Williams, Roger (1599-1683) Founder of Rhode Island. He was a leading voice of dissent in early New England and a champion of religious freedom. In 1631 he emigrated from England to Plymouth, Massachusetts where his nonconformist views on religion and government soon put him at odds with the Puritan elders of Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1635 he was expelled from the church and placed under an order of expulsion from the colony. After living with local Indians for three months, Williams and some of his followers established a settlement at Providence on Narragansett Bay, paying the Indians for title to the land. Williams was against requiring a religious qualification for voting, since he believed that individuals could know about their own salvation but not about the salvation of others. His espousal of the separation of church and state caused him to be vilified by church and civic leaders, whose authority it undercut. In 1644 he obtained a royal charter for Rhode Island, which became a haven for those suffering from religious persecution, including Quakers and Jews.
Very rare Autograph Document Signed twice within the text, one page, 11 x 8 inches (Providence), March 12, 1681. Being a page from the records of the Town Board of Providence, containing various orders, including that money "remaining due to Mr. Roger Williams sho[uld be] paid unto him…" and announcing his own election as town president: "…The Towne of Providence receaving a warrant from ye Generall Seargeant (ye copie whereof we present inclosed) mentioning only ye Towns preparing for the court of Election: The towne assembled & made choice of men to be presented according to Order for generall officers: to wit for presidt Roger Williams…." Other officers are named and Williams concludes, "…if there be any further publike Busines to be Transacted: upon due warrant & warning sent ye Towne will choose & send their Commissioners & men for ye Jurie of August to attend upon such generall service." The initials of the town clerk, "G.D." are also in Williams' handwriting and the copy is docketed "For ye Moderatour," indicating that Williams may have sent this copy to another colony or town for their records.
Overall toning and soiling; some older archival repairs, including paper replacement at right margin which affects several lines of text, not including those with Williams' name. Still, boldly penned, with two clear signatures in the text. A rare Autograph Document Signed from a seminal figure in the history of religious freedom in America.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 50,000.
Colonial and Revolutionary America
