By the 17th century, open conflicts between the monarchy and Church began affecting the small religious sects as well. The Pilgrims, a separatist group, stood in opposition to the Church of England, holding that worshipers can communicate with God without the intercession of priests or bishops; while the puritans wanted the remain within the church but “purify” it. Both were prosecuted by King Charles I, and both began to see America as their refuge.

On this day, September 6, in 1628 the first group of Puritan settlers settled around Salem, Massachusetts. Changing the name of their venture to Massachusetts Bay Colony, they gave shares to each member who undertook the voyage. The colony was equal parts profit-making entity and religious institution.

Two years later a much larger group of Puritans arrived — nearly 1,000 of them, on several ships. They were led by John Winthrop, looking to build a “city upon a hill”, which eventually became Boston.