When the Puritans came to the New World, they brought with them their strict ways, their religious views, and their distaste for Christmas. Although Christmas was widely celebrated in Europe as a Christian holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ, Puritans saw it as a false holiday with stronger ties…| History of Massachusetts Blog
Plymouth Colony was a British colony in Massachusetts in the 17th century and was the first permanent colony in Massachusetts and the first colony in New England. The following are some facts about Plymouth Colony: Who Founded Plymouth Colony? Plymouth Colony was founded by the Plymouth Company during the Great…| History of Massachusetts Blog
The New England colonies were a series of English colonies established in New England in the 17th century. They were a part of the original 13 colonies of North America. What Were the Original New England Colonies? There were originally seven colonies in New England in the 17th century: Plymouth…| History of Massachusetts Blog
The New England Confederation was a military alliance between the New England colonies of Plymouth, Connecticut, New Haven, and Massachusetts Bay in the 17th century. The alliance was formed in 1643 to provide joint military support against attacks by Native Americans, the French, and the Dutch. What Inspired the New…| History of Massachusetts Blog
John Hathorne was a judge in the Salem Witch Trials and the great-great-grandfather of author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hathorne was born in Salem on August 5, 1641, to William Hathorne and Anne Smith. He was the fifth of nine children. His father, William, was a local judge who came to the…| History of Massachusetts Blog
William Stoughton was a colonial magistrate for the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Chief Magistrate of Court of Oyer and Terminer during the Salem Witch Trials. Early Life: William Stoughton was born in 1631 to Israel and Elizabeth (Knight) Stoughton. It is not known if Stoughton was born in England…| History of Massachusetts Blog
Jonathan Corwin was a judge in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. He was also Judge John Hathorne's brother-in-law and Sheriff George Corwin's uncle. The Corwin Family: Jonathan Corwin was born on November 14, 1640, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Captain George Corwin and Elizabeth Herbert. The Corwins (or Curwen, as…| History of Massachusetts Blog
Salutary neglect was an unofficial British policy in the colonies that greatly affected Massachusetts in the 18th century. The policy was an intentional lack of enforcement by the British government of British trade laws in the American colonies. The phrase salutary neglect itself comes from a speech given by Edmund…| History of Massachusetts Blog
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a dark time in American history. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft and 20 were killed during the hysteria. Ever since those dark days ended, the trials have become synonymous with mass hysteria and scapegoating. The following are some facts…| History of Massachusetts Blog
