Stories of New Jersey   By: Frank Richard Stockton (1834-1902)

by

FRANK R. STOCKTON

New York Cincinnati Chicago American Book Company 1896

Copyright, 1896, by American Book Company.

STO. OF N. J. W. P. I

PREFACE.

This volume of stories, composed of historical incidents, or material connected with the history of New Jersey, is not intended to be a record, even in a condensed form, of the rise and progress of the State. The stories are arranged chronologically, but there has been no attempt to give a complete and continuous account of events or epochs. The material for the stories has been collected from many sources; and the selections have been made with regard to the interest, the instructiveness, and as far as possible the novelty, of the matter chosen. There has been a constant endeavor, however, to present a series of historical incidents in a panoramic form, so that the reading of the stories in their regular succession would give an impressive idea of the discovery and settlement of the State, of its people, manners, and customs, and of its progress and achievements, as it was gradually evolved from the Indian region of Scheyichbi into the State of New Jersey.

In these stories there is nothing imaginative or fanciful, except where a reference is made to the early imaginings and fancies of the aborigines. The stories are not founded on facts, but they are made up of facts carefully collected from the authorities referred to in the table of contents. Some of the stories are well known, but could not be omitted because of their representative character; but others, it is hoped, will be found familiar only to the professed student of history. The period of the stories extends from the earliest times of Indian tradition down to what may be called our own day; but as there was so much available matter, and so little space for it, and as there was no intention to give a comprehensive history of the State, it was deemed well to deal only with the incidents and people that have passed out of the boundaries of current history.

CONTENTS.

PAGE THE STORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF SCHEYICHBI; or, The Aborigines of New Jersey. (Period, prior to 1600.) 9

Authorities : MSS. regarding Indians. Rev. John Heckewelder. "History of New Jersey." T. F. Gordon. "History of New Jersey." I. Mulford.

THE STORY OF A PEACEMAKER. An Indian Woman's Friendly Act. (Period, 1632.) 18

Authority : "History of New York." Brodhead.

THE WINNING OF THE PRIZE; or, The English Ownership of New Jersey. (Period, 1664.) 24

Authorities : "History of New Jersey." I. Mulford. "History of New Jersey." S. Smith. "History of New Jersey." T. F. Gordon.

HOW SCHEYICHBI REALLY BECAME NEW JERSEY. (Period, 1609 1758.) 31

Authorities : "History of New Jersey." S. Smith. "History of New Jersey." I. Mulford. "History of New Jersey." T. F. Gordon.

FINS, RATTLES, AND WINGS; or, The Wild Animals of Early Days. 42

Authorities : "History of New Jersey." S. Smith. "Historical Collections." Barber and Howe. "The Burlington Smiths." R. M. Smith.

THE STORY OF A GIRL AND A HOGSHEAD. A Story of the Swedish Settlers. (Period, prior to 1655.) 51

Authority : "Historical Collections." Barber and Howe.

THE STORY OF PENELOPE STOUT. (Period, prior to 1669.) 57

Authorities : "History of New Jersey." S. Smith. "History of New Jersey." J. C. Raum. "Historical Collections." Barber and Howe. "Story of an Old Farm." A. C. Mellick.

THE SCHOOLMASTER AND THE DOCTOR. (Period, from 1693.) 69