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Rhode Island (Colony) General assembly. (1663-1776)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1663 - 1776

Biography

Roger Williams founded the first permanent white settlement in Rhode Island at Providence in 1636 on land purchased from the Narragansett Indians. Forced to flee Massachusetts because of persecution, Williams established a policy of religious and political freedom in his new settlement. Other leaders advocating freedom of worship soon established similar communities on either side of . Narragansett Bay. These communities united, and in 1663 King Charles II of England granted them a royal charter, providing for a greater degree of self-government than any other colony in the New World and authorizing the continuation of freedom of religion. The early 1700s was a period of prosperity for Rhode Island. Farming and sea trading became profitable businesses. Providence and Newport were among the busiest ports in the New World. Despite making profits from the slave trade, Rhode Island was the first colony to prohibit the importation of slaves. Also, Rhode Islanders were among the first colonists to take action against British rule when they attacked and burned the British revenue vessel, the sloop Liberty, in Newport on July 19, 1769. On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain’s King George III and declare independence by official legislative act. The passage of the Act of Renunciation by the Rhode Island General Assembly took place at the Old State House on Benefit Street in Providence, Rhode Island. This Act officially ended the colony’s allegiance to Great Britain. The original Act is in the keeping of the office of the Rhode Island Secretary of State and is at the State Archives. Within weeks after the passage of the Act, the Assembly ratified the Declaration of Independence on July 18, 1776.

Found in 34 Collections and/or Records:

Declaration of Independence

 Series
Identifier: 01 01.44
Dates: 1777, 1823
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Declaration of Independence: Mary Katherine Goddard printing, 1777

 Item — Box Declaration of Independence original housing, 1777
Identifier: C#00645
Scope and Contents

Katherine Goddard printing of Declaration of Independence. Engrossed John Hancock (President of Continental Congress) copy, January 31, 1777; Received & entered into the proceedings of the General Assembly, March 3 – 4, 1777.

Dates: 1777
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence: William J. Stone Printing, 1823

 Item — Folder Declaration of Independence: William J. Stone Printing, 1823 (two copies)
Identifier: 1636-1460
Scope and Contents

William J. Stone engravings (2) of Declaration of Independence as ordered for/ by the United States Department of State & through joint resolution of Congress.

Dates: 1823
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Declaration of Independence

Deputies and Freeman records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00653
Abstract

Town returns of "freeman" admitted & men chosen to act as Deputies in the General Assembly

Dates: 1727-1778
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Fines and Recoveries

 Item — Volume Fines and Recoveries, 1727-1750
Identifier: C#00461
Abstract

Recording book of writs for fines & recoveries authorized from several acts of the legislature

Dates: 1727-1750
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

First Newport printing by Solomon Southwick facsimile, 1776

 Item — Declaration of Independence, first RI printing, town of West Greenwich, July 1776
Scope and Contents American independence was far from inevitable in the summer of 1776. On June 7, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution for independence to the Second Continental Congress. The resolution was composed as a reaction to the years of British imposition on the American colonies; in recent years, numerous laws had limited colonists' ability to influence their own government. Resistance to many of these acts led King George III to declare his North American subjects to be in a state...
Dates: 1776
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Declaration of Independence

Fones Record

 Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00209
Abstract

The Fones Record consists of deeds and other land records, dating from 1659 to 1679, pertaining to a portion of the Colony of Rhode Island that was known as Narragansett country.

Dates: 1659-1705
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

General Assembly Records at the Rhode Island State Archives list

 Item
Dates: 1636-
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Rhode Island State Archives Subject Guides and Resources

Governor and Council

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00558
Abstract

"Book of Records Containing the Acts and Orders made By the Governor and Councill Both General & Perticular Since the First of May 1667"

Dates: 1652-1813
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

History of the Criminal Law of Rhode Island

 Item — Folder 31 Staples - History of the Criminal Law of Rhode Island c1847
Identifier: 1636-661
Dates: 1847
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Journals of the House of Representatives

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00473-C#00474-C#00689-C#00462
Scope and Contents Volume 14: Acts & Laws of His Majesty's Colony of Rhode Island in America, 1730-1731 Printed listing of the laws of the colony of RI form 1663 to 1731. Also includes a copy of the charter granted before Charles the Second tothe colony of RI and Providence Plantations in America, index to the laws of the colony, and the text of laws and acts passed by the legislature. (C#00473)Volume 15: Journals of the General Assembly, 1772-1797 Volume 16: Journals for the...
Dates: 1726-1797
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Journals of the Upper House and Lower House, 1726-1797

 Sub-Series
Scope and Contents Volume 14: Acts & Laws of His Majesty's Colony of Rhode Island in America, 1730-1731 Printed listing of the laws of the colony of RI form 1663 to 1731. Also includes a copy of the charter granted before Charles the Second tothe colony of RI and Providence Plantations in America, index to the laws of the colony, and the text of laws and acts passed by the legislature. (C#00473)Volume 15: Journals of the General Assembly, 1772-1797 Volume 16: Journals for the...
Dates: 1726-1797
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Journals of the House of Representatives

Land and Public Notary records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00481
Abstract

Record of early deeds & land grants/maritime related matters

Dates: 1642-1796
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 1, 1648-1696

 Item
Identifier: C#00481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1648-1696
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 2, 1671-1708

 Item
Identifier: C#00481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1671-1708
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 2, 1671-1708

 Digital Work
Identifier: 3dec2618-0bac-4062-b6ea-3d6eba49eee9
Dates: 1671-1708
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 3, 1707-1741

 Item
Identifier: C#00481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1707-1741
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 3, 1707-1741

 Digital Work
Identifier: 944199bb-81f5-4a20-82e2-f94e98b3ca3b
Dates: 1707-1741
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 4, 1707-1741

 Item
Identifier: C#00481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1707-1741
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 5, 1741-1753

 Item
Identifier: C#000481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1741-1753
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 6, 1753-1758

 Item
Identifier: C#00481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1753-1758
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 7, 1758-1790

 Item
Identifier: C#00481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1758-1790
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Land and Public Notary records: Volume 8, 1767-1786

 Item
Identifier: C#00481
Scope and Contents From the Series: Record of early deeds & land grants, conveyances or confirmation of titles between natives & colonists or among individual parties including some indentures, powers of attorney, wills & probate or other matters pertinent. First three volumes (1642 – 1721) appear to be a continuation of land evidences as recorded within the initial volumes of the Rhode Island Colony Records, 1646 – 1669 (see recording mandates, Part I, pp. 161; Part II, pp. 225, 234). Volumes 4 through 8 primarily...
Dates: 1767-1786
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Land and Public Notary records

Origin of the Attorney General, May 1650

 Item
Scope and Contents From the Series: Aggregate proceedings of the legislature initially meeting as General Courts; Courts of Commissioners & Courts of Trial. Includes copies of various Indian deeds, memorandums respective of early land conveyances, codification of laws, proceedings of the governor & council, acts & resolutions passed, elections of general, civil & military officers, petitions heard, appropriations & appointments granted, establishment of committees, reports relative or ordered, etc. Initial...
Dates: May 1650
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Rhode Island Colony records

Origin of the Attorney General, May 1650

 Digital Work
Identifier: 7f0cbe5d-d629-4bb4-a51d-57bfd92c6157
Dates: May 1650
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Parliamentary Patent (True Copy), March 17, 1643, 1721

 Item
Identifier: C#00204
Scope and Contents From the Series: Aggregate proceedings of the legislature initially meeting as General Courts; Courts of Commissioners & Courts of Trial. Includes copies of various Indian deeds, memorandums respective of early land conveyances, codification of laws, proceedings of the governor & council, acts & resolutions passed, elections of general, civil & military officers, petitions heard, appropriations & appointments granted, establishment of committees, reports relative or ordered, etc. Initial...
Dates: Event: March 17, 1643; 1721
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Rhode Island Colony records

Proceedings of the General Assembly, 1649-1723

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00260
Scope and Contents

Second manuscript record detailing meetings of the colonial legislature as either not found among series Rhode Island Colony Records or exist as originals duplicated within same. Includes wax seals

Dates: 1649-1723
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / Proceedings of the General Assembly

Public Laws, Acts & Resolves, General Statutes

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00612-C#00579-C#00599-C#00611
Scope and Contents Public law & general statute codifications (1719 - 1956) & contemporary publications of General Assembly session proceedings (1764+) detailing enactments of the legislature as found in manuscript series Rhode Island Colony Records; Acts & Resolutions & Private Acts / Charters. Latter initially bound as “schedules." with subsequent volumes containing reports submitted by various boards, commissions & government agencies as mandated. Commencing in the late 19th century...
Dates: 1647-2015
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Records of the Island of Rhode Island

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00206
Abstract

The Records of the Island of Rhode Island consists of one bound volume of records of the colony of Rhode Island dating from 1638 to 1644. It includes the proceedings of the General Assembly, the General Court of Election, and the General Court.

Dates: 1638-1644, 1663
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives

Report of the Committee...To Investigate The Charges In Circulation Against Freemasonry and Masons, October 1831

 Sub-Series
Abstract

Report Of the Committee, appointed by the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, To Investigate The Charges In Circulation Against Freemasonry and Masons In Said State; Together with all the official Documents And Testimony relating to the subject.

Dates: October 1831
Found in: Rhode Island State Archives / General Assembly Masonry and Anti-Masonry records

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 17
Collection 13
Digital Record 4
 
Subject
state government records 8
United States. Declaration of Independence. 4
legislation (legal concepts) 3
Rhode Island. Charter 2
official reports 2
∨ more
Rhode Island (Colony). Laws, statutes, etc. 1
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. 1
charters 1
journals (periodicals) 1
publications (documents) 1
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