BROADKILN RIVER

SUSSEX COUNTY BROADKILLN RIVER

WHATS IN A NAME

Abstract from the Friday, October 16, 1891 Salina Daily Republican, Salina, Kansas.

The name “Murderkill” applied to an important stream in Delaware is explained in proper tradition by a curious story that is told of early settlers. According to the legend the stream took the name from the fact that an early European Explorer, having landed on the bank of the creek, persuaded a dozen natives to drag his ship cannon by a rope tied to the muzzle and then when they were all in line touched off the gun with murderous results. The name. Of course, is merely a corruption of the Dutch Motherkill, meaning another stream, because it is a large creek with many tributaries.

There is elsewhere in Delaware a Broadkill, which has become to be spelled with a final 'n', applied because the English settlers took its last syllable to be the same with the last syllable of limekiln.