FEBRUARY
2019 BLACK HISTORY MONTH
CATO
& PETER LEWIS, BLACK SHIPBILDERS OF LEWES
During
colonial times the African American Lewes population was
significant
and free. Delaware was a 'slave state' but by the time of the Civil
War
no
slaves lived in Lewes.
The
most important free black residents of Lewes were shipbuilders
Cato
and Peter Lewis. Peter and his father, Cato, were building
sloops,
schooners
and smaller sail vessels on a small clearing on the Broadkill
River
banks with not more than the “way”, a small shed and open
areas to
store
and work on the rough cut timbers cut by sawmills.
The
Lewis' shipyard was off Pilottown Road and Lewes Creek at the
St.
Georges
AME Church and cemetery.
Abstract:
Delaware Diary, Michael Morgan in February 13, 2019
Delaware
Coast Press from LHS Journal 2012 , vol. XV .
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