CONNECTICUT - One of the original thirteen colonies and known today as the Constitution State, has a history deeply rooted in the early English settlement of New England. But what was this region called before officially joining the United States in 1788?
Before the Constitution State: Connecticut's Colonial Names and Origins
Understanding Connecticut's pre-statehood identity involves exploring its origins as separate settlements that eventually coalesced into a single, self-governing entity under the English Crown.
Early Settlements Along the River (1630s): The "River Colony"
The story of English presence in Connecticut begins in the 1630s. Attracted by fertile land along the Connecticut River, groups of settlers, primarily Puritans migrating from the neighboring Massachusetts Bay Colony, established the first permanent English settlements at Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford. Hartford quickly rose to prominence among these river towns. During this early period, the collection of settlements along the river was sometimes informally referred to as the "River Colony," distinguishing it from other burgeoning settlements in New England.
A Separate Entity: The New Haven Colony
Simultaneously, another distinct group of English Puritans established the New Haven Colony along the coast of Long Island Sound, to the west of the River towns. Founded in 1638, the New Haven Colony had its own government and religious principles, operating independently from the settlements along the Connecticut River for several decades. This period highlights the fragmented nature of early colonial settlement in the region.
Unification Under the Royal Charter (1662): The Connecticut Colony
A pivotal moment in Connecticut's history came in 1662. King Charles II of England granted a Royal Charter that officially combined the river settlements (Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield, and others like Saybrook) with the New Haven Colony, creating a single, unified entity known as the Connecticut Colony. This charter was remarkably liberal for its time, granting the Connecticut Colony a significant degree of self-governance while remaining under the ultimate authority of the English Crown. From 1662 onwards, "Connecticut Colony" became the primary official designation for the region.
Transition to Statehood (1788)
The Connecticut Colony played an active role in the American Revolution. Following the successful fight for independence, the former colony transitioned to statehood. On January 9, 1788, Connecticut ratified the newly drafted U.S. Constitution, officially becoming the fifth state to join the Union and adopting the "State of Connecticut."
Before becoming the state of Connecticut in 1788, the region existed under several designations. Initially comprised of separate groups of settlements, including those informally known as the River Colony and the distinct New Haven Colony, the area was formally unified and primarily known as the Connecticut Colony following the Royal Charter of 1662. This colonial designation remained until Connecticut embraced statehood, forever linking its name to the river central to its initial settlement.
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Sources:
- Connecticut State Library
- Connecticut Historical Society
- Colonial Records of Connecticut
- Histories of the New Haven Colony
- Yale University Archives
- The Royal Charter of 1662
- U.S. National Archives
- Connecticut statehood records
