WCTU WATER FOUNTAIN

THE W.C.T.U. REHOBOTH AVENUE WATER FOUNTAIN

FACTS

“Everything inconsistent with Christian Morality shall be excluded and prohibited”.

That was the 'words' of the Rehoboth Camp Meeting Association in 1873 that the founders

envisioned a resort which would adhere to church principals that included a ban on alcoholic

beverages.

The 1800's average American took on seven gallons of liquor a year. This was

thought to be the cause of poverty, violence and crime.

The Rehoboth ban on alcoholic beverages last but a few years. Alcoholic beverages

became readily available. Alcohol was well advertized and touted as a health stimulant.

Although Rehoboth gave in, the WCTU did not. WCTU was formed a year after

Rehoboth was incorporated and stood fast to its ban on drinking.

In 1997 Sussex county outlawed intoxicating beverages but bootleg liquor found its

way in from stills hidden in the Great Cypress Swamp and many other isolated corners of

Sussex. Then in 1919 came the national prohibition liquor was not vanquished. The WCTU

continued the fight into the 1920s'

All this while Rehoboth was growing, there was an increase in visitors and vacationers,

visiting the resort, in 1929 the boardwalk was sent south and widened to 18 feet. At the foot

of Rehoboth Avenue the boardwalk was widened to 32 feet and that busy area provided the\

spot for the W.C.T.U. water fountain. By the time the Rehoboth fountain was in place the

national prohibition fell to public demand and in 1933 alcohol was legal, but, the Rehoboth

Avenue W. C. T. U. Water Fountain is still here.

Abstract 06/30/18 by Harrison H. of Micharl Morgan's Delaware diary, 22 October,

2014 Delaware Coast Press. www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION FACTS

AMERICAN REVOLUTION FACTS

It is 1778, the third year of fighting and no end in sight. The Tories of Sussex county seemed

near to taking control of Delaware. But then there was Rev. Dr. Mathew Wilson who was a

prominent physician and pastor of Lewes' Presbyterian Church on the Kings Highway and

a unrelenting Patriot, a Whig. He was a leader of the local boycott of the tea tax.

Many Sussex residents remained loyal to the British King and Wilson, with Henry Fisher

and William Peery of Sussex county rallied residents to the Patriot cause. However , the

Tories cause was still strong. Wilson had two courses of action planed, first was to divide

Delaware between Maryland and Pennsylvania, the second was to ban Tories from public office.

Wilson was convinced many Delaware officers were British supporters and proposed a scheme

to ferret out the Loyalists by pardon of a Tory or two which would give true witness against the

rest.

A Tory, James Cooper, from Sussex county was the choice but it is not known if Wilson's plan

was followed, but the Sussex county Tories soon began to wane .

Abstract 06/30/178 by Harrison H from Michael Morgans Delaware Diary, Delaware Coast

Press. www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com

HOLLY WREATH MAN

HOLLY WREATH MAN

In the late 1800's wreath making was a cottage industry with Sussex county farmers

for the Christmas season. Holly trees were native to southern Delaware . Wreaths were used

as barter near the holiday season and were of good value.

In 1903 , Charles Jones, a fertilizer salesman in the farm section, had an idea. He first

upset his wife when he came home with $50 worth of 2 cent postage stamps. With the stamps

he sent advertizing fliers to prospective customers in northers cities, then set about organizing

wreath makers around Milton and neighboring towns. The first year he turned a $350 profit.

Not bad for six weeks work.

The southern Delaware farmer realized making holly wreaths in the fall would be a

profitable sideline. The holly tree was everywhere to be harvester branch by branch into a

32 inch switches that made a 14 inch wreath. The makers looked for and used branches with

red berries. Green and red were traditional Christmas colors. During the years that the holly

tree did not produce berries, artificial red berries became in use. The wreaths brought good

money to the county.. A farmer, or his wife and children, could bank $20 a day.

Besides Jones, other dealers got in the swing at Millsboro, Laurel and Seaford but

Jones was the most prominent and shipped large orders to big city department stores and

government offices.

Charles Gerald Jones became the “Holly Wreath Man” and his wife was known

to be satisfied with his $50 postage stamp purchase. Milton became known as the “Land of

Holly” and in 1939 holly tree was named the state tree of Delaware.

Abstract by Harrison H. 06/30/18, of Delaware Diary by Michael Morgan

www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com

1920 EARLY WINTER STORM FOR REHOBOTH

EARLY FEBRUARY 1920 COASTAL STORM

FACTS

The Saturday,, February 7, 1920, Wilmington Evening Journal has reported the ocean is as

calm as a mill pond and hundreds of visitors are walking the beach to view the damage done

by huge breakers during the past two day storm. Henlopen Light house is leaning badly.

A Evening Journal staff correspondent wrote from Rehoboth Beach, February 7, 1920:

The ocean calm as a mill pond has replaced the raging seas which for two days had buffeted

the coast with giant breakers. This has given the Rehoboth people an opportunity to look at

the damage and survey the the inroads of the storm.

Crowds from other nearby towns came by train loads making the town like the 4^th of July.

North of the Henlopen Hotel the beach and cottages are as they were last July. The beach is

filling in rather than wearing away and cottage owners there feel they have no reason to worry.

The Henlopen Hotel is unharmed except for the cement walk in front which is broken up and

tossed about in chunks. At the height of the storm sea water knee deep surrounded the hotel

on its trip to the small lake behind. This water receded yesterday. A pavillion on the board

walk at this end was swept to sea. From the hotel down to Bishop Monaghans cottage the

beach is strewn with lumber.

Rehoboth people feel this lumber can be used to rebuild and repair. The boardwalk is now

just a row of pillings.

The oak board bulkhead saved many cottages. Where there were gaps in the bulkhead damage

was noticed to the sand.

At Dewey Beach the YMCA is wrecked. At the Life Saving Station only the kitchen still

stands. Four of the five beach cottages lost foundations but can be repaired.

Henlopen Light weathered the storm but is leaning. Colonel Dorey of the Light House\

Service said it was safe and the beacon was shining brightly last night.

It is expected a new boardwalk will be ready for summer. There was a suggestion that the

100 or so ships at League Island Navy Yard which are too rotten to repair be sunk off shore

as an underwater breakwater.

CURIOSITY

At the Baer cottage, south of Henlopen Hotel , there is a brick dry well, where the ocean had

washed away the sand surrounding it leaving it standing on the beach like a chimney. The

bricks had no mortar holding them together yet not a single brick was found out of place.

Before the Baer cottage was moved back the dry well stood in the back yard.

\

The February 6, 1920 Wilmington Morning News reports that a change of winds

saved the Rehoboth resort but the light house near Lewes leans perilously. Buildings are swept away and the estimated damages may be more than $100,000.00 .

Just before high tide at 9:30 the northeast gale let up to a northerly wind. Henlopen light

having withstood the gale for hours was leaning perilously. Early the crew had removed

personal effects but returned and remained on duty. Communications were out but the light

told of its survival.

Buildings were swept to sea, the life saving station was lost except for its cook shack. A

pavilion at the north end of the boardwalk went to sea also. There was not splinter of the

boardwalk left.

Third Avenue and Ocean Avenue felt the effects as fifty porches were washed to sea, lawns

ruined and foundations undermined. Coopers cottage toppled into the sea early. b. F. Shaws

cottage which had been moved back in the spring and securely buttressed escaped damage.

The bulkhead was destroyed.

In Dewey only three of twenty eight cottages are left , YMCA is gone. There were no phone

lines left up and several feet of water reached up Virginia Avenue.

Reported from New York

February 5^th New York reports fifty mile per hour northeast gale winds were still

sweeping the north Atlantic coast tonight where towns were trying to dig out after the

deepest snow of years.

Shipping remained at anchor where large ice flows menaced navigation. Snow, ice and

high seas make it impossible to to transport coal and the coast faces a fuel famine, shutting

transportation down. New York and New Jersey rivers are at and above flood stage while

still digging out from the snow.

At Rockaway Beach, two summer hotels, 30 cottages , a forty suite apartment house, bath

houses and many small structures were washed out to sea.

ABSTRACT: 06/29/18 BY HARRISON H FOR www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com

MASON - DIXON MARKER FOUND 1934.

MASON – DIXON LINE MARKER

Berlin, Maryland February 26 1934 :

One of the missing historic markers of the Mason – Dixon Line was found at a farm

house in northern Worcester county being use as a door step and was returned to it's

original resting place a few mile north of Berlin.

Two thirds of the historic boundary line markers, there were 345 of them, have

disappeared. They marked the southern and western boundaries of Delaware. Placed every

five miles, they were inscribed with a coat of arms.

Source: Wilmington Morning News , Tuesday, February 26, 1934

EARLY FEBRUARY SNOW STORM 1895

Lewes, Delaware Wednesday, February 13, 1895:

A cold snap which has held Sussex county in an arctic embrace for a week past

has been worse ever experienced around here. There is more ice in the capes and the

Breakwater than past years and for a spell of so long.

The storm began last early last week with a severe snow and a strong north wind

that brought the temperature to 2 degree below zero Tuesday night. Thursday evening

a blizzard with a northwest gale hit. Our train was an hour late getting through the snow

banks to the station.

The Friday morning northbound train left Lewes on time at 7:35, reached Nassau,

it's first stop, and there it remained until Sunday morning, snow bound. Fifty men could not

dig the snow away as the snow drifted back as fast as it was shoveled out. Passengers came

back to Lewes by a mule drawn hack and stayed until Monday.

Delaware River pilot boats, Tunnell, Howard, Bayard and Kerr were assisted

by the tug boat North America, Captain Givens, and towed to the government pier Thursday.

The Tunnell was towed out of the capes on Friday to sea off Rehoboth to board incoming

vessels. The vessel , Cape, was frozen in the roadstead and drifted about with the ice, ran out

of water and George Lubaker , a pilots apprentice and boat keeper and his crew rigged a sled

and carried 12 casks of water from Brown's fish house pier, making several half mile trips

sliding over the ice.

The Cape May pilot boats , Knight and Edmunds, were at sea during the storm.

From the Breakwater to the Point of Capes the bay was frozen solid. The piers of F. C.

Maull, Luce Brothers & Brown, were badly damaged by the ice flow.

Captain Salmons of Henlopen Life Saving Station reported his men suffered the worst

experience since the station opened. Last week life saving surfmen had bitter experience

walking their duty stations but every man did is duty. There was some frostbite reported.

The colored settlement of Bell Town near Nassau Station became short of fuel and

food and local farmer in the neighborhood furnished their immediate necessities.

In Lewes extreme needs were few and were temporarily supplied. Fuel was getting scarce

but the roads near town were broken open so teams can get through hauling supplies.

Almost everyone had water pumps frozen solid.

Abstract 06/26/18 by Harrison H from Wednesday, February 13, 1895 Wilmington News

Journal, Wilmington, Delaware

LEWES FISH INDUSTRY 1898

DELAWARE FISH INDUSTRY

MARCH 3 1898

The New York based “American Fisheries Company” trust takes control of

Lewes fish factories as it organized the control of fish oil industry on the east coast.

Captain John Fisher, manager of Delaware Oil and Fertilized Company, gave

notice that the 'trust' took control of James Lennen & Company and Luce Brothers

factories last Saturday. It has been agreed that Delaware Oil & Fertilizer will be turned

over within a few days. Plants at various location will operate under 'other' names and

management, some retaining present firm names and their management which include the

Delaware Oil & Fertilizer Company.

The manager for the new concern at this location is Louis Allyn, formerly of Lennen

& Co., works who is well known and a very popular manager in the industry. He soon will move to Lewes from his home now in Mantie, Connecticut.

It is not yet known the effect of the transfer of the fish works will have on the

government suit against them as a nuisance, menace to the health of patients at the U. S.

Hospital & Quarantine Station.

Captain Fisher would not confirm rumors that the new company will increase

factory capacities here to the greatest of any factory now on this earth. He also told that

the price paid by the Trust for the rights and property was very satisfactory. It was

noted that the old companies cannot engage in the fish oil business for twenty years.

Abstract 06/26/18 by Harrison H: Thursday March 3, 1898 Wilmington morning News.

LEWES FISH HOUSE LUCE BROTHERS & SMITH.

LEWES FISHERIES

LUCE BROTHERS & S. S. BROWN, COMPANY

The Wilmington Evening Journal of Tuesday, June 19, 1894 calls the Luce

Brother & S. S. Brown Company's fishery a “fish house nuisance”.

The question of fish houses or no fish houses hangs on among the people of

Lewes that is a haven of refuge for storm tossed vessels.

Opponents to the Connecticut enterprise on the bay beach near the Government Pier

are discouraged by Judge Wales's refusal to grant an injunction to closed it down.

But they are not hopeless and are seeking a legal channel to redress their

grievances.

The fish houses are not connected to any local business men and are odorous

branches of the Connecticut fish works., therefore called Yankee. The work conditions are

filthy and only Negroes are hired to do it under charge of white superintendents.

The men who man the boats are better paid and white and from New England and

north, and far removed from the filth of the shore works. There is an investment of from $200,000 to $250,000 , in the fish plant and boats. The payroll amounts to maybe $15,000. One Lewes cater made $800 from the Yankees last season.

Farmers and butchers benefit with sale of local vegetables and meat. Local store

keepers do not profit.

It cannot be denied that the stench is very disagreeable and nauseating, more so when the

wind is east or northeast. Local fishermen say the fish house take their bread and butter from

them.

Dr. Joseph B. Lyons, retired physician, feels the fish house is objectionable, odors,

flies might cause an epidemic.

Dr. W.P. Orr, of the Marine Hospital regards the odor prejudical to the community

health. Flies are problem at the Marine Hospital.

Ephraim Richardson, Dr. Orr, William Teal,a majority of the Board of Health, backed

by 129 citizens declared the fish house a nuisance and asked the the land not be released.

We were turned out and three others put in.

A. L. Burton and Robert Arnell, Lewes Board of Cmmissioners, opinion was that the

fish houses were not only 'not a nuisance' but a source of revenue to the town and it's

people.

Abstract: 06/26/18 by Harrison H, Wilmington Evening Journal, June 19, 1894.

LEWES & REHOBOTH CANAL 1892

LEWES & REHOBOTH CANAL

JULY 22, 1892

Who owned lands between Lewes and Rehoboth that were condemned for the

digging of the Lewes & Reboboth Canal ?

July 22, 1892 a commission was appointed by Judge Cullen, consisting of

Dr. Joseph W. Marsh, Charles K. Warrington, William S. Phillips, :Lorenzo B. Cannon

and J. G. Cannon, to readjust damages for the right of way through the lands of William

A. Dodd, Robert W. Dodd and James C. Hudson, all thee of which have appealed the

first commissions awards.

This group met July 20 at the Bright House in Rehoboth for a dinner meeting and

after a fine meal proceeded to perform the duties of their appointments.

Abstract: Wilmington News Journal , Friday July 22, 1892: By Harrison H. 06/25, 2018

QUEEN ANNE'S PIER LEWES FACTS.

QUEEN ANNE PIER AT LEWES

FACTS

February 10, 1900, Saturday in the Wilmington Morning News is was reported stock for a pier is all subscribed, that the Queen Anne Railroad Company is interested. It is expected

that daily trips will be made from Lewes to The Quaker City, Philadelphia.

Now that all of the stock has been subscribed that should be right soon. As soon as an

organization is formed , bids will be let and received for erecting the pier.

Queen Anne Raailroad has taken 1/3 of the stock, being that interested in the movement.

The pier project is headed by Dr. G. H. West and others of Philadelphia who expect to

divide stock into three blocks, one for the people in Philadelphia, one for the people of

Lewes and one for the Queen Anne Railroad Company..

The project intends to incorporate a company under the laws of Delaware with $10,000

capital, build a pier and lease a steamboat. As the stock is already subscribed, preliminary

work will proceed with all haste.

To co-operate with the new company, Queen Anne Railroad Company, has agreed to lease

their beach front holdings at Lewes beach to locate the pier, to be be directly in front of the

main part of town.

January 14, 1901, Monday in the Baltimore Sun it is reported by W. T. Bosley, the president of Queen Anne's Railroad, that it will have a new pier at Lewes, an independent

structure. The railroad has plans and specifications made for a new and independent

pier at Lewes and is taking bids for the construction of a 675 foot pier into the bay, directly off

the companies beach front holdings, adjoining the pier occupied by Philadelphia and Lewes

Transportation Company.

There is a strong likelihood that a service line will be established between Lewes and Rehoboth

thereby offering Washington and Baltimore people a handy connection to Rehoboth Beach.

April 25, 1913, Wilmington Morning News reports on Friday that the tug Resolute,

docked at the end of Queen Anne pier, broke her moorage, swung about with great force

and damaged the pier. Several pillings were cut in half and it will be a matter of several

weeks before repairs can be made so the pier can be put back into use again.

November 6, 1913, Thursday the Wilmington News Journal reported that a cement

pavement being laid from the Ocean House to Queen Anne pier, some 275 feet, the work

being dome by Marshalls for $99. The pavement is the result of D. B. Edwards efforts.

Edwards is the pier caretaker who sells town water to vessels in port.

Tuesday June 6 1922, the Wilmington Mornings News reported the Queen Ann Railroad Company has sold the transportation pier on Lewes Beach to P. D. Martin of

Philadelphia and Captain Willard H. Collins of Lewes. David Edwards still has charge

of the pier and will furnish boats with water as they have been heretofore.

May 3, 1923, the Wilmington Evening Journal reports that contractor Joseph E. Virden will make extensive repairs to Queen Anne pier which was recently purchased by Captain Willard H. Collins.

Tuesday, March 3, 1938, Wilmington Morning News: Twelve men of the local

relief rolls engaged by the owner of Queen Anne's Pier at Lewes who were salvaging the

wharf which was crushed by ice floes a week ago are finished and have saved enough material

to warrant reconstruction of the structure for the upcoming fishing season.

Mrs. Willard H. Collins, owner, is awaiting an estimate from Joseph E. Virden,

contractor, who feels the pier can be restored at a low cost. The pipe lines and the water hose

recovered are in good usable shape and there are tons of iron to be sold to junk dealers.

1000 feet of the center section needs construction to connect the beach side to the far end

which holds a 7228 gallon water tank and recreation shelters. Reconstruction will start

Monday, May 17.

The $25,000 , 40 year old pier was terminus for excursion steamers and a rendezvous

for fishermen, supplied ocean going vessels with water and oil. It was the Lewes terminal

for the ferry boats “Queen Caroline” and “Cape May” which were the last to use the old pier.

WHO WAS CAPTAIN WILLARD H. COLLINS

Monday, January 4^th, 1926, Wilmington Morning News reports that Dr. James

Thompson, mayor for the past 25 years was defeated by Captain Willard H. Collins who is

president of the new Lewes Chamber of Commerce by 33 votes out of 179.

Captain Collins is a 37 year seaman, has commanded the Martin Line tug boat Arabic and

has returned to Lewes to make his home. He built the wharf from which the new ferry line

will run, the Bayview Inn and some bathhouses.

He has been captain of the Delaware, a pilot boat, until ill health forced him to retire.

The Monday, August 20, 1934 Wilmington Morning News, reports Captain

Willard Collins ofa heart attack at his Kings Highway home. He was 75 years old,

and buried in the Lewes Presbyterian Church yard. He is survived by his wife, the former

Kate Dodd, daughter of the late Andrew Dodd, a member of a pioneer family of Lewes.

Kate died January 25, 1938 at her Kings Highway home. Survivors were daughters

Mrs Blanch Stott, Lewes, Mrs Robert Bastian, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Mrs David

Bullock, Lansdown, two sons Captain William U. Collins Lewes pilot, and Edwin Collin

of Lewes. Kate was a sister to Miss Anne dodd of Rehoboth and Mrs Walt Poynter, Lewes.

Willard's middle name was Hopkins.

Source. Wilmington Delaware newspapers, abstract byHarrison Howeth 06/24/18

The Baltimore Sun

Read on www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com also

REVEREND WILLIAM LEISHMAN LEWES PRESBYTERIAN MIDWAY PRESBYTERIAN

THE REVREND WILLIAM LEISHMAN

PASTOR

LEWES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Rev William Leishman. Pastor of the Lewes Presbyterian Church was honored

on Sunday October 15, 1933 at Lewes Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian’s held special “Rally Day” service that day which also mark the

tenth anniversary of the reverends pastorate .

There was special music in both the morning and evening services. Rev. Leishmans

sermon was “ The Madness of Jesus”.

Leishman also was in charge of “Rally Day” service at Midway Presbyterian Church

at 2 pm when Rev William S. Irwin of Milford Presbyterian Church gave the sermon and

Margaret Baylis of Lewes sang .

Monday night, October 9^th, the Sunday School Class of Mrs James Kelley of Lewes

Presbyterian Church , had dinner at the Red Mill home of William Roach. Class history was

read by Hannah Thompson, Mrs William Leishman gave the class prophecy and Mrs. Leslie

Knapp read a poem she wrote. Mrs Albert Lupton was toastmaster at the turkey dinner.

Source: Wilmington News Journal , Wednesday, October 11, 1933. Abstract by

Harrison Howeth, 06/23/18

AUGUST 1933 ATLANTIC COAST GALE

AUGUST 1933 ATLANTIC COAST GALE

Saturday, August 26, 1933, the Atlantic seaboard began picking itself up

yesterday from one of the most disastrous storms in recent years. The death to now

stands at 49 but from northern New York to North Carolina , floods, threaten to add to

the total. Property damage stands in the millions.

120 New York boys and girls at camp along the Neversink River which flooded and

marooned them in their dinning hall has receded, so they are safe.

The southwest section of Philadelphia, a ten square mile area was flooded and

hundreds had to flee their homes. The Philadelphia airport was under water and twenty

planes were landlocked.

Virginia coast resorts were worst hit. Virginia Beach and Ocean City were virtually

wrecked but the work of rehabilitation began rapidly.

Shortly after the storm all means of leaving the shore area was cut off, telephone

and electric service was out and only the Coast Guard wireless was available to send and

receive messages.

Bethany Beach resort was with out drinking water Wednesday and Thursday. Late

Thursday water was brought in by the barrel from Ocean View. There were no sickness'

reported. Ringlers Pier at Bethany's boardwalk was received $2000 in damage. The dance

floor was flooded and furniture, the sods fountain, was tossed about the pier.

With Labor Day on the way, Bethany citizens and other coastal beaches are doing

a general clean up and carpenters, brick masons, painters, and 20 mule teams have rushed into the work. One of the main questions was “who will pay for this” has been sidestepped.

Abstract: Wilmington News Journal and other, August 1933 by Harrison H 06/17/18

1933 LEWES NRA ORGANIZATION

LEWES DELAWARE

&

THE 1933 NRA

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY ACT

This article is about the 1929 depression and the governments efforts to

stabilize the economy of America, which included Lewes. It may be a bit 'deep' but is

worth knowing that the 'fathers' of Lewes made their effort to help the local economy.

On Tuesday evening, August 22, 1933, Lewes merchants and business leaders met

at the Lewes Fire Hall, to discuss organizing the Lewes NRA Industrial Section of the

Delaware NRA Committee. The speaker was Gerrish Gassaway, member of Delaware

NRS Committee and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

(Please note that in 1933 the 'Chamber of Commerce' and their speakers carried much more

weight than it appears so today).

Many of Lewes merchants now display the NRA poster of the “Blue Eagle” at their

businessesin 1933 but this is a first attempt to form a organization for a blanket adoption

of the NRA code by 'all' employers of Lewes.

Source: Wilmington News Journal, Friday, August 18, 1933.

Harrrison H. abstract 06/16/18

1933 OLD IRON PIER DESTROYED BY FIRE

LEWES BEACH IRON PIER

1933 FIRE

The old iron pier, off Lewes Beach, built for $100,000 by the government

60 years ago has been damaged, perhaps destroyed, by two fires within a 24 hour period.

The first fire , Wednesday the 16^th, near midnight, destroyed a boat house at the

waters edge on shore, had been extinguished by the Lewes Coast Guard and the Lewes

Volunteer fire companies. The cause was undetermined.

The second fire, late Thursday , smoke again arose and the entire pier, 1600 feet

long, has been destroyed or badly damaged. The same firemen again put out the flames.

This pier, one of five, is located nearest the mouth of the bay, and when built was

considered one of the best along the coast, sitting on iron pilings and a hard pine well laid

decking.

It had been used by government buoy tenders, a refuge in stormy weather, by the

Coast Guard and local fishermen . It recently was sold to the Lewes Sand Company

Abstract: Wilmington News Journal, Friday, August 18, 1933: By Harrison H. 06/16/18

1933 CCC CAMPS

1933 CCC

LEWES & SLAUGHTER BEACH CAMPS

Lt. Henry Fisher, head of the Lewes mosquito control camp, began work yesterday at the Lewes site, laying out sewer and water lines of the camp which will house the

200 Delaware CCC workers who will work on the eradication of mosquito's in

this part of the state.

At the same time, Lt. R. A. Gaw, the head of Slaughter Beach mosquito camp

began work on the other camp to be set there.

The employment of all construction workers for both projects is through Lt.

Fisher at the Lewes Post Office.

Ralph Poynter and Mrs John McCabe ay Rehoboth are listing names of those who

are to fill the ranks at the Lewes Camp.

Shipment of building supplies from government reserve have been made and will

arrive mid week. Work is to be finished in three weeks.

Colonel Wilbur Sherman Corkran is the State Director of the Mosquito Control

Commission is located in Lewes. Post Office Headquarters.

Abstract: Wilmington Morning News, Wednesday, November 1, 1933.

1933 LEWES BASEBALL TEAM

2 hrs

1933 LEWES BASEBALL BALL TEAM

A newly organized Lewes baseball club, Bill Clifton the manager, will open the the season, Tuesday, May 30, 1933, at Lewes with a doubleheader against the End's of Wilmington at 10 am.Harrison Howeth

The Lewes team consist of ; Herald Brittingham, captain, Bill Clifton, William Palmer, Perry Burton , Fillmore Clifton, Hucky Hudson, , Seaton Matnadier, Ralston Pettyjohn., Nicholas Carter, Howard Long, Al Kreuz, Roland...

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LEWES OLD TIMERS TO REMEMBER

LEWES OLDTIMERS

HILDA NORWOOD

Hilda Louise “Tweeny” Norwood Grinnage, born 22 August 1925, in Lewes,

Sussex County, Delaware, death, 13 August 2014, age 88. Hilda is buried in the

Israel United Methodist Church Cemetery at Belltown.

Hilda was the youngest of four daughters of Clarence Page and Loretta Maull

Norwood and was born in the original homestead at 1822 Lewes – Georgetown Highway,

Belltown, Sussex county.

She was married to the late Paul Grinnage.

Her education began at Rabbit's Ferry School, then she went to Lewes School,

Delaware State High School and Delaware State College at Dover, where she graduated

with honors at each school. She later took additional studies at Delaware University in

Newark.

At Delaware State she was a forward on the 1944- 1947 basketball team, and

became a co-captain in 1947. She also was inducted in the Del State Athletic Hall of Fame.

Hilda taught for 44 years, retiring from Shields in 1991. In 1991 she was voted

'Teacher of the Year” at Shields.

She was active in the Israel United Methodist Church, Rabbit's Ferry Center, the

Republican Party, and DSU Alumni .

Predeceased by two sisters , Agnes and Delores, survived by a sister Cora, six

nephews, a niece, the Maull family, Norwood's, and Grinnage families.

Ssource: Ancestry Find a Grave.

BELLTOWN & NORWOOD HOUSE

Harrison Howeth

Yesterday at 12:39pm

Belltown, Sussex, Delaware:
Belltown is an unincorporated community in Sussex County located along U. S. Route 9 , 5-1/2 miles west-northwest of
Rehoboth Beach. It was founded near 1840 by Jacob Bell,
a 'free colored man" . Belltown was the first successful effort to create a separate minority neighborhood. Belltown residents depend on neighboring towns and industries for their livelihood. Evidently, the "Norwood House" is either in or near by Belltown, owned by substantial landowners and family heirs how have owned their own land since the early 1800's.
The Norwood House is a historic home, built about 1850, two stories, three bay, single pile, frame house on a brick foundation. The house is sheathed in weatherboard with
cornerboards. and has a shingled gable roof. There is an earlier one story section on the north rear side. Allso on the
property is a unaltered 'privy', a survivor.
WIKIPEDIA 38*44'47'N 75*10'48'W

PAYNTER HOUSE STUDIO REHOBOTH ART LEAGUE

PAYNTER HOUSE STUDIO

REHOBOTH ART LEAGUE

Wilmington Morning News, Friday, February 11, 1938;

Restoration of the century and half old studio building, known as the Paynter

House, which has been moved five miles by water, to a site in the pines of Henlopen Acres,

overlooking the Lewes – Rehoboth Canal yacht basin, is progressing as rapidly as funds

become available.

Among the friends of the art league who are contributing both work and materials

are, Jack Lewis, a CCC artist, Ralph Rust, T. D. Dick, Jack Smock, Tom Calhoun, and

Willard Russell.

The building roof is being re shingled and interior improvements will soon begin.

Wilmington Morning News, Monday, February 28, 1938:

Chairmen of RAL committees will hear of the progress of activities toward the

restoration of the ancient Paynter House to be an art center for summer classes. Many

Rehoboth and Lewes residents have offered services in the restoration, including Irvin

Maull, H. W. Megee, Frank Tylecki, Fred Vogal , and Byrd Smith. Material has been

donated by Bill Tappen, Mr. Tylecki and George Shockley. Hand hewn timbers were bought

from John Webb which came from an old house of dutch construction in 1708 off Rehoboth

Bay .

Wilmington Morning News, Friday, April 15, 1938:

The Paynter House studio building at the RAL is regaining the dignified

appearance of its once habitable state some 150 years ago. The neglected and deserted

Paynter House, was moved to Henlopen Acres, and is being transformed into a studio

by new memberships and gifts of labor and material of 'friends'. A new roof is finished,

the shingles dipped in lamp black for color and oil as a preservative, was done by John

Tyndal. Johns wife, former Miss Dora Frazier, lived in this house as a young child. The

fireplaces have been rebuilt to their original dimensions, and with ''cranes' for the wide

hearth. Bruce Tappan and William Melson, Rehoboth masons contributed the labor .

Palmer & Thackery donated work on the chimneys, Frank Tylecki contributed old stones

from the Cape Henlopen light house for the hearths. The holding cranes in the hearth were

furnished by Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Joseph and Wilbur Corkran. The hand split shingled

walls are being mended. Hand wrought antique hinges, colonial window sash, battened

doors, will be mounted in the gaping openings of the old house, so long bereft of such

features, are furnished by Mrs. Sarah Adams of Georgetown, from the collection of her late

son, Congressman Wilbur Adams, in his memory. 150 firebricks was a gift from Sofarrelli

Brother who built the new Rehoboth Post Office. Labor contributions from Ralph Poynter,

Irving Maull, Sam Burton, Clarenc Ewing, Jack Lewis, artist, Rufus Roach, John Dodd,

blacksmith, relics from Orville Peets, artist and Clifton Webb. A maple wood table was given

by Mrs O.G. Lilly, a Bennngton pitcher, by Mrs. Cowgill, and a antique lamp by Matilda

McCoy.

Wilmington Morning News, Tuesday, June 21, 1938:

It is fitting the new Rehoboth Art League should select the historic Paynter House,

which is 150 years old, for it's domicile. Having been restored, it has lent itself in its new

location to the requirements of the art league.

Wilmington Morning News, 6 august, 1938 :

Paynter house at Rehoboth Art League will be open tomorrow afternoon.

Wilmington Morning News, 5 September 1938;

Activities held at Paynter House of Rehoboth Art League.

Wilmington News Journal, Thursday, September 8, 1938 :

The “door of Fame” at the Paynter house studio of the Rehoboth Ar t Leaque is

being filled rapidly with signatures and “marks” of many famous artist , musicians and

writers who have visited the resort the past summer. The 'door' itself, is an antiquity from

one of the oldest Sussex county houses recently demolished at Dewey Beach.

Wilmington News Journal, Monday, October 3, 1938 :

Housewarmings at the Paynter House studio at Rehoboth Beach came to a close for

this season yesterday afternoon. Hostesses for the final affair were Rehoboth members

with Mrs Verna Rodney Dodd as chairman. While the affairs are discontinued until next

season, the studio may be visited by members on any occasion upon application for the door

key at the Homestead.

THORNTON OAKLEY ARTIST RAL

REHOBOTH ART LEAGUE PAYNTER HOUSE DOOR SIGNATURES

THORNTON OAKLEY

Thornton Oakley was born Sunday, March 27, 1881 in Pittsburgh , the son of John

Milton and Imofen Brasure Oakley, and was a American artist and illustrator.

He graduated from Shady Side Academy I 1897 and received B.S, & M.S. degrees in

architecture in 1902 from the University of Pennsylvania. Beginning study with Howard

Pyle in 1902, for three years, in Wilmington's North Franklin Street studio and at the

Chadds Ford studio that was in an old mill which is now Brandywine River Museum.

A half century Oakley presented a collectton of drawings, prints, books, letters and sketchbooks to the Free Library.

March 1910 Thorton Oakley married Amy Ewing of Philadelphia and they had a daughter,

Lansdale, who wrote travel books.

Oakley became associated with periodicals, Century, Colliers, Harpers, and Scibners as

both a writer and illustrator. For years he was I charge of the Illustrations Department at

Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Arts, taught at University of Pennsylvania, and

lectured at Art Institute of Chicago, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Curtis Institute, and

was member of many advisory committees. During WW I he did drawings of work at the

Hog Island Navy shiptard which were distributed by the government, WW II he did war

effort pictures for National Geographic. After the war he did industrial works for Sun Oil,

Pennsylvania Railroad and Philadelphia Electric.

Oakley was deeply influenced by Howard Pyle and praised him at almost all art functions

he was a speaker or teacher. Oakley was a member of many clubs , president of the

Philadelphia Water Color Club, and he received the French “Palmes d'Offiier d'Academie' .

Thornton Oakley died April 4, 1953, age 72. at Bryn Mawr and is buried with his wife Amy

at the Lower Marion Baptist Church Cemetery in Bryn Mawr.

Source: Wikipedia, abstract by Harrison H June 9, 2018.

ETHEL PENNEWILL BROWN LEACH ARTIST

REHOBOTH ART LEAGUE  -   PAYNTER HOUSE DOOR SIGNATURES

Ethel Pennewill Brown Leach, born 1878, in Wilmington, died 1959, in Millsboro, during her lifetime of 82 years was a Delaware resident, well known for her portraits, seascapes and illustrations.

Spending much of her life time in Wilmington, where she was born , was the dean of

Delaware's women artist in the first half of the 20^th century. She was respected on the East

Coast for her illustrations, floral painting, landscapes and portraits. The last thirty years of

her life were spent with her husband, Will, with the artist colony of Rehoboth Art League.

She grew up in a rural family, her mother was Henrietta Parris, but raised by a step mother Blance Virden Brown, and father Thomas Armwell Brown who was  a doctor. She was found at an early age to have an art talent. In 1894 she was enrolled in the Clawson Hammitt School of Art in Wilmington.

October 1899 she was studying at the Arts Student League in New York. Between 1902 and

1903 She came down with typhoid fever that left her disfigured by scoliosis which caused

her pain but did not inhabit her thriving career she developed while in New York,

Leach had turned , in 1901, to illustration work to earn money to live on as she received little

support from her family, 1903 found he r back in Wilmington studying under Howard

Pyle, America's most noted illustrator who disliked women students thinking they were

not professional enough but her positive impression got her accepted in his 'inner circle'.

Having met prominent people through her aunt she began painting portraits in 1907.

In 1910 Leach and Olive Rush took over Pyle' s studio for the two years he toured Europe

which was a happy time until the year ended with Pyles death in Florence in 1911.

Leach, then went to Europe, in 1912 to live in the American Art Students Club in the village

of Senlis. Here she earned more recognition, was accepted into the International Union

of Beaux-Arts & Letters and the Paris Salon. She returned to Wilmington in 1913, circulated

with former Pyle's students, made trips to Jackson, Mississippi where her wealthy aunt lived,

and painted there. Eventually she inherited her aunts estate which left her money to become

financially independent.

At age 44 she married Will Leach , an artist, and settled in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, but

traveled between there to Florida and New England to find subjects to illustrate . Here she

did illustrations for children s books and took up portraiture to earn money to take them

.through the depression of the 1920's . In Rehoboth she held annual art exhibitions which

she oversaw for30 years.

Ethel Pennewill Brown Leach was an active artist into her 80's and died December 30, 1959,

and buried in Barretts Chapel Cemetery , Kent county, Delaware.

Source: Ask Art, and ancestry.com , Jann Haynes Gilmore, abstract by Harrison H.

VIENNA DORCHESTER COUNTY MARYLAND

VIENNA, DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

SALISBURY DAILY TIMES

ORLANDO WOOTEN

1972

Vienna, was a thriving colonial town with a history going back before 1669 when

Dorchester county was established. During the Revolutionary War, British Red Coats

attacked it, it had excitement in the 1812 War and Civil War.

It's location on the Nanticoke River made the town important from the days of the

Indians, which called it “Emperors Landing” to the first explorations of Europeans.

The name Vienna may be a contraction of the Indian Emperor, Vnnacokossimmon.

The first shipyard on the Nanticoke was built at Vienna and the town had a Custom

House for oversea traders in 1768.

The British attack in 1781 left one man, a Dorchester militiaman Leven Dorsey, then

looted Weston , the home of Colonel John Henry.

During the War of 1812 fortifications were built to keep enemy gunboats away.

John Whayland, Tory and Chesapeake pirate, with a vessel which carried three

swivel guns, two wall pieces and muskets used the river to hide.

During the Civil War W.T. Webb, proprietor of the towns leading store, smuggled

supplies and medications from Lewis Wharf to the Confederates who had 'friends' in town.

Many fires have burned historic homes but close inspection reveals a flavor of its

important and exciting time.

HENRY'S CROSSROADS DORCHESTER COUNTY.

HENRY'S CROSSROADS

DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

ON THE NANTICOKE RIVER

Henry's Crossroads if you don't mind mosquitoes and sheep flies, this is the perfect place to be. No condominiums, mini malls, or traffic jams, just blessed peace and quite in abundance.

Here, right in mid down town Henry's Crossroads, well off the beaten path, live Virginia and Tom Tyler. Now that's a Dorchester county name if ever there was one. They live in what the locals still call Crossroads Store, at the crossroads of Lewis Wharf Road , Elliotts IslandRoad and Drawbridge Road. Sometime in the 1970's they bought the store and an it for two years. It was not a money maker, just a convenience store for the locals, so it was closed. Even after it closed, people would stop, knock on the door, not knowing the century old place wasclosed up.
It was a typical country store, a gathering place for the men to gossip, play cards or checkers, tell their fibs and have a coke or two.

Just to drive by one will say this place is isolated and uninteresting. Looks are deceiving, that is not the case.

The patch of green grass across the road of the old store once held a boat building businessof Powell Horseman, another Dorchester county name if there ever was one. The building was not always a workshop, it was a church with tales of ghosts and a mysterious treasurer, the Wainwrights Church which held the best camp meetings with good Eastern Shorecooking.

Jesse Wainwright had the church built and gave it to the community in the mid 1800's as a gift. What makes this 'gift' so extraordinary is that everybody knew Waunwright was so

poor he almost starved to death. Wainwright lived a bit south in an 18^th century brick house,

and the story goes that while digging his cellar larger he found a pot of gold coins. This

story has a source of historic fact, rumor or no. The fact was that a slave boy who did the

actual digging told the story to his father who told it many times at the Crossroads Store.

Then there is the ghost haunting the house and nearby Ghost Island who is seen with a wood

box. Is the ghost the real owner of the gold.

Anyway, Wainwright paid off his mortage, then sold the farm and moved away and

after WW II the church gave way, many service men did not return to the Crossroads but moved to better jobs. The church closed in 1946.

There now is the Crossroads Methodist Church , the only black church around and a brick home that was once a one room school house.

Henry's Crossroads got the name from the owner of Weston, John Henry, once a Maryland Governor.

Another story is that during the Civil War, southern sympathizers from Vienna,

loaded supplies at Lewis Wharf, brought to the wharf by horse and wagon, the horse hooves

wrapped with burlap bags to deaden the sound, and shipped to Confederates.

Maybe Wainwrights pot of gold was payment for that.

Salisbury Daily Times, January 13, 1993