Originally, the state of New Jersey was a single British colony, the Province of New Jersey. After the English Civil War, Charles II assigned New Jersey as a proprietary colony to be held jointly by Sir George Carteret and John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton. Eventually, the collection of land fees, or quit-rents, from colonists proved inadequate for colonial profitability. Sir George Carteret sold his share of the colony to the Quakers in 1673. Following the sale, the land was divided into East and West Jersey. In 1681, West Jersey adopted a constitution. In 1683, East Jersey adopted one as well. In 1702, the colonies were united again under Anne of Great Britain, and adopted a constitution in 1776.
[edit] Constitutions
[edit] Concession and Agreement
Concession and Agreement was a legal document that guaranteed rights; including, but not only, religious freedom. It served as the basic governing document of the colony of New Jersey. Although the document is most commonly recognized as an enticement for settlers, it is in the basic form of any colonial charter or constitution, and guarantees such rights.
[edit] West Jersey Constitution
In 1681, West Jersey adopted a constitution.[1]
[edit] East Jersey Constitution
- See footnote[2][3]
The constitution of East Jersey, unlike West Jersey's, did not seemingly have a section of the traditional colonial constitution missing. Within their constitution was a detailed creation of a great Council, who would control the colony. The constitution also created a somewhat abbreviated enumeration of rights. The constitution also bans the admission of any non-Christian into the council. A vestige from the Stamp Act, Article XVIII is an archaic section of a since-repealed act.
[edit] 1776 Constitution
One of the most notable parts of this "Constitution" was that it provided suffrage to all male and female land-owners.
[edit] 1844 Constitution
[edit] Amendments since 1947
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Original New Jersey Constitution
- West Jersey Charter
- West Jersey Constitution
- East Jersey Constitution
- NJ Constitution of 1776
- Colonial Charters, Grants and Related Documents (at "New Jersey"). The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy. Lillian Goldman Law Library (Yale Law School). Retrieved 2010-03-14. This website has links to the following documents:
- 1664 - The Duke of York's Release to John Ford Berkeley, and Sir George Carteret, 24 June
- 1664 - 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
- 1672 - A Declaration of the True Intent and Meaning of us the Lords Proprietors, and Explanation of There Concessions Made to the Adventurers and Planters of New Caesarea or New Jersey
- 1674 - His Royal Highness's Grant to the Lords Proprietors, Sir George Carteret, 29 July
- 1676 - The Charter or Fundamental Laws, of West New Jersey, Agreed Upon
- 1676 - Quintipartite Deed of Revision, Between E. and W Jersey: July 1
- 1680 - Duke of York's Second Grant to William Penn, Gawn Lawry, Nicholas Lucas, John Eldridge, Edmund Warner, and Edward Byllynge, for the Soil and Government of West New Jersey-August 6
- 1681 - Province of West New-Jersey, in America, The 25th of the Ninth Month Called November
- 1682 - Duke of York's Confirmation to the 24 Proprietors: 14 March
- 1683 - The Fundamental Constitutions for the Province of East New Jersey in America
- 1683 - The King's Letter Recognizing the Proprietors' Right to the Soil and Government
- 1702 - Surrender from the Proprietors of East and West New Jersey, of Their Pretended Right of Government to Her Majesty
- 1709 - The Queen's Acceptance of the Surrender of Government; April 17
- 1712 - Charles II's Grant of New England to the Duke of York, 1676 - Exemplified by Queen Anne
- 1776 - Constitution of New Jersey
