-
Expedition to Virginia
The London Company sponsors a colonizing expedtion to Virginia. -
Period: to
The New England Colonies
-
Jamestown is founded
Jamestown is founded by the Virginia Company in 1607. -
Tobacco
Tobacco is introduced in the Virginia colony by John Rolfe. -
Slavery begins
Slavery begins in the colonies, as twenty Africans are brought by a Dutch ship to Jamestown for sale as servants. -
Smallpox Epidemic
A smallpox epidemic decimates the Native American population in New England. -
The Mayflower
British pilgrims set sail for New Egland on the Mayflower in September. -
Mayflower Compact
The pilgrims land with the Mayflower Compact in the town of Plymouth in 1620. -
First Thanksgiving
The Pilgrims and their Indian allies celebrate harvest and survival, known as Thanksgiving. -
Private Property in Plymouth Colony
All land in Plymouth Colony is divided into provate property and distributed among the settlers. -
Massachusetts Bay Company Chartered
A group of merchants in London who support the Puritans and seekto establish a profitable trade with the Indians recieve a royal charter. -
John Winthrop Establishes Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Bay Company becomes a provincial government, and Massachusetts is founded. -
Massachusetts Grows
Over 1,000 colonists have arrived. -
First Recorded Seismic Event noted in New Egland
A violent earthquake strikes New England, centered in the St. Lawrence Velley.