ELIZABETH, a city and seat of justice in Union co., N. J., on Newark bay and Staten Island sound, 12 m. s.w. of New York; on slightly elevated ground on both sides of the Elizabeth river; reached by the New Jersey Central and the Pennsylvania railroads. It was settled under the name of Elizabethtown in 1665, and was the colo nial capital from 1755 to 1757. It is well laid out with broad and well-shaded streets, and contains several small parks and many handsome residences. It is the home of a large number of men who do business in I\ ew York and travel to and fro daily upon one or the other of the railroads which meet and cross each other near the center of the city. The port is accessible for vessels of 300 tons, and receives large quantities of coal and iron brought by rail' from the PenaylVania mines for transhipment. A line of steam Coats plies daily between Elizabethport and New York; a private company supplies the -city with water from Elizabeth river; the streets are lighted with gas and paved. The property of the city was assessed in 1873 at 05,563,625—probably not more than one third of its real value. Among the public institutions are an almshouse, orphan asylum, and old ladies' home. The schools, having an average attendance of from 2,500 to 3,000
children, are well cared for. The amount appropriated for their support in 1873 was $32,000. There is a business college and a collegiate school for young men, besides :several private schools. There are 24 churches, the denominations represented being Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, German Moravian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Con gregational, and German. Lutheran. The periodicals are three daily, one semi-weekly, and one monthly. The principal manufactories are of sewing-machines, cordage, edge tools, gas machinery, boots and shoes, carriages, zinc, combs, pottery, trunks, stoves, saws and hats. There also several foundries, breweries, and planing-mills. There are two national banks, with a total capital of $600,000, 3 savings-banks, and several insur ance companies. The city is at present in a state of financial embarrassment on account of debts incurred for public improvements of a speculative character. Pop. in '70, 20,832, of whom 6,752 were of foreign birth.