Episode 6 | Finding Unity

As internal opponents attempt to destroy Rhode Island from within, Roger Williams fights to keep the Colony of Rhode Island united. 

23 minutes | 1644 - 1658

Hear About:

📜The ineffectivness of Rhode Island's first government

📜When the Colony of Rhode Island once split in two

📜How Roger Williams & John Clarke reunited their fractured colony

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Key Historical Figures Introduced
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John Clarke

John Clarke played a pivotal role in the history of Rhode Island yet we rarely hear about him today.   He not only founded America's second Baptist Church but he also saved Rhode Island from being split in two and by the end of the decade will author Rhode Island's 1662 Charter.
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John Coggeshall

Along with helping to found the towns of Portsmouth and Newport, John Coggeshall was also voted to be the first President of the Rhode Island Colony. 

Visit Locations From the Show

White Horse Tavern | Newport, RI

White Horse Tavern is America's oldest tavern.  It was first built in 1652 by William Coddington's brother in law, Francis Brinley, but in 1673 it was turned into a tavern.  Today that tavern is still in operation and is a great spot for a fantastic dinner and craft cocktails.  William Coddington's resting place is just a block north up Farewell Street. 

Maps, Graphs, and Images
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Rhode Island Splits in Two | 1651

In 17th century New England, Aquidneck Island was known as Rhode Island and the mainland towns were known as the Providence Plantations, hence the Colony's original name; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.  However, William Coddington didn't want the towns on Aquidneck to be united with the mainland towns so in 1651 he convinced the English government to grant him a charter of his own, making the towns of Portsmouth and Newport their own separate colony.  Thankfully, John Clarke helped Roger Williams get Coddington's charter revoked but for an entire year the colony was split in two. 

John Clarke, Founder of the 2nd Baptist Church in America | 1638

In 1638, John Clarke founded the second Baptist Church in America, just months after Roger Williams founded the first.  Clarke founded the church in Newport and their congregation still meets to this very day.  The church that they now worship at was built in the 19th century.  

What This Episode Doesn't Tell You
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Massachusetts hanged 3 Quakers in 1660

Although Rhode Island was happy to welcome the Quakers into their colony with open arms, the Puritans of Massachusetts were not so receptive.  Massachusetts not only created laws restricting their religious rights but also publicly hanged 3 Quakers (Marmaduke Stephenson, William Robinson and Mary Dyer) who refused to stop conducting religious protests in their colony.  Those who were hanged would forever be known as the "Boston martyrs".
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