New England Colonies
By: Ryan Govert, Erin Brzezinski, Emily Warren, Jeremy Erwin
Massachusetts
The Pilgrims came in 1620, and Massachusetts became the site of the first Thanksgiving in the fall of 1621. In the 1700's, as the economy of the area benefited from abundant fishing, trading, and shipbuilding, the residents became more rebellious against Britain's persistent taxation. In 1773, history was made when Bostonians had their famous Tea Party, boarding a British tea ship, and tossing the tea into Boston Harbor in protest of unfair taxation. John Winthrop was the founder in 1630, and the purpose was for religious freedom for the Puritans.
New Hampshire
Under the authority of an English land grant preferred in 1629, Captain John Mason named this land New Hampshire after the English county of Hampshire where he had enjoyed a number of years as a child. Though Captain Mason invested over 22,000 pounds in clearing land, building houses and investing in the defense of his land grant, he died in England, before ever seeing his property in the new world. John Mason was the founder in 1630, and the purpose was for an escape for those constricted by religious and economic rules.
Connecticut
Three towns in Connecticut developed the first written constitution, "The Fundamental orders" where it was declared that "the foundation of authority is in the free consent of the people." Thomas Hooker was the founder in 1636, and the purpose was religious and economic freedom.
Rhode Island
The smallest state of the union, also has the longest official name of any of the states: "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". This state was named by Dutch explorer Adrian Block. He named it "Roodt Eylandt" meaning "red island" in reference to the red clay that lined the shore. Roger Williams was the founder in 1636, the purpose was for religious freedom.
Churches
The New England colonists were largely Puritans, who led very strict lives.