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Revolutionaries, Rebels, and Rogues of Rhode Island: A History of the Ocean State's Most Unruly Characters

Eugene Powell

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Published in Revolutionaries Rebels And Rogues Of Rhode Island (Wicked)

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Rhode Island has a long and storied history, and it is filled with tales of colorful characters who defied convention and shaped the state's unique identity. From Anne Bailey, the pirate queen of Newport, to Samuel Slater, the father of the American Industrial Revolution, Rhode Island has been home to a wealth of revolutionaries, rebels, and rogues.

Revolutionaries, Rebels and Rogues of Rhode Island (Wicked)

by M.E. Reilly-McGreen

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2328 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	131 pages

Anne Bailey: The Pirate Queen of Newport

Anne Bailey was born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1742. She was the daughter of a sea captain, and she grew up to be a skilled sailor herself. In the 1760s, she married a pirate named Captain William Kidd, and together they sailed the seas, plundering ships and amassing a fortune. Bailey was a fierce and fearless pirate, and she was known for her quick wit and sharp tongue. She was also a skilled navigator, and she was able to outmaneuver many of her enemies.

Bailey's reign as pirate queen came to an end in 1775, when she was captured by the British Navy. She was imprisoned in England, but she eventually escaped and returned to Newport. She continued to live there until her death in 1825.

Samuel Slater: The Father of the American Industrial Revolution

Samuel Slater was born in Belper, England, in 1768. He was the son of a weaver, and he learned the trade from his father. In 1789, Slater immigrated to the United States, and he brought with him the knowledge of the new textile machinery that was being developed in England. Slater used this knowledge to establish the first successful cotton mill in the United States, and he is considered to be the father of the American Industrial Revolution.

Slater's cotton mill was located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and it was the first factory in the United States to use water power to drive its machinery. Slater's mill was a success, and it helped to make Rhode Island a leading center of the textile industry. Slater continued to innovate throughout his life, and he developed many new inventions that improved the textile industry.

Roger Williams: The Founder of Rhode Island

Roger Williams was born in London, England, in 1603. He was a Puritan minister, and he was persecuted for his religious beliefs. In 1636, Williams was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and he founded the colony of Rhode Island. Rhode Island was a haven for religious freedom, and it attracted people from all over the world who were seeking a place where they could worship freely.

Williams was a strong advocate for religious freedom, and he believed that all people should be free to practice their own religion without government interference. He also believed in the separation of church and state, and he was a strong advocate for democracy. Williams's ideas were instrumental in shaping the founding principles of the United States.

The Gaspee Affair

The Gaspee Affair was a pivotal event in the lead-up to the American Revolution. In 1772, the British revenue schooner Gaspee ran aground near Providence, Rhode Island. A group of Rhode Island colonists boarded the ship and burned it to the ground. The British government responded by sending a commission to investigate the incident, and several Rhode Islanders were arrested and charged with treason.

The Gaspee Affair was a major turning point in the relationship between the American colonies and Great Britain. It showed that the colonists were willing to stand up to British authority, and it helped to build support for the American Revolution.

The Dorr Rebellion

The Dorr Rebellion was a political uprising that took place in Rhode Island from 1841 to 1842. The rebellion was led by Thomas Dorr, a reformer who was opposed to the state's charter government. Dorr and his followers believed that the charter government was undemocratic, and they wanted to replace it with a more democratic government.

The Dorr Rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, but it was a significant event in Rhode Island history. It showed that the people of Rhode Island were willing to fight for their rights, and it helped to bring about a number of reforms to the state's government.

Revolutionaries, Rebels and Rogues of Rhode Island (Wicked)

by M.E. Reilly-McGreen

4.3 out of 5