PROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline today announced the safe transfer of an American treasure, known as the Original Roger Williams Deed dated 1637, from the archives of City Hall to the State Archives. Also transferred this morning was the Original Roger Williams Confirmation of House Lots dated 1661.

Majority Leader Hassett of the Providence City Council, which oversees the archives, appointed a committee to review the storage conditions after concerns were raised in February about potential exposure to water damage. However, after the committee had failed to meet for a number of months and members of the Mayor’s administration conducted an inspection, transfer of the documents was initiated.

“The Original Deed is so important to the history of our city, state and nation that we immediately needed to ensure its safe keeping for future generations,” said Mayor Cicilline. “It is the historic artifact most closely associated with the establishment of religious freedom, it is the founding document of our city and state, and it memorializes a significant moment in Native American and English colonist relations.”

The Original Deed and the Confirmation of House Lots documents, which will remain the property of the City of Providence, are now in a climate-controlled facility with a Halon Fire Suppression System and an alarm system. The State Archive also holds an original duplicate of the Declaration of Independence and is the central repository for all state records. The transfer was directed in Executive Order 2009-7 by the Mayor and was facilitated by the City Clerk.

Despite its worn condition, much of the one-page document is still legible, including the signatures of Narragansett Sachems Canonicus and Miantonomi, and of Williams. The Deed delineates the original boundaries of Williams’ settlement as conferred by the Sachems, and references still-familiar geographical features like the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers. The document is considered priceless.