History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 2

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 2
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 2

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Possession was given, and the trees in each hook of the tract were marked with the initials of Werckhoven. The land thus described included the region west of Staten Island, from the Raritan to the Passaie Rivers, and extended back into the country indefinitely.3

Three other tracts, one to the sonth of the Raritan, and two on Long Island, were purchased for the same good old Dutchman, with the hope of large gains from each. But objection having been made on the part of other as greedy speculators against the ac- cumulation of so much territory in the hands of one owner, the case was referred to the Amsterdam Chamber, who decided that Van Werckhoven could retain but one of the tracts in question. He chose to locate himself on Long Island, and so commenced there the colony of New Utrecht, so named from his native city in Holland. The title to the land above described reverted, therefore, to the original owners.4

1 Now Amboy, the city of Perth Amboy.

2 East Jersey Records, lib. i. 9.

s Hatfield's Elizabetlı. Ibid.

CHAPTER II.

ATTEMPTS TO COLONIZE ACHTER KULL UNDER THE DUTCH RULE.

THE lands about Achter Kull and on the Raritan attracted the attention of people in New England and on Long Island, and desiring to found an Eng- lish colony there, they applied to Governor Stuyve- sant for a grant of land. The circumstances which led to the application were these : Certain New Eng- landers from the colony of New Haven, living on the poor and barren soil of Long Island, where they could scarcely gain a subsistence, were desirous of ex- changing their situation for the more promising lands of this section of New Jersey. They may also have been actuated by political reasons. Charles IT. had been restored to the throne of England, May 29, 1660, and it was but natural that the people of New England, who under the Protectorate had enjoyed the utmost freedom in the administration of their civil affairs, should feel some misgiving as to the se- curity of their rights and liberties. They had, indeed, good reason to apprehend a serious conflict with the new government, and it was with extreme reluctance, especially on the part of the colonists of New Haven, among whom republican sentiments had been most fully developed, that they consented to proclaim the new monarch and to congratulate him on his acces- sion to the throne. It was at this time that the thoughts of the people of Connecticut began to turn to the more liberal Dutch government of New Neth- erland, and some of them, together with their friends who had crossed the Sound and settled on Long Island, began to negotiate with Governor Stuyvesant for lands at Achter Kull, on Newark Bay. The first of these was John Stricklan (Strickland), a resident of Huntingdon, on Long Island, who, in behalf of himself and a number of other New England people, addressed the following letters to Capt. Bryan New- ton, one of Governor Stuyvesant's Council, by whom they were duly presented to the director-general :

" WORTHY SIR: after my due respects presented vnto you these few lines ar to request a keindness of you. taking you to be my spetiall frend, and know no other like your selff to intrust in such a Case as this : the thing I dezier and sous others with me is this : that you woulde be pleased to take the first and moste sutable oppertunity to speake with the honered goueruor, drziring him to resolve you in these particulars first. whither or no, that place vpon the mayne land which is called Arther Cull be free from any ingagements: secondly if free: then whither or no he will be plesed to grant it to a Company of honest men that may dezier to sit donne ther to make a plantasion vnder his gouer- ment and that you would be pleased having so done to return an answer by the first. which we shall waight for, and having incoragemeut we shall forthwith adres our selnes to treat further with him aboute the mitter thus not doubting of your faithfulluess herin I take leaue and rest youts tu Commande

" JOHN STICKLIN

"from Huntington february 15th 1660.

"lett me iutreate you to send the answer to Samuwell Mathies at Rus- dorpe, that it maye be conveied to me in safety : and that you woulde be pleased that it may be kept secret honeuer it goe.

"Sr if you can wth convenience I would intreate you to, send me an auswer by ye bearer of this, all convement speede being requisite."

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY

The second letter follows :

" WORTHY SIR: nfter my due respects prsented vnto you, these few lines ar to intreate a Courtesi of you, that yon woulde be plened to speake with the honered gouerner, and loide Stenenson. to know of him if that place which is called Arther Coll be free lo he disposed of, and whither or no he will gine incoragement to a Company of the inglish nasion there to settle themselves, if vpun n vew made they shall take satisfac- tion. and when you know his m.inde herin. that you woulde be pleased to return me a few wordes in answer by this bearer samwell mathews, and accordingly my selff with sum other frends, whoe have an , that waye will address our selves: I shall trubble you no furder at pesant, but to intrente you to pardon my bowlduess and so rest your loving frend to comand

" JOHN STIKLAND from huntington Aprill 29: 166t."

These letters were received by the director-general and Council of New Netherland at a very opportune time, for their High Mightinesses, the Dutch rulers, had decided upon the policy of inviting Republicans disaffected on account of the restoration of the Eng- lish monarchy, both in Old and New England, to come and settle in their dominions, where they could enjoy the utmost civil and religious freedom. In the spring of 1661 a proclamation was issued to "all Christian people of tender conscience, in England or elsewhere oppressed, to erect colonies anywhere within the jurisdiction of Petrus Stuyvesant, in the West Indies, between New England and Virginia, in America." A charter of "Conditions and Privileges" of a very liberal character had been drawn up by the West India Company, and approved Feb. 14, 1661.

On the 2d of June following Mr. Strickland received a favorable answer to his application, of which the following is a translation :

"The preceding requests being delivered to Capt". Lieutenant Brian Nuton, and being by him communicated to the Honble Director Gen- eral and by his Exelly delivered to the Council, it is after question put resolved to give said Capu, Lieutenant for Answer, that he may let the Petitioners know that they may freely come to look at the indicated parcel of land, and if they like it, that further disposition would then be lund on their application and proposal. This 2 June, 1661."1

In this same month of June the General Court of Connecticut instructed their Governor, John Win- throp, to proceed to England and procure from the king a charter for the colony, to include the whole territory " eastward to Plymouth line, northward to the limits of Massachusetts Colony, westward to the Bay of Delaware, and also the islands contiguous." The object of this was to include the whole of Con- necticut in one strong colony, under as liberal a charter as could be procured from the king; but the proposition excited in the colony of New Haven no little opposition and indignation, several of the magis- trates chosen under the charter declining to take the prescribed oath. It is not strange, therefore, that the liberal proposals of the Dutch government, just then made public, should have met with a warm reception in New Haven and the adjacent towns. A deputa- tion was sent to New Amsterdam to make further in- quiry, and to ascertain the character of the lands to be settled. The situation proved more desirable than

had been anticipated. The deputation was so " cour- teously entertained" and made so favorable a report of the country as to induce Benjamin Fenn and Robert Treat, magistrates of Milford, Dr. Jasper Gunn, one of the deacons of the church of Milford, and Mr. Richard Law, one of the magistrates of Stamford, all of them of the New Haven jurisdiction, and originally from Weathersfield, on the Connecticut, to come down in November, 1661, with full powers to nego- tiate with Governor Stuyvesant for the settlement of a plantation in these parts, " within the limits of the company's jurisdiction behind Staten Island, about the Raritan River."

This attempt to effect a settlement failed on account of one condition which the director-general and Council at New Amsterdam were unwilling to con- cede. The New Haven people wanted an absolutely independent community, with all the rights and privileges of self-government. Among the conditions insisted upon by them were liberty to gather a church in the Congregational way, such as they had enjoyed in New England about twenty years past ; the right of calling a Synod by the English Churches that might be gathered in New Netherland for the regulation of their ecclesiastical affairs; the right to administer justice in civil matters within themselves by magis- trates of their own selection, without appeal to other authorities ; the purchase of the lands by the Dutch government from the natives, and a full conveyance thereof to the associates forever, none to be allowed to settle among them except by their own consent; the right to collect debts, and a written charter stip- ulating these rights in full."

All these conditions were freely granted by the director-general and Council, except the concession of self-government without appeal. This the Gov- ernor was unwilling to grant, as it would confer upon the proposed colony greater liberty than was enjoyed by the other towns and settlements of New Nether- land. The delegation insisting upon the fullest con- cession of popular rights, and the Governor firmly resisting the demand, the conference was broken off, but was renewed in March, 1662, with the same re- sult. The matter was then referred to the directors at Amsterdam, who reported March 26, 1663, saving they would have been pleased could the settlement have been made, inasmuch as it would "serve as a bulwark to our nation against the savages on the Raritan and Minisink." The chamber directed Stuy- vexant to insist on retaining appellate jurisdiction in certain criminal cases, but to treat with the English on such terms as in his opinion were best adapted to promote the welfare of the State and its subjects. Although negotiations were resumed in June, 1663, it does not appear that any satisfactory result was ar- rived at so long as the country was under the juris-

1 Albany Records, ix. 639, 641-43. O'Callaghan'e New Netherland, ii. 446.

2 ()'Callaghan, N. Netl., ii. 4478. Allany Records, ix 897, 899, 907 : x. 73, 77. Ilutfield's Ilist. Elizabeth, 24, 25.

FIRST ENGLISH SETTLEMENT AT ELIZABETH TOWN.

diction of the Dutch. Later in 1663 occurred the revolt against the Dutch government by the English people of Long Island, who placed themselves under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. " Early in December a party of twenty Englishmen from Jamaica, Flush- ing, and Gravesend proceeded in Stoffel Elsworth's sloop to the Raritan River, with the intention of pur- chasing a plantation from the Indians. But the de- sign was frustrated by an armed party under com- mand of Capt. Kregier, sent out for the purpose by Governor Stuyvesant in the company's yacht." 1

No further attempts appear to have been made to settle this part of the country till after the English conquest of 1664.

Events, however, had been shaping for several years which changed very materially the aspects of colonial affairs. Charles II. had for some time after his accession to the throne meditated the reduction of the American colonies to a state of immediate de- pendence on the crown and the extension of his power along the whole coast of North America. He was ready to embrace the first opportunity, therefore, that might offer for extending his jurisdiction over the coveted territory. "The Company of Royal Ad- venturers of England trading with Africa," more commonly known as " The Royal African Company," had just been chartered (Jan. 10, 1663), with the Duke of York as their president. They were nothing more nor less than slave-traders. In the prosecution of their nefarious traffic they had been greatly an- noyed and very seriously damaged by the powerful and monopolizing West India Company of the United Provinces. Early in the following year, therefore, an expedition was secretly sent out by the Royal Af- rican Company against the African possessions of the Dutch Company, the two countries being at peace.2 In order the more successfully to compete with the Dutch and to cripple them in their rivalry, the duke sought and obtained from his royal brother, Charles II., March 22, 1664, a grant of Long Island, and of all the land from the west side of Connecticut River to the east side of Delaware Bay, the province of Sagadahock, in what is now the State of Maine, and the islands along the coast of New England, together with the right of government or sovereignty, thus including not only the Dutch province of New Neth- erland, but a large part of the territory given by royal patent less than two years previously to the colony of Connecticut. The duke, as lord high ad- miral, had control of the royal navy. An expedition was immediately fitted out, consisting of four ships of war, under command of Col. Richard Nicolls, a faithful adherent of the royal family, to whom the duke gave a commission to serve as his deputy gov- ernor within the whole grant. With him were asso- ciated also Sir Robert Carr, Knight, George Cart- wright, Esq., and Samuel Maverick, Esq., as royal

1 1latfield'e llist. Elizabeth, p. 26. Whitehead's E. Jersey, p. 177. 2 Brodhead's New York, i. 735.

commissioners to visit the colonies, with plenary powers to adjust disputes, appeals, and complaints of every description and provide for the public welfare, looking well, of course, to the rights of the crown.

On Friday, August 29th, the fleet cast anchor in the outer bay of New Amsterdam. The next day orders were sent for the surrender of Manhattan. After various negotiations, protracted through the following week, the terms of capitulation were agrecd upon on Saturday, August 27th, and on the following Monday the Dutch authorities surrendered the town and fort to the English, who immediately took pos- session. New Amsterdam became New York, in honor of the duke, and Fort Amsterdam, Fort James. Nicolls was proclaimed deputy governor, and the people quietly submitted to the sway of the conquer- ors. A few weeks sufficed to bring the whole province of New Netherland into subjection, and to give the control of the whole coast, from Maine to the Caro linas, to the crown of Great Britain.

CHAPTER III.

FIRST ENGLISH SETTLEMENT AT ELIZABETH TOWN.

The Patent Granted .- Immediately upon the as- sumption of the government by Col. Nicolls, the attention of those settlers who had several years be- fore sought a removal to Achter Kull, west of Staten Island, was directed again to this inviting region. An association was at once formed, and several of their number departed to go down to New York and se- cure of the Governor liberty to purchase and settle a plantation. Four weeks had scarcely elapsed since the surrender when we find them presenting the fol- lowing petition :

" To the Right honourable Col. Richard Nicholls Esqr Governour of New-York, &c. The Humble peticôn of us subscribed sheweth :

" That several of us Yor Peticoners being Intended formerly to have purchased and setled a plantation upun ye River called after-cull River before Yor arival into these parts: our Intentions, notwithstanding our making some way with the Indians & Charges & Expences about the premisses, was obstructed by the then Ruling Dutch. And some of us by Reason of not having any Accommodations here were put upon thoughts of Removing into some other of his Majesties Dominions: but now upon this Yor happy arival and the Decease of the Duch Interest, we would Gladly proceed in the Design afforesd. In order whereunto, we make bold wth all humility to petition to Yor Honor that you would Grant us liberty to purchas and setle a parcel of land to Improve our labour upon on the River I.efore mentioned, and some of us being Desti- tute of habitations where we are, we crave Your Answer with as much Expedition as may be. we humbly Take our leaves at Present and sub- scribe Yor Honors to command.

" John Bailles

" Daniel Denton

"from Jemaico commonly so called Septr 26, 1664.

" Thomas Benydiek

" Nathanel Denton " John Foster " Luke Watson."

The application received the prompt attention of the new Governor, and the paper was presently re- turned with the following indorsement :

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

"Upon Perusal of this Peticôn, I Do Consent unto the proposala and Shall Give the undertakera all Dua Encouragement in ao Good a work. Given under my hand in fort James, this 30th of Septem" 1664. " RICHARD NICOLLS."1

Having thus secured the Governor's warrant for their enterprise, "the undertakers" made speedy ar- rangements for a conference with the native owners of the soil. Capt. John Baker, of the city of New York, it is said, was employed as the English and Dutch interpreter, and one of the natives as the In- dian and Dutch interpreter. The conference was held at Staten Island, where the chief sagamores of the Indians then lived, and resulted satisfactorily to all the parties. A tract of land was purchased, for which the following deed was given :

" This Indenture made The 28th Day of October In the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord Charles By The Grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King Defender of the faith, &c. Between Mattano Manamowaouc and Cowascoman of Staten Island of the one part and John Bayly, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson of Jamaica In Long Island Husband Men on the other part Witnesseth That the said Mattano Manamowaone and Coescomen hath clearly Bargained and Sold to the said John Bayly, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson, Their Associates their heirs and Exacurs Ona parcel of Land bounded on the South By a River commonly called The Raritana River And on the East by the River web Parts Staten Island and The Main, and To Run Northward up after cull Bay. Till we come att the first River wch aetta westward out of the said Bay aforesaid And To Run weat Into the Conntery Twice the Length as it Is Broad from the North to The Sonth of the aforementioned Bounds, Together with the Lands, Meadows, wooda, waters, feilda, fenns, fishings, fowlings, wth all and Singular the Appurtenances, wtb All Guines, Profitts, and advantagea ariaing upon tha aaid Lands and all other the premises and appartenancea To the Said John Bayly, Daniel Dantoo, and Luke Watson wtb Their Associ atea, wtb their and Every of their Heirs Executors Admiare or Assignea for Ever To hure and To hold Tha said Lands with the Appurtenances To the said John Bayly, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson with their Asso- ciate their Executa Assignes, And The aaid Mattauno Manomowaunc covenant promise Grant and Agree To and wtb the auid John Bayly, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson and their Associates their heira and Exacura To Keep them Safe in the Enjoyment of the Said Lands from all Expulsion and Incombrances whatsoever may arise of the Said Land. By Any person or persons By Reason of Any Title had or Growing ba- fora the Date of these presents, for which Bargain, Sale, Covenants, Grants & Agreements on the behalf of the ed Matteno manamowouc and Codescomen to be performed, Observed and Done the foresd parties Ara at their Enttery upon the Said Land To pay To the sd Matteno Man- amowoac and Conaacoman, Twenty fathom of Trading Cloath, Two made Coats, Two Guns Two Kettles Ten Bars of Lead Twenty Handfula of powder, And further the ad Johan Baily Daniel Denton and Luke watson Do Covenant Promisa Grant and Agree to and with the sd Mattano Mao- amowoane and Codescoman the foresd Indians four hundred fathom of white wampotu after a Years Expiration from the Day of the said John Bayly Daniel Denton and Luke watson Entery upon ye said Lands. In witness whereof wa have hereunto put our hands and seals, the Day and Yaar aforesaid.

" The Mark of Mattano " Tha Mark of Sewak heronea N

" The Mark of Warinanco

"Signed Sealed and Delivered in the praence of na witnessas " CHARLES HORSLEY

" The Mark of

"RANDAL R HEWETT. "2

Having thus made, in good faith, of the native pro- prietors a fair and equitable purchase of the desired

1 E. Town Book, B, oth. end, 14. E. Town Bill in Chancery, 25.

2 E. Town Book, B., oth. end, 10-11. E. Town Bill in Chancery, pp. 25-6. Aos, to do., p. 7. Graots, Concessiona, &c., pp. 669-671. The whole cost and charges ware estimated by Secretary Bollen at more than £154.

territory, and procured a carefully-worded deed of the said purchase, the Associates proceeded to submit the transaction to Governor Nicolls, from whom presently afterwards they obtained an official confirmation of their title by grant in due form, as follows :

" To all To whom These presents ahall come, I Richard Nicolla Eaqr Governour under his Royal Highness ye Duke of York of all his Terri- tories In america send Greeting Whereus there is a parcel of Land wthin my Government which hath Been purchased of Mattano Manamowaouc and Couesccoman of Staten Island By John Bay ly Daniel Denton & Luka watson of Jemaico In Long laland for a Consideration Express'd In a Certain Deed of Indenture Bearing date the 28th day of October Last, wherein tha auid parcel of Land was made over noto tha said John Bayly Daniel Denton and Luke watson and their Associates, their and Every of their heira Execute admin" or Assigna for Ever Ha In the said Deed, Re- lacón being thereunto had mora fully und at Large Doth and may appear, Now To the End tha said Lands may the avouer ba planted Inbatted and manured I have thought fit to Give Confirme and Grant and by these p'sent Do Give Confirme and Grant unto Capt John Baker of new Yorke. John Ogden of North-hampton, John Baily and Luke watson of Jemaico on Long Island and their Associates thair heira Execut admium and aa- aigns the said parcell of Land Bounded on the South By a River com- monly called the Raritans River-On the East by ye sea whoh partes Staten Island and the main, to Run northwarda up after cull Bay Till you come to the first River web sets westwarda out of the Sd Bay And To Run west Into the Countery Twice the Length of the Breadth thereof from the North to the South of the aforementioned Bounds. Together with all Lands, Meadows Pastures woods waters, feilds fenna fishings fowling with all and singular the appurtenances, with all Guinea Profits and advantages arising or that shall arise upon the sd Landa and premises To have and to hold tha ad Lands and appurtenances To tha 6ª Capt John Baker, John Ogden John Bayly and Luke watson and their Associates their heirs Execer admin and assigna forever, Rendering and paying Yearly unto his Royal Highness The Duke of Yorke or hia assigns a cer- tain Rent according To the customary Rate of ye Countery for New Planta- tions and Dung and prforming such Acts & Things na aball be appointed by his said Ruyal highness or his Deputy, and The ad Capt John Baker John Ogden John Bayly & Luke watson and Their Associates their heirs Execurs admin" and assigos are To Take Care and Charge of ye ad Landa And prmisses That People ba carried thither with all convenient speed for the setting of plantacons thereon and that nona have Libertie so To Do without the Consent and Approbation of ye od Capt John Baker John Ogdan John Bayly and Luke watson and Their Asavciates Except they shall neglect their Planting theraof according To The trua Intent and meaning of These prsents, and I Do Likewise promise and Grant that the persona so Inhabiting and planting the Landa and premises nforsd ahall have Equal freedom Immunities and privileges with any of his Maties sub- jects In any of his Colutys of America. And the &d Capt John Baker John Ogden John Baily and Luke watson and their Associates have Libertia tu purchase of the Natives (or Others who have the proprietir thereof) as farre as Soaka Inll to the End and purposes aforesa-In witness whereof I have hareunto aet my hand and seal this first Day of December in the sixteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovoraigo Lord Charles The Second By the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Irreland Defender of the faith &c. at fort James In New York ou the Island of manbafana.

" RICHARD NICOLLS.113

At or about the same time Governor Nicolls drew up and published certain proposals by which property in lands might be acquired in any of the unoccupied territories of the Duke of York in America, as follows :

"The Conditions for New Plantars, in the Territories of his Royal Highness the Duke of York.

" The Purchasea are to ba made from the Indian Sachems, and to ba Recorded brfora tha Governour.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 2

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224