The Wilmingtonian., 1885-06-27
ADVERTISING RATES,
SATURDAY, JUNE ~, 1856.
THE OLD KINGS ROAD.

1t has not been very many years since the
Old Kings Road was the only thoroughfare
across the city west of Madison stacet,
The growth of the city, and the spirit of
improvement have destroyed the old road as
thoroughfare. Before long it will have
been entirely obliterated from the view of
man. Traces of it are apparent to those
who visit the western portion of the city.
The road crossed the Brandywine Just below
the Second Dam, and ran along what is now
Adams street, until it reached a point near
the present Delaware Avenue; thence turn
ing slightly to the left, it passed over the
spot now occupied by the southwest corner
OF the cemetery to the present line OF
Adams street south of the Avenue.
1t diverged from the present line of Ad.
ans street at point between Tenth and
Eleventh. streets, and ran in a southwesterly
direction to point near the present corner
of Fifth and Broome streets, thence it turned
slightly to the left, passed the present Aims
House, and thence continued out of the city,
A person standing at the corner of Ninth
and Van Bureu, can see traces of the road
on both north and south
A depression in the land lined on each
side with the remains of hedge, marks the
old line. Buildings and streets have obliter-
ated the road after it reaches Van Buren,
street, but near the corner of Eighth and
Harrison streets the old line is again appar-
ent. From point just back of the old city
hospital on Franklin street, the road is easi-
ly traced by remains of hedges and lines of
trees, until it reaches Fifth and Broome
streets.
Just when this road was laid out cannot
be ascertained; but it is of great antiquity.
1t was for long time the great thorough
fare between the eastern and southern colo
nies. As such it must have been trayerscd
time and again by Washington and many
other great men in their iourncying north
and south.
The story of Elizabeth Shipley, though
familiar to many readers of THE WHINING
ToNIAN, may prove of interest to others
This remarkable lady lived in Ridley town.
ship, Pennsylvania. Her husband was
William Shipley. About 1880 or 1875 she
dreamed she was travelling on horseback, in
a southerly direction, accompanied by a
guide. After travelling a considerable dis.
tance she assembled q high hill from the sum.
nit of which a landscape of fascinating
beauty lay before her. Her guide Informed
her that she beheld new settlement, and
that Divine Providence pointed it out as a
place for her family to SETTLE Upon awak.
ening she informed her husband of the
dream; but he thought very lightly of the
matter.
Several years after Elizabeth attended q
meeting of Friends on the Peninsula be
tween the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays
She travelled along the Old Kings Road
At some point, most probably in the neigh
borhood of Seventh or Eighth streets, sh,
suddenly lifted her eyes and behcld wide
ly extended view of beautiful scenery
which corresponded in every particular
with the land spread before her in the Wis
ion.
Upon her return home from her trip shi
urged her husband to remove from Ridley
and settle in the new land; and after som,
consideration aud investigation he did so
He never regretted the change.
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