas Olney
• John Smith
• John Greene
• John Coggeshall
• James Barker
• William Field
• Joseph Clarke

Other important people named in the document:

• William Codington
• Nicholas Easton
• Samuel Gorton
• John Wickes
• Gregory Dexter
• Randall Holden
• John Roome
• Samuel Wildbore
• Richard Tew
• Thomas Harris
• William Dyre
• Rainsborrow (first name not given)
• Williams (likely Robert Williams, Roger Williams's brother)
• John Nickson

Early Residents of Westerly

The town of Westerly, first called Misquamicut, was bought on August 27, 1661, by men from Newport.

• William Vaughan
• John Coggeshall, Jr.
• John Crandall
• Hugh Mosher
• James Barker
• Caleb Carr
• James Rogers
• Joseph Torry
• John Cranston

Of these, only John Crandall seems to have settled in Westerly.

Here are some Westerly residents from town records dated May 18, 1669:

Colonial Leaders During King Philip's War

Garrison house being attacked during King Philip's War

King Philip's War (1675-1676) was a very difficult and destructive time for the colonies. The Rhode Island General Assembly, which was the government, asked for advice from 16 important citizens. They wanted their wisdom to help the colony during these hard times.

These are the people whose advice was sought:

• Benedict Arnold
• John Clarke
• James Barker
• Obadiah Holmes
• William Vaughan
• William Hiscocks
• Christopher Holder
• Phillip Shearman
• Capt. John Albro
• William Wodell
• George Lawton
• Robert Hodgson
• William Carpenter
• Gregory Dexter
• Capt. Randall Holden
• Capt. John Greene

Original Land Owners of East Greenwich

In May 1677, the General Assembly met in Newport. They gave 100-acre pieces of land in East Greenwich to 48 individuals. This was to thank them for their service during King Philip's War.

Early Settlers of Bristol (1680)

Bristol started as a business venture. John Gorham was promised land if he could buy it fairly from the Native Americans. This happened on September 18, 1680, when four owners received the deed to the Mount Hope Lands.

• John Walley
• Nathaniel Byfield
• Stephen Burton
• Nathaniel Oliver (who sold his share to Nathan Hayman)
• Nathan Hayman

On August 27, 1680, twelve men signed an agreement to buy lands:

• Capt. Benjamin Church
• Doctor Isaac Waldron
• Timothy Clarke
• William Ingraham
• Nathaniel Paine
• Nathaniel Reynolds
• Christopher Saunders
• John Wilkins
• Nathaniel Williams
• Samuel Woodbury
• Nathaniel Bosworth
• Benjamin Jones

By September 1, 1681, over 60 families were present at the first town meeting. They named the area Bristol, after Bristol, England. Bristol was originally part of Massachusetts but became part of Rhode Island in 1747 after a land dispute.

Here are some of the early families in Bristol:

Settlers of Frenchtown

Original plat map of Frenchtown

In 1687, French Protestants called Huguenots settled in what is now East Greenwich. They had to leave France because they were being persecuted for their religion. On October 12, 1686, an agreement was signed between the French settlers and the landowners.

Representing the Land Owners:

• Richard Wharton
• Elisha Hutchinson (son of Edward Hutchinson)
• John Saffin

Representing the Huguenot Settlers:

• Ezechiel Carre'
• Peter Le Breton

Those who signed the agreement: The following individuals signed the agreement, often using only their last names. These names are also found on a map of the settlement.

The map also shows land set aside for "La terre pour L'Eglise" (land for the church) and "La terr pour L'ecolle" (land for the school). Most of these French families later moved to Massachusetts and New York after facing problems with the English settlers. However, two families stayed on their original land:

• LeMoine (their name later changed to Money, then Mawney)
• Targe' (their name became Tourgee)

The Ayrault family moved to Newport.

Other Important Early Settlers (Before 1700)

Here are some other notable individuals who settled in Rhode Island before the year 1700:

• Jireh Bull: An early settler of Pettaquamscutt (South Kingstown).
• Thomas Cornell (settler)
• Joseph Jenckes Jr.: An early settler in Pawtucket, Warwick, and Providence.
• Stephen Northup: He built a house that is still one of the oldest in the state.
• John Steere: An early settler of Providence and Smithfield, Rhode Island.
• Pardon Tillinghast: An early pastor of the First Baptist Church in America.
• John Whipple: An early settler of Providence.
• Reverend William Vaughn: The first Baptist minister in Newport.
• Reverend Thomas Dungan: A Baptist minister in Newport.
• Captain Arthur Fenner: He helped establish Rhode Island's boundaries and was a military leader in Providence Plantations during King Philip's War.

See also

• History of Rhode Island
• Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations