Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy , city (1990 pop. 41,962), Middlesex co., NE N.J., with a harbor on Arthur Kill at the mouth of the Raritan River, which is crossed there to Staten Island, N.Y., by the Outerbridge Crossing (1928); settled 1683, inc. as a city 1718. A port of entry, Perth Amboy is a shipping center with industries that include metalworking; oil refining; printing; and apparel and chemical manufacture. The city's name combines the old Native American name Amboy with that of the Earl of Perth. It was the capital of East Jersey from 1684 until the union of East and West Jersey in 1702 and was alternate capital with Burlington until 1790. Perth Amboy particularly grew after it became the tidewater terminal of the Lehigh Valley RR in 1876 and a coal-shipping point. Of interest are the former mansion of Gov. William Franklin, which Gen. William Howe used as his headquarters in the Revolutionary War, and St. Peter's Church (1722; Episcopal). Angelina Grimké and Sarah Grimké , noted abolitionists, lived in Perth Amboy.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Perth Amboy." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Perth Amboy." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-PerthAmb.html

"Perth Amboy." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-PerthAmb.html

Learn more about citation styles

Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy, New Jersey/USA Amboy Founded in the late 17th century as Amboy, from an earlier Native American name Ompage which may have meant ‘level ground’. ‘Perth’ was added later in tribute to an early owner, James Drummond (1648–1716), 4th Earl, and 1st Duke, of Perth who was instrumental in attracting impoverished Scots to the area.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Perth Amboy." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Perth Amboy." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-PerthAmboy.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Perth Amboy." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-PerthAmboy.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Railroad and Perth Amboy in snit over development site.(Perth Amboy, New...
Magazine article from: Real Estate Weekly; 1/3/2001
Planned Perth Amboy Business Park to create 500 new jobs.
Magazine article from: Real Estate Weekly; 4/2/2003
Service Tire Truck Centers acquires Perth Amboy Tire.
Magazine article from: Tire Business; 3/28/2011

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Perth Amboy