by Eileen Bailey

Created on: October 01, 2009   Last Updated: February 09, 2010

The United States, now an important world power, started out with far more humble beginnings. Beginning in 1607, England began establishing colonies in America, starting with the colony of Virginia. From this first colony sprouted the remaining twelve colonies and, eventually, the entirety of the U.S. as we know it today. Each colony has its own story, so provided here is a chronological list of each colony and a description of its founding.

1. Virginia. Virginia was established in 1607 by the London Company. This group came to the New World in pursuit of an ideal common in history: wealth. In addition to gaining riches, they also wanted to help spread Christianity; but, by far, riches were their primary concern. The first settlement was called Jamestown, named after the king of the time, James I (1566-1625). Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, because King James I began to feel threatened by its House of Burgesses and wanted to establish his own means of control.

2. Massachusetts. The story of Massachusetts is one that involves a well-known group of people called the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims, sailing on the Mayflower, landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620 while fleeing from religious persecution. With their Puritan the ideal that the Church needed to be cleansed beliefs, the Pilgrims had not been accepted in England, which led to their persecution and later escape. For more about Massachusetts, read my article Who founded Massachusetts?

3. New Hampshire. Captain John Mason, a citizen of Hampshire County, England, founded New Hampshire in 1623. His purpose was to create a fishing colony, but he died before he could see his plan in action. New Hampshire was actually part of Massachusetts until Massachusetts was granted a royal charter in 1679.

4. Maryland. A good way to remember the purpose of Maryland is to think of the Blessed Virgin Mary; this colony was created as a refuge for Catholics, who revere the holy woman. In truth, however, the country was named by its founder, Lord Baltimore, after Charles I's wife, Queen Henrietta Maria. Charles I granted Lord Baltimore the charter in 1632 and the colony was officially founded in 1634.

5. Connecticut. The settlers of Connecticut, rather than being immigrants from elsewhere, we already citizens of the continent. Connecticut was founded in 1635 by Thomas Hooker and a group of men from Massachusetts who were seeking a wider range of freedoms and financial opportunities. It is sometimes called the Constitution State

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>