The founder of the Providence Plantations, born in Wales, in 1599, and was educated at Oxford. Being a dissenter, he came to America, in the hope of enjoying in freedom his religious opinions. He arrived at Hull, February 5, 1631, and was established at Salem, Massachusetts, as colleague with Mr. Skelton. His peculiar notions soon subjected him to the severest censure. He maintained that the magistrates were bound to grant toleration to all sects of Christians, and in his actions and words avowed the liberality of his principles. After the death of Mr. Skelton, he was sole minister of Salem. Continuing to avow his opinions, which were considered not only heretical, but seditious, he was summoned before the General Court, to answer to numerous charges. He, however, refused to retract any of his opinions, and was accordingly banished, 1635. He first repaired to Seekonk: but, being informed that that territory was within the jurisdiction of Plymouth, he proceeded to Mooshausic, where, with others, in 1636, he began a plantation. The land was honestly purchased of the Indians; and the town, in acknowledgment of the kindness of Heaven, was called Providence. Mr. Williams's benevolence was not confined to his civilized brethren; he learned the language of the Indians, travelled among them, won the entire confidence of their chiefs, and was often the means of saving from injury the colony that had driven him from its protection. In 1643, he was sent to England, as agent for both settlements, and in September, 1644, returned with a patent for the territory, with permission for the inhabitants to institute a government for themselves. In 1651, he was again sent to England, in the capacity of agent, and returned in 1654, when he was chosen president of the government. Benedict Arnold succeeded him in 1657. He died in April, 1683, aged eighty-four. Mr. Williams was consistent in his religious doctrines, and set a bright example of that toleration which he demanded from others. His mind was strong and well cultivated; and [pg 387] he read the Scriptures in the originals. After his banishment from Massachusetts, he maintained a correspondence with some of its principal men, and ever entertained for them the highest affection and respect. In his writings, he evinces his power at argument. In 1672, he held a public dispute with the most eminent Quaker preachers, of which he has published an account. He also published a “Key to the Indian Language,” octavo, 1643; an answer to Mr. Cotton's letters, concerning the power of the magistrate in matters of religion, with other letters and discourses.