Philip Carteret | |
|---|---|
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| 1ºProprietary Governor of New Jersey | |
| In office 1665 – July 1673 | |
| Deputy | John Berry |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Colve (New Netherland) |
| 1ºGovernor of East New Jersey | |
| In office November 1674 – February 1682 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Colve (New Netherland) |
| Succeeded by | Robert Barclay |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1639 (1639) Manoir de la Hougue,Jersey |
| Died | December 1682(1682-12-00) (aged 42–43) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Smith |
| Profession | Governor |
| Signature | .png) |
Philip Carteret; French:Philippe de Carteret; (1639–1682) was the firstGovernor of New Jersey as an English proprietary colony, from 1665 to 1673 and governor ofEast Jersey from 1674 to 1682.
The English annexed the Dutch province ofNew Netherland in 1664, and lands west ofLong Island andManhattan Island were awarded to twoLords Proprietors,John Berkeley andGeorge Carteret (cousin of Philip). In 1665, Carteret (or "Cartaret") was appointed by them to take possession of the newly acquired territory which been renamed theProvince of New Caesaria, or New Jersey, and assume the position of governor.[citation needed]
George Carteret and Berkeley issued theConcessions and Agreements of the Proprietors of New Jersey, the "most liberal grant of political privileges made by any English colonial proprietor to the people".[1]Freedom of conscience was guaranteed and generous land grants were promised. Carteret indeed issued many grants of lands to settlers and landowners, partly with the purpose of increasing the worth of the colony. The pair "expected to profit from sales of their rich North American land holdings, and they were not disappointed".[2]
Governor Philip Carteret designatedElizabethtown (named after the wife of George Carteret) as the capital of New Jersey, where a representative assembly first met in 1668.Middletown Township andShrewsbury Township refused to send representatives to thisNew Jersey Assembly and declared their independence, electingJames Carteret as their leader. Carteret became angry and left for England, and had the English government force the New Jersey settlers to payquitrents.
Carteret found the province inhabited by "a few hundredDutchmen andEnglish Puritans".[1] During his governorship, more towns sprang up in New Jersey.By the end of his term in 1682 the province consisted of seven towns, and many outlyingplantations. The populations (exclusive ofLenape natives) was about 3500 in the seven established towns ofBerghen, Newarke, Elizabeth Towne, Woodbridge, Piscattawy andMiddletown, with an undetermined number in outlying areas.
After the death of George Carteret, GovernorEdmund Andros of New York attempted to seize power inEast Jersey. When Philip Carteret refused to give up his position as governor, Andros sent a raiding party to his home and had him beaten and arrested to New York. Carteret was placed on trial, but was acquitted by the jury. The attack caused permanent injuries to Carteret, and he died in 1682.
| Government offices | ||
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| Preceded by none | Governor of New Jersey under the Proprietors 1665 – 1673 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of East Jersey 1674 – 1682 | Succeeded by |
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| National | |
| Other | |
