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On March 19, 1628, there was granted to six patentees, of whom John Humphrey and John Endicott were destined to be most prominent, territory extending from the Atlantic to the Western Ocean, and in width from a line running three miles north of the Merrimac to one running three miles south of the Charles. This was the Massachusetts Bay Company. Endicott was sent over the same year and effected a settlement at Naumkeag, or Salem, September 6. March 4, 1629, a charter was granted to the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay, and under this instrument Massachusetts conducted her affairs for fifty-five years. The colony was ruled by the Governor and thirteen councillors. The charter was transferred from England to America with Winthrop.