Elizabethtown Tract facts for kids
The Elizabethtown Tract was a large area of land bought on October 28, 1664. This purchase was made by three men: John Baily, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson. They bought the land from the Native Americans who lived there. This area is now around the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Two Native American witnesses, Warinanco and Mattano, were present for the agreement.
What Was the Elizabethtown Tract?
The Elizabethtown Tract was a huge piece of land. It was one of the first major land purchases in what would become New Jersey. The people who bought it wanted to create new settlements. This land deal was an important step in the early history of the colony.
Where Was This Land Located?
The agreement described the boundaries of the Elizabethtown Tract. It was bordered on the south by the Raritan River. To the east, it was bordered by the Arthur Kill, a river that separates Staten Island from the mainland. The land stretched northward from there.
This large territory included all of what is now Union County, New Jersey. It also covered parts of several other modern-day counties. These include Somerset, Middlesex, Morris, and Essex counties.
Daniel Denton's Contributions
After the land was purchased, Daniel Denton explored the area. He wanted to learn more about the new territory. In 1670, Denton wrote the very first English-language description of this region. His writings helped others understand what the land was like.
