By Ashley

Have you ever wanted to go back in the past and learn about one of the colonies? Well, today you can learn about the colony of New Jersey.  You will learn about the history of the colony and what the people did during that time.

In the 1600’s people from Europe started to settle in colonies.  New Jersey belonged to many Native American tribes.  It was part of what became New York.

          In 1609, the explorer Henry Hudson came to America looking for a river that connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  He sailed up the Hudson River to claim New Jersey.  He hoped this would be a quick way to get from Europe to Asia to buy silks and spices.

          Then, in 1664, New Jersey was founded.  New Jersey was originally part of New York.  Sir George Carteret took control of the land and named it after the Isle of Jersey in England, where he came from.  Many people from Europe came to New Jersey for religious freedom.  When they came the land was divided into two parts, West Jersey, and East Jersey. 

          Almost everybody that lived there farmed.  They grew wheat, corn and oats.  They also raised cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep.  Men and women did the work in the farms all day, planting and harvesting crops.  Farms would have not survived without the hard work of women. 

          Women and children did the household tasks.  Children churned butter and made candles and soap.   Thread was spun from wool and woven into shirts and gowns or could be knitted into stockings and sweaters.  Mothers did the cooking, provided health care, and raised the children.  The family made their own toys.  These toys were made from whatever scraps there were around the house.

           Once a woman was married, she no longer was able to own any property of her own.  Everything belonged to her husband.  In order to vote, you had to have fifty pounds.  This allowed some male farmers, women, and blacks to vote.  In 1776, New Jersey signed the Declaration of Independence.  On December 18, 1787 New Jersey signed the Constitution and became the third state.

           Now you have learned how different New Jersey was in the past.  New Jersey was discovered when Henry Hudson was looking for a passageway to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  He ended up discovering the state of New Jersey.  I hope to go and see what it is like there in this day and age!

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Last Updated: 02/21/06