Broadkiln Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware
This Hundred
situated in the northeastern part of Sussex County is bounded on
the north by Prime Hook Creek; on the east by Delaware Bay and
Cool-Spring Branch; on the south by the same Branch and
Georgetown Hundred; and on the west by Georgetown Hundred. Its
name is derived from the creek of the same name, which flows
through the central portion of the Hundred and is navigable as
far as Milton. By means of this creek large quantities of grain
and lumber have been and still continue to be shipped annually
to the Philadelphia and New York markets. About three-fifths of
the land in this Hundred is in a state of cultivation, and
produces the usual cereals and small fruits in abundance. The
soil is well watered by numerous small streams which rise and
flow within its boundaries.
The population is equally
distributed, and with the exception of Milton, no village of any
size is found in this Hundred. In addition to the facilities for
shipment by water, additional advantages for shipping and travel
are afforded by the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Railroad,
which runs through the southern portion of Broadkiln Hundred.
Early Settlements
One of the
earliest persons to take up land in Broadkiln Hundred was
Hermanus Wiltbank, who settled at Lewes previous to 1673. A more
complete history of him will be found in the Chapter on Lewes.
He and his son Cornelius took up and purchased large tracts of
land on the coast and inland before 1680, some of which are now
in the possession of their lineal descendants, John and David
Wiltbank of Milton. In September 1695, Cornelius Wiltbank
presented a petition to the Court of Sussex County, setting
forth that "he hath designe to build a water-mill in this county
on that branch or creek of the Broadkiln, called Mill Creek,
(Beaver Dam Branch), if ye Crt will grant
him the same and land which is customary adjoining to the same."
The petition was duly considered and it was agreed that "The Crt
grant him the said stream provided he build the said mill
thereon within fifteen months from hence forward, and attend and
mind the same, and doe grind the grain well, and in due course
as it comes to mill without Respect to persons at ye eighth part
Poll for wheat, and sixth for Indian corn." It is very probable
that this mill was never built, as two years later a mill was
built on this stream by Jonathan Bailey, who was an early
settler at Lewes, and in 1676 owned a grist mill at Pilottown.
He was Sheriff of the county at several different times. His
descendants both of the name Bailey and Art still live in Lewes.
A warrant for
six hundred acres of land in this Hundred was granted by the
Whorekill Court to Thomas Hassold. The tract was surveyed July
24, 1682, and was known as Hassold's Fortune. It was described
as being on the west side of Delaware Bay, and on the south side
of Prime Hook Creek, and joined land of Thomas Moulson, Philip
Morris and Hermanus Wiltbank. The most of this land is now owned
by William A. Hazzard, James T. Reed, David Argo and the heirs
of Eli Collins.
The family
represented by John H. Wiltbank traces its genealogy to a very
early period in the history of this country, and for more than
two hundred years has been identified with its growth and
development.
The original
ancestor was Halmanius Wiltbank, who emigrated from Sweden about
the year 1650. Tradition says that the vessel in which he had
embarked was wrecked off Cape Henlopen and that be saved himself
by swimming to the shore, carrying in his pocket a silver watch
that has since been handed down from father to son in the family
and is still in the possession of his descendants. Halmanius
resided for the remainder of his life near Lewes, Id Sussex
County, where a number of the family still reside. At his death
he left three sons, Cornelius, John and Abraham. John became a
man of considerable prominence and served as one of the
associate judges of the court held at Lewes, in 1755. One of his
sons, known as Parson Wiltbank, was a noted preacher in his day
and the father of John Wiltbank, who was a prominent physician
and a professor in one of the medical colleges of Philadelphia.
The mother of the late Chancellor Harrington was also one of the
daughters of the Parson.
Cornelius,
the oldest son of Halmanius, was born about 1660 and died in
1730. He received one of the original patents from William Penn
for a tract of land, comprising two hundred and fifty acres,
lying on the north side and along the Broadkiln River, about
three miles from Delaware Bay, which has continued to be held by
his male heirs to the present date, 1888. He left one son,
Isaac, who was born about the year 1705 and at his death left
two sons, Cornelius and Samuel. The former, Cornelius, was born
in 1731 and died in 1803. He married Rachel, daughter of John
Hazzard, and passed his life as a farmer on the family tract on
the Broadkiln River. He was known as a staunch patriot during
the trying scenes of the Revolution. At his demise he left two
sons, Cornelius and David, and a daughter, Elizabeth, who became
the mother of Judge John W. Houston. David was born in 1789 and
died in 1865. He was a farmer by occupation and also resided on
the home tract. He was an ardent Whig and served as a volunteer
in the war of 1812-15, participating in the defense of Lewes in
1813. He married Sarah G. Morris, and left two sons, John H. and
David A. Wiltbank.
John H.
Wiltbank was born on the homestead tract of his family, June
9th, 1823. His youth was passed as farmers' sons usually grow
up, acquiring a fair education while rendering what assistance
he could upon the farm. He has devoted the greater part of his
life to agricultural pursuits and fruit growing, and led an
honest, earnest and industrious life. He is a Republican in
politics, and during the War of the Rebellion was a sincere and
active Union man, and did what he could to sustain the General
Government in the effort to preserve the national integrity.
He married
Martha A., daughter of John T. Hudson, a prominent farmer of New
Castle County, and with this truly estimable lady now resides in
the town of Milton, where both are enjoying the happy fruits of
a well-spent life and the merited respect, confidence and esteem
of many Mends.
William
Clark, of whom so much has been said in the history of Colonial
times, and in Lewes, was also the owner of considerable land in
Broadkiln. On March 6, 1684, there was granted to him, by
William Penn, a tract of five hundred acres, lying between Cool
Spring Branch and the main branch of Mill Creek (Beaver Dam
Branch). This tract, known as "Penn's Manor of Worminghurst,"
was confirmed to him April 2, 1686, by Thomas Lloyd, James
Claypoole and Robert Turner. On November 21, 1717, it came into
the possession of Preserved Coggeshall. On the day of the
confirmation of "Penn's Manor of Worminghurst," there was
patented to Clark, "Mill Plantation,'' a tract containing eight
hundred acres. Of this he sold two hundred acres to Mathew
Osborne, who also had surveyed for himself on April 25, 1722, a
tract of land, warranted to Robert Lodges on December 18, 1718
and now owned by Mrs. Theodore Carey. "Mill Plantation" is now
in the possession of George A. Bryan, the heirs of Nathaniel
Veasey and the heirs of Mrs. Eliza A. Fisher.
On February
9, 1686, Clark sold to Thomas Fisher three hundred acres of land
on the south side of Broadkiln Creek. Thomas Fisher was the son
of John Fisher, who came to this country with Penn in 1682.
Thomas was also the owner of "Stretcher's Island," containing
one hundred and seventy-five acres, and surveyed January 29,
1701, by Jonas Greenbank. On April 11, 1711, he purchased one
hundred and fifty acres adjoining this tract, which was granted
to Robert Murdock on November 5, 1690. These two tracts are now
owned by William A. Hazzard and Peter B. Jackson. Some of the
land purchased by Thomas Fisher is now the property of James
Fisher and the heirs of John Fisher, lineal descendants of
Thomas.
Clark, as
administrator of Henry Bowman, was also the owner of ''Rich
Farms," containing six hundred and fifty acres, which were
warranted to Thomas Tilton on August 5, 1687. Clark sold this
tract to John Hill, a merchant, on December 5, 1696.
John Clowes
settled in this hundred at an early date, on the "Dreams" and
"Green Branch" of the Nanticoke. His son John also purchased
lands in the vicinity on September 7, 1672, of William Danters
and William Boucher, which had been warranted by William
Shankland December 19, 1743, as Spring Garden. Dr. Peter Clowes,
brother of John Clowes, Sr., also settled in the vicinity, on
land now owned by Jesse E. Dodd. On land now in the possession
of David Conwell, is a family vault, about eight by twelve feet,
walled up with brick, which at present contains no remains.
Nearby are several graves, three of which are marked by
headstones. One is "In memory of John Clowes, who departed this
life February 24, 1790, Aged 69 years 3 months & 19 days."
Another is to the memory of Sarah, wife of John Clarke, who died
December 19, 1790. The third is in memory of Mrs. Aletta Clark,
who died May 11, 1852. The John Clowes here referred to is,
doubtless, the son of the early settler John.
On October
25, 1713, John Ponder purchased of John Howe one hundred acres
of land on the north side of Broadkiln Creek, which was part of
an eight hundred-acre tract, formerly the property of Thomas
Pemberton, from whom Pemberton's Branch takes its name. On
February 1, 1717, he purchased two hundred acres more of this
tract, which was surveyed January 23rd of same year, by Robert
Shankland. Abram Parsley and Peter Lucas were chain-bearers and
Samuel Dickarson was marker. John Ponder also obtained other
land in this hundred. The house in which he lived is now
occupied as a residence by a tenant of John Ponder. It is a
hip-roofed structure, built of cedar logs and weather-boarded.
John and James have been the names peculiar to this family. Hon.
James Ponder, of Milton, ex-governor of the State, still retains
much of the land originally purchased by his ancestor, John
Ponder, and has added to it many acres.
On October
14, 1738, Thomas Harrison sold two hundred and fifty acres of a
tract known as "Maiden Plantation," containing nine hundred and
seven acres, to James Hood. It was situated south of "Mill
Plantation," and is now owned by John Sherman, George A. Bryan,
Joseph Hunter, and the heirs of Robert Hood, Jr.
The Paynters
have owned land in Broadkiln Hundred for nearly two centuries.
Samuel, the grand-son of Richard, began the purchase of lands
here in 1732, on February 8th, of which year he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of Thomas Stockley. Other lands were
soon afterwards purchased by him, some of which still remain in
the family. On the land early acquired. Gov. Samuel Paynter was
born.
On September
16, 1735, there was surveyed or re-surveyed for John and Thomas
Penn, by William Shankland, a tract containing one thousand
acres of marsh land. This is now owned by William A. Hazzard.
"Come by
Chance," a tract of two hundred and fifty acres, was warranted
to Jacob Skilpman on June 8, 1737.
"Ralph's
Delight" and "Walker's Folly," now owned by Mrs. Theodore Curey,
were resurveyed March 5, 1742.
"Reed's white
mould" was warranted to William Mollineaux on June 11, 1750, and
patented for one hundred and twenty-three acres to Edmund Reed,
by Governor Clayton on December 4, 1794. It was part of a larger
tract originally granted to David Coursey by the Court of Deal
(now Sussex) on April 11, 1682, for three hundred acres.
"Stretcher's
Hall," a tract of five hundred acres, was originally granted to
Henry Stretcher, and by him sold to James Standfield and James
Thomas. It was later known as the "Jersey Tract" and is situated
on the south side of Cypress Branch of Prime Hook Creek. Hon.
James Ponder is the present owner.
Christopher
Topham was the owner of a six hundred acre tract called "White
Oak Neck," previous to 1742. In that year he deeded six acres of
it to the Friends. It was situate on Cool Spring Branch. He also
owned four hundred acres of forest land, known as "Green
Meadow."
The
Assessment List of Broadkiln Hundred for
the year 1785 contained the following names: (429)
Religious
Matters
At a Monthly meeting of Friends
held at Duck Creek (Smyrna) on the 22d of the Sixth Month, 1720,
Caleb Offly reported that the Quarterly Meeting gave consent for
a place of worship to be settled at Cool Spring, until further
orders. It is unknown whether a meeting-house was erected
previous to 1742. On February 1, of that year, Christopher
Topham conveyed to the Society of Friends Murderkill Monthly
Meeting, six acres of land for the use of a meeting-house and
burial place. On this a one-story frame building, about eighteen
by twenty-four feet, was erected and used for many years as a
meeting-house. It has long since disappeared, and none but the
oldest residents remember when meetings were held there. In 1839
the main portion of this six acres was purchased by Samuel
Paynter. A small plat for the burial of the dead is still
enclosed, and cared for by the family of James Fisher. Among the
later Friends who worshiped here were members of the Ford,
Bobbins, Wright and Rowland families.
On March 11, 1818, Aletta Clark granted
to Bevens Morris, Sr., Samuel Cade, John T. Connell, Jonathan
Hevaloe and Thomas Draper, trustees, a lot of land in Broadkiln
Hundred containing three thousand six hundred square feet A
one-story frame building, eighteen by twenty feet, known as the
Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, was erected the same year.
Services were held in this structure until 1848, when it was
enlarged so as to accommodate the growing congregation. In 1873
it was found necessary to erect a new building. An adjoining lot
of land containing one acre was conveyed by Hevaloe Morris to
the trustees, who at that time were J. T. Conwell, Robert
Morris, John Morris, Sylvester H. Rust, Hevaloe Morris, Daniel
R. Burton and James C. Robbins. The new one-story edifice, 35 by
50 feet, was completed and dedicated January 25, 1874. The
church has a present membership of forty. It has been connected
with the Lewistown, Milton and Nassau Circuits. A flourishing
Sunday-school connected with the church is under the
superintendence of John M. Robbins.
White's Methodist Episcopal
Chapel was erected on one-fourth of an acre of land,
donated in 1838, by Samuel Paynter to David Robbins, Peter C.
Lank, Robert Russell, John Lank and James Lank. The chapel
received its name from Henry White, a presiding elder. The first
building was a one story-structure eighteen by twenty four feet.
Previous to this meetings were held in an old school-house.
Services were held in the first church until 1872, when the
present edifice was erected at a cost of two thousand five
hundred dollars. It is a one-story frame building, thirty by
forty-five feet. Services are held once in two weeks. The church
has been connected with the same circuits as Zion.
A flourishing Sunday-school of seventy
members is under the superintendence of Mrs. Anna Fisher.
The present board of trustees is
composed of the following persons: James Lank, Myers Fisher,
David Robbins, James Fisher, Henry White, Peter Lank, Absalom
Rust.
Cave Neck Churches. In
1886 the Methodists of Cave Neck formed a class and met in a
school-house for a short time. A lot of land was donated to them
by the heirs of Jacob Coffin, and a neat frame church building
erected. This was used by the Methodist Protestants for about a
year, and then a dispute arose and the church was finally set
apart for the services of [the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
The membership and attendance is very squall.
The Methodist Protestants
withdrew from the church and again held services in the
school-house. A lot of land was deeded to them by B. F. Brockson,
and a new church erected this year. It now has a membership of
thirty-four, and is connected with the Milton circuit. The
present board of trustees is composed of George Prettyman,
Samuel Palmer, G. Dutton, T. H. Arterbridge, John E. Johnson,
Charles H. Sharpe, John Carpenter and Nathaniel Hood.
Services were held by the Methodist
Protestants of the, southern part of the hundred in private
houses, a short time previous to 1844. In that year land was
donated to the society by Barclay Wilson, and the Beaver Dam
Methodist Protestant church erected. It was a one-story frame
building, about twenty-eight by thirty-two feet. Services were
held in it until 1885, when additional land was donated by
Harbeson Hickman, and the present one story frame structure,
thirty by forty feet built. The church has now a membership of
fifty-four. It has been connected with the Milton circuit since
the organization of that circuit, and previous to that had no
regular pastor. Silas M. Warrington is the superintendent of the
Sunday-school, comprising about forty members. The present board
of trustees of this church are: William H. Prettyman, Thomas W.
Walls, Peter A. Dodd, James A. Coulter, Silas M. Warrington.
In 1870 a church building was erected by
the Methodist Protestants at Pender's Mills. While the
dedicatory services were being performed by the pastor, on
December 25, of that year, the building caught fire and was
entirely consumed. Services were then held in a school-house
until July, 1872, when the present building was dedicated to the
worship of God by Rev. Charlton. It is a one-story frame
structure, twenty-two by thirty-five feet. Since its erection
the church has been connected with the Milton Circuit, and the
pulpit has been filled by the ministers in charge of that
circuit. The membership of the church at the present time is
forty-nine.
Schools
Previous to 1829, there were private
schools in various parts of the Hundred. When they began is not
known, but nearly all closed at the adoption of the common
school system of education. Among the teachers of these pay
schools are remembered the names of Nehemiah Dorman, Gilbert
Poole, Daniel Drain, John Davis, Archibald Fleming and Mitchell
Lank.
For common or free school purposes, the
Hundred was divided into the following districts:
District No, 7, in
Broadkiln Neck, at the mouth of Primehook Creek and the Delaware
Bay, thence running up said creek to Smith's Mill, thence up
stream to mouth of Ingram's Branch, up the said branch to public
road leading from hence through Broadkiln Neck to the Delaware
Bay, thence along said public road to the western end of
Simpler's Lane, thence with a straight line to a point on
Broadkiln Creek called Heavilon's Landing. There was one school
in this District 8, including North Milton in Broadkiln Hundred,
beginning on Broadkiln Creek, at a place called Heavilon's
Landing, a comer of No. 7, thence to the western end of
Simpler's Land to a public road, thence along the public road,
leading near the dwelling-house of George Conwell, a line of No.
7 to Ingram's Branch, thence up and with said branch to where
the old country road, as formerly used, crosses the same, thence
with a straight line to an old mill-dam, called the fulling mill
dam below the mill, formerly owned by Isaac Clows, now by Arthur
Nulby, thence down the stream to Joseph Maull's mill dam to the
head of Broadkiln Creek, there to place of beginning, store of
Hazzard and Barratt, in Milton.
District 9. Begins at the mouth of Ingram's
branch where it enters Sow Bridge branch, on a line of Cedar
Creek and Broadkiln Hundreds, thence up and with said Sow Bridge
and Hundred line to the head thereof, where it is crossed by the
road leading from New Market to the Riley Road, a comer of No.
6, thence with straight line to the west of the house of Johnson
Riley, where Jonathan Massey now lives, and thence to a bridge
on Riley Road.
District 10. In Coolspring Neck, in Broadkiln
Hundred. Begins at mouth of Coolspring Greek where it enters
Broadkiln Creek, to mouth of Mill Creek, thence to Elisha
Holland's mill, thence with stream to old dam for saw-mill,
thence with road to Cool-spring branch, where the road curves
the same passing near Presbyterian Meeting House, thence to
mills of Samuel Paynter, Esq., at head of Coolspring Creek One
school in district
District 11. Cave Neck in Broadkiln Hundred, up
to Broadkiln to mouth of stream called Roundpole branch, near
Milton.
District 12. Including South Milton to ferry where Joseph
Maull's bark manufactory is situated. Then was once an Academy
in said district.
District 13. Adjoining 12, 8 and 9. Suitable
places for holding school were provided in each of these
districts. As the number of pupils increased, sub-divisions of
the districts were made. Comfortable and commodious
school-houses supplied with careful and competent teachers are
now found throughout the Hundred.
Mills and
Manufactories
On March 1, 1694, John Haynes purchased
of Jacob Waring three hundred acres of land in Broadkiln
Hundred. On January 20, of the following year he also obtained
from William Wolfe, two hundred acres on the west side of Mill
Creek. This land was sold by his attorney Nehemiah Fields to
Jonathan Bailey, on February 10, 1697. On it Bailey erected a
water-mill, which he conveyed with the land on June 9, of the
next year to Abraham Potter, in whose family the land still
remains. After the death of Potter, the property vested in his
daughter who was the wife of William Stewart. The estate was
next inherited by a daughter of Stewart, who married William
Stevenson. Their son John was the next owner, and came into
possession about 1773. He had additional land condemned for mill
purposes and soon afterwards died, when the property vested in
his sister who was the wife of John Holland. William Holland a
son afterwards came into possession of the mill and in 1811, it
vested in Elisha Holland, the present owner of the land. The
mills were rebuilt several times. In 1826, Elisha Holland added
a saw-mill, which was in operation until about four years ago.
The grist- mill was abandoned about twelve years ago.
At an early date there was a ship-yard
about three fourths of a mile from Holland's mill, on land now
owned by Herbert Reynolds.
The next mill on Beaver Dam branch above
Holland's mill is a saw-mill, owned and operated by James
Hunter. It stands on the site of a mill, at one time owned by
William Perry. The present mill was built about 1832, as in 1831
there was an act of Assembly passed enabling Robert Hunter, to
erect a mill-dam across the head waters of Mill Creek, a branch
of Broadkiln. After the death of Robert Hunter, the mill was
inherited by his son James, the present proprietor.
On February 8, 1758, Benjamin Chipman,
executor of James Chipman, sold to John Talbot, the one-half
part of a grist-mill and fulling-mill on Pemberton branch
together with one-half of the utensils. The mills were situated
on the north side of the stream, about a mile west of Milton, on
land now owned by the heirs of Noble Ellingsworth, and have long
since passed away. In 1851, several excavations were made around
the foundation walls by an unknown person, which led to the
belief that some hidden treasure had been removed.
Grist and saw-mills and a cotton factory
were erected on Pemberton Branch at an early date by John
Clowes. In the vicinity he planted poplar and willow trees eight
feet apart and made preparations as if to start a powder
manufactory. This, however, was never effected. In 1809 the
mills were owned by Isaac Clowes and soon afterwards came into
the possession of Arthur Milby. They were sold by him to Gideon
Waples who operated them until his death when they vested in his
son Gideon B. Waples. While in his possession the mills were
repaired. After his decease they were sold, September 17, 1864,
by his executor, Hon. James Ponder, to J. G. Betts, the present
owner. The saw and grist mill are still in operation, but the
carding factory was abandoned.
In 1809 Joseph Tam was the owner of a
grist and saw-mill and twenty-seven acres of land in Broad-kiln
Hundred. The mills were on the southwest branch of the Broadkiln
Branch and were operated many years by Tam, and finally passed
into the hands of Benjamin McIlvain. They next came into the
possession of George Davis, by whom they were sold to Nathaniel
Ingram. While in his possession the saw-mill was abandoned and
the grist-mill was repaired and next purchased by James Coulter,
who conveyed to G. P. Johnson, the present owner.
In 1809 Zadock James was the owner of a
saw-mill on the same stream. It was last operated about 1838 by
Aaron Marshall, whose heirs are the present owners of the site.
On Cool Spring Branch was a grist-mill
owned in 1750 by Samuel Paynter. It was retained in the family
many years and was known as the "Paynter or Red Mill." Nearby
was a carding factory built by Samuel Paynter and abandoned
about fifty years ago. The Red Mill was finally sold by John
Paynter to Elijah Register, by whom it was improved and
enlarged. Robert Hammon, the next owner, was in possession when
it was destroyed by fire in 1885.
The grist and saw-mills on Prime Hook
Creek, owned in 1809, by Nathan Reed, were sold by him to
William McIlvain. They next came into the possession of Roderick
Reynolds, and at his decease became the property of his son,
Silas M. Reynolds. By him they were sold to Hon. James Ponder,
the present owner. The mills are still in operation.
Robert Stephenson inherited from his
father, James, a grist-mill, on the south side of Prime Hook
Creek. This he sold in 1775, to John Ingram, and in 1816, it was
in the possession of his son, Anthony Ingram, together with
three hundred acres of land. On November 26, 1823, it was
purchased at sheriff's sale, by Arthur Milby, by whom it was
conveyed, January 26, 1827, to Hester, wife of John Ponder.
While in her possession it was abandoned, about 1845.
In 1886, Jeffrey O. Bentley and Moses A.
Walsh formed a co-partnership and established a chemical works
on the south side of Broadkiln Creek, about two miles east of
Milton. The main productions are wood alcohol, granulated
charcoal and tar. Employment is given to ten men.
Villages
and Post Offices
Drawbridge is a small hamlet on
Broadkiln Creek, about three miles east of Milton. It contains a
store which was con-ducted many years by Governor Samuel Paynter,
his children and grandchildren. In 1857 it was purchased by W.
V. Coulter, who ran it until 1859, when Wm. B. Tomlinson became
owner. He sold to Burton & Dorman in 1866. In 1878 they
dissolved partnership, Dorman retaining the store. It also
contains three dwellings, four granaries and a wheel-wright and
blacksmith shop. There is a landing place here, and one boat
plies regularly between here and Philadelphia, and two between
Drawbridge and New York. About 2,500 cords of wood, and 30,000
bushels of grain are shipped annually. The name is derived from
a draw-bridge, which crosses the Broadkiln at this place. A post
office was established here about 1880, with Samuel R. Paynter
as postmaster. It was changed for a time to Houston, but again
moved to Drawbridge. J. B. Dorman, the present incumbent was
appointed in January, 1879.
The Hon. John B. Dorman was born in
Broadkiln Hundred in the County of Sussex and State of Delaware,
on the 19th day of August, in the year of our Lord, one
thousand, eight hundred and forty-three. His early life was
passed upon his father's farm, and in the freedom of rural life
he early laid the foundations of that physical vigor and ruddy
health which so peculiarly distinguished him, and which
experience has shown to conduce so much to success, and to be so
essential to the true enjoyment of life.
He acquired the rudiments of his
education in the public schools of the neighborhood, but at the
age of sixteen was sent to the academy at Milton.
As the years advanced and it became
necessary tor him to choose a vocation, he followed a natural
bent and selected a mercantile life. In order to prepare himself
thoroughly for the occupation he had so wisely chosen, he
completed his preparatory studies at Crittenden's Commercial
College of Philadelphia, but upon the death of his father his
entrance into commercial life was delayed and he was called upon
to take charge of the ancestral farm.
In 1866 when his presence was no longer
required on the farm, he formed a partnership with Captain David
Burton in the mercantile business at the Drawbridge. This
partnership was dissolved in 1878, and since that time Mr.
Dorman has, with eminent success, conducted the business in his
own name.
Mr. Dorman was married in 1873 to Miss
Hetty J. White, daughter of Mr. Benjamin White, a farmer of
Broadkiln Hundred.
The Drawbridge is a small hamlet,
situated at a landing on Broadkiln Creek, a few miles below
Milton.
It is a point of considerable mercantile
and commercial activity; has always been a political centre of
importance, and has furnished one Governor to the State. The
importance of the hamlet has by no means diminished since Mr.
Dorman has been its leading spirit. Not only has he largely
extended the trade of the place and given it a wider influence
in business circles, but he has also fully maintained its
political prestige. In 1886 he was elected to the State Senate
by the Democratic Party, of which he and his ancestors have
always been consistent and honored members. In his political
life Mr. Dorman has displayed the same sagacity and good sense,
and the same honesty of purpose which had already characterized
him in his business transactions.
But perhaps Mr. Dorman's most
distinguishing trait is the social bonhommie and kindness of
heart which he carries into all relations of life. With him
sympathy with the poor is ever a controlling thought, and it is
said of him that no indigent and worthy debtor ever suffered
from him the extremity of the laws.
In the new social, intellectual and
industrial life which is coming to his native county Mr. Doman
will prove to be one of the foremost and ablest leaders.
The land on which Harbeson stands was at
one time owned by Barclay Wilson, but is now principally in the
possession of Harbeson Hickman, from whom it received its name.
The establishment of a railroad station here in 1869, was the
origin of the village. T. R. Burton was appointed station-agent
and post-master in that year. He filled both positions until
1885 when he was succeeded by S. A. Jarvis, the present
incumbent. The village contains two stores, a church,
school-house, station, blacksmith-shop, and about ten dwellings.
In 1870 a station was located near Cool
Spring Branch, and named Cool Spring. W. M. Mcllvain was
appointed station agent. In the following years post-office was
established here, and he became post-master. He was succeeded in
both these positions in 1872, by James M. Martin, the present
incumbent. No village is laid out as yet. Large shipments of
lumber and charcoal are made from this point.
Lodge
Harbeson Circle, No. 10, B. G. C,
was instituted at Harbeson, June 10, 1887. The first and present
officers are as follows: G. W., Thos. R. Burton; C. W., Paynter
Frame; C. J., Joseph B. Lingo; C. F., Jos. W. Wimbrow; C. K., B.
O. Vaughn; H. R., Henry Prettyman; H. T., Silas J. Warrington;
W. D., Robt S. Watson; W. M., Chas. A. Isaac. These with N. T.
Roach, Wm. Walker. Walton Thompson, John T. Watson and Thomas A.
Joseph composed the charter members. The present membership is
thirty-five. Meetings are held every Wednesday night in the
lodge-room over T. R. Burton's store.
Assessment List |
Town of Milton |
Sussex County
Source: History of Delaware, 1609-1888,
Volume I, by J. Thomas Scharf, L. J. Richards & Company,
Philadelphia, 1888.
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