Town of Smyrna, Duck Creek Hundred, Kent County, Delaware
Early Settlement
The greater part of Smyrna lies in
the old tract "Gravesend," taken up by William Green in 1680. By
his will bearing date 1708 he devised it to his sons, John,
Thomas and George. Thomas left his portion to his sons, Thomas
and James. The latter owned the land through which the King's
Road passed at a point where another road, leading from the old
landing on Duck Creek to Maryland, intersected it. Salisbury, a
little settlement northwest on the King's Road, was laid out
many years before. The old landing also had been in use many
years. In 1768 James Green began the sale of lands at and near
Duck Creek Cross-Roads, and sold at the dates given below. To
Samuel Ball, merchant of Philadelphia, March 14, 1768, fifteen
acres; and November 6th following to Samuel and William Ball,
sixty acres. On August 19th of the same year to William
Creighton, five acres on the southwest side of the King's Road
towards Salisbury. On the same day to Molleston Curry, one acre
adjoining the cross-roads. On January 5, 1769, to William
Jordan, one acre adjoining lots of Ball and Creighton. On
January 25th of the same year Fen wick Fisher, four acres on
King's Road adjoining Curry's. On March 10, 1770, a lot to
William Hazel. To William Hazel, May 15, 1770, sixteen acres
near the burying-ground adjoining Holliday and Curry's land.
This was above Smyrna towards Salisbury, and the burying-ground
mentioned was the Friends' burial-place. On July 26th of the
same year to Benjamin Dawson, thirty perches on the south side
of the main road, adjoining lots of Colonel John Vining, James
McMullen and James Morris. On the same date to William Rees,
five and one-half acres adjoining Potter's lot. To Allen McLane
(leather breeches maker), January 4, 1772, four acres on the
west side of the main road and one acre on the east side. To
Thomas Skillington, tavern keeper, February 7, 1772, nineteen
acres on the north side of the King's Road. On February 1st of
same year to Joseph Shown, twenty-eight acres.
Thomas Ross had purchased one-fourth of
an acre lying near the cross-roads on the road leading to Dover,
and this he sold February 21, 1770, to Robert Wilds, inn-holder.
During the Revolutionary War Capt. Allen
McLane and a company of thirty men from this neighborhood formed
a part of the second battalion. Hon. Thomas Collins, one of the
six revolutionary Presidents of the State, lived near Smyrna,
and commanded a brigade of Delaware militia against that portion
of Howe's army that was in New Castle en route for Brandy wine.
In 1789 George Kennard & Co. were the
principal merchants in the village, and the Delaware Gazette and
General Advertiser of October 28th of that year contains the
following advertisement:
"JUST imported in the ships 'Lerant,'
Captain Ward, from Liverpool, and 'Pigeon' Captain
Sutton, from London, a very large assortment of European
goods immediately from the different manufactories, and
will be sold very low by the piece or loss quantity, at
the store of
"George Kennard & Co.
"Duck Creek, Oct. 10th." |
The village went by the name of Duck
Creek Cross-Roads till 1806. In 1792 the Legislature met here,
and at that time thought of making it the capital of the State.
On January 16th of that year the name was changed to Smyrna by
an act of the Assembly. The village increased slowly in
population, and in 1815 contained about two hundred and fifty
inhabitants. On January 29, 1817, the town was incorporated, and
Henry M. Ridgely, William Hall, Jacob Stout, Jonathan Jenkins
and Alexander McClyment appointed commissioners to survey, lay
out and regulate the streets of Smyrna. They selected Nehemiah
Clark as surveyor, and proceeded with their task June 20th of
the same year.
The valuation of the real estate in 1818
as returned by the assessor was one hundred and fifty-nine
thou-sand six hundred dollars.
The growth of the town was steady, and
for many years large quantities of grain were purchased by the
merchants of the town and stored in the granaries at the landing
for shipment. The construction of the railroad, however, reduced
the grain purchases in this vicinity.
In 1857 the town limits were extended
one- fourth of a mile in every direction, making Smyrna one mile
square instead of a half-mile as heretofore.
In 1857 the town contained 12 dry-goods
and grocery stores, 4 clothing stores, 1 china store, 2 jewelry
stores, 3 foundries, 3 coach-shops, 2 machine-shops, 6
blacksmith-shops, 2 harness-shops, 4 wheel-wright-shops, 4 boot
and shoe-shops, 2 basket factories, 1 tannery with a capital of
eighty thousand dollars, 2 hotels, 8 churches, 2 stove and
tinware manufactories, 1 marble-yard, 1 gun and locksmith-shop,
1 select and several district schools, 3 ale and oyster saloons,
6 physicians, a barber shop and about eighteen hundred
inhabitants. On December 6, 1860, the town was first illumined
by gas, and since that time has been well lighted.
In 1861 a branch road was built to
connect Smyrna with the main division of the Delaware Railroad.
On Sunday morning, September 11, 1876, a fire broke out at the
factory of Mitchell & Woddell, and before it was extinguished
consumed five buildings, proving the most extensive fire ever in
the town.
Smyrna is situated on a branch of Duck
Creek, eight and a half miles from Delaware Bay and mid-way
between Wilmington and Milford. It is surrounded by farms in a
good state of cultivation and large quantities of grain are
brought here for shipment. Its business interests are more
extensive than those of any other town in Kent County. The
population of the town, according to the' census of 1880, was
two thousand four hundred and twenty-three inhabitants.
According to statistics carefully gathered in 1883 by E. H.
Beck, the business transactions of the two banks amounted to
five hundred thousand dollars. The goods, wares, etc., sold per
annum amounted to $844,600, and the goods manufactured,
$495,000, making the total business interests of the town
$1,339,600. There were 500,000 baskets of peaches grown in the
vicinity of Smyrna in 1882, and of these 275,000 were shipped by
rail, 125,000 by boat and 100,000 canned.
Bussiness
At the present time Smyrna contains 4
churches, a graded school of 8 departments, a post-office, 2
banks, 1 foundry and machine-shop, 8 carriage factories, 10
general stores, 9 grocery stores, 2 jewelry stores, 1 dry-goods
store, 3 drug stores, 4 clothing stores, 3 flour and feed
stores, 2 shoe stores, 4 millinery and trimming stores, 4 stove
stores, 2 hardware stores, 3 confectionery stores, 2 furniture
stores, 2 paper stores, 2 tobacco stores, 2 saddleries, 2
news-papers, 2 insurance agents, 2 real estate agents, 7
physicians, 2 dentists, an alderman, a justice of the peace, 3
barbers, 4 butchers, 2 bakers, 2 tailors, 7 phosphate agencies,
2 plumbers, 2 hotels, 1 saloon, 3 coal-yards, 2 lumber yards, 2
basket factories, 1 canning establishment, 1 evaporator, 5
shoe-shops and 3 wheelwright and blacksmith-shops.
By the act of January 29, 1817, James
McDowell, Thomas Maberry and Henry Draper were appointed
commissioners to hold an election at Smyrna for three
commissioners, a treasurer and an assessor. They attended to
their duties at the house of Mrs. Comfort Lockwood on Monday,
June 2, 1817.
Commissioners
The following are the commissioners who
have been elected at the different dates.
1817-26. James McDowell, Robert
Patterson, William Kennedy.
1826. James McDowell, Abraham Pierce, George Woolls.
1826. Thomas Mayberry, Jacob Raymond, George Woolls.
1827-28. James McDowell, George Woolls, Enoch Spruance.
1829. Enoch Spruance, Piner Mansfield, Benjamin Benson.
1830. Enoch Spruance, Piner Mansfield, Thomas May berry.
183l. Benjamin Coombe, Enoch Spruance, Daniel C.
Lockwood.
1832-33. Benjamin Coombe, Daniel C. Lockwood, Piner
Mansfield.
1884. Joseph Hill, Benjamin Benson, Enoch Spruance.
No record until 1842.
1842. Joseph Hill, Benjamin L. Collins, George W.
Cummins.
An omission of the records until 1846.
1845. William Temple, Pres., James B. Clements, Daniel
Cummins, Joseph Faries, John D. Pitman.
1846. William Temple, Pres., Benjamin Enos, Daniel
Cummins, James R. Clements, John D. Pitman.
1847. William Temple, Pres., Benjamin L. Collins,
Benjamin Enos, Thomas Lockwood, J. D. Pitman.
1848. William Temple, Daniel Cummins, Robert Palmatary,
Samuel Catts, John G. Black.
1850. Wm. B. Collins, James Millaway, Geo. W. Cummins,
John M. Denning, Joseph Stayton.
1851. James R. Clements, George W. Cummins, James
Millaway, Thomas P. Bryan, Samuel P. Wright.
1853. John A. Cavander, Joseph Faries, Presley Spruance,
Benjamin Donoho, Thomas E. Jefferson.
1855. Dr. S. M. Fisler, Pres., Samuel Catta, John
Mustard, Samuel P. Wright, R. Denny, Jos. Carrow, Jas.
R. Clements.
1856. Dr. S. M. Fisler, Pres., Wm. Denny, Peter Carr,
James R. Clements, Wm. C. Eliason, Enoch Spruance, Wm.
Cummins.
1857. William Denny, Pres., John Eaton, Jas. R.
Clements, Dr. Wm. Cummins, Wm. C. Eliason, Robert Denny,
Enoch Spruance.
1858. Dr. 8. M. Fisler, Pres., William Denny, Wm. C.
Eliason, Walter McMullen, John M. Voshell, Presley
Spruance, Jr., Wm. Cummins.
1859. William Denny, Pres., Wm. C. Eliason, Wm. Cummins,
Jno. M. Voshell, Wm. Mitchell. Samuel Reynolds. Henry
Shermer.
1860. Ayres Stockly, Pres., Wm. C Eliason, Jas. R.
Clements, Jno. M. Voshell, Edward Ward, Geo. H. Raymond,
Wm. Cummins.
1861. John Mustard, Ayres Stockly, William Denny, Jno.
M. Voshell, Edward Ward, John E. Collins, Wm. C. Eliason.
1862-63. Ayres Stockly, John Mustard, Wm. B. Collins,
John Millaway, John E. Collins, John M. Voshell, Wm. M,
Bell.
1864, E. J. Golt, Pres., John H. Bewley, J. A. Severson,
W. C. Mitchell George H. Raymond, W. McMullen, P. Carr.
1866. N. T. Jerman, Pres , Robert Hill, James Taylor, R
B. Allen, E. J. Golt, Wm. E. Spruance, John E. Collins.
1866. Wm. E. Collins, Pres., E. J. Golt, Peter Carr,
John C. Bailey. John Millaway, George H. Raymond, Moses
Price.
1867. Wm B. Collins, Pree., B. Deakyne, E. J. Golt, W.
E. Hall, Moses Price, Geo. H. Raymond, W. D. Savin.
1868. John M. Voshell, Pres., Wm. B. Collin, John Van
Gasken, Powell F. Nickerson, Geo. W. Taylor, E. J. Golt.
1869. Hyland B. Penington, Pres., John C. Bailey, Wm. B.
Collins, G. W. Cummins, Jr., Moses Price, Geo. H.
Raymond, Geo. W. Taylor.
1870. H. C. Douglass, Jno. C. Bailey, Wm. B. Collins,
Pree., Geo. W. Cummins, Jr., Moses Price, Geo, H.
Raymond, Geo. W. Taylor.
1871-72. Jno. M. Voshell, Pres., Ezekiel V. Cooper, John
Van Gasken, Thomas E. Jefferson, John W Flick, N. F.
Wilds, Wm. Sharp.
1873. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., Thos. E. Jefferson, Saul
Taylor, Jno. A. Cavender, C. C. Foxwell, N. F. Wilds,
William Worden.
1874, Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., Samuel Taylor, N. F.
Wilds, T. K Jefferson, Jno B. Cooper, Jno. Van Gasken,
C. C. Foxwell.
1876. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., Jno. B. Cooper, N. F.
Wilds, T. E. Jefferson, Douglass, Jno. Van Gasken, C. C.
Foxwell.
1876. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., Sam'l Taylor, T. E.
Jefferson, J. W. Denney, N. F. Wilds, Sam'l Catts, John
Cosden.
1877. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., Robert Hill, J. W.
Denney, John Cosden, Samuel Catts, Geo. W. Taylor, T. E.
Jefferson.
1878-79. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., Geo. W. Taylor, J. W.
Denney, John Cosden, Jno. M. Voshell, Jno. Van Gasken,
W. A. Faries.
1880. Jno M. Voshell, Pres., John Cosden, John Van
Gasken, Jno. E. Collins, Jno. B. Cooper, Samuel Taylor,
Jno. Mustard.
1881-82. Jno. E. Collins, Pres., Jno. B. Cooper, Samuel
Taylor, W. A. Faries, John H. Hoffecker, J. Wesley
Jones, E. Morris Cloak.
1883. Jno E. Collins, Pree., Jno, H. Hoffecker, John
Cosden, Samuel Taylor, E. M. Cloak, W. Faries, John B.
Cooper.
1884. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., James H. Groves, R. S.
W. Hirons, Wm. A. Faries Geo. W. Taylor, Sam'l Taylor,
Jno. B. Cooper,
1885-86. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., G. W. Taylor, Sam'l
Taylor, W. A. Faries, Jno. B. Cooper, J. T. Jerman, John
Van Gasken.
1887. Jno. H. Hoffecker, Pres., Wm. E. Hall, Jno. B.
Cooper, O. B. Voshell, W. A. Faries, Jno. C. Bailey
(resigned) Sam'l Taylor, E. V. Cooper. |
Treasurers
The following persons have served as
treasurers since the incorporation of the town.
1817-26. George
Walker
1826. Ephraim Jefferson
1827-28. Colin F. Hale
1829-30. George Woolls
1831-34. Thomas Mayberry
1836-41. No records
1842. Dr. William Cummins
An omission until 1846
1846. Piner Mansfield
1840-47. Anderson Melvin
1848. Benjamin L. Collins |
1860. John H.
Bewley
1861-66. William Cummins
1866. Joseph C. Griffith
1856-70. Thomas E. Jefferson
1870. Henry Bearne
1871-72. John E. Collins
1873-76. J. Wesley Denney
1876-78. John E. Collins
1878-79. W. W. Techudy
1880. James P. Hoffeckar |
Assessors
The following were the assessors of
Smyrna, with the dates of service.
1817-26. Presley
Spruance
1826. Enoch Spruance
1827-30. Timothy C. Raymond
1830. Jacob Raymond
1831-34. Simon Spearman
1836-41. No records
1842. John M. Donning
An omission until 1845
1845-48. John M. Denning
1848. Thomas K Jefferson
1850. Benjamin L. Collins
1851-55. Wm. R. Cahoon
1855. John H. Denning
1856-57. Thomas L. Sutton
1858-61. William Wilds
1861. Robert Hill |
1862. Joseph W.
Mariner
1863. Henry Eubanks
1864. Joseph W. Mariner
1865-66. Henry Eubanks
1867. J. W. Mariner
1868. William Wilds
1869-70. E. J. Golt
1871-72. John A. Cavender
1873-78. E. J. Golt
1878. B. V. Weldon
1879-80. James Doughton
1881-82. Joshua T. Jerman
1883. J. B. Faries
1885. G. D. Stevenson
1886. Geo. M. Stevenson
1887. J. T. Jerman |
Religious
Matters
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Smyrna1 In
1704 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts, in England, sent out the Rev. Thomas Crawford, the first
missionary to Kent County. Mr. Crawford was succeeded, in 1711,
by the Rev. Mr. Henderson, and in 1733 the Rev. George Frazer
was in charge of Kent County. The first regular effort to put
the Episcopal Church on a permanent basis at Old Duck Creek was
made in 1740, and to aid the effort Thomas Green, May 17th in
this year, conveyed to Nicholas Ridgely and Thomas Tarrant,
wardens of St. Jones' Church at Dover, "one whole and complete
square acre of land to be laid out on the most convenient part
of a tract called Graves End." A chapel was built, and the
ground was used as a burying-ground. In 1744 the Rev. Arthur
Usher, then the rector in charge, reports that there were "two
wooden chapels begun, which I hope to see finished before
spring." One of them was at Duck Creek, and the other at
Mispillion. The deed for the glebe on which the chapel was
built, dated August 17, 1744, was from Abraham Jacob and Ruth
James to David Marshall and William Strickland, all of Kent
County, and Alexander Chance, of New Castle County, for a tract
of land in Duck Creek Hundred, laid out for forty acres in
consideration of twenty pounds. An extract from the deed is as
follows:
"Considering the necessity of
having some place appointed for the worship of Almighty
God according to the Rubric of the Church of England,
established by law, David Marshall, William Strickland
and Alex Chance have agreed with the aforesaid Abraham
James, Jacob James and Ruth James for the aforementioned
tract of land for the further Improvement of the
Established Church, and for the better entertainment of
a minister of the Established Church that shall be sent
for that purpose by the Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel in Foreign Parts." |
The Rev. Arthur Usher reported at this
time that a brick church had been begun and finished at Dover,
and this Duck Creek congregation came under the charge of the
Dover Parish, and under the rectorate of the Rev. Hugh Neil,
Charles Inglis and other ministers. In 1762, under the rectorate
of Rev. Charles Inglis, a new brick church was erected. In his
letter of date June 15, 1762, the Rev. Mr. Inglis says "the
church at Duck Creek, in the upper end of the county, being too
small also, and being old besides and decaying, the people
unanimously agreed to build a new brick church of larger
dimensions, and after a sermon I preached on the occasion, they
subscribed very liberally, according to the circumstances. The
church is now a building, and I expect to preach in it before
next winter." On November 20, 1764, he writes, "the congregation
declared that they would lay aside all thoughts of finishing
their church if I removed, tho' the windows are now glazed." Dr.
Inglis removed to New York in 1765, became rector of Trinity
Church, and subsequently bishop of Nova Scotia. The building
committee consisted of Daniel Cummins, Thomas Collins and John
Cook. The Rev. Samuel Magaw was the last minister sent over in
1767 by the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
He ministered from 1767 to 1775.
The Rev. Mr. Magaw records the
completion of Duck Creek Church and its opening on Trinity
Sunday, 1764, a large congregation present. The church had then
ninety-four communicants. Rev. Mr. Magaw afterwards became
rector of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. From the War of the
Revolution the church suffered, and we find the records silent
till 1786, when, on Thursday, June 23rd, the vestry of Christ
Church, Dover, met and received the report of the committee
appointed to meet and confer with a committee appointed by the
vestry of St. Peter's Church, at Duck Creek, on the propriety of
inviting the Rev. Samuel Roe to officiate in their churches; and
the committee reported that it would be greatly advantageous to
the said united churches of Dover and Duck Creek, and to
religion in general, that the Rev. Mr. Roe should settle among
them. The committee from Dover consisted of Messrs. Rodney,
Taylor and Truitt; that from Duck Creek of Thomas Collins,
Daniel Cummins, John Cook and Risdon Bishop. The same joint
committee was reappointed to report on the subject of salary.
They agreed that the sum of three hundred pounds be raised and
given to the Rev. Mr. Roe for one year's service in said
churches, and to be paid half-yearly in manner following, that
is to say, the sum of two hundred pounds by the congregation of
Christ Church and one hundred pounds by the congregation of St.
Peter's. "It is also further resolved that the Rev. Mr. Roe
attend the said churches alternately, on festal days altogether
at Dover." Signed James Sykes, Thomas Rodney, John Baning,
Joshua Clayton, Thomas Collins, John Cook, Daniel Cummins,
Risdon Bishop. The Duck Creek committee also reported that St.
Peter's had a glebe, which yielded twenty pounds rental
annually. The glebe now forms the cemetery of the parish. The
Rev. Mr. Roe continued and died in service here February 8,
1791. From this on till 1827 the parish languished and we have
no records; but in 1827 the old brick church at Duck Creek was
torn down and a new church was erected in Smyrna, on the lot of
ground donated by John Cummins, son of the above mentioned
Daniel Cummins. The building committee consisted of John
Cummins, Ebenezer Blackiston, Jacob Raymond and John and Eben
Clark. In 1828 the Rev. John P. Robinson was called to the
charge of the parish, and he was succeeded in 1831 by the Rev.
Robert S. Piggott, who was a learned and faithful pastor and a
remarkable man in many ways. He was descended from Piggott,
Baron of Boorne in Normandy, one of the knights who accompanied
William the Conqueror into England. He was ordained deacon by
Bishop White in 1823. He died July 24, 1887, at the advanced age
of ninety-two years, and was actively engaged in the work of the
ministry until compelled to retire by the infirmities of age,
three or four years before his death. Through a long and
faithful service to the church he occupied many positions as
rector and professor in colleges with great credit and ability.
He was a prominent Mason. In art he was said to be an engraver
of no mean order. HU engravings have been pronounced by adepts
as among the very best. He left one of General Washington, one
of Colonel Thomas Pickering, one of Dr. Chapman, another of A.
J. Dallas, others of Patrick Henry, Bishop South, Dr. Muhlenburg
and Bishop Seabury, of Connecticut. During his ministrations at
Smyrna he left a painted portrait of John Cummins, the chief
founder of St. Peter's, which is highly prized by his family.
The successors to Dr. Piggott were in order, Revs. John P.
Bausman, John Woolward, Willis Peck, Daniel Higbee, Thomas D.
Ozanne, James Tyng, Andrew Freeman, Samuel F. Carpenter. In 1857
the congregation enlarged and remodeled the church through a
building committee consisting of George W. Cummins, Dr. William
Cummins and George Henry Raymond, by the addition of twenty feet
to its length and two wings, making the edifice cruciform and
giving largely increased sitting capacity, but with the
objectionable feature of an organ-loft, back of and over the
pulpit. In July, 1868, the Rev. Dr. Julius E. Grammer, now of
Baltimore, was called to St. Peter's, and remained until
January, 1861. His successors were Revs. Henry S. Getz, Dr.
Morsel, Jos. T. Wright, John G. Bawn, Arthur S. Johns. The lot
of ground adjoining the church was bought for a chapel, and the
corner-stone laid by Bishop Lee, August 21, 1872. A beautiful
frame chapel in Gothic style, twenty-eight by sixty feet, was
erected at the cost of four thousand dollars, the gift of Mrs.
Susan H. Fisler, daughter of John and Susan H. Cummins, with
stained-glass windows memorial of Dr. Fisler, her husband, and
her father and mother. On August 23, 1878, the present rector.
Rev. Wm. B. Gordon, took charge of the parish. In 1885 the
congregation, through the building committee, consisting of Rev.
Mr. Gordon, G. W. Cummins and E. A. Evans, made great
improvements in the church edifice, tearing out the organ-loft
and making an open chancel and putting in the large memorial
window, the gift of A. G. Cummins, in memory of his father and
mother, John and Susan H. Cummins. The whole inside was
renovated and painted, as also the exterior, at a cost of about
three thousand dollars. In 1883 a fine rectory was built,
costing three thousand five hundred dollars, on lot of ground
donated by Mrs. Susan H. Fisler.
Methodist Church, The
first Methodist services held in Smyrna were conducted by Rev.
Philip Cox in the residence of James L. Stevenson. It was a
little log building, adjoining the present church-site, and was
destroyed by fire in 1850. In 1780 Rev. Francis Asbury visited
this place (then known as "Duck Creek Cross-Roads"), and
preached his first sermon to the "three hundred people" in an
orchard between Smyrna and Duck Creek village.
In 1786 the "old frame church" was
erected in the "old burying-ground," which was land donated to
the church by Allen McLane. It was a building thirty feet
square, and in Asbury's notes is mentioned as a "comfortable
house." In this building the Quarterly Conference was held for a
number of years. In 1782 Dover Circuit was formed, and Asbury
Church formed a portion of it until 1804, when Duck Creek
Circuit was created from a part of Dover Circuit. Edward Martin,
Israel Peterson, Thomas Wilds and John Lockwood were the
stewards in 1790. On February 22, 1799, notice was given to the
society that a meeting would be held on March 4th of that year
for the purpose of electing seven trustees. At that meeting
there were present John Cole, James McDowell, Israel Peterson,
George Kennard, Simon Van Winkle, Peter Lowber, James Stevenson,
James Henry, Messer Beaston, Philip Denny, Daniel McDowell,
Benjamin Farrow, Noah Hickman, William Spearman, John Palmatary,
Major Taylor, Benjamin Bassett, Robert Patterson, Thomas Hall
and Molliston Curry.
They proceeded to an election with the
following result.
James McDowell 20
James Stevenson 20
John Cole 19
George Kennard 19
Israel Peterson 19
Peter Lowber 11
Simon Van Winkle 11 |
James Henry 7
Major Taylor 6
Daniel McDowell 3
Benj. Farrow 2
Noah Hickman 1
Benjamin Bassett 1
Wm. Spearman I |
John Cole was chosen president of the
board, James Stevenson secretary, and George Kennard treasurer.
The certificate of incorporation was
signed and sealed on same date, and recorded March 23, 1799. The
deed for the property was executed by Allen McLane on the
following 9th of May. On June 22, 1801, the trustees appointed
George Kennard and John Cummins managers of the graveyard. On
March 18, 1811, Isaac Davis and Robert Petterson were elected
trustees vice Kennard and Lowber.
In 1812 sixteen churches composed the
Smyrna Circuit. In 1819 the "old frame church" was enlarged.
Benjamin Coombs deeded more land to the church for cemetery
purposes in 1823.
In 1828 the Churches of Smyrna
Circuit
had the following number of members.
Union 100
Middletown 42
Lee's Chapel 66
Webster's 33
Smyrna 144
Kenton 65
Farrow's 43 |
Blackision's 44
Massey's 19
Head of Sassafras 34
Johnstown 24
Raymond's 67
Severson's 20
Friendship 29 |
In 1830 a lot on Delaware Street was
purchased of Isaac Davis, and a parsonage erected. In 1848 the
lot on which the present church stands, on Mt. Vernon Street,
was bought of Dr. Fisler. The erection of a brick church was
commenced, and the corner-stone laid May 24, 1844. This remained
until 1871, when it was torn down, and on August 14th of that
year work was commenced on the present edifice. The corner-stone
was relaid on October 7, 1871, and the church dedicated November
24, 1872, by Bishop Foster. The new building is a brick
structure, sixty by eighty feet, forty-five feet high, with two
slated towers, one, one hundred and thirty-five feet, and the
other fifty-five feet high. The auditorium is forty-five by
sixty-two feet, and has eighty pews, which, with the gallery,
will seat seven hundred and fifty persons. The cost of the
improvement was $22,000. The building committee was William
Worden, J. H. Bewley and John H. Hoffecker, who, with James B.
Clements, Joseph Smithers, John B. Cooper and William H. Baggs,
composed the board of trustees for that year. In 1860 the church
purchased five acres of land for cemetery purposes. It was
commonly called the "Budd Lot," and lies between Smyrna and Duck
Creek.
In 1845 Smyrna was formed into a
separate station and assigned a pastor of its own. A dispute
arose as to whether the parsonage belonged to the circuit or the
Asbury Church. As a result, it was sold, and is now in
possession of Mrs. Mary E. Boyd. The lot on which the present
parsonage stands was purchased of James R. Clements. The
building was erected at a cost of $6500. The church is now in an
excellent condition, and has a membership of six hundred.
The Sunday-school, started in 1827, has
now fifty-two teachers and officers and four hundred and three
scholars under the superintendence of John H. Hoffecker. The
school has access to a large and care-fully selected library.
The present trustees are John H. Hoffecker, Joseph Smithers,
Robert D. Hoffecker, William Faries, Alfred D. Hudson, Samuel
Roberts, J. W. Denney, W, W. Tschudy and J. B. Cooper.
The following ministers have been
stationed as presiding elders over the several circuits with
which Asbury Church has been connected.
Ministers of
Asbury
Church
Rev. Joseph
Everett 1791
Rev. Wm. P. Chandler 1804-07
Rev. Solomon Sharp 1808
Rev. Richard Sneath 1809
Rev. James Smith 1810-14
Rev. Henry Boehm 1815-19
Rev. Wm. Bishop 1819-23
Rev. Thos. Ware 1823-25
Rev. Jacob Moore 1825-27
Rev. Lawrence Laurenson. 1827-28
Rev. Lawrence McCoombs 1828-38
Rev. Mathew Sorin 1833-36
Rev. David Daily 1836-40
Rev. Henry White 1840-41 |
Rev. Dan'l.
Lambdin 1811-14
Rev. Henry White 1844-46
Rev. John T. Hazard 1846-50
Rev. T. J. Quigly 1850-64
Rev. Wm. McCoombs 1854-68
Rev. Thos. C. Murphey 1858-61
Rev. T. J. Quigly 1861-65
Rev. T. J. Thompson 1866-73
Rev. John Hough 1873-76
Rev. Charles Hill 1876
Rev. Thomas E. Martindale 1876
Rev. J. H. Caldwell 1884-85
Rev. John France 1885 |
The following is a list of the pastors
who have been stationed here since Asbury Church became a
separate charge.
Rev. Joseph Mason
1846-47
Rev. James M. McCarter 1847-49
Rev. Jno. A. Roche 1849-5l
Rev. H. E. Gilroy 1851-53
Rev. T. C. Murphey 1853-55
Rev. Wm. C. Robinson 1855-57
Rev. Charles Hill 1857-59
Rev. Wm. H. Brisbane 1859-61
Rev. Wm. Bishop 1861-63 |
Rev. Charles
Cooke, D.D. 1863-66
Rev. Samuel L. Gracey l866-69
Rev. A. Rittenhouse 1869-71
Rev. J. F. Clymer 1871-78
Rev. G. A. Phoebus, D.D 1873-76
Rev. Enoch Stubbs 1876-78
Rev. T. H. Haynes 1878-81
Rev. J. D. Rigg 1881-84
Rev. J. B. Quigg 1884-87 |
Rev. W. S.
Robinson, the present pastor 1887 |
The Presbyterian Church of
Smyrna was probably organized in 1733. In that year
they built a church edifice a little south of the town limits,
on a tract known as Holy Hill, and now used as a cemetery. The
first pastor was Rev. Robert Jamison, who served this
congregation from December 26, 1734, until his death, which
occurred ten years later. The next pastor was Kev. John Miller,
who was installed in 1749 as pastor of the churches of Dover and
Duck Creek. In 1763 a complaint was lodged against him in the
Presbytery on the grounds that he introduced and used Watts'
version of the psalms in the congregation of Duck Creek. Rev.
Miller continued as pastor until his death, in 1791. For many
years the church was without a pastor, and dwindled away until
it finally became extinct. In 1818 the old church building was
repaired, and an interest awakened. The pulpit was occasionally
supplied by Rev. James Wilson and Rev. Alexander Campbell. The
affairs of the church moved along slowly until 1846, when a
church building on Mt, Vernon Street was purchased of the
Methodist Protestants, and the church was reorganized. Rev.
Thomas G. Murphy became pastor and served until Oct. 6, 1859.
Rev. J. C Thompson was the next pastor, and filled the pulpit
from 1860 until 1864. He was followed by Rev. John McCoy, who
ministered here from January, 1865, until Feb., 1869. Rev. G. W.
Kennedy was stated supply from August, 1869, until October,
1870. Rev. S. S. Sturgess preached here from June, 1871, until
Dec. of the same year. Rev. Jno. Squire ministered here for
about a year, and was followed by Rev. R. A. Brown, who served
from Jan., 1874, until April, 1875. The present pastor, Rev.
Justus T. Umsted, D. D., was installed May 15, 1877.
In 1883 it was decided to erect a new
edifice, and a lot was accordingly procured on Main Street and
the construction commenced. The building was completed and
opened April 6, 1884. It is built of serpentine stone in the
early English Gothic style. The main building is fifty-six and
one-third by thirty -seven and two-thirds feet, with a tower and
spire about one hundred feet high, and has a capacity for
seating three hundred persons. In the rear is a chapel,
forty-seven by twenty-three feet, which is used for
Sunday-school purposes. The church is in a flourishing
condition, and has eighty-five communicants.
A Sunday-school of seventy scholars,
under the superintendence of Geo. W. Taylor, is connected with
the church.
The following persons are trustees at
the present time: Nathan L. Underwood, John Heitshu, William B.
Collins, E. V. Cooper, Geo. W. Taylor, John Mustard, Henry C.
Murphey.
Roman Catholic Church.
The first meetings of the Roman Catholics were held in Smyrna in
the residence of Michael Riley about 1863, and were conducted by
Father Daily, of New Castle. After the first few meetings the
place of holding the services was changed to the residence of
Mr. McCoy, at Spruance City. The meetings were held once a month
and were attended by six families. In 1881 Odd Fellows' Hall in
Smyrna was secured and services conducted here until the
purchase of the present church from the Presbyterians in 1883.
The church was denominated St. Polycarp Roman Catholic Church
and dedicated June 16, 1883, by Bishop Foster and Father
Bradford. During 1883 and '84 services were held twice a month,
but were again reduced to once a month. The church was named in
honor of St. Polycarp, a bishop of Smyrna, Asia, who was
martyred in the second century. It is now a mission with ninety
communicants, but will soon be converted into a parish. The
following priests have ministered here: Father Daily, Father
Taylor, Father Bradford, Father Flynn and Father Graff.
The first Sunday-school in Smyrna, and
the one whence all the others have sprung, was organized in 1820
by eight young ladies. Their names were Margaret Kennedy, Sally
Basset, Mary Patterson, Mary Davis, Rebecca McDowell, Mary
Bassett, Matilda Abbott and Ann Curry. The first service was
held September 10th of that year, in a house on East Commerce
Street, now owned by Mrs. Thomas Davis. After the first Sunday
the Sunday-school was held in the Mechanics' Academy. Miss
Kennedy acted as superintendent from the organization until
April, 1821, when Miss Sally Bassett served in that capacity. In
1823 there were seventy -one scholars, thirty -seven girls and
thirty-four boys, who were instructed in divine knowledge by
Misses Rebecca McDowell, Sallie McDowell, Sallie Patterson, Mary
Ann Wools and Mr, Joseph Farrow. The Sunday-school was continued
until June, 1827, when the several denominations separated and
formed distinct organizations to be conducted in connection with
their respective churches.
Schools
Probably the earliest school in Smyrna,
and one which attained the most celebrity, was a
Friends' school, known as the Southern Boarding School.
The school exercises were performed in the building on Mt.
Vernon Street, now owned by Mrs. S. M. Fisler, and the students
boarded in the building now the residence of John Mustard. This
institution was closed before 1825, and little can be learned
concerning it.
On January 29, 1817, the
Mechanics' Academy of Smyrna was incorporated, with
Thomas Maberry, William Kennedy, Ephraim Jefferson, James Smith,
Ebenezer Blackiston, Jr., Jacob Pennington and John Denning as
trustees. In September, 1820, Mr. Barstow, who had been a
teacher of this institution, died. The academy was open for a
few years, and then discontinued. The building stood on Mt.
Ver-non Street, where the residence of Mrs. Clarissa Faries now
is, and was afterwards moved to Cummins Street, and is now the
property of the heirs of the Rev. T. J. Thompson.
Samuel Priestly also taught a private
school, first in the building previously occupied as a Friends'
academy, and afterwards in the building now occupied by the Rev.
Justus T. Umsted, D. D., discontinuing it in 1825.
A select school was taught by Mrs. S. P.
Mason in 1837 and 1838.
In 1866, Rev. F. M. Chatham was the
principal of the Smyrna English Classical Academy, which was
held in the Friends' Meeting-house. He was succeeded by Dr. J.
E. Clawson, who continued the school until the building was
destroyed by fire about 1874.
At other times select schools have been
held in this town for short intervals.
The first free school in the town was
opened in a building on East Commerce Street, now owned by Mrs.
Thomas Davis. It was started by the young ladies of the town,
among whom figured prominently in this undertaking Mrs. Ann
Spruance and Misses Mary and Ann Patterson. It was incorporated
as Female Union Society, January 22, 1818. Its object was to
educate those who were unable to pay the tuition at the private
schools. The school was continued until the adoption of the
public school system.
By the first division of the county into
school districts, according to the act of 1829, Smyrna formed a
portion of Districts No. 3 and 5. Two frame
school-houses were erected, one on North and the other on South
Street. At a later date District No. 77 was created out of No.
3, and District 107 out of No. 6. No new buildings were erected
in the new districts, but the schools conducted as before. In
1854 it was found necessary to provide more ample accommodations
for the scholars, and the building on South Street was removed
and a two-story brick structure, twenty-six by forty feet,
erected. Both buildings are still standing, though no longer
used for school purposes. The building in District No. 3
received several additions and alterations, and was used for
school purposes until 1884. The growth of the schools and the
advantages of the graded-school system led to the consolidation
of the schools. In 1881 an act was passed enabling the
commissioners to consolidate, and on April 4th of that year a
meeting of the commissioners of Districts No. 3, 77, 6 and 107
was held, which resulted as follows: The board organized by
electing George H. Raymond president; E. M. Cloak, secretary; P.
Hoffecker treasurer. On July 13th of same year, George H.
Raymond resigned his position as commissioner, and William M.
Bell was chosen his successor.
In September 1881, L. Irving Handy was
elected principal, which position he filled until 1887, when he
resigned and accepted the position of superintendent of the
public schools of Kent County. Pursuant to a notice given
January 8, 1883, a meeting of the tax payers was held January
19th for the purpose of considering the advisability of erecting
a new school-house. At this meeting it was resolved, "That the
Board of Directors of the Smyrna Public Schools be, and hereby
are, authorized and requested to ask from the General Assembly
at its present session, an amendment to the act entitled an 'Act
to Consolidate the Public Schools of Smyrna,' enabling the said
Board of Directors to borrow, not exceeding the sum of sixteen
thousand dollars, for the purpose of erecting a school-house in
said district." The petition was granted, and on February 12th
John H. Hoffecker, George W. Taylor, W. A. Faries and William M.
Bell were appointed a committee to select a suitable site. A lot
on the corner of Delaware and South Streets was selected and
purchased of the heirs of Mr. Catts. The plan of a building, as
draughted by C. E. Graham & Sons, of Wilmington, was adopted on
April 3rd.
The contract for the building was
awarded to T. W. Farree & Bro., of Yorklyn, on the 2nd of May.
On May 29th William M. Bell, W. A. Faries and G. W. Taylor were
appointed a building committee. The building was completed and
accepted in January, 1884. It is a brick structure, cruciform in
shape, having four transepts, each twenty-five by thirty-five
feet, two stories high and forming eight rooms. The centre
building is thirty-five feet square, three stories high, and is
surmounted with a dome and belfry, making a total height of
ninety-two feet. The total cost of the building was fourteen
thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight dollars. The old school
property was sold January 2nd of that year. The land on South
Street was divided into six lots, three of which were purchased
by William M. Bell, two by J. C. Bailey and one by Mrs. Hannah
Surgeon. The lot on North Street was purchased by W. W. Tschudy.
In June, 1884, Edward B. Gordon and Harry R. Bell were graduated
as the first alumni of the public schools. The first
commencement exercises were held June 26, 1885, when a class of
five was graduated. At the present time twenty -three have
graduated. There are at the present time in the public schools
eight departments.
The corps of teachers at present is W.
G. Lake, principal; Miss Lizzie Parrott, Miss Emma Hough, Miss
Anna Doughten, Miss Lizzie McDowell, Miss Kate L. Storm, Miss
Mary Spruance and Miss Carrie C. Budd.
The following persons have served as
school directors since the consolidation of the districts:
1881. Wm. M. Bell, E. M. Cloak, James P.
Hoffecker, Geo. W. Taylor, Wm. H. Garr, David T. Smithers, Wm.
A. Faries.
1882 and 1883. John H. Hoffecker, E. M. Cloak, Geo. W. Taylor,
James P. Hoffecker, Wm. M. Bell, David T. Smither, W. A. Fades.
1884 and '85. J. P. Hoffecker, W. M. Bell, E. M. Cloak, G. W.
Taylor, W. A. Faries, J. H. Hoffecker, J. H. Groves.
1886 and 87. Geo. H. Raymond, Geo. W. Taylor, James P. Hoffecker,
W. A. Faries, E. M. Fowler, John H. Hoffecker, Geo. M. Stenson.
Industries
"At no time have the manufactories of
Smyrna been numerous or extensive. In addition to those in
operation at the present time, there are several no longer in
existence that deserve passing notice.
Green's Pottery on Main Street, on
property now owned by William E. Hall, was in operation many
years, and discontinued about 1840.
In August, 1824, John H. Pennington
advertised that he had commenced the manufacture of "Piano
Fortes'' in Smyrna. How long he continued or where his factory
was situated is unknown. Mrs. Sarah P. Mason used a piano of his
manufacture for a short time.
In 1830 Benson & Catts, were extensive
carriage-builders. After the decease of Samuel Catts the
business was transacted under the style, Benson & Co. Gaboon &
Carrow were their successors, and were in the business in 1857.
The factory was on land now used as a garden by John H.
Hoffecker.
Col. Samuel Catts, of Smyrna, was born
May 10, 1800, in Camden, Kent County, and died in Smyrna, June
23, 1856. His ancestors were English, and settled in Virginia
the latter part of the 17th century. His father died when he was
quite young, and left him to the care and guidance of his
mother, a woman of many excellent qualities. At the age of
sixteen he went to Wilmington to learn a trade, carriage-making,
a most important one in the days when there were no railroads.
After the usual apprenticeship he resolved to further improve
himself by such an education as was within his command, and for
that purpose, by means of his savings and a small legacy left
him, attended for two years the Kennett Square Academy, in
Chester County, Pennsylvania, an institution of learning well
known at that time, where, by the exercise of that industry and
perseverance which characterized him through life, he acquired
what was then considered a liberal education.
In 1823 he went to Smyrna, and soon
thereafter with Benjamin Benson engaged in the manufacture of
carriages. At that time this was comparatively an infant
industry in that section of country, but, by reason of their
energy, excellent workmanship and integrity, they built up not
only the most important manufacturing establishment in the
county, but one of the most important in the State, their trade
extending not merely throughout Delaware, but all over the
Peninsula and beyond, as far north as Philadelphia, and south as
Washington. They employed a large force of skilled workmen, and
made every part of the vehicle, even the silver-plating, in
their own factory.
In the transaction of his business he
traveled much, visiting all the important towns and cities over
a large section of country, and became favorably known to many
people. He retired from business in 1844, having amassed a
fortune. He held many positions of trust and honor. He was for
many yean a director of the Farmers' Bank at Dover, director of
Insurance Company in New Castle County, and was a prominent
member of the Masonic fraternity being one of the original
members of the lodge in Smyrna. When the Delaware Railroad was
projected, he subscribed liberally to its stock, and in order
that Smyrna might receive the greatest benefit, earnestly
advocated its construction east of the town. Surveys were made
to that end, but other influences prevailed, and he died before
the completion of the road.
In politics he was a liberal Whig, a
great admirer of Clay, and a devoted partisan, in its higher
sense, of Whig principles. He had a thorough understanding of
our government and its history and the administration of its
affairs, and in the politics of the State exercised a strong and
beneficial influence. At one time he was mentioned with favor as
United States Senator, and in the caucus of his party, then in
power in the Legislature, was within one rote of the nomination.
He was a Presidential elector on the Whig ticket in 1848, when
(General Taylor was elected; was an aide-de-camp, with the rank
of colonel, on the staff of Governor Comegys, and also held
local municipal office.
Colonel Catts was intellectually one of
the strong men of Delaware. To a foundation of large common
sense, which he used with great advantage in the discernment of
men and things, he added, by study, an extended knowledge of the
best English literature, of which he had accumulated a fine
library; and in his discourse displayed the taste of a critic
and the mind of a philosopher. He accepted no statement,
argument or theory without investigation, and the final approval
of his own intelligence and conscience, and, though independent
in his mode of thinking, he was a Christian, and allowed the
widest latitude to others. In social, as well as public,
intercourse his manner was engaging and his mental strength at
once apparent. To a large mind he added a large and commanding,
yet companionable, presence, and though he invited friendship,
he would not tolerate familiarity.
He was married in 1829 to Sarah,
daughter of John Baily. Mrs. Catts is still living at the age of
eighty-one, in the possession of faculties bright and
unimpaired. They had eight children, five of whom are still
living, viz., Sarah Elizabeth, married to Dr. John F. Cuningham,
of Philadelphia, formerly of Chester County, and now deceased;
Samael, Anna, Evelina, of Smyrna, and Charles W., lawyer,
practicing in Philadelphia.
A building west of the present factory
of the Smyrna Buggy Company was occupied as a foundry in 1854 by
Bowman, Elliott & Co. On the second floor was a sash and door
factory, established in 1859 by Mitchell & Bowman. In 1865 the
building was purchased by Hoffecker & Brother, and used for
manufacturing woolen yarn. It was next operated as a basket
factory by Richard Mitchell, and while in his occupancy, in
1870, was burned, and has never been rebuilt.
In 1857 J. Millaway & Son were operating
a foundry on the present site of the Town Hall. McMullen &
Shermer commenced manufacturing wagons about 1850 and continued
until 1870. The factory was on Commerce Street, where J. B.
Cooper's residence now stands.
In 1857 J. M. Denning operated a
carriage factory near the present site of Hoffecker's canning
establishment.
Isaac Solomon started a soap and candle
factory about 1845 on the site now occupied by L. Irving Handy's
residence. Robert Denney was the next owner, who in March, 1859,
sold it to A. Holmes Stockley. It was afterwards owned by A.
Elton, who sold it to C. E. Foxwell and W. V. Grieves on March
28, 1866, and soon discontinued.
Clegg & Ruth were operating a foundry in
1857 on the comer of Delaware and Commerce Streets.
Pratt & Lockwood started a foundry on
the site now occupied by the Smyrna Buggy Company. James Davis
succeeded Thomas Lockwood in the firm, and the business was
transacted as Pratt & Davis. The factory was burned while
operated by them, and was rebuilt by Thomas Lockwood. It has
since been operated by Dixon & Clements, J. B. Evans & Co., and
from 1882 to '85 as a pickling factory by the Diamond State
Pickling Company.
In September, 1860, Joseph H. Collins
opened a fan factory on Market Street, near Commerce. The
factory was a two-story building, thirty by forty feet, and gave
employment to eight hands. On May 18, 1862, it was sold by the
sheriff, and purchased by Robert Hill, but was never operated
afterwards.
On November 13, 1751, Thomas James sold
to An-drew Peterson, millwright, thirty acres of land and a
grist-mill adjoining the meeting-house and burial-place (Holy
Hill). The thirty acres were probably on both sides of the
stream. The mill remained in the possession of the Peterson
family many years, and then was purchased by William Sharp and
known as Sharp's Mills. Sharp was unable to retain the mill, and
it again came into the possession of the Petersons and became
the property of Mrs. John C. Corbit, to whom it now belongs. For
the past ten years it has been operated by J. B. Webb. The mill
is run by water-power, and the grinding is done by burrs. It has
a capacity for grinding eighty bushels of grain per day.
In 1867 Joseph V. Hoffecker opened a
canning establishment on Main Street. In the following year he
associated with himself his brother, John H. Hoffecker. A
three-story frame building, forty-two by sixty feet, on the site
of the present factory, was fitted up with the requisite
machinery. This building was burned August 3, 1875, and the
present building erected the following year. The front part of
the building is two stories high, forty-four by forty feet, and
the back part one story, forty-four by sixty feet.
In 1877 John H. Hoffecker became sole
owner, and has since operated it. Tomatoes, corn, pumpkins and
all fruits available are canned. During the season (from August
1st till November 1st) employment is given to one hundred and
twenty-five persons. The capacity of the cannery is five hundred
thousand cans. The cans used are manufactured here, and for this
purpose five men are employed six months each year.
In addition to the canning industry, in
1882 a building was erected and fitted up with two Williams
evaporators. These have a capacity of three hundred baskets per
day, and give employment to twenty-five additional hands. The
fruits and vegetables prepared in this establishment are shipped
to New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago.
John H. Hoffecker, one of the prominent
manufacturers and business men of Smyrna, is of German descent.
His great-grandfather, Henry Hoffecker, many years before the
Revolution, immigrated to America with his wife, four sons and
four daughters, and settled on a tract of land at what is now
Leatherbury's Corner, in Kent County, near Smyrna. In his native
land Henry Hoffecker learned the tailor's trade and followed it
as an occupation in this country. Late in life he returned to
Germany to receive an inheritance, and died on his return
passage to America.
John Hoffecker, his youngest son and
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kent
County, and during his life was successfully engaged in farming.
He was married to Catharine Slack, and three sons were born to
them, namely, James, Joseph and Henry. Joseph, the second son
and father of John H. Hoffecker, was a prosperous farmer,
residing five miles east of Smyrna, in Duck Creek Hundred, until
1887, when he bought the Edward Joy farm, now owned by his son,
John H. Hoffecker. He was married in 1826 to Rachel Van Gasken,
by whom he had seven children. He died in 1851, at the age of
sixty-seven years. His widow is now living at the age of eighty
years,
John H. Hoffecker, the eldest son of
John and Rachel Hoffecker, was born September 12, 1827, on the
farm which he now owns, a mile and a half from Smyrna, and
obtained his education in the schools of that town. At his
father's death he succeeded to the ownership of a large farm,
which he cultivated from 1851 to 1868, when he moved to Smyrna
and embarked in the business of canning fruits, with his brother
Joseph as a partner. The partnership was dissolved in 1877, and
the business has since been conducted by Mr. Hoffecker, who has
greatly enlarged the establishment and increased the facilities
for canning. In 1883 he added extensive evaporators and a fifty
horse-power engine to his factory. He still continues to manage
his farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, which is mostly
planted in fruit trees. During many years of his life he has
done a great deal of surveying in his neighborhood.
Mr. Hoffecker was one of the originators
of the Fruit Growers' National Bank of Smyrna, and has been a
member of the Board of Directors since its organization in 1876.
He is a director in the Kent County Mutual Insurance Company,
president of the Smyrna Building and Loan Association since
1875, member of the Board of Town Commissioners since 1873 and
president several years, a school director since 1882, and
chairman of the Building Committee that erected the handsome
public school building in 1883. He has been a member of the
Board of Directors of the Philadelphia and Smyrna Transportation
Line since its origin, and was greatly instrumental in securing
the erection of the water-works for the town of Smyrna.
Mr. Hoffecker in politics was a Whig
from 1849 to the formation of the Republican Party, and in 1856
was one of the three hundred persons who voted for John C.
Fremont, the first candidate of the Republican Party for
President. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Republican
Convention at Cincinnati, when Rutherford B. Hayes was nominated
for the Presidency, and in 1884 was a delegate to the Convention
at Chicago which nominated James G. Blaine for the same office.
The important position he has held has given him prominence and
influence not only in the town of Smyrna and his native county
of Kent, but in the entire State of Delaware.
On the 19th of May, 1853, John H.
Hoffecker was married to Miss Annie E. Appleton, daughter of
John Appleton, of Odessa, Delaware. By this marriage were born
four children, viz.: Walter O., married to Miss Beulah C. Hance,
of Philadelphia, is engaged in business with his father; John
A., married to Miss Annie Waters, of Smyrna, is chief clerk in
the superintendent's office of the Delaware Division of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad at Clayton;
James Edwin, married to Miss Annie Scott, is employed as clerk
in the same office; Annie, the youngest of the family, lives at
home.
Mr. Hoffecker's first wife died June 20,
1881. Her father is living at the age of eighty-four years.
In March, 1883, Mr. Hoffecker was
married to Mrs. Charlotte J. Hoffecker, daughter of Matthias
German, of Kent County. Mrs. Hoffecker was a teacher in China
from 1875 to 1878, living in the family of her sister, who was
the wife of Rev. S. L. Baldwin, D.D., for twenty years a
missionary of the Methodist Church in China.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoffecker are members of
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church of Smyrna. He has been a
prominent supporter of this church and member of its Board of
Trustees and Stewards since 1860.
In 1826 John and Alexander Peterson
opened a tannery in Smyrna, near the corner of Mt. Vernon and
Union Streets. In 1837 John Peterson sold his share to John
Mustard, and the tannery was conducted by him and Alexander
Peterson under the style of Peterson & Mustard, until the death
of Peterson in 1868. It was then operated till 1875 by John and
Horace R. Mustard, and then abandoned. In addition to tanning,
quercitron bark was ground from 1850 until 1877. The quercitron
bark is used for dyeing purposes, and is principally shipped to
Europe. The capacity for grinding was one thousand tons per
year. The tannery had a capacity of five thousand hides per
year, and the principal tan was sole leather. In 1883 Horace R.
Mustard and A. Lee Cummins formed a co-partnership for the
purpose of manufacturing baskets. The old tannery buildings were
fitted up with machinery adapted to that use, and have since
been operated as a basket factory. Baskets are made during four
months of the year, and employment is furnished during this
period to eighty persons. The majority of the baskets are used
on the Peninsula, and the rest shipped to New Jersey and New
York.
William Worden erected a steam saw-mill
and machine-shop on Commerce Street in 1865. The building was a
frame structure, forty by seventy feet In 1867 he associated
with himself J. D. Evans, and shortly afterwards the firm began
to manufacture baskets in addition to the other branches of
industry. Additional buildings were erected, and in the three
departments employment was given to one hundred persons. In 1873
Evans withdrew from the business, and full charge was assumed by
Joseph E. Worden, son of William Worden. In 1875 the Worden
Manufacturing Company was organized. This company operated the
works until 1878, when they were purchased by Tschudy & Catts.
On December 18, 1880, the entire manufactory was burned. In 1882
the present building, fifty-six by seventy feet, one story
brick, and one story frame, was erected, and has since been
operated as a basket-factory by Tschudy & Catts, with J. B.
Evans as superintendent. Employment is given to seventy-five
persons for four months each year. With improved machinery the
capacity has increased from seventeen thousand, produced the
first season, by Worden & Evans, to thirty -five thou-sand per
week now manufactured. The principal markets are the Peninsula
and New Jersey.
In 1847 James Taylor opened a general
wheel-wright-shop and wagon manufactory on Commerce Street. In
1855 George W. Taylor, a son, was admitted into partnership, and
the place of business moved to Main Street. In the following
year the foundry of James L. Bucke was purchased, and operated
until 1861. In 1864 G. W. & S. Taylor formed a partner-ship, and
in 1869 started a shop on the present site. Additions have been
made at different times until at present the manufactory is one
hundred and thirty-five feet front, two hundred and ten feet
deep, and two stories high. In November the G. W. & S. Taylor
Company was formed. In this manufactory are combined a foundry,
wagon-shop and a specialty machine-shop. Basket machinery and
agricultural implements are manufactured in large quantities.
Employment is given to sixty persons. They manufacture annually
thirty wagons, one hundred sulky cultivators, one thousand two
hundred hand cultivators, and numerous other implements, and in
addition a large amount of repair work.
In 1882 Joseph L. Beckett commenced to
manufacture wagons on Main Street, in a two-story building, one
hundred by fifty feet, erected for that purpose. He gives
employment to seven men, and produces fifty wagons per year.
In 1871 Lassell & Curry began to
manufacture wagons on the corner of Mt. Vernon and Market
Streets. In 1882 Samuel Whitman bought the interest of Henry
Curry, and the business has since been conducted under the style
of J. C. Lassell & Co. In 1885 they moved into the building on
Main Street, which they now occupy. Sixty- five wagons are
manufactured annually, and employment is given to twelve men.
In 1865 Geo. W. Tilghman opened a
factory for manufacturing wagons and agricultural implements. In
1880 a steam saw-mill was attached. He gives employment to five
men.
In 1880 Voshell & Jerman erected a
building on Commerce Street, in which they placed four
evaporators. They evaporate nothing but peaches, and during the
season give employment to seventy-five hands. The capacity is
five hundred baskets every twenty-four hours. During a season
fifty thousand pounds of fruit are prepared, which is shipped
principally to Pittsburgh.
Water Works. The
necessity of a water supply was for many years keenly felt by
the citizens of Smyrna. In 1885 the Legislature was petitioned
for an act authorizing the town to borrow twenty thousand
dollars with which to provide a suitable supply. The act passed
March 16th of that year placed the matter in the hands of the
tax-payers of the town. A vote was taken July 15th of the same
year, which resulted in favor of water. After examining the
methods of obtaining water in use in the neighboring towns, it
was decided to dig a well and erect a stand-pipe. The contract
was awarded to A. H. Coon & Co., of Kingston, Pennsylvania.
The work was completed and accepted by
the town on March 25, 1886. The well is eighteen feet in
diameter and twenty-one feet deep, and has a capacity of six
hundred thousand gallons per day. The stand-pipe is eight feet
in diameter and one hundred feet high, with contents of
thirty-seven thousand six hundred gallons. In the engine-room
near the well was placed a forty horse-power engine and a fifty
horsepower boiler, for the purpose of forcing the water
throughout the town and to the stand-pipe, which is nearly a
mile distant from the well, and on an elevation of thirty-four
feet. In 1887 an additional thirty horse-power engine and forty
horse-power boiler were placed in the engine-room. Four miles of
pipe are laid through the town, to which are attached
thirty-four twin hydrants for fire purposes. Water is also
supplied to two hundred private consumers. Since the plant was
accepted by the town, it has been under the careful
superintendence of Abel Taylor.
The water commissioners appointed by the
town commissioners are: 1886 E. W. Taylor, J. B. Cooper, J. Van
Gasken; 1887 Samuel Taylor, J. B. Cooper, William E. Hall.
The Smyrna Coal, Coke & Gas
Company was incorporated in 1857, with a capital stock
of sixteen thousand dollars. The gas consumed in Smyrna was
furnished by this corporation until 1870, when the plant was
sold by the sheriff, and purchased by Joseph Smithers and
Patrick Maguire, who have since operated it. The factory is on
Main Street near the mill-pond, and contains a reservoir, with a
capacity of five thousand feet. In 1870, when it was purchased
by the present proprietors, seventeen burners were used for
lighting the streets, and the total consumption amounted to two
hundred thousand feet per year. Until 1875 the gas was
manufactured from rosin, but since that time it is made from
coal. At the present time there are forty -seven street lamps,
and a consumption of two million feet per year. Three miles of
pipe are laid through the town.
Banks
The Commercial Bank of Delaware was
incorporated February 9, 1812, with a capital not to exceed two
hundred thousand dollars, which was to be placed in four
thousand shares at fifty dollars per share. The act provided
that the main bank should be established at Smyrna and a branch
at Milford. Commissioners to solicit stock were appointed as
follows: Smyrna, John Cummins, Robert Patterson, Presley
Spruance, Jr., Benjamin Coomb, Ebenezer Blackiston, John Clark,
John Lowber and Isaac Davis; Milford, John Adams, James B.
Balaton, John Mitchell, Elias Shockley, Robert Hill, John
Williams, Thomas Peterkin and Louder Layton.
The first general meeting of the
"Commercial Bank of Delaware," at Smyrna, was held June 4, 1812.
There were present as directors of the main bank, John Cummins,
Robert Patterson, Isaac Davis, John Clark, John Lowber, George
Walker, William F. Corbit, Cornelius P. Comegys and Joseph G.
Rowland; and of the branch bank at Milford, John Mitchell, John
Adams, Samuel Neal, Walter Douglass, Elias Shockley, Louder
Layton and James B. Ralston. The directors were authorized to
select suitable sites for banking-houses. On proceeding to an
election the following officers were chosen: Main bank â€"
President, John Cummins; Cashier, Ebenezer Blackiston; Clerk,
James Stevenson. Branch bank President, John Mitchell; Cashier,
Jacob Biddle; Clerk, Leonard Adkins.
The bank was opened in a building on
Commerce Street, recently the residence of Mrs. Ann Spruance.
John Cummins was president until 1820,
when he was succeeded by John Clark, who held that position
until his death, which occurred in August, 1821. Robert Wilson
was chosen his successor, and continued until the election in
1822, when John Cummins was again elected. In 1824 Thomas
Peterken was chosen president and continued until his death,
August 23, 1826, when Robert Patterson was elected his
successor. He was president until 1830, when Reynear Williams
was chosen. The last president was Presley Spruance, who was
elected in 1832.
Ebenezer Blackiston was cashier until
1823, when Samuel H. Hodson was elected. He continued until the
closing of the bank.
James Stevenson was succeeded as clerk
in 1814 by Richard Simmons. Samuel H. Hodson was elected clerk
in 1816.
John Mitchell was succeeded as president
of the branch bank in 1819 by Mark Greer, and shortly afterwards
the office of president was discontinued.
In 1816 Leonard Adkins was promoted to
the position of cashier to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Jacob Biddle. Adkins was succeeded by Spencer
Williams in 1826, who continued until 1830, when George S.
Adkins was elected. He continued until the closing of the bank.
In 1815 James Owens was chosen clerk,
which position he held until 1820, when Robert O. Pennewill was
elected.
The bank was very prosperous until the
Bank of Smyrna was organized and opened. After that its interest
dwindled, and very little was done. On December 22, 1836, it was
ordered by the directors ''that the books, papers, cash and all
other property whatsoever belonging to the bank be delivered
over to Ayres Stockley, cashier of the Bank of Smyrna." And on
November 1, 1838, it was resolved that a final dividend of all
the assets be declared.
John Cummins was a son of Daniel
Cummins, who lived at the corner of Mount Vernon and Main
Streets, Smyrna, in a large double brick dwelling-house, built
during the early part of last century and still standing. Daniel
Cummins was one of the signers from Kent County of the
ratification of the Constitution of the United States, and the
chief founder of the Episcopal Church, which for a century or
more stood at Duck Creek.
Daniel Cummins was the son of Timothy
Cummins, who was born in Scotland about 1689, was a member of
the Church of England, and immigrated to America in the early
part of last century, settling at Oxford, Maryland, under the
Lord Baltimore patent. The Cummins family trace their origin to
John Cummins, Lord of Badenoch, who was Regent of Scotland about
the time of Edward I.
John Cummins, the subject of this
notice, was born in Smyrna April 7, 1777, and died July 29,
1833. He was the ninth child of a family of six sons and six
daughters, born to Daniel Cummins and Frances, his wife. Before
he attained the age of twenty-one years, having been employed
with George Kennard, the leading merchant of Smyrna, he was
taken in by him as partner, and in 1801, four years from that
time, he bought out the interest of Mr. Kennard, and started in
the mercantile business for himself. Being possessed of great
natural ability and excellent judgment, he was so successful
that in a very few years he amassed a large fortune for that
time. By indomitable energy he extended his business, until it
included, not only his store in Smyrna, but the baying and
selling of grain grown in Kent County, and a large portion of
the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He thus made Smyrna the greatest
grain market, except Wilmington, in the State of Delaware. He
built a number of large granaries at Smyrna Landing, and owned
several large vessels, by means of which he shipped his grain to
Philadelphia, Wilmington, New York and Boston. These vessels, on
their return, brought merchandise, and a great number of the
merchants on the Peninsula were supplied with their goods from
Smyrna by the wagons of John Cummins. His business interests
continued to increase, and by the time he attained middle life
he was the most extensive individual grain-dealer in Delaware.
He purchased a large mill on the Brandywine at Wilmington, which
was superintended by Samuel Shipley for many years. Cornmeal
ground at this mill was shipped to the West Indies, and flour to
Liverpool, England.
John Cummins, being an excellent
financier, was elected president of the Commercial Bank of
Smyrna, but at the expiration of the charter of that institution
he declined to take an interest in the Smyrna Bank, and opened a
private bank in connection with his large mercantile, milling
and real estate interests and conducted it successfully until
his death. He was the first in this region to practically
introduce lime as a fertilizer for worn-out soils, and owned
lime-kilns at Smyrna Landing.
Within twenty years from the time he
began business for himself he acquired, by his tact and energy,
about twenty-five farms in Kent County and the section of
Maryland adjoining it, a large amount of valuable town property
and bank stock, aggregating in value a quarter of a million of
dollars, doubtless the wealthiest man of his time in the State.
In religion, John Cummins, like his
ancestors, was an Episcopalian. He was chief founder and
sup-porter through his life of the Protestant Episcopal Church
at Smyrna, as the memorial chancel window of this church,
donated by his youngest son, Alexander G. Cummins, expresses.
He was a delegate, as long as he lived,
to the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of
the United States. For political preferments he had no
aspirations, and with the exception of serving one term as a
member of the State Senate, steadily refused to accept any
office which would divert attention from his large and
increasing business interests. John Cummins was a man of liberal
ideas in both church and State relations. He commanded the
fullest confidence of a very large part of the community in
which he lived and of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and of all
with whom he dealt. Many people would leave large amounts of
money in his possession without taking receipts. His honesty and
integrity were never questioned. He was given to great
hospitality, and his house, now occupied by his son, David J.
Cummins, was open for the entertainment of the clergy of the
Episcopal Church, of his own and adjoining States, and his
numerous friends in Delaware, Maryland, Philadelphia and
elsewhere. As a gentleman of the old school, he was punctilious,
regular in his habits and of courtly bearing. In the domestic
circle he was typical of the best example of the husband and
father, educating and guiding his children in the path of
morality, and offering them the best advantages that the schools
and colleges of that day afforded. He was a generous and liberal
supporter of the church and all religious objects, and foremost
in all the public enterprises of town and county. He was a man
of most indomitable will, energy and perseverance, an
indefatigable worker and possessed great mental strength. It was
said by many of those who knew him best that he was capable of
filling, with eminent ability, the most exalted position of
honor and trust in the gift of the people.
John Cummins married Susan Wilson,
daughter of George and Susan Wilson, June 17, 1806. Their
children were Susan H., married to Dr. Samuel Fisler (deceased),
of Smyrna; George W.; John H. (deceased); Alphonsa, married John
G. Black (deceased); Dr. William (deceased); Martha A.
(deceased); Mary (deceased), married to D. B. Cummins, president
of the Girard National Bank of Philadelphia; Daniel (deceased);
Rachel W. (deceased); David J., president of the National Bank
of Smyrna; Anna W. (deceased); Martha, married to Alfred Barratt
(deceased); Robert H. and Alexander Griswold Cummins.
George Wilson Cummins, the eldest son of
John Cummins and Susan H. Wilson, his wife, was born in Smyrna
January 18, 1809. He obtained the rudiments of his education at
the Smyrna Academy, an institution which his father founded and
supported. At the age of thirteen years he became a pupil of the
famous scholar and mathematician, Enoch Lewis, who then
conducted a school in Wilmington, remaining under his
instruction for three years. At the end of this period his
father assigned him to a position in his store, thus giving his
son at an early age an excellent opportunity of acquiring a
knowledge of the mercantile business. He was put under the
charge of the chief clerk in his father's large store,
instructed to implicitly obey him, and faithfully and thoroughly
to perform every duty assigned. In 1830 George was taken into
partnership in the extensive business which his father was then
con-ducting at Smyrna. In March, 1834, soon after the death of
his father, he assumed charge of the business, with his brother
as partner, under the firm name George W. Cummins & Brother,
afterwards as Cummins & Brother. They bought large quantities of
grain, which they shipped in their own vessels to Wilmington,
Philadelphia, New York, Providence and Boston. They also bought
and shipped bark, wood-staves, quer citron and other
products in large quantities. From 1856 to 1859, George W.
Cummins was in business by himself. During the last mentioned
year he sold out to Col. Edwin W. Wilmer. Since that time he has
been devoting his time and attention to his large land
interests. He now owns two thousand five hundred acres of
valuable farming land in Kent County, and resides at "Woodlawn,"
a delightful home one mile south of Smyrna. Mr. Cummins has been
abundantly successful in the cultivation of peach orchards,
which have yielded immense crops of that valuable fruit. He was
one of the first persons in Kent County to grow the peach on a
large scale, and was also one of the first to successfully use
lime as a fertilizer in the region of country around Smyrna. He
has now on his farms 8500 peach trees, 1500 pear trees and 100
apple trees.
In politics Mr. Cummins is a Democrat,
and was elected by that party to represent Kent County in the
State Legislature during the years 1856 and 1857. He served in
that position to the satisfaction of his constituents, but he
has never since sought or desired any political office,
preferring to devote his time and attention to his business
operations, which brought him a larger income and greater
comfort. On account of his rare executive and administrative
ability, in 1868 he was elected president of the Kent County
Mutual Insurance Company, and continued to hold that office with
the greatest acceptability until 1886, when he resigned. He was
one of the first directors of the company when organized. He
served as director in the Bank of Smyrna, and was many years a
director in the Farmers' Bank of Delaware, at Dover. For
forty-seven years he has been a member, and thirty years a
vestryman, of the Protestant Episcopal Church of his native
town.
Mr. Cummins was married June 6, 1837, to
Miss Evelina M., daughter of William and Ann Denny, of Kent
County. His wife's mother died in 1881, at the advanced age of
one hundred and four years, retaining to her last year full
possession of her mental faculties. The surviving children of
George W. and Evelina Cummins are George W., of Smyrna; Walter,
attorney-at-law and Municipal Court judge at Wilmington; Sarah
A. and Louisa A. Cummins.
Reverend Alexander Griswold Cummins, the
youngest son of John and Sudan H. Cummins, was born in Smyrna,
November 12, 1833. After obtaining a good preliminary education,
he entered Trinity College, at Hartford, Connecticut, and
graduated with the first honors of his class in 1852. He studied
law for three years in the office of Henry J. Williams, then the
leader of the Philadelphia bar, and immediately after his
admission to practice sailed for Europe, and spent two years in
study and travel. Upon returning, he began the practice of law
in the office of his preceptor. At the expiration of five years,
in fulfillment of the last request of his father that he would
study for the ministry, he relinquished the legal profession and
entered upon the study of theology. He was ordained by Bishop
Williams, at New London, Connecticut in 1861. The same year at
the invitation of Bishop Alonzo Potter, he was called to the
rectorship of Christ's church, Reading Pennsylvania, where he
successfully administered the affairs of the parish for six
years. During that period he had erected in the rear of the
church a commodious Sunday school building and rebuilt the
church edifice at the cost of forty thousand dollars.
Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Louisa
Hayes, daughter of Alexander Hayes, late president judge of the
court of Lancaster County Pennsylvania. His son, Alexander G.
Cummins, Jr. is a student at Swathmore College.
Bank of Smyrna "The
President, directors and Company of the Bank of Smyrna" were
incorporated February 5, 1821 and extended February 7, 1822. In
the latter years the bank was opened for business with a capital
stock of one hundred thousand dollars divided into shares of
fifty dollars each. Hon. Issac Davis was elected to the office
of president and Samuel H. Hodson as cashier. At this time there
was no bank in New Castle County south of the town of New Castle
and none in the northern part of Kent County except the
"Commercial Bank of Delaware," also located in Smyrna. Hon.
Issac Davis held the position of president until 1844, when he
resigned and Hon Jacob Stout was elected to fill the vacancy. On
March 11, 1847, on account of ill health, Judge Stout resigned
the position and Jacob Raymond was elected. He continued until
his death, which occurred October 6, 1852, when Hon. Presley
Spruance, an ex-United States Senator was chosen.
Samuel H. Hodson was cashier until 1836
when he resigned and Ayers Stockly was elected. When Mr. Stockly
was elected president May 1, 1856, William M. Bell was promoted
from the tellership to the position of cashier.
Mr. Bell resigned November 6, 1884 and
on the 27th of the same month W. H. Janney, the present cashier
was elected.
The first board of directors of which
any record was found was in 1846 and was composed of the
following persons: Jacob Stout, Issac Davis, George W. Cummins,
M. W. Bates, Jacob Raymond, Cyrus Polk, Daniel Corbit and
William J Hurlock.
The bank building was handsomely
remodeled in 1856 and on January 14, 1857 was re-opened. The
officers of the bank in the latter years were as follows:
President, Ayres Stockley; Cashier, William M. Bell; First
Teller, E. J. Golt; Second Teller, John C. Stockley; Directors,
Peter F. Causey, James R. Clements, Daniel Corbit, Daniel
Cummins, George Davis, William J. Hurlock, Presley Spruance,
Ayres Stockly and Henry Stout.
The charter of the bank was extended by
the Legislature from time to time as it was necessary till 1878,
when it was converted into a national bank. The certificate of
incorporation was granted by John J. Knox, comptroller of
currency, on April 4th of that year. At this time the bank was
officered as follows: President, David J. Cummins; Cashier,
William M. Bell; First Teller, O. B. Voshell; Second Teller;
Directors, James W. Anthony, John C. Bailey, John H. Bewley,
D.*J. Cummins, John E. Collins, James B. Conner, Wilson T.
Cavender, Peter S. Collins, Andrew B. Roe, W. C. Satterfield,
John W. E. Sudler and John M. Voshell.
The bank has always been successfully
managed and has proved of great worth in the development and
improvement of the surrounding country. In the selection of
officers good judgment has been used and the bank has always
enjoyed the confidence of the entire community. The capital
stock still remains one hundred thousand dollars and the surplus
is forty-five thousand dollars.
The present officers are: President,
David J. Cummins; Cashier, W. H. Janney; First Teller, O. B.
Voshell; Second Teller, Eugene Davis; Directors, D. J. Cummins,
Henry Lea, Dr. A. E. Sudler, John M. Voshell, A. B. Roe, John C.
Bailey, J. B. Connor, William Hutchinson. J. F. Denney, W. J.
Hill, W. C. Satterfield and J. E. Collins.
A meeting for the purpose of organizing
a new bank in Smyrna was held June 17, 1876. The undertaking met
with favor, and on proceeding to an election the following
persons were chosen directors: Jno. B. Cooper, Henry C. Douglas,
A. P. Griffith, Jno. H. Hoffecker, A. L. Hudson, Thomas James,
R. C. Johnson, Samuel Roberts, George H. Raymond, Joseph
Smithers, W. W. Tschudy.
The directors met June 20th, and elected
George H. Raymond president and N. F. Wilds cashier.
The "Fruit-Growers National Bank
of Smyrna" was the name selected for this banking
institution. It was authorized to commence the business of
banking by a certificate of incorporation granted by the
comptroller of the currency on June 23, 1876. On July 13th of
the same year S. G. Wilds was elected teller.
A building on Commerce Street was
secured and fitted up for banking purposes. This building was
purchased of Jno. H. Hoffecker in December, 1880, by the bank,
and is still used as a banking house. On July 18, 1876, the bank
was opened for deposits and the payment of checks. The first
discount day was August 1st of that year. The increased business
of the bank made it necessary to employ a bookkeeper. On
December 12, 1882, Charles E. Moore was elected to that
position. He resigned April 14, 1885, and E. M. Fowler was
elected his successor. The president, cashier and teller remain
unchanged from the organization of the bank. In 1884 the number
of directors was reduced from eleven to nine. The following
changes have occurred in the board; in 1879 Samuel Hurlock
succeeded A. P. Griffith and resigned in 1884, when N. P. Wilds
was elected his successor; Jno. B. Cooper was succeeded by F. H.
Harper in 1880; W. W. Tschudy was succeeded by William Ellison
in 1885; and Henry Douglass and Joseph Smithers were not
connected with the board after 1884. The prosperous condition of
the bank is due to its able management by competent and
trustworthy officers and the liberal patronage extended by the
citizens of this vicinity. The capital stock is eighty thousand
dollars and the surplus fifty thousand dollars.
The following are the officers of the
bank at the present time: President, George H. Raymond; Cashier,
N. F. Wilds; Teller, S. G. Wilds; Bookkeeper, E. M. Fowler.
Directors: F. H. Harper, Jno. H. Hoffecker, A. L. Hudson, Thomas
James, R. C. Johnson, George H. Raymond, N. F, Wilds, Samuel
Roberts, William Ellison.
The Smyrna Building and Loan Association
was organized April 9, 1867, with the following officers:
President, J. W. Spruance; Vice-President, Walter McMuller;
Secretary, John B. Cooper; Treasurer, James R. Clements.
Directors: Edward Beck, William Worden, I. D. Hamilton, Edward
Ward, W. H. Woodkeeper, Benjamin H. Smith, George H. Raymond.
The first series was issued in April of
that year, and subsequently eight more series were issued, three
of which have matured. Each share matures when h has attained a
value of two hundred dollars. The association has assisted very
much in improving and building up the town.
The present officers are: President,
Jno. H. Hoffecker; Vice-President, William E. Hall; Secretary,
John B. Cooper; Treasurer, Jas. P. Hoffecker. Directors: Joseph
E. Carter, Charles E. Moore, E. J. Golt, E. H. Beck, E. M.
Fowler, G. M. Stevenson, W. P. Legg.
Societies
Morning Star Lodge, No. 6, I. O.
O. F., was instituted June 18, 1842, with Henry Van
Gasken, Timothy C. Palmatary, Edward Streets, John Mustard, and
John Van Gasken as charter members. At the end of the first year
there was a membership of about thirty. On December 10, 1845,
the building in which the lodge met was burned and the records
destroyed. The officers elected December 26th of that year were
as follows: N. G., Thomas Hawkins; V. G., Benjamin F. Smith;
Secretary, T. P. Brown; Assistant Secretary, C. F. Foulke;
Treasurer, J. W. Denney.
The lodge owns a building in which
meetings are held every Friday night. It also has a half
interest in a cemetery, situated near Smyrna. The present
membership is ninety-six.
The officers at present are: N. Q.,
Joseph H. Wright; V. G., Charles A. Barnes; R. S., John R.
Cameron; P. S., George M. Stevenson; Treasurer, Joseph Wright;
Warden, John C. Manning; Conductor, E. J. Golt.
McDonald Encampment, No, 2, I.
O, O. F., was instituted at Smyrna in 1847. The charter
members were Isaac Solomon, Henry Van Gasken, Thomas P. Bryan,
Peter Carr, John Millaway, John M. Denning and Joseph K Meginnis.
The encampment was 80 named in honor of Robert McDonald, who
died in Wilmington in July, 1887. The lodge owns a half-interest
in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, near the town. There are now
forty-six members of the order, and meetings are held in the 1.
O. O. F. Hall on the first and fourth Tuesday evenings of each
month.
The officers at the present time are as
follows: C. P., Joseph H. Wright; H. P., Abel S. Faries; S. W.,
John P. Patterson; J. W., Carl W. Williamsen; Treas., Joseph
Wright; Scribe, E. M. Fowler; O. S. S., George T. Collins; I. S.
S., John R. Mannering.
Harmony Lodge, No. 13, A. F. A.
M., worked under dispensation of the Grand Lodge of
Delaware from November 1, 1866, till June 27, 1867, when a
charter was granted. The first officers were, W. M., Isaac K.
Shortman; S. W. Louis M. Bell; J. W., J. Howard Peterson;
Treas., Wm. A. Clouds; Sec, J. W. Marim; Tyler, George Z.
Steadley.
These, with the addition of James
McCarter, comprised the charter members. The lodge increased in
numbers, and at the end of a year had a membership of
twenty-three. The third floor of the opera-house is nicely
fitted for lodge purposes, and meetings are held on the first
and third Thursdays of each month. The lodge has a membership of
sixty-five, and is officered as follows: W. M., Chas. E. Moore;
S. W., N. F. Wilds; J. W., Isaac H. Farin; Sec, Geo. M.
Stevenson; Treas., Thos. B. Megear; S. D., James W. Anthony; J.
D., John V. Spruance; Tyler, John R. Cameron, Jr.; S. S., Wm. B.
Megear; J. S., D. T., Smithers.
Smyrna Conclave, No, 45, I. O. H.,
was instituted January 26, 1882, with the following charter
members: Benton V. Weldon, W. T. Collins, Joseph E. Williams,
Edward L. Staats, Wm. Walker, J. H. Groves, J. B. Evans, Robt.
D. Hoffecker, O. B. Voshell, W. A. Hardcastle, W. H. Baggs, Wm.
Wood, Robt. Morris, Josiah D. Evans, Edwin O. Sipple and T. B.
Hazard. The society has a membership of thirty and meets in the
Odd Fellows' Hall.
The following are the present officers:
Archon, John Wilkinson, Jr.; Provost, C. O. Swinney; Secretary,
George M. Stevenson; Warden, Joseph H. Primrose; Sentinel, Wm.
E. Hall; Financier, Wm. H. Baggs; Prelate, William Watkins.
Smyrna Lodge, No, 5, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted at Smyrna on March 25, 1885, with a membership of
fourteen. The first officers were: P. C. T., William Wood; C. T.
Herman Roe; V. T., Mrs. Wm. Wood; Chap., P. H. T. Wyatt; Dep.,
P. H. T. Wyatt; R. S.. Miss Susie E. Wyatt; F. S., Miss Morah
Colton; Treas., Edward Gilbert. The members steadily increased,
and in May, 1887, there were one hundred and forty-four members.
Meetings are held in Odd Fellows' Hall on Wednesday nights. The
present officers are: P. C. T., T. L. Mason; C. T., Miss Sue
Wright; V. T., Miss Maggie Sisco; Chap., Miss Lillie Statts;
Dep., P. H. T. Wyatt; R. S.. Herman Roe; F. S., Mrs. Herman Roe;
Treas., Mrs. C. O. Swinney.
The Americus Club was
organized January 1, 1884, with twenty-five members. The first
officers elected were: Pres., W. Geo. Hill; V. P., N. F. Wilds;
Secretary, O. B. Voshell; Treas., H. S. Anthony. A room was
procured in the Johnson building, and fitted up with the
paraphernalia suitable for social enjoyment. In March, 1887,
more commodious rooms were selected on Main Street, and are now
occupied by the club. The present officers are as follows:
Pres., W. George Hill; V. P., L. Irving Handy; Treas., E. H.
Beck: Secretary., R. H. Hill.
The Citizens Hose Company,
No. 1, was organized January 6, 1886, with twenty-seven members.
B. V. Weldon was elected President; C. F. Lippincott,
Vice-president; and H. S. Anthony, Secretary. Nothing further
was done during the year, and on January 6, 1887, a
reorganization was effected, when the following officers were
chosen: President, B. F. Weldon; Vice-president, E. M. Fowler;
Secretary, O. B. Voshell; Treasurer, G. A. Wick; Chief, Samuel
Taylor.
In April the company purchased a new
hose-carriage and hose, and thirty uniforms consisting of hats,
belts and rubber overcoats and boots.
They are now in possession of two
hose-carriages, one thousand feet of hose, a hook-and-ladder
wagon and eighty feet of ladders.
J. R. Robinson was elected secretary
June 20, 1887. With this exception the officers are as above.
Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month.
There are at present thirty-two members.
Smyrna Library Association.
A meeting of the citizens of Smyrna was held in Odd Fellows'
Hall on November 18, 1857, for the purpose of considering the
advisability of opening a public library in that town. P
Spruance was called to the chair, and E. D. Dailey selected
secretary. The project met with success, and a committee on plan
of organization was appointed, com-posed of the following
gentlemen: Dr. J. E. Clawson, Rev. W. H. Brisbane, D. Lockwood,
R. D. Hoffecker, Jno. M. Denning, W. R. Cahoon and ex-Gov.
William Temple. On January 29, 1868, a meeting was called and an
organization effected by the election of the following persons
as the first officers : President, Daniel Cummins;
Vice-president, Rev. William H. Brisbane; Recording Secretary,
Robert D. Hoffecker; Corresponding Secretary, Dr. E. D. Dailey;
Treasurer, William C. Eliason; Managers, Jno. M. Denning, Robert
H. Cummins, Dr. J. E. Clawson.
The public inauguration of the
association was held in Odd Fellows' Hall on March 15, 1858.
The books were selected by Rev. William
H. Brisbane, assisted by Daniel Cummins and William C. Eliason,
and during the first year five hundred dollars' worth were
purchased.
They were catalogued and arranged in the
library room in Odd Fellows' Hall by Dr. W. T. Collins. The
library was in Odd Fellows' Hall until 1870, when it was moved
to a room in the Town Hall, which it has since occupied. In its
infancy lectures were delivered in its interest by such men as
Rev. Phillips Brooks, Frank Hum, Dr. Cook, Rev. Dr. Carrow, and
the resident ministers, Dr. McCluskey, of the Presbyterian
Church, Rev. Dr. Crammer, of the Episcopal Church, and Rev.
Brisbane, of the Methodist Church.
In 1861 Edwin Wilmer was elected
president vice Daniel Cummins. He was succeeded in 1864 by Dr.
J. E. Clawson, who continued until 1866, when Jno. C. Stockly
was elected. In 1875 N. F. Wilds succeeded Stockly and continued
until 1878, when Jno. H. Hoffecker was chosen. In 1879 H. G.
Budd was elected president, which position he still holds. The
library has always been in a prosperous condition, and has
proved of invaluable worth in the community. At present it
contains three thousand volumes of well-selected literature.
They are one hundred and seventy-eight stockholders.
The officers at present are: President,
H. G. Budd; Recording Secretary, Walter O. Hoffecker;
Corresponding Secretary, L. I. Handy; Treasurer, W. P. Cummins;
Managers, Wm. H. Baggs, Wm. A. Faries, W. H. Janney.
Town Hall. At a meeting
of the town commissioners, held April 27, 1869, it was resolved
that for the convenience of the inhabitants a town hall should
be erected without delay. George H. Raymond, John C. Bailey, G.
W. Cummins, Jr., and H. C. Douglass were appointed a committee
to select and purchase a suitable lot on which to build, to
procure and adopt plans and to make contracts for the erection
of the building, provided ten thousand dollars could be borrowed
at reasonable rates. On May 11th it was decided to purchase of
Dr. S. M. Fisler a lot on the corner of Main and South Streets.
A plan of the hall as draughted by Richard Mitchell was adopted.
On July 8, 1869, the ground was broken for a hall, which should
be fifty-six feet on Main Street, forty-five feet on South
Street and three stories high. The corner-stone was laid August
19th by George H. Raymond, chairman of the building committee.
Addresses were made by Alderman Penington. Colonel Raymond and
Rev. Dr. Morsell. The building was completed and opened early in
1870. In 1887 the building was extended twenty feet on Main
Street. The first floor is occupied by Alder-man Henry G. Budd,
the Smyrna Library and the meeting-room of the Citizens' Hose
Company. The second floor is used as a hall for public meetings
and the third story is occupied as a lodge-room for the Masons.
Hotels
In 1787 Joshua Fisher built a hotel in
Symrna. In 1792, when the Legislature met in Smyrna, it convened
at this hotel, which was then kept by Thomas Hale. The hotel was
conducted for many years by Mrs. Comfort Lockwood, and in 1827,
when Thomas L. Temple became proprietor, was known as the
"Indian King Hotel." The property remained in the Fisher family
until purchased by Tilghman Foxwell. While in his possession it
was operated for some time by his son, Charles. Jefferson &
Clayton, the present owners and proprietors, have been in
possession for several years.
The house on the corner of Main and Mt.
Vernon Streets was erected as a double dwelling in 1817 by
Robert Patterson. In 1837 it was converted into a hotel and was
known as the "Upper" or "Steamboat Hotel." It was first
conducted by Thomas Jackson. It was next owned by Joseph
Hoffecker and November 24, 1856, was sold by his heirs to Dr. S.
M. Fisler. The building was improved and remodeled by him and
opened April 26, 1856, as Delaware House, with Gilbert Leonard
as its first proprietor. The property is now owned by Mrs.
Wilson T. Cavender. William Fell, the present proprietor, took
charge of the hotel in August, 1887.
Post
Office
Previous to the construction of the
railroad the mail was carried daily to Smyrna from Dover. The
last mail contractor was John Van Gesal. In 1837 John S. Lambdon
was postmaster and his successors were D. Lockwood, James Legg,
William Ringgold, Peter Wynn, William Wilds, E. J. Golt, Marion
Green, Benjamin Donoho, Jonathan Emerson, Thomas Carroll,
William H. Baggs and John H. Bewley, present incumbent, who was
appointed in August, 1885. There are eleven mails per day.
Kent County
Source: History of Delaware, 1609-1888,
Volume I, by J. Thomas Scharf, L. J. Richards & Company,
Philadelphia, 1888.
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