USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I > Part 9
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The reader can forin some idea of the carly wildness of the country where Wihnington now stands when informed that in 1676 wolves were so plentiful that the court made an order offering "40 gilders" for each wolf head brought in. This order not bringing about the destruction of these pests as rapidly as was desired, the court, on the 5th of Jan- mary, 1677, ordered that the inhabitants "ereet fifty wolf pitts along the streams by
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May 1st, under a forfeiture of 75 gilder>." If wild animals were so abundant then, what must have been the condition when the Swedes came in 1638?
The phrase, "Eastern Shore," then re- ferred to a part of New Jersey, which was supposed to be a part of Delaware. In course of time it was applied to that part of Maryland lying on the eastern side of Chesapeake Bay. A division of the county into assessment dis- triets was made in 1677, soon after the setting off of thecounty, and they were the embryos of what afterwards became hundreds. Concern- ing the origin of this term Vincent (p. 14) says they are the old English method of sub-divi- sions of counties. "They were supposed to have originated with King Alfred who ruled England, A. D. 877. But they are now known to have existed before his time. The name is believed to be of Swedish origin. It was used in England to designate a settlement of one hundred persons or families. Through the Swedes in Delaware it was introduced here, and is used to this day to designate the sub-division of a county into what are known in other states as townships. Delaware is the only state in the United States in which the term is used in place of townships. And hay- ing been in use for more than a century and a half it is not likely that the term will soon be abandoned. New Castle county now has the following hundreds: Brandywine, Christiana, Mill Creek, White Clay Creek, New Castle, Pencader, Red Lion, St. George's, Appoquin- imink. Blackbird, ten in all, outside of Wil- mington, which is a district by itself. Wil- mington is divided into five legislative dis- triets. Outside of the city, each hundred is a legislative district, so that New Castle county has fifteen members of the House of Repre- sentatives, and seven senators. According to the census of 1890 New Castle county had a population of 97,182, but it now exceeds 100,000 by several thousands. The same au- thority gave Wilmington 61,431, 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 61 miles of gas pipe, 10 parks and open places for recreation with an arca of 254 acres.
The total bonded indebtedness of the city
on the 1st of July, 1897, was $2,018,700. Total assessment for 1897 was $39,190,237. C'ity tax rate, $1.40 per $100; county, 60 cents per $100. The estimated income for the year was $157,257.50. The city is divided into twelve wards.
Wilmington enjoys an abundance of pur water, mostly supplied from the Brandywin ; Creek. The pumping capacity per day is 20,000,000 gallons, and the daily consumption averages 6,000,000 gallons. The receipts from water rents last year amounted to $165,- 407.65. It has a fire alarm and police tele- graph system, eighty-one police officers, nine fire and four military companies.
Careful attention is given to education in Wilmington. The city has twenty-eight pub- lie schools, about 10,000 scholars and 230 teachers; one commercial college and several private educational institutions.
Wilmington is the largest and the second oldest town in the state. Since 1880 it has been the seat of justice of New Castle county, the county courts being held in February, May, September and November. It is also the seat of the Federal Courts for the District of Delaware, and has a handsome stone Federal building which cost $250,000. The postoffice occupies part of this building.
Wilmington has one state and five nation- al banks, two savings banks and six loan asso- ciations. The clearings of the six banks aggre- gated $34,557,570 for the year ended Septem- ber 30, 1897. The city is noted as a manufac- turing centre, its principal industries being ship-building, morocco dressing, the construe- tion of railroad cars, and iron working. The Dupont powder works, which 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 companies as a protection against incendiaries. Investments in manufactures aggregate $14,000,00 .; value of products, 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, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, the Delaware Railroad, the Balti- more and Ohio Railroad and the Wilmington and Northern Railroad.
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Two historic streams of water pass through the city. The Christiana Creek (or river), is navigable for shipping. It was named in honor of Christina, the young Queen of Sweden, by the Swedes when they settled on its banks in 1638. The river, the Brandywine, unites its waters with the Christina in the city. On its banks, a few miles north of the city, was fought the famous battle of Brandywine in Septem- ber, 1777. According to Ferris (p. 196) it ob tained its name in this way: Originally it was called Fishkill by the Swedes, but during the Dutch occupation in 1655 a vessel laden with bijindy was sunk near its mouth. In the Dutch language it was then called "Brand- wijn," which was corrupted into Brandywine.
The city maintains the Wilmington Insti- tute Free Library, which has become an ex- cecdingly popular and valuable educational factor. Already it numbers over 30,000 vol- umes. In its reference department it is well supplied with valuable books, and the facility they afford pupils in the high school for acquir- ing information, is attested by the large num- bers that consult them daily. 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. Mr. 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 of preserving state and local history, and putting it in form for easy reference. Its collections embrace much that is curious and valuable, in books, papers and relics. The Society occupies the original Presbyterian Church building which was erected in 1740. It presents a quaint, unique appearance, and is singularly appropriate to the purpose for which it is now used. Henry C. Conrad, Esq., the li- brarian, is a man peculiarly fitted by taste as well as acquirements for the position, and under his direction the Society is in a flour- ishing condition.
Wilmington has sixty-nine churches, mis- sions and meeting houses, many of which are elegant and imposing structures; and so far as quaintness and historic associations are con- corned, "Old Swedes'" stands without a rival. The city is not lacking in charities. It has an Associated Charities, two hospitals, a baby hospital and homes for aged women, friend less children, aged colored persons and colored orphans, and an industrial school for girls.
There are two fine theatres, and several audi- toriums, and 140 beneficial societies.
There is some doubt as to the true origin 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 West, French, Water and Fourth streets. Hle 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 says that in the lat- ter part of the year 1728 Thomas Willing mar- ried Catharine, eldest daughter of Andrew Justison, probably a Swede. In 1727, Justi- con purchased a plantation lying on the Chris- tiana. Hle 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 business, the governor, in granting a charter for the town in 1739, named it Wil- mington, in honor of the Earl of Wilmington, who was esteemed a person of great worth, ability and integrity, and had held a number of offices of responsibility in England. He died ummarried in July, 1743. It is therefore quite probable that Wilmington was named in his honor; and the heretofore accepted idea that the name was merely a corruption of "Willing Town." is thus shown to be incor- reet.
The settlement grew slowly until William Shipley, with a number of Friends, came to its aid, and advanced its interests until it grew into a prosperous borough. It was in- corporated by act of the Legislature in 1832, under the name of "The City of Wilmington."
New Castle has borne more names than any other town in the United States. A few Swedes settled there in 1638, and by them it was called New Stockholm. The Dutch built Fort Cassimer in 1651, and called the town Sandhoce and New Amstel. Afterwards the Swedes (see Life of George Read. p. 53) called it Grape Wine Point, and in 1675 it was known as Delaware Town. The English, however, named it New Castle, and that title became permanent. It is the second largest town in the state, and it early entertained great expectations. Laid ont in 1655, and long the seat of governors, it naturally expected to became a place of note. Many men of emi- nence and high standing as lawyers, judges and clergymen, have lived and died there. There
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the Assembly in the days of the elder Penn met to frame laws, there important transac- tions took place between leading men relating to the political destines of the Province, and for many years it was the Mecca, so to speak, whither all eyes were directed when questions of moment were under consideration.
. The first lawyer of Delaware was admitted to practice in the Court at New Castle Novem- ber 7, 1676. The records show the following curious entry : "Upon the petition of Thomas Spry, desiring that he be admitted to plead some people's cases in Court The Worship- ful Court have granted him Leave so Long as the Petitioner Behaves himself well and carrys himself answerable thereto." Whether Mr. 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 justice in Delaware.
Before Philadelphia was founded, New Cai- tle was the most important port on the Dela- ware river, and there ships generally came to anchor to report for orders. During the Scotch-Irish immigration the majority of these immigrants landed here, and from this point thousands of them made their way by land up through the Chester Valley to the Susquehanna and points beyond. Many, too, remained in the state and became valuable 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 powerful factor in making independence possible. The first pre -- ident of Delaware in 1776 was a sturdy Scotch-Irishman, and as long as the Republic lasts the name of Dr. John MeKinly will be honored by every true son of Delaware. ITis patriotism cost him much suffereing and loss, but he never wavered; he lived to see the flag of liberty wave triumphantly throughout the land, and died one of the most respected and honored of men.
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A majority of those Scotch-Irish immi grants were Presbyterians, and they snecess- fully planted the doctrines of that church in the land of their adoption. It was through them that the Presbytery of New Castle was
founded, and by that body many young men were ordained and sent forth to preach the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church.
Yet, with all the flattering prospects and bright anticipations of its people, New Castle city never attained the greatness and distinction that were expected. Phil- adelphia became the metropolis on the Delaware, Wilmington outstripped it in the race, and it settled down to quiet rest, as it were, satisfied that its race was run and its destiny fulfilled. And now, over two hundred and forty years old, the entire population of New Castle hundred is only about 6,000, 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 community.
KENT COUNTY.
Next in 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 "Hoorn Kill" district, and became an independent territory under the name of St. Jones' County in 1680, 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, 1682, Wil- liam Penn summoned the magistrates of St. Jones and "Hoorn Kill" to meet him at New Castle, in order to confer regarding the con dition of the people and the territory. In 1683, the year after this meeting, Penn or- dered Dover to be laid out. The General As- sembly, sitting at New Castle, passed a bill making Dover the State Capital May 12, 1777, and it has so continued to the present time.
Dover is beautifully situated on a rich al- luvial plain, at the head of tide on St. Jones' Creek, six miles west of Delaware Bay, thirty- six north from Georgetown, the county seat of Sussex county, and forty-five south of Wil- mington. It was founded soon after the ar- rival of William Penn, by English settlers who were attracted thither by the beauty and fertility of the land, and the easy means of
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communication with the bay via St. Jones' Creek, which is navigable for small vessels. Kent county contains 613 square miles and is divided into nine hundreds, viz: Duck Creek, Little Creek, Kenton, West Dover, East Dover, North Murderkill, South Murderkill,
The county is apportioned into ten Repre- sentative and five Senatorial districts. Ac- cording to the census of 1890 Dover had a population of 3,061. The number has some- what increased since that time. The country surrounding Dover is highly cultivated and yields luxuriant crops. The surface is rolling and presents a charming appearance. There are many handsome residences in the town, which betoken wealth and culture on the part of their owners. The public buildings are plain modern brick structures, facing the square. As the House of Representatives con- sists of only thirty-five members, a large hall is not required for their accommodation. The Senate is composed of seventeen members, consequently a small chamber suffices. The executive and other departments are in the same building, and are conveniently arranged for the transaction of public business. The State Library, which contains a very full col- lection of the laws, is convenient of access. In addition to legal books and general litera- ture, its unique treasure is a copy of one of the earliest printed Bibles known to be in exist- ence. This precious volume is, by direction of the Legislature, securely preserved in a glass case. A free circulating library, well supplied with books, is kept in a room over the post office, and is open to the public two days in the week.
Dover is easy of access by railroad. When its age and beauty of situation are considered, the wonder is that it has not attained greater size. However, there is an air of quiet dig- uity about the place which favorably im- presses visitors, and on every hand there are evidences of refinement and culture, such as are not found in every state capital. Beauti- fully shaded streets are inviting for drives in summer time. Churches and schools 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 stately mounments show that their memories have been sacredly preserved by those who came after them.
Mispillion Creek, which is the dividing line between Kent and Sussex counties, also runs through the borough of Milford, a small por- tion of which is thrown into Sussex county. The Mispillion is a stream of some magnitude and is navigable for several miles for small boats.
The borough of Milford was settled at an carly date and many men of eminence have lived within its borders. The remains of sev- eral governors of the state lie in its ceme- teries. It is pleasantly situated and contains many comfortable private residences which give evidence of the refined taste of their owners. There is one national bank, which does a thriving business. Milford, according to the census of 1890, had 1,220 inhabitants; but this does not do full justice to the town, as a portion of the population is absorbed by Sus- sex county. There are several pretty villages in the county, which has a population of over 33,000.
SUSSEX COUNTY.
Sussex, which is the largest in territory of the three counties, contains 965 square miles, and a population of nearly 39,000. It is bounded north by Kent county and Delaware Bay, south by Maryland, east by Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and west by Maryland. It is hard to determine the exact date of the creation of Sussex county. Its ter- ritory originally belonged to "Hoorn Kill," and more by popular consent than by official enactment "Hoorn Kill" (now Lewes) was recognized as the seat of justice from the es- tablishment of a trading post there in 1658 until Georgetown was settled. As the terri- tory was large, and there were few roads, the town could be reached only by water. This was inconvenient for many of the inhabitants, and they complained. At the meeting of Wiliam Penn with the magistrates of "Hoorn Kill" and St. Jones' county, already referred to. in November, 1682, the name of the county was changed to Sussex. The county seat, how- ever, remained at "Hoorn Kill" until 1791, when Georgetown was selected and thither the records were removed. It has continued to be the county seat until the present time. The town is small, containing only about 1,500 inhabitants, but it is pleasantly situated and is reached by a branch of the Delaware Railroad.
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Sussex, of course, takes its name from Sus- sex in England. William Penn had a warm side for the land whence he came, and took pleasure, like the English immigrants gener- ally, in perpetuating many of the names he loved, in this country. Penn 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, Nanticoke, Broad Creek, Little Creek, Dagsboro, Gum- boro, Baltimore, Indian River, Georgetown, Broadkiln, Lewes and Rohoboth, Seaford. The county is divided into ten legislative and five 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 of fertilizers are required. Peach 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 Sussex 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 when the Court sat here many, many years ago. It is now used for commer- cial purposes. During the war of 1812, Brit- ish war vessels infested the bay and made themselves a terror to the inhabitants 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 bombardment a citi- zen hearing a white flag crossed the meadows and informed the commanding officer that if he wished to do more execution he should ele- vate his guns. Thinking that he was a Tory, the officer acted on his advice, and the result was that nearly all the balls went over the town and landed in a pond in the rear, where many of them were afterwards found. The ruse was a good one, and old residents still re- late the story with inch glee.
There are many attractive and pleasant places of residence in Lewes. Looking across the wide meadow in front of the town, you will see the blue waters of the bay, and far- ther in the distance the white caps of the At- lantic. The great Delaware Breakwater, built as a protection for vessels from severe storms, is an immense sea wall. As early as 1822 Congress appropriated $22,700 for erecting two piers. Surveys were made by engineers, and the work commenced. Little, however, was done towards pushing the work, and it languished until 1828, when Congress appro- priated $250,000 to carry it into effect. From that time, the work was carried on with vigor, until millions of tons of stone had been placed there, and millions of dollars expended in completing this great protection to commerce. Behind this sheltering wall, vessels may ride in safety when the storm king sweeps over the sea. The Cape Henlopen light house rises to a height of 140 feet above the water and serves as a guide to mariners seeking safety within the Breakwater.
Looking across the meadows in the diree- 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 which has buried a forest of scrubby pines, leaving only the tops of the trees projecting. Spots of evergreen in a round, hard packed moun- tain of glistening sand, present a strange sight ; vet in some future freak of the wind, it may remove this colossal dune and rebuildl it some- where else.
Many pilots, who conduct vessels into the bay, and up as far as Philadelphia and return them to the sea, reside in Lewes in cosy cot- tages, and a portion of the place is called "Pilot Town." They are ever on the alert for vessels, to meet which their tug goes far out to sea; at night its brilliant search light may be seen sweeping the horizon for a sail.
The population of Lewes slightly exceeds 3,000. It is not likely that it will grow very rapidly, but it will ever remain an important. marine station on the bay. It has a branch of the Delaware Railroad, and the Queen Anne has recently been operated from a point in Maryland to the place. The town therefore is in easy communication with the outer world by two routes.
Much more might be written about the State, its many pretty little towns, its curious places of interest, its advancement in the cause
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of education from the founding of "Delaware College," at Newark, in 1821; its newspapers, its banking institutions, and the great water- Way connecting the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, which is destined ere many years to be- come an important ship canal; but, as it was stated in the outset of this chapter, it was not intended to attempt a diffusive historical sketch, the foregoing must suthice. Much val- uable history will be found in the chapter giv- ing the names of all the governors from Min- uit to Tunnell. Nothing of the kind has ever been attempted in any preceding publication, and it cannot fail to prove valuable for refer- ence. The chapter on the judiciary of the state, condensed from Judge Grubb's valuable contribution to the Historical Society, will show the reader the many eminent lawyers and jurists of the state has produced. And in reading the biographical and genealogical sketches of many old families given throughout the two massive volumes, no native Delawarean can refrain from feeling proud of his State. Though small in territory, she has been great in men. Comparatively speaking, no state can excel her in the pro- duction of eminent soldiers, statesmen and patriots. The name of Macdonough, as a naval hero, is a flashing jewel in her crown. And behold the Rodneys, the Bedfords, the Diekinsons, and a whole line of patriots whose resplendent deeds shine with a lustre that time cannot efface. And for true statesman- ship, where can a more illustrious line be pointed out than we find in that afforded by the Bayards, the Claytons and the Salisburys? They proudly stand as the intellectual giants of Delaware.
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