Rhode Island In Colonial Times. Near connecticut, massachusetts, and new hampshire. Black bears, beavers, and fishers (a type of weasel) have all returned to the land.

In 1663, charles ii granted the charter of rhode island & providence plantations. King charles ii was pleased to see a colony that offered religious freedom and granted the charter which in turn encouraged many of the persecuted to flee england for rhode island. Colonial rhode island's largest cities—providence, portsmouth, and newport—were located by the coast.