By 1720, Approx. 275 people lived there. Daniels Leeds was awarded a land grant from the Crown. He surveyed his grant and named it Leeds Point in honor of his son Japhet. It included all of the present Leeds Point, and Smithville. While residing here he became first Surveyor General of West Jersey.
1702 - The proprietors of New Jersey surrender their rights to Queen Anne. New Jersey becomes a Royal Province.
1710 - Gloucester County boundaries redefined January 21.
1716 - King’s Highway Built
"King’s Highway” as called by the english colonialists was built over the Indian trail that existed for many years before. This road is now known as New York Road and Shore Road.
1731 - Joseph Galloway Born
Joseph Galloway was born in 1731 to a family of prominent merchants. He studied law in Philadelphia and became one of the city's most popular advocates. In addition to his legal practice, he took an interest in land speculation and politics. He was elected an assemblyman in 1756. In 1764 he lost his seat along with Ben Franklin, for their joint petition for royal instead of proprietary governorship. He returned in 1765 and from 1766 to 1775 was speaker of the assembly. At the same time he served as vice president of Franklin's American Philosophical Society. Galloway was a delegate to the First Continental Congress which convened on Sept. 5, 1774. His major contribution was the "Plan of Union" which was a plan for an imperial legislature and written constitution. Galloway called for a federation of colonies under a president-general appointed by the king. The idea was rejected, and Galloway did not return to the Congress. The plan was defeated by the vote of one colony. He adamantly opposed independence from England. In 1778, Galloway fled to England, becoming a spokesman for the Loyalists. His estates in America were seized, and he was forbidden to return. He died in England in 1803.
1750 Map
Brigantine Beach, Absecon Beach labeled on map on file at the Library of Congress.
1750 - Franklin Inn
Franklin Inn was built in the village of Port Republic.
1753 - Benjamin Franklin appointed Postmaster General of the Colonies.
1758 - An Indian Reservation (near Indian Mills) of 3,044 acres known as Brotherton was created by act of the New Jersey Legislature.
1762 - Clark's Mills Meeting House built. Kate Aylesford Mansion built.
1769 - Absecum Beach in Gloucester County
On a map Entitled “The Province of New Jersey Divided Into East and West, commonly called The Jerseys” (Published Dec. 1, 1778, Drawn from the survey made in 1769 and subsequent military surveys made by British troops). Gloucester County is depicted extending from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean. Absecum Beach is shown between Brigantine Beach to the north and the Great Egg Harbour River to the south. The only roadway shown in an area now called Atlantic County is a roadway now called Shore Road ( aka Kings Highway ). The road runs from the Great Egg Harbour River to the Mullicus River through the village of “Leeds”.
1773 - The James Holmes Tavern was built at the northeast corner of Shore Road and Church Street.
1774 - Absequan in Galloway Township
King George the third of England gave permission for the Township of Galloway to be and remain a perpetual township and community. Galloway Township formed by royal charter in Gloucester County from Egg Harbor Township April 4. Galloway Township was approved by the Colonial Legislature. The metes and bounds description included what is now Brigantine, part of Atlantic City, Port Republic, Mullica Township, Hammonton, Egg Harbor City and what is now Absecon City north of Absecon Creek. Absecon Inlet, Absecon Bay and Creek was then called “Absequan”.
1775 - A Provincial Congress formed
1776 - New Constitution drafted for New Jersey.
The following delegates were elected to the Constitutional Congress: Richard Stockton, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Abraham Clark, and Dr. John Witherspoon. All voted for independence.
1776 - Bustling Seaport at the Village of Absecom in Galloway
Wharves lined the creek, boats both large and small were built along the banks of Absecom Creek.
1778 - The Battle of Chestnut Neck, October 6.
British commander Henry Clinton attacked and destroyed the settlement of Chestnut Neck.
1779 - Indian Cabin Inn built.
1780 - First Dam Erected
By an act of State Legislature owners of the tide marsh and meadow lying on Absecom Creek was permitted to erect and maintain a bank, dam and other waterworks across the creek.
1783 - Final Peace Treaty signed on September 3 declaring the United States of America an independent nation.
1785 - Gloucester Furnace activated.
1787 - James Baremore builds Smithville Inn. Purchased by Isaac Smith.
1790 - John Conover bought what is now Conovertown.
Emmaus, United Methodist Church was organized in the 1790's. It is the oldest congregation in Galloway Township.
1795 - Mount Eagle
The first recorded transfer of land in what is now Absecon was when John Reading sold 200 acres to Thomas Budd in “Mount Eagle”.
1796 - United Methodist Church in the Village of Absecon Established
1799 - Pitney House in the Village of Absecon Built
The original portion of what was to become the “Dr. Jonathan Pitney House was constructed by Samuel Reed.
1702 - The proprietors of New Jersey surrender their rights to Queen Anne. New Jersey becomes a Royal Province.
1710 - Gloucester County boundaries redefined January 21.
1716 - King’s Highway Built
"King’s Highway” as called by the english colonialists was built over the Indian trail that existed for many years before. This road is now known as New York Road and Shore Road.
1731 - Joseph Galloway Born
Joseph Galloway was born in 1731 to a family of prominent merchants. He studied law in Philadelphia and became one of the city's most popular advocates. In addition to his legal practice, he took an interest in land speculation and politics. He was elected an assemblyman in 1756. In 1764 he lost his seat along with Ben Franklin, for their joint petition for royal instead of proprietary governorship. He returned in 1765 and from 1766 to 1775 was speaker of the assembly. At the same time he served as vice president of Franklin's American Philosophical Society. Galloway was a delegate to the First Continental Congress which convened on Sept. 5, 1774. His major contribution was the "Plan of Union" which was a plan for an imperial legislature and written constitution. Galloway called for a federation of colonies under a president-general appointed by the king. The idea was rejected, and Galloway did not return to the Congress. The plan was defeated by the vote of one colony. He adamantly opposed independence from England. In 1778, Galloway fled to England, becoming a spokesman for the Loyalists. His estates in America were seized, and he was forbidden to return. He died in England in 1803.
1750 Map
Brigantine Beach, Absecon Beach labeled on map on file at the Library of Congress.
1750 - Franklin Inn
Franklin Inn was built in the village of Port Republic.
1753 - Benjamin Franklin appointed Postmaster General of the Colonies.
1758 - An Indian Reservation (near Indian Mills) of 3,044 acres known as Brotherton was created by act of the New Jersey Legislature.
1762 - Clark's Mills Meeting House built. Kate Aylesford Mansion built.
1769 - Absecum Beach in Gloucester County
On a map Entitled “The Province of New Jersey Divided Into East and West, commonly called The Jerseys” (Published Dec. 1, 1778, Drawn from the survey made in 1769 and subsequent military surveys made by British troops). Gloucester County is depicted extending from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean. Absecum Beach is shown between Brigantine Beach to the north and the Great Egg Harbour River to the south. The only roadway shown in an area now called Atlantic County is a roadway now called Shore Road ( aka Kings Highway ). The road runs from the Great Egg Harbour River to the Mullicus River through the village of “Leeds”.
1773 - The James Holmes Tavern was built at the northeast corner of Shore Road and Church Street.
1774 - Absequan in Galloway Township
King George the third of England gave permission for the Township of Galloway to be and remain a perpetual township and community. Galloway Township formed by royal charter in Gloucester County from Egg Harbor Township April 4. Galloway Township was approved by the Colonial Legislature. The metes and bounds description included what is now Brigantine, part of Atlantic City, Port Republic, Mullica Township, Hammonton, Egg Harbor City and what is now Absecon City north of Absecon Creek. Absecon Inlet, Absecon Bay and Creek was then called “Absequan”.
1775 - A Provincial Congress formed
1776 - New Constitution drafted for New Jersey.
The following delegates were elected to the Constitutional Congress: Richard Stockton, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Abraham Clark, and Dr. John Witherspoon. All voted for independence.
1776 - Bustling Seaport at the Village of Absecom in Galloway
Wharves lined the creek, boats both large and small were built along the banks of Absecom Creek.
1778 - The Battle of Chestnut Neck, October 6.
British commander Henry Clinton attacked and destroyed the settlement of Chestnut Neck.
1779 - Indian Cabin Inn built.
1780 - First Dam Erected
By an act of State Legislature owners of the tide marsh and meadow lying on Absecom Creek was permitted to erect and maintain a bank, dam and other waterworks across the creek.
1783 - Final Peace Treaty signed on September 3 declaring the United States of America an independent nation.
1785 - Gloucester Furnace activated.
1787 - James Baremore builds Smithville Inn. Purchased by Isaac Smith.
1790 - John Conover bought what is now Conovertown.
Emmaus, United Methodist Church was organized in the 1790's. It is the oldest congregation in Galloway Township.
1795 - Mount Eagle
The first recorded transfer of land in what is now Absecon was when John Reading sold 200 acres to Thomas Budd in “Mount Eagle”.
1796 - United Methodist Church in the Village of Absecon Established
1799 - Pitney House in the Village of Absecon Built
The original portion of what was to become the “Dr. Jonathan Pitney House was constructed by Samuel Reed.
