Lewes Delaware Windmill

Bailey's Windmill

The late 17^th century, behind the high sand dunes of Cape Henlopen and along the banks of Lewes  Creek sits the growing village of Lewes, with surrounding farm lands of grain. Jonathan Bailey knew these farmers needed a mill to grind their crop into flower and meal. He also knew that the persistent sea breezes were a dependable source of power.

In 1687 Bailey erected his windmill near the lower end of what we call Pilot Town.

Around his windmill he erected a fence to keep the cows, hogs and other animals that roamed the banks of Lewes Creek from interfering with it's operation.

This fence, however , cut off the burial grounds and angry Lewes citizens

made complaint that the miller had “impudently denied ad refused the neighbors the use of ye ground to bury their dead, forbidding them to come to said ground”.

Jonathan Bailey was hauled into court and ordered to remove the fence from the road to the cemetery. 

Source: Delaware Diary, Delaware Coast Press, Michael Morgan Collection