Concession and Agreement facts for kids

The Concession and Agreement was a very important document created in 1664 for the colony of New Jersey. Its full name was quite long: The Concession and Agreement of the Lords Proprietors of the Province of New Caesarea, or New Jersey, to and With All and Every the Adventurers and All Such as Shall Settle or Plant There. This document was like a special rulebook or a big promise. It was designed to help the new colony grow and become successful.

What Was the Concession and Agreement?

The Concession and Agreement was a set of rules and promises for the people living in, or planning to move to, the colony of New Jersey. It was written by the two owners of the land, Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. These two men were known as the "Lords Proprietors." They had been given control of New Jersey by the King of England.

Why Was This Document Created?

The main goal of the Concession and Agreement was to get more people to move to New Jersey. The Lords Proprietors wanted more settlers to farm the land. Why? Because they could earn money from these settlers. They collected annual fees called "quit-rents" from people who were granted land. More settlers meant more farms, and more farms meant more money for the proprietors.

What Important Promises Did It Make?

The Concession and Agreement made two very important promises:

• Religious Freedom: One of the biggest promises was religious freedom. This meant that people in New Jersey could practice any religion they chose. This was a huge deal because, in England at the time, there wasn't full religious freedom. Many people faced problems if they didn't follow the official church. This promise made New Jersey a very attractive place for those seeking a new start.
• Government Structure: The document also explained how the colony would be governed. It stated that the Lords Proprietors would be in charge of choosing the provincial governors. These governors would lead the colony. The very first governor chosen under this agreement was Philip Carteret.

How Did It Help New Jersey Grow?

By offering religious freedom, the Concession and Agreement attracted many different groups of people. Families and individuals who wanted to worship freely or simply find new opportunities saw New Jersey as a promising place. This led to more settlements, more farms, and helped the colony grow much faster than it might have otherwise. It laid down some of the basic ideas for how people would live and be governed in this new part of America.