The Geography of New Jersey

Synopsis

The original inhabitants of New Jersey H were Indians of the Delaware tribe, which belonged to the Algonquin family. The early white settlers were of different nationalities,—Dutch, Swedes, English, and French. The geographical names of the state are interesting reminders of the various occupants.

The first exploration of the state was made by Henry Hudson, who, in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, sailed for a week in 1609 on the waters of Delaware Bay and Delaware River, which the Dutch called South River, in search of a northwest passage to India. Failing to find it, he sailed north and entered New York Bay and Hudson River, or North River, as it is still called. In 1614 the Dutch founded New Amsterdam, afterwards New York, and, about the same time, established a trading post in what is now Hudson County.

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