Act to Divide the Province into 12 Counties, 1683
Prior to independence, New York’s early British colonial governors ruled the province. Above is one of the early acts passed by the colony’s assembly and approved by English colonial governor, Colonel Thomas Dongan, establishing county divisions and outlining governance laws. Titled “An Act to divide the province & dependences into shires and Countyes,” it was enacted on November 1, 1683. The bottom left portion of the document states: “Having taken into Consideracon the necessity of dividing the Province into Respective Countys for the better governing and settling Courts in the same. Bee it enacted by the Governor Councell and Representatives, and by the Authority of the same, Thatt the said province be divided into twelve countys as followeth.”
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AN ACT to divide this province & dependences into shires and Countyes,
Passed November 1, 1683
Having taken into Consideracon the necessity of dividing the Province into Respective Countys for the better governing and settling Courts in the same. Bee it enacted by the Governor Councell and Representatives, and by the Authority of the same, Thatt the said province be divided into twelve countys as followeth.
The Citty & County of New York, to containe all the Island commonly called Manhatans Island, Mannings Island, and the two 16 Barne Islands, the Citty to bee called as itt is, New York, and the Islands above specifyed the County thereof.
The County of Westchester to contayn West and Eastchester Brox Land Fordham Annehooks Neck Richbells, Minfords Island, and all the land on the Maine to the Eastward of Manhatans Island as farre as the Government extends and the younkers land and Northward along Hudsons river as farr as the High Land.
The County of Ulster to conteyne the towns of Kingston, Hurly, and Marbletowne, ffox hall & the new Pallz & all the Villages neighbourhoods, and Christian habitacons on the West side of Hudsons River from the Murderers Creeke neare the high Lands to the Sawyers Creeke,
The County of Albany to conteyne, the town of Albany the County of Renslaerswyck, Schonechteda, and all the Villages neighbourhoods and Christian Plantacons on the East side of Hudsons river from Roelof Jansens creeke, and on the West side from Sawers Creeke to the Sarraghtoga.
The Dutchess's County to bee from the bounds of the County of Westchester, on the South side of the High lands, along the East side of Hudsons River as farre as Roelof Jansens Creeke, & Eastward into the woods twenty miles.
The County of Orange to beginne from the Limmittd or bounds of East and West Jersey, on the West side of Hudson's River, along the said River to the Murderers creeke, or bounds of the County of Ulster and Westward into the woods as farr as Delaware River.
The County of Richmond to conteyne all Staten Island Shutters Island, and the Islands of Meadow on the West side thereof.
Kings County to conteyne the severall towns of Boshwyck, Bedford, Brueklin, fflattbush, fflatlands, New Utrecht, & Gravesend with the severall Settlements and plantacons adjacent.
Queens County to conteyne the severall towns of Newtowne, Jamaica, Flushing, Hempstead and Oysterbay, with the severall out farms, settlements, and plantacons adjacent.
The County of Suffolk to conteyne the severall towns of Hunt-ington, Smithfield, Brookhaven, Southampton, Southold, East-hampton, to Montauk point, Shelter Island, the Isle of Wight, Fishers Island, & plumb Island with the severall out farms, Settlements & plantacons adjacent.
Dukes County to conteyne the Islands of Nantuckett, Martins Vinyard, Elizabeth Island and no mans Land.
The County of Cornwall to conteine Pemaquid, & all his Royall Highnesses Territoryes in those parts with the Islands adjacent.
And for as much as there is a Necessity of a High Sheriff on every County in this Province, Bee itt therefore enacted by the Governor Councell & Representatives in Generall Assem-bly mett, and by the authority of the same, Thatt there shall bee yearly & every yeare an High Sheriff constituted & Com-missionated for each County, and thatt each Sheriff may have his Under Sheriff, Deputy or Deputys.