Patience Island facts for kids
Patience Island is a small, quiet island located near Prudence Island in Rhode Island. It is part of the town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The island covers about 0.33 square miles (0.85 square kilometers). This makes it the fourth-largest island in Narragansett Bay. There is only one small house on Patience Island. This house does not have electricity from the main power lines. Other than that, no one lives on the island.
Island History
The name "Patience Island" was given by early settlers like Roger Williams. He was an important leader in the founding of Rhode Island. He named this island and others nearby. Long ago, children in colonial schools would often say a poem: "Patience, Prudence, Hope, and Despair. And the little Hog over there."
Patience Island was given as a gift by the Narragansett Native American people. They gave it to Roger Williams and Arthur Steere. Arthur Steere was an important political leader in Rhode Island. He was one of the first senators. Arthur Steere never lived on the island himself. However, his family members, Earle and Clark Steere, were the last to live in the old farmhouse there. Today, the island is very wild. It is covered with many vines and thick bushes.
Wildlife and Nature
Patience Island is home to many New England cottontail rabbits. These rabbits live in a large group called a warren. There is a special program to help these rabbits. This program aims to bring back their numbers. The New England cottontail is a species that needs protection. It is being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This act helps protect animals that are at risk of disappearing forever.
