COLONIAL HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY

Subject

Date

Significance

Comment

Period before English control
New Netherland
New Sweden
New Albion Colony

The Wikipedia entry for the Colonial History of New Jersey and for the Province of New Jersey

The first colonization (or scattered occupation) of what is now New Jersey was by the Dutch moving across the Hudson to Bergen to establish trading posts. From 1624 to 1664 the area was claimed as part of New Netherland and the Directors at New Amsterdam (New York) claimed control as representtives of the Dutch West India Company. New Netherland was a private business venture focused on the fur trade. But with its wonderful harbor and access deep into the interior by river, New Amsterdam rapidly expanded. This was aided by governor Stuyvesant who welcomed immigrants from anywhere and everywhere with full freedom of religion.. When the English took New Amsterdam from the Dutch in 1664, the Duke of York also gave proprietorships to the territory between Maryland and New York to two of his friends. Sir George Careret and Sir John Berkeley. Later, they sold their patent to two groups of investors who divided the area into East and West New Jersey. The two provinces were separate from 1674 to 1702. West Jersey was largy Quaker due to the proximity of Pennsylvania. Thus many of its settlers were Quakers from England, Scotland and Ireland. Many of East Jersey's settlers came from other colonies including New England, Long Island and the West Indies. In 1702 the two sections were merged back into one colony by Queen Anne with a royal governor. Until 1738 the Province of New Jersey had the same governor as New York. The provincial governor was still an appointed officer until 1776. After that New Jersey was one of the original 13 colonies and the third colony to ratify the Constitution. It became a state on 18 December 1787, And on 20 November 1789 itwas teh first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.

For much of its history from the founding of the Dutch colony to the Revolution New Jersey either was part of New Netherland of at least had the same governor as New York. Here is a link to the article on New York.

New Netherland was the colonial province of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands and the Dutch West India Company. The company claimed the territory along the eastern coast of North America from the Delmarva Penninsula to southwestern Cape Cod. Its settled areas included parts of now New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.The Provincial capital was New Amsterdam. It was planned to be a private business venture to condust the fur trade. But its ideal location enabled it to expand in population dramatically as a major port. The colonial leader was known as Director or Director-General.

He was the director of the Dutch West India Company governing their colony at New Amsterdam (1624 - 1625). He built Fort Nassau near Timber Creek and Camden to ward off French efforts and placed some Walloon families to settle at (present day) Gloucester. Cape May is named for him. But this settlement gradually declined.

He was governor from 1625 to 1626. He began construction of Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan Island and Fort Wilhelmus on the Delaware River. He was so unpopular that he was quickly recalled.

He was governor from 1626 to 1631. He bought Manhattan Island from the Native Indians in 1628 and continued Fort Nassau on the Delaware River.

He was governor in 1632 - 33.

He was governor from 1633 to 1638. He was only a Dutch company warehouse clerk but via family connections with the Rensselaer family was appointed govenor. He bought Governor's Island from the Canarsee. He lost the colony claim in Connecticut but managed to push back the English from Virginia attempting to move into the Delaware River valley.

He was governor from 1638 - to 1647. He launched a surprise attack against the Lenape Indians in New Jersey that resulted in the massacres during Kieft's War. He was relieved by the company and drowned during a shipwreck on the way back to Holland

He defended against the Susquehannock Indians during the Peach Tree War. He chartered Bergen (now Jersey city) in 1660. He gained the victory in war against the Lenape and Esopus Indians. First Esopus War In 1664 he was forced to surrender New Netherland to the British in the Second Anglo - Dutch War

Governors of New Sweden

New Sweden was a colony along the Delaware River that included territory in present day Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. After being discharged by the Duth West India Company Peter Minuit returned to Germany and organized a new colonial effort by the Swedish government (Willem Usselincx, Samuel Blommaert). The Swedes were hoping to create an agricultural colony to grow tobacco and also trade for fur in order to bypass the French and English merchants. Their New Sweden company and Kalmar Nyckel near present-day Wilmington, Delaware in spring 1638. At that time Willem Kieft was still Director of New Netherland and objected to the Swedish colony, but Minuit paid no attention. He build Fort Nya Elfsborg, near present-day Salem, New Jersey in 1643.

He was governor in 1638 from arrival in March and departed in June to recruit a second set of settlers. But he died during a hurricane in the Caribbean in August.

A replica of the Kalmar Nyckel was launched in 1997 in Wilmington and sailed around the eastern U. S. including Washington D.C. and I have photos of it and its crew.

He was temporary governor 1638 - 1640 pending arrival of a new governor. He was at Fort Christina

He was an officer in the Swedish Navy.

He was governor 1643 - 1653. He began construction of fort Nya Elfsborg and Fort Nya Gothenborg on the Delaware River.

He was the 5th governor and was Printz's son-in-law and remained in charge in 1653-54 when Governor Printz returned to Sweden.

In May 1654 his militia captured Fort Casimir from the Dutch near new Castle, Delaware. But this was more than Stuyvesant could tollerate. So Risingh was defeated by the Dutch large force brought south by Peter Stuyvesant in 1655 to reclaim the Delaware Valley for Holland. The Swedish colonists retained all their local rights and independence until the English arrived in 1664

The New Albion Colony

King Charles I granted a charter to Sir Edmund Plowden to establish a colony in America north of the lands granted to Lord Baltimore for Maryland. This charter gave Plowden the right to assume the title of Lord Earl Palatinate, Govenor and Captain-general of the province of New Albion in North America, but did not define its boundaries well. Apparently the colony was to be located within present-day New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland. Captain Thomas Young and Robert Evelyn charted the Delaware River valley. Plowden needed several years to raise funds and find settlers. So in 1642 he sailed with his recruits to settle this place. But the attempt ended in an unsuccessful mutiny leaving Plowden to be in Virginia from where he tried to manage this proposed colony and selling rights to lands to speculators. He returned to England in 1649 to obtain more funds and promote the colony for Roman Catholics exiled during the English Civil war. But he went bankrupt, was sentenced to debtor's prison and died a pauper in 1659. His efforts did nothing to interfer with the Swedish colony.

Governors under the Lords Propretors

After the English took New Netherland from the Dutch the king's brother, James, Duke of York, instructed Richard Nicolls to be Deputy-Governor of New Netherland including New Jersey. Nicolls guaranteed the Dutch colonists their property right and religious freedom.

He commanded the fleet and troops that took New Netherland from the Dutch in 1644 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. He then took the position of Deputy- Governor of New Amsterdam and New Netherland. He instituted English common law and legal code. He remained at newly named New York while the Duke cut out the New Jersey area - the area between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers to Sir George Cartret and John Berkeley, for their service to himself and King Charles II.

George Carteret and John Berkeley were already proprietors of Carolina and were granted a charter by James, Duke of York to the section taken from the Dutch between the Hudson and Delaware. It was named New Jersey after Carteret's defense of the Island of Jersey against Cromwell in 1649. Berkeley was the brother of the governor of Virginia and Carteret was the treasurer of the Admiralty. They named their colony New Caesarea and prepared a liberal constitution for their province which provided for a governor and Council that they would name and an assembly of representatives of the colonists. They promised 150 acres to each freeman who would settle, plus more for servants and others.

Philip Carteret was appointed by his brother, Sir George Carteret, and Lord Berkeley of Stratton to be the first governor of New Jersey in 1665 until 1672.

Needless to say Governor Nicolls of New York was surprised to see a major part of his domain be taken from him. Carteret established his capital building, Elizabethtown, named for George's wife.

Some settlers from Milford, Connecticut bought land from the Indians to build Newark. Other settlers arrived from New Haven.

The first legislative assembly met at Elizabethtown.

The first rents due under the contracts became due. Naturally the settlers claimed this was unjust since they had paid the Indians for their land.

The settlers met and forced Philip Carteret to depart back to England, then elected James Carteret, a disolute son of George to be governor, knowing he would cause them no trouble.

When Carteret went to England he left his deputy, Captain Berry, as governor 1672 - 73. His term ended when the Dutch recaptured New York in 1673

Restoration of New Netherland

During the Third Anglo - Dutch War the Dutch were able to evade the English fleet and enter New York harbor under command of Admiral Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest and Captain Anthony Colve. Admiral Evertsen returned to Holland where he was censured for disobeying orders to take Cayenne and Saint Helena rather than New York. No doubt the Dutch leaders knew they could not hold New York.

He was left to govern the captured territories in 1673-74, but not for long. They were returned to the English by the Treaty of Westminister

East and West Jerseys

The English recaptured New York and again split the Jersey territory off from New York and divided it as well. It became again a proprietary colony but divided into two provinces - East Jersey and West Jersey.

The English threw the Dutch out again. Meanwhile the settlers threw James Carteret out and agreed to have Captain Berry, Philip's agent as Governor.

Lord Berkeley sold his share in West Jersey to Edward Byllynge and John Fenwick (1618 - 1683) Fenwick rushed to establish a settlement - Fenwick's Colony, where Salem is. Byllynge had financial difficulties so sought investment from William Penn. The negociations over titles were complex but settled in 1676. West Jersey was a largely Quaker colony focused on the lower Delaware River area and was associated with William Penn. After Carteret's death his heirs sold his interest in East Jersey to 12 investors of which 11 were also Quakers. This area was more connected with New York and New England.

Governors of East Jersey

Philip was again Governor - 1674 - 1682. He refused to relinquish his position when Andros demanded it. Carteret was arrested and beaten. He was acquited at trial but his injuries led to his early death 2 years later.

In 1674 the Duke of York obtained a new charter and named Edmund Andros Governor of the whole area. (See New York)

Philip Carteret returned as governor, but with Andros remaining a overall governor. Philip knew how to be popular. He postponed discussion about quit-rents and made the local government more representative. However, Lord Berkeley became more and more dissatisfied with financial losses on his investment so sold his interest in New Jersey to John Fenwick and Edward Byllinge, two English Quakers for equivalent of 5 thosand dollars. Fenwick then brought more immigrants who settled on the Delaware river. Carteret kept the eastern part of New Jersey and the new Quakers settlers had the western part.

The division was made official - West and East New Jersey.

More Quakers arrived to settle below the Raritan River. Governor Andros demanded that they should agree to the authority of the Duke of York, but they refused. Andros lost the dispute so resigned his governorship of both the Jerseys. The legal 'ownership' of the province was then complicated. Byllinge, who was still the principal proprietor (although from England) went bankrupt and sold his interest in New Jersey to William Penn and others, to be sold in turn to pay his creditors.

Carteret died and his estate trustees offered East Jersey for sale. William Penn led a group of investors.

The first popular assembly was held at Salem, and it established a liberal code of laws.

A new charter was issued in 1682. Robert Barclay, a famous Quaker preacher, was appointed Governor for life. He attracted more Quakers from England and Scotland and from the New England colony, but he died in 1690.

He was appointed to the new structure as Gvoernor of the Dominion of New England in 1688. This included administration of East Jersey, West Jersey and New York actually overseen by Lt Governor Francis Nicholson. Then in 1689 Andros was sent back to England leaving New Jersey without an official government.

The governorship of East Jersey was vacant from 1690 to 1692. The proprietors nominaed John Tatham and Joseph Dudley but they were rejected.

He was Governor from 1692 to 1697 when he was deposed by the Board of Trade as instigated by Jeremiah Basse. Hamilton was Scotish and Basse claimed the Navigation Act of 1696 allowed for only 'natural-born' English to have an official government post.

The Board of Trade nominated him to replace Hamilton, but the administration of the colony suffered so he was recalled in 1699. But he returned to New Jersey in 1703 and served as secretary for Lord Cornbury and Lord Lovelace until convicted for perjury.

He was reappointed in 1699 after the king's attorney general ruled that the Navigation Act of 1696 did not prohibit Scotsmen from holding office. But he died in April 1703.

Governors of West New Jersey

He was officially governor 1680- - 1687 but was a brewer in London who did not go to Jersey and died in 1687. His Deputy Governors were Samuel Jennings (1681 - 84) Thomas Olive (1684) and John Skene (1684 - 87)

He also never left England but was Governor of West Jersey by purchasing Edward Byllinge's rights from his heirs in 1687. He was governor into 1688. His Deputy in Jersey was Edward Hunloke

Here we find the notorious Andros again - see above and New York (1688 - 89)

He was disuaded from going to Jersey so sold part of his land there and the proprietor's government right to the West Jersey Society. Edward Hunloke remained there are deputy until the land was sold.

He held the official office of Governor 1692 - 1697 as noted above.

Also see above as he officially was governor 1698 - 99

Same as for East Jersey - see above.

British Crown colony 1702 - 1776

Governors of New Jersey and New York

Queen Anne (1665 - 1714) reunited East and West Jersey as a royal colony and appointed her uncle, Edward Hyde - Viscount Cornbury, as its first Royal Governor. The two Jersey's had changed from proprietary colonies to the Crown in 1702. The government consisted of the royal governor and 12 member council appointed by the monarch and a 24 member assembly elected by the colonists who owned 1,000 acres of land. Then New Jersey and New York had the same royal governor located in the latter. But with such incompetent or corrupt governors there, the New Jersey proprietors remained powerful because they still owned their land and sales of rights. Meanwhile the mixed nature of the colonists resulted in much conflict as well as disagreements with the Crown Governor. The colony legislature would withhold the salary of the governor.

The population of the united New Jersey increased from 14,000 in 1700 to 52,000 by 1740. These included Palatine Germans brought by request of Queen Anne plus Irish, English, Welsh and Scottish Quakers and the descendants of the Swedish and Finnish colonists. And Dutch and Huguenot families who moved across the Hudson River from New York. Others moved from Barbados with their slaves. The diverse ethnic mix also resulted in a very mixed religious populaton, except for Catholics and Jews.

By this time the legal proprietors were so disgusted with the colony that they officially resigned their government role as civil proprietors to the crown and retained only their personal role of ownership of land and real property. East and West Jersey were re united as a royal province. Queen Anne was then the ruler. She appointed her uncle, Sir Edward Hyde (Lord Cornbury) as the Governor. - See the history of New York since he was already the Governor of New York and quite a strange fellow. He committed all sorts of 'criminal' activities. For New Jersey he was especially an autocrat, treating Roman Catholics harshly. He curtailed printing, promoted the slave- trade, stole public money and worse.

He was recalled in 1708

Note here the distinction between ownershi of private roperty and authority under civil war. The English king claimed outright ownership of all the territory claimed in Ameerica, never mind the claims of Indians. In keeping with feudal concepts when a lord proprietor was given a charter it included that he was the owner of the area named and also the civil governor. Thus, he could claim rent for land leased to his tenants or could sell some of it for money or dues. Plus he could collect the fees for government actions such as cort judgments and administration including taxes. When the king canceled a proprietor the civil government reverted to the crown, but the proprietor could regain private ownership of the land.

He was the 4th Baron Lovelace and governor in 1708-09. He died in office but did prosecute Jeremiah Basse. See New York

He was an army officer who was the Lt. Governor for Hyde and Lovelace and acting governor pending arrival of Hunter.

He arrived with the 3000 Palatine Germans mentioned above who first went to the Hudson River and then settled in both upstate New York and New Jersey. He was governor from 1710 - to 1720.

He was governor from 1720 to 1728 and then moved as appointed Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He was a strong supporter of King William III and Queen Mary in 1688.

He was governor from 1728 to 1731 but died in office.

He was the Chief Justice and acting governor on death of Montgomerie. He and proposed that New Jersey be a fully independent royal province separate from New York with its own governor as well as legislature. And Morris became the first governor.

He became governor in 7 August 1732. But he rarely visited New Jersey and met the provincial council rarely. He died in office in 1736. In New York he prosecuted John Peter Zenger in the famous liabel case.

He was a colonel and acting governor in 1736 as President of the Council and also died in office.

He was the son of Andrew Hamilton (govenor of East and West New Jersey). He followed John Anderson as President of the Council and acting governor in 1736 until 1738

Another governor who never went to America. He resigned the year he was appointed, in 1737, in order to remain in the House of Lords. he was 1st Earl De La Warr

Governors of New Jersey

In 1737 Wiliam Penn executed his Walking Purchase which increased the tensions between the colonists and the Native Indians. The settlers were increasingly moving west across the mountains and encroching on Indian territory. By the 1750's this increased into the French and Indian War. The government even provided bounties to settlers who killed an Indian. They built frontier fortifications in the upper Delaware River valley and created militia units such as the New Jersey Frontier Guard and the 1st New Jersey Regiment to defend the frontier and conduct raids on Indian villages.

He was governor from 1738 to 1746. He had been a member of the provincial Council and acing governor.

Morris county , Morristown, Morris plainsand Morris Township are all named for him

He was governor in 1746 and 1747. In 1746 The College of New Jersey (now Princeton Univ.) was founded in Elizabethtown by adherents to the Great Awakening including Jonathan Dickinson, Aaron Burr, Sr; and Peter Van Brugh Livingston.

He was acting governor in 1747 as President of the Provincial Council.

He was the first native born governor of New Jersey

He was governor from 1747 to 1757. He aided the College of New Jersey. He fortified the upper Delaware River in defense in the French and Indian War. Thomas Pownall was appointed as his Lt. Governor (1755 - 1757) the first since Ingoldesby and last until the state recreated the office in 2010. Belcher died in office on 31 August 1757.

He was again acting governor in 1758.

He arrived from England on 14 June 1758. He signed the Easton Treaty in 1758 with 13 Indian tribes led by Teedyuscung. which reduced the conflict somewhat. In 1759 he was appointed governor of Massachusetts.

He was appointed governor in 1759 but did not arrive until May 1760. In 1761 he was moved to be appointed Governor of South Carolina.

He was the son of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Hardy, Lord commissioner of the Admiralty and brother of Sir Charles Hardy Royal Governor of New York. He was noted for being a good governor. But he was replaced in 1763 by the British effort to impose greater authority over the colonies after the War.

He was the son of Benjamin Franklin but a stauch Tory loyalist. He had a long standing personal dispute with his father. He was placed under house arrest by the colonial militia in 1776. He then went to England.

The Franklin Township and Franklin Lakes and perhaps Franklin Township in Somerset County are named in his honor.

Wikipedia entry on New Jersey in the American Revolution