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The English Neighborhood was the colonial-era name for the towns in eastern Bergen County, New Jersey , along the Hudson Palisades between the Hudson River and the Hackensack River , particularly around its main tributary, Overpeck Creek . The region had been part of the Dutch New Netherland colony of Bergen , whose main town was located at Bergen Square in modern Jersey City . The name refers to the geography of the region, bergen being the Dutch word for hills . Earlier attempts at settlement at Achter Col ( after (the) hill ) and Vriessendael had been compromised in conflicts with the precolonial population, bands of the Lenape known by their exonyms , the Hackensacks and the Tappans .

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122-640: After the surrender of Fort Amsterdam at the tip of Manhattan and annexation of the entire Dutch province by the British in 1664, northeastern New Jersey became part of the proprietary colony of East Jersey . In order to encourage settlement the land was quickly divided and a number of land titles were given or confirmed by the new government. While many were awarded to the existing New Netherlander population, many were given to migrating English and Huguenot settlers, some who may have come from Europe, many who made their way from New England , Long Island , or

244-846: A Hudson Bergen Light Rail line known as the Northern Branch Corridor Project . Though the term English Neighborhood is no longer used much there are still places which continue to bear the name. The Dutch Reformed Church in the English Neighborhood in Ridgefield was built in 1793 by a congregation established in 1770. In Fairview , the English Neighborhood Park and the English Neighborhood Public School are still used describe places in part of

366-866: A sending/receiving relationship with the Edgewater Public Schools . Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools , which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack , and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus . The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on

488-485: A student–teacher ratio of 11.4:1. Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Anna C. Scott Elementary School with 663 students in grades Pre-K–5, Leonia Middle School with 533 students in grades 6–8 and Leonia High School with 740 students in grades 9–12. Students from Edgewater attend the district's schools for grades 7–12 as part of

610-613: A Bergen County park in Leonia, Ridgefield Park , and Teaneck , is home to the county's World Trade Center Memorial. Field Station: Dinosaurs is a dinosaur-themed park in Overpeck County Park, just south of Interstate 95, with 32 animatronic dinosaurs. Leonia is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, New Jersey's most common form of government. The governing body comprises

732-564: A calendar of all arts events in Leonia. Leonia has five public recreational areas, of which only the Leonia Swim Club requires a membership fee. The recreation areas include Wood Park, on the corner of Broad Avenue and Fort Lee Road; Sylvan Park and the Leonia Swim Club, both on Grand Avenue near Sylvan Avenue; and the Recreational Center on Broad Avenue, which has an indoor basketball court. Overpeck County Park ,

854-467: A code of military law for members of the garrison while on duty, which included stiff fines for blasphemy, slandering, intoxication or failure to appear for duty. The code was read aloud by a corporal every time the soldiers appeared for duty. After four years of fighting with the Indians a peace was finally reestablished in 1645. Under Kieft, however, public revenues overall were not forthcoming, smuggling

976-475: A female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20. In the borough, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

1098-526: A formal Remonstrance, persuaded Stuyvesant to stand down in the face of overwhelming odds. On September 8, Stuyvesant raised the white flag of surrender and subsequently, after much protest and deliberation, he signed the colony over without any blood-shed during the Second Anglo–Dutch War . At the behest of the James II, Duke of York , Nicoll's was appointed governor whose objective was to oversee

1220-464: A house and stable, a bakery, a goat-stable, and a large storage shed to accommodate the ship builders. Twiller, however, was generally disliked by the Dutch settlers. His financial management and accounting were poorly conducted and he neglected to report regularly to Amsterdam and had acquired a reputation for drunkenness. For this he was sharply and openly criticized by Borgardus from the pulpit and by

1342-557: A large piece of land and established the Leonia Heights Land Company to develop and market housing in the community. His advertising attracted many academics and artists who were drawn to Leonia's small size, culture, and location, leading to the town's nickname, the "Athens of New Jersey". In 1915, Harvey Dunn established the Leonia School of Illustration, fostering the artists' colony that emerged over

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1464-495: A mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis in the November general election. Voters directly elect a mayor to a four-year term. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats up for election each year in a three-year cycle. Leonia's borough form of government is " weak mayor / strong council", in which council members act as

1586-601: A military siege, and subsequently a battery was erected at the southernmost shore of the island and fitted out with artillery. In 1668 Nicolls resigned the governorship and returned to England, where he resumed his service to the Duke of York. He was replaced as governor by Francis Lovelace on 28 August 1668. Beginning in the spring of 1672, the Third Anglo-Dutch War broke out. The following year, two Dutch fleets, commanded by Admiral Cornelis Evertsen aboard

1708-486: A penniless soldier of the East India Company . He started out in the trade business and soon married a rich merchant's widow, and by 1689 he achieved prosperity and respectability. As acting governor of New York, he represented the common people against a group of wealthy leaders represented by Pieter Stuyvesant and others and enacted a government of direct popular representation as well as bringing reform to

1830-461: A provision that the colony of New Netherland be returned to England, which ended the war (the Dutch got Suriname ). The fort was officially renamed Fort Willem Hendrick in honor of William III of England , who was Stadtholder and Prince of Orange , and changed the name from New Orange back to New York. After the treaty was secured, the English once again named the area "New York" and returned

1952-670: A selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district. St. John the Evangelist School was a Catholic school for students in grades Pre-K–8, operating under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark . After 72 years and generations of graduates, it was closed in June 2013. As of May 2010 , the borough had 23.02 miles (37.05 km) of roadways, of which 19.53 miles (31.43 km) were maintained by

2074-582: A small burgher and property owner. He began residence on Bergen Neck , learned the Lenape language, and acted as interpreter for Robert Treat 's purchase of the Newark Tract . After the British conquest he was able to purchase of a tract of nearly two thousand acres, with a frontage of almost two and a half miles on the Hudson, extending northward from Bulls Ferry and stretching back to Overpeck Creek and

2196-1285: A staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024 , the county executive is James J. Tedesco III ( D , Paramus ), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026. Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale , 2025), Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson , 2025), Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee , 2026), Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah , 2025), Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield , 2026), Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington , 2024) and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes , 2024). Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale , 2026), Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood , 2024) and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill , 2026). As of March 2011, there were 4,713 registered voters in Leonia, of whom 2,493 (52.9% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats , 598 (12.7% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans , and 1,619 (34.4% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated . Three voters were registered as Libertarians or Greens . Of

2318-506: A temporary fort. Manhattan Island at this time was covered by woods and brush, with several marshes about the shore line, and at night the sound of bears and other wildlife could be heard. During the 17th century, no settlement was secure without a fortification for defense and refuge. Historian Maud Wilder Goodwin maintains the fort existed not so much out of concern for the Indians, but over other ambitious and enterprising Europeans. Historian John Andrew Doyle , however, maintains that

2440-602: A township not exceeding four square miles. The passage of a revised Borough Act resulted in a series of subdivisions creating new boroughs. Municipalities created from Ridgefield Township (or portions thereof) were Bogota (1894), Leonia (1894), Undercliff (1894; renamed "Edgewater" in 1899), Fairview (1894), Teaneck (part) (1895), Cliffside Park (1895), Englewood (part) (1895), Palisades Park (1899). The creation of Fort Lee, New Jersey on April 18, 1904, put an end to Ridgefield Township. The area underwent significant growth as its villages expanded and agricultural land

2562-685: A turnout of 72.4% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County). In the 2008 presidential election , Obama received 2,604 votes (65.9% vs. 53.9% countywide) to Republican John McCain 's 1,273 (32.2% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates' 30 (0.8% vs. 0.8%). The borough's 5,050 registered voters cast 3,953 ballots, for a turnout of 78.3% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County). In the 2004 presidential election , Democrat John Kerry received 2,468 votes (64.4% vs. 51.7% countywide) to Republican George W. Bush 's 1,327 (34.6% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates' 25 (0.7% vs. 0.7%). The borough's 4,878 registered voters cast 3,835 ballots, for

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2684-691: A turnout of 78.6% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county). In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Democrat Barbara Buono received 50.8% of the vote (1,078 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 47.9% (1,015 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (27 votes), among the 2,205 ballots cast by the borough's 4,826 registered voters (85 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.7%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Democrat Jon Corzine received 1,682 ballots cast (60.7% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 901 votes (32.5% vs. 45.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 120 votes (4.3% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 7 votes (0.3% vs. 0.5%), among

2806-642: Is 115 feet (35 m), but the borough's western part can reach 5 feet (1.5 m) and the eastern part 318 feet (97 m). The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Englewood , Fort Lee , Palisades Park , Ridgefield Park and Teaneck . Leonia is designated as a Tree City USA , receiving its 21st annual recognition in 2010 from the National Arbor Day Foundation . The 2010 United States census counted 8,937 people, 3,284 households, and 2,519 families in

2928-708: Is Broad Avenue), was called the English Neighborhood Road. In colonial times, it served as the main inland route between Paulus Hook , Bergen, and the English Neighborhood. Leonia was a crossroads of the American Revolution and a training ground for American Civil War soldiers. Historic places in Leonia include the Civil War Drill Hall and Armory and the Cole-Allaire House, constructed around 1765, making it

3050-564: Is a borough in Bergen County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 9,304, an increase of 367 (+4.1%) from the 2010 census count of 8,937, which in turn reflected an increase of 23 (+0.3%) from the 8,914 counted in the 2000 census . The borough is a suburb of New York City , near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge . Leonia

3172-423: Is leased from the borough. Recent productions include Lovers and Other Strangers , The Glass Menagerie , Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Hair . Upcoming productions include a fall production of Guys and Dolls . Since 2000, Leonia has also been home to Summerstage at Leonia, which produces a Broadway-style family musical each summer in the last two weeks of July. Summerstage performances were originally held in

3294-557: Is made up of professional musicians who reside in Leonia, and gives classical music concerts four times a year at various venues in the borough. Leonia aims to build its art and cultural environment by displaying outdoor sculpture throughout the community and in the Erika and David Boyd Sculpture Garden, on the grounds of the Leonia Borough Annex. This group sponsors an annual Taste of Leonia fundraiser. Leonia Arts provides

3416-566: Is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Gordon M. Johnson ( D , Englewood ) and in the General Assembly by Shama Haider (D, Tenafly ) and Ellen Park (D, Englewood Cliffs ). Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive , with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on

3538-544: The 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer ( D , Wyckoff ). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For the 2024-2025 session , the 37th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature

3660-652: The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House , which houses a branch of the National Museum of the American Indian ; Bowling Green is nearby. The construction of the fort marked the official founding date of New York City as recognized by its seal . In October 1683, what would become the first session of the New York legislature convened at the fort. Artillery guns outside the fort overlooking

3782-677: The Battle of Brooklyn , when volleys were exchanged between the fort and British emplacements on Governor's Island . After 165 years of service, involving a number of conflicts, the fort was finally torn down in 1790 after the American Revolution . After the fort's demolition, the Government House was constructed on the site as a possible house for the United States President. The site is now occupied by

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3904-669: The English and the French . Although its main function was military, it also served as the center of trading activity. It contained a barracks, a church, a house for the West India Company director, and a warehouse for the storage of company goods. The company appointed Cornelius Jacobsen Mey in 1624 as the first (provisional) director of the New Netherland colony, and who was stationed at New Amsterdam at

4026-569: The West Indies . On June 10, 1669, Samuel Edsall, received a patent "for land betw. Hudson R. and Overpeck's" , which encompassed much of the area. By 1675 it was being termed the English Neighborhood. Born in Reading , England about 1630, Edsall had come to New Amsterdam at the age of eighteen, where he was listed among the new arrivals as "a bever maker," or hatter. His industry, and possibly his marriage with Jannetje Wessels, qualified him as

4148-646: The poverty line , including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 Census, 17.24% of Leonia's residents identified themselves as being of Korean ancestry, which was the fourth-highest in the United States and second-highest of any municipality in New Jersey—behind neighboring Palisades Park (36.38%)—for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry. Additionally, 3.07% of Leonia's residents identified themselves as being of Japanese ancestry, which

4270-714: The "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey. Leonia's original inhabitants were the Hackensack tribe (Ashkineshacky) of Native Americans . The population was about 1,000 before the Europeans settled in the area. At the time of the American Revolutionary War , Leonia was known as part of the English Neighborhood , a name that survives in neighboring Englewood . It was settled in 1668 mainly by Dutch and English farmers, making it one of

4392-399: The 17 counted in 2000. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $ 66,271 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 9,365) and the median family income was $ 91,129 (+/− $ 16,890). Males had a median income of $ 54,754 (+/− $ 8,175) versus $ 60,057 (+/− $ 8,680) for females. The per capita income for the borough

4514-452: The 2,773 ballots cast by the borough's 4,880 registered voters, yielding a 56.8% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county). Leonia is served by its public system and by a number of private schools. The Leonia Public Schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade . As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,952 students and 170.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for

4636-707: The Battery. Eventually a new fort, Castle Clinton , was built on Lower Manhattan to the southwest, shortly before the outbreak of the War of 1812 with Britain. The site of Fort James was redeveloped for the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House . Prior to landfilling and the creation of Battery Park , it was located at the shoreline of the Hudson River but is now a few blocks away. 40°42′15″N 74°00′49″W  /  40.7042°N 74.0137°W  / 40.7042; -74.0137 Leonia, New Jersey Leonia

4758-509: The British finally pulled out. In 1788, the government ordered the razing of Fort George (as it was then known). Its materials were used as landfill to add to the shore and expand the Battery. The fort was torn down in 1790, and the Government House , intended as the presidential residence, was built on the site. The need for new fortifications soon became apparent, especially as tensions started rising again with France and Great Britain. In 1798, guns were placed in temporary fortifications on

4880-715: The Dutch, British and the Americans, with corresponding changes in the fort's name. Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan Island , and the greater Dutch colony of New Netherland , was chartered by the Dutch West India Company in 1621. Before Fort Amsterdam was constructed, the Dutch settlers erected a large stone building on the future location of the fort that served as a meeting house. It was surrounded by some 30 makeshift dwellings made from timber and bark, as finished building materials were scarce. The structures were surrounded by red cedar palisades which served as

5002-539: The English garrison into surrendering the fort. On August 2, with New Amsterdam once again under Dutch rule, the Council of War appointed Colve as military governor-general of the province and Fort Orange, who in turn appointed Cornelius Steenwyk as Councillor of State, with executive privileges. In 1674, the fort and New Orange were turned back over to the English in the Treaty of Westminster (1674) which included

English Neighborhood - Misplaced Pages Continue

5124-399: The English occurred on September 6, I664. Nichols' first official act was to rename the city from New Amsterdam to New York, in recognition of James's title as Duke of York , while the fort was renamed Fort James, in honor of James II of England . Designed primarily as a defense against Indians the fort was considered almost useless for guarding the entry to the Hudson River or repelling

5246-598: The Fort James name. Edmund Andros was appointed governor and served from 9 February 1674, to 18 April 1683. On 10 November 1674, Andros received the surrender of the town, while their religious and other rights and property were not lost or compromised. In September 1682, James, Lord Proprietor of the Province of New York , appointed Thomas Dongan, 2nd Earl of Limerick , an Irishman and staunch Catholic, who had arrived at New York on 25 August 1863, as Vice-admiral in

5368-469: The Hackensack River, siting his own farm near what is now Palisades Park. From time to time he sold or leased other parts of the estate. In 1683, administrative districts in the form of counties were established, with Bergen County encompassing the land between the aforementioned rivers from Bergen Point in the south to the newly created and ambiguous boundary line with New York . In 1693,

5490-548: The Leonia Borough Council are Council President Christoph Hesterbrink (D, 2025), Scott Fisher (D, 2025), Louis Grandelis (D, 2024), Diane M. Scarangella (D, 2026), Joanne Choi Terrell (D, 2024), and Jordan D. Zeigler (D, 2026). Leonia is in New Jersey's 5th congressional district and New Jersey's 37th state legislative district. It was in the 9th congressional district from 2013 to 2022. For

5612-674: The Leonia High School Little Theater but now take place at the Civil War Drill Hall Theater. Auditions are held in May and open to all in the NYC metro area. Past shows have included The Wizard of Oz , Carousel , The Sound of Music , Annie , Oliver , Les Miserables , My Fair Lady , and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying . The Leonia Chamber Musicians Society, founded in 1973,

5734-583: The Navy and provincial governor (1683–1688) to replace Edmund Andros . Dongan organized the first representative assembly of New York Province at Fort James, on 14 October 1683. Dongan had served in the French army for many years, which made him familiar with French customs and diplomacy. His service in the Low Countries had given him a first-hand knowledge of the Dutch language. Upon his arrival, Dongan

5856-567: The Stamp Act. Reports of violent riots occurring in Newport, Boston, and elsewhere continued to reach Cadwallader's desk. Jared Ingersoll , stamp agent from Connecticut, and William Franklin , Governor of New Jersey, under extreme pressure not to enforce the Stamp Act had their supplies of stamped paper transported to Fort George for safe keeping. During the early morning hours of November 2, engineers and workers worked earnestly to strengthen

5978-401: The acting governor of the Province of New York , and commander of the fort, who was accompanied by a company of regular infantry. Brockholls exclaimed to Dongan that he had great difficulty maintaining order, and that he was relieved over his arrival. At the time of his appointment, the province was bankrupt and in a state of rebellion. Dongan was able to restore order and stability. He was also

6100-551: The area of present-day Westchester County to barter beaver skins. When they reached the Kolck , a pond near what is now Chinatown , they were set upon by three farmhands, and one of the two adults was killed. When the young boy who was with them grew older, he took his revenge for the murder of his uncle, which act served as a pretext for Kieft's War . At the direction of the Dutch West India Company, Verhulst

6222-514: The area. The Continental Army maintained a presence in the area to observe the movement of the British in New York . Its position between the two armies resulted in many foraging parties and skirmishes, known sometimes as the Forage War . Major John André , executed for his collusion with Benedict Arnold , mentions the English Neighborhood in his poem The Cow Chase , in which he muses on

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6344-476: The arrival of the Dutch fleet, the Dutch burghers and 400 Dutch colonists had grown impatient and resentful with English rulership as their appeals for rights and liberties were constantly ignored, and conveyed this sentiment to the Dutch upon their arrival. Manning sent an envoy of three men from the fort to Admiral Evertsen's ship with a message asking why the Dutch had arrived "in such a hostile manner". Evertsen replied that they had come to take back what he felt

6466-468: The arrival of the stamps brought to and held at Fort George. Cadwallader Colden , the acting governor of the Province of New York from 1763 to 1765, was residing at the fort at the time, but admitted that he had no real authority outside its gates. On 1 November 1765, the garrison was put on alert and manned the walls of the fort, and was soon greeted by the approaching colonists. A courier emerged from

6588-408: The borough was 65.74% White , 2.27% African American , 0.09% Native American , 26.06% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 3.20% from other races , and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.73% of the population. There were 3,271 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had

6710-427: The borough's 2010 census population, 52.7% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 67.9% of those over 18 (vs. 73.7% countywide). In the 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 2,451 votes (66.8% vs. 54.8% countywide) to Republican Mitt Romney 's 1,135 (30.9% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates' 47 (1.3% vs. 0.9%). The borough's 5,065 registered voters cast 3,668 ballots, for

6832-721: The borough's oldest dwelling, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The Vreeland House , constructed in 1786 by Dirck Vreeland and expanded in 1815, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Leonia celebrates "Leonia Day" annually on the third Sunday in May. According to the United States Census Bureau , the borough has an area of 1.63 square miles (4.22 km ), including 1.52 square miles (3.94 km ) of land and 0.11 square miles (0.27 km ) of water (6.50%). The borough center's elevation

6954-472: The borough. The population density was 5,819.5 per square mile (2,246.9/km ). There were 3,428 housing units at an average density of 2,232.2 per square mile (861.9/km ). The racial makeup was 55.22% (4,935) White , 2.34% (209) Black or African American , 0.16% (14) Native American , 35.12% (3,139) Asian , 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander , 3.71% (332) from other races , and 3.44% (307) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.66% (1,489) of

7076-457: The borough. The Union School of the English Neighborhood, moved from its original location, is a landmark in Englewood . The name also survives in the names of Englewood and Englewood Cliffs themselves, which derive from a corruption of English Neighborhood. 40°52′N 74°00′W  /  40.86°N 74.00°W  / 40.86; -74.00 Fort Amsterdam Fort Amsterdam

7198-455: The city became very crowded with overall poor living conditions for many of its inhabitants. After the British occupation of Manhattan Island was completed, the fort was not involved in any further military engagements for the remainder of the war. After peace was established with Britain in 1783, Washington received word that the British would soon evacuate New York. As Washington and his army marched south on Manhattan Island, Washington noted

7320-494: The cleats and by greasing the pole, all as measures taken to hinder the Americans from raising their flag at the fort. After a brief reception at Cape's Tavern, Washington, Governor Clinton and the cavalcade entered the fort. After an extended effort the flagpole was repaired and its missing parts replaced, after which John Van Arsdale ascended the pole and attached the American flag, on Evacuation Day , 25 November 1783, after

7442-468: The company's treasurer, Lubbertus Van Dincklagen, for which Twiller dismissed him and sent him back to Holland. Van Dincklagen immediately drew up a formal complaint and submitted it to the States General . After confirmed reports of Twiller's performance reached Holland it was decided that he be replaced as Director General of New Netherland. William Kieft was subsequently appointed as the new Director in September 1637, arriving at New Amsterdam in March of

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7564-416: The construction of the fort, clearing land, farming and other such work. Attitudes about slavery varied among the colonists. Some of the slaves were converted to Christianity, and later some of them were given their freedom and grants of land. The fort became the nucleus of the New Amsterdam settlement and its mission was protecting New Netherland colony operations in the Hudson River against attack from

7686-474: The county was divided into two townships, separated at the current Hudson - Bergen line, with Hackensack Township to the north and Bergen Township to the south. In 1710, the nearby village of Hackensack became the county seat . Prior to the American Revolutionary War , a liberty pole was erected at a major crossroads, but the English Neighborhood was soon occupied by the British Army after George Washington 's retreat from Fort Lee , which had crossed

7808-405: The crowd and approached the gate, bearing a message for Cadwallader, which he handed to the sentry. Addressed to Cadwallader specifically, its message was the culmination of over a year's frustration and anger over the proposed imposition of the Stamp Act, which ultimately gave Cadwallader, now 77 years of age, an ultimatum, threatening in pointed language that he not participate in the enforcement of

7930-436: The devastation, lack of trees, shrubs, and the many buildings that were left in ruins. Washington's advance came to a halt at the barrier enclosing the inner city and Fort George. A volley of cannon signaled that the British had departed New York. While waiting for the American army to secure the island, Washington received word that the British had sabotaged the flag pole inside Fort George, by removing its ropes, knocking off its

8052-488: The face of growing numbers of angry colonists, General Gage and the Governor's Council, wanting to spare New York's Loyalist families from what seemed like imminent ruin, insisted that Colden strike a compromise and surrender the stamped paper. After initially delaying, Colden, now acting as an official stamp distributor, knowing he could not stand alone on matters, ultimately convinced the Common Council to pay for all surrendered and destroyed stamps. The subsequent surrender of

8174-414: The first episode involving Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant , who surrendered the fort to Richard Nicolls of England in 1664. In the 18th century, the fort was at the center of the Stamp Act riots in New York when it was used to store shipments of stamped paper brought over from England, while serving as a safe haven for a number of stamp tax collectors. During the American Revolution , it was involved in

8296-418: The first to establish batteries of cannon to the south of the fort. In 1689, following the Glorious Revolution (English Revolution of 1688), in which William and Mary acceded to the throne, German-born colonist Jacob Leisler seized Fort James in what was called Leisler's Rebellion , replacing deposed Francis Nicholson who had fled New York City. Leisler arrived at New Amsterdam from England in 1660,

8418-420: The flagship Swaenenburgh , and Commodore Jacob Binckes , had combined their fleets and were plundering English shipping in the Caribbean and Chesapeake Bay , before they arrived at Fort James on 7 August 1673, which was Evertsen's ultimate objective before he departed Holland which at the time was almost defenseless in the face of such a force. The fleet, consisting of twenty-three ships, carrying 1,600 men,

8540-405: The foiling of Anthony Wayne 's attempt to secure cows from Bergen. On March 22, 1871, Hackensack Township was subdivided into three new Townships, each stretching from the Hudson River on the east to the Hackensack River in the west. The southernmost portion, the English Neighborhood, became Ridgefield Township . In 1878, the New Jersey Legislature provided for the formation of a borough within

8662-407: The following winter. The British soon occupied the entire city and ruled New York from the fort throughout the war. The British occupied the city and ruled New York from Fort George throughout the remainder of the war. Having been subjected to a large fire in 1776, the city experienced another great fire in 1778, with the subsequent destruction of many dwellings, and along with the British presence,

8784-399: The following year, effectively replacing Twiller. Conditions in and about the fort by 1638 had deteriorated and were not promising, with incompetent governmental management contributing to a decline in trade, and making the prospect of farming bleak. Director Kieft upon inspection of the fort and surrounding area, found the fort in a ruinous condition, with its dilapidated walls which allowed

8906-498: The fort to be entered without difficulty from various points. All the carriages that mounted the cannons had fallen into decay, while the farms in the area had become neglected. About 1640 conflicts with the Indians, who were robbing and murdering settlers for their fur and other goods, had increased into war. The garrison at Fort Amsterdam in 1643 consisted of only fifty to sixty soldiers, who were lacking in discipline and were often disorderly. The situation prompted Kieft to establish

9028-470: The fort, Jogues observed and wrote an account of the condition of the fort, its repairs, and the activity on Manhattan, noting the various religions and languages spoken. As the population of Manhattan was increasing the West India Company sent out another minister, Domine Samuel Drisius, to assist Megapolensis who had served the Dutch congregation in England and could preach in Dutch, English and French. At

9150-571: The fort, serving until 1625. Mey was soon replaced by Willem Verhulst , who arrived in January 1625. Verhulst served as the second director in 1625–1626. His term as director was marked with harsh and inconsistent punishment which infuriated the settlers. Realizing that food staples were in short supply in the newly developed settlement, the Dutch West India Company had shipped over some cattle, various live stock, seeds and farming equipment. The animals were initially kept on Governor's Island but

9272-478: The fort, with its earthen walls, was intended more for a defense against Indians and was almost useless as a defense against a professional army or navy at that time. In 1625, after much deliberation, it was decided that the best location for the fort would be at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, with the idea that it would be able to defend against any ship attempting to ascend the Hudson River . The fort

9394-459: The fort. Fort George became the target of American riots following Parliament 's passage of the Stamp Act on 4 March 1765. The first shipment of stamps for New York and Connecticut arrived at New York on 23 October 1765. The ships were confronted by some 2000 angry colonists. Subsequently, the stamps had to be quietly unloaded in the middle of the night and brought into Fort George, which at

9516-414: The fort. Artillery office Major Thomas James was in command of the fort, who later testified before Parliament that he could have killed more than 900 of the rioters, but added that had he done so, the colonists could in little time have amassed 50,000 fighting men from New York alone, and that there would have been no chance in holding the fort. General Gage later said that had the colonists been fired on,

9638-538: The gates of the fort and invited everyone in. In the American Revolution , the colonists under George Washington seized the fort in 1775, before the colonies formally seceded from the British Empire . During the Battle of Long Island , guns from the fort engaged British frigates starting on 12 July 1776. On July 12, the British ships HMS Phoenix and HMS Rose , with a few smaller vessels in attendance, sailed from Staten Island and began moving into

9760-415: The grazing proved inadequate so they were moved to a more fertile location on upper Manhattan Island. At the time, Manhattan was sparsely settled, as most of the Dutch West India Company operations were upriver along the Hudson in order to conduct trading operation for beaver pelts. According to John Romeyn Brodhead , while the fort was under construction, three Wechquaesgeek people traveled south from

9882-428: The harbor formed a battery that would later be the namesake of nearby Battery Park . Starting with the founding and establishment of Fort Amsterdam in 1626, the fort, with its strategic location, overlooking the harbor and the mouth of the Hudson River, and as a lucrative trade center, played a significant role in the history that followed, all the way through the American Revolution , frequently changing hands between

10004-526: The insistence of Stuyvesant, and with children in need of baptism and religious instruction, Megapolensis was persuaded to remain in Manhattan. As the population of the colony grew, there was a corresponding increase in the number of soldiers, and by 1650 the number of soldiers in New Netherland was roughly 250. By 1660, the population is estimated to have been around five-hundred, and by 1664 had grown to fifteen-hundred. That same year, Jacques Cortelyou

10126-558: The island, where a trade deal was made, which was gladly accepted by the Indians. Minuit promptly organized the first government of the colony, and was granted authority over its executive, legislative, and judicial functions. He also appointed a sheriff and a five-member advisory council, chosen from the most reputable men at the colony. On 27 July 1626, the Dutch ship, Arms of Amsterdam , arrived at Manhattan, commanded by captain Adriaen Joris, who in 1623 accompanied Captain May, and

10248-423: The late 19th century, marked by the introduction of train service. Leonia was originally called West Fort Lee. In 1865, J. Vreeland Moore and other town leaders chose the name "Leonia" in honor of American Revolutionary War General Charles Lee , for whom Fort Lee is named. In 1899, after traveling through Leonia upon arriving in New Jersey by ferry at Edgewater , advertising executive Artemus Ward purchased

10370-449: The legislative body, with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and makes most appointments with the council's advice and consent. As of 2024 , Leonia's mayor is Democrat William Ziegler, whose term ends on December 31, 2027. Members of

10492-474: The loss of Fort Oswego during the French and Indian War , he sent one thousand regulars to strategically located New York City for winter quarters. The old barracks in Fort George were prepared for them, while the fort underwent repairs and major improvements to its structure. To aid in the defense of the harbor, a good number of heavy cannon were also added to the battery and other strategic locations near

10614-692: The many governmental provisions that previously existed. The people appealed to Stuyvesant to capitulate and accept the generous offers Leisler was providing, as they had already endured corruption, abuse, and other hardships under the previous rulership. At the direction of governor Henry Sloughter , Leisler and ten others were eventually arrested and imprisoned at the fort. After a long and involved trial, Leissler, along with Jacob Milborne , were found guilty of treason and executed on 16 May 1691. Leisler's rule ended in 1691, when British sovereign William's new governor (appointed in 1690) finally reached New York. The fort had earlier been named for Willem when he

10736-563: The motherland, while it favored the aristocratic class with grants of land and other special favors. As a result, the new English government was well received by most of the citizens, who were well rooted in Dutch and England culture and ideology, countries with strong democratic principles, derived from the Great Privilege and the Magna Carta , both documents of Catholic origin. The official capitulation of New Amsterdam to

10858-401: The mouth of the Hudson River , prompting alarm guns to sound in New York. The cannons from batteries at Red Hook and Governors Island commenced firing at the small British fleet. Artillery fire also commenced from Fort George, under the command of New York artillery captain Alexander Hamilton , who at the time was nineteen, but had little effect. Fearing that the British capture of the fort

10980-643: The municipality, 1.12 miles (1.80 km) by Bergen County, 1.56 miles (2.51 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 0.81 miles (1.30 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority . Route 93 (Grand Avenue) runs north-south for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through the center of the borough, connecting Palisades Park and Englewood . Interstate 95 (the New Jersey Turnpike ) curves along

11102-549: The next decade. By the 1930s, it had the highest number of residents per capita in Who's Who in America , and 80% of its residents were college graduates. Transportation through the borough was enhanced by access to ferries and trolley systems, and Leonia became a refuge for many of America's most creative thinkers, including five Nobel Prize winners. For 200 years, one of Leonia's two major north-south avenues, Grand Avenue (the other

11224-473: The occupation of the Dutch colony and establish government. As the first governor of the province of New York, Nicoll's was greeted cordially by the Dutch and civic authorities whom he allowed to keep their offices and other stations. Under the previous rule of the West India Company, and their appointed governors, the rulership was autocratic; it denied basic rights of the people that were enjoyed in Holland,

11346-557: The oldest communities in the state. A third of the population was African slaves. It was on the western slope of the Palisades, and started as a quiet farming community. Leonia's proximity to New York City and its major universities, theaters, and performing venues contributed to its place in the world of art and academics, with many artists and leading thinkers living there in the 20th century. The local economy that had focused on agriculture underwent economic and cultural growth during

11468-418: The population. Korean Americans accounted for 26.5% of the population. Of the 3,284 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 61.2% were married couples living together; 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.3% were non-families. Of all households, 20.0% were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

11590-495: The revolution would have begun that year. Colden, concerned that Fort George had an inadequate garrison, requested reinforcements, which General Gage provided, while James brought new cannons to the fort. The fort also provided a safe haven for several stamp masters, including Zachariah Hood from Maryland, who, at the invitation of Colden, had fled to the fort to escape the wrath of the Sons of Liberty and other angry colonists. In

11712-489: The stamps brought calm to the city, while New York's colonial newspapers called for peace. After calm returned to the city Colden's political adversaries blamed him for the mishap, and ultimately had his governorship replaced by Sir Henry Moore . In the effort to maintain peace and restore order to the city, Moore had met with the influential Isaac Sears , a leader of the Sons of Liberty, and others, and shortly thereafter opened

11834-512: The standing provincial assembly, with whom he found favor, to meet at Fort George, where it voted for revenues to sustain the government for the following five years. The assembly also prohibited any trading of Indian goods with the French, which greatly compromised the business interests of New York's merchants. In 1756, John Campbell , Earl of Loudoun, was appointed commander of all English forces in North America Prompted by

11956-404: The time had a garrison of only 200 regulars. On October 31, the day before the Stamp Act was to be enforced, thousands of colonists took to the streets. As a precaution, British authorities beforehand had the guns at the battery spiked along with any not inside the fort, making them inoperable. The protests, agitation and violence over the Stamp Act reached a climax from November 1–3, as a result of

12078-499: Was $ 40,030 (+/− $ 4,132). About 5.8% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 United States census there were 8,914 people, 3,271 households, and 2,436 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,921.3 inhabitants per square mile (2,286.2/km ). There were 3,343 housing units at an average density of 2,220.6 per square mile (857.4/km ). The racial makeup of

12200-423: Was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13. 22.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.9 males. Same-sex couples headed 35 households in 2010, more than double

12322-414: Was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males. The median income for a household in the borough was $ 72,440, and the median income for a family was $ 84,591. Males had a median income of $ 55,156 versus $ 38,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 35,352. About 5.0% of families and 6.5% of the population were below

12444-456: Was a fortification on the southern tip of Manhattan Island at the confluence of the Hudson and East rivers. The fort and the island were the center of trade and the administrative headquarters for the Dutch and then British/Colonial rule of the colony of New Netherland and thereafter the Province of New York . The fort was the nucleus of the settlement on the island and greater area, which

12566-472: Was alarming to acting captain Sheriff John Manning, who was left in command while Lovelace was away visiting Governor Winthrop at Hartford . The fort at this time only had a garrison of no more than 80 men with only 30-36 guns mounted along its walls. Manning tried in vain to summon reinforcements from nearby towns and made attempts to forestall the eminent recapture of Fort James. Before

12688-488: Was built of hard-packed earth or rubble because earthworks would absorb the shock of cannon fire without collapsing, as stone walls might. Fredericksen had instructions to employ the help of nearby Indians in the fort's construction. and were never taken into slavery. Under the direction of the Dutch West India Company, the first appearance of negro slaves in New Amsterdam occurred in 1626, and were used helping in

12810-435: Was commissioned to conduct a survey and make a second map of New Amsterdam, which now had approximately three-hundred and fifty dwellings. On 29 August 1664, four English warships under the command of Colonel Richard Nicolls , carrying 450 well-trained soldiers and bearing 120 heavy guns, arrived in New Amsterdam's harbor. Fort Amsterdam had a garrison of 250 men with only 24 pieces of artillery. Supplies were limited and food

12932-402: Was designed by Kryn Fredericksen, deputy and chief engineer of the New Netherland colony. Seventeenth-century Dutch forts all followed a similar design. Probably originally intended as a standard star-shaped fort, Fort Amsterdam had four sides with a bastion at each corner to better protect the walls. The original plan was to face the wall with stone, but this was never accomplished. The fort

13054-632: Was developed as suburbs, spurred by expansion of the railway system during the late 19th century. The Erie Railroad ran trains to its Hudson waterfront Pavonia Terminal (later via the Susquehanna Transfer with connecting bus service to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel ). The last train on the Northern Branch from the terminal to the area was on December 12, 1958. There are proposals to restore service with extension of

13176-479: Was eminent, Hamilton and his artillery teams hauled off more than ten cannons, shortly before a barge from HMS Asia approached and fired on the fort and its vicinity. In September 1776, under the command of Henry Clinton the British made a Landing at Kip's Bay , and soon recaptured Fort George, along with lower Manhattan, forcing General Washington and his army to retreat north and eventually into New Jersey, at Valley Forge where they would remain for most of

13298-503: Was formed as the result of a referendum passed on December 5, 1894, from portions of Ridgefield Township . The borough formed during the " boroughitis " phenomenon then sweeping Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone. Portions of Leonia were taken on February 19, 1895, to form the Township of Teaneck . New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Leonia the 31st-best place to live in its 2008 rankings of

13420-401: Was frequent and severely compromising legitimate trade, discontent and disorder was prevalent throughout the community, while protests and appeals for reform had no effect in getting Kieft and his subordinates to address the situation effectively. Subsequently, when Peter Stuyvesant arrived at Fort Amsterdam in 1647 he was joyfully received. He was accompanied by Reverend Johannes Backerus, who

13542-475: Was head of the Dutch government. He became the sovereign of the English government by the overthrow of James in the Glorious Revolution . The fort was renamed Fort William Henry in honor of the new Protestant king. Governor Hunter was replaced by William Burnet who arrived at Manhattan on 16 September 1720. Rather than calling for elections for a new assembly, as was customary, Burnet summoned

13664-652: Was in short supply, precluding any chance of enduring a prolonged siege. After surrounding the fort with ships and landed soldiers Nicolls demanded the Dutch surrender of the colony and Fort Amsterdam, which at the time was almost useless as a defense against a professional army and navy. Although Peter Stuyvesant , the Director of New Netherland , with his guns in place and ready to fire, was prepared to fight, prominent city residents, including Stuyvesant's son Balthazar, Hendrick Kip and Reverend Megapolensis, all of whom signed

13786-454: Was left in charge of the colony at Fort Orange. By September 26, the Arms of Amsterdam , with a cargo containing thousands of fur pelts, samples of grain, and a load of hardwood, departed for Holland with news of the purchase of Manhattan and the successful establishment of the new colony. By 1628, the population of Manhattan Island, including men, women and children, was 270. In 1632, Minuit

13908-496: Was named New Amsterdam by the first Dutch settlers and eventually renamed New York by the English, and was central to much of New York's early history. Before the fort was constructed, it was the scene where the purchase of Manhattan Island occurred. In its subsequent history, the fort was known under various names such as Fort James , Fort Willem Hendrick and its anglicized Fort William Henry , Fort Anne , and Fort George . The fort changed hands eight times in various battles,

14030-551: Was not very impressed with New York, which at the time was a small town, and likewise had the same regard for the fort, which after he inspected it, said its walls could be battered down by artillery in an hour. On the face of the gate to the fort was a faded emblem of the Coat of Arms of the Duke of York. Here, Dongan turned and bowed to the cheering crowd and entered the fort. He was greeted by Captain Anthony Brockholls ,

14152-401: Was replaced as governor by the appointment of Peter Minuit , who arrived in 1625 and was appointed governor the following year. Minuit's first official task was to arrange a meeting with the local Indian chiefs and negotiate the purchase of Manhattan Island before any settlement and the erection of the fort was to occur. The meeting took place on 26 May 1626, on the rocky southernmost shore of

14274-459: Was replaced by Sebastiaen Jansen Krol who briefly served as director for a period of thirteen months. His replacement, Wouter van Twiller , a clerk in the Dutch West India Company, who arrived at the fort, still under construction, aboard the Dutch ship, De Zoutberg along with a company of one hundred and four soldiers from Holland, the first military force to arrive at the colony, with Van Twiller officially as its first military head Also aboard

14396-456: Was rightfully theirs. The envoy then insisted that they see Evertsen's commission, where he replied that it was stuck in the barrel of his cannon, and that the English would see it soon enough if they did not surrender the fort. Subsequently, the next day the Dutch fleet exchanged broadsides with the fort for about four hours, while Anthony Colve , commander of Marines, landed 600 men on the west side of Manhattan Island and on 30 July 1673, forced

14518-512: Was the Reverend Everardus Bogardus . < Relations with neighboring English colonies were uncertain, as they were competing with the Dutch over trade with the Indians, prompting Twiller to strengthen the fort with stone at several locations. The fort was completed in 1635. He had built within the fort a guard-house and a small house for the soldiers. Outside the fort he built New Netherland's first church, complete with

14640-595: Was the first three-act play performed on television, when it was broadcast on WPTZ , in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . The Children's Show was instituted in 1963 and continues each spring. Between 1968 and 1998, the Guild produced Theatre in the Park. Since 2002, the Guild has produced a Playwright's Showcase featuring original scripts. The Guild operates out of the historic Civil War Drill Hall Theatre on Grand Avenue, which

14762-586: Was the fourth-highest of any municipality in New Jersey — behind Fort Lee (6.09%), Demarest (3.72%) and Edgewater (3.22%)—for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry. Leonia is home to the Players Guild of Leonia, New Jersey's oldest continuing theatre troupe and one of the oldest community theatre groups in the state, with continuous performances since 1919. Performances have included comedies, tragedies, classics, and musicals. The Guild's 1940 production of One Mad Night

14884-560: Was to replace Bogardus. Johannes Megapolensis , a minister of the Calvinist Dutch Reformed Church , arrived at Fort Amsterdam from Rensselaerswyck Manor in 1664 after serving there for six years. His arrival at Fort Amsterdam was subsequent to his assisting French missionary, Isaac Jogues , in his escape from the Mohawks. Jogues became the first Catholic priest to set foot on Manhattan Island. While at

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