Rhode Island Governor Candidates

Rhode Island Candidates for Governor

Rhode Island Governor Candidates

Governor Candidates

History of Rhode Island- Information every Candidate for Governor Should Know:

Rhode Island was first discovered when French explorer Giovanni da Verrazano landed on what is known today as Narragansett Bay. He reported back to France that the area was a lush and lavish land and compared it, and nearby Block Island, to the Rhodes Island near France. Consequently, it is believed that is where the state’s name originated.

However, after the writings of Verrazano, there are 90 years with no European recorded writings about Rhode Island. By the 1600’s many colonist had settled in the New World in search of religious freedom and opportunity to do things without interference of the rigidness of English society and the lure of monetary gain. In 1635, William Blackstone, unimpressed with life in Boston, moved to Cumberland, Rhode Island; but as he had little interest in community, he is not given any recognition for the establishment of the colony of Rhode Island (even though he was the first English settler). It was not until 1636 that Roger Williams negotiated with the Indian tribes, and was able to obtain the land tract that he named Providence. This Community became the 1st permanent settlement in Rhode Island.

In 1638, Anne Hutchinson, her husband and 16 children, along with several others left Massachusetts to set up a new community where they could practice their beliefs as they choose. Consequently, Rhode Island’s 2nd permanent settlement, Portsmouth, was begun. A year later, several Portsmouth families left and moved south where they established the 3rd Rhode Island colony of Newport. In 1642, the settlement of Shawomet (later called Warrick) was established by Samuel Groton and his religious followers.

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