LEWES GETS NEWSPAPER 1731.

EARLY 1700 LEWES UPON DELAWARE HISTORY

Early 1700, Lewestown, is a small town, maybe 250 residents, sitting in a distant

corner of the Colonial British Empire and far removed from the powers to be, or so to

speak, the hustle and bustle , and news and politics of the world., content to watch the

increasing number of vessels on their way to Philadelphia area Ports.

Studying the passive attitude of the towns people and area residents was Reverand

William Becket, native of Over Peever, Cheshire, Egland, somewhat East of Liverpool

and far Northeast of London, an Anglican missionary to Sussex county, upon Delaware, and

who had assumed the rector ship of St. Perter Episcopal in Lewes. His belief was that the population of southern Delaware upon Delaware , the remnants of Dutch settlers, new come

English settlers, African slaves and local Indians, were in a sort of retirement separated from

the rest of the New World. However, the Sussex residents proved to be more industrious that

those of neighboring counties, hard working, sending produce they grow to Philadelphia and

beyond. There they were able to purchase European and West Indian commodities as they want.

Becket also found the residents of lower Sussex were entertained by the daily traffic of

vessels going up the Delaware River and did not give thought of the rich and powerful aboard

the sailing ships.

Rev. Becket also had learned that important people had gained learning from reading

of newspapers. He felt is was highly necessary that Lewes and the county be furnished with

news for instructions and entertainment. The American Weekly Mercury by Andrew Bradford

of Philadelphia was delivered once a week to Lewes, but Becket felt the newspaper of Ben

Franklin was more beneficial so in 1731 he and others petitioned to have Franklin's paper

delivered to Lewes upon Delaware and soon after noticed a more well informed public and

useful learning among them.

Abstract: Delaware Coast Press, Michael Morgan, Delaware Diary.