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Deerpark and Mount Hope

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“April 24, 1754. The Hon. James De Lancey, Esq., Lieut. Governor, communicated as follows:

Gentlemen—The division line between this Government and the province of New Jersey not being settled, has given rise to great tumults and disorders among the people of Orange county and the adjacent inhabitants of New Jersey, and may produce worse evils, unless prevented by a timely care. Nothing can answer this purpose so effectually, I think, as the fixing a temporary line of peace between us, until his Majesty’s pleasure shall be known in the matter. Governor Belcher assures me of his sincere desire that amicable and conciliatory measures may be fallen upon by the governments to make the borders easy; and I have proposed to him the running such line conformable to the opinion of his Majesty’s counsel, signified in their report to me, which I shall order to be laid before you, and if it receives your approbation, I shall forthwith appoint commissioners for running such lane of peace, and apply to that government to do the like on their part.”

October 29, 1754. Mr. Nicoll, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of sundry of the present owners and proprietors of the patents of Minisink and Wawayanda, and the other patents within this province bounded on the Jersey line, in behalf of themselves and the other part owners and proprietors of said patents, complaining of the hardships of the people of this province, living near the said Jersey line labor under from the encroachments of the people of that province, reported

That it appeared to them, in the year 1686, two stations were fixed as the terminating points of the line of division (to be run through the same— as far as they can discover, never was run) between the provinces of New York and New Jersey, viz: The one on the Northwardmost branch of the Delaware River in 41 degrees 40 minutes North latitude; and the other on Hudson’s River 41 degrees North latitude, which is due West from the lower Yonker’s Mills.

That the stations so fixed were settled by the surveyors of both provinces, by virtue of the authority of their respective governments, and with the consent and approbation of the proprietors of East New Jersey.

That, as to the station on Hudson’s River, it appears so certainly designated by names of places well known, so as may easily be found. As to that on Delaware River, notwithstanding it appears to have been fixed an 41 degrees 40 minutes North latitude on the Northwardmost branch of the Delaware River, yet which is the most Northwardly branch of that river, or what part thereof is in latitude 41 40, they cannot certainly discover.— However, they find that Minisink, a place well known, and the lands to the Northward thereof, have been held under this province, by patents granted by the Governors thereof, for near seventy years, and which are bounded South by New Jersey.

That the governments and inhabitants of both provinces esteemed the Southward bounds of those lands both at the time of their being granted, and for many years after to be the bounds between them.

That the government and inferior civil and military officers of this province, in the extension of their jurisdiction and command, and the inhabitants of this province in the extension of their possessions, have ever since the year 1686, advanced Southward as far as and limited themselves as near as possible by the bounds aforesaid.

That the people of New Jersey for many years after the fixation of said stations, in the settlement of their lands, did not extend Northward beyond said bounds; nor did the government of New Jersey or its inferior officers, even till of late years, pretend to exercise jurisdiction to the Northward of said bounds.

That the people of New Jersey have from time to time for a considerable time past, collected themselves in large bodies, and with violence have arrested divers of his majesty’s subjects, holding lands under this province to the Northward of said bounds, and taken possession of their lands, and do now forcibly hold the same.

That the government of New Jersey bath, within a few years past, erected a new county, called Sussex, a great part of which they have extended many miles to the Northward of the bounds aforesaid.

That the Justices of the Peace and other officers have been, and are from time to time, appointed in the said county, and do, from time to time, exercise authority and jurisdiction over the persons and possessions of a great number of his Majesty’s subjects, holding their lands under, and paying a submission to the government of this colony.

That, in consequence of the exercise of such authority and jurisdiction, his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace and other subordinate officers and ministers, in and for Orange county, have been frequently beaten, insulted, prevented in the execution of their respective offices, taken prisoners, and carried into parts of New Jersey, remote from their habitations and the opportunity of being relieved, and have been thrown into jail and held to excessive bail, and prosecuted by indictments, and that others of his Majesty’s subjects belonging to Orange county have also met with similar treatment.

That the people of Jersey have also, from time to time, and as often as they are able, possessed themselves of the vacant lands in Orange county.

That they frequently beset the houses of his Majesty’s subjects in Orange county by night, and attempt to seize and take prisoners such of his Majesty’s subjects, and are encouraged to do this by the offer of rewards made to them, and are also actually kept in pay for that purpose, by the proprietors of East New Jersey.

That the commissioners of highways for the said new county have laid out a highway through Minisink aforesaid, which now, by the above mentioned conduct of the people of New Jersey, is almost, if not entirely, reduced to a subjection to the government of New Jersey.

That the public officers of New Jersey assess and raise taxes upon the people dwelling to the Northward of said bounds, by which means many have been prevented from paying their proportion of the taxes of Orange county for mole than a year past. Some of them have been obliged to desert their possessions, and retire into the more Northwardly parts of Orange county, while a few, more resolute than the rest, are reduced to the necessity of converting their dwellings into places of defence, and go armed for fear of some sudden attack.

That, though the committee could produce many instances of this kind, they confine themselves to one, which happened very lately. Thomas De Key, Colonel of the militia and a Justice of the Peace for Orange county, whose plantations are claimed by New Jersey, to be within the aforesaid new county, though he, and those under whom he claims have held them, and been settled upon them under New York nigh fifty years, finding himself extremely vexed, disturbed and disquieted by the people of New Jersey, went to James Alexander, Esq , one of his Majesty’s council for this province, and also for New Jersey province, and who is one of the proprietors of the Eastern division of New Jersey, of great interest there, and esteemed one of the most active persons among them, to endeavor to come to some agreement with him, in order that he might remain quiet until the line be finally settled. But the said Alexander refused to consent to any thing of that kind, unless the said De Key would agree to hold his lands under New Jersey, become a Jerseyman, and fight, as be expressed it for New Jersey against New York people; and told him at the same time if he would do so he should neither want money or commissions; and if he would not do so, he should be dispossessed of his plantations. This Col. De Key refusing to comply with, some short time after, a number of armed men from New Jersey came to the house of said Col. De Key, who, observing them approach in such a manner, shut himself up in his house; on which they drew up before his door, and some of them cocked their guns, and presented them towards the window where Cot. De Key stood, swearing they would shoot him through the heart—that they would starve him out, and burn the house over his head—and if man, woman or child attempted to escape they would shoot them down—that they had strength enough to take all Goshen and would do it in time. However, they then withdrew without further violence, and upon their departure one of them said to Col. De Key, “Take care of yourself, for we will have you yet.”