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-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
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
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
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
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
to be just as he hath written but sets it down as a good part to his own knowledge the rest guessed at and is to the best of his remembrance particularlie about the quantity of Acres and number of Inhabitants  Acres Shrewsberry town and Plantation 30000 Midleton and Plantation 30000. Piscattaway and out Plantations 40000. Woodbridge and out Plantations 30000. Elizabethtown and Plantations 40000. Newark and out Plantations 50000. Berghen and out Plantations 60000.  in all 280000.  Acres Shreusberry Families 080. Midletoun 100. Woodbridge 120. Elizabeth 150. Piscattaway 080. Newark 100. Berghen 070.  in all 700. Families And reckoning 5. to all Families the old Inhabitants in the several Towns estimate to be 3500. Persons These besides the out Plantations that cannot be so well guessed at for Families or Persons as the Towns I desire Sir you may here stop a little and consider the Incouragment to be had from the above written Information which will by any understanding Person be judged of very great import you come not to a place altogether void of Inhabitants But on the contrar to a Countrey where at your first landing you have houses which can accommodat you with all necessars whatsoever If you look back with me to the great trouble these were redacted to who first went to that place of the World who were necessitat to carry over with them Horses Cows Sheep Hoggs c. Yea all sorts of provisions you will certainly acknowledge that it is a very easie business now in comparison of what it was then when so soon as you come to land you have houses to affoord you good and comfortable accommodation till you make provision for one of your own when you have some way accommodat your self with Lodging you may from all hands provide your self with Horses Cows Sheep Hoggs c. all sorts of Poultry all sorts of Seed for sowing this consideration does in my apprehension make the Design far more easie then would appear at first to any who would be necessitat to lay before his eyes great difficulties to be rancountered when come from Ships lodging is wanting upon the shore no other Victuals are in readiness but what is brought along from the place they came from none of these other accommodations to be furnished but what is brought a great way off Sir you will be oblidged to say we have even upon this one consideration a great advantage of our Countrey-men lately settled at Port-Royal in Carolina to mention nothing else in this place But now let us return to the perusal of several Letters from that place and I desire you to mark narrowly if you observe the least contradiction in any matterial point contained in any of them or if you do not find the above written Discription quadrat in the least particular with the said Letters A Letter from Thomas Rudyard Deputy Governour of New-East-Jersey to a Friend at London dated at East-Jersey the 30th of the 3d. Moneth called May 1683. Dear B. G. TO be as particular in my return were but thy due yet I cannot promise so much However I may give thee some general account of the Province and of our satisfaction with our present Lot the short time I have experienced this But to give thee also as thou desires a Character of Pensalvania and West-Jersey that will be a task I must be excused to undertake least I give offence or at least bring me under censure as partial Were I not concerned in any of the Provinces I might satisfie thy curiositie But being chieflie interested in this I 'le be very cautious medling with my Neighbours more then here one with another so I may use my freedom with my Neighbours which they take not ill but writ that they may take otherwayes They lye so near adjacent that they may be said in a sence to be but one Countrey And what 's said for one in General may serve for all I have been at Burlingtoun and at Pensilvania as far as Philadelphia which lyes about 20 miles below Burlingtoun That journey by Land gave me some view of all the Provinces and made me now considerably to estimate this of East-Jersey having some Conveniences esteemed be me which the others are not so plentifully furnished withal viz. fresh and salt Meadows which now are very valuable and no man here will take up a Tract of Land without them being the support of their flocks in Winter which other parts must supplie be store and taking more care for English Grass But know where salt Marisshes are not there is no Muskettos and that manner of Land the more health and this was often answered me when I have been making comparisons I must tell thee their Character in Print by all that reads it here is said to be modest and much more might have been said in its Commendation We have one thing more particular to us which the other want also which is vast Oysters banks which is Constant fresh Victuals during the winter to English as well as Indians of these there are many all along our Coasts from that Sea as high as against New York whence they come to fetch them so we are supplied with salt fish at our doors or within half a tydes passage and fresh Fish in aboundance in every little brook as Pearch Trout Ells c. which we catch at our doors Provisions here are very plentiful and people generally well stockt with Cattle New-York and Burlingtoun hath hitherto been their Mercat Few or no Trading-Men being here in this Province I believe it hath been very unhappily heretofore under an ill managed Government and most of the people who are such who have been invited from the adjacent Collonies by that goodness of its Soill and convenient Scituation at Amboy we are now building some small houses of 30. foot long and 18. foot breadth fitting to entertain Work-men and such who will go and build larger the stones lye exceeding well and good up that Rariton River a Tydes passage and Oyster-shells upon the point to make lyme withall which will wonderfully accommodat us in building good houses cheap warm for Winter cool for Summer and durable covering for houses are Shingles Oak Chesnut and Cedar we have plentiful here of all the last endures a mans age if he live to be old There is 5. or 6. Saw-mills going up here this Spring two at work already which abates the price of boords half in half and all other timber for building for although timber coast nothing yet workmanship by hand was London price or near upon or sometimes more which these Mills abate we buy Oak and Chesnut boords no cheaper then last year My habitation with Samuell Groome is at Elizabeth Town and here we came first it lyes on a fresh small river with the tyde Ships of 30. or 40. Tuns come before our doors throughout this Town is good English grass and bears a very good burthen we cannot
call our habitation solitarie for what with the publict employ I have little less companie at my house dayly then I had in George Yeard although not so many pass by my doors The people are general a sober professing people Wise in their Generation Courtious in their Behaviour and Respectful to us in Office among them As for the Temperature of the Air it is wonderfully scituated to the Humours of Mankind the wind and weather rarely holding in one point or one kind for ten dayes together It is a rare thing for a Vessel to be wind-bound for a week together the wind seldom holding in a point more then 48. hours in a short time we have weet and dry warm and cold weather which changes we often desire in England and look for before they come Yet this Variation creats not cold nor have we the tenth part of the cold as we have in England I never had any since I came and in the midst of Winter and Frosts could endure it with less cloaths then in England for generally I go with that same Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you but warm cloaths hurt not I bless the LORD I never had better health nor my Family my Daughters are very well improved in that respect and tell me they would not change their place for George Yeard nor would I People here are generally settled where the tyde reaches and althoughs this is good Land and well Timbered and plentifully supplied with Salt-Marish yet there is much better Land up higher on the River where they may go up with small boats where many now are settling there 's extraordinary Land fresh Meadows overflowed in the Winter time that produces multitudes of Winter Corns and it s believed will end are 20 30 or 50 years flowing without intromission and not decay such Land there is at Sops on Hudsons River which hath born Winter Corn about 20. years without help and is as good as at first and better William Penn took a view of the Land this last moneth when here and said he had never seen such before in his life All the English Merchants and many of the Dutch have taken and are desirous to take up Plantations with us Our Countrey here called Berghen is almost Dutchmen at a town called Newark 7. or 8. miles hence is made great quantities of Syder exceeding any we can have from New-England or Rood-Island or Long-Island I hope to make 20. or 30. Barrels out of our Orchard next year as they have done who had it before me for that it must be as providence ordered Upon our view and survey of Amboy-point we find extraordinary well scituate for a great Town or City beyound expectation at low water round about the point are Oysters There are Oysters of two kinds small as English and others two or three morsells exceeding good for roasting and stewing The people say our Oysters are good and in season all Summer The first of the third Moneth I eat of them at Amboy very good The point is good lively Land 10. some places 20. foot above the water mark About it are several Coves with small Coasts may lay up Vessels as in a decke besides great Ships of any burthen may all ryde before the town Land-loked against all winds There Rariton-River runs up or rather down 50 far larger some say 100. mylles for small boats I saw several vines upon the point which produces as they say good grapes in their Season this Countrie is very full of them but being no present mother of profite few regard them more then to pick them as they lay in their way when they are rype We have store of Clamms esteemed much better then Oysters one Festivals the Indians feast with them there are Shallops but in no great plentie Fish we have great store as our relation set forth but they are very good when catcht as the proverb is I have several Barrels by me now which are good for our Table and for Sale I brought a Sea-Net over with me which may turn to good account Sea-Nets are good Merchandise here mine cost me about 4. or 5. lib. and can have 20. lib. for it if I would sell it now I may writ of many such matters in our Province which may invite persons here but so am resolved to conclude knowing that in probability there is not an Industrious man but by GODS blessing may not only have a comfortable but plentifull supplie of all things necessary for this life with the salutation of my true affection to all c. I rest thy affectionat friend Tho. Rudyard A Letter from Samuell Groome Surveyour General in East-New-Jersey dated at East-Jersey the 11th of August 1683. Friends and Fellow-Proprietors SInce my last I have now sounded the Channell from Amboy to Sandy-hook and finds it to be a broad and bold Channell in no place less then 3. fathom at high water in ordinary tydes 4 5 or 6 fathom except in one short place Rariton River is a good River and hath a good tyde of flood overpowering the freshes about 30 miles above Amboy after its flood the tyde hath no force against the Freshes which comes out of several branches of Rariton and joyns in one 40. or 50. miles above Amboy I have spent a considerable time in making discovery I have not as yet had times to lay out much land for you only about 17. or 18. thousand Acres in one tract good upland near Elizabeth Town I have now seen the tract of Land against or nigh Amboy point formerly laid out by Vanquillian it is on the West-side of a Creek called Chingeroces about eight thousand Acres And I intend shortly to lay as much or twice as much more to it but first we must talk with the Natives about that and other tracts of Land they are not yet paid for The last day of this moneth is appointed to treat with several Indians to buy several exceeding good tracts nigh the head of Rariton The tenth of the next Moneth is also appointed to treat with other Indians to buy other tracts of choice Meadowing and Vp-land that lyeth about 12. or thirteen myles up into the Countrey which I have seen and when we have accomplished these two things we shall he able to lay out for you much land and when I have been up in the Countrey towards and at Barnagate and agreed with the Indians thereabout for such land as we may see occasion to purchase presently in order to a setlement there for here are many both of New-England New-York and some parts of this Province stands ready to sit down in that part of the Countrey not only for the sake of the good Vp land and Meadows which report saith is much thereabouts but also for the sake of the Whale Trade and other fishing trade which is like to be there shortly New-England Men and others were aâ— tampering with the Indians to have purchased there before
and since we came but now they are out of hopes of coming in at that door so now they make their Addresses to us and would have us to purchase and let them come in our Tennents otherwayes as we may agree I intend to attempt these things this fall I have not been much on the South side of Rariton only upon some upland at severall places and upon the tract of 8. thousand 3. hundreth and 20. Acres of yours aforementioned and also on the Meadowing that lyes on the southside of Rariton above Amboy a year or two since purchased of the Indians in the name of Dam Cartwright though it was never intended for her nor for any Proprietor but as it fell out they quarrelled about disposing and sharing thereof so it is now without controversie yours Now know that Rariton River is accommodate on both sides with salt and fresh meadows salt as far as the salt sea water flows or predominats and fresh above as the River of Thames We have about 3000. Acres of meadowing butting on the river I hope it will never hurt Amboy town besides report saith that the upland next adjoyning to this meadowing beginning over against Amboy and so up 10 or 12 miles to a River that stricks out of Rariton south and is called South River is but mean land It may be well if you would agree to take each one a 24th part of Lands as we lay them out whither it be more or less or else take 500. Acres Lots and let these Lots be cast when 24. times 500 Acres is laid out where we can make greater Lots we may we have now got up three houses at Amboy and three more ready to be set up but workmen are scarce and many of them base the best will work but when they can spare time out of their plantations if no help comes it will be long are Amboy be built as London is housing will bring a Trade to that place the Indians comes thither to get Fish Foul Oysters Clams Mussels c. as people go to mercat for things they want and these Indians brings at Seasons great quantities of skins down Rariton so by Amboy and to New-York where they have a continuall supplie of things they want Well here is a brave Countrey the ground very fruitfull and wonderfull inclinable to English grass as Claver c. It Predominats over the more wild grasse very little barren much dry up-land and good meadow some phenny swampy land and small running brooks and rivers throughout all the parts of the Countrey I have been and these phenny and swampy Land hears great burdens of grass in short the land is four times better then I expected we must needs be out some money at present to purchase lands of the Indians but that will be soon got in with profit as people come to Inhabite and take up Land and pay as alwayes they have done their part of purchase from the Indians Here is great talk of the braveries of the place and land Barnagate I intend to see shortly after the season is fititng to go by land and water to it I intend to go by water in a Sloop to see how convenient it s by water and from thence come by Land so then I shall tell you more Ye must expect to be at charges for doing these and such other things I purpose shortly to writ to and demand in all places of the Quitrents and Arriers they generally say they will pay Captain Berry his two or three hundreth pounds behinds in arriers as is said because his caice differs from others a little I 'le GOD permitting begin with them first of all about his rent c. and either have rent or land what you write concerning building and repairing shall be ohserved I wish I were freely rid of all the goods I have of yours and my own at 28. per cent Excepting such as are for the Indian Trade These part of America are commodated with English goods Nevertheless when I pay Workmen and Labourers I pay them goods rated cent per cent New-York money but then I must pay them 2. or 3. silver and part paction which I procure with goods as well as I can The houses at Amboy are 30. foot long and 16. foot wide 10. foot betwixt joynt and joynt a double Chimney made with Timber and clay as the manner of this Countrey is to build will in about 50. lib. a house this pay procured here for 25. in goods the first coast I shall make you no return this year seing we are about purchasing and surveying all which will run out money in this place where Mint are so scarce to be had on such accounts I must as well as I can turn your goods into money provision and goods for Indians I have laid out Amboy into 150. Lots and have sent home a draught of it your S. G. Abstract of a Letter from Gavin Laurie Deputy Governour of East Jersey to the Proprietors at London dated from Elizabeth Town the 2. of March 1684. I Took up several dayes with Countrey men and others to view the Ground and Water at last I pitched upon a place where a Ship of 300. Tun may ride safely within a plank length of the Shoar at low water and joyning thereto is a peece of marish ground about 12. pearch broad and 20. pearch long and high land on each side like our Keyes by London Bridge this may be easie cut quit round for smal Vessels to come to the Key and lye safe round this Island I set out Lots 1. Acre a peece viz. 4. pole at the Key and 40. pole backward from thence along the river near half a mile I lay'd out the like lotts very pleasant for scituation where they can see the ships coming in the Bayes of Sandy-Hook for near 20 miles the Ships may ride alongs by the Town as safe as at London just at the point by the Town Rariton-River runs up the Countrey a great way there boats of 40 tun may goe and the River by the Town goes to New-York Hudsons-River Long Island Staten Island and so to New-England there is no place in all England for Conveniency and pleasant scituation There are 60 Lotts upon the River and 40 backward between these and the River and these backward have a highway 100 foot broad where I have laid out a place for a mercat with cross Streets from the River to the Market where the Town-houses are to be built when this was done I laid out 400 Acres to be divided in 48 parts viz. 36 to each Proprietor and those who have Lotts in the Town I grant them half Lotts in this to pay for the Lotts in the Town 20 pound or if a half Lott of 36 Acres 40 pounds I laid 400 Acres to ly untill the Proprietors agree to devyd it as people comes over There is 16 Lotts taken up by the Scotish Proprietors and 8 Lotts by the Proprietors
very few days they use to take more then they make usâ— of in Winter as for wild Meat there is of all sorts Cows sheep and Oxen as large as in England and aboundantly cheap considering their goodness Corns and all Sorts of Fruit in great aboundance and no less then they are called in Scotland Moâ—â—y within this three years is become pretty plentiful Servants dear and scarce I have taken up sex Acres of Land in New-Perth which pleases me exceeding well in regard it is good Land and fâ—â—â—â—r building of a City and Persons of Good Fortune aâ—e come from New-York and other places in thâ— Countrey and are very busy building and I aâ—â— begun to build a house and have near digged the ground which is very hard it being under a great part of it Oker which is hard to digg and the least deepness is eight foot I have my two Wrights Squaring of Timber for it and I resolve to have it a good Handsome House six Rooms off a floor with a Study two stories high above the Sellers and the Garret above And I doubt nor if the Frost bide away but I shall have the Sellers finished and the gests laid above it against the letter end of this moneth for the Land that lyes to the house I resolve to fence in two Acres of it for an Orchard and an Yeard and to have hat done before the middle of February and to have it planted with fruit trees for I find a man in three years will have more Fruit in such in Orchard then he knâ—ws how to make use of And about the middle of February according as the Weather is I resolved to go out where I have takâ—n up my Land which is upon a River called the South-River which is an exceeding pleasant River and place there goes onely with me â—here Mr David Violent I can go from New-â—erth â—o it in a Boat in two houres and a half let the wind blow as it will and come baâ—k again in as much time I wish I had as many Servants here as I could make use of Any man that is â—rugal and hath 300. lib. Sterling in Stock to come over here and bring over 7. or 8. gâ—od Servants with him I could assure him in 3. years time he shâ—uld make a stock better then 1000. if not 1500. lib. if he bestow his money right in Scotland and take advice to bring all things here which is necessary for him to have in this Countrey I am uncertain of the time I wil be at Home but I resolve you shall come over with me again and ye will both think and say when ye see the Countrey that ye wish it had been done twenty years agoe I thought it not fit to trouble my friends and relations since I could not write short Lettèrs to them but any of them that desires to know the condition of this Countrey ye may shew them this Letter since there is no secret in it you will find by William Burnets Letter that he desires some of his Sons to come over and John Geddis writs for some of his Brethren the which Letters cause deliver them carefully and get an answer that if they be to come over ye may speak for their passage timely he tells some of them are good Wrights which is all at present but keep a good heart to your self and take care of your Children and I hope to see you with more Comfort then we parted and I am your ever loving Husband while I breath Dauid Mudie James Johnston of Spotswoods Letter to his Brother John Johnston Drougest in Edinburgh East-Jersey the 12th of December 1684. Loving Brother I Have taken up a part of my Land 9. miles from Amboy and 4. miles from Piscataway and as far from the nearest part of Rariton on a Brook side where there are exceeding great plains without any Timber there is excellent Gunning for Dear and Turkies of which there is great plenty and easily shot But I resolve to see a place called Bernagate which is 60. or 70. miles from this on the Southermost place of the Province where there is a good River and Harbour the best Fishing and Gunning in any place in America 30. or 40. miles from any Plantation The Indians here are nothing to be feared the Place being as peaceable as any where else I had occasion to travel through Long-Island and Stallen Island and for many miles found as many towns and plantations in the way as in any so much Land in Louthean there are no Bears nor Ravinous Beasts but Wolves which are nothing to be feared neither are the Countrey People afraid to be among them all night in so much as I oft-times going wrong and lying out all night and hearing their yells about me and telling that I was afraid of them the Countrey People laught at it neither are the Snakes any thing to be noticed for nothing can come near them but they give warning with the ratling of their tail so that People may either kill them or go by them as they please Oxen are so well taught that they go sometimes in a Plough or Cart without Horse or without a Gade-man Horses and Cattel are as cheap as in Scotland considering their goodness and the difference of the Money All sorts of Scots goods sells well here ye will be advised with the next Occasion what goods sells best in this place I have great reason to thank GOD that I am in a place which abundantly answers any thing I expected The Air is healthful and the Soil fruitful the Indian Corn yeelds commonly 2. or 3. hundred fold Oats 20. fold as I am informed the Indian Corn is an excellent grain I have eat it and likes it very well in Pottage and Bread there are several reasonable good towns in this Province most of them hath more then eighty Families there is no poor persons here but all are half idle in respect of what they work with you Flax twice heckled sold at 9. d. per pound Wool is very cheap only work is dear the Liquor we most use is Sider we have great store of Fruit. In many places untaken up there are many plains and not a tree I have never since last parting had any sickness to keep me from one Dyet for which I render thanks to GOD. The Indians here make it their trade to kill Venision and sell it to us for a smal matter I will have my Family served with Flesh all Winter one of their Sashiams which is their King came to the Governour when I came first here desiring he might be suffered to trade amongst us and not to be beat out of our houses when they were drunk but only that we might bind them and permit them to cut timber and some such things At New-Perth we have a good Stationers Shop of Books the land is no where difficult to clear albeit trees be 100. foot long and 3. or 4. foot over
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
of Piscatway Woodbridge or Elizabeth Town there shall be nothing of care wanting in your affairs and I do expect the like from you I hope my Grand Mother is in health wish her from me long life and good health and assure her she wronged the Countrey in her opinion present my love to all my Friends I am Your affectionat Brother Robert Fullertown A Letter from John Forbes Brother to the Laird of Barnla Directed to Mr. James Elphingston of Logie Writter to His Majesties Signet in Edinburgh in Scotland From Amboy-point alias New-Perth in the Province of East-New Jersey in America March 18. 1685. Honoured Sir I having the occasion of this Bearer Mr. Drummond brother to John Drummond the Factor in Edinburgh and who came Passenger with me to this place from Scotland I could not omit my duty in acquainting you by this line of our safe arrival into America tho being by the Divine Hand of Providence miraculouslâ— preserved from the cruelty of the tempestuous Ocean occasioned by a mighty storm of wind which happened upon the 12. day of September last and which blew so tempestuously that in short it carried first away our Bolspret and afterwards our whole three Masts Flagstaff and all by the board before the Sailers were able to get them cut it likewise took away the awning above our quarter-deck and left not so much as an yard of a rope above our heads all which was done in the space of half an hour We lay thus distressed like a pitiful Wrack all that night we having lost our Masts about 12. of the clock in the day and two dayes thereafter at the mercie of the Waves which being like mountains occasioned by the great storm of wind without hopes of recovery being then above 200. leagues from this land of America tossing to and fro expecting that each wave should overwhelm us Yet at last it pleased GOD to turn the storm into a calm and having preserved all our lower Yairds we made all haste and made Jury Masts of them with the help whereof tho very unsufficient ones to dryve forward the bulk of so great a Vessel and of GODS miraculous Mercie and Providence Who immediatly after we had put our ship in any mean posture for plying out her Voyage was pleased to send us such a fair and moderate gale of wind as brought us in sight of the Capes of Virginia within 15. dayes after or there abouts having never ceased for the whole time till it brought us thither in safty So we came within the Capes and sailed up that great Navigable Bay called Chessapeik bay up through all Virginia up to Maryland where we landed at the place where our ship was bound to take in her Tobacco for her homeward Loadning But being this Disabled and not being able to ply out her Voyage to this place where she ought to have landed us we was necessitat to travel from thence by Land to this place being upwards of 200. English miles and having left our Goods behind us which was thereafter to come about in a Sloup we was necessitat to stay all Winter in this New and young Citie where we had but very bad Commodation for Lodging tho we knew of no want of Victuals of all sorts for mony tho at a considerable dear rate This hindered us long from our falling to work about our husbandries which was a great loss of time to us However when our sloup came about which did not hold the half of our goods So that every man yet wants the half of his goods But are dayly expecting them by the same Sloup which we fraghted thither back again I went out to the Woods to the land we had pitched upon with several others of our Counteey men such as Tho Gordon and Mr. Chat his Brother Brothers to the Laird of Straloch Kinnabers two Sons Robert and Mr. Thomas Fullertons James Johnston of Spotswood and John Barclay the Governours Brother with some others where we have all pitched near by one another upon an piece of excellent land as we suppose Whereof I judge I have not the worst if not the absolute best piece of land in all that Tract for we had it all at our own choising and not by lots this land lyes not on a Navigable River but about 5. or 6. miles from Rariton river which is Navigable up the nearest place to our Plantations For the best places of the Rivers are already inhabited by the old Planters of this Countrey who have been here some 16. or 18. years agoe There are many places upon Navigable Rivers yet untaken and some very near this place also which is intended to be the Metrapolis of this Province But it is generally sandy barren land and the best land is compute by all to be in the woods back some several miles from the Navigable Rivers So that we rather chuse land for profitablness then for Conveniences of Towns and pleasure allennarly For there is aboundance both of good and barren land in this Province So that a man may chuse some for pleasure and some for profit and Conveniency for I intend to take up about 4. or 500. Acres where I have now setled which is on a very pleasant place and good land and whereof I have with two hands not having had time to get many Servants away with me having come away upon so short advertisement and whereof I lost one at Maryland by sickness so that now I have but two and a Woman for dressing our Victuals and Cloaths till I get more sent me this year already cleared or at least will clear and have in Corn this year about 8 or 10 Acres of ground tho it was prettie thick of stately tale Timber and that since the 26. of January at which time I went to the Woods I have 1000. Acres to take up at this time out of the first Division of 10000. Acres ordained to be laid out to every Proprietor I having bought a 10. part whereof my Brother is half sharer I have also taken up 400. Acres of excellent fine land on Rariton River about 20. miles above Amboy whereon I design to set Servants that I expect over this ensuing Summer and so to divide our said parcels and improve them for a year or two to the best advantage and then to sell them off If I design to come home which we can do at good profite Now for a general description of this Countrey it is a fine place for those who have a good stock to lay out upon a stock of Cattel of all sorts which do greatly multiply here in a short time and are sold at great rates and may soon increase a stock greatly or it is a good Countrey for an Industrious Frugal Man that designes to follow Husbandries closlie providing he bring but some little stock to stock a Plantation withall or it is very good for Tradsmen as good Carpenters Smiths Tailors c. who will get
large wages a day But it is not a Countrey for idle sluggish People or those who cannot some times put too their hands and encourage their Servants It is a place that produces many fine Fruits and Physick Herbs The Woods are stored with wild Deers Conies Woulves Boars Racouns some Bavers and several other Beasts which have fine Furrs There is also abundance of Fowls and Fish and Water Fowl for the killing The Timber are mostly Oak of all sorts Walnut Chesnut whereof there are great abundance where I have planted tho they bescarce so bigg as these that comes to Scotland yet large as pleasant Strawberries grow very thick upon the ground amongst the Trees so that some places of the Woods are in Summer as it were covered with a red cloath As I am certainly informed Fruit Trees advance at a great rate in this place for a Man may have an Orchard within a few years after the Planting that may yeeld him a great quantitie of Cydar which is the chiefest of their drink in this Province even amongst the meanest of the Planters So that this Countrey if well improved may make a fine place for Nature has been defficient in nothing to it either for pleasure or fruitfulness of the Soyl So that a man being once settled two or three years in it and having Corn Cattle and all things necessary for the use of man within himself And the trouble and hardship of his first settling by his hand He may live as Comfortably here as in any place of the World Providing he could dispence with the want of his Friends and Relations and the satisfactiâ—n of their Companie which is the loss I most regrate in this place And thus having given yon a short description of the place I cannot but in the next place much regrate my misfortune in not seeing you and taking your advise before I came to this place But my Resolution was so sudden by the encouragement I received from the Chief Governour and some of the Proprietors at Aberdeen and having come in onely to see my Sister with my Brother and by the many Gentlemen that were going along in the ship that I was induced to go along without so much as taking my leave of any of my Friends save onely these that were then in Town So that I came of resolution only to see the place and to settle onlie if I fand conveniency And having thus abruptly come away when I came here I designed not to return till I took some tryal of the Countrey that at my return I might be the more able to give an true accompt thereof I am not as yet of any determined resolution as to my staying for altogether as yet but I resolved to stay this year till I see what the ground produces and to see how my endeavours take effect and GOD willing be that time I may in some measure be resolved what to do for then the greatest hardship will be over my head and by that time I will have up an prettie good house which is near already framed whereas hitherto I have dwelt for the most part here in a Wigwam as we call them here accounting all our hardship in the beginning but short in expectation of good success in the end But however I may be resolved hereafter I intend GOD willing life and health serving to come home a start within this year or two and see all my Friends and apollogize the best manner I can for my abrupt departure Now having thus in some measure discharged a part of my dutyfull respects towards you by this line in letting you know of my welfare and present condition Earnestly desiring ye will favour me with a return by the first occasion wherein I shall be glade to hear of your welfare of your kind Ladies and Children To whom and others my nearest Freinds and Relations and Comarads I desire the favour to be Kindly remembered begging pardon for this trouble and your patience to peruse this when your leasure can permit and afterwards to communicat it to my Vncle Calder-hall and his Lady or to my Cusins Harie Lockhart or George Ersken if they call for it I not having time at present to write to them at length as I have in haste done to you I shall forbear to give you furder trouble at present intreating you to remember me kindly to your Worthy and Oblidging Lady and fine Children and shall only subscrive my self as I sincerly am and shall continue Sir Your most affectionat Cusin and oblidged Servant while John Forbes A Leter from Thomas Fullertoun to his Brother the Laird of Kinnaber dated from his new possession in the plains of new Caesaria January 7. 1685. Dear Brother YOu have above a transcript containing the principal Contents of an abrupt Letter sent you three or four days after our arrivall since that time we have possessed our Selves in the above mentioned plain 11. miles from New-Perth four from Rariton Northward And 12. from Elizabeth-Town we have the honour to be the first Inland planters in this part of America for the former Settlement have been by the River-sides which are all possessed by the Quit-renters the which I would have grudged at had I not found the goodness of the Land upwards will countervaill the trouble of transportation to the water As to the number and nature of these Quit-renters they are about 2. or 300. Families some civill and Discreet others rude and Malcontent with the late Purchassers and need some thing of austerity to make them Complaisant We have at present sharp frosts and a good deall of Snow three dayes of vitrefying frost this winter had not its match for cold these 16. years by gone as the Inhabitants do inform us Against this extream we have a good Defence of Fire and felling of Trees and might live warm enough were we not forced to travell for recruit of Provisions I reckon the winter to consist only of nights for the Suns appearance by day moderateth the cold and melts the Frost I do not find the cold here to cause obstructions or coughs the Air is ever transsparent we have singular good stomachs which if it continue as they say it will require a fertile Countrey when peopled the water or temper of the Air keeps mens bellies moderatly looss I cannot find it necessar to give any particular account of this Country with its product because ye have had already many and some very ingenuous of this nature besides I have not yet proof of all the seasons of the year we have the Deer to walk the round nightly about our Lodge this morning I shot a large Hart and followed his bloody tract in the snow above two miles before he dyed I believe the fatest Deer in the world are here we have made choise of your land next adjacent to mine and have placed your Servants there where they will settle if we find convenient when the snow is away this