A Thoroughfare Town
This intersection was the earliest center of colonial Providence. A grist mill stood just north, at the falls of Moshassuck River, and a tannery and taverns were nearby across the street. In 1676 the natives of many tribes united against the New England colonies in King Philip's War. Alone, unarmed, and over 70 years old, Roger Williams walked out on a point of land in the river here, and pleaded unsuccessfully with the warriors to spare his town from burning.
Williams was fluent in the Narragansett language and often acted as mediator between colonists and natives. His Key Into the Language of America was a collection of phrases, poems and cultural observations on native life.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1676.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 41° 49.885′ N, 71° 24.643′ W. Marker was in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It was in College Hill. It was on North Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Providence RI 02903, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. It was also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Century to Statehood (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 791 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
