On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island became the first territory to renounce its allegiance to Great Britain and King George III.
On this day, the general assembly passed an act, declaring Rhode Island and Providence Plantations an independent state. Providence Plantations refers to the first permanent European American settlement in Rhode Island. It was established in 1636 by the English clergyman Roger Williams.
So for today’s Pic of the Week, we present a photo of the cover of an early version of Rhode Island’s Constitution. This 1842 document is the result of another Rhode Island uprising, the state’s “Dorr Rebellion“. Prior to the Dorr Rebellion, the state was still using the colonial charter as its ruling document. The uprising and resulting constitution expanded citizens’ rights by extending suffrage to any native-born adult male, a right which previously was only granted to landowners.
Comments (2)
Oh how wonderful. I did not realize that Rhode Island renounced its allegiance to England in May of 1776.
I do enjoy this site. Thanks
My ancestor, John Larkin, Jr. was the third signor of the Acts of Secession from Great Britain on May , 1776.