Background
Williams, Roger was born in 1603 in London, England., circa. Son of James and Alice (Pemberton) Williams.
clergyman president of Rhode Island
Williams, Roger was born in 1603 in London, England., circa. Son of James and Alice (Pemberton) Williams.
Bachelor of Arts, Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1627.
Ordained to ministry Church of England, circa 1628. Chaplain to Sir William Masham, Essex, England. At conference of founders of Puritan colony in American, 1629.
Came to American, 1630.
Called to serve in Puritan Church in Boston upon arriving at Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1631, declined to serve. Indulged in severe criticism of Puritans for enforcing religious precepts with powers of civil government, became opponent of regime.
Rulers of colony refused to allow him to become teacher in Church at Salem (Massachusetts) where he had been invited, 1631. Received tolerantly at Plymouth Colony, 1631-1633.
Assumed pastorate Congregation 1633, attacked Puritan expropriation of Indian lands.
Tried by General Court of Massachusetts Bay colony and found guilty of spreading “dangerous opinions,” 1635, banished from colony. Tried to organize Salem congregation into separate colony, 1635, pursued by Puritan Leaders and forced to flee from Massachusetts, winter 1635-1636. With group of followers founded settlement in Rhode Island (Providence), 1636, came to be known for democratic institutions including separation of church and state, town government and religious toleration.
Played vital role in making peace with Indians during Pequot War, 1637.
Became “Seeker” in religious affairs identifying with no sect and accepting only fundamentals of Christianity, 1639. Went to England, 1643, following establishment New England confederation, received patent for governing Narragansett Bay area.
Went to England again, 1652, following Coddington’s attempts to take over government of colony, received commission revoking latter’s authority as governor. President Rhode Island Colony, 1654-1657.
Author: The Bloody Tenet of Persecution (most famous work), 1644.
The Bloody Tenet Yet More Bloody (written in reply to John Cotton), 1652.
Married Mary Barnard, December 15, 1629.