Read before the Association of Practical Surveyors of West New Jersey, at the meeting held August 11th, 1868, prepared by Charles Stokes, Esq., of Rancocas, Burlington county, N.J.

Although the history of the grants and early settlements of New Jersey may be familiar to the general reader, yet it may not be amiss to give a brief review of some of the more prominent features:

The early settlers upon the Hudson and Delaware rivers were Dutch and Swedes, who established governments of their own. But in about 1664, the British government, claiming right by virtue of discovery, reduced the whole country under their control; and King Charles II, by letters patent bearing date the 20th of March, 1664, granted unto his brother, James, Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, "all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix, near adjoining to New Scotland, in America; and from thence extending along the sea coast unto a certain place called Pemaquid, and so up the river thereof to the furthest head of the same, as it tendeth northward, and extending from thence to the river Kimbrquin, and so upwards by the shortest course to the river Canada, northwards; and also all that island or islands commonly called by the name or names of Matowacks or Long Island, situate and being towards the west of Cape Cod, and the narrow Higansetts abutting upon the lands between the two rivers, there called or known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson river, together also with the said river called Hudson river; and all the land from the west side of Connecticut river to the east side of Delaware bay; and also several other islands and lands in the said letters patent mentioned together, &c., &c."

The Duke being thus seized did, by his deeds of lease and release, dated 23d and 24th of June, 1664, in consideration of competent sum of money, grant and convey unto John, Lord Berkley, Baron of Stratton, one of the King's Privy Council, and Sir George Carteret, of Saltrum, in the county of Devon, Knight and one of the Privy Council, and their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island and Manhattan Island, and bounded on the east part by the main sea and part by Hudson river; and hath upon the west Delaware bay or river, and extendeth southward to the main ocean as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Delaware bay; and to the northward as far as the northern most branch of the said bay or river of Delaware, which is in 41 degrees and 40 minutes of latitude, and crosseth over thence in a straight to Hudson's river, in 41 degrees of latitude; which said tract of land is hereafter to be called Nova Cesaria or New Jersey; and also all rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, hawkings, huntings and fowlings, and all other royalties, profits, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever to the said lands and premises belonging or in anywise appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances in as full and ample manner as the same is granted unto the said Duke of York by the before recited letters patents.

Berkley and Carteret being thus sole proprietors of New Jersey, in order to promote settlement of their province, agreed upon a constitution or fundamental law for the government of such as should purchase their lands and settle there. The provisions were considered liberal for that period. Establishing liberty of conscience, subject, however, to the maintenance of a ministry, such as the General Assembly of the province should constitute and appoint by their enactment.

The General Assembly and Legislative power to be chosen and constituted partly by the people and partly by the proprietors.

This was the first Constitution of New Jersey, and continued in force until the province became divided, in 1676.

Under this Constitution there were many settlements in the eastern part of the province, but few in the western part; Philip Carteret being first Governor.

About 1675, Lord Berkley conveyed his one moiety, or half part of the province of New Jersey, to John Fenwick, in trust for Edward Byllynge and his assigns.

In 1675, Fenwick, with two daughters and many servants (two of whom, Samuel Hedge and John Adams, afterwards married his daughters), together with other passengers, Edward Champness, Edward Wade, Samuel Wade, John Smith and wife, Samuel Nicholson, Richard Guy, Richard Noble, Richard Hancock, John Pledger, Hipolite Lefever and John Matlack, all masters of families, in the ship Griffith, from London, after a good passage, landed at a "pleasant rich spot near the Delaware," by him called Salem.

This was the first English ship that came to West Jersey, and none followed for near two years, owing, perhaps, to differences or difficulties between Fenwick and Byllynge in regard to the aforesaid trust.

This difficulty between Fenwick and Byllynge, by the good offices of William Penn, being settled to mutual satisfaction, Byllynge assigned his interest in the province, being nine-tenths part thereof, to William Penn, Gawin Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, for the benefit of his creditors, being all he had left to satisfy their claims.

The assignees or trustees aforesaid divided the one moiety or half part of West New Jersey into one hundred shares or parts, yet undivided or held in common with Carteret; and soon sold a considerable number of shares or parts to different purchasers, who thus became proprietors, according to their purchases in common with them. But in order to make sales and in due settlement, it soon became evident that terms and conditions should be agreed upon and established.

Men in good living and in the enjoyment of the comforts of civilized life, would not readily yield these and expose themselves to a long sea voyage, and a wilderness life with a race of men esteemed savages, without an assurance that their condition or the condition of their posterity would receive commensurate benefit.

Accordingly the trustees or assignees aforesaid, together with many who by purchase had become proprietors agreed to, and signed what were termed "the concessions and agreements of the Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants, of the province of West New Jersey, in America."

Previous to this, however, a division of the province had been effected by the trustees and Carteret, in such way as to give the western part of the province by the name of West New Jersey to those who held under Byllynge and Fenwick.

The division line as stated by the trustees in a letter to Richard Hartshorne, dated London, 26th of 6th mo., 1676, runs from the east side of Little Egg Harbor, straight north through the country to the utmost branch of Delaware river; with all powers, privileges and immunities, whatsoever.

The division having been thus effected, the concessions and agreements aforesaid, were issued, and became the fundamental law for West New Jersey, and by the said letter to Richard Hartshorne, as there spoken of says: "We lay a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may not be brought in bondage, but by their own consent. For we put the power in the people; that is to say, they to meet and choose one honest man for each Propriety, who hath subscribed to the concessions. All these men to meet at an Assembly there, to make and repeal laws, to choose a governor, or a commissioner, and twelve assistants, to execute the laws during their pleasure; so every man is capable to choose or be chosen: no man to be arrested, condemned, imprisoned or molested in his estate or liberty, but by twelve men of the neighborhood; no man to lie in prison for debt, but that his estate satisfy as far as it will go, and be set at liberty to work; no person to be called in question or molested for his conscience, or for worshiping according to his conscience: with many more things mentioned in the said concessions."

A reference to the concessions and agreements themselves, to be found in the Surveyor General's office, at Burlington, will repay the patriotic reader, and show the care of our worthy predecessors to establish a platform guaranteeing to all who might settle in this province, and their children after them - both civil and religious liberty.

So comprehensive and perfect are the forms of government, and the rights of the people as laid down in these concessions; that it may well be doubted whether we have in any one thing improved in the theory and principles as established at that early day. Indeed, it might seem that they have served for a model for our state and general governments in the formation of their Constitutions.

With regard to religious liberty, I cannot well withold the guarantee as set forth at large, as follows:

CHAPTER XVI. "That no man nor number of men upon earth, hath power or authority to rule men's consciences in religious matters. Therefore, it is consented, agreed and ordained, that no person or persons whatsoever within the said province, at any time or times hereafter, shall be any ways upon any pretence whatsoever, called in question; or in the least punished or hurt, either in person, estate, or privilege, for the sake of his opinion, judgment, faith, or worship, towards God, in matters of religion; but that all and every such person and persons, may from time to time, and at all times, truly and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments, and the exercise of their consciences in matters of religious worship throughout all the said province."

These and other kindred provisions, induced many persons to emigrate and settle this then wilderness country; considering the rights and privileges guaranteed, as sacred and inalienable as the titles to their lands.

In 1677 the ship Kent, Gregory Marlow, Master, being the second from London, arrived at New Castle, the 16th of 6 mo., O.S., and brought 230 passengers. Among them were Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, John Kinsey, John Penford, Joseph Helmsley, Robert Stacy, Benjamin Scott, and Thomas Foulke, who together with Richard Guy, who came in the first ship, were made Commissioners, and sent by the Proprietors with power to buy the lands of the natives: to inspect the rights of such as claimed property, and to order the lands laid out; and in general to administer the government pursuant to the concessions.

These Commissioners in pursuance of authority thus derived, (and also by a Commission from the Duke of Yorks' Governor Andros,) proceeded to make purchases of the Indian natives as follows: from the Rancocas river to the Assunpinck; from Timber creek to the Rancocas; and from Oldman's creek to Timber creek; and from the province line opposite the uppermost head of the Assunpinck, to a point near the uppermost head of the Rancocas and Timber creeks, as run and agreed upon by the Indians and Commissioners.

The deed from Rancocas to Timber Creek bears date 10th of September, 1677. From Oldman's to Timber Creek 27th of September, 1677. From Rancocas to Assunpinck 10th of October, 1677.

By the consideration paid for the lands between Oldman's and Timber Creek, we may judge of the rest - and which was 30 match coats, 20 guns, 30 kettles, and one great one, 30 pair of hose, 20 fathoms of duffields, 30 petticoats, 30 narrow hoes, 30 bars of lead, 15 small barrels of powder, 70 knives, 30 axes, 70 combs, 60 pair of tobacco tongs, 60 scissors, 60 tinshaw looking-glasses, 120 awl blades, 120 fish-hooks, 2 grasps of red paint, 120 needles, 60 tobacco-boxes, 120 pipes, 200 bells, 100 jews-harps, 6 anchors of rum.

The Commissioners (appointed by the Proprietors, met in London, before the sailing of the ship Kent, in 1677,) purchased lands of the natives, and laid a part of it out for purchasers, and administered the government pursuant to the grants and concessions.

This continued, however, but for a short time, changes were made in the mode of constituting the legislative power, and the commissioners becoming weary of their onerous duties in a country possessing but few of the comforts of civilized life - some of them left and returned to England. And to prevent confusion - and preserve some system in so important a matter as title to lands, the Legislative Assembly assumed the management of the location of lands to themselves - much after the manner first intended by the Proprietors. That is, the legislative power to manage their landed interests also.

This continued until about 1687, or about ten years, when the Assembly declined the further superintendence of the interests especially belonging to the Proprietors, and signified to them, that they might choose a convenient number of themselves to transact their own business. In pursuance of this decision of the Legislative Assembly, on the 14th of February, of the same year, the Proprietors met at Burlington, and choose and elected eleven persons of themselves to act for the whole, for the next ensuing year. This continued for one year, when it was agreed that nine would be a more suitable number, when an instrument of writing in form of a Constitution was signed by the Proprietors, providing for the election of nine of their number who should, by the name of the Council of Proprietors, manage the interests of the whole.

On certain days in the counties of Burlington and Gloucester yearly, and every year they are chosen by the Proprietors, five at Burlington, and four at Gloucester. The first election under the new regulations, appears to have been held by the Proprietors in a body for the whole State, at Burlington, on the 14th of 12th month, A.D. 1687: and the following persons were elected, viz: Samuel Jennings, Thomas Olive, William Biddle, Elias Farr, Mahlon Stacy, Francis Davenport, Andrew Robeson, William Royden, John Reading, William Cooper and John Wills.

About seven years previously to the permanent establishment of this Council of Proprietors, when the government and proprietary interests were conducted by the same body of men. The Proprietors in England having chosen E. Byllynge governor, and who in his turn appointed Samuel Jennings his deputy, who called an assembly, by whose joint action enactments were made and regulations for location of lands established, a part whereof it may not be improper to notice in this place, which commences as follows:

Forasmnch as it hath pleased God to bring us into this province of West New Jersey, and settle us here in safety, that we may be a people to the praise and honor of His name, who hath so dealt with us, and for the good and welfare of our posterity to come.

We, the Governor and Proprietors, freeholders and inhabitants of West New Jersey, by mutual consent and agreement for the prevention of innovation and oppression, either upon us or our posterity, and for the preservation of the peace and tranquility of the same; and that all may be encouraged to go on cheerfully in their several places, "we do make and constitute these our agreements to be as fundamentals to us and our posterity, to be held inviolable, and that no person or persons whatsoever shall or may make void or disannul the same, upon any pretence whatsoever.

Then follows various laws or regulations intended to promote the welfare of the province (thirty-six in number), and requiring eight days. Among these was one directing that ten men from Burlington and ten from Salem should be appointed to lay out and clear a road from Burlington to Salem, at the public expense. Hence the Salem road (so called.)

The commissioners, under date of the 14th of 11th month, 1681, and who were nominated, elected and chosen by the general free assembly Proprietors and Freeholders of the province of West New Jersey, for the purpose of settling and regulating of lands, &c., among other things did provide "that the surveyor shall measure the front of the river Delaware, beginning at Assunpinck creek, and from thence down to Cape May, that the point of the compass may be found for the running the partition lines betwixt each tenth."

"That no person or persons shall take up lands on both sides of a creek, to one settlement, except the commissioner for the time being, shall see good cause for their so doing."

"That no person or persons shall have more than forty perches front to the river or navigable creek, for each and every one hundred acres, except it falls upon a point so that it cannot otherwise be avoided; and in such cases it shall be left to the discretion of the Commissioners then for the time being."

These and many other regulations being agreed upon, were subscribed by the Commissioners as follows: Samuel Jennings, Governor, Thomas Olive, Robert Stacy, Thomas Budd, Daniel Wills, Thomas Gardiner, and Benjamin Scott.

Fenwick, to whom a conveyance had been made in trust for Byllynge as aforesaid, executed a long lease to two persons by the name of Eldridge and Warner. And Byllynge having assigned his interest in West New Jersey, to William Penn, Gawin Laurie, and Nicholas Lucas. The affairs of the province becoming complicated, were at length settled in such way as to allow one-tenth part to Fenwick, and nine-tenths, or ninety hundredths parts being as of the estate of Byllynge.

The Councils of Proprietors were instituted to manage this last, or Byllynge interest. Fenwick having claimed his tenth to be laid off for him at Salem, and being also ambitious to act as sole Proprietor, did not at first come under the regulations of the General Council. But this being accomplished, a Proprietor residing within the Fenwick tenth, was frequently elected as one of the council.

During the early years of the settlement of West Jersey, there appears to have been much irregularity in the mode of making surveys. Fenwick not only undertook to grant manors and lands, but to establish a separate government. But none of his grants for specific tracts or parts of land were recognized as valid, except the land and marsh laid out for Salem town. Grants by him and his executors, and by his assigns of undivided rights were received by the council to the extent of his ten dividends, as a sufficient foundation for warrants of survey. Many of them were not presented to the council, and were not recorded in the office at Burlington; but are found in Revel's Book of Surveys, in the office of Secretary of State, at Trenton, and appear to have been made under direction of James Nevill, Fenwick's Secretary, (and afterwards agent of William Penn,) a large Proprietor in his own right, and as one of Fenwick's executors: others are contained in Leed's book of Surveys - also in Secretary's office at Trenton.

A dividend of each Proprietor's share was first fixed at five thousand two hundred acres - but this was soon enlarged to twenty-five thousand acres. Fenwick and his assigns were credited with ten. Six additional dividends were made, making in the whole thirty-five thousand acres to each Proprietor. The owner of a fraction being entitled to his proportionate part.

These dividends would make for the whole amount of lands in West Jersey, three millions and five hundred thousand acres, much more than is found within its boundaries. But a large number of rights have never been claimed, and it is not known who are entitled to them. Neither is it known the actual number of acres which have been located; and in many cases the same lands have been covered by different surveys.

It was intended at the first settlement to run out the province into ten parts, called tenths, fronting on the Delaware river. But this does not appear to have been carried out only to a limited extent. Counties having been established, and taking the place of tenths, as better suiting the convenience of the settlers. It appears that Burlington county included two-tenths, Gloucester one, and Salem one, making four, and besides these does not appear.

In the election of the Council of Proprietors to have the care of the Proprietors interests and the location of their lands, it appears to be the established usage, (the origin of which is unknown,) that the Proprietor of a thirty-second part of a hundredth, or full propriety has the right to vote, and also the right to be elected a member of the council.

The owner of a specified number of acres of unappropriated rights, but having no interest in an undivided remainder has no right to vote.

Many of the original Proprietors never came into the province, and no heirs nor assigns having claimed their rights. It is believed the number who now claim, as full Proprietors, does not exceed twenty, while others hold a fractional part down to a one thirty-second part.

It appears that in or about the year 1677. there were two companies formed in England, each taking one-tenth of the whole, or ten proprietary rights, and according to the dividend aforesaid, would allot to each of these companies three hundred and fifty thousand acres.

One of the companies was formed in Yorkshire and one in London. Each accordingly appointed commissioners to locate its tenth. Joseph Helmsley, William Emley, and Robert Stacy, commissioners for the Yorkshire Company, chose from the Falls of Delaware down; and this was called the first tenth.

The London commissioners consisting of John Penford, Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, and Benjamin Scott, who chose for the tenth at "Arwaumus," called the second tenth, and about where the town of Gloucester now stands, and were about to make provision to settle there. Whereupon the Yorkshire men proposed to the London men that if they would fix by them they would unite in settling a town. All being of the religious order known as Friends or Quakers, as indeed were all or nearly so of the original proprietors and settlers, it was but natural that the London Company should embrace the offer of their Yorkshire Friends, and join in the settlement of the town.

Accordingly a site was fixed upon for the town, and a surveyor by the name of Noble, who came in the first ship, was employed to make division of the land between the two companies, and which was done by running out the main street from the river Delaware, as now opened, the Yorkshire company to take on the upper, and the London Company on the lower side of the street.

The main street thus laid out and established, the commissioners continued Noble, the surveyor, to lay out ten lots - one for each of the Proprietors, of nine acres each, ten on the upper side of the street, and ten on the lower side of the same.

Among the early settlers in the neighborhood of the town, now the city of Burlington, were Thomas Olive, of Willingboro, in England, and who was one of the early Governors of the province, Daniel Wills, of Northampton, in England, one of the commissioners and Governor's council, William Peachy, William Clayton, John Crips, Thomas Eves, Thomas Harding, Thomas Nositer, Thomas Farnsworth, Morgan Drewitt, William Penston, Samuel Jennings, William Hibbs, Samuel Lovett, John Woolston, William Woodmancy, Christopher Saunders, Thomas Stokes, Robert Powell and Samuel Jennings.

It is thought that many of these, after a short stay, emigrated to Pennsylvania, then about to be settled, under the auspices of William Penn, and his wise and benevolent government, while others remained, located land, raised families and contributed by their industry and virtues to build up a community which has exercised an influence for good to the present day. Among these we may particularize as follows: Thomas Olive located a large tract of land on the north bank of the Rancocas river, and built a grist mill on a stream of water now known as Mill creek, in the township of Willingboro, a little below the bridge over the creek of the Beverly and Mount Holly turnpike road.

The township of Willingboro is supposed to have taken its name from Willingboro, in England, from whence Thomas Olive emigrated. Thomas Olive, from the time of his arrival, in 1677, to his decease, about 1692, was one of the most useful men in the province. He officiated as commissioner in laying out lands, legislator, governor, member of the Council of Proprietors, justice of the peace, and also as minister of the gospel among Friends - having been imprisoned and otherwise a sufferer for his religion in England, and by his conduct, both public and private, merited general love and esteem to the last. In his conduct as a magistrate he often heard the parties, he sitting on a stump in his meadow, and seldom failed to settle their difierences without much expense and generally to their satisfaction, being more desirous to accommodate matters than promote litigation.

The property in Willingboro located by him remained pretty much together without division, notwithstanding sundry conveyances, until near the decease of Solomon Ridgeway, who was the late sole proprietor up to 1790. A large part still remained in the name of Ridgeway, until quite lately, Benjamin Ridgeway, grandson of Solomon, having conveyed to four different persons a part to each, of the original tract, comprising together four or five hundred acres.

Perhaps no one person exercised more influence in moulding the earlier institutions of the province than he. Likewise he filled all the civil offices of state up to Proprietary Governor; was eminent as a gospel minister among Friends; was fearless in defending and advocating civil and religious liberty; was Speaker of the General Assembly at the time of their memorable controversy with Lord Cornbury, Queen Anne's cousin, and by her appointment Crown Governor of New Jersey, and by his intrepidity contributed much toward having him removed and Lord Lovelace substituted in his stead. He located much land, and among the several tracts was a large one about two miles southeasterly from Burlington, upon which he erected a mansion and made it a dwelling for himself. This has long since passed out of his family, and was subsequently owned by Dr. Parrish, now deceased, who made some repairs to the old mansion and made also an addition thereto. The building was frame, of large and strong timber, which is still sound, and with proper care may endure many coming centuries. The building is in a good state of preservation, and will well repay a pilgrimage of the antiquarian capable of appreciating Samuel Jenning's services in the cause of liberty and self-government - it being, as is supposed, the last remaining habitation of any of the early Governors of the American provinces. Samuel Jennings had but three children, who were all daughters, and who married three brothers by the name of Stephenson. A part of the original tract of land connected with the homestead still remains in the family and name of Stephenson.

Located five hundred acres of land on the north side of Rancocas river, and having emigrated from Northampton, in England, and being conspicuous in the early settlements as commissioner to locate land, as one of the Governor's council, it is thought he contributed to give the name to Northampton township, where he lived, and the river upon which he located, the latter being for many years known as "Northampton river." About 1698 he went to Barbadoes to look after the estate of his deceased brother William, where he died and was interred in the Friend's burial ground on that island.

The oldest son James, married Elizabeth Cooper, daughter of William Cooper, of Pyne Point. The son of Daniel settled at Eyerstown, Burlington county, and left a large family of children.

John Wills, another son, settled on Rancocas river, on the location before named, and had eleven children. John and James, two of his sons, settled in the northern part of this State. Hope married Freedom Lippincott. Jane married Samuel Eves. Elizabeth married Samuel Lippincott. Ann married Jonathan Ladd. Sarah married Joshua Lord. Rebecca married William Tomlinson, and Mary, who also married, but to whom it is not now known.

Daniel, another son of John, is the person through whom the "Wills," who reside on the original location on the Rancocas, and now owned by Aaron and Daniel Wills, trace their lineage, being the sixth generation in the name, and the land but one transfer by deed.

John Cripps appears to have been a usent and influential man, and in 1681 located three hundred acres in terms as follows: - "Surveyed then for John Cripps, one parcel of land abutting on Rancocas creek southward, and from a certain white oak tree marked with I.C. It stretches itself northeast and by east two hundred and eighty-four rods to a black oak marked I.C. Then northwest two hundred and seventy rods to another black oak marked as aforesaid, from which by a south, southwest course, it reaches the said creek again through a swamp, wherein grows store of Holly, to a white oak by the creek marked as before, within which tract of land is a mountain, to which the province east, south, west and north, sends a beautiful aspect, named by the owner thereof Mount Holly."

John Woolston, settled in the town or city of Burlington, and at his house was held the meetings for worship of the Friends in the early settlements. He was a worthy citizen, and ancestor of numerous and respectable descendants in the county of Burlington. He married Hannah, a daughter of William Cooper, of Pyne Point, now Camden city, opposite Philadelphia.

Thomas Stokes, one of the first settlers, had four sons and two daughters, as follows: - John married Elizabeth Green, and settled on the north bank of Rancocas river on the farm the most part of which is still in possession of his descendants. Charles Stokes and Israel I. Stokes' land having been transmitted by will from father to son, Charles being the fourth and Israel I. the fifth generation in succession.

Thomas Stokes married Deliverance Horner, she deceased, and he married Rachel Wright of Long Island. He settled in Waterford township, Gloucester county, and had a large family of children, who by marriage are connected with the Matlacks, Haines, Lambs, Cowperthwaites, Conrows, Hinchmans, Hillmans, Pines, Brownings and Collins.

Joseph Stokes married Judith, a daughter of Freedom and Mary Lippincott, and after her decease he married Ann, the widow of John Haines. He settled in Chester township, Burlington county, and had fourteen children. His daughters intermarried with the Coles, Goslins, Allens, Roberts, Evans, Morgans, Rogers, and Chambers.

The present Doctors Stokes, of Moorestown, Burlington county, are of this division of the family, and the name has become numerous, not only in New Jersey, but in several other States of the Union, from the foregoing three brothers. The name of the fourth I am not able to discover, but tradition says he settled in North Carolina, and from this branch the name is quite numerous.

Thomas Harding located two hundred and fifty acres on the north side of Rancocas river. He was conspicuous as a Friend, was imprisoned in England for his religion, and the first meeting established at Rancocas for worship was held at his house. I have no account of the family he left. After his decease, his executor, John Wills, sold his farm to John Stokes, son of Thomas aforesaid. This being the only deed for a large part of the farm to the present day, it having descended from father to son, by will as aforesaid.

John Paine located two hundred acres on the north side of the Rancocas for Thomas Green, between lands of Daniel Wills and Thomas Harding, which was first settled by John Stokes, whose wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Green, and where a son of Thomas afterwards owned and resided.

Immediately below the Stokes farms on the Rancocas we find the following locations: One of 325 acres to William Evans, one of 210 acres to Robert Hudson, one of 600 acres to Thomas French, one of 68 acres to John Roberts, one of 100 acres to Thomas Eves, and one of 636 acres to Thomas Olive, who married Mary, a daughter of Daniel Wills. The last named surveys extended from the Rancocas to Olive's Mill creek.

Some six or seven hundred acres of the Evans, Hudson and French's locations, as aforesaid. were conveyed to William Franklin, son of the celebrated philosopher, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, about the time of the commencement of the Revolutionary war. He was appointed Governor of the province by the crown, and made the place his residence; enclosed between one and two hundred acres with a ditch and fence for a park. where he had a large number of deer.

In about 1776 his loyalty to the mother country brought him into collision with the legislature or convention sitting at Burlington, and not summoned by his authority. As a consequence. he was arrested at his dwelling, at the Park, by order of the convention, and taken before them, and after a time banished to Connecticut, and from there was sent, or permitted to go, to England, and never returned to this country.

In England he made a deed for the above property to his son, William Temple Franklin, who took possession of the same, known as Franklin Park, and so continued to be known to the present time. Since then, however, the tract has been divided, and is now owned by some ten or dozen persons.

The old Governor's mansion was destroyed by fire some twenty-five years since, and a new one, erected nearly on the same site, is now owned and occupied by Richard Buzby.

Adjoining Daniel Wills' survey of 500 acres, on the Rancocas river, and up the river, or easterly, John Borton located 125 acres. John Wolman located 150 acres adjoining. Walter Humphreys located about 400 acres, and Barnard Devonish located 400 acres, and John Stokes, an English proprietor who never came to this country, located 150 acres, conveyed to and settled by Thomas Stokes (his brother), and the common ancestors of the Stokes family aforesaid. Thomas Gardiner also located 229 acres, and then a location of ___ acres, the owner not ascertained, except Anthony Elton, who adjoins Gardiner's survey, but the dimensions of Elton's survey not known.

Adjoining Anthony Elton, and about forty chains from the creek easterly, Walter Clark and Anthony Cook located one thousand acres; and adjoining Clark and Cook on the north. Samuel Jennings located a survey to the east of Clark and Cook, and extending partly to the north branch of Rancocas river, a survey of 500 acres was taken up for Mary Perkins. Easterly and southeasterly of Mary Perkins' survey, and bounding on the north branch of Rancocas, Richard Fenimore located 90 acres. In the same direction, but not extending to the Rancocas, Laurance Morris located 50 acres, and easterly of the two last named surveys, John Cripps took up his Mount Holly survey as before named.

About the year 1684, Edward Catheral had surveyed to him 300 acres of land fronting on the Delaware river, including the lower part of Edgewater, as now laid out by the Mandersons.

It is pretty clearly ascertained that the old Dunk's ferry tract, upon which the city of Beverly is built, was located by John Wills, and the survey contained about 300 acres of land. A different person, however, from John, the son of Daniel Wills, as heretofore referred to. On the decease of John, the proprietor of this property, he left one son and several daughters. It is understood one married Joseph Fenimore, who became the owner, and in this name it descended from father to son for several generations.

The name of the ferry was derived from the owner of the opposite or Pennsylvania shore, by the name of Dunk. This ferry was long known as the best crossing for horses and wagons upon the whole Delaware river, not even excepting Philadelphia, and so continued until the introduction of horse and steam boats, some sixty years since.

Benjamin Scott and William Biddle located jointly 635 acres, bounded by the Delaware river, by lands of William Heulings on the upper side, and William Peachy on the lower side. This tract of land is situate above the city of Burlington.

It is believed that all, or nearly all, the foregoing persons were Friends, or people called Quakers. They early instituted meetings for public worship in different sections, and most of which remain to the present day.

The early records of their business meetings afford matter for interesting research, not only as regards their church affairs. but as a means of tracing genealogies and neighborhood matters, for it was here their controversies were settled and not in the courts of law.