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New Jersey

One Shilling 1/- 1776

New Jersey began issuing paper money in 1709, in common with other colonies issues, it was frowned upon by the general population and the first issues were often rejected because of a lack of confidence in the notes given that one of the signers of the first issue was not even authorised officially to sign the notes and was only filling in because an authorised signer had died just prior to his being able to sign the notes. Confidence in the paper money was somewhat restored later on, and by the 1770's paper money became a dominant currency over coin in New Jersey.

This issue from 1776 was printed by Isaac Collins of Burlington. Collins was born in 1746 and was a Quaker, and should have thus been a pacifist and not advocated the conflict that resulted from the American Revolution, but in fact he did offer support and published the "New Jersey Gazette" which advocated the conflict and independence for the colonies. Because of this he was expelled from the Society of Friends or the Quaker church, but later apologised for his transgressions and was welcomed back into the fold in the early 19th century. The printing firm began by Isaac Collins continues in business as it is now known as Charles Collins, Printers.

Fifteen Shillings 1776

Curious to a 21st century viewer, the presence of the name of George III and the year of his reign on this 1776 dated note was really not out of the ordinary for that moment in time. In the nascent stages of the American Revolution many believed they were just agitating for greater autonomy and representation from Great Britain - and believed they had no conflict with the reigning monarch. Until the heady summer of 1776, many sought to retain George III as their monarch, and still felt loyalty to him as many of them were ardent monarchists. But soon, especially with the Declaration of Independence on 4 July, sentiments had changed and George III was rapidly equated with the many travails associated with Great Britain. Soon his name and regnal year would disappear from all New Jersey issues.

One of the signers of this note, the centre signature, is of John Hart. John Hart was born ca. 1711 in Connecticut, his ancestry going into the 17th century in New England. John Hart began a political career with his election to the Hunterdon County Board of Freeholders in 1750, later on he would be elected into the colonial Assembly of New Jersey. When the latter legislature was dissolved he joined the Committee of Safety and the Committee of Correspondence. He would go on to become a member of the first New Jersey provincial congress, and was elected it's vice president in early 1776. During the First Continental Congress this assembly was opposed to independence and was subsequently dissolved. Mr. Hart would then join a new assembly, this time in favour of independence and would a mere few months after signing this note, go on to join the New Jersey delegation that signed the Declaration of Independence. As he was now a marked man by the British, during the Battle of Trenton he had to go into hiding. During that time his farm was raided and damaged by British and Hessian soldiers, but the defeat of the British at the battle permitted his return to his home. Hart would continue to serve New Jersey as an assemblyman, and Committee of Safety member until his death in 1779.

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