1683

Benjamin Hull purchases "Blondyn Plains," a large tract of land in southwest Plainfield from Cowankeen, a Native American

1685

Letter from Thomas Gordon from the Cedar Brook of East New Jersey in America to George Ellison of Edinburgh Scotland documents the settlement of Plainfield

1702

Queen Anne takes control of the colony of Jersey and encourages growth of the slave trade

1707

First mention of the name "Plainfield" on the birth record of Elizabeth Laing of the Society of Friends

1735

First frame house is built in Plainfield
First Quaker Meeting in Plainfield is established in the home of John Laing

1746

Drake House is built by three sons of Isaac Drake of Randolph Road and Drake's three male slaves

1777

Military action at the Battle of Short Hills on the grounds of the present day Plainfield Country Club

1788

Friends Meeting House erected on Watchung Avenue, formerly known as
Peace Street

1800

A Post Office is established in Plainfield

1827

Fire Engine Company #1 is formed

1834

Establishment of a Ladies Library

1835

The Herald, Plainfield's first newspaper is published

1837

Publication of The Plainfield Union and General Advertiser

1838

Trains are operating on a regular schedule between Elizabethtown and Plainfield

1847

Plainfield becomes a township (population less than 1,500)
Plainfield establishes the first public schools in the state under the leadership of Dr. Charles Stillman

1869

Plainfield is incorporated as a city

1881

Muhlenberg Hospital opens in the vestry of Grace Church

1883

The first telephone central station opens with 15 subscribers

1886

Establishment of the Plainfield Public Library by Job Male at the corner of Park and Eighth

1894

Establishment of The Courier News by F. W. Runyon

1919

W. J. Buttfield secures the first municipal broadcasting license issued in the U.S. for WEAM Radio

1921