John Anderson (New Jersey politician)

John Anderson (1665 – March 28, 1736) was a Scottish colonel who served as acting governor of New Jersey in 1736.

John Anderson was born in

After the capture of Captain Robert Pinkerton by the Spanish, John Anderson became captain of the Unicorn, which rescued the survivors of the Darien scheme, a Scottish attempt to colonize Central America in 1698. On the return voyage the ship stopped at the island of Jamaica with the goal of being repaired and to get supplies. However, after leaving the island, the ship encountered a storm, and limped its way to the port of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. After Unicorn landed and the survivors were put ashore, she was stripped down and eventually sank in the Arthur Kill, at the foot of Fayette Street.

"The Unicorn reached New York, August 14th, 1699, after a tempestuous voyage; Captain John Anderson saving the ship by his skillful seamanship."^[1]

Colonel Anderson was based in the

The senior councillor actually residing in New Jersey would, by virtue of his seniority, be President of Council. Anderson became president in 1735, succeeding Lewis Morris. Upon the March 10, 1736 death of Gov. Sir William Cosby; John Anderson became acting governor, and served for eighteen days; Anderson himself died on March 28. John Hamilton then became President of Council as well as acting governor, and served as the latter until Gov. Lewis Morris took office.^[2]

Anderson married Anna, daughter of John Reid on December 7, 1701 in Tintern Manor, in Shrewsbury Township. The day after his wedding John Reid granted Col. Anderson, his son-in-law, land in Manalapan. The Reids were also of Scottish origin. The children of John and Anna Reid Anderson were: John (b. c. 1704), James (b. July 7, 1708), Helena, Johnathan, Margaret, Anna, Elizabeth and Isabella Anderson.