My World Tuesday 2-10-09 Prospect TerracePark

ROGER WILLIAMS

overlooking his city of Providence in his state of Rhode Island

Roger Williams (December 21, 1603–April 1, 1683) overlooks the Providence downtown City
from his final burial ground in Prospect Terrace Park , a park located on Congdon Street in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island.

The park, founded in 1867, has a statue of the theologian Roger Williams which was built in the late 1935-1939, after Williams' descendant "Stephen Randall made a deed of gift for the monument. This 35-foot stone statue commemorates Roger Williams' founding of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and his promotion for religious freedom. The stature depicts Roger Williams gazing over the city."

In 1939, Roger William's remains were moved into a tomb that lies directly beneath the statue. His body had been overgrown by the roots of an apple tree next to his original grave.

Roger Williams returned to England in July 1643 to obtain a Charter for his colony to forestall the attempt of neighboring colonies taking over Providence. He returned with a Charter for "the Providence Plantations in Narragansett Bay" which incorporated Providence, Newport and Portsmouth.
Roger Williams was Governor of the Colony 1654 through 1658. During the later years of his life, he saw almost all of Providence burned during King Philip's War, 1675-1676. He lived to see Providence rebuilt. Roger Williams died in Providence between 16 January and 16 Apri1683/84, his wife Mary (Barnard) had died in 1676. They were parents of six children, MARY, MERCY,FREEBORN, PROVIDENCE, DANIEL,and JOSEPH, all born in America.

Roger Williams envisioned, and ordained in his settlement at Providence the reality of separation of church and state which the United States of America has maintained.

The capitol of Providence at dusk.

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