Elizabethtown Tract
Encyclopedia
The Elizabethtown Tract was a property that was purchased on October 28, 1664, by John Baily, Daniel Denton
and Luke Watson from the Native Americans
that is in the area of (and surrounding) present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey
.
As specified in the Deed, the purchase included the area "Bounded on the South by a River commonly called the Raritons River
, and on the East by the River
which Parts Staten-Island
and the Main, and to run Northward up after Cull-Bay, till we come at the first River which sets Westwards up after Cull-Bay
." The territory encompassed lands from the mouth of the Raritan River and included all of present-day Union County
as well as parts of Somerset
, Middlesex
, Morris
and Essex
counties.
Shortly after the purchase, Denton explored the area in and surrounding his purchase. In 1670, Denton wrote the first English-language description of the area.
Daniel Denton
Daniel Denton was an early American colonist. Denton led an expedition into the interior of northern New Jersey. He was one of the purchasers of what is known as the Elizabethtown Tract in 1664, in the area of present day Elizabeth, New Jersey...
and Luke Watson from the Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
that is in the area of (and surrounding) present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
.
As specified in the Deed, the purchase included the area "Bounded on the South by a River commonly called the Raritons River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
, and on the East by the River
Arthur Kill
The Arthur Kill is a tidal strait separating Staten Island, New York from mainland New Jersey, USA, and a major navigational channel of the Port of New York and New Jersey. Kill is from the Middle Dutch word kille, meaning "riverbed" or "water channel"...
which Parts Staten-Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
and the Main, and to run Northward up after Cull-Bay, till we come at the first River which sets Westwards up after Cull-Bay
Newark Bay
Newark Bay is a tidal bay at the confluence of the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers in northeastern New Jersey. It is home to the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, the largest container shipping facility in Port of New York and New Jersey, 3rd largest and one of busiest in the United States...
." The territory encompassed lands from the mouth of the Raritan River and included all of present-day Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
as well as parts of Somerset
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, Middlesex
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
, Morris
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
and Essex
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
counties.
Shortly after the purchase, Denton explored the area in and surrounding his purchase. In 1670, Denton wrote the first English-language description of the area.