During the war of 1812, William Coffin, in agreement with John Coates, built a sawmill along what later became known as Hammonton Lake. Mr. Coffin went into partnership with Jonathan Haines and started a glass factory. When Mr.Coffin died, his two sons inherited the factory. They were called: John Hammond Coffin and Edward Winslow Coffin. The settlement became known as "Hammondton". It was a business and social oasis in the woods. A preacher came by every two weeks and services were held in a church/schoolhouse. Trade was carried on by barter. A stagecoach ran through from Camden to Leeds Point every Monday and Thursday. Return trips were made Wednesday and Saturday. Soon a post office was established.

Around 1850, Richard Byrnes bought much land around Hammondton and offered it for sale to farmers. About the same time, Charlotte Speakman built a store and used it as school, church and town center. By 1866, the town had grown to eleven miles long and four miles wide at which time, the town became incorporated. A printed history of the town noted in 1889 : "Old Hammondton scarcely. . . a hamlet, had become a prosperous thrifty town. . . by the lake."