Rhode Island Colony

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Colonial Rhode Island

This article provides a Rhode Island Colony Fact File providing interesting facts and information at a glance in respect of:

  • Facts about Religion in the Rhode Island Colony
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American Colonies IndexThe First 13 Colonies

History of the Colonization of America and the original 13 Colonies

Rhode Island Colony: The Establishment and Settlement of the 13 original colonies
 

The Rhode Island Colony
The Rhode Island Colony was one of the original 13 colonies located on the Atlantic coast of North America. The original 13 colonies were divided into three geographic areas consisting of the New England, Middle and Southern colonies. The Rhode Island Colony was classified as one of the New England Colonies. The Province of Rhode Island was an English colony in North America that existed from 1636 until 1776, when it joined the other 12 of the 13 colonies in rebellion against Great Britain and became the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

Founding of the Rhode Island Colony
When was the colony of Rhode Island founded? The Rhode Island Colony was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams and other colonists, such as Anne Hutchinson at Providence.

The Naming of the Rhode Island Colony
Named "Roodt Eylandt" by Adrian Block, the Dutch explorer. The meaning of the name is "red island" referring to the red clay that lined the shore. The name was later changed when the area came under British rule.

 

Map of 13 Colonies Chart

Map of the 13 Colonies

Rhode Island Colony Fact File

FactsSubjectFacts about the Rhode Island Colony
Fact 1History

Year Founded: 1636 by Roger Williams and others, at Providence

 
Fact 2Cities

Major Towns / Cities: Providence

 
Fact 3Industries

Major Industries: Agriculture (livestock, dairy, fishing). Fish included cod, mackerel, herring, halibut, hake,  bass and sturgeon and whales. Manufacturing (lumbering). Breweries and distilleries producing rum
 

 
Fact 4Geography

Geography: Flat rolling hills and lowlands. The basic geography of New England consisted of mountains thick with trees, rivers and poor rocky soil that was difficult to farm and unsuitable for crops
 

 
Fact 5Climate

Climate: New England was the coldest of the three regions, mild and short summers leading to long, cold winters but less disease than in the warmer colonies
 

 
Fact 6Religion

Religion: There was no religious freedom in the areas inhabited by the Puritans as they did not tolerate any other form of religion. Refer to Religion in the Colonies
 

 
Fact 7Raw
Materials

Natural Resources: Fish, whales, forests. Imported agricultural products from other colonies. Farming was difficult for crops like wheat because of the poor soil but corn, pumpkins, rye, squash and beans were raised
 

 
Fact 8Trade

Economics and Trade: Concentrated in manufacture and focussed on town life and industries such as ship building and the manufacture and export of rum. Industries and trade in the New England colonies included fish, whale products, shipping, shipbuilding, timber products, furs, maple syrup, copper, livestock products, horses, rum, whiskey and beer
 

 
Fact 9Government

Government: In 1775 Rhode Island was governed as a Charter Colony.

 
Fact 10History

The first Colonists arrived from England aboard the Ark and the Dove

 
Fact 11Name

Original Name: The original name of the colony was the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, later Rhode Island
 

 
Fact 12Economy

In towns along the coast, the colonists made their living fishing, whaling, and shipbuilding. Whale oil was a valuable resource as it could be used in lamps.
 

 
Fact 13Economy

Farming was difficult for crops like wheat because of the poor soil but corn, pumpkins, rye, squash and beans were planted.
 

 
Fact 14History

In 1636 Roger Williams, a religious exile from Massachusetts, was the founder of Providence as a Rhode Island settlement and was followed by Anne Hutchinson
 

 
Fact 15History

In 1638 the Portsmouth compact was signed

 
Fact 16History

In 1663 King Charles II granted the royal Charter of Rhode Island

 
Fact 17Trade / ExportsFish, timber, furs, ships and livestock 
Fact 18IndustriesBy 1761, Rhode Island, had 22 distilleries and three sugar refineries 
Fact 19HistoryThe Colony became a state on May 29, 1790. For additional facts and info refer to the Change from Colonies to States
 
 
FactsSubjectFacts about the Rhode Island Colony

Rhode Island Colony Fact File

Information and Facts with the Rhode Island Colony Fact File

Fast facts and interesting information about the founding, establishment, geography, climate, religion, history, natural resources, raw material, industries (refer to Colonial Times) and the famous historical people associated with the Rhode Island Colony of Colonial America. Information and facts at a glance about the Rhode Island Colony via this fast fact file.

Rhode Island Colony
The Rhode Island Colony article provides important information and interesting facts at a glance via the fast Facts File about the Rhode Island Colony including the date the colony were established, geography, history, the system of government, religion, trade and the economic activities in the Rhode Island Colony. The history facts provides the names of important people associated with the founding and establishment of the Rhode Island Colony. An easy, helpful educational resource for teachers, kids and children.

Rhode Island Colony

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