CODDINGTON, WILLIAM (160I-1678), one of the founders of Rhode Island, was born in Lincolnshire, England. He was sent out to the colony at Massachusetts bay as a magistrate, arriving at Salem on June 12, 163o. He was for some time treas urer of the colony, and is said to have built the first brick house in Boston. He supported the cause of Anne Hutchinson, the anti nomian, and when she was exiled he left, in 1638, for Rhode Island. His name appears first in the covenant of the settlers (see RHODE ISLAND). When Portsmouth and Newport were united (164o) Coddington was appointed the first governor, and he was presi dent of the colony in 1648-49. During his year of office he tried, without success, to secure the inclusion of Rhode Island in the confederacy of the United Colonies of New England. He was again governor in 1674-76. He died on Nov. 1, 1678.