The year is 1718 and the town of Perth Amboy is about to take a monumental step in shaping its future. Settled in 1683, Perth Amboy finally begins to awaken to its potential when, in 1718, its citizens petition Royal Governor Robert Hunter for a City Charter. Before that Royal Charter was bestowed, there was no city government. However, with the stroke of the quill pen in 1718, the Mayor's Office, City Council, Police Department, City Clerk's Office, and Business Administrator's Office are all created. Perth Amboy's Royal Charter also calls for elections, beginning our local democratic process.
While charters were bestowed upon Townships & landholdings, Perth Amboy is the first in the entire Colony Of New Jersey to receive a Royal Charter specifically as a city.
Here we explore that moment in time when the people of a quiet waterfront village thrust themselves into the future by creating the framework for the Colonial Capitol City of Perth Amboy. This documentary short brings forth rare images as well as original documents from that time frame.