Final answer:
In 1664, the Duke of New York gave away a significant amount of land between the Hudson and Delaware rivers, which became the colonies of New York and New Jersey.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significant amount of land between the Hudson and Delaware rivers, which was given away by the Duke of New York in 1664, became two colonies: New York and New Jersey.
Under the threat of an English attack, the Dutch turned control of their New World territory to the English. To spread the financial burden of colonization, King Charles II issued proprietary grants for the land to loyal supporters. Some of this land was given to his brother, the Duke of York, which led to the establishment of New York and New Jersey as colonies.
New Jersey was given to Sir George Carteret and Lord John Berkeley. The Duke of York ceded the land south of Manhattan Island, from the Atlantic coast to the Delaware River. The new proprietary colony was called New Jersey to honor Carteret's defense of Jersey Island during the English Civil War.