Roger Williams was a provocative character in a world full of provocative characters. He had a life before and after his banishment. In our last episode we established his identity. He was a Puritan. He challenged the accepted relationship between church and state in Massachusetts Bay Colony. He refused church membership. He questioned the prevailing views on land acquisition. For these positions and more he was banished from the colony. Instead of becoming a footnote of history he made his own. In this episode, we will explore what came next. His legacy includes good relations with the natives, a recognized authority on native life, he opened Colonial America to Quakers, Baptists, and Jews, he was an abolitionist against the legal introduction of slavery. Most importantly, he maintained a lifelong dedication to the concept of freedom of conscience. A dedication we all benefit from to this current age.

Audio Production by Podsworth Media.