Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-06-16

Something about West Wilmington. "A Sketch of
Dr.. john a. Broom, the Fom,der.-"West viii
mington" means all the thickly populated region
west OF the city line as faf as the Latmer pro-
perty, distance, probably, of between one-haf
ana Three quarters Of q mile, lying on both
sides Of the Newport pike, now known as
Within these limits up to the yea. 1865, there
were only three or four country mansions,
amongst which may be mentioned those Of
Messrs. Stroud, Latinler, Mcdaniel and DR..
BROWN, Tn. last "f whom in addition 10 his res
iuenca had built what was first called the "Liy-
ing idome, AMI subsequently the "Sixth Ave
nue. house: This latter building was for some
time used for hospital for decrepid and aged
persons, ana during the Rebellion large num-
oer.oi MANNED and sick soldiers were sent there
py the government, aud DIR. Brown, though ac-
cused OF being "rebel sympathizer," perform
eu Lhe dailes OF government surgeon satisfac-
| torily, and received the thanxs Of many SOL
diers.
In 1866, the Doctor thought he perceived the
great want OF cheap tenement houses for the
laboring people Of Wilmington, and concluded
to sell oil part of his farm in lots, upon such
terms as to insure to the purchaser the posses
sion OF house and lot, in seven or eight years,
by a monily payment of not more than the
rent OF AN ordinary house In the city of Will
mliston. This plan was thought by somo even
OF our slirewdest business men to be somewhat
/ visionary, and from very few did il receive the
encouragement which its success now shows it
deserved. large field between the Doctors
residence aud the railroad was surveyed and
staked OIL into avenues and streets, and at a
public sale of lots, with but few buyers, the
new town was commenced, the first building on
which was small two-story frame finished in
leoS. Amongst the first settlers in the new
| town were Isaac Russell, Nicholas Coleman and
John IlylOr. WIN p,,rcl,s aed lote and NV tha
payment OF regular monthly rental now own
neat anu comfortable dwelling houses. The
town at this time went by the name of "Brown-
town, by which it was known for several years
put 1t is now generally called q part of West
wilmington. From this commencement OF one
house III 1865, there are now, after the lapse Of
only hve years, sixty dwelling houses besides
Twenty-Five tenement houses, and church on
the south side of the railroad, all occupied and
used by colored people.
ms part of the new settlement was named
New Liberia and the Doctor, who was straight.
out, last iill, will upon no condition, so far as
he Inns control, allow colored family to pur.
chase or live upon property north Of the rail
ioti' Al HE same lime that lie preserves q
distinct ii',e between the black and white set
Elements, ie has no hesitation in employing his
colored tenants as laborers and mechanics.
AS the spirit of building and improvements
became more active in Browntown, those own
ihS property along Mary land avenue caught Its
spirit, and recently lots have been sold by the
Chrlstiana River improvement Company, and
bYprlvate parties, and handsome brick tenement,
ana stores are springing up. Within ninety day:
thirty new houses, in this section, will have
Deen completed, not including sixteen more iln'
der way IN downtown.
There is, for the population here, a large two
story school house, the school cont aiming ovei
setenty-fve pupils. 1t is in charge of Mis-.
| Eiuppy inn Int "a.
number Of scholars becoming too large for one
person, an additional teacher has been appoint
ed. A mission Sunday school has for sont
me been carried on in this school house, by
some members Of the Union NJ. e. Church
and now committee has been appointed by tn,
f same church TO solicit subscriptions for thu
building Of Mission Church on Maryland Av
enue.
Or. John A. Brown, the moving spirit o
West Wilmington, apparently possesses the vim
and activity Of middle age, but he has alread,
reached three score and added four years NOR,
on The shady side. lie is a native of Massa
cl''lsetts where he studied and practiced medi
cine very successfully, but with the same disre
gard for established customs; which character
les everything he does.
lie afterwards practiced his profession il
New YORK, from whence he removed 10 Della
ware, "a years ago, and bought the property OF
, winch not only he, but between 800 or 400 9th
er persons now live in comfortable homes. HI
considers IL 10 dscredit TO be called "Carpel
Bagger," of which class lie claims TO be a sue
cessiul representative 1t is but justice TO say
III ORDER 10 correct an erroneous opinion, tina
at the me Of the Dorr Rebellion in Rhode Is
iahu, he dil not live in the State. lie says
however, as Don was on the right side US Tia
lapse 81 lime has fully proven, ii was no discred
II TO have been his friend, and TO have lost sew
eral Thousand dollars in assisting him in Iii
popular rights.
Always "Democrat. " and during the lat,
war accused with much show OF truth, of en-
tertalnnS warm sympathes with those in arm
against the government, he yet refuses to wor
ship any other political god, or adopt any otle
principles than those enunciated by the Della
ware White Mans PARTY. In prospective DO
litieal view, he is heartily in favor of many O
/ the reforms advocated by the Republican party
and thinks it would be wise policy to let the re
puoicans carry the State at the next guberna
toIlal election, and let them enact their agtate
reforms, which must result in their total over
, throw and establish the Democrats in powe
Tor many years to COME T9mmercia.