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Viral Epidemic
Between the years of 1616 and 1619, a mysterious sickness, which, according to Center of Disease Control and Prevention, is now thought to have possibly been leptospirosis, consumed the Wampanoag indian tribe of a coastal branch of the tribe, killing an estimated 9 out of 10 indians. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/16/2/09-0276_article -
Mayflower sets sail
"The Pilgrims," a group of Separatists who had detached themselves from the Church of England, set sail for a new life in the New World http://mayflowerhistory.com/voyage/ -
The Mayflower Compact
As the ship reached Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts, leaders aboard the Mayflower created the "Mayflower Compact," which was structured to create unity among the settlers. It was the first agreement on self-government in English North America. https://www.milestonedocuments.com/documents/view/mayflower-compact/text -
The Pilgrims reach Plymouth, Massachusetts
After a 63-day voyage, the passengers and crew of the Mayflower dropped anchor and walked ashore in the present-day Plymouth. The Pilgrims lived aboard the ship while their homes were being built. During this harsh winter, 44 Pilgrims died from cold and sickness. http://mayflowerhistory.com/voyage/ -
The First Thanksgiving
Together, 51 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians feasted for 3 days, giving thanks for the survival of their very first harvest. -
The Pilgrims meet Squanto
A Wampanoag Indian, Samoset, appeared in Plymouth town with his friend Tisquantum, (whom the settlers referred to as "Squanto." Squanto was an English speaking Indian who welcomed and befriended the Pilgrims. On April 1st, the colonists created the first peace treaty with Native Americans. http://www.ushistory.org/us/3b.asp -
Salem Founded
The Massachusetts colony was founded by a group of English menin 1626. John Endecot (1588-1665), arrived with colonists at what is now Salem, Massachusetts, where he would soon become governor. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2229.html -
John Winthrop and the Great Migration
Unlike the Pilgrims, Puritans did not desire separation from the church of England, but rather, to make the religion more pure. On March 14th, 1,000 Puritans under the leadership of John Winthrop, (left), set sail for the New World, kicking off what is now known as "The Great Puritan Migration." John Winthrop landed at North River, near Salem. http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/the-great-migration-of-picky-puritans-1620-40/ -
Boston Established
The Massachusetts town of Trimontaine, was renamed "Boston," and later became the state capital. It was named after a town of the same name in Lincolnshire, England. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3865.html -
Voting rights
The English colony of Massachusetts Bay granted Puritans voting rights and John Winthrop was elected 1st governor of Massachusetts. The General Court only gave voting rights to Puritan church members.http://americancreation.blogspot.com/2008/06/freemen-and-right-to-vote-in-puritan.html -
Anne Hutchinson Arrives at Massachusetts Bay
Anne was the first female religious leader in the American colonies. She preached that faith alone was sufficient for salvation. Her following grew rapidly. http://www.history.com/topics/anne-hutchinson -
Boston Latin School
The first public school was opened in Massachusetts. It was an all-male, college-prep school that taught Latin and Greek and was centered on the humanities. Some of Boston's well known alumni include John Hancock, Samuel Adams and the school's well-known drop out, Benjamin Franklin. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/apr23/first-public-school-america/ -
Anne Hutchinson is banned from Massachusetts Bay
In November, Anne Hutchinson, (her family and followers) are tried and banished from the Massachusetts Bay colony and sent to Rhode Island. Gov. Winthrop deemed her as "being a woman not fit for our society." https://www.milestonedocuments.com/documents/view/massachusetts-bay-colony-trial-against-anne-hutchinson/text -
America's First Post Office
The first mail-sorting facility in America was based in the home of Richard Fairbanks in Boston. The building also served as the public tavern. http://www.celebrateboston.com/first/post-office.htm -
The New England Confederation
in Boston, an alliance between Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Harbor was made influenced by many factors, but mostly over a common concern of defense against the French, Dutch and Indians. https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-England-Confederation -
The First Witch
A practicing midwife of Plymouth colony, Margaret Jones, is found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to be hanged by the neck. http://historyofmassachusetts.org/margaret-jones-first-person-executed-for-witchcraft-in-massachusetts/ -
More voting rights
More than 30 years after the initial voting rights were put into action, the church membership requirement is dropped, allowing wealthy non-church members in Massachusetts the right to vote.http://americancreation.blogspot.com/2008/06/freemen-and-right-to-vote-in-puritan.html -
An Indian hanging
3 Wampanoag Indians are hanged in Plymouth. A jury consisting of both English settlers and Native American's convicted them of the murder of John Sassamon, who was a Harvard-educated and converted Puritan as well as advisor to Chief Metacom, (King Philip of the Wampanoag Tribe). https://www.britannica.com/event/King-Philips-War -
King Philip's War
The hanging of the 3 Indians led to retaliation amongst the tribal members. On June 20th, they massacred colonists at Swansea, Plymouth colony, attacked livestock and looted farms. By September, Colonial authorities officially declared war on the Wampanoag Indians. The war soon spread to include the Abenaki, Norwottock, Pocumtuck and Agawam tribes and is known to be one of the bloodiest conflicts, (per capita), in US history. https://www.britannica.com/event/King-Philips-War
