Puritan Colony Of Massachusetts Bay example essay topic

274 words
The first 400 settlers under the new charter departed in 1629 to start the Puritan colony of Massachusetts Bay, but not all of the Company were Puritans. Therefore events during the spring of and summer of 1629 convinced them they could remain as nonconformist in the Church of England by leaving the country. Perhaps by oversight the company's charter made no mention of where the headquarters had to be located. In August the shareholders reached an agreement and bought out those who wished to remain in England So when John Winthrop set out with the next wave of some 700 settlers in March of 1630 they carried their charter with them. Winthrop also replaced Endicott as governor of the colony. Massachusetts Bay grew rapidly and continued this growth in spite of serious difficulties.

The first winter 200 settlers died. When the next ships came more settlers decided to return to England. This was the only tragic winter that was faced by the young colony. As the rapid persecution of nonconformists in England continues so does the rapid immigration of the colony. By 1630 the colony numbered by more than 2000 settlers. Over the next several years the growth continued.

Ministers in England who had been rejected also made the pilgrimage. Thomas Hooker and others became leader of the Puritan movement in the colony. The colony's charter granted them the authority to elect officers and to make laws for themselves. They then set up boundaries for their towns, created taxes and elected officials.

Thus paving the way for democracy.