Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-03-16
EARLY DELAWARE SETTLEMENTS.
Some Historical Statements That
Are Unsatisfactory.


Are Unsatisfactory.
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The Relations OF the English to the Early
Colony--now They Camo Here, Their
DoinGs and Their Descendants.
EHiioi' Gastttc 4 JomHdl'I have something
to say ahont the early settlement OF Della
ware. | have read most OF the histories.
but they are unsatisfactory. 1t is usually
snid that Delaware was settled by the
Swedcs and Films; but this is only par
TALLY correct. There were some Swedos
settled in Delaware, but Delaware was set.
tied by the English.
There is always way of picking up a
trail al one end and following it to the
other. There are various ways of trailing
If you will take Il map indicating the
land owners of Delaware you will find
eighttenths of the names to be of English
origin. And il you will investigate you
vii. mud that most of the owners are
descended from the original settlement.
u you refer to the Oldest records you will
find that nearly all the officers Of the State
and counties, Constables. sheritfs. judges,
members of Council or Assembly are
names Of English origin. When did these
people come and who were they?
Now the Dutch settled New York and
| claimed all the lands lying on the North
river tthe lludsonl but they also claimed
the lands on the South river tthe Della
ware) The Swedes disputed this. but III
1863 the Dutch sent an overwhelming
| force and overCame the Swcdcs. Some Of
| the Dutch remained but they nearly all
returned 10 New York. They held the land
| for eight years, but they did not encourage
! English settlement, but repealed them MS
| dangerous.
But when in 1864, it was decreed by the
| English government TO take possession ul
the Dutch settlements in America, there
1 was regiment Of young men recruited
| about the court, who we're promised lands
in severalty in case they captured the
colonial possessions Of the Dutch. Thi,
regiment proceeded first to New York
which they took without fight.
! Colonel Nichols remained as governor
| The regiment then proceeded BY sea Il
Delaware The Dutch had fort at New
Castle called New AmstGl. A surrender
| was demanded and refused. The truop!
were then landed. Fort Amstcl mus
have been Of some strength, for the com
handing officer wished to take il by regu
lar approaches. But, says Colonel Carr
my young men would not be restrained.
and they ran in ON the fort with the hayo
net and captured il at once. Now thcs,
young men had been promised lands il
sevvralty, and where wonld they obtail
them except in Delaware. of which the,
had just taken possession? There is II,
question but that the English government
| would grant them rs per contract.
There is no record Of their returning
home, and we know that their officers re
manned. Then there is every probabiit,
that the men received their lands III fc
simple.
Well, then, as like attracts like, the,
would write home to their brothers, am
cousins, and aunls, and uncleS, and tn
land would he filled with them: inst u
'lnakers went to Philadelphia the Cath
olics to Maryland, and tho Pnritans I
Puritana. so during the Is wears betwee
1861 ana 1852, there must have been liyel
Immigration into Delaware; for whe
William Penn came over IN liS2 he foun
the three lower counties well filled up, an
ne had TO go higher M the river 10 fori
his settlement.
II this be 50, Delaware was essentially
military col0ny-colonia mili:as-uf III
Romans, differing from all the rest, whic
We're settled from motives religious or me
camille. And this may account Tor Tia
, separation of the three lower cuUnllt
from the Province Of Pennsylvania. FC
though they have always been the best {
friends, there was an incompalibility /
! their ideas Of legislation.
5 Then there was colony of Welch Sc
tied on the Welch tract, about Pencade
0 There were three shiploads Of Scotch Pre-
bytcrians left Scotland for America. q
their way ont they became separated Tw
came to Delaware and one went to SOut
! Carolina. Delaware has been great col
t nicer. not only of the Eastern Shore
e Maryland and Virginia, but of the gre
= west, especially of Ohio and Indiana, al
| Il large proportion of the English pop
e latton of Philadelphia trace their desCeI
from the settlers ut Delaware.
I w F, QurNpY.
Q wilmington, March, IL, 1893,