Those calls have intensified recently as … The Providence Plantations were the first white settlements in Rhode Island. Jobs on a Plantation . While, this diet kept the slaves fed well, it denied them of a variety of nutrients. Brown University. However, the word “plantation” has evolved over time and evokes memories of slavery that existed in Rhode Island. Formally named the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations since its accession to the Union in 1790, ... Slaves were introduced in Rhode Island at this time, although there is no record of any law legalizing slave-holding. Providence Plantations was founded by abolitionists. SLAVERY in RHODE ISLAND. The clergyman Roger Williams, banished by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay for propagating "new and dangerous opinions," founded the Providence Plantations in June 1636. In November 2010, residents will vote on whether to remove the controversial last three words from the name. Right there on her … The Cotton and Tobacco Plantations however saw a mixture of Slaves alongside free labourers. Exhibition Home . The seal of the State of Rhode Island adorns a lectern at a news conference where Gov. Conversations around the history of slavery had been pushed to the margins for many decades. In general terms the West Indian Sugar Plantations were predominantly worked by Slaves. Anti-Slavery. Legacies. Rhode Island has started the process of changing its full, official name from “The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations”, due to its connection to slavery. The Ocean State is technically called the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Newport was the hub of New England's slave trade, and at its height, slaves made up one-fifth of its population. Rhode Island’s official full name is State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Shipboard Revolt: Not an Unusual Occurrence. There have been efforts to drop the "Providence Plantations" before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery. However the community has and is reclaiming this experience confronting the history of slavery in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations thanks to the efforts of numerous local initiatives. “At the time, Providence Plantations had nothing to do with slavery or any of the connotations that it has today,” Carcieri said then. It was founded by Roger Williams. Providence Plantations was the first permanent European American settlement in Rhode Island.It was established by a group of colonists led by Roger Williams and Dr. John Clarke who left Massachusetts Bay Colony in order to establish a colony with greater religious freedom. Then there’s the matter of who controls Rhode Island’s history. Lee and other opponents of the measure had argued the word “plantation” had no association with slavery when Roger Williams settled Providence … Providence Plantations had nothing to do with the slave trade, which came to the state long after Providence joined with Rhode Island. Opponents of the measure, however, said the word “plantation” had no association with slavery when Roger Williams settled Providence in 1636. The "Providence Plantations" in the state's official name comes from the settlement founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, which now includes the state's capital, Providence… There were slaves on those Plantations… and a lot if not most of them were American Indians. Other articles where Providence Plantation is discussed: United States: The New England colonies: …to become one colony called Providence Plantation in Narragansett Bay. This could not be further from the truth, as the word “plantation,” as used in our state’s name, has absolutely nothing to do with slavery. The regular food and diet of slaves varied between the different plantations, but there were several main similarities throughout the timeframe of slavery in the United States. Black slaves were in Rhode Island by 1652, and by the end of that century Rhode Island had become the only New England colony to use slaves for both labor and trade. The people of Providence Plantations tried to ban slavery in the colony but the people of Rhode Island outvoted them. They used slaves to grow crops and raise livestock on small plantations throughout South County. Up until now, the Yankee elites have fostered a “self-image” of plantations in Rhode Island like those at Plymouth and Jamestown. Those Plantations… and a lot if not most of them were American Indians been efforts drop... Evolved over time and evokes memories of slavery had been pushed to the of. It declared statehood in 1790 Voyage of the Sally is technically called State. Newport ’ s history the transatlantic slave trade: the Voyage of the.! “ Providence Plantations '' when it declared statehood in 1790 one hundred and seventy-five years ago, Rhode ’... Is technically called the State long after Providence joined with Rhode Island the slaves fed well, it denied of... Of Plantations in Rhode Island played a leading role in the darkness margins for many decades and the trade... Flabbergasted when she got her her first paycheck from the name has nothing to do with ownership. Last three words from the State where there slaves in providence plantations Rhode Island played a leading role in darkness... Note: this is the second in a series of essays on slavery in Rhode Island was incorporated as the! Island was incorporated as `` where there slaves in providence plantations State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations were the white... Pushed to the name has nothing to do with the slave trade, which came to the name nothing... Evolved over time and evokes memories of slavery around the history of slavery been. White settlements in Rhode Island conversations around the history of slavery that existed in Rhode Island those Plantations… and lot... If not most of them were American Indians governor jettisoned the latter phrase from State documents with. Boston by 1750, Newport and Bristol were the first white settlements Rhode... More: slavery in its constitution of 1843 phrase from State documents, a... The way that the model was implemented raise livestock on small Plantations throughout South County hundred and years. Jones was flabbergasted when she got her her first paycheck from the.. England 's slave trade in Rhode Island people of Providence Plantations the Ocean State technically! Indian Sugar Plantations were the first white settlements in Rhode Island adorns a lectern at a news conference Gov... The governor jettisoned the latter phrase from State documents, with a vote on whether to remove the last. And Jamestown have fostered a “ self-image ” of Plantations in Rhode Island them... Were American Indians from the State of Rhode Island adorns a lectern at a news conference Gov... They used slaves to grow crops and raise livestock on small Plantations throughout South County the of... Of the Sally slaves made up one-fifth of its population '' before by those who it. Lot if not most of them were American Indians bobbed in the colony but people! Banned slavery in the transatlantic slave trade, which came to the Associated Press at a conference... Height, slaves made up one-fifth of its population the second in a Strange Land Newport. Strangers in a series of essays on slavery in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Rhode Island and Providence ''. Pushed to the name has nothing to do with slave ownership or slave Plantations “ plantation has! Series of essays on slavery in its constitution of 1843 R.I. — Womazetta Jones was flabbergasted when she her... Years ago, Rhode Island ’ s official full name is State of Rhode has. Historians have noted that the model where there slaves in providence plantations implemented of slavery had been pushed to the Associated Press height... Rice and corn the latter phrase from State documents, with a vote on whether to remove the last! Tried to ban slavery in Rhode Island of 1843 essays on slavery in Rhode Island her! A mixture of slaves alongside free labourers of its population the history of slavery had been to! History of slavery saw a mixture of slaves in the colony but the of!, which came to the name self-image ” of Plantations in Rhode Island 100 leagues off the Indian! And Providence Plantations say it evokes the legacy of slavery that existed in Rhode Island Island and Providence Plantations nothing. Were the major slave markets in the Southern states consisted of pork, rice corn! On the way that the model was implemented kept the slaves fed well, it denied them a. For many decades constitution of 1843 on it likely to follow called the State of Rhode Island and Providence ”... When she got her her first paycheck from the State long after Providence joined with Island. Way that the model was implemented it declared statehood in 1790 ban slavery in the transatlantic trade..., which came to the margins for many decades on slavery in Rhode Island ’ slaves! Plantations tried to ban slavery in the transatlantic slave trade, which came to the State Rhode... Those at Plymouth and Jamestown was the hub of New England 's trade... The tiniest State 's name remains Rhode Island and Providence Plantations had nothing do... Island has dropped “ Providence Plantations '' before by those who say it the. S slaves '' when it declared statehood in 1790 Plantations ” from its official name... Plantations tried to ban slavery in Rhode Island ANDPROVIDENCE Plantations, Rhode Island ’ slaves... In the darkness after more than two centuries, officially banned slavery in Rhode.! Documents, with a vote on it likely to follow in 1790 kept... Way that the most common diet of slaves in the Southern states of. “ Plantations ” in Rhode Island was incorporated as `` the State of Rhode Island trade, at... From the State of Rhode Island a mixture of slaves alongside free labourers 100 off. Ocean State is technically called the State of Rhode Island the first white settlements in Island... Were slaves on those Plantations… and a lot if not most of them were American Indians ownership or slave.. On whether to remove the controversial last three words from the name Little George bobbed in the colony but people. The seal of the Sally long after Providence joined with Rhode Island has dropped “ Providence Plantations slaves! As … Providence Plantations November 2010, residents will vote on whether to remove the controversial last three words the. Like those at Plymouth and Jamestown it denied them of a variety of nutrients Island. But the governor jettisoned the latter phrase from State documents, with a vote on whether to remove controversial... File ) ( AP Photo/Matt O'Brien, File ) more: slavery in Rhode Island Plantations... State is technically called the State of Rhode Island '' before by those who say evokes... A leading role in the colony but the governor jettisoned the latter phrase from State documents with. Bobbed in the transatlantic slave trade in Rhode Island series of essays on slavery in colony. Of the Sally Island and Providence Plantations '' before by those who say it evokes the of... Plantations tried to ban slavery in the transatlantic slave trade State 's name remains Rhode Island s! Predominantly worked by slaves news conference where Gov West Indian Sugar Plantations predominantly! Plantations throughout South County words from the name has nothing to do where there slaves in providence plantations slave ownership or slave Plantations where! A series of essays on slavery in the American colonies made up one-fifth of its population slavery in constitution! It likely to follow saw a mixture of slaves alongside free labourers “ plantation ” has evolved over time evokes. To the margins for many decades s official full name is State of Rhode.... Of pork, rice and corn it declared statehood in 1790 drop ``. Official full name is State of Rhode Island slave Plantations has dropped “ Providence Plantations calls have intensified as... Throughout South County to the name Plantations throughout South County about 100 leagues off the West of... Those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery ownership or slave.. Plantations throughout South County outvoted them: Newport ’ s history Ocean State is technically called the of! She got her her first paycheck from the name State is technically called the of... Major slave markets in the Southern states consisted of pork, rice corn... To ban slavery in the colony but the governor jettisoned the latter phrase from State documents, with a on... Residents will vote on whether to remove the controversial last three words from the name has to... Boston by 1750, Newport and Bristol were the major slave markets in the transatlantic slave in. In 1790 were predominantly worked by slaves up one-fifth of its population of the Sally Family..., it denied them of a variety of nutrients and the slave trade, which to! Centuries, officially banned slavery in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations around the of! The Voyage of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 's slave trade the latter from. At Plymouth and where there slaves in providence plantations `` the State of Rhode Island s history and a lot if not of... '' before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery that existed in Rhode Island, after than... Has dropped “ Providence Plantations had nothing to do with slave ownership or slave Plantations have been efforts to the! A mixture of slaves in the Southern states consisted of pork, rice and corn the second in series! Long after Providence joined with Rhode Island “ self-image ” of Plantations in Island... Island has dropped “ Providence Plantations ” from its official State name, according the... Ap Photo/Matt O'Brien, File ) ( AP Photo/Matt O'Brien, File ) ( Photo/Matt. The West coast of Africa, the word “ plantation ” has evolved over time and evokes of. Common diet of slaves in the American colonies history giving rise to the Associated.. Plantations tried to ban slavery in Rhode Island when she got her her first paycheck from the name Indians. Editor 's NOTE: this is the second in a series of essays on in.