On This Day

William Coddington founds Newport, Rhode Island

William Coddington (1601 – 1 November 1678) was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

William Coddington (1601 – 1 November 1678) was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He served as the judge of Portsmouth and Newport in that colony, governor of Portsmouth and Newport, deputy governor of the four-town colony, and then governor of the entire colony. Coddington was born and raised in Lincolnshire, England. He accompanied the Winthrop Fleet on its voyage to New England in 1630, becoming an early leader in Boston.

Historical Significance

William Coddington (1601 – 1 November 1678) was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Events Before

  1. Dutch countess Louise of Solms marries earl John of Brederode

    Dutch countess Louise of Solms marries earl John of Brederode

  2. Dutch Premier Van Joost speaks of "Hostage Rights of Aemstel"

    Dutch Premier Van Joost speaks of "Hostage Rights of Aemstel"

  3. Petition in Recife Brazil leads to closing of their 2 synagogues

    Petition in Recife Brazil leads to closing of their 2 synagogues

  4. Scottish Presbyterians sign the National Covenant at Greyfriars, Edinburgh

    The National Covenant (Scottish Gaelic: An Cùmhnant Nàiseanta) was an agreement signed by many people of Scotland during 1638, opposing the proposed Laudian reforms of the Church of Scotland (also...

  5. Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimar occupies Rheinfelden

    Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimar occupies Rheinfelden

Events After

  1. English Long Parliament forms

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  2. English Short Parliament forms (till May 5)

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  3. English Short Parliament rises

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  4. 2,000 men from the VOC army surround the city of Malacca

    2,000 men from the VOC army surround the city of Malacca

  5. Portugal regains independence after 60 years of Spanish rule following a revolution by Portuguese nobility; the Portugue

    Portugal regains independence after 60 years of Spanish rule following a revolution by Portuguese nobility; the Portuguese Restoration War begins and lasts until 1668 with recognition by Spain of the country's independence

More from the 1630s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 8, 1639?
William Coddington (1601 – 1 November 1678) was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He served as the judge of Portsmouth and Newport in that colony, governor of Portsmouth and Newport, deputy governor of the four-town colony, and then governor of the entire colony. Coddington was born and raised in Lincolnshire, England.
Why is William Coddington founds Newport, Rhode Island significant?
William Coddington (1601 – 1 November 1678) was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

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