What are the 13 Original Colonies?

The British established the Thirteen Colonies of the United States on the Atlantic (East) Coast of North America. In this article, we will learn about about all the 13 Original Colonies, interesting facts about them and more.

13 Colonies or States

The 13 original colonies were founded in the 17th and 18th centuries. The colonies played an essential role in the early history of the United States, laying the base for the nation’s independence and growth. The thirteen colonies were further divided into three traditional groups, which were the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies and the Southern Colonies. Each colony had distinct characteristics, from religious diversity to the agricultural economy.

Each colony had its own unique founding story and reasons for establishment. Thereby giving a brief overview of the founding of each of the 13 colonies, including who founded them and why they were founded:

1. Virginia Colony (Southern Colony)

   The colony was founded in 1607 by the London Company (joint-stock company). The colony was established through economic ventures (seeking wealth through agriculture and trade). The colony was named after Queen Elizabeth l, known as the “Virgin Queen”.

2. Massachusetts Bay Colony (New England Colony)

   It was founded in 1620 (Plymouth Colony) and 1630 (Massachusetts Bay Colony). The founders of this colony were Pilgrims and Puritans. The reason for establishing this colony was religious freedom and the desire to create a model Christian society.

3.  New Hampshire Colony (New England Colony)

   It was founded in 1623. The founders of the colony were John Mason and Ferdinando Gorges. The reason for establishing this colony was profit from trade and fishing and the desire for self-government. This colony was originally part of the Massachusetts Bay before becoming its colony.

4. Maryland Colony (Southern Colony)

   The colony was founded in 1634. The founder of the colony was Lord Baltimore (Cecil Calvert). The reason for establishing this colony was a haven for English Catholics and profit from land ownership and trade.

5. Connecticut Colony (New England Colony)

   The colony was founded in 1636, and the founder was Thomas Hooker. The reason for establishing this colony was religious and political freedom, as well as economic opportunity.

6. Rhode Island Colony (New England Colony)

   The colony was founded in 1636. The founder of the colony was Roger Williams. The reason for establishing this colony was religious freedom and separation of church and state.

7. Delaware Colony (Middle Colony)

   The colony was founded in 1638. The founders of the colony were Peter Minuit and the New Sweden Company. The reason for establishing this colony was economic opportunity and trade, as well as strategic location.

8. North Carolina Colony (Southern Colony)

   The colony was founded in 1653. The founders of the colony were Virginia colonists. The reason for establishing this colony was economic opportunity (agriculture, trade, and land ownership).

9. South Carolina Colony (Southern Colony)

   The colony was founded in 1663. The founders of this Colony were Eight English nobles (Lord Proprietors). The reason for establishing this colony was economic opportunity (rice and indigo plantations) and trade.

10. New York Colony (Middle Colony)

    The colony was founded in 1664. The founder of this colony was the Duke of York (later King James II). The reason for establishing this colony was economic and strategic (control of trade and land).

11. New Jersey Colony (Middle Colony)

    The colony was founded in 1664. The founders of this colony were Lord Berkeley and Sir George Cartere. The reason for establishing this colony was profit from land ownership and trade, as well as religious freedom.

12. Pennsylvania Colony (Middle Colony)

    The colony was founded in 1681. The founder of the colony was William Penn. The reason was religious freedom (especially for Quakers) and profit from land ownership.

13. Georgia Colony (southern Colony)

    The colony was founded in 1733. The founder of this colony was James Oglethorpe. The reason for establishing this colony was humanitarian reasons (debtors’ colony) and strategic importance (buffer against Spanish Florida).

Interesting Facts about 13 Colonies

• The first permanent English settlement in America was Jamestown, established in Virginia in 1607.
• Pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans celebrated a successful harvest together, often associating it with the first Thanksgiving in America in 1621, which took place in the Plymouth Colony.
• The founders established the Maryland colony as a haven for English Catholics.
• The Dutch initially settled New York, calling it New Amsterdam, before the English captured it in 1664.
• William Penn founded Pennsylvania in 1681, and it became known for its Quaker population and commitment to religious tolerance.
• James Oglethorpe founded Georgia in 1733, making it the last of the 13 colonies to be established. It served as a buffer between Spanish Florida and the other colonies.
• In 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the colonies’ independence from British rule and laying the foundation for the United States of America.
• Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston were important colonial cities known for their trade, culture, and political significance.
• Many vital battles of the Revolutionary War, including Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown, took place in the colonies, ultimately leading to American independence.
• Each colony had its government, with some, like Rhode Island and Connecticut, having more democratic structures than others.

Related Links

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