Virginia (1607) - Established by the London Company

New Jersey (1618) - Originally settled by the Dutch, but seized by the English in 1664.

Massachusetts (1620) - Founded as two colonies: Plymouth Colony (1620), settled by the Pilgrims; and Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630), settled by the Puritans. They were united in 1691, and annexed Maine, which had been colonized by the New England Council in the 1620's.

New Hampshire (1622) - Originally part of Maine, then a colony from 1629 until annexed by Massachusetts, 1641-1643. Became a seperate colony again in 1679.

Pennsylvania (1623) - Originally settled by Dutch and Swedes. Came under English control in the 1664 and was granted to William Penn by Charles II in 1681.

New York (1624) - Founded as New Netherland by the Dutch West India Company. Seized by the English in 1664 and renamed.

Maryland (1634) - Granted to Lord Baltimore.

Connecticut (1635) - Founded by settlers from Massachusetts and other colonies. New Haven Colony, founded by settlers from Massachusetts in 1638, annexed to Connecticut in 1662, when the older colony was granted a royal charter.

Rhode Island (1636) - Settled by two groups from Massachusetts and united in 1644. Chartered by King Charles II in 1663.

Delaware (1638) - Settled by Swedes; seized by the Dutch in 1655 and by the English in 1664. Granted to William Penn in 1682.

North Carolina (1653) - Settled by pioneers from other colonies. Carolina was separated from Virginia and granted to a private company in 1663; divided into two colonies in 1711. Made a royal providence in 1729.

South Carolina (1670) - Originally part of Carolina Colony. Was separated from North Carolina in 1711, and became a royal providence in 1729.

Georgia (1733) - Granted to a private company by George II in 1732 and settled a year later in Savannah.

(C)1991 by Standard Educational Corporation.
(C)1910 Aiton's Encyclopedia
(C)1912 Standard Reference Work
(C)1930-1999 New Standard Encyclopedia