Lewis & Rehoboth Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware

This hundred borders on Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and partakes of the characteristics of this indented coast. It is irregular in shape, and is one of the smallest' hundreds in the county in territory. On the south and west are Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Hundred; and on the north is Broad Kiln Hundred, giving it an area of about six by ten miles. The most of the surface is level and along the arms of Rehoboth Bay is of a marshy nature. In this locality the ocean's strand is high, affording a firm beach for bathing, and making it popular as a resort. Rehoboth Bay is a large, beautiful sheet of water, full of fish and visited by vast flocks of wild fowl. On some of its shores oysters were found as early as 1662. Newbold's Lake and Gordon's Pond are fresh water bodies, whose size has been decreasing on account of the drifting sands, which have been slowly filling them up. The same action has been lessening the size of the streams of hundred, the largest of which is Lewes Creek. This was first known as the Hoern Kill, later as the Hore Kill, and took its present name from the town located on its banks. It is about ten miles long and flows parallel with the ocean and Delaware Bay, and about one mile from them. It is subject to tidal influences and its channel into the bay has been several times shifted. Cape Henlopen lies to the northeast of this stream, and has been widening at the rate of several yards each year. Originally it was covered with a growth of pines and cedars, but is now almost destitute of trees, and in many places of vegetation, presenting the appearance of a sandy waste. In other parts, a good quality of marsh-grass grows luxuriantly, affording splendid pasturages. Beyond the cape the soil is generally an admixture of sand and clay, capable of producing a variety of products, and under good treatment yields well. The presence of clay enables the hundred to have the best roads in the county.

The country has been well cleared up, although some very fine forests of oaks remain, and most of the farms are large. Having been long under cultivation, some lands have become exhausted; but in recent years many acres have been reclaimed by systematic tillage, and some highly improved farms may be found.

Along the seashore, on the salt lands, shallow wells have been dug and the water gathering into them has been evaporated in rude salt works, put up in that locality. In the War of 1812 salt was made on the flats beyond Henlopen Lighthouse, and was sold at $3.00 per bushel. Some of the buildings used were afterwards occupied by Thos. Norman, and were swept away in a great flood, which is still remembered as "Norman's Flood" by some of the old citizens of Lewes. Through the heroic courage of the Lewes pilots, the Norman family were rescued from their perilous positon. The earliest account of titles to the lands of this section, and their settlement, outside of the trading posts established at Lewes, is given in the following report:

This matter having been brought to the attention of Director Alrichs, he communicated with Governor Stuyvesant, November 10, 1668, as follows:

Negotiations having been begun, Alrichs wrote to Stuyvesant, May 14, 1659, in regard to the mission of Beekman;

Concerning the mission of these commissioners, Alrichs wrote further from New Amstel, May 23, 1659:

On the 14th of June, 1659, Alrichs was able to report to Stuyvesant that the commissioners had successfully performed their mission and had secured a contract, as would be seen by the "bill of sale, which will be sent to your Honor by Mr. Beekman and to which I refer."¹

Although the Dutch had secured this territory by purchase from the Indians, it did not allay their apprehensions of encroachment or attack by the English, coming from the province of Virginia; and on the same day (June 14, 1659), Director Alrichs again called the attention of the Governor to the defenseless condition of the coast. He said:

The latter place to be fortified doubtless had reference to the Horekill region, where a small fort was again built for the West India Company, and a trading post maintained in its interests after 1661.

One of the first tracts in the hundred for which a warrant was issued was "Tower Hill," on Pagan Creek. It was granted November 25, 1676, by Governor Andross to Derrick Brown. This is a choice location, and belonged to Harbeson Hickman in 1887.

The same authority, September 29, 1677, granted a tract of four hundred acres, called "Sun Dials," to James Weels. It was "located at a beaver dam proceeding from Lewes Creek." On the 8th of November, the same year, William Tom, by a deed and assignment made to Luke Watson, for five thousand pounds of tobacco, conveyed a certain patent from Governor Andross for one hundred and thirty-two acres of land lying on the Horekill.

A warrant was issued to Arthur Clements, March 25, 1686, for fifteen hundred and twenty acres "on Pointexter's Creek, which flows into Lewes Creek."

"West Chester," a tract of nine hundred acres, on the northeast side of Love's Creek, was deeded to John Crew by Francis Cook, September 3, 1700; and on the 4th of March, the same year, Peter Lewis deeded "Middleborough," four hundred and forty acres, near the town of Lewes, to Jacob Kolloch. This tract had been warranted to Alexander Moleston, who had also deeded five hundred acres on the head of Love Creek to Thomas Fisher, son of John, on the 8th of January, 1696. In 1702 William Futcher conveyed to Hinijossa Richard Paynter, inn-keeper, of Lewes, his mansion, land and plantation, three hundred and sixty-six acres, bounding on King's Creek, from ye mouth, fronting upon ye bay, to ye head, part of a large tract called Hinijossa Peach Blossom."

The John Fisher above mentioned came from England in 1682, and settled on the Horekill tract He had besides the son, Thomas, another son, named John, and from the latter has descended Judge John Fisher. The wife of the first John Fisher, after his death, married Dr. Thomas Wynne, who came to Lewes in 1685, and two years later bought the one hundred and thirty-two acres of land previously sold to Luke Watson.

Francis Wolfe obtained a patent for fifteen hundred acres on the "Pot Hooks," now called Wolfe's Creek, a branch of Lewes Creek, on which he built a substantial farm-house. His descendants have all been quiet, unobtrusive, but intellectual men and the successive generations have been those of Reece, William, John, Daniel and Reece, whose descendants have become well known in this part of Sussex County.

The general settlement of the hundred is shown in the following List of Taxables in 1785: List of Taxables 1813

Business Interests

On the 4th of March, 1695, the court at Lewes was petitioned by Jonathan Bailey to grant him part of the branch formerly called Bundick's, on which to build a water-mill. The court granted the request, on condition that he would ''build the mill within fifteen months and to attend and minde the same and grind the grain well and in due course as it is brought thither without respect of persons, at the eighth part tolle for wheat and the sixth part tolle for Indian corne.'' The only mill successfully operated in the hundred, in 1887, was the small grist-mill of Benjamin Burton, at the head of Love Creek, where a mill has been maintained for more than a century and a half; and near Midway, Benjamin Carmine was operating a steam saw-mill, which was cutting the fine pine of that section into lumber. In other parts of the hundred such mills performed useful service until the timber supply was exhausted.

The improvement of Lewes Creek was projected at an early day, the purpose being to unite its waters with those of Rehoboth Bay. To carry out such a measure the Legislature incorporated a company, January 14, 1803, with an authorized capital of ten thousand dollars, and named James P. Wilson, of Lewes; Thomas Marsh and Daniel Wolfe, of Rehoboth; William Shankland, of Indian River; and Samuel Paynter, Jr., of Broad Kiln, managers. While this project was not executed, the plan has not been wholly abandoned, such a canal being deemed feasible at the present time and its construction is still urged in the interests of coast navigation.

Outside of Lewes, but few business places have been established in the hundred. In connection with the former, some trade was transacted at Quakertown, two miles from Lewes, which was a hamlet of fifteen families as long ago as 1725. A public-house was there kept, the militia trained at that place, and the elections were also held there. Near where was built the residence of Gideon Prettyman stood the pillory and whipping post, which were used as long as the courts were held at Lewes. In later years this place became known as Prettymanville, in compliment to that family. In 1887, stores were kept by Wm. Prettyman and A. Cord, and there were also a few mechanics' shops.

Beyond this place and nearer Bundick's Branch, Dr. Joseph Marsh lived as a physician, in the early part of the present century. Dr. Erasmus Marsh succeeded as a practitioner and, in 1887, Dr. Joseph W. Marsh was there professionally engaged.

 Villages

At Nassau, a station on the Junction and Breakwater Railroad, which was completed through the hundred to Lewes in 1869, are a few houses, a Methodist parsonage, a store, kept by Paynter & Marsh, and a small fruit evaporating establishment, operated since 1882 by the Reynolds Bros. The postmaster was Theodore W. Marsh, who succeeded Samuel C. Paynter. The first store was kept by James Lank.

On the highway from Lewes to Rehoboth, and at almost equal distances between those places, is the hamlet of Midway. It consists of half a dozen residences, a store, mechanic's shops and, in the immediate neighborhood, a Presbyterian Church. A post-office, with the name of Midway, was established in 1884, with E. L. Warrington as postmaster. The mercantile business he is carrying on was established by Wm. P. Thompson. As the surrounding country is rich, the hamlet has become a brisk trading centre.

Rehoboth Beach and City

The surroundings and natural advantages of Rehoboth Beach, for a summer resort, were recognized many years ago, but the difficulty of reaching the locality prevented extensive improvements, until within a recent period. In 1855 the Legislature incorporated the "Rehoboth Hotel Company" and granted the use of five acres of land, belonging to the State, lying between the land of Robert West and the Indian River Inlet, on condition that the hotel should be erected in five years. As this was not done, the charter was renewed, March 22, 1875, under the name of the ''Sussex Hotel Co," of Rehoboth City. The latter plan was located in 1869, on a tract of land at the head of Rehoboth Bay, purchased of Robert West. The following year Louis Tredenick came to this projected town and opened a small place of entertainment, which, in an enlarged condition, has since been continued by him as the Rehoboth City Hotel. On the lands plotted for this "City" another summer hotel, the Douglass House, halting sixty rooms for guests, was erected in 1877, by William C. Fountain, and, in 1887, was owned by Emory Scotten. A few fine cottages have also been built on the lots plotted fur city purposes.

A mile higher up the ocean strand is Rehoboth Beach, one of the finest seaside resorts on the central Atlantic coast. Under the auspices of the Rehoboth Association, incorporated March 15, 1871, a tract of land, embracing several hundred acres, lying above the Rehoboth City property, was purchased of Lorenzo D. Martin, in 1872, for the purpose of establishing a resort with religious influences, and to hold in connection a yearly camp-meeting. This location was well platted with wide avenues, streets, parks and spacious lots, and the situation being exceedingly fine, a large number of lots were readily sold at fifty dollars each. In 1873 two summer hotels the "Bright" and the "Surf" and several fine cottages were erected, and many guests were attracted to the beach. On the 27th of January, that year, the name of the association was changed by legislative enactment to the "Rehoboth Beach Camp-Meeting Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church." Camp-meeting grounds were now established in the beautiful grove, half a mile from the beach, and the annual meetings there held became occasions of great interest. This feeling encouraged the association to make yet more extensive and substantial improvements on the beach, and a large number of cottages were erected by the lot-owners. On July 2, 1878, an extension of the railroad was completed to the camp-meeting grounds, which enabled many excursionists to visit the beach; and the number of permanent guests was also in-creased. In February, 1879, the charter of the association was again changed, the title becoming the "Rehoboth Beach Association," and in 1881 the camp-meeting feature was discontinued, but the grounds have since been used for other gatherings. In 1884 the railroad was extended down the main avenue of the town to the beach, and a depot was established in a central location. About this time the beach was also improved, a board-walk, eight feet wide and one and a quarter miles long, being built at a safe distance from the wash of the highest tides. The beach is about two hundred feet wide, firm and smooth, and owing to its regularity is deemed very safe. But one case of drowning is reported, that of John Frank, August 14, 1887.

For the accommodation of visitors several large hotels have been erected on the beach, and one of them, the "Surf House," was destroyed by fire August 22, 1879, luckily without the loss of life. Near its site the "Hotel Henlopen" was erected by a company, which had among its members J. E. Hooper, George R. Johnson, George McCullough and others. It cost more than twenty thousand dollars and contains about seventy-five rooms. Dr. J. W. Thompson has charge of the "Hotel Henlopen," and Walter Burton the "Bright House." The "Bright House" was also enlarged and well furnished. In 1887 it contained eighty sleeping-rooms. It was the property of William Bright, who was also the president of the "Beach Association." Additional accommodations were afforded by the "Douglass House," several large boarding-houses and there were about forty cottages. Ten of the latter were occupied the entire year. J. R. Dick was the superintendent of the affairs of the association. Among the public improvements here projected is an iron pier into the ocean, to enable steamers of light draught to effect a landing. The Atlantic beach in this vicinity has several life-saving stations; No. 1, south of Cape Henlopen Lights having been established in 1875 and is in charge of Captain Theodore Solmon. The Indian River Inlet Station was established the same year and placed in command of Captain Washington Vickers. The station at Rehoboth City, in charge of Captain Thomas Truxton, was established in 1879.

Rehoboth Beach post-office was established in 1873 with Dr. Wm. Dawson as postmaster. He also had a drug-store, which was the first mercantile house on the beach. M. D. Lamborn had the next store, on Rehoboth Avenue. In 1887 Mrs. J. Messick owned the store and was in charge of the post-office, which had a daily mail.

Scott's Chapelis a neat Gothic structure, which was built in the spring of 1880 under the direction of James E. Hooper, assisted by the general community. It was dedicated by Bishop Scott, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was named for him. It was designed as an un-sectarian place of worship and has been statedly occupied by various denominations.

Religious Societies

The early history of the oldest religious organization in the hundred has not been preserved, but from a contemporary account, it appears that the Presbyterian Church of Cool Spring was organized many years before the time usually given 1784 to 1737.² It is not improbable that the congregation may have been formed as early as 1700, as a number of Presbyterian families lived in that locality at that time. To accommodate these with a place of worship, a central location was selected, situated in the forest, near a good spring of water. For this lot a warrant for a survey was issued, by the proprietaries in Pennsylvania, August 22, 1787, which directed that "four acres and one hundred and fifty-five feet, in a lot of ten acres, be surveyed for James Martin and a few other members of the Presbyterian congregation, to include the meeting-house and grave-yard thereon, located on the southeast side of Cool Spring, and on the west side of the county road, being nearly seven miles distant from the town of Lewes." This survey was made September 29, 1737, by Deputy-Surveyor, W. Shankland.

In 1734 the congregation formed a parish with Lewes, Rev. Josiah Martin being the minister, and his successors at Lewes, subsequently, also preached here. In 1788 the church became a part of the corporation of "the United Presbyterian Congregation of Lewes, Cool Spring and Indian River," and for many years retained that connection. Prior to 1805 there were ordained as ruling elders at Cool Spring, under this arrangement: Archibald Hopkins, Manlove Russell, Robert Coulter, David Stephenson, William Virden, Josiah Martin, David Mustard, John Stephenson and William Peery.

In 1810 the congregation had a larger membership than either of the other churches, and for many years was strong in numbers and influence. In 1887, however, there were but forty members and the church had no regular pastor.

The present house of worship, a substantial frame, is the third building which was erected on this lot, and was dedicated January 14, 1855. It replaced an old church, painted red, which stood with its side towards the street, and had two doors to enter. A gallery was built at each end, and it was in other arrangements like the churches of the olden times. When the present house was occupied, the congregation had as trustees James F. Martin, David M. Richards and Peter J. Hopkins. At the same time the ruling elders were Elisha D. Cullen, David M. Richards, Benjamin White, Peter J. Hopkins, Aaron Marshall, James F. Martin and David J. Ennis.

There were eighty white and two colored members and Rev. Cornelius H. Mustard was the pastor. He acceptably served in that relation until the spring of 1869, when failing health obliged him to leave a people he loved so well, and where he had received his spiritual nurture while a youth. Other ministers from this church were the Revs. Samuel M. Perry and David Coulter.

Since Rev. Mr. Mustard's pastorate, the minister officiating regularly at Cool Spring have been the following:

1870, Rev. G. N. Kennedy
1874, Rev. J. Bailie Adams
1882, Rev. E. A. Snook
1886, Rev. Benjamin Crosby

In 1887 the ruling elders were Benjamin White, D. J. Ennis, James M. Martin and Thomas J. Perry. The latter was also clerk of the sessions.

Among the interments noted in the Cemetery at Cool Spring (which is a large yard well enclosed), were those of:

James McIlvain, died 1754, aged sixty-one years
Robert Torbert, died 1752, aged fifty-seven years
James Fergus, died 1796, aged forty-seven years
William Perry,³ Esq., died 1800
Rev. Joseph Copes, died 1822, aged fifty-seven years
David M. Richards, died 1856, aged forty-seven years
Wm. V. Coulter, died 1875, aged seventy-eight years
David Mustard, died 1858, aged sixty-five years
Josiah Martin, died 1842, aged seventy-three years
James Martin, died 1846, aged seventy-three years
Gideon Fenwick, died 1858, aged seventy-one years
Robert Hunter, died 1836, aged sixty-eight years

Rehoboth Presbyterian Church was erected in 1855, as a chapel to be used in connection with the church at Lewes, thus serving as a preaching station. Those most instrumental in building it were Thomas Walker, Joseph Dodd, John Futcher and John Hood. Since that time it has been repaired, and was, in 1887, a frame edifice of respectable appearance, about thirty by forty feet in size. It is pleasantly located, on the highway to Rehoboth Beach, near the hamlet of Midway.

The congregation occupying this church became a separate body May 17, 1876, when a number of members withdrew from the Lewes Church for that par-pose, and others united with them, there being a total membership of seventy-five persons at the time of organization. Thomas Walker and John M. Futcher were elected the first ruling elders. Since that time William A. Dodd and Captain Edward S. Tunnel were elected to the same office.

The congregation was first supplied with preaching by Rev. Daniel Tenney, and Rev. W. W. Reese became the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. E. Snook, who was the pastor until 1884, since which time the pulpit has again been filled by supplies.

In 1887 the church property was valued at one thousand eight hundred dollars, and the trustees were William A. Dodd, Thomas Walker, John N. Hood, John M. Futcher, Hiram C. Fisher, Charles K. Warrington, William P. Thompson, Henry P. Wolfe and Rhoads Thompson.

The Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church in the hundred was built near Lewes, in 1788, and the lot on which it stood is still preserved as a cemetery. It was used in connection with the Bethel Church until its decay. The present church was built in the southern part of the hundred, on half an acre of land secured from the farm of Mrs. Abbie Marsh, and was dedicated January 4, 1858. It is a frame, thirty-six by forty feet, and has a gallery which increases the sittings of the church. Repairs in 1886 have made it more comfortable and inviting. In 1887 the controlling board of trustees was composed of J. C. Collins, Joseph T. Futcher, Daniel Wolfe, E. L. Warrington, William D. Wilson, John C. Wilson and Levin A. Donovan.

Until 1880 the ministers of the church were the same as those who preached at Lewes. That year Nassau Circuit was formed to embrace this church, Connelly's and White's Chapel, in Indian River Hundred, and Zion's Church, in Broad Kiln, and the ministers have been Revs. James Carroll, John Warthman, I. N. Foreman and E. Davis. The circuit owns a parsonage at Nassau Station.

In the hundred are also three churches, used as places of worship by people of color, namely, "Little Israel," built for mulatto people, which was burned down about 1858, rebuilt and since repaired; "Little Wesley,'' built for the African Methodists many years ago, and becoming unfit for further use a new house was built in 1872; and "Little's Chapel,'' near Rehoboth Beach, which was built in 1888. These houses are small, but have been found useful factors in promoting the moral training of those who occupy them. At most of the foregoing churches small grave-yards have been maintained.

Footnote:
1. This bill of sale of the land between Cape Henlopen and Boomties Hook given by the Indians to Mr. Beekman and Lieutenant de Hinijossa for the West India Company, on the 7th of June, 1659, was placed among the records of the New York Historical Society, but time has so much effaced its writing that it is no longer legible.
2. His report to the Missionary Society of London, October 11, 1728, the Rev. Wm. Beckett, of the Episcopal Church, said, "The Presbyterian have two Churches in Sussex County, one at Cool Spring and the other at Lewes," etc. There were at that time six hundred Presbyterian (old and young) in the county.
3. Had served as obtain in the Revolutionary War.

Town of Lewes | Lewes Historical | Sussex County

Source: History of Delaware, 1609-1888, Volume I, by J. Thomas Scharf, L. J. Richards & Company, Philadelphia, 1888.