BEGINNINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

The College beginnings are attributed to Francis Alison, a Presbyterian minister born in 1705 in County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1735. He had been graduated from the University of Edinburg and when in America opened a 'Free School' for the promotion of learning. He formed the Alison's Academy on November 24, 1743 in New London Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The school changed locations several times, eventually settling in Newark, Delaware, became the Academy of Newark in 1769, Newark College in 1833, Delaware College in 1843 and the University of Delaware in 1921. Upon enrollment a student took he following pledge: “I do hereby promise to engage that I will observe and confirm to all the Laws and Regulations made by the government of Newark College for Students, so long as I remain a member of the Institution”.

In 1843, John Parker, age 16, received AB Degree from Delaware College, being th son of Peter S. Parker, Milton business man, one time Delaware State Treasurer, and owner of iron ore mines which shipped the ore to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on the Morris River, to be processed. John Parker died on the 12^th of August 1851 and is buried in Goshen Cemetery, Milton, Delaware. Also in 1843 William T. Russel was a student at Delaware College but transferred to University of Pennsylvania.

In 1849, Caleb R. Paynter, son of Samuel and Sallie Paynter of Drawbridge, Broakdkill Hundred, was a student at the college.

BEGINNINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

The College beginnings are attributed to Francis Alison, a Presbyterian minister born in 1705 in County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1735. He had been graduated from the University of Edinburg and when in America opened a 'Free School' for the promotion of learning. He formed the Alison's Academy on November 24, 1743 in New London Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The school changed locations several times, eventually settling in Newark, Delaware, became the Academy of Newark in 1769, Newark College in 1833, Delaware College in 1843 and the University of Delaware in 1921. Upon enrollment a student took he following pledge: “I do hereby promise to engage that I will observe and confirm to all the Laws and Regulations made by the government of Newark College for Students, so long as I remain a member of the Institution”.

In 1843, John Parker, age 16, received AB Degree from Delaware College, being th son of Peter S. Parker, Milton business man, one time Delaware State Treasurer, and owner of iron ore mines which shipped the ore to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on the Morris River, to be processed. John Parker died on the 12^th of August 1851 and is buried in Goshen Cemetery, Milton, Delaware. Also in 1843 William T. Russel was a student at Delaware College but transferred to University of Pennsylvania.

In 1849, Caleb R. Paynter, son of Samuel and Sallie Paynter of Drawbridge, Broakdkill Hundred, was a student at the college.

Golf Come To Rehoboth 1926

GOLF COMES TO REHOBOTH BEACH

During the end of the 1880's Rehoboth Beach was one of the leading ocean side resorts, railroads were bringing vacationers from cities such as Washington, D.C, Baltimore and Philadelphia to the center of town, within a block or two of the grandiose hotels, the Atlantic, the Henlopen and the Townsend, among other smaller ones, all of which had spacious and airy rooms, and fine restaurants. The wide sandy beach and gentle surf was guarded by hired surfmen or lifeguards which looked after bathing sections which had safety ropes tethered on shore running to an anchored buoy out in the surf . A boardwalk was popular for strolling and enjoying the cool ocean breeze. Other sports or activities were fishing, crabbing, digging for clams or oysters and sailing in the breeze of the sea. A stable of horses was near by and many 'bridal paths' were found through the pine forest for the enjoyment of those who desired more adventuresome sport.

It was well after World War II , 1925 to be exact, that Golf came to Rehoboth. Golf was a British Isles sport and was not popular in America until the late 1890's . Scribner's Magazine in 1894 described golf as being a sport that was fit for the well preserved, the stout, the thin and not too violent. A true sportsman game. At this time there were less than 100 golf links in America but growing at a rapid rate.

In 1926, 'Rehoboth Heights' was being developed by Henry Conant who came up from Chincoteague Island, Virginia and developed land between the south side of Rehoboth and Silver Lake. On the north edge of this development he had the golf course built as were other nearby resorts. The Rehoboth Beach country Club was well kept, had it's own tournaments and even fielded a team which played in a league on the Delmarva Peninsula,

Scribners Magazine wrote “ once seen, golf cannot be forgoten, once experienced it will not be neglected, it has fairly got us now and it may be trusted to keep us”.

Source

Michael Morgan Collection, Delaware Diary, Delaware Coast News

INDIAN RIVER INLET AND ITS BRIDGES

SUSSEX COUNTY'S

INDIAN RIVER INLET

AND IT;S BRIDGES

FROM THE COLLECTION OF MICHAEL MORGAN

DELAWAER COAST PRESS / DELAWARE DIARY

Early on, before the mid 1930's, the inlet to the inland bays of Indian River Hundred and the Atlantic Ocean could never make up it's mind just where it wanted to be and worked it's way up and down the coast between Rehoboth to what is now Bethany Beach, once Cotton Patch Hill. These inlets would open during a storm, then fill in with sand and become useless or just disappear. When the inlet silted shut the coastal bays would stagnate and the bays waters became worthless, no sea life at all could live with the stinking green algae. Sometime about 1920 former Governor John Gillis Townsend was given the task to reopen the inlet. He had a dredge remove considerable sand and then placed 2000 or more pounds of Hurcules black powder to open the barrier. The explosion lifted sand high into the air, opening a 6 foot deep, 60 foot wide channel, that then fell right back where it had come from, the inlet lasting only a very short period. It took federal funds in the early 1930's to dig an inlet with stabilized sides and become a permanent fixture along the Delaware coast, however, the waterway was not yet tamed. Wind blown sand and storm driven wash overs proved to be disastrous. A coastal highway was being constructed between Rehoboth and Betheny Beach in 1933 and the first bridge over the Indian River Inlet was built in 1934. It was a fixed timber bridge, lasting only four years, and named for the then chairman of Delaware State Highway's, Charles W. Cullen, a lawyer and judge of Georgetown. The 1938 bridge replacement was of steel and concrete and was a swing bridge to allow vessels to enter and exit the bay. Heavy ice flow and extra high tides destroyed the second bridge in 1948 with loss of lives. The third bridge was of steel and concrete and was also a swing bridge opened in 1952, replaced in 1965 by a fourth bridge which was a high rise type construction but done in by scoured foundations. To date, no bridge over the Indian River Inlet has reached it's 14^th year birthday and will the inlet have more to say of the fifth elaborate and costly high rise structure now in place?

Delaware Coast Press
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Delaware Coast Press
Contributed by Harrison

Description: 1742 Nanticoke Tribe Made Plans For Uprising Against European Colonist In Sussex On Delaware
Date: 1747

Newspaper published in: Rehoboth

Source: Michael Morgan collection

Lewes On Delaware, 1747

Ryves Holt made it known to the people of Sussex that the Nanticoke Tribe had met with other Native American tribes in the Pocomoke Swamp and laid plans for an uprising against the European colonist on the eastern shore. This uprising was initiated by Shawnee leader Messowan who offered 500 Shawnee warriors and help from other northern tribes. This uprising was to begin with the French-Indian attack at "Apple Time". However, the uprising never came. Leaders were captured and imprisoned in Maryland. Eventually they were released by officials who declared " We are rather desirous to use you kindly like brethren in hopes that it will beget the same kindness in you to us".

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LAST VOYAGE OF THE QUEEN OF THE SKIES

“QUEEN OF THE SKY”

OVER

CAPE HENLOPEN

April 1933, Lewes, Delaware

The large lighter-than-air “Airship Akron” silently passed over Cape Henlopen on a north bound voyage which proved to be it's last trip. The Akron was almost 800 foot in length and was as tall as a 15 floor building. The large 'hull', covered with fabric, held nonflammable helium bags to keep her afloat, crew quarters for 90 some men, and 8 engines that could propel her to 90 MPH. Also carried were 4 fixed wing aircraft which could take off and land while the airship was in the air. It is no wonder the ship earned the nickname “Queen of the Skies”.

On it;s way north, just off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, heavy winds drove the Akron into the Atlantic Ocean, where the rough seas broke her up, loosing most of her crew. Debris from the accident washed ashore for weeks. The Delaware coast News reported that Mrs. Wilbur Corkran of Henlopen Acres, Frank Tylecki and Dorman Johnson of Rehoboth found parts of the Akron on the beach between Rehoboth and the Indian river Inlet. The U.S. Coast Guard also found scraps of wreckage which marked the end of “The Queen of the Skies”.

Michael Morgan Collection, and Delaware Coast Press, 19 April 1933

1934 March Snowstorm and a Maltese Cat.

1934

MARCH SNOWSTORM

AND

A MALTESE CAT

Lewes, Delaware, March 2, 1934 Delaware Coast News

A topsy-turvy nor'easter coastal storm made a turn for the worst and the sea flooded the street of Lewes and dumped a heavy snow covering the coastal region. It's the same old story, a high pressure system with sub-freezing temperature collided with a low pressure, moisture laden system.

Delaware Bay was mostly frozen from the long winter cold spell and this storm cut communications between shore and the lighthouses leaving the keepers marooned. Supply boats were not able to make their daily trips because of heavy ice packets. Necessities ran short.

The tanker “J. C. Donnell” went aground on Brown Shoal, had a engine room fire which seriously injured a crew member, who was put on board a tug and headed toward Lewes and the Beebe Hospital. Close to Lewes, ice prevented it from landing at pier and the injured crewman was transferred to a small boat which was slid across the ice then pulled to shore, and the man was taken to the hospital and treated.

Then more problems. Temperatures began to rise, rain began to fall, ice and snow melted, and the beach community of Kimmytown was flooded with almost three foot deep waters, hindering the efforts of local residents trying to aid the stranded crew members out in the Breakwater.

On the southern edge of town, near the railroad station, the W. J. Warren Canning Company lost 2300 bushels of pea seed to be planted for precessing in May and June. All over the area cars that tried to drive through the flooded streets were stuck from the water flooding out their engines. The canal reached almost it overflow stage and Lewes Pilots were landed up the bay for the week.

The Delaware Coast News reported a happy story of the flood. “A small Maltese cat, marooned atop a wood fence post in a vast expanse of water” was saved by a fireman within several hours.

Michael Morgan collection:

BLACKWATER NEWS

BROOKE MEANLY COLLECTION

CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND

1978

Blackwater National Wildlife Center , a vast area, 11,000 acres or so, of marsh and pine tree forest is located in southwestern Dorchester county's Hoopers Island District. It was established in 1938 . In the late 1970's it had the largest nestling’s of bald eagles in eastern North America, north of Florida, the largest number Delmarva Fox Squirrel, was a major stop for Canadian Geese along the Atlantic Flyway, a large muskrat trapping area, and the only known nesting area of the red headed woodpecker in Maryland.

Blackwater appears a lot like the Florida Everglades and it has been referred to as the Northern Everglades by some people.

The Blackwater River is the main river flowing through the marshes. Fed from three swamps, Gum Swamp, Kentuck Swamp and Moneystump Swamp. It is said the dark water of the river is because of the swampy source.

Other water sources are the Little Blackwater River, Meeking Creek and Transquaking Rivers, all mostly fresh water. They empty into Fishing Bay.

There is concern that salt water from Chesapeake Bay will eventually be a problem as it seeps through the Blackwater.