The Probert Encyclopaedia of Places of the World

PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

The Providence Plantations were former colonies in north america. On March the 14th, 1644, Roger Williams obtained from the Parliamentary Commissioners a patent which associated the towns of Providence, Portsmouth and Newport in one community, though it prescribed no criterion of citizenship, and no form of organization. Massachusetts claimed these settlements in the Narragansett Country, but failed to make good her claim. Plymouth also threatened trouble concerning the ownership of the territory. Roger Williams endeavored to institute a system of government, but the scheme proved a failure at first. The Providence Plantations remained distinct from the Rhode Island colony until they were united under the charter of 1663.
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