The 13 original colonies of the United States were established in North America during the 17th century by England for various economic and religious reasons. Jamestown, Virginia was the first permanent English colony founded in 1607 as a joint-stock company. Other colonies like Pennsylvania were founded by individual proprietors who received land grants from the king. Some colonies like New York were originally founded by other European powers like the Dutch but were later captured by the English. The 13 colonies sought independence from England and eventually became the first 13 states of the United States.