Which of the following states was one of the original 13?

New Jersey is one of the original 13 colonies that formed the United States. These colonies were established before the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and played a critical role in the founding of the nation. New Jersey was originally settled by the Dutch and later taken over by the English, who established it as a royal colony. The significance of New Jersey as one of the original colonies is further underscored by its early participation in the Revolutionary War, diverse population, and strategic location, which made it an important battleground during the conflict.

The other states listed—Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio—were not part of the original 13 colonies. Michigan became a state much later, in 1837, Illinois was admitted in 1818, and Ohio followed in 1803. These states were part of the northwest territory and had different colonial histories, being influenced by various European powers such as France and Britain, but they do not have the same foundational significance in the context of the original colonies that established the United States.