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by Steven New Jersey is very interesting. In fact, here are some interesting facts about New Jersey. These facts go back into the 1600's, in the time of the colony of New Jersey. Settling the Land New Jersey had people coming from Europe to start some new colonies. In 1609, the explorer Henry Hudson came to America trying to find the river that connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Dutch claimed all the land and Henry Hudson explored and named it "New Netherlands." The Dutch Colony In 1624, the Dutch built Fort Nassau on the Delaware River. In 1643, the people from Sweden came over and built Fort Elfsborg. The Dutch and the Swedes wanted land in New Jersey. They wanted this land because you could buy furs from the Iroquois Indians who lived close to them. The Dutch claimed the land first. They wanted the Swedes to leave. The governor of the Dutch brought soldiers and asked the Swedes to leave and they surrendered without a fight. England Takes Over England had colonies in America by the 1660's, but King Charles II wanted another. He gave New Netherlands to his brother James, but it wasn't even his to give. It belonged to the Dutch. James tried to take over the land and the Dutch surrendered without a fight. The area was renamed New York because James was the duke of York. New Jersey James gave part of New York to two friends in 1664. Their names were Sir George Carteret and Lord John Berkeley. Since Sir Carteret came from the Isle of Jersey in England, James named the new colony New Jersey. The owners charged cheap rent to settlers who moved on their land. They also gave freedom of religion. Since the owners were not good, the Dutch took over the land for two more years. New Jersey Divides Lord Berkeley sold his part of New Jersey to two Quakers in 1674. People who were Quakers moved from England to West Jersey. East Jersey was settled by mostly Quakers from England, Ireland, and Scotland. Both parts came together and became a royal colony ruled by the King of England. Life in the Colony New Jersey had sixty towns in 1760. Also, they had ninety-four thousand colonists. Almost everybody farmed. They grew wheat, corn, and oats. They raised animals. Most towns had a church, a courthouse, and a general store. They also had a blacksmith shop. People who lived on the coast were able to earn a living by fishing, whaling, and building ships. New Jersey Joins the Fight Against England England won the last French and Indian War in 1763. England was in debt because they owed money for soldiers, weapons, and forts. To raise money England decided to tax the colonies. A lot of colonists became angry and refused to pay the taxes. Many people in New Jersey liked their governor and made a good living so they were not upset at first. After the Boston Tea Party, New Jersey decided to join the other colonies against England. They had their own tea party. They burned English tea in the town square. Getting Ready for War Colonists had to decide whether they were going to stay with the King or form a new nation. They went to a meeting in Philadelphia in 1774 called the First Continental Congress. The colonists decided to ask King George for fairer treatment. If they didn't get better treatment, they might have to go to war. New Jersey colonists wrote their own state constitution. It made new laws for the colony. They included a section that said that if England would settle their differences, they would follow England's laws. New Jersey at War Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775. Five New Jersey men went to Philadelphia to the Second Continental Congress. They signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Almost one hundred battles were fought in New Jersey. "Molly Pitcher" was from New Jersey. She followed her husband into battle and helped soldiers that were tired and thirsty. She served water to the men. George Washington thanked her for her help. The war ended in 1781. To
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