Providence, R, I

was settled in 1636 by Roger Williams and his company, who were forced to leave Ma achusetts because of their religious opinions. The town was nearly destroyed by the Indians in 1676. Providence was incorporated as a city in 1832. Brown University was removed hither in 1770. Providence Plantations. March 14, 1644, Roger Williams obtained from the Parliamentary Commi ioners a patent which a ociated the towns of Providence, Portsmouth and Newport in one community, though it prescribed no criterion of citizenship, and no form of organ i. zati on. Ma achusetts claimed these settlements in the Narragansett Country, but failed to make good her claim. Plymouth also threatened trouble concerning the ownership of the territory. Williams endeavored to institute a system of government, but the scheme proved a failure at first. The Providence Plantations remained distinct from the Rhode Island colony until they were united under the charter of 1663.