Massachusetts Bay Company meets in England.

Meeting as a General Court at the residence of the Earl of Lincoln, members vote “to transfer the government of the plantation to those that shall inhabit thered, and not to continue the same in subordination to the Company here.” The action is taken after they had observed the problems that had arisen for other companies of settlers who were backed by stay-at-home investors. Those relocating to America, including Winthrop, Johnson, Dudley, Humphrey and several others, subsequently buy up many of the shares of those who decided to remain in England.