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
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-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
Continents in or near the Atlan ick Ocean And lastlie he findes much of the Origination of the Americans attribute to the Migration of the Seni or Sinenses from the Eastern parts of China and the Philippine Islands from the Islands of Borneo and the Moluccas and Japan through the Mare Pacificum unto the Western parts of America which tho it be a large Ocean of above 2000. Leagues betwixt the Philippine Islands and the West of the American Continent and the passage hither difficult in respect of the constant Easterly Windes betwixt the Tropicks yet many reasons appear to the liklyhood of a plantation from thence 1 in respect of the Peopling of China which Mr. Web sayes Was first Peopled after the Vniversal Deluge Sem the son of Noah first settling here it being the most ancient and primitive Language that by means of the Antiquity and Settledness of this Monarchie having continued ever since the Universal Deluge It is most probable the Western continent of America was Peopled hence 2 Because they were the greatest Masters of Shipping and best skilled in Navigation of any part in the World The Pixis Nautica being there known and used long before the knowledge thereof in Europe 3. The many Islands upon the South and South-east part of China as Borneo Javae Gilolo Celebes and others near the Aequator are disjoyned but by very narrow Seas not much broader than between England and France from the neck of Land called Terra de Papes or Nova Guinea and Nova Hollandia new discovered to be at least in some parts disjoyned from the more Southern Continent by a great Sea but anciently thought to have been a part of the Southern Continent Vpon these and the like Probabilities Judge Hales thinks it reasonable to conclude that the Americans had their Original from the Inhabitants of Europe Asia and Africa that Transmigrated into that Continent either intentionally or Casuallie or both 2. That these Migrations were not of one single People but of manie and diverse Nations 3. That these Migrations were not altogether or at one time but successivelie in several Ages some earlier some later 4. That therefore it is impossible to determine the time of such Migrations onely that they have been all since the Flood now above 4000. years ago some Migrations 2 3 or 400. years after the Flood some later according to various Accidents but that is no wayes probable that the earliest Migration hither was above 4000. years since for of one hundred pair they might easily propagat a number competent to People all that Continent 6. That it appears that since the last of these ancient Migrations suppose that of Madoch and his Brittons untill our late Migrations by the Spaniards French English Dutch and Scottish there probably interceeded an interval of at least 4. or 500. years in all which Interval the Commerce and Communication between Europe or Asia and America hath as it were slept and been forgot both by them and us 7. That in this interval of 500. years or there abouts in all parts but in some parts far greater there must in all Probability happen a great forgetfulness of their Original a great Degeneration from the Primitive Civilitie Religion and Custome of these pâ—aces from whence they first derived a Ferine and necessitous kind of Life by a conversation with these that having been long there were fallen into more barbarous habit of Life and Manners would easily assimilate at least the next Generation to barbarism or ferinnâ—ss where a Colony comes and keeps it self in a Body as the Roman Colonies did and the Plantations in Virginia and New England do and the New Accessions incorporat and joyn themsâ—lves unto that Body Custom both Religious and Civil And the Original Language are kept intire but where the Accessions are but thin and spairing and scattered among the Natives of the Countrey where they come and are driven to conform themselves unto their Customs fâ—r their very subsistance safety and intertainment it falls out that the very first Planters doe soon degenerate in their habits customs and Religions as a little wine poured into a great veshell loseth it self but if they escape a totall assimilation to the country where they thus are mingled yet the nixt Generation in such a mixture is quicly assimilated to the corrupt manners and customs of the people among whom they are thus planted so that it is no wonder if 〈◊〉 such kind of small Accessions successively from one and the same or severall Countries The third Generation forgot their Ancestors and the Customs Religions and languages of these people from whom they were first derived and assume various temperaments in their language and customs according as the places of their habitatation and the Company among whom they live obtain But there remains yet a great difficulty touching the noxious untameable Beasts as Lyons Tigers Wolves Bears which that continent abounds with how they come to be conducted over the seas to be preserved in the Ark and after to be transported again thither it not being probable that they could be transported by shipping seing no man would be at the pains charge and hazard with such Beasts which would doe more harme than good And altho possibly the Frozen Northern Seas might be a Bridge for their Passage yet that appears unlikly in respect of the great Snows which accompany such frosts and the impossibility of supply of food in so great and troublesome a journey and as to swimming tho the Seas between Tartary and Cathay and some parts of America be not so wide as the Atlantick or Pacifick Ocean yet they are too large to afford a passage by Sea for Tygers and Lyons not apt to take the water and it is not yet certainly discovered tho conjectured that there is any neck of Ground or passage by Land from any part of Europe or Asia unto any part of the continent of America The only thing then remaining to accommodat this difficulty is to suppose that tho it should be granted there is no such Land passage extant yet within the compass of 4000. years elapsed since the Flood there have been some such juncturs or land passages between the Northern parts of Asia or Europe and some Northern parts of the continent of America or between the South cast part of China or the Philipine Islands and the Southern continent tho latly there be discovered an interposition of Sea between the Isleand Delfago that Southern continent whereby either from Asia to Greenland in the North or from China to Terra-Australis incognita on the South a land passage might be from Asia to America for men and beasts tho for some ages past either by the violence of the water or by floods or earthquakes which hath made great alterations in the Globe of the Earth and Seas that Bridge or Line of communication be now broken or obliterat and truely such as observe the infinite number of Islands lying between
the continent of China and Nova Guinea almost contiguous to each other hath probable reason to believe that these have been all formerly one continent joyining China and Nova-Guinea together tho now by the eruption of the Seas crumbled unto smal Islands hence there is ground to believe there hath been antiently necks of land which mantained passage of communication by land betwixt the two continents Pliny tells us of the great atlantick-Atlantick-Island mentioned by the Aegyptian Priest in Platos Timeus almost contiguous to the western part of Spain and Africa now wholly swallowed up by that Ocean which if truth for ought we know might affoord a passage from Africa to America by land before that Submersion BVT to return from this I hope not unpleasant digression having seriously considered the advantages which may be rationally conjectured to redound from the right managment of a concern in America I resolved to lay my self out wholly for the promoting such a design in this Countrey as what I was convinced would in the end not only tend to the Honour and Advantage of Our Nation in General but to the Particular Interest of such as would resolve to be therein effectually concerned tho I am aboundantly sensible there are not a few who take upon them to censure this undertaking who have not the capacity to pry unto the advantages which may rationally be proposed in prosecuting thereof the strongâ—st argument they are able to bring against it being taken from the practise of our Ancestors altogether innocent of any such design tho reputed aboundantly wise in their generation that therefore in their Children it can be no less then folly to introduce such a novelty the same appearing to thuart the verity of some of our old Scottish Proverbs that ill Bairns are best heard at home Fools are fain of flitting And a Bird in hand is better then two in the bush esteemed no less by them then sometimes were the Oracles of Apollo at Delphos Yes sir I have heard some whose pretensions to wit were so great that they were upon the borders of Commensing Vertuosi snarling at this intention who having been ingaged in the debate bewrayed their ignorance so far in the affair as to inquire whether the places treated anent as the proper seats for a Collonie from thence were Islands or on the continent if such so little-versant in America be competent Judges of a matter of this import I leave it to your determination and therefore judging them altogether unworthie of being otherwayes noticed then to pity their ignorance not envying them the satisfaction of their own Opinions I proceed more at length to acquaint you with the grounds I walk upon in resolving to be so effectually concerned in promotting this design as to hazard my self Family and Fortune in Prosecuting thereof submitting very chearfully the consideration thereof to your narrowest and most exact scrutiny whether the motives prompting me hereto be founded upon solid Reason or not I find the most brutish of Mankind proposeth some end to himself whereby he is actuated the Voluptuous seeks after his pleâ—sure the Ambitious his preferment the Covetous his treasure whence it is apparent that all the intentions of man how unrational soever are actuated by one of these three great engins of Jucundum Honestum and Utile In the effectual promotting this design I judge a man may rationaly have a prospect to all these three I must confess there is in the generality of Mankind a natural inclination to love the Land of their own Nativity beyond other places tho upon several Considerations every way preferable according to that of the Poet Nescio quo natale solum dulcidine cunctos Tangit immemores non sinit esse sui Yet we see it hath been frequently so ordered in providence that severals upon different motives have been brought to quit thâ—iâ—… Native Soyl and inclined to make choise of strange and remot Countries for their habitation and it is clearly seen that this theâ—r removal hath tended both to their honour anâ—… outward more plentiful accommodation henâ—… the Northern Climats tho barren as 〈…〉 their Soyl have been observed to produce bodies of Men in greater aboundance more stronge and vivid than the more Southern and fertile places of the World whence great multitudes of people pinched with the straits of their own Countrey have ishewed forth to more agreeable and fertile places Thus the Goths Vandals and Hunns overspead the Roman Empire seating themselves in Italy and Spain and a great part of Africa hence the eruption of the Franks from the Rhine upon the more pleasant Vallies of the Loire Sâ—in and giving thus rise to most flowrishing Kingdoms I grant that upon the first view it may appear somewhat of a Novelty and that upon this consideration the Vndertakers may be lyable to the censure of such as prye not further into the Affair Yet I am ready to believe that the more sâ—rious and Judicious will have other sentiments of this Design when they consider that not only is this practise warranted by the Scripture but that the effectual prosecuting thereof will be made clearly to appear to be contributive as well to the honor of the Vndertâ—kers as to their particular Interest and lâ—kewise to the general advantage of the Nation The placing of a People in this or that Countrey is from the appointment of GOD the Apostle speaks of it as grounded in Nature Acts 17.26 GOD hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of our habitation Deut. 2.8.5 and 9. GOD would not have the Israelites meddle with the Edomites or the Moabits because he had given them the land for a possession I do not find any taking upon them to define what particular summons the first Vndertakers of planting Collonies had whether from the mouth of GOD immediately as Abraham first and the Children of Israel thereafter or from the advice and Counsel of Men Yet that the Wisdom of GOD directed them in this course is evident from Moses his testimonie affirming that he separated the Sons of Adam and set the bounds of their habitation Deut. 32.8 So that whoever set on the work GOD acknowledgeth it as his own we read also in the 16 of the Acts verse 12. Of a Collony which is a company of People agreeing to remove out of their Countrey and settle a City or Commonwealth elsewhere which GOD blessed and prospered exceedingly and made it a glorious Church That Collonies as other States in Humane Societie have their Warrand from GODS direction and Command is apparent to all No sooner was Man created then he was commanded to replenish the Earth and subdue it Gen. 1.26 by these words and the repetition of them to Noah Gen. 9. verse 1. We see a promise exprest as the title of a Benediction and thereto prefixed So it may also be percâ—ived that they include a direction or command Calvine sayâ—s upon these words Jubet cos crescere simul
of the Soils the temperature of the Climats the healthfulness of the places the Constitutions of the several Governments the conveniences of Access the advice given to Phaeton appears very apposite medio tutissimus ibis and so East-Jersey upon the River of Hudson is the place I find my self oblidge to preferr to any other of the English Plantations upon that coast upon some or other if not most of the above named considerations That you may be convinced of the truth of this I here send you what discription I have of that place as it is narrated in a Treatise thereanent emitted lately by the Scots Proprieters I send you also the doubles of several letters from thence all agreeing in one to the advantage of that place confirming all spoken in the said Treatise after your perusal of what does follow you will see whether I have ground or not to make this choise It is time now to show how some of our Countrey-men in order to so advantagious a Project have already purchased an considerable Interest in a Plantation which is justly esteemed not Inferiour if not beyond any place upon the whole continent of America belonging to the English Dominions called East-New-Jersey The deduction of the right of it is thus The KING by Patent to the Duke of York granted a great tract of Land lying betwixt Virginia and New-England It was formerly in the hand of the Dutch and considerably improved by them and called New-Netherlands And by treaty after the first Dutch Wars Surrendered to the King that part of it lying betwixt Delaware and Hudsons River called New-Cesaria or New-Jersey which is betwixt the 39. and 41. Degree of Northern Latitude was by the Duke of York granted to John Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright That part which belonged to the Lord Barkley being assigned to Edward Billings Afterwards by a deed of Partition betwixt the said Edward Billings and Sir George Cartwright The West Part lying upon Delaware River was allotted to Edward Billings for his share and the East part lying upon Hudsons River nearest to the Province of New York was appointed to Sir George Cartwright for his share Which part now called East-New-Jersey is from Sir George Cartwright conveyed to twelve Persons in and about London who have since conveyed an half to other twelve so that as well the Right of Government as the Soyl standeth now in 24. Proprietors in favours of some of whom the Duke of York has been latey pleased to make a new Grant of Confirmation both of Soyl and Government to the twenty four Proprietors with the same Power and Priviledges he has in his Patent from the King which are as large as any other Plantation hath for the Words of the Dukes Patent are as followeth The Patent from the King to James Duke of York c. CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Men to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know ye that WE for diverse good causes and considerations Us hereunto moving have of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion Given and Granted and by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Do give and grant unto Our dearest Brother JAMES Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes All that part of the Maine-Land of New-England beginning at a certain place called or known by the name Saint Croix next adjoyning to New-Scotland in America and from thence extending along the Coast unto a certain place called Pamaquin or Pemaquid and so up the River thereof the farthest Head of the same as it tendeth Northward and extendeth from the River Kenbequin and so upwards by the shortest course to the River of Canada Northward and all that Island or Islands commonly called by the several name or names of Mattawax or long-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
Islands aforesaid or touching any Judgement or Sentence to be there made or given And further that it shall and may be Lawful to and for our said Dearest Brother His Heirs and Assignes by these Presents from time to time to Nominate Make Constitute Ordain and Confirm such Laws as aforesaid by such Name or Names Stile or Stiles as to him or them shall seem good And likewise to Revoke Discharge Change and Alter as well all and singular Governours Officers and Ministers which hereafter shall be by him or them thought fit and needful to be in or used within the aforesaid Islands and Parts And also to Make Ordain and Establish all manner of Laws Orders Directions Instructions Formes and Ceremonies of Government and Magistracy fit and necessar for and concerning the Government of Territories and Islands aforesaid So alwayes as the same be not contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Our Realm of England but as near as may be conformable thereunto and the same at all times hereafter to put in Execution or Abrogate Revoke or Change not only within the Precincts of the said Territories or Islands but also upon the Seas in going and coming to and from the same as he or they in their good Discretion shall think fittest for the good of the Adventurers and Inhabitants AND We do further of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion Grant Ordain and Declare that all such Governours Deputes Officers and Ministers as from time to time shall be Authorized and appointed in manner and form aforesaid shal and may have full power and Authority within the Territories aforesaid to use exercise Martial Law in cases of Rebellion Insurrections Mutiny inas large and ample a manner as our Leiutenents in our Countries within Our Realm of England have or ought to have by force of their Commissions of Leiutenency or any Law or Statute of this our Realm And We do further by these presents for us our Heirs and Successours grant unto Our Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes that it shall and may be Lawful to and for the said James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes in his or their Discretions from time to time to admit such so many person or persons to Trade Traffique into within the Territories and Islands aforesaid to every and any part parcel thereof to have possess and enjoy any Lands and Hereditaments in the part and places aforesaid as they shall think fit according to the Laws Orders Constitutions and Ordinances by our said Brother his Heirs Deputies Commissioners and Assignes from time to time to be made and established by vertue of and according to the true intent and meaning of these presents and under such Conditions Reservations and Agreements as our said Dearest Brother his Heirs and Assignes shall set down Order Direct and appoint and not otherwise as aforesaid 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 his Heirs and Assignes by these presents that it shall and may be Lawful to and for him them or any of them at all and every time or times hereafter out of any of our Realms or Dominions whatsoever take load carry and transport in and unto their Voyages for and towards the Plantations of our Territories and Islands aforesaid all such and so many of our loving Subjects or any other Strangers being not prohibited or under restraint that will become our loving Subjects and live under our Allegiance and shall willingly accompany them in the said Voyages together with all such Cloathing Implements Furniture or any other things usually Transported and not Prohibited as shall be necessary for the Inhabitants of the said Islands and Territories and for the use and defence thereof and Mannaging and carrying on the Trade with the people there Yeelding and paying unto Us our Heirs and Successors the Customes and Duties thereof due and payable according to Laws and Customes of this our Realm And we do also for Us our Heirs and Successors grant unto our said Dearest Brother JAMEs Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes and to all and every such Governour or Governours or Deputies their Officers or Ministers as by ouâ— said Brother his Heirs or Assignes shall be appointed to have Power and Authority of Government and Command in and over the Inhabitants of the said Territories and Islands that they and every of them shall and may lawfully from time to time and at all times for ever hereafter For their several Defence and safty Encounter Repulse Expel and Resist by force of Armes as well by Sea as by Land and all wayes and means whatsoever all such person and persons as without the special Licence of our Dearest Brother his Heirs and Assignes shall attempt to Inhabit within the several Precincts and Limits of our said Territories and Islands and also all and every such person and Persons whatsoever as shall Enterprize and Attempt at any time hereafter the Distruction Invasion Detriment or Annoyance to the parts places or Islands aforesaid or any parts thereof And Lastly our will and pleasure is And We do hereby declare and grant that these out Letters Patents or the Inrollment thereof shall be good and effectual in the Law to all intents and purposes whatsoever notwithstanding the not well and true Receiting or mentioning of the premisses or any part thereof or the Limits or Bounds thereof or of any form or other Letters Patents or Grants whatsoever made or Granted of the premisses or of any part thereof or the Limits or bounds thereof or of any former or other Letters Patents or Grants whatsoever made or Granted of the Premisses or of any part thereof by US or any of Our Progenitors unto any Person or Persons whatsoever bodies Politique or Corporate any other Law or other restraint in certainty or imperfection whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Although express mention of the true yearly Value or certainty of the Premisses or any of them or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us or by any of our Progenitors heretofore made to the said James Duke of York in these presents is not made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision Proclamation or Restriction heretofore had made enacted or provided or any other matter cause or thing whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstading In witness whereof We caused these Letters to be made Patent Witness our self at Westminster the 29. day of June in the 16. Year of Our Reign The SCOTS Proprietors are the Earl of Perth Lord High Chancellour of SCOTLAND his Brother the Viscount of Metfoord Secretar of State for this Kingdom and the Viscount of Tarbit Lord Register Five hundred thousand Acres being seven parts of the 24. belongs to these three and some other Gentlemen This Province or Collony lyes betwixt 39. and 41. Degrees of
Latitude being about 12. Degrees more to the South then the City of London It is in the same Climate with the Kingdom of Naples and Montpelier in France The Summer is hotter and longer then in England and the Winter colder and shorter the dayes about an hour longer in Winter and as much shorter in Summer Is bounded South-East with the Maine Sea East by that vast Navigable Stream called Hudsons River which divides this from the Province of New-York West by a Line of Division which separates this Province from West-Jersey and North upon the maine-Maine-Land And extends it self in length upon the Sea-coast and alongst Hudsons River one hundred English myles and upward The scituation of this Countrey is just as it were in the Center of the English plantations in America betwixt the South parts of Carolina which is over hot and the North parts of Pemaquitte next New Scotland which are coldest so that its conveniencie of scituation temperature of the Aire and fertility of the Soyl is such that there is no less then seven Towns considerable already viz. Shretsburry Midletonn Berghen New-wark Elizabeth-town Woobridge and Piscataway which are well inhabited by a sober and industruous people who have necessary provisions for themselves and families and for the comfortable entertainment of Travellers and Strangers And the Quit-rents or Fewes as they are called of these Towns and other plantations already in the Countrey yeelds to the 24 Proprietors above 500. lib. sterling yearly Revenue and the Air of this Collony is experimentallie found generally to agree well with English Constitutions and consequently with Ours For Navigation it hath these advantages not onely to be scituate along the Navigable parts of Hudsons River but lyes also fiftie myles along the Main Sea and near the midest of this Province is that notted Bay for ships within Sandy-Hook very well known not to be inferiour to any Harbour in America where ships not only harbour in greatest storms but there Ride safe with all Winds and sail in and out thence as well in Winter as Summer For Fishery the Sea-banks are very well stored with variety of Fishes not only such as are profitable for Exportation but such as are fit for Food there There are Whales Coad-fish Colling and Hake-fish and large Mackeril and also many other sorts of smal Flate-fish The Bay also and Hudsons River are plentifully stored with Sturgeon and other Scal-fish Eills and Shel-fish as Oysters in abundance This Countrey is also plentifully supplied with Lively-springs Rivolets Inland-Rivers and creeks which fall into the Sea and Hudsons-River in which also there is varietie of Fresh-fish and water Fowl There are little hills from Rariton-River which is about the middle of this Province that go to the verie North-West-bounds of it in which are aboundance of good Mill-Stons to be had and there is many both Corn and Saw-milnes set and setting up already also on the other side of these Mountains there is brave fresh Rivolets fit for setting of In-Land-Towns and a great deal of Meadow-ground upon the banks thereof So that there is abundance of Hay to be had for Fodering of Cattle in the Winter time and these Meadows shows the Countrey is not altogether covered with timber It s true the first difficulty meets People in Planting there is the cutting down Wood Tho having some Meadow intermixt already well covered with Hay is a great ease yet the trouble is compensed by the advantage which the timber being cut down yeelds being good Oake fit for Shipping and Masts and also Chesmite Walnut Poplar Cdar Ash Fir And also by the fertility of the Soyl being cleared which yeelds a vast increase not only of Indean Corn which is a very wholsome Food but of English grain as Wheat and Barley whereof it usually yeelds betwixt the 20. and 30th fold and with far less labour the timber being once removed then in Britan. And to show the labour of the cutting down the Trees and clearing the ground is not so great as some may Imagine It is known by experience that two men arriving there in September or October may clear as much ground as usually brings by Harvest following twenty Quarters that is ahout 40. Scots Bolls of grain This Countrey also produceth good Flax and Hemp which they now spine and Manufacture into Linnen Cloath the very Barrens there as they are called are not like most in Britain but produceth Grass fit for Grazing Cattle in Summer time There is also upon Ground already cleared store of good English Claver Grass growing the Countrey is well stored with wild Deir Connies and wild Fowl of several sorts As Turkeys Pigeons Partridges Plevers Quaills wild Swans and Geese Ducks in great plenty It produceth variety of good and delicious Fruits as Grapes Plumes Mulberries and also Appricocks Peaches Pears Apples Quinches Water Millons which are in England planted in Orchards and Gardens but grow there with fare less labour and many more Fruits which come not to perfection in England are the more natural product of this Countrey It is thought Olives would grow well there and being store of Mulberrie Trees Silk-worms would do well there for they were tryed in Virginia and proved very well if the laziness of the People and there being wholly set upon Tobacco and the Interest of Merchants who were afraid it might spoil their Silk-Trade from the Straits had not hindered To shew how Fruit-Trees do advance in that Countrey it is credibly reported that about Burlingtoun in West Jersey which is Northernly then the greatest part of this Province from an Apple-tree-Seed in four years without grafting there sprung a tree that in the fourth year bore such a quaintitie of Apples as yeelded a barrell of Syder There is there also great store of Horses Cowes Hoggs and some sheep which may be bought at reasonable prices with English money or English Commodities or mans labour where goods and money are wanting For Minerals It is thought there are not wanting of several sorts For there is an Iron-work already set up where there is good Iron made And also there is discovered already abundance of Black-Lead It is exceeding well furnished with safe convenient Harbours for shipping which is of great advantage and affords already for Exportation great plenty of Horses and also Beef Pork Pipstaves Bread Flower White Barley Rye Indian Corn Butter and Cheese which they export for Barbadoes Jamaica Mevis and other adjacent Islands As also to Portugal Spain and the Canaryes their Whale Oyl and Whale-Fins Beaver Mink Racon and Martine-skins which this Countrey produces they transport for England The Indian Natives in this Countrey are but few comparative to the Neighbouring Collony And these that are there are so far from being Formidable and injurious to the Planters and Inhabitants that they are really serviceable and advantagious to them not only in hunting and taking the Deer and all other wild Creatures and catching of Fish and Fowl fit
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-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
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-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
on Amboy we are to have some Land laid out to us and we are Stocked with two Mares four Cowes two Sows two Oxen my Wise and I and the Child Richard are very well in health and hath been so ever since we came out of Scotland Now as for this Countrey it is a very good Countrey indeed poor men such as my self may live better here then in Scotland if they will but work a man can have Corn and Cattle or any other Goods for his work and he can sell these good to some hands for money it is not for a man that hath a Familie to come bound four years but young men who have no trouble they will do better to come and serve four years here then to serve in Scotland for they are not so hard wrought as in Scotland and when the four years are out they can gain abundance to work to other men or if they desire to setle upon Land of their own they can have it reasonably Cheap the hardest work that is here is clearing of the Ground and felling of Trees and the like the first year is the worst till they be accustomed with the work of the Countrey my Neighbour and I did clear from the middle of February till the midst of May five Acres of Land and have it planted with Indian Corn and Indian Beans and Tobacco for our own smoaking a man who lives here needs go no where to buy any things here he can have Corn and Cattle and every thing that is necessar for mans use if he be Industrious only the thing that is dearest here is Cloathing for there are but few Sheep to this Countrey but there are store of all other Beasts such as Horse and Cows and Hoggs there is here good Fishing good hunting of Deer and other kind of wild Beasts The Countrey is very healthie as I have seen yet it is cold in the Winter like unto Scotland But fra once the Summer breaks up it is hotter then it is in Scotland There are here very good Religious People they go under the name of Independants but are must like to the Prisbyterians only they will not receive every one to their Society we have great need of Good and Faithful Ministers And I wish to God that there would come some over here they can live as well and have as much as in Scotland and more then many gets we have none within all this Province of East-Jersey except one who is Preacher in New-wark there were one or two Preachers more in the Province but they are dead And now the people they meet together every Sabbath day and Reads and Prays and sings Psalms in their Meeting-houses this Countrey is very well settled with People most part of the first Settlers came out of New-England very kind and loving people kinder than in Scotland or England And for the Indian Natives they are not troublesome any way to any of us if we do them no harm but are a very kind and loving people the men does nothing but hunts and the women they plant Corn and works at home they come and trades among the Christians with Skins or Venison or Corn or Pork And in the Summer time they and their Wives come down the Rivers in their Cannoas which they make themselves of a piece of a great tree like a little Boat and rhere they Fish and take Oysters This Countrey is a very pleasant Countrey with Rivers and Creiks to fish in Only it is full of Wood such as Oak and Walnut-tree Chesnut Poplar and Cedar The only thing we want here is good People I wish that all the poor Friends I or my Wife hath were here As for my Brother if he have a mind to come Brother if you have but as much in the World as would transport you hither and your Family I would desire you earnestly to come and bring my Sister with you if you have as much as will transport you sell all and come tho you had not a penny after your passage were payed you need not fear if you have a mind to work I was as little brought up with work as any man yet blessed be GOD I can work now as my Neighbors and lives very contentedly with my Wife better then ever we did in Scotland shew my Mother in Law thaâ— my Wife and I would be very well pleased if she would come over there are as old Women as she comâ—… here out of old England there was one came alongst with us elder then she if she will come she shall live with her Daughter and me as easie and as well as ever she did live in Scotland and I do know that was well enough my Wife and I are well at present as you could wish GOD be blessed I can say no more but my love to my Brother and his wife and all Friends I rest your loving Cusin Peter Watson A Letter write by John Campbel to John Dobie New-Perth 8th of November 1684. B. John I Wrote a line from Philadelphia to you as we were coming hither your Cusin James Dobbie the bearer is in such haste that I cannot write what I would say but is short we are come here to a good wholesome Countrey in which with little industrie a man may have a comfortable life there is good Wheat and Oats growing here and Indian Corn which our Servants likes very well There is Fish and Fowl abundance and of Cows and Horse they labour wi h Horse and Oxen There is Deer through all the Countrey and Turkies which some of our Servants has killed a part of already There is Pertrages and Quails very rife that my wife yesterday morning saw about 20. of them walking before the door like Chikens I shall say no more till I see farther for I am with others going to the Countrey on Munday to see for the Countrey lotts for I have taken up the Towns already and cut down the trees of two Acres of ground with six men in three dayes My service to all Friends I am Your most assured Friend John Campbel A Letter from Thomas Fullerton Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to his Brother in Law Doctor Gordon in Montross Elizabeth-Town 4. January 1685. Dear Brother BY my last about a Moneth since I dated from Amboy you understand that we came to Sandy-Hook 18. weeks after we sailed from Montrofe we were 9. weeks at Sea from Killebeg in Ireland we had many cross winds what other accidents we met with by the way were worth the telling but not the writting blessed be God we all kept our healths very well only one Boy fell over boord what you expect and I design by this is a breef but true accompt of the Country The first land we discovered was About the midle of long-Long-Island it appeared at first like trees growing out of the Sea Towards night we Anchored in Sandy-Hooke The land is low and levell that is the reason we were
or Rapes or any other Act of Oppression they cannot be challenged upon accompt thereof in any Judicatory in Carolina These being so matterial Objections I need not add the apparent hazard of being next Neighbour to the Spainard whose interest it is to ruine any setling at Port Royal how little probability there is that any going at first from this can be of sufficient strength to defend themselves against their designs that in case of any assault from that airth their nixt and only neighbour Charles-toun could not give that help which were requisit in such an exigent either against the Spainards their nixt neighbours at St. Augustines Fort or the Natives if they should become quarrelsome Neighbors But from the complext consideration of all together I must divest my self of my reason or I judge Carolina a proper seat to settle my self in But tho you be oblidged to grant that East-Jersey may be the most desirable spott of ground upon the continent of America for such a design upon the above written considerations yet I do apprehend you may incline to think that Tobago St. Luce St. Vincent or some of these Islands were yet more proper as affoording at first view greater ground of expecting suitable returns to the apparent expense hazards of such a undertaking witness the great riches of Barbadoes by the improvment of a Trade from that place all Europe over In answer to this I must confess Sir that there may be greater improvements of such Islands as to trade when they do come to that length of improvement as to produce Suggars Cotton Indigo c. But let me also tell you there is a certain prospect of far greater more imminent hazards in settling there then in East-Jersey It is certainly obvious to the meanest capacities what hardships these must be oblidged to lay their compt to meet with who would interprise such a design not only from the wants thy might be exposed to throw lake of necessar supplies wherewith they cannot expect the conveniencie of being furnished but from other hazards and difficulties It is not small stock could set such a desing on foot neither can it be expected that such who would ingadge in such undertaking from this place could in many years attain to that strength which were necessarily requisite for defending themselves even against the Piracy of a Buccanier or two far less against the invasions or assaults of forraign States and Princes As for my own part I must confess I am not very anxious of great Riches as the result of this undertaking but to carry my Wife and Children with me I am bound the best I can to look to their Accommodation when I land in East-Jersey there are Lodgings and all other necessars to be had for money till by our own industry in Labouring the Ground we provide for our selves which could not be expected in one of these Islands If I have a Countrey no worse than the South of France with these Conveniencies above narrated I desire no richer Soyl though greater expectations might be had of the result of such a design of setling in one of these Islands as to Profit and Gain when once come the length of a good Trade But besides this our Countrey People which will be the strength of any Collony to go from this place knows very well how to labour the Ground for producing all sorts of Grains after what fashion to breed abundance of all sorts of Bestial in both which will the great riches of Jersey consist But it cannot he expected that they know how to improve these Islands for Suggar Cotton Indigo c. and this being altogether out of their road we should thus be altogether deprived of the assistance we may rationally expect from them by proposing to settle in a place where the Nigro Slaves could do more service and be far more usefull than the most laborious and judicious of our Countrey People As for the ordinar Objection against setling in Jersey upon account of the inconveniencies may arise from having a Governour of Principles alledged inconsistent with the standing of any Society upon this one head mentioning no other that a man who professes he judges it unlawful to draw his sword to defend himself againsâ— a Na ive if he were coming to cut his throat can never be so careful in providing such certain and speedy remedies for preventing any hazard that way as are absolutely requisite for the security of these who settle there both against any Designs of the Natives or Forraign Invasions This is very easily answered that there being several very substantial Citizens of London concerned in this Plantation who are not of this Principle who have laid out considerable summs on this Design as I am oblidged to know by the accompt I have from one of them with whom I have some correspondence who tells me he himself hath laid out 1800. pound It cannot rationally be supposed that they will be so unconcerned as not to follow such measures as may secure what interest they have there Methods are already laid down which I know will satisfie you in this particular that as to defence against any such inconveniencies East Jersey will be as effectually secured as any of the Neighbouring Plantations As for any other Apprehensions you or others may have upon this head I shall only say what ever Mr. Barclays Principles may be he is a Gentleman known to be abundantly qualified to advance the interest of that Collony else the Trust thereof had not been devolved upon him by the Proprietors who are Men more knowing in their own Affairs then to have made an escape in so matterial a point they are Men abundantly sharp-sighted to remark his Actions and accordingly as they find them for the interest of the place to continue him in that Trust or not And you may be assured he understands himself so well as to behave himself in that station so as becometh a Gentleman concerned in his own Credit and Interest seing upon the least malversation he is al 's well â—vable to censure of the Law as the meanest Inhabitant Which consideration abundantly secures any reasonable Man against the Apprehensions of any inconveniencie from his being Governour tho his inclinations prompted him to act upon a selfish design to the prejudice of the general interest of that Province I perswade my self he is more a Gentleman than ever to be guilty of any thing that is base or unbecoming a Gentleman It is now more then time to bid you farewel having nothing further to add hoping from what is here said you will rest satisfied that in prosecuting this design I do act upon solid foundations let the result be what it will I hope you are convinced I have not proceeded indeliberatly therein I am not so foolish as to propose no difficulties to my self to be rancountered notwithstanding all the incouragements above written I am too well acquainted with all the
just now built in Perth altogether of Cedar-Wood it is reckoned a wood of no value here except for its lastiness I intend to follow Planting my self and if I had but the small Stock here I have in Scotland with some more servants I would not go home to Aberdeen for a Regencie as was profered me neither do I intend it however hoping to get my own safe over we are not troubled here leading our pitts mucking our Land and Ploughing 3. times one Plouing with 4. or 6. Oxen at first breaking up and with 2. horse only thereafter suffices for all you may judge whither that be easier Husbandrie than in Scotland But I know you are no good Husband-man But which of the foresaid trades you will choice if you will come here you self is more then I can divine or will advise you to I have told you how things are and in Gods-Name take your own choice as I have done I shall tell you what I would do were I in your place if it shall fall out you do come I would get some trusty Comorads Merchants to joyn with me and sett up a trade in Perth for I think a mans own trade fitts him best if you have 5000. Merks it is enough 4. in goods and one in money Let none come here destitute of money it is of great request here and gets chape Penyworths and 25. per cent of advantage by it but I doe not advise you for if you should meet with such trouble and disopoyntments as we have done by being put by our Post you would perhapps be discouraged give me the blame all our baggadg is not yet come from Maryland and I want yet my bed Cloathes and the Land I intend to settle on is not yet purchassed from the Indians for after I have viewed all the Province such of it as is yet habitable I have chosen the South branch of Rariton-River for conveniency of Fishing Fowling and Meadow but all the best Land lyes back from the Rivers and the Sea Costs the further back the better it is which necessitates me to go a mile back In breif what you heard of the countrey is all true so I need not spine out long Discriptions of it no unbyassed and indifferent Person will speak ill of the Land it is both pleasant and wholesome and industrous People after some few years Labour may lead a pleasant easie Life and want for nothing And I am of opinion may grow rich too if they take pains for it and follow Merchandising and some are actaually grown rich since they came here who had nothing before if any shal miscredit what I have said I shall not think my self baffled for that but let them live in their opinion and I will live in mine And if they please they may do with me as I did with John Skeens Wife cast my Letters in mine own teeth and when they come upon the place I shall make good what I say face to face as she did to me and if they come not themselves they need not trouble themselves whither it be true or false The goods fit for this Countrey are all kind of house-hold Plenishing without which and a years provision in victualls let none come hither if they would wish not to be preyed on by the old Planters All course cloath such as hodden-grayes and Playding course Stockâ—ns and Linning no fine things for an infant Countrey except for a mans own use course Bedding and Blankets Governour Barclay can give you full information as to this point The Inconveninencies we have met with are great trouble and charges for want of our baggadge there is likewise trouble and charges in the first setlement in carting out ones goods to the woods fencing is the cheif Difficulty and if theâ—e be many great trees the logges most be drawn off with oxen and the branches burned the trees are falled equal to a mans thigh hight but the roots are no impediments where is much brush the roots most be plucked up with grubbing howe 's any man may learn Husbandries here who was not aquaint with it in Scotland Tobacco would grow here as well as in Maryland but it is best for European graines I doe not intend to write more Letters to Edinburgh with this occasion being busied about mine own setlement therefore I intreat you will remember me to all my friends Relations Comarads and Acquaintances at Edinburgh and shew them of my wellfair that I had not my health so well this 7. years bygone as now Blessed be God and that I am not troubled here with coughs and head aikes as in Edinburgh which is likewise a great motive for me to stay in this Countrey I intreat to hear from them all you will not readily miss occasions from London every Moneth to some place in America And there is ordinarly occasions hither from the Neighbour Collonies I have received Letters from the Bissets and my Brother from Mr. Alexander since we came I intreat to hear particularly from the Professor of Divinitie and Mathematicks Doctor Pitcairn Mr. George Burnet Richard Maitland Mr. George Alexander and any others who shall ask for me wishing you and all your concerns well I continue Dear Cusin Your most affectionate Cusin and humble Servant Charles Gordon P stscript by the foresaid hand If any pleases to tell me what their scruples are I shall endeavour to answer them if Servants knew what a Countrey this is for them and that they may live like little Lairds here I think they would not be so Shey as they are to come and during their service they are better used then in any place in America I have seen you may know my Subscription by the sign I gave you of my Pistoles misserving in the Boat or at least when you tell your Mother you may mind on me for you will miss some pints of wine you spent with me that Fridays night you convoyed me aboard on the Shore and in the Ship If there were a Caball of Merchants here to export the product of the Countrey to Barbadoes and the West-Indies and to Import Rumm Malasses Suggar and Cotton c. it would do a great deal of good to this Countrey I intreat to know what remarkable Revolutions has hapned either abroad or at home since I came away Any Merchants who settles here must take Lotts in the Town and build houses Mr. David Mudie is building a stone house and hath already an Horse-mill ready to set up presently in New-Perth Adue For Mr. James Mudie Merchant in Montrose New-Perth the 9th of March 1685. Sir MY Love ever being remembered to your self Lady and Children these are earnestly intreating you to let my Wife have any little thing she stands in need of untill it shall please the Lord I return and I shall pay you very thankfully I have left Thomas Parson and resolves to trade this Summer in the Countrey and to come home with your Uncle
the nixt Spring I wish you were here and your whole Family for I doubt not but the Countrey would please you well For there is abundance of much better Land here then ever Arbikie was and an Earldome to be bought far below in pryce the vallow of what such pettie Lairdshipps as Arbikie is sold for in Scotland without purging of the Lands of any incumbrances For I hope to winn as much monie this year as will buy a better Lairdship then Arbikie and if ye resolve not to come over I resolve to buy Land before I come from this and title it Arbikie But I shall be sorie to take away your title for if I do it will be your own fault and for your better incouradgement I know you love a Gunn and a Dogge and here ye will have use for both For Wilde Geese Turkies Ducks and Drake Partridge Cunies Doves and innumerable more kind of Fowls which I know not their names are here to be seen every hour of the day in flocks above Thousands in Number And for your Skieft which you use to Fish with bring here with you or one like her for I assure you of good employment and yet ye may catch more Fish in an hour here than any Fisher in Montrose in two excepting Podloes at the shore head Sir take this as no jest from me for what is here written is a reall truth but ye may think it is not my dictating but the Writter and I have set it together the best way we can But yet not so full as I would have had it Present my Love to your Sister Uncle and all Friends and I am Sir Your very loving Friend and Cusin James Mudie A Letter from David Mudie Merchant in Montrose For James Mudie of Courthill in Scotland New-Perth the 9th of March 1685. Loving Brother I Write you a lyne upon my arivall here and by my last to my Wife of the date the 12. December I desired her to let you see it which I hope she has done if it be come to her hands I do now understand this Countrie better then I did at that time and the longer I travell in it I like it the better for a frugall man with a small fortune may very soon raise a good Estate which I wrote formerly to my Wife in relation to the Countrie I find it most certain and much better then I wrote this Winter hath been exceeding hard and sharpe the like not seen by those who have lived 20. or 30. years in it which hath hindred me of a great deal of work yet I have cleared three Acres of Ground to be an Orchard and a Garden which lyes close to the house which I am a building which is all of Stone work with Cellars under the Ground six Rooms off a floor two Stories high beside the Garrat and I have two Massons dayly working at it since the first of February three Wrights working at an Horse mill which will be clear against the later end of this Moneth And I am told that the Mill will be worth 100. lib. a year but I am sure she will be better then 50. of clear Money for every Scotsboll of Wheat or Indian Corn payes here for grinding of it 2. shill Ster this house and mill stands me a great deal of Money but there is none such in this Countrey nor ever was I resolve to go out to the Countrey to the Land which I have taken up which is upon a place called the South River which is 2 hours going from my own house by water I mind to settle some of my Servants there against the midle of this Moneth I am provided with six course Horse Oxen and Swine sufficiently in number for any Plantation for the first year the Land I have settled on in my Judgement is extroardinary good If any Friend or Acquaintance hath any inclination to come over here I can assure them if they be Frugall men and have but 300. lib. Ster Stock they may live better then a Gentleman with us of 40. Chalders of Victuall I cannot now resolve to come home till this time twelve Moneth since Thomas Parson hath so much disappointed me as I have written to my wife but against that time if the LORD preserve me in health I will come home then present my service to Arbikie and to my Sisters and to all our Friends which will save me a trouble to give them a Line my love to your wife and children I am Your Loving Brother David Mudie Let Arbikie my Sisters and the rest of my Friends see this Letter Abstract of a Letter from Robert Fullerron Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to his Brothers and Sisters from Amboy the 6. of November 1684. Dear Brothers and Sisters By the Mercies of the Most High we are safe arryved after a long Demur by contrary winds we encountered very hapily at first with Long Island and the next day came to an Anchor in New Jersey The Passengers did all very well though we had some very rough gusts and were very throng in so small a vesshel being 130. Souls besids Sea men of these 27. were women 6. or 7. children only one man whom I hyred in your house called William Clark standing carlesly upon the Forcastle tumbled over boards and drowned tho we put out our boat and endeavoured in vain to save him This Countrey pleaseth us very well and appears to be nothing short of our expectation We were yesterday ranging about veiwing our Land whereâ—â—u shall have accompt by the next 〈◊〉 Land in general is good and aâ—reeâ—â—â—th the accompt you have heard tâ—â— I â—ees are no hing so invincible as I did â—magine being neither so thick nor so great as we thought The first plant which I touched was wild Bayes which row in abundance here the fruits are gery excellent such sorts as I have seen vâ—les the best I believe in the world some I have seen of a pound weight Cattle in generall are abundantly plentifull especially Horse and Oxen the greatness and fatness of the Oxen will Countervail the Difference of the price being about 5. lib. sterling The Countrey is not altogether leavell as some other Countries here but hath easie rysings and Vallies my new experience cannot give you such an accompt as you may afterwards expect but in generall the Countrey may satisfie any rationall ingenuous mind yet I find there be Novices who knows no happiness save home with a glass of Wine and Comorads in a change House tho there be no want here of more noble devertisments as hunting wild Beasts wild Horses and Deer yesterday I did see severall droves of Deer and wild Horses as I did ride up in the Countrey The Land which we were veiwing is a large plain under the blew hills watered with two or three little Rivers about 8. or 9. miles from New-Perth four from Rariton-River Northward the land downwards is all taken up by the Quitrenters