The Province of New York was an English colony that existed roughly within the current boundaries of the State of New York. The province originally claimed the current states of New Jersey and Vermont.
Conquest of New Netherlands
The province was granted to James, Duke of York, before the capture of the New Netherlands colony from the Dutch on September 12,1664. The Duke had already granted the Province of New Jersey to his friends Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret.
The Dutch retook part of New York in the next war; but finally lost it in 1674. When the Duke succeeded to the throne of England as James II, in 1685, New York became a Crown Colony. During the Glorious Revolution, Jacob Leisler led a rebellion in favor of William III.
In principle, the form of government was absolute rule by the Duke of York, or later the King; but in practice, he delegated his authority to a provincial governor whom he had appointed and instructed, and a provincial legislature elected by freeholders.
The twelve original counties
The Province of New York was divided into twelve counties on November 1, 1683:
- Albany County: Contained all of the region that is now northern and western New York. Also contained the area that is now Vermont. In addition as there was no fixed western border to the colony (sea-to-sea grant ), Albany County theoretically extended to the Pacific Ocean. Most of this land has now been ceded to other states and most of the land within New York has been divided into new counties.
- Cornwall County: Contained an area in what is now Maine. Ceded to Massachusetts Colony in 1692.
- Dukes County: Contained the Elizabeth Islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island west of Long Island. Ceded to Massachusetts Colony in 1691.
- Dutchess County: Contained the area that is now Dutchess and Putnam counties.
- Kings County: Contained the area of the current Kings County.
- New York County: Contained the area of the current New York County.
- Orange County: Contained the area that is now Orange and Rockland counties.
- Queens County: Contained the area that is now Queens and Nassau counties.
- Richmond County: Contained the area of the current Richmond County.
- Suffolk County: Contained the area of the current Suffolk County.
- Ulster County: Contained the area that is now Ulster and Sullivan counties and part of what is now Delaware and Greene counties.
- Westchester County: Contained the area that is now Bronx and Westchester counties.
List of provincial governors
See also
