“Customes, Manners, and Worships”

Rhode Island BeginsEXHIBIT OPEN OCTOBER !", #$!! – APRIL !%, #$!#

TUESDAY – SU NDAY, !$:$$ A M – &:$$ PM

M ANNING HALL GALLERY, BROW N UNIV ERSITY

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“A Mapp of New England” (Detail), 1676, John Seller, London Courtesy of the John Carter Brown LibraryThis map, with images taken from Theodor de Bry's Grands Voyages, is the first large printed map of New England. It includes a detail of fighting in King Philip’s War. The Indians are depicted with bows here, although they more often used guns.

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THE FIRST HU NDRED Y EA RS

For everyone in Rhode Island’s !rst century — Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans — the English

“invasion” was a day-to-day process of adapting to the new. Traditions collided and new life ways emerged, bred less of ideals than of persistent devotion to one’s distinct “customes, manners, and worships” — the subtitle of Roger Williams’ book about the lives of the peoples he met when he arrived in what is now Rhode Island "#$ years ago. This exhibit offers glimpses into those daily lives, demonstrating the proximity of sometimes different, sometimes con%icting, sometimes cooperative life ways. Rhode Island’s !rst century was shaped by daily interactions among diverse peoples and, through their connections, with the rest of the world. “Contact” was but a moment; learning to live together despite cherished differences is still ongoing.

Curated and written by Caroline Frank and Kevin P. Smith, with Kirsten HammerstromPrinted by Meridian Printing

Acknowledgements

Contributors: Rhode Island Historical Society, Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, NewportHistorical Society, John Carter Brown Library, Greene Farm Archaeology Project.

This exhibit celebrates “Providence 375,” commemorating the arrival of Roger Williams anda small group of English religious dissidents in 1636 on the shores of what came to be calledRhode Island and Providence Plantations. We wish to acknowledge the support of the ProvidenceTourism Council, The City of Providence, and Mayor Angel Taveras.

“A Mapp of New England” (Detail), 1676, John Seller, London Courtesy of the John Carter Brown LibraryThis map, with images taken from Theodor de Bry's Grands Voyages, is the first large printed map of New England. It includes a detail of fighting in King Philip’s War. The Indians are depicted with bows here, although they more often used guns.

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Long before Rhode Island began, hundreds of thousands of people lived along the shores of Narragansett Bay,

Long Island Sound, Cape Cod, the islands, and Massachusetts Bay. These people spoke related Algonquian languages and belonged to vast nations steered by powerful leaders. At times allies, at times enemies, the people of these nations — Wampanoags, Narragansetts, Mohegans, Pequots, Massachusetts, Nipmucs — were among the !rst to welcome and to be displaced by English settlers. When the English arrived, more than "## generations of Native Americans had lived here, establishing dynamic histories, rich cultures, and ways of life that were well-adapted to this region’s resources. Around $%$", Europeans accidentally introduced smallpox to Wampanoag communities on Cape Cod. Massasoit and other tribal leaders subsequently welcomed English “pilgrims” as potential allies and trade partners. By $%&%, the Narragansett, on the western shore of Narragansett Bay, found themselves living in a changed cultural landscape. To the east, the Wampanoag communities were rebuilding; their English allies were numerous and dangerously armed. Seeking advantage in a similar alliance, the Narragansett welcomed Roger Williams when he arrived in exile. His welcome was due as much to indigenous political dynamics as to his character, faith, or ideological message.

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Nature knowes no difference between Europe and Americans in blood, birth, bodies, &c. God having of one blood made all mankind. — !"#$! %&''&()*

Stone Pipes Haffenreffer Museum of AnthropologyNative farmers throughout the Americas domesticated many of the crops that Europeans carried back to their home countries. Tobacco had spiritual, ceremonial, and secular uses. Its euphoric and addictive qualities ensured it universal appeal beyond North America’s shores.

Clay PotHaffenreffer Museum of AnthropologyNative women made clay pots for cooking food, serving meals, and storing raw materials.

Pot

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I have heard of many English lost, and have oft been lost my selfe, and my selfe and others have often been found, and succoured by the Indians. — !"#$! %&''&()*

When Roger Williams, founder of Providence Plantation, openly questioned the

authority of Massachusetts’ magistrates, they threatened him with banishment, or worse. He +ed to the region called

“Narragansett Country.” He was ill. First Wampanoag and then Narragansett took him in and cared for him. He later wrote a linguistic and ethnographic account of their life ways in his ,-./ book A Key into the Language of America.

Pocket Sundial Compass, mid-17th centuryRhode Island Historical SocietyRoger Williams may have used this compass to find his way through the frozen forests and rivers of New England on the January night in 1636 when he fled Massachusetts.

Title page of A Key into the Language of America.

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Pocket Sundial Compass, mid-17th centuryRhode Island Historical SocietyRoger Williams may have used this compass to find his way through the frozen forests and rivers of New England on the January night in 1636 when he fled Massachusetts.

Title page of A Key into the Language of America.

SPIRITUALITY

Rhode Island communities structured themselves around diverse spiritual beliefs and leaders. Although mainstream English society did not recognize non-Christian practices, Rhode

Island was more accepting of religious diversity than most of the British colonies in America. Yet Catholics, Africans, and Jews worshipped quietly with their own prayers and rituals and the enslaved in Rhode Island often practiced their beliefs out of sight. Despite attempts to convert them, most Native Americans kept their own religion through the hard times of English settlement and King Philip’s War. The majority of Narragansett or Wampanoag never converted to Christianity.

Bear Effigy Stone PipeHaffenreffer Museum of AnthropologySmoking and tobacco had both sacred and cer-emonial uses among Native peoples of Rhode Island. The bear, along with some other animals considered beautiful or dangerous, could mani-fest manitou, a divine vital force potentially present in all things.

Bible, printed in Geneva, Switzerland, 1607John Carter Brown LibraryMany first generation “pilgrims” from England brought large family bibles to America. This one, in Latin, belonged to the Updike family who lived in Wickford. Baptisms were often recorded inside, as here for the Updikes, on the page preceding the New Testament.

“I !nd what I could never heare before, that they have plenty of Gods or divine powers: the Sunn, Water, Snow, Earth, the Deere, the Beare.”

— Roger Williams, describing Narragansett beliefs, "#$%

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AT HOME

Most of life’s activities took place at home: from birth to burial, brick making to hide tanning, bread

baking to cloth making, forging nails to !int napping. Livestock were kept in adjoining structures. Home interiors could be cramped and dark for all but the wealthiest, who had glass windows. Much work, even sewing and food preparation, was performed outdoors.

Iron key Greene Farm Archaeology Project

Basket, probably late 17th century, CranstonRhode Island Historical SocietyIn 1842, when this Indian basket was given to the historical society, it came with a date of 1676 and a story of the devastation at the end of King Philip’s War, English compassion, and Indian gratitude — the way Rhode Islanders wanted to remember the war. It is in fact later, part of a long tradition of commerce between Native Americans and English settlers."

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AT WORK

The implements characterizing Native American and European domestic life and work began to converge

from the moment of “contact.” All used metal kettles, deer skin clothing, guns, reed baskets, and domesticated animals. In many cases, new materials were adapted to old forms: for example, brass and glass projectile points replaced stone.

Large Pig Jaw Bone, c. 1660–1690Greene Farm Archaeology Project

Seal of Newport, 1696Newport Historical Society

Brass Projectile PointHaffenreffer Museum of Anthropology

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COMMERCE

Exchange introduced new goods, wealth,

friendships — and con!icts. Early Rhode Islanders turned to the Dutch in New Amsterdam for Iroquoian trade goods, for sophisticated European and Asian products, and for lower prices on everyday necessities such as gunpowder, metal utensils, ceramics, and liquor. Steel drills from European traders allowed Algonquian peoples to increase commercial production of wampum, formerly used mainly for ritual exchanges and to mark prestige.

Bill for Rum & Molasses, 1671Newport Historical SocietyBenedict Arnold of Pawtuxet and Jamestown.

Store sign, 1718, ProvidenceRhode Island Historical SocietyShoemakers, called “cordwainers,” were among the most common tradespeople present among English colonists to Rhode Island.

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PLEASURES OF LIFE

Anstis Updike of Wickford Painted by Nehemiah Partridge, 1722Rhode Island Historical SocietyEarly Rhode Islanders were quite comfortable with sexuality in the proper context. Anstis Up-dike, suggestively depicted here by an itinerant limner, was one of Daniel Updike’s three wives. She bore his three children and her fertility is celebrated in this 1722 painting.

Gold and Coral Baby Rattle, 1670–1690, France Rhode Island Historical Society

Steatite GobletHaffenreffer Museum of Anthropology

“Strong drinke” was everywhere present in early Rhode Island, from Caribbean rum to Madeira wines, imported whiskies and gin. Modeled af-ter a European chalice or stemmed glass, this goblet indicates a taste for fine drink among tribal people.

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SELF PRESENTATION

The diverse languages, accents, classes, literacy levels, and religious

beliefs of early Rhode Islanders were made visible in the way they dressed — in the quality and origin of fabrics, head treatments, degree of nakedness or number of undergarments, and types of jewelry and adornments they wore.

John Potter Family at Tea Anonymous painter, 1742Newport Historical SocietyIn this overmantel painting, an English-dressed African-American child serves Chinese tea to his wealthy Newport master and his family.

Mr. Samuel Browne, Jr. of Providence Painted by John Smibert, 1734Rhode Island Historical SocietyBrowne’s lavish wig was an adornment eschewed by many Rhode Island Protestants.

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WAR

Roger Williams wrote of the Narragansett in !"#$, “Their wars are far less bloody and devouring than

the cruel wars of Europe, and seldom twenty slain in a pitched battle.” While the colonists scorned them as faint-hearted, the Indians viewed “total war” as a tragic waste of lives. All Europeans arrived in America expecting warfare, and indeed colonial wars were continual. King Philip’s War in !"%& altered the relationships between Native peoples and English in Rhode Island completely. Wampanoag grievances and English mistrust escalated into combat. Second-generation English colonists had far less military experience and support from Europe than their pilgrim fathers, while these Indians owned guns and were excellent marksmen. The war, characterized by stealth and starvation, was unlike conventional European warfare, although the scale of violence was similar. Mohawk attacks on their long-standing Algonquian enemies were pivotal to English victory in !"%".

long-standing Algonquianlong-standing Algonquianlong-standingenemies were pivotal toEnglish victory in victory in victory !"%".

Flintlock Musket, mid-17th century, England Rhode Island Historical SocietyFlintlock mechanisms were superior to matchlock guns. Not all colonists could afford the newer gun, but Indians refused to buy matchlocks. This gun has “JW” and “1667” scratched on its barrel as it belonged to Joseph Williams, the youngest son of Roger Williams.

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Robin Spears, 2011Photo by Lauren Meincke

Rhode Island Stone Walls Jamestown

But yet let me add this by way of commendation of the Narragansitt and Warwick Indians, who inhabit in the jurisdiction, that they are an active, laborious, and ingenious people; which is demonstrated in their labours they do for the English; of whom more are employed,!especially in making stone fences, and many other hard labours, than of any other Indian people or neighbours.

— Daniel Gookin,!Historical Collections of the Indians in New-England!("#$%)

Ceremonial stone structures had long been part of Native American life, but with the arrival of European domestic

animals, walls became necessary. The exhibition explores the ways that for everyone in Rhode Island’s &rst century — Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans — the English “invasion” was a day-to-day process of adapting to the!new. Traditions collided, and new life ways emerged.

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!!" Benevolent StreetProvidence, R

I "#$"%

NON

PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PROVIDENCE, RI

PERMIT N

O. 617

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