Charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company facts for kids
| The Charter granted to the Company of Massachusetts Bay in New England | |
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Royal Arms of Charles I of England
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| Type | Royal Charter, Land Grant, Joint-stock company |
| Context | British colonization of the Americas Puritan migration to New England (1620-1640) |
| Signed | March 4, 1628 |
| Location | Westminster |
| Expiration | 1684, formation of Dominion of New England |
| Signatories | Privy Council of England |
| Parties | Massachusetts Bay Company Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Language | English |
The Charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company was a very important document. It was like a special permission slip from the King of England. This charter officially allowed a group of people to create a company. Their goal was to start a new colony in America, known as the Massachusetts Bay. The charter explained all the rules for the company. It also described the land they would receive and the rights of the people who moved there.
Contents
Starting a New Colony
After a previous attempt to start a settlement failed, a new plan was made. The first group, called the Dorchester Company, tried to settle on Cape Ann. But it didn't work out as they hoped. So, the people involved wanted to try again, this time further south.
The New Location
The new colony was planned for a specific area in New England. This land was located between the Charles River and the Merrimack River. The Massachusetts Bay Company was set up as a "joint-stock company". This means many people put their money together to fund the project. It was both a business and a way to govern the new settlement.
Who Were the Settlers?
The first people to move to this colony were called Puritans. They were a religious group who wanted to create a society based on their own beliefs. They wanted to be free from the King's Anglican church in England. To move to New England, settlers had to buy shares in the company. This agreement was made in Cambridge, England. It became known as the Cambridge Agreement.
A Unique Government
Unlike other colonial companies, the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Company moved to New England themselves. This was very unusual. The government of the colony included a Governor and a Deputy Governor. There was also a council of Assistants. These Assistants gave legal advice and made decisions. Finally, there was a General Court. This court was made up of people chosen from each town.
Once the settlers arrived and built what is now Boston, they created a unique government. Only men who were members of the Puritan church could vote. This led to a state that was both somewhat democratic and also theocratic. This means their laws were based on their religious beliefs, similar to the Laws of Moses.
The Charter's Importance
The Charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company acted like the colony's main rulebook. It was like their de facto (meaning "in practice" or "in reality") constitution. This important document stayed in effect for many years. It was finally cancelled in 1684. This happened when the Dominion of New England was formed, which changed how the colony was governed.
