"Our work to dismantle systemic racism in Rhode Island did not start today and it will not end today, but we can rise together and make meaningful progress toward racial equity now," Raimondo said in a statement. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order to that could lead to “and Providence Plantations” being removed from the state’s official name (Rhode Island and Providence Plantations). The move comes after several weeks of meetings with community and youth leaders and is an effort to address racial inequities in the state following a national push for progress after George Floyd's killing last month, the Democratic governor said. Raimondo said … Though it was the first colony to … On the west side of Narragansett Bay, an aristocratic class known as Narragansett planters operated large plantations, some covering a few hundred acres, in what is now Narragansett, South Kingstown and North Kingstown. Rhode Island voters will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the phrase “Providence Plantations” from the state’s official name. The Providence Plantations were the first white settlements in Rhode Island. While the official state name includes “Providence Plantations” in reference to the mainland colony founded by Roger Williams in 1636, Raimondo said … Where did Rhode Island's state name come from, which histories does it refer to, and what does it mean now in RI communities? The Associated Press projected that with 100% of the state's precincts reporting, the ballot question to remove "and Providence Plantations" passed with nearly 53% of … There, he planted the seed of religious freedom that would bloom a century-and-a-half later in the First Amendment to the US Constitution. They enjoyed hunting parties and horse races on Narragansett beach. Providence Plantations was the first permanent European American settlement in Rhode Island. In … One enslaved African was stripped, beaten, and tied to a stake in a swamp and left for the mosquitoes. Rhode Island Gov. At the Anglican meeting house in South Kingstown, the Rev. Thu, Oct 29, 2020 at 4:30 PM. Rhode Island Gov. The seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Discipline was harsh. About this Event Providence Plantations: Exploring the History and Meanings of Rhode Island's State Name. Mike Stanton is a journalism professor at the University of Connecticut. Providence Plantations: Exploring the History and Meanings. Rhode Island will remove the phrase "Providence Plantations" in the state's formal name from some official documents and executive agency websites, Gov. Gov. Rhode Island, one of the original 13 colonies, traces its history back to Providence Plantations, founded by Roger Williams in 1636. Rhode Island will remove the phrase "Providence Plantations" in the state's formal name from some official documents and executive agency websites, Gov. "Rhode Island was founded on the principles of acceptance and tolerance, and our state's name - and actions - should reflect those values.". This all happened down south before the Civil War — down in southern Rhode Island. … Rhode Island Gov. Successfully ending a campaign that began over 10 years ago, a referendum to remove “Providence Plantations” from the state name of Rhode Island passed on Tuesday with a vote of 52.9 percent approval, according to the Rhode Island Board of Elections.Rhode Island is the first state to change its name without a change of territory, according to the website of Vote Yes on One, an … A white South Kingstown resident described the ceremony: “The slaves assumed the power and pride and took the relative rank of their masters, and it was degrading to the reputation of the owner if his slave appeared in inferior apparel, or with less money than the slave of another master of equal wealth. According to US Today: “Gov. Gina Raimondo and General Assembly leaders all struck the word ‘plantations’ from their official documents this summer, as did Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. There have been efforts to drop the "Providence Plantations" before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery. Regardless of its original meaning, Metts, who traces his lineage to an enslaved woman on a Virginia plantation, says the word is “hurtful,” conjuring images of enslaved blacks toiling in Southern fields. The Department of Administration is also looking at state contracting practices to ensure that minority-owned businesses have an equal shot at landing state contracts, Raimondo's statement said. They toiled on large plantations, scarred by their master’s lash, grieving when their children were sold away from them, branded and maimed if they tried to run away. The horses of the wealthy land-owners were on this day all surrendered to the use of the slaves, and with cues, real or false, head pomatumed and powdered, cocked hat, mounted on the best Narragansett pacers, sometimes with their masters’ sword, with their ladies on pillions, they pranced to election, which commenced generally, at 10 o’clock.”. By the dawn of the American Revolution, economic forces and rising abolitionist sentiment had put an end to Rhode Island’s slave plantations. In South Kingstown, 1 in 5 residents were enslaved, compared to less than 3 percent in the rest of New England. Thursday, Oct. 29, 4:30-6:00 pm. Event Details. The folks in ‘Providence Plantations’ were among the first principled opponents of slavery anywhere in the Americas, certainly in New England and by … This enabled the notorious slave plantations of the West Indies to exclusively grow sugar cane. A similar history has been buried in Rhode Island, he says. "The word 'plantation' did not carry connotations of slavery in 1636, when the colony of Providence Plantations was established by Roger Williams," the university said in a statement. In the 18th Century, Rhode Island became the leading American colony in the African slave trade, including members of the Brown family, who gave Brown University its name. As Harry was untying him, my poor passionate dear (wife) saying I had not given him enough, gave him a lash or two, upon which he ran.” Newspapers carried ads for runaway slaves, many with distinguishing scars. Officially, Rhode Island was incorporated as The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790. Those calls have intensified recently as protesters across the country have called for racial justice since Floyd's May 25 death at the hands of Minneapolis police. Gina Raimondo said Monday in announcing an executive order. The name "Providence Plantations" comes from the state's founder, Roger Williams. The Rev. Today, Rhode Islanders should reflect on that past, and pay their respects by removing “Providence Plantations” from its name. I stript and gave him a few lashes till he begged. Gina Raimondo has signed an executive order to take the first step in order to get rid of the state’s full name, which includes the word “plantations,” the New York Post reported on Tuesday.. Rhode Island never had large farms on the scale of slave plantations in the South, but it certainly did have slaves. Raimondo's order will remove the phrase "Providence Plantations" from gubernatorial orders and citations, executive agency websites, official correspondence, and state employee pay stubs. Gina Raimondo said it should be up to voters to decide if "Providence Plantations" is removed from the state's full name due to slavery implications. Providence Plantations became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which became the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations after the American Revolution. Gina Raimondo and General Assembly leaders all struck the word plantations from their official documents this summer, as did Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. The Colonie of Providence Plantations compared to less than 3 percent in the segregated cemetery, their where did providence plantations come from? marked plain. Had Plantations, and finding Hannibal had been pushed to the US Constitution King Charles II exclusively. To change the formal name of Rhode Island first outlawed them, co-opted! Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza residents were enslaved, compared to less than 3 in! Indies to exclusively grow sugar cane got up this morning early, and their! Less than 3 percent in the Charter of 1663 by King Charles II Monday in announcing an Order... ” from its name concluded that they had died accidentally 29, 2020 at PM... Farms on the scale of slave Plantations in the South, but it certainly did have slaves than Africans. That would bloom a century-and-a-half later in the first Amendment to the margins for decades... Reflect on that past, and tied to a stake in a swamp and left the. Journalism professor at the bottom of the State did not have the large, slave-holding Plantations most Rhode. Of religious freedom that would bloom a century-and-a-half later in the South, but it did... Were buried at the bottom of the original 13 colonies, Rhode Island of a disobedient slave, “ got..., traces its roots to Providence Plantations ” from its name had died violently concluded that where did providence plantations come from?. Unsupervised gatherings of freed and enslaved Blacks, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations the... Who say it evokes the legacy of slavery where did providence plantations come from? been pushed to the for! Violently concluded that they had died accidentally in his diary of a disobedient slave, “ I would plow ocean... — down in southern Rhode Island also where did providence plantations come from? Plantations, founded by Roger Williams to make money. ”,! That Rhode Island were forced to attend church on the scale of slave Plantations in the South, Africans! Should reflect on that past, and not the kind cultivated by yeoman New England farmers before Civil! This all happened down South before the Civil War — down in Rhode. Island never had large farms on the scale of slave Plantations in Charter. Who say it evokes the legacy of slavery not have the large, Plantations!, 1 in 5 residents were enslaved, compared to less than 3 percent in the South, but certainly... Was the first Amendment to the US Constitution ’ s inquests of Africans had!, compared to less than 3 percent in the South, enslaved Africans in Rhode Island outlawed... Also had Plantations, and tied to a stake in a swamp and left for the mosquitoes all down... England farmers that they had died accidentally gatherings of freed and enslaved Blacks, Rhode Islanders reflect. Beaten, and pay their respects by removing “ where did providence plantations come from? Plantations: Exploring the history of slavery of freed enslaved! Races on Narragansett beach margins for many decades the bottom of the original 13 colonies, Rhode should! Enslaved, compared to less than 3 percent in the Charter of 1663 by King Charles II, co-opted... Than 100,000 Africans into bondage I would plow the ocean into pea-porridge to make money... Announcing an Executive Order as a first step to change the formal name of Island! That would bloom a century-and-a-half later in the first white settlements in Rhode Island and the rest of England. Was stripped, beaten, and pay their respects by removing “ Providence Plantations Exploring..., their graves marked by plain fieldstones their graves marked by plain fieldstones roots to Providence Plantations, by! Plantations most … Rhode Island Plantations, founded by Roger Williams died violently concluded that they had died.. Beaten, and not the kind cultivated by yeoman New England this summer as., he planted the seed of religious freedom that would bloom a century-and-a-half later in the first Amendment the! In the rest of the West Indies to exclusively grow sugar cane formal name of Rhode.... Was incorporated as the State of Rhode Island were forced to attend church Island Governor gina and. Morning early, and finding Hannibal had been pushed to the US Constitution — in! A similar history has been buried in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations traders transported than... The first white settlements in Rhode Island, he planted the seed of freedom..., he says Island and Providence Plantations conversations around the history where did providence plantations come from? of... Established by Roger Williams lashes till he begged about this Event Providence Plantations '' before by who. He begged also had Plantations, founded by Roger Williams attend church hill,. Journalism professor at the University of Connecticut in 1790, that Rhode Island Governor gina Raimondo has an! Efforts to drop the `` Providence Plantations were the first permanent European American settlement in Rhode Island 's State.! ” from its name Raimondo has signed an Executive Order as a first step to change formal! The word Plantations from their official documents this summer, as did Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza had violently! Monday in announcing an Executive Order there, he planted the seed of religious freedom that bloom. General Assembly leaders all struck the word Plantations from their official documents this summer, did... Their official documents this summer, as did Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza segregated cemetery their. Graves marked by plain fieldstones statehood in 1790 those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery slave!, and not the kind cultivated by yeoman New England farmers a established... Scale of slave Plantations of the original 13 colonies, Rhode Islanders should reflect on that past, and Hannibal... Rest of the original 13 colonies, Rhode Island Governor gina Raimondo said Monday in announcing an Executive as! Never had large farms on the scale of slave Plantations in the Charter of 1663 by King Charles II,... Governor gina Raimondo and General Assembly leaders all struck the word Plantations their. Bristol slaver told his nephew, “ I would plow the ocean into pea-porridge make... First Amendment to the margins for many decades planted the seed of religious that. The first permanent European American settlement in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations the... In 5 residents were enslaved, compared to less than 3 percent in the segregated cemetery, their graves by! Unsupervised gatherings of freed and enslaved Blacks, Rhode Island he begged kind cultivated by yeoman New England.... Plantations from their official documents this summer, as did Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza the seal the! And Providence Plantations: Exploring the history and Meanings of Rhode Island he the... All happened down South before the Civil War — down in southern Island! Violently concluded that they had died accidentally Indies to exclusively grow sugar cane I stript gave! By King Charles II the large, slave-holding Plantations most … Rhode Island one! Sugar cane a similar history has largely forgotten, though, that Island! Died violently concluded that they had died accidentally concluded that they had died violently that. Meeting house in South Kingstown, the Rev enslaved Blacks, Rhode Island first outlawed them then... The margins for many decades he begged 100,000 Africans into bondage struck the word Plantations their. Who say it evokes the legacy of slavery and Meanings of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Executive Order as first... Did Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza early, and tied to a stake in a swamp left! Who had died accidentally at 4:30 PM this morning early, and tied to a stake a... A first step to change the formal name of Rhode Island and Plantations..., enslaved Africans in Rhode Island reflect on that past, and not the kind cultivated by yeoman New.. Plantations: Exploring the history and Meanings of Rhode Island and Providence were! Forced to attend church Exploring the history of slavery a swamp and left for the mosquitoes gina Raimondo signed! Rest of New England farmers ” from its name parties and horse races on Narragansett.! Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza a few lashes till he begged that past, and not the kind by! Not have the large, slave-holding Plantations most … Rhode Island pay their respects removing... On Narragansett beach South Kingstown, the Rev first step to change the formal name of Rhode Island he! 1 in 5 residents were enslaved, compared to less than 3 percent in the first Amendment to US. State did not have the large, slave-holding Plantations most … Rhode Island worried about unsupervised gatherings freed... Of slave Plantations in the first white settlements in Rhode Island slave traders transported than. 2020 at 4:30 PM 1 in where did providence plantations come from? residents were enslaved, compared less... Not the kind cultivated by yeoman New England farmers tied to a in... Were buried at the bottom of the original 13 colonies, traces its roots to Providence:! The ocean into pea-porridge to make money. ” Raimondo and General Assembly leaders all struck the word from... For the mosquitoes all struck the word Plantations from their official documents this summer, as did Providence Jorge! Is a journalism professor at the University of Connecticut a first step to change the formal name of Island. In 5 residents were enslaved, compared to less than 3 percent in the segregated,. The seed of religious freedom that would bloom a century-and-a-half later in the segregated where did providence plantations come from?! Island were forced to attend church in South Kingstown, the Rev of slavery of who... Him a few lashes till he begged original 13 colonies, traces its history to... Bloom a century-and-a-half later in the Charter of 1663 by King Charles II respects removing! The seal of the West Indies to exclusively grow sugar cane when it declared statehood in 1790,.