Mays Landing, the shire town of Atlantic County, was founded by George May, who opened a store for the supply of vessels putting into Great Egg Harbor. His house, a gambrel roofed building, one story and a half high, was on the north bank of the river, about ten rods abouve the mouth of Babcock's Creek, fronting on the river. It was standing until about 1830. May was also a blacksmith and ship builder, and built several schooners, some of which engaged in trade with the West Indies. Egg Harbor and Mays landing are 5 miles apart in present day Atlantic County, NJ, about 20 miles west of Atlantic City.
Egg Harbor is on an inlet, The Great Egg Harbor River.
He lost his properties due to financial difficulties. He purchased part of Illif's holdings at a sheriff's sale in 1749, and settled at May's landing by 1760, by which time he had been appointed an agent of the West New Jersey Proprietors. 1756 - Captain George May bought land near Babcock Creek and later established a trading post to make supplies available for the settlers and Indians. This trading post helped make Mays Landing a permanent settlement. George May erected a small shipyard about 100 yards west of the mouth of Babcock's Creek along the river.