Descendants of Founders of New Jersey

Evidence discovered along the Musconetcong River in Warren County confirms the presence of human inhabitants in New Jersey as long as 12,000 years ago. The more modern-day native peoples known as the Lenape migrated from the west about 3,000 years ago to the area. The Lenape were part of the Algonquin language group. Three clans comprised the group: the Minci in the north, the Unami in the central area, and the Unilachtigo in the south of New Jersey. The Lenape were peaceable farmers, fishermen, and hunters. They lived in scattered permanent villages where they planted crops. In the Summer, they moved to areas along the shore where they ate the abundant fish, clams, oysters, and mussels.