Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 52

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 52

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Col. Benjamin Nields was married, June 27, 1867, to Gertrude W., daughter of James and Mary A. Fulton, of Ereildoun, Pa. The Fulton family are Friends, and descendants of carly settlers in Chester county. The chil- dren of Col. and Mrs. Nields are: I. Percy; II. Greta; III. Bessie; IV. James Fulton; V. Edgar.

JOHN D. HAWKINS, Dover, Del., son of George F. and Temperance A. (Clark) Hawkins, was born in West Dover hundred, Kent county, Del., June 8, 1861.

The Hawkins family is descended from Sir John Hawkins, the celebrated English sailor, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth and was vice admiral of the fleet sent against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He was an un- sparing Quemy of the Spaniards, and engage 1 them in several naval battles in the West In- dies. Hle was, also, the first to give a detailed account of Florida and its rich soil. He died at sea after an unsuccessful attack upon Porto Rico. A century later, William Penn gave one of his descendants a grant of land in what is now Delaware, and members of the family have resided in this state ever since.

The grandfather of John D. Hawkins was Clayton Hawkins, who was born in West Do- ver hundred and was a farmer. Ile was twice married. One of his sous was George F. Hawkins, who was born in West Dover hundred. When a young man, George F. Hawkins taught school and afterward engaged successfully in farming. The village of Hort- ley was built on land that was formerly a portion of his farm. After relinquishing ag- ricultural pursuits, he removed to Kenton, and served as justice of the peace for four- teen years. He was a careful arbiter of legal disputes and his justice was always tempered with merey. In his political views he was always a Democrat.

George F. Hawkins was married to Tem- perance A., daughter of James Clark, a prom- inent citizen of Kenton. Their children were: I. Victoria (Mrs. Amos Everett), of Mary- land; II. Francis M., M. D., a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, died in Maryland in 1882; III. Adra A. (Mrs. Ell- wood Pratt), died in 1897; IV. Beulah ( Mrs. William HI. Pratt), of Camden, Del .: V. William G., manufacturer, of Grand Rapids, Mich .; VI. Sarah, at home; VII. Frederick, died May 22, 1878, aged twenty years; VIII. John D .; IX. Milton II., real estate and in- surance broker, Wilmington. Mr. Hawkins died in 1890. Hle was a member of the M. E. church, and a consistent Christian.

John D. Hawkins was reared on the farm. From his eighth to his seventeenth year he attended the public schools and for eight years thereafter, taught school in the winter season and worked on the farm during the summer months. Then he began the study of law and was graduated from the I'niver-

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city of Maryland, Baltimore. He practiced in Baltimore for three years and thea re- moved to Dover, where he has since been eu- gaged in general practice. He is a painstak- ing, indefatigable student of the law and con- servator of his clients' interests; he is also brilliant aud forcible in argument. From February 15, 1893, to 1895, he served as ser- rotary of state under Governor Reynolds, sue- voeding Judge David T. Maxwell in that hon- orable and responsible office. He is highly (steemed for his fidelity to his duties and his upright character. Ile is a member of the F. and A. M., of Dover, and of the K. G. E. Mr. Hawkins has always been an ardent Democrat, and since 1857 has been chairman of the Democratic county committee.

JOHN PLEASONTON DU HAMEL, D. D., Dover, Del., son of William and Mary (Pleasonton) Du Hamel, was born in Smyrna, Del., October 26, 1832.

Dr. Du Hamel represents the sixth generation of his family in America. ITis ancestor, Isaac Du Hamel, was a Huguenot of Northern France and was driven from his native land, taking refuge first in Holland, and later, with others of the same faith, in America, where he settled in Mary- land. Isaac Du Hamel became a citizen of the New World at an early period of our colonial history; dying, he left a son, Pierre Du Hamel, who was sent to France to re- reive his education, and there pursued the studies of medicine and surgery. During his sojourn in his ancestral country, the Revolu- tionary war broke out, and Pierre Du Hamel returned to America as a surgeon on the staff of the Marquis de Lafayette. In the storming of Cornwallis's last line, at the battle of York- town, Surgeon Du Hamel was the first to mount the parapet, and when Lafayette's ad- jutant-general, Colonel de Lameth, was shot in both knees by a Hessian volley, assisted to convey the wounded officer from the field. The brave surgeon, in recognition of his ser- vives, received the grant of a large tract of land in Queen Anne's county, Maryland. St. Luke's parish church, at Church Hill, Md .. was built in 1728, and the Du Hamel family was connected with it from its inception. The children of Surgeon and Mrs. Du Hamel were: 1. James; IT. John; III. -

James Du Hamel, eldest representative of the third generation of his family in this coun- try, died about the year 1800. John Du Hamel, his eldest son, was born in 1762, and died on his estate in Queen Anne's county, May 5, 1818. For some time, he held the po- sition of county surveyor, and was more than once elected to the General Assembly of Mary- land. Hle took a decided, though not conspic- uous, part in the war of 1812, and was pres- ent at the death of Sir Peter Parker, the pride and glory of the British army, who fell, much reretted, in the fatal skirmish at Moore's Fields, near Queenstown, in 1814. Mr. Du Ilamel was a zealous churchman, a faithful member of the Parish of St. Luke's, Queen Anne's county, Md.

John Du Hamel, second son of Surgeon Du Hamel, had two sons, James and William.

William Du Hamel, son of John and Dam- sell (Wilcox) Du Hamel, was born January 12. 1798, in Queen Anne's county, Md. He re- ceived a fair education, but having a decided inclination for a business life, as well as a marked talent for affairs, he left his home while still a boy, to enter the store of Jolin Cummins, of Smyrna, Del., in whose employ he remained until he engaged in business for himself, under the firm name of of Du Hamel & Lambdin. For a number of years, Mr. Du Hamel was prosperously ocen- pied with mercantile pursuits, but at length, his health having become impaired by his miremitting attention to business, he abandon- ed the store for farm life, taking up his resi- dence upon the homestead in 1834. About the same time, he became administrator of the estate of his father-in-law, John Pleason- ton, who married Susan, daughter of Henry Stevens. Some years later, Mr. Du Hamel removed from the farm for a time, and resid- ed in Dover; but once more returning to rural life, he passed his latest years in its calin seclusion, dying upon his estate in 156s. Ile was a gentleman of venerable ap- pearance, of sound judgment and much ex- centive ability, and was greatly esteemed for many fine personal qualities. William Du Hamel married March 1, 1829, Mary, dangh- ter of John and Susan (Steven-) Pleason- ton, of Kent county, Del. Their children are: I. James, died young: I. John Pleaseon- ton; III. Susan Stevens ( Mrs. Algernon In-

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kens), died on the homestead, leaving chil- dren, i. Henry, ii. William, iii. Susan Stevens, all of whom reside in Pennsylvania; IV. Mary Eugenia (Mrs. James F. Moulton), of Baltimore, Md., has children, i. Mary E., ii. Daisy, iii .. Clara, iv. Leila; V. Anna D. (Mrs. William Denny), of Dover, Del., has children, i. William D., ii. Elizabeth Eugenia; VI. Clara, died at ten years of age; VII. William Henry Clay, died in childhood; VIII. Wilhelmina, married to Dr. John E. Register, and both are deceased, leaving chil- dren, i. Mary D., ii. Emma Cita.

Henry Stevens, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. William (Mary Pleasonton) Du Hamel, lived in the troublous days of the American Revolution, and was a strong par- tisan of the mother country; he supplied the British soldiers with provisions, and upon occasion, sheltered them in his own mansion, the dwelling now owned by Benjamin F. Hamm. Reference is made to this in the subjoined poem written by Rev. Dr. Du Hamel on the death of his maternal aunt, Mrs. Hannah M. Cowgill, which occured at Dover, December 10, 1886.

On the homestead in Little Creek hundred, known as the "Ashland farm," to which Wil- liam Du Hamel removed when his son, John P. Du Hamel, was two years of age, the latter passed his childhood, attending the Pleasant ITill Academy, in the vicinity of his home. From that school, at the age of twelve, he was transferred to a select school taught by Rev. Mr. Gailey, in Wilmington, Del. IIe next became a pupil at Newark Academy, and afterwards at Delaware College, spending four years in these two institutions. He was an ardent Delta Phi and devoted much time to the preparation of a Catalogue of that Society. He has always been deeply interested in Dela- ware College and for sometime was President of its Alumni Association. In later years, he was again a resident of Newark, as rector of St. Thomas's Church, his first parish, and the seat of his Alma Mater. And it was the Faculty of Delaware College which conferred upon him, during the period of his rectorship in Philadelphia, the honorary degree of Doe- tor of Divinity.

Dr. Du Hamel's clerical debut was as a young Methodist preacher from the law office of the Hon. Nathaniel B. Smithers and

his first sermon was preached in Wesley Chapel, Dover. The following complimentary comment appeared at the time in the local press.

"Rev. John Du Hamel preached a sermon on last Sunday evening in Dover, which for eloquence and sound doctrinal arguments can compare favorably with sermons delivered by older and more experienced heads. As he is young and well and favorably known in this community, he had the sympathies and best wishes of his auditory, who were evidently delighted and editied in listening to his ser- mon. He is a young man of much promise and bids fair to become an eloquent and useful minister of the Gospel."

Dr. Du Hamel spent about eight years in the Philadelphia Conference and cherishes a most affectionate memory for the good men, both "Bishops and elders," with whom he was then associated. It was during his pastorate that the Eleventh St. M. E. church Philadel- phia was dedicated. Dr. Durbin was the preacher and in the course of his sermon, he tipped over a glass of water near him, but pro- ceeding with his discourse, at the opportune moment turned this to the occasion of a strik- ing illustration, saying in his superb style:

"It has no more to do with the subject than these little drops of water which by accident I have thrown from the tumbler."

Dr. Du Hamel was not without fruits of his ministry among the Methodists. Many years ago while Rector of the Church of the Redemption, Philadelphia, he met on Arch st., a number of Methodist ministers, one of whom came forward, and cordially greeting him said: "I want to thank you for a sermon I heard you preach, it was the means of my conver- sion-I am now a preacher of the Gospel."

Dr. Du Hamel's transition was not by any violent sundering of relations. It being well known by his congregation that he had ap- plied for Orders, he retained the most pleasant and affectionate connection with them, until the expiration of his pastorate.

Dr. Du Hamel's record in the Church is summarized as follows:

Ordained to the Diaconate by the Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter, D. D., EL. D., Bishop of Penn- sylvania, in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, October 22d, A. D. 1862, and to the Priest- hood by the Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, D. D.,

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Bishop of Delaware, in St. Andrew's Church, Wilmington, September 30th, A. D. 1863. The Doctor's ordination to the Priesthood has associated with it a sad memory in his domestic life, as on that day occured, in his al sence, the death of his first child, a little boy, Sketchley Morton, whom the Bishop had baptized a few days before. He was Rector of St. Thomas', Newark, and Christ Church, Delaware City, 1862-1866; Christ Church, Delaware City, 1866-1869. During this period he also organized work at old Chris- tiana Village, where a lot was purchased, ma- terial gathered, the Sacraments celebrated and Confirmation administered, and but for his removal without doubt a Church would have been erected. The Church of the Re- demption, Philadelphia, 1869-1875; The

Church of the Beloved Disciple, 1875-1885; St. Luke's Parish, Queen Anne's county, Md., 1885-1889. While residing in Delaware City, he accepted of President Buchanan the office of Collector of the Customs, which as supple- menting a small salary rather helped than hindered his work. The port, being regard- ed as a sinecure, was soon after abolished.

In 1881, at the instance and invitation of his cousin, W. J. C. Du Hamel, M. D., of Washington, D. C., Rev Dr. Du Hamel at- tended the Centennial Celebration of the bat- tle of Yorktown as Commissioner instead of the Senator of Oregon. In March, 1890, after twenty-eight years of active service in the Priesthood, Dr. Du Hamel, like Henry Clay, retired to "Ashland," the home of his child- hood, but continued to officiate as occasion required in various parishes. Since 1893 he has been engaged with St. John's, Green- ville, St. Marks, Little Creek, and St. An- drew's, Ellis Grove, three rural Parishes, of Sussex county.

Dr. Du Hamel is an extensive reader, en- joving his favorite books as only a man of refined taste and discrimination can. He is himself well known as a writer, having been a frequent contributor to various periodicals; his poems have been widely published, and warmly appreciated by competent critics. His work, entitled "Protestant Gems of the Prayer-book," was published in 1869. A later work was his "Church Catechism with Serip- ture Proofs." As a clergyman, he is much be- loved for his kindly, accessible manner and

his charitable disposition; he is also a fluent and agreeable speaker. He has been twice elected Chaplain of the Senate of Delaware.

On June 23, 1861, the Rev John Pleason- ton Du Hamel, D. D., was married at Morton, Delaware county, Pa., to Elizabeth N., daughter of Judge Sketchley and Elizabeth (Newlin) Morton; Mrs. Du Hamel is a lineal descendant of John Morton, one of the sign- ors of the Declaration of Independence. Their children are as follows: I. Sketchley, died in infancy; II. The Rev. William Du Hamel, A. M .; III. Frances Newlin Du ITamel.

A SOLILOQUY.

BY THE REV. J. P. DU HAMEL, D. D. "All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players ; They have their exits and their entrances. And one man in his time plays many parts." - Shakespeare.

"As pilgrims to the appointed place we tend ; The world's an inn, and death the journey's end." - Dryden.

And thus the generations come and go, As the dull ocean's restless ebb and dow ; Wave following wave, to break upon the shore, Returning and receding evermore.

Or as the seasons in unvarying course Succeed each other by some secret force :

To spring, to grow, to flourish and mature, Complete the ceaseless cycle of the year. So by some fateful motion's destined trend The decades through alternate periods tend.

The prophets, where are they ? our fathers. where ? Whose reverend forms in memory re-appear ; Faithful in counsel, wise in affairs of State, Whose faults forgotten, and whose virtues great. And matrons grave, whose kind maternal face Might please in converse, or the banquet grace ? 'Tis thus I muse, as on one hallowed bier I pause to make the tribute of a tear.

Four sainted ones, each in her turn, has passed To the Unseen : the youngest she the last. In yon old mansion, 'neath whose ample roof The poor so oft of charity had proof ; Whose spacious rooms and wide hospitable hall And corniced ceiling, high wainscotted wall, Tell all of age and architectural taste That link its history with the long gone past.

In stern colonial days, of British tyle The loyal Stevens raised this goodly pile ; Its lengthened lawn, and acres broad and wide, And slaves to wait, sustained his lordly pride. Though war invade, and wild rebellion rife, And armies marshalled in unequal strife, And States dissolve, and new republic reared. This manse descends with title unimpaired. There were they born. there womanbood attained, And still through life their lingering love retained.

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Here lived the eldest to a ripe fourscore, A daughter's patrimony and a widow's dower. I well remember, though scarce but a child, Her look benignant and her accents mild. She wrought or read, or busied in affairs. Nor irksome case eneloyed her closing years : Peace with her maker, and a life well spent Brought to its quiet eve a sweet content.

And yet another, thrice of memory blessed. That gentle soul, in patience so possessed, And that pure charity which thinks no ill ; No motive but to do her master's will. Children she reared. a widow's blessing gave. And found asylum in an honored grave.

And fault me not, to mention yet another, Most loved of all. my own, my angel mother. Her knee was my first altar-sacred shrine ! My priestess she in mysteries divine. My later bias. too, found prestige there ; "Our Father " hallows every form of prayer.

O. sainted spirit, 'tis to thee I owe The best, the purest that my life can know ; Nor envious breath nor wasting years efface The image from my mind of thy dear face.

How oft the dead are insulate and lone. Without enclosure or memorial stone ! And changing lands to uncertain tenure yield,

And soon " the old grave-yard" is the cultured field.

This to avert thy forethought did provide. That stone my shrine, my children's worthy pride. There mine would mingle with its kindred dust, To await the resurrection of the just.

Time wrought by method, and that method wise ; Each in her ranking order lives and dies. And now the last-last in successive age- Pressed to her exit, quits life's busy stage. The play so tragie oft, of varying part, To mind so trustful and so pure of heart, The future tints with many a roseate hue, Whose bright perspective on her vision grew.

Who has not felt, that plucks the treacherous rose, That oft its leaves the piercing thorns enclose ? How bright the morning at its early dawn.

And bright the day, though night and clouds anon. Heroic nature ! formed by art divine.

Through night and clouds her faith did brighter shine.

In every trial, every varying ill. Learned the sweet lesson of a chastened will.

The "Angels' Hymn" prolonged her childhood's faith. And sung the triumph of her hope in death. Thus does the sunset glory oft repay For chill and shadow of a winter's day.

Well I remember when in festive time, And fortune smiled, and life was in its prime, How oft in turn the generous board was spread : From house to house the gathering guests were led, Each vying each the other to exceed In ampler cheer and every courteous deed : None could as hostess with more grace preside, Nor richer bounties from her store provide. And banquet o'er, the evening oft was spent In song. in converse, and in jest well meant : Or childish games, unmarred by aught excess,

To please the younger. nor the elder less ; All mingling freely in each new delight, Till the charmed guests would linger half the night. O, sacred memories ! what would I grudge to give. Through all those halcyon days again to live ?

The play goes on ; but in my partial view. The aets unchanged, the actors all are new. I feel alone ; so many loved and known

To join the " innumerable caravan " are gone. And friends that stay, so altered are they now, In silvered hair and furrowed check and brow. My time is near ; voices are calling " Come !" And more there seems in Heaven than carth like Home.

JOIIN SAMUEL GREEN, No. 613 East Seventh st., Wilmington, Del., son of Zacha- riah L. and Martha (Taylor) Green, was born in Baltimore, Md., November 13, 1853.

Ilis father was born in Maryland, and learned ship carpentry. He worked at his trade in all the largest ship yards in the coun- try, and at one time was superintendent of the Stevenson ship yards, at Chester, Pa. Zacha- riah L. Green married Martha Taylor, of Maryland. They had nine children, four of whom died in their youth; and one, Charles W. Green, a locomotive engineer on the P., W. and B. R. R., died April 24, 1891, aged thirty-nine years. Those living are: I. John Sammel; HI. Hester E. ( Mrs. Christopher Keene), of Baltimore; III. Zachariah L., 2, locomotive engineer on the B. and O. R. R., resides in Baltimore; IV. William D., fire- man on the B. & O. R. R., resides in Balti- more. Mr. Green died in Baltimore, April 25, 1897, aged sixty-six years; his widow is a resident of Baltimore, and is sixty-six years old.

John Samuel Green attended the public schools of Baltimore until he was fourteen years old, and then began to earn his own livelihood. During the next seven years he held several positions of trust, and when he was twenty-one entered the employment of the P., W. & B. R. R. Co., as an assistant in the round-house in Balti- more. In 1876 he was made a fireman, and in November, 1886, was promoted to engineer. Hle is now engaged in running express trains between Philadelphia and Washington. Mr. Groen is a member of the Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Engineers, and of the P. R. R. Re- lief Association: also of the F. and A. M., and the Mutual Aid U'uion.

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On August 10, 1876, John Samuel Green was married to Catherine Eva, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Ann ( Kissinger) Fiddler, born in York, Pa., December 13, 1851. They have children: I. Estella, born May 16, 1878; II. Mary Jane, born December 20, 1550, died July 3, 1882; III. Martha J., born June 16, 1882; IV. Mary A., born August 4, 1884; V. Zachariah W., born November 17, 1886; VI. John S., born March 20, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Green, with Estella and Zachariah W. Green, are members of the Scott M. E. church.

GEORGE THOMAS GORDON, Wil- mington, Del., son of James and Mary (Arm- strong) Gordon, was born in Wilmington, . March 4, 1862.

Mr. Gordon's parents were natives of Ire- land, but came to this country in their youth. Mr. Gordon attended the public schools of Wilmington until he was sixteen years old, when he secured employment in a morocco factory. There he served four years, and then obtained a position as fireman on the P., W. & B. R. R. In that capacity he was engaged six years and eleven months, and in July, 1858, was promoted to engineer. Ile is now running in the passenger service on the P., W. & B. Mr. Gordon is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and of the A. O. U. W., of Wilmington.

On April 18, 1887, George Thomas Gordon was married to Catherine, daughter of Wil- liam Kleinstuber, of Wilmington. They have children: I. Joseph X .; II. Elsie A .; III. Helen; IV. Willard. Mr. Gordon and family are members of St. Mary's R. C. church.

FRANK MARSHALL PARIS, No. 419 East Eighth st., Wilmington, Del., son of John W. and Anna M. (Gaul) Paris, was born in Camden, N. J., May 15, 1853.

John W. Paris resides in Wilmington with his son, Frank Marshall Paris. He i- a paper- hanger. During the Civil War, he served in Company D, Twelfth Regiment, New Jer- sey Volunteer Infantry.

Frank Marshall Paris during his boyhood attended the public schools of Philadelphia. When he was sixteen years of age he began earning money for his own support. He se- cured a situation as a messenger boy in a tele-

graph office, and two years later entered the employ of a wholesale paper house. After another two years, he obtained a position in the round-house of the P., W. & B. R. R., in Philadelphia, served in that situation for eigh- teen months, and was then made a fireman. Three and a half years later he was promoted to engineer on the same road, and has held that position since 1876. He is now one of the engineer force on the New York and Wash- ington Express, running between Philadel- phia and Washington. Mr. Paris resided in Philadelphia until 1882, when he removed to Chester; in 1890, he came to Wihnington. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and the 1. O. U. W., of Wilmington.

On May 7, 1873, Frank Marshall Paris was married to Anna, daughter of Benjamin S. Douglas, of Philadelphia. Their children are: I. Benjamin D., machinist, of Wilming- ton; II. Elizabeth D. (Mrs. George E. Lou- den), of Wilmington; III. Frank Marshall, Jr., morocco worker, of Wilmington; IV. Harland D .; V. Charles; VI. Joseph, died in infancy; VII. A. Thurman; VIII. Mary B. Mr. Paris is a member of the M. E. church; the children attend the P. E. church.

CHARLES HENRY STEVENS, No. 816 Monroe street, Wilmington, Del., son of Howard and Adeline (Kissinger) Stevens, was born in York, Pa., February 17, 1858.

His father is a son of Thomas Stevens, and is of Irish descent; his mother is of German extraction; they are now residents of Balti- more. Howard Stevens is an engineer on the New York and Washington Express, of the P., W. & B. R. R., with a run between Phila- delphia and Washington.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 52

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