THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF PROPRIETORS OF THE EASTERN DIVISION OF NEW JERSEY FROM 1685-1705

Perth Amboy: The Board of Proprietors, [printed by J.J. Little & Ives Co., N.Y.], 1949. [16], 280 pages, plus double-page frontispiece facsimile, several full-page facsimiles, portraits, and a map. Original maroon cloth. [25.8 cm.] Near fine in original cardboard slipcase. Several small spots of wear to spine, still a hint of sun-fading to the same, still a nice copy. Slipcase is rubbed and worn, but sound. FIRST EDITION. No. 108 of 500 copies SIGNED BY THE COMPILER. In addition, this copy bears a WARM PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION SIGNED BY MILLER, TO HISTORIAN WILLIAM SUMNER JENKINS, on the limitation leaf. It reads: "To W.S. Jenkins, a fellow antiquarian who is doing an everlasting service to American history. G.J.M." [The service Miller refers to is Jenkins's work as the editor of the Early States Records Series, a massive microfilming project during the 1940's, conducted by the Library of Congress in conjunction with the University of North Carolina. Jenkins oversaw the collection of 1600 reels of microfilm, reproducing important official documents from 48 states. He is also remembered for a significant monograph, "Pro-Slavery Thought in the Old South" (1935).] This volume contains much on the allotment of lands in colonial New Jersey and the procurement of various tracts from the Indians. Miller provides a lengthy historical introduction. An additional three volumes of the "Minutes" were eventually issued, concluding with the 1764-1794 volume, printed in 1985.