Profits in the Wilderness
Entrepreneurship and the Founding of New England Towns in the Seventeenth Century
By John Frederick Martin | Publisher: Omohundro Institute and UNC Press
About the book
In examining the founding of New England towns during the seventeenth century, John Frederick Martin investigates an old subject with fresh insight. Whereas most historians emphasize communalism and absence of commerce in the seventeenth century, Martin demonstrates that colonists sought profits in town–founding, that town founders used business corporations to organize themselves into landholding bodies, and that multiple and absentee landholding was common.
In reviewing some sixty towns and the activities of one hundred town founders, Martin finds that many town residents were excluded from owning common lands and from voting. It was not until the end of the seventeenth century, when proprietors separated from towns, that town institutions emerged as fully public entities for the first time.
Martin’s study will challenge historians to rethink not only social history but also the cultural history of early New England. Instead of taking sides in the long–standing debate between Puritan scholars and business historians, Martin identifies strains within Puritanism and the rest of the colonists' culture that both discouraged and encouraged land commerce, both supported and undermined communalism, both hindered and hastened development of the wilderness. Rather than portray colonists one–dimensionally, Martin analyzes how several different and competing ethics coexisted within a single, complex, and vibrant New England culture.
Editions of Profits in the Wilderness
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807820018
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807843468
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469600031
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890886965
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469615776
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890886958
Read an Excerpt
In examining the founding of New England towns during the seventeenth century, John Frederick Martin investigates an old subject with fresh insight. Whereas most historians emphasize communalism and absence of commerce in the seventeenth century, Martin demonstrates that colonists sought profits in town–founding, that town founders used business corporations to organize themselves into landholding bodies, and that multiple and absentee landholding was common.
In reviewing some sixty towns and the activities of one hundred town founders, Martin finds that many town residents were excluded from owning common lands and from voting. It was not until the end of the seventeenth century, when proprietors separated from towns, that town institutions emerged as fully public entities for the first time.
Martin’s study will challenge historians to rethink not only social history but also the cultural history of early New England. Instead of taking sides in the long–standing debate between Puritan scholars and business historians, Martin identifies strains within Puritanism and the rest of the colonists' culture that both discouraged and encouraged land commerce, both supported and undermined communalism, both hindered and hastened development of the wilderness. Rather than portray colonists one–dimensionally, Martin analyzes how several different and competing ethics coexisted within a single, complex, and vibrant New England culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Profits in the Wilderness about?
In examining the founding of New England towns during the seventeenth century, John Frederick Martin investigates an old subject with fresh insight. Whereas most historians emphasize communalism and absence of commerce in the seventeenth century, Martin demonstrates that colonists sought profits in town–founding, that town founders used business corporations to organize themselves into landholding bodies, and that multiple and absentee landholding was common.
In reviewing some sixty towns and the activities of one hundred town founders, Martin finds that many town residents were excluded from owning common lands and from voting. It was not until the end of the seventeenth century, when proprietors separated from towns, that town institutions emerged as fully public entities for the first time.
Martin’s study will challenge historians to rethink not only social history but also the cultural history of early New England. Instead of taking sides in the long–standing debate between Puritan scholars and business historians, Martin identifies strains within Puritanism and the rest of the colonists' culture that both discouraged and encouraged land commerce, both supported and undermined communalism, both hindered and hastened development of the wilderness. Rather than portray colonists one–dimensionally, Martin analyzes how several different and competing ethics coexisted within a single, complex, and vibrant New England culture.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Profits in the Wilderness?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Profits in the Wilderness?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807820018
How long is Profits in the Wilderness and how many pages does it have?
Profits in the Wilderness has 384 page(s)
Is Profits in the Wilderness part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Profits in the Wilderness?
John Frederick Martin
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Profits in the Wilderness is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807820018) and paperback(ISBN 9780807843468) and ebook(ISBN 9781469600031) and ebook(ISBN 9798890886965) and ebook(ISBN 9781469615776) and pdf(ISBN 9798890886958)
Where can I buy Profits in the Wilderness online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Profits in the Wilderness from below
Where can I buy Profits in the Wilderness?