Who Lived in Colonial New Jersey? A Diverse Mosaic of Settlers

Established in 1664 as a proprietary colony under the Duke of York (later James II), New Jersey quickly became one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Major Settler Groups

• English Puritans & Quakers: Seeking religious freedom, many migrated from New England and Long Island to East Jersey (especially Newark, Elizabethtown).
• Scots, Scots-Irish & Welsh: Settled in the central and western frontiers, bringing Presbyterian traditions.
• Dutch & Germans: Remnants of New Netherland (Bergen, Pavonia) plus Palatine Germans in the 1700s.
• Swedes & Finns: From the former New Sweden (lower Delaware River), integrated into West Jersey.
• African Enslaved People: Brought by Dutch and English traders from the late 1600s; by 1776, enslaved Africans numbered over 8,000 (~8% of population).
• Lenape (Delaware) Nations: Original inhabitants, gradually displaced through treaties, disease, and conflict.

Growth & Revolution

By 1776, the colony's population exceeded 150,000. Its diversity fostered a relatively tolerant atmosphere (especially in Quaker-influenced West Jersey), but also complex loyalties during the Revolution—New Jersey saw more battles than any other state.

Today, that colonial mosaic underpins New Jersey's status as one of America's most diverse states.