Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 57

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482

USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I > Part 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

His son, Lambert M. Seemans, born in Kent county, Md., in 1808, received a good education, attending the high school

of Charleston, Md., and chose the profession of teaching, to which he devoted his whole life. At the age of nineteen, he came to Delaware, and taught the first school in Dis- triet No. 11 of Appoquinimink hundred, re- ceiving sixty dollars as his quarterly salary. In his leisure hours, he added to this slender income by doing clerical work for the county, copying wills, deeds, &e. After more than forty years of labor in his useful and self- denying vocation, Mr. Scemans retired to a farm of 100 acres at Price's Corner, in Black- bird hundred, which he had bought. Here he died not very long after, in 1869; his re- mains were buried with those of his father and mother, in Kent county, Md. Like his father, he was a Democrat, of the Jefferson school; he served the hundred as tax collector, assessor, road commissioner, &e. Lambert M. Seemans was married first to Lydia, daughter of William II. Roberts, an extensive land owner and farmer of that hundred. The children of that marriage were: I. Mary, wife of William Crough, of St. George's hun- dred, both deceased; II. Annie (Mrs. John Harris), of Chestertown, Kent county, Md .; III. Emeline, wife of Andrew J. Faulkner, of Kent county, Md., both deceased; IV. Lam- bert, died young. Mrs. Lydia Seemans died, and was interred in the burial lot belonging to her father. The second wife of Lambert M. Seemans was Permelia, daughter of James and Sarah (Cole) Reynolds, who was born in 1818; her father was a farmer. The chil- dren by this marriage are: I. Sarah, wife of Benjamin Bond, of Baltimore, Md., whose son-in-law, Dr. Hill, was murdered several years ago, in Kent county, Md .; II. George Ann, deceased, wife of Capt. Daniel Stead- ham, of Wilmington, Del .; III. John L. Mrs. Permelia Scemans, after the death of her hus- band, married David Clayton, of Appoquini- mink hundred; she died in Kent county, Del., in 1875. She was an estimable lady, and her death was mourned by a large circle of friends.

The early education of John L. Seemans was obtained in the schools taught by his father. It was not until he reached the age of eighteen that he left home; he then went to Middletown, Del., where he was engaged for one year as grain buyer for Richard Roth- well. At the age of nineteen, he married, and began farming on his father's land, which

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he cultivated for seven years. In 1873, he bought the James Powell farm, of 101 acres, on which he made improvements costing over $2,000; he built a dwelling, a barn, and other necessary structures. On this homestead he has ever since resided, a skilful and pros- perous farmer. Mr. Seemans has been en- trusted with much of the business of the hun- - dred, and is zealous and conscientious in pro- moting public interests. Ile is a Democrat; in 1878, he was elected assessor of Blackbird hundred; for more than thirty years he was school commissioner, and clerk of the board; and in 1884, he was elected road commission- er, in which capacity he has labored faithfully for the maintenance and improvement of the publie roads. He was formerly a member of the K. G. E.

John L. Seemans was married, December 13, 1865, in Smyrna, Del., to Mary E., daughter of John W. and Rebecca (Black- stone) Thomas; she was born in Blackbird hundred. Mr. Thomas was a farmer. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Seemans are: I. Elizabeth, died when two years old; II. An- drew C., contractor and builder, Clayton, Del .; III. Ida (Mrs Jacob Haldeman), of Blackbird hundred, died in 1889; IV. Mis- souri (Mrs. George McClain), of Philadel- phia; V. J. Edward, farmer, married Maria Hayes, of Wilmington, Del .; VI. Elva R., dressmaker; VII. Minnie; VIII. E. Poe, at school; IX. Bessie M .; X. Henry W. Beecher; XI. Raymond T. Three children died in early infancy.

RICHARD S. MARIM, P. O. Clayton, Del., is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Blackiston) Marim, and was born in Little Creek hundred, Kent county, Del., December 13, 1827.

The Marim family were among the earliest settlers of Delaware. John Marim, grand- father of Richard S. Marim, was a native of Kent county, Del., and was all his life a farmer. He owned the properties styled "Cherbourg" and "Chipping Norton," in Little Creek hundred, where he passed his life. During the Revolution, he fought bravely for the liberty of his country. John Marim was married to Hannah Stevens, of Kent county, Delaware; their children were: I. Thomas; II. Charles; III. Ruhamah, wife of Gov. C. P. Comegys, of Delaware; IV.

Mary (Mrs. Richard Seemans); V. Mrs. Susan Bateman. Mr. John Marim was an adherent of the Whig party. He and his wife were honored members of the M. E. church. .

The eldest of their family, Thomas Marim, was born in Little Creek hundred, in 1795, and was carefully educated in the Friends' schools of his neighborhood. Educational advantages were so far from being universal in those days that it is said there were only three men in that section of the state who could read and write. Mr. Marim devoted his attention to agriculture; he cultivated a farm of his father's in Little Creek hundred until 1834, when he bought the Blackiston farm, then in Appoquinimink hundred, now in Blackbird hundred; this farm he improv- ed, and spent forty years in its cultivation. Mr. Marim was for twenty-five years a grand juror. Like his father, he was a faithful mem- ber of the M. E. church; but he did not in- herit his father's political convictions, being a supporter of Democratic views. Thomas Marim married Elizabeth, daughter of Ben- jamin Blackiston; she was born in Appoquin- imink hundred. Their children are: I. Amelia (Mrs. C. M. Cary), of Wilmington, Del., deceased; II. Henry, died at the age of nineteen years; III. John T., of New York; IV. Richard S .; V. Cornelius P., deceased; VI. Charles, deceased; VII. Mary E. (Mrs. Charles G. Ross), deceased; VIII. Ann Maria (Mrs. Charles E. Jones), of Middletown, Del. Five other children died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Marim died on their farm, and were interred in the Methodist cemetery at Smyrna, Del.

Richard S. Marim attended the public school taught by Lambert Seemans, in Appo- quinimink hundred, now in Blackbird dis- triet No. 71. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was eighteen years old; he then spent three years with Messi's. Wright & Humphrey, of Smyrna, learning carpentry. This trade continued to be his vocation for more than forty-two years. Dur- ing part of that time, he was a contractor and builder, taking a high rank in the trade. Ile was engaged to construct buildings not only in various parts of his own state, but beyond its limits, as far as the state of New York. In 1865, he bought a farm of 84 acres in Black- bird hundred, formerly the property of James Powell; there he settled down to farming, im-

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proved his land by erecting a house and barn, and adding other conveniences, and resided upon it, raising grain and other products, un- til 1883. In this year, Mr. Marim sold his land, and bought the Thomas farm, contain- ing 103 acres; here he has planted a peach orchard, and here he still resides, engaged in his honorable and useful calling, and en- joying the regard of many friends and neigh- bors. In his youth, Mr. Marim was a Whig, but he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, and has ever since adhered to the Republican party. He has been a member of the Junior O. U. A. M.

In 1853, Richard S. Marim was married in Steuben county, N. Y., to a native of that county, Catharine, daughter of A. C. Bryan. Their children are: I. Asenath (Mrs. Vinson Moore), of Saint George's hundred, whose husband is a farmer, and who has had four- teen children, seven now living; II. Thomas, died at the age of thirty-three years. Mrs. Catharine Marim died in Smyrna in 1873. Mr. Marim was married the second time in Smyrna, in 1875, to Elizabeth (Hunter) Clark, widow of Thomas Clark. Of this marriage there are four children, as follows: I. Elizabeth, died in infancy; II. Clarence ; III. Carrie; IV. Jennie, all at home. Mr. Marim is a member of the M. E. church.

David Hunter, father of Mrs. Elizabeth Marim, was born in Ireland in 1800; he was married in his own country to Jane Smith, a native of Coleraine. Their children are: I. Robert J., deceased; II. Elizabeth ( Mrs. R. S. Marim); III. (Mrs. John MeCauley); IV. David J., conductor, of Baltimore, Md .; V. Jane, died when three years old. On coming to this country, the family first settled in Bucks county, Pa., and afterwards removed to Philadelphia, where Mr. Hunter gained a maintenance by daily labor. Later, he re- moved to Smyrna, Del., where he died in 1860, and his wife in 1891. Both were buried in the same place. They were members of the Presbyterian church. In political views, Mr. Hunter was a Democrat.

Thomas Clark, first husband of Mrs. Marim, was a resident of Smyrna, and a car- penter. He was an excellent and respected citizen. He was married to Elizabeth Hunter in 1867; their children were: I. David II., died in 1897; II. William B., of Philadel- phia. Mr. Clark died in Smyrna in 1871.

BENJAMIN C. COLLINS, Green Spring, New Castle county, Del., son of George D. and Wilhelmina Collins, was born in Smyrna, Kent county, Del., July 12, 1852.

Benjamin C. Collins was educated in the public schools of district No. 70, Green Spring, Del., then under the charge of Mr. Hilbert. He remained at home, learning practical farming under his father's careful supervision until he was twenty-two, when he leased the homestead and assumed the entire management. In 1884, Mr. Collins was ap- pointed agent of the P. R. R. Company at Green Spring, succeeding his brother-in-law, Daniel Wells. This position he still holds, having proved himself an efficient manager, giving entire satisfaction both to the com- pany and to the public. In the same year Mr. Collins also received, from President Arthur, the appointment of postmaster of Green Spring. Mr. Collins' ability, patience, and genial manner have made him a general favorite. IIe is also energetic and enterpris- ing and is very successful in buying and ship- ping fruit. Mr. Collins is a member of the Democratic party and an active worker, but has never sought political preferment; he was, however, chairman of the Democratic committee in 1894.

Benjamin C. Collins was married in Black- bird hundred, April 15, 1883, by the Rev. T. II. Haines, to Mary Etta Middleton, of Black- bird hundred. Their only child died in in- fancy.

Mrs. Collins' father, Thomas Middleton, a native of Delaware, was born in 1805. He devoted his life to the cultivation of the soil. After farming for a number of years on rent- ed land, near Thoroughfare Neck, Appoquin- imink, now Blackbird hundred, Mr. Middle- ton purchased a farm of 211 aeres in New Castle county, Del. This land he improved and cultivated until the time of his death. Mr. Middleton was a good citizen, active, en- ergetic, interested in all that concerned the improvement of the community, and served the county faithfully on the school board and as commissioner of roads. He was a Demo- erat, an efficient worker, always ready to sup- port his party. Hle was a member of the Levy Court for one term, and also represented his district in the state legislature. Thomas Middleton was married in Thoroughfare Neck, Appoquinimink hundred, New Castle

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county, Del., to Elizabeth Black, who was born in Sussex county, Del., in 1819. Their children are: I. Emily C. (Mrs. II. Davis); II. Sarah B .; III. Benjamin F., butcher; IV. Thomas J., farmer; V. Annie, at home; VI. Mary Etta ( Mrs. Benjamin C. Collins). Mr. Middleton died at his farm in New Castle county in 1893. Ilis widow is living in - Smyrna, Del.

William T. Collins, son of George D. Col- lins and brother of Benjamin C. Collins, was born in Smyrna, Del., March 8, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of Green Spring and, profiting by his father's instruc- tion, became an intelligent farmer. At the age of twenty-four he began farming in Ken- ton hundred, Kent county, on land owned by his father-in-law, Thomas Davis. Ten years later he returned to Green Spring, Blackbird hundred, and since then has cultivated the homestead, a farm of 130 acres of arable land, in excellent condition. Like his brother, Mr. Collins is a member of the Democratic party, and is interested not only in the political, but in the general welfare of his county. Ile is a clerk of the board of school commissioners, and is well liked and respected in the com- munity.

William T. Collins was married in 1875, to Elizabeth C., daughter of Thomas Davis, of Kenton hundred. Their children are: I. Ida C .; II. Davis; III. George; IV. Lucy; V. Mary; and two who died in infancy.

WILLIAM G. PRYOR, P. O., Smyrna, Kent county, Del., son of Jeremiah and Mar- garet (Hart) Pryor, was born in Blackbird hundred, then Appoquinimink hundred, New Castle county, Del., February 4, 1842.

Mr. Pryor's ancestors were among the ear- liest settlers in Delaware. His grandfather, William Pryor, a native of New Castle coun- ty, Del., owned and cultivated a farm of 100 aeres in Appoquinimink, now Blackbird hun- dred, New Castle county. He improved this land, building a house and barn, and making it a desirable property. Mr. William Pryor was married to Martha, daughter of John Reynolds, a farmer of Blackbird hundred. Their children are: I. William, died in youth; II. John, died in youth; III. Jere- miah; IV. John (2) died in 1856; V. James R., a farmer of Blackbird hundred. Mr. Pryor died at the homestead in 1823, and is

buried in the family burial ground, on the levels in Blackbird hundred. His widow married Elisha Crouch; she died in 1844, and is buried beside her first husband.

Jeremiah Pryor was born in 1815, at the homestead in New Castle county. Ile re- ceived his education in the schools of the dis- triet, and learned farming with his father. In 1854 he purchased the farm of Samuel H. Holding. Mr. Pryor devoted all his energies to improving the land, and soon began to reap the reward of his patient, unceasing labor. He was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, ac- tively interested in political affairs, and served as school tax-collector of his district. Jere- miah Pryor's first wife was Margaret IIart, a native of New Castle county. Their only sur- viving child is William G .; a second child died in infancy. Margaret (Hart) Pryor died at the farm near Smyrna, Del., and is buried in the cemetery at Bethel church. Mr. Pryor's second wife was Susan Clouds, of Kent county, Del. Their children are: I. John, died in youth; HI. Martha, died in youth; III. Benjamin, of Wilmington, Del .; IV. Joseph II., of Scranton, Pa .; V. Mary E. (Mrs. B. Young), of Wilmington. Mrs. Su- san (Clouds) Pryor died at the homestead and is buried in the P. E. churchyard near Smyr- na, Del.

Mr. Pryor's third wife, Elizabeth (Glen- don) Scott, was the widow of James Scott. Their only child died in infancy. Mrs. Eliz- abeth G. Pryor died in Wilmington and is buried in the Glenwood cemetery in Smyrna. Jeremiah Pryor died at his home in 1877; he is buried in the Methodist cemetery at Bethel church.

William G. Pryor was educated in the pub- lie schools of district No. 70, Green Spring, New Castle county, and has spent his whole life on the homestead. After his father's death, Mr. Pryor assumed the management of the place. He is an energetic, progressive farmer, has made many improvements, and besides general farming, has paid some atten- tion to market gardening. Mr. Pryor's intel- ligence and ability are well known and appre- ciated by his fellow-citizens. In April, 1888, he was appointed road commissioner to fill the vacaney caused by the resignation of John Lockerman, and so efficiently did he perform the duties of the office that he was elected to the office in the same year, re-elected in

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1892 for four years, and again re-elected in 1896. Mr. Pryor is actively interested not only in the political, but in the general wel- fare of the county.

William G. Pryor was married, February 27, 1872, to Annie Catherine (Jenell) Me- Clain, daughter of Pariett and Isabella (Da- vid) Jenell, of Blackbird hundred, and widow of John MeClain. Their children are: I. William, at home; II. Jeremiah, of Kent county, Del., married Mary Stevenson, of Kent county; III. Margaret, residing in Wil- mington, Del .; IV. and V. twins, Katie, at home, and Maud, died in youth; VI. Oliver, at home. Mrs. Pryor is highly esteemed for her friendliness and hospitality. Mr. Wil- liam Pryor, his wife, and family are members of the M. E. church.

The children of John and Catherine (Jen- ell) MeClain are: I. Sarah, died in youth; II. John E., a farmer of Duck Creek hun- dred; III. Archibald, of Duck Creek hun- dred; IV. Thomas, of Duck Creek hundred; V. one who died in infancy.

ANDREW W. WEBSTER, P. O., Clay- ton, Kent county, Del., son of Dickinson and Mary A. (Brown) Webster, was born in Ap- poquinimink hundred, now Blackbird hun- dred, June 5, 1831.

The Webster family is of Scotch descent, and is one of the oldest in the state of Dela- ware. Mr. Webster's paternal grandfather was born in Scotland, where he spent his youth. Long before the colonies had struck a blow for independence, Mr. Webster, his two brothers, and their widowed mother sought a home in America. They settled on the borders of Pennsylvania, but afterwards removed to Fieldsboro, Appoquinimink hun- dred, New Castle county, Del., where Mr. Webster established a blacksmith shop. IIe was a sturdy, industrious workman, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. During the struggle for independence, he was ever ready to serve his adopted country, fighting bravely in the ranks.

Dickinson Webster was born in Fieldsboro, in 1775. His childhood was passed amid the stirring scenes of the Revolutionary war, and his educational advantages were limited. Af- ter spending several years as clerk in a store, he turned his attention to the cultivation of

the soil; purchasing a farm of 365 acres in Appoquinimink hundred. Mr. Webster made this his homestead, improving the property and cultivating it until the time of his death. In his youth, Mr. Webster was a Whig, but afterwards his convictions led him to identify himself with the Democratic party. He was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and discharged the duties of his office very satisfactorily. During the war of 1812, Mr. Webster was drafted, but on account of his wife's illness he procured a substitute. Dickinson Webster's first wife was Mrs. Rachel Fields, a widow. Their children are: I. Lydia, born November 6, 1802; II. Joseph, born July 12, 1804; III. Jacob, born July 7, 1806. Mrs. Webster died on the farm and is buried in Union church cemetery, in Appoquinimink hundred. Dickinson Webster afterwards married Mary Jones. Their children are: I. John W., born November 23, 1807; II. Rachel J., born in March, 1807. Mrs. Mary (Jones) Webster died and is interred in Union church ceme- tery. Mr. Webster's third wife, Susan Nau- dain, is also buried in Union church cemetery. Their children are: I. Rebecca W., born No- vember 11, 1813; II. William W., born Sep- tember 26, 1819. Mr. Webster's fourth wife was Mary A. Brown. Their children are: I. HIenry D., born August 13, 1827, resides in Wilmington, Del .; II. Sarah A., born March 20, 1829; III. Andrew W .; IV. Mary W., de- ceased, born May 4, 1834; V. Susan E. (Mrs. William Thompson), born August 12, 1836; VI. Anna Maria ( Mrs. Reuben D. Rutledge), deceased, born June 10, 1839; VII. Sarah J. (Mrs. Joseph Layman), deceased, born Janu- ary 24, 1842; VIII. James T., born January 14, 1845; IX. Samuel A., born September 8, 1848. Mr. Diekenson Webster was a consis- tent member of the M. E. church in which he was an exhorter. He was an intelligent gen- theman, well-read, and interested in current events as well as in religious questions. He was moreover a diligent student of the Bible and an eloquent speaker on Biblical subjects. He died at his home in Blackbird hundred. December 19, 1848, and was buried in Union church cemetery. Mrs. Mary A. (Brown) Webster, died at the home of her daughter, Susan, near Odessa, Del., and is buried beside her husband.

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Andrew W. Webster received his educa- tion in the public schools of district No. 71, Blackbird hundred. He remained at home, working with his father, until he was twenty. He then served one year's apprenticeship with Benjamin Shaun, of Blackbird hundred. After working at his trade for five years, he abandoned it and returned to country life. " For twenty years he farmed on rented land; spending two years on the homestead in New Castle county, five years on a farm of 100 acres belonging to John Needles, in Duck Creek hundred, Kent county, Del., and thir- teen years in Blackbird hundred, New Castle county, on a farm of 277 acres, also owned by John Needles. Industry and strict econ- omy had enabled Mr. Webster to save a small sun of money, and he was now able to pur- chase 77 acres of the farm which he had rented. He is not only energetic and indus- trious, but a thoroughly practical and progres- sive farmer. By his intelligent management he has so improved his property that it fully equals if not surpasses many of the farms of the hundred. He has planted a peach orchard and erected a dwelling house and barn at a cost of more than $3,000. Mr. Webster's quiet, unassuming manner has made him many friends, who have shown their appre- ciation of his intelligence and ability by elect- ing him to fill the office of assessor, tax-col- lector, and school commissioner. Mr. Web- ster was a stanch supporter of the Know Nothing party, but afterwards identified him- self with the Democracy, in whose ranks he is an active worker. He is a member of the I. O. R. M.

Andrew W. Webster was married in Black- bird hundred, in 1857, to Rachel (Rutledge) Naudain, widow of Michael Naudain. She died in 1867, and is buried in Union ceme- tery. In 1869, Mr. Webster was married to Maria, daughter of William Clayton, of Ap- poquinimink hundred. She died November 1, 1883. Mr. Webster was married in 1885, to Josephine, daughter of Thomas P. and Ly- ·dia A. (Bagwell) Jefferson, who was born in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del.

Her family is one of the oldest in Dela- ware, and traces its descent to Thomas Jeffer- son, the "Father of Democracy," and the founder of the Democratic party. Mrs. Web- ster is an intelligent, well-educated lady, and for some time before her marriage was en-

gaged in teaching. Mr. Webster and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been a trustee for thirty years. Mr. Webster is highly esteemed for his faithfulness, and unswerving ad- herence to principle. He is strictly temper- ate in all his habits, and never drinks liquor, or uses tobacco in any form. Like his father, Mr. Webster is fond of reading, and a dili- gent student of the Bible.

EDWIN F. THOMAS, P. O. Clayton, Kent county, Del., son of William W. and Sarah E. (Holt) Thomas, was born in Cecil county, Md., May 28, 1853.

Mr. Thomas' great-grandfather, William Thomas, tailor, passed the greater part of his life in Fieldsboro, Appoquinimink hundred, New Castle county, Del. His grandfather, John Thomas, a native of Chestertown, Md., owned and cultivated a farm of 100 acres in Appoquinimink, now Blackbird hundred, New Castle county, Del. In recognition of his service as a soldier in the war of 1812, Mr. John Thomas was granted a pension with ar- rears to date; but the matter had been delayed so long that the papers did not arrive until af- ter his death. He was married to Isabella Clark, who was born in Queen Anne county, Md. Their children are: I. William W .; II. John W .; III. Mary E., married Abraham Packard, both deceased; IV. Sarah (Mrs. Da- vid King), of Camden, N. J .; V. Martha, married Henry L. Packard, both deceased. Mr. Thomas' family were members of the M. P. church. Mrs. Thomas died at the home- stead in Blackbird hundred, in 1872; Mr. Thomas in 1873. Both are buried in the cem- etery at Salem church.

William W. Thomas was born in Chester- town, Md., but grew up on his father's farm in Blackbird hundred, remaining at home un- til he attained his majority. He received a good education and for some time attended the night schools of Philadelphia, Pa. After spending several years in Chester county, Pa., as traveling agent for James Holt, wool man- ufacturer, Mr. Thomas removed to Maryland and rented a farm in Cecil county. In 1875 he returned to the scenes of his boyhood, and settled on the homestead in Blackbird hun- dred. Mr. Thomas was a good father and a kind, considerate husband. He was also an active citizen, interested in all that concerned

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 57

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1482

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482