On This Day

New royal charter for Massachusetts now includes Maine and Plymouth

The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a colony in New England which became one of the thirteen original states of the United States.

The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a colony in New England which became one of the thirteen original states of the United States. It was chartered on October 7, 1691, by William III and Mary II, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and was based in the merging of several earlier British colonies in New England. The charter took effect on May 14, 1692, and included the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony, the Province of Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the direct successor.

Historical Significance

The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a colony in New England which became one of the thirteen original states of the United States.

Events Before

  1. Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne a

    Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne at Oldbridge, Ireland

  2. Joseph I, later Holy Roman Emperor and son of Emperor Leopold I, becomes King of the Romans and King in Germany

    Joseph I, later Holy Roman Emperor and son of Emperor Leopold I, becomes King of the Romans and King in Germany

  3. The musical instrument, the clarinet, is invented in Nuremberg, Germany

    The musical instrument, the clarinet, is invented in Nuremberg, Germany

  4. Iroquois tribes renew their allegiance to the British in opposition to the French

    Iroquois tribes renew their allegiance to the British in opposition to the French

  5. French and Native American troops attack and destroy Schenectady settlement in New York Province, either killing or capt

    French and Native American troops attack and destroy Schenectady settlement in New York Province, either killing or capturing its inhabitants, revenge for the Lachine massacre

Events After

  1. First people are accused of witchcraft, and arrested in Salem, Massachusetts - Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, a

    First people are accused of witchcraft, and arrested in Salem, Massachusetts - Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, a West Indian slave

  2. The last eight people - Martha Corey, Margaret Scott, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmott Redd, Samuel Wardw

    The last eight people - Martha Corey, Margaret Scott, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, and Mary Parker - are hanged for allegedly practicing witchcraft as a result of the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts Bay Colony; 19 are hanged overall, with six other death

  3. Glencoe Massacre: about 38 MacDonalds killed early in the morning by rival Campbell clan members, allegedly for not prom

    Glencoe Massacre: about 38 MacDonalds killed early in the morning by rival Campbell clan members, allegedly for not promptly pledging allegiance to the new king, William of Orange

  4. Emperor Leopold I names Duke Earnest August of Braunschweig, king

    Emperor Leopold I names Duke Earnest August of Braunschweig, king

  5. King Maximilian installed as land guardian of South Netherlands

    King Maximilian installed as land guardian of South Netherlands

More from the 1690s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 17, 1691?
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a colony in New England which became one of the thirteen original states of the United States. It was chartered on October 7, 1691, by William III and Mary II, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and was based in the merging of several earlier British colonies in New England. The charter took effect on May 14, 1692, and included the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony, the Province of Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the direct successor.
Why is New royal charter for Massachusetts now includes Maine and Plymouth significant?
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a colony in New England which became one of the thirteen original states of the United States.

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