New England Timeline
Written and researched by Margaret nee Knight-Sypniewski

• 1600 - an East India Company was founded to trade, by sea, with south and south-west Asia and the East Indies, principally in order to obtain spices.
• 1603 - James I (James VI of Scotland in 1566), becomes King of England, after the death of Elizabeth I.

• 1603 - Catholic Ireland conquered, and England owns the island for the first time.

• 1609 - The Mayflower was used as a wine ship which traded in the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean offered a virtual potporri of wine merchants from France, Spain and Italy.

• 1617-1619 - Massachusetts. Smallpox was introduced by the English and Dutch fisherman. An epidemic kills 90% of the Massachusetts Bay's Native American Indian population (Kohn, George. The Wordsworth Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1995, 203; Bolett, Plagues and Poxes; Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation; Hopkins, Princes and Peasants: Smallpox in History )

• 1618 - Thirty Year War begins in Europe.

• November 11, 1620 - The Mayflower lands at Cape Cod.

• December 26, 1620 - Pilgrims land at Plymouth and Plymouth Colony is founded.

• 1621 - Massachusetts. William Bradford becomes governor of the Plymouth Colony. His wife, Dorothy, died in 1620 by throwing herself overboard and drowning. Today, we would say she was suffering from severe depression, scurvy, or perhaps even some sort of fever. The conditions were not the most sanitary aboard ship. The voyage had been extremely tiring, crowded, and many died on the way. People were agitated that they had traveled so far, missed their intended port, and could not get on land until it was deemed safe. Hysteria set in with each passing death. It is thought that Mrs. Bradford wanted to swim ashore to escape the pestilence onboard and was overcome by the coldness of the sea. Of course, no one today can testify to this event. :-)

• 1623 - Experience Mitchell came to Plymouth with Edward Southworth (yeoman).

• 1625 - Charles I becomes King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

• 1627 - Massachusetts. William Bradford and seven others buy out the merchant adventurers investments in Plymouth Colony. This gave them the right to trade and profit from their produce.

• 1629 - Massachusetts Bay Colony is chartered.

• 1630 - The ship Arabella sails from England.

• 1630 - Founding of Massachusetts Bay Colony with John Winthrop as governor. In England, he was a prosperous member of the gentry, and owned a five-hundred-acre estate. He married Mary Forth in 1605, his first of four wives.

• 1630 - The first wolf bounty law passed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The law stated that every Englishman that killed a wolf would be given one penny for each one brought in as proof.

• 1631 - Roger Williams arrives in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

• 1631 - First ship built, in Massachusetts, is launched.

• 1633 - Smallpox decimates Native American Indians and kills thirty-five (35) English in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts.

• 1634 - Connecticut. Smallpox epidemic transmitted by the Dutch kills 95% of the Native American Indian population living along the Connecticut River, prompting settlement by the English.

• September 18, 1634 - William Bartholomew and "his wife," Mary arrived in Boston (according to Banks). However, this was an error on the part of the recorder. Since William was married to Anna Lord. Mary was, in fact, both his sister's and his daughter's name.
  The Bartholomew Family

• 1634 - Anne Hutchinson begins holding meetings in her Boston, Massachusetts' home. In 1612, she had married William Hutchinson, a merchant. They had fifteen (15) children. Ann was raised in Lincolnshire, England, and followed John Cotton, an Anglican minister.

• 1635 - Massachusetts. Roger Williams is banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and establishes Providence.

• August 24, 1635 - Great hurricane eye passes between Boston and Plymouth, Massachusetts. William Bradford reports: "It blew down many hundred, thousands of trees," and many houses.

• March 4, 1635 - William Bartholomew made a freeman at Boston, Massachusetts.

• 1635 - First public school in America, The Boston Latin School, is founded.

• April 25, 1635 - William Bartholomew granted land in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

• November 7, 1635 - Henry Bartholomew arrives in Massachusetts.

• 1635-1637 - William Bartholomew is A Representative to the General Court in Boston, MA.

• October 28, 1636 - Massachusetts. Harvard College is founded in Newtowne (later called Cambridge).

• 1636 - Thomas Hooker founds the settlement at Hartford, Connecticut.

• 1636 - In the Colony of New Plymouth, whomever shall kill a wolf shall be given four bushels of corn to be raised of the Constabletrick or liberties.

• 1637 - New England. First mounted mail service is inaugurated between Boston and New York.

• 1637 - The bounty on wolves is elevated to 10 shillings.

• May 17, 1637 - Henry Bartholomew made a freeman, at age 36.

• 1637 - During the Pequot War, New England troops attack Native American Indians near New Haven, Connecticut.

• September 19, 1637 - William Bartholomew is a member of the Grand Jury in the trial against Anne Hutchinson, even though, in London, he had frequented their home. He is said to have voted against her.

• September 19, 1637 - The trial of Anne Hutchinson. She is removed to Aquidneck Island (Rhode Island) and, later, Long Island Sound.

• 1638 - Massachusetts. Three hurricanes (August 3rd, October 5th, and October 19th) in Boston area, including Rhode Island.

• 1638 - Anne Hutchinson is banished from Massachusetts, moves to Rhode Island.

• May 6, 1638 - William Bartholomew represents Ipswich in the General Court in Boston, Massachusetts.

• 1638 - New Haven Colony is founded by Theophilus Eaton and John Davenport in Connecticut.

• 1639 - The first printing press in America is set up in Cambridge, Massachusetts; by Stephen Day (father), and Matthew Day (son). First volume published was the Bay Psalm Book.

• 1640 - Everyman that kills a wolf, with hounds, shall have 40 shillings allowed him, and whomever kills a wolf with a trap will be given 10 shillings.

• 1641 - William Bartholomew is a Representative in the General Court in Boston.

• 1641 - Massachusetts recognizes slavery.

• 1641 - Forty (40) shillings given for wolves killed with dogs, and 10 shillings, a piece, for wolves killed otherwise is repealed.

• 1642 - The Court of New Plymouth authorizes wolf traps and bait. A charge of 10 shillings is inforced for anyone whose traps are neglected to be used for this extermination of wolves from this town. Plymouth had five traps, Duxbury five, Scituate four, Sandwich three, Taunton two, Barnstable three and Marshfield two traps.

• 1643 - Ann Hutchinson, and her dependant family (those still living at home), were murdered by the Native American Indians.

• 1644 - A bushel of Indian corn, or three quarts of wine, is paid to any Indian, by the Constable of every town, for every wolf killed within that town.

• 1645-1662 - Henry Bartholomew is a Representative to the General Court in Boston.

• May 1645 - William Bartholomew, John Johnson, Mr. Sprague, Mr. Winnsley, and Mr. Hubbard meet, as a committee, to consider the best ways to kill wolves. The killing of wolves was out of fear. In England, wolves had already been wiped out. This attitude towards wolves brings the wolf to near extinction many times throughout history.

• June 1645 - 1644 law is repealed (in regards to the killing of wolves).

• August 30, 1645 - New Englanders sign a peace treaty with the Narragansett Indians.

• 1646, April 11th - Richard Bartholomew, of Boston, Massachusetts, is listed as a deposed merchant (another brother to Henry and William) ( Family Tree Maker, CD364 American Source Records in England, 1600's-1800's. English Origins of American Colonists, Genealogical Notes of the High Court of Admiralty Examinations. Broderbund Software, Inc.).

• 1647 - William Bartholomew is a representative in the General Court in Boston.

• 1648 - end of the Thirty Years War in Europe.

• 1648 - Margaret Jones, of Charlestown, was the first executed for witchcraft, in Massachusetts.
  She was a physician and when her patients vomited and suffered violent seizures, she was considered as having the "malignant touch."

  1648 - Thirty shillings are allowed an Englishman who kills a wolf.

  1648-1649 - Massachusetts. A very virulent smallpox and whooping cough sweeps from Scituate to Cape Cod and north to Boston and Roxbury.

  1650 - Harvard College is chartered in Massachusetts.

  In September 14, 1638; John Harvard dies of consumption (tuberculosis) and leaves 1,700 pounds for the college later to bear his name ("Harvard" in Spring 1639).

  1648 - The court orders that any wolf killed by either Englishman or Native American Indian should be offered twenty shillings, after the offering of proof - via its head. This law is to remain in effect for four (4) years (Massachusetts Bay Colony).

  1650 - Henry Bartholomew is a deputy of Salem, Massachusetts.

  1651 - All wolves killed by the Indians at Namassaket or elsewhere from March 15th annually to the end of April, shall be paid for as the responsibility of the entire colony. A coat of trading cloth shall be given for every wolf.

  June 10, 1652 - John Hull establishes a mint in Boston, Massachusetts.

  October 29, 1652 - Bay Colony is declared an independant commonwealth.

  1653 - In reference to the October, 1648 law: Both English and Native Americans are encouraged to help in the destruction of wolves, as the law is renewed (Massachusetts Bay Colony).

  June 28, 1654 - William Bartholomew is the Treasurer of Essex County, Massachusetts.

  1657 - William Bradford dies in office, in Massachusetts.

  March 2, 1654/5 - Bartholomew Hill Pasture is two (2) miles west of Ipswich, Massachusetts. (1 square mile).

  July 21, 1659 - William and Anne Bartholmew move to Boston, Massachusetts.

  1659 - Christmas is banned by the Puritans.

  1660 - William Bartholomew is made Merchant Commissioner and moves to Boston.

  June 1, 1660 - Mary Dyer, a Quaker, is hung on Boston Commons.

  1661 - Since wolves have been killing cattle, in all our townships, it is lawful (as agreed upon by the General Court) to pay any Indian or Indians that brings the Constable proof of such a kill, the bounty of half a pound of powder and two pounds of shot or lead for every head brought in.

  1666 - Boston, Massachusett's first major smallpox epidemic kills about forty of four thousand inhabitants.

  1666 - William Bartholomew is Treasurer of the County.

  1675 - King Phillip's War, the bloodiest colonial war is begun. By the end of the year, out of ninety(90) settlements, fifty-two (52) are attacked, and twelve (12) are completely destroyed.

  August 2, 1675 - Brookfield is attacked by the Wampanog Indians.

  1675 - A New England hurricane causes extensive damage in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

  February 10, 1676 - Lancaster, Massachusetts is attacked by King Phillip's (Metacom's) tribal group.

  Metacom and Wamsutta (baptized Alexander) were sons of Chief Massosaits.

  June 12, 1676 - Colonists under John Talcott defeat the Native American Indians under King Phillip near Hadley.

  July 1676 - King Phillip's wife and son are captured by English soldiers.

  August 12, 1676 - King Phillip is shot, ending the King Phillip's War. His body was brutally quartered and hung in the trees.

  1677-1678 - Smallpox breaks out, killing more people than the 1666 epidemic. Thirty die in one day, at the height of the epidemic.

  1681 - William Bartholomew dies in Charlestown, MA.

  1682, September 1 - Elizabeth (nee Lord) Bartholomew dies at age 60.

  August 13, 1683 - Connecticut. A hurricane causes the Connecticut River to rise to twenty-six feet. All crops are destroyed.

  1684 - The Massachusetts Bay Charter is revoked, and Massachusetts becomes a "Royal Colony."

  1690 - Henry Bartholomew dies at age 85.

  1690 - First Paper money issued.

  1692 - William Bartholomew (1641-1697) was a selectman in Woodstock. He married Mary Johnson (1642-a. 1705), in 1663, they had 5 children; William Bartholomew was a carpenter, surveyor, and operated a sawmill. William owned a lot of land in Woodstock. [1885 Bartholomew 56-64; REG. 148:50].

  1692 - Salem, Massachusetts; witch trials begin, when Elizabeth Parris, the nine-year-old daughter of Rev. Samuel Parris; and Abigail Williams, her eleven-year-old cousin begin to have fits of convulsions. They later accused Tituba, the Parris' slave (Born in Barbados, West Indies). Also Sarah Goode, a nearly destitute slovely woman, and Sarah Osborne, a rich widow.

  By the end of September 1692, one hundred, fifty (150) people were arrested and nineteen (19) were hanged. Rebecca [Towne]Nurse was one of the five hanged on Gallows Hill, July 1682.

  My tree to the Towne Family

  Gilles Corey testified against his wife, Martha, who later was pressed to death.

  Salem Witchcraft Trials

  July 6, 1699 - Massachusetts. Captain Kidd captured Boston, and was later extradited to England for his trial.

  1701 - Yale University is chartered in Connecticut.

  1702-1703 - Smallpox/Scarlet Fever breaks out and 4% of the population dies.

SOURCES:

Bartholomew, G.W.. Record of the Bartholomew Family. The New England Historic Genealogical Society reprint, 2002. originally published in Austin, Texas in 1885.

Black, Jeremy. Historical Atlas of Britain: The End of the Middle Ages to the Georgian Era. UK: Sutton Publishing, 2000.

Deetz, James and Patricia Scott Dietz. The Times of Their Lives: Life, Love, and Death in Plymouth Colony. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2000.

Farmer, John. First Settlers of New England. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1998 from original published in 1829.

Kennealty, Christopher. The Massachusetts Legacy. Holbrook, MA.: 1995

Kohn, George. The Wordsworth Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1995.

McIntyre (editor), Rick. War Against the Wolf: America's Campaign to Exterminate the Wolf. Stillwater, MN.: Voyageur Press, 1995

Schutz, John A. Legislators of the Massachusetts General Court 1671-1789. A Biographical Dictionary, Northeastern University Press, 1997.

Stratton, Eugene Aubrey. Plymouth Colony: Its History and People. Salt Lake City: Ancestry Publishing, 1986.

Taylor, Dale, Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Colonial America 1607-1783. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer's Digest Books, 1997

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