Do any of our NJ members have any information on the quasi-heraldic elements on the seal of Perth Amboy? There doesn’t appear to be any information on the city website.
The hunting horn (which appears to be Or on Gules) looks as if it has an heraldic origin, whilst the other half is some form of landscape. I was wondering if it can be traced back either in age or in inspiration to when Perth Amboy was capital of East Jersey.
James
Here it is - the hunting horn and the marine landscape
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6261258778_b2ef59c49b_m.jpg
According to Whitehead’s Contributions to the early history of Perth Amboy (1856) (available at http://www.archive.org/stream/contributionstoe00whituoft/contributionstoe00whituoft_djvu.txt), the seal was provided for in the charter which governor Robert Hunter granted the town on 24 August 1718.
Whitehead writes:
Quote:
A common seal was to be used, the device on which was prescribed : "On the dexter a hunting-horn, and over it Arte non Impetu ; on the sinister a ship riding at anchor in the harbor, under it Portus Optimus" Such continues to be the seal at the present day, and a facsimile of it is here inserted.
The connection between the hunting-horn and its motto, and the past history or future destinies of the city, might afford matter for discussion to a whole collge of heraldry, were not a clue presented in the Governor’s own escutcheon. The well-turned compliments paid that functionary in the petition which preceded the granting of the charter, it appears, were not thought sufficient to insure his favorable consideration, but, in addition, the arms of his family were placed upon the seal of the corporation in testimony of its distinguished parentage.
Great question, James. A quick search revealed an article by Austin Scott, "The Early Cities of New Jersey," Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, 2nd series, vol IX (1886), pp. 151-176. On page 158 is the following passage:
Quote:
The charters all provided, as of course, for the city government as a body corporate, the right to use a common seal, and it is interesting to note that the seals of Perth Amboy and New Brunswick are minutely described.
The quit-rent in Perth Amboy was a hunting horn, out of compliment to Gov. Hunter; in New Brunswick it was a sheaf of wheat; in Elizabeth a fatted calf, and in Trenton three pounds of proclamation money.
And from J. P. Wall and H. E. Pickersgill, "The Raritan Valley of New Jersey," Americana, vol XV (1921), pp. 209-252, at p. 246:
Quote:
The device on the city seal is thus described: "On the dexter a hunting horn, and over it Arte non impetu; on the sinister a ship riding at anchor in the harbor, under it Portus Optimus."
The arms of the East Jersey Proprietors were Per fess, Gules issuing from sinister flank an arm holding a balance proper, and Argent a garb of wheat between two ears of corn (maize) proper.
http://www.northwindpictures.com/pix/USNJ/2A/USNJ2A-00004_T.JPG
Thanks everyone for so much so quickly. It’s interesting that the city arms uses the same charge but different tinctures. Governor Hunter is said to have borne Sable a bugle horn stringed Argent whilst the typical Scottish Hunter arms has some arrangement of Vert three hunting horns Argent.
James
