Council for New England facts for kids
|
|
.svg)
Coat of Arms of King James VI and I
|
|
| Joint-stock company, Land grant, Colonial Company, Proprietary colony | |
| Fate | Charter revoked in 1635 |
| Founded | 1620 |
| Defunct | 1635 |
| Headquarters | Westminster |
|
Area served
|
New England |
|
Key people
|
Ferdinand Gorges |
The Council for New England was an English company from the 1600s. It was like a business group that got special permission from the king. This permission, called a royal charter, allowed them to start new settlements. These settlements were along the coast of North America.
The Council started in November 1620 and stopped operating in 1635. It helped create important colonies. These included the Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts Bay Colony, and later parts of New Hampshire and Maine. A key person behind this Council was Sir Ferdinand Gorges.
Some people involved in the Council had a similar group before. It was called the Plymouth Company in 1606. They tried to start a colony called Popham Colony in 1607. This colony was in what is now Maine, but it did not last long.
The Council for New England was restarted with Gorges' help. This happened after some important discoveries.
- Captain John Smith explored and mapped the New England coast. He also gave the area its name.
- Richard Vines spent a winter there in 1616. He found that a disease was harming Native Americans.
- A friendly English-speaking Native American was found near a good spot for a new settlement.
In 1620, King James I gave the Council a new charter. This charter gave them rights to settle land in what is now New England. This land was north of the 40th parallel and went up to the 48th parallel. In 1622, the Council gave a land grant to John Mason. This land later became the Province of New Hampshire.
Starting the Colonies: The 1620 Charter
The 1620 Charter showed the king's wish for England to settle lands. These lands were between 34 and 44 degrees latitude. The goal was to create new settlements and trade for Christian people. They also wanted to build trade between these new colonies and older ones. These older colonies were founded by George Somers and Thomas Gates in Virginia Colony.
The new colonies were to be managed by important people. These people were from English cities like Plymouth, Exeter, and Bristol. The Council members and their families would forever have rights. These rights were for governing and managing trade in the colonies.
Why the Council Ended: 1635 Revocation
By 1635, several successful colonies had been started. These included the Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Province of New Hampshire, Saybrook Colony, and New Haven Colony. Because these colonies were now established, the king decided to end the Council. This was done through a new Royal Charter.
Images for kids
-
The "sea to sea" land grant of Plymouth Council for New England is shown in green. "Pl" marks the Plymouth Colony settlement. "Q" and "R" show French settlements.
