History of Burlington, NJ
March 3, 1677
A BRIEF 500-YEAR HISTORY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
The City of Burlington New Jersey USA is the first and original township in Burlington County, predating the original constablrys by 11 years.
Native Americans of the Mantas (or Leaping Frog) tribe of the Lenni Lenape knew Burlington Island as Matinicunk and the mainland as Techichohocki, or “oldest planted land”.
Early 1600’s There is some archaeological evidence supporting the local presence of a significant Swedish settlement by the early 1600’s. Belgian Walloons fleeing persecution built the first recorded European settlement in New Jersey, ca. 1624, establishing an Island trading post to barter with the indigenous people. The Dutch then came upon the Island, exploiting its rich and varied wildlife. Their fort faced downriver, the better to defend both forks of the Delaware River from invasion. New Jerseys first record of an African presence notes slaves of a Dutch colonial official. The first murder in recorded state history took place on the Island in the 1670s, when two Indians murdered two Dutchmen. As the Dutch withdrew from New World holdings, Swedes and Finns occupied the Island, until it was seized by the English in 1664. Fleeing oppression in England, the Quakers settled in Burlington over 325 years ago.
March 3, 1677 Proprietors authorized the formation of the town in a seminal constitutional document which set forth principles and ideals of freedom and democracy found 100 years later in the United States Constitution. Among these innovations were civil and religious liberty; separate executive and legislative power; an elected Assembly; freedom of speech; no deprivation without due process of law. In their own stirring words, the Proprietors
…lay a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may not be brought into bondage but by their own consent, for we put the power in the people.
This manuscript was titled, The Concessions and Agreements of the Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants of West New Jersey. This document is so remarkable that it has shared exhibition space with the Magna Carta in the National Park Services Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, PA. The ancient parchment traditionally is preserved within the Surveyor Generals Office in the City. In part, it states, …granted by William Penn, Gawan Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, into Thomas Hutchinson, Thomas Pearson, Joseph Helmsly, George Hutchinson and Mahlon Stacy date the second day of the month called March 1677 instant, wherein they grant unto the said persons certain privileges for a town to be built…. The division of East and West Jersey is thereafter defined, and Burlington is designated the Capital of West Jersey.
Fall, 1677 The ship Kent arrives in Delaware with Quaker settlers fleeing oppression in England, disembarking in Salem and canoeing and walking up the Delaware River to the Rancocas Creek, and then to Burlington.
Oct. 10, 1677 The Friends made a peaceful land purchase agreement, trading gunpowder, pipes, hooks, cloth, kettles and etc. Among eight Native American chiefs who amicably sold the land to the Quakers was one highly esteemed for his nobility and integrity, Chief Ockanickon. He was Chief of the Mantas tribe of the Lenape, and a valuable early friend of the settlers.
December 10, 1678 More English Quakers arrived, as the ship Shield tied up to a huge sycamore on the riverbank. It was the first ship to sail up the Delaware River as far as Burlington. Said the Friends from Yorkshire to the Friends of London, Let us build a Town together.
September 26, 1682 The first Assembly met and ordered Burlington be The Chief Town and Head of the Province. As a legislative member, Quaker Robert Stacy originated a bill: an Act of the General Assembly granting the Island to the City of Burlington, that its revenues might be employed, …for the encouragement of learning and the better education of youth. Thus was born the oldest continual educational trust board in the United States, The Managers and Treasurer of the School Fund for the Education of Youth in the City of Burlington, now known as the Board of Island Managers.
October 18, 1693 Assembly passed an Act for the settling of the Town of Burlington, giving landowners the power to elect yearly on the fifth day of April, an officer who shall be the Chief Magistrate of the said Town and shall be like the Burgess thereof.
April 5, 1694 The first town meeting was held. Prior to that, Burlington had little need of a local government.
May 7, 1734 The Town of Burlington, including the entire present-day Township and City, was chartered as a City by King George II. Application had been made by Gov. William Cosby, styling himself Captain General & Governor & Commander in Chief of our Province of New Jersey, New York and Territories Depending in America.
