The Dominion of New England

By Bruce P. Stark

The Dominion of New England served as the backdrop for one of the most dramatic episodes in Connecticut history, the hiding of the Charter in the "Charter Oak."

The challenge to Connecticut's charter liberties occurred when England was ruled by the authoritarian James II (1685-1688), and the English government made a concerted effort to consolidate its rule over the American Colonies. The intent was to annul all colonial charters and join the New England Colonies and New York into a "Dominion of New England" ruled by Sir Edmund Andros.

Connecticut magistrates led by Governor Robert Treat (1624-1710) and Secretary John Allyn (1630-1695) knew that the end of self-government was near, argued that the colony should graciously submit, and should make the best of the situation. Another group, however, whose strength was concentrated in the Lower House, led by James Fitch (1649-1727), resisted, hoping that the king would forgive the colony for whatever innocent mistakes it may have committed. As a result, Connecticut kept its charter government throughout 1686 and most of 1687. Finally, however, on October 22, 1687, Governor Andros informed Treat that he was coming to Hartford to assume control over the government. Andros arrived on October 27, was escorted to the public meeting house, and Treat escorted Andros to the governor's chair. Andros had his commission as governor read, together with the king's order to annex Connecticut to the Dominion. The discussion that followed lasted into the evening. When the Charter was brought out and placed on a table, the lights were suddenly extinguished and the precious Charter secreted in the Charter Oak.

Despite the disappearance of the Charter, the colony surrendered, and Andros named Treat and Allyn to the Council of the Dominion of New England. Connecticut remained under the arbitrary rule of Andros until the spring of 1689, when news arrived in New England of the Glorious Revolution. Fitch took the lead in the effort to restore the old charter government and called for new elections to be held in Hartford on May 9, 1689, to rid the colony of those who had surrendered too easily and accepted positions offered by Andros. When the election was held, the assembled freemen voted to reestablish charter government, but were prevailed upon to choose Treat governor and to restore all the old magistrates. Since, however, the English government had annulled Connecticut's Charter and a small group of malcontents led by Gershom Buckeley (1635-1713) wanted royal rule to continue, the colony's rulers could not rest secure. In 1693 they sent Fitz-John Winthrop (1638-1707) to England to try to get William and Mary to confirm the 1662 Charter. His effort was successful, and Connecticut retained its precious rights of self-government.

For Further Reading

Lovejoy, David S. The Glorious Revolution in America. New York, 1972. See pages 203-04, 248-50.

Van Dusen, Albert E. Connecticut. New York, 1961. See chapter 5.

* Entry under revision.