Coddington founds Newport; a new settlement opens on Aquidneck Island for those driven out by the Antinomian Controversy
In 1639, William Coddington faced a pivotal moment. After the Antinomian Controversy, he sought a new haven for religious freedom. His decision to found Newport, Rhode Island, would change the course of colonial history.
QWhy did Coddington oppose the Williams Patent?
Coddington opposed the Williams Patent because he believed it would undermine the well-organized and independent government of the island towns. He saw the patent as a threat to the civil and religious liberties that had been established in Newport and Portsmouth. His resistance to the patent highlighted the tensions between the island and mainland settlements and his commitment to maintaining colonial independence.
QWhat role did Coddington play in the Antinomian Controversy?
Coddington played a significant role in the Antinomian Controversy as a magistrate who sided with the free grace advocates, including Anne Hutchinson and John Wheelwright. He dissented from the court's decision to banish Hutchinson, arguing that there was no clear evidence against her. His stance during the controversy demonstrated his commitment to religious freedom and his opposition to what he saw as unjust proceedings.
