Ex-Governor Parker, dec'd, in his valuable address before the New Jersey Historical Society, produced the old town book of Middletown township, which gives the history of this section of East Jersey from 1667 to 1702. After the Dutch conquest in 1673, it was stated that little or nothing is recorded in the town book during their brief rule of less than a year.
The Dutch had the supremacy in New York and New Jersey until 1664, when the English conquered the Dutch. In 1673, a war having again broken out between England and Holland, a small Dutch squadron was sent over and arrived at Staten Island, July 30th. Captain Manning, the English officer temporarily in command at New York, surrendered at once without any effort to defend the place and the Dutch again resumed sway over New York, New Jersey and settlements along the Delaware. They retained it however only a few months, as by a treaty made in February following, these places were ceded back to England, though the English appear not to have taken formal possession until November following.
During this short time while the Dutch were again in authority, embracing the time that the Middletown township book records but little or nothing, the following items relating to old Monmouth, are found among the official records of the Dutch at New York. The first is an order issued shortly after their arrival; the orthography is given as found.
"The inhabitants of Middletown and Shrewsbury, are hereby charged and required to send their deputies unto us on Tuesday morning next, for to treat with us upon articles of surrendering their said towns under the obedience of their High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the said United Provinces, and his serene Highness, the Prince of Orange, or by refusall we shall be necessitated to subdue the places thereunto by force of arms.
"Dated at New Orange this 12th day of August, A. D. 1673.
"CORNELIS EVERTSE, Jr.
"Jacob Benckes."
In compliance with the above order, deputies from
Shrewsbury, Middletown and other places in East Jersey,
appeared in court on the 18th of August, and upon
their verbal request the same privileges were granted to
them as to Dutch citizens.
"August 19th, 1673. Middletown, Shrewsbury and other towns in Achter Coll, to name two deputies each, who shall nominate three persons for Schout** and three for Secretarys, out of which said nominated persons by us shall be elected for each town, three magestrates and for the six towns, one Schout, and one Secretary.
"JACOB BENCKES.
"CORNELIS EVERTSE, Jr."
Achter Coll above mentioned, is said to mean "beyond the hills," that is, beyond Bergen Hills. The Dutch in New York, it is stated, sometimes called Old Monmouth and other parts of East Jersey, beyond Bergen Hills, by this name.
"April 19th, 1674. A certain proclamation being delivered into Council from the Magestrates of the Toune of Middletoune, prohibiting all inhabitants from departing out of said toune, unless they give bail to return as soon as their business will have been performed, or they be employed in public service &c., requesting the Governors approval of the same, which being read and considered, it is resolved and ordered by the Governer General and Council, that no inhabitant can be hindered changing his domicile, within the Province unless arrested for lawful cause; however ordered that no one shall depart from the toune of Middletoune, unless he previously notifies the Magestrates of his intention."