History of Nova Caesarea - Part 4



CHAP. VIII.
The first form of government in West-Jersey, under the proprietors; The
first laws they made; The method of regulating land affairs; and a further
account of the Indians found in the first settled part of these provinces.
The western part of New-Jersey, was now become populous, by the accession
of many settlers. Jenings, who arrived last year, about this time,
received a commission from Byllinge, (whom the proprietors in England, as
mentioned before, had chosen governor) to be his deputy: He called an
assembly, and with them agreed upon certain fundamentals of government, as
follows:

"Province of West-New-Jersey, in America, the 25th of the 9th month
called November, 1681.

"Forasmuch as it hath pleased God to bring us into this province of West-
New-Jersey, and settle us here in safety, that we may be a people, to the
praise and honour of his name, who hath so dealt with us, and for the good
and wellfare of our posterity to come: We, the governor and proprietors,
freeholders and inhabitants of West-New-Jersey, by mutual consent and
agreement, for the prevention of innovations and oppression, either upon
us, or our posterity, and for the preservation of the peace and
tranquility of the same; and that all may be encouraged to go on
chearfully in their several places; we do make and constitute these our
agreements, to be as fundamentals to us, and our posterity, to be held
inviolable; and that no person or persons whatsoever, shall or may make
void or disannul the same, upon any pretence whatsoever.

"1. That there shall be a general free assembly for the province
aforesaid, yearly and every year, at a day certain, chosen by the free
people of the said province whereon all the representatives for the said
province shall be summoned to appear, to consider of the affairs of the
said province, and to make and ordain such acts and laws as shall be
requisite and necessary for the good government and prosperity of the
free people of the said province; and (if necessity shall require) the
governor for the time being, with the consent of his council, may and
shall issue out writs to convene the assembly sooner, to consider and
answer the necessities of the people of, the said province.

"2. That the governor of the province aforesaid, his heirs or successors,
for the time being, shall not suspend or defer the signing, sealing and
confirming of such acts and laws as the general assembly (from time to
time to be elected by the free people of the province aforesaid) shall
make or enact for the securing of the liberties and properties of the said
free people of the province aforesaid.

"3. That it shall not be lawful for the governor of the said province,
his heirs or suceessors, for the time being, and council, or any of them,
at any time or times hereafter, to make or raise war upon any account or
pretence whatsoever, or to raise any military forces within the province
aforesaid; without the consent and act of the general free assembly, for
the time being.

"4. That it shall not be lawful for the governor of the said province,
his heirs or successors, for the time being, and council, or any of them,
at any time or times hereafter, to make or enact any law or laws for the
said province, without the consent, act and concurrence of the general
assembly: And if the governor for the time being, his heirs or successors,
and council, or any of them, shall attempt to make or enact any such law
or laws, of him or themselves, without the consent, act and concurrence of
the general assembly; that from thenceforth, he, they, or so many of them,
as shall be guilty thereof, shall upon legal conviction, be deemed and
taken for enemies to the free people of the said province; and such act so
attempted to be made, to be of no force.

"5. That the general free assembly, from time to time, to be chosen as
aforesaid, as the representatives, of the people, shall not be prorogued
or dissolved, before the expiration of one whole year, to commence from
the day of their election, without their own free consent.

"6. That it shall not be lawful for the governor of the said province, his
heirs or successors, for the time being, and council, or any of them, to
levy or raise any sum or sums of money, or any other, tax whatsoever;
without the act, consent and concurrence of the general Assembly.

"7. That all officers of state or trust, relating to the said Province,
shall be nominated and elected by the general free assembly for the time
being, or by their appointment; which officer and officers, shall be
accountable to the general free assembly, or to such as the said assembly
shall appoint.

"8. That the governor of the province aforesaid, his heirs or successors,
for the time being, or any of them, shall not send ambassadors, or make
treaties, or enter into alliances, upon the public account of the said
province, without the consent of the said general free assembly.

"9. That no general free assembly hereafter to be chosen by the free
people of the province aforesaid, shall give to the governor of the said
Province for the time being, his heirs or successors, any tax or custom for
longer time than for one whole year.

"10. That liberty of conscience, in matters of faith and worship towards
God, shall be granted to all people within the province aforesaid, who
shall live peaceably, and quietly therein; and that none of the free
people of the said province, shall be rendered uncapable of office in
respect of their faith and worship.

"Upon the governor's acceptance and performance of the proposals herein
before expressed, we the general free assembly, proprietors and
freehohiers of the province of West New-Jersey aforesaid, do accept and
receive Samuel Jenings, as Deputy Governor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal, the day and
year above written,

"Samuel Jenings, Deputy Governor.

"Subscribed also Thomas Olive, Speaker."

This assembly was held from the 21st 'till the 28th of November, and passed
six and thirty laws (beside the above) many of which were repealed in a
few years afterwards: Some of them were in substance, - That it should be
the business of the governor and commissioners to see that all courts
executed their offices, and to punish such officers as should violate the
laws: - That lands legally taken up and held, planted and possessed seven
years, should not be subject to alteration: -That all officers of trust
should subscribe to do equal right and justice: - That no person should be
condemned or hurt, without a trial of twelve men; and that in criminal
cases, the party arraigned to except against thirty-five, or more upon
valid reasons: - That in every court, three justices or commissioners at
least, to sit and assist the jury, in cases of law; and pronounce the
judgment of the jury: -That false witnesses be fined, and disabled from
being after admitted in evidence, or into any public office in the
province: - That persons prosecuting for private wrong (murder, treason
and theft excepted) might remit the penalty or punishment either before or
after condemnation: - That juries should be summoned by the sheriff, and
none be compelled to fee an attorney to plead his cause: - That all wills
should be first proved and registered, and then duly performed: - That
upon persons dying intestate, and leaving a wife and child, or children,
the governor and commissioners for the time being, were to take security,
that the estate shonId be duly administered, and the administrator to
secure two thirds for the child or children, the other to the widow; where
there was no children, one moiety or half the estate, was to go to the
next of kin, the other half to the widow; always provided, such estate
exceeded one hundred pounds; otherwise the widow to have the whole; and in
cases of leaving children, and no provision, the charge of bringing them
up, to be paid out of the public stock: - That felons should make
restitution four fold, or as twelve of the neighbourhood should determine;
and such as hurt or abuse the person of any, be punished according to the
nature of the offence: - That whosoever presumed, directly or indirectly,
to sell any strong liquors, to any Indian or Indians, should forfeit for
every such offence, the sum of three pounds: - That ten men from
Burlington, and ten from, Salem, should be appointed to lay out and clear
a road from Burlington to Salem, at the public expence: - That two hundred
pounds should be equally levyed and appropriated for the charges of
government, upon the several tenths, twenty pounds each; every man to be
assessed according to his estate; and all handicrafts, merchants and
others, at the discretion of the assessors:

- Persons thinking themselves aggrieved, had the liberty of appealing to
the commissioners of the tenth they belonged to. These and other laws
agreed on, the commissioners next fixed the following method for
regulation of lands.

"The methods of the commissioners for settling and regulation of lands.

"We whose names are hereunder written, commissioners nominated, elected
and chosen by the free assembly, proprietors and freeholders of the
province of West-New-Jersey, the 23d day of November last past, for the
settling and regulating of lands, and other concerns within the said
province; do by and with the approbation and consent of the governor of
the said province, and council, in pursuance of the said trust in us
reposed, hereby fully agree upon these rules and methods herein after
following: (that is to say)

"1. That the surveyor shall measure the front of the river Delaware,
beginning at Assunpink creek, and from thence down to Cape May, that
the point of the compass may be found for the running the partition lines
betwixt each tenth.

"2. That each and every tenth, or ten proprieties, shall have their
proportion of front to the river Delaware, and so far back into the woods
as will make or contain sixty-four thousand acres for their first
settlement, and for the sub-dividing the Yorkshire and London two tenths.

"3. To allow three thousand and two hundred acres where the parties
concerned please to chuse it within their own tenth; to be taken up
according to the rules or methods following, viz. One eighth part of a
propriety, and so for smaller parts, to have their full proportion of the
said land in one place (if they please) and greater purchasers or shares
not to exceed five hundred acres, to one settlement.

"4. All lands so taken up and surveyed, shall be seated within six months
after it is so taken up; and if the same shall not be seated within the
said time, then such choice and survey shall be void, and the same lands
shall be free for any other purchaser to take up; provided he or they so
taking up the same, do, or shall seat it, within one month after it is so
taken up.

"5. That no person or persons shall take up lands on both sides of a
creek, to one settlement, except the commissioners for the time being,
shall see good cause for their so doing.

"6. That no person or persons shall have more than forty perches front to
the river, or navigable creek, for each and every one hundred acres,
except it fall upon a point, so that it cannot otherwise be avoided; and
in such cases it shall be left to the discretion of the commissioners then
for the time being.

"7. That all lands be laid out on straight lines, that no vacancies be
left between lands, but that they be joined one seat to another, except the
commissioners then for the time being, shall for good causes order it
otherwise.

"8. That all persons shall take their just proportions of meadow, which
shall be laid forth at the discretion of the commissioners then for the
time being.

"9. That all persons who are already seated, shall have liberty to make
his settlement his choice, if he please; provided he or they observe and
follow the rule or method herein prescribed.

"10. That every proprietor shall have four hundred acres to a propriety,
and so proportionably to lesser qnantities for their town lot, over and
above their aforesaid three thousand two hundred acres; which may be taken
any where within their own tenth, either within or without the town bounds.

"11. That no person or persons who have already taken up a town lot, shall
have liberty to leave it, and take a lot elsewhere, but shall keep the
same he hath taken up, as his town lot.

"12. That Thomas Wright shall keep his settlement, containing four hundred
acres; and that the commissioners for Yorkshire side, shall allow to the
town bounds, three hundred acres, to be taken up adjoining to the town
bounds, on Lazy Point, in lieu thereof.

"13. That no purchaser shall take up more land within the town bounds,
than belongs to his town lot, by virtue of his purchase.

"14. That no person or persons (who are not purchasers to whom town lot or
lots are given) shall dispose of; or sell his or their said lot or lots of
land, from their house or houses respectively; and that if any such person
or persons as aforesaid, shall dispose of; or sell such said lot or lots
apart from his or their said house or houses, then such said sale of lot
or lots shall be void and of no effect; and the same lot or lots shall from
thence become forfeit, to the use of the town of Burlington, to be
disposed of therein, at the discretion of the commissioners then for the
time being.

"15. That no person or persons from hence forward, shall take up any land,
without special order from two or more of the commissioners for the time
being, first had and obtained.

"16. That all and every settlement and settlements already made, which are
not consonant and agreeable to the rules and methods aforesaid, shall be
liable to regulation, according to the said rules and methods.

"17. That the proprietors who are yet remaining in England, shall have
notice, that we find it necessary for the speedy settlement of this
province, and for the interest of all concerned therein, to allow to every
propriety as aforesaid, three thousand two hundred acres for our first
choice; and in case much people shall come, as may be reasonably expected,
who have purchased no land in England, and desire to settle amongst us;
that then we reserve liberty to take up so much land more as shall fall to
every propriety, not exceeding five thousand and two hundred acres, which
was allowed to us for our first settlement: Provided nevertheless, that
none shall take up any proportion of land, but as they shall settle it, or
cause it to be settled; which is to be done after the aforesaid three
thousand two hundred acres shall be justly taken up and settled.

"18. That all publick highways shall be set forth, at any time or times
hereafter, at the discretion, of the commissioners for the time being, in
or through any lands taken up, or to be taken up; allowing the owners of
such lands where such publick highways shall be laid forth, reasonable
satisfaction at the discretion of the commissioners, in lieu thereof.

"19. Yet nevertheless, it is hereby commended and agreed by the authority
aforesaid, that the rules and methods herein before agreed on, shall not
make void or disannul, all or any settlement or settlements heretofore
made, in the Yorkshire tenth, who have seated according to a former
agreement, viz. Not having taken up more than fifty perches for each and
every hundred acres on the river or navigable creek, and having kept their
due breadth and bound from the river or creek.

"Signed and sealed the 5th December, 1681, by Samuel Jenings, governor,
Thomas Olive, Thomas Budd, Robert Stacy, Benjamin Scott, Thomas Gardiner,
Daniel Wills, Mahlon Stacy, Thomas Lambert.

"20. That all persons who have already taken up any lands, within the
first and second tenth in this province, shall bring in their deeds or
writings, to shew their title to such lands as they have taken up to
Benjamin Scott, Robert Stacy, Thomas Budd, and Thomas Gardiner, on or
before the twelfth day of this instant January, next ensuing the day of
the date hereof.

"21. That all person or persons hereafter to take up land within the said
first and second tenth, shall first make application to the said Benjamin
Scott, Robert Stacy, Thomas Budd, and Thomas Gardiner, or any two of them;
and shall also before the said commissioners solemnly declare and aver,
upon the penalty of the law of perjury, to pass against them, that the
quantity or portion of land contained in their respective Deeds or other
Writings, do really and in good conscience, belong and appertain to him or
them so requiring a warrant or warrants, for laying forth his or their
land; so as the said commissioners may be thereby satisfied with the
justness of his or their title thereto; then, and not before, the said
commissioners or any two of them, shall and may grant out a warrant to the
surveyor or his deputy, to lay out and survey the respective proportion of
land to him or them due and appertaining as aforesaid; enjoining the
surveyor or his deputy, to make return of his said warrant and survey, at
the next court after such warrant granted, to be held at Burlington; that
the same may be registered by order of the said court.

"22. That all proprietors and purchasers, within the said first and second
tenths, shall and may have liberty to take his and their full proportions
of land as before within is agreed upon, of the first and second choice in
one place; provided he or they so doing take not up more than five hundred
acres of land in one settlement.

"Witness our hands and seals, the 14th day of the eleventh month, 1681.
"SAMUEL JENINGS, Governor.
"THOMAS OLIVE,
"ROBERT STACY,
"THOMAS BUDD,
"DANIEL WILLS,
"THOMAS GARDINER,
"BENJAMIN SCOTT."

It would be vain to pretend to give a particular account of all the
different tribes or nations of Indians that inhabited these provinces
before the Europeans came among them, there being probably a tribe in some
parts, for every ten or twenty miles, which were commonly distinguished by
the names of creeks or other noted places where they resided; thus, there
were the Assunpink,1 the Rankokas,2 the Mingo,3 the Andastaka, the
Neshamine, and the Shackamaxon Indians; and those about Burlington were
called the Mantas;4 but these and others were all of them distinguished
from the back Indians, who were a more warlike people, by the general name
of the Delawares: The nations most noted from home, that sometimes
inhabited New-Jersey, and the first settled parts of Pennsylvania, were
the Naraticongs, on the North side of Rariton River, the Capitinasses, the
Gacheos, the Munseys, the Pomptons, the Senecas and the Maquaas;5 this
last was the most numerous and powerful: Different nations were frequently
at war with each other, of which husbandmen sometimes find remaining marks
in their fields: A little below the falls of Delaware on the Jersey side;
at Point-no-point in Pennsylvania, and several other places, were banks
that had been formerly thrown up for intrenchments, against incursions of
the neighbouring Indians, who in their canoes used sometimes to go in
warlike bodies from one province to another.

It was customary with the Indians of West-Jersey, when they buried their
dead, to put family utensils, bows and arrows, and sometimes money (wampum)
into the grave with them; as tokens of their affection. When a person of
note died far from the place of his own residence, they would carry his
bones to be buried there; they washed and perfumed the dead, painted the
face, and followed singly; left the dead in a sitting posture, and covered
the grave pyramidically: They were very curious in preserving and
repairing the graves of their dead, and pensively visited them; did not
love to be asked their judgment twice about the same thing:

They generally delighted in mirth; were very studious in observing the
virtues of roots and herbs, by which they usually cured themselves of many
bodily distempers, both by outward and inward applications: They besides
frequently used sweating, and the cold bath.6 They had an aversion to
beards, and would not suffer them to grow; but pluckd the hair out by the
roots: The hair of their heads was black, and generally shone with bear's
fat, particularly that of the women, who tied it behind in a large knot;
sometimes in a bag. They called persons and places, by the names of things
remarkable, or birds, beasts, and fish; as Per-hala, a duck; Cau-hawuk, a
goose; Quink-Quink, a tit; Pulluppa, a buck; Shingas, a wild-cat; and they
observed it as a rule, when the rattle-snake gave notice by his rattle
before they approachd, not to hurt him; but if he rattled after they had
passed, they immediately return'd and kill'd him. They were very loving to
one another; if several of them came to a christian's house, and the
master of it gave one of them victuals and none to the rest, he would
divide it into equal shares amongst his companions; if the christians
visited them, they would give them the first cut of their victuals; they
would not eat the hollow of the thigh of any thing they killed. Their
chief employment was hunting, fishing, and fowling; making canoes, bowls,
and other wooden and earthen ware; in all which they were, considering the
means, ingenious: In their earthen bowls they boiled their water.

Their women's business chiefly consisted in planting Indian corn, parching
or roasting it, pounding it to meal in mortars, or breaking it between
stones, making bread, and dressing victuals; in which they were sometimes
observed to be very neat and cleanly, and sometimes otherwise: They also
made mats, ropes, hats and baskets, (some very curious) of wild hemp and
roots, or splits of trees: Their young women were originally very modest
and shame-faced, and at marriageable ages distinguished themselves with a
kind of work'd mats, or red or blue bays, interspersed with small rows of
white and black wampum, or half rows of each in one, fastened to it, and
then put round the head, down to near the middle of the forehead: Both
young and old women would be highly offended at indecent expressions,
unless corrupted with drink. The Indians would not allow of mentioning the
name of a friend after death: They sometimes streaked their faces with
black, when in mourning; but when their affairs went well, they painted
red:

They were great observers of the weather by the moon; delighted in fine
cloaths; were punctual in their bargains, and observed this so much in
others, that it was difficult for a person who had once failed herein, to
get any dealings with them afterwards. In their councils they seldom or
never interrupted or contradicted one another, 'till two of them had made
an end of their discourse; for if ever so many were in company, only two
must speak to each other, and the rest be silent 'till their turn: Their
language was high, lofty, and sententious: Their way of counting was by
tens, that is to say, two tens, three tens, four tens, &c. when the number
got out of their reach, they pointed to the stars, or the hair of their
heads.

They lived chiefly on maze, or Indian corn roasted in the ashes, sometimes
beaten and boiled with water, called homine; they also made an agreeable
cake of their pounded corn; and raised beans and pease; but the woods and
rivers afforded them the chief of their provisions: They pointed their
arrows with a sharpened flinty stone, and of a larger sort, with withs for
handles, out their wood; both of these sharpened stones are often found in
the fields. Their times of eating were commonly morning and evening; their
seats and tables the ground: They were naturally reserved, apt to resent,
to conceal their resentments, and retain them long; they were liberal and
generous, kind and affable to the English: They were observed to be uneasy
and impatient in sickness for a present remedy, to which they commonly
drank a decoction of roots in spring water, forbearing flesh, which if
they then eat at all, it was of the female. They took remarkable care of
one another in sickness, while hopes of life remained; but when that was
gone, some of them were apt to neglect the patient. Their government was
monarchical and successive, and mostly of the mother's side, to prevent a
spurious issue.7

They commonly washed their children in cold water as soon as born; and to
make their limbs straight, tied them to a board, and hung it to their
backs when they travelled; they usually walked at nine months old: Their
young men married at sixteen or seventeen years of age, if by that time
they had given sufficient proof of their manhood, by a large return of
skins: The girls married about thirteen or fourteen, but stay'd with their
mothers to hoe the ground, and bear burtheus, &c. for some years after
marriage: The women, in travelling, generally carried the luggage: The
marriage ceremony was sometimes thus; the relatious and friends being
present, the bridegroom delivered a bone to the bride; she an ear of Indian
corn to him, meaning that he was to provide meat, she bread: It was not
unusual notwithstanding, to change their mates upon disagreement; the
children went with the party that loved them best, the expence being of no
moment to either; in case of difference on this head, the man was allowed
the first choice if the children were divided or there was bnt one. Very
little can be said as to their religion; much pains were taken by the
early christian settlers, and frequently since, to inform their judgments
respecting the use and benefit of the christian revelation, and to fix
restraints; but generally with unpromising success, tho' instances have
now and then happened to the contrary: They are thought to have believed
in a God and immortality, and seemed to aim at publick worship; when they
did this, they sometimes sat in several circles one within another; the
action consisted of singing, jumping, shouting and dancing; but mostly
performed rather as something handed down from their ancestors, than from
any knowledge or inquiry into the serious parts of its origin: They said
the great king that made them, dwelt in a glorious country to the
southward, and that the spirits of the best should go there and live
again: Their most solemn worship was the sacrifice of the first fruits, in
which they burnt the first and fattest buck, and feasted together upon
what else they had collected; but in this sacrifice broke no bones of any
creature they eat; when done, they gathered and buried them very
carefully; these have since been frequently ploughed up: They
distinguished between a good and evil man-etta, or spirit; worshiped the
first for the good they hoped; and some of them are said to have been
slavishly dark in praying to the last for deprecation of evils they
feared; but if this be true in a general sense, some of the tribes much
conceal'd it from our settlers: They did justice upon one another for
crimes among themselves, in a way of their own; even murder might be
attoned for by feasts, and presents of wampum; the price of a woman kill'd
was double, and the reason, because she bred children, which men could not
do. If sober they rarely quarrelled among themselves; they lived to sixty,
seventy, eighty, and more, before rum was introduced, but rarely since:
Some tribes were commendably careful of their aged and decrepid,
endeavouring to make the remains of life as comfortable as they could; it
was pretty generally so, except in desperate decays; then indeed as in
other cases of the like kind, they were sometimes apt to neglect them.
Strict observers of property, yet to the last degree, thoughtless and
inactive in acquiring or keeping it: None could excel them in liberality
of the little they had, for nothing was thought too good for a friend; a
knife, gun, or any such thing given to one, frequently passed through many
hands: Their houses or wig-wams were sometimes together in towns, but
mostly moveable, and occasionally fixed near a spring or other water,
according to the conveniencies for hunting, fishing, basket making, or
other business of that sort and built with poles laid on forked sticks in
the ground, with bark, flags or bushes on the top and sides, with an
opening to the south, their fire in the middle;8 at night they slept on
the ground with their feet towards it; their cloathing was a coarse
blanket or skin thrown over the shoulder, which covered to the knee, and a
piece of the same tied round their legs, with part of a deer skin sewed
round their feet for shoes; as they had learned to live upon little, they
seldom expected or wanted to lay up much:9 They were also moderate in
asking a price for any thing they had for sale: When a company travelled
together, they generally followed each other in silence, scarcely ever,
two were seen by the side of one another; in roads the man went before
with his bow and arrow, the woman after, not uncommonly with a child at
her back, and other burdens besides; but when these were too heavy, the
man assisted. To know their walks again, in unfrequented woods, they
heaped stones or marked trees.

In person they were upright, and strait in their limbs, beyond the usual
proportion in most nations; their bodies were strong, but of a strength
rather fitted to endure hardships than to sustain much bodily labour, very
seldom crooked or deformed; their features regular; their countenances
sometimes fierce, in common rather resembling a jew than christian; the
colour of their skin a tawny reddish brown; the whole fashion of their
lives of a piece; hardy, poor and squalid:10

When they began to drink, they commonly continued it as long as the means
of procuring it lasted. In drink they often lay exposed to all the
inclemencies of weather, which introduced a train of new disorders among
them; They were grave, even to sadness upon any common, and more so upon
serious oceasious; observant of those in company, and respectful to the
old; of a temper cool and deliberate; never in haste to speak, but waited
for a certainty, that the person who spoke before them had finished all he
had to say: They seemed to hold European vivacity in contempt, because
they found such as came among them, apt to interrupt each other, and
frequently speak all together: Their behaviour in publick councils, was
strictly decent and iustructive, every one in his turn was heard,
aceording to rank of years or wisdom, or services to his country: Not a
word, a whisper, or a murmur, while any one spoke; no interruption to
commend or condemn; the younger sort were totally silent. They got fire by
rubbing wood of particular sorts, (as the antients did out of the ivy and
bays) by turning the end of a hard piece upon the side of one that was
soft and dry; to forward the heat they put dry rotten wood and leaves;
with the help of fire and their stone axes, they would fall large trees,
and afterwards scoop them into bowls, &c. From their infancy they were
formed with care to endure hardships, to bear derision, and even blows
patiently; at least with a composed countenance: Though they were
not easily provoked; it was generally hard to be appeased whenever it
happened:

Liberty in its fullest extent, was their ruling passion; to this every
other consideration was subservient; their children were train'd up so as
to cherish this disposition to the utmost; they were indulged to a great
degree, seldom chastised with blows, and rarely chided; their faults were
left for their reason and habits of the family to correct; they said these
could not be great before their reason commenced; and they seemed to abhor
a slavish motive to action, as inconsistent with their notions of freedom
and independency; even strong persuasion was industriously avoided, as
bordering too much on dependence, and a kind of violence offered to the
will: They dreaded slavery more than death: They laid no fines for crimes;
for they had no way of exacting them: The attonement was voluntary: Every
tribe had particulars in whom they reposed a confidence, and unless they
did something unworthy of it they were held in respect: What were
denominated kings, were sachems distinguished among these; the respect paid
them was voluntary, and not exacted or looked for; nor the omission
regarded:

The sachems directed in their councils, and had the chief disposition of
lands. To help their memories in treaties, they had belts of black and
white wampum; with these closed their periods in speeches, delivering more
or less according to the importance of the matter treated of; this
ceremony omitted, all they said passed for nothing: They treasured these
belts when delivered to them in treaties, kept them as the records of the
nation, to have recourse to upon future contests; governed by customs and
not by laws, they greatly revered those of their ancestors, and followed
them so implicitly, that a new thought or action but seldom intruded. They
long remembered kindnesses, families or particulars that had laid
themselves out to deal with, entertain and treat them hospitably, or even
fairly in dealings, if no great kindness was received, were sure of their
trade: This also must undoubtedly be allowed, that the original and more
uncorrupt, very seldom forgot to be grateful, where real benefits had been
received. And notwithstanding the stains of perfidy and cruelty, which in
1755, and since, have disgraced the Indians on the frontiers of these
provinces, even these by an uninterrupted intercourse of seventy years,
had on many occasions, given irrefragable proofs of liberality of
sentiment, hospitality of action, and impressions 11 that seemed to
promise a continuation of better things: But of them enough at present.

Among a people so immediately necessary to each other, where property was
little, and the anxiety of increasing it less; the intercourse naturally
became free and unfettered with ceremony: Hence every one had his eye upon
his neighbour; misunderstandings and mistakes were easily rectified. No
ideas of state or grandeur; no homage of wealth, office, birth, rank or
learning; no pride of house, habit, or furniture; very little emulations
of any kind to interrupt; and so much together, they must be friends, as
far at least, as that term could be properly applied to them; this was
general in some of the tribes: Attachments of particulars to each other
were constant and steady; and in some instances far exceeding what might
be expected. Companies of them frequently got together to feast, dance,
and make merry; this sweetned the toils of hunting; excepting these toils,
and the little action before described, they scarcely knew any: A life of
dissipation and ease, of uncertainty and want, of appetite, satiety,
indolence and sleep, seemed to be the sum of the character, and chief that
they aim'd at. Notwithstanding their government was successive, it was,
for extraordinary reasons, sometimes ordered otherwise; of this there is
an instance in the old king Ockanickon, who dying about this time at
Burlington, declared himself to this effect:

"It was my desire, that my brother's son Iahkursoe, should come to me, and
hear my last words; for him have I appointed king after me.

"My brother's son, this day I deliver my heart into your bosom; and mind
me. I would have you love what is good, and keep good company; refuse what
is evil and by all means avoid bad company.

"Now having delivered my heart into your bosom, I also deliver my bosom to
keep my heart in; be sure always to walk in a good path, and if any
Indians should speak evil of Indians or christians, do not join in it, but
look at the sun from the rising of it to the setting of the same: In
speeches that shall be made between the Indians and the christians, if
any wrong or evil thing be spoken, do not join with that; but join with
the good: When speeches are made, do not you speak first; be silent and
let all speak before you, and take good notice what each man speaks, and
when you have heard all, join to that which is good.

"Brother's son, I would have you cleanse your ears, and take all foulness
out, that you may hear both good and evil, and then join with the good and
refuse the evil; and also cleanse your eyes, that you may see good and
evil, and where you see evil, do not join with it, but join to
that which is good.

"Brother's son, you have heard what has passed; stand up in time of
speeches; stand in iny steps, and follow my speeches; this do, and what
you desire in reason will be granted: Why should you not follow my
example? I have had a mind to be good and do good, therefore do you the
same: Sheoppy and Swampis were to be kings in my stead, but understanding
by my doctor, that Sheoppy secretly advised him not to cure me, and they
both being with me at John Hollinshead's house, I myself saw by them, that
they were given more to drink, than to take notice of my last words; for I
had a mind to make a speech to them, and to my brethren, the English
commissioners; therefore I refuse them to be kings after me, and have now
chosen my brother's son Iahkursoe in their stead to succeed me.

"Brother's son, I advise you to be plain and fair with all, both Indians
and christians, as I have been; I am very weak, otherwise I would have
spoken more."

After the Indian had delivered this counsel to his nephew, T. Budd, one of
the proprietors, being present, took the opportunity to remark, that there
was a great God, who created all things; that he gave an an understanding
of what was good and bad; and after this he rewarded the good with
blessings, and the bad according to their doings: He answered, it is very
true, it is so; there are two ways, a broad and a straight way; there are
two paths, a broad and a straight path; the worst and the greatest number
go in the broad, the best and fewest in the straight path. This king dying
soon afterwards, was attended to his grave in the Quakers burial place in
Burlington, with solemnity by the Indians in their manner, and with great
respect by many of the English settlers; to whom he had been a sure friend.

1 Stony Creek.

2 Lamikas, or Chichequas, was the proper Indian name; they did not
pronounce the "r" at all.

3 Indian knowledge about the weather were received topicks of onversation;
some of their maxims have been found as generally true, as things of that
kind commonly are. If Jacob Taylor's intelligence be right, they also
predicted: A sachem of this tribe (he says) being observed to look at the
great comet, which appeared the first of October 1680, and asked, what he
thought was the meaning of that prodigious appearance? answered gravely,
It signifies that we Indians shall melt away, and this country be
inhabited by another people. How this Indian came by his knowledge without
the learned Whiston's astronomical tables, or whether he had any
knowledge, is not so material. He will however  be allowed as good a right
to pretend to it, when the event is considered, as the other had in his
conjectures concerning the cause of Noah's flood: This at least 'till the
regularity of the comets motions are better, known. But we see greater
names have had their prognosticating sentiments concerning them. Hence Dr.
Young in his paraphrase on that chapter of Job, where the almighty
challenges the patriarch on the weakness of man,

Who drew the comet out to such a size
And pourd his flaming train o'er half the skies?
Did thy resentment hang him out, does he
Glare on the nations, and denounce from thee?

4 Frogs, a creek or two in Gloucester county, are called Manta or Mantau,
from a larger tribe that resided there; the Indians were probably both of
the same stock.

5 The Five Nations before the sixth was added; but few of these had their
residence in New-Jersey: They are supposed to have been sometimes in
fishing seasons among the others here; the Dutch called them Mahakuase
[prob. Mohawks - Ed. note].

6 The manner was to first inclose the patient in a narrow cabbin, in the
midst of which was a red hot stone, this frequently wet with water,
occasioned a warm vapour; the patient sufficiently wet with this and his
own sweat, was hurried to the next creek or river, and plunged into it;
this was repeated as often as necessary, and sometimes great cures
performed. But this rude method at other times killed, notwithstanding the
hardy natures of the patients; especially in the small pox and other
European disorders.

7 That is, the children of him now king, will not succeed, but his brother
by the mother, or children of his sister, whose sons (and after them the
male children of her daughters) were to reign; for no woman inherited.

8 "From the years 1300 to 1500, in the towns of France, Germany, and
England, they had scarce any but thatched houses; and the same might be
said of the poorer towns in Italy: And altho' those countries were over-
run with woods, they had not as yet learned to guard against the cold, by
the means of chimneys, (the kitchen excepted) an invention so useful and
ornamental to our modern apartments. The custom then was, for the whole
family to sit in the middle of a smoaky hall, round a large stove, the
funnel of which passed through the ceiling. Anderson's hist. and
chronological deduction of commerce.

9 Sir William Temple somewhere says, an Indian once put the question to a
christian, to give him a reason, why he should labour hard all his days to
mak his children idle all theirs?

10 Uncultivated as these people are, in many of their practices, when it
is considered how others have refined from circumstances equally low and
sordid, if not quite so savage; it seems to open a door of hope with
regard to some of these. If we look into Europe, we shall find that even
in their present state, they are not an absolutely singular character.
Vid. Hist. of Ireland, by F. Warner, L.L. D. lately published, &c.

11 Witness the first reception of the English, the purchases afterwards,
their former undeviating candor at treaties in Pennsylvania, and other
incidents.

Extract of a letterfrom C. W. Indian interpreter of a neighboring
government, to C. S. printer.

"I write this to give an account of what I have observed amongst the
indians, in relation to their belief and confidence in a divine Being,
according to the observations I have made from 1714, in time of my youth,
to this day. If by the word religion, people mean an assent to certain
creeds, or the observance of a set of religious duties, as appointed
prayers, singing, preaching, baptism, &c. or even heathenish worship; then
it may be said, the Five Nations and their neighbours have no religion;
but if by religion, we mean an attraction of the soul to God, whence
proceeds a confidence in, and hunger after the knowledge of him; then this
people must be allowed to have some religion amongst them, notwithstanding
their sometimes savage deportment. For we find amongst them some tracts of
a confidence in God alone, and even sometimes (though but seldom) a vocal
calling upon him: I shall give one or two instances of this, that fell
under my own observation.

In the year 1737, I was sent, for the first time, to Onondago, at the
desire of the governor of Virginia; I set out the latter end of February,
very unexpectedly, for a journey of 500 English miles, through a
wilderness where there was neither road nor path, and at such a time of
year, when creatures could not be met with for food; there were a Dutchman
and three Indians with me. When we were 150 miles on our journey, we came
into a narrow valley, about half a mile broad, and thirty long, both sides
of which were encompassed with high mountains, on which the snow lay about
three feet deep; in it ran a stream of water, also about three feet deep,
which was so crooked that it always extended from one side of the valley
to the other; in order to avoid wading so often through the water, we
endeavoured to pass along on the slope of the mountain; the snow three
feet deep, and so hard froze on the top, that we could walk upon it: We
were obliged to make holes in the snow, with our hatchets, that our feet
might not slip down the mountain; and thus we crept on. It happened that
the old Indian's foot slipt, and the root of a tree by which he held,
breaking, he slid down the mountain as from the roof of an house; but
happily was stopt in his fall, by the string which fastened his pack
hitching to the stump of a small tree. The two Indians could not come to
his aid, but our Dutch fellow traveller did; and that not without visible
danger of his own life: I also could not put a foot forward, 'till I was
help'd; after which we laid hold of the first opportunity to go down again
into the valley; which was not 'till after we laboured hard for half an
hour, with hands and feet: We had observed a tree that lay directly off
from where the Indian fell, and when we were come down into the valley
again, we went back about one hundred paces, where we saw, that if the
Indian had slip'd four or five paces further, he would have fell over a
rock one hundred feet perpendicular, upon craggy pieces of rocks below.
The Indian was astonishd, and turn'd quite pale, then with out stretched
arms and great earnestness, spoke these words, I thank the great lord and
governor of this world, in that he has had mercy upon me, and has been
willing that I should live longer; which words I at that time sat down in
my journal: This happened the 25th of March, 1737.

"The 9th of April following, while we were yet on the journey, I found
myself extremely weak, through the fatigue of so long a journey, and the
cold and hunger I had suffered; and there having fallen a fresh snow of
about twenty inches deep, also being yet three days journey from Onondago,
in a frightful wilderness; my spirit failed, my body trembled and shook; I
thought I should fall down and die; I step'd aside, and sat me down under
a tree, expecting there to die: My companions soon missed me; the Indians
came back, and found me sitting there: I told them in one word, I would go
no further, I would die there. They remained silent a while, at last the
old Indian said, My dear companion, thou hast hitherto encouraged us, wilt
thou now quite give up? Remember that evil days are better than good days;
for when we suffer much we do not sin; and sin will be drove out of us by
suffering; but good days cause men to sin, and God cannot extend his mercy
to them; but contrarywise, when it goeth evil with us, God hath cempassion
upon us. These words made me ashamed; I rose up, and travelled on as well
as I could.

"The next year I went another journey to Onondago, in company with Joseph
Spanhenberg, and two others. It happened that an Indian came to us in the
evening, who had neither shoes, stockings, shirt, gun, knife, nor hatchet;
in a word, he had nothing but and old torn blanket, and some rags, upon
enquiring whither he was going? he answered to Onondago. I knew him, and
asked how he could undertake to go a journey of three hundred miles, so
naked and unprovided; having no provisions, nor any arms to kill
creatures, for his sustenance? he answered he had been amongst enemies,
and had been obliged to save himself by flight, and so had lost all. This
was true in part; for he had disposed of some of his things amongst the
Irish, for strong liquors. Upon further talk, he told me very chearfully;
that God fed every thing which had life, even the rattle snake itself tho'
it was a bad creature; and that God would also provide in such a manner,
that he should come alive to Onondago; he knew for certain that he should
go there; that it was visible God was with the indians in the wilderness,
because they always cast their care upon him; but that contrary to this,
the Europeans always carried bread with them. He was an Onondago, his name
was Anoniagketa. The next day we travelled in company; and the day
following I provided him with a knife, hatchet, flint and tinder also
shoes and stockings, and sent him before me to give notice to the council
at Onondago, that I was coming; which he truly performed; being got
thither three days before us.

"Two years ago I was sent by the governor to Shamokin, on account of the
unhappy death of John Armstrong, the Indian trader: After I had performed
my errand, there was a feast prepared, to which the governor's messengers
were invited: There were about one hundred persons present, to whom (after
we had in great silence devoured a fat bear) the eldest of the chiefs made
a speech, in which he said, that by a great misfortune, three of their
brethren the white men, had been killed by an Indian; that nevertheless
the sun was not set, (meaning there was no war) it had been only somewhat
darkened by a small cloud, which was now done away; he that had done evil
was like to be punished, and the land to remain in peace; therefore he
exorted his people to thankfnlness to God; and thereupon began to sing
with an awful solemnity, but without expressing any words; the others
accompanied him with their voices: After they had done, the same Indian,
with great earnestness, spoke these words, Thanks, thanks be to thee, thou
great lord of the world, in that thou hast again caused the sun to shine,
and hast dispersed the dark cloud; the Indians are thine.



CHAP. IX.
Another ship arrives at West-Jersey; Proceedings of the general assembly
of West Jersey; Sir George Carteret's death; Conveyance to the twelve
eastern proprietors; Their proposals and regulations in several respects,
particularly in disposing of lands and building a town at Ambo Point; The
twelve proprietors each take a partner, and thence are called the twenty-
four; to whom the D. of York makes a third and last grant; The twenty-four
establish the council of proprietors of East Jersey, on the footing it now
is; A general view of the improvements in East-Jersey, in 1682; A
compendium of some of the first laws passed at Elizabeth-Town; Doubts
started whether the government of West-Jersey was granted with the soil;
Jenings, continued governor of West Jersey; and laws now passed there.

In the year 1682, a large ship of 550 tuus burthen arrived at West Jersey,
which got a-ground in Delaware bay; where, after laying eight days, by a
favourable wind and tide, got off; and coming up the river, landed her
passengers, being three hundred and sixty in number, between Philadelphia
and Burlington on the Jersey shore: Their provisions being nigh gone, they
sent ten miles to an Indian town near Rankokus creek, for Indian corn and
pease: The king of this tribe being then there, treated them kindly, and
directed such Indians as had provisions, to bring it in next morning, who
accordingly brought plenty; which being delivered and put in bags, the
messengers took leave of the king; who kindly ordered some of the Indians
to carry their bags for them to their canoes.

The assembly of West-Jersey having, at their last sitting, adjournd to the
first of second month this year met; but not being a full house, they
adjourned to the fourteenth, and then dissolved thernselves without doing
any business: Another being called, sat from the second to the eleventh of
the first month following; the members returned by the sheriff for the
respective tenths, to serve in this assembly, were, Thomas Olive, speaker,
Mahlon Stacy, Joshua Wright, John Lambert, Thomas Lambert, William Emley,
Godfrey Hancock, Daniel Leeds, Thomas Wright, Samuel Borden, Robert Stacy,
Thomas Budd, Daniel Wills, sen., Thomas Gardiner, John Crips, John White,
John Chaffin, Bernard Davenish, Isaac Marriott, William Peachy, William
Cooper, Mark Newby, Thomas Thackery, Robert Zane, James Nevil, Richard
Guy, Mark Reeves, Richard Hancock, John Smith, John Pledger, Edward Wade,
George Deacon, and Samuel Hedge: Hitherto the members had been chosen by
the electors from all the tenths indiscriminately; but this assembly
declared it their judgment, and the judgment of those they represented,
that the most regular method for preserving the liberty and property of
the people by a free assembly, was, that such of the ten proprieties, as
were now peopled, should each chuse ten representatives (and the others
also as they became peopled) and resolving, that twenty-four, the speaker
one, should make the quorum, they chose the council, justices,
commissioners for laying out land, and other officers.1

This done, the governor, council and assembly, passed sundry laws; some of
which were in substance, that each of the ten proprietors should have
liberty to sell as far as five hundred acres of land, within their
respective tenths, or take such other expedient as they should judge fit,
for defraying publick charges, for the tenths respectively; to which
purpose, Mahlon Stacy and Thomas Lambert were appointed within the first
or Yorkshire tenth; Thomas Budd and Thomas Gardiner, for the second or
London tenth; William Cooper and Mark Newby for the third or Irish tenth,
and Samuel Jenings and Thomas Budd, within the remaining six tenths:2 That
the three pounds fine, formerly imposed on such as sold rum or other
strong liquor to the Indians, should go one half to the informer, the
other to the publick stock, where the offence was given; and that every
foreigner offending herein, should forfeit five pounds, to be disposed of
in like manner: - That for the more convenient payment of small sums of
money, Mark Newby's coppers, called Patrick's half-pence,3 should pass as
half-pence current pay; provided he gave security to the speaker, for the
use of the general assembly for the time being, that he, his executors and
admistrators would change them on demand, and provided none were obliged
to take more than five shillings in one payment: - That for preventing
clandestine and unlawful marriages, justices should have power to solemmze
them, the parties having first published their intentions fourteen days in
some publick place appointed for that purpose; any justice presuming to
marry without the consent or knowledge of parents or trustees (if such
consent could be reasonably obtained) was to be fined at the discretion of
the general assembly; of which marriage the register was to make publick
entry of the day it was solemnized; the births of children, and decease of
all persons, were also to be entered in the publick register of the
respective tenths; and for preventing differences between masters and
servants, where no covenants were made, all servants were to have, at the
expiration of their service, according to the custom of the country, ten
bushels of corn, necessary apparel, two hoes and an ax: - That all
servants of full age, coming into the province without indentures, or
other agreements, should serve four years, from the ship's entry, (to take
which entries custom house officers were before appointed) and that all
under the age of one and twenty years, who came without indentures, should
within three months after arrlval, be brought to the court, in the
district where the party resided; which court was to appoint the time of
servitude: - That for preventing deceits, lands should pay debts, where
personal estates were insufficient: - That for encouragement of building a
saw-mill, one thousand acres should be sold to William Frampton, to
accomodate him with land for that purpose; and more as the governor and
commissioners should judge convenient: - That for better settling and
confirmation of lands, six of the commissioners, with the governor, should
(where there was occasion) make an inspection into such as were or should
be taken up; that on finding these legally located, they might after
publick notice in the court, and no just reason to the contrary, confirm
the same at the next court: - That there should be four courts of session
held at Burlington and Salem yearly: - That the twenty pounds formerly
granted the governor, the five pounds to the speaker, and the five pounds
to the clerk, should be raised by tax; nine pounds six shillings and eight
pence by the Yorkshire, London and Salem tenths each, and forty shillings
by the third tenth; the whole, being thirty pounds, was to be delivered to
Thomas Budd and Thomas Gardiner, in skins, corn or money; and the
remainder of the two hundred pounds, formerly directed to be raised to
defray the charges of government, to be a debt due from the other
proprieties.

The Representatives of West-Jersey continued to be annually chosen, 'till
the surrender of the proprietary government, in 1702. 4 The council (who
were justices ex officio), justices of peace, and inferior officers of
government, were chosen by them; the governor was appointed by the
proprietors, who governed them by a deputy, 'till the succeeding year;
when the assembly understanding, that Byllinge, for some selfish reasons,
inclined to turn Jenings out, who had hitherto been deputy governor, to
the general satisfaction of the governed; they undertook, by their choice,
to continue him governor of the province, pretending a right to do this,
because in the constitutions, power was given to six parts in seven of the
assembly, to make such alterations for the public good, (the laws of
liberty of conscience, of property, of yearly assemblies, of juries, and
of evidence, excepted) as they found necessary; and that no advantage
might be taken of such judicial proceedings, as had not been exactly
agreeable to the concessions, they confirmed and ratified them all.

About this time, the settlers in many parts were distressed for food;
several got the chief of what they eat by the gun; which, as powder and
shot were sometimes very scarce, was at best a precarious supply.5

Sir George Carteret, sole proprietor of East-Jersey, dying in 1679, by
will, ordered that province to be sold, to pay his debts; which was done
accordingly,6 by his widow and executors, by indenture of lease and
release, bearing date the 1st and 2d of February, 1681-2, to William Penn,
Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew,
Thomas Wilcox, of London, gold-smith, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh
Hartshorne, Clement Plumsted, and Thomas Cooper, their heirs and assigns;
who were thence called the twelve proprietors: They being together so
seized, in this year published an account of their country, a fresh
project for a town, and method of disposing of their lands.7

Their plan was popular, and took much, especially among the Scotch, of
whom many had already arrived: In this and some of the immediately
succeeding years, came many more: Among them was George Keith, who some
time after became surveyor general, and was accounted very skilful in the
business.

The twelve proprietors did not long hold the province to themselves, but by
particular deeds, took each a partner; their names were, James Earl of
Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barclay, Robert Gordon, Aarent Sonmans, Gawen
Lawrie, Edward Byllinge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas Barker,
Robert Turner, and Thomas Warne; these with the other twelve, are since
called the twenty-four proprietors: To them the duke of York made a fresh
grant of East-New-Jersey, bearing date the 14th of March, 1682.8

This was the duke's third and last grant of East-Jersey;9 soon after
which, the twenty-four proprietors, by an instrument under most of their
hands, established and gave them power to appoint, oversee, and displace
all officers necessary for the management of their property; to take care
of all lands belonging to the general proprietors; to demise them for
terms of years, and to appoint dividends thereof; to examine the rights of
the particular proprietors who demanded their shares of those dividends,
and to grant warrants to the surveyor general (whom they chuse themselves)
for the appropriating the quantity of acres due to such share; to sue
trespassers upon the general proprietors land; and in general, to manage
the affairs, which relate to the said general proprietors: This council
always to consist of at least one third of the general proprietors, or
their proxies; and to have two general meetings yearly, at Perth-Amboy;
which were held immediately after the supreme courts there, but lately
altered to the first day in April, and second in September. In this manner
have the lands in East-Jersey been disposed: Since the purchase of the
twetty-four, the constitution as well as the management continues the same.

The province of East New-Jersey being now well settled for the time; its
situation reduced to a general view, from the accounts then published by
secretary Nicolls of New-York, appears to be thus:

Shrewsbury, near Sandy-Hook, adjoining the river or creek of that name, was
already a township, consisting of several thousand acres, with large
plantations contiguous; the inhabitants were computed to be about 400.
Lewis Morris, of Barbadoes, had iron works and other considerable
improvements here. Middletown was supposed to consist of 100 families;
several thousand acres allotted for the town, and many thousands for the
several out plantations: John Bowne, Richard Hartshorne, and Nicholas
Davis, had each well improved settlements here; a court of sessions was
held twice or thrice a year, for Middletown and Piscataway, and their
jurisdictions: Several plantations were settled on the north side of
Rariton river, below Piscataway; several also higher up Rariton, and about
the Falls; among which John Palmer, of Staten-Island, Thomas Codrington,
John Robinson, White and company, and Edsal and company, of New-York, and
Capt. Corsen, had settlements: Some land was likewise located by Millstone
river, up Rariton, supposed to be near the division line.

Woodbridge had several improved plantations in it, and the country round;
Delaplairs, the surveyor general, was one of the settlers here: This town
claimed more privileges than others; was incorporated by charter, and had
erected a court house and prison (such as they were). There were here
about one hundred and twenty families;10 a large quantity of land in the
town, and for the plantations round, many thousand acres; of which
plantations there were several on the north side of the river that divides
Elizabeth-Town and Woodbridge.

At the entrance of the creek, on the north side,called Carteret's Point,
north of Staten-Island, were other plantations, from Elizabeth-Town to the
bounds of New-York: Within Elizabeth-Town claim, was a settlement in
partnership between the proprietor Carteret, and governor P. Carteret; the
latter had built a house and resided here; the town was supposed to
consist of one hundred and fifty families.

On the north of Milford or Newark river,11 is a large tract belonging to
Kingsland and Sanfoord: Higher up the river, another to Capt. Berrie; who
dividing it, several plantations were soon settled on it: Still further up
the river, an island belonging to Christopher Hoogland, of Newark; above
that again, was a large tract owned by Jacques Cartelayne, and partners;
who, now made some settlement: These tracts were within the jurisdiction
of Newark. Newark was then said to be a compact town, consisting of about
one hundred families.

Near the mouth of the bay, upon the side of Overprook creek, adjacent to
Hackinsack river, several of the rich valleys were then settled by the
Dutch; and near Snakehill was a fine plantation, owned by Pinhorn and
Eickbe; for half of which, Pinhorne is said to have paid 500 1. There were
other settlements on Hackinsack river; and on a creek near it, Sarah
Kiersted of New-York, had a tract given her by an old Indian sachem, for
services in interpreting between the Indians and Dutch, on which several
families were settled: John Berrie had a large p]antation, two or three
miles above, where he then lived, and had considerable improvements; as
had also near him, his son in law Smith, and one Baker from Barbados: On
the west side of the creek, opposite to Berrie, were other plantations;
but none more northerly. There was a considerable settlement on Bergen
point, then called Constable Hook, and first improved by Edsall, in
Nicolls's time. Other small plantations were improved along Bergen neck,
to the east, between the point and a little village of twenty families:
Further along lived sixteen or eighteen families; and opposite New-York,
about forty families were seated; southward from this, a few families
settled together at a place called the Duke's Farm; and further up the
country, was a place called Hobuck, formerly ownd by a Dutch merchant,
who, in the Indian wars with the Dutch, had his wife, children and
servants murdered by the Indians, and his house and stock destroyed by
them;12 but it was now settled again, and a mill erected there: Along the
river side, to the north, were lands settled by William Lawrence, Samuel
Edsal and Capt. Beinfield; and at Haversham, near the High Lands, governor
Carteret had taken up two large tracts; one for himself, the other for
Andrew Campyne and company; which were now but little improved: The
plantations on both sides of the Neck, to its utmost extent, as also those
at Hackinsack, were under the jurisdiction of Bergen town, situate about
the middle of the Neck; where was a court held by select men or overseers,
consisting of four or more in number, as the people thought best, chose
annually to try small causes, as had been the practice in all the rest of
the towns at first: Two courts of sessions were held here yearly, from
which, if the cause exceeded twenty pounds, the party might appeal to the
governor, council and court of deputies or assembly.

Bergen a compact town, had been fortified against the Indians, contained
about seventy families; its inhabitants chiefly Dutch, some of whom had
been settled there upwards of forty years. Upon the whole there were at
this time supposed to be about seven hundred families settled in the towns
of East-Jersey; which, reckoning five to a family, were three thousand and
five hundred inhabitants; besides the out plantations, which were thought
to contain half as many more, though these could not be so well guessed at.

P. Carteret continued governor of East-Jersey after the quinty partite
division, 'till about the year 1681. 13 His council in 1668, consisted of
six, viz. Nicholas Verlet, Robert Bond, Robert Vanquellin, Daniel Pierce,
Samuel Edsall, William Pardon. The assembly then consisted of twelve; the
first members were:
Casper Steenmets, Baltazar Bayard, for Bergen.
John Ogden, sen., John Brackett, for Elizabeth-Town.
Robert Treat, Samuel Swarne, for Newark.
John Bishop, Robert Dennis, for Woodbridge.
James Grover, John Bound, for Middletown. The same for Shrewsbury.

The sessions were mostly held at Elizabeth-Town, but sometimes at
Woodbridge, and once or more at Middletown and Piscataway: Some of the
first laws, published by the legislature at Elizbeth-Town, were in
substance: - That persons resisting authority, should be punished at the
discretion of the court: -That men from 16 to 60 years of age, should
provide themselves with arms, on penalty of one shilling for the first
week's neglect, and two for every week after: -That for burglary or high-
way robbery, the first offence, burning in the hand, the second, in the
forehead, in both, to make restitution; and for the third offence,
death: - For stealing, the first offence, treble restitution, and the like
for the second and third offence, with such increase of punishment, as the
court saw cause, even to death, if the party appeared incorrigible; but if
not, and unable to make restitution, they were to be sold for
satisfaction, or to receive corporat punishment: - That conspiracies or
attacks upon towns or forts, should be death: -That undutiful children,
smiting or cursing their father or mother, except provok'd thereunto for
self-preservation, upon complaint of; and proof from their parents or
either of them, should be punished with death: - That in case of adultery,
the party to be divorc'd, corporally punished or banished, or either, or
all of them, as the court should judge proper: - That for night-walking
and revelling after the hour of nine, the parties to be secured by the
constable or other officer 'till morning, and then not giving a
satisfactory account to the magistrate, to be bound over to the next court
and there receive such punishment as should be inflicted: - That the
meeting of the assembly should be always on the first Tuesday in November,
yearly, and oftner, if the governor and council thought necessary; and
that they should fix the governor's salary; the deputies of each town to
be chosen on the first of January, according to the concessions; any
deputy absenting himself at such times, was to be fined forty shillings
for every day's absence: - That thirty pounds should be levied for
provincial charges, i.e. 5 l. to be paid by each town, in winter wheat at
five shillings a bushel, summer wheat at four and six pence, pease at
three shillings and six pence, Indian corn at three shillings, rie at four
shillings, barley at four shillings, beef at two pence half-penny per
pound, and pork at three pence half-penny: - That no son, daughter, maid
or servant, should marry without the consent of his or their parents,
masters or overseers, without being three times published in some publick
meeting or kirk, near the party's abode, or notice being set up in writing
at some publick house near where they lived, for fourteen days before;
then to be solemnized by some approved minister, justice or chief officer;
who, on penalty of twenty pounds, and to be put out of office, were to
marry none who had not followed those directions: - That fornication
should be punished at the discretion of the court, by marriage, fine or
corporal punishment; and that no life should be taken but by virtue of
some law, and the proof of two or three witnesses.

There being doubts started, whether the government of West New-Jersey, had
been granted with the soil, and reports industriously spread up and down
the province, as well as in England, to the prejudice of the possessors
title, as they thought the assembly in the spring, this year, thought it
their business to obviate this, and other points, by unanimously
resolving, as to the first, "That the land and government of West New-
Jersey, were purchased together: And that as to the question, Whether the
concessions agreed upon by the proprietors and people, and subscribed in
London and West-Jersey, were agreed upon to be the fundamentals and ground
of the government of West-New-Jersey, or not?

Resolved in the affirmative, nemine contradicente: only John Fenwick
excepted his tenth; which he said at that time was not under the same
circumstances; but now freely consenteth thereto."14

Jenings was at this assembly chosen governor, as hinted before,15 having
hitherto acted as Byllings's deputy: The commissioners and other officers
of government, being also chosen, they severally took their qualifications;
16 and having agreed, that the governor should be chairman, or speaker;
that he should sit as a member with them, and they together with the
council; and that the chairman should have a double vote; passed sundry
laws, among which was the following:

"And whereas it hath pleased God, to commit this country and province into
the hands of such who (for the generality of them) are fearing God, and
painful and industrious in the promoting and improving the said province;
and for the better preventing of such as are profane, loose and idle, and
scandalous, from settling amongst us, who are, and will be, not only
unserviceable, but greatly burthensome to the province:

It is therefore hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all person
and persons, who shall transport him or themselves into this province,
shall, within eighteen months after he or they shall arrive in the said
province, procure and produce a certificate, under the hands of such of
that religious society to whom he or they did belong, or otherwise from
two magistrates (if procurable) or two constables or overseers of the
poor, with three or more creditable persons of the neighbourhood, who
inhabit or belong to the place where he or they did last reside, as may
give satisfaction (that is to say) that he or they came not clandestinely
or fraudently away; and if unmarried, that he or she are clear from former
engagements in that particular; and also, that he or she are such as live
soberly and honestly, to the best of their knowledge; and that no justice
shall presume to marry any such person or persons, who shall come into
this province, before such certificate be produced; or that it be laid
before the governor or two justices, and give them sufficient satisfaction
concerning their clearness; and that all such person and persons who
shall settle in the said province, and shall refuse or neglect to produce
such certificate as aforesaid, within the said eighteen months, shall be
fined at the discretion of the governor and council of the said province,
not exceeding twenty pounds; the same to be levyed by distress and sale
on the offender's goods, and to be paid into the hands of the treasurer of
the said province.

1 Those now chosen were:
Councellors: Thomas Olive, Robert Stacy, Mahlon Stacy, William Biddle,
Thomas Budd, John Chaffin, James Nevill, Daniel Wills, Mark Newby, Elias
Farre.

Justices for Burlington: William Biddle, Robert Stacy, Elias Farre, Mahlon
Stacy, John Chaffin, Thomas Budd, Benjamin Scott, John Cripps, Thomas
Thackery.

For Salem: James Nevill, George Deacon, Richard Hancock, Edward Wade.

Commissioners: Elias Farre, William Biddle, Thomas Budd, Thomas Gardiner,
Mark Newby, James Nevill, Thomas Olive, Robert Stacy, Benjamin Scott,
William Cooper.

Sheriff for Burlington: John White.

For Salem: Thomas Woodruffe.

Prorincial clerk and recorder, for Burlington: Thomas Revel.

For Salem: Samuel Hedge.

Surveyor: Daniel Leeds.

Constables for Yorkshire tenth: Robert Sehooley, John Pancoast.

For London tenth: John Bourten, William Brightwen.

For the third tenth: Thomas Sharp.

2 As for J. Fenwick, who ownd the other tenth, they seem here to have left
him to his own concerns.

3 These were Irish halfpence, a parcel of which Newby had brought in with
him.

4 In 1699, a law passed for reducing the number of representatives to ten
for each of the counties of Burlington and Gloucester, five for Salem, and
three for Cape May; but this occasioning dissatisfaction, was repealed,
and the number enlarged as formerly, viz. Burlington, 20, Salem, 10,
Gloucester, 20, Cape May, 5.

5 Instances of their wants are many, and the supplies sometimes
unexpected; the family of John Hollinshead, who lived near Rankokas, being
unprovided with powder and shot, were in distress, when Hollinshead the
younger, then a lad about 13, going through a corn field, saw a turkey;
throwing a stick to kill it, a second came in sight; he kill'd both, and
carried them home: Soon after, at the house of Thomas Eves, he saw a buck;
and telling Eves, he set his dogs, who followed it to Rankokas river, then
frozen; the buck running on the ice, slid upon his side; the dogs seized
it; Hollinshead coming up with a knife, eagerly jumped upon it; the buck
rose with him on his back and sprung forword, his feet spreading asunder,
slip'd gently down on his belly, and gave Hollinshead a respite from
danger, and opportunity of killing him: By these means two families were
supplied with food to their great joy. These, and such like instances, in
a new settled country, show, with the distress, the relief that sometimes
unexpectedly attends it.

6 His will is dated December 5, 1678, he devises to Edward earl of
Sandwich, John earl of Bath, Bernard Grenville, Sir Thomas Crew, Sir
Robert Atkins, and Edward Atkins, esq; and their heirs, among other lands,
all his plantation of New-Jersey, upon trust and confidence that they, and
the survivors and survivor of them, and the heirs and executors of the
survivor of them, should make sale of all the said premises; and out of
the money that should upon such sale arise, pay and discharge debts, &c. as
therein mentioned.

7 Vid. Appendix. Numb. iii.

8 The grants being already in the bands of the publick, were not thought
necessary to be reprinted here: See grants, concessions, &c. published by
A. Leaming, and J. Spicer.

9 More full and express than any that went before.

10 From several erroneous computations, first published in Nicolls's
account, but here omitted, there may be some reason to doubt others: what
is here left, appeared probable; but if there should be thought any
mistakes in names, number or situation; it must be remembered, that it is
given only as Nicolls's account of this year.

11 Second River.

12 That there were such wars or skirmishes between the Dutch and Indians,
we see is confirmed by concurring accounts: See before: note 5, Chapter II
and text, Chapter IV.

13 His salary was generally 50 l. a year, paid in country produce, at
prices fixed by law, and sometimes four shillings a day besides, to defray
his charges while a session was held; the wages of the council and
assembly during their sitting in legislation, was, to each member three
shillings a day: The rates for publick charges were levied at two
shillings per head for every male above fourteen years old.

14 Proprietary records, secretary's office, Burlington.

15 He had for salary this year a right to take up six hundred acres of
land above the Falls.

16 Respectively as follows:

"I Samuel Jenings, being elected governor of the province of West-Jersey,
by the general free assembly thereof, sitting at Burlington, the eleventh
day of the third month, in the year 1683, do freely and faithfully promise
(according to the best of my ability) to act in that capacity according to
the laws, concessions, and constitutions, as they are now established in
the said province.

"SAMUEL JENINGS, Governor."

The engagement and promise of the council elected by the assembly:

"We underwritten being elected and chosen by the general free assembly,
members of council, to advise and assist the governor in managing the
affairs of the government, do solemnly promise every one for himself, that
we will give our diligent attendance from time to time, and him advise and
assist to the best of our skill and knowledge, according to the laws,
concessions, and constitutions of this province; and do further promise
not to reveal or disclose any secret of council, or any business therein
transacted, to the prejudice of the public. Witness our hands the 15th day
of the third month, Anno 1683.
"Thomas Budd,
"Thomas Gardiner,
"John Skeen,
"Henry Stacy,
"John Gosling,
"James Nevill,
"Thomas Olive,
"Elias Farre,
"William Biddle."

The engagement and promise of the commissioners, justices, and other
officers, elected as aforesaid:

"We whose names are hereunderwritten, being by the general free assembly,
chosen to officiate in our several trusts, commissions and offices for the
year ensuing; do hereby solemnly promise, that we will truly and
faithfully discharge our respective trusts, according to the laws,
concessions and constitutions of the said province, in our respective
offices and duties, and do equal justice and right to all men, according
to our best skill and judgement, without corruption, favour or affection.
Witness our hands this 15th of the third month, 1683."

Justices: Thomas Olive, Richard Guy, Andrew Wade, Andrew Thompson.

Commissioners: William Biddle, John Gosling, John Skeen, MahIon Stacy,
Thomas Olive, James Nevill, Francis Collins, Thomas Budd, Thomas Gardiner;
Mark Newby.

Recorder: Thomas Revell.
Sheriff: Benjamin Wheat.
Surveyor: Daniel Leeds.



CHAP. X.
Robert Barclay appointed governor of East-Jersey; and T. Rudyard deputy;
Letters from Rudyard, S. Groome, Lawrie and others, concerned in that
settlement.

We have seen that the Scotch had a considerable share in the settlement of
East-Jersey, many of them and a number that arrived afterwards, fixed about
Amboy, and up Rariton: The proprietors appointed Robert Barclay, (author
of the apology) governor for life;1 and Thomas Rudyard, (a lawyer or
attorney in London, noted for his assistance at the trial of Penn and
Meade) deputy governor; which last arrived at his government, the latter
end of last, or beginning of this year: His account of the country soon
after his arrival, may not be unacceptable:

"East-Jersey, the 30th of the 3d month called May, 1683.

"Dear B. G.

"To be as particular in my turn, 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 experenced
this: But to give thee also, as thou desires, a character of Pennsylvania,
and West-Jersey, that will be a task I must be excused to undertake, lest
I give offence, or at least bring me under censure as partial: Were I not
concerned in any of the provinces, I might satisfy thy curiosity; but
being chiefly interested in this, I'll be very cautious meddling with my
neighbours, more than here, one with another; so I may use my freedom with
my neighbours, which they take not ill, but not write what may be taken
otherways. They lie so near adjacent, that they may be said in a sense, to
be but one country; and what's said for one, in general may serve for all.
I have been at Burlington, and at Pennsylvania, as far as Philadelphia;
which lies about twenty miles below Burlington: That journey by land, gave
me some view of all the provinces; and made me considerably to estimate
this of East-Jersey, having some conveniencies esteemed by 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 stock in winter; which
other parts must supply by store, and taking more care for English grass:
But know, where salt marshes are not, there is no musketoes, 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 others want also, which is vast oyster 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 the 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 tide's passage; and fresh fish in
abundance, in every little brook, as pearch, trout, eels, &c. which we
catch at our doors.

Provisions here are very plentiful, and people generally well stocked with
cattle: New-York and Burlington have hitherto been their market; few or
no trading men being here in this province: I believe it hath been very
unhappy heretofore, under an ill managed government; and most of the
people are such who have been invited from the adjacent colonies, by the
goodness of its soil, and convenient situation: At Amboy we are now
building some small houses, of 30 feet long, and 18 feet broad; fitting to
entertain workmen, and such who will go and build larger: The stones lie
exceeding well and good, up the Rariton river a tide's passage; and oyster
shells upon the point, to make lime withal; which will wonderfully
accomodate us in building good houses cheap, warm for winter, and cool for
summer; and durable covering for houses are shingles, oak, chesnut, and
cedar; we have plentiful here of all; the last endures a man's life, if he
lives to be old: There is five or six saw-mills going up here this spring;
two at work already, which abates the price of boards half in half; and all
other timber for building; for altho' timber costs nothing, yet
workmanship by hand, was London price, or near upon it, and sometimes
more; which these mills abate; we buy oak and chesnut boards no cheaper
than last year: My habitation with Samuel Groome, is at Elizabeth-Town,
and here we came first; it lies on a fresh small river; with a tide 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
habitations solitary; for what with the publick employ, I have little less
company at my house daily, than I had in George Yard; altho' not so many
passes by my doors: The people are generally a sober professing people,
wise in their generation, courteous in their behaviour, and respectful to
us in office among them: As for the temperature of the air, it is
wonderfully situated to the humours of mankind; the wind and weather
rarely holding in one point, or one kind, for ten days 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 than 48 hours; and in a short time we have
wet and dry, warm and cold weather; which changes, we often desire in
England, and look for before they come; yet this variation creates not
cold, nor have we the tenth part of the colds 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 than in England; for generally I go with the same
cloaths I used 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 Yard, nor would I. People here are generally
settled where the tide reaches; and altho' this is good land, and well
timbered, and plentifully supplied with salt marsh; 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 corn;
and it's believed will endure 20, 30, or 50 years ploughing, without
intermission, and not decay: Such land there is at Esopus, on Hudson's
river, which hath bore 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 month, when here; and said he had never seen such before in his life:
All the English merchants, and many of the Duteh, have taken, and are
desirous to take up plantations with us:

Our country here, called Bergen, is almost Dutchmen; at a town called
Newark, seven or eight miles hence, is made great quantities of cyder;
exceeding any we can have from New-England, Rhode-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 orders. Upon
our view and survey of Amboy point, we find it extraordinary well situate
for a great town or city, beyond expectation; at low water, round about
the point, are oysters of two kinds, small as English, and others two or
three mouthfulls, exceeding good for roasting and stewing; the people say,
our oysters are good, and in season all summer; the first of the third
month I eat of them at Amboy very good:

The point is good lively land, ten, some places twenty foot above the
water mark. About it are several coves, where vessels may lay up
conveniently; besides great ships of any burthen, may all ride before the
town, land lock'd against all winds; there Rariton river runs up, or rather
down 50, far larger some say 100 miles, for small boats. I saw several
vines upon the pomt, which produces, as they say, good grapes in their
season; this country is very full of them; but being not present profit,
few regard them more, than to pick them as they lay in their way, when they
are ripe. We have store of clams, esteemed much better than oysters; on
festivals the Indians feast with them; there are shallops, but in no great
plenty: Fish we have great store, as our relation sets forth; but they are
very good when catch'd (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 merchandize
here; mine cost me about four or five pounds, and can have twenty pounds
for it, if I would sell it now. I may write 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 God's
blessing, may not only have a comfortable, but plentiful supply of all
things necessary for this life; with the salutation of my true affection
to all, &c. I rest, thy affectionate friend,
"THOMAS RUDYARD."

Samuel Groome, one of the proprietors, and surveyor general of East-Jersey,
also wrote to his fellow proprietors, as follows:

"East-Jersey, the 11th of August, 1683.

"Friends and fellow proprietors.

"Since my last I have now sounded the channel from Amboy to Sandy-Hook,
and find it to be a broad and bold channel, in no place less than three
fathom at high-water, in ordinary tides four, or five, or six fathom
except in one short place: Rariton river is a good river, and hath a good
tide of flood overpowering the freshes about thirty miles above Amboy;
after its flood, the tide hath no force against the freshes, which come
out of several branches of Rariton, and joins in one, forty or fifty miles
above Amboy. I have spent a considerable time in making discovery: I have
not as yet, had time to lay out much land for you, only about seventeen or
eighteen 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 Vanquillin; it is on the west side of a creek called Chingerorus,
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, that they are not yet paid for: The last day of
this month is appointed to treat with several Indians, to buy several
exceeding good tracts, nigh the head of Rariton.

"The tenth of next month is also appointed to treat with other Indians, to
buy other tracts of choice meadowing and upland, that lieth about twelve
or thirteen miles up into the country, which I have seen; and when we have
accomplished these two things, we shall be able to lay out for you much
land; and when I have been up in the country, towards, and at Barnagat,
and agreed with the Indians thereabout, for such land as we may see
occasion to purchase presently, in order to a settlement 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 country, not only for the
sake of the good upland and meadows, which report saith is much
thereabout, 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
a 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 tenants; or otherways 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 several places, and upon the tract of eight
thousand three hundred and twenty acres of yours aforementioned, and also
on the meadowing that lies on the south side of Rariton above Amboy, a
year or two since purchased of the Indians, in the name of Dame Carteret,
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 controversy yours. Now know, that Rariton river is
accommodated on both sides with salt and fresh meadows; salt as far as the
salt sea water flows, or predominates; and fresh above, as the river
Thames: We have above three thousand acres of meadowing butting on the
river; I hope it will never hurt Amboy town:

Besides, report saith, that the upland next adjoining to this meadowing,
beginning over against Amboy, and so up ten or twelve miles, to a river
that strikes 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 twenty fourth part
of lands as we lay them out, whether it be more or less, or else take five
hundred acre lots, and let these lots be cast when twenty four times five
hundred acres is laid out; and 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 e'er Amboy be built as London is; housing will bring a trade to that
place: The Indians come thither to get fish, fowl, oysters, clams,
mussels, &c. (as people go to market for things they want) and these
Indians bring at seasons, great quantities of skins down Rariton, so by
Amboy and to New-York; where they have a continual supply of things they
want.

"Well, here is a brave country, the ground very fruitful, and wonderfully
inclinable to English grass; as clover, &c. It predominates over the more
wild grass, very little barren, much dry upland, and good meadow: Some
fenny, swampy land, and small running brooks and rivers, throughout all
the parts of the country I have seen; and these fenny and swampy lands
bear great burdens of grass; in short, the land is four times better than
I expected. We must needs be out of some money at present to purchase
lands of the Indians, but that will be soon got in with profit, as people
come to inhabit and take up land, and pay, as always they have done, their
part of purchase from the Indians: Here is great talk of the braveries of
the place and land: Barnagat I intend to see shortly after the season is
fitting to go by land and water to it; I intend to go by water in a sloop,
to see how convenient it is 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 write to, and demand of
all places the quit rents and arrears; they generally say they will pay:
Capt. Berrie is two or three hundred pounds behind in arrears, as is said;
because his case differs from others a little, I'll (God permitting) begin
with him first of all about his rent, &c. and either have rent, or land:
What you write concerning building and repairing, shall be observed: I
wish I were fairly rid of all the goods I have of yours, and my own, at
twenty eight per cent. excepting such as are for the Indian trade: These
parts of America are accommodated 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 two or three parts silver; which I procure
with goods as well as I can.

"The houses at Amboy are thirty feet long, and sixteen wide, ten feet
betwixt joint and joint, a double chimney made with timber, and clay as
the manner of this country is to build, will stand in about fifty pounds
a house; this pay procured here for twenty five in goods the first cost.
I shall make you no return this year, seeing we are about purchasing and
surveying; all which will run out money in this place, where men 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 one hundred and fifty lots, and have sent home a draught of it.
"S. GROOME."

Gawen Lawrie arriving this year deputy governor of East-Jersey, under
Robert Barclay, chose a fresh council; Richard Hartshorne one of them:
There having been considerable disturbances in the province, especially
about Middletown and Woodbridge, relating to town affairs;3 their prudent
conduct contributed to the quiet of the province: The two following
letters, wrote soon after Lawrie's arrival, contain, as well his
sentiments of the country, as some of the principal transactions of those
times.

"Gawen Lawrie, to the proprietors at London.

"Elizabeth-Town, 1 Month 2d, 1684.

"I took up several days with countrymen, 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 shore, at low water; adjoining
thereto is a piece of marsh ground, about twelve perches broad, and twenty
perches long, and high land on each side like our keys by London bridge;
this may be easy cut quite round, for small vessels to come to the key,
and lie safe; round this island I set out lots one acre apiece, viz. four
pole at the key, and forty pole backward; from thence along the river near
half a mile: I laid out the like lots very pleasant for situation, where
they can see the ships coming in the bay of sandy hook, for near twenty
miles; the ships may ride along by the town, as safe as at London, just at
the point by the town: Rariton river runs up by the country, a great way;
there boats of forty tuns may go; and the river by the town, goes to New-
York, Hudson's river, Long-Island, Staten-Island, and so to New-England:
There is no such place in all England, for conveniency and pleasant
situation; there are sixty lots upon the river, and forty backward between
those and the river; and those backward, have a high way 100 foot broad;
where I have laid out a place for a market, 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 into forty-eight parts, viz.
thirty-six to each proprietor; and those who have lots in the town, I
grant them half lots in this; to pay for the lots in the town, twenty
pounds; or if a half lot of thirty-six acres, forty pounds. I laid 400
acres to lie until the proprietors agree to divide it, as people comes
over. There is sixteen lots taken up by the Scotch proprietors; and eight
lots by the proprietors that are here: There are twenty lots taken up in
the town, by other people. I engage all to build a house of thirty feet
long, and eighteen broad, and eighteen feet high to the raising; to be
finished within a year; to pay for laying out, forty shillings a lot, and
four pence per annum, quit-rent; There are several begun already to build.
I have laid out forty or fifty acres for the governor's house: The highway
and wharff, between the river 100 feet broad; and to leave a row of trees
along upon the river, before the houses, for shade and shelter, exceeding
pleasant. I have agreed for two houses of like dimensions, to be built for
the proprietors; and also a house for the governor, of sixty-six feet
long, and eighteen broad; if the quit rents come in, I intend three or
four houses more, for the proprietors: I can easily let them. This work
took me up five weeks: After I had finished it, I set the people to work,
Scotish and English, about fifty persons; some preparing for building,
others to clearing ground to get corn sown this spring: Then came in a
boat privately to Elizabeth-Town the 12th past: Next morning I went to New
York to visit the governor; staid there two or three days; he was very
kind, and promised a fair correspondence; so I did not publish my
commission until this day, before the council; they have been kind and
courteous. Now is the time to send over people for settling; there are 30,
000 acres of land in several places, belonging to the proprietors,
formerly taken up by Carteret: So here is land enough.

The Scots and William Dockwras people coming now and settling, advance the
province more than it hath been advanced these ten years: Therefore
proprietors, send over some families and servants; I shall presently set
them out land, and it will bring them in considerable profit, in a few
years: Here wants nothing but people. There is not a poor body in all the
province, nor that wants; here is abundance of provision; pork and beef at
two pence per pound; fish and fowl plenty: Oysters I think would serve all
England: Wheat four shillings sterling per bushel; Indian wheat two
shillings and six pence per bushel; it is exceeding good for food every
way, and two or three hundred fold increase: Cyder good and plenty, for
one penny per quart. Good drink that is made of water and molasses, stands
in about two shillings per barrel, wholesome like our eight shilling beer
in England: Good vennison plenty, brought us in at eighteen pence the
quarter: Eggs at three pence per doxen; all things very plenty; land very
good as ever I saw: Vines, walnuts, peaches, strawberries, and many other
things plenty in the woods. The proprietors have 150 or 200 acres, three
miles from the town, up Rariton river salt marsh, where I intend to let
the people of Amboy cut grass for hay until we otherwise order it by lots
to them. I reckon there is laid out for the town, governor's house and
publick highways, near or about 200 acres; so there rests 1800 acres. I
laid out 400 acres, as I said; the rest to lie in common, until divided: I
have put two houses in repair, upon the river, called the point, two miles
from Elizabeth Town; have let one of them, with ten acres of pasture
ground, and ten acres of woody ground, for seven years, at twenty-six
pounds per annum; the man to clear the ten acres of woody ground, and make
it fit for ploughing or pasture. I intend to let the other also, with some
land: All the houses were like to drop down; all the land lying without
fence; and a barn quite fallen down, and destroyed; another without any
cover; and that other next to the house where I dwell, all to pieces; and
all the fences and out-houses were down, but repaired before I came. I am
setting up a ferry boat at Perth, for men and horses, to go and come to
Burlington and Pennsylvania, and New-York: Also I am treating with one, to
set up a house midway to Burlington, to entertain travellers, and a ferry
boat to go to New-York; all which is for promoting Perth, that being the
center: Also you should give me power to set out a line, between the
governor of New-York and us; he calls on me for it, because several
plantations on the river are settled, and we know not yet on what side
they will fall; so I cannot at present mention all particulars, which you
must supply, by some general clauses or words; for it is not possible for
you to understand what is for the good of the province, as I do, that am
here; and be not sparing to send over people, it will bring you it again,
with large profits; for here is a gallant plentiful country, and good
land. I have given you a large account of the little time I have been
here: I have none to write for me, but you must send a copy of this to
Scotland; and with it your further instructions, to be signed and sent me
forthwith: I will be bound 'till it come; I rest your friend, sic
subscribitur,
"GAWEN LAWRIE."

The same to a friend in London.

"East-Jersey, 1st month 26th, 1684.

"I promised to write but had not time 'till now; I shall give thee a brief
account of the country, no fiction, but truth: It is beyond what I
expected; it is situate in a good air, which makes it healthy; and there is
great conveniency for travelling from places through and about the
province, in boats from a small canoe, to vessels of thirty, forty or fifty
tun, and in some places one hundred in the bay coming up to Amboy point,
where the town of Perth is now in building, a ship of three hundred tun
may easily ride close to the shore within a plank's length of the houses
of the town, and yet the land there, nor other in the province is not low,
swampy, marshy ground, but pretty high ground, rising from the water side
at Amboy-point. The bank of the river is twenty foot, in some places
thirty, and in some forty foot high, and yet hath many conveniencies for
landing goods: The soil is generally black, in some places a foot deep,
beareth great burdens of corn, and naturally bringeth forth English grass,
two years ploughing the ground is tender, and the ploughing is very easy:
The trees grow generally not thick, but some places ten, in some fifteen,
in some twenty-five or thirty upon an acre; this I find generally, but in
some particular places there is one hundred upon an acre; but that is very
rare: The trees are very tall and straight, the general are oak, beech,
walnut, chesnuts and acorns lie thick upon the ground, for want of eating;
peaches, vines, strawberries and many other sorts of fruit grow commonly
in the woods; there is likewise gumtree, cedar, whitewood like our fir
tree, walnuts, chestnuts and others lie thick on the ground; there is
great plenty of oysters, fish, fowl; pork is two pennies the pound, beef
and venison one penny the pound, a whole fat buck for five or six
shillings; Indian corn for two shillings and six pence per bushel, oats
twenty pence, and barley two shillings per bushel: We have good brick
earth, and stones for building at Amboy, and elsewhere: The country farm
houses are built very cheap: A carpenter, with a man's own servants,
builds the house; they have all materials for nothing, except nails, their
chimnies are of stones; they make their own ploughs and carts for the most
part, only the iron work is very dear: The poor sort set up a house of two
or three rooms themselves, after this manner; the walls are of cloven
timber, about eight or ten inches broad, like planks, set one end to the
ground, and the other nailed to the raising, which they plaister within;
they build a barn after the same manner, and these cost not above five
pound a piece; and then to work they go: Two or three men in one year will
clear fifty acres, in some places sixty, and in some more: They sow corn
the first year, and afterwards maintain themselves; and the increase of
corn, cows, horses, hogs and sheep comes to the land-lord: Several
merchants of New-York have left their several plantations there, to come
to East-Jersey, two or three may join together, with may be twelve,
fifteen or twenty servants, and one overseer, which cost them nothing for
the first year, except some shoes, stockings and shirts: I have been to
see these plantations, and find they have a great increase by them, they
maintam their families at New-York with all provisions, and sell a great
deal yearly; and for servants, our English people are far better
husbaudmen than the New-Englandmen; the servants work not so much by a
third as they do in England, and I think feed much better; for they have
beef, pork, bacon, pudding, milk, butter and good beer and cyder for
drink; when they are out of their time, they have land for themselves, and
generally turn farmers for themselves: Servants wages are not under two
shillings a day, besides victuals; and at Amboy-point two shillings and
six pence per day: At Amboy we have one setting up to make malt, but we
want a brewer; I wish thou would send over some to set up a brewhouse, and
a bakehouse to bake bread and bisket; for a bisket maker we must have, to
vend our meat to the plantations: Send over some husbandmen and country
fellows that plough, sow, reap, thresh, and look after cattle; a carpenter
or two, and a smith for ploughs and horses; and a cooper which we want
very much:

If thou will send a dozen of servants, most of them countrymen; I will set
thee out a gallant plantation of five hundred or one thousand acres, on a
river side; but thou must send over some goods to stock it withal: I
desire thee to encourage some of our friends, especially the proprietors,
to send over some servants to stock some land; and when they have cleared
it, if they have a mind to let it, here are tenants to take it, and if
they will sell it, here are also purchasers: There is one man since I came
here, sold his plantation for fifteen hundred pound; the whole was sixteen
hundred or eighteen hundred acres, whereof only one hundred and twenty
acres were cleared; upon which he had a house, garden, and orchard, and
barn planted: I know several men who let cleared land at six shillings and
eight pence, and at ten shillings the acre, yearly rent; which is a good
encouragement for sending over servants to plant: I write not this as an
idle story, but as things really and truly are: I have sent for servants
myself to settle a farm; for if the proprietors will not do so, I see not
what they can expect. The Scots have taken a right course, they have sent
over many servants, and are likewise sending more; they have likewise sent
over many poor families, and given them a small stock; and these families,
some for seven, some for ten years, give the half of their increase to the
land-lord, except the milk, which the tenant hath to himself. I have set
them out land and they are at work I believe they will have forty acres
cleared this spring and this summer: I am to set them out more, so that in
a short time they will have a great increase coming in: This will raise
the price of the land here, and is the reason that several from New-York
bounds come to me to take up land, for they believe now this province will
be improving, and our land is better than theirs; that every proprietor's
sending over ten people, will also be a great advantage to himself;
encourage others to take up land and bring all the division that hath beem
here, to an end; for these men seeing that they shall be ballanced, are
already more compliant than they were; now I have laid these things before
thee, and desire thee to impart them to some of the proprietors and other
friends, that they may consider of the same.
I am thy loving friend, sic subscriptur.
"GAWEN LAWRIE."

From John Barclay, Arthur Forbes, and Gawen Lawrie, to the Scots
proprietors, of the same date.

"Knowing you expect from us an account of this country; we have for your
encouragement, and for the encouragement of all our country-men, who may
be inclineable to come into this country, given you this brief and true
account of it, according as we have seen and are credibly informed; for
having seen little, yet save the winter season, we must write what is to
be seen in summer upon information, which we have just ground to believe
to be true; because whatever we have seen already in it (notwithstanding
all we heard of it before we came) surpasses our expectation in many
things. The air in this country is very wholesome, and though it alters
suddenly, sometimes being one day hot and another cold; yet people are not
so subject to catch cold or be distempered by it as in our country of
England. The land lies for the most part pretty high, but on the river and
creek sides, are many meadows which lie low, from which the country people
get their hay, whereby their stocks are maintained in the winter season.
Provisions here are plentiful and cheap; there is beef, pork, venison,
mutton, fowl and fish, abundance to be had at easy rates; and for drink
they have good beer and cyder; and those that are desirous, may have wine
of several sorts and other kinds of strong liquors; so that we see little
wanting that a man can desire; and we are here sure that a sober and
industrious people might make this a rich country, and enrich themselves
in it; especially poor people, who are hard put to it to gain bread at
home, notwithstanding the excessive labour; for we see that people here
want nothing, and yet their labour is very small; they work not so hard by
one half as the husbandmen or farmers in our country; and many of these
who have settled here upwards of sixteen years, have lived upon the
product of the land, they cleared the first two years after they came (and
cleared none since) which produceth not only corn to maintain their own
families, but sell every year; and the increase of their bestial, whereof
they have good store of several sorts; cows, oxen, horses, sheep and
swine, yields them other provisions, and to sell besides; yet there be
some more industrious among them, who have continued clearing and
improving land; and these have got estates, and would not sell their
plantations for several hundred pounds. We have been lately up a little
way on the Rariton river, but could not go so far as we intended, being
prevented by rainy weather; but so far as we went, was very rich land,
and yet that above it is said to be richer; a great deal of it is naturally
clear of wood, and what is not so, is easily cleared, the trees being but
small and at a good distance from one another; so that the land yet
untaken up, so far as we can understand, is easier to clear, than that
which is taken up. The towns that are already seated, being in woodiest
places: The merchants in New-York, both Dutch and English, have many of
them taken up land, and settled plantations in this country; and several
from that colony are desiring to come and take up land among us; though
they might have land in their own colony without paying quit-rents. The
wood here is not so hard to clear as many think, they do not pull it up by
the roots, but out them about a foot or more from the ground, and one man
may cut down many in a day; four of our men the first day they began, cut
down seventy the best trees they could find fit for building: There are
not many of great trees, but straight and tall, and there be many sorts,
oak, walnut, chesnut, cedar, poplar, gum-trees, firrs, pines, birch and
beech, and other sorts, which we remember not at present. There are many
good orchards of fruit trees, and they make abundance of good cyder,
especially at one town called Newark, which is esteemed at New-York and
other places, where it is sold beyond any that comes from New-England:
There are peaches and vines grow wild about the river sides, which in
season bear good fruit, and grapes; and there are strawberries over all
the woods, and many other kind of good fruits, and at Amboy point and
several other places; there is abundance of brave oysters; there will be
many houses built there quickly, for many have taken up lots, and all that
have taken are obliged to build within a year: There is good encouragement
for tradesmen to come over; such as carpenters, masons, and bricklayers,
for they build not only of wood, but also of stone and brick; yet most of
country houses are built of wood, only trees split and set up one end in
the ground, and coverings to their houses, are mostly shingles, made of
oak, chesnut and cedar wood, which makes a very neat covering; yet there
are some houses covered after the Dutch manner, with panticles. The towns
are all settled upon rivers where vessels of thirty or forty tuns may come
up to their doors, and the out plantations generally upon some brook or
rivulets, which are as plenty here as in our own country, and curious
clear water, and in many places are good spring wells, but in the towns
every man for the most part has a well digged on his own land: Among all
the towns that are settled, none lieth so convenient for trade as New-
Perth; for ships of great burden may come up close to the houses, and may
come up in any time in the winter: There came a ship of three hundred tuns
in there this winter, in the hardest frost we had and lay hard by the
town, so near that she was tied to a tree. The land here brings forth most
sorts of English grain, and great increase; wheat, rie, barley, oats and
other sorts of grain, such as Indian corn, which is very good and
wholesome kind of grain; and also buck-wheat; and those corns are to be
had at easy rates, either for money or goods, and those that have not
money or goods may have abundance for their work: We shall now answer as
far as we are capable, your queries.

"To the first we cannot positively give an account of the whole length and
breadth of the province; but we are informed that it is a great deal
broader than ye expected; for those that have travelled from the extent of
our bounds on Hudson's river, straight over to the Delaware say it is 100
miles or upwards; we shall know that certainly after a while; for the line
betwixt us and New-York, is to be run straight over to Delaware river,
about three weeks hence; and after that the line betwixt us and West-
Jersey; after which we shall be able to give a true account of the bounds
of that province.

"2. When the bounds is so exactly laid out, we can the easier guess at the
number of acres, and by that time may be able to give an account what
number of acres is already taken up; but there is no fear of want of land.

"3. The quantity of meadow ground, we cannot determine, having travelled
as yet, but little in the province; but the way we have travelled there is
meadow in abundance, both on the water sides and on the
upland.

"4. There is also other good ground in some places, great quantities free
of wood, which is fit either for corn or grass; and the ground all over
brings forth good English grass naturally, after it is ploughed.

"5. There are also commons upon the country, but what quantity we cannot
tell; there is little kept in them save wild horses, which the people take
up when they have occasion: there is also land fit for pasturage for
sheep; and there is sheep in the country, but what number the ablest
planters have we know not, but some we see have good flocks.

"6. An exact map of the country is not yet drawn, nor can you quickly
expect it, for it will take up a great deal of time, charge and pains
to do it.

"7. There are also hills up in the country, but how much ground they take
up we know not; they are said to be stony, and covered with wood; and
beyond them is said to be excellent land.

"8. To the eighth we cannot answer as yet.

"9. There be people of several sorts of religions, but few very zealous;
the people, being mostly New-England men, do mostly incline to their way;
and in every town there is a meeting-house, where they worship publickly
every week: They have no publick laws in the country for maintaining
publick teachers, but the towns that have them, make way within themselves
to maintain them; we know none that have a settled preacher, that follows
no other employment, save one town, Newark.

"10. The method of building their houses is mentioned already.

"11. There are not many out plantations that are not within the bounds of
some town; yet there be some, and those are the richest; what number there
are we know not; some have great quantities of land, and abundance cleared.

"12. The richest planters have not above eight or ten servants; they will
have some of them a dozen cows; yea, some twenty or thirty; eight or ten
oxen; horses more than they know themselves; for they keep breeding mares;
and keep no more horses at home than they have occasion to work; the rest
they let run in the wood both winter and summer, and take them as they
have occasion to use them: Swine they have in great flocks in the woods;
and sheep in flocks also; but they let them not run in the woods, for fear
of being destroyed by wolves: Their profit arises from the improvement of
their land, and increase of their bestial.

"13. There will be in most of the towns already settled, at least 100
houses, but they are not built so regular as the towns in our country; so
that we can not compare them with any town we know in Scotland: Every
house in the town hath a lot of four acres lying to it; so that every one
building upon his own lot, makes the town irregular and scattered: Their
streets are laid out too large, and the sheep in the towns are mostly
maintained in them; they are so large that they need no trouble to pave
them.

"14. Betwixt Sandy-Hook and Little Egg-llarbour, lie two towns, Middletown
and Shrewsbury: There is no land taken up that way, but what is (now) in
the bounds of these two towns; what kind of land it is we know not, having
never travelled that way: Barnagat or Burning-Hole, is said to be a very
good place for fishing; and there is some designing to take up land there,
who inform that it is good land, and abundance of meadow lying to it.

"15. There are no fishermen that follow only that trade, save some that go
a whaling upon the coasts; and for other fish there is abundance to be had
every where through the country, in all the rivers; and the people
commonly fish with long sives or long nets, and will catch with a sive,
one, sometimes two barrels a day of good fish, which they salt up mostly
for their own use, and to sell to others.

"16. There are no ships belonging to this province particularly, or built
here, save one which Samuel Groome built here the last summer, which
stands yet on the stocks; (a stop being put to it by his death) there is
conveniency enough to build ships: The ships in this part trade mostly to
the West-India islands, and some to Newfoundland, where the provisions of
this country vends.

"17. There is land here in several places, after it is cleared and brought
into a farm set out for rents, as in our country, at five, eight, and ten
shillings per acre, according to the goodness and situation of the said
land; and those that will be at the charge to clear land, may get tenants
to take upon these terms; but whether it will turn to good account or not,
because little experienced as yet, with the charge of clearin