Warwick, Rhode Island is today the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Located in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States.
The Shawhomett Purchase =[]
Warwick was founded in 1642 by Samuel Gorton (1592-1677) when Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Miantonomi agreed to accept 144 fathoms of Wampum for what was known as "The Shawhomett Purchase". This included the present day towns of Warwick, Coventry and West Warwick.
1643 Land Dispute[]
However, the purchase was not without dispute. The two sachems of the area, Sacononoco and Pumham, stated that Miantonomi had sold the land without asking for their approval. They took their case to Boston, where they placed their lands under Massachusetts rule. In 1643, Massachusetts Bay Colony sent a militia force to Shawomett to arrest Gorton and his followers. After a tense standoff, all but three of the Gortonists surrendered to the Massachusetts force. This event caused the other three settlements on Narragansett Bay (Providence, Portsmouth, and Newport) to unite and get a royal charter allowing them to form the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
In 1648, Gorton was granted a Charter by Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick, Lord Admiral and head of the Parliamentary Commission on Plantation Affairs. Because of this, the name of the settlement was changed from Shawhomett to Warwick. Massachusetts continued to lay claim to the area, but it made no further effort to enforce it.
Founders of Warwick[]
Those who purchased the land from the Indians, January 1643:
- Randall Holden (1612-1692) -
- John Greene (c1594-1658) -
- John Wickes
- Francis Weston
- Samuel Gorton (1592-1677) - first land purchase of Warwick
- Richard Waterman
- John Warner
- Richard Carder (1618-1674)
- Samson Shotten
- Robert Potter (1608-1655)
- William Wodell
- Nicholas Power
Summary: 1642 Warwick Settlement =[]
Warwick City Hall
Warwick was founded in 1642 by Samuel Gorton and his followers convinced Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Miantonomi agreed to accept 144 fathoms of Wampum for what was known as "The Shawhomett Purchase". This included the present day towns of Warwick, Coventry and West Warwick. The following year, a major dispute erupted over the purchase leading to significant trial in the colonial courts.