Who established the colony of Portsmouth as a new settlement for dissenters?

The establishment of Portsmouth as a new settlement for dissenters is correctly attributed to Anne Hutchinson. In the early 1630s, Hutchinson, a Puritan woman who challenged the religious orthodoxy of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, faced increasing persecution for her beliefs, which included advocating for a personal interpretation of the Bible and criticizing the colony's ministers.

As a result of her dissenting views, she was eventually banished from Massachusetts. In 1638, she moved to what is now Rhode Island, where she, along with some followers, founded the settlement of Portsmouth. This settlement was notable for being one of the few early communities in America that provided a degree of religious freedom and tolerance, appealing to those seeking refuge from Puritan orthodoxy.

While Roger Williams was also instrumental in the founding of Providence and had conflicts with the Massachusetts Puritans, it is Hutchinson who directly established Portsmouth as a dissenting community. Cecil Calvert and William Penn were associated with different colonies focused on proprietary governance, religious tolerance, and settlement but did not have a direct part in the founding of Portsmouth.