| June 23, 1790 1 Stat. 128 |
Congress organized Rhode Island as one judicial district, authorized one judgeship for the U.S. district court, and assigned the district to the Eastern Circuit. |
| February 13, 1801 2 Stat. 89 |
Judiciary Act of 1801 reorganized the federal courts into six circuits and assigned the District of Rhode Island to the First Circuit. |
| March 8, 1802 2 Stat. 132 |
The repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801 restored the judicial organization in effect before 1801. |
| April 29, 1802 2 Stat. 156 |
Congress in the Judiciary Act of 1802 again organized the federal courts into six circuits and assigned the District of Rhode Island to the First Circuit. |
| March 18, 1966 80 Stat. 75 |
One additional judgeship authorized. |
| July 10, 1984 98 Stat. 333 |
One additional judgeship authorized. |