Tuckerton and Early Beginnings of “Eyre Haven” and Little Egg Harbor Friends

Early history of Little Egg Harbor is closely tied to Quakers. First European settlers in
the area include Long Island Quakers who arrived before 1698. Friends established a
small settlement at Tuckerton, which became county seat of Ocean County in 1850.
Little Egg Harbor grew from initial farming, fur trading, fishing and whaling to include
gristmills, sawmills, shipbuilding, salt production, and significant commercial trade,
particularly of lumber and shellfish, to major American cities and abroad.
Early Exploration

In 1609 – 1616, Dutch Captains Hudson, May and Hendricksen explored the Atlantic
Coast of what is now the “shore” of New Jersey. They called this area “Eyre Haven”
(Egg Harbor) reflecting the prolific bird population.

When he English took control of “New Netherland” from the Dutch in 1664 and, in 1676,
divided “Nova Caesarea” (New Jersey) into East and West Jersey Provinces the
division began with the boundary line beginning at Little Egg Harbor. [At this junction
Quakers had been already been present in the New Netherlands and New Sweden
colonies for nearly 20 years.]
The first European purchase of Lenape land exists in what is now called Ocean County.
This purchase was at Little Egg Harbor by Henry Jacobs Falkinburg in 1674.
Falkinburg, Edward and Mordecai Andrews, among others migrating from Flushing,
Long Island, Staten Island and Nantucket , founded the county’s first settlement,
centered at today’s Tuckerton, by 1698.

Most of the area’s early settlers were Quakers. The Society of Friends established the
Egg Harbor Friends Meeting here in 1702. We built our first Meeting House here in
1709 — the county’s first church — and are interred in its graveyard. A portion of the
nearby Andrews Homestead is said tobe the oldest standing structure in Ocean County.
Little Egg Harbor grew from initial farming, fur trading, fishing and whaling to include
gristmills, sawmills, shipbuilding, salt production, and significant commercial trade,
particularly of lumber and shellfish, to major American cities and abroad.

The early history of Little Egg Harbor is closely tied to a temperance movement.
The town was founded in the early 1800s by sea faring trades. However, Quakers, who
were strong advocates for temperance kept a strong social order from the start. In 1828,
the Little Egg Harbor Temperance Society was founded. The society was instrumental in
reducing the consumption of alcohol in the town. In 1851, Little Egg Harbor became a
dry town, meaning that the sale of alcohol was prohibited.

The temperance movement continued to be strong in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. In 1919, the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified,
which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.
Little Egg Harbor was one of the many towns that benefited from this law. The town
experienced a decrease in crime and violence, and the quality of life improved for many
residents.

The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1933, which
repealed the 18th Amendment. This led to the resumption of the sale and consumption
of alcohol in Little Egg Harbor. However, the temperance movement continued to have a
strong presence in the town. In 1934, the Little Egg Harbor Temperance Society was
reorganized. The society continued to advocate for moderation in the consumption of
alcohol.

The temperance movement has had a significant impact on the history of Little Egg
Harbor. The movement helped to reduce the consumption of alcohol in the town, and it
contributed to the improvement of the quality of life for many residents. The temperance
movement continues to have a presence in Little Egg Harbor, and it continues to
advocate for moderation in the consumption of alcohol.

Quakers influence were as a peace-loving people who believed in religious freedom and
equality for all. They were considered business persons of integrity and honesty. They
were also strong advocates for education and social reform. The Quakers played an
important role in the development of Little Egg Harbor, and their influence can still be
seen in the town today.

Friends helped to establish a number of social reform organizations in the town,
including the Little Egg Harbor Anti-Slavery Society and the Little Egg Harbor
Temperance Society.

The Quakers had a big impact on the development of Little Egg Harbor. Their values, social
reform, and work ethic have helped to shape the town into the community that it is today.