New Jersey History - Overview of NJ historical events

During the American Revolution, George Washington kept his winter headquarters at Morristown NJ. It was here that he wrote his famous farewell address to the Continental Army.

Camden was the home of the poet Walt Whitman. Other famous people who home was in New Jersey include Thomas Edison and Woodrow Wilson.

The first settlers of New Jersey were the Lenni Lenapi Indians or better known as the Delaware Indians.

Then in 1524, the first European arrived. His name was Giovanni da Verrazano. He was a Florentine explorer.

In 1609, Henry Hudson explored the Newark Bay.

The area was known as the middle colonies.

The first settlers to the area were English, Scots,  Swedes and Dutch.  The first settlements were trading posts along the Hudson and Delaware Rivers.

The colony came under English rule in 1664.

In 1676, the province was divided into east and west Jersey. East Jersey went to Sir George Carteret and West Jersey went to a group of Quakers.

In 1702, all the province was reverted back to British rule.

Until 1738, New Jersey and New York were ruled by the same governor.

Lewis Morris was the first governor of New Jersey. Taking office in 1738.

Tory activity was heavy during the American Revolution.

Dec. 26, 1776, General George Washington crossed the Delaware to Trenton and surprised the German mercenary troops camped there. Thus capturing the city of Trenton.

In 1778, the Monmouth Battle was fought.

December 31, 1776, General Washington won the battle at Princeton.

Princeton was the national capital in 1783 and 1784.

December 1787, New Jersey became the 3rd state to Ratify the constitution. Delaware was the first.

August 22, 1787, John Fitch demonstrated on the Delaware River the first successful steamboat.

In 1791, the first factory town in the US was established in Paterson NJ.

In 1806, a covered bridge was built to cross over the Delaware River at Trenton.

In 1834, the first railways were completed. They were located between Camden and Amboy.

From 1824 - 1838, the Morris Canal was built.

From 1828 - 1838, the Delaware and Raritan Canals were built.