Province of New York - Definition and Overview

The Province of New York was an English colony that existed roughly within the current boundaries of the State of New York. The original boundaries also encompassed the current states of New Jersey and Vermont.

The province was granted to James, Duke of York, following the final acquisition of the New Netherlands colony from the Dutch in 1674, and was thereafter the possession of the holder of the title of the Duke of York. In principle, the form of government was absolutism, with the Duke of York holding supreme control. In practice, many decisions were carried out by provincial governor, appointed by the Duke of York, as well as a provincial legislature, which was elected among landholders.

The twelve original counties

The Province of New York was divided into twelve counties on November 1, 1683:

• Albany County: Contained all of the region that is now northern and western New York. Also contained the area that is now Vermont. In addition as there was no fixed western border to the colony (sea-to-sea grant), Albany County theoretically extended to the Pacific Ocean. Most of this land has now been ceded to other states and most of the land within New York has been divided into new counties.
• Cornwall County: Contained an area in what is now Maine. Ceded to Massachusetts Colony in 1692.
• Dukes County: Contained the Elizabeth Islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island west of Long Island. Ceded to Massachusetts Colony in 1691.
• Dutchess County: Contained the area that is now Dutchess and Putnam counties.
• Kings County: Contained the area of the current Kings County.
• New York County: Contained the area of the current New York County.
• Orange County: Contained the area that is now Orange and Rockland counties.
• Queens County: Contained the area that is now Queens and Nassau counties.
• Richmond County: Contained the area of the current Richmond County.
• Suffolk County: Contained the area of the current Suffolk County.
• Ulster County: Contained the area that is now Ulster and Sullivan counties and part of what is now Delaware and Greene counties.
• Westchester County: Contained the area that is now Bronx and Westchester counties.

List of provincial governors

• Thomas Dongan
• Henry Moore
• William Tryon

See also

• History of New York
• List of extinct U.S. counties