We have quickly examined the origins of Virginia and Massachusetts but there were , by the end of the 17th century, finally thirteen colonies.

Maryland

This was the northern part of Virginia, given by Charles I to Lord Baltimore in 1632 as a refuge for English Catholics. It was the first colony, however, to observe complete freedom of religion.

South Carolina

This colony was established after the Restoration of Charles II to allow friends of the king to enrich themselves. Slave plantations grew rice. The Constitution of 1669 is said to have been written by John Locke.

North Carolina

This was relatively isolated by marshes and wilderness. Here small slave properties grew tobacco and grazed cattle.

Georgia

This was the last colony to be established and was created in the 18th century as a refuge for people who had been imprisoned in England for minor crimes.

New Hampshire

This area lies to the north of Massachusetts and was claimed by the colony of Massachusetts until a group of Anglicans petitioned Charles II for their independence from the Puritan colony. This was granted by the king in 1679.

New York

New York was seized from the Dutch in 1664 on the orders of Charles II. The king gave the colony to his brother, the Duke of York, later James II, after whom it was named.

Pennsylvania

This lies between Maryland and New York and was given by Charles II to the son of one of his most loyal friends, William Penn. This son, also William Penn, was a Quaker and in 1681 the Quaker colony was named after him (although Penn tried to resist having his name used).

New Jersey and Delaware

These areas were also acquired by the Quakers and formed neighbouring colonies.

Rhode Island and Connecticut