September 7, 1630, the court of assistants gave this place the name of Boston; and at the same court Dorchester and Watertown began their career under legislative sanction.[6] Before winter the towns scattered through Massachusetts were eight in number--Salem, Charlestown, Dorchester, Boston, Watertown, Roxbury, Mystic, and Lynn.[7] October 19, 1630, a general court, the first in New England, was held in Boston.

The membership consisted of the governor, deputy, eight assistants, and one or two others, for these were all at that time in Massachusetts possessing the franchise of the company.[8] The former officers were re-elected, and a resolution was adopted that "the freemen should have the power to choose assistants when they are to be chosen, and the assistants to choose from among themselves the governor and his deputy." The rule implied a strong reluctance to leave out of the board any person once elected magistrate.
From the last week in December to the middle of February, 1631, the suffering in the colony was very great, especially among the poorer classes, and many died.

Were it not for the abundance of clams, mussels, and fish gathered from the bay there might have been a "starving time," like that of Jamestown in 1609.

Winthrop appointed a fast to be kept February 22, 1631; but February 5 the _Lyon_ arrived with supplies, and a public thanksgiving was substituted for a public fasting.[9] From this time the colony may be said to have secured a permanent footing.

The court of assistants, who had suspended their sessions during the winter, now began to meet again, and made many orders with reference to the economic and social affairs of the colonists.