Who first discovered this section of our country? Who first entered Barnegat Bay, and explored its shores? Who were the first whites who located here? Have any accounts of the Indians once living here been preserved? These are among the first questions which naturally present themselves in making inquires into the early history of this section of our State. While the records of the past, meagre indeed as regards this locality, do not furnish as full answers as desirable, yet much has been preserved which is of interest to all desirous of obtaining information on these and kindred points.

The discovery of that part of New Jersey now known as Ocean County, was by Sir Henry Hudson, on the 2d day of September, 1609, while cruising along our coast in the celebrated Dutch ship, the Half Moon. This ship was quite small, being of only eighty tons burthen, and of a build that would now be considered quite novel, reminding one of the curious-looking Dutch galliots, which occasionally were seen in the harbor of New York a generation or so ago, which used to attract the attention of, and are well remembered by old seafaring men of Ocean County.

This ship, two or three days previously, had tried to enter Delaware Bay, but finding the navigation dangerous, no attempt was made to land, and she again stood out to sea. After getting fairly out, Hudson headed north-eastwardly, and after a while hauled in and made land, Sept. 2d, near Egg Harbor. A very complete log of the ship was kept by the mate, Alfred Juet, and the part relating to Monmouth and Ocean counties is published elsewhere in these pages.

Samuel H. Shreve, Esq., who in past years has furnished many valuable historical items to the New Jersey Courier, says in a communication dated January, 1868: "Ferrago Forge was erected by Gen. Lacey in 1809, and the same year Dover Forge was built by W. L. Smith, the son-in-law Lacey."

It has been stated that Lacey expended ten thousand dollars at Ferrago in building the dam alone, and the construction of the forge and other buildings and of the road to Forked River must have required a very considerable outlay of money.