STEPHEN GIRARD

STEPHEN GIRARD

Stephen Girard was below the middling stature of a solid frame without being fleshy

and as one of America's riches men was plain in attire to avoid observation.

He had lost his right eye early in life and later lost the whole of his right ear when

run over by wagon.

Born in France in the middle of the 18^th century he first went to sea at age 12 , but

eventually settled in Philadelphia during the Revolution and by industry and preserve with

economy. Mr. Girard grew rich by no sudden start, he made trading trips up and down the

Delaware River and Bay, making small but sure gains selling groceries and clothing to the

well off farmers and watermen along the shore.

In the 1790's the new American merchants found it difficult to establish themselves

in the world markets and Giraed fell upon hard times. In 1793 creditors were hounding him.

And when he saw an opportunity to rebuild his fortune.

In Haiti, the slave revolt forced many plantation owners to flee the island with their\

valuables, so Girard left Philadelphia on ship to the troubled island. To aid their escape

however, weather conditions, forced the Girard vessel to seek anchor at Lewes Creek,

Stephen Girard had to wait in the small town of Lewes of 100 or so families, several

churches and taverns, to await the winds to shift.

However, his creditors in Philadelphia, thinking he was making an attempt to skip

out, obtained a writ for his arrest, which was sent to Lewes sheriff Thomas Fisher, who in

turn set out to find Girard. When he did, Girard re acted violently and had to be subdued

and found himself in the Lewestown jail. After convincing the sheriff of his plans, he was

allowed to make bail and continue on the next favorable wind to the West Indies.

Once there he was able to earn enough money by transporting the plantation owners

to America and paid off his creditors, and rebuild his financial empire.

Girard was a highly respected and wealthy business man when he died in 1831, left

money to charity and establish schools for the poor. Girard College in Philadelphia serves

disadvantaged students today.

Abstract: May 30, 2018, by Harrison H. from The Delaware Coast Press, Sussex

Journal, May 20, 2018, Michael Morgan, columnist.

WELSH TRACT IN PENCADER HUNDRED NEW CASTLE COUNTY

WELSH TRACK

PENCADER HUNDRED

1701

The 30,000 acre Welsh Tract, southwest of Newark, three quarters of it in New

Castle county Delaware and a quarter of it in Cecil county Maryland, was purchased from

William Penn by Baptist settlers from Wales.

Within it's boundaries are two notable features , Iron Hill, a large hill rising out

of the coastal plain which surrounds it, and, the Welsh Tract Baptist church, that sits at the

foot of the hill. The church was erected in 1746 as the successor of the first Baptist church

in Delaware, a log structure built in 1706. The congregation, Primitive Baptist, organize

in Wales in 1701 and emigrated to America. In 1703 they purchased the Welsh Tract.

Iron ore was found in the area of Iron Hill which was one thing that attracted the

Welsh to this section. Both the church and Iron Hill are in Pencader Hundred, New Castle

county, pencader having a Welsh meaning, “highest place”.

The Welsh Tract Baptist Church is simple in line, one story in height, having a

hipped roof. The church is built of brick, laid in Flemish bond, the bricks imported

from England to New Castle , brought to Iron Hill in large baskets, panniers, on the backs

of mules. An iron plate at the top of the front wall gives the date, 1746. The church yard

has a whitewashed stone wall built anytime from 1827 on, shaded by huge old oaks

growing inside the wall, a grassy lawn slopes down to Christina Creek.

Across the road are the carriage sheds and the caretakers stone house.

Some of the early 18^th century grave stones are rough hewn from brown stone, Celtic

words crudely lettered on them, showing marks of a chipping tool.

On one wall has a 'patch' where a cannon ball hit the building during the Battle of

Cooches Bridge, in the Revolution.

Abstract:; Delaware, A Guide to the First State, published in 1938 by the

Federal Writers Project of the WPA. Robert L. Melson. By Harrison H

May 29, 2018.

SHILOH CAMP MEETING 1925

SHILOH CAMP MEETING

1925

Pastor Charles F Cummings announced that Shiloh Camp will be held from

July 31st to August 16^th with three services each day. Singing will be a special

feature with special music planned. Quarter's will be plenty to accommodate all

who wish to enjoy the spiritual refreshing.

The boarding tent has been leased and you can expect to receive good meals

at a reasonable cost.

Shiloh Camp is located in a grove between Hurlock and Rhodesdale that is

on the bus route to Salisbury from Claiborne . Trains can bring you to Hurlock where

special transportation will take you to Shiloh.

This is an invitation to all who wish to visit and enjoy our camp meeting .

Information may be had by William Brinsfield of Vienna.

Abstract : May 29, 2018, by Harrison H. of Denton Journal , Saturday,

July 4^th 1925

1992 HURLOCK MARYLAND CENTENNIAL

HURLOCK MARYLAND

TO OBSERVE CENTENNIAL

1992

GAIL DEAN - DORCHESTER EDITOR, STAR DEMOCRAT

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992

Hurlock is planing to celebrate it's centennial this fall, with a very appropriate

centerpiece, a railroad station dating back to the era when Hurlock was founded in 1892.

There will be a parade, train rides, historical pageant, arts and crafts, and, musical

entertainment, which are to be a part of the celebration of Hurlock's 100^th birthday.

Mayor Don Bradley is head of the committees to over see the event.

The Railroad Station is an appropriate symbol for the town which got it's start

as a railroad freight station.

This station building has been moved from Willamsburg to Hurlock under very

soggy conditions and set to rest in an old part of town which was the site of a Methodist

Camp Meeting grounds. The structure has German style siding and a slate roof, dated

to 1891. The restoration of the station is a separate project but there are hopes the station

interior may be ready in time for the centennial.

The Hurlock Centennial is being patterned after the North Dorchester Heritage

' Festival held June in 1955 and a tentative date of October 3 & 4 has been set. During

this fest, it was a mandate that all of the towns men grow beards or mustaches like those

in fashion at thr turn of the century.

Abstract: Dated May 28, 2018, by Harrison H., source, Easton, Maryland's, Star

Democrat, Monday, March 16, 1992 by Gail Dean, Dorchester Editor,

BOSTON LIGHTSHIP SET UP AS OVERFALLS

BOSTON LIGHTSHIP SET FOR LEWES EXHIBIT

AUGUST 12, 1973

The U. S. Coast Guard lightship “Boston” has arrived at Lewes harbor from Curtis

Bay Coast Guard Station, to be placed in a berth to exhibit to the public as a marine

museum of the Lewes Historical Society.

The ship that stood on station outside Boston Harbor and served as a light and fog

beacon to incoming vessels has been given to the local historic society with terms that it

be used as a public exhibit for at least ten years.

Built in 1939 , decommissioned in 1972, it is 'called' excellent condition with

original equipment in place, which will be placed in operative condition. It is 110 feet long,

25 foot broad, and has a draw of 11 feet of water.

It will be renamed “ Overfalls” for the lightship that rode off Lewes Harbor until

1961. The original “Overfalls” is on exhibit at the Portsmouth , Virginia Coast Guard

Museum.

The fog horn, heard for at least 7 miles will be demonstrated on occasion. The

'galley' is in complete operational condition. Two large original anchors, 5000 pounds

each, and kept the vessel on station are in place on the ships bow for viewing.

Since it takes a very high tide to float the ship for final placement, no date has been

set for an official opening at this time.

Abstract by Harrison H, May 28, 2018 from Salisbury Daily Times, Sunday,

August 12, 1973.

1800 CLEAVERS HOUSE

LEWES HOUSE BUILT BY SHIP'S CARPENTER PRIOR 1800

The home of Mr & Mrs George Cleaver, a cedar shingled house bearing the

Lewes England town coat of arms shield , is one of the historical buildings of Lewes.

The Cleavers acquired the house six years ago as a second home is now their

“real home” as both of them are Delaware born.

The two and half story house sheathed with hand split shingles , is typical of

early frame dwellings of Lewes. The original section was believed to have been built

before 1800 by a ship's carpenter and has slightly slanted walls .

An elderly Lewes resident has remembered the story of his great grandmother

living in the house during the War of 1812, hiding her valuables in the attic, nailing the

attic door fast and covering it with wall paper. The nail marks are still there.

The Cleavers are gradually improving the well preserved house, the rooms are a

fitting setting for inherited and collected antiques and period furniture collected the past

twenty eight years. Mr Cleaver had replace a later period porch with brick entrance stoop,

more in characrer with the home. Also at the back he has built a patio and a living room with

screened porch, paved with bricks from old Baltimore structures.

This opens to a shady lawn and his wife's flower garden'

Mrs Cleaver, daughter of Rehoboth artist Andrew Noell and is an artist herself,

also, like her mother, an accomplished needleworker. Panting of her father and hesself

decorate the soft Williamsburg blue walls of the house.

A old brick fireplace , with a high mantel, has been uncovered, fitted with great

grandfathers hand made black andirons, with copper kettle. A trestle dinning room table,

hand made by her father of old wood, with Hitchcock chairs, a Pennsylvania pine cupboard

holds her collection of Leeds ironstone, make the dinning room . A kitchen with old fashion

ice cream parlor table and chairs, an old grocery store butchers block, and the air tight

dry food container, a slate lined wooden ice box, finishes out the first floor.

A narrow stair case winds steeply from an alcove in the living room to three

bedrooms, tow o which have door plates designed by Mrs cleaver.

The master bed room is the”Spool Room” because the bed , table, armchair,

and towel rack are all of spool design.

Abstract from Sunday, September 30, 1973, Baltimore Sun, ; by Harrison H,

May 27, 2018

NASSAU VALLEY VINEYARDS 1994

NASSAU VALLEY VINEYARDS FIRST SUMMER SEASON 1994

24 YEARS AGO

Peggy Raley says she is not A wine maker and technically she's not since her

Nassau Valley Vineyards and Winery has yet to produce one bottle of wine on the

premises.

However, her high energy and imagination have made a one-of-a-kind tourist

attraction for the Cape Henlopen area that is gearing up for it's first summer season.

At this time there are three acres of vineyards on the property, then in a renovated

old barn there are stainless steel vats, waiting for this falls harvest. Visitors will be able

to watch the processing through glass windows from the second floor. Visitors will feel

of walking through a wine cellar, reading history of wine's place in the Bible , medicine,

and in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

A display of brass spigot's from the Gross Winery in Absecon, New Jersey , in

the late 1930's . The floor boards are from the Rehoboth boardwalk, that was destroyed

in the 1992 noreaster. At the end of the tour is the tasting room and retail store with the

wooden beamed ceiling. Here are her wines, cabernet sauvignon and a blend called

Meadows Edge, which can be purchased, along with a variety of wine glasses, and

other wine paraphernalia. These wines have been produced by vinyards in Virginia

and Pennsylvania because Ms Raley has not had a harvest large enough to produce her

own wines, but grapes from her vineyards have been blended with those of the other

vineyards producing her line.

Trendy upscale restaurants of Rehoboth Beach serve her wines and managers say

they sell well and have a good local following, especially the Meadow's Edge, a sweet

wine, good with spicy foods.

Abstract by Harrison H., from The Easton Maryland, Star Democrat, Monday, June 6, 1994, by, Theresa Humphrey, Associated Press

writer.

LAUREL, THE BEGINNIG

LAUREL DELAWARE

THE BEGINNING

Laurel had an entirely different beginning than other Sussex towns since it as once the site of the principal village of the Nanticoke Indians, the center of Indian activities in the

southern end of the state.

Even though this part of Sussex county was part of a tract given to Willam Penn, he

never made any attempt to take possession so Maryland considered it part of their own

territory for many years.

The first record of any land being taken in this part of the state shows that 2500 acres

were given to William Green in 1680 , being, a strip of forest west of a road between Laurel and Seaford.

Settlers from Maryland and Virginia following Green and new arrival from Englan

and Bermuda sailed up the Nanticoke River and took lands on the banks. This coming of

white men left Indians no land to call their own so the General Assembly of Maryland

ordered a reservation be laid out in 1717. So the Indian village, now Laurel, directly

\across the creek of the Green tract, this land for the reservation was purchasef from Green

for 50,000 pounds of tobacco. The Indians were also given exclusive use of the village site,

consisting of 500 acres.

This left them with their old home site as a center with a considerable stretch of

forest for hunting, Between the two tracts was a stream with plenty of fish to fill their needs.

Source for abstract: Wilmington New Journal , October 17 1930

Lewes Boat Yard Front Street

LEWES BOAT YARD

FRONT STREET

June 12, 2000 , a non profit preservation group, The Greater Lewes Foundation, announced

it was to purchase the ,Lewes Boat Yard . It was said they were to pay $2.3 million for it.

The purchase of the foundation will end litigation between Lewes and developers, Jim

Kiernan and Ron Moore, who hold an option on it and want to put stores and homes on the

site.

Developers plans were opposed by residents for fear of traffic congestion and a opinion that

the site should be left to “open space” along the canal front.

City council rejected the developers plans who then sued the city.

Greater Lewes Foundation negotiated a deal with the developers and the seller, the Dale

Parsons family, to buy the 1.4 acre parcel. When the purchase is complete in July the foundation plans to turn the property into a park, and turned over to the city, said Joe Stewart, vice chairman of the foundation.

Lewes and the states Open Space Council are to contribute $500,000 toward the purchase

and the foundation will ask the state for $500,000 more in 2001, then hope donations from citizens will generate additional funds. The foundation has received short term funding

from Wilmington Trust to execute the contract.

Stewart also noted that parts of the parcel could be utilized for the Little League fields and

or the Overfalls Lightship Park if wanted.

Abstract: Salisbury Daily Times, Sunday, July 25, 2000, by Ted Bridges, Delaware Coast

Press, by Harrison H. 05/22/2018 . Facebook.

THREE LOWER COUNTIES

THREE LOWER COUNTIES OF PENNSYLVANIA

In 1704 the “three lower counties” of Pennsylvania were granted their own

legislative assembly seeding Delaware's later emergence as a state during the

Revolutionary War. Philadelphia was its major trade center. Delaware produced

profitable exports, like tobacco.

Beef cattle in the 1700s were raised in marshes and wood land for four years to market size.

When tobacco declined in significance by 1770, grain crops, gained importance as trade

increased.

Delawares grain milling industry on the Brandywine created demand for grains to be

shipped up Delaware River . In 1750 several Quaker families had the milling industry

under their control. The families, Tatnalls, Canbys, Shipleys, Less, Mortons, Pools.

Soft red wheat became the states first important cash crop . Oliver Evans of Newport

designed flower mills to properly mill the crop. Delaware was the largest and most

perfect flour produced in the world.

Abstract: Delaware Department of Agriculture, History & Heritage in the 1700's.

1913 SHIPWRECK

1913 SHIPWRECK

REPORTED BY DELAWARE PILOT

SCHOONER SUNK BY STEAMER

October 3, 1913, Lewes , Sussex County Delaware.

Rundown early Sunday morning by the steamer 'Shawmut” the schooner “T. Morris

Perrot” was sunk ½ mile east of Fenwick Island Lightship

According to officers of both vessels the accident was a result of mistaken signals. Just

before dawn the schooner went to cross the steamers bow. Neither ships crew understood

the signals given and the vessels crashed, the steamer striking the schooner amidships ,

cutting her in half, howeve, the schooner did not sink and was taken in tow by the steamer

“Shawmut” . After several miles in tow it was seen the schooner was sinking , the crew taken

aboard the Shawmut, and she was left to sink to deeper waters.

The Shawmut was on way between Charleston to Philadelphia and the Perrot was on way

to Norfolk from New York.

The Perrot was built in Jamestown, Virginia in 1875, for T. Morris Perot of Philadelphia,

and was a wooden vessel, 124 feet long, 33 foot beam, and 10 foot hold . She was not

insured .

Shawmut is owned by Southern Steamship Company and an investigation will be held to

determine who to blame for the accident.

Abstract: The Delaware Pilot, 3 October, 1913,

.

LEWES 1935

LOOKING AROUND DELAWARE

LEWES 1935

At Cape Henlopen where the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic meet, back in 1631 ,

the first settlement of Delaware was established by a Dutch colony . The settlers called it

Fort Opdike. It did not last long as an Indian massacre wiped the entire garrison out.

New settlers a year later found nothing except bones and the ruins of the fort.

Four years later some English from Virginia and Maryland helped the Dutch

establish a permanent outpost there for New Amsterdam and called it Zwaanendael.

While under Dutch rule it was a thriving seaport . The British took it over in 1664.

The Dutch had erected the first court house outside New Amsterdam , now the city of New

York.

In the center of this settlement was a well with cool clear water where pirates, sailors,

all sea faring men of all description were among the picturesque people who quenched

their thirst at this gossip center. The “Jolly Roger” was a well known symbol to Lewes

in the days of freebooting and privateering.

Pirates at one time were welcomed, and it was a favorite haven for Captain Kidd

and Blackbeard who was a native son of the Delmarva Peninsula, name of Edward Teach.

Upon the Capes at Lewes stood the Cape Henlopen Light House, one of the new

worlds oldest , The light house saw the first and last naval battles of the Revolution, capture

of a party from the HMS Roebuck trying to prevent the landing of an American shipment of \ black powder and the capture of the British sloop of war, General Monk by the American

sloop of war, Hydler Alley in 1782.

Lewes was bombbarded during the War of 1812. In WW I Lewes received a

detachment of Coast Guard and a tanker was torpedoed and sunk by a German U boat

just south o Cape Henlopen.

Along Pilot Town Road there are many old homes, those of the river pilots. Lewes

had one of the first free schools in America and at an early time was the Sussex county seat.

St. Peters Episcopal Church, built in 1703, has a grave yard with tombs of

colonial dead and many seafaring men.

Lewes has yet to lose its nautical atmosphere and characteristic quaintness.

Abstract: Wilmington Morning News, Dec 11, 1935, Looking Around Delaware/ Lewes.

REHOBOTH 1935

LOOKING AROUND DELAWARE

REHOBOTH 1935

Rehoboth is much more than an ocean beach town in southeastern Sussex County,

it is an institution, broad sands, the boardwalk, balsom scented lakes, pine forest close to

the ocean. The salty sea air, with the balsom scents, adds a healthy tang.

Rehoboth is of a Biblical origin and means “wide open spaces “ and was so

named by the Methodists who found the place to hold it's annual camp meeting after

the Civil War.

Rehoboth Hundred and a bay had been named since 1698.

To the , north, over the dunes of Cape Henlopen, lies Lewes, the cradle of

Delaware, settled by the Dutch in 1631.

The natural advantages of the spot as a bathing beach, or as it was once called, a

watering place, were recognized long ago, but it was not accessible easily, so development

was difficult.

In 1855, the state legislature incorporated :”Rehoboth Hotel Company” to build a hotel within five years, but this did not happen.. Rehoboth Hotel Company held five acres of the state beach lands, between the Indian River inlet and property of Robert West.

This same charter was renewed March 22, 1875 to Sussex Hotel Company of

Rehoboth City and land on the Rehoboth Bay was developed, a hotel and few cottages.

A mile up the coast, to the north, was the Rehoboth Association of 1871 with several

hundred acres laid out for a Methodist Camp Meeting and Resort with a religious

influence, laid out in building lots at $50 each, wide streets and many parks. Hotels and

cottages followed.

In January of 1873 the name was changed to “ Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting

Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church” . A half mile from the beach in a grove of

evergreens, were the meeting grounds.. The camp meeting feature was discontinued in

1881. Rehoboth then grew to a considerable cottage settlement within a few years.

The Queen Ann Railroad of Maryland Delaware & Virginia came to town in 1878

from Love Point Ferry to Baltimore. The community boomed. The people came by

train loads from Baltimore and Washington, Wilmington and Philadelphia. It is known as a\

rendezvous of the Washington diplomatic corps.

Scotts Chapel, a non sectarian place of worship, was established in 1880 by the

Methodist Bshop Levi Scott. Old Cool Springs Presbyterian Church, established prior 1734

existed since 1700.

Other than bathing and sunning, there are bays and lakes for canoeing and fishing,

and a golf course.

Abstract: Wilmington Morning News, December 24, 1935, Looking Around Delaware/

Rehoboth.

MILTON 1938

LOOKING AROUND DELAWARE

MILTON 1938

During the more than 250 years of its existence, Milton has had at least six names,

the present one being officially adopted in 1807. Milton is located on Broadkiln , a creek

navigable as far as the town.

Record mention it as early as 1673, a settlement by Hermanus Wiltbank and his

son Cornelius, soon joined by James Grey , at which time it was named 'Milford” .

A change of land ownership and the place became Osbourne's Landing, then Upper Landing,

Cornwell Landing, Hear of Broadkiln then finally Milton.

The 17^th century saw the town develop as a port for shipping grain and was visited

by ships from the Atlantic seaboard. Ship yards building schooner's and the like

became a thriving industry which dwindled upon the arrival of the railroad. 1880 saw

the last ship yard shut down.

Old marine records give an idea of the seaport importance by disclosing the

large number of vessels which plied between this port and large cities along the Atlantic

coast each week . Six ships had schedules, sailing between Milton and Phidledphia on a

regular basis, five others had freight service to New York. Fire wood, from the dense

forest around Milton, brought to the wharves for shipment was another industry bringing

an economy.

The locality gave three governors to Delaware, John Ponder, David Hazzard and

Sam Paynter. All are buried in graves in the area. Among the military men resting in

Milton's old cemetery's are Major John Hazzard and Lieutenant Peter Parker. Parkers

home, built in 1830, is now the “Welsh House” and stands between the old railroad station

and town center.

Milton Academy, flourished between 1819 and 1880, was one of the leading

schools in early America.

St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church was built in Broadkiln Forest in 1728, by

1800 it was a school and in 1877 Bishop Lee built a new church.

The Goshen Meeting house came into being 1801, by 1878 a new church was

built by the Methodist.

Presbyterians built a church in 1834 which flourished until 1865.

Just below Milton on the Broadkill is Drawbridge and like Milton it was a port of

importance for grain and shippments until 1870. The governor, Sam Paynter, was born

1768 and lived here, in his homestead which stood for many years.

Abstract: Wilmington Morning News , Dec 14 1935, Looking Around Delaware/Milton

DELAWARE AGRICULTURE HISTORY - TRANSPORTATION

DELAWARE AGRICULTURE

HISTORY & HERITAGE OF THE 1800'S

TRANSPORTATION

Delaware's agriculture industry greatly benefited with transportation improvements

In 1815 steamboats were common on the Delaware River. The Chesapeake & Delaware

Canal opened in 1829. 1832 Delaware Railroad linked the north with the south of Delaware.

All were a help to farmers to get their produce to markets

Supplee-Willis-Jones milk station at Nassau was built in 1920's to ship milk by

railroad to Philadelphia from Lewes & Rehoboth area, making a market for the farmers milk.

The peach growers profited because of the railroad. In 1840 this fruit was shipped

from Sussex by rail, steamship and sail. 1890 saw four million peach trees in Delaware.

The peach blossom was the state flower. In late 1890's “peach yellow' disease shut down

the peach industry and strwaberry's and apples were the major fruit production.

Canning became a major industry in 1855. A cannery in Dover produced canned

fruits, vegetables, deviled ham and plum pudding. It closed in 1976. 1889 Delaware had

49 canning houses producing canned tomato's, sweet corn, peas, lima beans and other

vegetables

A major influence on Delaware Agriculture was John Gillis Townsend involved

in timber, fruit and vegetable production. He was also involved with T. Coleman duPont

in building a highway north to south in Delaware.

The Delaware State University in Dover was established as a land grant college

for students to study agriculture on 1890.

Abstract of Delaware Dept of Agriculture History & Heritage in 1800's

REVOLUTIONARY WAR ACTIVITIES AT CAPE HENLOPEN

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

CAPE HENLOPEN ACTIVITIES

During the Revolution , about 1778, the British slope of war, HMS Mermaid, her

captain, James Harker, was stationed at the mouth of Delaware Bay to warn away

any British vessels from sailing to Philadelphia as the British Army had left in anticipation

of the landing of a French fleet sent by Louis XVI to assist the Continental Army of

America. There would be no protection of any British in Philadelphia.

The morning of July 7 1778, the French fleet under d' Estaing was at the mouth of the

Delaware Bay at Cape Henlopen. The HMS Mermaid fled south along the Delmarva coast

with the French in chase. Unable to make escape , Capt Harker, beached the Mermaid

on Assateague Island near the Sinepuxent Inlet.

Harker surrendered his ship and men to Colonel Samuel Handy of Snow Hill and 150

POW were taken to Cambridge, then on to Fort Frederick in western Maryland.

Col Handy filed a Bill of Libel with the Maryland Admiralty Court and the Mermaid

and her store were sold at auction.

One hundred Worcester county men, members of the Sinepuxent Battalion of the Worcester

County Militia, participated in the salvage of he Mermaid.

Source of Harrison H abstract Ranovak @ rootsweb.com January 11 2006

MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SECESSION

MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

SECESSION

That Maryland is divided by the Chesapeake Bay, into the Eastern Shore and

the Western Shore is a fact that tends to sharpen political rivalries between the two regions.

During Maryland history the two shores have developed a different sort of interest. The

West have seen the East have conservative isolated provincial cultures. The East see the

West as a cosmopolitan society.

This accounts for the so called “separatist movements” which have sprung up

on occasion in Maryland history.

Even before Lord Baltimore sat his settlement on the Western Shore at St. Mary's,

William Claiborne and followers made attempts to separate sections of the Eastern Shore

from the province. For 40 year to his deathbed Claiborne carried this thought , but, it was

more of a conflict between Clairborne and Lord Baltimore than between the two shores of

Maryland..

Major attempts for secession , of which one could say were five, were strongest between 1776 and 1851. At the November 3 1776 State Convention , Queen Anne's

delegate, Turbutt Wright, proposed to make it possible to separate one from the other,

failed by 30 to 17 votes.

In 1833 Delaware urged the Eastern Shore t o join Delaware, and Dorchester's

Martin Wright took it to the House of Delegates which received a 40 for, 24 against vote,

however, a vote of 60 - 5 called for a postponement and the proposal suffered a major

defeat.

The next move, in March 1842, by Worcester's Levi Cathell, to allow Eastern

Shore counties to join Delaware, but it too was defeated.

The final attempt made during the 1850-1851 Convention of Maryland, and was

turned down by a 46 to 27 vote.

Abstract:; Salisbury Daily Times, April 8, 1959, Delmarva Heritage, by

William H. Wroten, Jr., history Professor, Salisbury State Teacher College. By Harrison H.

May 19, 2018. for www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com.

TOMATO ALLEY IN LEWES.

TOMATO ALLEY

In 1898 Morris Avenue was opened, named for a Lewes businessman whose firm

had built a cannery at the south end, near the railroad, by name of Elihu Morris. A short section of Morris Avenue , leading to the cannery, was called Tomato Alley. During the harvest

season this part of Morris was filled with wagon loads of fresh picked tomato's to be canned at

the factory, so the name Tomato Alley.

Later the town renamed their streets and Morris Avenue became Franklin Avenue , after Ben Franklin.

The Morris & Son Canning Company was established 1887 and in 1893 after installing new machinery was enlarged and in 1893 packing 116,000 cans of tomato's.

The factory was later sold to A. F. Anderson & \Company of Havre de Grace in 1902 that operated it until 1928. The cannery closed down in 1936. It gave summertime employment to the local women.

Abstract: of E,D, Bryan, Lewes Historical society Journal 1998.

EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND COLONIAL GOVERNMENT

DELMARVA HERITAGE

EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND

COLONIAL PERIOD

In the colonial period the Eastern Shore of Maryland was under the capital

government at St. Mary's, then Annapolis, but at the same time some government

agencies did exist on the Easter Shore. At that time both “Old Dover” and Easton

had been called the capital of the Eastern Shore. These villages had been designated

by the Maryland governor as a “ Registar of Land Office” and a 'Shore Treasurer Office”.

The Maryland General Assembly in the 1770's called for there to be a “General

Court of the Eastern Shore” to 'meet' at the tiny settlement of Dover which sat upon the

shore of the Choptank River in Talbot county.

In 1777 the General Assembly called for 'court' be held at Easton until a town

be established at Dover, with a courthouse and prison, then and only then would the judges

hold court at Dover which would become the Eastern Shore Capital of Maryland. This did

not happen and Easton became the capital.

In 1780's the General Assembly 'created' post of two state “Armourers” one who

was to live at Easton, the other to live on the Western Shore. Ten year later there were

three armourers, still one to live on the Eastern Shore at Easton.

1795 a Judge and an Examiner for the Eastern Shore Land Office were authorized

and they too were required to live in Eastton.

From 1775 to 1843 there was a “Treasurer of the Eastern Shore” which was

abolished in 1843.

From 1805 , when the General Court of Maryland was abolished , to 1857, a

Court of Appeals sat at Annapolis and Easton.

In 1789, when the Federal Constitution was adopted it was agreed that one of

the U. S. senators was to be from the Eastern Shore. The first U.S. Senator from Maryland

was an Eastern Shore man, John Henry.

1809 Eastern Shore was given more recognition as a major political division

under the “Eastern Shore Compact”. One senator needed to live on the Eastern Shore.

The Eastern Shore Compact was temporarily repealed in 1867 to permit Gov.

Thomas Swann be chosen one of the Maryland Senator's but as this did not happen it was

reenacted and was law until 1896.

The United States House of Representatives always had one from the Shore

and at one time there were two as the Eastern Shore had two districts, the 2^nd and the 5^th.

From the Eastern Shore there have been 19 presidents of Maryland Senate, 18

Speakers of House of Delegates , also Secretaries of State and Comptrollers of Treasury .

The 1776 Maryland Constitution held that Maryland's Senate would be of 15

members , 9 from the Western Shore and 6 from the Eastern Shore, chosen by a

college of electors composed of two delegates elected by people of each county, one each

of Baltimore and Annapolis.

The 1776 Maryland Constitution held that the governor be elected annually by a

joint ballet of the two houses General Assembly. An 1838 amendment held the governor

be elected by the people to a term of three years and that the state be divided into three

gubernatorial districts . Eastern Shore counties composed the first districts.

Abstract: May 17, 2018, by Harrison H. from Salisbury Daily Times, Monday, May

4, 1959, Delmarva Heritage, by William A. Wroten, Jr., Salisbury State Teachers

College History Professor.

MIDWAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MIDWAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

TO HAVE NEW

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND SOCIAL HALL.

A “ Lords Auction” last Saturday at Midway Presbyterian , two miles out of

Rehoboth Beach, netted the church almost $1400 toward construction of the new

Sunday school and social hall building.

The 'auction' brought many country folk together to bid on a wide assortment

farm products, implements, house hold items and food. Mrs Anna Thompson, church

secretary also announced that cash donations brought the total up to $2350.

Work on the new structure will begin immediately . It is to be a 24 x 48 foot

building of cement block there on the church property and will have a cellar.

The weekend closed with home coming service and a 25 year anniversary for

the Rev. Wiliam Leishman of Lewes. . The guest speaker was Rev. Roy Tawes

and special music was furnished by Frank Futcher of Newark and Mr & Mrs Paul Powell

of Delmar.

Abstract: October 25, 1952 , Wilmington Morning News by Harrison H.

MISS LIL;S HOUSE

MISS LIL'S HOUSE TO BE TORN DOWN

On Lewes Beach, at house number 485 Lewes Beach, in bad disrepair, a drab

frame house, neighbors to Ira and Sallie Megee and the widow , 71 year old Hannah

Thompson, a house that once held huge banquets with expensive wines, and run by one

of the most colorful characters in Lewes , will soon disappear to make room for a motel.

For twenty years or more, the residence of Lillian Lawrence, better known as

“Miss Lil”. It was the rendezvous of ship officers and crewmen that “laid by” Lewes

as they came into the Delaware Breakwater on way to Delaware River Ports.

As soon as a ship came in from across the seas in the old days, the Captain and

officers would head for “Miss Lils” for a huge dinner of roast beef, turkey and wild duck,

served with the very best French champagnes.

Miss Lil always had a half dozen beautiful girls as hostesses to add to the enjoyment

of that first night ashore after a long voyage. The night after the crewmen who could afford

the cost would be entertained although less lavish.

Miss Lil was a handsome mature woman , in 1920 she was 52, born about 1868, more

than likely, in Baltimore. She dressed in the latest fashion, was driven in town in her buggy

with shiny wheels and a fringed top. Her horse wore a harness with shiny brass

accoutrements. She was know to be generous and when a family was known to be affected

by difficult times, she would send them groceries . Once, when her horse ran away, an

elderly man caught it and she rewarded hm with a $5 bill, which was then a weeks wages.

In 1920, at age 52, Miss Lil had left Lewes to establish a larger place of entertainment

in Miami. She was known to have had a fiery temper, and it was told by her doctor that

she kept her money between pages of the Bible, saying it was always safe there as no one

would ever touch that book.

Her hostesses came from Baltimore and used more makeup than local women and

became know as “painted women” which Miss Lil resented.

Exact dates of her Lewes residency in this house are unknown but she came after

1900 to remain to 1920, when ships no longer stopped at Lewes, other than to pick up a

pilot.

Abstract May 16 22018, Harrison H., from the W. Emerson Wilson column in the

the Wilmington New Journal February 20, 1967.

WILLIAM STRICKLAND ARCHETICT

WILLIAM STRICKLAND

ARCHITECT

Willam Strickland, a Philadelphia architect, who designed the Georgetown Court House

and the Lewes Delaware Breakwater.

Strickland was paid $60 from the Sussex county commission for the drawings in 1842,

although he was considered on of the foremost members of his profession in America.

William Waples, chairman of the court house commission had told Strickland only

$ 10, 417 had been appropriated for construction and when he submitted the plans

Strickland let Waples know a few exterior columns were left out because of the small

sum allowed.

1914 alterations changed Stricklands design, added the exterior, so no longer can it be

a pure example of his work.

There is controversy now over current extensive remodeling.

Abstract : May 16, 2018 by Harrison H, from Wilmington News Journal , Saturday,

March 25. 1967.

LEWES COMMON

LEWES COMMON

Lewes Common, that greenery of the high savannah that stretches between the

creek and the shoreline of Delaware Bay, granted in the 17^th century to Lewestown folk

by William Penn.

The present inhabitants are not humans but multitudes of shore birds which

vary season to season. In its ancient natural character it is a refreshing area to look at.

Thus, we can understand why the member of the Lewes Historical Society

are not in favor with the plans to cover the area with dredges of mud and sand several feet

deep, then cut it up into building lots.

A special meeting was had to let both sides be heard.

Not least among the charms of this marsh, or savannah, is the history of it being a

part of William Penns Grant to the town in the 17^th century. Yes, it is true in recent times

the town has seen fit to grant 100 year leases on some of the Lewes Common.

Lewes commissioners did well to not convert the refreshing tract of Penn's gift

into housing and a new four lane highway to serve it.

Abstract: May 16, 2018 Harrison H. from Wilmington New Journal ,

February 4, 1967

1968 New Ocean City Convention Hall

May 1968

New Ocean City Convention Hall

Maryland Governor Spiro T. Agnew announced the awarding of the contract

for the $3 million Ocean City Convention Hall to the firm of J. Roland Dashiell and

Sons, Inc., of Salisbury for the low bid of $2,770.000 .00 .

The Governor is happy with the rapid progress and congratulated Marshall Stewart

and his commission for their efforts.

The Hall is to be built of ornamental precast concrete panels and white brick, it will

face Ocean Highway at 39^th Street on land owned by the city.

The structure will be completely air conditioned and have a 600 foot ramp leading to

a 28 foot elevation. The Hall will seat 3500, plus hold 1500 dinners, include space

for exhibitions on the main level, a stage will accommodate plays and symphony

orchestras . At ground space there will be covered unloading for buses, taxis and cars.

The 22-1/2 acre parking lot will hold 950 cars.

The contract calls for a 540 day completion date.

Two prime movers in the Convention Hall have been Louis Goldstein, Comptroller,

and Russell Hickman, Delegate of Worcester County.

Abstract: 2018 Harrison H., from Delmarva News, Selbyville, May 23, 1968.

OCEAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL REPORT

OCEAN CITY MARYLAND

HIGH SCHOOL REPORT

Ocean City High School PTA members have learned that the play ground has been graded

and improved and new shrubbery will be planted. A donation to the athletic fund

was approved for school equipment in the fall. A manual arts class next term was approved

since the school already has equipment for this class.

The new PTA president is J. M. Brown,, Myra Powell, vice president, Lucy Hurley is

secretary and treasurer is Evelyn Hudson.

Abstract: Salisbury Daily Times, Wednesday May 15, 1946 by Harrison H 2018 May

REHOBOTH AMERICAN LEGION

REMEMBERING 1946 AMERICAN LEGION LADIES

OF CAPE HENLOPEN POST 5

Rehoboth Beach, Wednesday , May 15, 1946:

Mrs Sarah Arnold, Rehoboth, was elected president of the Henlopen Post at the annual

election meeting last Friday night. She succeeds Mrs Benjamin Albertson, Lewes, who

is now president of the Sussex Department Auxiliary, American Legion.

Mrs Charles F. Lehman , Lewes, was elected vice president.

Others elected are; secretary, Mrs Harry Steel, Rehoboth, treasurer, Mrs Arthur Marshall,

Lewes, Mrs Sarah Tikiob , Rehoboth, historian, Olive Becker, Rehoboth, chaplain,

Mrs Harry Ash, Lewes, sergeant at arms.

Poppy Day is to be around Memorial Day with Lehman the general chairmen.

Winners in the Americanism Essay Contest are Iris Conaway of Lewes, 1^st prize, Jean

Dodd, Lewes, 2^nd, and Rehoboth's Chadus Buckson won the Rehoboth prize.

Abstract: Salisbury Daily Times , May 15^th, 1946, by Harrison H.

DELAWARE SEASHORE PARKS AND BEACHES

DELAWARE SEASHORE PARKS & BEACHES

500.000 vacationers are expected to use state owned beach and camp grounds in 1959

and the season has been extended from May 23 to September 13 . Rates are to be the

the same a last year.

Key Box tenting area , doubled this year to 120 spaces which can be had for month or

season. There are spaces for overnight or weekend stays.

Savages Ditch area has been improved by a large parking area, picnic tables and a shallow

water area bay side for young children

There will be food and drink concessions at Towers Road, Key box Road and Savages

Ditch. Sanitary facilities will remain the same as last year, with daily serviced chemical

toilets..

Otto Zacharias of Lewes will serve as beach manager for the 1959 season.

Camping rates are $2 per day, $12 per week, $40 per month and $100 a season.

Life guards are provided at Key Box, Towers Road and the Indian river Inlet.

Abstract: Harrison H. 2018, May; Wilmington Morning News, Wednesday, February

4, 1959, By Betty Burroughs.