|
.
Connecticut was first explored by the
Dutch, who established a number of trading posts
in the region. The first permanent settlements
were made by English Puritans from
Massachusetts, starting in 1633. From the first,
Connecticut enjoyed a great measure of political
independence, proclaiming in its Fundamental
Orders of 1639 a democratic principle of
government based on the will of the people.
These Fundamental Orders are said to have been
the first written Constitution of a democratic
government.
Agriculture and trade were primary activities
of 17th century colonists, but because of
limited land Connecticut people quickly turned
to manufacturing.
During the American Revolution, Connecticut
gave freely of her blood and wealth. Her
soldiers were on the battle line from Quebec to
Carolina. It was General Israel Putnam at the
battle of Bunker Hill who cried: "Don’t
fire until you see the whites of their eyes!"
Patriot-spy Nathan Hale, as he was about to be
hanged by the British, said: "I regret that
I have but one life to lose for my country."
To George Washington, Connecticut was "The
Provision State" because of supplies
contributed to his army by Gov. Jonathan
Trumbull - the only Colonial governor to support
the cause of America’s independence from
Great Britain.
From 1703 to 1875, Connecticut had two
capitals; sessions of the General Assembly met
alternately in Hartford and New Haven. Since
then, the capital has been Hartford.
|
European
Settlement, a Chronology |
- 1614: Adriaen Block, a Dutch explorer,
sails along the Connecticut coast, and up
the Connecticut River. Claims the area for
the Dutch.
- 1632: By this time the Dutch have
established trading posts along the coast
and along the Connecticut River for a short
distance inland.
- 1633: The Dutch buy a parcel of land from
the Indians, on what is the present site of
Hartford, and build a fort/trading post.
- 1633: The English build a trading post in
the area where the Farmington River empties
into the Connecticut River. This site
becomes the Town of Windsor.
- 1634: The English establish a settlement,
under Capt. John Oldham, south of the Dutch
trading post at Hartford. It becomes the
Town of Wethersfield.
- 1635: English establish a permanent
settlement at Hartford under the direction
of John Steel.
- 1636: Other "Founders" of
Hartford, including Rev. Thomas Hooker, Rev.
Samuel Stone, and most of the congregation
of the First Church of Christ of New Towne
(now Cambridge, Massachusetts), move to
Hartford.
- 1636: The Towns of Hartford, Windsor and
Wethersfield unite to form the Colony of
Connecticut. 1637: English defeat the
Pequots in a brief but bloody war.
- 1638: A group of wealthy Puritans under
the leadership of John Davenport found the
Colony of New Haven.
- 1639: Henry Whitfield helps establish the
Town of Guilford. 1639: Fundamental Orders
adopted by the Colony of Connecticut. Serve
as the framework of civil government for the
colony.
- 1662: Colony of Connecticut obtains a
royal charter from Great Britain, which
unites it with the New Haven Colony. This
charter serves as Connecticut's constitution
until 1818.
- 1665: The Colonies of Connecticut and New
Haven are officially united.
SOURCES: Bixby, William.
Connecticut: A New Guide. [CSL call number:
HistRef F 92.3 .B59].
The Encyclopedia of Connecticut: A Volume of
the Encyclopedia of the United States [CSL call
number: HistRef F 92 .E53 1994].
The World Book Encyclopedia. 1987 Edition,
Volume 4 [CSL call number: AE 5 .W55 1987].
|
CONNECTICUT
HISTORY: AN OVERVIEW |
THE MODERN
ECONOMIC PERIOD |
|