New Barbadoes Neck - British Land Grants

British Land Grants

After the surrender of Fort Amsterdam by the Dutch in 1664 the area became part of the Province of New Jersey during the period of British colonization of North America. On July 4, 1668, a Crown Grant of 30,000 acres (120 km²) obtained by Major William Sandford, who named the area New Barbadoes after his old home the Caribbean island. As was the custom of the times, the Major paid Chief Tantaqua of the Hackensack Indians 20 English Pounds Sterling for all their reserve rights and titles. William Sandford died in 1690. In 1708, his friend Major Nathaniel Kingsland took over the upper western tract of the Grant. He is recalled in the Kingsland Station, Kingsland Avenue in Lyndhurst, and Kingsland Manor.

To the north, a large patent was also made to Captain John Berry who had also emigrated from the island of Barbadoes to take up residence. It is likely the border was at Union Avenue in today's Rutherford. He is recalled in the names of Berrys Creek, and the historic Yereance-Berry House. A portion was later sold to an early settler to Pavonia, New Netherland, Walling Van Winkle.