Had a highly developed civilization. Historians say that there was not a single capital crime committed in the colony of Massachusetts from 1650 to 1750.
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Good times back then:
Penalty for Keeping Christmas, 1659:
http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/lawlib/docs/christmas1659.pdf
For preventing disorders arising in several places within this jurisdiction, by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countries, to the great dishonor of God and offence of others, it is therefore ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way, upon such accounts as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for every such offence five shillings, as a fine to the country.
The Puritans did not like Christmas; said it was too much Popery.