Province of New Jersey

Quick Facts: Who was Province of New Jersey?

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Province of New Jersey

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A pivotal American colonial region, evolving from Dutch settlement to a royal province.

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Origins & Early Life

The Province of New Jersey was one of the Middle Colonies of Colonial America and became the U.S. state of New Jersey in 1776. The province had originally been settled by Europeans as part of New Netherland but came under English rule after the surrender of Fort Amsterdam in 1664, becoming a proprietary colony. The English renamed the province after the island of Jersey in the English Channel. The Dutch Republic reasserted control for a brief period in 1673–1674. After that it consisted of two political divisions, East Jersey and West Jersey, until they were united as a royal colony in 1702.

Career & Major Achievements

The original boundaries of the province were slightly larger than the current state, extending into a part of the present state of New York, until the border was finalized in 1773. The Province of New Jersey was originally settled in the 1610s as part of the colony of New Netherland. The surrender of Fort Amsterdam in September 1664 gave control over the entire Mid-Atlantic region to the English as part of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. The English justified the seizure by claiming that John Cabot, an Italian under the sponsorship of the English King Henry VII, had been the first to discover the place, but it was probably to assert control over the profitable North Atlantic trade. Director-General of New Netherland Peter Stuyvesant, unable to rouse a military defense, relinquished control of the colony and was able in the articles of transfer to secure guarantees for property rights, laws of inheritance, and freedom of religion.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the surrender, Richard Nicolls took the position as deputy-governor of New Amsterdam and the rest of New Netherland, including those settlements on the west side of the North River (Hudson River) known as Bergen and those along the Delaware River that had been New Sweden. In March 1664, King Charles II granted his brother, James, the Duke of York, a Royal colony that covered New Netherlands and present-day Maine. This charter also included parts of present-day Massachusetts, which conflicted with that colony's charter. The charter allowed James traditional propriety rights and imposed few restrictions upon his powers. In general terms, the charter was equivalent to a conveyance of land conferring on him the right of possession, control, and government, subject only to the limitation that the government must be consistent with the laws of England.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1664: 1664 Milestone — The province had originally been settled by Europeans as part of New Netherland but came under English rule after the surrender of Fort Amsterdam in 1664, becoming a proprietary colony.
2. 1673: 1673 Milestone — The Dutch Republic reasserted control for a brief period in 1673–1674.
3. 1702: 1702 Milestone — After that it consisted of two political divisions, East Jersey and West Jersey, until they were united as a royal colony in 1702.
4. 1773: 1773 Milestone — The original boundaries of the province were slightly larger than the current state, extending into a part of the present state of New York, until the border was finalized in 1773.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Province of New Jersey

True or False: “The initial English control over the area was established immediately after the surrender of Fort Amsterdam in 1664.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the English gained control in 1664, the original settlement began earlier as part of New Netherland in the 1610s.

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• Emperor Nakamikado — Historical peer (Born in 1702) (1702): The 114th Emperor of Japan, whose reign spanned significant political and natural upheavals.
• Jack Sheppard — Historical peer (Born in 1702) (1702): Notorious English criminal, famed for escapes and the origin of 'Jack the Lad'.

Frequently Asked Questions about Province of New Jersey