There are not many Out Plantations that are not within the bounds of some Town Yet there be some and these are the richest what number are there we know not some have great quantities of Land and abundance cleared 12ly The richest Planters have not above 8. or 10. Servants they will have some of them 1 Dozon of Cowes yea some 20. or 30. 8. or 10. Oxen horse more then they know themselves for they keep breading Mears and keep no more horses at home then they have occasion to work The rest they let run in the wooâ— both Winter and Summer and take them as they have occasion to use them Swine they have in great flocks in the wood and Sheep in flocks also but they lett them not run in the woods for fear of being destroyed by wolves Their profite arises from the Improvement of their Land and Increase of their Bestial 13ly There will be in most of the Towns already settled at least 100 Houses but they are not built so regular as the Towns in our Countrey so that we cannot compear them with any Town we know in Scotland every house in the Town hath a Lott of 4. Acres lying to it so that every one building upon his own Lott makes the town Irregular and scattered There streets are laid out too large and the Sheep in the Towns are mostly mantained in them They are so large that they need not trouble to pave them 14ly Betwixt Sandy-Hook and Little Egg harbor lyes 2. Towns Midletoun and Shrewsbery there is no Land taken up that way but what is in the bounds of these two Towns what kind of land it is we know not having never travelled that way Bornogate or Burning-Holl is said to be a very good place for fishing and there is some desiring to take up land there who inform us that it is good Land and abundance of Meadow lying to it 15ly There are no Fisher-men that follows only that trade save some that salt Whales upon the Coaâ—ts and other Fishes there is abundance to be had every where through the Countrey in all the Rivers and the People commonly fish with sives or long netts and will catch with a sive 1. sometimes 2. barrels a day of good fish which they salt up mostly for their own use and to sell to others 16ly There is no Ships belonging to this Province particularly or built here save one which Samuel Groome built here the last Summer which stands yet in the Stocks a stop being put to it by his death there is conveniency enough to build Shippes the Shippes in this part trade mostly to the West-Indian Islands and some to New found-Land where the Provisions of this Countrey vends 17ly There is land here in several places after it is cleared and brought into a farm sett out for Rentâ— as in out Countrey at 5.8 and 10. shil per Acre According to the goodness and scituation of the said Land and those that will be at charge to clear land may get tennents to take upon these termes But whither it will turn to good account or not because little experienced as yet with the Charge of clearing of Land I will not positivly inform 18ly There is several places of rhe Countrey fit for mills and several both Corn and Saw mills already sett up and good encouragment to sett up more 19ly The Acres are here reckoned according to the English Account There is 16 foot goes to the Rude and 20. Rude long and 8. Rude broad makes an Acre One English butt of Wheat which is 8 English Gallons or Scots Quarts commonly sows an Acres 2. bushells of Barlay also an Acre and 2. bushells of Oats an Acre and half Acre English peck which is 4. English quarts or Scots Shopens of Indian Corn plants one Acre 20. There are but few Indian-Natives in this Countrey Their strength is inconsiderable they live in the Woods and have small towns in some places far up in the Countrey They plant a little Indian Corn shoots Deer and other wild Beasts and Fowls for their food They have Kings among themselves to Govern them for Religion they have none at all they do not refuse to sell Land at occasion The prices of Grain and other Provisions here at present Indian Corn 2. ss 6. d. the Bushell Wheat 4 shill Rye 3. shill Oats 1. ss 8. d. the Bushel Beef 1 d. Pork 2. d. Venison 1 d. Mutton 3 d. the pound this English Measure and Weight But mark these things being valued in this Countrey money there is a fifth part difference betwixt it and Sterling money So that Wheat being valued here at 4. ss the Bushel is but 3 ss 3. d. Sterling and so of the rest proportionally Here you have an Account of things as far as we are capable to give you at present with which we hope you will be satisfied while further opportunity and better experience give us occasion to writ more And so we rest your Friends and will wishers to all our Country Men. Sic subscribitur David Barclay Arthur Forbes Gavin Laurie Elizabeth Town in East-Jersey the 29. of the first moneth called March 1684. This I have heard read do also subscrive to the truth there is and so rests G. L. For the Scots Proprietors of East-Jersey A Letter from George Mackenzie Merchant in Edinburgh to Mr. George Alexander Advocat there Elizabeth-Town Sept. 1. 1684. Mr. Alexander I Doubt not but you expect here a particular account of the province of New-Jersey but that I thought needless The person David Barclay whom this comes alongst with being more able to give you that satisfaction as whose interest oblidgeth him to a more narrow observation of its natural advantages and whose place being one of the Council gives a larger liberty and occasion to inspect the concerns of this Province But in general its a healthfull pleasant fruitful Country in many places of a most Luxurious Soyle rewarding the labour of the Country-man sufficiently it s well watered with many fair and pleasant Rivers and Creeks stored with several sorts of fish and most of the Rivulets convenient for mills whereof there are severall both for sowing of wood and grinding of Corn. They raise great store of Hogs Cattle and fowls they have in abundance The Countrey for ten or fifteen miles up from the River and Sea is generally plain farther up Mountains besides the Towns mentioned in the publick paper since Governor Lawries arrivall there is laid out at Amboy-point 1000. Acres for the City of Perth divided into 96. Lotts 9 Acres to a Lott the Remainders is for the streets Mercat place Governours house and other publick conveniencies How large the Countrey is is a question hard to resolve and how much bought by the Proprietors if any David Barâ—lay can satisfy you The inhabitants are English with a few Scots French and Dutch of sufficient number to defend themsâ—lves against any prejudice may be offered them by the Inhabitants
Latitude being about 12. Degrees more to the South then the City of London It is in the same Climate with the Kingdom of Naples and Montpelier in France The Summer is hotter and longer then in England and the Winter colder and shorter the dayes about an hour longer in Winter and as much shorter in Summer Is bounded South-East with the Maine Sea East by that vast Navigable Stream called Hudsons 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 Maine-Land And extends it self in length upon the Sea-coast and alongst Hudsons River one hundred English myles and upward The scituation of this Countrey is just as it were in the Center of the English plantations in America betwixt the South parts of Carolina which is over hot and the North parts of Pemaquitte next New Scotland which are coldest so that its conveniencie of scituation temperature of the Aire and fertility of the Soyl is such that there is no less then seven Towns considerable already viz. Shretsburry Midletonn Berghen New-wark Elizabeth-town Woobridge and Piscataway which are well inhabited by a sober and industruous people who have necessary provisions for themselves and families and for the comfortable entertainment of Travellers and Strangers And the Quit-rents or Fewes as they are called of these Towns and other plantations already in the Countrey yeelds to the 24 Proprietors above 500. lib. sterling yearly Revenue and the Air of this Collony is experimentallie found generally to agree well with English Constitutions and consequently with Ours For Navigation it hath these advantages not onely to be scituate along the Navigable parts of Hudsons River but lyes also fiftie myles along the Main Sea and near the midest of this Province is that notted Bay for ships within Sandy-Hook very well known not to be inferiour to any Harbour in America where ships not only harbour in greatest storms but there Ride safe with all Winds and sail in and out thence as well in Winter as Summer For Fishery the Sea-banks are very well stored with variety of Fishes not only such as are profitable for Exportation but such as are fit for Food there There are Whales Coad-fish Colling and Hake-fish and large Mackeril and also many other sorts of smal Flate-fish The Bay also and Hudsons River are plentifully stored with Sturgeon and other Scal-fish Eills and Shel-fish as Oysters in abundance This Countrey is also plentifully supplied with Lively-springs Rivolets inland-Inland-Rivers and creeks which fall into the Sea and Hudsons-River in which also there is varietie of Fresh-fish and water Fowl There are little hills from Rariton-River which is about the middle of this Province that go to the verie North-West-bounds of it in which are aboundance of good Mill-Stons to be had and there is many both Corn and Saw-milnes set and setting up already also on the other side of these Mountains there is brave fresh Rivolets fit for setting of In-Land-Towns and a great deal of Meadow-ground upon the banks thereof So that there is abundance of Hay to be had for Fodering of Cattle in the Winter time and these Meadows shows the Countrey is not altogether covered with timber It s true the first difficulty meets People in Planting there is the cutting down Wood Tho having some Meadow intermixt already well covered with Hay is a great ease yet the trouble is compensed by the advantage which the timber being cut down yeelds being good Oake fit for Shipping and Masts and also Chesmite Walnut Poplar Cdar Ash Fir And also by the fertility of the Soyl being cleared which yeelds a vast increase not only of Indean Corn which is a very wholsome Food but of English grain as Wheat and Barley whereof it usually yeelds betwixt the 20. and 30th fold and with far less labour the timber being once removed then in Britan. And to show the labour of the cutting down the Trees and clearing the ground is not so great as some may Imagine It is known by experience that two men arriving there in September or October may clear as much ground as usually brings by Harvest following twenty Quarters that is ahout 40. Scots Bolls of grain This Countrey also produceth good Flax and Hemp which they now spine and Manufacture into Linnen Cloath the very Barrens there as they are called are not like most in Britain but produceth Grass fit for Grazing Cattle in Summer time There is also upon Ground already cleared store of good English Claver Grass growing the Countrey is well stored with wild Deir Connies and wild Fowl of several sorts As Turkeys Pigeons Partridges Plevers Quaills wild Swans and Geese Ducks in great plenty It produceth variety of good and delicious Fruits as Grapes Plumes Mulberries and also Appricocks Peaches Pears Apples Quinches Water Millons which are in England planted in Orchards and Gardens but grow there with fare less labour and many more Fruits which come not to perfection in England are the more natural product of this Countrey It is thought Olives would grow well there and being store of Mulberrie Trees Silk-worms would do well there for they were tryed in Virginia and proved very well if the laziness of the People and there being wholly set upon Tobacco and the Interest of Merchants who were afraid it might spoil their Silk-Trade from the Straits had not hindered To shew how Fruit-Trees do advance in that Countrey it is credibly reported that about Burlingtoun in West Jersey which is Northernly then the greatest part of this Province from an Apple-tree-Seed in four years without grafting there sprung a tree that in the fourth year bore such a quaintitie of Apples as yeelded a barrell of Syder There is there also great store of Horses Cowes Hoggs and some sheep which may be bought at reasonable prices with English money or English Commodities or mans labour where goods and money are wanting For Minerals It is thought there are not wanting of several sorts For there is an Iron-work already set up where there is good Iron made And also there is discovered already abundance of Black-Lead It is exceeding well furnished with safe convenient Harbours for shipping which is of great advantage and affords already for Exportation great plenty of Horses and also Beef Pork Pipstaves Bread Flower White Barley Rye Indian Corn Butter and Cheese which they export for Barbadoes Jamaica Mevis and other adjacent Islands As also to Portugal Spain and the Canaryes their Whale Oyl and Whale-Fins Beaver Mink Racon and Martine-skins which this Countrey produces they transport for England The Indian Natives in this Countrey are but few comparative to the Neighbouring Collony And these that are there are so far from being Formidable and injurious to the Planters and Inhabitants that they are really serviceable and advantagious to them not only in hunting and taking the Deer and all other wild Creatures and catching of Fish and Fowl fit
Captain Jacques Cartelayne and partners Who have begun some settlement All these tracts of Land are within the Jurisdiction of Newark In this Town hath been a Court of Session held between this and Elizabeth Town It is the most compact Town in the Province and consists of about 100 Families and of about 500. Inhabitants The Acres taken up by the Town may be about 10000 And for the Out-plantations over and above beside Mr. Kings Land and Captain Sanfoords 40000 Acres At the bottom of the Bay upon over prok-Creek-side near Hackinsack River There is a River settled by severall Valleys having a brave mill belonging to it they have taken up a brave piece of Land into their plantations for the which Mr. Nicolas of New-York hath a patent but gave Leave to their setlement at the request of Governour Cartwright on promise of as much more in a better place Near unto Snoke-hill is a brave Plantation on a piece of Land almost an Island containing 1000 or 1200. Acres belonging to Mr. Penhorn a Merchant at New-York and one Edward Eickbe It s well improven and Stockt Mr. Penhorn payed for his half 500 lib. There are other Plantations upon Hackinsak River which goes a great way up the Countrey almost North-West there are other also on the East-side of another Creek or River at Hackinsak River There is a large neck or Tract of Land for which one Mrs. Sarah Kirk-stead of New-York hath a Patent given here by on old Indian Sachem in recompence for her Interpreting the Indian Language into Dutch as there was occasion there are some little Families thereon Between 2 or 3 myles up there is a great Plantation setled by Captain John Berrie where he now Lives there is a good house thereon and a good quantitie of Land cleared and Improved by 20. Negers or more he hath about 2000. Acres of Land there There is another Plantation adjoyning which belongs to his son in Law Mr. Michell Smith who hath about 1500 or 2000 Acres who by 16 or more Negres hath improved a good quantitie of that Land And there is another Plantation more near to Captain Berrie belonging to Mr. Baker who came from the Barbadoes and bought the Land from Captain Berry being about 7 or 800 Acres part of which he hath Improved by 7 or 8 Negres On the West-side of the Creek opposite to Captain Berry there are also other Plantations but none other more Northerly up above these Plantations on that side of the neck of Land that is betwein Hudsons-River and it the neck of Land is in breadth from Captain Berries now Plantations on the West-side where he lives over to his old Plantations to the East at Hudions-River-side about 3 myles which distance severs to Constables-Hook upward of 10 myles To goe back to the South part of Berghenneck that is opposite to Staten Issand where is but a narrow passage of water which ebbs and Flowes between the said Island and Berghen point called Constable-Hook There is a considerable Plantation on that side of Constable-Hook Extending in Land above a myle over from the Bay on the East-side of the neck that leads to New-York to that on the west that goes to Hakinsak and Snokehill the neck running up between both from the South to the North of Hudsons-River to the outmost extent of their bounds There belongs to that Plantation about 12 or 1500 Acres and it s well stockt and improved it was Settled first by Samuel Edfall in Collonel Nicholls time and by him sold 3 years agoe for 600 lib. There are other small Plantations along that neck to the East between it and a Little village of 20. Families called by the Indians _____ of Penelipe _____ then further one to another cottadge there are more where Lawrence the Draper lives a Dutchman there may be 16 or 18 Families then one to George Umpane which is over against New-York where there is about 40. Families within which about the medle of the neck which is here about 3 myles over stands the Town of Berghen which gives name to that neck then again Northward to the water side going up Hudsons-River there lyes out a point of Land wherein is a Plantation and a water belonging to a Merchant in New-York Southward there is a small Village about 5 or 6 Families which is comonly called the Dukes Ferme and harh alwayes paid a small annualrent to the Governour of New-York who first granted it out for two lives but leased out now for some years yet is under the Jurisdiction of New-Jersey for Government further up is a good Plantation in a neck of Land almost a Island called Hobuk It did belong to a Dutch Merchant who formerly in the Indian war had his Wife Children and Servants Murthered by the Indians and his house cattle and Stock destroyed by them It s now setled again and a mill erected there by one dwelling at New-York Vp Northward along the river side are other Lands near to Mr. William Laurance which is 6. or 7. miles further opposite thereto there is a Plantation of Mr. Edsall and above that Captain Beinfields Plantation both without Tennents this last is almost opposite to the northwest and Manhattas Island on the south part is New-York town and Fort there are other smal Plantations up the River to Havercham near the High-lands between which the River leads up to Lepus and Albany Here are the outmost extent of the Northren bounds of East-Jersey as alwayes computed There was here taken up a great Tract of Land by Governour Philip Cartwright for himself and another for an Campyne and Company It s supposed to be little Improven yet some Plantations are said to be there under the Jurisdiction of this Town of Berghen are all the Plantanions on both sides of the Neck to its outmost extent as also these at Hakinsak Here is a Town Court held by Select Men or Overseers who use to be 4. or more as they please to choose annually to try small causes as in all the rest of the Towns and two Courts of Sessions in the year from which if the Cause exceed 20. lib. they may appeal to the Governour and Council and Court of Deputies in their Assemblie who meet once a year The Town is compact and hath been fortified against the Indians There are not above 70. Families in it The Acres taken up by the Town may be about 10000. and for the Out-plantations 50000. and the number of Inbabitants are computed to be 350. but many more abroad The greatest part of the Inhabitants which are in this Jurisdiction are Dutch of which somo have setled here upwards of 40. years agoe Patents have been given out by the Governour and Council for the greatest part of the Land here discribed all Lands Patented are to pay the quitrents whither improven or not what is set forth here relating to New-East-Jersey is only Computation of the Neighbours of that Collony not declaring every thing
and since we came but now they are out of hopes of coming in at that door so now they make their Addresses to us and would have us to purchase and let them come in our Tennents otherwayes as we may agree I intend to attempt these things this fall I have not been much on the South side of Rariton only upon some upland at severall places and upon the tract of 8. thousand 3. hundreth and 20. Acres of yours aforementioned and also on the Meadowing that lyes on the southside of Rariton above Amboy a year or two since purchased of the Indians in the name of Dam Cartwright though it was never intended for her nor for any Proprietor but as it fell out they quarrelled about disposing and sharing thereof so it is now without controversie yours Now know that Rariton River is accommodate on both sides with salt and fresh meadows salt as far as the salt sea water flows or predominats and fresh above as the River of Thames We have about 3000. Acres of meadowing butting on the river I hope it will never hurt Amboy town besides report saith that the upland next adjoyning to this meadowing beginning over against Amboy and so up 10 or 12 miles to a River that stricks out of Rariton south and is called South River is but mean land It may be well if you would agree to take each one a 24th part of Lands as we lay them out whither it be more or less or else take 500. Acres Lots and let these Lots be cast when 24. times 500 Acres is laid out where we can make greater Lots we may we have now got up three houses at Amboy and three more ready to be set up but workmen are scarce and many of them base the best will work but when they can spare time out of their plantations if no help comes it will be long are Amboy be built as London is housing will bring a Trade to that place the Indians comes thither to get Fish Foul Oysters Clams Mussels c. as people go to mercat for things they want and these Indians brings at Seasons great quantities of skins down Rariton so by Amboy and to New-York where they have a continuall supplie of things they want Well here is a brave Countrey the ground very fruitfull and wonderfull inclinable to English grass as Claver c. It Predominats over the more wild grasse very little barren much dry up-land and good meadow some phenny swampy land and small running brooks and rivers throughout all the parts of the Countrey I have been and these phenny and swampy Land hears great burdens of grass in short the land is four times better then I expected we must needs be out some money at present to purchase lands of the Indians but that will be soon got in with profit as people come to Inhabite and take up Land and pay as alwayes they have done their part of purchase from the Indians Here is great talk of the braveries of the place and land Barnagate I intend to see shortly after the season is fititng to go by land and water to it I intend to go by water in a Sloop to see how convenient it s by water and from thence come by Land so then I shall tell you more Ye must expect to be at charges for doing these and such other things I purpose shortly to writ to and demand in all places of the Quitrents and Arriers they generally say they will pay Captain Berry his two or three hundreth pounds behinds in arriers as is said because his caice differs from others a little I 'le GOD permitting begin with them first of all about his rent c. and either have rent or land what you write concerning building and repairing shall be ohserved I wish I were freely rid of all the goods I have of yours and my own at 28. per cent Excepting such as are for the Indian Trade These part of America are commodated with English goods Nevertheless when I pay Workmen and Labourers I pay them goods rated cent per cent New-York money but then I must pay them 2. or 3. silver and part paction which I procure with goods as well as I can The houses at Amboy are 30. foot long and 16. foot wide 10. foot betwixt joynt and joynt a double Chimney made with Timber and clay as the manner of this Countrey is to build will in about 50. lib. a house this pay procured here for 25. in goods the first coast I shall make you no return this year seing we are about purchasing and surveying all which will run out money in this place where Mint are so scarce to be had on such accounts I must as well as I can turn your goods into money provision and goods for Indians I have laid out Amboy into 150. Lots and have sent home a draught of it your S. G. Abstract of a Letter from Gavin Laurie Deputy Governour of East Jersey to the Proprietors at London dated from Elizabeth Town the 2. of March 1684. I Took up several dayes with Countrey men and others to view the Ground and Water at last I pitched upon a place where a Ship of 300. Tun may ride safely within a plank length of the Shoar at low water and joyning thereto is a peece of marish ground about 12. pearch broad and 20. pearch long and high land on each side like our Keyes by London Bridge this may be easie cut quit round for smal Vessels to come to the Key and lye safe round this Island I set out Lots 1. Acre a peece viz. 4. pole at the Key and 40. pole backward from thence along the river near half a mile I lay'd out the like lotts very pleasant for scituation where they can see the ships coming in the Bayes of Sandy-Hook for near 20 miles the Ships may ride alongs by the Town as safe as at London just at the point by the Town Rariton-River runs up the Countrey a great way there boats of 40 tun may goe and the River by the Town goes to New-York Hudsons-River Long Island Staten Island and so to New-England there is no place in all England for Conveniency and pleasant scituation There are 60 Lotts upon the River and 40 backward between these and the River and these backward have a highway 100 foot broad where I have laid out a place for a mercat with cross Streets from the River to the Market where the Town-houses are to be built when this was done I laid out 400 Acres to be divided in 48 parts viz. 36 to each Proprietor and those who have Lotts in the Town I grant them half Lotts in this to pay for the Lotts in the Town 20 pound or if a half Lott of 36 Acres 40 pounds I laid 400 Acres to ly untill the Proprietors agree to devyd it as people comes over There is 16 Lotts taken up by the Scotish Proprietors and 8 Lotts by the Proprietors
Oysters Fish Foul Pork is 2. pennies the pound Beef and Venison 1. penny the pound a whole fat back at 5. or 6. per Bushell Indian Corn for 26 per Bushel Oats 20. pennies and Barley 2. shill per Bushell We have good brick earth and stone for building at Amboy and elsewhere the Countrey Farme houses are built very cheap A Carpentar with a mans own Servants builds the house they have all materialls for nothing except Nails their Chimneys are of stones they make their own Ploughs and Carts for the most part only the Iron work is very dear The poorer sort set up a house of two or three Rooms themselves after this manner The walls are of cloven Timber about 8. or 10. Inches broad like planks set on end to the ground and the other nailed to the raising which they plaister within they build a Barn after the same manner and these cost not above 5. lib. a peece and then to wâ—rk they go 2. or 3. men in one year will clear 50. Acres in some places 60. and in some more They sow Corn the first year and afterwards maintain themselves and the encrease of Corn Cows Horses Hogs and Sheep comes to the Landlord several Merchants of New-York have left their several Plantations there to come to East-Jer-sey 2. or 3. joyn together be 12 15 or 20. Servants and one Overseer which costs them nothing for the first year except some Shoes Stockings and Shirts I have been to see these Plantations and find they make a great increase by them maintains their Families at New-York with all provisions sell a great deal yearly and for Servants our English people are far better Husbandmen then the New-England men the Servants work not so much by a third as they do in England and I think feed much better for they have Beef Pork Baccon Pudding Milk Butter and good Beer and Cyder for drink When they are out of their time they have land for themselves and generally turn Farmours for themselves Servants wages is not under 2 shill a day besides Victuals and at Amboy point 2 shill 6 pen per day at Amboy we have one setting up to make Malt but we want a Brewar I wish thou would send over some to set up a Brewhouse and a Bakehouse to bake Bread and Bisket for a Bisket-maker we must have to vend our meat to the Plantations send over some Husband Men and Countrey Fellows that Plough Sow Reap Thresh and look after Cattle A Carpentar or two and a Smith for Ploughs and Horse and a Cowper which we want very much If thou will send a dozon of Servants most of them Countrey men I will set thee out a gallant Plantation of 500. or 1000. Acres upon a River side but thou must send over some goods to stock it withall I desire thee to encourage some of our Friends especially the Proprietors to send over some servants to stock some Land And when they have cleared it if they have a mind to lett it here are tennents to take it and if they will sell it here are also purchasers there is one man since I came here sold his Plantation for 1500. lib. the whole was 1600. or 1800. Acres whereof only 120. Acres were cleared upon which he had a house Garden and Orchyard and Barn planted I know several men who lett cleared Land at 6. shil 8. pennies and at 10. shil the Acre yearlie rent which is a good encouragement for sending over servants to plant I write not this as idle story but as things realy and truly are I have sent for servants my self to setle a farme for if the Proprietors will not do so I see not what they can exect The Scots have taken a right course They have sent over many servants and are likewayes sending more They have likewayes sent over many poor Families and given them a small stock and these Families some for 7. some for 10 years give the half of their increase to the Land-lord except the milk which the tennent hath to himself I have set them out land and they are at work I beleive they will have 40. Acres cleared this Spring and this Summer I am to sett them out more so that in a short time they will have a great increass coming in this will raise the price of the Land here And is the reason that several from New-York bounds come to me to take up Land for they beleive now this Province will be improven And our Land is beeter then theirs so that every Proprietors sending over 10. people will be a great advantage to himself encourage others to take up Land and bring all the division that hath been here to an end for these men seing that they shall be ballanced are already more complyant then they were Now I have layd these things before thee and desire thee to impart them to some of the Proprietors and other friends that they may consider of the same I am thy Loving friend Sic subscribtur Gavin Laury A Letter from Gavin Laury to the Scots Proprietors of the same date KNowing you do expect from us an account of this Countrey we have for your encouragement and for the encouragement of all our Countrey Men who may be inclinable to come into this Countrey given you this breef and true account of it according as we have seen and are credibly informed for having seen little yet save the Winter Season we must writ what is to be seen in Summer upon Information which we have just ground to believe to be true because what we have seen alread in it notwithstanding of all that we heard of it before we came surpass our expectation in many things the Aire in this Countrey is very wholesome and though it alter suddenly sometimes being one day hot and another cold yet people are not so subject to catch cold or be distempered by it as in our Countrey of England the land lyes for the most part pretty high but on the River and Creek sides are many Meadows which lye low of which the Countrey people getts their Hay whereby their stocks are maintained in the Winter Season Provisions here are pentifull and cheap There is Beef Pork Venision Mutton Foul and Fish aboundance to be had at easie rates and for drink they have good Beer and Cyder and these that are desirous may have Wine of several sorts and other kinds of strong Liquor so that we see little wanting here that a man can desire and we are here sure that a sober and industrious People might make this a rich Countrey and enrich themselves in it especially poor people who are hard put to it to gain bread at home notwithstanding of the excessive Labour for we see that people here want nothing yet there labour is very saml they work not so hard by one half as the Husband men or Fermors in our Countrey and many of these who have setled here upwards of
very few days they use to take more then they make usâ— of in Winter as for wild Meat there is of all sorts Cows sheep and Oxen as large as in England and aboundantly cheap considering their goodness Corns and all Sorts of Fruit in great aboundance and no less then they are called in Scotland Moâ—â—y within this three years is become pretty plentiful Servants dear and scarce I have taken up sex Acres of Land in New-Perth which pleases me exceeding well in regard it is good Land and fâ—â—â—â—r building of a City and Persons of Good Fortune aâ—e come from New-York and other places in thâ— Countrey and are very busy building and I aâ—â— begun to build a house and have near digged the ground which is very hard it being under a great part of it Oker which is hard to digg and the least deepness is eight foot I have my two Wrights Squaring of Timber for it and I resolve to have it a good Handsome House six Rooms off a floor with a Study two stories high above the Sellers and the Garret above And I doubt nor if the Frost bide away but I shall have the Sellers finished and the gests laid above it against the letter end of this moneth for the Land that lyes to the house I resolve to fence in two Acres of it for an Orchard and an Yeard and to have hat done before the middle of February and to have it planted with fruit trees for I find a man in three years will have more Fruit in such in Orchard then he knâ—ws how to make use of And about the middle of February according as the Weather is I resolved to go out where I have takâ—n up my Land which is upon a River called the South-River which is an exceeding pleasant River and place there goes onely with me â—here Mr David Violent I can go from New-â—erth â—o it in a Boat in two houres and a half let the wind blow as it will and come baâ—k again in as much time I wish I had as many Servants here as I could make use of Any man that is â—rugal and hath 300. lib. Sterling in Stock to come over here and bring over 7. or 8. gâ—od Servants with him I could assure him in 3. years time he shâ—uld make a stock better then 1000. if not 1500. lib. if he bestow his money right in Scotland and take advice to bring all things here which is necessary for him to have in this Countrey I am uncertain of the time I wil be at Home but I resolve you shall come over with me again and ye will both think and say when ye see the Countrey that ye wish it had been done twenty years agoe I thought it not fit to trouble my friends and relations since I could not write short Lettèrs to them but any of them that desires to know the condition of this Countrey ye may shew them this Letter since there is no secret in it you will find by William Burnets Letter that he desires some of his Sons to come over and John Geddis writs for some of his Brethren the which Letters cause deliver them carefully and get an answer that if they be to come over ye may speak for their passage timely he tells some of them are good Wrights which is all at present but keep a good heart to your self and take care of your Children and I hope to see you with more Comfort then we parted and I am your ever loving Husband while I breath Dauid Mudie James Johnston of Spotswoods Letter to his Brother John Johnston Drougest in Edinburgh East-Jersey the 12th of December 1684. Loving Brother I Have taken up a part of my Land 9. miles from Amboy and 4. miles from Piscataway and as far from the nearest part of Rariton on a Brook side where there are exceeding great plains without any Timber there is excellent Gunning for Dear and Turkies of which there is great plenty and easily shot But I resolve to see a place called Bernagate which is 60. or 70. miles from this on the Southermost place of the Province where there is a good River and Harbour the best Fishing and Gunning in any place in America 30. or 40. miles from any Plantation The Indians here are nothing to be feared the Place being as peaceable as any where else I had occasion to travel through Long-Island and Stallen Island and for many miles found as many towns and plantations in the way as in any so much Land in Louthean there are no Bears nor Ravinous Beasts but Wolves which are nothing to be feared neither are the Countrey People afraid to be among them all night in so much as I oft-times going wrong and lying out all night and hearing their yells about me and telling that I was afraid of them the Countrey People laught at it neither are the Snakes any thing to be noticed for nothing can come near them but they give warning with the ratling of their tail so that People may either kill them or go by them as they please Oxen are so well taught that they go sometimes in a Plough or Cart without Horse or without a Gade-man Horses and Cattel are as cheap as in Scotland considering their goodness and the difference of the Money All sorts of Scots goods sells well here ye will be advised with the next Occasion what goods sells best in this place I have great reason to thank GOD that I am in a place which abundantly answers any thing I expected The Air is healthful and the Soil fruitful the Indian Corn yeelds commonly 2. or 3. hundred fold Oats 20. fold as I am informed the Indian Corn is an excellent grain I have eat it and likes it very well in Pottage and Bread there are several reasonable good towns in this Province most of them hath more then eighty Families there is no poor persons here but all are half idle in respect of what they work with you Flax twice heckled sold at 9. d. per pound Wool is very cheap only work is dear the Liquor we most use is Sider we have great store of Fruit. In many places untaken up there are many plains and not a tree I have never since last parting had any sickness to keep me from one Dyet for which I render thanks to GOD. The Indians here make it their trade to kill Venision and sell it to us for a smal matter I will have my Family served with Flesh all Winter one of their Sashiams which is their King came to the Governour when I came first here desiring he might be suffered to trade amongst us and not to be beat out of our houses when they were drunk but only that we might bind them and permit them to cut timber and some such things At New-Perth we have a good Stationers Shop of Books the land is no where difficult to clear albeit trees be 100. foot long and 3. or 4. foot over
I would heartily wish and perswade any to come over that intends to live well plentifuily and pleasantly Neither is there any Tradesman or Servant that could come wrong to this place and I could wish my best friends no better but in the same place with me the old Inhabitants are a most careless and infrugall People their profession are most part Protestants few Quakers some Anabaptists it is most desired there may be some Ministers sent us over they would have considerable Benefices and good Estates and since it would be a matter of great Piety I hope ye will be instrumentall to advise some over to us the place is aboundantly healthfull as any else there are a great difference betwixt the people here who are Strong and Vigorous and the people more Southerly in Mariland we have great store of Venision which is sometimes as fat as Pork one good Buck is sold at 5. shil and by the Indian at 2. shil Oats are sold at 18. pence the Bushell all sorts of Fish is here exceeding plentifull the poorest Persons eaâ—s no Meat that is Salt except Pork in Summer they live much on Milk I would no more value the Sea coming through if I had occasion then ye would riding of of 20. miles let me be rememberd to all friends to Patrick Fortune who most carefuly disswaded me from this Voyage which I doe not repent but would as carefully perswade others who study their own good what I most earnestly desire of you for the encouragment of this Plantation is you would be Instrumental to send us over some Ministers who I dare engadge shall afterwards ever be thankfull and I oblidge to be your ever affectionate Broher James Johnston Amboy or New-Perth in America 9. of November 1684. Dear Brother HAving accidently met with the Bearer had not time to give you any particular accompt of this Countrey only assure you that it is beyond not only all our expectations but all that ever you have heard spoken of it we praised be GOD all of us arrived safely without the loss of any onâ— Paâ—â—â—ger scacely any of them was ever sick only we had much troubles coming from Mariland by land our Skipper having for his own advantadge put in first at the Capes of Virginia but we have had a brave Prospect of the Countrey and all the way as well as in this place where now we are we found plenty of Corn and all Kinds of Fruit with Fish Venision and wild Fowls in such abundance that a Deer may be had for 2. shilling Countrey money and Turkies for 6. pence which will be at least as big as any 2. Turkies in Scotland and are realy Turkies only blacker then tame Turkies that you have seen I shall give you full satisfaction with the next occasion pray you fail not to writ to me when you meet with any otherwayes you disoblidge him who is ever yours D. M'kgregor Writen to his Brother Munivard in Scotland Patrick Falkconers Letter to Maurice Trent Elizabeth Town in East-Jersey the 28th of October 1684. Sir MY last was dated the 22. Current from Philadelphia at which time I could give you but a small account of the Countrey and as yet it s but a small account I can give by reason that I have had but a little time here as yet I have travelled on Foot more then a 100. miles in East and West Jersey and Pensilvania I have also Travelled in Maryland I cannot but say it is a good Counâ—â—â—y but it s possessed with a Debauched Idle Leasie People all that they Labour for is only as much Bread as serves them for one Season and al 's much Tobacco as may furnish them with Cloaths I believe it is the worst improved countrey in the world for the Indian wheat is that they trust to and if that fail them they may expect to starve I find Pensilvania and the two Jerseyes are the places which set themselves out most for Planting of Corn As for the Jersies I need not insist in commending of them for David Barclay and Arthur Forbes who had a longer stay here than I have had will give you a more all account for I intend to write no more than I am able to make good I may say that it is a pleasant Countrey I did never see more pleasant Meadows and Grass then I have seen in both the Jersies I have seen plains of good Hay consisting of about 30. Acres of ground hardly one Tree to be seen upon the whole spot And there are several places so I can say it s a well watered Countrey and good waters and if they were desirous they might have very good Quarrie here both for Stone of any sort and Lime-stone likewise but so long as Timber is so plenty they will not be at the pains to seek after Stone there are some houses in the Countrey built with stone but very few Having fallen in here the end of the year I cannot be capable to give an account what may be the product of the Countrey but I hear that all sorts of Grain hath very good Increase I see the Countrey abounds with Apples Quinches Peatches Walnuts and Chasnuts and Strawberries in great abundance wild-Wine-Grapes are plentifull wild-Fowl of all sorts a great number of Deer Turckie-Fowls-wild in great abundance and very bigg I have seen these things in great plenty I hope ye will excuse me because I am not capable to give an ampler account of the Countrey for I have not been two dayes in one place I will tell you this is a good Countrey for men who resolves to be Laborious any who comes here they must resolve to work hard for the first two or three years till they get a little Ground cleared for this must be looked on as a wood-Countrey tho I must confess the woods are not so thick as people expects and there are several places in the Countrey where there is little or no Wood People are generally curious to have their Land near Navigable Rivers but when they are better acquaint they will find that the farther back the better is the Land there are aboundance of Fish and Oysters here this is not a Countrey for idle people but such as will be at pains they need not doubt but to get Bread here in plenty so I wish it be the Lords will that we may have a happy meeting again his will be done I wish you may be protected by the Lord this from Your affectionate Friend and humble Servants Patrick Falconer Abstract of a Letter writ by Peter Watson who went over a Servant with David Barclay in the year 1683. to John Watson Messenger in Selkirk New-Perth the 20th of August 1684. Cusing I Could never write to you before now because I was never rightly setled and am not yet fully setled but I am from among the rest of the Servants one James Reid and I and our Families are together set out to a Farm
on Amboy we are to have some Land laid out to us and we are Stocked with two Mares four Cowes two Sows two Oxen my Wise and I and the Child Richard are very well in health and hath been so ever since we came out of Scotland Now as for this Countrey it is a very good Countrey indeed poor men such as my self may live better here then in Scotland if they will but work a man can have Corn and Cattle or any other Goods for his work and he can sell these good to some hands for money it is not for a man that hath a Familie to come bound four years but young men who have no trouble they will do better to come and serve four years here then to serve in Scotland for they are not so hard wrought as in Scotland and when the four years are out they can gain abundance to work to other men or if they desire to setle upon Land of their own they can have it reasonably Cheap the hardest work that is here is clearing of the Ground and felling of Trees and the like the first year is the worst till they be accustomed with the work of the Countrey my Neighbour and I did clear from the middle of February till the midst of May five Acres of Land and have it planted with Indian Corn and Indian Beans and Tobacco for our own smoaking a man who lives here needs go no where to buy any things here he can have Corn and Cattle and every thing that is necessar for mans use if he be Industrious only the thing that is dearest here is Cloathing for there are but few Sheep to this Countrey but there are store of all other Beasts such as Horse and Cows and Hoggs there is here good Fishing good hunting of Deer and other kind of wild Beasts The Countrey is very healthie as I have seen yet it is cold in the Winter like unto Scotland But fra once the Summer breaks up it is hotter then it is in Scotland There are here very good Religious People they go under the name of Independants but are must like to the Prisbyterians only they will not receive every one to their Society we have great need of Good and Faithful Ministers And I wish to God that there would come some over here they can live as well and have as much as in Scotland and more then many gets we have none within all this Province of East-Jersey except one who is Preacher in New-wark there were one or two Preachers more in the Province but they are dead And now the people they meet together every Sabbath day and Reads and Prays and sings Psalms in their Meeting-houses this Countrey is very well settled with People most part of the first Settlers came out of New-England very kind and loving people kinder than in Scotland or England And for the Indian Natives they are not troublesome any way to any of us if we do them no harm but are a very kind and loving people the men does nothing but hunts and the women they plant Corn and works at home they come and trades among the Christians with Skins or Venison or Corn or Pork And in the Summer time they and their Wives come down the Rivers in their Cannoas which they make themselves of a piece of a great tree like a little Boat and rhere they Fish and take Oysters This Countrey is a very pleasant Countrey with Rivers and Creiks to fish in Only it is full of Wood such as Oak and Walnut-tree Chesnut Poplar and Cedar The only thing we want here is good People I wish that all the poor Friends I or my Wife hath were here As for my Brother if he have a mind to come Brother if you have but as much in the World as would transport you hither and your Family I would desire you earnestly to come and bring my Sister with you if you have as much as will transport you sell all and come tho you had not a penny after your passage were payed you need not fear if you have a mind to work I was as little brought up with work as any man yet blessed be GOD I can work now as my Neighbors and lives very contentedly with my Wife better then ever we did in Scotland shew my Mother in Law thaâ— my Wife and I would be very well pleased if she would come over there are as old Women as she comâ—… here out of old England there was one came alongst with us elder then she if she will come she shall live with her Daughter and me as easie and as well as ever she did live in Scotland and I do know that was well enough my Wife and I are well at present as you could wish GOD be blessed I can say no more but my love to my Brother and his wife and all Friends I rest your loving Cusin Peter Watson A Letter write by John Campbel to John Dobie New-Perth 8th of November 1684. B. John I Wrote a line from Philadelphia to you as we were coming hither your Cusin James Dobbie the bearer is in such haste that I cannot write what I would say but is short we are come here to a good wholesome Countrey in which with little industrie a man may have a comfortable life there is good Wheat and Oats growing here and Indian Corn which our Servants likes very well There is Fish and Fowl abundance and of Cows and Horse they labour wi h Horse and Oxen There is Deer through all the Countrey and Turkies which some of our Servants has killed a part of already There is Pertrages and Quails very rife that my wife yesterday morning saw about 20. of them walking before the door like Chikens I shall say no more till I see farther for I am with others going to the Countrey on Munday to see for the Countrey lotts for I have taken up the Towns already and cut down the trees of two Acres of ground with six men in three dayes My service to all Friends I am Your most assured Friend John Campbel A Letter from Thomas Fullerton Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to his Brother in Law Doctor Gordon in Montross Elizabeth-Town 4. January 1685. Dear Brother BY my last about a Moneth since I dated from Amboy you understand that we came to Sandy-Hook 18. weeks after we sailed from Montrofe we were 9. weeks at Sea from Killebeg in Ireland we had many cross winds what other accidents we met with by the way were worth the telling but not the writting blessed be God we all kept our healths very well only one Boy fell over boord what you expect and I design by this is a breef but true accompt of the Country The first land we discovered was About the midle of Long-Island it appeared at first like trees growing out of the Sea Towards night we Anchored in Sandy-Hooke The land is low and levell that is the reason we were
within 8. or 10. mile thereof before we saw it the country appears all over Woodie I landed on a sandie-bank and closs by the flood march where grew Bayes sassafax and severall prettie shrubs I knew not The Woods consists of severall kinds of Oaks Chesnut Hickacy Walnut Poplar and Beetch Cedars grow on swamps and barrens Firrs and Pines only on barrens The ground generally is 2. or 3. inches deep of black dung as it were below that is reedish mould what you heard of the product of the Indian Corn viz. 100. or 200. fold of 20 or 30 fold Inglish wheat of the abundance of dears and wild horse and severall turkies and of the great plenty of fishes are all true There is very much Cider here In 12. or 14. years you may make 100. barrells from your own planting the best fleshes of all kinds ever I did see are here tho this in respect of what you have heard be generally tautollogie yet I found my self oblidged to writ it because I am witness to the truth thereof without Hyperbole Notwithstanding of all this it s very troublesome expensive to settle a plantation here and when it is done I cannot promise you a man will grow verry rich but he needs want nothing and it is not every one will agree with the solitude of the Woods these who can and resolve to lead an countty life cannot doe better then come hither a merchant who will come over and set up store in the country for a year will make cent per cent of several commodities with which I doe allow none to be acquainted but commerads I wish I had some money of my stock so imployed and sent safely here Johnstouns of spoiswood and I haue taken up upon a river 6 or 8. miles in Amboy your Brother Thomas and Robert are here also servants are not easily intertained here I designed to have shot al 's many squirles as would have furred a coaâ— for you but I am otherwise taken up I have omitted to tell you that the weather here is constantly clear the sun rises and setts free of clouds I have obseved none to have the cough in this country tho I have frequently lyne in the woods aboundance of fire is an excellent counter charm Now brother as to your own coming over it will be time to invite you when I have a good house and interâ—ainment to treat you with unbought for you must not feel any of the inconveniencies I have met with we are all well I pray God this may find you also present my service to all friends Male or Femal this letter wil serve that present my service to my Grand-Mother upon Christmass I drank her good-health in Rhumb Madera and Fial Wine If I can be frugall I may be soon rich here by my next I hope to ensure 60 or 70. lib to the person for we want a minister this from Your Affectionat Brotner Tho Fullertoun A Letter from the same hand to the Laird of Brotherstoun in the Mairns of the same date Kind Comerad YOu were pleased so kindly to concern your self with my welfare when I was by you and I find that absence augments true friendship that I am oblidged to acquaint you with my present fortune which I hope shall be far better then what I could expect by so much stock in Scotland This place is not altogether bowrish for at New-York you may have railing and Gallanting enough the inhabitants are generally great spenders Dear Brothertoun writ to me and give me an accompt of affairs for I assure you neither Governour nor Council will medle with yours to me nor mine to you by my next I will writ to Clâ—nie and John Johnstoun in the mean time present my service to them I am in haste to end writing tho ever being Your Oblidged Commerad and humble servant Tho Fullertoun Abstract of a Letter from Robert Hardie Merchant in Aberdeen to his Son John Hardie Merchant there dated from Elizabeth-Town the 8. of December 1684. Loving Son I Have writ two Letters already to you at our arrival an other shewing the death of your Brother William and something of the country but knowes not if they be come to your hands and now having this occasion know that I am in good health and your Brother Alexander praised be God know that I intend to reside here and should wish that I had all my childring with me but your conveniencie cannot permit neithâ—r am I able to transport them as yet however I desire you to acquaint your sister Elspeth that I desire her to come over if possible with her first conveniencie I inâ—end before her coming to have a new house in New-Perth and a Plantation near by it if I had gott an good accompt of that Litle cargo I sent over I would have lived upon it here al 's well as upon 100 lib. Sterling in Scotland But I have got an bad accompt of it how ever I hope to Provide for you all with what is left if the Lord bless Shew my brother and brothers in law that if they would come over with each of them two Servants they could have good Land here at one easie rate they might live better then their masters and with less trouble if they took but half the pains They take in Scotland for the Land is an brave and plentifull Land Shew Andrew and David Hardies that if they can but pay their Passage and come to me I shall make them to live in better condition then ever formerly I doubt not but some of our neighbours will come over to bring Servants here who will give you an true accompt how I and others can live here believâ— me this is an brave Land and any who will be Industrous may live very comfortably here He who comes first will have the best choise and most profitable as for idle-men who will neither work nor trade need never come here for there are none idle here I wish you all a blising from God and so rests Your affiectionat father Robert Hardie A Letter from James Johnston of Spotswood to his brother John Johnston dated the 13. of February 1685. from Piscatta way in East-New-Jersey Dear Brother THese are to remember my kindest affection to you my Mother and all friends we have kept our healths hither to exceeding well Have endured an short hut very cold witner now the Weather hath been for some time bygone exceeding good was an Bear-seed season with you I have been throw several or most places of this Countrey of late But am not yet resolved where my first Husbandry shall be the Land is exceeding good which is yet to take up much better then what is inhabited only not so convenient the difficulty of clearing many places is no wayes considerable I find Land where Several hundered Plughes may be presently set a work I take all pains I can to be conveniently setled and the Governour refuses us nothing we desire
I stand in need of 40. pound value of good and some Servants hoping to have Corn for them and others who come over I could wish your self were here we could live competently and quietly but I doubt how affairs may premit I wish any Land I had were sold that you might he furthered presenâ— my love and service to my Mother and Sister whom I hope to see here I wish you would send over some Ministers one or moe to us I am Your affectionat and ever mindfull Brother James Johnston NOw Sir does not the perusal of thir Letters obliege you to believe there is no deceit in the above written discription of the place seeing you find the same Homollogat by so many different persons the Hollograph of most of them have been perused by many persons in this City and are to be seen by any inquisitive thereanent at Captain Hamiltouns Lodging at the Sign of the Ship for their more satisfaction of the truth thereof But tho you appear to be convinced that East-Jersey is in it self a very desirable place and consequently upon several considerations a very proper seat for a Collony From this yet I have ground to conjecture from some tacit hints and insinuations in yours that because West-Jersey Pensilvania and in a special manner Carolina are more southerly therefore you think there is some ground to believe they may have the advantage of the Soyl seing you oblidge me to tell you freely my opinion in this affair I will be plain with you the two first lying the one upon the one side of the River of Delawar the other upon the other side thereof may have in themselves other advantages but I cannot be so blind when I notice the Mapp as not to discover too palpable an inconveniencie to be past over wherewith both the said Countries are much straitned to wit the Town of Newcastle lying upon the mouth of the River which doth so absolutly command the River that whosoever is master thereof may if they please lay what imposition they think fit upon both the said Countries seeing if any difference should fall betwixt the Town of Newcastle and the Possessors or Inhabitants of these two Provinces they may make themselves very quickly Masters of them by imposing what conditions they think fit upon them seeing no. Ship can either conveniently go up or down the said River of Delawar but by allowance of any Fort built upon the said Town of Newcastle Whatever opinion others may have of this as a matter of no great import I have these sentiments of the apparent inconveniencies thereof as after perceiving it never to be any more so much concerned as to make farther inquiry after these places seeing in my apprehension no advantage to be proposed there could compense that so visible conveniency As for Carolina I confess it is nothing strange that any person who hath read Ogibies description thereof in his America and Wilsons in his Treatise thereanent Judge it in a maner a Terrestiral Paradise but notwithstanding of all this err you pass any judgement upon my choising rather East-Jersey then Carolina for the seat of a Collony from this allow me to give my Reasons why I do prefer the one to the other We lye here in 56. Degrees of Northren Latitude Jersey in 41. Carolina in 31. it is very obvious to any understanding person that our removall to 41. is more probably contributive for our health then to 31 being ten degrees hotter and consequently more dangerous what ever opinion others may have of this I judge it a matter of no smal consequence health being very much preferrable to all other things whatsoever But further our access to East-Jersey is very patent no apparent obstruction in the way whereas the coast of Carolina is the most dangerous in all America there being a bank of sand lying all along the same for 200. Leags and upwards so that the entry to any part thereof is altogether hazardous we have too sad a proof of the truth of this by the Shipwrack of the James of Air upon that bank this last Harvest in which were lost upwards of 60. peopâ—e Experience also teacheth that the Clymate of Jersey is far move suitable to our Constitutions then that of Carolina You find in all the Letters come from Jersey this one particular specially marked That it is a very healthfull Air no complaints of sickness there whereas in the few Letters from our Countrey men settled in Carolina You have an accompt of the death of the greatest part who went hence to that place There is one further consideration oblidging me altogether to close my Ears and Eyes against Carolina whatever specious pretences may flie abroad in favours thereof and be received by such who are not concerned to enquire further then to hear-say and that is the consideration of the model of their Government then which nothing can be more discouraging to any having the sence of a rational Man or Spirit of a Gentleman The Offices of Honour and Trust such as Chancellour Thesaurer Admiral Secretar c. are all Heretably annexed to the Proprietors by the constitution of their Government so that let a Gentleman deserve never so well however eminent his parts may be he must in the first place purchase a property err he can attain to any of these places of Trust or Honor whereas if you have so much Money as to make this purchase you may then come to these preferments though you were the arrentest Block head in nature Money here makes you capable of Preferment which neither Vertue Merit nor parts can do Can there be a greater discouragement to any person of Spirit or Honour than to go subject himself to a Government where he sees himself debarred of any Trust or Preferment how ever deserving he may be unless he hath money in a manner to buy it with Both in this Kingdom and our Neighbour Nations we see mean Persons have by their Parts and Merit raised themselves to places of the highest Preferments in the Kingdoms and have discharged that Trust conferred upon them with Honour and Applause So that when I have this consideration before my Eyes I must conclude any who subjects themselves to that model of Government are either ignorant of the Constitutions thereof or of very mean Spirits to settle themselves in a place where Vertue nor Merit can neither raise them nor their Posterity Let me add another Ground of my dissatisfaction with the Model of that Government and you may judge whether the same be reasonable or not There are eight Proprietors by their Constitutions it appears clear to me that they are so many Soveraigns seing by one express Article of their Fundamental Constitutions it is declared That the Proprietors are no waves subject to Law in so far as to be censured by any Judicatur there So that be their Actings never so Illegal or unjust if any these eight Proprietors should commit Murders
the nixt Spring I wish you were here and your whole Family for I doubt not but the Countrey would please you well For there is abundance of much better Land here then ever Arbikie was and an Earldome to be bought far below in pryce the vallow of what such pettie Lairdshipps as Arbikie is sold for in Scotland without purging of the Lands of any incumbrances For I hope to winn as much monie this year as will buy a better Lairdship then Arbikie and if ye resolve not to come over I resolve to buy Land before I come from this and title it Arbikie But I shall be sorie to take away your title for if I do it will be your own fault and for your better incouradgement I know you love a Gunn and a Dogge and here ye will have use for both For Wilde Geese Turkies Ducks and Drake Partridge Cunies Doves and innumerable more kind of Fowls which I know not their names are here to be seen every hour of the day in flocks above Thousands in Number And for your Skieft which you use to Fish with bring here with you or one like her for I assure you of good employment and yet ye may catch more Fish in an hour here than any Fisher in Montrose in two excepting Podloes at the shore head Sir take this as no jest from me for what is here written is a reall truth but ye may think it is not my dictating but the Writter and I have set it together the best way we can But yet not so full as I would have had it Present my Love to your Sister Uncle and all Friends and I am Sir Your very loving Friend and Cusin James Mudie A Letter from David Mudie Merchant in Montrose For James Mudie of Courthill in Scotland New-Perth the 9th of March 1685. Loving Brother I Write you a lyne upon my arivall here and by my last to my Wife of the date the 12. December I desired her to let you see it which I hope she has done if it be come to her hands I do now understand this Countrie better then I did at that time and the longer I travell in it I like it the better for a frugall man with a small fortune may very soon raise a good Estate which I wrote formerly to my Wife in relation to the Countrie I find it most certain and much better then I wrote this Winter hath been exceeding hard and sharpe the like not seen by those who have lived 20. or 30. years in it which hath hindred me of a great deal of work yet I have cleared three Acres of Ground to be an Orchard and a Garden which lyes close to the house which I am a building which is all of Stone work with Cellars under the Ground six Rooms off a floor two Stories high beside the Garrat and I have two Massons dayly working at it since the first of February three Wrights working at an Horse mill which will be clear against the later end of this Moneth And I am told that the Mill will be worth 100. lib. a year but I am sure she will be better then 50. of clear Money for every Scotsboll of Wheat or Indian Corn payes here for grinding of it 2. shill Ster this house and mill stands me a great deal of Money but there is none such in this Countrey nor ever was I resolve to go out to the Countrey to the Land which I have taken up which is upon a place called the South River which is 2 hours going from my own house by water I mind to settle some of my Servants there against the midle of this Moneth I am provided with six course Horse Oxen and Swine sufficiently in number for any Plantation for the first year the Land I have settled on in my Judgement is extroardinary good If any Friend or Acquaintance hath any inclination to come over here I can assure them if they be Frugall men and have but 300. lib. Ster Stock they may live better then a Gentleman with us of 40. Chalders of Victuall I cannot now resolve to come home till this time twelve Moneth since Thomas Parson hath so much disappointed me as I have written to my wife but against that time if the LORD preserve me in health I will come home then present my service to Arbikie and to my Sisters and to all our Friends which will save me a trouble to give them a Line my love to your wife and children I am Your Loving Brother David Mudie Let Arbikie my Sisters and the rest of my Friends see this Letter Abstract of a Letter from Robert Fullerron Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to his Brothers and Sisters from Amboy the 6. of November 1684. Dear Brothers and Sisters By the Mercies of the Most High we are safe arryved after a long Demur by contrary winds we encountered very hapily at first with Long Island and the next day came to an Anchor in New Jersey The Passengers did all very well though we had some very rough gusts and were very throng in so small a vesshel being 130. Souls besids Sea men of these 27. were women 6. or 7. children only one man whom I hyred in your house called William Clark standing carlesly upon the Forcastle tumbled over boards and drowned tho we put out our boat and endeavoured in vain to save him This Countrey pleaseth us very well and appears to be nothing short of our expectation We were yesterday ranging about veiwing our Land whereâ—â—u shall have accompt by the next 〈◊〉 Land in general is good and aâ—reeâ—â—â—th the accompt you have heard tâ—â— I â—ees are no hing so invincible as I did â—magine being neither so thick nor so great as we thought The first plant which I touched was wild Bayes which row in abundance here the fruits are gery excellent such sorts as I have seen vâ—les the best I believe in the world some I have seen of a pound weight Cattle in generall are abundantly plentifull especially Horse and Oxen the greatness and fatness of the Oxen will Countervail the Difference of the price being about 5. lib. sterling The Countrey is not altogether leavell as some other Countries here but hath easie rysings and Vallies my new experience cannot give you such an accompt as you may afterwards expect but in generall the Countrey may satisfie any rationall ingenuous mind yet I find there be Novices who knows no happiness save home with a glass of Wine and Comorads in a change House tho there be no want here of more noble devertisments as hunting wild Beasts wild Horses and Deer yesterday I did see severall droves of Deer and wild Horses as I did ride up in the Countrey The Land which we were veiwing is a large plain under the blew hills watered with two or three little Rivers about 8. or 9. miles from New-Perth four from Rariton-River Northward the land downwards is all taken up by the Quitrenters
of Piscatway Woodbridge or Elizabeth Town there shall be nothing of care wanting in your affairs and I do expect the like from you I hope my Grand Mother is in health wish her from me long life and good health and assure her she wronged the Countrey in her opinion present my love to all my Friends I am Your affectionat Brother Robert Fullertown A Letter from John Forbes Brother to the Laird of Barnla Directed to Mr. James Elphingston of Logie Writter to His Majesties Signet in Edinburgh in Scotland From Amboy-point alias New-Perth in the Province of East-New Jersey in America March 18. 1685. Honoured Sir I having the occasion of this Bearer Mr. Drummond brother to John Drummond the Factor in Edinburgh and who came Passenger with me to this place from Scotland I could not omit my duty in acquainting you by this line of our safe arrival into America tho being by the Divine Hand of Providence miraculouslâ— preserved from the cruelty of the tempestuous Ocean occasioned by a mighty storm of wind which happened upon the 12. day of September last and which blew so tempestuously that in short it carried first away our Bolspret and afterwards our whole three Masts Flagstaff and all by the board before the Sailers were able to get them cut it likewise took away the awning above our quarter-deck and left not so much as an yard of a rope above our heads all which was done in the space of half an hour We lay thus distressed like a pitiful Wrack all that night we having lost our Masts about 12. of the clock in the day and two dayes thereafter at the mercie of the Waves which being like mountains occasioned by the great storm of wind without hopes of recovery being then above 200. leagues from this land of America tossing to and fro expecting that each wave should overwhelm us Yet at last it pleased GOD to turn the storm into a calm and having preserved all our lower Yairds we made all haste and made Jury Masts of them with the help whereof tho very unsufficient ones to dryve forward the bulk of so great a Vessel and of GODS miraculous Mercie and Providence Who immediatly after we had put our ship in any mean posture for plying out her Voyage was pleased to send us such a fair and moderate gale of wind as brought us in sight of the Capes of Virginia within 15. dayes after or there abouts having never ceased for the whole time till it brought us thither in safty So we came within the Capes and sailed up that great Navigable Bay called Chessapeik bay up through all Virginia up to Maryland where we landed at the place where our ship was bound to take in her Tobacco for her homeward Loadning But being this Disabled and not being able to ply out her Voyage to this place where she ought to have landed us we was necessitat to travel from thence by Land to this place being upwards of 200. English miles and having left our Goods behind us which was thereafter to come about in a Sloup we was necessitat to stay all Winter in this New and young Citie where we had but very bad Commodation for Lodging tho we knew of no want of Victuals of all sorts for mony tho at a considerable dear rate This hindered us long from our falling to work about our husbandries which was a great loss of time to us However when our sloup came about which did not hold the half of our goods So that every man yet wants the half of his goods But are dayly expecting them by the same Sloup which we fraghted thither back again I went out to the Woods to the land we had pitched upon with several others of our Counteey men such as Tho Gordon and Mr. Chat his Brother Brothers to the Laird of Straloch Kinnabers two Sons Robert and Mr. Thomas Fullertons James Johnston of Spotswood and John Barclay the Governours Brother with some others where we have all pitched near by one another upon an piece of excellent land as we suppose Whereof I judge I have not the worst if not the absolute best piece of land in all that Tract for we had it all at our own choising and not by lots this land lyes not on a Navigable River but about 5. or 6. miles from Rariton river which is Navigable up the nearest place to our Plantations For the best places of the Rivers are already inhabited by the old Planters of this Countrey who have been here some 16. or 18. years agoe There are many places upon Navigable Rivers yet untaken and some very near this place also which is intended to be the Metrapolis of this Province But it is generally sandy barren land and the best land is compute by all to be in the woods back some several miles from the Navigable Rivers So that we rather chuse land for profitablness then for Conveniences of Towns and pleasure allennarly For there is aboundance both of good and barren land in this Province So that a man may chuse some for pleasure and some for profit and Conveniency for I intend to take up about 4. or 500. Acres where I have now setled which is on a very pleasant place and good land and whereof I have with two hands not having had time to get many Servants away with me having come away upon so short advertisement and whereof I lost one at Maryland by sickness so that now I have but two and a Woman for dressing our Victuals and Cloaths till I get more sent me this year already cleared or at least will clear and have in Corn this year about 8 or 10 Acres of ground tho it was prettie thick of stately tale Timber and that since the 26. of January at which time I went to the Woods I have 1000. Acres to take up at this time out of the first Division of 10000. Acres ordained to be laid out to every Proprietor I having bought a 10. part whereof my Brother is half sharer I have also taken up 400. Acres of excellent fine land on Rariton River about 20. miles above Amboy whereon I design to set Servants that I expect over this ensuing Summer and so to divide our said parcels and improve them for a year or two to the best advantage and then to sell them off If I design to come home which we can do at good profite Now for a general description of this Countrey it is a fine place for those who have a good stock to lay out upon a stock of Cattel of all sorts which do greatly multiply here in a short time and are sold at great rates and may soon increase a stock greatly or it is a good Countrey for an Industrious Frugal Man that designes to follow Husbandries closlie providing he bring but some little stock to stock a Plantation withall or it is very good for Tradsmen as good Carpenters Smiths Tailors c. who will get