River Colony, New Haven Colony, Saybrook Colony, Connecticut Colony, Thomas Hooker, Pequot War, King Philip's War, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Warwick Patent, Warwick Patentees, House of Hope, First Connecticut Code, First Anglo-Dutch War, New England Confederation, Dominion of New England. Connecticut was officially founded in 1636 when a group of Puritans, led by Thomas Hooker, left Massachusetts and established a settlement at present-day Hartford. Connolly, Frank B. [1], 38. The most common tree in Connecticut is the red maple, but black birch, eastern hemlock, and sugar maple are also widespread. Rhode Island shares a state water border with New York. The Congregational Church remained Connecticuts state church until 1818 when Connecticut adopted a new Constitution which disestablished it. Therefore, there was no religion freedom in this colony. Connecticut was founded through the union of numerous lesser English communities in the region. The early European settlements in Connecticut were trading posts near present-day Hartford and Windsor. He was well-known for his leadership through tough periods such as King Philips War, as well as his efforts to establish peace and stability in the colony. It refers to the Connecticut River, which cuts through the middle of the state. In addition, the charter expanded the boundaries of the colony to include what is now the state of Rhode Island as well as portions of the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. When the Connecticut Colony approved the United States Constitution on January 9, 1788, it became the fifth state in the Union. It covers an area of 1,214 square miles. Connecticut's state tree is the Charter Oak. 7. [23], 40. Unlike Plymouth, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, Connecticut Colony was founded by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay. Find facts about colonial Virginia here. In 1645, the towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield united to form the River Colony. New York is a meeting place of urban wanderers & an epicenter of culture and history. In Connecticut's moderate climate, the average January temperature is around 26 F (3 C), and most of the state receives about 35 to 45 inches (890 to 1,145 mm) of snow each year. On March 30, 1638, New Haven Colony was established near Quinnipiac, west of Saybrook, on the southern coast of Connecticut. John Davenport, the founder of the New Haven Colony in Connecticut, was arguably the strictest Puritan of early America. In 1643, both colonies joined the New England Confederation. Connecticut earned its nickname "the Constitution State" because its home to what some consider the United States first written constitution: the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, adopted in 1639. The war resulted in decimation of the Indians. Nathan Hale Hale was an officer in the Continental Army and rose to prominence during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. The first lollipop was invented in Connecticut. 1775 - Connecticut militiamen fight at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Ft. 535 Clintonville Rd, North Haven, CT 06473. Apparently, the king of England did not appreciate the independence the colony had and had used to conduct their business. Accessed: January 29, 2021. Here are 25 facts to get you started. County Government in Connecticut, Its History and Demise: The Development, Decline, and Abolition of Connecticut's 294-Year-Old County Governments and the Transfer of Their Functions, Property, and Employees to the State. Later, it is called Connecticut. 4 Beds. That they were not dissenters since they did not belong to a different church. The winter season was colder and longer. [26], 9. The New Haven Colony was settled in 1638. 1. Cool facts about Connecticut. Thomas Hooker is Recognized as the Founder of Connecticut. Enjoy these 47 Interesting facts about Rhode Island. Image Source: Wikipedia. Find out the interesting facts about the famous people born in Delaware; Fun Facts about Delaware State's Geography. Mark Twain lived in Connecticut from 18741891. The city was given the nickname The Elm City because the trees planted in the program were elms. [10], 25. Lyme disease (spread by ticks in Northern Hemisphere) was first identified in 1975 in Old Lyme, Connecticut. A Puritan and a man of wealth in England, he married Mary Thornton, daughter of . Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 2013. Famous residents of Connecticut include Nathan Hale, a spy during the American Revolution; Revolutionary War general and turncoat Benedict Arnold; actress Katharine Hepburn; and authors Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mark Twain. It was a place for Puritan noblemen. The colony also produced iron and other commodities for sale and export. [28], 4. Terrain The terrain of the Connecticut Colony was rough. He had this idea of putting candy on a stick so that it is easier to consume. Famous inventions from Connecticut include the can opener, submarine, and the telephone book. He led the legendary Green Mountain Boys in several key battles in the early years of the war, including the Battle of Hubbardton and the Battle of Bennington. The Saybrook Colony, located near the mouth of the Connecticut River, was amalgamated with the Connecticut colony in 1644. Allen is most well known for leading an expedition to capture Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775. 13. The legislatures of the colonies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and South Carolina sent delegates. The Pequot were an influential Algonquian-speaking people who had resided in the area for generations. Saybrooks Governor, George Fenwick, sold Saybrook Colony to the River Colony in 1642. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut remained in place until the U.S Constitution was ratified. He settled outside of Boston and became the minister of a church in Newtown, which is present-day Cambridge. The war resulted in decimation of the Indians. 12. Estuaries are bodies of water where rivers meet the sea. This battle would deter future strategic landing points. New Hampshire was named for a county in England. The states capital is Hartford. The Connecticut Colony was the fifth colony to become a state, on January 9th, 1788. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Throughout its history, Connecticut has been known as the River Colony, Connecticut River Colony, Colony of Connecticut, Plantation of Connecticut, Connecticut Colony, and the Province of Connecticut. 14. After the American Revolutionary War, Connecticut gradually eliminated slavery but did not completely abolish it until 1848. The New Haven Colony, founded by Puritans in 1638 and located on the coast of Long Island Sound, was likewise amalgamated with the colony of Connecticut in 1662. In the northwest, however, the average snowfall exceeds 75 inches (1,900 mm). If you would like to know more, please contact us. The people use this oil for their lamps. Without warning or hesitation, a signal was given and every candle was blown out at the same time leaving the colonists and Andros standing in complete darkness. [4], 10. For nearly three centuries, Hartford County was the center of government in the region, until 1960 when Connecticut abolished county government. Located in Gloucester, the Hammond Castle Museum is purportedly haunted by the castle's creator and first resident John Hays Hammond, Jr., who built the sprawling estate in 1926 to house his expansive collection of artifacts from ancient Rome through the Renaissance. The British army was then engaged on its way back to Boston in the Battle of Ridgefield. The name Connecticut was derived from an Indian word meaning 'river whose water is driven by tides or winds'. It produced fishing, corn and wheat. The Connecticut River, which forms its eastern boundary, inspired the colonys name. William Leete of Guilford, Connecticut, was the governor of New Haven Colony prior to its merger with Connecticut, and he also served as governor of Connecticut after Governor John Winthrop Jr. died in 1675. Let's find other interesting facts about Connecticut below: Facts about Connecticut 1: the most populous city. Long Island Sound, on Connecticut's southern border, is an estuary. Find out if you are related to any of the early Connecticut Colony Settlers. Ten fun facts about Hartford 1. They had to import the agricultural products from other colonies. [1,3], 3. Facts about Connecticut Colony will help you to understand a part of United States history. Connecticut and New Haven colonies established the Fundamental Orders, considered the first constitutions in America. In the late 1630s, the settlements of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield began. [4], 16. Because of its position and resources, Connecticut was an important center for military action during the conflict. Gillette Castle is one of Connecticut's most unique attractions. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which date back to 1639 and are widely regarded as one of the earliest examples of a written constitution anywhere in the world, were penned by Connecticuts founders. Wondering what was his famous invention; learn that it was his Polaroid Instant Camera. Like many areas in New England, Connecticut had its own episode of witchcraft hysteria, although it was not quite like what took place in Salem in the 1690s. [13], 21. It was colder if you compare it with other colonies. New York City receives 15 times more snow than the South Pole every year. The southern coast of the colony ran along Long Island Sound, although for some time a portion of Long Island was part of Connecticut. It ripped the Congregational church in half with those supporting the teaching of the Great Awakening being called New Lights and those not supporting it is called, Old Lights.. Lollipops were originally soft rather than hard. The state is named after the Connecticut River, which bisects the state and is a major river in the U.S. [8], 28. The people could not do farming because the soil was infertile. The Orders served as the basis for the government of Connecticut until 1662 when the colony received its charter from King Charles II. Although there was not any internal conflict during the American Revolution, that does not mean that the Connecticut Colony did not feel the Revolution on its own soil. Major highways. The Connecticut region was populated long before the first Europeans arrived. Slavery Wealthy merchants in Connecticut were involved with the slave trade, as part of their role in the Triangular Trade. Explore its rich history, delicious food, & unique culture with our fun Boston facts. Vermont ranks almost last for population. Connecticut's state song today is "Yankee Doodle". The Puritans dominated Connecticut colony. The 7,439 sq. In 1901, the first law regulating the speed of a motor vehicle was imposed in Connecticut. In 1898, the first car insurance in America was issued at Hartford. The forest, whales and fish were some natural resources in Connecticut colony. Noah Webster, the author of the first American English dictionary was born in West Hartford, Connecticut on 16th October 1758. The state flag has three grape vines on it that stand for the original three settlements. [21], 36. John Winthrop Jr., the governor of the Connecticut Colony went to England to secure a charter for the colony. 1"Connecticut." Fun facts & trivia . He demanded the charter, but the charter was hidden in an oak tree. 26. 11. It later became known as the 'Charter Oak'. In 1639 The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were written, which are believed to have formed the U.S. Constitution's basis. Connecticut: The Constitution State. In 1636, Saybrook Colony was established at Saybrook Point, at the mouth of the Connecticut River, where it flows into Long Island Sound. Explore these interesting New York facts to explore its wild promise. Hartford, the states capital is called the Insurance Capital of the World. It is located at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. Connecticut, a small state in the northeastern United States, is bordered by Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Long Island Sound. Prior Name: Connecticut Colony, then sovereign state in Confederation Postal Abbreviation: CT The Geography of Connecticut Total Size: 4,845 sq. And in 2003, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize gay marriages.[32]. The Connecticut Colony colonists prospered in several different sectors including shipbuilding, whaling, fishing, timber, fur trading, livestock, and maple syrup. Connecticut is nicknamed the Constitution State because The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut first adopted in 1639, served as a model for the U.S. Constitution. The Stamp Act Congress was held in October 1765 in New York City. Connecticut (/ k n t k t / ()) is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States.It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. The Connecticut Colony was an English colony until 1776 when it joined the rest of the colonies in the rebellion to gain independence from Great Britain. Minnetonka, MN: Bellweather Media,2013. He was elected under the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. Bridgeport is Connecticuts largest city followed by New Havenand Hartford. The state could fit into Alaska 120 times. Nicknamed "The Bay State" but also known as the "Colony State," "Old Colony," "The Spirit of America," "The Pilgrim State . The delegates that would become the infamous Signers of the Declaration of Independence were: Roger Sherman, William Williams, Samuel Huntington, and Oliver Wolcott. White Oak is the official state tree of Connecticut The colony swiftly developed and prospered, and King Charles II granted it a royal charter in 1662. With this fact also learn that Stamford, Connecticut is where the headquarters of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is located. Even though the people could not grow wheat, they could plant squash, rye, pumpkins, corn and beans here. In 1977, Connecticut designated the praying mantis as its state insect. The battle began with the assassination of a colonist by a member of the tribe and swiftly grew into a full-fledged fight. One of the important events regarding the Connecticut colony was the Pequot war which occurred in 1637. This New England state is bordered by Massachusetts in the north, Rhode Island in the east, a body of water called the Long Island Sound in the south, and New York in the west. This genius is credited with patenting 535 inventions, more than anyone except Thomas Edison (1,097 American patents). The inventor of the process of vulcanization, Charles Goodyear, was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Tour the house and barns. Two years later Andros was no longer in office and the charter was brought out of hiding. In print since October 29, 1764, The Hartford Courant is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States. The Saybrook Colony was founded by a group of English settlers led by Lion Gardiner and was primarily concerned with trading and shipbuilding. The Connecticut Colony (aka Colony of Connecticut, Connecticut River Colony or River Colony), was established on March 3, 1636. . Bush carried the state. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut remained in place until the U.S Constitution was ratified. The original boundaries of the New York Colony included present-day New York State, New Jersey, Delaware, and Vermont. Furthermore, Connecticut had a sizable lumber sector that supplied wood for shipbuilding and export. Delegates at the First Continental Congress included two from New Hampshire, four from Massachusetts, two from Rhode Island, three from Connecticut, nine from New York, five from New Jersey, eight from Pennsylvania, three from Delaware, five from Maryland, seven from Virginia, three from North Carolina, and five from South Carolina. Its distances North to South are 48 miles and East to West 37 miles. The first permanent English settlement was established at Wethersfield in 1634. Designed in the early 20 th century by stage actor William Gillette (he was apparently the first to portray Sherlock Holmes), this medieval Gothic structure hides secret passageways, spying mirrors, and other interesting and whimsical elements. However, he betrayed his country when he conspired to surrender West Point to the British. Maple Sugar Madness. This, in turn, created a good relationship between the two. Please be respectful of copyright. After their arrival, several colonies were established including the Colony of Connecticut, Old Saybrooke, Windsor, Hartford, and New Haven. Hooker was born in England and traveled to Massachusetts in 1633, during the Puritan Migration. Only three people were killed. He died in 1777 from wounds he received in the Battle of Ridgefield. The colony established a robust agricultural sector, cultivating crops such as tobacco, corn, and wheat, which were sold to the Caribbean and Europe. Yale University is located in New Haven, CT. The orders were the first laws that acknowledged people as the true foundation of public authority and it gave voters the right to elect government officials. The proceedings caused Governor John Winthrop Jr. to question the validity of the accusations. Fun Facts about Connecticut Connecticut Facts for Kids Fast Facts | Information about Connecticut Name: Connecticut (A State of USA) Capital City: Hartford Population: 3,565,287 [2019] Area: 5,567 sq mi (14,357 km 2) Languages: English Time Zone: UTC05:00 (Eastern) (Source: Wikipedia) Glastonbury - March 19, 2023. Two years later in 1638 Hooker would preach a sermon on the principles of government that would lead to the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. On Jan. 9, 1788 Connecticut was the 5th official state to enter the US. The First Great Awakening changed the entire landscape of religion in Connecticut. The colonists pleaded that he would hear their arguments, which he reluctantly did. The first to live there were the Paleo-Indians, who came into the Americas via the Bering Strait from modern-day Russia. Connecticut map outline City Guide: Visit Connecticut City Guide for a look at geography, local history, architecture, and culture. However, in 1827, the prison was abandoned. As of 2021, Vermont's population sits at around 645,000. It was the fifth colony. Once it was dark candles were lit, however unbeknown to Andros the colonists had devised a plan to take the charter. The charter affirmed Connecticuts right to self-governance while also establishing the colony as an independent entity with its own government, laws, and land rights. The name "Connecticut" comes from a Native American word, quinatucquet, roughly meaning "beside the long tidal river." Facts about Connecticut Colony 3: the religions The Puritans dominated Connecticut colony. Connecticut State Symbols Trivia. The worlds first nuclear submarineUSSNautilus(SSN-571)was constructed in Groton, Connecticut, between 1952 and 1954. The Connecticut Colony was one of the four New England Colonies which also included the New Hampshire Colony, the Massachusetts Colony, and the Rhode Island Colony. Copyright 2023 The History Junkie | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Later on, the colony was thrown into a bloody Indian war (, The delegates that would become the infamous, Great Awakening and American Revolutionary War, That they were not sober since they were emotional during their services. The commanding officers for the patriots were General David Wooster and General Benedict Arnold. Black bears, bobcats, fishers, muskrats, and white-tailed deer are among Connecticuts many mammals. 1776 - Nathan Hale is hung by the British for spying. They were Puritans from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 43. On that date, the state was formally admitted to the Union. 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