DelMar History

VILLAGE OF DRAWBRIDGE

2012-01-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

The village of Drawbridge was located on the Broadkill River, three or four miles east of the town of Milton. Today it is known as the location of Henlopen Memorial Gardens, a large cemetery, and a highrise bridge crossing the Broadkill. Most locals call it 'Broadkill Bridge' today.
Early Sussex county days it was home to Miers and Aletta Clowes Clarke, among others,Miers keeping a sailing ship on the river in the vicenity. Drawbridge had a store which Samuel Paynter kept. Samuel Paynter was one time govenor of Delaware. It had been passed down to his children and grandchildren until about 1857 when it became the property of a Mr. Coulter and family for several years. It then was owned and operated by William B. Tomlinson who sold it to Captain David Burton and John B. Dorman who conducted business there many years.
In the 1860's and 1870's, Drawbridge village had three dwellings, four grain mills, and a blacksmith shop and the store. At some time there was either one or two ship building sites on the river in the near vicinity. Also there was a ships landing and the hand operated drawbridge. Drawbridge had coastal vessel service to Philadelphia and New York, shipping 2500 cords of wood for fuel and 30,000 bushels of grain each year. A post office was established in 1830 and Sam Paynter was first postmaster and John B. Dorman became postmaster in 1879.
The 1900's saw the Lockerman family at the store and tending the drawbridge. The store eventially became an auto parts business which Layton, his wife and a sister kept many years.
From "History of Delaware"

Early Dover Newspapers

2011-12-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

Dover Newspapers

The 'Federal Ark', the first newspaper issued at Dover, Delaware in the year 1802, was published by Augustus M. Schee. The Ark was the news paper of the Federalist Political Party, and it was published for two yeas.

In 1805 Mr. Schee published the Delaware Herald which lasted only one year. Also in 1805 "The Record and Federal Advertiser" was published at Dover by Joseph Robertson.

In the interest of the presidential candidacy of John Quincy Adams, the "Delaware Intelligencer" was printed by Samuel F. Shinn, February 1, 1925.

During the 1828 presidential campaigen, Joseph Robertson was editor of "The Political Primer / The Home Book for Jacksonites" that had for a motto "Retaliation" and it strongly advocated the re-election of John Quuincy Adams for President. Leading politicians of that time made contribution, men such as Caleb S Layton and Samuel M. Harrington. These gentlemen had no hesitancy in pouring hot shot into the ranks of their political opponents. This publication was published for six months or so.

Henty W. Peterson, who kept a stationary and book store in Dover in 1830, printed about six issues of "American Freeman and Legislative Reporter" during that year legislative session.

A man noted for his considerable literary ability, William Huffington, Esq., started in 1838 at Dover, a monthly magazine, "The Delaware Register and Farmer" which was discontinued after a year.

"The Sentinel" a Whig Party newspaper was published in 1851 by William Wharton. The "Delaware State Reporter" a Democrat and anti Prohibition newspaper edited by George W. S. Nicholson was published in Dover from 1853 to 1859.

7 May, 1859, Delaware Company, James Kirk, editor, issued the first number of the "Delawaran", a weekly newspaper. It became the Delaware State organ of the Democratic Party, well known throughout the Eastern States. Mr Kirk was editor until March 1876 when Eli Saulsbury became a proprietor until 1902.

A Republican party newspaper, the "State Sentinal" was started in 1874 by Henry W. Cannon who published the paper until 1891 when purchased by Edward W. Louderbourgh and was edited by John H. Bateman until his death in 1900. James E. Allee, Jr purchased this paper in 1814.

"The Index" was first published in 1887 by Francis M. Dunn and his son, Thomas, continued with it after his death in 1894. By 1928 James H. Hughes, Esq., was owner and his daughter, Caroline wrote a social column "Whispers" which had wide readership.

"The Delaware State News", was established in 1901 by Monroe Ashmore of Chicago who sold to James C. Wilkes , Arley Megee and Robert Wilson. By 1928 Wilkes was owner.

In 1929 there were four newspapers of issue in Dover. The Delaware Republican, a weekly, founded in 1907 by Benjamin Simmons, owner and editor. The Delaware State News, weekly, The Index, another weekly and the State Sentinel which ceased publication in 1941

1985 there were three newspapers of issue in Dover . "Delaware State News" daily since 1985, owned by Independent Newspapers Inc., with officers, Joe smyth, I.D. Baily and Karen Walters. A Sunday edition was added in 1871. "Delaware Post", weekly, Don Flood, editor, Marie Marchese and Ann Biyer staff wrighters, Jim Flood Sr., publisher. The "Sentinal" a weekly, Jack Costello, editor, Roy Shielfs, owner.

Transcribed from "Tricentennial View Of Dover, 1683-1983"

DELAWARE RIVER INDUSTRY OF THE PAST

2011-12-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

Article from the August 8th 1891 issue of the newspaper PEOPLE.

A unique Industry on the Delaware River

That Lasts Three Months

Down along the shores of Delaware Bay, on both the New Jersey and Delaware sides, there is a thriving industry which is seldom heard of and still more seldom seen in operation or has fewpeople stop to inquire into it.

It is the King Crab fishery and last year 1,674,00 of the ha shelled crustaceous fellows were taken from their native element, while past years the yield has reached 5.000,000. The season lasts three months.

Thfishery for the king crab, while nit primarily intended to provide a food product does furnish one of the best fertilizers known.

A trip down the bay proves the industry to be flourishing condition and seems to center on the Jersey side, between Cape May Point and Heislerville, twenty mile above and seven/eights of the entire catch is made between Dennisville and Fishing Creek. At Goshen, Dias Creek and Green Creek the catch was between 335,000, 410,000 and 411,000 crabs respectively.

Two forms of appatatus are in common use along the Jersey Shore, one resembles a type of 'pound net', but the the other is unlike and thing used in waters of the United States and is designed especially for this fishery.

The wood stakes that form the frame for the 'pound' are 8 to 10 feet long and 4 to 6 inches diameter, pleaced 4 to 6 feet apart. To the bottom of the stakes, called the 'hedge' , one inch boards are nailed on, one foot or slightly higher. This forms the 'bowl'. The door to the first bowl is 18 or 24 inch wide and the door to the second bowl is in narrower to prevent too many crabs to enter. Netting is either twine or chicken wire.

Then there is the 'weir or stake net as it is called here, and is different than the pound net. It has poles driven into the muddy or sandy bottom so as to form a 'hedge', wings, bowl or pound . The poles are placed about 3 inches apart to allow the sea to flow through them. This bowl is semicircular in shape, the extremies of the brushwork is about midway the pound. The capacity is controled by the leader door to the pound and is the most important feature of the apparatus. It consist of a wedge shaped platform, five foot long, and is inclined at a gentle angle, not too smooth, otherwise the crabs canot walk upon it. There is a floor to the pound, made from cheap boards, so that the crabs will not scratch hols in the mud or sand, loosening the frameiing poles.

This story was told by Hugh M. Smith of the United States Fishery Commission.

Veterans Pay / Civil War

2011-10-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

News item, June 18th, 1864 in the Easton Maryland GAZETTE, as the war and the Union was in much disarray, title TO SOLDIERS FAMILIES.

"The widow, child, father, mother, brother or sister, &c., of any officer, soldier or seaman who dies in the service of the United States is entitled to bounty, pensions or back pay, &c. For full information and all such claims for prompt collection contact, William B. Hill, Government Claim Officer, 70 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland. All letters must contain stamps to ensure reply". Pay for enlisted men was $11 per month. A bounty was an inducement to volunteer enlistment, a bribe so to speak, paid by the well to do, who wanted to avoid service.

For the full story visit "Cincinnati Civil War Round Table/ Soldiers Pay" by William C. Moffat, Jr., by Google search.

INTERESTING PLACES ON THE DELAWARE/CHALKLEY MANSION

2011-07-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia Inquirer July 4th 1909
Chalkley Mansion was said to have been built by the Quaker Missionary by that name around 1701, when he first settled on the plantation of forty five hundred acres at Frankford on the Delaware. Chalkley was also master of his own sailing vessel with which he traded in the West Indies and used to spread the Quaker Religion throughout the early colonies from New England to the Carolina's. For many years past the John Wetherill family has owned the property since early in the 1800's. A son, Edward later had greatly improved the property and made a handsome country home until the Pennsylvania Railroad built a bridge across the Delaware and ran its tracks within yards of the mansion. Lately the property has been a delightful country home for children and their mothers when Edward Wetherill loaned the stately mansion to the College Settlement of Philadelphia. It will soon be closed and become a municipal improvement, an industrial park.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT OF THE SWEDE, MARCUS JACOBSON, IN DELAWARE

2011-07-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

It was near the middle of the year 1669 that the Swedish adventurer, one Marcus Jacobson, alias John Brickson, &c., but better known to the inhabitants of the Delaware Colony as "Long Finn" because of his lofty stature. Long Finn had succeeded in imposing himself on the Swedes as the son of Konnigsmark, a noted general of Sweden, and it was alleged , was inciting the settlers of that nationality to rebellion against the English authority. with the design of re-establishing the Swedish power to the province. With his was associated a wealthy Finn, Henry Coleman. The Rev. Lawrence Lock, former Swedish Chaplin , was said to have played the "Trumpeter" to the disorder, and Mrs Pappygoya, a daughter of Governor Printz, was charged with intermeddling " in so unworthy a design".
Governor Lovelace, of the New York Colony, issued an order for the arrest of Long Finn and his fellow conspirators on August 2, 1669. Along with the arrest order were instructions as to the manner in which a trial should be conducted and this trial became the first 'trial by jury' in Delaware..
A Captain Carry caused the arrest of the Long Finn, who was thrown into the fort at New Castle on Delaware in 'irons'. Henry Coleman \, learning of his intended apprehension , abandoned his property, fled to the Indians, with whom he seemed to have had a great influence, and is never more heard of. Dominic Lock and Mrs. Pappehoya gave security for their appearance to answer the charges against them when required.
The case was held at New Castle, December 6, 1669 and heard by the commission appointed by the governor and the jury. The jury, as was expected, found Jacobson guilty who was thereupon sentenced in accordance with the punishment prescribed by the Council, that Long Finn Maucus Jacobson, " shall be publicly and severely whipped and branded in the face with the letter "R" , with a larger inscription upon his breast, after which he be secured until he can be sent and sold to the Barbadoes or some other remote plantation".
On January 25, 1670, the "Long Finn" was put aboard the ship "Fort Albany" and transported and sold to the Barbadoes, after which date nothing further respecting him is known.
The accomplices were sentenced to forfeit to the King, one half of their goods and chattels, while a small fine was placed upon those of lesser note.
This case will always be an interesting one for it is the first recorded trial under the English on the Delaware in which a prisoner was formally indited, arraigned, and had a jury of twelve men impaneled, subject to challange of the prisoner, who are charged to render a verdict in accordance with the evidence.
Source: "History of Delaware Colony- Ashmead-Chapter XVIII"

Kboom

2011-07-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

Mr. Grey, an ingenious gentleman of Sussex County, on the Delaware, invented a non-explosive burning fluid, and invited a few friends ro come witness a test of its qualities. He gathered a select circle around a barrel of the fluid in a garret and to prove how non-explosive it was, stirred it with a red hot poker. Within seconds, the inventor and his friends were seen to emerge through the roof, with pieces of wood, shingles and other 'things' on their heads, on the way northwest toward the river, all enjoying a birds eye view of Sussex county at some thousad feet above sea level. Mr. Grey observed to a friend nearest him that he thought he had made a mistake and mixed too much benzine in the fluid. Mr. Greys widow will sell the patent for the non-explosive fluid very cheap, she needing the money badly because Mr. Grey was scattered so much around Sussex County when he came down that she had to bury him gradually for the next three weeks.

Seaford Native Holds 90th Birthday Celebration in San Antonio Texas

2011-06-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Major Thomas Rhodes Hazzard celebrates his 90th birthday , ninty years old because he never let anything worry him. The celebrattion was at his son in laws home, Dr. A. L. Breeding, on Thursday at 5511 South Loop, where he had made his home the past few years.
Ever since he was born, October 16, 1834, he has never let misfortune get the best of his spirit and he is still here with the same sort of philosophy, ready to impart to the younger man who is wise enough to listen.
Major Hazzards birthplace was Seaford, Delaware, his parents were Rhodes and Nancy White Hazzard, Rhodes being the 1830's Seaford blacksmith at the northwest corner of Market and Second Street. He married Mary Jane Ellegood of Seaford, daughter of Joshua Atkinson Ellegood and his wife Ann Houston Griffith Ellegood. Mary Jane died in 1878 at St. Louis, after raising six children, four of which still are living.
A son, Seth Ellegood Hazzard, of New york and San Diego, California, is a distinguished traveler and was present at the openng of King Tut's tomb in Egypt. His other children are Edgar J. Hazzard and Mrs. Edward J. Miller of Oklahoma City, Mrs. Henry C. Hawkin of St. Louis and Mrs. A. L. Breeding of San Antonio.
Major Hazzard was in Minnesota at the time of the Indian massacre in the early 1860's and was given the rank of major in recognition of distinguished service. He was wounded and operated on by the father of the Mayo Brothers in Rochester, Minnesta.
His later years were spent with his children in Oklahoma City and California. He came alone from there to San Antonio four years ago.
He is an interesting conversationalist and remembers many notable events of his early years and is well read and traveled and has a remarkable memory. He sings the old songs and quotes poetry and the Bible, showing a general disregard of his ninty years.
Major Thomas Rhodes Hazzard, native of Seaford, Delaware, sailor, indian fighter, Major, Deputy U. S. Marshall, trader and farmer, died at his daughters home in San Antonio Texas on 17 November 1924 and was buried at Oklahoma City.

2011-05-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

MARIE THOMAS

The February 24, 1911 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer in the Sussex County Snapshots section states “ after an unsuccessful attempt to raise the sunken wreck of the steamer Marie Thomas, at Milton, the wreckers have postponed and other attempts until better weather. The machinery has all been removed by divers and nothing but the hull remains”.

The 1911 Annual Report of U. S. Army Chief of Engineers, under the date of November 9, 1911, mentioned that “ the wreck of the steamer Marie Thomas, lying sunk in Broadkill River, Delaware, was found to be a wooden vessel, 96 feet long, 24 foot beam, 6-1/2 feet depth of hold and of 187 gross tonnage , lying opposite side of channel from wharves of Milton. Additional to the $25 allotted for 'examination' , $500 had been allotted for removal , was advertised and a contract made with Richards Dredging Company of Philadelphia”. Their winning bid was $295.00. The 1912 Annual Report of U.S. Army Chief of Engineers list “work began February 19 and completed February 29, 1912, that the wreck was broken up and parts placed ashore above high water line”. The total cost was $496.12 which included supervision, tariff, etc.

1906 was the official building date of the Marie Thomas, being built at Milton by Master Carpenter James P. Davidson on an order of Captain George Edward MeGee who was a retired Coastal Trade Schooner Master. MeGee had her built to ship products of his timber business from Milton to Philadelphia. The Marie Thomas was the first documented ship built at Milton to have auxiliary mechanical power, in the form of a 60 HP 'diesel' engine.

Captain MeGee was registered as sole owner and master was Andrew J. Davidson, with home port being Milton. Captain MeGee later sold shares and one of the owners, W. H. Thomas , whose wife the ship was named after. 1908 the Thomas was converted to a 'steamer' , and had two of her three mast removed and a 'freight house' was built on deck to carry packaged cargo.

Some time before the night of December 3, 1910 the Thomas arrived at her Milton wharf and during that night the town fire bell was sounded, the Marie Thomas was on fire. In spite of the efforts of fire fighters, she burned to the water edge and drifted to the channel and settled.

2011-05-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Description: Places of Interest Upon the Delaware River and Bay.
The Lazaretto

Date: May 7 2011

Newspaper published in: Philadelphia

Source: U Penn collection

The Lazaretto, Americas Oldest Quarantine Station:

Hidden away along the riverfront banks of the Delaware River just a stone's throw from I-95 and west of the Philadelphia International Airport stands the oldest surviving quarantine facility, 1643 to 1893, in the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth oldest in the world.
The Lazaretto Quarantine Station served as the gateway to Philadelphia in a crucial period of the Nations growth during 1801 to 1895. During the warm weather months, when the traffic was heaviest and imported epidemics threatened, all arriving ships, passengers and cargo were inspected there and quarantined if necessary. Vessels and cargo were disinfected and sick passengers and crew members were treated in the Lazaretto Hospital.
The name Lazaretto derives from St. Lazarus, Patron Saint of the Lepers. Maritime quarantine stations were known as lazaeetto's and were established in European port cities beginning in the late 14th centuries.
The Lazaretto site spans the area from the Delaware River to Second Street and consiste of an 18th century building and a historic burial grounds at the northeast corner. It has been called the "Ellis Island" or Philadelphia but from a historical standpoint it is much more precious and even rarer, being a century older, the origional 1799 Lazareyyo structure still stands as a silent monument to the first hundred years of our nations history of immigration and public health. In 1799 this station was established in response to the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793, it included a large main building, several out buildings and a burial ground.
Before there was a quarantine station this site, also known as Point-no-point and Tinicum, was part of the 1643 Swedish settlement and before that known to have been the home of Lenni Lenape Native Americans.
The early part of the 20th Century, this location took om a new life as the first seaplane base in Pennsylvania, also one of the first in the United States, for an early chapter in aviation history.
Source: David Barnes, University of Pennsylvania

1720's Quakertown in Sussex on the Delaware.

2011-04-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Outside of Lewes there are but few business places established in the Lewes-Rehoboth Hundred, except some transacted at Quakertown, two miles west of Lewes, which was a hamlet of fifteen families up until 1725. A Public House was kept there, the Militia did their training at that place and elections were also held there. Near where was built the residence of Gideon Prettyman stood the pillory and whipping post which were used as long as the courts were held in Lewes. In latter years this place became known as Prettymanville. In 1887 stores there were kept by William Prettyman and A. Cord. There were also a few mechanics shops.

The growth and improvement of Lewes had not been very eventful and in 1721 it was reported as a large and handsome town on the banks of the Delaware. Five years later there wrre fifty eight families at this place and fifteen at Quakertown. 1807 Lewes had about eighty buildings and that number was not increased much until after the Civil War. Twelve years after that event, in which period the railroads were built, 150 new homes had been added and the population was estimated at eighteen hundred.

In 1887 there were within the corporate limits about two thousand souls, five churches, a fine union school, a hotel and at least thirty places of business, including a telegraph office established in 1852.

4th of July at Mardela Springs Hotel

2011-04-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Edward Austin operated the Mardela Springs Hotel during the later part of the 1890's, before it burned in 1914. The 4th of July great celebrations, the square dances on the weekends and the daily drinking of mineral water from the spring near the hotel, are to be remembered. All summer long, and some time during the winter too if the weather was mild, folks from other parts of the Eastern Shore, and Baltimore, would come to the hotel to drink the health giving waters. The spring was covered with an octagonal pagoda which was always cool and quiet inside. Strolling down the foot path from the hotel, guest would often spend an hour of so in the "springhouse" on hot summer evenings, just talking and drinking the irony, flat tasting, spring water. A circular wooden bench which ringed the springhouse would accommodate twenty five or so people.
The spring water bubbled from the earth into a wooden trough and the supposed health restoring water, could be scooped in a tin cup or glass.
The hotel was a three and half story frame building, most always painted white, but sometimes a light yellow, the window shutters and trim painted either dark green or brown. It wad 30 rooms, each furnished with a bed, bureau and a couple of chairs, and a wash stand with a bowl. The spring water was furnished in a jug to each guest.

The weekly square dances were held in a special section of the small two story section at the far end of the hotel or on nice nights the caller and fiddlers would move outside and have the people dance on the porches.
During the 4th of July event the whole community would join the hotels guest on the lawn, some set up booths to sell home made candy, gingersnaps and lemonade for a penny a glass. The hotel would be decorated in red, white and blue bunting and flags would fly from everything. Fireworks were always displayed in the evening.
Most of the hotel guest were families on vacation who came by railroad to Mardela and stayed a week or two. Often, traveling salesmen, especially the tobacco salesmen, who traveled up and down the shore, would stay there too. Life here was informal, the hotel had a lobby as did most hotels those days, a check in desk for registering and picking up keys if you wanted to lock your room. Meals were served family style on a large room length table in the dinning room at which everyone ate.
The men would fish in the day at Barren Creek behind the hotel or ride horses from the hotels stables through the many bridal paths in the area. Women did not ride horses then and stayed at the hotel and enjoyed visiting. If a family wanted to go bathing they would take a train ride to Ocean City, a day long affair, leaving early in the morning and returning after dark.

This article was transcribed from the Baltimore Sun Magazine, issue June 23, 1963 and written by Mrs. Travers Willing, a niece of Edward Austin.

2011-04-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Accessible Archives
Contributed by Harrison

Description: Ellendale Methodist Episcopal Church

Date: Various 2011

Newspaper published in: Pennsylvania

Source: archives

The Ellendale Methodist Episcopal Church:

On July 16, 1873, William McColley granted to Alfred Heavelow, William Short, James M. Jester, Bevans Morris and Alfred Short, a tract of land for a church, parsonage and school.
A school and parsonage costing $500 were soon erected and the church was commenced in 1882 and dedicated December 31st of that year by the Rev. Mr. Johathan S. Willis.
The building committee, composed of Elias B. Reed, Alfred Short, and Benjamin E. Jester, erected a neat frame edifice, thirty bu forty-four feet at a cost of $1,200.00 . The membership was twenty five communicants and a connected Sunday School containing twenty scholars under the superintendency of James H. Jester.
The church has always been connected with the Ellendale Circuit and the pulpit has been filled by the pastors of that Circuit.

DIRECTIONS FOR GOING UP THE DELAWARE

2011-03-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

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Pennsylvania Gazette
Contributed by Harrison

Description: A Lighthouse and Buoy Markers For the Delaware 1767

Date: September 10 1767

Newspaper published in: Philadelphia

Source: Accessible Archives Newspapers

Philadelphia, 10 September 1767 :

THE COMMISSIONERS appointed by ACT OF ASSEMBLY of the Province of Pennsylvania, for building a LIGHTHOUSE at Cape Henlopen and fixing buoys in the Bay of Delaware, having now completed this service, think proper to make public the Situation of said Buoys in hopes that the directions following may prove useful to the SHIPPING bound up or down this bay.

Directions for sailing into the Whorekiln Road.

1. A red Buoy is stationed on the SE Point of the Shears, in Four Fathom Water. The Lighthouse bears from this Buoy S by E and the outer Point of the Cape S by E, half E. The Course of the Cape bears SE by E, the Buoy NNE and Lewes Town SW, THEN there is Anchorage in four Fathom Water, good Ground.

2. A large black Buoy is stationed on the Lower Part of the Brown, in Three and a Quarter Fathom Water, which is to be left on the Larboard Hand when bound up the Bay. The Lighthouse bears from this Buoy S Three Quarters E. Cape May bears E On Quarter Sand the Buoy on the Lower Point of the Brandywine N One Quarter W.

3. A Buoy on the Lower Part on the Brandywine, in Four Fathom Water: The Body of this Buoy is painted black, with white rim and black head. Cape May bears from this Buoy ESE One quarter E, the Buoy on the Brown S One quarter E. Muspilion W. The Buoy on the Upper Part of the Brandywine NNW Onr qquarter W. From this Buoy, in coming up, the course is NW by N as high as the Breakers, which lie about Midway between the two Buoys, and it is steep too; When you are abrest of the Breakers, at the Distance of a Cable Length from them, the Course is NNW some time then N will bring you to the upper Buoy on the Brandywine, which lies in Five Fathom Water.

4. A large Buoy in the upper Part of the Brandywine, in Five Fathom Water, painted white next the Water, the middle Part red, with a black rim, the Head a black Ground with ffour white Squares, Cape May bears from this Buoy SE by N. Muspilion W by S Three Quarters W. The Lower Buoy on the Brandywine , SSE One Quarter E and the Breakers on the Height of the Shoal, SSE Half E.

5. A large white Buoy , on the LOwer End of the Cross Ledge , in Three and Half Fathom Water: Egg Island bears from this Buoy E Half N, fotescue Island NE by N One qqquaed E. The Lower Part of Bombay Hook NW. A remarkable Tree in the Motherkln SW Hale W and the Buoy on the Upper Middle NW Half N.

6. A black Buoy on the Upper Middle, in Seventeen Feet Water: The Lower Part of Bombay Hook , intersecting the Uppermost of the Thrum Caps, bear from this buoy NW Half W. The Thrum Caps NW by W. Fortescue Island E by N Three quarters N and the Buoy on the Cross Ledge SE Half S. This Buoy lies on the Height of the Shoal, in Seventeen Feer Water, at low Tide and Vessels of 14 or 15 Feet may go over any time of Tide:

NB The Sounding of the Buoys are taken at Low Water.

2011-02-27T06:23:00.000-08:00

True Republican
Contributed by Harrison

Description: The Recent Delaware Election of Federalists Truit and Van Dyke

Date: December 16 1807

Newspaper published in: Connecticut

Source: newspaper/archives

Page/Column: Weekly Register of Politics and News.

Delaware closely adheres to her own partialities. At a recent election there, George Truit of Kent County, was chosen Governor, and Nicholas VanDyke representative in Congress.
They are both Federalists. Delaware is a small state ans to that circumstance I attribute the continued predominance of Federal principals among the people. In one county, the voters are as well drilled to the service of their leaders as a company of regular soldiers in the Pussian service are to the orders of their captain. I really mean no offense to the people of Sussex , but they would appear a great more respectable in the eyes of their fellow countrymen if they were to free themselves from that vassalage under which they labor, and act a little bit more independent.

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia:

George Truit, 1756-1818, was an american farmer and politician from Muderkill Hundred in Kent county, Delaware, near Felton. He was a member of the Federalist Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly ans as governor of Delaware. He was a descendant of a George Truit who settled in Accomack county in Virginia in the 17th Century. He was married to Margaret Hodgson and had a daughter Sarah. The farm was east of Felton on the Canterbury Road and they also had a town home at 12 South Main Street in Camden. The family were Methodist. He remains are now at Barratts Cemetery.

Nicholas Van Dyke, 1738-1789, was an American Lawyer and Politician from New Castle, serving in the Delaware Assembly, a Continental Congressman and President [Governor] of Delaware. Van Dyke was born at the family home, Berwick, in St. Georges Hundred, the son of Nicholas and Rachel Alee Van Dyke. He was home educated and read law in Philadelphia, returning home to begin practice. He married twice, first to Elizabeth Nixon who died giving birth to their first child, Rachael in 1767. He then married Charlotte Stanley, and they had four children, Nancy Ann, Mary, Nicholas, and Harry. The were members of the Immanuel Episcopal Church. He died at Berwick, buried there but later his remains were buried in the New Castle Episcopal Church Yard.

2011-02-27T06:20:00.000-08:00

ublic Advertiser
Contributed by Harrison

Description: Thomas Nelson Dies at Milton, Delaware Home of William Perry.

Date: September 23 1807

Newspaper published in: Philadelphia

Source: newspapre archives/bank

Died: On Monday the 14th September, inst., of a bilious fever, at the home of Mr. William Perry near the village of Milton, in the county of Sussex, and state of Delaware - THOMAS NELSON, a native of Ireland and one of the brave fellows who in July last, raised on the officers and crew of the British armed schooner Hornet, and freed themselves from the fangs of tyranny. Before his death, Mr. Nelson informed Mr. Perry that he had a sister married to a man of the name Robert Patterson, who lived within eleven miles of Pittsburgh in the state of Pennsylvania and that before he was impressed into the British service he had resided for four years principally in that neighborhood. Printers in Pittsburgh and other towns in the western country will serve the cause of humanity by publishing the above two or three times.

Lewes People of Interest.

2011-02-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

The Daily Nevada State Journal
Contributed by Harrison

Description: Dr. Rodney Hall Richardson of /Lewes, Delaware Doctoring Nevada Piutes at Pyramid Lake Reservation.

Date: October 6 1887

Source: newspapre archives

Page/Column: Town & Country Section

Nevada Agency, Nevada - Thursday Oct. 6, 1887:

Dr. Rodney Hall Richardson, of Lewes, Delaware, who was recently appointed Agency Physician of Nevada Agency, Nevada, arrived at Pyramid Lake Reservation last Sunday. The doctor is a 26 year old, a genial young man, and it is hoped that he will meet with success in his practice with the Piutes.

[ Dr. Robinson is the son of Ephraim and Eliza Landreth Hall Richardson of Lewes, Delaware. Mr. Richardson is a grocery merchant at that place, having moved there from Snow Hill Maryland where he was born, when married Eliza Hall, a daughter born in 1834, to Dr. Henry F. Hall and his wife Hester Rodney, both of Lewes. They also have a daughter, Allena. Eliza's grandfather, Joseph Hall, was also a physician at Lewes in the late 1700's. The Hall family are descendant of David Hall, a Mayflower descendant. Dr. Richardson married Penelope Plummer in 1888 in Indiana. Her parents were George Fayette Plummer of Dorchester county Maryland and Lavinia Jane Layton of Georgetown, Delaware. Rodney and Penelope had a daughter, Dorothy, born 21st February 1894 in the State of Oregon.]

About William Barkley Cooper, Governor

2011-01-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

Description: Ex-Governor Cooper Dies at Laurel Home.

Date: May 4 1849

Newspaper published in: Philadelphia

Source: newspapre archives/bank

Page/Column: Delaware State Journal Special

Laurel, Del., May 1, 1849

Ex=Governor William B. Ccooper died suddenly on the 27th ult, at his residence near Laurel, Delaware. He was a highly esteemed gentleman in his 78th year.

[ William Barkley Cooper was born December 16, 1771 to Isaac and Comfort Barkley Townsend Cooper at Laurel, Sussex county, Delaware. He was the 32nd Governor of Delaware, serving one term, 1841 until 1847. He was a member of the Whig political party of Delaware and had held political seats in the county and state since 1797. His maternal grandfather, Barkley Townsend, originally from Dorchester county Maryland, was a large property owner in the lower part of Delaware. His father and a brother, Thomas, also held political positions in the state. Nancy Jones was his first wife and they had one son, William T. After Nancy's death, he remarried twice, to Nelly Warren in 1816 and last to Jane Townsend Palmer, in 1828 but had no more children.
William Barkley Cooper was a Methodist and lived in Laurel at the corner of 4th and King streets. His military service was with the Delaware Militia as Captain of the 3ed Brigade of the Troop of Horse. It is known that he was a good conversationalist, but with a high temper and was in the habit of hard swearing when angry.
The son, William T., left Delaware for the South during the Civil War and fought with the Confederates, being captured and held in the Fort Delaware prison camp.]

CAVIARE FROM THE DELAWARE RIVER

2010-11-26T16:49:00.000-08:00

Chapter VIII History of Seaford by Hazzard

2010-11-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

Tragic Event During First Half of 1800:

Seaford, small and quiet as it was, had it's tragic events, the first one took place eight years before my birth nd has been told to me by my mother. Shadrack Cannon lived on the Magee Farm, now the site of Nanticoke City. He went tp his home after shopping at some of the Seaford groceries in a state of intoxication and attempted to pull his dog whice was rabid from under his house and was bitten. In a few days he was a terriable madman and some friends and the physician thought necessary and humane to put him out of his misery. Some of Seafords best citizens were selected to smother him to death between two bed mattresses.

Next, when I was eight years old and on the street one day, I heard the report of a pistol and ran quickly in the direction from which it came and I was by the bed of William Nichols who had just shot himself and died in a few moments. He was a good citizen, a merchant, very gentlemanly, had a fine home for that time, married to a young wife, the daughter of Joseph Vickers. But, under some terrible mental strain or depression, he did this terrible deed.

Drownings:
Often we were startled with a report that someone was drowned, some promising little boy or young man would while bathing be swept off by the swift tide of the river and drown before aid could reach him. Or, in the cold hard winters we had then, with two to five feet of snow and below zero temperatures, the railroad closed, the river and creeks frozen shut, some would fall through the ice and perish.

The drowning of Cain Brown, a young married man, promising citizen, rode one day to Laurel on a blind mule. I remember this day as he passed by me on the road. Upon his return later that night he failed to arouse the ferryman and made an attempt to ford the river. His cries of distress were heard by people living along the river but were too late for anyone to rescue him.

One bright spring morning and loud report shocked the citizens of Seaford village. Joseph, a son of Joseph Wright, was born. A colored man, George, who belonged to the Wrights was ordered to fire a swivel which was sitting near Wrights Wharf, as a salute for the event. George was ramming the powder down the gun and asked Henry Hudson to hold his hand over the touch hole. The gun went off, ruining George, he lost his eyes, hands and his body was dreadfully scarred. Henry was rendered unconscious, lost a hand and finger from the other hand. My father took him to his home, more dead that alive, and Doctor Morran amputated his arm with a carpenters tenant saw without the use of any anesthetic. Both of these boys lived to be old men. George was taken to Dorchester to live with Turpin Wright until he was freed, then died in the Dorchester County Alms House. Henry Cannon prepared for teaching, made this his lifes work and died in Caroline county.

Then there was dare devil Stansbury Mezzick, a young man who had imbibed too freely , was showing his friend how he could craw from one mast of a schooner to the other on the main stay. He lost his balance, hung to the stay as long as he could, then fell to the deck. Both legs went through the two inch decking.

A very exciting thing occurred in Seaford, around 1830, that may not come under the character of tragic, perhaps ridiculous is better called for it. It had to do with slavery and what may have been what is called, the Nat Turner insurrection, a fear of such caused many to flee north with their money, mothers taking the children north to what would be a safe haven, one being the Pea Liquor Farm of the Cannon family. A look out had spotted thousands of blacks along the shore of the river which turned out to be burnt tree stumps on the farm of Silas Boyce called Bunker Hill.

End History of Seaford, by Robert Boyce Hazzard, [1824-1901]

History of Seaford Continued

2010-11-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

Public Buildings: The academy building became old and too small, also too far off for the new Seaford. Citizens interested in education, built a large and commodius school building in the new part of town. That one burned and was replaced with a more commodious one.
Transportation: The citizens of Seaford and the country around it became interested in better transportation to the distant cities. Business suffered, people lost time and money because of tedious travel conditions and farmers had to haul grain up to 20 miles to ship it, even by boat.
There had been , for a short time, a Norfolk Line steamer between that city and Seaford, thence from Seaford to New Castle and Wilmington by stage. About 1832 a path for a railroad was cut from the foot of of North Street in Seaford at the wharf , north across Pea Liquor farm and on up the peninsula but it lay unused until 1856.
After William Ross, later the states governor, moved near Seaford and began to develop the resources of his farm, he and other farmers following his systems of farming, became more interested in transportation systems. Ross is given credit for the building of the railroad with its terminal at Seaford, which was completed in December 1856. the service was but one train out and in each day for several years.

History of Seaford -1799-1856 by Robert Boyce Hazzard /Chapter 3 Continnued

2010-10-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER VII - AN ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FIFTH DECADE:

Additional town plots"

In 1809 Solomon Boston bought sixteen lots on West Street and put another street to the village, extending it a square further north than the Methodist Church. .

A third plot was what is now High Street from from Market to Pine on both sides by william Conwell in 1815. The field between those lots and West Street was cultivated many years after that survey.

In 1856, the heirs of Levin Cannon, had the land between Pine Street and the railroad , called Cannon's Division, plotted and put on the market.

The fourth plotting, between High and Second and Pine and Market streets, except that previously plotted by James Cannon, was made in 1853

The first bridge over the river at Seaford was built in 1834 by a Georgetown contractor , Henry Foster. There was a ferry before that, we suppose. This bridge was first owned by Captain Hugh Martin until 1883 when Levy court bought it, had it rebuilt in 1884, then made it a free bridge.

The first mill was built in 1835 by solomon Boston, that is the second Solomon and I remember see the first grist run through it. Before this mill was built the Seaford citizens utilized mill's at Concord and Ross'. I remember it well as I was but ten years old and paddles a barge every week or two in the summer to Robert Boyer's mill near Concord and in the winter by horseback to ross', now Hearn Mill.

In the lower part of Sussex there was not enough wheat raised to supply the village of Seaford.

When the pond was made to run Boston's Mill the village changed fromn a very healthy place to a distressingly sickly place, causeing every family to have someone down with arue and fever. That was the cause of my fathers illness, which ran into diabetes and broke him down physically and financially for the next three years. He left a large family , helpless and dependent, but a precious memory.

For many years no public building was erected except a school, which soon after it was built, burned, then rebuilt.

Delware in the Civil War Period

2010-10-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

Houston Telegraph
Contributed by Harrison

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Description: Escape of Prisoners from Fort Delaware

Date: October 2 1863

Newspaper published in: Texas

Source: newspaper archives/genealogybank

Page/Column: The August 26 1863 Issue of Richmond Dispatch

Richmond, Virginia, August 26, 1863:

Yesterday afternoon five confederate prisoners, A. L. Brooks and C. J. Fuller, company G, 9th Georgia, J. Marian, company D, 9th Georgia, William E. Glassey, company B , 18th Mississippi and John Dorsey, company A, Stuart's Artillery, arrived here from Fort Delaware, having made their escape from that place on the night of the 12th inst.
The narrative of their escape is interesting. Having formed the plan of escape they improvised life preservers by tying four canteens, well corked, around the body of each man and during the late night preceded to leave the island. The night being dark they got off the island and swam off the back of the island for the Delaware shore. Three of them swam about four miles and landed about two miles below Delaware City. The other two, being swept down the river, floated sixteen miles and landed at Christine Creek. Another prisoner, from Philadelphia started with them but drowned a short distance from shore. He said he was not going back to the Confederacy, but was going home to Philadelphia. He had eight canteens for flotation but was not a good swimmer.
The three who landed near Delaware City laid in a corn field the rest of that night and the next day and the next evening after dark started on the way south. They had first made their intentions known to a local farmer who gave them a good supper. That night they traveled 12 mile through Kent county, Delaware, and lay concealed the next day in a friendly gentleman's barn. From here they went to Kent county Maryland where friendly citizens furnished them with clean cloths and money which made detection less probable as they had been in their Confederate uniforms the two days previous. They then took the cars on the Baltimore and Philadelphia railroad to Dover. In the car with them was a Yankee Colonel and Captain and the provost guard passed through frequently but they were not discovered and left the train at Delmar and made their way by Barren Creek Springs and Quantico to the Nanticoke River. Here they met with other escaped prisoners and went by boat to Tangier's Sound and crossing the Chesapeake landed in Northumberland county Virginia below Point Lookout, Maryland, where the Yankees were building a fort for confinement of prisoners. They met with kindness the citizens of Heathsville of the Northern Neck who contributed over $100 to aid them on their route. soon they met or pickets and came to this city on the York river railroad.
These escaped Confederates expressed their gratitude to the people of Delaware and Maryland who did everything they could to aid them. They had no difficulty in finding generous people with Southern sympathies.
These escaped prisoners tell that a large number of our prisoners at Fort Delaware have taken an oath and enlisted in the Yankee services. 270 men have been enlisted in the 3rd Maryland Regiment, some in artillery and some in the infantry. To effect these enlistments the Yanks circulated all sorts of stories among the prisoners, such as, General Lee had resigned, that North Carolina had left the Confederacy and reentered the Union and Virginia is only waiting for Lee to be driven from her borders to resume her connection with the Yankee nation.
They tell the men that if they enlist in the Union Army they will be sent out West to fight Indians so they will not be in danger of being captured by the Southerners. They have said the prisoners at Fort Delaware are dying at the rate of twelve a day and are receiving rations of six crackers a day with spoiled beef.

Rehoboth High School 1948 Class Lunchon

2010-10-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Several of the 1948 Class of Rehoboth High School met at the Captains Table, Rehoboth, on Thursday, October 14th, to have lunch. The meal was a 'Your Choice' and 'You Pay' thing and appeared to have been well received. Classmate Virginia Savage Caras was the member to get the group together, basically because Shirley Thomas Graham was in town, visiting from Loxahatachee, Florida, for her annual junket to the Epworth Cemetery grave of her deceased husband, Lee Graham. Lee, who was one of the first owners of the old Robert Lee Restaurant on Rehoboth Avenue, with his brother Robert 'Honey Boy', Graham, Others from 'far away' were Thomas Thawley and his lady, from Annapolis and Jerry and Janet Vansant Rapkin, also of Annapolis, Janet being the class member, Bill and Silvia Richie of Rehoboth, Shirley, Ellie Tikiob Vansant, of Rehoboth, and other places which will have her, usually because she has a son or daughter there, Bill Barney and his wife Pati, of near Milton, Virginia Caras, of Georgetown, and myself and wife Yvonne. Eleanor Phillips Cordrey was unable to attend. I am more of a guest I suppose, since I did not graduate from Rehoboth High, but WAS one of the first grade members, along with Tom and Ellie. Another beginner, Jacqueline 'Jackie' Anderson Karlson, who was mentioned, but unable to attend, as she is having a hip replacement being done this week. A 'Get Well' card was signed by all, to be sent her by Tom. Also Nancy Mitchell McCabe of Arlington, who joined the class during WWII, now retired from the CIA, was remembered as was Edward 'Sprarkie' Thororoughgood, of near Angola. And, by the way, Tom Thawley got this name list together during the lunch. Much appreciated, Tom. Jerry Rapkin and Tom Thawley are both graduates of the Naval Academy, Jerry having made a career in the Navy and Tom, serving in the Arir Force. If everyone enjoyed the gathering as I did, it was a great success. We all look forward to these gatherings in the future and seek anyone who was at one time or another a class member of '48, to join with us, just put your name and address in the comment box below so we can get you the time and place of our next meeting.

Chapter V / History of Seaford by R. B. Hazzard

2010-10-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Groceries, Shoes, Clothing, etc.
Groceries were not as well prepared then as now, and were held at higher prices. At Laurel, Louder Moore opened a 'cheap store' more then sixty years ago and advertised wet brown sugar for 6-1/4 cents per pound, and, calico at he same price per yard, which drew many Seaford citizens and area farmers. There was no refined or granular sugar at that time and sugar came in a cone shape loaf, wrapped in strong blue paper. This generally sold for 20 cents per pound. The buying and selling methods were different then, no traveling salesmen or delivery men, the merchant made two trips, spring and fall, to the cities to buy goods which were shipped by boat to the nearest port city.
A credit system prevailed over all the country which was very detrimental to the poorer class. Farmers who would go through the year buying freely, expecting that their crop would meet their liabilities, which would often fail, the consequence was a constables sale of all their goods. One of the benefits of the 1860's war was a change of this system.

Prior to the building of the Delaware Railroad to Seaford, Sussex county land was very poor and most people had to live very economic by necessity. todays young people have no idea of the privitions and hardships endured at home, school and church, in food and travel, as there was a great lack of comfortable accommodations. Many a little boy or girl would sit shiavering in the school house until it was their turn to move closer to the stove or fire in a fireplace.
There were few carriages at that time as they cost a good round of money. Some were able to ride horseback, sometimes two or three to a horse if they were small enough .

One hundred years or so ago there were few carpeted floors. What we call parlors now, were called 'halls', and a hall floor, bright and clean, would be sprinkled with clean white sand. Stoves were a great rarity. Perhaps the first stove put on the market was called a 'ten plate', bottom, middle and top plates make 3, a fire door, and two 'overdoors' make 6, a front and back plate make 8, yet they were always known as a 10 plate stove. Such stoves were used several years in the sitting rooms, office, shop and store and also for cooking. When the first cook stoves were built and put on the market, they were hailed with much delight. They would look very clumsy now.

Tradesmen of the era monopolized in their line. In Seaford there were five or six men and boys employed to fit and make suits for the young men, mothers and sisters would make the plain clothing. The tailors had no competition in clothing stores. Carriage makers, harness and saddle makers monopolized their trade. The blacksmiths had to make all the bolts and taps, horseshoes and horseshoe nails, hinges, hooks and door latches. The novelties and notions of today were not known then. The match for striking fire was in its infancy, the old blue 'locofoco' was just then invented and farm families kept flint and tinder to make fire. In town, fire was borrowed from neighbors, just like coffee and other forgetful items. Lighting was a nuisance, fish oil was used, as was a tallow dip but these were inferior to a good pine knot. Candal molds were a necessary part of the household as was the coffee pot. Many towns had a 'dipping day', usually in the fall, where a large block of tallow and a ball of 'wick' was turned into a supply of candles.
Shoes were made at home. Shoe pegs had not yet been invented and all shoes were hand stitched and shoemakers were as many as tailors who would take their kits and go house to house.

We had no parlor organs to make inspiring music, but a few wealthy had a forte piano. There were maybe three in the town of Seaford but the people would exercise their vocal powers which would awake the echoes far distant.

Postal Facilities:
In the early times, Seaford had but onr mail a week which was carried on horse back. Later on, at ren years old in 1834, I drove for Rhodes Hazzard, a contractor, from Seaford to Milford on Friday afternoon and returned Saturday forenoon. . This mail had two stops on route, at Bridgeville and St. Johnstown, On Tuesdays and Wednesdays mail was sent to Easton, Maryland with stops at Cannon Ferry, Federalsburg, and Upper Hunting Creek near Linchester. It tooks two weeks to send a letter to Indiana and cost 25 cents. There were no envelops or stamps. One folded the paper and sealed with wax wafers. Foolscrap paper, quill pens , wax wafers and ink were the requisites for writing.

These accounts were written to show the lifestyle of our great grandparents against ours today, so that modern inventions may be more appreciated.

Notice: This is the end of chapter V. There is no chapter VI, so next we will have chapter VII

More Neighborly Cape May History We Should Know

2010-10-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

Cape May Court House:
Settlers on the peninsula of Cape May, framed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay, were well aware of the naval actions during the Revolutionary War days. This area, at the tip of Southern New Jersey, experienced the first naval action of the war in June 1776.

On June 29, Captain Montgomery in the brig 'Nancy', bound from St. Croix and St. Thomas, Virgin Island, for Philadelphia, was closely pursued by six British Men-of-War. Captain Montgomery ran his vessel aground at Cape May and protected by a heavy fog succeeded in removing a large part of his cargo, which was mostly powder and arms for the Continental Congress. After the fog had lifted and it was evident the British were going to board the brig, Captain Montgomery thwarted her seizure by placing gun powder around his cabin and in the folds of the main sail as he and the crew abandoned ship after starting a small fire. Crews of the British boarding parties were shouting their victory aboard the 'Nancy' when she blew up and tossed bodies forty to fifty feet in all directions. Meanwhile, on shore, several citizens mounted a gun from an American war vessel and exchanged fire with the British.

Records at the Continental Congress show that a Captain William Hollock of Cape May, was one of the first to receive "Letter of Marque" but his sloop was found unsafe and was awaiting repairs before going to sea.

During December of 1776 a Continental spy was order to Cape May to inform the maneuvers of the six British ship in Delaware Bay.

April 18, 1777, the ship "Surprise" was ordered down the Delaware to assist in the defense of the Delaware Capes and the 'Cape May Channel'. She and two other vessels, the "Fly" and the "Andrew Soris" were ordered to open the channel for American vessels and drive away the British craft blocking the passage way.

July 1777, four British vessels were sighted off Peck Beach and Cape May people built a breastwork but a northwest wind drove off the British convoy. This same day, a whale boat under command of Captain Thomas Sister, came into Corsons Inlet with a crew belonging to the brig "Stanley", who were captured and sent to Philadelphia as prisoners. Later on the Brigantine "Delight" with 12 guns and 29 hands went ashore on Peck's beach and the settlement citizens took possession of the vessel and sent the crew under guard to Philadelphia.

Cape May County New Jersey

2010-10-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday Press
Contributed by Harrison

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Description: Pilgrim Descendants In Cape May County

Date: April 12 1964

Newspaper published in: Atlantic city, NJ

Source: Shaw Collection

Page/Column: Heritage Edition

How about some neighborly news from our cousins across the Delaware. I thought this article would be very interesting to Sussex county people researching Cape Henlopen and the Breakwater.

******************

Hannah Gorham was born at the Plymouth Colony in 1663 and after her marriage to Joseph Whilldin in 1683 came with him to Town Bank on a whaling ship to become a part of the early thirteen cabin colony of Town Bank at the mouth of the Delaware River in Cape May County.
Hannah's grandfather was John Howland the Pilgrim who came over on the Mayflower, landed at Plymouth in 1630. The colony of Town Bank was built on a bluff that fronted the bay but is now under the waters of the Delaware Bay.
All of Hannah's early life was spent at Town Bank and in close contact with the sea. The Whilldin children intermarried with the other families of this county. They were Hannah, Joseph, Mary, Experience and Isaac. They did not migrate south because it was too hot, nor did they go back north because it was too cold, but being suited with the climate and surroundings they stayed, multiplied, and intermarried until today there are more Mayflower descendants in Cape May county than any other county of the United States.
Hannah died in 1728 and is probably buried in the Whilldin grave yard at Cool Spring, behind the William Eldredge Plantation. Her husband, Joseph, died in 1725, and many of the family are buried in the 'Old Brick' cemetery at Cool Spring, including a son Joseph who died 1743.

Delaware Boy Makes Hall of Fame

2010-09-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 25th, 2010 is now another treasured day of mine. I was a guest at the 11th Honors Banquet of the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame to see the induction of Theodore C Freeman, late Lewes 'boy' made good in the world of flying. He was also one of the very first Air Force Astronauts. He died in the line of duty, 31 October 1964 at Ellington Air Force Base, Houston, Texas. His daughter, Faith Huntington and a Freeman relative, Bruce Freeman, received his honors.

The program was exceptional, a reception, with music of The Delaware Army National Guard, Stardust Knights, start jumped the event, allowed many friends to get together to remember their past and to find some new friends to remember from now on. The banquet program was flawless, with the Piped Processional of VIP's, the Posting of The Colors by a Color Guard of a local High School AFROTC Group, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and Invocation.

Delaware Air National Guard, Ret. Col., James Kohler was Master of Ceremonies.

You can say the meal was DANG good.

You can find more about this ceremony and the inductee's at http://www.dahf.org/. Go there, it is real easy and most interesting.

One of the airmen's achievements of the past was at story of 'Delaplane', made of spruce pine and 'wires', which flew at Wawaset Park in Wilmington in 1910, 100 years ago.

A very impressive yougn man, not yet 20 years of age, George T. Antonjou was given the Youth Achievement Award of the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame. His intentions are to go far in aviation and a lot of the attendees feel he will do just that.

The Class of 2010 are;
Donald M. Clark who was present to receive his award. Donald was a WWII C-47 Pilot and after the return home was a crop duster in his own business. He is now a docent at the Dover Air Force Museum. Stop by a visit him some time. He will have a story to tell that you will enjoy.

Edward Czarnecki, WWII Air Force Ace, deceased. A family friend was his ceremony 'Wing Man' and received the award.
,
Ted Freeman, yes, our Lewes Boy Made Good, The Astronaut, deceased in the line of duty, had almost three dinner tables of well wishers there. Several of his deceased widows family from New England attended. His award was received by his daughter, Faith, who I believe still lives in Texas. A Freeman relation, Bruce Freeman of Melfa, Virginia, was at Faith's side. A group from Lewes to attend were Hazel Brittingham, Charles Henry Howard, Sussie Hudson, myself, who were the guest of Joseph Rowland Hudson.

Stan Lawruk, received his own award. He was a WWII B-17 Flight Engineer, was a POW in Germany, lives in New Castle county, Delaware.

Daniel Rusk, Jr, 80 some year of age, also received his award, was a Navy Pilot and made more than one hundred landings on the USS Hornet, came home to be a salesman for several aircraft manufacturers.

Alfred Walker, Jr., WWII, B-17, B-24, B-29 pilot with 32 Combat Missions over Japan, total of 540 Combat hours. He is deceased and I think his sister received his award.

After a few short remarks from the President of the DAHF, the Colors were Retired by a well drilled AFROTC Cadet Color Guard.

As I said at the beginning, this was a day to remember.

Chapter V / History of Seaford by R. B. Hazzard

2010-09-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

Chapter V gives a statement of the business, dwellings, etc., in the early period of 1800, basically 1800 to 1855 in Seaford.

In 1830 there were in the village of Seaford, between the county road to the north and the river, about fifty houses. Fourteen of them were, in general terms, two story homes. People had not yet learned it took but a few more dollars to build two story houses rather that the single floor home. The rest were single story with shed type attachments and some of our best citizens lived in this class. Some of these sheds still stand in the old part of town.

There were about eight stores in the village, all but one in single story buildings. One on the corner of Front and Water Streets which we feel was the first merchant establishment in Seaford. Joshia Horsey occupied one on the corner of Market and Water Streets, Wrights store was near the corner of North and Water on the north side and opposite was the William Nicholes store. Where the Jacob Hill house is now, was a store of George Hazzard and directly opposite was the store of William and David Conwell.

The tanneries of George and Jacob Hazzard were on the creek.

On the corner of Market and High streets, in the Soloman Prettyman house, now the hotel, Asbury Prettyman and Rhodes Hazzard sold goods. Down Market street, near the bridge, northwest corner of Water, was a single story store used for several years by different merchants, on the northwest corner of Market and High streets was the William Horsey store for a long time, then at the northeast corner of High and Pine was Levin Cannons place. Some of these merchants were also engaged in the boating business, buying wood and corn for shipping.

The farm land in lower Sussex was distressingly poor, and but little more corn was raised than was needed for local consumption. Corn from fifteen to twenty miles around the Marshyhope and Georgetown area was hauled to Seaford and sold to these merchants. There was little to no wheat grown for shipment, hardly half enough for home use. Only the wealthy used tads of it, keeping a little of it for company and use on the Sabbath. It was a rarity.

Housekeepers and cooks knew how to make corn pone and Joniki Cake which were palatable and nourishing

Fashion was the same old tyrant then as it is now. Fine goods for the ladies could be found in the stores but the women often went visiting and to church in a plain calico dress. Ladies and children of men of moderate means were not ashamed to be seen in plain habiliments . A young man would buy, if able, a courting and marriage suit and put it in the hands of a good tailor for fitting. More often they wore the blue fustian which wives and mothers made for them .

How to Make Coal Burn

2010-09-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

Delaware State Reporter

Description: Winter Is On Its Way - Learn How To Burn Coal.

Date: December 3 1858

Newspaper published in: Dover, Delaware

Source: newspaper archivese/Column: Farm and Home Section:

How To Burn Coal:

Nine out of ten who attempt to burn coal in a stove waste about as much coal as is necessary to be consumed for all the heat desirable.

Observe the following simple rules, suggested by a contemporary, and few who adopt the burning of coal will return to wood fires.

First to make a coal fire: Clean the stove out thoroughly. Put in a double handful of shavings or light kindling wood. Fill the earthen cavity (if there be one) near full of chunks of dry wood, say four or six inches in length. On top of the wood put a dozen or so lumps of egg coal, coal that is 2 or 3 inches in diameter. After this burns about ten minutes, add twenty some more lumps of coal. Now, after all the wood has burned out, fill the cavity half or two thirds full of coal. This fire will be a good one, all the coal becomes fully ignited.

Never fill a stove more than half or two thirds full of coal even in the coldest weather.

When the fire is low, never shake the grate or disturb the ashes but add ten or fifteen lumps of coal and set the draught open. When these coals are heated through and somewhat ignited, add an amount necessary for a new fire but do not disturb the ashes yet. Let the draught be open half and hour, now, shake the out ashes. The coal will be thoroughly ignited and keep the stove at high heat from six to twelve hours, according to the coldness of the weather. In very cold weather add fifteen to twenty lumps of coal every hour.

CHAPTER IV / HISTORY OF SEAFORD

2010-09-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

A Record of the Progress of Christianity in Seaford:
Most of the early settlers of Seaford were friends, if not members, of the Methodist Protestant Church. As the records show there were no other church organization there until about thirty years had passed. Seaford citizens were earnest and enthusiastic in their religious devotions, uniform and constant in their religious life. They were socially religious, would exhort, pray, sing and shout in the church and talk religion in there homes with children and neighbors, and there were but few of those families in which the voices of praise and prayer were not heard morning and evening. They had comparatively little preaching by their pastors but kept the church open and kept up its services.
I can now remember the thrilling pathos and power that the exhortations and prayers of Henry Little, Levin Cannon, William Hazzard, Jacob Hazzard and Rhoads Hazzard voiced. They has their revival meetings and gathered into the church the unconverted of their own families and others.
The Sabbath Day School began as early as I can remember, they had question books and libraries where biographies of good men and women.
Church Circuits were large, making a preachers visit once every four weeks. An example is the Dorchester circuit, they gave to Salem and Vienna one Sabbath, Tuesday and Wednesday to Hurley's Neck and Griffith's Neck. Thursday they were at McKendree and next Sabbath were in the East New Market area. The next week took up old Bethesda, Friendship and Federalsburg, next came the Fork District and then Bethel and Seaford area which has fifteen stations to call upon.
Then there were the Camp Meetings, places of great religious gatherings. These meetings lasted but four days, beginning on Friday evening and closing on Wednesday,
services were held morning until midnight or after. Many were converted and the churches were revived and encouraged
One must mention the old Ennal's Camp Ground, for it was the center of the Dorchester circuit, a very notable and popular place for a meeting. The tents numbered in the hundreds and horse wagons filled the adjoining grounds as hundred of people gathered there.
There was a camp meeting held every year somewhere near Seaford. Locations were Mrs. Rust woods, Chapel Branch, Little's woods near Wesley Church. Ross's woods became very popular with the Seaford M. P. Church congregation.
.

CHAPTER IV / HISTORY OF SEAFORD

2010-09-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Seaford's First Schools:
The early settlers of Seaford were careful and wise in beginning their schools with first class teachers. At that time there was some statute provision for primary schools but they were little more that an apology practically. As early as I can remember Seaford had a first class academy in moral and scientific culture. The old academy building stood on the lot adjoining the M. E. Church Cemetery. Pipkin Miner, was for most of his life, the teacher. He was a Presbyterian and inculcated morality and religion in his school. His talks to the class at the closing half hour are yet remembered some seventy years later. Schools at that time utilized switches and I think some of his cedar ones, which were toughened by the fire in the stove, were more impressive upon some of his scholars than were his lectures. He generally had, as pupils and boarders, a number of young men from the country, among them I remember Daniel Kinder and Loxley Jacobs, both life long friends of mine.

Seaford's Early Churches:
The first church built in the lower part of Sussex County near Seaford was Protestant Episcopal and built about one hundred yards from Chapel Branch on the north side of the road as you travel west from the branch. That church must have been built in Colonial times as no one living remembers its ruins.
The first Methodist Episcopal Church built in the neighborhood of Seaford was near the same branch along the same road but on the east side of the branch. There is a deed,per county record, from John Cannon and Jeremiah Rust Jackson for one acre at Chapel Branch to trustees for the M. E. Church, John Handy, Thomas Prettyman, Jeremiah Brown, Augustus Brown, Nathan Cannon, J. Rust Cannon and William Davis, the date being 8 august 1804. William Davis was for a long time local preacher at Bethel and lived his life out near there. This chapel being built a few years after Seaford was plotted it must have been selected for the village and surrounding country and was used for both school and church purposes. The church building was moved to Seaford around 1830 and set upon the Hooper Graveyard and used by the town citizens until the first M.E. Churtch was built, now called the 'Old Church'.

Another county record gives this data. A deed from James Conwell for a lot to Bochem Meeting House in Seaford to the following trustees, Henry Little, Aaron Swiggert, Robert Hopkins, Whitefield Hughes, George Hazzard, Levin Cannon and Freeman Rose. , dated 9 April 1818. This building stood, with some repairs until 1859 when a new building was erected, of which Rhodes Hazzard, Ralph Prettyman, James Darby and High Brown were trustees.

Members and friends of the Protestant Episcopal Church had religious services in Seaford as long as I remember and their first board of trustees for St. Luke's Church met in Seaford, February 20th 1837. They were William Neal, Hugh Martin, Charles Wright, Elijah Cannon and Curtis Ross.

There are no records with trustee names and deed dates, of the Methodist Protestant Church, the reason being the church division was anything but sweet. Old Sister Wallace gave me the following facts. Dr. Morgan came to her, saying he did not know where they would get a lot on which to put a church. She told him to go see Mollie Wright, Jacob Wright's widow, her mother, who was a daughter of John Hooper's, to see if she will consent to put the chapel on the Hooper Graveyard. He did so and permission was granted. The Chapel Branch Church had gone into disuse and Issac and Jacob Cannon, among the most wealthy men in the lower part of the state, had a claim upon it. Morgan made satisfactory arrangement with them and it was moved to the Hooper Graveyard.

CHAPTER IV / HISTORY OF SEAFORD

2010-09-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

Physicians Who Settled In Seaford In Its Early History.

After the death of Dr. Cottingham, I think Dr. John Gibbon was the next physician there. He was an Irishman and upon coming to this country, landed at Lewistown. I think at first he engaged in teaching and was also a Justice of the Peace, but as early as I can remember was successful practitioner. When he came to this country he was not married and soon married a Miss Cannon, either a sister or daughter of Elijah Cannon, and had four children, Washington and Frank who both died young, the a daughter, Caroline, who may be still living in Washington, D.C. A younger daughter died young. His home was on the corner of Front and East streets, and known as the Stewart property as the daughter Carline married James Stewart and became sole heir.

The next physician was probably William Morgan who moved from Milton to Cannon Ferry, thence to Seaford in 1825. He lived and practiced medicine on East Street in the house know now as the Hosea Dawson property. He went to Seaford as a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church but went at the 1827 division of the Methodist to the Methodist Protestant Church and was a leading spirit of that church and his efforts responsible for the first M.P. church at Seaford. Mrs. Hosa Dawson was his only child.

In 1838 two doctors went to Seaford and practiced together, Dr. Goldsburough and Dr. Flint. Dr. Goldsburough, old and infirm, still lives in Greensboro, Caroline County Maryland. Dr. flint married Miss Rhoda Jacobs and returned to Cambridge, thence to Missouri where he died a year or so ago, a very old man.

In 1846, Dr. Joseph P. H. Shipley went to Seaford and soon was known to be a very skillful physician and built up a large practice. He married first Miss Ann Wright who lived but a few years after. She left a son, who also became a promising physician but sad to say, became a victim to intoxicants and his sun set in a cloud.
For a second wife Dr. Joseph Shipley married Jane Hopkins, whose son is now a successful physician in Seaford. After those, were, Doctors fisher, Hains, Johns and Roop.

History of Seaford -1799-1856 by Robert Boyce Hazzard /Chapter 3 Continnued

2010-09-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

NOTICE READERS: The last post, August 30, 2010, sort of ends the third decade of the century in which this history was written. Today's post will continue with some names of fourth decade citizens that Robert Boyce Hazzard mentions.

There went to Seaford toward the close of the third and during the fourth decade, those who contributed largely by their moral and financial force to the continued prosperity of the town.

William Rogers moved here to a farm of Caleb Ross about 1838, subsequently bought it and raised a large honorable family, and lived to a very old age.

Jesse and Hugh Brown, farmers, well respected,both lived to an old age. Had honorable children who contributed to the interest of the town and county.

The Robinsons, William and Jesse, natives of Hurlock, Maryland area, went to Seaford when young men.

Now to mention some of those who lived near and adjoining Seaford.

Mrs. Rust, widow of one of the first merchants at Jackson's Wharf, owned and lived upon the farm now known as the Colonel Martin Farm, extending from what is now the railroad to Chapel Branch. She was an active and successful farmer in the mid 1830'sand raise four children, John, Catesby, Luther and Sarah Ann. After her death the family broke up and I never knew where John and Luther settled, but Sarah Ann married the Rev. Mr. Wright, preacher of the Methodist Protestant Church, who had a daughter marry to William Massey, a Greensboro man of considerable wealth. Catesby remained in the county, became well known and died but a few years ago, an old man.

The Dulaney family, consisting of the mother, two brothers, William and Levin, a sister, lived above Seaford at what is now called Dulaney's Mill.

Planner Williams, owner of a small farm below Seaford, had a nice home on the river shore, raised a respectable family, Alfred and Frank, who are now old men.

Hudson Cannon lived on the Pea Liquor farm, had three sons, Londer, Peter, and Henry, and two daughters. One, Kitty, became the wife of Cornelius Prettyman and is the mother of Rev Cornelius Prettyman and Rev Thomas Prettyman.

This Ends Chapter III of the book, "History of Seaford".

MORE OF CHAPTER III - HISTORY OF SEAFORD

2010-08-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Captain Thomas Hinds:
Capt. Hinds was one of Seaford's early citizens. He came from around Milton and married Miss Lavina Swigget from Kent county Delaware. They lived all their married life on Market street and he was engaged in the boating business until he became too infirm, but he lived to be an old man. He and Lavina had three children. William , the eldest, learned the tailoring trade of James Darby, became an earnest Christian when a boy and soon after reaching majority went to Baltimore to work at the business and expanded it into a large trade. As he grew old in years he held the confidence and high estimation of all who have known him, both secular and religious.

Other Citizens Who Shared In Starting the Town and Sshaping its Destiny:
Thomas Henderson, built the house known as the Edward Messick Home, he married a a Miss hinds and they had five or six children, Thomas was a cabinet maker and made many bedsteads, cupboards, chest, for the early Seaford citizens. He later moved to Indiana, catching what was called the 'Western Fever'.
John Windsor, an old fellow, the 'caulker' and his saintly wife; also Trueman Rose and Whitefield Hughes, the preacher at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
James Dutton in company with James Jacobs, went to Seaford in 1838 and remained there during his life, a good citizen and leaving one son. James Jacobs, after marring Jane Hazzard moved to Baltimore. There was John Tucker, a cooper by trade, Phillip Massey, carpenter, James Roach, whose children and grandchildren still live about town.
I am unwilling to close the record of the Seaford settlers without reference to Aunt Nellie Adams, a kind, highly esteemed and Christian. She being a widow was financially poor, but she contributed largely to the comfort of new mothers and the children as she was a excellent nurse. Her only descendant, a daughter, who married to George Brown. George, a son of William Brown, is said to be the oldest citizen at this time in Seaford. For the past seventy years he has worked with James Prettyman, fulling and finishing hats.

It was my purpose to notice by name and occupation the old settlers up to the close of the third decade and if I have missed any it is the fault of my memory.
Several things are worthy of note. One is the staunch integrity, moral and church members, and Christians. There were vices, drinking of liquor and gambling were predominating, but the Christian influence has triumphed.

A Play A Pun Words:

2010-08-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

Time Flies like an Arrow, Fruit Flies Like a Banana.

MORE OF CHAPTER III - HISTORY OF SEAFORD

2010-08-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

The Blades Family:
The grandfather of the Blades Family came to Seaford very early in its history. Their old home was on the northeast corner of Market and Third Streets. He engaged in buying produce throughout the surrounding country. I remember his little iron grey horse and big Dearborn wagon in which he traveled for trade. He must have died comparatively a young man as his youngest son was but a boy at the time. His sons and daughters, William, James, Levina and Jane are well remembered by Seaford's oldest citizens, the name is perpetuated in the village contiguous to Seaford. Uncle Billy followed the boating business until he became too infirm. James Blades went to
work for the railroad company when it came to town and saved money to buy the land, now Bladesville, built upon it, and died there many years ago.

Cottingham Family:
The Cottingham family are the descendants of one of the oldest citizens of the village. Doctor Cottingham, who was among the first to build, built his house near the northwest corner of North and East street. The house is still standing. There were three sons, John, Alfred and Charles. John engaged in carpentering and continued to work at it all his life. He lived in the old house his father had built. Alfred engaged in the shoe making business. The sons and daughters of these two have remained in Seaford and are esteemed citizens. Charles moved to Maryland, one of his daughters, a LeCompt, lives in Cambridge.

A play a pun words:

2010-08-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

A bicycle cannot stand alone as it is two tired.

Do You Know Dave Zearfoss?

2010-07-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

DAVE ZEARFOSS
BALL PLAYER

A news article in the July 26, 1914 Philadelphia Inquirer, Sussex County Snapshots secton, tells that a fire destroyed a garage at the cottage of David Zearfoss, baseball player, in Rehoboth Beach, which totally damaged two automobiles with the value of $3000.

Dave Zearfoss, baseball player? Never heard of him? OK, here is a bit about David William Tilden Zearfoss, according to the “Baseball Almanac”, Wikipedia and ancestry.com, He was born in Schenectady, New York on a Wednesday, January 1 1868, the fifth born child to David R. , 31 years of age and Adeline Bradley Zearfoss, age 28, who resided in Whitpain, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Whitpain is just a little north and east of Norristown, Pennsylvania. All other data list David W. T. as being born in Pennsylvania, but who is to argue with the “Baseball Almanac”? His father, David, was listed as a farm laborer.
Zearfoss was a graduate of Washington College on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and was their star catcher while in attendance. On the 17th of April, 1896, he entered Major League Baseball with the New York Giants, a catcher, until 1898, and retired July 8. 1905, after catching for the St. Louis Cardinals for two years. He was a friend and co-player with Homer W. Smoot, another Delaware baseball player of note who was a center fielder with the Cardinals. Some of the pitchers Zearfoss caught were Amos Rusie , Jonett Meekin, Vie Clark of Dover and Eddie ‘Farmer” Wilson of Middletown.. Zearfoss also played ball with a San Francisco team , a Butte, Montana team in 1902 and 1903, as well as a Dover Delaware team. His career batting average was .244

At 1 o’clock the afternoon of November 30, 1899, in the First Baptist Church in Dover, the Rev. J. R. Pierce, the minister, assisted by the Methodist Protestant minister, Rev N. O. Gibson, married David W. T. Zearfoss, age 30, and Miss Mary Moore, age 20, daughter of Joseph Moore and his wife, Narfarete, of Dover, Delaware. Mr. Moore was a carpenter and building contractor of the area. I believe that David and Mary had one daughter, Margaret, born in 1902. Adeline, his mother died at her home, 2743 West York Road, Philadelphia, age 59 on 15th July 1898.

David Zearfoss died in Wilmington, Delaware 12 September 1945 , at age 77, and was buried in Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

HARRISON HOWETH AUGUST 1, 2010 LEWES, DELAWARE

More of Chapter III - History of Seaford

2010-07-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

In 1826, James Darby , one of Seaford's best citizens came here from Milford and opened a tailoring establishment which continued for fifty years or more. With him came Rhodes Hazzard and no two other men came here that were of more value to the village. Soon after his arrival he married Hester Ann Hopkins, eldest daughter of Robert and Mary Hopkins. His wife died rather young nut he lived to be eighty five and his family, children and grandchildren have remain citizens of Seaford.
The Horsey family were another who figured largely in commercial enterprise. In the fourth decade Josiah, a carpenter was first but soon began a plain goods and grocery establishment on the corner of Water and Market, near the bridge. His wife was the daughter of the oldest Jacob Kinder and he died after but a few years and left two sons, John P. and George W., who removed to Baltimore. William horsey came next, married Eliza Ann Stokely, also engaged in merchandising and was a most enterprising business located on the northwest corner of Market and High Street. This family left but a few children who do not remain here. An older brother who came here late in life, Nathaniel, was also a merchant, his place of business was on the south side of Water Street between North and Market. None of his family remained in town.

The Stokely family were one of the first settlers to the village, Captain Job Stokely and his wife, who was a Miss Hinds, came from near Milton. They had three sons, Benjamin, Jacob and Job. Capt.Job died in his middle age. Benjamin, who became well known to Seaford citizen, engaged in the boating business and acquired considerable property, died an honorable old man at his home on Front Street. He and his wife left no children. The other son, Jacob, married and moved right away to Baltimore. Job married a Miss Collins, but died young, A sister married Jermiah McNeely, a tailor and postmaster. Their names have become obsolete in the town.

MORE OF CHAPTER III - HISTORY OF SEAFORD

2010-07-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Samuel Laws and George P. White: Third decade Seaford residents:
Another of Seaford's early citizens was Samuel Laws whose family had but three children. They were William, Catherine and John. Samuel did not remain in Seaford long as he bought the Curtice Jacobs farm at Horsey Crossroad and moved to it. He did live to an old age and died in Bridgeville, None of the children ever lived in Seaford and have been deceased many years.
George P. White, also a citizen of Seaford in its third decade, was a very worthy Christian young man and highly esteemed. He became associated with Mr William Cannon, who later became Delawares Governor, in the commercial business in Bridgeville.
The Wright's:
Brothers Terpin, Jacob and Charles figured pretty largely in the business enterprises of third decade of the history of Seaford, came about 1826 from their old homestead down the Nanticoke near State Line. They built and operated vessels, hauling corn and lumber; They kept a general supply store,and did not neglect a stock of rum and whiskey. As their place of business was on the corner of North and Water Street, near the residence of my father I well remember the demoralizing scenes witnessed almost every day.
At that time there was little temperance sentiment outside the churches and all merchants, except conscientious Christians and strict moralists, sold intoxicants under the regular county and state license,
Jacob Wright married the daughter of Curtis Jacobs and built a house on Water Street and lived there all the time he lived in Seaford. This house is also known as the John Scott house.
Terpin and Charles married sisters from Georgetown. Terpin built the house now standing midway between the corners of West and Market Streets. It was considered the finest dwelling in or about Seaford. He later bought and moved to Oyster Shell Point farm in Dorchester where he died at an old age.
Charles lost his first wife about a year after they married and remarried Sophia Martin and moved to a farm he bought a mile above Seaford which was poor land and the common gazing ground for Seaford. There, he built a home and brought the land to a high state of cultivation. He died there and his wife survived him many years.
Jacob Wright engaged in the Negro Trade in 1836, buying them like cattle around the country and shipping them to Georgia. Many were the tears around Seaford that year because of the cruel separation of husbands and wives, parents and children, for the Negros ha feeling even if they were chattels. After this he soon moved to Talbot county Maryland, had one son, Joseph. No one lives now to perpetuate his name.

Korea

2010-07-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

This is something a bit special. Yesterday I received a letter from Lee Myung-bak,the President of Republic of Korea. I am sure all KWVA member also received this message. But, it told me he and his country 'salute' the veterans of the Korean War and want to pay tribute for our protection of liberty and freedom of his coutry.
Usually , we vets of Korea receive, every year or so, a Medal, with a ribbon to add to our VFW and Legion Caps, which are already full of such. But to me, this time, this letter dug deeper, it said the Koreans had promised to build a prosperous county, to uphold peace and freedom. He says he is proud to say they have managed to do just that. That, those words, give me the 'feeling' that my two years of life, there in Korea, were not in vain. Thank you, Lee Myung-bak, for my renewed pride in America.

1824 FUN AT CAPE HENLOPEN

2010-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia, 24 July 1824:
A number of our ship carpenters who recently 'turned out' for higher wages and a few sail makers, with 'drink in hand', hired a small sloop for the purpose of celebrating the 4th of July at the Capes of Delaware. Upon reaching the place, however, they were unable to realize their anticipated enjoyment, so being full of independence, and gin, after weighty deliberations, resolved upon a cruise in pursuit of adventure. Their 'stores' were ample and having appointed a 'Commodore', they set sail with "buoyant hearts and spirits free as air". After cruising for sometime with out success, the U.S.Schooner Wessel hove into view and gave to the 'Commodore' a hope of accomplishing something worthy of himself. I shall not pretend to describe the soul piercing flash that darted through the mist of the liquor from his half bungled eye, when he first beheld his designed prey nor shall I describe the shouts of of which arose from the gallant crew, when orders were given to "bear down on her" and make he yield submissive to our power. The order was promptly obeyed, up went the sails, each man at his post, and as the belligerent forces floated toward each other, there was
"A Calm as Still as Death; And The Boldest Held His Breath; For a Time".
But when within musket shot, the Commodore with a degree of promptness which distinguishes our American Commanders, ordered the schooner to send her papers aboard immediately or dread impending ruin. Captain Zanisloger, who was at the loss of understanding the nature of the demand, manifeasted, as the Commodore thought, some reluctance in complying, when in order to enforce obedience to his modest request, a musket was fired from the sloop.
Captain Zanisloger, unwilling that the commodore should have all the fun on his side, ordered a 12 pounder to be fired over them and squared off to give a second broadside if necessary, but upon the clearing up of the smoke , the valour of our Commodore evaporized, and he, with half his crew were discovered on their knees exclaiming, "as you are brave, be mericifal".
The sloop was then set aboard, not with papers, but with orders to bring the Commodore and his crew aboard the schooner, where they were examined and Captn. Z having satisfied himself that they were true and loyal citizens of this commonwealth, in pursuit of pleasure, after a few sobering hours of detainment, permitted them to return to their sloop , on their promising that they would never attempt to catach "a Wessel" asleep again.

MORE OF CHAPTER III - HISTORY OF SEAFORD BY ROBERT BOYCE HAZZARD - PRETTYMANS

2010-06-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

Jacob Prettyman, a distant relative of Solomon, Joel and Ashbury, Prettyman, was another of Seaford's first settlers who came from Bridgeville and engaged in the manufacturing of hats, was successful and acquired considerable property. His place of business was on the southwest corner of Front and West streets. He left Seaford many years ago, bought land in Kent county Delaware. He was twice married to two Morgan sisters of near Middleford, had but two children, one of which, his son, is living in Seaford. Ralph Prettyman, also a relative of those mentioned came to Seaford from the eastern side of the county about 1830 and worked for Robert Hopkins in the carriage business. After a year or two he married Sarah Ann Hazzard then engaged in business for himself the rest of his life. He lived in Seaford over fifty years and during those years his Christian and business character was unimpeachable. His wife, a devted Christian died in 1865 and he in 1882. They had a large family of children and gave two, Frank and Charles, to the service of their country in the Civil War. Six are still living.

News About Seaford in 1861/Letter From Seaford

2010-06-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Seaford, Del., Oct., 3rd, 1861:
Dear Editor
Peninsular News and Advertiser:
I having a few leisure moments I thought it might not be amiss to give you a few lines which may include some of the passing news of this place.
The war news is of course the predominant, some fifteen or twenty young men of this town and vicinity have enlisted in the 1st Delaware Regiment Volunteers, and many more seem inclined to follow. Mr. Joseph White, a member of the Laurel Home Guards, who was accidentally shot through the abdomen a few evenings since is convalescent we learn.
"Secesh" is getting quite week here, but few advocates and less practitioners, we would advise those who wish its remembrance, to, "secure the type, ere the shadow fades".
Schooners that have lately arrived here from Washington report that they have been fired at from the rebel batteries on the Potomac but received no damage.
Business here is getting quite brisk. The oyster houses of Platt and Maler have opened and seem to be doing quite a heavy business for so early in the season. The Hall and Company from Toronto, Canada, are also fitting up a large house for the oyster business and from the manner in which they move we should consider their prospects bright. The Messrs. Platt and Malar we know to be gentlemen and men of excellent business qualities and from what we have already seen of Mr. Hall, we suspect no less of him. These eastern gentlemen are a great help to our town and through their enterprise a god number of our men have employment during the fall and winter seasons, who otherwise would be idle. We wish them much success and hope they will be amply repaid for their labors.
Several new dwelling houses are being built here, among which is one belonging to Mr. George T. Kay, one of our best citizens and for his enterprising spirit and good qualities as a citizen, he has our best wishes throughout.
Mrs. Ross, the wife of E-Governor Ross, arrived home on Saturday last. She seemed to be quite surprised at the idea of having the contents of her trunk overhauled at the depot, nevertheless, it was done. Notwithstanding the lady has been on a trip to Europe for the purpose of recuperating her health, we are sorry to say that she looked but little better on her return than when she left. She did not say when Mr. Ross would be home.
For fear that we occupy more space in you columns, then is due us, we will close by promising that when we write again we shall write someting on more importance, if we have it. Yours Truly, 'Nux Vomica"

SCRAPPLE

2010-05-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Baltimore American new edit
Contributed by Harrison

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Description: Late War Brought Tasty Scrapple Into Popularity.

Date: February 11 1921

Newspaper published in: Baltimore, Maryland

Source: newspaper
Baltimore, Md., Feb., 11, 1921:

The late war, WWI, has taught the Baltimore housewife many small economies and various dishes that were ignored before the high cost of living brought the "cheaper cut" and all other money saving devices into their own.
Among the humble concoctions with which the epicurean palates became acquainted is one found of so great favor that it continues in popularity today, it rejoices in the encompassing name of "scrapple". Scrapple may be purchased at the markets, or more economically, made at home which disposes of a lot of left over problems. It is a two fold blessing.
Here is how to make scrapple.
Boil all bones, scrap and skins in plain water until the meat is free of the bones, then dip out all solids and separate the meats and bones. Run the meat through the chopper until it is very fine.
Be sure to increase the quantity of the liquor in the boiler by adding 10 to 15 per cent more water, and keep it at a boil.
Prepare a mix of cornmeal, 50%, buckwheat, 25%. The buckwheat is what will make the delicious brown crust when it is fried.
Into the boiling liquor, add salt and black pepper, along the line of three pounds of salt and one pound of black pepper to 60 gallons. Then thicken the liquor with with the grain mix until the stirrer stands up unsupported in the boiler. Now work in the chopped meat, mixing thoroughly, then dip out into shallow pans which should hold from 5 to 10 pounds. Set these full tins aside to cool on an open rack.
Once a single slice is eaten by the consumer, well fried, cut to a half inch thickness, with it own crisp golden brown crust from the fry pan, they will have no grudges of the cost of it.

History of Seaford -1799-1856 by Robert Boyce Hazzard /Chapter 3 Continnued

2010-05-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

James Martin, also a sailor, was captain of a schooner plying between Seaford and Baltimore who died on his vessel on a return trip home. He had a very interesting family, Elizabeth, who married Henry Rawlings and died but a few years ago in Greensboro, Levica, married first to James Rembold and second to Twiford Nobel, both of Caroline County Maryland. Two brothers, James and Orland, died young. James was lost at sea the same time as Hugh's son, Robert. Orlando married twice, first to Sarah J. Swiggett and second to Sarah Hinds and all of these have passed away. The home of James Martin was down Cedar Lane, where the railroad depot now is.

Three other men came to Seaford in its early history and became prominent business men and useful citizens. They were Solomon, Joel and Asbury Prettyman, brothers, came from near Lewes. Solomon the eldest was a local preacher of more than ordinary ability but was not successful in his financial operations. He engaged in the manufacture of pig iron, the forge being at Collins Mill where at that time, the land around the the head of the Nanticoke river yielded considerable iron ore. He also engaged in the manufacture of 'black oak bark' which was made into a fine dust and used for dyeing fabric. That mill was one the corner of Market and High streets. He built the first house to stand where the tavern has for many years. It was called Solomon's Temple and considered a fine dwelling. He and his wife lived there until 1834 when they moved to Wilmington where he started a school for young ladies, named Wesleyan Seminary. He died a few years later. He and his wife had no children.
Joel was another sea faring man, sailed a fine schooner, "The Rising Sun", between Seaford and Baltimore. Later, he returned to his old homestead near Lewes and lived to a very old age. He had the good fortune to marry well and had a good sized family. A Milford doctor, Dr. J. S. Prettyman, was their first born, James, the second child died when a young man in Milford whilst he was editor and publisher of the "Peninsula News".
Asbury, was very young when he came to Seaford and was engaged in the mercantile business but remained but a few years. He had married Sarah Little, the only child of Henry Little. They moved to Philadelphia and he continued engaged in the commission business. He and his wife lived to an old age, the wife surviving him by several years. Asbury was also kown to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Robert Boyce Hazzard's History of Seaford, 1799-1856, continue Chapter 3:

2010-05-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

James Scott was also one of Seaford' early citizens, and supplied the town with fresh meats. James was known to have been a slave to the love of intoxicants. He was partially reclaimed and brought into the Methodist episcopal Church where Jacob Hazzard became his class leader and by patience and the exercise of brotherly kindness helped him in the great fight with his strong foe.James Scott had a good wife who we believe helped him greatly in his struggle for the mastery he conquered. He passed many years past middle age and died suddenly on the street of Seaford. This couple left four or five children who remained about Seaford, except the eldest, John, who died many tears age.
James Conwell, another early citizen but left before the growth began. He came from near Lewes, about Broadkill, and was very enterprising and had bought all the lots between Market street, north of East street, now High street, to Second street, except for the lots already laid out on Market street. He built the first house on the north side of East street and lived there for a few years when he sold all of his property in Seaford to Levin Cannon and moved to Indiana where he became very wealthy and highly esteemed.
William Conwell, also from the Broadkill area, early in the history of the village, and was a merchant on the corner of North and West Streets. He died in 1831 during the memorable deep snow storm of the winter. His widow survived him but a few years. Their son, David,continued the business and kept store. After his mothers death he began to preach and disappointed all of his acquaintances, but died suddenly the first year of his ministry in Dorchester county at the home of James W. Sherman. William and his wife lived in a home he built at the corner of West and Front Streets, now the property of heirs of Henry Hopkins.
Before William Conwell came to Seaford village, his daughter came about 1812 from Lewes after the British had bombarded it. She was one of the class of women who make a good and lasting impression on all who know them. She became the wife of Levin Cannon, one of Seaford's best citizens who came to the village sometime in early 1800.He, too, was a merchant, at the corner of North and Water streets. He became a very prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a very enterprising business man. He purchased land between Pine street and the Delaware Railroad toward the county road. He built the home,the long time residence of the Cannons, where Mrs. Ann Cannon died but a few months ago. He also built a small store on the corner of Pine and High streets and continued in business there until his death in 1838. He died comparatively young, his widow surviving him over forty eight years. There were seven children to this family, all deceased but one, William, now well known and highly esteemed.

Captain Hugh Martin became very prominent and prosperous in the early village and was one of the few of the first settlers Seaford who was raised thereabouts and entered his manhood about 1818. His parents were among the very first settles and kept a hotel on Water street between North and Market. This house was moved uptown and repaired and is now used as a dwelling. Captain Hugh Martin married the very handsome and energetic young Sophia Willis from Milton who often visited in Seaford. Hugh was always a seaman, while young he was a deckhand on a schooner which sailed from Seaford to Baltimore by the Nanticoke River and Chesapeake Bay. He soon became a ships captain and began a coastal trade which left him and the family very wealthy. He lived to an old age and left the family of seven sons and two daughters in affluent circumstances. Sophia, his wife, contributed very largely to his success,and the family honor. Their home was one of the finest in Seaford at that time and has remained in the family more than eighty years, occupied by the family members and then a son, a doctor, during his lifetime. This house was built by his wife during one of his extended sea voyages, over a year, which proved her force of character and qualifications. Their children grew up and remained in Seaford, except Luther, who went to Philadelphia, lived and died there, and was a Methodist minister. The eldesr son, Robert, was lost at sea.

1856 4th July at Georgetowm, from the Delaware State Reporter, newspaper of Dover.

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Our National Anniversary was celebrated with more than usual spirit by the citizens of Georgetown and the surrounding county side last Friday. The great feature of the day was a Grand Procession of the I.O.O.P. gotten up by Union Lodge Number 3 and participated in by representations from the Atlantic Lodge of Lewes, Hebron Lodge of Seaford and other Lodges of Sussex. A Brass Band from Philadelphia discoursed sweet and spirit stirring music and contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the day.
As near as could be ascertained, about one hundred members, dressed in the brilliant regalia of the Order, lined up according to its different grades and degrees, marched off at 2 in the afternoon, and after making the town circuit to the Public Square, assembled under the shade of the trees surrounding the Court House, where a stand had been erected with ample accommodations to seat the assembled mulitides.
The Marshall of the Day, John Stokely, Esq., and his aid, P. Norman, Esq., acquitted themselves with tact and skill.
D. Rodney, Esq., the Acting N.G. presided with grace and dignity. The opening prayer by the Chaplin Rev. A. Wallace, was eloquent and impressive. The Declaration of Independence was read by Dr. Charles Richards , followed by an address by the Rev. Mr. Wallace on the early history of our country in its struggle against oppression and tyranny, leading to the glorious Declaration and the scene that day, eighty years ago, when the 'Old Bell of Independence Hall' proclaimed liberty throughout the land and the inhabitants thereof. His address gave great satisfaction to all.
Next followed the 'Orator of the Day', George P. Fisher Esq., who entertained the vast audience with one of the most eloquent outpourings of patriotic sentiment ever heard in Sussex after which the procession again formed , the band played and the audience waited for the display of fireworks.
Never have the citizens of Georgetown enjoyed a more magnificent spectacle than was presented in the Town Square. Rockets rose high among the stares and pailed them by the brilliance of their corrugations. Burning balls of various hues illuminated the darkness and without disorder or accident of any kind, the people disappeared, having enjoyed one of the happiest days.

Oyster Cellars

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New York Oyster Cellars of the 1800’s

From Mark Kurlansky’s “When the Oyster was Their World”, New York Times, ‘City Lore’, June 24, 2001.

The favorite way of eating oysters in New York and the Northeast was ‘raw’. In 19^th century New York, oysters were opened and served raw with nothing but pepper, salt, lemon or vinegar. They were offered in bars, at street markets, in hotels and street side stands.

The oyster cellar became in New York an institution as the papaya bar, the earliest record of one is 1783 when one opened on Broad Street. These cellars were usually a few steps below street level and advertised with an oyster balloon by the stairwell. These balloons, red muslin globes, were lighted at night, usually until very late.

In 1842 when Charles Dickens, author of the phrase “solitary as an oyster” , visited New York he seemed unimpressed by the food, including a dozen-course feast in his honor at ‘Delmonico’s ‘ that began with oysters. But in spite of his assertion that Americans ate “piles of indigestible matter” ( strong language from a man whose wife made ‘suet dumplings’), he was taken with New York’s oyster cellars.

Most of the cellars were known for their rough clientele, though there were exceptions, like ‘Downing’s’ on Broad Street, which catered bankers. Dickens went to the five Points, the infamous slum near Worth and Baxter Streets, where the cellars were interspersed with sleazy dance halls.

George C Foster, a reporter for the New York Tribune w described oyster cellars in his 150 book, “New York by Gaslight” wrote, “the women of course, are all of the same kind, but among the men you would find , if you looked curiously, reverend judges and juvenile delinquents, pious and devout hypocrites and undisguised libertines and debauches”.

Down a small set of stairs from the street would be a swinging saloon door leading to a room with a bar at one end and booths at the other. Sometimes private rooms were available in the back. After mid-century the décor started to become gaudier, with ornate light fixtures and red velour curtains, sometimes, vaguely erotic paintings on the walls.

In the Mid 19^th century, Canal Street was a center for oyster cellars and a widely adopted Canal Street Plan was ‘all you can eat for 6 cents’. It was rumored that cellars proprietors preserved profits by slipping a ‘bad’ oyster to customers who were eating too many. Still, customers usually ate several dozen at a 6 cent sitting, making the millions od dollars worth of oysters, $6 million in 1850 alone, according to Michael & Arian Batterberrys “On the Town in New York”, all the more impressive.

Diamond Jim Brady, the legendary New York gourmand, famously began his pretheater dinner with three dozen oysters. New York oysters were not big enough for him and he had huge ‘Lynnhaven’ oysters specially ordered from Maryland.

In the mid 19^th century, floating oyster markets were built that would tie up along the Hudson and East Rivers. By the 1880’s these barges had become two stories high with elaborate ornaments.

Oyster cellers vanished late in the century when New York beds were vanishing from overuse and pollution. In 1920’s, outbreaks of typhoid fever were linked to New York oysters and in 1927 New York Harbor and the waters around Staten Island were closed to oystering.

The August 21, 1819 issue of the Dover, Delaware, American Watchman newspaper has this article; Deposits at the Savings Bank in New York City, on Saturday evening amounted to $4076 and the number of depositors were 121. The largest deposit of $1800 was made by a ‘free black’ woman who keeps an oyster cellar in downtown.

Another Interesting Adventure In Sussex County

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Transcribed From Delaware State Reporter: March 7, 1854:
If examined by a microscope, the exterior of an oyster shell there will be found a large continent, as it might be called, home of millions of insects that wander with great liberty over its surface.
Each of these insects is the owner of a house or cavern which it forms by burrowing into the solid shell. Besides these minute members of the animal kingdom, the vegetable tribes are represented by a luxurious growth of plants springing up over the entire shell. These are of every variety of forms and colors, look alikes of miniature trees, shrubs and flowers of the most beautiful descriptions.
In order to examine them properly, the oyster shell should be placed in a glass container of clear sea water.

Contents of a Normal Sussex County Boy's Pockets in 1855

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From the Delaware State Reporter newspaper, issue 2 March 1855, which has said a boy is very miscellaneous in his habits and when they emptied Master Smith's pockets the other day, they found the contents to consist of these articles; sixteen marbles, one spin top, an oyster shell, two chips of a brick, one doughnut, part of a curry comb, a paint brush, three wax ends, a handful of corks, a chisel, two knives, both broken, a skate strap, three buckles and a dog eared spelling primer.
Everything seems normal except the oyster shell and the bet is that he carried it to drink water out of a deep well or fresh spring. Whats your best bet?

Crab and Oyster Stories, Eastern Shore Type.

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You have had your Fish Story's,so how about some Crab and Oyster Story's, Unordinary Everyday Stories.

All You Ever Need To Know About Oysters

On the coast of Florida, abounding in oysters and crabs, these two marine nations carry on hostilities against each other in a manner never noticed in any other place. The oysters actually feed on the spawn or young of the crab, by closing on them as they pass and detaining them until the are digested. and the old crabs, as if in revenge for the murder of their offspring frequently regale themselves on young oysters. But the crab in plucking out the oyster from the shell is frequently himself caught and if the oyster be large and strong enough the crab is detained by the claw until he parts with it or otherwise perishes. Now, when the oyster has attained full growth and strength. a crab is compelled to devise stratagem, unparalleled, and which I would have put no faith had I not been an eye witness of the fact several times. The oyster lying as usual with his shell wide open, the crab approaches with a pebble in one of its claws, then suddenly thrust the pebble into the mouth of the oyster which prevents its shell to fully shut closed. With great 'sang froid' avails himself of his enemy's embarrassment and with his claws nicks out the meat of the oyster from between the distended shell.
I have heard also that in the bay of Apalachi the racoons came down in great numbers to the bayside at low water and finding the oyster open on the beach would with a sudden jerk of a paw, wipe the meat from the shell very adroitly before the poor oyster had time to close up on him. The racoons are so fond of this meal that they will wade out some distance from shore in pursuit of their prey. Here it has happened, either because of the toughness of the oyster or the slowness of the racoon, close down on his paw. When this happens he inevitably perishes for the oyster is fixed fast to it bed below and as the animal struggles the oyster holds fast with all its force, and the tide rises and the racoon is drowned. An 1811 story.

There are at least 2000 square miles, that's 1,580,000 acres of natural oyster beds within the jurisdiction of the state of Virginia. Allowing for 1/8 of a bushel to each square rod of these beds, remember a square rod is equal to 30-1/4 square yards, and allowing the quantity of oysters therein or thereon, it may be reckoned that there be 784,000,000 bushels.
Oysters are reproduced at a rapid rate as the oyster is immensely prolific. Each mother of the family furnishes, every year, generally during the month of May, enough spawn to give birth to 3 million infants. Under favorable conditions, it takes about three years for these new embryo oysters to obtain an edible size. An 1857 story

The Abbe Freshon, a French Priest, was supposed to be the greatest glutton at Oysters in existence. A considerable bet was made that a Dutch Captain of a trading sailing vessel could surpass him.
At the Roche de Concafe, at Paris, a breakfast was ordered up where the bet was to be decided.
The Abbe ate one hundred and thirty eight dozen, some 1656 oysters, and then gave in. The Dutchman did not relax until he had eaten one hundred and eighty six dozen, 3383 oysters, with which he drank eight bottles of white wine. Then spying a well cooked fowl, untouched, he ate it all and drank two other bottles of wine. An 1817 story.

Delaware 145 Years Ago

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Description: A Voice From Delaware: How the State of Delaware Appeared in 1865:

Date: September 21 1865

Newspaper published in: Boston, Mass.

Source: newspaper

Page/Column: Letter To The Editor

My communication to your worthy paper a few weeks ago seems to have been well read in the Eastern States since I have received numerous letters of inquires. I hope to address these inquiries through your paper, with your kind permission.

First, It is my belief 'slavery' existing in the Southern States has forced emigration into the Northern ones.

Then, for Delaware, we have the mildness of climate, acres of level and fertile soil, light and free of rocks and stone, where one horse can do the labor of two, and less the wear and tear of farm implements. It is said the horses or oxen are not even shod for farm work.

The production of nature abounds in rich profusion, peaches, apples, pears, grapes, plums, all kinds of fruits and berries grow to perfection. In fact, all the small cereals, corn, potatoes, both round and sweet, are produced here equal to any other place. Growers in the North have felt that grapes will not grow well here, and this is a mistake.

Clover, Timothy, hard and orchard, as well as Hungarian flourish here.

The people are kind and hospitable and are pleased to have industrious, enterprising men come along to help develop and improve the resources of this land.

There is a system of common schools here, inaugurated some thirty years age by the venerable Judge Willard Hall of Connecticut, who migrated in early life to Delaware, and is now Judge of the United States District Court of Delaware.

There be an attempt to build up a Congregational Church at Canterbury, but owing to the few members and their limited means, they have not yet erected a house of worship. They call on the wealthy Congregationalist of the East to help and ask for contributions be sent to Deacon A. H. Bryan, formerly of Buffalo, who is at Canterbury. So let it be.

The facilities for market are the Delaware Bay and her tributaries, as well as the Chesapeake, and the Delaware Railroad which runs through the whole state, north to south, now to Salisbury, Maryland, head of the Wicomico River to the Chesapeake. This railroad soon with extend to Norfolk, Virginia it is said to connect to all southern cities.

The price of Delaware land varies with location and improvements. Along the railroad the best farm land can be bought for $75 to $100 per acre. The older, worn out farms,with poor buildings,a good distance from the rivers and railroad sell for $10 to $20 per acre. All farms have plenty of timber, but old houses and barns.

The above, I believe, is a birds eye view of things in the lower counties, where there is room for enterprise and industry.

Written from Canterbury, Delaware, September 13, 1865 by A. P. Osmond, a produce broker, originally from Mercer county Pennsylvania. He died at age 84, April 1870

First it was pirates, then the smugglers and river pilots.

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Lewes, Del., Jan., 22, 1883;

This quaint little town is fast regaining the unenviable notoriety is once possessed as a haunt for smugglers. for some time after the exposure of 1878, when several of the most daring evaders of the revenue laws were captured with contraband goods in their possession, the risky traffic was totally abandoned, owing to the pressure of a number of secret service detectives. The withdrawal of these officers, however, was signalized by an immediate revival of the nefarious business, which has continued without interruption up to the present day.
The existence in Lewes of an organized band of smugglers is an open secret throughout that portion of the Peninsula, yet for fully four years not the slightest effort has been made by the government official to break it up. While the illicit trade is nor conducted on a scale so extensive as that practiced in the palmier days of smuggling, nevertheless fully thirty thousand dollars worth of cigars and rum are annually loaded at the Breakwater without the knowledge of the resident Deputy Collector of Customs, Dr. Burton.
There is probably no town on the coast that possesses such favorable facilities for successful smuggling as does Lewes. Situated within a short distance of Cape Henlopen, and directly in the beaten track of navigation and possessing a harbor of unequaled safety, it has become the favorite stopping place for sailing vessels, especially for those returning from southern ports. It is a conspicuous fact that traders of this character rarely, if ever, pass Lewes on their inward passage without putting in. However flimsy the excuse for stopping may sometimes appear, the stop is made, and invariably extended until after dark. If the vessel has smuggled goods on board this fact is conveyed to the band at Lewes by means of a signal and at night they are quietly landed and stowed away while the unconscious Revenue collector is enjoying his slumbers. Such is the common talk of the town folks.
It has not been many days since a leading spirit in the snuggling gang, named Wiltbank, became dissatisfied at the division of a boat load of rum and cigars and threatened to "preach" if his allotment was not increased. The others laughed at his threat and refused to comply with his request. True to his word, however, the discontented adventurer swore out a warrant before a neighboring Justice of the Pace against his comrades, and it was only by the payment of a large sum of amount of money that the case was composed in time to prevent it being heard in a court room.
The smuggling band at Lewes numbers probably one dozen men. Its operations are mainly directed by pilots who while bringing vessel up, negotiate with the captains for the landing of smuggled goods. The spoils are equally divided among the gang and those who prefer cash to goods are always accommodated by one of their number, the moneyed man of the clique.
There is no possibility of effectually preventing smuggling here unless a revenue office is established on the beach overlooking the Breakwater and adjoining the wreckers huts and unwavering vigilance exercised day and night. s matters now are, the freebooters have fully sway. The town is full of smuggled liquor and cigars and it is not infrequent for a person to receive an invitation to have some smuggled brandy or to smoke a smuggled cigar.

General Grant's Memorial

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This note was brought to my attention by Barbara Dave who found it in the November 13 1907 issue of the Washington Times published in Washington, D. C. and have had it placed on newspaperabstracts.com.

Civil War veterans have greeted, with warm approval, the decision of the Grant Memorial commission to place a monument in the Potomac Gardens. Before the final decision , expressions from Army Societies all over the United States came to the chairman, General Granville M.Dodge.

The work will be completed upon the settlement of a slight legal proceeding, instituted by a local person asking that it be restrained from the cutting of three trees. This proceeding will be eradicated when the courts understand that the trees will not be cut, but transplanted.

Robert Boyce Hazzard "History of Seaford 1799 -1856

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AN ACCOUNT OF TRADE, PLACE OF BUSINESS AND PERSONS ENGAGED IN IT. Chapter 3.

We have not been able to find the date of the opening of the first store but suppose it was soon after the opening of the village in 1899.
Previous to this time the few citizens of the neigghborhood had their place of trading at Jacksons Wharf near a mile down the river and just below the point of land called 'Penknife'. In those remote times North Street to Water Street to the foot of what is now Pine Street then up the hill to what is now High Street and down what was then Cedar Lane and along the river to Jacksons Wharf was the county road leading thereto.
So far as we have been able to learn, Henry Adams, was Seafords first merchant with a store at the corner of Front and Water streets, just below the B. Stokely residebc. We suppose he was a Marylander as he was a brother of Minus Adams who lived and died in the Fork District of Dorchester county and a trade partner with him at one time. I have seen theeir 'day book' and therefrom got the status of 'temperance' then in Seaford, as among the items charded there was often a pint or quart of whisky or rum. We suppose he was successful in trade as we have heard preceeding his death he gave his brother Minus all of his estate in amount of $10,000.

We think Aaron Swiggert and George Hazzard were the next to engage in the merchantile business . Swiggert came came to Seaford from Kent county Maryland and George Hazzard came from Lewes, Delawatr. Swiggert must have moved to seaford early in the second decade of 1800 as a deed was excuted to him January 6, 1813 and he had also purchased some lots sold by Sheriff Tindale. September 19, 1818 as a company with Hazzard was bought Lot #13 at the foot of North Street, south of Water Street where they engaged in merchantdising. Records show that they paid $475 with the building. Two years later Swaggrt bought from Susan Fountain seven lots , which by an oversight had not been named in a deed given by James Hooper and were probably the lots on the corner of North and Water streets, the property where the Swaggert Hotel was located. Swaggert died at this property and left four children , William, Eliza Anne, Cornelie and Sarah Anne. The Swaggert name has been obsolete in Seaford and the county for many years now. The only descendents of the family are the chidred of of Major Allen who had married Eliza Anne.

George Hazzard married Nancy Hazzard from near Lewes and moved to Seaford in the first or second year of the second decade. Swaggert & Hazzard Company did not exist mant years as George Hazzard, early on, bought lots where Mrs Eresoene Hazzard and Jacob Hill now reside, where Hazzard had a business at the site of the Hill home and was very successful. On the lots which extended to the river, he established a tanyard and carried on the tanning business including shoe maker and merchandising. Hazzard was very enterprising but not in good health. He died in middle age and left nine children , William, David, Henry, Samuel, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Jane, George, and John. The Hazzard name also became somewhat obsolete. David lived past 80 in Indiana and William, who was known for his conscientious scruples and eccentricities was killed in his 70th year at Cannon by a railroad train accident. About Seaford, the chilfren of Ralph Prettyman and Henry Hopkins, are the only descendents.

Jacob Hazzard came to Seaford from Milford about 1818 and was learned inthe tanning and shoe maker business. He took charge of the Seaford Tannery and Shoe business for George Hazzard. He married Sarah boyce of Concard, Delaware. He established a tanyard adjoiningthat of George Hazzard and remained in that busines until his health broke down and compelled him to discontinue. He was a prominent citizen, noted for good character and Christian integrity in the Methodist Episcopal church. Sarah and he reaised eight childern which only three still are living. Myself, Robert Boyce, the author of this book, William M. of Norwood, Pennsylvania and Benjamin in Bridgeville. He died in 1839 after a long, lingering illness. There has not been a descendent of this famly living in Seaford for the last sixty years.

Rhoades Hazzard, long a valuable citizen , came to Seaford from near Lewes in 1826. He bought property on the northwest corner of Market and Second streets. where the residence of Mr. Jacob Wallace was located. This tract included the field betwee Market and Pine extending well out towards the county road. He was engaged in blacksmithing. Rhoades was a man of sterling integrity and good business qualifications and acquiried a good reputation. Living in Seaford near a half century and was a leading and efficient member of the Methodist episcopal Church. He had married twice, first to miss White who died several years after the marriage, and second to Miss Lucinda Houston, a cheerful and helpful mate. This family consisted of sux children, three sons by the first wife and three daughters of the second.

We see in the case of these three families how transient the stay of mortals in any one place, out of three, comprising fourteen sons, not one of them or their male descendants live in Seaford.

Dr. Henry Little was one of the first settlers in the village but unlike the others so far referred to he lived near Seaford previous to its survey and plotting. His old homestead was three miles from the village near what was known as Little School House. He moved to Seaford where he occupied the property on the northwest corner of Front and East streets for many years. While there he held the office and discharged the duties of 'Justic of Peace' for several terms. In 1835, when the Thompsonian System of practicing medicine came about, he studied and practiced and became very successful, continuing until age and its infirmities compelled him to stop. He was also a prominent official member of the Methodist Episcopal church, fervent in prayer and extortation , his shouts of 'haalelujah' could be heard from one side of Seaford to the other. A man of sssterling integrity, blameless in his life and highly esteemed, he died in 1863. He left but one child, a daughter, who married Asbury Prettymsn and moved to Philadelphia some fifty years ago. No one bears his name in Seaford now.

Robert Hopkins was another early citizen and came to the village from the east side of the county. He married Mary Little, sister of Dr. Henry Little. Hopkins engaged in Carriage manufacturing and also shoe making. At that time, there was no patent canvas for carriage tops or its side curtains and I remember well his tops and curtains bring made of muslin and hung to the outside of his shop for painting and drying. since most of the traveling was done by horse back, he made saddles for the village and the country around. Robert and Mary had a large family of children, most of whom settled and remained in Seaford. Henry died just past his seventieth year. His children, Hester Annc married James Darby, Harriet, married John Laws and died a few years after the marriage, A son William went to Baltimore when a young man and lived to be an elderly man. Jane was the wife of Dr. Shipley and Elizabeth, the youngest daughter, became the second wife of Loxley Jacobs of near Bridgeville. Robert Hopkins, like many men of that period, died a bit past middle age, at forty four years, and his wife survived hm but a few years. Their dust, like many of those referred to, lies in the old Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery.

Saint Mary's Charlotte - Hall

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Maryland Journal
Contributed by Harrison

Description: Trustees of Charlotte-Hall School to Meet First Tuesday in February Next.

Date: September 22 1782

Source: newspaper

Baltimore, September 30, 1782

Notice is hereby given, that the Trustees of Charlotte-Hall School, will attend at Cool-Springs, in Saint Mary's County, on the first Tuesday in February next, if fair, if not, on the first fair day thereafter, to receive plans and proposals, to agree and contract with any person who may be willing to undertake the building of a School, sufficient to receive and accommodate sixty scholars, teachers and servants.
All persons who have subscribed toward the erection of the said school are requested to to pay forthwith their subscriptions unto the Treasurer or one of the Trustees.
Signed per order:
HENRY TUBMAN, Register

Madam Bonaparte in Lewes

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Description: Madame Bonaparte's Visit to Lewes. An Anecdote
by Local Residents:

Date of Newspaper Issue: July 18 1888

Newspaper published in: Baltimore, Maryland

Page/Column: Across The Peninsula/ Patapsco to the Delaware:

Lewes, Del., Anecdote of Madame Bonaparte:

Madame Bonaparte, the first wife of Jerome Bonaparte, youngest brother of Napoleon Bonaparte of France, was the daughter of a Baltimore merchant. She was best know in America as 'Betsy', full name was Elizabeth Patterson. 'Betsy' lived to be 95 years of age.

This anecdote is related of the late Madame Bonaparte in relation to Lewes and vouched for by older residents who had received the story from respectable sources.
One her way to France from Baltimore, after her marriage to Jerome, the vessel she was aboard put into the Delaware and because of the poor conditions aboard Madame Bonaparte and other passengers demanded to be put ashore. On coming to land and when in the Lewes Creek, the small boat containing the Madame and the party, capsized. Lewes pilot, Shelby Hickman, swam safely ashore with her in tow. The Madame was housed at the residence of Thomas Rowland, where, as the story goes, she soundly berated her host for not having wax candles instead of the tallow dips in her quarters. When she was congratulated on her rescue and some pious consoler remarked if the Madame had not been saved she might have been in the wisdom of Heaven. The Madame replied. to the horror of her listeners, that she would "soon to be at the court of France than live in the Kingdom of Heaven".

ROBERT BOYCE HAZZARDS STORY OF SEAFORD

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Chapter II : Comprising the History of the Plotting The Village and the Business Enterprise of its Citizens:

On the 29th of October 1799, Seaford, or that part of it which lies between the river on the south, Herring Creek on the east, West Street on the north and Market Street on the west, with a few lots on the west side of Market Street, below East Street, was plotted. Prior to this time there was a landing near the point where the creek flows into the river, called Indian Landing, and later, Hooper Landing. We infer from the name Indian Landing that Seaford, in the remote past, was an Indian camping ground.
Tradition of the time says that Seaford took its name from and old white horse owned by a Scotchman then living at the landing who had named his horse after his native town in Scotland. It is probable that that is fact, as the distance from the sea and the depth of the river would make fording impracticable and the name irrelevant. The Scotchman referred to was Barnard Lidday, who was one of the first citizens of the village and who bought several lots, among them the lots owned by Capt. Benjamin Stokely who lived there up to his death. Lidday remained but a few years in Seaford them moving to Baltimore where he drowned at the docks, after which his lands were sold by Sheriff Tyndale Lidday's only child, a son, returned to the eastern shore and grew up in Hurlock, known as Barney Letta, then became a very old and highly esteemed christian gentlemen and died in Greensboro . It has been gathered that the early first settlement of Seaford was marked by dissipation where drinking intoxicant's and gambling were common practices and the debts for which the Lidday properties were sold came from gambling.
Captain Solomon Boston was another of Seaford's first citizens and was a very enterprising man and was the grandfather of Mrs. Sallie Harper who now lives at the place of his old home. He was a Virginian and a 'coaster', the master of a large vessel engaged in the coasting trade which would run up the Nanticoke for harbor during severe winter weather and lay just below the shoals about a mile below Seaford. Soon after the plotting of Seaford, Caaptain Boston was detained in harbor at Lewistown. While there, he went to visit a party of young people near Slaughter Neck where he met Sally Hines and in due time wooed and won her hand. After their marriage she sailed with him for some time during which he sailed many times up the Nanticoke to Seaford and soon he bought property in the village and settled his family there while still continuing his coastal sailing trade. Reccords show that he first purchased was the mansion house of John Hooper, December 12, 1840. It was last standing in the rear of the Thomas Cottingham store. He also bought several 50 X 51 lots on the west side of Market Street. The next year he bought lot #45 on North Street, near Water Street for $80. This section became the main trading center of town. His next purchase in 1809 were sixteen lots on West Street which became an extension of the village northward in the second plotting. In 1815 he purchased 'The Island', [which it was then and until 1825 , an island] where he built a plane two story house which stood for near a half century on the site where now stands the palatial home of Mr. Thomas Harper and Mrs. Sallie Harper. A foot bridge spaned the creek opposite the house and has been kept in good repair nearly a quarter of a century. It was thereafter the home of his wife and children and their children up to the present time and we suppose this to be the only tract, lot or plot of land about the town, except the Protestent Methodist Cemetery, that has not changed hands in these ninety years. Thomas Harper died about 1820, after which his eldest son Solomon bought out the interest of his brothers, John and Charles, then his family lived there and after his following of the coastal trade, died there. Solomon was married twice, first to Miss Ann Collins, the mother of Sallie Harper, and second to Miss Harriet Wallace, now Mrs. James.

Succinct Description of Georgtown in 1847

2009-12-26T15:34:00.000-08:00

This article appeared in the Baltimore Sun newspaper, May 8, 1847 and was written by its correspondent "SPLINTERSHANKS"

Georgetown, Sussex county, Delaware, May 2, 1847:
Gentlemen:
Several times have I promised myself to let you hear from me from this place, but from press of business matters I have been debarred from it as often.
I shall give but a short though somewhat succinct description of the place and its people, with their merits, demerits, and appearances, as they appear to me.
It is the seat of justice, the county town of Sussex county, Delaware, and is situated in its centre, on the main mail stage and state road, within 20 miles south of Milford, Kent county, and respectively within 8, 18, 16 and 20 miles of Milton. Lewis, Laurel, Seaford and horsey X Roads, all in the same county, and withibn about 20 miles of the Maryland line on its west and south, and the Atlantic Ocean on its east.
It has an old but somewhat inviting look, particularly at a distance, with its church spire and court house, and college steeples. It has a fine brick court house, a neat and most beautiful brick church, a handsome and capacious brick college and three hotels. Several stores with good stock of goods, clever, honorable and accommodating owners, a sound and thriving bank, the money and officers of which are "as good as old wheat" without chaff. There are from 500 to 600 well bred, jocose, hospitable and intelligent inhabitants. Last, but not least of all, about 'almost' several scores of gentlemen of spiritual, medical and legal callings, rights and privileges.
The country round about the town is very level and sandy, though somewhat productive. There are several snug country residences just out of the borders of the town. SPLINTERSHANKS

Sussex Return Day

2009-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

Some Sketches of a Curious Down Country Custom.

How the Sussex People Learn About the elections, Curious Vehicles and Funny Scenes
The Ways of the County Politicians, Governor Hall in a Triumphal Procession, Colonel Martin Makes a Little Speech, A Pleasant Visit at Charles C. Stoakelys.

Georgetown, Delaware; November 8, 1878:

John M. Clayton used to say that the man who had been to a political meeting in Dagsboro, had seen Return Day at Georgetown and visited Paris, had witnessed the three most interesting sights in the world. It is just possible that Paris may furnish more splendid opportunities for the satisfaction of the aesthetic tastes, but I doubt if anywhere else there can be found such an opportunity for observing curious types of a particular people as at the Sussex County seat on Return Day. The congregation of people from all parts of the county on such occasions is probably RELIC OF THE English customs, where the supporters and constituents of the Parliamentarian candidates assemble at the county seat to learn the result of the contest. It was, and is, I believe the custom of these times for the member elect to entertain the people with feast and music. The absence inn Sussex until late years of railroad and telegraphic facilities has rendered it necessary for the politicians to come to Georgetown on the day when the official count is made, and an old English habit has thereby been observed and on every Thursday after a general election is a very red letter day in Georgetown indeed. “ Return Day in Sussex” has become as celebrated almost as the Fourth of July or any other great National Holiday.
A stranger in town on Wednesday afternoon would be somewhat astonished at the unusual activity prevailing throughout the place. Carpenters are apparently barricading the court house, about which long structures, tabled beneath, and covered with a rather secure roofing of planks are built up all sides, even before the windows and doors. These are the cake and candy booths where even a mild kind of beer which the old colored women are fond of making, is sold. Long tables are stretched within the halls and the Circle, from which the town radiates, present a jubilant appearance, clattered up with little stands and various sorts of contrivances to catch the eye and pocketbook of the expected multitude. Painters are busy marking on canvas the results of the election in other State, which are stretched like huge banners of victory from court house windows and hotel porches. From these it cannot be said that they would furnish strictly reliable information, States being claimed for both political parties with a recklessness that would astonish even a partisan newspapers the day after election when only a few counties have been heard from. There is nervous bustle all over town, the hostelries are provisioned with lavishness, the boys are getting their Sunday best prepared and the girls prepare their best gowns and most stunning hats for the morrows display.
I left orders with the hotel clerk to have me called at 3 o’clock in the morning, and by quarter past I was in the comfortable waiting room of mine host, Mr. Rosenbaum, when the clear, sharp morning air bore to my ears the sounds of the first arrival. Nearer came the sound of slowly rolling heavy wheels. The driver of the clumsy vehicle seemed to be in some difficulty in getting snugly up to the hotel door and I went out. A rugged old man was just in the act of alighting from his seat upon a cart it would be impossible to describe. Two pair of home made, broad tired wheels, connected by a pole and supporting something that appeared to be a cross between a coach of a hundred years ago, minus the top, and a modern Western grain wagon, were hitched behind a tandem team, and such a tandem. The leader of the pair was a small, restless jackass , with ears as long as the longest eared jackass that ever was seen. Between the shafts, in apparent dangerous proximity to that jackass’ heel, there was a bullock which would have tipped the beam at 1900 pounds. The wagon, buggy, coach, or whatever it might be called, held four young girls, a youngster of nineteen summers and an old lady in the frilled cap and flowered shaw of the last century. They all got out and came in to the hotel s fire.
“Right smart likely of rain, but when we started out from down home last night it ware clair. How’d the lection go?”. Before the old mans question could be answered there was a clatter outside and he went out to tend the tandem. New arrivals had come and in a short time there was a constant stream of all sorts of vehicles pouring into town. Smart buggies from Seaford and Milford, and more curious tandems from down the county, all sorts of people and any quantity of curious characters. By 7 o’clock there were more than 300 arrivals, not withstanding the threatened rain. Old women bending beneath the burden of 80 years, young girls bedecked with all colors of the rainbow, matrons with suckling babies, Mingling with the crowds , here and there, could be seen that curious Sussex County politician. Good hearted, honest in everything else, and mostly honest in this, they are ever busy with some deeply laid scheme for office or advancement. Here is one of them, my friend, lets call him Henry, from one of the smaller hundreds. Some years ago je defeated at the polls the opponent who had overreached him in the county convention. He is whispering confidentially to a couple of friends over there by the clerks office, I venture to guess he is putting down some wires which are to be used in the next two years. They say that there are fourteen gentlemen in the county who are working for control of the delegation to the State Convention four year to come. What a delightful series of plots and counter plots of intrigue such as old Machiavelli would not blush to own, “ It is one of my great desires of my heart to live to see the contest for the next gubernatorial nomination “ said one of the court judges to me last week.
By 10 o’clock there was a great crowd in town, which filled up two street and completely blocked up the circle about the Court House and hotels. Colonel Martin had arrived as well as prominent gentlemen from all parts of the State and county. The Court house and nearly all the offices, as well as the court room, were given up to the crowd which completely filled them. One family took up its quarters in the corner of a hall and with a hand stove are getting dinner ready. Oyster booths are peddling out stews in a pretty lively rate, two for 25 cents.
The court room presents a scene which hold one’s attention with more interest, perhaps, than any other of the day. Up in the judges chair are a young couple in ecstasy and each others arms, the proverbially bashful rustie had lost his differences and between long drawn happy sighs and warm kisses , the pair munch peanuts and ginger cake with an occasional bite of stick candy. In a corner a fine looking young mother is suckling a chubby pair of twins at the same time. Everybody is at home and entirely careless of each others presence but in many curious circumstances to be witnessed by a close observer there was nothing indecent although somewhat without the bounds of what some people might call ‘good taste’. All were honest people who did nothing for which they thought it necessary to blush.
Outside the refreshment booths are doing a brisk business and although there is a sprinkling of rain the crowd surges about from place to place. Some few fights occur and there is affair sprinkling of drunken men and boys with one or two instances of inebriated women. The fine ladies of the town are to be found escorted about the points of interest by their beaux. The perches about the square are generally occupied by folks who are interested on the many peculiar things to be seen and heard. Like all Sussex county people the folks of Georgetown are clever and hospitable, and society here will compare very favorable with that anywhere in the State. Indeed, beneath all the somewhat provincial habits of the crowd in the town , there lurks a kindly, sturdy good fellowship and honesty that is not found in some more cultivated sections. There is also, evidently, a growing intelligence among the people of Sussex that is seen more and more each return day in the conversation and ways of those who come up to such occasions.

Abut noon the Frederica Cornet Band, from Governor elect Halls house, came into town with their lofty chariot and a stampede was made for the street up which they were approaching, until the Court house and Hotels were almost deserted. The band, followed by not less than 1000 people, marched about the town and was escorted at last to the circle where the banners, bulletins and American flags were flying in the breeze. Here they delighted the applauding crowds with some excellent music until the arrival of the Delaware Railroad train which had on board Governor elect Hall and his escort of personal friends. Crowds pressed about the little depot, filling it completely, covering the platform and roof , such a jam as Mr. Hall found it difficult to pass through but he finally made way to the waiting carriage and with the band leading the gaily decked coach with plumed horses and bannered top , driven by Dr. Richards, and the shouting enthusiastic crowd passing on behind, he was born in triumph to Rosenbaums Hotel where he was received by Colonel Martin and others. The two were escorted to the porch above and in response to the calls of the multitude which completely filled all the space in the circle and the street as far as the eye could reach, Mr. Hall bowed in all directions. Mr. Martin was called out and in a few simple words thanked the people for their recognition and in behalf or himself and Governor Hall thanked them for the support they had given them at the polls. This little excitement over, everyone returned to the court house and refreshment booths.

In the meantime the canvassers had figured up the election result which was announced from the court house steps at 4 o’clock. By 5 o’clock the people of Sussex county began to return home and by 7 there were very few persons in town other than visitors from a great distance and the usual town folks.

In the evening the band and a large number of personal and political friends went out to hon. C. C. Stockely’s house where a hospitable welcome awaited them. The evening was spent in a quite, delightful manner and when the party left, three cheers were given Mr. Stockley. Upon their return to town the party, accompanied by the band, serenaded Gov. Hall at Dr. Richards and complimented the ladies who were at the entertainment with some choice tunes. The town remained alive with music and cheers until 2 o’clock in the morning when every body retired.

The Sussex Return Day article was found in the Easton, Maryland Gazette, the November 23 1878 issue.

Sussex Return Day 1878

2009-12-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

SUSSEX RETURN DAY

Some Sketches of a Curious Down Country Custom.

How the Sussex People Learn About the elections, Curious Vehicles and Funny Scenes

The Ways of the County Politicians, Governor Hall in a Triumphal Procession, Colonel Martin Makes a Little Speech, A Pleasant Visit at Charles C. Stockelys.

Georgetown, Delaware; November 8, 1878:

John M. Clayton used to say that the man who had been to a political meeting in Dagsboro, had seen Return Day at Georgetown and visited Paris, had witnessed the three most interesting sights in the world. It is just possible that Paris may furnish more splendid opportunities for the satisfaction of the aesthetic tastes, but I doubt if anywhere else there can be found such an opportunity for observing curious types of a particular people as at the Sussex County seat on Return Day. The congregation of people from all parts of the county on such occasions is probably relic of the English customs, where the supporters and constituents of the Parliamentarian candidates assemble at the county seat to learn the result of the contest. It was, and is, I believe the custom of these times for the member elect to entertain the people with feast and music. The absence inn Sussex until late years of railroad and telegraphic facilities has rendered it necessary for the politicians to come to Georgetown on the day when the official count is made, and an old English habit has thereby been observed and on every Thursday after a general election is a very red letter day in Georgetown indeed. “ Return Day in Sussex” has become as celebrated almost as the Fourth of July or any other great National Holiday.

A stranger in town on Wednesday afternoon would be somewhat astonished at the unusual activity prevailing throughout the place. Carpenters are apparently barricading the court house, about which long structures, tabled beneath, and covered with a rather secure roofing of planks are built up all sides, even before the windows and doors. These are the cake and candy booths where even a mild kind of beer which the old colored women are fond of making, is sold. Long tables are stretched within the halls and the Circle, from which the town radiates, present a jubilant appearance, clattered up with little stands and various sorts of contrivances to catch the eye and pocketbook of the expected multitude. Painters are busy marking on canvas the results of the election in other State, which are stretched like huge banners of victory from court house windows and hotel porches. From these it cannot be said that they would furnish strictly reliable information, States being claimed for both political parties with a recklessness that would astonish even a partisan newspapers the day after election when only a few counties have been heard from. There is nervous bustle all over town, the hostelries are provisioned with lavishness, the boys are getting their Sunday best prepared and the girls prepare their best gowns and most stunning hats for the morrows display.

I left orders with the hotel clerk to have me called at 3 o’clock in the morning, and by quarter past I was in the comfortable waiting room of mine host, Mr. Rosenbaum, when the clear, sharp morning air bore to my ears the sounds of the first arrival. Nearer came the sound of slowly rolling heavy wheels. The driver of the clumsy vehicle seemed to be in some difficulty in getting snugly up to the hotel door and I went out. A rugged old man was just in the act of alighting from his seat upon a cart it would be impossible to describe. Two pair of home made, broad tired wheels, connected by a pole and supporting something that appeared to be a cross between a coach of a hundred years ago, minus the top, and a modern Western grain wagon, were hitched behind a tandem team, and such a tandem. The leader of the pair was a small, restless jackass , with ears as long as the longest eared jackass that ever was seen. Between the shafts, in apparent dangerous proximity to that jackass’ heel, there was a bullock which would have tipped the beam at 1900 pounds. The wagon, buggy, coach, or whatever it might be called, held four young girls, a youngster of nineteen summers and an old lady in the frilled cap and flowered shaw of the last century. They all got out and came in to the hotel s fire.

“Right smart likely of rain, but when we started out from down home last night it ware clair. How’d the lection go?”. Before the old mans question could be answered there was a clatter outside and he went out to tend the tandem. New arrivals had come and in a short time there was a constant stream of all sorts of vehicles pouring into town. Smart buggies from Seaford and Milford, and more curious tandems from down the county, all sorts of people and any quantity of curious characters. By 7 o’clock there were more than 300 arrivals, not withstanding the threatened rain. Old women bending beneath the burden of 80 years, young girls bedecked with all colors of the rainbow, matrons with suckling babies, Mingling with the crowds , here and there, could be seen that curious Sussex County politician. Good hearted, honest in everything else, and mostly honest in this, they are ever busy with some deeply laid scheme for office or advancement. Here is one of them, my friend, lets call him Henry, from one of the smaller hundreds. Some years ago he defeated at the polls the opponent who had over reached him in the county convention. He is whispering confidentially to a couple of friends over there by the clerks office, I venture to guess he is putting down some wires which are to be used in the next two years. They say that there are fourteen gentlemen in the county who are working for control of the delegation to the State Convention four year to come. What a delightful series of plots and counter plots of intrigue such as old Machiavelli would not blush to own, “ It is one of my great desires of my heart to live to see the contest for the next gubernatorial nomination “ said one of the court judges to me last week.

By 10 o’clock there was a great crowd in town, which filled up two street and completely blocked up the circle about the Court House and hotels. Colonel Martin had arrived as well as prominent gentlemen from all parts of the State and county. The Court house and nearly all the offices, as well as the court room, were given up to the crowd which completely filled them. One family took up its quarters in the corner of a hall and with a hand stove are getting dinner ready. Oyster booths are peddling out stews in a pretty lively rate, two for 25 cents.

The court room presents a scene which hold one’s attention with more interest, perhaps, than any other of the day. Up in the judges chair are a young couple in ecstasy and each others arms, the proverbially bashful rustie had lost his differences and between long drawn happy sighs and warm kisses , the pair munch peanuts and ginger cake with an occasional bite of stick candy. In a corner a fine looking young mother is suckling a chubby pair of twins at the same time. Everybody is at home and entirely careless of each others presence but in many curious circumstances to be witnessed by a close observer there was nothing indecent although somewhat without the bounds of what some people might call ‘good taste’. All were honest people who did nothing for which they thought it necessary to blush.

Outside, the refreshment booths are doing a brisk business and although there is a sprinkling of rain the crowd surges about from place to place. Some few fights occur and there is affair sprinkling of drunken men and boys with one or two instances of inebriated women. The fine ladies of the town are to be found escorted about the points of interest by their beau. The perches about the square are generally occupied by folks who are interested in the many peculiar things to be seen and heard. Like all Sussex county people the folks of Georgetown are clever and hospitable, and society here will compare very favorable with that anywhere in the State. Indeed, beneath all the somewhat provincial habits of the crowd in the town, there lurks a kindly, sturdy good fellowship and honesty that is not found in some more cultivated sections. There is also, evidently, a growing intelligence among the people of Sussex that is seen more and more each return day in the conversation and ways of those who come up to such occasions.

About noon the Frederica Cornet Band, from Governor elect Halls house, came into town with their lofty chariot and a stampede was made for the street up which they were approaching, until the Court house and Hotels were almost deserted. The band, followed by not less than 1000 people, marched about the town and was escorted at last to the circle where the banners, bulletins and American flags were flying in the breeze. Here they delighted the applauding crowds with some excellent music until the arrival of the Delaware Railroad train which had on board Governor elect Hall and his escort of personal friends. Crowds pressed about the little depot, filling it completely, covering the platform and roof , such a jam as Mr. Hall found it difficult to pass through but he finally made way to the waiting carriage and with the band leading the gaily decked coach with plumed horses and bann

SUSSEX RETURN DAY

Some Sketches of a Curious Down Country Custom.

How the Sussex People Learn About the elections, Curious Vehicles and Funny Scenes

The Ways of the County Politicians, Governor Hall in a Triumphal Procession, Colonel Martin Makes a Little Speech, A Pleasant Visit at Charles C. Stoakelys.

Georgetown, Delaware; November 8, 1878:

John M. Clayton used to say that the man who had been to a political meeting in Dagsboro, had seen Return Day at Georgetown and visited Paris, had witnessed the three most interesting sights in the world. It is just possible that Paris may furnish more splendid opportunities for the satisfaction of the aesthetic tastes, but I doubt if anywhere else there can be found such an opportunity for observing curious types of a particular people as at the Sussex County seat on Return Day. The congregation of people from all parts of the county on such occasions is probably RELIC OF THE English customs, where the supporters and constituents of the Parliamentarian candidates assemble at the county seat to learn the result of the contest. It was, and is, I believe the custom of these times for the member elect to entertain the people with feast and music. The absence inn Sussex until late years of railroad and telegraphic facilities has rendered it necessary for the politicians to come to Georgetown on the day when the official count is made, and an old English habit has thereby been observed and on every Thursday after a general election is a very red letter day in Georgetown indeed. “ Return Day in Sussex” has become as celebrated almost as the Fourth of July or any other great National Holiday.

“Right smart likely of rain, but when we started out from down home last night it ware clair. How’d the lection go?”. Before the old mans question could be answered there was a clatter outside and he went out to tend the tandem. New arrivals had come and in a short time there was a constant stream of all sorts of vehicles pouring into town. Smart buggies from Seaford and Milford, and more curious tandems from down the county, all sorts of people and any quantity of curious characters. By 7 o’clock there were more than 300 arrivals, not withstanding the threatened rain. Old women bending beneath the burden of 80 years, young girls bedecked with all colors of the rainbow, matrons with suckling babies, Mingling with the crowds , here and there, could be seen that curious Sussex County politician. Good hearted, honest in everything else, and mostly honest in this, they are ever busy with some deeply laid scheme for office or advancement. Here is one of them, my friend, lets call him Henry, from one of the smaller hundreds. Some years ago je defeated at the polls the opponent who had overreached him in the county convention. He is whispering confidentially to a couple of friends over there by the clerks office, I venture to guess he is putting down some wires which are to be used in the next two years. They say that there are fourteen gentlemen in the county who are working for control of the delegation to the State Convention four year to come. What a delightful series of plots and counter plots of intrigue such as old Machiavelli would not blush to own, “ It is one of my great desires of my heart to live to see the contest for the next gubernatorial nomination “ said one of the court judges to me last week.

Outside the refreshment booths are doing a brisk business and although there is a sprinkling of rain the crowd surges about from place to place. Some few fights occur and there is affair sprinkling of drunken men and boys with one or two instances of inebriated women. The fine ladies of the town are to be found escorted about the points of interest by their beaus. The perches about the square are generally occupied by folks who are interested on the many peculiar things to be seen and heard. Like all Sussex county people the folks of Georgetown are clever and hospitable, and society here will compare very favorable with that anywhere in the State. Indeed, beneath all the somewhat provincial habits of the crowd in the town , there lurks a kindly, sturdy good fellowship and honesty that is not found in some more cultivated sections. There is also, evidently, a growing intelligence among the people of Sussex that is seen more and more each return day in the conversation and ways of those who come up to such occasions.

Abut noon the Frederica Cornet Band, from Governor elect Halls house, came into town with their lofty chariot and a stampede was made for the street up which they were approaching, until the Court house and Hotels were almost deserted. The band, followed by not less than 1000 people, marched about the town and was escorted at last to the circle where the banners, bulletins and American flags were flying in the breeze. Here they delighted the applauding crowds with some excellent music until the arrival of the Delaware Railroad train which had on board Governor elect Hall and his escort of personal friends. Crowds pressed about the little depot, filling it completely, covering the platform and roof , such a jam as Mr. Hall found it difficult to pass through but he finally made way to the waiting carriage and with the band leading the gaily decked coach with plumed horses and bannered top , driven by Dr. Richards, and the shouting enthusiastic crowd passing on behind, he was born in triumph to Rosenbaums Hotel where he was received by Colonel Martin and others. The two were escorted to the porch above and in response to the calls of the multitude which completely filled all the space in the circle and the street as far as the eye could reach, Mr. Hall bowed in all directions. Mr. Martin was called out and in a few simple words thanked the people for their recognition and in behalf or himself and Governor Hall thanked them for the support they had given them at the polls. This little excitement over, everyone returned to the court house and refreshment booths.

In the meantime the canvassers had figured up the election result which was announced from the court house steps at 4 o’clock. By 5 o’clock the people of Sussex county began to return home and by 7 there were very few persons in town other than visitors from a great distance and the usual town folks.

In the evening the band and a large number of personal and political friends went out to hon. C. C. Stockely’s house where a hospitable welcome awaited them. The evening was spent in a quite, delightful manner and when the party left, three cheers were given Mr. Stockley. Upon their return to town the party, accompanied by the band, serenaded Gov. Hall at Dr. Richards and complimented the ladies who were at the entertainment with some choice tunes. The town remained alive with music and cheers until 2 o’clock in the morning when every body retired.

The Sussex Return Day news item was found in the Easton, Maryland, Gazette issue of 23 November 1878

John M. Clayton's birthday

2009-12-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

One of the most interesting events which have occurred in lower Delaware for many years was the celebration today at Prince George's Chapel just a few miles from this town, of the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of John M. Clayton, one of Americas illustrious statesmen.
Born at Dagsboro, Sussex County, on July 24, 1796, John Middleton Clayton, after a youth of struggle for a livelihood, was sent to Yale where he was graduated with distinction in 1815. He then completed a course at Litchfield Law School and was admitted to the Delaware State Bar in 1819. His success was simultaneous with his admission and he immediately rose to distinction. This was achieved not less by his ability in the highest court, than by his skill before a jury.
In 1837 he was appointed to Chief Justice of Delaware. In 1829 Mr. Clayton represented his State in the United States Senate. He was reelected twice but resigned in 1849 to accept a seat in President Taylor's cabinet and was again elected to the United States Senate in 1851, continuing in the office until his death.
Prince George's Chapel, Dagsboro, renovated in 1895 and put in repair by patriotic men and women of the area, is the identical parish meeting house where John M. Clayton was baptized a century ago.

Broadkill Bridge 1910

2009-12-02T16:48:00.000-08:00

Date: December 1990

Newspaper published in: Milton, Delaware

Source: Collection of Bill Wagamon & Wanda King/Milton Historical Society

Broadkill Beach, Delaware

As late as 1908 or 1910, visitors to Broadkill Beach had to cross Deep Hole Creek at a footbridge. Every member of the family had to portage the provisions by foot and hand. *Since there were no government stimulus plans, local men had to plan and construct this project*. The Milton area men who volunteered the time and materials were J. Leon Black, Charles Waples, Robert and Morris Black, Joe Robbins, Dick White and Charlie Thackeray. No doubt there were others involved but their names did not survive.
Deep Hole Creek was at this time 600 feet wide and the four foot wide wooden bridge was built using log pilings as its base. On the west side of the bridge were several structures which provided accommodations for their automobiles or horses, while the first building across the creek was the store of Mrs. Barker, which had a boardwalk to the creek so boaters could access the store. Mrs Barker was the mother of Charles and Howard, *Charles at one time being a longtime mayor of Milton. Still with us this year of 2009 is her grandson, Clarence Barker who holds post office box number 2 at the Milton Post Office, an oldtimer for sure*.
Also from the boardwalk at Barkers Store. Captain Dave Dutton operated his motor launch, fueled by 'naphtha', and ran excursions out into the bay.
When you left the Barker's place, going toward the beach and bay, you passed S. J. Wilson's cottage that for some reason was called the 'anchor cottage', perhaps because it was a starting point for other cottage owners trips to their beach houses. In front of this small structure was a water pump that allowed folks to wash their sandy feet with fairly clean water. From here to Mr. Wilson's beach front house there was a cement walk.
Along the creek side there were at least fourteen cottages and back to, fronting the bay, were a like amount. The owners in the 1930's of some of these cottages were Joseph Hearn, Dr. John Wiltbank, Leon Black, Davis Lingo, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Fithian, Charles Thackeray, Dick White and Jim Jester. Erosion, after construction of the new inlet and jetty, caused these bay front places to be moved back and after this all construction was to the south of the bridge. *To the north there was the Halstead Layton hunting lodge. Layton's daughter later married Sam Burke, colorful Georgetown lawyer, who recently owned the property*.
It was not until 1932 that a bridge was built to allow vehicles to cross over to Broadkill Beach from the mainland side.

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

2009-11-25T10:37:00.001-08:00

The State of Delaware, Executive Department.

Because of the growing tendency to regard the day set apart for prayer and thanksgiving,as a day for indulgence in riotous living and worldly sports, contrary to the spirit in which the custom originated, many good people are beginning to consider the propriety of its discontinuance unless its observation should come to be characterized, as in times of gone by, with the sentiment of true devotion. Every day should be a day in which praise and thanksgiving should ascend from every human heart to God, the author and giver of all good. But in accordance with the established custom in this State, and in conformity with the proclamation of the President of the United States, I, ROBERT J. REYNOLDS, GOVERNOR of the State of Delaware, DO HEREBY SET APART: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER THIRTIETH, INSTANT: as a day of THANKSGIVING to Almighty God for His many good and perfect gifts bestowed upon us during the past year; and do most earnestly recommend that, on that day, the people of this State lay aside all secular occupations and in such a manner as their consciences may dictate, offer to God their reverent thanksgiving for all His mercies and pray for a continuance of Devine favor.
In Testimony Whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the State of Delaware to be hereunto affixed st Dover, this seventh day of November, in the year of out Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety three, and of the independence of the United States, the one hundred and eighteenth.
By the Governor: ROBERT J. REYNOLDS
JOHN D. HAWKIS, Secretary of State {SEAL}

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

2009-11-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

Lemon Bars From Slower Lower

2009-11-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

The January '88 Milton Chamber Clipper newspaper, has in the late Joan F. Nagy's column a recipe she got from Florence Balentine for Lemon Bars. Take 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup of melted butter and mix together until the mix is crunbly, whatever, then pat in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 degree for 20 minutes. Now the good stuff, beat up 4 eggs, 2 cups of sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 4 tablespoons of flour and 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Mix this together and pour over the baked crust you just made and return to the 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. When done, cut while warm and remove from the pan. It says here to do not allow to cool over 25 minutes, that must mean to eat 'em up fast as you make them.

Chapter 1 of Robert Boyce Hazzard' History of Seaford

2009-11-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

Chapter 1, 1720 on up to 1799. Hoopers Land become Seaford. Contributors are remembered.
The earliest reference to the tract of land, now the site of Seaford, that was found, was around 1720. So far, back at that date it belonged to the Hoopers. I desired that before I completing the manuscript I should be able to obtain the original deed under which the land came in possession of that family, but after a careful research among the old folios in the court house at Georgetown, Delaware, I was obliged to give it up and proceed to publish such facts as through the aid of Mr. Morris and Mr. Foster in the clerks office at Georgetoewn, I was able to gather from those folios.
I shall try to reproduce all the facts of the origin and history, comprising events, religious, social, financial, and tragical, that I have been able to retain in memory and to gather up from our old citizens. Among those who have contributed to this end were; Mrs. Margaret Wallace, Mr. James Darby, Mrs. Hosea Dawson, Hry Hopkins, Miss Ann Cannon, all of whom have passed away during the years since I began to write this history. Also Miss Sallie Harper.
The first name of the Hooper family found in the old county records and remembered by by an oler citizen, was Thomas. As 1720 must have been before he reached majority, the land probably was purchased by his father. Thomas, raised at his home somewhere on this tract of land , consisted of a famly of three sons and four daughters, Thomas, John and Henry, Nancy, Mollie, Priscilla and Sallie. As most of these daughters in marriage became citizens of Seaford we will name their husbands. Nancy married a Mr. Douglas, his christian or first name we have not been able to get, and this name soon became obsolete in the history of this village. Sallie married John Tenant, who owned and resided on the farm now known as the Governor Ross farm where the old Ross Mansion now stands. It is very possible that this was the homestead of the first Thomas Hooper. John Tenant died in 1831 or 1832, a young man , his tomb was in the old Hooper graveyard, now the Protestent Methodist Church Cemetery of Seaford. His family were soon broken up after his death and left the state. Priscella married Henry Travers, a Dorchester County Maryland man and died a few years thereafter. These family names soon became obsolete in the village. Mollie married John Wallace, the grandfather of the oldest family of the name now living in Seaford. Mollie was left a widow with one son and and one daughter, and married a second time to Jacob Wright of Dorchester county Maryland, who was the father of Mrs. Margaret Wallace, who lived almost eighty years in Seaford and who died but a few years ago, aged ninty three years. She, then Miss Margaret Wright, married Henry Wallace, son of John and Mollie, in 1815 or thereabouts. Her children, now comprising the several families living in Seaford, being the Cottingham families, the children of Mrs. Jane Rogers and Mrs Susana Roop, are the only survivors of that oigional family within or knowledge

In the division of of the lands, John Hooper. became possessor of the site of Seaford. We shall confine our record mostly to the families which grew out of his marriage , of himself personally, who he married, when he died and where hewas buried. I have been unable to gather any facts but suppose his dust lies in the Hooper Graveyard.
In this family there was one son, Henry, the father of Hicks Hooper, who was a long time resident of Seaford, well remembered by many of the older citizens of the town, his tomb is near the street in the Protestant Methodist Church Cemetery. There were three daughters in this Hooper family, Ann, Elizabeth and Susan. Ann married Dr. cottingham, Seaford's first physician. He died a young man and left three sons, Jn. Alfred and Charles, frm whom have descended Hooper families now in the town. Elizabeth married Nathan Vickers, one of the first settlers in Seaford village. The Vickers name has become obsolete here, Washington vickers, captain of a signal station on the Atlantic is the only grandchild living to my knowledge. Susan married Zebediah Fountain and had but one son, Zebediah, Jr., who married, but died a young man and left but one child who became the wife of Lewis Wallace, another of Seafords oldest citizens. The elder Zebediah Fountain died young. After hid death his widow married Captain Isaac Bradley who followed the coasting trade. He went down with his ship at the Delaware Breakwater in 1842. his wife died before he did and left four children, Jane, Susanna, Joseph and John. The roop and Rogers famlies perpetuate their memory. Mary Hudson, now Mrs Phillips, worthily esteemed, is a descendent of that family.

ROBERT BOYCE HAZZARDS STORY OF SEAFORD

2009-11-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

This will be a serial type endeavor, hopefully a post a week for ten or twelve weeks. This History of Seaford was written written by my great-grand father, Robert Boyce Hazzard, my grandmother Howeth's father. Maybe the date of this writing will show up in some of the posting. Robert died in Hurlock, Maryland in 1901 and is buried at Unity-Washington Cemetery there.

First the title, "The History of Seaford; From its First Survey and Plotting in 1799 to the Completion of the Delaware Railroad in 1856." The book I am transcribing from came to me through the Howeth Family from Grandmother Sarah Emma Hazzard Howeth, and it is very 'frail'. I understand the content of this book has been published at least twice and copys are 'out there', however this is probably the first electronic form of it. Thanks to my 'cousin' , Norma Jean Fowler's encouragement of this project. Norma Jean is from the Boyce side. Now to the book.

INTRODUCTION
Eight or nine years ago I conceived the notion that in view of the fact that the Centennial of Seaford was but a few years ahead, a small history of its settlement and a few years of its progress would be interesting to the citizens now living in and around it. My first notion was to write these chapters and offer them to the editor and publisher of the weekly journal here. Upon second thought I concluded to put them in cheap pamplet form and put them on sale as the history is local in its character. But Seaford is the place of my nativity and where I grew to almost manhood, and as I was observant of and remembered much early history, I thought that but a few now living there would remember any better than myself these facts, and that they might not feel disposed to this task.
I was at some pains and a little cost of travel in gathering up th facts of the history which did not come under my own observation, since I was born nearly twenty-four years after its first plotting.
For two reasons I have held this manuscript for all these years, first, the need of funds necessary to its publication; secondly, I thought it would be more opportune as a centennial offering to the people.
I propose to publish the facts of this history in as courteous and respectful manner as possible and hope no one will be offended by any statement which may appear to reflect upon their progenitors who must necessarly figure in the history of Seaford. Robert B. Hazzard

Milton's Hosiery History.

2009-10-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

Remember silk stockings? What a mess they were. I am sure they were as much trouble to put on as they were to get off. Did you know that the Sears & Roebuck 'best' were made in Milton. Read Freddie Harpster's memories about the Portland Hosiery Mill. Fred's gone now , bless his soul.
Fred's Story: Sometime before September 1994 fire had all but destroyed the old Portland Hosiery Mill at the southeast edge of Milton, where Cave Neck road takes over from Atlantic Avenue. [Fred Harpster, who wrote this article, died Wednesday, October 28, 2009, which brought his memories to my mind, and the report of the 1994 fire that had kindled his memories sometime ago.]
He tells us he came to town on a dark and stormy night in 1949 or early 1950, admitting his memory was a bit hazy that far back about the dates but felt they were within reason, so be it. He and his father, who had been named the manager of Portland, resided at Lena Jefferson's 'room & board' on Federal Street. [Lena's husband, Webb Jefferson, operated a restaurant in downtown Milton. You need to be an old time Miltonian to remember Webb's, almost next to the theater. It was an eating place, hangout, coffee joint, whatever. Midnight oyster stew was the favorite to the after hours bunch who gathered at Webb's after all the bars in the county had closed for the night. Webb had several 'markets' to choose from, Lord knows just what creek they came from but usually they were fat and tasty. They were somewhat expensive too, because after midnight when you ordered one, the waitress made you pay, then when little Effie brought it to you, she made you pay. Then on your way out, Webb, at the only door to the place, made you pay. Happy days, nobody cares and never made a fuss, because Bill Betts, town cop, was handy.]
Back to Freddie;
He credits Miss Helen Hastings for her help with the early history of the building and adds that she was with the plant when it was taken over by Pohatcong Hosiery Mill of Washington, New Jersey and that she remained on the job until 1966 when Portland closed the operations.
The building was erected in 1938 by a Mr. Schultz when the ladies hosiery industry was moving southward. There were 72 hosiery mills in Delaware and a few of them centered about Lewes and Milton
Helen and Fred worked together worked together at the last mill to close, the Mar Clay Mill, at Milford in 1975.
When Fred and his father came to manage the newly acquired mill they brought with them more modern equipment to replace the old obsolete machinery which called for additions to the building, air conditioning was one improvement enjoyed by the workers. The post war machinery produced some cotton and silk stockings but the major part of the business was of nylon.
After Portland became fully operational. 30 knitting machines, running seven days a week, around the clock, with 110 or so employees, produced in the neighborhood of 10,000 dozen pairs of hosiery each week. A most up to date knitting machine, with 50 needles per inch could knit 30 stocking at a time. All of Portland's production went to Sears and was considered the 'top of the line'. The knitting was the only part of the manufacturing taking place in Milton. Company trucks hauled the product to Siler City, North Carolina for the dyeing and 'finishing'. That operation was owned by Sears and known as Kellwood Company.
Employees of Portland, if they so chose, could obtain a lot, free of charge, to build their home, in a new section of Milton, what was once the Conwell Nursery, located between Bay Avenue and Atlantic Street, soon known as the 'New Development'. Local contractors, Roy Murray and Glen Marvel, who had made the additions to the mill, were engaged to build most of the new homes. Standing in 1994, the 75,000 gallon water tower on the plant site, was used entirely for fire protection. It was built by Chicago Bridge and Iron Works.
The King Cole Company ended up with the building, using it for a storage facility.
Fred has said in his writing that many of those who came to Milton with the mill were not all that happy with the area, himself included, however, those who remained and became permanent residents could not be removed by a team of mules today. [The Sussex Tavern, across the street for the fire hall helped in that aspect, most of the knitters were well known there. John and Mildred Geyer where host and hostest that knew how to make you feel at home and have another beer.] [addendum]

Submitted: 10/31/09

Report: Agricultural Museums Tour: 10/20/09

2009-10-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

This is a report about a real interesting day for the 5-Points Arby's Coffee Group, from over here near Lewes, Delaware. All of us are, almost old men, retired, with plenty of time on our hands, mostly Republican. Eight of the coffee group visited the Delaware Agricultural Museum, north of Dover, direct across from the Dover Downs Racetrack. There is no excuse for telling anyone "'you don't know where it is". It is very visible and well worth and hour or two of your time. Yes, it cost $3, but try to get them to take a bit extra since the State has reduced their operational fund. There is a gift shop, go in, spend some money. The staff and volunteers are great and very helpful. Most of the museum artifacts pertain to farming, antique farming, more modern farming, good ole days housekeeping, hog killings, hand milked cows, water driven grist mill and saw mill, general store, barber shop, one room school, church and railroad station where you can sit and wait for the train. Do you know what a 'cucumber' pump is? Visit and find out. Also, this month, there is the art exhibit of the Hammond family, Mrs. Hammond and her daughter are there to greet you. The paintings, pencils sketches, etc., are well worth the visit. Of interest too, there is a two generation family of turkey buzzards living in or around the barn. If you hurry up and go, the two 'young ones' will still have 'face feathers' and ain't that bad to look at.
Now, this was not the end of our exciting day, for on the trip back home to Lewes, after a failure to visit the South Bowers Indian Burial Site, it being 'closed', we made an abrupt stop at the Bennett Farm Museum , just south of Argo's Corner, and great day, what a surprise. There at the sheds on the west side of the beach bound highway, Delaware 1, is a collection of 'good ole days' farm equipment, tractors, hay gathering machines, threshers and wagons. Yes, there is a 'timber cart'. After you have looked this exhibit over real good, it is a good bet that Fred Bennett III will drive up in his grey Dodge pickup, engage you in a lively conversation and then invite you to follow him to the 'barn' down the road, and, yes, during the conversations, sooner or later, everybody, will know everybody that everybody knows. The barn is full, I mean 'full' of history. Thanksgiving Dinner table is set with antique dinnerware. Everything but the turkey and taters, and pumpkin pie. Next to it is a memorabilia table, documents you have never seen before, pamphlets we all threw away years ago, magazines, newspapers, of times past and of interest. This is just the beginning of a three, maybe four, generation farm family collection of just everyday things. A collection to toy tractors that the kids will love , family things from the home that both mom and grandmom will want to spend time with. This is one 'free' museum that has been open since January 20, 2001 you want to make an 'extra effort' to visit, take my word for it. Fred II says "it is for the benefit of all to enjoy the history of agriculture". You can call before a visit, 684-1627. Mr. Bennett also said he has a wonderful wife, so don't worry if she answers your ring. Mrs, Bennett is from Sussex County farm families too, the Argo's and Cliftons. A family can't get much better than this.

MILTON AREA SCHOOLS 1800’S – 1900’S, THEREABOUTS.

2009-10-12T20:12:00.001-07:00

MILTON AREA SCHOOLS 1800’S – 1900’S, THEREABOUTS.

This article comes from the Chamber Clipper newsletter of the Milton Chamber of Commerce. The issue date I do not have, but it is somewhere in the late1980’s or early 1990’s. It was first written by William Wagamon, the local historian at that time, now deceased, and his able assistant, Wanda Clendaniel King, who on this day of our Lord, October twelfth, two thousand and nine, is very much alive and an active ‘bridge’ player.

The article will have names of people you may not know nor remember, but they were very much part of the Milton and Broadkill Hundred population.

Bill Wagamon wrote “ Schooling, education, book learning, basic education and higher learning, are phrases that maintain knowing about one’s world and oneself, is important to mankind and the ‘schoolhouse’ is and will ever be, a revered place where we began to nurture other ideas besides ones learned at mothers knee”.

In Milton, one of the first school buildings, located next to the Chestnut Street Goshen Cemetery, also called the Milton Methodist Cemetery, was called the Milton Academy. Bill writes, “Academy, the word has such an erudite ring to it that one wishes more buildings of learning were called academies”. This building was probably built in the late 1700’s and is said to have ‘run’ from Chestnut Street to Walnut Street.. This old academy building had only two rooms so plans were made to build another school for an increasing number of Milton school children. A new building was erected in late 1800 , located on Atlantic Street. but caught fire and burned before it was ever occupied.

The old two room Academy was moved to the river, amongst the wharfs at the foot of Walnut Street, then used as a community hall for town meetings and voting. In its place was built what was or is now called by local folk ‘the old school’. This happened in 1890 and the school was named Milton High School, District #8. Students of this school found some of the ‘accommodations’ rather rustic, what with the ‘outdoor lavatory’, one for ‘boys’ and one for ‘girls’. There was no cost spared to make these outdoor buildings commodious and they were ‘well built’ and roofed with slate. Pupils attended this school from 1890 until 1933.

In his writing, ‘Bill’ said that one of the ‘outhouses’ was still in existence on ‘Puddin Hill’.

The year 1932 saw the erection of what was when this article was first written called Milton Consolidated School #8. The first graduating class there was in 1934. A gentleman named Art Wagamon was in that class. Art was Bill’s next younger brother and was lost in an air plane crash at the end of World War II.

In 1922 Milton School #8 on Chestnut Street was ‘consolidated’ and students from all the ‘one room’ schoolhouses nearby in Broadkill Hundred were brought together.

The Cave Neck School, located about one and one half miles ‘east’ of Milton, a wood structure probably built in the mid 1800’s and educated in the one room and one teacher situation, maybe 30 to 40 pupils, age six to almost twenty. Two of the Milton people, known to many old timers, were Pete Reed and Melson Carey. This school was most likely near the Cave Neck and Round Pole Bridge road intersection. Pete and the Carey fellow had to walk to the Chestnut Street school house.

The Williams School was north of Milton, located on what is now the Williams Farm Road out on the Waples Pond Road, also Route 5. It was at lease half way to Reynolds Road. Some of the Donovan children, including Martha, Sam Williams, his brother Asa and Nate, two sisters, had that walk to make to ‘get’ educated. Sam was well know about town after serving the Navy during WWII, as ‘THE SIGN PAINTER’ and painted many of the local business delivery trucks doors.

Then there was the Ingram School. History tells it was built on the old foundation of the St. Johns Episcopal Church which I place right about where Gravel Hill Road and Shingle Point Road intersect. Wagamon tells us there was a mill pond near by named Tam Mill Pond and also known as Fraser Mill Pond.

Other one room schools had been established in Prime Hook Neck, Argos Corner, Broadkill and New Market which more likely were transferred to he Milton #8 consolidated school. Close to Overbrook , east of here , Draw Bridge , Whites Chapel, West Hill and Sunshine schools probably were transferred to the Lewes district. Anyway, these children had to walk to the town school unless their fathers or mothers were not to busy to harness up the horse and buggy. Later this conditioned changed and the school district made a contract with Merritt Hopkins to transport the children to and from school. Bussing had begun.

2009-10-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hurlock - They observed LUCY HURLOCK GERMAN DAY here the other day in recognition of the 100th birthday of the only surviving daughter of the man for whom the town was named. Members of her family and friends greeted Lucy Hurlock German at an open house in the Academy Avenue home where she had lived so long. She had lived here for 99 years. A year ago she moved to a nursing home in Denton after breaking her hip. When the town was incorporated in 1892, it was named for her father, JOHN MARTIN HURLOCK, who was the town's railroad station agent. He came to Hurlock in 1869.

News paper item from the Daily Times of Salisbury on June 18, 1985

Great Rehoboth 1912 Fire

2009-10-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

This news items is reprinted from the Delaware Pilot newspaper printed in Lewes on November 22 , 1912

On last Saturday night , fire was discovered at the
Cooper cottage on Surf Avenue. The Rehoboth Fire Department was prompt to arrive but for half an hour it was impossible to obtain water other that what was in the engines which lasted only about ten minutes and was not enough to extinguish the flames. The brisk north west wind blowing flames soon caught the Pennington cottage afire on Surf Avenue. About the same time the large double cottage of Horsey and Wolfe were on fire also. While a line of water buckets were kept coming from the force pump at Hill's bath houses a block away it was impossible to save these cottages or the stables of Dr. Wolfe on Olive Avenue. The Cannon cottage on Maryland Avenue was also destroyed. The fire was stopped at a vacant lot between the Cannon cottage ad the Judge Handy cottage on Maryland Avenue about ten o'clock. The Lewes Fire Department arrived just a little too late to be of much assistance due to the railroad being unable to move its train in time to allow the Lewes engine to arrive. To Dr. Walter Robinson belongs the credit for bringing the Lewes Engine as he towed it here and back using his own automobile. The origin of the fire has not been determined. Some cry "fire bug"" but those who carefully sized up the situation think it was some of the younger boys of this town who have been in the habit of playing 'hide and seek' behind these cottages where cigarette stumps and half burned matches are found scattered on the porch floors. The losses by the Saturday night fire were as follows; Harvey L Coopers cottage and nearly all it's contents $2000 with $1500 covered by insurance ; Mrs Lydia Pennington's cottage and content of one bedroom was $2200 and insured for $1500; Harry P. Cannon's cottage $1200, insured for $600; and furniture saved. The Horsey and Wolfe cottage, $3000, insured for $1500, furniture saved; the Stable of Dr. Wolfe $600 with no insurance. . Loss estimates by some of the city dailies correspondent ran as high as $30,000. We wish we could access the property as they had it rated. A call is out to improve the town water supply and have a water system installed. After the fire the V. I. A. ladies served hot coffee and sandwiches at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Ruddell on Baltimore Avenue, while another very prominent citizen of the town furnished some left over Republican Campaign whiskey and to the everlasting disgrace of the town, some of our young men were so drunk they had to have assistance to reach their homes and while we thank the Lewes Fire Department for their assistance we beg to apologies to the citizens of Lewes for returning their young men in such intoxicated conditions.

Magnolia Trees in Georgetown at East Market Street and Railroad Avenue.

2009-10-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

Magnolia Trees in Georgetown

East Market Street and Railroad Avenue.

The next time you are in Georgetown slow down as you cross the railroad tracks and take a gander at the two Magnolia trees in the front yard of the Franklin Masonic Lodge.

According to the “Sussex County Snapshot Column” of the June 24, 1915, Philadelphia Inquirer, they were planted in front of Masonic Hall on Tuesday, June 22, 1915 by Dr. John W. Messick, a 72 year old Georgetown dentist. This was just three years before his death. They were presented to the Franklin Masonic Lodge by Edward D. Hearne, a Georgetown Lawyer, a United States Treasury Auditor living in Washington, D.C. It would be interesting to know how Mr. Hearne acquired them. One of those political gifts, you suppose?

The Clemson University Home & Garden Center list three main Magnolia varieties, the Southern, the Star and the Sweetbay, then goes on to say there are eighty species. The Georgetown trees appear to be Sweetbay, but that’s just a guess. The Southern Magnolia Tree is the Mississippi State Tree and I think all Magnolia trees are basically adapted to a southern landscape.

Google “Magnolia Society International” or “Clemson University Home & Garden Center” if you want more Magnolia information.

But, slowdown at the railroad next time in Georgetown and look for the trees, they are handsome.

Traveling Sand Hill of Cape Henlopen

2009-10-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

This article was found in the June 5th , 1890 issue of Hagerstown, Maryland, Herald & Torch Light newspaper. We still have a 'walking dune' located at this Cape in the Cape Henlopen State Park and can be visited.

Lewes, Del., June 5, 1890:
Without a doubt a most interesting feature of the Atlantic Coast, a most interesting phenomena, is the traveling sand hill of Cape Henlopen. A ridge of sand, more than a mile long, fifty feet high and two hundred yards wide at its base, is rolling inland like a mighty wave from the sea and with power that is irresistible. Formed at the oceans edge, no body knows for certain when it began to move inland. Within the memory of men barely past middle age , it has traversed a space worth describing.
In 1845, General Joe Johnson, as a government engineer, was engaged in surveying the coast, he found on Cape Henlopen a great ridge of sand. It was in appearance like the ridges of sand that divide the Great South Bay of Long Island from the sea. It towered seventy two feet above high water mark. It was a ragged ridge, with course grass growing over a few parts of its surface and a few gnarled and stunted pines on its land side.
Behind it is a salt marsh with water from one to three feet deep at low ebb tide. Inland from the marsh, a small growth of pine trees. Half a mile back from the beach trees from two to three feet in diameter, tall in proportion, were found. Winding through this forest was a road established in colonial days, having mile stones by its side to show the wayfarer how far he had traveled from Lewes to the Cape Henlopen lighthouse.
In making the survey, General Johnson, noted whenever the wind came from North'erd it picked up sand on the weather side of the great ridge in such clouds that one could not travel the ridge except with face covering and then with great effort and pain, it was sometimes almost like facing a charge of birdshot. The sand thus picked up by the wind was carried over the brow of the hill where the wind formed an eddy that could not support the weight of the sand. With every northerly gale, inch after inch was cut away in front and carried to the back. The gnarled and twisted pine on the back disappeared under the wave of sand. The edge of the salt marsh was covered, the tree covered ridges were next buried out of sight. Then the great forest was reached. Where the trees stood thick and formed a solid wall of limbs and leaves the sand wave rolled up into a perpendicular wall before them, higher and higher, until level with the tree tops and then curled over and broke on them as a wave of water might have done. Where the trees were far apart the sand flowed in and filled the opening. It steadily advanced and the people saw with wonder the forest buried before their eyes. The great trees that seemed to be able in their strength to defy all that nature might bring against them, strove to put forth new branches above the rising tide, grew faint in the struggle, turned their green leaves to yellow, the yellow cones to grey and black, then died of suffocation.
As the years passed the receding wave began to uncover the old surface that had been buried. Old land marks along the edge of the salt marsh reappeared. Finally the winds scooped the sand out of the ridges and hollows of the marsh and today the the tide ebbs and flows there and at low tide the water is as deep as it was before. Then, strange to tell, a new growth of pines sprung up on the little old ridges and a new ridge of sand formed alongshore where the old one had stood. The new ridge alongshore is only a
small one , twelve to fifteen feet above high
water, but it is growing as the new trees behind it grow and it may be possibly start inland as the big one that proceeded it did. As the big sand wave continued its way, the old forest that had been buried began to be uncovered again, so that now the stranger that traverses the ridge sees on one hand the living giants of the forest grasping in the last throes of death and one the other the bleached and decaying skeletons of those that had succumb. The picture is desolate and depressing.
Judging from what the local people say here, the wave travels now from fifty feet a year to thirty feet a year where it is obstructed by the forest. It has covered one-half a mile in the last forty years.

Part V: OLD MILTON BUSINESSES

2009-10-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

PART V

OLD MILTON BUSINESSES FROM CHAMBER CLIPPER 1989

BY WILLIAM ‘BILL’ WAGAMON, HISTORIAN AND WANDA CLENDANIEL KING, REPORTER.

1700’S MAIN STREET – NOW FRONT STREET

Street names change, who knows why or when, but Milton’s Main Street in the late 1700’s has become Front Street today. This is where Bill Wagamon begins his story.

The 1909 fire destroyed many buildings at the corner where Federal and Union Streets meet and intersect with Front Street, and replaced with new buildings and businesses. Today this is sort of town center, so to speak, after all, a bank and town Police Station sit there. Going East on Front Street, river side, the first building was the S. J. Wilson & Son farm machinery and general hardware, feed and seed business. A popular item was a hand push/walk behind garden cultivator. Next door was Billy Robinson’s movie house. Bill Wagamon says Billy also showed movies on a platform on the pond for the entertainment of people in the hotel and adjoining park at Federal and Mulberry Streets.

Joe Wall’s butcher shop was next down the street, then, with no thoughts of zoning and planning , a two story structure with the union quarters of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, JROUAM, situated on the second floor and a printing or newspaper shop. The printers were Walter Crouch, printer of the Milton Times, the Bill McDaniel, Howard Carey and Tom Hughes. The next building was the shoe maker shop of John T. Crouch. Later, all of these, except the Wilson building, were demolished or renovated to make room for the Sussex Tavern, owned and operated for years by John and Mildred Geyer. Behind this line of businesses, on the river, was the Edgewater Milling Company operated by the S. J. Wilson family. The Royal Packing Company, canners of tomato products and strawberries, and a series of wharves ran along the river also. This business area was situated between Federal Street and Chestnut Street. According to Ms. Mary King Morgan , another great lady, local teacher and Milton historian, Chestnut Street was at first named Appletree Street.

Chestnut Street ends its northern way at Front. Across the street at this end was the Milton Creamery operated by J. William Fox, a nephew of S. J. Wilson. His mother, Ida , owned the theater and an ice cream parlor on Union Street. William Fox also owned one of three ice houses located on the pond near the grist mill, the other ice houses being owned by Joe Walls and Handy Prettyman. Later, Charles G. Porter took over the Fox creamery and operated an ice cream business. Next was a blacksmith shop where Walt Blizzard forged and hammered many years. Lately this section became a poultry processing factory, then a section of the city’s sewer disposal facility.

Walnut Street also ends at Front. It is unknown what name Walnut had at one time, but at the top of the hill going southward, a section was known as “Pudding Hill”.

There were more wharves along the river in this area of Walnut Street which were used to load barges with timber by Mr. Reuben Harrington. Somewhere along in this general area was an oyster shucking house.

The original structure of the Milton Academy, once situated near the Goshen Methodist Cemetery, had been moved to this river side area. It served as a community center and the local voting place. Jim Ponder had a pool room around the area but I am not sure it was located in the old academy building or not.

The next block, Walnut to Collins Street, was mostly marsh that had been filled in to make a road to one of the Ponder shipyards and the Birdsong Tomato Factory, run by the Apt Brothers. Skull Town was across Front Street and had its own “Mayor”. Right about now we are at ‘Round Pole Branch’ and that is the end of Milton town limits and this story.

Welcome

2009-10-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

My name is Harrison and I collect historical newspaper clippings and information that I will share with you. I volunteer with local historical societies and do research for them. I will post whenever interesting items are available. Maybe I will tell you about something about my work with the historical society. Most of my research is from Sussex County DE and surrounding counties, as well as Eastern Shore Maryland. Thank you for visiting, and I'll be right back with an interesting post!