Chanced back to this thread today and would like make a comment, in case it helps anyone else who may be operating under what I believe to be a mistaken assumption:
"In looking at the names of the 151 signers, all appear to be of English descent, and were presumably Quakers. Cushing and Sheppard in “History of the Counties of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland, New Jersey,†1883, state that the signers were still in England when they signed:"
In the past few years I've done further research on some I've identified as Salem county, and found several who were definitely already here when they signed the Concessions, having obtained their NJ land grants under previous authorities.
Foppe Jansson Outhoute was on the Delaware by 1655. He had a tavern in New Castle at least by 1660, swore allegiance, and was a Justice of the Court there in 1676 under the English. He had acquired lands in what is Salem county as well, so interests on the NJ side. See 1693 Census of the Swedes by Craig for more, though I may be able to provide some further citations to those who have interest.
Point is, he is just one of a group of foreign nationals who settled here under other Governments, and later swore allegiance to the new Powers that Be. The Delaware River was claimed by various powers and switched hands more than once before the Proprietors/English/Quakers came on the scene.
Paul Douequet,(sic) also a Salem county resident and signer, is actually my ancestor Paul Jaquett, son of Jean Paul, who was the last Col. Gov. of Delaware/the South River under the Dutch, and arrived here about the same time as Outhout. Again, had acquired lands on this side of the river prior to the coming of Fenwick, so already here. Paul Jaquett was born here in his case, baptized in New Amsterdam in 1655, so definitely NOT in England when he signed.
So, appears this was rather a blanket statement, and while it may be 'mostly true', did not apply in all cases.
I mention this because it leaves a door open to more research avenues, if you are, as I am, seeking early comers.
Val