Restoration colony facts for kids

A restoration colony was a special type of land grant given by King Charles II of England in the late 1600s. These grants were like big gifts of land in North America. King Charles II gave them to people who had supported him when he got his throne back. This time was called the Stuart Restoration. These new colonies marked a fresh start for England's efforts to settle in the Americas after about 30 years. The two most important restoration colonies were the Province of Pennsylvania and the Province of Carolina.

What Were Restoration Colonies?

Restoration colonies were territories in North America. King Charles II gave them away as rewards. He wanted to thank his loyal supporters. These supporters helped him become king again. This happened after a period of big changes in England.

Why Were They Created?

After a long break, England started colonizing again. The king wanted to expand his empire. He also wanted to reward his friends. These land grants helped achieve both goals. They brought new settlers and wealth to England.

The Founding of Carolina

The Province of Carolina was one of the largest restoration colonies. It was founded in 1663. King Charles II gave this huge area to a group of his supporters. These people had helped him during his time in exile.

Carolina's Vast Territory

The land for Carolina was enormous. It stretched from Virginia in the north. It went all the way south to central Florida. To the east, it reached the Atlantic Ocean. This was a massive amount of land to control.

The Eight Proprietors

Eight men, called proprietors, received this land. They were mostly based in London. Some of them were already involved in sugar plantations in Barbados. These proprietors gained a lot of power. They could govern the land. They also had special rights to it, almost like feudal lords.

How Carolina Was Governed

The plan for Carolina's government was a mix of old and new ideas. The proprietors wanted to attract settlers. So, they promised religious freedom. They also offered land for free. But they also wanted to keep power for themselves. They designed a system where they, their helpers, and a few noblemen would control everything.

A Model of Stability

The proprietors wanted Carolina to be very stable. England had just gone through a time of big changes. They hoped Carolina would be different. They planned for a noble class to keep small landowners in check. This was meant to prevent any new rebellions.

Other Restoration Colonies

Besides Carolina and Pennsylvania, other colonies also got new charters. A charter is like a formal document from the king. The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations received its formal charter. The Connecticut Colony also got one.

Rhode Island's Tribute to the King

Rhode Island even honored King Charles II. They named a part of their colony "King's Province." This area is now known as Washington County, Rhode Island. It showed their loyalty to the king.