Disputed Claim of Proprietors of East Jersey 45 



At about the same time Governor Dongan wrote to Sir John 

 Werden as follows : 



1685, Feby. 18. "... I think it would doe well if you please 

 to look into the last patent of East Jersey to see whether shipping 

 bee obliged if they come into Sandy Hook to make entry at Xew 

 York, the Quakers making continual pretences to Staten Island 

 disturbs the people, more than 200 familyes are settled on it. 

 And in case His Royal Highness cannot retrieve East Jersey, it 

 will doe well to secure Hudson's River and take away all claim 

 to Staten Island. . . ." ^- 



In 1704, Peter Sonmans and William Dockwra. who had 

 acquired interests as proprietors of East Jersey, petitioned Queen 

 Anne for the surrender of Staten Island to them and their asso- 

 ciates, which petition was referred to a committee and seems since 

 to have rested peacefully in some obscure pigeon hole or pipe 

 roll in the office which was once of the Lords Commissioners of 

 Trade and Plantations. 



To THE Queens Most Excellent Majesty 



The Petition of Peter Sonmans and W illiam Dockwra for 

 themselves and the rest of y®. Proprietors of the Eastern Division 

 of the Province of Nova Caesarea or New Jersey in America. 

 Sheweth 



That his late Ma'^'. King Charles the Second by his Letters 

 Patent bearing date the 29"\ of June in the 26"' Year of His 

 Reign, for the Considerations therein mentioned did Grant and 

 Confirm unto James Earl of Perth, S^ George jNIeckenz, Rob^ 

 Berkley Argent (Arent) Sonmans, W". Dockwra and others their 

 Heirs and assigns for ever that part of the aforesaid Lands which 

 then was and ever since till very lately has been called by the 

 named of East Jersey Extending Eastward and Northward all 

 along the Sea Coast, and Hudsohs River from little Egg Harbour 



" 3 Col. Doc, 356. 



