West Side High School - Lamp Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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centuries of progress i — J e Black ntemlftaarnt represent r is Heme. Lets of Ute wJuLbitemts from, ©rd-, and Oit Open forrti futures thr , oft x mJuxhuanXJ n. Brwi ford mthe order u tr+ush they-are named, on rnqee U1 and bS. o Early Map of Newark showing the distribution of Home Lots

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wrapping up three Important events often prove a time to take inventory of accomplishments and shortcomings. This year our city will wrap up its two hundredth and ninety-ninth year of working for liberty, peace and prosperity. If one could follow the story of our city from its humble beginning to the present day, he would appreciate the dignity and opportunity of Ye Towne on Ye Pesayak. Newark has blessed its people with opportunity, from the time of the Pilgrims until our own time. As our city pauses on the threshold of the tri-centenarv year, it is fitting that its future citizens review the history of Newark. One could buy Newark in 1666 for fifty double hands of powder, one hundred bars of lead, 20 axes, 20 coatcs, 10 guns, 20 pistols, 10 kettles, 10 swords, 4 blankets, four barrells of beer, 10 pairs of breeches, 50 knives, 20 bowes, 850 fathem of warn pen, 2 ankors of licqucrs and 3 troopes coates. On July 11, 1667, thirty Puritan families from Connecticut under the leadership of Robert Treat purchased from the Hackensack Indians our home town. Tin's tract of land from the mountains to the Passaic River was a wilderness cut by Indian trails which the natives used to travel from Delaware, their K66-I96S

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winter quarters, to their summer camp by the sea. Here the Puritans wished to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. Newark was the final effort of the Puritans in that direction. Newark was first governed by Robert Treat, the pastor Reverend Abraham Pierson and three other leading men. In less than a year after settlement the town meeting began to choose officers to attend to the business of the town. By 1670 five select men were elected annually to have general charge of town affairs. The center of this land of abundant natural resources was designated as Broad and Market Streets. The former was an old Indian trail, the latter was intersected by a brook. The settlers were each given six acres as a homestead. Eight acres were given to Captain Robert Treat, the site on which stands the First Presbyterian Church on Broad Street. A military ground. Military Park, was established. Other necessary public facilities such as a market place, W ashington Park, a watering place and the burying ground were established. A church was erected on Broad Street and Branford Place. It was to serve for religious services and a fortress against possible hostile Indians. Reverend Abraham Pierson was chosen minister, and the town was called Newark after Newark in England, where Mr. Pierson preached before he came to America. The growth of the community was rapid. The settlers worked hard at building homes and working farm lands. As the town prospered other settlers came, and by 1671 Henry Lyon opened the first inn.