The Massachusetts colonies were formed by those in search of religious freedom. However, some colonists found that their leaders would not allow religious beliefs that were different. Thomas Hooker left Massachusetts with a small group in 1636 and founded Hartford in the area that is now the state of Connecticut. Roger Williams was a famous colonial dissenter, a person who holds beliefs that are different from his leader’s beliefs. He was forced out of Massachusetts in 1636. He went to present day Rhode Island and founded the colony of Providence.