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-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
not alterable by any Act of the great Council as other things by the voices of 2 thirds but only by an universal agreement so it is hoped that this hint will satisfie all sober and understanding people what Encouragement such a Government may give For Husband-men that hes a Stock able to transport themselves and Families with a few Servants and to have but a 100. pound Scots or a 100. Merks more to carry over in Commodities they shall have upon their arrivall 100 Acres of good ground measured out to them or above not exceeding 500. Acres And for their encouragement shall for the first 7. years pay nothing and then have what they please not under 100. nor exceeding 500. Acres confirmed to them and their heirs for ever paying half a Crown an Acre never to be raised upon them And for the Charge of the first year they may easily Calculate carrying over as much Oat-meal as will serve them Bread and the fraught will be inconsiderable and they will get flesh enough in the Countrey for killing without charge and will be able to clear more ground the first winter then will double serve their Families after the first harvest so that they will only have to buy with the Commodities they carry over with them Seed and Beasts The Charge of transportation is for every Man or Woman 5. lib. starling passage and intertainment for children under 10. years of age 50. shilling and Sucking children nothing 40. shillings for the tunn of goods and often under The Voyage is judged lesse Sea hazard then either to Holland or London and if there be any tollerable winds it is easily made in 6. weeks There went a ship last harvest to West Jersey from the Road of Aberden and they came to Delaware-River-mouth in 8. weeks though they had great Calmes and of betwixt 30. and 40. Passengers that went out of Aberdeen several women and children not above 4. of them had been at Sea before not one dyed nor was sick by the way For Ordinary servants who are willing to go over after 4. Years service from the time of there arryvall there during which time they shall be well entertained in meat and cloathing they shall have set out to each 25. Acres to them and theirs for ever paying 2. pence an Acre as much Corn as will sow an Acre and a Sute of now cloaths Now Considering that there is 5. pound Sterling payed for their Passage this is good termes and that after the terme of their Service is expired they will gain more in one year there then they can do in two at home towards the gaining of a Stock to their land and it may be easily conceived that they will be well treated by their Masters since it is their Interest to do so there more then here for that they would be Considerable Losers either by their Death or sicknesse being out so great an advance for them if by any hard-ship they shall be disabled to serve out their times All Sorts of Tradesmen may make a brave Livelyhood there such as Carpenters Ship-wrights Rope-makers Smiths Brick-makers Taylors Tanners Cowpers Mill-wrights Joyners Shooe-makers c. and any such like who are willing to go serve the four years not having to transport themselves shall in consideration of their Trade have after the expiring of their Service 30. Acres 2. pence the Acre as much Corn as well sow 2. Acres a cow and a Sow And for the incouragement of any such Trasdmen who are willing to go over and transport themselves they shall have the like quantitie of Land at the same rent and the Proprietors will oblidge themselves to find them work for a year after their arryval at as good Rates as they can have here untill they furnish themselves with some Stock to make better advantage upon the Place We will not encourage any to go there in expectation of Gold and Silver mines yea tho there were such in the Countrey we should not be curious nor industrous to seek them out being besides the Toyl and Labour but occasions envy and Emulation Nor yet is their Suggar or Indigo there or Cotton nor any store of Tobacco tho it grows there very well But We consider it not our interest to imploy much ground on it The Riches of this Countrey Consists in that which is most Substantial and necessar for the use of men to wit Plenty of Corn and Cattle and they have besides Vines and Fruits in abundance as before has been said so that who dwell here need not to be oblidged to any other Plantation for any thing necessar for Life and all other Plantations are beholden to them for necessaries without which their other Curiosities would little avail them This with the Province of New-York being the Granary or Store-house of the West-Indies without which Barbadoes and the Leewards Islands could not subsist Yea New-England is forced to come there every year for Corn this with the advantage of Fishery being considered will easily induce Sober and industrious People to prefer a Plantation here to most other places The Duke of Yorks grant of East-New-Jersey to the twenty four Proprietors THis Indenture made the fourteenth day of March in the five and thirtieth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD of â—ngland Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. Anno Domini 1682. between His Royal Highness the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster c. only Brother to our Soveraign Lord the King of the one part And the Right Honourable James Earl of Perth of the Kingdom of Scotland the right Honourable John Drummond of Lundin Scotland Esquire Robert Barclay of Urie in the Kingdom of Scotland Esquire on the other part c. Whereas our said Soveraign Lord the Kings Majestie in and by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England bearing date the twelfth day of March in the sixteenth year of His said Majesties Reign did amongst several other things therein mentioned Give and Grant unto His Royal Highnes James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies all that tract of land adjacent to New-England in the parts of America and lying and being to the Westward of Long-Island and Manhattas Island and bounded on the East part by the Main Sea and part by Hudsons River and extendeth Southward to the Main Ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of Delawar Bay and to the Northward as far as the Northern-most branch of the said Bay or River of Delawar Which is one and fourtie Degrees and fourty Minuts of Latitude and crosing over thence in a straight line to Hudsons River in one and fourty Degrees of Latitude Which said tract of Land was then after to be called by the name of New-Cesaria or New-Jersey with all the Lands Islands Soylls Rivers Harbours Mynnes Minerals Quareries Woods Marishes Waters Lakes Fishings Hauckings Huntings and
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
benedictionem suam destinat And Junius pro ut vim intus indiderat sic palam mandatum dedit curandae propagationis dominationis exercendaâ— And Paraeus Jubet igitur replere terram non solum generatione habitatione sed cum primis potestate cultu usu etsi vero nonullae orbis partes manent inhabitales habemus nihilominus totius dominium Jure Divino licet non habeamus totius orbis usum culpa defectu nostro If it be alledged that tho it must he granted that the words have the force of a Precept yet it was but to continue during the Worlds infancy and no longer upon dew consideration it will be found that there is no ground here for such a Limitation For tho some Commandments founded upon and respecting some present State and Condition of Men received end and alteration when the condition was ended yet Precepts given to the body of Mankind as these to Adam and Noah receive neither alteration in the substantials nor determination while Men and any void places of the Earth continue so that allowing this Commandment to bind Adam it must bind his Posterity and consequently our selves in this Age and our Issue after us as long as the Earth yeelds empty places to be replenished Where there is an empty vacant place there appears hence to be Liberty for the Sons of Adam or Noah to come and inhabit Abraham and Isaac sojourned among the Philistins Yea I do not see that either they bought or asked leave of the Inhabitants By sojourning is meant a constant residence there as in a possession of their own although it be so termed as if they had been Strangers because they neither pretended to the Soveraign Government of the whole Countrey neither did incorporate themselves unto the Common-Wealth of the Natives to submit themselves to their Government they did not buy that land to feed their Catttle because they said there is room enough intimating that the Natives were no wayes injured by their Neighbourhead and so did Jacob pitch his tents by Schem Gen. 34. verse 21. Hamor said there is room enough therefore let them sit down among us yea we see that in case the people who were former Inhabitants did disturbe them in their possessions they complained to the King as of injury done to them as Abraham did because they took away his well Gen. 21.25 for his right thereto he pleaded not his immediat call from GOD for that would have seemed frivolous among the Heathen but his own industry and culture in diggâ—ng thereof yea we see the King does not reject his Plea with what had he to do to dig wells in their Soil but admitteth it as a principle of Nature that in a vacant soyl he who taketh possession thereof and bestoweth Culture and Husbandry thereupon his right it is the ground hereof being from the Grand Charter given to Adam and his posterity in Paradise Gen. 1.28 Multiply and replenish the Earth and subdue it which Charter was renewed to Noah Gen. 9.1 fill the Earth and multiply In the next place the gift of the Earth is to the sons of Men Psalm 115.16 this necessarly enforceth their duty to people it Were it not an injury done to the most High to think He does ought in vain or that He tenders a gift to Mankind which He never meant should be enjoyed And what way can Men make benefit of the Earth but by habitation and culture Neither do I judge it a rational answer to this that GODS intention is satisfied if some part of the Earth be replenished and used tho the rest he wast because we are still urged with the same difficulty that the rest of which we receive no fruit was never intended for us because it was never GODS Mind we should possess it If it be then granted that it hath been the mind of GOD that Man should possess all the parts of the Earth it must be acknowledged that we neglect our duty and cross His Will if we do it not when we have Occasion and Opportunity and do little less than undervalue His blessing Does not also that Order which GOD annexeth to Marriage in His first institution viz. That married Persons should leave Father and Mother and cleave to other warrant this practise seeing frequently there is a necessity that young married People should remove out of their Fathers Families to live apart by thâ—mselves whereby new Families are erected Now what are new Families but pettie Colloniâ—s and so at last removing further and further they overspread the whole Earth so long therefore as there shall be use of Marriage there will be a warrant for deducing of Collonies from one place to another We find that GODS directions have a double scope Mans good and His own Honour that this Commandment of GOD is directed to Mans good Temporal or Spiritual is more apparent for it is most certain that the life of Man is made comfortable affording a more plentiful supply in a large scope of ground which moves them to be so unsatiable in thâ—ir desiâ—â—s to joyn house to house and land to land till there be no more place Exceâ—ding I grant therein the measure and bounds of Justice and yet building upon a principle suggested bâ— Nature that a large place best secures sufficiency as we see by Nature Trees flowrish fair prosper well and wax fruitful in a large Orchard which would otherwayes decay if they were straitned in a little Nursery These that are stronger Plants and better rooted would increase overtop and at last starve the weaker sort Do we not see it thus fall out in our Civil State where a few Men flowrish best furnished with Abilities or best fitted with Opportunities and the rest wax weak and languish as wanting room and means to nurish them Now that the Spirits and Hearts of Men are kept in better Temper by spreading wide will be evident to any Man who considers That the Husbanding of unmanured ground and shifting unto emptie lands enforceth Men to Frugality and quickneth invention and the setling of new Estates requireth Justice and affection to the Common Good and the taking in of large Countries presents a natural remedy against covetousness fraud and violence when every man may enjoy enough without wrong or injury to his Neighbour Whence it was that the First Age by these helps were renowned for golden Times wherein Men being newly entered into their Possessions were enforced thereby to Labour Frugality Simplicity and Justice having neither leasure nor occasion to decline to Idleness Ryots Wantonness Fraud or Violence the ordinar fruits of well Peopled Countries and of the abundance and superfluities of long setled Estates But that which should most stay our hearts is the respect unto GODS Honour which is much advanced by this work of replenishing the Earth whereby the largeness of his bounty is tasted hy setling of men in all parts of the World whereby the extent of His munificence to the
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-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
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
their Airs or Assignes every five and twenty day of March the English accompt of _____ Lawfull money of England for every of the said Acres to be holden of the Manner of _____ in free and Common Soccadge The first payment of which Rent to begine the five and twenty day of March which shall be in the year of our Lord one Thousand Six hundreth and seventy according to the English accompts Given under the Seal of the said province the _____ day of _____ In the year of our Lord 1666. 2ly To which Instrument the Governour or his Deputie hath hereby full power to put the Seal of the said Province and to Subscribe his name also the Council or Major part of them and subscribe their names And then the Instrument or grant is to be by the Register recorded in a book of records for that purpose All which being done according to the Instructions We hereby declare the same shall be effectual in Law for enjoyment of the saids Plantations and of all the benefits and profits of and in the same except the half part of mines of gold and Silver paying the rent as aforesaid Provided that if any Plantation so granted shall by the space of 3 years be neglected to be planted with a Sufficient number of Servants as is before mentioned That then it shall and may be Lawfull for us otherwayes to dispose thereof in whole or in part this grant notwithstanding 2ly Item We do also grant convenient Proportions of Land for Highwayes and Streets not exceeding one hundreth foot in breadth Cities Towns and Villages c. And for Churches Forts Wharfes Keys Harbours and for publict houses and to each parish for the use of their Ministers two hundreth acres in such as the Generall Assemblie shall appoint 4ly Item The Governour is to take notice that all such Lands laid out for the uses and purposes aforesaid in the next proceeding Articles shall be free and exempt from all Rents Taxes and other charges and duties whatsoever payable to us our Aires and Assignes 5ly Item That in laying out of Lands for Cities Towns Villages Burghs or others Hamiletts The said Land be devided into 7 parts one seventh part whereof to be Laid out by Lott for us and the rest to be devided to such as shal be willing to build thereon they paying after the rate of one pennie or half pennie per Acre according to the value of the Land yearly to us As for their other Lands aforesaid which said Lands in Cities and Towns c. is to be assured to each Possessor by the same way and Instrument as is before mentioned That all rules relating to the building of each street or quantitie or ground to be alloted to each house within the said respective Cities Burghs and Towns be wholly lâ—ft by Act as aforesaid to the Wisdom and discretion of the Generall Assemblie 6ly Item That the Inhabitants of the said Province have free Passage through or by any Seas bounds Creeks Rivers c in the said Province through or by which they must necessarily pass to come from the Main Ocean to any part of the Province aforesaid 7ly Lastly It shall be lawfull for the Representative of the Free-holders to make any address to the Lords touching the Governour or Council or any of them or concerning any grievance whatsoever or for ny other thing they shall desire without the Consent of the Governour and Council or any of them Given under our Seal of our said Province the tenth day of January In the year of our Lord one Thousand six hundreth sixty and four John Barclay G. Cartwright By this Constitution of Government by the Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright such provision is made both for Liberty of Religion and Property that the Province hath been considerably peopled many resorting thither from the Neighboring Collonies beside what have gone from England and this Kingdom within this few years so that the planters are able to muster 600 well Armed Men. The Proprietors have framed a new Schem of Government which is not yet fully concluded on but it is intended rather to be an enlarging than an abbreviating of the former and making more easie and advantagious for the Inhabitants the chief parts of it are That the 24. Proprietors shall chuse a Governour 16. of them has a Conclusive Vote in it after the death of him now chosen he shall continue but for 3 years and be lyable to the Censure of the Proprietors and great Council and punishable if he transgress There is a great Council to meet once a year and sit if they see meet for three Moneths consisting of the 24. Proprietors and 28. chosen by the Planters and Inhabitants two thirds Conclude the one half of the Proprietors assenting and no money can be raised or Law made to touch any mans Libertie or Property but by this Council There is a Common Council to sit constantly Consisting of the 24. Proprietors or their Proxies and nine chosen out of the Representative of the Planters in all 33. to be divided into three Commities 11. to each one for the Publick Policie One for the Treasurie and Trade and one for Plantations To aviod Lording over one another No Man can purchase above the 24th part of the Countrey And on the other hand least any should squander away their Interest â—nd yet retain the character of the Government that belongs to Property and thence be capable to betray it as not being bound by Interest there must be a suteable quantity retained otherwise the Title in the Government extinguishes in him and passes to another to be Elected by the Proprietors that Dominion may follow Property and the inconveniency of a Beggarly Nobility and Gentry may be avoided No man can be judged in any cause either Civil or Criminal but by a Jury of his Peers and to avoyid in that all Caballing the names of all the County or Neighbourhood Capable to be Chosen are to be write in little pieces of Parchement and the number of the Jury to be taken out by a Child under 10. years of age And the Proprietors as well as others are to be lyable to the like tryall and not under any Exception Libertie in matters of Religion is established in the fullest manner To be a Planter or Inhabitant nothing is more required but the acknowledging of One Almighty GOD and to have a Share in the Government A simple profession of faith of Jesus Christ without descending into any other of the differences among Christians only that Religion may not be a cloak for disturbance who ever comes into the Magistrature must declare they hold not themselves in conscience obliged for Religions sake to make an alteration or to endeavour to turn out their partners in the Government because they differ in Opinion from them and this is no more then to follow that great Rule To do as they would be done by These are the Fundamentals which are
considerable Plantations within the Jurisdiction of that Town viz. Captain John Broun and others that first settled who removed out of the Town and settled greater plantations abroad Richard Hartshorn hath a Plantation with considerable Land belonging to it part within and part without Sandy Hook which with a part of Coney Island and Long Island opposite to it makes the entrance into the Bay that goes up to Now-York and also to the Lands of East-New-Jersey the Town is above 5 myles from the entrance of the Creek or River that goes up to it from the Bay There was a Plantation one the Norths side of the Creek at its entrance first settled by Nicolas Davis having a large tract of Land belonging to it of 2. or 3000. Acres since devided to deverse besides several Out-plantations and there is a great Deall of waist Land and other Improveable betwixt this said Piscattaway for about 20. myles There was a court of Sessions held twice or thrice a year for these two Towns and their Jurisdictions Thirdly Piscattaway Lyes next 25. or 26. myles from Midletoun Irs up Rariton River 5. or 6. myles westward in and there is about half myle within Land The entrance into Rariton River is at the bottome of the Southren bay and opposite to the Southermost point of Staten Islands the Northwest point of the entrance is called Amboy point where is a fair tract of Land formerlie reserved by the proprietor for his own use There are several Plantations all along on the North side of the River as you goe up to the Town and some on the South-side among which are considerable belonging to one Thomas Lauernce a baker at New-York his wife son about 3000. Acres Vp higher on Rariton River near the falls which are about 3. miles over Land there are severall Plantations a good big vassel loaden may goe up to the falls and so may above it for several myles in the River At the falls its foordable for horses and other cattle unlâ—s in great Floods when men may goe over 〈…〉 boats and Canows and horses will swim over though the River be a good breadth About the falls there are severall tract oâ—… Lands some upon on side some on the other siâ—… the River viz a place called by the Inâ—…ans Rachahova-Wallaby Captain John Palmer of Staten Islands Mr. Thomâ—… Coddrington Mr. White and Company Merchant at New-York in part setled there on 6. or 7000. Acres M. John Robison Mr. Samuell Edsall and Company of New-York on 6. or 7000. Acres Captain Palmer Mr. Whyte Captain Corsen and Company on 5. or 6000. Acres There is some other Land taken up by Milstoun River which comes into Rariton River and is near the midle bounds between the two Province of East and West-Jersey you pass Milstoun River to goe over Land from Piscataway to Meltinsed in Island in Delaware River which is near Burlingtoun The Town Consists of about 80 Families and of about 400. Inhabitants and of Acres about the Town about 10000 and for the out-Plantatations 30000. Woodbridge is over Land from Piscattaway about 7. or 8 miles it lyes up a River the entrance whereof is about 5 or 6 miles to the North of Amboy-Point the side ebbing and flowing betwixt the Main Land of New-Jersey and Staten Island on the Westside as it doeth on the East-side of the said Island and Long Island On the South side of the entrance into the River or Creek Mr. Delapairs Surveyour Generall hath a neat Plantation and he hath severall tracts of Land in the Province There are other Plantations on the South side of the River or Creek within Land and diverse on the Northside lying along the water side opposite to Staten Island untill you come to a Creek or River that divydes their bounds from these of Elezabeth Town the mouth of it being 8. or 9. myles from Woodbridge There are severall Plantations up the South-side of the Creek to the Road that goes along from Woodbridge to the Town and passeth over that River it being foordable over the Plantation on the north side Sayling to Elizabeth Town It s reckoned from one Town to the other ahout 15. or 16. miles over-Land but it s more by water This Town pretends to have more priviledges them any other Town in the province and hath a Charter of Corporation It hath a Court house and a prison built on their charge It consists of about 120 Families and 600. Inhabitants The Acres taken up by the Town may be about 10000. and for the Out-plantations about 20000. Elizabeth Town is the first new place that was settled 1664. by vertue of a patent from Mr Nicolas to Captain John Baker before the Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwrights Tittle was knowen This Town lyes up 3. myles within a Creek the entrance whereof is almost opposite to the North-west-end of Staten Islands There are several Out-plantations on the North side of the River which devides the hounds between this Town and Woodbridge particularlie where the roads pass over to which place is about 7 or 8 myles There are other plantations at the point or entrance of the Creek on the North side if it comonly called Governour Cartwrights point where there is another ferme between the proprietor and him It s but a narrow passage there over to the Meadows of Staten Island then on Northward there are other Plantations fronting to the Bay that lyes to the North part of Staten Island beside some other within Land from the Town to New-York bounds There is in this Town a house orcheards and ferm within the Town in partnership between the Proprietor and Governour Philip Cartwright it being one of the first house built there and hath all along been the residence of the Governour untill of late he hath finished his New-house The Town is built on both sides of the Creek and Consists of 150. Families and of 700. Inhabitants The Acres taken up by the Town are computed to be 10000. and for the Out-Plantations 30000. Newark alias Millfoord is a Town distant to the Northward over Land from Elizabeth Town about 6 or 7 myles It lyes on a River called Newark River which emptieth it self into the Bay about 4 or 5 myles down opposite to the Town on the North side of the River lyeth a great tract of Land belonging to Mr. Kings-Land and Captain Sanfoord the quittrents whereof is purchased There is another great tract of Land taken up higher in the River by Captain Berrie who hath disposed of a part of it There are several Plantations setled there It s said he hath about 10000. Acres there farther up the water is an Island of about 1000. Acres belonging to Mr. Christopher Hoogland of Newark if it be not an Island it is tyed by a very narrow slip of Land to the Continent Above that again is a greater tract of Land above 8. or 9000. Acres purchased by Lease of the Governour according to the Concessions by
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
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
that are here There are 20 Lotts taken up in the Town by other People I engadge all to build a house of 30 foot long and 18 broad and 18 foot high to the raising to be finished within a year To pay for laying out 40 shil a Lot and 4 d per Annum Quit-Rent there are several begun already to build I have laid out between 40 and 50 Acres for the Governours house The high way and wharfe between the Hooks and the River a 100 foot broad And to â—eave a raw of trees along upon the River before the houses for shade shalter exceeding pleasant I have agreed for two houses of like demensions to be built for the Proprietors and also a house for the Governour of 6 foot long 18 foot broad And if the quit rents come in I intend 3 or 4 houses more for the Proprietors I can easily let them this work took me up 5 weeks After I had finished this work I set the people to work Scotish and English about 50 persons some preparing for building other on clearing ground to get Corn sowne this spring then came in a Boar privatly to Elizabeth Town the 12th past next morning I went to New-York to visit the Governour stayed there two or three days He was very kind and promised a fair correspondency so I did not publish my Commission untill this day before the Council They have been kind and courteous Now is the time to send over people for settling these There is 30000 Acres of Land in several places belonging to Proprietors formerly taken up by Cartwright so here is land enough The Scots and William Dorkwrans people coming now and settling advance the Province more then it hath been advanced these ten years Therefore Proprietors send over some Families and Servants I shall presently set them out Land and it well presently bring them in considerable profite in a few years here wants nothing but people There is not a poor body in all the Province nor that wants Here is abundance of Provision Pork and Beef At 2 d per pound Fish and Fowl plenty Oysters I think would serve all England Wheat 4. shil Ster per. Bushell Indian Wheat 2. ss 6. d. per busshell It is exceeding good food every way and 2. or 300. fold increass Sider good and plenty for 1. d. per Quart Good drink that is made of water and Molasses stands in about 2. ss per. Barrel wholesome like our 8. ss Beer in England Good Venision plenty brought us in at 18. d. the quarter Eggs at 3. d. per Dozon all things very plenty Land very good as ever I see Wines Walnuts Peaches Straw-berries and many other things plenty in the woods The Proprietors have 150. or 200. Acres 3. miles from the town upon Rariton River salt Marsh where I intend to let the people of Amboy cut grass for hay to their Cattle in Winter untill we otherwayes order it by Lots to them I reckon there is laid out for the Town Governours house and publick high wayes near or about 200. Acres so there rests 1800. Acres I laid 400. Acres as I said the rest to ly in common untill divided I have put two houses in repair upon the River called the Point 2. m from Elizabeth Town have let one of them with 10. Acres of Pasture ground and 10. Acres of Woody ground for 7. years at 26 lib. per annum the man to clear the ten Acres of Woody ground and make it fit for Pleuching or Pasture I intend to let the other also with some land all the houses were like to drop down all the land lying wothout fence and an barn quit falen down and destroyed another without any cover And that other next to the house where I dwell all to peices and all the fences and out-houses is down but repairsd before I came I am setting up a Ferry-Boat at Perth for Men and Horses to go and come to Burlingtown Pensalvania and New-York Also I am treating with one to set up a house midway to Burlingtown to entertain Travellors and a Ferry-Boat to go to New-York all which is for promotting Perth that being the center also you should give me power to set out a Line between the Governour of New-York and us he calls on me for it because several Plantations on the River are settled and we know not yet what side they will fall to I cannot at present mention all particulars which you must supply by some general clauses or words for it is not possible for you to understand what is for the good of the Province as I do that am here and be not sparing to send over people it will bring you it again with large profits for here is a gallant plentifull Countrey and good land I bave given you a large account of the little time I have been here I have none to writ for me but you must send a Coppy of this to Scotland and with it your further Instructions to be signed and send me forth I will be bound till it come I rest your friend Sic subscribitur Gavin Laury An Letter from Gavin Laury to a Friend of his at London East-Jersey March 16. 1684. Loving Friend I Promised to write to thee when GOD brought me to Jersey but had not time till now I shall give thee a breef account of the Countrey no fiction but the truth It is beyond what I expected It is scituate in a good Aire which makes it healthy and there is great conveniency for travelling from places throw the Province in Boats from a small Canoa to Vessels of 30 40 or 50 Tun and in some places 100 In the Bay coming up to Amboy point where the Town of Perth is now in building a Ship of 300. Tun may asily ride closs to the Shoar within a plank length to the Shoar and the houses of the Town and yet the land there nor other in the Province is not low Swampy Marish ground but pretty high ground rising from the water side at Amboy point the bank of the River is 20. foot in some places 30 and in some 40. foot high And yet hath many conveniencies for landing goods The soile is generally black in some places a foot deep beareth great burthens of Corn and Naturally bringeth forth English grass 2. years pleuching the ground is tender and the ploughing is very easie the trees grow generally not thick but some places 10 in some 15 in some 25 or 30. upon an Acre This I find generally but in some particular places there is 100. upon an Acre but that is very rare The trees are very tale and straight the generall are Oak Beech Walnut Chasnuts and Accorns ly thick upon the ground for want of eating Peaches Vines Strawberries â—nd many other sorts of Fruits grow commonly in the Woods There is likewayes Gumtree Cedar White-Wood like our Fir-tree Walnuts Chesnuts and others lye tick upon the ground there is great plenty of
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
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
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
That fancie of a Common Improvement will not take but whoever expects profiâ—e from their Interests here must Impâ—ove them a part I have sold some of your Gloves aâ— 2 shil and 6 pen 3 shil 4 pen. a pair being what I câ—uld gett for â—hem the money five and a half part less then Inglish and shal make an account thereof at meeting Presâ—nt my service to all Friends I am Your very humble Servant Sic scribitur George Mackenzie A Double of a Letter from New-Perth daâ—ed the 1 of the seventh Moneth 1684. From Iohn Reid who was Gardner to the Lord Advocat to a Friend at Edinburgh SEing it hath plâ—sead God to bring me and mine safe unto this part I took upon my self as oblidged to writ something according to my promise of this Countrey indeed I must saâ— its a brave place but I have nor had time to take such observations as I wâ—uld being so ingadged to attend my other businesse Here is no ouâ—ward want especially of provisions and if people were industruos they might have cloaths also within themselves by the report â—f all it s the best of all â—he Neighbouring Collonies it is very wholesome pleasant and a fertill-land there are also some barren land viz. whit Sandy land full of Pin trees it lyes betwixt South-River and Barngate on Neverssink albiet there be also much good land in that precinct yet it s a good place for raising a stock of cattle providing they have large room to run in for cattle finds gâ—od food there in winter when none is in the best land and therefore do the inhabitants provide little hay in winter The soyl of the countrey is generally a red marle earâ—h with a surface of blak mould nor doth it appear that realy it is to their eyes who cannot penetrat beyond the surface full fraughted with grass pleasant hearbs and flowers and in many places little or no wood but most places full of large timber as walnut especially oak there be some places here and there in the Woods they call swamps whick is low Ground amidst or betwixt rising ground full of bushes which holds water in winter tho most of them be dry in summer but these being cleared and some of them that needs being drained are the richest land here are great conveniencies of Bay Sounds Rivers Creeks Brooks and Springs all over the Province but one of the best things is the large quantities of brave Meadowes both falt and fresh which makes the people here able to supply their Neighbours as they doe throw the abundance of their cattle I know one Planter who hath a hundred of cattle not above three years setled and no wonder for some of the grasse is al 's high as my head Its pity to see so much good land as I have been over in this province lying wast and greater pity to see so much good and convenient land taken and not improven As soon as any of the land here comes to be cultivated it over-runs with small Claver-grass by the pasturage and dunging of cattle and so supplants the naturall grass and hearbs notwithstanding of their quick and strong growth Fruit trees also prosper well here Newark made about a thousand barrell of sider last year a barrell is 8 Scots gallons this is like that of Woodbridge who made 500 barrels of pork in one year before the law was made against the swins trespasses Here they sow most Indian corn and Wheat some Rye Barly Oats Indian corn the first year that they break up or plough the second they sow Wheaâ— because the spontaneous grouth of the weeds is done away by howing the Indean corn as we do cabboge here is one planter makes accompt That he hath about three thousand bushels of wheat reapt this year I suppose he hath above a hundred acres of it but I doe not make these instances as so many precedents I know nothing wanting here except that good Tradsmen and good Husbandmen and Labourers are scarce a Labourer may have a bushell of Corn per day when he is a little acquainted with the work of the country but Tradsmen much more Smiths Carpenters Masons Weavers Taylors Shoemakers are very acceptable any who comes let them bring some cloaths and their proper tools with them as used in England and provide butter bisket wine and especially beer and ale for their Sea-voyage besides the ships allowance and they need not fear when they come here albiet they have no more yet they will be the better if they have something either in money or Scots linning and stuffs to buy a little provision at first to set them up a house and buy a cow or two and tho a man be rich I would not advise him ro bring many servants at least not to keep many at first untill he see about him and know what he is doing I Cannot tell what goods are best to bring David Barclay can tell better But he who brings money may expect 15. d. For the English shil some may bring a Little of the best Wheat for a change of seed and some barly and Oats for the same use also a Litle Scots field pise there being none such here bring also some great clower seed There are great store of Garding hearbs here I have not had time to inquire unto them all nether to send some of the many pleasant tho to me unknown plants of this Countrey to James Sutherland Physick Gardiner at Edinburgh but tell him I will not forget him when opportunities offers I had forgot to writ of Ambo or New-Perth therefore I add that it is one of the best places in America by the report of all Travellers for a town of trade for my part I never saw any so conveniently seated this with my love and my Wifs to all friends and acquaintances I Rest thy friend John Reid David Mudies Letter to his Wife New-Perth the 12. December 16â—4 My heart I Hope this shall find you and your Children in Good-health and I wish in as much satisfaction as I and our Children are here far beyond my expectation and others my well-wishers who are with you my last to you was upon my arrival here dated the 8th of November and at that time I could give you but a small account of my Judgement anent it it would take a great deale of time to inform you of every thing as it truelie is But to be short I have travelled through a part of it and it is far larger than ever I heard it reported in Scotland I dare say above a third more ground and there is abundance of brave Rivers through â—t all â— better then ever I did see in any place brave Meadows alâ—â—â—st all the River sides and lands above the Meadâ—w ground abundance of Fresh water Brooks and Springs plenty of Fishes in all the Rivers in the Summer time and that very good Fishes such as they preserve for Victual in the Wâ—nter and in
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
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
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
is all at present from Your affectionat Brother Robert Fullertoun Another Letter from the same hand dated the 10. of March 1685. Dear Brother BEfore the dispatch of the above-written of the date of this Instant so that they may both go together the Winter is now past and we are providing ground for the seed the Fields being bare we can better distinguish where is good land we have chosen our chief Plantation and yours two miles further up in the Countrey closs under the blew Mountains where you may reckon you have an Estate of 40. Chalders of Victual with no more Wood thereon then your self would desire and it might yeeld no less yearly presently if it were all plenished after a little pains to root out the brush that which wanteth Wood is open plain with short bushes which we cut at the roots with a how I wish the adjacent bounds were purchassed and possessed by our friends who have any design this way for it is excellent land the mould in the Province is Generall is either like that I possessed at the Northwater or more marly or clay but all of it hath 3 4 or five inches of black rotten mould uppermost I have not much more to trouble you with but my respects and love to all Friends if my Uncle or any other Friends send their Sons here let them advert to this Maxim A Gentleman that is not to work himself must be well provided with a Stock and this must be more or less as he designs his Estate I question not your care in my affairs neither need you question in your concerns the care of Your affectionat Brother Robert Fullertoun Abstract of a Letter from Charles Gordon Brother to the Laird of Straloch to Doctor John Gordon Doctor of Medicine at Montrose dated at Woodbridge in East-Jersey 7. of March 1685. Dear Brother I Design 100. pound Sterling for goods and servants if Tradse-men and Servants knew they were better used here then in any Neighbouring Collonie and that after their time is expired they may gain a stock by their work and live like some of your Lairds before they dye they would not so much scrouple to come hither There are a number of queries proposed by our Brother Thomas to the Fullertouns which I remember you desired me to answear the most matteriall of them are answered by this and my former Letters I shall therefore superceed any long description of it till I see it throw all the seasons of the year in short I see it pleasant and furnished with all conveniencies of Nature such as woods grass meadow plenty of Fresh Springs Creeks and Rivers I find it wholesome for I am not blessed be God troubled here with Defluction headakes and coughs as at Edinburgh which is a great inducement for me or any valitudinary man to stay in this Countrey People come from Barbadoes to York and hither for their healths sake if you design to come hither your self you may come as a Planter or a Merchant but as a Doctor of Medicine I cannot advise you for I can hear of no deseases here to cure but some Agues and some cutted legs and fingers and there are no want of Empericks for these already I confess you could doe more then any yet in America being versed both in Chirurgery Pharmacie for here are abundance of curious Herbs Shrubs and Trees and no doubt Mediciniall ones for making of drogs but there is little or no Imployment this way your Servants are setled on a pleasant plain beside the Fullertouns on a brook called The Vine or Ceder Brooks from a swamp of Cedars from whence it Springs and the multiplicity of Vines which grow upon it all your friends and Countrey men here are in good health blessed be GOD This hath been the hardest Winter that was almost since ever there were English here The sound betwixt Jersey and Staten-Island was frozen in January that carts and horse went upon it betwixt Martinmas and Christmas flying shours of snow with clear moderat frosts in January deep snow and most bitter frosts which ever I found but did no wayes affect peoples bodies the Air being ordinar clear and serene about the 20. of January the snow went off insensibly and about 3. weeks in February it was almost like Summer in Scotland the end of February and beginning of March for the most part rain and wind Acquaint me the value of sweet-sent-Gumm which flowes from the wood-Gum-trees of Sassafras Sassapatella and such other things as the Countrey naturally produceth Be pleased to send me some Medicins for Agues and accidentall cutts or sores in case my self or Servants be overtaken with them I hope with the blessing of GOD here to make a livlihood for my self I intreat to hear what remarkable news and revolutions are either at home with you or abroad and so continues Your most affectionat brother and humble Servant Charles Gordon A Letter from Thomas Gordon Brother to the Laird of Straloch For Mr. George Alexander Advocat in Edinburgh From the Cedar-Brook of East-New-Jersey in America the 16. February 1685. Dear Mr. George THis is the fifth time I have written to you since I came to America some of which I am confident have come safe to your hands so that I need not now resume them for in them I gave you a full account of our danger by Sea and travels by Land and therefore I shall now proceed and begin where I left last upon the eighteen day of November I and my Servants came here to the Woods and 8. dayes thereafter my Wife and Children came also I put up a Wigwam in 24. hours which served us till we put up a better house which I made 24. foot long and 15. foot wide containing a Hall and Citchen both in one and a Chamber and a Study which we put up pretty well with Pallisadoes on the sides and Shingles on the roof against Yuill on which day we entred home to it and have been ever since and still am clearing ground making fencing So that I hope to have as much ground cleared fenced ploughed and planted with Indian Corn in the beginning of May which is the best time for planting it as will maintain my Family the next year if it please GOD to prosper it Robert Fullertoun and I are to joyn for a Plough this Spring consisting of 4. Oxen and two Horse but if the Ground were once broken up two Oxen and two Horse or 4. Oxen alone will serve so that the next spring I intend GOD willing to have a Plough of my own alone I intend to build a better House and larger and to make a Kitchen of this I am in which I will hardly get done this Summer because I resolve to build upon my lot at New-Perth I am settled here in a very pleasant place upon the side of a brave plain almost free of woods and near the water side so that I might yoke a Plough where
I please were it not for want of Hay to maintain the Cattle which I hope to get helped the next year for I have several pieces of Meadow near me The first Snow we had was about the midst of November went twice away again and about the end of the Moneth it came on and continued with very great Frost and knee deep Snow till towards the end of January And then the Snow dissolved pleasantly and calmly with the heat and influence of the Sun and now I judge it as warm here as it will be with you in May and much more pleasant for we are not by far so much troubled with winds here as ye are in Scotland the winter was generall very pleasant and calm altho sometimes very vehement frost I have spoken with several old Inhabitants here who assure me they had not seen so hard a winter as this has been these 16 years bygone and truely if I never see much worse I shall be very well pleased with this Countrie we have great abundance of Deer Turkies c. here about us and as for the wild Beasts and Natives whereof I was greatly affrayed before I came here I find no danger trouble inconveniency thereby at all there are abundance of all sorts of Cattle in this Countrey to be had at very reasonable rates I can buy a good Cow for 4 lib. ster a good Ox for 5. lib. ster and a good Horse for 5 or 6. lib. ster a Hogg for 20. ss ster a Bushell of Wheat for 4. ss ster of Rye 3. ss 6. d. ster of Indian Corn for 2. ss 6. d. ster There are 8. of us settled here within half a mile or a mile of another and about ten miles from the Town of New-Perth or Amboy-point so that I can go and come in a day either on foot or horseback viz. Robert and Thomas Fullertouns James Johnstoun of Spotswood John Forbes John Barclay Doctor John Gordon his Servants Andrew Alexander and my Self this is the most of what I can say of this Countrey at present for I intend to write nothing but what I either see or know to be certainly true and for my part I am very well pleased with this retired Countrey life and I love this Countrey very well as yet altho I hear of some of our Countrey men who are not neither can it be expected that any Countrey in the World will please the different humours of all Persons blessed be GOD my self and Wife and Children and servants have been and are still in good health which GOD continue be pleased to communicate this to both yours and my Friends and Acquaintances because I have not leasure to writ at great length to every one and let these remember me to all others that give themselves the trouble to inquire for Your most humble and and oblidged Servant Thomas Gordon A Letter from David Mudie of the date of the former to Mr. Alexander Gairns one of the Ministers at Edinburgh Sir I Did write to you a line upon my arrival here and my last the 12. of December directed to John Graham I desired him to let you see his letter and my wifes which would inform you as fully as I had written to you since that time I have travelled throw the Countrey and informed my self of the conditions thereof which still does the better please me the winter hath been exceeding hard and sharp which hath much hindered me of work yet I have cleared three acres of ground to be an Orchard and a Garding which lyes at the back of my house which I am building of stone sex good rooms off a Floor Sellers all under the ground two stories high and garrets at which I have had Massons since the first of February and I hope will have it fully Finished this Summer I have also built an horse-mill the house is 32. foot wide 40. foot long the great wheel 30 foot Diameter which I will have fully finished against the letter end of this Moneth it is told me she may be worth 100. pound Sterling a year I am sure she will be better then 50. clear money this from Sir Your humble and obedient Servant David Mudie A Letter from Thomas Fullertoun Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to John Johnstoun Drogust in Edinburgh dated the 9. of March 1685. from East-Jersey Loving Commorad YOur Brother and I did write to you about three Moneths agoe wherein we told you that we were 9. weeks at sea after we parted from Killebegs in Ireland we were all very well at Sea only we had more Stomachs then meat to prevent which if you or any other Commorad come this way it will be prudence to fortifie themselves with good Cheese Butter Bisket Caks and Brandie I believe you are cloyed with descriptions of the Countrey And therefore this in brief the reports you hear of it are generally true some it may be are Hyperbolick in magnifying its Goodness but as many are detractive from what it really deserves There is abundance of good Land for the improving Abundance of Swine and Cattle for the raising Deers for killing houses for the building But some expect all these without pains Your brother and I and our Servants have had good Venison broth once a day all this winter to be short if a man please to live a Countrey Life to labour Land plant Orchards and such like I believe he cannot come to a place that will better answer his expectations and when he hath a minde to be merry he will get a Punsh-house and very good fellows I hope in a little time I shall want nothing but the company of the prettie Girls to all whom who retain any remembrance of me Let my service be remembered to all friends I long exceedingly to hear from you but more to see you we had many difficulties as our entrance and in our first indeavours But when you come I hope they shall be prevented by Your affectionat Commorad Thomas Fullertoun A Letter from James Johnstoun of Spotswood to Alexander Henderson writter in Edinburgh dated the 9. of March 1685. from his Plantation at the blew Hills in East-Jersey in America Kind Commorad THese are to present my best wishes to you and all Acquaintances if any injoyment could make up the want of your Company I should not complain here what else can contribute to profite or pleasure being here to be had neither is there any thing here to discourage us Quakers are not numerous Wolves are so far from troubling men that if a man shall lay a Glove upon a Carcass or their prey they will yell but not come nigh it You cannot come nigh a rattle-Snake but they will rattle with their taile whereby a man is advertised either to kill them or go by them they frequently charm Squirrels or other little Beasts of the tops of the Trees unto their mouth and that without touching them with their teeth which if they did they
would poison themselves There is a Flee by the salt Marishes most troublesome in Summer but is not in the up-lands I am mightily well satisfied with my coming over neither do I think I could live again in Scotland In the Summer there is plenty of Fruits Peaches Walnuts Chesnuts Strawberries and another berry like Currans Vines as good as any where I and all who have come over have kept our health very well our food hath for the most part been Venison we got from the Indians which I like exceeding well The Indian Corn Indian Beans and Pease are pleasant Grains we have very good fishing present my service to all Friends and believe me to be ever Sir Your oblidged Servant James Johnstoun Sir I Nothing question but by the perusall of the above written Letters you are abundantly satisfied that East-Jersey as to all things necessar will accommodat our present design But if some Malevolent Persons who because they have not the courage nor resolutâ— to adventure upon such an undertaking themselves do cavill at the design in others may insinuat that the greatest part of these Letters being written by Gentlemen it may be presumed interest may oblidge them to represent things otherwise then they are to the advantage of the place This is easily answered that there are severall persons in this Town who have been upon the place who have perused all their Letters and declare they find nothing contained therein that they can contradict But as for a further proof thereof I have thought fit to conclude with a letter from a Masson sent over as a Servant by Captain Hamiltoun he being a plain Countrey-man it is not very probable he can have any design I had the Letters from his said Master as followeth A Letter from James Cockburn Masson Servitour in East-Jersey in America to Captain Hamiltoun at the Ship-tavern in Edinburgh dated the 12. of March 1685. to his Uncle James Broun Shoemaker in Kelso UNcle these few Lines do testifie that I am well and in good health blessed be GOD for it desiring to hear the like from you for I am very well in this land of America We lake neither wild nor tame to eat the most part of our drink is Rumm Cyder and Beer such as have these to sell drives a very good Trade I am working at my work daily in good weather and have very good incouragment among the old Planters if my Sister Katharin incline to come over she may have good service here and Francie also it is better to be bound some few years then come free except they have a good stock it is dear living here the first year or two The Indians are a harmless People and very kind to us they are not a harie People as was said to us in Scotland a Shoemaker would live very well here if he bring any store of Leather with him the Shoes are five or six shillings a pair there is nothing discourages us more then want of Ministers here but now they have agreed about their Stipends there is one to be placed in New-Perth Piscattaway Woodbridge and Elizabeth Town they have a mind to bring them from Scotland Uncle I hope you will let me know of your welfare and how the Town is repaired again and so I rest your Nephew untill death John Cockburn Another from the same hand to George Fae Masson in Kelso from New-Perth in America the 20. of March 1685. Cusin THese are to show you that I am in good health blessed be GOD for it wishing to hear the like from you We had a long Voyage but we came very well to our Harbour in this place of America within a stone-cast of my Masters Lott it is upon the very Harbour this Town is scituate betwixt two great Rivers the one called Rariton the other Hudsons It is a very pleasant Countrey and good for all Tradsmen You was angry with me for coming away but I repent nothing of it my self for I have abundance of Imployment I am at the building of a great stone house in New-Perth with another Scots-man They build most with Timber but are beginning to build with stone there is as good stone in this Countrey as in Scotland if they were at the pains to find it out there are not many of our Trade in this Province Any who hath a mind to come here will get good wages these who have a mind to come here will do far better then in Scotland I have no more desire to my Native-Countrey then I had never been in it they had better be bound some years with a good Master then come over frree for it is dear living at first here The Natives of this land are a harmless People they do wrong no to no man they are very kind to us tell my sister if she please to come over she may have good service here Remember me to all Friends and Comorads in Kelso and so I rest your Cusing while I live John Cockburn A Breif ADVERTISEMENT Concerning East-New-Jersey in AMERICA THat whereas it hath upon solid grounds been by very Judicious Men judged as well the advantage of the Nation in generall as of the particular Undertakers to have an Interest in some of the America Plantation and that in Order to the Promoting this Design There went in July last 1684. a Vessel from Leith with 160. Passengers or thereby another from Montross with 130. to East-New-Jersey in which two Vessels were some Gentlemen and Merchants of very good Repute the account of their safe Arrivall in eight weeks after their parting from Aberdeen and their several Opinions of that Countrey all agreeing anent the Fertility pleasantness and Wholesomness thereof as being stored with all things necessar for the comfortable Accommodation and Life of Man being compared with former Relations of that Countrey and both confirmed as Truth by several Gentlemen Merchants at present in Edinburgh who have been there The consideration of this as of the reasonable constitution of the Government the Model whereof hath been fully perused and found satisfactory hath ingaged many to pitch upon this Province of East-New-Jersâ—â— as the most proper sâ—â—t for a Collony of this Nation The same being a Climat agreeable to our Constitutions and a place fit for Trade and of great Security being as it were the Centre of the English Plantations and a place affording in plenty all desirable Accommodations And seeing the Approbation of these in Authority is absolutlie requisit for countenancing and encouraging such a Design without which it cannot be expected that any such Attempt can be made effectual Mr. George Scot of Pitlochie resolving to settle his Family in that place hath procured the following Pass By the Right Honourable Earl of Perth Lord High Chancellor of Scotland c. These are Permitting and allowing Mr. George Scot of Pitlochie with his Lady Children and Family and such other Persons as he shall ingage to pass from this Kingdom either