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1620
The Pilgrim Fathers, or Pilgrims founded the colony of Plymouth in New England in 1620, located in present-day Massachusetts. The Mayflower Compact was a legal document written by the Pilgrims to specify basic laws and social rules for their new colony. -
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. -
1651
1651 1660 1663 The Navigation Acts. The New England colonies represent a lucrative source of wealth and trade. Navigation Acts regulate colonial trade and enable England to collect duties (taxes) -
1662
King Charles II officially united Connecticut as a single colony -
1675
The Lords of Trade are appointed in England to enforce the new mercantile system and maximize potential profits for England -
1679
New Hampshire. John Mason received land in northern New England which formed the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Mason eventually formed New Hampshire when the region was given a royal charter in 1679 -
1686
Formation of New England - King James II combines the colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, East Jersey and West Jersey into a single colony: The Dominion of New England. -
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 -
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 -
1691
Plymouth joined with the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
