For more than a century the dispute between the first settlers at
Elizabethtown, N. J. (who came from
Long Island and
New England), and, first, the proprietors of
New Jersey, and, next, the crown, arose and continued concerning the title to the lands on which these settlers were seated.
The dispute occurred in consequence of conflicting claims to eminent domain, caused by a dispute about the original title of the soil.
The
Elizabethtown settlers obtained their land from the Indians, with the consent of
Governor Nicolls; but already the
Duke of
York, without the knowledge of
Nicolls or the settlers, had sold the domain of
New Jersey to
Berkeley and
Carteret.
The new proprietors ignored the title of the settlers, and made demands as absolute proprietors of the soil, which the latter continually resisted themselves, and so did their heirs.
Frequent unsuccessful attempts at ejectment were made; the settlers resisted by force.
The Assembly, called upon to interfere, usually declined, for that body rather favored the Elizabethtown claimants.
Finally, in 1757,
Governor Belcher procured an
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act of Assembly by which all past differences should be buried.
It was not acceptable; and in 1751 the
British government ordered a commission of inquiry to determine the law and equity in the case.
The proprietors also began chancery suits against the heirs of the Elizabethtown settlers, and these were pending when the Revolution broke out (1775) and settled the whole matter.
