52 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



122. 1665. The lotli of Feb. 1665, was signed and published a 

 document called " The Concessions and Agreement of the Lords 

 Propriators of the Province of New Cesarea or New Jersey." At 

 the same time Capt. Philip Carteret, a cousin of Sir George Car- 

 teret, was commissioned as Governor, and received his instructions 

 from the Proprietors. Governor Carteret arrived at New York 

 on the 29th of July, 1665. He chose, as a seat of Government, 

 a spot on the north bank of " the Kill," where four families had 

 already been settled under authority of Nicolls, and named it 

 Elizabethtown. (Brodhead 2 : 83-86, with numerous references ; 

 N. J. Archives, i ser. i : 20-28.) 



123. Almost the first step taken by Nicolls after his arrival, was to 

 create from the English portion of the Province of New York, 

 consisting of Long Island, Staten Island, and Westchester County, 

 the Shire of Yorkshire, dividing it into three districts, or " rid- 

 ings." (Col. Laws N. Y. i. Historical Note, p. xi; Brodhead 2: 



63.) 



For the laws of the province see Duke of York's Laws, 1665- 

 75. (Col. Laws N. Y. i, p. 6; N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll. i ser. v. i, 

 1809.) 



124. 1667. " A warrant from the Governo"" to the Inhabit*^ of Staten 

 Island, empowering them to chuse civill officers. Whereas Mr, 

 Nicholas Stillwell by y® Mayo'" pt of yo"" Inhabit*^ beene elected 

 Constable of yo^ Towne I have this day confirmed him in y® s*^ 

 office for this ensueing yeare : You are hereby likewise appointed 

 and authorized to chuse out of yo'" plantacon, two good and suffi- 

 cient men to be Overseers, to whom y® Constable may administer 

 their oath, who with the said Constable shall have power to decide 

 and determine all matters of debt & difference betweene you or 

 any of you arising, under y® value of five pounds & for what shall 

 bee above the s'^ sume, you are to have recourse to y® Sessions at 

 Gravesend upon Long Island, & in all other matters you are to 

 bee guided according to the Rules prescribed in the Lawes for the 

 Townes within this Governm^ Given under my hand at fTort 

 James in N. Y., this 7th day of Sept. 1667. R. Nicolls. To the 

 Inhabit*^ of the plantacon upon Staten Island." (Col. Doc. 13: 

 415-) 



