New Barbadoes Township, New Jersey facts for kids
New Barbadoes Township was a special type of local government area called a township. It started in 1710 in Bergen County, New Jersey. At its biggest, it covered a huge area before the American Revolutionary War. Over many years, parts of it became new towns. Today, what's left of New Barbadoes Township is the city of Hackensack. Hackensack got its current name in 1921.
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What Was New Barbadoes Township?
New Barbadoes Township was named after the English colony of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea. After England took over the Dutch area called New Netherland in 1664, Governor Philip Carteret gave land to Captain John Berry. This land was near a place known as Achter Kol.
Captain Berry moved there and named his new home "New Barbadoes." He had lived on the island of Barbados before. The original land given to him was between the Hackensack River and the Saddle River. You can still find his name today in Berrys Creek and the old Yereance-Berry House.
The Township's Original Size
When New Barbadoes Township first began, it was very large. It included all the land in present-day Bergen County that was west of the Hackensack River. It even went beyond the Passaic River.
The township also covered all the land between the Hackensack River and the Passaic River. This area stretched from Newark Bay (which was once called New Barbadoes Neck) all the way north to the border with New York. It also went west to the border of Sussex County. This shows how big the township was in its early days.
How the Township Changed Over Time
Over many years, New Barbadoes Township became smaller. New townships were created from its land. This was a common way for new communities to form as more people moved into the area.
Saddle River Township Forms
In 1716, Saddle River Township was created. This new township took all the land from New Barbadoes Township that was west of the Saddle River. After this change, New Barbadoes Township included land west of the Hackensack River and east of the Passaic and Saddle Rivers.
Harrington Township is Created
In 1775, Harrington Township was formed. This happened by a special royal charter. Harrington Township was made from the northern parts of both New Barbadoes Township and Hackensack Township.
Lodi Township and Midland Township
Later, in 1821, Lodi Township was created. It was formed from the southern part of New Barbadoes Township. Then, in 1871, Midland Township was created. Midland Township is now known as Rochelle Park. It was made from the northern parts of New Barbadoes Township.
New Barbadoes Becomes Hackensack
In 1868, the Hackensack Commission was formed within New Barbadoes Township. New Barbadoes Township continued to exist until 1921. In that year, it was officially replaced by the City of Hackensack. This marked the end of New Barbadoes Township's long history.
