Important People in History – Colonial Americans

George Washington, John Adams, and Paul Revere weren’t the only famous folks in Colonial America! There were loads of influential and significant people during the time, some of which you may not be familiar with. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most famous American colonists in history.

• William Bradford – William Bradford was a Puritan leader and governor of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. He is best known for his book “Of Plymouth Plantation,” which is a firsthand account of the early years of the Plymouth Colony and the trials and tribulations faced by the settlers.
• William Penn – William Penn was an English Quaker and the founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, a Quaker colony in North America. He was also a strong advocate for religious freedom and is considered one of the fathers of the United States.
• Anne Hutchinson – Anne Hutchinson was a Puritan spiritual advisor who challenged the authority of the male-dominated Puritan clergy in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was eventually expelled from the colony for her religious beliefs and went on to found the settlement of Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
• John Smith – John Smith was an English explorer, soldier, and author best known for establishing the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown, Virginia. He also played a vital role in the early development of the Virginia Colony and was an early advocate for the settlement and colonization of North America.
• John Wise – John Wise was a colonial American Congregational minister and political leader. He was a prominent figure in the early development of Massachusetts and is best known for his role in the Glorious Revolution, a political uprising in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the late 17th century.
• Roger Williams – Roger Williams was a Baptist minister, philosopher, and politician who strongly advocated for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. He was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his beliefs and went on to found the settlement of Providence, Rhode Island.

Now Then, Let’s Help Your Students Learn About Important Colonial People

With the basics out of the way, we know you’re on the hunt for resources that take this complex subject and break it down so that it is accessible to younger learners. We’ve created a series of resources to help you write those Colonial America lesson plans.

This resource is a simple yet effective cut-and-sort activity sheet. To complete the exercise, students will read a series of facts, cut them out, and paste them beneath the colonist that they describe. 

Not only is this a fun and hands-on activity, but it also helps students engage with the material and solidify their understanding. By cutting and pasting information about important colonists, students can master curriculum standards and retain information meaningfully.

This resource is available in multiple formats to meet your needs. Use the dropdown arrow on the download button to select your preferred PDF or Google Slides file.

This resource was created by Katy Blevins,  a teacher in Georgia and Teach Starter Collaborator.