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Rhode Island Call for Intercolonial Congress

When
1774
Where
Providence, Rhode Island; Rhode Island Colony
Episodes
2

On May 17, 1774, a town meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, proposed the idea of a Continental Congress. This initiative led to the colony electing its first delegates, Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward, on June 15, 1774, establishing Rhode Island as the first colony to call for such an intercolonial assembly.

Episodes

  1. May 17, 1774 · Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence Town Meeting Proposal

    A town meeting in Providence proposed the idea of a Continental Congress on May 17, 1774.

  2. June 15, 1774 · Rhode Island ColonyElection of First Delegates

    Rhode Island elected Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward as its first delegates to the Continental Congress on June 15, 1774.

Background and detail

Background. Rhode Island is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States, and its tradition of independence and dissent gave it a prominent role in the American Revolution.

The Call for Congress. The specific initiative for a Continental Congress originated at a town meeting in Providence on May 17, 1774. This proposal marked the first time a colony formally called for such an intercolonial assembly, distinguishing Rhode Island's action from later convenings in Philadelphia.

Delegation Selection. Following the proposal, Rhode Island moved to formalize its participation by electing delegates. On June 15, 1774, the colony selected Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward as its first representatives to the Continental Congress, ensuring its voice in the upcoming intercolonial discussions.

People involved

  • Stephen Hopkins · Elected delegate to the Continental Congress (identity not resolved to a supplied person record)
  • Samuel Ward · Elected delegate to the Continental Congress (identity not resolved to a supplied person record)

Sources

  1. Rhode Island Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-24

Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.