Winthrop, John

Winthrop, John

1588

Suffolk, England

1649

Massachusetts

Puritan leader, first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony

" . . . the eies of all people are uppon us. . . . "

John Winthrop.

John Winthrop was a stern Puritan (member of a Christian group that held strict moral and spiritual views) and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Prior to emigrating (moving from one country to another) to America, he led a comfortable life as a wealthy lawyer and landowner in England. Then in the 1620s the country became embroiled in religious, economic, and political turmoil. Times were especially difficult for Puritans, who pressed for reforms in the Anglican Church (the official religion; also known as the Church of England) and took a dim view of the moral climate of England. Consequently, they were deprived of political rights, such as serving in Parliament (the British legislative body). Their religious practices were suppressed and held up to ridicule. Winthrop was among the thousands of Puritans who decided to leave their homeland for a place that would allow them religious and political freedom. Leading the Massachusetts Bay Company, Winthrop arrived in Massachusetts in 1630. Although he was an autocratic (dictatorial) governor, he made significant contributions to the survival of the young colony for nearly two decades.