Key Figures in the Thirteen Colonies

These are important people that helped grow the colonies.

John Winthrop

The Puritan leader that founded Boston and became governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Roger Williams

A Puritan minister who advocated for religious freedom and the separation of church and government. He was the founder of Rhode Island.

Anne Hutchinson

A Puritan woman who advised followers on religious matters and challenged the church’s authority. She was arrested and put on trial for sedition.

Thomas Hooker

A Puritan minister who left Massachusetts Bay to find religious freedom and better farm land. He established the Connecticut colony.

David Thomson

A Scottish settler who founded New Hampshire Colony as a fishing settlement. He came to the Americas looking for better economic opportunities.

MetaComet

Wampanoag leader who resisted early

colonization. Also known as King Phillip.

William Penn

designed the Pennsylvania colony as a refuge for Quakers and other religious groups

George Whitefield

An Anglican minister who traveled the colonies giving emotional sermons talking about a personal relationship with God

Jonathan Edwards

A preacher who traveled the colonies giving fire and brimstone sermons talking about personal salvation and the wrath of God

Ben Franklin

A founding Father known for his inventions, printed newspapers and contributions to building the colonies - a leader in colonial government and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.