USA > Delaware > History of the state of Delaware, Volume II > Part 28
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The town of Lewes has always been the home of many sub- stantial and public-spirited citizens. In colonial days, Ryves Holt, the first chief justice of the " three counties of Delaware" resided at Lewes. Four governors of the State have been chosen from the ancient town, David Hall, Daniel Rodney, Caleb Rodney, and Ebe W. Tunnell. David Hall was the gallant Colonel of the Delaware Regiment in the Revolution. Daniel and Caleb Rodney were brothers and for many years were leading merchants. Ebe W. Tunnel, of later days, has the full respect of the whole populace. In the old Episcopal
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graveyard, both the Rodney brothers lie buried, and in the same enclosure repose the remains of Governor Samuel Paynter, and Governor Joseph Maull. Governor David Hall was buried in the Presbyterian graveyard.
With the passing of the years, the ancient shingle-roof houses are giving way to the modern dwelling, the whistle of the locomotive responds to the signal on the breakwater, old Lewes has awakened and gives promise of keeping step to the livelier music of the twentieth century, and the Henlopen light beams upon a population intent upon keeping abreast of the sturdy progress of the times.
INDIAN RIVER HUNDRED.
This Hundred is situated in the southern part of Sussex County, and lies on two arms of the Atlantic ocean called Rehoboth bay and Indian River bay. The Hundred takes its name from the Indian river, which is now navigable only but a small part of its length. The general surface of the country is level, much of the soil being of a sandy nature. In some sections of the Hundred are good farms with substantial im- provements thereon, while a large area of country remains covered with the original forests. In recent years much of this forest land has been cleared up and wood converted into charcoal, which has made a profitable industry.
The first patents for land in this Hundred were granted in 1667 to Nathaniel Carr and in 1677 to William Burton, the lands of the former being designated as "Cruder's Neck," while those of the latter were called "Long Neck." The Bur- ton family was quite a numerous one, and at an early period settled along the Indian river, chiefly on Long Neck, where many thousands of acres of land were owned by it. From these have descended the numerous Burtons of the county, and to each generation belonged a number of " John Burtons," there being at one time not less than thirty persons bearing that name in the Hundred. Quite a number of this family have become prominent in State affairs. At the breaking-out
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of the Civil war Dr. William Burton was the Governor of the State. Another well-known member of the family was Robert Burton, who was instrumental in having an act passed by the General Assembly to ditch the lowlands of Baltimore Hun- dred. His efforts to accomplish this met with great opposi- tion on the part of some of the citizens, but the system of drainage which he secured by his untiring labors showed the result of his wisdom, and has made the lands of the Hundred among the most productive in the county. Dr. Hiram R. Burton, the present popular and capable member of Congress from Delaware, is a member of this family.
Another family which settled at an early period in the Hundred was the Robinsons. In 1693 William Robinson, a tanner, settled in Angola Neck on a tract of land which had been patented as early as 1677 and purchased by him. This estate was enlarged by subsequent purchases, and remained in the possession of the Robinson family several years. Peter Robinson, a son of Thomas Robinson, was a lawyer and jurist of distinction, and Peter Robinson, Jr., a brother of Thomas, was well known as a successful business man, and lived at the head of the Angola tract. Many of the descendants of this numerous and ancient family are still living, and engaged in various pursuits and vocations. Alfred P. Robinson, son of Judge Peter Robinson, was a member of the Sussex County Bar for many years. He served as Secretary of State under Governor William Tharp from 1851 to 1855, and was an influential citizen. His son, Alfred P. Robinson, Jr., was admitted to the bar in 1863, served as deputy Attorney- General of the State, and in 1893 was appointed Chief Justice, but served in that high office but a month, his death occurring March 1, 1893. Thomas Robinson, Jr., was a member of Congress from Delaware from 1838 to 1840. He also traced his lineage to the Robinsons of Indian River Hundred.
The " Frame " family settled in this Hundred at an early period, the first American ancestor of the old Delaware Frame family being George Frame, who emigrated from England at
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an early date, and took up several thousand acres of patented land in what is now Indian River and Dagsboro Hundreds. His descendants were noted for their remarkable energy and business ability. Robert Frame, one of the most distinguished lawyers that Delaware has produced, was descended from the Frame family of Indian River Hundred. Appointed Attorney General of the State when but thirty years of age, he adminis- tered the affairs of that office with signal ability. His law preceptor, Hon. John M. Clayton, spoke of him as one of the ablest young men who had come under his notice, and as a lawyer none ranked higher. He married a daughter of Chief Justice Thomas Clayton, and his son, Dr. Thomas C. Frame, and his grandson Thomas C. Frame, Jr., are both now living at Dover, the former a medical practitioner, and the latter one of the most active and successful of the younger generation of lawyers of that place.
Among the Frame families, who have acquired considerable distinction, was the widely-known Paynter Frame, who was born in Indian River Hundred in 1826, and was a most suc- cessful agriculturist and horticulturist. Mr. Frame was well- known as the " Water Melon King," paying special attention to the growth of watermelons and producing many luscious and excellent varieties. He gave special attention to the cul- tivation of fruit, and was a most successful fruit-grower. Mr. Frame was quite active in the political affairs of his county, and in 1856 was elected a member of the General Assembly, and was again elected in 1866 and 1874. He was affable and social in temperament, highly popular and respected by all classes, and was one of the foremost and most enthusiastic farmers of Sussex County. He died at his home January 16, 1906.
In this Hundred lives a peculiar class of people, commonly called " Yellowmen," whose genealogy has been a subject of much speculation. While some believe them to be the de- scendants of the Indians who formerly inhabited this county, there are others who regard them as mulattoes, and not a few
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believe them to be of Moorish descent. This race of people are noted for their extreme exclusiveness in social life, living entirely to themselves and supporting their own schools and churches. They are good citizens, and many of them excel- lent farmers. In recent years the number of this race has greatly decreased, although there are enough remaining to make this class of people a distinctive feature of the population.
The business interests of the Hundred were more extensive in its early history than at present. In its first settlement the milling interests contributed much to its business activity. Quite a number of mills were erected at different points on eligible sites, and for several years were successfully operated, but the business interests at present are confined to a few trading points and the operation of a small number of mills.
Millsboro is a small village located in both Indian River and Dagsboro Hundreds. It commenced its business career in the former Hundred. In 1820, on the Indian river side of this village, there was considerable business done, and it was an important trading point, but the principal industries are now operated on the Dagsboro side of the village. Near the central part of the Hundred is located the hamlet of Fair- mount, whose business interests were begun in 1879 by Daniel C. Townsend. It rapidly grew to be a good business center. Angola and Warwick Landing are small villages in this Hun- dred, the former having a postoffice, a store and a few resi- dences.
The earliest organized place of religious worship in the Hun- dred dates back to 1719, when the St. George's Chapel, Pro- testant Episcopal, was erected on the south side of Love's Branch, about nine miles from Lewes. This building was used for worship until 1792 when it was destroyed by fire and in 1794, the present edifice was built. For nearly a century, the people attended services in this chapel. It was an antique structure two stories high, with a tulip-shaped pulpit and galleries all around the church. In 1882, it was deemed ex- pedient to make some necessary church repairs. The height
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of the building was reduced, the galleries removed, and the church architecture changed to Gothic style.
The Methodist denomination has several neat and attractive church buildings, among which are the Unity Church at Fair- mount, St. John's Church, located in the northwestern part of the Hundred, Connelly's at the head of Angola Neck, and three colored churches, all of which are creditable structures, well maintained and prosperous.
BALTIMORE HUNDRED.
For nearly one hundred years, prior to 1775, there was a question of dispute between Maryland and Delaware with respect to the right of possession of Baltimore Hundred. The land warrants issued before the settlement of the dispute were claimed to be in Worcester County, Maryland. In 1775 the boundary line was determined in favor of Delaware. The boundaries of the Hundred are Indian River bay on the north, Maryland on the south, the Atlantic ocean on the east, and Dagsboro Hundred on the west. All the lands, which at an early period had been taken up in this Hundred on Mary- land patents, were resurveyed in 1776 by the surveyors of Penn's government. The tracts of land taken up by the early settlers are situated on the highest points in the Hundred. Outside of these chosen tracts the land was low and swampy, and it became necessary to project enterprises for draining this partially submerged territory. These efforts have been at- tended with such great success that the bottom lands have become the most fertile sections of the Hundred, especially for corn growing.
Among the early settlers in this Hundred was the "Wilgus" family, the ancestor of which was Otto Wolgast, who was a settler in the vicinity of Lewes in 1765, and one of the early magistrates of the county. In 1785 an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing William Derrickson, Richard Clark, Eli Walter and James Fassett to erect a mill-dam across Assa- woman creek at the head of the creek. A site was chosen
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and a grist and saw-mill erected thereon, which was success- fully operated until 1847. A steam saw-mill operated by Jacob Wilgus was built by him in 1855.
Selbyville is a thriving little town located near the line dividing Delaware from Maryland. The business interests of the place are its milling industries. It is here that the "Selbyville Steam Saw and Planing Mill" is in successful operation and doing a large amount of business. The steam flour-mill of W. S. McCabe & Son is another important factor in the prosperity of the place. Its citizens are active and energetic business men, and the aggregate business of the place is increasing yearly.
Roxanna is a village situated about four miles northwest from Selbyville. In 1846 Jacob Wilgus established the first store in this immediate vicinity, and in 1854 a new establishı- ment was opened, conducted under the firm name of Jacob Wilgus and Son. There are several little hamlets which con- tain a store and postoffice, and the people, for the most part, are enterprising and industrious.
Among the earliest churches built in this Hundred was the Blackwater Presbyterian Church erected in 1767, the Sounds Baptist Church (which was the second Baptist church in Delaware) organized in 1782, and the Old Sound Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest of that denomination in Sussex County, which was built in 1784. It was in this locality that Freeborn Garrettson, one of the pioneers of Methodism, preached under the branches of a white oak tree, about a mile north of the present church. Religious services were held here until 1876, when a new church was erected near the original site. It is yet occupied, and services are held there regularly.
Previous to 1829 the school advantages in the Hundred were very limited. Empty houses were occupied at intervals for school purposes. As early as 1799, Stephen Ellis, who was a farmer, teacher and preacher, taught school in Balti- more Hundred. He lived near Roxanna, and the school was
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held in his own house. Other private schools were subse quently taught by different individuals, the tuition fee rang. ing from twenty-five to fifty cents a quarter for each pupil.
When the free school law was adopted, educational matters began to receive greater attention. As time passed and the school system assumed a steady and popular growth, the old dilapidated school buildings began to totter, and in their places neat and commodious school-houses have been erected ; several of the schools have been graded, and a faithful super- vision is being exercised over the educational interests of the Hundred. The first school-house in Baltimore Hundred was known as Blackwater, and was erected in 1824, the land on which it was built having been donated by Captain James Tunnell, master of the vessel " American Trader." In 1829, when the county was divided into school districts, this Hun- dred was districted, and since that time the school districts have been many times divided and re-divided, due care being taken to the location of the school-houses and the convenience of the children attending school.
The Tunnell family, one of the most substantial and highly respected in the State, originated in this Hundred. Ebe W. Tunnell, Governor of the State, and one of its most honored citizens, was born in this Hundred, and lived there until mature manhood, when he relinquished the business which for many years he had carried on at Blackwater, and took up his residence at Lewes. The leading characteristic of Balti- more Hundred is the large number of small farms that have been carved out of what, in early years, was almost worthless soil, and by dint of good management and intelligent farm- ing, made highly productive. The major part of the popula- tion is composed of sea-faring people, who after following the sea for years, are able to husband enough means to return to Baltimore Hundred and buy a small farm, where their latter days are spent in ease and quiet.
Ocean View, on the Atlantic coast, possesses an attractive beach, which gives indications of becoming in time a summer resort.
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GEORGETOWN HUNDRED.
This Hundred occupies a central position in Sussex County, and was formed out of Broad Kiln Hundred by an act of the Legislature in 1833, which provided that Broad Kiln Hun- dred should be divided into two Hundreds, and named com- missioners to establish the boundary lines. Broad Kiln Hundred was accordingly divided as near as possible at equal distance between Milton and Georgetown, commencing at the Indian river boundary line and running thence to the line of Cedar Creek Hundred. The part west and south of the line so run was called Georgetown Hundred. It dates its exist- ence as a complete political division of the county from the year 1863, when an act was passed by the Legislature giving it authority to elect trustees and commissioners in like man- ner as the other Hundreds.
The soil of the Hundred is a sandy loam, and adapted to the cultivation of fruit and vegetables. In most sections of the Hundred the farming land is good and the crops yield well. In the early settlement of the Hundred heavy timber growths abounded, but in recent years large areas have been brought under good cultivation. There were some obstacles that stood in the way of a general settlement of this Hundred long after other parts of the county were well occupied, among which was the swampiness in some localities, owing to the general level nature of the country, and the fact that large tracts of land were owned by non-residents.
Among the early warrants of land granted in the Hundred were those issued to the Pettijohn family in 1715. A large section of land known as the Bundick tract was owned by John Pettijohn, Sr., he being the first owner. The family of Pettijohns have lived continuously in the Hundred, but their descendants have diminished considerably in the last century, and much of the property which they held has passed out of the hands of the family. In 1714 there were several Penn- sylvania warrants for land issued to individuals in this Hun- dred, and as from time to time land warrants were granted, the settlement of the Hundred began and grew rapidly.
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The business interests of the Hundred are centered in the small stations on the Junction and Breakwater railroad, the most important of which is the village of Redden, situated about four miles from Georgetown. A large lumber business is carried on here, several saw mills have been erected and are operated at this point, and large quantities of wood and lum- ber are shipped. Robbins and Carey's Cross Roads are small villages with some business activity.
Georgetown is the county seat of Sussex County, and is located near its geographical center. It is a station on the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia railroad, formerly called the Junction and Breakwater railroad, and the northern terminus of the old Breakwater and Frankford railroad. This town was located as the county seat in order to afford a more convenient place for transacting the affairs of the county. In 1791 an act was passed by the Legislature, authorizing the removal of the county seat from Lewes, and in October of that year, an act declared that the name of the new county seat should be Georgetown. In or near the center of the town is a spacious square for public use, while on the northeast side thereof, stands the court house, containing the public offices. The town is governed by a board of commissioners created under an act of the Legislature in 1851, and whose powers were enlarged by an act in 1859. To these commissioners are delegated the powers customary in such cases.
In the early settlement of the town the tanning business was extensively carried on ; small tanneries in various parts of the town were in successful operation for many years ; while steam saw mills and foundries were operated to some extent. After 1868 a great boom was given the place by the advent of the railroad, which meant greater shipping facili- ties and increasing trade. The culture of small fruits and vegetables at and near Georgetown necessitated the building of canneries. In 1875 " The Fruit Preserving Company " was formed and buildings erected for the carrying on of the busi- ness. This company continued operations with marked suc-
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cess until the interests it controlled passed into the hands of the C. H. Treat Manufacturing Company. The most im- portant industry in the history of Georgetown was the estab- lishment of the C. H. Treat Manufacturing Company in 1883. The manufacturing life of the town and surrounding country was given a new impetus, and a large and profitable business transacted. In 1885 "The Sussex Manufacturing Company " erected a large manufactory on an eligible site for the making of barrels and casks, which business, in connection with the extensive plants of the C. H. Treat Company for the manu- facture of wooden novelties, and the canning and preserving of fruits and vegetables, was carried on for a few years, but ultimately failed. These enterprises were under the control of Charles H. Treat, a shrewd New Yorker, but the amount of capital at command was not sufficient to make them suc- ceed. Mr. Treat returned to New York, and he is now the Treasurer of the United States, by appointment of President Roosevelt.
In recent years, the business interests of the town have held their own, the population has increased, and the trade of the town has been divided among a large number of prosperous firms. Georgetown has many fine residences, the latest and handsomest being the new home of Dr. Caleb R. Layton, and, in addition to the county buildings, the town can boast of a public park, two banks, two newspapers, a neat and com- modious school building, four churches, two hotels and other features tending to make it an active and enterprising place. It was in this town that George Alfred Townsend, the distin- guished author and newspaper writer was born, his father be- ing a Methodist preacher, and residing there at the time of his birth.
There is a custom which is peculiar to the people of Sussex County, which seems to have prevailed from time immemorial, and that is to assemble at the county-seat after the results of a general election are known, and celebrate the event by a day of general rejoicing. On what is called "Return Day," when
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the results of the election are officially announced, Georgetown presents a gay appearance. All sorts of vehicles are brough .: into service with variegated decorations, while the occupants are attired in primitive and often ludicrous costumes. This occasion brings thousands of people to the town and every effort is made to make the day a most enjoyable one. So long has this custom been observed, that the day is generally re- garded as a holiday, when men, women and children congre- gate from early morn, until late at night at the county-seat, giving vent to their hilarious feelings by the most amusing actions conceivable.
The religious and educational interests of the town are well maintained, and give evidence of increasing prosperity. Georgetown has been the home of many prominent men in social, political and professional life. The improved agricul- tural conditions of the Hundred and the thrifty spirit of its residents attest its continued growth and development.
DAGSBORO HUNDRED.
This Hundred was for a long period in the territory claimed by Maryland, and remained under the control of that State until 1763. The first line between Maryland and Delaware was run in 1763, being confirmed by Mason and Dixon in 1765, and in 1775 it received the official sanction of Penn and Lord Baltimore. The early records show that several tracts of land were granted to settlers by the Maryland proprietors at an early period.
The Hundred derives its name from John Dagworthy, who took an active part in the French and Indian Wars and in the Revolutionary struggle. For his eminent services, a large tract of land in Worcester County, Maryland, was given hin, which subsequently was defined to be in Delaware, and in that portion of the State, now known as Sussex County. General Dagworthy was a native of New Jersey and a man of great prominence, both in his native State and in Maryland before his residence was transferred to Delaware. The large
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HOME OF GEN. JOHN DAGWORTHY, NEAR DAGSBORO.
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amounts of land which had been warranted to him, were, in 1774, re-surveyed to him under Penn and were known as "Dagworthy's Conquest." It was in 1775 that he became a resident of Delaware, his home being near Dagsboro, where he lived until his death in 1784. He was buried under the chancel of Prince George's Chapel.
A numerous and influential family in this Hundred, are the Houstons, whose first Delaware representative was Robert Houston, to whom a tract of land called " Houston's Folly " was granted in 1754, and who was the first settler of the Houston family in the Hundred. These lands, in addition to those subsequently purchased, have descended from time to time to the generations of Houstons, and the original home- stead has been in possession of the family from its purchase in 1754. In the last generation the four Houston brothers, John M., Edward W., Charles B., and Henry A., have all been prominent in Democratic politics in the county. Edward W. and Charles B. have both been members of the State Senate, and Henry A. was a member of Congress from Delaware from 1903 to 1905. Edward W. was Clerk of the Peace for one term and John M. served both in the General Assembly and as County Treasurer.
In the southern part of the Hundred are extensive cypress swamps and an abundant growth of pine and cedar forests which have been profitably utilized in the manufacture of lumber and shingles. Many saw and grist mills have been erected upon the Indian river and its tributaries, some of which are still in successful operation.
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