The territory, which in 1862 became the town of East Providence was in the mainstream of early American history. The original settlement and development of the area take us back to two of the most famous movements in our history - the coming of the Pilgrims to Plymouth, and the Puritans to the Boston area. Both groups contributed settlers, ideas, and disagreements to the early history of East Providence.  East Providence was first settled in 1636. Earlier in that year, Roger Williams and his followers were banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and founded a new community called "Seacunke", (Seekonk).

Shortly thereafter Roger Williams and his group were informed by the Governor that their land was within territorial limits claimed by the colony of Massachusetts. Williams' party quickly departed and settled nearby, starting what would eventually become the City of Providence.  In 1862, when East Providence was incorporated as a part of Rhode Island, many older residents of the community could boast of having lived in 3 towns and 2 states without ever having moved.  In 1862 the westerly part of Seekonk was annexed to Rhode Island and incorporated as a town, which was named East Providence. Thus, settling the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Boundary question. East Providence's proximity to Providence, and strong ties with Rhode Island, made this action inevitable.