Episode 7 | A Lively Experiment

After Connecticut finds a way to steal a third of Rhode Island's land, John Clarke fights to keep their colony intact.  

24 minutes | 1660 - 1663

Hear About:

📜The history of the Narragansett tribe's economic challenges

📜How Connecticut managed to steal all of present day Washington County from Rhode Island

📜How John Clarke regained Rhode Island's land from Connecticut

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Key Historical Figures Introduced
canonicus

Pessicus

When Canonicus and Miantonomi passed away, Pessicus became one of the head Sachems of the Narragansett Nation.  Unfortunately, just as he was taking over his tribe began experiencing some severe economic challenges. 
Connecticut

John Winthrop Jr.

Son of the Massachusetts Bay Governor who despised Roger Williams beliefs in religious freedom and the man who helped get Connecticut a charter that added all of present day Washington County to their territory

Visit Locations From the Show

Pettaquamscutt Rock| South Kingstown, RI

During the mid 17th century the Narragansett Nation fell into an economic depression.  In 1662 they ended up defaulting on their loan from a group of Massachusetts proprietors known as the Atherton Company.  This was deeply upsetting for the Narragansetts because they had backed up the loan with the land that their tribe lived on.  It was at Pettaquamscutt rock where their Sachem, Pessicus, handed over the Narragansetts land to the Atherton Company.

Wickford

Wickford Village | North Kingstown, RI

In 1659, a group of Massachusetts proprietors known collectively as the Atherton Company, purchased a large tract of land on the western shores of Narragansett Bay.  When these men found out that their land had just been removed from Rhode Island and added to the Connecticut Colony they were thrilled as they wanted nothing to do with the religious outcasts.  In fact, they were so happy that they named one of their settlements after the Connecticut Governor's wife's hometown of Wickford, England. 

Windmist Farm-1

Windmist Farm | Jamestown, RI

In 1657, William Coddington and a group of other investors purchased Conanicut Island from the Narragansetts.  One of the original farms on the island was built by the Weeden family in the later 17th century.  That farm still stands there today but it's now known as the Windmist Farm.  

Maps, Graphs, and Images
Washington County removed from RI

Connecticut Steals Washington County from RI | 1662 - 1663

In 1662, Connecticut obtained a new charter from the English monarchy that removed present day Washington County from Rhode Island and added it to their colony instead.  Thankfully, John Clarke protested the decision and won Rhode Island their land back just a year later.

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Charter for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations | July 1663

In July of 1663, John Clarke obtained a royal charter for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.  The amount of liberty granted to the Rhode Islanders was incredible.  They were not only allowed to grant their citizens complete religious liberty but their government was also allowed to operate as a democracy.  It was truly a "lively experiment". 

What This Episode Doesn't Tell You
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Roger Williams' debate with the Quakers

By 1672, Roger Williams had become fed up with the Quakers of Newport and their non-conventional religious beliefs.  However, since he was an ardent believer of religious freedom he never even considered banning them from Rhode Island.  Instead, at the age of 69, he traveled 20 miles from Providence to Newport and debated them for 10 hours.  When nothing was resolved in the first debate he invited them to Providence so that the debate could continue.  While Massachusetts was hanging Quakers who dared to protest in their colony, Roger Williams not only welcomed them into Rhode Island but engaged with them in a civil manner.  Although the two sides never came to an agreement, the way Williams dealt with those he disagreed with should act as a timeless lesson for all today. 
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