RHODE ISLAND - Rhode Island, though the smallest U.S. state, boasts a rich and significant colonial history, founded on principles of religious freedom and self-governance. The state's administrative framework began early in its development with the establishment of its first counties. In 1703, the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations created its two original counties – Newport and Providence – which share the distinction of being the oldest counties in Rhode Island.
Newport and Providence - The State's Oldest Counties
This article explores the simultaneous founding of these counties and their importance in the state's early history.
1703: Establishing Order in the Colony
As the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations grew in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the need for a more structured administrative system became apparent. On June 22, 1703, the General Assembly of the colony passed an act dividing the territory into two primary counties to better manage governmental and judicial affairs. These two counties represented the major population centers and geographical divisions of the colony at the time.
The Original Two Counties
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Newport County:
- Formation: Established as one of the two original counties.
- Original Towns: Initially comprised the key settlements on Aquidneck Island and nearby islands: Portsmouth, Newport, Jamestown, and New Shoreham (Block Island).
- Significance: Represented the maritime and commercial center of the early colony, centered around the bustling port of Newport.
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Providence County:
- Formation: Also established in 1703 as an original county.
- Original Towns: Encompassed the mainland settlements, including Providence, Warwick, Westerly, Kingstown (later divided into North and South Kingstown), and Greenwich.
- Vast Territory: Its original boundaries were extensive, including land that would later be used to form Kent and Washington counties, reflecting the large, less densely populated mainland area at the time.
Significance and Legacy
The creation of Newport and Providence counties in 1703 was a crucial step in the administrative development of Rhode Island. These counties provided the foundational structure for local governance, courts, and representation within the colony. They represented the two distinct geographical and, to some extent, cultural centers of the early colony – the island settlements centered around Newport and the mainland settlements anchored by Providence. While the state's county map has evolved with the creation of three additional counties (Kent, Washington, and Bristol), Newport and Providence remain the original administrative pillars of Rhode Island.
Newport County and Providence County, both established on June 22, 1703, share the title of Rhode Island's oldest counties. Their simultaneous creation marked the formal beginning of county government in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. These foundational counties, encompassing the earliest major settlements, have witnessed centuries of history and remain vital parts of the Ocean State today, serving as enduring links to Rhode Island's unique colonial past.
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Sources:
- Rhode Island State Archives
- Colonial Records of Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Historical Society
- Studies of colonial governance
- Websites of Newport and Providence Counties (or related historical societies)
