Edward Byllynge was a British colonial administrator and governor of West New Jersey from 1680 to 1687, until his death in England. Byllynge owned a large section of land in New Jersey with the Quakers.
Edward Byllynge | |
|---|---|
| 1st Governor of West New Jersey | |
| In office August 1680 – January 1687 | |
| Deputy | Samuel Jennings Thomas Olive John Skene |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Coxe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hengar, St Tudy, Cornwall |
| Died | January 1687 England |
| Nationality | Cornish |
| Occupation | Brewer |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Byllynge was a London brewer. He purchased land in New Jersey in 1674 from Sir John Berkeley, in deal also involving John Fenwick. Byllynge's financial position was complicated by bankruptcy, and after negotiations involving William Penn, the purchase in 1675 was reassigned to a trust involving Fenwick, Penn and others with Byllynge. The planting of Quaker colonies then proceeded.[1]
Byllynge was an unpopular governor with the settlers of New Jersey. He never even set foot on the tract of land he owned. In 1682, Byllynge was one of the 24 proprietaries who owned a piece of West New Jersey.[2]
References
edit- ^ Fea, John. "Fenwick, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/71092. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "The Avalon Project : Duke of York's Confirmation to the 24 Proprietors: 14th of March 1682". Avalon.law.yale.edu. 30 June 1906. Retrieved 12 October 2015.