The Puritans of Massachusetts Bay
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement in North America in the early 1600’s. It was formed by Puritan settlers fleeing religious persecution in England. The lands which became the Massachusetts Bay Colony had previously been inhabited by Native Indians. The Company of Massachusetts Bay received a charter to start a settlement in the New World in 1629. The charter granted the company the right to establish a settlement. The passengers of the “Arbella” who left England in 1630 with their new charter had great expectations. They could not practice their religion beliefs in England, and thus, came to Massachusetts for religious freedom and purification. The Massachusetts Bay Colony became the only English chartered colony whose board of governors did not reside in England. This independence helped the settlers to maintain their Puritan religious practices with very little oversight by the King, and Anglican Church.
Once they got to Massachusetts, the Puritans were allowed to make their own laws. There was a meeting house at the center of each Puritan village. At the meeting house, the men of the village met to make the laws and settle the problems of the community. The Puritans wanted every child to read the bible. They passed a law requiring parents to teach their children to read. Another Puritan law required every village with 50 or more families to have a school. Puritan children were taught how to read, write and do arithmetic. In villages with less than 50 families, children went to schools run by women at home.
Church attendance was mandatory. Those that missed church regularly were subject to a fine. The sermon became a means of addressing town problems or concerns. The church was sometimes patrolled by a man who held a long pole. On one end was a collection of feathers to tickle the chins of old men who fell asleep. On the other end was a hard wooden knob to alert children who giggled or slept. They were very serious about their religion
Once they got to Massachusetts, the Puritans were allowed to make their own laws. There was a meeting house at the center of each Puritan village. At the meeting house, the men of the village met to make the laws and settle the problems of the community. The Puritans wanted every child to read the bible. They passed a law requiring parents to teach their children to read. Another Puritan law required every village with 50 or more families to have a school. Puritan children were taught how to read, write and do arithmetic. In villages with less than 50 families, children went to schools run by women at home.
Church attendance was mandatory. Those that missed church regularly were subject to a fine. The sermon became a means of addressing town problems or concerns. The church was sometimes patrolled by a man who held a long pole. On one end was a collection of feathers to tickle the chins of old men who fell asleep. On the other end was a hard wooden knob to alert children who giggled or slept. They were very serious about their religion