The New England Colonies
Rhode Island
Founding the colony of Rhode Island in 1636, Roger William’s led many Aristocrats to their religious freedom. Rhode Island has many religions including Quaker, Puritan, Baptist, Anglicans, Jewish, Catholic, and Congregationalists. Their government is not that small having a Governor, Deputy Governor, a General Assembly, and ten assistants. Rhode Island has red clay soil with lots of hills and forests. January and February are the coldest months with temperatures reaching 20 degrees. July is the hottest month with 71 degrees. Most people are shipbuilders, dairy and cattle farmers for their living. Rhode Island is the smallest colony, but I think the most beautiful.
Heinrichs, Ann. America the Beautiful: Rhode Island. Canada: 1979.
by Austin C.
The New England Colonies
New Hampshire
New Hampshire was first founded in 1623 by Pilgrims from England and was one of the first original 13 colonies. Pilgrims came to New Hampshire for religious freedom and starting their lives over. One of the ships which brought the pilgrims to New Hampshire was called The Jonathan. The Jonathan’s passengers were 10 white male pilgrims. Three years later more pilgrims came to New Hampshire and began to settle there.
When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, New Hampshire was the first colony to declare independence from England. New Hampshire also captured a British Navy ship.
New Hampshire is govern
ed under a constitution adopted in 1784. This constitution is older than every other state except Massachusetts. An earlier constitution for New Hampshire was adopted in 1776. New Hampshire cast the deciding vote on June 21, 1788 which put the Constitution into effect.The geography is a mix of different things. They have a lot of mountains like Mount Washington. There
are over 1,300 lakes and rivers. There is only one seaport in the colony, called Portsmouth.There are six religions in New Hampshire. The six religions are Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Puritans.
The climate temperature through the year is from the adver
age 70 degrees to 6 degrees. The adverage temperature in July is 70 degrees. The adverage temperature in January is 6 degrees.The jobs of New Hampshire pilgrims were fishing, lumber, ship building and farming.
Public education in New Hampshire was established by law in 1647 when New Hampshire was a part of Massachusetts.
"New Hampshire." World Book Encyclopedia. 1988 ed.
"New Hampshire." Microsoft Encarta 96 Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. 1996 ed.
By Maribridget H.
Ship building was an important industry in New England.
Connecticut
What was it like in Connecticut during the 18th century? It was founded by Thomas Hooker in 1636. It was founded so that he could practice his Puritan religion. For that same reason many colonists came to live in Connecticut. People in the colony include
d colonist and Native Americans. The economy included trade and growing crops. The climate in Connecticut is colder than England’s, and its summers are mild. Their government is based on the consent of the people. The colony of Connecticut was one of the first colonies to have a constitution, the "Fundamental Orders." Connecticut is my favorite colony.Fradin, Dennis. The Connecticut Colony. Chicago: Children’s’ Press, !986
.by Sara P.
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts was a spectacular colony. Captain John Smith founded Massachusetts for religious freedom. Massachusetts had rocky coasts, ports, cliffs, and, is very sandy.
Summers are warm and winters are mild. There was a population of more than 200,000 people. The people there were mostly puritans, Indians, and farmers. There were no trained doctors. The work was strictly divided between men and women. Their jobs were mostly farming and trade. The farmers grew many vegetables such as beans, pumpkins, peas, and corn. Most colonists lived to an average age of less than forty years old. The religion was mostly Roman Catholics and Quakers. They spent half of Sunday in church which was in the center of town. During the week there was a Lecture Day which was religious talks. The topic of conversation the rest of the week would be the minister’s sermon. The government was ruled by ministers. I think Massachusetts is a wonderful place to live!!!!!!!
Fradin, Dennis. The Massachusetts Colony. Chicago: Children’s Press, 1986.
By Amanda K.
A Pilgrims New Life
What was life like being a Pilgrim in New England? In the beginning the Pilgrims lived in England,but they couldn't practice their own religion, so they left for foreign lands. They got to the Netherlands,but they didn’t want their children growing up with a Dutch heritage so once again,they left for distant lands. Finally,in 1621 ,they landed in Plymouth Massachusetts.During the first winter the Pilgrims lived in America the conditions were very harsh. Half of the one hundred people died from starvation and disease.since they only had time to build seven houses before the winter stormed through,the rest of the people slept on the Mayflower.
The pilgrims had never seen a log cabin before in their life so they built the houses they had in England. These houses had thatched roofs. There was no glass to make windows so they used paper or cloth rubbed with chicken fat to let light in.
At first the Pilgrims were afraid of the Indians. The pilgrims buried their dead at night so the Indians would’nt know how little Pilgrims were left. Therefore they would’nt attack, and they didn’t attack.
The Pilgrims worked every day except for Saturday afternoon until Monday morning because that was their time to worship.They didn’t have Christmas that first year because that was on a Monday and just another work day.The children didn’t get presents or keep stockings.
The Pilgrims soon became friends with the Indians. They were taught how to hunt,fish, and plant crops. Because of that, more than expected survived the winter,and many winters to come. After the first winter the Pilgrims got what they asked for;a new life,and freedom of religion.
McGovern,Ann. If You Sailed on the Mayflower. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1969.
"Plymouth, Mass." Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia. CD-ROM.1995 ed.
By Matthew H.
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