Which individual purchased land from a neighboring Indian tribe to found the colony of Rhode Island?

Roger Williams is recognized for purchasing land from the Narragansett tribe to establish the colony of Rhode Island. This act is significant because it highlights Williams's principles of religious freedom and fair dealings with Indigenous peoples. After being expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to his beliefs, including the separation of church and state, he sought to create a community where individuals could practice their faith freely. His acquisition of land from the local tribes was done in a spirit of respect and negotiation, setting a precedent for future relations between European settlers and Native American tribes.

The other individuals mentioned are not connected to the founding of Rhode Island. James Oglethorpe is known for establishing Georgia as a colony, Chief Pontiac was a Native American leader involved in conflicts against British forces in the Great Lakes region, and Banneker, a notable African American astronomer and mathematician, had no direct ties to the founding of Rhode Island. Thus, the choice of Roger Williams stands out as the correct answer in the context of Rhode Island's founding.