This series consists of the oaths of office of the governors and acting governors of the State of New Jersey from 1790 to the present. The first document also contains oaths of the Vice Presidents of the Legislative Council from 1797-1801 and 1826. The oaths dated 1790-1970 are original, signed documents. They are generally large, manuscript certificates, a number from the twentieth century being also elaborately illuminated with colored inks. For the governors from 1974 forward, photocopies of the oaths found in the Secretary of State's file are included. Three from this period, however, apparently were not filed: Governor Byrne's first oath (1974), Governor Kean's second (1986), and Governor Whitman’s second (1998).

The term and duties of the governor have been defined or redefined three times during New Jersey's statehood. The 1776 state constitution provided for a one-year governor's term and gave the "supreme executive," as he was called, only very limited legislative and judicial responsibility. Abuse of executive power had been a major concern of the authors of the state's first charter. The governor was to be elected by the joint meeting of the legislature at its first sitting after the annual elections. He was to act as president of the legislative council and, in his absence, the vice president of the council (also chosen at the joint meeting) was to serve as acting governor. The 1776 constitution did not prohibit governors from serving multiple and/or consecutive terms, which most did during the 1776-1844 period.

In 1844, a new state constitution expanded the term and duties of the governor. The chief executive was to be elected by popular vote and was to serve for three years commencing on the third Tuesday in January following the election. Governors were prohibited from succeeding themselves; however, several during the 1844-1947 period did serve two, or even three, non-consecutive terms. In the case of a vacancy, the president of the senate was to serve as acting governor. The 1844 constitution also included a special provision allowing the incumbent governor, Daniel Haines, to remain in office until the first inauguration under the new system in January 1845.

The 1947 (current) constitution again expanded the term of office and duties of the governor. The term was increased to four years (commencing January 1950). The president of the senate is to serve as acting governor in the event that the governor's office is vacated.

Finally, in 2006 legislation was passed stipulating that anyone who has served as acting governor for a continuous period of at least 180 days would thereafter hold the title of Governor of the State of New Jersey. This law (P.L. 2005, c. 282), passed 9 January 2006, was made effective retroactive to 1 January 2001.

NOTE: With yearly election of governors during the 1776-1844 period, it was the practice at that time to reuse the governor's oath document year after year. Items 1a and 2-4, consequently, each contain signatures of a number of governors.

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Created January 2007