Background
The New Hampshire Colony was founded by John Mason in 1622 after he was given a land grant by the Council for New England. The colony became royal in 1679. New Hampshire was initially founded for agriculture, but because of its location along the eastern coast of North America, farming was not a reliable source. The short summers led to long, cold winters that made farming unsuitable. Mountains covered with thick trees and rocky soil also made farming nearly impossible. Portsmouth, New Hampshire proved important because of its economy based on shipbuilding and trading. The town thrived on its fishing and mast-building industries.
People
Captain John Mason and Governor Sir John Wentworth play important roles in New Hampshire's makings. Captain John Mason was born around 1600 in England. He was a major in Colonial Militia and was known for leading soldiers in the Mystic Massacre of the Pequot Indians. Governor Sir John Wentworth was the British colonial government and Lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia. He played a partnership role with President John Adams during their time at Harvard. He is also known for the start of roads in his province before his death.
Religious Affiliations & Implications
Colonial New Hampshire was dominated by the Puritans, which led to religious intolerance. Puritans believed in purifying the church of corruption. This meant they were strict and close minded. Fierce moral code, modesty, and opposition to sensual pleasures were favored by the Puritans.
Economics
Income came from dairy products, greenhouse products, apples, cattle, and eggs. This comes from the fact that the soil was too story for agriculture to thrive. Lumber and textile mills also served to be important when all else failed.
Primary Source
Captain John Mason, founder of New Hampshire, writes to his father with a concerned tone about the findings and struggles in New Hampshire as he reaches out to his father with the usual checkups of life.
Modern Connections
New Hampshire was known as the Granite State and is still popular in that region of supply. The modern United States is connected to New Hampshire because New Hampshire was the first colony to declare its independence from Great Britain. This still stands to be important in the history of the United States.