USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 4
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JOHN CRIPPS Sacretary
26
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1688
Intended Surrender of the Government of East Jersey.
[From P. R. O., B. T. Proprieties Vol VI G 47.]
%
Draught of a Surrender of Government intended to have been presented to the late King James by the prop's of East Jersey in April 1688.1
To all to whom these p'sents shall come James Earl of Perth Lord High Chancell" of the Kingdom of Scotland, John Earl of Melfort Principall Secretary of State for the said Kingdom of Scotland, Robert Bar- clay Esq" William Penn Esq" Robert West Esq: An- drew Hamilton Doct: in Physick, Thomas Cox Gent, Robert Burnet Esq: Thomas Hart Merchant, James Brain Merchant, Walter Benthall Merchant, Thomas Barker Merchant, Augustin Gordon Gent, Clement Plumsted Merchant and Thomas Cooper Merchant, Propriet's of the Province of EAST NEW JERSEY in America send greeting Whereas his Most Excellent Matie King James the second was heretofore gratiously pleased to grant to the Propriet"s of the said Province their heirs and Assigns the Government of the said Province and severall powers Authorities and Jurisdic- tions relating thereunto which his said Matie for severall weighty reasons of State is desirous to resume, and to take the said Province into his own more im'ediate Protection Emnow ye that the Propriet's above men- tioned in humble submission to and acquiescence in his Maties Royall wisdom and pleasure grave Surrender- ed and yeilded up and by these p'sents doe in behalfe of themselves and of all other the Propriet"s of the said Province Surrender and yeild up to his said Matie
1 Communicated to the Board of Trade by Mr. Dockwra December 11th, 1701, but it is said to have been accepted by the King at the time it was made. See "Grants and Concessions," pp. 604-5 .- ED.
27
LETTER FROM A. HAMILTON TO W. DOCKWRA.
1688]
the Government of the said Province and All the Powers Authoritys and Jurisdictions relating thereun- to formerly granted by his said Matie to the Propriet's of the said Province, And all other their Author- ities and powers of Government there whatsoever Un witnesse whereof the said propriet's have to these p'sents affixed the Com'on seal of the said Province the Thirtieth Day of Aprill in the Fourth year of the Raign of our said Soveraign Lord James the second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defend" of the Faith &c Annoq .: Domini 1688:
Letter from Andrew Hamilton to William Dockwra, about his private interests in the Province.1
[From the original among the manuscripts of W. A. Whitehead.]
Perth Amboy May 26 1688
Mr. Will. Dockwra
I have several of yo's via New England, New York Road Island, Delaware &ca. To answer each in lettre were recd their order so many crouding vpon me since divers months before ships any opportunity offered from hence were to came away. give you infinit trouble. But since They
q. gradual chiefly concern yo" Land yor stock, servants, writing were very easie. Secr: Regr: & Treas office: Ld Neils assetts gibbons &ca: I shall take them in order as they ly, & j. as to yo" Land. Mr. D. as my kindnes to you & '
1 Although this letter relates entirely to the private affairs of the parties, yet, the references to the condition of the Province at the time, the mode of living, and other matters throwing light upon the affairs of the settlers, render it admissable into this collection. The lines in italics are those underlined by Mr. Dockwra and to which his notes in the margins refer .- ED.
28
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1688
yo" family is really tender so I have wit- has nessed it in the choice of yo" Land: as in
q: my Lands Interest. he says it helpt to repair me. vid, the severall Tracts & ReportOwns that I have [well]deserv'd at the Prov- ince hands. the shedule annexed. yo' interest indeed was. but very inconsiderable when I came here & I think myself very happy in being ane instrument to help repair you, who be- sides the merit of yo' good family have yo" self so well deserved at the province hands. As to yo", stock of Catle they are as in the shedule. It is all Increase of Cattle scarce buy hay in Winter. not worth your while to keep them or run the risk, besides That it takes vp one boyes whole tym to herd them & [their?] increase will scarce buy hay for them in the winter, if ever you Come here you have as many outstanding debts (which will be impossible
q. why gott in?
Despose them Debts paid in Cattle. Enough to stock a plan tation. to recover in any other way but catle) as not will stock a plantation, & therefor I shall be of opinion to dispose of them as occasion offers between [this] and the fall. It is the greatest cut throat in the world to medle in any thing toutching a plantation if a man is not his own overseer vpon the spot. And therefor I myself being tyed by the foot to attend at Amboy must forbear to form any design Servants eats vpon my plantation till I can live vpon it,
vp all vnless a
man be ther. for servants eats a man vp if he is not Con- stantly over ther heads; And lykewise if any Ground ground clear- is cleared (besides the vast charge of clear- ed if not kept so is not worth
ing & fensing) if it is not kept in Constant tillage for some years it runs vp in brush any thinge
more than & becomes worse then the first clearing & rough if a man were to sell it p'haps not advance the rate of it a farthing As to yo" outstanding debts it is impossible to raise them in money, But shall essay all means & them with all
remit my debts as recov-
ered to Jones q. if can get bills for re- turns.
expedition & as they are recovered shall re- mit them to Mr Jones. But indeed you will find great loss & difficultie to remitt them to England, but if I can purchase bills vpon
1688]
LETTER FROM A. HAMILTON TO W. DOCKWRA. 29
England from any people who setle here, I shall dis-
pose of yo" effects to them, As for yo' servants Servts all ther tymes are out (except the glazier, painter & two boyes) & happy it is for you it is so. The painter being a slovenlie idle boy & constantly sicklie & so . & drinking idly I sold him his tym last winter for 9 lib ster. he drawes upon his mother & sends a letter of advice, if it is payed its wel, if not, yov loose nothing but a gainer to be quit
of him. The glasier is a great Rascall a
Splbe Glazier great lyar & wold steal the teeth out of a
2 boyes mans head, & therefor will be forced to turn him of at any rate if I can get his own bond at 10 or 12 lib for the year y', he has yet to serve, you are wel quit of him (for none will be bound for him) he is so well known. Old Smith I keep doeing old Smith
jobs vp & down to reimburse what he owes you, & the two boyes are reallie Naughtie boys, great lyars and not honest, you have certainly had the worst luck to servants of any man, I will be forced to dis- pose of them, yt if you have no profit in the Country you may be at as little expense. As for Spybee it had been better you had accepted of the 10 lib. than any thing you can make of him here (his mother writs that you wold not accept under 15 lib) . obliga-
tion of Killingworth is only such That if the 10 lib is not payed in England . . . . obliges him- Spibe to hold accot what he self That Spybee shall hold acct for what he got
a wise bargain
has wrought dureing the tym, to Wm Dock-
wra or his order. Now last yearwas a very sickly year & the fellow for the most part sick so that besides That it will amount to litle we must take the work vpon his own word being impossible for any to
tickets trace him out. He offers me tickets of peo- about 12 lbs. pel for whom he has wrought to the value of about 12 lib, tho I will ..... that to the highest. But then it is in Country pay in which there will be p'haps 20 p ct loss between [that] & silver pay, so that
-
30
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1688
10 ls at home I wish you would secure the money at home. better As to what Concerns Tankins I judge you
Tankyn have mistoke what I wrot, you seem to un- derstand it That I aggreed for 40 lib for his tym of which he has wrought for 30: but if so my sense was That tho he had wrought jobs to the value of 30 lib yet declare he was to pay 40 lib, of which he has payed a steer in pairt pay: I design to take a
Tankyns lot.
mortgage on his house & lot or otherwyse secure the rent, he had the lot granted him befor I came to the Country, to encourage him as a tradsman to setle in the place. as for Carington: the sickly year Key in A. H. and R Jones not sending down has hin- but of what? deed the acco" to be made up with him is there no ac- count to But he can imbezill nothing, I having charge A. H. and discharge Carington of what was ta- ken,into Ham- iltons posses- sion. taking the key of the ware house in my Custody. as for his house I protest I know nothing of it, it being reared when I was at York with Ld Neil. I was very se- vere vpon them for it. But I do really find yt a great pairt was done for services she did to the Qu. Why is not people when they were sick, & the rest he the accot made that owes. The house cannot run away, & they Carrington's are in a fair way to hold any
may be
thing arise of a ballance; as for Cole if I Crushed him at first he had Certainly run away but now he is in a way to get money & Cole secure as far as possi- ble but never made cven pay a groat but run on till all lost. be sure I will see to secure you, how farr is possible As to yo' pattents of Sec : Reg". & Tr". you will certainly loose the tryall, & besides there is not a fitting man to be got here for yt place, & now when we have so much to do, so many titles of land to try wth the planters & the best of that
Secr & Regr no fitting man to be got for Dep'ty besides office being already over, I thought it not &c worth while blow a coale & not to prevail, & therfor we might (at least) let it sleep a little till a
31
LETTER FROM A. HAMILTON TO W. DOCKWRA.
1688]
more Convenient tyme. ffor that of Treas : a receiver Gen. it is not worth yo" Counting, a man is a beggar that undertakes the Collecting of it at 10 pct at 5 p ct being oblidged to run through all the Corners of the province & forced to take things for the most pairt in
County pay, which is a great risk in. . so yt if W. H. could keep good his intromissions, I should never wish any friend to Court the office; however he no land to give lykewyse stands vpon his patent, & I
W Haige to doubt we have no other way, but either
quit to give him a piece of land to be guit of him or bring him often to acott, as now we have or- dered him to make vp his accotts As to Lª N's Ld Neil accotts I am sorry he should be so mean; however I refer you to Mr Carringtons adimadver- sions upon them which will give you a great sight. As to Gibbon at last I have secured yor money & have got it payed in this day being 26 lib .. 2ª York £26.2.0 money But how in the world to remitt as I am truie I know not, if the species be sent over you will loose 3: & ther will this year be at least 50 pr ct loss upon oyl, this is the first of yo" money Glbbons the I have seen since I came to the Country First money
after near two
so ill is it to be raised. I have taken all
years imaginable pains to Encouradge Mr Stan- cliffs designs because his designes seem to be reallie honorable, in alloting his propriety as a
Stancliff refuge to poor banished protestants & be- sides I am sensible it will prove a great good to the Country. I have placed him vpon Mylston river as a place convenient for such a design, but remember I had ane eye by that Neighbourhood to make Mr Ds land more valuable There is a gushet of 2000 acres
about 2000 acres a rear of your uppermost lots, which I design to take up for you, being good land ; so I think by farr you will be the best land- Willocks &An- stead of any concerned in the province, as
32
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1688
till about their
to Geo. Willocks & M" Antil I must take two lots of Land at Rari-
tan, that is now nothing I have that of Wil- locks already
tym to it & not be too hasty lest they over-
rate Le Cout has sett vp his powder Myl at York but Mr Stancliff has preingadged him first to view his land, & if he does not pleas that then he shall view yo's One word of Jo :
John Hanton's Hantons plantation at Changerora. I wold
Plantation
fain have you to have it. In the first place
NB because it is a good plantation to setle on. & will always be Saleable 2ª I think I can sett you vpon a way to purchase it viz: if not released the ben- Survivorship efit of survivorship, which I keep as a se- N B cret, unwilling to start. Then if you purchase R. B & & the other & of Melfort, Perth, Tarbets (now Ld Neils) & R Burnets. The & & } of Aren Sonmans & the & between G L & Gordons of Cluny will fall into you: so you are master of the whole. But in caise you have released the survivor-
ship, yet I have thus transacted wh Peter
Peter Sonman Sonmans That you procureing to him § & } in the plantations at Amboy in Exchange he will trans- fer to you & & } of the plantations at Changeroras. Now the whole plantation at Amboy is not worth: 300 lib, & yt at Changeroras wel worth 600 lib: 300 lib Amboy
600 Change: It is my opinion if you can do it Conveni- ently to purchase the rest out & then you have none to deal with but 1% of G L, & for that -1 16 I question not if you transfer to him in exchange 2% in the farm at Amboy he will procure G Ly in the farm at Changeroras. Which farm with yor 1000 acres is richly worth 800 lib It is now tyme I were thanking mine & my Mrs Dockwra for her present, and you for wifes present yo's Pray pleas to procure M's Gibsons re- ceit to G. L. yt, I may get vp mine I was a great losser in drawing. . . ; since mine is so ill to be remitted from hence, she owes me I think 1 lib 6s. for Commis- sion, but it is not worth speaking of. As to what G.
33
1
LETTER FROM A. HAMILTON TO W. DOCKWRA.
1688]
Keith wrot you concerning. be good and
no Copper a . , it, it looks like a piece of indigo I judge nothing but a sort of a . .
it short it can be good for nothing being lighter then the bulk of so much old clay. It is now tym I were taking leave & therfor wh my humble servise to Ma™ Dockwra, Mrs Mary & the rest of the family till anoth- er opportunity I subscribe myself
Sr The weelwisher of yo" family AND: HAMILTON
[The foregoing letter is endorsed in Dockwra's hand- writing
" Capt Hamilton " date May 26° 88 " recª July 24º
" Copious letter "-
and among other memª the following, written it is presumed at least twenty years afterward, when the letter was sent to his then agent-]
" vide
How about our Interest in the land taken up in the fund of £950 call'd the Scotch Prop's stock ·
What is said about the Lands at Changarora
In John Hantons possession and the Lands at Am- boy
In John Reids possession-both being servants to vs the particular Proprietors of that land belonging to our Stock. And all the 950 1b is sunk & gone upon the Expectation of improveing two profitable Plantations
but we have lost all our Capitall & about 25 years Interest which is above two thousand Pounds. And haveing nothing left for so much money but the bare land.
4
.
·
34
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1688
What Impudent wickedness is it then for any body to attempt the Ravishing it from the true Owners thereof !
The above remarks concern your interest agt Wil- lokes invading yt Land at Amboy that we setled by Reid and our Stock servants all sunk thereon
The many other Notes in the margin pray peruse, on my behalf, some of them are yet serviceable to my case. others are worth notice for information & ob- servation. one note I beg ... (?) ... as to my self. He says I was in 1688, the best Land-stead of any con- cern'd in the Province if that . . . (?) Hamiltons Encomium of my Lands so valuable in 1688-most upon Rariton-was worth double in 1701-some Treble -aye some 4 fold more than common land without in scituation or goodness and so ffar first accot of Sales Runs most upon that, ffor God sake examine it.
Agreement Between the Governors of East and West Jersey as to the Partition Line.
[From certified copy of West Jersey Records, Book H 2 of Deeds, page 434 in Boundary Papers of W. A. Whitehead.]1
Agreement of Governors Cox and Barclay relative to running the Partition Line.
LONDON, Sept 5th 1688
IT is agred this day Between D' Daniell Cox Govern" of the province of West Jersey on behalf of himself and all the Rest of the Proprietors of that Province on the One part and Robert Barclay Governour of the Province of E: Jersey on Behalf of himself and all the Rest of the Proprietors of that Province on the
1 A copy certified by Wm. Dockwra is also in the New Jersey Historical Soci- ety Library, Papers of F. J. Paris, Book 4 .- ED.
35
AGREEMENT RELATING TO PARTITION LINE.
1688]
other Part as followeth Vigt For the final determina- tion of all differences Concerning the deed of Partition and all Other disputes and Controversies about divid- ing the lands and Setling the Bounds Between East and West Jersey first the line of Partition run Streight from little Egg Harbour to to the most west- erly Corner of John Dobies Plantation as it stands on the South Branch of Rariton River shall be the Bounds so far Between between East and west Jersey and shall not be altered But remain as it stands in a printed draught of the Proprietors lands Surveyed in E. Jer- sey and drawn by John Reid and since Printed here Secondly from thence to Run along the Back of the adjoyning Plantations until it Come to James Dundasse his Plantation and from thence as the most North- westerly part thereof a line to lye even with the line on the Back of these Plantations and so to Run North Eastward till it touch the North branch of Rariton river as it is Struck upon the mapp already but saving the Plantations already laid out to be within the line if they happen to Stand a little more westerly then that line is marked Thirdly from the North end of the line where it Touches Rariton North Branch thence forward the largest Stream or Current of water be- longing to the said North Branch shall be the Bound or Partition and so Continuing along the Same unto the North end thereof for the Bounds Soe far. fourthly from the said North End of the Branch a Short Streight line to run to touch the Nearest part of Pisaick River and so following the Course of that River Continuing into Pequanick River so long as it Runs Northerly or Northwesterly those Rivers Still to be the Bounds Between both Provinces and if Pequan- ick River doe not run far enough to the latitude of 41 degrees then from the said River a Streight line to be Run Northward to the latitude and that to be the ut- most north Partition Point and from the said Point in
1136393
36
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1688
a Streight line due East to the Partition Point on Hud- sons River Between East Jersey & New York Pro- vided always that all Plantations and Tracts of land laid Out and Surveyed Before this Agreement Arrive in East Jersey Shall Remaine to the Parties Concerned and the Partition Shall so Runn as to Include them within E Jersey Bounds Lastly D' Cox doth Covenant and promise to make Good the agreements above writ- ten and Warrant the Title and quiet Possession of all the lands so to be appropriated to the Proprietors of E Jersey According to the limits and Bounds above men- tioned against all Persons that shall or may Pretend or Claime any Interest to any of the said Lands as W. Jersey Proprietors. And Robert Barclay doth Cov- enant and Promise to make good the Agreement above Written and Warrant the Title and quiet Possession of lands so to be appropriated to the Proprietors of W. Jersey According to the limits and Bounds above mentioned against all Persons that shall or may Pre- tend or Clayme any Interest to any of the said lands as E. Jersey Proprietors for Performance of all and every the Respective Articles and Covenants hereunto Mentioned they doe Mutully Bind themselves each to the Other in the Sume of £5000 to be Well and truly paid on the Breach of any the Clauses and Covenants herein Before mentioned. In Witness whereof they have interchangeably Sett their hands and Seals the day and year first above Written.
Sealed and deliver- ed in the presence of David Howling Stephen Lucock
Barday L. S.
37
GOVERNOR ANDROS' ARRIVAL.
1688]
Governor Andros to the Lords of Trade. [From N. Y Col. Docts: Vol. III. p. 554.]
New Yorke 4th October 1688.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LO'PPS: [Extract. ]
I arrived here the eleventh of August past, when His Majesties Letters Pattents being published, re- ceived this place, as also East New Jersey the fifteenth, and West New Jersey the eighteenth following, where by proclamac'on continued the revenue and all officers in place, till further order; and have since settled all officers Civill and Military. By expresse from Boston the three and twentyeth of the same month, had the happy newes of the berth of the Prince of Wales, and, tho late in the day, was solemnized with all demonstra . tions of joy and gladnesse for soe greate a blessing, and the next day in Councill a publique thanksgiveing was ordered to be kept on the second of September att New Yorke & places adjacent, and fourteene days af- ter throughout the whole dominion.
Your Lo'pps,
Most obedient & humble Servt
The Lords of the Comit- tee for Trade &c
Etneros
Account of the Several Rates or Assessments laid upon the Proprietors of East Jersey. [From a copy among the manuscripts of W. A. Whitehead.]
A PARTICULAR of Every rate Layed upon * Locus Sigillia Each of the Twentie Four Proprietors of E. New Jersey by the Comitte & Councill of Pro- prietors in London for Defraying the Varitie of Publick Charges in relac'on to the affaires of ye said Provience
38
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1690
and in Desfence of ye Government & p'serving ye rights & Priveledges thereof.
Ordered that Tenn Pounds )
Annos 1683
July 29th upon Every Propriety be payed unto the Publick stock for making up what ffalles shorte in Cash to pay ffour hundredpoundes to Gawen Lawrie towards his Dispatch as Governor
£10. 00.00
January 8th. Ordered that ffive pounds up- on Every Proprietie be paid into stock for paying Surveyers and Solicitors &cª: & Enrolling the Duke of Yorkes Grant searching for Deedes & papers about ye Earle of Bath & Other the Trusties and Governor Carterets papers accts: &cª: & at- tending King & Councill board to preserve our Govemt & Obtaining K. Charles his Proclamation
1684 Ordered that ffive pounds up-
July 29th. on Every p'priety be payed into Stock for Enabling the Committee to pay Gawen Lawries two Billes of Seventie poundes Drawen upon ye p'prs here in Londo & p'senting Geo. Keith on his Voaige & Defraying other Charges. . L Ordered that Tenn pounds October 21st. upon Every p'priety be payed, into Stock for Enabling the Com'ittee to pay two billes of One hundred & thirty pounds & two billes of Eighty ffour poundes two shillings Drawen by Gawen Lawrie upon the p'prs here in Londo for ffurther Cost of Building the Governors house at Amboy &cª
05. 00.00
05. 00. 00
10. 00.00
-
1690]
ASSESSMENT ON EAST JERSEY PROPRIETORS.
1685 Ordered that Tenn pounds
June 16th. upon Every Propriety be payed into Stock for Defraying the Great Charges for Negotiating Our publique affaires of the Province at Court among Offercers and Ministers Lawyers &cª : Robt Bar- clay atending here many months and much Expense in Variety of business requireing it
10.00.00
Ordered that ffive pounds up- )
February 2d. on Every Propriety be paid into Stock there being money Due to Seaverall & no Cash to pay them nor ffund for the Defraying the nessary publick Charges.
1687 Ordered that Tenn poundes Novem'br 1st upon Every Propriety be payed into Stock their haveing been Great Charges among Lawyers Surveyors &c.ª About the Dispute Difference and Settle- ment at Last of the Line of Partic'on 'twixt the two Pro: the two provinces & being in Debt for Sundrie billes & accot for money payed to Defray Varietie of Charges on the publique affairs of the p'vince.
39
05.00.00
10. 00.00
£55. 00.00
I William Dockwra Secretary and Rigister of ye Province above said having Exam": ye Court books of ye Com'itte or Councill of Propr's Do find that the Seaverall Rates & Sumes above menc'oned are Layed upon Every p'pr according to his respective Share & p'porconall Interest in ye sd p'vince & stand entered in ye sd books on the p'ticular Dayes noted in ye margine hereof and signed by ye members p'sent at Every Com'- ittee or Councill and I further Declare that I have Exam! ye accts & find that all the p'pers residing in & about Lond. (and myself among ye rest) have payed
40
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1690
the Sd sume of ffiftie ffive poundes apeice in to Cash & to prorate for a half p'prty more or less (Excepting Wm Penn Esq" who has payed only fforty five pounds and is only Ten pounds in arrear) and Lastly it appears that the p'prs are severall y" Out of Pocket here in Londo and Growing Incident Charges On the Publique accot are unavoidable (in less ye concernes of the Pro- vince be abandoned & suffered to sink) to Defray wch an Order was made & Entered in the sd books the 19th of June 1688 altho not yet payed regularly (as allso the fformer have been) by the p'prs here most of them being weary of bearing the burthen so many Yeares while most beyond sea are in such arrears but the Last menc'oned Tenn poundes the p'prs see a nesessity to be payed in by all those here to reimburse them that have Layed out their money This is the True State of this Case.
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