Keith line facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids History ofNew Jersey |
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The Keith Line was an important boundary line in the history of New Jersey. It was drawn to divide the land into two main parts: West Jersey and East Jersey. This line helped to sort out land ownership and control during the early days of the colony.
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The Keith Line: Dividing New Jersey
The Keith Line was created in 1686 by a surveyor named George Keith. His job was to draw a clear border between West Jersey and East Jersey. These two areas had been formed earlier by an agreement called the Quintipartite Deed in 1676. However, that agreement wasn't very clear, which led to arguments over land. The Keith Line was meant to fix these problems.
Where the Line Ran
The Keith Line started in the southern part of what is now Little Egg Harbor Township. It then went north-northwest, passing just north of Tuckerton. George Keith planned for the line to continue all the way to the Delaware River, near the Delaware Water Gap.
However, Keith's survey was stopped. He reached the South Branch of the Raritan River in an area now known as Three Bridges. This is in Readington Township. The Governor of West Jersey, Daniel Coxe, stopped him from going further.
The Coxe-Barclay Compromise
Because the Keith Line wasn't finished, the governors of both West and East Jersey needed to find a solution. Governor Daniel Coxe of West Jersey and Governor Robert Barclay of East Jersey met in London. They agreed on a new compromise border. This new line was called the Coxe-Barclay Line.
Over time, more accurate surveys and maps were made. These helped to solve even more land arguments. Two other important lines were drawn later: the Thornton Line around 1696, and the Lawrence Line around 1743. The Lawrence Line eventually became the official border for legal reasons.
The Line Today
Even though the Keith Line was drawn centuries ago, you can still see its influence today. If you look at a map of New Jersey's municipalities (its towns and cities), you can often spot where the old line ran. It shaped how many of the local borders were set up.
The Keith Line is also sometimes mentioned in modern culture. For example, some people say it roughly marks the dividing line between fans of New York City sports teams and Philadelphia sports teams. This is especially true for the rivalry between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles.
