tion-Settlement of Piscataway, Woodbridge and Newark-The Province
Divided into East and West Jersey-The Sale of West Jersey.

CHAPTER IX.

THE TWENTY-FOUR PROPRIETORS OF EAST NEW JERSEY-GEORGE WIL-
LOCKS AND THE PEAPACK PATENT. 112-128.

Carteret Dies, and His Executors Sell East New Jersey-The Twenty-four
Proprietors Their Manner of Alienating the Whole or a Portion of Individual
Interests-Perth Amboy, the Capital-The Origin of the Name-Population
Under the Proprietors-Settlement of Monmouth County-Interesting Inform-
ation Regarding the Morris and Stout Families-Ancient Dutch Settlers of
Bergen-Governors Under the Proprietors-Surrender of the Government to
the Crown-John Heywood, Robert Burnett and James Willocks-In 1683
Burnett Conveys One-eighth of His Right to James Willocks-Doctor George
Willocks Inherits from His Brother James-He Emigrates to East Jersey-His
Possessions and Important Offices-Willocks's Ferries to Perth Amboy-Saint
Peter's Church at Amboy and Its Benefactors-Thomas Gordon Settles near
Plainfield-The Proprietors Convey to George Willocks and John Johnstone
the Peapack Patent-Andrew Hamilton and John Johnstone-Scotch Emigra-
tion to East New Jersey.

CHAPTER X.

THE STORY OF THE TITLE COMPLETED-EARLY SOMERSET LAND GRANTS
129-144.

The Peapack Patent Includes Nearly all of Bedminster Township-Dis-
tinguished People Associated with Somerset Freeholds-Interesting Facts
Concerning Gouverneur Morris and the Duchess of Gordon-The First Real
Estate Purchase in Bedminster-Daniel Axtell, a Son of the English Regicide
Buys a Large Slice of the Peapack Patent-Some Corrections as to Generally
Accepted Beliefs in the History of Somerset Land Titles-The Value of Bed-
minster Acres in 1726-William Axtell, Patriot and Royalist-George Willocks'
Death-His Will and its Benefactions-It Directs Partition and Sale of Peapack
Patent No Record of Such Proceedings Can be Found-Disagreements Between
the Proprietors and the Willocks Heirs-John Johnstone's Will-Authorizes a
Compromise as to Peapack Patent-George Leslie, in 1744, Receives a Grant of
2,000 Acres Out of the Patent-Its Area Includes the Present Site of Bedminster
and the Old Farm-the Deed from George Leslie to Johannes Moelich-Thomas
Bartow, Secretary of the Province-Judge Samuel Nevill and His Laws-The
"New American Magazine "-James Parker, New Jersey's First Printer--The
Bonds Johannes Gave in Buying the Farm-His Signature and Handwriting-
The Pleasures of a Manuscript Lover.

CHAPTER XI.

THE BUILDING OF THE "OLD STONE HOUSE"-REDEMPTIONERS-WHITE
SLAVERY IN THE COLONIES, 145–155.

Johannes Occupies the Bedminster Land-A Temporary Log House is

Erected-Scenes at its Building-The Raising Dinner-The Old Stone House is

Built in 1752-Preparing for the Work-Caspar Berger, a Redemptioner Stone

Mason, Lays its Walls-His Advent in the Colony and Sale-He Obtains His

Freedom by Building Stone Houses-All About Redemptioners-Indented Ser-

vants and Freewillers-Fraud Practised on them in the Old Countries-Inhu-

manities of Ship Captains-Colonial Laws as to Redemptioners-How this Class

of Emigrants Thrived in the Province-The Walls of the "Stone House" go up

Apace-Mariah Katrina Carries Mortar on Her Head-The Good Wife Objects

to so Many Windows-The Completion of House and its Appearance-The

Hanging of the Crane-The First Supper in the Living Room-A Home at Last

on this Peaceful Bedminster Hillside.

CHAPTER XII.

JOHANNES GOES TO THE POST OFFICE-BEDMINSTER AND THE ADJACENT

TOWNSHIPS IN 1752, 156-168.

Perth Amboy the Nearest Post Office-But two Post Offices in the Colony-

Johannes Starts in the Capital of the Province-Bedminster Still a Wilderness-

The Settlement of Morristown and Mendham-Lamington Church and Jane

McCrea-Basking Ridge and its Flourishing Presbyterian Community-Lord

Stirling's Residence-Jacobus Van der Veer's Log House-Establishing Van

der Veer's Mills-Ephraim McDowell's Homestead-Johannes Dismounts at

Eoff's Tavern at Pluckamin-Christian Eoff as Innkeeper-The Origin of the

Name of Pluckamin-Aspect of the Village and its First Storekeeper John

Boylan-Early Families of the Neighborhood-Colonel McDaniel's Saw Mill-

Somerville Not Yet in Existence-The First Court-Houses of Somerset County

-William McDonald's Grist Mill-Johannes Smokes his Pipe as He Follows

the Trail Over Pluckamin Hills-Wild Beasts and Bounties for Their Extirpa-

tion-Our Traveller Descends to the "Great Raritan Road" and Reaches

Bound Brook.

BOUND BROOK IN THE OLDEN TIME-THE RARITAN VALLEY IN 1752,

169-181.

Somerset's Oldest Settlement-Indian Corn Grounds-How Bound Brook
Derived its Name-The First Land Purchase in the County-Thomas Codring-
ton's Homestead, Racawack hana-The Houses of George Cussart and Samuel
Thompson-Lord Neil Campbell and his Plantation-The Presbyterian Church
of Bound Brook is Founded in 1700-Michael Field's Bequests to the Congrega-
tion-Colonial Lads and the Pedagogues-William Harris' Tavern-Van Nor-
den's Folly-Citizens of Bound Brook at the Time of Johannes' Visit-Preva-
lence of Lotteries-Johannes Rides Down the Raritan Valley-Country More
Thickly Settled-English and Dutch Residents-Raritan Landing and its
Industries-Mills in Franklin Township-Cornelius Lowe, Jr's., Stone Mansion
-Johannes Reaches New Brunswick.

CHAPTER XIV.

FROM AN INDIAN PATH TO THE KING'S HIGHWAY-NEW BRUNSWICK AND

HISTORIC PISCATAWAY. 182-199.

The Oldest Highway in New Jersey-The Lenni-Lenape Path From the
Hudson to the Delaware-An Indian Thoroughfare From Minisink to the Sea
-The Path up the Raritan-The Indian Path Becomes the Dutch Trail-The
English Make it Their Road Across the Jerseys-The Growth of Settlements
Along the Path-Inians Ferry Established-The Founding of New Brunswick
-Its First Church in 1717-The Aspect of the King's Highway in 1748-New
Brunswick's First Charter-Its Early Citizens-The Appearance of the City at
the Time of Johannes' Visit -Our Traveller Continues His Journey-Historic
Piscataway-Its Ancient Importance and Present Torpor-Interesting Frag-
ments of Antiquity From Its Town Records-The Baptists Build a "Meetinge-
House" in 1685-Edmund Dunham, in 1707, Forms the First Seventh-Day Bap-
tist Church in New Jersey-St. James Episcopal Church is Established in 1704
-Early Missionary Work in New Jersey-A Graveyard Two Centuries Old—
Johannes Rides Along the King's Highway Through Bonhamtown.

CHAPTER XV.

THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF THE PROVINCE-PERTH AMBOY IN 1752. 200-214.
Perth Amboy in the Olden-Time-A Chartered City in 1718-Governors
under the Crown-The Pomp of the Advent of Royal Governors-The Early
Beauty of Amboy-Love Grove-Old English Fairs-George Willocks's Long
Ferry-The Town Green and the Royal Cross of St. George-The Town Hall,
and the Scenes it Has Witnessed-Thomas Bartow, his House and Garden-The
Homes of Doctor John Johnstone, and His Son Andrew-John Watson, The
First American Painter-His House and Collection of Paintings-The Dwelling
in which John Nevill Wrote the Laws of the Province-The Parker Homestead,
Built in 1720-George Willocks and the Old Parsonage-The Effectiveness of
Colonial Roofs-The City's Churches in 1752-Gilbert Tennent and His Severe
Text-The Religious Atmosphere of the Last Century.

CHAPTER XVI.

SOCIAL ASPECT OF PERTH AMBOY IN 1752-THE GENTRY-SLAVERY-
TRAVELLING. 215-232.

The Picturesqueness of Colonial Times-Local Color of Civilization at New
Jersey's Capital-Indians, Soldiers, Hunters and Redemptioners-The Sturdy
German Yeomanry-Society Distinctions-The Magnificence of the Gentry-
We Are Introduced to a King's Councillor-His Vain Hopes for Amboy's Com-
mercial Greatness-The Ladies of the Last Century-Hallam's Theatre Company
at the Town Hall-Sunday Morning at St. Peter's Church-Pomp and Parade
at the Capital-The Mayor's Mace Bearer-Judicial Wigs and Robes of Office-
The Flourish and Ceremony upon Opening Court-The Stately Minuet, and
Royal Governor's Balls-The Many Negroes To Be Seen at Amboy-A Short
History of Slavery in New Jersey-The British Government Fosters the Slave
Trade-Extent of the Traffic in the Colonies-Cruel Punishments in N. J.—
Burning, Maiming and Hanging Negroes-Somerset County Farmers and Their
Slaves-Abolition of Slavery in New Jersey-Johannes' Choice of a Tavern-
Travel Between New York and Philadelphia-The Miseries of the Journey-
Clumsy Sloops, Springless Wagons, and Bad Roads.

CLEARING THE BEDMINSTER LAND-LIFE ON THE "OLD FARM" FROM

1752 TO 1763. 233-246.

German Farmers in New Jersey-Johannes Attacks his Timbered Hillsides-

Manner of Clearing Land-Primitive Agriculture-Richness of the Soil-The

Land Exhausted Ultimately for Want of Nourishment-Lime First Used as a

Fertilizer-Natural Meadows the Only Grass Land-Introduction of Clover

Seed into Somerset-Homemade Ploughs and Other Implements-Wheat, Rye,

and Buckwheat are Cut with a Sickle-Establishing the Tannery-Horticulture

in the Olden Time-Living, in the "Old Stone House"-What Colonial Farm-

ers Had to Eat-Some Extraordinary Dishes-The Beverages of That Time-

The Industries of Farm Families-Old-Fashioned Frolics and Amusements-A

Visit to the Bedrooms and Garret-Picturesque Garb and Curious Fabrics—

Mariah Katrina as a House-Wife-A View of the Farm Kitchen-Flax and its

Uses-Delicate Girls at a Discount-The Tribulations of Washing Day-Aaron

Malick Marries Charlotte Miller-Changes in the Family-Another Letter

from the Old Country.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE DEATH OF JOHANNES AND MARIAH IN 1763-CHANGES IN THE TOWN-

SHIP THE DUTCH CONGREGATIONS OF THE RARITAN VALLEY-THE

BUILDING OF BEDMINSTER CHURCH. 247-265.

Johannes in his Old Age-He and His Wife Die in 1763-Aaron Succeeds
Him in the "Stone House "-Changes in Bedminster-Settlement on the Axtell
Tract-Jacobus Van Doren and Captain Joseph Nevius-The Dutch Reformed
Churches in Somerset-The Log Church at North Branch-Raritan Church at
Van Veghten's Bridge-Three Mile Run, Six Mile Run, and New Brunswick
Churches The Reverend Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen as Pastor of the
United Congregations-His Son John Succeeds Him in 1750-Dinah Van Bergh
Marries Dominie Frelinghuysen-The Young Divinity Student, Jacob R. Har-
denbergh-He succeeds His Pastor, and Marries His Widow-Disparity of their
Ages-The Religious Character and Attainments of the Juffrouw Hardenbergh-
Reformed Dutch Congregation of Bedminster Organized in 1758-The Building
of the New Church-Donations of Jacobus Van der Veer, and Guisbert Sut-
phen-Description of the Edifice-The First Service.

CHAPTER XIX.

MORE CHANGES IN BEDMINSTER-THE MILLS ON PEAPACK BROOK-BOYISH

REMINISCENCES-MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. 266–279.

Aaron Improves the Farm, and Enlarges the Tannery-A Saw and Grist
Mill Established on Peapack Brook in 1751-William Allen, the First Miller-
His Sons Sell the Mill to Stephen Hunt in 1767-The Building of the "Folley"
-A Famous Rendezvous for Bedminster Boys-Penetrating the Hogback—A
Picture of the Old Grist Mill with Its Pond and Rock-paved Stream-Youthful
Remembrances-Fishing and Swimming in the "Jinny-Hole"-Miss Jane Bailey,
Bedminster's Meg Merriles-Rural Sights and Sounds-The Loss of Water in
Bedminster Streams-Aaron's Family Increases-Little Elizabeth Is Killed in

the Bark Mill-Philip and Peter Moelich Marry Sisters-Borrowing Money for
Bedminster Church-The Ancient Bond of Jacobus Van der Veer, Marcus King
and Aaron Malick-John Van der Veer Has Five Different Ways of Spelling
His Surname Mariah Moelich Marries Simon Ludewig Himroth, and Removes
to Pennsylvania-More News from Bendorf-Another Interesting Letter from
the Herr Præceptor.

CHAPTER XX.

THE MUTTERING THAT PRECEDED THE STORM OF THE REVOLUTION-
STAMP ACTS, REVENUE BILLS AND OTHER UNJUST IMPOSTS WEAKEN
THE LOYALTY OF THE NEW JERSEY PEOPLE-ARMING FOR THE FRAY.
280-292.

The Approach of the Heroic Period of New Jersey's History-The Stamp Act
and Its Repeal-New Jersey's Attitude of Hostility to Great Britain-The First
Revolutionary Newspaper Is Printed at Burlington-The Boston Post Bill and
Tea Duties-The British Government Applies the Torch of Coercion-Organiz-
ing for Defence-The Province Sends Deputies to the Continental Congress in
September, 1774-Formation of Committees of Correspondence-The Meetings
of the Provincial Congress-An Historic Journey-Minutes of the First Meet-
ings of the Bedminster Committee of Observation and Inspection--Among the
Members are Aaron Malick, Cornelius Lane, John Wortman-An Express-
Rider Flies Through New Jersey Announcing the Battle of Lexington-Hud-
rick Fisher as President of the Second Provincial Congress-Three Other of
Its Officers are from Somerset County-John Wortman and Guisbert Sutphen
of the Bedminster Committee Are Sent to the Congress at Trenton on May 25,
1775-Bedminster Proceeds to Arm for Defence A New Brunswick Man
Employed to Drill the Men-Stephen Hunt Is Sent to New York to Buy Arms
-The Difficulty of Obtaining Munitions of War-Leaden Window and Clock
Weights and Pewter Dishes Are Run into Bullets-Treating the Men When
Training-The Third Session of Provincial Congress Convenes on the Fifth of
August, 1775—A Committee of Safety Is Appointed-Among the Members Are
Five from Somerset.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE OVERTHROW OF
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT-THE ARREST OF THE ROYAL GOVERNOR,
WILLIAM FRANKLIN. 293–303.

The Third Session of New Jersey's Provincial Congress-The Agitations and
Excitements that Ruled the Hour-Complaints of the People-Strengthening
the Militia-Meeting, of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia—
Declaration of Independence Submitted by Jefferson-The Appeal for the Docu-
ment Made by John Witherspoon, of Somerset, Insures its Acceptance by the
Members The Most Important of all of New Jersey's Provincial Congresses
Meets on June 10, 1776-On July 18 it Assumes the Title of the Convention of
the State of New Jersey-All the Colonial Governors Adhere to the Crown
Except Jonathan Trumbull of Conn.-Governor William Franklin is Arrested
at Perth Amboy-His Character, Origin and History-William Livingston, the
State's First Governor-He Holds the Position Owing to Repeated Re-elections