Rumford in East Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Roger Williams Spring
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 12, 2026
1. Roger Williams Spring Marker
This spring is the site of the first settlement in 1636 by Roger Williams in the State of Rhode Island. Banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of his religious beliefs, he fled into the wilderness and found refuge with his friend Massasoit from whom he received a grant of land upon which he began to build his home near this spring. Warned that he was still within the limits claimed by the Plymouth Colony he removed across the river and founded the settlement which he called Providence.
Erected 1975 by The East Providence Bicentennial Committee and The Williams Family Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1636.
Location. 41° 50.323′ N, 71° 21.776′ W. Marker is in East Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in Rumford. It is on Roger Williams Avenue north of Wilson Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 87 Roger Williams Ave, East Providence
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Providence and on Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Reverend Samuel Newman, the Founder of Rehoboth (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ring of the Green and settlement in the 17th Century (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rehoboths First Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Freemasons' Hall (approx. 1.4 miles away); Avenida da Ribeira Grande (approx. 1.4 miles away); Honorary Ribeira Grande Avenue (approx. 1½ miles away); Roster of Bucklin Post No. 20 G.A.R. (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Providence.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 12, 2026
2. Roger Williams Spring Marker
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 12, 2026
3. Roger Williams Spring Roadside Signage
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 12, 2026
4. Shores of Omega Pond on the Seekonk River
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Last updated on June 12, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 12, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
