USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Dover > Dover dates, 1722-1922 : a bicentennial history of Dover, New Jersey , published in connection with Dover's two hundredth anniversary celebration under the direction of the Dover fire department, August 9, 10, 11, 1922 > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
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JEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02248 3298
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GENEALOGY 974.902 D75P
1722 DOVER DATES 1922
A Bicentennial History of Dover, New Jersey
Published in Connection with
DOVER'S TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Under the Direction of
THE DOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT AUGUST 9, 10, 11, 1922
CHARLES D. PLATT, Author and Publisher DOVER, NEW JERSEY
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Copyright CHARLES D. PLATT 1922
Printed by THE JERSEYMAN, INC Morristown, New Jersey
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PREFACE 1144753
In 1914 my "Dover History" was published, containing personal reminiscences of Dover people, with other historical matter relating to the period 1722 to 1869. In the summer of 1921 I began to compile a chronological review of facts contained in the Dover History, collated with other facts from various sources, endeavoring to suggest the rela- tion of Dover to the State of New Jersey, to the United States, as his- torically developed, and to European history, thinking that such an arrangement would be useful for the interpretation of our local history in view of our approaching bicentennial year.
In October, 1921, although no formal committee had been appointed as yet to consider the advisability of any public recognition of that anni- versary, I conferred with our local editors, Harry R. Gill of The Advance, and William G. Hummel of The Index and they heartily sup- ported me in bringing before the public a series of articles entitled "Dover Dates," published in the latter part of 1921 and the early part of 1922.
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It was our intention to publish this historical information later in pamphlet form, and I am greatly indebted to my two friends, the editors, for their co-operation in preparing to carry out this plan. Among other readers of the newspaper articles, the Firemen of Dover became inter- ested and determined to have a bicentennial celebration. With their cus- tomary enthusiasm and energy they organized committees and made arrangements to do honor to their Home Town, inviting me to join them as an honorary member of their committee.
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In time, it was thought best, with the co-operation of the Firemen, to print. "Dover Dates" as a bicentennial book. The Jerseyman of Morristown made an offer acceptable to all concerned, to print this book and promote its sale. This offer was accepted by the Firemen's Committee. Our thanks are due to The Jerseyman for the generous and able way in which they have helped us carry out the plan and publish this book.
I am indebted to Frederic A. Canfield, deeply versed in local lore, for his kindness in making a few corrections and adding some items of interest relating to the early chronology of Dover.
In undertaking this work of local historian I have been led further than I anticipated. Not myself a native of Dover, I have gained much of my knowledge from others who have resided here longer than I. In this connection my thanks are due to the many persons who have, first and last, contributed articles based upon their special knowledge, making this book a symposium illustrating many phases of our modern community and its environs.
"Dover Dates" is a supplement of "Dover History" and contains much new and up-to-date material relating to the period 1869 to 1922, especially 1922. The municipal departments of the present day are represented, also the military organizations of recent years, and the larger industrial concerns of Dover and vicinity.
CHARLES D. PLATT, Editor.
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DEDICATION
How dedicate these Dover Dates ? Who has this labor o' love inspired ? Who but our Dover? Tete-a-tetes With her have slumbering genius fired.
The kindly old folks who recall The scenes of youth, the happy days That here they spent; who tell me all That charmed them once, the old-time ways.
The business man of many cares, Whose bosom swells with local pride As he surveys his shops, his wares,
And waits the turn of Fortune's tide.
The younger folks-the girls and boys, Now in succession apostolic ;
Grasping life's sweet but fleeting joys, They conjugate the verb "to frolic."
The sober housewife, who presides O'er hearth and home with patience rare To raise her hopefuls; who provides For endless wants with constant care.
The teachers, who inform the mind And guide young hearts through realms of knowledge; Who train crude youth to arts refined, Prepare for life-perchance for college.
The City Fathers-may this lore Of Dover Dates and Dover's story Endear the Dover loved of yore And clear her path to future glory !
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CONTENTS
PART I.
EARLY CHRONOLOGY OF NEW JERSEY AND DOVER
Preliminary Dates.
The Dutch Rule, 1609-1665. 55 years.
The English Proprietary Rule, 1664-1702. 38 years.
East and West New Jersey.
William Penn and the Quakers.
The English Colonial Governors, 1702-1776. 74 years.
The Capitals of East New Jersey, 1665-1776. III years.
PART II. LOCATION. ENVIRONMENT
Two Old Roads, Townships.
Ferromont. 1713-
The Quakers of Randolph. Poem: Richard Brotherton.
The Friends' Meeting House.
The Old Presbyterian Church at Rockaway.
The Old Methodist Church at Millbrook. Poem : Old Millbrook.
Alonz B. Searing. Theodore F. Mott.
On Poetry.
The Iron Era: Poetic. Crane Hill
A Dover to Mine Hill Ramble.
Poem: The Life at Mine Hill.
From My Porch. Poem, 1919.
Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the P. O. S. & L. C., 1921. Poem.
Scenes from Hurdtown. Lefevre, Artist.
Dover and the Greater New York.
Dover and Pennsylvania.
PART III. MUNICIPAL AND CIVIC.
The Mayors of Dover, 1869-1922.
The Manual of Dover, 1922. The Police Force.
The Police Court. Justice of the Peace, Constables.
The District Court.
The Dover Fire Department.
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George F. Steffany.
The Dover Water Department. Poem: Hygeia.
"The Dover Board of Health.
The Dover General Hospital.
N. Eleanor Hulsart.
The Woman's Auxiliary of the Hospital.
Mrs. Fletcher Fritts.
American Red Cross : West Morris Chapter. History Committee. Poem : Woman's Work in the Red Cross. Minerva Freeman.
"The First Decade of the Woman's Club. Minerva Freeman. Poem : The Rhyme of the Woman's Club. Minerva Freeman. Hurd Park. P. C. Buck.
Dover Post Office Facts. Charlotte S. Hurd.
The Dover Free Public Library. Martha A. Burnett.
Poem : What Dover Wants for Christmas.
EDUCATIONAL. ·
From Supt. Thurber's Report of Morris County Schools, 1876. Reminiscences of Dover Schools, 1876-1881. Edward M. Young. Thirty Years' Growth and Progress of the Dover Schools, 1890- 1922 J. Howard Hulsart, County Superintendent. The Dover Schools in 1922.
Roswell S. Bowlby, Supt. of Dover Schools, 1920- Presidents of the Board ofEducation, 1910-1922. Song: Dover High.
Prize Essay: What the Flag Means to Me.
Ruth Meyer, class of 1922.
PART IV.
OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
The National Union Bank, 1872.
'The Dover Trust Company, 1902.
J. B. Tonking. E. W. Rosevear.
Waste Not, Want Not: poem.
The Newspapers of Dover
Dover Real Estate.
THE CHURCHES.
Sunday School, 1816.
The First Presbyterian Church, 1835.
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, 1838. The First Methodist Episcopal Church, 1838. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 1845. The Free Methodist Church, 1871. St. John's Episcopal Church, 1849.
The Chrystal Street Chapel, 1879.
The Swedish Trinity Lutheran Church, 1889.
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The Swedish Baptist Church, 1889. The First Baptist Church, 1893. The Swedish Bethlehem Church, 1894. The Salvation Army, 1900.
The Church of the Sacred Heart, 1903. The First Church of Christ Scientist, 1908.
The Jewish Orthodox Congregation.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Gaines A. M. E. Mission.
International Bible Students.
The Christian Alliance.
Mine Hill.
The Mine Hill Presbyterian Church, 1874. CEMETERIES.
The Old Morris Street Burying Ground.
The Dover Cemetery Association, Orchard Street, 1854.
The Locust Hill Cemetery Association, 1867.
The Friends' Meeting House and Cemetery Association, Rand- olph (1748) 1898. The Mt. Sinai Cemetery Association, 1899. PART V.
Hymn for Independence Day. The Grand Army of the Republic.
The Spanish-American War.
The Boys' Brigade.
The Dover Home Defense League.
The Dover Home Guards.
The Dover Guard.
Battery D.
The American Legion in Dover.
Warren Surnburger. Miller Roff. George R. Flartey. C. H. Benedict, Jr. Edward W. Larsen. Stewart Kahler. George R. Flartey.
PART VI. INDUSTRIALS. CLOTHING.
The Silk Mills of Dover, 1881-
Fred W. Batten.
The Swiss Knitting Mill, 1890.
The Brotherhood Overall Factory, 1890.
Paul Guenther, Inc., 1897.
The Sussex Overall Factory, 1918.
Cook's Laundry Inc., 1894.
The Progress ofAgriculture James O. Cooper.
PUBLIC SERVICE
New Jersey Gas and Electric Company. B. S. Woodman F. J. L. Doyle.
New Jersey Power and Light Company, 1915. More Poetry: Reminiscences New York Telephone Company, 1880. Highways of Speech: Poem. Crystal Ice Company, 1922.
Otto A. Marquard.
Ulster Iron Works Inc., (1745) 1903.
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EXPLOSIVES.
The Hercules Powder Company, 1871. Picatinny Arsenal, 1880.
S. B. Moore. Howard S. Deck.
The Atlas Powder Company, 1883.
Naval Ammunition Depot, Lake Denmark, 1891. IRON
Dover Boiler Works, 1874. W. E. Goldsworthy.
McKiernan-Terry Drill Company, 1895.
Downs-Slater Iron Foundry Company, 19II.
Lackawanna Frog and Switch Shop, 1912
C. B. French.
Richard Mine.
Replogle Inc., 1919.
North Jersey Steel Company, 1920.
H. M. Roche. E. C. Kreutzberg.
Developing North Jersey Iron Ores. PART VII. TRANSPORTATION.
The Morris Canal, 1831.
Early Days of theMorris and Essex Railroad, 1848
The Lackawanna Railroad in Dover.
Charles E. Mill.
The Central R. R. of New Jersey, 1880.
The Morris County Traction Company, 1889.
PART VIII. ODDS AND ENDS.
An Old Account Book of 1821-30.
A Dover Fourth of July in 1823. Three Odes of 1823.
The Loan Exhibition of 1879.
The School Pageant of 1920.
PART IX. LOCAL HISTORICAL POEMS.
John Jackson, 1722-
A Song of Iron
The Mine Hill Blacksmith
Forge and Song
When Greatgrandmother was a Girl, 1840-
Log Cabins
Ovens
Uncle Byram 1792-1888. A Race
Father Byram's Christmas, 1866.
Ford's Pond
William Young, 1802-1875.
Tave. 1842-1902.
Rapid Transit
The Town Clerk, 1922.
The Firemen, 1922.
The Song of Dover.
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INTRODUCTORY
Blest is the man who can relate The story of his native State.
In view of our approaching bicentennial year, I have tried to construct a chronological summary of leading events and picturesque incidents in the history of Dover. We may as well start with the date when Columbus discovered America and a few other dates which affected our historic destiny. While some of these dates may seem far-fetched. they furnish historical perspective and indicate great dramatic forces upon which the future of Dover was depending. Whether we should be a dependency of Spain, Holland, France, Great Britain, or Sweden, whether we should be governed under a feudal patroon system, by an absolute monarchy claiming the divine right to rule, or conducted to an earthly Utopia by Puritan or Quaker or John Locke's Model of Government, or whether the principles of Magna Charta should mold a new form of government for the new world, remained to be seen.
Our public library contains many books which will enable the inquiring student to follow up these scanty hints more thoroughly and trace the relation of our town history to the development of the state and nation and the world at large-a study which is full of interest.
PRELIMINARY
1492-Columbus discovers America, October 12.
1497-John and Sebastian Cabot explore the North Atlantic Coast and claim North America for Henry VII of England.
1564-French at Florida, destroyed by the Spanish in 1565.
1567-The French destroy the Spanish settlement in Florida.
1584-90-Raleigh's ill-fated colonies in North Carolina.
1588- The Spanish Armada attacks England and is destroyed. Holland thus becomes independent and becomes a sea power with trade and colonies in America.
England, freed from Spanish interference, can use the southern route by the Azores to Virginia.
The future of the United States (to be) and Canada depends upon the supremacy of the seas, whether it shall be held by Spain, France, Holland, or England.
1607-Jamestown, Virginia, is founded by the London Company. Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and John Rolfe.
1609-Henry Hudson, in the employ of the Dutch East India Com- pany discovers the Hudson River and views New Jersey, which the Dutch claim and rule until 1664.
1664-The English assert their claim and rule New Jersey by Pro- prietary Government until 1702.
1702-New Jersey a Royal Province until 1776.
1776-The United States of America assert their independence.
1926-One hundredth and fiftieth anniversary of Declaration of Inde- pendence. One hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Dover Village.
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THE DUTCH RULE
1609-Henry Hudson, in his ship The Half Moon, explores the Hudson River, Manhattan Island, and the Jersey shore. Hence the Dutch claimed the territory which he explored. As he was an Englishman the English claimed it, basing their claim also upon the carlier discoveries of the Cabots.
1613-The Dutch founded a trading post at Manhattan, called New Amsterdam. The surrounding country was called New Netherland.
1614-They built a redoubt at Jersey City Point.
1620-The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Capt. John Smith had previously explored and chartered the coast and named the country NEW ENGLAND. The Plymouth Com- pany ruled here.
1638-to 1640-English colonies were founded at New Haven and vicinity. From these colonies many went across Long Island Sound and settled on Long Island, at Huntington and else- where. The New England settlements are intimately related to the early English settlements in New Jersey.
1643-The Dutch have trouble with the Indians of New Jersey and massacre some of them. Fear of the Indians keeps the white men, for some years, from settling in New Jersey far from the coast.
1651-The Dutch begin to take up land in New Jersey under a patroon system of large landed proprietors, like the old feudal barons of Europe. A large tract is taken up by Cornelius Van Werk- hoven, extending from the Raritan to the Passaic and beyond. Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, has schemes for founding a New Sweden, with settlements on Delaware Bay and in New Jersey.
1655-The Dutch bring New Sweden under their rule.
1655-The Indians retaliate for the massacre of their people in 1643. They massacre Dutch colonists at Pavonia, Hoboken, and Staten Island. Fear checks further settlement for a time.
1660-Bergen was founded, the first permanent settlement in New Jersey. The first school in New Jersey was probably estab- lished here in 1662, taught by Engelbert Steenhuysen.
1664-The Dutch remained in possession of New Netherland (and in control of New Jersey) until 1664. They left their mark upon the population, the land titles, and names and customs of a great part of the low lands of New Jersey and their posterity have been honored and influential in the later history of the State, penetrating farther into the interior.
If their rule had continued, our Dover might have had another name, such as. Stuyvesant, in honor of the redoubtable Peter, and Blackwell street might have been Goedenhuyzen avenue, or some such name.
A good story might be written in the manner of Washington Irving, on our present possibilities, in such a case.
II
THE ENGLISH PROPRIETARY RULE
1660-Charles II was restored to the English throne, May 29. He wished to bring the whole Atlantic Coast of North America into immediate dependence on the English Crown.
The Royal African Company-slave traders-was chartered, with James, Duke of York, brother of king Charles, as its presi- dent.
1664-He obtained from the king a grant of Maine, the islands of New England, Long Island, and the land from the Connecticut River to Delaware Bay, including land previously granted to Connecti- cut and including New Netherland. "A very cool proceeding and a clear case of usurpation."
The Duke of York sent Col. Richard Nicolls with four ships-of- war and a Commission to act as deputy-governor within this tract. Asserting the earlier claim of the English to Manhattan and New Netherland, Nicolls called upon the Dutch to surrender their possessions and their rule. They did so. Many of the settlers were glad to have a change of government, hence made no resistance.
1664-June 23. The Duke of York conveyed New Jersey to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, the latter from the Isle of Jersey north of France, called in Latin "Insula Caesarea," after Julius Caesar, the "farthest North" explorer of his day. Carte- ret applied the name "Nova Caesarea" or New Jersey to his new possessions. Thus the name of the Roman Caesar has descended upon our State.
1664-Elizabeth Town was founded by English settlers from Long Island and Connecticut. The Dutch had denied them any share in the government and had refused their request to settle in New Jersey. Four weeks after the surrender of the Dutch these English families made their petition to Gov. Nicolls, who promptly "consented unto the proposals." The settlers obtained liberal "concessions" of local self-government, far in advance of the age.
1665-Philip Carteret was appointed governor of West New Jersey and made the seat of government at Elizabeth Town, which was named after the Lady Elizabeth, wife of Sir George Carteret.
1666-Newark was founded by English settlers from New Haven and vicinity. In 1676 a school was established, taught by Mr. Catlin. 1667-Quakers were settled at Shrewsbury.
1668-The first Meeting House was built at Newark.
1668-The First General Assembly was held at Elizabeth Town.
1668-Rev. Jeremiah Peck, first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth Town, also taught school. He lived and preached in Newark the previous year and may have taught school there. One of New Jersey's first "schoolmasters."
1672-There was an insurrection of the Puritan settlers against Gov. Philip Carteret, feeling that he was encroaching on their rights as "free-born Englishmen." The antagonism and conflict
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between the independent yeomanry of England and the exactions and assumptions of royalty as represented by Charles II and his Cavalier partisans were perpetuated on this side of the Atlantic. 1673-The English and Dutch are at war. The Dutch regain New Netherland. When peace is made New Netherland is restored to the English. Col. Edmund Andros was appointed governor of New York, claiming also jurisdiction over New Jersey.
EAST AND WEST NEW JERSEY
1674-Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley divided New Jersey by a line running from Little Egg Harbor to the Delaware Water Gap.
Berkeley sold his part, West New Jersey, to John Fenwicke and Edward Byllinge, Quakers, for one thousand pounds, with the right of government, March 18.
Byllinge sold to William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, Quakers. They sold to others, forming a company of Proprie- tors in Common, with concessions from the Crown. The Quakers were at this time trying to escape from unhappy condi- tions in Great Britain. The New World offered the inducements of freedom and prosperity. They settled chiefly in West New Jersey, along the Delaware, and at Shrewsbury, and along the Rahway River. Shrewsbury became the seat of a Quaker gov- ernment and many Quakers of the better class took up their residence there. They had iron works there.
1674-June 29, the Duke of York received a new patent for the whole territory restored by treaty with the Dutch, February 9.
July 29, the Duke of York reconveys East New Jersey to Sir- George Carteret, who now becomes sole proprietor, having sole power, under the king, to settle and dispose of the country. This arrangement appeared to revoke some concessions of 1665.
1674-In November, Gov. Philip Carteret returned, after two years absence, to his home in Elizabeth Town, with a new commission as Governor of New Jersey. The liberal concessions of 1665, which had attracted the best class of settlers from New England and Long Island, were remodeled. depriving the people of all original jurisdiction, and giving the governor control of the Legislature.
1676-July first a quintipartite deed was executed between Sir George Carteret, William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, and Edward Byllinge, by which East New Jersey was confirmed to Sir George Carteret, and the partition line between East New Jersey and West New Jersey was described. See Smith's His- tory of New Jersey.
1676-The Assembly met twice: At Elizabeth in April ; at Woodbridge in October.
1677 -- to 1679, the Assembly met annually in October in Elizabeth.
There was a conflict of authority between two masters, Gov. Andros of New York, and Gov. Carteret of New Jersey.
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1678-August, Andros returned from a trip to England, with full instructions from the Duke of York to claim jurisdiction over all New Jersey.
One matter in dispute was the collection of customs duties from ships. Andros demands that all ships shall clear in New York and pay duties there, before landing in New Jersey.
1679-Gov. Carteret declares that all vessels that will trade to East New Jersey shall be free. The Assembly declares that ships may clear directly, by way of Sandy Hook, at His Majesty's Custom House, which is at the Governor's House in Elizabeth Town.
The dispute became serious. Finally Andros sent men who haled Gov. Carteret from his bed at night and took him, unclad, in a canoe, to New York, having treated him with personal violence to the detriment of his health.
Carteret was tried in New York for exercising jurisdiction. Jury's verdict, "Not guilty."
The Deputies of New Jersey answered the demands of Andros by claiming their rights as free-born Englishmen under Magna Charta, as against any King's Letters Patents granted to the Duke of York. An appeal was made to the Home Government in England.
Gov. Carteret, on his return to Elizabeth, stretched his authority to the utmost. The Deputies re-asserted their original rights under the concessions of 1665. Carteret dissolved the Assem- bly. These continued disputes caused some to withdraw from the settlement. But the colonists were forming more and more clearly their convictions as to their rights and the constitutional principles of self-rule.
1680-Sir George Carteret died. A new administration of East New Jersey became necessary. His widow was made executrix of his estate, becoming the Lady Proprietrix of the Province.
1681-John Ogden of Elizabeth Town died, a man worthy to rank with the Pilgrim Fathers, the acknowledged pioneer of the town, a pillar of church and State.
1682-Lady Carteret and trustees sold East New Jersey to the highest bidder, viz., William Penn and eleven others, twelve proprietors, mostly Quakers, for three thousand four hundred pounds. These twelve proprietors took partners, making twenty-four proprietors, called the London Company. Some of them were Scotch.
1682-March 14. A fresh grant was made by the Duke of York to these twenty-four proprietors. "One proprietor was thus ex- changed for twenty-four, and the Cavalier for the Quaker rule."
1682-Robert Barclay, a Quaker proprietor in favor with William Penn, was made Governor of New Jersey for life, with the privilege of ruling by deputy. He appointed Thomas Rudyard, one of the proprietors, as his deputy. Rudyard took up his residence in Elizabeth Town, November 13, 1682.
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Former Governor Philip Carteret died December, 1682.
The long contest of the Carteret régime with the people was at an end. Rudyard brought with him kind and conciliatory letters to the planters, as the colonists were called. "He was a man of amiable instincts and courteous demeanor, representing not the lordly Cavalier, but a trading association of Quakers, plain, unassuming men, who had themselves suffered much from the Crown."
1682-The four original counties of New Jersey, laid out in 1682, were Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and Monmouth.
1683-July. And yet something went wrong, for Gov. Barclay ap- pointed Gawen Lawrie (Lowrie), one of the proprietors, his deputy for East New Jersey in place of Rudyard.
There was still dispute about land titles. The proprietors advised Gov. Lawrie "to use all means of gentleness and tender- ness with the people, not standing much upon small matters." He did so.
1683-Charles II recognized the title of the twenty-four proprietors.
1684-The "killing time" in Scotland caused many to flee to New Jersey. 1
1684-August I. A Board of Commissioners, known as The Board of Proprietors, was established to act with the deputy-governor and Assembly in settling disputes and establishing titles to land. This board was empowered to establish a new town to be called "Perth" in honor of the Earl of Perth, one of the new Quaker proprietors, Lord High Chancellor of Scotland.
This town was known as Perth Amboy and became the seat of government of the Province when the General Assembly of the people met here in 1686.
1685-The Assembly met for the last time at Elizabeth Town, which then ceased to be the seat of government. Perth Amboy was more removed from the traditions of the Carteret régime and nearer to the Quaker population of Shrewsbury and the Rahway valley.
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