USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. I > 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 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02247 7266
THE HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY,
V. I FROM ITS
EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME.
INCLUDING
A BRIEF HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY,
BY JOHN O. RAUM,
AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF TRENTON ; HISTORY OF TRENTON LODGE, NO 5, A. F. A. M .; DIGEST OF NEW JERSEY, I. O. O. F. ; MISSION OF ODD FELLOWSHIP, ETC., ETC., ETC.
IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I.
PHILADELPHIA: JOHN E. POTTER AND COMPANY, 617 SANSOM STREET.
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670
HOT21H
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F 853 .73
1
Raum, John Otto.
The history of New Jersey, from its earliest settlement to the present time. Including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, by John O. Raum ... Philadelphia, J. E. Potter and com- pany (1877]
' 2 v. fronts. 23ºm.
CHELF CARD
1. New Jersey-Hist.
Library of Congress
F134.R24
1-7731
2921 -- Copy 2.
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1764772
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WILL PROTECT THE
THE HERO WHO
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PRESIDENT WASHINGTON'S RECEPTION AT TRENTON IN 1789.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofnewjers01raum
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F 853.73
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1877, by JOHN O. RAUM, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
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INTRODUCTORY.
H ISTORY has universally conceded that Christopher Colum- bus was the first successful navigator to the Western Conti- nent, and in furtherance of his discoveries the first colonies were founded, yet it does not concede to him the honor of being the first discoverer, as we have information that I think can be relied on, that Eric of Iceland, made discoveries on this continent as early as the year 986, being five hundred and six years before Columbus landed here ; and tradition informs us that the Chinese penetrated within the bounds of the continent in the year 498, nearly one thousand years before the discovery by Columbus.
Although we have no authentic information to sustain the latter, yet we are not prepared fully to reject it, as the Asiatics were, previous to the introduction of the religion of Confucius among the Chinese, a nomadic people, and wandered from place to place, but since the introduction of his religious tenets, they ceased their wanderings, and remained at home, in order that their bones might be entombed with those of their ancestors ; and even to this day, those who come to this and other countries, do so with the stipulation, that their bones are to be sent back to their own country.
In support of the discovery by Icelanders, we have the evi- dence of the researches of the society of Antiquarians of Copen- hagen, established in 1837. We have also the evidence of the learned Dr. Wheaton, in his history of the Danes and Norwegi- ans, who, in one passage, says : " Or as they were called North- men, that there is not the slightest reason to believe that the illustrious Genoese was acquainted with the discovery of North
6
INTRODUCTORY.
America by the Normans five centuries before his time, how- ever well authenticated that fact now appears to be by the Icelandic records."
And in a lecture delivered in New York City, March 3, 1874, by Rev. Charles Kingsley, Canon of Westminster, England, he stated that "the Northmen discovered the rock bound coast of New England one thousand years ago." One week later, March 10, 1874, Hon. A. M. Waddell, of North Carolina, de- livered a lecture in New York on the same subject, in which he brought forth arguments and facts to prove that the first voyage of the Icelanders to Greenland, was in the year 983, which was followed by voyages to North Carolina, which fact was also stated by Humboldt in his " Cosmos," a work of great merit, " and further that the statement of Humboldt was not only true, ' but less than the whole truth, for in his opinion, the evidence which he was about to offer, established the fact that voyages to, and settlements south of Chesapeake bay were made by a Celtic race before the discovery of Greenland by Eric the Red. Instead then of having been less than four hundred years since the discovery of our continent, it must have been about nine hundred years."
I have introduced these arguments to corroborate the state- ments made in the opening chapter of this work, that the origi- nal discovery of this continent was made by the Northmen, previous to the landing of Columbus.
PREFACE.
[N presenting to the public a new History of New Jersey, it is only evident propriety, that the indulgence of the reader should be asked to a few preliminary remarks respecting the object had in view in this volume, and the claims which it is conceived it has upon the citizens of the state.
" It is not without reason," says Rollin, "that History has always been considered as the light of ages, the depository of events, the faithful evidence of truth, the source of prudence and good counsel, and the rule of conduct and good manners. * * * * . * *
* Itis History which fixes the seal of immortality upon actions truly great, and sets a mark of infamy on vices which no after age can obliterate. . It is by History that mistaken merit and oppressed virtue, appeal in the incorruptible tribunal of posterity, which renders them the justice their own age has sometimes refused them, and without respect of persons, and the fear of a power which subjects no more, condemns the unjust abuse of authority with inexorable rigor.
* History when it is well taught, becomes a school of morality for all mankind."
" All History," says Dryden, " is only the precepts of moral philoso- phy reduced into examples." He also observes : " The laws of history in general, are truth of matter, method and clearness of expression. . The first property is necessary to keep our understanding from the impositions of falsehood, for history is an argument framed from many particular examples or inductions; if these examples are not true, the measure of life which one take from them, will be false, and deceive us in their consequences. The second is grounded on the former ; for if the method be confused, if the words of expression of thought be obscure, then the ideas which we receive must be im- perfect, and if such, we are not taught by them what to elect, or what to shun. Truth, therefore, is required as the foundation of history, to
8
PREFACE.
inform us ; dispositions and perspicuity, as the manner to inform us plainly."
Having given the views of two distinguished writers, as to what history should be, let us speak more particularly of the present one.
In preparing this work, the one great object ever before me has been, to present a truthful, impartial and readable narrative of the origin, rise and progress of a state which though not so large as some others, is of equal importance to any other in our glorious Union. Having no ends to gain but those of truth and right; no theories to · establish, no partisan views or wishes to gratify; I have honestly endeavored to ascertain what the truth is, and then to set it forth as clearly, and as fully as was possible within the limits to which I was restricted. I have spared no labor in order to be accurate and re- liable ; I have not neglected to consult any work of value which was . within my reach, and having free access at all times to the numerous volumes in the State Library, I have had opportunities to obtain re- liable information possessed by very few persons in the state ; besides, having been for the last fifteen years, employed in the military department of the state, I have been enabled to obtain reliable in formation relating to the late rebellion, which will be found fully set forth in the second volume of this history.
Every person should be familiar with the history not only of the country in which he lives and its institutions, but more especially of his own state.
The compiler therefore, thinks it a most fitting time to lay before the citizens of his native state, the many interesting facts and inci- dents that have occurred from its first formation as a province and state, as well as during the eventful quarter of a century just gone by.
Every Jerseyman may well feel proud that he lives in so favored a state, every foot of whose soil was purchased from the aborigines who inhabited the land prior to the time it was settled by the whites, and that no land was taken up except by purchase.
The great object of the compiler of this work has been to present a truthful, impartial and readable narrative of the origin, rise and progress of cvery important event in our state. And in order to
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PREFACE.
accomplish this, he has spared no labor or expense to obtain accurate and reliable information, and has not, in the pursuance of this object, neglected to consult any work of value which was within his reach ; and in all cases of doubt, has carefully and conscientiously sought to compare and sift conflicting accounts, and to lay before the reader only that which seemed to be the nearest approximation to the truth, which probably under the circumstances, can now be attained.
That a work, covering so large an extent of time, and treating of so vast a variety of subjects, should be free from occasional errors, is not to be expected by any one who knows how exceedingly difficult it is to avoid error in writing on historical subjects, as different authors consulted differ sometimes as to circumstances and dates. With all the care and devotion which I have given this history, I hardly dare flatter myself that here and there errors have not crept in, and escaped observation. I can only hope-which I do with tolerable confidence-that they are few and far between, and that there are none of material consequence to the value and integrity of the history.
With these brief introductory remarks and statements, the present History of New Jersey is submitted to the consideration of the citizens of my native state, with whom I have passed more than half a century ; and I trust it may be found valuable for the purpose for which a history is intended, and that a copy may be placed in the hands of every citizen of the state, as the information herein con- tained can be relied on as authentic, having been collected from the latest and most reliable sources ; in full hopes that it may be found useful and interesting, and may become a text book for all matters relating to a state whose citizens have been second to none in their devotion to the interests of the country, in the revolutionary struggle, or any other in which our country has been engaged, and in which they have ever proved themselves no less patriotic than those of any other state in our glorious and prosperous country.
TRENTON, January 1, 1877.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
986-1609. Page.
First discoverers of the Western continent-Opinion of the Indians respecting them-Claims set up for the discovery .- Phoenicians, Egyptians and Carthagenians-Tartarians, Siberi- ans and Kamscatkins-Spaniards, Germans, French and English-First colony planted-English charter. 17
CHAPTER II. 1609-1664.
First patent-Extent of land contained therein-Dutch and Swedes-Speech to the Indians in behalf of the Queen of Sweden-Their approval-First name of New Jersey-Surren- der of the province by the Dutch.
34
CHAPTER III. 1664-1669.
. The Dutch at Delaware bay-Sir Robert Carre-Right of the crown of England to these provinces-Duke of York-First constitution of New Jersey-Inducements to settlers.
54
CHAPTER IV. 1669-1680
Stratagem of a settler-Penelope Stout-Her rescue-Her de- scendants-Wampum the chief currency of the country-
12
CONTENTS.
Page.
Proclamation of the Governor-Division of the Province- Yorkshire and London purchasers-Meeting of Proprietors. 75
CHAPTER V. 1680-1703.
Settlement of the first or Yorkshire tenth-Settlement of the second or London tenth-First carpenter that came to this country -- John Kinsey-His account of the country-Thomas Hooten's account-Mahlon Stacy's account-West Jersey- First Assembly. 98
CHAPTER VI. 1681-1682.
Indian tribes-Modes of burial-Superstitions-Care of the sick -Care of their children-Marriageable ages-Marriage ceremo- nies-Representatives chosen by the Proprietors-Laws passed by the Governor, council and assembly-Third and last grant by the Duke of York. 120
CHAPTER VII. 1682-1703.
Land grants to settlers-First building at Amboy-First saw- mills erected-Bergen settled by the Dutch-Disturbances in the Province-Ferry started at Perth Amboy-First settled preacher in the Province-First ship built in the Province- Prices paid for provisions-Failure of crops-Great distress. 14I
CHAPTER VIII. 1703-1707.
Union of the two Provinces of East and West Jersey-Surrrender to the Queen-Inconveniences in regard to currency-Conflict between the assembly and Governor, by which he dissolves
CONTENTS.
13
Page.
them-Cornbury assumes to be judge of the qualifications of members-Resistance by the house-Remedies proposed to meet the evils in the Provinces-Queen Anne sustains the as- sembly, and removes the Governor.
166
CHAPTER IX.
1708-1710.
Lord Lovelace succeeds Cornbury-His conciliatory measures satisfactory to the assembly and people-Paper money estab- lished in the Province-Expedition to reduce Canada, and drive out the French-Troops promised from England-The French governor capitulates-Expedition against Port Royal. 188
CHAPTER.X. 1711-1776.
Second expedition against Canada-Arrival of transports con- taining troops from England-Passage of bill permitting Quakers to affirm-Governor Hunter's administration satis- factory to the people-Accession of King George I-Severe storms-Acts for running the division line between New York and New Jersey. 208
. CHAPTER XI.
1674-1693.
Quintipartite deed-Twenty-four Proprietors-Borough officers for Bergen and Elizabethtown-Punishment for different crimes -Marriages not to be solemnized until after publication- Militia law-Formation and boundaries of counties-Bergen- Essex-Middlesex-Monmouth.
231
14
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII.
1675. Page
Continuation of counties-Salem-Gloucester-Somerset-Cape May-Burlington-Hunterdon-Morris-Cumberland-Sussex Warren - Atlantic - Passaic - Mercer -- Hudson-Camden- Ocean-Union. 254
CHAPTER XIII.
1702-1743.
The proprietors cede to the crown their rights of jurisdiction- Lands purchased from the Indians-Population-Habits of the people-Release of Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret- Courts-Taxes-Naturalization-First Legislature-Punishment of witches-Trading with the Indians prohibited-Drunkenness -Schools.
285
CHAPTER XIV. . 1680-1786.
New Jersey when set off from New York-Extent of East and West Jersey-First purchases-Consideration paid for the lands -First settlement at Burlington-Flood at Delaware Falls- Religious institutions-Places of public worship-First courts in Trenton-United States government offices removed to Tren- ton.
302
CHAPTER XV.
1744-1757.
Mutiny of New Jersey troops-Troubles between the Governor and the two houses-The Indians favor the French and oppose the English-Plan of union proposed-Not satisfactory
15
CONTENTS.
Page
to the English, or the people of the Provinces-Virginia raises troops, and places them under command of Colonel George Washington. 328
CHAPTER XVI. 1758-1775.
French and English wars-New Jersey raises double the num- ber of men called for-Governor Bernard pacifies the Indians -Five colonial governors appointed by the crown in as many years-The French surrender their possessions on this side of the water-Parliament undertakes to tax the American colonies -Stamp act passed-Its repeal.
356
CHAPTER XVII.
1760-1775.
Disgust excited by the restrictions on trade-The colonies oppose the right of Parliament to tax them in any way-Petitions and remonstrances-The colonists refuse to purchase imported goods from England-Angry discussion between the gover- nor and assembly-Destruction of tea-Battle of Lexington- Washington appointed commander-in-chief-Minute men raised in New Jersey.
383
CHAPTER XVIII.
1775-1776.
Appointment of Provincial Treasurer-Committee of safety-Acts preparing for war-Delegates to Continental Congress-Pro- vincial Governors of New Jersey-Governor Franklin's Procla- mation-Governor Livingston's prediction-Virtual declaration of Independence -- Governor Franklin's arrest-Opposition to the measures of Congress.
405
16
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIX.
1775-1776. Page.
Our people divided on the war question-First blow at Lexington -Opposition to the claims of the British Parliament-Capture of the Hessians-Death of Colonel Rahl-Washington re- crosses the Delaware. 427
History of New Jersey
CHAPTER I.
986-1609.
First discoveries of the Western continent-Opinion of the Indians regarding them-Claims set up for the discovery-Phenicians, Egyptians, and Carthagenians-Tartarians, Siberians, and Kamschatkans-Spaniards, Germans, French, and English- First colony planted-English charter.
T HE first visit to the western continent, of which we have any knowledge, was made in the year 986, by Eric, of Ice- land, who, in consequence of his florid countenance, was termed the Red-and also to distinguish him from another of the same name. He emigrated from Iceland, and made his first land- ing at Greenland, at which place he formed a settlement. He why the first original discoverer from any foreign nation or country, * of which we have any definite knowledge.
la the year 994, Biarne, son of one of the settlers who ac- com anied Eric on this first voyage, returned to Norway, and Have a flowing account of the discoveries he had made south of Greenland. And on the return of Biarne, to Greenland, Lief,
*An account of his discovery was published in 1837, by a Society of Anti- fatti, il Copenhagan.
B
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
the son of Eric, bought Biarne's ship, and with a crew of thirty- five men, embarked on a voyage still further south than had been explored by Biarne, in the year 1000. Sailing some time to the southwest, he came to a country covered with slaty rock, which he called HELLULAND, meaning slate land.
They next proceeded in a southerly course, and having sailed for some time, found a low, flat coast, studded with cliffs of white sand, behind which were woods of extensive growth. This section of country they called MARKLAND, meaning WOODED LAND.
They next sailed south and west, and finally arrived at a promontory, which extended to the east and north, around which they sailed some time, when their course was turned west- ward, and sailing in that direction, they passed between an island and some main land, when they entered a bay into which flowed a river, at which place they concluded to winter.
And having built their winter houses, they discovered abund- ance of vines, and from this circumstance they called the coun- try VINELAND.
The particular location of this part of the country was, for a long time, in doubt, but the Antiquarian Society above men- tioned, have recently, after a long examination and all the evi- dence obtained by them, determined it to be at the head of Narragansett Bay, in Rhode Island. The promontory described as extending east and north, corresponds with that of Barnstable and Cape Cod, and the islands on the west as those of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, in Massachusetts.
In the year 1002, Thorwald, brother of Lief, visited Vine- land, at which place he remained two years, and was finally murdered by the natives. Before his death, he coasted around the promontory now called Cape Cod.
The place where he met his death and was buried, was Gurnet Point, at the north side of the entrance to Plymouth harbor, Massachusetts. This was called by his crew, KRASSAMES or cross-land, because over the grave of Thorwald, they erected a cross at the head and foot.
In the year 1007, three ships sailed from Greenland to Vine- land. One under the command of Thorfin Karlesfue, a Norwe-
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19
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
gian of royal descent, and Snorre Thorbrandsen, who was also of distinguished lineage. Another commanded by Biarne Grimalfson and Thorhal Gamlasen. And the third by Thor- ward and Thorhall. These three ships had one hundred and sixty men, and carried all kinds of domestic animals, for plant- ing and sustaining a colony. They sailed from Greenland to Helluland, and passing Markland, arrived at Kilarnes. They then sailed still farther south, keeping close by the shore of the promontory, until they arrived at a trackless beach, where they found long wastes of sand. This they called FURTHUSTANDER, meaning wonder strand or beach. They then passed southerly, sailing by the island discovered by Lief, and from thence they returned to winter at Vineland. The bay into which they sailed was called, by them, Hopsvatn or Hop, which in English is Hope, the same place in Rhode Island now called Mount Hope, . afterwards celebrated as the residence of King Philip, the cele- brated Indian warrior.
Thorfin was successful in almost all his enterprises, but after a time he returned to Greenland, and finally went to Iceland and settled there.
There is no doubt but that the learned society above men- tioned has correctly located Vineland. Markland is supposed to be what is now Nova Scotia, and Helluland, Newfoundland and the coast of Labrador.
The first effectual and most important discoveries were made in 1492, by Christopher Colen, or Columbus, a native of Genoa, a fortified seaport city of Northern Italy, in the Sardinian States, on the coast of the Mediterranean.
Columbus made four voyages to this continent ; in the first of which he was accompanied by Amerigo Vespucci, or Vespucius, a native of Florence, a celebrated city in Italy, and capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Vespucius made three other voyages, one in 1497 and another in 1498, under the patronage of Spain, and another in 1501, in the service of Portugal. In the first of these he discovered the Carribee Islands, and in the latter, with three ships, he arrived at, and discovered the eastern portion of the continent of America, in five degrees of south latitude.
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20
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
In 1497, John Cabot and his son Sebastian, and three hun- dred men, with two caravals, freighted by the merchants of London and Bristol, sailed under a patent of Henry VII. of · England. The first year he touched at Labrador, and the next year at Newfoundland. The first was discovered on the 24th of June, and called by them Prima Vista, meaning in Italian, first sight. A few days afterwards they discovered a smaller island, which they called St. Johns, from the fact that the island was discovered on St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24th.
They then sailed westerly and northerly, to the latitude of sixty-seven and a half degrees, expecting to find a passage to India, but being disappointed, they turned back and sailed along the coast southward to Florida, and from thence returned to England. It was upon the discoveries made by this voyage, that the English founded their claim to the eastern portion of North America.
Gasper de Cortereal, a Portuguese nobleman, followed in the year 1500, and surveyed six or seven hundred miles of the coast of Labrador.
After Americus Vespucius had made his first voyage, he coasted a great part of the continent which Columbus had not seen, at the expense of the Castilian and Portuguese kings. Although Americus was not the first discoverer, yet the name being a more common and fitting one, it was adopted as the name of the newly discovered continent. It might, with more propriety, have been called Cabotia or Sebastiana, from the fact that Sebas- tian Cabot discovered more of the continent than both Colum- bus or Vespucius, yet Columbus, as the first effectual discoverer, deserved the name, both as being the first finder as well as for his modesty in not naming it after himself.
Gasper de Cortereal sailed again, a few years after his first voyage, but never returned ; and it was supposed he was mur- dered by the natives, in revenge for having carried off a number of the natives as slaves on his first voyage. Two expeditions which sailed in search of him, were never heard of afterwards.
The discoveries of Columbus having conferred more benefit than those previously made, we desire to speak of him more particularly.
21
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
He had early in life applied himself to the study of astronomy and geography in his own country, and being possessed of an unusual desire to understand the state and condition of all coun- tries upon the face of the globe, as well as to make new discov- eries for the benefit of mankind and science, and not for any advantage pecuniarily or otherwise, that might accrue to him- self, as his modesty forbade his assuming honors even where they were his just due.
In order to accomplish his cherished object, and open up new countries to the world, he settled at Lisbon, a city of Western Europe, and capital of the kingdom of Portugal, and the prov- ince of Estremadura, on the right bank of the Tagus, near its mouth in the Atlantic ocean.
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