DEATH OF JAMES PONDER, FORMER GOVERNOR

FORMER GOVERNOR

JAMES PONDER

DEATH

November 5, 1897 at his home in Milton, Delaware, James Ponder, stricken with

paralysis yesterday, has died.

The Honorable James Ponder was born in Milton, Sussex county, Delaware , on

October 31^st, 1819, the son of the Honorable John Ponder. He had received a good education

in the academies of Milton, Lewes and Georgetown , completing his studies by 1838. That year

he became a clerk in his fathers store in Milton, and the 1^st of January, 1843, he was admitted as a partner into his fathers mercantile business and became engaged in shipping produce, grain, wood,

bark, lumber and had a hand in the ship building industry at Milton. He also had a considerable ship dealership, buying and selling vessels world wide. In 1850 they erected a large steam mill for sawing lumber and ship timbers , also the manufacture of quercitron bark, which was located on the south side

of the Broadkill river. He continued with the very large business until the death of his father when the mercantile business was relinquished and he devoted himself to the shipping of grain, lumber, ship timbers, bark . He was one of the largest land owner of Sussex county and very interested in the

agriculture business. His thousands of acres, many bought by him but some, the Ponder Homestead, were patented by his great grandfather, John Ponder, were divided into farmsteads and were very productive, especially with peaches.

The former Governor Ponder was always deeply interested in public affairs and was active in the Democratic party. 1856 saw him elected to the Legislature. 1864 he was elected to the State Senate and by 1867 was chosen the House Speaker . He was elected Governor in 1870 by a large majority over his Kent county competitor. He filled the office with great honor to himself and to the general

satisfaction of the people of the state.

He was a life long member of the Protestant Episcopal Church as was the family for many generations.

He married Sallie Waples, daughter of Gidion Waples of Milton, July 1851. His surviving children were Ida, John, James W., and a deceased son at age 7.

His funeral service was held in St. John the Baptist Church in Milton.

Source: Wilmington News Journal , Friday , November 5, 1897.

1900 MILTON SATURDAY

A SATURDAY IN MILTON

11 AUGUST 1900

The steamer Massapekus has commenced its run to Drawbridge, an one hour trip, to connect with the steamer Pokanoket for Arch Street wharf , Philadelphia, on Wednesday and Saturday, the time regulated by the tides. The return trip will be on Monday and Thursday. Fare is $1.25 or round trip $2.00.

Milton peaches are late ripening and shipment has been light this week. Today the best quality peaches are selling at 60 cent a basket.

The tug boat Suparta came in Milton Friday with two vessels in tow and is still at the dock.

The colored camp meeting at Hazzards Woods near town began service Saturday night and Sunday there were many persons attending, except not as many white people came as usual.

Zoar camp meeting opened Friday and he meeting at Gravelly Hill will begin August the 25

and will be under supervision of Rev. Nehemiah Bennum and Rev. A. J. Perry.

The Rev. W. W. W. Wilson of Danbury, Connecticut , and his family, arrived in town Tuesday to visit his brother, Sam J. Wilson and family.

The new steamer Messapequa will make an excursion to Broadkill Beach on Thursday.

The proprietor of the Hart House , Luke Clendaniel, will run a bus to Zoar Camp next

Sunday and any other day if there are a bus load who wish to go.

Whenever, six or more, Sea Captains of Milton happen to meet in town after a n lengthy

absence it is interesting to see them congregate and relate their experiences.

Cutting and delivery of pilling continues to be one of the Milton industries. The schooner

Golden Rule, of Captain Skull, newly repaired and loaded with pilling, filled with water and sank and is being unloaded.

The schooner John A. Lingo is loading canned peas for Philadelphia/ Robinson's cannery is canning corn.

The Douglas & White Shirt Factory , closed the past two weeks because of hot weather and the camp meetings, will reopen for operations Monday.

Shipping of 'clay' is a new industry around Milton, the farm lands of upper Broadkill River

abound with clay of a superior type being sold in northern markets. The schooner Fannie, Captain

Reed, is now loading at Blacks Landing this clay for Bridesburg, Pennsylvania.

Source: Wilmington Evening News, 14 August, 1900

REHOBOTH YOUTH CENTER

REHOBOTH YOUTH CENTER

DECEMBER 3 1945

The Rehoboth Youth Center had reopened under new management of Jack B. Jeglum

and will operate with new rules which are to encourage a high type of behavior. There is a

membership fee.

Jack Jeglum was recently discharged from the Navy, both he and his wife have experience in New York theatrical circles

One rule, for instance, to discourage laziness and forgetfulness , will be that if a boy or girl

leaves anything of theirs overnight, that item goes into a “Lucky Bag” and to redeem the item, the owner must 'work' around the club house for an hour at a task assigned by the director.

Smoking is not allowed, no noise nor dancing near the “quite room” where members can gather to study in groups of twelve. There is a “police patrol” of members, both boys and girls, to help enforce rules and regulations, two on duty each day. Also there is to be no gambling nor

alcohol drinking at any time.

Adult control of the center will be by town commissioners, headed by Charles Mills, and the youth will have a 'government' of their own headed by Kennith Lingo, president , James Travis, Jr., VP, Evelyn Warrington , secretary, Louise Massey, treasurer, cabinet members, Dale Wilhelm, Dixie Nance, William Haddeus, Betty Polite, Reds Lemaire, and Willard Hill.

Activities are to be a Dramatic Club, Glee Club, Dance Club, Journalism Club, Camera

Club and Glamour Club. Mrs John Lingo will play the piano for the Glee Club, and the Journalism

Club will publish a center newspaper, There are to be ping pong tournaments in the basement game room which is fitted with various types of of sports equipment. The basement also has a bowling alley

The club is open in the summer from 9 am to midnight, in winter it opens after school lets out until 10 pm and has a modern soda fountain and snack bar. It fives the Rehoboth youth a place to call their own. 1946 award winners are member William Andrews, Kenney Lingo, Bev Startt, Janet Vansant, June Gruber, Evelyn Warrington, Louise Massey, Sigrid Dick and Betty Polite.

Robert Wilhelm won the ping pong trophy .

This building was once a storage building, rehabilitated into the U.S.O. of the resort town for military men of Fort Miles at Cape Henlopen and other service post during WWII. It was abandoned after the war. As the U.S.O. It was under the direction of the Salvation Army and it's director was Captain William “Dick” Hough.

Operating cost of near $4000 a year are being solicited from the community and the city.

Source: Wilmington Morning News, December 1945 & September 1946. Harrison H abstract 2017.

Delaware in War 1812

DELAWARE IN THE WAR OF 1812

As soon as it was known that the British fleet had entered the Delaware Bay, Delaware State rose in arms, almost to a man. Wilmington, New Castle, Smyrna were wild with excitement, Dover

was in a perfect fury. “Such were the descript of the citizens in their letters of the time”.

A Committee of Safety was formed in Wilmington, made up of James C. Bayard, George

Monroe, Outerbridge Horsey, James Tilton and Caesar Rodney. Several companies of troops were raised, amongst which were an artillery company in command of Caesar Rodney, a Cavalry company commanded by Captain Warner, two Infantry companies, one in command of Captain Shipley and the other by Captain Wilson.

A strong fort , Fort Union, was erected at the “Rocks”, the site of the old Fort Christiana.

Signals of alarm were agreed upon, which were to be the ringing of the Town Hall bell, the beating of drums, a two cannon discharges. The 'specie' of Wilmington and New Castle was transferred to Philadelphia banks.

The Wilmington Forces were under command of Allen McLane, Wilmington Port Collector

and a leader during the Revolution in the Delaware Line.

In New Castle they erected artillery batteries under the command of Captain Bemett eeho fought in the Revolution under Green in the south.

At Dover 500 men were put under arms, at Smyrna many citizens were also under arms, the whole State became a 'camp' under very strong militia law. The consequences were that whereever

the Briitsh would land on Delaware soil they would be met with bayonets and ball. Shot was returned for shot and in every instance the British were driven back to their ships, many times with a loss of prisoners or life.

The Lewestowne vessels, the Eliza and the Mary Robbins were captured and the Charlestown Packet was burned by the British at the mouth of Lewes Creek by four barges of men from the British

sloop of war Martin. . The Lewestowne militia had rushed to the scene of action but did not have the ammunition to save her. The enemy also tried to capture Mr. Paynter's schooner but were driven away by the Lewestowne and Milton militias.

The armed British ship Pilgrim sailed into the mouth of Little Creek , landed men on the marshes who shot some cattle but the Dover neighborhood militia met them , capture a good number, and drove the rest back to their vessels.

The principal State officials during the War of 1812, were; Governor Joseph Hazlett ,

Secretary of State Willard Hall, US Senators Outerbridge Horsey and William Hill Wells,

Congressmen Henry Ridgley and Thomas Cooper.

Cause of the War of 1812 which filled our Delaware River and Bay with armed enemy ships

was the seizure and capture of the US merchant vessels by the British . The sloop “Richard” of

Brandywine village, entering the bay at New York at Sandy Hook when a the British ship “Leander”

fired on her to stop and she did not, another shot killed an American sailor, John Pierce, of

Brandywine which caused great excitement and action on our part.

James A. Bayard delivered the following speech in 1811 to the United States Senate.

“ Great Britian has furnished cause of war an done enough to provoke it. She has given laws to the open seas of her own interest, destructive to our rights, taken by violence colonial trade, extended

blockade which leave us to her tenure of good will.

Wilmington News Journal, 10 May 1879. Article of Francis Vincent. Abstract 2017 Harrison,. H.

Newbolds Lake Battle in 1813

BATTLE OF NEWBOLDS LAKE

DELAWARE IN THE WAR OF 1812

The battle of Newbolds Lake took place by Delaware troops on Delaware soil on May 10,

1813. A British squadron had entered the Delaware Bay in March last, bombarded Lewestowne the 6^th of April, because the town residents would not furnish food stuff and water to the command of the ships offiers and repulsed by Colonel Samuel Davis of the Delaware Militia. They then appeared in

the Atlantic Ocean, seven miles below Lewestowne, just off of Newbolds Point which had a fresh water lake, Newbold Lake.

Newbold Lake is now known as Silver Lake and continues to be a fresh water lake.

The Sussex County Atlantic coast has four such  ponds or lakes, two are fresh water and two are salt

water, two of them are in Rehoboth Lewes Hundred and two are in Baltimore Hundred. The two in Rehoboth Lewes Hundred are Gardiners (Gordons) , which is very salt and has a salt works in operation. Newbolds is a pretty space of fresh water a mile long and quarter mile wide. The two ponds in Baltimore Hunderd are Fresh Pond and Salt Pond, about a mile of each other.

At Newbold Lake the British fleet had expected to to supply itself with fresh water since the Lewestowne people would not do so, and the”Poictiers” and “Pass”, ships of the line with 74 guns, under command of Captain Byron, set armed boats of British soldiers to approach the shore.

Colonel Davis had sent Major George Hunter, with 150 militia men, and when the British  boats were near the surf, Hunters men  opened fire and drove the British back to their ships, which then sailed away toward the Bermudas.

This was the Battle of Newbolds Lake.

Jay Stevenson has added source:Field Book of 1812 War by Benson J. Lossing  1869

Source: Abstract of a Francis Vincent article which appeared in the Wilmington New Journal,

Saturday May 10, 1879. Abstract July 2017, Harrison H.

1827 GEORGETOWN NEW PRISON

1827 CALL FOR PROPOSALS

GEORGETOWN JAIL

For the construction and completion of a new PRISON in Georgetown, Sussex County

Delaware, of the following description and dimensions, will be received by the Sussex Levy Court

Commissioners.

The building is to be two stories high, forty-five feet in front, fifty feet in width, and twenty feet in height to the eaves.

The materials of the walls to be of the best bricks that can be had in the vicinity of the place,

except the show of the front wall which must be of good Philadelphia paving bricks. The roof to be

of good shingles.

Through the house, from front to rear, to be a passage of ten feet in width, in each story,

equally dividing the whole, with substantial doors at the extremities of the lower passage.

Of the divisions thus formed , the one is to be is to be more substantial for the prison apartment.

The outer walls must be 23 inches in thickness, the inner ones forming one side of each entry, 23 inches, and the subdividing walls of the several apartments 13 inches, of which apartments there will be four in each story, each one with a fireplace. Into each window thereof must be affixed with

strong iron grates and the doors to be strong and corresponding. The rafters and joist strong and not more that six inches apart.

The floors of the entries, stairway, and apartments, to be of 2 inch oak and the finish of the whole to be in a like substantial and corresponding manner.

Of the other division, designed for the keepers accommodation , the outer walls will be 13 inches in thickness, the flooring to be of good pine, with three rooms, each floor, with fire place

in each. The whole to be of good and suitable materials, finished in a plain substantial manner, the style and construction whereof to be what common and comfortable brick dwellings generally are.

The Commissioners wish to know the extra rate that would be asked to build it of all Philadelphia bricks, which can be brought to Milton, 8 miles distant, by water freight.

Proposals will be received until the 25^th day of May next, address to:

HENRY B RODNEY, LEVY COURT COMMISSIONER:

March 22, 1827 Lewes, Delaware.

Abstract July 2017, Harrison H, from 15 May 1827 American Watchman of Wilmington, Delaware .

Lewes Native Col. Thomas Stokley

COLONEL THOMAS STOKELY

1754 - 1824

A LEWES NATIVE

The obituary of Colonel Thomas Stokley was found in the Washington Pennsylvania,

Washington Reporter, volume IV, issue 12, Monday, August 9, 1824. This obituary is the basis

of the abstract below. It is I who took the liberty to call him a Lewes Native.

Thomas Stokley was born at Edenton, North Carlonia 1754. Other ancestry records list his birth at Lewes, Sussex county, Delaware, 1754 or 1756. His parents were John Stokley, born 1731, died 1770, at Lewes Delaware, and Mary Baynes, 1730 – 1777 also of Lewes. They are listed as being residents of Assawoman, Accomack, Virginia and Somerset county Maryland, who moved to

Sussex Delaware soon after Thomas was born. His first 20 years were recorded as a resident of Lewes, Sussex county, Delaware, after which he emigrated to the west in 1774, to the then frontier at

the Monongahela River in western Pennsylvania, south west of Pittsburgh, where he first settled and took an active part in repelling the invasions of the neighboring Indians.

By 1776 the frontier settlements had reached the Allegheny River, Thomas Stokley volunteered

in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, was sent to Kittaning where a fort was erected along the Allegheny River. That winter he, as the first sergeant, marched his company east, over the mountains, to New Jersey to join the Continental Army having trouble with the British and served in two campaigns on the Pennsylvania line under General Wayne at Brandywine and Germantown and the affair at Paoli. Upon the defeat of the Americans there, he procured a horse which was used by he and colonel Daniel Broadhead to escape.

In 1778 he was commissioned Ensign, returned to the Monongahela to enlist a company for

the protection of the frontiers, erected forts along the Allegheny, and spent the next two years with Broadhead's campaigns against the Indians. 1781 he raised a company of 'rangers' to serve under Colonel Clarke against the Indians on the Scioto and Hockhoching rivers .

It was during this period, while under command of Colonel Laughrey, his detachment was

surprised by the Indians, most killed and others taken prisoners, of which he was one. As a prisoner he was taken to Detroit, suffered the savage cruelty , then delivered to the British at Montreal , confined for seven months, then exchanged at Quebec, and made his way to Philadelphia by 1783 where he immediately resumed his command which served another year before being honorably discharged by the Executive Council with their warmest thanks.

Having served his country during the whole of the Revolutionary War he soon settled

permanently in the Washington County Pennsylvania area. He was twice elected to the Pennsylvania

Senate where he achieved standing and influence. His natural mind powers being much improved by his experience , his remarkable manners, benevolence and great disposition , the evidence of which is the assistance and support which he at all times afforded the poor.

He was married 9 June 1788 in Delaware to Elizabeth Mountford , born April 1766 , in Delaware, died 12 July, 1845. She was daughter of Samuel Mountford, a blacksmith, and his wife

Francis Pope. They had a daughter Francis Pope Stockley born 1789 and a son Samuel Mountford Stockley.

Colonel Thomas Stokley died in Washington Pennsylvania 25 July 1824.

Abstract July 2017, Harrison H., from Washington Reporter, Washington, Pennsylvania , Monday

August 9m 1824.

Lewes Revolutionary War Capt. Waples

CAPTAIN SAMUEL WAPLES

A SUSSEX COUNTY NATIVE

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Accomack County, Virginia, September 3 1834:

Captain Samuel Waples, a native of Sussex County, Delaware, a son of Paul Waples and

his wife Temperance Derrickson Waples of Sussex County Delaware, died at his home in Accomack county, Virginia, on the 11^th of August, 1834. Captain Waples was 84 year of age.

He joined the army of The United States in the Revolutionary War, as a Lieutenant in the

9^th Virginia Regiment, and marched from Accomack with his regiment in the late part of the year

1776. He was a veteran of Brandywine and Germantown battles, in the latter he was taken prisoner,

and confined in a Philadelphia jail. He effected his escape by posing as a Quaker, found in Philadelphia the boarding house he once was a member of as an apprentice , run by widow Jones, and with her help, made the camp of the American Army at Valley Forge , and served to the end of the war as a recruiter with character as a gentleman, a brave officer, and firm patriot .

He then settled in the county of Accomack where he married to Anne Custis, the 12^th of February, 1778 and raised a family of six children, losing a daughter, the last born, at birth. Anne Custis was a daughter of Thomas and his wife, Cassandra Elizabeth Wise Custis, of Accomack County Virginia.

Abstract July 2017, Harrison H, from the September 3 1834, New York American newspaper.

SINEPUXENT INLET 1

OCEAN CITY

SINEPUXENT INLET

Many people and officials attended the hearing yesterday by Colonel Earl Brown, the

U. S. Engineer of Wilmington District and Captain Harry Tunis , U. S. Engineer, to hear probable

commercial benefits and the extent of local co-operation it the reopening project of Sinepuxent Inlet

which will allow salt seawater to enter the bay , to revive the sea food business of the area.

Efforts are being made by Maryland's Legislature to reopen the inlet and appropriate funds to go

with U. S. Government funds which will pay 2/3 of the cost. .

Mayor McCabe of Ocean City was also present and told of the sea food industry's loss as result

of the inlet closing and the importance of restoring the fish, oysters, crabs and clams to the Sinepuxent

bay waters.

It appears there is considerable interest in the project and Col. Brown's survey is to be

completed by the first of the year, submitted to the War Department for final approval.

Source: Wilmington News Journal , Wilmington, Del., 17 December 1931.

North Ocean City Annexed.

OCEAN CITY

TO ANNEX

NORTH OCEAN CITY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5TH, 1964

An agreement has been reached that will allow the unincorporated North Ocean City to be

annexed and lead to the construction of a sewer treatment system to serve the ever increasing area of

Ocean City.

A joint committee appointed by Mayor Hugh Cropper, Jr., of Ocean City and the president

of North Ocean City Improvement Association, Cliffor Shuey, reached the agreement at the Sunday meeting.

Many North Ocean City residents oppose annexation while Ocean City officials have said the

sewer treatment plant they have been ordered to build could serve only the area north , if it was annexed.

In addition to the annexation and the building of the sewer treatment plant, the committee

recommends to add two seats to the City Council and the member of the North Ocean City Association be added to the committee to draft a revised City Charter.

Abstract July 2017, Harrison H., from Washington Evening Star, Wednesday, August 5^th 1964.

1961 Ocean City Marlin Fshing Port.

OCEAN CITY MARYLAND 1961

THE RAMBLER

GEORGE KENNEDY

Ocean City, Maryland has always been surprising to itself, like the old timer waterman who let his wife take in summer boarders was surprised to find pretty soon that she was running a fair sized hotel, and he wasn't the only one, there were considerable numbers up and down and behind the boardwalk

The 1933 'storm' woke Ocean City up to the realization that it had the makings for a port. The storm had washed a channel through the beach into Sinepuxent Bay and left the southward beach into what is now Assateague Island. Uncle Sam obligingly built a stone rib rap which made the channel permanent, so Ocean City became a fishing port.

The Townsend brothers, sons of the late John Gillis Townsend, the Delaware politician, saw the opportunity to being marlin fishing off Ocean city, instead of having to go all the way to Florida and the Yucatan off Cuba, had their captain of their fishing boat come up a show the Ocean City boat captains how to troll with skip bait with squid. The Ocean City boat captains had often seen the marlins dorsal fins break water over Jack spot, a reef about 25 mile out and were surprised anyone would want to fish for them since there was no market for them.

Ocean City became a sport fisherman's port now known as “The White Marlin Capital of the World”. And that surprised the people of Ocean City.

Now Ocean City is surprised that despite the short season, investors have been willing to put up millions of dollars for modern hotels and motels, restaurants, along the coastal beach. Salisbury , 30 miles west has the airport, 45 minutes to Washington or Baltimore or Philadelphia.

The beach is one of the finest on the Atlantic, true it's not Virginia Beach nor Atlantic City, but it does it's own thing. The heavy tanned life guards and the nymphs who congregate around the lifeguard stands, show there is plenty of sunshine. The high tide surf fishermen cast with never ending patience.

The marlin fishing grounds are three hours out. Menhaden trawlers haul in nets full of bunkers which go processing plants in Lewes to provide oil for almost everything. At the piers you see the marlin fleet come in, when the boat is flying a flag it means a marlin has been boated or tagged and released.

Abstract of Washington Evening Star, George Kennedy's Rambler, August 11, 1961.

July 2017 Harrison H.

Bethany Harbor Condomniums

William Phillip Short & Mary Lighthipe

Sea & Pines, Inc.

Sussex Shores Reality Company

Bethany Beach

Sea Pines, Inc., Phil Short and his sister, Mary Lighthipe, have filed suit in Sussex County Chancery Court, to halt the construction of Bethany Harbor Condominiums, a 166 unit development

south of Indian River Inlet, by East Coast Resort, Inc.

East Coast Resorts president Ernest C. Raskaushas is also developing a single family home community in Bethany Beach.

These three landowners contend development would change the character of beaches now occupied by single family summer homes. They contend that the building permits and conditional

use are invalid and part of the proposed development encroaches on their property. The legal action

also challenges the validity of a zoning amendment.

The proposed development scheduled for completion within 2 -1/2 years on 22.8 acres

will cost $2.6 million.

Abstract : Harrison H. July 2017, from Washington Evening Star, 10 March 1972 :

WASHINGTON WEEKEND TRIPS BY CAR.

WEEKEND TRIPS BY CAR

FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

SUMMER 1967

To the beaches, the ocean beaches, start early or late. Make the Chesapeake Bay bridge

before 9 am Saturday morning. You are going to go either to Rehoboth Beach or Ocean City, or maybe to a more lonely Dewey, Fenwick Island or Assateague Island.

The Bay Bridge route is well marked, and traveled. I do mean traveled, sometimes very slowly.

Rehoboth Beach, the prim old lady, a 100 yard wide beach of white sand. Plenty of hotels, some rather crusty, and numerous regulations on parking, what to wear on the boardwalk, the riding of bicycles and other matters. On the board walk are the short order restaurants and amusement booths. Bring your money and have a good time.

Just to the south is Dewey Beach, rough, loud, visit the VFW barbecue, again bring your money. South of Dewey thing can get wild, an narrow road, sand dunes on either side, marsh,

seven miles clear and wide. Yes there are side areas, parking lots, for the weekenders who shun the crowded boardwalk. Here you can park, clamber over the high sand dunes, sit, watch the sea crash in.

Bethany Beach, well kept, a motel in the center of town, with little of the resort glitter of Rehoboth. Their boardwalk is a half mile long and the beach well attended and clean.

Past Bethany drive into Assawoman Wildlife Area, birds among the marsh, then here is Fenwick Island and more development , new modern design houses, many set high on piling high

up to escape the storm high tides that come. In to Maryland, houses, motels, land for sale, everywhere, even a shopping center.

Ocean City is Maryland' s ocean tourist mecca, an endless town, Bobby Bakers, ocean

side Carousel Motel , always jammed. Exclusive seashore developments are endlessly touted by Real Estate Agents. The central attraction of the carnival atmosphere is the boardwalk, lined with shops and hotels, car jammed everywhere in the narrow street. A walk itself is nothing more than a museum of human wildlife.

Take a seat in one of the cool beer caverns that line the boardwalk and watch the crowd. You are sure to find something, every shape and size is here, outlandish outfits, Hippies, grandmothers,

beauties, staid old timers wander to and fro.

An utter change of scene is a drive , past the inlet, crowded with fishermen, across the

Sinepuxent Bay to Assateague , wild, free, unspoiled, lovely. It is a National Park with services,

parking lots, camping sites, bath houses, concessions, but no hotels. No boardwalk but bike trails.

Thirty two miles of sparkling beach , dunes, sea grass, surf for fishing, very satisfying. Heading back to Washington ? You are on your own and if you enjoy driving in traffic, you have got it.

Abatract July 18, 2017, Harrison H. from Washington Evening Star, 16 July 1967. Weekend Trips.

1947 EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

A REHOBOTH BEACH EASTER SUN RISE SERVICE

A Rehoboth Beach Easter sunrise service would bring hundreds of Sussex County folk and

weekend visitors to the Rehoboth Avenue beach front at 5:30 Easter Sunday, who gather in whatever shelter they can find, face the ocean, and watch the sun rise over the deep blue waters.

Then, the young trumpeters blast out the prelude, this year 1947, the Rehoboth Youth Center Glee Club sang a special Easter hymn under the direction of Jack Jeglum, the Youth Center director.

Most times recorded Easter music is broadcast over loudspeakers for at least a half and hour before the service starts, just to make sure everyone is wide awake.

The Rehoboth Beach sunrise service is sponsored by the Rehoboth Chamber of Commerce and marks the official opening of the summer season.

Many eastern Sussex churches co-operate and here are the names of those who were on the committee in 1947.

The Chamber of Commerce committee in charge were, Edward Hill, Margaret Broeders,

Mrs Virgil Hearn, and Mae Hall McCabe.

The youngsters with the trumpets were Jack Lynch, James Cooper, Sammy Howarth and Dave Truitt.

The Rev. Mr. Charles Jarvis, pastor of the Selbyville Methodist church delivered the sermon,

the Rev. David Baker of Rehoboth Methodist church read the Scripture and the Rev. William Drysdale

Gibson, of Westminster Presbyterian gave prayers.

Bea Lingo played accompaniment for hymn singing on a small organ on loan from Mrs. George Edwards, set up on the boardwalk beach front.

Source of abstract by Harrison H. 17 July 2017, Wilmington News Journal, Friday, April, 4,

1947

1967 WHISKY BEACH

WHISKY BEACH

1967

The local Reboboth Beach Chamber of Commerce thinks “whisky beach' is too strong a name for the suddenly famous strip of sand just north of Rehoboth Beach proper . The beach has been in the national news recently because Lynda Bird Johnson and her fiance, Marine Captain Charles Robb make visits there on weekends, including her latest visit during the Labor Day weekend.

Mrs. Mae Hall McCabe, local real estate broker and president of the Rehoboth Beach Chamber

of Commerce, says Whisky Beach is one of the more beautiful areas of the Delaware beaches, and

should not be 'degraded' by the name that has been given it by many people, including, her ward,

local drummer boy, Bill McCabe.

The Delaware State Park Commission says the official name is “Gordon's Pond Beach” but Whisky Beach is what the public prefers to call it.

No matter what its called, the drinking is likely to continue and a ban on drinking has been rescinded on state owned parkland because its is realized it cannot be enforced.

Abstract from Washington Evening Star, of D. C., Wednesday, September 13, 1967, Harrison H , July 17, 2017.

FENWICK ISLAND 1732

FENWICK ISLAND

1732

Both William Penn, proprietor of Pennsylvania and Lord Calvert, proprietor of Maryland,

claimed Fenwick Island because of fuzzy colonial geography around the border. The dispute dragged on for decades until 1732 when Charles Calvert, 5^th Lord Baltimore, met with William Penns sons to negotiate settlement. Both sides agreed that the border would be Cape Henlopen. Cape Henlopen at that time was marked on a map they used and located where Fenwick Island is today. Lord Baltimore disputed the border , however, the Penn family won out and Fenwick Island was part of Delaware.

Fenwick Island remained uninhabited, it's visitors were temporary who fished, crabbed, hunted wild fowl , gathered driftwood, and went back home.

At lighthouse was erected in 1859 and the keeper ad his assistant became residents of the southern most beach. Some years later a Life Saving Station was located a few miles north. In 1898

the first Fenwick Island Camp Meeting was held in the shadows of the lighthouse.

The early years of the 30^th century, some vacationers, squatters, came a set up wooden houses with no electricity nor water. They feasted on fresh fish from the ocean, crabs and clams from the bay,

relaxed in the days heat by the ocean and the breezes at night visited by lantern light, without a concern of the ownership of the land beneath their shed.

After WWI Delaware began it's road building program and sure enough a road from Betheny Beach to Ocean City was constructed, right through the center of the squatters village. A 1929 Delaware Coast Press reported “ widespread approval is had with the road along the Atlantic coast”. Not so at Fenwick's squatters village. The state gave them the option to purchase beach front lots not in the right of way, but the $100 to $250 per lot price was too high. 1941 saw the state remove the squatters . By the end of WWII the road was finished and in 1953 the town of Fenwick Island

was incorporated. Fenwick Island had taken it's place among the quiet resorts of the Delaware coast.

Abstract Micheal Morgan's Delaware Diary, 14 July 2014, Delaware Wave . Harrison H. July 2017.

FENWICK ISLAND LATE 19TH CENTURY.

LATE 19TH CENTURY

FENWICK ISLAND

In the late 19^th century, Fenwick Island, was a desolate place, acres of sandy dunes ,

surrounded the lighthouse and the houses of the beacon's keeper and his assistant.

One and a half miles to the north was the Fenwick Island Life Saving Station where the

surfmen maintained their lonely vigil watching for ships in distress.

South of the lighthouse the broad natural beach stretched into the distance as far as the eye

could see.

Here, thought the Wilmington land developers, was the place to start a modern watering

resort to rival any on the North American coast.

In 1894, Fenwick Island land Company and the Fenwick Gunning club Preserve, proposed

building a new resort on 800 cres of empty beach that straddle the boarder between Delaware and

Maryland. The lots in the new, “Fenwick Island City”, would be long and narrow, parcels along them would sell for prices, $50 to $500 . The lot would be only 25 feet wide and 200 feet deep.

Several parcels would be saved for hotels, service club house, and a grove.

It was believed at this time that the bulge in the coast pushed Fenwick Island east and closer

to the Gulf Stream. They contended the winds came from the south and the climate was always

moderate. Very seldom was the thermometer over 80 and then for only an hour or so. This made

the ideal location for the growing practice of ocean bathing. .

In addition to attracting beach vacationers during the summer the developers planned to

attract sportsmen for the wildfowl hunt in the cooler months. In 1876 the monthly magazine “Scribners” it was reported by T. Robinson Warren, that the coastal wildfowl here seemed to be

inexhaustible and there would be countless thousands of ducks and geese each spring and fall.

An electric railway from Frankford to the sea was planned but never built. A hotel was

built on the beach but buyers failed to snap up the ocean front lots. Fenwick Island would remain

an isolated and undeveloped part of the Delaware coast well into the 20^th century.

Abstract: July 16, 2017, Harrison, from Michael Morgans Delaware Diary, 20 May 2014 Delaware Wave at Bethany Beach.

1984 FENWICK ISLAND SPEED TRAP EXPOSED.

FENWICK ISLAND

1984

SPEED TRAP

Abstract from the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona, Ed Severson's column, 16 February,

1984, titled. 'Fenwick Island Delaware Could Go Bankrupt'.

Fenwick Island, a 'spot' on the map, population 125 people , isn't the kind of place that makes national news. It's at the southeastern tip of Delaware just before you go into Maryland. The only reason most people pay attention to it is because its on a 'short cut' Baltimore people use to get to Maryland's beaches to get out of snarling traffic.

The Wall Street Journal, calls it a 'speed trap'. Catching 'speeders' is one of it's big sources

of income. A few years ago it was learned that the town officials actually 'planned on' raising $40,000

of the annual budget by 'speeders', with fines from $35 to $50.

However, among the hundreds of motorist the Fenwick Island police ticketed was Abraham

P. Korotiki, a Baltimore Maryland lawyer. Korutki was the wrong person to ticket. He sued

At court he said he wasn't speeding, he was followed into Maryland before he was stopped, wasent even in Delaware and besides, the cop had pointed his gun at a passenger in the car. It came out in court who Fenwick town officials 'planned' on picking off motorist to the tune of $40,000.

Korotki's story was so persuasive the the Federal Court jury that heard the case, awarded

$100,000 in punitive damages and another $10,000 to pay legal fees. In addition the police chief

was found liable for $2500 because the jury did not like the way he allowed his cops to chase

drivers across state lines. You can see the possible financial ruin of Fenwick Island lies ahead.

There is one popular way to 'trap' speeders to obtain a nice supply of them, that is, place the highway speed of 55 mph sigh along the road, just 20 yards before the town speed limit sign of 25

mph, the sign the town cops hides behind.

To make a set up like this pay off big, a lot of speeders has to be caught. At $35 or $50 a ticket,

to earn $40,000 , you need 800 speeders at least. It's easy to imagine that Fenwick Island has been picking off a lot of people who did not deserve tickets. Average people, working people, who do not have the resource to defend themselves.

Picture this guy, sweating on the job all week, now caught in bumper to bumper traffic , trying

to get the wife and kids, now at the snarling point, to the beach, now fishing through his wallet for his license, finds he has to pay the $50 he has saved for a good dinner, going to this godforsaken place, for a bogus speeding ticket.

A legal lynching” cried the Fenwick Island lawyer to the $10,000 legal fee award to Korotki . The lawyer could be right, it sounds like the Fenwick Island town officials know as much about legal lynching as does anyone else in America. Fenwick Island now has a big problem. There is not much to the town, alderman's court, police station, two police cars. The Federal court judgment may well exceed the towns assets.

The Baltimore judge was asked to throwout the award, but Korotki said he would be disappointed, and said he would fight it. That does not look like it would be too hard to do.

Korotki would wipe this place right off the maps.

Absract: Harrison Howeth, Lewes, De.. July 16 2017.

MEANDERING IN BARREN DELAWARE

BARREN DELAWARE

I found this on genealogybank.com newspapers, in a Greensboro , North Carolina , newspaper,

The Greensboro Daily News, issue Tuesday , July 28, 1970, and read it since it had “Rehoboth Beach it's barren in Delaware” that caught my eye. It was an article titled “Meandering” and “The Never Ending Search” written by Jerry Bledsoe. After reading the article the question in my mind was “who the hell is he?”. Well he is an author, several books, magazine works, and such, a native of

North Caroline , in the 1970's living in Randolf county, where Ashboro is, along with the Pisgah

National Forrest. It appears that he and his family, the wife Linda, and son Erik, “searching” and got lost and stayed lost. Real lost. Here is his story;

The search, never ending, the column must come first, harder and harder, sometimes it just not there, tired, want to go home. This is the thought as we enter Delaware, and, as we leave Delaware.

Yesterday we came in Wilmington, got lost, and its not the most pleasant place to get lost. It's

not even a pleasant place to pass through, searching. Searching carried us through to a little village,

south of Wilmington, (probably Odessa), a restored colonial town, or maybe New Castle, as he thinks it is on the bay. Wandering, looking at the old buildings, ended at the bay. An old man and little boy were fishing, the old man was fishing, the boy too impatient, but when there was a strike he got the boy to reel it in. It was a cat fish, the old man said, the boy said “wow , it's a big one”, dropping the fish, line and all to the ground, running to a car to tell his mom all about catching a “cat fish'. We left, searching.

We went south, darkness fell upon us, ending today's search, and we found ourselves in

Rehoboth Beach, a sign said “The Nation Summer Capitol”. We camped at an over crowded campground on the ocean just south of town. The next morning, real early, because every one else was doing it, went fishing “on The Rocks”, which was fruitless, so back to the boardwalk. Still searching.

Erik and I walked the boardwalk, he looking in candy stores and toy displays, I found a store window full of bikinis. The sign said, “will allow the wearer to obtain an over all tan”. The search continues.

At the newspaper office, friendly and helpful people, but the best bet of my search was the local millionaire hotel owner, who is just everyday people, knocks around in old well worn work cloths, and had the story about one time when he was mowing the grass at the hotel a big shot guest drove up and yelled at him “ Hey boy, come get these bags; so he trotted right up and took the bags inside, and took the dollar tip. I don't know if I would know how to talk to a millionaire , even in

old ratty work cloths. Still the search went on .

We continued through more beach towns and other small towns in Delaware. On towards Maryland, there will be no column from Delaware. Quit I did, dammed if I would search anymore in Delaware said I. Linda could see I was depressed , tried to change the conversation , all while this guy on the radio is singing about flowers; “you know that you never bring me flowers anymore” she said. I pulled the camper off the road, set the breaks, got out, climbed a nearby sand dune, picked one dozen 'daiseys', carried them back and thrust them in the window “there”. She took them in the car and as I got in, she yells “ throw these things out fast, they got bugs all over them” I threw them out, saying “ well I tried”. One down the road, she touched my hand saying “ I appreciate the thought”. Still

searching.

It is way beyond me, how this fellow, searching, missed me.

Abstract: July 2017 HARRISON HOWETH. LEWES.

BOB CHING WHITE CHIMNEY INN REHOBOTH

THE DEATH OF “BOB” CHING

RESTAURANT OPERATOR

Robert Ke Ching, Sr., owner of the White Chimney Inn at Rehoboth and his head chef,

Moi Ni Ton, were stabbed in an apparent murder suicide case.

Bob Ching, age 59, and Moi, age 73, died at Beebe Hospital before the police could unravel the riddle involved . Investigation is somewhat hampered because the two witnesses speak only Chinese.

Events began in the case when Dr. Stambaugh was called by one of Chings employes about 10:30 am to please come to the Inn at 59 Lake Avenue. Police were summoned and an ambulance crew found Ching in his bed with many stab wounds but was still alive and taken to the Beebe Hospital in Lewes. He later died at 1 pm. Police had break into Moi's room, where he was also in his bed with a large kitchen knife in his stomach, he too was taken to Beebe Hospital in Lewes, where his died before noon of an apparent self inflicted wound.

The motive is puzzling since both were like father and son, being in business for over 30 years together according to Martha Toni Mather a manager for Bob Ching's business. Both lived in rooms above the Inn.

Bob Ching had come to Rehoboth over 10 years ago to open the White Chimney Inn after

having operated a Chinese restaurant, “Bob Chings” in Ocean City, Maryland, and the Seaside at Fenwick Island.

Mr. Ching was native of Honolulu and had been at one time the maitre d' at the New York City “Don the Beachcomber's” .

Ching's twin sons who live in New York City, Robert Ke, Jr., and Raymond, arrived last night at Rehoboth. Robert, Jr., a Harvard Law School graduate is a New York Attorney and Ray is a Wiconsin graduate and entrenched in his fathers business. Ching was a widower and has a brother, Alex, in Honolulu.

Bob Ching was a vibrant, fabulous person. Liked by all locals and summer visitors of Rehoboth Beach. A real restauranteur to say the least. Also, Moi, well knew how to prepare and serve

real fine Chinese meals. There were no better beef and pork Chinese dishes, moo goo gai pan, Chicken Gai Ding, shrimp foo yong, chow mein to be had in Rehoboth Beach.

The word around town for years was 'tragic'.

2017 ABSTRACT BY HARRISON FROM WILMINGTON MORNING NEWS NOV 29 1968

ELIHU JEFFERSON MORRIS OF LEWES

LEWES DELAWARE

ELIHU JEFFERSON MORRIS

1826 – 1908

Elihu J. Morris, Lewes, Delaware, son of William Burton and Marie Marvel Morris, was

born in Indian River Hundred , Sussex County, Delaware , 14 May 1826.

His grandfather, Jacob, was born in Dagsborough Hundred, Sussex County, after 1700. He married and had two children, William Burton and Purden.

William Burton Morris born in Dagsborough Hundred 1 April 1794, received a good education

locally, and was a farmer for the next 50 years, and acquired during that period of time, the carpentry trade.

In 1840 he left the farm and came to Lewes to find employment in carpentry, at which he was skilful and gained success.

He had been soldier during the War of 1812, a democrat and a member of the temperance movement.

On October 18 1821 he married Maria Marvel, born 15 May 1801, daughter of Captain Philip Marvel of Dagsborough Hundred. They had children, six of them, Mary E., married Greensbury Lynch, born 1822, Elihu J. , born June 6, 1824, died June 11, 1825, Elihu J., born 14 May 1826, was third child, Jacob born 21 March 1828, died 13 December 1855, Sarah B. , married James Lewis, born April 29 1831, Elizabeth P, married John Marshall, born 1833.

Maria Morris died 8 September 1837. In 1838 Mr. Morris married again to Comfort Lewis who also died, and in 1850 Morris again married Margaret Coleman.

This Mr. Morris died in Lewes 8 November 1858. He was devout Presbyterian.

Elihu Jefferson Morris was educated in public school and at age 16 apprenticed in Philadelphia to a blacksmith for a year, then returned to Georgetown before coming to Lewes where he engaged in the 'wrecking' business, along with blacksmithing. 1877 he came full time devoted to saving ships and their cargoes, in addition to the management of a store he established in 1869. By 1879 Morris had added to the mercantile business, groceries and dry goods to the commodities he had for sale.

He and a son started a large cannery in 1887, in Lewes along the railroad near the Canal, he owned and operated a large truck farm and was considered a successful business man. He also gave valuable service to the community in public office. 1890 he was a member of legislature , town council, school board, and the Board of Trade. He was also connected with the F. & AM and the IOOF.

On August 25, 1853 Elihu Jefferson Morris married Mary A. Rowland, daughter of David and Catherine Rowland of Lewes. Mary was born 18 August 1835. both were Methodist Episcopal Church members, are buried in Bethel Cemetery at Lewes. They had children who are,

William Burton Morris born 21 January 1855, who worked for Adams Express Company in Philadelphia.

Jacob Morris, born 30 June 1856, was a wall paper hanger in Lewes.

Catherine Morris, born July 1, 1858, married M. Q. Short of Lewes.

Lillie Morris, born 22 April 1860, married Ernest Mandex of Wilmington.

Charles Schellinger Morris, born 8 November 18 1861, was a Delaware River pilot. He received a education at a private school and at age 15 went aboard a ship to learn piloting. He was a democrat and member of F & AM, the AOUW and IOH . 22 December 1887 he married Laura M. Jones of Philadelphia, both were Methodist episcopal Church members, and had one child, Marha Levering Morris.

Edgar C Morris, born 27 February . Was a locomotive engineer on the D. M. & V. Railroad.

Edgar died 1930 in Virginia

Elizabeth Morris, born 5 July, 1866. Married John B.Robinson of Lewes.

J. Ponder Morris, born 21 November, 1870, who died 18 August 1896. He was their eighth child.

The source of this abstract by Harrison Howeth 2017 is Biographical & Genealogical History of the State of Delaware & February 19, 1908 Philadelphia Inquirer, Sussex Snapshots.

1968 REHOBOTH SUMMER STOCK PLAYHOUSE.

1968

REHOBOTH GETS SUMMER STOCK

WITH

NEW YORK PROFESSIONAL CAST

Rehoboth Beach: Professional entertainment is on its way to this ocean side resort, at the

Blue Han Playhouse located at All Saints Episcopal Church on Olive Avenue, on June 24^th.

Mrs. Sullivan of the Patrican Inn, Olive Avenue, was instrumental in the efforts to bring show's to Rehoboth through her good friend Frieda Arth of New York City.

The idea to bring summer stock tp Rehoboth Beach was that of Mrs. John Sullivan of the Patrician Inn on Olive Avenue who had originally planned to host it in her hotel dinning room.

But, the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, Rev. R. S. Bailey, got word of it and offered the Church Parish Hall. Rehearsals begin Monday with the producer and directors already in Rehoboth at the Patrician Lodge.

Playhouse will open a three week run of Neil Simons “Star Spangled Girl” , followd by

“The Owl and Pusseycat”, “Private Ear and Pubic Ear”, and last with “Luv”. Shows are nightly except Sunday, at 9 pm.

Mrs Frieda Arth, a New York theater producer, with Mrs Sulivan's prompting brought

“Blue Hen Theater” into existence in May . The chairman of the “Playhouse” is Mrs Charles Robb, with the Delaware Governor and Rehoboth Beach Mayor, as honorary sponsors. Mrs Arth has produced such shows as “Irma la Duce” “ Music Man “ and “Oliver”. Mrs Rob, whose husband,

Captain Charles Robb is currently serving in Vietnam, is expected to visit Rehoboth Beach again this

summer.

'Blue Hen' Playhouse was named after the Revolutionary War Regiment from Delaware, known as the Fighting Blue Hens. The Blue Hen is also the State Bird.

A group of Washington residents with the Chairmanship of Mrs. Robert Kintner have 500 patrons for the Playhouse signed up from the D. C. area. Another group of Capitol Hill workers,

dubbed the “Blue Han Chickens”, are also aiding the venture.

The Playhouse auditorium at the Episcopal Hall seats up to 100 persons and those involved

are looking into building a permanent Playhouse if things go over good this summer. The cost of each production cost about $3000, according to Mrs . Arth.

Source: Salisbury Daily Times, Salisbury, Maryland , Sunday June 6 1968

Abstract; Harrison Howeth, 2017