Was the province of Massachusetts Bay a royal colony?
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a royal colony in Massachusetts in the 17 th and 18 th century. The province was originally a charter colony called the Massachusetts Bay Colony until 1684, when its charter was revoked due to repeated violations of its terms, and it was converted into a royal colony in 1691.
What is the history of the Massachusetts colony?
The Massachusetts colonies spent much of the 17th century as independent, privately-run colonies but entered the 18th century as one large royal colony under the close watch of the British government.
What was the relationship between New England colonies and Massachusetts Bay?
In 1643, Massachusetts Bay joined Plymouth Colony, Connecticut Colony, and New Haven Colony in the New England Confederation, a loose coalition organized primarily to coordinate military and administrative matters among the Puritan colonies. It was most active in the 1670s during King Philip's War.
How did Plymouth become part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
Increasing estrangement between the colony and England resulted in the annulment of the company’s charter in 1684 and the substitution of royal government under a new charter granted in 1691. The charter of 1691 merged the Plymouth colony and Maine into the Massachusetts Bay Colony. See also Plymouth.
See more
What tribes lived in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts was originally inhabited by tribes of the Algonquian language family such as the Wampanoag, Narragansetts, Nipmucs, Pocomtucs, Mahicans, and Massachusetts. The Vermont and New Hampshire borders and the Merrimack River valley was the traditional home of the Pennacook tribe. Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and southeast Massachusetts were the home of the Wampanoags who established a close bond with the Pilgrim Fathers. The extreme end of the Cape was inhabited by the closely related Nauset tribe. Much of the central portion and the Connecticut River valley was home to the loosely organized Nipmucs. The Berkshires were the home of both the Pocomtuc and the Mahican tribes. Narragansetts from Rhode Island and Mahicans from Connecticut Colony were also present.
Why did the New England colonies use paper money?
In 1690, the Massachusetts Bay Colony became the first to issue paper money in what would become the United States, but soon others began printing their own money as well. The demand for currency in the colonies was due to the scarcity of coins, which had been the primary means of trade. Colonies' paper currencies were used to pay for their expenses and lend money to the colonies' citizens. Paper money quickly became the primary means of exchange within each colony, and it even began to be used in financial transactions with other colonies. However, some of the currencies were not redeemable in gold or silver, which caused them to depreciate. With the Currency Act of 1751, the British parliament limited the ability of the New England colonies to issue fiat paper currency. Under the 1751 act, the New England colonial governments could make paper money legal tender for the payment of public debts (such as taxes), and could issue bills of credit as a tool of government finance, but barred the use of paper money as legal tender for private debts. Under continued pressure from the British merchant-creditors who disliked being paid in depreciated paper currency, the subsequent Currency Act of 1764 banned the issuance of bills of credit (paper money) throughout the colonies. Colonial governments used workarounds to accept paper notes as payment for taxes and pressured Parliament to repeal the prohibition on paper money as legal tender for public debts, which Parliament ultimately did in 1773.
What was the name of the province that the king of England established in 1691?
The new king William III established the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1691 to govern a territory roughly equivalent to the modern states of Massachusetts and Maine.
Why did the Pilgrims come to Massachusetts?
The Puritans strongly dissented from the theology and church polity of the Church of England, and they came to Massachusetts for religious freedom. The Bay Colony was founded under a royal charter, unlike Plymouth Colony. The Puritan migration was mainly from East Anglia and southwestern regions of England, with an estimated 20,000 immigrants between 1628 and 1642. Massachusetts Bay colony quickly eclipsed Plymouth in population and economy, the chief factors being the large influx of population, more suitable harbor facilities for trade, and the growth of a prosperous merchant class.
What led to the revocation of the Massachusetts charter in 1684?
These political and trade issues led to the revocation of the Massachusetts charter in 1684. The king established the Dominion of New England in 1686 to govern all of New England, and to centralize royal control and weaken local government.
Why were labor unions important in the 1860s?
Labor unions were important after the 1860s, as was big-city politics. The state's strength as a center of education contributed to the development of an economy based on information technology and biotechnology in the later years of the 20th century, leading to the " Massachusetts Miracle " of the late 1980s.
Which colony was granted jurisdiction in 1664?
In 1664, a royal commission appointed by King Charles II of England denied the claims of Massachusetts and Plymouth to land west of Narragansett Bay, granting jurisdiction to the newly unified Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (pending resolution of the claims of Connecticut).
How far was the Merrimack River from the colony?
The colonial charter specified that the boundaries were to be from three miles (4.8 km) north of the Merrimack River to three miles south of the southernmost point of the Charles River and thence westward to the "South Sea" (i.e., the Pacific Ocean ). At the time, the course of neither of the rivers was known for any significant length, which eventually led to boundary disputes with the colony's neighbors. The colony's claims were large, but the practicalities of the time meant that they never actually controlled any land further west than the Connecticut River valley. The colony also claimed additional lands by conquest and purchase, further extending the territory that it administered.
Why did the Massachusetts Bay colonists see themselves as something apart from their mother country?
The colony also did not keep its headquarters and oversight in London but moved them to the colony. The Massachusetts Bay colonists viewed themselves as something apart from their "mother country" of England because of this tradition of self-rule, coupled with the theocratic nature of New England Puritan society. The Puritan founders of Massachusetts and Plymouth saw themselves as having been divinely given their lands in the New World with a duty to implement and observe religious law.
Why did the Pilgrims establish Plymouth?
In December 1620, a group of Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony just to the south of Massachusetts Bay, seeking to preserve their cultural identity and attain religious freedom. Plymouth's colonists faced great hardships and earned few profits for their investors, who sold their interests to them in 1627. Edward Winslow and William Bradford were two of the colony's leaders and were likely the authors of a work published in England in 1622 called Mourt's Relation. This book in some ways resembles a promotional tract intended to encourage further immigration. There were other short-lived colonial settlements in 1623 and 1624 at Weymouth, Massachusetts; Thomas Weston's Wessagusset Colony failed, as did an effort by Robert Gorges to establish an overarching colonial structure.
Why did the Crown want to include non-Puritans in the leadership of the colony?
The Crown learned of these divisions and sought to include non-Puritans in the leadership in the hope of managing the colony.
What countries did the Massachusetts Bay colony trade with?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was economically successful, trading with England, Mexico and the West Indies. In addition to barter, transactions were done in English pounds, Spanish "pieces of eight", and wampum in the 1640s.
How did the colonists get land?
Seeking land of their own, groups of families would petition the government for land on which to establish a new town; the government would typically allow the group's leaders to select the land. These grants were typically about 40 square miles (10,000 ha), and were located sufficiently near other towns to facilitate defense and social support. The group leaders would also be responsible for acquiring native title to the lands that they selected. By this means, the colony expanded into the interior, spawning settlements in adjacent territories as well.
What is the name of the colony in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts. Maine. New Hampshire. The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of America around the Massachusetts Bay, the northernmost of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The lands of the settlement were in ...
What colony was Boston in?
1632 – The colonists officially make Boston the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 1634 – William Blackstone sells his 50 acre farm in Boston to the colonists, which they use as a community common now known as Boston Common, and leaves for Rhode Island.
When did the Massachusetts Bay colonists land in Massachusetts?
On June 12, the Massachusetts Bay colonists reach the coast of Massachusetts and land at Salem. The existing colony at Salem is unable to accommodate the 700-800 new colonists so the Massachusetts Bay colonists resettle in Charlestown.
What was the purpose of the Massachusetts Bay Company?
The group were members of the Massachusetts Bay Company, which was a joint stock trading company that formed in 1628 to trade furs and fish from New England. Massachusetts Bay became the most successful colony in Massachusetts and later absorbed nearby colonies such as the Province of New Hampshire, the Province of Maine and Plymouth Colony. ...
What is the timeline of Massachusetts Bay?
The following is a timeline of the Massachusetts Bay Colony: 1498 – John Cabot explores the east coast of North America and claims it for England. 1602 – Bartholomew Gosnold explores the east coast and names Cape Cod. 1614 – Captain John Smith explores and maps the New England coast.
Which colony was the first to legalize slavery?
1641 – On December 10, the Massachusetts Bay Colony becomes the first colony to legalize slavery.
When was the Massachusetts Bay colony charter signed?
1629 – On February 27, the Massachusetts Bay Colony charter is confirmed. The charter changes the name of the New England Company to “the Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.”
When was Harvard College established?
On September 8, Harvard College is established in Cambridge. 1637 – On November 7, Anne Hutchinson is brought to trial by the Massachusetts Bay Colony for sedition. 1639 – On November 6, the first post office is established in the colony in Boston.
What is the history of Massachusetts Bay?
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a royal colony in Massachusetts in the 17 th and 18 th century. The province was originally a charter colony called the Massachusetts Bay Colony until 1684, when its charter was revoked due to repeated violations of its terms, and it was converted ...
How many councilors were required to be from the Massachusetts Bay?
Eighteen of the councilors were required to be from the Massachusetts Bay, at least four were required to be from the former Plymouth Colony, at least three were required to be from the former Province of Maine, and at least one was required to be from the territory between the Sagadahoc River and Nova Scotia.
How many men served on the Massachusetts General Court?
Between 1691 and 1780, a total of 3,117 men served on the Massachusetts General Court. These men were mostly farmers, but some were also shopkeepers and small-time merchants. A few were wealthy landowners, merchants and tradesmen.
When was Massachusetts Bay a royal colony?
The province was originally a charter colony called the Massachusetts Bay Colony until 1684, when its charter was revoked due to repeated violations of its terms, and it was converted into a royal colony in 1691. British control of all 13 colonies in North America, including the Province of Massachusetts Bay, was eventually overthrown during ...
What was the difference between the new charter and the old charter?
The first major difference between the new charter and the old charter was that the colonial officials were appointed by the crown, instead of being elected by the colonists . The second major difference was that it changed the voting eligibility requirements from religious qualifications to land ownership.
When was the Massachusetts Bay charter issued?
Charter of the Province: The charter for the Province of Massachusetts Bay was issued by King William and Queen Mary on October 7, 1691. The charter took effect when Sir William Phips arrived in Boston with the new charter on Saturday, May 14, 1692. In addition to converting the Massachusetts Bay Colony into a royal colony, ...
What power did the governor's council have?
The governor’s council had the power to assume the duties of the governor and lieutenant governor if they were both absent from the colony , which happened three times in the history of the province.
What is the name of the colony in Massachusetts?
Province of Massachusetts Bay. Not to be confused with Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a colony in British America which became one of the thirteen original states of the United States. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William III and Mary II, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
When did the colonists settle in Massachusetts?
Colonial settlement of the shores of Massachusetts Bay began in 1620 with the founding of the Plymouth Colony. Other attempts at colonization took place throughout the 1620s, but expansion of English settlements only began on a large scale with the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628 and the arrival of the first large group of Puritan settlers in 1630. Over the next ten years, there was a major migration of Puritans to the area, leading to the founding of a number of new colonies in New England. By the 1680s, the number of New England colonies had stabilized at five; the Connecticut Colony, the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and the Province of New Hampshire all bordered the area surrounding Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth. Massachusetts Bay, however, was the most populous and economically significant, hosting a sizable merchant fleet.
How did the character of local politics change as the province prospered and grew?
The character of local politics changed as the province prospered and grew. Unity of community during the earlier colonial period gave way to subdivision of larger towns. Dedham, for example, was split into six towns, and Newburyport was separated from Newbury in 1764.
What were the problems of the 1760s?
Both Francis Bernard and Thomas Hutchinson, the last two non-military governors, were widely disliked over issues large and small, notably Parliament's attempts to impose taxes on the colonies without representation. Hutchinson was a Massachusetts native who served for many years as lieutenant governor, yet he authorized quartering British Army troops in Boston, which eventually precipitated the Boston massacre on March 5, 1770. By this time, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and others were actively opposing crown policies.
How many factions were there in Massachusetts?
This is in distinction to most of the other colonies, where there were two factions.
How many colonies were there in the 1680s?
By the 1680s, the number of New England colonies had stabilized at five ; the Connecticut Colony, the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and the Province of New Hampshire all bordered ...
Why did Massachusetts raise troops in 1709?
In 1709, Massachusetts raised troops for an expedition against Canada that was called off ; troops were again raised in 1710, when the Acadian capital of Port Royal was finally captured. Because of these wars, the colony had issued paper currency whose value was constantly in decline, leading to financial crises.
What was the purpose of salutary neglect?
Salutary neglect was a British policy in the early to mid 18th century during which officials allowed the colonies in America more freedom from trade regulations in the hopes that they would flourish economically so that England would reap the rewards of their success.
What did colonists learn during the period of salutary neglect?
Many historians argue that it was during the period of salutary neglect that colonists learned how to self-govern and began to develop a strong sense of independence that later strengthened their resolve to be free from British rule.
Why were the struggles and adversity that the colonists experienced in the 18th century a blessing?
Fortunately, the struggles and the adversity that the colonists experienced in the 18th century were a blessing in disguise because it gave them a new sense of identity, strength and independence that later convinced them to fight for their freedom in the late 18th century.
What was the Massachusetts colony?
The Massachusetts colonies spent much of the 17th century as independent, privately-run colonies but entered the 18th century as one large royal colony under the close watch of the British government.
What was the 18th century?
The 18th century was a tumultuous century in Massachusetts history. After the area was colonized in the 17th century, the colonies continued to grow and come into their own but they also began to encounter various problems such as war, economic instability and political struggles. The Massachusetts colonies spent much of ...
How did the American Revolution begin?
The American Revolution began after new taxes placed on imported British goods sold in the colonies did not go over well with the colonists.
Why did the British government institute new taxes on British goods sold in the colonies?
The policy was successful but eventually came to an end when the French and Indian war ended in 1763 and the British government instituted new taxes on imported British goods sold in the colonies in an effort to pay off the debt incurred from the war.
What was the Massachusetts colony?
The territory of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the fifty United States, was settled in the 17th century by several different English colonies. The territories claimed or administered by these colonies encompassed a much larger area than that of the modern state, and at times included areas that are now within the jurisdiction of other New England states or of the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Some colonial land claims extended all the way to the Pacific Ocean .
What was the name of the colony in Massachusetts?
The royal charter for the Province of Massachusetts Bay was issued in 1691. The territory that it encompassed included the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony, the territories of Maine and Nova Scotia (which then included New Brunswick ), and the proprietary plantation holdings of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and other islands off the southern coast of Cape Cod. The government did not formally begin operating until royally appointed governor Sir William Phips arrived in 1692. The province was governed by civilian governors until 1774, when Thomas Hutchinson was replaced by Lieutenant General Thomas Gage amid rising tensions between the Thirteen Colonies and the British Parliament. Gage was the province's last royal governor. He was effectively powerless beyond Boston, and was recalled after the June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. By then, the province was already being run de facto by the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, which continued to govern until 1780. The Massachusetts Constitution was adopted in 1779, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts elected John Hancock as its first governor.
Why was the Dominion of New England established?
The Dominion of New England was established by King James II in order to bring the colonies of New England more firmly under united crown control, and to streamline the costs associated with colonial administration. All of the New England colonies eventually came under its authority, as well as the provinces of New York, East Jersey, and West Jersey. Sir Edmund Andros governed the Dominion for most of its brief existence, but he alienated New Englanders by forcing the Church of England into Puritan Boston and vacating land titles issued under the old charter. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688 deposed James, Massachusetts political operatives arrested Andros and shipped him back to England. All of the affected colonies reverted to their previous forms of rule, although Massachusetts did so without constitutional authority because its charter had been revoked. William III and Mary II eventually issued new charters, but in the process they combined the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth Colony, and other territories into the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
What was the name of the colony that was ruled by a governor?
In 1681, they began also electing a deputy governor who would serve in the governor's absence. The leadership was dominated by William Bradford, who served more than 30 terms as governor. The colony was incorporated into the Dominion of New England in 1686, but the dominion was dissolved in 1689 and all the New England colonies temporarily reverted to their previous governmental structures. Plymouth finally received a royal charter in 1691, but it was not the one which they had sought for 70 years. Instead of protecting the colony's autonomy, the charter incorporated Plymouth into the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which took effect in 1692 with the arrival of royal governor Sir William Phips.
Where was the Wessagusset colony located?
The Wessagusset Colony (sometimes called the Weston Colony or Weymouth Colony) was a short-lived trading colony located in Weymouth, Massachusetts. It was settled in August 1622 by approximately 55 colonists who were ill-prepared for colonial life and lacking adequate provisions.
Why did the colony of Massachusetts revert to its previous rule?
The colony reverted to its previous rule on a provisional basis, because it then lacked any sort of legal charter.
When did Plymouth get its charter?
Plymouth finally received a royal charter in 1691, but it was not the one which they had sought for 70 years. Instead of protecting the colony's autonomy, the charter incorporated Plymouth into the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which took effect in 1692 with the arrival of royal governor Sir William Phips.
Overview
Boundaries
The history of the boundaries of Massachusetts is somewhat complex and covers several centuries. Land grants made to various groups of early colonists, mergers and secessions, and settlements of various boundary disputes all had a major influence on the modern definition of the Commonwealth. Disputes arose due to both overlapping grants, inaccurate surveys (creating a difference betw…
Before European settlement
Pilgrims and Puritans: 1620–1629
Massachusetts Bay Colony: 1628–1686
Dominion of New England: 1686–1692
In 1660, King Charles II was restored to the throne. Colonial matters brought to his attention led him to propose the amalgamation of all of the New England colonies into a single administrative unit. In 1685, he was succeeded by James II, an outspoken Catholic who implemented the proposal. In June 1684, the charter of the Massachusetts Bay Colony was annulled, but its government continued to rule until James appointed Joseph Dudley to the new post of President …
Royal Province of Massachusetts Bay: 1692–1774
Revolutionary Massachusetts: 1760s–1780s
Overview
History
Before the arrival of European colonists on the eastern shore of New England, the area around Massachusetts Bay was the territory of several Algonquian-speaking peoples, including the Massachusetts, Nausets, and Wampanoags. The Pennacooks occupied the Merrimack River valley to the north, and the Nipmucs, Pocumtucs, and Mahicans occupied the western lands of Massachusetts, altho…
Life
Government
Economy and trade
In the early years, the colony was highly dependent on the import of staples from England and was supported by the investments of a number of wealthy immigrants. Certain businesses were quick to thrive, notably shipbuilding, fisheries, and the fur and lumber trades. As early as 1632, ships built in the colony began trading with other colonies, England, and foreign ports in Europe. By 1660, the colony's merchant fleet was estimated at 200 ships and, by the end of the century, its …
Demographics
Most of the people who arrived during the first 12 years emigrated from two regions of England. Many of the colonists came from the county of Lincolnshire and East Anglia, northeast of London, and a large group also came from Devon, Somerset, and Dorset in the southwest of England. These areas provided the bulk of the migration, although colonists also came from other regions of England. The pattern of migration often centered around specific Nonconformist clergy who sou…
Geography
The Massachusetts colony was dominated by its rivers and coastline. Major rivers included the Charles and Merrimack, as well as a portion of the Connecticut River, which has been used to transport furs and timbers to Long Island Sound. Cape Ann juts into the Gulf of Maine, providing harbors for fishermen plying the fishing banks to the east, and Boston's harbor provided secure anchorage for seagoing commercial vessels. Development in Maine was restricted to coastal ar…
See also
• History of Massachusetts
• History of the Puritans in North America
• List of colonial governors of Massachusetts
• List of members of the colonial Massachusetts House of Representatives