East Jersey was one of the two provinces that the Province of New Jersey was divided into in 1674, with the other being West Jersey. It was established as a proprietary colony under the control of a group of Quaker and Puritan colonists, in contrast to the more diverse population and governance of West Jersey.
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East Jersey was established in 1674 after the Province of New Jersey was divided into two separate colonies by the English Crown.
The proprietors of East Jersey were a group of Quakers and Puritans who were granted the charter to establish and govern the colony.
The population of East Jersey was more homogeneous compared to the more diverse West Jersey, with a focus on Quaker and Puritan religious and political ideals.
East Jersey's economy was primarily based on agriculture, with a focus on crops such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.
The colony of East Jersey played a significant role in the development of the American colonies during the Restoration period under King Charles II.
Review Questions
Explain the significance of East Jersey being a proprietary colony and the impact this had on its governance and population.
As a proprietary colony, East Jersey was established and governed by a group of Quaker and Puritan proprietors who were granted a charter by the English Crown. This allowed them to shape the colony's political and religious institutions according to their own beliefs, resulting in a more homogeneous population and governance structure compared to the more diverse West Jersey. The proprietary nature of East Jersey gave the Quaker and Puritan colonists a high degree of autonomy and control over the colony's development.
Describe the economic activities and primary crops cultivated in East Jersey, and how these contributed to the colony's development.
The economy of East Jersey was primarily based on agriculture, with a focus on the production of grains, fruits, and vegetables. These crops were well-suited to the colony's climate and soil conditions, and allowed the Quaker and Puritan colonists to establish a stable agricultural base. The surplus agricultural production not only provided for the colony's own needs but also enabled trade with other colonies and the broader Atlantic economy, contributing to East Jersey's overall economic growth and development during the Restoration period.
Analyze the role of East Jersey in the broader context of the Restoration colonies and its significance in the development of the American colonies during this time.
As one of the Restoration colonies established under King Charles II, East Jersey played a crucial role in the broader political, economic, and social landscape of the American colonies during this period. The colony's Quaker and Puritan-led governance and homogeneous population provided a unique perspective and approach to colonial development, which contributed to the diversity of experiences and models across the Restoration colonies. Additionally, East Jersey's agricultural economy and trade connections integrated it into the larger Atlantic economy, making it an important part of the broader colonial network. The colony's experiences and contributions during the Restoration period helped shape the trajectory of the American colonies leading up to the American Revolution.
Related terms
Proprietary Colony: A proprietary colony was a type of English colonial administration in which the English monarch granted a charter to an individual or group, giving them the right to establish a colony and govern it.
A Protestant Christian movement that sought to 'purify' the Church of England from Catholic practices and beliefs, and establish a more strict and pious form of worship.