Proprietary colonies were colonies granted by the king to whom?

• A. colonies granted by the king to a trusted individual, family, or group.
• B. colonies administered by colonial assemblies.
• C. colonies chartered by joint-stock companies.
• D. colonies seized from rival nations.

Answer: (A)

Proprietary colonies were established when the English Crown granted a tract of land to a single owner or a small group, who then had the authority to govern the colony. The proprietor could appoint governors, lay out laws, and manage land distribution, while the Crown kept ultimate sovereignty. Classic examples include Maryland, granted to the Calvert family, and Pennsylvania, granted to William Penn. While colonists might have some local self-government through assemblies, the proprietor remained the real authority over the colony. This is distinct from colonies chartered to companies or seized from rivals, where the recipient or origin differs from a private noble or family grant.