Customer Reviews

Providence Island, 1630-1641: The Other Puritan Colony

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This work by Karen Ordahl Kupperman should be required reading for anyone interested in the roots of english "civilization" in the Americas. Kupperman pulls out of the dustbin of the archives the intriguing story of Providence Island, off the coast of central america & in the midst of then-powerful spanish colonies, to elucidate the motives of the puritan founding fathers. By so doing, Kupperman adds greatly to our often stereotyped insights about the differences between the "US" colonies (most notably, Massachusetts & Virginia), and the influence of environment, composition of migrants, & support from the home island. Kupperman also brought to my attention, for the first time in so bold a way, the hooks between the puritan founding class & the englishman who overthrew Charles I & involved themselves, in one way or another, in the administration of Cromwell.

What can I say? It is a comprehensive coverage of the settlement and loss of Providence Island and of the people involved. Not a pretty history at times but interesting.

Any one studying their "Rich" family heritage will be more than amply rewarded for reading the book. For others - it is an interesting and educational read.

Interesting, though a bit disjointed in flow. I purchased the book to find out more about My ancestor, John Adcock, a settler. There was only one reference to him. Was hoping for details on the settlers, origins, their life and jobs on Providence Island, and what became of them.