Bits of SJ: Mays Landing

One of the first settlers in the Mays Landing area was Edmund Iliff. He purchased 15,000 acres from John Hind of London, and built a sawmill on Babcock’s Creek where small settlements began to be established. Iliff did not stay in the area for very long but returned to England leaving many of his workers to cultivate the land and start small hamlets and villages.

The developing area eventually got its name in 1740 from Captain George May, a businessman who worked for the London Company. May had come to the area and was impressed by the large oak and pine trees and saw a chance to build a successful business building ships. He built his business along Babcock’s Creek and delivered many schooners to the West Indian Trade. He also restored Iliff’s mill and became a very prominent entrepreneur.

The expansion of Mays Landing began with some of Iliff’s and May’s workers. They operated trading posts, blacksmith shops, farms, mills, and shipyards. As the town began to take shape, other names became prominent that would have a place in the history of this wonderful town. Colonel Somers (of the Somers Point family) owned a great deal of land near Mays Landing. He sold half of his holdings to Richard Westcoat and Robert Mattox. Westcoat served with the New Jersey Regulars in the Revolutionary War as a Colonel. After the war, he took control of Iliff’s and Somers’ Mills at South River.

Westcoat also operated a store and a hotel. His enthusiasm over the great oak trees led to the planting of many more oaks, some of which are still standing in downtown Mays Landing.

John Cain arrived in Mays Landing with Edmund Iliff and became a wheelwright and blacksmith. His cabin was located west of Babcock’s Creek. His sons became very interested in horses upon their arrival around 1760. They became hostlers (professional horse handlers) for several generations, until the automobile was invented and the business was no longer in demand.

Mays Landing was destined to become a hub of activity, and eventually became the county seat of Atlantic County. Much of its past is persevered in some of the old buildings that are still in use. Fine architectural design can be seen in the courthouse, library, and clerk’s office. Antebellum churches, such as the First Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church, give light to the people and community of today’s Mays Landing.

Many descendants of the founding fathers of Mays Landing still live in the area. Some names you may recognize include Gaskill, Norcross, Steelman, Estell, Somers, Dougherty, Wicks, Pennington, Abbott, and Westcott.

For more South Jersey History, visit our SJ History page.

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Author: Vickie Van Antwerp