Tuesday, May 1, 2012
REHOBOTH BAY
Rehoboth Bay was named in the 17th century by explorers of the English Colony in Virginia. It is said an unknown ship captain took the name from the bible, Genesis XXVI/22, meaning, "Broad Place" in the early Hebrew language.
As early as 1677, a land grant for 'Long Neck', a parcel of 10,000 acres, uses Rehoboth Bay as a boundry.
Also, in 1643, at Massachusetts Colony, a Congregationalist, Rev. Samuel Newman, led a group to found a village, Rehoboth, on the Palmer Creek, in Massachusetts. This village was also known as Seekonk by the local Indians.
As early as 1677, a land grant for 'Long Neck', a parcel of 10,000 acres, uses Rehoboth Bay as a boundry.
Also, in 1643, at Massachusetts Colony, a Congregationalist, Rev. Samuel Newman, led a group to found a village, Rehoboth, on the Palmer Creek, in Massachusetts. This village was also known as Seekonk by the local Indians.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
BRIDGES OVER THE DELAWARE
BRIDGES OVER THE DELAWARE
SKINNER'S FALLS & MILANVILLE BRIDGE
1902
Long before this bridge the Skinner family were the prominent area watermen, taking timber rafts down the Delaware and operating a ferry between Pennsylvaning and New York. The village of Milanville was also known as Sskinner's Falls at the time. Early 1900 , local politicians felt a bridge across the Delaware at this point would be appropriate and a private company, Milanville Bridge Company, was formed to sell stock, build and operate such for the public. Milton Skinner was the first president of this company. There were problems, first weather and an ice flow flood and then objections from nearby competative bridges built in the 1800's . These were the cochecton Bridge to the north and Narrowsburg Bridge to the south aand to make settlement the Milanville bridge was to be built as a one lane only. American Bridge Company completed the bridge in november 1902 and a cost of $14,000. Tolls were less than the two orther area bridges and tolls were collected on the Pennsylvania side the albro Dexter famly. Then in 1904 a serious flood of ice carried off the New York section.The Perkins brothers of Horsehead Bridge Company, using steel from the wrecked bridge, repaired and reopened Skinner's Bridge for $7000. After repening other businesses were attracted to the area, Erie Railroad sestablished a station, and freight siding for the Brant-Ross Chemical Company's acid factory at Milanville, several creameries were built, aiding the daiary farmers, so added business increased rhe toll income for the bridge and owners.
Luxurious tourist resorts in the beautiful and secluded river valley were a draw to New Jerssey and New York people in Spring, Summer and Fall bringing more travelers across the narrow Milanville bridge. In the 1920's Pennsylvania and New york took ownership of Delaware River bridges which increased travel in the valley. Floods in the 50' and 60's were harmless. During the summer of 1986 the Skinners Fall;s bridge was closed for repair but was reopened and in 1988 was added to the list of historic places on the National Register and still serves travelers who are not in a hurry.
RUTGERS PRESS
History of Delaware Crossings
Frank T. Dale
SKINNER'S FALLS & MILANVILLE BRIDGE
1902
Long before this bridge the Skinner family were the prominent area watermen, taking timber rafts down the Delaware and operating a ferry between Pennsylvaning and New York. The village of Milanville was also known as Sskinner's Falls at the time. Early 1900 , local politicians felt a bridge across the Delaware at this point would be appropriate and a private company, Milanville Bridge Company, was formed to sell stock, build and operate such for the public. Milton Skinner was the first president of this company. There were problems, first weather and an ice flow flood and then objections from nearby competative bridges built in the 1800's . These were the cochecton Bridge to the north and Narrowsburg Bridge to the south aand to make settlement the Milanville bridge was to be built as a one lane only. American Bridge Company completed the bridge in november 1902 and a cost of $14,000. Tolls were less than the two orther area bridges and tolls were collected on the Pennsylvania side the albro Dexter famly. Then in 1904 a serious flood of ice carried off the New York section.The Perkins brothers of Horsehead Bridge Company, using steel from the wrecked bridge, repaired and reopened Skinner's Bridge for $7000. After repening other businesses were attracted to the area, Erie Railroad sestablished a station, and freight siding for the Brant-Ross Chemical Company's acid factory at Milanville, several creameries were built, aiding the daiary farmers, so added business increased rhe toll income for the bridge and owners.
Luxurious tourist resorts in the beautiful and secluded river valley were a draw to New Jerssey and New York people in Spring, Summer and Fall bringing more travelers across the narrow Milanville bridge. In the 1920's Pennsylvania and New york took ownership of Delaware River bridges which increased travel in the valley. Floods in the 50' and 60's were harmless. During the summer of 1986 the Skinners Fall;s bridge was closed for repair but was reopened and in 1988 was added to the list of historic places on the National Register and still serves travelers who are not in a hurry.
RUTGERS PRESS
History of Delaware Crossings
Frank T. Dale
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Salting Down Coon & Possum in Broad Creek Neck of Talbot county Maryland
February 2, 1898 - The Baltimore Sun Paper
Racoons and opossums have never been in the woods of Broad Creek Neck until this winter, that is as many as there are now. Nobody can understand the reason of their appearance. The Broad Creek woodlands have many old white and red oaks, gum trees and pines full of hollows from the decay of old age. Sometimes coons, possum and squirrel are found together in one hollow, living amicably. The country people of Broad Creek Neck make great sport of these animals. Some, having more than they can use fresh, are 'salting them down' for coon bacon.
The Broad Creek Neck is a peninsula ten miles long, Broad Creek on one side and Harris Creek on the other, both of which run into the Choptank. Here the invasion of the coons and possum are farm yard pest, plundering anything edible and sometomes they are found drowned in the slops barrels.
Racoons and opossums have never been in the woods of Broad Creek Neck until this winter, that is as many as there are now. Nobody can understand the reason of their appearance. The Broad Creek woodlands have many old white and red oaks, gum trees and pines full of hollows from the decay of old age. Sometimes coons, possum and squirrel are found together in one hollow, living amicably. The country people of Broad Creek Neck make great sport of these animals. Some, having more than they can use fresh, are 'salting them down' for coon bacon.
The Broad Creek Neck is a peninsula ten miles long, Broad Creek on one side and Harris Creek on the other, both of which run into the Choptank. Here the invasion of the coons and possum are farm yard pest, plundering anything edible and sometomes they are found drowned in the slops barrels.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Oysters - New Type of Rat Trap
From the Philadelphia Gazette, 14 May 1910:
The London National Register contained the following singular occurence;
A rat lately visited a tub of oysters at the post office at Falmouth and as he was whisking his tail between the open shell of one of them it closed upon him and held so firmly that he was prevented from escaping and was found in the morning with the oyster still holding fast to his tail at the rat hole enterance.
The London National Register contained the following singular occurence;
A rat lately visited a tub of oysters at the post office at Falmouth and as he was whisking his tail between the open shell of one of them it closed upon him and held so firmly that he was prevented from escaping and was found in the morning with the oyster still holding fast to his tail at the rat hole enterance.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
VILLAGE OF DRAWBRIDGE
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 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"
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