George May and the story of Mays Landing
By Steffen Klenk
From Smithville to Sea Isle City, and Brigantine to Buena Vista Township, South Jersey is filled with a rich history that dates back centuries. What were once small towns have since been transformed into vibrant communities. Here is a look back into May Landing’s history, with details on the town and how it got its name, its most notable residents, and events that have changed the course of our area.
Situated in the heart of Hamilton Township, Mays Landing is a community that sits along the Great Egg Harbor River and Lake Lenape. The community is named after Captain George May, who, in the 1740s, was appointed as a surveyor and agent for the West Jersey Society. May, who was a former native of Burlington, New Jersey, and a blacksmith, moved to our area with his wife, Susan Thompson, and began purchasing land from Edmund Iliff.
Originally from Blackbird, Delaware, Iliff was a merchant who had purchased two tracts of land near Babcock Creek, where he set up a saw mill and a pair of dwelling houses. Iliff passed in 1749, and his property went up for auction that summer. His estate was purchased by George May for a cost of only seven pounds.
George May continued to purchase land throughout Babcock Creek and in the immediate region into the 1760s, until his death later that decade. The land he had purchased was later sold at auction, with the town and area subsequently renamed Mays Landing a short time afterward.
The town of Mays Landing was a major trading port in its early years. A shipyard was set up along the Great Egg Harbor River, where ships and vessels were constructed. Mays Landing played a key role in the shipbuilding industry throughout the 19th century, along with other coastal communities in Atlantic County, with shipyards also set up in Absecon, Brigantine, and Port Republic.
One important piece of infrastructure for Mays Landing during the 1880s was the railroad. At one point, passenger service was offered between the city and Newfield, but was abandoned in 1858. In November 1879, construction began on the West Jersey and Atlantic Railroad, a rail line that would provide service and excursion trips between Atlantic City and Camden. The West Jersey Line began full operation in June 1880 and would remain in operation through the 1950s. Today, a portion of the line is used as a bike trail that extends through Mays Landing and Egg Harbor Township.
Just seven weeks after opening, a major incident had occurred. On Aug. 11, 1880, over 1,000 members of St. Anne’s Church in Philadelphia were returning from a day-long trip to the shore when an oncoming locomotive rear-ended the train. The collision, which occurred over the Great Egg Harbor River, led to several casualties. Many of the townspeople in Mays Landing assisted in the rescue efforts, offering their homes to the injured.
Many documents surrounding George May can be found at The Hamilton Township Historical Society. Located at 49 Mill Street in Mays Landing, their museum is open Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and features a rotating display featuring collections from past and present businesses and notable residents, along with a permanent display fixture. For more information, call 609-909-0272, or visit their website at hamiltonhistorical.org.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
