New Jersey’s colonial era began with Dutch and Swedish settlers establishing the first European footholds in the region. The Dutch colony of New Netherland encompassed parts of the modern Mid-Atlantic states, and the first permanent settlement, Bergen, was founded in 1630 by Michiel Pauw under the patroonship system. Along the Delaware River, Peter Minuit established New Sweden, which lasted until 1655, when Dutch forces absorbed the territory.

In 1664, the English took control of the region, annexing it as part of the Duke of York’s proprietary lands. The territory was named the Province of New Jersey in honor of the Channel Island of Jersey, which had remained loyal to the British Crown during the English Civil War. The land was granted to Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley, who oversaw its development.

From the beginning, New Jersey attracted a mix of settlers, including New England Congregationalists, Scots Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed migrants, Quakers, and Anglicans. Unlike other colonies, many immigrants came from other colonies rather than directly from Europe. The state’s fertile lands and religious tolerance encouraged growth, with Burlington, Perth Amboy, and other towns emerging as key commercial ports. By 1775, New Jersey’s population had grown to approximately 120,000 residents.

The colony was initially divided into East and West Jersey, governed separately from 1674 to 1702, before being reunited under a royal governor. Early governance faced challenges, including ineffective leadership under Lord Cornbury and disputes over favoritism toward New York. After advocacy by settlers, Lewis Morris was appointed governor in 1738, restoring a measure of autonomy and stability to the colony.

This period laid the foundation for New Jersey’s political, cultural, and economic development, setting the stage for its central role in the American Revolutionary War.