USA > New Jersey > Union County > Elizabeth > History of Elizabeth, New Jersey : including the early history of Union County > Part 19
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ently retaining, when notoriously rejected and despised for their sycophancy, such parasites as Bollen, Vauquellin, and Pardon. His administration must be regarded as a com- plete failure, opposed, as it was, alinost from the beginning, by the worthiest men of the Colony. He seems to have had no party in the town, outside of the clique that came with him and lived on his favor and patronage.
His position enabled him to acquire some of the very best properties in the settlement ; not less than 4,000 acres having been surveyed for him and Sir George. He died in his 44th year. His widow survived him, and continued to reside in the town, occupying for a considerable time, and claiming as her own, in her husband's right, the government house and property. She became, in 1685, the wife of Col. Richard Townley, who had become a resident of the town very shortly after her husband's death. Her eldest son, Joseph, married in 1690 Mary Townley, who was undoubtedly, Col. Richard's daughter, by his first wife .*
With the change of proprietorship came a new era in the history of the town. Rudyard was furnished with a kind and conciliatory letter from the Proprietors to the planters. Everything connected with the new order of affairs gave promise of peace and prosperity. Rudyard was a man of amiable instincts, and courteous demeanor, though not want- ing in firmness. He represented, not the lordly cavalier of an aristocratic court, but a trading association, of which the
* E. J. Records, A. 17-18; II. 2,, p. 343. Whitehead's E. Jersey, p. 85. Extracts from the Will of Philip Carteret. "I give & bequeath my Soul to Almighty God that Gave it me in full Assurance that I shall be made Partaker of Eternal Life by & through the Merrits of my most Dear and blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ my Saviour, and my Body to be buryed in such decent manner as my Executrix shall think meet in the Vault at Govern' Stephen- son's Bowry, if Liberty may be obtain'd, otherways Liberty to be purchas'd in the Church att New York." All his Estate in New Jersey he gives to his "most deare Wife Elizabeth Car- teret " and her helrs : he then adds : "And all my Negroes and other Servants, excepting Black Jack who Ja. sett free from servitude from and after the Day of my Burial." " Unto my Mother Mrs. Rachell Carteret if she be yett living All that my Mannor House, Edifice and Buildings with all my Lands, Tenements & Hereditaments within the Island of Jersey :" in case of her death, to be "equally conveyed to my Brother's and Sister's children of my said Mother." He appoints his "deare Wife sole Executrix; " and desires his " well-beloved friends Thomas Rudyard and Hobert Vicars of Elizabeth Town aforesd to be assistant to my said Executrix appointing them to be my Trustees and Supervisors." The witnesses to the Will are Robert Vlears, Isaac Swinton, James Emott, George Jewell and Martha Symes. It was proved Dec. 30, 1682. See, also, Genealogy of the Lawrence Family, pp. 139, 149-50. Leaming and Spicer, p. 177.
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members were, most of them, plain and unassuming men, attached to a sect everywhere spoken against, familiar with adversity, and who, in person and estate, had suffered not a little from the intolerance of the crown.
Some few of this sect, but not the most favorable speci- mens, had, as appears from Mr. Fletcher's statement, already found their way into the settlement. Shrewsbury, one of the seven associated towns that constituted the Province, had been settled in 1667, almost exclusively by Quakers, the first religious meetings of the Society in N. Jersey having been held there in 1670. The territory of West Jersey had, since 1674, been in the possession of members of the Society, and the lower part of the Delaware had been peopled, on either side, by numerous arrivals of Quakers, year by year, since 1675. This town had now become the seat of a Quaker gov- ernment, and so gradually began to receive accessions to the number of its planters from the better class of the Society. These mostly took up or bought lands on the Rahway river, where their successors in lineage and doctrine are found at the present day .*
An " Account of the settled towns " "in the Province of East New Jersey," in 1680, " given under the hand of Cap- tain Nicholls, Secretary of the Duke in New York," contains - the following statements respecting this town :-
It lies up 3 miles within a Creek, the entrance whereof is opposite to the Northwest end of Staten Island. There are several Out-plantations on the North end of the River which divides the bounds between this Town and Woodbridge, particularly where the roads pass over, to which place is about 7 or 8 miles. There are other plantations at the point or entrance of the Creek, on the North side of it, commonly called Gov- ernor Carteret's point, where there is another farme, between the pro- prietor and him. Its but a narrow passage there over to the meadows of Staten Island, then "on Northward there are other Plantations fronting to the Bay that lies to the North part of Staten Island, besides some other within Land, from the Town to New York bounds. There is in this Town a house, orchards and farm, within the Town in partnership be- tween the Proprietor and Governour, Philip Carteret, it being one of the first houses built there, and hath all along been the resident of the Gov- ernour, untill of late he hath finished his New house. The Town is built
* Proud's Hist. of Pa., I. 161.
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on both sides of the Creek, and consists of 150 Families and of 700 In- habitants. The Acres taken up' by the Town are computed to bo 10,000, and for the Out-Plantations 30,000 .*
Several interesting statements respecting the Town are, also, preserved in a letter written by Gov. Rudyard, May 30, 1683, about six months after his arrival. He speaks of the
Fresh and salt meadows, which now are very valuable, and no man here will take up a Tract of Land without them, being the support of their flocks in Winter, which other parts must supplie by store, and taking more care for English grass. But know, where salt marshes are not there is no muskettos and that manner of Land the more health.
We have one thing more,-which is vast Oyster banks, which is Con- stant fresh victuals during the winter, to English, as well as Indians ; so we are supplied with salt fish at our doors, or within half a tyde's pas- sage, and fresh Fish in abundance in every little brook, as Pearch, Trout, Eels, &c. which we catch at our doors. Provisions here are very plenti- ful, and people generally well stockt with cattle. New York and Bur- lingtown have hitherto been their market; Few or no Trading Men being here in this Province. I believe it hath been very unhappy heretofore under an ill managed Government, and most of the people who are such, have been invited from the adjacent Colonies by the goodness of its soil, and convenient Scituation.
There is 5 or 6 Saw mills going up here this Spring, two at work al- ready, which abates the price of boards half in half, and all other timber for building: for although timber cost nothing, yet workmanship by hand was London price, or near upon, or sometimes more, which these mills abate.
My habitation with Samuel Groome is at Elizabeth Town, and here we came first ; it lyes on a fresh small river, with the tyde, ships of 30 or 40 Tuns, come before our doors, throughout this town is good English grass, and very good burthen, we cannot call our habitation solitarie for what with the public employ I have little less company at my house dayly, than I had in George Yard, although not so many pass by my doors. The people are generally a sober professing people, Wise in their Generation, Courteous in their Behaviour, and Respectful to us in office among them.
As for the Temperature of the Air, it is wonderfully seituated to the HIumours of Mankind, the wind and weather rarely holding in one point or one kind for ten dayes together. It is a rare thing for a vessel to be wind bound for a week together, the wind seldom holding in a point more than 48 hours ; and in a short time we have wet and dry, warm and cold weather. Yet this variation creates not cold, nor have we the tenth part
* Scot's Model of E. J., pp. 134, 5.
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of the cold as we have in England : for generally I go with the same Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you; but warm Cloaths hurt not. I bless the Lord, I never had better health, nor my family, my Daughters are very well improved in that respect, and tell me they would not change their place for George Yard, nor would I. People here are generally set- tled, where the tyde reaches ; and although this is a good Land, and well Timbered, and plentifully supplied with salt Marsh, yet there is much bet- ter Land up higher on the River, where they may go up with small boats, where many now are settling. There's extrordinary Land, fresh Meadows overflowed in the Winter time, that produces multitudes of Winter Corns : and it is believed will endure 20, 30, or 50 years overflowing without in- termission, and not decay. William Penn took a view of the Land, this . last month when here, and said he had never seen such before in his life : All the English Merchants, and many of the Dutch have taken, and are desirous to take up Plantations with us. At a town called New- ark, 7 or 8 miles hence, is made great quantities of Syder, exceeding any we can have from New England or Rhod Island or Long Island. I hope to make 20 or 30 Barrels out of our Orchard next year, as they have done who had it before me, for that, it must be as Providence orders.
We have store of Clams esteemed much better than Oysters ; on Fes- tivals the Indians feast with them; there are shallops, but in no great plentie. Fish we have great store, as our relation sets forth, but they are very good when catcht (as the proverb is). I have several barrels by me now, which are good for our Table and for Sale. In probability, there is not an industrious man, but by God's blessing may not only have a com- fortable, but plentiful supplie of all things necessary for this life.
Samuel Groome, the Surveyor General, observes, Aug. 11, 1863,-
Well here is a brave Countrey, the ground very fruitfull, and wonder- fully inclinable to English grass, as Clower, &c. It Predominates over the more wild grasse : very little barren, much dry upland, and good meadow, some phenny, swampy land and small running brooks and rivers through- out all the parts of the Countrey I have been, and this phenny and swampy Land bears great burdens of grass; in short, the land is four times better than I expected .*
Gov. Rudyard subsequently obtained a Grant of 3000 acres, mostly on the Rahway and Raritan rivers; and became a Planter on a large scale, thus confirming his declaration of preference for these new settlements over the crowded thor- oughfares of London.t
* Scott's Model of E. Jersey, pp. 147-154, S.
t E. Jersey Records, L., 16, 17.
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ELIZABETHI, NEW JERSEY.
Among the Council, whom Rudyard appointed, December 13, 1682, was Benjamin Price, Sent, of this town. On the 20th of December, the Governor took the oath of office, and shortly after called a General Assembly to meet in this town on the 1st of March next ensuing. Henry Lyon, Isaac Whitehead, Benjamin Price, and Benjamin Parkis, all of them men of character and influence, and true representa- tiyes of the people, were appointed, February 4, 1683, Jus- tices of the Peace. Capt. John Baker and Benjamin Parkis were appointed, March 28, Justices of the Court of Common Right; Capt. John Baker, Coroner ; George Jewell. Clerk and Messenger ; and James Emott, Clerk of the new County of Essex. These appointments indicate, on the part of Rud- yard and the Council, a disposition to conciliate, and be on good terms with, the populace, whose preferences were, evidently, consulted in these nominations ; with the excep- tion, possibly, of the last,-Emott, who was a new comer, and not in full sympathy with the town. It was, at all events, a great change from the old regime under Carteret, when an entirely different class of men were put in power .*
The General Assembly met here the first day of March, and continued in session until the 28th. An adjourned meet- ing was held in May, and another in December following ; both in this town. At their first sessions, the Province was divided into four counties, Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and Monmouth ; "Essex and the County thereof, to contain all the settlements between the West side of Hackinsack River, and the parting line between Woodbridge and Elizabeth- Town, and so to extend westward and northward, to the ut- most bounds of the Province." Provision was made for the appointment of Sheriff's, Coroners, Justices, Clerks and other officers, and for the erection of County Courts, a Court of Small Causes for every town, and a Superior Court to be called the Court of Common Right, to be held quarterly in this town. Numerous laws, mostly such as were passed in Carteret's time, for the preservation of good morals, the rights of property, and the welfare of the community, were
* E. J. Records, C., 9-20.
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enacted. The same strictness in regard to profanity, intem- perance, licentiousness, and Sabbath-breaking, was retained. Evidently, a healthful tone of morals prevailed, in the sev- eral settlements, notwithstanding the recent disturbances .*
At the adjourned meeting in May, the existence of domes- tic slavery is distinctly recognized. They say, that
It is found by daily experience, that negro and Indian slaves or servants under pretence of trade, or liberty to traffick, do frequently steal from their masters and others, what they expose to sale at distance from their habitations ; (and, therefore, they forbade all) barter, trade or traf- fique with any negro slave, or Indian slave, or servant, for any rum, brandy, wine, or strong drink, or any other goods, wares, or commodi- ties, living or dead.
At the sessions in December, Benjamin Price, Henry Lyon, and Benjamin Parkis were appointed on the Commis- sion to lay out and appoint " all necessary highways, bridges, passages, landings, and ferries, for the County of Essex." As the country was every where, at this early day, infested with wolves, a bounty of 15s. was offered for every wolf's head. Of the six assessors for the county of Essex, three, Benjamin Price, Benjamin Parkis, and George Ross, were of this town.+
Rudyard's administration was brief. In July, 1683, Bar- clay appointed Gawen Lawrie, also one of the Proprietors, his Deputy for East Jersey. Lawrie had been, for several years, associated with Wm. Penn, in the Trusteeship of West Jersey, but had not yet come to America. He was a London merchant, and of the Society of Friends. He arrived, in January, 1684, at the new town of Perth Amboy, bringing with him his wife, Mary, his son, James, and his two daugh- ters, Mary and Rebecca. The latter became the wife of Miles Forster, of Perth Amboy, and her sister, Mary, married William Haige of this town. Isabel, the daughter of James, married Wm. Davis of New York.
It has been said, that Lawrie's appointment was occasioned by a variance between Governor Rudyard and Surveyor
* Leaming and Spicer, pp. 227-251. + Ib., pp. 252-278.
# Ib., pp. 168-170. Whitehead's E. J., pp. 99-100, 126, 7. Scot's Model, pp. 160-3.
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Groome, in relation to the proper course to be pursued in the allotment of lands. But this variance did not occur until after Lawrie's appointment. Groome was not suspended from his office until after July 24, 1683, at which time he was serving as Surveyor ; and Lawrie was appointed Dep. Governor not later than July 20. Groome's death occurred here soon after, as his will was admitted to probate, March 1, 1683 .*
It has, also, been affirmed, that the Associates of this town, " in the year 1675, or soon after, laid aside the pretension by Indian purchase and Nicholls's grant ; and continued peace- able and quiet inhabitants until the death of Carteret, and until the year 1699, except that in the year 1684, John Baker and some others of the Associates, endeavour'd to impose upon Governor Lowry, at his first Arrival in the country." It would seem that Rudyard had to do with some " tumultu- ous spirits," who still adhered to their old claims. So, also, it appears, from the first instructions given to Lawrie, who was directed to examine and determine the character of "the Patents and Grants of land given by Governor Nicholls which several seems to stand upon."
The same thing appears from the Address of Barclay and the other Proprietors, Feb. 29, 1682, to the Planters of the Province, in which they say :-
We must be plain to acquaint you, that we were not a little troubled, to find that there are too many dissatisfied and self-ended persons, among you whose indirect designs did quickly appear in seeking to subvert our just interest, that they might advance their own unwarrantable pretences, who we hope are in some measure rebuked by the disappointment of their vain expectations of the invalidity of our right and title to the govern- ment.
We have seen and considered yor Addresses, made to some of Our Num- ber upon their Arrivall, and hope that in a great Measure yor Desires therein are Answered, as to what Relates to the former Oppression you have been under, either from yo' Neighbours, or those who have hereto- fore Govern'd yo". But we find you lay that Stress upon your Purchase from the Indians web it will never beare, for wee would have you informed that thereby you have acquired noe Right but what is duly Confirmed by us or Our Legal Predecessors.
* E. J. Records, I. 122-5.
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Again, Nov. 13, 1684, they give Lawrie power,
To end all controversies and differences with the men of Neversinks, and Elizabeth-Town, or any other planters or persons whatsoever, con- cerning any pretended titles, or claim to land in the said Province: And we do hereby declare that we. will not enter into any treaty on this side, with any of those people who claims by Colonel Nicholls Patent, nor with any others that challenge land by Patents from the late Gov- ernor Carteret, as being both an affront to the government there and of evil consequence to make things to be put off by delays, and thereby hin- der the settlement of our affairs in the Province .*
It is perfectly evident, therefore, that the same claims were put forth by the town in respect to their rights of property, as in Carteret's time, and the same resistance was made to these claims by their Quaker rulers. The old planters never wavered in their conviction of the lawfulness and equity of their title, and never shrank from avowing and maintaining it. A second generation were now coming forward, in whom this conviction had "grown with their growth and strengthed with their strength." If possible, they were even more resolute than their fathers.
The General Assembly, at their sessions in December, 1683, had passed a stringent militia law, and an act for the appointment of a Chief Ranger in every County, to look after the estrays of the flocks and herds. Benjamin Parkis was, thereupon, appointed Captain ; George Ross, Lieutenant ; and John Woodruff, Ensign, of the E. Town Foot Company ; James Emott was made Chief Ranger; and Isaac White- head, Sen', Coroner of Essex Co. In their commissions, dated Dec. 3, 1683, they are all, with the exception of Emott, styled, " Gent." This law relative to the militia troubled the Quaker Proprietors not a little, especially " wherein power is given to the military officers to take distress upon defaulters ; which clause, (they say,) so far as it extends to the people called Quakers, who for conscience sake cannot bear arms, or contribute to the same, we do not confirm, but that the same is void to all intents and purposes, so far as it concerns them." + .
* E. T. Bill, pp. 43, 4. Leaming and Spicer, pp. 174, 188-190. E. J. Records, I. 140-50.
t Leaming and Spicer, pp. 262, 277, 281. E. J. Records, C., 57, 8, 65, 6.
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. The law against Sabbath-breaking, also, came into con- flict with their religious prejudices, and so they recommend- ed " a further consideration thereof, least it prove a burthen to some tender consciences who may find it their duty not only to testify against the Jewish superstitions, but also against some others in that point." *
Governor Lawrie, on his arrival in January 1682, occupied himself, for five weeks, in laying out the town lots of the new city of Perth, at the mouth of the Raritan ; "then came in a Boat, privately, to Elizabeth Town the 12th of February ; the next morning went to New York to visit the governour [Dongan]; staid there two or three days, and found him very kind." He then returned, about the 18th, to E. Town, and found the people "kind and courteous." On the 2Sth he published his commission before the Council and took the oath of office. Rudyard gracefully retired to the more humble station of Secretary of the Province ; but soon after, Aug. 1684, became Attorney General of the Prov- ince of New York. Groome had died a few weeks pre- viously, Phillip Welles having, since Aug. 1683, occupied his place as Dep. Surveyor. Wm. Haige, who with eight servants had accompanied Lawrie to this country, had re- ceived the appointment, July 22, 1683, of Receiver General. Lawrie also brought eight servants. Other servants, 22 in number, with two overseers, were sent over by the Pro- prietors. Wm. Dockwra brought over 24 servants ; Stephen and Thomas Warne, 11; and John Barclay, brother of the Governor, 5 servants.+
These servants were Scotch laborers, of the poorer classes. The most of them were under the necessity of leaving home, because of the terrible persecutions, to which, as Presby- terians, they had been subjected at the hands of the cruel Mackenzie and the bloody Claverhouse, minions of the crown. A large number came over in 1684,-" the killing time," as the Scotch called it. The most of these immi-
* Leaming and Spicer, p. 199.
+ Scot's Model, pp. 162, 8. E. J. Records, A. 154, 171 ; C. SI ; L. 9. N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 351, 2.
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grants were employed in and about Perth Amboy. Some of them found a home in E. Town-how many is not known. They were diffused through the Province, and proved a valuable acquisition, both as laborers, and as men of sterling principle. Many of them became planters and most respect- able members of society.
No sooner had Lawrie assumed the reins of government, than he wrote home a glowing account of the new country. Under date of March 2, 1682, he wrote to the proprietors from this town, as follows :--
Now is the time to send over people for settling Here. The Scots, and William Dockwra's people coming now and settling, advance the Province more than it hath been advanced these ten years. Here wants nothing but people ; There is not a poor body in all the province, nor that wants ; Here is abundance of provision, Pork and Beef, at 2d per pound. Fish and Fowl plenty, Oysters I think would serve all England ; Sider good and plenty, for 1d per Quart. Good Venison, plenty brought us in at 18d the quarter, Eggs at 3d per dozen, all things very plenty. Land very good as ever I saw : Wines, Walnuts, Peaches, Strawberries, and many other things plenty in the woods.
I have put two houses in repair upon the River, called the Point 2 miles from Elizabethtown ; have let one of them, with 10 acres of Pasture ground, and 10 acres of Woody ground, for 7 years at 26 lib per annum : the man to cleare the ten acres of Woody ground and make it fit for Ploughing or Pasture. I intend to let the other also with some land. All the houses were like to drop down, all the land lying without fence, and a barn quite fallen down and destroyed ; another without any cover, and that other next to the house where I dwell, all to pieces, and all the fences and out houses were down, but repaired before I came .*
A few days later, March 26, he gives a friend at London a more particular account of the country :
It is beyond what I expected. It is scituate in a good Aire, which makes it healthy, and there is great conveniency for travelling from place to place throw the Province in Boats, from a small canoe to vessels of 30, 40, or 50 Tuns, and in some places 100.
The soil is generally black, and in some places a foot deep, beareth great burthens of Corn, and Naturally bringeth forth English grass 2 years ploughing : the ground is tender, and the ploughing is very easie, the trees grow generally not thick, but some places 10, in some 15, in some 25
* Scot's Model, pp. 160-5.
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or 30 upon an Acre. This I find generally, but in some particular places there are 100 upon an Acre, but that is very rare : The trees are very tall and straight, the generall are Oak, Beech, Walnut : Chesnuts and Acorns lie thick upon the ground for want of eating, Peaches, Vines, Strawberries and many other sorts of Fruit grow commonly in the Woods. There is likewayes Gum tree, Cedar, White Wood, like our Fir tree; Walnuts, Chesnuts and others lye thick upon the ground.
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