The Middle Colonies
By: Ryan Govert, Erin Brzezinski, Emily Warren, Jeremy Erwin
Delaware
Delaware was the only colony to be claimed by Sweden, Holland and England. And before that, there is some evidence that Egyptian explorers found their way to the state. One name goes a long way in this small state. The Indians and the state were both named after the Delaware River. And where did the river get its name? The Delaware River was named after Sir Thomas West (Lord de la Warr), the Virginia Company's first governor. Peter Minuit was the founder in 1638, and the purpose was for trade and profits.
New Jersey
New Jersey saw transportation feed industry, as canals, railroads, roads, and ports were built. And on into the 20th century, as its highway and transportation systems improved, it has continued to reign as one of the leading industrial states in the country. New Jersey ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1787 becoming the third state to do so, and was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights in 1789. Founded by Lord Berkeley in 1660, for trade and profits.
New York
New York was founded by Peter Minuit in 1626, the purpose was for trade and profits. New York was named by the British to honor the Duke of York and Albany, the brother of England's King Charles II, when New Amsterdam was taken from the Dutch in 1664. New York became the name of the state and the city.
Pennsylvania
As early as 1647, settlement occurred on what is now Pennsylvania soil by Swedish, Dutch and English settlers in the Delaware River region. In 1681 however, Pennsylvania's colonial status was sealed when approximately the present state of Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn, a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers), to offset a debt owed to Penn's father. In 1682 the city plan for Philadelphia was laid out. In 1682 the "Frame of Government" for Pennsylvania was put into effect. In 1683 the first German settlers arrived in Pennsylvania and formed Germantown near Philadelphia.
Churches
Most New Englanders went for church services to the meetinghouse, where they often for other things as well. The meetinghouse was a large building in the center of a town area and was used for town meetings as well as religious services. the religion of the churches deepened on were they lived.The New England colonists were largely Puritans, who led very strict lives.The Middle colonists were a mixture of religions, including Quakers (led by William Penn), Catholics, Lutherans, Jews, and others.The Southern colonists had a mixture of religions as well, including Baptists and Anglicans.