The first settlers of the colony were Puritans who sought to create a society based on their religious beliefs unfettered from the Royal Anglican government of the Kingdom of England.

The settlers were to be shareholders, with all those wishing to emigrate to New England required to buy shares.

Once settled in what is now Boston, the delegates formed a quasi-democratic and theocratic state based on the Laws of Moses.

It was revoked by an English court in 1684, but continued to serve as a de facto constitution until the creation of the Dominion of New England in 1686.

Following the 1689 Boston revolt and collapse of the dominion, it again served as the governing document until the issuance of the royal charter for the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1692.