Roger Williams Accomplishments

In a time where lives were lived following under God’s will a man by the name of Roger Williams was no exception. He was a Puritan who became a Baptist and in the end decided to be a Seeker. But there was something that set this man apart from many others. Williams had controversial beliefs that landed him in trouble with others especially in Boston, Massachusetts who frowned upon him. In 1635, Roger Williams stood in trial after he voiced his dangerous views on the separation of the Church and State in Boston, Massachusetts. Williams was sentenced to banishment, who then escaped with a few companions, and created a settlement called Providence on Narragansett Bay. The new colony was religiously free with the Church and State separated. This led to many people, from a variety of religions that were denied, to come and settle.

In 1603 Roger Williams was born to Alice and James Williams in Smithfield London, England. He had an older brother, Sydrach, an older sister Catherine, and a younger brother Robert. His father, James Williams, was a “merchant tailor” while his mother ran an inn in London. Both were known to be successful.

Roger Williams became known as the peacemaker between the two. In 1651 the trading post was sold when opposition arose against the validity of his charter. Roger returned to England with his friend John Clarke to reconfirm the charter. Unfortunately Roger was called home due to family circumstances before 1654. John Clarke stayed and received the Royal Charter on July 8th, 1663 from King Charles ll. Therefore avoiding conflict with William Coddington and fellow colonists in Newport that had before “obtained a charter for a separate colony.” Roger Williams named his colony Rhode Island due to when he was looking at Narragansett Bay it reminded him of the greek island