Elizabeth Township, New Jersey facts for kids
Elizabeth Township, also known as Elizabethtown, was a type of local government area called a township. It was located in Essex County, in the state of New Jersey, United States. This township existed for a long time, from 1664 until 1855.
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What Was Elizabeth Township?
A township is like a local government area. It helps manage things for the people living there. Elizabeth Township was one of these areas in early New Jersey.
How Elizabeth Township Started
The land that would become Elizabeth Township was first part of a larger area. This area was called the Elizabethtown Tract. It was bought from the Lenape people on October 28, 1664. The Lenape were Native Americans who lived in the region.
Elizabeth-Town Township officially started on October 31, 1693. It was still part of Essex County at that time.
Changes Over Time
Elizabeth became one of New Jersey's first 104 townships. This happened when the New Jersey Legislature passed the Township Act of 1798. This important law was passed on February 21, 1798.
New Townships Formed
Over the years, parts of Elizabeth Township were used to create new townships. This is how new communities grew in the area.
- Westfield Township was formed on January 27, 1794.
- Springfield Township was formed on April 14, 1794.
- Rahway Township was formed on February 27, 1804.
- Clinton Township was formed on April 14, 1834.
The End of Elizabeth Township
On March 13, 1855, a new city was created. This was the City of Elizabeth. It combined both Elizabeth Township and Elizabeth Borough. When the City of Elizabeth was formed, Elizabeth Township officially ended.
