History of the state of Delaware, Volume II, Part 25

Author: Conrad, Henry Clay, 1852-
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Wilmington, Del., The author
Number of Pages: 880


USA > Delaware > History of the state of Delaware, Volume II > Part 25


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


in 1839, and in the fall of the same year the first term of court was held therein, and it has continued in use since that time. In 1798, on the recommendation of the Levy Court. an addition was made to the jail. In 1854 a new jail was erected, which was destroyed by fire in November, 1865, and in the following year, 1866, the present jail was built at the same location.


At a very early period laws were enacted for the relief of the poor in Delaware. In December, 1793, the trustees of the poor for Sussex County purchased four hundred acres of land lying on White creek, in Baltimore Hundred, and established an almshouse on it, and it was used as such until 1800, when an exchange of property was made for four hundred acres of land in Broad Kiln Hundred (now Georgetown Hundred), on which new buildings were erected, which were used as the county almshouse until 1877. In 1878 the present building for the insane was erected at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The present almshouse was erected in 1885, and the present almshouse farm consists of about three hundred and sixty-five acres. The almshouse record for Sussex County begins from June 1, 1791, when John Anderson was appointed first over- seer. From the establishment of this institution to the pros- ent period, great credit is due those who have had charge of the same, for the excellent care which has been taken of the inmates and buildings. In the year 1793 an act was passed providing for the election of Levy Court Commissioners. From the organization of said court until 1798, the records are not given, but there is sufficient evidence to show that the provisions of the law of 1793 defining the number and duties of the Levy Court have continued substantially in force from its organization to the present.


The soil of Sussex is for the most part fertile, the staple pro- ducts being corn, wheat, potatoes, pork, lumber and cattle. The main line of the Delaware railroad traverses the county from north to south, its terminus being at Delmar on the Maryland line. The Delaware, Maryland and Virginia rail-


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


road, being really a merger of the old Junction and Break- water and Breakwater and Frankford roads, enters the county at Milford and serving as a main line for the county seat and Eastern Sussex, puts the populace in close touch with the At- lantic seaboard. A competing line, known as the Queen Anne's railroad, crosses the county from west to east and gives direct and easy access to the eastern shore and Baltimore. There has been a wonderful improvement in all the interests of Sussex County since its early settlement. With the prog- ress of education has developed growth in all branches of business. Highly improved farms dot its surface in all direc- tions. The hum of factories betokens activity and prosperity. In recent years Sussex County has developed largely as a fruit growing section, and large shipments of fruit, consisting of berries and peaches are made to various points. The railroads have materially assisted Sussex County in all stages of its growth by affording to the people rapid and convenient means of access to the various markets. Both early records and tra- dition unite in support of the assertion that Sussex County has not failed to keep pace with her sister counties in the develop- ment of agricultural and industrial enterprise, and in every measure of local improvement.


Previous to the adoption of the Free School Law of 1829, the school privileges in Sussex County were extremely lim- ited. While the Constitution of 1792 recognized the necessity of taking steps looking towards the education of the people, it was not until 1817 that any action was taken with reference thereto, and even then, on a limited and unsatisfactory scale. In the above year the Legislature passed an act appropriating one thousand dollars to each county, for the establishment of schools for the instruction of poor children in " reading, writ- ing and arithmetic." Under this law a few schools were organized, and the way was opened for further improvement, but the law being administered as " charity," did not meet with general approval. In 1829 the free school system came into existence, the Hon. Willard Hall being known as the


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


" father " thereof. This law provided for the laying out and establishing school districts in each county, and committed to the voters the whole power over common schools established in said districts.


While one important point was gained by the passage of this law, the recognized necessity for educating the masses, many defects were apparent, which greatly hampered its efficiency. Among these was the power given the school voters to determine whether or not a school should be opened each year, and for how long a time, by voting for or against a school tax. In many parts of the county this power was used to the injury of the district, and for several consecutive years, the tax was voted down, in some localities, thereby depriving the children, sometimes for a period of years, of all school privileges. The act of 1829 was amended by supplementary acts in 1830, 1832, 1833 and 1835, all of which tended to the improvement of the school system. In 1867 a large conven- tion of progressive men of the State was held at Dover, at which many needed reforms in the school law were sug- gested ; among which was the recommendation that a State superintendent be appointed and that a change be made in the mode of laying school taxes. In 1875 the present school system of the State was established, under which, with changes from time to time, the schools of Sussex County have been revolutionized.


It was no uncommon thing in the early days for teachers in this county to itinerate from district to district. The teachers were not examined, and often incompetent persons were hired by equally incompetent committeemen. The school buildings and furniture were of an inferior character. In recent years, many new and commodious school buildings have been erected in various Hundreds of the county ; and the necessity of educating the masses has been generally recog- nized. Improved methods of teaching have been introduced and a systematic supervision of the schools established, all of which has contributed to elevate the standard of the pro-


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


fession of teaching and has given greater efficiency to the cause of education.


The old subscription schools and academies of Sussex County are remembered by many of the older people of the present day. Some of these were well conducted and are held in grateful remembrance, but time has clearly proven that this class of schools left the poorer classes without an opportunity to obtain an education, hence with the march of educational progress these institutions have disappeared, and given place to the present excellent system of free public instruction. Where the residents of a school district are intelligent and progressive, good schools are found thoroughly equipped with all the modern appliances for teaching, and accordingly an active interest is manifested in educational matters. Where this spirit is not dominant poor schools exist. It is but just to say, however, that within the past fifteen or twenty years, Sussex County has taken rapid strides in popular education ; and this is shown in the increased expenditures from year to year for school purposes; and in the growing popularity of the free school system. .


CIVIL LIST FOR SUSSEX COUNTY.


Prothonotaries.


Nehemiah Field


1694-1730


Stephen Green


1854-1861


Phillip Russell


1730-1753


Charles H. Richards


1861-1866


Ryves Holt


1753-1763


William F. Jones


1866-1872


Jacob Kollock


1763-1777


Shepherd P. Martin


1872-1877


David Hall


1777-1788


Henry W. Long


1877-1882


Nathaniel Mitchell


1788-1805


Joseph T. Adams


1882-1892


Francis Brown


1805-1825


Josiah P. Marvel


1892-1897


John Stockley


1825-1830


Jacob H. Adams


1897-1900


George R. Fisher


1830-1842


George W. Jones


1900-1901


Isaac M. Fisher


1842-1847


Stansbury J. Wheatly


1901-1905


Robert A. Houston


1847-1852


Daniel Short


1905-date


Isaac Giles


1852-1854


Recorders of Deeds.


William Clark


1682-1687 Thomas Fisher


1710-1714


Norton Claypoole


1687-1694


John Hepburn


1714-1718


Nehemiah Field


1694-1710


Preserved Coggeshall


1718-1721


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


Philip Russell


1721-1722


Caleb B. Sipple


1838-1845


Jacob Kollock


1732-1764


William H. Swiggett


1845-1845


Wrixam Lewis


1764-1777


Henry Dunning


1845-1849


John Russell


1777-1793


Charles Tunnell


1849-1857


Philip Kollock


1793-1804


William Harris


1857-1861


Thomas Coulter


1804-1805


James C. Dunning


1861-1866


Philip Coulter


1205-1811


George M. Davis


1866-1871


William Bell


1811-1814


William H. Donovan


1871-1876


Jehu Stockley


1814-1821


Benjamin S. Burton


1876-1881


Stephen M. Harris


1821-1824


William H. Boyce


1881-1886


Philip Stockley


1824-1824


Joseph P. Morris


1886-1891


Philip Short


1824-1328


John J. Morris


1891-1896


Gustavus A. Ewing


1825-1833


Joseph B. Hearn


1896-1903


James P. W. Kollock


1833-1836


Alfred E. Archer


1903-1907


John H. Ellegood


1836-1837


John W. King


1907-


Nathaniel P. Harris


1837-1838


Registers of Wills.


Nehemiah Field


1682-1705


William Dunning


1846-1851


Roger Corbett


1705-1717


James Anderson


1851-1856


Preserved Coggeshall


1717-1722


John Sorden


1856-1861


Philip Russell


1722-1724


John W. Scribner


1861-1866


Jacob Kollock


1724-1770


Hiram S. Short


1866-1866


Phillips Kollock


1770-1795


Major W. Allen


1866-1871


George Hazzard


1795-1801


Loxley R. Jacobs


1871-1876


Phillips Kollock


1801-1820


William H. Wheatley


1876-1881


Nathan Vickars


1820-1830


William A. Polk


1881-1891


Cornelius Paynter


1830-1835


Charles C. Stockley


1891-1896


David R. Smith


1835-1840


William F. Causey


1896-1902


Peter Parker


1840-1845


Daniel J. Layton


1902-1907


Henry Dunning


1845-184€


Thomas R. Purnell


1907-


Clerks of the Peace.


Cornelius Verhoofe


1680-1693


William Hitch


1852-1857


Nehemiah Field


1693-1710


William Ellegood


1857-1862


Roger Corbett


1710-1717


John M. Rawlins


1862-1867


William White


1717-1720


Aaron B. Marvel


1867-1872


Preserved Coggeshall


1720-


William P. Jones


1872-1877


George Hazzard


1797-1798


W. Fiske Townsend


1877-1879


J. M. Brown


1798-1799


William B. Tomlinson


1879-1884


Phillips Kollock


1799-1805


Nathaniel W. Hickman


1884-1886


William Russell


1805-1815


Ebe W. Tunnell


1886-181


Kendall Batson


1815-1820


Edward W. Houston


1891-1896


Caleb S. Layton


1820-1822


John B. Dorman


1896-1901


-Joshua S. Layton


1822-1837


James H. Wright


1901-1907


Shepherd P. Houston


1837-1846


John W. Green


1907-


William O. Redden


1846-1852


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


Registers of the Court of Chancery and Clerks of the Orphans' Court.


Phillips Kollock


1773-1797


Isaac F. Jenkins


1857-1831


Kendall Batson


1797-1800


Thomas Robinson


1861-1866


William Hazzard


1800-1805


Hiram T. Downing


1866-1875


James L. Bayliss


1805-1821


Philip C. Penuel


1875-1885


Jehu Stockley


1821-1826


Charles W. Whiley, Jr.


1885-1890


George B. Rodney


1826-1830


Everett Hickman


1890-1895


Edward L. Wells


1830-1847


James H. McGlothen


1895-1901


John D. Rodney


1847-1852


Charles W. Jones


1901-1905


James Stewart


1852-1857


Albert Worth


1905-date


Sheriffs.


Hermanus Wiltbank


1669-1679


David Owens


1805-1809


John Vines


1679-1684


William B. Cooper


1809-1811


John Hill


1684-1686


William Burton


1811-1814


Francis Cornwell


1686-1688


John Robinson


1814-1817


Jonathan Bailey


1688-1690


Purnell Tindell


1817-1820


William Rodeney


1690-1694


William Ellegood


1820-1821


John Hill


1694-1696


Levin Stewart


1821-1823


William Dyre


1696-1700


James Maull


1823-1826


John Stewart


1700-1702


John Collins


1826-1829


Jonathan Bailey


1702-1703


Purnell Johnson


1829-1832


Luke Watson


1703-1705


Warren Jefferson


1832-1834


Thomas Fenwick


1705-1708


George Frame


1834-1836


Samuel Rowland


1708-1719


Purnell Johnson


1836-1838


John Hepburn


1719-1720


William O. Redden


1838-1840


John Jacobs


1720-1724


James Steel


1840-1842


Ryves Holt


1724-1736


Thomas W. Records


1842-1844


John Shankland


1736-1742


David R. Smith


1844-1846


Peter Hall


1742-1745


John West


1846-1848


William Shankland


1745-1748


Roger Adams


1848-1850


Peter Clowes


1748-1750


Philip C. Jones


1850-1852


William Shankland


1750-1754


George P. White


1852-1854


Jacob Kollock


1754-1758


John D. Rodney


1854-1856


John Rodney


1758-1760


Charles C. Stockley


1856-185S


Joseph Shankland


1760-1763


William Lofland


1858-1860


Daniel Nunez


1763-1770


William F. Jones


1860-1861


Boaz Manlove


1770-1776


Philip C. Jones


1861-1861


Dorraan Lofland


1776-1779


William F. Jones


1861-1862


Luke Watson


1779-1784


Aaron B. Marvell


1862-1864


Cord Hazzard


1784-1786


James H. Russell


1864-1866


Peter T. Wright


1786-1788


George W. Willin


1866-1868


Thomas Evans


1788-1792


Samuel HI. Layton


1868-1870


Thomas Laws


1792-1795


Josiah P. Marvel


1870-1872


Seth Griffith


1795-1800


Eli R. Sharp


1872-1874


Kendall Batson


1800-1802


William Gray


1874-1876


George Robinson


1802-1805


Beniah M. Truitt


1876-1878



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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


Joseph Ellis


1878-1880


John H. Truitt


1892-1894


Samuel J. Martin


1880-1882


Joseph D. Truxton


1894-1896


Isaac Wootten


1882-1884


John H. Johnson


1896-1898


Thomas B. Windsor


1884-1884


Robert Short


1898-1901


Isaac Wootten


1884-1884


Peter J. Hart


1901-1903


John W. Short


1884-1886


John R. Steele


1903-1905


Charles T. Purnell


1886-1888


Elijah C. Lynch


1905-1907


James W. Ward


1888-1890


Thomas B. Pritchett


1907-


Alfred B. Robinson


1890-1892


Coroners.


Joshua Barkstead


1685-1686


Jacob Faucett


1858-1860


John Vines


1686-1690


Winfield S. Wilson


1860-1862


Thomas Stratton


1690-1733


James Gordon


1862-1864


Joshua Fisher


1733-


William Forque


1864-1866


Elijah Evans


1804-1804


William S. Phillips


1866-1868


Eli McCaulley


1804-1807


Manaen B. Marvel


1868-1870


William Ely


1807-1810


James N. Pepper


1870-1872


Ishmael Steel


1810-1813


William M. Wilson


1872-1874


David Johnson


1813-1819


William S. Melson


1874-1876


Anthony Ingram


1819-1822


Edward Dill


1876-1878


Adam Short


1822-1825


Samuel J. Wilson


1878-1880


Warren Jefferson


1825-1828


George W. Hatfield


1880-1882


David Holland


1828-1831


Noah H. James


1882-1884


Jacob S. Burton


1831-1834


Joseph H. Lingo


1884-1886


John Day


1834-1836


William A. Truitt


1886-1888


James Pettyjohn


1836-1838


Samuel J. Bradford


1888-1890


Luke Lofland


1838-1840


Enoch W. Donovan


1890-1892


Caldwell W. Jones


1840-1842


James Willey


1892-1894


Zacariah F. Wilson


1842-1844


Rowland W. Joseph


1894-1896


Lazarus Turner


1844-1846


William H. Johnson


1896-1899


William Walton


1846-1848


George R. Walls


1899-1901


Theodore W. Marvel


1848-1850


Samuel P. Marsh


1901-1903


Stephen Goudy


1850-1852


Samuel J. Lank


1903-1905


John H. Burton


1852-1854


Alfred P. Pepper


1905-1907


J. D. Cordrey


1854-1856


Nathaniel Conoway


1907-


Caleb R. Stewart


1856-1858


Treasurers of Sussex County


William Peery


1785-1796


Joel Prettyman


1841-1845


George Hazard


1796-1810


Nathaniel P. Harris


1845-1847


Isaac Tunnell


1810-1825


George P. White


1847-1850


Thomas Robinson


1825-1828


Thomas Walker


1850-1851


Purnell Johnson


1828-1830


Charles C. Stockley


1851-1853


James Maull


1830-1832


Thomas W. Burton


1853-1855


Joseph Houston


1832-1839


Thomas H. Fooks


1855-1857


Joshua G. Baker


1839-1841


David Pepper


1857-1859


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


James H. Boyce


1859-1861


John H. B. Mustard


1883-1885


Hiram S. Short


1861-1863


Lerin S. Hitch


1885-1887


Josiah P. Marvel


1803 -- 1866


Jesse B. Stevenson


1887-1889


William H. Wheatley


1866-1866


John R. Steele


1889-1891


Shepherd P. Martin


1866-1867


Jesse W. Allen


1891-1893


John L. Coulbourn


1867-1869


Cyrus Ward


1893-1895


Edward W. Houston


1869-1871


:- Isaac B. Short


1895-1897


George H. Vincent


1871-1873


Jesse T. Wells


1897-1899


Warren Kinder


1873-1875


Robert B. Spicer


1899-1901


John W. Short


1875-1877


Caleb L. McCabe


1901-1903


Daniel R. Burton


1877-1879


Alfred J. White


1903-1907


James Rawlins


1879-1881


Millard F. Murray


1907-


Cyrus Ward


1831-1883


HUNDREDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.


CEDAR CREEK HUNDRED.


This Hundred takes its name from Cedar creek, a stream which derived its appellation from the abundance of cedars that once lined its banks. It is the most northerly Hundred of Sussex County. Until 1683 all the territory in this Hun- dred, lying north of Cedar creek, formed part of St. Jones County, but when the names of Kent and Sussex were substi- tuted for St. Jones and Whorekill Counties, Mispillion creek was the established line dividing the two counties. The boundaries of the Hundred are, Mispillion creek on the north, Delaware Bay on the east, Georgetown Hundred and Prime Hook creek on the South, and Nanticoke and Mispillion Hun- dreds on the west. The northern and southern portions of the Hundred are separated by Cedar creek which affords excellent facilities for shipping. The Delaware, Maryland and Virginia railroad, running from north to south, through the central part of the Hundred, affords convenient advantages for travel and trade. The earliest settlement was made in 1671, in that portion of the Hundred lying between Prime Hook and Slaughter creeks. The land for the most part is in a good state of cultivation, yielding largely grains and vegetables, while fruit-growing in some parts is carried on profitably.


The early industries of the Hundred consisted of the erec- tion and the operation of several grist and saw mills, many of


694


HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


which in later years have been abandoned, and given place to factories of different kinds. Cedar creek afforded unusual ad- vantages for mill-sites and in past generations many mills were built on its banks. The pioneer mill on this stream seems to have been Draper's Mill, at Cedar Creek village, and was in use prior to 1769. It was owned for many years by the Draper family, one of whom, Mary Draper, married Joseph Haslet, afterwards Governor of Delaware. Further up the same stream four other mills were founded about the time of the Revolutionary War, and continued successfully for many years, two at least of which are still in active operation.


The mill on Prime Hook creek dates as far back as 1759. It was erected by Caleb Cirwithin, and after descending to members of his family came to be known as the Waples Mill. The grist-mill on Herring Branch owned by Dr. William Mar- shall for many years, dates well back in the eighteenth cen- tury, and was owned at one time by Peter F. Causey, Governor of Delaware, and by Daniel Curry, a leading merchant at Mil- ford.


The industries of the small villages are mostly confined to the operation of vegetable and fruit canneries, usually a profit- able business. Lincoln is a thriving little village in this Hundred, and was laid out in 1865. Since its formation it has had a steady and permanent growth. It contains can- ning establishments, basket factories, two commodious churches and a school. This village has the honor of having the first postoffice established in the Hundred, in 1865. In the south- ern part is another flourishing little village, Ellendale, which is well located and is noted for the enterprising spirit of its inhabitants. It was laid out in 1867 by Dr. John S. Pretty- man, who named it Ellendale in honor of his wife, Ellen. Material progress has marked its history since its settlement.


The educational interests of the Hundred are well cared for. Prior to the adoption of the free school system, in several parts of the Hundred subscription schools were held. There were but few school houses, and the advantages for obtaining an


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


education were of a very meager character. On the adoption of the public school system the Hundred was divided into six districts, commissioners having been appointed to lay out the same. In process of time the established districts have been redivided. New and comfortable school buildings have been substituted for the improvised school houses which formerly existed. The schools are under the supervision of competent instructors, and excellent educational advantages are afforded all classes of pupils.


The churches in the Hundred have kept pace with the schools in progress and interest. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church was the first house of religious worship erected in the Hundred. This church was built in 1717 on what was then called Church creek, a tributary of Cedar creek, near Cedar Creek village. This ancient church has wholly disappeared, and the early records give but little account of its history. In 1770 a Protestant Episcopal Church was erected on the southern side of Cedar creek near Draper's old mill-pond, which continued to be used for religious worship until 1854, when the building was sold, and in 1864 moved to Milford. The land upon which the church stood is still owned by the Episcopal denomination, and several tombstones are still standing in the disused graveyard. The first place of relig- ious worship erected by the Methodists in the Hundred was called Hickman's Meeting-house, and was erected about 1810. The first structure was of frame, and lasted for nearly fifty years, when a new church was built near the old site. In time the name was changed to Slaughter Neck Methodist Episcopal Church, and after being connected first with Milford circuit was shifted to Lewes circuit, afterwards to Milton cir- cuit, and of late has been connected with Lincoln.


Another early Methodist Church was "Smith's Chapel," located on the Townsend Road, between Milford and Concord, about six miles from the former place. The original church, built about 1821, remained in use until 1837, when a new and larger edifice took its place, and it was then rechristened


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


Union Methodist Episcopal Church, and of late years has been connected with the Ellendale circuit.


A small Methodist Church was built in Cedar Neck eighty years or more ago, and is still maintained, and the same de- nomination built a small church at New Market at an early period, which met the wants of the community until 1881, when a new edifice was erected. In 1869 a Methodist Epis- copal Church was built at Lincoln, where religious services were held until 1885, when it was deemed expedient to build a larger house of worship, and in that year the present neat and beautiful structure was erected. At Ellendale a Metho- dist Episcopal Church was erected in 1882, and is in a prosper- ous condition. A Presbyterian Church was erected at Lincoln in 1869, and in the same year a Baptist Church was built. Previous to the building of churches in the Hundred, religious services were held in private houses and public halls.


Cedar Creek Hundred has the honor of giving to Delaware one of its early governors in the person of Joseph Haslet, who was the son of Colonel John Haslet, the brave and patriotic soldier who fell at the battle of Princeton in 1777. Joseph Haslet was a prominent man in State affairs. He was elected Governor of the State in 1810, and discharged the duties of his office with great credit and ability. Highly honored and esteemed by all classes of people, he was again elected Gov- ernor in 1822, which is the only instance of an election by the people of this State of a Governor for a second term. During his gubernatorial terms he resided at Cedar Creek, which at one time was a place of much importance. In 1812 the State troops, at the call of Governor Haslet, were concentrated at Cedar Creek for the defence of Lewes.


Cedar Creek village being a central point in the Hundred supported for many years a famous inn or tavern, established prior to 1784, and here for many years the politicians held their meetings and public discussions were had. Daniel Rogers was the genial tavern keeper in early days, and after him came James Ward, Isaac Walls, Isaac Carpenter, William


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HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND HUNDREDS.


B. Coulter and Robert D. Roberts. It was discontinued as a tavern at the outbreak of the Civil War and has since been occupied as a residence.


On the main road from Milford to Georgetown, in the south- westerly part of the Hundred, a short distance from the pre- sent town of Ellendale, was an ancient village or cross-roads, known as Fleatown, but this name, evidently forbidding in its sound and meaning, was afterwards charged to the more digni- fied Federalsburg. Here existed for many years two taverns, for the refreshment of both man and beast, and though neither has existed as a public house for sixty years, many are the stories that have come down to this generation of the wild orgies that were held beneath their roofs, and yet it is claimed that so keen was the competition that existed between Millo- way White, mine host of the one, with Samuel Warren, the keeper of the other, that the stage-coach traveler was always assured of the cleanest of beds and a bill of fare that would tempt the appetite of the most fastidious epicurean. The ad- vent of the railroad ended Federalsburg and its taverns.


Thorn Point, on the shore of the bay, just below the mouth of the Mispillion has supported a hotel or tavern for a hun- dred years. In spite of fire and freshet successive buildings have been erected and maintained. A little to the south of this point has grown up in recent years a summer settlement known as Slaughter Beach, where in the summer months many residents of Milford, and adjoining towns, live in rest- ful quiet, and in full enjoyment of the fishing and boating that the bay affords. A hotel has been maintained there for nearly fifty years.




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