
c. 1603 – 1683
Roger Williams
The preacher who founded Rhode Island so people could believe as they wished.
The Story
Roger came to America hoping to worship freely, but the colonies had strict rules.
He said everyone should get to follow their own beliefs, even if others disagreed.
For saying so, he was banished into the winter woods.
The Narragansett tribe took him in and helped him start a brand-new town.
He called it Providence, and it grew into Rhode Island — a place of freedom for everyone.