New Jersey – Thinking About Becoming a Real Estate Developer?

A Connecticut governor, Newark…and The Robert Treat Hotel.

The Robert Treat Hotel opened to the public in Newark, New Jersey in the year 1916. This prominent hotel – located on Park Place in downtown Newark – was the first luxury hotel ever built in Newark.

The Robert Treat is named after the very man to whom Newark owes its status as, first, a territory of Great Britain. Then later, as a township in the American colonies. Then later, as New Jersey’s largest city. This man, was Robert Treat.

Robert Treat was born in England in 1622. Robert Treat arrived in the British colonies – in Massachusetts – in 1630.

In 1666, Robert Treat established a new territory for Great Britain. This new territory being, “Newark.”

What evolved into Newark was established by Robert Treat as the third New Jersey settlement. Great Britain granted this new territory a royal charter…forty-five years after Robert Treat first arrived in Brick City. This royal charter having been granted by Great Britain to Treat’s territory in 1713.

One-hundred thirty-two years after Robert Treat established this new territory for Great Britain, Newark was incorporated as a township in the newly-established United States. That occurred in 1798. As Newark Township. Through an act of the New Jersey Legislature – the Township Act of 1798. Through the Township Act of 1798, Newark became one of the New Jersey’s original 104 towns.

It was Newark Township up through 1836. In 1836, Newark Township was reincorporated as a city. Newark Township was no more. From 1836 on, it was simply, Newark.

At its origin – upon Treat’s arrival, while still a territory which was governed by Great Britain, long before there even was a New Jersey Legislature – Newark was not known as Newark Township. Nor as Newark.

At first, upon Treat’s arrival, this new Newark territory had been Pesayak Towne. The territory later became New Milford. Names for Newark…long before the territory Treat established became Newark Township. Then later, simply, Newark.

Prior to traveling south a bit from his native New England to what today is Newark – traveling…together with a fellow group of Puritans…as Robert Treat was a Puritan himself – Robert Treat had been a Connecticut governor.

From 1683 to 1687 Robert Treat served as Connecticut’s governor. Robert Treat served a second, non-consecutive term as the governor of Connecticut as well.
Governor Treat’s second gubernatorial term in Connecticut ran from 1689 to 1698.

Health club privileges. A free shuttle to Newark Liberty International Airport. A business center. A guest lounge. Banquet facilities…

As we approach The Robert Treat Hotel’s 100-year anniversary, that’s what you’ll find today when you stay at The Robert Treat. Its colonial history…long since having evolved into the finest hotel stay that New Jersey has to offer.

A Connecticut governor and Newark…The Robert Treat Hotel

Robert Treat was born in England in 1622. Robert Treat arrived in the British colonies – in Massachusetts – in 1630.

In 1666, Robert Treat established a new territory for Great Britain. This new territory being, “Newark.”

It was Newark Township up through 1836. In 1836, Newark Township was reincorporated as a city. Newark Township was no more. From 1836 on, it was simply, Newark.

Health club privileges. A free shuttle to Newark Liberty International Airport. A business center. A guest lounge. Banquet facilities…

Colts Neck Township

The origin of Monmouth County’s Colts Neck Township goes all the way back to the late 17th Century. So let’s take a look at our 17th Century beginning for what we know today to be, Colts Neck Township.

The origin of Colts Neck Township…

In 1676, two Native Americans brokered a real estate sale. This was a land sale. The land sale totaled just under 1,200 acres. To be precise, it a 1,170-acre brokered land sale.

This acreage was sold to four Monmouth County locals. These four Monmouth County locals? Nathaniel Leonard, Thomas Leonard, Henry Leonard and Samuel Leonard.

Here is the breakdown for the Leonards’ 1.170-acre 17th Century Monmouth County land purchase – Henry Leonard acquired 450 of the 1,170 total acres. Samuel Leonard acquired 240 acres. Nathaniel Leonard acquired 120 acres. John Leonard acquired 120 acres. And Samuel Leonard acquired 120 acres. Here we have the original real estate sale for what would go on to become, Colts Neck Township.

Recorded in the minutes of the Board of Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey is one specific bill of sale which would be of interest to those who love Colts Neck. As well as to Monmouth County historians. This, the bill of sale for our aforementioned 17th Century “Colts Neck” land sale – the Leonards’ acquisition of these 1,170 acres in Monmouth County. Nearly 1,200 acres which would, in time, evolve into today’s Colts Neck Township.

The four Leonards acquired their land from two native Americans. The two Native American land sellers? The sellers of the 1,170 Monmouth County acres which would go on to become Colts Neck Township? Almeseke and Lamasand.

While the history of, How Colts Neck Township came to be…, goes all the way back to this brokered 17th Century real estate sale between the Leonards and Almeseke and Lamasand, it would be another two hundred years after this brokered land sale until Colts Neck Township officially became a New Jersey township. And from this point, it would be another one hundred years until the township name – Colts Neck Township – would become the official name for today’s Colts Neck Township.

As a township name, Colts Neck Township was officially adopted in 1962. Through a local referendum.

Prior to the aforementioned 1962 referendum – which gave Colts Neck Township its name – what is now Colts Neck was, at that time, Atlantic Township.

Atlantic Township?

In 1847, through an act which was carried out by the New Jersey legislature, Atlantic Township was established.

Atlantic Township, circa 1847 (formed by way of an act of the New Jersey legislature) would be renamed Colts Neck Township, circa 1962 (by way of a local referendum).

Through an act of the New Jersey legislature, Colts Neck Township – I.e.: Atlantic Township, at that time – was initially spun off from portions of three neighboring townships – Shrewsbury, Middletown and Freehold. There is a bit of irony to this 1847 legislative land spin off. This irony involves Shrewsbury.

At one time, Shrewsbury had been one of the largest sections of the land area which we would have, informally at that time – prior to any local referendums, prior to any acts carried out by the New Jersey legislature, and prior to any Township Act – called “Colts Neck.”

Through the New Jersey Township Act, Shrewsbury – as one contributor to the formal origin of what is today, Colts Neck Township– became a New Jersey township 49 years prior to Colts Neck’s appointment as a New Jersey township.

For comments about this article, or for ideas or suggestions for additional pieces written about Colts Neck Township, kindly email or call the author, Ted Ihde.

email: authortedihde@gmail.com

mobile: (816) 699-6804

Trenton

Go to New Jersey’s capital, and we’ll find that upwards of 60% of City residents rent their homes (or their apartments). Whereas, in Mercer County – Trenton is located in Mercer County – as well as in the State of New Jersey, overall, between 30% to 40% of residents rent.

Trenton has thousands of vacant lots, non-performing buildings and vacant homes. How come?

One contributing factor had been the hollowing out of Trenton’s industrial base. Leading to a reduction in property tax receipts for the City – I.e.: less property tax revenue. Culminating in a deterioration of Trenton’s center city housing stock.

This former American industrial manufacturing hub – like many other legacy cities which have been adversely affected by de-industrialization policies – has its share of housing-related challenges. Yet, with thousands of vacant lots, non-performing buildings and vacant homes located within its borders, this former Mid-Atlantic industrial heavyweight also possesses the ingredients – serving as a foundational starting point – to establish processes to transition now non-performing Trenton properties to high-quality affordable community assets. Available, then, to those who call Trenton “home.”