Royal Colonies: The American Colonies Under Direct Crown Control

Colonies Subject to Direct Control of the English King

By the eve of the American Revolution, the following royal (crown) colonies were governed directly by the King through appointed governors and councils:

• Virginia (became royal 1624)
• Massachusetts Bay (charter revoked 1684; royal province 1691)
• New York (captured 1664; royal from 1685)
• New Hampshire (separated from Mass.; royal 1679, 1691)
• New Jersey (unified as royal 1702)
• South Carolina (became royal 1719)
• Georgia (founded 1732 as trustee; royal 1752)

Contrast: Other Colony Types

• Proprietary: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware (Lord Baltimore, Penn family)
• Charter / Self-Governing: Connecticut, Rhode Island (elected governors)
• Corporate: Early Virginia (Virginia Company), Massachusetts Bay (before 1684)

Significance

Royal colonies had less local autonomy; governors appointed by Crown, instructions from Board of Trade. This centralized control fueled revolutionary grievances ("taxation without representation").