RHODE ISLAND – Rhode Island, the smallest state in the union, has a name that seems straightforward, but its origins are a fascinating story of two separate and distinct colonial settlements. The state’s official name, which it held until 2020, was the “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” Understanding this full title is the key to uncovering the original names and the unique history of how this fiercely independent colony was formed.
The Two Origins: An Island and a Plantation
The colony was born from two separate havens for religious and political dissenters, each with its own name and founder.
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- Rhode Island (The Island of…