USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. I > Part 11
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All servants of full age, coming into the province without indentures, or other agreements, were required to serve four years from the time the ship landed, and in order to ascertain the same, custom house officers were before appointed, and all under the age of twenty years who came without indentures, were required to be brought to the court within three months after their arrival in the district where the party resided, and the court was to fix the time of servitude.
Where personal estates were insufficient to pay a man's debts, the lands were required to pay it.
To encourage the building a saw mill, one thousand acres of land were required to be sold to William Frampton, to afford him sufficient land for that purpose, and even more, provided the governor and council should deem that quantity insufficient.
The better to settle and confirm the lands, six of the commis- sioners, with the governor, should (where there was occasion) make an inspection into such as should be taken up, and in case they found them legally located, they might, after public notice in the court, and there being no just reason to the contrary, confirm the same at the next court.
It was ordered that there be four courts held annually, at Bur- lington and Salem.
The governor was granted twenty pounds, the speaker five pounds, and the clerk five pounds, which was to be raised annu-
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ally by tax, as follows: nine pounds six shillings and eight pence by the Yorkshire, London, and Salem tenths, each, ard forty shillings by the third tenth, the whole being thirty pounds. This was to be delivered to Thomas Budd and Thomas Gardiner in skins, corn, or money, and the remainder of the two hundred pounds, formerly directed to be raised to defray the charges of government, to be collected from the other proprietors.
The representatives of West Jersey continued to be annually chosen, till the surrender of the proprietary government, in 1702 .* The council (who were ex-officio), justices of the peace, and therefore inferior offices of government, were chosen by them. The governor was appointed by the proprietors, who governed them by a deputy till the succeeding year, when the assembly, understanding that Byllinge, for some selfish rea- sons, was disposed to turn Jennings out, who had hitherto been deputy governor, to the general satisfaction of the people, they undertook, by their choice, to continue him governor of the province, pretending they had a right to do it, because, in the constitutions, power was given to six parts out of seven of the assembly to make such alterations for the public good (the laws of liberty, of conscience, of property, of yearly assemblies, of juries, and of evidence, excepted) as they found necessary ; and that no advantage might be taken of such judicial proceedings as had not been exactly agreeable to the concessions, they con- firmed and ratified them all.
About this time the settlers in many parts were distressed to obtain food. Several got the chief part of what they required to eat by the gun, but as powder and shot were scarce, it was at least a precarious supply. There were at this time many in- stances of their wants, and sometimes their supplies were re- ceived from unexpected sources. It is related of the family of John Hollinshead, who lived near Rankokas, that they were entirely unprovided with powder and shot, and were in con-
*In 1699 a law was passed for reducing the number of representatives to ten, for each of the counties of Burlington and Gloucester, five for Salem, and three for Cape May ; but as this occasioned dissatisfaction, it was repealed, and the number enlarged as formerly, being Burlington, twenty; Salem, ten; Gloucester, twenty ; and Cape May, five.
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sequence in great distress. Their youngest son, then a lad of only thirteen, in going through a corn field saw a turkey, and in throwing a stick at it to kill it, a second one came. He killed both of them and carried them home. Soon after, at the house of Thomas Enes, he saw a buck, and telling Enes, the latter set his dogs on it, who followed it to Rankokas creek, which was at that time frozen. The buck in running on the ice slid upon his side, whereupon the dogs seized it. Young Hollinshead then coming up with his knife at once jumped upon it. The buck rose with him on his back and sprung forward, his feet spreading apart slid him gently down on his belly, thereby giving Hollins- head a respite from danger, and an opportunity to kill him. By these means two families were supplied with food, which was a great satisfaction to them in their starving condition.
Sir George Carteret, sole proprietor of East Jersey, died in 1679, and by his will he ordered the province to be sold to pay his debts. This was accordingly done* by his widow and exe- cutors, by indenture of lease and release, bearing date the Ist and 2d of February, 1581-2, to William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyards, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Thomas Wilcox, of London, goldsmith, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorne, Clement Plumstead, and Thomas Cooper, who were thence called the twelve proprietors. In this year they published an account of the country, put · forth a fresh project for a town, as well as the methods of dis- posing of their lands.
The plan was a popular one, and gave great satisfaction, especially among the Scotch, from which nation a great many had already arrived in the province. This same year, and for some years succeeding, many more came, among them was
* The will is dated December 5th, 1678. He devised to Edward, Earl of Sandwich; John, Earl of Bath; Bernard Grenville, Sir Thomas Crew, Sir Robert Atkins, and Edward Atkins, Esq., and their heirs, among other lands, all his plantation of New Jersey, upon trust and confidence that they and the survivors and survivor of them, and the heirs and executors of the survivor of them should make sale of all the said premises, and out of the money that should upon such sale arise, pay and discharge debts, &c., as therein mentioned.
I
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George Keith, who was considered a very skillful business man, and who sometime afterwards became surveyor general.
These twelve proprietors did not long hold the province to themselves, but by particular deeds each took a partner, thereby adding twelve additional proprietors. They were after this time called the twenty-four proprietors. The twelve new pro- prietors were, James, Earl of Perth ; * John Drummond, Robert Barclay, Robert Gordon, Aarent Sonmans, Gawen Lawrie, Edward Byllinge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner, and Thomas Warne.
The grant made to these additional proprietors, by the Duke of York, of East New Jersey, bears date the 14th of March, 1682.
This was the Duke's third and last grant of East Jersey, and was more full and expressive than any previously given.
These proprietors published a brief account of the province of East Jersey, for the information of all such persons who are or may be inclined to settle themselves, families, and servants, in that country.
They set forth, that to say anything in praise or much in the description of a country so well known, would be needless. That the late accounts and descriptions of the adjacent countries, West Jersey and Pennsylvania, which are much of the same nature, &c., might suffice. But, considering that in foreign colonies, yea, here in England, every particular country has some excellency in soil, product, or situation, that may affect or delight many persons beyond the places adjacent. We may therefore, for the satisfaction of such, give some brief account thereof.
First. The province or colony lies between thirty-nine and forty-one degrees of latitude, being about twelve degrees more to the south than the city of London, and is bounded southeast by the main sea, east by that vast navigable stream called Hud- son's river, which divides this from the province of New York ; west by a line of division, which separates this province from West Jersey ; and north upon the mainland, and extends itself
* From whom Perth Amboy, or Amboy Perth, as it was then called, took its name.
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in length on the sea coast and along Hudson's river, one hun- dred English miles and upwards.
Second. The convenience of situation, temperature of air, and fertility of soil is such, that there is no less than seven consider- able towns, viz. : Shrewsbury, Middletown, Bergen, Newark, Elizabethtown, Woodbridge, and Piscataway, which are well inhabited by a sober and industrious people, who have necessary provisions for themselves and families, and for the comfortable entertainment of strangers and travellers, and this colony is experimentally found generally to agree with English constitu- tions.
Third. For navigation, it hath these advantages-not only to be situated along the navigable part of Hudson's river, but lies also fifty miles on the main sea, and near the midst of this province is that noted bay for ships, within Sandy Hook, very well known not to be inferior to any harbor in America, where ships not only harbor in greatest storms, but there ride safe with all winds, and sail in and out thence as well in winter as summer.
Fourth. For fishery, the sea banks there are very well stored with variety of fish, for not only such as are profitable for trans- portation, but such also as are fit for food there, as whales, codfish, cole and hake fish, large mackerel, and also many other sorts of flat and small fish. The bay also, and Hudson's river, are plentifully stored with sturgeon, great bass, and other scale fish, eels and shell fish, as oysters, &c., in great plenty and easy to take.
Fifth. This country is also plentifully supplied with lovely springs, rivulets, inland rivers and creeks, which fall into the sea and Hudson's river, in which is also much plenty and variety of fresh fish and water fowl.
Sixth. There is great plenty of oak timber fit for shipping, and masts for ships, and other variety of wood, like the adjacent colonies, such as chestnut, walnut, poplar, cedar, ash, fir, &c., fit for building within the country.
Seventh. The land or soil, (as in all other places, ) varies in goodness and richness, but generally fertile, and with much smaller labor than in England, it produceth plentiful crops of all sorts of English grain, besides Indian corn, which the English
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planters find not only to be of vast increase, but very wholesome and good in its use. It also produceth good flax and hemp, which they now spin and manufacture into linen cloth. There is sufficient meadow and marsh to their uplands, and the very barrens there, as they are called, are not like some in England, but produce grass fit for grazing cattle in summer season.
Eighth. The country is well stored with wild deer, conies, and wild fowl of several sorts, as turkies, pigeons, partridges, plover, quails, wild swans, geese, ducks, &c., in great plenty. It produceth variety of good and delicious fruits, as grapes, plums, mulberries, and also apricots, peaches, pears, apples, quinces, watermelons, &c., which are here in England planted in orchards and gardens ; these, as also many other fruits which come not to perfection in England, are the more natural pro- ducts of this country
Ninth. There is also already great store of horses, cows, hogs, and some sheep, which may be bought at reasonable prices with English moneys or English commodities, or man's labor, where money and goods are wanting.
Tenth. What sort of mines or minerals are in the bowels of the earth, after-time must produce, the inhabitants not having yet employed themselves in search thereof; but there is already a smelting furnace and forge set up in the colony, where is made good iron, which is of great benefit to the country.
Eleventh. It is exceedingly well furnished with safe and con- venient harbors for shipping, which is of great advantage to that country, and affords already, for exportation, great plenty of horses, and also beef, pork, pipe staves, boards, bread, flour, wheat, barley, rye, Indian corn, butter, and cheese, which they export for Barbadoes, Jamaica, Nevis, and other adjacent islands, as also to Portugal, Spain, the Canaries, &c. Their whale oil and whale fins, beaver, mink, raccoon, and martin skins (which this country produceth) they transport for England.
Twelfth. The situation and soil of this country may invite many who are inclined to transport themselves into those parts of America, for-
Ist. Being considerably peopled, and situate on the sea coast, with convenient harbors, and so near adjacent to the province
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of New York and Long Island, being also well peopled colonies, may be proper for merchants, tradesmen, and navigators.
2d. It is likewise proper for such as are inclined to fishery, the whole coast and very harbor mouths being fit for it.
3d. Its soil is proper for all industrious husbandmen, and who, by hard labor here, on rack rents, are scarcely able to maintain themselves, much less to raise any estate for their chil- dren, may, with God's blessing on their labors, there live com- fortably, and provide well for their families.
4th. For carpenters, bricklayers, masons, smiths, millwrights, and wheelwrights, bakers, tanners, tailors, weavers, shoemakers, hatters, and all or most handicrafts, where their labor is much more valued than in these parts, and provisions cheaper.
Thirteenth. They also set forth that the Indian nations are but few compared with the neighboring colonies, and are far from being formidable or injurious to the planters and inhabit- ants, but are really serviceable and advantageous to the English, not only in hunting and taking the deer and other wild creatures, and catching fish and fowl for food, but in the killing and destroying of bears, wolves, foxes, and other vermin and peltry, whose skins and fur they bring to the English, and sell at less price than the value of the time the Englishman must spend to take them himself.
They then recite the constitution made in 1664, in the time of Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret late proprietors, setting forth the wholesome and liberal provisions made for lib- erty in the matters of religion, and property in the estates.
They then set forth, if the Lord permit, that they intend to erect and build one principal town, which, by reason of situa- tion, must in all probability be the most considerable for mer- chandise, trade, and fishery in those parts. It is designed to be. placed upon a neck or point of rich land, called Ambo point, lying on Raritan river, and pointing to Sandy Hook bay, and adjacent to the place where ships in that great harbor commonly ride at anchor.
2. The same privileges were allowed for the encouragement of servants, as was provided in the first concessions.
3. Those who desired to purchase lands there, or on quit
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rents, should have grants to them and their heirs, on moderate and reasonable terms.
4. Those who desired to transport themselves before pur- chasing, they would find the terms of purchasing so moderate as to induce them to purchase and settle.
The passage to the province (as the ships run as well in winter as summer, Sandy Hook bay being never frozen), was five pounds per head for masters or servants who are above ten years of age; all under ten, and not children at the breast, pay fifty shillings; sucking children pay nothing. Carriage of goods was usually forty shillings per ton, and sometimes less.
The proprietors at this time were William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Thomas Willcocks, Ambrose Rigg, John Heywood, Hugh Harts- horne, Clement Plumsted, and Thomas Cooper. This was before the twelve additional proprietors were taken in.
The following were the proposals for building the town of Ambo Point :
Forasmuch as Ambo Point is a sweet, wholesome, and delight- ful place, proper for trade, by reason of its commodious situa- tion, upon a safe harbor, being likewise accommodated with a navigable river, and fresh water, and hath by many persons of the greatest experience and best judgment, been approved for the goodness of the air, soil, and situation :
We, the proprietors, purpose, by the help of Almighty God, with all convenient speed, to build a convenient town for mer- chandise, trade, and fishery on Ambo Point, and because per- sons that hath a desire to plant there may not be disappointed for want of proposals, we, the proprietors, offer these following :
Ist. We intend to divide fifteen hundred acres of land upon Ambo Point into one hundred and fifty lots, to consist of ten acres to the lot, one hundred to be sold in England, and the balance to be reserved for those in America that desired to settle upon them.
2d. The price of each lot was fifteen pounds sterling to those who purchased before the 25th of December, 1682 ; and to such as purchased afterwards, before the 25th of December, 1683, twenty pounds sterling.
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3d. Every lot was to be equally divided, according to the quality of the land, and its situation.
4th. The most convenient spot of ground for a town, was to be divided into one hundred and fifty equal shares, and laid out into streets, according to the rules of art.
5th. Four acres were reserved for a market place, town house, &c., and three acres for public wharfage.
6th, Each purchaser was obliged to build a dwelling-house, and to clear three acres of upland in three years, and upon failure the property was to go back to the proprietors, they repaying the purchase money.
7th. The proprietors were within one year each to build him- self a house upon Ambo Point, which should stand in an orderly manner, according to the best and most convenient model.
8th. To encourage carpenters, joiners, brick, and tile makers, bricklayers, masons, sawyers, and laborers of all sorts, they obligated to find them work, and current pay for the same, in money, or clothes, and provision, according to the market price at New York, during one year at least after the 25th of Decem- ber, 1682, and they were to pay no rent for the land they occu- pied, so long as they were employed in the proprietors' work.
The province of East New Jersey being now well settled for the time, its situation reduced to a general view, from the accounts then published by Secretary Nicholls, of New York, appears to be thus :
Shrewsbury, near Sandy Hook, adjoining the river or creek of that name, was already a township consisting of several thousand acres, with large plantations contiguous. The number of inhab- itants at this time was computed to be about four hundred. Lewis Morris, of Barbadoes, had iron works and other consider- able improvements here.
Middletown at this time was supposed to consist of about one hundred families. Several thousand acres was alloted for the town, and several thousand for plantations surrounding it. John Bowne, Richard Hartshorne, and Nicholas Davis, had each well improved settlements here. A court of sessions was held two or three times a year for Middletown and Piscataway, and their jurisdictions.
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Several plantations were settled on the north side of Raritan river, below Piscataway. There were also several settlements higher up above the falls, among which were John Palmer, of Staten Island ; Thomas Codrington, John Robinson, Messrs. White & Company, and Edsal & Company, of New York ; and Capt. Corsen, also had settlements. Some land was likewise located by Millstone river, up the Raritan, and supposed to be near the division line.
Woodbridge at this time had several improved plantations in it, and the surrounding country. Deplairs, the surveyor gen- eral, took up land and settled there. This town was con- sidered of greater consequence than the others, being incor- porated by royal charter, and here a court-house and prison were built. They numbered about one hundred and twenty families, and in the town and plantations around, many thousand acres. There were several plantations on the north side of the river that divided Elizabethtown and Woodbridge. At the entrance of the creek on the north side, called Carteret's Point, and north of Staten Island, there were other plantations, extending from Elizabethtown to the bounds of New York. Within the Elizabethtown claim, was a partnership settlement between Sir George Carteret and the governor, Philip Carteret. The latter had built a house and resided there. The town at this time consisted of about one hundred and fifty families.
On the north of Milford or Newark river, (called Second river,) was a large tract belonging to Kingsland and Sanford. Higher up the river, another belonging to Capt. Berrie, who divided it ; several plantations were soon settled upon it.
Still further up the river was an island which belonged to Christopher Hoogland, of Newark. Above this island was a large tract owned by Jacques Cartelayne, and others, who made some settlements there. These were in the jurisdiction of Newark.
Newark at that time was said to be a compact town, consisting of about one hundred families.
Near the mouth of the bay, upon the side of Overprook creek, adjacent to Hackensack river, several of the rich valleys were settled by the Dutch, and near Snakehill was a fine plantation
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owned by Pinhorne and Eickne, for half which it is said Pin- horne paid five hundred pounds. On Hackensack river there were other settlements, and on a creek near the river, Sarah Kiersted, of New York, had a tract presented to her by an old Indian Sachem, for services in interpreting between the Indians and Dutch. On this tract there were settled several families. John Berrie, also had a large plantation two or three miles above the tract of Mrs. Kiersted; he lived there and had made con- siderable improvements upon it. His son-in-law, Smith, lived near him, as well as a man by the name of Baker, from Barba- does. They had considerably improved their plantations. On the west side of the creek, opposite to Berrie's, there were other plantations, but none north of them.
At Bergen Point (called Constable's Hook), there was a con- siderable settlement, which was first improved by Samuel Edsall, in Nicholls' time. Other small plantations were improved on Bergen Neck to the east, between the point and a small village of twenty families. Further along, there were sixteen or eighteen families ; and opposite New York, about forty families had located. South of this settlement, a few families had settled together, at a place called the Duke's Farm, in honor of the Duke of York, and further up the country was a place called Hobuck,* which was formerly owned by a Dutch merchant, who, in the Indian wars with the Dutch, had his wife, children, and servants murdered by the Indians, and his house and stock destroyed, t but the place was now settled again, and they had erected a mill there.
Along the river side, to the north, the lands were settled by William Lawrence, Samuel Edsall, and Captain Bienfield. At · Haversham, near the Highlands, Governor Carteret had taken up two large tracts, one for himself, the other for Andrew Cam- pyne and company. These tracts were at this time (16S2) but little improved.
The plantations on both sides of the neck, to its utmost extent, as also those at Hackensack, were at this time under the
* Hoboken.
t There were frequent wars or skirmishes between the Dutch and Indians.
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jurisdiction of the town of Bergen, and situated about the middle of the neck. A court was held there by selectmen or overseers, comprising four or more in number, as was thought best by the people. These selectmen were chosen annually, to try small causes. This practice had been adopted in all the towns, upon their first settlement. Two courts of sessions were also held here annually, and from which, if the cause exceeded twenty pounds, the party had the right of appeal to the gov- ernor, council, and court of deputies or assembly.
Bergen being a compact town, fortifications had been erected against the incursions of the Indians. It contained about seventy families, the principal part of whom were Dutch. Some of these had resided there upwards of forty years.
There were supposed to be at this time about seven hundred families, who had made permanent settlements in the towns of East Jersey, which, computing five to a family, would make the inhabitants about three thousand five hundred, and the planta- tions outside were supposed to contain half as many more.
Philip Carteret continued to be governor of East Jersey after the quintipartite division, till about the year 1681 .* His coun- cil, in 1668, consisted of six persons: Nicholas Verlet, Daniel Pierce, Robert Bond, Samuel Edsall, Robert Vanquellin, and William Pardon.
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