A Snapshot of Woodbridge History

A Snapshot of Woodbridge History, In 1664, Governor of New Jersey Philip Carteret granted English settlers the right to establish a plantation of 14 square miles between the Passaic and Raritan Rivers purchased from the native Lenni Lenape tribe. Two years later, settlers from Newbury, Massachusetts, signed an agreement with Gov. Carteret to establish a Township. On June 1, 1669, King Charles II of England granted an official Town Charter to the settlers of Woodbridge, making it the oldest original township chartered in New Jersey., It is believed the early settlers named the town after their pastor, Rev. John Woodbridge (1631-95); they laid the town out in a fashion similar to other New England towns, starting with the “Kirk Green: town center where churches, homes and businesses were clustered. Woodbridge’s prime location along the Raritan River and Arthur Kill and its later inclusion in regional railroad networks made it a destination for many families arriving from Europe., Irish, Scots, English, French and German immigrants settled in Woodbridge proper, working in the potteries and fire brick factories that made the town a major global producer of brick and clay products during the 1800s. Many Italian immigrants found homes in Port Reading and played a pivotal role in building Reading Railroad tracks throughout the township. A Danish community made their way from Perth Amboy into Woodbridge and Fords. Many Hungarians also settled in Woodbridge, Hopelawn, Keasby and Fords at the turn of the 20th century., The Township’s population continued to rise following World War II, with new families arriving from all over the world. The growth of the Asian Indian community has been a huge boost to the economic vitality of the Iselin section., Today, Woodbridge Township has a population of nearly 100,000 and includes 10 smaller “towns” within its 24.2 square miles: Avenel, Colonia, Fords, Hopelawn, Iselin, Keasby, Menlo Park Terrace, Port Reading, Sewaren and Woodbridge proper., Situated at the confluence of numerous water, rail and roadway links with 20% of its land area devoted to transportation, warehouse and manufacturing operations, Woodbridge Township is a major commercial hub in a central geographic location along the busy Northeast Corridor., More information visit www.wthpc.org , Woodbridge Township Historic Preservation Commission , Mayor John E. McCormac Woodbridge Township 2013 ,