Archaeological discoveries

What are proprietary colonies?

Proprietary colonies were English colonies in North America that were granted to individuals or groups of individuals by the English crown. The proprietors of these colonies were given the right to govern their colonies as they saw fit, as long as they did not violate English law. This meant that the proprietors could make their own laws, appoint their own officials, and collect their own taxes.

The first proprietary colony was the Province of Maryland, which was granted to Sir George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, in 1632. Calvert was a Roman Catholic, and he wanted to create a colony where Catholics could worship freely. Maryland was followed by a number of other proprietary colonies, including the Carolinas, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Proprietary colonies were not always successful. Some proprietors were more interested in making money than in governing their colonies well. This could lead to conflict between the proprietors and the colonists. In addition, proprietary colonies were often less stable than royal colonies, because they did not have the same level of support from the English government.

Despite these challenges, proprietary colonies played an important role in the development of the United States. They helped to establish the idea of self-government, and they provided a refuge for people who were seeking religious freedom.