Portsmouth, at the northern end of Aquidneck Island, is often known for its rolling farmland, historic gentlemen’s farms, and its connection to the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island. But the town also holds a major place in the story of early American democracy through the Portsmouth Compact of 1638. Signed on March 7, 1638 by 23 founders preparing to leave Boston at Roger Williams’ urging, the Compact created a community Christian in character but non-sectarian in governance—widely regarded as the first true instrument of democratic self-government in the Americas.
A plaque marking the Compact stands on a puddingstone in Founders’ Brook Park near the original settlement, associated with dissenters including Anne Hutchinson and Mary Dyer. While women were not permitted to sign, the article notes their influence on the colony was significant. The original document is preserved at the Rhode Island State Archives in Providence, and replicas are available at the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum. The original Compact—along with the Southwick copy of the Declaration of Independence—will be on display at Portsmouth Town Hall for Founder’s Day on March 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Portsmouth Historical Society, founded in 1938 during the Compact’s 300th anniversary and the aftermath of the Great New England Hurricane, preserves and shares this history through its museum and collections. The museum occupies the former Christian Union Church (built in 1824, moved and enlarged in 1865, and donated to the Society in 1940), and the grounds include the 1725 Southernmost School—considered the oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse in New England—plus the 1846 Old Town Hall, relocated in 1970 and now housing agricultural equipment and horse-drawn vehicles. As Portsmouth prepares for Rhode Island’s 250th commemorations, the Society is planning educational and commemorative programs, expanding engagement through a membership drive, and offering tours by appointment in the off-season with regular summer weekend hours.
The full article is provided below as scanned images. Additionally, a PDF download of the full article text is provided.
