Rhode Island Colony Founded in: Founder: Roger Williams Made by: Tyler, Andrew, and Jacob!!!

FIRST PEOPLE The Narragansett Indians were the first inhabitants of the lands we know today as Rhode Island. Their villages homed near 100 people. The Narragansett were nomads which means they moved with the seasons. They did their best to stay away from the colonists who invaded their lands.

Rhode Island colonists went there for religious freedom. People of different faiths came to the colony. Leaders of other colonies disliked having these people around their colonies. Massachusetts’ puritan leaders planned to arrest Rodger Williams and send him back to England. Anne Hutchinson was kicked out of Massachusetts for preaching. After she was kicked out she began starting Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The Massachusetts and Connecticut tried to take over some cities in Rhode Island.

Early settlers continued Providence, Portsmouth, Warwick, and Newport needed legal protection. In 1663, King Charles II of England gave a charter. The colony began to grow rapidly.

Rhode Island’s first settlers built farms and houses in the wilderness. People built fences around their homes to keep wild animals out. Daily life was filled with chores. Men cleared land and built homes. Women cooked, cleaned, and raised children. Children would help their parents whenever they could. Children learned adult tasks at very young ages. Education was less important in Rhode Island than in the rest of New England. Many people were Whalers and they were very good at it.

Merchants and craftsmen set up shops along main streets and waterfronts. By the 1760s life for most Rhode Island colonists was tied to trade. There were many jobs. Some were; dock workers, warehouse workers, bookkeepers, farmers, and good transporters. Families produced most of their own food. Corn was the main crop. Colonists also raised animals for meat, eggs, milk, and cheese. Families that lived near Narragansett Bay fished for clams, shrimp, and other seafood.

Work and Trade in the Colony In early years most Rhode Islanders were fishers and farmers. The colonists used their fish and crops for themselves them and did not trade. By the early 1700s some farmers owned large plantations.

Many plantations grew apples, corn, and onions. They sold wool and cheese. Many plantations owners bought slaves from Africa. Many people relied on work and trade for their lives.

Exports Agricultural exports Apples Cattle Corn Dairy products onions Industrial exports ships Natural resource exports Fish Seafood Lumber/wood

Religion In 1658 groups of Jewish settlers began arriving in Newport. Baptist, Jewish, Puritan, and Quaker were the major religions in Rhode Island. In 1763 the Jewish community there finished building Touro Synagogue. This was the first Jewish house of worship in America. By 1739 the colony was home to more than 30 places of worship including Congregationalist, Baptist, Anglican, and Quaker churches.

Community Rhode Island’s charter allowed the colonists to form their own government. Land-owning white men voted for representatives and a governor to make laws. This system worked so well, it went unchanged for 180 years. In 1843, white men who did not own land were also allowed to vote.

Becoming a State By the 1760s the American colonies had busy cities and large plantations. Taxes upset many colonists. They had no say in Britain's government. In 1774 the colonies sent representatives to the Continental Congress.

Statehood Rhode Island became the 13th state of America, May 29, 1790.

Fast Facts Rhode Island was a New England Colony. Rhode Island was named after Cecil Rhodes. In 1774 Rhode Island’s population was 59,678. The first colonies were Providence, Warwick, Newport, Pawtucket, and Bristol. Rhode Island was, and still is today, the smallest American colony. Many New England colonists were minutemen. This meant they were ready to fight at all times. Rhode Island is the ocean state.

Glossary Charter-a written document giving a colony permission to exist. Craftsman-a crafting artist Exports-to ship for sale or trade Inhabitants-the things living in a designated area Invaded-to intrude; to enter uninvited Merchants-people who sell goods Minutemen-soldiers from the revolutionary war that were always ready for battle. Nomads-people who move with the seasons Plantations-large farms Population-how many people lived in an area Preaching-a person who teaches religious ways Puritan- a pilgrim Quaker-a member of a religious group that followed a set of rules Representatives- people who represent a colony

Waterfronts- land on the edge of a body of water Whalers- people who hunted whales.