Backed by the latest scholarly research, this book chronicles the history of early New York, how it became a British colony, and what life was like in colonial New York. This book demonstrates how New York was a land of innovative, free-thinking individuals who took advantage of the natural resources around them. It also addresses key events in colonial New York, including the founding of the British colony and the French and Indian War, as well as key figures, such as King Charles II and Robert R. Livingston. Facts are richly supplemented with detailed maps and primary-source documents from the era.