<span>May 31, 2016 - The latest spending figures confirm an ongoing trend: Americans are buying big ticket items like refrigerators, roofs, cars and televisions.</span><span>
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The first New England colonies, which included Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, were all founded in the 17th century, beginning with the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1620. All but New Hampshire were founded as havens for various religious groups, including Puritans, Separatists, and Quakers.
Rhode Island was founded by people who did not come directly from England. Roger Williams had ideas to turn Rhode Island into a tolerant and multicultural place that quickly became a home to dissenting Puritans, Baptists, Quakers, and Jews.
New Hampshire was authorized by the government to fish off of Portsmouth’s coast. Between 1623 and 1679, Thomas Hilton and David Thompson (and more) cleared the land, built houses, and prepared the colony for defense before the region was officially a colony. Their primary purpose was to export wood and fish for economic gain.
The constitutional convention was held in <span>Philadelphia.</span>
