Unification and Royal Colony of New Jersey

The Province of New Jersey underwent significant transformations during its colonial period, most notably its unification and establishment as a royal colony.

The Division of East and West Jersey

Initially, New Jersey was divided into two separate entities: East Jersey and West Jersey. This division began in 1674 when the Province of New Jersey was split to accommodate different groups of Quaker settlers. Each province had its own government, laws, and land policies, leading to a distinct development of the eastern and western regions.

East Jersey was primarily settled by Scottish and Dutch immigrants. It was governed from Perth Amboy, a significant port town and trade center.
West Jersey attracted a larger number of Quaker settlers from British Isles. The administrative center for West Jersey was in Burlington.

Unification Under Queen Anne

The fragmented governance of New Jersey proved inefficient and often problematic, leading to disputes and governance challenges. To address these issues, Queen Anne of Great Britain unified East and West Jersey into a single royal colony in 1702. This unification marked a pivotal shift in the province's administration and governance.

Administrative Changes: The unification brought about the establishment of a single governor for the entire province. Initially, New Jersey shared its governor with the Province of New York, a practice that continued until 1738 when it obtained its own independent governor.
Legal and Political Reforms: The new governance system streamlined legal frameworks and political administration across the province, reducing conflicts and improving regulatory efficiency.

Impact of Royal Colony Status

Becoming a royal colony placed New Jersey directly under the control of the English crown, which had implications for its political and economic development.

Economic Growth: The centralized control encouraged economic growth by promoting trade and agriculture. New Jersey's strategic location between New York and Pennsylvania facilitated trade, notably through bustling ports like Perth Amboy and Burlington.
Political Stability: The royal governance reduced internal conflicts and boundary disputes, such as those involving the New York – New Jersey Line War, and ensured a more stable political climate.
Colonial Influence: The transformation into a royal colony also aligned New Jersey more closely with the broader goals of British colonial policies in North America.

Province of New Jersey

The Province of New Jersey was one of the original Thirteen Colonies in British America, situated along the Atlantic coast. The province existed from 1664 until 1776, when it joined the other colonies in declaring independence from Great Britain and becoming the U.S. state of New Jersey.

Colonial Foundation

The area now known as New Jersey was originally settled by the Dutch as part of the colony of New Netherland. The English seized control of New Netherland in 1664 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, and the territory was subsequently granted to Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley of Stratton. The grant led to the establishment of the Province of New Jersey.

Division into East and West Jersey

In 1674, the province was divided into two distinct regions: East Jersey and West Jersey, based on the terms of the Quintipartite Deed. East Jersey was largely settled by Scottish and English immigrants, whereas West Jersey attracted a significant number of Quakers, including notable figures such as William Penn.

East Jersey

East Jersey was primarily governed from Perth Amboy and had a more Anglicized culture. It was administered by several different governors, including Philip Carteret. The region experienced frequent disputes with neighboring colonies, particularly over its borders.

West Jersey

West Jersey, with its capital at Burlington, was more influenced by Quaker principles, emphasizing religious freedom and equitable land distribution. It was governed by individuals such as Edward Byllynge.