The Roger Williams Family Association had its roots in the early 1880's when two or three related families, who were descended from Roger Williams, held an annual reunion and picnic in Roger Williams Park. They had no plans to form an association until 1886 when the City of Providence observed the 250th Anniversary of its founding. At that time, there were a number of celebrations, and Frederick Sayles, who was then Mayor of Pawtucket, called for a gathering of Williams descendants in Sayles Hall, Brown University. He expected about 50 or 60 people, and must have been overwhelmed when 1,000 showed up. Some brought charts showing their lines of descent, and others were somewhat vague about their lineage, relying solely on family tradition. They all showed a great deal of interest. Out of this gathering, the Roger Williams Family Association came into existence.

The Roger Williams Family Association was incorporated in 1906, in Providence, Rhode Island for (1)the purpose of honoring and preserving the memory of Roger Williams, Founder of the present State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and our progenitor; (2)the preparation and preservation of an authentic genealogy of his descendants; (3)the identification of as many descendants as possible; and (4)the promotion of friendship and social intercourse among them.