John Fenwick (Quaker)

John Fenwick (1618–1683) was the leader of a group of Quakers who emigrated in 1675 from England to Salem, New Jersey where they established Fenwick's Colony, the first English settlement in West Jersey.[1][2]

John Fenwick
Born1618
Stanton Manor, Northumberland, England
Died1683
Fenwick's Colony, Salem County, New Jersey
OccupationSoldier
Attorney
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Covert
Mary Burdet
ChildrenElizabeth
Anne
Priscilla
Parent(s)Sir William Fenwick
Elizabeth

Personal life in England

John Fenwick, the second son of Sir William Fenwick, was born at Stanton Manor, Northumberland, England to an ancient family of wealth and influence.[1][2] In 1648, John Fenwick married Elizabeth Covert, who gave birth to three daughters: Elizabeth, Anne and Priscilla.[1][2] In 1665, John and Elizabeth Fenwick joined the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers.[2] After Elizabeth's death, John Fenwick married Mary Burdet, his second wife and daughter of Sir Walter Burdet. They had no children.[1][2]

Fenwick's Colony

Prior to 1674, West Jersey had been partitioned by English colonists into five territories, each called a Tenth. The five Tenths, stretching from Assunpink Creek southward to an area inclusive of the Cohansey River, fronted the east bank of the Delaware River. John Fenwick acquired title to the Fifth Tenth, which occupied much of the present-day counties of Salem and Cumberland.[1][3]

In the third quarter of 1675,[4] John Fenwick and the other emigrants departed London aboard the Griffin, Robert Griffith in command.[1][2] The Griffin reached its destination prior to October 8, 1675; that day John Fenwick recorded a land deed with the local Native Americans (Lenape people).[1][5] Fenwick gave his new home the name of New Salem, meaning peace.[2]

References
  1. Clement, John (1875). A sketch of the life and character of John Fenwick. Published by Friends Historical Association. Philadelphia: Henry S. Volkmar
  2. Shourds, Thomas (1876). "John Fenwick." History and genealogy of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey. Bridgeton, New Jersey, pp. 3-17 ISBN 0-8063-0714-5
  3. West Jersey Proprietors (1964). Burlington, New Jersey: Revell Press
  4. Clement (1875). Based on extant documents, the departure date cannot be confirmed.
  5. Shourds (1876), p. 10. Shourds wrote that the date of arrival at their destination was September 24, 1675.

Further reading
  • Clement, John (1877). Sketches of the First Emigrant Settlers in Newton Township, Old Gloucester County, West New Jersey. Camden: Sinnickson Chew
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.