of the Soils the temperature of the Climats the healthfulness of the places the Constitutions of the several Governments the conveniences of Access the advice given to Phaeton appears very apposite medio tutissimus ibis and so East-Jersey upon the River of Hudson is the place I find my self oblidge to preferr to any other of the English Plantations upon that coast upon some or other if not most of the above named considerations That you may be convinced of the truth of this I here send you what discription I have of that place as it is narrated in a Treatise thereanent emitted lately by the Scots Proprieters I send you also the doubles of several letters from thence all agreeing in one to the advantage of that place confirming all spoken in the said Treatise after your perusal of what does follow you will see whether I have ground or not to make this choise It is time now to show how some of our Countrey-men in order to so advantagious a Project have already purchased an considerable Interest in a Plantation which is justly esteemed not Inferiour if not beyond any place upon the whole continent of America belonging to the English Dominions called East-New-Jersey The deduction of the right of it is thus The KING by Patent to the Duke of York granted a great tract of Land lying betwixt Virginia and New-England It was formerly in the hand of the Dutch and considerably improved by them and called New-Netherlands And by treaty after the first Dutch Wars Surrendered to the King that part of it lying betwixt Delaware and Hudsons River called New-Cesaria or New-Jersey which is betwixt the 39. and 41. Degree of Northern Latitude was by the Duke of York granted to John Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright That part which belonged to the Lord Barkley being assigned to Edward Billings Afterwards by a deed of Partition betwixt the said Edward Billings and Sir George Cartwright The West Part lying upon Delaware River was allotted to Edward Billings for his share and the East part lying upon Hudsons River nearest to the Province of New York was appointed to Sir George Cartwright for his share Which part now called East-New-Jersey is from Sir George Cartwright conveyed to twelve Persons in and about London who have since conveyed an half to other twelve so that as well the Right of Government as the Soyl standeth now in 24. Proprietors in favours of some of whom the Duke of York has been latey pleased to make a new Grant of Confirmation both of Soyl and Government to the twenty four Proprietors with the same Power and Priviledges he has in his Patent from the King which are as large as any other Plantation hath for the Words of the Dukes Patent are as followeth The Patent from the King to James Duke of York c. CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Men to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know ye that WE for diverse good causes and considerations Us hereunto moving have of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion Given and Granted and by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Do give and grant unto Our dearest Brother JAMES Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes All that part of the Maine-Land of New-England beginning at a certain place called or known by the name Saint Croix next adjoyning to New-Scotland in America and from thence extending along the Coast unto a certain place called Pamaquin or Pemaquid and so up the River thereof the farthest Head of the same as it tendeth Northward and extendeth from the River Kenbequin and so upwards by the shortest course to the River of Canada Northward and all that Island or Islands commonly called by the several name or names of Mattawax or Long-Island scituate and being towards the West of Cape-cod and the narrow Heggansets abutting upon the main Land between the two Rivers there called or known by the several names of Conectecute and Hudsons River together also with the said River called Hudsons River and all the Land from the West-side of Conectecute River to the East-side of Delaware Bay And also all those several Islands called or known by the name of Martins-Vineyard and Hantucks alias Hantuckett together with all the Lands Islands Soyls Rivers Harbours Mines Mineralls Quarries Woods Marshes Waters Lakes Fishing Haukings Huntings and Foulings and all other Royallities Profits Commodities and Hereditaments to the said several Islands Lands and Premisses belonging and appertaining with their and every of their Appurtenances and all Our Estate Right Title and Interest Benefit and Advantage Claime and Demand of in or to the said Islands or Premisses or any part or parcel thereof and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders together with the Yearly and other Rents Revenues and Profits of the Premisses and every Part and Parcel thereof To have and to Hold all and singular the Lands and Premisses with their and every of their Appurtenances thereby given and granted or herein before mentioned to be given or granted unto Our said Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies for ever To be Holden of Us Our Heirs and Successors as of Our Manner of East-Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knights Service Yeeld and Rendering And the same James Duke of York for himself his Heirs and Assignes DOTH Covenant and Promise to yeild and render unto US Our Heirs and Successors of and for the same yearly and every year Fourty Beaver skins when the same shall be demanded or within ninety dayes after such Demand made And WE do further of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion for Us Our Heirs and Successors give and grant unto Our said Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs Deputes Agents Commissioners and Assignies by these Presents full and absolute Power and Authority to Correct Punish Pardon Govern and Rule all such Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successours or any other Person or Persons as shall for time to time adventure themselves into any the Parts or Places aforesaid Or that shall or do at any time hereafter inhabit within the same according to such Laws Orders Ordinances Directions and Instructions as by Our said Dearest Brother or his Assignes shall be Established and in defect thereof in cases of necessity according to the good Directions of his Deputie Commissioners Officers or Assignes respectively as well in cases and matters Capital and Criminal as Civil and others so alwayes as the said Statutes Ordinances and Proceedings be not contrary to but as near as may be agreeable to the Laws Statutes and Government of this Our Realm of England AND Saving and Reserving to Vs Our Heirs and Successors the Receiving Hearing and Determining the Apeale and Apeales of any Person or Persons of in or belonging to the Territories or
Christian Servant exceeding the age aforesaid after the expiration of their time of service 75. Acres of Land for their own uses 2ly Item To every Master or Mistris that go before the first day of January which shall be in the years of our Lord 1665. One hundreth and twenty acres of Land and for every able man servant that he or she shall carrie or send Armed and proâ—yded as aforesaid and arryving within the time aforesaid the like quantity of 120 Acres of and. And for every weaker Servant or slave male or female exceeding the age of 14. years arryving there 60 acres of Land and to every Christian servant to their own use and behoof 60 acres of Land 3ly Item To every Free-man or ree-woman that shall arryve in the said Province armed and provyded as a aforesaid within the second year from the first day of January 1665 to the first day oâ— January 1666. with an intention to plâ—nt 90. acres of Land English measure and for every able man servant that â—he or she shall carrie or send armed and provided as aforesaid 90 acres of Land of like measure 4ly Item For every weaker servant or Slave aged as aforesaid that shall be so carried or sent thither within the second year aforesaid 45 acres of Land of like measure And to every Christian Servant that shall arrive thâ— second year 45 acres of Land of like measure after the expiration of his or their time or service for their own use and behoove 5ly Item To every freeman and free woman armed and provided as aforesaid That shall go and adventure with an intent to plant within the third year from January 1666 To January 1667 60 Acres of Land of like measure And for every able man-servant â—hat he or they shall carrie or send over within the said time Armed and provided as aforesaid the like quantity of 60. Acres of Land And for every weaker Servant or Slave aged as aforesaid that he or they shall carrie or send within the third year 30. Acres of Land and to every Christian Servant so carried or sent thirty 30. Acres of land of like measure after the expiration of his or their time of service All which land and all other that shall be possessed in the said Province are to be held on the said Terms and Conditions as is beforementioned and as hereafter in the following Paragraphs is more at large exprest Provided alwayes that the forementioned land and all other whatsoever that shall be taken up and so settled in the said Province shall afterwards from time to time for the space of 13. years from the date hereof be held upon the conditions aforesaid containing one able man servant or two such weaker servants as aforesaid on every 100 acres a Master or Mistress shall possesse besides what was granted for his or her own person In failÈie of which on notification to the pâ—esâ—nt occupant or his assignies there shall be 3 years given to such for their compleating the said number of persons or for their sale or other disposure of such part of their Lands as are not so peopled within which time of three years if any persone holding any Lands shall fail by himself his agents executors and assignies or some other way to provide such number of persons unless the General Assembly shall without respect of partie Judge it was impossible for the party so failing to keep or procure his or her number of servants to to be provided as aforesaid In such case we the Lords to have power of disposing of somuch of such lands as shal not be planted with its due number of persons as aforsaid to some other that will plant the same Provided alwayes that no persons arryving into the said province with purpose to settle they being Subjects or naturalized as aforesaid be denyed a grant of such proportions of Land as at the time of ther arryvall there are due to themselves or servants by concession from us as aforesaid But have full licence to take up and settle the same in such order and manner as is granted and prescribed All Lands notwithstanding the powers in the Assemblies aforesaid shall be taken up by warrand from the Governor and Confirmed by the Governor and Council under a Seal to be provided for that purpose in such order and method as shal be set down in this declaration and more at large in the Instructions to the Governor And that the Lands may be the more regularly laid out and all persons be better ascertained of their titles and possessions The Governor and Council and General Assembly if any be are to take care and direct that all Lands be divided by General Lots none less then Two thousand one hundreth acres no more then twenty one thousand acres in each Lot Excepting Cities Towns c. And near Lots of Township and that the same be divided into seven parts one seventh part by Lot to us our Heirs and Assignies The remander to persons as they shall come to plant is such proportions as is allowed 2ly Item That the Governour or whom he shall depute in case of Death or absence if some one be not before Commissionated by us as aforsaid doe give to every person to whom Land is due a warrant signed and sealed by himself and the Major part of his Council and directed to the Surveyor generall or his Deputie Commanding him to Lay out Limit and bound Acres of Land as his due proportion for such a person in such Alottment according to the warrand The Register having first recorded the same and attested the record upon the warrand The Surveyor Generall or his Deputie shall proceed and certifie to the Chief Secretary the name of the person for whom he hath Laid out Land By vertue of what Authority and the date of the Authority or warrand the number of Acres the bounds and on what point of the Compass the severall Limits thereof Lye which certificate the Register is likewayes to enter in a book to be prepared for that purpose with ane Alphabetical table referring to the book that so the certificat may be the easier found and then to fill the certificats and the same to keep Safelie The certificat being entered a warrand comprehending all the particulars of Land mentioned in the Certificat aforesaid is to be signed by him and his Council or the Major part of them as aforesaid they having seen the entrie and direction to the Register or Chief Secretarie for his preparing a grant of the Land to the partie to whom it was laid out which grant shall be in the form following viz. The Lords Proprietors of the Province of New-Cesarea or New-Jersey do hereby grant unto A B of the _____ in the Province aforesaid a Plantation Containing _____ Acres English Measure bounding as in the certificat To be holden to him or her his or her Airs and Assignes for ever Yeelding and paying yearly unto the saids Lords proprietors
for food in their seasons But in the killing and destroying of Bears Wolves Foxes and other Vermine whose Skins and Furs they bring the English and sell them at less price then the value of the time that people must spend to take them Like as that this Collony may be founded in Justice and without any thing of Oppression as all that is already Planted is is truly Purchased from the Indians so there is a great deal more of the Province cleared by their consent and all is intended by paction with them to be obtained so that whoever Purchase or Plant under the Proprietors shal be fred of that incumbrance and if there were any hazard from the Indians as really there is none yet this Province could hardly be in any danger In respect that to the North upon the main-Main-Land from whence the hazard if any must come the Province of New-York comes betwixt it and them and 20. miles and more above upon Hudsons River there is a Fort called New-Albany There were Constitutions of Government made by the Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright in which such provision was made both for Liberty of Religion and Propertie that the Province hath been considerably Peopled and many resorted there from the Neighbouring Collonies so that the Planters are able already to Muster 500. well Armed Men. The Concessions and Agreement of the Lord Proprietors of the Province of New-Caesarea or New-Jersey to and with all and every the Adventurers and as such as shall settle or plant there granted by Lord John Barclay and Sir George Cartwright the then Lord Proprietors upon their sending thir people to Plant Anno 1664. IMprimis We do consent and agree that the Governour of the said Province hath power by the advice of his Council to depute one in his place and Authority in case of death or removeall to continue untill farther order unless we have Commissionated one before 2. Item That he hath likewise power to make choice of and take to him six Counsellors at least or twelve at most or any even number betwixt six and twelve with whose consent and advice or with at least three of the six or four of a greater number all being summonded he is to Govern according to the Limitations and Instructions following during Our Pleasure 3. Item That a Chief Secretary or Register which we have chosen or shall choice we faillieing that he shall choice shall keep exact entries in fair books of all publict affaires and to avoyd Decreets and Law Suitts shall record and enter all grants of Lands from the Lords to the Planters and Conveyances of Lands houses or from man to man as also all Leases for Land house or housâ—s made or to be made by the Land-Lord to any tennant for more then one year which Conveyance or Lease shall be first acknowledged by the Granter or Leaser or proved by the each two witnesses to the Lease or Conveyance before the Governor or some cheif Judge of a Court for the time being who shall under his hand upon the back side of the said deed or Lease attest the acknowledgement or Proof as aforesaid which shal be a warrand for the Register to record the same which conveyance or Lease so recorded shall be good and effectuall in the Law notwithstanding any other conveyance Deed or Lease for the said Land house or houses or any part thereof although dated before the Conveyance Deed or Deed or Lease so recorded as aforesaid And the said Register shall do all other thing or things that we by our Instructions shall direct and the Governor Counsel and assemblie shall ordaine for the good and wellfaire of the said Province 4ly Item That the Suerveyour generall that we have chosen or shall choice such faillieing that the Governour shall choice shall have power by himself or deputie to Survey Lay out and bound all such Lands as shall be granted from the Lords to the Planters and all other Lands within the said Province which may concerne particular men as he shall be desired to doe And a particular thereof certified to the Register to be recorded as aforesaid Provided that if the said Register and Surveyer shall so mis-behave themselves as that the Governor and Counsellor Deputie Governour or Counsellor the Major part of them shall find it reasonable to Suspend their actings in their respective employments It shall be Lawful for them so to doe untill further order from us 5ly Item That the Governour Counsellors Assemblie Men Secretarie Surveyer and all other Officers of Town shal Swear or Subscribe in a book to be provided for that purpose That they will bear true allegiance to the King of England his Heirs and Successors And that they will be faithfull to the interest of the Lords Propietors of the said Province and their Heirs executors and Assignes and endeavor the peace and wellfair of the said Province and that they will truelie and faithfullie discharge their respective trusts in their respective officses and doe equall Justice unto all men according to their best skill and Judgement without corruption favour or affection And in the names of all that have Sworne to Subscribe to be entered in a book And whosoever shall Subscribe and not Sweare and shall violate his promise in that Subscription shall be lyable to that same punishment that the Persons are or may be that have Sworn and broken their Oaths 6ly Item That all persons that are or shall become Subjects to the King of England and Swear and Subscribe allegiance to the King and faithfulness to the Lords shal be admitted to plant and become a Free man in the said Province and enjoy the Freedomes and Immunities hereafter exprest untill some stop or contradiction be made by us the Lords or els the Governor Council and Assemblie which shall be in force untill the Lords see cause to the contrarie Provyded That such stopes shall not any wayes prejudice the right or continuance of any person that hath been received before such Stop or order come from the Lords or Generall Assemblie 7ly Item That no person as aforsaid within the said Province at any time shall be any wayes molested punished Disquyeted or called in question for any Difference in Opinion or Practise in matters of Religious Concernments who doe not actuallie disturb the Civil peace of the said Province But that all and every such person and persons may from time to time and at all time freelie and fullie have and enjoy his and their Judgement and Consciences in matters of Religion throughout all the said Province They behaving themselves peaceablie and quyetlie and not useing this Liberty to Licentiousnes to the civil injurie or outward disturbance of others Any Law Statute or Clause contained or to be contained Vsage or Custome of this Realm of England to the contrarie thereof in any wise notwithstanding 8ly Item That no pretence may be taken by us our Airs or Assignes for or by reason of our
right of Patronage and power of Advousone granted by his Maâ—esties Letters patents unto his Royall Highness James Duke of York and by his said Royall Highness unto us thereby to infringe the Generall Clause of Libertie of Conscience aforementioned We doe hereby grant unto the Generall Assemblie of the said province power by Act to Constitute such and so many Ministers or Preachers as they shall think fit and to establish their Maintainance giving Libertie besides to any person or persons to keep and Maintain what Ministers or Preachers they please 9ly Item That the Inhabitants being Free men or chief Agents to others of the province aforesaid do as soon as this our Commission shall arryve by vertue of a Writ in our names by the Governor to be for the present untill our Seall comes Sealled and Signed make choice of twelve Deputes or Representatives from among themselves who being chosen are to joyne with the said Governor and Council for the making such Laws Ordinances and Constitutions as shal be necessarie for the prâ—sent good and welfare of the said Province But so soon as Parishes Divisions Tribes and other Distinctions are made that then the Inhabitants or Free holders of the several and respective Parishes Tribes or Dominions and Restrictions aforesaid do by Our Write under Our Seal which we engage shall and be in due time issued annually meet on the first day of January and choise Free-holders for every respective Division Tribe or Parish to be the Deputies or Representatives of the same which body of Representatives or the major part of them shall with the Governour or Counsel aforesaid be the General Assemblie of the said Province the Governour or his Depute being present unles they shall wilfullie refuse In which case they may appoint themselves a President during the absence of the Governour or Depute Governour Which ASSEMBLIES are to have Power 1. To appoint their own time of meeting and to adjourne their Sessions from time to time to such times and places as they shall think convenient As also to as certaine the number of their Quorum Provided the said number be not less then the 36. part of the whole in whom or more shall be the full power of the General Assemblie viz. 2ly To Enact and make all such Laws Acts and Constitutions As shall be necessarie for the well Government of the said Province and them to repeall Provided That the same be consonant to Reason and as near as may be Convenientlie agreeable to the Laws and Customes of his Majesties Kingdom of England Prvided also that they be not against the Interest of us the Lords Proprietors our Airs and Assignes or any of these our Concessions Especially that they be not repugnant to the Article for Libertie of Conscience abovementioned which Laws c. so made shall receive Publication from the Governour and Councill but as the Laws of us and our General Assemblies and be in force for the space of one year and no more unless contradicted by the Lords Proprietors within which time they shall be presented to us our Heirs c. for our ratification And being confirmed by us they shall be in continual force till expyred by their own Limitation or by Act of Repeal in like manner to be passed as aforesaid and confirmed 3ly By Act as aforesaid to constitute all Courts together with the Limits Powers and Jurisdictions of the same and also the several Offices and number of the Officers belonging to each Court with their respective Salaries Fees and Perquisits their Appellations and Dignities with the Penalties that shall be due to them for the breach of their several and respective Duties and Trusts 4ly By Act as aforesaid to lay equal Taxes and Assesments equally to raise Moneys or Goods upon all Lands except us the Lords Proprietors before settling or Persons within the several precints hundreds Parishes Manours or whatsoever other Divisions shall hereafter be made and established in the said Province as oft as necessity shall require and in such manner as to them shall seem most equal and easie for the said Inhabitants in order to the better supporting of the publick Charge of the said Government and for the mutual Safety Defence and Security of the said Province 5ly By Act as aforesaid to erect within the said Province such and so many Manours with their necessary Courts Jurisdictions Freedoms and Priviledges as to them shall seem meet and convenient As also to divide the said Province into Hundreds Tribes Parishes or such other Divisions and Districtions as they shall think fit and the said Divisions to distinguish by what manner we shall Order or Direct And in default thereof by such names as they please As also within the said Province to creat and appoint such and so many Ports Harbours Creeks and other places for the convenient Loading and Vnloading of Goods and Merchandise out of Ships Boats and other Vessels and shall be expedient with such Jurisdictions Priviledges and Franchises to each Ports c. belonging as they shall judge most conducing to the general good of the said Plantation or Province 6ly By their enacting to be confirmed as aforesaid to Erect Raise and Build within the said province or any part thereof such and so many Forts Fortresses Castles Cities Corporations Burrows Towns Villages and other places of Strength and Defence and them or any of them to incorporate with such Charters and Priviledges as to them shall seem good and the Grant made unto us will permit And the same or any of them to fortifie and furnish with such provisions and proportions of Ordnance Powder Shot Armour and all other Weapons Ammunition and habiliments of War hoth Offensive and Defensive as shall be thought necessary and convenient for the Safety and Welfare of the said Province But they shall not at any time Demolish Dismantle or Disfurnish the same without the consent of the Governour and the Major part of the Councill of the said Province 7ly By Act as aforsaid to Constitute Train-bands and Companies with the number of Souldiers for the Safetie Strength and defence of the said Province and of the Forts Castles Cities To Suppresse all Munities and Rebellions to make war Offensive and Defensive with all Indian Strangers and Forrainers as they shall see cause And to pursue an enemie by Sea as well as by Land if need be ouâ— of the Limitts and Jurisdictions of the said Province with the particular cons nt of the Governour and under his conduct or of our Commanders in chief or whom he shall appoint 8ly By Act as aforesaid to give unto all Strangers as to them shall seem meet a Naturalization and all such Freedomes and Priviledges within the said Province as to his Majesties Subjects do of right belong they Swearing or Subseryving as aforesâ—id said Stranger so Authorized and Priviledged shall be in all respects accounted in the said Province as the Kings naturall Subjects 9ly Item By an Act as
aforesaid to prescrive the quantities of Land which shall be from time to time allotted to every Head free or servant Male or Female and to make or ordain Rules for the casting of Lots for Lands and the laying out of the same provided That they do not in their prescriptions exceed the several proportions which are hereby granted by us to all persons arriving in the said Province or adventuring thither 10ly The General Assembly by Act as aforesaid shall make provision for the Maintainâ—nce and support of the Governour And for the defraying all necessary Charges of the Governmâ—nt As also the Constables of the saâ—d Province shall collect the Lords Rents and shall pay the same to the Receiver that the Lords shall appoint to receive the same unless the said Geneâ—al Assembly shal prescrive some other way whereby the Lords may have their Rents duely collected without charge or trouble to them 11ly And Lastly To Enact Constitute and Ordain all such other Laws Acts and Constitutions as shall or may be necessarie for the good property and setlement of the said Province excepting what by these presents is excepted and conforming to the Limitations herein exprest The Governour with his Council before exprest is First To see that all Courts established by the Laws of the General Assembly and all Ministers and Officers Civil and Military do and execute their several Offices and duties respective according to the Laws in force and to punish them for swerving from the Laws or Acting contrary to their Trust as the nature of their Offence shall require Sccondly According to the constitutions of the General Assembly to nominate and commissionate the severall Judges Members and Officers of Courts whether Magistratical or Ministerial and all other civil Officers Coroners c. And their Commissions Powers and Authorities to revoke at pleasure provided That they appoint none but Free-holders in the Province aforesaid unless the General Assembly consent Thirdly According to the constitutions of the General Assembly to appoint Courts and Officers in cases Criminal And to impower them to inflict penalties upon Offenders against any of the Laws in force in the said Province as the saids Laws shal ordain whether by Fine or Imprisonment Banishment Corporal punishment or to the taking away of Member or of Life it self if there be cause for it Fourthly To place Officers and Souldiers for the safety strength and defence of the Forts Castles Cities c. according by the number appointed by the General Assembly to nominat place Commissionat all Military Officers under the dignity of the said Governour who is Commissionated by Vs over the several Trained Bands and Companies constituted by the General Assembly as Collonels Captains c. And their Commissiones to revoke at pleasure The Governour with the advice of his Counsel unless some present dangers will not permit them to Advise To Muster and Traine all the Forces within the said Province to prosecute War pursue an Enemy suppress all Rebellions and Muâ—…inies as well by Sea as by Land and to exercise the whole Militia as fully as we by the Grant from his Royall Highness can impower him or them to do provided that they appoint not Militia Forces but what are Free-holders in the said Province unless the General Assembly shal consent Fifthly Where they see cause after Condemnation to reprive until the cause be presented with a copy of the whole Tryal proceedings and proofs to the Lords who will accordingly either pardon or command execution of the Sentence on the Offender who is in the mâ—an time to be kept in safe Custodie till the pleasure of the Lords be known Sixthly In case of Death ot other removal of the representative within the year to issue summonds by write to the respective division or divisions for which he or they were choosen Commanding the Free-holders of the same to choose others in their stead Seventhly To make warrands and to seall grants of Lands according to these our Concessions And the prescriptions by advice of the General Assembly in such forme as shall be at large sett down in our Instructions to the Governour in his Commission and which are hereafter exprest Eightly To Act and do all things that may conduce to the Safety peace and well Government of the said province as they shall see sit so that they be not contrare to the Laws of the said province For the better security of the Province of all the Inhabitants First They are not to impose nor suffer to be imposed any tax custome subsidie talladg assesmant or any other duty whatsoever upon any collour or pretence upon the said province and Inhabitants thereof other then what shall be imposed by the Authority and consent of the Generall assembly and then only in manner as aforesaid Secondly They are to take care that Land quietly held planted and possessed seven years after its being first duely surveyed by the Surveyor or General or his order shall not be subject to any review resurvey or alteration of bonds one what pretence soever by any of us or any Officer or Minister under us Thirdly They are to take care that no man if his cattle stray or range or graze on any ground within the said Province not actually appropriat or sett out to particular persons shall be lyable to pay anâ— trespase for the same to us our Heirs c. provided that custom of Commons be not thereby pretended to nor any person hindered from taking up and appropriating any Lands so grazed upon And that no person do purposely suffer his cattle to graze on such lands And that the planting of the said Province may be more speedily Promoâ—ed First Wee doe hereby grant unto all persons who have already adventured unto the said province of New Cesarea of New-Jersey or shall transport themselves or Servants before the 1. of January which shall be in the year of our Lord 1665. these following proportions viz. To every freeman that shall go with the first Governor from the poart where the Embarks or shall meet him at the rendezvous he appoints for the setlement of a plantation there Armed with a good musket bearing twelve bullets to the pound with ten pounds of powder and and twenty pounds of Bulletts with bandeliers and match convenient and with six months provision for his own person arriving there One hundreth and fifty Acres of Land English measure And for every able Man Servant that he shall carrie wiâ—h him armed and provyded as aforesaid and arryving there the like quantitie of 150. Acres of land English measure And who soever shall send servants at that time shall haâ—e for every able man servant he or she shall sâ—nd so Armed and provided as aforesaid and arryving there the like quantity of 150. Acres And for every weaker servant or slave male or female exceeding the age of 14. years whâ— h any one shall send or carrie arryving there 75 Acres of land And to every
Fowlings and all other Royalties Profits Commodities and Hereditaments unto the said premises belonging and appertaining with their and everie of their appertainances And all his said Majesties Estate Right Title Interest Benefite Advantage Claime and Demand of in and to the said Provinces or any part or parcell thereof and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders together with the yearlie and other Rents Revenues and profits of the same And of every part and parcel thereof To hold unto his Airs Royall Highness the said James Duke of York his Airs and Assignes for ever To he Holden of his said Majestie his Airs and Successors among other things therein granted as of his Majesties Manour of East Greenwich in his Majesties County of Kent in free and Common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knight Service under the yearly-rent therein mentioned And whereas His Royall Highness The said James Duke of York Did theretofore by Severall good and Sufficient Conveyances and assurances under his hand and Seall duely executed and daited the Twenty third and Twenty fourt dayes of June in the Sixteen year of his said Majesties Reign for the Consideration therein mentioned Grant and Convey the said Tract of Land and Premisses before mentioned to John Lord Barclay Baron of Stratton and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council And sir George Cartwright of Saltram in the County of Devon Knight and Barronet and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council and their Heirs the said Tract of land and premisses particularly before mentioned And the Reversion and Reversions Remander and Remanders of the same to hold unto the said John Lord Barclay and sir George Cartwright their Heirs and Assignies for ever under the yearly Rent of twenty Nobles Sterline payable as the same is therein reserved to be paid And whereas his said Majestie did by others his Letters Patents dated the twenty ninth day of June in the six and twentieth yeaâ— of his said Majesties Reign grant and convey unto his said Royal Highness and his Heirs for ever aswell the said tract of Land and premisses herein before recited to have been granted and conveyed by his said Royall Highness unto the said John Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright as aforesaid As all other the Lands and Hereditaments in and by the said herein first before recited Letters Patents granted or mentioned to be granted And whereas His said Royall Highness by his indentures of Lease and release bearing date the _____ dayes of July in the six and twenty year of his said Majesties Reign Did grant and convey the said tract of Land and premisses to the said Sir George Cartwright his Airs and Assignes as by the said Indentures Relation being thereunto had may appear And whereas upon a partition made of the said whole and entire premisses between the said Sir George Cartwright And William penn of Worminhurst in the Countrey of Sussex Esquire Gavin Lawrie of London Merchant Nicolas Lucas of Hertford in the Countey of Hertford Malster Edward Billing of West-minster in the Countey of Midlesex Gentleman In whom the Fee Simple of the said John Lord Barclays undivyded Moyeties of all and Singular the premisses by good and sufficient conveyance was then vested The said William Penn Gavin Lowrie Nicolas Lucas and Edward Billing did bargian sell release and confirm unto the said Sir George Cartwright his Heirs and Assignes all that Easterly part share and portions and and all these Easterly parts shares portions the said whole and entire Tract of Land and Premisses beforementioned Extending Eastward and Northward alongst the Sea-Coasts and the said River called Hudsons River from the East-side of a certain place or harbour lying on the Southren part of the same tract of Land and commonly called or knâ—wen in a Mape of the said tract of Land by the name of Little Egge harbour to that part of tho said River called Hudsons-River which is in fourty one degrees of Latitude being the farthermost part of the said Tract of Land and Premisses which is bounded by the said River and crosing over from thence in a Straight Lyne extending from that part of Hudsons-River aforsaid to the most Northermost branch of the aforementioned River called Delawar River And to the most Northerly point and Boundarie of the said entire Tract of Land and premisses now called the North-partition Point And from thence that is to say from the North partition point Extending Southward unto the more Southerly point by a straight and direct Lyne drawen through the said tract of Land from the said North partition point unto the said South partition point by the consent and agreement of ohe said parties now called the Lyne of partition And by them intended for the dividing and making a partition of the said Easternly part Share and portion from the Westernly part Share and portion of the said tract of Land and premisses And all and every the Isles Islands Rivers Mynnes Mineralls Woods Fishings Hawkings hunttings and Foullings and all other Royalties Governments powers Forts Franchises Harbours Profits Commodities and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the said Easternly part Share and portion of the said Tract of Land and premisses belonging or in any waves appertaining with their and every of their appertenances And all the Estate Right Tittle Interest Property Claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said William Penn Gavin Lowrie Nicolas Lucas and Edward Billing and of each and every of them of in to and out of the said Easternly part Share and portion of the said Tract of Land and Premisses and every part and parcell thereof And the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders of the same and every part and parcell of the same All which said Easternly part Share and portion parts Share and portions was and were then and now is and are by the Consent and agreement of the said parties to the said partition called and agreed from thenceforth to be called by the names of East-New-Jersey and is all that and only all that part Share and portion and all this parts shares and portion of the said Tract of Land and premisses so conveyed by his said Royall Highness as aforesaid as lyeth extended Eastward from the Eastside of the said Lyne of partition before mentioned To hold unto the said Sir George Cartwright his Heirs and Assignes in severaltie to the use of him the said Sir George Cartwright his Heirs and Assignes for ever Vpon which partition so made and such conveyances so executed as aforesaid He the said Sir George Cartwright became Seazed of all that Easternly part of the said premisses now called East-New-Jersey with the appertenances in Severaltie And whereas the said Sir George Cartwright being by vertue of the said Assurances and partition aforesaid soll Seazed to him and his Heirs of the said premisses called East-New-Jersey by his Last Will and Testament in writing bearing date on about the first day of December in the year of
Our Lord one Thousand six hundreth seventie and eight Did devise the same and all his Estate therein amongst other things To the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Sandwich the Right Honourable John Earl of Bath The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Crew Barron Crew of Steane The Honourable Bernard Greenvile Esquire brother of the said Earl of Bath The Honourable Sir Robert Atkins Knight of the Bath and the Honourable Sir Edward Atkins Knight one of the Barrons of his Majesties Court of Exchequer and their Heirs in trust to sell the same for payment of his Debts and Legacie as in and by the said will relation being thereunto had may appear and shortlie after dâ—ed And whereas the said John Earl of Bath Thomas Lord Crew Bernad Greenvile Sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins by Indentures of Lease bearing date the fifth and sixt dayes of March in the 32 year of his Majesties Reign Conveyed the said Premisses amongst other things to Thomas Cremer of the Parish of Sanct Andrews Holbern in the Countey of Midle sex Gentleman and Thomas Pecock of the same Gentleman As by the said Indentures Relation being thereunto had it may appear And whereas the said Earl of Sandwick by his Indentures bearing date the Twenty day of February last past Hath released all his Estate Interest and trust in the said Premisses To the said Earl of Bath Lord Crew Bernard Greenvile Sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins and their Heirs As by the said Indenture relation being thereunto had may appear And whereas the said Earl of Bath Lord Crew Bernard Greenvile Sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins by the Consent and directions of Dam Elizabeth Cartwright Relict and Executrix of the said sir George Cartwright and the said Thomas Cremer and Thomas Pecock by the consent and directions of the said Dam Elizabeth Cartwright Earl of Bath Lord Crew Bernard Greenvile sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins Have by Indentures of Lease and Release bearing date the first and second dayes of February last past Granted and conveyed to the said William Penn Robert West Thomas Rudyard Samuell Groome Thomas Hart Richard Mew Thomas Wilcox of London Goldsmith Ambrose Rigg John Haywood Hugh Hartshorn Clement Plimisted and Thomas Cowper their Heirs and assignes all the said premisses called East-New-Jersey Together with all Isles Islands Rivers Mines Mineralls Woods Fishings Hawkings Huntings Foulling and all other Royalties Priviledges Franchess Forts Harbours Profits Commodities and Hereditaments whatsoever thereunto belonging As in And by the said Indentures relation being thereunto had may more at large appear And whereas the said William Penn Robert West c. Have since conveyed one Moyties of that said tract of Land called East-New-Jersey and of all other the Premisses to the said James Earl of Perth John Drummond Robert Barclay Robert Gordon Arent Sonmans Gavin Lowrie Edward Billings James Branie William Gibson Thomas Barker Robert Turner and Thomas warne who are hereby become tennents in common of the said Premisses called East-New-Jersey with the said William penn Robert West Thomas Rudyard Samuell Groome Thomas Hart Richard Mew Thomas Wilcox Ambrose Rigg John Hay Wood Hugh Harthorns Clement Plumsted and Thomas Cowper And whereas the said Thomas Wilcox hath since conveyed all his Share Estate and Interest in the said Premisses to the said David Barclay and his Heirs And whereas by the said severall recited Letters Patents made by his said Majestie unto his said Royall Highness as aforesaid several powers and Authority are and were Given granted unto his said Royall Highness his Heirs and Assignes to be execut by his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes or by the Deputies Agents or Commissioners of his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes which are necessarie as well for the Planting Peopleing and Improving of all and every the respective Lands Places and Territories thereby granted And for the Transporting thither from time to time such of his Majesties Subjects as should be willing to go or be Transporting into these parts or any of them As for the Defending Guarding and keeping of the same As also for the well governing of the same and of all such as are and shall be inhabiting in the same And for the making ordaining and executing of necessarie and convenient Laws and Constitutions in order to such Government and the Punishing and Pardoning Offences and Offenders as occasion shall require And to Nominat Make Ordain Constitut and Confirm And also to Revock Discharge Change and Alter all and Singular Governours Officers and Ministers which by his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes shall be from time to time thought fit and needfull to be made ordained appointed or used in the saids parts or places or any of them And to do all other things needfull usefull and necessarie for the well Governing keeping Defending and preserving the said respective places and Territories and of every of them and all such as are or shall be Inhabiting there Now These Presents Witnesseth That for and in consideration of a competent sume of Lawfull English money unto his said Royall Highness in hand payed And for the better Extingushing all such claimes and Demands as his said Royall Highness or his Heirs may any wayes have of or in the Premisses aforesaid now called East-New-Jersey or any part of them And for the further and better settling and conveying Assuring and Confirming of the same and of every part thereof according to the purport and true meaning of these presents His said Royal Highness the said James Duke of York hath granted bargained sold released and confirmed And by these presents as far as in him lyeth Doth grant bargaine sell release and confirme unto the said James Earl of Perth John Drummond Robert Barclay c. their Airs or Assignes All that part share and portion and all these parts shars and portions of all that entire Tract of Land and all these entire premisses so granted by his said Royal Highness unto the said John Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright and their Airs as in by and upon the said partition was and were Vested in the said Sir George Cartwright and his Airs and then agreed to be called by the name of East-New-Jersey Together with all Islands Bays Rivers Waters Forts Mines Querries Royalties Franchises and Appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wayes appertaining And all the Estates Rights Title Interest Reversion Remainder Claime or Demand whatsoever as well in Law as in Equitie of his said Royal Highness James Duke of York of in to or out of the same or any part or parcell of the same As also the free use of Bayes Rivers and Waters leading unto or lying between the said Premisses or any of them in the said parts of East-New-Jersey for Navigation free Trade Fishing or otherwayes To have and to hold unto the said Earl of Perth John Drummond Esquire c. their Airs and Assignes for ever To the only use and
to be just as he hath written but sets it down as a good part to his own knowledge the rest guessed at and is to the best of his remembrance particularlie about the quantity of Acres and number of Inhabitants  Acres Shrewsberry town and Plantation 30000 Midleton and Plantation 30000. Piscattaway and out Plantations 40000. Woodbridge and out Plantations 30000. Elizabethtown and Plantations 40000. Newark and out Plantations 50000. Berghen and out Plantations 60000.  in all 280000.  Acres Shreusberry Families 080. Midletoun 100. Woodbridge 120. Elizabeth 150. Piscattaway 080. Newark 100. Berghen 070.  in all 700. Families And reckoning 5. to all Families the old Inhabitants in the several Towns estimate to be 3500. Persons These besides the out Plantations that cannot be so well guessed at for Families or Persons as the Towns I desire Sir you may here stop a little and consider the Incouragment to be had from the above written Information which will by any understanding Person be judged of very great import you come not to a place altogether void of Inhabitants But on the contrar to a Countrey where at your first landing you have houses which can accommodat you with all necessars whatsoever If you look back with me to the great trouble these were redacted to who first went to that place of the World who were necessitat to carry over with them Horses Cows Sheep Hoggs c. Yea all sorts of provisions you will certainly acknowledge that it is a very easie business now in comparison of what it was then when so soon as you come to land you have houses to affoord you good and comfortable accommodation till you make provision for one of your own when you have some way accommodat your self with Lodging you may from all hands provide your self with Horses Cows Sheep Hoggs c. all sorts of Poultry all sorts of Seed for sowing this consideration does in my apprehension make the Design far more easie then would appear at first to any who would be necessitat to lay before his eyes great difficulties to be rancountered when come from Ships lodging is wanting upon the shore no other Victuals are in readiness but what is brought along from the place they came from none of these other accommodations to be furnished but what is brought a great way off Sir you will be oblidged to say we have even upon this one consideration a great advantage of our Countrey-men lately settled at Port-Royal in Carolina to mention nothing else in this place But now let us return to the perusal of several Letters from that place and I desire you to mark narrowly if you observe the least contradiction in any matterial point contained in any of them or if you do not find the above written Discription quadrat in the least particular with the said Letters A Letter from Thomas Rudyard Deputy Governour of New-East-Jersey to a Friend at London dated at East-Jersey the 30th of the 3d. Moneth called May 1683. Dear B. G. TO be as particular in my return were but thy due yet I cannot promise so much However I may give thee some general account of the Province and of our satisfaction with our present Lot the short time I have experienced this But to give thee also as thou desires a Character of Pensalvania and West-Jersey that will be a task I must be excused to undertake least I give offence or at least bring me under censure as partial Were I not concerned in any of the Provinces I might satisfie thy curiositie But being chieflie interested in this I 'le be very cautious medling with my Neighbours more then here one with another so I may use my freedom with my Neighbours which they take not ill but writ that they may take otherwayes They lye so near adjacent that they may be said in a sence to be but one Countrey And what 's said for one in General may serve for all I have been at Burlingtoun and at Pensilvania as far as Philadelphia which lyes about 20 miles below Burlingtoun That journey by Land gave me some view of all the Provinces and made me now considerably to estimate this of East-Jersey having some Conveniences esteemed be me which the others are not so plentifully furnished withal viz. fresh and salt Meadows which now are very valuable and no man here will take up a Tract of Land without them being the support of their flocks in Winter which other parts must supplie be store and taking more care for English Grass But know where salt Marisshes are not there is no Muskettos and that manner of Land the more health and this was often answered me when I have been making comparisons I must tell thee their Character in Print by all that reads it here is said to be modest and much more might have been said in its Commendation We have one thing more particular to us which the other want also which is vast Oysters banks which is Constant fresh Victuals during the winter to English as well as Indians of these there are many all along our Coasts from that Sea as high as against New York whence they come to fetch them so we are supplied with salt fish at our doors or within half a tydes passage and fresh Fish in aboundance in every little brook as Pearch Trout Ells c. which we catch at our doors Provisions here are very plentiful and people generally well stockt with Cattle New-York and Burlingtoun hath hitherto been their Mercat Few or no Trading-Men being here in this Province I believe it hath been very unhappily heretofore under an ill managed Government and most of the people who are such who have been invited from the adjacent Collonies by that goodness of its Soill and convenient Scituation at Amboy we are now building some small houses of 30. foot long and 18. foot breadth fitting to entertain Work-men and such who will go and build larger the stones lye exceeding well and good up that Rariton River a Tydes passage and Oyster-shells upon the point to make lyme withall which will wonderfully accommodat us in building good houses cheap warm for Winter cool for Summer and durable covering for houses are Shingles Oak Chesnut and Cedar we have plentiful here of all the last endures a mans age if he live to be old There is 5. or 6. Saw-mills going up here this Spring two at work already which abates the price of boords half in half and all other timber for building for although timber coast nothing yet workmanship by hand was London price or near upon or sometimes more which these Mills abate we buy Oak and Chesnut boords no cheaper then last year My habitation with Samuell Groome is at Elizabeth Town and here we came first it lyes on a fresh small river with the tyde Ships of 30. or 40. Tuns come before our doors throughout this Town is good English grass and bears a very good burthen we cannot
call our habitation solitarie for what with the publict employ I have little less companie at my house dayly then I had in George Yeard although not so many pass by my doors The people are general a sober professing people Wise in their Generation Courtious in their Behaviour and Respectful to us in Office among them As for the Temperature of the Air it is wonderfully scituated to the Humours of Mankind the wind and weather rarely holding in one point or one kind for ten dayes together It is a rare thing for a Vessel to be wind-bound for a week together the wind seldom holding in a point more then 48. hours in a short time we have weet and dry warm and cold weather which changes we often desire in England and look for before they come Yet this Variation creats not cold nor have we the tenth part of the cold as we have in England I never had any since I came and in the midst of Winter and Frosts could endure it with less cloaths then in England for generally I go with that same Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you but warm cloaths hurt not I bless the LORD I never had better health nor my Family my Daughters are very well improved in that respect and tell me they would not change their place for George Yeard nor would I People here are generally settled where the tyde reaches and althoughs this is good Land and well Timbered and plentifully supplied with Salt-Marish yet there is much better Land up higher on the River where they may go up with small boats where many now are settling there 's extraordinary Land fresh Meadows overflowed in the Winter time that produces multitudes of Winter Corns and it s believed will end are 20 30 or 50 years flowing without intromission and not decay such Land there is at Sops on Hudsons River which hath born Winter Corn about 20. years without help and is as good as at first and better William Penn took a view of the Land this last moneth when here and said he had never seen such before in his life All the English Merchants and many of the Dutch have taken and are desirous to take up Plantations with us Our Countrey here called Berghen is almost Dutchmen at a town called Newark 7. or 8. miles hence is made great quantities of Syder exceeding any we can have from New-England or Rood-Island or Long-Island I hope to make 20. or 30. Barrels out of our Orchard next year as they have done who had it before me for that it must be as providence ordered Upon our view and survey of Amboy-point we find extraordinary well scituate for a great Town or City beyound expectation at low water round about the point are Oysters There are Oysters of two kinds small as English and others two or three morsells exceeding good for roasting and stewing The people say our Oysters are good and in season all Summer The first of the third Moneth I eat of them at Amboy very good The point is good lively Land 10. some places 20. foot above the water mark About it are several Coves with small Coasts may lay up Vessels as in a decke besides great Ships of any burthen may all ryde before the town Land-loked against all winds There Rariton-River runs up or rather down 50 far larger some say 100. mylles for small boats I saw several vines upon the point which produces as they say good grapes in their Season this Countrie is very full of them but being no present mother of profite few regard them more then to pick them as they lay in their way when they are rype We have store of Clamms esteemed much better then Oysters one Festivals the Indians feast with them there are Shallops but in no great plentie Fish we have great store as our relation set forth but they are very good when catcht as the proverb is I have several Barrels by me now which are good for our Table and for Sale I brought a Sea-Net over with me which may turn to good account Sea-Nets are good Merchandise here mine cost me about 4. or 5. lib. and can have 20. lib. for it if I would sell it now I may writ of many such matters in our Province which may invite persons here but so am resolved to conclude knowing that in probability there is not an Industrious man but by GODS blessing may not only have a comfortable but plentifull supplie of all things necessary for this life with the salutation of my true affection to all c. I rest thy affectionat friend Tho. Rudyard A Letter from Samuell Groome Surveyour General in East-New-Jersey dated at East-Jersey the 11th of August 1683. Friends and Fellow-Proprietors SInce my last I have now sounded the Channell from Amboy to Sandy-hook and finds it to be a broad and bold Channell in no place less then 3. fathom at high water in ordinary tydes 4 5 or 6 fathom except in one short place Rariton River is a good River and hath a good tyde of flood overpowering the freshes about 30 miles above Amboy after its flood the tyde hath no force against the Freshes which comes out of several branches of Rariton and joyns in one 40. or 50. miles above Amboy I have spent a considerable time in making discovery I have not as yet had times to lay out much land for you only about 17. or 18. thousand Acres in one tract good upland near Elizabeth Town I have now seen the tract of Land against or nigh Amboy point formerly laid out by Vanquillian it is on the West-side of a Creek called Chingeroces about eight thousand Acres And I intend shortly to lay as much or twice as much more to it but first we must talk with the Natives about that and other tracts of Land they are not yet paid for The last day of this moneth is appointed to treat with several Indians to buy several exceeding good tracts nigh the head of Rariton The tenth of the next Moneth is also appointed to treat with other Indians to buy other tracts of choice Meadowing and Vp-land that lyeth about 12. or thirteen myles up into the Countrey which I have seen and when we have accomplished these two things we shall he able to lay out for you much land and when I have been up in the Countrey towards and at Barnagate and agreed with the Indians thereabout for such land as we may see occasion to purchase presently in order to a setlement there for here are many both of New-England New-York and some parts of this Province stands ready to sit down in that part of the Countrey not only for the sake of the good Vp land and Meadows which report saith is much thereabouts but also for the sake of the Whale Trade and other fishing trade which is like to be there shortly New-England Men and others were aâ— tampering with the Indians to have purchased there before
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
sixteen years have lived upon the product of the Land They cleared the first two years after they came and cleared none since which produced not only Corn to maintain their own Families but to sell every year and the encrease of their Bestial whereof they have good store of several Sorts Cows Oxen Horses Sheep and Swine yeelds them other provisions and to sell besides yet there be some more Industrious among them who have continued clearing and Improving Land and these have got Estates and would not sell their Plantations for several hundred pounds we have late up a little way on the Rariton River but could not go so far as we intended being prevented by Rainy weather but so far as we went was very rich land and yet that above it is said to be richer a great deal of it is naturally clear of wood And which is not so is easily cleared the trees being but small and a good distance from one another so that the Land yet untaken up so far as we can understand is easier to clear then that which is taken up the Towns that are already seated being seated in woodiest places the Merchants in New-York both Dutch and English have many of them taken up Land and setled Plantations in this Countrey and severall from that Collony are desiring to come and take up land among us though they might have land in their own Collony without paying Quittrents The wood here is not so hard to clear as many think they do not pull it up by the Roots but them about a foot or more from the ground and one man may cut down many in a day four of our men the first day they began cut down seventy the best Trees they could find fit for building there are not many of great Trees but straight and tale and there be of many sorts Oak Walnut Chesnut Cedar Popler Gumtrees Firrs Pines Birth and Beech and other sorts which we remember not at present there are many good Orchards of Fruit trees and they make abundance of good Cyder especially at one Town called New-wark which is esteemed at New-York and other places where it is sold beyond any that comes from New-England there are Peaches and Vines grow wild about the River sides which in Season bears good Fruit and Grapes and there are Strawberries over all the Woods and many other kind of goods and Fruits and at Amboy point and several other places there is abundance of brave Oysters There will be many houses built there quickly for many have taken up lots and all that have taken are oblieged to built within a year there is good encouragment for Tradsmen to come over such as Carpentars Massons and Brick-layers for they build not only of Wood but also of Stone and Brick yet most of Countrey Houses are built of Wood only Trees split and seâ— up in end on the Ground and Coverings to their Houses are mostly Shingles made of Oak Chesnut and Cedar wood which makes a very neat Covering yet there are some Houses covered after the Dutch manner with pantikles the Towns are all settled upon Rivers where Vessels of 30 or 40 Tuns may come up to their doors and the out plantations generally upon some Brooks or Rivelets which are as plenty here as in our own Countrey and curious clear water and in many places are good Spring walls but in the Towns every man for the most part have a well diggd by his own hand Among all the towns that are Setled here there is none lyeth so convenient for trade as New-Perth for Shipps of great burden may come up closs to the houses and may come up any time in the Winter There came a Ship of 300. tuns in there this winter in the hardest frost we had and lay hard by the town so near that she was tyed to a tree The Land here brings furth most sorts of English grain and great encrease Wheat Rye Barly Oats and others sorts of grain such as Indian Corn which is very good and wholesome kind of Grain and also Buck-Wheat and those Corns are to be had at easie rates either for money or for goods and those that have not mâ—…ney or goods may have abundance for their work We shall now answer so far as we are capable your Quarries sent over to us To the first we cannot positively answer to give an account of the whole length and breadth of the Province But we are informed that it is a great deale broader then ye expected for these that have travelled from the extent of our bounds on Hudsons-River straight over to the Delawar-River say it is 100. myles or upwards we shall know that certainly after a while for the Line betwixt us and New-York is to be run straight over to Delaware-River about 3. weeks hence and after that the Line betwixt us and West-Jersey After which we shall be able to give a true account of the bounds of that Province 2ly When the bounds is so exactly laid out we can the easier guess at the Number of Acres and by that time may be able to give an account what number of Acres is already taken up but there is no fear of want of Land 3ly The quantity of Meadow ground we cannot determine having travelled as yet but litle in the Province but the way we have travelled there is meadow abundance both on the water sides and on the up Land 4ly There is also other good ground in some places great quantities free of wood which is fit either for Corn or Grass and the ground all over brings furth good English grass naturaly after it is ploughed 5ly There are also Commons upon the Countrey but what quantity we cannot tell there is litle keept in them save wild horses which the people take up when they have occasion There is also Land fit for pasturage for Sheep and there is their Sheep in the Countrey but what number the ablest planters have we know not but some we see have good flocks 6ly An exact Mapp of the Countrey is not yet drawn nor can you quickly expect it for it will tak up a great deale of time charge and pains to doe it 7ly There are also hills up in the Countrey but how much ground they take up we know not they are said to be stony and covered with wood and beyond them is said to be excellent land 8ly To the Eight we cannot answer as yet 9ly There be People of several sorts of Religion but few very Zealous The People being mostly New-England men doe mostly incline to their way and in every Town there is a meeting house where they worship publickly every Week They have no publick Law in the Countrey for mantaining publick Teachers but the Towns that have them makes way within themselves to maintain them We know none that hath a setled Preacher that followes no other Imployment save one Town New-wark 10ly The method of building their houses is mentioned already 11ly
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