This book is an account of the earliest known narratives of the native peoples, the Dutch in Delaware Bay, the earliest European settlement of the county and the growth of the villages, the county's role in the American Revolution and its patriots, the establishment of the new state government, the War of 1812, the soldiers of the Civil War, and the progress of the county and its most prominent citizens up to the end of the 19th century. The information was obtained from the collections of the New York Historical Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Historical Society. Many facts were gathered from the articles of Francis B. Lee, Esq., of Trenton. The author was also aided by Colonel J. Granville Leach, of Philadelphia, Cape May County Clerk Edward L. Rice, and Mr. Aaron Leaming. Extensive extracts were made from the diaries of Aaron Leaming the first, of Aaron Leaming the second, and of Jacob Spicer the second. The work of Dr. Beesley has been woven into this volume, and proper credit has been given to him for every fact for which he is responsible. The work is extensively illustrated with line drawings of prominent citizens and public buildings.