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John Rolfe is Born
John Rolfe was one of the most successful early settlers of North America. He came over on the Mayflower, and in 1612, developed the first tobacco plantation. He is also known as the husband of Pocahontas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rolfe -
First Charter of Virginia
The Charter of 1606, or the First Virginia Charter, is a document from King James to the people. It assigns land rights to the colonists for the purpose of spreading Christianity, though it is not known exactly how the spreading was accomplished. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/the-first-virginia-charter-1606.php -
Second Virginia Charter
This was the second of Virginia's three charters, primarily dealing with the Virginia Company and its power. It extended the company's land rights and allowed them to be able to govern their own colony. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/the-second-virginia-charter-1609.php -
Third Virginia Charter
The Third Virginia Charter dealt with different plantation rights for people living in the colony. It was the third and last charter, but possibly one of the more important ones. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/the-third-virginia-charter-1612.php -
Death of Sir Thomas Dale
Sir Thomas Dale was a famous naval commander, and also the deputy-governor of the Virginia colony in 1611 and from 1614-1616. He is remembered for his rigorous administration, which brought order and benefited the colony in many ways. -
Charter of New England
The Charter of New England was fairly similar to the Charters for Virginia in structure, describing laws and things that people needed to do to live there. It was again signed by all of the men. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/the-charter-of-new-england-1620.php -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the document written and signed while on board the Mayflower by all of the men. It stated that they were going to England to propagate the Christian faith and would combine themselves into a proper civil body. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/mayflower-compact-1620.php -
Maryland Toleration Act
The Maryland Toleration Act was an act to bring some religious freedom to the general population. It did not bring complete freedom, as the government still maintained some power over religion, but it did lighten the amount of power they could have. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1600-1650/the-maryland-toleration-act-1649.php -
Governor William Berkely on Bacon's Rebellion
When Bacon's rebellion erupted, Governor William Berkeley had been in his seat for 26 years. He was known as a friend of the people, though his rule did get stricter. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1651-1700/governor-william-berkely-on-bacons-rebellion-19-may-1676.php -
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation was a result of the Charlestown governing council deciding that they needed to give thanks for the luck that their colony had. They decided that June 29th would become a day of Thanksgiving, which was the first in our history. -
Bacon's Declaration In The Name of the People
Bacon, a man who opposed the government, took the position that he was "for" the people, and created his declaration of what he believed the people should have. Governor Berkeley's response to follow. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1651-1700/bacons-declaration-in-the-name-of-the-people-30-july-1676.php -
The Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges
The Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges was a document written by William Penn, and was a declaration of all of the privileges that the people of the Pennsylvania were to enjoy. It talked about religion and different freedoms of different people. -
Anonymous Account of the Boston Massacre
This document was written by an anonymous source, and was describing the Boston massacre in all of its gory detail. It is written from a different perspective than General Preston's, but still describes the horrible killings that took place. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1751-1775/anonymous-account-of-the-boston-massacre-march-5-1770.php http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1751-1775/anonymous-account-of-the-boston-massacre-march-5-1770.php -
Captain Preston's Account of the Boston Massacre
Captain Preston describes a more military point of view of the Boston Massacre, describing when the troops came in and what happened on the front line. It is a rather different perspective from the anonymous account, but both of them combined give a full perspective of what happened. -
Edmund Burke's Speech on Reconciliation
Edmund's speech was an important document on the necessity of reconciliation with America. It talked about restoring order to "a disrupted empire", and how it would bring more power to the people. It said that the colonies could maintain their freedom, but it would bring the nation as a whole together.
