The Wilmingtonian., 1886-08-07

| Emerald ferns spring up flom beside rocks
and decayed logs The beautiful maiden
hair censy v ith their ebony like stems, may
be gathered ny the handful. Have you ever
drunk of the cool delicious water gurgliug
from the depths of spring in the midst of
the woods? If you have did You not think
as the writer did, that it was the cream of
all drinks
| The hilly road twists and turns like some
monsrous serpent, bnt you are repaid well
| for the effort Of climbing, by the ever chang
ing view beyond A short distance above
the liuo in Delaware County, Pennsylvania,
the Brandy wine is crossed by the Twin
Bridges 1t is really one bridge, and yet two.
One half is over the creek, while the other
is built across some low land. The small
strip of earth marks the line of Chester and
| Delaware counties.
After crossing the bridge the road follows
the course of the creek nearly half the dis
tance to Chadds Ford it is heavily wooded on
one side, while on the other you catch
glimpses of the creek. Chadd's Ford brings
to mind the scenes Of the fight for free
dom in 1177. The battle of Braudywine
was fought ON two different fields. One at
this point and the other at birmingham. The
road from the Ford, North, along the creek
was probably used by the armies although
part of it was lake at that time. The
air at points is sweet scented from the many
wild loses growing along the banks. Hall
a mile further, up one hill, aud aronnd the
side of another, brings you t the road lead
ing to the Birmingham Meeting house. This
road is not at alI level and it takes hard
work to reach the end little ever mile
away.
The last hard climb brings You in sight of
the old Meeting House. When taking a first
look, do not neglect to glance to your lett
In what is now the green lawn surrounding
dwelling house, is where the hloodlest part
Of the battle of Brandywine was fought.
Lafayette visited the field in 1925 ard pointed
out the spot near which he was wounded.
n is not far from this point. The Quaker
church was used as a hospital, aud blood
stains are still to be seen upon the floor.
Early records show it to have been built
first Of cedar logs in 172l. Benjamin ITawey
who taught school near by wrote in his dia-
ry under date of June 13, 1868, that lie at
tended the raising Of The meeting house. 1t
was enlarged in 1918 A new house has
since been built by the Orthodox Of Quakers.
The graveyard shows the date of 1863 in
several Places b side one Of tile walls the
young English Captain Percy is said to have
fallen,
The Meeting House is in charge of a negro
who is given house rent free in considera-
, ton of his services as sexton. His action,
in demanding twenty-five cents from each
visitor for opening the doors, is generally
: condemned. Every one would be perfectly
wiiling-and indeed perhaps 1t would be
a rght-to pay for the privilege of viewing
the historical pla C. Ii the fellow would
: trust to the natural promptings of genei osiry
/. of his visitors he would be better off
/ Taking the road North and then West
t will bring you to Painters Bridge Turning
again to the left or Sluth you soon arrive at
Birmingham Park. The boating ON the
Brandywiue at this spot is very good. About
quarter of mile upstream how ever there
t are some shadows aud sand bars, at Painters
e Bridge bait along the East bank there is a
d narrow channel like passage which, by row.
ing calelully, will take ycu safely over.
, When once above you are amply rgvaid.
9 The creek broadens out like an immense mill
b pond The East bank is built of stone for
+ severed feet above the water. The sides are
$ covered with bushes and fcrns. A road
: winds around tile hill and follow the many
turns in the stream for niles Towering
u high above, are the many velned rocks.
5 They show what terrible commissions mast
have occurred in the ages past. Great masse,
Z of delicate " ed lie meath the water, Civ
" lug i i'll some places green tnge. The sma
4 bit Of sky overhead seems Ike picture
e framed in green branches, Here and ther,
a streak OF sunshine finds its way down t,
It the water. The fields and hills in the dis
5 tauce herds Of cattle, all combine to max,
3 pleasing scene which is not soon forgot
II ten
Wilmington Comm erciaI College.
The new Wilmington Commercial Colleg,
will open III Institute Building, Eighth an,
e Market streets, September l,t. The principa
(iate Of Bryant aud Stratton's, Philadelphia
p will be at the College ally after August is