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Why was the New Jersey Colony Founded

Modern day New Jersey is located in the north-eastern region of the United States of America. It is part of the Middle Atlantic region and is encompassed in the metropolitan area of New York City and Philadelphia. It is has a large ocean border with its southeast and south sides bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It also shares borders with New York State to the north and east, Pennsylvania to the west and Delaware to the southwest. The state of New Jersey was first settled by the English in 1664. Prior to this date New Jersey was once part of the Dutch colony of New Netherlands.

Why was the New Jersey Colony Founded?
The Dutch colony of New Netherlands was annexed by the English fleet in 1664 and the region was claimed as an English colony. It is thought that this occurred due to industrial advantages the area provided. The northern American lands were divided by the English King Charles II and the region between Maryland and New England was given to the King’s brother, The Duke of York, as a propriety colony. As a reward for their service and loyalty during the English Civil War the Duke of York gave the land, which is now recognized as New Jersey, to his two friends Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley of Stratton. The land was named the colony of New Jersey as a tribute to the Channel Island of Jersey which had given the King sanctuary during the war.

The colony grew quickly due to the inexpensive land prices and religious freedoms, along with the favorable rights given to the settlers. Sir George Carteret later sold his half of the land and colony to a group of Quakers and the colony became two distinct provinces.

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