Elizabeth, NJ -- First Permanent English Settlement

"On October 28, 1664, the Indians of Staten Island sold to John Bailey, Daniel Denton and Luke Watson (the Elizabethtown Associates), a tract of land lying between the Raritan River and the Passaic River, extending westward from Newark Bay. The tract extended about 34 miles between the two rivers and about 17 miles westward from Newark Bay, comprising 500,000 acres. It included what is now the City of Elizabeth.

"Permission to purchase from the Indians was granted by Colonel Richard Nicolls who was Governor of all the territories in North America. Colonel Nicolls was Governor by virtue of appointment by the then Duke of York, who had been granted the territories in North America by King Charles the Second of England.

The deed of conveyance from the Indians was delivered on December 1, 1664 to John Baker, John Ogden, John Bailey and Luke Watson. (Denton having sold his interest to Baker and Ogden.) The four grantees took possession of the tract by building at least four houses before April 1665 and thus the settlement and development of Elizabeth began.

"Neither Governor Nicolls nor the purchasers knew that on June 24, 1664, the Duke of York had conveyed to Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret the tract of land known as New Jersey. Berkeley and Carteret commissioned Philip Carteret, a relative of Sir George, as Governor of New Jersey and he arrived in August 1665 with a group of settlers and servants." From Elizabethnj.org

"Elizabethans, John Ogden, father (1609-1682) and son (1638-1702), constructed the oldest portion of their home about 1680. Both had been born in Bradley Plain, Hampshire England, came to the colonies about 1641, first to Connecticut, then to Long Island, before becoming founding settlers of Elizabeth in 1664. Their house would be developed by several subsequent owners and eventually be known as the Belcher-Ogden mansion, a beautifully proportioned example of Georgian architecture and the brick style known as Flemish bond." From Visit Historical Elizabeth New Jersey.

These early Congregationalists organized what is now First Presbyterian Church in 1664, making it the oldest English-speaking congregation in the state. (See New Jersey Churchscapes for more information on the church.) There was already at least one Dutch-speaking congregation in New Jersey -- Dutch Reformed Church of Bergen -- founded in 1660.

First Presbyterian Church Orange

The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church Orange was formed in 1719 as The Church at Newark Mountains. Up until that time, congregants had traveled to the First Presbyterian Church in Newark for worship. The current building was built about 1870. After 291 years, the church held its final service on July 18, 2010.

For more information see:

• The New Jersey Churchscape
• First Presbyterian Church Orange website -- remains now as a memorial to the Church and its congregation
• Facebook page for former congregants and friends of the church
• Guide to the records of the First Presbyterian Church Orange, New Jersey Historical Society

Old First Presbyterian Church, Newark, NJ

Building on the First Presbyterian Church in Newark began before the American Revolution but was halted during the war. Work resumed in 1787 with first services held in 1791. It was designed by Eleazer Ball. The organizing of the congregation dates to the founding of Newark in 1666; originally they were Congregationalists. By 1720, the congregation was organized as a Presbyterian church.

Abraham Pierson, one of Newark's original founders, was the congregation's first minister.

The church still stands at 820 Broad Street, at the intersection of Market Street. It is at this intersection that the original settlement of Newark began. First Presbyterian is the oldest congregation in Newark.

This engraving was made in the year the church was opened, 1792. Tiebout, Cornelius, 1777-1832, engraver. Illus. in: New York Magazine, 1792 (September). Repository: Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Call Number: Illus. in AP2.A2 N5 [Rare Book RR]

For more information see:

• Historic American Buildings Survey
• The New Jersey Churchscape
• A Walk Through Newark
• Library of Congress, photos of First Presbyterian
• Old Newark, Houses of Worship
• Old Newark, Houses of Worship: List of Pastors