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2052102
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRAB
3 1833 02254 2200
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/biographicalgene01runk
f^lOGI^APHICAL AND GI:Nt:ALQGICAL ,
HI5TOPV
or THf:
STATE or DIlLAWAPC
CONTAININO
I^IOC.r?/\PI IIO\L AND C.I:Ni:/\LOC.ICAL 5Kl:TCIIC5 Or
PTONINIzNT AND PI:l>l^l:Sl:NTATIVl: CITIZENS,
AND MANY Or ril[ EAPLY SLTITEPS.
LLUSTPATIlD.
V.I
VOL I.
publishers:
J. IVI. KUNK S- CO.
Chambeksiukg, Pa.
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PR]H]FACE
" It is wise for us to recur to the history of our
ancestors. Those who are regardless of their an-
cestors, and of their posterity, who do not look upon
themselves as a link conneeting the past with the
future, in the transmission of life from tbeir ances-
tors to their posterity, do not perform their duty to
the world. To be faitliful to ourselves we must
keep botli our ancestors and their posterity within
reach and grasp of our thoughts and affections ;
living in the memory and retrospect of the past,
and hoping with affection and care for those who
are to come after us. We are true to ourselves
only when we act with becoming pride for the
blood we inherit, and which we are to transmit to
those who shall fill our places." — Daniel Webster.
2D52102
A work sucli as the one we are now pleased to present to our many patrons, in whieli
we have collectoil and placed in permanent form the annals of an interesting section of our
country, lias two sources of value. One of these is its historic utility as a memorial of the
progress and development of tlie community, from the earliest period with which we could
become acquainted through family records ami traditions to the present day. The preser-
vation of these data affords the means of illustrating and contirming or correcting and
amending extant histories, and supplies material for the compilation of future ones. The
second source of value is the personal interest attaching to the biographical and genealog-
ical records composing the work, either as studies of life and character, or as memoirs of
individuals connected with the reader as relatives or fellow-citizens.
On both these accounts, a collection of biograjihical and genealogical recoi'ds is a use-
ful contribution to current literature and a legacy to succeeding generations. Colonies of
various nationalities and creeds peopled the territory now comprising the State of Dela-
ware ; their descendants have taken an active part in national affairs, in war and in peace;
and it will be strange indeed if their annals have not brought to view many scenes and re-
vealed many facts well worthy being noted and remembered.
In the execution of this work no pains were spared to ensure the al)solute truth upon
which its value depends. The material comprising "The Story of Delaware" is from
the pen of John F. Meginness, an author of large experience in this kind of literary lore;
and the biographical and genealogical sketches of representative citizens now living, and
those departed wliose lives have conferred distinction upon their native [)laces, were gath.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Story of Delaware, 9
The Struggle for Possessiou of "South River" aud what came of it.
An Early Colony, 10
The Colonists Massacred, U
De Vries H
A Question of Title, 12
Action of Gustavus Adolphus, 13
Dutch West India Conii)any, 13
Peter Minuit Appears, H
Sailing of the Swedish Colony, 1-i
l^anding at the Rock, 15
The Dutch Protest IC
Rev. Dr. Cort's Memorial Address, 16
Arrival of Governor .lohn Printz 17
Friction Between Governors, 20
Fort C!assimer Cajjturcd, 21
Governor Stuyvesant, 23
Fort Christina Taken, 24
Courtesy to Prisoners, 27
Cruel Treatment, 27
Stuyvesant Sole Monarcli, 29
What the Indians Did, 30
Jaquet's Administration, 31
Governor Alrich, 32
Lord Baltimore's Claim, 33
Stuyvesant Becomes Tyrannical, " " 34
Lieutenant Alexander Ilinoyosn, 35
Troublous Times, 30
A Perilous Journey, 37
Advent of the English, 3S
Sir Robert Carr 39
The Dutch Again, 40
The English Recapture the Country 40
Arrival of William Penn, 41
Beginning of Delaware, -12
Land Titles Again, 45
Lord Baltimore Again, 46
New Castle Disappointed 49
Boundary Dispute Renewed, 49
"Old Swedes' Church," 50
Delaware To-day, 54
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6 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The Three Counties, 55
New Castle County, gg
Kent County, 58
Sussex County, 59
"Our Delaware," (J3
Governors of Delaware, 04
Swedish Governors, G4
Dutcii Governors, 05
Engiisli Governors, 00
Presidents of tlie Stale, OG
Caesar Rodney, 07
John Dickinson, 07
Governors Under Constitution of 1792, 08
Under the Amended Constitution, . ' 70
Judiciary of Delaware, 73
Delaware Judiciary C^lassiHed, SI
Cliancellors, 85
Some of the Old Families, * 88
William Shipley, 94
Hon. Caesar Rodney, 99
Warner Miftiin. 100
Gen. John Dagworthy, 105
The Ferris Family, 100
The Ross Family, 110
Thomas Fenwicic, 112
Hon. George Read, 113
The Bed fords, 114
Commodore ]\Licdonougli, 117
Governor John McKinly, 119
The Richardson Family, 121
Van Dyke, 130
Jasper Yeates, )31
Captain Edward Roche, 131
Governor Nathaniel Mitchell 132
Governor Bennett, 137
The Adams Family, 139
Henry Latimer, 140
William McKennan,- 140
Major John Patten, 141
Governor Polk, 141
Dr. James Tilton, 142
The Anderson Family, I43
The Crow Family, I43
The Dull' Family, I44
Rev. Jose[)h Barr, I45
The Alrichs Family, 140
Captain Learmontli, 148
Descendants of Dr. 10. A. Smith 148
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TABLE OF CONTENTS. 7
Samuel McClury, • 1-1!^
Duncan Beard, 150
Adolpli Ulric Wertmuller, lo3
Major Peter Jaquet, 154
Major Kirkwood, 150
Allen McLane and The McLane Family, ' . 15(3
Lydia Darragh of Tlio Revolution, 158
Barratt Genealogy, 159
The Barker Family, 103
The Comegys Family, 176
Biographical and Genealogical Sketches, beginning, 88
General Index in Second ^'^olunle.
-VV/'V
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4 '-Jl-J .■•^' ■->'-
STORY OF DELAWARE
THE STRUGGLE FOR POSSESSION ON THE
"SOUTH RIVER" AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
Tlie storj of the discovery of the Delaware
(South) Kivur, and of the struggle of the
ISwc'dts, Dutch and Euglish for the possession
of the settlements on its banks, ending in the
final triumph of the English, is one of deep
and thrilling interest, and runs Lack for more
than two hundred and seventy-five years. To
write an exhaustive history of the events, to
describe the stirring incidents of this long
jieriod, and to give in detail all that is worthy
of being recorded, would fill a large volume.
In tliis introductory chapter, therefore, no at-
tein]it will l)e made to cuter into a full histury
of the state — only the more striking points
will be referred to.
To Capt. Ilenry Hudson belongs the credit
of having first discovered this great river,
which has long since been recognized as one
of tlie important higliways of commerce in the
"Western Ileniisplicre, and the entrance to
one of the greatest commercial cities. It was
on the 28th of August, 1G09 — two hundred
and ninety years ago — that Hudson entered
that broad expanse of waters since known as
the Delaware Bay, in his little vessel of only
eighty tons, called the Half Moon or Creffcent.
He sailed slowly up and passed into the river,
which he followed for some distance. The
shores, wooded to tlie water's edge, presented
a strange scene to tlie bold navigator. The
bay and river were then known to the Indians
wlio dwelt, in the solitudes of the forest as
]\Iar-is-kit-ten, Pon-tax-at, or Chick-a-hock-ee,
these names being used by the tribes or clans
who inhabited the country on the different
shores. What meaning these names conveyed
we have no certain knowledge at this day.
Henry Hudsim, the discoverer, was an Eng-
lishman by birth, liut at tliis time he was in
the service of Ibilland. Returning from the
river and bay, he passed out upon the ocean,
and making liis way northward discovered the
river to wliich he gave his name, the name by
which it is still known. Not content witli
these discoveries, in IGIO he boldly struck out
into unknown seas in search of a northwest
passage. As a navigator he was bold and in-
trepid. Each new discovery stimulated him to
further effort; the desire to add to his achieve-
ments was with him a consuming ambition.
After beating about for ten months in high
noi'thern latittules he found himself out of
provisions. The situation was desperate;
lliidson could no longer control the men un-
der his conunand. Starvation and death stared
them in the face, and self-preservation, the
tir^t law of nature,- asserted itself with uncon-
trollable force. The mutinous crew thrust
their commander, %Wth his son, John, into a
frail boat, and set it adrift. They were never
heard of again. Thus miserably perished the
first navigator who entered what arc now
known as the Delaware bay and river. But
though his eiul was sad, his name is per-
petuated in a noble river, and in a bay farther
to the. north, so that it is not likely that his
daring explorations will soon be forgotten.
It was not long before another gave his
name to the bay and river the discovery of
which should have been credited to the fear-
less Henry Hudson. In IGll, Thomas West,
Lord De-la-war, then governor of the colony
of Virginia, while on a voyage to the West
Indies, came, or was driven by adverse winds,
into the bay; as he believed it to be a new
discovery, the name Delaware was given to
the bay and the river, and they will probably
retain the same for all time.
.Mthtmgh it is generally accepted that
Hudson, in 1009, was the first navigator to
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10
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYClAJl'KDl A
enter and explore the Delaware Kivor, c-aret'ul
investigators are of tlie ojiinion that small
traders entered the river as early as 151(8.
'I'hey bnilt rude cabins for shelter in the win-
ter time, and it is possible that tlu-y vuu-
strueted temporary fortifications as a prutec-
tiou against the aborigines. 'Flic olijcct of
these ad\entnrers was to trade with the In-
dians. I3nt if this theory is correct, tradition
has failed to point ont where their tenip<n'ary
settlements were made.
An Eaulv C'oi.o.w.
Before 1620, however, there is scarcely a
doid)t tlnit Dutch trading ships sailed up the
river to tratHc with the nati\e>. .\ud in 1G21
the Dutch West India Company, we are in-
formed, had agents stationed on the river with
men and small stocks of goods for the piu-pose
of trading in peltries. It is said that in their
little craft they sailed np the small streams, in
which the volume of water was greatt'r than
it i^ now, and that they carried on a coiiridci-
able business for those early times.
Cohir is given to this theory by the fact
that as early as 1G23 ('apt. Cornelius iley
planted a small colony on the i )claware, whicli
was called Xassau, near what is miw known
as Ciloucester Point. But as it was on the
Xew >lersey side of the river, it is not taken
into account when discussing the early Dela-
ware settlements. Judge Houston, in his ciui-
triimtion to the Delaware Historical Society
on the boundaries of the State, expresses the
belief that there were Dutidi traders settled on
the "Iloorn ]vill," now Lewes Creek, as early
as 1U22. When the bay was first discovered,
there was a i)ermanent Indian village near
where hcwes now stands, and even now trace-
of where their fires were built are occasion-
ally uncovered in the sand along the cnek,
with great piles of muscle shells.
'I"he ])resent'e of Indians at this point no
doubt became known to the Dutch adventurers
in pur.snit of traffic, and induced them to at-
tempt the founding of a pennanent settU'ment.
The .success of this little settlement on the
'"Iloorn Kill" became known to a class of
men in Holland who saw at om-e the fea-i-
bility of establishing there a larger and more
profitable business. Of this class were De
Vries, and a nundier of others of like intelli-
genci' aii<l moans in Ani.-lerdani .iiid other
cities in Holland, as early as 1(J21». They
formed a private company to pin-cha.>e all tlie
salt marsh skirting the side of the bay from
(-'ape Ileidi^ipen to Ijombay Hook, in order to
eslablish a whale lisliery, and in c(jnnectiou
with it, and as a part of the enterprise, t<j plant
a Dutcii colony on the "Iloorn Kill." De
\'ries, who had filled, with credit to himself,
a post of some importance in the military ser-
vice of the Xetherlands, and had for some
time resided in the West Indies, was selected
to take charge of the enterprise as the Direc-tor
Cieneral of the ccdony. Karly in the spring
of 102i), three ships were dispatched to Fort
Amsterdam, now New York, to procure an or-
der by which one of the vessels should convey
from that place to the "I loom Kill" an agent
of the company to complete the purchase of
the salt marsh from the Indians of the village.
The order was procured, and the ship arrived
at its destination in the latter part of -May;
on the iii'st day of June in that year the pur-
chase was d)dy made, and the sale was after-
wards acknowledged by a delegation of the
Indians of the village before the director gen-
eral and council of the Xew Xetlierlautls in
Fort Amsterdam, July IJ, l(i;JO. The com-
jiany also made a similar purchase on the Xew
.lerscy side, that they might have entire con-
trol of the river. The tract they purchased
</n the Delaware side was an almo-t continu-
ous body of salt mar.^h, extending from Cape
Ilenlopen to the mouth of the river, between
forty and tifiy miles in length, with a mean
breadth back to the main laml of from two to
three miles.
There is .some uncertainty as to the exact
time when the colony was first planted on the
'•Iloorn Jvill;" there i> no doubt, however,
that it was as early as the ^llriug of 1(!31. De
\'rii's himself, the direettu' general, however,
in the incidental allusion to the massacre of
the colonists by the Indians, contained in his
letter of indignant j.rotest and remonstrance
addressed some ten or twelve years after that
event to Director C.encral Kieft, of the Xew
Xetherlands. again^l the de-ign he had
formed of slauglil<'ring the Indians in re-
venge for tlie brutal outrage perpetrated by
them on th(> Dutch settli^rs in that vicinity,
speaks of it as having oc,-urred in IG.^O. The
passage in De Vrie-' prote.M reads as follows:
'■Consider, sir, what goo.l will it do? We know
that we lost oiH' settlement at the 'Iloorn Kill'
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STATE OF DELAWARE
11
in 1G30 by mere jangling with the Iiuliuna,
wlien thirty-two of our nit-ii wtre murdered!"
De Vrics came with tlie colony as director
general, and was in connnand of the expedi-
tion from its departure iro\n the shores of
Holland. His native place was the little city
of iloorn ill that country, a seaport on tlie
Z\iydcr Zee, and it is said that he conferred
the name "lliHirn lull" on the creek in honor
of that city.
After passing the cape he entered the creek,
wlii(di was deejier than it is now, and abound-
ed with oysters and fish, and planted his col-
ony. "Kill" is the Dutch word for creek, and
wherever it follows a name it is clearly un-
derstood as applying to a j)lace situated on a
stream of water. From the terms '"iloorn
Kill," "lloorkill," came by corruption the
name "Whorekill," which has been largely
used by modern writers.*
Here l)e Vries erected a rude house and
surrounded it with jialisades as a greater jiro-
terlidii ill time of danger, and named it Fort
()|ilaiidt. Siiiue writers say that he gave the
i.aiiie of ■"Swanendale" to the settlement.
After everrtliing was arranged to his satisfac-
tion, he ]j].ii-ed (iillis llossctt, the commissary,
ill ehaii;e, mid .-ailed away in pursuit of other
bnsine>s. The culony consisted of a small
('llri^tian eoiumunity of Furopean settlers,
expressly formed and organized for colonizing
that portion (jf the southern shores of tlie
F)elaware Hay. Not only was this done with
all the regularity and method usual in such
eases, but the arrival of the colony on these
shores was preceded by a larger purchase of
land from the natives for the jmrpose of a
])lantafion, than had jierhajis occurred before
in the hi-tory of any of the luiglish or Dutch
settlements. Iiududiug De \'i'ies, the colony
must have numbered on its laiuling at least
thirty-three men, to say nothing of women
and children.
A boily of land was selected and ideared,
and the work of cidtivating it commenced.
The name ""Swandale" is said to have been
suggested by the large number of swans that
were found disporting in the creek, or '"kill."
Before his departure De \'ries had gained the
esteem and rcsjjcet of the natives, and rela-
tions of entire concord and amity sulisisted be-
tween them and the colonists.
* Several writers, more careless than uorrect,
have said that tlio place took its name from the
bad character of the Indian women found dwelling-
there. This assertion is entirely erroneous. The
name is derived us stated above, from the Dutch.
It was not applied in its modern form until after llie
4irrival of William Penn, and was used to designate
The Colonists ]\r.vssACHi;i).
Tradition says that soon after the departure
of De Yries, the colonists set up on a post the
coat-of-arms of Holland, made out of brass.
The shining metal attracted the attention of
an Hidian, who desired to jiosse.ss it for the
pur])ose of making ornaments. On being re-
fused, his cupidity got the better of his judg-
ment, and stealthily approaching the place at
night, he carried away the eoat-oi-anns. When
it was missed, there was much indignation in
the settlement, and the theft being strongly
suspected, a peremptory demand was made on
the chief for the delivery of the culprit to the
colonists for punishment. The trailition runs
that he was given u{), tried and executed, for
the oifense was regarded as a criminal one.
This sniuinary pi-oecediug entirely changed
the feelings of the Hidians towards the
strangers on their shores, and their savage ire
being aroused they resolved on vengeance.
Seeking an opportunity when the men were at
work in the held, they pounceil on the fort,
which was left in charge of two or three in-
hrni persons, and killed them. Then liaving
sectired the arms and implements of defense
they assailed those at work in the held, and
:-lieedlly disiiatehed them. In this way the
.settlement was entirely wiped out. The bodies
of the slain were left where they fell, to be dc-
\oured by wild beasts. "When De \'rics re-
turned the next year he found their bonei
scattered about the ticdd where they had been
slain. Gloved with de('p pity by the sad spee-
ta<le, De Vries and his followers set to work
to gather ii]) the bones of the slain and give
them Christian burial. A trench was dug in
which the fragments of the unfortunates were
\. laced and then carefully covered with earth,
when the burial jiarty returned to their shijis
ami .sailed away.
^More than two and a half centuries rolled
awav, and the eirciiiii-taiice of the cruel mas-
sacre had pas.sed from the nieiuory of man. Tt
was one of the forgotten incidents of the early
efforts of a band of adventurous jiioncers to
found a settlement in the Xew AVorld ; his-
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12
BWOBAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
torians had ceased to notice it, and the facta
of the tragedy were no lunger recalled. Ijiit
time, which reveals all things, came to the
rescue. A few yeai^s ago, when excavations
■ were being made for tlie construction of a rail-
road, the workmen laid bare the place of sepul-
ture of the bones of the early colonists. Many
of them were in a good state of preservation,
but the smaller bones crumbled on being e.\-
jxised to the atmosphere. The skulls and
thigh bones were intact. Dr. D. L. .Mustard,
au old physician and resident of Lewes, e.x-
amined these fragmentary remains, and had
no hesitancy in pronouncing them of Anglo-
Saxon origin. This was regarded as conclu-
sive evidence that they belonged to the De
Vries colonists. After this careful examina-
tion, in which others participat(.'d with Dr.
ilustard, the bones were carcfiUly collected
and reinterred, where they will probably be
undisturbed until they have cruudded into
dust.
'J'lius perished the first men and women who
attempted to found a settlement on the Dela-
ware Bay, within what are now the contines
of the State of Delaware. Their place of
sepulture is within a few hundred yards of the
present borough of Lewes, on the "lloorn
Kill." With the extinction of the settlers the
name of their place, Swandale, j)assed out of
existence, and in the course of years a town
called Lewes grew up almost on tiie site where
the first settlement was nmde. Jt is supposed
to have been named for Lewes, in Sussex
county, England. 'J'he 'Tloorn Kill," now
known as Lewes Creek, sluggishly meanders
by the town and through the nutrshy mead-
ows to the bay. The fact that the change of
names took place after William Penn became
the proprietary, leads to the belief that the
present titles are of English origin.
Idie project of whale tishing on what is now
known as Lewes beach, was soon after aban-
doned by De Vries and his partners, because
they found it more expensive than profitable.
The destruction of his colony also operated
against the success of the enterprise. De Vries
soon after took up his residence at New Am-
sterdam (New York), and engaged in found-
ing Dutch settlements on the North liiver.
lie, however, retained his interest in the lands
purchased at the 'Tloorn Ivill" and on the
shores of the bav, until the sale "f the same
by the c<jpartnership to the City of Amster-
dam in 1035.
-V (Question of Title.
This land transaction of the De Vries com-
pany, and the attem})ts to found a colony at
'Tloorn Kill," form the basis of a historical
event of great importance. Judge Houston
says :
'Tt was the sole fact on vvhich the question
of title to the three lower counties on the Dela-
ware, now constituting the State, between
Lord Baltimore and the Dutch of the New
Netherlands in the first iiistance, and subse-
quently between his lordship and William
Penn, originally and finally depended for its
solution during a period of just one hundred
years thereafter, or up to the 3'ear 1732, the
date of the iirst agreement entered into be-
tween their respective heirs-at law for the ami-
cable settlement of it by mutual compact be-
tween the conflicting (daiuuints. Tor, with
the exception of that settlement, and with all
the lights and information which the most
patient and most thorough historical research
and examination has in the meantime shed
u])on the subject, I am constrained to say that
there is no good reason for believing that there
was a solitary Christian, or child of civiliza-
tion, within the limits of what now consti-
tutes the State of Delaware, or anywhere west
of the Delaware Kiver, on the 20th day of
June, 1(j32, nor imtil nearly six years after
that date."
It is not necessary in this connection to ex-
])]ain in detail the facts i-elating to Lord Bal-
timore's grant, but we will pass on to the his-
tory of the settlements on the Delaware. In
the first jdace, it is only necessary to note that
the first civilized settlement within the limits
of Delaware, and the first similar settlement
within the limits of .Maryland prior to the date
of Lord Ikltimore's patent, were almost simul-
taneously made by different European races
and under ditl'erent European sovereignties.
And while the subsequent contests between
rival European races for the possession of
Delaware territory were of higher historical
grade and dignity than those recorded in
the history of JIaryland, yet so far as
the epochs or eras — if they deserve such
an a]ipcllation — of each are concerned, thev
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STATE OF DELAWAL'E
13
■were almost as simultaneous, although
during tlie greater part of that period the
settlers on the Delaware and those on the
Chesapeake, within the limits of ^laryland,
liad no intereourse, or even aoquaintanee
■with each other. I)e Vries, however, was
fidly infuriiu'd of the English claim hy thi'
(Jovernor of ^'irginia on his visit from the
""lloorn Kill" to Jamestown in the summer of
l(.i;52, and the Swedes learned of it in like
manner when their first expedition touehed at
Jamestown in 1C38.
Action of Gustavus Adolpjil's.
The Dutrh West India Company had heen
incorporated by the States-General of the
United Xetherlands as early as 1021, for the
purpose of colonizing the Dutch possessions in
this country and promoting trade and com-
nieree in all the regions of the New Nether-
lands, as those possessions were then for the
first time formally denominated. But it had
so long neglected to make any settlement, or to
take actiuil ])ossession of any part of the eo\ni-
try on the western side of the Delaware above
the nioutli of the river, that finally one of
the original promoters and most active
members of the comi>any, who had become
<lissatistied with the management of its afl'airs,
made au effort to find some other j)ower
in Europe to undertake the enterprise.
It ■\vas such a motive that prompted one
^Villiam Unclincx, of the city of Am-
sterdam, to repair in 1C24 to the court of
the young and able sovereign of Sweden,
Gustavus Adolphus, and to submit to him a
plan for the formation of a Swedish West
India Company, for the express purpose of
colonizing the neglected regions on the Dela-
ware. It did not requin; much persuasion to
induce Gustavus to embrace the proposition,
and he soon fell in with the scheme of the M'ily
Dutchman and shrewd ex-mendier of the
Dutch AVest India Company.
.V West India company, similar to that in the
Netherlands, was accordingly organized and
incor]iorated without delay in that kingdom;
and with the enthusiastic spirit now abroail in
behalf of the measure, and the influence nf the
king's example, who subscribed with liberality
to the stock of the company, princes and pre-
lates, noblemen and commoners, and men of
all classes, as well as ladies of the hii>he-t rank,
\ ied with each other in responding with like
promi)titude to the cordial recommendation of
their sovereign In behalf of the enterprise. It
was the first novelty of the kind, perhaps,
which had ever caught and captivated the
fancy of the Swedes to sudi a degree, com-
l)ared with which, according to the accounts
which have reached us, the enchanting lines
and evanescent splendors of all later South Sea
bubbles must have ])aled into insignihcance.
Dut before all the necessary preparations
had been completed by the company iov the
despatch of the first expedition of colonists
I'rom Sweden to the far-away shores of the De-
laware, their young and gallant king, now ac-
knowledged and hailed with universal acclaim
by the Protestants of Germany as the royal
ciiampion of their cause, was suddenly drawn
into the vortex of that memorable religious
conflict of European nations known as the
Thirty Years' AVar. All further i>roeeeding3
by the eomiiany and the government for the
founding of the colony on the Delaware were
interrupted and susjieuded for several years
after the fall of the enthusiastic young mc;--
arch at the battle of Lut/.en in Xovenibcr,
1(;;52. Ibit, as if forewarned by sonie ]ire
sentiment of his ajjproaching doom in tlie
great conflict in which he was about to en-
gage, Gustavus had ])repared in advance
a "last will and testament," containing par-
ticular instructions in relation to the
g\iardianship and education of his only
child and the heir to his crown, a young
and tender daughter named Christina. It was
ai'i'Ompanied by another jiaper, addres.sed to
his i>rinie minister. Chancellor Oxenstiern, a
man of great ability and virtue, as well as de-
votion to his king and country, enjoining upoji
him in anv event or coutingencv which might
befall him ]iersonally in the war, as a duty
not to abandon this great enternrise in which
he felt such a deep interest, but to see the
design of it fully carried into execution pur-
suant to the instructions laid down in the
pa]ier, and in acconlance with the views
which the king had often before comnnini-
cated to Oxenstiern on the sid)ject.
But was not until five years after the termi-
nation of the war in which Gustavus fell, that
the chancellor Avas prepared to entcsr upon the
(liK'harge of the grave duty thus enjoined upon
hiui. .After the death of Gustavus the govern-
iiMiit .'f Sweden had been vested in a council
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14 BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of regency during tlic niiiiority of tlu! young tlic iUKspices of tlie Swcilisli govfrminMit.
queen, of wliicli the president was ( 'liaiicidlor Peter ,Minuit was in .several respects a re-
Oxenstiern, who was also one of iier giiaidians. iiiarkable man, and if tlie reader is desirous
of knowing more of liiiii, lie is respectfully
Peter Mknuit An-KAKs. ^^'"'''^^ *" **!'-* ^'''"l'^^?' ^^^}-''^\^]S tlds iutro-
iluctory sketch, wherein the l.iographies of
In the meantime William Pntdinex, the the governors are given,
dissatisfied man from Amsterdam, and ex- ( 'iiancellm- O.xensfiern was favorably im-
member of the Dutch \yest India Company, pressed l)y the manners, address and general
^^ho had been so successful in originating this intelligence of .Minuit, and particularly by his
rival Swedish comi)any, had also ]»assed away knowledge of the geography of the region, the
from the scene of his glory without knowing river Delaware, the soil, climate and resources
whether the scheme was to be succ.ssful or not. of the country, the character an<l relations of
And yet, strange to say, just about this time, the Indian tribes; he therefore esteemed him-
yhile Chancellor Oxenstu'ru was preparing to self fortunate in finding a man .so adndrably
in.-.titute active juvjceedings in the undertak- (lualified to till the responsible position of gov-
ing, another gentleman from Holland, of still ernor, and carry out the wishes of the deceased
greater eminence, an<l still better acquainted monarch. After taking .s(jme time to deliber-
with the affairs of the Dutch West India Com- ate he finally ajipointed :\rinuit .lirector gen-
1 any an<l their possessions in the New Xether- r ral of Xew Sweden, that name having already
lands, turns up in the ])lace of I'ncliucx at been conferred on the country designed to be
Stockholm and the court of Sweden. This settled under the charter and grant of the ccim-
pcrsonage also submits a plan for colonizing pany, and to be held and considered as an ap-
ihe western banks of the Delaware, under the ])endage to the crown and kin-di>ni of
charter of the Swedish West India (.'onq)any, Sweden.
and suggests his willingness to assume tlu; du-
ties and responsibilities of conducting their ^
first colony on the Delaware, as its .lirector Saii.ino of tuk Swedish Coi.oxv.
general, 'i'his distingtdshed Dutchman was no 1 he great question of founding the colony
other than Peter ^linuif. late dire<-t(ii' general Inning been settled, the next thing in order
of the Xew Netherlands umler the Dutch was to send out a boily of coloni-ts. When
^\'est India Conqiany at .Xew .Vmstenlani oi'gaiuzcd, the ex|)edition consisted of fifty per-
(New York), from 1G24 to K!.'!:?. He had, sons, properly provisioned and eipiipjied, who
of course, during that time become very well sailed from Sweden under the immediate coui-
acquainted with their possessions, on both the iiiand of Petei' .Minuit, in an arnmnil ship of
N^orth (Hudson) and South (Delaware) rivers, the navy and a transport. The .^hip wa- called
and their title and claims to the same. Peter the h'cij of Ctilnnir and its consoi't was named
^linuit knew all abmit the settlement of 1 )e the liird Griffin. They sailed in .Vugust,
A'ries' colony on the •'Ilooru Kill," was direc- 1(137, but did not reach the point of destina-
for geiu'ral and iiresident of the council of the tion until April, 1038. The voyage, therefore,
conq)any when the Indian delegation from the was long and tenq)estuous. A landing was
^illage there apjieared before it in Fort \m- made on the bay in the neighborhootl of what
sterdam in 1030, to acknowledge the sale of is now 1 ewes. Tiny called it the Piver of
the salt marsh from Cape lleidopen to the Xew Sweden and the point of land. Paradise,
mouth of the Delaware Ifivcr to the Dutch According to the History of Xew Sweden by
jiurchasers before mentioned; and was still in .\erelins, a |iiircliase of land wa- immediately
oflice and residing at Xew .Vmstenlani when made from the Indians, and it was determined
the coloni.sts were massacred by the e\as]K>rat- that all the land on the western side of the
cd Indians. He had, however, been removed river, from the jjoint called Ca|ie Inlopen,
from ottice by the Dutch aiitliorities for some (now 1 lenlorcn), up to the falls at Ti-entou,
cause in 1(132, ami naturally feeding some- and as miudi of tin- country inland as was
what incenseil, sought an opportunity to be ctded, should belong- to the Swedish crown for-
revenged for this nvatment by aiding in the ever. It shonhl be remend ered that King
foundation of an o])position co|,,iiy under Charles I. of Kngland hail already. In the year
v. • '.•' \<.^\u \1 \TAC.\J\
>Ut VI
STATE OP DELAWARE
15
1G34, upon representation made to liiin by
John Oxenstiei-n, at that time S\veili.sh aiu-
hassador in London, renounced, in favor of the
H\V('(K'S, all (daims and pretensions of the Kng-
li-li to that (•(Mintry, growinj;- out of tlie rights
of the first diseuverers. Jlence, wlien the
edlony landed, everything seemed to be settled
upon a tirm foundation, and all earnestness
was employed in the prosecution of the i)lans
for coloidziition. I'osts were (lri\en into the
ground and landmarks established. .V deed
was drawu up for the land thus pundiased.
'i'liis \va~ writti-n in l>ut(di, because no S\v(^(U^
\'. as yet aiile to interjiret tiie language of the
luatlien. J'he Indians subscriiicd their hands
and marks. The writing was sent home to
Sweden to lie jireserNTd in the royal archives.
A surveyor laid out tlii' land and made a map
td the wliole ri\er, witii its tributaries, islands,
and points, which, it is sai<h is still to be found
HI tlie royal ar<-hives in Sweden.
.\ltliougli it a]ipears that the Swedes imag-
ined tlicinxhcs the tirst e.s]ilorers of the
country, it seems strange that they could have
been deceived. DeVries' colony had preceded
tlcm and made a settlement near where they
(the Swedes) landed a few years afterwards.
That fact Peter Minuit certainly knew. This
apjiarent oblivion <'an only be exjilaiued upou
the tlnory that .Minuit, in his desire to head
oil' the Dntrh, iu retaliation for his ha\ing
been (li-iiii~~cd from their service as gov-
ernor of .\Cw .\m^t(^rdam, ke])t the Swedes
under hi- charge in utter ignorance of t!ie true
coiiililiiui of affairs, lie that as it nniy, tliis
encroachiuent ou the i)rior rights of the Dutidi
was the iicginniugof the dispute between them
and the Swedes which ended iu the e.xjjidsion
of the lattci' froui the Dcdaware 1)V armed
force.
T,AM)l.\(i .\T TUK RiX'KS.
.\fter 1-eniaining for some tinu' on wdiat they
termed "I'aradise," }\o\v known to be .Mis))il-
liou I'oiiit, the colonists re-embarked and pm-
< 1 ((led up the river to the mouth of the little
ri\"er now known as Christina. They ascended
this stream for some two nnles, and landed
upon its northern bank, on a firm and rocky
foundation, which they afterwards named
•'The Rock-." They gave the little river its
name, (liristina, in honor of the daughter of
llieir decca-icd mouareh, (iustavus Adobihus.
'1 he mime is chaste and sweet, beautifully ap-
])roijriate, and never will be changed as long
as this government shall endure.
When this little band of Swedes landed on
the rocky sliori' of the beautiful ri\(i-, which
had thnved for ages in its pristine purity, the
M-ene presented to their vision was one of wild,
yet enchanting, grandeur. The hills on wdiich
the fair city of Wilmington now stands were
heavily wooded, and their dcnsi; green f(diage
cast a darkening shadow over the water, while
the ri\er as it wound through luxuriant mead-
ows Hashed like a thread (d' silver and dazzled
the (ivcs of the fair-haired wanderers as they
gazed u])itn it in ecstacies of delight. Xaught
but the ri])pling of the stream and tlie songs
of the birds, as they flitted through the forests,
(lihturbe(l the S(ditU(le of nature. The foot of
a while man had never before troildcu these
hills. The stolid ^linuit, who had never gazed
u]iou sucdi an enchanting scene before, was
moved to raptures of delight, and thanked
()(id that this great privilege had been granted
him. Near by came another crystal stream
dashing o\cr granite rocks, and through dark
dcHles, whi(di united its waters wth the river
iiear where the little band of jiiouecrs had
east their lot and settled down to found homes
in the Xew \\'oild. ^'ears afterwards this
stream became noted for the power it furiush-
ed for manufacturing pni-poses, and the "■jrills
(d' the IJrandywim-"' obtained (-(.dcbrity in the
commercial world for the excellence of their
]ir()duct. But, owing to changed conditions
and the ad\am-euKiit of manufacturing skill
in ne\v lines, their wheels liave ceased to r( -
\"<d\'e, the buildings ha\c tumbled in ruins,
and long rows of ( 'oncstoga teams bearing the
golden gi'ain of the ('he-ter \'alley no longer
stand b(d"or(! them waiting their turn to be
uidoaded; but the sfi'eam still rolls on as
]irondly as it did when the Swedes gazed on it
iu raptures of delight two hundre(l and sixty
years ago.
1 his .settlement was the second nunle \vithin
the Hunts of the State of l")(daware, ami Le-
came in the s])ring of 1(1.']8 the feelile begin-
ning of what is now the beantif\d and thriving
city of AVilmington, with its 70. 000 iiduibi-
fants. Care has been taken to gi\c a minute
description of these -el llenients, <■> that the
I'cader may (dearly coinpi'chend the tinu', and
the circnnistances, under whi(di the beginning
(■{ the State of Delaware was made, llxcept-
>•»( <l.l
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16
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ing tlicse two points, tlie whole peninsula was
a wild, the ouiy iuliahitants being roving bands
of Indians, and it continued in tliat condition
for some jenrs afterwards. The seltlenient at
'■J loom Kill'' (Lewes) having been wiped out
and not restored, the Christina settlement in
April, 1C3S, became the tirst jiermanent one
on the Delaware, and the niRdens, therefore,
of a large and wealthy population.
After ^Jinuit and his brave liand had suffi-
ciently rested from the fatigues of their long
Aoyage, and had resolved to settle where they
had lauded, the next thing in order was to erect
a fiirtification on 'The Kocks" for their ]>rotec-
tion, for they knew not what foes might be
lurking in the dense wilderness. The fort was
hastily constructed of logs. True, it was rude,
but it served the purpose for which it was in-
tended. It was named Christina, after tlie fair-
haired child of Sweden who was destined to
become a queen; whose girlhood was full of
sunshine and promise, but whose closing years
were marked with sorrow and gloom. Inside
this rude fortification Peter ^linuit, as director
general, took up his abode and administered
the afl'airs of the colony. Clustering around
it were temporary cabins, erecte<l for the ac-
conniKidation of the settlers, as they could not
all find quarters within the defensive work;
and with tliat energy and spirit of industry
which have always characterized ]ieo])le of
ihcir nationality, they set about clearing
l>atches of ground and preparing to raise grain
and vegetables for their sustenance. In fact
there was no other alternative; no sup]i!ics
could be obtained, save game and fish, in that
wild region, and they must either work or bo
reduced to the verge of starvation.
The Dutch Protest.
Peter ^linuit had not finished the construc-
tion of his fort when he received a protest from
the director general of New Amsterdam, who
denounced him as an intruder in Dutch terri-
tory, and warned him to desist from liis work.
A spirited controversy ensued. The Dutch
claimed the land on the west, as well as the
east, side of the Delaware. As Minuit neither
re])lied to nor heeded the warning of the Ditch
governor, the lattei- proceeded to repair and re-
garrison the Dutch fort called Nassau, on the
O])po<ite side of the river, in what U now New
Jersey, just below (Uoncester I'oint, and to
maintain it in a proper state of defence.
ilinuit was resolute and determined. He went
on about his business, carefully looking after
the infant colony which had been entrusted to
his care, not at all intimidated by the biiislor-
ings of the Dutch governor of New Amster-
dam.
In the mean time tiie Christina settlement
prospered, and slowly gained strength; but
strange as it may appear, when the inviting
nature of the country is considered, no settle-
ments by the Swedes were made below the
( 'iiristina creek or river. In time others were
niaile above, as far up as the mouth of the
Schuylkill, but i)rinci])ally in the vicinity of
Chester. This seems the more strange, inas-
much as the colonial authorities of New
Sweden claimed to have become entitled, by
I-urchase from the natives, to all the country
west of the Delaware from Cape Ilenlopen to
the falls of Trenton, and to have, therefore,
rightful dominion over it.
Uev. Dr. Cort, in his memorial address at
Do\'er, on the occasion of commemorating the
services of Peter ]\[inuit in founding this
colony, takes the ground that he is entitled to
tlie credit of being the founder of civil govern-
ment on ]\Ianhattan Island. And Justin AVin-
i-or states in his Critical History of America,
that ]\Iinuit nuist be considered the first
founder of the present State of New York.
He was also the founder and first governor of
New Sweden on the Delaware. The policy of
fair dealing with the Indians, begun on the
Hudson by .Mimiit in 1G2G, was continued on
the Delaware in IGoS; and it is to his everlast-
ing credit that the same policy of peace and
Christian generosity was carried out in good
faith to the end of his career. The treaty
f(_)rmed with the five Iroquois chiefs on the
ground where AVilmington stands was never
broken by either of the contracting parties.
"Forty-four years before William Penn
formed his famous treaty with the Indians
under the elm tree at Shackamaxon," says Dr.
Cort, "Peter ]\[inuit made his treaty with
]\fi-tat-sim-int and four other Iroquois chiefs at
Minquas Kill, purchasing, in fee siini)le, the
Ktiil of our Commonwealth | Delaware] and
a large part of Pennsylvania, including the
very site on which stands the m(>tro])olis of the
ICeystone Commonwealth." This treaty bore
the date of 'Ararch 2S, lOHS, and as Dr. Cort
savs, "ought to be commemorated annually by
MA > .' >• ■ \ '
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STATE OF DELAWARE
17
IJiiti'iutic 1 U'hnvaroaiis as the birthday of our
Christian (.'ouimonwealth."
The aJininistration of ilinuit on the Dela-
ware lasted less thau three years, but it was
marked by wisiloni, courage aud Christian de-
c-oniin. J lis sad death, while c>n a voyage for
eoiiimercial purposes to the AVest Indies, will
be found described in the chapter on the gov-
ernors. In eulogizing the character of Minuit,
I\ev. Dr. Port closes liis address with the fol-
lowing tribute to his nienior}': "It was also
part of ^linuit's original plan to settle Florida
with Protestant colonists, and luake a bold on-
slaught u])on S]ianisli commerce in the South
Fea. He secnK-cl an.xious to avenge and rectify
the wrongs perpetrated by the Idoodtliirsty and
perlidioiis Spaniard, Menendez, in 15Gj, when
lie butcliorcd in cold blood, on the coast of
Flori<la, in time of peace, John Uibault, the
grand mariner of France, and his five hundred
shipwrecked colleagues, because they refused
to renounce their Iieformed faith and swear al-
legiance to the Pope. It was his ambition and
iiope to establish an asylum for Keformed
Christians in that land of flowers, as the great
Admiral ( "oligny had striven to do seventy
odd years before, when he foresaw the future
hoi-rm-s of religious persecution about to de-;i>-
late the sunny fields of France. Spain and
Austria, the worst foes of civil and religious
liberty, were devastating the Protestant homes
of I'urope, and Minuit felt that a bold attack
upon Spanish commerce would be a service to
humanity and well pleasing to God. It is use-
h ss to conjecture what might have been the
outcome of such a policy. But only a man
of heroic mould could have cherished it with
the resources at command which Peter ]\linuit
{)ossessed. His policy was to cultivate friendly
relations with the Dutch in New Netherlands
and along the east bank of the Delaware, as
well as with the English in Virginia and other
Nortli American colonies. All the Protestant
sections he felt ought to combine against the
common enemy, the despotic and perfidious
Spaniards, as the best people of Euro])e had
done during the Thirty Years' "War under
Ciustavus Adulphus and other leaders."
lli< religious views were of a high, lofty
order. Ae(>ording to a WTiter of some distinc-
tifin it \\a> his intention to bring over from his
native land, along the Khine, a better class of
colonists than governmental conscription could
jiroiMU'c in Sweclon. 'i'he sturdy religious re-
fugees, the very cream of Europe, W(juld have
been transj)lanted in numbers sufficient to pre-
vent any such conquest of New Sweden as
afterwai'ds took jdace by Governor Stuyvesant
in KiTiS. Put the best formed jilans of men
are often frustrated by the stern decree of God.
After the death of Peter ilinuit, the gover-
norr-hip of the cohmy devolved on Peter llol-
lender, or Hollendare, as it is sometimes writ-
ten. He was commissioned in 1040, and ar-
lived with fresh immigrants just as the set-
tlement was about breaking up. Harassed by
ihe Dutch, and subjected to much suffering
on account of maintaining themselves in a
wild and iidiospitable country, the colonists
were often sorely discouraged and sighed to
be again in their native land. But the new
governor endeavored to encourage the people
he found on the Christina, and to some ex-
tent succeeded. His administration, however,
was of short duration. After a residence of
about a year and a half, he returned to Sweden
and never came back. ^lore discouragements
followed, 'ilie settlers felt at times that they
had been abandoned, but, putting their trust
in (Jod, they submitted to the privations which
surrounded them with a courage and a devo-
tion whiidi ajipear sublime, when we contem-
)ilate their sad and lonely condition, in a land
far from home, and without any of the com-
forts of life to which they had been acciis-
tomed.
Arrival of Printz.
The new governor, John Printz, who as-
sumed the direction of the colony in 1043,
was a i-emarkable man in niany rcsjtects. Pos-
sessed of a strong mind, and courageous to a
high degree, he exhibited no fear of the ra-
])aeious Dutch of New Amsterdam, who were
continually on the alert to harass the Dela-
ware Colony. Printz, according to the ac-
counts that have coine down to us, was a man
</f great ]iliysical size, but with his avoirdu-
jiois he united a mind of considerable execu-
tive ability, and a strong sense of the import-
ance of his position. He was bluff in his man-
ners, inclined to be ii'aseible when crossed in
liis ))ur|io-es, but withal open hearted and
i-ymiiatheiic. H is learned from Acrelius
that he bad a grant of four hundred lix dol-
lars for his traveling exjienses, and one thou-
sand two Innidrdl dollai'- silv.'r as lii- annual
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,M:.f./
IS
BJOGRA PHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
salary. Tlie Company was invested with the
exclusive privilege of importing tubaeeu into
Sweden, although that article was even then
regarded as unnecessary and injurious; it
wa-i, nevertheless, considered indispensable
biuce the estahlishiiient of ilic lad lialiit of its
u.~c. V\H)n the same occasion was also sent
out ]\Iagister John C'ompanius Holm, who
was called by their excellencies, the Itoyal
Council and Admiral Claes Flemming, to lie-
coiue the Government chaplain, and watch
over the Swedish congregatiim on the Dela-
ware.
The ship on which (iovcrnor I'rintz sailed
was called the Faiaa. It was acc-onipaiiicd by
two other ships of the line, the S'Waii and the
Cliarihts, lackMi with people and supplies.
During Printz's administration, ships came to
the colony at three different times. The first
that came was the Black Cat, with amnuini-
tion and merchandise for the Indians, 'i'he
next was the Sivan, on a second voyage, with
emigrants, in 1C47. Afterwards came two
other ships, the Key and the Lamp. During
these times the cdergyman, Lawrence Charles
l.ockenins, and Isracd Ilidgh, were sent out to
a;-sist in caring for the spiritual welfare of the
j'eojile.
Governor Printz received elaborate instruc-
tions from Queen Christina, in which his du-
ties in the colony were pointe<l out with yreat
exactness; he was especially reminded that the
boundaries of the country of which ])osses-
sion had been taken, extended from ( 'ape Ilen-
lo]ien to where Fort Christina was built, and
tlience np the river to a place which the In-
dians called Sank-i-kans, now known as the
Falls of Trenton. This point was the extreme
northern limit of New Sweden, and was about
ninety miles from Cape Ilenlopcn. lie was
also informed that in IG-tl several English
families, proliably ninnbering sixty persons,
had settled and begun to cultivate the land on
the eastern side of the river, in New Jersey,
but as this land was claimed bv the crown of
Sweden he (the governor) was instructed to
cultivate friendly relations with them and
draw them under his control. He was in-
formed that the Holland AVest India Com-
Ijnny would, no doubt, seek to control this
tract of land, which extended from Cape ifay
to what is now known as Raccoon Creek.
They had built a fort called Xa>-aw, which
was manned bv about twentv men. It stood
near, or on, Gloucester Point. AVhence the
Knglish colony came is not clearly estab-
lished, but they are supposed to have been
s(piatters from Connecticiit, and to have after-
wards settled on the Schuylkill.
(iovernor Printz was also instructed to
treat the Indian tribes with whom he should
ccnue in c'ontact with humanity and respect,
and see that no violence or injustice was done
them; and that pains should be taken to in-
struct them in the truths and worship of the
t 'hristian religion, and induce them gradually
lo become civilized. It was especially i-njoined
ujion him to gain their confidence and impress
upon their minds that neither he nor his Jjco-
ple aucl sub(rnliiiales were come into their
midst Uj do them any wrong or injury, but
much more for the purpo.se of furnishing them
with such things as they might need for the
(irdinary wants of life, and s'o also for such
things as were found among them, which they
themselves could make for their own use, or
buy or excliaiige. He was aho to see that ia
trading with the Indians the Swedes should
charge them a less jirice than they were in the
habit of paying to the Hollanders at Fort Nas-
sau for similar articles, so that the "wild peo-
ple," as the (^ucen termed them, might be
drawn away from them and trade with her
peoiile. 'i'his was a shrewd suggestion made
fiom a luu-iness point of view, and shows that
the young (|Ueen was not unmindful of the
iidvantagrs tci le gaineil by ii\u>uiiig such a
course.
It was left to the (lo\-ernor's optimi, either
to pro\i(le and choose a jilace of ri-.-ideuce, or
to occupy the dwelling in Christina which had
been occupied by his predecessors. He was
also instructed to provide a suitable place for a
fort, either at "Hinlopen" or on an inland in
the river; but if he found Fort Christina would
suffice, then he was to put it in good order. At-
tention was to be directed to agriculture, and
the raising of tobacco was to be made a spe-
cialty. He was to have careful search made
e\(rywliere for precious metals, and if any
were discovered was to give information at
once to the home government, and to await i
instructions. The peltry trade was to be dili-
gently looked after, with precautions against
fraud. This trade was to be carried on only
by licensed traders, ai)i)ointed in the name of
the whole companv, who were to be jiaid es-
tiibli>lie(l couiniis-inus.
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STATJ'] OF DELAWARE
!'.>
It was suggested that salt works iniglit be
f■stallli^^llC(l oil the sea coast. But if salt could
not I'l- proiicrly made by the process of evapor-
ation ill the heat of the sun, salt water might
he hroiight to such a grade that it could at'iiT-
wards he perfectly coudcnjed by means of hrc
without great labor or expense. This the
governor was to consider, and make such cx-
ptrlments as might bo required to determine
the best jirocess, and then put it into practical
operation. Out of the abundant forests, the
Ciovernor was ordered to e.xamine and deter-
mine what i)rotit might be derived from oak
and walnut tree-, and whether a good (|ualily
of this timher might be shipped to Sweden as
ballast. lie Was also instructed to ascertain
whether oil might not be advautageou>ly ex-
]iresscd without walnuts.
It was also to be ascertained how and where
fi>lieiie- might be most ]irolitably establishe 1;
t^]lecially at what season of the year the whole
tii-hing hiisiness could be most advantageously
]ini~ecntcd ill the lower hay. 'I'lu' go\crnor
was to investigate earefiilly, and ie|iort
to the home government, whether the busi-
ness couM be made profitable. This bu-iness,
it will lie remembered, had been tried hy l)e
\'ries near Lewes, but proveil a failure and
was abaudoiieil. The governor was also in-
structed to make careful inquiry in regard to
the fo(id and I'onvenience for keejiing a large
iiiiml er of silk worms, and whether the man-
ufacture of silk could be started in the new
coimlry. broiu this it will appear lliat silk
Worm ( iilfurc was not a new thing in those
early day-, and the fact that an attemiit was
iiiaile to engage in it (Ui a large scale in the
same country nearly two hundred years after-
wards, only goes to sho\v that "fails,'" like liis-
torv, often repeat themselves.
.Much was left to the discretion tif the gov-
ernor. At tirst, and until matters cmild be
brought into a better form, he was authorized
to use his own seal, but in a somewhat larger
form ill briefs, contracts, correspondence, and
other written documents of a public character.
lie was authorized to decide all matters of con-
troversy which might arise, according to Swed-
ish law, eiistom and usage, lie was also to
have power, through the necessary and projier
means of compulsion, to bring to obedience
and a quiet life the turbulent and disorderly,
and especially u])on gross ott'enders he couM
inflict ]iunishnients according to the grade ol
the crime, by imprisonment, or even by the
Infliction of tiie death penalty, lint in the im-
position of so grave a penalty, he was ordered
not to depart from the usual manner, and to
give the case proper hearing and cousiileration,
with the assistance and concurrence of the
most prudent associate judgi's that he could se-
cure.
Governor Trintz, therefore, was the first
man to hold court, try offenders, and adminis-
ter justice in what is now the territory of the
State of Delaware. lie was the president
judiic, the suiiivme ruler and administrator
of the colony. At this late day, considering
the power with which he was clothed, how in-
teresting it would 1 e if we could consult the
records of his court. But that privilege is de-
nied us, even if records were kept, for they
have doubtless long since perished. His court
was first held at Fort Christina; afterwards at
his famous hall, which he established on Tini-
cuiu Lsland, in the Delaware Kiver. Oousiiler-
ing that he was invested with so much power,
even to the taking of human life, it is not to
he wondered at that in time there came to be
imich frietion in the colony, and that the gov-
ernor's enemies never let pass an opportunity
to denounce him for his haughty and im-
jierious manners. Indeed there is reason for
believing that at times the c.doni-ts would
have revolted if they could have seen any way
of bettering their condition. Hut they were
hel[)less a,nd had to submit to their aut'K-ratic
master.
'i'he letter of instruction (dosed by saying
that "above all things" the Governor must
"consider and see t.j it that a tru," and due
worship, bec<iming boii<n-, laud and praise be
]iaid to the IMost High God in all things, and to
that end all proper care shall be taken thatdi-
^ ine service be zealously performed according
to the unaltered Augsburg Confe.-^sion,^ the
Council of rpsala, and the cereniouics of the
Swedish Church; and all persons, but espe-
cially the young, shall he <luly instructed in
the articles of their Christian faith; and all
good idiurch disciidiue shall in like manner
he duly exercised and received." But so far
as relates to the ifolland colonists that might
live and settle under the Swedish government,
(iovernor Printz was instructed not to disturb
them in the indulgence of their religious faith;
tliey might confoi-m to the rites of the He-
formed ( 'hiirch.
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. . .III.)
2U
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA-
][aviiig received his instructions, and every-
thing being in readiness, Printz and liis colon-
ists sailed from Stockholm August 10, 1U42,
and landed safe at Fort Christina February 15,
lUiy. The voyage was long and tedious,
compared with the voj'ages of to-day, but noth-
ing imusual occurred and we infer that the
health of the emigrants was fairly good. Part
of them belonged to a trading company pro-
vided with a charter, and were to receive
monthly wages for their servicer. Some, how-
ever, came of their own accord to try their for-
tune in the new country. And they were free
to settle and live in the country as long as tliey
pleased, or to leavi' it at tlieir jjleasure. 'i"he
latter were, by way of distim-tion, called free-
men. At first malefactors and vicious subjcti
were sent over, who were used as slaves in the
work upon the fortifications. They were kept
in ciiains and not allowed to have intercourse
witii the other settlers ;ji separate place of
abode was assigned to them. The result was
that the respectable colonists became gi'catly
dissatisfied that such characters should be fcjist-
ed upon them, and remonstrated in strong
terms. "When Governor I'ritz took charge of
the affairs of the colony, his attention was
called to this matter, and to his credit he took
measures to break up the practice at once.
'Iherefore, when any vessel ajipeared bearing
such characters, they were not j)ermitted to
Ect foot on shore, l)Ut the cajitain of the vessel
was forced to carry them away again. Where-
U]>on,says.\crelius, a great many of tliem dietl
during the voyage or perished in some other
way. Afterwards it was forbidden in Sweden,
under a ])eiialty, to take for the American voy-
age any persons of bad fame, nor was there
ever any lack of good people for the Colony.
]rad so good a law prevailed in after years
when the Fnglish rule was established over
the colony, it would have been better for the
country.
Having taken time during his stay at Fort
Christina to survey the country, ascertain the
condition of tlie settlement, organize his gov-
ernment, and consider what was best tn be
done, (lovernor Printz decided to establish hi-;
ii('ad(]uarters on Tiuicum Island. Acrelius no-
where states how long the Governor resided at
the fort, but it must have been for several
months, for it must have taken some time to
-erect the necessary buildings on the i-huul and
have them in readiness to transfer tlie seat of
government of New Sweden thither.
Why Printz should have selected au
island in the Delaware Itiver for his
official residence has never been sat-
isfactorily explained. It has been said that
tiie choice was made in order to be as near Fort
Nassau as possible, and to be in a position more
easily to intercept vessels that might attempt
to ascend the river. Others have insinuated
that the burly governor thought it would be a
place of greater safety in time of danger from
the Indians and other foes. Be that as it may,
a fort was built on the island, and provided
with a considerable armament. His place of
residence, which was of j)retentious appear-
ance, was surrounded with charming grounds;
a pleasure house was erected, orchards were
planted, and everything done that would make
it attractive and beautiful. And as if to im-
part a greater air of dignity to tlie place, the
Governor named it Printz Ilall. Prominent
freemen who accompanied him, were allowed
to erect residences on the island also. Some of
these residents doubtless were ofiicers of his
court and a.ssisted in the administration of jus-
tice. In close proximity to the settlement a
handsome wooden church was built, which was
<ledicated with appropriate ceremonies con-
ducted by Companius.
Friction Between Goveexors.
In the meantime friction between the
Swedes and tlie Dutch was gradually increas-
ing. Stuyvesant was in conuaaud at iS'ew Am-
sterdam and seized every opjiortunity to harass
and annoy Printz. The Swedes were looked
iipon as intruders, or squatters, on the lamls
along the river, and the Dutch determined to
\a\ g them under subjection or drive them
away. The latter claimed to have purchased
the country first from tlie Indians; the Swedes
claimed that their purchase embraced the
country as far west as the Susquehanna river.
The contention therefore was based on the pri-
(irity of right by purchase.
Printz commanded the river with his little
fort on Tinicum Island and prevented the
Dutch from ascending. This so annoyed Stuy-
\esant that he resolved on a new plan to cir-
cumvent the wily Swede. He organized a
<ompany, with in.structions to make a settle-
ment at what is now known as New Castle.
This was done, and a defensive work erected
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STATE OF l)ELA]\'AUE
•21
wliicli was called Fort Cassiiuer. It is said to
have stood on a point of laud jutting into the
river, but the site, during the long time that
has elajised sinee its erection, has been almost
entirely \vashed away by the action of the
water. This was in the year 1G51. It was
garrisoned by a force suflicient to hold it
against the attacks of the Swedes. A few
Dutch settlers clustered around the fortitica-
tion and it l)ecame from that date the third
Christian or civilized settlement within what
was destined to become the State of Delaware.
It was a bold stroke on the part of the Dutch,
and gave Governor Printz a great deal of un-
easiness. And in order still further to itrength-
eu the foutli<dd that had been gained on the
Swedish side of the river, Governor Stuyves-
ant abandoned Fort Nassau on the Xew Jersey
shore, and removed the garrison, with its mun-
itions of war, to Fort Cassimcr. Only meagre
accounts of the siege and struggle of this fort
have been preserved. It mounted a, few can-
non, and served as a menace to Swedish ships
attempting to ascend the river, which were
commanded to stop and submit to be seai'chcd.
'Jhis was very humiliating to the proud occu-
pant of I'rintz Ilall, a few miles above; but as
he had played the same game at his stronghold,
he could only chafe when quailing the bitter
cup which he had so imperiously placed at the
lips of others.
At this time all the vast plain surrounding
Fort Cassimer was covered with a heavy
growth of timber; in a word, it was a dense
wilderness, through which roamed game in
abtindanco. 'J"he Indians, with amazement
depicted on their countenances, came forth
occasionally from the solitudes of the forest
to gaze upon the new comers as they toiled at
their work. They could not clearly compre-
hend what the mission of the pale-faces was,
but they did not interfere with them. That
they were peacefully incdincd was doubtless
true, for no authenticated accounts of Indian
outrages at that time have been handed down.
"When we compare the condition of the
country as it was then with that of the present
day, we can scarcely comprehend the mighty
changes that have been wrought. Ilighl}- cul-
tivated farms dot the landscape; charming
houses, the abode of a refined and cultured
people, are noted on every hand; while the evi-
dences of prosperity and thrift meet us at
every turn. Time works wondrous change; ;
and it must be remembered that two hundred
and fifty years have rolled away since the
sturdy Hollanders and the fair-haired Swedes
struggled for the privilege of founding homes
in this far-away land.
The aggressive policy of the Dutch became
alarming to Printz. lie felt that a greater
jiowcr than he could resist was arrayed against
him. On his early representations, the West
India Company of Sweden had formally pro-
tested against the proceedings of Stnyvesant,
b\it nothing was done to relieve him. Tlie
apathy of the home government may be ex-
plained on the ground that the business of the
colony had not proved as profitable as had
been e.xpecfed. Ciovernor Printz had not for
a lung time heard from home. j\Iessages had
been dispatched to Sweden with instructions
to lay a statement of atfairs before the queen,
but no answer was received. The re-inforce-
ments he had asked for were delayed until his
hoiie turned into despair. The Indians were
bcciiming restive and were no longer to be re-
lied on. So long as the colonists had every-
thing they wanted all went well; but now the
tnisettlcd condition of affairs was causing dis-
content, and miirmurings were frequently"
heard. The governor was failing into dis-
favor with his people. lie had been a rigor-
ous and austere ruler. Finally, realizing that
his days of usefulness were over, he resolved
to resign, leave the colony, and report the true
condition of affairs in person at the court of
Sweden. He therefore appointed his son-in-
law .John Papegoija, vice-governor, and in
lGa2 sailed away, never to return. He had
served as governor from 1GI3 to 1051, a
period of over ten years, and had come to be
recognized as the monarch of Tinicum.
His son-in-law did not remain very long in
authority', for in lC5i the ship Eaole arrived
from Sweden, lieaiing a new governor in the
person of John Claudius Pising, who was in-
vested with the title of Director General of
Xew Sweden, and for a brief time exercised
authoritv in the Colony.
Fort Cassimer CApruifED.
For some time previous to the departure
of I'rintz, both the Dutch and the Swedes had
entertained serious apprehensions of the de-
signs of the ]"^nglisli upon the whole territory.
I'hey realized that while they were quarrel-
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22
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ing about tlie right of possession on tiie Dela-
ware, there was dangers ot tliis stronger power
pouneing upon tiieni and seizing tlie wliole ter-
ritory. ]kising's oiticial instrnetio:is, therefore,
partieuhirly :idnuiiiishe<i liiui to jiroeeeil in his
aduunistration of affairs in -\ew Sweden wilh
tlie utmost prudeuee and eircumspeetion, and
to avoid hy all means any lireaeh of fi'iendship
Avith either the Duteli or the Juiglish; a breaeh
with the former might afford tlie latter an op-
jiortunity to seize Fort C'assinier, atul it was
better for the Swedes that it should continue
in the possession of the Duteli than fall into
the hands of their more powerful and danger-
ous neighbors in that eountry.
On the faec of his instructions he was to
employ every peaceable method in his jiower,
without resorting to any hostile act to induce
the Dutch to abandon Fort C'assinier to the
I'-nglisli. But his actions show that he bore
secret instructions.
J\ising sailed from Swevlen in an armed
shij), with military oHicers and troops and set-
tlers on board, amounting in all to some two
hundred and tifty men, and arrived in the Del-
aware in the latter part of May, U).j4. On ap-
jiroaching Fort (ja?simer the ship was preji.irc I
for action, and rounding to oj)poslte the fort,
tired a salute and signaled it to send an otKcer
on board, which was soon done by the coni-
niandant of the fort. On his arrival on board
Kising informed him who he was, and at once
ilemanded the surrender of the fort, as it stood
on Swedish gnuind, and with it the liver also
as a part of their possessions. Without secret
instructions to this effect, it is not likely that
he wouhl have acted in such a summary man-
ner.
When the Dutch officer heard the demand
he was stujietied with amazement, but on re-
i overing his self-possession, he ordered his
boat's crew to row him ashort' for instructions.
The ofKccr not returning as soon as it was sup-
jtosed he should, IJisiiig feared treachery, and
became imi)atieiit; Init upon retlection he de-
cided to wait for an answer until morning.
>ioiie Inning been received at that time he
landed a military force, marched on the fort,
stormed and seized it without resistance, at the
point of the bayonet, lie did not propose to
take any pri.soners of war, as none had been
declared, or any intimation given of his hostile
intentions previous to the demand for the sur-
render of th(^ works; he therefore disarmed
the garrison and chased them out at the jwint
of the bayonet, then took possession of the
fort and garrisoned it with a detail of his own
men.
1 he 1 )iitch, it is believed, were so frightened
on hearing the demaml of the Swedish (iover-
nor that they did not know what to do. And
as ihcir {^n-vr was .-mall, and the foi't in poor
condition to make any show of resi.-,tancc, they
ke]it on dclilieratiiig until the fatal moment
arrived, and they wrrv driven out like defence-
less school boys. What the armament of the
fort M-as we are not informed, but it eould not
have been sulHcient, as (lovernor Ki.-ing soon
after the cajiture proceede.l to enlarge and
strengthen it. As if entirely to efface the iden-
tify cd' the fort, he named it and the -.ettlenieiit
wliich had grown u]> an^iiid it, Xew Amstel.
"What became of the e.xjielled garri-on we are
not informed, but they probably took refuge
among the settleivs, and soon afterwards made
their way to the other Dutch settlements.
Rising, evidently, was greatly elated over
his victory, anil as a titling coiielnsi(jii and by
way of snrpri-e, no donbr, he imme liately
liM'warded a letter to (lovernor Stuyve~aut, at
>s'ew .\in^terdam, announcing his brilliant
achievement on the Delaware, and informing
him that he could have no further communica-
tion with him on the .subject, and that any dis-
cussion or negotiation in ri'gard to the matter
nnist be referred to their respective sovereigns.
As Ifising's letter was the first information
Stuyvcsant had received of the fall of Fort
< 'a->imer. one <-an imagine how surprised and
indignant the doughty warrior of Xew Am-
sterdam mn-t have beeij. .Voted for his e\-
eitalile tenipi'i-ament, it requires no streteli of
rile iniaginatinii to picture the Dutch governor
stamjiing around on his wooden leg and tear-
ing his hair, while the -eery air of the fort
^eemed charged with the fumes of sul]>linr, as
he hurled defiant e.xjiletivcs at the head of the
new Swedish governor.
Soon after the capture of Fort Cassimer and
the placing of a garrison therein (ioveriior
Hi.siiig sailed up the river to Fort Christina,
where he landed and took up his permanent
residence in the same liou.se once occupied by
I'eter Minuit. The original settlement, there-
fore, became for the second time the otlieial
headquarters and seat of governinent of .Vi'w
Sweden. The name of Cassimer was changed
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• ' ■.■ 1
STATE OF DKLAWAL'E
23
to Fort Trinity and new conditions took tlie
jijiu'c of the old.
Wlicn the fall of Fort C'assimor was report-
ed to tlie llolhmd authorities there was natur-
jilly much txcitenicnt in tiiat country. 'I'lie
1mp1(1 and aiiiire<sive action of Rising left no
other altcinative to the Dutch authorities than
a resort to arms, to settle the long existing cou-
(rovcrsy lietwcen the two countries by the
swoi-(l. 'IIh' capture of I'"'ort (^ussimer, the
jiniund on which it was built having been pur-
<lia>c(l iiy the Holland Comjiany July 19,
li;.". 1, wa> Udt only an insult, l»it tantamount
til a (U'claration of war, and popular sentiment
<l<niaiidcil that it should be recovered.
(io\(riinr Stuyvesant was ordered iu due
time to jirepare to retake the fort and reduce
the Swedish settlements on the Delawiire to
obedience to the authority of New Xethcr-
lands; he was authorized to use whatever force
he might deem necessary, and directed to act
as ipiickly as ])ossible. In the meantime cor-
responding ])reparations were made for the
cmt'igency by the company in Holland. So
l;ii:h (lid the fever run that recruiting stations
v'cre opened in the city of Amsterdam, drums
were beaten, and every effort was nmde to in-
duce men to enlist for the great war that had
broken out between the Dutch and Swedes
in America. Accounts state that Dutchmen
were excited everywhere and the war feeding
ran high. Delaware was at stake, and moth-
ing short of the complete subjugation and c(in-
tjuest of New Sweden woidd satisfy the uni-
vei-sal expectation. AVhile all the ujiroar was
going on, it ihx'S not appear that any effort
wa- made by Sweden to strengthen h<'r colon-
n-^ on the Delaware, or put her forts in order
to reiiel the proposed invasion. (Jovernor
liising appears to have been content to rest on
lii.-. laurel-, and quietly enjoy the fruits of his
victory. If reinforcements could have been
tectired, it seems strange that no efforts were
made to obtain them, for Kising must have
known what was being done. If he did not
at least sus)iect that an attem])t would be made
to reco\-er what had been lost by the Dutcdi,
lie mu.st have been more than ordinarily ob-
tuse.
(lovernor Stuyvesant, who prided himself
on hi> militarv training, could not reconcile
liiuiself to the insult that he bad received from
tlie wily Swede, wbo bad stolen into the Dila-
ware and captured Fort (""assimer without fir
ing a gun. \\'orst of all was the affront put
upon him by the curt letter informing him of
what had been dc^ie; this was more than he
could endure. That an old soldier who had
lost a leg in battle should be subjected to such
an indignity was unbearable, and he longed
lor the ojiportunity to surprise Kising in re-
turn.
Stuyvesant hastened his preparations, ob-
serxing, h<nvever, the greatest secrecy. His
]Kiints of attack were New Amstel, late Fort
Cassimer, and Fort t'hristina, neither of
whi(di contained a garrison of m<jre than thirty
or foit\ men. The nnlitarv force at the Dutch
goveriiorV command tpiite ecpialU'd in num-
bers the entire ])opulation of the Swedish set-
tlements on the Delaware, women and chil-
dren included. Yet he conducted his prepara-
tions for nearly one year with so much care,
1 rudence and secrecy that IJising had no in-
tinnition of them, except from the hints of
friendly Indians, towards the last. These In-
dians, it .seemed, knew more than he diil, but
he did not heed their warnings. He never
imagined for a moment that Stuyvesant, if ho
really contem])lated a movement, hail any-
thing more in view than the recapture of I'ort
Cassimer and the country below.
The Dutidi West India (!om]>any had prom-
i.-ed Stuyvesant as>i--tance iu vcs-ejs, annnuni-
tion and siddiers from Holland, and had di-
rected him to impress into his service, at their
e\]iense, any vesscds in the New Netherlands
that the occasion niiuht recjuire; they had al-
ready sent over to .\ew Amsterdam one man-
oi'-war and two other ships, with men and am-
niunition. In the meantime Stuyvesant had
by ]iersnasi\e oti't-rs and impressment added
four other vessels to his fleet, among them be-
ing a French jjrivateer, which had been hov-
ering on the coast for the purpose of preying
on the commerce of any nation that was at
war with France. With this squadron, for-
midable for the tinie<, Stuyvesant found him-
self in readiness to set forth on his expedition.
It consisted of seven vessels, and carried be-
tween >ix and seven hundred men. A start
was maih^ Se|iteudier '>, lt5.'>.">. and as the
Kpiadmn sailed down the bay and pa.sscd out
into the ocean it prc-entetl a brave and war-
like ajipearance. Filtering the capes of the
Delaware in due season, rommodoro Stuyve-
sant spent several days in marshaling an<l ar-
ranging bis fleet jirciiaratory to landing his
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24
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
men in sections, witli tlieir proper ufiicers,
when they should arrive off the fort of the
Swedes.
At last Governor Rising had Leconie aware
of the force tliat was approaching, and hastily
set to work to prepare Fort New Anistcl for
the impending conflict. He ordered the otHcer
in charge not to allow the licet to pass, if he
could prevent it, and by all means to lire upon
it. Both orders were disobeyed, whether
through fear, or from want of a clear under-
standing of them, is unknown. The Hcet,
when it hove in sight, quietly passed the fort,
which made no attempt to arrest it, and camo
to anchor above it, out of the reach of its guns.
So quiet a reception must have been a sur-
prise to Stuyvesant, after all his warlike
preparations, llis next move was to summon
the fort to surrender, but the commandant
not complying with his order, he landed
all his troops out of reach of cannon shot, and
then proceeded to invest Fort Now Amstcl by
jiosting a detachment about five miles otf to
watch Fort Christina, and another somewhat
nearer to cut off any reinforcement or relief
from that quarter. The brave Dutchman
then commenced digging trenches and throw-
ing up embankments in order to enable his
forces to get near enough to the fort to fire
upon its log walls with safety. This accom-
plished, Stuyvesant repeated his demand for
the surrender of the fort, and at last perem-
torily accompanied with a fierce threat to open
his guns upon it, if his demand was not in-
stantly comjilied with. 'Jlie Swedish olHcer
saw no alternative, and to prevent further
waste of time concluded to surrender. Ac-
cordingly he capitulated on favorable terms,
without any one being hurt on cither side,
and New Sweden was already half conquered.
I'he surrender took place September IG, 1G55,
which shows that over two weeks were con-
sumed in military operations before the end
came. The commander of the fort was named
Sven Schute, and his surrender was severely
condemned by Governor Rising, who thought
that he should have made some show of re-
sistance. But the excuse was that necessity
knows no law. According to the articles of
capitulation, as given by Acrelius, liberty was
given to the commander of the fort to take
back to Sweden the cannon which belonged
to the crown, consisting of four irun guns of
fourteen pounds, and five field jiicccs. lie
was permitted to march out with liis twelve-
men fully armed, as his life guard, and with
the tlags of the crown; the others with their
side arms only. The muskets were to stand to
the connnandant's account, and were to re-
main in the fort until he took them away, or-
sent an order for them. The commandant
was to be secure in his personal and individ-
ual property, either to take it away or let it
remain until further orders. The same was
the case with the property of the other officers.
Considering the bluster that had been in-
dulged in by Stuyvesant, the terms of capitu-
lation could not be regarded as severe.
Fort Cjiiustina T.\ken.
1'he next movement of Stuyvesant was di-
rected against Fort Christina. He ordered
his armed ship and tlie French privateer to
anchor in Christina Creek, and to be in such
a position that they could rake the fort witli
their guns if any hostile movement should be
detected. Twelve days were then spent in in-
vesting the fort, and in erecting a number of
batteries in commanding jiositions. These bat-
teries mounted, all together, about twenty
guns, independent of those on the armed
ships, and were formidable enough to reduce
a defensive work much stronger than the
humble Swedish fort. All things being in
nadiness, (lovernor Stuyvesant made a for-
mal demand for the surrender of the fort,
which was qiuckly responded to by Governor
Rising's yielding to the demand, and as in tho
case of Fort Amstel, the exchange of masters
was accomplished without the firing of a gun
or the injury of a single man. The tables were-
now completely turned. Stuyvesant was mas-
ter of the Swedish settlements on the Dela-
ware, and the flag of Holland floated over their
forts.
'J'ho terms of capitulation entered into be-
tween tliese two distinguished officers were
marked with that military courtesy which usu-
ally prevails on sucdi occasions. The pream-
ble to the articles set forth that the "capitula-
tion was made between the brave and noble
Director, John Rising, Governor of New Swe-
den, on the one .side, and the brave and noble
Dii'cctor, Peter Stuyvesant, Governor General
of New Netherlands, on the other side." In
the use of the high sounding titles applied to
each of the contracting parties, one cannot but
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Hf/^nr^^^frtft
STATE OF DKLAWAUE
•27
imagine a tinge of sly irony in tlieir appliea-
lii.n, Lilt tlifv were evidently inade iu good
laiili ;;iiil in arcunlance with the custom of the
tiiiu's.
i'lie terms of sairrcnder were siniiliar to
tli(i>t' granted at I'ort Amstel; all the camion,
jirovisioiis and sn]>i)lics, together with (itlicr
tilings in l'"(irt Christina belonging to the
frown of Swetk'ii, "shall belong to and be pre-
t-erved as tiie property of the .Swedish Crown
and the Sinithern Company, and shall be un-
(k-r the power of said (ioveriior to take away
ci to ih-liver to (iovernor Stiiyvesant, with the
provision that they shall be jjiven up iipcjii
onler."
(lovcrnor Kising and his otlicers ''shall
march out of the fort with drums and truin-
]icts playing, flags flying, matches burning,
with hand and side arms, and balls in their
mouths." They were hrst to be taken to Tiui-
ciim Island, formerly the headquarters of
(io\cnioi- I'riiitz, placed in tlu; fort as jirison-
ers, and kcjit there until (iovernor Stiiyvesant
should be ready to sail for Xew Amstenlani,
when they were to be removed thither. Kis-
ing and his principal officer wi-re allowed ti\'e
servants to attend them, which was very liji-
cral, to say the least. All private property was
to be respected and no one was to be searched.
None of the soldiers or otticers were to be ile-
tained against their will, but might be permit-
ted to gu with Rising if they so desired. Those
wisliing to go, but not being ready, were al-
lowed one year and six weeks in which to sell
their land and goods, provided they did not
take the oath of allegiance for the time they
^hollld remain. If any Swedes or Finns were
not disposed to go, they were allowed the
liberty of adhering to their own religious
A icws and of employing a minister for their
iiistructiou.
C.overnor Hising, his commercial agent,
and other ]ierL:ons, including officers, soldiers
and freemen, with all their property, were to
be provided with a good ship, which should
leceive them at Sandy Kook and convey them
to 'J'excl, a ])ort in ITolland, without charge.
And if liising or any of his iiet)ple had coii-
tra<;ted any dehts on account of the Crown,
they were not to he detained therefor within
the jurisdiction of Governor Stuyvesant.
These articles were formally signed "on the
parade hctween Fort Christina and the fio\
eriior Cieneral's cam]),"' S<'ptciulKT 2'>, Id.")."),
and all Swedish control on the Delaware
passed over to the Dutcii or Hollanders.
Courtesy to a Prison ek.
Ihit the foregoing did not include all the
business that was transacted on that moment-
ous occasion. In a ".secret article'' it was fur-
ther stipulated that the captain who was to
convey CJovernor Rising and his officers was
"expre.--sly commanded and ordered'" to out the
goNcriior and his party on shore either in
]'"nglaiid or France, and that Stuyvesant
shoiilil lend to the said Rising the sum of
''three hundred pounds Flemish," which Ris-
ing was to jiay to Stuyvesant within six
months after the reeeijit. And as set-nrity for
this loan, Rising put up the projierty of the
Crown and Southern Company which he had
surrendered. It i)laced him in a very unpleas-
ant situation, hut he had no otlu-r way of rais-
ing money to jiay his personal expenses home.
His only consolation wa^ that it might be re-
])aid. StiiNVesant's ordci-s upon ( 'ornelius
dacob Steewyk to "supply Rii^ing with eight
hunderd guilders for the articles pledged, were
dated on the 2d of 2s^ovenibcr, Hi."),".,"" and if
the debt was not paid within six months, the
]iledgcd articles, consisting of cannon, mniii-
lioiis of war and other j)roperty, to be sold to
ii(piidate the obligation. After all, the terms
were rather humiliating; and the contrast be-
tween Rising's coming into the country and
his departure therefrom, was very great. Ac-
cording to the S\ve(lish historian of the time
the dt'bt was never paid, and the cannon were
liiken to Xew Amsterdam, where, •with other
articles, tluy were sold, and for years after-
wards were pointed to as trophies of the con-
quest of Xew Sweden. Rising afterwards
made a report of his misfortune, and impor-
tuned his government to make an effort to re-
cover what he had lost. But the expense
which the government had incurred in the at-
tempt to found its colony on the Delaware,
the rapid march of events, and the develop-
ment of new conditions, had so changed the
])olilical outlook that nothing came of the
ex-governor's j)etition, and lii^ -lureiider
ju'ovcd the end of Sweilish anihority in the
Xew ^Vol■]d.
OrUEI. TlilsATMENT.
Notwithstanding the aiiparently liberal
terms granted lo the Swede-, thiw were soon
.-• f :»',.< I|n liii.- . . ... I- . ■. ,a v(Hiii "(^iH iu >'4. .1 „ rnlijJuJiii
- ' I il .y^i' ■ 1 :..i .| ..'. . -;.| , (^1 ./•;!; rv J v.j; ' u( tli'l ^ui'u
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Ml-
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28
BIOGRA rillCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
iiftorwiuils subjected to terrible oppression by
the coiiqnorors. So great was tliis oppres^ioll,
says Aerelius, that it eainiot 1)C ilescribed. 'llie
tiower of the Swedish male jjopulatioii were
at oiieo ruthlessly torn awa}' from their fami-
lies, their kindred and associations and sent
to Xew Amsterdam to become enforced s\d)-
jeets, thongli everything M'as done to make it
appear that it was their desire to go. The men
were taken by force on shipboard; women at
liome in their houses were grossly insidted
and abused; their property was carried otf be-
fore their eyes, and cattle in the fields were
caught and slaughtered. Such treatment was
infamous in the highest degree, and marks the
conquerors as little better tlian savages. There
api^ears to have been an object in this ruth-
less barbarity, for after its perpetration, the
time was deemed opportune to issue a procla-
mation connnanding the people to take the
oath of allegiance. It was the jioliey, evident-
ly, first to terrify them and then to require
them to yield obedience. Those who had the
courage to refuse tlie terms of tlic priH-lama-
tion were regarded with suspicion, harassed
and abused.
Under various pretexts the Dutch sought to
cox'cr nj) their bad treatment of the settlers.
One of their excuses was that the Swedes had
no rights there, that they were interlopers,
scjuatters, adventurers; that the country had
never been subject to the Crown of Sweden,
but only to a private eomi>any, which MUiglit
merely its own advantage. But that claim is
far from the truth. It is true, that the tir^t
fcettlement was made by a trading conqiany;
but that trading conq)any was under the_;ui-
s[iices and jirotectlon of the Swedi>h CroM'u.
The Indians concluded the contract fur the
juirchase of the land with the Queen of Swe-
den. The government was conducted under
the royal direction, the officials were sent out
with royal commissions and orders, and the
sla])s and people with royal equipments and at
tlie royal expense. That (^ueen Christina
cousidered the colonies as forming a )>art of
her (hmiinions there is abundant evidence,
and the claim of Holland was based on tech-
nical groinids only. Hut how little right the
Hollanders had to call the country theirs, and
on that ground to take it liy force, is <liown by
the fact that neither before tlie ai rival of the
Swedes, nor dui'iug the Swedi-h adnunistra-
tion, ilid they possess any land upon the Dela-
ware which tlie Swedes claimed for tliemsehes,
and much less did they establi.-.ii any colony
there.
It has been shown that the private purchase
was made for the De N'ries colony -May 'o,
lUoO, and was contirnied liy tlic Holland gov-
ernor and his cuinieil on January D, 1031.
This, it will be remembered, was the ill-fated
settlement of what is now known as 1-ewe.-',
which \vas conq)letely annihilated by the In-
dians, and which no attempt was afterwards
made to revive. Other purcha-es of small
bodies of land were made by ditfcrent parties
^>\\. botii sides of tlie ri\er, but no permanent
settlements were founded. i he Holland
Conq>any purchased a tract of lanti, on which
Fort C'assimer was built, July. lii, 1G51. That
land lay between the river and Christina
Creek, and "IJondio llnck." How far it ex-
tended back from the Delaware we are not in-
formed, but it couhl not have been very far.
These tract-, including one or two on the Xew
Jersey sidt', endiraced all the purchases of
land made by the Hollanders during that time.
The question now arises: How cotild the West
India Conqiany and the States General give a
title for that which private individuals had
bought, in direct opposition to all the laws and
tisages of nations^ How could the}- authorize
the purchase of land to which they had no
1 iglit '. ] low could they give the investiture of
laii<l which they themselves purchased thir-
teen yeai-s afterwards? How could they buy
land which the Swedes had bought before?
The struggle for supremacy on the Uela-
\\-are presents some ctn-ious phases; and a
study of the question shows that some "sharp
|ii-actiee" was rcsorti'd to by both sides. Pre-
stuiiing <in their greater strength, the llol-
landi'rs endeavored to force the Swedes out of
vvhat rightfully belonged to them, without any
regard to the priueiplc-i of justice; and by vir-
tue of superior force they fimilly siu'cecded in
crushing out a colony that might ha\e become
a jiower for great good on the Delaware.
I bit some of the leading men of the Swed-
i<li i-<iloii\- were Hot without blame in foment-
ing a s|iirit of ill-feeling which to a ct'rtain
extent lielpe(l to bring about its downfall. As
u^^al in -iieli ea>e-, enpidity was at the bot-
tom of the trouble. The l<ive of gain has often
nulli1i<>d good inteiilions and dotroyetl the
briulite-t iirospects. .\ part of the blame was
^ " : ' ' ■ ■•!., :•■ M ixM. ••■!(■ !■ I»U(. tlT(l'" .1 -liMli.) -tii
;|,.t I'l fK, i^iiin'' I i. .1. ,•'">' .' L><''"'ij' :■ J":' ' '' ' MiiirJaJani (. //•.•/. "i
. ' , .:..!.. -■! I" .-..1 ■ u 1 , 1 1 . ., :• !:••" !'■ •(- rt-|ii'.vi pi
.,' ♦•■ ; •«;■.,, ,1,,. vl-ra;.,!., •. -■ .-.m!;| l-!(i
i '■ ■ <,' I ^^1 >>^- I'M '1/ • ' ■■' ••'' li 'i>'i •i;ii-
I ■ * I , , r • ' III C^ .|.j-. :f'. f . , •■> ■■■ ! • ' • t;'>ir'
\ •'.' .'I 1 I. •"I'-' *'"'•'''■!<' I •'" "ji c": I ■/■'"' '
. I
STATI'J OF DELAWAUE
29
laitl uii (iovi-nior Priiitz I'ur cuiidiictiiig hiiu-
telf too severely towards his people, it is
eluirged that he virtually inaJi^ slaves of some
of the Swedes by keeping them at work on the
fortilii-ations and upon his estate on Tiuieum
J>laiul. 1 he Swedes, therefore, after eouiing
into this iiew eountry and obtaining a taste
of a good unknown in their native land, soon
beeame disgusted with being furecd to labor
lor the benefit of their ruler, aud so coneeived
a hatred for him that militated against tiie
])rosperity of the colony. Friction never fails
to destroy the harmony of the machine, anil
in this i-a^e ill feeling developed into a hostile
animus tiiat naturally produceil bad results.
\\\i\ instead of striving to allay this feeling
(lovernor IJising ou his arrival only added
fuel to the smouldering tire tliat was ready
to burst into a flame. He was pompous, dic-
tatorial and exacting. He inuigined hiuisilf
a monan-li, and had little sympathy with his
.-■ubjccts. llis course towarils the Dutch
^liowt-d the manner of man he was. Had he
been more considerate, di})lomatic and con-
servative, he probably would not have stirred
iheni up to so high a pitch of resentment,
tlicreby incurring their disfa\'or from the very
monu'ut of his arrival. His pom])ous conducrt
in flie capture of an insignificant garrison at
Fort Ca^simer, while it e.xcited a general
-smilo, was none the less effectual in increas-
ing the bad feeling which was brewing
among the dissati.sfied parties on botli sides.
Xeither is Stuy vesaut without blame. He was,
if anything, more pompous than his Swedish
competitor, and was certainly more tyrannical.
So, between these di.scordant elements, we see
a gradual increase of the forces which finally
ifsultcd in overthrowing the power of two
nations on this continent. Had things been
different, both nationalities might have lived
unmy years together, and l)y their common
forces have ke])t out the English, who were
4Mdy too willing to take advantage of the weak-
ened condition of both and to absorb tlu'ir ter-
ritorv into her own colonies.
Stuvvksant Sole !N[onaroii.
With the surrender of Fort Christina and
the exp\il>inn of Governor Ivising from the
country, the Swedish flag ceased to wave in
token of authority on the Delaware. The
cohmy, under Dutch control, passed into rapid
decline anil ceased to be prosperous. Uiit the
Swedes, who were an industrious, thrifty and
piously-inclined iicople, left footprints behind
which more than two centuries ha\e failed
to elface.
During these changes the English were on
the alert, 'ihey hail not rcliu(piished their
pretensions to the co\intry, but were inclined
to enter into negotiations with Sweden for the
improvement of their trade relations on the
Delaware. I'lie armed interventioji of the
Hollanders, however, changed all these cou-
ditions. Sweden finally had to reliuipiish its
West India trade entirely to the English; and
it was not long that the Dutch were to enjoy
possessions which did not <.if right belong to
them.
As soon as possible after acquiring domin-
ion over the Swedish settlements ou the Dela-
\\are, (iovernor Stnyvesaut instituted a new
order of things. He was sole monarch of all
the country from Xi'W Amsterdam to Cape
Ilenlopen on both sides of the river. His au-
thority extended over all matters, military,
i-ommercial and judicial.
All officers received their commissions from
him and were accountable to him. During a
hurried visit abroad, after the conquest, he
appointed ('apt. Deryk Sniidt conunissary, or
commandant ad interim, on the river. Im-
mediately on his return to New Amsterdam,
he ]n-eparcd a commission dated November
L'O, fOoo, for John Paid Jacquet, as vice-gov-
ernor, with directions to make arrangements
for trade, and keep order among the fjeople.
lie fixed his ofticial residence at Fort Cassi-
mer. Andrew Hudde was made his counsel,
antl Almcrhausen Klein, secretary.
The country Avas now divided into two dis-
tricts, or colonies, on the west side of the Dela-
ware. From Christina Creek down to Bombo
Hook, including Christina Fort and the piece
of ground around it, was called tlie '"Com-
pany's Colony." The other land, on the north
side of Christina Creek, and along the river
upward, belonged to the city of Amsterdam,
was governed by the burgomaster and coun-
cil through Peter Stu\ vesaut, their general
governor, and his council, and was called "the
( 'ity's Colony." The occasion for this was
given when Fort Cassimer was built; but the
execution of the project was delayed for some
xcars by the predominance of the Swedes.
Pefore this, all transactions were in the name
* ..<!.) .!«,...
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30
BIOGRA PHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of the States Geiienil ami the West India
Company; but now the two sections acted
separately. Deeds for land were issued in
^Vm^tcrdam by the burgomasters and eouncil
ii]ion the land of the city, but by the direc-
tors and commissaries for the company upon
its land. A little town was laid out near I'Virt
C'assimer on "Sand Hook," and was called
"Xewcr Amstel," which finally l)ecame New
Castle. The name of ('hristina was changed
to Altona.
According to the records that have been
preserved, not more than nineteen Swedes
took the oath of allegiance when Fort Chris-
tina capitulated. 'i"he others who still re-
mained had their abodes within the colony of
the city to the north of Christina and along
the river. Over them was jdaced a ruler or
magistrate, who had two or three dei)uties to
assist him in his work.
The governor's instructions regarding the
treatment of the Swedes were unnecessarily
severe. It was required that they should not
be permitted to remain in the forts over night,
and that a watchful eye should always be kept
over them. If any were f(j\ind disorderly,
they should immediately be taken to Xew
Amsterdam. Some of the Swedish freemen,
who had settled at other })oints, desired to
have the time prolonged, so that instead of
one year and six weeks — as stijjulated in the
articles of capitulation — they might have one
\ear and six months to get ready for their de-
parture from the country; this was granted,
with the proviso that they should remove into
the new to^\^l and live there, but not other-
wise. Others were suspected of secret plot-
tings with the Indians, who frequently came
to their houses, and were, as usual, received in
a friendly manner. On this account two
prominent Swedes were denounced by name,
and it was immediately determined that they
shoidd be arrested and sent to New Amster-
dam. Such dastardly treatment was constant-
ly meted out to these peojjle by the Dutch aii-
tlmrities. As Aci'elius remarks, "it seemeil
as if tliej' were afraid of their own shadows."
What the I^■uI.v^'s Did.
Thefricndshipof the Indians for the Swedes
continued to he as strong after the change of
government as before. Proof ot this was
shown on the 24th of ^farcli, Ifiriii, when the
Swedish ?hi|) Mciciiiu/ came up the Dela-
ware without knowing that the settlements
were under a foreign government. A Swedish
pastor named .Mathias, and Anders liengston,
a native of Stockholm, a man of some jiromi-
iience, were aboard the vessel. The Dutch
authorities refused iiermission to the ship to
ascend tlu' river, alleging that she had on
boai'd a large nundjer of people. But the In-
dians, on learning the facts, immediately as-
sendded in force, went on board the ship, and
in detiance of the Dutch, conducted the sliip
jiast Fort Cassimer without its daring to tire
a .^hot, and convoyed it up to Fort Christina.
.\tter Some jiarlcying it was dcterndned that
the ship should be set free and permitted to go
to Xew Amsterdam to take in j)rovi:,ions and
water before starting on the return voyage to
Sweden, l-'astor .Mathias was so unfavorably
impressed with the condition of affairs that he
returned on her to Sweden, ilr. Bengstun,
however, remained in the country and became
the ancestor of an honorable and wealthy fam-
ily, who now bear the name of liang^tou.
It was now for the first time that tlie Dutch
could be said to introduce colonists into this
region, althoiigh but a weak sprinkling of their
peojile. Here and there some few snuill fam-
ilies from Holland settled, but they cultivated
scarcely more than a vegetable garden. Up
to that time no deeds for land had been given
hy their boastful governor, excepting to those
who would either agree to cultivate or to build
on the same. Besides, they were in constant
fear of being driven away either by the
Swedes or the Indians. 'J'his fear may luwc
beini caused, to some extent, by the consciijus-
ness that they were there through dishonest
means, that the country did not of right be-
long to them, and that their nation was op-
]iressing a poor and unfortunate class of pen-
]-le.
As soon as the spring of 1G5C opened, and
navigation was resumed, various parties came
over from New Amsterdam to settle in the
country now surrounding Wilmington. AVith
some caution the governor general distribut(;d
a fi'W deeds to those seeking locations. In the
first batch there were eleven, in the second
fifty-six, and finally, by the end of August,
eighteen more. These pieces of land were all
quite small, most of them nothing more than
building lots in Xew Amstel, now Xew ( 'asilc.
'i'he earlv Dufcli, or Hollanders, had little
■ ■ , ■ ■ iM I 1/1 ' ;■! "I't
■,... M nff -ft r,,.:, 1.1 .( .>tl// .Mliiiy.njmn
. .'■. ,/ > 11 .1. .i.ul . -Ir-.'.A
i'/-'^' til -M.'' 1 1 I , i ' I'l:; •,■,' \--^ -M L
:' J ' 'l )l;.. I '( ., ■ 1 --.r l' . ••■■■■' 'I
■ • - 1 •) h ' ij 1. 'Ml I .■: 1..
I: !
•I ' ,i' •! V ' Mi " II' '. i:; 'j:OI«/il /'-
, , ' ...
f.M ' I ,1 ; .'ll.l^ •>,! 1,1
■,,,,, I. I ■. , !,,
l^TATE OF DKLAWAUr:
31
taste iVir agrk-iiltiire. A small patch of
gruuiid was eiioii{:,ii for most of them, 'i'hey
were not iueliiied to work themselves, and
laborers could not be liad. ^loreover, an or-
der was issued that twenty or thirty honse-
holds should settle together, or in dusters,
altliongh little attention was ]iaid to it except
in Sand Ilixjk. 'J'he regulation had in \-iew
the greater security of the settlers. The terms
were ])eculiar. For every '"inorgon" an an-
nual rent of about twelve stivers was paid.
A "morgon" was about equivalent to an I'-ng-
lish acre. Within the land occui)icd by the
Swedes at that time there was no enfeoffment,
but upon every Swedish or Finnish family a
vearly rent of tivc or six guilders was asse^-cd,
according to the decision of the "schout," or
;isse.-sor. The ciuTcnt money of the Dutch in
the New Xctherlands was in guilders or tlor-
ins. One Holland guilder passed here for hve,
and this custom continued till about the year
ITOO; after that, abo\it one for six, which was
a heavy depreciation. This was occasioned
by the advent of the English. Tratfie with
the Indians was carried on in wampnin. As
descrii>tions of wampum are not easily acces-
sible, and as it may be interesting to the read-
er to know the kind of currency used by the
aborigines of Delaware, the account given by
]'. l.indstroiu, in C'ompanius' work, is here-
with in>erted:
Wampum is a kind of oblong pearls or
beads made of oyster shells, or of muscles
tailed clams, white, brown or bluish red. They
arc used for ornament, tokens of friendshi]),
and money, '{"lie latter are thus described:
The brown or blue and red, were of double
the value uf the white. Six white ones were
worth one stiver (two cents), three brown, or
blue and red, one stiver; twenty stivers were
one gTiilder of the country (forty cents); five
country guilders, one giulder of Holland.
Wain])um was strung upon threads or strings,
usually a fathom long, which was worth five
guilders. The way of counting the wam|)um,
for its value in stivers, was on the thund)s in
this wise: From the end of tlie nails to the
first joint, for the string within that distance
contained either six white ones, and so one
stiver, or six brown ones, and S(3 two stivers.
The manner of jiroving the goodness of the
Wampum was to draw the wami)um over the
nose. If the string ran over it as smooth as
glass, the wampum was good; otherwise not.
For as the corners were woru off by use, so
that they were no lunger close u]ion the
threads, they were no longer good.
Jaquet's AdMI.\ISTI{ATIOX.
Assoon as (ioveruor Jacpict was installed iu
otfice, the Indians waited on him and de-
manded good order and fairness in trade; that
the Dutch should buy of them as many pel-
tries as they could bring; also that payment
-should be so regidated that one beaver sli.nild
sell for two deer skins. Uut the governor re-
]/lied that he had not received orders to enter
into any arrangements regarding commerce
or to make treaties to that etfcct. This some-
what puzzled the Indians, for they could not
understand, if he was the big chief, why he
was not invested with such authority. How-
ever, presents were uuide to them by contri-
butions of the colonists, in whicli some fe«
Swedes joined, for the purpose of retaining
the good opinion of the Indians as far as possi-
ble.
C.overnor .Taquet had some pec\iliar ideas.
He had had no experience or training in ad-
ministering the affairs of a colony, and often
found that the very measures he had adopted
to promote the interests of the colonists, and
thereby add to his own popularity, had the
\ery opposite efl'ect and brought down upon
his hcail the displeasure of his subjects.
At his instance various laws were passed for
the regulation of the settlement. On the 2Cth
of February, lOrjCi, it was resolved in council
that all the inhabitants should enclose their
farms and lots by the middle of .March, under
a penalty of six guilders; that all who had
goats should keep herdsmen, or be answerable
for damages; that no one should be admitted
into the fort either by land or water without
first announcing himself; that no places for
building should be granted between Sand
Hook and L'hi-i.stina, and that the forests
should be preserved for the use of the fort and
tiie town. And on the 22d of :May, that all
owners of swine should put yokes on them
within twenty-four hours, or have them shot
down l)y the soldiers!
The jiassage of this latter law raised a great
commotion in the colony, and the governor
and his councilors were soundly berated. The
onler reipiiring the fencing of farms was not
regarded with much disfavor; but in a country
i: 111") UJMIO
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32
BIOGRA PlIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
where there \v<as so niiifh open land, the in-
liabitants coukl not see the necessity for herd-
iiiy goats and yoking swinj. Tliere was cer-
tainly a wide range for the animals, so wide
that they could do no one any harm; and if
they were restrained it would certainly result
in a great hardshi]) to their owners, who Mould
be comjK'lled to feed them, wlien, if at liberty,
they could almost sustain themselves in the
forests and on the connnons.
('(unplaints were nuide to tjcvenior General
Stuyvesant that his vice-governor, Jaqnet
was making himself very obnoxious to the peo-
ple; that he was irascible, disagreeable, antl
dictatorial; and, above all, that he was incom-
petent to govern the colony; and in the inter-
est of j)eace, prosperity and the general good
of all, his recall or dismissal was demanded.
At tirst Stuyvesant paid but little attention to
these complaints, but they were repeated in
so earnest a manner that he was practically
forced to take cognizance of them. In other
woi'ds, he saw very {dainly that he dared not
deny his subjects the right of petition.
The pressure became sO' strong that Stuy-
vesant was compelled to act. Accordingly, on
the 20th of April, 1G57, by and with the ad-
vice of his council, he sent J»quet his recall,
giving as a reason for his action that he was
incompetent to suci-essfully manage the af-
fairs of the colony. Jaquet's administration,
therefore, was short, lasting scarcely over a
year. He was succeeded by Jacob Alricli,
who was appointed in Holland, and received
liis commission in the capital city of Amster-
dam, December 19, 165G; it was renewed at
Fort Amsterdam in the New Netherlands,
April 12, 1G57.
Jsquet, on retiring from the vice-governor-
ship of the Colony, did not leave the country,
Init taking up a tract of land not far from
Christina Creek, engaged in farming, and was
successful. Ke left descendants, one of whom
became a distinguished offic'cr in the Tievolu-
tionarj' army, and shed a resplendent lustre
on the American arms. His patriotism was of
the highest order, and his courage, devotion
and activity in the cause of liberty brought
liim honor and fame, lie lived and <licd on
the farm which his fatlier fomided near the
present city of Wilmington; this land re-
mained in the possession of the Jacpiet family
for more than one hundred and lll'ty years.
The charge of incompetency against .Ta-
quet is not borne out by any evidence worth
considering. Indeed, hia successor said that
the charge was based on hatred rather than on
truth. This hatred very likely had its origin
in the law.s which he caused to be passed, for-
bidding certain animals to run at large.
A tradition still in existence says that i-'ort
Cassimer stood on the site now occupied by
the old Protestant Episcopal Church in New
Castle, 'i'liis coidd hardly have been the ease,
for in one of the laws that Jaquet was instru-
mental in having passed in the winter of lilaG,
it was distinctly required that no one should
enter the fort, "either by land or water, with-
out tirst announcing himself." Unless the
fort stood on the edge of the water, how could
it be entered from the water? It is believed,
therefore, that it was built on a point which
formerly extended into the river, but which
has long since been washed away, the banks
being very materially reduced and their out-
line entirely changed.
AVhen Governor Alrich arrived to take
charge of the Colony, he established his head-
quarters at New Amstel, which had come to
be recognized as the capital. The Swedes
were still ruled by a "sellout," or commissary;
the office was at that time filled by Ciocrau
\an I\vke. Upon his rcjn-esentation, Stuyve-
sant directed the Swedes to go together and
build a town at Upland, or any point they
preferred, but they did not find it convenient
to do so. On the 2Sth of October, 1(558, AVil-
liam Beckmau, an alderman in Amsterdam,
■was appointed vice-governor of the Com-
pan3''s Colony, and established his resi-
dence at Altona (Christina). He man-
aged the comijany's trade, connnanded
the garrison , received the duties of ships
arriving at New Amstel, and had the
Swedes under his supervision. Andrew
Iludde, on account of his thirty-one years' ser-
vice, and his poverty, caused by being robbed
]*y the Indians, became IJeckman's secretary,
and also sexton of the church at Altona, in
June, ir;C)0. Although the governor of the
two sections had each his separate jin-isdiction,
yet for the most part they acted toacther; so
Ik'ckman had business in the City's Colony,
and Alrich gave deeds for lands sold by the
Couqiany. A long time passed before the
Dutch settled themselves among the Swedes,
there being a lack of assimilation between
them. 'J" wo farms near Altona were the only
ll i.
T>(' \ ,, ..1,1.. .
'ill \- ■>U1 ... ,.' .' ' llj.lli'' '
I ■!' ■ IK' ' J- IV.. Jl
STATE OF DM LAW A HE
33
ones for wliicli tlie Jlollanilers gave decdb
among the Swudisli settlers; to tliese we may
add a mill, built un "Sky]l})ot" (now known
as Shtdli)ut) ( 'reck, wliieli was to grind free of
toll fur tlie garrison. 'J'liis was probably one
of the very first mills erceted iu tliis part of
the country. Xo aceouut of its size and eajia-
city is known to be iu existence, but it was
doubtless of rude construction.
Stuyvcsant seems to have kept a watchful
eye over affairs on the Delaware. In due sea-
son he ga\c iSeckman autliority to extend the
CompauyV Ccjlony from "ISumbties Ilouk to
Cape Ilenlopen." He was to consult with and
take advice from Governor Alrich regarding
the projxised extension, to inquire of others
uhich of the Indian tribes were the rightful
owners, and also to ascertain what would be
an adequate price for the land. In like man-
ner Alrich had orders to secure the land at
"Ifoorn l\ill." .\lrich, in his re])ly to Stny-
vesant, represented several ditHciilties as be-
ing in the way of carrying out his order. lie
taid till re were neither peoj)le nor means fur
erecting a fortification, or taking care of the
same, at "I loom Kill;" that if a fortification
•were built it would be of no account, for the
surrounding country was wild and desolate.
The few farmers living in the vicinity of Xew
Amstel hail sutfcred from the failure ffi their
crops and could scarcely support themselves.
Eecknuin saw that Alrich was indisposed to
make the mu\eiiicnt, either through cajiricc
oi' hick of energy, and he resolved to under-
take the enterprise himself. lie therefore
made a juurney to "lloorn i\ill," with Lieu-
tenant Ilinoyosa in his company, made t'ne
piu'chasc there of the Indians, ]\Iarch j:5,
Id.")!), took a deed of purchase for the land,
and threw up temporary fortifications, in which
he stationed as many sohliers as he cotild col-
lect. The nund)er was not great, neither were
the Works very strong, but it was the begin-
ning of the -ecund settlement at this point,
nearly thiity years after the first had been
destruycd by the savages. D\ities were now
levied here on vessels arriving inside the ca|ie,
and collected by an ofiicer stationed at the
fort for that purpose.
The true secret for the advance on "llooru
Kill" was a rumor that two vessels, bcarint;
fourteen English jiersons from Virginia, li.id
been seen then;, and that the English bad
landed and attempted to settle, but weiu
driven uif by the Imlians. Fears that a
strunger furcc nught foUuw induced a ba>ty
I'tfurt to secure the lan<l, in order to fun-tall
further attempts to gain a foothold.
LoiiD Baltimoke's Claim.
At the same time a report came from ilary-
land that the English were seriously think-
ing of making an attack and taking the
country from the Dutch. Lord Ijaltimore,
who had founded a culuiiy at St. Cieorge's
(now St. ^Mary's) as early as Id'M, -was iii-
(piiring about the boundaries of his territory,
wiiiidi were nut settled. This eau-eil ?oine
coiiiniotion among the Dut<-h authorities, and
rendered them very a])prehensive of danger.
The authorities of the city of Ani-terdam
bad conceived the idea of building iqi a set-
tlement and a port on the Delaware that
should rival New Amsterdam, and bad select-
ed X'ew Amstel for that ])urpose; and they
embarked so zealously in the enterprise, and
■••u liberally ])romoted its growth, that by the
year Kl.")!), the town contained more than one
hundred bouse.-., and a population of five .r
six huiiilred, and was surrounded by ?ome
twenty or tbirt\ farms. It is probable that the
rapid growth and prosperity of Xew Amstel
had attracteil the attention of Lord IJaltimoro
and his otHcial rciire.-eiitatives in the province
of ilaryiaud. Xew Amstel had lieconic the
seat of gevernnieiit uf all the ])o-^sessions of
the city of Amsterdam, or the "f ity Colony,"
and had a director general and cuuiicil rc-i<ling
iu it, who had jurisdiction over all its posses-
si(^ns, the former being ai)])ointed by the
authoiiiics of tli(> city. And, furthermore,
it was not until the year Iti.'iH that it first
became kniAvn to the .--ettlers on the Delaware
that I-ord Baltimore had any claim or pre-
teiniun whatever to any territory lying within
what is now the State of Delaware. This in-
forniation was first conimiinicated by a mem-
ber of the provincial couucil living on the
ea>tcrn .~liore to the dii'cctor geiiei'id <.f the City
cohuiy at Xew Aiustid. a mcssciiiici' being sent
by the former with a letter addre,~~cd to the
governor of the iu-u\-ince. Lord Daltimore
(daiuicd that his territory extcinled to a line
within twu miles n{ Xcw .\ni>tcl, and cited
\ariuus d(>eds for land tip cunlirui hi- claims.
The governor of ]\Iaryland, ,Tu.-iali Eeiidal,
dispatched Col. die with five men to
t i . ! :i m\ Aifb)
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34
BIOGRAPHICAL EXCICLOPBDIA
Alw Auistt'l to report the elaiiii of
J-ord Baltimore, uud demand that tlie land
should be given up. 'Jhey were admitted into
tlic fort and were entertained for four ni-lits.
I'uriny tills meeting caeh party advocated its
elaims. JJeekmau was admitted to tlie eon-
lerence as an oiHcial. The diseussion is re-
])orted to liave become at times quite animated,
and tlie conference was closed with hard words
and much dissatisfaction on botii sides.
A\'lieu a report of the meeting reached
Ktuvvi-ant, lie did not approve of it, and up-
braided Alrieh for having admitted tiiese
emissaries, and entertained them in the fort.
He was so exasperated over tiie alfair that he
comi.lained of Alricli to tiic Companv for hav-
ing received and iiarbore.l such dangerous
guests.
'i'liis conference marked tlie beginning of
the downfall of Alricli. His administration,
]ik(| ids predecessor's, was rapidly falling into
disfavor. His severity and selHshness had
caused many Dutch families to remove to
Ifaryland, and live or si.x soldiers deserted
from the fort and lied thither also. Dissatis-
faction grew so rapidly that, finally, only about
ten soldiers remained in Fort t'asinier and half
as many at "noorn Kill." The inhabited part
et the Company's Colony at this time' did
not extend more than t\ro Iloiiand miles
around Fort Cassimer. 'Fhis conference was
really the beginning of the boiindarv line
trouble that lasted hmg after the Dutch and
the Swedes has disappeared as factors in the
settlements on tlu; Delaware. Stuyve.sant
Mas kejit in a state of nervous agitation. His
conscience disturbed him sorely. Tn a letter
under date of September, Ki;-)!), to the West
India Company, he expres.sed fear that Fng-
land, with the aid of the Swedes, would .s.um
take possession of the country and dispossess
the Dutch. He urged them' t<^ increase the
population by sending exiled Poles, Lithua-
nians, Prussians and Flemish i)easaiits to set-
tle in the country. Still further, in the vear
1C(J0, he sent an emissary to recruit for the
garrison among the Swedes and the Finns,
and offered them a bounty of from eight to ten'
guilders as an inducement to enlist. Those
who had tied to Jfaryland and Virginia on ac-
count of debt or oppression, were solicited t<i
return under promise of good treatment, and
security f.,r three or four vears' immunity
from their creditors. .Matters were indeed
becoming serious.
StuVVES.V.NT PiKCO.MI.S T VK.V.N \1CAI..
Steadily the suspiciun grew in the mind of
the burly ruler at A'ew Amsterdam tiiat the
Swedes and the Finns were favora[)ly disp(j.-,ed
loward the Fngiish, and only awaited a favor-
able opportunity to throw off the Dutch yoke.
Allhougli the Swedish population at that time
consisted in all of only about one hundred and
thirty families, yet they still formed the
strongest part of the i)eoi)]e in the countrv,
and thus kept Stiiyvesant and his government
in constant fear and tremlding. This fear so
increased that his former pacilie advice was
changed into a command that all Swedes
siioiild remove into small towns where less
danger might be apprehended from them, be-
cause their movements could be more closely
watched. JJeckman, wdio was to put the ])laii
into operation in Ids district, was very zealous
in his efforts to convince them of its advan-
tages, but ho was unable to do so, and as he
luid an insuliicient force at hand he could not
(•onipel thcin. He then reported to Stiiyves-
ant that it would be an unmerciful procedure
to drive the people from their homes which
they had established, and put them to new
labor and expense. Inability to enforce the
order caused him to see its injustice and ine.K-
pediency; had it been otherwise, the Swedes
and Finns would have been driven into en-
closures like sheep.
Some of the Swe<les had removed from the
Company's Colony into that of the City,
where Ilinoyosa had given them greater privi-
leges. Others had gone to Sassafras River,
which rises in Delaware and emjities into
Chesajieake Pay, forming the boundary lino
between the counties of Cecil and Kent, on
Jhe eastern shore of .Afaryland. This was the
section of country into which the Swedes emi-
grated, but being threatened by the Indians,
they were forced to return. On this account
P>eckman desired Stuyvesant to recall his or-
der, but the nionareh of ^Manhattan remained
obdurate. He was ke])t in such a state of ab-
ject fright, that he was afraid of his owni
shadow and almost feared to move out of his
fort.
Oovernor Alrieh, who had succeeded
through his contracted policy in making
v
.1 1' \'
■A- ( it
I ,, ■ li
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I t ■ .-1 I . M • I ;: . I'M!
STATE 01'' VELAWAnE
35
liiuistlf \crv uuiioiuilar, died on the ^Otli
uf DecciiilicT, lU.'i'J, mid was siU'eoeded liv
Licnt. Ale-Niiudcr lliiioyosa as (iovernor pro
iciiipure. Ih' a])poiuti.-i.l (icrrit van (ii/.i-t as
]iis SL'i'R'tary, and proceeded to administer the
aifairs of tlie colony. One of hi? tirst acts was
to setjuestrate all the papers of his predere>-cir
and make extracts from them. lie then called
together his council and endeavored to show
that Alrich had acted contrary to his instruc-
tions in many points, and, had he lived to an-
swer fur hi:^ mal-administration, mijilit have
forfeited liotli \\(v and jtrojierty. Jiut a> it
Avas evident that lliuoyosa cherished a fct-ling
ni' ]ici-M_pi!al hn^tility towards the dec(a>ed
( !o\ii-niir, lew wt're willing to endorse hi? ex-
treme \ic\vs.
'J'he Trading ('onipany had found hut little
advantage in its trade. It scarcely met the
expenses of service, war, and expenditures cm
the Indians. The servants had shown them-
seh'es alti'gethcr seltish ; and the superiors
were niuic strict iu forl)idding all individual
tratlic than the inferiors were iu olieying their
orders. The English on Long Island pursued
an uninterrupted cour.se of smuggling, which
added til till' fear of Stuyvcsant and lessened
l)rotits. On this aecotnit the Comixmy, on the
7tli of Fehriiary, lGi;;5, gave up all its rights
to the ('ity's Colony. In this transfer it was
agreed that Fort Christina should also belong
to the latter, with the proviso that the settlers
around it should continue to enjoy their
])ri\ileges; that the City should send another
garrJMin to ridieve that of the Company, so
that the colony might he defended against the
Indians and the English; that a mile of land
should he (deared and settled every year; that
the agents uf the City should never he allowed
to transfer that land to any one else, either in
■whole or in part, on the jienalty of forfeiting
all their rights.
The '"Suuth River," as the Delaware was
called hy the Dutch, was wholly and entirely
given over to Oovernor lliuoyosa, by jiatent
issued by (JcAernor-Ciencral 8tuyvesant un-
der date of December 22, IGCh; but with
the proviso that it should be' governed entirely
by the jirescribed laws of the States Cieneral
and their West India f^)mpany, and in their
interest. T.ut before this arrangement went
into opci'ation, ITinoyosa, associated with
TJeckman, presided over the Crduny fur three
years after Alrieh's death.
lliuoyu.sa, too, seems to have been a dis-
tiu'liing element. .Much excitement and feel-
ing were raised on account of the charges
brought against Alrich, and the sequestration
of hi.- pajiers and |iropcrty. Cornelius van
(li/.el ]ictitioned Stuyvcsant to order the re-
Ica.-c of the property and treat it according to
the will of decedent, b'xaniinatiuiis were
made and nnich correspondence fullowed re-
garding the matter, when, timilly, lliuoyosa
received orders to cease his opjjositi^ins on pain
of disgrace. Ihe case must have been a tla-
grant one, amounting to a bold attempt at
robbery, or Stuyvcsant would nut have
.-tojiped further proceedings so suddenly.
After this a silver lining appeared on the
(duud which overhung affairs on the Dela-
ware. .\t that time trade was ctniducted with
the Indians in peltries, and with Virginia in
tubacco. A lietter understanding ])ctween
the Dutch and English was now promised,
as Stuyvcsant sent the governor of Virginia
]iresents of Ereneh wine and other tempting
things. In those days nothing was lietter
calculated to promoteeooilf^ling than pre.-
ents of wine. ?5Q52J[.02
lliuoyosa having failed in his persecutions
of the heirs of Governor Alri(di, now deter-
mined to ])urtue another course. lie appoint-
ed Pwter Alrich connnander of the fort at
"Ilooru Kill," with the e.xclusive privilege of
all traffic with the Indians from ■"Boudities
Hook" down to Cape Ilenlopen. This a))-
pointment gave the Swedes great offense, av.d
(•au.sed open complaints. It does not apjiear
that Alrich was a relative of the deceased
governor, but the inference is that he was
either a son of a brother, when the oi)i)ositiou
of the Swedes to the ai)i)ointment is consid-
ered. It was very likely done to curry favor
with the Alrich party. Tyrants, when shorn
of their power are generally the first to lie
conu' .sycojihants. Tyranny is a species of
moi-al cowardice.
During the year lOOU the Indians kept the
]>eoiile in great fear. According to Acrelius
the Seneca Indians came down from the in-
terior and committed terrible murders. They
were at war with the Delaware Indians. The
latter were friendly to the whites, but they
were not strong enotigh to cope with their
red adversaries from the interior. Fort Chris-
tina had been so neglected that it was of little
use as a ]U'utection. Its walls were greatly de-
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36
BIO GEA PHICAL ENC \ -CLOrEDL 1
fayod, and it was entirely out of aiiimuiiitiuii,
being jirovided with only tea or twt'lve mus-
kets, and no flints. The same year the small-
pox broke out among the friendly [ndiaus,
and many of tlieni perished.
Troublous Timks.
As long as there were two colonies here,
"William Beckman had a hand in one, but had
little to say since the Company had surren-
dered all its rights to the City Colony, and
was little regarded. This, however, did not
prevent him from keeping up a correspond-
ence with Stnyvesant and from disputing
with Ilinoyosa. He sought every op|)ortuMity
to annoy the latter, even to complaining <if his
liaiightiness, and went so far as to accuse him
of having l)urned the palisades of the fort
under his brewing kettles, of ha\'ing sold mus-
kets to the Indians, and the City's millstones to
]^^arylanders, in exchange for tobacco. All
this, it is alleged, he proved by testimony.
Corruption on the part of ofheials was no new
thing at that earW day. Yiwt as Ilinoyosa
was high authority, he soon made IJeek-
man's situation so uncomfoi'table that the lat-
ter was compelled to petition St\iyvesant not
to allow him to be banished to ^raryland in
the winter time, as was threatened. Htuyves-
ant took pity on him and otHcially directed
that he should remain at .tltona (Christina),
cultivate land, and be allowed five or six men
to assist him. But he soon discovered that the
latter part of the order would avail him noth-
ing, for no freeman had the right to assist him,
or to trade with either the Indians or the Eng-
lish. Ilinoyosa had estopped all this by as-
serting his right to half the land and the
traffic. Fifty laborers had laudetl during the
last year, who were also farmers and soldiers,
and were to be paid one hundred guilders jier
year by the governor. There were also six
or seven girls in the importation who were to
keep house for these laborers. These women
liad engaged themselves in Holland to serve
for a term of years in the colony for the ex-
penses of their passage. This is the first men-
tion we hare of "redemptioners" — those who
were to redeem their passage by labor — ar-
riving in this country. This was in 160.']. I<^
was, in reality, a species of slavery, and in
after years grew into a large busim ss on the
part of the ship owners.
This was a new ojiportuuity for Ilinoyosa
to indulge his cupidity. We are informed
that he asserted his rights to these women and
hired them out for his own ]irofit foi- sixty,
seventy and eighty guilders per annum. It
was an infamous proceeding on his ]iart, and
shows the characti'r of the man in no envia-
ble light.
Success in his schemes for self aggrandize-
ment endjoldened this bad man, and he be-
gan to lay jilaus for the accjuisition of in-
creased means. He contemplated erecting a
tine residence at "Apoquiming,'' antl estab-
lished a metropolis there, with tlu^ \iew of se-
curing control of all the English trade. His
i<leas were exalted, and had he possessed any
moral jirinciple, he might have become the in-
strument for doing great good. But like all
men who are actiuited by improper motives,
he grew sus])icious of intrigue against him
and led a miserable life. It was a great relief
to him when his old and imulacable enemy
Beckman was finally removed to Esopus on
the Hudson Kiver, .luly 4, IGGt, and given a
small office.
But corruption an<l bad government were
raiiidly undcrmininti the iiower of the Dutch
on the Delaware, and instead of growth
in population and jirosperity, the colonies
began to show signs of decadence; it
was already ai>parent to careful observers that
the end of Dutch rule in the Xew ^\'orld was
near at hand.
ricturning to the visit of Colonel Ftie, as
the agent of Lord Baltimore, to New .Vmstel,
in 1G.j9, it becomes necc-ssary to state a fe\r
facts in order to enable the reader to under-
stand something about the beginning of the
boundary trouble which lasted for so many
years. Lord Baltimore, it appears, claimcl
Altona (Christina) as lying within his prov-
ince. This demanci, made through Colonel
Utie, caused great uneasiness at New Amster-
dam, and Stnyvesant decided to send an em-
bassy to the governor of ilaryland, with full
power to denumd re])aration for the damage
caused by the demand of Colonel Utie for the
surrender of the colonies on the Delaware.
The damage consisted partly in the injury
done to the prosperity of New Amstel by the
consternation prodticed there by the demand
and partly in the results of the insidious ef-
forts made to frighten and seduce the iidiabi-
tants from their fidelity to their true and law-
I ) :\ V . ' > V ',\ Vl.'.\-i^''i
r.t( I'l, 1' .r.ll
II ■' lit
/. 1', fl-
STATE OF 1)EI,A]\M:E
37
fill govonuuout. The ciiiba.ssy of Goverixir
Stuyvc'saiit was also einpowcred amiuahly to
settle tiic (lis])iite. Tliis latter feature was
really tlie iiiaiu object of tlie mission. Two
rcinarkalile and distinguislied residents of
Xew Amsterdam were si-leeted for this tleli-
eate mission, viz: Anpnstiis Herman, a na-
tive of Bohemia, and liesolved AValdruii.
The story of the life of Iferman, whieli will be
found in another ])art of this work, is very
strange, and reads like a romance. He after-
wards became the proprietor of Hohemia
!Manor, a tract of land comprising eigliteeii
thousand acres, and lying |)artly in Delaware
and ■Maryland. His acquisition of the Manor
very likely grew out of this mission, and af-
fords a glimpse into some of the wide-awake
practices of tliese early speculators, who seem
to have been actuated by as keen perceptions
for the acq\iisitiou of land as are those of the
present day.
A Pkiulous Jouenky.
The eommissioncrs set out on their journey
from New Amstel, accompanied by Indian
giiides and a small escort of soldiers, in the
month of October. They had to thread their
way across the western part of Delaware and
into Jlaryland, for the most part through
primeval forests, arrayed in all their rich au-
tumnal tints. Occasionally a narrow Indian
trail enabled them to make luore raj)id jiro-
gress, but in the main they had to cut their
own path. Finally they reached an atlluent
of the ('hesa])eake, and thenee by canoe navi-
gation passed the residence of the redoubta-
ble Colonel l^tie, situated on an island at tlie
mouth of the Sassafras River. They had
heard such tcrri!)le things of Colonel Utie at
Xew Amstel that they did not deem it prudent
to call on him for fear he would arrest them.
After several days of land and water travel
they readied Kent Island in safety, and were
very courteously received there by Ciovernor
-fVndall, Secretary Calvert, and the Pivivin-
cial CouiK'il.
Dnriiig tiie visit of the commissioners tlie
contiicting claims of the Dutch and <jf Lord
lialtimore to the territory were ctmsidered.
Among other matters iirged by the Dutch
cdiumissioners against the pretension of lii^
lordshi]), the misrepresentations c(jntaiiicd iu
the petition on wliich his grant had Ik.h
made, and the fact that the Dutc-h had jdant-
ed Coloniis within its limits, and had sealed
their title to the territory with tiieir blood —
alluding to the mas.-acrc on the •■lloorn Kill"
— prior to tiie date (d' the grant, were distinct-
ly presented and prcs>cc| through the discus-
sions.
lint perhaps the most remarkable thing de-
veloped in the course of the dismission was the
final proposition submitted by the Dutch
conlnlis^ioners. Finding there was no other
prospect of reconciling their differences, they
at length proposed to divide the territory by
a eonventiunal line running north and south
through the middle of the peninsula. They
even designated on the map prominent points
for the location of this line, bringing it so
near to where the jiresent boundary line be-
tween I)ela\\are and IMaryland runs, as to
leave no doubt that that proposition in IC,')!*
became the original of the idea of the conven-
tional division afterwards proposed to the suc-
ceeding Lord lialtimore by "William renii.
To these Dutch commissioners, therefore, are
we indebted for the suggestion which finally
ended in giving Delaware so odd a position on
the map. Very likely the idea was evolved in
the fertile brain of Augustus Herman, but he
had passed away before it was carried into ef-
fect.
The jiroposition for division at that time
was rejected, and when the deliberations
closed, the object of the commission was not
accomplished. The commissioners then start-
ed on their return, and after many weary
days of toil through forests and morasses
landed safe at New Amstel. Xo further ne-
gotiations were attempted, nor were any fur-
ther demands made by either i)arty for the
settlement of the dispute.
Lefore tlie close of the year, the governor
of .Maryland ordered a survey to be made of
lands within si.x or eight miles of Xew Amstel,
and granted them to inhabitants of the pro-
vince. Xoiie of the jiarties to whom they
were assigned, however, ever attemi)ted to
take possession or settle on them. This would
have been useless, because the Dutch were on
the alert, and had instructions from Stuy-
vesaiit to repel them by force of arms, if they
made the attempt, as unlawful illvader^ of his
territory.
Some time in the ^llbseqllellt year Lord Bal-
timore made another effort to acquire by ])ur-
VVi 'V'.
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38
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
eliase the lauds claimed by liiia, as falling
within his grant, through his agvnt in the city
of Ainstei-dani, and by a direct ajiplication to
the Dutch AVest India Company to surrender
to him the settlements of .\ltona and Xew
Amstel and their r(>si)ective neighboriioods,
upon condition of his reimbursing the Com-
pan}' for all expenses iuciu-red on account of
them. The Company not only perempt<jrily
refused this otfcr, but took occasion in their
reply to his eouununication — which assertetl
his claim on them luider his patent and as
within the degrees of his grant — to atilrm
their right and title to them by possession
under the grant of the States General fur
many years without claim or molestation from
him or any other person, and to admonish him
that they were resolved to retain and defend
them to the utmost extremity, in case he per-
sisted in his pretension antl should resort to
forcible means to obtain possession. They
also soon afterwards a])pealed to Stuyvesant
to represent through their minister at Lon-
don, to the ministry of Kngland, the situation
of their affairs with Lord I5altiniore in rela-
tion to the matter, and to request that the
British sovereign would enjoin upon his lord-
shij) to desist from any encroachments upon
them until a boundary line could be estab-
lished between his province of ]\rarvland and
their possessions on the Delaware Kiver. This
was in due time attended to by Stuyvesant
and the Statcs'Ceneral, as requested. That
it was brought to the atteirtion of the English
sovereign is inferred from the fact, that at a
session of the governor and Council of the
Province of ]\raryland held in ^lay, ItiOl, a
resolution to the following effect was adopted:
That inasmuch as it was doubtful whether the
settlement of New Amstel was below the fortieth
degree of north latitude, and the Dutch West India
Company was determined to maintain its posses-
sions on the Delaware by force, and there was no
hope of any aid from the other Eng-lish colonies in
the attempt, no further efforts should bo made to
reduce them to obedience to the authority and
jurisdiction of the province, until the will of his
lordship should be known in regard to the matter;
and that some effort should be made in the mean-
time to ascertain whether it was within the boun-
daries of his grant.
After the conference, and the passage of
the resolution, the relations of the disputants
became harmonious, and an era of good feel-
ing ensued. Lord Baltimore, after his warn-
ing from the English Court, was di-po-cil to
be fricndlv. So far did this amicabli iidiu"'
extend, that in August, 1G62, his lordship,
with a numerous suite, made a friendly visit
to the director general of the City Colony at
Xew Amstel, and was very cordially received
and entertained for two days. lie then ex-
tended his visit to the authorities at Altona,
where a like recejition awaited him. While
here he received an invitation from Stuyves-
ant to extend his visit to Xew Amsterdam and
|)artake of the hosjiltalities of the capital of
Xew Xetherlands. So anxious was the
Dutch Ciovernor to have Lord Baltimore
visit him, that he tendered him a suitable es-
cort. But, unfortunately, the engagements
of his lordship were such that he was obliged
for the time being to forego the pleasures of
a visit.
-Vdvext of thk English.
In the spring of IGG-i letters patent were
issued by Charles the Second of England to
liis brother, James, Duke of York and Al-
banv, for all the main land beginning and ex-
tending from the Biver St. Croix, now the
northern botuidary of the United States, to the
east side of the Delaware Hay. And among the
rights and privileges conferred on him by it
were those of Boyal Covernor, subject to the
sovereignty of the King. Long jjrevious to
that date, it had been the purjiose of CJiarlcs
to termimite the quarrels of the Dutch and
English settlers in America by estaldishiug
the long-asserted claim of the crown of Eng-
land to all the territory then in po.ssession of
the Dutch in this country; and he despatched
in the latter part of Islny, ICO-t, a fleet con-
sisting of two frigates, a slooj) of war, and a
transport, with tliree hundred troops, tui(ler
the command of Col. liicliard Xichols, with
whom were associated three royal commission-
ers. 'J'hey were instructed to visit the Eng-
lish colonics on the coast, and to hear coni-
jilaints and settle the peace and security of the
same. Their first duty would be the reduc-
tion of the Dutch in or near Long Island,
or anywhere within the English dominicms,
to entire obedience to the sovereignty of
the British Crown, as a remedy for the
many grievances which the British colonists
had so long suffered at their liand.s. But be-
fore the expedition had reached its destina-
tion, on the --'."ith of .Tunc, 1(!(14, the Duke of
York sold an<l convcvcd to Lord Berkclev and
' . " : 'Vvl* : it\
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to
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fi "I dii I'll! II
STATI'J OF DHLAWARI-J
39
Sir George Carteret that portion of tlie lauds
granted to lain lying between the lliulson
liiver and the Delaware Bay, and now con-
stituting the State of New Jersey. This ter-
ritory was then named New Jersey in conipli-
nient to Sir Cieorge Carteret, who had been
governor of the island of Jersey, and had
tirndy held it for Charles the First during- his
conflict with the rebellious Parliamentary
forces, and whose devotion to the royal cause
was in no part the consideration for the sale.
Early in September the thet appeared be-
fore New Amsterdam and demanded its sur-
render. (iovernor-(ieneral Stuyvesaiit was
terror stricken, and after a little parleying
yielded to the demand of the English and
liaided down the Dutch flag, because he was
unable to offer any resistance. It was a ter-
rible humiliation for the blustering Dutch-
man, but there was no alternative.
The capture of New Amsterdam having
been accomplished without the firing of a gun
or the loss of a life, the next move was to se-
cure the settlements on the Delaware. To do
this a portion of the fleet was detached anil
pent on that mission. Sir Tlobert Carr, chief
of the commission accorapauying the fleet,
had charge of the expedition. lie bore writ-
ten instrui'tions, among which was the follow-
ing, evidently dictated or inspired by the
King:
"If Sir Ixobert finds he cannot reduce the
)<lace [Fort Amstel] by force nor upon the
conditions before mentioned ^[absolute sur-
render] he may add such' as he may deem
necessary; but if both fail, he is, by a mes-
senger to the Governor of ^Maryland, to ask
aid, and from all other English who live near
the Dtitrh plantations. He is to declare to
Eord IJaltimore's son and all the English con-
cerned in Maryland, that this great expense
to His !Majo>ty in ships and soldiers has been
incurred solely for the puiiiose of reducing
foreignei's in these parts to His ^fajesty's
obedience; but that being reduced at His
^fajesty's expense, he is commanded to hold
])oppession for His "Nfaiesty's own behoof and
right, and that he is willing to unite with the
Governor of Maryland in His l^^ajcsty's in-
terest on all occasions; and if my Lord Balti-
more doth pretend right thereto by his patent
(whi<'h is a doubtful case"), yon are to say that
yon only keep po.ssession till His ]\rajesty is
infcnncd and otherwise satisticd."
Fortunately, Sir Iiobert Carr had no occa-
sion to call on the governor of ^Xlaryland for
any assistance on his arrival before New Am-
stel. But suppose he had, what must have
been the feelings of the governor on reading
the instructions? "While they would have been
regarded as imperative, the reflection, the in-
.-inuation, the insult contained therein, must
have very greatly damped the ardor of his
excellency. The doubts cast on his claim for
territoi-y in that vicinity shows how it was re-
garded by the king.
Su- Iiobert Carr, with his fleet and troops,
passed the capes in due season and entered
the bay and river. In a short time he
came in sight of Fort Amstel. There were
no signs of resistance, not a gun was fired,
which caused him to wonder why the com-
mandant gave him such a cool reccjition, when
it was known that he was on a warlike mission.
He then sailed past tlie fort a short distance,
dropped his anchors and came to a standstill
to await developments. No one apjjearing to
either welcome, or warn him off, he finally
sent a boat ashore and made a formal demand
in the name of the King of England for the
surrender of the fort, the town and all the
possessions of the City C(jlony on the bay and
river. After one day of parley and delay,
the authorities and a majority of the citizens
of the town were generally disposed to sur-
render the place without further hesitation
but a minority, at the head of whom firmly
stood Governor Hinovosa, strenuously re-
fused to give up the place. Seeing theii- help-
lessness and feeling that it was only a ques-
tion of time when surrender must come, Sir
Iiobert was dispo.sed calmly to await devel-
o]mients. Three days wore thus consumed,
when the town authorities an<l citizens deter-
mined to ca])itulate without the consent and
against the will of Hinoyosa. He then re-
tired with his party within the fort, deter-
minded to make as stubborn a resistance as pos-
sible. The next morning Sir Bobert ordered
the frigate and sloop of war to drop down be-
low the fort, but within musket range, and
each ATSsel to discharge two broadsides into
it; troops wci'e then to be landed for the pur-
pose of storming it at the point of the bayonet.
The plan of attack was promptly executed by
both the shi])s and th(> soldiers amid consid-
erable din, ^\■llcn, in a few nnniitc^, the crumb-
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40
BIOGRA PHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ling walls of the fort were scaled and it was
soou ill tlie possession of the English. Tlie
loss to the Dutch was four killed and ten
wounded out of a garrison of between thirty
and furty men. 'J'he doughty IJinoyosa was
now a prisoner of war. His resistance was
little less than madness, for tlie old fort was
utterly untenable and his force insuflicicnt to
i-opc witli the English. By the terms of the
capitidation the inhabitants took the oath of
;illcgiance to the King of England, and re-
nuiincd undisturbed in their houses and prop-
erty. It was likewise determined that the
Swedes should remain undisturbed in their re-
ligion as Lutherans, and in the service of God
as they desired.
Thus ended Dutcli rule on the Delaware.
The name of New. Amsterdam was changed
to New York, and New Anistcl became New
(.'astle, a name which it still bears. At that
time, according to the best authorities, it con-
tained a )io])nlation of between two and three
liundred and was considere<l a ])lacc of some
note on the river. 'Tlio territory now com-
prised witliin the limits of the State of Dela-
ware at that time did not contain more tluui
two thousand inhabitants. 'I'he failure of the
two ]ireccding races to make any greater pro-
gress in the settlement and po])idation of this
region so highly favored by nature during the
long time they occupied it, is largely attrib-
utable to the wars and disputes which arose
between them in the struggle for possession.
Eully fifty years lyid elapsed since the Dutch
hecame masters, without any consideralde pro-
gress cither in nuudtors or in prosjierity.
The Dctcii Aqaix.
Eut the settlements on the Delaware were
not yet to enjoy peace. War again broke out
between England and the Netherlands, and in
August, 1073, a ])owerful Dutch fleet cap-
tured New York and subjected the English
t(i their control. Tu the articles of eajiitu-
latidii it was stijiuhited that tlie civil and mili-
tary rights of tlie Dutch should be extended
tu the settlements on the Delaware, and so the
inhabitants were now compelled to take the
oath of allegiance to the States and the Prince
of Orange. Thereu])on .\nthony Colve wa-^
appointed governor general of N('\v York
and its adjacent territories, lie again ap-
pointed i'eter Alrich as his commandant, ur
\ice-governor over the "South' liiver" settle-
ments. \'erily the pioneers of Delaware were
subjected to many tribulations and surprises
in the aduiinistration of their government, and
it is not strange that they were discouraged
by the almost perpetual state of demorali/.a-
tion in which tliey were kept.
Peter Alrich took the oath of allegiance to
the new government and entered on the dis-
charge of his duties without delay. 'The first
article of ins instructions, says the reverend
historian Aerelius, read as follows: 'Tie
sliall uphold the true Christian doctrine, in
accordance with the Decree of the Synod of
Dordt, and admit of no other doctrine in con-
flict therewith." 'i'hus the proposition was at
this time made to expel the Augsburg Con-
fession from the country.
The English Recaptuke the Cou.ntrv.
But the new administration of atfairs was
doomed to a brief existence, for it was ter-
minated by the Peace of Westmin.-<ter, Febru-
ary 19, 1071, in the tenth article of which it
was stated, ''that whatever countries, towns,
fortresses, t^'c, liad been captured on either
side since the beginning of the war, should
be restored to their former lord and owner."
In consequence of this, New York and its de-
pendencies were restored to the English June
2!), 1074. The Dutch reign, therefore, lasted
only about fifteen months, and Govenmr Al-
rich was again out of office.
'The English having be<-omc masters of the
territory so long in disjjute, the province of
New York now end)raced all the country ly-
ing between New England and the Delaware
river, of wiiich James, the Duke of York, was
made tlie ])roprietor, in honor of his heroism
with the I'liiglish fleet, which he commanded
against the Hollanders durina- the aforesaid
war. His grant comprised what are known as
the "Three Lower ('ounties" on the other side
of the Delaware, namely, New Cattle, Kent
and Sussex. 'The government was couductiMl
by a governor in the name of the Duke of
York, for that prince never came personally
to the country. 'To the government of New
York also belonged all the iidiabited country
on the west side of the Delaware, which was
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STATE OF Dh'LAWAL'E
41
sometimes called "A'ew Virginia," but mostly
"The riaces upon tlie JJelawaie," which
meant the Swedish and Dutch settlements.
L'nder the Swedish go\ernment, it will be
reuienibcied, no deeds were given lor the lauds
occupied by the settlers, only those excepted
which were gi\en as iiefs by the t^ueen Chris-
tina, 'ihe Hollanders, however, nuide out a
nujuber of tleeds in IGoO, mostly lor building
lots in >,'ew Castle, and its vicinity. .Mean-
while no rents were imposed, but a small in-
come was required which was barely sntlicient
to pay local expenses, liut when the I'Jnglish
came into power all occupants were required
to take out new deeds for their laud. 'J'hese
deeds Were i.'isued in the uame of the Duke of
York. The rent was a bushel of wheat for
every hundred acres, if so demanded. .V few
took out deeds, while others did not trouble
themselves to do so, ''but," as an old-time
writer says, '"only agreed with the Indians for
a piece ui land for which they gave a gun, a
kettle, a fur coat, or the like; and they sohl
them again to others for the same, for the land
was superabundant, the inhabitants few, and
the government not strict." Hence it came
that in lawsiuts for land people appealed to
"Indian rights," which were valid when they
could be proved. The deeds wiiich were given
to the Swedes contained the proviso, "so far as
they remain faithful to the government. '
'J'hose who took deeds for large tracts of laud
were soon in great distress aliout their rents,
which, however, were very light, if they culti-
vated their land and had fair cr(«}is, but lu'aNy
enough if they worcnot industrious and tiie
season was poor. In many eases of failure, the
renters became discouraged and transferred
their lands to others; but their descendants
had cause to lament their actions. A few
I'higlish settlers came into the neighborhood,
and were the only ones paid anything for a
])iece of land. But the Indians looked upon
them as another race of people, and showed
them less friendship, as they were less ac-
quainted with them. Disorders were frequent
("in acnunt of the demoralization which jU'c-
\'ailed. \ historian of the time tells us their
prevailing evil was idleness. There was no ag-
rictdture, no traffic beyond what was required
by absolute necessity. The forests were tilled
with game and the streams with fish. Thr
Duke of York derived little more fnun his do-
m:iiu tlinn the uauie pi-oju'ictor.
Aiu{i\AL 01' William Pknx.
It is necessary in this connection to relate
under what circumstances William Tenn, the
t^uaker, came to ajiply to iving CTiarles, for a
grant of land in .\nierira for the purpose of
founding a c(jlony. 'This grant, which was
made .March -i, His], endu-aced also that part
ot the cdunti-}- in America, witii the islands
adjacent thereto, wbicii was bounded on tiie
east by the Delaware Ki\'cr. 'i'hc line was thus
iletined in the charter: Ijeginniug "from
twehe nules distance northwards of A'ew C'as-
th' town unto the three and fortieth degree
of northern latitude, if the said river doth ex-
tend so far northward, but if tlie =aid river shall
not extend so far northward, then by the said
ri\er so far as it doth extend; and from the
head of the said river the eastern bounds are
to be deternnned by a meridian line to be
drawn from the head of said ri\-er unto said
forty-third degree. The said lands to extend
westward live ilegrees in longitudi', to be com-
puted from the said eastern bounds; and tue
said lands to be bounded on the north by tho
begiiniing of the three and fortieth degree of
northern latitude; and on the south by a circle
drawn twelve nules distance from New Castle
northward and westward unto the beginidng
of the forty-third degree of northern latitude;
and then by a straight line westward to the
liniits'of longitude above mentioned."
The consideration for this magnificent do-
main was "two beaver skins, to be delivered to
the King at A\'indsor Castle on the 1st of Jan-
uary in every year; and also tho fifth part of
all gold and silver ore, which should from time
to time happen to be fomnl within the Hunts
aforesaid, clear of all charge. And we do
hereby erect the aforesaid country and islands
into a Province and signiorv and do call it
Pennsylvania, and so from henceforth will
have it called."
Kules and regulations for the guidance of
the Proprietar3' were laid down, how laws
shall be nmde and executed, and then it was
distinctly stated that Penn should be answera-
ble for every offence committed by him
against the laws of England relative to trade
and navigation, aiul should pay all damages
assessed against him in the cottrts of the
realm within one year. Otherwise the King
may resume the government of the Province
tnitil idl such dauiages arc paid. TvTo individ-
Lrily.'.; id. I ',1 .- JmJ -.Klrjlj . ('I').;
'. .if Jol
.>ii ■Ud.v
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42
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOrEDIA
ual was to be disturbed in his rights. I'eiin,
among other things, was autliorized to appoint
a Captain General, or Lieutenant Ciovernor,
to carry the laws into eft'eet. Neither tlie Jving
nor J'arlianient had jwwer to impose on the in-
Jiabitants any taxes or subsidies, without tiie
consent of Pcnn.
After tliis cliarter was confirmed, I'enn
made his plan known in England and invited
settlers to accompany him to the new country.
After much thought, and with great care,
lie drew up a form of government whi( h was
in many respects a model, and attracted widj
attention. A Constitution, consisting of forty
articles, was also framed, and assented to by
those present and signed, ilay o, 1GS2.
At the same time followed two t)ther deeds
of gift, though called sales, which Prince
James, Duke of York, made to "*,Villiam Penn,
of that land on the same side of the Delaware,
which had been granted to him by James'
brother, King Charles II., and of which he
was proprietor. The former, dated August
24, 1GS2, gave to Penn the town of New
Castle, with all that land which lies within
a circle of twelve miles, drawn from and to
the river. The purchase money was ten shill-
ings, and a rent of five ditto, to be paid yearly
on [Michaelmas day to the Duke, to his heirs,
or to whomsoever he appointed to receive it.
In the latter part of the same day an«l year,
ho also transferred all that land upon the
Delaware bay and river beginning twelve
miles south of the town, of New Castle, and
e.xtending to "Iloorn Kill," or Cape Ilen-
lopen. The purchase money was ten shil-
lings. The yearly rent demanded by the
Duke was one rose to be presented on ilichael-
nias day, if so demanded. Dut Penn bound
himself to pay annually to the Duke and his
heirs, or those whom they might appoint, one-
half of all the rents, income and resources
which might accrue from the land. In the
event that either a part or the whole of the
rents should be in arrears for twenty years,
the land should revert to the Duke, &c., until
the ^^■hole was paid.
Peoixnino of Delaware.
In these two transfers of land we have the
nucleus, the beginning, of the State of Dela-
ware, a State that has been ever fm'cniost in
patriotism and unswerving dcv(iti..ii to the
principles of independence. The history of
the territory and tlie diti'ercnt peoples that in-
habited it, and the ditierent governments
under which they lived, is a strange and ro-
mantic stur}'.
Having made all the necessary jn-eparations
to visit tlie jirovince which liacl been so gra-
ciously granted to him in the New World,
William Penn sailed from Juigland with a
large company and arrived in safety in the
Delaware otf New Castle, October I'l, 10^2.
The iidiabitants were on the alert to receive
their new ruler; the Swedes, who had passed
through so many trials, triimlations and sor-
rows, especially, welcomed him with great cor-
diality when he came ashore on the iTth. The
great philanthropist was pleased with his re-
ception and mingled freely with the people
in their houses, inquired into their condition,
and v>-ith diligent care set about familiari/.ing
himself with the country and the needs of its
Iieople. It was a great day for New Castle,
and marked the beginning of a new epoch in
its history. Inasmuch as William Penn first
set foot on the soil of his Pnjvince at New
Castle, it has often been a source of wonder
among many i)eoi)le that the Historical Society
of Delaware, under the guiding direction of
Henry C. Conrad, Esq., that devoted student
of local history, has not ere this set up a tablet
to mark the spot where he stepped ashore, and
thus suitably commemorate an event fraught
with the destiny of two sovereign states of
this mighty confederation.
After leaving New Castle Penn went to
I"j)land, (now Chester), where he disembarke 1
and proceeded to organize his government.
To enter into detailj would be irrelevant to
our present ])urp(jse. Suffice it to say that a
great deal of work was involved, but that the
proprietar}' governor addressed himself to the
task with great vigor and industry. "When lie
came, he found three counties partially oraan-
ized, namely, New Castle, Jones and New
Dale, while Pennsylvania, by tlie oiJiratioii
of the twelve mile circle, had liut one. and the
nucleus of that one .she had obtained by the
generosity of the Dnke of York, and from the
Miiall incipient state of Delaware. l''ur-iiant
to call, eh^'fi.ins were held, anil the Ceneral
Assembly, composed of members from the
Province of Pennsylvania and the three lower
counties— or "territories of the Province." as
they Were so,, 11 after ,l,-iL;nate,l in coiilradis-
STATE OF DE LAW ABE
tiiicticiii t(i tlio Province proper^oonvciu'd at
(.'lio.-tiT (III fl.u 4tli of Uecoiubor following.
On lliu jiLtitioii of thosu lower coiintios asking
for an act of nnion by the governor, and for
their int'orjioratlon with tiio Provinoo, in ordrr
to secure the enjoyment of all the rights and
]iri\ih'g('s, snch an act was passed, at (he tlr.-^t
s(?.-'i(jn, which ciinlinncd for only a few tlays.
I>y the terms of the act the three counties were
annexed to the Province of Pennsylvania as
of the ]ii'oper territory thereof; and it further
jirovided that the people therein should be
governed by the same laws, and enjoy the same
privileges in all respects, as the inhabitants nf
J'cnnsylvania.
Jt has been sliown that the existence of Del-
aware began in a closer union with the great
State of Xew York, and after that was cmitin-
ned in another nnion, songlit with the great
State of Pennsvhania in the beginning of the
Penn regime. Eeino- thus habituated to union
from its incipiency, it was quite natural that
this state should step promptly into the great
union of tlie states as soon as its Constitution
\\'as framed and adopted.
bAM) TlTI-KS AciAIX.
Purtlier trouble about land titles ensuc(b
On the 14th of June, l(;8;i, Penn, under his
own signature and the seal of the Province,
issued an order to all the old settlers who had
not yet received deeds for their lands, but oidy
the surveyor's certificate to make their sur-
A'cys, according to orders from the governor
of New York, to send these certificates and
take out deeds for the sanJc. 'rimse also who
had deeds from the Duke of York were to pre-
sent themselves and hand in their old deeds.
AVhile this course was a ])roi)er one l(j pur-
sue for the perfecting of titles, it caused some
confusion and suspicion. !Many of the simple-
minded jicojile who did not comprehend tlie
])urport of the order, generally hamled in their
certificates and deeds, whereupon I'enn di-
rected the Assembly to pass a law that all old
homesteads should be I'csurveyed, which being
done, a large margin of land was found '.n
excess of what the old deeds called for, as the
early surveys had been very carelessly made.
On the river and ci'oeks there were largi- tracts
of swamp lands which were subnicigcd at flood
fide, but were dry at the ebb, which were u c-
ful for pasturing cattle, 'i'lic-e huuls were ii'il
3
formerly secured by deed, as tln-y were
deemed almost worthless, but were used as
commons. Several thousand acres of these
lands were therefore taken away from thosL-
who were using tlicni and s<ild lo others,
'i'liose who had gi\cii in tlicir ccrlilicatcs and
(leeils never received them back again, an 1
when they took out new ones, wci-e recpiired
to pay higher jjrices. 'i'liis caused a great deal
tif friction and bad feeling.
Charges were made, the justice of whi(di, at
this late day, if would lie diflicnll, as well as
useless, to prove. 'J'liat dissatisfaction existed
from some cause or other, is made evident by
the action of Penn at a later date. On com-
ing the second time to this country, he ofl'ered
the Swedes ten thousand acres of land now in-
cluded in ^Montgomery county, Pa., with one
bushel of wheat yearly rent for one hundred
acres; few, however, availed themsehes of
this offer.
History shows that as long as the Swedes
themscdves were in jiosscssion of their homes
there was very little dissatisfaction. Put as
some of tlu'm had sold their titles to English-
men, who were still less friendly to the Quak-
ers, a jtublic outcry was raised about the inat-
fci-. They reprisenfed to the Swedes that they
were the King's subjects, that the rents be-
longed to the King, and that Penn was pro-
prietor only of that land wdiich was unsettled
when he cauu— a misinterpretation, by souiC;
of the first article of his charter. They who
bought tile Swedes' lands, ],nd'essed to be in-
ferested in inaintainiiig tiu' rights of the
Swedes, and used them as the instruments of
a genei-al disturbance.
I'inallv these com]dainfs culininafed in a
petition -to the Assembly in the year 17(t'.»,
with the re»iuest that dames Logan might be
rccpiind to restore to them their old deeds,
touefher with the excess of reiif-^. The com-
jdaints were sent to AVilliam Penn. then in
Kngland, who handed thcMn to the Swedish
minister in London. He comnnniicated the
comiilainfs to the Swedish Council, from
whicdi, in due seaM>ii, an '•Vaniest admoni-
ti.m was dispatched to the members generally
„f the Swedish con-regafion on the l)(da-
ware, to coudncf themselves in obedience to
the laws of the cotintry, and of the Knglish
Cotirt, as well as to Penn, the i)roprietor, if
lliev expected tbercaricr fnan Swclon any
I" ll'.li.)
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46
BIOGRAriHCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
assistance fur tlieir spiritual coiKlitioii." Tliii
Avas regarded by the Swedes as a severe reliec-
tion; and the more so, that they shoulil be re-
presented in London as disorderly and as
having little regard for tlie govennneut of
tiieir native country, when they ilattered
themselves that they were only resjicctfully
aikiug for their rights. They accordingly
' i)resented a petition to the Assembly in 1713,
demanding tiiat proof should be submitted
showing that they were a law abiding people
during the whole time this country had been
under English government, and that even to
the present time they had cuuducted them-
selves as quiet and loyal sulijects. They
furthermore requested that tliis evidence
might be presented to the Swe<lish and Kugiish
courts through tlieir Provost Bjork. Wh'it
action was taken on the petition does not aj)-
jiear.
Some years later, owing to certain measures
on the part of the proprietor's commissioners,
the matter was again stirred up, and another
petition was presented to the Assembly in
ITl'l', in which the chief complaint was that
Tenn, by his agents — and especially within
the jireceding rtvo years — had interfered
witli the Swedes' lands, and also with the lands
of those Avho had the same titles, or were tiie
oldest English inhajiitants in the country, and
not only had original titles to the lands ob-
tained from the Englisli authorities before
Penn's time, but the further contirmation,
according to the fundamental laws of the
country, of at least seven years' undisputed
possession; this was held in itself to constitute
a sound title.
The petition was not ignored. The Assem-
bly laid it before William Keith, the govern-
or, for consideration, together with the expla-
mition of the agents or commissioners. The
Penn board of commissioners was composed
of Ikiehard Hill, Isaac Norris, and James Lo-
gan, and they made answer to the complaint
as follows: "That the titles which people had
of the Duke of York had never been called in
((lU'stion; that the Swedes had no cause for
tlieir com]ilaints, considering the high favor
in which they stood with the Proprietor, who,
though they were aliens in the Knglisii govern-
ment, and were in possession of the best lands
upon the Delaware at the time of Penn's ar-
rival, were yet confirmed in tlieir im-sosions
without any further investigation, and this,
lie it observed, to the great injury of those
who had ventured their life and jjroperty
upon the sea, to people the country, Arc. But
that these coniplaints had their origin in
another cause, namely: tiiat evil minded
people wlio dwelt among tiiem, and stood in
clo.-er (Miniii'clioii witli the JMiglish Crown, had
already in the former unhappy times, in order
to distuib the public, used the Swedes as in-
strunieiils and means, in which they have the
greater chiims to be excused, as they are to-
tally unacciuaintcd with such matters. That
these iMiglishmen may be properly regarded
as the same ilisturbers, to whom all ditfeivnces,
which arise anywhere, are to be ascribed.
That the Swedes in the country have never
been disturbed by the jiroprietor, nor by any
one under him, Imt that they are badly dealt
with by those who, from time to time, abuse
their hands and names, to push forward plans
that require such a cloak. That the Swedes,
as they are descended from a race renowned
for its submission and obedience to civil au-
thorities, are of themselves, when not misled
by others, quiet and honest men. But as the
Proprietor [Penn] is now deceased, the mat-
ter could not be further investigated." AVith
this report the matter ended; nor do we hear
of any later conqdaints.
LOKD B.VLTIilOJtE AuAIX.
Having disjiosed of the serious matter re-
garding the titles, let us return to the early
days of Penn and consider, briefly, his dis-
luite with Lord Baltimore regarding tlie
boundary lines of the Province. Penn claim-
ccl that even if his lordship's patent had iu
good faith included any [lart of Delaware Bay
and river, his lordship had forfeited his right
to it by the long interval of time which had
elapsed without his taking possession of it,
or reducing it to the sovereignty of England,
under which he claimed it; that the King at
last had been obliged to do that liimst-lf, and
that tlieri'fore it was his to do as he ]ileased
with it. Xot being aiile to change the mind
of his lor<lship, Penn next proposed to him tliat
though it was two degrees and a half from
AVatkins' Point to the fortieth degree of north
latitude, at sixty miles to the degree, instead
of se\'entv, vet if he would consent that tin;
;u.\.\
Im'
I ii.
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STATE OF DELAWARE
47
nu-asureinont should be computed at sixty
niik's to the degree, ho \voukl agree to coui-
luence at the fortietli degree, fall where it
might. His lordship, however, dissented, and
the eonfeience was eoneluded without any
eonii)roiiiise or adjustment of the dispute.
'i'his eoufereiiee t()(jk j)lac* at West River,
Deeemher, ]1), Uis;5, where Pcnn visited liis
lordship in the liope of being able to settle the
boundary di.<pute. Lord Baltimore, evidently
thinking to iiujiress Pcnn with his exalted sta-
tion, was attended by a numerous and brilliant
suite, and treated the plain Friend with mark-
ed attention and courtesy. It was on this oe-
easi(jn that I'enn presented Lord Baltimi>re
with a letter from King Charles JT, to the
effect that he (Lord Baltimore) had but two
degrees aect)rding to his patent, and that, be-
ginning at Watkins' Point, he should measure
the degrees at sixty miles io the degree, that
being well and univer.^ally iindei"stood to bo
the extent of a degree of territorial latitude
at that jKiint when his letters patent were
issued. His lordshij) rejjlied that the King
was greatly mistaken, and that he would not
abandon his i)atent to follow the King's letter,
nor could a letter annul Ins patent.
Penn rejoiiu'd that he thought tho mistake
was on Lord Laltimore's i)art, for though his
patent began at WatkiiLs' Point and extended
to the fortieth degree, yet that was assinncd
to be under tlie thirty-eighth degree, ami if he
liad to start below that degree, then Virginia
would be wronged. At this ])oiut tin; uncle
and chancellor of his lordship, who were pres-
ent during the conference, renuu'ked that this
grant given to the elder Lord Baltinioi-e was
not by degrees, as contem])\ated by him when
he applied for it, for he had more of \'irgiuia
given iiim, but being planted, and the grant in-
tending oidy land nut jilanted, or pKssc^^'^ed
by any othc-r than savage nations, he left it
out so that it might not forfeit the ri'st. It
then occurred to Penn that by that answer ho
(Lord Baltimore) could pretend nothing to
Delaware which had been discovered, bought
and jdanted by the Dutch before that time,
and sd it co\dd not liave been intended to be
inchuhd in the gnant.
Some time in the month of May, 1084, fol-
lowing this conference, Penn received a mes-
sage from Tyord Baltimore inviting him to
meet him at the head of C'hesa])eake Bay, but
his euiiaa-emcnt-; iii-eventinc it, he mi t him a
few daj's later in the forest ten miles wctst
of Xew Ca.stle. 'J'lic nueting in the wilder-
ness was a very pleasant one, anil each shower-
ed compliments on the other. Penn gave
his lordship a cordial invitation to accomj)any
him to New Castle, which was aecej)tcd, and
the cavalcade moved thither. Li order to
slidw his hosi)itality and nuiko the stay of
his distinguished visitor as j)leasant as possible,
Penn entertained him as handsomely as the
facilities of the town would afford. After
having recovered from the fatiguc-s of the
joui-ncy and partaken of refri'shuunts. Lord
Baltimore signified to his host that he wished
to speak with him privately on the matter in
dis|iutc between them regarding the boundary
lines. The astute (Quaker suavely re]»licd that
whatever ]>assed between them on this nnitter
shiiuld be in Avriting in the presence of their
ropective councils, the better to avoid mis-
apprehension or the failure of memory. lUit
his lordship, equally cautious, evaded the])ro])-
osition, and in a short time excu.sed himself
by saying that he was not feeling well and
would prepare to return to ^laryland, re-
serving further consideration of tlie matter
for another time. That time never came.
AVhen his lordship found that Penu was
shrewd enough to insist on having witnesses
present when they disen.ssed the boundary lino
([uestion, he did not care about talking the
matter over. This did not speak well for him.
He was evidently incline<l to resort to sub-
terfuges, or else he felt that he eoidd not trust
Penn. That the latter was candid and truth-
fid, and did not seek an opportunity to take
advantage of any one, no one will deny. It
is therefore impossijile to avoid sus])icion a.s
to the intention of his lordship.
This conchision is borne out by subsequent
developments. Penn was aware at tho time
of their n.ieeting, that some time before his
lordshij) had issue<l a protdamation inviting
settlers, under his authority and ])rotectiou as
the Projirietary of tho Province of Maryland,
into the countries of Delaware at lower prices
for land than he was offering them, and that
the proclamation was attracting attention.
It was because he feared that this fact would
be dividgt^l that Lord Baltimore decline<l a
conference with Penn in the presence of wit-
nesses; and he thought Penn was not aware of
liis du|)licity. Ihit it availed him nothing.
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48
nwGnAPniOAL encyclopedia
Soon after the meeting at New Castle, Penn
received a communication from Lis lonlsliip
by the hand of a special mef^cnger duly au-
thoiizcd to present it, demanding the jwsses-
sion of all the country south of the fortieth
degree of north latitude, both in the I'rovincc
of Pennsylvania and the three lower counties
annexed to it. This bold demand was a sur-
prise to Penn, but he promptly refused to give
up possession. The next step on the part of
T.oril Baltimore was to order a jiarty from
^Maryland under command of Col. (Jcorge
Talbot to make forcible entry on several ])hin-
tatlons in Delaware teiTJtory and occupy the
same. This Avas virtually a declaration of war
on a small scale, on the part of his brliigc'rcnt
lordship. And an invasion was actually made.
Colonel 'J'albot came within five miles of
New Castle and seized a piece of ground
belonging to a gentlman named Ogle,
who had come over with Sir Pulicrt
C'arr and was present at the capture of Fort
Cassimcr and the Engiisli conquest of the
three lower counties. Ogle had erected a log
fort upon liis land, built a palisade, and thrown
u}) breastworks, having evidently learned of
the intentions of Lord IJaltimnre. Having
a small force of armed men, he held the fcirt
for some time against the formal demands
of the civil authorities at New Castle, wliom,
it seems, Talbot had induced to aid him in
the name and under the command of Lord
Baltimore. Here was a peculiar condition
of affaii"s. Nothing less than a high handed
outrage, with which it seemed tiuit tiic au-
thorities at Now Castle sympathized.
Penn was greatly surprisc<l when he heard
of the affair, and immediately instituted le-
gal jiroceedings to reinstate the parties who
had been dispossessed, and to punish those who
had taken jiart in the outrage. He also for-
warded a full account of the affair to the Duke
of York, with a demand for reparation.
AVhat came of it history fails to say, but it
must have convinced Baltimore that he must
do something to fortify his claim without de-
lay. He therefore soon afterwanis sit out for
England. Penn divined that his intention
was to lay the matter before the King and his
council. Four months after his an-ival,
Charles II died and was succeeded by his
brother the Duke of York, under the title of
James II. In coin-se of time, healings were
had at which Lord Baltimore and Penn were
both present, and after full argument before
the Lords of tho Committee, on the 13th of
November, 1GS5, they directed the following
order to be entered: '•That the lands intended
to be granted by the Lord Baltimore's patent
were only such lands as were cultivated or
inhabited by savages, and that the part then
in dispute was inhabited and ])lante<l by
Christians at and before the date of tlie Ivord
l>altimore's patent, as it had been ever since
that time, and continued as a distinct cijlony
fVum tliat of ^Maryland, and so tiiey were uf
opinion that fc.r avoiding further differences,
the tract of land lying between the Piiver and
Bay of Delaware and the Eastern Sea on tho
one .side, and Chesapeake Bay on the other,
be divided into two equal parts by a lino from
the latitude of Cape Ilenlopon to the fortieth
degree of north latitude (the south lioundary
of Pennsylvania by charter), and that the
eastern half thereof be adjudged to Ilis 'Mn-
jesty (viz., King James, who, when Duke
of York, granted to ^Mr. AViliiam Penn), and
the other half remain to the Lord Baltimore,
as comprised in his charter." And this was
not only afti^rwards recommende<l, but it was
ordertnl by the King to be done in 170'.). Thus
the peculiar boundary lines of Delaware, which
are a puzzle to many when they look upon
tiie map, came to be established; years how-
ever passed away, and it was only at the end
of a great lawsuit, in which the respective
heirs of the litigants were concerned, that tho
dispute was finally and forever settled.
During the long absence of Penn from tho
Province, when he Wius overtaken by mis-
fortunes and calamities, his government w;is
conducted by othei's, jealousy and dissension
s]irang up between the I'rovinco of Pennsyl-
vania and ''the territories," as the three lower
counties were called. 'J'he representatives in
the Assembly from the Province and tho tem-
torit« being ecpial in number, this of course
brought about a delicate and sensitive feeling
on account of the difference in population.
Tho feeling of jealousy originated with tho
]irovince, which was growing rapidly in popu-
lation and wealth, and this feeling showed it-
self in the Assembly. The cause, it is be-
lieved, lay in the suspici(m that the lower
c(junties might become the recii)ients of
greater favore from Penn.
„,,,/,
i / i, ■ :■ in '' "I
S7\[rE OF DELAWAEE
49
Xkw Castle DiSAPror.NTKD.
It was well known that Peiiu had greatly
disappointcil tho ijfople of iVcw Castle, ami
many of the inhabitants seattcreil throngh
tho throe eonnties, when I'hiladelphia was
seleeted for his i)rincipal eity. As ho tirst
landed at !Ne\v Castle, a]id was widl pleased
with its 'niagnifieent site on an luululaling
])lain, they eould not understand why he
should go up into the woods and the swamps
to found his capital. Jle had expressed his
admiration for Xew Castle, and led the peoplo
to believe that he intended to make it the
metropolis. It must be admitted that so far
as eligibility and location are concerned tliere
is no finer spot on the Delaware liivcr for a
gri'at city than Xew Castle. Ivcalizing, no
dciubt, that a mistake liad been made in found-
ing his city, Tenn always had a warm feeling
for Xew Castle, and manifested a strong de-
sire to prtimote its welfare and pri>siierity.
Actuated by this feeling, he occasionally con-
vened tJie Cicneral Assenddy at Xew Castle
before his dejiarture for England; and having
learned on his return, after an absence of lif-
teon years, that nuich dissatisfaction with cer-
tain pi-oceedings of tlie council of the govern-
ment hail arisen in the three lower counties,
he i>-ucil in December, IG'Jit, a call for the
rieneral Assend)ly to meet in New Castle in
the fall of 1780. Tie did this for the imr-
pose of trying to conciliate the people and allay
the growing dissatisfaction. Penn made a brief
a<ldress before the body, in which he recom-
mended re-adjustment of the frame of govern-
ment, a revision and completion of the body
of laws, and particularly those concerning the
settling of proiK-rty, and the supplying of
uieans for the support of government, he closed
with these memorable words: "I recommend
to you amity and concord among yourselves."
All were very happy to meet him, and the
session was harmonious, and closed apparently
to the satisfaction of all.
r.iit "concord" had not been restored. The
ne.xt Assenddy, which jnct at riiiladelphia in
1701, had an increased representation from
Pennsylvania, whi(di gave the prejionderanco
of power to the Province. Tt was then |iro-
posed to confirm certain acts ])assed at .Vew
Ca>tle in 17nn, on the ground that, as the
session was l](dd in the territories it was ma
competent to pass laws which shouh! be bind
ing on the J'rovince. This was regarded as
an arrogant assumption, made for the ptirpose
t)f subordinating and degrading the three
counties. It was, however, insisted on and
sustained by vote. 'J'his led to a tlnal .separa-
tion. There was a great deal of caucusing,
which it is imuecessary to detail in this cou-
nerlion, but amicable relations ciuild not be
restored, and from that time the mcndiers of
the Assenddy for the thri^e counties met at
Xew Castle, and those for the Pr.jvincc at
Phihuhdpbia. And for all the purposes of
governmeut they became st'parale and dis-
tinct from each other, the only governme ital
link connecting them being their deiicn.lenco
upon one and the same Proprietary.^ This
c.uidition continued until the Declaration of
lnde]iendence.
IJoUNDARV DlSClTE EeXEWED.
Once more the boundary line dispute was
renewc-d. Both William Pc-nn and Lord Balti-
more had been gathered to their fathers.
Their heirs sought to have the .picstion set-
tled The third Lord Baltimore and the lieuv:
of Penn agreed to settle the dispute on the
plan lai.l down by the Lords of the Comnuttee
for Trade and Plantations and approved In; tUe
Kin.., which have been given. The articles
of agreement were accompanied by a niap or
plan of the territory to be divub.l be ween
],ein. And it was furthermore agreed that
,he boun.larics were to be marked by stone
„ill,,. .et up at interval.; eomuussioners were
be appointed by the parties to do this on
,, ,,efore Deeember 2:-, 17:^r,, and for want
,.f a quorum of commi-Moners to nieet at any
,;,„, \v,r that purpose, the party by de an
of whose commissioners the artudes could ot
le carried into execution, should forfeit to tho
other t:5,000; and when done the parties were
to make couUmce to each other for their
several portions of the territory
Put strange as it may appear the mattei ^^ as
,u.alceted, and drifted ah.ng tor eighteen
years. Fiuallv the Penn heirs hied a b. 1 ni
the High Court of f"hancery m England
a<.-ainst Lord Baltimore for the execution ot
ihe arthdes of agreement. The trial av^s long
and tedious. INfuidi evidence was taken on
both sides, and the "Breviat" now forms one
.,f the v(dnines in the Second Series of Penn-
svlvania Archives. After listening to long
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50
BIOGRAPinCAL HSCYCLorEDlA
and nblo argiiiiienta by counsel on hotli sides,
Lord Clianeellor llardwiek, in 1750, decided
the case by entering a decree in favor of the
phiintifl's. Still there was delay. The running
of the line by jMessrs. .Mason and Dixon and
the setting up the pillars to indicate the line
was not completed until the year 1708, nor was
it contirnied by the King by orders in council
until the month of January in the following-
year. And it was not until April 8, 177.'),
that the governor of the three lower counties
and I'rovince of Pennsylvania published his
proclamation, requiring all oliicers and other
persons residing on the Delaware side to yield
obedience to the laws of the said counties and
govern themselves accordingly. This was fol-
lowed by an act of Assembly defining the
boundary lines, passed September 2, 1775,
which was the last but two passed under the
proprietary government of John Penn. On
the 4th of July, 1776, the Declaration of
Independence was adopted by Congress, an<l
in glad response to it, and under the majesty
of its sanction, by the 20th of Seiitombei' ful-
lowing, the freemen of the three lower counties
upon D(daware had, by tlieir delegates chosen
and in I'onvention assendiled, framed and
ad(jpted a constitution of government as a free,
independent sovereignty, under the name and
title of The Delaware State. 'J'hus, after a
long and peqilexing career under many rulers,
the conditions of the territory and ]icople wei'C
changed, and they put on new political robes
to enter upon a new destiny.
"Old Swedes' Cuuucn."
The Swedes were eminently a pious people.
One of their first duties in making a settlement
on the Delaware was to establish a cluu'ch;
and to-day the most sacred landmark in the
city of Wilmington is what is known as ''Old
Swedes' Church." It is a veritable shrine,
and attracts thousands of visitoi's annually.
The corner-stone for this sacred edifice was
laid by the Ttev. Eric Pjork, pastor of the
original Swedish Lutheran colony on the
Delaware River, ifay 28, 1G9S. there is a
well preserved tradition that when the con-
gregation set out to build it two hundred
years ago, the pious women carried small
stones to the masons in their ajirniis. This
was their contribution to the edifice lliat has
outli\'ed many generation^, and is still used
as a temple of worship.
Owing to the sacred character of this vener-
able editiee, and the associations which cluster
around it, the two hundi'Cth annivers^ary of its
fouiKling was reverently <jbserved on the 2Sth
of -May, 18'J8, under the tlirection of Kev. II.
-\shton Henry, rector of Ti'inity Church, and
liev. Alartin P. Dunlap, rector of Old Sweden'
Church.
This church building is the most important
relic of the Swedish-American colonial enter-
prise insjiired by King (Justavus Adolphus,
the third of the great Vasa sovereigns of
Sweden. It connects local church history
with the great religious reformation of Europe,
of which -Martin Luther was the theological
leader, and (Justavus Adolphus the royal mili-
tary cliamiiion. The building, simple as it is
in architectural conception, and rough as it
is in workmanship, is a growth of two cen-
turies duration. In its growth it has become
beatitlful. I'ortunately, the exterior additions
to the building have been in harmony with the
original design. In its rough picturesque
sinq)licity, no less than in its sacred character,
it is a fitting monument I'onunemorating the
zealous and industrious juety of the Swedish
Colonists in America, the impetuous piety of
Luther, and the glorious achievements of Gus-
tavus Adolphus in b<'half of civil and religious
liberty.
In American history, and especially in the
history of Delaware, this venerable church
cSmmeniorates great events. It marks the
site of one of the earliest European colonies
upon the iSTorth American continent. Includ-
ed in the conception and planning of the col-
ony of which the church is the oldest remain-,
were greater projects — higher ideals and
grander anticipations — than were included in
the jilanning of any other of the early Ameri-
can colonies. The people who came here were
not exiles fleeing from political or religious
persecution. They came to America as wards
of the most enlightened government, and citi-
zens of the most powerful nation in Europe.
Ilieir mi.ssion was not a merely sordid one.
I hose early colonists were not gold seek-
ing, race exterminating adventurers, but niis-
.sionaries sent forth for the "sjiread of the Holy
Cospcl," and for the foumling of a new nation
upon the broad princi|iles of civil and relifiious
libcrtv — a n:itiou the mai'kcd characteristics
• I .11
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i , 1 •;'i:(J' ■ >u. I' I '.III . .1
S7'.17'A' OF nKL.WVAUE
51
of whose charter was tolerance iii civic and re-
ligious art'airs; a -Xew Sweilen in which there
shonld be no slaves, and where every citizen
should enjoy freedom of conscience.
'J'he attempt to work out this great j)roject
in America began at what is now the site of
-Old Swedes'" Church, in the city of Wil-
mington'. There were no such just concep-
tions of government, nor yet of religious trce-
doni, behind the efforts of the English colo-
nists at ITyniouth or Jamestown, the Dutch
at ilanhattan, or the S[)aniards in South and
(Central America. 'J'he Swedish colonial pur-
pose was unique; and there is no record in
the history of its attempted realization of a
serious departure from that purpose. These
colonists had anticipated William I'enn's
l)acitic i)olicy toward the Indians, and his idea
of religious tolerance by half a century, lie
found when he arrived here that they had
lirgun the movement for those high ideals
that were tu spread over the continent and be-
roiiic the g'lory of American civilization.
They had made the little Swedish town of
Christianahamn, (the name they gave the
place in their language, and what is known
as Chi-istiaiia in English), the seat of the; iirst
military occujiation of territory, in what is
now the territory of Pennsylvania, New Jer-
sey, Delaware and Maryland; made it tlie
seat of the hrst permanent European colony;
of the first ecidesiastical organization, and of
the first ooin-t of justice.
This is what "Old Swedes' " Ohurch com-
menmrates in American history, and \vliat
Hindi' its bi-centennial anniversary a matter
of Very great historic importance, as well as
of interest to religious denominations through-
out this country.
The old church, with its ivy-covered walls,
which may be seen from the car windows of
the rhila<leli)hia, AVilmington and Baltimore
Railroad, as the train swcejxs by, is the third
of the Swedish Lutheran churches erected by
the colonists at Christianahamn. The first of
those three buildings was erected inside thi>
fort built immediately after their arrival.
This fort was situated upon the to]) of a hill,
which overhung what wa.s long after known
as "The IJocks." 'i'his was a rocky |ioint ex-
tending out to tide-water between the ISraiidy-
wine and C'hristiana creeks. The ro.l -
formed a natural wharf with deeji water m
front, and around tfi the east side cd' the IiIl^Ii-
land of which "The Kocks" were the base,
was a deep and ccfUimodious harbor for the
mooring of their ships, while the top of the
hill was a level plateau, affording an excel-
lent outlook and making a splendid site for
their first fortification.
Here the colonists built the fort, and in-
side of it the first Swedish ],utheran church
in America. It was around this fort that the
first military engagement between European
soldiers in America was fought. This was the
place invested and captured b}' Stuyvesant
in 1G55, as narrated in this introduction.
AVhen the Swedes marched out, the Dutch
were disgusted to find that the enemy they
had spent so niucli time and trouble in dis-
lodging, numbered but a score. The Dutch
had conquered, and were the masters in Xew
Sweden, and continued in power — much to
the disgust of tlie Swedes — until finally dis-
possessed by the English.
Tradition says that one of the Swedish colo-
nists, a young woman, died on shipboard at
"The Rocks," or shortly before the arrival
there, and one of the fir.-t things the colonists
did was to bury this woman in what is now
the cemetery around ''Old Swedes' " Church.
This first necessary action fixed the site of the
Swedish cemetery at Chri-tianaliamn. ami in-
cidentally decided a (piestion much discussed
by their successors sixty years afterward —
that of locating the ])resent church edifice.
The second chui-cb building was erected at
Crane IIoc^l^, half a mih' south of "Old
Swedes' " Chureli, and (dose ujM.n the shore
of the Delaware IJiver. Crane Hook Church
was built in 1007. It was abaiidoncd in IGtt'.l.
The siti' of the chureh building is marked by
a inonmnent recently erected by tlie Tlistori-
eal Society of Delaware, as the result (if \
movement started by T'enno(d< Pusey, to
mark the jdaees made memorable by the
S\vedi.-h colonists on the T)elaware.
The erection of a new chm-eh building was
made desirable; fir-f liy the decay of the (.Id
building at Crane Hook; secondly, by the
growth of the settlement on the iioilli side of
the ( 'liristiana. Tlii-; was the eondition of
tilings, when Pe\-. T'lie P.jorlc. p:i-tor of the
.Swedish T,uthei-an Congi'egatioii in AuieiMca,
by :i|i]ioiiitmeiit of Charles XI, of Sweden,
ari'iveil in ( 'hrisliannhainn in TOUT. He be-
gan immediatf'ly to talk and \\'ork for the erec-
tion (<f a new ehni'eli bnildiiiL:. lie became
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BIOGUAI'UICAL ENCYClA)l> HDIA
tlic ;ia-liitect and builder of Jlolv Jiinity
Liuuvli, now known as "Old Hwcdcs'." A
whole year elajiscd Lefurc any xi.-iliJL' prugivss
was made.
.\t'ter deciding to build, the nu>»t ditiicult
jiroMcni to solve seems to have licen the se-
lection of the site for the new building. The
.Swedish settlements had extended southward
along the Delaware Iiiver to St. George's on
the 1 'elaware side and to Salem on the New
Jersey side. 'J'hese people objected to having
the church erected at a greater distance from
their homes. The crossing of the Christiana
was a matter of interest to both the south side
and north side residents. Neither party
wanted to pay ferry tolls every Sunda}' morn-
ing to go to church. It was finally agreed
that the church should be on the north side,
and the north side residents agreed to furnish
a new boat for the free use of the south side
folks when they came to church.
In the si.xty years that had passed since the
first grave was made in what was thi^u a lonely
spot, and the Swedish girl, far fron\ homo
and kindred, was laid at rest, many other
graves had been made there, and this faci
finally settled the matter of locating the build-
ing. The site was a historic "(Sod's iVcre" to
the Swedish colonists even then, l^or nearly
a century and a half since then, the burial of
the Swedes, their descendants and successors
has been going on in this burial place, until
it is crowded with the remains of the good
and the great of their material and spiritual
jjosterity.
'J'he graves of their early priests, their
Avives and children, and of prominent church-
men of the caiiy days of its history have oc-
cupied nearly every foot of the church floor,
while outside lie the remains of bishops and
priests, statesmen and soldiers, side by side;
aye, and perhaps in the former graves of the
forgotten men and ■\vonien who gathered the
materials and buildcl this old cliureh edifice
as a grateful offering to the (lod, who had
led them to a new and strange land, for "the
spread of the Holy Cos]iel."
'J'he churdi building as onginally jilanncd
by the TJev. Eric Bjork, was a sim]de emdos-
iire, within rough stone walls, of a space of
about 40x20 feet; the walls were to be 13
feet high to the square. These dimensions
were changed several times, and once after the
contract for the building had been maiK'. No
one .seemed to have a dctinite idea about how
big tiie churcli sIkiuIiI Ik'. it was linaily
lixed, however, that tlie dimensions shoidd hi
GO feet long and o(i ft et wide inside the walls,
and 20 feet high. The heigiit, however, tlie
l)riestly architect stipulated in tiie contract,
"shall remain uncertain till we see how it will
compare witii the other dimensions."
Active operations began in ^lay, 1U08.
The j)reliminaries of a church erection, pos-
sibly, have never before or since given a prie>t
so much trouble in Delaware, as did these.
lie seems to have been a man of marvelous
patience, resource and zeal. lie had an oli-
stinate set of jieople to deal with. The vcs-
tr}iuen were not saints. The}' pronused and
failed to fulfil. They gave and they took
back. Still with marvelous patience and
with always apparent meekness, gratitude to
and faith in God, he continued to solicit help
and to parcel out the labor and the contribu-
tions for building.
'J"he stone and lime and wood, and the labor
of gathering it having been assured, with the
understanding that every one should have due
credit for whatever he did, the foundation of
the building was begun; and on ]\Iay 2S,
lt)98, the fii-st stone was laid. The corner
stone was laid on that day by the ju-iest. A
whole year was now consumed in the building.
The work was completed the following ^lay
or June, and on Trinity Sunday, 1099, which
by an ajijiarent error in the priest's record is
said to have Viecurred on July 4, 1090, the
building was dedicated, and named ''Holy
Trinity Chui'ch."
'J'hat Trinity Sunday was a great day in the
Swedish village of Christianahamn. It was
a feast day and great ])re])aratii>ns were made
for the entertainment of the Swedes who were
expected from all parts of the colony. The
whole number of these in the colony was, per-
haps, less than five hundred. In 1043, when
Governor Printz arrivetl at Christianahamn,
the uund)er of Swedes was only one hiuidred
and eighty-three. In 1054, a census of the
Swedish and Dutch residents made their num-
ber but three hundred and sixty-eight, an in-
crease of one hundred per cent, in about
eleven years. It is not ini])7'ol)able, however,
that this rate of increase was nuiintained for
any length of time. Pastor Bjork says, in his
records of IToly Trinity Church, that the dedi-
cation services were attended by hundreds of
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STATJ'] OF DELAWARE
53
pt'ojile; iiiul as with tlie materials fur tiie
cliurtli iiiiildiiig, so the peoijle contributeJ the
fuod fur feeding the visitors. A full aeeuiuit
of these eontrihutioiis is preserved in thu
reeurds. Among the artieles put iluw ii were
five sheep, two ealves and one quarter (jf \eui-
sou; seven Liishels of malt, six and a half
bushels of wheat and four hundred pounds ut'
Hour. 'J'here were also three gallons of wine.
'J'he dedieatnry serviees were condueted hy the
liev. Erie Ijjork, assisted by Kev. Andrew
liudman, and the He v. Jonas Aurcen. A de-
tailed aeetiuut of these serviees in the chureh
reeord shuws them to have been very sulenin
and ini)iris.-;ive.
The uriginal ehureli edifiee was very dif-
ferent fiiiiu the present picturesque "Old
Swedes"."' It was only a rectangular barndike
structure with a pitched roof, arehed duurs
and windows. The auditorium was ))aved
Mith brick and furnished with plain deal
benches. 'I'he walls, on the outside, ^\l■re eni-
belli>hed with inscriptions furniod in letters
of furged iron. There were neither porches
nor belfry on the outside, nor gallery inside.
'J"he first belfry was on the south side of tlie
building; tradition says the Lell -was hung in
a tree. The bell was so low that the roof of
the (dnirrh bruke the sound of it, so that the
jjcojde uii the north side could not hear it
when rung. .V new bell for the church was
I'ec'cived fruui Kngland in JSTovembei', 1772,
and it was ja-uposed then to build a new lielfry.
Subserijitiuns were solicited for it, but the old
one was retained. The jiresent bell tower at
tli(^ \\e-t end of the clau-ch was erected in
.l:->02.
Aneut this matter of the belfry, there
is a pirture extant, copyi-ightcd, in Towa,
which rcjiresents the belfry as erected on the
ruuf of the building at the we-st end. Tt is
not a correct picture of "Old Swedes' " at any
])eriod of its history. The bell tower and
belfry have always been outside the end wall
of the building. The gallery at the west end
of the (diui'ch was erected in 1773, and con-
tained twenty-five pews. The porches or side
arches, two on the north and one on the south
side, were built to strengthen the side walls,
in 1740.
Kev. Kric T^jork .served as pastor of '"'Old
Swede.-' " Church for seventeen years. (>■;
from l(i!)7 to 1714, when he was recalleil lo
Sweden. lie sailed from Christianahamn on
June 20, 1714, and on his arrival in Sweden
wa.-. a])i)ointed pastor of a (diureh at Kahluii,
in I )alecai'lia, where he died in 1740. The
successor of Jiev. Eric iJjork was the liev.
Andreas lianpiinius. He dietl during his
prejiarations for his voyage to America. Itev.
.\ndreas llessilius and Kev. Abraham Tideii-
nius were ai>pointed by the Bishop of Skara
to serve the congregations in America, and ar-
rived at (Jhristianahamu in ^fay, 1713. Kev.
Lawrence (iirelius Avas pa.-tor of ''Old
Swedes' " Ohurcli during the war of the
Kevulution, and was dispossessed of his clnirch
projjcrty during August and September, 1777,
the year of the disastrous battle of the Brandy-
wine, by two companies of British soldiers,
who took up quarters there. The priest was
evidently an American patriot, as the records
of the church show that it required an order
from Colonel !^^eL)onal<l, commandant of the
trooi)s, to get him to conduct a service for the
soldiers.
Kev. Lawrence (Iirelius was the last of the
Swedish ))astors of "Old Swedes'." lie was
recalled to Sweden in 1780. On his recall
the vestry of the church petitioned the King
of Sweden to send them an English sjteaking
pastor. The increase of the luiglish sj)eaking
jiopnlation ha<l caused the drt)pping out of the
Swedish service, and the congregation was
largely composed of English Churchmen;
thei'e being no church of the Church of Eng-
land nearer than Xew Castle, the churchmen
had turned to the Swei^ish Lutherans, because
of the similarity of their Protestant creed
and of the st^rvices. During the latter ])art
of the Kev. ,Mr. (iir(dius' pastorate, Holy
Trinity ]iarish was rapiilly beconnug a Church
of England ])arish.
Upon the close of the war of Independ-
ence, and the fidl evolution of a state and na-
tional government, the vestry of the idiundi
sought to settle .some \exing questions relating
to the chureh ju'opcrty by Ijecoming Incor-
]iorated under the laws of the State of Dela-
ware, and the (diui'ch ceased to be a Swedish
parisli; and, although nominally so during
the transition ))eriod, "'Old Swedes' " was
never really a C'hurch of England ])arish. It
was one of the earliest ]")arishes of the Ameri-
can Pi-otestant E]')i.scopal Church.
After the incor]ioration of the vestry under
the laws of Delaware, the vestry called Kev.
William Pi-ice, of ]\rilford, a Clmrch of Eng-
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54
BlOGIiArillCAL KNCYCLOrKlilA
land clergyman, to llie pastorate of tlie cliiircli
and ho became tlie first English rector of "Old
Swedes'."
Thus was the ancient Swedish Lutheran
Church transformed into an Auieriran Pro-
testant Episcopal Church.
'Jhc congregation of Holy 'i'rinity Church
had at one time almost deserted the old build-
ing. They built a church at the corner of
Fifth and King streets, Wilmington, in 18-10.
In 1SS3 they sold the King street church, or
chapel, and removed to the new chapel on
Adams street near Delaware avenue, and later
into tlie splendid edirice at Delaware avenue
and Adams street, which is tlie sixth ehm-ch
building erected by the congregation of Holy
Trinity, or "Old Swedes'," ]>arish since its
founding, two hundred and sixtv vcars ago —
in 1(j38.
There are very few other remains of the
Swedish colonists' biiilding left in AVilming-
ton. There are several houses at the \\\iliiut
street end of Spring alley, which are said to
be of Swedish origin. A very tall brick
structure, for those days, formerly stood at
the French street end of Spring alley, which
Avas said to have been erected by Ivev. Law-
rence Girclius as a residence. It was torn
down a few years ago to make room for a new
building.
What is believed to have been the last of
the Swedish frame houses in "Wilmington, was
for many j'cars a quaint old landmark on
French street above Front, wliere the police
patrol stable is now situated. A part of tliis
ancient liuilding is eml)raced in the structure
now \ised for ]iolice purposes. No stranger,
without being informed of the fact, would
suspect for a moment that the history of the
old structure dates back to Swedish davs.
Delaware To-Dav.
Although it was not intended in this intro-
ductory chapter to give a detailed and exhaus-
tive history of the State, it was deemed best
to give a pretty full account of the struggles
of the Swedes and the Dutch for possession
on the "South "River," as the latter called the
Delaware. This has been done, and it now
remains to glance hurriedly at the State and
her three counties as they e.xist to-day.
Delaware was one of the original thirteen
States when the compact was formed, and
she is next to the smallest in area of all the
States that exist to-day. Owing to the lack
of a careful oHicial survey, there is a contlict
of opinion as to the uundier of square miles
the State contains. Some wi-iters jdace the
munber at !2,0O2.G; others at i',l(;o. From
north to- south the State is uinety-tivc miles in
length. The width at the extreme southern
lioundary is thirty-rive miles. At Cape Ilen-
lopen, however, it is only tweuty-rive miles
wide, and it diminishes by the water Wuc of
the bay, until at Ked Lion Creek, in Xew
Castle county, it is only ten mile.-, while its
northern end is twelve miles, caused by the
radius of the twelve miles' circle. The line
whicli se])arates Delaware from [Maryland
starts at the Atlantic Ocean, and after run-
ning duo west for thirty-four miles, turns at
right angles due north to the tangental point
on the New Castle circle. This boundary
line, as has been stated, was run l)y Charles
^fasoTi and Jeremiah Dixon, in 1763. They
were English mathematicians and surveyors,
and were sent here from England for that
jiurpose.
Delaware is situated between 38° 28' and
30° 47' of north latitude, and between 74°
SO' and 7r)° 40' of longitude west from
(ireenwich. It is bounded on the north by
Peun.sylvania, the Delaware River and Ray;
.south by the State of IlLiryland; east by the
Delaware IJiver and Bay, from a point twent}'-
fonr miles from its northern boundary by a
line of low water mark on the Jersey shore;
thence to the radius of twelve miles north of
New Castle; on the west by Pennsylvania and
^laryland to the ]icriphery of the circle
drawn in a radius of twelve miles from the
coiu't hotise at the center of the town of New
Castle, eomniencing at low water mark on the
shore of New Jersey , north of New Castle,
thence extending over the Delaware river and
following its circumference until it again
touches the shore of that state south of its
railius of twelve miles from New Castle. Sole
jurisdiction is given Delaware over the Dela-
ware ]\ivcr and Bay by this circular line of
bomidarv, from low water mark on the Jersey
Shore, about a mile north of the mouth of
Naaman's C^reek on the Delaware state side,
for twenty-four miles southward, nearly to
where Silver C"!reek entei's the river.
Within this circular boundarj' are one or
two ishiTuls, on one of ivhich Fort Delaware
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STATE OF Dl'JLAMAIlE
is situated. The jurisdiction of the state be-
low the circde extcuds to a line running down
the middle I'f the Dcdawaro Lay as far as Cape
JleiditjHi]; thence ahjng the Atlantic Ocean
to I'cnwick's island in about '2i>^ '20' iiurtli
latitude. Looking at the little state on the
map it presents the appearance of a notch cut
iu the SuUe of ]Mary]and. These pecidiar
lines, the reader will bear in mind, were the
result of the long and acrimonious ipiarr.'l
between Lord Laltimore and William Penn,
and their heirs, for more than a. hundred
years, regarding the right of possession of cer-
tain territory in their grants.
'J'he story of Delaware, therefore, is a pe-
culiar one when viewed in all its aspects. Its
earlj' discovery and settlement; the struggle
of its first settlers with the barbarians who in-
habited its territory; the contrast and blend-
ing of two races who sought a foothold on its
shores; the transfer of old institutions to build
up a new civilization; the intermingling of
discordant adventurers; the progress of com-
merce, having its beginning in a rude whaling
enterprise; the establishment of churches
and schools, the former of which still e.xist as
a relic of the first colonists; the develop-
ment of the principles of self-government
from within and the active encroachment and
conquest from without; the relations of Dela-
ware with the Swedes, under the auspices <>i
the famous Gustavns Adolphus, tlie Dutch of
Holland, Great Britain, and the Quakers un-
der the pjroprietary direction of the immortal
William Penn. All these phases of Delaware
history present picturesqtie scenes from real
life, and afford the most instructive studies in
national and personal character. The trials
and vicissitudes of the early settlers were
great, but at every period in their history
they M'cre first in patriotism, and among the
earliest in every movement related to national
defense and the establishment of a free and
indej)cndent government. The "three lower
comities" were re])resented in the Continen-
tal Congress, which met at Philadelphia, Sep-
tember 5, 1774, to consider the momentous
questions which resulted in the adojition of
the immortal Declaration of Tndejiendence
less than two years afterwards. She was the
first of the thirteen states to ratify the Con-
stitution of the infant Pepublie. The position
of Delaware has always commanded resjurt,
and her integrity has never been questioned.
Ifer statesmen and herues have been among
the ablest known to our history, and their
abilities anil deeds have been of such a bril-
liant character as to c<jmmand the admiration
of all wlio lo\-e liiierly and admire lienor and
integrity.
TuE Tiii{];e Counties.
Delaware is divided into three political
divisions or counties, New Castle, Kent and
Sussex, running south in the order iu
wlijch they are named. The total popula-
tion of the three counties, according to the
census of IcSbO, was 130,608; in 18U0 the
same authority gave them a total of 108,49.'],
an increase in ten years of 31,885. At the
same rate of increase the pojjulation of tlie
State must now exceed 195,000.
Xew Castle county, wliich occupies the
northern end of tlie State, first assumed its
boundaries in 1GT3. In that year the court
defined its territory as lying north of the
"Stecn Ivill," or Stony Creek, now at Quarry-
villc. The first courts under English au-
thority were held at New Castle, which not
only served for many years as the capital of
the State, but was the county seat until 1880,
when a magnificent court house was built and
occupied in the city of Wilmington, costing,
inchuling the ground, $112,005.3:!; to this
building the records were removed, and in it
the courts have since been held. The move-
ment to change the seat of justice to Wilming-
ton was a source of jioHtieal contention for
many yeai-s. 'J'he old court house in Xew
Castle still stands, gray and time stained, a
sacred relic of colonial daj's. Adjoining it is
a substantial stone prison. The court house
and jail are about six miles ai)art, and they
are connected l>y trolley cars. Criminals,
therefore, are tried, convicted and sentenced
in Wilmington, and serve tlicir sentences in
Xew Castle.
The reader can form some i<h'n of tlie early
wildness of the country where Wilmington
now stands when informed that in 1070
wolves were so jdentiful that the rmirt made
an order offering "40 gilders" for each wolf
head brought iu. This order not bringing
about the destruction of these jicsts as rapidly
as was desired, tlic court, on the .">lh of .Tan-
nary, 1077, onlcre<l that the inhabitants
"erect fifty wolf ]iitts along llie .Ntn^aiiis by
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50
BIOGRAPHICAL EXCYCIAJPEDI A
ilay 1st, under a furfeiture of To yildci^."'
If wild animals were so abundant then, what
luii-t liavc been the condition when the
Swede-, came in 1G38?
'Ilic jihrase, "Eastern Shore,'' then re-
feri'ed ti.i a part of Xew- Jersey, wliirli was
suppesed to be a part of Delaware. In cuurse
of time it was applied to that jiart of ^laryland
lying on the eastern side of Chesajjeake Hay.
.V division of the county into assessment dis-
tricts was made in 1077, soon after the setting
oti'iif tliccounty, and they were the embryos of
what afterwards became liundreds. Concern-
ing tile origin of this term Vincent (p. 14j says
they are the old luiglish method of sidj-divi-
sions of counties. "They were sup])osed to
liavc originated with King Alfred who ruled
England, A. I). 877. But they are now
known to have existed before liis time. Tlie
name is believed to be of Swedish origin. It
was used in England to designate a si'ttlement
of one hundred persons or families. Througli
the Swedes in Delaware it was introd\ice<l
here, and is used to this day to desigmite the
siib-division of a county into what are known
in other states as townships. Delaware is tin;
only state in the United States in which the
term is used in ])lace of townships. .\nd hav-
ing been in use for more than a century and a
half it is not likely that the term will soon be
abandoned. Xew Castle county now has the
following hundreds: Brandy wine, Christiana,
:\lill Creek, White Clay Creek, ]S;cw Castle,
I'eucader, Red Lion, St. George's, Appoquin-
imink, Elackbird, ten in all, outside of Wil-
nungton, which is a district by itself. Wil-
mington is di\ided into five legislative dis-
tricts. Outside of the eity, each hundred is a
legislative district, so tliat New Castle county
has tifteen members of the TToiisc of Tieiire-
sentatives, and seven senators. According to
the census of 1800 New Castle county had a
po])nlation of 97,182, but it now exeeeeds
100,000 by several thousands. The same au-
thority gave "Wilmington 01,431, but it now
exceeds 70,000. The city has an area of 10.18
square miles and 93.30 miles of streets; 91.15
miles of water pipes, and 54 miles of sewers.
It has 25 miles of electric street railways, and
the service, for comfort and convenience, can-
not be excelled. There are Gl miles of gas
pijio, 10 parks and o])en places for recreation
with an area of 254 acres.
'i'iie total bonded in<lel)teilness of tiie citv
on the 1st of duly, 1S97, was $2,018,700
Total assessment f.'.r lS9?was $39,190,237.
City tax rate, $1.40 per $100; county, OO cents
per $100. The estinuited income for the year
was $157,2.")7. .">(>. '{"lie city is divided iuto
twelve wards.
AVilmiiigt(Hi enjoys an abundance of pur
water, mostly supidied from the Brandywin •
Creek. The pumping caiiacity per day Is
20,000,000 gallons, and the daily consumption
averages (1,000,000 gallons. The receipts from
water rents last year amounted to $ltir>,-
407. 05. It has a tire alarm and i)ulice tele-
graph system, eighty-one police officers, nine
lire and four military conq)anies.
Careful attention is given to education in
Wilmington. The eity has twenty-eight pub-
lie schools, about 10,000 scholars and 230
teachers; one commercial college and ^evel•al
[irivate educational institutions.
Wilmington is the largest and the second
oldest town in the state. Since 1880 it has
been the seat of justice of Xew Castle county,
the county courts being held in February,
-May, September and Xovendjcr. It is also the
i-eat of the Federal Courts for the District of
Dcdaware, and has a hanilsonie stone Federal
building wdiich cost $250,000. The postoHiee
occnjiies part of this buihling.
Wilmington has one state and five nation-
al banks, two savings banks and six loan asso-
ciations. The clearings of the six banks aggre-
aa1ed $34,557,570 for the year ended Seiiteni-
i.er 30, 1N97. The city is noted as a mauufac-
turing centre, Its princijial industries being
ship-bnilding, morocco dressing, the eon^true-
tion of railroad eai-s, and iron working, 'i'he
Dupont powder works, wlii(di rank among the
largest in the world, are in the vicinity of this
city. During the war with Spain they were
guarded by several military conqianies as a
protection against incendiaries. ln\-ostments
in manufactures aggregate $14,000,00!;
value of prodticts, including custom work and
repairing, $25,000,000; value of material
used, $14,000,000; employees, 14,000; wages,
$8,000,000.
The city has four water transportation lines,
and four steam railway lines, the latter being
the Philadelphia, AVilmington and Baltimore
Ivailroad, the Delaware Kailroad, the Haiti-
more and Ohio Kailroad and the AVilmington
and Xorthern Bailroad.
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STATE OF J )J: LAW .[]!!■:
o7
'i'wo lii^-tiiric stiTuius of water pass tlirmi^!!
the eiiy. Tlie CliiiBtiaiia C'ruek (or river), is
iiavigaLiie for sliipiiiiig. It was uaiiied in honor
of Ciiristiua, the young (^uccn of yweilen, by
tho Swedes wlieu they settled on its banks in
H)'<ib. Tiie river, the Brandy wine, unites its
waters with the Christina in the eity. On its
banks,a few miles north of the city, was fouglit
the famous battle of Brandywiue in Sejitem-
ber, 1777. Aeeurding to Ferris (p. I'JCj it ob
tained its name in this way: Originally it was
called Fishkill by the Swedes, but during the
i)uich oi'ciii)atiun in 1655 a vessel laden with
bi^nuly was sunk near its mouth, in the
iJuteh language it was then called "l>rand-
wijn," which was corrui)ted into lirandywine.
The city maintains the Wilmington Insti-
tute Free Library, which has become an ex-
ceedingly jiopular and valuable educational
factor, .y ready it numbers over 30,000 vcd-
umcs. In its reference department it is well
su])plied with valuable books, and the facility
they afford pupils in the high school for accjuir-
ing information, is attested by the large nuni-
bers that consult them dail}'. So great has the
public demand for access to the library be-
come, that it has been found necessary to keep
it open from 8.30 a. m., to 10 p. m. Jlr. Wil-
lis F. Sewall is the efficient librarian
The Delaware Historical Society is another
institution that is doing a great deal of good in
the way df preserving state and local history,
and putting it in form for easy reference. Its
collections embrace much that is curious and
valuaiile, in books, papers and relics. The
SiM-icty occupies the original Presbyterian
( linnli building Mhich was erected in 1740.
It presents a (piaint, unicpie appearance, and is
singularly ai)pro])riate to the purpose for which
it is now used. Henry (J. Conrad, Esq., the li-
brarian, is a man peculiarly fitted by taste as
Well as acquirements for the jiositiou, and
under his direction the Societ}' is in a flour-
isliing condition.
Wilmington has sixty-nine churches, mis-
sions and meeting houses, many of which are
elegant and imjw.sing structures; and so far
a., quaintness and histoi'ic a.ssociations ai'e con-
cerned, "Old Swedes'" stands without a rival.
The (it v is not lacking in charities, ft has an
-Associated Charities, two hospitals, a bahv
hospital and homes for aged women, fi-ichd
less children, aged colored pcreons and colond
(.rjjhans, ami an industrial school for giijs.
There are two tine theatres, and several audi-
toriums, and 14U beneUcial societies.
'I here i> some doubt as to the true (jrigin
of the name, Wilmington. History informs
us that in 1731 Thomas Willing became inter-
ested in the improvement of a tract of land
which he owned, and which lay between what
afterwards became We.-.t, Fiencli, Water an,i
Fourth streets. Jle laid out a few lots here
and sold them, and in a short time a settlement
grew up which was nicknamed "Willing's
Town." Another account sa^-s that in the lat-
ter ]iart of the year 1726 Thonms Willing mar-
ried Catharine, eldest daughter of Andrew
.lustison, i)robably a Swede. In 1727, Justi-
bon purchased a plantation lying on tln' ( 'hris-
tiana. lie assigned the same in 1731 to Wil-
ling, who laid out some lots after the plan of
Philadelphia. Willing having soon after that
failed in busincs.s, the governor, in granting
a charter for the town in 173!), nauieil it Wil-
mington, in honor of the Flarl of Wilmington,
who was esteemed a jierscm of great worth,
ability and integrity, and had held a nundier
of iiilices of responsibility in l']iiglan<l. He
died unmarried in July, 17-13. It is therefore
quite probable that Wilmingt(m was nanu^d in
his honor; and the heretofore accepted idea
that the name was merely a corriqition of
"Willing Town." is thus shown to be incor-
rect.
The settlement grew slowly until William
Shipley, M'ith a number of Friends, came to
its aid, and advanced its interests until it
grew into a ])rosperous borough. It Avas in-
corporated by act of tfie Legislature in 1832,
under the name of "The City of Wilmington."
Xew Castle has borne more names than any
other town in the Fnited States. A few
Swedes .settled there in 1038, and by them it
was called Xew Stockholm. The Dutch built
Fort Cassimer in 1051, and called the town
Sandhoec and Xew Amstel. Afterwards the
Swe.hs (see Life of Ceorge Read, p. 53) called
it drape Wine P..inf, ami in 1075 it was
known as Delaware T(iwn. The English,
however, named it Xew Castle, and that title
became permanent, it is the second largest
town in the state, and it eaily entertained
great exqiectations. Laid out in 1 (155, and long
the seat f/f go\( mors, it naturally expected to
liecame a ]ilace of note. ]\rany men of emi-
nence and liigh standing as lawyers, judges and
clergymen, have liv<'d ami di(Ml (here, 'i'liero
i al Kifi'i'
I 'l'liij;iv<.ii
ii'i -I I.
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58
BIOGUA PIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tlic Assembly in tlie days of tlic elder reiin
met to frame laws, there important transac-
tions took i)lace between leading men relating'
to the political destines of the J'roviiu^e, and
for many yeiu's it was the .Micca, so U> speak,
whither all eyes were directeil wlien (piestions
of moment were under consideration.
. 'J'he iirst lawyer of ])elaware was admitted
to practice in the Conrt at New Castle Novem-
lier 7, 107G. The records show the following
curious entry: "Upon the petition of Thomas
Spry, desiring that he be admitted to jilcad
some people's cases in C^ourt The AVorshij)-
ful Court have granted him Leave so Long
as the Petitioner Behaves himself well and
carrys himself answcralile thereto." Whether
S\y. Spry conducted himself in accordance
with the order of the Court history fails to in-
forms us. The ancient court house, with the
additions made to it from time to time, still
stands as a curious relic of colonial times.
Trolley cars now sweep around it, and strang-
ers look upon it with deep interest when in-
formed that it was the early temple of jiistice
in Delaware.
Before Philadelphia was founded, Xew Cas-
tle was the most important port on the Dela-
ware rivei', and there ships generally came to
anchor to report for orders. During the
Scotch-Irish immigration the majority of
these innuigrants landed here, ami from this
jioint thousands of them made their way by
land up throtigli the Chester Valley to the
Susquelianna and points beyond. .Many, too,
remained in the state an<l bccanut valualilc
settlers. When the struggle for liberty came
they were among the first to manifest their
patriotism, not only here, but elsewhere, and
as a race they became a ])owerful factor in
nniking independence possible. The first ])re^-
ident of Delaware in 1776 was a sturdy
Scotch-Trishman, and as long as the Tvei)\ib]ic
lasts the name of Dr. John ^TcKinly will be
honored by every true son of Delaware. Ui^
patriotism cost him much suffereing an<l loss,
but he never wavered; he liveil to see the flag
of liliertv w-ave triumiihantly throughout the
land, and died one of tlie most respected and
honored of men.
A majority of those Rcotch-Trish ininii
crants were Presbyterians, and they success-
ftiUv ]ilanted the doctrines of that church in
the land of their adojjtion. Tt was ihrougii
them that the Presbytery of New Ca-ilc w.is
lonnded, and by that body many young men
were ordained and sent forth to preach the
doctrines of tlie Presbyterian Church.
Tet, with all the Haltering i)rospeets and
bnght anii.-ipations of its pcojilo. New
< aMh. eiiy never attained the greatness
aiid distinction that were expected. Piiil-
adel]ihia became the metrouolis on the
Delaware, \Viliiiins.t,,n outstripped it in
the race,^ and it settled down to quiet
re;t, as it were, satislied tliat its race was
run and its destiny fultillcd. And now, over
two hundred and forty years old, the entire
population of New Castle hundred is only
about 0,000, and out of this number a little
over 4,000 belongs to the city. Its quiet
streets, antiquated buildings, and air of repose
indicate its great age. A few manufacturing
industries have been founded within recent
years, but they have not been sufficient to im-
part of that degree of activity required to in-
fuse new life into the communitv.
Kent Coc.vtv.
Ne.xt ill order as we move down the penin-
sula comes the County of Kent. It is the mid-
dle one of the tier. Originally it formed a
part of the 'Tloorn Kill" district, and became
ill! independent territory under the name of
St. Jones' County in ItiSO, and until Dover
was laid out there was not a village of any im-
portance within its borders. It was little bet-
ter than a wild. When it was changed to
Kent county is not certainly known, but it was
probably done when, in November, 1G82, Wil-
liam Penn summoned the magistrates of St.
Jones and "Iloorn Kill" to meet him at New
Castle, in order to confer regarding the con
<lition of the people ami tiie territorv. In
l<i>s;'., the year after this meeting, Penn or-
dered Trover to be laid out. T]\q Ceneral As-
sembly, sitting at New Ca.stle, pas.se.l a bill
nuikjng Do\-er the State Capital IMav ] l\
1(77, and it has so continueil to the jiresent
time.
Dover is beautifully situated on a rich al-
luvial ].laiii, at the head of ti.le on St. Jones'
Creek, six miles west of Delaware Bav, thirtv-
si.x north from (Vorgetown, the conntv .seat
of Sussex county, and fortv-five south oif Wil-
niin-fon. It was foiinde,! .soon after the ar-
fival of AVilliam Pom,, bv English .settlers
who were attracted thither by the beauty and
Icrtibtv of (]„. land, an.l the ea.sy means of
;i ■■■,111
STATE OF DELAWARE
59
foiiinmiiii-iititin witli tlie bay \\a hJt. Junes'
L'ruuk, wliii-li is nmigablc IVir ^^iiiall VL-osels.
Kiiil rdiihty L-uiitaiiis' IJ1;5 square miles and is
(Ji\iiied intu nine lumdreds, viz: Duek Creek,
J-ittle Creek, ]\enton, "West Dover, Kast
Dover, ^Surtii .Munlerkili, South ^\rnr(lerkill,
'J'iie euunfy is apportioned into ten liepre-
sentative and five Senatorial distriets. Ae-
cording to tiic census of ISDO Dover had a
jiopnhition of 3,0(51. Tlie number has some-
what increased since that time. The country
surrounding Dover is higlily cuhivated and
yields hixuriant crops. 'J'he surface is rolling
and presents a cinu-ming appearance, 'i'hcre
are many handsome residences in the town,
which betoken wealth and culture on the part
of their owners. The public buildings are
jilain modern brick structures, facing the
scpiare. As the House of Representatives con-
sists of only thirty-five members, a large liall
is not required for their accommodation. Tlie
Senate is composed of seventeen membei-s,
(•(insequently a small chamber suffices. The
executive and other departments are in the
same building, and are conveniently arranged
f(ir the transaction of public business. The
State Library, which contains a very f)ill col-
lection of the laws, is convenient of access. In
addition to legal books and general litera-
tui-e, its unique treasure is a copy of one of the
earliest ]iriiU(d Bibles known to be in exist-
ence. This precious volume is, by direction
of the Legislature, securely jjreserved in a
glass case. A free circulating library, \\\'\\
su])plied with books, is kept in a room over the
]i()st oftice, and is open to the public t\v<i days
in the week.
Dover is easy of access by railroad. AVhen
its age and beauty of situation are considered,
the wonder is that it has not attained greater
^ize. IIowc\er, there is an air of quiet dig-
nity about the place which favorably im-
|jresses visitors, and on every hand there are
exidences of refinement and culture, such as
ale not fiiund in every state capital. Beauti-
fully sl'iaded streets are inviting for drives in
sunniier time. Churches and s<-hools betoken
the good character of the inhabitants. In the
cemeteries repose the remains of many men
who were eminent as statesmen and divines,
and their >tatcly mounments show that their
nieiiiorie> have been sacredly preserved by
tlio-e will) came after them.
^lispillion Creek, which is the dividing line
between Kent and Susse.K counties, also runs
through the borough of Milford, a small por-
tion of which is thrown into Sussex county.
The ^Iispiili(jn is a stream of some magnitude
and is navigable for several miles lor small
boats.
The borough of .Milford was settled at an
early date and many men of enunenco have
lived within its bordei's. The rennuns of sev-
eral governors of the state lie in its ceme-
teries. It is pleasantly situated and contains
many comfortable private residences which
gi\i' e\idence of the refined taste of their
owners. 'Jliere is one national bank, which
does a thriving business. ?iIilford, according
to the census of ISOO, had 1,-J20 inhabitants;
but this does not do full justice to the town, as
a jjortion of the population is absorbed by Sus-
sex c(ninty. There are several jiretty villages
in the countv, wliich has a po])ulation of over
33,000.
Sussex County.
Sussex, which is the largest in territory of
the three counties, contains 'JC5 square miles,
and a population of nearly 30, 000. It is
bounded north by Kent county and Delaware
Bay, south by Maryland, east by Delaware
Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and west by
^laryland. It is hard to determine the exact
date of the creation of Sussex county. \t& ter-
ritory originally belonged to "Iloorn Kill,"
and more by i)0]ndar consent than by official
enactment "Iloorn Kill" (now Lewes) was
recognized as the seat of justice from the es-
taldishnieut of a trading post there in 1658
until Georgetown was settled. As the terri-
tory was large, and there were few roads, the
town coidd be reached only by water. This
was inconvenient for many of the inhabitants,
and they comjdained. At the meeting of
Wiliam Penn with the magistrates of "Iloorn
Kill" and St. .Tones' county, already referred
to. in November, 1082, the name of the county
was changed to Sussex. The county seat, how-
ever, remained at "Iloorn Kill" until 1791,
when Ocorgetowai was selected and thither
tlie recorils were removed. It has continued
to be the county seat until the present time.
The town is small, containing only about 1,500
inliabitants, but it is pleasantly situated and is
i-cached bv a branch of the Delaware Kailroad.
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CO
BlOaUArillCAL EXCYGLOrEDlA
SusafX, uf course, takes its iiaiiiu truui Sus-
sex in England. William Tenu had a wann
side for tlie land whence he eanie, and took
jdeasure, like the English innuigrant-s gener-
ally, in periietuatiug many of the names he
loved, in this country. I'enn was a thorough
Englishman and staunchly upheld the cus-
toms of own country.
Sussex county, like the other two counties,
is subdivided into hundreds. They bear the
following names: Cedar Creek, Nauticoke,
IJroad Creek, Little Creek, Uagsboro, (Jum-
boru, Baltimore, Indian Kiver, Ceorgetown,
IJroadkiln, Lewes and Kohoboth, Sealord
The county is divided into ten legislative and
live senatorial districts.
As a general rule the soil of Sussex is sandy,
and to bring it up to a good agricultural con-
dition much hard work and a liberal use ot
fcrtiliiccrs are required. Peacli raising is an
extensive business, and some kinds of vege-
tables are successfully cultivated. That the
ocean once swept over this as well as adjoin-
ing counties, is the opinion of geologists, and
when the waters receded they left deposits of
sand.
Peculiar distinction is conferred on busscx
county by the fact that the first European
settlement in the state was made, as has been
shown, at what is now known as Lewes.
A visit to this quaint old town is not with-
out interest to the curious, and those who have
a taste for antiquarian research. An odd lit-
tle brick building, nearly square, standing on
one of the principal streets, is pointed out as
the "gaol" where justice was administered
to criminals wlien the Court sat here many,
many yeai-s ago. It is now used f(jr commer-
cial piirposes. During the war of IS 12, Brit-
ish war vessels infested the buy and made
themselves a terror to the inhaljitants of the
town. On one occasion they bombarded it,
and two or three buildings are pointed out that
were damaged by cannon balls. A story is
still told that during the boinliardment a citi-
zen bearing a white flag crossed the meadows
and informed the eommaiuling oftieer that if
he wished to do more execution he should ele-
vate his guns. Thinking that he was a lory,
the othcer acted on his advice, and tlie result
was that nearly all the balls went over tlu^
town and landed in a ])ond in the ir.ir, where
many of them were afterwards f..iiiid. The
ruse was a good one, and old residents .-till re-
late the story \\\\\\ much gleo.
There are nuuiy atiraeti\e anil pleasant
places of residence in l.ewes. J-ooking across
the wiile meadow in frt^nt of the town, y(ni
will ?ee the hlue walei-.i of tin- jjay, ;iud far-
ther in tlie di.-lance llie white eap^ of the At-
lantic. 'I he great Delaware Lreak waler, liuilt
as a proteeliun for \es-els from severe storms,
is an immense sea wall. ..\s early as lM.'2
Congress appropriated !t^L'i!,70U for erecting
two piers. Sur\(_'ys were made by engineers,
and the Work commenced. Little, hoWe\t'r,
was dune towards pushing the work, and it
languished until ISi^S, when Congress appro-
priated !i;2.")U,0UO to carry it into effect. Eroui
that time, the work was carried on with vigor,
until millions of tons of stone had heen placed
there, an<l millions of dollars exiieiided in
comi)leting this great protection to commerce.
Lehind this sheltering wall, vessels may ride
in safety when the storm king sweeps over the
sea. The Cape Ilenlopen light house risis
to a height of 140 feet above the water and
serves as a guide to mariners seeking safety
within the Lrcakwatcr.
Looking across the meadows in the direc-
tion of the light house, the curious spectacle
of an immense sand dune meets the eye. Here
the wind has reared a mountain of sand whi<di
has buried a forest of scrubby pines, leaving
only the tops of the trees projecting. Spots
of evergreen in a round, hard packed iiioun-
tain of glistening sand, present a strange sight ;
yet in some future freak of the wind, it may
remove this colossal dune and rebuild it some-
where else.
.Many jiilots, who comluct vessels into the
bav, and up as far as Philadelphia and retiirn
\\w\\\ to the sea, reside in Lewes in cosy cot-
tages, and a portion of the place is called
"Pilot Town." They arc ever on the ahrt
for vessels, to meet which their tug goes far
out to sea: at night its brilliant seanh light
iiiav he -cell sw<'e|iing the horizon for a sad.
i'he population of l.ewes slightly exceeds
:',,00(l. It is n.it likely that it will grow very
rajii'llv, but it will ever remain an important
HKirine station on the bav. It has a brau-di
,,f the Drkiware Kailroad, and the Queen
Auiu^has reeentlv been operated from a point
in Marvland to the pla-e. The town therefore
is in easy e..ninnuiieation with the outer world
l,v two routes.
■ Much more might be written about the
State, its many prcttv little towns, its curious
ulaees of intere-t, it- ad\ance!nent in the cause
\0.-:
1 r \\j.^V M>\;^
(K'
ni. . 1. i-ii 1 (1 t >'• H' ill'.'/' .I'<i' i 4 '' M' /•>'(
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o^i^ij-/:d. ^^c^
STATE OF DELAWARE
03
of L-ducatiuii from the fuiiiuliiig of ''Dolawure
CuUege," at Newark, in 1821; its newspapers,
its liaiikinp- iii.~titiitioiis, and the great water-
way ciiniicctiiiii till' Delaware and ('lie^apeake
Lay-, V, liii li ir, destined ere many years tu be-
cunie an important sliip canal; but, as it was
stated ill tlie outset of this ehaptcr, it was not
intended^ U> attempt a ditl'iisive liistorieal
sketch, the fiiregoiiig must sutiiee. ^Much val-
uable history will be found in the chapter giv-
ing the names of all the governors from ilin-
uit to Tunncll. Nothing of the kind has evi-r
been attempted in any preceding publi<'atioii,
and it cannot fail to prove valuable for refer-
ence. 'J'lie chapter on the judiciary of the
state, condensed from Judge (irnbb's valuable
ctmtribntion to the Historical Hociety, will
show the rea<ler the many eminent lawyers
and jurists of the state has produced. And in
reading the biograjihical and genealogical
sketches of many old families gi\en
throughont the two massive volumes, no
native Delawarean can refrain from feeling
proud of his State. 'Jdiough small in territ(try,
she has been great in men. Comparatividy
speaking, no state can excel her in the pro-
duction of eminent soldiers, statesmen and
jiatriots. The name of ]\racdonough, as a
naval hero, is a flashing jewel in her crown.
And behold the liodneys, the liedfords, the
Dickinsons, and a whole line of ])atriots whose
resplendent deeds shine with a lustre that
time caniKjt efface. And for true statcsmaii-
slii]), where can a more illustrious lino bo
jiriiutod out than we find in that afforded by
the Bayards, the f'laytons and the Salisburys'?
They proudly stand as the intellectual giants
of Delaware.
We can close this tribute to the "little
State," Avith nothing more appropriate in
words and sentiment, than the poem entitled
"Our Delaware," composed and dedicated to
"The Sons of Delaware," by Joshua Pusey,
and sung to the air of "!My Maryland":
1
Our little State of Delawai-cj,
Delaware, our Delaware !
Now, brothers all, let rn)ne forbear !
Sitif^, '"Delaware, our Delaware '"
Proud ortspring of the azure bird.
With swelling' tones our hearts bo stirred,
And loud our praiseful song be heard :
"Delaware, our Delaware !''
Our beloved State of Delaware,
Delaware, our Delaware !
Can she be equalled any where V
Delaware, our Delaware I
Pill liitrh the cup with diaught divine,
Not potion brought from forei;;n clime
But dei'piy drink old liraruly wiiu-
To Delaware, our Dciawai-e !
Our knit^htly State of Delaware,
Delaware, our Delaware !
Of courtly men and ladies fair
lieyond compare — our Delaware
Where love on beauty ever waits,
Where brother help ne'er hesitates —
The diiunond in thi; crown of States I
Delaware, our Djlaware I
Our precious State of Delaware,
Di'laware, our Delaware !
Her fields nor gold nor silver bear,
Delaware, our Delawai-e 1
But flower and peach and golden corn
O'ertlowing I'lenty's bounteous horn.
Are jewels "to the manor born"
In Delaware, our Delaware 1
Our glorious State of Delaware,
Delaware, our Delaware !
Of Rodney, Clayton, Hayard rare,
Delaware, our D.Unvare 1
A land of true historic pride,
-V land where heroes liv,_-d and died.
Their Country loved, her foes defied —
Delaware, our Delaware !
Our free born State of Delaware,
Delaware, our Delaware !
She's ever loved sweet Freedom's air,
Delaware, our Delaware !
Since Swedish tongue her land bespoke
Since Holland's guns her echoes woke.
Since came Britannia's hearts of oak-
Delaware, our Delaware !
Our noble State of Delaware,
Delaware, our Delaware I
Our thoughts are ever turning there.
To Delaware, dear Delaware !
Where men are of heroic mould,
Where duty leads— not sinful gold,
Where mem'ries cluster 'round the old.
In Delaware, our Delaware I
Our loyal Sla;e of Delaware,
Delaware, our Delaware I
Thy watch- word be : "To do and dare.
Delaware, our Delaware I
Or gentle peace be evei-more,
Or Honor loose the dogs of war,
Let manly virtues guui-d thy door,
Delaware, our D.-laware I
Our little State of Delaware,
Delaware, our Delaware 1
O God 1 forever be Thy care,
Delaware, our Delaware !
From good old Sussex' farthest lea.
From bi-ight Henlopcn's sparkling s
To the arch of her north boundary,
Delaware, our Delawai-e I
V .t, I
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64
i;i()(;i;.\pnic.\L kscycloj'edia
Governors ok Dioi.awakk.
Although small in extent and population,
when eonipared with some of the great States
of this Union, Delaware has had a long lint:
of governors sinee the first settlement of white
mill was made within her territory, and many
of them have been noted for their ability and
high attainments in eivil and military life.
In lt;()7, J. Henry Kogers, Estp, of New
Cattle, eompiled and printed a list of the gov-
ernors of the State from 1027 to 18G7, cui-
braeing a period of two hundred and forty
years. In order to give the dates of serviee
correctly he devoted much earc to the pre])ara-
tion of this list, e<i[)ie.s of whieh are now hard
to obtain. His dates during that long jjeriod
will in this chapter be followed in their chron-
ological order but in addition to the time of
service of each governor a brief biographical
sketch will be given, which, it is believed, will
nnike the comiiilation more valuable to tin.'
general reader, as well as greatly facilitate the
work of any one who may be searching f(jr in-
foi'mation relating to any particular official.
Nothing of the kind has been given in any
history of Delaware heretofore printed.
J'eter IMinuit is generally regarded by his-
torical writers as the first legitimate gover-
nor of the settlements on the Delaware. His
claim is based on the fact that on the 1st of
^lay, 1(')27, (iustavus Adoljihus, in granting
the cliarter for the Swedish West India Com-
pany, said it should be considt-red as com-
Jiii'ncing on that date; when in fact it was
date.l at Stockholm June 14, liiL>(), but di<l
not become operative till over one year later.
In the meantime Peter Minnit appears on
the stage of action. He was a native of Wcsel,
l^henish Prussia, where he was born about
15S0. "When a young man he removed to
Holland, where he resided for several years.
On the liith of December, 1()2."), he was ap-
jiointed by the Dutch AVest India Company its
«lirector in the Xew Xetherlands. The com-
])any gave him enlarged jxiwers, so that he
may very ])roi)er]y be called the tirst governor
of -Vew Xetherlanils. He sailed from Amster-
dam, landed on Manhattan Island ^^lay 4,
ICiiT), and purchased it from the Indians for
trinkets that were valued at about pH. Ow-
ing to some difficulty which soon afterwards
arose with the home govcruunnl he was re-
called. Til the conr-c of ii few vrars he of-
fered his services to the Swedes and Finns,
was acce[)ted, and sailed for Delaware Bay in
\{')'61. Having maile the voyage with safety,
hi' began in .March, lO.'lS, to Iniild Fort Chris-
tina, S.I iia.nicil in ii. nor of tlic voimg daugh-
ter of (liistavus Adoli)hus, afterwards (^ih'cu
Christina. This settlement, it is claiiiU'd, was
the tirst perinanc'iil one made on thi; Delaware
river by white men, aitiiough attempts iiad
been made before at jioiuts lower down the
ri\-er.
(ireat strife ensued between the Dutch and
Swedes, and a feml existed for several years,
on account of prior possession by the Dutch.
Different parts of the present territmy on the
Delaware were held by each of those nations
till the Swedes were subdued by the Dutch
in 10,'),").
In the meantime William Kieft ( 1<)38),
had been appointed Director (ieneral of the
N^ew Xetherhinds to succeed Peter ]\Iinuit,
and he iirotested against !Minuit's settlement,
on the ground of prior possession.
SWKOISH CioVKRXOUS.
The Swedish governors may be enumer-
ated as follows: In 1G27 Peter !Minuit began
his government, was dispossessed, resumed in
ItioS, and retired in 1G40. By some writers
it is asserted that ifinuit died in, 1041 at Fort
( hristina, which he built; others declare that
he was lost in a storm at sea about this time.
The latter statement is correct. After ar-
ranging e\erything in the colony on the Dela-
■>vare he set sail for the West Indies with a
cargo of goods, to exchange for tobacco as a
valuable return cargo to Old Sweden. He was
successful, and was ready to sail for the Dela-
ware when he and the caittain of hir> ship ac-
eepted an invitation to visit a Duteh ship.
While enjoying the hospitalities t)f the Dutch
caj)tain, a violent hurricane arose and all the
vessels, to the number of twenty, in the har-
bor of St. Chri-'topher, were driven out to
SI a. All were seriously damaged and some
were never seen again, having gone to ilie bot-
;om of the sea. .\mong the latter was the
"Flying Deer," with C.overnor .Minuit and
the cajitaiu of his ship aboard.
'■Such," says Pev. Cyrus Cort. in his me-
iiKU-ial address, ''was the .-ad end and un-
linielv death of the gifted and eiiteriirising
founder of ei\il c,,\ ciaiineut on the baid-;s of
r M •- ' 1 ,
1.(1. I .< II i
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11 • ' ij
STATE OF DELAWAnE Co
liic lliid-uii ami iilao on till' banks of the Dehi- got, daugliter of John I'rintz, iuul they con-
ware; tliu pioneiT governor of C liristian eoia- liniiid to re>iile in tlie family home at Tiiii-
monwealthb in the jS^ow Worlil."' (.nm. It s-u hajniened that Printz never re-
Lieatenanl I'eter llollender, or llollen- iiirned to this i-oiintry. Jle was aj^jointed
tiaie, jiieeeeded ^Minuit, being eomniissioned i^enera! in the JSwedi-^h army, and in 1G.")S,
tiovemor of ^'e\v Sweden, and arrived wiili i^uvtrimr nf the dirtriet of Jonkoping. Jle
troll imniij;niHts on the 11th of April, IGld, died in 1(JG3, without nude issue, and the
ju^t as the.iohiny hud rcsidvcd to break \ip. family t'lided with him on the Swedish side.
Jldlkuder infused new life into the settlement His daughter, Mvi. Arniagot Papegoija, in-
and ,-erved as governor from 1(340 to Kill'. hciitcd the estate on Tinicum, and lived there
Karly writers reiH'csent him as a native Swede tor some time; she, too, finally returned to
;ind a knight, but no mention is nuide of his Sweden whither her Imsband preeeded her.
iirlli and parentage, lie returned home to John Claudius Rising was appointed the
Swi den, and was a major in the military ser- suceessor of J'rintz in 1054. lie administered
vire at Siorkholm in the year 10,15. Time the alYairs (d' the enlony until 1055, when the
iind plaec of death unknown. Dutch from .Manhattan, under Stnyvesant,
John I'rintz, governor from 104:5 to 1054, ( ajiHired the forts on the Delaware, took Ris-
was a rennn-kable man. He was blutf and iiig ]irisoner ami sent him home. His history
irascible. His Dutch contemporary, De Vries, after his departure is obscure.
describes him as "C'aiJtain Printz, who weighs
four hundred jxiunds and drinks three horns
at every meal " I le was born in Sweden about j)^,^^,„ Oovkhnors.
10(111 and ,lied 111 1003. After well directed
stiKlies in home and foreign universities, ho In 1029 "Walter Van Twiller was appointed
iiiiind his attention to niilitar}' life and rose governor of New Amsterdam and of the set-
therein, during the Prussian and (ierman tlements on the Delaware. In lOLiS he was
^^ar, until, in the year 103S, he became lieu- succeeded by William J\ieft. He served un-
tenant eolduel of cavalry. In 1040 he shame- 'il KilO, when the irascible Peter Stnyvesant
fully and disgracefully surrendered the fort- "as appointed, who continued to act as gov-
less of ( hemuitz, and thereupon left his com- criior until 1004, when the Dutch settlements
mand without the authority of his superior in Xortli America were surremlereil to the
(jlHcer, and returned to Stockholm. Here he Knglish.
was put under arrest; but after si.\ weeks was Peter Stnyvesant, who figui'es so conspicu-
di-inisst(l on parole. Ho was tinally court- ously in the history of these colonies, was born
niartialed and sentenced to be deprived of his i" Priesland in lOOi', and dit'd in ,Vew York
commis-ioii, whi(di sentence \vas ajiproved, (formerly .\ew Aiii-tenlam), in 10^2. Stiiy-
Fcbruary 17, l(i41. But his wife and children, vesant was the son oi a idergyjiian, and early
who, with their furniture, had been ])laced mi- in life evinced a taste for the military profes-
dcr arre-t, had been upon his humble petition sioii. He served in the West Indies, and was
released in 1040. It seems that Printz soon made governor of the colony of ( 'uracoa.
gained fav(jr with the civil authorities, for on During the unsuccessful attack on the Portu-
Ain^iist 10. 1042, he was ap])ointed governor iiuese island of St. ^lartin he lost a leg, after
of Xew Sweden. During his administration whicdi he returned to Ibdlaud. Soon after-
he maintained with little assistance from home wards Stnyvesant was appointed Director
the sui)reiiiacy of the Swedish Crown on the (ieiierai of Xew Amsterdam, took the oath of
Delaware ai;ainst the Dutch. He kept up office July 28, 1040, ami reached there ilay
fort- at AVilmington, on Tiuicuni Island, 11, 1047. The name, Xew Amsterdam, was
where he le-ided, and at the mouth of the officially announced February 2, 1053. In
Schuylkill. l?eeomiiig tired of waiting for l<i05, Stnyvesant sailed in to the D(daware
support ill the settlement of certain matters, l{i\(r with a fleet of seven vessels, manned bv
lie went to Sweden in person in the year 1052, seven hundred men, and took po.sse.ssion of
after having been here ten years. In his place the colony of Xew Sweden, which lie called
he appointed his son-in-law, John Papegoija, Xew Anistel (now known as X^ew Castle),
\ i((-a<iveriior. Paiiegoija liad married .\rma- on the Delaware.
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fi6
BIOGEA PIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
The following were dcj)uti(_s of (iu\iTii(jr
StuyvesaiU on the Delawaic: in lijjo, Joim
I'iHil Jacquott; lUoT, Joliu Alrichs; ItioSi,
Alexander D'liinoyossa; lliol), Cjerardus
Jktkinan.
English Goveunoks.
In ll)(J4, IiieliarJ JSicolls Lecanic governor,
and held the otiiue until 1007, when Franeis
Lovelace was appointed. In July, 1U73, the
L)uteh seized on the colony and held it until
1U?4, during which time Anthony L'olve was
governor. October 1, lOd-l, the colony passed
into British control under the Duke of York,
who claimed the territory as part of his grant
in ]\[aryland. New Amstel surrendered to
Sir Kobert Carr, who was sent by Charles II.
with a fleet to subject the country. Having
accomplished his purpose. Sir liobert, on the
3d of JS^oveniber, 1GG4, changed the name to
K^ew Castle, which it has borne to the pre.-<ent
day. It was so named in honor of the Duke
of Xew Castle.
When the English succeeded the Dutch the
colonists, consisting of Swedes, Dutch and
English, became subject to the laws and gov-
ernment of the Duke of York. Thereupon
the judicial system of England was steadily
introduced by the royal government.
In 1C74 Sir Edmund Aiidros was nnide
governor, and continued until the grant by
the Duke of York to William Penn, dated
■August 24, 1G82. On the 24th of October
following, William Penn arrived at New
Castle, and after a brief visit re-embarked and
sailed up the river to Avhat is now Chester,
where he went ashore for a short time and
proceeded to the work of organizing his gov-
ernment. This work accomplished, he vested
the executive power in his council, of which
Thomas Lloyd was president, and sailed for
England June ]2, 1G83.
In the meantime the Duke of York having
conveyed to Penn the three counties now
constituting the State of Delaware, and then
called "the territories," these were, by the act
of union in 1082, annexed to the Province
of Pennsylvania under a common govern-
ment. Altho\igh, in 1704, the Delaware
counties, with Penn's consent, permanently
withdrew from all co-legislative union with
said province and established their own separ-
at(> asseinbly and subsequently had their own
district judirial tribunals, yet they reuiuined
subject to the proprietary and royal authority
until the revolution of 17 TU.
In lUbb James Blackwell was appointed
Lieutenant (iovernor, but he returned U) luig-
land in Decendier of the same year.
On the 21^t of October, 1U'J2, owing to
some dJIiiiulty or nnsunderstanding with
Penn, the King of England seized on the
government and entru.-^ted it to Governor
Fletcher, of Xew York, who, in IG'jy, aj)-
pointed AVilliam :Markham his deputy, be-
cause the peui.lc of the three lower counties
had requested tiiat he be designated as their
go\ernor.
In 1G94 the government was re^Iored to
William Penn, and he appointed William
]\Iarkham lieutenant governor. Five vears
afterwards, or in December, IGli'J, William
Penn arrived the second time in America. In
1701, on his going to England again, Andrew
Hamilton was appointed lieutenant gover-
nor. Jle died in 1702, when President Ship-
jien exercised the office until February, 1703
or 1704; John Evans then became governor,
and continued until February, 1708 or 1709.
Charles Gookin succeeded him and adminis-
tered the government from the close of John
Evans' term until ]\Iay 31, 1717, and for a
second term, expiring June 22, 172G. Patrick
Gordon, his successor, served from the latter-
date to his death, August 5, 173G. James
Logan, president of C(Uincil, then acted as
governor until June 1, 1738, when (Jeorge-
Thomas came into the office and served fronr
Jun^e G, 1747, to October, 1748.
From this time to the close of the Penn
regime the line of governors was as follows:
James ILunilton, October, 1748, to October,
1754; Piobert Hunter ]\f orris, from October^
1754, to August, 1756; William Denny, froni
August, 175G, to November IC, 1750; James
Hanujton, from November, 1759, to October
20, 17C3; John Penn, from November, 17G3,
to 1771; Richard Penn, from October, 177l'
to 1773, and from this date to the Declara-
tion of Independence.
PUESIDENTS OF THE StaTE.
After the Declaration of Independence,
and under the Constitution of September 20,
177G, the chief executive officer was termed
President, and the title was continued until
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■•f.l
STATE OF DELAWARE
G7
llie adi'ptioii ui the Constitution uf l?i.ii'.
Tliose who o(-T\fd as pl■(■^i^l(_■nts weio as fol-
lows:
,)(iliii ^IcKinly, tlic first president (or gov-
trnor), was inaugurated February 21, l^i7,
and administered the att'airs of tlie State until
his eapturt' hy the Jiritisii on the niyiit of yej)-
irndier 1:.', -1777. Jle was born in Ireland,
February 1*4, 1721, and died in Wilmington,
August 31, 17'JU. lie studied niedieine in
]rehind, and when he eanie to this country
early in life, eommenecd practice in Wil-
iningtc>n, where he attained eminence. Being
a man of public spirit and versatile talents, he
wa- cailcMl on to fill several local offices during
till- exciting times that preceded the Iievolu-
tion. 'i'he night after the battle of Brandy-
wine, a di'tachment of British soldiers was sent
to AVilmington to effect his capture and secure
plunder, 'i'hey took the governor from his
lied, and placed him on board of a shallop that
was lying in the river laden with pluiuler,
incduiling the public records, ))late and jewels.
lie was held in captivity until August, 177S,
^\ lien he was allowed to return home on pa-
rule, anil remained there until the close of the
■war.
After the capture of President Mclvinly
the pn-idiucy of the State devolved on
( u(.rgf la-ad, as speaker of the Legislative
( 'uuuL-il, but as he soon after left the Dela-
ware on important business, Thomas ilcKean,
speaker of Assembly, administered the office
luitil January, 1778.
Caesar Bodney served from January, 1778,
to January, 1782. lie was a distinguished
citizen of Delaware, a member of congress,
a signer of the Declaration of Independence,
and a major general of militia; he was in com-
mand of Trenton some time after its capture.
His history will be found more fully de-
tailed in another jiart of this work.
.riihu 1 )ickinson was inducted into office
Januaiy, 17^2, and served to Jan\iarv 13,
17^.'!, when he resigned, lie was succeeded
by John ( 'dok, presi<lent of the Legislative
Counril, who served from January 13,
17S.'', to February 8 following. Of John
Dickin-on little need be said here, as his his-
tory is so well known. lie was born in ifary-
land, Xovember 13, 1732, and died in Wil-
mington. February 14, 1808. Ilis father,
Sanniel D. Dickinson, became chief justiro of
Kent county, and died Julv fi, 1700, :i-rd
te\enty one years. John Dickinson studied
law in Bhiladelphia and London; wa-^ a mem-
ber of the Bennsylvania Assembly in 1 ?(]!:,
and of the Colonial Congress, whi<di met in
Aew York to oppose the stamp act in 1?GJ.
lli^ was a niendier of the First ( 'unnnental
Congress in 17/4, antl tin: author of many
able letters and papers. In June, 1/70, he
(jpj)osed the adoption of the Declaration of
Independence because he doubted the wisdom
of the measure. However, ho was patriotic
and entered the army as a private soldier; iu
1777, he was commissioned a brigadier gen-
eral. In April, 1771), he was elected to Con-
gress fiom Delaware, and in 1780 was a mem-
ber of the Delaware Assembly; in the fol-
lowing year he was elected president of the
State. In 17b3 he was intiuential in found-
ing aiul in largely endowing Dickinson Col-
lege at Carlisle, Pa. The renuiining seven
years of his life were passed in AVilmington.
lie died February 14, 1808.
Concerning the history of John Cook, who
became governor by virtue of his position as
president of the Legislative Council, and who
was the first acting governor of the State after
the Declaration of i)eace in 17&3, ctnupara-
tively little is known, lie was probably a
native of Kent county, but the dates of his
birth and death cannot be ascertained. It is
probable that he was the father of Dr. Boliert
( 'ook, who was born in Kent county. He mar-
ried the widow of (Io\i-rnor Daniil Bogers,
and lived anil died in South !Milfoi-d.
Xiidiohis Yun Dyke, goveriuir from Febru-
ary 8, 1783, to October 27, 17SG, was born
in Xew Castle county, September 25, 1738,
and died there February 19, 17S'J. He stutlicd
law and attained eminence at the bar. On
the breaking otit of the Bevolution he at once
identified himself with the cause of indepen-
dence and took an active part in political and
military affairs. As his name indicates, he
was of Dutch descent. In the military ser-
\'u-o he was a major of militia. He was sent
to Congress in place of Hon. John Dickinson
and John Evans, who declined to serve, and
was a signer of the Articles of Confederation.
He was the father of Nicholas Van Dyke, Jr.,
an able and eloquent lawyer, a Ignited States
Senator, and the maternal grandfather of the
late Victor Dupont.
Thomas Collins, governor from October
27, 17sr,, to his ileath iu ]\rareh. 17S',i. was
W '\ \
Ill 111 •^hwi
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68
BIOGRA PIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lorn ill 1732, ami d'wd iioar J)uck. ( 'nvk,
Kiiit county, lie was for jJOUk- lime liigli
slieriff of Kent county, and a ini'uilit'r of
Council for four years. He scrAcd as l)riga-
diur general of militia from 177(i till 17S};
was a member of the Assemhly and chief jus-
tice of the Court of Common Pleas. As he died
before the end of his term of office, the unex-
pired ])ortion, which ended June li, following,
was tilled by Jehu Davis, Speaker of Assem-
bly. Joshua Clayton succeeded to the regu-
hir term June 2, 1789, and served to January,
1793. With the close of this term the title
was changed, under the Constitution of i;OL',
from President to (iovenior.
GovERxoRS Under Co.nstitutiox of 1792.
Joshua Clayton succeeded himself January,
1793, and served until 1790, being the lirst
governor elected under the new Constitution.
Governor Clayton was a physician by profes-
sion, and during the Hevolution introduced
a substitute for I'eruvian bark. Just before
his death, which occurred August 11, 179S,
near ^liddletown, he was chosen United States
Senator. He was the father of lion. Thomas
Clayton, the last chief justice of the Court
of Common Pleas under the Constitution of
1792, and the first Chief Justice of Delaware
uiuler the Constitution of l.s;!l.
(iunning IJedford succeeded to the gover-
norship, January, 1790, and adnunistered the
ollii'e until his death, Septend)er 28, 1797.
The office was then filled by Daniel IJogers,
Speaker of the Senate, until January. 17!I9,
Avhen he resigned and was succeeded by
Eiehard Bassett, who ser\ed from January
to ]\farcli, 1801, when he, too, resiguej.
James Sykes, Speaker of the Senate, then be-
came governor, and filled o\it the remainder
of the term, ending January, 1S()2. (iovenior
Bedford was born in Phihuieljihia about 1730,
and died near New Castle, as stated above.'
During the French and Indian war he served
as a lieutenant. He entered the Pevolution-
ary Army as major and deputy quartermaster
general, Xew "I'ork Department, July 17,
17 75; was lieutenant colonel of a Delaware
regiment, under Colonel Haslet, January 19,
1770, to January, 1777. He was- wounded
at "White Plains October 28, 1770; was also •
muster master general from June 18, 1770,
to Ajjril 12, 1777. He was a d.l.izale to Con-
gress from Delaware, 1783 to 17s:..
Daniel Kogers, who succeeded (iunning-
Bedford, by virtue of his position as president
(d the Legislative Council, was a .son of James
Pogers, and was born rianuary 3, 1751, in Ae-
eoiiiac county, \'irginia. (ioxcriior Poger*
died February 2, lM)(i, at his rc-idence in
South ;Milf'ord, Sussex county, D.'lawaie,
aged fifty-two years and thirty days.
liichard iJassett, who succeeded Daniel
Pogers, and served from January to .March,
1801, when he resigned on account of hav-
ing received from President Adams the ap-
pointment of United States circuit judge, was
born at Bohemia ilanor,iId., in 174,'.,an(l(lied
in September, 1815. He was a lawyer by pro-
fession, and a member of (^"ongres.^ under ilie
old Confederation in 1787; also a member of
the convention that framed the Federal Con-
stitution. From 1 789 to 1793, he was United
State.^ senator and was tlie first man that cast
a vote in favor of locating the United States
cajiitol on the Potomac. He was a presiden-
tial elector in 1797, and voted for John
Adams. His only daughter, Anne, became
the wife of James A. Payard, 2d, who siiiued
the treaty of (ihcnt. lie was buried at Bo-
hemia :\lanor, by the side of his distingui-hed
son-in-law, who died in the same month, (iov-
eriKU- P.assett probably descended from Wil-
liam Bassett, of Plymouth, England. The
name of Bassett has become extinct.
James Sykes, who succeeded Pichard Bas-
sett and acted as governor from 1801 to 1802,
was born near Dover, ilarch 27, 1701, and
died there October IS, 1822. Hi. father,
James Syke.s, held sevi'ral oflices in the State
during and after the Pevolution, and Avas a
delegate to Congress in 1777-8. James Sykes,
Jr., sttidied medicine and became renowned
as a surgeon. Later in life he was a mend)er
id' the State Senate, over which he ]n-e>ided
for nearly fifteen years, and it was by virtue
of his ])osition as president of the Senate that
the office of governor devolved upon him
when Bassett resigned.
David Hall, who served as governor from
Jannai-y, 1S02. to January, 1,S05, wa^ a dis-
tinguished patriot and active as an olHcer dur-
ing the Pevolution. He was born in Lewes
Sussex county, January 4, 1752, son id" David
an.l :\lary Pollock Hall, and died at the place
of his birth September 18, 1818. After re-
ceiving such an education as the times af-
forded, he studied law, and had banlv i i-
meiiced lu-actice when the war of the lu'Vo-
(U I
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STATE OF DFLAWMIK G9
lutiou bloke uut. Although quite young, lie m'i\c-(I twolvc ycar.s as judge of tlie court. In
iiiiuiediatoly joined Colonel Haslet's i)ela- IS 1 7 he received tlie vote of the eleetoral eol-
ware regiment, and became an officer in tiie lege of Delaware for vice-president of the
line. He was severely wounded at the battle I'nited States. He was elected to Congress
of (.iermantown, and did not afterwards re- in X^'l'l, and in 1827 .ser\'ed a short time as
join his regiment. I'nited Slates Senator, when he withdrew and
Nathaniel ^litchoU came ne.\t in the line retired to private life. Covernor IJodney's
of governors, and served from 180o to 1808. long life was staiidess. He was an early oppo-
He was born in 17d3 in Sussex county, Dela- nent of slavery and was one of the originators
ware, and died near the place of his birth, of an Abolition Society in the first years of
iebruary I'l, 1S14. Covernor ilitchell was the nineteenth century.
a distinguished othcer in the Kevolutionary John Clark became governor in January,
army antl saw much hard service. See sketch 1817, and served till within a few days before
elsewhere in this work. the third Tuesday \m January, 18'_'0, when he
(Jeorge Truitt was governor from January, resigned, and Henry ^lolleston, then gover-
1808, to January, 1811. He was born in nor-elect, having died between October and
1740, and died at Camden, l~)elaware, Octobe.- Janiuiry, Jacob Stout, speaker of the Senate,
8, 1818. e.\treise<l the duties of tlu^ otlice until Janu-
JoseiJi Haslet, governor from 1811 to arv, IS-Jl. (iovernor Clark died at Smyrna,
1814, was a son of Col. John Haslet, who fell in August, 1821. Jacob Stout, who acted as
at the head of his regiment on the morning gd\crnor for aiiout one year, was lieutenant
of the battle of Princeton, January :!, 1777. go\-ei-nor w hen the vacancy occurred.
His widow was so prostrated on rccci\ing the John Collins was inaugurated in January,
news of the death of her husband that she 1821, and held the (jfHce of go\ernor until
soon after died of grief, leaving several small April lo, 1822, when he ilied. Caleli liod-
children. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, uey, speaker of tlie Semite, then became the
was roared under the guardianship of AVilliam acting gttvei-nor, and finished the term in
ICillen, chief justice, and afterwards (diancel- .January, 182:!. (Iovernor Collins died at
lor of the State. On arriving at majority he Wilmiugtou.
removed from Kent county and establisheil Joseph Haslet, who served a term as gov-
himself as a fanner in Cedar Creek hundred, ernor from ISll to 1814, was again elected,
Sussex county. He discharged with great was inaugurated in January, lS2o, and served
credit the functions of the gubernatorial until June of tiie same year, when he died.
otHcc, the burden and responsibility of which Charles Thomas, then speaker of the Senate,
were greatly enhanced by the AVar <if isi-j. became the acting go\'ernor until the cxpira-
In 1>22 he was again elected governor, tlie tiou of the term in January, 1824.
only ca~e of a second election to that <iltice Samuel I'ayiiter serveil as governor from
in the Jiistt.ry of the State. He died before 1824 to 1827. He was Ixirn in 1 f-''^ at the old
completing his second term in June, ls2.'i. homestead at Payiiter's Drawbridge. His
A resolution passed by the Assembly of Dela- father, who was alsi. named Samuel, was an
ware, Februar_y 21, 1801, directed that a Kngli^limaii by birth. (Iovernor I'aynter was
monument should be erected at Dover to com- elected (jh the k'edcral ticket in 182:). In
meniorate the name and public services of 1844 he was elected a member of the House
Go\criior Haslet; this resolution was carried of Representatives ou tlie Democratic ticket,
out. The epitajJi inscribed on the monument He dii'<l October 2, 184."), and is buried at
is a splendid tribute to this distinguished son Lewes,
of Delaware. ( 'harles Polk became governor in January,
Daniel Kodncy .succeeded Governor Haslet, 18:^7, and administered the oflice until Jaiiu-
January, 1814, and served to Janii.iry, 1817. arv, I8:i0. He \\;is born in Kent county in
He was born at Lewes, Delaware, Sei)tember 1788. In Kid his father was elected to the
10, 1704, and died in 18.">0. During thi' War c(inveiitinn held for the puriiose of forming
of 1812-14 he was active in destroying British "a constitution for ye State of Delaware," and
cruisers on the Delaware, was twice captured, was chosen pre-ident. 7)urinir the sittings he
and suffered the loss of his jn-operty. lie was taken ill, retireil, and did m.t afterwards
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70
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOl'EDIA
bL'i-ve ill the M'ork. lie died before bis sou bad
iiltaiucd bis cigbtb year. Tbe family name,
wliieh was Scotch, was originally Pollock. The
ancestor of the governor originally settled in
-Maryland, and when tlic boundary dispute
l)et\veeu Penu and J.ord Baltiniore was set-
tled be was thrown on tlie Delaware side, in
l.ittlo (reek hundred. The elder I'lilk was
named Charles, and bad three sons, Cluirles,
John and Josepb. Charles, 2, became tbe
father of tbe governor. Ho declined tbe office
of United States Senator, and also the a})-
pointnient of chancellor offered bim by Gov-
ernor llazzard. He was elected to tbe House
of Iiepresentatives from Sussex county in
October, Iblo, and re-elected in IS 15. Als(.i
to tbe Honse from Kent in 1817, to tbe Levy
Court in ISIO, and in 1821 to tbe State Sen-
ate, of wbicb be was cbosen speaker. In
182G lie was tlie choice for governor, and
served three years. In 1831 he was sent as
a delegate to the convention to revise \\u- State
Constitution and was cbosen president; be be-
came a State Senator in 1834, and on the as-
seniMing of tbe body was elected speaker; on
tbe death of (Governor Beniu'tt be became
acting gi)\-ei-uor. In 1838 ex-(io\'ern(ir Polk
was again elected State Senator and cbosen
speaker. On the expiration of his term he
^\as a)>])ointed register of wills fur Kent
county in 1813, and served four years. He
was appointed collector of the })oit nf AVil-
niingtciii in 18o0, resigned in IS."),!, and died
October 2S, 1857.
Da\iil Hazzard sncceoded to the governor-
ship in January, 1830. He was born in
Uroadkiln Xeck, Sussex i-ounty, !May IS,
1781. Dui-i^' the war of 181l'-14 be \vas an
ensign in Capt. Peter "Wright's company, and
serx'cd during the camjiaign in T")elaware. He
was a justice of the peace for some years, and
was prominent in religious circles. In IS.'U
he was elected a State Senator, and in 1844
he received the appointment of associate judge
of the State of Delaware, but resigned in
1847. In 18,52 be was elected a member of
tlie convention to alter the State Constitution.
Hedi.Ml Julv 8. 1804.
Under the Amended Co.nstitution.
Caleb P. Bennett was the first gin-ernor
elected under the Constitution of 1831, and
served from Jainiarv, 1833, to ^.\^^■. 1830,
when he died. He was born in Chester coun-
ty, Penn.-iylvaiiia, near tiie .-^tate line, >>'ovem-
ber 11, 1758, and dird at bis home in Wil-
mington, -May 'J, 1^.30. In 1701, when but
three years .id, he moved with bis parents to
^Vilmillgtoll. He was a lad of only seventeen
\ears wiien bis father placed bim in the ranks
t.j fight for liliorty. He was promoted to ser-
geant in 1770 .-lid ensign in 1777. It was bis
lot to see mncl service and endure great hard-
ships. He wa nt Prandywine, (jcrmantown,
\'alley Forge und .Monmouth. In 1780 be was
promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and was
with DeKalb at Camden, S. C. He took part
in tbe siege of Yorktowii, and was present at
tbe surrender of ( 'oniwalli-. At the time of
bis death he was tbe la?t surviving officer of
the Delaware Pine of Pevolutionary soldiers.
His term not having expired, tbe office de-
V(dved on ex-Cioveriior Charles Polk, who was
then speaker of tbe Senate, and he closed tbe
term as acting governor, January, 1837.
Cornelius P. Coniegys was governor from
dainiary, 1837, to Jannary, 1840. He was
burn ill Kent county January 15, 1780. Was
aciive during tbe war of 1812-14, and rose
t(i the rank of lieutenant columd in tbe niili-
tarv service. He bad command at Lewes
while the Pritisb Avar.-bi]) roirtiers lay in
the roads and harassed the bay side. In 1811
he was sent to the legislature, was elected
speaker, ami served fo>ir years. Held the
(litire of state treasurer by three Legislative
apuoiiitmeuts in the years 1820, 1821 and
Cs22; aiul again from 1830 to 1833. In 1832
be was a candidate for governor, but failed to
secure tbe numinatioii. He succeeded, how-
ever, in 1830, and was inaugurated .January
17, 1S37. Hon. Joseph P. Coniegys, who
became eminent as a lawyer, and was chief
justice of Delaware in 1870, was his third son.
William B. Cooper was elected governor in
1S40, and inaugurated in Jannary, 1841. He
served bis full term, closing in 1845. He was
a native of Delaware and died Ai)ril 27, 1849.
Thomas Stockton was governor from Janu-
ary, 1845, to ]\rarch 1, 1S10, when he died
in ofiice. He was born in Xew Castle, April
1, 1781. In 1812 he received a commission
in the United States army, and while his
father ((m'ii. John Stockton), served at Elk-
tnii against the British, the son was engaged
in the attack on Port George, under General
Scott, and greatly distingui-bed himself. He
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STATE OF DfJLAWAnE
fl
■\vas noiiiiiiatfd for governor on the "Wliig
ticket, was inaugurated and died suddcidy, as
itated above, of disease of tiie heart. Gover-
nor Stockton was succeeded by Josepli Jiatdl,
Sjieaker uf llie Senate, wiio si-rveil as actiuf;
governor until ^liiy G, IS-IG, wiien he died.
His successor as acting governor was A\'iliiam
Tenii)le, Spiaker of the Ilonse of Iieprcsenta-
1ives,\vho closed out the term. But little of the
history of Acting Governor !Nranll is known.
AVilliani 'i'emiile, his successor as acting gov-
ernor, was born in Queen Anne county, llary-
land, February 28, ISlo. When he 'attained
manhood lie settled as a merchant at Suiyrna.
In 1844 he was elected to the State Legisla-
ture and was made Speaker of the House, by
virtue of which position he became governor.
Iictii'ing from this position, lie was elected
a State Seiuitor and served ten years, declining
re-election in 1854. He was elected to the
1'wenty-eighth Congress, but died before tak-
ing his seat in the siunmer of ISGi!.
William Tharp was chosen governor in the
fall of 1S4G; was inaugurated in January,
1847, and served until 1851. He was a son
of James Tharp and Eimice Fleming, his wife,
and was born in ^[ispillion liundred, Kent
countv, Xosc'udier 27, 1803; died January
1, 1S(;5.
"\\'illiam Henry Harrison Uoss was gover-
nor from 1851 to 1855. He was born at Lau-
rel, June 2, 1814, and was elected governor
when Init thirty-six years of age. He was an
exten.-ive fai'uun' and fruit grower. In the
later years of his life he traveled over various
eountries of Fnrope.
l^eter Fo>ter C'ausey succeeded to the gu-
bernatorial office in 1855, and served to 1859.
He was born near Bridgeville, Sussex county,
■Janmu-y 11, 1801. Fngaging in the mercantile
l))isiness early, he had a ]n"osperous career. For
several years after 1820 he was exten.sively
<'ngaged in mining ore on his own lands in
Nanticoke luuidred. He also operated saw-
mills, a tannery, and flouring mills, and con-
ducted a farm. Governor C'ausey was a pow-
erf\il man ]ihysically. He stood six feet in
height, and weighed over two hundred
pounds. He died February 15, 1871.
AA'illiam Burton was governor from 1850
to Jamiary, 18G3. He was born October 10,
1789. His father, John Burton, was a farmer
in Sussex county. William Burton studied
medicine and Graduated from the Fniver-itv
of Pennsylvania. He settled in ililford and
])raeticed there, with the exception of four
years, when he was sheriff, until he was elect-
ed go\eriuir in 1858. (jovernor Burton died
Augu.-t 5, I.SGG, and is buried at .Milford in
the l'rote>tant J'ipiscopal graNcyard.
AVilliam Cannon was imiugurated gover-
nor in January, 18G3, and served to .March 1,
1S(!5, when he died. He was btu'u in Bridge-
ville, Delaware, in ISU'J. As early as 1825 he
joined the ^\. K. Church, and became a pronu-
iient and zealous mendjcr, holding the otKce of
class leader until his death, lie was chosen a
mendier of the Legislature in 1845, and again
in 1849. He also served one term as treas-
urer of the State. In 18G1 he was a member
of the '"Peacf! ( 'ongrebs," and was a strong
ad\(HaIr of the Crittenden Compromise.
When he becanu; govei-nor the Legislature
was again.st him, but he remained a true and
ardent friend of the LTnion. During the war
he experienced many trials, but never wavered
in firmness and decision of character. When,
on one occasion, the Legislature forbade com-
jiliauee with a law of ('ongress, he promptly
announced by proclamation that he would
]iardon every United States officer convicted
by a State court for the perft)rmance of his
duty to the cause of the LTnion. In a message
to the Legislature in 1SG4, he advised that
body to take measuies for the emancipation
of the slaves in Delaware. The illness that
caused his death was the result of over-exer-
tifin in assisting to extinguish a fire in Bridge-
ville.
Clove Saulsbury, Speaker of the Senate,
succeeded Governor ('annon as acr ing gover-
nor, and served as such from !March 1, 1SG5,
to January, 1807. Politically he was a Demo-
crat, the opposite of the deceased governor,
who was a Uepublican. Gove Saulsbury was
elected governor in 1S6G, was inaugurated
in January, 18G7, and served the constitu-
tional term, ending with the beginning of
1871. Governor Saulsbury was born in ilis-
pillion Xeck, Kent countv, Mav 29, 1815, and
died at Dover, July 31^ 1881. His father,
William Saidsbury, was a man of command-
ing influence and irreproachalde character.
Gove, his son, studied medicine and graduated
in 1842 from the University of Pennsylvania.
He became a resident of Dover and a success-
ful practitioner.
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lilOGHA PIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
James Ponder siiceeciled l>r. Saiilsl]\iiy as
gOAenior in January, 1871, and served tlie
full term, ending iu 1875. He was born in
[Milton, Delaware, October ;]1, 1819. In
Iblo lie beeauie a partner with liis father in
the mereantile business at .Milton, .\bout
1800, lie erected a large steam uiill for saw-
ing himbcr, ship timber, Are. He dealt ex-
tensively in bark, and often had on hand at
one time a stock valued at $10,000. He was
also actively engaged in the shipping busi-
ness and owned several vessels. In 185(5 ho
was elected a member of the Legislature, and
in lSG-1 was sent to the State Senate, of which
he was elected Speaker in 1807. From this
position he succeeded to the governorsliii), as
stated above. In politics lie was a Democrat.
He died in December, 18!I7.
John ]'. Cochran became governor in Janu-
ary, 1875, and served his full term, ending
with the beginning of 1871). He was iioru
in Appo([uinimiiik hundred, Xew Cattle
county, February 7, 1809, of Scotcli-frish
l)areiitage; was brought up on a farm and in
the mercantile business. J'rom ISSS till 1840
lie was a nu'iiiber of the Levy ('unit nf Xew
Castle county. He was nominated for gover-
nor in 1874, and elected by a large majority.
John W. Hall was elected governor in
1878, was inaugurated in January, 1879, and
filled out the regular term, ending at the be-
ginning of 188:5. Politically, (iovernor Hall
was a Democrat. Ife was born January 1,
1817, in Frederica. His father served in the
war of 1812. The ancestors of the Hall fam-
ily came from Fngland and settled in Dela-
ware in thq early history of the State. John
W. Hall entered the mercantile business, in
connection with cabinet-making and manu-
facture of candy, and was successful. He also
became a large vessel owner. In 1800 he was
elected state senator and served fo\ir years.
Charles C. Stockley, Democrat, was elected
governor in 1882, inaugurated in January,
1880, and served a term of four years, ending
with the beginning of 1887. He was born in
Sussex county, November C, 1819. (iover-
n<ir Stockley was a]ipointc(l county treasurer
in 1852, and in 1850 he was elected sheriff
of his county. In 1873 he was chosen state
senator from Sussex county. He was also
president of the Farmers' Lank of the State
of Delaware. He is now living a retired life
at Clcdriictowii.
Hi'iijamiu T. Higgs, Democrat, sueceeile(l
(iovernor Stockley in January, 1887, and
ended his term in 1891. He was born in Xew
Castle county, October 1, 1821, ami became
a farmer and peach grower. In 1S52 he was
a member of the coii\-eiiti(in to change the
Constitution, He was rlcctcd to Congress in
1808, and again in 18;t).
Robert J. Reynolds became governor in
January, 1891, and closed his term with the
beginning of 1895. He" was born in Smyrna
March 17, 18:58, and was a farmer and fruit
raiser. He was (diosen a member of the Legis-
lature in 1808, and again in 1809; in 1879 he
was elected state treasurer. He is still liv-
ing.
-losliua H. ilarvil. Republican, succeeded
(iovernor Iteynolds January, 1895, and died
in office April 8, 1895. He was succeeded by
William T. Watson, Speaker of the Senate,
who served as acting governor until January
19, 1897. Mr. Watson was born in Alilfonl
June 22, 1849, and is a son of Pethuel and
Ruth Criiarp) "Watson. In 1885 he was
elected to the House of Representatives, but
refused to take his seat. He was elected to the
State Senate in 1893, was chosen speaker, and
served in that capacity until the death of Gov-
ernor ]\farvel. (iovernor "Watson is now liv-
ing a retired life at IMilford.
Hon. File Walter Tnnnell, Democrat, was
elected governor in November, 1890, and in-
augurated in January, 1897. Governor Tun-
nell was born near l]lackwater, P.altimore
linndre<l, Sussex county, December 31, 1844.
liis paternal ancestors were of Huguenot
stock; those on his mother's side were Fug-
lish. After receiving an ed\icatiou he engaged
with his" father in general mercantile businc'^s
at Blackwater. He was elected a member of
the Legislature in 1870, and has filled a
number of other important positions in civil
life. In 1873 he took up his residence at
Lewes and became associated with his brother-
in-law. Dr. D. L. ]\rustard, in the drug busi-
ness. Governor Tunnell attends the Presby-
terian Church. He never married.
On the 2Cth of May, 1898, an event of
more than ordinary importance took place in
the State House in Dover. It was the ])re-
sentation of all the portraits of governors since
177*) that could be procured. After caref\il
search the Legislative Committee secured ])or-
traits (if all the exeeiltive- but thirteen.
;.V*. '". A ) " /^» y\\ .iM'.'\! i\vtv>\h
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'i ,ii!.ii.
STATI-: OF DELAWAUE
73
Ainoiig tlio missing ones :ire tiiose of Dr. Joliu
^IcKiiily (the first in 1777), and Van Dyke,
(lark, Thomas, Caesar J{oJney, Codk,
Tiicmas Collins, Sykcs, Tniitt, Stout, .Mit-
.h.H, Hamlet, John" Collins, ami Caleb lunl-
ney.
The pictures presented were these:
From New Castle County — CJovs. Head,
MeKcan, Dickinson, Clayton, Bedford, Ben-
nett, Stockton, Cochran, and Biggs.
From Kent County — ]3assett, Comegys,
Polk, Temple, Tharp, Burton, Sanlsbury,
John AV. Hall, Beynolds and Watson.
From Sussex County — Kogers, Davi<l
Hall, Daniel Kodney, Paynter, Ilazzard,
Cooper, Maull, Pioss, Causey, Cannon, i*<in-
der, Stoekley, ifarvil and Tunnell.
'J'he speech of presentation was made by
Pepresciitative ]5enjamin A. llazell, and that
of acceptance on behalf of the State by lion.
Thomas F. Bayard. Henry C. Conrad, Fs(i.,
the historian, also made an address on j)rcsent-
ing the Xew Castle county portraits. The
ceremony, which was interesting and impres-
siye, was witnessed by a large assemblage.
JuDlCI.iKY OK DeLAW.VRK.
Haying given a brief but connected account
of all the governors of Delaware from the
"tirst settlement to the present time, some ac-
count of the judiciary is ne.xt in order. In
an exhaustive paper on this subject, read be-
fore the State Historical Society in Dcccnd>er,
Ib'Jli, Hon. Ignatius C. (jrubb, associate
judge, gave a full and interesting history under
the title of '"The Colonial and State Judiciary
of J)elaware," from which we make the fol-
lowing c(nulensation, believing that no better
source of information, or more tliorough treat-
ment is obtainable.
Judge Cirubb, in the outset of his paper, in-
forms us that the administration of justice in
Delaware embraces a period of two and one-
half centuries \inder colonial and state gov-
ernments. Delaware is indebted to the Dutch
for the discovery of her bay, by Hudson, iii
KiU!); for the early exploration of her river
bv Hendrickson, in 1G15; and for the first at-
tempt to colonize her territory, by De Vries,
neai' T.ewes, in 1(531. But to Sweden, xmdcr
^linuit, in Ki^cS, she owes the first permanent
settlement within her bonli'rs, at Chii-iiana,
now A\'ilmington; and to the Mngli-li, mider
Carr, in KJtJl, the ultimate establishment of
State government and Anglo-Saxon institu-
tions.
Din-ing her earliest history justice was dis-
jHiiscd, .successively, by Swedish, Dutch, and
Kuglish executives, who were cdothed with ju-
dicial powers, which they exercised according
to the laws and usages, so far as ai)plicable,
of their respective countries.
Delaware's first " Fountain of Justice" was
the bluff and irascible Swedish soldier and
governor, John Printz, appointed in IGl:!.
Little is known of him in his judicial capacity,
but Judge Cirubb is of the opinion that he
brought more weight than law to the bench.
After the conquest of the Swedes bv (!ov-
ernor Stnyvesant in ICT.t, the territory uiiou
the Delaware became snbjei-t to the Dutch
government at ^lanhattan, represented by a
vice-director. During the Dutch ascend-
ancy, justice was generally dispensed by a tri-
buiial, couMsting of the vice-director and
commissioners or magistrates, who s;it at suita-
ble times, attended by a "sellout" or sheritf
and other needful officers. In ItHU the Fiig-
lish succeeded the Dutch, aii<l their Delaw:ire
settlers became subject to the laws and gov-
ernment of the Duke of York. Thereafter
the judicial system of Kngland was prudently
introduced by the royal governors. At first
the judicial tribunals and modes of jiroccd-
ure were of the simidest character, as the con-
ditions and needs of the earliest coloiii-ts re-
ipiired no complex or elaborate system. Fut
with the advent of William Peiin began an
era of steady improvement and developmenr,
M'hich culminated in the establishment ..f a
comprehensive and regularly organized judi-
cial system.
The 1 )uke of York having conveyed to I'enii
the three connties now constituting the State
of Delaware, ami then called "the territories,"
these were by the act of union in Pl>2, an-
nexed to the Province of Pennsylvania under
a common government, .\lthough, in ITOf,
the Delaware counties, wiili IV'im's coiisi'ut,
liermanently withdrew from all co-lfiiisla-
tive union with said province and establi^heil
their own separate As-embly, and subM-.[uent-
ly their own judicial tribunals, yet they re-
mained subject (o the ]iroprietary and royal
authoritv nnlil the Kevolntion of iTTii.
_^,, ..■, :'" ■■'■''^' ,l<>ll.l ■'••'"'..l^s ,'lfill<i') rlillHMlT
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.74
BIOGRA PHICA L IJXCYCLOPEDIA
W'lieii tlie c-ijlonists muuberfd Imt ii fow
scoiu.--, vr at iiioit a luw liuiulred, tlio (Hunts
and tlic'ir proceiliire were iiecLssarily of a
crude and oftentinies rude cliaracter. ivxaai-
inalion uf tlie early records discloses sonic very
amusing- and occasionally ver}' sorrowful in-
stances of the adjudications of tlie early jus-
tices who were all untrained in the law, and
n'one of them magistrates. Indeed, until the
a])))ointnient of Chief Justice William Killen,
under the fii'st State Constitviti(ju of 177G,
none, proliahly, of the jtulges of the Delaware
courts had Leen educated for the bar.
The earliest recorded appearance of an at-
torney in Delaware was at the Dutch court
held at New Castle, liarcli 30, 1(J58. Vice-
Director Alrichs, in a letter of that date to
Ciovernor Stuyvesant, writes: "I have also
to pay the attorney, Sclielhiyn, for salary
earned by him in the suit against * * *
the skip]ier of the ship Printz 3fauritz.''
l]ut the first attorney who appears on record
as having been regularly admitted to the bar,
was Thomas Spry, who was previously a medi-
cal practitioner, holding land in what is now
St. (ieorge's hundred, and who was admitted
in 1G70 (two hundred and twenty-two years
ago) to jn'actice in the Duke of York's court
at Xcw Castle and Upland, now Chester.
AVhether or not Lawyei- Spry was, as his name
indicates, too over-active in sharing the
Duke's lands, in common with others of his
brethren, is only to be surmised. But it 's
rather significant that, on ]\ray 19, 1G77, the
Governor and Council passed order: ''Re-
solved and ordered that pleading attorneys
bee no longer allowed to practice in .ye govern-
ment but for ye depensing causes." After-
"vvards, Tinder Penn's government, neither law-
yers nor doctors seem to have been individual-
Iv esteemed, for Gabriel Thomas, an earlv pro-
vincial historian, tints writes regarding them:
"Of lawyers and )diysicians T shall sa}' noth-
ing, because this country is very peaceable
and healthy; long may it so continue, and
never have occasion for the Tongue of the one
or the Pill of the other, both equally destruc-
tive to men's estates and lives."
The places where justice was dispensed to
those within the present limits of Delaware, by
IMinuit and his successors, were first at Fort
Christina, and next by Governor Print/., at
Pi-intz Hall on Tinicum Island, near what is
Eow Chester. After the founding, in lii.'iG,
of New Anistel (now A'ew Castle), by the
Dutch, the courts were held within the fort
there; as they were for iiiauy years afterwards
under the Knglish rule. I'nder the Duke of
'I'ork's government provision was made tor
holding the courts monthly at Xew Castle
and quarterly at Ui)land (now Chester), and
W'hoi-ekill (now Sussex). The Upland court
had jurisdiction of the settlers on both sides
of the (Christina Creek until December 3,
1078, when Stony Creek, now (Quarry ville
Creek, was made its limit, and afterwards,
-March If, IGSl, Naamau's Creek, until the
twelve-mile circle was defined in 1701. The
Xcw Casde court's jtn-isdiction extended to
Duck Creek, an<l prior to IGSO undoidjtedly
in(duded the tcritory on the New Jersey side
of the Delaware Piver as far as Salem, which
was then known as the "Eastern Shore."
The AVhorekill court, from the time of its
reorganization in 1G73, held jurisdiction with-
in the region now known as Sussex and Kent
counties until IGsO, when St. Joue.s' Court was
established for the newly formed county of
that name. In 1CS2 the counties of "Whore-
kill and St. Jones were changed by Penn to
the present names of Sussex and Kent re-
spectively.
The coin-ts of 'Whorekill or Sussex, from
the time of its earliest permanent settlement
as a Dutch trading post in IG.").^, were first held
in the fort, next in the residence of one of the
justices, and later in a suitable tavern room,
until a court house was fin.ally bnilt at Lewes
about 174r)-,^>0. In 1702 a new court house
was built in Georgetown, to which iJace the
county seat was then remoxcd, and wherein
it has since remained.
The court for St. Jones, afterwards Kent
county, was first held in the house of Edward
Pack, one of the justices, at Towne Point, on
]iro]K'rty near the mouth of Jones Creek, sul)-
se(|uent]y owned by John T)ickinson of Pevo-
lutionary note and now held by his
descendant, A. Sydney Logan, Esq. .\bout
IGDO it was transferred to the tavern of James
"Nfaxwell, on the site of the iiresent Dover
water works, and later to the court house built
about 1097, on the site of the present cotirt
house froutina- on the public square in Dover.
About l7i.'2 the eoin-t house was removed
to the site of the present State Tlouse. There
a new court lioii^e \vns built about 17S'>, its
ground lloor bi'ing occiijiicMl by the Legisla-
I"
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STATE OF DELAWARE
7&
tmx' until 187^5, wlieu it was puivliast-il and ru-
niodcic.l hy the State, exclusively for a Slate
Capitdl, and a new court house was erecteil on
the site formerly oceujiied by that of 1U'J7.
'{"he Xt'W Castle ei-urt sccuis to have lieen
held continuously within its forts, or their
])roteetiug walls, from its oecupation Ly the
1 hitch to the arrival of AVilliam I'enu in lOf^ii.
Jt is supiiosed that the olde.it portion, bein<^-
the ea^t wing, was in existence in Pcnn's time.
A recent careful investigator writes: "Tho
provincial courts, which were then presided
over by AVilliam Pcnn, were often held in the
court house at New t'astle. It is iirobable that
tho main part of the old ciairt house, some-
times called the State House, was built about
1704, as the courts and the Cicneral ,\s.-embly
of the Province held their sessions at Xew Cas-
tle, the latter with few exceptions from !May
24, 1704, to 1779, when it was removed to
Dover." Elsewhere the same writer remarks
that the act making Dover the capital of the
State was passed on May 12, 1777, but that,
owing to the interruptions incident to the war
of the Ivevolution, the legislative sest.ions were
held at Dover, Lewes, or New Castle, as cir-
cumstances required. Finally, a century after
it ceased to be the colonial and state capital,
the ancient town ceased also to be the county
seat, for by act of the General Assendily, after
many years of agitation, this well-wdrn honor
was transferred to Wilmington, and the county
records were removed to the handsome and
commodious court house in that city on Jan-
uary 20, 1881.
Upon his first arrival, in 1682, Peun inau-
gurated his government under a charter and
code of laws, wdiich assured the convenient
and impartial administration of justice, trial
by jury, indictmeut by grand jury, and the
rights of the peojde to particijiate, through
their clio.sen representatives, in the enactment
of the laws designed for their government.
At his condng he foiuid in o])eration the tri-
bunals of jtistice already established and the
modes of jirocedure to which the ])eoi)lc had
become accustomed. "With his usual wisdom
and tact he made no sudden changes likely to
arouse prejudice against his contem])lated im-
]irovcmcnts. Under the proprietary govern-
ment of AVilliam Penn and his successors, how-
e\'('r, the adnunistration of justice in Delaware
was gradually dc\-clopcd and systcmatixcd l'\-
appropriate legislation, as time and circum-
btanees demanded.
Prior to 172U various judicial tribunals had
already been organized. Prominent among
these were the coiuity courts of the Common
Pleas, the county courts of (iencral (Quarter
Sessions of the Peace, and a Pro\iiicial Court.
In adilition to their ordinary powers, eipiity
jurisdiction was vested in the county courta
of Common Pleas, with the authority to hold
Orphans' Courts in the county Courts of Gea-
eral (Quarter Sessions of the Peace. The Pro-
vincial Court was created in llJ84, and con-
sisted of five judges. This court originally
sat in Pliiladelphia, and two of its judges were
rc(piired to sit twice a year in the other
loiinties. It was a Supreme Appellate Court,
but also had original jurisdiction of all capital
crimes, as well as of other matters not triable
by the county courts. This was the earliest
Sujjreme Court, strictly sjieaking, wdiich ex-
ercised jurisdiction \\ilhin the present biirders
of Delaware.
IW a statute enacted during Lieutenant Gov-
ernor Gordon's administration, (172G-3G), a
more etficicnt judicial system was established
within and exclusively for the three counties
of Delaware. Under the system, as improved
by the act of 17C0, the judicial power was
mainly distributed among the respective jus-
tices of the following courts: The County
Court of General Quarter Sessions of the
Peace and Jail Delivery, the County Court of
Common Pleas, and the Supreme Court of the
counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex upon
Dcdaware. The two first named, respectively,
were to consist ofjU least three of the justices
in each county. The said justices of the Court
of General Sessions, &o., were empowered to
try all criminal cases, not ca])ital, and also to
hold the Orphans' Court in their res)iective
counties. The justices of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas were to have jurisdiction of civit
causes, and also to hold a Court of Equity with-
in their respective counties. The proceedings
ill equity wore to be by bill and answer, and
in all other res]iccts, as near as might be, ac-
c'ordiug to the rules and ]iractice of the High
C(]iirt of Chancei'v in Great Britain.
P)ut the chief feature of this newdy or-
ganized system was the Supreme Court. It
was composed of three, and subsequently, by
the statute of 1 TfiO. of four judges commis-
win ;ni;t
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7G
BIOGRAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
fiijiK(l Ity tlie governor, one of whom was to bo
st3'leil fliic'f justice; this court was to be hehl
twiee every year in each county. ISaiil judges,
ui- any two of them, were enii)owered to liold
tiie court and to hear and determine all causes
renui\ed or brought there by certiorari, writs
</f error, appeal, or other remedial writs, from
ilie respective tieneral (Quarter Sessions of the
J'eace and County Courts of Common rieai,
<>v from any other court of law or equity with-
in the said three counties, and also to examine,
currcM-t, and punish the contempts, defaults,
corruptions, iVc, of the justices of the peace,
sheriffs, and other ofKcers within said counties,
and generally to exercise tlieir jurisdiction and
powers according to law and eiiuity, as fully
as the judges of the Jving's lieuch and Com-
mon J'leas at Westminister or the Chancellor
<if England might do; with the right of apj)eal,
however, from any final sentence, judgment,
or decree of said Sui)reme Court to the King
in Council, or to such tribunal in EnghiTid -is
might be appointed to hear such ai)pcals. 'J'he
judges of this court, or any two of them, were
iiho emjiowered to try all capital offences.
From this Supreme Court there was no aj)-
l)eal to any tither tribunal within the three
I'ounties, or under the ])roprietarv govern-
ment. The sole resort from it was to the King
in ('ouncil, or other app<jinted tribunal in Kug-
laml. From every Supreme Coiiit since es-
tablished there has hcen a ftn-ther resort to a
liigher court within the state; so that this par-
ticuhir one, with its sjiecial characteristics and
]Kiwers, ajipcars to liave been the mo--t dis-
tinctive form of Supreme Coiut which Dela-
Avare has ])ossessed.
The judicial system of 172fi-;it), with but
few modifications, continued in ojieration mi-
til, 1)V the TJevolution, tlie Delaware counties
ceased to lie a colony of Cireat Britain and
became an inde])endent state >nider the (•(in-
stitution of government ordained by their
deinities in convention, Septendiei- 20, 1770.
This convention marks the most momentous
<']ioch in the history fif Delaware — the birtli
of a free and sovereign state amid the throes
of revolution. Tn resjifuise to the reconuueu-
dation of the Continental Coneress, it assem-
hled In Xew Castle, August 27, 1770, and in
twenty-six days comjdrted its woi-k bv dis-
solving all connection with the British Crown
nnd ailo]iting an independent frame of go\ern-
nient. Among its mendjcrs were the foremost
men of their day — (ieorge Iveed, their jiresi-
dent; -Nicholas N'au Dyke, Richard Has.sett,
Dr. Charh's Kidgely, .la.-ob .Moore, and Tho-
nias .McKean.
Ceorgi' Krad, during his notalile career,
was an accomplished lawyer, delegate from
Didawari' in the Continental Congi-css, signer
ot the i)e(daration of Independence and of the
Federal Constitution, I'nited States Senatcn',
and Chief Justice of the Su])rcme Court of
Delaware under the Constitution of 171t2.
-N'icholas Van Dyke was (.f Dutch descent,
a residi'Ut of Xew Castle, a lawyer of emi-
nence, mendier of the Continental Congress,
signer of the .\rti(des of Confederation, and
president of the Delaware State, lie was the
father of Nicholas Van Dyke, Jr., an able
and eloquent lawyer, a United States Senator,
and the matermil grandfather of the esteemed
and lamented A'ictor DnPont.
Kichard Bassett was a very prominent law-
yer and citizen of Delaware, member of the
State Constitutional Conventions of 1770 and
17!t2, signer of the Federal Constitution,
Fnited States Senator, Chief Justice of the
Court of Common Fleas, (1703-9L»), governor
of Delaware, and Ignited States circuit judge.
His daughter was the wife of James A. Bay-
ard, Sr., grandfather of Thomas F. Bayard,
late .\mbassador to fireat Britain.
Dr. Charles Kidgely was a cultured and ex-
perienced physician in Kent county, son of
Xicholas Kidgely and !Mary Vining, widow
of Benjamin Vining of Xew Jersey, and the
father of Xicholas Kidgely, one of the most
distinguished chancelloi-s (.f Delaware, and
also of Henry .M. Kidgely, who represented the
state with distinction as a member of Con-
gres.s, and United States Senator.
Jacob .Moore was a resident of Su.ssex coun-
ty and attorney general under the ju-oprietary
go\erinnent from 1774 to 1770.
But ahove all these gifte<l and patri(itic
framers of our first State Constitution towered
Thomas IMcKean as a born leader of men and
a hold, energetic and unwavei-ing cham]jion of
the cau.se of independence. .Mthough not a
native of TXdaware, he, nevertheless, by his
intre])id patriotism, tireless activity and mas-
terful iier.sonality, not only incited her sons to
heroic action, but liy his own deeds, as her
representati\e, made Delaware illustrious and
■'>;.'A.V,'\U
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STATE OF DELAWAHK
77
lii'i- fame; iiiiiicii^lialjlc. By seiuliug jwst liasto
to l)u\LT tor ItutliR-y, wlicu the Delaware di'lu-
yat(.- ill the ('ontiiieutal ('oiif^Tc-ss were di\'id-
ed oil tlic Note for iiidepeiidc'iicc, lie hotli
jiro\cd lii-i- jiatrioti-^in and made Uodiiey
famous.
'llie Constitutiuii of 1770 wad framed amid
tlie turmoil of revolution and in the hurry of
lirejiaratioiufor impending war. .\s it wa.s tluj
• dl'sp'ring <if au e.\igency, it jtroxcd valuahle
oiil\- as a i)ro\isional arrangement of govern-
mental ]io\\t'r.<. ( 'on.se(]uently a eonvention
for its re\i>ion was held in 17!>2, whieh estah-
li.-hed a more elaborate judicial system than
liad previously e.xisted.
'J'iiis eonvention, like its predecessor, eoin-
prised among its leaders some of tlie most dis-
tingnislieil men of the time — John Di(d;insoa
and Ivensey Johns, Sr., of New Castle eounty,
and Kiehard iJassett and Nicholas Ividgely of
Kent. John Dickinson was born in .Maryland,
reared in Kent county, Delaware, read law in
Philadelphia and at the Temple in London,
practiced law in I'hiladelphia, and ilied in
^Vilmillgton.
It is notable that of the live most distin-
guished jniblic men of Delaware during the
revolutionary era — ^IcKeau, Dickinson,
Kead, Bassett, and Iiodney — the last named
was the only native of this state, which each
one served so patriotically and so honorably.
!McKean was born in Pennsylvania, and Dii-k-
inson, Kead, and Bassett in Maryland.
Like ^fcKean, Dickinson was honored with
high anil responsible jiositions by both Penn-
sylvania and Delaware. lie was an eminent
pidifical writer, and tinquestionably one of the
niostconsjiiciujusleadersof his day. lie served
Delaware as her d(dcgate in the congress in
177<i-77 and 177!)-8(); as president of the State
in 17m'; as a signer of tlie Articles of Con-
federation and also of the Federal Constitu-
tion, as well as a member of her constitutional
I'oiiveiition of 1792.
K'ciisi'y Johns, Sr., was also born in ^lary-
hiiid, read and practiced lawinthe town of Xew
('a~tlc, and became Chief Justice nf the
Supreme ( 'oiirt, and subse(|uently cliaiiccllor
under the ( 'onstitntion of 17!l2.
.\'ichola> Kidgcdy M'as born at Dover, Dela-
ware. K))on the resignation of Chancellor
AVilliam Killon in ISOl, he was appointed in
hi- stead and filled the office for thirtv veais.
lie is justly regarded as the father of Chan-
cery jiirisjjrudence in Delaware. ^Villiam Kil-
leii, whom he succeeded as chancellor, was the
first and only chief justice for the State uiuLr
the Constitution of 177i), as well as the lirst
chaneellor under that of 171)-'. It is quite sig-
iiilieaiit, to di.-<'(j\ cr that a motion was made
in the coini-iition of 171*2, by Keilsey Joliiii
ami .seconded by .Mr. Hassett, that the chief
justice of said Siijireim- ('ourt should be ".i
person of some legal knowledge;" and that it
was defeated by a vote of fifteen nays to live
yeas — John Dickinson and Nicholas Kidgely
being among the uays. Against his wishes,
owing to the inade(piate compensation, ilr.
Kead was selected for the office, esi)ecially be-
cause of his recognized preeminent legal (juali-
fications for the siici'e.ssful discharge of its
duties. This reason really led, it is said, to the
creation by the convention of 17l»2 of the sepa-
rate court of (dianeery. For Mr. Killen, then
chief justice under the Constittition of 1776,
was seventy years of age. The duties of the
chief justice, owing to the controversies aris-
ing out of the Kevolutionary war and other
causes, were then \ery arduous, and a more
vigorous occuj)ant of the office was required.
Accordingly, .said convention created the office
of (diancellor and made him also president of
the Ai)pellate Court, so that -Mr. Kead might
lie a])poiiited Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court and Chief Justice Killen appointed
(diancellor, with due deference to his age and
long sei'vice on the bench.
The Constitution of 1792 wrought very ra-
dical (dianges in the ap|)ortii)nment of judicial
])owers. Original jurisdiction of civil suits,
concurrent with the Court of ( 'oininon Pleas,
was given to the Su])reme Cmtrt — a power not
formerly ]l<.sse^sed by it. It was also maile tlu
tribunal of last resort from the Or|)lians'
Court, and the Kegister's ('ourt. Said Sii-
l^renie Court was to consist of not fewer than
three nor more than four judges, one of them
to be (diief justice; and a judge must reside in
eaidi county. Any two might be a quorum.
The ('ourt of Common T'leas was similarly
constituted. The jurisdictiou of each of said
courts was to exten<l over the State.
This coustitution also, for the first time in
the history of D(daware, divorced equity from
the law courts and created a sepai-ate chancery
jurisdiction, to be exercised solely by the chan-
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78
BIOQRA PIIIOAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
cellor. But while it clepiivutl tliu Court of
Coiiimon rieas of its equity powers, it at tlio
same time increased the dignity and import-
ance of its justices by making tiicm State in-
stead of mere county judges.
\ High Court of Jiirrors and Appeals was
also created in lieu of the preceding ('ourt of
-\})l)eals and- given exclusive jurisdiction of
writs of error to the Court of Common Tleas
as well as to the Sujjreme Court, and of ap-
peals from the chancellor.
-V judicial system which supplied two co-
onlinate courts of civil jurisdiction, comprising
nine State judges, inclusive of two chief jus-
tices and a chancellor, was necessarily cumber-
some and disproportionate to the limiteil area
and population of such a state as Delaware.
Doubtless the prevailing feeling in regard to it
was somewhat akin to that once expressed by a
disappointed suitor respecting the ('ourt of
Errors and Appeals of New Jersey, which then
consisted of sixteen members — that it "was too
big for a jury and not big enough for a mass
meeting."
'Jlierefore a third convention, called chiefly
for its reorganization, was held in 1831, which
framed another constitution and established
the courts on a new basis. Conspicuous among
the members of that convention were the Hon.
John M. Clayton, Judge Willard Hall, of the
United States District Court for Delaware;
James Rogers, Esq., an attorney general of the
state; George Read, Esq., grandson of
George Read, the signer; Judge Dingle, of
Sussex county, grandfather of Edward D.
Ilearn, Esq., a member of the next constitu-
tional convention; Presley Spruance, of Kent
county, formerly United States senator, the
father of "William C. Spruance, Esq.
The Constitution framed by the Convention
of 1853 was not adopted, and the judiciary
was operated luider the Constitution of 1831
until the Constitution of 1897 was passed, a
peri(jd of sixty-six years.
By the Constitution, adopted June 4, 1897,
the judicial power of the State is vested in a
Sujireme Court, a Superior Court, a Court of
Chancery and Orphans' Court, a Court of
Oj'er and 'J'erminer, a Court of General
Sessions, a Register's Court, and Justices of the
Peace. There are, therefore, si.x state judges,
as follows: One chief justice, one chancelloi',
and four associates. All are appoinfiil by the
governor, continued by the Senate, and serve
twelve years, or during good behavior, and re-
ceive a .salary of i};:J,(.l(l() per annum. \\\ tho
present Constitution the nundier of State
judges was reduced from nine to six.
'Tiie status of the respecti\-e courts may be
summarized as follows:
The Superior Court has jurisdiction of all
causes of a civil miture — real, personal and
mixed, at common law, and in all others the
jurisdiction and powers vested by the laws of
the state in the Superior Court.
The Court of General Sessions has all the
jurisdiction aiid power vested by the laws of
the state in the Court of (ieneral Sessions of
the Peace and Jail Delivery.
The Court of Chaueery has all the jurisdic-
tion and power vested in such a court.
'J'he Supreme Court has jurisdiction:
1. To issue writs of error to the Su[)erior
Court and to determine finally all matters in
error in the judgments and jinjceediugs of said
Superior Court.
'1. To issue upon application of the accused
after conviction and sentence, writs of eiTor to
the Court of Oyer and 'I'ernuner and the Court
of Cieneral Sessions in all cases in wdiich tho
sentence shall be death, imprisonment exceed-
ing one month, or line exceeding one hundred
dollars, and in all other eases as shall be pro-
vided by law; and to determine finally all mat-
ters in error in the judgment and proceedings
of said Court of Oj-er and Terminer and Court
of General Quarter Sessions in such cases;
provided, however, that there shall be no writ
of error to the Court of General Sessions in
cases of prosecution under Section S, .iVi-tiele
5 of the Constitution.
3. To receive apjjeals from the court of
General Sessions in cases of prosecution under
Section 8, of Article 5, and to determine final-
ly all matters of appeal in such cases.
4. To receive ajipeals from the Court of
Chancery and to determine finally all matters
of appeal in the interlocutory or final decrees
and proceedings in Chancery.
5. To issue wi'its of prohibition, certiorari
and mandamus to the Superior Court, the
Court of ()\-ei' and Terminer, the Court of
General Sessions, tho Court of Chancery and
the Or|ihans' Court, or any of the judges of
tho said courts, and all orders, rules and ])ro-
cesses ]iro]ier to give etTeet to the same. The
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STATE OF DELAWARE 81
General Assembly shall have power to provide Cliief Justices of Dt-hiware under the C'ou-
\)\ law of what judges the Supreuie Court shall stitution of 1831 :
cdiiMst for the purpose of this paragraph, and 'rhuuias Clayton, Jan\iary IS, 1S;{2
in what niauner, aud by what judges of tiiu ,I,)hu,M. Chiyton, January 1C,1637
Superior Court the jurisdiction aud power Kit-liard 11. Hayard, Septendjer ID, 1831)
hereby coutirnied may he exercised in vara- j.,,!,^.^ Booth, "jr., :\hirch U, 1841
ti'J"; Samuel M. Harrington, Kju-il 3, 1855
The courts of Delaware, both of law and I'Mwai-d \V (liliiin May G 1857
equity, have iu mo^t respects, doubtless, iu j^.^^.j,], 1'. Comegys, :\lay IS, 187U
their organization and proceedings, and cspe- Alfred P. Pvobinson, January 20, 1893
cially in mattei-s of pleading, practice, and evi- d^.^i-ipg J3_ j^oi-p^ ;\|.,j.^:i, o^^ is93
deuce, adhered more chisely to the old Kug- /-,, • i! t x- x- t. i i ^i n
,. , ' , , , •;, J. , . " ( hiei Justice of IJchiware under the (_ ou-
Jish in-ecetients tliau tliose ot any oi lier sister .^ . „ ^on~
' -^ stitution ot iSvi.
' ,■" i-^,. 1 • j; • »• J- .1 » i Charles l>. Lore, re-aiipointed, June 1l', 1897
^llK•e lilt) every chief lustico ot the state, , . , ' ,. , > , , ,
excepting the lion. James Booth, Sr.. and Associate Judges ot Delawar,. under the
since 1 79l' every ehaneellor, has been selected Constitution of 1831 :
from the bar. Prior to 1831 very few of the • Appointed.
associate judges were lawyers. Since that date James P. Black, January 18, 1832
all of them but the Hon. David llazzard have Samuel ,M. Harrington, January 18, 1832
been such. Peter Pobinsou, January 18, 1832
The fdllowing have been membei-s of the Caleb S. Laytoii, June 3, 183(1
Delaware judiciary under the colonial and John J. ^lilligan, September 19, 1839
.'-tatc government, classified as follows: Chief David Hazzard, December 10, 181:4
justices of the three Delaware counties under Associate Judges of Delaware under the
the colonial government: Constitution of LS97.
y^innvs. Appointed. AVilliain C. Spriianco, June 11, 1897
Jasper Yeate.s, December 5, 1707 ]gm,tius C. C.rubb, re-app'ted, June 12, 1897
John Healey, April 11, 1710 J.^^^^^,^ IVnnewill, lune 14, 1897
Puchard Birmingham, March 10, 1714 ^villiam H. Bovce, June 17, 1897
Jasper ^ eates, August 1, 1717 i.;,i,,..„.,, Wootten September 6, 1847
Col. John 1-rench, July 25, 1720 j^^],^^ ^^. Houston, ifay 4, 1845
David Lvans April 20, 172 . j^.^,^^^^ y ^Vales, September 2, 1864
w"-,r""'"p„ '''' ^l,, William (!. Whitelev, March 31, 1884
W il ham 111, 1(43 , ^- /, r^ ii ' -\r.,,r o- iqqp.
T, rr , ^1 r^. ,-.^ If^natius ( . ("rubb, May 2o, 1880
liyves Holt, October 20, r<45 , , ^r t, , at,,, i. o-, 1007
T 1 1.. . ri . \ ■!,! I'-ci '^"''" ''■ I'l.vnter, .March 2.), 1887
John V ining, October 30, 1(04 ,„ , ,r V, ,, .,, ,,^, os iwon
T- 1 1 AT w-ir r\ . I OA T^^o <^ harles M. ( uUen, Augusi 2b, 1890
liicJiard AlcWilliams, ....October 30, lii3 ^ ., ,,, ,, , vi ,.,,„,.,. 1 1 Q(n
rM..-.*T.,,,.;,.„.*Tvi„ I,...!., ;. .: David 1. Marvel, iebruarj 1, 1893
Chancellors ot Delaware under the Consti-
tution of 1792:
Chief Justice of Delaware under the ( "onsti
tutionof 177C:
Appointee.. , . ,
William Killen, June (>, 1777 , Appointed^.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court under ^Villiam Killen, October 0, 1 (93
the Con.,titutiou of 1792: Nicholas Pidgely, December (., 1801
Appointed Kensey Johns, Sr., June 21, 1830
George Pea<l, September 30, 1793 Chancellors of Delaware un.ler the Consli-
Kensey Johns, Sr., January 3, 1 799 tution of 1 83 1 :
Samuel ^f. Harrington October 10, 1830 Appointed.
Chief Justices of the Court of Common Kensey Johns, Jr., laiinary 18, 1S32
Pleas under the Constitution of 1792: Samuel ]\1. Harrington, .May 4, 1857
Appointed. Daniel M...,re Bates, December 12, 1805
Pichard Bassett, September 0, 1793 Willard Saulsbury, . . . .Xovendier 14, 1873
James Booth, Sr., lauuary 2s, iTiii) James L. Wolcott, ?ilay 5, l.S!t2
Thomas Clayton, Pebruarv S, ISj-s John P. Nicholson September 5, 1895
5
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8-2 BIOGUAPIllCAL ENCYCLOrKDIA
(.'lianccllor of Delaware iiiRkT tlic Coiisti- early period, lie rebiyued as t-liaiu-eil(n- in
tutidii of IbltT: l.so'jj and died at Dover, Delaware, UL-t<jij;;r
John K. Xicliolsoii, re-app'ted, June 10, l^'JT 'i, INUJi, in the eiglity-seeoud year of his aye.
J.aw Reporters: Hon. Oeorge Itead, the tirst ehief jiistiee of
yaniiiel -M. JIarringtou, 1832-lSrjci the Siii)renie I'ourt of Delaware under the
John W. Houston, lSr)a-18i);J Constitution of 17S)2, was the eldest sou of Col.
J)avi(l T. ilarvel, IS'Jo John Head, who was descended from an old
Chancer}' reporters: eouiity fauiilv of iio?ition in JOiiglaud, and euii-
Appointed. grated from Duhlin, Ireland, to Mar\land.
Daniel M. Bates, 1S14-18T;5 Jle was horn in Cecil county, .Maryland, in
WillarJ Saulsbury, 1873-18'J:i J733; admittetl to the I'hiladelphia bar in
James L. Wolcott, 1802-181)5 17u;J, and began the practice of law in HTjI
John K. Nicholson, l81Jj at Xew Castle, Delaware, where he afterward.
It may be interesting to the general readc.', resided throughout life. Although, unlike
as well as convenient for reference, to give ,MeKean and Koduey, he voted against the De-
brieHy something of the history of the ileceas- claration of Independence l)ecau^e he then
ed chief justices and chancellors of D(da- dei'med its immediate ado))tiou prenmture and
ware. In doing this we acknowledge our in- injudicious, yet he sid)se(piently signed and
debtcdness to Judge Crubb, who, in his a<l- steadfastly supported it. While more conser-
mirable historical paper, has jJaccd the facts vative than the vehement ^McKean and the ar-
before us. dent Kodney, he proved no less loyal to his
Hon. William Killen, fii-st chief justice of coiuitry's cause. Among his contemporaries,
''The Delaware State," and iirst chancellor (jf his conspicuous career in Delaware of long,
of the State of Delaware, was born in the north useftd and varied public service was probably
of Ireland in 1722, probably of Scotch-Irish unrivalled. He was attorney general under
jiarentage. In 1737, at the age of tifteen, he ihe Crown, 17U4-7-1; member of the Delaware
emigrated to I'hiladelphia and became an Assendily, 1 7tJ,")-7."i ; member of the Conti-
inniate in the household, inlventeouuty, Dela- nental Congress, 1774-77; signer of the Decla-
ware, of Samuel Dickinson, father of (bjv. ration of Independence, president of the State,
John Dickinson, of Jvevolutiouary fame. 1777; judge of admiralty 1782; member of
There, by industry and diligence, he ac(piircd cou\'ention which framed the Federal Consti-
his })reliminary education, became deputy sm- tution in 1787, and United States Senator,
veyor of Kent cotinty, under the j)roprietary l78i)-(»3, which position he resigned to become
government, and sulisequently a member of chief justice of the Sujireme Court of Dela-
the bar in good standing and jiractice. ware. He held the latter ofHcc from Septem-
In 1753, when he had reached the mature: bei- 30, 17'.t3, initil his death, Seiitcndier 21,
age of thirty-one, he married Rebecca -Mice, ]7!*8.
by whom he had two sons who died witliout .\s his remarkable career discloses, he was
issue,andthreedaughters, one of whom becauK' an earnest jiatriot, an eminent statesman, ami
the wife of Hon. AVillard Hall, United States m distinguished judge. He a'^suuied the otHce
Judge for the district of Delaware, and another ,if chief justice amid the ditfimdlies and am-
of Jacob Stout, who was appointed an as-^ociale fusion which followed the Revolution, having
judge of Delaware. He was commissioned been selected and induced to acce|)t the office
June (i, 1777, Chief Justice of the Sui)reme becatise of his ])re-eminent qualifications for
Co\u-t under Delaware's first State ('oustitu- the discharge of its ])er]ilexing and laborious
tiou <jf 1770, and held the office until 17'.i3. duties. He proved e(pnil to his trust, for ho
When equity jurisdiction was se])arated from was esteemed and honored as an able and )ip-
the law courts, under the vState Constitution i-i^ht judge, and his decisions were regarded
of I7ri2, he was appointi'd the first chancellor liv the judges and lawyei-s of his time as of the
of Delaware in October, 1703. Little is known hiahest authoritv.
of his judicial career, either as chief justice or Rei;arding him his biogra|)her observes:
chanccdlor, as there are uo private n<iies or otfi- ''.Vpiilause at the bar did not in him generate
eial reports of adjiulicated cases during his vanitv, success in his |)olifical life audiition.
rv'«"' y A '\"'\^ "(VOOV'A
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„, I.
STATE OF DELAWAllE
S3
)iur tlie dignity of the beiieli dogiuatisiu. As
a lawyer, a patriot, a statosiuaii, and a judge
lie was alike unpretending, consistent, and im-
partial. In person lie was above the middle
si/.e, ereet and dignitied in his demeanor.''
Chief Justice liead's long life of puhlie use-
fulness was tenuinated by a sudden and short
illness'. He died at his home iu -Xew Castle
and was buried near the eastern wall of Im-
nianuel Church in that city.
His successor was Ivensey Johns, Sr., who,
after thirty-two years of service as Chief Jus-
tice of the Supreme (^ourt, became ciiancellor
of the State. 'J'hereujion he was succeeded by
lion. Samuel !M. Harrington as Chief Justice,
who also subsequently became chancellor, as
hereinafter appears.
Hon. Eichard Bassett, first Chief Justice of
the Court of Common Pleas under the Consti-
tution iif 171)2, was born on liohemia ^lanor,
^larvland, in 174."), read law under Judge
Coldsborough, of that state, and became
a very ])roiniuent citizen of Delaware.
His daughter married James Ashton Eayard,
Sr., of Delaware, one of the most gifted law-
yi'i-s and statesmen of his cFay. ^Ir. Bassett
tilled many honorable public positions. He
was a member of the (.'ouncil of Safety in
1770: t-iptain of the Dover Light Horse, un-
der Washington, in 1777; member of tiie
Dtdaware Constitutional Conventions of 1770
and 17112; member of the Convention which
framed the Federal Constitution, and United
States Senator from 17S1) to 179.'5. He was
a]ipointed, September G, 17'J3, Chief Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas, and resigned
this office upon his election as Covernor of
Delaware, in January, 17'.t'J. Hi 1801 he re-
signed the latter position upon his appoint-
ment by President Adams to the position of
United States Circuit Judge for the Third
Circuit. He died in 1815 at Bohemia Manor,
where he was buried beside his distinguished
son-in-law, James A. ^bJayard, who died the
same month.
Hon. James Booth, Sr., who succeeded
Hon. Tvichard Bassett as chief justice of the
Court of Common Pleas, was born at Xew
Castle, Delaware, February 6, \7^)^. Al-
though not a member of the bar, he had great
aptitude for the law, which, in eonnection with
a sound jtidgincnt, diligent study, and long
experience of the courts and public affairs, cn-
{ibh-d him to discharge his jtidicial duties dur-
ing his long career upon the bench in a highly
(rc-ditahle and acceptabla manner. He was
largely intluential in his public and private re-
lations, and a Fetleralist in i)iJitics. Prior to
his appointment, January 28, 17'jy, as Chief
Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, he was
.secretary of the Delaware constitutional con-
ventions of 1770 and 171)2; naval officer,
1777; marshal, 1778; secretary of state,
1778-!»7, under (.iovernors Caesar A. IJodney,
John Dickinson, Joshua Clayton, and Cun-
ning Bedford; and presidential elector in
1&08. His stature, features, and figure were
very prepossessing, and his dress and manner
those of an old-s(diool gentleman. He con-
tinued on the bench for nearly thirty years,
until liis death at A^ew Castle, February 3,
1828, when Thomas Clayton was appointed in
his stead.
Hon. Thomas Clayton, the last chief jus-
tice of the Court of Common Pleas under the
Constitution of I7t)2, and the first chief jus-
tice of Delaware under that of 1831, was the
son of Governor Joshua Clayton, M. D., of
Delaware, and was born in Jiily, 1777. Hav-
ing received a classical education he read law
under Nicholas Piilgely, at Dover, and was
admitted to the Delaware bar in 1799. His
career, both at the bar and in public life, wa3
notably successful. Hi 180S he was appoint-
ed secretary of state; in 1811 attorney gen-
eral of Delaware; in 18U, was elected to Con-
gress; and in 1824 became Pnitcd States Sena-
tor, vice Caesar A. Rodney, resigned. In
1>^28 he was appointed chief justice of the
old Court of Common Pleas, and served as
such until January 18, 1832, when he was
commissioned chief justice of the state un-
der the new Constitution of 1831. He re-
signed this office in 1837, upon his re-election
to the United States Senate; he continued to
rei)reseiit the state in that liody until 1848,
when he retired from public life, and became
a resident of Xew Castle, where he died, sud-
denly, in 1854.
Chief Justice Clayton's endowments were
of the solid and not the showy sort. He was
thoroughly versed in the principles of the law,
and grasped the vital points of a case with sur-
jirising quickness and vigor. His words were
few, but masterly in f(jrce and point. He
ranks pre-eminent among tlio.se who have filled
the office of Chief Justice, and has left to sur-
^ive him a judicial reputation which has hard-
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84
BIOGIIAPIIICAL EXCyCLnrEDlA
ly beeu equaled, auJ never surpassed, by auy
iucumbeiit uf the Delaware beueli.
liuu. J oLu Al. Clayton wab the suu of J auies
Claytou, and nephew of Ur. Joshua Clayton,
Chief Exeeutivc of Delaware under the Con-
stitution of 177G and 1792. lie was born in
Sussex county, Delaware, in 17'JG; graduated
from Vale with the highest honors, was a law-
student under his cousin^ Chief Justice
Thomas Clayton, and at the Litchiield, Con-
necticut, Law School; was admitted to the
Delaware bar in IblU, and was secretary of
state from 182G to 1828. In the Jackson-
Adams contest of 1828 he led the Adams
party in Delaw^are to victory, was rewarded
by election to the United States Sena.te, and
entered that body at the early age of thirty-
two. Even among such renowned colleagues
as Webster, Clay, Eenton, and Calhoun, j\Ir.
Clayton immediately took a leading part, and
soon rose to commanding prominence as a na-
tional leader, lie was re-elected to the Senate
in 1835, and further elected thereto in Ibla,
and again in 1853. After General Taylor's
election as President, in 1848, Mr. Clayton be-
came United States Secretary of State, and
during his term negotiated the celebrated
Clayton-Bulwer treaty with Great Britain.
During his national career he was pre-emi-
nent among those who participated in all the
great public measures of that period. In
1837, desiring to retire from political life, he
resigned from the Senate, and Chief Justice
Thomas Clayton succeeded him. Thereupon
he was induced to accept the vacant chief jus-
ticeship of the State, which position lie held
during only three years. No man in Dela-
ware, excepting James A. Bayard, Sr., liad
ever before possessed such a combination of
great intellectual forces, and had such a re-
markable career as John M. Clavton. His
course upon the bench, though short, was suf-
ficient to exhibit him as a thoroughly-equip-
ped lawyer and jurist. From his judgments
there was never a writ of error. lie retired
from the bench, and sul)equently re-ciitcrcd
the Senate, of which he died a member in Xo-
vemLer, 1856.
lion. Tkicliard II. Bayard came of a notable
and historic family distinguished for heredi-
tary ability. The family began its famous
career in Delaware with the elder James A.
Bayard, who negotiated the tniil;. •■f Ghent,
and was worthily represented liy lii^ late dis-
tinguished grandson, Thomas I". Bayard, Am-
bassador to Great Britain. Bichard II. Bay-
ard was the uncle of the latter and the eldest
son of the former. His mother was the
daughter of Biehard Basselt, chief juatice
and governor, and his wife the granddaughter
of Charles Carroll, of CarroUtoii, a Maryland
signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Richard 11. Jiayard was born in Wilming-
ton, Delaware, September 23, 17'JG; graduated
from Briuceton in lbl4; admitted to the bar
in 181 b; tii-st mayor ol Wilmington in 1&32,
and United States Senator 183G-3'J. He was
chief justice of Delaware from September
Vd, 183y, until March, 1841; he then re-enter-
ed the Senate, where he remained until suc-
ceeded by John M. Clayton, in 1845. From
1850-53 he served as United States .Minister to
Belgium. Bichard II. Bayard died in Bliila-
delphia in lbU8. He was a man of courtly
appearance and polished manners, with a large
measure of the ability inherent in his race, but
his brief term upon the bench afforded very
little opportunity for the display of his judi-
cial qualities.
Hon. James Booth, Jr., was the son of
James Booth, Sr., chief justice of the Court
of Coninion Bleas from 1799 to 1826, and was
Lorn at Xew Castle, Delaware, November 21,
1789; graduated from Princeton, studied law
at Litclitield, Connecticut, and was admitted
to the Delaware bar in 1 8 12. He married the
sister of Hon. James Bogei-s, attorney gen-
eral of Delaware. After a long and success-
ful law practice, upon the resignation of Chief
Justice Bichard II. Bayard, he became his suc-
cessor, March 12, 1S41, and, until his death,
March 20, 1855, discharged his judicial duties
with a degree of ability, integrity, diguitv mid
urbanity which secured both public respect
and personal regard of an enduring character.
Hon. Edward Woodward Gilpin, the sixth
chief justice under the Constitution of 1831,
was born in Wilmington, Delaware, Julv 13,
1803. Having first received a practical busi-
ness training, he studied law thoroughly in his
native city, under United States Senator John
Wales; was admitted to the Itar in 1327, and
through many years of extensive practice dis-
tinguished himself as one of its foremost mem-
bers. In 1S40 he became attoi-ncy general
of the State, and for ten years discliaroed the
duties f.f llie office with conspicuous vigor and
success. In 1S57, as the aeneral choice of the-
I V\'
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( '■ 1
STATE OF DELAWAEF
85
Lar aiul people, Edward AV. Gilpin was ap-
pointed eliief justice of the State. For near-
ly twenty years he presided over the civil and
criminal courts, and as a member of the Court
of Errors and Appeals; and il is generally con-
ceded tiiat, when all his various judicial quali-
fications are considered, he has been, in most
lesnects, without a superior on the Delaware
bench. ' lie was a man of positive character,
resolute, diliuent and masterly in every re-
spect. Although highlj' intellectual, he was
iit all times thoroughly practical. During his
long service on the bench, his integrity of
character, his judicial and practical (puilities,
and his potential personality won for him the
regard and homage of the bar, jurors and gen-
eral }>idilic in a greater degree, perhaps, than
had ever lieen enjoyed by any of his predeces-
sors, save, perhaps, Chief Justice Thouuis
Clayton. Judge (.iilpin was stricken on the
bench, at Dover, with angina pectoris, and
died April 29, 1876, as his brave spirit woidd
have M'ished, in the actual discharge of the
iluties of his f)fHce.
lion. Joseph P. Comegys, the third son of
fJov. ( 'ornelius P. Comegys, was born at Cher-
bourg, the famil_y seat, in Kent county, Dela-
ware, December 23, 1813. lie received a
thorontih classical education, read law under
lliiu. .lohn ^r. Clayton, then United States
Sciiatdr, and was admitted to the bar in 1835.
1'w(j years thereafter he was married to !Miss
I)ougla.-s, the niece of j\Ir. Claytotl, and from
that time resided in Dover, Delaware, where
for more than forty years he practiced his pro-
fession with great reputation and profit. As
a leading Whig he was appointed by the Gov-
ernor, in 1856, United States Senator, to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of lion. John
!M. Clayton. In 1855 lie was commissioned
Associate Judge for the State, but declined
the av>nointment. In 1876, upon the death
of Chief Justice Gilpin, he was appointed his
succe>Ma-, and filled the position until his
death in IS'.i.", in his eightieth year.
IldU. .Mfred P. Picibinson, the son of Alfred
P. liuliiusi.n, Sr., attorncy-at-law, and the
grand-on of Judge Peter Pobinsoii, was born
in Sussex county, Delaware, February 17,
1842, and admitted to the bar in l.St;3,' Pos-
sessing a fine legal nund, which he had im-
proved bv diligent studv of the law and by
extensive general reading and experience, he
ac(iuire<l a lucrative '.racfice and became the
recognized leader of the bar of his county.
He was deputy attorney general of the State
from lb7-l to 1879, was a delegate from Dela-
ware to the Democratic National -Convention
in ISS-l, and was appointed by the guvenior
in 1891 as one of tiie Stale commissioners on
uniform legislation among the several States.
He was appointed, January 26, 1893, chief
justice of the State, to succeed Hon. Joseph
P. Comegys, deceased. His rei)utation at the
bar gave 'ironiise of an exceptionally useful
career upon the bench; and this expectation
was shown to be warranted by the very able
dis(diar"e of his duties during the brief month
of his judicial service. Unhapijily his onuor-
tunities for a conspicuously creditable judicial
carec'r were terminated by his sudden and un-
timely death from heart failure, l\Iarch 1,
1893J in his home at Georgetown, a few hours
after he had adjourned the term at Wilming-
ton.
Chancellors.
Hon. Nicholas Kidgely, the successor of
Hon. William Ivillen, the first chancellor of
Delaware, already described among the chief
justices, belonged to a family of public and
social prominence which for many successive
generations in Delaware has furnished judges
and lawyers of marked ability. lie was the
eldest son of Judge Charles Greensburg
Kidgely, an accomplished physician of Kent
county, Delaware, and the son of Judge Nich-
olas Kidgely, who was born in ]\raryland in
1694-, and settled in Delaware in 1732 — the
grandson of Col. Henry Kidgely, who emi-
grated from Devonshire, England, to Anne
Arundel county, ^Maryland, 1659, and there
became colonel of militia, meudier of Assem-
bly and Council, colonial justice, (Src. Chan-
cellor Kidgely was born at Dover, Delaware,
Septemlier 30, 1762, read law under Judge
Kobert fJoldsborough, at Cambridge, jMary-
land, and was admitted to the Delaware bar at
Xcw Castle in 1787. He early attained a
conspicuous standing at the bar, even among
such di.->tinguished niembers as the elder James
A. Hax'ard, ( 'aesar .\. Koduey and Nicholas
X:m Dyke, Jr. In 1791 he was appointed
attorney general of the State, and held the
office for ten years. He was a leading mem-
ber of the State Constitutional Convention of
1792 and thereafter was repeatedly elected a
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86
BfOGRAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
meinber of the General Asseiul^ly, and drafted
tlie principal legislation recjuired by the
changes wrought by the Eevolution and the
recently adopted Constitution.
In 1S02, the Orphans' Cdurt jini<dicti(.n
was transferred from tlie Court of ( 'onuuou
Pleas to the chancellor by an aniendnient to
the Constitution of 171I2, effected mainly by
Chancellor Ifidgely's intluence. He thereby
became sole judge of the Orpiums' Court. In
December, ISOl, Chancellor Killen resigned
liis otHce and ilr. Jiidgely was a|)[)ointed to
succeed him. Prior to his appointment tliere
Lad been very little business in the Court of
Chancery, antl there were but few ijrecedents
for his guidance. The entire course of e([uity
procedure and practice was yet to be regulated
and established under the newly-created
Court of Chancery. To this task he devoted
himself in his methodical way with untiring
vigor and industry. The rules of court, forms
of i)ractice, and general principles adopted by
liini are still in nse, and lie is justly considered
the founder of the chancery jurisprudence in
Delaware.
During the thirty years that he was chan-
cellor he carefully took notes and preserved
his opinions in all the important cases adjudi-
cated by him. In appearance Chancellor
Pidgely was of medium height and robust
form, with a resonant voice and a remarkably
expressive countenance. Although he lived
nntil 1S30, he still adhered to the manners and
garb of the olden times. Altogether he was a
striking figure and a commanding character,
and he was regarded with tiie highest respect
for bis sterling worth, both as judge and citi-
zen. Towards the close of his life he suffered
from ill health, although he sturdily dis-
charged his judicial duties to the end. lie
died April ], 1830, of heart disease, within a
half hour after he had adjourned his court at
Ccorgetown, and was buried in the Episcopal
churchyard at Dover.
ITon. Kensey Johns, Sr., the last Chancellor
iinderthe Constitution of 1702, was born Juno
14, 17o!), at West Piver, Anne Arundel
county, ^larvland, and came of Welsh ances-
tors long settled in that state. He read law
nnder Pamnel Chase, of 'Nraryland, afterwards
a judge of the Pnited States Supreme Court,
and completed his studies nnder deorge Pead,
snbspqucntlv chief justice, at Xew Castle,
Delaware, and there, after his adnii.ssi<;n to the
bar in lTtS3, became a lawyer of repute and
prominence. He was a member of the con-
vention which framed the State Constitution
of 171)2; was a})p(jinted by (iovernor Clayton,
in 1794, I'nited States Senator in lien of
Ciecn'ge Pead, resigned; was commi.ssioned
Associate Judge of the Delaware Supreme
( 'ourt in 17tltJ, and ( 'hief Justice thereof ujiou
the death of Judge Pead in 171)8.
Judge Jidins came unon the bench, like
Judge Pead, during a period wherein many
(|Urstions r(-iiiaiued nn^(■ttled, owing to the
Pe\-olution and the changes caused by the
recent re\ision of theConstitution and statutes
of the State. Pt'ing admirably qualified for
this arduous task by his legal learning and ex-
))eriencc, he discharged the duties of his re-
sponsible i)ositi(jn with rare judgment and ini-
jiartiality, and with general ajjpruval, for more
than thirty years. After the death of Chan-
cellor Pidgely in 1830, he was appointed in
his stead, but, upon the adoption of the Consti-
tution of 1831, he retired from the ofKce of
Chancellor in 1832, and was succeeded by his
son, Kensey Johns, Jr., who filled the positimi
ably for over twenty-five years. He died in
hi> nini'tietli year in full possession of his men-
tal facidtics.
Ilcni. Kensey Johns, Jr., the first chancel-
lor )inder the Constitution of 1831, was born
in 3.ew Castle, Delaware, in 171)1, and gradu-
ated from Princeton College in 181i). lie
read law with his maternal uncle, Xicdiolas
Van Dyke, Esq., conqJeted his studies in the
law school at Litchfield, Connecticut, and was
admitted to the bar at Xew Castle in 1813.
After pursuing a successful practice of the law
for several years, he was, in 1828, elected to
(^ongress to fill the vacancy in the house
caused by the election of the Hon. Lo\iis ^Mc-
Lane to the .Senate.
After retiring from Congress he resumed
his law practice, but, npon his father's retire-
ment from the chanccllorshii), was appointed
to that position January 18, 1832. During his
long term of judicial service nniny questions
of importance wej-e decided by him; yet his
jiidgments were nsnallv correct, and where
a])])ealed froTU were almost unifm-mly aftirm-
ed, thus attesting his ability and learning as a
well-equipped equitv judge. Like his prede-
cessor, CJiancellor Pidgely, he died almost in
the performance of his judicial dntv, on
]\rarch 28, lS,->7, at Xew Castle, having that
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I i:. • >t y-,.,'i< '., 'Ml n ,, ■,; ,•.' i I-., li'l,; i'
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I,, (.(rl'l... ■ •. IW I- •'' • , (t)I '! 'd'
lll'lll..»I'l-l Ii .1)
STATE OF DELAM'AJIE
87
day returned to his home after closing tho
term of court in Sussex county.
Hon. Samuel M. Harrington is notable in
the judicial aunals of Delaware as having been
Chief Ju:-lice (;f the Supreme Court under the
Constitution of 171)-.^, and Chief Justice and
also Chancellor of the state under that of
1831. lie was born in IJover, ])elaware, in
lbU3, ami was graduated from Washington
College, -Maryland, in 1823, with the first
honors of his class, lie was admitted to the
bar at Dover iu lS2(i, and became secretary
o{ state in ls2S, and again in 1830.
In 1830, at the early age of twenty-seven,
he was aijpointcd Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of Delaware, and, upon its abo-
lition by the Constitution of 1831, became one
of the Associate Judges of the State. In
18r)i) he became Chief Justice of the State,
upon tiie death of Chief Justice Booth, and
hlled that office until May 4, 1857, when he
^vas a])pointed chancellor to succeed Kensey
Johns, Jr., deceased, which position he held
until his death, Xovember 28, 1865.
Judge Harrington, in connection with Jo-
seph P. Comcgys and Daniel M. Bates, Esqs.,
assisted to prepare and publish the Kevised
Code of 1852. He was the first official re-
porter of the judicial decisions in the State,
and discharged this duty with rare perspicuity,
conciseness, and precision. His five volumes
of Iieports extend from 1832 to 1855. Ilis
life was one of constant mental activity, tire-
less industry, and exceptional public useful-
ness. As has been fndy said of him by a
distinguished jurist, "Without any extraor-
dinary advantages of social or political influ-
ences, a career so remarkable could have been
accomjilishod only by the manifestatiijn of \ui-
u&ual merit."
Hon. Daniel iloore Bates, born at Laurel,
Delaware, January 28, 1821, was the son of
Kev. Jacob iloore, and upon the death of his
father, was adopted by Hon. ^lartiu W. Bates,
of Dover, Didaware, and given the surname of
Bates, by act of Assembly. He was gradu-
ated from Dickinson College, Pennsylvania,
in 183'J; admitted to the Delaware bar in
1843, and rose rapidly to promineuce as an
acknowledged leader of his profession. He
was by nature a student of the law. His miiul
was liighly analytical, very subtile, and much
inclined to extreme refinements in its legal
processes. He had unusual powers of menial
concentration, was a rapid worker, and a pa-
tient, painstaking and exhaustive investigator
of the most alitruse legal problems.
In 1847-51 he was secretary of state; in
18411, oue of the c<Mlifiei's of the state statutes,
and iu 1852, United States District Attorney
for Delawai'C. Iu 18(15, by the general desire
of the bar, he was ap])ointed chancellor, vice
Hon. Samuel il. Harrington, deceased, and by
his able discharge of the duties of this office
amply confirmed the expectations raised by his
selection. Owing to failing health, he resign-
ed his office in 1873, and, after a brief resump-
tion of his professional practice, died in 1871).
Hon. AVillard Saulsbury was born in Kent
county, Delaware, June 2, 1820. He was the
youngest brother of Dr. (iove Saulsliury, who
was (iovernor of Delaware, and of Hon. Eli
Saidsbury, who was for eighteen years United
States Senator. He was educated at Dela-
ware College and at Dickinson College, Penn-
sylvania; read law at Dover, and was admitted
to the Delaware bar in 1845. He began the
l)ractice of law at (ieorgetown, Delaware, and
liy his studious habits, native energy and vig-
orous intellect soon liecame known throughout
the State as an able lawyer, an elocpient speak-
er and a political leader of brilliant promise.
From 1^50-55 he was attorney general of
the State. In 1859 he was elected as the
Democratic candidate to the United States
Semite, and was in 1805 re-elected. There he
was a consj)icuous figure, and serve(l for twelve
years with great distinction as an eloquent and
jiowerful debater. In Xovember, 1873, he
was appointed Chancellor of the State, which
office he filled with great ability and popular-
ity until his sudden death from apople.\y in
.\pril, 18!)2. Ilis re])orted decisions are nu-
merous, and are pidlished in the Delaware
Ciiancery Keports. Xature' lavished upon
Chancellor Saulsbury her choicest gifts of
mind, feature and person; a captivating man-
ner, a rarely handsome countenance, a robust
physicpie and a superb figure, together with
very brilliant and versatile intellectiuil powers.
Very few Delawareans have cijualled him in
natural endownu'uts.
Ux-Chaucellor James.!,. Wolcott was a na-
tive of ?i!ispillioii Inindi-eil, and was born
about one mile and a half east (jf Harrington,
Delaware, February 4, 1842, and died at his
honu- in Dover, "March 31, 1808. His jiarents
were Josiah and Ulizabeth Wolcott, and he re-
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BWGIiAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ceivcd Ills education in the country scliools iu
whii'li lie afterwards taught, in ISJ^ ,Mr.
AVoleott cntt-red upon the study of hiw with
tiie lion. Eli Saulsbury, and was admitted to
tlie bar Aiiril 23, ISGli. After his a<hui=sion
he took an active interest in politics and soon
arose to political as well as legal prominence.
. The tjtate Senate, at the session of 1871, elect-
ed him clerk. In February, 1871, he was
chosen counsel for the Levy Court of Kent
county, and continued in this position until
January, 1879, when Governor John AV. Hall
appointed him secretary of .'^tate fur tiie term
ending January, 1883.
Upon the death of Chancellor Willard
Saulsbury, Mr. AVolcott was a[)pointcd by
Governor Reynolds on Hay 3, 1893, to suc-
ceed him, but in November, 1895, resigned in
order to devote himself to private praetice,
])articularly to the duties of counsel for the
Delaware Kailroad.
^[r. "Wolcott was a conspicuous figure in the
Democratic politics of Delaware. lie was the
head aiul front of what was called the "Wolcott
factidU of the party, wdiich was radically hos-
tile t«i the Saulsbury faction, the lines between
the two being very distinctly marked in Kent
count}'. In 1888 he entered the lists as an
avowed candidate for United States Senator
in opjjosition to the late Eli Saulsbury, whose
term was about to expire. After an exciting
and memorable primary canvass, ^Ir. AVolcott
carried a majority of the delegates to the Kent
county Democratic Convention, and by the
a)i|)lication of the tinit rule, this convention
nominated a complete AVolcott legislative
ticket, denying to the Saulsbury faction, iu op-
position to the custom which had jirevailcd up
to that time, the right to name candidates for
the hundreds carried Ijy that faction. This
caused an open revolt in the jtarty, and the
Iiei)ublicans elected their legislative ticket in
Kent county. They were successfid also iu
Sussex county, by i-eason of the factional di-
vision of the Democrats, and the result was a
Legislature with a Ki'jiublicau maioritv uu
joint ballot, which sent Anthony Iliggins to
A^'ashington as the first and only Ke-
pnblicaii United States Senator from
Delaware. !^^^. AVolcott's last public
appearance was as counsel for the
Democratic members of the Kent county
Board of Canvass, in the legal yirnceedings
growing out of the count of the \iitcs cast at
the last general eleetiiui in that county, lie
had been in ill health for over a year, but
there were no indicalinns of his atfecticui be-
coming critical, and his sudden death came as
a great surprise throughout the State.
As the Legislature was in session at the time
of Chancellor Wolcott's death, resolutions ni
regret and eoiulolence were pa.ssed by both
houses, and eulogistic remarks were made by
M'uators and mendiers, after which, as a fur-
ther mark of respect to the deceased, the Leg-
islature adjourned nntil Monday morning.
The funeral, which was hehl Saturday, April
L'd, was one of the largest ever seen in the
Slate, and was attended by all the prominent
men of Delaware.
Ex-Chancellor AVolc(jtt married a daughter
of the late Alexander Godwin, who survives
him, together with three sons, James L., who
has been inacticing law with his father: Alex-
ander G., and Josiali O. AVolcott, a student at
college.
SOMK of Tilt; Ol.DKST EaMILIES.
A large number of the residents of Dela-
ware are descended from old and distinguished
families, and of many of these old families
every link can bo traced in the chain of their
descent from the first offspring to the present.
A'incent, the historian, who wrote in 1870. has
thrown much light on the subject of ancestry.
From him we learn that amongst these early
and prominent settlers were Augustine Her-
man and Gouvert Loockermans (now written
Lockerman) whose descendants are numerous
and widely scattered.
]^raiiy of the most able and intelligent pub-
lic men of Delaware have been of Dutch de-
scent, either on the paternal or maternal siile.
Even after the contpiest of the State by the
English, for many years most of the principal
magistrates and other public officers were
Dutchmen. A'incent tells us that among the
numerous families who are in wdiole or in part
(lescendi'd from the Dutch patriandis, in many
cases mixed with nugueuot French, are the
Oldhams (on the mother's side), the A''an
Dykes, the A''andegrifts, the Eayards (on the
mother's side), the Alrich.s, the Stalls, the
A'andevers, the Uermans, the Comegys, the
A^angezels, the Jaquetts, the A'^an Zandts, the
A'ances, the Uyatts, the Cochrans, the Fon-
taines, tlii> LeCounts, the Tilackstoncs, tlio
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.1 I I' i '• . I ' M 'If
STATE OF DELAWARE
89
Kings, the Andersons, and others. Tliere
were also families of Van Dykes, Petersons,
and Andersons, who were Swedes.
Anionust those who derive their descent
from I lie Ihifiuenot refiijics are tlie l>ayards,
the liilvilles, the Bonehclls, the Dellaves,
and others. The Delaware Bayards are ile-
seended from Nicholas Ixiyard, who fled from
France to Holland, and married Anncke, a
sister of Peter Stnj^'csant. They had three
sons, Balthazar, Peter and Nicholas. IVtcr
left Xew York and came to Delaware with the
l.aliadists. In 1675 he rec(>ived a araut ut'
]-!omliay Hook Island. Fonr years afterwards
he jHircliased the rights of the Indian owner of
the island, for one gun and some other nnit-
ters. From this Baj'ard it is helieved the Bay-
ards (if Delaware are descended. They, like
many of the other patriarchal Dutch-TIugue-
not families, have well maintained their social
and political btanding. Many members of the
family have been distinguished for great tal-
ents. Tlave succeeding generations of them
have represented the State in the United
States Senate, viz: The celebrated James A.
P>ayard, who signed the treaty of Ghent; then
his sons, Uichard and James A., who sat there
at dirt'erent times, and Thomas F. Bayard, the
son of the second James A. Bayard, who rep-
resented the State in the Senate, having suc-
ceeded his brother in the Senate in ISCO; he
was re-elected fur a second term in lS7o, and
again in ISSl, served continuously until he
became Secretary of State, 'Mawh 4, 1885.
On the day on which he was elected to the
Senate for a full term his father was also re-
elected a Senator from Delaware to serve for
the unexpired part of his original term. This
IS the only case of a father and son being voted
for by the same legislature to fill the s'cnator-
ial oiUce. lie was a member of the electoral
commission of 1876-7, and a conspicuous up-
holder in Congress of Democratic doctrines
and States' rights, and was voted in national
convention as a candidate' for the presidency
in 1880 and again in 188-t. :\rr. rievcland
apnointed him Secretary of State in 1885.
And during the second term of Mr. Cleveland
^Ir. Bayard was appointed Ambassador to
England, retiring in 18117. Including his
great-grandfather tiovernor Basset t, lie is
the fifth member of his family who has oc-
<'npied a seat in the Fuited States Senale.
John Paul Jaquett, the second Dutch
guiernor of ])elaware, was also a French
Protestant, who had fied from France to Hol-
land to avoid religious persecution. Before
his arrival in Delaware, howe\er, he had re-
filled in Brazil. The Jaipietts lived on their
farm, inheriting it from Paul Ja<piett, the
first ancestor, until the time of the celebrated
Alaj. Peter Ja([uett, the last sur\iving olKcer
of the Iievolution belonging to Delaware. lie
was born on Long Hook farm, near New Cas-
tle, Aiii'il 0, 1754, son of Peter and Elizabeth
.laqiutt. ( ■onimissioned an I'usign in Capt.
Henry Darby's company. Colonel Haslet's
regiment of Delaware State; troops, in Con-
tinental si'rvice, Janaiary 17, 1770; Second
Lieutenant Colonel Hall's Delaware regiment.
Continental Establishment, Novendier 27,
177(5; Captain (in same regiment) April 5,
177 7, and served to close of war; brevetted
^Tajor, September 30, 1783; died on his farm
at Long Hook, September 13, 1^34, and was
buried in Old Swedes' churchyard, Wilniiui;-
ton. He was vice-president of the Delaware
State Society of the Cincinnati from 1795 to
its dissolution. His certificate of membership
in the society and his sword are now in the
possession of his grand-nephew, Samuel Price
Jaiiuett, Padnor, ]*a.
I'he land comprising the Jacpiett farm was
granted to Jaquett the immigrant soon after
the cajiture of Delaware by the Dutch. It is
n<iw called Long Hook. It is situated at the
end of the causeway on the road from AVil-
ming-ton to New Castle, about a mile from the
bridge at the foot of ]\Iarket street, Wilming-
ton. In lliOa the Labadists (Dankers and
Sluytcr) crossed the Christiana near to this
fai'in. They speak of it as follows: "We pro-
ceeiled thene.'e a small distance overland to a
]ilace where the fortress of Christina had stood,
which had been constructed and possessed by
till- Swedes, but taken by the Dutch Governor,
Stuyvesant, and afterwards demolished by the
Englisji. * * * We ^vero then taken over
the ( 'hristiana Creek in a canoe, and landed
at the spot where Stuyvesant threw up his bat-
tery to attack the fort, and compelled the
Swedes to surrender. At this spot there are
]\redlar trees (a fruit now extinct), which bear
good fruit, from which one Jaquett, who does
not ]i\e far from there, makes good brandy or
Fjiirits, which we tasted and found even better
than French brandy."
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90
BIOGUA PHICAL EXCYCLOPJ'JDIA
From Joliiiimes de Hayes arc dcsccuJed tlic
Janvier (New Castle) family on the female
tide. A portrait of that auee^tor was in ex-
istence fifty years ago, to which Kev. (ieorge
Foot refers, and says: "He was evidently,
as lijs costiinie shows, either a knight or a
military oiiicer of high rank." Jn 1G7G he
purchased of Joseph Chew a farm of four
■liuiidred acres, described in the Xew Castle
records as being near the old landing on the
Appo(piinimink Creek, for two pounds (jf to-
bacco, Dutch weight, lie was then a mer-
chant. He was afterwards a magistrate at
!Xew Castle, under both the Duke of York and
AVilliani Penn.
After the capture l)y the English of tlie ter-
ritory now constituting the State of Delaware,
D'llinoyossa and Xnn Sweringen, with a num-
ber of other citizens of Delaware removed to
!Maryhind. 'J'he evidence we have of this is
the settling of so many Dutch and (Sermans
in the neighborhood of the Sassafras and l!o-
hemia Ifivers, an<l near the town of St. Clary's.
They were, no doubt, broTight tiicre by the
influence of Augustine irerman. Among
those families who again settled in Delaware
Vincent is of the opinion that there were the
Comegys, the Coehrans, the Blaekstones, the
Le Count.s, the Kings, and possil)ly the Bou-
cliells. Several of them were naturalized by
Maryland law from ICGO to 1084; among
these were Peter Bayard, Arnoldus de la
(■range, AVilliam lilackenstein (Blackstoue),
Hans Hanson, Corneliiis Comegys, Ticrrett
\an Sweringen, besides Jaeobsmi, F.rricksou,
Peterson, and Le Count, whose Christian
names are not given.
In l(5b(j Augustine Herman petitioned the
[Maryland Legislature for the naturalizati(Mi
of himself and all his family, viz: Fphraim,
(Jeorgius, (lasparous, his sons, and Anna ^lar-
garetta, Judith, and Frani-ina, his daughters
1840, was undoubtedly a descendant of his,
as he bears the same Christian name. One of
his descendants, Joseph P. Comegys, son of
the e.\-govirnor, ri'prescnted the state in the
I'luted States Senate. The Labadists, Dankei's
and Slnyter, give the following account of
their visit to him in IGT'J. He is undoubtedly
the Cornelius Comegys we have before spoken
of as having been naturalized in ilaryland.
Jle ai»pears to have been a man of wealth,
owning several plantations, and emiiloying
several servants. Jle lived in ^Maryland near
the Sassafras Kiver. 'I'heysay: "We arrived
at Cornelius, the son of Comegys, and called
out to him, and he brought a canoe, which re-
lieved us, as it was clo.se on to evening. AVe
thanked the person who had brought us into
the canoe. Cornelius, who was an active
young num, was ])leased to meet Hollanders,
although he was born in this country. We
found 'Mr. Comegys on the next plantation,
who bade ns welcome; and after we had drank
some cider, accompanied us with one of his
company to Mv. Hosier's, who was a good,
geuerons-hearted man, better than any Eng-
lishnian we had met in this c(Uintry. He had
formerly had much business with ,Mr. ^loU,
luit their affairs in England running behind-
hand a little, they both came and settled down
here, and therefore ilr. Z\Ioll and he luul a
great regard for each other.
"My. Comegys was from Vienna and had a
Dutch woman for a wife, who had taught her
children to speak the Dutch languaue; they
therefore had a kind disposition towards Hol-
landers. After her deatli he married an Eng-
lish woman, and he had himself learned many
of the English nuixims, although it was against
liis feelings; for we were sensible that he dared
not work for tts with an open heart. He told
Tis that he woidd rather live at the Cape of
Ciood Hope than here. 'How is that,' said
The Stalls, now so numerous, were here as I, 'when there is such good land here?' 'True,'
early as 1048. The first of the family who is
mentioned in the annals of the state was
Abraham Stalls, surgeon and elder of the
church at Pensselaerswick, New York. He
was in 1051 driven from an island in the
Schuylkill by the Swedes and had his home
burnt by the Indians in Xew York.
The first of the Comegys came from Vienna.
He was undoubtedly the ancestor of the pres-
ent Comegys family. Cornelius P. Comegys,
who was Clovernor of the State from 1>.jG to
e replied, 'but if you knew the people here as
well as I do, you woid<l be able to understand
why.'"
.Vugustine Ilenmui hereafter ceases to take
])art in Delaware history, save in a grant of
land to the Labadists. Of all his children only
the issue of his son Gasparus are now alive.
From him are descended the Oldhams and the
Bouchells. James K. Oldham, who resided at
Christiana Bridge, was the only male descend-
ant Tiow residim:- in the State He is seventh
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STATE Oh DELAWARE
91
in (kseeiit from Augustine Ilornian. This is
one of the few families that eau be traced by
their descent witlieut a break in tiie line. It
runs thus:
(!as])arus Herman left issue, a son name<l
Ejiliraim Augustine Herman, wlio left a
dauijhter Catharine, who married Peter IJou-
ehell, a descendant on one side from IR'ndrick
Shiyfer, one of the founders of the Laba<lists.
\ man named Joseph luiser or Inser married
^larv, their daughter. They had one son,
who was killed while celebrating his twenty-
first birthday. He had given an entertain-
ment to some young men, and wliile they were
racing their horses for amusemint he was
thrown and killed.
Col. Edward Oldham, one of the .Maryland
line of the Kevolution, grandfather of J. Iv.
Oldham, nnirried ^lary, daughter of Joseph
and ]\fary (Boucliell) Enser. There are sev-
eral, both in Delaware and ilaryland descend-
ed in the female line from Colonel Oldham
and ^fary Enser. In 1G79 the Labadists visi-
ted Augustine Herman. They found him sick
and his family broken up by a termagant wifi',
who liad driven his children away, ihey say:
"He showed ns every kindness he could in
liis condition, as lie was very miserable, both
in soul and body. His plantation was going
much to decay, as well as his body, from want
of attention. There was not a Christian man,
as they term it, to serve liim- — nobody but ne-
groes. All this was increased by a miserable,
dmiblv miserable wife; but so miserable that 1
will not relate here. ^Vll his children have
been com]K'lled on her account to leave their
father's house. He spoke to us of his land, and
said he would never sell or liire it to English-
men, but would sell it to us cheap if \w were
inclined to buy."
At a second visit they described his wife
as the most artful and despicable creature that
can he found. They also called Herman "a
godless ])erson." "We must, liowever, receive
with great allowance the account of the Laba-
dists, who took ])ecidiar views of life.
Augustine Herman died a short time after
this, and was Iniried on the ]\ranor. His death
must have occurred about the last of Decem-
ber, IGOi), as on the 14th of December, after
they left him, while visiting his son Ephraim,
they were informed that he was very sick and
at the point of death, and that his dauiihter
^Margaret had gone there to attend upon him
in that condition.
The Bayards, who afterwards came into that
portion of the JManor on which was situated
the grave of Herman, took the tombstone for
a door for their family vault. The iiiscrii)ti(ni
on it is as follows: "Augustine Herman, lio-
hemian, the first founder and seater of Bo-
hemia ]Manor, Anno lllG!)." In this vaidt lie
buried the remains of Bichard Bassett, a for-
mer governor of Delaware, a nu'mber of the
convention that framed the ( 'oustitutiou of the
United States, and the father-in-law of the
first James A. Bayard.
A curious incident is related of Herman,
but no documentary evidence of its truthful-
ness is known to exist, although Lednum in his
"Bise of ]^lethodism in America," refers to
it. Bev. (ieorge Eoot, who died at Odessa in
]S(JS, mentions it also in a little book which
he published in 1842.
Ledmtm thus si)eaks of the affair: "It is said
that the Dutch had him a prisoner of war at
one time, under scMitence of death, in Xew
York. A short time before he was to be exe-
cuted, he feigned himself to be deranged in
mind, and reqtiested that his horse shoidd be
brought to him in the prison. The horse Avas
brought, finely cajjarisoned. Herman mount-
ed him, and seemed to be performing military
exercise, when on the first opj)ortiniity he
b(jlted tlirongh one of the large windows that
was some fifteen feet above ground, leajied
down, swam the Xorth Bi\er, ran his horse
through Xew Jer.si'y, and alighted on the bank
of the Delaware o|)])Osite Xew T'astle, and tlms
made his escape from death and tlii> Dutidi !
This daring feat, traditi(m says, he had trans-
ferred to eanva.s — himself represented as
standing by the side of his charger, from whose
nostrils the blood was flowing. It is said that
a co])y of this jiainting still exists. He never
suffered this horse to be used afterwards, and
Avlien he died had him buried, and honored his
grave with a tombstone."
Vincent, in his "History of Delaware," pub-
lished in 1S70 (]). 4(lil), says that he once saw
the ]>ainting. It was then in the possession of
James B. Oldham, and was as represented by
I.eclmun.
The old mansion house of llernnm was oc-
cu])iecl by (io\-ei-nor Bassett and soon after
his death in SeptiMuber, 1S15, it was burned
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92
BinURM'IIH'AL KXCYCLOPEDIA
down. Ledmuii further says: "-.M;my oKl val-
uaMc paintings were: consmiietl with this
huii^-c. One of its hirge halls \va3 lined witli
lluiii. ;Many of them had belonged to Angus-
tine lleniian, the foimder of Ijoheuiia
IManor. His likeness and that of his lady i)er-
ishcd; also the painting representing the flight
from the Dutch in New York hy means of his
famous war charger. * * * Herman was the
great man of the region; he had his deer park;
he rode in his coach, driven liy liveried ser-
vants."'
^Margaret, the daughter of Herman, is the
tir.-t Delaware young lady of whom history
records a description. The Labadists met her
just before she left her brother Ephraim's to
attend the death bed of her father. They
said: "'She showed us much kindness. She
was a little volatile, but of sweet and good
disposition." Again speaking of her they
said: ''She possesses a good disposition, al-
though a little wild, according to the nature
of the country. She complained that she was
like a wild and desolate vine trained up in a
wild and desolate country; that she had always
felt an inclination to know more of God
quietly, and to serve him. She treated us with
great affection, and received thankfully aud
acceptably what we said to her."
The C'oehrans, now so numerous and influ-
ential, it is alleged, are descendt'd from Derick
Kolchman, now changed to Cocdiran, who was
utu- iif thiise concerned in founding the I.aba-
<list CI ill my.
'J"he Alrichs, one of whom (Lucas Alrichs,
of Xcw Castle Hundred) liolds the land on
which he lives from his first ancestor, have
frum the time of the first governor of that
name (1057) been numerous and influential.
Their blood flows in the veins of large niuu-
b.ers of the most respectable citizens of T)ela-
ware and other States; for like most old Dela-
Avare families, their descendants are scattered
over most of the states of the Union.
Of the Delaware Knickerbocker families
none, it is believed, have so complete a claim
•of descent as the offspring of the celebrated
Convert Loockermans,the sturdy leader of the
citizens of Xew Amsterdam, and colleague of
Augustine Hernian. From him the Lock-
ormans of Dover are descended. One of his
descendants still occtipies the family mansion
at Dover, M-hich was built in 1742, by "jSTich-
olas Loockermans. The line of descent, ^how-
ing the number of generations, link by link,
that has existed in the State since its fir.-,t set-
tlement, is given briefly as follows:
Cjouvert Toockermans, the progenitor of
the Loockermans, came from llulland to Xew
^Vmsterdam with Wouter N'an Twiller, the Di-
rector-General or Governor of jS^ew Nether-
lands, in the caravel St. Martin or Hope, com-
manded by Juriaen IJlanck, in the month of
April, ]();j:i, iu the service of the West India
Company. At the time of his arrival he was
aged about seventeen years. He married
^laria Jan?en, daughter of Eoelf .Tansen and
his wife Annetje or Annccke Jans, who after
the death of her husband, married the IJev.
Everhardus Ijo^ardus, and was by that mar-
riage brother-in-law of Oloff Stevenson Van
Courtlandt, wlios(! son founded the Van Court-
landt ]\ranor in the State of New York; also
of Jacob Van Couwenhoven, sometimes writ-
ten Covenhoven. He filled some of the high-
est civil and military offices in New Amster-
dam. He was dispatched by Stuyvesant with
Jan Davitz in ]\Liy, 1GG4, across the Green
]\Iountains to arrange peace with the Mohawk
Hidians. At Warrington he concluded a
treaty with them. About the same period he
commanded a small armed vessel. He drove
the English from a fort they had erected up
the Hudson IJiver; also at the head of an
armed force he surprised and utterly extir-
pated a tribe of hostile Indians on Staten Is-
land, who had greatly annoyed and injured
the settlers in New Amsterdam. It is said
that the memory of this indiscriminate
slaughter of this tribe of Indians, although
a])proved by the popular sentiment of his day,
occasioned him much disquietude of consci-
ence, after his retirement from active life, iu
his last hours. He was dispatched at one
])eriod of his life, at the head of an armed
force, to expel the Swedes and English, who
had encroached on territory claimed by the
Dutch on the Delaware Kiver near the pres-
ent city of I'hiladelphia.
Convert Loockermans was also a successful
merchant and i>olitician. He headed the
]K)pular party of New Amsterdam, known as
the ''Country iiarty," and resisted the dicta-
torial assumjition of Stuyvesant, the hard-
htaded leader of the C(nu-t or administration
jiartv, by wresting from him for the ])eople
the right of reiiresentation in the council
called the "Scdinepens,"' of which he was a
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STATE OF DELAWAUE
93
lULiuber in 1UJ7 and IGUl. This bridled the
picruyativc claiint-d by ytnyvciant, and made
the guvernment of tliu Alanimttans in u na-as-
ui'f I'L-publii'an. Loockcrnuais was tiiruu tinica
banisiiL'd by Stuyvcsant, antl was as ufteu ru-
caiicd on account of his public scrvicus. Tlie
feud between IStuyvesant and him was subse-
ijiientty ternduated by tiio niarriage of his
granddaughter with tiie jirandson of Stiiyvc-
sant. After a career of honored usefulness,
Ciouvert i.oockernians died in IGTU, reputed
the richest individual iu JS^orth America, lie
was worth 520, QUO Dutch guilders, an im-
mense sum for the period in which he lived.
His public influence and position devolved
after his decease on his son-indaw, Jacob Leis-
ler, who became by a civil revolutiun the first
governor of the people of the colony of Xew
Amsterdam.
Gomert Loockermans left five children,
viz: I'd.^ie, Cornelis, Jacob, Johannes, and
ilaritje. I'dsie married Cornells 1'. \'an-der-
Veen. Their children were: Cornelius, Timo-
thy and ]\largaret. She next married Jacob
Leislcr, who subsequently acted so pronunent
a part in the early colonial history of New
York.
Alaritje, second daughter of (Jouvert
Lockermans, married Balthazar Bayard, step-
son to (Jovcrnor Stuyvesant, and of this mar-
riage was horn: (1) Anna Maria, who married
Augustus Jay, grandfather of Governor Jay;
('!) Arietta, wdio married Samuel \'erplanck;
(3) Jacobus, who married Ilellegonda De
Kay; (4) Judith, who married Gerardus Stuy-
vesant, grandson of the last Dutch governor,
Peter Stuyvesant.
Joannes or Januetje Loockermans was the
sccoml wife of Surgeon Hans Kicrsted, and
her children were Areantje, Cornelis, Jaco-
lius, and ifaritje.
Cornelis, tlie eldest son, died, it is believed,
childless, in early life. Jacob, the second son
of (Jouvert Loockermans and Maria, his wife,
was horn in 1(350, in New Amsterdam. Tie
w.is a regular graduated physician and prac-
ticed his ]irofession; but he became a planter
in ]f5S2. On the 2!)th of January, 1077, he
married Helena Ketin. Being involved in the
political troidJes, which culminated in the
overthrow of his brotlirr-indaw, Jacob Leis-
ler, who was deposed and bro\ight to the scaf-
fnlil liv the royal governor of William Til of
Entjland, about the year lOSl, he emi-rate.l
to Laston, J\laryland, where he became a plan-
ter. He was a man uf wealth, and left a great
deal of real estate in the city of New York
undisposed of. He died August 17, IToO,
lea\ ing a son, Nicholas Loockermans, who was
born November 10, 1(JU7. He married Sally
Emerson, daughter of \'ineent luiierr-un, of
the (Jrange near l)o\er, in 1721. lie tiled
-March I), 17Liil, aged over seventy-one 3'ears.
His tondistone remains at the Grange to this
day._^
\ incent Loockermans, only child of the
abo\e named Nicholas Loockermans, \vas born
at the Grange before mentioned, in 1722. He
married as his second wife Elizabeth Pryor,
daughter of John Pryor, merchant, of Dover,
in Eebruary, 17?-f. By his first wife Susan-
nidi, he had one child, Vincent Loockermans,
the younger. \iy his second wife, Elizabeth
Pryor, he had twu children, viz:_ Elizabeth
and Nicholas. Vincent Loockermans, the
elder, sat iu the Legislature. He was a promi-
nent A\'liig during the Pevolution. He died
at his residence, in Dover, August 20, 17S5,
in his sixty-third year, leaving a large landed
estate in and around Dover.
Nicholas, son of Vincent and Elizabeth
(Pryor) ]-oockermans, was born Novendjer
27, 1783. He sat in the Legislature, and died
]\rarch 20, 1850. He was never married.
Elizabeth I-oockernians, the only daughter
of Vincent and Elizabeth (Pryor) Loocker-
mans, was born December 23, 1779. She mar-
ried Thomas Bradford, LL. T)., of the city of
Philadelidiia, eouusellor-at-law, ]\ray 8, 1S05.
She died in Philadelphia April 12, 1S42, her
husband s\irvived her, and five children: T.
Vincent Loockermans; II. Elizabeth Loocker-
mans; III. Benjamin Push; TV. "William;
V. Thomas Budd.
^^incent Loock(>rmans Bradford, eldest sur-
viving child <if Thomas and Elizabeth
(Loockermans) Bradford, was born Septem-
ber 21, 180S. He adopted the legal profes-
sion and was admitted to practice in Philadel-
jihia, in April, 1829. He removed to the
State of ^richigan in 1835, and was elected in
1S37 to the State Senate. He resumed the
jiractice of his profession in Philadeljdiia in
1843, and wa^ elected president of the Phila-
delphia and Trenton Piu'lroad Comnany in
1859, being snbsc([nent]v re-elected until
1871. inclusive. He married, July 21, 1S31,
Juliet S. Lav, (binL'hter of Emanuel Pay,
I •■•i-.;"'»i\ Ao v>. s'.-'V''.
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04
BlOaitA Fine. I L ENCYCLOPEDL 1
Ksq., planter of the Island of St. JIartin, West
IikHcs.
Elizabeth Loockornians 15radford, eldest
daughter of Thomas and Kli/.alieth (i.ooeker-
nians) i>railfi)i'd, niai-ried the Rev. William
T. Dwight, ]). I)., of Portland, iTaine, son of
Timothy Dwiulit, D. 1)., the distinguished
. ]>resident of Yale College. She died in 1SG3.
Her husband died in 1805. She left surviv-
ing four children, the Rev. Henry E. Dwight,
^1. 1).; Thomas Bradford Dwight, counsellor-
atdaw, of Philadelphia; Elizabeth Bradford
Dw ight, and ilary W. Dwight.
Ik-njamin Bush Bradford, of Xew Brigh-
ton, Beaver county, I'ennsylvania, son of
Thomas and Elizabeth (Loockermans) Brad-
ford, married in ISGO ilargaret Campbell, of
Butler county, Pennsylvania. They have
four children, viz: Juliet S., Thomas, Eleanor
C., and William C.
William Bradford, of Philadelphia, son of
Idiomas and iLlizabeth (Loockermans) Brad-
ford, was born in 1815.
Thomas Budd Bi-adford, son of Thomas
and Elizabeth (Loockermans") 15radford, was
born in ISIG. He was a minister of the gos-
])cl, and resided for a long time in the ances-
tral mansion of the loockermans at Dover,
which has sheltered those of his blood for more
than a century. He farmed as proprietor
much of the old Loockermans land contiguous
to Dover. By his first wife he had no issue.
He married as his second wife ^liss Lucy H.
Porter, daughter of Dr. Robert B. Porter, an
esteemed and influential citizen of Wilming-
ton, granddaugliter of the Hon. Willard Hall,
District Judge of the United States District
Court of Delaware, and great-granddaughter
of Chancellor Killen, of Delaware. His issue
by this last nnirnage was four sons and one
daughter. He died at Dover, :^^arch 2.">,
1S71.
A granddaughter of Vincent Loockermans,
the elder, by his first marriage — being a
daughter of Vincent Loockermans, the
younger — Elizabeth Loockermans, married
Thomas Davy, of Philadelphia. She and her
husband both died years ago, leaving an only
child, :\rary S. Davy. Another grandchild of
"\'incent Loockermans, the elder, by his first
marriage, and daughter of Vincent Loocker-
mans, the younger, married the Hon. Nicho-
las Ci. "Williamson, for many vears ]io<tiiiaster
and mayor of Wilmington, by whom ■.!:,• had
issue: (1) ]\Iary Ann, married W\. Corry
Chambers; {i) Harriet, nuirried Hon. Wil-
iiam 1). Baker; (3) Sallie E., married Hon.
Horn B. Kneass; (4) Kvelina, married Coiirt-
landt Howell, Es(|.; (5 and 0) Hehua and
I'^lba, married Leonard Phlcgor, Esq.
Although the fanuly for a century past
have signed themselves and been called
"Lockerman," the true spelling of the name
originally, as derived from the early records
of the family, is "Loockermans."
It will be seen by this history of the de-
scendants of Convert Loockermans how the
blood of the Knickerbocker patriarchs is
niingled and scattered over all the states, how
the families nniintain their position, and that
seven generations of the descendants of the
_ loockermans and eight of the Hermans— for
some of the last named descendants of both
families have living children — have existed
since the first settlement of Delaware.
AViLLiAM Shipley.
William Shipley was born in Leicestershire,
England, in 1U1)3. His wife was .Mary Ann,
daughter of Robert and Ann Tatnall, from'
whom are descended all the families of the
Tatnalls, the Leaks, the Canbys, the Ship-
leys, and Prices, in the neighborhood of the
Brandy wine :\Iills; and all the Richardsons
and Latimei-s, near Mill Creek.
William Shijiley and family embarked at
Bristol, in England, in the spiing of 17i'5, on
board a ship bound for Philadelphia. The
vessel was crowded with passengers, having
more than eighty persons on board, several of
whom afterwards became conspicuous and
valuable citizens of Wilmington. Among
these may be mentioned Edward Tatnall,
father of Joseph Tatnall; Elizabeth Canbv,'
who was the mother of the late William arid
Samuel Canby, and afterwards, by a second
marriage, of AVilliam Poole; Thomas Ship-
ley, who was the father of Joseph Shiplev,
of Brandywine .Mills, and Sarah Xewlin, wife
of Cyrus Xewlin; and Jane Elwall. after-
wards Jane Pearson, who lived to a great age.
In the same .ship cnme William Taylor. He
settled at Darby, and made the first Smith's
bellows ever manufactured in Pennsylvania.
Also George AVarner, who lived to the great
age of ninety-nine years, and retained his men-
tal faculties to his death, which took jdace in
• i .11.1 .
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STATE OF DELAWAnE
95
1810. AUv Thomas Tatnall, who settled be-
tween Darby and Chester, and from whom are
descended tlie ivnowles and yhulleruss fami-
lies.
The ship arrived at Philadelphia in the
month of Jnly, after a passage of two months.
iJuring the voyage the smallpox appeared on
board, and several of the passengers died.
This eli'emnstance so alarmed the inhaliitants
of I'hiladeljihia that they assembled in crowds
iind ordered the ship to lea\'e the plaex;. She
drojiped down the river and anchored oif the
Swedes' Church, near which the passengers
laniled and were kindly received by a jjcrson
named ]3arnes, who conducted them through
a dense forest to a house near South street,
called "the lilue House Tavern." After the
passengers had recovered from the smallpo.x,
and their quarantine had expired, they were
permitted to enter the town.
Xuvy soon after his arrival, AVilliam Ship-
ley purchased a tract of land in Ridley town-
ship, about ten or twelve miles southwest of
Philadelphia, and there settled with his fam-
ily. In the early part of 1727 his wife died,
after a short illness. In about two years he
married Elizabeth Levis, daughter of Samuel
Levis, of Chester county. She was a distin-
guished minister in the Society of Friends,
and in nniny resjiects a very extraordinary
woman.
The settlement of ilr. Shipley at Wilming-
ton was the result of a dream of his wife's. In
this dream she saw a beautiful place, whicli
made so dee]i an impression on her mind that,
when traveling through the country, she ini-
mi'diately recognized the spot and decided
that they should settle there. ]\Ir. Shipk'V
yielded to her wishes, and they soon after
took np their residence in what is now Wil-
mington. He purchased several lots, pro-
ceeded to make improvements, and prospered.
In 174.'3, Elizabeth Shipley, in company
with Esther White, another distinguished
minister of the Society of Friends, residing in
AVilmiiigton, made a journey to IMorth Caro-
lina on a religious mission, from whence they
sailed fur luigland, and traveled over Creat
Britain and Ireland. They returned in 1745.
She was at that time considered on of the
greatest ministers of her profession on the con-
tinent uf .\merica. She lived to see Wibning-
ton grow to be the largest town in the State
of Delaware, and de])arted this life in thu
fall of 1777, at the advanced age of eighty-
seven years, having retained the full posses-
sion of her mental faculties to the end of her
days. \\'hen the battle of ijrandywine was
fought and lost, and I'hiladelphia was in the
hands of the enemy, she was on her death bed.
Some of her friends called to see her and con-
dole with her on the distressed condition of
the country. Kequesting to be propped np
in bed, she addressed the company in rela-
tion to tlie existing state of public offairs, and
closed with these im|)ressive words: "But I
have seen, in the light of the Lord, that the
invader of our land should be driven back;
for the arm that is mighty to save and aids
to deliver from the hands of the oppressor, is
stretched forth for the deliverance of this na-
ti<ni, which, I am firm in the faith, will secure
its independence."
Her sublime words made a deep inii)ression
on those sitting by her bedside, and became a
subject of interesting conversation among her
friends in the neighborhood. The solemnity
of the occasion, the character of the speaker,
and the circumstances under which the address
was made, greatly increased the interest it was
otherwise well calculated to excite. It was a
voice from the bf>rders of the gi-ave, uttered
by one who had long been considered an ex-
traordinary person, and who was now just en-
tering the poi'tal of an eternal state. The ]n'e-
diction, as we all know, was fulfilled to the
letter.
In 17;'5 'Mv. Shijiley built a large three-
story brick house at what is now the southwest
corner of Fourth and Shipley streets, Wil-
nnngtoji. In this house he lived until his
death in 17CS, at the age of seventy-six.
William Shipley had issue by his first wife,
^Tary Ann Tatnall, Thomas, .\nn. and Eliza-
lieth, as follows:
I. Thomas, b. 171S, in l'',nglan<l, came to
this country with his jiarents, settled with
them in Wilmington, and afterwards pur-
chased part of the water power of the Brandv-
wine, which became a source of wealth to him-
self and family. He married ^lary ]\rarriott,
and they had nine children. Those who grew
to adult age were:
i. William, b. 1740; d. 1810.
ii. ^larv, (]\Irs. Phineas Buckley), liorn
I7r)0; died in Xew York in 1795.
I -.AA \'
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96
BIOGRAnilCAL ENCYl'LorKDlA
iii. Josepli, b. 1752; d. 1S;}2; luamed
ilary Levis, of Spriiigtield, Delaware cuuiity,
I'a.; iuLeriteJ the large mill piupeity on ihe
liraiulywiiie, was siu'cesst'ul in Luaiiieis and
left au lioiioialde name. His wife survived
liini eleven years, dying in 1S43. 'I'liey Lad
i^j^iie:
1. Sanuicl, born in 1777, married Eliza-
beth, daughter of Oajit. James Jetferis. lie
engiiged in the milling busiue-s with his father
until his health failed and he died in ISl 1,
leaving two ehildren, Thomas and Sarah, y.
Mary, (Mrs. John Dixon), of AVilmington,
died in lS-44. 3. Thomas, born in 1780, en-
gaged in the shipping business in I'hiladcb
phia, and was remarkably suecessful; was
prostrated with sunstroke while visiting in the
south of France, and died soon afterwards, at
the early age of thirty-two. 4. John, born in
1782, was for many years engaged in the mill-
ing business, and died in 18G3. 5. Rebecca.
Ci. Anna. 7. Elizabeth. 8. Sarah. 9. iMar-
garet. 10. Joseph, born December 4, 17iJ5;
entered the counting house of Samuel Canby,
in Philadelphia, at the age of eighteen; went
to England in 1819, and became a member
of the great banking house of P>rown, Ship-
ley & Co. Their business became extensive
and the reputation of the house was wide-
spread. His business venture yielded him a
fortune. Thirty years after he went abroad
he returned to £)claware, his native state, and
purchased a fine property in lirandywine
Hundred, where he erected a beautiful resi-
dence, and called the place "Rock wood."
Here he resided until his death, which oc-
curred on the 9th of ilay, 18G7, in the seven-
ty-second year of his age. His remains were
interred in the Friends' burying ground in
"Wilmington. Referring to his honorable
career as a business man and citizen, a writer
observes: "ITe passed from earth at a ripe
age. his life being one of honor and usefulness,
and we doubt whether the soil of Delaware
covers the remains of a more trusty merchant,
a more worthy citizen or a better iiuui than
Josejjh Shipley." 11. Hannah was the
youngest of the eleven children of Jose])h and
"Miiry (Levis) Shipley.
iv. Sarah, b. 17.">."); married T'vrus Xew-
lin, of Wilmington, and dieil in l""'!!, leaving
two children, ^Nfary and Thomas.
V. Ann, b. in 1756; married Juhn Joned,
and died in 18U8, leaving two children, (Jyrus
and Lydia.
vi. Anna, b. 17llU; married William
Liyriies, ami died in 1>U6, leaving une sun,
Thomas.
II. Anna, b. circa 1720.
III. Elizabeth, \>. eirea 1723. In 1744 she
mariied Oliver, son of Thomas Canby. He
was engaged in the milling business, and died
in 1754. William, the eldest of their five
children, in 1774, nuiiried Martha, daughter
of Thomas and Sarah Marriott, of Bristol, Fa.
'Jhey settled in Wilmington the same year.
She died in 1820, and he survived her until
1S30, when he died at the age of eighty-two.
Samuel Canby, second son of Oliver and
Elizabeth (Shipley) Canby, was born in ^Vii-
mington in 1751. His father died when he
was three years old. He learne<l the
business of a carpenter and cabinet
maker with Ziba Ferris. When his
term of service expired in 1771, he
removed to Brandywine and engaged in the
milling business. In 1775 he married Frances
Lea, daughter of James and iLirgaret Lea,
of W^ilmington, and removed to the house
formerly owned by his father on the banks
of the Brandywine. Later in life he built a
large residence at the corner of Fourteenth
and ^larket streets, in which his son, James,
afterwards lived. In this mansion he lived
forty -one years, until 1S32, when he died at
the age of eighty-one years.
James Canb}', sou of Samuel Canby, was
born January 30, 1781, and for most of his
adult life continued the flour mills owned by
his father. He was one of the originators of
the Philadelphia, AVilmington and Baltimore
Railroad and became the first president of the
company. He died May 24, 1858.
]\rerrit Canby, son of "William Canby, was
born in Wilmington, N'ovember 19, 1783.
From 1815 to 1S3G, he was engaged in the
sugar refining business in Philadelphia. In
183G he removed to Wilmington and was con-
nected with various financial institution-; an<l
other coi-porations until his death, Docember
10, ISGG.
It may be said of AVilliam Shii)lev. the
immigrant, that he was the founder of the
floui'ishing coinnu'rcial city f>f W^iliuingtou,
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/5C^/C, y^. /t^^^^^^L^
STATE OF Dh'LAWAL'E
99
with its seventy thousaml inhabitants. AVhcn
lie eanie liere bofore ITof), it was a small town
of ]t■:^s ilian tliii'ty-tliree houses. l>iit
tlir()ii,i;ii the enterprise of !Mr. Shipley the
town began to grow rapidly. The llret mar-
ket house in AVilmington was built by him in
the spring of IT.'JG, at his own expense, aii<l on
his own, land. The first meeting of the
1 "riends was held in his one-story brick house,
and later meetings in his new house, until the
tirst me(ting-linuse was oonijjleted in the fall
of 17."5S. The name of .Mr. Shipley is perpet-
uated by a street, and Tatnall street represents
tiie maiden name of his first wife.
ifoNj, Caesar Kodnkv.
Caesar Eodney, the first of the Congres-
sional delegation from Delaware, was a native
of that State, and was born about the year
17-")0. His place of birth was Hover. The
family from which he descended was of an-
cient date, and is honorably sijoken of in the
history of early times. We read of Sir Wal-
ter Do Iiodeny, of Sir George De Ifodeny,
and Sir Henry De Itodeny, with several others
<.if the same name, even earlier than the year
lL';St. Sir Ivichard De Kodeuy accompanied
the gallant liichard Coeur de Lion in his cru-
sade to the Holy Land, where he fell while
fighting at the siege of Acre.
In subsequent years the wealth and power
of the family continued to be great. Inter-
marriages took place between some of the
members of it and several illustrious and noble
families of England. During the civil w^ars,
about the time of the Commonwealth, those
families became considerably reduced, and
their members were obliged to seek their for-
tunes in new employments, and in distant
countries. Soon after the settlement of Penn-
syh'aiiia by William Penn, William Rodney,
one of the descendants of this illustrious fam-
ily, removed to that province and after a short
residence in Philadelphia, settled in Kent
county, Delaware. This gentleman died in
170S, leaving a cousiderabli! fortune and
eight children, the eldest of whom,is the sub-
ject of this sketch, llr. Rodney inherited
from his father a large landeil estate, which
was entailed upon him according to the usages
of distinguished families at that day. Such
6
was his pojuilarity that at the early age of
twenty -eight years he was ajjpointed high
shei'itf of Kent county, and on tlie expiration
of his term of service was created a justice of
the }H'ai-e and a judge of the lower luurls. In
ITtii', and perhai)s at a still earlier date, he
re])resented the county of Kent in tlie provin-
cial legislature. In this station he entered
with great zeal and activity into the ])romi-
nent measures of the day. In tlie year 17G5
the first general Congress was a^-embled at
Xew York to consult upon the mea-ures to be
adopted in conseipiencc of the Stamp Act and
other op]iressivc procedures of the British
(!o\ernment. ^h: Rodney, ]\fr. IMcKean, and
Mv. Kollock were unaninionsly appointed by
the Provincial Assembly of Delaware to rep-
resent that jirovince in this Congre-s. For
tlie faithful 'and judicious discharge of the
trust reposed in them the Assembly unani-
mously tendered its thanks and voted them a
liberal comj^ensation.
Souii after this Mr. Rodney, in consequence
of ill health, was obliged to reliiniuish his pub-
lic duties and seek medical advice. -V can-
cerous affection had some time previously
nnule its appearance on his nose and was fast
spreading itself over one side of his face.
Fortunately the skill of the physician afforded
him relief and he returned home greatly en-
couraged.
^fr. Rodney was a member of the Congress
of 1774, having for his colleagues Thomas
^fcKcan and George Read. On the meeting
of this Congress September 5, 1774, ilr. Rod-
ney appeared and took his seat. lie was ap-
pointed on several important committees, ex-
hibited gTcat fidelity in the discharge of his
duties, and as a reward ior his services, re-
ceived the thanks of the Provincial Assembly,
together with a re-appointment to the same
high station the following year. He was also
ap])ointed to the office of brigadier general
in the province. At the time that the import-
ant question of independence came before
Congress, IMi*. Rodney was absent on a tour
in the southern ])art of Delaware, lia\'ing for
his object to quiet the discontent which ])re-
vailed in that section of the country, and to
prejiare the minds of the people for a change
of government. On the question of independ-
ence his colleagues, who were at this time in
attendance n]i<]U Congress, were divided.
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100
BIOai!APl[[CAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Aware of the importance of a luianiiuous vote
of the states iu favor of a declaration of in-
dependence, and acquainted witli the views of
!Mr. liodney, ^Ir. .McKcan di.spatclicd a spe-
cial niebsenger to summon him lu lie present
in his seat when the trying (picstion should
come hefore the body. With great eti'ort -Mr.
Kodney reached i^iiiladelphia just iu time to
give his vote and thus to secure entire unani-
mity in passing what was termed by the loy-
alists, "'that act of treason."
In the autumn of 1770 a convention was
called in Delaware for the purpose of framing
a new Constitution, and of appointing ilele-
gates to the succeeding (/ongre^s. Jn this
convention there was a majority opposed to
]\ir. Ivodney, who was recalled from Congress
and sujierseded by another person. Such in-
gratitude on the part of the people was not
conmion during the Revolutionary struggle.
In the j^i'e^ent instance the removal of this
gentleman was principally attributable to the
friends of the English Government, who were
(piite numerous, especially in the lower coun-
ties, and who contrived to enlist the prejudices
of some true republicans in accompli-.hing
their object.
Although thus removed from Congress,
!^^r. Rodney still continued a memlier of the
Council of Safety and of the conunittee of iu-
s])ection, in both of which otlices he emjiloyed
himself with great diligence, especially in col-
lecting sujijdies for the troo})s of the State,
which were at that time with Washington.
In 1777 he repaired in person to the cam)) near
Princeton, where he remained for nearly two
months in the most aetivc and laborious >vy-
vices.
In the autumn of 1777, ^Ir. Rodney was
again appointed as a delegate to Congre-s
from Delaware, but before taking his seat he
was elected President of the State. (See
sketches of the governors.) This was an f»f-
fice of great responsibility, demanding energy
and promptness, especially as the legislat)\re
of the state was tardy in its movements, and
the loyalists not nnfref|uently excited
troublesome insurrections. ^Ir. Rodney con-
tinued in the otHce of President of the State
for about three years. During this |)eriod he
had frequent communications from Washing-
ton in relation to the distressed condition of
the armv. In everv emertiencv he was reailv
to assist to the e.xtent of iiis pcjwcr; and by
his energy and inlluence he .succeeded in af-
fording the most prompt and eliicinit aiil.
The honorable course which he jmrsued, his
tirm and yet liberal conduct in cin-umstanci's
the most ditiicult ami trying, greatly endeared
him to the peoi)le of Delaware, wlio univer-
sally expressed their regret when, iu the year
1782, he felt obliged, on account of the ardu-
ous nature of his duties, auil the delicate state
of his health, to decline a re-election.
Shortly after retiring from the [irt-siileney
of the State of Delaware, he was elc'cted to
Congress, but it does not appear that he e\'er
after took his seat in that body. The cancer
which had for years atliicted him, and which
for a long time previou>ly had so spread over
his face as to oblige him to wear a green silk
screen to conceal its ill ajJiiearance, now in-
creased its ravages, and on tjie :-'ttth of June,
1784, he died, in the fifty-fifth year of his
age. His death caused much sorrow among
the people, lie was noted for high integrity,
purity of character and patriotism. In 1889,
more than a hundred years after his death, a
handsome uHmnment was dedicated to his
memory and his name is still held in grateful
renu-ndiranee by the people of Delaware.
AVarnkk !Mifft.ix.
AVarner .MitHin, who settled in Delaware
mauv years before the Revolutionary war, was
in some resj)ects a unique character, lie Avas
born in A<-comac county, Virginia, October
L'l, 174.'), son of Daniel Mifflin, a planter and
>liare owner, and ilied near Camden, Dela-
ware, October IU, 17i»S, lacking but five days
of being tifty'*three years of age. Early in
life he became iud)ued with the lielief that
slavery was an e\il, and devoted much thought
to the question. Raised a Friend, he a.lhered
to the customs and jiractices of the Society,
and was a firm believer in its doctrines. The
vear wlien he became a resident of Delaware
is unknown. His father, it appears, canu- with
him from \'irginia, and imrchased land. At
that time he must have been quite a young
man. He was the only Friend within sixty
miles of his plantation and had a long distance
to travel when attending the yearly meetings
of the Societv.
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STATE OF DHLAWMIE
101
He was appointed a jiistiee of tlie peace
Lv tlie Diiki' tpf Yoi'k June 10, ITTU, wliicli
shows that he must have arrived from \'ir-
giiiia before tliat time. Tlie records bhdW
that lie was assessed in ITSJ in North and
Suutli ^liirderkill liundreds. Dauiol and
AVaiki-r -MiiHin were assessed at tlu' sanic tinir.
'Idie fcjrnicr was tlie father of Wanirr, and
the hittt-r was ids In'otlier.
Althongli Warner ^litHin took so great an
intcre-t in tlie welfare of tlic slaves, and was
one (if the \ery earliest of Al)ulitionists, he
iicranie a sla\e owner. Some wore hrouglit
to him liy his tirst wife, who was a ^larylander,
and uthi i> wt-re given to him by las father,
lint the belief that it was wrong to hold slaves
grew stronger iu his mind from year to year,
and, finally, in 1774, he gave them their lib-
erty by executing a curious paper whicdi has
been jireserved. His e.xample was followed
by other Friends, and the records show the
voliuitarv emancipation of G15 slaves by their
o\vn(rs fioni 1774 to 1792, AVarner ilitHin
opciang the list with twenty-one of his own.
The document is entitled a "Record of ]\rann-
missions by the ^Iend)ers of Duck Creek
^Monthly [Meeting and some other Friends."
A co])y of one of these records will serve as n
illustration of the habit of tlionght of those
Friends in carrying out their convictions of
duty, and is well worthy of preservation 'u
this connection as a remarkable historical
document. It is as follows:
I, \Yarner Mifflin, of Kent county, in Delaware,
merchant, fully persuaded in my conscience that it
is a sin of a deep dye to make slaves of my fellow
creatures to continue them in slavery, and believ-
\ng it to be impossible to obtain that peace my soul
desires, wliile my hands are bound full of injustice,
as by my unjustly detaining in bondage those that
have as just and equitable riglit to their freedom
and liberty of their persons as myself. Therefore,
for remedying the same I do hereby declai'e all the
negroes I have, hereafter particularly named, ab-
foUitely free, them and their posterity forever,
from me, ray heirs, executors, administrators and
every one of them, to wit : Hannah, an antient
n'g:o woman; Ezekiel, a man about twenty-five
years of age : Beniah, a negro man about twenty-
seven years of age ; Paul, a negro man about
twenty years of age ; Nanny, a negro woman about
thii'ty years of age, and her girl, Hannah, about
fourteen years of age ; Daniel her negro boy. about
ten years of age ; her girl, Jenny, about live years
of age ; girl Nanny, about three yeai-s of ago ;" boy,
Abram, about ten months old ; negro Grace, a
woman about twenty-seven years of age, her girl,
Betty, about thirteen years of age: Henny, her
girl, about eleven years of age ; her bo^', Richard,
about seven years and nine months old ; girl, Re-
becca, about three years old ; hereby impowering
them and each of tliem with full and fiee liberty to
commence suit in law against me, my heirs, execu-
tors, administrators ur any of us thai may attempt
to intlu'al, iuibondage or deprive them of their lib-
erty in any respect by coloror pretence of right de-
rived from mo ; and I do hereby convey to them and
each of tliem all the right, powci' and authority I
have hei'otofoi'e had to coiiuuenee an action against
any person that had heretofore got one of tlum out
of my jjossession, and refused the delivery back
again; each one to stand in the place for )iim or
herself that I have bad to stand foi- them in behalf
of my own interest in llje same case, when tliey
shall be entitled to recover all such costs as they
may be at in prosecuting the suit fi-om sueli of us
as may attempt as aforesaid. And I do hereby.aiso
lay it as a charge on the consciences of the court or
jury before whom it may be brought that they par-
ticularly adhere to this evidence in behalf of the
aforesaid negroes. But believing it to be my duty
to take upon myself the power and authoiity of the
young ones to raise and educate them till they ar-
rive ;to lawful age, I therefore resiM've that pre-
rogative over the male till they arrive al twenty-
one years of ago, and the female till they arrive to
eighteen years of age, which 1 do hereby direct to
be determined by the ages of each as particularly
mentioned as aforesaid, calling them tiie very age
this day that they are said to be about such an age.
And whereas a negro man named Solomon just
came to me (upward of foi'ty years of age) being left
by my grandmother, Mai'y Mifflin, to serve which
of her grandchildren he jdeased, and by letter just
received from my father, Daniel Mifflin, one of the
executors in bei will named, informing me he (the
said Solomon) made choice of me. 1 do also there-
fore hei-eby declare said negro *Sol(jmon absolutely
free fr^im me and my heirs forever ; and do entitle
him to all and every the privileges of the others
on an attemjit to deprive him as aforesaid. And
whereas I have heretof(jre manumitted and set free
my negro man James, woman Mariah and her chil-
di-en, Lydia and Nanny, and also negro girl .Melissa,
which manumission or clearance I deposited in the
keejjing of the Monthly Meeting of the people called
Quakers of Duck Creek, in this county, which I ap-
prehend will be admitted to recoi-d by direction of
said meeting, together with this. Now my desire
is that this being produced, or a copy hereof certi-
fied by the clerk for the time being to sud meeting,
or in case there should be no monthly meetin"- of
and for Duck Creek, a certified copy from the clerk
of the Quarterly Meeting of said people called
Quakers, to which Duck Creek Monthly Meeting
lust belonged, certifying that such i-ecord ajT-
peared, shall be adjudged taken and as accepted as
full as I can enforce it, as if^ was personally pres-
*Marginal note in handwriting of Recorder War-
ner Miftlin— The i-eason of my grandmother's not
freeing this negro herself was that she was in-
formed she could not do it because of the laws of
Virginia, where she lived, it being a concern to her
for several years, but I believe was somewhat re-
lieved with the prospect she had that it would be
accomplished by her descendants ; she, therefore,
mentioned none of them in her will e.xcept two
men. allowing them to make choice of such of her
grandchildren they pleased, this one choosing me
and the other my biother Daniel, W(>re both imme-
diately set to their liberty, and likewise a woman
and children before set at liberty in Maryland
confirmed by will since all are freed bv mv father
Daniel Mifflin.
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102
BIOGRAPHICAL EXCYCLOrEDIA
ent and acknowledged the whole thereof. And
such I desire thul may have anythinjj of the kind
before them that they lucy i)aiticuliirly attend to
and distribute justices impartially to the poor ne-
groes and not wrest the meaning hereof (the con-
sequeneu be to them that do ollierways) my inten-
tion being to clear them from slavery to me, my
heirs or assigns forever, believing fi-eedom to bo
their natural and just right. To whieli I do here-
unto set ray liaiid aud atlix my seal tliis Ninth Day
of the First Month in '.he year of our IjOrd one
thousand, seven hundred and seventy-live (1775).
WAKNKK MIFFLIN.
Sealed and acknowledged in (n-esenee of us, Jo-
seph Jenkins and Edward Cole.
Kecord examined, Warnei' MitUin.
In the execution of this remarkable docn-
inent some interesting iiieidents are reported
to have occurred. For instance, it is stated
that wlien one of his bes„ slaves appeared Le-
ft re him he said: "Well, my friend daiue.^,
liow old art thou?'' ''I am twenty-nine and a
half years, master." "Thou shoiiklst have
been free," said Warner, "as thy white breth-
ren are, at twenty-one. IJeligion and human-
ity enjoin me this day to give thee thy liberty;
and justice requires me to pay thee for eight
years and a half service, at the rate of ninety-
one pounds, twelve shillings and six pence
owing to thee; but thou art young and
healthy; thou hadst better work for thy liv-
ing; my intention is to give thee a bond for it,
bearing interest at seven and a half per cent.
Thou hast now no master but Ood and the
laws."
Daniel !Mifflin, his father, who appears to
have been living at this time, also followed
the great humanitarian act of tis son by manu-
niitting his slaves. Warner ^lifflin was much
encouraged in his work by the language of tli^
preamble to the Declaration of Independence,
although, like most of the Friends of that time,
he was opposed to war and favored peace.
Eut the humane project which he had in
view, that of universal freedom, was deemed
impracticable at that time, and only those of
his immediate acquaintance followed his il-
lustrious example.
On the day of the battle of Oermantown
he was attending the yearly meeting of the
Friends at Philadelphia, and the room in
which they were assembled was darkened by
the smoke of the battle. At this meeting the
Friends renewed their testimony against thf
spirit of war, and chose "N(ifflin to visit Clen-
erals Tlowe and Washington and remonstrate
with them against the carrying on hostilities.
To perform this hazardous duty Friend Mitllin
had to walk in blood and among the dead
bodies of those that had fallen. Hut hid cour-
age was undaunted, and he set out on his
perilous mission, believing it to be a sacred
and religious duty to plead for an armistice,
in the hope that it would lead to peace.
An interesting account of his experience
on his visit to Cjeneral Jlowe is furnished in a
translation from the French of the account
which Hector St. John Ue Creve-Coeur gave
of this episode in his "Letters of an American
Planter." Creve-Coeur was a I'lvnchman,
who had married the daughter of an Americaii
merchant, and had become a farmer, and his
book in j)raise of this country had a consiilera-
ble circulation in its time. Creve-Coeiu- tells
how .Mitilin, when he arrived at the British
outposts, was seized and taken before the otfi-
cer in command. "Who are you, and where
are you goiug^" cried the guard. ".\ry nama
is AVarner ]\Iitiiin, and I am going to Philadel-
j)hia," was the calm reply. The nami- of the
Quaker Cieneral 'J'hoinas ^fitttin was not uit-.
familiar to the officer, and he became 5us]n-
eious. "Mitilin! IMitHin!" he exclaimed. "Tt
appears to me that there i- a cer-
tain Captain Thomas ilifflin, win) says
he is a so-called general in the rebel
army; is he not a relation of youis^""
"Yes, my friend, he is my first cousin," said
Warner. "Is it possible that that is a crime?"
Then the ofHcer opened the vials of his wrath,
exidainiing: "How do j'ou dare to call me
your friend, you arrant rebel? Soldiers, lead
this hypocrite to the guard house, until we
take him before the provost, when he will be-
hanged in his turn. You \\'ill see there a great
number of rebels, who, under the guise of the
simplicity and humility of the Quakers, have
tried to sneak into the British lines to act as
spies. Soldiers, take this man to the guard
house; he argues too much. Put the mana-
cles on him; do you understand? They will,,
without dotibt, be the iirst pair of 'sleeve
cuffs' monsieur the Quaker has ever worn."
The unfortunate peacemaker was kept in
jail for several days. lie was theit taken be-
fore General Howe. The British conunander,
six feet high, sometimes compared, like Corn-
wallis, to Washington in his jiersomil appear-
ance, and with the manners of a gentleman,
allliDUgh po])ularly regarded as a monster of
profligacy in the eyes of patriots of severe
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STATE OF DELAWARE
103
auorals, st-fiiis to have received liim gently, if
iiut iilhibly. The general was not aeciistonied,
howi-VLT, to eallers coming into his nresence
with their hats on. lie observed with some
surprise tiiat .Mitliiu had not dotted his iiat,
but jirocecded merely, to ask if his name was
Wanier ^littlin. "Yes, friend William Jlowc,
that is uiy name." ^Vt tliis point of tlie inter-
view an' aide-de-camp, who was doubtless as-
tonished at the visitor's want of politeness to
the general and his failure to api)rceiate the
general'? greatness, approached »he (^)iiaker,
pulled his hat from his head, and rebuked
him for daring to remain covered. ^Mittlin
o.xplained that he was only complying with
the custom of his sect. Then Howe, in turn,
rebuked the aide for his presumption, au<l
assured the (Quaker that it was a matter of in-
ditt'crenee to him whether the hat was worn
or not, and that all he wanted was a clear and
exact answer to his questions. According to
thi' translation, Warner ?aid:
"T am a ]ilanter in Tvent county; I am sent
by the A"(iuMy of the Quaker Church of
the three lower counties."
"Ah! the jilanters and their Quaker Clmreh
choose an unfortunate time, Lecausc I tind
myself obliged to be their enemy. What does
the assembly desire of me? "What do you your-
self want with me?"
Warner rejdies: "As you are an English-
man, it is possible that you know that the So-
<'iety iif Friends has nothing to do with war,
<ir with eiintentions, either ]iublic or )irivate;
<lis)iiites are to us forbidden by Holy Writ,
which enjoins us to consider all men as our
brothers: but while recommending to us fra-
ternity and jieace, it commands us to do all in
o\n- ]iower to prevent and hinder evil. Our
hrethren in the three counties, meeting in our
'Assenddy for the SuflFering,' have believed
that ]ierhaps it would he possible to bring
about an interview hctwcen thee and our
friend, (!corge Washington, and hy this in-
ter\iew a suspension of hostilities might b(>
brought about, at least during the winter, and
that such su<]iension might bring about a good
understanding and restoration to peace. Per-
sua(le(l that this is a sound and (lious idea
through obedience to the ins))iration of tho
S])irit, from whence come all our good
thouiihts, as well as the good that we-«cconi-
])li-;h, they have deputized me to communicate;
with thee. AVhat does thee think of it, friend
Jlowe^"
iiei'ore the interview was at an end Howe
was so interested in the (Quaker that he wanted
him to dine at the headquarters; declared that
^MitHin's scheme did honor to idm and his sect,
but pointed out that his position was somewhat
ditterent from Washington's, as the Ameiicau
general could at once obtain his instructions
from Congress, while he would need to wait
several months to secure the consent of the
Jung. He expressed his willingiu'ss to agree
to a short suspension of hostilities if he could
meet \Vashington. The general and his viaitor
then sat down at table, and iJitilin was asked
whether it was true that he had set free all his
?laves. Jle replied in the atlirmati\e, and
added:
"J only did what it was my duty to do."
"They also tell me that you gave the wool
of ti\'e hundred sheep to those who had lost
theirs by the English troops."
"Seeing that all men are brothers, why do
not those ^vho are well otf divide tlieir
wealth with those that the war has ruined?
There is more true joy in doing well than 's
thought."
"lly what chance did you save your sheep?"
"l!y means of an island (Chlncoteague) that
I own; I concealed them in the woods on this
island, when your brother, Admiral Howe,
went up the river with his fleet."
"I esteem you highly, Mr. i^Iilflin, and these
two generous actions would render me your
friend for all my life if we were neighbors,
and at peace. I wish to Ood that all the
Americans were like you."
He was permitted to depart from within
the ]>ritish lines, when he made his way to the
American camp, and finally succeeded in
reaching General Washiugtou. Tie told him
])lainly that he was opposed to "all changes of
government which occasion war and blood-
shed," anci he was received with respect and
comi)linu^nted on the goodness of his inten-
tions. "Washington, while more taciturn and
less affable than Howe, seems to have treated
his fellow Virginian with deference. But the
])i'0]iosition of the Friends was regarded as im-
])racticable, and he returned to his abode, Vie-
ginidng soon afterward what became the great
work of his life, the emancipation of the ne-
"roes. He had that clear, strong intellect
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104
Bioan. 1 I'll ICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wliioh we ufteii tiiiJ among (Quakers
ill following principles and cnvictions to tlieir
logical conclusion, as well as the most exact
sense of justice.
At this time AlilHin was oiily thirty-two
years old, but his mind was of a matured cast,
jicrfi'ctly s(df-possessed and feeling that ho
was I'ngaged in a high and holy mission, he
knew no fear. And although many of the
Iriends had to go through a season of,resent-
nient after the -nevolutioii, Warner ^lifflin,
who had been more conspicuous than any other
in an individual effort to bring the war to
a (dose on the basis that all war is wrong, seems
to have been regarded witli the highest respeec
to the end of his career, as a man of exemplary
worth.
After AVashington was inaugurated as
President at New York, ]\Iittlin visited him,
and ill the course of the interview, the Presi-
dent, recollecting the assertion, when he visi-
ted him during the war, "that I am op])osed
to the Pevoliition and to all changes ui gov-
ernment which occasion war and liloodshed,"
asked him to tell on wdiat principle he was op-
posed to the Pevobition. "Yes, friend Wash-
ington," he re])lied, "upon the principle that
I should be opposed to a (duuige in the present
government. All that was gained by revolu-
tion is not an adequate coin|)ensation for the
poor mangled soldiers, for the loss of life or
limb." To which Washington replied: ''I
kno\< your sentiments; there is more in that
than mankind have generally considered."
As illustrative of the philanthropic charac-
ter of ifitHin, Brissot, in his examination of
the "Travels of Chastellux in America" says:
"I was sick and Warner MitHin came to me.
It is he that first freed all his slaves; it is he
who without a ])assport, traversed the British
army and spoke to General Tlowe with so
much firmness and dignity; it is he who, fear-
ing not the effects of the general hatred against
the Quakers, went, at the risk of being treated
as a s])y, to present himself to Cieneral Wash-
ington, to justify their conduct to him; it is ho
who amid the fm-ies of w^ar, e()ually a friend
to the Prench, the English, and the Amen-
can~, t'arricd succur to those who were snlVei'-
ing. "Well! this angel of peace came to me."
Warner Alifflin devoted much time to trav-
eling and lecturing. Tlis theme was the eman-
cipation of the slaves. Tie laid piiition^ to
this efiect before legi^laturea and Congress,
j)iiblished pamphlets in advocacy of his
scheme, and never grew weary in inculcating
the great peace doctrines and humanitarian
principles w Inch he had espoused in his youtii.
llii was a first cousin of (ieneral Thomas
Alilllin of the Revolution, and afterwards gov-
ernor of Pennsyhania, and probably the only
one of the connection that favored the jjcace
doctrines of the Society of Priends, excepting
his own immediate fanuly. The circumstances
surrounding his death were peculiarly sad. In
the autumn of iT'.is he was about to visit
Philadelphia to attend the yearly meeting of
of the Society of Priends. Yellow. fever was
then raging in that city, but he believed it
was his duty to attend the meeting, and if
his services were required to aid in looking
after the sick and dying, he was ready to per-
form that dnty also. Before setting out on his
journey he executed his will (see Will Book
X, p. 224, Dover) in which he speaks of the
])estilence then i>re\ailing, but believing that
it was the will of (iod that he should go, he
set his house in order by making jirovision
for his family and disposing of his large es-
tate, so that in case he should fall, his life woi-k
would be properly ended.
After attending the meeting and witnessing
the horrors of the pestilence he returned tu
his home in Delaware; but the seeds of the ter-
rible disease were implanted in his system, and
he sickened and tlied of yellow fever, as
stated above, on the IGth of October, IT'.iS.
Warner ]\fifiliii was twice married. His
first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of the cele-
brated lawyer Kcnsey Johns, of [Maryland,
wdio afterwards settled at New Castle, became
a L^nited States Senator, and chief justice of
Delaware in L79S. lie was succeeded on the
bench by his son, Iven.sey Johns, Jr., in 1S.'52,
who served for twenty-five years. The will
of AVarner ]Mifflin shows that the issue by his
fii'st marriage was as follows:
I. AVarner]\rifllin, Jr.;IL Elizabeth (Mrs.
Cowgill); IIP Anne (.Mrs. Pa-in);
lA^ Su.samiah; A^ Sarah.
AVhen ^Mrs. Elizabeth ]Miffiin died is nn-
known, but she evidently died young, for, on
the nth of October, 17S8, he 'married Anne
Muden, of Philadelphia. She was born (See
Hist, of the 'MifHin Paniilv, p. 4R) in ITOr.,
and di.'d in IMiihidrlpliia,' Afarch 22, 1M.1.
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STATE OF ])l']L.\]V.\in<J
U)5
liy the riecoml marriage tliere appear tu have
l^een two sons, »SaiiiiU'l aiiJ Leimieh J'he hit-
ter was a postliuiaous ehild, for refereiiee to
tliat effect id made to hiiu in the will. Jle
•lied ^\iigiLst '.), lS-!4. Dc-ieciulaiits u{ Warner
-Mitiliii still live in Delaware.
(iKNFit.vr. Jons Dagwoktiiv.
Aiiioug the distinguished Kevolutiouary
heroes who ended their days in Delaware was
• iin. .Iiilin J)agworthy. The date and plaee
ot' his birtii are unknown. We tii-st hear of
liiin in Xew Jersey, at 1" ronton, in 17o2. lie
was a man of some note at that time for Ciov-
ernor ^1 orris says he was high sheriff of the
eonnty in wiiieli he lived. In King (iedrge's
M'ar in 174."), lie commanded a company in a
Xew Jersey regiment sent to operate against
the Kreneh in Canada. In course of time he
rec(i\i'd a royal commission as captain from
England, and in IToo was in command of two
Companies of rangers organized for the jiro-
tcction of the border settlements of ^\\>steru
^laryland in the French and Indian War.
AVliile in this service a dispute occurred
between ('ai)taiu Dagworthy and Lieutenant
Colonel (ieorge Washington regarding rank.
Captain Dagworthy cdaimed that inasnuich as
he held a royal eouunission, he outranked
Washington, who was a Colonial ofheer, com-
missioned by the Governor of Virginia. The
dis])utc, whicii lasted a long time, and was
tlie cause of much friction between the two
otHcers, was finally settled by Eraddock in fa-
vor <if Dagworthy. After Rraddock's dt'ath
the contest was revived and kejjt nj) for some
time, or until Washington made a journey to
Boston and laid the matter before CJeneral
Shirley, who upon investigation, in ]\rarch,
175(1, definitely settled the relative rank of
the dirt'erent claimants by sustaining Wash-
ington, and Dagworthy was redu<'(Ml to the
raid< of a Provincial captain.
Ca]itain Dagworthy jircn-ed himself a brave
and \'alnable ofiieer and sa\v much liard ser-
vice on the frontier. lie was jiresent at the
fall of Fort Duquesne as an officer of the
!^[al■vland troo])S, and was the first to bring the
news of the reduction of that stronghold to
Baltimore.
The capture of this fort filled the colonies
witii joy. (iovernor Sharp, by proclanuition,
a))pointed a day for puidic thanksgiving and
prai^e; and the Assemldy, to testify its grati-
tude to the brave Alaryhuul soldiers who had
taken part in the action, a[)propriated £1,.5(J0
to be distributed as a gratuity among them,
in the apportionment thirty pounds fell to i^t.
Col. Dagworthy; to I'adi cajitain, sixteen
|>ounds; ti> each lieutenant, twehc poimds; to
each ensign, nine pounds; to each non-eoui-
missioned officer, six pounds; the remaindi;r
\o be expended in the purchase of clothing and
suitable necessaries, to be divided among the
privates. Afterwards, as a further testimonial
to Dagworthy for his services, the Assembly
of .Maryland gave him patents for a tract of
land in what was tlu-n W(.ircc,-ter county,
.Maryland, lying at the head of Pe])iier's
Creek, whicli was later, by the surveys of the
boun<lary line between ]\laryland and Dela-
ware in 1707, found to be in Dt'laware.
In 177-1, all of these tracts were rer,urveyed
to him under Penn and called ''Dagworthy'a
Conquest." They contained, in the aggregate
twenty tliousand three hundred and ninety-
three acres. This was a magnificent domain,
and testifies to the esteem in which Col. Dag-
worthy was held by the peo])le.
I'"rom the exhaustive |iapcr on the history
and i)ublic services (jf Colon<d Dagworthy^
contributed to the lli-torical Society of Dela-
ware by Dr. (ieorge W. .Maishall, of :\Iilford,
in 189;"), it appears that he must have settleil
on his land soon after it \\'as assigned him, for
on the L'lth of Oi-tolier, 177-1-, he was connnis-
sioned by .John Penn as a justice for Sussex
county. Afterwards, Jolm "McKinly, Presi-
dent and Commander-in-Chief of the Dela-
ware State, connnis>ioned him as a justice in
the county of Sussex, dated Wilmington,
:\rarch S, 1777.
In consc(|uenc(> of'the territory acquired
from Maryland by Delaware, a law was en-
acted in 1774 that the justice should ascertain
the boundaries of the several ancient liun-
dreds, and commissioners Cof whom John Dag-
worthy was one) were a])poiTited to si'lect free-
men to eon<lnct elections for in^iiectors and
assessors.
Dagworthy was apjioinfed on<' of the Com-
mittee of Safety in Sussex eonnty for the >n'i-
)iression of the Torv insuri'cction. and in the
"Alinutes of Council" for Afarch, 177"^, ho
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nioanAPiiiCAL h'xcrcLOPj'JDiA
is referred to as "lirigadier Dagworthy." Tlie
following resolution was adopted hy CouiK-il,
.March :iO, 1778:
\\'uei;eas, The Couneil is fully eonviuceU
that some of the disutleeted iuhabitanu u( the
county of Sussex have takeu up arm?, uiueh to
the terror of the good people of said counlv
and to the eucourageuieut of the British
forces to land and make incursions tiierc;
therefore,
llcsulicd, That it is the opinion of this
Council, that, for restoring peace and liai'-
moiiy in said county, the i'rcsident of the
State issue his oi-ders immediately to (ieueral
Dagworthy, to disarm and take the ammuni-
tion from all the disaffected inhabitants of tho
(-ounty of Sussex.
That he was actively employed in the cause
of the Colonies there is abundant evidence
Ou October 9, 1770, Samuel Patterson wrote
from Perth Amboy to General liead. "George
Parvi^, our acting quartermaster, was adjutant
in Suasex to General Dagworthy's battalion.''
lu ilay a lot of ammunition and other nui-
nitions of war belonging to ^laryland arrived
in Indian River, and were taken in charge by
Colonel Dagworthy and sent to Cliarlestown,
^Maryland, by land. In 1777, Thomas ^le-
Ivcan wrote, "We made a promotion in tho
militia by making Dagworthy brigadier."
Dr. ^Marshall, his biographer, says that
General Dagworthy built a capacious one-
story luiuse upon his lands in Dag.sboi-ougli
hundred, Sussex county, which hundred and
town were named after him. Here, sur-
rounded by his family and a retinue of slaves,
he dispensed a liberal hospitality to his many
friends and admirers. lie was honored aiul
respected as a bold patriot and an earnest,
lionest citizen, solicitioiis for the best interest
of his State and the community in which he
lived, and where he largely <levclo])cd tlie
varied iiultistries of tlie county.
General Dagworthy died in the early ])art
of 17S4, as his will was probated ^fay j;4th
of that year. He made ample provision for his
wife ^lartha, and for his sisters, Elizabeth
Clayton, Sarah De ITart, and ^rary; and for
his nejihews, James Mitchell, 'William Clay-
ton ^litchell, Xathaniel ]\[itcholl, and George
[Mitchell; and for his niece, Abigail Bell. P)nt
he left no lawful issue. To his ward, Eliza-
beth Dan"\vortliv Avdclott, wlujui ho educated
under the care of his sister Mary living at
Trenton, he gave liberally. She was highly
eilucat(Hl and was a line Latin and Greek
scholar. She married William Hill AVells,
\\ho was burn in J'ciinsylvania about J7UU
and died at ^Millsboro, Delaware, ilarch
11, 18i"J. He became the owner of the Dag-
^^orthy estate. A lawyer by profession, he be-
came pronunent, and was recognized as a
representative man. lie was choacn to tho
United States Senate to lill the unexpired term
of Joshua Clayton, deceased, and seiwed from
February 4, K'Jti, till .May 0, 1S04, when he
re.->igned. On the rcsignatiuii of James A.
iiayard, he was again elected, holding his seat
from June 10, IMS, to ^March 3, 1S17. He
left four sons and a daughter: I. Dagworthy;
II. Henry; III. Edward; IV. Alfred and V.
JJachel (Mrs. William D. Waples). Mrs.
W'aples bought the estate and resided there.
The sons of AVilliam Hill Wells all studied
law and were adnutted to practice, but, with
the exception of Alfred, the youngest, did
not follow the jirofession for any length of
time. Alfred Wells went to Ithaca, N. Y.,
and was engaged in legal practice until his
death, serving as judge of the county and
member of Congress. Henry Wells was sec-
retary of the state imder Governor Haslet.
Edward AVells was Hcglster of the Court of
Chancery for several years, resided in George-
to^\^^, and finally settled in Wa^liington, where
he died.
Thk Eeiuus Fa.mii.v.
of
Benjamin Ferris, of Wilmington, came o
an old and honoreil ancestry. In Cope'
(Jenealogy of the Sharplcss family a very
fidl record may be found. Samuel Ferris,
grandfather of J3enjandn, came from lieati-
ing, near London, and settled at Groton, ]\Ias-
sachusetts. He married Sarah Beed, whoso
father came from Awley in the southern part
of England. They first settled in Fairfield,
Connecticut, and afterward removed to ISTew
!Milford, being one of the first twelve families
settled there. The children of Samuel and
Sarah (Beed) Ferris were: I. Joseph; IT. De-
borah; TIT. David; TV. Sarah; V. Benjamin;
VL Hannah; VTT. .Tohn; VIIL Zachariah.
The parents were of the Presbyterian faith,
but several of the children became Friends.
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STATE OF DELAWABE
107
UaviJ Ferris, born at Stratford, Couuecti-
cut, Maroli 10, 1707, removed to Philadelphia
ill 1733, became a Friend, ami in 1735 mar-
ried ^fary iMassey. In 1737 he settled in Wil-
mingtuii, Delaware, where ho died December
5, 17711, having been a minister about twenty-
four years. J lis brother Zachariah came to
A\'ilmington and was received into mcmber-
sliip by Friends December 2, 173'J. lie was
soon afterwards recommended as a minister,
labored faithfully, and died January G, 1803,
aged eighty-tive years, one montii and twenty-
four days.
John Ferris, of New IMilford, born in 1710,
was married ]\Iarch 15, 1738, to Abigail
Tryoii, of Xew Fairfield, and they had issue:
I. Deborah, bom December 7, 1738; 11. Abi-
gail, twin with Deborah; III. Nathan, born
June 7, 1740; IV. Rosamond, born October
7, 1741; V. Ziba, born June 13, 1743; VI.
]\lattliew, ijorn January 14, 1745; VII. Eliza-
beth, bom December 7, 1746.
^Vith these children they removed to Wil-
mington in 1748, bringing certificates from
the ^Monthly ]\reeting "held at the Oblong in
^■e county of Dutchess and Province of New
York, ye'21sl of ye 2nd mo. 1748." Of John
it was said he had a gift for the ministry. He
died of small-])ox in 1750. Zebulon Ferris,
jierhajis a iiei>liew, produced a certificate from
Xine Partners, New York, dated ilarch 17,
1750.
We are informed by Savage, in his Genea-
logical Dictionary, that Zechariah (Samuel?)
Ferris, of Oliarlestown, 1C75, had children:
T. Zechariah, baptized February C, 107(5; II.
Sarah, November 12, 1G78; ITT.' Hannah, July
18, IGSfl. The name was written "Fcrriss"
bv the second, third and fourth generations.
Ziba IVrris, born at New ililford in 1743,
married Edith Sharpless, who was born in
]\riddletown, October 30, 1742, and died in
"Wilmington, February 8, 1815. Tier mar-
riage took place January 12, 17G9, at ]\lid(lle-
town Aleetiiig. Tier husband died in Wilming-
ton, Delaware, April 24, 1704. They had
issue: T. Phcbe, b. 11 mo. 20, 17G9; d.'s mo.
20, 1770; IT. ^fary, 1). 3 nio. IG, 1771; d. 9
mo. 9, 1773; TIT. Deborah (]\[rs. Joseph
P.ringhurst), b. 3 mo. 2, 1773; d. 8 mo. 20,
1844; TV. John, b. 10 mo. 12, 1775; d. 11 mo.
1, 1S02; 111. Sarah Harlan; V. Edith C^lrs.
Caleb Tlarlan"),!,. 4 mo. IS, 1778; d. 4 mo. -d,
1827; \i. Penjamin, b. 8 mo. 7, 1780; d. 11
iin). 'J, 18G7; m. Fanny Canby and Hannah
(iibboiis; Vll. Ziba, b.'l mo. 25, 178G; d. 10
mo. 14, 1875; m. Eliza iMegear.
Editii Ferris was the daughter of Pen-
jamiii and Editli Sharpless, of .Middletown,
Chester county, Pennsylvania. Slie is repre-
sented as being a beautiful woman, but unaf-
fectedly modest, social in her disposition, and
jiossessing an unusual flow of spirits, but
noted for her fortitude, and a clear, sound
•understanding. She early became prominent
in the .Meeting and for nearly eighteen
years tilled the station of overseer to the satis-
faction of her friends. In 1704 she was left a
widow; and in 1802 .she lost her eldest son.
P>y tlies(! removals she was deprived of the two
main pillars of her earthly hopes, but she
struggled to bear these heavy atilictions with
true Christian patience and resignation. She
died as already stated in February, 1815. ^
John, eldest son, and fourth child of Ziba
and Edith (Sharpless) Ferris, was born Oc-
tober 12, 1775, and died November 1, l.'S02.
He married in 1800 at Stanton :\reeting, ] Dela-
ware, Sarah Harlan, who was born August
7, 1780, at ]\Iill Town, Delaware, and died
April 17, 1869, in Wilmington. She was a
daughter of Caleb and Ann (Jackson) Harlan,
of "Mill Town.
I'iie fruit of this marriage was one son,
John, born September 21, 1801, and died
September 2, 1882, unmarried. His father
died at the early age of twenty-seven of yel-
low fever. In 1802, when this scourge pre-
vailed in Wilmington, John T'erris was ap-
pointed one of the Poard of Health, which
station he filled with diligence and strict at-
tention to the necessities of the sufferers,
without for a inouient thinking of his own
danger. Ho was finally seized with the fever
aiublied November 1, ?802. His death caused
mueli sorrow, as he was a man who stood high
in the community and commaniled great re-
spe.'t. The Poard of Health paid a high
tribute to his memory in a series of resolutions
which wore nnaniuiously passed and spread
upon the minutes. The record of his services
by the T3oard says: "As soon as the di.sease
appeared, * * * and consigned eighty-two
victims to their graves, he commenced his
anluous .=erviees; and during it-; continuance
did not for a single day, intermit his attention
•\4 \» .••-'VM".
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nioanAPiiicAL kscyclopedia
to the sick, the dying, and tlie dead. 'I'lic
iirst inentioued he was in the uoustaut i)raeticu
of viisiting twice a day. lie took upon hini<elf
tlie care of tlie funerals of tlic deceased.
AVlien, after liaving performed a scriou.s tour'
of duty, a duty enjoined hy Ids coninuscratiou
for the distressed, and an.xiety for their relief,
he fell a victim, a late sacrifice to his exertions
for the hapi)iness of othei-s, and left on the
hearts of his fellow citizens a grateful remeui-
Lrancc of his labors and his \irtucs."
Edith, fourth daughter and fifth child of
Ziha and Edith (Sharplcss) Ferris, was lioru
A\)v\\ IS, 1778, and died at .Mill Town, April
2U, 1S27. On the 2;Jd of December, lM);i,
she married, at AVihuington ^Meeting, Caleb
Harlan. He was born near Doe Run, Chester
county, Pennsylvania, December ;'.(», 1770,
and died at Mill 'J'own, August S, 1840. Both
are buried at Stanton Meeting. Caleb llarlau
learned the milling business under his father,
but it did not agree with his health, and he
turned his attention to storekepiug at .Mill
Town. He ako owned land but did not farm
it himself. They had issue (surname Har-
lan) I. John Ferris, b. Feb. 23, 1805; d. Xo-
vember 5, 1823; l\. Ann J., b. Aug. 11, 1808:
d. ; HI. Edith, b. July 19, 1812; d. De-.
31, 1885; IV. Mary A., b.' Aug. 31, 1813; d.
Ijenjamin, second son and sixth child of
Ziba and Edith ('Shar])lcss) Ferris, was born
August 7, 1780, in AVihuington, and died
there Xovember 0, 18G7. He nuirried, first,
on the 17th of ^fay, 1804, at Wilmington,
Fannie Canby. She was born Xovend)er 11,
1778, in Brandywine, Delaware, and died in
"Wilmington August 3, 1833. He nuu-ricd,
second, October 15, 1835, Hannah Cibbuns.
She was born in Lampeter, Lancaster co\mfy,
Pennsylvania, January 19, 1793, and died in
"Wilmington ]\ray 3, 1800; daughter of Abra-
ham and ^fary (Canby) (Jibbons. Children
all by first wife: T.' William, b. Fob. 13,
1805; d. in infancy; TT. I'.dward, b. Julv 24,
1809; d. Aug. 31,' 1810; TIL Anna, b. Xov.
27, 1811; d. Sept. 29, 1814; TV. Deborah, b.
July 22, 1813; d. , unm; V. Anna ^\., b.
June 11, 1815; d. , unm; VT. Benjamin,
b. April 2, 1817; d. Oct. 29, 1831 ; VTL ^^ar-
tha, b. June 20, 1819; d. , unm; VFTL
David, b. July It!, 1821; m. Sarah Uuder-
wood; TX. AVilli:i
b. Dec. II, !•
:\lary Wctherald; X. Edward, b. Dec. 20,
lM'5; m. Catharine Lehnnin Ashuiead.
Henjamin Ferris, father of the above fam-
ily, was a nian of remarkably vigoi-ous intcl-
K'l-t and lii> pi'H Was f're<[uenlly empl<j}ed
to disseminate his ideas, or t<i prescrxe a record
of iuteresling local facts. He was the author
ef ".V History of the Original Scttlemenis
(■n tlic' Delaware," imduding a history of \\'il-
mington, published in 1840. It was the fii-ht
publication of the kind, and a work of much
merit and historic value. Copies are now very
scarce and hard to secure.
As early a^ l>21-22, under the noin Je
liliiijir of '■.\micu^," he (•ugagt'ci in a religious
c<inirov(4>y with Kev. Dr. Cilbert ("Paul"),
in a >erie< of letters pidJished in the Cltris-
liiin Ui'iiiisitdrij. These were afterwards pub-
li.-.hcd in a volume of over five hundred pages,
with the title, '"Letters of Paul an<l .Vmicus."
^Ir. Ferris in early life went to I'liiladclphia
and learned the trade of watchuuiking with
tlu' celebrated Thonuis I'arker. Keturuing
to AVilmingfon he adojifed the profession of a
conveyancer, from which he retire(l with a
competency to enjoy his literary labors.
On the announcement of his death in 1807,
at the mature age of seventy-six, the Fnnids'
IiilcUiijoii-er paid a handsonu» tribute to his
memory, .\mong other things it saiil: "His
woniK-rfid conversational jiower^ adapti'd
tlieni>el\c:^ with remarkable versatility
to all ages and capacities; and all who
knew him can recall llie many time- in which
they have seen him in the centre of an admir-
ing and listening group, while he p(jured
forth the stories of his abounding trea>ury
for their interest and instruction. He was a
connecting link between the present genera-
tion and the past, his retentive memory and
jiower (if reiB'csentation enabling him, from
an inexhaustible fund of anecdote and illus-
tration, to give life-like pictures of the charac-
ter and manners of those who have passed
away."
Ziba, third soil and seventh child of Ziba
and l^dith (Sharpless) Ferris, was born Jan-
uary 25, 1780, at the corner of Third and
Slupley streets, Wihnington, and died at Cliff-
ton, near Wilmington, October 14, 1875. He
married X"ovember 14, 1810, at Wibnington
"Nrcefing, F'liza !>regear. She was born in
;Marvhnhl, December 12, 17'.i7, and died at
) I ., CI. I'l't^i ,, II
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STATE OF DELAWARE 109
Clilituii, .May 4, 16S0, daughter of Aiicliael i. I'auny, b. Jlarfonl ooiiuty, .MarylaiKl,
aii.l riiebc (^Pugli) -Mrguar, of Wiluiiiigtuii. [Maivli 20, lb-Hi; n\. in Wihuiiigtou June 11,
Thev liaJ is.sue: ISOS, ( 'liarles llalluwcU. Tiiey reside in
].' William .Megear, b. Kov. 21., IblT; d. Denver, Colorado, and liave issue.
Jan. -So, IM'J; 11. KlizabetU Sipijle (Airs. 11. Jienjanau, b. llarlfurd eunuty July 24,
J.indlev Sniithj, b. Feb. U, ISIU; 111. -Mary IhlT; ni. JJaeliel KielianlbdU.
(.Mrs. William Sellers), b. Oet. HI, 18-'<l; d. 111. Joseph W ., b. Hartford eoiuity April
Dec. 1, JMO; 1\'. Infant =on, b. Aug. l'S, o, 1«4IJ ; d. January It), lb5S.
1S22; V. Kdward liringhurst, b. Rb. 2 J, iV. .Mary If., b. Wilmington Septendjcr
Ib-Ji; m. Elizabeth Jenkins; VI. Thebe, 3, 1854; m. October 10, 1S77, Eldridge
b. April 15, ItiL'Ti; d. in lier sixth year; VII. C'. I'riee, of Haltiniore. They have issue.
Ziba, b. Sept. IS, 1828; m. Esther Lea; V. William, b. Wiluiington, July 2ij, 1859.
VIII. Frances, b. April 20, 1831; d. April y [. Deborah, b. Wilmington, .March 27,
20, 1838; IX. Thomas ^Megear, b. Ai)ril 17, 1803.
1834; X. Francis, b. Xov. 5^ 1840; d .Vug. ^'ir. Anna M., b. Wilmington, Xoveudier
2, 1843. 5^ l,s(i4.
David, fourth son and eighth child of Ben- Edward, voungcst of the ten children of
jamin I'erris (historian), and Fanny ( 'anby, jjenjamin and Fanny (Canby) Ferri~, was
his wife, was born in Wilmington, July 10, lj,,i-n December 20, l.'^25. He married June
1821. He married Sarah .Viiu Underwood at -, ]>S55, Catherine Lehman .\>huiead, i>f
.Moorcslown, .New Jersey, .\pril 12, 1S41). I'liiladeljihia. They reside at Colorado
Da\'id settled on a farm near Fallstou, .Mary- Sprin>'s, Cdlorado, and have descendants,
land, in 1841, removing in 1854 near Uanco- Elizabeth H. Ferris, daughter i>f Ziba and
eas, Xew Jersey, thence to Fairfax county, Eliza (Alegear) Ferri-, li. Wilmington, Febrn-
Yirginia, near Alt. Vernon, in 1871, and to my G, 1819, married there Octnlier o, ls:59,
Penn township, Chester county, Pennsyl- Lindley Smytlie. He was born in W ilming-
vania, in 1877. Issue: ton, July 28, 1810, s<iii of David and .-Vnna
I. Francis Canby, b. March 22, 1850; d. (( 'aiibv)" Smythc. Afier marriage, they took
January 15, 1880, unm. ,ip their residtiu'c in Philadelphia. Issue,
II. William Canby, b. Xovember 17, 1851 ; (>iirname Smythe):
machinist. ' T. Ferris, li. Septendier 8, 1841; d. April
III. .Matilda, b. August 19, 1853. 2,1843.
IV. Henry, b. August 10, 1855; m. Eliza- ' II. Horace, b. Alareh 9, 1844; m. Alary
beih Ellis .Marters, of Aluncy, Pa., he is ,i Elizabeth ILuimiu in 1805, and have descen-
printer and pidilisher in Wilmington; they dants.
have is>ue. " III. Alarriott Canby, b. X'ovend.er 13,
V. Alfred Justice, b. June 21, 1804; 1845 ; m. in 1870, CMara Lauderbach, <if Phila-
priuter. delphia, place of residence, riiiladelphin; they
VI. AValter, b. Alareh 21, 18G8; machinist, have children.
AVilliam, fifth son and ninth cliild of Ikm- Edward B. Ferri^, son of Ziba and Elizabeth
jamin Ferris (historian), and Fanny Canby, (Megear) Ferns, born February 22, ls24,
liis wife, was born in AVilming-ton l)ecend)er AVilmington; marrieij Elizabeth Jenkins Ao-
14, 1.S22. On the 2d of January, 1845, he vendx-r 7, 1801, of Philadelphia. Tliey re-
married Alary Wetherald, of AVilmington. side in that city, and have one daughter, Anna
She was born there Decend)er 14, 1825, J., born August 21, 1805.
<laughter of Joseph and Alary (llaworth) Ziba Ferns, born September 18, 1828, son
AVetherald, of AVilnnngton. lie has in his of Ziba and I'Jiza (Meticar) Ferris, of AVil-
posse->ion an old clock which is said to have nnngt<in, married June 2-1, 1850, at her home
been given by AVilliam Alexander to his an<l jilace of birth, Esther Lea, born October
daughter Alary, who married Jame.s Proome, 12, 1837. She was a daughter of AVilliam
and which has come down by direct Lea and James S. Lovett, of AVilmington.
line of descent to the pre-ent owner. They They reside in their native city and have a son
have i'sne: tmd dauirhter — Alice Lea, and William Lea.
.^■llt t
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110
BIOGUAPIIICAL EXVYCLOPHDIA
The Kuss Family.
In early times there were none more promi-
nent in JJehiware than the family of Kcv.
(icurge Eoss. lie beeame rector of the church
at iXcw ('astle in 170;"). This church, accord-
ing to the authority of J. llcnry Ixogcrs, Esq.,
\^■a^ built on the tfite of Fort Casimir, and still
fatands to-day an antique and venerable edi-
tice, surrounded by its old-time graveyard, in
■which sleep many of the early settlers in New
Castle.
The Rev. George Koss, born in 167G, was
the son of David Ross, the second Laird of
lialblair, and head of one branch of tlic
Highland Clan Ross. He could trace his de-
scent to ilalcolm, Earl of Ross, who was con-
temporary with ilaleolm, King of the Scots in
the twelfth century. Ceorge Ross was edu-
cated at Edinburg, where he received the de-
gree of A. 'M., in 1700, At first he thought
of becoming a Presbyterian minister, but
changed his mind and received orders in the
Church of England. About 1703 he emigrated
from Scotland to Delaware, settled at Xew
Castle, and in 1705 became rector of the Epis-
copal Clmrch (Immanuel), at that place.
Some time in 1707 he married Joanna Wil-
liams, his first wife. She came from Rhode
Island, and was noted for her piety and Chris-
tian grace. They had issne: I. David, b. be-
fore 1708; II. ']\rargaret, b. in 1712; III.
Jolm, li. in 1714. Some time before the
lievdlntion he was Attorney General imder
the Crown for the Lower Counties on the
Delaware, and in his day was one of the most
distinguished and successful lawyers of Phila-
delphia. His only rival at the bar was An-
drew Hamilton. Samuel Adams in his diary
refers to him as a lawyer of great eloquence
and extensive practice. At first he favored
the loyalists, but became a convert to the
cause of liberty; IV. Aeneas, b. in 1716. He
entered the ministry, succeeded his father as
rector of the Parish of New Castle, j\Iay 3,
1 7.")?!, and served until 17S2. He was an earn-
est supporter of independence, preached ]iatri-
•otic sermons and was a pillar of strength in the
cause of liberty. His son, John Ross, became
the husband of Elizabeth Griscom (Betsy
Ross), who made our first national flag in
Philadel|diia, and whose liouse is still pointed
f.ut on Arch street; Y. Anne, b. in 1719, mar-
ried John Yeatcs, of Delaware, a cousin of the
<listiiiguished jurist, Joseph Yeates, a juilge
of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a
resident of the city of Lancaster, Pa.; VI.
dacob, b. before 1720. Little of his history is
known. Some writers say that he became a
]ihysician. Holcomb, the historian of the
cluircli over which the father presided so long,
says that two of his sons became clergymen.
It is probable that Jacob was one of them.
The wife of Rev. George Ross, Joanna
AVilliains, dN-ing soon after the liirth of Jacob,
he married, secondly. Catharine Van Gezel,
a granddaughter of Gerrit Van Gezel, who
was secretary to Jacob Aliichs, one of the
Dutch governors of the colony on the Dela-
ware. Their children were: VII. George, b.
:May 10, 1730, at New Castle. He studied
law, and after his admission to the bar he set-
tled in Lancaster in 1751, and there com-
menced his professional and distinguished
career. Au'Tust 17, 1751, he married Anne
I.aidor. His success at the bar brought him
in a few years the appointment of prosecutor
fiir the Crown, an office which he filled with
distinguished credit.
In 1708 he was chosen a representative to
the General Assembly, and continued a mem-
ber of that body until 1777, excepting the
years 1772 and 1770. When the Tories be-
came thesulijects of persecution and sometimes
imprisonment, and it was esteemed next to
treason to defend them, he, with James Wil-
son and a few other eminent persons, was ever
ready to plead in their behalf. He was, how-
ever, among the first of the colonists to be-
come sensible of the arbitrary acts of the Eng-
lish Goverunu'nt and to feel "the sting of
British tyranny." The Virginia resolutions,
proposing a Congress of all the colonies, were
received in the General Assembly on the eve
of its adjournment. INfany members were
anxious for delay, to hear from their con-
stituents, but so commanding was his influence
among his colleagues that it was decided to act
at once, and he was appointed a committee to
draft a re))ly to the speaker of the Virginia
House of Delegates. In that reply he ex-
pressed with clearness and force how sensible
the members of the Pennsylvania Assembly
were of the importance of co-operating with
the representatives of the other colonies in
every wise and prudent measure for the
jircservation and security of their general
rights and liberties.
'i'lie success of his services in the Assemblr
. •! . , ^;
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STATE OF DELAWARE
111
made him available for other and higher du-
ties. Ou the 22d of July, 1774, he was one
of seven delegates chosen to represent the
Province in the Continental Congress. On the
15th of October, on motion of Mr. Ross, it
Vas ordered that John Dickinson, of Dela-
ware, be chosen an additional delegate. 'I'liat
Congrtss met on the 5th of September and
adjourned on October 2Gth of the same year.
As George Ross shared the distinction
achieved in that short session of seven weeks,
it may be worth while to pause long cucjiigh
in our narrative to take a glimpse of that not-
able Asscinljly, the first Continental Congi-esa.
It met in Carpenter's ITall, that sacred edifice
which still stands in Philadelphia, and is
venerated as the shrine of liberty. }ilany
noted men were there, not the least of whom
was the distinguished son of Delaware, George
Ross. Their work was the grandest of tho
age. They surveyed and mapped the rights of
man, declared that no law enacted without his
consent was binding upon a l^ritish subject,
that taxation without representation was tyr-
anny, that the common law of England was
every Englishman's birthright.
But ifr. Ross was not a one-term congress-
man, lie was re-elected on December 15,
1774, to the Congress which convened ^lay
10, 1775. To the succeeding term he was not
elected, but on July 20, 177C, he was again
elected, and immediately took his seat. In
January, 1777, he obtained leave of absence
on account of illness, and never afterward re-
turned. He tlnis occupied a seat in the Con-
tinental Congress from September 14th to
October 26, 1774; from May 10th to Novem-
ber, 1775, and from July 20, 1776, to Janu-
ary, 1777. On July, 4, 1776, at the very hour
the Declaration of Independence was being
adopted by the Continental Congress, he was
at Lancaster presiding at a meeting of the
officers and members of the battalions of As-
Bociators of the colony of Pennsylvania, to
choose two brigadier generals. "When the
signing of the immortal document took place
on the 2d of August following, he was present
and affixed his name to it. He was the only
signer of the Declaration from the county of
Lancaster. In appreciation of his services in
the Assembly ami Congress, a public mcctlTig
held at Lancaster passed a resolution granting
him il50, but he graciously declined the uift.
Tlic remnant of his life, after his retircjncut
from Congress, was to be still further digni-
hed and exalted by his elevation to the bench
of the Admiralty of the State, to which he Avas
appointed March 1, 177'J. Put he lived only
n short time to enjoy his last honor. lie died
Jidy 14, 177'J, of a sudden attack of gout, at
his home in Lancaster, and was buried in
Christ Church burial ground. He left one
son, James, who became an active patriot on
the breaking out of the Revolution. He raised
the first company in Lancaster, was made cap-
tain and marched to Caudiridge. He rose to
the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Eighth
Pennsylvania Regiment, with which he
fought in the memorable battle of the Brandy-
wiue. i\\ the battles of Long Island, Tren-
ton, Gernuintown, Col. Ross bore a consjucu-
ous jKirt. lie was appointed judge in the
Territory of Lom'siana. lie died August 24,
18US, in the fifty-fifth year of his age.
After the lapse of one hundred and
eighteen years the Lancaster County Histori-
cal Society reared a pillar and tablet to the
memory of the signer on the site of his coun-
try residence in the environs of the city of
Lancaster. The ceremonies took place June
4, 1897, in the presence of a great concourse
of people. Hon. Marriott Bnjsius, member
of Congress from Lancaster county, delivered
an eloquent oration in which he recounted the
patriotic services of the distinguished son of
Delaware.
VIII. Gertrude, b. about 1732. She mar-
ried Hon. rjcorge Read, the fii-st, (of Dela-
ware), signer of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence.
IX. Catharine, b. about 1734; m. Capt.
William Thompson, a native of Ireland, of
good family, who had been an officer in the
Pennsylvania regiment during the French
and Indian "War, and who was afterwards,
during the Revolution, a general (from lilarch
1,_ 177G, to Sept. 3, 1781), of the Continental
Line. Their children were: i. George, who
m. Mary Callendor, a daughter of Capt. Rob-
ert Callehder; ii. Robert, d. unm.; ili. Mary,
m. Hon. (ieorge Read, .second, of Delaware;
iv. Catharine, m. fir>t, Galbraith Patterson,
son of Capt. William Patterson, who was b.
at Patterson's Fort in 1767, studied law at
Lancaster, was admitted in 1789, removed to
what is now the borough of DuBoistown, op-
posite the city of Williamsport, where he d.
Februarv 26, 1801, in his thirty-fourth year.
i:'7 111 ■ ^1
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112
BIOGUAFHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
]lis widuw 111. scciiiul, Jiiincs Orliisoii, of
C'li:iinlii'r>ljurg, Pa., where sliu d. February
24, ISll. She had a daughter l.y Mr. Pat-
terson, who married, first, l^UAid ilaehiy;
Fccoud, lion. Alexander T. Hayes, wlm was
for many years a judge of the ( 'utiit of (Vnu-
iiKin Pleas, Laneaster; v. Juliana, ni. Joliii
Holmes, of Baltimore; vi. Elizaheth, m.
Count Josepli St. Leger d'llappart, of Franee;
vii. "William Allen, m. Sarah Lewis Clay, wid
ow, da\ightcr of i;i(diard ]\riAVilliams, Y.n\.,
of 1 )elaware.
X. Elizaheth, h. aliout IT.'id; m. Col. Ed-
ward P.iddle, of Iveading, a distinguished law-
yer, sjieaker of the Pennsylvania As^cuiMy,
and meinher of the Continental Congress.
XI. Susanmi, b. about IT."'.'^; m. Kev. AVil-
liani Thompson, of the I'^inscopal church.
XII. ^lary, b. about 1740; in. in 17U;i Col.
^lark Bird, of Birdsboro, a prominent iron
master. He took an active pait in the Kevolu-
tioii. On August 7, 177G, '"he reported to the
Council of Safety that abont 300 men in his
battalion would be ready to march in several
days, he having sujjjdied them with provi^ioii^,
tents and nniforms at his own expense." He
became a wealthy man for ln< time, his landed
possessions in Berks county alone reaching
8,000 acres, on which were situated his exten-
sive furnaces at Birdsboro and Hopewell. But
in 17SC he was compelled to make an assign-
ment of his estate for the benefit i>f his cr('(li-
tors. Abont 1788 he removed to >forth
Carolina, where he soon afterwards died.
Bev. (xeorge Boss, the progenitor of this
distinguished family, was rector of the Xew
Castle Church (Immannel), from June, 170j,
to July, 1708. lie then removed to Chester,
where, in connection with his church duties,
he condncted a school. In October, 1714, his
old congregation at X^ew Castle induced him
to return, and he continued to labor there
until his death in 1754-. Altogether, he
served in the Xew Castle Church for the long
period of forty -three years. He was buried
under the chancel of the chnndi, but strange
as it may appear, no record of the date of his
death has lieen preserved in the cliurcli ar-
chives.
TnoMAS Fenwick.
Thomas Fenwick, although comparatively
little is known of his early history, was a man
of some note in Delaware soon after the ad-
\'eiit of William Peun. His name indicates
Scotch origin. He ajipears to have settled
first in Z^Iaiylaud, for the earliest well au-
thenticated event in his history was his re-
ceiving by pul■(■ha^e several grants of land
ill Sonierset county of that State. These grants
bore the date ItiSU and were called '•Feuwick's
( 'lioice," "^\'illter Pa>tui-e," "( 'ow'sQuarters,"
"Dumfries,"" "Scottish Plot," iVc. The last two
names lead to the inference that .Mr. i'"enwick
was a Scotehnian. lie afterwards disposed of
these lauds in smaller lots. AVhile living iii
.Maryland he ap))i'ars to have been a planter.
Prior to settling in Helaware, he i-eeei\ed a
gi-aiit for "l'\'n\vick l.-land," at the southeast
corner of Sussex eount\, near Cape Ilenlopen.
This island was dotineil to become historical,
for through it was run the boundary line of
Delaware and ]\laryland, and reference is
made to it in the cek'bratcd case of Penn vs.
Lord Baltimore. Soon after settling in Sussex
county, Thomas Fenwick became a member
of Penii's Provincial Cmiucil, justice of the
]ieaee, .-.lierilf of the county and register of
wills. The-c app<iintments show that he
must have been a man of some standing and
enjoyed the confidence of William Penn.
The time of his death is unknown, but as his
will was dated in 170S, and was probated a
few months later, he must have died some time
in that yi'ar. It is on record at (ieorgetown.
His wife's Christian name appears as ilary in
the will, and the following cliildren are men-
tioned:
1. Anne (.Mrs. Kobert Clifton);
■1. ^Margaret (Mrs. Kdward Stretcher);
o. James; apparently his only son. What
became of him is unknown.
Beference is also made in the will to John
and ^largaret Hepburn, of Somerset county,*
regarding the transfi-r of his land. John .
Hepburn is known to have emigrated from
Scotland at an early date. He belonged to
the historic family of that name in Scotland,
'i'here also apjieai-s to have been a Cutlibert
Fenwick, wdio had sons, Bobert, Bichard and
John. His will is dated ^ilarcli C, 1(j:.4. What
relationship existed between Cutlibert and
Thomas Fenwick is unknown, but it is sup-
posed the former was uncle to the latter.
Thomas Fenwick died at Lewes, and is sup-
posed to have been buried in the old cemetery
at that jilace.
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.S'7'.177:; OF DELAW Mi !■:
113
Hon. C.KomiK Kkad.
(!cori;e UoaJ was a native of tlie rroviiicc
of .Maryhuiil, where lie was bom in 1734. His
iii-andfallur was an Insluuaii, wlio resided
in (lie city uf Dniilin, and was possessed uf a
(•(in.-idrralile fortnne. His son, Jolm Read,
tlie father of Hon. (leorge Head, luiviiiii emi-
grated to Anuriea, took up his resideiiee in
Cecil county, Maryland, where lie pursued
the occupation (if a planter. Xot lonii' after
the hirth of his eldest son, lie removed with
his family into the Province of Delaware,
and .setth'd in the eounty of New Cattle. Mr.
KeatI, de-imnnt;- his son for one of the learned
j)rofe>.-ion<. placed him in a seminary at Ches-
ter. Ha\ inu' there acquired the rudiments of
the learned lanj;iiages, the boy was transferred
to the care of that learned and accoiupli>hed
scholar, Rev. Dr. Alison, at his famous school
at Xew London, Chester county, Pa. Young-
Ivead continued his studies until his seven-
teenth year, when he entered the ottice of
John .iloland, a distinguished lawyer in
Philadelphia, for tlie purpo.^e of acquiring a
liiiowletlge of the legal profession. He made
rapid progress, and before completing his }ire-
paratory studies showed such aptitude for the
profession tliat his preceptor entrnsteil to him
a considerable sliare of his legal business.
In 17."):i, at the early age of nineteen }ears,
]Mr. Head was admitted to the bar. On this
event he performed an act of singular gener-
osity in favor of the other children of the
family. As the eldest son, he was entitled,
by tlie exi-ting- laws, to two shares of his
father's estate, but he relingnished all his
rights in favor of his brothers, assigning as a
reason for this act, his belief that lie had re-
ceived his proportion in the education which
liad been given him.
In the following year he commenced the
practice of law in the town of New Castle,
and althougli surrounded by gentlemen of
liigli distinction in the profession, he soon ac-
quired the confidence of the public, and ob-
tained a respectable .share of business. In
1703 he was appointed to succeed John Eoss
as attorney general of the three counties of
Delaware. This ottice Jlr. Head held until
the year 177.">, when, on being elected to Con-
gi'css, he re^igned it.
During the same year !Mr. Read married
(iertrude, daughter of the Hev. George K<i~-'',
a clergyinan, who had long presided over the
Episcopal Chundi in Xew Ca^lle. The char-
acter of J^lrs. Read was in eveiy respect ex-
eelleut. In her person rhe was beautiful, and
Ui I'legalit manners was added a deep and cuu-
>tant jiic'ty. She was al-o imbued with the
.-^pil■it of a pure [lati'loti^m. During the Hevo-
lutioiiary War .-^lie was often called to sutler
many privations, and was frequently exposed
with her infant family to imminent danger
from the predatory incursions of the liritish.
Yet, in the darkel^t hour and anii<Ut the most
appalling danger, her fortitude was unshaken
and her courage nudannteJ.
In the year 170.') ]\Ir. Head was elected a
representative from New Ca.-.tle county to the
Ceneral Assembly of Delaware, a post which
he (jccupied for twelve years. By an adher-
ence to the royal cause he had reason to an-
ticipate office, honor and wealth. But his
liatriotism and integrity were of too pure a
character to be intlueuced by worldly prefer-
ment or pecuniary reward.
On the first of August, 1774, Mr. Head was
chosen a member of the Continental Congress
in connecti<m with Caesar Hodney and
Thomas ^IcKean. To this station he was au-
ntuilly elected during the whole Hevolution-
ary war, and wa- indeed present in the na-
tional as.<embly, except for a few short in-
tervals, during the wh(de of that period.
When the time came for signing the
Declaration of Independence, Mr. Head af-
fixed his signature tu it with all tlie cordiality
of those who had voted in favor of the declar-
ation itself.
In the following September -Mr. Head was
elected president of the convention which
formed the first Constitution of the State of
Delaware. On the completion of this he was
ort'ered the executive chair, but chose at that
time to decline the honor.. In 1777, the
governor, Mr. ^IcKinly, was captured by a
detachment of British troops, and Mr. Read
was called to take his place in the respon-
sible ofhee (see sketches of the Governors),
the duties of which he continued to discharge
until the release of the Governor.
In 1777 ill-health required him to retire
for a season from public employment. In
1782, however, he accepted the appointment
of judge of the Court of Appeals in admiralty
cases, an office in which he continued until
the abolition of the court. In 17S7 he roprc-
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114
BIOdHAPllICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
sentcd the State of Delaware in the eouven-
tion which framed the L'oiistitutioii of the
United States, under whieh he was immediate-
ly elected a memljer of the Senate. The du-
ties of this exalted station he discharged till
171)3, when he accepted a seat on the bench
of the Supreme Court of the State of Dela-
ware, as Chief Justice. In this exalted posi-
tion he continued till the autumn of 1798,
when, on the 21st of September, he was sud-
denly summoned to another world, lie was
buried near the eastern wall of Inuiianuel
Church, New Castle.
The Bkufoeds.
Although occupying a conspicuous position
in the history of Delaware, nothing is known
of the ancestry of Lieutenant Colonel Gun-
ning Bedford, of Colonel Haslet's regiment
of Delaware State troops, and afterwards
Deputy Quartermaster General of the Ameri-
can Army. Captain Bellas, who has devoted
much time to genealogical research, declares
that very little connected history of the Bed-
ford family can be obtained. Gunning Bed-
ford was born in Philadelphia in 17130, and
died in New Castle, Delaware, September 30,
1797. He was a lieutenant during the French
and Indian War, and entered the Revolution-
ary army as a major, March 20, 1775. Hav-
ing been promoted to the rank of lieutenant
colonel of Colonel Ilaalet's regiment, he was
wounded at White Plains. On June 18, 1776,
he was appointed quartermaster general. The
fact that he entered the service from Dela-
ware, leads to the conclusion that he had set-
tled in that state early, probably soon after
returning from service in the French and In-
dian campaign. He was a delegate from
Delaware to the old Congress of 1783-85, and
governor of the State from January, 179G,
to his death, September 30, 1797. the frac-
tional portion of his term, which ended in
1799, was filled by Daniel Pogers, speaker of
the Senate. Governor Bcdfor<l man-ied ^fary,
daughter of Col. John and Mary (Howell)
Pead. He left no issue at his death. In the
minutes of Council of Delaware he was gen-
erally denominated the "Elder," or "Senior."
Gunning Bedford, Jr., it is stated, was his
cousin. He was born in Philadelphia in 1747,
and died in Wilmington, D<laware, ^larch
30, 1812. Ho graduated at Nassau Hall,
Princeton College, in 1771, among his class-
mates being James .Madison and Hugh M.
Breckinridge. He was one of the first bcholara
uf his class and probably the best speaker, for
he was selected to deliver the valedictury ora-
tion at the conuueucement. I'revious to his
graduation he had been married to Miss Jane
Ballaroux Parker, daughter of James I'arker,
of lioston, whose wife was a lady of French
descent. His wife was so interested in his
success at college that she traveled on horse-
back to Princeton with her baby to witness
her husband's triiunph. On leaving college
young Bedford studied law with Joseph Peed,
an eminent attorney of Philadelphia, and hav-
ing been admitted to the bar renujved to
Dover, Delaware, where he practiced success-
fully until failing health compelled him to
leave and take u]i his residence iu Wilmington.
'Tie was a handsome man," says William T.
Pead, in his life of George Pead, "and a very
fluent and agreeable speaker, and the high
J)! ace he gained in the esteem and confidence
of his fellow citizens was shown by the offices
of trust and importance which he filled." On
the breaking out of the Pevolution he took
sides with the patriots and threw his whole
force and influence in behalf of liberty. Dur-
ing the war he served for a short time as aid-
de-camp to General Washington. He was at-
torney general of the State, a member of the
Assembly of Delaware, and of the Continental
Congress, from 1783 to 1787; a member of
the convention whieh formed the Constitution
of the United States, and signer of that in-
strument; and it was largely through his ef-
forts that Delaware, in common with Phode
Island and other snudl states, was put upon
an equality with the large States in numeri-
cal representation in the United States Senate.
He was a presidential elector in 1789 and
1793. Upon the organization of the Govern-
ment, President Washington appointed him
Judge of the United States District Court,
and he filled that high office honorably for
himself and satisfactorily to the public until
he was disabled by disease which terminated
his life in 1812, as stated above. j\Iiss i^Iont-
gomery, in her "Peminiscences of Wilming-
ton" (p. 245), says that General AVashington
presented his pocket pistols to Jtidge Bedford
as a token of a|)]irobation of his scTvices.
After the General's death. Lady Washington
]u'esented to hitii, as a memento of her regard.
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STATE OF DEL.UVAUE
117
the ^fiisiiiiic s;ish worn by her hiisbaud. It is
jiuw i)ri'S(r\(.(l aiuiiug the vahiabh^ culleetiou
of i-i'lifb of the great man in the buihling at
Morristown, -Xew Jersey, known as "Wash-
inj;tiiu's J lea(hiuarters.'' Jt is of crimson
silk. Judge Jiedford had several children.
His daiijihter Ann, wlio married Cominodore
Jolin JJarniy, of the U. S. Navy, was born
in ITi'it, an<l died in 1818. Another dantih-
ter, w ho married ( \v\\. -lohn Strieker, of ilary-
iand, was liorii February 15, 1701t (twin,
jirobabiy, witii 31 rs. Barney), and died Jmie
L';j, 1825. His last surviving daughter was
Henrietta T. Bedford (born 178'J, died Au-
gust, 1871), in AVilmington. This daughter
caused a .«i)iendi(l and enduring monument of
gi-anit(> to be placed over her distingui>hed
fatlicr's grave in the First Presbyterian
cliurchyard, Wilmington, in 1S5S. The
beautiful and ai)|proi)riate eiiitapli carved on
the sliaft was composed Ijy William T. Read,
and it may be read from the Market street
sidewalk, .so close does the monument stand to
tlie iron fence.
Commodore ^Iacdonouuu.
'i'homas ilacdonough, distinguished as a
naval otticcr, was a luitive of Delaware. In a
contribution to the Historical Society, his
grandson, Rodney Macdonough, of Boston,
says that his family was of Sccjtcli-Irish origin.
His great-grandfather, Tliomas ilacdonough,
lived on the river FifFey, t'ounty Kildare, H'C-
land. l']ither he or his father was a native of
Scotland, but, on account of the disturbed con-
dition of the county, had emigrated to Ireland
and settled there. This Thomas had several
children, two of whom, John and James, came
to this country about 17)30. John !Macdon-
otigh settled on Long Island, and James ilac-
donough, the ancestor of the, Delaware line,
settled in St. George's hundred, 7*few (Jastle
county, Delaware, at the place then called the
Tra]i, but to which the post office department
in 1844 gave the name of iracdonough. Here
he lived to a good old age, dying in 1702,
c ighty years old. ITis wife was Lydia, daugh-
ter of Peter T.aroux, also of St. (leorge's hun-
dred. James and Lydia ^facdonough left sev-
eral children, among whom was Thomas 3Iac-
(hiiKuigh, 2, the conunodore's father, born in
174 7."
Thomas !Macdonough, 2, lived in stirring
7
tinns on the Delaware. He had studied medi-
cine and adopted that jirofes^ion, but when
there came the call to arms in 1770 he threw
away the huu-et and buckled on the sword.
On iMarch 22, 177(i, he was commissioned by
Congress as major in Col. John Haslet's regi-
ment of Delaware troops in the Continental
service. Five months later the regiment took
the tield, and the first engagement in whiidi it
took part was the battle of Long Island. In
the absence of the colonel and lictiteuaut colo-
nel, ]Major IMacdonough was in command, and
accjuittcd himself ,so as to receive the thanks
of (icni'ral AVashington. During this engage-
ment he was wounded. Then followed the
battles (if AVhite Plains, Trenton and Prince-
ton, in all of which the regiment participated.
Its loss in officers and men in the battle of
Princeton was so great that the time of mo^t
of the men liaving expired, the regiment was
disbanded and never reorganized and the
niaj<ir returned to his home.
In 1782 he was colonel of the Seventh Kegi-
ment, Delaware militia. In 1788 he was ap-
jKiinted third justice of the Court of Common
I'leas and Orphans' Court by (iovernor Col-
lins. In 17!»1 (iovernor Clayton appointed
him second justice of the Court of Connnon
Pleas and Orphans' Court, and in 171)3 he Avas
again a]>pointed by the same governor one of
the justices of the Court of Common Pleas.
The wife of ^lajor ]\[acdonough was ^lary,
daughter of Samiud Vance. He died a com-
paratively young man in 1795, and he and his
wife are buried side by .side in the family lot.
They left a nundjcr of children, ainonn whom
was Thomas ^lacdonough, 3, destined to be-
come distinguished as a naval commander.
Thomas ]\Iacdonongh, 3, was born Decem-
ber 31, 1783, at the Trap, on the farm on
which his father and grandfather had lived be-
fore liim. For sixteen years he resided at or
near his homo, happy and contented; he al-
ways retained a lively and affectionate remem-
brance of the home of his youth. Just after
eom|ileting his sixteenth year he entered the
na\y. H(> had heard much of war. His un-
cle, Patrick ^lacdonough, had been a soldicc
under St. Clair in his ill-fated expedition. His
father had served in the Revolnti(ni. His elder
brother, James, was a midshipman in the navy
and had taken ))art in the engagement between
the Constellation and the Im^urrjente, and lost
a leg. The stories he heard from these rcla-
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IS
BIOGUAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
th'cs fanned the spark of patriotisui ir. his
hosoni iutQ ii bright and steady llaiiie.
On tiie 15th of February, IbUU, Thomas
^laedonough was ajipoiutcd a niidshipniaii by
John Atlams, tlirougii the influence uf United
(States Senator J.atinier, of iJehiware. lie
biraightway went aboard slii]) at A'ew Castle,
bound for a cruise in the AVest Indies, and
saw some hard ser\ ice.
lie was with Stephen Decatur when they
burned the Eliiladdphia in the harbor of 'J'rip-
oli. Lieutenant Lawrence and ten men, witii
inidsliipmeii Laws and Macdonough, were di-
rected by Decatur to lire the berth deck and
forward store room of tiio captured ship.
They did their duty courageously and we'd
and the ship was destro^'cd. i'or his services
on this occasion ^IcDonough was promoted
to tlie rank of lieutenant iLiy 18, lbU4.
Cruising in theMediterranean lieliad many
adventures and narrow escapes. In the har-
iior of Cibraltar, a British man-of-war's boat
boarded an American merchantman and took
out, or impressed, one of her men. ^lacdon-
ough went alongside the British boat and
demanded him, which demand was refused.
He then took hold of the man, put him into
his own boat, and brought him on board his
slap, the Syren. The British otHcer blustered
and stormed, but ilacdonough kejil the man,
who was an American.
His bravery was of tliat kind which knew
no fear. While lying off Syracuse, lie obtain-
ed permission to go ashore. Just as he was
stepping into a boat to return to his ship ho
was set upon by three cut-throats armed with
daggers. The young lieutenant drew his
sword, and though the odds were three to
one, two of his assailants were soon disabled,
and the third, taking to flight and being tV)l-
lowed by the otticer, ran into a building ami
upon the roof, from whence, there being no
A\'ay of escape, he threw himself to the ground
to avoid being taken. Young .Aracdonough
was the gallant Decatur's favorite nudshii)-
man, and ''wherever Decatur led he daiod to
follow.'' To relate all of his adventures
Would require the space of a small volume.
On the breaking out of the second war with
Oreat Ih-itain, he was ordered to take com-
mand of the naval force on Lake Champlain
September 12, 1812. On December 12, of
the same year, he married Ln<'v Ann, dauuh-
ter of 3>'athani(d Shaler, of .Middletown, Con-
necticut. There he afterwards made his home
when off duty and there his children were
boni. One of them, "whom," as lie writes
ia ISi'i' to his sister Lydia in Delaware, 'T
call Koduey after my fi'iend in W'ilnangton,*
is now li\'ing in ^>'c\v \'ork (, ity, aiul another,
Cliarlotle Ko^ella, now a widow, i^ living ir
Ali.ldlelowii.
On the 24th of didy, ISlo, .Macdonough
was commi---ioneil nuister commandant, and
soon after to(.ik comnuind of the iloet on Lake
Champlain. The brilliant naval victory which
he won over the Ifrili^h on the J 1th of Sep-
tendier, 1M4, is well known to all reader.^ of
history. The loss of the Americans was tifty-
two killed and tifty-eight wounded: that of tlie •
]jritish eighty-four killed and one hundred
and ten wounded. 'J'he prisoners taken ex-
ceeded the whole nundier of the Americans in
the action. The victory was hailed by tlie
whole country with great joy.
The state of Xew York, in justice and
gratitude, gave the gallant commodore one
thousand acres of land, and the state of Ver-
mont made him a grant of two hundred acres
on Cmnberland Uead, which overlooked the
scene of his brilliant naval victory on Cham-
].lain. Tlc' was voted a gold medal by Con-
iire-s, and was the recipient of numerous
civic honors from cities and towns through-
out the country.
On the ■'!Oth of Xovendjer, 1814, he was
commissioned captain, then the highe-t rank
in tlie infant navy, to take rank from the date
of his brilliant victory over the English fleet.
After c(in>iderahle .service from tlie date of
his promotion, he wa^ ordered to as>\ime com-
mand of the American sipiadron in the Medi-
terranean. Owing to ill iM'alth. however, he
was relieveil of tiic c<inimand of the ('(jjisli-
tut'iiin on October 14, 1825, with pernussion
to return to the Thiited States, but he did not
live to see his native land, dying at sea while
homeward hound, ten days out from (iibral-
tar. Xovember 10, 182.". His death was
caused by consnmiition, the result of the ex-
]iosure and hard service to which he had been
subjected during his active career. His re-
mains were brought home and btu'ied at ^lid-
dletown, Connecticut, Deecndier 1, 182,"), with
military, civil and ^lasonic honors. His wife
had died a few months before, and they nov
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STATE OF 1>I:LA\V MIE
110
lie ?i<.lu liy sidr ill tilt' (luaiiit old ceiuetery
overlooking the C'oniieetieut iiiver. A lit-
tiiiy inonmneiit marks his place of burial with
an appropriate e[iitaph carved thereon, "lie
was distiiipiii.-licd in the world as the Hero of
Lake C'liamplain."
tioVKUNOR JoiIN McKlNLY.
iJr. John McKinly, who had the distin-
guished honor of being the first President (or
<-iovernorj of the State of Delaware, after the
l>eclaration of Independence, was a native of
the north of Ireland, where he was born
February 'li, 17-1. A'^othing is known of his
parentage or family, or the year when he came
to this country. That he must have had some
advantages in the way of securing an education
is evident, for he studied medicine; and when
he arrived here he at once engaged in the jno-
fession which he had chosen.
Like the majority of Irish immigrants at
that time, he probably landed at New Castle,
and at once made his way to AVilniington,
Avhere he settled and commenced the practice
of his profession. That he was here at an
early date, and when quite a young man, is
shown by the records. It appears that he was
apiJointed ^heriif of New Castle county by
A\'illiam Iii'imy, Colonial governor, October
4, ITTjT, and re-appointed in 175S and 175'J,
making three years of continuous service in
that line. ■ Noting the date of his birth, he
must have been but a little over tliirty years
of age when the appointment of high sheriff
■was conferred on him. *
About the time his term as sheriff closed
he was chosen chief burgess of the infant
borough of Wilmington. This was in 1759,
and so well did he perform the duties of the
office that his fellow-citizens persisted in re-
electing him froni year to year, so that he
eontiinicd to serve until 177G, a period of rif-
teen years. His long service as burgess, there-
fore, attests his worth and po]iu]arity as a man
and officer, auil the confidence rejwsed in him,
by his fellow citizens, lie married Jane Llicli-
ardson, about 17G1 or 17GG, as nearly as can be
ascertained. She was the eighth daughter
and twelfth child of John and Ann Kichard-
son, and was horn near Wilmington, February
1, 1727. Her parents were English Friends,
and came to this country early in the
eigliteenth century.
Ur. .\lcKinly early took a stand against
ih-itish oppression, and like all of his race,
became an ardent and out.spoken 2)atriot. lie
was of fearless and decided character, and
pronounced in his opinions, which increased
his popularity with those who ojtposed taxa-
tion without representation. Alter the L>e-
claration of Independence, and when a re-
organization of the State government became
necessary, he was honored by being chosen
the first president (governor) of the State of
Delaware, February 12, 1777, for three years,
and administered tiie office until the folhnving
September.
On ^he uight of the 11th of September 1777,
just after the battle of 1 handy wine, a detach-
ment of British soldiers suddenly ajipeared iu
Wilmington, and seeking the house of the
governor, forcibly entered it and took him
from his bed, and detained him as prisoner.
His desk was broken open, and his books and
papers taken therefrom. The invaders, not
content with securing his I'ecords, plundered
the house of everything of value, including
plate and provisions, which they carried away.
The capture of the governor of a State was
regarded by the invaders as securing to them
a valuable prize, and they were determined
to nuike the most of it. Oov. ^IcKinly was
hurried away by his captors to New Castle
and confined on board the Solbaij, a small
war vessel lying in the Delaware River off
that place. Here he was carefully guarded
until the British ca[itured Fhiladelphia and
obtained possession of the forts on the Dela-
ware, when, on the 22d of November, he waa
removed to a prison ship lying off Chester,
and taken thence to Philadelphia, where ho
was imprisoned in tin; State House. Hero
he was kept iu close confinement until the
Fnglish evacuated the city, June IG, 1778,
when he was taken by sea to New York and
confined at Flatbush on Long Island. In the
fcdlowing month lie was paroleil and returned
to Philadelphia, where, after some delay on
the j)art of Congress, he was exchanged in Sep-
tember 1778, and returned to his home and
wife in Wilmington after a captivity of about
one year.
Governor jrcKinlv resided on the north-
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120
BIOanAl'lllt'AL ENCYCLOPEDIA
west corner of Third and French streets, Wil-
mington. Cireat changes iiave taken jihice iu
the locality during the last hundred years, but
the spot where his house stood can easily be
pointed out. On his return from captivity ho
resumed tlie practice of his profession, and
as piiysicians wei"e scarce in those days, lio
was kejjt busy looking after tiie sick. This
business he followed to the close of liis life,
or until borne down by the weight of years
he was unable to continue his regular, visita-
tions. An interesting relic of the old time
pli}sician, in the form of the lantern used by
him, is preserved among the antiquities of tiie
State Historical Society, Wiliuiugton. It is
in a good state of preservation, yet venerable
api)earance, and contrasts strangely with
our modern lanterns. A card is attached to it,
which, after setting forth the name of the
owner and' his capture by the British while
serving as the first goveijior of Delaware,
concludes in these words. "This hmtern
lighted the path of the devoted, able physician,
during his nightly visits to the sick and af-
flicted, borne by his devoted African servant,
Forten, when street lamps were unknown.
There are a few persons still living in Wil-
mington who bear kindly recoUec-tions of
master and man."
Like nearly all the early Irish immigrants.
Dr. ]\rclvinly was an adherent of the Presby-
terian faith, and on December 23d, 1780, his
name appears as one of the trustees of
tlie First Presbyterian Church, AVilmington,
when ajjplication for incor])oration was made,
and he continued to act as a trustee nntil his
death in 1706. lie was liberal iu his religious
views, however, and at one time offered the
vestry of the Old Swedes' Church a lot of
ground at the corner of Seventh and !^^arket
streets, AVilmington, if they would luiild a
church there; but for some reason the offer was
declined.
Among the pa])ers relating to Dr. AIcKiuly,
preserved in the New York Public Library, is
the following estimate of the damage he sus-
tained to bis ])ro|)(-rty in the months of S(>])-
tember and October, 1777, when the Hrifish
were in possession of the liorf)ugh of Wil-
mington :
The dwelling house broken open and
damaged, table linen and wearing
ajjparel, and household furniture
taken and destroyed,
Shop furniture and medicines taken
and destroyed,
AVine and >pii-its taktai and u.^cil, . .
A saddle and bridle, with plated
mounting taken; riding chair, with a
top, and gears, broken and damag-
ed,
I lay taken and nuide use of,
A large ipiantity of fencing, chiefly
with red cedar posts, some railing
and a parccd of boards, and loose '
2>osts and rails, burned and de-
stroyed,
A chest containing books and accounts,
deeds, li'c, together with cash and
a variety of valuable effects (exclu-
sive of public money and papers)
taken
£35-
20
Ij
(30-
850.
£1,055
Errors excepted by
John ifclCinly.
New Castle County:
Doctor iTcKinly, on his solemn oath, doth
depose that the above, amounting to £1,055,
is accoi-diiig to the best of his knowledge, a
fair and reasonable estimate of the damages
he sustained by the enemy, as above stated,
at the time above mentitmed.
John iMcKinly.
Sworn this 18th Decendier, 1782,
Pefore Jno. Lea.
AVhcther he was reimbursed by the govern-
ment for the loss he sustained is unknown;
but, considering the poor financial condition
of the infant republic at that time and for
many years afterwai-ds, the probabilities arc
that he had to shoulder the loss.
Doctor AfcKinly was an active and con-
scientious jiractitioner, and took a deep inter-
est in whatever was calculated to advance the
science of medicine. lie gave his influence to-
ward founding the first Afedical Society in the
state, and his name apjjcars fii-st among the
twenty-eight charter niend)ers. The Legisla-
ture granted articles of incor|ioration Febru-
ary 3, 1780, under the title of "The President
and Fellows of the ^fedical Society of Dela-
ware." This was the third society in the
Ignited States, and an organization was effect-
LMi)
,1;
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STATE OF DELAWAHE
121
-ed at Dover, May 12, ITsO, by electing Dr.
James Tiltoii president. The society is still
in existence and the name ol; Dr. ^IcKinly is
reveretl among the pioneer practitioiurs of
more than a hundred years ago.
^\'hen Doctor ^McKinly died on tiie 3 1st of
August, ITUO, he liad attained tiie age
of seveuty-Hve years, six months auil sewn
days. Jlis death was sincerely mourned l>y
all the inhabitants of Wilmington, for they
felt that a sincere and \aluable citi/.en had
been called hence.
L'layp(.iole's Auierican Daily Adceriiser,
published in Philadelphia, contained untler
date of September 7, 1790, the following
obituary, Avhicli shows the esteem in which
he was held, not only at home Init abr<iad:
"This respectable citizen died full of years,
carrying with him to the grave the sincere
respect of his friends and the «'steem of all
who knew him. Dr. ^K-lunl}' was a native
of Ireland, but settled in Wilmington more
than half a century ago. The early part of
liis life was spent in the laborious and useful
dischai'ge of the duties of liis profession,
rpon the lirst dawaiing of the Kevolution he
warudy and actively espoused the cau-e of
freedom. The contidence of his fellow citi-
zens rewarded his zeal for their interests and
in\i'stcd him with the office of President
[( io\ iiuiii] of the State as soon as a govern-
ment was organized under the fir>t constitu-
tion.
"The latter part of Governor McKiidy's
life has been spent in the pleasant enjoj'nient
of the fruits of honest industry and virtuous
fame. And when arrived at the goal which
was to terminate life's career, he resigned his
spirit into the hands of Ilim who gave it, with
a serenity and content which can be experi-
enced only by a mind clear of I'eproach."
His will bears date August 27, I7!t5, aiid
was ]>robated Septend)er 14, 179G. He nuide
provision for paying the interest on a bond
for HldO held by James ^fcKennan during his
life; and t'(i were to be paid to Pev. AVilliam
!Mclvenuan dni-ing his life. Tiiirty dollars
were directed to be ]iaid to the First I're-^by-
tcrian Church, being the amount of his sidi-
scription, in favor of "Francis Allen Fatta,
as unni-^ter of the First' Presbyterian ('liun-li
fur sc\cn ycai-s, ■|)roviding he continur< as
minister." Tie also beqiuMthed i'K")!), nv -,n
much as mav be ncl■e^sar^■, for biiildiut: a
stone wall and gateway, for the First Pres-
byterian Church. The rest of his estate, per-
sonal and real, was devised to his wife, and
h ' appointed her his sole e.Kccutrix. The wit-
nesses to the will Were James X. Ha}ard and
Henry Latimer.
'J'he rcuniins of Dr. .McKinly were interred
in the Presb^'tcriau church yard, corner of
Market and Teulh streets, Wilmington, in the
presence of a large coin'ourse of friends
and mourners who took this opjjortuuity
to jiay their last resi)ects t(j the honored
deail. On his tombstone are inscribed
these M-ords: "This monument is erected to
the memory of .lohn .Melvinly, .M. D., who
was born in the Kingdom of Ireland on the
;'dth of FebriKiry, A. D., 1721, and died in
this town on the 31st of August, A. D., 1790.
He settled early in life in this countrj' and
pursuing the practice of physic, soon became
endnent in his profi'ssion. He served in sever-
al important piddic employments and, parti-
cularly, was the first person who filled the
office of President [Governor] of the State
after the Declaration of Independence. He
died full of years, having jjassed a long life
nsefullv t<i thi' j)ublic and honorably to him-
self."
The widow of Dr. John ^fcKiidy survived
him over eight years, dying Jidy 18, 180.5,
of ai>oi)le.Ny or pai-alysis, suddenly, while sit-
ting in her chair, in apparent good health,
at the age of se\'enty-eiglit years, five months
and seventeen days. She was buried at Xew
Castle. Thcv left no descendants.
\ TUE PlCU.MiDSON F.VMILV.
One of the oldest families in Delaware is
the one bearing the name of Piichardson.
Twenty years ago (1S7S) Picbard Pichardson
published a genealogy of the fanuly, giving
what facts were then obtainable regarding the
early member.s, but as the edition was small
an<l designed only for private circulation,
(■cil)ics are now difficult to obtain. From that
record the following genealogy has been ob-
tained.
.Mr. Pichardson informs us that the earliest
ancotiu' of the fanuly, of whom there is any
account, came to this country about 1GS2.
His naiJie was .Toliu Pichai'd-ion, and he enii-
gratcil from T,iiicnln~liire. luiglaud. Priiu<l,
ill his Histury id' Pennsylvania (p. iMS), in a
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122
BIOGRArillCAL J'JX('V('L01>i:i>I A
note says: "Of tlie (Juakors that settled In
auil about Xew Castle in tlie year 1GS2, were
John Ilussey, Jolm Kichartlson, Edward
Blake, &:c." Another writer says: '"John
TTiissey, John llirhardsoii, Edward lihikc,
Eeiijamiii Seott, and other Ericnds, being set-
tled in and near New Castle, held a nieetinc;
for ■\vorshi]i se\eral years at private houses in
said town; it was first set iip by the authority of
the yearly meeting of Philadel[ihia, tjio 2d of
the first month 1684, and continued until
1705, when a lot of ground was i)urehascd,
and a meeting house was built."
As regards the time of his cmigi'ation to this
country there is no positive Icuowledge. Tn
the Tvcgister of Arrivals in Philadelphia, in
the librai-y of the Historical Society, it is
stated that a John Tiichardson arrived at Phila-
delphia in the ship Eiuh-aror on the 20th of
Julv, 1GS3. This may have been the ancestor
of the family; but as there was more than one
John Tiichardson that came from England, it
is uncertain which was the right one. There
has been a tradition in the family that he enii
grated in the ship which brought over Pobert
Ashton; if that be the case, the date mav be
fixed as lieinjr l\rarch S, ITiSfi. Put this is
several years later than the other dates. The
two accounts mav be reconciled, if we con-
clude that John Pichardson came in advance
of his family, and that they came with Pobert
Ashton, which is not improliable.
His wife's name was Elizal>eth
but this is all that is known respecting her.
His children were, as appears from his will,
two sons, John and Piehard, and a dauehtcr,
whose name is not mentioned, married to
James Anderson, of C.eorge's Creek, Dela-
ware.
John Pichardson left nearly the whole of
his estate — not previouslv jriven to them — to
his two sons, after the death of his widow,
without specifviiitr what it ^vns, or where situa-
ted; it is therefore imnossible to C'ive anv in-
fonnation about it. TTe also had real estate
at New Castle.
John Pichardson was a member of Assem-
blv for New Castle counfv in ^Cl97. a* axueiv-!
from the minute* n^^ tbp Po'iiumI held the
"l?th nf Mav, 1007," at Philadelphia. TTe also
lield the office of iiistiee of the ncace — a more
important office at that time than now — un-
der Penn's governuuMit, as appear^ from a no-
tice published in the Journal of the Eranklia
Institute, Vol. iv., p. 11, 'J'hird Series, 1842^
describing the mode of laying out the curve
of the northern boundary of the State of
Delaware in 17(tl. Penn in his urdi'r for
making the sm\ey, instructed L-aac Taylor,
of tlie county of LUiester, and Thomas Pier-
son, of the county of New Castle in the terri-
tories, "to aeeompany the magistrates of each
county, or any three of them." And it ap-
]jears from the surveyor's memoranda, under
date of Octdber 20, 1701, that they began
"at the end of the horse dyke in the town of
New ( 'astle," and tliat among the justices
jiroc^nt was John Pichardson.
There ari' si'verai other Piehard^ons men-
tlonetl in Proud's Hi-^t(irv of Pennsylvania,
and in other records; another John Pichard-
siiu, who must not be confounded with the
ancestor of the Delaware family, who was a
member of "William Penn's first council, and
died in 1700; also Samuel Pichardson, a mem-
ber of council, and nuiny times prothonotary
of Philadelphia, from whom the T\ichardsons
of Pucks County, l^ennsylvania, are de-
scended; besides others of the same name in
various parts of this country.
John Pichardson died November 19, 1710,.
and his remains were probably interred in
the T'riends' burial ground at New Castle,
where the family still has a private lot en-
elused by a wall. As the date of his birth
is not known, it is not possible to state his age.
Neither is it known how long his wife sur-
vived him. TTe had a brother Jose]di Pichard-
son in England, to whose .son John left a
small legacv. Tlis will is dated Novendier 10,
1710, and he died on the 10th of the same
month. In it he makes ample provision for his
wife Elizabeth, remembers a number of his
relatives with small bequests, and then orders
that after his wife's death all of his estate,
real and personal, shall go to his two sons,
John and Piehard. The will in full is on
record at Wilmington, Pook P, page 224.
SkCOND (lEXERATIOX.
This relates to the children of John and
Elizabeth Pichardson. Nothing is knowm of
their son Tviehard, except through the refer-
ence made to him in his father's will. It is
uncertain whether he ever was in this country,
tlnnidi his father's will would seem to indicate-
UK -,■■• 1. U.v
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STA'I'E OF DELAWARE
123
that lie was. It is pretty certain, however, that
he left 110 deseeiidaiitb iu this country.
John liiehardsoii the seeoiid, sou of John
and Elizabeth, was born in England in IGT'J,
and eniigiated to tiiis country with iiis parents
when a child, iu the year 1US2 or tliereabouts.
ile married Ann Asiiton, of St. (ieorge's,
JS'ew ('a>lle county, Delaware, at a Friends'
lueettnji-, held at her fatlier's house July 7,
1701, as appears from tlie marriage; (•(.■rtiti-
cate, he being twenty-five years of age, and
she a year younger. Her parents were liobert
and I'-iizabeth Ashton, of St. Cieorge's, Xi'W
Castle county.
They settled on the banks of tlie Cliristiaua
Creek, about two miles above the present city
of A\'iliningtoii, on the first point of upland
on the north side of said creek al>ove Wil-
mington, and John Kichardson, L', owned
nearly all the land bordering on tiie creek as
high as tiie "Folly woods," as they are now
callecl, iiiid including tlieni. It was his inten-
ticii t'j found a town there, the plan being
arraiigetl and the streets laid out on paper;
hut in this he was disappointed; the site of
AVilmington being nearer the river Delaware,
his enterprise was superseded. lie and ins
sons carried on a considerable mcrcautih'
trade ivoxn this ]iiace, having wharves and
storehouses there, transporting sugar, mo-
lasses and other West Indian products in ves-
sels of tlieir own; his sons going out with the
ve-seN as commanders and supercargoes.
Their liu^iness was extensive for those times;
and .loliu liichardson acfpiired a consideralile
estate, liotii real and jicrsonal. His old man-
sion house, with an addition huilt in 174;>,
■was standing until the year 1S3I5, when it was
tnheii down, the walls Vicing cracked and in an
nii>tidile condition. Tlie ]irescnt house is on
tiie .-aiiie >-ito; the old lirieks were Ur.e(l in the
construction of the new dwelling. The for-
nu'r one was quite a curiosity in its way, hav-
ing leaden sashes in tlie windows. .\u old
collier cupboard, a relic of the furniture of
Jolin liichardson, is still presc'rved iu tlie
hoii-e. It belongs, or did helong, to Henry
T.aliiiier, a desceii<lant of Tlohert Uichardsoii.
'i'lie liou~e and land were left to John Tiich-
ardxiii, son ai Tvohort liichardson, Ly the will
of his grandfatiier John Fiichardson, and tlii^
younger John Kichardson dying chihlhss
and intestate, it descended to his sister, Ann
Latimer, as heir-at-law.
John Jiichardson was a iiiember of tiie .As-
sembly for tlie three lower counties, iiow tiio
State of Dcdaware, for the year J 7 10 and
frecpiently afterwards; he also held the ottice
ot Justice of the I'eace and Judge of tlie l*r<j-
vincial Court; he was highly e?teeiiied, ami xi
unblemished reputation.
it is ineiitioned in Smith's History of I'eiin-
.^yhania (Sc'c ilaz/ard's JJegisterj that "'a
monthly meeting of Friends was held iu a
pi'ivate lioiise the '1<\ of .'] mo. ICiSO, and was
composeil of Frieiuls living in the said town,
and near Christiana and While Clay Creeks
an<l the east of the Brandywiiie, and con-
tinued to be held at Xew Castle till the 1st
month, Ki^T, when it was moved to Xewark,
and held at Valentine irollingsworth, Corne-
lius luup^on, and .Morgan Derwitt's for the
ea^<' of the iiK'iiiiiers thereof, until the year
1704, at which time it was mo\ed to the cen-
tre, and held by turns at New ( 'astle, .Vewark
and Centre, and sometimes at tlii' lioii-e of
.John Kichardson; this continued until 1715."
'i'lie marriage certificate of John Kichardson
and .Villi Ashton is still preserved, and is an
interesting and treasured relic. They were
united by Friends' ceremony in the presence
of the parents of each and a numVicr of rela-
tives and friends, all of whom signeil the cer-
tificate.
John Kichardson died Septeiulier -1, 175'),
aged seventy-six years, and was interred at
Xew Castle in the family burial lot. lie had
twelve children: I. Idizabeth; II. Josciih;
III. Kobert; lY. Susanna; V. Sarah; VI.
Ann; VII. :\Iarv; VIIT. KeI.ecca; IX. John;
X. Kichard; XI.' Hannah; XII. Jane Kichard-
son.
His will is dated "the 20th day of the 12
mo, ealied Decenilicr, 1752," with codicil, dat-
ed ''the (llli day of August 1755," and it is
a long and carefully ])re])ared d<icument.
Careful jirovision is made for his children,
married and single, but as no mention
is made of liis wif(> she had e\-idently
died before him. He i-liowed some dis-
]ileasiire towards one of bi~ daughters in
these words: "And as my daughter Ilanna,
who has lately married Thomas (5 ray, con-
trary to my desire or con^'iit, and for her dis-
obedience she shall have but two hundi^'d
jioiiiids, to be pai<l her two year> after my ile-
cea^e, and not before, or to her cliihl if slio
(1 CO )>I.
■ 'r •• rIM lilliS
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124
IIIOUHM'HICAL excyclophdia
should have any at that time, (if she should
be doiid), paid by my executor, and she is
hereby utterly barred frtuii any more of my
estate whatsoever."
His personal estate, "agreeably to a decree
settled in chancery, October -J'.i, 175!!," was
valued at .t'."52,44() ti s. Id. A iioimd was valued
at $2.G(>, Pc^nnsylviiuia cunciny, makinji' a
total of $SO,300'.
'J'he real estate it is not possible to esti-
mate, but from his will it must have amount-
ed to six or eight hundred acres of land, ex-
clusive of his jiroperty in the town of Xew
Castle. Ibit he states in his will that his iiro-
perty was "chietly personal." Land then was
\ery cheap. 'I'iiis was considered a large
estate in that day. lie appointed his two
sons, liobert an<l Richard, his executors, and
by them the provisions of the will were car-
ried (.Hit. Thero were h>\\Y witni'sses to the
will; Thomas Gilpin, Abraham Dawes, Jona-
than Itumford, and Edward Dawes.
Ann, the wife of John Itichardson, 2, the
above decedent, was the daughter of Robert
and Klizabeth Ashton, and was born in Lin-
colnshire, England, August 5, IGSO. Robert
Ashton and his family emigrated in eomjiany
with a nundier of Friends. They sailed from
Ifnll ifarch S, IGSO, in a ship named the
Sliorel, John ITowell, master, and landed at
Xew Castle in the fifth month following.
Soon after that event, Uolicrt Ashton ]iui--
chased a large tract of land of William Penn,
on St. George's creek. I lis daughter Sarah
imirried Rartholomew \Vvatt, of Salem
county, Xew Jersey, in IGtXi. 'i'hey had two
children, Rartholomew and Elizabeth. The
first, born January 4, IGUT, married Elizabeth
Tondinson, of lladdontield, Xew Jersey; and
Elizabeth, born June IG, 170G, married
Robert Smith. The Wyatts intermarried with
the AVistar family of Philadeli)hia. Tradition
says John Richardson, 2, emigrated in the
same ship. This is douljtfnl, though he might
not ha\e eonu> Avith his father, who is be-
lieved to have emigrated in 4GS2, when the
second John was but four years old.
Ann Ashton was married to John Richard-
son July 7, 1704. She is represented as being
a most excellent woman, remarkable for her
benevolence and kindness of heart, partic\dar-
ly to the poor and sick, riding about the neigli-
])orhood with lU'ce.ssaries to distribute among
them. She died April IS, 174S, aged sixty-
seven j-ears, eight months and thirteen daj's.
Her husband survived her more than seven
)ears. The Ashtons, or Asshetons, were na-
tives of Jbisbd, England, or its vicinity, and
cousins of AVilliani Ti-nn. Part of the faniily
became convcrls to the Society of I'riends,
while others reinainc-d members of the I 'hurch
of baighind. Robert Ashton, the fatlier of
Ann, was a Friend. Robert Ashti>n of I'iiila-
delpliia, of the same family, was a member of
the E]>isiM)])al Church, and held several im-
jiortant othces in l'e.nn.sylvania under I'enn's
nciverniiK nt. He has descendants in IMiiii-
delphia at this day.
TniKU (iKXKKATIOX.
Tliis comprises the twelve children of John
•and Ann (Ashtonj Richardson, all of whom
were born at the fanaly residence on Christi-
ana creek, a short distance from Wilmington.
Their names and dates are as follows:
I. Elizai>eth, b. Septendter 4, 17Uo; died
January 15, 17o4, unmarried.
II. Joseph, b. October G, 170G; died iu
Philadelphia, Pa., Xovember 17, 177U, aged
sixty-four years, one month and eleven days,
married in 1744 to Sarah, daughter of William
:\Iorris, of Trenton, X. J., and sister of Will-
iam ]\1 orris, Jr., who married Rebecca Richard-
son. Sarah (.Morris) Richardson, died ag(.'d
twenty years, in about a year after her mar-
riage "to Joseph Richardson, soon after the
liirth of their daughter, Sarah Richardson.
He never married again. In his younger
(lavs, Jcjscph Richardson, in connection with
ills father's business, ac(piired a knowledge
and taste for mercantile affairs, making fre-
(pient voyages to the West Indies in charge
of the cargo. During his alisence on one of
the vovages, his father built a lunise for him,
at the' place mentioned in his will as "Snug
Hariior," about half a mile further up the
Christiana creek than the paternal residence.
On Joseph's retiu-n, he declined living in it,
stating his determination to settle in Phila-
delldiia. The hous--' had then progressed so
far as to be roofed In, but was never finished,
and was known In the neighborhood as
'•Richardson's Folly," or the ••Follv House,"
and from this circumstance the ''Folly
"Woods" nearby obtained its name. The cel-
lar and foundations were to be seen until they
were excavated bv the Philadelphia, AVil-
mington and Paltimore Railroad Company,
their road pa-"--ing over the site. J(iseph car-
ried out his intention of settling in Philadel-
I 'm;
jl ll I- Ml, ,;
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STATE OF DELAWAHE
1-25
jiliiii, luTiinie a inercliant there, and by tlirift
and industry acquired a large fortuuc.
111. Ixuhirt, second sou of John and Ann
(AshtonJ Kieliardsou, was burn ilay 31, 1708.
He married Sarah Sliipley, of Wibuingtcu,
Uetober 0, ITjO, aiul died June 18, 1701.
Sarali, his wife, \s'as born May 23, 17'jy, and
died June ^8, 1703. They had four children,
i. ElizaTietli, ii. John, iii. ilary, and iv. Ann,
surname liicliardson. In his early life Robert
RichardxiU was connected in the shi})ping
bu^iul■^3 with his father; he inherited the real
estate of his parents on the Cliristiaua, excejit-
ing that part left to his son John. After his
marriage he resided in AVihnington, engaged
in the mercantile business. He had his place
of business at the foot of Orange street, and
resided on the hill on West street between
Third and Fourth streets. After the deatii of
his fatiier in 1755, he rGnioved to the old
family numsion on Christiana Creek, lie was
about removing to Philadel|iliia when he dieil.
Sarah, wife of Kobert Ivichardson, was tlic
daughter of William Shipley, one of the
fo\iu(lers of Wihniugton, and his second wife,
Flizalietli, daughter of Samuel Levis, of
( 'hesler (now Delaware") county, Pennsyl-
vania. Elizabeth Levis Shipley was an emi-
nent nuuister in the Society of Friends (see
.■-ketcli <jf William Shipley in this work) at
that day, and on her death bed in 1777, just
after the battle of Brandywino and the cap-
ture of Philadelphia, when all chances seemed
against it, ]irophesied the success of the Ameri-
cans and the achievement of their inde|)en-
ileuee. Her projihecy attracted much atten-
tion at the time, found its way into the ncw.s-
luijiers and was commented on, but was general-
ly ridiculed bythePritish ami Tories. William
Shi])ley removed to AVilmington in 173(5. His
second wife, Elizabeth Levis, at the time of her
death, was eighty-seven years old, having been
a niiiuster in the Society *of Eriends for sixty-
three years.
IN'. Susannah, second daughter of John
and .\nn ( Aslitou) Pichardson, was born Octo-
lur lit, 171U, married Peter Payard, of Tio-
hcmia, Maryland (date unknown), died Xo-
veiidur I'll, 1700. The tinu' of her husband's
death i- unknown. Their children were Ann,
Su.sannah, John P., and Elizabeth Payard.
V. Sarah, third daughter of John and ,\un
(Ashton) Pichardson, was burn July 9, l71-_',
married Dr. John Einnev about 1712, and
died August 15, 1772. The tune of Dr. Ein-
iiey's birth is not known, lie died ^Luch 22,
1774. They had four children, none of whom
survived their parents. The following inscrip-
tion is found on a head stone in the Pichard-
son family lot in the Eriends' burying grountl,
New Castle: "Here lies depositeil the body of
.lohn, son of Dr. John Einney, and Sarah his
wife, who departed this life the lUth of Jan-
uary, 1753, aged four years and two months.
Also the remains of his three brothers, who
died in their infancy." Traditi'ju says Sarah
Finney was the belle of that generation of the
family.
VI. Ann, fourth daughter, of .lohn and
Ann (Ashton) Pichardson, was born May 1,
1714, married Col. William Armstrong about
175S, and died February 20, 17t>!». They had
no children. They owned and resided on the
property since b(>longing to William Armor,
and more recently to the late Samuel Canby,
in Christiana hundred, Xew Ca-tle comity,
near Ih'andywiue Springs. After her hus-
band's deatii, she resided in Wilmington, tD
the time of her death, on the east side of
Shijiley street, about half way between Third
and Fourth streets. William Armstrong was
a )ncmber of the legislature of the State of
Delaware for the years 1742-3-4-5, and proba-
bly oftener. The time of his birth and death
is not known; he was aliye in 1775.
YII. .Mary, fifth daughter of John and Ann
(Ashton) Pichardson was horn December 22,
1715, and married Peter Peeve in Philadeh
l)hia,inthesi>ring of 1772. She died Xovcm-
ber IS, 179S, aged almost eighty-three years.
They had no children. They resided in Spruce
street, Philadcliihia, in a home owned by De-
borah Wharton. Peter Peeve had been a sea
cajitain, and survived his wife a few years,
being eighty years old at the time of his death.
His will was proved Octoher 24, 1800. In it
he leaves many legacies; among them he de-
sires "my niece Sarah Wahi, (only child of
Joseph Pichardson), to accept £10, to ]air-
chase a piece of plate in rememhrance of her
many kindnesses to me." IMary removed from
Delaware to Philadelphia about 1707, and
lived with her^ widowed brother Jope]»h, until
his decease, after which she married Captain
Pee^c, late in life.
YTIL Pebecca, sixth daughter of John and
Ann f.Xshton) Pichardson, was born June 22,
1717. She was married twice; fir~t to Jo-ejih
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1-2(3
BlOdHAl'llIOAL EXCYCLOI'J-JDIA
Peters, sou of Thomas Peters, of Philadelphia,
l-'ebruary 13, 1741. Her marriage certiti-
cate is recorded in book of iiuirriages of New-
ark(uow Keiniett)Monthly Meeting. Thomas
Peters eaiiie to AVilmiugtoa hy eertitieate ni
removal, from J'hiladelphia .Miuitliiy .Meeting,
June 21), 1740, and was disowned liy ]S'ewark
[Monthly ^Meeting, for arming a merchant ves-
sel, (Jetuber 3, 1748. lie carried on the mer-
cantile business in Wilmington, ilie date of
his death is not known, but he was alive
February 11, 174li, and ailyertised in the
I'cnnsyhania iiazeile a long list of mer-
ehandise imported from Pondon, wliieh lie
olTered at wholesale or retail, ''very reasonable
for ready money, or short (U'edit." Kebeei'a
Piehardson's second husband, William .Morris,
was a native of Trenton, X. J., son of ^^'illiam
[Morris, and grandson of Anthony .^^orris, of
JMiiladelphia. They were married in l''riends'
[Meeting, at Wilmington, October 5, 17.")!'.
His sister, Sarah Morris, had married her
brother, Joseph Richardson, in 1744. Wil-
liam [^^orris also was engaged in the mercan-
tile business at Trenton, and afiei'wards at
AVilmington. He and his wife resided at the
southeast corner of [NFarket and Front streets,
in that city. He advertised in the Pnni'iiiJ-
ranla Gazette, in 1740, as follows: "To be
sold by William ]\rorris, Jr., at his store in
Trenton, good rnm by the hogshead, and salt
by the hundred bushels, or less quantity, at
Philadelphia price, and freight \\\i from
thence." [Nfrs. Pebecca [Morris died in Wil-
mington Xovendier 2.3, 1773, in the fifty-
seventh year of her age. The date of her hus-
band's death is unknown. She had no chil-
dren hy either marriage.
TX. John, third son of John and Ann
(Ashton) Pichardson, was born October H,
1718, and died April 18, 1737, unmarried.
He was assisting William Finpson, a neigh-
bor, to raise a barn, and was killed by the
falling of a piece of tindjer.
X. Pichard, fourth son of John and Ann
(A.shton) Pichardson, was born June 9, 1720.
He married Sarah, daughter of Fdwaril and
Flizabeth Tatnall, of Wilmington, and grand-
daughter of Joseph and [Nfary Pennock, of
[Nrarll)orough, Chester county, Pennsylvania,
April 24, 17GG, at Friends' [.Meeting in Wil-
nungton. He died September 10, 1797, in the
se\'enty-tlilrd year of his age. Sarah his wife,
was born in Wilnungton, August iil, 171."),
and died there at the corner of French and
'J'hird streets, September 0, 1834, aged eighty-
nine years and live chn's. On this corner, and
probably in the same house, the celeljrated
■l)r. .loiin -McKinly, a lirother-iii-law, had li\ed
and died. Sarah (Tatnallj Picharilson lived
with her daughter Ann, aftt'r her husband's
death, and sur\i\ecl him thirty -seven years.
Pichard Jiichanlson, resided previous to and
at the time of his marriage, in a brick house
standing near the Paltimore Poad, one mile
and a half from Wilnungton, and near the
bridge over [Mill Creek, his sister Jane living
with him, and keeping house for him during
his single life. He carried on the milling
business, in a mill that stood between the afore-
said brick house and the road. He inherited
this mill, with the adjacent land, from his
father. Pichard Pichanlsun also had a Inikery
in which he manufactured ship bread. Ilis
curious old null stood until 1835 or ls3i). It
was a line storied biulding, \yith basement and
hift, hip-roofed, and was run by an ovei-shot
whecd cf twelve or fourteen feet. The firstmill
ever ((instructed on [Mill Creek was of the kind
called a tub, having the water wheel, which
was hiirizontal, at one end of a perpendicular
shaft, and the null stone at the other, situated
larther up the creek, near where Stidham's
Pun comes in, and was propelled by the fdrce
of the running water without much if any
dam. It originally lielonged to four persons,
one-third to Jonas and Gisbert Walraven, one-
third to John Sinexson, and the other third
to John Pichardson, who ]nirehased the other
t\V(i-thirds in 1723 for £13 each, or .$t;i).l(i for
both shares, whi(di also included seven teen acres
(if land. At this primitive mill, the pcr<(in in
charge was in the habit of ])utting five or six
b\ishcls of c(irn into the hojiper in the morning,
setting the nnichine in motinn, and then g'ling
to his ploughing or other W(irk, returning at
noon to give the liop])er another sujiply. 'I he
ujipcr stone had a pin projecting upwards from
its surface, which, with I'very revolution, -hook
a few grains from the shoe into the stones to
be groiuid.
The second mill, before referred to, Wduld
now also be regarded as of very sim|ilc con-
struction. The tide then flowing into Mill
Creek ascended as high as the mill, which wa-
at its head, the creek being navigable for small
vessels, thus affording facilities for briiiuiug
grist by water. The biiliing of meal was done
>'a ' 1 . CV.',
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STATE OF DELAWAUE
127
by haiul, and the writer lias heard liis father
=ay, that wheu a buy, lie Uaed to bo set to tiiru
the bolting elotli, and that when he bueanie
tired and vexed with the job, he used to wliiil
it around su fast as to send the Hour out at thu
end uf the cloth with the bran, so that llie work
had to be dune ovyr.
At the lime of the lievulutionary war, a
regiment of American soldiers encamped on
the oj)|]osite side of the creek, just lucvious
to the battle of lirandywine, often visited tlie
mill, and being mischievously disposetl, would
throw chunks of fat pork, part of their rations,
into the eye of the millstones, to be ground up
with the grain, saying, as an apology, that "the
mill wanted grease," thereby spoiling the meal.
These suldieis also stole everytliing edible that
they could lay their hands on, robbing the or-
chards, hen-roosts, and gardens; taking the
])ies and bread out of the oven on baking days.
They were so troublesome about the house day
and night tiiat -Mr. liichardson otfcred to the
cuinnianding oHicer a bed in the house, which
he accepted. "His lodging there had the ctl'ect
of kce])ing them away at night. Fur many
years afterwards there remained the mai'k uf a
musket ball, shot through the kitchen door
by one of these soldiers, bci^ause the family re-
fused to let him in at night. As it was ex-
pected that the battle of Brandywine wcndd be
fought in this vicinity, after the landing of
General Iluwe, at Elkton, being in the direct
course to Philadelphia, !^[r. Tlichardson and
fannly removed to !^^arlborougtl, in Chcstir
County, for safety, thereby putting themseh'cs
immediately in the route fif the Britisli army,
which they had attempted to avoid.
The present grain mill was built by the
grandfather of the author in the year l7^^(,
and the old one abandoned; he also built the
present saw mill, as well as the fine old sub-
stantial stone house on the same premises,
which will compare favorably Avith any other
in its neighborhood. It was built in 17G5, and
though it has stood considerably more tlian one
hundreil years, appears likely to endure for
as many more years. This niansiun, with the
niill-aii<l propertyin the A'icinity, is now owned
by Samuel IJichardson grandson of Tficliard
llirliaivbdii. TTis children were: i. .Tose]"ih,
ii. •Toliii, iii. Elizabeth, iv. "Ricliard, v. Ashton,
vi. .\iiii, and vii. John Tlichardson,
XT. llauiiah, seventh daughter of John ami
Anil (.\-htoii) TJichardsnii, wa- born Septem-
ber 10, ITi'l, and was married twice; tir^t to
Thomas Ciray, aliuut 1701 ur iloJ; and,
second, to Francis Johnson. '1 he time uf this
marriage caiiuut lie accurately tixcd. She was
-Mrs. i'rancis <Iuliu.-oii, in ITtJiJ; how miicli
sooner is not known. .\s regaivis her lirst
marriage, her father says in hi.- will, made iu
December, 175:i, that she was "lately married
to d'homas Gray," from whence the date abovo
is obtained. Gray probably died some time be-
tween "October, 17r)()," and "^farch, 1759,"
as he signed a receipt at the first date for part
of his wife's legacy, and she herself at the lat-
ter date for the other part of it. Eut this i.s
not jiositive proof of his being dead at that
time. She died November 11, 17S7, in the
sixty-seventh year of her age. She had no
children by either marriage.
Xll. Jane, eighth daughter of John and
Anna (Ashton) liichardson, was born Febru-
ary 1, 1727; married the celebrated Dr. John
]\[cKinly between 17(U and 17GG, and died
July IS, ISOo, suddenly, while sitting in her
chair, in apiiarcnt good health, of apoplexy
or jniralysis, at the age of seventy-eight years,
live months ami .-seventeen days. They had
no children. An exhaustive biograidiical
sket( h of Dr. ]\rcKinly will be found in an-
other part of this work. lie was the first presi-
dent (govenior) of Delaware after the 1 >ecla-
ration of Independence, was captured by the
British after the battlj of Brandywine and
kejit a prisoner niitil a year later, when ho
was excliange<l and returned to his home iu
AVilmington. Uc died August ol, 17'.><;, and
was buried in the First Presbyterian diurch-
yard, Wilmington, wdiere his tombstone,
bearing an appropriate epitaph, may be seen.
As his widow, who survived him about nine
years, was buried at Xew Castle, it is prob-
able that she was living with relatives there
at the time of her death.
FoUliTH (lEXERATIOX.
Sarah Bichardson, only child of Joseph and
Sarah (Morris) liichardson, was born in Phila-
delphia, August -J-I, 17Ui; married Xicholas,
son of Nicholas and Mary Wain, :\lay 22,
1771, and dieil in Philadelphia, April 13,
lSi\"», in the se\enty-ninth year of her age.
Being her father's only child she inherited a
large estate.
Xicholas Wain was born at F'airhill, near
Philadelphia, Seoteniber Pt, 1712. llo
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128
BIOanAPllICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
studied law, and became eiuineiit at
the bar, but following liis eouvic-
tioiis of duty, abandoned the profession and
became a prominent minister of the Society
(.it Friends. Jle died at his home on >Soutli
Second street, Philadelphia, which had been
the residence of his wife's parents, September
i\), ISlu, aged seventy-one years and ten
davs. Xicholson and Sarah ( Itichardson)
Wain had issue: I. Joseph; II. William; III.
Nicholas; IV. .Mary; V. Jacob.
('llII.DIJEX OF HODERT AND SaUAII (ShII'I.Ky)
JilCIIAKDSOX.
I. Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Robert ami
Sarah. (Shipley) Kiidiardson, was born in Wil-
mington, Xovend)er 10, iTol; married
Charles AVharton, of Philadeli)hia, son of J<j-
seph and Ilaniuih AVliartou, October 22, 17TS,
and died in that city jNTay 22, 1782, leaving
no issue.
II. John, only son of Kobert and Sarah
(Shipley) Ixichardson, was born October 2:!,
ITa.T, and died at his home on the Xewport
Tioad, two and a half miles from AVilmington,
■\vliicli lie inherited from his grandfather
wlien he was a child about eighteen months
old. Oil the night of Xovember 2;5, ISOO, he
was found dead in his bed, luning died, it is
sujiposed, of apo])lexv. lie was unmarried.
'I'he homestead afterwards became the jirop-
erty of his nephew, Henry Latimer.
III. ^lary, second daughter of Robert and
Sarah (Shipley) Richardson, was born in \\'il-
mlnaton .March 10, 17r)S; died Se])tembcr
7, 17'.>,"i, unmarried.
W . Ann, youngest daughter of Robert and
Sarah fShi|)lev) Richardson, was born in Wil-
mington, August 3, 17^10; nian-ied Dr. Henry
Latimer, uf Wilmington, February 20, 1781),
and died in that city ISTovember 2C, 1838. Dr.
Latimer was born April 24, 1752, and died
December 10, 1810. Ilis tombstone may bo
seen in the First Presbyterian ehurchyard
Wilmington. They had issue: i. Sarah; ii.
John R.; iii. ^lary R.; iv. Henry; v. James
Latimer.
C'u II.DKKX OF PeTFR AND SuSANNAII (RlCII-
ARDSOX) PaVARP.
L Ann, the date of whose birth and deatii
arc uiikiKiwii. She married - Scott
(time unknown), and hail one daiii^hter, Alar-
tiia Scott, who committed suicide when
young on account of unrecpiited hjve.
II. John It. Payard, burn 17o'J, died in
17.">G, unmarried.
III. Susannah Payard, date of birth and
death unknown. .Married Jonatlian Smitli;
date not known. Ohildren: John, Mary,
Samuel, ami Susannah Smith.
I \'. Flizabeth liayard, born Januar}' 20,
17 — ; married John luxlgers, Alarcli li),
1772. She is mentioned in the will of her
grainlfather, John Richardson, who left her
a legacy; her name was then Rodgers. They
had two children, Dr. John R. P. Rodgers,
and a daughter named Susannah, who mar-
ried Rev. Dr. Tennant. John Itodgers, the
husliand of Elizabeth Payard, was born in
Poston, ^Vugust r>, 1727, ami died .May 7,
lyil. Ilis parents came from Londonderry,
Ireland, in 1721, and removed to Philadel-
jihia in 1728. He was converted by the
preaching of Whitctield, on the court house
steps at night in Philadelphia. Passing near
the |)lace,with a lantern in his hand, he stopped
to listen, and became so absorbed in the dis-
course that the lantern fell from hi^ liaiid
and was dashed to jjieces. He became a noted
minister of the Presbyterian church, and
in the division of that denomination, which
took place during his lifetime, in Peninyl-
vania, took the ])art of Tennant. A biograph-
ical sketch of Iicv. Dr. Rodgers may be seen
in Websti'r's History of the Presbyterian
( 'hiirch in America.
('lllLDRKN OF Rk'IIARD .VXD SaR.MI (T.\TX.\LI.)
RiCII.VRIlSOX.
I. Joseph, eldest son of Richard and Sarah
(Tatnall) Richardson, was born at :\lill Creek,
February lit, 1767. He married Ann, daugh-
ter of (ieorge and Thomazin SiJackman, of
Wilmington, at Friemls' Meeting in that city,
J>ine 10, 1803, and died December 24, 1833.
lie inherited the jiroperty at ^lill Creek, and
resided there all his life. His wife was born
December 28, 1777, and died in Wilmington
June 23, 1842. They had issue: i. Jane; ii.
Samuel; iii. Sarah; iv. Thomazin; v. Edward
T. ; vi. Jose]ili; vii. Cieorge.
IT. John, second son of Richard and Sarah
(Tatnall) Richardson, was born ?\lay :W,
1709; died Jaimarv 7, 1773;
111. Kli/abeih, t'-ld.-t d:nightcr of Rh-h-
81-1
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STATE OF DHLAWARE
129
anl and Sarah (Tatiiall.) riicliartlsoii, was lioni
at Mill Cirek July 20, 1771; iiian-ied Saimul
Stroiul, son of James Stroud and Ann, his
wife, of Wilmington, October 29, 17S1I, and
died Xovendier 5, 1847. Her husband died
in \\'ihnini;ton in 1S;52. They had issne: i.
Ann; ii. Mary; iii. Edward, iv. Sannud; v.
Sarah U.; vi. James Stroud.
IV. Kiehard, third sou of Hichard and
Sarah (Tatuall) Kichardson, was born in
1774; died iu infancy;
V. Ashton^, fourth son of Richard and
Sarah (Tatnall) Richardson, was born at ^lill
Creek, May .5, 177G. lie married ^lary AVood,
daughter of Robert and Elizabeth A\'ood, and
granddauchter of Joseph and !Mary Wood, of
I'liiladelphia, in the Friends' ^Meeting House
that then stood on the south side of Pine street
below Second, in that city, June 5, 1807. lie
died at his residence, Ashley farm, on the Pial-
timore road, near the i)lace of his liirth, Au-
gust 10, 1852. Ilis wife was born in Phila-
delphia April 1, 1785, and died at her resi-
dence in Delaware February 1, 185.3. Their
children were: i. Richard; ii. Robert W. ; iii.
Elizabeth; iv. ifary; v. Sarah; vi. Hannah
\\'.; vii. Lucy, viii. Ashton Richardson, and
three othei-s who died in infancy;
VI. Ann, second daughter of Richanl and
Sarah (Tatnall) Richardson, was born at ^lill
Creek October 20, 1778, and died at the resi-
dence of her brother Ashton, unmarried, July
9, 1845. She resided iu AVilmingtou with her
nujther after the death of her father, and con-
tinued to live there, keeping house by herself
after her mother's death, in 1832, being only
temporarily at her brother's at the time of her
decease;
VII. John, fifth son of liichard and Sarah
(Tatnall) Richardson, was born at ]\lill Creek
J)iue 18, 1783; married ilargaret, daughter
of Josejdi and Sarah Paxson, ]\[ay 11, 1813,
and died in AVilmington September 30, 1859.
He resided most of his life at Rockwell farm,
near the place of his birth, building the house
he occupied there, soon after his marriage.
They had iss\ie: i. Sarah T. ; ii. Anna; iii. Wil-
liam P.; iv. Elizabeth; v. ]\rary, vi. John; vii.
Joseph P. Richardson.
FlKTlI ClE.NER.VTIO.V.
Cuii.iiUKN OF Nicholas a.m) Sahah (Rru-
auuso.n) Wai.x.
1. Joseph R., born August N, 1773, di(;d
December 13, 1782; 11. William, born .March
10, 1775, died iu lS:i5; married .Mary Wil-
cox, had live children; IU. Nicholas, born
October 4, 1778, died July 4, 1849, uiuiiar-
rlcd; 1\'. Jacob S., born August 19, 1785,
died June 30, 1847.
CiiiLDKK.x OF Dk. II<i;.xhv and Axn L.vtimkk.
I. Sarah, born , died 1828, unmarried;
11. John R., born December 10, 1793, died
January 18, 1805, married Elizabeth Kei)ley,
of Philadelphia, no issue; III. ]\lary R., born
July 29, 1790, died August 8, 1871, unmar-
ried; IV. Henry, born .May 21, 1799, died
1822, married Sarah .\nn Bailey, and had six
children; A^. James, born January 2(), 1802,
dieil 1837, unmarried.
ClIII.IJKKX OV Jo.SEI'H .VXD AnX (Sl'ACKMAx)
RiCII.VKDSON.
I. Jane, born June 5, 1805, died Oetobei^
II, lb39, married Samuel S. Poole, of Wil-
mington, June 15, 1837, no issue; II. Samuel,
born November 11, 180G, died October 14,
1841, married Susan Robinson, of Wilming-
ton, who died July 18G5, left six chihlren;
III. Sarah, born February 4, 1808, died De-
cember 25, 1839, unmarried; IV. Thomazin,
born Novend>er 20, 1810, date of death un-
known; V. Edward T., born June 7, 1712,
died February 19, 1877, married Hannah
ilasdeii, May 20, 1841, no issue; VI. George,
born January 29, 1810, married Sarah "Wools-
ton, I^Iarch 13, 1845, had three children, his
wife died December, 1877, date of his death
not known.
Children of Samuel and Elizaheth (Rich-
ardson) Stuoud.
I. Ann, born Decend)er 10, 1795, date of
death unknown, married, December IG, 1820,
Stephen Pancoast, of Delaware county. Pa.,
and had six cliildren. Her husband died De-
cember 15, 1873, in Philadelphia; II. Mary,
born October 21, 1797, died April 20, 1821,
she married Stephen Bonsall, of Wilmingiou,.
rihH l;(fii l)7fi
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130
BIOGIiAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
no issue; III. Edward, boni January Ji>, ISUU,
died in 1821, of yellow fever at llavauu, un-
married; IV. Sanuiel, born January 20, ISO-'i,
died October 2, 1X00, married -Mary E. Jones,
of Wilmington, had five children; Y. Sarali
IJ., born June 21, ISOO, died June 21), ISTT),
married, iS^ovcniber 4, 1S;50, Jesse ^Meuden-
liall, of Wilmington, and had iive children.
Her husband die<l November 15, 1852; YT.
James, born August 23, ISll, date of death
unknown, married, February 10, 1835, Han-
nah Ford Hedges, of Wihningtou, and they
hail eight children. His widow died Decem-
ber 24, 1SG3, in the iifty-second year of her
age.
C'lni.DiiEX OF AsuTON AND ^Iarv (Wood)
IvICHAUDSOX.
I. Eiehard, born April IS, 1808, married
Hannah White, of Philadelphia, no issue, and
dates of death unknown; 11. JJoljert AV., born
Jidy 0, 1810, died January 7, 18(59, married
June 17, 1847, Elizabeth ii. Hulnie, of Bris-
tol Pa., no issue; III. Elizabeth, born .August
28, 1812, died June 14, 1807, married, A! ay
14, 1835, William Hodgson, of Philadelphia,
liad two cliildren; IV. ^^fary, born February
20, 1815, date of death unknown, married
June 21, 1867, Thomas AVistar, of Philadel-
])liia, no children; her husband died January
10, 1870; \. Sarah, born April 5, 1S17, died
jSTovember 11, 1876, married, June 10, 1841,
Joseph Tatnall, of Wilmington, and had
twelve children; VI. Hannah, born May 23,
1811), date of death unknown; \\\. Eucy,
born October 3, 1824, married, April 15,
1852, John Ti. Tat\un, of AVilmington, and
had six children; VIII. Ashton, born Febru-
ray 21, 1S30.
OniLDRKX OF John and ^Iaroarf.t (Paxson)
RiCnARDSOX.
I. Sarah T., born February 15, 1815,
died June 18, 1801, married, January 24,
1850, Edward T. Bellach, no issue; II. Anna,
born August 11,1810, date of death unknown,
married, October 0, 1842, Joseph Pringhursr,
of Wilmington, had three children; III. Wil-
liam P., born July 22, 1818, married, Febru-
ary 10, 1805, ]\rary W. Forst, of Bristol, Pa.,
110 issue; IV. Elizabeth, born Ma.y 19, 1820,
married Xovember 9, 1853, Joseph C Turn-
penny, of Philadelphia, no issue; A', ^fary.
born IJeceniber 31, 1821, married June 22,
1S43, Charles Warner, of Wilmington, has
two children; \'l. John, born February 2,
1>24, married June 12, 1850, .^^artha An-
drews, of Dariiy, Fa., has three children; VII.
Joseph 1'., born December Hi, lSi;5, married
-November 13, {^:a\, Sarah Andrews, of
Darby, Pa., has seven children.
The genealogy of this remarkable and his-
torical family might be continued down
through the si.\th and .seventh generations,
which would bring it to the present time, but
the foregoing must suffice. A decline in the
number of niale luenibcrs will be noticed,
which, if continued during the next half cen-
tury, will end the line. This is remarkable,
when it is remembered how prolific the faiii-
il}' was one hundred vears ago.
Van Dyke.
Hon. Nicholas Van Dyke, for so many
years representing the State of Delaware in
the United States Senate, was born at Xew
Castle December 8, 1770, the eldest son of
Nicholas Van Dyke, one of the governors of
the State. He entered upon his collegiate
course at Nassau Hall, Princeton, then under
the direction of the celebrated Dr. AVither-
spooii. After the normal period he graduated
with honor, and in a short time began the
study of law under the direction of Hon. Iven-
sey Johns, and was admitted to practi<-e in
1791. \Vithiii a short period he married, and
having but a slender patrimony, applied him-
self with the utmost diligence to the duties
of his profession. He rose rapidly and at-
tained high distinction as a lawyer. He be-
came a member of the House of Bepresenta-
tives of Delaware in 1799, was transferreil to
Congress in 1809, and in 1815 was elected to
the Senate of the State, taking his seat at the
January session in 1810. In 1817, 'Wv. Van
Dyke was elected to the United States Senate,
and from that period until his death he con-
tinued to be a nieinber of that honorable body,
with the intermission of but a few yeaiN. He
was very attentive to his duties, and when
called on to give his views on questions of iiu-
portancc, was distinguished by clean and im-
jiressive powers of argument, united to an easy
and persuasive eloquence. His health finally
broke down iiiuler the severe strain of his
11! ;i
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STATE OF Dh' LAW A HE
131
olHcial diitii's, and las disease assuiuiiig an i
acute form, lie sutfered greatly. J a tlie s]uiii^
of I^l'O he sliuwed signs of rm)id decline and
was only able to reach home with ditiicults'.
lie lingered until May 21, ISi^tJ, when he ex-
pired in the lifty-seventli year of his age.
hief justice of Pennsylvania, and died at Lan-
caster ill .\farch, 1!S17.
.Jasi'eu Ye-vtks.
Jasper i'cates, grandfather of the distin-
guished jurist of the same name, was born in
York-hire, England, and died near Xew Castle,
Delaware, in lT20. When quite ii young
man he emigrated to the West Indies, but
did not remain there long, lie came to I'eiin-
sylvania soon after William J'enn. >Cot long
after his arrival he married C'atlierine, daugh-
ter of James Sunderland, the elder, lie was
one of the early settlers at Upland, and l)ouglit
in lOUT a tract of land lying on Xaamaii's
Creek. There he built and lived in a jilaiii
iiiansiiiu, which was still standing a few years
ago, and was long regarded as one of the ven-
erable landmarks of early times, lici'ause it
was afterwards owned by Mi"s. JXdjorah
Logan. lie also built a null on the creek, in
Urandywine hundred, and at the same time
erected a granary and store house, and car-
ried on an extensive business for the time.
As larly as lOOG, ifr. Ycates was admitted
to a seat in the Provincial Council of Pennsyl-
vania, and in 1700 he was elected a rei)resen-
tative of Xew Castle county in the (ieneral
Assembly of the province; after the separa-
tion of the lower counties on the Delaware, he
was clioscii a representative and speaker of the
Assembly. In 1701 he was appointed by
AVilliam Penn one of the four burgesses ■>(.
Chester, and 1703 he was elected chief bur-
ge.ss. lion. Jasper Yeates Avas evidently poj)-
iilar as a iniblic official, for from 1707 to 1710,
and from 171 7, until the time of his death, he
served as chief justice of the three Delaware
counties under the colonial and state govern-
ments. It is a source of regret that .so little
of the early history of this iiromincnt and re|)-
resentative citizen of Delaware has bei'n pre-
served. His death occurred before ]\Iay 2.
1720, as his will was probated at Xew Castle
on that date. Col. John Fren(di succeeded
liim as chief justice July 25, 1720. He had
."several children, and his grandson, Jasocr,
born in Philadelphia, April 0, ni.", became
C.vi'TAi.N JunvAKU liuciu:.
Eilward Poclie, who became a prominent
citizen of Delaware in early ilays, was born
in County Cork, Ireland, April lU, 17o4. He
was a son of Lawrence Poche and -Mary,
(daughter of James Manning), his wife. Ac-
coi'iling to family records, the father of Ed-
ward lioclie was of Preiich descent, emigrated
from Ireland to this country soon after the
birth of his son, and settled in X'ew Castle
county. Here his son grew to manhood and
became one of the best known j)ersonages in
the State of Delaware in the past century, as
well as in the early jiart of the present one, by
rca.sou of his public services. He served all
through the Pevolutionarv war, being com-
missioned second lieutenant in Colonel Hall's
I 'elaware regiment of the Continental Line,
April 5, 1777, and made paymaster of the
regiment, September 10, 177f^. He was in
both noi-thern and southern camjjaigns and
was taken prisoner at the battle of Camden, S.
C, August 10, 1760, and paroled to the close
of the war.
On his return home Captain Roche settled
in Wilmington and there spent the remainder
of his life. On A])ril 18, ISOU, he was ap-
l)ointed a notary public and justice of the
peace, and held the office for nearly twenty
vears, being so commissioned in 1807, and re-
commissioned in IS 11 and 1821. He was also
second burgess of Wilmington in 1806. His
))lacc of residence was at No. (lO ^larket street
in 1814, though he doubtless lived at other
])laces in the meantime. Captain Poche died
A]iril T), 1821, and was buried in the historic
graveyard of Old Swedes' Church, but the
spot where his ashes repose is now unknown.
In former times his grave was marked by a
stone, which has long since fallen and been re-
moved.
Cajitain Poche was also treasurer and secre-
tary of the original Delaware State Society
of the Cincinnati from its organization in 1783
to its so-called dissolution in 1802. The last
certificate issued by authority of the society
ftlie transfer of Colonel Allan "McLane to the
Pennsylvania Society), bears the signature of
Edward Poche as secretarv. He was engaged
) 'V
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132
BIOGRAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
-ivitli other j^i't'iiiiiieiit citizens in inuiiidtiug
works for the public good of Wihniugtou, iiu-
tiibly in the iimcnring of a water supply from
"Cool Spring." Jle was, in I^Ol', one of the
officers of the "^'^eteran Corps of Delaware,"'
composed of officers and soldiers of the Kevo-
lution, and also of its re-organized suecessdr as
a "N'eteran I Tome Ciuard" for the defense of
Wilmington during the war of \^\-l. .
Captain Ifoehe was an orator of no mean
ability; his discourses before the Delaware
Cincinnati at Dover, in 1791, and at AVil-
niington on February 22, ISOO, in eomniemo-
ratiou of the death of (Jeneral Washington,
prore his eloquence as well as his i)atriotism.
From the genealogical collections of Cap-
tain Bellas it is learned that Ca|)tain Koche
was married to Flizabeth Brinckle April 1,
17S2, in Ked Lion hundred, by Ivev. Samuel
Aiken. She M'as born in I7ii2 and died in
181 S, having preceded her husband \>y three
years. They had issue as follows:
T. George Edward, died in infancy; II.
Eliza Maria; III. Edward Jirinckle, born
March 6, 1787. He married ^laria Gurney
and they had issue: i. Francis Gumey, born
1812 and died 1892; ii. James, died" 1879,
leaving no issue; iii. and iv. two daughters,
one of whom married ilr. Cromwell, but had
no issue, and the other died unnnirried. Fran-
cis Gurney Koche (Xo. 1 of this family) seiwed
in the Confederate Army from 18G1 to 1805.
He married Amanda Payne, of the ilethodist
Church, in Tennessee, and had four sons and
five daughters; IV. James jranning, born
April 5, 1791, died January 11, 1855. lie
married Ann Cornelison, and had issue, i. Ed-
ward Manning, bora [March 30, 1815, died
1889, married Hannah Hedges Conaway, of
Wilmington, and they had two sons and five
daughters; ii. James Lawrence; iii. George
AVashington; iv. Ann Eliza, born November
20, 1823. married ^fr. Larzelere and had two
daughters, one of whom niamed Leon C. lioss,
of Tahlequah, C'herokee iSTation, Indian Ter-
ritory, and the other, Kate A., William A.
Duncan, the present representative to Con-
gress of the Cliirokees. ^frs. Larzelere still
survives, with an intellect unim])aired. The
commission of Captain Roche, as justice of the
peace, is said to be in the hands of ifrs. Lar-
zelere, his granddaughter. Ca])tain Tfochc
also had four <1aughters: INrnrictta, Annette,
Euuna, first and sec'und, all (jf whom died un-
married.
•Manning lirinckle, the uintli and youngest
child of Captain Jlochc, was lioni Di-cember
5, 1790, and married . He died in 1847,
leaving two sons, John and Kdwani. The latter
died without issue. The father of these boys
became a ndnister of the Protestant Kpiscopal
(Church, but later in lite adojitcil the medical
lu'ofession, and practiced in A'ew iJedford,
.Mass., whither he had removed from I'liihidel-
phia.
It is said that the jMirtrait and swoid of ( 'ap-
tain Poche — the latter forujerly belonged to
a Hessian officer — are now the j)roiierty of his
great-grandson, William Ford Poehe, of Mc-
A^eytown, Pennsylvania. His certificate of
membership in the Society of the Cincinnati
is in the po.ssesion of his great-grandson, Sam-
uel S. Poche, of Xa^hville, Tennessee.
Governor Xatii.vxiel AriTOiii;i.i,.
Xathaniel Mitchell, one of the early gov-
ernors of Delaware, was an ardent patriot and
distinguished soldier and officer of the Pevo-
lution. He was born in 1753, at, or near, what
is now Laurel, in Sussex county, Delaware, son
of James and iLirgaret (Dagworthy) ]\Iitchell,
and nephew of Gen. John Dagworthy, of Del-
aware. Little is known of his early life or op-
j)ortunities for securing an education. He was
commissioned adjiUaut in Col. John Dag-
worthy's Delaware battalion of militia in
1775; captain in Cul. Sanuiel Patterson's-
Delaware battali(m of the ''Flying Camp,"
from June to December, 177G; captain in Col.
William (irayson's Additional Continental
regiment, January 20, 1777; major in the-
same regiment from December 23, 1777, when
he was transferred to Col. iSTathaniel (iist's
Additional Continental regiment, April 22,
1779. He was brigade major and inspector-
to (ien. Peter ^[ulileulierg, 1779-81. Petired
from service Janiuirv 1, 1781, jirisoner of war
1781, and paroled.
]\Lijor Aritchell was a delegate from Delawire
to the Continental Congress in 1780-88, and
governor of the State from 1805 to LS()7. (See
sketch of the governors). He was a delegate
to the general meeting of the Society of the
Cincinnati at Philadel]ihia in ^fay, 1787. He
died at Laurel, Delaware, Februarj' 21, 1811,.
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STATE 0[< DELAWMU':
1:35
and was buried in the cemetery of the ulJ
J!n/;i(l Crick lOpisfopal Cluireh, near that
ti.wii. Maj'ir .Mitfiu'll left descendants, but
little is known of tlieni or of his wife.
Many interesting reminiscences of tlie life
and cliaracter of this ardent patriot have been
preserved, litit after such a long lapse of time
have abun.^t bi en lost sight of. In a fragmen-
tary cupy <if "The C(jnstitiitionalist, or tiie
Defender of tlie People's llights," published
September lH, 1804, is found a long tribute
tu Ids memory, by "An Old Otficer," from
\\hi<ii muidi that is interesting is gleaned.
This writer says that he was not one of those
iiKMlcrn jiatriots, noisy and boisterous after
(hingcr has passed, who sheltered thcmsehes
in hiding places and courted the clemency oi
'tiieir foes; nor was he one of your wild entlm-
siasts wiio thought that the Americans knew
nothing about freedom, and that it waa* a
iicjtinn imjiorted into the coimtry by foreign-
ers, y^o; he was one of those men who fought
and sull'ered for his country; who was a true
friend in its most perilous moments; who be-
lieved that his countrymen knew what liberty
was, when they wasted their fortunes and shed
their blood to procure it.
'1 his same writer relates some events in his
career as an ofticer in the army, which shows
the material of which he was made. In 1770,
when about twenty years of age, he foi-sook his
family and the improvement which ho was
making, to Hv to his country's standard to aiil
in defending the right, -lie first joined the
''Flying Camp" and the regiment was sta-
tioned at Amboy and remained till the time
for which the men enlisted had expired. Dur-
ing this period freipient skirmishes between
otir troops and the British and Hessians took
jdace. On one of these occasions Captain
Mitchell particularly distinguished himself.
A body of the enemy was sent over to attack
our outposts. Captain ^fitchell happily dis-
covered the enemy approaching. He rallied
his company, and although he had a smaller
number of men, he succeeded in caj)turiiig
nearly the entire detachment of British and
Hessians.
^Vhen the force composing the "Flying
Cam))" was discharged Captain ilitchell was
commissioned captain of a company in the re-
giment directed to be raised by Congress, and
til be cummanded bv Cohjuel (Iravson, "f
\'^irginia. A warm friemiship existed between
him and the N'irginia colonel. Cajitaiu
Mitchell addressed himself to the work of re-
cruiting the company he was to command,
and so great was his zeal and activity that his
(piota of men was secured long before the re-
giment could be formed. In 1777 they were
marched to I'hiladelphia, where they remained
till the}' were inoc'idated for the small pox,
L jjon the recovery of the men they proceeded
to camp, and, (Jrayson's regiment not ha\'ing
jciined tlie army, they were attacheil t,, the
Delaware troops. .\s soon as hi- own regi-
ment arri\-eci, Captain ^Mitchell wa-- uniteil
to it, and his company fought gallantly at the
battle of lirandywine. Jlc wa> freiiuenlly
seen encouraging his men, and lira\ely ex-
posing himself, among the foremost, to the
tire of the enemy. He greatly endeared him-
self to his men by his anxiety to secure and re-
move the wounded.
Xot long after this affair Captain .Mitidiell
was prostrateil by a <laiigerous illnes.-,, sup-
])osed to be camp fever, which redu<-ed him
to great extrendty, and from which he reco\er-
ed slowly, owing to the hardships and jtriva-
tioiis of eain|) life. He was in this condition
when the battle of Ciermantown took place,
and was therefore unable to take jiart in that
engagement.
Captain ]\litchell .shared the horrors of the
rigorous winter at N'alley Forge when the
American army lay there, watching the Bntisli
in l'liiladeli>hia. During that terrible season.
Captain ilitchell was entrusted with highly
important duties. He was placed at the head
of a company in General Scott's brigade, with
ordei-s to gmu'd a dangerous outpost, and was
constantly exposed to great danger, as the com-
manding general depended on him for infor-
mation relating to any movement on the part
of the enemy, so that the camp might not be
surprised. He was also frequently called on
to make sudden and dangerous incursions into
the country to surprise or watch foraging de-
fatehments of the British, which made his
duties at all times full of peril.
At the battle of ^lonmouth, he was in the
advanced guard undi'r the command of Gen-
eral Lee, who attacked the rear of the Bntish
army in their retreat across i^ew Jersey.
Di)on this occasion, Colonel Grayson com-
manding the brigade, the command nf the re-
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BlOan. 1 1'lIlC. 1 L ENCYCLOPEDIA
giiiiL'Ut was giveu to Captain J\lilL-hc'll. It was
exj)osed to tlie hottest tire of the enemy, and
by a desperate resistanee against a liea\y
column oi tlieir army, atlorded time lor tiie
Ameriean troops to form, wiiieli were ad-
vaiieing hastily under an iminrssion that tiie
enemy Wiis retreating. The regiment sus-
tained a heavy loss in this engagement, but it
nobly maintained the reputation of the
Ameriean arms.
At the end of the New Jersey campaign,
the Virginia troojis, to which Captain .Mitchell
belonged, were ordered to the southward. In
the winter of 1779-SU he was appointed bri-
gade major and inspector under Ceneral .Muh-
lenberg; and in the succeeding summer he
was stationed at Fredericksburg for the juu'-
pose of j)romoting and superintending the re-
cruiting service. Having raised and organized
a regiment at Chesterheld Court House, he
recei\ed from Congress the commission of
majtu'. It was about this time that Ceneral
Leslie invaded Virginia, committing great de-
predations throughout the country. .Major
^litehell was ordered to join General ^luhleu-
berg, and received the appointment of adju-
tant general. (Jeneral ^Muhlenberg marched
into lSutf(dk, and during the campaign was
employed in watching and repelling the in-
cursions of the British from Norfolk. The
country was greatly benefited by this service,
tliough it afforded no occasion to the troops
to distinguish themselves.
AVhen Arnold invaded Virginia in 17S1,
wasting everything with fire and sword, ^Fajor
^Iit<-hell was appointed to the command of the
ad\'ance guard, which op]"ised the advance I'
the Thitish army, "^rhis haudfid of men fre-
quently engaged with the enemy, and nearly
one half was killed or wounded. Tie succeeded
Iiowever, in cutting off several marauding-
parties, making a nundicr of prisoners.
An anecdote of ]\rajor iritehell ought not
to be forgotten. Early one morning, being
at the head of a scouting party, the ])rinci|)al
object of which was to gain intcdligi-nce, be
came \\\) to the farm house of a ])oor wi<l<]W,
whose husband had lately fallen in battle, and
found her l>atlied in tears, witli several snndl
children crying aliout her. lie incpiired into
the cause of her distress, generously offering
any relief in his power. She tohl liiin a party
of British had just left her home, and had
plundered her of everything met ^sary for the
subsistence of iier family, leaving her no fooil
for her children, and she knew not how to pre-
vent them from .narving. "'Be of good cheer,"
replied the .Major, "and i will try and niak.j
the plunderers restore to ycjii tlieir liooly."
ile instantly pursued, and lortunalely soon
came up with the l»arly, consii^ting ot about
twenty men, who being encumbered with the
pillage of -e\-eral houses were able to move but
slowly, ile fell too suddenly upon them to
allow any to escape; and they were marched
back to the widow's with their st^den goods.
The poor woman was desii'ed to name the \)V^)-
perty that belonged to her, which wa^ imme-
diately restored; and for any article uussing
the plunderers were compelled to pay the full
value. 'J'he major left the liou^e with the
lirisoners, loaded with the blessings of the
widow.
• When the British had returned from Peters-
burg, he was ordered to throw a bridge of boats
over the Appomattox, to remove and secure
a quantity of llour, which was in danger of
falling into the enemy's hands. A party of
militia was stationed to cover the operation.
'I'he duty committed to the major was of the
most laborious uatiu'e. From the small force
allowed for its accomplishment, the ser\iee re-
(pnred incessant attention, and no diligence
was s]iared to i)erform it. In the night, how-
ever, between the loth and 11th of ^May,
17S1, the militia having neglected to guard
their posts, the British were enabled to siu'-
juise the major and his party, and captured
liim together with IMajor ilurc and six other
otticers, who reniained prisoiu^r^ luitil tlie
treaty of ])eace was signed.
^Tajor ^rit(diell ever enjoyed the rejuitation
of an a<'tive, brave and euterpi-isiug officer,
lie was always among the foremost ujiiui dan-
gcrniis occasions, and his operations were con-
ducted with e()ual address ami courage, lie
was a strict disciplinarian, but while be was
exact in requiring attention to duty on the
jiart of his men he was careful to su]^]dy their
wants, au<l to i^rotect them from every species
(d' outrage and inju-tiee. Tlis conduct always
uiaiufested his warm attachment to the inde-
pendence of his country, and before the un-
foi-tuiuite event which threw him into the
■[wwer of the enemy, ami for which he was not
answei-able, no evertidii was omitted which
could jironuitc the Bevolutionary cause. Tf
other men were in higher stations and enabled
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I - I I "., I. i..,ir
STATE OF Di: LAW ALE
137
tu reuduriuorecouspicuoudbervices than Aiajor
Aiitclicll, it cauuut be said that tlicy were uioro
zcaloUi and faitlil'ul iu tbe discharge uf tlieir
duties.
ill reviewing the military history of this
brave and etheieiit officer, it may be mentioned
as a singuhir historical fact that not far from
the spot where he was captured by the Jiritish
in the month of May, ITSl, eighty-four years
iifterwards all that section of country border-
ing uii the Appomattox, was the theatre of
tremendous military operations, which culmi-
nated in the surender of the Confederate army
under Cleneral Lee to Cieneral (Jrant, and the
greatest civil war of modern times was
brought to a close.
iSome time after the close of the licvolution
!Major Xathabiel Mitchell was married, but it
is greatly regretted that the maiden name of
his wife has not been preserved, nor is it known
how many cliildrcn, if any, they had. .Vbout
this time he was appointed prothonotary of
tSussex county, Delaware, and entered ujion his
duties with the same alacrity which marked
his military career. His othce soon became
remarkable for the orderly arrangement jf
court records, his diligent attention to public
business and the prompt execution of all his
duties.
AVhcn Major Mitchell was named as a candi-
date fur governor of Delaware, the people
generally n'cognized liis fitness for the posi-
tion, and his nomination was well received.
The country was sparsely settled at that tliiio
and i^olitics did not enter into contests for of-
fice tlicii as sharply as they do now. He en-
countered some opposition, of course, but was
triumphantly elected and entered upon the
duties of his office in January, 1805. His
administration was quiet, but marked with the
same diligence, method, and carewhich charac-
terized him while performing the humbler
duties of protlifuiotary; and he retired from
its cares with the consciousness of having per-
formed his duty to the best of his ability and
leaving behind a clean record.
The private life of Governor ilitchcll, as
wo learn from contemporary writers, was un-
exceptionable and exemplary. He had the
easy gentlemanly manners of an old time offi-
cer who had mi.xed much with the world. 1 lis
hand was always stretched out to every honest
mnu, Mithout regard to dress or a])pearanec.
The integrity of his character was iiiiblem-
i>hed, and calumny never ventured to attack
it.
(JoVJiKNOU liKXJNETT.
Capt. Caleb i'rew JJennet, who served as
the first governor of Delaware uiuler the con-
stitution of 1831-3^', was born in the southern
part of Chester county, Pa., near the state
line, November 11, 1758, and died at his home
in Wilmington June 11, lb3(j. His father,
Capt. Joseph Bennett, was a shipping mer-
chant and owned and sailed a merchant vesssl
to India; and he was the jirst man who brought
the first umbrella ever seen in Wilmington.
He gave it to L^dia Ferris. On the next trip
he brought one to ^liss Betsy .Montgoinei-}',
and one for his daughter ^lary.
Captain Bennett married Mary Boone, a sis-
ter of JJanicl Boone, who is claimed by Ken-
tucky as her great hunter. Boone was a Penn-
sylvaiiiau by birth, and he and his sister ilary
both had birthrights in the Birmingham
Friends' Meeting, of Delaware county, Penn-
sylvania. J\rary Boone married Johnson, who,
at one time, owned all the property on West
streets, Wilmington, below Third, adjoining
what was known as the Warner property,
where Joseph Bringhurst rebuilt.
Cai^tain Joseph Bennett purchased and took
possession of what was known as the old West
jiroperty, Wilmington, November 11, 1758,
the day on which his distinguished son was
born. I'lie property came to his mother, !^[ary
(lilpin. Captain Jiennett is represented by
early writers as a very handsome old man. He
stood six feet in height, and his general appear-
ance was striking. He wore low shoes, silver
knee and shoe buckles, long silk stockings,
white kid brccclies, blue coat, brass buttons,
ruffled shirt bosom, and powdered hair, which
was done up in queue.
^lary (Boone) Johnson was a member of the
Society of Friends; her remains were inten-ed
in the burying ground at I'lfth and West
streets, Wilmington, by the side of her son.
Governor Caleb P. Bennett. She is repre-
sented as being one of the most talented women
of her day, well read in law, one of the most
independent women of the age. She frequent-
ly attended courts and read or imbibed la^v,
which her capacious mind drank in like rivers
ill M ■
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138
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of water. The tccluiical tenus were stiulicJ,
and she was familiar witli all the quirks and
quibbles of attorneys. With her it was a per-
fect mania to be involved in lawsuits. As a
landholder, she \va3 often qualihed and would
enter the office of any noted lawyer and tell her
story, but never to offer a fee. When the
courts werr in session at -New Castle, she fre-
qui'Utly attended them and with papers in
hand wouhi enter the court house with the
contidcnce of a chief justice, and plead her
own cause. "And this she did in the day of our
most i>roniinent lawyers of Pennsylvania and
Uelaware. She was long remendjered in AViK
niintiton for her ability and knowledue of the
law.'
Caleb Prew Bennett was about three years
of age when the fannly removed fr<im Chester
comity, Pa., to AVilmington, which was in
ITiil. His father, Capt. Joseph Bennett, was
so impressed with the importance of the ques-
tions which resulted in the war of the Bev<ihi-
tion, and was so patriotically inclined, that he
induced his son to enter the ranks when he
was scarcely seventeen years of age, to fight for
liberty. At the commencement of hostilities,
he joined one of the comi)anies forming Colo-
nel Haslet's regiment of Delaware State
troops and served one year in the lanks as
private and as first sergeant, and joined the
nuuu army in Xew York in 1777. lie was
comniissidned ensign in Capt. Thomas Hol-
land's company (Haslet's regiment). Conti-
nental Establishment, April 5, 1777. He was
with his Company in the detachment under
General Sullivan in the attack on Staten Is-
land. On the 11th of September following
he took part in the battle of Brandywine,
which was fought within a few miles of his
birth]dace; the sound of the cannon eoidd bo
heard at the home of his father in AVilming-
ton. He was present with his company at the
battle of Oermantown in the capacity of ser-
geant and was slightly woimded. This en-
gagement occurred Octolier 4, 1777; the
Delaware regiment suffered severely, losing
in killed and wounded seven out of thirteen
officers, and about one-third of the privates.
Captain Holland, his captain, was among the
killed.
Sergeant Bennett proved himself so brave
and capable a soldier that on August IG, 1778,
he was commissioned second liiMitiuant, and
in April, 1780, was promoted to the rank of
first lieutenant, and served in the companies
of Captains John ifhodes and William Mc-
Kennan to the close of the war. In ilav, 1778,
Tieutenant Dennett joined Ceneral \Vashing-
ton at \'alley Porge, and .spent the winter
there. It was while stationed here that he was
witness to a strange, yet impressive, ceremony
in the life of the great commander. One
Sunday the Kev. John (Jano, a Baptist minis-
ter and chaplain to one of the regiments,
jireai-hed a very powerful sermon. (Jeneral
Wasiiington was among his hearers. On Mon-
day, when he met the cluqilain, Washington
demanded baptism by immersion at his hands.
\ few days afterwards thi'v went to the Porge,
when AVashington remarked: ''Here is water,
what doth hinder me from being baptizecH"
The ceremony was performed in' the presence
of about forty pei-sons, Lieutenant Bennett
being one of tho number. Knowing that
AVashington was an I'^piscopalian, this inci-
dent nuide a deep im])ression on the mintl of
the young sohlier.
Pieutenant Bennett was present at the bat-
tle of ]\Ionmouth, as well as at other engage-
ments in Xew Jersey. In April, 1780, his
com]iany was assigned to the detachment com-
manded by Baron DcKalb, and ordered south.
ILning arrived in South Carolina, active
operations were immediately commenced, and
on the lltli of August was fought the memor-
able battle of Camden, where we find Lieu-
tenant Beniu'tt, with his comi)any, in the
warmest jiart of the engagement, 'i'lie brave
Baron DeKalb, after being mortally woumled,
dictated a letter expressive of the gallant con-
duct of the troojis innncdiately under his com-
mand, and particulai'ly the Delaware reginu-nt,
which was in the thickest of the fight, and en-
tirely cut to ])ieces, losing nine officei-s and
siiven companies out of the nine of which
it was compo.sed.
After this disastrous affair Lieutenant Ben-
nett was sent home to Delaware to rai.se re-
cruits, and in 1781, with one hundred and
twenty men, he joined the Prench troo])s at
Anna]iolis, and proceeded to Yorktown, whii-h
was besieged. In the last crowning success of
the Ameri<'an army at this point. Lieutenant
Bennett bore a consiiicuous part, conunanding
the left battery of the .\merican force on the
day when Lord Cornwallis surrendered his
army t<> Washington.
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STATE OF DELAWAIiK
130
After this brilliant acliievciuent at' tlie
Aiiierifau anus, Lieuteuaiit lieniiott juiiieJ
(u'lural Greene in South Carolina, anil re-
mained in tlie acti\'e service of his eoiintry till
jieaee was ileelareJ and the army disbanded,
'liiey left the southern field in October, 17b^
for home. AVhen the war ended and indepen-
dence had l>een secured, Lieutnant lieiniclt
was oidy' twenty-five years of age and had de-
voted eight years to tlic service of his country,
enduring the severest hardships, with a cuni-
jiensation iiardly sutHcient to meet his ex-
j lenses. '
AVhen Lieutenant Bennett returned to liis
home in Wilmington he settled down to the
♦piiet vocations of life and went to work witli
a will to cultivate the arts of peace. He was
active, industrious and enterprising, and took
much interest in the politics of the times. In
tiie meantime lie married, but the name of his
wife has not been preserved. In ISUT he w.is
appniiittd treasurer of Xew Castle county, tln'
ihitics iif which ottice he discharged witli
pn>ni]itness and fidelity till the fall of IMoL',
a peril ul of twenty-five years; he finally re-
linciuished the ortice on being noniiiuited for
Ciovernor of Delaware. On Xoveniljer i:!,
1S32, he was triumphantly elected the first
Jackson governor of the State. This import-
ant ottice he continued to fill with honor to
hiiust'lf and credit to the State till the day of
liis deatii, June 11, 1S3G. Dying before tlie
exi)iration of his term, the acting governor-
ship (h'volved on ex-Oovernor Charles Polk,
then ]iresident of the Senate.
^Vhen the war or 1S12 broke out, the nnir-
tial sjiirit of the old soldier was at once aroused,
and we find him again in the military service
of his country. Promoted to the rank of ]\ra-
jor, he was appointed to the command of the
forces stationed at New Castle, and remained
in the service until peace was declared. Few
of the veterans of the Revolution saw longer
and iiarder service. lie particijjatod in all the
imjiortant battles of the Tie\'olution and was
thrice wounded. "Wlien he died he was the
last surviving officer of theDclawareLine. ITe
became a member of the Society of the Cincin-
nati, and served as assistant treasurer of the
Delaware State Society in 17i)!). TTis certifi-
cate of meudiership in the Cincinnati is now
in the possession of his grandson, Calvin Smith
T'cnnctt, residing near Xatc'liez, .Afississipiji.
As migiit have been expected, the deatli of
the ex-governor and veteran soldier, although
at the ripie age of seventy-eight years, caused
a profound sensation; and especially in his own
city were the expressions of sorrow most mark-
e(L lie was a kind and atVectionate husband,
a tender and indulgent parent, an active and
useful citizen, and above all a jiatriot whose
devotion to the welfare, prosjjerity and inde-
pendence of his country knew no bounds and
felt no sacrifice too great in its behalf.
The Ad.viis Family.
Daniel Jenifer Adams was born at Port To-
bacco, .Ah!., in 1750, and died in 17ti(J. Ac-
cording to Captain JjcUas, the genealogist, the
father of Daniel was Josias Adams, l)0rn in
170U, sou of Francis Adams, who was born in
Charles county, ^[d., in IGSO. Francis Adams
married -Mary, daughter of Cleorge Godfrey,
and besides Josias, they had five sons, George,
Abednego, Samuel, Francis, and Ignatius.
Josias, the eldest of these six sons, married
Ann Jenifer; their children were: i. Daniel
,)enifer, as stated above, bom in 1750; ii.
KH/.alieth ^lason; iii. Anna Adams.
Daniel Jenifer Adams, at the commence-
ment of the Revolution, was commissioned a
first lieutenant in Captain Pezin lieall's In-
dependent Company of ilaryland militia
(Jan. II, 177(;); an<l afterwards appointed
briiiade-nnijor to Geniral Beall of the :Mary-
land "Flying Camii;" August -11 to DccenJjer
1, 1770; commi~>ioned ^Major of Seventh
ilaryhmd lugiment of the Continental Fs-
tabli'shment, April 1, 1777, and resigned
June 8, 1779. He ^^•rved after the war as
brigadier general of Delaware militia and as
shcritt' of Xew Castle county, Delaware,
where he then resided till his death, X'ovcm-
ber 2!), 17911. lie is buried in Old Swedes'
churchyard in ■\Vilmington, where a large
tombstone is placed over his remains. lie
was an original member of the Delaware
State CinciTinati Society.
^Fajor Adams married Xancy Hanson, of
Kent county, Delaware, sister of Lydia Han-
son, wiio married Colonel Xchemiah Tillou,
brother of Surgeon James Tllton, and had is-
sue (surname Adams):
I. Daniel Jenifer, Jr., born ;
was married twice. By tl>e first marriage he
had one daughter, lie married, secoml, Pru-
'i.A'.>^\ '■'O 'A'.'.'.'w'.
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140
BTOGRAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
deuce Moore, of Pbiladelpliia, December 10,
1802, and had one son. Both of his cliildreu
died unmarried.
II. Josias Hanson, born ; mar-
ried Hannah JMoore, of Clarioinirg, AVcst Vir-
ginia, and had issue: i. Daniel, ii. Jenifer, who
left no issue, ii. Preston, who left three daugh-
ters, iii. Alexander Hanson, who died unniar-
' ried.
III. Elizabeth, of whom no record has been
found.
I^^ Alexander Hanson, died unmarried.
\. Susannah Hanson, of whom no nronl
has been found.
VI. ]\Iaria, no record.
VII. Thomas Jenifer, Jr., born February
11, ITOU, died m ISCS; was married twice.
Fir.>.t, to Isal)ella, daughter of James and Ja-
net Xilgore Bogie, of Scotland, who was born
iu 1S02, and died in 1857; they had issue:
i. Janet, died in infancy, 1822; ii. Isabella
Hanson, married General .Tames Tilton, of
Delaware, her second cousin, who was tlie
grandson of Colonel Nehemiah Tilton, of
I)elaware. They liad issue: 1. Francis, 2.
Edward Gibson, 3. Bayard, and 4. Howard
Tilton; iii. Alexander Hanson, married Hes-
ter Tiebout, and died in 1880, they had iss\ie:
1. ]\Iary Jenifer, who married Ed-
wards, and died without issue, 2. Charles
Breck, born 1859, and married (1885) Jennie
Andrews and has issue: Hobert Andrews,
Helen ^{., Charles Breck, Jr., and an infant
daughter; iv. Charles Jenifer, married
Sarah Jennings and had issue: Adele, who
married Lieut. II. il. Witzel, V. S. X. ■
V. Janet Xilgore, married Thomas l!
^loore and had issue: 1. Isabella, 2. Harriet,
3. Bichanl; vi. Howard Jenifer, manned Eli-
zabeth Flint and had children: 1. Elizabeth
and 2. Charles Jenifer; vii. Harriet Buchanan
married Bobert Andrews and had issue: 1.
Jane, 2. Ella; viii. Thomas Jenifer, died in
1842 and is buried in Old Swedes' church-
yard.
Thomas Jenifer Adams married second,
^rary A. Jennent. She was born in 1815, and
died in 1887. She was the widow of TTcmT
AVaples, son of AVilliam and grandson of Capt.
Samuel Wa])les of Accomac county, Virginia,
and of the Ninth Virginia Continental Line,'
who died in 1834. There was no issue by the
secn.l marriage. :Mrs. ^\. A. (Jeniient)
Adams is buried in the Old Swedes' church-
yard, "Wilmington.
HeNKY L.VTl.MKR.
Henry Latimer, an early and prominent
citizen of Delaware, was born at Newport,
New Castle county, in 1752, son of
Hon. James and Sarah (Geddes) Latimer.
After receiving a primary education he com-
menced the study of medicine in Philadelphia
and completed the course by graduating at tlie
Medical College of Ediuburg, Scotland. Be-
turning home, he practiced his iirofession in
AVilmington, until the breaking out of the
Bevohition. After seeing some held service
he was, in 1777, commissioned surgeon in the
Continental army, and attached to what was
called the Flying Hospital. Dr. Latimer's
services were in constant demand; he was with
the army in all the battles iu the northern
department from Brandywine to Yorktown.
"When the war ended in 1783, he returned
to the practice of medicine in Wilmington.
He was elected a member of the State Legisla-
ture; also to Congress from 1793 to 17'J5; but
before closing his last term as a member of the
House of Be])resentatives, Ite was, iu 1704,
elected United States Senator frour Delaware
for one term. After a hmg and honorable life,
he died December 19, 1819, and was buried in
the graveyard of the First Presbyterian
church, "Wilmington, where his tondjstone
may be seen. He left descendants. His son,
John B. Latimer, succeeded him as a member
of the Society of the Cincinnati, in Pennsyl-
vania, in 1821, and after filling a number of
minor offices became vice-president of the
society in 1854-55, and president in 1855,
which position he held until his death in 18C5.
WirxiAM ]\IcIvEXX.\N.
William ]\lcKennan was born in Christiana
hundred. New Castle county. His father
was a clergyman, and preached at what is still
known as ^IcKennan's ;^feeting House. Soon
after the beginning of the Bevohition,
William ]\IcKennan was commissioned second
lieutenant in Capt. Thomas Kcan's coni])any.
Col. Samuel Patterson's Delaware Batallion (if
the Flying Camp, June or July, 177(); seeond
lieutenant. Colonel Hall's Delaware reoiment.
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STATE OF 1) FLAW Ml h:
Ul
Continental E.-tublislinient, Koveniber :.'!),
1770; fii-st lieutenant, Captain Learmontii's
and Patten'ri eonipanies, same regiment April
b, 1777, and February, ITbO; captain in 1781
and served U> the elose of the war. lie was
present at the siege and surrender of York-
town, anil was in eommand of the Delaware
detachment un its return to his native state in
January, i7>;i. '1 he march was a long and
weary one. J.eaving its headquarters on tiie
Ashley J liver, where it thou lay eucaniiied
and taking ii]) its march via Camden, Saiis-
bur}-, and i'etersburg, tiie detachment crossed
tlie James llivcr at Carter's Ferry, pusiied
on tliruiigh ilaryland, and in exactly tw(j
months alter the date of its departure from
tlie main iSouthern army, finally arrived — and
with what feelings can be only imagined, nut
described — at Christiana Creek, near .Xew
Castle. Here the battalion was cncami)ed
until October of the same year, when it was
permanently disbanded; Captain ]\Ic]\euuau,
then in command, being ai)pointed to settle
and adju>t tiie accounts of the officers and
nieu'of the battalion with the United Statis
Auditor, as also "to issue both certificates f<jr
past serviees as well as land wan'ants to the
individuals claiming, or their attorneys for
them, which duty he performed to the general
satisfaction."
Captain ]\rcKennan was the first secretary
of the ]1claware State Society of the Cincin-
nati, and .=orvcd from 1784 to 1795. This
distinguished and faithful officer dicil in Xew
Castle county, in February, 180:]. IFc left
descendants, among whom is Dr. Tiiomas
^IcKennan, of Washington, Pa., a grandson.
-M.VJOR -ToiIX P.VTTEN.
Jolui T^atten, born near Dover, Ivent-
cijuiity, Delaware, .Vpril 2ij, 174G, sou of
^\'illiam and .\nn Patten, was of Scotch-Tnsh
oiigin. lie was brought uji to the voi-ati<in
of M fiiniicr, and was engagc^d in that pursuit
uhen ihc licvululion began, hubucd willi
ihc Hpli il of iiidr|iendcncc', he lit once look an
aciivc |io,illon in the ai'iuy. On the I'orma-
Ijiin of Capl. .buuilhnn Caldwell's company,
Colonel Haslet's regiment of Delaware State
troojis in Continental service, January 15,
1770, he was commissioned first lieutenant;
senior captain in Colonel TTall's Dclawaiv
regiment, Xo\'eniber ."iO, 177(); and major,
J)eeember 14, 177!). He was taken pri^oner
at the battle of Camden, S. C., August Iti,
178U, and was on paiolc to the (dose of the
war. Major Patten returned to Delaware
after being paroled, but as he had not iiei'U ex-
idianged, he did iKjt rejoin his regiment. Ma-
jc«r Fatten was (dected to Congress in 1785
and servetl two years. Ui)on the adoption of
the United States Constitutiim, he was elected
a mendier of the 'i'liiril Congress from Dela-
ware, and served in 171*.'i-!)4. Subsequently
he was elected to the Fourth Congress, and
served till 171)7. He was diligent and faith-
ful in the discharge of his duties and was lion-
oi-ed by hi.s constituents. Major Patten died
Deeendier 2li, ISOO, in the fifty-fourth year
of his age, ami his a>lies rest in the Presby-
terian Churchyard at Dover. .Major Patten
was the tirst viee-jiresident of the Delaware
State Society of the Cincinnati, and so con-
tinued until elected President in 1709. lie
was also a didegate to the general meetings
of the Society in 1788, 1790, 1791 and 1793,
and took a deep interest in the ])roceedings.
Litth' is known of his family; but he left
descendants who bave kept briglit the lustre
of his name.
CoVKIiXOR Poi.K.
Charles Polk, son of Charles Polk, and the
fourth of the mime in the line of descent, was
born near liridgeville, Xanticoke hundred,
in 1788, and died in 1857. The family was
originally from Scotland, and the name in
early times was written Pollock. The ances-
tor of the family in America settkd first in
ifaryland, but on the termination of the dis-
pute between Penn and Loi-d Baltimore, he
was thrown (Ul the Delaware side of the bound-
ary line, in Little Creek hundred. Charles
Folk had three sons, Charles, John and Jo-
se])h. The oldest of these, Charles, became
the father of Governor (Jharlcs Polk. lie was
a man of mean.s, fiwuing more than one thou-
sand acres of land. In 1791 he was sent as a
delejjate to tile convcnti(Ui called for the ])ur-
pose of forming a constitution foi' the Slate of
Delaware', and was chese-i |ii-e-idehl. Uuriug
the sittings of the convention he was taken ill
and \vas ceimpelle(l to retire to his home, where
he soiui after died. At the time of his death
* ' A '
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142
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
liis son, Charles, was scarcely eight years of
age. This son, destined to heconie one of
the representative men of Delaware, was ten-
derly reared by his mother, and early in life
evinced talents of no mean order. When of
sullicient age, he read law nudcr the direction
oi tile celebrated Kensey Johns, Sr., and was
adnutted to practice, but for some reason
never folluwed tiie profession he had cliosen.
lie went back to the home wiiere he was born,
and where his fatiier had lived and died.
In lylO he went to Milford hundred, Kent
county, where he pnrchaseil a tract of eleven
hundred acres of land, which is still in tiie
possession of his descendants. Before this
time Mr. Polk (as early as 1813) had served
as a member of the Legislature from Sussex
jounty, and in 1815 he was re-elected. In
181C or 1817 he was sent to the Legislature
from Kent county, and in ISIU he became a
member of the Levy Court. After distrharg-
ing the duties of this office to the satisfaction
of the people, he was anxious to retire to jiri-
vate life, but his friends would not consent,
as they had further honors in store for him.
Consetpiently, in 1824, he was hcnt to tiie
State Senate, and chosen speaker.
^Iv. Polk's political course was still onward
and iipward. In 1S2G lie was the choice of
the people for governor, and served three
years. When the convention of 1831 to
revise the State Constitution was called, he
was chosen its president. Soon after the close
of the Constitutional Convention he was, in
1834, again elected to the State Senate, and
on the assembling of the body was chosen
speaker. On the death of Ciovernor Bennett,
which occurred in Juue, 1830, lion. Charles
Polk became, by virtue of his position as
speaker of the Senate, acting governor, and
filled out the term with credit to himself and
the people. But his career of usefulness as a
public servant did not close with his retire-
ment from the chair of state, for in 1838 he
was again elected a state senator and chosen
sjieaker, on account of his ])cculiar fitness for
the office. At the expiration of his last sena-
torial term, he wa.s appointed register of wills
for Kent county, by Governor William B.
Cooper, in 1813, and served f<(ur yeai"s. In
18r)fl he was appointed collector of the ])(irt
of Wilmington, but resigned in 1853, and
died October 27, 1857.
It is seldom that we find a man who is called
upon to serve iiis fellow citizens in more po-
sitions of honor and trust than (iovernor
Bulk, lie ilii'il at bis home in ililford hun-
dred and was luiried in the cemetery of the
Bri'.sbyterian ChurclL at Dover.
(iovernor Polk married .Mary Elizabeth
Pnrnell, of Berlin, .Md., and the union was
blessed with sixteen children, of whom only
nine survived liim, the rest dying young. Of
the nine, four arc yet living. Oik; son,
^\'illiam Alexander Polk, ex-register of wills
for Sussex c(ninty, was a member of the Leg-
islature in 1807, and speaker of the Ibjuse.
Du. James Tilton.
Dr. James Tilton was a native of Kent
county, Delaware, where he was born June
1, 1745. All that is known of his ])arentagc
is that he was the son of Thomas Tilton; the
name of the mother has not been handed down
to us. After securing the best education af-
forded in the times in which he lived, he en-
tered upon the study of medicine and gradu-
ated fr(jm tlie medical department of the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, ^L V>., in 1708, and
]\1. D., in 1771. lie early took sides with
the jmtriots who were preparing to throw oil
the ISritish yoke, and when Colonel Haslet's
regiment of Delaware state troops was organ-
ized, young Dr. Tilton was commissioned sur-
geon; he served with the regiment from
January 10, 1770, to December of the same
year, lie was appointed hospital jihysician
and surgeon, Octolier 0, 1780, and served
with the army to the close of the war. On
June 11, 1813, Dr. Tilton was ajipointed
Surgeon General, Dnited States Army, and
honorably discharged June 15, 1.^15, after
the terniinatiou of the second war with Great
liritain. Dr. Tilton was skilled and himorcd
as a surgeon, had the c-outidence of the jieople
and was regarded as (uie of the leailing and.
re])resentative citizens. IFc' |)osscss(>(l a high
order of ability and was tlie author of several
treatises on medical, sanitary, and other sul>-
jects. Although a studious man, he loved
society, and drew around him the refined and
cultivated; he was noted for his hospitality
and good clic(>r, and his friends were always
delighted when in his presence. Dr. Tilton
resided on his estate near Wilmington, and
r.-' ■'-v.'.
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STATE OF DELAWARE
143
died tliere -May 14, 1S22, in tlie seveiity-
seventli year of his age. lie was presiilcut of
tlie Delaware State Society of the t'iiiciiiiiati
from its orgauization to 17S)."), aiul ilelcgatu
to the geiK'ral meetings of the Society of tiie
Ciiiciiiiiati from 1784 to 17'J3, when the State
Society ceased to be represented. His in-
signia, presented by General J.afayette, are
now tite ]iroperty of his graiidnciiiiew. Col.
!McLane 'I'iltoii, United States .ATarine Corps.
'J'liE Anderson Family.
Joseph Anderson was born near Philadel-
jihia, Xovember 5, 1757, but nothing is
known of his parentage and ancestry, lie
studied law and was just beginning to prac-
tice when the lievolutionary war brdke out.
He was commissioned an ensign in the Third
iSew Jersey regiment. Continental Estab-
lishment, -May, 177G; second lieutenant,
July 111, 1770; hrst lieutenant, November
21i, 17711; captain, October 20, 1777; trans-
ferred to First Xew Jersey regiment, Conti-
nental J-lstablishment, January 1, 17S1.
Captain -Vnderson was retained in the Xew
Jersey battalion until April, 17S:j. He also
served a> ri'giuiental paymaster from October
i'li, 1777, to the close of the war, and w:is
brevetted major September 30, 178,'). ^lajor
Anderson was a brave and gallant officer and
saw mucli Intrd service. He was with General
Sullivan in his famous exjiedition up the
Xorth lirancli of the Susquehanna against the
Iroijiioi-; Indians and participated in the bat-
tle i>{ "Ibirse Heads," near the present city of
Flmii'a, where tlie Indians were defeated and
their c<infederacy lu'oken. lie was present
at the siege of Yorktown, and witnessed the
surri'nder of Cornwallis. After the war li^
beg;ui the ]iraetiee of law in Delaware; in
17;M was a]ipointcd by President Washington
tei'i'itorial judge of the region south of the
Ohio TJiver, and took part as delegate from
Jefferson county in framing the constitution
fif Tennessee. He was United States Senator
from that State from 1707 to 1815, and acted
as president pro tempore. lie was a]ipointed
the first comptroller of the United States
Treasury in 1815, and served until his death,
in Washington, April 17, 1837.
Fnocli Anderson was born at Xew Castle,
Delaware, Imt the date lias not been preser\ id.
He was commissioned second lieutenant, Cap-
tain Stidham's company, Colonel Haslet's
regiment of Delaware state troops, January
13, 1770. At the battle of Fong Island he
was Wounded. On December 3, 1770, he was
appointed captain; transferred to Colonel
JIall's Delaware regiment, April 3, 1777, and
retired from service in Septendier, 1778. He
died -March 4, 1S2U.
Thomas Anderson was born in Xew Castle
county, but the date is unknown. He was
comnussioned second lieutenant in Captain
Learmonth's company. Colonel Hall's Dela-
ware regiment, September lU, 1778, and con-
tinued to the close of the war. He also served
as quartermaster of the regiment in 1778-
1780. Time and jdace of his death unkninvn.
It is not known whether these officers Ijear-
ing the surname of Anderson were related,
but it is inferred that they were, because of
their liecoming residents of X^'ew Castle coun-
ty, but in what degree it is hard to determine.
They were j)robalily brothers.
The Crow Family.
George and Thomas Crow. In his inter-
esting monograph on the Old Delaware Cluck
Mal-ers, Henry C. Conrad, Esq., informs us
that among the earliest (dock makers in Wil-
mington was George Crow. The first men-
tion of him is in 174C, when he was elected
high constalde of the borough of Wilmington.
He served one year. In 17."),"^ he was elected
one of the burgesses of ^Vilmington, and re-
elected in 1750 and in 1758. AVhere lie was
born and when he settled here' are unknown.
Accoriling to the records of '"Old Swedes' " he
married -Mary Laudonet, in .\ugust, 1740.
-Mr. Conrad is satisfied that he was in the
watch and (dock business ]irior to 1754, and
continneil in Imsiness until his death, whi(di
occurred in 1771 or 1772. He has seen sev-
eral high clocks bearing his name, but none
of them were marked with any date. There
is a deed of record from Gabriel Springer, one
111 the earliest hatters in Wilmington, to
(Jeorge Crow, dated ^March 2ii, 1701, for a
Ikuisc and lot on the west side of Walnut
street just above Spring alley. It is reason-
able to believe that Crow lived in tliis house
and carried (ui his Imsiness there. He o\\nied
also at the time of his death a jn-operty at
1 bird and King streets, and a hirge lot at the
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144
UIOdh'AI'JJICAL EX('y('/j)I>/<Jl)[.[
nurtliwest corner of Tenth and Market streets.
All of las property, after his death, was di-
vided among his widow and fuur children,
who survived him, by a deed of partition,
dated March 22, 1773, made by Dr. Juhn
McKinly, William I'ooh- and IJanerofc
"Woodcock, all of wJiom were leading and in-
Ihiential citizens of Wilmington ai that time.
_ iJr. .McKinly was the first president (gov-
ernor) of Delaware after the Deidaratioii uf
Indejiendeuce^, was captured by the Jiritish
after the battle of Erandywine, antl lield as a
pi-isoner of state for about one year. William
Poole was one of the early and successful
millers on the Brandywine, and tlie father of
a numerous family, of \v\ioin J. Mortem
Poole was one. Uancroft AVoodccx'k was a
noted silvci-smith in AVilmiugton more than
a century ago, and owned the old house on
Eroome street, which for the past forty \ears
has been the Kowland homestead.
Geoi-ge Crow left two sons, Thomas and
George, and two daughters, Sarali (Mrs.
William Xash), and ifary (Mrs. Samuel
Goodman). George Crow, Jr., died prior to
1802. It is not known whether lie left any
descendants. The ])resumption is that he was
buried in the "Old Swedes' " graveyard.
Thomas Crow, who seems to have been the
eldest son of George Crow, 1, succeeded his
father in the clock and watch business, and
very likely learned the trade with his father.
Like him, he seemed to have been in favor
}^"itl^the public, for he was elected town clerk
in 1771,oneof the assistant burgesses in 1778,
1779 and 1780, ami borough assessor in 1784
and 1785. Notwithstanding his willingness
to serve the public in these various modest ca-
pacities, he was a most industrious clock
maker, as is evidenced by the manv clocks
which bear his name. The number of his
clocks now in existence indicates that he car-
i-ied on a large business.
Thomas Crow owned, in 1814, a property
on the south side of Second street, just east of
]\rarket. At the time of his death he owned
a small piece on the Philadelphia turnpike in
Prandywine hundred, near tlie present resi-
dence of William C. Lodge, and this was sold
after his death to i)ay his debts, which seem
to have lieen largely in excess of his assets, the
records showing that while he had no personal
estate, he owed the Bank of Delaware about
seven thousand three hundred dollars- an,l
this snuill farm, which brought only eight
hundred dollars when sold by his adiuiuislra-
tor, seems to have been all the estate which lie
left.
Thomas (h'ow had a wife whose Christian
name was Isabella, but who she was and when
he married her, are unknown. 'J'hey had two
daughters, Elizabeth Ogden, and Ann, wife
of William Haslet, 'j'liomas Crow died about
1824, having survived bis wife. He seems to
have been a member of the Fir.st Presl)yterian
Church; and it is probable that the ashes jf
the old clockmaker repose in the graveyard of
that church on the corner of Tenth and ^^ar-
ket streets, Wilmington.
The Dui-f Family.
Thomas Dutl', says Captain Hellas, the
genealogist, was a large landed proprietor and
a prominent man in public itrt'airs in Chri.-,tianu
hundred, .\ew Castle county, Delaware. The
tiuie and i)lace of his birth are unknown. In
Uoli he was ensign in the Upper regiment
of Xew Castle county militia, lie was slieritf
of the same county in 1703, 171!."'), 17lJ'J and
1770, the terms being for one year each.
In the early part of the Pevolution he was
a major in the Is'^ew Castle county militia and
before the (dose of the war he held the rank
of colonel. The three companies of militia
left AVilmiugton on Decendjcr IG, 177(J, un-
der his comnuind for Xew Jersey, through a
mistake of orders, :^rajor Duti''s battalion did
not participate in the battles at Trenton and
Princeton. An account of a skirmish after-
ward, near Christiana, in Delaware, reported
'ij_l_hp I'ennsylvania (Jazette of September 10,
1777, reports Coloiud Duft' as being wounded
in that engagement.
He was api)ointed justice of the ])eaee for
Xew Castle county after the Pevolution; his
commissions being dated June 30, 17s:i, and
Xovemlier 0, 17!)0. His hou.se was a large
bi-ick mansion on the outskirts of the village
of Xewport, and on the bank of Christiana
creek. It is still standing, but much degen-
erated, having been converted into two cheap
dwellings. He lived there in good style, is
always spoken of as "Esquire," which" title,
in colonial days, was assumed only by |ier.>on~
of distinction. A great deal of land belonged
to him and there is a nundier of deeds reconleil
in A\'ilmini:tou in the uaine nf "Tliomas Duff.
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t).
I III.
■ , ' I ■• ■.'•■.
STATE OF DELAWARE
14'
Esq., of Xewport, iu Cliribtiana lluudred, ami
County of XfW Castle, and Jane, his wife,"
A:c.
Colonel Duff was a member of the vestry of
St. James" ehureli, near ISlanton, as well as in
the ehapel of the same name near IS'ewport,
the uiiieers of both having until reeently been
the same. It is supposed tiiat Colonel Dutf
and his -wife are buried in the ehurehyard at
Stanton, though their graves, like nuiny
others, eannot now be identitied. Jle proba-
bly died shortly after 1S08, as his name
eeases to appear in the records as chairmaii
of tin- vestry, as it had done tip to tliat time.
They had issue, (surname Dull):
L Ann, born _May 24, ITol'; died ,Mareh
10, ITM-'; unmarried.
11. Julward, born ilareh 17, 17^5; died
April 2, 17sij; was surgeon's mate in Colonel
Samuel i'atterson's ISattalion of Delaware
State troops of the "Flying Camp" in 177t>.
lie is also stated to have been surgeon's mate
ill the navy in the following year. By his will,
in 17!5."), he is deseribed as of Northampton
county, Va., where he died.
IIL John, boru 1757; died 1759.
IV. Henry, born June 15, 1750; died
February S, 1785, or 1781) ; was commissioned
ensign in Colonel Kail's Delaware regiment,
Xovember 20, 1776; second lieutenant, Ajiril
5, 1777; tirst lieutenant, jVugust 10, 177S,
and served to the close of the war, when he
ajjpcars to have had the rank of captain, ili;
was one of the original members of the Dela-
ware Cincinnati Society.
V. Jane, born April 15, 17G3; died JMarch
1, 17S.'S; unmarried.
\\. Thomas, Jr., born Septeudier 27,
170i); died 1830; was admitted to the New
Castle county (Delaware) bar as an attorney-
at-law in 1701, and to the Lancaster county
(Pennsylvania) bar in the same year. lie was
clerk of the United States District Court of
Delaware from 1704 to 170C. lie died jirior
to :March 20, 1830, when letters of adminis-
tnitidu wore granted on his estate to Allan
'i'homson.
Henry Dull died September 14, 17tJ2. liy
his marriage he left issue, one son and one
daughter:
i. Kichard, born July 10, 1757. lie was
commissioned second lieutenant of tiie Tenth
liegiment of the I'cnnsyhania i.ine, Decem-
ber 4, 1770; ]ironioted to tirst lieutenant iu
Colonel Patton's Additional Continental lieg-
iment, April 18, 1777. He was reported as a
])risoner of war and m-vcr rejoined, dying at
Jioston, ^Ma^s., pnibably while a prisi^ner.
licference U> him may be found in Pcnusyha-
nia Archives, Second Scries, Vol. X. •
11. Ann Duff, born Xovember 5, 175,s;
died June 29, 1785. She married Captain
William liobcson, of the Delaware militia,
June 10, 17.^4. He died April 2:!, IM.'i.
Tiiey left OHO daughter, .lane, born .May 2S,
1785, who married Allan Thom])son, June
27, 1810, and died February 0, 1^24. Allan
and Janr (Duff) Thomson ha<l i--ue: i.
^Villiam, died unmarried, ii. Ann, married
Villiam Hemphill Jones, and had a son and
a daughter, neither of whom left descendants.
iii. Jane, married AVilliam II. Sangston, ami
had two sons and two daughters, iv. and v.
Henry and ^laria, both of wliom died unmar-
ried.
Colonel Henry Duff was a brother of Col.
Thomas Duff, and married Ann, daugh-
ter of John and Ann Williams, of Pliiladel-
phia, both of whom died in 1747. Col.
IvEV. Joseph Earh.
llev. Joseph P>arr, one of the old time
Prcr^byteilan ministers, was born near Xew
Castle, Delaware, December 4, 1791. He
came of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Ilis father,
Samuel Barr, died at his liome near Xew
Ca.^lh', Deccndier 27, 1820, in the nine-
ty-second year of his age. lie had been .i
menJjcr of the Presbyterian Church for more
than sixty years, and an elder tor over forty
years. His posterity was numerous. He left
children, grand, and great-grandchildren, to
the number of eighty at the time of his death.
Josc])h Barr, after receiving a jirejiaratory
education, entered the University of Pennsyl-
vania and graduated therefrom iu 1811. Ho
studied theology with the Bevs. John F.
Latta and Janu's P. Wilson, D. D., and was
licensed to ])reacli liy llie Presbytery of Xew
Ca=tle in October, lsl2. He itinerated for
six months on the Delaware ))cninsula. In
the fall of 1813 he wa-; ordained and iii-talled
as [lastor of the Xorriton, fuow Xorri-town),
. •..,!. .Mill
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146
BIOGUA PlIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
aiiJ Providence chiirfhcs, iu M(jiitgouiery
cMunty, Pa. In October, Iblj, lie married
Sarah, youngest daughter of Dr. Alcxaiuler
Porrcster, of Wilmington, J)eh
^Mr. liaiT was an active, jtrogressive young
minister. lie was full of zeal and thoroughly
in earnest in the furtherance of the great
work in which he was engagetl. Through his
energy he organized the church in Xorris-
town and secured the building of a fine brick
church there in ISIO. In 1S17, in addition
to the church, he took charge of the Academy
«t XinTistown and devoted much time to the
educational part of the work. Although of
vigorous constitution at iirst, the work was
too heavy for him, and very soon began to
impair his health. This necessitated a halt
in his labors.
Accordingly, in the si.ring of 1S23, he re-
moved to Lancastei- county, Pa., and became
pastor of the Leacock and iliddle Oetoraro
churches. These were early and important
church organizations and involved much hard
work on the jxirt of the i)astor. Ilowcx'cr,
he labored faithfully and with iintlaggiug
zeal until 1844, a period of twenty-one years,
giving a portion of his time to each congre-
gation, until, iu 1845, he relin(piished the
charge of ^liddle Oetoraro, and devoted his
time exclusively to Leaco<:k. Put tlie ardu-
ous labors of his jiast life had seriously im-
])aired his rugged constitution and he was
forced to seek a still less arduous tield of labor.
In lb40 he accepted a call to White Clay
Creek and Christiana, Del., but a few miles
from the place of his birth, and was installed
pastor of the former church June 2, ]84(),
and of the latter :^[ay 8, 1848. Put bis health
now gave sigiis of breaking, and at his own re-
quest his relations Avith the ( 'hiistiana church
were dissolved October 2, 1849; and on the
23d of October, 1853. his relations \vith the
AVhite C^lay Creek church also were dissolved,
where he preached his farewell sermon the
same day. This was his last sermon, and
he was never able to attend pid)lic worship
again. He died in Wilnnngton, ilay 24,
1854, in the sixty-third year of his age, and
a stone in front of the White Clay Creek
oluirch marks the place of his interment. lie
was ])lain, earnest, active, but unostentatious,
and during his life was noted for his piety aud
zeal in the cause of the ^faster.
TuE AntlCHS Paxiily.
Henry C. Conrad, Esq., in his brochure en-
titled Cld Dchucare Clock Mulicrs, tells us
that the .Vlrichs fandly is one of the oldest
in New (^'astle county, Del. The original
settler was i'cter Alrichs, to wliom land iu
this county (Xew Castle) was patented as
early as l(i(JS. The name indicates Dutch
origin. Peter had four sons, the elde:it being
Peter Sigfridus, who married Susanna Siid-
liam, and had twelve children, among whom
was Jonas Alrichs, who was born ^larch 22,
175'J. Jonas learned the clock making busi-
ness with Thomas Crow, and was the tirst of
the name of .Vlrichs to furnish time keepers
for the people of Wilmington. He succeeded
his instructor in the business in the old Second
street store, and carried it on successfully un-
til April, 17'JT, nhen he retired. Jonas Al-
richs died in 1S02, leaving five children, one
of whom, Thomas C. Alrichs, was for many
}cars a useful and influential citizen of Wil-
mington.
Jacob Alri(dis, a neiJiew of Jonas, was the
son of Sigfridus Alrichs and Pachel Coles-
berry. He was born Scjitember 8, 1775, and,
Hgnratively sjJeaking, was rocked in the cradle
of the Pevolntion. His birthplace was the in-
fant borough of AVilmington, and he was
reared on the banks of the Christiana. When
quite a young man he learned the trade of
clock and watch making with his untdc,
Jonas, with whom for a short time he was
associated in business under the firm name
of Jonas and Jacob Alrichs. When the for-
mer retired iu 17!l7 his successor annouuci'd
by advertisement that iu addition to stock on
hand, he had reeeiveil "eight day clocks of
the first quality; silver watches from London,
Liver])ool and Dublin, such as could be war-
ranted," together with ''watch main springs,
glasses, dials, gilt and steel chains, keys, seals,
ire."
It is probable that he continued the business
at the old stand for many years, although he
did not devote his entire time to it, for, in
1810, in company with Samuel ^IcClary, he
started the first machine shop in Delaware, at
the northwest corner of Seventh and Shipley
streets, Wihuington. Tiii'y evidi'Utlv beuan
business in a humble way, for tradition says
that an old horse served to furnish the ])ower
to drive the i>rimiti\'e machinerv. I'rom
.a [
.. , ./
•iir iiin .1 'I ■ : t .V i-i . ' ,,1,
117
IK
STATE OF DKLAWAL'E
147
this small begiimiiig liave growu the vast
uiaiiutactunig- and iiicciuuii<-al industries of
the city uf Wilmington.
'J'liu bu^incss of Alriehs \^ McClary seems
to have been a siiceoss from the beginning,
as Jaeob Alrielis bought the property oeeupie>l
by the little maehine shop three }'eai-s later
from Job IL'irvey, and eontinned to own it
until Ib'M, when it was sold to The Delaware
Academy of -Xatural Sciences, an institution
that has long since ceased to exist.
Alriehs afterwards had a machine shop on
the site of the present pumping station on the
Jjrandywine near the head of French street,
and in testimony of his etiicaey as a skilful
mechauir, it is only necessary to add that
J'lijah Ilullingswortli learned his trade with
.Vlrichs, and afterwards, as those of the pres-
ent generation know, became a leading and in-
riuential member of tlie great tirm of Harlan
t^' IloUingsworth, and by applying the me-
chanical ideas imparted by the humble watch-
maker, Ja<'ob Alriehs, in his primitive shuji,
fi.iunded and successfully conducted the large
and important industry of AVilmington, wIkjsc
fame has long since been established through-
out the civilized world.
AVhile Alriehs was laying the foundation
for great meclianical industries in wood and
ir<in, he did not lose sight of his clock and
watchmaking business, for in course of time
the sho]* was removed to ^farket street, be-
tween Third and Fourth, and thence to Arcade
liow <m the cast side of ilarket street behjw
I'jghth. Tins row was erected on what was
known as ''Wilson's sand-hole." Several
changes in location were afterwards made as
the town grew, and otlier branches of Inisiness
dexcloped.
Jacob Alriehs was evidently a man of
strength of character, and of superior intelli-
gence and capacity — in fact one of the most
representative men of his time. He was iin-
usimlly successful in the two lines of business
wliicli he conducted, and accumiUated consid-
erable real estate. lie also took an interest in
pidJic affairs and was willing to jierform his
part in jiromoting the advancement of borougli
interests. As early as 1805, when only thirty-
tive years of age, he was elected an assistant
burgess of the borough of ^Vilmington, and in
ISIO was elected a member of the fii'st City
Council, and so well were the ]i(uplc
jilcased with him as a publii,: officer that tlu-y
re-elected him year after year until lb:i;J. His
ser\ice, thei-efore, as one of the local law-mak-
ers for thirteen years consecutively, attests his
value as a citizen. T.ut the appreciation of
his work did not sto]) here, for, in iSLtO, he was
elected a member of the State Situate from
Wilmington, and served his term in that body
with credit to himself and his constituents.
Among the valuable collections of the His-
torical Society in Wihnington, of which
ilenry C. Conrad, K^cp, is the etKcient and in-
telligent librarian, is a very exact an.l care-
fully prepared survey and level made in 180-t
by Jacob Alriehs and Edward Koche, of a
route from the spring of Caesar A. lu.dney,
Esq., to the center stone at the corner of ( 'liest-
nut (now Tenth) and .Market street.-, f<.r the
use of the Wihnington Spring Water Com-
liauy. Evidently, at that early date, it had
occurred to Jacob Alriehs that the citizens of
Wilmington might be supplied with water
from "Cool Spring," an itlea that nearly sev-
enty years afterwards dcvelopeil into a reality
by the construction of the Cool Spring reser-
voir, now so important a factor in the tine
water suj)ply of Wilmington.
Politically, Jacob Alriehs was prominent as
a member of the Whig jiarty, and was a warm
admirer and close friend of John M. Clayton,
the Whig leader. Under the adnunistration
of President Harrison ]\Ir. Alriehs was ap-
]>ointed postnuister of Wilmington, and kept
the postoffice in a small store room on Third
street between .Market and Shipley streets. It
was a small affair then, compared with the
present nnignilicent Federal building, and the
postal business is more than a thousand fold
greater to-day than it was then.
About 1813, Jacob Alriehs built the house-
at No. 1017 .Market street, reganled at that
time as a large and imi)osing edifice. In it h&
lived during the remainder of his life. He
died October 29, 1857, in his eighty-second
year, and was buried in the Friends" burying
ground at Fourth ami West streets. He left
four children, two .-ons and tw<j daughters.
One of his sons, Henry S. Alriehs, continued
the watch and clock-making business after his
father's death; the oidy surviving branch of
the family is descended from this son. One of
these descendants is AVilliam J. Alriehs, who,
true to the fanuly calling for four geiun-ations,
is a .^U(Tes.-,ful jeweler and watch-maker at
at Elkton, :Md.
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148
BinailA PIIIOAL EXCYCLOrEDI. 1
Ca I'TA 1 .\ Lka I! MCINTII.
AlexaiiJer J.eaiiiionth was a yeotchmaii by
birth, his parents being residents of lialeuniee,
I'ifeshiri.'. When he came to this eoiuiti'y
is unknown, but it must lia\e been long be-
fore the IJevoliition. Jle settled in Sussex
eountj, Delaware, and was living there wiieu
tile Kevolution began. iXothing is knowa
of his family further than that he had one sou
named John. At the opening of the war for
independence, he at once identitied himself
with the patriots, and was commissioned sec-
ond lieutenant in Capt. l)a\id Hall's company
of Colonel Haslet's regiment of State troops,
in Continental service, January Ki, 1770, and
first lieutenant T^ovember litS of the same
year. On April 5, 1777, he was advanced to
the rank of captain in the same regiment, and
served to the close of the war.
Captain Learmouth resided at Lewes or
Georgetown, after the war. There, it appears
by the records of the Presbyterian churcli, he
married Hannah Turner, .March I'J, 17'J2.
As he had served through the llevolutionary
war, he must have been past middle life at the
date of his marriage, and this supposition is
corroborated by the fact that he died about
August 12, 1802. His will was probated in
September of that year. He left issue, luit
nothing is known of their descendants at this
day. Cajjtain Bellas, the genealogist, is of the
cipinion, however, that John Lcaruionth How-
ard, a relative of Hichnrd Howard, of Sussex
county, is a descendant of tlu' veteran captain
of the Revolution.
There is evidence to show that Captain John
Learmonth was a warm friend of Colonel
Hall's, and was interested with him in certain
lands ])urchascd by them in "Wood count}',
Virginia. The latter speaks of tliis investinent
in a letter dated November 28, 1804. Caj)-
tain Learmonth also owned property in Dela-
ware, which he left to his children in his will;
this shows that he was a nuui of some means.
Dr. Johii "White, of Sussex, appears to have
attended the cnjitaiu in his last illness; and he
also administered, jirofessionally, to the wants
of the captain's old ncgTo servant, Jacob; tra-
■dition asserts that this servant was a celebrated
fiddler, and that his services were in great
demand at entertainments.
!^^any interesting and curious anecdotes of
Captain Learmonth have been preserved. One
recently printe<l in the Dclnirare Pilot states
that the cajjtain wiio conuuanded the Lewes
company in Colonel Hall's regiment resided
there as late as 17l)5, and was distiuguislied
as the olHccr of the 1 )elaware Line, who, after
one of the regiment's severe battles in the
Carolinas, cut ojien a dead horse on the tield
of battle, and concealed himself from the
lli-itish soldiers, until he coukl escape.
Another and more amusing story is related
of this doughty hero by a local historian. An
old man, evidently of unsound mind, was ac-
customed to come into the town occasioiuilly
and juarch around tiie walls of the churchyard,
threatening, like the Levites of iJiblicai his-
tory, to blow over the walls with a blast of the
o.\-horn he carried with him. One day he also
requested that some one shoidd shoot him;
The captain told him that he would grant his
request with i)lcasure, as he considered him a
nuisance, and went for his gun. The old fel-
low took the matter more seriously on second
thought, and started for his home. On seeing
(,'a])tain Learmonth ajjproaching with his gun,
he broke into a run, and, as he junq)ed a fence,
in endeavoring to escape, the captain tired at
him, i)robably with the object of only fright-
ening him. This ended the pranks of the "ox-
liorn man," and the walls of the Lewes church
Were never blown down by his blasts. Strange
as it may seem, no stone marks the grave of
Cai)tain Learmonth (sometimes erroneously
spelled Learmouth) and no man knows where
he was buried.
Desckxdants of Dr. E. A. Smitu.
Dr. Ebenezer Augustus Smith, of "Wilming-
ton, Del., Avas a son of Rev. Robert Smith
(1723-1793), but the date of his birth has not
been ascertained. He studied medicine and be-
came an army surgeon during the Revolution-
ary war. When peace was restored he set-
tled in "Wilmington, the place of his birth,
where he was prominent in his profession.
Dr. Smith married Elizal)Cth Blair, and they
had issue:
I. Rev. Samuel Staidiope Smith, D. D.,
born 17r)0, died 1819, married Anna, daugh-
ter of Rev. John AVithersjioon, of Princeton,
N". J., by whom he had with other issue, Judge
John AVitherspoon Smith, of the United
States court, New Orlean.s, La., who left num-
erous descendants by his wife, Sarah Livings-
ton Duor. His wife died in Xcw Orleans
July 21, 1890, at the remarkable age of one
I .1.1 ' «.r a', '
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STATl'J Of DKLAWAHE
149
liiiiuliLil yeai-s, eight months and twenty days;
11. William, born about llo'I; became a min-
ister; 111. Jiev. John lilair 8mitii, i). U., born
July 1-, ITjG. lie l)eeame president of tlu^
Jiaminlcn and Sydney College, Virginia, and
at'terwarils ni' Union College, Seheueetady,
>.'. \., and died in Phihuielphia August 2:i,
ITlKt. - lli> wife was twin sister to the wife
of (iovcrniir Chiiborne, of Lcniisiana, and
buth were tlaughters of a -Mrs. Fisher, of Vir-
ginia, who after being a widow married Ad-
miral \'ernon of the Jvoyal navy.
'J'he liev. Dr. ,Iohu IJlair Smith married
Elizabeth l'"i?lier Nash, of Templeton, ^^l ,
and had issue: i. liev. John Bhur; ii. Dr. Sam-
uel J51air, U. S. Army; iii. Kev. Jiobert, i\'.
])r. Isaae; v. ^larv Fisher; vi. Flizal)eth
Fisher.
Of the above issue of Rev. John Blair and
Elizabeth Fisher (Xash) Smith, Dr. Samuel
]5iair was a surgeon in the IT. S^ Army, as al-
ready stated, and married Alargaret Ferguson,
daughter of Col. Ebenezer Ferguson, of the
Jievolutionary army. The mother of Colonel
Fei'guson, who nnirried .Margaret George, was
Margaret ,MeEane, sister of Colonel Allan
.M<'Lane, of \Vilmiugton, Del.
Dr. Samuel Blair Smith was born July 10,
17S4, married ^lay 22, ISOG, and died Xo-
vember 2s, 18;54. Ilis wife was boin Sep-
teud)er 111, 1787, and died ISdl. 'Iluy had
issue as follows:
I. Cieneral Charles, U. S. A., born April 24,
1807, died April 25, 18G2; IT. Francis Xash
Sharpe, born May 26, 1809, died April 27,
IMO; TIT. Elizabeth Ferguson, born ,
married Capt. Henry Stanton ]5iu'tou, U. S.
A., December 5, 1840, and had issue an only
ilaughter, Elizabeth Ferguson, who married
Capt. Henry Clay Cochran, U. S. M. C; TV.
Ann Hill, born July 5, 181(5, died February
17, 18112, married Richard Swann, of Alexan-
<lria, Xa., October 7, 1834, and had two sons
and two datightei-s; V. Francis Clarion, born
May 7, 1818, and died unmarried; VL Henry
!•'.,' born ;May 1, 1820; died Septend)er 2(i,
ls2<); Vir. Caroline Laurens, born September
i:i, 1821, and died unmarried; Vllf. Lucy
l.e Cirand, born Ajiril 20, 1828; married Com-
iriodore William Xicliolson JefFers, U. S.
X'avy, and had children: i. vVnn Biu'ton; ii.
A\'illiam Xi(d)olson Jeffers.
()f the aliove nauu'd, Gen. C'harlcs Fergu-
■son Snuth, eldest son of Dr. Samuel Flair
Smith, married Fanny Mactier, of Baltimore,
and luvj three sons and two daughters.
Of his two sisters, -Mary Fisher Blair Smith
died unnuu-riid, and J'dizabelh l''isher Jjlair
Sunth married Dr. 'I'odd, of lllinuis, and be-
came the aunt of .Mrs. Abraluim Lincoln, wife
of the i'resident of the Liuteil Slates.
S.\Mi!Ki. .McClauy.
Samuel .MeClary has been mentioned as the
l)artner' of Jacob Alrichs in establishing the
lirst machine shop in Wilmington. .Vceord-
ing to the researches of Henry C. Conrad,
EmP, librarian of the Historical Society, he
was a native of Wilmington, being tlie child
of John and -Mary (Wallace) -McClary, and
was born June I'J, 1788. He learned the
watch and clock-making business with Thomas
C'row at the'shop of the latter on Second street.
When twenty-two years of age lie formed a
co-partnersliii) with Jacob -Mrichs, and they
established the first machine shop in Delaware,
using the tirm name of Alrichs A: ]\Ic('lary.
After a t<.'W years the connect ion was ilissolved,
as ilr. !^^cClary's name appears in the di-
rectory of 1814 as being alone in that business
at the corner of Eighth and Orange streets.
In 1827 he and Charles Bush went into busi-
ness together, and it is said that the fir.st stearn
engine btiilt in D(daware came from their shop
at the corner of Eightli and Orange streets in
lN:i2.
Samuel !McClarv evidently })osscssed me-
chanical ingenuity, and was industrious and
enterprising. .Most of the clocks made by
him were made between 180.'! and 181G, as
after the latter year his time seems to have
been fully occnjued in the machine business.
^Ir. Conrad says that a large mantel clock
bearing his name is still in the j^ossession of
the descendants of his son, Samuel ilcClary,
Jr., at the residence of the latter on 'West
street, AVilmington. A high clock of his man-
ufacture has for years been in the possession
of the "McCuHough family, of Northeast.
SauHud ;M<-Clary died August 24, 1859, and
is bin-ied in the "Wilmington and Brandywine
Cemetery. He was a good citizen, a useful and
sticce.ssful man, and a pioneer among the men
whose originality and mechanical ability tend-
ed to make "Wilmington tlio active and import-
ant industrial center it is to day. Great de-
vt'lopments, es])ecially in the manufacturing
I !■.. ..
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150
JlIOrin.U'lIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
line, are generally the product of tiiu geiiiui
of men in lunnble eircunistances and compara-
tively unknown. In these plain, unassuming
clo<'k-makcrs, .MeC'iary iV Ah-ii-hs, we find
that genius which hrought alioul a degree of
inelustrial activity wliicii we now see in tiie
great iron and wood working estaiijisiunenls
' of Wilmington.
That Samuel McCIary was recognized as a
business man of high standing, is evidenced
liy the fact that for many years he was a di-
rector in the bank of 'Wilmington and llrandy-
wine. His two sons, Samuel, Jr., and Thomas,
followed in his fo(jtstcps, and achieved un-
usual success in the lines of trade and business
which they adopted, 'i'hey were active and
influential business men; both died within re-
cent years, and their fair fame in business cir-
cles is now upheld by a son of Samuel ilc-
Clary, Jr., and grandson of Samuel ^IcClary,
the clock-maker and iron founder; we refer to
"William J. ]\rcClary, the prijprietor of one of
the largest and most prosperous morocco plants
in Wilmington. And the name of Sanuu'l
!McC'lary is perpetuated by Samuel .McClary,
3, the only son of "William J. MeClary,
who has just attained his majority.
Duncan Eeakd.
Duncan Beard, who is described as a ''clock-
maker"in the early records, purchased in 17(i7
one acre of laud in Appoquinimink hundred
from William Hanson, Jr. 'J'he land lay in
New Castle county, and the price he paid for
it was eighty pounds in English money. The
small price indicates that he purchased only
the bare ground, without buildings, so that he
seeiningl}' began his active business life with
that purchase. Librarian Conrad, of the His-
torical Society, is of the opinion that on this
ground he erected a small house and shop in
which to live and carry on his business.
The tradition is that ''Duncan Beard,
Scotchman and skilled worker in metals,"
lived here a hundred yeai-s ago. His "acre"
was on the King's Highway, between ("ant-
well's bridge and Blackbird, "at both of
which places," says Afr. Conrad, "the creaking
sign of the country tavern sent forth a rather
melancholy invitati<in to all passers-l>y to come
within and find refreshment for man an<l
beast." Here Duncan Beard built and made
liis home. A little more than a mile south of
Cantwell's Bridge, just across the marsh that,
skirts the sluggish Appocjuinimink, and within
a stone's throw of the colonial home of James
-\K)ure, of the Delaware Line, who entered
Col. John Haslet's regiment as a licuienanl
and came out a major, bearing with him an
almost mortal woiukI receiveil at (ierniantown.
Here Duncan Beard toiled, elaborating the
delicate and complex mechanism which went
to make up the sturdy and truthful timepieces
of that day; everything by hand, from the
tempered steel spring and tlie nicely balanced
peuchihim to the ponderous, clum.sy weights.
'J he records still preserved of I'nion Lodge,
^o. o, A. 1'. and A. .M., ~lio\v that Duncan •
Beard became a member June :.M, ITOo, the
year that it was instituted. This was the tirst
lodge of Masons instituted in the state of Dela-
ware, and it met monthly at Cantwell's Bridge,
]ieard being one of the most regidar attend-
ants at its meetings for a term of thirty years.
The minutes show that he was senior warden
within a year after his initiation, that he served
as worslii[)ful master from Decendx-r, J7<i7,
to December 1701), and treasurer for one year,
l772-'73. 'The last mention of his nana; in
the minutes is on Xovend)er 27, 171*4:, three
years before his death, lender date of Sep-
tember 25, 1777, a minute is made that "The
lodge did not meet last m<;nth on account of
the enemy landing at Elk." This recalls the
stirring events of the Bevolution. The Brit-
ish landed at the head of the Elk early in Sep-
tember, and the battle of Brandywine was
fought on the 11th of the same month. Here
was a small country village, fifteen miles away,
so alarmed and excited over the advent of "the
enemy" that a quorum of the lodge could not
be brought together.
It was the custom of the lodge to go once
a year to Parson Bead's meeting-lmuse to hear
a sermon from old Dr. Thomas Bead, the pa-
triotic preacher at old Drawyers, who, during
"the times that tried men's souls," minislered
in holy things to the whole country.si<le, and
was beyond question the leading man of that
community. Robert Kirkwood, the gallant
major of the Delaware regiment, joined the
same lodge in 17S3, after his settlement at
Cantwell's Bridge, at the close of the war.
I'nion Bodge, a good many years after its in-
.stitution, was removed to ]\ridd]etown, wliere
it is still in successful operation. In the j)re3-
ent lodge room in ]\fiddlctown is a Duncan
-ill
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STATE OF DELAWAHE
lo3
Beard clock, presented to the lodge several
\ciir.s aj^ij by IJichard T. Lockwood; tins cluck
Lad I cell in il.c possession of the Lockwood
faii.ily of tit. (ieorge's hundred for several
generations. It is a plain old timepiece, in
running order, and apparently Init little thi;
worse for wear, notwithstanding its hundred
years and more of life. In addition to the clock
the lodgi' has a trio of candlesticks (wood gild-
ed) and a chest, that were made by Duncan
Jicard for the lodge on its express order.
In religious belief Duncan Beard was a
Presbyterian; so it is not strange that when
Parson Bead succeeded in enlisting his ruem-
licrship iu the building of a new meeting
ing-hoUM' to take the place of old Uraw^'ers,
which, after three-quarters of a century of use,
■ was falling into decay, that Duncan Beard
was named as one of the building committee;
and the substantial, diguitied structure which
was binlt under his direction, and dedicated
in lT7-"i, still stands as a memorial to Duncan
Bcanl, "the skilled worker."
'J"he will of Duncan Beard was proved be-
fore the register of wills, New Castle county,
June l!'J, 17'J7. This will, the original of
which is still preserved, was written by his own
hand, and he begins with the words, "I, Dun-
eau Beard, ( lo(d<-maker of Appo(piinimink
hundred. Arc." It is neither dated nor signed,
but the rc(piirement3 of the law regarding two
witnesses having been complied with, it was
]irovcd and allowed after his death. Two of
his neighbors, Christopher A\^eaver and Bieh-
ardson ArniNtrong, served l>oth as witnesses
and e.\ecutoi-s. The will mentions his wife,
liebecca, but no idnldrcn. There is a small
bc(piest to Duncan Beard, son of John Beard,
who, i)robably, was a nephew or otlier relative.
Provision is nuide that aftm- the death of his
wife, his real estate shall go to ''Drawycrs
^Meeting House," and the will also contains
this item : 'T give and bequeath unto the con-
pregaticin of Drawj'crs ifeeting House my sil-
ver pint for the use of the .sacrament of the
Lord's Supper and that forever." But it is
unkm)wn what became of the "silver ])itit,"
as no trace of it can be found.
It is a source of much regret that the birth
and j)areutage of this good old juan are un-
known. Xciihcr is it known who his wife was,
or when she died. lie died more than a hun-
dred years ag<j and his mortal remains were
laid at rest in the quiet graveyanl be-ide
9
Drawers Creek, in the shadow of the church
he loved so well; but many of the clocks which
his mind and hand fashioned are still marking
time with a regularity and fidelity that im-
presses all who behold them; they stand as
mute reminders of him who set theii- wheels in
motion when this now nnghtv republic was in
its infanc}-.
Adolpi£ Ulrig Wertmulleu.
Adol)ih Ulric Wertmuller, the first famous
j)ortrait painter of Delaware, was born in
Stockholm, Sweden, February 18, 1751, and
died on his idantation on Naaman's Creek, iu
the upjier end of New Castle county, October
5, ISll. Through the researches uf Librarian
Conrad, of the Historical Society, we are
placed in jxissession of some interesting facts
relating to the lustory of this early and dis-
tinguished artist. At twenty-one years of age
he went to Paris and put himself under the
instruction of his cousin Bosliu, one of the
chief portrait paintei-s of the French capital,
and afterwards recei\-ed instruction from S'ien.
He was aihnitted as a member of the Boyal
Academy (if Painting and Sculjiture on Jnly
;iti, 17^1, upon the presentation of two por-
traits of certain cnnncnt men; in the year be-
fore he had been breveted "Fii-st Painter of
the King of Sweden."
Upon this appointment he jiainted, for (!us-
tavus 111., "Ariadne," and "Marie Antoinette
A\'ith H<-r Two Children in the Cardeii of the
Little 'I'rianon," both now in the National ^lu-
scuiu at Stockholm. In 17S7 he painted his
famous ]>ieture of "Danae Beceiving Jupiter
in a Shower of Cold," which, for both concep-
tion and purity of execution, entitles him to a
conimaiuling jdacc among the jiaiuters of his
time.
,Mr. AVertmnller was tiually (lri\-eu from
France by the disorders and ]ierils of the
Irench Revolution, and sought a hume iu
America. He reached Philadelphia ]\Iay 1.'?,
1794, where he lived for two yeaiv. On ac-
count of the death fif his agent he was called
to Sw(>den, where he remained four years en-
gaged in the settlement of an estate wliich ho
iidicritcil. Beturniug in Novendier, 1800, he
resumed his residence in Philadeliihia, where
he remaiued until 1803, when he botight a
plantation containing (nie hundi-ed and forty-
five acres iu Brand\-\\iiie hundred, near the
I i v
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154
BlOUnAPlUCAL EXVYCLOPKDIA
Penusylvauia line. This plaiitatiou was situ-
ate at the confluence of Naanian's C'reeli with
tlie Delaware Ki\er. Here he lived in peace
and quiet until his death, as stated above, on
the 5th of October, ISll.
Adolph Ulrie Wertnuiller, on January S,
IbOl, married Elizajjeth, granddaughter of
lion, (jiustavus Ilesselius, one of the early
iSwedish settlei-s on tlie Delaware. Ilesselius
was also an artist and is saitl to liave been the
first organ builder in tlie colonics, lie was a
brother of .Vndrcw and Samuel Ilesselius, who
served as pastors of tlie Old Swcdcr^' ( 'luircli
in "Wilmington at different times. After Wert-
muller's removal to Delaware he seems to have
relinquished his brush and dev<)tc(l his time
largely to farming pursuitb; but his death is
saitl to have resulted from the noxious effects
of paint on his system. He was only in his
sixty-first year when he died.
A\'hcn actively engaged in his profession he
had the honor of painting a portrait of ( icneral
Washington. Three inontlis after his arrival
in riiiladelphia — in August, 171)4 — he was
accorded this honor and painted the portrait ■
from life. His journal states that Wasliington
sat for him in the Senate chandicr. I'ndcr
date of Xovember 8 of the same year he made
this entry in his journal: "Finished the \n>\--
trait of (jencral Washington, first Presiiieiit
of Congress, a black velvet coat, bust, half
length canvas. This portrait is for myself."
His original ])ortrait of Washington, scrupu-
lou.-ly jircserved, was, after his death, s(dd
at auction in Philadelphia with his other pic-
tures for the small sum of fifty dolhirs. It is
now owned by John AVagner, of Piiiladel-
jJiia. Among a Hund)er of copies made for
eminent men of tiiat day was one for Robert
Morris, the great financier of tlie IJevolutioii.
The will of -Mr. Wertmuller is dated 1 )ccem-
ber 25, 1S02, while yet a resident of Phihulcl-
pliia. lie describes himself as a portrait
painter. He devised all of his estate to his
wife Elizabeth, mentioning in jjarticular a
Bhare to which he was entitled by tlic will of
one Joachim Wretman, a merdiant of Am-
i-terdam, he being one of several children to
whom a legacy of forty thousand florins of
Holland was bequeathed bv said will. PndT
date of July ?,, ISll, AVertmullcr made a
codicil to his will in which he states that since
the making of his will he had l.cccjme ]i<is-
sessed of the farm on XaamanV creek. This,
too, he devised to iiis wife. The will was evi-
dently proven in Piiiladcl])iiia, and a copy was
recorded in the office of tiie register of wills
of .\ew Castle <'ouiity, Delaware. His name
is signed i<, ilic will ^uqily ns -A. Wcrt-
muller." He was burit-d in the old graveyard
of Swedes' Church, Wilmington, among those
of his countrymen who had gone before. His
wife survived him only three months, and was
laid by his side in the sacred ground where tlio
ashes of so many of the first settlers on the
Delaware repn^e. So f;ir as known there wei-e
no children, and the name of Delaware's fii>i
artist and painter has become extinct.
^IaJOI: PeTKI! JAC^l'liT.
.Major Peter Jacpiet, one of the Kevolu-'
tionary heroes of Delaware, was born on Long
Hook farm, near Wilmington, Ajiril <>, 17.')1,
and died September ];i, l,s;i4. His grand-
father, Jean Paul Ja(piet, was a French Prot-
estant refugee, but the date and place of his
birth are unknown. He came to this country
with his family in 1i1:j4, bearing a letter of in-
troduction from the directors of the West
India Company to Governor Stuyvesaut. This
letter stated that Jatpiet had served the com-
pany faithfully in Prazil, and as he came to
this country with the view of becoming a
planter, and was a worthy man, Ciovernor
Stuyvesaut was requested to interest himself
in his behalf.
With this strong endorsement daquet was
not ])erniittcd to remain long in idleness. It
becoming evident that better governmen*
was necessary in the lower settlements, Stuy-
vesant appointed Ja(|uet vice-governor Jn
"South liivor," as the Delaware was then
called, and gave him a commission dated Xo-
vember L'!i, 1 (;:,.■). Ho was directed to make
arrangements for trade and keep order among
the people. He fixed his ofiicial place of resi-
dence at Fort Cassimer, and there he laid out
the town of Xew Castle in December, 1(;.55,
and organized a govermncnt for the settle-'
nieiit-.
Covernor Jaquet procieded vigorouslv to
^vork. On the 2()th of I'ebruary, lii.")(>, it was
resolved in Coum-il ''that all the inhabitants
should enclose their farms and lots by the
middle of March, under a penalty of six guild-
ers; that all who had goats should keep Jierds-
men, or be answerable for damapes; that no
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STATE OF DELAWARE J35
one slioulJ come into the fort cither by laixl Ifook, aiiJ lierc lie lived during the remainder
or water witliout tir-t annunncing himself; that uf hi.- life, 'i'he date of his deatii i.s iinknowo.
ny [daces for luiildiiig should be granted be- Little or ncthing is known of the cdiildren
twecn Sandhook and Christina; tiiat the fiire.-ts of ( iu\ iriKir .l:i(juct. lie iiad a ^(,n named
slioidd be jireservcd for the use uf the fort and Peter, and a chmgiiter named Maria, married
of the town." And on the 22d of May, "tiiat to ISaron Isaac iJaiuw, who came to this coim-
all owners of swine sliould put yokes on them try in 1 (;:).">. IK- became reduced in circum-
witiiin twVnty-four hours, or have them shot stances and dieil Xovember 11, 17l;j, leaviu"-
down by soldiers." his widow and four cdnldreu destitute.
A sy^tcm of taxation for the support of the It is probable tluit there were other eliildren
government was also devised; the history of besides Peter and ^iaria, for in later tinl^s
taxation in Delaware begins, therefore, with there wa.-^ a JJev. Joseph Jacpiet, some time
the administration of Viee-Ciovcrnor Ja(put. recf<jr of St. James the (Jreater, at J3ristol
As might have been expected, the introduc- who died in I'hiladelpbia ,Mav i'4, ISUi). He
ti(in of crude laws for the regulation of the was a di-itingnished scholar and philanthropist,
people, together with taxation, caused the gov- IFe had an only daughter who married David
erm.r to fall into disfavor. His admini-tra- A\'. Sellers, of Philadeljihia.
ticm was denounced, complaints were lodged ^Major I'cter Jaiput, wlio as has been said
with Stuyve.sant, who had appointed him, and was born April 0, ITol, was the son of Peter
be was (dnirged with incompetency, blatters and grandson of A'ice-( iovernor Jean Paul
grew W(U>e from day to day, until Governor Ja(piet. His mother's C'hiistian name was
Stuyve-ant was forced to dismiss him, whicdi l-dizaiu-th, but of what familv slie was is un-
he (lid April I'H, Ifi.'.T. That intrigue was uscil known. Xeither is it known when his parents
to clfect his removal is apparent. Jacob Al- died.
rich was appointed his successor in Holland P<^'tcr Javpiet was reared on the Lon" Hook
by the btirgomasters and council of Amster- farm, which tiually descended to him. There
dam, as governor of that city's colony. His his grandfather and father had lived and died
commission was given to him in Amster- and there he died. The farm, therefore'
dam, December lit, 1050, and renewed in ha<l been in the Jaquet family fur three lon<r
Port Amsterdam (now New York) in the Xew generations, or from l(iS-t to i8;]4, a period Si
Netherlands, April 1:^, 1057; his residence one hundred and fiftv years, when it i)assed
was fixed at New Castle, then called Xew out of the family nanie,' because Peter left no
Amstel. descendants.
Ja(|uet's administration was brief, lasting When the war of the Revolution broke out
scarcely over a year, but it was a stormy one. Peter Jaquet at once identified himself with
His succe^sor was charitable enough to admit the iiatriots, and was c<,iiniji.ssiuni'i| (.n.si.ru iu
that the com])laints against him proceeded Cajitain Henry Darby's company. Colonel
rather from hatred than from trutli, having ffaslet's regiment of Delaware .-tato trouns
their origin very likely in his efforts to e<tab- in Continental service, January 17 1770 ifl
lisli law and order, and collect taxes. was then twenty-two years of atre He l,o^o,„!l
iavmg retired from the cares ot office, -a second lieutenant in Colonel Hall's Dd
Jaquet s.'ttled down to a quiet life of agri- ware regiment, Contineiit^il Pst^ildishmc'iit
culture. And after the capture of the country ' Xovember 27, 177G, and captain in the - '
by the English in ItJG-t, he became a .subject regiment April 5, 1777, and served to'f] ^
of Creat Ihitain; was appointed a justice of (du.-e of the war. On retiring from the serv' ''^>
the peace and performed the functions of that he was breveted maj</r Septoiuber ;>0 1~\-i
otlice until the delivery of the territory to Wil- When Afajor Jacpiet .lied, (Sej)tein'bcr' 13
Ham Penn in October, 1GS2. He took iij) a 18;U,), he had reached the ripe age of eig-htv
tract of 2f)0 acres of land, the warrant for years, five months and .seven davs H - ■
which was granted December 22, 1G,S4. Tt buried among his kindred in the gr'avevar(l\'!f
lay on the Christiana, oi)posite the old town Old Swedes' Chundi, "\Vihniii<>ti)ii -i 'l *
of Wilmington, which then embraced a tract broad slab contains tlie followino'~enit'iiil •' '^
at the f(H.t of ]\rarket street, east and west. "Major TVter Jaipict, born Ai.ril '(! J --4
•lean Paul Jaquet's tract was known as Pon^ and diwl September PI ^^9,l T ;,',„ 1 li '
i > ' ' r. 'jiiined tlio
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156
JiKjanM'lIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Delaware regiment January 4, 177C, and was
in every general eugagenient under Washing-
ton which took place in Delaware, PenUbvlva-
iiia, New Jersey, New York, and the Eastern
States; was ordered South to the Soutlieru
army under Gates, and with the brave liarou
De Xalb was in the battle of (Janulen, when
the Delaware regiment of eight companies was
reduced to two, of ninety-six men each, and
when the command devolved on ]virk\vo<Hl
and himself as oldest captains. Was
in the battle of Guilford, second bat-
tle of Camden, siege of Ninety -six, and battle
of the village of that name; battle of Juitaw
Springs, and in every battle under Greene,
until the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown."
'J'his is, as a writer remarks, "a little strong-
ly drawn, but it is in the main correct." His
tomb, which is in an excellent state of preser-
vation, is conspicuous in the historic church-
yard and attracts the attention of many visi-
tors.
Major Jaquet mamed Eliza P., daughter
of Elisha Price, of Chester, probably after his
return from the war. She was born Novem-
ber 25, 17G9 and died ifay 5, 1834, in her
sixty-seventh year, having gone to her grave
three months and eight days before her hus-
band. She was more than fifteen years his
■junior. Her remains repose under the same
slab with those of her warrior husband. They
left no descendants.
Major Jaquet became a member of the
Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati, and
served as vice-president from July 8, I7t)5 to
1828, when it ceased to exist as a State or-
ganization.
Captain II. II. Delias, in his very full history
of the Society of the Cincinnati in Delaware,
says that the ccrtilicate of membeshii) of the
gallant major, and his sword, are now in the .
possession of his grand-ne])hew, Samuel Price
Jaquet, Kadior, Delaware county, Pa.
^fAJOK KlIIKWOOP.
^Xfaj. Robert Nirkwood, one of Delaware's
lu-volutionary heroes, was a native of ]\Iill
Creek hundred. New Castle county. At the
beginning of the Pevolution, he was engaged
in the mercantile business, but he quickly en-
tered the service to fight for independence.
He was commissioned first lieutenant in Capt.
Henry Darby's company, Colonel liaslet's re-
giment of Delaware State troops in the Con-
tinental service, January 17, 177G. He rose
to the rank of cajnain December 1, 1770, was
transferred to Colonel Hall's Delaware regi-
ment, Continental Establishment, as second
ranking captain, and ser\'ed to the close of the
war as senior captain in comujand of the Dela-
ware battalion; he was brevetted major Sep-
tember uO, 17s3. ^lajor Kirkwood saw mncli
hard service, and -was recognized as a brave
and meritorious officer. Having a taste for
military life, he sought an appointment in the
regular army, and when St. Clair's force was
being organized to fight the northwestern
Indians, he was commissioned captain in the
Second regiment United States Infantry,
March 4, 17!)1, and joined the army at Cin-
cinati. He marched in that unfortunate ex-
peilition under the command of ^lajor Gen-
eral Arthur St. Clair, and was slain in the
battle near Fort Pecovery. AVhen the army
was routed he refused to retreat, and fell at
the head of his company "bravely sustaining,"
as is stated in Lee's INfemoirs of the "War in the
Southern Department of the United States,
"his point of the action. It was the thirty-
third time he had risked his life for his coun-
try, and he died as he had lived — the brave,
meritorious, unrewarded Kirkwood."
His commission as first lieutenant, when he
entered the Pevolutionary army, in 1770, was
signed by John Hancock, President, and
Charles Thom]>son, Secretary of Congress.
Cajitaiu Delias says, in his history of the Dela-
ware Slate Society of the Cinciuati. that l\irk-
wood's commission as brevet major, dated Si'f)-
tember ."30, 1783, with his commission as first
lieutenant, are now in possession of his great
grandson, Newell Kirkwood Kennon, St.
Clairsvillc, Pjelmont couiity, Ohio. His certi-
ficate of mend)ershi|) in the Society of the Cin-
ciiiiuiti is in po.ssession of his grandson, Gen.
PobertK.AVhitely,TT. S. Anny (retired), who
has (le])osited in the Delaware Historical Socie-
ty, Wilmington, ^fajor Kirkwood's journal,
kept by him through the Revoliuion, and also
his sash stained with his blood when he fell
in St. Clair's defeat. It is needless to add that
these mementoes of the gallant jiatriot and
soldier are sacredly treasured as priceless relics
of one of Delawai'c's luiblest sous.
A 1,1 EX ITcLane Axn tue ^[cLaxe Family.
Col. Allen !^^cT.aue, an eminent citizen of
Delaware by adoption, was born in Philadel-
',•'1
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STATE OF DELAWAFE
157
pliia, August S, 174G, and settled in Kent
county in 177'1. He was earl}' in the Held in
the cause of independence. In 1775 he was
appointed lieutenant in Col. Caesar A. Kod-
nev's regiment uf Delaware militia, and in
177U joined Washington's army and was dis-
tinguished in the actions at Long Island, While
riains, Trenton and Trinceton. His bravery
at Princeton won him the appointment of cap-
tiiin, and ho was assigned to Col. dohn Tatlou's
Additional regiment, January lo, 1777. He
received his commission from AVashington.
His partisan company was in service on the
out])osts of Philadelphia during its occupancy
by the British. In 1779 he was made a major
in Lee's partisan corps, and took a prominent
part in the battles of Paulns Hook and Stony
Point. He was present at the siege and sur-
render of "^'orktown, and retired from service
XovendxT !•, 1782.
^lany thrilling incidents in the life of Colo-
nel .Mcl.:iii(' are relate<l, which show his
bravery as a soldier. In his movements lie
somewhat resembled in dash and intrepidity
Light Hor^e Hnrry Lee. He sent his spie.-- into
the British lines at Philadelphia disginsed as
farmers, and at times provisioned the enemy
at market rates with '"beef" which was noth-
ing more imr less than the carcasses of British
cavalry hl/^^(■s killed by Continental bullets
Ills l\'ats (if jiersonal daring were numerous.
On one occasion he fell into an ambuscade
near Philadelphia, accompanied by only four
troopers, his company being in the rear. One
of his attendants saw the enemy, and crying
out, "( 'ajitaiu, the British !" fled with his com-
panions. ]\rcLane saw the enemy drawn up
on both sides (^f the road, an<l a file of them
fired on him. He dashed away amid a shower
of l)nllets and ran into a larger body. Turning
abruptly, he fled, pursued by a dozen troopers.
He distanced all but two, one of whom he shot.
Tlie other he engaged in a hand to hand con-
flict, during which he received a severe saln-e
wound \u tlie hand. Finally he killed his an-
taponi>t an<l cscaiK'd. He t<'ok refuge in a
mill pond, where he remained until the culd
water st(ip]ic'd the flow of blood frouL his
wound. At another time he was surprised by
a dozen British troopers, hut charged through
them and escajied.
After the war. Colonel ^fcLaue settled ;it
Smyrna, and entered upon peaceful avoca-
tions. He was a member and speaker of the
Delaware Legislature, for six years a privy
councillor, for many years judge of the Court
of Cunimon Pleas, and United States .Marshal
of the Delaware District from 17'JU to 1798.
He was al.-o collector of the port of Wilmiug-
ton from ISOS to the date of his death, which
occurred Way 2:^, 1829. His reimnns were
buried in Asbury Church Cemetery, "Wil-
mington. Deleft descendants.
Louis ^IcLane, who was celebrated for his
])ul)lic services, was a son of Col. Allen Mc-
l.ane, and was born in Smyrna, ?ilay 28, 17SG.
In 1798 he entered the navy as a midshipman,
and cnnsed for a year under Commodore De-
catur in the frigate Philadelphia. Betiring
from the .-t'a, he studied law with James A.
Bayard and was adnutted to the bar in 1807.
In 1817 he was elected a member of Congress
from Delaware and remained in that otiico
until 1827. During this i)eriod, in opposition
to his constituents, but on conscientioud
L'rounds, he voted against permitting slavery
in Missouri. From 1827 to 1829 he was
Cnitcl States- Senator, and ;Minister to Eng-
land from 1829 to lS31. In the latter year,
on his return, he entered the Cabinet as Sec-
retary of the Trear-ury, and held that office
until" 18;5:i, when he was appointed Secretary
of State; he retired from political life the fol-
lowing year, ^h: i^IcLane was president of
the Baltimore iuid Ohio Bailroad Company
from 18.37 to 1 847. In 1845 he was entrusted
by President Polk with the mission to Eng-
land during the Oregon negotiations. He was
a delegate to the Beform Convention at An-
naiM.lis in the winter of ISSO-.'-.l. In 1812 Mr.
McLane married the daughter of Bobert :Mil-
ligan, and had i-su<'. He di.'.l in Baltimore,
October 7, 1857.
Hon. Bobert ]^rilligau ;McLane came of a
distinguished ancestry, as has been shown. He
was a gran<lson of Col. Allen ;^^cLane, the
Bevolutionary hero, and the eldest son of
Lo\iis "NfcLane, the eminent stat.'smim and
jioliliciau. Hewasbirrn in AVilmington, Dela-
ware. .Tune 23, 181."., and .hed in Paris,
France, April Ifi, 1898, at the advanced age
of nearly eighty-three. He was e<lueated at St.
Afarv's College, Baltimore, and then went
with his father to Europe, where he studieil
for two years at the Colleu'e Bourbon, Paris.
AVhen he returned home C.encral .Tackson ap-
pointed him a ca.let at "Wot Point, where he
was arailuated in 18,37.
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158
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
In 1S41 Mr. ilcLaue was seat to lluUaud
to exaniinu tlie system of tlykcs and draia-
age, and ia I'aris was laanied to iMiss tleorg-
ine Un|uliart, dauglitc-r of a i.ouisiaaa aiur-
chant. Ja 184:3 lie Irft th.,- army and be-an
tlie practice of law. J a JSl.', hj was elected
to the ]\larylaad llou^e of Delegates, and in
1S47 was seat to Congress as a Ueaiocrat. He
was returned agaia ia 1S4<J. la 1853 Presi-
deat Pierce scat Jam to Cliiaa as Miaister, but
at his own request he was soon recalled. He
M-iis eniiaeatly successful ia his diploaaitic
laissioa, aad upoa his return to tlii^ couat.ry ia
ISoC lounged anew into active party work,
liuchaiuia rewarded hiai in 18511 witli the ap-
pointaieat of Miaister to Mexico.
if r. :McLaao resigacd his [wsition ia Mexico
at the outbreak of the Pebellioa, aad returaed
to Paltimore. There he became a conspicuous
opponent of the National (iovcrnmeat aad
fruad of the Coafederatps. Ia 1803 he was
couascl for the Westera Pacific IJailroad, and
in 18(i4 aad 1805 visited Europe several times
Jle was elected to the State Senate of ifarv-
land la 1870, aad two years later wrested from
ex-Governor Swann tlie Democratic noadna- '
tion for Congress, thus re-enterim: the Ifouso
twenty-eight years after lea vim; it. lie M'rverl
two terms, refusing a third. In 1883 he was
made the Democratic candidate for Ciovcraor
of :\raryland aad was elected to that positioa
^vhich he still lield in March, 1885, when he
wa3 aj^poiated ]\rinister to Fraace by Pre^^i-
dent Clevelaad. In that position he served for
four years, aad then retired froai pablic life.
All things considered, the political career
of PoLert ililligan McLanc was one of the
longest and aiost distinguished in the history
of tlie country. lie became very much at-
tached to Fraace aad the French people, and
resolved to live there. He spoke the French
language with flueacy aa.l ])u]isli, aad spent
the last days of his lon<>- life in Paris. His re-
mains were brought home aad iaterred in
Baltimore, the city of his adoption. No greater
niaa ever went forth from Delaware, and tlie
city of Wilmiagton is ]n-oud to claim him as
one of her sons.
Dr. Allen ifcLaae was bora in Smvrna,
Kent county, Delaware, ia 1785. Tlis father
•was Col. Allen ]\rcLane, of the Pevoluticm,
and his mother was Pebecca Walls, sister of
Lewis Walls. [Nfinister to England. Dr. Allen
ilcEane was educaled at Newark Academy
and Princeton; he then studied medicine aad
graduated from the University of Peaasylva-
ait in 1811. He coaimeaced the practice of
his ]ir<d'c.-si(ni at .\e\v Castle, but .-uiui after-
wards reiii(i\eil to Wilmingliiii and st'llled
permaaeatiy. Dr. .Mcl.aae served ia the war
of 1812. lie was one of the first May.irs of
the city of Wilmiagloa. He married Cathe-
rine C ., daughter of ( ieorge aad Mary Thomp-
son Head, .June IS, 1812, and they had i-siie:
L Samuel: 11. Allen; IH. .Mary| IV. .Julia-
V. fieorge. The sous all die<l ia early man-
hood. Dr. ]\IcLane, the father, died in Wil-
mington, January 11, 1845.
Lvni.v DAitR.ion of the Pevoi.ution.
By Henry Darrach, of Philadelphia, not re-
lated to her family.
(The Darragh family is aot related to the
families spelling their names Darrach and
Darrali.)
Lydia Darragh is remembered ia American
'history on account of the services she reiulered
her country in giving iaformatioa to General
AVashington, encamped in AVhite Marsh, dur-
ing the winter of 1777-78, of the iateaded at-
tack (if the British forces then stationed at
Philadel[)]iia. Her timely information en-
abli'd Washington to lie pre]xire(l when the
enemy came to make the attack. Her de-
scendants from early daj's have resided in
Delaware aad Maryland.
She was the daugliter of John Barrington,
of Dublin, Ireland. On November 2, 1753,
at Quaker ^Meeting, Dulilin, she married Wil-
liam Darragh. They came to this country
shortly after tlieir marriage, and settleil ia
Philadel]ihia. Lydia Darragli died December
28, 178!), in lior sixty-first year; her liusbaad
died June 8, 1783, age sixty-four years. Both
were buried in the Friends' burial ground,
southeast corner Fourth and Arch streets,
Philadelphia.
Her will, showing the correct spilling of
her name and names of her childi-en, is re-
corded at Philadelphia in Will Book H, j). 413
(yr. 17110).
She bad nine childrea, as follows:
I. ]\fary, bora 1754, died ia infancy; II.
Charles, horn November 18, 1755; d. June 5,
18()1 (not knowa to have married). Ensign
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STATE OF DELAWAJtE
159
in Second Pennsylvania, 1777, and lirst lieu-
tenant; retired July 1, 17?S; 111. Ann, born
August 12, 1757, died Aunust 17, IfSlO; mar-
ried; no issue; W. AViiliaiu; V. Lytiia; ^'I.
^larv; all three died in infaney;
\'1I. ,Ii)lin, born Deeendter 5, 17(j;i; died
July 23, 1S21 or 1S22; niairied Feln-uary 7,
1787, ^largaret Stewart Porter, of Delaware;
born l)T-<"einl.er i, 17(!9; died .May 10, 1811.
Issue I'iulit eidldren, viz:
i. (First) — Lydia Parrington, born De-
cember 17, 1787, died January 10, l8;it,
mari-ied James Short; issue one chihl, AKx.
Darragii Short, born 1810, died June 'J, 18;J4,
married 1831 or 2, Anna Jamiina Naudain,
of A'ew Castle county, Delaware, born ISl 1 ;
'died 1872; issue one oliihl, James Hall Slmrt;
born Xcw Castle, Delaware, March 23, 1834,
died ilareh 12, 1897; married Novendier 4,
18.'")8, ifartlia Pollen Ilumplireys, Smyrna,
Delaware, born Oetolicr 13, died NovimuIkt,
IMm;, and had issue, inne children, viz:
( 1 ) Ali'x. I )arragh Sliort resides near War-
wick, ,Md.; married, Deecndjer 22, l88tj,
Clara P. Simons; issue four children, George,
Edgar Lawrence, ]\Iabel and Martha Ellen;
(2) "Wilb'am C. Short, resides near Ceeilton,
]Vid.; married, Alaroli 'J, 1882, Anna P. For-
aker; i^.-u(■, viz: James ITall, Joseph P. Pearl,
Edwin C., Leroy; (3) Anna Jamima Short,
Baltimore, ]\rd.; (A) Fmma Xaudain Short,
Baltimore, :\ld.; (f)) Martha E. Siiort, mar-
ried; ((1) Leah K. Short, Cecil county, ^Md. ;
(7) Lydia Parrington Darragh Short, Palti-
more, ^Id.; (8) Tliomas Enus Short, Cecil
cotmty, .\r,l.; (H) Esteila Short.
ii. (Second (duld of John Darragh and ^far-
garet Stewart Portct-), viz: Alex. Porter Dar-
ragii, b. August 2(';, 178!), ptirser in Knif^'d
States navy and died at sea, January 0, 1831;
buried at Cibraltar; married, Septendier,
1823, Eliza Tucker Armistead, of Norfolk,
Va., died Xovember 20, 182G. Issue two
children: (1) ;^^argaret Porter Darragh, b.
September 2(!, 1824, married, April 2, 1842,
Dr. Tliomas Newton, of Norfolk, \\\.\ issue,
Eliza T. Newton, Sally Newton, Perklcy
Newton. (2) :\rartha Julia Darragh, b. .Vo-
vember f), 182."): d. Noveiid)er, 182r).
iii. (Third child of John Darragh and ^far-
paret Stewart Porter), Ann, born Decendier
5, 1701, died June 24, 1800, iv. John Dar-
ragh, born December 20, 17(13, died De<-eiii-
ber 20, 17'J3; v. ifargaret Stewart Darragh,
born Decendier 28, 171^*:), died June 20, 1840;
\i. Susannah Dari'agli, b. January 14, 17'J8,
died January 21, 1880; vii. Eliza Darragh,
born Jidy l(i, 1800; died July I'J, 180J; viii.
Eliza Darragh, born April' 24, 1802, died
July 20, 1885; married, Septendier 8, 1830,
John Janvier; died .May 2H, 181)0, age eighty-
one years, 10 niontiis, 10 days. Issue Jnlien
D. Janvier and Alargaret W . Jan\icr, liotli
of New Castle, Delaware.
VIII. ■\Villiam, born July 23, 1700; died
December 11, 17t»0.
IX. Susanna, born December 19, 1708;
died Septendier 18, 1792.
pAlJliATT ( 1 i:.NK.VI.0fiY.
Philiji Larratt, the emigrant of the family,
So far as is known, is su[iposed to have come
from iMigliuid; but however that may be, he
had settled in Kent county, Delaware, prior to
the year 1755. He w;ls bom in the year 17"J9.
lie owned a large tract of land in South Mur-
derkill hundred, prcpbably fo\ir or five hun-
dred acres, upon which he re^ided. lie also
owned a ^looji called the Frietuhlilp, in
which he shi[i])ed polk, corn, bark and staves
to Philadelphia, lie took an active interest
in pulilie atTairs, and on October 0, 1775, was
coiiinii--ioii( (1 by Hon. John Penn, Governor
of Pemisylvaiiia, as high sherilT of Kent coun-
ty. -Mr. P.arnitt was re-elected shcriiT Octo-
ber 1, 17Tii, and serx'ed in that capacity dur-
ing the ReN'oliitionarv war, in which he I'cMi-
(Ici'cd most etiicii lit ser\ices in aid iif the
struggling colonies. An e\idciice of this is
afforded by the fact that on December 20,
1777, the General .Assembly aiiiirojiriated
t\v(nty-iiiiie jiounds to Pliili|i Barratt, Sheriff
of Kent county, for public services to repay
liiiii for money ad\aiiced and expended in aid
of the cause. He was also a justice of the
jicace for Kent c<iiiiity, his coiiiiiiis-ion being
dateil June 30, 17^3.
In Octolier, 1779, Philip Parratt was elect-
ed a member of the Legislature, and on Dc-
i-eiiiber 22, 1779, voted for John Dickinson,
Nicholas Van Dyke and George Pead, as dele-
gates to the Congress of the United States.
Under the authority of the Legislature, in tlie
early jiart of the year 17so, lie |Mid to the
State militia for Kent countv the sum of
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
three thousand sLx hundred pounds, that
amount being appropriated by tiie ilouse of
Assembly to him for tlmt pnrposc. lie seems
to liave taken a prominent part in the Legis-
hiture during all this period. Eketrd lirst in
ITtil, he was a member continuously from
that date until the session of 17b3, during
whieh period he served as a memlier of the
Bi)eeial committee to ascertain the names of
such persons within his co\inty as shall have
furnLihcd the commissary's or q\iartermas-
ter's departments with supplies for the use of
the Continental army; also to dispose of sun-
ilry sujiplies in Sussex county. lie was a
member of the Standing Committee on Ac-
counts on behalf of the Assendily. He was
present at the meeting of Council, February
4, 17S2, on behalf of the Assembly, and de-
livered a letter from Alexander Hamilton,
aide-de-camp, dated at iliddlebrook, April 20,
1779, addressed to the conunaiuling otiieer of
the Delaware regiment, and enclosing an act
of (Viugress of December IG, 177S, for annex-
ing to that regiment Capt. McLane's com-
jiaiiy; also a resolution of General Assembly
of dime 1, 1779, annexing Capt. ^ifcLane's
company to the Delaware regiment, together
with certain resolutions of General Assembly,
dated October 31, 1780, empowering the
State treasurer to purchase a certain sum of
money in specie for the benetit of the olhcers
of the Delaware regiment who had been made
prisoners on Long Island; and also a certificate
under the hand and seal of General Washing-
ton, dated December 31, 17S1, together with
a memorial of Allen McLane, dated January
30, 1782, and founded thereon. On Janmu'v
24, 17S3, ifr. Barratt presented to the Coun-
cil a bill for raising twenty-six thousand two
hundred and fifty pounds for the service for
that year. And on February 4, 1783, on be-
half of the House, he asked for a Committee
of Conference of the Council in relation to it.
On January 14, 1783, Thomas ]\rcXean,
Plnlip Barratt and Nathaniel "Waples, of the
House, and John Banning and Joshua Polk,
of Council, were apjiointed a general comnn't-
toe on pidilic accounts.
These brief references to his public services
show that he took cpiite an important part in
the county and State, and did his utmost to
further the success of the patriotic cause.
Philip Barratt was among the first converts
to Methodism, and was an intimate friend of
Bishop i'rancis Asbury, whom he aided and
defended during tlie Kevolutionary war. In
JNlay, 1780, he and Waitman Sipple, feeling
that a place of worship was necessary, took
steps to found a chapel. He contributed an
acre of ground; the result of their elforts was
the present chapel, called in memory of him
J>arratt's Chapel. Lt is now known as the
"cradle of ilethodism" in consequence of the
fact that Bishops F'raucis Asbury and Thomas
Coke met there in 1784, and arranged the pre-
liminaries for organizing the Methodist I']pis-
copal Church.
l*hilip Barratt married Miriam ;
their children were: I. Andrew; II. Elijah;
HI. Caleb; IV. Nathaniel; V. Mary; VI.
Philip, Jr.; VI r. iliriam; YIIT. Lydia. He
died on October 2S, 1784, in the 'fifty-fifth
year of his age. liy his will, dated !May 18,
1783, he devised all his estate to his chihlren
above named, and directed that it should be
partitioned among them.
T. Andrew Barratt, eldest son of Philip and
^Miriam P)arratt, l)orn September 22, 1751),
died April IS, 1821, was pnjbably the mo-t
prominent, lie studied law and was admit-
ted to the bar of Kent county. He was a
mend>er of the special convention of Dela-
ware which met for the ratification of the
Constitution of the United States, taking the
place of Dr. James Sykes. He was also a
nu'iiiber of thi^ convention which framed the
( 'onstitiition of 1792. Also a director of the
Farmers' Jiaiik at Dover, 1808-1811-1815. He
was elected high sheriff of Kent county in
]7S(), and apjiears to have been in otfice by
successive elections for Twelve years, from
1780 until 1792. He was eleete<l a member
of tiie Assembly froia Kent comity on Octo-
ber 20, 1791; was a member (if the Senate
fr(jm January 15, 1S12, until 1814, and dur-
ing this time, 1812, '13, '14, served as speaker.
On Xovember 12, 1810, he was elected a
jiresidential elector as a Federalist, and voted
for Iiufus King for President, and Eobert C.
Harper for Vice-President. And again on
Xovendier 14, 1820, during the "era of good
feeling," he voted in the Electoral College for
James ^lonroo for President, and Daniel Rod-
ney for Vice-President. On January 23,
1799, he was appointed by Gov. Bichard Bas-
sett an associate judge, and served as such with
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STATE OF DELAWARE
161
great credit until liis election to the Senate.
As will be seen froiii this brief account of liis
life, Andrew B:irratt was a prouiinent man in
his generation.
Andrew liarratt married, December 10,
17?>, Ann, daughter of John Clarke, Esq.
The}' had children, as follows:
i. Elizabeth, born September 12, 17T'J, mar-
ried Joseph White, had three children, An-
drew Earratt, John and Ann Clarke AVhite;
ii. Ann, burn October 18, 178 1; married Dr.
Eobert Dill, of Milford, Del., and died Feb-
ruary lo, ISll, leaving two children, Ellen
l.eighton Dill, born December 1, 1805, died
IXcember 25, 18G8, and Robert Dill, born
:March IS, 1801), died October IG, 1832; iii.
John, born February 9, 17S4, died in 1818,
was a i)r(:)minent lawyer, and became Secre-
tary of the State of Delaware. He married
Ann Luff, and had children, as follows: 1.
Elizabeth (ifrs. AVilliam Townsend), wIkj had
three children, John Barratt Townsend, born
December 31, 1S32, died February 2, 1859,
had one son, John Townsend, of Frederica,
Del.; Anne Townsend, wife of Hon. Jonathan
S. Willis, has one daughter, Elizabeth Town-
send Willis Ofrs. AVilliam IL McCallum), of
Philadelpliia; and Alary Townsend, married
first to Joseph Smithers, after his death to her
cousin, Hon. Nathaniel Barratt Smithers, of
Dover; 2. Ann (Mrs. James S. Buckmaster);
3. Mary (Afrs. John AV. Cullen); iv. George
Barratt, Af. ])., l>orn February 17, 1787;
studied medicine and practiced for some years
in E'ciit cniinty, Del.; married Rachel Lutf,
wlio survived him, and after his death married
Paris Carlisle; v. Alary (Polly) Barratt, born
April 12, 17S9; \\. Sarah, born September 21,
1791, married in 1825 to AVilliam K. Lock-
wood, and died a month after her marriage;
vii. Letitia (Letty), born April 24, 1704-; viii.
Aliiiam, born January 24, 1797; ix. Piiilip
Barratt, liorn October 23, 1799.
IL Elijah Barratt, Isl. D., son of Philip and
Miriam Barratt, was born on his father's farm
near Frederica, Kent county, Del., in 1771.
He was sole executor of his brother Nathaniel
Barratt, who died in November, 1797, and
also de\isee of the farm which had been al-
lotted to him upon the partition of Philip Bar-
ratt's estate by Judge Thoniiis AVhite, Richard
Lockwood and Covernor Richard Bassett
fNovember 13, 1797. AVill Book N, p. 18 4.
tVc.V Tn his shnrt professienal career Dr.
Elijah Barratt attained a high position iu
medicine. He was a member of the Dela-
Wiu-e Stiite !Medical Society, having been
elected iu 1790, and was active iu it until his
death. He read the second essay which was
delivered before that Society about 1791 on
"The Influenza." ((Jarllard's Aled. Journal,
February, 1880, Delaware State ^ledical Sue,
by L. P. Bush, AL D., 188G, Scharfs His.
Del., vol. I, p. 473, Scharfs His. of Delaware,
1889, A'oL 1, p. 483.) Dr. Barratt studied
medicine under Dr. Nathaniel Lutf, his
brollier-in-law, and became a practitioner, al-
though he never graduated, a not unconunou
occurrence in those days.
Dr. Barratt was prominent not only as a
physician, but also in political aifairs; he was
a strong Federalist, and refused to be a candi-
date for Congress. Henry M. Ridgely, United
States Senator from Delaware in 1827, was an
intinuite friend of Dr. Barratt's, as the follow-
ing incident taken from his life will illustrate:
"Abotit the time he was admitted to the bar,
Air. Ridgely became involved in a duel, wliich
came very near costing him his life. The cir-
cumstances were as follows: Dr. Barratt, of
Dover, had been grossly insulted by a Air.
Shields, of AVilmington, and in accordance
with the spirit of the times, sought satisfaction
through the "code" and desired Air. Ridgely
to be the bearer of his challenge. The latter
did so, and Shields refused to meet Dr. Bar-
ratt, but challenged the bearer of the message.
Ridgely felt he was obliged to accept; the duel
was fought, he was severely wounded, and for
a time it was thought he could not live. He
recovered after a painful prostration, and pub-
lic feeling was so aroused against his antagon-
ist that he left AVilmington never to return.
(Scharfs Hist, of Delaware, A^ol I, p. 572).
The reason why Shields refused to meet Dr.
Barratt was that Dr. Barratt was a noted shot,
was a most determined man and evidently
meant liusiness, and he was afraid to take the
risk, while Ridgely, although a good marks-
man, was not as cool or experienced as him-
self. 'J'his the duel subsequently demon-
strated. (Told me in 1S84 i)y Nathl. Bar-
ratt Smithers, a grandson of Dr. Barratt"!
Dr. Barratt was commissioned a justice of the
peace September 5, 1793. (Scharfs Hist, of
Delaware, A^ol. II. p. 1040.) He was one of
the trustees of the first AFethodi^t Church,
niilt in 179G, at Camden, Delaware. The
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BJOGRAVlllCAL ENCYCLOrKDI A
(Iced wa3 dated Jidy 27, 17iiG, for one half
acre from Daniel Lowber to Elijah Barratt
et ah, trustees for the people called iMethodidts
ill and about the village of Caiiulcii, on the
road from J)o\'(r to ('aiilerluiry. (Scharf'ri
Jlist. of Delaware, Vol. II. p. 1 i;i;).) In the
assessnieiit of taxes for the year 1^)1U, in Mis-
pillion and what is now billfold hundred, Dr.
Elijah 15ai'ratt'.s estate is returned as contain-
ing three Inindred and thirty acres. (Scharf's
Hist, of Delaware, ^'ol. 11. pp. 1175.) He
was nominated' January 21, 1702, as I'rivy
Councillor, at a meeting id' both Iloust's of
the Legislature, but was defeated. (Aliii.
Council Voh II. p. 1230.) lie died April 11,
ISOtt, and is buried in the family burying
ground.
Dr. Elijah l^arratt married Margaret
Fisher, a descendant of -Tohn Fisher, who
came with Penn on the "Welcome."' Their
children were: i. Lydia I3arratt, married .John
Smithors, February G, 1821; ii. ynsaii Fisher
Barratt, boni 1782, died ^larcli 2, 1M24, mar-
ried Xathaniel Sinithcrs; iii. Mary Barratt,
died August 7, 18.11, marrie(l tirst, 'riimuas
Orcen, second, Kobert 1!. diimii; iv. I'.liza
Bairatt, born in July, 17'.*2, died in I''ebrnary,
18(51, married Boy. AVilliam I'rcttymau; v.
Margaret Barratt, married "William Knatts;
vi. Edward Barratt, died young. Dr. Bar-
ratt's descendants are numbered among the
following families, well known in Kent coun-
ty: Smithers, (ireen, Jump, Knatt, Pretty-
man, Burchenal, Cowgill, Cannon, Freeman,
Lovering, Wiu-ner, Ijiing, (irahame, Sorden,
Lowe, Longfellow, Dill, Burton, ^Ldvim,
Fescendcn, Cainvell, "Welton, Bowie, Stime-
strcet, Almoncy, Lathrop and Pemberton;
but as he had no sons, tlie name of Barratt
has died out in this branidi of the family.
III. Caleb Barratt,' son of Philip' and
]\ririam Barratt, born ^May 17, 1702, died Xo-
vember 15, 1825, aged fifty-three years, and
leaving three children: i. Elijah, born in 1795,
emigrated to Indiana in 1830; ii. James, born
in 1797, removed in 1832 to Phihulelphia,
where he died February 12, 18G2. He mar-
riod ^fary Xcall, daughter of Jonathan Neall,
of Milford. Caleb Barratt cultivated the farm
in ^furderkill hundred beq\ieatlied to him by
his fatlier; and while he was well-known and
respected as a substantial farmer, he never
took any part in juiblic atfairs, cxrciit that he
was a]ip<iinte(l by the goveriiui- ;is coiiimis
sioner and assessor of real and personal prop-
erty for Kent county for the years 1819, '2U,
'21.
IV. Nathaniel Barratt, son of Philip and
^Miriam Barratt, born in 1773, died in 1797,
c'onteiited himself with carrying on farming.
Hon. Xathaniel Barratt Smithers, his grand-
nephew, is his namesake.
\'. J\Iary Jiarratt, daughter of Philip and
Miriam Barratt, married (leorge Willsoii.
\'ll. ]\Iiriaiii Barratt, daughter of Philip
and iliriam Barratt, married Thomas Martin-
dale, and had children, as follows: i. Thomas
^Martindale, married Sudler, and after
her death, Jarrett, and by these two
marriatres has six children: 1. Josephine, vdin
of Dr.'.Meily, 2. .Miriam (.Mi-s. X. B. Buck-
master), 3. Kli/.abeth (.Mrs. J. Frank Cam-
eron), 4. Bev. ThoiiuLs E., marrii-<l II. Haz-
zard, 5. Stephen, and *'.. William .Martindale;
and ii. Sarah.
VIII. Lydia Barratt, daughter of Philip
and Miriam liarratt, married William Patton,
and ha.l cliildreii: i. Mattliew; ii. Barratt Pat-
ton.
James Barratt, Sr., son of Caleb Barratt,
was born in 1797 on his father's farm near
Frcderica, Kent county, Delaware, and re-
moved to ^lilton in 1823, where he built and
occu]>ied the first brick house. lie ami (Jov-
eriior David Hazzard engaged in the grain
business, and also operated a bark mill, in
which the Hon. Joseph ]\laull was interested
with them. James l^arratt was one of the
re|)resentativesforSussexci)Uiity in the House
of Bei)resentatives during the session com-
mencing October, 1831, and was a director in
1831 and 1832 of the Georgetown Branch of
the Farmer'b State Bank of Delaware. He
was a member of tlie M;usoiiie fraternity and
connected with I'^nion Lodge, iS"o. 7, of Dover.
In 1832 he removed to Philadidphia and en-
gaged in the grain business with Samuel
Xeall, who M'as a native of ^Milford, Delaware,
under till' firm name of Xeall i Barratt, and
later as James Barratt tV Son. ^Much of their
bu^iness consisted of consignments ot grain
from Delaware, which arrived in Philadelphia
in small sloops and schooners of light draught,
which were in early times cidled shallops.
They carried 1,000 to 2,500 bushels of wheat,
corn and oats, and on arrival were uidoaded
by colored men from half bushel measures
. into bags, and sold on the wharf or stored in
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STATE OF DELAWARE ■ Iti^
tlitir wurc'hoiise, 402 South Delaware avenue. JJanatt, eldest cliilJ of Jauies and Mary 1.
Li IbJ-t he helped orgiUii/.e the Corn Kx- (Cuniining,-) Barratt, was burn Augu.-t 'J,
ehango of Philadelphia, and was its fifth JJ^5(J, and married, Noveudjer 7, IbbJ^, htlie,
l>residi'nt in 1859. dangliter of Kieiiard II. Watson, Kscj. Their
Jaiued JJarratt married Ellen i.eighton, cliildren are: I. UiehardWatsoii liarratt, horn
daughter of Dr. Robert and Aim (liarratt) Xovend)er 10, ISSi); 11. .Mary Irvine liarratt;
Dill, who died Ueccnilier'25, 1808. Tliey had HI. AVilliam Cummings Harratt. William
issue:, 1. Alfred Barratt, boru Februarv 14, C. i^arratt is the .secretary of the I'owellou
1823,'maiTied ilartha Cummins; II. danus Club, of AVe=t Philadelphia, and is conneeted
Barratt, Jr., Ixirn Deeemher 27, iM'd, mar- with the Eani Lino 8. S. Co.
riid -Mary Irvine Cummiug; III. ilary Bar- Xorris S. Barratt, seeond sou of the late
rati, born September 27, 1S28, died dt'ily 27, ^lary Irdne Cunuuings and James ]'>arratt,
Ib'JO; IV. Pobcrt Dill Barratt, boru Deeem- Jr., was born in the eity of Philadelphia Au-
ber 8, 1S29; V. Caleb Barratt, boru February gust 23, 1802; educated at private and imblic
IJ, 1S;J2, died Api-il, ISoo; VI. Anmi J!ar- schools, studied law and was admitted to the
ratt, burn August IC, 1838; VII. Klleu Bar- Philadelphia bar Deeember 1, 18S3, and is
ratt, born January 0, 184.'., dietl January !l, now engaged in the praetiee of his profession.
1845. ' " He has been Assistant City Solieitor of Phila-
Thc Corn E.xchange of Phihidelphia, now delphia .since ISltO, al-o solicitor for the liu-
hetter known by the more signifieaut name of reau of Puilding Inspeetors, mendier of the
the Commercial E.xehangc, "was eomposed of AVest I'hiladelphia Republican Clul) and
a membersliip conspicuous for loyalty to the Yoiuig lieiiublieans, and of the Historical
Pniun, and for zeal and liberality in sustaining Society of Pennsylvania, lie is a Past ]\[as-
the (iovermnent in all its efforts tu put down ter uf Lodge Xo. 2, Lrc^e and Accepted ;Ma-
tlie rebellion. Xone uf its members were m<>re .*ons, and Oriental ( haiiter, Xo. Is;'>, II. A. C.,
active in this work, and in sending into the as well as the Sous of Delaware of Philadel-
war a fully equipped regiment known as the ])hia, of which he was a charter memlier. ^Nlr.
"Corn Exchange," or 118th Pennsylvania Barratt has bt eu bistorian of that society
Volunteers, than James Barratt, Jr., who was since ISOO, and takes a dt-ep interest in his-
burn in ]\Iilton, Delaware, and who was toric'al matters, especially relating to Dida-
lirought to Philadelphia by his father wiieii a ware.
boy. He was admitted to the firm of James Xorris S. Tiarratt was married October 17,
Barratt & Son in 185G. James I'.arratt, Jr., 181)4, to Ellen, .laughter of Tiionuis IL Leyer-
represented the Seyenth ward in Conunon iug, of Baltimore, Aid. Their children are:
Coimcils in 18C2, 'C3, '04, '05, and on Janu- T. .Xorris Staidey liarratt, Jr., born August
ary 12, 1805, he was appointed one of the 27, 181)5; II. Thomas Levering Barratt, born
commissioners under the authority of Coun- Seiitember 20, IS'jO.
cils, to pay bounties to yolunteei-s. This com- •
mission distributed oyer twelve millions of
dollars. On May 25, 1805, he was elected a
'J'liE B.\i;ki;u Fa.mii.v.
port warden, and in 1807 ^vas elected vice- 'I'his is an old English family. Those of its
prc-sident of the Com Exchange. lie was numbers in the T'uited States whu are of
first lieutenant of the Corn Exciiange (inard, colonial ancestry may trace their lineage from
ami a member of Company D, First Bcgiment, four ancestors, all <d" whom left their English
Lodge 51, F. and A. iL, as well as of the homes in the seveuteenth ceului-y to try their
T^niun League. lie died February 2, 1872. fortunes in the splendid heritage then opening
James Barratt, Jr., married Mary Irvine to the Euglisli race. They were: Samuel
Ctnnmings, :May 10, 1855, and had four chil- P.aiker, burn in lOlS, settle,! in Xew Castle
dn-u: I. AVilliam Cummings Barratt, boin c.unty, Del., in lO^.'i; Iiubert Barker and his
.\n-nst It, IS.'.O, man-ied Effie Watson; II. liruther, John lini'ker (the hitti^r sometimes
Ellen Dill Barratt, born in April, 1858; II r. errum'uusly called Fraiu-is'), settled in Ply-
^lorris S. Barratt, bom Atigiist 2:!, 1M12, niuutli, ]\Iass., in 1 020, having duiibtless came
married Ellen Levering; IV. James Barratt, uver with the Pilgrims in 1020; and James
burn Septend)er 28, 1804. AVm. Cuniuiings Barker, uf Shro])shire, England, bom in 1017,
. ■: .1:. ■ ,,' ;, ;.,, V. . •■•..)! ..I M,| ICi^l III
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164
BIOGUAPUICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
settled in Rhode Island in or about 1034, hav-
ing come over on the ship Mary and Juhn.
Samuel Barker was a lineal descendant of
John JJarkcr, of Shropshire, England, who
married, in 1549, Elizabeth Hill, a sister of
Sir IJowland Hill, the first I'rutestant Lord
^fayor of Lonthm. The two ^Massachusetts
Earkers, Robert and John, were doubtless de-
scendants of the same ancient and honorable
Rurker family of Shropshire, from which it
lias been found that Samuel Rarker, of Dela-
ware, and James Rarkci-, of Rhode Island, are
•descended. The Barkers were for many cen-
turies almost exclusively connected with
Shropshire, a county equalled liy few others
in England as to the number of its old historic
families.
The Herald's Visitations of Salap com-
mence the pedigree of this family, whose
name appears to have been originally Coverall
or C'alverhall, with Richard de Coverall, who
married Margaret Pigot, and then pass over
the intermediate generations to AVilliam Bar-
ker, also called Coverall, who married the
licircss of the Goulstons of Ooulst(ni. The
connecting links have been sup|)lied from the
Court Rolls of the ^fanors of Warfield and
Claverley, and after about 15 GO one begins to
find parish church registers. In Domesday
Book, !N'igellus, a clerk, was lord of the niaiKir
of Calverhall or Coverhall, after which it
passed into the king's hands, and he gave it to
"William de Dunstanvillc, wlio sublet it under
the feudal system to these de Calverhalls.
In the reign of Edward II, the overh>i'd of
the manor was BarthiJomew de Bedlesmero.
In the civil wars then continually waged, he
was attainted and hanged. The undertenants
of his manor probably shared in his disgrace
and fall, and two of them appear to have
fled southward, for in 1327 two men calling
themselves le Bercer and le Smythe are found
at Ilallon and Hilton in the parish of "War-
field, where they probably followed the call-
ings of shepherd and armorer respectively, and
founded the two Wariield families of Barker
and Smythe. Tradition averred that this Ber-
cer was "William de Calverhall; and his de-
scendants, when after two hundred years they
settled again the northern part of the county,
at Claverley, "Wolverton and Coleshurst, seem
to have reassumed the name of Cove,-; 11 as an
alias, so that they were known by both names.
Tlie name Barker is derived from the old Xor-
man "bercer," which signified the elected
herdsman of the village or manor.
Eollowing is the genealogical record of the
Barker family of Shropshire, England, from
the year 1200 A. D. to the birth in Eebruary,
1G48, of Samuel Barker, who in ]\Iarcli, 1GS5,
settled in New Castle county, Del. This was
ciun])iled from data collected tlirough years of
careful research by the Rev. William Gibbs
I'arkcr, of the Aston ifanor branch of the
family, who was born in 1811, and died in
Philadelphia, 1807. He was evidently a man
of high attainments and great intellectual
ability.
Record.
1. ]{andul]ih de Calverhall, tenant of the
manor of Caherhall, County Salap, England,
A. D. 1200.
2. William Fitz-Ralph de Calverhall, of
Blancminster, tenant in fee of William de
Dunstanvillc, A. D. 1219.
3. William de Calverhall, tenant, 1240-
1250. ]\Iarricd Wenkiana.
4. William de Calvcrluill, tenant, 12s4.
ifarried Aliiia.
5. Richard de Calverhall, tenant, 1319.
^Married ifargaret, daughter of Peter Pigut,
of Willaston, County Salap.
"I'lieii follow several generations of the de
Calverhalls, among them Roger de Calver-
hall, until the male line as tenants of the
manor of Calverhall became extinct, and the
estate descended to Agnes de Calverhall,
daughter and heiress, who married Hugh Dod,
of Edge, whose family possessed Calverhall
Manor until 1850.
But we find in 1327 AVilHara le Bercer, at
Ilallau, in Warfield, County Salap. ]Iis son
Roger le Barker, of Hallon, mariiexl Alice
, who survived him. He died in 1308,
possessed of large estates in Hallon. Roger
le Barker left two sons: I. AVilliam, of Hal-
lon, married ilargery, daughter of William
Whorwood, died in 1411; II. Robert, of Hal-
lon, wliose descendants long lived there. Wil-
liam Barker's son, Henry Barker, of Hallon,
married I^fargery, daughter and heiress of
Stephen Lovestick, of Hallan, wlio survived
her husband. Henry Barker obtained land at
Hallon from William Wlmrwood, and dic(l in
1438. He left a son, William Barker, of Hal-
lon, gentleman, who enjoyed great estates
there, married Ann, daughtrr of John Colvu-
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STATE OF DELAWARE
105
sun Kuulowc, of Howley, in Wai-iield, and died
in 14bU. This AVilliam Baikcr left two suns:
I. (jeorgu Barker, of llallon, who married
EUeu Cumber, of Kinvcr, County Stall, and
had a daughter, Ann JJarker, who was tlio
heiress of the llallon estate; which estate
passed by several heiresses to the Davenport
famil}'-, whieh still holds it; 11. John, who
married Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of
"William Cirene, of Aston Manor, in Claver-
ley, Salap, and died at Aston in 1507, leaving
a son, John Barker, of Aston, who man-ied
^largaret , and died in 15131; she out-
lived him, and died in 15oS.
Humphrey Barker, son of John and Mar-
garet ( ) Barker, had two sons: I.
Thomas Barker (alias Coverall); II. AVilliam
Barker (alias Coverall), who married tirst
Margaret, daughter and heiress of John Goul-
ston, of Cioulston Cheswardine; she was
buried at Clavcrley, Noveniber 2G, 157(i; and
second, Frances, relict of "William AVhitmore,
of Aston; she died in 1538, before her hus-
banil, who was buried at Claverh'V, October
■M, 15t)0.
The children • of AVilliam and Margaret
(Goulston) Barker were as follows: I. .folin,
married first to Joyce, daughter of Edward
Bui'ton, and second, in 1540, to Elizabeth
Hill, sister to Sir Bowland Hill, tirst Protest-
ant Lord ^layor of London, from which latter
marriage the l^arkers of Wolverton are de-
scendi'd; IL AVilliam, of Colcharat, County
Salap, who married Joan, daughter of AVil-
liam Home, and from whom the Barkers of
Colcharat, Hopton Castle and Fairfield are de-
scended; in. Bandulph, who for killing' a
nuiu lied out of Shropshire, and froiu wlunu
the Barkers of Little Over and A^alc K'lyal,
Chester, are descended; IV. Richard.
liic'hard Barker, of Aston Hall, fourth son
of William and ]\[argaret (Goulston) Barker,
• took the oath of allegiance to Jauu'S I. He
was'buri<'d at Claverley, February 12, IGOO.
His first marriage was with Joyce, daughter of
Bichard Colclougli, and they had children:
I. AVilliam, died young, in 15G0; II. John;
III. Frances, died in 1576; I\^. Joan, born in
1572, died young. ^Mistress Joyce" (Col-
clough) Barker died, and was buried in Claver-
ley, June 25, 1572. Bichard I3arkcr then
married ^fary, daughter of Thomas Orainijcr;
she died, it appeal's, without issue, and was
buried at Claverley, October 'J, 157G. The
third marriage of Ivichard Barker was with
Agnes Hatton, of Heathton, JS'ovember 24,
1578. Their children were: I. Bichard; II.
Elizabeth, born in 15S2, died young; III.
Joan, born in 1581; IV. Philip, born in 1590,
died young; V. Jane, born in 15'J1, died
young; \l. Thomas, born in 15!J5. Mistress
Agnes (Hatton) Barker survived her husband
eight years, died, and was buried at Claverley,
April 30, 1017. Thomas Barker, as the
yuungest son, inherited Aston Manor. He
married in 1(.!21, Elizabeth, daughter of
Thomas Sniythe, of Hilton; Thomas Barker
died in 1044, and his wife in 10?i'; they were
the ancestors of the Barkci-s of Aston ilanor.
Aston Hall remained in the possession of the
Barker family for about three hundred years.
It came to John Barker, who died in 1500,
with his wife, l^llizabeth Grene, the heiress
of Aston, and it remained with his descend-
ants until 1748, when -Matthias Barker, the
heir, sold it. It afterwards jiassed into the
hands of the Bracebridgcs, and is the original
of Irving's Bracrhridge Hall.
John Barker, second son of Bichard and
Joyce (C<dcloiigli) I^arkcr, was bajitizcd Oc-
tober 21, 1570. He was church warden at
Claverley cliinvh in 1G20, and was buried
there ]\Iay 11, 1G38. He married in IGIO
Eleanor, daughter of Nicholas Eregleton ; she
was ba])tized at Claverley in 1588, marri.Kl
-Vugust 8, IGIO, and was buried at Claverlev,
:\Liy 1, 104(1. Their son, John Barker, of
A-toii, was bapfizrd at ClaveHy, July 11,
1011, married Mary , who survivid
him, and was buried at Claverley, July 28,
1GS2. Thev had ehildren: T. ^Tary, bom in
1030; II. John, of Nether IIoo, was born in
1041, married in 1700 to Elizabeth AVoob
ryche, and from them are descended the Bar-
kers of Coiigreve; III. Frances, born in
1G43, died in 1044; lA^ :\raigerv, born in
10-14.
Bichard Barker, who died in 1 GOO, had by
his wife, Agnes Hatton, a son, Bichard Bar-
ker, M-ho was baptizcil October 20, 1570, and
buried April 25, 1G30. He married Dorothy
"V\''horwood; their children were: T. Frances,
born and died in 1011; IT. .\mbrose, bap-
tized August 20, 1012, ha.s no known descend-
ants; ITT. John Barker, baptized April 21,
1010; lA^ Bichard Barker, born in 1G25.
John Barl;er, the third of the above nnined
,^ '.^v ]A-;>
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BloaUM'lllCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
fliiklrcu of Kielianl and 1 )urotliy (W'lior-
wuuJj liarker, liaJ bCN'cral chiltlrcUj aa ful-
luWi: i. Saimic'l, bajjlized at L'laverloy
church, Shrcjiiihire, Kiighiiid, I'Y'ljruary 'I'l,
lli-lS, emigrated, it appeals, lu "Xcw i'ing-
huid," JJehiwaro, boiiglit two Inuidred acres
of hind on Red Clay Creek, New Castle eoiui-
,ty, built himself a residence thereon, married
and left uiunerous descendants, died in 1720,
and was buried in Old Swedes' churchyard,
W'ihnington, Del., July 25, 1720 (see church
records); ii. Anne, born in 1(J51, died in
171:!; iii. Sarah, born in 1U53; iv. Joseph,
b<irn in l(J5(i, from whom the IJarkei-s of
Cokbhill, Warwickshire, England, are de-
scended; V. Jeremiah, born in 1(](J0, lias no
known descendants.
'J he Aston branch of the family ls now
(July, 18!.t8) represented by tlie following
living membei-s: Hev. Joseph Henry 15ar-
ker, born in 1809, residing at llerford, Eng-
land; Delavere Barker, born in ISKl, living
at l)iepi)e, Erance; Captain William Cecil
Pjarker, British Xavy, born in 18o9; Arthur
Kowlaiid Barker, architect, Winchtleld, Eng-
land, born in 18-12, and his sons, Kev. Arthur
Leigh Barker, born in 1870, Baymond Turner
I'arker, architect, born in \^~rl, Claude Ed-
ward Barker, born in 1874, and Cecil Vernon
Barker, born in 187G. The last named faniilv
are descendants of Bev. William (iibbs I'jar-
ker, and have full records of the Aston and
other branches of the family.
The oldest Barker family document extant
is believed to be one of which the following is
a co|)y. It was ^v^itten by Elizabeth, widow
of ^Matthias Barker, of Asliton .Manyr, who
died in 1727, aged 45.
"The life of ^Matthias Barker represented
to his children.
"Thy father was a strict observer of the
Sabbath, a constant Ercquenter of the Ordi-
nances, a diligent Beader of Cod's Word; a
Bejirover of Vice and an Enconrager of Vir-
tue; a diligent Instructor of his Eaiuily; he
was much in Braying, Laborious in his Calb
ing, Serviceable to his Xeighliors and Eaitli-
ful to his Eriends. In a Word, he was Tem-
perate, [Meek, Baticnt, Beaceable, irumble,
Honest, and Heaveidy-mindi^d. These and
the like Virtues were conspicuous in Thy
Eather; Co thoii and do likewise; I,uke 10th,
V. 57. Tho' your Eatlier bo dead and liurie<l,
let his Virtue^ live in vour Bractice.
"Altho' your father in the grave be laid,
Tread you his steps ; jou need not be afraid
But you llio heaven of lieavens bhall bee,
And reign wilh Uun to all eternity."
'J'he Hallon Manor, in Warheld, County
Salaj), the original family seat of the Barker
family, was in possession of the Barkei-s for
two huiKlred and lifty years when the heiress
married one of the W'annerton.s. It was
caHed Jlallon, after a Saxon chief of that
name, who fought a battle in the fields below,
and crossed the ri\er at the spot now called
Hallon's Eord.
With regard to the wives of these Barker
ancestoi-s: 'The Bigots of Willaston were
an old Shropshire family, elaiming descent
from one Boger Bicot, who came from Nor-
mandy, in lOliO; the Whorwoods of Comp-
ton and Babbington were a Statfordsliire
family who afterwards intermarrie<l a good
deal with the Barkers. William Whorwood
left some lands in Hallon to Henry, son of
William Barker; of the Lovesticks of Hallon
nothing is known, but ]\largery was a consid-
erable heiress; the name is probably a corrup-
tion from Lostock, the Bowleys of Bowley are
an old and renowned "Wartield family, their
original name being lioulowe. One of Anne's
ancestors, Boger de Boulowe, was slain at
Evesham, fighting one of the rel)ellious barons,
but the name was probably Saxon rather than
Xorman in its origin; the Crenes of Aston; it
was by maiTiage with their heiress that th.c
Barkers obtained most of the Aston estate.
The pedigree goes back for several genera-
tions, but with no detail; they seem to have
been originally Yorkshire folk. The Col-
cloughs were an old StafFordshire family of
consideration; Bichard, the father of Joyce,
was mayor of N"ewcastle-nnder-Tyne in 1478,
and married a daughter of tho well known
Havenjiort family.
The descendants of Samuel Barker (1085)
of Xew Castle county, Bel., as com])ilcd by
Jesse J. Barker, of Bl'iiladelphia, in ISliS, are
as follows:
Samuel Barker wa.s ba])tized in Clavorley
(diurch, County Salap, England, Eebruary
22, 1 048. To Samuel I'arkor a grant was madf;
by William Bonn, March 27^ 1085, of two
huiidre<l acres of land in Christiana hundred,
lu'ar what is now called Barker's Bridge, 1^(4.
This was the old homestead of the Barker
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STATE Or I) K LAW All E
1G7
family, and rfuiainud in tlieir hands until the
death of William Uarker, about ISIU.
yauiuel Ijarkt-r, 1, dic-d intestatu in J uly,
f TiiU, at an advanced age, and was huiied ni
Uld Sweih'b' c-huivhyard, in W ilniiuyldM,
J)el., July L'j, 17:^0. 'lie left four chihiivn:
1. Jc«ej)li, '2, who died about January, 17.')');
il. Danifl, l', who dieil about 175U; 111.
^lary, •!, married in ISt. Paul's church, Ches-
ter, i*a., Sei)teniber 2o, 1700, to William
Kirliard^t)n; 1\'. Anna (Mre. William
llii-k>). All of these children left descend-
ants.
dosejih Barker, 2, son of Samuel ]3arker, 1,
was married September 27, 171lJ, in Old
Swedes' church, Wilmington, to .lohaniia
C'laytoii. He died about January 20, n.'i.'i,
which was the date of probate of his will, leav-
in<;- tlireo children, but no widow; both his
wife and their daughter, Mana, born Se])tem-
ber 24, 171S, having apparently died bcfoie
liim. The surviving chililren were: 1.
Samuel,;!; II. Kebecea, 3 (Mrs. Few); 111.
Susanna, .'5 (Mi's. Edward Carrill), marrit'il
in Old Swedes' church, AVihnington, in 1714.
Samuel Barker, 3, son of Joseph, 2, and
Johanna (Clayton) Barker, was born, it ap-
]iears, at the old liarker homestead, near liar-
ker's Dridge, Xew Castle county, Del., .March
20, 1721; the birthplace of all his children
seems to have been the same. lie was bap-
tized in 01(1 Swedes' church, Wilmington,
March 21, 1721. He died in 1801$; his will
was probated October 27 of the same year.
Sanuiel liarker, 3, was mari-ied to llachel,
daughter of Jeremiah Ball; she was born
July 24, 17.32, and survived her husband,
lie was a vestryman at St. James' church,
Stanton, Del., in'l701-92, and in 1801. His
children were as follows: I. ilary, 4, born
about 1752, married !May 9, 1773, at New
Castle, Del., to Moses McKnight; 11.
Jiticph, 4, born June 10, 17.54, married three
times, (1) ^larv Collins, (2) Agnes Sipjile,
(3) Margaret Laws; TIT. Esther, 4, (Mr-^.
'riieo]jliilus Evans), born in- August, 17."i7;
IV. Abuer, 4, born July 31, 17<)0, removed
to Pittsburg, Pa., and in 1800 married Ellen
Scandrett; Y. Jeremiah, 4, born February
22, 17(14, married Sally, daughter of (iov-
ernor lletb, of Virginia; VT. William, 4,
born near Parker's Pridge, Del., served dni--
iiig the war of the Pevolution in a Delaware
regiment, was in the battle of the Erandywine
and other engagement.-^, never married, died
about lb40 on the Parker homesti'ad near
Stanton, Del.; VII. Padiel, 4, (.Mrs. Jo.-^eph
Kvans), born Oetober 24, 1 ?(;!•; N'lll.
-Miraham, 4, was a vestryman of St. .lames'
church, Stanton, Del., in 17:»7, died .soon
after his father from the kick of a horse; JX.
J esse.
Jesse Parker, 4, youngest son of Sannnd
and Kachel (Ball) Parker, was born about
1772, and died unmarried in New York City,
July 2(), lb,52. Jn early lite he left the old
homestead, and with his t)rothers, Abner,
Joseph and Jeremiah, went to ri'side in Pitts-
burg, Pa. lie and Abner were large and suc-
cessful merchants there, prospering greatly.
,\<.-i^{i. Jiarker withdrew from the tirni about
1.^07 or 1808, and after traveling for a time,
settled in Paris, France, where he became a
banker and broker in the Pourse, and made a
large fortune. In July, 1,S12, he returned to
America, and settled in New ^'ork, where
his death occurred July 28, l!sr)2, at the a"e
of about eighty years.
Joseph Jiarker, eldest son of Sanuiel and
Pa.diel (Ikll) Parker, .served with distinction
in the Pevolntionary War; he was captain >!
the ship General ffoitlyumery (marines), 14
guns, 120 men, in I77(i, and of the Artillery
in 1777. His burial place is at Parker's Land-
ing, near Magnolia, Del. Mary Collins, to
whom Joseph Parker was married February
■21, 1771), was born May 25, 1703, daughter
of lion. Thonnis Collins, last colonial gov-
ernor of Delaware; she died December 27,
17113, survived by four of her si.\ children.
On February 7, 1797, Joseph Barker married
Agnes Sijiple, who died Novend)er 12, of the
same year. The third wife of Captain Parker
was .Margaret, eldest daughter of Hon. John
Laws, formerly judge of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas of Sus.sex county, Del. She was
born in 1777, married February 19, 1799,
and died August 2, 1S19, in the forty-third
year of her age. Her remains were interred
ill the Old Swedes' churchyard, Wilmington.
Tlie children of Joseph and Mary (Collins)
Parker were as follows: T. lOlizabeth, 5, born
October 30, 1781, died at the age of eleven
vears; TL Sarah, .'">, born September 28,
1783, died in 1803; TIL Maria, 5, born Oe-
tober 3, 1785, married January 28, 1803, to
Dr. Cieorgo Stevenson, of Pevolutionarv
faiiH^, left descendants, among whom are the
•,.1
I.;
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1G8
BIOGUAPHICAL ENCYCLOrEDIA
cliiklren of Prof. Jamed \Y. Mai-shall, of
^Va=hillgtoIl, IJ. C, Misa Aime AKCliiitock
and .Mias ilaria S. iliggins, both of riiiludel-
pliia, Alalia S. Juuory and Joliu Kmory; JV.
8usan, 5, bom J anuary 3, 17S«, died iu 17UU;
V. JJr. Thomas Collins, 5, born February 11,
17U0, leaving one cliild, .Mary Jean, wiio dud
iu 1830, aged fifteen years; VI. Wilham
Samuel, 5, born April 11, 17!)2.
Jeremiah liarker, lifth child of Samuel and
Raehel (Ball) Barker, born near Stanton,
Del., February 24, 1704, died at Louisville,
Ky., July 2ti, 1842. He was married to
Sarah, daughter of Governor lletli, of Vir-
Kiniu, residing at Winchester, Ya. She was
born May I'J, 1772, and died November 3,
lS2r) at Xenlle, Ohio. Their children were:
I \^ies, born Alarch 24, 1792, died at Cin-
cinnad, Oldo, March 1, 184U, was married in
ISOO to Morgan Neville, and had children,
i Aforgan Lafayette, born 1811, died in 185 5,
leaving descendants in Columbus, Ohio, ii.
John, U. S. A., died in ISSl, iii. Jnlian, born
in 1813, lived in New Orleans, and died leav-
ing issue, iv. William B., of Columbus, Ohio,
died without issue, v. Cornelia (Mi-s. James
Craham), of New Orleans, died leaving issue,
vi Eugene, died unmarried, in New Orleans,
about 1854; II. Samuel, born January 4,
171)5; III. Henry Ileth, bom June 24,
17'J7,' maii-ied Baker, ha<l one child,
a daugliter, who died young; IV. Susanna,
liorn :May 28, 1799, died November 17, 1799;
V Josejih, born December 8, 1800, died
Lcbruarv 10, 1826; YL Kachcl, born July
14 1803, died September 12, 1872, was mar-
rif^l June 5, 1828, to Charles Foster; of New-
port, ICv., who was born ^farch 7, 1801 ; had
children, i. Sallie (Mi-s. Moses (ioo.buaii),
had two children, Foster and Blanche, both
decea.se<l, ii. Alice (Mrs Frank Coodman),
has four chiklren, iii. Kate W., died iu 1851,
aged seventeen; iv. Fanny S., married tirst
to Alexander Cros^man, IT. S. N., and after
his death to Edward Ban-y, a lawver of Fliila-
(h'l|ihia, also now ileceased, v. Blanche <lay-
h.rd; YIT. Sarah, born in Pitt.sburg, Pa.,
L)iv('iiiber 24. 1805, married .Tune 17, 1828,
in Neville, Ohio, to Charles l\r. Strader, and
had children, i. Sarah, ilicd in infaurv, ii.
Tolm, died in infancy, iii. Jeremiah P., <lied
in 1848. iv. Faiinv P., married tu C.eneral
AVilliam ^Ivei-s. V. S. A., who .li.-d in 18,^7.
had seven rhildren, Sallie IT., CMi-. Charhs
Page) of San Francisco, Cal.; Randolph, M.,
AL U., of Washington, D. C; three, William,
Charles and Kobert, who all died young;
Henry F., of New York city, and Philip S.,
who died in 18>.)U, in Brussels, Belgium, leav-
ing issue, V. Charles AlclL, of Louisville, Ky.;
vi. John II., born in 1!540, died iu .Montana
in Ls8ti; vii. Jesse B., died in 187U, aged
twenty-seven, leaving twoekildren, Humphrey
il. and Jessie B. (Mrs. Joseph E. Cardiner);
viii. lilanche F., died in infancy, ix. Jacob,
died in infancy; YIII. William, bom August
13, 1808; died in Louisville, Ky., July 30,
la3(j; IX. Jesse; and X. Abraham, twins, born
September 15, 1811; both died in lllinoks, of
cholera, in 1.^33, within two months of eadi
other.
Abner Barker, second son of Samuel and
Rachel (Ball) Barker, bom on the old home-
stead near Barker's Bridge, Del., July 31,
17G0, died in Pittsburg, Pa., July 8, 1829,
was married, September 18, 1800, in Pitts-
burg, to Ellen Scandrett, bom December 12,
1780, and died March 7, 1833; she was a niece
of (ieiieral Richard Butler, who was killed in
Noveiidier, 1791, at St. Clair's defeat in In-
diana, by tlie Indians, and who was one of five
brot.hei-s, Richard, Thomas, Edward, William
and Pierce Butler, who all served with dis-
tinction as commissioned niHcers iu the Revo-
lutionary war. The children of Abner ami
Ellen (Scandrett) Barker, all bom in Pitts-
burg, Pa., were as follows: I. Alana Butler,
bom Julv 1, l>^<n, died December 1(1, 1802;
]L Richard Ibitler, b'lm November 23, 18ii3,
died August 4, ISHO; 111. Tloratio Nelson,
bom December 7, 1805, died at Salem, O.,
Ajn-il 25, 18C4; lY. William J. P.., bom Feb-
ruary 28, 1809, died Sejitember 14, 1827; Y.
John Woods, born Febriuiry 23. ISll, died
Alarch 10, 1835; YL Jean Ann, born July
10, 1814, died February 19, 1815; YIL Jesse
E.lward, born Mav 8, 181G, died August 14,
1817; YIII. Ellen Butler, born July 19,
1818; IX. Thomas A., born April 5, 1821,
<lied February 1-5, 1859, leaving chiklren: X.
(ieorge Stevenson, bom June 21, 1824, died
Januarv 11. 1892. leaving is-ne.
Rieliard Butler P.arker, (5) eldest son of
\biier and Ellen (Scandrett) Barker, was born
in Pitt^bur-. Pa., November 23, 1803, and
die,! ;it Beaver, Pa., .\ugu~t 4, 18r,0. He was
inarrie.l iu 1'^20, iu Pitt-burg, to Eliza,
(laughter of 'i'honuis Hunter, fnmierly of the
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STATE OF DELAWARE
171
British j\'avy; she was born Juue 5, ISOD, at
tlie uaval sUitiou in JJuutry liay, Irehmd, and
died in Thiladelphia, Pa., Aiarcli 12, J88y.
I'lie children uf iiichard \i. and Eliza (Hun-
ter j JJarker were: 1. Iviehard liutler [<>), born
A\igust 20, Ib'll, died January 20, lS2b;
11. I'hnily IJewees (0), born ^'oveniber It,
lt52S, died Alay 25, 1S33; 111. Al)ner (0),
born .M'areli 4, 1831, died February 5, l6;i;J;
VI. Eliza (0), born April 2U, 1833, died Alay
27, 1S04, married in 1852 to Janietj Craft,
had two children, i. Ada 13. (7), ii. Harry M.
(7), born .ill ue 'J, 1850, married Deceiidjcr 11,
1888, to ^lary Watson, who was bom in
1807, has four cliildren: Helen (8), born Oc-
tober 31, ]88'.», Alexander (8), born .March 'J,
ISUl, Henry .M. (8), born December 14,
18'J3, and , bom June 27, 18'J5; \'. Ellen
(0), born October 7, 1835, died ^lay 27,
1837; W. ilary (0), born December ^5,
1837, died September 4, 1853; Vll. Frank
(G), born February 27, 1840, died January 0,
1841; Vlll. Ada (0), born September 2,
1844, died January 17, 1850; IX. Jesse J.
(G), born at Beaver, Pa., December 28, 1S4G,
married January 20, 1873, to ilary W.,
dan^'litcr of James Ilyndshaw Cook, who was
bom September 29, 1851, and has six chil-
dren, i. lialph Emei-son (7), born July G,
1874, ii. Elizabeth Cook (7), bom April 7,
1877, iii. Edith (7), bom September 27,
1878, iv. Neville (7), born April 8, 1880, died
i^lay 18, 1882, v. Pierce (7), born August 30,
1883, vi. Pnth Mary (7), born June 2, 1885;
X. James K. Butler (G), born :\Iarch 23, 1849,
died X'ovember ^7, 1803.
Ellen Entler Barker (5), third daughter of
Abner and Ellen (Scandrett) Barker, wa.s bom
in Pittsburg, Pa., July 19, 1818, and (1898)
is still living. She was married, ^larch 21,
1837, to Samuel P. Adams, grandson of Sam-
uel Adams, signer of the Declaration of In-
dependence. They had children as follows:
I. Edgar (0), born April 9, 1838, married
Barbara P. Trimble, who was born in 1843,
died in 1887, and liad children, i. Ida (7),
born Septendier 2S, 1804, ii. George T. (7),
bom October 3, 1867, died October 5, 1807;
II. Emma (G), hom Julv 27, 1840, died Julv
17, 1842; III. Horatio Nelson (0), bora Au-
gust 24, 1842, died in Louisville, Kv., May
7, 1884, married in 18G7 to America Corn-
wall, who was born in 1845. had children, i.
!Marie P. (7), born ^fay 7, 1871, married O,-
10
tober25, 1890, to Sanmel Dalrymple, ii. Ellen
L. (7), born December 29, 1870; i\'. ^lilton
Butler (Oj, U. S. A., born April 11, 1845,
married -May 1, 1878, to Anna AV. Lewis,
horn in 1855, has children, i. Carl Nelson (7),
born February 22, 1879, ii. Lewis Milton (7),
born :May 22, 1882; V. Elma (0), bom Feb-
ruary 17, 1848, married November 13, 1873,
to I honias Tanner, wiio was born April 13,
1843, and died June 29, 1898, had one child,
Ailams Plummer (7), bom July 10, 1870;
VI. Samuel Phunmer (G), born December 9,
1850, married August 21, 1877, to Fannie C.
Powers, who was born in 1857, has foiu' chil-
dren, i. Ola aMay (7), born November 12,
1878, ii. Elma J>. (7), bom January 20, 1880,
iii. Fannie C. (7), born July 11, 1882, iv,
Leila (7), born Ajiril 30, 1891; VII. Lola (G),
born July 20, 1853, died in infancy; Vlll.
Mary (0), born November 7, 1855.
I'homas A. Barker (5), sixtii son of Abner
and Ellen (Scandrctte) Barker, bom April 0,
1821, died February 15, 1859, was married to
Eliza Okely, who was bom October 21, 1820,
and died ilarch 27, 18G2; they iiad children
as follows: 1. Ocorge Okely (0), bom Ai>ril
28, 1844, died October 0, 1849; II. Frank A.
(0), bom January 9, 1847, died November 9,
1879, married Emma Noble, had one child,
Harry N. (7), born August 29, 1872; III.
Harry T. (0), born August 28, 1849, manned
Annie V. ^McLean, liad children, i. George
ifcLean, bom April 24, 1874, ii. Adele, born
June 0, 187G, eacli died aged aliout eleven
years; IV. Ellen O. (0), bom March 11, 1854,
manned Henry C. Brown, has children, i.
Edith O. (7), born October 25, 1884, li. a boy
who died in infancy.
George Stevenson Barker (5), youngest soa
of Abner and Ellen (Scandrett) Barker, was
born in Pitt.sbufg, Pa., June 21, 1824, and
died at New Brigliton, Pa., Jan\iary 11, 1892;
was married Se]itend)cr 14, 1847, to Rebecca,
daughter of David Iloopes, who was born Feb-
nuary 8, 1824, died in 1898; they had chil-
dren as follows: T. Charles A. (G), born April
10, 1849, married Seiitomber 14, 187G, to
Jean D., daughter of Thomas Farley, has
children, i. Annie F. (7), born Octol>er 19,
1877, ii. Rebecca L. (7), born August 10,
1879, iii. Jean Darsie (7), born November 19,
1882, died December 23, 1888, iv. diaries
A. (7), bora November G, 1803; II. Louis H.
(G), born September G, 1851; III. William
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172
BIOanAPJlICAL I'JXCVCLOPEDTA
S. (U), Lorn February 2-i, 1855, ditti JJcceia-
ber '25, lbi)'2, married Elizabeth Alakeuwii,
hud children as follows, i. liiehard (^Tj, died
an infant, ii. Katheriue, iii. Eleanor (7); IV.
i'rederiek (J. (OJ, born September lU, 1857,
mariied (1) (Jertnulc 'i\i\VM>eiid, who died
without issue in 18S9, and (2) in 18D0, her
sister, Juliette Townsend, has children, i. (ier-
' trude (7), died in 1890, aged four yeai-s, ii.
Dorothy (7), born May 5, 1894, iii. Kebeeca
(7), and iv. Cieorge S. (7), twins, born Septem-
ber 8, 1895; V. Caroline II. (tj), bom January
23, 1800, married Henry A. Burnett, hus chil-
dren, i. Robert, ii. George (7), born in 1888;
VI. Elizabeth II. (6), born November 27,
1803, niamed David A. Gurdeii, hud chil-
dren, i. Grace, died young, ii. Ihivid A., Jr.
(7), born in 1895.
^lary Barker (4), eldest daughter of Sam-
uel and ]iaehel (Bull) Darker, was married
^May 9, 1773, to M*^ises ilcKnight, who died
Juu"uary 29, 1802. Their children were: I.
^Villium (5), who married Catherine, daugh-
ter of Joseph and Ann (Caldwell) McClurg,
had children, i. ]\Iary Ann (0), died w^itliout
issue, ii. Joseph (0), married (hrst) ^lury A.
Acliison, had two children, and (second) Mi\v-
paret Acliison, by whom he had .seven chil-
dren, iii. AVillium (0), married Surah Ormsby,
had eleven children, iv. Dobert (0), man-ied
Elizabeth O'llarrali Denny, had ten children,
v. James A. (0), married (1st) ilartha A. Og-
den, had two ciiildren, secondly Surah .M.
Kliddes, had two children, vi. George S., mar-
ried (tirst) Caroline Yeo, no issue, secondly,
Amelia -s , had three children, vii. Charles
((■>), married Jeanie Baird, had six children,
viii. Henry (6), died without issue, i.\. Ivl-
ward (0), died witho\it issue, II. Isabella (0),
who died March 13, 1831, who was nmrried
in Dei'cmber, 179S, to James Ball, who was
born in 17(!4, died in 1S23; their children
were, i. "William !McKnight (6), born Mardi
12, 1800, ii. :Nfary, born in 1804, died niuaur-
ried in 1840, iii. Susan (0), born in 1807. diecl
unmarried in 1828, iv. Hannah (O), born .May
10, 1810, died :May 3, 1887. v. James AV. ((i)
l.oru November 28, 1814, died :Nray 22, ISC.I ,
vi. Jesse Barker (tl), lioru November 12,
1818, died January 17, 1800, vii. Annabell.i
(0), horn October'SI, 1820, die<l October .'..
1885; ITT. Sarah (5), nnirried to Tsuae
Hdlmes; TV. .Tohn (5), died unmun-ied in
-May, 1851, aged si.\ty-seven; \'. Kachel (0),
tiled unmarried in 1804.
Joseph (0), eldest son of William and Cutli-
erine (,\lc( lurg) .McKuiglit, and his tirst wife,
.Mary (Achison) McKnight, had two ciiildren;
by his second wife, Margaret (^.Vchisun) .Mc-
Knight, he had seven children; lii.s family wus
us follows: 1. Willium (7), murried Kate,
daugiiter of Dr. Abraham uud Jane (Davis)
Senseny, hus children, i. Joseph, ii. William,
iii. Edgar S. , iv. Alice, v. Bessie, vi. Arthur,
vii. JMarcns A., viii. Mary A., IF. David .\.
(7), nuirried ^fellie , uu issue; 111. J<,-
bcph (7), married Belle , t\v<^ children;
IV. Kate (7), married John Speer, hus chil-
dren: i. .Margaret, ii. J. Ham.~ey, iii. Joseiih
.McK'night. iv. ilenrielta (Mrs. (ieorgu
l.aughlin), has one child, tieorge Laughlin,
Jr., v. Nellie ]McK.; V. Hany C. (7), mar-
ried Elizabeth Henderson, has children, .
]{obert, ii. Joseph, iii. .Margaret, iv. Harry
C., v. Rebecca, vi. Webster H.; VI. Mary
Ann (7), murried AVilliam Uced, had chil-
dren, i. .Margaret, ii. Catherine, iii. Thomas,
\U. Alexander A. (7), has two children;
A'lII. .Margaret A. (7), married John S. Lyon,
has children, i. J. Stewart, ii. Afarguret, iii.
Fanny, iv. Anne, v. Catharine; IX. Nellie
(7), died .March — , 1889.
William .McKnight (0), second son of Wil-
liam and Catherine (.McClurg) McKnight, und
his wife Sarah (Ormsby) .McKnight, had chil-
dren as follows: I. Kate (7), (^Irs. Josojih
^IcCammon), had chiMren, i. Joseph, ii.
Ormsby, iii. .Vhby, iv. Kdith; II. William
(7), died without issue; III. Ixobert O. (7),
died without issue; IV. Wharton (7), married
Elizabeth Ilersli, had children, i. Cornelia,
ii. AVilliam, iii. Sarah O. , i\-. Eliza, v. Loui>a;
V. Charles (7), died without is^ne; \'l. llenrv
(7), died without issue; VII. Jane O. (7i;
VIII. (7) (.Mrs. William Watson), has chih
dren, i. Ormsby, ii. IMarie; IX. Emeline (7),
man-ied Rev. Samuel Ala-xwcll, D. D., has one
child, Kmeliue; N. Edward (7), died without
issue; XI. Thomas Reed, mai-ried Lydia ^le-
Mechin.
Ifobert .McKnight (0), third son of Wil-
liam and ('atherine (.McClurg) ]\IcKnight,
was boi'u January 27, 1820. died Oi-t.iber 25,
1885, was nian'ie<l in 1847 to Elizabeth
O'llara Dennv, had children as follows: I.
Harmon D. (7) ;Ih Woodruff (7), married Cora
■■..':■ • ■ I' ■'■, I. .\
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STATE OF DEL.UVARE
173
JJordenj 111. Kate Cassatt (7); IV. Bessie D.
(7), Uiarricd ^lajor Tlioiuas J. (Ji'egg, U. S.
.\., has cliildruii, i. Elizabetli, ii. Alartba, iii.
J^lleii, iv. Alice; V. Henry (7j; VI. I'lora (7;,
iiianied iu lbb7 to William L. i''ieice, lias
children, i. Elizabeth, ii. AViliiaui, iii. Ivub-
ert; \'ll. ^lary S. (7), died iu lijUU, une year
old; \'ll'i. liobert (7j, died in IbsD, wiiliout
issue, aged twenty-eight; IX. Philip S. (7j,
died ill lbG5, ..ged two years; X. Alice .\1. (7j,
died in -May, 1654, aged eiglitecn.
Jauies A. -McKnight {S>), iVairtii sou of Wil-
liam and Catherine (.McL'lurgj -McKniglit,
married, tii-bt, Martha A. Ogdeu, iutd three
children; rccoudly, Sarah Al. Khodes, had two
children; the family is as follows: I. Kliza O.
(7), (-Mrs. George Breck), has children,
i. Alary, ii. George; II. Mary (7), deceased;
III. Bobeita (7); IV. Stella S. (7); V. Wil-
liam It. (7).
(leorge S. AIcKnight, fifth son of AVilliain
and Catherine (McClurg) Alclvuight, had by
liis first marriage, with Caroline Yoe, no i>sue;
by his second marriage, with Amelia ,
he liad children: I. Isabella (7); II. William
(7): 111. Alary (7).
Chai'lcs .McKiiight (0), sixth son of Wil-
liam and Catherine (AlcCliirg) .\fcKuight,
born Sc]itcml)er 24, 1826, unimed Jeauie
Baird and had children: I. Thomas II. 15. (7);
II. Ellen (7); IIL Charles, Jr. (7), man-ied
Eliza Wilson, has children, i. Bachrl, ii.
Charles, iii. Bobcrt; IV. Alary B. (7); V.
Jeanie (7): VI. Eliza (7).
The descendants of Isabella AlcKnight (5),
eldest daughter of-AIoses and Alai-y (Barker)
AIcEniglit, and her husband, Jauies Ball, are
as f.ilh.wv: T. William AlcK. ((>), married
Airs. Bachel Jewett, widow, had one child,
James 11. (7); II. Alary (6); III. Susan
(()); IV. Hannah (6), born Alay 10, 1810,
died Alay ?>, 1887, was married in 18:59 to
Samuel D. N^ewlin, who was born Octolier 1,
■ISO.-), died July 2.'), 188.-., had children, as
follows, i. James B. (7), born September 2.5,
1840, died , married, in 1877, Emma
J. Clark, ii. Charles Al. (7), born August 12,
1842. died niuuarried July 3, 1894, iii. Har-
riet T. (7), born September 18, 1843, iv.
Alary A. (7), born Februarv, 1840; v.
Alonzo (7), bora May 27, 1847,' died July 1,
1892, married, in 1871, Anna J. Jones, who
was born iu 1850, had three children, Dorii,
bi.rn l'>72, Alonzo, born 1874, and James .\.,
born 1875, vi. Jessie (7), died iu infancy;
V. James W. (6), boni"November 28, 1814,
died Alay 22, 1801, married Ann Grithn, had
one child that died in infancy; VI. Jesse
Barker ((J), born Novemljer 12, 1818, died
January 17, 1890, married, in 1851, Alarj' O.
Draper, who was born , died in 1872;
their children are, i. Isabella AIcK. (7), born
January 17, 1852, married, in 1809, to
William L. Hanna, who was born December
25, 1848, has children, 1. Alary E. (8), (Mrs.
William K. lliggins), born October 24, 1870,
died Septcnd)er 28, 1895, had cliildi-en, Heis-
Jer (9), bom iu 1891, and Mary (9), born in
1893; 2. James B. (8), born July 30, lb73,
died February 4, 1890; 3. Willard E. (Sj,
born December 5, 1875; 4. Lulu E. (8), born
X'o\-ember 10, 1878; 5. Jesse B. (8), born
June IS, 1881; 0. Annabel (8), born Novem-
■ber 4, 1880; 7. Laura E. (8), bora June 10,
1889; ii. James Washington (7), born Alarch
7, 1854, died iu 1885, uuirricd Alatilda Lister,
had one child, James B. (8), born January
25, 1872; VII. Annabella (0), bora October
10, 1820, died October 5, 1885, man-ied
Charles F. Town), who died in 1880, had
children, i. Anna (7), born in 1845, died
Ajtril 24, 1885, was juarried in 1807 to El-
wood AlcKee, had one child, Francis T. (8),
born January 30, IbOM, married October 10,
1895, to Harriet Afitchcll, who was bom June
27, 1870, ii. James Ball (7), ])orn Xoveniber
18, 1853, died in February, 1857.
The descendants of Bachel l^arker, third
daughter of Samuel and Bachel (Ball) Bar-
■kcr, l)orii Oct(Jicr 24, 1709, dicil December
31, 1S5S, was luarried .June l.'l, 1794, to
Josejdi Evans, a brntlicr of Oliver Kvans, the
inventor, bom August 0, 1760, are as follows:
I. Ann (5), born X^ovenibcr 15, 1795, died
unmarried July 7, 1812.
II. Alary ("Polly"), (5), born Se])teniber
8, 1797, died Xovember 8, 1SS5, married to
John Bobiuson, had children, i. ]\lary A. (0),
(Mrs. Fisher), had six children, Benjamin Cr.
(7), Alacy A., Evans B., Sallic E., Alartha
and Joseph, Charlotte, Shadrach T.,
Grace and James vS. ; iii. Elinor J. H. (G)
(Afrs. Lsaac Amos), had six children, Benja-
min S. (7), Sarah F., Joseph E., Alartha E.,
.\iniie E., auil Calvin Amos; iv. George (0),
had one child, Charles Evans (7); v. Thomas
E. (0), had seven cliildren, Frances (7),
William ^1.. Elizabeth B., Macv, Josephine,
., . , ..,-^,1 / , r ,n..vi '' " -V? , ^v, ji,,«^4 ; ^j.-H .111, ;n»l>ioH,
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174
BIOaUArillCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Xaomi J. and Roberta; vi. Kacliel S. (0)
(Mi-s. Nathan Ueau), had seven ehil(h-eu,
AVilliam E. (7), Joseph E., Nathan II., IKiiry
li., John L., -Mary A. and ^Morris M.; vii.
John (0), died in 1824, aged three yeai-s; viii.
Enincis A. (0), died in 182G, aged one year;
ix. Joseph E. (C), born September 15, 1817,
died September 27, 1891, married Lavinia
Price; X. Asbui-y (G), died in infancy.
III. Leah (5), born Alareh 3, ISOO, died
August 2y, 18C9, was married in ilay, 1824,
to Francis A. \Vhitaker, wlio was born in Xo-
vember, 1799, died in ^larch, 18713, had
children, i. Emeliiie (G), born June 5, lb25,
married Dr. Samuel B. Irwin, who died ^lay
19, 189G, had four children, 1. Anbury E.
(7), 2. Samuel, .'3. Ella V. (-Mrs. J. II. (ilis-
son), and 4. Alphonso, who married Anna
Hires, and had two children, I). Hayes A. and
!Margai-et A.; ii. Kacliel E. (G), born Marcli
1, 1827, mamed tii-st to Kev. W. Camiibell,
had cliildren, 1. Annie E., 2. "William, after-
wards married Johnson Simj)es, and had
children, 1. Jolni F., 2. E. Everett; iii. Jo-
seph E. (G), bom October 29, 1.S29, died
June 7, 1853; iv. Eliza A. (G), born January
23, 1833, married Dr. Charles T. Simpers,
had children, Francis W. (7), Gertrude,
Charles T., Alfred S., J. Ford and Eliza W .;
V. William II. (G), born February 19, 1835,
married, in 18G3, ^lary E. Xeafie, had
children, 1. Jacob N. (7), who married Keba
Xoblit, and had two children, Jacob N. (8),
and Ethel L., both of whom died in infancy;
2. Anna L. (7) (ilrs. Horace Hchnbold), who
had three children, Jacob X. (8), Horace IL,
and one that died an infant; vi. Frances L.
(6), bom December 17, 1837, was married,
in 18G6, to Rev. James H. Payran, has four
children, James II. (7), Mary L., Olive W.
and Alice A.
IV. Rachel (5), t\vin sister of Leah, born
March 3, 1800, died , married James
Tweed, of Delaware; V. Thomas J. (5), born
December 7, 1801, died young, unmarried;
VI. Evan "W. (5), bom November 8, 1803,
died young, unmarried; VII. Jesse Barker
(5), bom October 12, 1805, died young, un-
married; VITI. Oliver F. (5), born July 25,
1807, married, died without issue; IX. Ab-
ner P.arker (5), bom IMarch 5, 1809, diwl
young, unmarried; X. Oeorge (5), liorn
March G, 1811, died young, unmarried; XL
' Joseph (5), born December 20, 1812, died
young, unmarried.
The descendants of Esther Barker (4),
second daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Rail)
Barker, born in August, 1757, died May 27,
1810, married to Theophilus Evans, a brother
of Oliver Evans, the inventor, born Septem-
ber 23, 1753, died December 2G, 1809, are as
follows: I. William (5), born X'ovember 2G,
1785, died December 30, 1818; II. Mary
("Polly") (5), l)oni in June, 1789, died Sep-
tember 21, lhG7, was married to James
Drumniond, who died June 9, 182G, aged
about thirty-two, had children, i. Evan, born
August 25, LS18, died without is.sue June
29, 1S43; ii. Mary A. E. ((J), born N'ovendx-r
G, 1820, died April 21, 1890, married .May
24, 1842, to Hiram Ball, who was born Sep-
tendjer 3, 1819, died December 11, 1891, had
nine children, of whom six were li\-ing in
189G; iii. John Wesley (G), bom January 20,
1825, died September 13, 188!), man-ied" Cor-
delia E. Standiford, XWendjer 27, 1851;
III. Ann (5), who died June 20, 1845, un-
married; IV. Rachel (5), born in 1791, died
-March 10, 1865, unmarried; V. Cliaries (5),
born in 1794, died :\Iay 22, 18G8; VI. John
(5), bom ]\Inrch 8, 1801, died October 23,
182G.
The children of Mary A. E. Drumniond
(G~), eldest child of James and Mary (Evans)
Drumniond, and her husband Hiram Ball,
were as follows: I. ;Marietta (7) (Mrs.
AVilliam F. Ely), bom March 23, 1843, died
A\m\ 4, 1883, had chil.lren, i. Caroline (8)
(Ah-s. Grant); ii. AVilliam F. ; iii. Janied L.
(8); iv. Charles E. (S); v. Frank (8); vi.
John B. (8); vii. Bettie (8); viii. Alarj- E.
(8); ix. Thaddeus (8); II. Georgiana (7)
(Airs. J. C. Ely), born February 7, 1845, has
children, i. Anna il. (8); ii. Lillian E. (8);
iii. (iertrude E. (8); iv. James E. (8); IIL
AVilliam E. (7), bom January 13, 1847, died
October 10, 1847; IV. Elizabeth S. (7)
(Airs. John Hess), has children, i. Alollie AL
(8); ii. Jennie E. (8); iii. Rachel E. (8); iv.
James B. (8); v. Edward AL (8); vi. Frank
E. (8); y\\. Delmar (8); viii. Alyrtle \. (8);
Y. Rachel E. (7), born April 21, 1851, mar-
ried in 187G to Charles Hess, has children,
i. Charies B. (8); ii. Emma E. (8); iii. James
B. (8); iv. Alary A. (8); v. XVllie AL (8);
AM. John W. (7), born Alay 1, 1854, mar-
■•*, Si I <. \\'^ • .iO,.i\it t Tr
<H .
V-' ..u.
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I , I,
STATE OF I) E LAW. [BE
175
ried ^fartlia J. Curry, who was born in 1851),
lias fliildreii, i. Charles ('. (8); ii. Mary K.
(8); iii. Xellie (S); iv. James Chandler (8);
V. Carrie L. (8); VII. Charles D. (7), born
Jiilv 24, Lsr.d; Vlir. James D. (7), born
]\Iareh 28, 18(ii); IX. Franklin E. (7j, bom
]\Iareh 2C, ISGl, died July 8, 180-t.
Followiufr is a record of the descendants
of Daniel Jiarker (2), son of Samuel liarker
(1), of Xcw Castle county, Del., 1085:
Daniel Barker (2) died about 1750. lie
inan-ied Elizabeth Nicliolas; they had ^ix
children, as follows: I. Doreas (.3); 11.
IU)bert (.1), the eldest son, was nmrried Octo-
ber 10, 1704, to Deborah Jordan, in Old
Swedes' eliurch, Wilmington; III. John (ii),
was married in Old Swedes' elnireh, Wiinung-
ton, Del., September II, 170.';, to ^liriam
Craip, and was living in 1775; IV. Nieholas
(3), born -May 8, 1737, died :March 24, l.s20,
niarrie<l Uannah Allen; V. Sanniel (3), mar-
ried -Margaret Cireentield, April 25, 1703, in
Old Swedes' eliureh, AVihiiiugton; \\.
Elizabeth (3) (Mrs. Barry).
I'iie descendants of Xieholas Barker (3),
third son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Nicholas)
Barker, and his wife Hannah Allen, accord-
ing to data furnished by Anderson il. Bar-
ker, of Kem]rs ilills, X. C, are as follows:
Xieholas Marker, niamed Hannah, daughter
of John and I'hebe Allen, who was born July
10, 1741, died December 10, 1834; they
settled ill Baudolph co\inty, X. C., and had
six children: I. -Vmy (4) (Mi's. Charles C!ox),
l)orn January 18, 1704, died May 1!), 1839;
IT. Elizalietii (4), born May 17,' 1700, died
of cancer while on the way {(> Indiana; 111.
Abner (4), bom August il, 17(iH, date of
death unknown, nuirried Lydia , and
removed to Indiana, they had children, i. -\a-
than (5), ii. Xieholas "(5); IV. John (4),
born April 7, 1771, died April 3, 184:», mar-
ried fii-st Mary Osborne, and secondly, Itutli
^[endenhalh had children by both man-iages,
as follows: i. Simeon (5), born October 1!',
1703; ii. Xieholas (5), born October 3(1,
1705; iii. ]\Iatthew (5), born Xovemlxr 11,
1707; iv. ]\!ary (5), bom Xovember i:»,
1700; v. Edith" (5), bom March 3, ISOI ; vi.
Bachel (5), bom December 8, 18112; vii.
Amy (5), born August 7, 1804; viii. Enoch
(5),' born December 20, 1800; ix. John (5),
bom ]\rarcli 11, 1800; .x. Elizabeth (5), bom
February 9, 1811; .xi. David (5), born .\n-
gust 10, 1814; all these children of John Bar-
ker went to reside in Indiana; V. Isaac (4),
born December 4, 1773, married tirst Hannah
Davis, secondly, .Mary ; he removed
to Indiana; VI. Enoch (4), born September
0, 1770, died.Sei)tendH-r 14, lS4,s, was mar-
ried about 1800, in Cane (^-eek meeting-
iiouse, Chatham county, X. C, to Elizabeth,
daughter of John and -Mary Davis, who was
born' December 20, 1782, died Xovend-er 30,
1834. Their children were, i. Sarah (5),
ii. Daniel (5), iii. Xieholas (5), iv. John (5),
v. Isaac (5), vi. Seth (5), vii. an infant, bom
February 22, 1814, viii. ^lary (5), ix.
Hannah' (5), x. Elisha (5), .xi. Thomas (5).
Xathau Barker (5), elder son of Abner
and Lydia Barker, was born April 23, 1702,
niari-ie'd Ruth , I'orn December 5,
1707, and removed to Indiana; they had
children, as follows: T. Hannah (0), bora
February 28, 181 G; II. Lydia (0), born
March 2, 1818; IIL IsUry (0), born October
10, KSIO; IV. Charles (0), born December
17[ 1S21 ; V. Achsah CO), bom February 14,
l,s21; VL Abner (0), born July 20, 1820.
Nicholas F.arkcr (5), younger son of Ab-
nc^r and Lvdia Liarker, marrit'd Sarah Purvoe,
and had 'chihlren: I. Abner (01, living in
1S!>0; 11. Bebecca (0), living in ISOO; IH.
Sarah (0), living in 1800; IV. Lydia (0),
living in 1800; V. Hannah (0), decea.sed;
VI. Thonuis CO, died in Indiana; VII. Ban-
doli)h (0), died in Indiana.
The descendants of Kno<-h (4) and Eliza-
beth (Davis) B.arker were as follows:
I. Sarah (5), born Novenilier 2'.), 1801,
died October Ki, ISKI, married .Luiuary 1,
1S24, to Thomas Cox;
II. Daniel (5), born October 7, 1803, died
January 1, 1802; married February 17,
1825, to Lydia Cox, had children, i. Bebecca
(0), boi'n .January 15, 1820, died Xovember
10, 1827, ii. Enocli (<i), bom September 20,
1S27, nun-ried Bliebe Lee, iii. -Vsenath (O,
born June '5, 1820, married to Oideon Cox,
Septendicr 13, 1858, iv. Bridget (((), born
.\ngu-t 27, 1830, married first Samuel An-
derson, seeciudly, E. Lee, v. Malilon (0), born
Sei)tendier 10, 1833, died July 12, 1803, mar-
ried September 7, 185',l, to Bhebe ^lenJen-
hall, had two children, Solomon 1'-. (7), of
Wilminiiton, Del., and .Vndevson .M. (7), of
ICemp'^ Mills. X. C: vi. Sarah (0), l,om Xo-
\cniber 5, is;i5, died Januarv 5, l.s02, \\\.
■\ '.'..< A ; " '^v V>\
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I 1 1 in
176
BlOGllAPIllCAL EXVYCLOPEDIA
Elizabeth (0), Lorn Jamiary -l^, 1S3S, mar-
ried W. Lloyd, viii. Elzeua (U) (.Mrs. \V.
Shields), bora March '6\, 184U, ix. Caleb
(0), born March 7, l64ii, married Laura
Qiiate, X. Sophia (Ci) (,Mi-s. Frank Marley),
born April 4, 1844, xi. Daniel (G), born
]\Iarch \-l, 1JS40, married Louisa IMills, xii.
Keveus (0), born ]\rarch 12, 1S49, maiTied
Mary IMartin;
IIL JSI^icholas (5), born September 11,
1805, died May IG, 184G, married November
S, 1S27, to Catharine Cox, has children, i.
Jouatlian (G), born October 24, 1828, died
April 16, 1850, ii. Elizabeth (G), born Sep-
tember 1, 1830, died October IS, 1852, iii.
Mary (6) (Mre. Thomas T. Ilinshaw), born
December 10, 1832, iv. Simeon (G), born
September 14, 1835, married Ivuth Ilinshaw;
V. Ezra (G), born Fcbrnary 10, l>>;iS, mamed
in Indiana, vi. Cyrus (G), born Septend;er
S, 1840, married in Indiana, vii. Nathan (G),
born March 7, 1843, married M. Ilinshaw,
^^ii. Amy (6) (ilrs. J. II. Craven), born Oc-
tober 5, ISiG;
IV. John (5), bom February 12, 1807,
died December 28, 1890, married iMarcli 20,
1S32, to Anna Cox, had children, i. Phcbe'
(G), bom January 18, 1833, ii. Elizabeth
(G), born February 22, 1835, iii. :Mary (6),
born May 30, 1837, iv. Isaac (G), born Sep-
tember 15, 1839, V. Eebecca (G), born Feb-
ruary 27, 1842, vi. Esther (G), born April
24, 1845, vii. Sarah (G), born December 1,
1847;
V. Isaac (5), bom January 19, ISIO, died
in 1820;
VL Seth (5), bom August 13, 1812, died
in 1894, married Margaret Cox; their child-
ren are, \. Catharine (C) (ilrs. L. AVard),
born November 11, 1834. ii. Elizabeth (G),
bom September 23, 1836, first ^rifc of J. Ilin-
shaw, iii. Hannah (6), bom December 13,
1838, iv. Iluldah (6), bom December 1,
1840, second wife of J. Ilinsliaw, v. Itachel
(G), bom March 25, 1842, vi. ^[^vy (6), born
October 25, 1844, vii. Seth (G),'bom Feb-
ruary 18, 1847, \\\\. Eenjamiu (6), born
January M, 185] ;
VII. An infant (5), born Februarv 22,
1814:
VIII. ilary (5) {^Ivs. Da\ad Fariow), bora
Sejiteudier 20. 1815;
IX. Hannah (5) (Mrs. Mahlon Hackett),
born Alarch 5, 1818;
X. Klisha (5), burn April 15, ISi'ii, mar-
ried Hannah J. Allen, removed to Indiana,
has children, i. Amelia (G), bom Sejjtember
24, 1855, ii. Martha (G), bom May 25, 1858,
iii. John (Inrncv (G), bom December IS,
1860;
XI. Thomas (5), bom July 16, 1827, mar-
ried J. Little.
WILLI Ail ALEXANDER COMEGYS,
]\[iddletown, New Ca-tle county, Del., son of
tlie late Samuel and Anne Jtebecca ( King-
giild) Comegys, was Imi'ii in Kent cuunty,
-Md., L\Liy 24, 1M5. Following are the
records of his paternal and maternal ancestry:
The duuieijijs FainUij. — Cornelius Co-
megys, the pioneer imnugrant of the family,
became a resident of Kent county, .Md., about
the year 1670, and with his family was na-
turalized in 1672, by an act of a.ssenibly
(Chapter 29), entitled: "The humble peti-
tion of Hansen Cornelius Comegys, the elder,
ilillimenty Comegys, his wife, Cornelius Co-
megys, the younger, Elizabeth Comegys,
William Comegys and Hannah (^omegys,
their children." They settled on the Chester
liiver, and the oi-iginal homestead remained
in the family until the early part of the pres-
ent century; it was the heritage of Cornelius
Comegys, 2, from whom the "Quaker Neck"
branch of the family has ita descent.
William Comegys, younger sou of Come-
lius and ]\rillimenty Comegys, went ta
Crumpton, Aid., then known as ifcAllister's
Ferry. He had one son, William Comegys,
2, who married Ann Cosden, Novendjer 28,
1734. Their children were: I. John, bom
Februar}- 4, 173G; II. Alethea, born June 9,
1737, manied Joseph Ireland; III. and IV.
twins, Al])heus and .Mphonso, bom Decem-
ber 15, 1738; V. Edward, bom January 13.
1741; VI. Nathaniel, bom Februarv 23,
1745; VII. Ann, born June 2^, 1747;
VIII. Jesse, born October 30, 1749; IX.
Edward William, born April 2, 1752; X and
XI. twins, Jonathan and Elizabeth, born
February 7, 1757: XIL Cornelius 3, born
July 4, 1758. William Comegvs died Alarch
29, 17G4.
John C'omeg^s, eldest son of AVilliam and
Ann (Cosden) Comegys, was married October
15, 1757, to Sarah Spencer, and had children:
I. Samuel, was marn'erl Jainiarv 15.
.1. il...d
.... .;ii ■ i 'J '. , ■;: .: ■ ■ i / ;
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,; •■■■■ i,: ;).;i ,()' (inri.iiJ n- J ,(■» ^ rj.. ■!' v
» .■ I.',.
STATE OF DELAWAUE
177
17S0, to ~Mary (iloanes, and had cliil-
(lieii, i. John, ii. Sarah, iii. Margaix-t,
iv. Saninc'L Sanaiel Coniegys was inaniud
again, February 14, 17!>1, to J\Iary Freeman,
an.l liad cliiklren, i. Freeman, ii. -Mary, iii.
Nathaniel, iv. Samuel, v. Juiward F., horn
Ai>ril o, 17'JT, married iliss Farly, uf Ahi-
Lama, had children, John, (ieorge and Kate,
and by a second marriage liad two sons, W'ill-
iam and Fdward, was still a resident of Ala-
bama, September Iti, 1S75, vi. William, vii.
-Miilinienta (Mrs. Thomas J. Mann), had
tliree children, ilary Ann, Joseph and
Samuel, viii. ^\'ashil,lgton, married Miss
Palmei-, had eiiildren, Samuel William,
(Jcorge \\'. and John E.; was married again
to Leonora Xewman, and had three children,
Washington, Alary and Henry; his eldest
son, Samuel William Comegys, married (!.
A. C. JMassey, June 20, 184S, and had two
children, Annie -M. aiul Charles E. ;
II. John;
lir. Ann, born September 4, 17G3;
ly. Isaac, born June 9, 1705;
V. Jcrns, born August 8, 1768;
A'l. William;
YIT. Sarah;
VIII. Nathaniel, born December 10,
1771, married Hannah ilyers, and had
children ;
i. John ^fvers, married Mrs. Anna W.
(Comegys) liinggold, November 20, 1824,
a daughter of Nathaniel and Franciua (Wor-
rell) Comegys, and widow of James King-
gold; the children of this marriage were: 1.
Nathaniel W., maiTied January 15, ISTii), to
Helen, daughter of (ieorge Wilson and .Mar-
garet (Kinggold) Spencer, had two children,
(ieorge Siiencer and'John ]\I., 2. Haniiah,
married November 27, 1849, to John F. Xew-
man, liad live ('hildren, John F., Emma, Ella,
Bessie and Tfobert Lee, 3. Anna, nuuTied
December 15, 1853, to Stuart II. Emory, has
five chihlreu, Kate, Anna, Stuart Ti., John
\M. C. ami William N. John ilyers Comegys
died in Ids seventy-seventh year, February
18,1870;
ii. Samuel, married November 20, 1832, to
Anne KcbiH'ca, daughter of James and Sarah
(Williamson) Kinggold, had children: 1.
Sarah AVilliamson (Airs. "Williani Emory),
who had five children, William Comegys,
ilarj', Anna, Alice and Samuel Comegys; 2.
Mary Keliecca (Afrs. John W. Ireland), has
si.K children, Emma, William, Herman,
Louisa, May and Hallie; 3. Anna Elizabetli,
deceased; 4. John .Myers, now residing in tlie
West; 5. Samuel, married Ella, daughter of
John F. and Anna (Comegys) Newman; 0.
William Alexander; 7. Milliminta; S.
Hannah Myei-s (,Mi-s. William It. Kose), of
Talbot county, Aid., has throe children, Wil-
liam, Anna Kose and Sophie; 'J. Kichard
Williamson, who married Susan Foster, of
(^leen Anne county, Md., and has five chil-
dren; U). Fdward Thomas, who married Eliza-
beth, daughter of James W. Ilurtt, of Kent
county, Aid., and has one daughter; IT. Na-
thaniel, Avho man-ied Catherine Kose, of Tal-
bot county. Aid., and has five children, So-
phia, Kose, AValtcr, Charles, Nannie and
Clarence;
Ali)honso Comegys, fourth child of AVil-
liani and Ann (Cosden) Comegys, married and
had children:
I. .John, who married Ann, daughter of
Jonathan and Mary ((iriffith) Comegys, and
had children, i. Alplionso, married Sarah F.
Alorgan, and had one son, John E. , ii. Fran-
cis, iii. Ann Alaria;
II. Francis.
Nathaniel Comegys, sixth ehihl of Williani
and Ann (Co.sden) Comegys, nuirned Hannah
Wallace, and had children:
I. Williani, who married Elizabeth, daugli-
ter of Colonel John AVard, of Cecil county,
Aid.; Colonel AVard was a Kevolutionary sol-
dier, and his great-gran<lchildren, resident in
Kent county. Aid., have in their ])ossession
the epaulettes which he wore at the battle of
Long Island. The only child of William and
Elizabetli (War;l) Comegys was John Ward,
who on August 0, 1820, niamed his cousin,
Ann Alaria, daughter of John and Ann (Co-
megys) Comegys, and had children, i.
(!('(»rgia, married February 25, 1845, to Ed-
wai-d W. Comegys, has cliildren, Alary A''ir-
glnia, Columbia, Stimmei-field, Edward Glan-
ville and John AVard, ii. A^irginia E. , iii.
AVilliam, iv. Indiana Af., v. John Ward;
If. Hannah, born in 1771, married Ken-
jamin Comegys, ami had one sou, Bartis Co-
megys, who on October 13, 1818, mamcd
Evelina AL, daughter of A''achel Doi-sey, of
Baltimore, ]\Id., and had children, i. Eliza-
beth I). (Afrs. K..bert AV. Cliffe). ii. Benja-
min, married ]\Iary, daughter of Williani F.
Bartlette, iii. John P., married (leorgina
." VI. .■.
;.r-;iil/ r< .1.,,
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if»r;' ;Z I.. ,1.1.-1. ;..»iT[ .! 7r.jiu'»>i. : in,.l ,;;ii/. .111
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178
BIOGRA PIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mitchell, and has five children, 15artis, Eve-
lina M., Harry D., P. and C'aruliiiL', iv. Es-
sex 1)., V. Pliilip T. , vi. ('atlieriiie ( '. , vii,
SalJic M., viii. ilary C. ;
III. Jolm.
Natlianiel Coinegj's, by a second marriage,
■\vitli Francina Worrell, had one dangliter:
I. Ann Worrell Coniegys, married James
King-gold, and had two cliildren, i. -Mary, ii.
Francina; after the death of .Mr. Uinggold
she married John Myers C'omegys, and iiad
clnldren, i. Xathaniel \\'., ii. Hannah, iii.
Anna.
Jesse Coniegys, eighth child of William
and Ann (Cosden) Coniegys, married ,Mary •
Everett, and had children :
I. Cornelius;
II. Maria;
TIT. Sarah, who married Jolm Wallace,
and had children, i. Frank, ii. So[)hia, iii.
Cornelius, iv. Araniinta, v. Conu'gys, ^i.
Eenjanun, vii. John, viii. Artliur.
Jonatiian Coniegys, tentii cliiid of William
and Ann (Cosden) Comegys, married Mary
Griffith, and had children:
I. Ann, born June 21, 1775, married Au-
gust 2!t, 1707, to John Comegys, liad children,
i. .\l]dionso, ii. Francis, iii. Ann Maria;
II. Fdward;
II r. Klizabetli, married first, Jacob Ab-
bott, and had one son, Jacob Abbott, 2; af-
terwards she married Samuel Brown, of jSTcw
Jersey, and hail one son, Thomas Comegys
iJrown;
IV. i\Iary;
Y. Ariana;
A^I. Jonathan, who was married, Jannarv
12, ISIT), to Harriet Stradley, and had chil-
dren, i. Mary, ii. Edward William, who mar-
ried (ieorgia, daughter of Jolm Ward and
Ann ilaria Comegys, and hail five children,
!Mary Virginia, (Columbia, Siimmertield, Ed-
■ward Glanville and John AVard, iii. Sarah
A., man-ied first to B. F. Harris, of Pittsburg,
I'a., and had two children, Cornelia and
Franklin, afterwards became ^Irs. McLean,
and had one daughter, Emma, iv. l-'.liza, \'.
Ariana, married Stewart, of Penn-
sylvaiua, and had si.x children, Frank, Har-
riet, Tanthns, Edward, ^lansfield and Ida.
Cornt'lius (\)iiiegys, 3, twelfth and young-
est child of William and Ann (Cosden) Co-
megys, was a gallant soldier, and in his event-
ful career displayed alike in war and in |ii'ace
many admirable traits. He left Cliarlestown,
;M(1., July 1, 1770, as a sergeant in the "Fly-
ing Camp." On its way to Fort \\'ashington
the regiment stopped in Philadelphia; there
he passed the memorable I'onrth of July,
1770, the natal day of our country, which
happened to be the young officer's own eigh-
teenth birthday, and shared the joyful and
sublime emotions of that aus]ti<'io)is moment.
.\fter the fall of Fort Washington, he was en-
trusted with the care of the invalid soldiers,
to eonduct them safe to Ilackensack, X. J.
I'pon the exjiiration of his term of enlistnienr,
he again entered the army, and served as en-
sign under <Ieneral AVashiiigton at \\'hite-
mai-sh, after the battle of (iermantown. He
went to Philadelphia directly after the evacu-
ation of that city by the British troojjs in Sep-
tember, 1778; and when the government was
organized, under the Articles of Confedera-
tion, <'ornelius Ctimegys was appointed to a
clerkship in the Treasury Department, and to
him was assigned the duty of preparing and
countersigning the Continental currency.
In 17^2 Cornelius (Jomegys, 3, retired
from jndilie life, anil entered the counting-
room of Willing A- Morris, in which Kobert
^lorris, the renowned financier, was a ])artner.
.Mr. Comegys soon became a favorite with the
tirm, and in 17S4, a.ssisted by the credit of
the acting partners, he began business as an
importer ui dry goods. The same diligence,
courage and faithfulness which had made him
a brave and valuc'd soldier, now won the es-
teem anil cunfidence of all who had business
dealings with him, either as suliordinate or as
]irincipal.
On July 4, 1840, the day on which he com-
])le{ed his eighty-second year, he wmte the
history of his honorable and eventful life for
the use of his (diildren.
Cornelius Comegys, 3, was first married to
^liss Paul, of Philadelphia, who died without'
issue. His second wife was Catherine Baker;
their children were: I. Hannah (^Irs. ila-
sun), had one daughter, Kate (ilrs. Smith);
II. Julia \. (^Irs. Sargent); III. Josejihine,
first wife, and IV. Ella, second wife of
(lilmore; \. Jacob, married iliss Lee, of
Boston, ^fass; VI. ^fortimer, died young.
The Iliii</(/okl FaniiUj. — In 10r)0 Thomas
Uinggold came to Kent county, ^Id., with his
two sons, John and Jame^i; he was then in
his fortieth year. About the year 1057, or
•(■ I 1. V
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STATE OF DELAWARE
179
before that date, Thomas Einggold was mar-
ried a sccdiid time, to -Mrs. (Mu-istian Ilili,
widow of 'I'homas 1 1 ill, Sr., wiiosc entire
laii(h'il estate ]\fr. TJiiigpold secured liy a deed
exeeiited Xoveiubcr 5, ](i57, to 'J'homas Hill,
Jr. To his sous, James and >rohn liiiigfiojd,
he eonveyed, December 2, KitJl, '"the one-
half of his land called Tluntiiigtield, which
is in estimation twelve luiiidred acres, lying
on the east side of the Chc-sapeakc J Jay."
.Major James Ringgold, of Iliuitingtield,
"lord of the nianor on Eastern Neck," son of
I'homas Kinggold, was twice married. By
his tii-st wife he had one son, Thomas Ring-
gold, '2. His second wife was Mary, daughter
oi Cajitain Itobert Vaugliti; their children
were: I. William; IT. John; III. James;
IN'. Charles. ^lajor Janus Ringgold died in
Uisr,.
Thomas Kinggold, 2, eldest son of Major
James Ringgold, was lirst married to Sarah
, who died, leaving an only son,
Thomas Ringgold, 8. lie was again married,
iSeptember 17, KUtO, to ^lary, daughter of
]\Iarmaduke and Kebecca Tylden; she died
Sei)tendier T), 1708, leaving children: I. Sarah,
luqiti/cd Scptendier 2!», 1700; II. Klias, bom
Scplcmbcr (>, 1702; III. James; IV. Joseph.
'J'homas Ringgold, 2, was buried October 10,
1711; he left his third wife, Frances, and
two small children: I. Josias; IT. Jlary Ann;
the latter was baptized after her father's
death, April 10, 1712.
William Kinggold, first son of ilajov
James and ^lary (Vaughn) Ringgold, mar-
ried ^lartha , and had children: 1.
Susanna, wife of T^enjaniin AVickes, son of
Samuel and Frances (Wilmer) Wickes, ajid
a direct descendant of ^Fajor Josc]>h Wickes,
wlio, in 1G51, settled in ivent county, ]\[d.,
where he occupied man}' responsible ])osi-
tions; II. John; JII. James; IV. Thomas,
4; y. Tvebecca. William Ringgold survi\ed
liis wife, and died in 175-1.
C'harh'tj Ringgold, youngest son of ^fajor
James and ^lary (Vaughn) Ringgold, was
married January 17, 1705, to Elizabeth
I5urke; they had children: I. -Tames, liorn
June 30, 1709; II. Charies, 2, bom April
27, 17i;i; III. Vincent, born Auffust 12,
171C.
Thomas Ringgold, 3, eldest son of Thomas,
2, and Sarah Ringgold, was married Ma\ 1,
1712, to Rebecca, daughter of Simon and
Ivebecca Wilmer, the progenitors of the Wil-
mer family in Kent county, Md., where
Simon AVilmer was active and influential in
church and civil affairs; he was elected a
vestryman of St. T'anl's [jarish, January 24,
10tt3, and in ItJ'JS represented Kent county
in the State Legislature. The children of
Thomas and Ivchecca (Wilmer) Ringgold
were: T. Thomas, 5, born Decendier 5, 1715;
II. Ifebeca, baptized June 4, 1727; III.
William; IV. Sarah (Mrs. Alexander Will-
iamson).
.Major William Ringgold, whose estate on
the Eastern Neck is now styled "The Her-
mitage," third child of Thomas and Rebecca
(Wilmer) Ringgohl, was one of the (Commit-
tee of Safety, (Observation and Correspond-
ence, during the licvolutionary War, and a
member of the convention which met at An-
napolis, August 14, 1770, and formed the
first Constitution of the State of ilaryland.
He received his military commission from
^Matthew Tilghman, president of "The Dele-
gates of the Freemen of .Maryland in Conven-
tion." lie was first married, January 1», 1750,
to Sarah Jones; their children were: T. Dr.
Jacob Ringgold; II. (Afi-s. Blunt);
III. Rebecca (Airs. John Williamson), whose
daughter, Sarah Williamson, married James
Jiinggold, and had cldldrcn, as follows: I.
James; IT. Alexander; III. William; IV.
Richard Williamson, former i)rcsident of
Washington College, Kent county, .Md.; V.
Thomas; VI. Sarah AV.; VIT. Anne Re-
becca (Mi-s. Samuel Comegys), n>other of
William Alexander Comegys; VIII. :\lary;
IX. Jacob; X. Washington.
By his second marriage, to his cousin,
]\Iary, daiighter of AVilliam and Rosa (Blaek-
iston) Wilmer, ]\rajor AVilliam Ringgold had
children: T. AVilliam; II. T'eregrine; HI.
Hester (.AIi-s. Holland); IV. Henrietta, mar-
ried to Captain Thomas Harris; A''. ■
(Airs. :\Iiller); A'T. Sarah Rebecca; A'lT.
Eliza; A' I IT. Fannie.
AVilliam Ringgold, :M. D., son of Major
AVilliam and .Mary (Wilmer) Ringgold, was
a member of the Legislature of ^hu-yland
during the sessions of 1823-24. He married
]\Tartha, daughter of Hans and Mary (Ilyn-
son) Hansen. Their children were: I. AVil-
liam, born in 1704, married ilaria Xicholson;
TI. T^eregrine, born in 17!I0, married Decem-
ber 2H, 1822, to yii[ry C, daughter of AVilliam
r ■ ' • 1
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ISO
BTOGRA PTIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and Mary (Seai-s) Coe ; III. Harriet Rebecca,
Lorn ill ITHS, married Septeiiibor 7, 1820,
to John Stevenson Constahle; IV. James
Alexander, born in ISOO; \. Frederick (Jiis-
taviis, born in ISOl; VI. ^lary Hansen, bom
Sejitember 10, 1803, married October it,
1821, to lion. James IIodi;vs, of Liberty Hail,
ICent connty, ild., son of James and Alary
(C'laypole) Hodges. Dr. Jfinggold died Feb-
rnary 14, 1832.'
Flias Einggold, eldest son of Thomas, 2,
and Mary (Tylden) King-gold, was married
April 15, 1725, to Hilary Hordley; they liad
one son, Thomas, a posthumous chiM, who
died very young. Elias Tvinggold died in Xo-
vember, 1737. In his will, dated in Oetober,
1737, he mentions his ''loving wife, Mary,"
and provides for his child, then unborn.
Josias Iiinggold, son of 'Ihomas, 2, and
Frances Ringgold, was nnirried August 11,
1730, to Sarah Smith. 'J'heir children wer •:
1. Thomas, born December 14, 1731; II.
Thomas, born [March 25, 1734; III. Josias,
2, born Se].tember 28, 1735; IV. Sarah; V.
Mary; VI. Ann; VII. Hannah; VIII.
Rebecca. Josias Ringgold died in 1770.
Josias Ringgold, 2, third son of .losias and
Sarah (Smith) Ringgold, had children: I.
Josias, 3, who was born in 17G2; II. Hen-
rietta, married Colonel Isaac Perkins, who
was a son of Ebenezer and Sarah (Banics)
Perkins, and a distinguished officer in the
, Continental Anny; he began his military ser-
vice as captain in the Fourth Battalion of the
'"Flying Camp," of 177(!; was styled a "Nam-
ing patriot;" was a delegate to the Maryland
Convention which ratitieil the Constitution of
the United States, April 28, 1788; being
. wealthy and influential in Kent county, ^Id.,
is said to have raised and fully equipped at
his o^\^l expense, a company for the service
of the colonies in the Rcvolutionarv struggle;
III. Sarah.
Josias Ringgold, 3, son of Josias Ringgold,
2, married ]\Iarv, daughter of Charles and
Sarah (Kennard) (iroome, in 1802. Their
children were: I. Josias, 4; II. Sarah Ann;
III. Charles; IV. ilary Ann, married Feb-
ruary G, 1827, to Dr. Jacob Fisher, son of
Rev. Isaac and Bathsheba Fisher, who was
born December 2, 179G, sen'cd as register of
wills of Kent coimty, Aid., died February IS,
1859; their chiMrcn were, i. ^\^^r^• .Matilda,
ii. Alfred Henry, iii. Samuel Croome, iv.
Jacob Frederick, v. Josias Ringgold, vi.
Isaac Montgomery, vii. Clorinda Cornelia,
viii. Ringgold AVilliams, ix. Charles Joseph
Croome, x. Henry Theodore, xi. Flla Theo-
dora; V. Henrietta (Iroome (Mrs. Joscjih
Rasin), had children, i. Atlce, ii. Joseph,
uuirried Sarah Paca; VI. AVilliani (Jroome.
Josias Ringgold, 4, eldest son of Josias and
ilary (Groome) Ringgold, was married in
December, 182G, to .\nn Fliza Cruikshank;
they had children: I. William Groome; II.
Ann Elizabeth, married October 31, 18G7, to
.lolin Kennard Aldridge, has one child, Eliza-
beth Bella; III. Sarah Hem-ietta, married
first to iliilfonl lilackiston, and had children,
i. Emma Ringgold, ii. Laura, iii. James
Thomas; she afterwards married Major Rich-
ard Smyth; IV. Alary (iroome, married Octo-
ber 7, 1857, to James Henry Price, has chil-
di'en, i. Anna, ii. Josias, iii. Alary Belle, iv.
.\nnie; afterwards married Benjamin Black-
iston Wroth, and had children, i. Charles; ii.
Kelvin, iii. Elizabeth, iv. Benjamin lilack-
iston, v. William Groome; V. Josias, 5,
married December 14, 1SG5, to Catherine
(■amble, has children, i. Emily W., ii. Wil-
liam (iroome, iii. R(J)crt Gandile, iv. Edna;
\\. Isabella Sluby, married October 31,
18GG, to James A. Cruik.shank, M. D., of
Louisiana, has children, i. James, ii. Robert;
yn. Laura Eugenia, married in Xovendier,
18G2, to John Kennard Aldridge, has chil-
dren, i. AVilliam, ii. John Henry; VIII. Cath-
erine Browne.
The early years of Williani Alexander Co-
megys were spent in his native county, where
he enjoyed the advantages of an excellent edu-
cation. In 18G2, when about seventeen years
old, he left Kent county, Aid., for Smyrna,
L)el., where he remained about three years,
as salesman in a general store. Returning in
18G5 to his home, he was for two yeai-s nccn-
pied in farming, after which, in 18G7, he went
to Baltimore, Aid., as clerk in the State Grain
Ins])ector's office, having been appointe<l to
that jiosition by Governor Bowie. In 1^71
he again returned to his native county, anil
was engaged until 1873 in mercantile bu-^i-
ness, at Kennedyville. From 1873 to 1SS3
Air. C(»megys was a dealer in grains and ag-
ricultural implements at Aliddletown, Xew
Castle county, Del.; in the latter year he
disposed of his business in order to assume tlie
position of teller in the AIiddleto\vn Xational
I ■ I
STATE OF DELAWARE
181
Bank. In Xovember, 18S2, ho Lad been
elected ou the Democratic ticket to the State
Lcgishiturc, and in the fall of 1S.S4 he was
re-elected; being chosen speaker of the
House of Ivei)rcsentativc3 during this scssicm;
he resigned his position in the National ]iank,
January 1, 1885, in order to give his attention
more fully to his legislative duties. In 1 )e-
cend)ei'; iSSi:), iMr. Comegys was appointed
Chief Dci)uty Collector of Internal Kevenne,
with ofHce at Wilmington, Del.; the
duties of this office he performed efficiently
until June 1, 1SS8, at which date he resigne(L
During the spring of 181)1 he again endjarked
in the grain Imsiness at .Middletown, and con-
tinued in this b\isines3 until February, 181)1,
when ho received his apiwintment to his pres-
ent position, that of Special Deputy Collector
of Customs. In 1870 'Mv. Comegys, who
takes a warm and intelligent interest in the
affaii-s of the borough in which he resides, was
elected treasurer of ]\liddletown; in 1892 he
was elected a light and water commissioner
for four years, and re-elected for a further
period of five years, in 1890. lie supjjorts
the Democratic party, and is a member of
Union Lodge, No. 6. A. O. U. W.
"William Alexander Comegys was married
in :Mi.ldlotown, Del., April 30, 187l>, to
Frances F., daughter of Ivobert A. and Mary
(Rouse) Cochran; ^Ir. Cochran is a native of
Xew .Castle, Del., and his wife of Harford
county, ^Id. The children of ifr. and ^frs.
Comegys are: I. Robert A., born Jnly 8,
1873, now studying medicine at the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania; II. Joscjdi P., born
Novend)er 1, 1883; and two sons, Birkhead
and Harry, who died in infancy. Mr. Co-
megys is a member of the Protestant Fjiisco-
pal Church, and seiwed from ]875 to 1890 as
vestryman of St. Ann's church, at IMiddle-
town.
ALLFN VOORHEES LESLEY, :\I. D.,
By Henry Voorhees Stilwcll, Philadelphia.
— Practiced medicine at New Castle, Dela-
ware. Ho was born in Philadelphia .Tuii(> 17,
1822, died at New Castle November 7, ISSl,
and was buried at North Laurel Hill Ceme-
tery, Philadelphia. Dr. Lesley was a gradu-
ate of the LTniversity of Pennsylvania, grand
master of the Isl. W. Crand L(jdge,
Free and Accepted .Masons, of Dela-
ware, and a member of the State Legislature.
He was married June 10, 1844, to Jane Les-
ley Voorhees, born April 7, ISIG, died in
Xew Castle, Del., July 31, 1874. She was
the daughter of Henry P. Voorhees, mer-
chant of Fultonville, .Montgomery county.
New York, and Jane Cowenhoven, his wife,
born ]\Iarch 12, 1792, died ]\Iay 7, 1874.
Dr. Lesley was the son of Peter Lesley, born
in Philadelphia June 19, 1793; died in Phila-
delphia ^larch tl, IS,"),"), married Eliza-
beth Oswal.l Allen, born in Pldladelphia ^Lly
20, 1793, died in FhihKlelj.hia August 17,
1832, daughter of Jolm Wineidl Allen and
Sarah Rand, his wife.
The said Peter Lesley was the son of Peter
Lesley, born in Aberdeenshire, Scotlandj
1738,'^ and died in Phihulelphia ilarch 31,
18ir>; married Catharine Kitler, born 1757,
died in Philadelphia December 25, 1832.
The coat of arms of (he Lesley family — (u
dcmi-gntfin, rani])ant, motto "gril) fast") was
granted Bartholomew IvCsley by Queen ^far-
garet of Scotland on account of his rescuing
her from drowning, while they were crossing
a swollen. stream; he seized her by the girdle,
while she frequently told him to "grip fast;"
this was tlie origin of the motto.
JOSHUA PUSEY, Esq., Philadelphia,
Pa., son of the late Jacob and Louisa (Web-
ster) Pusey, of Wilmington, Delaware, was
born ]\rarcli 27, 1842, at Auburn, now York-
Ijii, New Castle county, Del., where liis father
(stablished cmc of the early cotton mills of thi^
country.
^fr. Pusey's early life was full of change
and adventure. He received a liberal educa-
tion in private schools, and at the age of
eighteen, Avhcn with a publishing house in
Philadel]>hia, having an intense desire to see
tlie Old \Vorld, he took steerage passage on an
Irish packet ship for Londonderry, Ireland.
He traveled through parts of Ireland, Scotland,
and England, thence to the continent, through
Holland, Cermany, parts of France, Switzer-
land, Italy and Austria. He also traveled
through lilyria, Styria, Croatia and Hungary;
having in the year and a half of his interest-
ing and eventful wanderings walked several
thousand miles without a companion, and
learneil several languages on the way. Some
time after his arrival at Buda-Pesth, the capi-
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182
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
till of ITungaiy, lie Icanu-d of tlie l);ittle of
IJiill l\iui. The next evciuiig lie was lioiiie-
wanl bound, deteniiiued to euliat in the war
for the Union. When he arrived at Liver-
pool, he had not sufticient nidiiey to pay liis
]iassage aeross tiie Atlantic (not having wailed
for an expected draft at J5iidu-resth). He
therefore obtained a position on a steamer,
and on arriving at New York went iniiue-
diatelv to AVashiiigton, with the -view of en-
listing in a cavalry regiment. .Mr. I'lisey,
however, returned home, and after si)eiiding
a part of the succeeding summer at the farm
of the late ]\Iilton Conrad, at West drove,
Chester county. Pa., he enlisted in the First
Pennsylvania Kitles— the celebi-ated '-Jiuck-
tails" — with Alexander ilcClurg, a school
teacher at West Chove, who was killed near
]\Ir. Pusey at the terible battle of i-'rcdericks-
burg, in December, 18(32.
.Mr. Pusey was severely wounded in the
same battle, in the thick of the fight; a ball en-
tering his neck, just escaping the carotid ar-
tery, and, i>assing through the root of the
tongue, it shattered the jaw on one side into
fragments and broke it s<iiiarely off ,,n the
other side. Ilis jaw and chin" hung down
111 tliat condition for some three weeks, before
being brought up into proper jdace. 'J'he
shot rendered him uncouseious for a time, but
when he returned to consciousness he found
liimself between the Union and Confederate
forces in the midst of a fierce artillery duel,
a pandemonium of shrieking and hissing
shells and other missiles. As he was in dan-
ger of being hit at any moment, he crawled
into a ditch, and there remained for a while,
mitil, afraid of being captured bv the enemy'
he walked towards the Union lines, and was
finally picked up by an ambulance and taken
to an improvised tield hospital not far from
Pappahannock Piver. Here he saw Cajjtain
Irederick Taylor, then commanding the regi-
ment who had been slightly wounded in the
I'attk'. Captain Taylor .seeing :\[r. Pusey 's
terrible eondition, and supposing that his
wound was ].robably fatal, took Mr. Pusey by
tlie hand, and with tears in his eyes sininly
said -'My dear fellow."
_ :\rr. Pusey, after further experiences in hos-
pitals adjacent to Fredericksburg, tinallv
wrote home that he had been severely W(,un.i-
ed. II,s brother after some time discvered
Ills whereabouts, and he was takc^i to Wil-
mington, where he was successfully treated
by seven surgeons and physicians, among them
Dr. Kane, a brother of the former colonel of
the Jiuektaijs; but it was many months before
lie could talk.
After s|)ending part of the summer of 18(i3
with .Milton CJonrad, to recuperate his
strength, .Mr. Pusey eiiliste<l in an emergency
artillery company, that was stationed at Push
Jiiver, .Md., about the time of the battle of
(icttysburg. Subsequently, in the spring of
1SC4, he went to Washington and there en-
gaged extensively in the mainifacture of
bricks, which business he carried on for sev-
eral years, until he .sold out his interest. Ko
then rcniovcMl to Philadelphia, and after-
wards studied law, finishing his studies in the
otKce of the well-known lawyei-s (ieorge IP
Karle and Pichard P. White, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in the latter part of 1873.
.Mr. Pusey is a member of the bar of various
circuit courts of the United States and has
been a counsellor of the Supreme Court of
the United States for twenty years past. lie
has made a specialty of patent, trade-mark
and copyright cases; in fact his jn-actice,
which is an extensive one, has been exclusive-
ly in that line for many years. ^Ir. Pusey has,
in the course of his jji-actice, had occasi(m to
travel in almost every State and territory of
the Union.
He is a member of Post 2, of ]'hiladej|>liia,
of the (irand Army of the Pepublic; of the
Franklin Institute; the Historical Soeiiiv of
Pennsylvania, the Ducktail .Association, and
other soeieties, including the Sons of Dela-
ware, of whose '"club song" — which is always
sung standing at the meetings of the soeiety
— he is the composer.
!Mr. Pusey resides in a channing country-
seat, "ilapelinden," in the hills of Delaware
county.
Joshua Pu.sey was married Novenil)er 15,
ISOfi, to Pebecca K., daughter of Joseph P.
and Sarah W. Kenderdine, of Philadeliihia.
Their children are: I. .Albert Payinoiul; 11.
Grace Fdna; TIT. Josephine Certrude, de-
ceased; TV. Frederick Taylor; V. Walter Car-
roll; and one that died in infancy. ]\Ii-s. Re-
becca Pusey died T^ecember G, 187(5. Joshua
Pusey was again married Xovember 18, 1S7;),
to Caroline F. C. S., daughter of the late
.\braham Z. and Sarah C. Slirevc, formerly
of Salem, X. J. The children of this mar-
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STATE OF DELAWARE
18S
riage iire: I. Arthur "Wancii; II. Clarence
Carton, iliwl young; III. Ikla B. Tlic family,
although not all nieuibcrs of the Society of
Fricmls, loan that way.
I-TvEDEKICK TAYLOlf PUSEY, Esq.,
P. (). kan.-ilowne, Delaware- county. Pa., son
of Joshua and Pehecca (Keiuleixline) Pusey,
was horn in Phihulelphia, Pa., June ;5, 1.S72.
Ilis i>riniary education was obtained in the
juiMic schools of Chester county, Pa., near
Avondalc. SuLsequently he attended the
FHcndr,' ScIkmJ (.f Philadelphia and
was graduated from the Friends' Central
lligli Scho(d of that city, in ISSI). After
completing his studies there he went to his
father's country-seat near Lima, Delaware
county, I'a. He Wiis aftenrards ch(i>en as-
sistant manager of a hosiery mill in Kensing-
ton, Philadelphia county, and held that posi-
tion for one year. During that time he hegan
the st\idy of law. In January, ISOl', he en-
tered the office of Colonel "Wendell Phillips
iJowman, in Philadelphia, and there com-
jileted his legal studies. On February 1, 181H,
^fr. Pusey was admitted to the bar of Phila-
delphia county, and since that time has been
in active jjractice and associated mth Colonid
Pownian. He is also a member of the bar of
Delaware county, Pa.
ilr. Pusey is conspicuous in the service of
the National Guard of Pennsj'lvania. En-
listing as a i»rivate in Company C, First Pegi-
ment, in June 1802, at the time of the irome-
stead nuts, he has risen rapidly until he is now
a member of the colonel's staff. lie held all
the non-commissioned offices, was battalion ser-
geant major of staff, was afterward, in Febru-
ary, ISDG, promoted to battalion adjutant,
and in the same year was appointed regimental
adjutant under Colonel Bowman. He dis-
charged the duties of his office mth marked
ability dunng the TIazleton riots in 1897, and
was among the first to vobniteer at ]\[t.
firctna in ilay, 1898,- when the soldiers of
Pennsylvania's National Guard were asked to
enlist in the army of the United States in the
war against Spain.
!Mr. Pusey lias taken a deep interest in the
Law Academy of Philadelphia, which was
founded in 1783, has served as assistant
secretary, secretaA' and vice-president, and
is now i)re.sident of that institution. His home
is at Lansdowne, Delaware county, Pa., and
he is a mi'mhor of several clubs there.
On December 3, 181)5, in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
Frederick Taylor Pusey was married to Nellie,
daughter of John S. and Charlotte (Purchase)
Ogihie. They have one child, John Stuart
Ogilvie, bom ,\rarch 10, 181)8. ]\Ir. Pusey is
a member of the Society of Friends; the mem-
bers of Mrs. I'nsey's family are conuei-ted
with the Congregational Church.
AVALTER CAPROLL PUSEY, Esq.,
son of Joshua and Rebecca K. Pusey, was
born in PhihuleliJiia August 'J, 1874. Ho
was educated and graduated at the Friends'
Central High School, Philadelphia, and is en-
gaged with his father in the jiatent practice.
Walter C. Pusey married Fdith L., daughter
of Pusey P. and ( 'aroline S. Bve, September
27, 1898.
HON. AVILLARD HALL, late of Wil-
mington, Del., son of Willis and Mchitable
(Pool) Hall, was bom in Westford, iMass., De-
cember 24, 1780.
Judge Hall's Christian name was the fam-
ily name of his great-great-grandmother, ]\[ar-
garct Willard, an English lady, who with her
brother, ^[ajor Simon Willard, left their an-
cestral home in the county of Kent, England,
crossed the ocean, and settled in Cambridge,
]\Iass. ^lajor Willard, who became the an-
cestor of a large and widely extended^ family
of that name, and of many allied names, in
this country, served the colony of, ^lassachu-
setts as legislator and judge, and held a com-
mand in the early Indian wars. He died in
Charlestown, ilass., leaving seventeen chil-
dren, ilargaret Willard manned Captain
Dolour Davis; they had one daughter, who-
became ili-s. Stephen Hall, and whose son,
— Hall, was the father of Rev. Willard
Hall, grandfather of the judge.
Pev. Willard Hall was noted for liis piety
and his inttdlectual gifts. He resided in West-
ford, JImss., where his son, Willis Hall, was
born and died. ^lehitable (Pool), wife of
Willis Hall, was a member of the family of
high standing and intbience iii Hollis, N. II.;
a brother of ^Irs. Hall's was a noted leader
in i)i>litics. It may readily be inferreil from
this scanty outline that the ancestors of Hon.
Id ,<iohn')
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184
BIOGEA PHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
AVillard Hall were people of strong character,
and of fine mental powers, developed and
strengthened by culture; to these may be
added a sound physical constitution, the out-
come of generations of teni]jeratc and whole-
some living.
'J"o his grandfather, whose namesake he was,
.ludgo Tlali owed niucii of the ti-aining ru-
<'eived at the most susceptible period of life,
tiiat of early youth. For three years he at-
tended the academy at Wcstford, ilass., be-
came a student of Harvard at the early age of
tiftei'U, and was graduated four yeai-s later,
in 1799. The president of Harvard College
at that time was a relative of the youth, the
Kev. Joseph AVillard. In ISO;^, young \\"\\-
lard Hall was admitted to the bar of Hills-
l)oro)igli county, N. H. The coui-se of his life,
so far as regards the scene in which it was to
be laid, was determincnl at this time by an ap-
])arently fortuitous i-ircumstance. Ha})peu-
ing to read a speech made by Hon. James A.
Bayard, he found himself .so j)Owerfuliy iui-
jiressed and attracted by it that he wrote to
]Mr. Bayard, and receiving from tliat gentle-
man a courteous and enci>uraging rejdy, de-
cided to seek a home in Delaware. Leaving
his father's house on hoi-seback, April 7, ISO:],
he reached AVilmington A))ril 10, was exam-
ined l)y Hon. James A. l>ayard and James
1'. Wilson, Esq., and admitted to the bar of
Xcw Castle county. He soon became distin-
guished not only for his legal acumen, learn-
ing and sound judgment, but for those still
higher qualities which inspire confidence and
esteem. He was in consequence chosen to
perform many important piiblic services. In
1S12 he was appointed secretary of State
by (lovernor Haslet, and again in 1821, by
Governor Collins, serving under each appuint-
ment for a term of three years. He was elect-
ed to the National House of Kepreseutatives
in 1816 and in 1818, but preferring to re-
main at home, declined re-election. Ho was
elected to the State Senate in 1822.
Upon the death of Hon. John Fisher, AVil-
lard Hall received from President Afonroe,
Afay (), 1823, the appointment of district
judge of the United States for the District of
Delaware, and soon after removed from
(leorgetown to AVilmington, which was his
residence during the remainder of his life.
Ketiring thus from a profession which he had
adorned by his exemplary purity of lit'i', no
less than by his ability, and his fidelity and
promj)tuess in the disciiarge of every duly, ho
continued to display upon the judicial bench
the same sagacity and impartiality, the same
single-mintled devotion to the constitution and
legal system of the country which had fur-
nished tii<; reason for his elevation. During
his incumbency of almost a half century, Imt
one decision of Judge Hall's ever incurred un-
favorable criticism; and that criticism became
hushed as the waves of excited feeling sub-
sided, and the principle that underlay his de-
cision was more clearly apprehended. The
case gi'ew out of the detention of certain pris-
oners, civilians, charged with the murder of
soldiers during the War of the liebellion,
the accused being citizens of South Carolina
and Georgia. 1'hey were held by the War
Department, at Fort Delaware, and relief was
sought for them by means of a writ of hahcas
corpus, which Judge Hall gi-anted. His rea-
soning in the case was acute and profound,
and the Executive Department endorsed his
action by its acquiescence; but the decision,
conscientiously upholding the majesty of the
Constitution and rights of the citizen, in op-
])Osition to the turbulent currents of popular
feeling, at that time (18GG) still in a state of
general upheaval, required no snmll degree of
courage. II is impartiality was the more mani-
fest on account of his own devotion to the
cause of the Union, to which he had given his
su])port throughout the whole struggle.
,Mr. Hall's duties as U. S. district judge,
while they were important, were not engross-
ing, and left him leisure for attending to other
dcjiartments of pui)lic service. He was a
delegate from Xew Castle county in iSlil to
tlie convention for framing a new constitu-
tion for the state of Delaware, and was one
of the leadei-s in that con\cntion; among his
colleagues were John M. Clayton, -lames
Kodgei-s and George He<.>d, Jr. From the time
when he was Si'cretary of State, in 1822, he
was an active and earnest promoter of the pid)-
lic school system. I'he school board of Wil-
mington was organized in 18r)2, and from that
time until 1870, Judge Hall was its pre>ident.
Throughout his life, he was constant in sup-
])orting the cause of temperance. At the time
when "colonization" was looked to with hope
as the solution of many ])er]dexing ditficulties,
Judge Hall gave the si'heme his liest efforts;
for many years he was jiroident of the State
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I. .1 ■•!'}. \ i' ; (I.
STATE OF VELAWAin-:
185
Colonization Society of Delaware. At a later
period, ho became an active member of the
Society for the Education of the Colored Pecj-
})le. lie was president of the Wilmington
Savings Fund Society from its organizatinn
until the intirmities of advancing age made his
retirement necessary, lie rendered active and
zealous service to the Delaware State Bible
Society for nearly fifty years; during thirty
years of that time he was j)resident of tlie or-
ganization, and was absent from a meeting of
the society but once, wiieu detained at home
by illness. lu his eighty-fourth year he be-
came a meud)er of tiie Delaware llisturical
Society, and as long as he was able, he at-
forded to the society the aid of his intluence
and counsel, attending its meetings as regular-
ly as his declining strength permitted.
Willard Hall was married not long after his
admission to the bar, to a daughter of the late
Chancellor Killen. They had one daugliter,
Lucinda II. (.Mrs. Porter), who died in IfeUtt.
Mi-s. Hall dieil in 1824; in 182U Judge Hall
mari-ied . He was a member of the
llaiiuver Street Presbyterian Church, with
which he connected himself March 8, ISiiT.
On Sejitember 23, 1829, he was elected a rul-
ing elder, and continued in this office until his
death. For more than forty years, he taught
the Bible class connected with the Sunday-
Bchool; at least once, he represented his con-
gregation in the General Assembly. Judge
Hall was the author of a pamphlet entitled ''A
Plea for the Sabbath, Addressed to the Legal
Profession," and of an address on the same
Mdiject, delivered in Baltimore in 1844. The
whole of Judge Ilall's life and career form a
"living epistle," written in unmistakable clnn-
aetei-s. It was not until his ninetieth winter
that the venerable jurist retireil from active
duties; and a tranquil passage from time into
eternity, ^May 10, 1875, was the fitting con-
clusion of his vigorous and useful life.
ELETTTIIERE IRENEE DuPONT,
youngest sou of Pierre Samuel DuPont de
Xemours and Nicole Charlotte. Marie Louise
Le Dee de Rencourt, was born in Paris,
France, June 24, 1771. The celebrated
statesman, Turgot, his father's intimate
friend, stood his sponsor, and chose his bap-
tismal names on account of their uu>aning;
a selection in everv wav highly sitriiifi<'ant.
His early education was carried on at home,
upon his father's estate of Bois des Fosses,
near the vilage of Chevennes, in what is now
the De|)artment of Seine and ilarne. ile was
a diligent student, besides being active and
coui'ageous, taking jilcasurit in rural sports.
His favorite .sciences were botany and chemis-
ti'y. In his father and the men who were his
associates, young DuPont happily found the
incentive to moral and intc^llectual exertion
which springs from constant inten-ourse with
Worthy exemplai's; nor was he deticient in the
liower to aiipreciatc or the ambition to emu-
late their sujiei'iority. His controlling motive
secmeil to be a desire to become worthy and
useful. During his earliest years, he enjoyed
tlu' care of an excellent and tender mother;
liut she died when he was thirteen years of
age, in 1784. When, in the ensuing year,
the navigator La Perouse was tilting out his
vessels for cireiunnavigatiug the globe, young
DuPont was eager to join the expedition; but
he submitted cheerfully to the decision of hia
father, who was not willing to let him leave
home at so early an age.
It was not long after this that the chemist
Lavoisier, whom !M. I'urgot had jilaced as su-
perintendent in the government i)owder mills,
and who was also a friend of the elder
DuPont, and had conceived a warm atfection
for his son, asked to have the youth placed
under his charge and tuition, promising to se-
cure for him the reversion of his own office.
To this the father consented, and Irenee
DuPont was ])]aced first in the government
mills at Essonne, there to acquire a i)raetieal
knowledge of the nnninfacture of gunpowder.
lie was still engaged with his characteristic
energy and application in this pursuit, when
the Revolution broke out, and new circum-
stances called him to far difFerent .scenes and
activities, lie had barely attained his nui-
jority when his father jilaced him at the head
of a printing and jiublishing establishment in
Paris; in wliicli the latter had invested very
largely, and which was to be conducted in the
iuto-est of the constitutional ]iarty. After
the terrible scenes of August 10, 1792, when
father and son undauntedly placed them-
selves among the defenders of the King, at
the Tuileries, ami when Irenee DuPont saved
both his father and himself fi"om falling vic-
tims to the ferocity of the mob, they wero
obliged to separate, and for a .short time, the
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18G
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
young man found slielter at Kssojine; but only
too soon they found tlieuiselves ro-unitud, iu
the gloom of J^ii Force. Hero their sutfer-
ings were to some extent mitigated by the
visits of the young wife of Irenec, Soj)iiie
-Madeline (l)alnuis) DuPont, whose grief and
devotion had wrought upon the feeling's of one
of the more humane jailers, so that he per-
mitted her to come in the disguise of a i)('as-
ant, and minister to their want^. Daily they
awaited the order for their execution, when
the fall of Kobespierre brought them sudden
release. >
They were free, but as may be supposed,
their fortunes were almost entirely wrecked,
and this fact, together with the uncertain con-
dition of affairs which prevailed for ycai-s after
the Kevolution, led to the emigTation of the
entire family to America. The elder son,
^'ictor DuPout, who had been for several
years in consular positions in America, and
had lately returned to his native land, crossed
the ocean once more with his father and
brother, and they arrived with their families
at Newport, R. I., January 1, 1800. It was
but a few months later that the idea of
umlertaking the manufacture of gimpowder
presented itself to the mind of Kleuthere
Irenee DuPont. The powder made in this
country at that time was of very in-
ferior quality; that imported from Eng-
land was greatly esteemed, but ilr. Du-
Pont believed, correctly, that the way was
oj^ii for successful competition with the Brit-
ish powder-makers, by bringing domestic
manufacture up to the standard of the latest
improvements. He therefore returned to
France, and at his former place of employ-
n.cnt, the mills of Essonne, studied the actual
condition , of the industry, after which he
brought to America, in August, 1801, a sup-
j)ly of plans, models and machinery for his
projected enterprise. After months of exami-
nation and discussion of proposed sites for his
factory, he selected a tract of land about four
miles from Wilmington, Del., on the Brandv-
wine Kiver, which enjoyed the advantage of
abundant water power, and which he pur-
chased in June, 1802, removing thither with
his family in July. To the perfecting of the
nuinnfacture of powder, to the imjirove-
ment of the facilities and the safeguards re-
quisite for work of that nature, M. DuPont de-
voted the remainder of his life. Disappoint-
ments, partial failures and all other obstacles
were met and overcome with the same untir-
ing tliligence, the same cheerful and patient
courage. In less than thirty years, he had
niade his powder factory the largest in the
I'nited States, and a uuxlel of excellence for
those times.
-Xk less liroad iu his views and in his sym-
pathies than" his illustrious father, In'nce
Dul'unt interested himself, as an Americau
citizen, in whatever pertaiued to the welfare
and progress of his adopted country, ainl of
the community iu which lie had liis iiouu'.
He was active and liberal in promoting local
improvements and enterprises for the ad-
vancement of agriculture and the industrial
arts. lie was opposed to the institution of
slavery, and deprecated its influence upon the
white race; indeed, it was upon this ground
that he declined the states of Maryland and
A'ii-ginia as locations for his factory and his
home, although the latter state was recom-
mended to him by his father's friend, Presi-
dent Jefferson. As a member of the American
Colonization Society, he did what lie could
towards the solution of that most difficult
problem of our rcpidilic. lie served as a di-
rector of the United States Bank. From boy-
hood, he had always been easily and dceplv
affecteil by the sorrows and trials of others,
and his jirivate acts of beneficence equalleil
his public liberality. Considered in the light
of ilr. DuPont's character and life, his illus-
trious godfather's beautiful choice of names
for him ajipears almost a prophecy.
Eluthcrc Irenee DuPont died in Pliila-
deljihia, where he had gone, intending to make
a brief stay, on October 31, 1834. His wife,
the beautiful and devoted Sophie i\radeleine
Dalmas, was born July 22, 1775, and died
November 27, 1S2S.
PIEBBE SAMUEL DuPONT de NE-
MOUBS, the founder of the DuPont family
in the United States, was born in Paris,
France, December 11, 173!).
His attention was early turned to serious
political and financial questions, and at the
age of twenty-three, he had published some
jiapcrs of national finance v/hicli attracted the
notice of ?il. Quesnav, the celebrated econo-
mist, who liecanie the friend of the young
author. .\n intimacy with the eminent
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STATE OF DELAWARE
189
statesman, Turgot, afterwards the able and
c-durafiiMUis minister of tinatioe of Louis XVI,
tlie "iiest minister France ever had," was also
Ir.iHght about by a work writteu by .M. Du-
lont de Nemours, aiul published in 17 04, he
being then twenty-tive yeai-s old. It had for
its subject the export and import of cereals.
Tlie fricndsiiip that subsisted between these
two congenial spirits remained unbroken \iu-
til the lieath of Turgot, in 1782. For a few
years, ^M. DuPont edited the Journal de V agri-
culluic, (lit commerce et des finances and tlie
Ephcmertdefi da Ciloyen, suppressed in 1772.
His laboi-s in setting forth the principles of
that school of far-seeing ami ujjright politi-
cal economists who were vainly endeavoring
til avert the calamities impending over tludr
country, and destined to overwhelm the ex-
isting order before the close of the century,
had not been iiuobjerved by the crowned
heads of Furope. ]\Iany of them testified
their approbation by bestowing titles and de-
corations u])ou him; and in 1772, Stanislaus
Augustus, king of Poland, invited him to that
country, and made Lim governor of his ne-
])hew, Prince Adam Czartoryski, and secre-
tary of the Council of Public Education.
In 1714, at the beginning of the reign of
the ill-fated Louis XYI, 1\\. IJuPont was re-
called to France, to aid ^L Turgot, now
comptroller-general, in carrying out his ]dan6
of reform. But the measures proposed by
them, many of which were originated by ]\L
Dii I'ont, were far in advanc of the time^, and
were not carried into effect until after many
years had passed, and many changes had taken
place. Among the services of ]\L DuPont to
the government was the devising of a scheme
for better regulation of provincial affaii-s,
wliich if. Turgot recommended to the king.
Put the orders which should have been the
stay of France were its worst foes; — the nobil-
ity and the clergy united against the minister
and his plans for reform, and he was dismiss-
e<l, DuPont of course sharing his fate, and
being banished from Paris. Later, however,
JL DuPont was again in the public service,
and negotiated the treaty of Vei-saillcs, by
which American independence was recuiiniz-
ed, and a comitiercial treaty with Gi-eat Bri-
tain. He was rewarded by being made Coun-
cillor of State and Inspector General of Agri-
culture and Commerce. lie was secretary of
the Notables in 1787, and drew up for'Ca-
luune his memorial upon abuses, laid before,
that body. Only the king's intervention saved
him from banishment at the time of Caloniie's
dismissal. M. DuPont de Nemours was the
constant upholder of a constitutional mon-
archy, and as unswervingly, in both the Stated
(leneral and the Constituent Assenddy, the
op[)onent of radical revolutionary measures.
His courage was undaunted, and his constancy
unvarying; yet he was one of the few who
walked unharmed amid the secret and open
perils of that volcanic epoch. He was a con-
spicuous figure in the Constituent Assembly,
being twie-e its president; and having opposed,
in that boily, the issue of pajjer currency pro-
posed by the revolutionists, he was attacked
by a mob at the breaking up of the session,
and would have lost his life had he not been
protected by the Garde Xationale. It is matter
of general history that the measure was car-
ried, and the assignats, as the notes were
called, were issued; also, that the results de-
monstrated fully the wisdom of M. DuPout's
opposition.
On the memorable tenth of August, 1792,
DuPont de Nemours and his youngest son,
Fleuthere Irenee DuPont, went armed to the
Tuilcries, to defend the royal family from the
anticipated attack upon the i)alace. Only tho
courage and adroitness of the younger man
saved their lives on that day of horrors. Both
were, howe\-er, apjircliended, after having con-
cealed themselves for several weeks, and con-
signed to the prison of La Force. During a
part of that time, the astronomer Lalande had
given the elder DuPont shelter in the national
observatory; and it is said that while in hid-
ing there, he wrote his Pliilosopliie de
I'ltnirers; a significant indication of his sur-
passing equanimity. While, with his devoted
son, he was awaiting his turn for execution in
gloomy La Force, Robespierre filled u]i the
measure of his cruelties, and himself fell a
victim to the guillotine, his death freeing those
whom he had condemned, and among them
the DuPonts. L'pon the liberation of the
veteran statesman followed the renewal of liia
struggles against the Jacobins, the ]iarty re-
sponsible for the horrible excesses of the Bc^
volution. The French people were now sur-
feited vnth carnage, and the reactionary party
obtained a majority in the elections oif 1797,
when M. DuPont was made president of the
Council of Ancients. 'J'he Republicans, how-
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190
BIOGRAPHICAL Ey CYC LOP EDI A
ever broke up the comieils by an armed furee,
destroyed M. DuPoiit's house and property;
\ie narrowly escaped being transported to
Cayenne.
In 171J9, M. DuPoiit de Nemours emigrated
with his family to tlie United iStates. Jlere
he was received with warm regaril an<l distin-
gui^hed consideration, and cemented lasting
'friendships with some of the most eminent
statesmen of that day. lie returned to his
native coimtry in 1802. The First Consul of-
fered him several a])jx)intments, which he
declined, preferring tlie more tranipiil exer-
cise of his talents in the field of authoiiihip.
But his influence with Napoleon was nsed
for the promotion of the Louisiana purchase.
At the request of President Jefferson, he for-
mulated a plan for national education, which
was given to the world in ISTi, and after-
wards partly adopted in Prance. In IS 14,
after the fall of Napoleon, J\L DuPont was
madrsec'retaiy of tlie provisional government;
upon the restoration of the Jjourbons, he was
api)ointed councillor of .state. When the
banished emperor returned from Mlba, Al.
DnPont for the last time left his country, re-
joining his family in America. He died near
Wilmington, Angust C, 1817. llis wife, Ni-
cole Charlotte Marie Louise le l^ee de Tven-
conrt, a woman of rare qualities of mind and
character, and an exemplary wif(> and mutlu-r,
had died in 1784.
As a writer, M. DuPont was endowe<l with
H fertile intellect and tireless industry, lli^
papei-s, pamphlets and more extensive works
on political, scientific and literary topics can-
not be enumei-ated. Some of those not pre-
viously mentioned in this article are:
Physiocratie, an analysis of Quesnay's systeui
(1708); Le commerce de la Compaynle ilrs
ludcs (1769); a partial translation of the Or-
lando F arioso (1781); a memoir of Turgot
(1782); a treatise on the liank of
Prance (180C); Metnoires sur differ-
ents objets d'Jtisfoire natiirdJe (1807); Pr
Vorigine et des progres d'line science nonrcUe
(1707); De Vadiinnistration drs clinnins
(1707); Objections et repun.-ivs snr Ic com-
merce des grains et dcs farines (17iMi); Obxvc-
vations siir les ejfets de la liberie du commerce
des grains (1770); Table synoiilitjuc des prin-
cipes de I'economie politicjue (177.")); Idecs
sur les secoiirs a donner aii.r paurres maladi's
dan line grande villc (1780); Analyse histori-
(jtte de la legislation des grains depais lUf/J
(17811).
ClIAKLKS IRKXPK DuPONT, eldest
son of A^ictor and (iabrielle Josephine La-
fitte (de Pelleport) Du Pont, was \)<>vn at
C harieston, S. ('., .March 21), 17'J7.
Jlis grandfather was the celebrated politi-
cal economist and statesman, Pierre Samuel
DuPont de Nemours, the friend of Quesnay
and Turgot, and the author of nu\ny works,
more or less coiuprehensive, on political, com-
mercial and scientific subjects. After suffer-
ing severely for his moderation during the
stormy scenes of the French Kevolution, and
escaping the guillotine only by the death of
Iiobespierre, that di»tinguished num emi-
grated with his family to America in 1799.
A few years earlier his son, Victor DuPont,
had through his influence been sent as French
('onsnl to the port of Charleston, S. C, and
was residing tiiere in that capacity when
Charles Irenee DuPont was born. He after-
wards removed to the State of Delaware, set-
tling near the Prandywine Creek.
In that locality Charles I. DuPont was dur-
ing most of his life engaged in nuinufactnr-
ing. He also pnrchased various tracts of land,
and devoted mnch of his attention to their
improvement and cultivation. Mr. DtiPont
■was animated by a zealous public spirit, and
njade effectual exertions to promote the in-
terests of the State, by increasing its railroad
facilities. None, jjcrhaps, among tiie origina-
tors of the Delaware P. P., were more active
than he in obtaining subscriptions to its stock;
and it is maiidy through his inflnence as state
senator that in 18r,r> an appropriation from
the state treasury was sci-nrcd, in aid of its
construction, lieiug a director of the P. W. &
P. P. P., he persuaded that company to take
hold of the enterprise. Tie afterwards served
a,^ director of the road in which he had been
^(- heartily and effectively interested. Tie was
,1'or many years a director of tlie Farmers'
P.ank of AViimington. Mr. DuPont fre-
<|ucntlv re|)rc^entctl New Castle county in
loth brandies of the State Legislature; he
was elected to the Senate first in 1841. Tie
^vas a meud)er of the "Whig jiarty, and, while
film in his adherence to its jiriuciples, dis-
]ilayed so lilieral and courteous a spirit as to
win respect and esteem, and much personal
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STATE OF VELAWAni'J
191
fiicnJship, in the ranks of both parties. Tiiis
iiyard was dcepuneJ and rendered permanent
L} liis honorable character, the dignity and
consistency of his life, and liis nnvaryin^
[•enevolenee. lie lived to see his adopted
country pass through the throes of rebellion,
and in tliat time of trial nninifested liis lo\e
for the L'jiion not only by professions ul dcvu^
lion, but by generous contributions in aid of
the go\ernnient.
diaries Ireuee DuPont was nnuried, Octo-
ber 5, 1824, at New Castle, Del., to Uorcas
"\lontgomery, daughter of the lion. Xicholas
\'an Dyke, of Delaware. This lady died in
IboS, and ^Ir. Du Ponf afterwards married
Ann, daughter of Hon. lleury ]\I. Ividgely, ui
] 'over, Del., who, with two children, survived
him. Three children by his first marriage also
survived him. Charles I. DuPont died re-
gietted by all his fellow-citizens, January ol,
1SG9. For some years before his demise, he
had lived retired from active business, though
siill jire.-erving an undiminished inti'rest in
llie affairs of the community and of the coun-
trv.
S.UirKL FRANCIS DuPONT, Pear
Admiral U. S. Xa-\-y, son of Victor and Ga-
brielle .loscjjhine Laiitte (de Pelleport) Du-
Pont, was liorn at Bergen Point, N. J., Sep-
tember 27, 1803.
A warm friendship subsisted between his
gi-andfathi-r, Pierre Samuel DuPont de Ne-
mours, the eminent statesman and writer, the
founder of tlie DuPont family in America,
and Presiilenti Jefferson and Madison. From
the latter, the coming admiral received, at
iiie age of twelve, his first naval appointment,
wbiidi conferred upon him the berth of mid-
shipman; it was dated December 19, 1815.
'1 his he gladly accepted, declining for its sake
an appointment to West Point, which was
tendei-ed to him about the same time. Ex-
President Jefferson wrote on this occasion to
'},[. Du Pont de Nemotirs, in a very friendly
strain, a letter which after events proved to
Le almo.st proi)hetic, as it expressed ^fr. Jef-
ferson's hope that the youth might become a
high admiral, and perform a distinguished
])art in the defense of his country.
As the aid of Commodore Stewart, young
Du Pont made his first cruise aboard the
Fra7tl-]iii, a ship of seventy-four guns, in tho
^rcditerranoan ; joining tho Erie before bis
return to the United States, lie spent at thia
lime three years on the sea. His second
cniise took him again to the .Mediterranean,
on the frigate CunntUulion; his third, on
the frigate Cuiujfc^s, to the West Indies
and the coast of iJrazil. (3n his fourth cruise,
made on tho ^Mediterranean station, in the
A(j(7/t Curulina, ship of seventy-four guns,
( ounnodore John Podgers connnanding, he
waa promoteil to the rank of siuliug master.
In April, 1S2G, he received a commission as
lieutenant, after which he served three years
tin the Unlur'io, sluop of war; then, in 1835,
iluring the Florida War, on the W'arroi and
the Conntitulton, in llie Ciulf of .Mexico;
and from 1838 to 1841, on the United States
:-hip (Jidu, in the -Mediterranean. In 18i2
h( was promoted to the rank of commander,
and sailed in the following year for China,
in connnand of the brig Perry, but becom-
ing very ill, was obliged to return home from
liio Jeneiro. He was placed in command of
the frigate Congress, Hag-ship of Commo-
dore Stockton's fleet, in 1845, was transferred
to the sloop of war Cyane, and made for
himself a record of brilliant and faithf\d ser-
vice in the Mexican War. Having been pro-
moted in 1855 to the rank of captain, he went
to China and Japan iu 1857, in command of
the M innesoUi, the steam frigate which con-
veyed William B. Peed, Esq., United States
^linister to those countries, charged with the
business of drawing up important treaties.
But the most distinguished services of this
naval veteran were those rendi'red in connec-
tion with the war of the IJebellion. He was
]/laccd in connnand of the Philadelphia Navy
^ ard in 18G0, relieving his first commander,
the famous Commodore Stewart. In 1861,
before open hostilities had begun. Captain
DuPont, on his own responsibility, sent an
iiinied steamer with forces to the Chesapeake
l!ay, to protect the transit of troops to Annap-
olis. In June of tliat year, he wa.s made presi-
dent of a lioard at Washington, D. ( '., charged
with th^^ business of examining the coasts of
the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico,
and furnishing a report upon which the plans
for naval operations during the war should
be based. In October, he sailed from New
York as flag-officer commanding tho South
Atlantic Llockading squadron, which took
part in the capture of the forts and harbor of
Port Poyal, November 7, 18C1. This bril-
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192
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
liant success was followed by many equally
ufiective operations, both on the coast and
upon inland waters, by which the blockade
was maintained with increasing striiiycncy.
Captain UuPont's commission as rear ad-
miral was tendered to him July III, IS (12. In
the attack upon Charleston, April 7, IblKi, the
land forces were not able to co-operate; it ac-
cordingly failed, but not until the after most
heroic efforts had been made by Admiral Du-
Pont's fleet and the irou-clads. For its de-
fence, the city had between two and three
hundred guns; the naval attack was made with
only thirty-two, and pei'sisted in until half of
them were silenced. Admiral DnPont then
withdrew from the harbor and sent the iron-
clads, according to orders received from
"\\'ashington, to the Gulf of Mexico. Although
not approved by the Navy Department at the
time, his judgment was coincided in by the
able commanders of the iron-clads, and was
fully conlirmed by later events. Admiral I)u-
Pont was recalled from his connnand June 3,
and relieved July 3, 18G3. The success of
Captain John Rodgers, scut by the Admiral
to intercept the Atlanta, atlded a happy inci-
dent to the termination of his brilliant career.
Vario)i3 services, which if less illustrious,
were not less important than those rendered
on the seas, occupied the intervals between ■
them. They included the labors performed in
numerovis commissions, boards and courts.
One of these was a commission under the au-
thority of Congress to investigate the light-
Louse system of the United States, with a
view of introducing improvements. A per-
manent Light House Board was then estab-
lished, of which he was a member, and which
itgulated the lighting of the sea-coast on the
present admirable plan. In 18-i-l, Captain,
then Couunauder DuPont, was appointed by
fcjecretary Bancroft as one of a committee to
take into consideration the formation of a
Naval Academy, and to formulate a plan for
its organization. This was subsequently ef-
fected at Annapolis, and he was frequently
called to act as one of the board of examiners.
Admiral DuT'ont, in the prime of his man-
hood, professed his allegiance to the religion
of Christ, and became! a member of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. During the in-
tervals of Lis more active naval services, he
I'articipatcd in the business of the church, at-
tending its State and National conventions,
and giving cordial encouragement and help to
its enterprises. Especially did he use his in-
liuence for the promotion of foreign missions,
his experience of many lands unvisited by the
gospel having convinced him of their import-
ance. The knowledge thus accjuired, as well
as his deep interest in the work, led to his be-
ing chosen as president of the American
Church Missionary Society. Admiral Du-
Pont's health had been impaired at the time
ol his cruise in Chinese waters, and after his
return from the South Atlantic, it failed
'■apidly. He was advised to make a tour of
Europe, but could not be persuaded to leave
his country in time of war. Having gone to
pay a short visit in Philadelphia, he died in
that city, June 23, 1S(;5. Admiral Du Pout's
bit of little more than six decades was not one
cf renun-kable length, counting by years; but
reckoning by deeds, his was a grand longevi-
iy. It was a life long enough to leave bright,
indellible traces uik.u the pages of o\u- coun-
tiy's history, and to lay up for succeeding
generations a legacy of example, made illus-
trious by steadfast endeavor, patriotism and
sincere, manly piety.
JOHN P. DONA HOE, Wilmington, Del.,
son of John and Bridget (Daley) Donahoe,
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, August
12, 1841.
ifr. Donahoe's parents were natives of
County Tyrone, and were of sturdy ancestry.
'Ihe Donahoe family is one of the oldest in
H eland, and the Daley heritage is one of mili-
tary and ecclesiastical distinction. John
Donahoe, father of John P. Donahoe, came
to America in 1841, to prepare here a home
for his family. The following year his wife
and sou bade farewell to their Irish village
and sailed for this country. Their voyage
across the Atlantic was a long one, and tem-
pestuous, and brought them only poignant
grief, for on their arrival at Wilmington,
Del., they were met with the sad intelligence
that the husband and father they had come so-
far to rejoin had died in Philadelphia. There
\^as a cholera scourge in the land, to which
John Donahoe and two brothers had been vic-
tims. Mrs. Donahoe bravely took up the
flruggle alone, selected Wilmington as her
home, and there remained until licr death on
January 1, 1896.
John P. Donahoe entered St. Joseph's-
M ■ I- J.
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I I
STATE OF n FLAW ABE
193
paiocliial bchuol uu tlie banks of the liraudy-
wiiif, and received a good education. At an
early age he was apprenticed to a cuuper,
learned the trade and worked at it until the
hieaking o)it of the Civil AVar. lie was tpiick
lu respijud to the call of Tresidenl J,inculn
foi volunteer troops, and on April 17, IbOl,
enlisted in Company A, First regiment, Dela-
ware \'Dlunteers. Three months later, ujiun
the expiratiiiu of the regiment's term nt cn^
listment, he was honorably discharged, and on
October U, ISGl, joined the United States
^Marine Corps, in which he served until hon-
oiahly discharged four years later.
John 1*. Donalioe's military record is higli-
1} creditable. He served witli Admiral Far-
r.igiit in all liis engagements on Imard the
United States steamer Wct^t field until Jan-
uary 1, 1,>(;;J. On that datL' the boat was
blown up in the harbor of Galveston, Texas.
!Mr. Donahue was transferred to the Cliflon,
and renuiined as one of its marines \mtil
.ScDteniber 9, 1863, when it was sunk and
cajitured at Sabine Pass, Tex. All who sur-
1 ived were made prisoners by the Confeder-
ates, and Mr. Donalioe was confined at llamp-
ttcad, Tex., in a parole camp, at Red Ui\i'r
Uottum, La., and at Camp Ford, ne.;ir Tyler,
Ttx., fur twenty months and eleven days, lie
made two attempts at escape, but was recap-
tured and compelled to undergo^ greater liard-
ships than before. lie suffered indescribable
torture. Frequently he was forced to nuike
long marches barefoot, when the bruises and
cuts on bis swollen feet were so terribly ag-
gravated as almost to prevent his dragging
liiiii.-elf ailing. During his long service, he
j.articipated in thirty-five general engage-
ments and many skirmi.slies. From all the
e\ idence he has been able to obtain, he is the
only sur\ivor of the command to which he
first belonged.
'Mr. Dnnahoe was the central fig\ire in a
number of memorable incidents of the war.
At the caj)turc of the Clifton he was second
captain of a 30-ponnd Parrott gun. "When
the Stars and Stripes were hauled down in
teken I if surrender, he refused to capitulate
and continued firing the gun as long as he
could get some one to load it. In fact, ho
only left the gun when firced away by his
siil)ericir oflicers. Fven then he was nut vet
ready to yield tlie ship and its supplies, and,
seizing a carbine, he bmke everv buttle uf
medicine in the disi)ensary stures that they
jnight not fall into the enemy's bands. The
Cliftun was sunk, with tliirty-ti\e shots be-
neath its water lino and was on lire three
times, lint one gun, the UO-|)ouncl Parrott,
ci.uld be tii'ed at the end of the engagement.
Pre\i(_ius to the b.iss ef the Cliflvn ]\lr.
I )onahoe had eifectively operated the same
Parrott gun against the Confederate gunboat
Mail/ T. This gunbuat was not clad in
tieel, as are the fighting vessels of to-day, but
t(^ protect its machinery and ammunition cot-
ton bales were used. On ^lay 1, lbtj3, during
an engagement, Mr. Donahoe threw a shell
int(j the ^•es^cl. The explosion wiiicli resulted
killed nine and woiuided seventeen of its men.
'1 hen the gninboat struck her tiag, and the
Cliflon bad apparently an easy vii tury.
Some daring and skilled gunner on the Mary
T., however, sent a last shot at the Union ves-
.^el. The shell lodged in the Clifton's steam
drum and disabled her machinery. The
Miirij T. ran up its flag again and steamed
I'way. ifr. Donahoe quickly trained his Par-
iiitt gun upon the Imat and carried away ono-
ihird of its port side wheel, but, altliough
badly erijijiled, the vessel escaped. This oc-
curred at liutto la Pose, on the Atcbafalaya
Pi\er and Alligator Payou, La. The Clifton
had engaged a fort on one side and a cotton-
clad gunboat on the other, all within a dis-
tance of tliree hundred yards.
On ^lay 20, 1S(!,"(, ^Ir. Donaboe was re-
l(a>ed from his ( 'unl'ederate jiri-un and sent
1i Prooklyn Pariacks, X. Y. 'i'here he com-
pleted his term of enlistment, and on October
]-l, lS(i;"i, was honorably discharged.
The public services of ^Ir. Donahoe in civil
life liaA'e been as meritorious as his military
career. He Avas elected a Delaware State
Senator in 1SS9, speaker of the Senate in
1S91, and a member of the Constitutional
< ConAcntion of lSOC-97. He has been a mem-
ber of the Democratic State Central Commit-
tee and Avas a mendier of the Xew Castle
county ex('cutive connnittee \u\\\\ ^fay, ISOO.
t>ii XoA-ember G, 1S94, he was nominated by
the Democrats for Congress, but Delaware
A\as carried by the Pepublicans, and Mr.
Dcinahoe Avas defeated, ^[r. Donalioe is a
iiK'mber of a number of military societies and
other organizations. lie Avas mustered into
the Union Veteran Legion, Encampment Xo.
■2, (if Philadelphia, in ISSG, and is a charter
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194
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
member of Encampment No. 3-i, of Wilming-
ton. At the National Encainpiueut of tlie
].rg:ion, held in Newark, N. J., he was iinani-
uiiiusly elected junior vice national chancel-
lor. Tic is a meiid)er of Oeneral I'hil. Sheri-
dan Tost, No. 23, Ct. a. K., Department of
l)elaware. ifr. Donahoe lieloiigs also to St.
^'i^cent De Paul's Society, has served as State
delegate of the Ancient Order of Hibernians,
it Cliief Knight of the Knights of St. Law-
rence, vice-president of the Irish-American
National llistorical Society for Delaware,
and prominent in many other organizations.
^Ir. Donahoe has been engaged in business
in Wilmington for about thirty years, and has
been as successful as a business man as he was
brave as a soldier and patriotic as a statesman,
lie is president and general nnmager of the
Enterpri.'^e ^lannfacturing and Sujjply Co., of
'\^'ilming•ton.
John P. Donahoe was married, on Novem-
ber 8, 1870, to Mary, daughter of Edward
and Catharine Colton, of Sandwich, Mass.
Their children are: I. Catherine, deceased;
11. Mary; III. John; IV. Cecilia; V. Agnes;
\I. Lillian; VII. Edward; VIII. Benjamin;
IX. Helen; X. Pauline; XI. Thomas, de-
ceased; Xir. George; XllF. Martina. !Mr.
Donahoe and family all attend St. Patrick's
E. C. Church.
PHILIP K. CLAEK, AVihnington, Del.,
feon of John C. and Elizabeth (Keybold)
Clark, was born on the homestead of his
father, near Delaware City, ]\rarch 4, 1832.
John C. Clark was born March 0, 1799,
and married in 1826, Elizabeth, eldest daugh-
ter of ^Major Philip Keybold, whose biograiihy
^^ill be found in the history of Delaware
(1888), page 904. In 1827' he purchased a
large landcnl estate of 1,000 acretj adjoining
the place of his birth, upon which he after-
wards lived until his death, July 29, 18G9.
On part of this tract and on the adjoining
farms of ^fajor Philip Keybold and his six
sons, Philip, "William, John, Barney, An-
thimy and Clayton, were the famous Key-
bold and Clark peach orchards, noted for their
productiveness and pecuniary value. ilr.
( 'larke was a rare Christian character; before
he was twenty years of age he was ehdsen
rulinrr elder in St. George's Presbyterian
Church, and held that ottice for over fifty
years. lie was a director in the State Bank
in Delaware City from its establishment in
1849 until his death; was trustee of Delaware
College at Newark, and for many years trus-
tee of the poor, an otlice which Ik; said he
■woidd rather hold than any in the gift of the
S(ate. .Mr. ('lark was president of the con-
vention tliat nominated Lincoln for the Presi-
dency in 18(!0. Eew men in the State have
maintained the relations of life, whether inib-
lic, official or domestic, with such singular
])urity, earnestness and fidelity as John (J.
Clark.
Philip K. Clark, who was his second son,
attended the public schools of the neighbor-
hood and also Delaware College. When
Iwenty-two years of age he settled at Wood-
land Earm near Christiami, Delaware, and
Soon afterwards married Ennna A., daughter
of David and I'lizabeth Compton, of ^laurice-
town, N^. J. Their children are: I. J. Curtis;
II. George W.; IlL Marion; IV. Edwin C.;
A'. May; VI. Bessie; VII. Clara. In 1880,
ilr. Clark was elected sheriff of New Castle
county. Two years previous he was noniiiuited
for that office, but the Kep\iblican party be-
ing confident of defeat no effort was made,
and no candidates were nominated for Con-
gressorforthelx'gislattire, yet by his own en-
{ i-gy and perseverance, as expressed by the op-
position papere, "he came within an ace of be-
ing elected sheriff." He proved a faithful
and popular officer, discharging his varied du-
ties in a manner reflecting credit upon himself
and the position. Upon the expiration of his
term of office he removed to Wilmington,
where he has since resided, conducting a real
estate and brokerage business.
FKANKLIN MENDENHALL IIAKKIS,
Philadel])hia, Pa., son of Franklin ^lenden-
hall and Anna ^Nfaria (Atkinson) Harris, was
born in Philadeli)hia, December 25, 1839.
His great-grandfather, Samuel Harris, was
born in Delaware in 1743; of the date of his
death no record is extant. He wa.s a soldier
in the patriot army, in the Kevolutionary war.
Jo?ei)h Harris, son of Samuel Harris, wad also
a native of Delaware, born in 1797), died May
m, 1808. He fought for his country in the
^\ar of 1812. In 1817 he married Jane
Jacpu'tte. I'ranklin !Mendenhall Harris, the
elder, their son, was born in l)(daware, July 1,
ISIS; he died Novend>er 27, 1839, at Gelves-
ton, Tex., at the early age of twenty-oTU", leav-
ill
■I I /
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m' '1. r
STATE OF DHLAW'AUK
195
jrig a youuy wife, Anna Maria Atkiiisun, to
\ liom he was manifd Uctoliur 21, IblJS. Hid
bull and luiuiL'sakc was born nearly a iiiontli
:ilter his untimuly death.
Franklin M. Harris, 2, was edueated in the
piihlie M-liuols of his native eity, so justly ad-
mired for the tliorotifi,h and jiractieal
training they aiford. lie evineed early
in life a deeided talent, as well as
a strong ineliiiation, for bnsiness, and
\\liile M'areely beyond boyhood, became
interested in building, and began to take
J, art in the rapidly ailvaneing iiuprovemeiits
cf the city. Apt in atfairs, honest and perse-
\eriiig, ]\lr. Harris's suecess appeared from the
jir.-t to be a foregone conchision. His career
was, liowever, interrupted at an eaidy stage by
the war of the Kebellioii; patriotism impelled
him to \-oliiiiteer for the defense of his coun-
try's flag, and at the very beginning of the
conflict, he enlisted in the Eighteenth I'eiin-
syhaiiia N'ohiiiteers, for the tliree months'
t,er\ice, and was mustered in as corporal, April
M, 18(Jl. His term expired in August of the
sriine year, after which he re-enliste(l in the
Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
was mustered in as sergeant of ("onipany A;
on May f), 1SG2, he was promoted to first ser-
geant, and in October of the same year, re-
ceived his commission as second lieutenant.
His ne.xt promotion, November 1-t, 18U2, was
tc a first lieutenancy; and this rank he held
until honorably discharged on account of dis-
abilities contracted in the service. Lieutenant
Harris ri'turned to his home with an envialde
record as a brave and faithful soldier, after
liaviug taken part in the engagements at West
T'oint, Oaines' Mill, Savage Station, "White
Oak Swam]), Oharles City Cross Roads, Mal-
vern Hill, Second Bull l\un, Chantilly, Fred-
ericksburg, Franklin's Crossing, Chancelloi-s-
vllle, Mary's Heights, Salem Heights, Oettys-
hurg, liaiipahannock Station and !Mine Knu.
At the close of this memorable ])eriod of
service, Mr. Harris resumed his activities in
<he building business, aTid set vigorously to
v\ork to recover his lost ground. He under-
took some of the most extensive building oper-
ations in the city, and his business iiu-reasing
in a short time to very large proportions, he
established the ])resent firm of Franklin M.
Harris A- Co., of which he is senior partner.
Since he first engaged in husiness, INfr. Harris
lin? hail no strikes, nor any difficulties with his
cni]ilovees, because he has aUvavs Iven c rc^'cl
to give them their just dues. He has at times
employed thousands of mechaiiics of all
trades; and the confidence witli which he is
ugarded is proved by the fact that many of
the men now in his employ have worked for
him for more than thirty-live years. Since
Ib^i), the year in whiidi the firm of Franklin
M. Harris et Co. was organized, the business
has uiade rapid advances, the operations of the
film reacdiing into the .surrounding couutry,
Miany miles from Philadcl])hia; the firm has
Lcen entrusted with some of the largot con-
tracts in this and neighboring cities.
]\Ir. Harris has for nine years been a mem-
ber of the City Council, Select branch, hav-
ing been elected first in 18S!i. He represents
ihe Thirty-second ward, a fine up-town sec-
lion e)f tiie city, whose many elegant and
healthful iieight)orhoods bear testimony to his
\igilant and judicious care for the interests of
his constituents. For his perseverance and
success in obtaining feir his ward its full share
of ai)propriations for improvements, ^^Ir. Har-
ris has been jocosely styled "the watch-dog of
I tic departments." Kor has his intere-t been
confined within the narrow limits of his own
Mard; he has eagerly promoted the advance-
ment 'of Philadelphia by all material improve-
ments, his will and ability to do so having been
receignizcd by his appointment as a member
of many important committees, especially
such as were appointed to make investigations,
01 to take charge of improvements requiring
mechanical skill for the>ir execution. His en-
thusiasm for publi.- works, his experience ri
In.ilding on a large .scale, and his thorough
knowledge of nu'chanics have made him an
iuuMirtant and useful me^mber e>f the Public
Pnihlings Commission. He is also chairman
ui Council's Committee on Itailroaels, and a
member of the committees em finance, schools,
electrical boilei-s, inspection, Fairmount I ark
and Soldiers' Monuments. He is president of
Ihe Pilaster Bricklayers' Company, the second
organization of its kin.l, in point of age, in the
Fnited States; ex-president of the Master
Ihiilders' Fxe-hauge; and a member of many
fratc-rnal organizations.
Franklin M. Harris was marne.l m Unla-
delohia. Pa., on September 1, 1S(;1, to Mary
S , datuihter of Frederick AV. and Bosanua 1 .
Youiiii; of Philadelphia. Th.'ir clnhlivn are:
1. Franklin M. Harris, Jr.; H. Mary Howard
Harris (Mrs. Lewis A. Smith).
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19G
BIOGRAPHICAL ENOVCLOI'EDIA
JA]\IES WALTER LATTOMIJS, Esi[.,
"Wilmington', Del., sou of Aluxaiuler Craw-
I'oul and Temperance Ann (Harris) Lattouius,
A^as Lorn on the place known as the J'^liasou
Farm, adjoining IJIackbird Station, New Cas-
tle county, Del., January 5, 1800.
Tlie Dattonuis family is of Huguenot ori-
gin; the branch residing in Delaware is de-
scended from James Lattomiis, who settled in
Appoquinimink hundred. His first purcha.se
of land was in 17i)7; in 1770 he bought the
property near Odessa, known as the Jjishop
iScott I'arni, and now owned by Cieorge L.
'Jown^.'ud. On Jlay 20, 170G, James Latto-
nius was married to Susanna (iooding. In a
deed recorded at AVilmington, in Deed Record
S, vol. 2, page 29i), it is stated that Susanna
Gooding was a granddaughter of John Good-
ing, a prominent man in the early history of
Ecd Lion hundred. James Lattomus died
]\Iay 17, 1777, leaving three children: I.
Liana; II. John; III. James. Jolm Lattomus
became a farmer and cabinet-maker. From
him lias descended that branch of the family
now living at Townsend.
Janu's Lattomus, 2, became a noted niinis-
Ici of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church. He
spent much of his itinerant life in \'irgin'ia.
In ISOO, he was a member of tlie General (,'on-
frrcnce, and offered the following resolution,
which sliows tliat he was a man of advanced
ideas: "That every member of the !Metliodist
Episcopal f'hurcli holding slaves shall, witliin
the term of one year from the date hereof,
give an instrument of emancipation for all
liis slaves; and the Quarterly ]\[ceting ("on-
fcrence shall determine on the time the slaves
shall serve, if the laws of the State do mit ex-
pressly prohibit their emancipation." Xega-
tived. — Journal of General Conference, ISOO.
'Mr. Lattomus returned to Delaware in 1801,
and was assigned to a charge on the Smyrna
circuit, but in a very few years was obliged
by failing health to retire from the work of the
ministry. Rev. James Lattonms was man-ied,
January 1, 1801, to Rachel, daughter of Cor-
nelius !N"audain, who was like himself, of
French descent, and a native of Delaware.
Their children were: L James Cornelius; II
Renjamin Allfrce; TIL Robert INL Combs.
Rev. Mr. Lattomus died i^Iarch 4, 1807, and
was interred in the graveyard of St. Anne's
IL E. Church, at IMiddletown, Del.
James Cornelius Lattomus became a farm-
er, and resided nearly all his life in Appoquin-
imink hundred, New Castle county, Del. His
T.olitical views were those of the Whig party.
Ik married Mrs. Ann (ilildrum) Corrie,
widow of (jcorge Corrie; she was born in Ap-
)io(iuinimiiik hundred in ISOO. 'Ihcir chil-
dren were: I. John; II. Diana; III. Rachel;
IV. James; V. Robert; VI. Alexander Craw-
ford; VII. Amanda; VIII. Joseph; IX. Jien-
janiin. James C. l.attuinus died in Kenton
hundred in 184'J, and was Iniried in the Union
cemetery in Appoquinimink hundred; he was
a member of the Union ^I. E. Church. Mrs.
J. C. Lattomus died in 1>77, at the residence
(d her son, Alexander C!. Lattomus; she was
buried by the side of her laisband.
His father's death having left this large
family in very straiteiUMl ein-nmstaiic 's, Alex-
an<ler Crawford Lattumus began making his
own living at the age of fourteen. L'efore he
was of age, he and his brother, James Latto-
mus, rented a farm. They farmed together
until the}' were able to cultivate two farms,
when they separated. Mr. A. C. Lattomus is
now a prominent and well-to-do fanner of
Rlackbird hundred, owning several highly im-
proved and thriving farms in dilferent ])art3
of the State. In his political views he is liber-
al, He has been elected twice to the board
of school commissioners. Alexander ('raw-
ford Lattomus was manied, December 24,
18G1, to Temperance Ann, youngest daughter
of James aiul ^lary (Brockson) Harris; !Mr.
Harris was a prosperous farmer, and a Demo-
cratic leader in A))po([uinimink hundred. He
was a descendant of Sa])iens Harris, one of the
early settlers of the State, and a large land
owner in lowei Xcw T'a.stle county. The
children of Mr. and ,^^rs. A. C. Lattomus are:
I. Mildred, born October 15, 1802, died in in-
fancv; IL ^^arv AniandiL, born Ajiril 17,
lS(;i, died in childhood; III. James W., Esq.,
of Wilmington; IV. Amanda Florence (Mvfi.
Samuel J. Brockson), of Kenton, bom Au-
gust 8, 1870; Y. Joseph E., born March 16,
1874, married Emma Brockson. Soon after
the birth of his son James W., j\Ir. Lattomus
removed to the fann he had pui'chased near
Green Sjn-ing, where he has since resided.
Both he and his wife hold membershi]) in the
Salem ^Methodist Rrotcstant Church in Black-
bird hundred.
Their third, but now eldest living child,
James Walter Lattomus, attended the distri^-t
,1 'X ■ .'.'.V^'Ji
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STATE OF DELAWARE
197
school until he was about fifteen yeai-s old,
when he was sent to the Smyrna High School
for one year. lie then assisted his futhi'r on
the fiirm, attending Prof. Iloe's private school
during the winter months. In lb88, he began
teaching at Van Dyke's school; after tilHng
this engagement for one year, he resigned, in
order to enter Delaware College, whicli he did
in Scptcniber, 1SS9. By earnest and diligent
study, Mr. Lattonuis completed the four years'
CdUi-sc in tliree yeai-s, graduating third in his
class in 1;^02. Soon after his graduation, he
was elected principal of Saint Cieorge's jiul)-
lic school, which jjosition he resigned in July,
Isn;], in order to accept the principalship of
tlie Felton jiublic schools to which he had
been elected. Tiie last-named position also he
resigned, in 1895, and in September nf thiit
year, entered tlie Law Department of Wash-
ington and Lee University, from which he was
graduated in June, 189G. In the same
month, !Mr. Lattonius was admitted to the l)ar
of Virginia, but returned at (ince to his native
state, and opened an office in Wilmington in
I'ebruary, 1897, where he has since been prac-
ticing, lie is a Past Councillor of Felton
Council, Junior O. V. A. 31., and a first lieu-
tenant (if the Delaware College Cadet Corps.
!Mr. Lattnnnis holds mend)er^hip in Grace !M.
E. church, AVilmincton, Del.
II OX. JA:^[ES POXDER, late of :Milton,
Del., was the son of lion. -lolin and Hester
f ^lilbv) Pondt'r, and was born in ^liltou, Octo-
ber ;'.i, 1819.
The great grandfather of Gov. Ponder, a
gentleman of English descent, named John
Ponder, was the first of the family who re-
sided in Delaware. He came to this state
from Virginia, and took out a patent for the
land which is still tlie heritage of the family.
His sou, James Ponder, was a farmer, cidti-
\ating his extensive patrimony, which is in
liroadkiln hundred, Sussex county. James
Ponder was man-ied to Sarah AVarren, of Ce-
dar Creek liundred; their children were: T.
John; II. Eleanor, wife of John Powland, a
farmer of Sussex county, whose sister wa.i
married to Governor Paynter; III. Elizal)eth,
wife of licv. S. Ferry, a Presbyterian minis-
ter; IV. "Mary, wife of John Grav, removed
to Iowa in 1842.
The only son of this family, John Ponder,
2, was born on the homestead in August, 1 701 .
After attending in his youth the schools of hu
neighborhood, receiving a good plain educa-
tion, he left his father's farm in 1809, at the
age of eighteen, to become a clerk in the store
of ilajor Ilazzard, father of the late Gov.
Ilazzard, at Aiiltou. A few years later, during
the war of 1812, he ser\'ed in the ranks of
his country's defenders; this service waa re-
warded by the government with ceiliiin land
warrants. After the war, .Mr. Ponder formed a
]iatnershii) with Arthur ]Milby, .styling the
firm ^lilby k. Ponder, in a business including
general merchandise, and the purchase and
shijunent of Sussex county iron. 'J'housands of
tons were annually shipped to point,s in A^ew
Jei-sey, jirincipaliy in vessels owned by the
firm. .Milby & Ponder also dealt in lumber,
firain, wood and quercitron bark. This part-
nei-ship continued \uitil 1830, from which
time until 1843, John Ponder conducted the
business in his own name; his son James, after-
wards Gov. Ponder, then became his partner,
and the firm of John Ponder & Son held on
in its steady and successful course until the
partnershij) was dissolved by the death of its
senior member. John Ponder, 2, was a suc-
cessful man in his business affairs, and was also
generally jiojiular. He was a Democrat, and '-i
warm admirer of Gen. Jackson, lioth pei-son-
ally and as President of the United States.
j\Ir. Ponder served repeatedly as Commis-
sioner of the Levy Court of Sussex county.
He served four years as state senator for that
county, liaving been elected in 1852.
John Ponder was married in 1810 to Hes-
ter, dauglitcr of ('apt. Xathaniel ",Milby, and
niece of his partiu'r, Arthur ^lilby. ^li-s.
Ponder's father was the master of a coasting
vessel; ho died of yellow fever at Portsmouth,
Ya., and was buried there. The children of
this marriage are: I. James; 11. Anna, vnie
of the late Chancellor Saulsbury; III. an in-
fant, died very young. Mi-s. I'onder died in
1S27. 3Ir. Ponder died in 1SG3, of paralysis.
After a thorough course of studies in the
"Milton, Lewes ami GeorgetoMm academies,
James Ponder, in 1838, entered his father's
store as clerk, and continued in that position
until, as has been saiil, he was admitted to an
interest in tlu' business, .Tan\iary 1, 184:1.
During the twenty yeai-s of jiartnership, the
firm was very largely engaged in the building,
j/urchase and sale <if trading ves-sels, which
James Ponder eoutinue<l after the decease of
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198
BIOaUAriUCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
liis father, having at that time reliiiquishoil
tlie store whieh liad heeu carried oti from the
foundation of the business. In IMdO, he ereet-
etl a steam saw-uiiil for the manufaeture of
lumber, ship-tind>er and ([uereitron bark, be-
low the l)rid;ic aeross the Ih-oadkilu Creek, and
ou the soiuh bank; at this mill a very exten-
sive and tlourishiug business was carried on;
the stoek of bark alone at one time was valued
at forty thousand dollars. J^y purchases,
James Ponder added extensive tracts to the
origiiuil estate, jiatentcd liv the first John
Ponder, and became the largest laud-owner
in Sussex county. His estate was divided.into
farms, kept in productive condition by care-
ful cultivation; a considerable ])ortion of the
laud was ilevoted to ])each culture.
From the tinu» when he attained his nui-
jority, dames Ponder was a su]iporter of the
l)emocratic party, lie was elected to the
State Legislature in 185(5. During the scis-
sion of 1857, he assisted iu the election of
James A. Bayard and ^rartiii AV. Tiates to the
U. S. Senate, and introihu'cnl the bill for the
incorjioration of the Junction and Breakwater
Pnilroad, now the Delaware, ]\Iaryland and
Virginia Pailroad, and operated as a part of
the great P. P. P. sj'stem. He was elc<'t^?d
to the State Senate in 18(i4, and was s]ieakcr
of that bo<ly in 1 S(J7. In 1870, ho Avas ele<-ted
on the Democratic ticket, by a large majority,
to the highest office in the gift of the State,
that of go\-ernor. In every official pasition,
dames Ponder was distinguished by the .same
faithfulness to the trust im|)osed upon him,
and the same digidty of denu'anor. He was
inaugurated as governor January 17, 1871,
and administered the State Executive Depart-
ment for four yeai"s most honorably and satis-
factorily. Gov. Ponder was connected with
the Kent County ^tutual Insurance Company
from its organization in 1S17, and was for
many yeai-s one of its directors and for several
j'ears before his death was its president. lie
was for many ye^i-s also on the board of direc-
tors of the Farmers' Pank of Delaware, was
president of the fSeorgetown branch, and after
his removal to AN'ihuington, iu 1S75, a direc-
tor of the Wilmington branch.
Hon. James Ponder w;is married, in July,
1851, to Sarah, daughter of (Jideou and Sarah
Waples, of ^lilton. Their children are: I.
Ida; 11. John, who resides at the old home-
stead near IVIilton; TIL James, wiio died in his
seventh year; J\'. James ^V. Ponder, who is
jiracti<'ing law iu \\ ilmiugton. I'Dr many
generations, the Ponder family have been
members of the Protestant Kpiscopal Church.
Potli the (iovcrnor and his father were oflico-
bearei-s in that eonununion, the latter Inning
been vestryman and warden of St. ifatthew's
1*. K. Church, in ('edar Creek huiuli-ed, and
the former a warden of the Church of Sr.
John the Paptist, at -Milton. Kx-(iovernor
J'ouder died at his residence in Milton, D(d.,
Xovendier 5, 181)7.
MFRPIS TAYLOR, Wilmington, Del.,
editor of Kvenj Evening, was bom in Wil-
mingtou, December 10, 1851. He is a son
(jf IJeujamin Taylor, who during the war of
tlic Rebellion was first assistant engineer of
the II. S. Steamship Altthanid, and died of
yellow fever iu (luarantine at New York, in
August, ]8r);J. The family in this couutry
descended frtmi Peter Taylor, a worthy fol-
lower of AVilliam Penn, who came over with
the Projuietor's earliest expedition, and set-
tled iu what is now Chester county. Pa. His
descendants are numerously represented in the
Taylor fauulies of Ciiester and Delawiire
c(Uinties, Pennsylvania, and of Cecil county,
ifarylaud.
]\Ierris Taylor atteiuled Public School Xo.
4, on Washington street above Second, which
was at that time the high school of the city.
He jiassi'd through all the grades of the in-
stitution, his class during the last year includ-
ing a number of boys who subsequently be-
came noted in varioiis walks of life. Among
them were ex-Postmaster William F. Ilarrity,
of Philadel])hia, Secretary of the Common-
wealth of I'ennsylvania; A. S. L. Shicdds,
Ksq., a leading attorney of the same city;
Henry C. Conrad, Esq., ex-President of the
City Council; aiul ex-City Solicitor Henry
C Turner.
Early in 1864, Mr. Taylor entered the of-
fice of the old Delaware Gazette, where he
leanied the printer's trade. He afterwards
woi'ked in the office of tlie Journal and
Slalesjnan, and in June, 1870, went to
Smyrna, Delaware, to work on the
Smyrna Herald, then owned by James W.
S])rnance. The retirement of the editor of
this jtaper a month later, was the occasion of
^fr. Taylor's introduction into the ranks of
journalism: aiul during the ensuing twidve
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STATE OF DEI. AW ARE
190
iiiuiitlis lie acted as editor, publisher, euiu-
pubitor, pressman and general manager of tlio
pajicr, tlioiigli the financial results of ids la-
bors were not such as to convince him that tho
lot of a journalist was either a happy ur a
j>rosj)erous one.
In August, 1871, "^\v. Taylor went to Phil-
ndel])hia, and for about a month worked as a
"sub"- in the various oftiees of that city. He
then returned to AVilmington and took a p(J-
sition in the composing room of Every Even-
iiiij. SubsecpuMitly, he held a ease in tlu^
eom]iosing room of the old Coiiunririal. Ou
AjH-il 1, 1872, (J. P. Johnson, then jiroprie-
tor of the Delaware Gazelle, began to issue a
daily edition of his pajter, on which }\\r. Tay-
lor was eini^loyed as city editor. He held
this position until February, 1882, wdien he
resigned, to assume the cit}' editoi-ship of the
Suiulay Slav. In May of the same year, he
and Jerome B. Bell formed a partnershii),
and jiurehased the Gazelle of Mr. Johnson,
the ]iublicMtion of which they eontimuMl until
Decendier 10, 1883, when tliey sold it to the
proprietors of Every Evening. In A])ril,
ISSl, !Mr. Taylor became a niemlier of the
editoiial staff of Every Evening, ha\'ing s])e-
cial charge of the political department. lie
represented that journal at Hover during tho
legi-^latlve session of 1885. Ke afterwards
became nnmaging editor, and since Septem-
ber, 1891, has been editi>r-in-chief.
Xot only was ^fr. Taylor brought into ciin-
iiection with political affairs as a jounialist,
but he also took an active pereonal interest
in jiolitics, and was locally ])rominent in the
Democratic party almost from the time when
he cast his first vote. At the legislative ses-
sion of 1877 he Avas elected clerk of the State
Senate, and performed the duties of the oftice
Anth great credit. In April, 1879, he was
elected a member of the Board of Kdiu'ation
from the First ward, but resigned in the Sep-
tember following, having been nominated for
member of the City Oonncil, to which ]>o-
sition ho was elected by a large majority. lie
served until the expiration of his term, ia
Juii(\ 1882, during which time he was cliair-
nuui of tlie finance and legislative connuit-
tecs, and tix)k a prominent part in all the ]n'o-
eeedings of Council. In June, 1884, he was
again elected, this time from the Third ward,
defeating the retiring mendier, 'I'lmnias John-
son, ]ie|)ublican, by a nuijonty of thirimi.
In June, 18SC, he was re-elected by a nui-
jority of over five hundred. During his sec-
ond term, Mr. 'J'aylor was again chairman of
the finance committee, and also of the com-
mittee on park.H, actively participating in the
legislation that rcMdlcd iu the purchase of
the ])ark grounds along the IJrandywine and
in the Fleventh ward. He retired from
Council at the ex])iration of his second term,
in June, 1888, declining, in the face of strong
])ressure, a re-nomimition that would have
l)een ecpiivalent to a re-election, ^fr. Taylor
was also reading clerk of tiie Delaware
House of Bejiresentatives, during the se>.-lou
of 1887.
In addition to his work on the press of
Wilmington, ^fr. Taylor has served as cor-
respondent of leading jounuils of Xew York,
Philadelphia and Baltimore. At present, iu
])oiut of continuous service, he practically
stands at the head of the newspaper workers
of "Wilmington.
JFSSE K. 1'>.VY1,IS, Wilmington, Del.,
son of Samuel I!, and Sarah (Kendall) Baylis,
of l^randywitie hundred, was born in ^Vil-
mington, Feln-uary 10, 1841].
^Nfr. l^aylis received a good education in the
public schools of his native city, and after
leaving school learned the trade of sash mak-
ing. After some years ho extended the busi-
ness by making it indude other articles neces-
sary to builders. He was the first to intro-
duce the tile and mantel business into Wil-
mington and was engage<l in the sale of tiles,
mantels and grates at 718 Market street until
he became the lessey of the Wilmington
Cirand Opera House. It was in 1874 that
!Mr. Baylis ass\imed the management of that
l)oi)ular j)lace of entertainment, which he has
conducted ever since so judiciously, and with
such regard for the comfort, convenience and
jjleasure of the pulilic as to give great satis-
faction to the patrons of the house. During
the past twenty-f(nir years, all the leading
artistd of the country have appeared in the
(irand Opera House, with marked success.
.Mr. P.aylis is wcdl known as a public-spirited
citizen, taking jdeasure in any service that
he can render to the interest of the commu-
nity, lie was for eight years a mendier of
the Boiu-d of Education. In 18!tr) he was
electe<l jiresident of the City ('(juncil, and
ser\ed one term in that capacity with faith-
I • .
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lUOGRAPHWAL EXCYCLOP-EDIA
fulness aiul efficiency. lie is treasurer of the
(uiardiau Loan Association. ^Ir. Jlaylis is
an ardent Dcniocriit, and was the first presi-
<h-nt of Council adhering to that party for
juanv years. He is a monibcr of Washington
Lodgei Xo. 1, F. and A. .M.; of St. John's
Chai)tcr, No. 1, M. A. M.\ and of St. .John's
Conmiandery, No. 1, Ivnights Tenijilar.
Jesse K. Baylis was married October 12,
1805, to Ellen K., daughter of ^Afahudii P.
and (,'atlierine i\Iason, and granddaughter of
Park ^lason, an old and honored resident of
AVihningtou. TluMr children arc as follows:
I. Poscoe F., born F'ebruary 2, ISCiS, edu-
cated in the ])nl)lic ;>chools of Wilmington,
and at present a clerk in the office of iho. su-
perintendent of the Philadel|)hia, Wilming-
ton and Baltimore Pailroad, where lie has
been employed since the time of his leaving
school, lie is a member and past master of
Washington Lodge, No. 1, F. and A. ^I., and
of St. John's Chapter, No. 1, Iv. A. ^\.\
Roscoc Y. Baylis nian-ied Nina, daughter of
John 11. and Graham, and has two
children, i. Jesse X., Jr., ii. TIelen; If.
AVynard T^., born January !», JSTo, educated
in the ]nil)lie schools, is at present a clerk in
the freight department of the Philadeliihia,
Wilmington and Baltimore Bailroad; III.
Lester X., born August 21, ISIS, now en-
gaged with his father in the management of
the (irand C)i)era House.
wtllta:\i west s:\rrTiTEKS, Esq.,
PhiladeliJiia, Pa., son of William llenry and
!Mary .1. (Reed) Smithei"s, was born ]\ray 5,
1SG4, in Philadeli)hia, whither his parents
had removed from ]\[ilton, Sussex county.
Pel.
Capt^iin William Henry Smithers, eldest
son of TTon. Elias Smithei-s, of ]\rilford, Del.,
manned !^^ary J., daughter of Joseph and
]\rary (Tngraham) Becd. !Mr. Bced was a
native of Virginia, and had settled at ^lilton,
Del., and 'S\\-i. Bced was a daughter of An-
thony IngTaham, one of the five sons of John
Tngraham, the first of the family to settle in
Sussex county.
In 1^05, her husband having died in Phil-
adelphia, ]\rrs. William TL Smithei-s re-
turned with her three daughters and her son,
William West, an infant only a year old, to
her fonuer home in ^filton, Bel. Bere the
boy attended school until 1870, when ho
came with his mother to Philadelphia, and
secured a position in a mercantile house for
a few months. Bi August, 1877, his uncle,
]"!lias P. Smithers, Esij., an attorney in Phila-
(h'lphia, took him int(j his olHce. With this
nncle lie began the stud)' of law, and in June,
1S87, took the degree of l^L. B. as a graduate
of the Law School of the Bniversity of Penn-
sylvania. !Mr. Smithers was the first student
of the J-aw School to take two honoi-s, being
chosen by the Faculty to deliver the graduat-
ing oration, and also receiving the first jirize
(known, as the Slierwoiid jjrize) for the best
essay. Bis oration was entitled, "Diffusion
of National Sentiments," and his essay had
for its theme, '"'riie Belation of Attorney and
Client." The latter has since been j)ublished,
and is used by Pennsylvania law stnihnts as
a text-book. After graduation, .Mr. Smithers
remained with his \incle, Flias P. Smithci-s,
until September, 1S8'J, when he oijened his
o\\ n offices. lie has since enjoyed a lucrative
and im])ortant general jiractice, meeting w\\\\
)iarticular success in jury cases. In the midst
of his i>rofessional engagements, however,
-Mr. Smithers finds recreation and improve-
ment in literary ])ursuits. Besides the able
essay above named, he luis published "The
Life of John Lotland, the ^ifilford Bard," and
"A Coaching Trip Through Delaware," as
well as numerous newspaper and magazine
articles on a variety of topics.
Mr. Smithei-s has traveled all over this
country and Canada, and spent two siimmers
in Eurojje. He reads, writes and speaks the
French lang\iage with fluency, and has the
distinction of being one of the few lawyers
at the J'hiladeli)hia bar who are able to trans-
act business with Frenchmen in their own
tongue, lie is a member of the Masonic Fra-
ternitv, of the I. 0. O. F., the Junior O. U.
A. :\r", the 1. O. B. IsL, the Historical Society
of Pennsylvania, the Sons of Delaware, the
Law Association, and both the General and
the I>aw Alumni Associations of the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania.
On June A, 1889, AVilliam West Smithers
was man-ied to Virginia Scott, daughter of
Honore B. and Cornelia (Beynon) Lyons.
They have one child. Gene, bom April 3,
IMIO.
PETER B. AYABS, AVilmington, Del.,
son of Benjamin D. and Jane Ann (Elkintun)
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STATE OF DELAWAIiE
201
Ayars, was bom in Bridgeport, N. J., April
17, 1S42.
His jiatenial aucestoi-s were Scotch; the
inattTDal, French. Noah Ayai-s, great-graiid-
I'ather of Peter B. Ayars, was born in Ayr-
shire, Scothiud, .and was among the passon-
gei-s the good ship ]l[a7j/lower brouglit to
Anierit-a on her second trip westward over
the Athmtic. lie made his first home in this
country with the original settlers at Ply-
moutii, ^lass. Afterwards he removed to
Cumberland county, N. J., and, it is said,
founded the to\\ai of Bridgeton. lie was a
soldier in the Ixevolutionary war, and his cer-
titicate of discharge from the Continental
army is now in possession of Pet<?r 15. Ayars,
who has, also, it may he mentioned iiero, the
i-ertitlcate of the discharge of his maternal
grandfatiier, Benjamin DuBois, fmm tlie
same army of patriots.
Noali Ayai-3, 2, grandfather of Peter B.
Ayars, and son of Noah Ayai-s, is su])posed
to have been horn in Bridgeton, N. J. It is
certain that he was educated there, engaged
in business, died, and was buried tiiere. lie
married iliss DuBois. Among their children
were Robert, Joseph, Noah, 3, and Benjamin
1). Noah Ayars, 3, is the only sur\'ivor of
the family. Ue is still liWng in Ih-idgetofi,
at an advanced age. His ^v^fe died in Phila-
delphia in 18G1, and is buried in that city.
Benjamin 13. Ayai-s, father of Peter B.
Ayars, was born in Bridgeton, N. J., in Oc-
tober, 1812. He attended the schools of tliat
place and resided there during his youth.
AVhen old enough to begin a trade, he went
to Philadeliihia and learned carpentry, in
which occupation he was engaged until his
death. Benjamin D. Ayars married Jane
Ann, daughter of John and Eliza Elkinton.
Their children were: I. Elizabeth (^[rs.
George Zane), of Bridgepfirt, N. J., deceased,
as is her husband also, had children, i. Eliza-
beth (Mrs. Andrew Henry), of Lebanon, Pa.,
ii. Georgiana (^Ws. Elwood Tussey), of Wil-
mington, Del.; II. Benjamin, of Chester,
Pa., married Elizabeth Steelman, had one
child, Benjamin, 2, patentee of the "Ayars'
!Mail Catcher and Deliverer," died in 1895,
aged twenty-four; III. John B., died in
1S50, from smallpox; IV. William IL H.,
died in 186G; V. Peter B.; VI. Mary J.
(>rrs. Stratlon Mitchell), of Chester, Pa., Iiad
children, i. George 11., ii. Clinton K., iii.
Isaac M., iv. Bertha, all of Chester; VII.
George W., accidentiilly choked to death, at
the age of eighteen; VI 11. Charles, died
aged twenty, from cold and e.xposure; IX.
Amanda (.Mrs. Emiuit E. Stidiiamj, of W'il-
miiigtou. Mr. Stidham was at one time
coroner of New Castle county, Del. Benja-
min D. Ayai"s died in Chester, Pa., November
25, 1888; his wife in Bridgeport, N. J., in
1855, wiiere they are both buried.
Peter B. Ayars lived in BridgeiJort until
ho was nine years ohl and then came to Wil-
mington, where he attended thu public
schciols and Traverse Academy. When ho
reached the age of sixteen he returned to
Bridgeport and learned carriage blacksmith-
ing. lie worked at his trade until the break-
ing out of the Civil War, when he was amung
the lirst to utfi'r his services ior the preserva-
tion of the Union.
On ^lay 25, 18G1, Mr. Ayai-s enlisted in
Philadelphia, in Company E, Thirty -second
regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; the regi-
mental number was changed to uLuoty-
ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He par-
ticipated in every important engagement
of the Army of the Potomac until April 6,
18G5, the day of the battle of Sailor's C'reek,
Va. In all, he fought in tifty-four liattles,
always bravely and always in the forefront
but not without severe injuries to himself.
He was several times wounded, first at Spott-
sylvania Court House, Va., May 15, 1861,
when he received a bullet in his left shoulder.
At the battle of Petersburg, October 28,
18G1, he was wounded in the right leg, and
on April (i, 1SG5, he lost his left arm at the
battle of Sailor's Creek, Va. ilr. Ayai^s was
a gallant soldier, fearless in the face of dan-
ger and undaunted by the most imposing
array of the enemy, and his services for his
country were fitly rewarded by numerous
promotions. He entered the army as a pri-
vate and passed through all the grades of
nou-conunissioned officers. In April, 18G4,
he was promoted to second lieutenant, and iu
June, 18G4, he was commissioned first lieu-
tenant of his company. On April 0, 18G5,
when his arm was shot off, he was acting ad-
jutant of his regiment. He was discharged
with the rank of captain, Mny 15, 18G5, at
the otlicei-s' hospiUil, Annapolis, ild., under
Special Order, No. 82, which discharged all
ollicers in the hospitjil at that time.
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202
BIOGHAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
A\'lieu the war was over he went to Cliester,
Pa., and tliere K'anied telegraphy. In the
fall of 1805 he removed to Wilmington and
was employed as an operator in the railroad
sernce of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Jialtimore Pailroad. He remained in said ser-
vii'e for nine years and was then tendered a
position in the AVilmington postoffice. lie ae-
' eepted it and was a popular and faithful at-
taidie of the office for a period of fourteen
years. The past nine years he has held the
offiee of deputy collector and inspector of
customs at AVilmington, and has proved a ca-
jiahle and etficient appointee. He is a mem-
l>er of DuPont Post, No. 2, G. A. K., of Wil-
mington, and past junior vice-commander-
in-chief of the Grand Army of the Kepublic.
^\y. Avars is, also, supreme commander of
the Legion of the Ped ( 'ross. lie holds mem-
bei-ship in the State Historical Society and
the Sons of the Povolutiou. lie is a staunch
PcpuMican and an active party worker.
On :May 10, ISO;"), in Chester, Pa., Peter
E. Avars married Annie E., daughter of Har-
per and ^ilargaret J. Dunn, of IMiiladcliihia,
Pa. Mrs. Ayai-s was horn in Philadeljihia,
December 2,^1848. Their children are: I.
Clara (^h-s. Joseph N. Warren), of Chester,
has children, i. Esther, ii. Thonuis N., iii.
Edward, iv. Jay, v. George; II. IMargaret
J. (:Mrs. John C. Green), of Wilmington, has
ohildrcn, i. John C, 2, ii. Alice A.; HI.
Florence (Mrs. George Cox), of Wilmington;
has two children, [Margaret and (jcorgc Ed-
ward Cox; lY. Edward F. J., student in
Delaware College, Newark, Del.; enbstcd
in the war against Spain as sergeant of Com-
])anv M, First Delaware Infantrj', United
States Volunteers, Aiiril,lSOS; V. Anna D.,
and VI. Elizabeth, twins, the latter died in
infancy; VII. Hai-per, died in infancy. .Mr.
Ayai-s'and family are membei-s of the Dela-
ware Avenue Baptist cluireh, of Wilmington.
]\Ir. Ayars is superintendent of the Sunday-
school and president of the New Castle Coun-
ty Sunday-School Association, of Delaware.
GEOPGE P0M:MEL, Wilmington, Del.,
son of the late Gustav\is and Minnie (Ilerbst)
Pommel, was born in Dayton, Ohio, Mav
28, 1S.")1.
Both of ^Ir. Pommel's parents were of
German descent. His paternal great grand-
father, Wilhelm Pommel, served for more
than half a century in the army of the Grand
Duke of Sa.xc- Weimar. For about thirty
years lie enjoyed the rank of Feldherr, or
general, and when past the age of active ser-
vice, received the ai)pointment of jjaymaster
of the army. Hut this was not the only recog-
nition of the brave and worthy general's long
services, for on the fiftieth anniversarv of his
enrollment in the army, he was presented
by the Grand Duke with a silver goblet full
of gold coins. The cup is now in the posses-
sion of Charles Pommel, youngest sou of
Gustavus ]^)nnnel. General Pommel passed
his life in his native land, dying there at the
age of .seventy-four years. His long and hon-
orable military career commenced in his early
boyhood.
George Pommel, son of General Pommel,
was also a native and a lifelong resident of
Weimar, Saxony. His ]mblic services,
though less brilliant, were ])erhaps nut less
valuable than those of his father, he being a
Ealhsherr, or member of the council of the
city; but they were cut short while he was
still in the prime and vigor of manhood, at
fifty years of age, by the fall of a fire engine
upon him, which caused his death. Besides
three daughtei-s, Avhose names are not kno\\^l,
(ieorge Pommel liad two sons: I. Angustus,
a jeweler, who was in business for about
twenty years in New York City, Avhere he
died; and II. Gustavus, father of George
Ponmiel, 2.
(Justav, or Gustavus, Pommel, was bom in
Weimar, Saxony, Jau\iary 28, 1817. He was
educated in that city, and became a locksmith
and whitesmith. At the age of seventeen, ac-
cording to national regulations, Gustavus
Poninud was examined for service in the
army, but on account of a slight irregularity
in his gait, was rejected by the exanuners.
This decision i)leased the youth well, for he
had already formed a strong desire to become
a citizen of this western republic. In 1835,
therefore, he emigrated, and spent the first
live years of his life in .Vmerica in various
cities, where he worked at his trade, and in
the manufacture of surgical instruments.
About ten years after coming to the I'^nited
States the diligent and thrifty young artisan
was able to return on a visit of nearly a year's
length to his native land, during wliich time
he was married. Coming with his bride again
to America, they first resided for two years
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STATE OF DELA\yAHE
203
in luiuliiig, Pa., and then removed to Uuy-
ii n, Ohio, where ^Ir. Koniniel \v;is master
iiRcliaiiic <if the machine sliup of Thompson
iV Sciii>. ihe rest of his life was passed in
1 leading, where during most of tliose years
lie was employed as maehiidst hy the I'hila-
del|)!iia and Heading Railroad. His wift', to
wlidiii he was married in ^\'einlar in lW4(i,
iliiii at the ago of fifty, in Reading, .Mareli '1 1,
isT."). .\ir. Rommel siirvivt'd her for almost
ten years, and Tiled February 1, ISs.'). IJoth
wi're ititrrred in Reading. All hut one ct'
their ti\c children survived them. 'The t;im
ily is as follows: 1. J-ily, horn in Reading, I'a.,
I'ehriiary IC, 1847, died at the age of sixteen
years; II. William, of Dayton, Ohio, horn
dune L'^, 1S48; 111. George; IV. Louisa
(Mrs. Henry B. Derr), born in Reading, .May
.'ill, ISf)."!, has three children, i. Charles, ii.
Howard, iii. Lily, V. Charles, born in Read-
ing, April 1, 1857.
At the age of seventeen, after receiving a
good education in the common schools of the
city of Reading, (ieorge Ronmicl began an
a])prenticcshii) of three yeare in the machine
shoi)s of the ]-]ast Pennsylvania Railroad. At
the expiration of that time he went to Terre
Haute, Ind., where for about two years he
worked for the Vandalia Railroad Company.
He then retin-ned to Reading and engaged in
mercantile business, but this enterjirise being
unpros]>erons, went again to Terre Haute,
and remainetl there until Xovember, l87->.
From that time until Jantiary C, 1874, he was
once more a resident of Reading. He then
entered the employ of the Wiluungton and
Reading, now Wilmington and Xorthern,
Railroad, at Coatesville, Pa.;. his services to
this road have been efReient and well ajipre-
I'iated. He has been in the employ of the
company for twenty-four years, and sin.-e
April, 1875, lias been master mechanic, tilh
ing the position ably and satisfactorily. .Mr.
Rommel is a member of the following fratei'-
nities: Lafayette Lodge, Xo. 11, F. and .\.
-M., Wilmington; Star of Hope Lo(l<ie, .\o.
1:M», T. O. O. F., Coatesville, Pa.; and Onon-
daiio Tribe, Xo. 8.3, L O. R. :^L, Coatesville,
I'a. lie is a staunch Re])ublican. In .luiie,
ls|i7, he was elected to the board of educa-
tion from the Twelfth ward of Wilmington.
(Ieorge Rommel was married in Reading,
Pa., .May 28, 1874, to Flizabeth A., daughter
of Thonni> T. and Aninc (^filan) Sand-.
Their children are: 1. George S. ; IL
Charles T.; IlL William (i. Air. and .Mrs.
Jiommel and their two cdder sons are faithful
and active members of Olivet i'resllyterian
churidi. Mr. Ronjinel is an elder of the
church and its treasurer, ln'sides teaching in
its Sabbath-school. (ieorge S. and (^'harlcs
']'. Rommel are respectively librarian and as-
sistant librarian of the school, and are al-o
meud)ers of the church choir.
(ieorge S. Rommel, eldest son of George
Rommel, graduated from the high school of
Wilmington at the age of sixteen, i-eceiving
the prize oti'ered by the Wihnington Morning
News for snjterior etiiciency in the studies
forming the high school eiirricidum. ,Vfter
his graduation he entered the; si'rvice of the
Wilmington Street and Sewer Department
as rodman, and i)erfornied the duties of that
position intelligently and faithftdly for two
yetirs. He then entered the sophomore class
in civil engineering of the University of Penn-
sylvania, and took the full four years' course.
Peing honorably graduated, he was appointed
instructor in civil engineering in the same in-
stitution, and still acts in that capacity, re-
tlecting credit upon the University, and en-
joying the ajjprobatiiin of the senior members
of its Faculty.
PATRICK MiLOKGHLIX, 40G West
Fourth street, Wihnington, Del., son of Pat-
rick and Hilary (.MacK'iidey ) .>rcLonghlin,
was born in (Jountv Antrim, Ireland, June 8,
1822.
His paternal and materinil ancestors were
Scotidi. They settled in Ireland at an early
date, having been driven with many others
ti-oui their native land by religious pereeeu-
tioii. Rut little is known of their history.
J'atrit'k .McLoughlin, Sr., was born in County
Antrim and spent his life there. He was
twice married, and by the two marriages had
twenty one children, most of whom died in
early life. One of these children of his tii-st
wife, Fliza, is living. His second wife wai
Mary .M(d\inley. They had live children:
I. William, deceased; II. John, residing in
Irelaiul, on the homestead; 111. .Martha, de-
ceased; IV. Patrick, Jr.
Patiick ^rcLonghlin, Jr., received his edu-
cation in Ii'eland and was engaged there in
agricidtural pursuit.s until 1843. In that
year, when he had arrived at manhood's cs-
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204
BIOGEAPHIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tate, he came to America and settled in Xew
York City, lie learned gas tittiiig and fol-
lowed that trade for eiglit years. In 1S51 he
moved to \\'iimington and entered tiie ciii-
l)ioy of tlie Wilmington Coal Gas Comjiany,
with which corporation he has, until recently
been connected in various capacities. He is
now retired. He is au adherent of the Ke-
publicau party. Patrick ^IcLoughlin, Jr.,
was married in November, 1S4S, in Kew
York City, to ]\Iary Jane, daugiiter of John
and Mary Hogg, natives of (Jounty Down,
Ireland, ilrs. JMcLoughlin was born in Dun-
dee, County Do\vii, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs.
ilcLoughliu have children: I. -Mary; II.
John; III. Kobert, deceased. The family
attend Olivet Presl^'teriau church. .Mi's,
ilary Jane ilcLoughlin died in Wilmington,
April i'4, 1855.
^Ir. ]\lcLoughlin, in 1881, revisited his na-
tive country and sj)ent a few months with his
relatives and friends, returning to his adopted
home with pleasant recollections of the kind-
ness of the kinsmen, who entertained him
amid the scenes of his youth.
CHARLES TAYLOR, Wilmington, Del.,
son of Edward and Elizabeth (McHride) Tay-
lor, w;is born in Upland, Delaware countv,
Pa., May 22, 1860.
His ancestors were English on his father's
side, and Irish on his mother's. His father,
Edward Taylor, came to America as a young
man and settled in Pennsylvania. He was a
weaver, and worked at his trade in Delaware
coimty for many years, then rcmove<l to
Wasliington, D. C, and was employed in the
government printing office. He died there
about 1891. His widow still resides in Wiish-
iugton. EdwiU-d Taylor had children: I.
George, died in Kansas City, Mo., at the age
of twentv-two; II. Annie (ilrs. Harry Tay-
lor), of Washington, D. C; III. Sarah (:\Irs.
George Bailey), of Washington; lY. Charles;
V. Edward, of Nebraska.
Charles Taylor acquired his education in
the pnljlic schools of Delaware county, Pa.,
and afterward learned weaNTng. He went iut<)
the factory at the age of eleven, and contin-
ued there until he was twenty-five. In 1885
he established himself in the hosiery business
inGermautown,Pa.,havingas partners, Henry
H. Hawthorne, Thomas West and Ambrose
West. About 1890 the Messrs. West \vith-
drew from tlie firm and since that time the
business has been conducted by the two re-
nuiining partnei-s. In 1S'J2 they removed
their ]ilant to Wilnnngloii and greatly en-
larged it. Their null.-, are known as the Stand-
ard .Mills, and manufacture all descriiitions
of hosiery. Two hundred pei-sons are em-
ployed and their output finds ready markets,
chiefly in the United States. The hrm name
is Taylor &. Hawthorne. ^Mr. Taylor is the
jiresident. ^Mr. Taylor is a Republican, and a
member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 11, V. and
A. :\L
Charles Taylor was married in Philadelphia
Septendjer i;5, 18S2, to .Mary T., daughter of
John and Louisa .Moore, of Ohoter, Pa.
Th(>y have one child, IJhia, liurn July 1,
1884. They attend the .Methodist Churc'ii.
SANFORD F. SAWIN, Wilmington,
Del., son of Aaron S. and Louisa (llolsizer)
Sawin, was born in Phillipsburg, N. J., Jan-
uary 2G, 1855.
His paternal ancestors were English, his
maternal German. His paternal grandfather
was a blacksmith and a resident of (Grange,
Mass. His children were: I. ilarshall, de-
ceased; II. Frank; III. .\aron S., deceased;
IV. Charies; V. Phebe. Mr. Sawin died in
Orange, [Mass.
Aaron S. Sawin was born February 28,
1829. He learned stone cutting when a young
man and followed that occupation for many
years. lie resided in New Jersey during jjart
of his life, and s])ent his last years in ^^'il-
inington, Del. He niamed Louisa llolsizer,
and had several children, .\aron S. Sawin
died in AVilmington November 27, 1SG2. His
widow still resides in tliat city.
Sanford F. Sa\vin was but six yeai-s old
when his parents removed to Wilmington.
He was educated in the public schools and af-
terward entered the car-building shops of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroad Company. He acquired a thorough
knowledge of his trade and worked in the
shops for a number of years. In Jidy, 1890,
he was promoted to foreman of laborers in the
lumber yard and at the same time became
lumber insjiector. On January 1, 1892, he
was made foreman of the lumber mill, a po-
sition which lie still holds. Air. Sawin is a
member of Industry Lodge, No. 2, A. O. U.
W., of Wilmington. He is a Republican.
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STATE OF DELAWARE
207
On June 2, 1882, in Wihainglon, Sant'onl
Y. Sawin was inamed to Sarah A., datigliter
<)( (liur^t' and Isabella (Covey) Jlinin', ut'
Wilniiii^ic 11. Their children are: I. Frank
11.; il. Leonard, deceased; III. Nellie; IV.
Lcroy; V. George. Mr. Sawin and fanuly at-
tend the Protestant Episcopal Church.
DAVID r. CUKLETT, Wilmington,
Pel., son of Lewis and Elizabeth (i'orter)
Curlett, was born in Xew Castle, Del., De-
cember 2i;, 1S2L
His pateriml ancestors were Welsh; the ma-
ternal, Scotch. His father was a native i.if
Xew Castle and spent his life in tiiat city as a
jdastorer and contractor. He was a busy and
highly respected citizen, lie nmrried I'^liza-
betli Porter, and had children: 1. Janu's, do-
ceased; 11. Lewis, (leceased; TIT. Margaret,
deceased; IV. Eliza, deceased; V. .Matilda
(.Mrs. Sannud Pilcv) widow; VF. :\Iarv, de-
ceased; VTT. David P. Mr. Curlett died in
Wilmington in 18:59.
Da\id P. Curlett was a student in the old
aeiidemy in Xew Castle, Del. When he was
sixteen years old he was sent to Camden, X.
.L, ti) learn blacksmithing. Tie spent si.\ years
acquiring this trade but could not, in the same
time, develop a liking for it, and he tlierefore
relimiuished it and turned his attention to
plastering, the business which his father had
so successfully followed. To this he soon ad-
ded contracting, and he has erected many
buildings in ^Wilmington and elsewhere. Xot-
withstiinding his many years of business life,
he is still vigorous and I'ctains the manage-
ment of his affairs in his own hands. lie is
happy in the respect of all who know him so-
cially, and in the confidence of those with
whom he has business dealings, ilr. Chirlett
is a member of Washington Lodge, Knights
of Pythias, and of Oriental Lodge, X"o. 27,
Free and Accepted j\rasons. He is independ-
ent in politics and believes merit in an aspir-
ant for fiftlce to be of greater moment than his
political affiliations.
On February 21, 1844, T)avid P. Ciudett
married Jane, daughter of Owen and T'.liza-
beth Zebley, of Wilmington. They had
■■iiildren: I. Elizahcth (^Irs Fred. AV. Tay-
lor, of WilnnTigton,V, IT. Samuel, of Wil-
mingtnn, married L'liza ]\Iicklen; TTT. Lewi-,
of T'lvviiod, married Laura Hunter; IV. Anna
]\rary (Airs. Coldwell), of AVilmington; V.
12
and \'l. Matilda and Kmnia, twins, the former
is (J\Irs. Thomas Denny), of Cape Charles,
\'a. ; the latter is dcjeased; \'T1. David, and
Vlll. Frank (twins), born February I'J,
18oo; the former resides in Wilmington,
is an upholsterer and cabinet-maker, nuir-
ried May 12, 1880, to Laura, daughter of
.lohn and .Margaret ilahoney, of WilmingtuOj
and had children: i. Elsie; ii. John; the latter,
Frank, is deceased; IX. (Jeorge, of near !Mal-
vern, l^a., marrieil Tllizabeth Speakman; X.
ilargaret; XL Henry; XIl. Jane, an,l XIII.
I'Tia (twins), died in infancy. Poth ^Ir. and
]\lrs. Curlett still enjoy good health. ,
XEAL COXLEY, Wilmington, Del., sou
of the late James and Elizabeth (Moore) Con-
ley, was born in ('hristiana hundred, Xew
Castle county, Del., August 27, 1845.
His paternal ancestors came from Ireland;
his maternal ancestry, so far as traced, is
American. His ])aternal grandfather died in
Ireland; his grandmother, Susan Conley, emi-
grated to America with her sons James and
Xeal and daughter- Jane about 1838, ami set-
tled in X'^ew Castle county, Del. !Mrs. Conley
died at Pi.-ing Sun, Xew Castle county, at the
ad\anee(l age of one hundred and eight years.
She was buried in the Old Swede?" Church
cemetery.
James Conley, deceased, was born in
County Antrim, Trcdand. His home here was
in Christiana hundred. New Castle county.
He was a stone mason, and was for forty years
in the employ of the DuPout Powder Com-
])any. lie was twice i^irried. Ily his first
nnirriage to Elizabeth, daughter (pf
]Moorc, he had two sons: I. John, of Chris-
tiana hundred; II. Neal. V>\ the second
iniion, with Jane Wier, he had four children,
of whom three survive: I. Susan; II. James;
111. ifary.
Neal (^onley spent his life, prior to 1888,
in Christiana hundred. He was educated in
the public schools and afterward learned
stone-nuisonry. He was employed for many
years by the DuPont Powder ('ompany. In
1S8S he came to \Vilnnngton and in connec-
tion with his brother John formed the lirni
of Conley Eros., dc\ders in coal, wood, lime
and cement. The firm docs, also, all kinds of
heavy hauling. Neal Conley is a lle])ubliean.
Neal Conley was married in Christ's church
])ars()nage, Christiana liundred, to Hannah
l\r., daughter of ( 'liristoplier and Sarah Eos-
.Ot^H'
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208
BIOGRA PIIWAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
scrt. Their cliildron are: I. James; II.
Sarah; III. Abraham; IV. Jolm. One cliikl
dird ill iufaue}'. A daughter, Laura, aged
six yeai-s, was aeeidentaliy burned ti^ death
in tiie yard of the sehool she attended. ]Mr.
C'onley attends lue Keformed Episcopal
C'hureh, in wliicli lie is vestryman, lie is
-also superintendent of the Sunday-school.
JOHN McLOUGIlLlN, Xo. 802 Jackson
street, Wilmington, New Castle county, Del.,
only living son of Patrick and .Mary Jane
(lliigg) _Mi-Loughlin, was burn in Wilming-
ton, i)el., September iiS, 1S51.
John McLoughlin was educated in tlie pub-
lic schools of Wiimiiigton, Deb, and after
conij)leting his scholastic course was appren-
ticed to Gawtiirop Jirotliers, plumbei's and
gas titters. After serving his ap[)reuticesliip,
ilr. .Mcl.oughlin • remained with thi' tirm,
Working as a journeynian, until April, isTT,
wiu'U he obtained the position wliicii he now
holds in the service of the Wilmington lias
( Vimjiany. Mr. ^McLoughlin is a skilful work-
man, highly esteemed by bis employers and by
his fellow-citizens. He is a member of the
Jvcpublican party, actively interested in local
alfaii-s.
John ^rcLoughliu was married in Wil-
mington, Del., January 20, ISM, to .Mary
Jane, daughter of Sidney ami ^lercy Hud-
son. Their children are: T. Alay Jane; 11.
William John; III. Myrtle Rodinia; IV. Kob-
ert Sidney, died in infancy. .Mrs. ^fcLougli-
lin died at her home in Wilmington June 4,
ISSl), at the age of twenty-eight years, and
her remains are inten-ed in the Wilmington
and Brandywine Cemetery.
C0L^•:.^rAX b. Harris, Wilmington,
son of Bowen C. and Sarah .\. (Mclntyre)
Harris, was born at Warren Tavern, Cluster
county. Pa., :\rarcli 29, ISGO.
His paternal ancestoi-s were natives of Png-
land. Three brothei-s of the Harris family
came to America early in the eighteenth cen-
tury and settled in Pennsylvania, 'i'iie great-
great-grandfather f>f Coleman B. Harris was
a colonel of Continental troops in the Kevolu-
tioniii-y War and parliei])ated in many battles
during that momentous struggle, 'i'he grand-
father of ^fr. Harris was a native of T'liester
county. Pa., and spent his entire life there.
I'owen Harns ^^■as born and ednrated in
Chester county, and resided all his life there,
engaged in farming. He married Sarah X.,
daughter of .lames -Mclntyre; they had one
child, C(jlemau 1!. .Mr. Harris died Decem-
ber 22, 1S71. His widow resides in ('liester
county.
('(demaii H. Harris attended Lock's select
schocil in .Xorristown, Pa., and was afterward
gTaduate<l from the West Chester Xoi'iuil
Sciiool at West Chester, Pa. After comi)let-
ing his education lie went to Downingtown,
l*a., and learned jiattern-making in tlie shojis
of the Dcjwningtown .Manufat'turing Com-
pany. He then removed to Wilmington, and
since 1SU2 has been manager of the Delaware
.Machine Works. He is unmarried, lie i? a
member of Lafayette Lodge, Xo. 14, \. V.
and A. M.; Delta Chapter, Xo. (i, P. A. ('.,
and St. John's Conimandery, Xo. 1, K. T.
He is also a menil)er of .\. \. O. X. .M. S., Lu
l^u Teni])le, Philadelphia, and of the i'hila-
delphia Consistory, .V. X. S. R., Thirty-second
degree. He has independent views in poli-
tics, and i> not connected with any party. He
attends the Protestant Kjjiscopal Church.
Cll.VRi.KS K. lI.\riL\WAY, Wilming-
ti-in, Del., son of Edgar and .Marietta (Elton)
Hathaway, was born in ( 'anandaigua, .\. Y.,
January "i;3, 18r)2.
His parents were both natives of ('anan-
daigua. His father is dece;ised; bis mother
still resides in .Mareellus, X. Y.
Charles V.. liatlun\-ay went to the jiublic
schools, and aflerwaril worked on the farm
until he was twenty-tive yeai-s oi aue. Then
he left home, and for Mime years was employed
in a sash and door factory in Wellsboro, Pa.,
the latter jiart of the time as foreman. From
Pennsylvania he crosseil the line liaek into
Xew York, ami worked at his trade for a year
in Elniira, after which he n-turned to the
farm. I'or two yeai-s lie renniined in Ontario
county, X. Y., and in LS1»2 came to Wilming-
ton. In 1S04 he became the senior member
(■f the tirm (jf Hathaway A: \ \\n tieldei-, jiro-
prictius of the Delaware Hendiuij: Works, of
Wilmington, and has c ontiniu'd in the busi-
ness to the pi'csent. .Mr. Hathawav is a Re-
jiubliean (d' independent ])roclivities.
Charles E. Hathawav was married in Law-
renccville. Pa., to Belie, daughter of .Mfred
and Marv -lane (Dean) Van (ielder. Their
.•hildrcnarc: T.J. Willi>: U. M. Mvrtis: III.
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STsiTE OF DELAWARE
209
Inez v.; IV. Mun-ay; V. K Emereon; VI.
Ciraee F. ^h. Hathaway and family attend
the ]\Iethodist C'hureh.
SA:\IUEL BLEE lewis, Wihainf,'ton,
Del., son of George -B. and Sarah F. (Illee)
Lewis, was born in riiiladelpliia April lii',
] I is grandfather, ( ioorgc Lewis, was the fir.-t
of the family to find a lionie in America, lie
eanie from (icrmany and settled in Pliiladel-
[ihia, where he eontinned to reside until his
death. He married .Miss Somniers; they had
children: L .la.'oh; 1 [. (ieurge B.: 111.
Sophia; 1\'. .Mary; V. William, the only one
now living.
(icorge P>. Lewis, father of Samuel Llee
Lewis, was born in Philadelphia in 181S. In
1S4'J he came to AVilmington, where he en-
gaged in the nuinufacture of bricks. He mar-
ried Sarah S., daughter of Samuel and Alii-
gail Llee, and had children: I. Samiud
Lice; II. Jacob S., member of Company 1,
One Hundred and Kighty-third regiment,
Pennsylvania Infantry, who was taken ]iris-
oner at Cold Harbor June 3, 18G4r, confined
in Andersonville prison and died there of star-
vation; 111. William J., of AVilmington, mar-
ricnl ^lary ^IcXamce, who is deceased; IV.
(ieorge L., grocer, of Wilmington, married
Theresa 1 hillock; V. ifary (Mi-s Henry
(iiiest), of Portland, Ore.; VI. Francis, of
AVilnnngton, married ]\Lary Jenning-s; VI I.
John A., of Wilmington, married Sarah Zanes,
who is deceased; VTII. Kate P., deceased,
(ieorge 15. Lewis died in LSS8; his -wife died
l)eccnd)cr •_'(), IS'Xi.
Sanniel IJlec Lewis has been a resident of
AVilmington since he was six years old. He
was educated in the piddie schools of the city
and learned brickmaking under Samuel AIc-
Cauley; !^Lly 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company
F, First regiment, Delaware Voluntxi'er In-
fantry, and served in this regiment until Au-
gust of the same year. His name appears in
the army records as Sanmel Lewis, as he
onutted giving his middle name in both en-
listments. On Augn.st 22, 1802, he re-enli-t-
ed in Company D, Fourth Delaware A'^olnn-
teers, and was with that regiment until the
end of the war. IMi-. T>ewis ])arlicii)ated in the
following cngagement.s: Pethesda Church,
Cold Harbor, 15ottom's Bridge, Petersburg,
AVeldon Ivailroad, Jerusalem Plank Poad,
Peebles' Farm, lioanta Creek, Dobney's
-Mills, Gravel Pun, Five Forks and Appomat-
tox. He was mustered out at Arlington
Heights June o and jjaid June 7, iStif),
at \\'ilmingk)n, and imme<liatcly resumed
work at his trade. Since 1S0(J he has been in
the employ of the Delaware Terra Cotia Com-
pany and since ISOt) has been nninagcr of its
I'lant, a position he has filled most elHciently.
-Mr. Lewis is a member of ( ieneral Smith Post,
Xo. 1, G. A. P., of Wilmington. He is a
past couimandcr of the l'o.-,t ajid past com-
mander of the Department of Delaware, of
which he was commander in IS'JO and Ifi'Jl.
His political atiiliatious arc with the Itepubli-
can party.
Samuel Blee Lewis was married in Wil-
mington X(jvend)cr 21, 1S07, to Pachel,
daughter of Thomas and Susan Glasgow.
-Mrs. Lewis was born in Wilmington, April
1 it, 1S4G. Their chihlren are: I. Emily Ayres,
born August 22, 18158, died March 3, ISS-t;
IL Sarah Stine, born Xovember 8, 1870, died
-May 19, 18'J4; IlL George W., born July 20,
1873; lA". Kate, born October 21, 1875, died
January 19, 1870; V. -Mary, born October
17, 1877, died August 29, 1879; VI. Xellie
B.,^born October 23, 1S78, died August 27,
1879; VII. Florence, born October 8, 1880;
A'llL Samuel 1!., (2), born April 22, 1882,
dietl July 17, 1S82; IX. Susan, born January
1, 1888, died X'ovember 24, 1891. Mr. Lewi's
and family attend the Afethodist Church.
JOHX C. BKLSOX, 2, Wilmington, Del.,
son of John C. and Alargaret (Bowen) Brisou,
was born in Wilmington, Del., Alay 9, 1849.
As a youth he attended the pidilic .schools
of AVilmington and then began an apprentice-
ship as a phnnber in Philadel])hia. Before
completing his trade he returned to AVilming-
ton and here acquired the remaining knowl-
edge and experience necessary to qualify him
as a master plumber. He has been engaged
at his trade here since that time. In 1881 he
established himself in business on his own ac-
count and in 1891 a.ssisted in the formation
of the Brison Plumbing and Heating Com-
pany, of which ho is secretary and treasurer.
Thomas B. Brison, also a native of AVilming-
ton, is president of the company. John (,'.
Hrjson is a member of AVilmington Lodge X"o
1, A. O. U. AV.; Fairfax Lodge, X^o. 8, I. o!
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210
BIOGEA PIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
O. F. ; Lafayette Lodge, No. 2, K. of V., and
Wilmington Conclave, No. 22, I. O. H. lie
attends tlie ^Methodist Cluireli.
CHAKLES HAY WARD, Wiluiiugton,
Del., son of Joseph and Sarah (Woodrow)
llayward, was bom in Boston, ]\rass., January
U, ilS-14.
J lis iiatenial ancestors were English; his
maternal, Scotch. Ilis j^arents were the first
of the family to come to the United States.
Thomas Ilayward, grandfather of Charles
Hayward, was born in Barnett, near London,
England, and spent all his davs in his native
land. lie had children: L AVilliam; II. ,Io-
sej)h; III. ilaria (JIi-s. James Dubson), of
London, England; ilr. Dobson is an employee
in the London jiostoffice.
Joseph Ilayward arrived in America in De-
cember, lS4o, selected Boston as his home and
never removed from that city. He nian-ied,
in England, Sarah AVoodrow; their children
were: I. Sarah, deceased, wife of John Hall,
United States Navy; 11. Charles Joseph Hay-
ward, died in December, 18(11 ; his widow died
in November, 1SS5. Their remains were
buried in Forrest Hills Cemetery, r)oston.
Charles Ilayward passed liis early years in
the public schools of Boston, and after finisli-
ing the coui-se there was engaged \v'ith his
father in tlie express business, iintil the spring
of ISCl. Then President Lincoln's call to
arms came, and although but seventeen years
old, ilr. Ilayward nunle prompt response and
enlisted for three montlis' service in Company
I, Twelfth regiment, ila-ssachusetts Volun-
teers. Upon the expiration of this period he
i-e-enlisted in (Jompany I, First regiment
Massachusetts Volunteers, and served in this
regiment \mtil 1802, when he was discharged.
He i-etnrncd to his home, and a few weeks
later enlisted in the United States Navy. He
was assigned to the sliip Gemshol- and did
duty on the water for one year. He went back
to Boston but the war was not yet ended, and
he could not remain inactive while so many
other l)rave men were at the front. He ac-
cordingly enlisted in the Second ^rassaclm-
se'ts Cavalry, and Wiis with this regiment until
February 22, 180 4, when he was taken pris-
oner at Drainsvillc, Va. For thirteen months
thereafter he was confined in the Pemberton
building at Andersonville, at SavanTiah and at
^lellon. At the expiration of this time he was
exchanged and discharged at Annapolis, Md.
^Ir. Ilayward immediately returned to
Boston, where he resided until 1884. He af-
tei-wartl lived in Baltimore for one year, in
Philadelphia two years, and in Wilmington,
L)el., ten years. During the greater |)art of
this time he was engaged in the insurance
business. On Janiuuy 28, 18Du, he was ap-
pointed to his jjresent position, that of secre-
tary and treasurer of the Delaware Benehcial
Association. .Mr. Ilayward is a member of
various secret organizations; of Delaware
Conclave, No. 43U, 1. O. II.; Soongataha
Tribe, No. 21, I. 0. If. M.; is a grand trustee
of .Moriel Encampment, Knights of St. Joiin
and JLiIta, and an E.xcellent Senator of Wil-
mington Senate, No. 102, Knights of Essenic
Order; he is alsO prominent in Alasonic circles.
He is a Pe]iublican in his political views.
Charles Hayward nian-ied in "Wilmington,
February 27, 1891, Ella, daughter of James
and Julia A. "Workman. They have children:
I. Charles, born in February, 1894; 11. Nel-
lie, born in September, 1895. [Mr. Hayward
attends the Union Metliodist church.
GEOKC.E W. P.UtVIN, Wilmington,
Del, son of George and iLirgaret A. (Staley)
Par\-in, was born in Plymmith township,
^Montgomery county, Pa., February 14, l.S."i9.
Ilis parents are still living and are rc^idnits
of Philadelphia.
George "W. Parvin attended the public
schools of Plymouth to\\^lship and there
learned carpentry. After completing hi^ a[)-
prcnticet-hip, he worked as a journeyman fur
a few years and then devoted three years to
the trade of machinist with B. F. Shaw, of
Piiiladelphia. In 1SS2 he removed to "Wil-
mington, and in March, 1890, established
himself in business as a carpenter and builder.
He is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 23, A.
F. and A. .M. In his political views he is in-
dependent.
George "W. Parvin was twice married. On
July 15, 1SS5, in "Wilmington, he was mar-
ried to Anna, daughter of Thomas J. and
Mary J. (Douch) Ilihlebrand. ifr. Hildebrand
is a resident of AVilmington; his wife is dead.
^h: and Tilrs. Parvin had two children, who
died in infancy. ^Irs. Parvin died Scptcnd)cr
29, 1S9."..
]\rr. Parvin married again, September 15,
1897, in Philadelphia. His bride was ^far-
1 .. I
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STATE 0I< DELAWAHH
211
garet, (laughter of "William and Annie
(Lyons) 'I'ownsend, and widow of J-awrom-e
ilulson. -Mr. and -Mi's. Parvin attend the
.A[. K. Church.
J!y her lirst husband Mrs Parviu had these
children (surname -Melson): 1. Frank; IF.
Earl; III. Ilenrv, deceased; IV. Lawrence,
deceased/-
ALEXANDEK SMITH WARD, Wil-
mington, Del., son of William AV. and Eleanor
(Torrence) Ward, was born at, Lazaretto, Del-
aware county, Pa., March 4, 1850.
His grandfather was AVilliam Ward, a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and a farmer, wdiose chil-
dren were: I. Joseph; II. Abraham; II L
Elizabeth; IV. AVilliam AV.
AVilliam W. AVard was born in Delaware
county. Pa., in 1S07. He was engaged in
farming there for more than thirty yeai-s and
then removed to Philadelphia, where he ^v■as
emj)loyed as gateman by the I'hiladelnhia,
AVilunngton and Baltimore Railroad Com-
pany. He married Eleanor Torrence; their
children are: T. Jane (Mrs. Charles Cravatt),
of Philadelphia; II. Jolm T., engaged in the
nallinery business in Chicago, 111.; LIT. Abra-
ham, night foreman of the Philadeljjhia, AVil-
mington and Paltimore Railroad roiinddiouso
in Philailelphia; IV. Samuel, died at the age
of twenty-nine; A''. AVilliam IL, engineer of
Public Ledger building, Philadelphia; A"L
Annie E. (Ihs. Robert Rlack), of Philadel-
phia, wi.luw; A^IL :\rary I). (Mrs James D.
luigers), (if Philadel])hia, widow; VIIL Elea-
nor T., died at the age of twenty; IX. Alexan-
der Snnth; X. Emma (Afrs Robert To|)pin),
of Philadelphia. ]\lr. AVard died in Philadel-
phia in ISSl, aged seventy-four years; ^Irs.
AVard died in 1874, aged sixty yeai-s.
Alexander Smith AVard attended the piddic
schools of Lazaretto, and from his thirteenth
to his twenty-first year was employed on his
father's farm. On May 29, 1870, he secured
a jiosition as fireman on the Iiuladel])lua,
AVilnnngton and Paltimore Railroad, and on
Septendier 15, 1877, was promoted to en-
gineer. I'or several yeare lie has had charge
of one of the locomotives which haul the
New York and Wilmington express from
Philadelphia to Washington. ]\Ir. AVard is a
member of Division 342, Brotherhood of I-o-
comotive Engineers, the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Relief Association and Provident Coun-
cil, Xo. 105, Legion of Honor.
On July 13, 1870, Alexander Smith AVard
was married to Ella E., daughter ol' William
V. and J'di/.abelh Ci. (Leibert) Warnick, born
in I'ennsylvania, August !), 1852. Their chil-
dren are: I. I'^leanor M., born November 7,
1877, died April 5, 1885; II. Lillian W., born
April 5, 1878, died April 20, 1881; III. How-
ard M., born August 0, 1881; IV. AVarren
A., born June 29, 188(5; V. Oscar T., born
Xovember 7, 18iJ0; AM. Helen IL, inru
March 7, 1894. JVlrs. AVard is a mendier of
the Presbyterian Church. They reside at X'o.
7 14 ]Cirk\V(Jod street, AVilmington.
WILLLVM BRADFORD WATERAIAN,
A\'ilinington, Del., son of Orrin and Lydia
(Howard) AVaterman, was born in Wintlirop,
Kennebec county. Me., December 17, 184',).
'I'he grandfather of AVilliam Bradford Wa-
terman was John AVaterman of ^NLiine, wdio
had these children: I. John, 2; II. Cordelia;
HI. Orrin.
Orrin AVatenuan was born in i\Iaine and
was a machinist. He married I^ydia, daughter
of Nathan and Lydia Howard, a native of
l^^aine. 'i'heir children were: I. (Jeorge O.,
assistant comptroller for the Central Railroad
of New Jersey, in New York; II.
Charles IL, assistant storekeeper for the Cen-
tral Railroad of New Jersey, at Elizabeth, N.
J.; 111. William B.; I\^ Lydia I. (.Mrs Theo-
dore 1). Durliug), of Pennington, N. J.; A^
Benjamin F., died in 1802, aged eight years.
Air. W^itermau died in Trenton, N. J., in
] ^73, aged tifty-eight yeai-s; his widow resides
with her daughter, ^frs. Durling, iii Penning-
ton, N. J.
AVilliam Bradford AVaterman received his
early education in Trenton, N. J., his parents
having removed to tliat city when he was
seven years old. When he reached his six-
teenth year, he was employed under hij
father, in charge of a stationary engine.
Three years later he secured a i)lace on the en-
gineer corps of the N"ew Jersey S^-tlK^'S
Railroad as rodman. Ten months after^t."*^
he was given a position as fireman on the same
road. In 1870, he came to AVilmington and
began his eoniieetion with the Philadelphia,
AVilmington and Baltimore Railroad. For
iive years he did his duty as a fireman, "-id was
then ]inimote(l to eniiiueer. He i, low "Miid-
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212
BIOGRA PIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
iiig over the rails one of tlie great locomotives
tliat haul the Xew York ami Washington ex-
press between PhiladelphLi and \\'ashington.
Mr. W aterman resides at Xo. 1113 AVcst
Jughth street, Wilmington. He is a member
ot J)insion M2, Brotherhood of Loeom.nive
Kn^inee.^; Eureka ].odge, Xo. 23, F. and A.
M.; of Delta Chapter, No. G, U. A. M • of
iemple Council, Xo. 34, Legion of the Ked
Cross, and the P. P. Jl. Kelief Assoeiation.
On April 13, 1872, William Rra.lfurd AVa-
terinan was mamod to Sarah A., daughter of
Joseph K- and Sarah A. Weatherbv, bun. in
Cover, Del, November 1, 1853. Their ehii-
Jren are: I. (Jeorge O. (2), a traveling auditor
for the Central Ifailroad of Xew Je.-sev, at
^ow ^ ork Cty; H. Anna B., at home. 'Mr.
\\atennan an.l children are members of the
1 resbvtenan Church.
FRANK F sI^AfB, Wilmington,
1 el., son of Edwin P. and AVilhelmina (T,.dd)
Slocomb, was born in Wilmington, August 13,
His paternal ancestors, who euiigrafd
from Somersetshire, England, have resided in
Jla.ssachusett,s since 1038. His mother was
descended from Scotch-Irish stot-k who settled
Hi Plnladelphia She was gTaduated at the
i liiladelphia Girls' Normal S.^hool, and was
foraimniber of years principal of public
school i^o. 15 in Wilmington. His father
was born near Sutton, Mass. He was an artist
of much ability and had studios at different
times in :\rassachusetts, in Charleston S C
Baltimore, Md.,_ Wilmington, and New York
CHy. He died in the last named citv on De-
cember 31, 1865.
Frank F. Slocomb has been a resident of
Wilmington continuously since 187-^ He
graduated from the high school in the class
of < 0. 1 or a nundier of years after his grad-
uation he was engaged as an accountant. On
Demnber 1, 1893, he formed the firn. of F.
J^. Slocomb & Co., James Craig being the
junior member, f