1960 SHOPPING CENTERS. FOR REHOBOTH

REHOBOTH BEACH 1960

TWO LARGE SHOPPING CENTERS TO BE BUILT

Rehoboth Beach will soon have two large shopping centers which officials hope will

relieve the downtown Rehoboth parking problem.

One, the A & P Supermarket, is already under construction off the Dewey Beach Cut Off,

just beyond the High School

The second proposal was just presented to the Commissioners last Friday by Howard

Thompson, representing a Washington, D. C. firm, Walker & Dunlop, operators of the

eastern Safeway Supermarkets Corporation. This group would like to lease the Shaw

Trailer Park on the canal at the entrance of Rehoboth to build and operate a supermarket

with ample parking for shoppers.

Daniel Layton, Jr., town solicitor, has been instructed to see if Rehoboth has legal rights

to lease the Benjamin Shaw property, some four acres,

Howard Thompson has told the commissioner that Safeway will want a long term lease to

build a shopping center of brick buildings costing $400.000.

The A & P Supermarket on the heavy traveled route 14, Bay Road, is represented by

Anderson & Stokes, of Rehoboth Beach. A syndicate has purchase 8.5 acres of the

lands of Isador Johnson. The John L. Briggs, Company is general contractor with the

architect, Alan Wood Fraser of Berlin, Maryland. The center will have two acres for

parking. A June 13, 1960 opening is planned.

The closest existing supermarket to Rehoboth is an Acme Market, two miles north on

Rehoboth Highway at Midway.

Abstract: Salisbury Daily Times, Wednesday, 30 January, 1960

TOMATO FACTORY AT CANNON DESTROYED

CANNON, SUSSEX COUNTY, DELAWARE

TOMATO CANNING PLANT BURNS

Salisbury Daily Times, Sunday, July 12, 1970 :

Cannon Delaware:

The tomato cannery, of Elrick & Taylor, located at Cannon in Sussex county, was

destroyed by fire last Wednesday night. The cause remain unsolved. The owners had

cleared the site after the fire before an investigation could take place.

Dale Elrick, an owner, had no idea what the final damage estimate would be.

The entire structure was destroyed and is not going to be replaced.

HISTORY A DAY IN MILTON 182

A DAY IN MILTON

MAY 10 1882

Wednesday , May 10, 1882:

Noah McGee's old building is being moved. Work commenced Monday, however,

the movers have experienced considerable difficulty.

The Reynolds & Company cannery have excavated the hill near by in order to make a

road to the produce landing on the river.

Captain Bonsal has arrived in Milton from Lebanon and will remain until the completion

of his vessel being built by the Black Brothers. John Davidson has the contract to build the

cabin for the vessel being built by David Atkins. This, with the one he has underway for

Captain Bbonsel will keep his busy. It appears good workmen are scarce.

Yesterday, John Foulk, agent for the Wilmington Morning News, severed the connection

with Mrs L. W. Fox's drug store.

Shipping arrived the schooner Clara Waples, under Captain Hunter, with bricks from

Haverstraw. Ships cleared, the schooners J.C. Atkins, Captain Baynumn, and the James

Carey, Captain Atkins, both with pine wood for Philadelphia.

The towns fish house market is plentifully supplied with trout at ten cents a dozen.

The Methodist Episcopal Church will hold the quarterly conference Saturday next. The

Rev. Todd, presiding elder will preach on Sunday.

The Wilmington Morning News has printed a denial from Mr. Robinson, in regard the

elopement published by me some time ago . The statement I made was publicly made by

the sister of Mrs Lank, the eloping woman in a dry goods store in town.

Miss Clara Waples has returned from a three week visit to Phladelphia.

Several children have taken seriously ill by chewing locust shavings from tree nails for

the vessel building.

Abstract Wilmington Morning News, Thursday, May 11, 1882

HISTORY : A DAY IN LEWES 1882

A DAY IN LEWES

AUGUST 15 1882

Lewes, Delaware Events at the Breakwater 15 August, 1882

Lewes is full of summer visitors. The fruit evaporator of William B. Yeardley began

running Wednesday and Virden & Draper started theirs on Friday. After several days of

stormy days we are enjoying fine weather. Dr. D. H. Houston and his family of Lewes are

visiting in Rehoboth. There is very little sickness in Lewes at the present time. Many of

the Lewes young people are visiting Rehoboth.

Peaches are coming in large quantities, also watermelon and cantalopes.

Last Saturday , the horse hooked up to the J. H. Dodd store wagon, standing unhitched, at

their Market Street store, was firghtened and ran away, smashing the wagon to pieces by

contact with a post. It was soon caught ithour anyone getting hurt.

Mosquitoes are very thick and increasing both in size and numbers. J.A. Nixon, mail

agent on the P. W. & B railroad, returned home sick today. Miss Sally B. Waples returned

to Lewes today from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she has been visiting with her uncle a few

weeks.

Abstract Wilmington Morning News, Tuesday 15 August 1882.

Milton's Welch Drug Closes.

THE CLOSING OF WELCH'S DRUGS

JULY 1988

In the Milton Chamber Clipper, July 1988, Charlie Fleetwood has reported the closing

of the Welch Drug Store which has been a Milton institution for over 100 years, 98 year in

the same location.

Bill Welch's grandfather began the business and Bill and Ann have operated it for the last

47 years.

Closing will end an era, a visit to Welch's was a step back in time. Beautiful wood and glass

cabinets held the medicines that kept us all healthy here and around Milton.

Welches was a most pleasant reprieve.

Bill and Ann thank all patron and friends for the many years. The Welch's feel the

community has given much more that they can repay.

Although Welch's is closed, Bill and Ann are still with us and we wish them a long and

happy retirement and thank them for their many years of service to Miltom.

REHOBOTH DRAW BRIDGES

REHOBOTH'S DRAW BRIDGES

Rehoboth Beach. February 27, 1940 Wilmington News Journal

Monday, Major H. B. Vaughn, Jr., of the U. S. Engineers held a hearing with Rehoboth

Town Commissioners on the construction of a draw bridge a half mile south of the present

Rehoboth Avenue bridge.

The proposed draw bridge would have a 24 foot wide roadbed and two five foot walkways,

and carry the new coastal highway between Rehoboth and Ocean City over the Lewes &

Rehoboth Canal .

Rehoboth residents feel a new bridge is necessary since now there is only one bridge to

cross the canal.

The cost estimated $170,000 This draw bridge would be 18 feet above high water and

a clearance of 50 feet when raised.

REHOBOTH INDIAN BEACH CLUB SOLD FACTS

REHOBOTH – INDIAN BEACH CLUB SOLD

FACTS

Wednesday, September 8, 1943, Wilmington Morning News

Exclusive resort, victim of war conditions which halted operation to the $40,000

erection cost compound, is to be sold.

Herbert Craft, club president , said the club house now going under reorganization

will be offered for sale in October. The club built in 1939 at a cost of between $30,000

and $50,000 is in a run down situation from disuse. It closed in 1942 after three weeks in

operation and hasn't been operated since. It is now going through receivership.

Built in 1939 under the management of John A. Hasrris, secretary & treasurer, Craft,

invested in the club in 1940, was president and principal stockholder. A. Felix duPont is

VP and Lammot duPont is a director.

Wednesday, December 29, 1943, Wilmington News Journal

The Rehoboth Indian Beach Club has been sold at auction to Frank Chase, Rehoboth

Realtor, for a client who was not named. The price of sale was $35,000.

The auction, last Thursday at the club house had the appearance of a party, with a fire in

the fire place because of the cool weather. Maurice Stein, was the auctioneer.

Stock in the swanky club was owned mainly by Herbert Clinton Chase, A. Felix duPont,

Lieut. Lammont duPont, USNR .

Attending the sale were Daniel Anderson, Sr., Polly Moore Harris, Jack Tubbs,

Houston Wilson, Caleb Wright, and Lee Insley.

Saturday, September 16, 1939, Wilmington News Journal

Sydney Mitchel , manager of Rehoboth Indian Beach Club, is leaving to be associated

with Samuel Cooper, proprietor of Lewes Anglers Club Grill , in a Seaford restaurant

during the winter.

Thursday, May 7, 1942 Wilmington Morning News

Popular Rehoboth-Indian Beach Club and homes will open it's fourth season Memorial

Day, May 30 according to general manager, John E. Harris. A dinner dance and patriotic

program will be held, the Marine Bar, dance pavilion, homes and dinning room will open

Memorial Day. Dances, parties and patriotic meetings will be open to service men an

women.

REHOBOTH INDIAN BEACH CLUBHOUSE LEASED TO ST. JAMES OF MARYLAND 1944

REHOBOTH – INDIAN BEACH CLUB HOUSE

1944

The Rehoboth-Indian Beach clubhouse, south of Rehoboth, once a swanky summer

rendezvous for Delaware's elite, a ocean front modernistic clubhouse, built in 1939,

sold at a public sale to A. Felix duPont of Rehoboth in 1943.

For the summer of 1944, A Felix duPont has permitted the entire property it to be leased

by the St. James School of Lydia, Maryland for their summer session for boys of near

draft age.

The compound will serve as an excellent place for a rigorous academic program for boys

soon to be drafted who have desire to secure additional credit or make up past works.

It also provides favorable conditions for outside exercise and relaxation. .

The several 'beach houses' of the compound will be used for quarters for the young boys.

The nearby Rehoboth Country Club will offer facilities for the students to golf and play

tennis.

The 102 year old St. James School of Maryland, is a Episcopal boarding school located

in Washington county Maryland near Hagerstown .

The Rehoboth Chamber of Commerce , through it's treasurer , Mae Hall McCabe, was

responsible for securing the the summer vacation school for near draft age boys, at the

resort.

Abstract: July 20, 2018, by Harrison H. from Wilmington News Journal , Tuesday,

April 25 1944. www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com & Facebook .

FORT MILES FACTS

FORT MILES FACTS

1944

Salisbury Daily Times, Friday, January 14, 1944

Lewes, Delaware 4 January 1944

Commander Frank S. Carter, USNR commander of the Lewes Navy unit at the harbor

entrance control post, Fort Miles ever since the post ws established three years ago,

has received his orders of his transfer to Norflok Naval Base.

His replacement will be Lt. Com. J. G. Williamson.

Salisbury Daily Times, Wednesday, January 14, 1944

Lewes , Delaware 14 January 1944

The first contingent of German POW's arrived here yesterday to be stationed at the CCC

camp just outside of Lewes. This action has received less disturbance than did the

proposal to bring the Japanese American labor last year.

Stokley Brother Canning Company at Rehoboth, Russell Hudson, manager, has used POW's

from Ft. duPont last spring to process peas and found they were very good workers.

Salisbury Daily Times, Tuedsday, April 18, 1944

Lewes, Delaware 18 April, 1944

The 10 foot whale that was seen in the canal eight weeks ago has been found in a ditch

in the marsh near Fort Miles. It weighs at lest 800 pounds and a flood tide will be necessary

to remove it.

The wounds which have killed it are believed have been caused by gun shots of

the Fort Miles Navy Unit.

Salisbury Daily Times, Friday, October 20, 1944

Lewes, Delaware 20 October 1945

The Fort Miles firing range at Cape Henlopen kept the locals awake until after 2 am. today.

Beginning at 9:30 pm a new type of gun firing and a ear splitting three minute barrage followed

by streams of light from tracer bullets in the sky over Fort Miles was greater that any 4^th of July

was had and the earth shook for miles around. There were firings every twenty minutes until

the last one at 1:20 am.

An Abstract on July 18 2018 by Harrison H from the Salisbury Daily Times

for www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com and Facebook .

MISPILLION LIGHT REPLICA

MISSPILLION LIGHTHOUSE REPLICA

LEWES SHIPCARPENTER SQUARE

John and Sally Freeman settled on a lot in Shipcarpenter Square on May 2, 2002, the same

day that lighting set fire to the Mispillion Lighthouse in Cedar Creek Hundred.

The Freemans offered to buy the charred remains for a restoration project on their new

lot in Shipcarpenter Square, Lewes. These remains were moved to the Lewes lot in

May 2004.

Derrick Dutton was hired as the project manager of the restoration project. Dutton, in

turn contracted with Mike Reilly of A – Z Service in Baltimore to fabricate the

lantern and metal assembly which was lost in the fire.

July 14, 2005, the new lantern and crows nest balcony was hoisted atop John and Sally's

historically accurate replica of the former Mispillion Lighthouse.

The plans were obtained from drawings made for the National Historic Registry in 1986.

Today a curious historian can travel to Shipcarpenter Square in Lewes to view the exact

replica of the old Mispillion Light and keepers house thanks to the Freemans and their valiant

efforts to save the burned structure.

Abstract: July 17, 2018, By Harrison H from the papers of Dave Kenton, Chairman,

Milford Museum, 2006 titled “ Cedar Neck, Slaughter Beach & Mispllion Lighthouse”.

PART 3 BRICK GRANARY FARM, WATSON.

PART 3

THE BRICK GRANARY FARM & ROGERSVILLE

1857

HENRY S. & SARAH E. WATSON

John Robinson Bennett sold the Brick Granary farm , now only 90 acres, in June 1857,

to John W. Davidson who later sold it to in 1859 to Henry S. Watson. Watson kept the

Brick Granary farm 35 years , raised a family of eight on the property. There was the home,

the granary and a store, the store sort of a local meeting place where neighbors voice opinions

on daily affairs. It last until 1953.

Henry S Watson and his wife, Sarah raised six children , Elias, Heneretta, Mary, Loeata

Marcelena and Josephine. In ill health in 1896 Henry gave his arm to his children which

gave the farm to Marclena who had problems with past mortage holders and sold the farm to

George Hall of Milford

Hall divided the farm into two parcels, 40 acres and 50 acres, sellling the 50 acres to William

Wilkins Hall kept the 40 acres. 1933 Wilkins gave his son, Luther 'Burt' Wilkins, who lived there until 1950. Paris Johnson then bought the farm, raised his six children there, and when he died, April 2000 , the farm passed to his children. One son, Marvin, kept a parcel long the stream Tar River. A sister who married a Lowery kept a two acre lot on the Brick

Granary road.

The rest of the farm has been sold to Elmer and Mary Ann Fannin where they live.

The demise of the Brick Granary came about when highway builders were building the

1924 Rehoboth highway, u dynamiting the river bed for a bridge and the pounding of piling, the vibrations of which caused the Brick Granary to crumble .

END SERIES

The above is an abstract of works by Dave Kenton, in 2008, as chairman of the Milford

Museum. I, Harrison H. have a copy the Kenton work, and have post the abstracts to

Facebook's page, Positive Milton & www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com July 16, 2018.

CEDAR CREEK L. J. RICHARDS ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVES

CEDAR CREEK

IN

CEDAR CREEK HUNDRED

Cedar Creek was so named on account of the abundance of cedar trees growing on it banks,

and from this creek the hundred takes it's name. Originally all of the land in this hundred

north of the creek was a portion of St. Jones county until 1683 when the change of names

of St. Jones and Whorekill counties to Kent and Sussex counties came about.

Cedar Creek Hundred is the northern most in Sussex , bound to the north by Mispillion Creek,

east, the Delaware Bay, south by Prime Hook Creek and on the west by Nanticoke and

Mispillion Hundreds. The land is well watered by small streams, is cultivated to grow

fruits, vegetables and grain. The creek is navigable to the Brick Granary and affords

shipping to the vicinity. In 1848, 55 years after an act was passed to do so, a canal was dug

by George Fisher so as to stop the sanding in of the creek. Today's channel was dug in 1869

by Cedar Creek Navigational company.

SOURCE: Accessible Archives Chapter LXVIII Cedar Creek Hundred, L. J. Richards

1609 – 1888 History of Delaware

PART 2 BRICK GRANARY FARM, CEDAR CREEK HUNDRED.

CEDAR CREEK HUNDRED

THE BRICK GRANERY FARM AND ROGERVILLE

PART 2

During the 1800's great trading activities developed along Cedar Creek. Daniel Rogers

evidently became Governor and records show he freed his slaves at their 21^st birthday by

his 1806 will. Both he and Reynear Williams were slave owners with more than five slaves.

Rogers had also purchased several large farms on the north banks of Cedar Creek to support

his milling business and was owner of more than 1000 acres. He owned a tavern at Drapers

Cedar Creek Pond. AKA Swiggett's Mill, which became home to William V Coulter in

1888, that was a familiar local landmark.

After Rogers death in February 1806, the 128 acre Brick Granary farm was sold at a

Sheriff's sale to John Robinson for $748 on April 19, 1814. then in 1833 transferred to his

daughter, Arcada Smith Robinson, who married Nathan Bennetts son John, September 5^th

1821, John being a fourth generation resident of slaughter Neck. Johns father died when John

was age 26 and a member of the Delaware Militia defending Lewes in 1812. Arcada Robinson

was just seventeen when she married John Bennett who was 19 years older than she. Arcada

bore him 11 children, all but one reached maturity.

John & Arcada Bennett in 1834 bought at public bank sale two tracts of her fathers estate,

one a 150 acre tract and a parcel of 130 acres with two story house, two tenant houses,

storehouses and a brick granary, thereon. John and Arcada lived here to raise their family

and he and his 10 children used the Brick Granary until 1860 as a trading center.

While on Cedar Creek, John Bennett sold 40 acres of the brick granary farm to a negro by

name of John Davis, northwest of the road to the creek. He also sold to Anthony Ingram

a ¾ acre lot for a home.. The brick granary farm was now a 90 acre tract that John and

Acadra sold to their son John Robinson Bennett , Christmas Day, 1855. Bennetts family

history suggest none of the Bennett children had any interest in the farm and drifted off to

different fields and places.

Finally, John Robertson Bennett and Arcadia in 1860 , packed up, sold his lands,

went to Philadelphia where their sons lived, opened up a boarding house at 705 Chestnut

Street and there he died September 24 1867. One of his last acts was to purchase a large

burial plot in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia. There her was buried. Arcadia died in

Philadelphia on March 20, 1880. She is buried in Woodlands with John Robertson Bennett.

Nine of their children are also buried at Woodlands Cemetery. One son, who remained in

Milford, Joseph Smith Bennett, Milford's first druggist in 1850, on North Walnut Street.

Abstract of Dave Kenton's Brick Granary Farm & Rogersville, 1775 – 2007 by Harrison H

July 15, 2018 for www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com & Facebooks “Postively Milton “ page.

TO BE CONTINUED

HENRY S WATSON IS NEXT

DANIEL ROGERS NEWCOMER SLAUGHTER NECK

DANIEL ROGERS

NEWCOMER TO SLAUGHTER NECK

1775

Daniel Rogers was a newcomer to Slaughter Neck , considering, that a 1000

acre tract, ' Little Bolton' , at the mouth of Cedar Creek , was assigned by a Duke

of York patent to Alexander Draper a hundred years earlier , January 20, 1675, to be

followed by another 1210 acre patent, ' Draper's Addition' , to Alexander Draper, Jr.,

April 10, 1719. It is important to know that Slaughter Neck was settled by amilies and

friends of Alexander Draper , neighbors in Northampton county Virginia and two settlements

in Somrset county, Maryland known as Annemessex and Manoken. These families were

the Thomas Davis' , Luke Watsons' and John Bennett, all Anglican church refugees of

the Virginia Colony. Between 1675 and 1775 four generations of these families had

grown and expanded holdings from the bay to five miles or more into the county. Davis

family settled a slaughter Creek tract, “Good Luck” , and, parts of “Prime Hook” patent.

Bennett family settled a 300 acre tract along south bank Cedar Creek between the Brick

Granary and Little Bolton of Alexander Draper.

Abstract from Dave Kenton's Brick Granary & Rogersville paper of 2008

BRICK GRANARY & ROGERSVILLE PART 1 OF A SERIES.

CEDAR CREEK HUNDRED

THE BRICK GRANARY & ROGERSVILLE

1776 - 2007 BY DAVE KENTON 2008

A SERIES

Between Rehoboth and Milford , on the west side of the highway, old King Highway, at Argos Corners, or aka Rogersville, was a brick granary, known as Brick Granary, sitting on land grant issued by Duke of York, in 1 676.

The granary dates back to 1775 and Daniel Rogers who came to what was

known as the “wading place” of the Cedar Creek from Pungoteague, in Accomack, Virginia. David age 21, son of gentry of Virginia, James and Patience Rogers, large

land owners, the family of Daniel Rogers who had been in Virginia since 1665.

Young Daniel came in 1775, with some financial means and purchased 128 acres of farm land from heirs of Reynear Williams and son Joathan, land owners on Slaughter Neck.

Just before the Revolution land at the head of major rivers in Kent & Sussex Delaware,

were settled by families of Levin Crapper at Mispillion, Clark Conwell , Broadkill, Benjamin

Waples at Primehook, and, Avery Draper at Cedar Creek, to capitalize on river trade to

Philadelphia merchants and establish grist mills, bark mills, trading stores, taverns and

wharves, providing access for local grain, cord wood, barrel staves by sailing schooners

to growing cities along the Atlantic coast.

When Daniel Rogers arrived in Cedar Creek at age 21 he was single, bought the 128

acre farm from Littleton Townsend and Jonathan Williams, heirs to Reynear Williams,

staunch member of St. Matthews Anglican church established 1705 on Cedar Creek

\millpond. Reynear was owner of the Brick Granary.

Daniel Rogers was quick in commerce, traded with Levin Crapper, most successful

area merchant, who at age 65 was Rogers model. Crapper had a grist mill on the Mispillion

and lived in an impressive brick mansion which soon became the home of Daniel Rogers

in 1780.

As Rogers began trade with Philadelphoia, Crapper died in 1775, leaving a son, five

daughters, a grandson, Zadock Crapper II . Rogers was administrator of Crappers will and

became well known by the heirs. Crapers estate was large and took years to settle. He had

2500 acres of land,, sailing vessels, vast stores of goods, his only heir was son Moulton

who died two years after his father.

Moulton left a widow, Esther, and son Zadock II. Daniel Rogers married Esther, July 20,

1778 and moved to the mansion by 1780. They had children, James, Thomas and Betsy.

Rogers operated the Brick Granary farm on Cedar Creek, and the large Crapper estate, now

partly owned by his wife Esther, Rogers was guardian of Zadock II, and purchased the

Crapper Mansion. End Part 1

DELAWARE BEACH RESORTS 1986 BY ABBY KARP , THE SUNDAY SUN.

DELAWARE BEACH RESORTS

ABBY KAPR, BALTIMORE SUN REPORTER'S OUTLOOK

The town leaders of Delaware's string of beach resorts have two things in common,

first, they shudder at the thought of dealing with crowds drawn each summer to their

southerly neighbor, Ocean City.

Second, they are well pleased with their smaller scaled middle class resorts.

The idea for each of these towns, from Fenwick Island to Lewes is simple, a quaint

family resort, clean beaches, clean boardwalks, clean sidewalks.

Rehoboth Beach, largest of Delaware's beach towns, attracts 50,000 visitors on a weekend to

Ocean City's 250,000.

In Lewes, ice cream parlors attract as many people evenings as do it's night clubs.

Bethany Beach entertainment is more classical music than rock & roll.

Fall season reduced rentals, end of season sidewalk sales are common affairs. Museums, art

galleries, historical buildings, remain open, but with shorter hours.

Abstract: July 10, 2018, By Harrison H. www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com for Facebook

from Baltimore Sun, Sunday , September 7, 1986

SAVANNAH INN PAGE 2

SAVANNAH INN LEWES

PAGE 2

MEYERS & STAFURSKY FACTS

Sunday,, May 12, 1985 WilmingtonMmorning News, Robert Irwin:

Meyers and Stafursky are vegetarians and the breakfast they serve is tailored to their own

tastes, fresh fruit, homemade granola, bran muffins, homemade, with jam and jelly, a

variety of juices.

Savannah Inn gets a lot of vegetarians from D, C, Baltimore, families familiar with

European B & B's , family reunions and artists groups.

Meyers & Stafursky admit B & B's are not for everyone. If you need a room telephone, a TV,

or your own bathroom, instead of the one down the hall , then a motel would be a better choice

.

No air conditioners either but there is a fan.

The beach is less than a mile away with bay breezes.

SAVANNAH INN

SAVANNAH INN

LEWES BED & BREAKFAST

May 12 1985:

The word is out , 350 year old Lewes is a good place to visit, something for everyone.

A leisurely tourist stopover, two museums for the history minded, old homes, antique shops,

specialty shops, great seafood eateries, a beach for sunbathing along a bay front with a

gentle surf for wading or swimming.

Stay the night at the Savannah Inn, European style bed & breakfast, in a rambling house in

center of town, built in 1901. wide wrap around enclosed porch and a buffet style breakfast

every morning on the porch.

A former Washington, D. C. school teacher, Sue Meyers opened Savannah Inn in 1983

and she an co-manager, Dick Stafursky, operate the seven room inn and make morning

breakfast for guest who pay $50 per night for two and breakfast.

Savannah Inn bed rooms look like your grandmother's , crispy clean and neat, each room

with its own personality.

Abstract: July 8, 2018 By Harrison H. from Wilmington Morning News, Sunday,

May 13, 1985 by Robert Erwin, Sunday News Journal.

CAPE MAY - LEWES FERRY 5TH FERRY ADDED 1985

CAPE MAY – LEWES FERRY

5TH FERRY CHRISTENED MAY 3 1985

A fifth vessel for the ferry service between Cape May and Lewes was christened

Friday, May 3. 1985 in Delaware River & Bay Authority ceremonies. The $14.5 million

vessel was christened the M.V. Cape May.

If traffic continues to increase it may need to add a sixth ferry to the fleet. Studies show

six vessels are the maximum the water route can accommodate and if six ferries are full a

bridge tunnel may be necessary.

Ferry service began in 1964 and steadily attracted more traffic. In 1965, the first year,

four ferried carried 550,000 people and 200.000 cars. In 1984 four ferried served 900,000

people and 300,000 vehicles.

The new casino gambling in Atlantic City has been a major reason for the most

recent increase in traffic.

Each ferry carries 100 vehicles and 800 passengers on a 18 mile, 70 minute crossing.

This July a $1 million terminal will open at Lewes and $1 million in improvements

for handicapped persons are expected.

Abstract: July 7, 2018, By Harrison H. from Wilmington Morning News, Saturday, May 4, 1985. www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com

1984 Avenue Mall at Rehobort Beach

REHOBOTH AVENUE MALL 1984

Did you know, that the Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce endorsed a plan to

have the ocean block of Rehototh Avenue closed to vehicle traffic to make an open

air pedestrian mall in 1984.

John R. Schroeder, president of the chamber, suggest the project be combined with the

remote parking lot system recommended last year by a consultant firm hired by the city.

Rehoboth mayor , John Hughes , described the mall as a “Favorite dream of his”.

Such has been discussed for several years but met opposition from merchants of the

Avenue because of loosing parking spaces.

City commissioner Sam Cooper has been appointed chairman of the Avenue Mall by

Hughes.

The 700 member Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association has also supported the Avenue

Mall project.

It has been made known that developers have plans to bring a closed mall to the area of

routes 1 and 24 in the near future.

Abstract: July 7, 2018, Harrison H, from Wilmington News Journal, Saturday,, October

13, 1984, for www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com and facebook.

DAVID MONTCALM

DAVID MONTCALM

LEWES POSTMAN

FACTS 1943

Wilmington Morning News, Wednesday, June 2 , 1943

David Montcalm, Lewes postman, received official commendations from Assistant

Postmaster General, K. P. Aldrich for “unusual interest” in the postal service.

Montcalm has been disturbed lately because most of the houses on his rout are not numbered

causing delivery problems. At his own expense he has painted numbers on pine boards, and

nailed them to the numberless houses. He said he wanted to get Lewes out of the old horse &

buggy ere when every body knew everybody to the postman.

Lewes postmaster, Alton Brittingham, was told to award Montcalm 200 merits.

Wilmington New Journal, Monday, Feburary 8, 1943

I n most small towns every body knows every body and where they live. The post office

stresses importance of numbering dwellings.

In Lewes, many new families are settling in the community due to the construction of

Fort Miles so every body does not know every body anymore.

David Montcalm, Lewes postman had problems locating new families so he took it upon

himself to number the houses by painting numbers on pine shingles and tacking them to

unmarked houses.

Wilmington New Journal, Tuesday June 1, 1943

David Montcalm, young postman in Lewes received commendation from Post Office

Department for getting the town out of the horse and buggy days by painting numbers on

small pine boards and nailing them to unnumbered homes, all on his own time.

The letter reads “ Representations have been made to the department that you have, at

your own expense, prepared numbered wood strips incident to appropriately numbering

residents and business places in Lewes with a view to insure prompt delviery of the mail.”.

You may be assured your efforts are appreciated and accept the commendation of the

postal department therewith.

Abstract: July 5 2018, By Harrison H. www.delmarhstory.blogspot.com for

Facebook comment.

GOSLEE MILL POND II

GOSLEE MILL POND

ROBINSONVILLE - RABBITS FERRY ROAD

The court at Lewes, on 4^th of March, 1695, granted Jonathan Bailey, part

of the branch called Bundick's to set a water mill. The conditions Baley was to follow

were:; “mill was to be built within fifteen months, he was to attend and minde the same

and grinde grain well and in due course, as brought thither withour respect of persons,

at the eight part tolle for wheat and sixth part tolle for Indian corn ".

Records show there was a grist mill in operation in 1887 which had been maintained

for more than a century and a half and now operated by Benjamin Burton located at the head

of Love Creek. Bundicks branch is the head of Love Creek and the time period is a fair match,

so, the Burton mill possibly was the Bailey mill.

Records show Benjamin Burton had two mills, the upper mill, (Bundicks branch),

and the lower mill being at Angola. For several year the upper mill, on Bundicks branch,

owned by Burton, but operated by a man name of Goslee , therefore Goslee Mill. This

mill had at times been called Goslings Mill.

James H. Hurley, Georgetown, purchased this mill from Burton heirs, operated it

from 1904 until almost 1920. Hurley was married to Maude Coverdale in 1905, born and

raised on a near by farm, and she learned to operate the mill. The mill in 1934 was torn down,

as it was run down, falling apart and unsightly..

At that time Hurley built a small grocery store at the mill site which was active until

1968. Hurley died in 1929, Maude ran the store until it closed in 1968, she being 88 years old.

Maude had remarried in 1932 to a Georgetown man, Stephen Warrington, who died in 1950.

Maude died at age 90 , 8 February 1978.

Farmer Clarence Walls, owner of the next door farm, remembered how the mill

operated and planned to build a replica as he is part owner of the pond.

Goslee Mill Pond is located on Robinsonville Road at the head of Love Creek where

a 300 foot wide dirt dam was built by men and ox cart hauling dirt from the 'dirt hole' near

by which is still there to be seen. The dam is intact but the spillway broke out and water

no longer controlled.

In early 1900''s Gypsies came to camp a month or so in the fall on their way south

and the area was known for awhile as “Gypsy Landing “. They came in horse drawn wagons ,

maybe a dozen, with extra horses to trade, a jolly and happy band of people, colorfully dressed,

dancing at night by camp fires, telling fortunes and trading, hand made quilts for one thing.

They disappeared in 1915.

The general area is now known as Rabbits Ferry . There were two school houses

there, one white and one for the colored, both with the name Rabbits Ferry. The white school,

a one room school house, #89, built one mile west of Bundicks branch on Beaver Dam road,

at junction with Kendele, once Bundicks , Road. It was painter red and called Rabbits Ferry

Little Red School.

Abstract: July 4, 2018, by Harrison H., Lewes, from web.mail.comcast.net/zimbra, dated

August 21. 2012.

The article appears to have been written by a child of James and Maude Hurley for

The Delaware Beach Life Magazine, August 2012.

ROSEDALE

ROSEDALE BEACH RESORT

FACTS

Robert G. Drain, Sr., in the Delaware Wave of Bethany Beach , June 21. 2016, wrote

that in 1930, David and Rosetta Street, aka Dale and Rose, purchased from Noah and

Eunice Harmon the property known as “Noah's Park”, aka “Harrmons Park” which they

had inherited from Issac and Sarah Harmons, prominent farmers, lumber mill owners, and

crabbers who owned it from 1830 to 1900.

Thus the name Rosedale came about.

Noah's Park had a hotel, fishing pier, bathing beach, picnic tables, concession stand, a

baseball diamond and church. The first hotel had been a community hall which Noah

moved to the property and made additions. The park was primarily a community resource

for local whites and Nanticoke Indians to gather on weekends.

In 1937 Jesse W. Vause bught the land, tore down the five room hotel and built a resort

that included the Rosedale Hotel, a dance hall and boardwalk on the river.

Rosedale became a destination on the “Chitlin Circuit” which featured black entertainers

with big bands. In the 1960's civil rights kicked in and Rosedale began to decline and was sold sometime in the 1960's.

The Wilmington Morning News, Sunday June 8, 1980 in an article by Molly Murray

reports, “nothing much happens at sleepy Rosedale these day's”.. some hot rod racing,

kids drinking beer and a state boat ramp, thats about it.

Yet, just beyond the sign directing one to the boat ramp, is a place full of memories,

Roasedale Beach, once a summer resort for wealthy blacks.

Delaward State Representative Charles West of Gumboro wants the state to buy the property,

5. acres with a hotel and cottages, on which they hold an easement for the boat ramp.

The owners are Donna Burton of Millsboro and Harry Morgan of Cheswold, have found

it difficult to sell due to a suit in Chancery Court relating to the easement. Morgan and Harry

Burton bought the hotel at sheriff sale.

Memories are twenty years ago people came from New York, Philadelphia and Washington to

boat and crab, listen to big band music, dance to the 'blues'. There was the bar and club, “Young Mans Republican Club” an elite club open only to black men registered as Republicans.

Abstract July 3, 2018, by Harrison H, www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com & facebook

THE WILTBANK WATCH

THE WILTBANK WATCH

CIRCA 1650

Halmanius Wiltbank, emigrated from Sweden on a Dutch ship which wrecked in the

Delaware Bay off Broadkill River circa 1650. He and a little girl were the only survivors.

The watch was in his pocket when Wiltbank swam ashore, saving himself and the girl.

Halmanius Wiltbank died in 1695 we know, so it is assumed he was maybe 20 years old

when the ship wrecked.

Wiltbank married a dutch woman and they had three sons, Cornelius, Abraham and John.

Cornelius had a son, David, David had a son David A. who had a John C, a doctor, who

had a son Cornelius M. Wiltbank who died in 1983 at the age of 83. Six generations and

353 years linage in Broadkill hundred. Cornelius M. had no children and was an only child,

therefor the linage ended. The watch was passed to each generation, ending with Cornelius

M. Wiltbank.

Facts about the Wiltbanks family : John and David in 1868 owned lands, Wilkbank

Landing, on the Broadkill Creek which were owned by Halmanius,1650's, also large tracts

on Pilot Town Road, Lewes. The Wiltbanks were farmers, grist mill owners, merchants,

doctors and dentists.

Facts about the watch: The watch was made by Jno. Stephens, London, circa 1650. The

'works' made in France or Germany, sent to London for assembly in pewter cases which

was the practice in the 17^th century. The watch is key wound , Roman Numeral face, and

silk paper repair records re with it in the box.

Cornelius M. Wiltbak, of Milton died 30 January 1983, his father Dr. John Wiltbank ,

Dentist, his mother a daughter of Samuel Martin of Milton, niece Elizabeth Black Lingo,

nephew, Joseph Black. Upon Cornelius death , the watch was left to Herman Black, of

Broadkill, Milton.

Abstract 07/01/18 by Harrison H. from February 1987, Chamber Clipper, Milton, an

article by Herman F. Black, titled The Ship Wreck and The Watch.

www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com

TED FREEMAN FACTS

FACTS

TED FREEMAN

ASTRONAUT

Theodore Cordy Freeman,, Ted as he was known around here, was a graduate of Lewes

High School, class of 1948.

Ted was born 18 February 1930, in Haverford, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. His

father was John T. Freeman, a native of New Jersey. Born 20 March 1904. Johns father

was George Freeman, 1870 – 1946 of New Jersey. John T Freeman, Teds father, though born

in New Jersey is reported to have been a resident of Sussex county Delaware , district 10, in 1910 and in 1920 was a resident of Rehoboth Beach area.

John T. Freemans mother was Catherine Sarah Van Orden, born December 31, 1867 in New

Jersey , twice married, first 22 May 1889 in Passaic to Hiram Demouth, had two daughters ,

Bessie and Mary, second marriage to Freeman, 16 December 1892, in Newfoundland,

Passaic New Jersey, had three son and two daughters.

About 1925 John T. Freeman married Catherine Thomas Wilson, of Lewes, was born

16 June 1906 to Thomas C and Ara C Mustard. Wilson. They had children, Betty, 1925 -

1998, John, Jr., 1927 - 1984, Ted, and another daughter which remains private.

John T Freeman, Teds father died December 6, 1974 in Lewes and buried in Henlopen

Memorial Park on Broadkill River.

Catherine Thomas Wilson Freeman died 16 April 1999 in Indiana and is buried in

Jeffersonville, Clark county, Indiana.

Back to Ted. During WW II Ted worked at the Reboboth airport and earned his flying

license at age 16.

After High School Ted attended the University of Delaware until he was accepted to the

Naval Academy. After graduation at the academy he was commissioned an officer in the Air

Force assigned to Aerospace Research as a pilot, Edwards AFB, California. Where he was a

flight test aeronautical engineer, experimental flight instructor, and continued to fly . With

his 3000 hours of flying he asked for astronaut training that included a wide battery of

physical, intellectual , physiological test. After passing testing he was accepted as an

astronaut. Training followed, two to five year required to make a space flight.

Waiting for his turn to fly into space Freeman was stationed at Ellington AFB , Houston,

Texas. On October 31, 1964 after a routine flight , returning to base, on landing, a snow

goose hit the canopy, shattering it into pieces which were drawn into the engines which quit

Freeman, over a populated area tried to keep his craft up and level to avoid a crash there,

allowed the plane to be too low for ejection and when he did eject, his chute did not open

and he was killed upon impact, the first astronaut to die.

Ted was married to Faith Dudly Clark of Orange , Connecticut, born 1933 died 1985 in Texas,

has daughter, Faith.

CAPE HENLOPEN LIGHT HOUSE

CAPE HENLOPEN LIGHTHOUSE

FACTS

The burning of the staircase

&

Cows caused the erosion that toppled the light

This was during the American Revolution, the keeper at the time of these incidents was

Mr. Hedgecock. The British had war ships at the mouth of the Delaware Bay and Mr.

Hedgecock was grazing his cows on the grassy dune near the light house and were noticed

by the British who sent an officer ashore to ask about procurement of some cows as their

provisions were low. Hedgecovk gave the British officer the old heave ho who returned

to his ship, sumoned reinforcements, returned, but the landing party found no cows to take.

Hedgecock had driven them all into the nearby woods and underbrush. The British, fearing

American bushwackers in the woods decided not to search for the cows.

However, they turned in anger against the light house where they set fire to the wooden

staircase which flames gutted the tower and destroyed the lantern and reflectors.

Set aside the fact that the 1760's light was sitting atop a grassy sand dune that was eroding

perhaps30 feet a year. There was some local consideration that the keepers cows grazing

the grassy sand dune, destroyed thegrass that was holding the dune in place, thereby allowing

the erosion of the lighthouse foundations.

Abstract: Michael Morgan's Delaware Diary Delaware Coast Press, 25 August 2010.

www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com 07/01/18 by Harrison H.