Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 29

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1500

USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II > Part 29

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).

Dr. William T. Sudler was married in Newtown, Bucks county, Pa., to Matilda F., daughter of John C. Cameron; Mrs. Sudler, who is deceased, was a native of Bucks county. Their children are: I. Edward C., conmis- sion merchant of Bridgeville, Del .; II. Ma- tilda, died when eleven years old; III. a child who died in infancy; IV. John R., a student at college.

Tilghman Layton, Dr. W. T. Sudler's ma- ternal grandfather, was a native of Sussex county, where he was a farmer, and owned much real estate. He passed his life in Nan- ticoke hundred, where he served fourteen years as justice of the peace. He was a sup- porter of the Whig party. Tilghman Layton

married Mrs. Catherine (Williams) Ryan, a widow; their children were: I. Sara A. ( Mrs. John R. Sudler); H. Tilghman, M. D., de- ceased; III. Catherine, deceased, wife of Dr. Joseph Holton, of Centreville, Md .; IV. Thomas, of Nanticoke hundred; V. Joseph, deceased; VI. James, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tilglunan Layton died in Nanticoke hundred; they were highly respected and esteemed.

SAMUEL HI. MELSON, P. O. Scott's, Sussex county, Del., son of Benjamin S. and Eliza (Fookes) Melson, was born in Worees- ter county, Md., now Wicomico county, June 24, 1837. Ilis grandfather, Samuel Melson, a native of the same county, was a farmer and land owner there, having real estate amounting to more than 200 acres. He was a well known citizen, and an old line Whig; for many years he was justice of the peace. Although he had no medical training, he was quite skilful in treating disease, and was fre- quently consulted as a physician by his neigh- bors. He was also a local preacher in the M. E. church. Samuel Melson married Grace Maddox, a native of the same county with himself; their children were: I. Sarah (Mrs. Joseph Hearn); II. Phebe Ann (Mrs. Ezekiel Jones), of Sussex county, Del .; III. Eliza (Mrs. Benjamin G. Hearn); IV. Benjamin S .; V. Mary (Mrs. Jacob Hayman); VI. Maria (Mrs. Purnell Short), of Sussex county; VII. Priscilla (Mrs. Gillie Short), of Sussex coun- ty; VIII. Daniel F., died in Maryland; IX. Matilda (Mrs. Daniel B. Short). Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Melson both died on their farm, and were interred in the Melson burial ground. Both were highly respected among their neighbors of all classes.

Benjamin S. Melson, their eldest son, was born in Worcester county, Md., in 1810, re- ceived his education in his own vicinity, and became a farmer. Besides this occupation, he learned and practiced the trade of brick- laying. In 1854, he settled on the Samuel Laws farm, at Horsey's X Roads, in Sussex county, Del., a traet containing over 600 acres. Here he made various improvements, and con- tinned for many years to farm and to work at his vocation as a bricklayer. His diligent life, his upright character, his sobriety and honora- ble dealings secured him abundant regard and esteem from those who had opportunities for acquaintance with him. His case certain-

Raymond & Taylor

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ly illustrated the fact that hard work does not shorten life, as he lived to the good old age of eighty-eight years; a few of his latest years were spent in well-earned repose, among his children. Mr. Mebson was a Whig, while that party lasted, and afterward became a Repub- lican. Benjamin S. Melson was married at Derrickson X Roads, Wicomico county, Md., to Eliza, daughter of James Fookes; she was born in that county, and descended from its early settlers. Their children are: I. Jona- than J., who died at the age of twenty-five years; II. Samuel HI .; III. Mary E. (Mrs. Benjamin J. Downing), of Wilmington, Del .; IV. Maria M. ( Mrs. John H. Kinder), of Sea- ford hundred; V. Eliza G. (Mrs. Joseph J. Masten), of Wilmington; VI. Benjamin F., lives on the homestead in Northwest Fork hundred; VII. Ebenezer H., on the home- stead; VIII. Sarah Ann (Mrs. O. D. Hill), of Northwest Fork hundred; IX. Priscilla E. (Mrs. E. B. Wright), of Northwest Fork hun- dred; X. Daniel H., on the homestead. Mrs. Benjamin S. Melson died on the farm in 1892, and her husband in 1898; both were interred in the family burial place on the farm. They were faithful and consistent members of the M. E. church, in which Mr. Melson was a class-leader at the early age of fifteen, and for more than seventy years from that time.

Their second son, Samuel H. Melson, was educated in subscription schools, and also studied one term at the academy of Salisbury, Md. He was a diligent and appreciative student, and made the best of the advantages he enjoyed, gaining more from them than many do from the most extensive college cur- riculum. After the removal of the family to Delaware, he became occupied with farming in Northwest Fork hundred, but later he re- turned to Maryland, and settled at Fowling Creek, Caroline county, where for sixtcon years he was miller and farmer. During eight years of that time, he was also county sur- veyor, having been elected to that office for four successive terms. In 1883, Mr. Melson once more became a resident of Northwest Fork hundred, having bought the Jacob Kin- der homestead, a tract of 240 acres, on which he made extensive improvements, adding a commodious dwelling besides new facilities for agricultural work. Here he has since been largely engaged in fruit culture and in gen-

eral farming. Mr. Melson has inherited a full share of his father's capacity for steady and varied work, for in addition to those branches of business, he is in frequent request as a surveyor, visiting different parts of the county to fulfil engagements in that line. He is a Republican. In 1862, Mr. Melson. enlisted for the defence of the Union in Company I, Sixth Regiment, Delaware Volunteer In- fantry, Colonel Edward Wilmer and Cap- tain Charles Heydrick, for the nine months' service. His regiment was employed through- out its terin on guard duty in the state, and at its close, was mustered out at Smyrna, Del. Mr. Melson is a member of Cannon Post No. 17, Bridgeville; also of Conclave No. 35, I. O. H., of the same place. A useful, patriotic and upright citizen, Mr. Melson occupies a high place in the regard of the community.

On December 22, 1858, Samuel HI. Mel- son was married on the Kinder homestead, to Charlotte C., daughter of the late Jacob and Mary (Cannon) Kinder. They had five chil- dren: I. James P .; II. Mary E .; III. Daniel F .; IV. John F .; V. Elizabeth. Only one sur- vives, John F., educated in the county, is now farming the homestead, married Willie S. Butler, of Caroline county, Md., has children, i. Charles II., ii. Rollin, iii. Samuel, iv. Edith. Mr. Melson and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has for many years been a class-leader.

ROBERT HILL, P. O. Bridgeville, Sus- sex county, Del., son of James and Mary Jane (Woods) Hill, was born at Aughnacloy, Coun- ty Tyrone, Ireland, June 14, 1846.

The Hill family are descended from Scotch settlers in the north of Ireland, where James Hill was born, a native of the same county as his son. He was a prosperous farmer and a land owner, spent his whole life, and died in his native county. His wife, Mary Jane Woods, was the daughter of English parents, also settlers in County Tyrone, where she was born. Their children are: I. Robert; IT. William, general superintendent of the Con- tinental Life Insurance Company, of London, England; III. George, died in Philadelphia in 1885; IV. Samuel, superintendent of the Continental Life Insurance Co. at Avr, Scot- land; V. James, died at Edinburg, Scotland; VI. Margaret, married John Mercer, a native of Pennsylvania, now resides in Greenock,

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Scotland; VII. Mary Jane ( Mrs. Robert 1]- len), of Paisley, Scotland, deceased. By care- ful training and a solid and thorough educa- tion, Mr. and Mrs. Hill endeavored to prepare their children for taking a useful and honora- be part in the business of the world; nor did their laudable efforts fail to produce the de- sired result. The remains of both parents rest in their native soil. James Hill was a faithful member, a class-leader and exhorter, of the Wesleyan Methodist church.

Their eldest son, Robert Hill, after receiv- ing a good English education, assisted his father in farming until 1865, when he was nineteen years of age. Then, filled with a de- sire to see the western world, the youth em- barked for America on the steamer North America, sailing from Londonderry for Port- land, Me. From that city he went to Philadel- phia, where he was for a short time clerk in a store, and then to Harrisville, N. HI., where he spent two years in a spinning factory. Re- turning to Philadelphia, he again held a clerk- ship until, in 1873, he purchased 40 acres of land in Caroline county, Md., which he culti- vated for three years, and then sold. Again Mr. Hill went back to Philadelphia, intend- ing to engage in mercantile business; but was prevented from carrying out his intention by the panic in financial affairs then prevailing. It was in 1878 that he settled in Northwest Fork hundred, Sussex county, Del., on the Burton Layton farm of 83 acres, now known as "Hill's Choice," where he has ever since been occupied with general farming and the cultureof fruit. He keeps up with the times in making improvements and in adopting ap- proved methods, is shrewd and intelligent in business, and is classed among the successful farmers of the section. Mr. Hill is a Republi- can: he does not seek office, but has served as school commissioner. He is a member of the Grange and ex-Master of Bridgeville Grange. Hle is widely known and much respected in the county.

Robert HTill was married in Philadelphia, Angust 28, 1872, to Margaret, daughter of William and Anna (Buchanan) Coulter, of County Tyrone, Ireland, where Mrs. Hill was born; she came to Philadelphia in 1866. Their children are: I. William James Robert, edu- cated in the public schools, graduated from Goldey's Business College, Wilmington, Del., now chief clerk of the Delaware Hard Fibre

Company of Wilmington; II. George Alex- ander, at home. Mr. Ilill is a member of the M. E. church of Bridgeville, of which his family also are members.

William Coulter, who was of English de- scent, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he passed his life, a prosperous farmer and land owner. His wife, Anna Buchanan, was a native of the same county, but of Scotch parentage. Their children are: 1. James, died in his native country; II. John, died in Philadelphia; III. Elizabeth (Mrs. Alexan- der Dale), of Philadelphia; IV. Margaret (Mrs. Robert Hill); V. Jane ( Mrs. Richard Barrett), widow, of Tyrone, Ireland; VI. Wil- liam, also of County Tyrone; VII. Mary Ann, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter both died and were buried in their native country, the former in 1862; he was a member of the Church of England.

MILO LEWIS BLANCHARD, P. O. Blanchard, Sussex county, Del., son of Henry and Sophronia ( Knowles) Blanchard, was born in Palenville, Green county, N. Y., June 16, 1838.

The Blanchard family, whose name is found in the records of the earliest settlers of the New England states, is of French lineage. Its representatives, now widely scattered, have been of influence, prominent alike in rural life, in the learned professions, in sci- ence, literature and art, as well as on the field of battle, where they have always fought against wrong and oppression. Trained in the colonial wars, they have stood for freedom and the Union in the war of the Revolution, of 1812, and in the dark hours of the Rebellion.

Justice Blanchard, grandfather of Milo L. Blanchard, was a native of Billerica, Mass., where he read law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced for many years. Mr. Blanch- ard also owned and cultivated large tracts of land in his native state, but, although inter- ested in agriculture, he never abandoned his profession. Later he removed to Dutchess county, N. Y., and thence to Palenville, Green county, N. Y., where he spent the re- mainder of his life. He was a colonel in the Continental army, serving under General George Washington, and took part in the bat- tle of Saratoga, N. Y. Mr. Blanchard was a Whig, active and influential in public affairs; he was loved and respected by all who knew

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him. Justice Blanchard was married four times. Ilis first wife was Lydia Chloe Mar- shall, a near relative of the late Chief-justice Marshall, of New York. Their children are: I. Henry; II. Justice Hill, M. D .; III. Isaac; IV. Judge Joseph, also M. D .; V. James, phy- sician and lawyer, afterwards judge of his dis- triet; VI. Harriet; VII. Hannah; VIIL. Asenath; IX. Harry; X. Charlotte. All of his five sons were prominent professional men. Mr. Blanchard was a member of the M. E. church. He died and was buried at Palen- ville, Green county, N. Y.

Henry Blanchard, eldest son of Justice Blanchard, and father of Milo L. Blanchard, was born at Billerica, Mass. While he was still a child, his parents removed to the state of New York, where his youth and early man- hood were spent. He received a good English education in the schools of Green county, N. Y., and devoted himself to agriculture. In 1865, Mr. Blanchard removed to Delaware and purchased 220 acres of land in Northwest Fork hundred, Sussex county. Here he en- gaged in general farming and fruit raising. Mr. Blanchard was a life-long Whig and Re- publican, an active worker for the success of the party, but not an office seeker. He was an industrious, energetic business man, honora- ble in all his dealings, trying to exemplify in his conduet the principle by which he was guided; "Do unto others as you would they should do unto you." Henry Blanchard was married, in Green county, N. Y., to Sophro- nia, daughter of E. M. Knowles, a de- scendant of. one of the old English families of New York. Mrs. Blanchard was born in Greenville, Green county, N. Y. The chil- dren of Henry and Sophronia (Knowles) Blanchard are: I. James M., a farmer of Northwest Fork hundred, Sussex county, Del .; II. Capt. Henry Augustus, died in 1897; III. George C., deceased; IV. Maria Augus- ta (Mrs. J. Gardener), deceased; V. Justico Marshall, deceased; VI. Mary O., died in 1897; VII. Col. Milo Lewis; VIII. Henri- otta, widow of Russell II. Penfield; IX. Charles Knowles, of Bradford, Pa. Mrs. Blanchard was a consistent member of the M. E. church. She died at her home in Sussex county, in 1867, and is interred in the family burial place on the farm. Mr. Blanchard died at the home of his son, Milo L. Blanchard, February 4, 1873.

Col. Milo Lewis Blanchard attended the public schools of Green county, N. Y. In his teens, Mr. Blanchard sought to get beyond the limits of the farm, and tried commercial life in the city of Poughkeepsie, but, after a year's experience, he concluded to exchange the counting room for the school. Hle re- turned to his native county and began a pre- paratory course at the Greenville academy, re- maining there one year. He then went to Delaware county and finished his preparatory course at Delhi Institute, studying and teach- ing the while. Just as he was anticipating entering Yale College, the cloud of civil war began to lower with its dark and threatening aspect. Mr. Blanchard was not long in set- tling the question. In 1861 he enlisted in the quartermaster's department of the Fifth New York Cavalry, under Col. O. De Forest. He spent eleven months in the service and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. In 1863, he re-enlisted at Cleveland, Ohio, in Company F., Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cav- alry, Col. R. II. Rateliff. Mr. Blanchard was mustered into the service as first sergeant, and was present at the battles of Mount Sterling and Ft. Lexington, Ky., and at various other engagements. He served until the elose of the war and was honorably discharged as first lieu- tenant of cavalry. Returning to Delaware, he purchased 500 acres of land situated in North- west Fork hundred, Sussex county. Mr. Blanchard is a successful agriculturist; he has made many improvements on his property, and by his enterprise, has greatly assisted the introduction of the strawberry and other small fruits among the profitable crops of the state. In 1898 he was appointed agent of the Queen Anne R. R. at the station which bears his name. In the same year he received the additional appointment of postmaster in the same town. Both of these positions he still Holds, discharging in a very satisfactory man- ner his duties to his employers and to the pub- lic. Mr. Blanchard cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. In 1882 he was a candidate for governor of Delaware, on the National Greenback ticket. A newspaper of promi- nence contained the following in its issue of October 22, 1882:

"In selecting Mr. Blanchard to head the National Greenback Labor ticket of the State of Delaware, the people have placed before them a man against whom nothing

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can truthfully be said-a useful friend to the sick, poor and needy; a help and benefit to the conununity where he lives; a practical re- former, entertaining broad and liberal views; a zealous advocate of the progressive educa- tion of the people of his state, in literature, finance and religion, llo es- poused the National cause from principle, the love of truth and humanity, and it is verily be- lieved and generally conceded by all who have the honor of his acquaintance, and the ad- vantage of knowing the true worth of the man, that Delaware has hardly his peer or equal, to offer for the highest place in the gift of her people.

"The Nationals of Delaware may well feel proud in having chosen Milo Blanchard as their standard bearer and candidate for the high office of governor. Anti-bond. anti- bank, and anti-metal-base, in every feature, we believe him to be emphatically the only de facto representative of true Republican Democracy now before the people of Dela- ware."

Mr. Blanchard is a member of Sunny Side Grange, No. 7, P. of H., and for twelve years has been master of the lodge in which he is an enthusiastic worker. He is also a member of Conclave No. 35, I. O. H., of Bridgeville, Del.

C'ol. Milo Lewis Blanchard was married, in Delaware, in 1868, to Mary C., daughter of John Vedder, M. D. Mrs. Blanchard was born in Ulster county, N. Y. Their children are: I. John Milo, of Bridgeville, Del .; II. Henry A., died in infancy; III. Ruth Vir- ginia. Mr. Blanchard and his family are members of the Presbyterian church.

CAPT. HENRY A. BLANCHARD was born at Palenville, Green county, New York, November 6, 1824, on a farm where he spent his early days, gaining a business education from the neighboring public school, and the academy situated in the upper portion of the county, at Greenville. He displayed more taste for agriculture than for any other busi- ness, and proved his efficiency in the manage- ment of the large farm on which he was born, by increased crops, improved buildings and a display of unsurpassed industry and good judgment in the selection and setting out of fine fruits and ornamental trees. These stand to-day as beautiful monuments of his

benevolence, in the form of shady drives and a park surrounding the school and church which stood near the place of his birth. Ever advocating the best reforms, he took an active part in pushing on to a higher standard the school facilities of every place where he lived and gave liberally to the support of his church. His companions in the social sphere were always of the best. Many men and women who have enjoyed his acquaintance, can testify to his abundant fund of informa- tion, his integrity, fidelity and patriotism. Politically, he was a Whig, until the Repub- lican party was born in 1856, when he im- mediately identified himself with it, and to the last was one of its most ardent supporters.

He thoroughly understood the policies of the political parties of this republic, and few, if any, enjoyed a better knowledge of the poli- cies of the different states, or kept in closer touch with those progressive ideas of reform which have ever characterized the movements of his party. His high culture made him a most attractive and interesting gentleman in conversation, as there were scarcely any sub- jeets of note with which he was not intelli- gently familiar. He chose as his associates only those who proved themselves above the mediocrity, as he said he had no time to waste with those who had no aspirations. He was a faithful reader of sacred, ancient and mod- ern history, and a very close reader after those whom he considered the leaders of the day.

Ilis mind was well stored from many of the best authors, and he could entertain for hours with recitations, which not only aroused the admiration but the envy of many, who thought till then they possessed a superabund- ant fund of rhetorical and poetical sentiment. Ile was a great admirer of Webster, Seward, Henry and Cassius M. Clay, Greeley, Sum- ner and others of like sentiments. He was well acquainted with many of our leading statesmen, and they found him a worthy re- pository of their esteem and confidence.

Twenty-seven years ago, while doing busi- ness in Michigan, he made the acquaintance of a reverend gentleman of high character, and by continued association they drew nearer to- gether, cach being attracted by the intelli- genco and nobleness of sentiment of the other, and it was through the persuasions of this di- vine, that Captain Blanchard confessed his be- lief in the atonement through our Lord and

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Saviour Jesus Christ, and that by His grace are we saved, not by our merits. He was a man of undeviating truth, strictly honorable to the letter in all his transactions. Not even a shadow of suspicion rests upon his char- acter. If there was one object for which he expressed more pity and contempt than for another, it was for the pretender, the make- believe, the hypocrite. All such found no abiding place with him.

The captain was a veteran of the late war. When the dark clouds of Rebellion over-shad- owed our land, and our national life was threatened, he was among the first to offer his services to his country. As a soldier, he main- tained, as in civil life, the dignity and honor of a true gentleman. There was no duty to perform that involved too great a sacrifice, nor danger apparent that intimidated him. No commission was ever entrusted to him of which he failed to make a good report. At the end of the war he had so endeared him- self to General Casey and General Gansevoort that they urged him to accept a captain's com- mission in the regular army, as a slight token of their appreciation of his brave and gallant services.

He had no enemies, and was beloved and honored by all who knew his worth. He died November 21, 1897, aged seventy-three years and fifteen days.

" How blest the righteous when they die, When holy souls retire to rest ;

How mildly beams the closing eye ; How gently heaves the expiring breast.

So fades a summer cloud away ; So sinks the gale when storms are o'er ; So gently shuts the eye of day ;

So dies the wave upon the shore."-A Brother.

JAMES BRAYSHAW, M. D., Delmar, Sussex county, Del., son of William and Julia (De Lacy) Brayshaw, was born near Balti- more, Baltimore county, Md., February 21, 1847.

William Brayshaw, son and heir of John Brayshaw, gentleman, was born at Luth- waite House, Yorkshire, England. The an- mals of the Brayshaw, originally De Bray- shawe, family date from the time of the Nor- man Conquest. It was afterwards grafted upon the old Saxon stem. Two of this name fought at Flodden Field. In 1839, William crossed the wide Atlantic to see the wonders of the New World. The voyage lasted for sey-

enty-two weary days, and the travelers after enduring its many hardships, narrowly escaped shipwreck on the coast of Halifax, the very spot where some twelve years ago, the Allan- tic, carrying one hundred souls, sank be- neath the stormy waters. William Brayshaw settled in Howard county, Md., where for twenty years he was engaged in manufactur- ing cloth. He owned a large establishment and his broadeloth won the gold medal at the first Crystal Palace Exposition. William Brayshaw was married to Julia De Lacy, a lineal descendant of Alice De Laci, who was espoused by a member of the royal line of Plantagenet. The chronicles of the De Lacy family also date from the Norman Conquest. Sir Ilbert De Laei received from William of Normandy seventy baronies in Yorkshire; Pomfret, or Pontefract Castle was the most desirable of his palaces. The children of Wil- liam and Julia (De Lacy) Brayshaw are: I. IFannah, died in infancy; II. John, farming in Virginia; III. Mary, born in Baltimore county, Md., died in infancy; IV. Squire L., an accountant, resides in Baltimore county, Md .; V. William, a clergyman of the Protes- tant Episcopal church, Oakland, Garrett county, Md .; VI. James: VIT. Hannah Mary (Mrs. J. II. Walling), of Baltimore county, Md .: VIII. Julia De Lacy; IX. Edward, died in infancy; X. Joseph De Lacy, physician and surgeon, Washington, D. C .; XI. Elizabeth J., married J. T. Bird, a prosperous farmer of West River, Md .; XII. Thomas Henry, M. D., Glenburnie, Md .; XIII. Anna. Mr. Brayshaw was an active member of the P. E. church. He died at his home in Howard coun- ty, Md., December 14, 1877; his widow died at Glenburnie, Md., April 30, 1892.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 29

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1500

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1500