National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-08
AT NEWCASTLE.
a Quaint Old Town on the Delaware River
Described.


Special Correspondence of THE REPUBLICAN.
GRANTHAM HALL, June IL am sit
ting under the trees, looking out on the Delaware
River and the view is very beautiful one, as
sure you Before me- extending to the waters
edge, are rolling fields and neat hedges, clothed in
living green. The noble river dances and sparkles
in the sunlight; here and there is white sail,
hurrying ON to some distant port with its cargo;
over the river the hills and woodlands of New
jersey are sharply defined against the eastern sky;
to the right like grim sentinel, stands Fort Della
ware. This fort was built many years ago on q
small island in the river called the Pea Patch,
which took its name from a legend current in
these parts of vessel laden with peas having sunk
at this spot, and the seeds, taking root, formed
nucleus for the formation of this island The port
was destroyed by fire in 1881, but was rebuilt some
years after that time and during the late war ten
thousand rebel prisoners were confined there at
one time. Many Of these men were broken down
in health and almost destitute of clothing when
taken there; they had suffered from fatigue and
exposure, and often for the want of proper food,
and the close confinement and discomforts of the
place, added to this, caused many deaths The
little cemetery on the Jersey shore is filed with
the graves of those unfortunate men.
TO MY LEFT IS THE HISTORIC TOWN
of New Castle, which is said to have had more
1t was laid out by the Swedes in 1884, and was
called New Stockholm. When the Dutch took
forcble possession oft they named it successfully
Sandhoec, New Amstel, and Fort Kasimer. After
that time the name was changed to Grape Wine
Point, and then to Delaware Town, and finally the
name of New Castle was given to it by the English.
1t is quaint, old fashioned place. and at one time
was ambitious of becoming rival of Philadelphia.
Grantham Hall is the mansion erected more than
hY,v,
tile fields and splendid timber lands The estate at
one time embraced zoo acres and cost f7OO, or
about 81 an acre; to-day it cannot be bought
for SIS an acre. The descendants of the gallant
colonel, who lived here in aye olden time" now
till the soil, and tell many pleasant stories of the
past and of life in Delaware while she was still
colony. Country gentlemen in those days lived in
good style, kept open house, where friends and
neighborS were entertained with generous hospi-
tality.
HUNTING, FISHING, AND FIELD SPORTS
were INDUCED in TO a great extent, and on this
farm once grand fox-hunt. was started from
field near the river One hundred and twenty
horsemen and seventy nine hounds followed the
chase. When once started the hunters stopped for
nothing-would leap hedges, bitches, fences and
gates, gallop through mud and water in the wild
desire to be in at the death. Upon this occasion
cut of ham and bread and butter was
served 10 each guest; also glass OF spirits,
for it was considered inhospitable in those days
to omit inviting caller to join you in glass of
wine or something stronger. AS 1 sit here so
quietly under the trees looking out upon the peace
full scene before me, I cannot help thinking what
wonderful country this is. This+State is next to
the smallest one in the Union, and my circle of
observation Is somewhat ,1nIIea much
right before me: Smiling fields of waving grain
from which in few weeks will be gathered the
golden harvest to supply bread
To MANY THOUSANDS;
the pastures white with focks of sheep, whose
backs yield the material for fabrics of every de-
scription; the smoke of the rolling mill in the
distance never ceases day or night and the ham,
mer of the workman is busy all the day in the
effort to keep up with the march of improvement:
the steam-cars go whistling by, filled with
travellers intent on business and pleasure
the beautiful river is plowed by large
steamers, bound for foreign ports, and innumer-
able smaller craft, laden with merchandise for va
rous parts of this country and above all these in
teresting Objects the graceful spire of the little
church, crowned with a glittering cross, shows
that this is Christian community. Multiply this
fair picture ten thousand times, and we have |
pretty good idea of the beauty and resources of our
beloved land. VISITOR.