1636 - 1637 | After being banned from Massachusetts, Roger Williams founds the town of Providence, the freest society in 17th century western civilization.

My Favorite Books on this Topic:

Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty  by John M. Barry

Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James

God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Roger Williams and the Narragansett Indians Against the Puritans of New England  by James A. Warren

*Map image from Rhode Island Boundaries by John H Cady.

To learn more about this episode and more go to The Story of Rhode Island website