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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2002
While the population of the two jerseys grew to an estimated 15,000 in
1702, the Proprietors became, as one historian phrases it, "mere rentchargers." Their position was no happier than the traditional one of any
landlord. Finally, after riots and interference with government dignified
by the name of "revolution," the Proprietors of both East Jersey and West
Jersey surrendered their governing power to the Crown in 1702 and New
Jersey became a united Royal Colony under the administration of Lord
Cornbury, the Governor of New York.
Despite the merging of the two Jerseys, separate capitals were maintained at Perth Amboy and Burlington, the legislature meeting alternately
in the two cities until after the Revolution. And although New Jersey was
to remain under New York's Governor until 1738, the Governor held a
separate commission that recognized the political independence of the
Colony.
The Proprietors, it must be noted, relinquished only their civil authority. Their land rights were retained and proved a troublesome influence on
political affairs in the Colony. To this day the successors of Penn and his
associates maintain small offices in Perth Amboy and Burlington, where
they meet regularly and exercise jurisdiction over any unlocated or new
land, such as fluvial islands.
Lord Cornbury's instructions provided for a council and an assembly,
guaranteed some personal rights, and in effect formed a constitution for
the united province. New Jersey retained its own legislature and officials,
who found many causes for disagreement with the new Governor.
Cornbury was removed after five years. His successors encountered Proprietary disputes and continual complaints against absentee government
from New York. Finally Lewis Morris of Monmouth County was named
in 1738 as the first Governor of New Jersey alone.
Morris had frequently complained against previous Governors; but
now, as legal representative of the King, he faced the same difficulties that
formerly he had fostered. He found it hard to get troops for King
George's War, and there was frequent trouble in managing the currency.
When Morris died in 1746 his salary had been unpaid for two years, and
was never collected by his widow.
Increased population on many small farms developing throughout the
Province resulted in new rebellion against the territorial claims of the
Proprietors. Disputes over the old Nicolls grants were kept alive, and
squatters in the western part of the Colony stood their ground. The doctrine of man's natural right to land frequently appeared. Riots against the
Proprietors broke out at Newark in 1745 and soon spread to other sections, continuing under Governor Belcher until the outbreak of the French
and Indian War in 1754.
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