Founded by John Whellwright in 1640, New Hampshire was a royal colony that was once a part of Massachusetts (6). Although this New England colony is very similar to Massachusetts, New Hampshire has some unique and different geographic, economic, religious, social, and political features.
Geographic Features: (2)
Once a part of the Massachusetts colony, New Hampshire's geography was very similar to Massachusetts' geography. Being a New England colony, New Hampshire had a cold climate, with long winters and short growing seasons. The colony also had many rivers, mountains, hills, and forests. New Hampshire is known today as the "Mother of Rivers", due to the numerous rivers that run through the colony, and the Appalachian Mountain range also runs through New Hampshire. The soil in the coastal colony was also very rocky.
Once a part of the Massachusetts colony, New Hampshire's geography was very similar to Massachusetts' geography. Being a New England colony, New Hampshire had a cold climate, with long winters and short growing seasons. The colony also had many rivers, mountains, hills, and forests. New Hampshire is known today as the "Mother of Rivers", due to the numerous rivers that run through the colony, and the Appalachian Mountain range also runs through New Hampshire. The soil in the coastal colony was also very rocky.
Economic Features:
Lumber, shipbuilding, and subsistence farming, fishing, fur trading, and coastal trading were important factors of New Hampshire's economy (1). Shipbuilding was a major trade in Portsmouth, which was an important commercial and coastal town in the colony, and lumber from the forests in NH was used to make the ships (4). The white pine trees of NH were especially valued and were used to make the masts of many English navy ships (4). The trees were cut and exported by the sea to England (4). Additionally, fishing and fur trading were quite profitable in the coastal colony, and many of the fish and fur were exported (4). Lastly, there were a few dairy farms in NH, but like Massachusetts most of the farmers practiced subsistence farming (3).
Lumber, shipbuilding, and subsistence farming, fishing, fur trading, and coastal trading were important factors of New Hampshire's economy (1). Shipbuilding was a major trade in Portsmouth, which was an important commercial and coastal town in the colony, and lumber from the forests in NH was used to make the ships (4). The white pine trees of NH were especially valued and were used to make the masts of many English navy ships (4). The trees were cut and exported by the sea to England (4). Additionally, fishing and fur trading were quite profitable in the coastal colony, and many of the fish and fur were exported (4). Lastly, there were a few dairy farms in NH, but like Massachusetts most of the farmers practiced subsistence farming (3).
Religious/Social Features: (4)
Most of the colonists in New Hampshire were Puritans. However, many of these Puritans were those who were banished from Massachusetts or did not conform to the society in Massachusetts. The Puritans in NH were less strict with their religious beliefs than the Puritans in Massachusetts. New Hampshire Puritans tolerated more religions than the Massachusetts Puritans and did not enforce their beliefs as harshly. For example, NH also had a few Anglican and Presbyterian churches. However, despite NH Puritans being less strict and religious, both types of Puritans persecuted Quakers.
Most of the colonists in New Hampshire were Puritans. However, many of these Puritans were those who were banished from Massachusetts or did not conform to the society in Massachusetts. The Puritans in NH were less strict with their religious beliefs than the Puritans in Massachusetts. New Hampshire Puritans tolerated more religions than the Massachusetts Puritans and did not enforce their beliefs as harshly. For example, NH also had a few Anglican and Presbyterian churches. However, despite NH Puritans being less strict and religious, both types of Puritans persecuted Quakers.
Political Features: (1)
In 1641, New Hampshire became a part of the Massachusetts colony. However, in 1679, Charles II separated the colony from Massachusetts. He was annoyed with Massachusetts' excessive greed for land and decided to separate the two colonies. New Hampshire became a royal colony following this separation. Following the separation, New Hampshire was under English rule and governed by a governor of the king's choice.
In 1641, New Hampshire became a part of the Massachusetts colony. However, in 1679, Charles II separated the colony from Massachusetts. He was annoyed with Massachusetts' excessive greed for land and decided to separate the two colonies. New Hampshire became a royal colony following this separation. Following the separation, New Hampshire was under English rule and governed by a governor of the king's choice.