Riverside in East Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Sowams
Wannamoisett
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 20, 2026
1. Sowams Marker
1620
Wannamoisett
bought by
John Browne
1645
1648
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1645.
Location. 41° 47.141′ N, 71° 21.845′ W. Marker is in East Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in Riverside. It is at the intersection of Pawtucket Avenue (Rhode Island Route 103) and Wheeler Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Pawtucket Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Providence RI 02914, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Providence and on Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. 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: Pomham Rocks Lighthouse (approx. half a mile away); The Bicknell-Armington "Lightning Splitter House" (approx. 0.6 miles away); World War II (approx. one mile away); Roll of Honor (approx. 1.2 miles away); Little Neck Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Elizabeth Tilley Howland (approx. 1½ miles away); Thomas Willett 1610-1674 (approx. 1½ miles away); Volunteer Fire Company (approx. 1.9 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 marker.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. Wannamoisett Marker. The Sowams Early History pages description of the Wannamoisett purchase, including an illustrative map and a 12 minute educational video.
This granite marker marks the original boundary between the Wannamoisett section of the Pokanoket settlement of Sowams in 1620 purchased by John Browne from the Massasoit Ousamequin in 1643, and the town of Rehoboth.... ...Professor Burton Van Edwards describes the Wannamoisett Purchase from the Massasoit and the beginnings of Barrington.(Submitted on June 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
2. Sowams Heritage Area.
Situated on the northeastern watershed of Narragansett Bay, along the border of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Sowams is the ancestral homeland of the Pokanoket Massasoit Ousamequin who welcomed the Pilgrims in 1621.(Submitted on June 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Today Sowams is comprised nine towns: Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, and Swansea, MA, as well as Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, Warren, and the area east of the Moshassuck River in Providence, RI
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 20, 2026
2. Sowams Marker
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 20, 2026
3. Sowams Marker
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 20, 2026
4. Sowams Marker
Rehoboth
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
