City (pop., 2000: 273,546) and port of entry, northeastern New Jersey, U.S., west of New York City .
It was founded in 1666 by Puritans and was chartered as a township in 1693. It was the site of the College of New Jersey (1748–56; now Princeton University ). In 1776 the city served as a supply base for Gen. George Washington . It was incorporated as a city in 1836. The largest city in the state, it was the scene of major civil disturbances in 1967. It is a highly diversified industrial, transportation, and insurance centre. It was the birthplace of Aaron Burr and Stephen Crane .