Historic Town Bank, New Jersey: A Timeline

South of the Cape May canal, tucked along the banks of Delaware Bay, lies an unassuming hamlet with a deep history. Many remain unaware of the significance of this quiet bayside haven, a town with a rich history: Town Bank, New Jersey, was Cape May before Cape May was Cape May. 

It is most difficult to be precise in writing about the history of Town Bank, as some sources contain conflicting dates, and some information is based on legend. This article provides a complex timeline of key historic events, places, and people, beginning with the original settlement in South Jersey, now lost under the waters of Delaware Bay and leading up to the present day.

References to Lenni Lenape language comes from a collection of words recorded by John Heckewelder in 1819: “Words, Phrases, and short dialogues, in the language of the Lenni Lenape or Delaware Indians.”

“N’wingachpihn” – I like to be here

Ancient History

Imagine a bayfront wilderness of white oak trees and marshland, rich in resources. Indigenous peoples spent milder months along this coast. The Kechemeche, a Lenni Lenape tribe, inhabited the southernmost part of the Cape May peninsula between the Atlantic and Delaware Bay for many centuries. They hunted, grew crops, and fished. Living peacefully in wigwams, they created wampum from local whelk and clam shells for trading and were the first to search for Cape May Diamonds, translucent quartz stones with alleged supernatural powers. The awe-inspiring sunsets and “diamonds” are the only untouchables left unchanged by man over time.

1609

“Pennō wullih!” – Look yonder!

In the Robert Crozer Alexander 1956 book Ho! For Cape Island! into the bay sails the Half Moon, captained by Englishman Henry Hudson of the Dutch East India Company. He reportedly turns back, heading north up the Atlantic instead, knowing the Half Moon could not traverse these shallow waters. His documented notes were sent to Europe, drawing attention to the area and the abundance of profitable whales he spotted, according to Cape May County, New Jersey: The Making of an American Resort Community (Jeffrey M. Dorwart, 1992). 

1614

“Auween won gintsch pat?” – Who is that who just now came?

Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey arrived aboard Glad Tidings. He found the area “charming…like that of Holland,” cites Alexender. He named it Cape Mey, (later anglicized by settlers) for himself. In ensuing years, early settlers from New York and New England established a small village of wooden whaling cabins. They first named the settlement New England Town and, being the only town, it was often referred to as simply Towne. Town Bank has gone through several name changes over time: Portsmouth, Falmouth, and Cape May Town.

1630s

“M’biák!” – A whale! 

The peaceful and resourceful Kechemeche taught Dutch settlers most of what they knew; the most profitable lesson was whale hunting. Set approximately 20 feet above sea level, the town was an ideal location, allowing for whale spotting from the shore. “Thar she blows!” was heard before whalers rowed out, harpooning and dragging their prey to shore. They used every bit, with the fat being the most valued and sold to England. According to the Lower Township website, “Whale oil was refined to produce a crude oil used for light and lubrication, while whale baleen was used for corset stays, carriage springs, umbrella ribs, buggy whips, shoelaces, hat brims, collar stays and skirt hoops.”

1631

“Yuh’ allauwitan!” – Come, let us go a hunting!

A land deed was signed transferring it from the Lenni Lenape tribe members to Samuel Godyn and Samuel Bloemmart, of the Dutch West Indies Company. A December 2012 Cape May County Herald article reports, “Ancient Town Bank Deed Located.” Local historian Steve Sheifz, credits Laurie Thomas, a direct descendant of the early settlers, who successfully located the deed.

We, director and council for the New-Netherland, etc. attest and declare herewith that today, ate[sic]unwritten, appeared Pieter Heyssen, skipper of the ship, den Walvis, at present lying in the South River, and Gillis Hosset, commissary on the same, who declare, that on the 5h day of May, last past, before them appeared personally, Sawowouwe, Wiwyt, Pemhake, Mekowetick, Techepeuwya, Mathamen, Sacoock, Anehoopoen, Janqueno and Pokahake, lawful owners, proprietors and inhabitants of the east side of Goddyn’s East Bay, called Cape de Maye, who for themselves rato caverende and for all the owners in regard to their shares of the same land, declared of their own accord and deliberately in their said quality as lawful, unalienable and free property by virtue of title of sale and in consideration of a certain quantity of goods, which they, the conveyors, acknowledge in their said quality to have received and accepted before the passing of this contract, and they herewith transport, cede and convey, to and in behoof of the Noble Honorable Samuel Godyn and Samuel Blomaert (who are absent and for whom they had accepted the herein described land subject to the Goddyn’s reservation) to wit: the eastside of Goddyn’ bay or Cape de May, reaching 4 miles along the coast southward and another 4 miles inland, measuring 16 square miles, with all interests, rights and privileges etc.

Done on the aforesaid island of Manhattan at Fort Amsterdam,

3 June 1631.

For the next century, whaling and farming in Town Bank continued.

 1681

“N’tschu” – My friend.

William Penn’s first letter to the Indians is documented. On October 18th, before he set sail to explore the new world, he wrote, promising friendly intent to live in peace and with the consent of the Lenni Lenape. He mentions the “Presents and Tokens” as a sign of good will. He signed it, “I am your friend. Wm Penn” in a document stored at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

A June 1959 Press of Atlantic City article by William McMahon chronicles the development of Southern New Jersey. William Penn stayed for a time and considered founding the City of Brotherly Love at this settlement. He built a house for himself from the white oaks harvested from the land and named the settlement “Town Bank.” Regarding the valuable whales, he wrote, “eleven caught and worked into oil one season.” But the land did not suit his needs, so he sold his property and moved further up the bay into the river, ultimately founding Philadelphia.

1688

“Oténink” – In the town.

According to Dorwart’s book, Daniel Coxe signed a deed with Native Americans for the land. In a letter by Coxe, he stated that he had, “settled a Towne, and established a fishing for Whales which are very numerous.”

1691

“T’huppecúnk” – At the cold spring

Historic Cold Spring Village (HCSV) has a Town Bank building artifact, Coxe Hall Cottage, the oldest known surviving building in Cape May County, built in 1691. According to the HCSV, the building was used as a meeting place where court, church services, and other business were conducted.

1693

“Kschamehellátam” – Let us run together.

In a 2006 Courier Post article by Thomas Bergbauer, he notes a legend. The Kechemeche tribe leaders held a council, concluding that too many white men inhabited the land. They decided to leave that night.

1700–1730

“Suppinquall” – tears.

The whale population had all but been diminished and settlers moved inland, embarking on farming and other trades.

Records from early European settlers note the passing of the last Kechemeche leader, King Nummy. Town Bank was part of his territory, according to a 2015 article by Camille Sailer in the Cape May County Herald.

1726

A map of Town Bank was created, illustrating erosion that impacted the coastline, forcing families to move inland away from the usurping bay.

1766

The City of Cape May was established as a vacation resort.

1814

According to research from Dorwart, the War of 1812 came to Town Bank. Under the military leadership of Joshua Townsend and Furman Leaming, local forces fought the British landing parties, “killing more than a dozen invaders.”

1846

An original dwelling in Town Bank, built between 1695 and 1730, was moved by a freed black landowner, Owen Coachman, and now is located at 1019 Batts Lane. A 2020 article from Cape May Star and Wave quotes architectural historian Joan Berkey: “It’s a rare surviving example of a free black landowner’s home erected before the civil war.” Coachman sold the house in 1750. It was authentically restored and is currently a private home.

1866–1869

Tourism needed a boost, so Cape Island hotel and stable owner, Joseph Heiss, funded a racetrack “between Town Bank and Cox Hall Creek along what was then called Diamond Beach,” a place that brought in visitors during the summer months since the 1840s, according to Dorwart. In 1867, The Diamond Beach Park and Hotel Association constructed a one-mile, oval racetrack and the first clubhouse. Charles A. Rubicam purchased the racetrack, but his plans for further expansion of the project were abandoned when his hotel perished in a fire on Cape Island in 1869. Racetrack Road still exists as a curved road running through the center of Town Bank.

1870–1920s

There is a gap in literature on this timeframe in Town Bank, as Cape May City was thriving. This small town continued to exist quietly.

1920s

The real estate boom at the southern shore took the area by storm. The Philadelphia Development Company surveyed and later developed the Old Price Farm, now known as North Cape May, on one side of Town Bank, and Joseph Millman purchased the land on the other side, creating The Villas.

1933

Established in 1933, the entity now known as Historic Town Bank was formed to manage and maintain a generous land donation of Harry Bruce & Anna Mumma, from Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. This land includes the scenic beaches and dunes from Englewood to Avalon roads, as well as the clubhouse, on Clubhouse Drive. The latter is named for the stately colonial structure built in the 1940s, “the White House” of Town Bank, complete with columns lining the front entrance. This replaced the original clubhouse from the days of the racetrack.

1940

In Town Bank, “After World War II, in the mid-40s, lots were ‘buy two, get one free,’” said POA member, Susan Doan Dilks. Families purchased lots for $50/each. Word spread back home to friends and family in Philadelphia, and lots sold like hot cakes. “People loved it. It was the shore, but with trees!” said POA member Ruth Nelson Rich.

1940–1961

Modern times required modern conveniences. Dick’s Place holds fond memories for the longtime Town Bankers who frequented this store located at Town Bank and Shore Roads. The building stands as a private residence today. Dick McClyment sold gas, candy, ice cream, deli meats, and other staples. His daughter, Judy McClyment Beare recalls, “Often, community meetings were held at Barney’s,” [formerly The Rendezvous, Whaler’s Cove, Harpoon Henry’s, and now Harpoons on the Bay]. She added, “Besides running the store, my father was instrumental in establishing the Town Bank Fire Hall.”

Longtime members of the Town Bank POA recalled Aukenbach’s, a shack selling fishing supplies on a boat ramp formerly located at the end of Avalon Road. They also recollect Pennock’s Five and Dime hardware store, on Town Bank Road.

1962

“Achwi sókelaan” – It rains very hard.

Cape May County was hit hard by the infamous, historic storm of 1962. Town Bank received government aid to repair and rebuild due to extreme storm damage.

Present Day

Entering Town Bank, Lower Township, there is a sign that reads, “Historic Town Bank, Birthplace of South Jersey, Established 1635.” Town Bank will celebrate 390 years in 2025. Oddly, a historic marker stands on the corner of Town Bank and Bayshore Roads that reads, “Town Bank, New England and Long Island whalemen first settled Cape May on the Delaware Bay Shore about 1685. To the sandy bluff called Town Bank came Joseph Whildin and his wife, Hannah Gorham, grandchild of John Howland, the Mayflower Pilgrim.” The marker date is off by about 50 years.

Good news—conservation efforts in recent years have resulted in safe waters for swimming—but at your own risk. There are no lifeguards here. Whales have also returned. Residents sighted one on the bay from the shores of Town Bank in late February 2024.

Longundowináquot – It looks likely for peace.

There has been established a Treaty of Renewed Friendship with the Lenni Lenape, stating “to heal the past, give direction for today, and brighten the future…preserving this natural history for all of our children.”

Today, Town Bank flies its own flag, an artistic representation combining the town’s natural icons. Represented is the “original local,” the pre-historic horseshoe crab, guaranteed to appear in large numbers each spring along the bay beaches. Next, the sunset. Town Bank has some of the best sunsets on the entire east coast. Last, but not least, the whale. These symbols combine in a trademarked emblem representing the characteristics of the singular place that is Town Bank.

The Town Bank coastline runs from Pinewood to Englewood Roads, with a scenic walkway along the bayside. The homes along the way are of diverse styles, from larger modern buildings to quirky, quaint, older shore cottages.

Strolling Town Bank’s streets, one can feel lost in time. You can almost feel the spirit of the Kechemeche if you try. You might hear the siren of the Town Bank’s fire company. You will hear the ferry’s horn—one long and three short honks. Stroll the walkway at sunset. Byron Frey, newly elected President of the POA says, “All year, people meet to view what few on the east coast can see: a sunset across open water. Sunsets bring the community together.”

Town Bank is a Jersey Shore town keeping up with the present with a small-town community atmosphere of days long forgotten.

“Ne nipauwi” – Stop there.