Royal government in New Hampshire and the revocation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1679-1683: Historical New Hampshire/ by Theodore B. Lewis.

Title:

Royal government in New Hampshire and the revocation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1679-1683: Historical New Hampshire/ by Theodore B. Lewis.

Author:

Lewis, Theodore B.,

Call Number:

977.8 N5321h

Publication Information:

Concord, NH: New Hampshire Historical Society, 1970.

Physical Description:

p.2-45.

Source:

Concord, New Hampshire: New Hampshire Historical Society, 1970 Vol. 25, Issue 5 (Winter 1970) Historical New Hampshire

Description:

Making New Hampshire a royal colony was part of later Stuart policy to establish control over Puritan New England. Robert Tufton Mason claimed to own New Hampshire through grants to John Mason, 1620-35. His claims were invalid, but the Crown favored them as a weapon against Massachusetts. Clarendon's 1663 plans to merge Maine and New Hampshire into a royal colony were thwarted by Puritan resistance and divided counsels. In 1675 the Lords of Trade revived the attack through Mason and Sir Ferdinando Gorges and pressed it while Massachusetts was preoccupied with King Philip's War. Their tactic was to send Edward Randolph, a favor-seeker and poor choice for messenger, to demand agents to answer proprietary claims and to collect information on New England. Although they stalled him off, the Bay officials ultimately sent two representatives instructed to answer only title questions. When Gorges' title was confirmed, Massachusetts bought it with the right to govern Maine. This precipitated final proceedings toward forfeiting the Bay charter. The behavior of Mason and Governor Edward Cranfield in New Hampshire made the Massachusetts deputies and clergy, led by Increase Mather, fear the loss of their land titles, the warping of justice, and the destruction of Congregationalism under royal government. They rallied to defeat the moderates who favored submission and to defend the charter.

Subjects:

Colonies Administration. , New Hampshire history.

People:

Mather, Increase, 1639-1723. , Mason, Robert Tufton. , Randolph, Edward, approximately 1632-1703. , Cranfield, Edward, -1704.

Organizations:

New Hampshire Historical Society Periodicals History.

Terms of Use:

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Electronic Resources:

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