[1635.] Several families removed to _Connecticut_ river, by mutual agreement with their fellow emigrants that remained behind. Plantations were formed at _Hartford_, _Windsor_ and _Weathersfield_. The inhabitants being soon after fully satisfied, that they were out of the Massachusetts limits, and of course jurisdiction, entered into a combination among themselves, [1639.] became a body politic, without restraining the freedom of their civil government to the membership of their churches; and proceeded to the choice of magistrates and representatives. By the articles of government, it was determined that there should be annually two general courts; and that no person should be chosen governor more than once in two years. But it must be observed, that the same year, in which the families removed from the Massachusetts, Lords _Say_ and _Brooke_, with other gentlemen, having obtained a grant, John Winthrop, esq. was appointed governor, took possission of Connecticut river, and began to erect a fort (which he called Say-Brooke) to secure the mouth of it. He was supplied with men, provisions, and all things necessary by a vessel from England, sent by the grantees, which arrived the latter end of November. Some of the grantees had in contemplation to transport themselves, families and effects, to the territory they had obtained; but the design of emigrating was laid aside, when matters began to take a new turn in their native country; and at length the agent Mr. _Fenwick_, was authorized to dispose of their lands, which were purchased, in 1644, by the people who had removed from the Massachusetts. [1637.] Two large ships arrived at the _Massachusetts-Bay_ with passengers from _London_. Great pains were taken to prevail upon them to remain in the colony; but they hoped by removing to a considerable distance, to be out of the reach of a general governor, with whom the country was then threatened. They sent to their friends in _Connecticut_ to purchase of the natives the lands laying between them and _Hudson’s_ river. They laid the foundation of a flourishing colony, of which _New-Haven_ was the capital. They, as Connecticut, formed a government, much like the Massachusetts, by a voluntary agreement, without any charter, or commission, or authority whatsoever, from the crown or other powers in England. They admitted no one to any office civil or military, or to have a voice in any election, except he was a member of one of the churches in New-England. They had no jury either in civil or criminal cases.