Colonial New Hampshire

Colonial Connecticut - Abenaki Indians

Colonial New Hampshire - Abenaki Indians

This article provides interesting facts and information about Colonial New Hampshire including life, government, religion, history, economy, trade and the Indian tribes native to Colonial New Hampshire

  • Life & Religion in Colonial New Hampshire
  • The History and founding of Colonial New Hampshire
  • Colonial New Hampshire economy, trade, industries and jobs
  • Religion in Colonial New Hampshire
  • Government and Economics in Colonial New Hampshire
  • Native American Indians and Conflicts in Colonial New Hampshire
  • Interesting info about the Colonial New Hampshire
American Colonies IndexFirst 13 Colonies

History of the Colonization of America and the original 13 Colonies

 Colonial New Hampshire: The Establishment and Settlement of the 13 original colonies

Colonial New Hampshire
The following fact file on Colonial New Hampshire provides a fast overview of important facts relating to the history, founding and establishment of Colonial New Hampshire:

  • Name: The name of Colonial New Hampshire was taken from the county of Hampshire in the 'mother land'
  • Date Founded: Colonial New Hampshire founded in 1638 by John Mason and established by John Wheelwright and others
  • Location: Colonial New Hampshire was one of the original 13 English colonies located on the Atlantic coast of North America, as shown on the map
  • Region: The 13 colonies were divided into three geographic regions consisting of the New England, Middle and Southern colonies. The New Hampshire Colony was classified as one of the New England Colonies
  • Geography & Climate: Mountains, trees, rivers but poor rocky soil that was difficult to farm and unsuitable for crops. Mild, short summers and long, cold winters
  • Colonial New Hampshire becomes a state: New Hampshire was the 9th of the original 13 colonies to become a state on the June 21, 1788
 

Map of 13 Colonies Chart

New England Colonies

Middle Colonies

Southern Colonies
 

The History of Colonial New Hampshire
In 1622 King James I of England granted the lands between the Salem and Merrimac rivers, to John Mason and Sir Ferdinando Gorges. They divided the lands between them with John Mason receiving the southern portion which included most of the southeastern part of the current state of New Hampshire. John  Mason never set foot in New Hampshire - he died that same year he was preparing for his first voyage to the new colony, but he is still credited with founding the colony. The Colonial New Hampshire was established by John Wheelwright and other colonists in 1638. In 1641 Massachusetts Colony gained control of New Hampshire but in 1679 England formed New Hampshire as a separate royal colony. 

John Mason and Sir Fernando Gorges

John Mason and Sir Fernando Gorges studying the New Hampshire Charter

Native American Indians and Conflicts in Colonial New Hampshire
The Native American Indians of New Hampshire included the Abenaki, Malecite, Passamaquoddy and Pennacook. The settlers in Colonial New Hampshire were involved in the following conflicts:

  • King Philip's War (1675 - 1677 ) named after Metacomet of the Wampanoag tribe. During King Philip's War, up to one third of America's white population was wiped out
  • The French Indian War (1756 - 1763)
  • The American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). The United States of America is created and Colonial New Hampshire becomes a state

Religion in Colonial New Hampshire
The Puritans dominated New England and Colonial New Hampshire. Although many left Europe in order to obtain religious freedom they did not tolerate any other form of religion. The Puritans were a Reform movement in the Anglican church  that aimed at purifying the church of corruption. Puritans were classed as dissenters. the religion of the Puritans was strict and austere. They enforced a strict moral code and were strongly opposed to sensual pleasures and were strong advocates of propriety, modesty and and decorum. The Congregational Church eventually grew out of the Puritan Church and was formally established Colonial New Hampshire. 

Natural Materials and Raw Resources in Colonial New Hampshire
The Natural materials and raw resources available to the colonists in Colonial New Hampshire were fish, whales and timber from the dense forests. Farming was difficult for crops like wheat because of the poor soil but corn, pumpkins, rye, squash and beans were raised. Trade in the Colonial New Hampshire encompassed fish, timber, furs, ships and livestock. Sawmills, shipyards and warehouses played a prominent role in the Colonial New Hampshire.

Life in Colonial New Hampshire - Economy, Trade, Industries and Jobs

The way of life in Colonial New Hampshire was determined by religion, wealth, status and how colonists could make a living. The majority of the workforce in Colonial New Hampshire consisted of manual workers, servants, apprentices, sailors, hired hands and semi-skilled tradesmen. These were colonists of the lower class could not vote nor hold public office. few owned property and most were illiterate. The lower classes were bolstered by Indentured Servants and some slaves. The Middle class citizens of Colonial New Hampshire could vote but few held public office. They ran stores or small businesses, were skilled tradesmen or belonged to professions. The Upper class consisted of wealthy and well educated minor aristocrats who could vote and held high public office. The economy of Colonial New Hampshire was based on manufacture  and industries such as ship building and the manufacture and export of rum. The way of life focussed on town life. The names of the major towns in Colonial New Hampshire were Dover and Exeter. In towns along the coast, the colonists made their living fishing, whaling, shipbuilding and shipping. The economy of other parts of Colonial New Hampshire was based on timber products, the fur trade, maple syrup, copper, livestock products, horses, rum, whiskey and beer.

Facts about the New Hampshire Colony

New England Ship Yard

New England Ship Yard

Colonial New Hampshire - The Colony becomes a State

When, how and why did Colonial New Hampshire become a State? On April 18, 1775 the American War of Independence began. The 13 original colonies, including Colonial New Hampshire, had not separated from Great Britain at the start of the war and there was no American government. Colonial New Hampshire had a system of government in which they elected their governors under self-governing rule. The 13 Colonies asked the Continental Congress to direct the war and Congress, unexpectedly, became the governing body of North America. On May 15, 1776 Congress advised Colonial New Hampshire and all the other colonies to form governments for themselves and write their own constitutions. Colonial New Hampshire was used to self government and kept its existing charter as their constitution. New Hampshire was the 5th of the original 13 colonies to become a state on January 9, 1788. For additional facts and info refer to the Change from Colonies to States.

New Hampshire State Flag

New Hampshire State Flag

Colonial New Hampshire
This Colonial New Hampshire article provides important information and interesting facts about the Colonial New Hampshire including the history, the date the colony were established, geography, jobs, the system of government, religion, trade and the economy of the New Hampshire Colony. An easy, helpful educational resource for teachers, kids and children about Colonial New Hampshire.

Colonial New Hampshire

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  • Fast Facts and info about the religion, government, jobs and the economy of Colonial New Hampshire

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