Which of the following colonies was founded to escape religious persecution in England?

New Hampshire was one of the colonies established by individuals seeking to escape religious persecution in England. In the early 17th century, many settlers were influenced by religious dissenters who sought greater freedom than was allowed in their home country, particularly those who did not conform to the Church of England. The founders of New Hampshire were part of this movement, seeking a place where they could practice their religion freely.

Virginia, while associated with early settlers and the success of tobacco farming, was largely founded for economic reasons rather than primarily religious ones. Georgia was established as a debtor's colony and as a buffer against Spanish Florida, and South Carolina was primarily a commercial enterprise that developed agricultural plantations. Thus, New Hampshire stands out as the colony with a primary motive rooted in seeking religious liberty.