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Roger Williams (1602)close

Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, was born in London, England around 1602, one of four children of a merchant. He took religious orders in the Church of England in 1629. Banished from Massachusetts because of his religious beliefs, he founded a settlement he called Providence. His last years were spent as a community leader; he served as town clerk for many years. He died sometime during the winter of 1682.

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