Ted Ihde's Blog: Ted Ihde author of “Thinking About Becoming A Real Estate Developer?” - Posts Tagged "colts-neck"

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.