USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > A history of Monmouth and Ocean counties : embracing a genealogical record of earliest settlers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and their descendants, the Indians, their language, manners and customs, important historical events. > Part 4
USA > New Jersey > Ocean County > A history of Monmouth and Ocean counties : embracing a genealogical record of earliest settlers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and their descendants, the Indians, their language, manners and customs, important historical events. > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
26
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES.
manure and plant the aforesaid land and premises and settle there one hundred families at the least ; in consid- eration whereof I do promise and grant that the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns, shall enjoy the said land and premises, with their appurtenances. for the term of seven years next to come after the date of these presents, free from payment of any rents, customs, excise, tax or levy whatsoever. But after the expiration of the said term of seven years, the persons who shall be in possession thereof, shall pay after the same rate which others within this his Royal Highness' territories shall be obliged unto. And the said patentees and their associates, their heirs successors and assigns, shall have free leave and liberty to erect and build their towns and villages in such places as they in their discretions shall think most convenient, provided that they associate themselves, and that the houses of their towns and villages be not too far distant and scattering one from another ; and also that they make such fortifi- cations for their defence against an enemy as may be needful.
"And I do likewise grant unto the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns, and unto any and all other persons, who shall plant and inhabit in any of the land aforesaid that they shall have free liberty of conscience, without any molestation or disturbance whatsoever in their way of worship.
" And I do further grant unto the aforesaid patentees, their heirs, successors and assigns, that they shall have liberty to elest by the vote of the major part of the in- habitants, five or seven other persons of the ablest and discreetest of the said inhabitants, or a greater number of them (if the patentees, their heirs, successors or as- signs shall see cause) to join with them, and they to- gether, or the major part of them, shall have full power and authority to make such peculiar and prudential laws and constitutions amongst the inhabitants for the better and more orderly governing of them, as to them shall seem meet ; provided they be not repugnant to the pub-
27
COMMENCEMENT OF SETTLEMENTS.
lic laws of the government ; and they shall also have liberty to try all causes and actions of debts and tres- passes arising amongst themselves to the value of ten pounds, without appeal, but they may remit the hearing of all criminal matters to the assizes of New York.
" And furthermore I do promise and grant unto the said patentees and their associates aforementioned, their heirs, successors and assigns that they shall in all things have equal privileges, freedom and immunities with any of his majesty's subjects within this government, these patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigus rendering and paying such duties and ac- knowledgments as now are, or hereafter shall be cousti- tuted and established by the laws of this government, under obedience of his Royal Highness, his heirs and successors, provided they do no way enfringe the privi- leges above specified.
"Given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New York in Manhattan Island the 8th day of April, in the 17th year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles the Second by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith. &c., andin the year of our Lord God 1665.
RICHARD NICOLLS. " Entered in the office of record in New York, the day and year above written.
MATTHIAS NICOLLS, Secretary."
COMMENCEMENT OF SETTLEMENTS.
THE PATENTEES AND THEIR ASSOCIATES .- GRANTS AND CON- CESSIONS TO SETTLERS .- THE MONMOUTH PATENT .- THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NEW JERSEY .- BUYING LAND OF THE INDIANS.
The years in which some of the settlers came to Monmouth is given in their claims made in 1675, for "Rights of land due according to Grants and Concessions made by the Proprietors." A record of these claims is preserved in the office of Surveyor General of East Jer-
28
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES.
sey at Perth Amboy, from which the following extracts are made : It will be seen that under the "Grants and Concessions," the men named in the Monmouth Patent were allowed 500 acres each; then each man and wife 120 acres each; then allowances for children, and also for servants.
The names of most of the early settlers of Monmouth are given in Proprietors' Records at Perth Amboy, but in a majority of cases, the year is not given when they came. Very many to whom warrants for land were issued in 1675 and subsequently, had been settlers for a number of years previous.
The following list of warrants gives names of per- sons who claimed land under Grants and Concessions and the amounts granted them :
1675. Here begins the Rights of Land due accord- ing to Concessions :
Richard Stout, of Middletown, brings for his rights for himself, his wife, his two sons, John and Richard, 120 acres each, 480 acres. Item. -- For his sons and daughters that are to come of age since the year 1667, viz : James, Peter, Mary, Alice and Sarah, each 60 acres-300 acres. Total, 780 acres.
John Stont, of Middletown, for himself and wife, 240 acres; Richard Stout in his own right, Shrewsbury, 120 acres; James Stout in his own right, 60 acres; Peter Stout in his own right, 60 acres: Sarah Stout in her own right, 60 acres; James Bound (Bowne) in right of himself and wife, Mary Stont, 240 acres; John Throckmorton in right of himself and wife, Alice Stout, 240 acres.
Thomas Whitlock, of Middletown, for his rights from the ye ur 1664 for himself, wife and three sons, Thomas, William anl John, in all, tive persons, at 120 per head, 600 acres
Katherine Brown, the widow of Bartholomew West. of Shrewsbury, in right of herself and deceased husband, from 1666, 90 acres each-180 acres; and for her two sons and daughter, Stephen, William and Audry West, 60 each-180 acres
Nicholas Brown in his own right from 1655, 120 acres, and his wife's from 1666, 90 acres-210 acres.
Captain John Bowne, of Middletown, for his rights, 18th March, 1675, 500 acres, as being a first purchaser-500 acres. Ilem .- For rights of himself and wife, his father, mother, andl for William Compton and his wife from first year, 120 acres each, 780 acres; three servants at 60 acres each, 180 acres.
Jonathan Holmes demands for his 500 acres, given by the Lords Proprietors as being one of the Patentees under first purchase at Navesink, and in right of self and wife, 240 acres-740 acres.
29
COMMENCEMENT OF SETTLEMENTS.
Obadiah Holmes for self and wife, 240 acres.
Edward Smith, Middletown, self, 120 acres.
James Ashton, self and wife, 240 acres.
Thomas Cox, self and wife, 240 acres.
John Throckmorton and wife from first year, 240 acres; and in right of his father, John, 240 acres.
Job Throckmorton, self, 120 acres.
Charles Hynes (Haynes?) and wife, 240 aeres.
Joseph Huet in right of Randall Huet and wife, 240 aeres.
Sarah Reape demands for her rights: In right of Benjamin Speare, Shrewsbury, 240 acres; John Horndell, Shrewsbury, 240 acres; Thomas Dungan, Shrewsbury, 240 acres; James Leonard, Shrewsbury, 240 acres; Marmaduke Ward, Shrewsbury, 240 acres; William James, half share, Shrewsbury. 120 acres; Self and husband, Shrewsbury, 240 acres; Self and · husband, Middletown, 240 acres; Samuel Borden, three-fourth share, Shrewsbury, 90 aeres; Joseph Bryer, 120 acres-2010 acres.
Christopher Allmey demands for his rights, Imp'd for himself and wife and three servants in the year 1665, at 120 aeres a head, which is in part in fence, 600 acres; in right of John Hall, who came same year, 120 acres; in right of Henry Bull, one of the first purchasers, 120 aeres; in right of Henry Piersie and wife from the year 1666, 180 acres; man servant, 60 acres-1080 acres.
Jonathan Holmes as being a first purchaser, 500 acres; and for self and wife, 240 acres; Obadiah Holmes and wife, 240 aeres, Edward Smith, 120 acres; James Ashton and wife, 240 acres; Thomas Cox and wife, 240 acres; John Throckmorton and wife, 240 acres; John Throckmorton for his father, John, 240 acres; Job Throckmorton, self, 120 acres.
Warrants for tracts of land to be subsequently lo- cated and surveyed, were issued by the Proprietors to the following among other persons :
1675. Nicholas Brown, 210 acres ; Thomas Wainright and wife 180 acres; Katherine Brown, late widow of Bartholomew West, in right of her deceased husband, 180 aeres; Stephen, William and Audry West, 60 acres each, 180 acres ; Edward Lafetra and wife, 180 acres; Robert West, 120 acres ; Abraham Brown and wife, 120 acres ; Joseph Parker and wife, 240 aeres; Richard Stout, Jr., and wife, 120 aeres; Richard Stout, Sr , and wife, 780 acres; John Stout, 120 acres; James, Peter and Mary Stout, 60 each, 180 acres; Richard Hartshorne, 200 acres; Peter Parker, 180 acres; Francis Le Maistre, 240 acres ; Clement and Pauline Masters, 120 acres; Thomas Wright, self and wife, 180 acres; Gabriel Stelle, 120 acres.
1676. Christopher Allmey in right of self, wife and others, 1080 acres. Sarah Reape in right of ten persons, 2010.
John Throckmorton, 480 acres; Job Throckmorton, 120 acres; James Ashton, 240 acres; Thomas Cox, 240 acres; Joseph Huet, 210 acres; James Bowne, 240 acres ; Thomas Warne, 240 acres ; Stephen Arnold, 360 acres; Hannaniah Gifford and wife, 240 acres; Thomas Leeds, Sr., and wife, 120 acres; William Leeds and wife, Dorothea, 120 acres; Daniel Leeds and wife, Anne, 120 acres ; Thomas Leeds. Jr., 120 acres; Clement Shinn and Eliza
P
30
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES.
his wife, 120 acres ; George Shinn, 60 acres ; Thomas Jacob and wife, 120 acres; William Heyden, 60 acres.
1676. Thomas Cook, 60 acres ; John Champners, 60 acres ; William Shattock, 360.
Samuel Spicer, for his rights from Lords Proprietors, 500 acres; and for self and wife, 240 acres-740 acres.
Col. Lewis Morris, (for iron works, ) about 3,000 acres.
John Hance, 330 acres; Richard Richardson, 150 acres; John Wilson, 240 acres : James Grover, (500 and 360)-860 acres; Peter Tilton (500 and 570)-1070 acres; Richard Gibbons, 500 acres; Sarah Reape, 500; Nathaniel Silvester, 500 acres; James Grover, Sr., 400 acres; Henry Leonard, (450 and 360)-750 acres ; Richard Sadler, 240 acres; John Jobs, 120 acres ; George Jobs, 120 acres ; Francis Harbert, 120 acres; Thomas Harbert, (132 and 240)-372 acres ; Benjamin Devell (Deuell), 250 acres ; John Vanghan, 135 acres.
1676. Walter Wall and wife, 240 acres; William Layton and wife, 240 acres ; John Smith and wife, 240 acres : Richard Dans and wife, 120 acres; Daniel Estell and wife, 120 acres; JJames Dorsett and wife, 240 acres; George Mount and wife, 240 acres; William Cheeseman, 120 acres; Thomas Morford, 120 acres ; John Williama and wife, 240 acres; Henry Marsh, 120 acres; William Whitelock, 120 acres; John Whitelock, 120 acres.
Richard Hartshorne, in right of servants that he hath brought, 90 acres each, 270 acres: right of William Golding and wife, 240 acres ; right of Robert Jones and wife, 240 acres -750.
William Lawrence, in right of self and sister, Hannah Lawrence, 240 acres.
John Havens and wife, 240 acres; William Worth and wife, 240 acres; Morris Worth, 120 acres
1677. Caleb Shrife (Shrieve), in right of John Cooke, 240 acres; John Slocum and wife, 240 acres ; Benjamin Burdan and wife, 240 acres : John Hance, wife and man servant, 360 acres; in right of John Foxall, 240 acres; in right of Thorlogh Swiney. 240 acres ; Edward Wharton and wife, 240 acres; Francis Borden in right of Nathaniel Tompkins, 240 acres; and for self and wife, 240 acres-480; John Borden and wife, 240 acres.
Sarah Reape, in right of Thos. Winterton and wife, 240 acres; also Christopher Fasze (?) and wife, 240 acres; also Gabriel Hicks and wife, 240 acres; also Marmaduke Ward, 240 acres; also William James, 120 acres; also self and husband, 240 acres: also Samuel Borden, 90 acres-1410.
1676. Hugh Dikeman, wife and daughter, 360 acres.
Abraham Brown and wife, 240 acres, and in right Peter Tilton and wife, 240 acres -- 480 ; Isaac Onge and wife, 120 acres ; John Rnekman and wife, 240 acres ; Richard Lippencott, wife and two sons and two servants, 600 acres ; John Lippencott and wife, 240 acres : John Woolley and wife, 120 acres ; Eliakim Wardell, in right of Nicholas Davis, ten shares, 480 acres ; Thomas Ward and wife, 240 acres : Stephen Arnold and wife, in right Samnel Holeman, 560 acres ; George Hulett and wife, 240 acres ; Thomas Barnes, wife and maid servant, 180 acres.
1677. Thomas Applegate, Sr., 240 acres ; Thomas Applegate, Jr., 120 acres ; John King, 60 acres ; Ebenezer Cottrell, 120 acres; Thomas Williams,
31
COMMENCEMENT OF SETTLEMENTS.
60 acres : Adam Channelhouse, 240 acres ; Restne Lippencott and wife, 210 acres ; Peter Easton and wife, 210 acres ; Peter Tilton, in right of his brother John and wife, 240 neres ; Gideon Freeborn and wife, 240 acres ; Jacob Cole and wife, 240 acres ; Benjamin Rogers and wife, 120 acres ; Remembrance Lippencott and wife, 240 acres ; Judah Allen, in right of Annanias Garrett, 240 acres ; Judah Allen, in right Daniel Gould, 120 acres; Judah Allen, in right Joshua Coggeshall, 120 acres ; Annaniah Gifford, in right Win. Gifford, 120 acres ; Eliakim Wardell and wife, 240 acres ; Eliakim Wardell, for Robert Story and wife, 240 acres ; Sammel Woolcott and wife, 240 acres ; Hannah Jay alias Hannah Cook, 60 acres ; Samuel Hatton (no amount).
1678-Daniel Applegate, 120 acres; Samnel Leonard, 240 acres ; Nathaniel Leonard, 120 acres ; Thomas Leonard, 120 acres; Henry Leonard, Jr., 120 acres ; John Leonard, 120 acres; Samuel Willett and wife, 120 acres ; Lewis Mattex, three tracts; Cornelius Steenmen, adjoining lands ; William Lawrence, in right of original purchaser, for self, wife and son, 360 acres.
1679. Roger Ellis, 440 acres; William Compton, 280 acres; Nicholas Serrah, 80 acres; Isaac Bryan, 840 acres; Jacob Triax, (Truex) 120 acres; Peter Parker, George Parker, Stephen West, John Jerson, Christopher Gifford. Jarret Wall and wife, 120 acres; Kandall Huet and wife, 240 acres; Derrick Tuneson and wife, 240 acres; Joshua Silverwood and wife, 120 acres. Safety Grover and wife, 120 acres ; Jacob Triax (Trnax), 120 acres; Robert Hamilton, 100 acres; Thomas Potter, wife, son and daughter, at Deale, 500 acres; Francis Jeffrey, at Deale, 120 acres; Isaac Bryan, Pop- lar Swamp, self, wife, four children and eight servants, 840 acres.
1681, Patents, or confirmations of titles for land were granted to Gideon Freeborn, Hannah Joy, Henry Bowman, Caleb Shrieff, (Shrieve), Peter Easton, John Williams, George Parker, Nathaniel Cammack, Samuel Wolcott, Francis Jeffries, Daniel Leeds, Joseph Wardell, John Chammis, Restre Lippencott, Remembrance Lippencott, John Lippencott, Christo- pher Gifford, Morris Worth, Annanias Gifford, Edward Wharton, Henry Marsh, John Slocum, Nathaniel Slocum, Thomas Potter, Elizabeth Hatton, Job Havens, Samuel Spicer, William Shattock, John Hance, Peter Parker, John Clayton, Stephen West, Edmond Lafetra, William West, Francis Parden, (Purdaine?), John Chambers, hob. rt West, Thomas Hilborne, Tobias Hansen, John Borden, John Worthley, Hugh Dickman, William Worth, Eliakim Wardell, John Jerson, Benjamin Rogers.
In 1685 to Richard Gardiner, Samuel Colver, Garret Wall, and George Corlies.
In 1686 to Gershom Bowne, George Mount, Safety Grover, James Grover, Jr., Joseph West, George Keith, Robert Hamilton and Francis Jackson.
In 1687 to William Shadock, Edward Williams, Thomas Eatone, Jacob Lippencott, Thomas Huet, Abigail Lippencott, Francis Borden, John Borden, Peter White, John Cranford, John Brea (Bray), Samuel White, Job Jenkins and Nathaniel Parker.
In 1688, Mordecai Gibbons in right of his father, Richard Gibbons, had confirmed to him a tract of 540 acres. And so called " head lands " were
32
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES.
granted to James Paul and Isabel, his wife, 30 acres ; Robert and Mary Cole, 30 acres ; Archibald Siliver and Christiana, his wife, 30 acres ; also patent to Thomas and Richard Hankinson, 120 acres.
In 1689 Rebecca Coward, a servant of William Duckura, had a patent for 30 acres, which she transferred to John Bowne.
In 1692 Richard Hartshorne had patent in right of Walter Clark, of R. I., one of the patentees, 500 acres.
In 1693 Thomas Webley had patent in right of Stephen and Audry West.
In 1697 patents were given to Gershom MIott and John Chamberlain.
THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IN NEW JERSEY.
It is very evident that during the first two or three years of the settlement, there must have been busy times for the little sloops in carrying settlers to and fro and in bringing over their families, household goods, merchan- dise. lumber, etc., from their old homes to the new settle- ment. We may conjecture that after the first settlers landed and had selected their lots or tracts of land that the first work would be putting up shelters, either log houses or perhaps more pretentious dwellings of lumber brought from Gravesend, Newport or elsewhere. Clearing the land and putting up fences was the next serious task. In this work the first year would probably be occupied. Perhaps many of them did not bring over their families to reside permanently until this work was accomplished. In 1667 the settlers found themselves so far advanced, with dwellings erected and lands cleared, that they had opportunity to take measures to establish a local govern- ment.
By the terms of the Nicolls patent, (the patentees named,) their associates, heirs, successors, and assigns had liberty to elect by the vote of the major part of the inhabitants, "five or seven other persons of the ablest and discreetest of said inhabitants " to join with them in making such peculiar and prudential laws as to them seemed meet.
In pursurance of this permission a General Assem-
33
BUYING LAND OF THE INDIANS.
bly of delegates from the three towns was held in Shrews- bury on the 14th of December, 1667. This was the first legislative body ever assembled in New Jersey. Richard Richardson was chosen as its secretary, and appointed to record acts, orders and deeds, and hence may be con- sidered the first County Clerk of Monmouth. His record of the proceedings of this Assembly is still well pre- served.
BUYING LAND OF THE INDIANS.
In August, 1664, the Dutch at New Amsterdam sur- rendered to the English and soon after, the Gravesend men before alluded to, made another and a successful effort to purchase land of the Indians and within a few months made two other purchases.
The first Indian purchase was by a deed dated Jan- uary 25, 1664, legal year, January 25, 1665, by our cal- endar year ; the original record of this deed is at Albany, N. Y., Liber 3, page 1. It was from Popomora, chief of the Nevesink Indians to James Hubbard, John Bowne, John Tilton, Jr., Richard Stout, William Goulding and Samuel Spicer, all of Gravesend. This deed was also agreed to by Mishacoing, a brother of Popomora. It was witnessed by Indians named Rickhoran, Checockran, Chrye, Serand and Mingwash. The considerations given were as follows :
118 fathom seawamp (wampum), of which GS fathom was to be white seawamp, and 50 fathom black, 5 coats, 1 gun, 1 clout capp, 1 shirt, 12 lbs tobacco, 1 anker wine ; all of which were acknowledged as received, and 82 fathoms additional of seawamp to be paid twelve months hence.
The interpreters were John Tilton, Sr., James Bowne, John Horabin, Randall Huet and John Wilson. The fact of these men being interpreters shows that they previously had had considerable intercourse with the In- dians.
34
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES.
The second purchase was dated April 7, 1665, and was from Indians named Taplawappammund, Mattama- hickanick, Yawpochammund, Kackenham, Mattanoh, Norchon and Qurrmeck and the deed was to John Tilton Sr., Samuel Spicer, William Goulding, Richard Gibbons, James Grover and Richard Stout.
The third purchase was dated June 5, 1665, and from Indians named Manavendo, Emmerdesolsee, Pop- pomera, Checawsen, Shanhemun, Cramanscum, Wine- germeen and Macca, and the deed was to James Grover, John Bowne, Richard Stout, John Tilton, Richard Gib- bons, William Goulding, Samuel Spicer and " the rest of the company."
The articles given for the second and third purchases were wampum, wine and tobacco, 11 common coats, three pairs of breeches, 9 blankets, 45 yards duffel (coarse cloth) 4 1-2 lbs. powder, 15 1-2 lbs. lead, etc .- in all about the same value in proportion as for the first purchase. The orignal record of these deeds is also at Albany, and copies are recorded at Perth Amboy and at Trenton. These purchases were acknowledge before Governor Nicolls at New York. In their first land sales, the In- dians were anxious to procure coats, but they seemed to have cared but little for breeches, preferring to go bare- legged ; said an Indian : " Indian's legs like white man's face, no want covering." But Popomora and some of his chiefs were probably induced to wear breeches as they had to visit the settlement at Gravesend and also to go to New York, to acknowledge the deeds before the Governor, and Tilton, Stout and the, others would natu- rally object to the Indians parading through the streets of New York, dressed with only a short coat and perhaps a few feathers stuck in their hair !
The following account is a sample of receipts and expenditures in the original purchase of the lands of the Indians and the names of the purchasers and shares awarded is from Book A, Freehold Records :
Newasink, Narumsunk and Pootapeck, Dr. as followeth to William Reape :
35
BUYING LAND OF THE INDIANS.
{ %. 1.
To John Tilton and Company in peague * 21 5 0
In rum at tymes at 7-6 per gallon -15 duffels To the Sachem of ye gift land and to Randal Hnet in rum 1 00
23 10 0
25 02
6
To a sloop hire 10 days, with expences in provisions upon a voyage with the Patentees to Pootopeek Neck 06 0)
To the charge of three men sent from Rhode Island to settle ye, the counterey affairs here
08
0
To the use of Derrick Smiths sloope for their transport
4
11
To 21 days for myself on ye publique affairs with provisions
03
0
To the forbearance of my money
0 00
0
To my expense of new attending the publique service at the making of this account 00
0
€89 07 0
The above accompt of disbursements of William Reape, amounting to £89 07s Od is owned by us, the Patentees and Deputies now present at Portland Point.
Witness our hands this 5th day of July, 1670 :
WILL GOULDING, JAMES GROVER, JOHN BOWNE, RICHARD GIBBONS, his RICHARD X STOUT, mark Patentees. JOHN HANCE, ELIAKIM WARDELL, JAMES BOWNE, Deputies.
Testis: R. RICHARDSON.
* Backus' History of Baptists says a wampuin peague was worth one-sixth of a I enny.
36
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES.
MONMOUTH COUNTY-WHEN ESTABLISHED.
The name Monmouth was officially given to the county March 7th, 1683, as will be seen by the following extracts :
" Att a Councill held the 7th day of the mo-1 called March 168 2-3 * * * *
"A bill sent downe from the Deputyes for devideing the p'vince into Countyes read and agreed vtno."- Journal of' proceedings of' Gor. & Council, 1682-1703.
The following is an extract from the bill referred to :
" At a General Assembly begun and holden at Eliza- bethtown in this Province of East New Jersey, the first day of the Month called March Anno Domini 1682 and in the Five and Thirtieth year of the reign of King Charles the Second, over England, de. and there continued by several adjournments thereof until the twenty-eight day of the said Month of March, for the public Weale of this Province was Enacted as follows :
*
"IV. An Act to divide the Province into Four Counties .- Having taken into consideration the necessity of dividing the Province into respective Counties for the better governing and settling Courts in the same :-
" Be it Enacted, by this General Assembly, and the Authority thereof, that this Province be divided into four counties as followeth : (Here follows the bounds of Ber- gen, Essex, and Middlesex, after which the bounds of Monmouth are given as follows :)
" Monmouth County to begin at the Westward Bounds of Middlesex county, containing Middletown and Shrewsbury and so extend Westward, Southward, and Northward to the extream Bounds of the Province. Provided this distinction of the Province into Counties, do not extend to the infringement of any Liberty in any Charter already granted."
The name Monmouth was given to the county through the influence of Col. Lewis Morris who at the beginning of this session (March Ist,) was said to have
37
DISCOVERY OF OCEAN COUNTY.
been "Elected for Shrewsbury " as a Deputy, but his place declared vacant, probably because he had been selected by the Governor as a member of the council at that time.
Colonel Morris had purchased a large tract of land, in what was afterwards known as Monmouth County, October 25th, 1676, said to contain 3,540 acres, where- upon he located, as described in 1680, " his iron mills, his Manors, and divers other buildings for his servants and dependants ; together with 60 or 70 negroes about the Mill and Husbandry. To this plantation he gave the name of Tintern (corrupted afterwards to Tinton) after an estate which had belonged to the family in Mon- monthshire, England, and from him Monmouth county received its name."
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