Reminiscences of Wilmington : in familiar village tales, ancient and new

Front matter

genealogy collection

REMINISCENCES

OF

Preface

V should comply, being fully conscious of its defects, and of the propensity to criticise. But even such must own, “ with me it is a small matter to be judged of you,” ‘‘when the Lord is at hand, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart.” Reader, though thy endowments be of the highest order, the frosts of seventy winters will silver o’er thy locks and blight thy nobler powers ; may the benign Giver of every good then grant thee, yea, even thee, so small a portion that thou canst do likewise.

■ ■ ft

Chapter I

Wilmington and its environs — Arrival — New Zealander — A legend of other days — Prospect Hill — Joshua North, Esq. — Confiscated estates — Dr. Wharton — Brandywine mills — A voyage to New York — General Washington — Joseph Tatnall, Esq., - - - 7

Chapter II

Race hanks — Waterfalls — Isaac Kendall — Amusements — Cottage of A. H. Rowan, Esq. — Winter sports — A sad calamity — Crossing the dam — Moonlight party — Bold scenery — Tablet Rock — Old snufi’-mill — Isaac Jones, Esq. — Old barley-mill — The Brandywine — -Flood-gate — Rattlesnake Run — Wild scenery — Freshets, - - - 18

Chapter III

Old paper-mill — The Original Paper-machine — Description of the mills, cottages, &c. — Picturesque scenery — Kentmere, the residence of Joshua Gilpin, Esq. — Giant’s foot rock — Pic-nic — Rokeby — Hagley — Jacob Broom, Esq. — Cotton-mill — Ruins, &c. — Lost in the wood — Messrs. Dupont’s improvements — Eleutherian mills — Explosion — Alarm — Change of scenery — Fine mansions — Gen. Lafayette — Rockland— William Young, Esq. — Relics of Gen. Washington — J. Brindley, Esq. — Swedes, • - - - - - - 32

CHAPTER lY.

King’s road — Bancroft Woodcock — Dr. James Tilton, Senr. — Old letter — Address of the Wilmington Council to Gen. Washington — Caesar A. Rodney, Esq. — Dutch Dolly — Fine scenery — Col. Townsend — Carl Christopher Springer — Old cottage — J. Springer — Introduction to the sixth generation of his pastor, - - - - 52

CHAPTER y.

Almshouse inmates — Of high order — Mr. B. — M. Martel — Mrs. B. — Burnt March 25th, 1804 — Tamar Way — Frederick Craig — Mantua —

Vlll

Contents

Delamore Place — Col. Davis — Tusculum — J. M. Broom, Esq. — Dr, J^ead — Dr. Martin — Kichardsons — Latimers — Swedish families — July 4th, 1794 — Celebration, - - - - • 68

CHAPTEK VI.

Long Hook — Major P. Jaquett — His father — Whitefield — Major P. J. enters the army — Description — Visit of an old soldier — The avenue — Night walk — Blackboard — The alarm — Surrender of an officer to bull frogs, - -- -- -- 81

Chapter I.'

Wilmington and its environs — Arrival — New Zealander — A legend of other days — Prospect Hill — Joshua North, Esq. — Confiscated estates — Dr. Wharton — Brandywine mills — A voyage to New York — General Washington — Joseph Tatnall, Esq.

Of all the towns that I have seen, none appears to me more pleasantly located than Wilmington ; nor to possess greater advantages for an agreeable residence. If this be prejudice of opinion, it arises from habits of early affection ; for there is an attraction in the name of birthplace, home of our childhood and youthful associations, when the rays of life’s morning sun brightened all our prospects, and even the spot is hallowed that has been bedewed by the tears of sorrow, as the last earthly resting-place of a beloved parent. This feeling must be the gift of our great Creator, or how could the Laplander relish his coarse fare, and with gratitude thank his Maker for his icy region and long dreary nights as the favored spot of Heaven ?

In giving you a description of this pretty town, as I have chosen to call it, I may indulge a little, yet will strive to keep to the truth ; hoping that ere long you may come here and see whether these things are really so. There will be added

REMINISCENCES OF WILMINGTON.

some reminiscences of olden times, connected with the early settlement of this place, and of the revolutionary war, &c., as these were related to me by my venerated grandfather and other worthies, now silent in the grave, with more recent events of my own day. Such a variety of subjects cannot easily be arranged in order ; and no doubt some incidents wdll be disposed in bad taste. I shall write them down as they occur to my memory.

Wilmington is surrounded, one-half by a rolling country, the other half by water ; it stands on rising ground, gradually sloping to its watery bounds ; thence for miles it is skirted by beautiful meadows, with an extensive view of the noblq^river Delaware, on the east, and its tributary streams, fancifully winding through those meadows, stretching their courses past the town, where a drawbridge is thrown across the Christiana to let small vessels through, as it is navigable four miles beyond.

On the other hand, the Brandywine takes its course to the mills, where vessels stop. There is a bridge connecting the flourishing village of Brandywine with Wilmington; also a drawbridge a little below, for vessels to pass through, and for the railroad.

This is a romantic stream, long celebrated in story, and takes it name from the loss of a vessel at its entrance, laden with brandy and wine. It winds its way for a great distance, and gives water power to many factories, as it descends from its source. The distance from one bridge to the other is a little more than a mile, in a direction nearly north and south.

You can see all the shipping passing ; some floating down, heavy laden with our country’s produce going to distant lands to reward the farmer for his toil ; and though you must rejoice in the success of your neighbor, and the prosperity of your country, your heart will sadden at the thought of how many loved ones there have never, no, never returned.

This town bears a sad remembrance of disasters at sea.

DISASTERS ON THE OCEAN.

Many of our youth, the hope of their parents, ah ! and some reckless ones too, sailed from here, with a fair breeze, and light heart, and found a watery grave in the ocean ; and the fate of some was never known. Yes, and many in the prime of life left widows and orphans to mourn their sorrowful bereavement. The hoary-headed sire, too, who had braved the perilous ocean, and had his hair-breadth escapes, and almost attained his three score and ten years, resolved to go but once more, went that once, and so ended his voyage of life ; the places that knew him once know him no more.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep.”

Here, the view on the other hand changes the scene ; every thing here looks cheerful. See the fleet of vessels, large and small, under full sail, returning from foreign lands, laden with the luxuries of life to enrich the merchant, and gladden many an anxious heart ! With a good spy-glass, you can read the name of that ship, and see the men on board. How briskly they move about, and how joyously, so near their destined haven ! In an hour or two, they will have the inexpressible happiness of embracing their long absent friends.

The three vessels you see close to the shore enter the Christiana; they sail down, then turn gracefully round, and sail up. Two of them are side by side, taking the same course. The small one slips into the Brandywine, and now they part, one to the right, and the other to the left.

Does not this remind you of the interesting story of the good old patriarch Abraham, whose exemplary conduct with his kinsman. Lot, was so striking ? When their herdsmen differed about the pasture, he affectionately said, ^‘Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between thy herdsman and my herdsman ; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before us ? You take either the right or the left.” Lot chose the well-watered plains of Jordan, which now seem before you ; for here are flocks and herds in

KBMINISCENCES OF WILMINGTON.

rich pasture, well watered ; their fields of waving grain, promising the husbandman a golden harvest ; meandering streams ; vessels under full sail; steamboats plying; railroad cars whizzing past ; and all this you can see at one glance.

Before we leave this view, I will describe to you an exciting scene which occurred here a few years ago. A cannon was fired opposite the town from a ship under full sail. She ^‘rounded to’' into the creek; then the spy-glasses were drawn out. They saw she was a dark, dirty-looking ship ; but soon discovered that she had many a light heart on board, and plenty of oil to give light to our dwellings. The sails were lowering (for, unless the tide is high and the wind low, heavy laden vessels cannot pass the bar at the entrance) the steamboat was going down to tow her up. It was a whale ship that had been absent three years. Now the boys halloo ‘‘A whale ship.” This cry was echoed through the town, and the people ran from every direction. You would have thought they came from the Rocky Mountains, where a vessel had never been seen.

On her arrival at the wharf, they crowded on board, and such a cheering ! It was indeed a merry day ; for many prodigal sons had returned who had been to a far country, and fed upon husks, and had often sighed for their father’s house, where there was bread enough and to spare. This was a temperance ship, and they had been sent by their friends, on the long hazardous voyage, in hopes to correct their evil habits, and had arrived safe and well, with good resolutions to amend their lives, were met by their affectionate relatives, rejoicing that their sons who had been lost were found, and the dead were alive again ; and now the fatted calf was to be killed to make merry with their companions.

A quantity of beautiful shells, and whalebone, was brought in this ship; one piece I saw from the bone of a whale that reached from the floor to the ceiling, of the breadth of two hands, turned at the ends and fringed like a feather, and highly polished.

WHALE SHIPS.

One man on board attracted much notice ; he was stout, thick set, with straight black hair, and Indian feathers, his complexion of darker hue ; he was from New Zealand, and a sprig of royalty, too, the son of a prince. But, 0, shocking I he was a cannibal, and owned he had eaten human flesh ; now he abhorred the thought that it should be known ; his family opposed his coming here, and said the Americans made slaves of every one that came to their country. But this did not deter him ; he behaved well on board, made a good sailor, and was kindly treated by the officers and crew of the ship.

Many little presents were given him in town, such as tools, knives, beads, &c. Mr. L. gave him a silver dart, the length of your finger, with his name inscribed thereon. This he called his little harpoon, and was much pleased. Silver was more precious with him than gold. When the locomotive appeared, he danced and clapped his hands in ecstasy; but the steamboat was his delight ; whenever it arrived, he left everything, ran and threw himself flat on the wharf to examine the wheels, laughed and jumped, and said the people of his country would never believe him when he should tell them what he had seen.

Two years after he left here, he returned ; Mrs. and Miss Lovering were sitting in the parlor, in the same position where he had taken leave of them ; he entered' with a handkerchief full of beautiful shells, and threw them down at the old lady’s feet, saying, “For mother — give son some,” (the gentleman who gave him the dart). Their language has but few words to express their ideas, but he was grateful ; they gave him a a box of little articles to take home. He was now dressed like a gentleman, with his gold watch and gold chain around his neck, and he said he intended to build himself a house when he returned home, and live no longer in a bark coop.

Now turn a little to the north. There is a fine view of the “Shell-pot hills,” partly topped with handsome trees; at the foot is the little gently flowing stream that bears the same name, paying its tribute to the Delaware.

REMINISCENCES OF WILMINGTON.

In days gone by, near this spot lived a respectable farmer, who had a very pretty daughter, one of the belles of her day — she had many admirers, but rejected their offers, although some of them were unexceptionable. A son of a neighboring farmer now paid his visits to the mansion; and though there were no cliques at this day, respectable people all visiting each other, yet in the case of marriage connection there was often opposition from pride of family. Such was the feeling here. The father expressed his disapprobation to his daughter, who was amazed at the father to suppose he was admitted as a lover.

However, his visits were continued, and the old gentleman remonstrated again, and again was re-assured that all was imagination; yet he felt uneasy, and pressed the subject further, when the young lady became angry, and in a passion, wished, if ever such an event should happen, the devil would take her off ; hoped that her father would now feel at ease, and never renew the subject.

Time passed on, and perseverance in the farmer’s son overcame the young lady’s scruples; the high-minded father had to submit; arrangements were made for the wedding; the guests had assembled; the minister, Mr. Girelius, with the bridal party, were standing on the floor to perform the ceremony, when, 0, sad to relate, the lady, pale and trembling, with distorted features, exclaimed aloud, ‘‘There he comes !” clapped her hands, turned around, and fell on the floor a lifeless corpse. What an awful change of scene ; one moment dressed in her bridal robes, the next shrouded for the grave !

An old lady who was present justly observed to a friend of mine in speaking of it years since, it could only be felt by the persons who witnessed it, and never be described. It was supposed that her feelings became so excited at the recollection of her rash speech as to bring on a spasm, which caused her sudden death.

This is one of many warnings that might be given to young persons, to guard against rash wishes or promises. But we

PROSPECT HILL.

have one recorded in Scripture that ought to he all sufficient. Jeptha’s rash vow, that if the Lord would deliver his ene- , mies into his hands, and let him return in peace, whatsoever came forth from the doors of his house to meet him should be offered up a burnt offering to the Lord,” behold his daughter came to meet him with timbrels and dances ; she was his only child ; when he saw her, he rent his clothes, and said, ‘‘Alas, my daughter, thou hast brought me very low.”

The house you see opposite is called Prospect Hill ; it formerly belonged to Joshua North, Esq., a wealthy and respectable man, but a very active Tory in the Revolution, who was obliged to leave the country. His property was confiscated, as were many valuable estates on the river shore, owned by simple-hearted men, who really did no harm ; but being exposed to the enemy, who took their cattle by force, yet paid for them ; receiving the pay was their only crime, when he so guilty persuaded those their lives were in danger to escape with him ; they went, leaving their families to be deprived of their estates.

This was the case of Jacob Derrickson, a wealthy farmer, whose ancestor was one of the Swedish colonists, and proverbial for his active benevolence. He never gave the poor man the crumbs from his table, but shared with a bounteous hand the choicest product of his farm, while his house was the stranger’s home ; his good deeds were still in remembrance, and the sympathy of the people expressed for his son. Gen. Washington kindly sent for him to return, but it then was too late. His descendants are yet here.

Doctor Wharton lived there for many years. He was a gentleman of great literary attainments, educated for a Roman Catholic priest; officiated in his profession for years — he then recanted, entered the Episcopal Church, and succeeded Mr. Girelius, the last Swedish clergyman. After some time he removed to Burlington, N. J., where he was an acceptable minister until called away by death, lamented as a scholar of the highest order, and an estimable man.

REMINISCENCES OF WILMINGTON.

The next high point of land is Mrs. Elliott’s — from her portico you can see ^‘Eort Delaware,” twenty miles below, and with a good spy-glass see the men at work, and how they are occupied. This family are of olden days, respectable farmers.

We will now take a view of the Brandywine Mills, and say something of their past and present history, and of their original proprietors. These mills, like the stream that sets them in motion,, are of great notoriety, and have run unrivaled in the full tide of their glory for the greater part of a century. Recently, they have been shaded by those of greater magnitude and more modern structure ; yet it is doubtful whether they have been rivaled in business; certainly not in their exports of corn meal. The situation is so accessible by water that vessels can unload and re-load at their doors.

The first mill was built above the bridge, near the north-west corner of the city bounds, by Oliver Canby, whose descendants continued this business until very lately with great success and respectability. Samuel Canby was one of our most respectable and wealthy citizens ; we often admired his erect and stately figure even to old age, when he died leaving to his heirs a reputation of more real value than his wealth.

William Canby was an example for honesty and benevolence, a truly religious man. His character cannot, we think, be better portrayed than in the words of the prophet: ‘‘ I am old and grey-headed ; have walked before you from my childhood unto this day ; behold here I am ; witness against me before the Lord.” “Whose ox have I taken? or whom have I defrauded ? Whom have I oppressed ? and I will restore it you.” And they said, “Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us.” And he said, “The Lord is witness this day that ye have not found aught in my hand.” They answered, “ He is witness.”

Thomas Shipley built the first mill below the bridge, then two others. The first one is now owned by the city, and used for pumping up water to supply the inhabitants. He was the

TRADE TO NEW YORK.

ancestor of a very respectable family here; one of whom lately declined the business. His grandson, Samuel Shipley, sold one of the mills within a few years, the building of which and digging the race, exclusive of much labor done by persons in his employ, cost just two thousand pounds. One of the grandsons is now a partner in the extensive commercial house in Liverpool of Brown, Shipley & Co.

There are at present thirteen mills in operation. These, with the mechanics employed, make Brandywine a busy place. Formerly the wheat was conveyed in buckets to the upper stories. Then Oliver Evans’ machinery was introduced.

This reminds me of an anecdote. On the day the cars commenced running from Wilmington, there was some excitement, and I met an old gentleman in the street in high glee, who stopped me, and said he remembered when a boy listening to Oliver Evans telling his father the time was not far off when it would be only a day’s journey from Philadelphia to Baltimore, and that carriages would be invented to go without horses. This his father thought so preposterous, he clapped him on the shoulder and said, Why, Oliver, I always thought thy brain was a little cracked, now I know it ; farewell.”

The lots where the mills stand on this side the creek were purchased of my grandfather, Peterson, who owned the first vessels that carried flour to New York and Philadelphia. A contract to that effect was made with the miller at the time of the purchase ; and although it may be traveling a little out of the way, I will give you a sketch of the habits of those early days, as it comes in place here.

The journey to New York was so great an undertaking that few persons attempted it, and those were thought travelers. My grandfather’s business often required his attention there. On his return, crowds of villagers would come to hear the news, and of the wonders he had seen in that astonishing city. On one of his visits to Mr. Butger’s, a wealthy brewer of that day, and whose descendants now have large possessions

KEMINISCENCES OF WILMINGTON.

there, after settling their accounts, grandfather dined with him, and was an invited guest to a bridal supper, given to his daughter on her return from a journey that evening.

As the vessel was to sail at daylight the next morning, he wished to be excused ; however, his invitation was so pressing it was accepted ; and he did not leave until after eleven o’clock at night, when a servant was offered to conduct him through a huckleberry swamp on the way. As it was bright moonlight, and he familiar with the path, this civility was declined. When about half way through, the moon disappeared, and grandfather, losing the path, wandered amidst thorns and briers till day dawned, his clothes completely torn off. This swamp long ago was the very centre of New York. Col. Rutgers, the son of that gentleman, occupied the same house a few years since.

Joseph Tatnall was the most distinguished of those worthy men whose memories deserve notice in this community ; and the rising generation ought to be informed that Mr. Tatnall was a true patriot. He alone dared to grind flour for the famishing army of the Revolution, at the risk of the destruction of his mill. His house was the home of General Lafayette during his sojourn here, and that patriot remembered his kindness. On his return to New York in 1825, he inquired for Mr. Tatnall, then deceased. As he passed through Brandywine, he requested that the procession might be detained a few minutes at his son’s door, while he payed his respects to the representative of his worthy friend.

Gen. Washington, and other officers, received his hospitality during their residence here ; you will hear more of his patriotism in the sequel. When President, and passing south, once he alighted at Mr. Tatnall’s gate, entered the yard and knocked. Mrs. T. came to the door, and wished to send for Mr. T., but the General preferred to go to the mill, and leave his xihariot at the gate. These gentlemen walked back to the house, followed by crowds of boys, rejoicing at the fine chance offered them to see the man whom the people delighted to

VILLAGE OF BRANDYWINE.

honor. One of the joyous boys, lately deceased, an old gentlnman, related the incident with much zest as a remembrance of General Washington.

The business of Mr. Tatnall was very extensive, as you may conclude from one circumstance. Mr. Lloyd, a“great graingrower in Maryland, came to sell his wheat ; went to Mr. T., who agreed to take all he had. Mr. Lloyd smiled, and said, ‘‘Why, sir, my grain will amount to forty thousand dollars.” The reply was, “ I will take it,” to the great astonishment of that gentleman, and perhaps not less so to the gentry of the present day to hear that he paid the cash for it. It is creditable to his descendants to say that the mills are now owned by his son and grandsons, the latter being the principal millers.

Thomas Lea, son-in-law to Mr. Tatnall, was among the useful, enterprising and wealthy men of his day, was often heard to say how much he had been blessed ; everything seemed to prosper in his hands; his family were just as he wished they should be ; he had secured for them a competency of this world’s goods, and he could now take his ease. He built the largest mill on the Brandywine. When it had been a short time in operation, and was filled with the finest grain, lo ! trouble came upon him like a mighty rushing wind. The destroying element, in a few hours, consumed and laid in ruins this queen of the mills.

The loss was great, though to him trifling; the fire was tremendous, and the fragments continued burning for a week. Next, the afflictive hand of the Almighty was laid heavily upon him ; death entered his domestic circle, and removed a beloved daughter, by that direful disease, consumption, that slays its thousands and tens of thousands ; and a daughter, young and lovely.

Son after son went to that “ bourne from whence no traveler returns,” until seven out of nine of his children, men and women, were the inmates of the grave. One son died in a strange land, whither he went in pursuit of health. His 2

REMINISCENCES OF WILMINGTON.

riches took wings and flew awaj. Lastly, disease seized his mortal frame, and brought down his gray hairs in sorrow to the grave.

“If a man live many years and rejoice in them all, let him remember the days of darkness.” “ The dust shall return to the earth as it was, and the spirit to God, who gave it.”

James Price, another son-in-law to Mr. Tatnall, was suddenly removed from prosperity and usefulness, apparently in the prime of life. He was lamented as an excellent and worthy man.

These persons were all of the Society of Friends ; plain, straight-forward men, calculating the cost before entering into any contract, expecting to pay the uttermost farthing, and from their own purses too. When you reflect on the present way of conducting business, with the facilities to accomplish every project, those persons of olden times must be placed among the highest order of enterprising men, and to whom this community is much indebted for its present prosperity.

Chapter II

Race banks — Waterfalls — Isaac Kendall — Amusements — Cottage of A. H. Rowan, Esq. — Winter sports — A sad calamity — Crossing the dam — Moonlight party — Bold scenery — Tablet Rock — Old snuff-mill — Isaac Jones, Esq. — Old barley-mill — The Brandywine — Flood-gate — Rattlesnake Run — Wild scenery — Freshets.

Now we will stroll up the race bank, and view the beauties of this charming place. A mammoth willow graces the entrance, and more thanflfty years have passed since the French residents built bath-houses over the stream on this side for their owm use, though they generously left the keys near, where any one could accept their proffered kindness, and it was fully appreciated. They also had benches placed in this race, where the servant women stood in the water to wash

WALKS ON THE KACES.

clothes, drying them on the grass, and we well remember the snowy whiteness of their linen by this cold water process.

That house on the left hand, so prettily situated, was long the residence of James Canby, one of our most respectable and active citizens, now owned and occupied by our worthy Bishop Lee.

Here are four races, two on each side the creek, one far above the other. That stream flowing so gently beneath, at times rises to a great height, and in all its majestic grandeur, like a furious torrent, sweeps everything before it. At others, the water is so low you can step the rocks across.

Early in June it displays all its loveliness ; then the forest-trees that mostly shade these walks are dressed in their full verdure, the declivities are crowned with a variety of wild flowers of every color and hue, the vines in their different shades of green are twined around the trees ; the birds are singing melodiously ; the water falling over the dams, and sprinkling its sprays around, dashing and foaming through the flood-gates, like mineral waters sparkling with fixed air ; fishes sporting in the stream ; whole schools of young people of every age are skipping along the banks, climbing the rocks, and fancifully decorating their heads with wild flowers. Here and there pic-nic parties, amusing themselves in the neighboring wood. Animated nature gives an expression to the scenery, while inanimate adorns it with its richest garb, all mingling their offerings to ornament the spot.