Emigrant voyages to East Jersey

The Scots Proprietors drew inspiration from Quaker settlements in West Jersey and Pennsylvania but adapted their model to reflect Scotland’s social and landholding structures. They envisaged a colony structured around landed estates, resembling Scottish society with lairds, tenants, skilled workers, and farm servants — though with greater opportunities for those of lower status to acquire property. The town and port of Perth Amboy was planned as the colony’s focal point, named after the Earl of Perth and the Native American term, Ompoge, referring to the promontory on which it was located.

Each Proprietor was required to purchase rights to an initial 10,000-acre estate, in the “best and most convenient places” at a price of £10 sterling per 100 acres (£1,000 per full share). Additionally, they were expected to contribute £100 toward settlement costs, covering tools, livestock, seed, and ship provisions.

Proprietors expected to generate income not only from land sales and rents but also from quitrents, payments similar to feu duties in Scotland. Under this system dating from feudal times, landholders paid dues to the Crown or the superior landowner in lieu of services (originally military). In the East Jersey case, as in other American colonies, the feudal superiors were the Proprietors. If they were successful in ensuring the development of the full extent of their land, they could expect a substantial return on their investment.  

To encourage rapid development, land was allocated first to Proprietors or fractioners who emigrated quickly or sent family members including or accompanied by three or more working hands. These settlers received land in the first phase of land allocations, while those who delayed risked missing out. Over time, Proprietors also expected to receive dividends in the form of additional land.

If farmers brought their families, a few servants, livestock, and £100 Scots in goods, they were granted between 100 and 500 acres. They paid no rent for the first seven years, after which they could buy their land at 2s 6d per acre. Tradesmen willing to pay their own fare were granted 30 acres and employment upon arrival.

Indentured servitude was central to the Scots’ settlement plans. Servants, often young or from poor backgrounds, agreed to work under contract, typically four years, shorter for skilled tradesmen. In return for their labour, their passage costs of £5/head were paid and they were provided with clothing, a cow, a pig, and enough grain to sow an acre. After their service, they received a heritable grant of 30 acres (more for skilled workers) and then had to pay quitrent. Children were bound in service until age 21, and indentures could be sold or transferred.