History
English colonists first settled on present-day Aquidneck Island in 1638 in the region called by the Natives "Pocasset" (meaning "where the stream widens"), the northern part of Portsmouth. At one time, Aquidneck Island was controlled by the Wampanoag, whose leader was the Sachem Massasoit. Traditionally, Massasoit greeted the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. Aquidneck Island was used primarily as a hunting territory although it was probably a summer residence as well.
As many as nine in ten of the Wampanoags were killed by the epidemics brought to North America by the Europeans in 1617–1619. The Narragansetts, who were unaffected by the diseases, fought for and obtained control of Aquidneck Island and other places. The Wampanoags regained control over their territories.
A group of European settlers engaged Roger Williams in 1638 to negotiate the terms of their purchase of the island from a sachem named Miantonomi. These settlers included William Coddington, Anne and William Hutchinson, William Dyer, John Coggeshall, Nicholas Easton, William Brenton, John Clarke, and Richard Maxson (Maggsen). Aquidneck Island, at the time, was the royal seat of Miantonomi. The terms of the sale were a swap: the settlers could have the island in exchange for forty fathoms of white peage, twenty hoes, ten coats for the resident Natives and five more fathoms of wampum for the local sachem. It is recorded that the Narragansett Sachems, Canonicus and his nephew, Miantonomi, who were in control of the island at the time, signed a "deed" for Aquidneck Island. These first settlers founded Pocasset, but the following spring, in 1639, William Coddington chose Newport, with its excellent harbor, for a new settlement, and some of the settlers followed him there.
A careful reading of the Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England (Vol. I, 1636–1663) will show a letter written by Roger Williams later in his life in which he attributes the kindness and generosity of the Wampanoag Massasoit years before for the gifts of Providence, all of Aquidneck Island, and Wappewassick (Prudence Island). Massasoit gifted Roger Williams with Aquidneck Island, Providence and Prudence Island for his friendship and love of Natives. Massasoit received no payment for these lands, and did not want any. Roger Williams said he was indebted to the Wampanoag Sachem until the day he died. Thus, Aquidneck Island may be one of the few places in the United States that is truly in keeping with Native traditions.
During the American Revolution Aquidneck Island was occupied by the British from 1776 to 1779. The Battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1778 was an unsuccessful attempt by the Continental Army under command of Major General John Sullivan to drive out the British and retake the strategic port city of Newport.
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