<P> Three types of colonies existed in the British Empire in America during the height of its power in the 18th Century . These were charter colonies, proprietary colonies and royal colonies . A group of 13 British American colonies collectively broke from the British Empire in the 1770s through a successful revolution, establishing the modern United States . After the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1803--15), British territories in the Americas were slowly granted more responsible government . In 1838 the Durham Report recommended full responsible government for Canada, but this was not fully implemented for another decade . Eventually, with the Confederation of Canada, the Canadian colonies were granted significant autonomy and became a self - governing Dominion in 1867 . Other colonies in the Americas followed at a much slower pace . In this way, two countries in North America, ten in the Caribbean, and one in South America have received their independence from the United Kingdom . All of these, except the United States, are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and nine are Commonwealth realms . The eight current British overseas territories in the Americas have varying degrees of self - government . </P> <P> A number of English colonies were established under a system of Proprietary Governors, who were appointed under mercantile charters to English joint stock companies to found and run settlements . </P> <Ul> <Li> In 1607, Jamestown, Virginia was founded by the London Company (also known as the Virginia Company). </Li> <Li> In Newfoundland, a chartered company known as the Society of Merchant Venturers established a permanent settlement at Cuper's Cove, from 1610 . </Li> <Li> St. George's, Bermuda was founded by the Virginia Company, in 1612 . </Li> </Ul> <Li> In 1607, Jamestown, Virginia was founded by the London Company (also known as the Virginia Company). </Li>

Who were the first british settlers in america