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Early Statehood

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From the American Revolution to the Industrial Revolution, history abounds in New Jersey. New Jersey became the third state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787 and the first state to sigh the Bill of Rights. Trenton officially became the state capital on New Jersey in 1790. William Livingston became New Jersey’s first state governor. In the 1800's New Jersey grew and prospered. Factories sprung up throughout the state. Paterson, New Jersey became a textile center and later became known for producing trains and silk. Trenton, New Jersey produced clay products, steel and iron. New canals and railroads helped industry grow. Europeans came by the thousands to New Jersey to work in the factories. South Jersey remained mostly rural, growing crops to feed the urban area nearby. Railroads were important in helping South Jersey seashores expand. In the 1850's population grew to nearly a half a million people and the industries in which most people worked were in the North. New Jersey provided thirty one groups of soldiers during the Civil War which included, the cavalry and infantry. Over twenty-five thousand New Jersey men fought for the Union, and New Jersey soldiers participated in almost every major Eastern battle.

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