Edward Byllynge

Edward Byllynge was a British colonial administrator and governor of West New Jersey from 1680 to 1687, until his death in England. Byllynge owned a large section of land in New Jersey with the Quakers.

Edward Byllynge
1st Governor of West New Jersey
In office August 1680 – January 1687
Deputy	Samuel Jennings Thomas Olive John Skene
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Daniel Coxe
Personal details
Born	Hengar, St Tudy, Cornwall
Died	January 1687 England
Nationality	Cornish
Occupation	Brewer

Byllynge was a London brewer. He purchased land in New Jersey in 1674 from Sir John Berkeley, in deal also involving John Fenwick. Byllynge's financial position was complicated by bankruptcy, and after negotiations involving William Penn, the purchase in 1675 was reassigned to a trust involving Fenwick, Penn and others with Byllynge. The planting of Quaker colonies then proceeded.[1]

Byllynge was an unpopular governor with the settlers of New Jersey. He never even set foot on the tract of land he owned. In 1682, Byllynge was one of the 24 proprietaries who owned a piece of West New Jersey.[2]

References

1. Fea, John. "Fenwick, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/71092. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
2. "The Avalon Project : Duke of York's Confirmation to the 24 Proprietors: 14th of March 1682". Avalon.law.yale.edu. 30 June 1906. Retrieved 12 October 2015.