-
1607
The first colony was founded at Jamestown, Virginia - refer to Virginia Colony. The start of this 13 Colonies Timeline -
Period: to
the 13 colonies
-
1618
The Headright System was set up by the London company in 1618 that gave 50 acres of land to colonists who paid their own way to Virginia, or paid the way for someone else -
1620
The Pilgrims establish their own government, the basis of which was the Mayflower Compact, which they drafted on their journey to the New World on the Mayflower. -
1620 #2
The Pilgrims, the founders of Plymouth, arrived in 1620. John Mason and Sir Ferdinando Gorges, the "Father of English Colonization in North America" had received land in northern New England which became the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Mason eventually formed New Hampshire and the land of Sir Ferdinando Gorges led to Maine. Massachusetts Bay Colony controlled both regions until New Hampshire was given a royal charter in 1679 and Maine was made its own state in 1820. -
1623
New Netherlands, which became New York, was settled by the Dutch - refer to Peter Stuyvesant and Peter Minuit. In 1664, King Charles II granted New Netherland to his brother James, Duke of York who took a fleet to the area. The Dutch surrendered New Netherlands without a fight and it was renamed New York. -
1628
Puritans led by John Winthrop formed the Massachusetts Bay Company and many Puritans continued to settle in the areas around Boston. -
1636
Connecticut was initially settled colonists, led by Thomas Hooker, left the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to dissatisfaction and settled in the Connecticut River Valley. In 1639, three settlements joined to form a unified government creating a document called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the first written constitution in America. King Charles II officially united Connecticut as a single colony in 1662 - refer to Connecticut Colony. -
1663
Carolina was settled. Eight men received charters for the Carolinas in 1663 from King Charles II to settle lands south of Virginia. The area was called Carolina. See the Lords Proprietors and the Charter of Carolina. The main port was called Charles Town (Charleston) after the king. In 1729, North and South Carolina became separate Proprietary Colonies - refer to North Carolina Colony and South Carolina Colony -
1675
The Lords of Trade are appointed in England to enforce the new mercantile system and maximize potential profits for England -
1682
Quakers Settle in Pennsylvania. The Quakers were persecuted in England and looked to have a colony in America with religious freedom. William Penn received a grant, which the King called Pennsylvania. The first settlement was Philadelphia - refer to Pennsylvania Colony -
1688
King James II appoints Sir Edmund Andros to serve as Captain General and Governor in Chief of New England. Sir Edmund Andros causes dissension with the colonists as he does not have to answer to any elected assembly -
1688 2
1688 - 1763 The French and Indian Wars between France and Great Britain for lands in North America -
1689
Feb 13, 1689 The Glorious Revolution. The Protestant William III and Mary II officially replace the Catholic James II as monarchs of England. The English Bill of Rights which enables Parliament to control laws and taxes -
1689
Mar 1689 Glorious Revolution Sparks Revolt in the colonies. Boston militiamen seize Governor-in-Chief Andros and put him in jail. The New England colonies begin to re-establish governments. Jacob Leisler (1640-1691) was a German immigrant who led the insurrection against local colonial officials from 1689 to 1691 in colonial New York -
1691
Salem Witchcraft Trials - Hysteria over witchcraft accusations consumes Salem Village, Massachusetts -
1696
1696 Salutary Neglect. The British government establishes the Board of Trade to oversee colonial policies practicing a policy of "Salutary Neglect," in which it gives the colonies considerable freedom in economic matters. -
1703
The Duke of York gained New Netherland and New Sweden which had been founded by Peter Minuit. He renamed the whole region as New York. -
1733
1733 - Georgia is settled. James Oglethorpe receives a charter to create a colony between South Carolina and Florida. Georgia became a royal colony in 1752 - refer to Georgia Colony -
1775
The American Revolution (1775- 1783) ended the Colonial America Time Period also refer to Revolutionary Timeline -
1776
A document declaring the US to be independent of the British Crown was signed on July 4, 1776, by the congressional representatives of the 13 Colonies
