Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony facts for kids
The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony was a very important document signed on June 4, 1639. It was like a founding rulebook for the new settlement of New Haven Colony. The people who signed it were the original "planters," which means the first settlers or founders of the colony. They agreed to live by these rules to create a fair and orderly community.
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What Was the Fundamental Agreement?
The Fundamental Agreement was a special document that helped set up the government for the New Haven Colony. Imagine a group of people starting a new town far away from any existing laws. They needed a way to decide how things would be run, who would make decisions, and what rules everyone would follow. This agreement was their solution. It was a promise among the settlers to work together and build their new home based on shared beliefs.
Why Was it Needed?
When the first settlers arrived in what is now Connecticut, they were in a new land. There was no established government or set of laws. To avoid chaos and ensure everyone could live peacefully, they decided to create their own system. The Fundamental Agreement was their way of forming a self-governing community. It showed that the people themselves wanted to choose their leaders and make their own rules.
Who Signed It?
The people who signed this agreement were the free "planters" of the New Haven Colony. These were the men who were considered the heads of households and important members of the community. By signing, they showed their commitment to the new colony and its principles. They were essentially agreeing to be citizens of this new self-governed place.
The names of these important founders are listed below:
- William Andrews
- Richard Beach
- Richard Beckley
- John Benham
- Jarvis Boykin
- John Brockett
- William Browning
- John Budd
- John Chapmen
- John Charles
- Ezekiel Cheever
- James Clark
- John Clarke
- John Cogswell
- John Cooper
- Jasper Crane
- John Davenport
- Jeremiah Dixion
- Samuel Eaton
- Theophilus Eaton
- Nicholas Elsey
- Timothy Ford
- Thomas Fugill
- Matthew Gilbert
- Francis Hall
- Matthias Hitchcock
- Andrew Hull
- Thomas Jeffries
- William Ives
- Thomas Kimberley
- Benjamin Ling
- Richard Malbon
- Nathaniel Merriman
- Andrew Messenger
- John Moss (Morse)
- Matthew Moulthrop
- Francis Newman
- Robert Newman
- Richard Osborne
- Edward Patteson
- John Peacock
- William Peck
- Richard Perry
- John Ponderson
- William Potter
- William Preston
- John Reader (Reeder)
- Robert Seeley
- George Smith
- William Thorpe
- Nathaniel Turner
- William Tuttle
- George Ward
- Lawrence Ward
- Samuel Whitehead
- Edward Wigglesworth
- Mr. Wilkes
- Benjamin Wilmot
- Thomas Yale
- Thomas Munson
Importance of the Agreement
This agreement was a big step in the history of the American colonies. It showed an early example of people coming together to create their own government. It laid the groundwork for how the New Haven Colony would be run for many years. Documents like this helped shape the ideas of self-governance and democracy that are important in the United States today. It reminds us that even small groups of people can create big changes by working together and setting clear rules.
