Edward Antill (colonial politician)
Edward Antill | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date New York City, Province of New York |
| Died | August 15, 1770 (aged 69) |
| Occupation(s) | Plantation proprietor, lawyer, politician, vintner |
| Years active | 1730s–1770 |
| Known for | Early American winemaking; member of New Jersey General Assembly and Provincial Council |
Edward Antill (June 17, 1701 – August 15, 1770) was a colonial-era plantation proprietor, lawyer, and early political figure in the Province of New Jersey. His innovative efforts in viticulture and winemaking garnered recognition from the Royal Society of Arts, establishing him as one of the first vintners in the British North American colonies.
Early life
Born on June 17, 1701, in New York City, Antill lost his father, attorney Edward Antill (1658-), during his youth. He was subsequently raised by Giles Shelley, a former pirate whom his father had previously assisted in escaping execution.
Upon Shelley's death in 1710, Edward inherited substantial land in Piscataway Township near New Brunswick, New Jersey, along with portions of Shelley's estate.
Career
Antill, noted for his distinctive personality traits, served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly in 1738. In 1741, Governor Morris appointed him to the New Jersey Provincial Council, with Royal Governor Jonathan Belcher renewing the appointment in 1746. He maintained his council position until 1762.
In 1759, Antill organized a lottery to raise £1500 to complete Christ Church in New Brunswick and also acted as a vestryman there. Additionally, he contributed £1800 toward the establishment of King's College (now Columbia University), from which his son graduated in 1762.
Winemaking
On December 2, 1767, the Royal Society of Arts awarded Antill £200 for cultivating over 500 Vitus vinifera grapevines and producing wine that met British quality standards. His Piscataway estate featured approximately 800 vines including varieties such as Madeira, Burgundy, Frontenac, and native American grapes.
Shortly before his death, Antill authored an 80-page treatise titled "An Essay on the cultivation of the Vine, and the making and preserving of Wine, suited to the different Climates in North-America," which was published posthumously in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. This publication was intended to provide practical guidance on grape growing and winemaking for colonial farmers. He was inducted into the Society in 1768.
Personal life
Edward Antill married Anne Morris (1706–1781), daughter of Lewis Morris, Royal Governor of New Jersey, on June 10, 1739. They had six children, including two sons who became officers in the Continental Army during the American Revolution:
- Edward Antill (1742–1789), who married Charlotte Riverin in 1767.
- John Antill (1744–1816), who first married Margaret Colden (c.1748–1789), daughter of Alexander Colden; following her death, he wed her sister Jane Colden.
Antill passed away on August 15, 1770, and was interred near Christ Church in New Brunswick.
Residence
Antill established a 370-acre plantation at Raritan Landing that included a substantial Georgian-Dutch Colonial residence constructed in 1739, later known as Ross Hall (demolished in 1954). The property featured roughly 40 acres of meadowland, about 100 acres of woodland, and an orchard with approximately 500 apple trees supplying a distillery located on-site. He also operated a large brewhouse equipped with a copper boiler capable of holding 22 barrels, illustrating his diverse agricultural and beverage production enterprises.
Works
- 1771: "An Essay on the Cultivation of the Vine, and the Making and Preserving of Wine, Adapted to Various Climates in North America" (published posthumously) featured in Transactions of the American Philosophical Society