New England ColoniesReason• In general, people who settled in the New England colonies wanted to keep their family unit together and practice their religion.• They were used to doing many things alone and not depend much on others.• Some of these people came to New England to make money, but they were not the majority.Economy• The New England colonies were largely farming and fishing communities.• People made their own own clothes and shoes.• They grew much of their own food. Crops such as corn and wheat grew in large numbers, and much of it was shipped to England. • Foods that did not grow in America were shipped from England. • Boston was New England's major port. • Farms were almost always self-sufficient.• Fishing off the Grand Banks of Canada was an important part of the economy.• Lumber and shipbuilding utilized the forests of New England.• Trade and shipping were very importantThe Mayflower • Plymouth, England• 102 passengers on the Mayflower • Puritans sought a new life of religious freedom in America • All passengers were called Pilgrims • Among their counselors was Captain John Smith • It took them 66 days to reach New England and the journey was very hard on people who were not accustomed to navigating Massachusetts • Before they even set foot on land, they wrote an agreement called the "Mayflower Compact" that would establish rules to guide them through the early, difficult times of creation of a new community• This was signed on November 21, 1620, which served as the official constitution of the colony for many years• Massachusetts was founded by a group of English settlers• The Puritans arrived in Massachusetts in 1628• The relationship between the natives The 16th September 1620 the ship 'Mayflower' left for tribes and settlers in New England were always tense, but generally did not cause much bloodshed